cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Exploratory Study of the Current State of Career Development for Project Managers in the IT and Other Industries

Critical to project success and job satisfaction of project managers is effective Human Resource Management (HRM). The temporary nature of projects has changed the traditional career paths for project managers and the way project-oriented companies prioritize their motivation tactics. By conducting a survey to explore a general pattern of employers' HRM practices in different industries regarding the project management career, this paper presents the fact that most employers prefer on-job training to organizational career path in motivating and retaining project manager and that there is no difference between IT industry and other industries in terms of the extent of use of on-job training and the organizational career path. These findings contribute to an in-depth understanding of the project management career path and suggest that project managers be proactive in adjusting to change in the workplace by being more autonomous in their career development decisions based on the larger work environment.
Multiple and Single Trait Analyses for Estimating Genetic Parameters in Simulated Populations Under Selection

Abstract Records were simulated for two traits for a one-way model with random sire groups. Sire effects and residuals were generated from bivariate normal distributions with heritabilities of .30 for each trait. Genetic correlations simulated were .15, .45, and .75 while residual correlations were .15, .35, and .55. Genetic values for 50 sires and residuals corresponding to 100 daughters per sire were simulated. Initially, all daughters were assigned two records. However, if a daughter's first record placed her in the bottom 0, 20, 40, or 60% of the population her second record was not included in the corresponding analysis. An iterative restricted maximum likelihood procedure was used to estimate variance and covariance components by two multiple trait and one single trait algorithm. One multiple trait method required an assumption of zero residual covariance, but the other did not. After 30 replications, results were compared by selection intensities and genetic and residual correlations. With no selection, all estimation methods produced estimates within one standard error of the parameters. Under selection, the multiple trait algorithm requiring no assumptions about residual covariance was superior to the other two in producing accurate estimates, especially with heavy culling and with high underlying correlations of residuals or sires.
Schistosoma mansoni Soluble Egg Antigens Trigger Erythrocyte Cell Death

Estimated to affect nearly 300 million people worldwide, schistosomiasis is caused by parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma. The major pathological consequences of chronic schistosomiasis are associated with soluble egg antigens (SEA) secreted from schistosome egg deposits in liver and other organs. The vigorous immune responses induced by egg antigens result in granuloma formation and other pathophysiological symptoms such as hepatosplenomegaly and anemia. Risk of anemia correlates with infection intensity and the level of host hemoglobin is inversely proportional to egg count. Schistosomiasis-associated anemia could be multifactorial, but the potential link and molecular underpinnings are unclear. Here, we evaluate whether S. mansoni SEA affects survival of mouse erythrocytes. Erythrocytes incubated with different concentrations of SEA were tested for various markers of erythrocyte cell death. Erythrocytes exposed to SEA exhibit elevated intracellular Ca2+ levels as measured by Fluo-3 AM fluorescence in flow cytometry, and they also display concentration-dependent, Ca2+-dependent, and heat-sensitive increases in phosphatidyl serine exposure. Further, SEA-exposed erythrocytes show increased fluorescence using the in situ apoptosis marker CaspACE FITC, indicating the involvement of caspase-mediated cell deformation. Taken together, these results offer several lines of experimental evidence for SEA-induced erythrocyte cell death and may provide new insights into factors contributing to schistosomiasis-associated anemia.
Development of a carbon clad core shell silica for high speed two-dimensional liquid chromatography

Abstract We recently introduced a new method [1] to deposit carbon on fully porous silicas (5 μm) to address some of the shortcomings of carbon clad zirconia (C/ZrO 2 ), which has rather low retention due to its low surface area (20–30 m 2 /g). The method enables the introduction of a thin, homogeneous layer of Al(III) on silica to serve as catalytic sites for carbon deposition without damaging the silica's native pore structure. Subsequent carbon deposition by chemical vapor deposition resulted in chromatographically useful carbon phases as shown by good efficiencies and higher retentivity relative to C/ZrO 2 . Herein, we use the above method to develop a novel carbon phase on superficially porous silica (2.7 μm). This small, new form of silica offers better mass transfer properties and higher efficiency with lower column back pressures as compared to sub 2 μm silica packings, which should make it attractive for use as the second dimension in fast two-dimensional LC (LC × LC). After carbon deposition, several studies were conducted to compare the new packing with C/ZrO 2 . Consistent with work on 5 μm fully porous silica, the metal cladding did not cause pore blockage. Subsequent carbon deposition maintained the good mass transfer properties as shown by the effect of velocity on HETP. The new packing exhibits efficiencies up to ∼5.6-fold higher than C/ZrO 2 for polar compounds. We observed similar chromatographic selectivity for all carbon phases tested. Consequently, the use of the new packing as the second dimension in fast LC × LC improved the peak capacity of fast LC × LC. The new material gave loading capacities similar to C/ZrO 2 , which is rather as expected based on the surface areas of the two phases.
R&D, concentration and advertising: A simultaneous equations model

This study employs a simultaneous equations model to test the relationships among industrial R&D spending, market structure and advertising. The R&D data employed are the Line of Business data collected by the FTC and published at the three- and fourdigit SIC level. The results are, in general, complementary to several other recent studies that used data sets involving different degrees of aggregation as well as different measures of research activity.
Heterogeneity and complementation analysis of fibroblasts from vitamin B6 responsive and non-responsive patients with gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina.

