cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Electromagnetic Field and Lubricate Condition on the Surface Quality of Aluminum Alloy Billet during LFEC Processing

The microstructures of the aluminum billets could be improved markedly by low-frequency electro-magnetic casting (LFEC) processing. In fact, the low-frequency electromagnetic field (LFEF) also has favorite effect on the surface quality of billet. However, few public reports on the surface quality of LFEC aluminum billets could be found. Therefore, a new crystallizer together with a kind of lubricant was designed aiming at lowing surface turning quantity, and the effects of casting velocity, electromagnetic condition and lubrication on the surface quality of aluminum billets were investigated. The results indicate that LFEF together with the lubricate condition would be responsible for the surface quality of the billets, and the high surface quality billets could be achieved by optimizing the casting conditions.
The role of leadership and its effect on the temporal patterns of global software development teams

Drawing on previous work, the authors explore the role of leaders and their effect on the temporal communication patterns of global software student project teams. Archived group interactions captured during the course of two virtual team projects involving students in the US, Panama, and Turkey were analyzed using a content analysis scheme derived from a collaboration theory that captures communication behavior associated with teams in virtual environments. Results from these analyses suggest that although teams with leaders have many more communications throughout a project, they have similar temporal patterns as compared to teams without leaders. However, the proportion of the different communication behaviors varies considerably between leader and leaderless teams as well as between leaders and their “followers.” More specifically, analysis demonstrated how variation in temporal patterns for leaders and their followers were different from those team members with no leader, thereby bolstering the argument for developing and testing temporal measures in group research.
Interface Properties of Heterovalent InSb Multilayer Structures

Multilayer InSb/CdTe and InSb/MnTe heterostructures are grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The analysis of multilayer structures by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray rocking curves confirms the presence of periodic heterointerfaces. TEM, x-ray, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements are found to provide a sensitive indicator for the presence of ultra-thin interfacial layers. Double barrier structures in the MnTe/InSb/MnTe configuration exhibit the negative differential resistance which is characteristic of resonant tunneling diodes.
Improving Therapist and Patient Performance in Chronic Psychiatric Group Homes Through Goal-Setting, Feedback, and Positive Reinforcement

Abstract Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) has improved staff performance in mental hospitals and homes for the mentally retarded. In the present study, OBM techniques of goal-setting, feedback, and positive reinforcement were used to improve staff behavior and patient outcomes in four private adult group homes for chronic mental patients. Four therapists and 37 patients served as subjects. After a 10 or 20 week multiple baseline, the therapists received training in setting measurable goals, providing verbal and graphic feedback, and praising patients. In addition, therapists received written and verbal feedback, praise and contingent monetary reinforcement. Results revealed large increases in the number of goals addressed weekly and in the quality of treatment plan reviews during treatment. There was a significant increase in patient goal progress and patient activity level, and a significant decrease in therapists' time to submit applicable paperwork during treatment. These results suggest that O...
Model-shared subspace boosting for multi-label classification

Typical approaches to the multi-label classification problem require learning an independent classifier for every label from all the examples and features. This can become a computational bottleneck for sizeable datasets with a large label space. In this paper, we propose an efficient and effective multi-label learning algorithm called model-shared subspace boosting (MSSBoost) as an attempt to reduce the information redundancy in the learning process. This algorithm automatically finds, shares and combines a number of base models across multiple labels, where each model is learned from random feature subspace and boots trap data samples. The decision functions for each label are jointly estimated and thus a small number of shared subspace models can support the entire label space. Our experimental results on both synthetic data and real multimedia collections have demonstrated that the proposed algorithm can achieve better classification performance than the non-ensemble baselineclassifiers with a significant speedup in the learning and prediction processes. It can also use a smaller number of base models to achieve the same classification performance as its non-model-shared counterpart.
Antibiotics and return visits for respiratory illness: a comparison of pooled versus hierarchical statistical methods.

ABSTRACT Background: Antibiotic prescribing for respiratory illness has been associated with small reductions in return visits in an analysis of a large practicebased network. In this study, we apply hierarchical analytical methods that account for the clustering of patients by practices to identify whether antibiotic prescribing by primary care physicians reduces subsequent visits for 6 acute respiratory illnesses-upper respiratory infection, pharyngitis, bronchitis, otitis media, sinusitis, and cough. Methods: The study data came from 318 family physicians and internists in 45 practices in the Practice Partner Research Network from January 1995 through December 1996, with 255,564 active patients. Patients treated with antibiotics were compared with those who were not on the frequency of revisit within the next 14 days. A simple pooling model and 3 hierarchical statistical models (fixed-effects, random-effects, and Bayesian) were used to compare the odds-ratios for return visits. Results: Statistically significant results were found only for bronchitis and sinusitis by the hierarchical models, but the simple pooling model produced statistically significant results for all study conditions. Conclusions: We conclude that antibiotics may reduce return visits for patients with bronchitis and sinusitis, but not for patients with other respiratory illness (upper respiratory infection, pharyngitis, otitis media, or cough). Studies of large clinical databases should use methods of analysis that account for the grouping of patients by practice to avoid false positive associations (type I errors.)
A comparative study between CMA evolution strategies and Particle Swarm Optimization for antenna applications

