cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new hypothesis and exploratory model for the formation of large-scale inner-shelf sediment sorting and ``rippled scour depressions''

Abstract Recent observations of inner continental shelves in many regions show numerous collections of relatively coarse sediment, which extend kilometers in the cross-shore direction and are on the order of 100 m wide. These “rippled scour depressions” have been interpreted to indicate concentrated cross-shelf currents. However, recent observations strongly suggest that they are associated with sediment transport along-shore rather than cross-shore. A new hypothesis for the origin of these features involves the large wave-generated ripples that form in the coarse material. Wave motions interacting with these large roughness elements generate near-bed turbulence that is greatly enhanced relative to that in other areas. This enhances entrainment and inhibits settling of fine material in an area dominated by coarse sediment. The fine sediment is then carried by mean currents past the coarse accumulations, and deposited where the bed is finer. We hypothesize that these interactions constitute a feedback tending to produce accumulations of fine material separated by self-perpetuating patches of coarse sediments. As with many types of self-organized bedforms, small features would interact as they migrate, leading to a better-organized, larger-scale pattern. As an initial test of this hypothesis, we use a numerical model treating the transport of coarse and fine sediment fractions, treated as functions of the local bed composition—a proxy for the presence of large roughness elements in coarse areas. Large-scale sorted patterns exhibiting the main characteristics of the natural features result robustly in the model, indicating that this new hypothesis offers a plausible explanation for the phenomena.
Multimodal 3D PET/CT system for bronchoscopic procedure planning

Integrated positron emission tomography (PET) / computed-tomography (CT) scanners give 3D multimodal data sets of the chest. Such data sets offer the potential for more complete and specific identification of suspect lesions and lymph nodes for lung-cancer assessment. This in turn enables better planning of staging bronchoscopies. The richness of the data, however, makes the visualization and planning process difficult. We present an integrated multimodal 3D PET/CT system that enables efficient region identification and bronchoscopic procedure planning. The system first invokes a series of automated 3D image-processing methods that construct a 3D chest model. Next, the user interacts with a set of interactive multimodal graphical tools that facilitate procedure planning for specific regions of interest (ROIs): 1) an interactive region candidate list that enables efficient ROI viewing in all tools; 2) a virtual PET-CT bronchoscopy rendering with SUV quantitative visualization to give a “fly through" endoluminal view of prospective ROIs; 3) transverse, sagittal, coronal multi-planar reformatted (MPR) views of the raw CT, PET, and fused CT-PET data; and 4) interactive multimodal volume/surface rendering to give a 3D perspective of the anatomy and candidate ROIs. In addition the ROI selection process is driven by a semi-automatic multimodal method for region identification. In this way, the system provides both global and local information to facilitate more specific ROI identification and procedure planning. We present results to illustrate the system's function and performance.
Catecholamines in discrete areas of the hypothalamus of obese and castrated male rats.

Abstract Levels of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) were measured in eight discrete regions of the hypothalamus in three groups of male rats: genetically obese (fafa), non-obese (FaFa) and castrated non-obese (FaFa). DA levels showed no significant differences among the groups in any of the regions. NE levels in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) were significantly lower in the obese and castrated animals than in the normal animals. In the median eminence (ME), NE levels were significantly decreased for the castrated group. None of the other regions sampled showe significant differences in NE levels.
Predictive model performance: offline and online evaluations

We study the accuracy of evaluation metrics used to estimate the efficacy of predictive models. Offline evaluation metrics are indicators of the expected model performance on real data. However, in practice we often experience substantial discrepancy between the offline and online performance of the models. We investigate the characteristics and behaviors of the evaluation metrics on offline and online testing both analytically and empirically by experimenting them on online advertising data from the Bing search engine. One of our findings is that some offline metrics like AUC (the Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve) and RIG (Relative Information Gain) that summarize the model performance on the entire spectrum of operating points could be quite misleading sometimes and result in significant discrepancy in offline and online metrics. For example, for click prediction models for search advertising, errors in predictions in the very low range of predicted click scores impact the online performance much more negatively than errors in other regions. Most of the offline metrics we studied including AUC and RIG, however, are insensitive to such model behavior. We designed a new model evaluation paradigm that simulates the online behavior of predictive models. For a set of ads selected by a new prediction model, the online user behavior is estimated from the historic user behavior in the search logs. The experimental results on click prediction model for search advertising are highly promising.
Posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy: a contemporary American experience.

