cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using differentiable programming to obtain an energy and density-optimized exchange-correlation functional

Using an end-to-end differentiable implementation of the Kohn-Sham self-consistent field equations, we obtain an accurate neural network-based exchange and correlation (XC) functional of the electronic density. The functional is optimized using information on both energy and density while exact constraints are enforced through an appropriate neural network architecture. We evaluate our model against different families of XC approximations and show that, for non-empirical functionals, there is a strong linear correlation between energy and density errors. We use this correlation to define a novel XC functional quality metric that includes both energy and density errors, leading to a new, improved way to rank different approximations. Judged by this metric, our machine-learned functional significantly outperforms those within the same rung of approximations.
Enzymatic Discovery of a HER-2/neu Epitope That Generates Cross-Reactive T Cells

Patients with HER-2/neu-expressing breast cancer remain at risk for relapse following standard therapy. Vaccines targeting HER-2/neu to prevent relapse are in various phases of clinical testing. Many vaccines incorporate the HER-2/neu HLA-A2-binding peptide p369-377 (KIFGSLAFL), because it has been shown that CTLs specific for this epitope can directly kill HER-2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer cells. Thus, understanding how tumors process this epitope may be important for identifying those patients who would benefit from immunization. Proteasome preparations were used to determine if p369-377 was processed from larger HER-2/neu-derived fragments. HPLC, mass spectrometry, cytotoxicity assays, IFN-γ ELISPOT, and human breast cancer cell lines were used to assess the proteolytic fragments. Processing of p369-377 was not detected by purified 20S proteasome and immunoproteasome, indicating that tumor cells may not be capable of processing this Ag from the HER-2/neu protein and presenting it in the context of HLA class I. Instead, we show that other extracellular domain HER-2/neu peptide sequences are consistently processed by the proteasomes. One of these sequences, p373-382 (SLAFLPESFD), bound HLA-A2 stronger than did p369-377. CTLs specific for p373-382 recognized both p373-382 and p369-377 complexed with HLA-A2. CTLs specific for p373-382 also killed human breast cancer cell lines at higher levels than did CTLs specific for p369-377. Conversely, CTLs specific for p369-377 recognized p373-382. Peptide p373-382 is a candidate epitope for breast cancer vaccines, as it is processed by proteasomes and binds HLA-A2.
Review of Measures of Worksite Environmental and Policy Supports for Physical Activity and Healthy Eating

Introduction Obesity prevention strategies are needed that target multiple settings, including the worksite. The objective of this study was to assess the state of science concerning available measures of worksite environmental and policy supports for physical activity (PA) and healthy eating (HE). Methods We searched multiple databases for instruments used to assess worksite environments and policies. Two commonly cited instruments developed by state public health departments were also included. Studies that were published from 1991 through 2013 in peer-reviewed publications and gray literature that discussed the development or use of these instruments were analyzed. Instrument administration mode and measurement properties were documented. Items were classified by general health topic, 5 domains of general worksite strategy, and 19 subdomains of worksite strategy specific to PA or HE. Characteristics of worksite measures were described including measurement properties, length, and administration mode, as well as frequencies of items by domain and subdomain. Results Seventeen instruments met inclusion criteria (9 employee surveys, 5 manager surveys, 1 observational assessment, and 2 studies that used multiple administration modes). Fourteen instruments included reliability testing. More items were related to PA than HE. Most instruments (n = 10) lacked items in the internal social environment domain. The most common PA subdomains were exercise facilities and lockers/showers; the most common HE subdomain was healthy options/vending. Conclusion This review highlights gaps in measurement of the worksite social environment. The findings provide a useful resource for researchers and practitioners and should inform future instrument development.
The Ecology of School Improvement: Notes on the School Improvement Industry in the United States

This paper explains how organizations otherthan schools and governing agencies affect thescope and pace of change in American education.In particular, the paper discusses a set oforganizations operating in what can be calledthe school improvement ``industry'' in the UnitedStates, that is, a group of organizationsproviding schools and governing agencies withinformation, training, materials, andprogrammatic resources relevant to problems ofinstructional improvement. The paper shows howthe structure and functioning of theseorganizations explain patterns of change inAmerican education – including why schools inthe United States experience wave after wave ofinnovation and reform while at the same timemaintaining a stable core of instructionalpractices.
Diversions. There was a young surgeon who swallowed a flea

I am an old lady who swallowed a fly. I don't know why I swallowed the fly, I guess I'll die. I went to the ER to take out the pest. With curtains half-drawn, I took off my dress. The emergency doctor consulted a flea, For abdominal pain he palpated me. With EKGs running and blood work sent off,
LPV control of two dimensional wing flutter