Nature-inspired optimization techniques have been at the forefront of research within electromagnetics due to their unique properties as global optimization algorithms. These algorithms are stochastic techniques which direct the optimizer towards the most likely position based on previously tested points. The biggest question for current researchers in this area is which algorithm performs the fastest, provides the best solution, and offers robust convergence for a variety of different function topologies. Within the domain of nature-inspired optimization techniques, the Covariance Matrix Adaptation (CMA) Evolution Strategies (ES) and the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) techniques have transpired due to their rapid convergence for many electromagnetics optimization problems.
Neutron powder diffraction refinement of boron carbides nature of intericosahedral chains

Abstract Our Rietveld structure refinements of neutron powder diffraction data of boron carbides with 10, 13, 16, and 20 at.% carbon indicate 15–25% vacancies at the central position of the intericosahedral chains. In addition, we find a comparable number of interstitials residing off the intericosahedral chains. However, X-ray diffraction studies on unirradiated boron carbide single crystals do not generally find these defects. This discrepancy may indicate that the observed defects are the remnants of defect cascades created by the energetic fission products of 10 B during the neutron diffraction measurements. The tendency to form vacancies in the center of the intericosahedral chain is consistent with the weak and soft binding of chain-center atoms that we previously inferred from other measurements.
Ozone Removal at MicroSecond Contact Time for Airc raft Cabin Air Using Microfibrous Entrapped Catalysts

Microfibrous Entrapped Catalyst (MFEC) manufactured from 8 $m diameter nickel fibers were engineered into pleated heterogeneous catalytic reactors to improve removal performance over that of conventional packed bed and monolith reactors. The main enabling attribute of microfibrous materials is that small particles (150�200 $m) can be entrapped which significantly improves inter phase mass transfer. Conventional reactors usually operate with contact time less than 1s. MFEC reactors were able to reduce the contact time to micro seconds while maintaining similar catalytic performance. This gives MFEC a huge advantage in terms of weight and volume saving, since the conventional meterlong reactors were shortened to millimeter thick material sheets of MFEC. These unique reactors were targeted at ozone, which is widely recognized as the most important aircraft cabin air pollutant. In this research, MFEC reactors were investigated under aircraft bleed air conditions of high temperature (100�200 oC) and hig h face velocity (10�30 m/s) resulting in an interlayer contact time of 67�200$sec. Precious met al (Pd, Ag) and transition metal (Mn) catalysts were impregnated on entrapped particles (e.g. γ�Al2O3) using incipient wetness method. Ozone test concentration was set at a highdemand level of 1.5 ppmv. Results showed that a high level of ozone decomposition was achieved with a significant reduction of catalyst consumption. Compared with conventional aircraft filters, this can be a huge advantage in terms of material cost and labor. Reaction kinetics analyses were compared for different catalysts. Results showed that precious metal catalyst performs better at a higher temperature while transition metal catalyst maintains similar conversion for changing temperatures (100�200oC). XPS, TPR and TGA tests ha ve been used to evaluate performance of catalysts and to modify catalysts to improve conversion rate. Also, catalyst aging tests were performed according to the frequency of commercial aircraft ozone reactor replacement, which required evaluation of longterm performance for actual MFEC reactor. In addition, pressure drop improvement by pleating MFEC was also evaluated by comparison to traditional low pressure drop monolith reactors. A CFD model has also been established for pressure prediction and comparison. It showed that pleated structure enables
Climate Finance: Key Concepts and Ways Forward

Climate finance is fundamental to curbing anthropogenic climate change. Compared, however, to the negotiations over emissions reduction timetables, commitments, and architectures, climate finance issues have received only limited and belated attention. Assuring delivery and appropriate use of the financial resources needed to achieve emissions reductions and secure adaptation to climate change, particularly in developing countries, is as vital as agreement on emission caps. Yet, a comprehensive framework on financing for mitigation and adaptation is not in sight. Developed and developing countries cannot agree on even the fundamentals of what should be included (e.g. should private finance through carbon markets be included?), let alone the level and terms of financing commitments, regulatory and other mechanisms, or governance structures.This impasse, which reflects a lack of trust between developed and developing countries, has manifested itself in basic disagreements over three main issues relating primarily to mitigation finance: first, the necessity of credible and substantial developed country commitments on public funding; second, the role of private finance; and third, the institutions and governance structures to ensure equity and environmental effectiveness.
Test-Retest Reliability and Minimal Detectable Change Scores for the Timed “Up & Go” Test, the Six-Minute Walk Test, and Gait Speed in People With Alzheimer Disease