Background Posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (PRA) is an excellent surgical option for adrenal gland removal. The operation requires that surgeons learn a new approach with few similarities to anterior adrenalectomy. This study reports a large series of PRAs incorporated into surgical care using a team-model approach. Study Design The prospective endocrine surgery database was queried to identify patients who underwent PRA during a recent 4-year period. Demographic, operative, and pathologic data were recorded. The authors' initial experiences with PRA (group 1) are compared with our contemporary experience (group 2). Results One hundred and eighteen PRAs were successfully performed (100 unilateral and 9 bilateral). Indications were pheochromocytoma in 21 patients, Cushing's syndrome or Cushing's disease in 22 patients, aldosteronoma in 22 patients, virilizing tumor in 3 patients, isolated metastasis in 28 patients, and nonfunctional mass in 19 patients. Forty-eight percent of patients had undergone earlier abdominal surgery. Forty-eight percent were obese (body mass index [calculated as kg/m 2 ] ≥30). No significant differences were found in operative time (110 versus 118 minutes, p=0.30), tumor size (2.59 versus 2.85 cm, p=0.44), or body mass index (29.63 versus 29.93, p=0.82) between groups 1 and 2. Both complications (15.9% versus 7.7%, p=0.29) and conversion rates (9.5% versus 1.9%, p=0.19) were lower in group 2, although this was not statistically significant. Conclusions PRA is a technique safely performed for a variety of adrenal lesions, is ideal for patients who have undergone earlier abdominal surgery, and is feasible in obese patients. Proficiency can be obtained during a short period, leading to low conversion and complication rates. This technique should be incorporated into the armamentarium of the endocrine surgeon. A team approach to learning new surgical techniques is effective.
Sliding Versus Deciding: Inertia and the Premarital Cohabitation Effect.

Abstract: Premarital cohabitation has consistently been found to be associated with increased risk for divorce and marital distress in the United States. Two explanations for this “cohabitation effect” are discussed: selection and experience. We present an empirically based view of how the experience of cohabitation may increase risk for relationship distress or divorce for some people beyond what is accounted for by selection. Specifically, using a commitment framework, we suggest that some couples who otherwise would not have married end up married because of the inertia of cohabitation. We discuss practice implications for relationship transitions that are characterized more by sliding than deciding, especially where a transition such as cohabitation increases inertia to remain in a relationship regardless of quality or fit.
Performance Predictions of a Circulation Controlled-Vertical Axis Wind Turbine With Solidity Control

Conventional straight bladed vertical axis wind turbines are typically designed to produce maximum power at tip speed ratio, but power production can suffer when operating outside of the design range. These turbines, unless designed specifically for low speed operation, may require rotational startup assistance. Circulation control methods, such as using blowing slots on the trailing edge could be applied to a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) blade. Improvements to the amount of power developed at lower speeds and elimination or reduction of startup assistance could be possible with this lift augmentation. Selection of a beneficial rotor solidity and control over when to utilize the blowing slots for the CC-VAWT (Circulation Controlled-Vertical Axis Wind Turbine) appears to have a profound impact on overall performance. Preliminary performance predictions indicate that at a greater range of rotor solidities, the CC-VAWT can have overall performance levels that exceed a conventional VAWT. This paper describes the performance predictions and solidity selection of a circulation controlled vertical axis wind turbine that can operate at higher overall capture efficiencies than a conventional VAWT.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Role of donor lymphocyte infusions in relapsed hematological malignancies after stem cell transplantation revisited

Summary Background Treatment of relapsed hematological malignancies after an allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplant (SCT) is challenging. Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) from the stem cell donor is an attractive clinical option to salvage this group of patients. Methods We reviewed the important studies looking at donor lymphocyte infusion as a therapy for the treatment of hematological disorders that are either refractory to or have relapsed after allogeneic SCT. Results The response to DLI is dependent upon type of disease, dose of infused lymphocytes, and the development of graft vs. host disease (GvHD). The best response rates are seen in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) followed by patients with lymphomas, multiple myeloma and acute leukemias, respectively. The responses in patients with CML are durable whereas durable responses in other diseases are rare. Conclusions Given the development of new drugs to treat some hematological diseases, DLI has taken a backseat. New modalities to target the infused cells to the tumor and new approaches to reduce GvHD that will augment the graft vs. leukemia/lymphoma (GvL) effect and decrease the injury to normal host tissues need to be developed. Understanding the factors and mechanisms that differentiate the GvL effect from GvHD will help in the development of newer treatment modalities.
Experimental Plasma Turbulence

Publisher Summary This chapter provides a survey of some of the recent literature on plasma turbulence and closely related phenomena. Turbulence in fluids and plasmas modifies greatly the magnitude of such transport processes as diffusion, electrical conductivity, heat conductivity, and viscosity. The Kadomtsev–Nedospasov, helical, or current convective instability as it is variously called, may be regarded as one of a class known as drift instabilities. Seldom is a laboratory plasma encountered which is not rather far from an equilibrium state in some respect. When the departure is in the form of a density gradient normal to a magnetic field, when particle beams or drifts are present, or when some other gradients are present gradients in temperature, potential, magnetic field, velocity, or even impurity content, the plasma is likely to be unstable toward some form of collective excitation. The most straightforward experimental problem might seem to be temperature determination, until the influence of turbulence is considered. Dimock and Mazzucato utilized the Thomsen scattering of light to get a true electron temperature measurement in the C stellarator. However, progress is occurring at a substantial rate in experimental plasma turbulence research.
Control of metabolic adaptation to fasting by dILP6-induced insulin signaling in Drosophila oenocytes

