cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
(R)Evolutionary Rhetorics: Science and Sexuality in Nineteenth-Century Free-Love Discourse

Nineteenth-century women speaking to promiscuous audiences about the taboo topics of sex and sexuality found evolutionary science an ally, rather than an enemy, to their aims. Feminists arguing for free love promoted their arguments with the popular evolutionary discourse. This essay identifies three warrants in their arguments with a basis in Darwin's theories of evolution and sexual selection.
Irrigating Forage Crops with Saline Waters: 1. Volumetric Lysimeter Studies

The recycling of agricultural drainage water for irrigation is increasingly viewed as a desirable management practice in areas with limited options for drainage disposal. Modeling is potentially a cost-effective approach to examining design and management options for drainage reuse systems, but questions exist about the accuracy of simulated root water uptake in dynamic, highly saline conditions such as those encountered in reuse operations. This study compares HYDRUS-1D simulations of root water uptake and drainage with lysimeter data collected during an experiment in which forage crops (alfalfa [ Medicago sativa L.] and tall wheatgrass [ Agropyron elongatum (Host) P. Beauv.]) were irrigated with synthetic drainage waters. A trial-and-error fitting procedure was used to determine uptake reduction parameters for each crop. Good agreement between the model simulations and data was achieved, a noteworthy result given the broad range of experimental conditions considered: irrigation waters with salinities ranging from 2.5 to 28 dS m−1 and irrigation rates ranging from deficit to luxurious. The approximations required to derive uptake reduction parameters from published salt tolerance data are examined. Simulations are presented that attempt to account for the uncertainty in derived uptake reduction functions. Overall, we concluded that the general modeling approach captures many essential features of root water uptake under stressed conditions and it may be useful in designing and analyzing reuse operations.
An Adaptive Energy-Management Framework for Sensor Nodes with Constrained Energy Scavenging Profiles

Modern energy harvesting systems for WSNs involve power scavenging sources, rechargeable batteries, and supercapacitors. Typical energy-management systems calculate/predict the remaining energy stored in a node, and associated actions are dispatched involving the networking protocols. However, long-term characteristics of the mentioned hardware components are typically neglected preventing the achievement of very long maintenance-free lifetimes (e.g., >5 years) for the nodes. In this work, a systematic analysis of this problem is provided, and an open energy-management framework is proposed which promotes (a) the nontraditional combination of primary cells, supercapacitors, and harvesting systems, (b) the concept of a distributed system inside a node, and (c) the adoption of the dual duty-cycle (DDC) operation for the WSNs. The DDC’s core component is a cross-layer protocol implemented as an application-layer overlay which maintains the operation of the network under very high energy efficiency. Its trade-off is the reduction of the network throughput. Therefore, the DDC system has mechanisms that dynamically switch the WSN operational mode according to application’s needs. Detailed guidelines are provided in order to allow the implementation of the solution on existing WSN platforms. The energy efficiency of the low duty-cycle mode of the solution is demonstrated by simulated and empirical results.
Topoisomerase Targeting with and Resistance to Gemifloxacin in Staphylococcus aureus

Gemifloxacin, a novel quinolone with potent activity against Staphylococcus aureus, was 8- to 16-fold more active against wild-type S. aureus than ciprofloxacin. The two- to fourfold increase in the MIC of gemifloxacin in genetically defined grlBA mutants and the twofold increase in a single gyrA mutant, supported by the low frequency of selection of resistant mutants at twice the MIC (7.4 x 10(-11) to 1.1 x 10(-10)), suggested similar targeting of the two enzymes by gemifloxacin. Dual mutations in both gyrase and topoisomerase IV caused a 64- to 128-fold increase in the MIC of gemifloxacin, similar to that seen with ciprofloxacin. Gemifloxacin also had similar activity in vitro against topoisomerase IV and gyrase purified from S. aureus (50% inhibitory concentrations of 0.25 and 0.31 micro g/ml, respectively). This activity was 10- to 20-fold higher than that of ciprofloxacin for topoisomerase IV and 33-fold higher than that for gyrase. In contrast to the in vitro findings, only topoisomerase IV mutants were selected in first-step mutants. Overexpression of the NorA efflux pump had a minimal effect on resistance to gemifloxacin, and a mutation in the promoter region of the gene for NorA was selected only in the sixth step of serial selection of mutants. Our data show that although gemifloxacin targets purified topoisomerase IV and gyrase similarly in vitro, topoisomerase IV is the preferred target in the bacteria. Selection of novel resistance mutations in grlA requires further expansion of quinolone-resistance-determining regions, and their study may provide increased insight into enzyme-quinolone interactions.
Surface characterization and adhesion and friction properties of hydrophobic leaf surfaces

