cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical parametric generation in liquid- and gas-filled hollow core fibers

Fiber laser sources with narrow linewidths in the short-wave infrared and mid-infrared spectral regions have many defense, commercial, and sensing related applications. To generate wavelengths not produced by commercially available lasers, we introduce a compact design of a hollow core fiber-based optical parametric amplifier (OPA) with flexible phase-matching schemes. An electric field applied to fiber core liquids or gases can induce the required effective second-order nonlinearity. Quasi-phase-matching for efficient frequency conversion can be realized by applying spatially periodic electric fields along the length of the fiber. We investigate fiber-based OPA designs with xenon gas and liquids such as carbon disulfide to determine the viability of these architectures for efficient wavelength conversion and flexibility.
High-dose and low-dose varenicline for smoking cessation in adolescents: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Summary Background Although cigarette smoking typically begins in adolescence, evidence for successful pharmacological smoking cessation interventions for this population is scarce. In adult smokers, varenicline is the most effective single pharmacotherapy. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of varenicline for smoking cessation in adolescents. Methods We did a randomised, placebo-controlled trial with adolescent smokers aged 12–19 years who were seeking treatment to quit at 57 outpatient centres (in the USA, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, Canada, and Georgia). Participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive 12 weeks of high-dose varenicline (1 mg twice daily; 0·5 mg twice daily if bodyweight ≤55 kg), low-dose varenicline (0·5 mg twice daily; 0·5 mg once daily if bodyweight ≤55 kg), or placebo, then followed up for 40 additional weeks. At all visits, participants received brief, developmentally tailored smoking cessation counselling ( ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT01312909 . Findings Between April 26, 2011, and Jan 18, 2018, 312 participants were enrolled and completed participation in the study: 109 in the high-dose varenicline group, 103 in the low-dose varenicline group, and 100 in the placebo group. The continuous abstinence rates from week 9 to 12 were 20% (22 of 109) in the high-dose varenicline group, 27% (28 of 103) in the low-dose varenicline group, and 18% (18 of 100) in the placebo group. Abstinence rates between high-dose varenicline and placebo groups (odds ratio [OR] 1·18 [95% CI 0·59–2·37]; p=0·63) and between low-dose varenicline and placebo groups (1·73 [0·88–3·39]; p=0·11) did not differ significantly. Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 65 (60%) of 108 participants in the high-dose group, 53 (53%) of 100 in the low-dose group, and 52 (53%) of 99 in the placebo group, and most were rated as mild. Neuropsychiatric treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 18 (17%) of 108 participants in the high-dose group, 11 (11%) of 100 in the low-dose group, and 12 (12%) of 99 in the placebo group, and none was rated as severe. Interpretation This trial did not show an advantage in abstinence with varenicline compared with placebo among adolescent smokers. The rates of treatment-emergent adverse events were similar to those in previous trials of adult smokers, raising no new tolerability signals. These findings do not support the use of varenicline as a first-line pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation in adolescents. Funding Pfizer.
A tetravalent live attenuated dengue virus vaccine stimulates balanced immunity to multiple serotypes in humans.

The four-dengue virus (DENV) serotypes infect several hundred million people annually. For the greatest safety and efficacy, tetravalent DENV vaccines are designed to stimulate balanced protective immunity to all four serotypes. However, this has been difficult to achieve. Clinical trials with a leading vaccine demonstrated that unbalanced replication and immunodominance of one vaccine component over others can lead to low efficacy and vaccine enhanced severe disease. The Laboratory of Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health has developed a live attenuated tetravalent DENV vaccine (TV003), which is currently being tested in phase 3 clinical trials. Here we report, our study to determine if TV003 stimulate balanced and serotype-specific (TS) neutralizing antibody (nAb) responses to each serotype. Serum samples from twenty-one dengue-naive individuals participated under study protocol CIR287 (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02021968) are analyzed 6 months after vaccination. Most subjects (76%) develop TS nAbs to 3 or 4 DENV serotypes, indicating immunity is induced by each vaccine component. Vaccine-induced TS nAbs map to epitopes known to be targets of nAbs in people infected with wild type DENVs. Following challenge with a partially attenuated strain of DENV2, all 21 subjects are protected from the efficacy endpoints. However, some vaccinated individuals develop post challenge nAb boost, while others mount post-challenge antibody responses that are consistent with sterilizing immunity. TV003 vaccine induced DENV2 TS nAbs are associated with sterilizing immunity. Our results indicate that nAbs to TS epitopes on each serotype may be a better correlate than total levels of nAbs currently used for guiding DENV vaccine development. Multivalent vaccines that confer protection to multiple serotypes of Dengue virus have been established. Here the authors examine the presence of vaccine induced multivalent antibodies and how these link to protection in a human challenge model of Dengue virus.
A Markov framework for generalized post-event systems recovery modeling: From single to multihazards