Metabolic adaptation to changing dietary conditions is critical to maintain homeostasis of the internal milieu. In metazoans, this adaptation is achieved by a combination of tissue-autonomous metabolic adjustments and endocrine signals that coordinate the mobilization, turnover, and storage of nutrients across tissues. To understand metabolic adaptation comprehensively, detailed insight into these tissue interactions is necessary. Here we characterize the tissue-specific response to fasting in adult flies and identify an endocrine interaction between the fat body and liver-like oenocytes that regulates the mobilization of lipid stores. Using tissue-specific expression profiling, we confirm that oenocytes in adult flies play a central role in the metabolic adaptation to fasting. Furthermore, we find that fat body-derived Drosophila insulin-like peptide 6 (dILP6) induces lipid uptake in oenocytes, promoting lipid turnover during fasting and increasing starvation tolerance of the animal. Selective activation of insulin/IGF signaling in oenocytes by a fat body-derived peptide represents a previously unidentified regulatory principle in the control of metabolic adaptation and starvation tolerance.
Unusual dose-related effect of an endorphin analog in a complex maze.

Abstract Hungry adult rats were tested in a 12-choice maze for their ability to find a reward of food 15 minutes after being injected peripherally with (D-Ala 2 )-β-endorphin. Injection of the endorphin analog in a dose of 80 μg/kg body weight resulted in rats running the maze significantly slower and with more errors than rats injected with diluent. Animals receiving a dose ten times larger (800 μg/kg) were indistinguishable from controls in both running speed and errors, thus making a toxic effect unlikely. Possible changes in appetite, thirst, olfaction, emotionality, and general motor activity did not seem to explain the results. The inverted U-shaped dose-related response seemed to represent a variant from previous observations with CNS-active peptides in that the smaller dose impaired rather than enhanced performance.
Observations of the Vertical Structure of the Keweenaw Current, Lake Superior

Abstract The vertical structure of the Keweenaw Current, on the south shore of Lake Superior, is studied using data from an autonomously profiling current meter moored 2 km offshore (depth = 100 m). Vertical profiles of temperature, current speed, and current direction show current direction strongly aligned east-west with the topographic contours, with currents below 50 m depth most frequently flowing eastward at speeds of 6-12 cm/s, and those above 50 m depth flowing sometimes eastward and sometimes westward at speeds of 10-20 cm/s. Principal component analysis on profiles of eastward velocity reveals two vertical modes which have approximately the barotropic and first baroclinic modal form. The dominant “barotropic” mode contains 90% and 82%, respectively, of the eastward velocity and temperature variances. Strong occurrences of this mode (full-water-column eastward flows with speeds up to 37 cm/s) are related to strong increases in the temporal integral of longshore wind stress, consistent with coastal jet theory. The “baroclinic” mode, containing 6% of the eastward velocity variance, is dominant only during periods of weak longshore wind stress. Its 4-day period is comparable with a typical interval between atmospheric frontal disturbances.
Ideas of relativistic quantum chemistry

The basic ideas of relativistic quantum chemistry are highlighted, with the most important ingredients summarised as follows. (1) The restricted kinetic balance (RKB) condition, being both necessary and sufficient, serves as the cornerstone for the matrix representation of the Dirac-based Hamiltonian. (2) The concept of matrix transformation plays the key role in formulating two-component relativistic theories. Some popular ones, albeit presented as operators, are de facto matrix formulations in terms implicitly of the RKB condition. They merely make simple things complicated as a one-step block-diagonalization of the matrix Dirac equation can do the whole job. (3) The computational efficiency for both four- and two-component relativistic theories can be gained by means of the simple chemical idea of ‘from atoms to molecule’ without recourse to mathematical tricks. The two branches of relativistic theories have thus been made fully equivalent in all the aspects of simplicity, accuracy, and efficiency. It ...
An Attributional Approach to Psychotherapy with the Aged

The continued growth of the number of aged persons potentially requiring psychotherapeutic service should be met with a concomitant increase in relevant theory and research. An attribution theory approach to individual psychotherapy with the aged is suggested insofar as it: 1) is explicitly responsive to the possible negative consequences of the old person's diminished use of social consensus to validate the interpretation of behavioral events, 2) is relatively concrete in terms of implementation, and 3) may be used on a short-term basis.
Time's Up: Relative Disadvantages of Long-Term and Short-Term Urban Welfare Recipients