Background: With the increasing incidence of Alzheimer disease (AD), determining the validity and reliability of outcome measures for people with this disease is necessary. Objective: The goals of this study were to assess test-retest reliability of data for the Timed “Up & Go” Test (TUG), the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and gait speed and to calculate minimal detectable change (MDC) scores for each outcome measure. Performance differences between groups with mild to moderate AD and moderately severe to severe AD (as determined by the Functional Assessment Staging [FAST] scale) were studied. Design: This was a prospective, nonexperimental, descriptive methodological study. Methods: Background data collected for 51 people with AD included: use of an assistive device, Mini-Mental Status Examination scores, and FAST scale scores. Each participant engaged in 2 test sessions, separated by a 30- to 60-minute rest period, which included 2 TUG trials, 1 6MWT trial, and 2 gait speed trials using a computerized gait assessment system. A specific cuing protocol was followed to achieve optimal performance during test sessions. Results: Test-retest reliability values for the TUG, the 6MWT, and gait speed were high for all participants together and for the mild to moderate AD and moderately severe to severe AD groups separately (intraclass correlation coefficients ≥.973); however, individual variability of performance also was high. Calculated MDC scores at the 90% confidence interval were: TUG=4.09 seconds, 6MWT=33.5 m (110 ft), and gait speed=9.4 cm/s. The 2 groups were significantly different in performance of clinical tests, with the participants who were more cognitively impaired being more physically and functionally impaired. Limitations: A single researcher for data collection limited sample numbers and prohibited blinding to dementia level. Conclusions: The TUG, the 6MWT, and gait speed are reliable outcome measures for use with people with AD, recognizing that individual variability of performance is high. Minimal detectable change scores at the 90% confidence interval can be used to assess change in performance over time and the impact of treatment.
Robot-assisted pediatric surgery

Computer-enhanced robotic surgical systems have been increasingly used to facilitate complex minimal access surgical procedures. In adult patients, such systems have been used to perform a wide variety of operations including coronary artery bypass grafting, mitral valve repair, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, colon resection, nephrectomy, and radical prostatectomy. In the field of pediatric surgery, the experience with robotic surgical systems has been more limited. However, with improvements in robotic technology, interest and experience with robotic pediatric surgery have grown rapidly. The purpose of this article is to review the current experimental and clinical literature regarding the use of robotic surgical systems in the pediatric patient population.
Differential carrier lifetimes and threshold carrier densities in vertical-cavity, surface-emitting lasers

Carrier lifetime measurements are an indispensable tool in semiconductor laser characterization. They allow determination of recombination rates, threshold current density, and other important device parameters. Experimental results on differential carrier lifetimes of gain-guided, proton-implanted and index-guided, oxide-defined vertical-cavity, surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are obtained from the laser impedance measurements at subthreshold currents. Differential carrier lifetimes can be derived directly from the impedance characteristics of the lasers. To apply this technique to VCSELs, a small-signal equivalent circuit model is developed. Carrier lifetimes are extracted by fitting the real and imaginary parts of the measured impedance with the circuit model. To confirm the obtained data and check the validity of the proposed equivalent circuit, the lifetimes were also measured using the traditional small-signal optical response technique. A measured response is corrected using already estimated circuit parameters to account for the frequency-dependent modulation amplitude, and fitted with a single-pole function. A good agreement is obtained between the lifetime values measured by electrical and optical techniques, indicating the validity of the equivalent circuit. For each device size, the threshold carrier density value and recombination parameters are obtained from the fit to lifetime dependence on the injection current.
Versatile RNA-sensing transcriptional regulators for engineering genetic networks

The widespread natural ability of RNA to sense small molecules and regulate genes has become an important tool for synthetic biology in applications as diverse as environmental sensing and metabolic engineering. Previous work in RNA synthetic biology has engineered RNA mechanisms that independently regulate multiple targets and integrate regulatory signals. However, intracellular regulatory networks built with these systems have required proteins to propagate regulatory signals. In this work, we remove this requirement and expand the RNA synthetic biology toolkit by engineering three unique features of the plasmid pT181 antisense-RNA-mediated transcription attenuation mechanism. First, because the antisense RNA mechanism relies on RNA-RNA interactions, we show how the specificity of the natural system can be engineered to create variants that independently regulate multiple targets in the same cell. Second, because the pT181 mechanism controls transcription, we show how independently acting variants can be configured in tandem to integrate regulatory signals and perform genetic logic. Finally, because both the input and output of the attenuator is RNA, we show how these variants can be configured to directly propagate RNA regulatory signals by constructing an RNA-meditated transcriptional cascade. The combination of these three features within a single RNA-based regulatory mechanism has the potential to simplify the design and construction of genetic networks by directly propagating signals as RNA molecules.
Reasoning with limited resources and assigning probabilities to arithmetical statements

