cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maintenance of functioning in the elderly

Dramatic declines in age-specific mortality have led to large increases in the number of older people in the United States and other industrialized populations. While increased survival time is to be desired, it is important to consider the functional ability of those who survive to older ages, and whether preventive activities can lead to higher levels of functioning. Using data from the Alameda County Study, results indicating that incident chronic diseases are associated with poorer levels of physical functioning are presented. Many of the behavioral, social, and demographic risk factors that are associated with risk of chronic disease and mortality in this cohort are also associated with poorer physical functioning. Thus, interventions that reduce or delay the development of chronic diseases in the elderly may also result in higher levels of physical functioning. These same risk factors also modify the impact of chronic disease on functioning. Therefore, interventions that reduce risk factors for chronic disease may increase levels of functioning in those who survive with or without disease.
Reaction of Stannous Fluoride with Hydroxyapatite: The Crystal Structure of Sn 3PO4F3

The tin-containing product of the reaction of stannous fluoride solutions with synthetic hydroxyapatite was studied by means of X-ray diffraction. Data were collected from a single crystal specimen and this compound was identified as Sn3PO 4F3. The crystals are rhombohedral and are unrelated to the parent hydroxyapatite.
Directory-based cache coherency protocol for a ring-connected multiprocessor-array

The main goal of this paper is to demonstrate that a multiporcessor with very fast point-to-point interconnection can be 10 times faster than a bus-based one. In this work, we presented a two-dimensional ring-connected system where the processing-nodes are arranged in rows and columns and interconnected through horizontal and vertical unidirectional 64-bit links (similar to the Illiac 4). After presenting the architecture for the processing-nodes, the pipelined feature of the network and the cache-coherency protocol, we discussed some implementation issues for the system. Using trace-driven simulation, some performance results for the new system and for a bus-based two-dimensional system (similar to the Wisconsin multicube) were presented to show the superiority of using point-to point interconnections instead of buses.
Functional kinds: a skeptical look

The functionalist approach to kinds has suffered recently due to its association with law-based approaches to induction and explanation. Philosophers of science increasingly view nomological methods as inappropriate for the special sciences like psychology and biology, which has led to a surge of interest in approaches to natural kinds that are more obviously compatible with mechanistic and model-based methods, especially homeostatic property cluster theory. But can the functionalist approach to kinds be weaned off its dependency on laws? Dan Weiskopf has recently offered a reboot of the functionalist program by replacing its nomological commitments with a model-based approach more closely derived from practice in psychology. Roughly, Weiskopf holds that the natural kinds of psychology will be the functional properties that feature in many empirically successful cognitive models, and that those properties need not be localizable to parts of an underlying mechanism. I here skeptically examine the three modeling practices that Weiskopf thinks introduce such non-localizable properties: fictionalization, reification, and functional abstraction. In each case, I argue that recognizing functional properties introduced by these practices as autonomous kinds comes at clear cost to those explanations’ counterfactual explanatory power. At each step, a tempting functionalist response is parochialism: to hold that the false or omitted counterfactuals fall outside the modeler’s explanatory aims, and so should not be counted against functional kinds. I conclude by noting the dangers this attitude poses to scientific disagreement, inviting functionalists to better articulate how the individuation conditions for functional kinds might outstrip the perspective of a single modeler.
A multivariate model for the analysis of sibship covariance structure using marker information and multiple quantitative traits

A model was developed to detect effects of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in sibships from simulated nuclear family data using the full covariance structure of the data and analyzing all five quantitative traits simultaneously in a multivariate model. Evidence of the presence of loci was detected on chromosomes 4, 8, 9, and 10. The method provided stable results and is worth further exploration for its performance and optimal sample size requirements under realistic conditions. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The role of electrode potential distribution in corrosion processes

Abstract The role of potential distribution inside cavities or recesses in a metal surface is discussed in the context of non-uniform corrosion rates where planar surfaces give way to pitted, cracked or porous surfaces or where planar surfaces contain crevices. The analysis uses the following concepts: (a) the aspect ratio (ratio of the depth to opening dimensions) of a cavity is an important factor in determining the electrode potential distribution into the cavity, and (b) since the aspect ratio is independent of the size of the cavity, large aspect ratios and hence large voltage differences ( IR drops) can exist within the smallest of cavities. The consequences of a wide distribution of electrode potential on the internal cavity surface are discussed in the context of (i) crevice corrosion, (ii) hydrogen charging from inside cavities during anodic polarization of their external surface, (iii) the role of surface diffusion in dealloying corrosion and (iv) the transition from metastable to stable pitting corrosion.
Introduction: The Ambivalence of Catastrophe

A catastrophe is a sudden upheaval. While the connotation of the original Greek word has always been negative (κατά means “down”), later uses of the term have emphasized its revolutionary quality (...
Performance Per Watt Benefits of Dynamic Core Morphing in Asymmetric Multicores