We utilize a standard linear model for the control of a thin airfoil in subsonic flow. The airfoil is modeled by a 2D section with three degrees of freedom: plunge, pitch angle and flap angle. This is a 6D linear system with states: plunge, pitch angle, flap angle and their rates. The system has three inputs: the lift and moment generated by the air flowing over the wing and the torque applied at the flap hinge. This torque consists of two parts: the torque generated by the air flow and the external torque that can be applied by a motor. The goal is to use feedback to stabilize the airfoil at or above its flutter speed. We consider several standard control strategies. The simplest is to assume that all states are measurable and to design a stabilizing state feedback using the linear quadratic regulator theory. A more realistic approach is to assume that only some or all of the six physical states are measurable and to use dynamic state feedback based on the linear quadratic Gaussian approach.
ABSORPTION OF CO2-LASER RADIATION IN A HYPOCYCLOIDAL-PINCH PLASMA

Absorption of a 50-J pulsed CO2 laser beam in the plasma produced in a hypocycloidal-pinch apparatus was studied. The apparatus consists of three disk electrodes with a 5-cm hole on the axis. The current sheets are snow-plowed toward the center of the hole to produce a plasma with a density greater than 10 to the 18th/cu cm and a temperature near 1 keV which emits soft X rays for 5 microsec. IR detectors measured the laser radiation incident onto, transmitted through, and scattered from the plasma as functions of time. For a period up to 70 microsec from the onset of X-ray emission, neither transmitted nor scattered laser radiation was observed above the detector threshold of 0.3% of the incident flux. This indicates effective absorption of the laser beam (greater than 99%) and that the particle confinement time extends far beyond the energy confinement time of 5 microsec. Thus, the plasma in this apparatus appears much more amenable to laser heating than that in a theta pinch.
Uv Mutagenesis in Radiation-Sensitive Strains of Yeast

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae appears to possess a single mutagenic or "error prone" pathway for the repair of UV damage, probably involving the functions of at least seven genes; rev1, rev2, rev3 ( Lemontt 1971a), rad6, rad8, rad9 and rad18 ( Lawrence et al. 1974; present results). Strains carrying rad6 are the most sensitive to the lethal effects of UV light in this group and double mutants carrying rad6 and either rev1, rev3, rad9 or rad18 are no more sensitive than this single mutant strain. rev3 rad6 double mutant diploids failed to show any UV-induced reversion of the normally highly revertible ochre allele cyc1–9 , even though a total of more than 2.5 x 109 viable cells was examined, suggesting that strains of this kind are entirely UV-immutable; spontaneous revertants could be recovered, however.—The rad6 and rev3 gene products would appear to be necessary for all kinds of mutagenic events at all sites within the genome, but the products of the other genes that act in the "errorprone" pathway hage a more restricted role and are involved in the production of only some kinds of mutations. It is suggested that such selectivity arises from the interaction of some repair enzymes with specific nucleotide sequences.
Modern reconstructive techniques for abdominal wall defects after oncologic resection.

Resection of abdominal wall tumors often leaves patients with debilitating soft tissue defects. Modern reconstructive techniques can be used to restore abdominal wall integrity. In this article, we present an overview of preoperative patient evaluation, analysis of the defect, surgical planning, and the spectrum of available surgical techniques, ranging from simple to complex. The established clinical evidence in the field of abdominal wall reconstruction is summarized and a case example is provided. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:587–598. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Uncertainty in identification of blood group A subtypes by agglutination test.

Identification of the blood group A subtypes, i.e. A1, A2, and A1-A2 intermediate (Aint), by agglutination test, particularly in AB red cells, is ambiguous. The expressions of A subtypes in red blood cells are the consequences of diverse formations of the A substances by the action of three types of blood group N-acetyl-galactosaminyl-transferases controlled by A1, A2, and Aint genes. Therefore, the A subtypes are more directly identified by examining the kinetic characters of A-enzymes existing in plasma. Several Black AB subjects classified as non-A1 by the agglutination test were identified as A1B and AintB on the enzyme basis. A subject serologically classified as A1 had A2-enzyme in her plasma, i.e. she is genetically A2O or A2A2. The present and previous studies indicate that red cell A2 status is occasionally expressed as a result of the combination of Aint and B, and of A1 and superactive B. The imbalance between A1/A2 and A1B/A2B observed in some Black populations could be attributed to high frequencies of the Aint and B. sup. genes in Blacks.
A Case Study of the Effectiveness of Teacher Experience in the Use of Explanation‐Based Assessment in High School Physics

This article reports on the results of a study involving an innovative assessment program initiated to investigate student predictions and revised explanations regarding a variety of optical phenomena. The assessments were administered via videotape to two classes of high school physics students from different high schools. Two high school teachers with similar educational and teaching backgrounds administered the tapes to the two groups of students. The school environments and the ability levels of the two student groups were similar. The students of the teacher with greater experience with this new form of assessment provided considerably more substantive explanations to the phenomena presented on the videos. The results of the case study suggest that the introduction of new forms of assessment in science education, although desirable, will require significant reordering of the goals and strategies of science teaching.
The Funj: A Reconsideration

