cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimality and consistency in a differential game with non-renewable resources

Abstract Imperfect competition amongst buyers for a non-renewable resource is modeled as a Stackelberg differential game. The buyers may act as a cartel or behave non-cooperatively in setting tariffs, which the sellers take as given. The buyer's optimal policy is not consistent when extraction costs depend on the stock level. Both optimal and consistent, unit and ad valorem tariff's are analyzed. When a buyers' cartel uses a consistent tariff, the sellers may prefer to behave as perfect competitors or a monopolist, depending on the functional form of demand and cost. Non-cooperative buyers who are constrained to act consistently are unable to extract any rent from competitive sellers.
Substitution of transmembrane domain Cys residues alters pH o -sensitive anion transport by AE2/SLC4A2 anion exchanger

AE2/SLC4A2 is the most widely expressed of the Na(+)-independent SLC4 Cl(-)/HCO3 (-) exchangers and is essential for postnatal survival, but its structure remains unknown. We have generated and expressed a mouse AE2 construct devoid of transmembrane domain cysteine (Cys) residues, mAE2Cys-less, to enhance the utility of Cys-substitution mutagenesis for structural and structure-function studies of mAE2. mAE2Cys-less expressed in Xenopus oocytes exhibited partial reduction of stilbene disulfonate-sensitive anion exchange activity. This activity was independent of the mAE2 N-terminal cytosolic domain and was accompanied by near-normal surface expression, without change in K 1/2 for extracellular Cl(-). mAE2Cys-less exhibited wildtype activation of anion exchange by hypertonicity and by NH4Cl, and wildtype inhibition of anion exchange by acidic intracellular pH (pHi) in the absence of NH4 (+). However, inhibition of anion exchange by extracellular pH (pHo) exhibited an alkaline shifted pHo(50) value of at least 0.6-0.7 pH units. Although SO4 (2-) transport by mAE2Cys-less resembled wildtype mAE2 in its stimulation by acidic pHo, the absence of transmembrane domain Cys residues abrogated activation of oxalate transport by acidic pHo. The contrasting enhancement of SO4 (2-) transport by alkaline pHo in the mAE1 anion translocation pathway mutant E699Q (Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 295: C302) was phenocopied by the corresponding mutant E1007Q in both AE2 and AE2Cys-less. However, the absence of transmembrane domain Cys residues exacerbated the reduced basal anion transport function exhibited by this and other missense substitutions at AE2 residue E1007. AE2Cys-less will be a valuable experimental tool for structure-function studies of the SLC4 gene family, but its utility for studies of AE2 regulation by extracellular pH must be evaluated in the context of its alkaline-shifted pHo sensitivity, resembling that of AE2 gastric parietal cell variant AE2c1.
Characterization of reactive oxygen species in diaphragm

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) exist as natural mediators of metabolism to maintain cellular homeostasis. However, ROS production may significantly increase in response to environmental stressors, resulting in extensive cellular damage. Although several potential sources of increased ROS have been proposed, exact mechanisms of their generation have not been completely elucidated. This is particularly true for diaphragmatic skeletal muscle, the key muscle used for respiration. Several experimental models have focused on detection of ROS generation in rodent diaphragm tissue under stressful conditions, including hypoxia, exercise, and heat, as well as ROS formation in single myofibres. Identification methods include direct detection of ROS with confocal or fluorescent microscopy and indirect detection of ROS through end product analysis. This article explores implications of ROS generation and oxidative stress, and also evaluates potential mechanisms of cellular ROS formation in diaphragmatic skeletal muscle.
Vocal Cord Dysfunction as Demonstrated by Impulse Oscillometry

Background Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is a respiratory disorder characterized by inappropriate vocal cord adduction during inspiration. The diagnosis of VCD is challenging, because expected flow volume loop abnormalities are uncommonly noted, and laryngoscopy must be timed to coincide with symptoms. Objective We wanted to determine the potential role of impulse oscillometry (IOS) in the diagnosis of VCD. Methods We conducted an analysis of six patients in which the diagnosis of VCD was being considered as well as seven healthy subjects and five subjects with asthma. All were evaluated with IOS and spirometry, and patients underwent laryngoscopy. Two patients with suspected VCD who did not exhibit symptoms or abnormal pulmonary function at baseline underwent exercise challenge and repeat studies. One patient with suspected VCD underwent an additional irritant challenge. Results VCD was diagnosed by laryngoscopy in three of the six patients in whom the diagnosis of VCD was entertained. These three patients as a group all exhibited higher amplitude (mean, 9.3 cm H 2 0/L/second) and more variable spikes (SD, 4.8 cm H 2 0/L/second) on IOS impedance during inspiration, whereas the three patients in whom the diagnosis was not confirmed by endoscopy did not show these findings (mean, 2.0 cm H 2 0/L/second; P 2 0/L/second; P 2 0/L/second) and patients with asthma at baseline (mean, 4.2 ± 1.2 cm H 2 0/L/second) or after exercise challenge (mean, 1.5 ± 0.5 cm H 2 0/L/second). Conclusions These findings support the conclusion that IOS displays a characteristic pattern in patients with VCD and thus may offer a rapid and noninvasive adjunct to the assessment and diagnosis of patients suspected to have this disorder.
Reflectance FTIR investigations of the reactions of silanes on silica surfaces

