cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of linear forms of the radiative transfer equation with analytic Jacobians.

Determining the Jacobians of the radiative transfer equation (RTE) is important to the qualities of the simultaneous retrieval of geophysical parameters from satellite radiance observations and the assimilation of radiance data into a numerical weather prediction system. Two linear forms of the RTE with analytic Jacobians are formulated. The first linear form has approximate analytic Jacobians, which involves some monochromatic approximation applied to a fast transmittance model. Unlike previous research, which lacks the transmittance Jacobian with respect to the atmospheric temperature profile, this form is complete in the sense that the transmittance Jacobians with respect to atmospheric temperature and absorbing constituent profiles are both present. The second linear form has exact analytic Jacobians derived consistently from the same fast transmittance model without using any monochromatic approximation. By numerical comparison between the two linear forms for the NOAA-12 High-Resolution Infrared Sounder, we show significant errors in the linear form with approximate analytic Jacobians. The relative absolute linearization error from the linear form with approximate analytic Jacobians is shown to be 2-4 orders of magnitude larger than that from the linear form with exact analytic Jacobians, even for the case of a 0.1% perturbation of the U.S. Standard Atmosphere. The errors unnecessarily complicate the ill-posed retrieval problem of atmospheric remote sensing and can be avoided if the correct linear form of the RTE with exact analytic Jacobians is adopted.
Dicobalt dioxygen complexes: formation and oxygen activation

Abstract The stability constants of binuclear cobalt dioxygen complexes in aqueous solution, determined by potentiometric p[H] measurements, vary in a linear fashion with the proton affinities, measured by protonation constants, provided that the coordinated ligands other than the bridging dioxygen are structurally related. Subgroups in the linear correlations result from steric effects generated by the conformations of the coordinated ligands. Dioxygen, when activated by coordination, may attack the coordinated ligand through dehydrogenation to form water, or may simply dissociate as hydrogen peroxide, forming a cobalt(III) complex of the original ligand (metal-centered oxidation). Kinetics of degradation of several dioxygen complexes are reported and a rationale is developed for determining whether degradation occurs through oxidative dehydrogenation of the coordinated ligand, or through metal-centered oxidation.
Voltage locking of dissimilar Josephson junctions in a resonant cavity

Effects of voltage locking in an array of dissimilar Josephson junctions via resonator coupling are investigated. Explicit conditions are given for N junctions connected in series to form a coherent array by using a common bias current. Problems due to losses in the connecting pads between junctions are studied.
Epidemiological profile of meningococcal disease in the United States.

Neisseria meningitidis is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis and other serious infections worldwide. The epidemiological profile of N. meningitidis is highly changeable, with great differences in disease incidence and serogroup distribution. Six serogroups (namely serogroups A, B, C, W-135, X, and Y) are responsible for most cases of meningococcal disease worldwide; the epidemiological profile of disease caused by each serogroup is unique. No vaccine is available for endemic disease caused by serogroup B strains. Two tetravalent (A/C/Y/ W-135) meningococcal vaccines are licensed in the United States: a purified polysaccharide product and a polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine. The conjugate vaccine is recommended for all adolescents, although vaccine coverage remains low, and other groups at high risk of infection. A comprehensive program to prevent invasive meningococcal disease in the United States will require vaccination of infants; several conjugate vaccines for infants may become available in the near future. Broadly protective vaccines for endemic serogroup B disease are also needed.
Interactive labeling of facial action units

For many computer vision problems, it is very important to produce the ground truth data. Manual data labeling is labor-intensive and prone to the human errors, whereas fully automatic data labeling is not feasible and reliable. In this paper, we propose an interactive labeling technique for efficient and accurate data labeling. Constructed on a Bayesian network (BN), the automatic image labeler produces an initial labeling of the image. A human then examines the initial labeling and makes minor corrections. The human corrections and the image measurements are then integrated by the BN framework to produce a refined labeling. We demonstrate the capability of this technique on labeling facial action units.
Generalized storage?reliability?yield relationships for rainwater harvesting systems

Sizing storage for rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems is often a difficult design consideration, as the system must be designed specifically for the local rainfall pattern. We introduce a generally applicable method for estimating the required storage by using regional regression equations to account for climatic differences in the behavior of RWH systems across the entire continental United States. A series of simulations for 231 locations with continuous daily precipitation records enable the development of storage?reliability?yield (SRY) relations at four useful reliabilities, 0.8, 0.9, 0.95, and 0.98. Multivariate, log-linear regression results in storage equations that include demand, collection area and local precipitation statistics. The continental regression equations demonstrated excellent goodness-of-fit (R2 0.96?0.99) using only two precipitation parameters, and fits improved when three geographic regions with more homogeneous rainfall characteristics were considered. The SRY models can be used to obtain a preliminary estimate of how large to build a storage tank almost anywhere in the United States based on desired yield and reliability, collection area, and local rainfall statistics. Our methodology could be extended to other regions of world, and the equations presented herein could be used to investigate how RWH systems would respond to changes in climatic variability. The resulting model may also prove useful in regional planning studies to evaluate the net benefits which result from the broad use of RWH to meet water supply requirements. We outline numerous other possible extensions to our work, which when taken together, illustrate the value of our initial generalized SRY model for RWH systems.
Modeling the Context-Dependent Associations between the Gut Microbiome, Its Environment, and Host Health