Three lines of evidence regarding the Funj prior to the rise of the Sinnār Sultanate about 1500 have been considered. Shilluk tradition remembers the Funj as the previous inhabitants of the present Shilluk homeland, while many of the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century visitors to Sinnār were told that the Funj came from the White Nile. While neither set of traditions should be accepted without question, the fact that they tend to confirm each other lends weight to both.In the Shilluk country, the early Funj seem to have lived on elevated settlement mounds, and perhaps the putative Funj homeland should be extended to include the region in which these mounds are found. That would suggest that the Funj culture centred primarily along the White Nile approximately between Renk and Malakal, but the possibility of a homeland even more broadly defined need not be excluded.Archaeological evidence derived from pottery finds on the White Nile mounds may be interpreted to imply that the Funj were a southern Nubian people, an hypothesis that must be weighed against alternatives that would suggest an unknown or even Meroitic cultural identity. The presence of red brick structures along the White Nile south of the generally accepted borders of the Sultanate, as well as in the capital itself, tends to support the ‘Nubian’ hypothesis. Further research concerning the Funj language and the archaeological cultures south of the latitude of Sinnār should help resolve these ambiguities; many aspects of government and society in the Sinnār Sultanate are clarified by considering the era a Nubian Renaissance.
Gadd45 proteins induce G2/M arrest and modulate apoptosis in kidney cells exposed to hyperosmotic stress.

Gadd45 proteins are induced by hyperosmolality in renal inner medullary (IM) cells, but their role for cell adaptation to osmotic stress is not known. We show that a cell line derived from murine renal IM cells responds to moderate hyperosmotic stress (540 mosmol/kg) by activation of G2/M arrest without significant apoptosis. If the severity of hyperosmotic stress exceeds the tolerance limit of this cell line (620 mosmol/kg) apoptosis is strongly induced. Using transient overexpression of ectopic Gadd45 proteins and simultaneous analysis of transfected versus non-transfected cells by laser-scanning cytometry, we were able to measure the effects of Gadd45 super-induction during hyperosmolality on G2/M arrest and apoptosis. Our results demonstrate that induction of all three Gadd45 isoforms inhibits mitosis and promotes G2/M arrest during moderate hyperosmotic stress but not in isosmotic controls. Furthermore, all three Gadd45 proteins are also involved in control of apoptosis during severe hyperosmotic stress. Under these conditions Gadd45γ induction strongly potentiates apoptosis. In contrast, Gadd45α/β induction transiently increases caspase 3/7 and annexin V binding before 12 h but inhibits later stages of apoptosis during severe hyperosmolality. These results show that Gadd45 isoforms function in common but also in distinct pathways during hyperosmolality and that their increased abundance contributes to the low mitotic index and protection of genomic integrity in cells of the mammalian renal inner medulla.
Modulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ cycling in systolic and diastolic heart failure associated with aging

Hypertension, atherosclerosis, and resultant chronic heart failure (HF) reach epidemic proportions among older persons, and the clinical manifestations and the prognoses of these worsen with increasing age. Thus, age per se is the major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Changes in cardiac cell phenotype that occur with normal aging, as well as in HF associated with aging, include deficits in s-adrenergic receptor (s-AR) signaling, increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and altered excitation–contraction (EC) coupling that involves prolongation of the action potential (AP), intracellular Ca2+ (Cai2+) transient and contraction, and blunted force- and relaxation-frequency responses. Evidence suggests that altered sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ uptake, storage, and release play central role in these changes, which also involve sarcolemmal L-type Ca2+ channel (LCC), Na+–Ca2+ exchanger (NCX), and K+ channels. We review the age-associated changes in the expression and function of Ca2+ transporting proteins, and functional consequences of these changes at the cardiac myocyte and organ levels. We also review sexual dimorphism and self-renewal of the heart in the context of cardiac aging and HF.
The Influence of Nonprofit Networks on Local Affordable Housing Funding: Findings from a National Survey of Local Public Administrators

This article examines public administrators' perceptions of the effects of nonprofit networks on local affordable housing decisions. It builds on a larger body of research concerning the affordable housing activities of community-based organizations (CBOs). This analysis is based on a national survey of public administrators responsible for affordable housing programs in U.S. cities with populations over 100,000. The survey included questions about: CBO performance, factors influencing CBO funding decisions, and local government structure. This article provides insights into decision-making surrounding CBO funding at the local level. These insights improve our understanding of the connection between public administrators' perceptions, funding patterns, and interorganizational relations.
Differentiation of a mouse submandibular gland-derived cell line (SCA) grown on matrigel