The trend toward multicore processors is moving the emphasis in computation from sequential to parallel processing. However, not all applications can be parallelized and benefit from multiple cores. Such applications lead to under-utilization of parallel resources, hence sub-optimal performance/watt. They may however, benefit from powerful uniprocessors. On the other hand, not all applications can take advantage of more powerful uniprocessors. To address competing requirements of diverse applications, we propose a heterogeneous multicore architecture with a Dynamic Core Morphing (DCM) capability. Depending on the computational demands of the currently executing applications, the resources of a few tightly coupled cores are morphed at runtime. We present a simple hardware-based algorithm to monitor the time-varying computational needs of the application and when deemed beneficial, trigger reconfiguration of the cores at fine-grain time scales to maximize the performance/watt of the application. The proposed dynamic scheme is then compared against a baseline static heterogeneous multicore configuration and an equivalent homogeneous configuration. Our results show that dynamic morphing of cores can provide performance/watt gains of 43% and 16% on an average, when compared to the homogeneous and baseline heterogeneous configurations, respectively.
Decentralized Control of a Class of Interconnected Systems

A design methodology is presented for decentralized control of a class of linear time-invariant interconnected systems. The Dual Generalized Hessenberg Representation is used to expose the internal structure of the system. This structure is then related to the characteristic polynomial of the composite system. Classical root locus provides the computational tool to carry out the design.
Parallel determination of enzyme activities and in vivo fluxes in Brassica napus embryos grown on organic or inorganic nitrogen source

After the completion of the genomic sequencing of model organisms, numerous post-genomic studies, integrating transcriptome and metabolome data, are aimed at developing a more complete understanding of cell physiology. Here, we measure in vivo metabolic fluxes by steady state labeling, and in parallel, the activity of enzymes in central metabolism in cultured developing embryos of Brassica napus. Embryos were grown on either the amino acids glutamine and alanine as an organic nitrogen source, or on ammonium nitrate as an inorganic nitrogen source. The type of nitrogen made available to developing embryos caused substantial differences in fluxes associated with the tricarboxylic acid cycle, including flux reversion. The changes observed in enzyme activity were not consistent with our estimates of metabolic flux. Furthermore, most extractable enzyme activities are in large surplus relative to the requirements for the observed in vivo fluxes. The results demonstrate that in this model system the metabolic response of central metabolism to changes in environmental conditions can be achieved largely without regulatory reprogramming of the enzyme machinery.
P-T-t conditions, Nd and Pb isotopic compositions and detrital zircon geochronology of the Massabesic Gneiss Complex, New Hampshire: Isotopic and metamorphic evidence for the identification of Gander basement, central New England

We present new evidence for the assignment of the Neoproterozoic Massabesic Gneiss Complex of New Hampshire to the Gander terrane rather than the Avalon terrane. The majority of Avalonian (sensu stricto) igneous and meta-igneous rocks as defined in Maritime Canada have positive whole-rock ɛNd compared to more negative values for Gander rocks, although there is a region of overlap in ɛNd between the two terranes. Our samples from areas in Connecticut previously thought to be Avalonian and samples from the Willimantic dome have the same isotopic signatures as Maritime Canada Avalon. In contrast, samples from the Clinton dome of southern Connecticut plots exclusively in the Gander field. The majority of the orthogneiss samples from Lyme dome (coastal Connecticut), Pelham dome (central Massachusetts) and Massabesic Gneiss Complex also plot in the Gander field, with a few samples plotting in the overlap zone between Gander and Avalon. U-Pb age distributions of detrital zircon populations from quartzites from the Massabesic Gneiss Complex more closely approximate the data from the Lyme Dome rather than Avalon. Additionally, the similarity of the P-T-t path for the rocks of the Massabesic Gneiss Complex (established by thermobarometry and 40Ar/39Ar dating of amphibole, muscovite, biotite and K-feldspar) with that established in the Ganderian Lyme dome of southern Connecticut strengthens the assignment of these rocks to a single Gander block that docked to Laurentia during the Salinic Orogeny. The identification of Ganderian isotopic signatures for these rocks all of which show evidence for Alleghanian metamorphism, supports the hypothesis that Neoproterozoic Gander lower crustal rocks underlie southern New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, and that all rocks of the overlying Central Maine trough that largely escaped high-grade Alleghanian metamorphism are allochthonous. We suggest that during the Alleghanian, the docking of Gondwana caused Avalon to wedge into Gander, metamorphosing and partially melting the Massabesic Gneiss Complex to the observed P-T-t conditions, with the complex forming an uplifted sheet that was back-thrusted over the Avalonian wedge.
An intelligent data mining system for drop test analysis of electronic products