CIR sampling has been used to demonstrate that the antimicrobial silane SiQAC is stable hydrolysis in aqueous solution at near neutral pH values. However, rapid hydrolysis occurs in mildly acidic solutions, but not accompanied by condensation of the silanol groups. After hydrolysis, condensation to form siloxane bonds is rapid in basic solution. The degree of hydrolysis is increased in the presence of silica gel. The silane on silica gel is quite durable towards desorption when contacted with water.
Towards a framework to situate assistive technology design in the context of culture

We present the findings from a cross-cultural study of the expectations and perceptions of individuals with autism and other intellectual disabilities (AOID) in Kuwait, Pakistan, South Korea, and the United States. Our findings exposed cultural nuances that have implications for the design of assistive technologies. We develop a framework, based on three themes; 1) lifestyle; 2) socio-technical infrastructure; and 3) monetary and informational resources within which the cultural implications and opportunities for assistive technology were explored. The three key contributions of this work are: 1) the development of a framework that outlines how culture impacts perceptions and expectations of individuals with social and intellectual disabilities; 2) a mapping of how this framework leads to implications and opportunities for assistive technology design; 3) the presentation of concrete examples of how these implications impact the design of three emerging assistive technologies.
The role of aspartate‐235 in the binding of cations to an artificial cavity at the radical site of cytochrome c peroxidase

The activated state of cytochrome c peroxidase, compound ES, contains a cation radical on the Trp-191 side chain. We recently reported that replacing this tryptophan with glycine creates a buried cavity at the active site that contains ordered solvent and that will specifically bind substituted imidazoles in their protonated cationic forms (Fitzgerald MM, Churchill MJ, McRee DE, Goodin DB, 1994, Biochemistry 33:3807-3818). Proposals that a nearby carboxylate, Asp-235, and competing monovalent cations should modulate the affinity of the W191G cavity for ligand binding are addressed in this study. Competitive binding titrations of the imidazolium ion to W191G as a function of [K+] show that potassium competes weakly with the binding of imidazoles. The dissociation constant observed for potassium binding (18 mM) is more than 3,000-fold higher than that for 1,2-dimethylimidazole (5.5 microM) in the absence of competing cations. Significantly, the W191G-D235N double mutant shows no evidence for binding imidazoles in their cationic or neutral forms, even though the structure of the cavity remains largely unperturbed by replacement of the carboxylate. Refined crystallographic B-values of solvent positions indicate that the weakly bound potassium in W191G is significantly depopulated in the double mutant. These results demonstrate that the buried negative charge of Asp-235 is an essential feature of the cation binding determinant and indicate that this carboxylate plays a critical role in stabilizing the formation of the Trp-191 radical cation.
Radiocarbon Date for Two Painted Stones from a Coastal Cave in South Africa

THE mountains of the coastal regions of South Africa and parts of the interior contain hundreds of caves and rock shelters with prehistoric rock paintings (for distribution, see ref. 1). Although many have been documented by tracings and many have been published, little is known of the artists and none has been accurately dated. Early indigenous populations allied to the Bushmen and Hottentots are assumed to have been responsible for most of the paintings.
Stories of Social Class: Self-Identified Mexican Male College Students Crack the Silence

This study explores the meaning of social class in the lives of five self-identified Mexican male college students. Participants shared the significant influence social class has on their college experience. Intersections of social class and students’ Mexican identity are illuminated throughout the findings. Themes include: social class rules and symbols, the strong influence of cultural and familial messages, the role of gender and class in the Latino culture, and hope and optimism for their family’s future. Implications for creating affirming environments for Latino students and those from families with socioeconomic disadvantage are highlighted.
Concussion reporting intention: a valuable metric for predicting reporting behavior and evaluating concussion education.

OBJECTIVE:: This study aimed to evaluate whether preseason concussion knowledge and reporting intention predicted in-season concussion reporting behavior. DESIGN:: Prospective cohort study. SETTING:: Collegiate athletic facility of each participating team. PARTICIPANTS:: National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's ice hockey players in 1 conference of competition (n = 116). INDEPENDENT VARIABLES:: Intention to report symptoms of a "minor" concussion and concussion knowledge were assessed at preseason. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:: Postseason recall of non-report of postimpact symptoms. RESULTS:: Preseason concussion knowledge was not significantly associated with in-season reporting behavior. Intention to report concussion symptoms was significantly related to in-season reporting behavior. There was a significant interaction between the number of different symptoms experienced and both preseason reporting intention and in-season reporting behavior. CONCLUSIONS:: Evaluations of concussion education programs tend to measure concussion knowledge. The present findings suggest that reporting intention may be more strongly predictive of reporting behavior than concussion knowledge and should be included in evaluations of concussion effectiveness. New concussion education initiatives should consider targeting psychosocial constructs that increase reporting intention. CLINICAL RELEVANCE:: Sports medicine clinicians who are involved in evaluating concussion education programs should measure constructs other than just concussion knowledge. Intention, to report symptoms or to continue play while experiencing symptoms of a concussion, seems to be an important and feasible construct to include as part of proximal evaluations of education effectiveness. Language: en
The secondary circulation associated with a vertically aligned planetary wave critical line