SCA-9 cell line was developed from an induced tumor of mouse submandibular gland. We have studied some of the phenotypic characteristics of SCA cells cultured on different matrices. On plastic surface, the cells grow as a monolayer; on matrigel, they form branching structures and tubes, a phenomenon termed branching morphogenesis. EGF and HGF promoted cellular growth and branching morphogenesis which was inhibited by anti-EGF antibodies. We have performed RT-PCR and real-time quantitative RT-PCR of cells grown on plastic surface or on matrigel. Grown on plastic, the cells express EGF and renin 2, but no or only trace amounts of NGF. Growth on matrigel for 24 h resulted in a transient 21-fold increase in EGF mRNA and a 3371-fold increase in renin 2 mRNA. There was no change in NGF mRNA level. SCA-9 cells express mRNAs for receptors for the EGF family of ligands. On plastic, mainly ErbB1 and ErbB2 are expressed. Culture on matrigel resulted in 11-fold increase in mRNA levels for ErbB1 and ErbB2, and a 221-fold and 85-fold increase in the mRNA levels for ErbB3 and ErbB4, respectively. Small interfering RNAs siErbB3 and siErbB4 inhibited the growth of the cells grown on plastic or matrigel. Significant growth inhibition was seen also with siErbB1+siErbB3 and siErbB2+siErbB3. siErbB1 and siErbB2 also inhibited branching morphogenesis. Since SCA cells express EGF and receptors for EGF, EGF acts an autocrine regulator in promoting growth and branching morphogenesis. We conclude that SCA cells provide a useful model to analyze the mechanism of branching morphogenesis and the role of matrix in regulating expression of phenotypic characteristics of cultured cells.
A Structural and Magnetic Study of Pentachloro-bis(1,5-Dithiahexane) Dirhenium

The compound Re$\_2$Cl$\_5$(C$\_4$H$\_{10}$S$\_2$)$\_2$ crystallizes in the monoclinic system with a unit cell of dimensions a = 8.023 $\pm$ 0.008 $\overset{\circ}{\mathrm A}$, b = 14.355 $\pm$ 0.005 $\overset{\circ}{\mathrm A}$, c = 8.423 $\pm$ 0.006 $\overset{\circ}{\mathrm A}, \beta$ = 105.5 $\pm$ 0.1$^\circ$ occupied by two formula units. The space group is P2$\_1$/m. The structure, which has been refined to a discrepancy index of 0.064, consists of binuclear units with a staggered rotational configuration. This result together with magnetic data suggests that the compound is best formulated as a zwitterion, Cl(C$\_4$H$\_{10}$S$\_2$)$\_2$Re$^+$(II) $\equiv$ Re$^-$(III)Cl$\_4$, with the single unpaired electron occupying a singly degenerate orbital localized on the rhenium atom which has a formal oxidation state of III. The metal-metal bond then has an order of 3. This bonding may be compared with the Re-Re bonding in the octachlorodirhenium (III) anions and other related structures.
Proxy response patterns among the aged: Effects on estimates of health status and medical care utilization from the 1982–1984 long-term care surveys☆

We examined the use of proxies in samples of persons aged 65 years and over from the 1982 and 1984 National Long-Term Care Surveys (NLTCS). The NLTCS are designed to describe the Medicare-enrolled elderly population, their health and functioning, hospital, home health, and institutional use. The NLTCS, being longitudinal, allows trends in functional and health status to be examined as well as the changing character of community-based and institutional services used by chronically disabled persons aged 65 years and older. In analyses of proxy responses there was little evidence of differences in accuracy between self- and proxy reports in persons with different health and functional characteristics. The amount and type of proxy reporting did depend on the health and functional characteristics of the sample person. The cognitively impaired, and the frail elderly, had high levels of proxy use as well as small differences in the accuracy of reporting service use and program enrollment. The results are consistent with methodological studies of proxy reporting in health surveys of other populations [1,2].
The Gecko’s Toe: Scaling Directional Adhesives for Climbing Applications

In this paper, a bioinspired mechanism is presented that allows large patches of directional dry adhesives to attain levels of adhesion previously seen only for small samples in precisely aligned tests. The mechanism uses a rigid tile supported by a compliant material and loaded by an inextensible tendon, and is inspired by the tendon system and the fluid-filled sinus in gecko toes. This mechanism permits the adhesive to make full contact with the surface and have uniform loading despite significant errors in alignment. The single-tile mechanism is demonstrated on the StickybotIII robot and the RiSE climbing robot (gross weight 4 kg). A tiled array of these mechanisms is also presented, with a total adhesive area of 100 cm2. This uses a pressurized sac to equalize adhesive forces among the tiles, and exhibits a comparable adhesive pressure and range of loading angles to those of single tiles. These results suggest that the tiled array can be scaled to larger areas and loads.
Characteristics of edible films made from dairy proteins and zein hydrolysate cross‐linked with transglutaminase

Summary The main objectives of this research were to develop whey protein or casein films incorporating zein hydrolysate and also cross-linked by transglutaminase as to well as characterize the physical and mechanical properties of the film. Zein hydrolysate decreased the solubility of the whey protein film (P < 0.05), while treatment with transglutaminase did not change the solubility of the film significantly. Electrophoresis patterns demonstrated that casein molecules were cross-linked by transglutaminase and the extent of this cross-linkage was further increased when zein hydrolysate was added. In addition, the use of zein hydrolysate decreased the tensile strength of the whey protein film by 35–45%. The elongation of the casein film was increased by 41% because of the action of transglutaminase and zein hydrolysate (P < 0.05). The water vapour permeability of the films was not significantly different. As the addition of zein hydrolysate and treatment with transglutaminase improved the flexibility of the films, the level of plasticizer required to maintain film flexibility could be reduced without sacrificing their water vapour permeability.
Systematic error in tin ore assay by Mössbauer spectrometry