SUMMARY This study examines the intersection of two important welfare realities, the imposition of a lifetime limit on cash benefits and the concentration of cases in urban areas. Using survey data on a random sample of June 2002, single-parent TANF families in a large city (Baltimore), the characteristics and self-perceived barriers of long-term (60+ months) and short-term (< 12 months) recipients are compared. Although the demographics of the two groups are very similar, long-term cases were more likely to report barriers, such as having a family member with a health problem or living in bad neighborhood conditions, and to face more barriers than short-term cases. Policy and practice implications are identified.
Children's judgements of the functional acceptability of referential communications in discourse contexts

This study determined whether young children are sensitive to the contextual influence of previous discourse on judgements of the adequacy of referential communications. Four- and six-year-old children were read short stories containing terminal referential communications that were either ambiguous or informative relative to a perceptual display of candidate-referential objects. Contextual information was given in the story prior to the terminal communication that was irrelevant to the ambiguous communications or that made these communications functionally informative. The subjects were required to say whether the listener in the story could identify one unique referent. The results showed that the judgements of both groups of children were sensitive to the discourse context of the communications. The children discriminated between the functionally informative and ambiguous communications.
An experimental investigation of enhanced harpacticoid (Copepoda) abundances around isolated seagrass shoots

At a site in the Gulf of Mexico (29°54.6′N, 81°31.4′W) off the coast of northern Florida, harpacticoid copepod abundance is significantly enhanced around isolated “plants” (technically short shoots) of the seagrass Syringodium filiforme. Using inanimate mimics of seagrass short shoots, we demonstrate, in the field, that the enhanced abundance does not results from the presence of the plant as a living entity. Our experiments reveal a two-fold increase in bacterial biomass around both short shoots and mimics; the harpacticoids appear to be responding to a local increase in their resources. We suggest that the flow field around a short shoot improves the rate of supply of oxygen and other materials to sedimentary bacteria, thereby driving the effect. Given the ubiquity of structures that have similar flow effects, localized bacterial enhancement may be common and should be considered in studies of the effects of surface structures on soft-bottom community organization.
During multicellular migration, myosin ii serves a structural role independent of its motor function.

Abstract We have shown previously that cells lacking myosin II are impaired in multicellular motility. We now extend these results by determining whether myosin contractile function is necessary for normal multicellular motility and shape control. Myosin from mutants lacking the essential ( mlcE − ) myosin light chain retains the ability to form bipolar filaments that bind actin, but shows no measurable in vitro or in vivo contractile function. The contractile function is necessary for cell shape control since mlcE − cells, like myosin heavy-chain null mutants ( mhcA − ), were defective in their ability to control their three-dimensional shape. When mixed with wild-type cells in chimeric aggregation streams, the mlcE − cells were able to move normally, unlike mhcA − cells which accumulated at the edges of the stream and became distorted by their interactions with wild-type cells. When mhcA − cells were mixed with mlcE − streams, the mhcA − cells were excluded. The normal behavior of the mlcE − cells in this assay suggests that myosin II, in the absence of motor function, is sufficient to allow movement in this constrained, multicellular environment. We hypothesize that myosin II is a major contributor to cortical integrity even in the absence of contractile function.
A general approach for obtaining joint representations in signal analysis. II. General class, mean and local values, and bandwidth

For pt.I see ibid., vol.44, no.5, p.1080-90 (1996). Using the method developed in Cohen (1996) (Part I), the concepts of instantaneous frequency and group delay are generalized to arbitrary variables; in addition, new expressions for mean values and bandwidths are obtained. The kernel method is used to define a general class for arbitrary variables. As in the time-frequency case, the general class generates all possible distributions. The method is also formulated in terms of the local autocorrelation function.
A 0-4 kv pulse amplifier for field ion microscopy

A 0-4 kv pulse amplifier has been constructed for field ion microscopy. The circuit employed was a triode amplifier, powered by a 5 kv full-wave voltage doubler, triggered by a General Radio 1217-B pulse generator and capacitively coupled to the field ion microscope via a 30 kv, 0.01 μF capacitor. The circuit produces either negative or positive field evaporation pulses. The usable minimum pulse time was found to be in the range 10-20 μs for this amplifier design.
Simultaneous estimation of gamma means using a hierarchical generalized linear model

The problem of simultaneously estimating p Gamma means is investigated when the means are believed a priori to satisfy an r-dimensional generalized linear model. Using a Bayesian hierarchical model to reflect the uncertainty in the linear model, approximate methods are proposed to compute the posterior densities. The resulting estimator shrinks the usual estimator toward a prior estimator where the size of the shrinkage depends upon the agreement of the observed data with the proposed generalized linear model.
Abyssal Water Carbon-14 Distribution and the Age of the World Oceans

