cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison between polar covalent bonding and hypervalent recoupled pair bonding in diatomic chalcogen halide species {O,S,Se} × {F,Cl,Br}

The 2Π ground states and low-lying 4Σ– excited states of the nine diatomic species formed by combining O, S, or Se with F, Cl, or Br were characterized with multireference configuration interaction calculations in order to compare and contrast the behaviour of the bonding in these two states of the chalcogen halides. For each of these species, the 2Π ground state is polar covalently bound via simple singlet coupling of unpaired electrons on each atom. But for each compound there is also a bound 4Σ– state where bond formation requires recoupling the valence p 2 pair of electrons on the chalcogen atom. This mode of bonding makes more electrons available for additional bond formation and is the basis of hypercoordination. The behaviour of S and Se differs significantly from that of O. Although the hypervalent 4Σ– states of the diatomic chalcogen halides are bound for all three elements, the O species are only weakly bound and exhibit minimal recoupling compared with the corresponding S and Se compounds.
On Jastrow wavefunctions containing attractive correlations

Abstract A quantum mechanical explanation is given in support of the form of Jastrow wavefunction introduced by De Michelis and Reatto. We propose a new, simpler wavefunction which has the correct long-range behaviour.
Stimulation of the thyroid gland of a teleost fish, Gillichthys mirabilis, by tetrapod pituitary glycoprotein hormones.

Abstract 1. 1. Thyrotropins and gonadotropins purified from representatives of each tetrapod class and subunits of the mammalian hormones were tested for their ability to stimulate acute in vivo thyroxine release in a teleost fish. 2. 2. All intact hormones showed significant, intrinsic thyrotropic activity in this fish; subunits were inactive. 3. 3. Gonadotropins and thyrotropins capable of stimulating the teleost thyroid are therefore found in all tetrapod classes. 4. 4. Independent evolution of teleost fish has apparently led to an unusual situation in which the thyroid receptors for glycoprotein hormones are unable to distinguish between these structurally similar molecules from heterologous species.
BAYESIAN OPTIMAL BLENDING AND CREDIBLE INTERVAL ESTIMATION FOR SATELLITE AND GROUND RAINFALL OBSERVATIONS

This paper introduces a Bayesian approach to blending rainfall observations from both satellite remote sensing and ground rain gauges and to estimating errors of the blended data in terms of credible interval. The Bayesian posterior estimate (BPE) approach treats one observation as prior information and uses another observation as likelihood function information and as a correction. The BPE is an alternative to the minimum mean square estimate (MMSE) approach, also known as the least square approach. The posterior estimate outputs a probability density function (PDF), while the MMSE approach yields only an estimated mean and mean square error (MSE). When a diffusive rain rate model is assumed, the sampling errors of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite and a regular array of ground rain gauges are calculated under assumptions of idealized conditions: homogenous statistical properties of the rain rate, and flush visits of TRMM approximately twice a day. The optimal blend of the TRMM and...
Maltreated children's reports of relatedness to their teachers.

Maltreated children's relationships with their teachers provide information about the coherence, role, and function of alternative or secondary attachments.
Migration and gender among Mexican women.

Despite their importance to women's empowerment and migrant adaptation more generally, the social and cultural processes that determine how gender relations and expectations evolve during the process of migration remain poorly understood. In this article, data from a survey conducted in Durham, North Carolina and four sending communities in Mexico are used to examine how the structures of labor, power, and emotional attachments within the family vary by migration and U.S. residency, women's human capital endowments, household characteristics, and social support. Using both quantitative and qualitative information, the main finding of the study is that the association between migration and gender relations is not uniform across different gender dimensions. The reconstruction of gender relations within the family at the place of destination is a dynamic process in which some elements brought from communities of origin are discarded, others are modified, and still others are reinforced. Results challenge the...
Immunoreactivity in Limulus: III. Morphological and biochemical studies of FMRFamide‐like immunoreactivity and colocalized substance P‐like immunoreactivity in the brain and lateral eye