Fibroblasts from four pyridoxine responsive and three non-responsive patients with gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina have been examined. Responsive patients had higher activity of ornithine ketoacid transaminase (OKT) in cell homogenates and greater incorporation of radioactivity from14C-ornithine into protein in cultured cellsin situ compared to non-responsive patients. Complementation analysis of the cells from these seven patients was performed, based on the ratio of incorporation of14C/3H into protein in fused cells incubated in14C-ornithine and3H-leucine. Lack of positive complementation in these crosses suggests that pyridoxine responsive and non-responsive patients with gyrate atrophy represent different allelic mutations of the same genetic locus coding for OKT.
Acetate metabolism and Escherichia coli biofilm: new approaches to an old problem

Current antibiotics continue to lose effectiveness for infectious diseases, especially in cases where the bacteria from a biofilm. This review article summarizes control mechanisms for bacterial biofilm, with an emphasis on the modification of signal transduction pathways, such as quorum sensing and two-component signaling, by externally added metabolic intermediates. As a link between central metabolism and signal transduction, we discuss the activation of two-component response regulators by activated acetate intermediates in response to signals from the environment. These signals constitute ‘nutrients’ for the bacteria in most cases. Depending on the identity of the nutrient, biofilm amounts may be reduced. The nutrient may then be used for the development of both novel prevention and treatment options for biofilm-associated infectious diseases.
Wafer level reliability

This paper presents a perspective on the use of Wafer Level Reliability (WLR) in developing a competitive quality/reliability program. WLR is defined as accelerated stressing of test structures at the wafer level. The pros and cons of WLR are considered in five application areas: process control; qualification; benchmarking; reliability monitoring/prediction; and modeling. WLR examples are discussed in the areas of oxide breakdown, hot carrier degradation, and electromigration. The need to develop physical, statistical, and geometrical models to extrapolate from WLR results to actual products is discussed.
Ophthalmic adhesives: a materials chemistry perspective

Recent advances in the field of ophthalmology include adhesives for the treatment of surgical and trauma-induced ocular wounds. Employed as surgical adhesives for more than forty years, cyanoacrylate and fibrin currently approved as general surgical adhesives remain contraindicated for ophthalmic use. Researchers have developed new adhesive systems based on protein tissue solder and hydrogels to improve upon sutures, used in current practice. We have reviewed these new adhesives and found them to be efficacious in closing many ocular wound types. Based on our findings in the laboratory and those reported in the literature, we summarize current ophthalmic adhesive research, provide insight into the effects of molecular composition, structure, and functionality on adhesive performance, and suggest testing protocols for the design of an ideal ophthlamic adhesive.
Effect of thyroparathyroidectomy and parathyroid hormone on urinary excretion of calcium and phosphate in the golden hamster.

The kidney of the golden hamster was shown to play a dominant role in the marked and rapid changes that occur in serum calcium concentration after thyroparathyroidectomy or injection of parathyroid hormone. Acute bilateral nephrectomy, which alone had no effect on serum calcium at 3 hr, completely prevented the 3-hr fall of more than 5 mg Ca/100 ml that occurred after thyroparathyroidectomy. The 7-hr urinary excretion of calcium by hamsters fed a low calcium diet increased approximately 10-fold after thyroparathyroidectomy. Both urinary phosphate and urine volume decreased significantly. Administration of parathyroid hormone to thyroparathyroidectomized hamsters markedly decreased the hypercalciuria and hypophosphaturia and completely prevented the fall in urine volume. The increase in urinary calcium observed after thyroparathyroidectomy was 2–3 times the calculated amount of calcium lost from the extracellular fluid. These findings indicate that increased urinary excretion of calcium after thyroparathyr...
Spin-glass-like behaviour and long-range order in dilute YTb alloys☆

Abstract Using neutron diffraction, we have examined the magnetic ordering of two YTb alloys whose magnetic properties are characteristic of spin-glass materials. For YTb5 at % we have determined that a spiral state appears below the susceptibility cusp at 26.6 K, despite differences between field coolled and zero field cooled magnetization. No evidence for long-range order was found for YTb3 at % below its cusp at 15.5 K. We conclude that irreversibility alone can not be used to characterize the spin-glass state.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ACOUSTIC EMISSION SIGNALS AND PHYSICAL PHENOMENA DURING INDENTATION