Super-hydrophobic surfaces as well as low adhesion and friction are desirable for various industrial applications. Certain plant leaves are known to be hydrophobic in nature. These leaves are hydrophobic due to the presence of microbumps and a thin wax film on the surface of the leaf. The purpose of this study is to fully characterize the leaf surface and to separate out the effects of the microbumps and the wax on the hydrophobicity. Furthermore, the adhesion and friction properties of the leaves, with and without wax, are studied. Using an optical profiler and an atomic/friction force microscope (AFM/FFM), measurements on the hydrophobic leaves, both with and without wax, were made to fully characterize the leaf surface. Using a model that predicts contact angle as a function of roughness, the roughness factor for the hydrophobic leaves has been calculated, which is used to calculate the contact angle for a flat leaf surface. It is shown that both the microbumps and the wax play an equally important role in the hydrophobic nature as well as adhesion and friction of the leaf. This study will be useful in developing super-hydrophobic surfaces.
Packaging of a Polymer by a Viral Capsid: The Interplay between Polymer Length and Capsid Size

We report a study of the in vitro self-assembly of virus-like particles formed by the capsid protein of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus and the anionic polymer poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) for five molecular masses ranging from 400 kDa to 3.4 MDa. The goal is to explore the effect on capsid size of the competition between the preferred curvature of the protein and the molecular mass of the packaged cargo. The capsid size distribution for each polymer was unimodal, but two distinct sizes were observed: 22 nm for the lower molecular masses, jumping to 27 nm at a molecular mass of 2 MDa. A model is provided for the formation of the virus-like particles that accounts for both the PSS and capsid protein self-interactions and the interactions between the protein and PSS. Our study suggests that the size of the encapsidated polymer cargo is the deciding factor for the selection of one distinct capsid size from several possible sizes with the same inherent symmetry.
Staining whole mounts of an insect (Tribolium confusum) reproductive system for succinic dehydrogenase and nonspecific esterase.

The female reproductive system of Tribolium confusum was dissected in a salt solution containing NaC1, 9 gm; KC1, 0.42 gm; and CaC12, 0.25 gm per liter and fixed in 1% CaC12-10% formol, both at 0-4 C, or air dried. Staining was by standard histochemical procedures. Selective intensity of enzyme activity was as follows: dehydrogenase was predominant in the ovarioles; esterase, in the lateral oviducts. The use of iodoacetic acid and L600 as inhibitors suppressed the dehydrogenase and nonspecific esterase activity, respectively.
On-chip testing of random access memories

This article gives an overview of the Built-In Self-Test techniques for stand alone Random-Access Memory chips. It identifies the limitations of the existing fault models and the test algorithms used to test large RAMs. Methods to reduce test time for testing large RAMs are categorized. The article argues that even linear time test algorithms must use architecture and design for testability induced parallelisms to keep the total test time to an acceptable limit. Following that two algorithms are presented that can be used to test large RAMs for neighborhood pattern sensitive faults. Test lengths and test time for application of these algorithms are computed and it is suggested that a microprogrammed controller based scheme be used to implement self-test in stand alone RAMs.
It's Not Behçet's!

A healthy 28 year-old man with isolated oral candidiasis at 17 and 26 years, on no medications, and having a recent URI 1 week before, presented with acute-onset progressive, painful oral mucositis and odynophagia (Fig. 1). His temperature was 101.6°F. The white blood cell count was 19.5, with 4.4% lymphocytes, 226CD4. Oral nystatin and IV caspofungin were started. Subsequently, the patient developed injected sclera with bilateral subconjunctival hemorrhages (Fig. 2) and marginated, erythematous, targetoid genital papules with vesicular centers (Fig. 3). His oral, ocular and genital lesions corresponded to the classic distribution of Behcet’s syndrome, initially placing this at the top of the differential diagnosis, followed by erythema multiforme (EM) and herpes simplex. However, generalized oral mucositis, conjunctivitis and, most importantly, targetoid lesions are not common in Behcet’s syndrome. Behcet’s syndrome frequently presents with aphthous ulcers sparing the outer lips, genital ulcers and uveitis. Subsequent biopsy of the targetoid lesions demonstrated EM, with vacuolizing keratinocytes and tagging lymphocytes. Skin lesions and pain resolved after 1 week of high-dose methylprednisolone without complications. Repeat complete blood count (CBC) showed resolution of the lymphocytopenia. EM is a self-limited hypersensitivity reaction to external triggers, most notably HSV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and medications1,2. In this patient, HIV, HSV, M.pneumonia and Legionella studies were negative. Traditionally, EM has been placed within the hypersensitivity reaction spectrum, which includes Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis3. However, there is suggestive evidence that EM may be a distinct entity. Treatment targets underlying infection and removing offending agents. Currently, systemic steroids are frequently used, but remain controversial. Figure 1 Oral ulcerations. Figure 2 Subconjunctival hemorrhages and ocular ulcerations. Figure 3 Scrotal and penile shaft ulcerations.
Modified Expansion Sphincter Pharyngoplasty for Treatment of Children With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Importance Lateral pharyngeal wall collapse has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Modified expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty (ESP) is a simple procedure and can be considered in the surgical management of children with severe OSA. Objective To describe a modified ESP addressing lateral pharyngeal muscle wall collapse in the treatment of children with OSA. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective review of the medical records of children with OSA and lateral pharyngeal muscle wall collapse who underwent modified ESP and children who had tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (TA) for OSA between 2008 and 2013 at a tertiary care children’s hospital. Interventions Modified ESP. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome measure was the rate of cure, which was defined as an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) lower than 1. Other outcomes were differences in preoperative and postoperative AHI, minimum saturation of peripheral oxygen, and percentage of total sleep study time with oxygen saturation less than 90%. Results Twenty-five children who had modified ESP and 25 AHI-matched children who had TA for severe OSA were identified. The postoperative AHI was lower than the preoperative AHI in both groups. Preoperative AHI was similar between modified ESP and TA groups. The mean (SD) postoperative AHI of the modified ESP group (2.4 [3.9]) was lower than that of the TA group (6.2 [6.0]) (P Conclusions and Relevance Modified ESP provided objective clinical improvement of OSA in children with severe OSA and lateral pharyngeal wall collapse and might serve as an effective alternative to TA for treatment of OSA.
Children's Understanding and Experience of Mixed Emotions: The Roles of Age, Gender, and Empathy