Abstract State-dependent models can be used to represent the system recovery process as a series of stochastic transitions from lower to higher functional states. However, the applications of these models have been limited in scope and there is a lack of a generalized recovery modeling framework. A generalized framework would permit a robust forecasting of systems and system-of-systems recovery under multiple hazards, and more broadly, would contribute to community disaster preparedness. This paper develops a generalized post hazard-event recovery modeling framework based on state-dependent Markov-type processes. We then apply the proposed framework to solve a spectrum of problems that range from hind-casting single-system recovery following a single hazard event to forecasting post-event trajectories under multiple hazards and modeling the recovery of a system-of-systems. First, Markov chains are used to hind-cast the observed recovery for a portfolio of buildings affected by the 2014 South Napa, California, earthquake. Next, Markov processes are used to formulate a parametric post hazard-event recovery model, which can be updated using Bayesian statistics when relevant datasets become available. Semi-Markov processes are then used to develop a more general model of single hazard recovery, which accounts for the intensity of the loading and level of damage caused by the event. Semi-Markov processes with non-renewal features are then used to account for multihazard interactions in a post-event recovery model, and applied to a case study that involves a community in Charleston, South Carolina. Lastly, Markov-type processes are combined with Bayesian networks to model the recovery of residential, commercial, educational, and industrial buildings (system-of-systems) following a hazard event. These applications demonstrate the versatility of the Markov framework towards handling recovery problems with varying levels of complexity.
Universal SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction screening and assisted reproductive technology in a coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic epicenter: screening and cycle outcomes from a New York City fertility center.

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and efficacy of a universal screening program in patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). Design Single-center retrospective cohort study. Setting Academic fertility center in an epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patient(s) All patients undergoing COS from June 17, 2019, to February 28, 2021. Intervention(s) Universal COVID-19 screening starting June 17, 2020, with SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction testing within 5 days of oocyte retrieval, patient-reported symptom screening, and temperature monitoring. Main Outcomes Measure(s) The primary outcome was the number of positive COVID-19 cases in patients undergoing COS cycles. The secondary outcomes were cycle outcomes compared with before COVID-19 COS cycles, adverse outcomes in COVID-canceled cycles, and center-specific COVID-19 detection rates compared with New York City cases. Result(s) From June 17, 2020, to February 28, 2021, 1,696 COS cycles were initiated with only seven positive COVID-19 cases for an overall positivity rate of 0.4%. When compared with before COVID cycles from June 17, 2019, to February 28, 2020, the volume of COS cycles were higher, while the overall cycle cancelation rate was lower during COVID-19. Cycle outcomes including oocyte yield and blast utilization rates were unchanged from pre-COVID cycles. Cases of COVID-19, while very low, occurred more frequently during surges in New York City rates. Conclusion(s) Assisted reproductive technology can be performed during the COVID-19 pandemic utilizing frequent universal screening and safe practices with low SARS-CoV-2 positivity, low cycle cancelation rates, and positive patient outcomes.
Laying Down with the Lamb: Abolitionist Veganism, the Rhetoric of Human Exceptionalism, and the End of Creation

As more people become interested in veganism, we need to make the moral case for this position to both the animal rights community and the larger public. Paradoxically, one of the main obstacles to making this case is the animal welfare movement, which relies on the work of Peter Singer. This chapter relies on Gary Francione’s Abolitionist Approach and argues that the animal welfare movement’s failure to condemn animal slaughter is ultimately rooted in Singer’s belief in human exceptionalism. The authors argue that traditional Judeo-Christian justifications for human exceptionalism fail to hold up to scrutiny and that an alternative Christian position provides a way to think beyond human exceptionalism, offering support for veganism as a moral imperative.
Effect of water on the dielectric behavior of solder

The electrical conduction behavior of solder is well-known, but the dielectric behavior has been reported only recently. Water in the environment commonly affects electronics performance. This work provides the first study of the effect of water on the dielectric behavior of solder (along the solder bar axis). It also provides the first report of a mixed dielectric, which is a new concept referring to the combination of an electronic dielectric and a molecular dielectric. The mixed dielectric here is a combination of Sn-4Ag solder (an electronic dielectric with relative permittivity 3.24 × 106) and water (a molecular dielectric with relative permittivity 80). In this mixed dielectric, the electric field from the high-permittivity solder promotes the electric field in the low-permittivity water, so the relative permittivity of the solder-water combination exceeds that of the corresponding solder-air combination. The relative permittivity of the combination decreases with decreasing solid (solder) volume fraction. For the highest water/air volume fraction in the combination, corresponding to the lowest solid volume fraction of 0.937, the replacement of air with water increases the relative permittivity at 100 kHz by 1.3%, from 3.09 × 106 to 3.13 × 106. The measured relative permittivity is higher than the corresponding calculated value based on the Rule of Mixtures, due to the fringing electric field associated with the water or air, which is not as able as the solder in trapping the electric field in the capacitance measurement using coplanar electrodes.
Methods and Tools for Integrating Database Systems and Object-Oriented Programming Systems