Changes in the gut microbiome are often associated with disease. One of the major goals in microbiome research is determining which components of this complex system are responsible for the observed differences in health state. Most studies apply a reductionist approach, wherein individual organisms are evaluated independently of the surrounding context of the microbiome. While such methods have yielded valuable insights into the microbiome, they fail to identify patterns that may be obscured by contextual variation. A recent report by Schubert et al. [A. M. Schubert, H. Sinani, and P. D. Schloss, mBio 6(4):e00974-15, 2015, doi: 10.1128/mBio.00974-15] communicates an alternative approach to the study of the microbiome's association with host health. By coupling a multifactored experimental design with regression modeling, the authors are able to profile context-dependent changes in the microbiome and predict health status. This work underscores the value of incorporating model-based procedures into the investigation of the microbiome and illustrates the potential clinical transformations that may arise through their use.
The Bacterial RecA Protein and the Recombinational DNA Repair of Stalled Replication Forks

▪ Abstract The primary function of bacterial recombination systems is the nonmutagenic repair of stalled or collapsed replication forks. The RecA protein plays a central role in these repair pathways, and its biochemistry must be considered in this context. RecA protein promotes DNA strand exchange, a reaction that contributes to fork regression and DNA end invasion steps. RecA protein activities, especially formation and disassembly of its filaments, affect many additional steps. So far, Escherichia coli RecA appears to be unique among its nearly ubiquitous family of homologous proteins in that it possesses a motorlike activity that can couple the branch movement in DNA strand exchange to ATP hydrolysis. RecA is also a multifunctional protein, serving in different biochemical roles for recombinational processes, SOS induction, and mutagenic lesion bypass. New biochemical and structural information highlights both the similarities and distinctions between RecA and its homologs. Increasingly, those differe...
Surveillance strategies for target detection with sweep lines

In this paper we present a method to extract surveillance graphs from occupancy grid maps. Surveillance graphs are part of the Graph-Clear framework and model the problem of detecting targets using multiple robots with limited range sensors. Robots can only execute basic actions called sweep and block on vertices and edges, respectively. Sweep detects targets in vertices and block prevents them from crossing edges. The extracted graphs accurately model the complexity of the planar environment to be searched, and are constructed as duals of the Voronoi Diagram. We give a geometric embedding for blocking and sweeping actions of the graph into the environment by directly associating them to sweep lines that robots cover with their sensors. This paper solves two open problems, namely the generation of surveillance graphs and the implementation of actions on a robot team. Sweep lines can then be directly translated into control inputs to the robot team. The new method is superior to previous heuristics for the extraction of graphs not only through its direct geometric relationship to the environment, but also due to its increased performance in direct experimental comparisons. Additionally, it provides a basis for possible theoretical results regarding the optimal coordination of multiple robots to detect targets in an arbitrary planar environment.
THE EFFECTS OF OVERPAYMENT AND FORM OF FINANCING ON BIDDER RETURNS IN MERGERS AND TENDER OFFERS

In this paper I examine the effects of overpayment and form of financing on bidding firms' stock returns and the determinants of the form of financing in mergers and tender offers. First, I find that in the 1980s potential overpayments to target shareholders and the form of financing are important for explaining cross-sectional differences in bidding firms' returns upon the announcement of mergers or tender offers. Second, I find that in the 1980s cash offers were likely to be chosen by cash-rich firms relative to their industry, and stock exchange offers were likely to be chosen by normal cash-generating firms relative to their industry. The latter finding is consistent with the pecking order hypothesis and casts doubt on recent signaling explanations of the form of financing.
Microfloral diversity patterns of the late Paleocene–Eocene interval in Colombia, northern South America

The late Paleocene–early Eocene interval was characterized by a long period of global warming that culminated with the highest temperatures of the Tertiary. This interval was also associated with plant extinctions and a subsequent increase in plant diversity in temperate latitudes. However, tropical regions remain largely unknown. We compare the microfloral diversity of the late Paleocene with the late early to middle Eocene in flood plain, coastal plain, and estuarine facies of a section in the Colombian eastern Andes. Several techniques such as range-through method, rarefaction, bootstrap, detrended correspondence analysis, and Simpson index were used to assess the significance of the diversity pattern observed throughout the section. The microfloral record indicates a distinct, diverse Paleocene flora declining toward the end of the Paleocene, being replaced by a different and much more diverse Eocene flora. It is uncertain, however, how these floral changes correlate with the latest Paleocene thermal maximum and Eocene thermal maximum events.
Multi-Band Transport Technologies for In-Building Host-Neutral Wireless Over Fiber Access Systems