The carbon-14 distribution in the abyssal waters of the world oceans indicates replacement times for Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic ocean deep waters (more than 1500 meters deep) of approximately 510, 250, and 275 years, respectively. The deep waters of the entire world ocean are replaced on average every 500 years.
Negative Feedback Avalanche Diodes as Single-Photon Solid State Photomultipliers at 1.5 µm

We present results for negative feedback avalanche diodes (NFADs), which are InP-based SWIR solid-state photomultipliers with single-photon sensitivity operated with just a DC bias. We demonstrate photon number resolution for a matrix of NFAD elements.
Design goals for a system for enhancing AAC with personalized video

Enabling end-users of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems to add personalized video content at runtime holds promise for improving communication, but the requirements for such systems are as yet unclear. To explore this issue, we present Vid2Speech, a prototype AAC system for children with complex communication needs (CCN) that uses personalized video to enhance representations of action words. We describe three design goals that guided the integration of personalized video to enhance AAC in our early-stage prototype: 1) Providing social-temporal navigation; 2) Enhancing comprehension; and 3) Enabling customization in real time. Our system concept represents one approach to realizing these goals, however, we contribute the goals and the system as a starting point for future innovations in personalized video-based AAC.
Testicular torsion-a common surgical emergency.

Testicular torsion, or rotation of the testes with twisting of the spermatic cord, is a common surgical emergency. Incidence follows a bimodal peak, highest around puberty, with a smaller peak in infancy. Differential diagnoses include scrotal edema, epididymitis, hernia, tumor, varicocele, hydrocele and trauma. This condition warrants strong clinical suspicion, early diagnosis and expeditious surgical management. Int J Emerg Med (2008) 1:147 DOI 10.1007/s12245-008-0003-9
Maternal hematopoietic TNF, via milk chemokines, programs hippocampal development and memory

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF) is a proinflammatory cytokine with established roles in host defense and immune system organogenesis. We studied TNF function and found a previously unidentified physiological function that extends its effect beyond the host into the developing offspring. A partial or complete maternal TNF deficit, specifically in hematopoietic cells, resulted in reduced milk levels of the chemokines IP-10, MCP-1, MCP-3, MCP-5 and MIP-1β, which in turn augmented offspring postnatal hippocampal proliferation, leading to improved adult spatial memory in mice. These effects were reproduced by the postpartum administration of a clinically used anti-TNF agent. Chemokines, fed to suckling pups of TNF-deficient mothers, restored both postnatal proliferation and spatial memory to normal levels. Our results identify a TNF-dependent 'lactrocrine' pathway that programs offspring hippocampal development and memory. The level of ambient TNF is known to be downregulated by physical activity, exercise and adaptive stress. We propose that the maternal TNF-milk chemokine pathway evolved to promote offspring adaptation to post-weaning environmental challenges and competition.
Excess protactinium in phosphate nodules from a coastal upwelling zone

Measurements of231Pa/235U and230Th/234U activity ratios have been made for a suite of Quaternary age phosphate nodules from the upwelling zone off Peru and Chile. Many of these samples contain more231Pa than would be predicted based on closed-system230Th/234U ages unlike samples from non-upwelling environments which have been shown to have concordant231Pa and230Th ages. Peru/Chile phosphate nodules apparently pick up231Pa preferentially to230Th. This is most likely a result of prior fractionation of protactinium and thorium in the open ocean. Highly productive coastal upwelling zones may be added to the growing list of localities where fractionation between thorium and protactinium isotopes has been observed in marine sediments.
Robust estimation of the parameters of g-and-h distributions, with applications to outlier detection

The g-and-h distributional family is generated from a relatively simple transformation of the standard normal and can approximate a broad spectrum of distributions. Consequently, it is easy to use in simulation studies and has been applied in multiple areas, including risk management, stock return analysis and missing data imputation studies. A rapidly convergent quantile based least squares (QLS) estimation method to fit the g-and-h distributional family parameters is proposed and then extended to a robust version. The robust version is then used as a more general outlier detection approach. Several properties of the QLS method are derived and comparisons made with competing methods through simulation. Real data examples of microarray and stock index data are used as illustrations.
Sedimentation and benthic invertebrates of Fanning Island, central Pacific

Abstract Experiments conducted at Fanning Island (atoll), central Pacific, during late June through late August of 1963 indicated that many sponges and ascidians are affected adversely by sediment deposition. This occurs by burial and by clogging of canals and chambers. The rate of deposition of small and medium-sized silt bioclastics at the edge of the lagoon for the first two days was about 1 mm/day. This rate (apparent) decreased with time so that after 15–35 days there was an average deposition of about 3 mm of sediment.
Optimum integration of solar technologies into an existing hydrothermal power system

