cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NEKTON IN GULF COAST WETLANDS: FINE-SCALE DISTRIBUTIONS, LANDSCAPE PATTERNS, AND RESTORATION IMPLICATIONS

haany decapod crustaceans and fishes are common inhabitants of flooded salt marshes in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, but spatial distributions are uneven, and pop- ulation sizes are difficult to estimate. We measured fine-scale (1-10 m) distributions of nekton on the vegetated marsh surface using enclosure samplers in Galveston Bay, Texas, and used these patterns to estimate population size. Natant decapod crustaceans were abundant in the marsh; densities of juvenile brown shrimp Farffiantepenaeus aztecus, white shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus, and blue crabs Callinectes sapidus were highest 1 m from the water's edge and declined rapidly to 10 m from the edge. We developed regression models to describe these fine-scale density patterns and validated the models with independent data on density dis- tributions from two other marsh systems. We used a Geographic Information System to transfer the density models to a natural marsh landscape; the highly fragmented Elmgrove Point marsh was composed of shallow nonvegetated bottom (37.4% of the area) and Spartina alternifora vegetation (62.6No) with 15No of the vegetated area within 1 m of the marsh-water interface. We estimated that this 437-ha salt marsh complex supported populations of 16.2 million brown shrimp, 15.5 million white shrimp, and 11.3 million blue crabs. We divided the marsh complex into 39 sectors and examined relationships between nekton populations and land- scape-scale patterns of marsh fragmentation. The amount of edge and the population estimates in a sector increased consistently with the amount of water up to 20-25No. Nekton population declines were not apparent until the late stages of marsh disintegration (>70No open water). We also used our fine-scale density models to simulate the effects of adding creeks to a 1- ha created salt marsh of solid vegetation. For shrimp, 1-2 creeks/ha (or a comparable amount of edge) were required to reach populations equivalent to shallow nonvegetated bottom, and up to 6 creeks/ha were required to reach populations similar to those estimated for the natural marsh complex. Simulated populations of blue crabs reached levels in the natural marsh complex with the addition of fewer creeks (2-3 creeks/ha).
Social skill training with children: Issues in research and practice.

Abstract Evidence indicating a relationship between problematic peer relations during childhood and interpersonal disorders in later life has spurred the development of interventions for such maladies as social isolation, peer neglect and rejection, and friendlessness. Recent studies suggest that social skill training, a behaviorally-oriented strategy designed to facilitate children's social competence with peers, is one of the most promising and effective methods of treatment. Despite its promise, however, continued progress toward the development and implementation of effective skill-based interventions depends on the resolution of numerous conceptual and methodological issues. Several key issues facing researchers and practitioners are reviewed and discussed in this article including: (1) the purpose of social skill training, (2) the selection of candidates, (3) the content or curriculum of skill-based interventions, and (4) the methods used to teach social skills.
Piecewise linear discretization of Symbolic Implicit Monte Carlo radiation transport in the difference formulation

We describe a Monte Carlo solution for time dependent photon transport, in the difference formulation with the material in local thermodynamic equilibrium, that is piecewise linear in its treatment of the material state variable. Our method employs a Galerkin solution for the material energy equation while using Symbolic Implicit Monte Carlo to solve the transport equation. In constructing the scheme, one has the freedom to choose between expanding the material temperature, or the equivalent black body radiation energy density at the material temperature, in terms of finite element basis functions. The former provides a linear treatment of the material energy while the latter provides a linear treatment of the radiative coupling between zones. Subject to the conditional use of a lumped material energy in the vicinity of strong gradients, possible with a linear treatment of the material energy, our approach provides a robust solution for time dependent transport of thermally emitted radiation that can address a wide range of problems. It produces accurate results in thick media.
Enhancement of Ferroelectric Curie Temperature in BaTiO3 Films via Strain‐Induced Defect Dipole Alignment

The combination of epitaxial strain and defect engineering facilitates the tuning of the transition temperature of BaTiO3 to >800 °C. Advances in thin-film deposition enable the utilization of both the electric and elastic dipoles of defects to extend the epitaxial strain to new levels, inducing unprecedented functionality and temperature stability in ferroelectrics.
Needles That Kill: Modeling Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission via Shared Drug Injection Equipment in Shooting Galleries

Case notification data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control imply that AIDS has spread rapidly among intravenous drug users in the northeastern United States. These data determine a doubling time for AIDS cases of 5-6 months for this population early in the epidemic. A new mathematical model of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) via shared drug injection equipment in "shooting galleries" is developed to understand the rapid spread of HIV and AIDS among drug users. The model depends on quantities such as rates of sharing injection equipment, the ratio of addicts to injection equipment in the population, the infectivity of HIV transmitted by shared injection equipment, the likelihood that infectious equipment is "flushed" by the blood of an uninfected user, and the duration of needle-sharing activity by HIV-infected addicts. The model is extended to incorporate the impact of cleansing or bleaching of injection equipment. Also, the model is reformulated to account for the inactivation of HIV infectiousness over time. The models demonstrate that policies such as the distribution of cleansing solutions and/or injection equipment among drug addicts could slow or stop the intravenous transmission of HIV in shooting galleries.
Activities for injury prevention.