There are three sections in this paper. Thefirst is a philosophical discussion of the general problem of reasoning under limited deductive capacity. The second sketches a rigorous way of assigning probabilities to statements in pure arithmetic; motivated by the preceding discussion, it can nonetheless be read separately. The third is a philosophical discussion that highlights the shifting contextual character of subjective probabilities and beliefs.
The distribution and relative abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in lakes of the McMurdo Dry Valley, Antarctica

Marked differences in the concentrations of major ions and cations, macronutrient chemistry and general trophic status exist among the lakes of the McMurdo dry valleys in Antarctica. These differences have been attributed to both variations in stream inputs and in situ lake processes (Priscu, 1995; Lizotte et al., 1996, Spigel and Priscu, 1996). This study examines the role of nitrifying bacteria in nitrogen transformations in these lakes. Applying two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting the 16S rRNA genes of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and the active site of the ammonia monooxygenase gene (amoA), the distribution of ammonia-oxidizers was examined in six Antarctic lakes: Lake Bonney, Lake Hoare, Lake Fryxell and Lake Joyce in the Taylor Valley, Lake Miers in the the Miers Valley and Lake Vanda in the Wright Valley. Using a two stage amplification procedure, ammonia-oxidizers from both the beta and gamma- subclasses of the Proteobacteria were detected and their relative abundances were determined in samples collected from all sites. Ammonia-oxidizers were detected in all lakes sampled. Members of the gamma subclass were only present in the saline lakes. In general, nitrifiers were most abundant at depths above the pycnocline and were usually associated with lower concentrations of NH4 and elevated concentrations of NO3 or NO2. The distribution of nitrifiers suggests that the primary N2O peak observed in most of the lakes was produced via nitrification. Preliminary data on the rate of nitrification (Priscu et al., 1996) support the occurrence of nitrification and the presence of nitrifiers at the depth intervals where nitrifiers were detected. In all lakes, except Lake Miers, the data indicate that nitrifying bacteria have an important role in the vertical distribution of nitrogen compounds in these systems.
A single recessive gene conferring short leaves in romaine × Latin type lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) crosses, and its effect on plant morphology and resistance to lettuce drop caused by Sclerotinia minor Jagger

With 1 figure and 5 tables Abstract Understanding the relationship between plant morphology and disease resistance is crucial to successful lettuce breeding. Latin type cultivars are a potential useful source of resistance to Sclerotinia minor for breeding resistant romaine cultivars. However, resistance in Latin cultivars may be conditioned by their relatively short stature. The objective of this research was to determine the segregation for plant height and the relationship between plant height and S. minor resistance in romaine × Latin crosses. The frequency of short plants was conditioned by a single recessive gene in F1, F2 and F3 families from nine romaine × Latin crosses tested in 2007, 2008 and 2009 field experiments. The gene, named short leaf 1 (sl1), affects only leaf length in rosette plants and is morphologically distinct from other dwarfing genes. In two S. minor-infested field experiments with 75 F3 romaine × ‘Eruption’ families, no difference in disease incidence was detected between short (sl1sl1), tall (Sl1Sl1) or segregating families. Therefore, development of resistant romaine cultivars from crosses with ‘Eruption’ is feasible.
Tunneling in tocopherol-mediated peroxidation of 7-dehydrocholesterol

The peroxidation of 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC), a biosynthetic precursor to vitamin D3 and cholesterol, has been linked to the pathophysiology of Smith–Lemli–Optiz syndrome (SLOS), a devastating human disorder. In SLOS, 7-DHC plasma and tissue levels are elevated because of defects in the enzyme that convert it to cholesterol. α-Tocopherol can mediate the peroxidation of 7-DHC under certain circumstances and this prompted us to investigate the kinetic isotope effect (KIE) during this process. Thus, 9,14-d2-7-DHC was synthesized using a photochemical cyclization of deuterium-reinforced previtamin D3 (retro to its biosynthesis). Subsequently, we carried out co-oxidation of 9,14-h2-25,26,26,26,27,27,27-d7- and 9,14-d2-7-DHC in the presence of α-tocopherol under conditions that favor TMP. By monitoring the products formed from each precursor using mass spectrometry, the KIE for the hydrogen (deuterium) atom removal at C9 was found to be 21 ± 1. This large KIE value indicates that tunneling plays a role in the hydrogen atom transfer step in the tocopherol-mediated peroxidation of 7-DHC.
Connectivity and other-user interference characteristics of broadcast protocols in satellite networks