An analytic model of the secondary circulation associated with a vertically aligned, energy absorbing, planetary wave critical line shows that strong zonal mean vertical motions and heating (or cooling) can develop even though no eddy transport of heat occurs. The type of secondary circulation which develops around a vertically aligned critical line may provide a mechanism for stratosphere-troposphere exchange of air. The model predictions are discussed with reference to the 76/77 sudden warming.
On an unpublished work of Alt

Abstract The existence of an unpublished paper of Alt is here reported, in which he has made a collection of ten-link plane chains. Comparison of this with a previous paper of the author raises the number of variants to 230.
Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Mentzelia Section Bartonia (Loasaceae)

Abstract Taxonomic problems in Mentzelia section Bartonia (Loasaceae) are addressed using phylogeny reconstructions based on nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences from the ITS and ETS regions. Our results indicate sect. Bartonia is monophyletic and consists of two well-supported, species-rich clades. One of these two deepest clades consists of the Great Plains M. decapetala and a group of species centered in the North American intermountain region that have been described as subshrubby; whereas, the second deepest clade is more widespread and includes taxa from the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts as well as the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and intermountain region. Hypothesis tests applying the Shimodaira-Hasegawa (SH) test and Bayes factors (BF) rejected unequivocally the monophyly of (1) the ‘subshrubby’ group, suggesting multiple origins of the ‘subshrubby’ form; (2) M. multicaulis s. l., which consists of disparate clades we propose as separate species; and (3) M. multiflora s. l., which was recovered as h...
Acquisition and extinction of signaled avoidance as a function of intermittent reinforcement

Abstract Signaled, shuttle-box avoidance responding in female rats of the Fischer344 strain was examined as a function of four separate contingencies of intermittent reinforcement. In Experiment 1, when avoidance responses during acquisition were reinforced 25% of the time with prompt CS termination, animals responded equally often during acquisition and significantly more often during extinction than animals who received such reinforcement on a 100% schedule. Similar results were found under a trace procedure in Experiment 2 when avoidance responses were reinforced 25% of the time with informational feedback stimuli. In contrast, during Experiment 3, when animals were shocked on only 25% of the trials on which they failed to respond, the level of avoidance responding during both acquisition and extinction was significantly less than it was when animals were shocked on a 100% schedule. Comparable results were found in Experiment 4 when avoidance responses during acquisition averted shock on only 25% of the trials. Thus, intermittent reinforcement contingencies involving response-contingent feedback stimuli and shock have differential effects on avoidance responding during both acquisition and extinction trials under the signaled avoidance procedure.
Time delay bias errors in estimating frequency response and coherence functions

Abstract This paper discusses the problem of bias errors introduced when frequency response and coherence functions are estimated for systems in which a time delay is present. It is shown that a time delay between the input and output of a linear system causes the cross-spectral density to fluctuate as a function of frequency, where the period of fluctuation is dependent on the magnitude of the time delay. If the analysis bandwidth is not sufficiently small, or if frequency averaging is used to reduce the variance, the cross-spectral density estimate will have a negative bias. This error is transferred to estimates of the frequency response and coherence functions. Theory is developed showing the dependence of the bias errors on the time delay, the bandwidth and the length of the sample record of the input/output processes. Two experiments were designed to check the theory. In one experiment a loudspeaker, driven by white noise, and a microphone were used. The time delay was controlled by knowing the propagation time for acoustic waves between the loudspeaker and the microphone. In a second experiment a tape recorder was used with a fixed spacing between the record/playback heads to introduce a time delay. For both experiments comparison with theory was good.
The permanent electric dipole moment of nickel oxide, NiO

Abstract The optical Stark effect in numerous low- J branch features in the Ω = 0 + ← X 3 Σ 0 - band near 19 040 cm − 1 of nickel oxide, NiO, has been recorded and analyzed. The permanent electric dipole moment, μ → el , for the X 3 Σ 0 - ( v = 0 ) and [19.04] Ω = 0 + states were determined to be 4.43 ± 0.04 D and 1.85 ± 0.16 D, respectively. The measured dipole moments of NiO are compared to those from theoretical predictions and the trend across the 3 d -metal monoxide series discussed. The field-free spectrum was analyzed to produce an improved set of fine structure parameters for the [19.04] Ω = 0 + state.
Fluorometric and liquid chromatographic study of the binding of two coumarins to β‐cyclodextrin