We present two key system technologies on the two ends of RF spectrum to support optical-wireless access using radio-over-fiber (RoF) based distributed antenna system (DAS) for in-building environments. The proposed technologies can enable protocol-independent, multi-carrier broadband connectivity to the end users' devices deployed in the in-door facilities by supporting existing and emerging wireless services with lower radio frequency carrier (from 500 MHz up to 3 GHz) as well as future-proof very high throughput (VHT) gigabit wireless services using 60 GHz mm-wave band. For low frequency wireless services, a broad spectrum band-shifting technique is experimentally demonstrated to simultaneously transmit multi-service multiple input multiple output (MIMO) radio signals over in-building active DAS. This approach facilitates easy upgrading of existing non-MIMO services to MIMO services or adding future MIMO services in a simple and cost-effective way. For wireless-VHT service, for the first time to our knowledge, we demonstrate simultaneous all-optical up-conversion of multiple, separate gigabit wireless services at 60 GHz and 64 GHz mm-wave band using one single lightwave transmitter. This scheme can be used to achieve seamless convergence of very high throughput wireless personal area network (VHT-WPAN) with more conventional low frequency distributed antenna based optical-wireless access system.
Gray-box extraction of execution graphs for anomaly detection

Many host-based anomaly detection systems monitor a process by observing the system calls it makes, and comparing these calls to a model of behavior for the program that the process should be executing. In this paper we introduce a new model of system call behavior, called an execution graph. The execution graph is the first such model that both requires no static analysis of the program source or binary, and conforms to the control flow graph of the program. When used as the model in an anomaly detection system monitoring system calls, it offers two strong properties: (i) it accepts only system call sequences that are consistent with the control flow graph of the program; (ii) it is maximal given a set of training data, meaning that any extensions to the execution graph could permit some intrusions to go undetected. In this paper, we formalize and prove these claims. We additionally evaluate the performance of our anomaly detection technique.
Pity Poor Pascal Some Sobering Reflections on the American Book Scene

Despite impressive sales gains in recent decades and substantial growth in the number of book buyers, the tradebook, mass market and, to some extent, professional book publishers are handicapped by serious weaknesses in the retail distribution system upon which the bulk of their marketing depends. The industry has largely itself to blame for these difficulties. Publishers are producing many more titles than the market can absorb. Retailers, though proliferating in number, often offer only very limited title selections to their clientele, thereby alienating the special interest customers that constitute the large majority of serious book buyers. The industry has failed, furthermore, to develop an effective fulfillment system by which specialized titles could be efficiently delivered on special order. The problem calls for industrywide cooperative action which has thus far failed to materialize. There are indications, however, that a new generation of publishing and retail managers is more receptive to new ...
Cytomegalovirus exploits IL-10-mediated immune regulation in the salivary glands

The salivary glands represent a major site of cytomegalovirus replication and transmission to other hosts. Despite control of viral infection by strong T cell responses in visceral organs cytomegalovirus replication continues in the salivary glands of mice, suggesting that the virus exploits the mucosal microenvironment. Here, we show that T cell immunity in the salivary glands is limited by the induction of CD4 T cells expressing the regulatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10. Blockade of IL-10 receptor (IL-10R) with an antagonist antibody dramatically reduced viral load in the salivary glands, but not in the spleen. The mucosa-specific protection afforded by IL-10R blockade was associated with an increased accumulation of CD4 T cells expressing interferon γ, suggesting that IL-10R signaling limits effector T cell differentiation. Consistent with this, an agonist antibody targeting the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member OX40 (TNFRSF4) enhanced effector T cell differentiation and increased the number of interferon γ–producing T cells, thus limiting virus replication in the salivary glands. Collectively, the results indicate that modulating effector T cell differentiation can counteract pathogen exploitation of the mucosa, thus limiting persistent virus replication and transmission.
Strategic Investments: Evidence from Restructuring Announcements

Using news about restructuring actions of UK manufacturing sites involving layos, I document how strategic considerations aect rm investments. I show that announcements which indicate an improvement in the competitive position of the restructuring sites are associated with a notably robust and large increase in capital investments of other locally competing rms. Focusing on the announcing
Neuronal Activity Promotes Oligodendrogenesis and Adaptive Myelination in the Mammalian Brain

Myelination of the central nervous system requires the generation of functionally mature oligodendrocytes from oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). Electrically active neurons may influence OPC function and selectively instruct myelination of an active neural circuit. In this work, we use optogenetic stimulation of the premotor cortex in awake, behaving mice to demonstrate that neuronal activity elicits a mitogenic response of neural progenitor cells and OPCs, promotes oligodendrogenesis, and increases myelination within the deep layers of the premotor cortex and subcortical white matter. We further show that this neuronal activity-regulated oligodendrogenesis and myelination is associated with improved motor function of the corresponding limb. Oligodendrogenesis and myelination appear necessary for the observed functional improvement, as epigenetic blockade of oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelin changes prevents the activity-regulated behavioral improvement.
Enhancing an automated Braille Writing Tutor