The object-oriented paradigm has gained rapid acceptance as the basis for the next generation of database systems. Yet many of the fundamental concepts behind the object-oriented approach are in conflict with the traditional ideas of database management. In this paper we investigate the similarities and differences between the relational database approach and the object-oriented programming language Smalltalk. We develop an object-oriented data model with abstract classes, and discuss the techniques for translating requests into a relational language.
Operator theoretic methods for robust active vision problems

A key issue that must be addressed when deploying active vision systems in unstructured, potentially hostile environments is their fragility. As we show in this paper, robustness issues can be addressed by appealing to a common systems theoretic substrate to recast these problems into a tractable convex optimization form. These ideas are illustrated with experimental results from multiframe tracking, visual servoing and activity recognition.
Geology and Wine 3. Terroirs of the Walla Walla Valley appellation, southeastern Washington State, USA

Terroir of the Walla Walla Valley appellation of Washington State is influenced by 1) the rain shadow effect and volcanic tephra of the Cascade Mouncain Range, 2) soils derived from Quaternary glacial sediments and wind-blown loess overlying Miocene basalt, and 3) a warm, dry climate with abundant sunshine and cool nights due to high latitude (45-48°N) and elevation. Wine flavours of Walla Walla Valley varietals (including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Syrah) appear to be influenced by low humidity, long growing season (1500-1800°C degree days), soil type and drainage, drip irrigation, pruning to restrict vine vigour, trellising methods, and overall topographic climatic setting of the vineyards. Microclimates within the Walla Walla Valley appellation, combined with variations in soil and bedrock stratigraphy, yield a range of wine styles as great as many larger regions and some countries. Resume Le terroir de la vallee de Walla Walla d'appellation de l'Etat de Washington est caracterise par 1) l'effet parapluie de la topographie locale et la nature tephritiquedes depots de la chaine des monts Cascade, 2) les sols issus de depots glaciaires et de loess eoliens recouvrant un basalte Miocene, et 3) un climat chaud et sec tres ensoleille, avec les nuits fraiches deshautes latitudes (N45° a N48°) et de l'altitude elevee. Les gouts des vins des varietes de la vallee de Walla Walla (incluant le Cabernet Sauvignon, le Chardonnay, le Merlot, et le Syrah) semblent dependre de la faible humidite de la region, sa saison vegetative longue (1 500°C a 1 800°C degres-jours), de la nature de son sol et de son drainage, d'une irrigation goutte a goutte, de la taille de la vigne pour en restreindre la vigueur vegetative, des methodes de treillages et, des conditions topographiques et climatiques generales ou baignent ces vignobles. L'effet combine des microclimats de la region d'appellation de la vallee de Walla Walla avec les varietes de ses sols et de la stratigraphie du substratum rocheux regional permet la production de styles de vin aussi prestigieux que bien des regions reconnues et meme de certains pays.
Quantitative performance evaluation of high-end computing platforms

We have a wide variety of systems and configurations to choose for our computing needs; however, there is no knowledge base of which systems have better performance for a given business, scientific or an engineering application. In this paper, we benchmarked the performance of commonly available high-end systems using industry standard benchmark suites. Since most of the currently available benchmarks do not provide a complete evaluation of all system components, we chose to use different benchmarks to measure the performance of low-level, kernel and application specific areas. We have described the architecture and configuration of each system tested and also presented the benchmark results, which reveal the best suited platform for application requirements
The Role of Thiols in the Apparent Activation of Rat Brain Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS)

The role of thiols on the activation and/or stabilization of rat brain nitric oxide synthase (NOS) has been investigated. It was found that thiols are not necessary for stabilizing or protecting the protein during purification but are required during enzyme turnover for maximum activity. In the complete absence of thiols but with added tetrahydrobiopterin, the enzyme retained a low basal activity. Thiol addition to a thiol-deplete preparation of the enzyme resulted in a 4 to 7-fold increase in activity when measured after 15 min. High concentrations of dihydropteridine reductase also caused an apparent activation of NOS and was capable of replacing thiols. The data presented is consistent with a cofactor role for thiols. The possibility that they serve as reducing agents for the regeneration of tetrahydrobiopterin from dihydrobiopterins is discussed.
Computer-aided data acquisition and instruction