yas G> ~ E noted with interest your publication's recent editorial (1) which emphasizes the importance of injuries as W 5.T.T 2 causes of death, disability, and economic costs in the it W % United States today and proposes the establishment of a P c) "National Institute of Injury Prevention" to develop and coordinate research and control efforts directed at the problem of injuries. We strongly agree that injuries constitute a major public health problem that warrants greatly increased attention and support. Indeed, in the United States, injuries annually affect approximately 1 of 3 persons (2), lead to emergency room visits for 1 of 5 persons (3), and account for 9.5% of acute-care hospitalizations (4) and 5.6% of deaths (5). Injuries are the leading cause of death for persons aged 1-44 years (6) and the nation's leading cause of premature death (7). We disagree, however, with the statement that "injuries remain to this day a neglected and forgotten area of public health concern." The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) formally recognized the importance of selected injuries in the 1978 report of its ad hoc Programs and Policies Advisory Committee (8), and injury prevention is one of 15 health priority areas identified by the Public Health Service in 1980 for concerted national action (9). In line with these priorities, the CDC has established programmatic foci for the evaluation and control of injuries in the Special Studies Branch of the Center for Environmental Health (CEH), the Violence Epidemiology Branch of the Center for Health Promotion and Education, the Division of Safety Research of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the Epidemiologic Studies Branch of
A review of cardiac transplantation.

Perioperative anesthetic management for cardiac transplantation is reviewed. Recent developments in adult cardiac transplantation are noted. This review includes demographics and historical results, recipient and donor selection and evaluation, mechanical circulatory support and heart transplantation techniques, and patient management immediately postimplantation.
Histology and microspectrophotometry of the photoreceptors of a crocodilian, Alligator mississippiensis

The photoreceptors in the retina of Alligator mississippiensis were examined by means of in situ , single cell microspectrophotometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The retina is characterized by a system of four cone visual pigments. One type of single cone contains a visual pigment with absorbance maximum ( λ max ) at 535 nm. A second type contains a visual pigment absorbing maximally at 444 nm. The principal member of the double cone has a visual pigment with λ max at 566 nm whereas the accessory member’s visual pigment absorbs maximally at 503 nm. There is only one rod pigment and it is virtually identical to that within the accessory cone, absorbing maximally at 501 nm. All visual pigments are based on the retinal or vitamin A 1 chromophore. SEM confirms that the alligator retina is duplex with rods dominating but cones present in significant numbers. There is a wide range of photoreceptor shapes and sizes throughout the retina
Diel variation of intertidal foraging by Cancer productus L. in British Columbia

Scuba was used at high tide to observe the foraging activity of Cancer Productus L. on the rocky shores of British Columbia. Intertidal foraging occurred most frequently on shores protected from wave action. In the latter areas crabs displayed marked diel shifts in density, size, and sex ratio. Crabs did not forage intertidally at low water, but increased from 0·015 m-2 to 0·15 m-2 between day and night high tides. Day foraging crabs were predominantly males (86%) and significantly larger than night foraging crabs of either sex. Females were more common (64%) in the night. Juveniles and mating pairs occurred in the intertidal zone only on nocturnal high tides. Size/sex differences in movement patterns appear to be an important feature of the life histories of some cancrid crabs.
Land tenure in the U.S.: power, gender, and consequences for conservation decision making

Land tenure relations have both social and environmental implications, ranging from potential power issues to land stewardship. Drawing upon survey data of landowners collected in the Great Lakes Basin of the U.S., this study builds upon existing research by examining absentee landlords of agricultural land—a vastly understudied but growing category of landowners. By furthering analysis on gender dynamics in the landlord-tenant relationship, the study findings augment Gilbert and Beckley’s (Rural Sociology, 1993) suggestion that subordinate landlord-dominant tenant relationships may be a pattern and contribute to understanding the nuances that co-ownership potentially plays in these relationships.
Extended observations on MS patients treated with IM interferon-β1a (Avonex™): implications for modern MS trials and therapeutics

Extended observations of the pivotal phase III clinical trial of interferon-beta1a (IFNbeta1a; Avonex, Biogen) in relapsing MS patients revealed that: (1) active treatment significantly slowed the accumulation of physical disability over time, reduced clinical exacerbations and MRI brain lesions; (2) clinical efficacy did not depend on disability endpoints; (3) active treatment benefited multiple MRI measures of brain lesions; (4) cerebral atrophy occurred over 2 years in relatively mildly disabled patients; and (5) Avonex could slow the development of atrophy after the first year of treatment. Data from this study were recently used to design a new outcome measure for MS clinical trials (the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite), and was also the basis for two ongoing studies of IFNbeta1a: one in patients with monosymptomatic onset of MS and the other in secondary progressive MS.
Stereospecific synthesis of chiral benzylic centers from D-erythro-pentulose derivatives