Non-destructive tin ore analysis is described for SnO2 by Mossbauer spectrometry. The systematic error is discussed.
Traditional Metallurgy, Nanotechnologies, and Structural Materials: A Sorby Award Lecture

Traditional metallurgical processes are among the many “old fashion” practices that use nanoparticles to control the behavior of materials. Many of these practices were developed long before microscopy could resolve nanoscale features, yet the practitioners learned to manipulate and control microstructural elements that they could neither see nor identify. Furthermore, these early practitioners used that control to modify microstructures and develop desired material properties. Centuries old colored glass, ancient high-strength steels and medieval organ pipes derived many of their desirable features through control of nanoparticles in their microstructures. Henry Sorby was among the first to recognize that the properties of rocks, minerals, metals, and organic materials were controlled by microstructure. However, Mr. Sorby was accused of the folly of trying to study mountains with a fsmicroscope. Although he could not resolve nanoscale microstructural features, Mr. Sorby’s observations revolutionized the study of materials. The importance of nanoscale microstructural elements should be emphasized, however, because the present foundation for structural materials was built by manipulating those features. That foundation currently supports several multibillion dollar industries but is not generally considered when the nanomaterials revolution is discussed. This lecture demonstrates that using nanotechnologies to control the behavior of metallic materials is almost as old as the practice of metallurgy and that many of the emergent nanomaterials technologists are walking along pathways previously paved by traditional metallurgists.
Structure and evolution of circumbinary disks around supermassive black hole (SMBH) binaries

It is generally believed that gaseous disks around supermassive black hole (SMBH) binaries in centers of galaxies can facilitate binary merger and give rise to observational signatures both in electromagnetic and gravitational wave domains. We explore general properties of circumbinary disks by reformulating standard equations for the viscous disk evolution in terms of the viscous angular momentum flux F_J. In steady state F_J is a linear function of the specific angular momentum, which is a generalization of (but is not equivalent to) the standard constant \dot M disk solution. If the torque produced by the central binary is effective at stopping gas inflow and opening a gap (or cavity) in the disk, then the inner part of the circumbinary disk can be approximated as a constant F_J disk. We compute properties of such disks in different physical regimes relevant for SMBH binaries and use these results to understand the gas-assisted evolution of SMBH pairs starting at separations 10^{-4}-10^{-2} pc. We find the following. (1) Pile-up of matter at the inner edge of the disk leads to continuous growth of the torque acting on the binary and can considerably accelerate its orbital evolution compared to the gravitational wave-driven decay. (2) Torque on the binary is determined non-locally and does not in general reflect the disk properties in the vicinity of the binary. (3) Binary evolution depends on the past history of the disk evolution. (4) Eddington limit can be important in circumbinary disks even if they accrete at sub-Eddington rates at late stages of binary evolution. (5) Circumbinary disk self-consistently evolved under the action of the binary torque emits more power and has spectrum different from the spectrum of constant \dot M disk - it is steeper (\nu F_\nu\propto \nu^{12/7}) and extends to shorter wavelength, facilitating its detection.
Family history and colorectal cancer screening: a survey of physician knowledge and practice patterns

Family history and colorectal cancer screening: a survey of physician knowledge and practice patterns
For the public good: weaving a multifunctional landscape in the Corn Belt

Critics of modern agriculture decry the dominance of monocultural landscapes and look to multifunctionality as a desirable alternative that facilitates the production of public goods. In this study, we explored opportunities for multifunctional Midwestern agriculture through participatory research led by farmers, landowners, and other local actors. We suggest that agriculture typically fosters some degree of multifunctionality that arises from the divergent intentions of actors. The result is a scattered arrangement of what we term patchwork multifunctionality, a ubiquitous status quo in which individuals provide public goods without coordination. In contrast, interwoven multifunctionality describes deliberate collaboration to provide public goods, especially those cases where landowners work across fence lines to weave a synergistic landscape. Using examples from two case studies, we demonstrate the spectrum of patchwork and interwoven multifunctionality that currently exists in the Corn Belt, and present underutilized opportunities for public good creation.
Assessing multimodal spoken word-in-sentence recognition in children with normal hearing and children with cochlear implants

Purpose To examine multimodal spoken word-in-sentence recognition in children. Method Two experiments were undertaken. In Experiment 1, the youngest age with which the multimodal sentence recogniti...
Government Spending on Health Care and Education in Croatia: Efficiency and Reform Options

This paper assesses the relative efficiency of government spending on health care and education in Croatia by using the so-called Data Envelopment Analysis. The analysis finds evidence of significant inefficiencies in Croatia's spending on health care and education, related to inadequate cost recovery, weaknesses in the financing mechanisms and institutional arrangements, weak competition in the provision of these services, and weaknesses in targeting public subsidies on health care and education. These inefficiencies suggest that government spending on health and education could be reduced without undue sacrifices in the quality of these services. The paper identifies ways to do that.
Cross-system barriers to educational success for children in foster care: The front line perspective