ABSTRACT. The present study examined the development of children's ability report understanding and experiencing allocentric mixed emotions, and explored the relation of gender and empathic ability to these skills. Participants (128 elementary school-aged children [63 boys, 65 girls]) were shown a movie clip with bittersweet themes to elicit mixed emotions. Findings from this study are consistent with prior research (Larsen, To, & Fireman, 2007), supporting a developmental progression in children's ability to both understand and report experiencing mixed emotions, with the two as distinct skills and children reporting understanding earlier than experiencing of emotions. Consistent with previous research, girls performed significantly better on the emotion experience task. Finally, results provided evidence that empathy partially mediates the relationship between age and reports of mixed emotion experience, but no evidence that empathy plays a role in mixed emotional understanding.
Saw palmetto and finasteride in the treatment of category-iii prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome is a common entity for which a standardized management has not been established. Patients often have a significant symptom complex and impact on quality of life, but very little is known about the efficacy of second- and third-line treatments, such as the use of herbal supplements. Many treatments studied in recent literature include antibiotics, a-blockade, anti-inflammatory agents, and cognitive behavioral interventions such as biofeedback and psychotherapy.
Monoclonal antibodies for the diagnosis of infectious diseases.

During the last five years advances in hybridoma technology have allowed the development of monoclonal antibodies against infectious disease agents, which permit a rapid specific diagnosis long before culture results are available. The purpose of this review is to describe the use of monoclonal antibodies for the diagnosis of infections and to discuss the application of hybridoma technology in the clinical setting. In recent years the number of monoclonal antibodies directed against bacteria, viruses, protozoa and helminths has increased exponentially; with time these monoclonal antibodies may replace or supplement standard culture techniques in the microbiology laboratory.
The accuracy of length measurements using different intravascular ultrasound motorized transducer pullback systems.

Accurate length measurements by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) are necessary for stent length selection and for IVUS volumetric analysis. The comparative accuracy of commercially available transducer pullback systems––a necessity for accurate IVUS length and volume measurements––has never been studied. We evaluated the accuracy of four IVUS pullback systems by studying 180 patients (45 in each group) who had been treated with a single stent of known length. Stented lesions were located in the left anterior descending artery (n = 77), left circumflex artery (n = 41), right coronary artery (n = 41), left main (n = 2), and saphenous vein grafts (n = 19). The known lengths of implanted stents ranged from 8 to 33 mm. The correlations between known stent length and IVUS-measured stent length in each group were 0.92 for CVIS, 0.83 for BSC Galaxy, 0.63 for Endosonics TrackBack, and 0.69 for Volcano Model R-l00 research pullback device, respectively. Furthermore, the absolute value of the difference between the two measurements was 9.1 ± 13.1%, 8.8 ± 10.2%, 18.6 ± 21.5%, and 17.5 ± 31.4%, respectively. With the Volcano Model R-l00 research pullback device, there were 3 extreme outliers; if these three outliers were excluded, then the correlation improved from 0.69 to 0.91; and the absolute deviation from known stent length improved from 17.5 ± 31.4% to 9.7 ± 8.3%. Thus, there is a significant variation in length measurement accuracy among IVUS pullback devices. This should be taken into account both clinically and when planning scientific studies.
Molecular Typing and Resistance Analysis of Travel-Associated Salmonella enterica Serotype Typhi

Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi is a human pathogen causing 12 to 30% mortality and requiring antibiotic therapy to control the severity of the infection. Typhoid fever in United States is often associated with foreign travel to areas of endemicity. Increasing resistance to multiple drugs, including quinolones, is associated with decreased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (DCS). We investigated 31 clinical strains isolated in Florida from 2007 to 2010, associated with travel to six countries, to examine the clonal distribution of the organism and apparent nalidixic acid (NAL) resistance. The strains were isolated from blood or stool of patients aged 2 to 68 years. The isolates were subtyped by ribotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Susceptibilities to 15 antimicrobials were determined, and the isolates were screened for integrons and gyrase A gene mutations. Both typing techniques effectively segregated the strains. Identical clones were associated with different countries, while diverse types coexisted in the same geographic location. Fifty-one percent of the strains were resistant to at least one antimicrobial, and five were resistant to three or more drugs (multidrug resistant [MDR]). All 12 isolates from the Indian subcontinent were resistant to at least one drug, and 83% of those were resistant to NAL. Three of the MDR strains harbored a 750-bp integron containing the dfr7 gene. Ninety-three percent of the resistant strains showed a DCS profile. All the NAL-resistant strains contained point mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region of gyrA. This study affirms the global clonal distribution, concomitant genetic heterogeneity, and increased NAL resistance of S. enterica serovar Typhi.
Siduron inhibition of Photosystem II in isolated chloroplasts

Abstract The photoreduction of 3-phosphoglyceric acid (3-PGA), NADP, and methyl viologen by isolated chloroplasts was inhibited by 1-(2 methylcyclohexyl)-3-phenylurea (siduron). Siduron had no effect on the photoreduction of methyl viologen by chloroplasts using ascorbate plus 2,6-dichloroindophenol (DCIP) as an electron donor, indicating the site of siduron inhibition was not in photosystem I. The photoreduction of NADP by isolated chloroplasts using electron donors to photosystem II other than water was inhibited by siduron. The results indicate that the site of siduron inhibition is in photosystem II between water splitting and photosystem I.
A proof of the Woodward‐Lawson sampling method for a finite linear array

An extension of the continuous aperture Woodward-Lawson sampling theorem has been developed for a finite linear array of equidistant identical elements with arbitrary excitations. It is shown that by sampling the array factor at a finite number of specified points in the far field, the exact array factor over all space can be efficiently reconstructed in closed form. The specified sample points lie in real space and hence are measurable provided that the interelement spacing is greater than approximately one half of a wavelength. This paper provides insight as to why the length parameter used in the sampling formulas for discrete arrays is larger than the physical span of the lattice points in contrast with the continuous aperture case where the length parameter is precisely the physical aperture length.
Immunization against influenza in humans using an oral enteric-coated killed virus vaccine

By ingestion of subunit-killed influenza virus vaccine in the form of enteric-coated capsules, local synthesis of secretory IgA (sIgA) antibody was stimulated in human nasal secretions. A fairly equal antibody response initiated by oral and intramuscular administration was demonstrated in the nasal secretions, although a systemic immune response was not elicited from ingestion of the vaccine. If the secretory antibody response resulted from absorption of antigen and transport to the respiratory mucosa, systemic (serum) antibody would be expected. Therefore these findings support the hypothesis that specialized collections of lymphoid cells in the small intestines have IgA precursor cells which circulate and populate distant mucosal sites. A number of studies have suggested that protection against mucosal infection by a variety of respiratory viruses correlates better with the presence and level of sIgA antibody than with serum antibody. The orally administered vaccine was associated with no more side effects than placebo, in contradistinction to the intramuscular route. Thus, the oral method of influenza vaccination could prove to be superior in providing for immunological protection due to equal secretory antibody stimulation, improved convenience and less toxicity.
Electric Field Assisted Photodegradation of Spatially Confined Poly(p-phenylenevinylene)

The effect of electric fields on the fluorescence decay of block-copolymers containing poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) and polynorbornene (polyNBE) was measured. Electric fields of up to 200 V/μm do not perturb the fluorescence decay profiles when the average size of the PPV block is small (i.e., PPV3-block-polyNBE200 or PPV3-block-polyNBE25). It appears that for short isolated PPV segments the electric field accessible for these studies does not allow dissociation of photogenerated excitons into electron-hole pairs. For larger PPV segments, as in PPV20-block-polyNBE200, the electric field reduces considerably the fluorescence lifetime and quantum yield. In addition, irradiating the sample under an electric field changes permanently its fluorescence characteristics. Control experiments show that neither irradiation nor the field alone can degrade the polymer.
Stochastic modeling of nucleation and coagulation growth processes for NH4Cl

Abstract The growth of solid particles by coagulation or during nucleation is modeled stochastically. Particle growth simulated by either mechanism is found to result in a high porosity. The average porosity (defined as the fraction of the volume occupied by voids) resulting from coagulation is 0.92, and that for cluster scavenging is also 0.92 at a supersaturation ratio of 6.2. A cross sectional porosity scan for coagulated aggregates is predicted to be 0.84, in very close agreement with experimental observations for NH 4 Cl. Consideration of the standard deviation of the mean porosity shows that, with either growth mechanism, the trends are established early in the development of an aggregate. Thus, observations from simulations of small aggregates can be safely extended to much larger aggregates.
Non-Probabilistic Uncertainty in Subsurface Hydrology and Its Applications: an Overview