Satellite communications applications have grown from using single hops between fixed earth stations to use of multiple hops through more than one satellite between fixed as well as mobile stations. With multiple satellites in a path from one point to another, it is necessary to consider the desirability of point-to-point links versus broadcast communications. The author examines this issue for low Earth orbit configurations from the aspects of mutual interference and connectivity. For the former, it is assumed that a common frequency allocation is used with the separation of users taking place by means of code division multiple access. The latter is lower-bounded by the minimum number of links from a given satellite to neighbor satellites. >
MS-Xα calculation of the barrier to internal rotation in ethylene

Calculations for ethylene using the multiple-scattering Xα method in the muffin-tin approximation are reported. Comparison of the calculated twisting potentials of both the singlet ground state and the first excited triplet with experimental values show about the same agreement as ab initio calculations including configuration interaction. In addition, the use of overlapping spheres is shown not to improve the Xα results.
Tunable Liquid Gradient Refractive Index (L-GRIN) lens with two degrees of freedom.

We report a tunable optofluidic microlens configuration named the Liquid Gradient Refractive Index (L-GRIN) lens for focusing light within a microfluidic device. The focusing of light was achieved through the gradient refractive index (GRIN) within the liquid medium, rather than via curved refractive lens surfaces. The diffusion of solute (CaCl2) between side-by-side co-injected microfluidic laminar flows was utilized to establish a hyperbolic secant (HS) refractive index profile to focus light. Tailoring the refractive index profile by adjusting the flow conditions enables not only tuning of the focal distance (translation mode), but also shifting of the output light direction (swing mode), a second degree of freedom that to our knowledge has yet to be accomplished for in-plane tunable microlenses. Advantages of the L-GRIN lens also include a low fluid consumption rate, competitive focusing performance, and high compatibility with existing microfluidic devices. This work provides a new strategy for developing integrative tunable microlenses for a variety of lab-on-a-chip applications.
Screening practices in cancer survivors.

Ten percent of all new cancers are diagnosed in cancer survivors and second cancers are the sixth leading cause of cancer deaths. Little is known, however, about survivors’ screening practices for other cancers. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a cancer diagnosis on survivors’ screening beliefs and practices compared to those without a cancer history. This study examined cancer survivors’ (n = 619) screening beliefs and practices compared to those without cancer (n = 2,141) using the National Cancer Institute’s 2003 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). The typical participant was Caucasian, employed, married, and female with at least a high school education, having a regular health care provider and health insurance. Being a cancer survivor was significantly associated with screening for colorectal cancer but not for breast or prostate cancer screening. Screening adherence exceeded American Cancer Society recommendations, national prevalence data, and Healthy People 2010 goals for individual tests for both groups. Physician recommendations were associated with a higher level of screening but recommendations varied (highest for breast cancer and lowest for colorectal cancer screening). Cancer survivors had different health beliefs and risk perceptions for screening compared to the NoCancer group. While there were no differences between survivors’ screening for breast and prostate cancer, survivors were more likely to screen for colorectal cancer than the comparison group. Screening adherence met or exceeded recommendations for individual tests for both cancer survivors and the comparison group. Cancer survivors should continue to work with their health care providers to receive age and gender appropriate screening for many types of cancers. Screening for other cancers should also be included in cancer survivorship care plans.
Expression of prostate-specific antigen is transcriptionally regulated by genistein in prostate cancer cells

Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in the United States. Unfortunately, there is no effective therapy when prostate cancer becomes metastatic and refractory to conventional treatments. For this reason, the identification and exploration of new agents that reduce prostate cancer cell growth are of paramount importance. High consumption of plant-derived phytoestrogens is inversely associated with the incidence and mortality rate of prostate cancer. Previous studies, including our own, have shown that the phytoestrogen genistein inhibits prostate cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo and decreases secreted and intracellular levels of the androgen-regulated protein prostate-specific antigen (PSA), but the role of genistein as an agonist/antagonist for hormone receptors remains unclear. To elucidate the mechanism by which genistein modulates PSA protein expression in prostate cancer cells, we investigated the effects of genistein on androgen-mediated and estrogen-mediated transcriptional regulation of PSA, androgen receptor (AR) mRNA and protein expression, and the ability of nuclear proteins to bind to androgen-response elements (AREs) in LNCaP cells. We showed that genistein decreased the transcriptional activation of PSA by both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent methods in LNCaP cells. The reduction of androgen-mediated transcriptional activation of PSA was correlated with decreased AR protein and mRNA levels and decreased binding to AREs. In contrast, genistein had differential effects on 17beta-estradiol-mediated PSA expressions. Low concentrations of genistein enhanced 17beta-estradiol-mediated PSA expressions, whereas high concentrations of genistein inhibited estrogen-mediated PSA expression in LNCaP cells. Genistein did not inhibit AR protein expression in the presence of 17beta-estradiol. These results suggest that ligand-dependent differences in the ability to activate PSA expression may contribute to the agonistic/antagonistic responses observed with genistein in prostate cancer cells.
Occupational safety: The role of workplace sleepiness