The recent proliferation of microcomputers in the United States Navy has led to the need to acquaint naval engineering officers with the fundamentals of microcomputers and the use of computer-aided data acquisition in a mechanical measurements course. Instruction included the fundamentals of analog-to-digital conversion along with the related measurement uncertainties incurred, ambiguities due to sampling rates, the interfacing of transducers to microcomputers and data transfer from microcomputer to a mainframe computer. The principles taught in the classroom were enhanced by laboratories based on a computer-controlled data acquisition system. Among the laboratories were: “Transient Response of Thermocouples,” where three thermocouples of various radii were heated and allowed to cool under natural convection. The computer-based system acquired thermocouple voltages at discrete time intervals, digitized them, converted them to non-dimensional temperature, and presented the output to the student in real-time in graphical form as well as producing numerical data for further processing by the student. Another laboratory, “Computer-Aided Data Acquisition in a Turbulent Heated Jet” required students to calibrate a traversing mechanism that contained a thermocouple and a pitot tube to acquire data in a heated jet of air. Students entered calibration coefficients into the computer system and data was acquired automatically by the computer at various positions within the jet. The transducer voltages were then transferred via a modem to an IBM 3033 computer. The students modified existing Fortran programs on the mainframe computer to compute temperatures, velocities, and standard deviations at each position in the jet and to present their data in graphical form. This laboratory led the students through the entire process of data acquisition, from the real-time acquisition of transducer output to the high-level, graphical analysis of that data possible on a mainframe computer.
Aflibercept for the treatment of neovascular glaucoma

Background Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a potentially blinding disease associated with ocular ischaemia. Use of an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agent has been reported as a treatment option for NVG. The purpose of this study was to investigate initial results regarding the treatment of NVG with intravitreal aflibercept. Design This study employed a prospective, interventional case series study design. Participants Patients with newly diagnosed stage 1 or 2 neovascular glaucoma were eligible to participate in this study. Methods Four patients with newly diagnosed stage 1 or 2 NVG were treated with intravitreal aflibercept at the time of diagnosis, with planned repeat injection at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and then every 8 weeks thereafter up until 52 weeks after study initiation. Main Outcome Measures Primary outcomes were regression of neovascularization of the iris and angle (NVI, NVA). Secondary outcome measurements included visual acuity and intraocular pressure (IOP). Results Intravitreal aflibercept resulted in rapid regression of NVI and NVA. IOP was stable or reduced in all patients at the 52-week study visit. Conclusions These results suggest that intravitreal aflibercept may be an effective treatment for stage 1 and 2 NVG, resulting in rapid and sustained regression of NVI and NVA as well as control of IOP. Further research is needed to determine the full duration of effect and the optimal dose and timing of administration.
A Guide to Fiduciary Selection

Your clients must exercise great care in selecting fiduciaries such as executors, trustees, and agents. These decisions may affect the client and the client’s family members for many years. Decisions regarding the appropriate persons to select are, naturally, for your clients to make. However, you have a duty to explain to your clients the factors they should consider before making designations in wills, trusts and powers of attorney. This article focuses on these considerations.The article begins with a discussion of legal criteria based on the law of Texas. The remainder of the article has general application and discusses the factors from a practical standpoint which a client should consider as well as the pros and cons of using a corporate fiduciary and of appointing co-fiduciaries.
Children out of step with immunization.

From the many studies cited several points can be seen. (1) Diphtheria and tetanus are good immunizing agents which produce long-term immunity. (2) A series of two diphtheria-tetanus plus a booster one year later is adequate for basic immunization. (3) Two injections of pertussis at least 60 days apart produce levels of agglutinin that are equal to the amount produced by three injections. (4) Prolonged time between the injections of the basic series of diphtheria-tetanus does not interfere with the final immunity. There is no need to "restart" a DPT series. (5) After the basic series and booster a DT every ten years is adequate to preserve immunity. (6) A series of two trivalent oral polio doses eight weeks apart and a booster one year later is adequate for basic immunization. (7) Live viral vaccines can be given together, and, if desired, oral polio, smallpox, measles, and mumps can be given simultaneously. For a child over the age of 1 year who has had no immunizations, the following schedule could be utilized. First visit: DPT (or DT), trivalent polio, tine test; two months later: DPT (or DT), trivalent polio, measles; and one year later: DT, trivalent polio. If desired, mumps and rubella can also be given at the time of the second visit. With current information available, it is now possible for us as physicians to adequately immunize in three visits the child who is out of step with immunization.
An Analysis of Some Predatory Behaviour Patterns in Four Species of Carnivorous Marsupials (Dasyuridae), with Comparative Notes on the Eutherian Cat Felis catus