While a presumed equality between uncertainty and probability is dominant in subsurface hydrology, in other areas of science and engineering progress in the mathematics of uncertainty is leading the way in providing new types of uncertainty, distinct from probability. In this paper our focus is on one of these, namely fuzzy set theory and fuzzy logic. We start with an overview of fuzzy theory introducing terminology, notation, and concepts relevant to our paper. We continue our discussion with an overview of currently known applications in several areas that include subsurface characterization, groundwater flow and transport modeling, water resources management and optimization, and groundwater health risk assessment and management.
Simultaneous solution of diagonalization and self-consistency problems for transition-metal systems

Use of a new iterative diagonalization technique in self-consistent ab initio linear augmented-plane-wave electronic-structure calculations is reported. It is found that this approach yields a substantial reduction in computing time over conventional approaches to the electronic-structure problem and should make calculations for larger systems of scientific and technological interest feasible.
Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy of Benign and Malignant Prostatic Tissues

Purpose: The specificity of current screening methods for prostate cancer is limited and it results in approximately 75% to 80% of patients who undergo biopsy having findings negative for cancer. We used electrical impedance spectroscopy to evaluate how significantly the electrical properties of benign and malignant prostatic tissues differ with the goal of providing clinicians with a new biomarker to aid in diagnosis.Materials and Methods: We collected freshly excised prostates from 14 men immediately following radical prostatectomy. The prostates were sectioned into 3 mm slices. Electrical property measurements of conductivity and relative permittivity were recorded from each slice using a coaxially configured probe over the frequency range of 1 kHz to 1 MHz. The area probed was marked so that following tissue fixation and slide preparation histological assessment could be correlated directly with the recorded electrical impedance spectroscopy spectra.Results: Prostatic adenocarcinoma, benign prostatic ...
Proteinase inhibitory assays of serum using high-performance size exclusion chromatography

Abstract A size exclusion column (Spherogel TSK-2000 SW) was utilized in a high-performance size exclusion chromatographic assay to determine the proteinase inhibitory capacity of human sera. Values from assays using this technique agreed well with the standard spectrophotometric inhibitory assays. Nanogram to milligram amounts of protein, namely, α 1 -proteinase inhibitor, elastase, trypsin, chymotrypsin and their corresponding complexes with the inhibitor, were fractionated in less than 15 min. The nitrated or oxidized α 1 -proteinase inhibitor was shown to retain its ability to form stable complexes with trypsin or chymotrypsin; however, they lost the inhibitory activity against elastase and instead they behaved as common protein substrates for this enzyme. The present chromatographic procedure was unable to detect any peptide released when the native inhibitor and any of the proteinases reacted to form a complex. Moreover, dissociation of the α 1 -proteinase inhibitor—elastase complex in an alkaline pH did not result in the formation or release of any peptide.
Model-based multiple-sensor dynamic scene interpretation

A model-based method is developed with the overall objective of estimating multiple object motion in 3-D from one or more image sequences. Object 3-D positions and orientations are obtained by recognition of 3-D objects from an object library and determining object viewpoints for each image frame. There are two stages in the viewpoint determination. First, the relational structures in an edge line image are matched with the relational structures in 2-D projections of 3-D model lines to select candidate object models and associated viewpoints from the model library. In the second stage, the selected object model is verified using a viewpoint consistency constraints. Thereafter, motion information may be derived. Stereo sensors, where available, provide additional and redundant information. A comprehensive example is shown.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
X-ray monochromator for divergent beam radiography using conventional and laser-produced x-ray sources

We discuss technology that will produce a wide angle monochromatic beam of X-rays that appears to diverge from a virtual point source. Although our ideas are discussed in the context of dual energy subtraction angiography (DESA) that we are developing to operate in a clinical setting, they are widely adaptable to all applications of x-ray radiography. The best DESA analysis is obtained from X-ray images made in narrow energy bands just below and just above the I K-absorption edge. Our monochromator will be used to isolate these narrow bands to produce high contrast, high spatial resolution, ECG gated angiographic images. Emission lines, that have X-ray energies below (E-) and above (E+) the I K-absorption edge at 33.2 keV, are readily available. We have deposited variable d-spacing artificial crystals, called multilayers, on optically flat, very smooth substrates, to create narrow pass band X-ray monochromators centered on La and Ba K-emission lines. We will record (E-) and (E+) exposures on either photographic plates or, in the future, with energy sensitive pixelated arrays of solid state detectors. After a suitable normalization, the exposures will be subtracted to yield a high resolution, high contrast image of the I filled arteries. Although initial results will be obtained with conventional X-ray tubes, our goal is to couple the monochromators to a high intensity, laser produced, X-ray plasma. We will present early test data that shows the multilayer performance.
A physical model for the transient response of capacitively loaded distributed RLC interconnects