The reported work advances the state-of-the-art in assistive technology for the blind by enhancing a low-cost automated tutor designed to teach braille writing skills to visually impaired children using voice feedback. We first provide some background on how the methodology of Intelligent Tutoring Systems correlates to an automated tutor for teaching braille writing skills. We then build on prior work to enhance our automated Braille Writing Tutor in three dimensions: (1) Initial field testing in three different countries; (2) Exploring customization needs for improving relevance in different cultures; and (3) Adding relevant games for increasing motivation. The outcome of this work is an enhanced low-cost tool that can help to increase braille literacy in blind communities around the world.
Comparison of mouse and rabbit lung damage exposure to 30 khz ultrasound

Twenty-four mice and sixteen rabbits were evaluated at one exposure duration (10 min) and at three exposure acoustic pressure levels (0, 100 and 145 kPa) at an ultrasonic frequency of 30 kHz, continuous wave for the purpose of testing whether there was a species difference in the degree of sensitivity to ultrasound-induced lung damage. This study was undertaken because it was hypothesized that the mouse may not be an acceptable or suitable animal model for studies that examine the effects of ultrasound on lung tissue for purposes of extrapolating or estimating the degree of potential damage in other species. The rabbit was selected for comparison to the mouse because the rabbit exhibited sufficient physiological and morphological differences from those of the mouse to test this hypothesis. Using exactly the same exposure conditions and lung assessment criteria, it appeared that the mouse lung was more sensitive to ultrasound-induced damage than that of the rabbit by a factor of between 2.8 and 3.6. Lung lesions in mice and rabbits were similar in character, but were much more severe and extensive in mice. Lesions in both species consisted of intraalveolar hemorrhage that appeared as dark red to red-black areas that were visible on the pleural surfaces and that extend within the lung parenchyma.
Mechanical Shock Reliability Analysis and Multiphysics Modeling of MEMS Accelerometers in Harsh Environments

MEMS accelerometers have found applications in harsh environments with pressure, temperatures above ambient conditions, high g shock and vibrations. The complex structure of these MEMS devices has made it difficult to understand the failure modes and failure mechanisms of present day MEMS accelerometers. Little work has been done by the researchers in investigating the high g reliability of the MEMS accelerometers by continuous high g drops and quantifying the failure modes. There is little literature addressing the multiphysics finite element modelling of MEMS accelerometers subjected to high g shocks. In defense applications, where these devices are integrated with several other compactly assembled subsystems, lack of knowledge on the physics of failure for the MEMS sensor in harsh environment operation, can be detrimental to the success of the system on the whole. Being able to successfully model inside of an accelerometer, enables the user to better understand the change in parameters like time delay induced in response of successive drops, change in pulse width that indicate failure, reduction in sensed g levels. Some researchers have subjected various accelerometers to repeated drops at their maximum sensing g(not high g) level, and used optical microscopy to detect damaged sensing elements [Beliveau, 1999]. Few researchers have modeled the internal structure of the MEMS device, along with the device packaging under the stresses of operation [Fang 2004, Ghisi 2008, Xiong 2008]. In this paper, a multiphysics model of capacitive and the moving elements of the accelerometer has been developed to model the change in capacitance with respect to stroke and understand the correlation with g-levels, in addition to the transient dynamic response of the accelerometer under high-g shock. This has not been much explored in the past. The accelerometer studied in the paper is the ADXL193, and subjected to repeated drops of 3000g in each 3 axes as per 2002.4 of MIL-STD-883 without preconditioning. A characteristic graph of capacitance vs accelerometer stroke has been obtained from a series of electrostatic simulations and is then used to relate g levels, capacitance, stroke deflection and voltage change using electromechanical transducer elements. The drift in the performance characteristics of the accelerometer have been measured versus the number of shock events. In addition, an attempt has been made to investigate the failure mode in the accelerometer.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Essentials and Clinical Applications of CT Enteroclysis

Technologic advances have made small bowel imaging a rapidly changing field and a challenge to radiology. Radiological investigations dominated small bowel imaging for all of the last century until the advent of wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) [1]. Although traditionally the simplicity, availability and low cost of small bowel follow through (SBFT) made it the most commonly performed examination, barium enteroclysis has been shown to have overall higher accuracy and reliability. However, this is at the expense of increased invasiveness and decreased patient tolerance without the use of conscious sedation [2, 3]. The disadvantage of all barium small bowel examinations is their inability to provide any extraluminal information that may have important clinical implications for patients with diseases of the small bowel. Much of the diagnostic information from barium studies was derived from the indirect mucosal and mural changes produced by lesions within or outside the lumen, allowing for substantial intra- and interobserver variation and difficulty in interpreting equivocal or even overt findings.
How to Recognize and Address Unconscious Bias