A commercial piezoelectric acoustic emission transducer has been used in conjunction with nanoindentation techniques to study the relationship between acoustic emission signals and discrete physical events to identify the type and strength of an event. Indentations into tungsten and iron single crystals have been used to study dislocation generation and passive film failure. In addition, indentations made into a thin nitride film on sapphire have been used to cause film delaminations. Parameters such as signal rise time and frequency for a piezoelectric sensor are related to sample geometry, and not to the type of event which caused the acoustic emission signal. As a possible calibration for acoustic emission sensors, the most meaningful parameter is the acoustic emission energy, which has been shown to scale with the elastic energy released during the event. The measured values of elastic energy released correspond very closely to those calculated using Hertzian contact mechanics.
Using Pathophysiology in Acute Stroke Trials

To the Editor: Muir and Grosset1 recently gave their views on why neuroprotective therapies have not worked. They raised issues of trial methodology and some pathophysiological considerations. We would like to add further comments from the pathophysiological viewpoint. We believe that assessment of the state of cerebral perfusion—initial hypoperfusion as well as extent of early reperfusion—will permit optimal evaluation of the efficacy of these agents and the mechanisms by which they have their therapeutic effects. Hypoperfusion is the final common pathway for all etiologic mechanisms of cerebral ischemia. Neuroprotective agents were developed as adjunctive or alternative approaches to the primary strategy of restoring blood flow. The efficacies of the various neuroprotective agents were demonstrated in experimental stroke models, where perfusion status was strictly controlled. In the case of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion models, limitation of brain damage was found through salvage …
Comparison of commercial and noncommercial endotracheal tube-securing devices

BACKGROUND: Tracheal intubation is used to establish a secure airway in patients who require mechanical ventilation. Unexpected extubation can have serious complications, including airway trauma and death. Various methods and devices have been developed to maintain endotracheal tube (ETT) security. Associated complications include pressure ulcers due to decreased tissue perfusion. Device consideration includes ease of use, rapid application, and low exerted pressure around the airway. METHODS: Sixteen ETT holders were evaluated under a series of simulated clinical conditions. ETT security was tested by measuring distance displaced after a tug. Nine of the 16 methods could be evaluated for speed of moving the ETT to the opposite side of the mouth. Sensors located on a mannequin measured applied forces when the head was rotated vertically or horizontally. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance, with P RESULTS: Median displacement of the ETT by the tug test was 0 cm (interquartile range of 0.0–0.10 cm, P CONCLUSIONS: Noncommercial airway holders exert less force on a patient9s face than commercial devices. Airway stability is affected by the type of securing method. Many commercial holders allow for rapid but secure movement of the artificial airway from one side of the mouth to the other.
Direct observation of the ion-pair dynamics at a protein-DNA interface by NMR spectroscopy.

Ion pairing is one of the most fundamental chemical interactions and is essential for molecular recognition by biological macromolecules. From an experimental standpoint, very little is known to date about ion-pair dynamics in biological macromolecular systems. Absorption, infrared, and Raman spectroscopic methods were previously used to characterize dynamic properties of ion pairs, but these methods can be applied only to small compounds. Here, using NMR 15N relaxation and hydrogen-bond scalar 15N–31P J-couplings (h3JNP), we have investigated the dynamics of the ion pairs between lysine side-chain NH3+ amino groups and DNA phosphate groups at the molecular interface of the HoxD9 homeodomain–DNA complex. We have determined the order parameters and the correlation times for C–N bond rotation and reorientation of the lysine NH3+ groups. Our data indicate that the NH3+ groups in the intermolecular ion pairs are highly dynamic at the protein–DNA interface, which should lower the entropic costs for protein–DNA...
Some issues in "blind" array calibration

We consider the problems of direction finding and signal "COPY" with uncalibrated arrays. A number of calibration techniques have been proposed, which attempt to jointly estimate the signal directions or waveforms, and a set of unknown array parameters. We discuss several issues related to the accuracy of these techniques, and the number of signal and array parameters which can be estimated with a given number of array elements. >
Endoscopic lumen restoration for obstructive aphagia: outcomes of a 25-year experience

Background After chemoradiation therapy for head/neck cancer, some patients develop strictures that progress to complete pharyngoesophageal occlusion. Total lumen occlusion is less often due to other conditions. Enteral access (enterostomy tube) and good nutritional status tend to minimize the significance of dysphagia and therefore may mask recognition of impending complete lumen occlusion. Objective Review outcomes of a 25-year experience with endoscopic lumen restoration (ELR) in 30 patients. Design Retrospective, case review study. Setting Two tertiary-care referral centers. Patients This study involved 30 consecutive patients referred for obstructive aphagia due to complete lumen occlusion, primarily after chemoradiation therapy for head/neck cancer. Intervention Antegrade and retrograde endoscopy with tri-plane fluoroscopy for penetrating the occluded segment, serial retrograde and antegrade dilations, plus swallowing rehabilitation therapy. Main Outcome Measurements Restoration of lumen patency, swallowing function, and removal of enteral feeding tube. Results ELR was successful in 30 patients in 31 of 33 attempts (93%). Return to soft to regular diet was achieved in 15 of 30 patients (50%), and fluids to pureed food with partial percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy nutrition was achieved in 5 of 30 patients (17%). Ten of 30 patients (33%) were considered unsafe for oral feeding because of oropharyngeal neuromotor deficits. Complications occurred in 5 of 30 patients (17%), with no prolonged sequelae, deaths, or surgery, but two stents were placed for anastomotic fistulas. The median duration of follow-up was 22.75 months. Limitations Retrospective, case review study. Conclusion ELR by using tri-plane fluoroscopic guidance with antegrade and retrograde endoscopy and serial dilations allows lumen restoration and swallowing to some degree in a majority of patients. Engagement of a core team of specialists can provide optimal restoration of swallowing function.
Photon upconversion based on sensitized triplet-triplet annihilation