FMRFamide-like immunoreactivity (FLI) and the colocalization of FMRFamide and subtance P-like (SPLI) immunoreactivities were examined in the brain and lateral eye of the horseshoe crab with FITC- and TRITC- labeled secondary antibody techniques. In the brain, fibers with FLI were localized in the neuropils of the lamina, medulla, central body, corpus pedunculatum, optic tract, circumesophageal connective, and central neuropil. An extensive network of reactive fibers innervates the brain's vascular sheath. Somata with FLI were found in the dorsal medial group, dorsal lateral posterior groups #1 and #2, and ventral posterior lateral groups #1 and #2. Several distinct subgroups of reactive somata were noted in both the medullar and ventral medial groups. The distribution of fibers in the brain with colocalized FLI and SPLI includes those which innervate the vascular sheath and widespread populations of small-diameter beaded fibers in the central neuropil and circumesophageal connective. Somata with colocalized FLI and SPLI constitute minority populations in the medullar and dorsal medial groups but form the majority population of a subgroup in the ventral medial group. Overall localization of SPLI was reevaluated and is reported here according to the nomenclature of the new Chamberlain and Wyse brain atlas. In addition to those previously reported, somata with SPLI were found in the dorsal lateral posterior groups #1 and #2, the ventral lateral posterior groups #1 and #2, and several distinct subgroups of the medial and ventral medial groups. In the retina of the lateral eye, fibers with both FLI and SPLI ramify in the lateral plexus and ultimately innervate the corneal epidermis. Brain homogenates were examined for immunoreactive (ir) FMRFamide and ir–substance P with radioimmunoassay techniques. Ir-FMRFamide and ir–substance P eluted in different fractions from both gel filtration chromatography and HPLC. Furthermore, the binding curves for both substances were similar to those of the corresponding synthetic compounds. Brain homogenates were also bioassayed on the lateral eye. Three gel filtration fractions mimic natural circadian activity by increasing the sensitivity of the lateral eye, but they were not coincident with ir-FMRFamide or ir–substance P. Although it is not completely resolved what the active molecules in these fractions are, it is clear that neither ir-FMRFamide nor ir–substance P is a possible candidate.
An evolutionary analysis of cAMP-specific Phosphodiesterase 4 alternative splicing

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) hydrolyze the intracellular second messengers: cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanine monophosphate (cGMP). The cAMP-specific PDE family 4 (PDE4) is widely expressed in vertebrates. Each of the four PDE4 gene isoforms (PDE4 A-D) undergo extensive alternative splicing via alternative transcription initiation sites, producing unique amino termini and yielding multiple splice variant forms from each gene isoform termed long, short, super-short and truncated super-short. Many species across the vertebrate lineage contain multiple splice variants of each gene type, which are characterized by length and amino termini. A phylogenetic approach was used to visualize splice variant form genesis and identify conserved splice variants (genome conservation with EST support) across the vertebrate taxa. Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenetic inference indicated PDE4 gene duplication occurred at the base of the vertebrate lineage and reveals additional gene duplications specific to the teleost lineage. Phylogenetic inference and PDE4 splice variant presence, or absence as determined by EST screens, were further supported by the genomic analysis of select vertebrate taxa. Two conserved PDE4 long form splice variants were found in each of the PDE4A, PDE4B, and PDE4C genes, and eight conserved long forms from the PDE4 D gene. Conserved short and super-short splice variants were found from each of the PDE4A, PDE4B, and PDE4 D genes, while truncated super-short variants were found from the PDE4C and PDE4 D genes. PDE4 long form splice variants were found in all taxa sampled (invertebrate through mammals); short, super-short, and truncated super-short are detected primarily in tetrapods and mammals, indicating an increasing complexity in both alternative splicing and cAMP metabolism through vertebrate evolution. There was a progressive independent incorporation of multiple PDE4 splice variant forms and amino termini, increasing PDE4 proteome complexity from primitive vertebrates to humans. While PDE4 gene isoform duplicates with limited alternative splicing were found in teleosts, an expansion of both PDE4 splice variant forms, and alternatively spliced amino termini predominantly occurs in mammals. Since amino termini have been linked to intracellular targeting of the PDE4 enzymes, the conservation of amino termini in PDE4 splice variants in evolution highlights the importance of compartmentalization of PDE4-mediated cAMP hydrolysis.
Antimony-based III-V materials grown by OMVPE for thermophotovoltaics and lasers

This paper discusses recent advances in organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE) growth of GaInAsSb and AlGaAsSb alloys, with a particular emphasis on identifying growth conditions that lead to improvements in material quality and heterostructure growth. Furthermore, the performance of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) devices, distributed Bragg reflectors, and quantum-well diode lasers based on GaInAsSb/AlGaAsSb/GaSb heterostructures is described.
Activation of Natural Killer T Cells by α-Galactosylceramide Rapidly Induces the Full Maturation of Dendritic Cells In Vivo and Thereby Acts as an Adjuvant for Combined CD4 and CD8 T Cell Immunity to a Coadministered Protein

The maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) allows these antigen-presenting cells to initiate immunity. We pursued this concept in situ by studying the adjuvant action of α-galactosylceramide (αGalCer) in mice. A single i.v. injection of glycolipid induced the full maturation of splenic DCs, beginning within 4 h. Maturation was manifest by marked increases in costimulator and major histocompatibility complex class II expression, interferon (IFN)-γ production, and stimulation of the mixed leukocyte reaction. These changes were not induced directly by αGalCer but required natural killer T (NKT) cells acting independently of the MyD88 adaptor protein. To establish that DC maturation was responsible for the adjuvant role of αGalCer, mice were given αGalCer together with soluble or cell-associated ovalbumin antigen. Th1 type CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses developed, and the mice became resistant to challenge with ovalbumin-expressing tumor. DCs from mice given ovalbumin plus adjuvant, but not the non-DCs, stimulated ovalbumin-specific proliferative responses and importantly, induced antigen-specific, IFN-γ producing, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells upon transfer into naive animals. In the latter instance, immune priming did not require further exposure to ovalbumin, αGalCer, NKT, or NK cells. Therefore a single dose of αGalCer i.v. rapidly stimulates the full maturation of DCs in situ, and this accounts for the induction of combined Th1 CD4+ and CD8+ T cell immunity to a coadministered protein.
The Effect of Local Sea Surface Temperatures on Atmospheric Circulation over the Tropical Atlantic Sector