The fluorescences of warfarin and phenprocoumon are enhanced following complexation with β-cyclodextrin; (+)-(R)- and (−)-(S)-phenprocoumons have different affinities for this cyclodextrin, whereas the corresponding enantiomers of warfarin have similar binding constants. Apparently, hemiketal formation in the case of warfarin minimizes chiral discrimination. This is confirmed using a β-cyclodextrin bonded chromatography column on which the phenprocoumon enantiomers are separated, whereas those of warfarin are not.
Relationship between surface hydrogen and fracture stress of 4340 steel

The surface hydrogen coverage of 4340 steel has been measured directly using electron-stimulated desorption. Coverage varies with sulfur coverage. A maximum hydrogen coverage was observed for a sulfur coverage of 0.3 with smaller hydrogen coverages for greater and less sulfur coverages. This result was related to the probable effect of sulfur on hydrogen adsorption, dissociation and recombination. The fracture stress of 4340 steel was measured using an in-situ tensile test, and a maximum decrease in the fracture stress was found to coincide with the maximum hydrogen coverage. A linear relationship between the fracture stress and hydrogen coverage. It was proposed that this relationship reflected the fracture stress-bulk hydrogen concentration and that these results support a linear relationship between fracture stress and bulk hydrogen concentration.
Long-Range Forecasting of Iceberg Season Severity

The development of statistical schemes for the long-range prediction of Grand Banks iceberg season severity is described. Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) Analysis is employed to isolate the dominant modes of variability in atmospheric pressure, geopotential height, thickness and air temperature predictor fields over a broad region of the North Atlantic. Correlations between eigenfunction coefficients and an iceberg severity index are employed to isolate predictors for input to a multiple regression model. Results of two hindcasts for the interval 1951-1980 are presented to show the achievement of high skill in predicting the occurrence of extreme iceberg seasons. One of the demonstrated models correctly predicts the numerical rank (from a population of 29 years) to within \pm 1 unit in seven of the eight most extreme seasons.
Sabotage vulnerability of nuclear power plants

There have been many recent studies of nuclear security focusing on terrorist assault, but this paper discusses methods equal in catastrophic potential: sabotage by individuals with a detailed knowledge of security procedures, plant layout and the functional nature of the critical components of a nuclear power plant. The paper looks only at sabotage without explosives or using very small amounts (2 to 5 kg) of explosives deployed as shaped charges to maximise their effect. We speculate on how explosives might be brought into secure areas and that, regardless of post-9/11 increases in security and use of metal and explosive detection equipment, banned items continue to appear in secured areas of airports. Using the VISAC computer code (VISAC, 2003), we analyse sabotage (with or without explosive charges) that produces a high probability of large radiological release. Similarly, facility kills, with extended downtime, can be obtained through the selection of the critical component to attack.
PÉREZ–LLANTADA, CARMEN, & MAIDA, WATSON. Specialized Languages in the Global Village: A Multi‐Perspective Approach. Newcastle upon Tyne, England: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2011. Pp. 305. $67.99, paper. ISBN 978–1–4438–2909–0.

A review of the book "Specialized Languages in the Global Village: A Multi-Perspective Approach," edited by Carmen Perez-Llantada and Maida Watson, is presented.
Attentional problems and older drivers

At a society level, there is a responsibility to meet the mobility needs of a growing population of older adults. Simultaneously, it is understood that some older adults will experience behavioral and/or physical changes that may preclude driving at some point in their lives. Because most older adults rely on the automobile to maintain their mobility and independence, there is sometimes reluctance to stop driving when impairments develop. Recent research has been aimed at finding ways to distinguish those drivers who may pose a threat to their own safety, as well as the safety of other road users, from the vast majority of competent drivers. These studies have indicated that measures of visual attention and cognitive function have been successful in distinguishing between these two groups. Finally, because visual attention skills can be improved with training, these findings have important implications for further evaluation of interventions to enhance the skills that underlie safe driving.
A new technique for predicting the shape of solution‐grown organic crystals

A method for predicting the shape of solution-grown organic crystals is presented. The shapes depend on properties of their internal crystal structure, as well as on the processing environment. The model developed here can account for the effects of solvent and may be extended to account for the influence of certain types of additives This method may be used as a first approach for including crystal shape in the overall design and optimization of organic solids - processes. The technique has been used successfully to predict the shape of adipic acid grown from water, biphenyl from toluene, and ibuprofen from polar and nonpolar solvents.
An Empirical Analysis of Spokesperson Characteristics on Advertisement and Product Evaluations