Drop testing is one common method for systematically determining the reliability of portable electronic products under actual usage conditions. The process of drop testing, interpreting results, and implementing design improvements is knowledge-intensive and time-consuming, and requires a great many decisions and judgments on the part of the human designer. To decrease design cycles and, thereby, the time to market for new products, it is important to have a method for quickly and efficiently analyzing drop test results, predicting the effects of design changes, and determining the best design parameters. Recent advances in data mining have provided techniques for automatically discovering underlying knowledge from large amounts of experimental data. In this paper, an intelligent data mining system named decision tree expert (DTE) is presented and applied to drop testing analysis. The rule induction method in DTE is based on the C4.5 algorithm. In our preliminary experiments, concise and accurate conceptual design rules were successfully generated from drop test data after incorporation of domain knowledge from human experts. The data mining approach is a flexible one that can be applied to a number of complex design and manufacturing processes to reduce costs and improve productivity.
Embracing lossy: Sacrificing metadata to gain agility

Editor's Summary Borrowed from data encoding and compression, the concept of lossiness captures our ability to extract meaning despite a reduced set of data. Metadata are lossy representations of complete data and may be the solution to information overload, enabling agile response to urgent information needs. But library professionals and data curators, eager to preserve original data, tend to favor their own customized descriptions of content and may be reluctant to compromise by using the minimalist Dublin Core metadata vocabulary. By favoring unique descriptions and resisting adoption of common bibliographic metadata, they lose access to valuable open access data sources. A better approach is to enable access through shared metadata, embracing lossy and making vast stores of rich information resources available. InfoSynth, a prototype system, helps small digital libraries adapt their custom metadata, represent metadata including Dublin Core elements as RDF/XML triples and return trimmed down and normalized metadata-based descriptions in triple format. The use of a standard format facilitates sharing with other sources for enhanced information access.
A new liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry-based strategy to integrate chemistry, morphology, and evolution of eggplant (Solanum) species

Abstract This study presents a strategy based on repeatable reversed-phase LC–TOF-MS methods and statistical tools, including untargeted PCA and targeted PLS/OPLS-DA models, to analyze 31 accessions representing 24 species in the eggplant genus Solanum (Solanaceae), including eight species whose metabolic profiles were studied for the first time. Sixty-two Solanum metabolites were identified after detailed analysis of UV absorbance spectra, mass spectral fragmentation patterns, NMR spectra, and/or co-injection experiments with authentic standards. Among these were two new 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid derivatives that were identified by analyzing their MS/MS fragmentation. Based on these results, a Solanum metabolic database (SMD) and a detailed biosynthetic pathway of Solanum metabolites were created. Results of analyses identified seven marker metabolites that distinguish four Solanum sections, and revealed species-specific chemical patterns. Combining LC–MS data with multivariate statistical analysis was proven effective in studying the metabolic network within the large genus Solanum, allowing for integration of complicated chemistry, morphology, and evolutionary relationships.
Deficient synthesis of glutathione underlies oxidative stress in aging and can be corrected by dietary cysteine and glycine supplementation

Background: Aging is associated with oxidative stress, but underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Objective: We tested whether glutathione deficiency occurs because of diminished synthesis and contributes to oxidative stress in aging and whether stimulating glutathione synthesis with its precursors cysteine and glycine could alleviate oxidative stress. Design: Eight elderly and 8 younger subjects received stable-isotope infusions of [2H2]glycine, after which red blood cell (RBC) glutathione synthesis and concentrations, plasma oxidative stress, and markers of oxidant damage (eg, F2-isoprostanes) were measured. Elderly subjects were restudied after 2 wk of glutathione precursor supplementation. Results: Compared with younger control subjects, elderly subjects had markedly lower RBC concentrations of glycine (486.7 ± 28.3 compared with 218.0 ± 23.7 μmol/L; P < 0.01), cysteine (26.2 ± 1.4 compared with 19.8 ± 1.3 μmol/L; P < 0.05), and glutathione (2.08 ± 0.12 compared with 1.12 ± 0.18 mmol/L RBCs; P < 0.05); lower glutathione fractional (83.14 ± 6.43% compared with 45.80 ± 5.69%/d; P < 0.01) and absolute (1.73 ± 0.16 compared with 0.55 ± 0.12 mmol/L RBCs per day; P < 0.01) synthesis rates; and higher plasma oxidative stress (304 ± 16 compared with 346 ± 20 Carratelli units; P < 0.05) and plasma F2-isoprostanes (97.7 ± 8.3 compared with 136.3 ± 11.3 pg/mL; P < 0.05). Precursor supplementation in elderly subjects led to a 94.6% higher glutathione concentration, a 78.8% higher fractional synthesis rate, a 230.9% higher absolute synthesis rate, and significantly lower plasma oxidative stress and F2-isoprostanes. No differences in these measures were observed between younger subjects and supplemented elderly subjects. Conclusions: Glutathione deficiency in elderly humans occurs because of a marked reduction in synthesis. Dietary supplementation with the glutathione precursors cysteine and glycine fully restores glutathione synthesis and concentrations and lowers levels of oxidative stress and oxidant damages. These findings suggest a practical and effective approach to decreasing oxidative stress in aging.
Herpetic tracheobronchitis detected at bronchoscopy: Cytologic diagnosis by the immunoperoxidase method