Abstract Stereospecific, Grignard addition reactions are described that afford C -phenyl branched-chain pentitols having either the D - arabino (2) or D - ribo (19) stereochemistry, according to the mode of substitution of the starting 2-pentulose. The reaction of 3,5- O -benzylidene-1-deoxy- D - erythro -2-pentulose (1) with phenyl-magnesium bromide led stereospecifically to 3,5- O -benzylidene-1-deoxy-2- C -phenyl- D -arabinitol (2) , the configuration of which was established by a nuclear Overhauser experiment with its 2,4:3,5-dibenzylidene acetal (3) . Acid hydrolysis of 2 led to the novel, crystalline 1-deoxy-2- C -phenyl- D -arabinitol (4) , further characterized as its triacetate 5 . In attempts to mask certain hydroxyl groups of 2 selectively, the 2,4- O -isopropylidene (6) and 2,4- O -carbonyl (7) derivatives, the 4-acetate 8 , the 4-(trimethylsilyl) and 4-( tert -butyldimethylsilyl) ethers ( 10 and 17 ), and the corresponding 2-phenylcarbamates 9 (from 8 ) and 11 (from 10 ) were prepared. Catalytic hydrogenolysis of the carbamates 9 and 11 resulted in deoxygenation of the benzylic center with inversion of configuration to give 2( S )-3,5- O -benzylidene-1,2-dideoxy-2- C -phenyl- D - erythro -pentitol ( 12 ; from 11 ) and its 4- O -acetyl analog 13 (from 9 ). Benzylation of the trimethylsilyl ether 10 afforded 2- O -benzyl-3,5- O -benzylidene-1-deoxy-2- C -phenyl-4- O -(trimethylsilyl)- D -arabinitol (15) , together with the corresponding 2,4-dibenzyl ether 14 . Acid hydrolysis of 15 yielded the crystalline, branched-chain, benzyl ether 16 . The tert -butyldimethylsilyl ether of 1 reacted with phenylmagnesium bromide to give, exclusively, the C -phenyl branched-chain pentitol (19) having the D - ribo stereochemistry.
Photothermal light harvesting and light-gated molecular release by nanoporous gold disks

Photothermal heating has been an effective mechanism for harvesting light energy by plasmonic resonance. Photothermally generated hyperthermia can alter cell behavior, change cell microenvironment, and promote or suppress cell growth. In the past, colloidal nanoparticles such as gold nanospheres, nanoshells, nanorods, and nanocages have been developed for various applications. Here, we show that nanoporous gold disks (NPGDs) with 400 nm diameter, 75 nm thickness, and 13 nm pores exhibit large specific surface area and effective photothermal light harvesting capability. Another potential application is demonstrated by light-gated, multi-step molecular release of pre-adsorbed R6G fluorescent dye on arrayed NPGDs. Through the use of time-resolved temperature mapping, the spatial and temporal characteristics of photothermal heating in NPGD arrays is successfully demonstrated for both aqueous and air ambient environments. By applying a thermodynamic model to our experimental data, we determined the photothermal conversion efficiency at 56% for NPGD arrays. As a potential application, light-gated, multi-stage release of pre-adsorbed R6G dye molecules from NPGD arrays has been demonstrated. The results establish the foundation that NPGDs can be employed for photothermal light harvesting and light-gated molecular release.
Longitudinal seizure outcome and prognostic predictors after hemispherectomy in 170 children

Objective: Data on longitudinal seizure outcome after hemispherectomy in children are limited. This study explores the posthemispherectomy longitudinal seizure outcome and its predictors. Methods: We reviewed 186 consecutive children who underwent hemispherectomy between 1997 and 2009 at our center. Clinical, EEG, imaging, and surgical data were collected. Seizure outcome data were collected via a structured questionnaire by contacting families (n = 125) or from the medical records at last follow-up (n = 58). Results: Of 186 patients, 3 were lost to follow-up; 13 seizure-free patients with new-onset nonepileptic spells were excluded. Perioperative complications were not collected. There was no mortality. At a mean follow-up of 5.3 years (±3.3 years), 112 of 170 children (66%) were seizure-free (Engel class 1a). In 58 patients with seizure recurrence, 8 had late remission and 16 had >90% reduction. Overall, at last follow-up, 136 patients (80%) were either seizure-free or had major improvement. Using survival analysis, the estimated probability of seizure freedom after hemispherectomy was 78% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 75%–81%) at 6 months, 76% (95% CI = 73%–79%) at 1 year, 71% (95% CI = 68%–74%) at 2 years, and 63% (95% CI = 59%–67%) at 5 years. On multivariate analysis, bilateral PET abnormalities (risk ratio = 2.53, 95% CI = 1.02–5.85) and acute postoperative seizures (risk ratio = 7.03, 95% CI = 3.07–15.9) independently predicted seizure recurrence. Conclusions: The long-term seizure-free rates after hemispherectomy remained stable at 63% at 5 years and beyond. This study will assist in better candidate selection for hemispherectomy, presurgical counseling, and early identification of surgical failures.
Leading logarithms of the b quark mass in inclusive B → Xs γ decay☆