The effects of tropical Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies on atmospheric circulation are examined by analyzing several ensembles of integrations of an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) forced with differently configured SSTs. An attempt is made to separate the atmospheric response to local SST forcing from internal atmospheric variability, using various statistical analyses. The analyses reveal a robust pattern of atmospheric response to SST forcing. The dominant response is largely confined within the tropical Atlantic sector and may be associated with the variation in location and intensity of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) in response to changes in SST gradient near the equator. Within the deep Tropics, particularly in the western tropical Atlantic warm pool region, there is an indication of a positive feedback between surface heat flux and SST anomalies. In this warm SST region, the latent heat flux tends to dominate surface heat flux variability, and the positive feedback takes place between the wind-induced flux and SST. Outside the deep Tropics, surface heat flux generally tends to dampen the SST, indicating a negative feedback. A strong negative feedback is found off the coast of west Saharan Africa, where the mean SST is cold and the surface heat flux variability is largely induced by the air‐sea temperature difference. The forced response exhibits a seasonal dependence. The structure throughout the year bears a close resemblance to the winter pattern, suggesting that the anomalies during the boreal winter contribute to much of the year-to-year variability in the tropical Atlantic sector. An ENSO-like response in the tropical Atlantic is also identified. It appears as the second dominant forced response and has its strongest manifestation during the boreal fall. By comparing the responses of different sets of ensemble experiments, it is found that the dominant near-surface atmospheric response in the tropical Atlantic sector primarily comes from the local SST forcing. A significant remote influence of the Pacific ENSO on the tropical Atlantic variability is also noted. The strongest remote influence from the tropical Pacific occurs during the boreal spring. The companion paper by Saravanan and Chang further explores the effect of ENSO using an index-based regression analysis.
Some general results on the optimal ramp control problem

In an effort to relieve peak hour congestion on freeways, various ramp metering algorithms have been employed to regulate the inputs to freeways from entry ramps. In this paper, we consider a freeway system comprised of a freeway section and its entry/exit ramps, and formulate the ramp control problem as a dynamic optimal process to minimize the total time spent in this system. Within this framework, we are able to show when ramp metering is beneficial to the system in terms of total time savings, and when it is not, under the restriction that the controlled freeway has to serve all of its ramp demand, and the traffic flow process follows the rules prescribed by the LWR theory with a triangular flow-density relationship. We also provide solution techniques to the problem and present some preliminary numerical results and empirical validation.
Dynamic response optimization using an active set RQP algorithm

A recently developed recursive quadratic programming (RQP) algorithm is applied to dynamic response design problems. The algorithm incorporates updated Hessians of the Lagrange function and uses an active set strategy in which only a subset of the constraints is included in the direction finding QP subproblem. Hessian updating with dynamic response constraints presents some difficulties. The primary difficulty is that the total number of constraints and the location of time points where they have to be imposed can change from iteration to iteration. This can cause inconsistencies in Hessian updating if proper numerical procedures are not used. A numerical procedure to handle the situation is developed, implemented and evaluated. Automatic restarting procedures are necessary for proper convergence of the algorithm. The new algorithm is robust as well as more efficient than the purely linear algorithm. The active set strategy plays an important role for application to dynamic response problems. The RQP algorithms that do not use such a strategy are not applicable to this class of problems.
Potential Issues and Challenges in Implementing the Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2008 Based on a National Survey

Highway–rail crossing safety is a critical issue, highlighted by the recently enacted Rail Safety Improvement Act (by the U.S. Congress. This article documents a national survey of peer state agencies as part of the effort to better understand the current issues of highway–rail grade crossing inspection and best practices in vegetation blockage clearance in the visibility triangle. The authors conducted an extensive literature review, in-depth dialogs with a few selected agencies, and focused on case studies to obtain realistic assessments of current practices in highway–rail grade crossing inspections. Potential issues and concerns in the implementation of the Rail Safety Improvement Act are highlighted.
Advanced practice psychiatric mental health nursing, finding our core: the therapeutic relationship in 21st century