Rapid approximation of the transient response of high-speed global interconnects is needed to estimate the time delay, crosstalk, and overshoot in a GSI multilevel wiring network. This paper outlines a rigorous and physical solution for transients in a capacitively-loaded distributed rlc interconnect using a convergent series of modified Bessel functions. Compact models for time delay and repeater insertion are derived. The single-line model is extended to evaluate crosstalk in two-coupled lines. These solutions are validated by HSPICE simulation, and have potential applications to rapid rlc timing analysis, global wire sizing and repeater insertion, signal integrity estimation, and reliability modeling (e.g. voltage overshoot and high current density concerns).
Effects of ultraviolet radiation exposure on vinyl ester resins: characterization of chemical, physical and mechanical damage

The increased use of fiber-reinforced vinyl ester composites in outdoor applications has led to questions concerning the environmental durability of these materials, particularly as related to UV exposure. In this work, artificial ultraviolet (UV) degradation was carried out on neat vinyl ester matrix specimens using an integrating sphere-based UV exposure chamber. Significant changes were observed in the bulk mechanical properties, surface chemistry, and surface morphology after 1000 and 4000 h of exposure. A transition from slightly ductile to brittle behavior was observed along with a decrease of up to 40% in average strain to failure and a decrease of up to 60% in the average specific toughness after exposure. Changes in the hardness and modulus of the surface after exposure were studied by using an atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanoindentation technique. A significant increase in the apparent hardness of the exposed surface was accompanied by an increase in the apparent modulus of the near-surface region. Morphological changes, including an increase in both the number and size of surface defects on the exposed surface were observed using optical microscopy and tapping-mode AFM. Chemical changes in the exposed surfaces were also observed using Fourier transform infrared- attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
Maintenance of continental boundary-layer shear through counter-gradient vorticity flux in a barotropic model

The use of a classical eddy parametrization in the analysis of continental boundary currents leads to the diffusion of momentum and relative vorticity and fails to recognize that the relevant eddies are dominated by the conservation of potential vorticity, which in turn may produce an increase in the mean relative vorticity. To illustrate this effect, we examine a non-inflected barotropic shear flow destabilized by the cross-steam variation in the bottom topography of a continental slope. The finiteamplitude evolution of the waves is analysed in a simple model with a step-like bottom topography and with a piecewise-uniform potential vorticity distribution. The increase in maximum mean vorticity is computed for various values of the Rossby number and the topographic elevation, and it is suggested that a similar effect, taking into account the isopycnal topography as well as the isobaths, could maintain the large inshore shear of the Gulf Stream. Cross-shelf transport of different water ‘types’ (i.e. potential vorticity and passive tracers) are also computed and suggested to be pertinent to the more realistic oceanic problem involving baroclinic effects. The numerical calculation employs the well-known method of contour dynamics, and the Green's function appropriate for the step-like topography is derived.
On energy-aware aggregation of dynamic temporal demand in cloud computing

The proliferation of cloud computing faces social and economic concerns on energy consumption. We present formulations for cloud servers to minimize energy consumption as well as server hardware cost under three different models (homogeneous, heterogeneous, mixed hetero-homogeneous clusters) by considering dynamic temporal demand. To be able to compute optimal configurations for large scale clouds, we then propose static and dynamic aggregation methods, which come at the additional cost on energy consumption; however, they still result in significant savings compared to the scenario when all servers are on during the entire duration. Our studies show that the homogeneous model takes four time less computational time than the heterogeneous model. The dynamic aggregation scheme results in 8% to 40% savings over the static aggregation scheme when the degree of aggregation is high.
Validity-sensitive querying of XML databases

We consider the problem of querying XML documents which are not valid with respect to given DTDs. We propose a framework for measuring the invalidity of XML documents and compactly representing minimal repairing scenarios. Furthermore, we present a validity-sensitive method of querying XML documents, which extracts more information from invalid XML documents than does the standard query evaluation. Finally, we provide experimental results which validate our approach.
A high gain current-mode operational amplifier

Inaccurate open-loop current gain is a limitation of current-mode circuits. The authors proposed a current-mode operational amplifier (I-opamp) with high open-loop gain that provides accurate closed-loop current-gain characteristics. Negative feedback around the high-gain I-opamp produces an accurate closed-loop current gain insensitive to process, supply, and temperature variations. An analysis of the I-opamp is presented along with possible applications. A topology for a high-gain current-mode differential operational amplifier has been developed and implemented in a 2- mu m n-well CMOS process. >
Perceived stigma, strain, and mental health among caregivers of veterans with traumatic brain injury