Two aspects of predatory behaviour in five species of carnivorous mammals were studied: four species (Dasyurus viverrinus, Dasyurus hallucatus, Dasyuroides byrnei and Phascogale tapoatafa) of a group of Australian marsupials, Dasyuridae, and an eutherian, the domestic cat, Felis catus. All data were collected from captive animals in laboratory conditions. Using sequences of predatory behaviour recorded on movie film, two aspects of predation were compared: (a) attack strategy, that is, the behavioural patterns leading up to biting the prey, and (2) head shaking movements used during killing. All individual predators of all species but Dasyuroides byrnei exhibited avoidance of attacking prey from the front. Indeed, two of the four individual Dasyuroides used not only did not avoid frontal attack but selected to do so even when attacks from the rear or side were possible (e.g., the prey sat unmoving in the centre of the enclosure). Frontal attacks by Dasyuroides involved the use of the forepaws to grasp and pin prey, and the directing of killing bites to the head. These two behaviour patterns are also present in the other three species of dasyurids. Therefore, the frontal attack employed by this species does not involve the use of novel behaviour patterns. Analysis of head shakes revealed two basic forms. From a downward pointing position the head was rotated in one of two ways: the snout traversed an arc in space, as seen in Felis catus and Dasyurus hallucatus, or the sagittal crest traversed an arc in space, as seen in the other three species of dasyurids. When the prey is held down by the forepaws, either form of head shake enhances penetration of the canines into the prey, whereas, when not held down by the forepaws, both forms of head shake can disorient prey, enabling subsequent killing bites to be applied.
Kinematics of slow turn maneuvering in the fruit bat Cynopterus brachyotis.

Maneuvering abilities have long been considered key factors that influence habitat selection and foraging strategies in bats. To date, however, very little experimental work has been carried out to understand the mechanisms that bats use to perform maneuvers. In the present study, we examined the kinematics of slow-speed turning flight in the lesser short-nosed fruit bat, Cynopterus brachyotis , to understand the basic mechanics employed to perform maneuvers and to compare them with previous findings in bats and other flying organisms. Four individuals were trained to fly in L-shaped flight enclosure that required them to make a 90 deg. turn midway through each flight. Flights were recorded with three low-light, high-speed videocameras, allowing the three-dimensional reconstruction of the body and wing kinematics. For any flying organisms, turning requires changes of the direction of travel and the reorientation of the body around the center of mass to maintain the alignment with the flight direction. In C. brachyotis , changes in body orientation (i.e. heading) took place during upstroke and preceded the changes in flight direction, which were restricted to the downstroke portion of the wingbeat cycle. Mean change in flight direction was significantly correlated to the mean heading angular velocity at the beginning of the downstroke and to the mean bank angle during downstroke, although only heading velocity was significant when both variables were considered. Body reorientation prior to changes in direction might be a mechanism to maintain the head and body aligned with the direction of travel and, thus, maximizing spatial accuracy in three-dimensionally complex environments.
The empirical study of signature size.

This paper is a summary of a series of studies which have related signature size to various situational and personological attributes. In general, these studies have produced a consistent set of findings, all pointing to a positive relationship between the size of one's signature and one's status, one's self-esteem, and even one's temporary feelings of success or failure. These findings are somewhat surprising when one considers the frequency and routineness with which we sign our names. As such, the signature represents an unobtrusive expressive movement, evidence not only of what John Doe's name is, but also of John Doe's status, and how he feels about himself.
A preliminary study of sensing appliance usage for human activity recognition using mobile magnetometer

Human activity recognition and human behavior understanding play a central role in the field of ubiquitous computing. In this paper, we propose a novel method using magnetometer embedded in the mobile phone to recognize activities by detecting household appliance usage. The key idea of our approach is that when the mobile phone user performs a certain activity at home, the embedded magnetometer is capable of capturing the changes of the magnetic field strength around the mobile phone caused by the household appliance in operation. Our mobile application uses these changes as magnetic signatures for each of these appliance such that the daily household acitivities associated with these appliance such as cooking can be recognized.
New nondestructive techniques for inspection of aircraft structures

An overview is presented of several techniques under development at NASA Langley Research Center for detection and quantification of flaws in aircraft structures. The techniques have been developed as part of the NASA Airframe Structural Integrity Program. The techniques focus on the detection of cracks, corrosion and disbonds in thin laminated structures. The techniques range from thermal procedures which give a rapid indication of the regions of concern to eddy current instrumentation for detecting small cracks and multilayer corrosion. Results are presented on specimens with both manufactured defects for calibration of the techniques and on specimens removed from aircraft.
Time Variability Detected in the Gamma-Ray Emission of 3C 273 by OSSE