Abstract A linear programming model is presented for optimizing the integration of solar-based generation technologies into an existing hydrothermal generation system in such a way as to avoid the storage costs usually associated with such technologies. The optimization model is applied to the particular problem of meeting the projected generation requirements in Washington State during the year 2000. Numerical calculations are performed to determine the optimum combination of five new technologies (wind, photovoltaics, small hydro, cogeneration, total energy systems) as additions to the existing hydrothermal system. Several scenarios are explored and required deployment rates are calculated. The results indicate that the extent and pattern of integration of these new technologies can be sharply affected by the management strategies applied to the existing hydrothermal system.
Finite Size Effect in Lattice-BGK Models

In this paper, we present numerical results of finite size effect in lattice-BGK models applied to liquid-gas phase transitions in one dimension. Several "pseudo-potentials" are used in simulations and the lattice size varies from 4 lattice sites to 4096 sites. Power law scaling is found and simple mean-field theory is used to explain the numerical finding.
Computational study of thermally controlled polymer network disassembly via the incorporation of sterically hindered urea linkages

Previously, our work was focused on the experimental details of the controlled thermally decrosslinking behavior of a polymer system that contained sterically hindered urea linkages. Such systems are of interest because they introduce rework capabilities into the polymeric material. The focus of this paper is to study these controllable decrosslinking systems from a theoretical perspective. In this study, computational methods were used to study the 2-(tert-butylamino)ethyl methacrylate-isophorone diisocyanate-2-(tert-butylamino)ethyl methacrylate polymer system that has been shown to undergo controlled thermal network disassembly. The following two aspects are the focus of this investigation. First, computational methods were used to suggest other structures within this family of compounds that might also be reworkable. Based on the simulation data likely candidates are suggested and the thermal decrosslinking properties are hypothesized compared with the real system that was experimentally studied. Second, heat of reaction data was determined from simulations of the decrosslinking reactions. These data were then compared with the experimental data and a predictive model was developed to estimate the decrosslinking temperature of the polymer network when exposed to a particular severing agent.
Prevalence of patent Strongyloides westeri infections in Thoroughbred foals in 2014.

The prevalence of patent Strongyloides westeri infections was determined by examination for eggs in fecal samples collected from 513 Thoroughbred (TB) foals between February 25 and June 3, 2014. The study was conducted with 244 colts and 269 fillies from 11 well-managed farms in Central Kentucky. Foals ranged from 17 to 117 days of age and had never been dewormed. The mean prevalence of patent S. westeri infection was 30 % (156/513 foals). This prevalence was substantially greater than historical reports from the same sampling area during the late 1990s and early 2000s. It is hypothesized that this change is attributable to diminished use of ivermectin in foals due to concerns about macrocyclic lactone resistance in Parascaris equorum.
Passive microwave and infrared structure of mesoscale convective systems

The precipitation structure of mature Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS) is examined in both the midlatitudes and the tropics using SSM/I microwave measurements, geostationary satellite observations, and ground-based radar observations. Discussion includes qualitative comparisons between midlatitude and tropical MCS cases, with particular emphasis on the delineation of convective and stratiform regions and the characterization of microwave polarization difference temperatures in the MCSs. Implications are given regarding the importance of the vertical precipitation structure on top of the atmosphere (TOA) microwave temperatures and for rain retrieval algorithms using measurements from space.
Who Will Be Learning Disabled After the Reauthorization of IDEA? Two Very Distinct Perspectives

The current definition if learning disabilities supports the identification of approximately 4% of all individuals in the United States, from birth through age 21, as having learning disabilities (LD). The almost 2.4 million students ages 6 through 21 now identified as LD make up over half of all individuals identified as disabled under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 1975).
Dynamic reservation multiple access (DRMA): a new multiple access scheme for personal communication systems (PCS)

To improve the spectrum efficiency of integrated voice and data services in Personal Communication System (PCS), several reservation-type multiple access schemes, such as Packet Reservation Multiple Access (PRMA), Dynamic Time Division Multiple Access (D-TDMA), Resource Auction Multiple Access (RAMA), etc., have been proposed. PRMA uses the data packet itself to make a channel reservation, and is inefficient in that each unsuccessful reservation wastes one slot. However, it does not have a fixed reservation overhead and offers shorter access delay. On the other hand, fixed reservation overhead is unavoidable in both RAMA and D-TDMA. Compared to D-TDMA and PRMA, RAMA is superior in the sense that its slot assignment is independent of the traffic load. But its implementation is difficult. With these observations, a new reservation protocol, called Dynamic Reservation Multiple Access (DRMA), is proposed in this paper. With this new protocol, the success probability of channel access is greatly improved at the expense of slightly increased system complexity. It solves the problem of inefficiency in PRMA, but without introducing the fixed reservation overhead as in D-TDMA and RAMA. In addition, it is more suited to the dynamic behavior of the integrated traffic because there is no fixed boundary between voice and data slots (which is mandatory in D-TDMA and RAMA). Our numerical results indicate that its performance is superior to the existing reservation protocols, especially in the integrated traffic scenario. Moreover, the soft capacity feature is exhibited when the traffic load increases.
Dosimetry considerations of bone-seeking radionuclides for marrow ablation