Workplace sleepiness refers to how sleepy a person feels at work, and it is thought to be associated with negative occupational safety outcomes such as injuries because sleepiness can lead to behavioral decrements at work. This study explored safety behavior as a mediator of the relationship between workplace sleepiness and occupational safety outcomes (e.g., occupational injuries). A survey was conducted on certified nursing assistants working in long term care facilities. The Stanford Sleepiness Scale was used to measure workplace sleepiness. Occupational injuries were assessed in multiple ways: injury frequency, injury severity, pain frequency, pain severity-duration, and pain severity-intensity. This study provided support for a negative relationship between workplace sleepiness and safety behavior and limited support for a positive relationship between workplace sleepiness and occupational injuries. Workplace sleepiness was significantly related to pain frequency and pain severity (as indexed by both duration and intensity); however, it was not significantly related to injury frequency or severity. The results of the study also suggest very limited support for safety behavior as a mediator of this relationship. The findings suggest that the relationship between workplace sleepiness and occupational injuries might be more complex than originally assumed.
Detecting Somatic Genetic Alterations in Tumor Specimens by Exon Capture and Massively Parallel Sequencing

Efforts to detect and investigate key oncogenic mutations have proven valuable to facilitate the appropriate treatment for cancer patients. The establishment of high-throughput, massively parallel "next-generation" sequencing has aided the discovery of many such mutations. To enhance the clinical and translational utility of this technology, platforms must be high-throughput, cost-effective, and compatible with formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue samples that may yield small amounts of degraded or damaged DNA. Here, we describe the preparation of barcoded and multiplexed DNA libraries followed by hybridization-based capture of targeted exons for the detection of cancer-associated mutations in fresh frozen and FFPE tumors by massively parallel sequencing. This method enables the identification of sequence mutations, copy number alterations, and select structural rearrangements involving all targeted genes. Targeted exon sequencing offers the benefits of high throughput, low cost, and deep sequence coverage, thus conferring high sensitivity for detecting low frequency mutations.
Hydrophobicity and Stability for a Family of Model Proteins

According to the conventional definition, the hydrophobic effect is a result of thermodynamic changes occurring when a nonpolar group dissolves in water and attributable to the fact that water in contact with such a group has special structural and energetic properties. Disagreement now exists as to whether this effect promotes or hinders protein denaturation. Taking the heat capacity change of unfolding as a measure of the hydrophobicity of the protein interior, others have shown that protein stabilities are systematically affected by changes in hydrophobicity. It has been suggested that the observed trends show that hydrophobic hydration is intrinsically a destabilizing factor. Model calculations using known equations for the stability curves and certain simplifying assumptions now show that such regularities provide no evidence for or against this conclusion. All available data can be rationalized if hydrophobic terms are evaluated from models that require a positive hydrophobic contribution to the Gibbs energy of unfolding. The calculations also confirm the recent finding that any set of proteins with denaturation temperatures between about 330 and 380 K that exhibits entropy convergence at about 386 K is thermodynamically required to show enthalpy convergence at approximately the same temperature. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Variational cloud-clearing with TOVS data

A number of studies have shown that the use of passive microwave and infrared satellite observations in data assimilation systems can increase forecast skill. Considerable effort has been expended over the past two decades, particularly with the TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS), to achieve this result. The positive impact on forecast skill is a result of more rigorous treatment of quality control, improvements in systematic error correction schemes, and advances in data assimilation systems. Yet, there still remains potential for improving the use of satellite data, particularly cloud-contaminated observations, in data assimilation. Here, we use a one-dimensional variational framework (1DVAR) as a first step towards improving the treatment of cloudy data by cloud-clearing. Cloud-clearing is a procedure that removes cloud radiative effects through comparison of partly cloudy adjacent pixels. The 1DVAR approach simultaneously extracts cloud-clearing parameters and information about the atmospheric and surface state from microwave and infrared observations. The variational framework ensures that the state estimate is consistent with all available measurements. The 1DVAR cloud-clearing approach can also be extended to three or four dimensions (3DVAR, 4DVAR). Our TOVS cloud-clearing implementation allows for complex cloud structures, including multiple cloud layers with wavelength-dependent radiative properties. We present preliminary results of our IDVAR cloud-clearing implementation with TOVS. The results suggest that there is useful information in the cloud-cleared data.
Acute temporal regulation of placental vascular endothelial growth/permeability factor expression in baboons by estrogen.