We report results of a 3 week observation of the quasar 3C 273 with the Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) instrument on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO). During the observation between 1994 August 31 and September 20, 3C 273 exhibited variability on timescales as short as 3-4 days in the 0.05-0.15 MeV energy range. This is the shortest measured variability of 3C 273 in this energy range. The measured flux at 100 keV is 2.40 ± 0.06 (×10-2 ph cm-2 s-1 MeV-1), which is the highest recorded flux for 3C 273 by OSSE in 5 years of monitoring and nearly twice as great as the previously recorded peak flux measured in 1991 June. While the flux varied by a factor of 1.7, no significant gamma-ray spectral evolution in the OSSE band was observed throughout the viewing period. The data for the full viewing period are described better with a broken power law than a single power law, with photon spectral index Γ = 1.62 ± 0.08 below a break at 300 ± 100 keV, and with a spectral index change of ΔΓ = 0.9+ 1.6−0.6. This break energy is significantly lower than the 1 MeV break reported by Johnson et al. in 1991 June.
Antiethylene properties of AgNO3 and 2,5-norbornadiene in light and dark inVigna radiata

The ability of the silver ion to prevent ethylene-induced leaf abscission was lost in the dark in both whole seedlings and rootless, bladed explants ofVigna radiata when either ethylene or ethephon (an ethylene-releasing compound) were used as defoliating agents. Loss of silver activity in the dark was also observed in bladed explants ofPhaseolus vulgaris andGlycine max. The silver ion was active in the dark in preventing ethylene-induced root curvatures and inhibition of root growth. The antiethylene properties of 2,5-norbornadiene were identical in both the light and dark, undiminished in the presence of ABA, but completely negated by malformin. Because malformin is known to react with sulfhydryl groups, the norbornadiene- and/or ethylene-binding site may contain a sulfhydryl group.
Evaluation of Ni/Pd/Au as an alternative metal finish on PCB

Multi‐layer surface finish, from the bottom to top, of electroless Ni, electroless Pd, and immersion Au (Ni/Pd/Au) have been introduced in the printed circuit board (PCB) industry recently. This paper reports an evaluation of this surface finish from the perspective of solder joint attachment reliability, especially to see if the Ni/Pd/Au could be immune from the brittle interfacial fracture of PBGA on electroless Ni/immersion Au, recently observed and reported by us. PCBs with Ni/Pd/Au finishes, made from two vendors with varied Pd layer thickness were attached with PBGA packages, and tested in four‐point bending. When joint strength is strong, bending tests resulted in peeling off the PCB pads; otherwise, brittle fractures occurred at the interface between solder balls and PCB pads. After aging, solder joints on all Ni/Pd/Au and reference metal finishes failed by the same brittle fracture at the interface between Ni‐Sn and Au‐Sn intermetallic compounds. It is concluded that the interfacial fracture was controlled by something other than the Pd, and the existence of the Pd did not prevent the interfacial fracture. Also, the presence of Pd could not prevent the Au migration and subsequent fracture.
Heat transfer and tear film dynamics over multiple blink cycles

We consider model problems for the tear film over multiple blink cycles with heat transfer from the posterior side of the tear film. A nonlinear partial differential equation governs the film thickness on a moving domain in one space dimension and time. One end of the tear film moves in order to mimic blinking in the eye. The film thickness is coupled with the diffusion of heat from the posterior of the film, where the underlying cornea and aqueous humor are modeled as a rectangular domain. The domain of the tear film is located on one edge of the rectangle. The resulting problem is solved using the method of lines with a Chebyshev spectral method in space. Evaporation is included in the model, with end fluxes specified to compensate for the evaporation from the film. The numerical results reveal a similarity to quantitative in vivo observations of the film dynamics and measured ocular surface temperature. Periodicity in the film and temperature dynamics is explored with different flux conditions and end motions, and a transition between periodic and non-periodic solutions is analyzed.
GAO reports for undergraduate hot topic research

Purpose – The aim of this article is to promote the use of free government information for undergraduate research, focusing on the online materials provided by the Government Accountability Office.Design/methodology/approach – This article provides an overview of the Government Accountability website, highlighting publications that would be particularly useful for undergraduate researchers who are new to government information.Findings – The Government Accountability Office provides concise and up to date information on controversial and high‐risk government issues. GAO Reports are excellent research materials for undergraduate students writing documented arguments.Practical implications – The information in this review presents an overview of the GAO website and suggestions for how librarians can add this free reference resource to their repertoire. The short bibliography gives concrete examples of GAO materials that meet the needs of undergraduates who are creating documented arguments for hot topic res...
Distributed real-time nested transactions

Abstract We present the concepts of real-time nested transactions and priority propagation for a distributed transaction processing environment. Real-time nested transactions incorporate the deadline requirements in the hierarchical structure of nested transactions. Priority propagation addresses issues related to transaction aborts in real-time nested transaction processing. The notion of priority ceiling has been used to avoid the priority inversion problem. The proposed protocols exhibit freedom from deadlock and have tightly bounded waiting periods. Both of these properties make them very suitable for distributed real-time transaction processing environments.
The cortical granule reaction in living eggs of the toad, Xenopus laevis.