Despite the dramatic increase in the number of women and racial minorities pursuing careers in medicine, their representation among medical school faculty remains strikingly low. One potential explanation for this disparity is unconscious bias: opinions that we hold about different social groups that operate outside of our conscious awareness. During the past few decades, social scientists have discovered that unconscious bias can strongly influence the way we evaluate and treat other people. This chapter explains the nature of unconscious bias and how it might impact the careers of women and minority faculty members. We first explain what unconscious bias is and what social scientists know about why unconscious bias exists. Next we briefly cover the ways that unconscious bias affects the careers of junior faculty. We then outline several specific strategies that individuals can take in order to prevent unconscious bias from negatively influencing their own careers. These strategies include promoting awareness in self and others, developing a growth mindset, building and maintaining strong professional networks, and taking charge of one’s own career development. In addition, several recommendations are given to institutions on how to combat the influence of unconscious bias in the context of hiring. For example, institutions can educate search committees, make sure job descriptions sound neutral, and encourage their departments to use structured interview processes.
Quality improvement in paediatric palliative care: multidisciplinary stage 1 service evaluation at a tertiary children's hospital

Aims A stakeholder survey was performed in order to evaluate practice against the Association for Children9s Palliative Care (ACT) Integrated Palliative Care Pathways Standards and provide a baseline for service development. Methods A multidisciplinary subcommittee of staff adapted the ACT Service Self Assessment Tool for use in an online survey of hospital professionals. Stakeholder inclusion criteria were defined by seniority, speciality and profession (n=104). Sixty questions evaluated how well current care provision meets ACT standards by scaled and free text responses. Anonymised data were analysed using SPSS Statistics v17.0, graphs prepared with Excel v8.0 and a thematic analysis of free-text responses was completed. Results Subgroup analysis by specialty shows both variation in response rate (table 1) and in percentage of caseload/time spent on palliative care (figure 1). Figure 2 summarises overall aspects of good practice and those in need of further development. Blue ovals in figures 3–5 highlight a selection of specific ACT Standards for improvement. Theme-based analysis reveals: (A) Strengths (1) Good experience and communication within/between professional groups. (2) PICU/NICU expertise in end-of-life care. (3) Holistic family-centred care/support and child-friendly environment. (4) Dedicated pain management and bereavement counselling services. (B) Challenges (1) Lack of shared definition/framework/structure for paediatric palliative care. (2) Poor linkage with community services: discharge planning/out of hours care. (3) Emotive communication: end-of-life discussions; debriefing after child9s death. (4) Barriers preventing families accessing timely spiritual/pastoral/psychological care. (5) Practical limitations: privacy/space on ward; accommodation; interpreters. (C) Wish list (1) Dedicated paediatric palliative care team: consultant-led with regional outreach. (2) Holistic palliative care education, training and supervision for staff. (3) Greater access to psychological support: same day/out of hours and for siblings. (4) Specific written guidance/information resources for staff, children and families. (5) Clearer pathways of care linking hospital and community services: hospices/respite. Conclusions This is the largest service evaluation of palliative care in a tertiary children9s hospital, using ACT9s Service Self Assessment Tool to highlight key areas for quality improvement. Senior multidisciplinary stakeholders have identified their strengths, challenges and necessary resources, processes and outcomes for service development. Stage 2 service user evaluation proposed: to explore children and families9 priorities.
Fixation of fish tissues

Publisher Summary Fixation has been applied to animal tissues mainly for histological or pathological studies. This chapter provides information dealing with the principal facets of fixing fish tissues; it discusses the purpose of fixation and the basic elements of the chemistry of fixation. The chapter describes the various types of fixatives available, provides recipes for the most commonly used fixative mixtures, and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the fixatives. The choice of fixatives for specific procedures such as preparation of liver tissue for light microscopy, the preparation of whole small fish for histological evaluation, and the use of molecular and immunohistochemical techniques are also discussed. Fixatives are chemical substances that act as coagulants or non-coagulants of proteins in cells and tissues. Several criteria should be considered in choosing a fixative including: (i) the kind of tissue; (ii) the purpose of the study; (iii) the type of lesion; (iv) whether fish tissues or whole fish are being prepared; and (v) the staining or special techniques to be employed. Generally, it appears that protocols developed for immunohistochemical studies using mammalian models are suitable for fish. The process of fixation obviously involves cell death and therefore substances used in the process must be handled carefully.
FLEXION CONTRACTURE OF THE KNEE