TOPIC. Increasingly, students from various professional backgrounds are enrolling in Psychiatric Mental Health (PMH) Nursing graduate programs, especially at the post-master's level. Faculty must educate these students to provide increasingly complex care while socializing them as PMH advanced practitioners. PURPOSE. To present how one online program is addressing these issues by reasserting the centrality of the relationship and by assuring it has at least equal footing with the application of a burgeoning knowledge base of neurobiology of mental illness. SOURCES. Published literature from nursing and psychology. CONCLUSIONS. The PMH graduate faculty believes that they have developed strategies to meet this challenge and to help build a PMH workforce that will maintain the centrality of the relationship in PMH practice.
In Vivo Suppression of Heat Shock Protein (HSP)27 and HSP70 Accelerates DMBA-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis by Inducing Antigenic Unresponsiveness to the Initiating Carcinogenic Chemical

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are constitutively expressed in murine skin. HSP27 is present in the epidermis, and HSP70 can be found in both the epidermis and dermis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of these proteins in cutaneous chemical carcinogenesis and to determine whether their effects on cell-mediated immune function were a contributing factor. In vivo inhibition of HSP27 and HSP70 produced a reduction in the T cell–mediated immune response to 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) and benzo(a)pyrene in C3H/HeN mice and resulted in a state of Ag-specific tolerance. When mice were pretreated with anti-HSP27 and anti-HSP70 Abs in vivo prior to subjecting them to a standard two-stage DMBA/12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate cutaneous carcinogenesis protocol, the percentage of mice with tumors was much greater ( p
Development and Evaluation of an Internet-Based Airway Evaluation Tutorial

Airway evaluation and basic management are essential skills for all physicians. Identify-ing patients for whom mask ventilation or endotracheal intubation will be difficult to impossible is vital for patient safety. Despite this, training in airway evaluation is minimal in the curricula of most medical schools. To ensure a thorough understanding of airway anatomy and evaluation, as well as exposure to various abnormal findings, we developed an Internet-based module including interactive components, graphics, animation, video, and a self-assessment tool. The site received more than 1800 visits in its first nine months of operation, with uniformly laudatory comments. Eighty subjects over a six-month period completed a pre- and post-test quiz structured to evaluate the utility of the site. Of those completing the on-line survey, more than 76% rated the site very useful. Most felt their knowledge of airway examination improved after completion of the site (p<0.00004). The median amount of time spent on the site was 29.5 minutes. Judging from the overwhelming response to this site from around the world and across disciplines, such interactive training tools that exploit the technological capabilities of the Internet provide useful adjuncts to traditional teaching methods. Keywords: Education; Airway Evaluation; Internet-based Education
Civil service quality after the crisis: A view of five Asian cases

Asian civil services were once reputed to be among the best in the world, especially due to the economic miracle in East Asia. But when financial collapse and political upheaval hit the region in the late 1990s, government bureaucracies received much of the blame. This article argues that both positions were overstated. Asian civil services were not outstandingly competent in the miracle era. Neither have they been exceptionally deficient in the aftermath of the crisis. Rather, the overview of past and present civil service experience suggests that contextual factors need to be understood in assessing civil service performance and capacity. Global pressures, political openings, and technological advances have pushed civil service performance to a higher standard, but with significant variations among countries. In this regard, the article examines five Asian cases, including Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
An Operational Metadata Framework for Searching, Indexing, and Retrieving Distributed Geographic Information Services on the Internet

A comprehensive metadata scheme for distributed geographic information services should include multiple types of information services, including geodata objects, software components, and web map services. This paper examines the existing metadata standards and their implementation frameworks and presents an operational, object-oriented, hierarchical metadata architecture as an alternative solution for searching, indexing, and retrieving distributed GIServices on the Internet. An operational metadata framework can facilitate the establishment of self-manageable, self-describable GIS web services, which can be freely combined and used on the Internet. Hierarchical metadata repositories can provide a meaningful metadata archive structure and can improve metadata search mechanisms, where geospatial datasets and services are grouped and organized by their unique features or functions. By collaborating with operational metadata contents and hierarchical metadata repositories, the new metadata framework will help users and systems to access on-line geodata objects, software components, and web map services efficiently and effectively.
Lagrange Multipliers with Optimal Sensitivity Properties in Constrained Optimization

We consider optimization problems with inequality and abstract set constraints, and we derive sensitivity properties of Lagrange multipliers under very weak conditions. In particular, we do not assume uniqueness of a Lagrange multiplier or continuity of the perturbation function. We show that the Lagrange multiplier of minimum norm defines the optimal rate of improvement of the cost per unit constraint violation.
Trace Element Accelerator Mass Spectrometry