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection of the respiratory tract requires rapid specific diagnosis to avoid late complications and maximize the efficacy of available drug therapy. We report a method of accomplishing this that was tested in 33 cytologic specimens derived from sputum, washings, or brushings from 25 debilitated elderly males suffering from a variety of underlying neoplastic and nonneoplastic chronic diseases. All specimens had shown either single cells (54%), multinucleated groups (8%), or both (38%); they displayed the ground-glass appearance (86%), discrete nuclear inclusions (4%), or both (10%), as appreciated by the Papanicolaou stain. The specimens were processed by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique utilizing anti-HSV-1 antibody and 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) as the chromogen. In six cases, aminoethylcarbazol (AEC) was used for comparison. Twenty-nine of the 33 specimens (88%) stained positively for HSV-1 as did control sections of herpetic encephalitis and esophagitis; there were no false positives with appropriate negative controls. All 12 bronchoscopic specimens revealed virocytes with HSV immunopositivity; in contrast, 17 of 21 (80%) sputum specimens were positive for HSV. The strongest positivity was noted in bronchial brushings and washings whereas the only four negative smears were from sputum specimens. The DAB immunostain was coarser and stronger at the periphery of the cytoplasm, and the hematoxylin counterstain permitted a clear identification of nuclear viral changes. With AEC, the immunostain was more vivid and evenly distributed, but counterstaining was impaired due to the greater solubility of the chromogen. The technique is sensitive, reproducible, and less expensive and time-consuming than electron microscopy (EM) or viral cultures.
Concatenation of Functional Test Subsequences for Improved Fault Coverage and Reduced Test Length

Functional test sequences have several advantages over structural tests when they are applied at-speed. A large pool of functional test sequences may be available for a circuit due to the application of a simulation-based design verification process. This paper describes a versatile procedure that uses a pool of functional test sequences as a basis for forming a single compact functional test sequence that achieves the same or higher gate-level fault coverage than the given pool. The procedure extracts test subsequences from the test sequences in the pool and concatenates them to form a single test sequence. It also employs an enhanced static test compaction process aimed at improving the fault coverage in addition to reducing the test sequence length.
ω-limit sets for maps of the interval

Let f denote a continuous map of a compact interval to itself, P(f) the set of periodic points of f and Λ(f) the set of ω-limit points of f. Sarkovskǐi has shown that Λ(f) is closed, and hence ⊆Λ(f), and Nitecki has shown that if f is piecewise monotone, then Λ(f)=. We prove that if x∈Λ(f)−, then the set of ω-limit points of x is an infinite minimal set. This result provides the inspiration for the construction of a map f for which Λ(f)≠.
Prenatal choline availability modulates hippocampal neurogenesis and neurogenic responses to enriching experiences in adult female rats

Increased dietary intake of choline early in life improves performance of adult rats on memory tasks and prevents their age-related memory decline. Because neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus also declines with age, we investigated whether prenatal choline availability affects hippocampal neurogenesis in adult Sprague-Dawley rats and modifies their neurogenic response to environmental stimulation. On embryonic days (ED) 12-17, pregnant rats ate a choline-supplemented (SUP-5 g/kg), choline sufficient (SFF-1.1 g/kg), or choline-free (DEF) semisynthetic diet. Adult offspring either remained in standard housing or were given 21 daily visits to explore a maze. On the last ten exploration days, all rats received daily injections of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU, 100 mg/kg). The number of BrdU+ cells was significantly greater in the dentate gyrus in SUP rats compared to SFF or DEF rats. While maze experience increased the number of BrdU+ cells in SFF rats to the level seen in the SUP rats, this enriching experience did not alter cell proliferation in DEF rats. Similar patterns of cell proliferation were obtained with immunohistochemical staining for neuronal marker doublecortin, confirming that diet and exploration affected hippocampal neurogenesis. Moreover, hippocampal levels of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were increased in SUP rats as compared to SFF and DEF animals. We conclude that prenatal choline intake has enduring effects on adult hippocampal neurogenesis, possibly via up-regulation of BDNF levels, and suggest that these alterations of neurogenesis may contribute to the mechanism of life-long changes in cognitive function governed by the availability of choline during gestation.
Postbuckling behavior of selected curved stiffened graphite-epoxy panels loaded in axial compression