Flexion contracture of the knee follows definite physical laws, which apply to all muscular contractures, and is modified by its peculiar anatomical construction. Gradual correction by the turnbuckle-cast method is offered as the method of choice, in the great majority of cases, because it has proved to be actually effective in a series of cases, including seventy-seven flexion contractures of the knee joint treated in this clinic. It provides a rigid system, which is so essential for the application of a correcting force upon the largest joint in the body. It may be universally applied, and does not require the construction of special apparatus. It is a method that is urged as a primary procedure, but its further utility preliminary or secondary to operative measures should not be overlooked. Its early application is especially indicated in contractures following actual involvement of the joint, before capsular shrinkage has occurred. As a preventive means, turnbuckles may be incorporated into every cast applied upon a pathologically flexed knee, in order to encourage correction just as soon as activity subsides. In this way even cases of tuberculosis of the knee may be given a better functional position.
Optical properties of the F + center in crystalline Al 2 O 3

Ultraviolet optical absorption, emission, and excitation spectra are presented for 14-MeV neutron-irradiated high-purity crystalline ${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. Low-temperature polarized excitation spectra for the 3.8-eV luminescence correlated well with polarized absorption at 4.8 eV (both polarizations) and 5.4 eV ($\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{E}}\ensuremath{\perp}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{c}}$). These optical properties compare favorably with those predicted using wave functions from an earlier pointion calculation for the ${\mathrm{F}}^{+}$ center by La, Bartram, and Cox. The 4.8- and 5.4-eV absorption bands are assigned to the $1A\ensuremath{\rightarrow}1B$ and $1A\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2A$ transitions, respectively, of the ${F}^{+}$ center and the 3.8-eV luminescence is assigned to the $1B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}1A$ transition. The $1A\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2B$ transition could not be conclusively identified, but preliminary evidence suggests it occurs near 6.3 eV. Similar absorption and emission bands are observed following energetic-proton and ${\mathrm{Al}}^{+}$ bombardment. Other uv optical properties are presented, including the quantum efficiency, lifetime, and temperature dependence of the emission.
200 Years of Nursing—a Chief Nurse’s Reflections on Practice, Theory, Policy, Education, and Research

This bimonthly department, sponsored by the AONE, presents information to assist nurse leaders in shaping the future of healthcare through creative and innovative leadership. The strategic priorities of AONE anchor the editorial content. They reflect contemporary healthcare and nursing practice issues that challenge nurse executives as they strive to meet the needs of patients.
Exploring virtual reality technology and the Oculus Rift for the examination of digital pathology slides

Background: Digital slides obtained from whole slide imaging (WSI) platforms are typically viewed in two dimensions using desktop personal computer monitors or more recently on mobile devices. To the best of our knowledge, we are not aware of any studies viewing digital pathology slides in a virtual reality (VR) environment. VR technology enables users to be artificially immersed in and interact with a computer-simulated world. Oculus Rift is among the world's first consumer-targeted VR headsets, intended primarily for enhanced gaming. Our aim was to explore the use of the Oculus Rift for examining digital pathology slides in a VR environment. Methods: An Oculus Rift Development Kit 2 (DK2) was connected to a 64-bit computer running Virtual Desktop software. Glass slides from twenty randomly selected lymph node cases (ten with benign and ten malignant diagnoses) were digitized using a WSI scanner. Three pathologists reviewed these digital slides on a 27-inch 5K display and with the Oculus Rift after a 2-week washout period. Recorded endpoints included concordance of final diagnoses and time required to examine slides. The pathologists also rated their ease of navigation, image quality, and diagnostic confidence for both modalities. Results: There was 90% diagnostic concordance when reviewing WSI using a 5K display and Oculus Rift. The time required to examine digital pathology slides on the 5K display averaged 39 s (range 10-120 s), compared to 62 s with the Oculus Rift (range 15-270 s). All pathologists confirmed that digital pathology slides were easily viewable in a VR environment. The ratings for image quality and diagnostic confidence were higher when using the 5K display. Conclusion: Using the Oculus Rift DK2 to view and navigate pathology whole slide images in a virtual environment is feasible for diagnostic purposes. However, image resolution using the Oculus Rift device was limited. Interactive VR technologies such as the Oculus Rift are novel tools that may be of use in digital pathology.
LOW COST SHORE PROTECTION USED ON THE GREAT LAKES

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of three years of field observations on low cost beach protection structures in use on the Great Lakes. The structures were studied in regard to their effectiveness as beach building and protective devices and with respect to their durability in resisting ice and wave forces. The term "low cost" refers to structures which cost between $10 and $50 per foot of frontage at 1952 prices.
Interventions in the Premature Nursery: Impact on Development

In recent years investigators have studied the unusual and confusing environment that parents of a premature infant encounter as they try to meet the needs of their sleepy, fragile, and unpredictable infant. Observations based on recently completed studies suggest a number of promising interventions that may reduce parental anxiety and stress. This article integrates these investigations and indicates the need to develop new and more positive environments for both parents and infants. From these many studies of the infant and parent the authors then develop clinical recommendations.
Analyzing cell cycle checkpoints in response to ionizing radiation in mammalian cells