Part of the order αs correction to the inclusive B → Xs γ photon spectrum is enhanced by log(mb2ms2). We discuss its origin and sum the corrections proportional to [αs log(mb2μ2)]n to all orders. These are the calculable leading logarithms in the parton fragmentation functions of a quark or gluon into a photon. Although the gluon fragmentation into a photon starts only at order αs2, its contribution is of the same order as the s quark's in the leading log sum. For not too small values of the photon energy, the resummation.yields a moderate suppression. In the standard model, the coefficient of the operator whose matrix element gives rise to such terms is small. A measurement of the photon spectrum around 1 GeV would provide a theoretically clean determination of C8, the Wilson coefficient of the b → s g operator.
Modeling of single event upsets for fault-tolerant system validation

Technical advances in VLSI fabrication have pushed the device size to the submicron region, making the circuits more susceptible t o high energy particles. Therefore, the need for studying the effects of single event upsets (SEUs) due t o a-particles on system level operation in aerospace applications is greater than ever before, especially for critical systems. Since an a-particle initially produces electrical level effects, electrical level simulators need to be used for accuracy reasons. However, simulating a system a t the electrical level is prohibitively time consuming. A high level simulator would be much faster, but i t requires a high level model of the SEUs. The primary goal of this paper is to present a methodology for developing a latch-level model of SEUs to be used in a high level simulat,or. T h e methodology consists of two stages: the first stage involves modeling the behavior of the latches t o transient pulses, and the second st.age involves a gate-level timing simulator t o propagate a given a-particle hit t o the lat,ches. Using this met,hodology, latch flip distributions are obtained for a set. of benchmark circuits. The dist,ributions show the need for mult,iple-bit error injections in system level validation.
Preparative Fluorous Mixture Synthesis of Diazonium-Functionalized Oligo(phenylene vinylene)s

A series of building blocks for the synthesis of oligo(phenylene vinylene)s (OPVs) and hybrid oligomers were prepared, and alternating Heck coupling and Horner−Wadswoth−Emmons (HWE) reactions were used to couple the building blocks. Model studies were carried out to optimize the reaction strategies. The products were made to bear aryl diazonium functionalities that allow them to be used as surface grafting moieties in hybrid silicon/molecule assemblies. A library of OPV and hybrid oligomer tetramers was synthesized using fluorous mixture synthesis (FMS). The fluorous tags, which are secondary amines bearing different numbers of fluorine atoms, were synthesized and used as phase tags in mixture synthesis. The tags and substrates were anchored together by triazene linkages. The mixture synthesis was monitored by analytical HPLC on a fluorous column, and isolation of final OPV and hybrid oligomer tetramers was achieved by preparative HPLC. At the end of the FMS, after demixing, the tagged products were detag...
Particle wettability by equilibrium capillary pressure measurements

Experimental apparatus for the determination of powder wettability is described. The principle of the technique is based on the measurement of the equilibrium capillary pressure in a packed bed of particles. Both the macroscopic solid-solution-vapour contact angle, θ, and the specific surface area, A(m 2 g−1), of the powder, can be obtained. Experiments on angular quartz particles have been performed. A wide range of situations have been covered: hydrophilic and hydrophobic particles wetted with water, a variety of organic liquids and solutions of surfactants. The results show that reliable and reproducible values for θ and A for angular and relatively coarse powders can be obtained with the proposed equipment for advancing liquid fronts in the absence of soluble surfactants. In the latter case, and for receding liquid fronts in general, only qualitative trends have been obtained.
Comparative sensitivity of human and bovine erythrocytes to sonolysis by 1-MHz ultrasound.

This project tested the hypothesis that human erythrocytes, being larger than bovine erythrocytes, would be the more sensitive to sonolysis induced by inertial cavitation. The rationale behind this hypothesis was an earlier demonstration that, among sized populations of erythrocytes, an inverse relation existed between erythrocyte volume and mechanically-induced shear forces in the surrounding medium; viz, the larger the cell, the less shear force required to rupture the cell's membrane. At low erythrocyte densities (i.e., approximately 5% hematocrit) the hypothesis was supported; at high cell densities (i.e., approximately 35% hematocrit) it was not supported. The data are consistent with an ultrasound (US)-induced symmetric implosion of affected gas nuclei as causing the effect at low cell densities; under such conditions there is ample spacing among cells for US-induced symmetric growth and collapse of gas nuclei and the concomitant production of radially-expanding shock waves (which lyse the cells); at high cell densities there is not sufficient spacing among cells for US-induced symmetric growth and collapse of bubbles and an alternative mechanism, possibly asymmetric bubble collapse, becomes operational.
The Islamic Context of The Thousand and One Nights

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Muhsin J. al-Musawi Year: 2009 Pages: 352 Publisher: Columbia University Press ISBN: 978-0-231-14634-0 (hard cover).
Mexican prickly poppy seed oil