This article reports the results of an experimental investigation of the influence of a communicator’s characteristics on respondent’s evaluation of an advertisement when the communicator is in the role of a spokesperson. Specifically, the author assesses the impact of the physical attractiveness, sex and race of a spokesperson, the sex of the respondent and product advertised on respondent’s attitude toward the advertisement, and respondent’s perceptions of the advertised product. The results presented indicate that the effectiveness of the factors mentioned are dependent on the specific objective of the communication. A main effect of physical attractiveness was noted on a subject’s attitude toward the advertisement, on perceptions of product quality and intent to purchase. The sex of the communicator impacted on a subject's perception of product quality and interacted with the race of the communicator to effect the intent to purchase variable. Race was shown to effect the subject’s perception of product quality. A main effect of the sex of the subject was noted for the cognition variable.
Analogy between Y2Ba4Cu8O16−x and Bi4Ca2Sr4Cu4O16+x

Abstract The new superconducting phase Y 2 Ba 4 Cu 8 O 16− x in epitaxially grown thin films is compared to the newly discovered Bi 4 Ca 2 Sr 4 Cu 4 O 16+ x structure. Properties of Y 2 Ba 4 Cu 8 O 16− x are compared to those of Bi 4 Ca 2 Sr 4 Cu 4 O 16+ x . An analogy between the structure of those two materials is drawn and their properties are discussed.
Surveillance of phthalate esters in surface waters and sediments in the United States

Four phthalate ester products (three alkyl benzyl and one dialkyl phthalate) were monitored in industrial areas of the United States over 3 years (1980–1982). Documented methodology and quality assurance practices for both sample collection and analysis assured validity of results. The geometric mean concentration (corrected for method losses) for the three benzyl phthalates was less than 0.6 μg/L in surface waters and less than 0.2 μg/g in sediments. Only 20 of 205 water samples (10%) and 13 of 122 sediment samples (11%) had detectable levels of one of the benzyl phthalates. The geometric mean concentration (corrected for method losses) for C7,9,11 dialkyl phthalate was less than 3 μg/L in surface waters and less than 0.6 μg/g in sediments. Only 13 of 138 water samples (9%) and 1 of 90 sediment samples (1%) had detectable levels of C7,9,11 dialkyl phthalate.
National prevalence of peer victimization among young children with disabilities in the United States

Abstract Peer victimization is a serious social problem that can negatively affect children's psychosocial development and school adjustment, and may have lasting effects for victims. The rates of peer victimization among preschool children with disabilities, however, are unknown. This paper examines the prevalence and nature of peer victimization among children with disabilities in school settings using data from the Pre-Elementary Education Longitudinal Study ( N = 1270). One-quarter to one-third of preschool children with disabilities experienced some form of peer victimization in school. Peer victimization increased over the 2003–2006 period (21% in Year 1, 25% in Year 2, 30% in Year 3), and there were also substantial rates of co-occurring types of victimization among children with disabilities. These results suggest the urgent need to provide bullying prevention strategies for children with disabilities—strategies which have been previously neglected in the context of school-based bullying prevention and intervention programs.
The optical rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism of molecules containing interacting residues

Abstract We use a semiclassical formalism to derive expressions for the optical rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism associated with a dilute system of molecules represented as freely-rotating, rigid arrays of interacting residues. The relationship of the present approach to DeVoe's classical theory is discussed. Far from resonance, our results become equivalent to the equations of Moffitt, Fitts, and Kirkwood when the separation between adjacent residues is small compared to the wavelength of the light. In the resonance case, a calculation of the frequency-dependent circular dichroism per residue is carried out for a particular geometrical arrangement of the residues. These curves, for arrays both finite and infinite in extent, are compared with those obtained when a certain commonly used approximation to the orientational averaging is introduced. It is shown that this approximation is not always valid.
Influence of Temperature and Pressure on the Dynamic Properties of Rubber-Modified Asphalt Concrete

Results from a series of resonant column tests on two blends of rubber-modified asphalt under varying temperature and pressure conditions are presented. The blends of rubber-modified asphalt tested were samples of Type C, with a 20% rubber content, and Type E, with a 10% rubber content. A sample of conventional asphalt was tested for comparison purposes. These three samples were tested in a resonant column device for their shear moduli and damping ratios under various temperature and pressure conditions to simulate the range of loading environments expected in typical high-speed railway foundations. It is shown that as the rubber content of the asphalt blend increases, the shear modulus and damping ratio of the material increases; additionally, the shear moduli and damping ratios are strongly correlated to changes in temperature. The shear modulus and pressure are related as well, with the stiffness decreasing slightly as the confining pressure is increased; however, temperature effects tend to dominate the behavior of all of the asphalt mixes. Comparing these results to the data from five years ago, there has been little change in the shear moduli of the asphalt samples.
High-power, low-noise slab-coupled optical waveguide (SCOW) amplifiers and lasers

We review the development of a Watt-level semiconductor quantum-well gain medium based on the slab-coupled optical waveguide (SCOW) concept. Devices realized in the 1.5-µm-wavelength region include semiconductor optical amplifiers, single-frequency lasers, and monolithic and external-cavity mode-locked lasers.
Downward Flame Spread Under the Influence of Externally Applied Thermal Radiation