Exposure of cells to DNA-damaging agents, such as ionizing radiation (IR), results in perturbation of cell cycle progression. IR activates cell cycle checkpoints that arrest the cell cycle at the G1/S, S, and G2/M phases. The DNA damage-signaling network involves a number of important DNA damage response factors that are required for maintaining genome stability and prevention of cancer. These factors are involved in the regulation of cell cycle checkpoints and include ATM, NBS1, BRCA1, Chk2, and p53. Here we describe a series of assays that are often used to analyze cell cycle checkpoints after IR. These assays include a G1/S checkpoint assay that measures 5-bromodeoxyuridine incorporation into DNA, an S-phase checkpoint assay that measures DNA synthesis at a very early time point after IR, and a G2/M checkpoint assay that quantitates histone H3 phosphorylation. This collection of assays allows us to investigate the specific functions of proteins involved in regulating different cell cycle checkpoints in mammalian cells as a response to IR.
Serum isocitrate dehydrogenase during polybrominated biphenyl toxicosis in dairy cattle.

Bovine serum isocitrate dehydrogenase (sICDH) was investigated in dairy cattle as a clinical measurement indicative of hepatic injury. Conditions for optimization of isocitrate dehydrogenase assays for bovine serum are described. Assays of sICDH in normal cattle show average activities of .814 (SD = .202) units/ml serum with a range of .316 to 1.268 for 83 samples taken from 32 animals. Investigation of sICDH in pregnant dairy cattle experimentally dosed with polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) showed no discernible elevations until doses were sufficient to cause toxicosis (25,000 mg PBB/d). Cows lethally dosed with 25,000 mg PBB/d had moderate elevations of sICDH (approximately a twofold increase) concomitant with severe toxicosis in some but not all animals. This PBB dose also caused abortion or fetal death in pregnant animals; elevation of sICDH in these animals was coincident with fetal trauma. This suggests that sICDH may be influenced by fetoplacental contributions in pregnant animals. Non-pregnant cows, intoxicated with PBB, had minimal sICDH elevation as compared with 10-fold in a calf with experimentally induced hepatotoxicity (thioacetamide). This observation was consistent with histopathological findings of minimal, if any, hepatic involvement in dairy cattle lethally intoxicated with PBB. Serum isocitrate dehydrogenase appears to be a useful adjunct to the ordinary complement of serum chemistries used for clinical diagnosis; however, it does not appear to reflect exclusively hepatic injury.
Getting Up to Speed with the Office Apps

You’re probably in a hurry to start being productive using Office 2016, so this chapter gets you moving quickly. First, you’ll meet each of the apps, find out what you can do with them, and master key features such as the Ribbon and the Gallery dialog box. Then, I’ll show you how to launch the apps or make them launch themselves. Finally, you’ll look at how to create, save, and close documents, as well as how to reopen them when you need to work on them again.
The successful use of bipolar radiofrequency ablation (coblation) in treatment of a lymphatic malformation affecting the upper airway

Lymphatic malformations of the head and neck region frequently involve the upper aero digestive tract. Patients with these lymphatic malformations may present in early infancy with sudden airway compromise. This necessitates early intervention with intubation or tracheostomy for airway stabilization. The etiology and pathogenesis of lymphatic malformations is still unclear, and a wide array of treatment modalities has been proposed. We present a case report of a neonate with a lymphatic malformation involving the upper airway, and discuss how the patient was initially stabilized with a tracheostomy, following which he underwent a series of staged procedures, including bipolar radiofrequency ablation, which eventually led to successful decannulation.
Room-Temperature Spin Filtering in Metallic Ferromagnet–Multilayer Graphene–Ferromagnet Junctions

We report room-temperature negative magnetoresistance in ferromagnet–graphene–ferromagnet (FM|Gr|FM) junctions with minority spin polarization exceeding 80%, consistent with predictions of strong minority spin filtering. We fabricated arrays of such junctions via chemical vapor deposition of multilayer graphene on lattice-matched single-crystal NiFe(111) films and standard photolithographic patterning and etching techniques. The junctions exhibit metallic transport behavior, low resistance, and the negative magnetoresistance characteristic of a minority spin filter interface throughout the temperature range 10 to 300 K. We develop a device model to incorporate the predicted spin filtering by explicitly treating a metallic minority spin channel with spin current conversion and a tunnel barrier majority spin channel and extract spin polarization of at least 80% in the graphene layer in our structures. The junctions also show antiferromagnetic coupling, consistent with several recent predictions. The methods...
The double-domain cytidine deaminase APOBEC3G is a cellular site-specific RNA editing enzyme