Abstract The formation of a fertilization envelope in eggs of Xenopus laevis involves the addition of cortical granule F-material to the preexisting vitelline envelope. The deposition of F-material on the outer surface of the vitelline envelope can be visualized at low resolution in artificially activated, dejellied eggs (Grey et al., 1974). Conditions affecting the appearance of cortical granule F-material in such eggs were further defined in the present investigation. An absolute requirement for a noncortical granule factor in the aggregation or polymerization of extruded cortical granule material was demonstrated. An assay was developed for this noncortical granule component, polymerization-initiating activity (PI). PI activity was localized in the innermost jelly layer of the egg, that layer which is contiguous with the vitelline envelope. A method was developed for the routine recovery of extruded cortical granule contents from artificially activated, dejellied eggs possessing an intact vitelline envelope. A rapid, quantitative spectrofluorometric assay for cortical granule extrusion was described providing a basis for a biochemical investigation of this secretory process.
“We Have Seen the Fate of the Indian”: Western Influences on African American Leadership in the Shadow of the Plains Wars

Abstract This article looks at how perceptions of Native Americans as a defeated race informed the leadership strategies of the African American activists, Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, and Henry McNeal Turner. Concerned about the possibility of a race war between whites and blacks in the South, African American leaders read the fate of Native Americans as a cautionary tale and steered followers away from violent confrontation. Washington seemed the most comfortable with this path, while Douglass and Turner worried that the manhood of the race could be undermined by charges of cowardice.
Psychometric properties and predictive validity of the Mt Scale of the MMPI-2.

The College Maladjustment (Mt) Scale is a 41-item supplementary scale of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. It was designed to identify college students classified as maladjusted. Very little research has been conducted on the Mt Scale in the 40 years since its inception. The current study had the following four goals: (a) provide additional data on the internal consistency reliability, (b) examine the relationship between Mt Scale scores and various school-related domains, (c) examine the relationship between Mt scores and indices of distress (trauma exposure, post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] symptoms, and history of psychological treatment), and (d) examine the diagnostic accuracy of cutting scores across the full spectrum of possible scores using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. The Mt Scale is relatively internally consistent (alpha = .85). Elevations on the Mt Scale were significantly associated with lower current grade point average, arriving late to classes more often, the PTSD symptoms of avoidance and arousal, and a history of treatment. Last, the findings from the ROC analyses suggest that the previously obtained cutting scores of 15 and 22 are too low and that values of 29 or higher are more likely to yield the best diagnostic utility values.
K-shell ionization across isobaric analog resonances☆

Abstract K-shell ionization probabilities P K near isobaric analog resonances are calculated including contributions from compound-nucleus scattering. For projectile scattering angles less than 90°, compound-nucleus scattering has a negligible effect on P K , but at large angles P K is affected considerably if compound-nucleus scattering is included.
A Novel Population of Inner Cortical Cells in the Adrenal Gland That Displays Sexually Dimorphic Expression of Thyroid Hormone Receptor-β1.

The development of the adrenal cortex involves the formation and then subsequent regression of immature or fetal inner cell layers as the mature steroidogenic outer layers expand. However, controls over this remodeling, especially in the immature inner layer, are incompletely understood. Here we identify an inner cortical cell population that expresses thyroid hormone receptor-β1 (TRβ1), one of two receptor isoforms encoded by the Thrb gene. Using mice with a Thrbb1 reporter allele that expresses lacZ instead of TRβ1, β-galactosidase was detected in the inner cortex from early stages. Expression peaked at juvenile ages in an inner zone that included cells expressing 20-α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, a marker of the transient, so-called X-zone in mice. The β-galactosidase-positive zone displayed sexually dimorphic regression in males after approximately 4 weeks of age but persisted in females into adulthood in either nulliparous or parous states. T3 treatment promoted hypertrophy of inner cortical cells, ...
Charging for Radioactive Emissions

Radioactive emissions from nuclear power plants can be controlled by using a pollution charge. This is a more effective and simpler procedure than the present method of shutting down plants and lea...
Synthesis and characterization of rare-earth-free magnetic manganese bismuth nanocrystals

Earth abundant manganese bismuth (MnBi) has long been of interest due to its large magnetocrystalline anisotropy and high energy density for advanced permanent magnet applications. However, solution synthesis of MnBi phase is challenging due to the reduction potential mismatch between Mn and Bi elements. In this study, we show a versatile MnBi synthesis method involving the metal co-reduction followed by thermal annealing. The magnetically hard MnBi crystalline phase is then exchange coupled with magnetically soft cobalt coating. Our processing approach offers a promising strategy for manufacturing rare-earth-free magnetic nanocrystals.
A Behavior-Based Approach to Food Refusal in Children with Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder

Abstract Four children (ages 4-5 years) with autism or pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) participated in a four week, single-case design intervention study. Each child had a behavior-based feeding problem that included food refusal and selectivity. Individual interventions were carried out in the classroom during lunchtime over four weeks. Small positive changes were observed in each child's feeding behavior without any negative impact on nutrient intake. The results of this study generated general principles and strategies for intervention in behavior-based feeding problems: 1) Interventions should be individually designed and appropriate to the child's developmental age. 2) More exposures to new foods may be required by children with autism than by typically developing children, and progress toward food acceptance may require a greater number of intervention-based steps. 3) Increased exposure to new foods and manipulation of foods offered increases acceptance for some children. 4) Food preferences are selective and relatively constant; offering at least one preferred food may help to ensure that food is consumed at that meal. 5) The opportunities for social interaction and the development of family relationships that mealtimes provide should not be compromised. 6) With the cooperation of the school, interventions can be incorporated into a child's educational goals. Individually designed interventions for these four children demonstrated an increased acceptance of texture and variety in food choices.
Software environment for implementing engineering applications on MIMD computers

In this paper the concept for a software environment for developing engineering application systems for multiprocessor hardware (MIMD) is presented. The philosophy employed is to solve the largest problems possible in a reasonable amount of time, rather than solve existing problems faster. In the proposed environment most of the problems concerning parallel computation and handling of large distributed data spaces are hidden from the application program developer, thereby facilitating the development of large-scale software applications. Applications developed under the environment can be executed on a variety of MIMD hardware; it protects the application software from the effects of a rapidly changing MIMD hardware technology.
Hydrocarbon plasma emission as a means to monitor plasma polymerization, revisited

The degree of aromaticity of toluene plasma polymer is shown to decrease with decreasing toluene flow rate into the plasma (constant rf power). Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) of the plasma is predictive; a plasma emitting a higher relative benzyl radical signal results in the deposition of a more aromatic plasma polymer. Such results have been earlier reported in the literature. However, in this work the geometry of OES observation assured that only plasma emissions from the vicinity of the deposition site were observed. Under these conditions it is found that plasma pressure must be kept constant for the predictive nature of OES results to hold.
Characterization and complementation analysis of sporogenous mutants of Dictyostelium discoideum

Sporogenous mutants of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum are defined as mutants which are able to undergo terminal differentiation into spores in monolayer cultures in the presence of millimolar amounts of exogenous cyclic AMP. We describe the morphological development and cellular differentiation of a collection of 12 independently isolated sporogenous mutants of strain V12 M2. All mutants develop more rapidly than do wild-type at an air-water interface, display aberrant morphogenesis, and show overt spore and stalk differentiation as soon as 4 hr after starvation. All mutants differentiate in submerged monolayer culture in the presence of cAMP into variable proportions of spores and stalk cells. A number of the mutants also form both stalk cells and spores in submerged culture in the absence of exogenous cAMP. The spores formed by many of the mutants have a greatly reduced viability. Using parasexual genetics, we have found that two of the 12 mutants analyzed are dominant to wild-type and the remaining ten fall into a minimum of four complementation groups, the overall analysis thus yielding a minimum of four and a maximum of seven complementation groups. Intracellular cAMP levels in vegetative cells are significantly elevated in the two dominant mutants but are similar to wild type in all the other mutants.
Sulforaphane improves cognitive function administered following traumatic brain injury

Recent studies have shown that sulforaphane, a naturally occurring compound that is found in cruciferous vegetables, offers cellular protection in several models of brain injury. When administered following traumatic brain injury (TBI), sulforaphane has been demonstrated to attenuate blood-brain barrier permeability and reduce cerebral edema. These beneficial effects of sulforaphane have been shown to involve induction of a group of cytoprotective, Nrf2-driven genes, whose protein products include free radical scavenging and detoxifying enzymes. However, the influence of sulforaphane on post-injury cognitive deficits has not been examined. In this study, we examined if sulforaphane, when administered following cortical impact injury, can improve the performance of rats tested in hippocampal- and prefrontal cortex-dependent tasks. Our results indicate that sulforaphane treatment improves performance in the Morris water maze task (as indicated by decreased latencies during learning and platform localization during a probe trial) and reduces working memory dysfunction (tested using the delayed match-to-place task). These behavioral improvements were only observed when the treatment was initiated 1 h, but not 6 h, post-injury. These studies support the use of sulforaphane in the treatment of TBI, and extend the previously observed protective effects to include enhanced cognition.