Abstract Vascular endothelial growth/permeability factor (VEG/PF) has an established role in angiogenesis, however, the regulation of placental VEG/PF expression during primate pregnancy is incompletely understood. A temporal study was conducted in baboons to determine the effect of acute administration of estradiol on the expression of VEG/PF by cells of the villous placenta. VEG/PF mRNA levels were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in isolated placental cell fractions of baboons after acute i.v. and i.m. administration of estradiol. Within 2 h of estradiol treatment, VEG/PF mRNA (attomoles/ micrograms total RNA) increased within villous cytotrophoblasts to a level (mean ± SEM, 12 612 ± 2419) that was almost 2-fold greater (P < 0.05) than in untreated controls (6810 ± 1368). Cytotrophoblast VEG/PF mRNA levels remained elevated (P < 0.01) 6 h after estradiol treatment (15 006 ± 506), but were not different from controls 18 h after estradiol administration. VEG/ PF mRNA levels i...
Use of Botulinum Toxin Type A in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is one of the most common causes of activity limitation in children. The central nervous system (CNS) lesion causing the disorder of posture and movement is nonprogressive, but the manifestations of the lesion may change over time. Children with cerebral palsy may display a range of movement disorders, alone or in combination, including dystonia, athetosis, ataxia, and spasticity.1 Spasticity is a complex phenomenon and has been defined as “a motor disorder characterized by a velocity-dependent increase in tonic stretch reflexes (muscle tone) with exaggerated tendon jerks, resulting from hyperexcitability of the stretch reflex, as one component of the upper motoneuron syndrome.”2(p485) Spasticity can be associated with co-contraction, clonus, and hyperreflexia. Children with spastic cerebral palsy generally have a typical pattern of muscle weakness, impairment in selective motor control, and sensory impairment, in addition to spasticity.1 In some centers, traditional management for children with spastic cerebral palsy has included physical therapy interventions and use of orthotic devices, with the goal of postponing orthopedic surgery until the child is older (eg, after age 6 years).3 These interventions aim to optimize function and strive to delay or treat deformity resulting from spasticity, but they do not effect any sustainable change in the amount of spasticity. Botulinum toxin, a relatively recent addition to the available medical interventions for children with cerebral palsy, has rapidly gained acceptance as a treatment that temporarily reduces focal muscle spasticity.4 The purpose of this article is to describe current evidence regarding the effectiveness of botulinum toxin A (BtA) in the treatment of children with spasticity associated with cerebral palsy. Specific attention will be devoted to aspects of BtA treatment that are likely to be pertinent to physical therapists, including basic pathophysiology, indications, procedural considerations, and evidence regarding effect on spasticity reduction, …
Micro-Electrical Discharge Machining

This chapter provides a comprehensive overview on the micro-electrical discharge machining (micro-EDM) process. The physical principle of micro-EDM and differences between macro- and micro-EDM and micro-EDM system components are discussed. A discussion on major operating parameters of micro-EDM and their effect on the performance parameters is presented. A brief discussion on variants of micro-EDM and their industrial applications has been included. The research advances on the areas of micro-EDM and micro-EDM-based compound and hybrid machining processes have been discussed. Finally, a comparative evaluation of micro-EDM to other machining processes has been presented.
A Public Health of Consequence—February 2016

An introduction is presented in which the authors discuss the articles in this issue, including one on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, one on cigarette smoking regulations, and one on prescription drug laws.
Including design sensitivity into Particle Swarm Optimization: Adaptive gradient-based techniques

For most antennas, fabrication errors can significantly degrade the performance of optimized designs. While error sensitivity is important in the engineering design process, it is rarely incorporated in recent optimization techniques such as Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). In this paper, we propose an algorithm which incorporates the gradient into PSO. The goal is to optimize the design and guarantee that the solution fulfills the sensitivity criterion simultaneously. The particles in the neighboring area of the global optimum detect the gradient of the global optimum and determine the sensitivity of the solution. The proposed optimization with sensitivity analysis is applied to a test function and patch antenna optimization problem.
Relationship Churning and Parenting Stress Among Mothers and Fathers

Researchers have documented the consequences of relationship instability for parenting stress but have given little attention to within-partner relationship instability. In this study, the authors used data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 3,544) to estimate the association between within-partner relationship instability (known as churning or on-again/off-again relationships) and parenting stress. First, they found that by the focal child's 5th birthday about 16% of biological parents experience churning. Second, compared to being stably together with or stably separated from the child's other parent, churning is associated with greater parenting stress for both mothers and fathers. Because parenting stress is the same or higher among churners compared to their counterparts who stably separate, this suggests that, more than a change in partner, relationship instability-whether within or across relationships-is tied to parenting stress.
The Loyalty Oath Issue in Iowa, 1951