Oil from the Mexican prickly poppy (Argemone mexicana) seed was found to contain the following percentages of acids: Myristic, 0.3; palmitic, 11.1; stearic, 1.8; lignoceric, 0.1; hexadecenoic, 0.8; oleic, 21.3; and linoleic, 58.6. Ricinoleic and linoleic acids, which had been reported by other investigators (2, 3) as constituents of this oil, were not found in the oil from Mexican seed.
Long-term gastric pacing with a portable gastric pacemaker to aid gastric emptying in humans

Previous studies have shown that electrical stimulation of the stomach may improve gastric emptying. However, none of the previous studies has reported the optimization of pacing parameters and these studies were only performed for short periods using a stationary stimulator. The aim of this study was to further investigate the effect of long-term gastric pacing with a portable stimulator on gastric emptying in patients with gastroparesis. A series of experiments with different pacing parameters were conducted in 5 patients with gastroparesis to optimize the performance of the gastric pacing. A portable gastric pacemaker was made for each patient to use at home daily for one month. Compared with the results before pacing, significant improvement of gastric emptying was achieved after long-term pacing.
Structural characterization of intact proteins is enhanced by prevalent fragmentation pathways rarely observed for peptides

While collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) pathways for peptides are well characterized, those of intact proteins are not. We systematically assigned CAD product ions of ubiquitin, myoglobin, and bovine serum albumin generated using high-yield, in-source fragmentation. Assignment of >98% of hundreds of product ions implies that the fragmentation pathways described are representative of the major pathways. Protein dissociation mechanisms were found to be modulated by both source declustering potential and precursor ion charge state. Like peptides, higher charge states of proteins fragmented at lower energies next to Pro, via mobile protons, while lower charge states fragmented at higher energies after Asp and Glu, via localized protons. Unlike peptides, however, predominant fragmentation channels of proteins occurred at intermediate charge states via non-canonical mechanisms and produced extensive internal fragmentation. The non-canonical mechanisms include prominent cleavages C-terminal to Pro and Asn, and N-terminal to Ile, Leu, and Ser; these cleavages, along with internal fragments, led to a 45% increase in sequence coverage, improving the specificity of top-down protein identification. Three applications take advantage of the different mechanisms of protein fragmentation. First, modulation of declustering potential selectively fragments different charge states, allowing the source region to be used as the first stage of a low-resolution tandem mass spectrometer, facilitating pseudo-MS3 of product ions with known parent charge states. Second, development and integration of automated modulation of ion funnel declustering potential allows users access to a particular fragmentation mechanism, yielding facile cleavage on a liquid chromatography timescale. Third, augmentation of a top-down search engine improved protein characterization.
Preparation of polarization-entangled mixed states of two photons

We propose a scheme for preparing arbitrary two-photons polarization-entangled mixed states via controlled location decoherence. The scheme uses only linear optical devices and single-mode optical fibers, and may be feasible in experiment within current optical technology.
Isolation and properties of conjugated bilirubin from bile

1. A simple, rapid solvent partition method is described for isolation of conjugated bilirubin, free of unconjugated bilirubin, bile salts, phospholipids and cholesterol, from rat bile. Yields are 40-58%. The product is a phosphate-buffered solution containing approx. 0.4mg of bilirubin/ml, principally as mono- and di-glucuronide conjugates. The method may be modified for isolation of conjugates from human bile with 15-22% yield, and for preparation of unconjugated bilirubin from rat or human bile with yields of 55-62%. 2. The conjugated pigment has red-brown fluorescence and an absorption maximum at 450nm with in(mM) 59.8cm(-1). Diazotization by the Malloy-Evelyn method gives a direct Van den Bergh reaction (in water) 12% greater than the total reaction (in methanol), with in(total) 28.4x10(3)lmol(-1)cm(-1) at 550nm. After desalting by elution from Sephadex LH-20 in 50% (v/v) ethanol, the product gave water-soluble mustard-yellow crystalline needles. Such desalted conjugates were precipitated by Pb(2+) but not by Ba(2+), Ca(2+) or Zn(2+). 3. At pH7.0 and 37 degrees C the conjugated bilirubin was oxidized at a rate of 1%/h without hydrolysis, whereas 84% was hydrolysed by beta-glucuronidase or aqueous alkali. 4. Mono- and di-glucuronides were separated by elution from Sephadex LH-20 in 95% (v/v) ethanol or by extraction with chloroform at pH3.2-3.4. The monoconjugated bilirubin did not become labelled during incubation with unconjugated [(14)C]bilirubin, and chromatographed as a single spot without dissociating into unconjugated bilirubin and diglucuronide as would be expected of a complex. 5. After intravenous injection of mono- or di-conjugated [(14)C]bilirubin into normal or Gunn rats, 79-91% was excreted in bile and 2-7% in urine over 2h. In these experiments injected diglucuronide was not hydrolysed whereas 30-41% of injected monoglucuronide was converted into diglucuronide by the normal but not by the Gunn rats. The evidence favours the existence of a true bilirubin mono-glucuronide that is not a complex.
"Feedforward" Adaptive-Optic Mitigation of Aero- Optic Disturbances