Abstract Photon upconversion, the process wherein light of long wavelength is frequency converted to photons of higher energy, is readily achieved at low incident power through sensitized triplet–triplet annihilation (TTA) in various chromophore combinations spanning the UV to the near-IR. This emerging wavelength-shifting technology truly represents a viable route towards converting low energy terrestrial solar photons into light adequate to drive electron transfer in operational photovoltaics. Generalized molecular design constraints, all operational examples reported to date, and measurement techniques applied to these low power nonlinear processes are reviewed in this contribution. In many instances, direct visualization of this phenomenon is presented in solution and within various polymeric host materials.
Effect of heat shock on the chilling sensitivity of trichomes and petioles of African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)

Chilling at 6 degrees C caused an immediate cessation of protoplasmic streaming in trichomes from African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha), and a slower aggregation of chloroplasts in the cells. Streaming slowly recovered upon warming to 20 degrees C, reaching fairly stable rates after 4, 15, 25 and 35 min for tissue chilled for 2 min and for 2, 14 and 24 h, respectively. The rate of ion leakage from excised petioles into an isotonic 0.2 M mannitol solution increased after 12 h of chilling and reached a maximum after 3 days of chilling. A heat shock at 45 degrees C for 6 min reduced chilling-induced rates of ion leakage from excised 1-cm petiole segments by over 50%, namely to levels near that from non-chilled control tissue. Heat-shock treatments themselves had no effect on the rate of ion leakage from non-chilled petiole segments. Protoplasmic streaming was stopped by 1 min of heat shock at 45 degrees C, but slowly recovered to normal levels after about 30 min Chloroplasts aggregation was prevented by a 1 or 2 min 45 degrees C heat-shock treatment administered 1.5 h before chilling, but heat-shock treatments up to 6 min only slightly delayed the reduction in protoplasmic streaming caused by chilling. Tradescantia virginiana did not exhibit symptoms associated with chilling injury in sensitive species (i.e. cessation of protoplasmic streaming in stamen hairs and increased ion leakage from leaf tissue).
Public Policy and Political Dynamics of Heritage Conservation in the United States

Policy making and advocacy efforts throughout the legislative history of heritage conservation display the gaps in heritage conservation in the United States. To represent the political dynamics at the federal level in both intangible and tangible cultural heritage policy discussions, this article will examine cases of legislative processes: the policy discussions to amend the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) in 1997 and 2005 and the reauthorization of the American Folklife Center (AFC). The study will focus on the subgovernment framework in heritage policy to demonstrate institutionalization of policy discussion and review the intergovernmentalism and decentralization in heritage conservation.
Adaptive Codebook Based Channel Prediction and Interpolation for Multiuser MIMO-OFDM Systems

In MIMO-OFDM communications, the channel state information (CSI) of the forward link is needed for precoder design at the transmitter to achieve the maximal performance gains. In frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, the CSI estimated at the receivers needs to be fed back to the transmitters. Because of the limited network resources, there will be CSI feedback errors due to quantization, delay and clustering (where one CSI feedback is used to represent a cluster of adjacent subcarriers for feedback reduction). Consequently, the system performance degrades and the gains expected from using MIMO diminish. To mitigate this performance degradation, an adaptive codebook-based CSI prediction and interpolation scheme is proposed for multiuser MIMO-OFDM systems. In this scheme, geodesic CSI prediction is employed at the receiver to mitigate the feedback delay and geodesic CSI interpolation is performed at the transmitter to mitigate the cluster feedback effect. Since the performance gain assumed by the CSI prediction and interpolation is limited by the low resolution CSI quantization, a simplified adaptive codebook is developed to support the CSI prediction and interpolation. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme is effective in mitigating the performance loss due to quantization, feedback delay and cluster feedback.
Fault Diagnosis of Blast Furnace Based on SVMs

For the complexity and confusion in fault diagnosis of blast furnace, a new artificial intelligent algorithm is presented to solve this problem. The Support Vector Machines (SVMs) are one type of large margin classifier based on statistical methods. With the property of dealing with high dimension data, studying small quality of samples and training large data sets, it is feasible to use it to make classifier. By using one-against-one strategy, construct it with different kernel functions, and select the best one for the classifier. The simulation results show that using polynomial function is superior to the others. Besides, compared with expert system and neural networks, SVMs have a better performance on recognizing patterns, capabilities of fault-tolerance and generalization.
Effects of additives and growth environment on preservation and digestibility of wheat silage fed to Holstein heifers.