Abstract Children in out-of-home placements are at increased risk for a multitude of poor educational outcomes. The federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 requires child welfare and education systems to collaborate towards improved educational outcomes for children in foster care. This study performed focus groups with ground-level stakeholders from child welfare and education systems to solicit information on the barriers, strategies, and daily experiences of working across systems towards educational success for children in child welfare in a large, urban area. Ten focus groups were completed with a total of 90 study participants. Knowledge and implementation of policies related to the educational needs of children in foster care was highly variable among participants. Across all groups, ineffective and limited cross-system communication, role uncertainty among stakeholders, and prevalence and complexity of behavioral health needs among children were identified as barriers to achieving educational success for children in foster care. Innovative approaches to cross-system collaboration between education and child welfare systems are needed to affect these positive outcomes. The complexity of mental health service provision for children in foster care with behavioral problems will require improved cross-system collaboration.
Perfluorinated fatty acids alter merocyanine 540 dye binding to plasma membranes.

We have evaluated the effect of the perfluorinated fatty acids pentadecafluoro‐n‐octanoic acid (PFOA) and nonadecafluoro‐n‐decanoic acid (NDFDA) on the ability of a human B‐lymphoblastoid cell line to bind the lipid‐binding, membrane‐impermeant, fluorescent dye merocyanine 540 (MC540). Subtoxic concentrations of perfluorinated fatty acids (0.9 mM PFOA; 0.5 mM NDFDA) greatly diminish binding of MC540 by normal plasma membranes, as determined by fluorescence flow cytometry. When perfluorinated fatty acids are added to cells at toxic or lethal concentrations (1.2 mM PFOA; 0.75 mM NDFDA), MC540 binding increases dramatically, with entrance of dye to internal membrane domains. Neither perfluorinated fatty acid molecule reduces the ability of surface immunoglobulin to migrate laterally and cap on cells. Our data suggest that perfluorinated fatty acids either interact directly with lipid binding sites for MC540, and thereby inhibit dye intercalation, or alter membrane lipid architecture and lipid packing to dimi...
Target Estimate PDF-Based Optimal Path Planning Algorithm With Application to UAV Systems

Companies are starting to explore investing in UAV systems that come with standard autopilot trackers. There is a need for general cooperative local path planning algorithms that function with these types of systems. We have recently finished a project in which algorithms for autonomously searching for, detecting, and tracking ground targets was developed for a fixed-wing UAV with a visual spectrum gimballed camera. A set of scenarios are identified in which finite horizon path optimization results in a non-optimal ineffective path. For each of these scenarios, an appropriate path optimization problem is defined to replace finite horizon optimization. An algorithm is presented that determines which path optimization should be performed given a UAV state and target estimate probability distribution. The algorithm was implemented and thoroughly tested in flight experiments. The experimental work was successful and gave insight into what is required for a path planning algorithm to robustly work with standard waypoint tracking UAV systems. This paper presents the algorithm that was developed, theory supporting the algorithm, and experimental results.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Performance and Aging of a 20-Year-Old Silicon PV System

This paper examines the long-term performance of a 20-year-old crystalline silicon system. The degradation was found to be about 0.8%/year and is consistent with historical averages. In contrast with the majority of historical degradation, the decline for this particular system is more attributable to fill factor (FF) than to short-circuit current (Isc). The underlying cause was determined to be an increase in series resistance. We found no evidence that this system degrades significantly differently from its worst performing strings and modules. Maintenance events during the 20 years were dominated by inverter issues with a total of four replacements.
A Chandra View of the Normal S0 Galaxy NGC 1332. II. Solar Abundances in the Hot Gas and Implications for Supernova Enrichment

Using a new Chandra ACIS-S3 observation of the normal, isolated, moderate-LX lenticular galaxy NGC 1332, we resolve the emission into ~75 point sources and a significant diffuse component. We present a detailed analysis of the spectral properties of the diffuse emission, constraining both the temperature profile and the metal abundances in the hot gas. The characteristics of the point-source population and the spatial properties of the diffuse emission are discussed in two companion papers. The diffuse component comprises hot gas with an ~isothermal temperature profile (~0.5 keV) and emission from unresolved point sources. In contrast with the cool cores of many groups and clusters, we find a small central temperature peak. We obtain emission-weighted abundance constraints within 20 kpc for several key elements: Fe, O, Ne, Mg, and Si. The measured iron abundance (ZFe = 1.1 in solar units; >0.53 at 99% confidence) strongly excludes the very subsolar values often historically reported for early-type galaxies. This continues, in a lower LX system, a trend in recent observations of bright galaxies and groups. The abundance ratios, with respect to Fe, of the other elements were also found to be ~solar, with the exception of ZO/ZFe, which was significantly lower (<0.4), as seen in several bright galaxies, groups, and clusters. Such a low O abundance is not predicted by simple models of ISM enrichment by Type Ia and Type II supernovae (SNe) and may indicate a significant contribution from primordial hypernovae. Revisiting Chandra observations of the moderate-LX, isolated elliptical galaxy NGC 720, we obtain similar abundance constraints (ZFe = 0.71, 90% confidence; ZO/ZFe = 0.23 ± 0.21). Adopting standard SNe Ia and SNe II metal yield models, our abundance ratio constraints imply that 73% ± 5% and 85% ± 6% of the Fe enrichment in NGC 1332 and NGC 720, respectively, arises from SNe Ia. Although these results are sensitive to the considerable systematic uncertainty in the SNe yields, they are in good agreement with observations of more massive systems. These two cases of moderate-LX early-type galaxies reveal a consistent pattern of metal enrichment from cluster scales to moderate LX/LB galaxies.
Evaluation of a hybrid kinetics/mixing-controlled combustion model for turbulent premixed and diffusion combustion using KIVA-2