Marrow ablation by radionuclide therapy for patients requiring bone marrow transplantation is possible by injecting bone‐seeking radiopharmaceuticals. For each radionuclide under consideration, one should determine the (1) amount of activity required to deliver a given radiationdose to the marrow, (2) waiting period before reinfusion to limit the radiationdose to the transplant marrow to an acceptable level, and (3) dose to other critical organs. In an attempt to answer these questions, dose estimates for several radionuclides of interest (32P, 90Y, 153Sm, 166Ho, 186Re, and 188Re) have been calculated. All doses are derived following the MIRD methodology. Biodistribution data of 153Sm‐labeled phosphates in the rat are used to estimate uptake of similar radiopharmaceuticals in humans. Typically the skeleton retains 50% of the injected activity and 50% is excreted rapidly through the urine, permitting delivery of ablation doses to the marrow, with tolerable doses to other organs. Skeletal retention data measured from a diagnostic dose can be used to calculate the activity required to deliver a desired marrow ablation dose consistent with toxicity limits set by other critical organs.
Effects of valproate on acylcarnitines in children with epilepsy using ESI-MS/MS.

Summary: Purpose: To determine the influence of valproate (VPA) treatment on acylcarnitines in children with epilepsy. Methods: Determination of acylcarnitines (including free carnitine and acylcarnitines from C2 to C18) in dried blood spot specimens using tandem-mass spectrometry. Longitudinal study of changes in acylcarnitines in children under VPA treatment without pretreatment (group 1) or with pretreatment with other antiepileptic drugs (group 2) before the start of VPA treatment at an early and a late treatment interval (12–66, 90–260 days after the beginning of treatment, respectively). Cross-sectional comparison of these two VPA groups and of a group receiving carbamazepine monotherapy (group 3) with controls. Results: Acylcarnitines in epileptic patients before VPA therapy did not differ from control values. In group 1, decreases of C0 (−26%), C2 (−12%), C16 (−31%), C18 (−41%), Ctotal (−10%), increases of C5OH (+31%), C8 (+33%) in the early treatment interval, and decreases of C16 (−21%), C18 (−42%), and increases of C2 (+26%), C5OH (+44%) in the late treatment interval were significant. In group 2, both in the longitudinal and the cross-sectional study, only a decrease of C18 (−41%, −43%, respectively) in the late treatment interval was found. In group 3, no significant changes have been observed. Conclusions: We could prove changes in acylcarnitine subspecies, which were associated with VPA treatment in children with epilepsy. The treatment interval with the most marked changes coincides with the interval of highest risk for VPA-induced hepatotoxicity. The observed specific acylcarnitine pattern might point to the impaired intermediary metabolism that is responsible for VPA-induced hepatotoxicity.
A citywide smoking ban reduced maternal smoking and risk for preterm births: a Colorado natural experiment.

Abstract Background: Few reports exist on the association of a public smoking ban with fetal outcomes and maternal smoking in the United States. We sought to evaluate the effect of a citywide smoking ban in comparison to a like municipality with no such ban in Colorado on maternal smoking and subsequent fetal birth outcomes. Methods: A citywide smoking ban in Colorado provided a natural experiment. The experimental citywide smoking ban site was implemented in Pueblo, Colorado. A comparison community was chosen that had no smoking ban, El Paso County, with similar characteristics of population, size, and geography. The two sites served as their own controls, as each had a preban and postban retrospective observation period: preban was April 1, 2001, to July 1, 2003; postban was April 1, 2004, to July 1, 2006. Outcomes were maternal smoking (self-report), low birth weight (LBW) (defined as <2500 g or as <3000 g), and preterm births (<37 weeks gestation) in singleton births from mothers residing in these cit...
The use of integrated organization and information systems models in building and delivering business application systems

The use of integrated organization and information systems models in building and delivering business application systems is proposed. The concept of integrated organization and information systems modeling is discussed and illustrated by means of an extended critical success factors model. A flexible metasystem, MetaPlex, designed and implemented to support high-level organization and information systems modeling, is described in detail. The use of integrated models with executive information systems to support the delivery of information is discussed. Directions for future research are also suggested. >
Motion extraction of atmospheric waves from spectroscopic imaging

We describe a method for extracting atmospheric gravity wave motion from spectroscopic airglow images using two-dimensional spectral analysis. This method detects quasi-monochromatic wave components and estimates wavelengths, wave propagation directions, and phase speeds from the cross periodogram of two consecutive time-differenced images. Monte Carlo simulations have been used to validate the phase-difference technique for motion estimation and to compare its performance with a translational block-motion extraction method, which represents the conventional approach. The new technique is shown to be more precise than its predecessor. We have also applied the two techniques to real airglow images for both statistical and case studies. The variances of the phase speeds generated by both methods are insignificant relative to the geophysical variation of the gravity wave phase speeds. An individual wave study illustrates that the phase-difference method provides more stable estimation of phase speeds than the block-motion method.
Hydroxamate Anchors for Improved Photoconversion in Dye- Sensitized Solar Cells