Abstract Wheat grown in two separate years under different environmental conditions was fed as silage to investigate effects of additives on forage preservation and digestibility. Direct-cut wheat was harvested in an early head stage of maturity. Wheat was drought stressed in yr 1 and averaged 41.6% DM, and yr 2 averaged 23.0% DM at harvest. Forage was ensiled in 10 900-kg concrete stave silos; 2 per year were assigned to one of five treatments consisting of control, treatment with an enzyme-chemical product, or treatment with one of three different types of lactic acid bacterial inoculants. Each year, during two 12-d periods, forage from five different silos was fed individually for ad libitum intake, separate from concentrate (1.1% of BW) to 15 Holstein heifers (average BW 228 ± 32 kg). Wheat forage and silage from yr 1 was lower in CP but higher in NDF, ADF, lignin, and starch than that harvested in yr 2. Silage additives decreased DM and NDF recovery in yr 1 and increased DM, NDF, and neutral detergent solubles recovery in yr 2. Additives increased the ratio of lactic to acetic acid and decreased ammonia in silage both years. Additives increased DM and fiber digestibilities of wheat silage-based rations fed to Holstein heifers in yr 2. In vitro digestibility indicated that these improvements were associated with a reduction in the lag phase of forage digestion. The rate of in vitro DM digestibility was positively correlated with silage DM recovery, suggesting an association with nutrient preservation. Wheat preservation and digestibility both were improved by silage additives when wheat was grown under normal environmental conditions, but losses were greater with additives in drought-stressed forage.
Persistent succinylacetone excretion after liver transplantation in a patient with hereditary tyrosinaemia type I

A liver transplant was performed on a 4-year-old female in liver failure caused by hereditary tyrosinaemia, with hepatocellular carcinoma following a negative evaluation for metastases. However, serum alpha-fetoprotein levels never returned to normal after the surgery. Urinary succinylacetone (SA) was detected in her urine prior to transplantation despite strict adherence to a low-tyrosine diet. Other patients with severe liver disease awaiting liver transplantation do not excrete SA in the urine. She continued to excrete SA during the postoperative period despite normal liver functions. Oral tyrosine loading resulted in significant elevation of SA excretion. Possible explanations for this observation and clinical and therapeutic relevance are discussed.
The Problem of Citizens: E-Democracy for Actually Existing Democracy

This article argues that many contemporary e-democracy projects, particularly in the United States, have at their heart a model of atomistic, independent, rational, and general-interest citizens. As such, these projects, variously grouped under the labels of e-governance, online deliberation, open government, and civic technology, often assume a broad shared consensus about collective definitions of “public problems” that both does not exist and sidesteps debates over what these problems are and what potential solutions can and should be. Drawing on recent theories of political parties, social identity, and cultural cognition, this article argues that e-democracy efforts need to account for the fact that the citizens practitioners appeal to see themselves by default as members of social groups, and that this has implications for politics and what Jasanoff calls “civic epistemology.” Presenting the case of attempting to change Republican opinions about climate change, I argue that e-democracy initiatives s...
The Subsequent Market Value of Former REO Properties

In this study, we find the subsequent price for a property initially sold as a real estate owned (REO) property occurs at market prices. The subsequent price to the REO purchaser is related to indicators that the property has been remodeled, renovated, or updated. This suggests that the difference between the price received by servicers/lenders that foreclose and sell a REO property, and the price received by subsequent property owners that sell is in large part due to timely improvements made postforeclosure. Lenders are not selling REO properties at irrational prices, but rather at prices that reflect the condition of the properties.
The reaction of chloromagnesium bis(2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenyl)copper with butyllithium

Chloromagnesium bis(2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenyl)copper, prepared from two equivalents of 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenylmagnesium chloride and one equivalent of copper(I) chloride inTHF, reacts with one equivalent of butyllithium at −78°C to give, subsequent to derivatisation with chlorotrimethylsilane and then with acetyl chloride, (1-acetyl-2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenyl)trimethylsilane (20%), 1-(trimethylsilyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrachlorobenzene (17%) and 1-acetyl-2,3,5,6-tetrachlorobenzene (34%) along with some trace products. The formation of these products is explained on the basis of the intermediate formation of chloromagnesium bis(1-lithio-2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenyl)copper, a functionalised cuprate reagent.
On the cylinder wake subjected to in-phase and out-of-phase periodic forcing