Two dimensional calculations were made of spark ignited premixed-charge combustion and direct injection stratified-charge combustion in gasoline fueled piston engines. Results are obtained using kinetic-controlled combustion submodel governed by a four-step global chemical reaction or a hybrid laminar kinetics/mixing-controlled combustion submodel that accounts for laminar kinetics and turbulent mixing effects. The numerical solutions are obtained by using KIVA-2 computer code which uses a kinetic-controlled combustion submodel governed by a four-step global chemical reaction (i.e., it assumes that the mixing time is smaller than the chemistry). A hybrid laminar/mixing-controlled combustion submodel was implemented into KIVA-2. In this model, chemical species approach their thermodynamics equilibrium with a rate that is a combination of the turbulent-mixing time and the chemical-kinetics time. The combination is formed in such a way that the longer of the two times has more influence on the conversion rate and the energy release. An additional element of the model is that the laminar-flame kinetics strongly influence the early flame development following ignition.
Quantitative measures of laryngeal function following teflon® injection or thyroplasty type I

Laryngeal/voice function was evaluated in six patients with unilateral true vocal fold paralysis following treatment with Teflon injection (TEF) compared to six patients treated with thyroplasty type I (THY). Auditory perceptual, aerodynamic, and endoscopic assessments were conducted. Three judges rated nine voice characteristics. Aerodynamic measures included estimated subglottal pressure, airflow, and laryngeal resistance. Two judges rated laryngeal characteristics from flexible fiberoptic assessment. The THY group had significantly better voice quality and better quantitative aerodynamic findings compared to the TEF group. The TEF group also was more likely to have an irregular vocal fold edge, an irregular glottal closure pattern, a higher occurrence of hyperfunction and hypertrophy of the false vocal folds, edema, and erythema of the paralyzed folds. Results suggest that THY was associated with more favorable measures of laryngeal/voice function than TEF. It is likely that the poorer perceptual, aerodynamic, and endoscopic findings associated with TEF injection may be due to violation of the true vocal fold cover, particularly increased true vocal fold mass and stiffness.
Intensities of Molecular Beams

KNAUER and Stern (Zs. f. Phys., 39, 775) have recently investigated the relation between the intensity of a beam of mercury molecules and the pressure in the oven or source chamber. They have found that the intensity of the beam increased uniformly with the oven pressure, until the mean free path in the oven was about equal to the width of the oven slit. At this pressure the beam had a maximum intensity, becoming less intense as the oven pressure was increased above this optimum value. As an explanation of this maximum, they have suggested that the molecules emerging from the slit, at pressures greater than the optimum pressure, collide with one another, giving rise to the formation of a cloud in front of the slit. Instead of originating in the slit itself, the beam then has its source in this diffuse surface of low intensity.
Flexible commitment: A key to strategic success

There is a recurring theme in the spectacular successes of a Wal‐Mart in the U.S., a Canon in Japan, or an ISS in Europe: the ability to stake out future opportunities and make preemptive commitments to a competence platform. Commitment begets success. Being a first mover is becoming a necessary condition for success.
Approximations to composite GPS protection levels for aircraft precision approach and landing

Persistent pseudorange biases constitute a serious potential integrity problem for differential GPS systems used in aircraft precision approach and landing. Various approaches to solve this problem are documented in the literature, including composite protection levels (PLs) that incorporate an explicit bias term in their mathematical expressions. A statistical characterization for such a PL was previously presented in this journal. Modeling GPS error in the position domain as multivariate normal with nonzero mean resulted in the definition of vertical, horizontal, and radial composite PLs, termed VPLc, HPLc, and RPLc, respectively. In the present effort, approximations to these computationally intensive PLs are presented for possible use in real time. Two of these are shown to be over-bounding approximations to exact quantities VPLc and HPLc. An approximation to RPLc is also presented, as well as a method of quantitative evaluation for each of these composite PLs. Monte-Carlo simulations for a single GPS measurement epoch are then developed to illustrate the exact PLs and their approximations and demonstrate that the approximations to VPLc and HPLc over-bound the exact PLs. The approximation to RPLc is shown to be far simpler computationally than the exact PL, but demonstrating that the approximation is an over-bound is left to future research. This paper makes available to the reader both the methods and the Matlab® simulation code needed to evaluate computationally efficient PL approximations. Thus, it fosters further research into the use of GPS in safety critical applications.
Pediatric Pharmacovigilance: Enhancing Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting in a Tertiary Care Children's Hospital.