Results of an experimental and analytical study of the postbuckling behavior of selected curved stiffened graphite-epoxy panels loaded in axial compression are presented. The postbuckling response and failure characteristics of the panels are described. Each panel had four equally-spaced I-shaped stiffeners and 16-ply quasi-isotropic skins. Panels with three different stiffener spacings were tested. Failure of all panels initiated in a skin-stiffener interface region. Analytical results from a nonlinear general shell finite element analysis computer code correlate well with typical postbuckling test results up to failure. The analytical modeling detail necessary to predict accurately the response of the panel is described. Measured initial geometric imperfections were included in the postbuckling analysis.
The use of maximum a posteriori and maximum likelihood transmission images for attenuation correction in PET

An algorithm for approximating the maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimate of transmission images is proposed. Attenuation correction factors can be formed from these images by reprojecting, sign-inverting and exponentiating them. The authors evaluate the quality of emission images of the myocardium as quantified by the average bias and variance for attenuation correction factors formed from unprocessed transmission scans, smoothed transmission scans. MAP images, and maximum-likelihood (ML) images. The MAP and ML methods yield emission images with significantly lower bias and variance than the other two methods. Moreover, they are relatively insensitive to the correction for accidental coincidences. >
Gendered Power Dynamics in Intentional Communities

Using network data from 40 groups, we examine the effect of social context on the gendering of power relations. By modeling reported data on power relations as the result of a stochastic response process that may be gendered, we examine how this gendering is related to group-level contextual factors. We find that much of what appears to be a gendering of the way in which power relations are perceived, namely that women tend to stress equality in relationships more strongly than men, is actually due to their structural position, although women increase their propensity to stress equality when the balance of power between the genders is structurally anomalous.
Determinants of the Natural History of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection

Variation in the time to AIDS and duration of survival of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)1 ‐ infected persons was recognized early in the epidemic. Recent studies have indicated that the rate of viral replication, as manifest by the number of copies of HIV RNA per milliliter of plasma, is a major determinant of outcome in an infected person. The predictive power of the measurement of plasma HIV RNA copy number is enhanced by combining this result with the CD4 lymphocyte number. The determinants of the rate of viral replication are less clearly defined. Recent studies suggest that polymorphism of the chemokine receptors, required for cellular infection, plays a role in regulating the rate of viral replication. The subsequent adaptive evolution of HIV-1 to the host’s immune response is a consequence of this dynamic of the virus. Complicating opportunistic infections also appear to enhance HIV-1 replication, while antiviral therapy, in contrast, can and does suppress viral replication.
Performance and Perceptions in an Online, Distributed Environment: Effects of Collaborative versus Individual Activities

This study compares participant perceptions of and performance in individual and collaborative activities using an emergent online learning tool with a variety of sophisticated features, including the ability to move dynamically between individual and collaborative participation. Study findings indicate that when engaging in online learning activities, participating in collaborative activities leads to more favorable attitudes toward the experience as well as higher levels of perceived learning than engaging in individual activities. Further, the average quality of responses on collaborative activities is higher than average responses on individual activities. Implications for future use of online, distributed learning tools are discussed along with implications for related future research.
Entrepreneurship education for youth in sub-Saharan Africa: A capabilities approach as an alternative framework to neoliberalism’s individualizing risks:

Entrepreneurship education is widely promoted as an approach to addressing youth unemployment. Contrasting neoliberal and human capabilities frameworks, this article draws attention to the problema...
Three‐dimensionai temperature and current distribution in a battery module

A method for treating three-dimensional current and temperature distributions in large-scale battery modules is described. Simulations are presented for a module consisting of cells formed with a lithium metal anode, a polymer electrolyte, and a vanadium oxide cathode. The calculations illustrate the nonlinear dependence of power output on system temperature, which for the investigated lithium-polymer battery module is determined primarily by the influence of temperature on the electrochemical reaction rates and ionic conductivity. An appendix is devoted to the estimation of physicochemical parameters, some of which are not available from the current literature, but are nonetheless important model inputs.
Stability of acyclic multiclass queueing networks

In this paper we study multiclass queueing networks with fluid arrival streams and service processes. Assuming that the arrival rate does not exceed the network capacity, we deduce stability of the network using the tools of ergodic theory. We show that the distributions of the process converge to a unique steady state value and that convergence takes place at a geometric rate under appropriate moment conditions. >
On exfoliation corrosion of alloy 2060 T8E30 in an aggressive acid environment

Abstract In this study, we investigated exfoliation corrosion (EFC) of the alloy 2060 T3E80 in an aggressive solution, namely EXCO. The pH value increased from 0.25 at the initial time point to 3.45 after 96 h of testing. In Stage 1 (0.25
An analysis of "dignity".