When the political scientist attempts to assess the state of civil liberties in America following World War II, he confronts a voluminous record of episodes and events. Most of the books, articles, and other documents so far available suggest that the fear of communist subversion carried Americans very far from the spirit, if not the letter, of the Bill of Rights. Indeed, it is possible to conclude that the hysteria associated with the name of Joseph R. McCarthy permeated almost every state, city and hamlet in America, and that McCarthy himself, in the words of Richard H. Rovere, "held two Presidents captive, or as nearly captive as any Presidents of the United States have ever been held . . . " The political scientist may therefore be persuaded that the label McCarthy Era better fits the Nineteen Fifties than the alternative designation, Eisenhower Era. It may be hoped, however, that his research will not overlook those incidents, however rare, which suggest that fear and suspicion did not entirely dominate the national scene. One such incident, of more than ordinary interest, occurred in Iowa during the early months of 1951. By April, 1951, more than one year had elapsed since the late junior Senator from Wisconsin had produced his famous if elusive "list" of cardcarrying communists in the State Department. The Korean War, moving toward the end of its first winter, promoted a mood which was, on the whole, favorable to the Senator's activities. Nevertheless, in April, 1951, the Iowa Senate overwhelmingly rejected a loyalty oath measure which was much less stringent than those that had previously been approved in almost half the states.' The action of the Iowa Senate,
The relation between the fixed and free salts of bacteria

In their study on the conductivity of bacterial cells, Green, Minneapolis and Larson 1 have shown that, at death, there is a rapid exosmosis of salts from the bacterial bodies when suspended in water. Their work suggests that some of the salts at least are free within the cell of the organism. The present study was inaugurated for the purpose of determining the nature and relation between the fixed and free salts of bacteria, and in particular with B. coli. In this paper the salts which diffuse out of the killed bacteria are referred to as the free salts, while those which do not diffuse out but are found in the ash of bacteria which
WILKIE COLLINS'S BLUE PERIOD: COLOR, AESTHETICS, AND RACE IN POOR MISS FINCH

Although subtitled “A Domestic Story,” Wilkie Collins's Poor Miss Finch (1872) offers a sensational plot bursting with secrets and mistaken identities. Many of the novel's plot twists and turns center on the transformation of the hero, Oscar Dubourg, from a wealthy white Englishman into a dark blue “Other” when he is treated with nitrate of silver after a serious head injury. While Oscar's medication cures him of his seizures, it also causes agryria, a skin discoloration, which turns him permanently dark blue. The hero's experience of this traumatic side effect is exacerbated by the reaction of his blind fiancee Lucilla, the title's “Poor Miss Finch.” In the novel, Lucilla's blindness leads her to distort visual concepts such as light and color in her imagination, resulting in her desperate fear of dark colors. The novel's central conflict arises when Oscar engages the help of Lucilla's companion Madame Pratolungo in hiding his new dark skin color from the blind heroine. Complicating this situation further is the arrival of Oscar's identical (but still white) twin Nugent, who deviously schemes to elope with the beautiful Lucilla by impersonating his brother.
Staged laser interstitial thermal therapy and topectomy for complete obliteration of complex focal cortical dysplasias

Anatomically complex focal cortical dysplasias may present significant challenges to safe and complete surgical resection via standard operative corridors. Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is an emerging minimally invasive technique that may address some of these challenges, enabling stereotactic ablation of deep and/or surgically inaccessible regions. However, complete ablation may not be feasible in all cases. To address this dilemma, we have designed a protocol utilizing staged LITT followed by topectomy to effect complete obliteration of a complex focal cortical dysplasia. The approach presented demonstrates the feasibility, safety, and clinical utility of combining laser ablation and open surgery for the definitive management of this lesion.
Ecology: Insect thermal baggage

Strong positive selection on cold hardiness and relaxed selection on heat hardiness experienced by range-expanding populations may help to explain why ectothermic animals generally have broader thermal tolerance towards the poles, and shed new light on their climate vulnerabilities.
Sexual Dysfunction in Chronic Kidney Disease

Sexual dysfunction is common among men and women with CKD and is associated with depression and worsened quality of life. The pathophysiology is complex and may be related to hormonal disturbances associated with CKD, comorbid conditions, medication use, or psychosocial factors. We describe the prevalence, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of sexual dysfunction in CKD separately for men and women. Because there are relatively few data directly addressing these issues among patients with non-dialysis dependent CKD, we have leaned heavily on the literature among patients with ESRD and on guidelines for treatment for the general population, emphasizing treatment differences related to CKD. Because sexual dysfunction is common, affects quality of life, and can be treated, it deserves more attention in the management of patients with CKD.