Abstract Downward flame spread velocity over vertical sheets of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and Filter Paper were measured under the influence of externally applied radiant fluxes ranging from 0 to 2.0 W/cm2. The flame spread rate was found to be dependent primarily on the surface temperature of the fuel prior to flame arrival. A power law correlation exists between the flame spread velocity and the difference between the vaporization temperature of the fuel and its surface temperature in the region not affected by the heat transferred from the flame. Present theoretical models for downward flame spread were extended to account for the additional effect of external radiation. It is shown that the predictions of the theoretical models agree qualitatively with the experimental observations.
Effect of differences in MIC values on clinical outcomes in patients with bloodstream infections caused by gram-negative organisms treated with levofloxacin.

Emerging evidence suggests that current fluoroquinolone dosing strategies may be inadequate to treat bloodstream infections caused by organisms classified as sensitive. This study sought to determine if differences in MICs for levofloxacin-susceptible gram-negative organisms correlate with differences in patient outcomes. A retrospective cohort study evaluated patients treated with levofloxacin for bloodstream infections caused by susceptible gram-negative organisms. Patients infected with gram-negative organisms for which MICs indicated susceptibility were categorized into three groups: those with organisms for which MICs were low (≤0.25 mg/liter), intermediate (0.5 mg/liter), and high (1 or 2 mg/liter). Patients were evaluated for baseline similarity, all-cause mortality, and measurements of morbidity. A total of 404 patients with bloodstream infections caused by gram-negative organisms were identified. Of these patients, 312 were treated with levofloxacin and included in the analysis. No significant difference in all-cause mortality among the three groups was observed. The high-MIC group had a significantly longer average hospital stay postculture than the low- and intermediate-MIC groups (16.4 days versus 7.3 and 7.9 days; P < 0.01) and a significantly longer duration of infection (2.1 days versus 1.0 and 1.2 days; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis adjusting for covariates revealed that a high MIC was associated with an increase of 5.67 days (95% confidence interval, 0.77 to 10.62 days; P = 0.02) in the mean length of stay postculture compared to the mean length of stay for the low-MIC group. Patients treated with levofloxacin for bloodstream infections caused by gram-negative organisms for which MICs were elevated, yet still in the susceptible category, had worse outcomes than similar patients infected with organisms for which MICs were lower. In vitro susceptibility classifications of fluoroquinolones for the treatment of bloodstream infections caused by gram-negative organisms require further study.
Species-specific high molecular weight forms of basic fibroblast growth factor.

AbstractbFGF was extracted from either mouse, rat and human cell lines or mouse, rat, bovine and human brain tissue and partially purified by cation exchange chromatography and heparin-affinity chromatography. When the heparin-affinity purified proteins were probed on Western blots with antisera against either a highly conserved internal bFGF sequence or recombinant 18 kDa bFGF, species-specific forms of bFGF were detected. bFGF proteins from rat and mouse sources were of apparent molecular weight 18 000, 21 500 and 22 000 whereas those from human sources were of 18 000, 22 500 and 24 000. Bovine bFGF proteins were similar to the multiple human bFGFs. The 22.5 kDa and 24 kDa proteins from human cells were also recognized by an antibody specific for the N-terminally extended forms of human bFGF, whereas this antibody failed to detect 18 kDa bFGF. We show that the differences in molecular weight between human and rat bFGFs are consistent with the predicted ATG (methionine) or alternative CTG (leucine) trans...
Coarse bifurcation studies of bubble flow lattice Boltzmann simulations

We demonstrate a “coarse time-stepper” based approach for the extraction of continuum-level stability and bifurcation information from kinetic theory based, LB simulations. Acting directly on the LB simulator, we sidestep the necessity of deriving macroscopic, explicitly closed continuum conservation equations. The approach is used to analyze the dynamics and the oscillatory instability of two-dimensional periodic arrays of gas bubbles rising in a liquid. ? 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Efficient Learning using Forward-Backward Splitting

We describe, analyze, and experiment with a new framework for empirical loss minimization with regularization. Our algorithmic framework alternates between two phases. On each iteration we first perform an unconstrained gradient descent step. We then cast and solve an instantaneous optimization problem that trades off minimization of a regularization term while keeping close proximity to the result of the first phase. This yields a simple yet effective algorithm for both batch penalized risk minimization and online learning. Furthermore, the two phase approach enables sparse solutions when used in conjunction with regularization functions that promote sparsity, such as l1. We derive concrete and very simple algorithms for minimization of loss functions with l1, l2, l22, and l∞ regularization. We also show how to construct efficient algorithms for mixed-norm l1/lq regularization. We further extend the algorithms and give efficient implementations for very high-dimensional data with sparsity. We demonstrate the potential of the proposed framework in experiments with synthetic and natural datasets.
Syndromes Associated With the Deep Veins: Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens, May-Thurner Syndrome, and Nutcracker Syndrome:

Although phlegmasia cerulea dolens, May-Thurner syndrome, and nutcracker syndrome are rare entities, knowledge of these syndromes associated with the deep veins is essential. This study presents current management of these disorders, including diagnostic and interventional strategies. Endovascular techniques have evolved and now play a significant role in the treatment of both phlegmasia cerulea dolens and May-Thurner syndrome. However, endovascular therapy for nutcracker syndrome remains untested.
He Said, She Said: Comparing Mother and Father Reports of Father Involvement

This study compares mother and father reports of fathers’ involvement, including frequency of involvement and emotional involvement, with their child and examines demographic and social factors that predict the discrepancy in father and mother reports. Using matched pairs of parents (n = 2,058) from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing data, this study finds that father and mother reports of fathers’ involvement differ significantly. For example, fathers report spending 17.6% more time engaged in 11 activities with their young children than mothers report. How parental disagreement is measured yields starkly different results given the underlying distribution of these data. The paper also provides insight into what data issues should concern researchers studying fathers’ involvement and contributes to the growing literature on fathers’ involvement.
Concurrent Multi-Dimensional Adaptation for Low-Power Operation in Wireless Devices

In this paper, we develop a multi-dimensional adaptive power management approach for wireless systems that optimally trades-off power vs. performance across temporally changing operating conditions by concurrently tuning control parameters in the RF and digital baseband components of the wireless device. A key contribution of this paper is the development of a multi-dimensional optimal control law that determines how the various control parameters should be concurrently tuned to guarantee minimum power consumption across changing channel conditions without compromising overall system bit error rate. Simulation results indicate significant power savings in the receiver RF front end using the proposed approach in addition to power savings in the baseband processor itself.
Recent applications of economic theory in Information Technology research

Abstract Academicians and practitioners are becoming increasingly interested in the economics of Information Technology (IT). In part, this interest stems from the increased role that IT now plays in the strategic thinking of most large organizations, and from the significant dollar costs expended by these organizations on IT. Naturally enough, researchers are turning to economics as a reference discipline in their attempt to answer questions concerning both the value added by IT and the true cost of providing IT resources. This increased interest in the economics of IT is manifested in the application of a number of aspects of economic theory in recent information systems research, leading to results that have appeared in a wide variety of publication outlets This article reviews this work and provides a systematic categorization as a first step in establishing a common research tradition, and to serve as an introduction for researchers beginning work in this area. Six areas of economic theory are represented: Information economics, production economics, economic models of organizational performance, industrial organization, institutional economics (agency theory and transaction cost theory), and macroeconomic studies of IT impact. For each of these areas, recent work is reviewed and suggestions for future research are provided.
IAMEM: interaction-aware memory energy management

Energy efficiency has become one of the most important factors in the development of computer systems. As applications become more data centric and put more pressure on the memory subsystem, managing energy consumption of main memory is becoming critical. Therefore, it is critical to take advantage of all memory idle times by placing memory in low power modes even during the active process execution. However, current solutions only offer energy optimizations on a perprocess basis and are unable to take advantage of memory idle times when the process is executing. To allow accurate and fine-grained memory management during the process execution, we propose Interaction-Aware Memory Energy Management (IAMEM). IAMEM relies on accurate correlation of user-initiated tasks with the demand placed on the memory subsystem to accurately predict power state transitions for maximal energy savings while minimizing the impact on performance. Through detailed trace-driven simulation, we show that IAMEM reduces the memory energy consumption by as much as 16% as compared to the state-of-the-art approaches, while maintaining the user-perceivable performance comparable to the system without any energy optimizations.
Improving the survivability of RESTful Web applications via declarative fault tolerance

The popular Representational State Transfer REST architectural style for constructing web applications offers simplicity and scalability advantages. However, to improve the survivability of a RESTful application, programmers commonly find themselves writing vast amounts of nontrivial, ad hoc fault tolerance code. Network volatility, HTTP server errors, service outages-all require custom fault handling code, whose effective implementation requires considerable programming expertise and effort. These implementation impediments hinder the survivability of RESTful applications-without proper fault tolerance functionality, these applications are likely to crash when experiencing faults. To provide a systematic and principled approach to handling faults in RESTful applications, this article presents FT-REST-an architectural framework for specifying fault tolerance functionality declaratively and then translating these specifications into platform-specific code. FT-REST encapsulates fault tolerance strategies in XML-based specifications and compiles them to modules that reify the requisite fault tolerance. To validate our approach, we have applied FT-REST to enhance several realistic RESTful applications to withstand the faults described in their FT-REST specifications. As REST is said to apply verbs HTTP commands to nouns URIs, FT-REST enhances this conceptual model with adverbs that render REST reliable via reusable and extensible fault tolerance. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biocatalyst Development by Directed Evolution