The word “dignity” is frequently used both in clinical and philosophical discourse when referring to and describing the ideal conditions of the patient's treatment, particularly the dying patient. An exploration of the variety of meanings associated with the word dignity will note dignity's ambiguous usage and reveal instrumental concepts needed to better understand the discourse of the dying. When applied to a critique of recent and contemporary criticisms of the medical community's handling of the dying, such concepts might provide a more coherent notion of dignity. Rather than a separate construct, a death with dignity might be viewed as an interactive process among the dying and their caretakers. Together, this interdependent amalgam engages in humanizing communication aimed toward understanding the final needs and wants of the patient.
Influence of Flow Dynamics on The Morphology of CVD Aluminum Thin Films

Aluminum thin films were deposited by chemical vapor deposition on SiO2 substrates using trimethylamine alane (TMAA) in a low pressure CVD reactor system. A high TMAA flow rate during deposition, combined with an initial burst of added argon during the nucleation of the substrate surface resulted in the growth of aluminum thin films with excellent purity and surface morphologies. Film resistivities averaged 3.4 μΩ-cm, and the average surface peak-to-valley height for each film was found to be <4% of the film thickness. The surfaces of films with thicknesses of ≤ 1 μm were extremely smooth and reflective. In contrast, the use of a high alane flow rate in the absence of any added argon resulted in the growth of films with extremely textured surface morphologies. Furthermore, films grown using an argon carrier gas, but with a slow alane flow rate, exhibited both textured surface morphologies and whisker growth.
Parametric Integration Techniques

(1989). Parametric Integration Techniques. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 62, No. 5, pp. 318-322.
Legislator Wealth and the Effort to Repeal the Estate Tax

We relate legislators’ financial assets to their roll call voting on, and cosponsorship of, legislation to permanently repeal or significantly reduce the Estate Tax in the 109th Congress. Even after accounting for legislators’ party affiliations, their global opinions about taxation, and their constituents’ opinions about the Estate Tax, together with other confounding factors, we find that wealthier legislators were more likely to vote for and cosponsor bills to reduce and repeal the Estate Tax.
Novel insights about the MDM2/MDM4 heterodimer

MDM2 (mouse double minute 2 homolog) and MDM4 (double minute 4 human homolog, also known as MDMX) inhibit the activity of tumor protein p53 (TP53, best known as p53) through their heterodimerization. New evidence indicates that under stress conditions the heterodimer is modified, leading to different activities of the single molecules. In particular, following lethal DNA damage, MDM2 and MDM4 dissociate and MDM4 promotes the stabilization of homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) and the phosphorylation of p53, resulting in transcriptional repression of antiapoptotic targets of p53/HIPK2.
Conclusion: Global Migrants in Provincial England

Violence and other expressions of hostility have punctuated the history of migrants to Britain. These traumatic events have haunted historical memory: their acknowledgement constituted an important step towards making Britain’s history and its multicultural society whole. This work has sought to recover for the past, present and future an alternative, usable historical legacy of inclusion, integration and cultural exchange. Reconstructing migration to, from and through South Shields between 1841 and 1939 debunks views of more recent migrants as disruptive to a mythically harmonious, static and homogeneous society. Instead, investigating migrants’ relations with other migrants and native Britons reveals South Shields’ population remained fluid and its culture protean in the century before 1939.
Feasibility of Virtual Reality for Assessment of Neurocognitive, Executive, and Motor Functions in Concussion

The purpose of the research presented in this chapter is to investigate if virtual reality (VR) neurocognitive, executive, and motor function assessment tools are susceptible to practice and fatigue effects similar to those currently used in a clinical practice. Fifteen athletically active and neurologically normal Penn State students participated in a VR “practice effect” study. Another 15 Penn State football players participated in an “effect of fatigue” study on neurocognitive, balance, and executive functions. Subjects performed VR tests on several occasions. The statistical analysis was conducted to examine the VR measures as a function of testing session (practice effect) and physical fatigue (prior to and after full contact practices). The number and type of the full contacts during the practices were assessed via a specially developed observational chart. There are several major findings of interest. First, all subjects reported the “sense of presence” and “significant mental effort” while performing the VR tests. Second, neither effect of testing day (p > 0.05) nor effect of VR testing modality (p > 0.05) was revealed by ANOVA. Third, physical fatigue did not influence the VR measures in the majority of football players under study (p > 0.05). However, there was a reduction in several VR performance measures in football players who sustained prior concussive injuries. The findings show that VR testing modalities implemented in this study and aimed to evaluate neurocognitive (spatial memory, attention), motor (balance), and executive functions may be used as a complementary tool in a clinical practice. VR testing modalities under laboratory conditions are easily transferable into field conditions, and can potentially be used as the side-line evaluation of subjects at risk for concussion.
PERFORM: Perceptual Approach for Adding OCEAN Personality to Human Motion Using Laban Movement Analysis