Abstract Background Family caregivers of individuals with stigmatized conditions can experience stigma-by-association and discrimination. Moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) may elicit a stigma response if there are visible physical or neurobehavioral effects of the injury. Stigma is a considerable source of stress and may contribute to caregiver strain and stress-related mental health outcomes. We measured the frequency of perceived stigma and discrimination among caregivers of veterans with TBI and examined whether perceived stigma and discrimination are associated with caregiver strain, social isolation, depression, and anxiety. Methods Seventy caregivers of veterans with TBI completed a mailed survey that assessed perceptions of discrimination toward themselves or their care recipient, stigma associated with caregiving, and whether they felt the need to cover up or provide an explanation for their care recipient’s injury. Caregiver strain, social isolation, depression, and anxiety were also assessed via the questionnaire. Multivariate linear regression was used to test the associations between stigma and discrimination measures and outcomes, controlling for potential confounders and other caregiver or care recipient characteristics. Results Both perceptions of caregiver discrimination and stigma associated with caregiving were significantly associated with caregiver strain, social isolation, depression, and anxiety. Perceived discrimination against the individual with TBI was associated with caregiver strain and social isolation. Conclusions Our findings suggest that perceived discrimination and stigma experienced by caregivers of individuals with TBI are stressors that may lead to poor caregiver mental health outcomes. In order to promote both caregiver and care recipient health, we suggest that mental health support services consider these important stressors.
Convenient detection of metal–DNA, metal–RNA, and metal–protein adducts with a click-modified Pt(II) complex

cis-[Pt(2-azido-1,3-propanediamine)Cl2] is a reagent for high-yield post-treatment fluorescent labelling of Pt(II) biomolecular targets using click chemistry and exhibits a bias in conformational isomers in the context of duplex DNA. Pt–protein adducts are detected using BSA as a model. Following in vivo treatment, long-lived Pt–RNA adducts are detected on ribosomal RNA.
Community-Based Participatory Research Shows How a Community Initiative Creates Networks to Improve Well-Being

Background: Evidence from more than 30 years of research suggests a profound relationship between social participation and human health and well-being. People who hold meaningful roles in supportive social contexts live longer, get sick less often, suffer less disability, and recover faster from life-threatening events. However, despite ample evidence of benefit, the complex phenomenon of social participation has proved difficult to untangle in creating policies or programs for optimizing health in diverse communities. For vulnerable populations, the answer to the question of what contexts invite meaningful participation and improve well-being remains unclear. Purpose: This study explores how diverse participants engage in a supportive network and proposes a theoretic model of community-building for health promotion. Methods: Principles of community-based participatory research were used for qualitative study using in-depth interviews, with a purposeful sample of 28 members of a service exchange program in an urban community. Results: Four primary themes that were related to participation in the service exchange program were identified: (1) motivation for participation; (2) service exchange, or reciprocity, as vital to the program, with distinct benefits in a heterogeneous group; (3) occurrence of personal and community growth; and (4) health promotion and improved well-being. A model of how participation in the service exchange leads to community-building is presented. Conclusions: The model suggests that opportunities for reciprocity are fundamental to healthy community development in heterogeneous groups. Further study of how reciprocity encourages diverse populations to work together to create a landscape of healing may provide a valuable framework for health promotion. (Am J Prev Med 2009;37(6S1):S292‐S299) © 2009 American Journal of Preventive Medicine
A Frog in a Well Shaft: Lessons from China on Learning to Teach.

Understanding the interplay among experience, beliefs, and contexts of teaching in preservice and inservice teachers' learning to teach is crucial to improving teacher quality for diverse populations. This study examined the impact of a summer camp English teaching experience in China on the ideas and practice of two White, middle-class female teacher education students with varying backgrounds and experience. Data sources included surveys, interviews, and classroom observations. The study found that when teachers approach new experiences as learners, they are more likely to adopt constructivist pedagogy. In addition, the study found that professional experience and credentials are not necessarily good indicators of how well teachers will perform with students whose cultures are different from their own. Rather, context, personal history, identity, and the disposition to view teaching and learning as reciprocal and recursive processes are interconnected factors that significantly influence teacher develop...
Rarity as a life-history correlate in Dudleya (Crassulaceae).

We wish to suggest a synthesis of life-history evolution involving trade-offs and a certain kind of rarity differential among species. Consider the proposition that a species is rare because it has characters that do not allow it to expand its range ( Brown et al., 1996 ). It may be specialized on an unusual soil and be excessively stressed when it disperses to surrounding soils, or it may be a poor competitor in habitats where other species thrive, or it may be a poor disperser hemmed in by an environment where none of its kind can live, but one way or another, the traits of a species are part of the explanation for its distribution ( Levin, 2000 ). Now, consider multiple species living in the same geographic region that are closely related and differ in rarity ( Gaston and Kunin, 1997 ; Lavergne et al., 2004 ). Some of the species have much larger geographic ranges than those of close relatives. The differences in the geographic ranges are caused by differences in the characteristics of the species ( Harcourt et al., 2002 ). What kinds of traits might differentially restrict ranges? Perhaps not traits that diverged under genetic drift and perhaps not traits that diverged because of reproductive compatibility. Rather, perhaps differences in ecogeographic range could be caused by divergence in life-history traits, such as the schedules of growth and reproduction
The stimulus effect of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,3-dioxolo[4,5-g]isoquinoline is similar to that of cocaine but different from that of amphetamine