Abstract Experiments were conducted in a wind tunnel to investigate the effect of periodic forcing on the wake of a circular cylinder specially designed for independent control of the phase of forcing from slits located on opposite sides. Tests were conducted at Reynolds number (Re) of 12,000, based on diameter (D). Wake was forced at subharmonic and harmonic frequencies at constant blowing coefficient. Measurements consisted of wake pitot surveys, hotwire anemometry, and Particle Image Velocimetry. A 20% reduction in drag was achieved when the two slits operated in-phase at third harmonic. The drag reduction, however, was 18% when the two slits operated in an out-of-phase mode for the same frequency. Wake lock-in was observed for the out-of-phase forcing case. Wake power spectrum indicated the effectiveness of both types of forcing in suppressing the primary instability. This was also evident from the results of the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition of the PIV data and turbulence statistics.
Urban Pollution of Bagmati River Corridor within the Densely Populated Kathmandu Valley in Nepal

The Bagmati River within the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal was studied for its water quality and heavy metal distribution in the riverbed sediments. Water and sediment samples were collected from 10 sites for chemical analysis. The Water Quality Index (WQI) of the river was calculated using nine water quality parameters recommended by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF): Dissolved Oxygen (DO), E. coli, temperature, pH, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), nitrate, and phosphate. Out of the 100 water samples, 77 were in the Bad category, six in the Medium category, and the remaining 17 were in the Good to Excellent categories. The two parameters that significantly impacted the WQI values were DO (range: 0.07 - 8.25 mg/L) and E. coli (range: 200 - 1.3 × 10 7 number per 100 ml). The highly impacted zone has urban/ industrial land use where the average TDS (592 mg/L) is 34% higher than that observed (442 mg/L) at the urban sites immediately upstream. Sediment samples were analyzed for heavy metals of major environmental concern: As, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. The urban/industrial areas are highly vulnerable to future impairment, especially with their possible influx from the numerous industrial sources.
Peritoneal dialysis for acute and chronic renal failure: an update.

Successful application of peritoneal dialysis has awaited key technologic improvements. The advanced state of the art now makes it a useful modality for certain subsets of patients with acute or chronic renal failure.
Applications of three-dimensional CT imaging in head and neck pathology

The advantages of three-dimensional (3-D) imaging in the diagnosis of developmental and posttraumatic craniofacial abnormalities is well established. A brief review of this role of 3-D imaging is presented, followed by a discussion of the use of 3-D imaging in various head and neck disorders.
Commissioning the LCLS Injector

The Linac Coherent Light Source is a SASE x-ray free-electron laser (FEL) project presently under construction at SLAC [J. Arthur et al., SLAC-R-593, 2002.]. The injector section, from drive laser and rf photocathode gun through first bunch compressor chicane, was installed in the fall of 2006. The initial system commissioning with an electron beam was completed in August of 2007, with the goal of a 1.2-micron emittance in a 1-nC bunch demonstrated. The second phase of commissioning, including second bunch compressor and full linac, is planned for 2008, with FEL commissioning in 2009. We report experimental results and experience gained in the first phase of commissioning, including the photocathode drive laser, rf gun, photocathode, S-band and X-band rf systems, first bunch compressor, and the various beam diagnostics.
Arms Control and Treaty Verification

Methods of detection unique to arms control and treaty verification are discussed here. The conditions and opportunities for detection in these enivronments are contrasted with portal monitoring and cargo screening environments. First, neutron multiplicity counting is covered, including both the technology involved and the mathematics required. Next, the Pu300, Pu600 and Pu900 plutonium analyses are explored. Next, neutron imaging methods are discussed from the historical perspective in the context of counting the number of warheads on a missile. The necessity for “information barriers” in this application is discussed. The use of anti-neutrino detectors to verify the operating power level of a nuclear reactor is also covered, and successful experiments of this technology are described. The dependence of the neutrino signal on the uranium-to-plutonium fission rate is discussed, and a simple analytical model for quantifying this effect is presented.
Broadband Parametric Circulator with Balanced Monolithic Integrated Distributedly Modulated Capacitors (DMC)

Distributedly modulated capacitors (DMC) is a discrete realization of time-varying transmission line (TVTL), which offers broadband nonreciprocity through time modulation of the transmission line property and compensating the circuit loss with the parametric gain [2–4]. The low-noise, broadband behavior of the DMC and its IC compatibility makes it ideal for Simultaneous Transmit and Receiving (STAR) applications. In this paper, a MMIC implementation of the DMC is presented with its performance experimentally verified. Furthermore, a circulator prototype consisting of a pair of DMC MMICs in a balanced architecture is assembled and tested. More than 25 dB TX-to-RX isolation and less than 4 dB RX loss is demonstrated in the experiment over the frequency of 0.7 to 2.5 GHz.
Improving Retention and Reducing Isolation via a Linked-courses Learning Community