APOBEC3G is a cytidine deaminase with two homologous domains and restricts retroelements and HIV-1. APOBEC3G deaminates single-stranded DNAs via its C-terminal domain, whereas the N-terminal domain is considered non-catalytic. Although APOBEC3G is known to bind RNAs, APOBEC3G-mediated RNA editing has not been observed. We recently discovered RNA editing by the single-domain enzyme APOBEC3A in innate immune cells. To determine if APOBEC3G is capable of RNA editing, we transiently expressed APOBEC3G in the HEK293T cell line and performed transcriptome-wide RNA sequencing. We show that APOBEC3G causes site-specific C-to-U editing of mRNAs from over 600 genes. The edited cytidines are often flanked by inverted repeats, but are largely distinct from those deaminated by APOBEC3A. We verified protein-recoding RNA editing of selected genes including several that are known to be involved in HIV-1 infectivity. APOBEC3G co-purifies with highly edited mRNA substrates. We find that conserved catalytic residues in both cytidine deaminase domains are required for RNA editing. Our findings demonstrate the novel RNA editing function of APOBEC3G and suggest a role for the N-terminal domain in RNA editing.
Post-1935 changes in Pinyon-Juniper persistent woodland on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA

Pinyon-juniper (Pinus-Juniperus) persistent woodland (PJPW) is widespread in western North America. This study examined changes in PJPW on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP), Arizona, USA based on resampling study plots established in 1935 that are the earliest-known, landscape-level, quantitative documentation of PJPW. Resampling provided data essential to understanding post-1935 dynamics and current conditions, as well as developing ecologically based management practices. Plots were divided into Core PJPW, Transition PJPW-Ponderosa Pine Forest (PJPW-PPF), and Seral PJPW. These differed greatly in their post-1935 vegetation dynamics. Core PJPW experienced high mortality of mid-diameter Juniperus osteosperma (JUOS) and Pinus edulis (PIED), large losses of total basal area, and increases of small-diameter JUOS. In context of other research, these changes indicate drought during 1953–1956, 1959–1964, and 2002–2011 led to increased mortality of JUOS and PIED and that Core PJPW is a dynamic system with phases of tree recruitment and mortality related to climate. In contrast, Transition PJPW-PPF was generally stable, likely as a result of less drought stress at the relatively high elevation where PJPW intergrades with PPF. Seral PJPW plots were early successional in 1935 and provided a uniquely long, quantitative documentation of succession. They changed most among the PJPW subtypes with large increases in total tree density and basal area as plots transitioned into tree-dominated successional stages. Current conditions of Core PJPW in GCNP provide a model for restoration of PJPW in areas of similar environment. Elsewhere, managers should consider using contemporary data from the area’s least-disturbed PJ vegetation. In general, the ultimate goal should be to restore to the least-altered present, not attempt to re-establish the past. Likewise, findings suggest ongoing management of PJPW in protected areas should not focus on restoration of historical stand structure and composition, as done in PPF. Instead, management should emphasize leaving naturally occurring processes unimpaired. These include disturbances such as stand-replacing fire and native insect outbreaks that historically led to varied spatial and temporal stand composition and structure. However, active management may be needed when modern anthropogenic factors have potential to substantially alter key processes, e.g., if increasing cover of invasive plants such as cheat grass (Bromus tectorum) is likely to change the historical fire regime. Also, management plans for adjacent vegetation types such as PPF, shrublands, and grasslands need to consider potential short- and long-term impacts on PJPW. Additional challenges to management of PJPW are likely to arise with further climate change.
Does quality of life improvement precede anemia correction in patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia treated with intravenous iron?

9082 Background: Combining intravenous (IV) iron with erythropoiesis-stimulating (ESA) therapy has been shown to increase Hgb response in treating anemia of cancer and chemotherapy. As part of a trial in anemic cancer patients on chemotherapy being treated with an ESA, we compared the effects of IV iron, oral iron, and no iron, on changes in patient-reported HRQOL. Methods: Prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter trial. Major inclusions: pt starting chemotherapy cycle, Hb 100 ng/mL or transferrin saturation >15%. Major exclusions: recent transfusion, ESA, or IV iron use, infection. All pts received epoetin alfa (40,000 U SQ/Wk for first 4 wks, then dose- adjusted per protocol). Pts were randomized to: No iron, PO FeSO4 325 mg tid, or IV ferric gluconate 125 mg IV weekly, for 8 weeks. Change in HRQOL was measured 4 weeks after start and at end of study (week 10, or last observation carried forward) using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)-Anemia. Results: There were ...
Interpersonal Touch Among Preschool Children at Play

Previous research has indicated that interpersonal touch is more likely for female than for male children, more likely for same-gender dyads, and more likely for black than for white children. However, the effects of race and social class upon touch have not been observed separately. In the present study, children were observed at play in black low-income, black middle-income, white low-income, and white middle-income preschools. Rates of touch were higher for low-income children in inside play areas and higher for same-gender pairs. In outside play areas, touch was higher for black same-gender pairs, but there was no race difference in touch for different-gender pairs. In general, rates of touch were higher than those previously reported for older American children and adults, but lower than those for both children and adults from some other cultures.