Tetrahydro-1,3-dioxolo(4,5-g)isoquinoline (TDIQ) is a conformationally restricted phenylalkylamine related in structure to amphetamine and N-methyl-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane (MDMA) that does not act as a locomotor stimulant. To further evaluate this agent, a group of six rats was trained to discriminate 5.0 mg/kg of TDIQ from vehicle and tests of stimulus generalization were conducted to define the stimulus. The TDIQ stimulus (ED50=0.9 mg/kg) failed to generalize to the central stimulants (+)amphetamine, methylphenidate or ()ephedrine but, curiously, generalized to cocaine (ED50=1.5 mg/kg). When administered to rats (n=5) trained to discriminate 1.0 mg/kg of (+)amphetamine from vehicle, TDIQ produced a maximum of 7% (+)amphetamine-appropriate responding, whereas when administered to rats (n=7) trained to discriminate 4.0 mg/kg of ()ephedrine from vehicle, TDIQ produced a maximum of 57% drug-appropriate responding. Administration of MDMA to TDIQ-trained animals resulted in 76% TDIQ-appropriate responding. Tests of stimulus generalization were also conducted with fenfluramine, nisoxetine, clenbuterol, imipramine and buspirone, and tests of antagonism were conducted with haloperidol and R(+)SCH-23390 using the TDIQ-trained animals. Results were inconclusive in that these agents either failed to completely substitute for or failed to completely antagonize the TDIQ stimulus. Nevertheless, the generalization seen with cocaine, the partial generalization seen with ()ephedrine, MDMA, nisoxetine, clenbuterol and buspirone and the partial antagonism seen with haloperidol suggest that TDIQ might be acting through a mixed mechanism that involves adrenergic, dopaminergic and/or serotonergic systems. Given that TDIQ is an agent that seems to differentiate among the stimuli produced by amphetamine, methylphenidate, ephedrine and cocaine, it is proposed that further tests be undertaken, using animal models of cocaine abuse, to evaluate the potential usefulness of TDIQ as pharmacotherapy in cocaine dependence. D 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Dietary Fat, Protein Degradability, and Calving Season: Effects on Nutrient Use and Performance of Early Lactation Cows

Abstract Twelve multiparous Holstein cows calving in fall and 12 calving in summer were blocked into four groups and used in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial to determine the effects of season of calving, dietary fat, and protein degradability on milk production and efficiency of NE L utilization in a 16-wk study. Blocks were assigned randomly to one of four dietary treatment combinations: 1) control concentrate plus soybean meal (high degradability protein supplement); 2) control concentrate plus a mixture of heated soybean meal and corn gluten meal (low degradability protein supplement); 3) a blend of the control concentrate and a concentrate containing 12.1% fat to provide 1kg d −1 fat, plus soybean meal; and 4) concentrate as in diet 3 plus heated soybean meal and corn gluten meal. Nutrient intake, milk yield and composition, BW changes, and daily ambient temperature were monitored. Intake of DM appeared to be related to NDF intake but was not affected by fat, protein degradability, or calving season. Intake of NE L was increased by feeding fat. Digestibilities of DM and CP were increased and fiber was decreased by feeding fat. Percentage and yields of milk fat, SNF, and protein and 4% FCM production were higher in cows calving in fall. Milk fat percentage was low in all cows in the study. Efficiency of energy utilization for milk production was decreased in cows fed fat and calving in the summer and by low protein degradability during wk 5 to 8 of lactation. At high concentrate intake, calving season had more effect on milk production than level of fat or protein degradability.
Natural Product Herbicides for Control of Annual Vegetation Along Roadsides

Natural product herbicides for vegetation control are being considered as alternatives to synthetic herbicides by many public agencies. Studies were conducted along roadsides at the Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC) in 2001 and 2002 and on California State Route 29 (SR29) in 2002 to evaluate acetic acid, pine oil, and plant essentials compared with glyphosate for control of herbaceous vegetation. In 2001, annual grass control after a single application of pine oil at HREC was 40% or less effective, whereas acetic acid was at least 79% effective. A second application of pine oil or acetic acid did not control regrowth or new plants. In 2002, plant essentials was the most effective (>80%) natural product at HREC for control of annual grasses, except slender oat. Pine oil often provided similar control of slender oat as plant essentials (71 and 69%, respectively). At SR29, five applications of acetic acid provided 83% or better control of slender oat, hare barley, medusahead, and broadleaf filaree...
Effect of brain stem NMDA-receptor blockade by MK-801 on behavioral and fos responses to vagal satiety signals.

To test the possible role ofN-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors in the transmission of gastrointestinal satiety signals at the level of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), we asses...