Despite a rebound in enrollments, men of color and women remain underrepresented in computing. The literature indicates that student-student interaction, affinity for the computing major, and reduced feelings of isolation are important for retention of underrepresented groups in computing. Learning communities connect students with each other and faculty to improve collaboration, interaction, and enthusiasm. In an effort to improve retention of female and minority students at our institution, we have created two cohorts of a linked-courses learning community for development majors. Here we report on the academic performance and retention for the first cohort and on the impact of the community on attitudes toward computing among the second cohort. The linked-courses learning community showed improved retention rates and academic performance for students participating in the first cohort, and results from surveys administered to the second cohort show that participation in the community diminished feelings of isolation.
Endometrial histology after first trimester spontaneous abortion

The endometrial histology after spontaneous abortion was investigated by performing an endometrial biopsy in the two menstrual cycles subsequent to miscarriage in 12 women. In the first cycle, 66% (8/12) of the biopsies had the following abnormalities: (1) proliferative endometrium (n = 4), (2) proliferative glands and decidualized stroma (n = 1), (3) endometritis (n = 1), and (4) luteal insufficiency (n = 2). In the second cycle, 20% (2/10) of the biopsies demonstrated luteal insufficiency. Forty-five percent (10/22) of the first two cycles after spontaneous abortion demonstrated abnormal endometrial histology, with the first appearing more abnormal than the second (P = 0.06). Two conceptions occurred during the study period; both were uneventful term pregnancies. These findings suggest that a large proportion of the first two menstrual cycles after spontaneous abortion and curettage are abnormal, with the first cycle being more frequently abnormal than the second.
Propagation of waves in perturbed periodic waveguides

We provide a review of the main features of the wave propagation in one-dimensional periodic media subject to random perturbations. Using the transfer matrix approach we investigate the dependence of the Lyapunov exponent on the frequency and magnitude of the disorder.
Prostate Artery Embolization for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Current Status:

Prostate artery embolization has garnered much attention as a promising treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. We aim to provide an up-to-date review of this minimally invasive technique, including discussion of potential benefits and technical challenges. Current evidence suggests it is a safe and effective option for patients with medication-refractory urinary obstructive symptoms who are poor surgical candidates or refuse surgical therapy. Larger, randomized studies with long-term follow-up data are needed for this technique to be formally established in the treatment paradigm for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Unifying HDFS and GPFS: Enabling Analytics on Software-Defined Storage

Distributed file systems built for Big Data Analytics and cluster file systems built for traditional applications have very different functionality requirements, resulting in separate storage silos. In enterprises, there is often the need to run analytics on data generated by traditional applications that is stored on cluster file systems. The absence of a single data store that can serve both classes of applications leads to data duplication and hence, increased storage costs, along with the cost of moving data between the two kinds of file systems.It is difficult to unify these two classes of file systems since the classes of applications that use them have very different requirements, in terms of performance, data layout, consistency and fault tolerance. In this paper, we look at the design differences of two file systems, IBM's GPFS [1] and the open source Hadoop's Distributed File System (HDFS) [2] and propose a way to reconcile these design differences. We design and implement a shim layer over GPFS that can be used by analytical applications to efficiently access data stored in GPFS. Through our evaluation, we provide quantitative results that show that our system performs at par with with HDFS, for most Big Data applications while retaining all the guarantees provided by traditional cluster file systems.
The interaction of sleep and amyloid deposition on cognitive performance

Summary Sleep difficulties are emerging as a risk factor for dementia. This study examined the effect of sleep and amyloid deposition on cognitive performance in cognitively normal adults. Sleep efficiency was determined by actigraphy. Cerebrospinal fluid Aβ42 levels <500 pg mL−1, indicating amyloid deposition, was present in 23 participants. Psychometric tests included the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test, Trail Making Test A and B, Animal Fluency, Letter Number Sequencing, and the Mini Mental State Examination. The interaction term of sleep efficiency and amyloid deposition status was a significant predictor of memory performance as measured by total Selective Reminding Test scores. While Trail Making Test B performance was worse in those with amyloid deposition, sleep measures did not have an additive effect. In this study, amyloid deposition was associated with worse cognitive performance, and poor sleep efficiency specifically modified the effect of amyloid deposition on memory performance.
Back injuries in gymnastics

The complaint of low back pain in the adolescent must never be taken lightly. A high index of suspicion should be particularly entertained in a child participating in gymnastic training or competition. As noted in this article, steps can now be taken, particularly if a specific diagnosis is made early, to institute specific treatment with a high likelihood of success. Young gymnasts complaining of back pain must never be passed off as having sustained a back strain or "muscle spasms" and treated symptomatically. Persistent back pain beyond two weeks warrants, in our opinion, a complete evaluation, careful history and physical examination, a four-view radiographic assessment of the spine, and, if necessary, bone scans or other more advanced techniques to make a specific diagnosis of the cause of the pain.
Noncanonical Wnts at the Cusp of Fibrocalcific Signaling Processes in Human Calcific Aortic Valve Disease.