Background:Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are notoriously underreported within health care facilities. In 2009-2010, ADRs were detected in only 0.5% of patients at the authors’ institution, a pediat...
Influence of Osmoconcentration, Continuous High-Frequency Ultrasound and Dehydration on Properties and Microstructure of Rabbiteye Blueberries

Rabbiteye blueberries were osmoconcentrated for 12 h, and for 3 h with and without continuous high-frequency ultrasound (CHFU) and then air dehydrated (70°C, 10 h). Osmoconcentration increased solids gain, moisture loss, soluble solids, and bulk density. Long osmoconcentration for 12 h can be reduced with CHFU with similar results. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs indicated that berries without pretreatment suffered the highest degree of tissue collapse. They also had the highest rehydration ratio and may be ideal for use in breakfast cereals. Osmoconcentrated berries may be used as snack food or in cereal bars due to high bulk density and low rehydration ratio.
Aerobic ferrisiderophore reductase assay and activity stain for native polyacrylamide gels

The reduction of ferric iron from microbial iron-binding compounds (siderophores) releases the iron from the siderophore so that it may be utilized by the microorganism. A method to detect aerobic ferrisiderophore reductase activity using ferrozine as a ferrous iron trap is shown to be applicable to cytoplasmic fractions from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides and four other different species of bacteria. The ferrisiderophore reductase uses reduced nicotinamide cofactors as reducing agents, and activity is stimulated by flavins. This assay has been adapted as a staining method to locate ferrisiderophore reductase activity in native polyacrylamide gels.
Materialism and well-being: The mediating effect of locus of control.

Abstract Previous research has established an inverse relationship between materialism and psychological well-being. To test the hypothesis that the link between materialism and well-being is due in part to an individual’s feelings of personal control, a sample of 440 adult Americans completed a widely-used materialism scale, the Levenson (1981) locus of control scales, and measure of positive and negative affect. Mediational analyses indicated that the significant relationship between materialism and negative affect was reduced significantly when powerful others and chance loci of control were each statistically controlled. Results are discussed with respect to the self-defeating cycle of using material possessions to boost affective well-being and in relation to other research that has explored reasons why materialism is related to lower level of psychological well-being.
Bound-state excitation in ion-ion collisions

Abstract We extend Seaton's semi-classical, impact parameter formulation of Coulomb excitation to treat a variety of inelastic ion-ion collisions. Comparisons with quantal calculations suggest that our algorithm provides an accurate as well as rapid estimate of these cross sections; comparisons involving two other semi-classical formulae show them to be less satisfactoory. We then investigate the importance of inelastic ion-ion collisions for applications in plasma spectroscopy and diagnostics; in particular we examine excitations by heavy ions as well as by protons. In one appendix, we consider the numerical evaluation of Coulomb trajectory functions, for a wide range of collision parameters. In another, we derive simple, approximate formulae for electron-impact excitation cross sections, for use in comparing ion-ion and electron-ion excitation rates and in determining (via scaling) reliable values of ion-ion cross sections at high collision velocities.
Sensitivity analysis and experimental design techniques: Application to nonlinear, dynamic lung models☆

Abstract Sensitivity analysis and experimental design studies predict the combination of observable variables and experimental conditions which will yield the most precisely determined model parameter estimates. To obtain an “optimal” experimental design for a dynamic model, we evaluate the Hessian matrix H of the objective function for some a priori estimate of the optimal parameter vector. Necessary criteria for an optimal design include maximizing the determinant of H , det( H ), and minimizing the condition number of H , cond( H ). These criteria lead to reduced volume and eccentricity of an indifference region, in which the objective function is not significantly affected by changes in the parameter values. To distinguish between designs and models which may possess similar det( H ) and cond( H ), we examine response contours of specific parameter pairs. The contours are evaluated such that a particular observable variable has the same predicted noise per data point in each design. These techniques are applied to two nonlinear pulmonary models that describe mechanical and gas concentration dynamics during a tracer gas washout. Appropriate combination of data from several experimental conditions and observable variables greatly increases the ability to obtain well-determined parameter estimates. Even with the several types of data, precise estimates of distinct parameters for upper and lower airway resistance may be difficult to obtain.
Characterization of transient behavior and failure mechanism of polysilicon-bound diode under CDM-like very-fast transmission line pulsing

Transient behaviors of poly-bound diode subject to fast ESD events such as the Charged Device Model (CDM) are characterized using pulses generated by the very-fast transmission line pulsing (VFTLP) tester. The effects of changing diode's dimension parameters on the overshoot voltage and turn-on time are studied. The correlation between the poly-bound diode failure and poly-gate configuration under the VFTLP stress is also investigated.