We present the first analysis of performance of hydroxamate linkers as compared to carboxylate and phosphonate groups when anchoring ruthenium-polypyridyl dyes to TiO2 surfaces in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The study provides fundamental insight into structure/ function relationships that are critical for cell performance. Our DSSCs have been produced by using newly synthesized dye molecules and characterized by combining measurements and simulations of experimental current density−voltage (J-V) characteristic curves. We show that the choice of anchoring group has a direct effect on the overall sunlight-to- electricity conversion efficiency (η), with hydroxamate anchors showing the best performance. Solar cells based on the pyridyl-hydroxamate complex exhibit higher efficiency since they suppress electron transfer from the photoanode to the electrolyte and have superior photoinjection characteristics. These findings suggest that hydroxamate anchoring groups should be particularly valuable in DSSCs and photocatalytic applications based on molecular adsorbates covalently bound to semiconductor surfaces. In contrast, analogous acetylacetonate anchors might undergo decomposition under similar conditions suggesting limited potential in future applications.
The phase diagram of hydrogen in ultra thin films

This paper, we discuss changes in the phase diagram of hydrogen in both bilayer (i.e. 200-2000 {Angstrom} Nb/100 {Angstrom} Pd on glass) and multilayer configurations. Comparison of x-ray diffraction, electrical resistivity and volumetric measurements of the films before and after hydrogen charging indicate that the phase equilibria between a correlated (high concentration) and a dilute phase of hydrogen in Nb is not sensitive to the number of layers in the films. On the other hand, the experimental methods show different behavior for 200 {Angstrom} thick Nb films and thicker (>400 {Angstrom}) Nb layers. The diffraction results also show that, while charging with hydrogen, the Nb layers mainly expand along the surface normal of the films, while the Pd layers expand in all directions equally, and transform to the bulk {alpha} phase.
Application of cost-utility and quality-adjusted life years analyses to monitored anesthesia care for sedation only.

Abstract Study Objective: To determine how much society should spend to decrease anxiety lasting for the duration of a surgical case. Design: Indications for monitored-anesthesia care (MAC) include: (1) management of an unstable patient, (2) possible induction of general anesthesia, (3) need for the patient to be unconscious for part of the case, and (4) provision of sedation and/or analgesia. The first three indications facilitate quality surgical care. However, MAC solely to decrease anxiety has been criticized on economic grounds. Although MAC for these cases may improve the patient's experience during surgery, it does not facilitate safer surgery. I limited my theoretical analysis to (1) MAC for sedation only and (2) procedures that have an equal outcome with or without an anesthesiologist. Cost-utility analyses compare costs and benefits of technologies by using a common measure of health outcomes. The quality adjusted life year (QALY) gives the expected life years gained from a procedure, with each year weighted to reflect quality of life in that year. Quality of life generally ranges from zero (dead) to one (healthy without distress). Technologies costing more than $75,000 per QALY are usually considered too expensive to justify. I used a deliberately absurd, one unit change in quality of life to calculate the maximum hourly cost of MAC, which lets the cost per QALY be less than $75,000. Measurements and Main Results: Hourly cost must be less than $8.56 per hour. Current Medicare reimbursement corresponds to $876,000 per QALY. Conclusion: MAC for sedation only is a very expensive technology compared with other medical interventions.
Taxonomy and Distribution of the Argentine Ant, Linepithema humile (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The taxonomy of an invasive pest species, the Argentine ant, is reviewed. Linepithema humile (Mayr) 1868 is confirmed as the valid name for the Argentine ant. Morphological variation and species boundaries of L. humile are examined, with emphasis on populations from the ant’s native range in southern South America. Diagnoses and illustrations are provided for male, queen, and worker castes. Collection records of L. humile in South America support the idea of a native distribution closely associated with major waterways in lowland areas of the Parana River drainage, with recent introductions into parts of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Merlin C. Wittrock's Enduring Contributions to the Science of Learning

Among his many accomplishments in educational psychology, Merlin C. Wittrock is perhaps best remembered for his enduring contributions to the science of learning. His vision of how learning works is best explicated in articles published in Educational Psychologist (Wittrock, 1974, 1978, 1989, 1991, 1992), beginning with his classic 1974 article, “Learning as a Generative Process.” In particular, Wittrock's contributions to the science of learning include (a) developing the generative theory of learning, (b) testing the generative theory of learning, and (c) applying the generative theory learning. In this article, I briefly summarize each of these accomplishments and describe how they influenced the field and my own research on learning and instruction.