This paper describes a control methodology that synchronizes the deformable mirror corrections to the coherent aberrations of a regularized compressible shear layer. The controller was developed in order to automate the "feedforward" adaptive-optic control of compressible shear layer aberrations that has been successfully demonstrated in our previous efforts. Numerical simulations, in conjunction with analytical analyses, were used to select an optimal set of control parameters based on several different criteria, such as phase margin and settling time. Finally, an analog control system was constructed and tested experimentally. The results presented in this paper demonstrate the effectiveness of our alternative adaptive-optic controller in correcting for high-speed aero-optic disturbances, overcoming the bandwidth barrier confronting the conventional adaptive-optic controller.
Single and dual band bandpass filters using complementary split ring resonator loaded half mode substrate integrated waveguide

High performance microwave bandpass filters with low insertion loss, high selectivity, compact size and multiple bands are widely used for wireless and satellite communication systems [1]. During the years, bandpass waveguide filters have used all kinds of metallic and non-metallic insertions in order to improve performance and reduce size [2]. Since the first experimental demonstrations of metamaterial particles exhibiting either negative permeability such as the split ring resonators (SRR), or negative permittivity such as the complementary split ring resonators (CSRR), different implementations combining waveguide with such structures have been widely investigated for bandpass filters [3–4], mainly motivated by their extraordinary property of generating backward wave transmission below the waveguide cutoff frequency. On the other hand, the need for new applications and integration with digital circuitry is the motivation for proposing and implementing planar microwave filters with performances similar to those provided by the bulky waveguide filters. The substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) and the half mode substrate integrated waveguide (HMSIW) [5–6] have been selected as the key wave guiding structures for the implementation of low loss, high quality factor and improved selectivity waveguide bandpass filters on printed circuit board (PCB) technology. In addition, taking into account the possibility of having forward wave propagation below the waveguide cutoff frequency, the substrate integrated waveguide has been combined with complementary split ring resonators (CSRR) for the implementation of compact size and high selectivity bandpass filters [7].
What Do Women Want? A Qualitative Study of Dating

Many approaches to decrease unwanted sex for women emphasize enhanced risk recognition. However, women often remain in risky situations despite recognition; so we need to understand the attractions of normative dating and sex. In this focus group study, 45 young adult women discussed their attractions to men, dating, and sex. Themes emerged describing conflicts between what they wanted, dating realities, desire for "traditional" behavior from the man, alcohol use, sexual arousal (hers and his), indirect communication about sex, feeling "obligated," and enhanced self-esteem. Results suggest improving risk-recognition programs by examining and clarifying women's goals for dating and putting positive emphasis on "have fun, achieve your goals, but try to avoid harm in the process."
The impact of process changes on the physical properties and formability of silver metal oxide contact materials

The physical characteristics of electrical contact materials are influenced by the method and process parameters used in their manufacture. This study examines internally oxidized silver metal oxide contact materials manufactured using two casting methods (vertical, semi-continuous casting and horizontal, continuous casting), grain refining additives, and variations to the internal oxidation temperature. The impact of these changes on the physical characteristics (oxide particle size and distribution, grain structure, and mechanical properties) and the effect on formability was evaluated in order to understand the consequences of these changes on the ability to fabricate finished electrical contacts. The results indicate that additives and oxidation temperature influence formability by altering the oxide particle size, geometry, and distribution. However, the method of casting had little or no influence on the formability of the material.
Performance evaluation of R-ALOHA in distributed packet radio networks with hard real-time communications

The performance of reservation ALOHA (R-ALOHA) to support hard real-time communications in a distributed packet radio network is evaluated analytically and by simulation. The network requirements are that each node send an update packet to its communication partner at least every T seconds (called the deadline period) with high reliability. Two scenarios are considered: the worst case and the steady-state case. For the worst-case scenario, two Markovian models are used to investigate how fast the network nodes can recover the communications after a short period of catastrophic failure of the network (i.e., recover reservation). For the steady-state scenario, a Markov chain is formulated to study the trade-off between the key system parameters such as the channel data rate, the packet error probability, the deadline period, and the reliability requirement. One application of this network is for vehicle-to-vehicle communications in intelligent vehicle highway systems where a vehicle periodically sends its updated status (velocity, acceleration, etc.) to the following vehicle to improve safety and the vehicular traffic capacity.
An observer study for direct comparison of clinical efficacy of electronic to film portal images

Abstract Purpose : To directly compare clinical efficacy of electronic to film portal images. Methods and Materials : An observer study was designed to compare clinical efficacy of electronic to film portal images acquired using a liquid matrix ion-chamber electronic portal imaging device and a conventional metal screen-film system. Both images were acquired simultaneously for each treatment port and the electronic portal images were printed on gray-level thermal paper. Four radiation oncologists served as observers and evaluated a total ot 44 sets of images for four different treatment sites: lung, pelvis, brain, and head/neck. Each set of images included a simulation image, a double-exposure portal film, and video paper prints of electronic portal images. Eight to nine anatomical landmarks were selected from each treatment site. Each observer was asked to rate each landmark in terms of its clinical visibility and to rate the ease of making the pertinent verification decision in the corresponding electronic and film portal images with the aid of the simulation image. Results: Resultings for the vesibility of landmarks and for the verification decision of treatment ports were similar for electronic and film images for most landmarks. However, vertebral bodies and several landmarks in the pelvis suchs as the acetabulum and pubic symphsis were more visible in the portal film images than in the electronic portal images. Conclusion: The visibility of landmarks in electronic portal images is comparable to that in film portal images. Verification of treatment ports based only on electronic portal images acquired using an electronic portal imaging device is generally achievable.
Joint picture-book reading correlates of early oral language skill*