Accelerator mass spectrometry is a relatively new analytical technique that is being used in over 40 laboratories worldwide for the measurements of cosmogenic long-lived radioisotopes, as a tracer in biomedical applications, and for trace element analysis of stable isotopes. The use of particle accelerators, along with mass spectrometric methods, has allowed low-concentration measurements of small-volume samples. The use of AMS to directly count ions, rather than measure radiation from slow radioactive decay processes in larger samples, has resulted in sensitivities of one part in 1015. The ions are accelerated to mega-electron-volt energies and can be detected with 100% efficiency in particle detectors. The improved sensitivities and smaller sample sizes have resulted in a wide variety of applications in anthropology, archaeology, astrophysics, biomedical sciences, climatology, ecology, geology, glaciology, hydrology, materials science, nuclear physics, oceanography, sedimentology, terrestrial studies, and volcanology, among others. Accelerator mass spectrometry has opened new areas of research in the characterization of trace elements in materials. This article will focus is on the technique of trace element accelerator mass spectrometry (TEAMS) and its applications in the analysis of stable isotopes in materials. Trace element AMS employs a tandem electrostatic accelerator with the center terminal at a positive potential. Sensitivities for TEAMS measurements vary for different elements. These sensitivities depend on (1) the ability to form a negative atomic ion or a negatively charged molecule that can be accelerated to the terminal and then broken apart; (2) the charge state used for the measurements since the charge state (≥3+) must be chosen to remove molecular interferences; and (3) transmission of the ion from the sample through the accelerator and beamlines to the detector. By calibrating the secondary-ion yield against reference standards and by measuring the depth of the sputtered crater, a quantified depth profile can be obtained. The sensitivity or detection limit depends on the amount or volume of material available to analyze. The sensitivity can be much better for bulk measurements, where the element of interest is uniformly dispersed throughout the material. Then, the sample can be run almost indefinitely until good statistics have been obtained. Typically, sensitivities of 0.1 part per billion (ppb) can be obtained in the depth-profiling mode. Because sensitivities are so high, it is sometimes difficult to obtain suitable reference standards. Keywords: accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS); trace element accelerator mass spectrometry (TEAMS); complementary methods; competitive methods; alternative methods; practical aspects; examples; problems; noise reduction; observed charge pulses; data analysis; initial interpretation; bulk measurements; impurity measurements; sample preparation; specimen modification; problems
Turbulence in a Sheared, Salt-Fingering-Favorable Environment: Anisotropy and Effective Diffusivities

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) of a shear layer with salt-fingering-favorable stratification have been performed for different Richardson numbers Ri and density ratios Rr. In the absence of shear (Ri 5‘ ), the primary instability is square planform salt fingering, alternating cells of rising and sinking fluid. In the presence of shear, salt fingering takes the form of salt sheets, planar regions of rising and sinking fluid, aligned parallel to the sheared flow. After the onset of secondary instability, the flow becomes turbulent. The continuedinfluenceoftheprimaryinstabilitydistortsthelate-stagestructureandhencebiasesisotropicestimates of the turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate . In contrast, thermal and saline gradients evolve to become more isotropic than velocity gradients at their dissipation scales. Thus, the standard observational methodologyofestimatingtheturbulentkineticenergydissipationratefromverticalprofilesofmicroscalegradients and assuming isotropy can underestimate its true value by a factor of 2‐3, whereas estimates of thermal and saline dissipation rates using this approach are relatively accurate. Likewise, estimates of G from vertical profilesoverestimatethe true Gby roughlya factorof 2.Salt sheetsare ineffectiveat transportingmomentum. Thermal and saline effective diffusivities decrease with decreasing Ri, despite the added energy source provided by background shear. After the transition to turbulence, the thermal to saline flux ratio and the effective Schmidt number remain close to the values predicted by linear theory.
Tunable wavelength conversion in a semiconductor-fiber ring laser

A tunable wavelength converter is demonstrated using highly nondegenerate four-wave mixing in a semiconductor-fiber ring cavity with no external pump light and low input signal power requirements. This device allows continuous tuning of both pump and converted wavelengths over the semiconductor optical amplifier gain bandwidth. Results for 11.8-nm down- and 6.9-nm up-wavelength conversion with input signal power as low as -10 dBm have been obtained at 1 Gb/s with less than 1.6-dB power penalty.
Performance Profiling and Analysis of DoD Applications Using PAPI and TAU

Large scientific applications developed as recently as five to ten years ago are often at a disadvantage in current computing environments. Due to frequent acquisition decisions made for reasons such as priceperformance, in order to continue production runs it is often necessary to port large scientific applications to completely different architectures than the ones on which they were developed. Since the porting step does not include optimizations necessary for the new architecture, performance often suffers due to various architectural features. The Programming Environment and Training (PET) Computational Environments (CE) team has developed and deployed different procedures and mechanisms for collection of performance data and for profiling and optimizations of these applications based on that data. The paper illustrates some of these procedures and mechanisms.
Overview of the Oilseed Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Carthamus tinctorius L. is the cultivated species of safflower. The word tinctorius essentially means ‘for dyeing’ in English. The flowers of safflower have been used historically as a colorant in food and as dye in the clothing industry. However, the primary purpose today is as an oilseed crop. Safflower oil composition varies widely, but 90% of the oil is made up of oleic and linoleic acids. However, the genes of Carthamus species can be easily manipulated to produce oils with unique fatty acids. As a result, plant breeders are assessing safflower as a potential source of health-promoting oil and as a biodiesel feedstock.
The transfusion medicine tutor: the use of expert-systems technology to teach students and provide support to practitioners in antibody identification