Biocatalysis has emerged as a great addition to traditional chemical processes for production of bulk chemicals and pharmaceuticals. To overcome the limitations of naturally occurring enzymes, directed evolution has become the most important tool for improving critical traits of biocatalysts such as thermostability, activity, selectivity, and tolerance towards organic solvents for industrial applications. Recent advances in mutant library creation and high-throughput screening have greatly facilitated the engineering of novel and improved biocatalysts. This review provides an update of the recent developments in the use of directed evolution to engineer biocatalysts for practical applications.
Growth and Physiological Responses of Maize and Sorghum Genotypes to Salt Stress

The growth and physiological responses of four maize inbred lines (CUBA1, B73, B5C2, and BR1) and four sorghum hybrids (SS304, NK7829, Sordan 79, and KS585) to salinity were determined. Fifteen days after sowing, seedlings were irrigated with nutrient solution (control) at electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.5 dS m−1 or saline solution at EC of 8.0 dS m−1 (salt treatment) for 40 days. Dry weight of shoots in maize was reduced by 58%, 65%, 62%, and 69% in CUBA1, B73, B5C2, and BR1, respectively, while that of sorghum was reduced by 51%, 56%, 56%, and 76% in SS304, NK7829, Sordan79, and KS585, respectively, in the salt treatment compared to their respective control. Salinity stress reduced all or some of the gas exchange parameters, leaf transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (gs), and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) in the late part of the experiment for both crops. Salinity treatment greatly increased Na
Dispersion within a model urban area

Abstract This paper analyzes the data collected in a field study conducted in Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, from 17 to 26 July 2001. The experiment was designed to simulate a source in an urban area modeled at a scale of roughly 1:10. The model urban canopy was constructed with 55-gallon drums laid out in a 5 by 9 array. Propylene (C3H6), the tracer, was released and sampled at 3 receptor arcs both within the barrel array and over flat terrain. Turbulence, velocity, and temperature were measured with sonic anemometers. A comparison of observations made with and without the obstacle array indicated that the obstacle array significantly increased lateral and vertical dispersion. The arc maximum surface concentrations observed within the array were well explained by a dispersion model based on that of Van Ulden [1978. Atmospheric Environment 12, 2125–2129] and modified by Venkatram [2004. Atmospheric Environment 38, 1337–1344] to use on-site measurements of mean wind and turbulence. The major conclusion of this study is that estimating dispersion within the urban canopy requires flow information below the canopy top.
CAS 101 [electronic engineering education]

This article focuses on undergraduate electrical engineering educational philosophy, pedagogy, and curricular content. In this article I present an academic philosophy believed to bring about excellence in the undergraduate electrical engineering program. This article also offers several general suggestions for strengthening coursework in the circuits, systems, and electronics areas.
Why people perceive typefaces to have different personalities

Although recent studies have demonstrated that people perceive different typefaces, such as Times New Roman, to have different personalities, or tones, many technical communicators continue to select typefaces based on intuition rather than carefully matching typeface personality to the rhetorical effect they intend for their document. These studies and earlier ones have analyzed quantitative data, such as people's ratings of different typefaces on different personality attributes. These studies have not addressed why people rate typefaces differently across personality attributes. We report findings from a survey that gathered both quantitative and qualitative data. We asked writing students to rate 15 typefaces on 10 personality attributes (e.g., "artistic") using 1-7 Likert scales. We also gathered qualitative data by soliciting written comments about the typeface ratings. We posed two research questions: 1) What personalities do different typefaces have, according to participants' assessments? and 2) How do participants explain their ratings of typeface personality, i.e,, why do they assess particular typefaces to have particular personalities? It is hoped that this study, combined with future research on the anatomical features of typefaces, will help technical communicators analyze typefaces so that they can make informed decisions when choosing typefaces for their documents.
Peer-assisted content distribution with prices

Peer-assisted content distribution matches user demand for content with available supply at other peers in the network. Inspired by this supply-and-demand interpretation of the nature of content sharing, we employ price theory to study peer-assisted content distribution. The market-clearing prices are those which align supply and demand, and the system is studied through the characterization of price equilibria. We discuss the efficiency and robustness gains of price-based multilateral exchange, and show that simply maintaining a single price per peer (even across multiple files) suffices to achieve these benefits.Our main contribution is a system design---PACE (Price-Assisted Content Exchange)---that effectively and practically realizes multilateral exchange. Its centerpiece is a market-based mechanism for exchanging currency for desired content, with a single, decentralized price per peer. Honest users are completely shielded from any notion of prices, budgeting, allocation, or other market issues, yet strategic or malicious clients cannot unduly damage the system's efficient operation. Our design encourages sharing of desirable content and network-friendly resource utilization.Bilateral barter-based systems such as BitTorrent have been attractive in large part because of their simplicity. Our research takes a significant step in understanding the efficiency and robustness gains possible with multilateral exchange.