A major goal of research on virtual humans is the animation of expressive characters that display distinct psychological attributes. Body motion is an effective way of portraying different personalities and differentiating characters. The purpose and contribution of this work is to describe a formal, broadly applicable, procedural, and empirically grounded association between personality and body motion and apply this association to modify a given virtual human body animation that can be represented by these formal concepts. Because the body movement of virtual characters may involve different choices of parameter sets depending on the context, situation, or application, formulating a link from personality to body motion requires an intermediate step to assist generalization. For this intermediate step, we refer to Laban Movement Analysis, which is a movement analysis technique for systematically describing and evaluating human motion. We have developed an expressive human motion generation system with the help of movement experts and conducted a user study to explore how the psychologically validated OCEAN personality factors were perceived in motions with various Laban parameters. We have then applied our findings to procedurally animate expressive characters with personality, and validated the generalizability of our approach across different models and animations via another perception study.
Wealth and Inequality in the Stability of Romantic Relationships

The family is a key institution that transmits inequality, and racial and socioeconomic inequalities in family life have grown markedly. We use data from the 1996 to 2008 panels of the Survey of Income and Program Participation to offer a comprehensive account of how wealth relates to family stability and how that relationship varies by union type, age cohort, and both type and amount of wealth. We find that liquid and illiquid assets and secured debts are associated with a decrease in the likelihood of dissolution, and that large unsecured debts are associated with an increase. These associations do not differ significantly for married and cohabiting couples. We find evidence of both the material and the symbolic importance of wealth for stability. We also find that wealth explains a significant degree of the racial inequality in family stability.
Assessment and Management of Progressive Skin Involvement in Diffuse Scleroderma

Treatment of skin disease in scleroderma requires detailed assessment of its stage or chronology and extent using the modified Rodnan skin score (MRSS) method. Subsequent phenotype classification into either the diffuse or limited forms of systemic sclerosis then permits determination of optimal therapy. At this time, immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive therapy shows relatively modest benefits in the skin. While immunoablation followed by autologous stem cell transplantation in the case of progressive early diffuse scleroderma with either pulmonary or renal complications appears to confer significant survival benefit, its risks are thought to outweigh its benefits in patients without serious extra-dermal involvement. A number of biologic therapies targeting different pathologic mediators appear promising in early trials. Gene expression biomarkers in the skin may be more sensitive to change than the traditional MRSS, but require additional validation before they replace the MRSS. Clinicians are encouraged to enroll patients with progressive skin involvement in clinical trials.
Multilevel models in health outcomes research: Part II: Statistical and analytic issues

Health outcomes research often involves analysis of data that are nested within hierarchical groups, such as patients or nurses in hospitals. An example is study of the outcomes for nurses and patients with HIV/AIDS of hospital care on dedicated AIDS units or conventional units (Aiken, Lake, Sochalski, & Sloane, 1997). The sample comprised 1,304 patients and 687 nurses from two nursing units in each of 20 hospitals. This hierarchical data structure poses serious methodological issues that challenge the assumptions of traditional data analysis methods. A fundamental problem is that clustered observations are not independent. Recall that an assumption of parametric statistics is that observations are independent. The dependency of observations in the same context can lead to misestimated standard errors. A second problem is that traditional regression methods are limited in their ability to model response and effect variables: Only one level can be modeled in one regression. It is well known, however, that the analysis of variables on any of these levels separately can be misleading. These two methodological issues and statistical approaches that address them are described below. Several excellent resources are available to guide the researcher in designs and analyses to address multilevel research questions (Cho, 2003; Park & Lake, 2005; Wu, 1995).
Anomalously large complete stress drop during the 2016 Mw 5.2 Borrego Springs earthquake inferred by waveform modeling and near-source aftershock deficit

The 2016 M_w 5.2 Borrego Springs earthquake occurred in the trifurcation area of the San Jacinto Fault Zone and generated more than 23,000 aftershocks. We analyze source properties of this earthquake along with 12,487 precisely located aftershock hypocenters to obtain an unusually detailed view of the rupture process and energy budget for this moderate earthquake. Source time functions are obtained using an empirical Green's function approach and are inverted for a slip distribution on the fault plane. The rupture propagated unilaterally to the northwest over a distance of 1.8 km, resulting in clear directivity signals. Two asperities are identified and the maximum slip is 2.54 m, resulting in a static stress drop of 78.2 MPa. Over 97% of the aftershocks occur more than 1 rupture length from the slip area. We conclude that the Borrego Springs earthquake had a complete stress drop and estimate the seismic efficiency to be 15–26%.
Using a Summer REU to Help Develop the Next Generation of Mathematical Ecologists