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), the progressive accumulation of fibrocalcific matrices and calcified, bony nodules in aortic valves that results in aortic stenosis, accounts for ≈50% of cardiac valve disease.1,2 In developed countries, CAVD is the third most common cardiovascular disease behind coronary artery disease and hypertension.3 Although CAVD is often asymptomatic during the first several decades of life, notably, approximately one third of our elderly have early valve disease as indicated by echocardiographic or radiological evidence of aortic sclerosis.2,4,5 By age 65, ≈2% of individuals develop symptomatic aortic stenosis, characterized by severe valve calcification, impaired leaflet motion, and cardiac outflow, which, if untreated, leads to life-threatening left ventricular dysfunction, angina, syncope, and heart failure.6,7 See accompanying article on page 543 CAVD risk factors include congenital malformation, age, male sex, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, …
Compositional relations in minerals from kimberlite and related rocks in the Moses Rock dike, San Juan County, Utah

The Moses Rock dike, a well-exposed, kimberlite-bearing breccia intrusion, crops out in gently dipping beds of the Permian Cutler Formation, in eastern Monument Valley, Utah. Petrographic, bulk chemical, and electron microprobe analyses of kimberlite and its constituent minerals reveal this highly serpentinized microbreccia contains a primary mineral assemblage consisting of olivine (Mg/Mg+ Fe), 87 to 93), orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene (falling into two compositional ranges after correction for Na-pyroxene molecules-one with Al_2O_3 between 0.5 and 1 percent another, 2 to 5 percent), spinel, chrome-rich pyrope garnet, ilmenite-geikielite, titanoclinohumite and one or more micas. Diamonds are not known. We conclude (1) mineral grains in kimberlite are unlike associated dense rock fragments, except rare lherzolite: (2) kimberlite was emplaced as discrete angular mineral clasts, not a silicate melt; (3) P-T assignments based on clinopyroxenes compositions suggest derivation over a depth range in the upper mantle extending to 150 km or more, at temperatures near or below the experimentally determined garnet-lherzolite solidus: (4) the kimberlite was derived by physical disaggregation of both Al-poor and Al-rich pyroxene bearing peridotite in the mantle (garnet- and spinel-lherzolite, respectively); (5) titanoclinohumite is present in both assemblages and may be an important mineralogical site for volatiles in the upper mantle: (6) dense rock fragments (except lherzolite) are unrelated to the kimberlite and are chunks of the vent wall from the crust and possibly the upper mantle sampled during the eruption.
Stimulation of Neurotrophic Factor Expression: Links to Different Forms of Brain Plasticity

Publisher Summary A long-held goal of neurobiology has been to identify mechanisms that promote the survival of forebrain neurons and, in particular, the role of neurotrophic factors in sustaining neuronal viability and coordinating adaptive responses to insult. Progress has been made in identifying endogenous mechanisms that regulate the expression of the neurotrophic factors in the brain and periphery. Research in the laboratory has focused on the regulation of neurotrophic factor expression by neuronal activity. This work began with the discovery that seizures stimulate a large increase in the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) by forebrain neurons. The expression of NGF and of structurally related neurotrophins in adult brain responds to a variety of manipulations ranging from known triggers for pathogenesis (e.g., transient ischemia) to events not unlike those which occur during the course of normal network operations (e.g., rhythmic bursts of afferent activity). One of the more striking features of neurotrophic factor regulation by physiological activity is that the response to neuronal activity is highly cell specific. The influences of activity are strikingly cell specific and reflect interactions with the hormonal environment.
Rehabilitative Success After Brain Trauma by Augmenting a Subtherapeutic Dose of Environmental Enrichment With Galantamine.

Background. Environmental enrichment (EE) confers benefits after traumatic brain injury (TBI) when provided daily for > 6 hours, but not 2 or 4 hours, which more accurately reflects the daily amoun...
Underdetermined source number estimation based on complex wishart distribution using nested arrays

We propose a likelihood test for a covariance estimated from sample data which is used to determine the number of narrow band source signals. This Minimum Description Length (MDL) estimator is shown to be robust against deviations from the assumption of equal noise level across the array. A number of source Direction-Of-Arrivals (DOA) greater than the number of physical array elements is of interest. We propose a novel spatial smoothing algorithm which accurately estimates parameters for the covariance likelihood test. Improved parameter estimation performance is achieved when compared with the conventional spatial smoothing algorithm. Finally, the proposed source number estimator is validated through numerical results and compared with other recently developed approaches.
Data Structures and Databases in Digital Scene Analysis

Digital scene analysis may be defined as the process of using a digital computer to extract, characterize, and interpret information from images of a three-dimensional world. Interest in scene analysis techniques ranges from industrial automation applications, such as assembly and inspection, to military applications involving autonomous target detection and identification. Regardless of specific applications, however, an essential characteristic of digital scene analysis techniques is the use of a machine for performing “intelligent” tasks, where the standard for intelligent behavior on the part of the machine is established by the capability of a human in performing the same tasks.