The studies presented here provide data regarding the effectiveness of the expert-system-based Transfusion Medicine Tutor (TMT) when used by medical technology students and medical technologists in performing an important problem-solving task, the identification alloantibodies in a patient's blood for the purpose of finding compatible blood for transfusion. TMT monitors for slips and mistakes during the evaluation of patient cases, and provides suggestions to the student or technologist when a potential concern is detected. Use of that system was found to reduce errors in final answers on various multiple antibody cases by 30%-62% by practicing medical technologists. Similarly, use of a modified version of the system for teaching was found to enhance learning by 87--93%.
Direct Measurements of Colloidal Solvophoresis under Imposed Solvent and Solute Gradients.

We describe a microfluidic system that enables direct visualization and measurement of diffusiophoretic migration of colloids in response to imposed solution gradients. Such measurements have proven difficult or impossible in macroscopic systems due to difficulties in establishing solution gradients that are sufficiently strong yet hydrodynamically stable. We validate the system with measurements of the concentration-dependent diffusiophoretic mobility of polystyrene colloids in NaCl gradients, confirming that diffusiophoretic migration velocities are proportional to gradients in the logarithm of electrolyte concentration. We then perform the first direct measurement of the concentration-dependent “solvophoretic” mobility of colloids in ethanol–water gradients, whose dependence on concentration and gradient strength was not known either theoretically or experimentally, but which our measurements reveal to be proportional to the gradient in the logarithm of ethanol mole fraction. Finally, we examine solvop...
Toxicity of seven insecticides to brown planthopper by bioassay

The toxicity of seven insecticides to the brown planthoppers of Jiulongjiang,Vietnam was evaluated with four bioassay methods.The orders of toxicity(value of LC50) to the brown planthoppers were fipronilpymetrozine thiamethoxam buprofezinchlorpyrifosimidaclopridisoprocorb with rice stem dipping and pymetrozinefipronilimidaclopridchlorpyrifosisoprocorb with topical application and fipronilpymetrozinethiamethoxambuprofezinchlorpyrifosisoprocorbimidacloprid with rice seedling dipping and fipronilisoprocorbchlorpyrifosthiamethoxampymetrozineimidaclopridbuprofezin with residual film.In conclusion,the toxicity of fipronil,pymetrozine and thiamethoxam to the brown planthoppers of Jiulongjiang,Vietnam was higher than that of buprofezin and chlorpyrifos,and the toxicity of imidacloprid,isoprocorb was the lowest.Furthermore,the toxicity of isoprocorb was the second highest and the toxicity of buprofezin was the lowest with residual film in seven insecticides.
Proton MR spectroscopy in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental childhood disorders. Early experience

Variations in brain morphology are increasingly being found in patients with psychiatric disorders. There is early evidence that some metabolic abnormalities may also be present in these patients. In many patients with psychiatric disorders, the diagnosis is not straight forward and may be confounded by co-morbid processes. Establishing the correct diagnosis is important as it leads to institution of appropriate therapies. Descriptions of the authors early experience using proton MR spectroscopy in the evaluation of children with bipolar affective disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, neurodevelopmental abnormalities in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1, and the effects of certain types of treatment used for these disorders are discussed.
Abstract B23: Neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate cancer and development

Introduction: It is now recognized that androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) can induce neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation (NED) in prostate cancer (PCa) as well as histologically distinct NE cancer in >25% of castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPCa). Neuroendocrine cells, which are present but rare in the normal prostate, secrete growth factors but the mechanism of normal NED in the developing prostate is largely unknown. We hypothesize that the neuroendocrine phenotype, seen in CRPCa, recaptures events that occurs during normal prostatic development in response to the androgens. The purpose of these experiments is to determine if NED occurs in the development of the normal mouse prostate in response to androgen. Methods: 8-10 week old male mice (n=7 per group) were castrated and 2 weeks post-castration were treated with androgens (DHT) or oil (control), and then euthanized 1, 2 or 4 hours after treatment. Prostate lobes were then dissected, analyzed by immunohistochemistry for synaptophysin, a marker of NED, and scored blindly (Table 1). Intensity and distribution were then summed and analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test. ScoreIntensityDistribution 0 No expression No expression 1 Weak Antibody expression in 0-33% of epithelial cells 2 Mild Antibody expression in 33%-66% of epithelial cells 3 Strong Antibody expression in 66%- 100% of epithelial cells Table 1: Immunohistochemistry scoring system Results: No significant difference in synaptophysin staining was found in the epithelium between oil and DHT treated samples in the anterior, dorsal, and lateral prostate. There was a significant difference in synaptophysin staining found between oil and DHT treated samples at the 1 hour time point in the ventral prostate (p Conclusion: Androgens induce rapid and transient NED in the murine ventral prostate epithelium, indicated by a spike in synaptophysin at the 1 hour time point. By 2 hours, there is no significant difference in synaptophysin staining between the oil and DHT treated samples. This transient elevation in a NED marker is only observed in the ventral lobe. This indicates that CRPCa may recapture events that occur in the growth of the normal prostate. Citation Format: Danielle N. Sanders, Magdalena Grabowska, Robert Matusik. Neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate cancer and development. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr B23.
Plant–soil feedbacks: connecting ecosystem ecology and evolution