Understanding the complexities of environmental issues requires individuals to bring together ideas and data from different disciplines, including ecology and mathematics. With funding from the national science foundation (NSF), scientists from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and the US geological survey held a research experience for undergraduates (REU) program in the summer of 2016. The goals of the program were to expose students to open problems in the area of mathematical ecology, motivate students to pursue STEM-related positions, and to prepare students for research within interdisciplinary, collaborative settings. Based on backgrounds and interests, eight students were selected to participate in one of two research projects: wind energy and wildlife conservation or the establishment and spread of waterfowl diseases. Each research program was overseen by a mathematician and a biologist. Regardless of the research focus, the program first began with formal lectures to provide students with foundational knowledge followed by student-driven research projects. Throughout this period, student teams worked in close association with their mentors to create, parameterize and evaluate ecological models to better understand their systems of interest. Students then disseminated their results at local, regional, and international meetings and through publications (one in press and one in progress). Direct and indirect measures of student development revealed that our REU program fostered a deep appreciation for and understanding of mathematical ecology. Finally, the program allowed students to gain experiences working with individuals with different backgrounds and perspectives. Taken together, this REU program allowed us to successfully excite, motivate and prepare students for future positions in the area of mathematical biology, and because of this it can be used as a model for interdisciplinary programs at other institutions.
Learn to Conserve: The Effects of In-School Energy Education on At-Home Electricity Consumption

Abstract Environmental education for school students, including lessons on recycling, water conservation, and energy reduction, is a popular measure aimed at increasing environmental knowledge, promoting environmental attitudes, and increasing pro-environmental behaviors. Despite the prevalence of such education, there is little empirical evidence to support the efficacy of these programs on tangible outcomes outside of school. This paper contributes an empirical analysis of a series of energy lessons in the United States. Using a differences-in-differences approach with a rich panel data set, we find evidence for short-term reductions on the order of eight percent in electricity use the day of a lesson regarding energy conservation via reducing phantom electric loads (standby power), with evidence of deferment in electricity use rather than true conservation. We find no effect of lessons on energy pathways or wind energy on the days of the lessons. Despite limited evidence of conservation, our results do indicate a connection between lessons learned in school and measurable behavior at home. Importantly, this research indicates that energy education could be a potentially valuable tool for policy regarding energy conservation and efficiency, though future research is needed to optimize the timing and content of such lessons.
Reliability and validity of the Functional Status Questionnaire

The Functional Status Questionnaire (FSQ) originally was developed to allow the comprehensive and efficient assessment of physical, psychosocial, social, and role functioning in ambulatory patients. It is a self-administered survey that takes approximately 15 min to complete and can be scored to produce a one-page report for clinicians to use in their practices. It has been translated into Swedish, French, and German. Since the FSQ was first published, it has been used in a variety of other settings, including assessment of the impact of variations in hospital practice patterns, the study of relationships between hospital processes of care and outcomes, and other applications, including randomized controlled trials of pharmaceuticals. In this paper we provide selected data on the reliability and validity of the FSQ in different populations. Many of the data are from previously published studies. However, because of the emphasis of this issue of Quality of Life Research, we also present new data from two large studies of persons over the age of 65.
125 I Decay in Microorganisms: A Prokaryotic Model System for Examining the Role of Unrepaired Double-Strand DNA Breaks in Cell Killing

Iodine-125, when incorporated into the DNA of microorganisms as iododeoxyuridine, has been demonstrated to induce double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) with approximately 100% efficiency when it undergoes radioactive decay. In the biological dose range approximately 2/3 of these breaks are repaired in a wild type (rec+) strain of E. coli K12, but none are repaired in the corresponding recombination deficient (recA) strain. Each unrepaired DSB appears to produce a lethal event in either strain. Survival experiments imply that maximum repair of DSBs in rec+ cells can occur in the presence of only a single genome per cell and therefore does not require a recombi-national event. However, experiments with 125I-labelled small intracellular closed circular DNA mulecules (super-infecting phage λ, MW=33×106d) demonstrate no repair of decay-induced DSBs, suggesting that the superstructure of the large cellular chromosome plays an important role in the repair of DSBs, even in the absence of recombination.
Modular forms on G 2 and their Standard L -Function

The purpose of this partly expository paper is to give an introduction to modular forms on G2. We do this by focusing on two aspects of G2 modular forms. First, we discuss the Fourier expansion of modular forms, following work of Gan-Gross-Savin and the author. Then, following Gurevich-Segal and Segal, we discuss a Rankin-Selberg integral yielding the standard L-function of modular forms on G2. As a corollary of the analysis of this Rankin-Selberg integral, one obtains a Dirichlet series for the standard L-function of G2 modular forms; this involves the arithmetic invariant theory of cubic rings. We end by analyzing the archimedean zeta integral that arises from the Rankin-Selberg integral when the cusp form is an even weight modular form.