The purpose of this study was to explore the relation between joint picture-book-reading experiences provided in the home and children's early oral language skills. Subjects were 41 two-year-old children and their mothers. Measures included maternal report of the age at which she began to read to the child, the frequency of home reading sessions, the number of stories read per week, and the frequency of visits by the child to the local library. Measures of language skill used were the child's receptive and expressive scores on the revised Reynell Developmental Language Scales. Multiple regression analyses indicated that picture-book reading exposure was more strongly related to receptive than to expressive language. Age of onset of home reading routines was the most important predictor of oral language skills. Directions of effect, the importance of parental beliefs as determinants of home reading practices, and the possible existence of a threshold level for reading frequency are discussed.
The pathology of head and neck tumors: Salivary glands, part 2

Acinic-cell carcinomas and mucoepidermoid carcinomas remain somewhat controversial salivary-gland lesions. Because of an ambiguity in the literature concerning their malignant potential and a lack of sufficient follow-up periods, these carcinomas have been underestimated with respect to their morbidity and lethality. The failure of histopathologic evaluation to successfully predict the subsequent biologic course of these neoplasms should not mitigate treatment. Acinic-cell carcinomas are usually isomorphic neoplasms having their genesis in the neoplastic reserve cells of the terminal portions of the duct system. Mucoepidermoid carcinomas, on the other hand, may be described as forming a histologic spectrum or continuum from the most highly differentiated to the most poorly differentiated malignancy. They arise from the interlobular and intralobular ducts. The histopathologic features of these two neoplasms are presented, along with a review of their biologic activity in humans.
A Reviews of: “Dangerous Enthusiasms: E-Government, Computer Failure, and Information System Development”

Projects to develop and implement new information systems (IS) are notoriously risky: According to a recent estimate, noted in the reviewed volume, fewer than one-third can be described as successf...
Exchange Theory and Sexual Permissiveness

An exchange theory of social behavior is advanced to explain intersocietal differences in sex codes. An examination of 153 societies drawn from Mur dock's World Ethnographic Sample (1957) and from ...
Adsorptive stripping measurements of bismuth

A very sensitive stripping procedure for trace measurements of bismuth, based on the adsorptive accumulation of the bismuth-cupferron complex onto the mercury working electrode, is described. The optimized conditions include a sulfuric acid (5 × 10−4 M) medium, containing 2.5 × 10−5 M cupferron, and an accumulation potential of −0.10 V. Both voltammetric and potentiometric stripping modes can be employed to probe the reduction of the accumulated complex. The limit of detection after 10 minutes preconcentration is 6 ng L−1 (3 × 10−11 M), and the relative standard deviation at the 2 × 10−8 M level is 1.6%. Most cations, including antimony, do not interfere in the determination of bismuth. Simultaneous measurements of bismuth, titanium, and uranium are illustrated.
The Teacher's Role in the Use of Computers in Early Childhood Education:

The subject of computers places many parents in a quandary over what is best for their children while dealing with a subject they know very little about. One source of information about the educational uses of computers is their child's teacher. Eighty-four kindergarten and special education early childhood teachers in 31 districts of a two-county area in Illinois were surveyed to identify teachers' computer experiences, attitudes, and recommendations concerning the use of computers with kindergarten children and children ages 3-6 in special education. The findings are presented with attention to (1) the state of public school computer use with young children, (2) the training, experience, and unmet needs of teachers with respect to computers, and (3) the advice and guidance a parent could expect from an early childhood teacher about computers and educational software.
Abrupt climate change: An alternative view

Hypotheses and inferences concerning the nature of abrupt climate change, exemplified by the Dansgaard–Oeschger (D–O) events, are reviewed. There is little concrete evidence that these events are more than a regional Greenland phenomenon. The partial coherence of ice core y 18 O and CH4 is a possible exception. Claims, however, of D–O presence in most remote locations cannot be distinguished from the hypothesis that many regions are just exhibiting temporal variability in climate proxies with approximately similar frequency content. Further suggestions that D–O events in Greenland are generated by shifts in the North Atlantic ocean circulation seem highly implausible, given the weak contribution of the high latitude ocean to the meridional flux of heat. A more likely scenario is that changes in the ocean circulation are a consequence of wind shifts. The disappearance of D–O events in the Holocene coincides with the disappearance also of the Laurentide and Fennoscandian ice sheets. It is thus suggested that D–O events are a consequence of interactions of the windfield with the continental ice sheets and that better understanding of the wind field in the glacial periods is the highest priority. Wind fields are capable of great volatility and very rapid global-scale teleconnections, and they are efficient generators of oceanic circulation changes and (more speculatively) of multiple states relative to great ice sheets. Connection of D–O events to the possibility of modern abrupt climate change rests on a very weak chain of assumptions.
The Eocene mystery flower of McAbee, British Columbia