Summary While an appreciation of plant–soil feedbacks (PSF) continues to expand for community and ecosystem ecology, the eco-evolutionary mechanisms and consequences of such feedbacks remain largely unknown or untested. Determining the cause and effect of plant phenotypes is central for understanding these eco-evolutionary dynamics since phenotypes respond to soil selective gradients that are, in turn, modified by plant traits. Genetic variation in plant phenotypes can change soil processes and biotic communities; oppositely, soil gradients and microbial communities can influence the expression and evolution of plant phenotypes. Although these processes represent the two halves of genetic based PSF, research in these areas has developed independently from one another. Greater connectivity between research on ecosystem consequences of plant genetic variation and soil selective gradients that drive plant phenotypic evolution will create novel and important opportunities to link ecology and evolution in natural systems. Papers in this special feature build on the inherent ecological and evolutionary processes involved in PSF, outlining many ways to identify and test mechanisms that connect ecosystem ecology and evolution.
Assessment of Solar Photovoltaic Technologies Using Multiple Perspectives and Hierarchical Decision Modeling

i DEDICATION ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii LIST OF TABLES x LIST OF FIGURES xiii 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Multiple Perspectives 3 1.3 Research Scope 4 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 8 2.1 Preamble 8 2.2 Introduction 9 2.3 Methodology 11 2.4 Solar Photovoltaic Renewable Energy 13 2.5 Solar Photovoltaic Technologies 16 2.5.1 Technology Assessment 18 2.5.2 Deployment and Market Trends 21 2.6 Multiple Perspectives, Decision Making, and Technology Assessment 23 2.7 Energy Multiple Perspectives: STEEP 25 2.8 Energy Decision Models 26
Inverse Modeling and Validation

The ‘inverse’ model solves the IOPs (or concentrations of optically active water constituents) from reflectance measured at the top of the atmosphere by remote sensors or from in situ measurements of reflectance. Inversion approaches for the retrieval of water-quality parameters from remotely sensed data are typically divided into two categories—empirical and model based (IOCCG 2002). Empirical methods derive a relationship between optical measurements and constituent concentrations based on observations from experimental data sets. Model-based techniques exploit bio-optical models that capture the connection between water constituent and spectra of water-leaving radiance/reflectance and a radiative transfer model that describes light propagation through the water and the atmosphere. Model-based solutions have the ability to retrieve simultaneously various optical and biogeophysical parameters from the remote-sensing reflectance. Their theoretical basis on sound solutions to the radiative transfer equation makes them potentially a more expedient approach (Matthews 2011).
Effects of Framing Proximal Benefits of Quitting and Motivation to Quit as a Query on Communications About Tobacco Constituents.

Introduction Little is known on how to communicate messages on tobacco constituents to tobacco users. This study manipulated three elements of a message in the context of a theory-based communication campaign about tobacco constituents: (1) latency of response efficacy (how soon expected health benefits would accrue), (2) self-efficacy (confidence about quitting), and (3) interrogative cue ("Ready to be tobacco-free?"). Methods Smokers (N = 1669, 55.4% women) were recruited via an online platform, and were randomized to a 3 (Latency of response efficacy) × 2 (Self-efficacy) × 2 (Interrogative cue) factorial design. The dependent variables were believability, credibility, perceived effectiveness of the communication message, and action expectancies (likelihood of seeking additional information and help with quitting). Results Latency of response efficacy influenced believability, perceived effectiveness, credibility, and action expectancies. In each case, scores were higher when specific health benefits were said to accrue within 1 month, as compared to general health benefits occurring in a few hours. The interrogative cue had a marginal positive effect on perceived effectiveness. The self-efficacy manipulation had no reliable effects, and there were no significant interactions among conditions. Conclusions Smokers appear less persuaded by a communication message on constituents where general health benefits accrue immediately (within a few hours) than specific benefits over a longer timeframe (1 month). Additionally, smokers appeared to be more persuaded by messages with an interrogative cue. Such findings may help design more effective communication campaigns on tobacco constituents to smokers. Implications This paper describes, for the first time, how components of tobacco constituent messages are perceived. We now know that smokers appear to be less persuaded by communication messages where general health benefits accrue immediately (within a few hours) than specific benefits over a longer timeframe (1 month). Additionally, including an interrogative cue ("Ready to be tobacco free?") may make messages more effective, whereas the self-efficacy manipulation designed to increase confidence about quitting had no effect. While messages were universally impactful across smoker subpopulations, everyday smokers and smokers with less trust in the government may be less receptive to communication campaigns.
Hepatic Encephalopathy: An Update on the Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Options.

Hepatic encephalopathy is a spectrum of reversible neuropsychiatric abnormalities, seen in patients with liver dysfunction and/or portosystemic shunting. One of the most debilitating complications of cirrhosis, encephalopathy affects 30–45% of cirrhotics. In addition to significantly affecting the lives of patients and their caregivers, it is also associated with increased morbidity and mortality as well as significant utilization of health care resources. In this paper, we provide an overview on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management and newer therapies of hepatic encephalopathy.
What Have Patients Been Hearing From Providers Since the 2012 USPSTF Recommendation Against Routine Prostate Cancer Screening

Abstract Background In this study we aimed to determine the relationship between prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-related information obtained from the provider and PSA test uptake. With recent focus on patient-provider communication (PC) and the guidelines recommending against PSA tests for prostate cancer (PCa), PC regarding the PSA test might affect PSA screening rates. Materials and Methods We used the fourth edition of the Health Information National Trends Survey, a nationally-representative US survey on the use of cancer-related information. The survey was conducted in 3 cycles: October 2011 to January 2012 (cycle 1); October 2012 to January 2013 (cycle 2); September 2013 to October 2013 (cycle 3). Logistic regression was used to study the effect of PC on respondents' uptake of the PSA test. Results Most of the respondents were 51 to 65 years old, white, with college or higher education, were married, and had health insurance. PC regarding the PSA test greatly increased the chances of screening for PCa using the PSA test in all 3 cycles (odds ratio [OR], 2.51 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.03-3.10] in cycle 1; OR, 3.50 [95% CI, 2.51-4.88] in cycle 2; OR, 2.69 [95% CI, 2.02-3.58] in cycle 3). Conclusion Our study showed that PC increased the likelihood of patients undergoing PSA screening. In light of the 2012 US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines recommending against screening for PCa, PC seemed to have an opposite effect. Although updated PC that educates patients on the risks and benefits of PSA screening is needed, patients classically overemphasize benefits and underemphasize risks—which might increase rather than decrease PSA screening rates.
Deletion of tumor suppressors adenomatous polyposis coli and Smad4 in murine luminal epithelial cells causes invasive prostate cancer and loss of androgen receptor expression.

// Kenneth C. Valkenburg 1 , Angelo M. De Marzo 2, 3 and Bart O. Williams 1 1 Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA 2 Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA 3 Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA Correspondence to: Kenneth C. Valkenburg, email: kvalken1@jhmi.edu Keywords: mouse model, prostate cancer, basaloid, squamous, Apc Received: November 01, 2016 Accepted: May 03, 2017 Published: May 17, 2017 ABSTRACT Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed non-skin cancer in the US and kills approximately 27,000 men per year in the US. Additional genetic mouse models are needed that recapitulate the heterogeneous nature of human prostate cancer. The Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway is important for human prostate tumorigenesis and metastasis, and also drives tumorigenesis in mouse models. Loss of Smad4 has also been found in human prostate cancer and drives tumorigenesis and metastasis when coupled with other genetic aberrations in mouse models. In this work, we concurrently deleted Smad4 and the tumor suppressor and endogenous Wnt/beta-catenin inhibitor adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) in luminal prostate cells in mice. This double conditional knockout model produced invasive castration-resistant prostate carcinoma with no evidence of metastasis. We observed mixed differentiation phenotypes, including basaloid and squamous differentiation. Interestingly, tumor cells in this model commonly lose androgen receptor expression. In addition, tumors disappear in these mice during androgen cycling (castration followed by testosterone reintroduction). These mice model non-metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer and should provide novel information for tumors that have genetic aberrations in the Wnt pathway or Smad4.
Nutrient Content of Salad Bars Offered to Female High School Students

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To document the nutrient composition of salad bars as a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) lunch option to determine if these menus need to be modified to meet USDA's dietary goals. Seventeen salad bar menus (as offered) from four all female high schools were analyzed. Mean energy content of the salad bar menus was 915 kcal (range 543–1231 kcal); 16% protein, 45% carbohydrate, 40% fat, and 14% saturated fat. Sodium content of salad bar menus averaged 1733 mg; with all menus exceeding 800 mg of sodium. All 17 menus exceeded current recommendations of 30% energy from total fat; 12 menus exceeded 10% of energy from saturated fat; and only one menu met or exceeded 55% of energy from carbohydrate. Salad bar menus provided up to 36% of the RDA for vitamin A, 109% of the RDA for vitamin C, and over 60% of the RDA for thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin. Average salad bar menus contain higher absolute levels of energy, protein, carbohydrate, saturated fat, vitamin C, thiamin, niacin; and lower total fat, vitamin A, and sodium than traditional high school NSLP lunches. In our efforts to promote healthier school meals, guidelines for modifying salad bar menus need to be established.