A distinctive, extinct type of flower and fruit is described based on coalified compression and impression fossils from the Eocene lake bed deposits of McAbee, British Columbia. Dillhoffia cachensis gen. et sp. nov. has an elongate-ellipsoidal fruit with an epigynous, completely connate funnelform calyx 1.8–2.9 cm in diameter, with an unlobed, orbicular margin. The fruit narrows apically into a single style divided into four slightly recurved stigmatic arms. Fruits are pedicellate, borne in globose heads. Stamens, pollen, and internal fruit morphology remain unknown, but the available details of gynoecial and perianth morphology present a suite of characters not encountered in any known extant genus, and the familial affinities remain uncertain. This is noteworthy, because many other elements of the same Eocene flora represent extant genera with clear familial assignments such as Cunninghamia, Ginkgo, Aesculus, Alnus, Betula, Dipteronia, Fagus, Trochodendron, and Ulmus.
Glucosylated Albumin and Its Influence on Salicylate Binding

Human serum albumin was incubated at 37 degrees in 0.01 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) under sterile conditions for up to 10 days with labeled [14C]glucose (1-25 mg/ml). Glucose incorporated into albumin was calculated following extensive dialysis of the incubation mixture. The results indicated that glucose reacted with albumin by a nonenzymatic process involving Schiff base formation and Amadori rearrangement to a stable ketoamine derivative. The degree of glucosylation was dependent on the reaction time, glucose concentration, and pH. Glucosylation was enhanced when albumin was fatty acid free. Glucosylated albumin was separated from unmodified albumin by cation exchange chromatography on carboxymethylcellulose and quantitated colorimetrically with 2-thiobarbituric acid. Salicylate binding studies revealed that the glucosylated component had a decreased salicylate binding capacity accompanied by a reduction in the number of classes of binding sites.
Gene expression changes after focal stroke, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.

Purpose of review Large-scale gene expression profiling has recently been performed on stroke and spinal cord injuries. These studies provide insights into coordinated patterns of gene expression within the injury and the interrelationships of neurodegenerative and neural repair processes after injury. Recent findings The molecular signals for post-stroke angiogenesis begin within hours of initial cerebral ischemia, with sequential increases in message for initially destabilizing combinations of vascular growth factors and growth factor receptors, followed by growth factor combinations that promote endothelial cell division and stabilization. The overlap in molecular signaling between post-stroke angiogenesis, neurogenesis and axonal sprouting suggests a continuum of vascular and neural reorganization in the tissue adjacent to stroke. Inflammation after injury extends through early and late changes in the cytokine message. SOCS-3, a negative regulator of cytokine signaling, is increased after injury and may be neuroprotective. Components of an adult neuronal growth program have been identified in the peripheral nervous system during axonal regeneration, with overlap to axonal sprouting after stroke. The gene expression profile of the aged brain suggests an altered central nervous system environment that may exacerbate initial injury and impair neural reorganization after stroke and spinal cord injury. Summary When rigorously tested and independently validated, data from large-scale gene expression analyses provide new insights into the aggregate genetic control of stroke and spinal cord injury, and the interrelationship of important cellular events within the damaged region. These data also highlight novel genes in these processes, and suggest new directions in the investigation of tissue reorganization and repair after central nervous system injury.
Is There Anything Wrong with Putin's Electoral Ratings? A Study of 2012 Russian Presidential Elections

Although the Russian Presidential election of 2012 is characterized by blatant fraud, the estimates released by major national polling organizations before and after the election showed close correspondence to official results. This fact implies the presence of a potential source of hidden inflation. Using the data from four national surveys, I am testing three alternative propositions aimed to explain the source of potential inflation in the Russian presidential ratings: the 'weighting,' the non-probability sampling design and, finally, the social desirability bias explanations. My findings suggest that the social desirability bias explanation is the most plausible one. I also perform an external validity check of my findings by using several randomized response techniques with respect to presidential approval ratings 2014.
Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy for Hormone Receptor-Positive Early Breast Cancer in Premenopausal Patient: Understanding the Data

Breast cancer diagnosed at a young age is associated with a poor prognosis. It is possible that inadequate endocrine therapy for the youngest women contributes to their poorer prognosis. Data on optimal endocrine therapy selection as well as duration for premenopausal women are crucial. Recently published clinical trials including Australian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group-12 (ABCSG-12), E-3193, and Suppression of Ovarian Function Trial (SOFT)/Tamoxifen and Exemestane Trial (TEXT) have shed light on the role of ovarian function suppression and aromatase inhibitors in premenopausal women. Additionally, optimal duration of endocrine therapy has been addressed in the recent Adjuvant Tamoxifen: Longer Against Shorter (ATLAS) and Adjuvant Tamoxifen—To Offer More? (aTTom) trials.