cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EARLY HAND PREFERENCE AND THE RISK FOR CEREBRAL PALSY

Hand preference is generally not acquired in infants until approximately 2 years of age. Eleven graduates from the intensive care nursery undergoing developmental evaluations at 6 months corrected age were either reported by parents or detected on motor exam to have hand preference. Mean birth weight was 1492 grams (range=700-3500 grams) and gestational age 30.8 weeks (range=26-40 weeks). Diagnoses included respiratory distress syndrome (10) and group B streptococcal meningitis (1). Only 1 infant with respiratory distress syndrome had a significant intracranial bleed with subsequent post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus necessitating ventriculo-peritoneal shunt placement. By 12 months corrected age, 8 of the 11 infants (73%) continued to demonstrate hand preference, including the infants with group B streptococcal meningitis and post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus. All 8 have subsequently been diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP), with the remaining 3 exhibiting normal development. We conclude that persistent hand preference within the first year of life may be an early predictor of cerebral palsy as a developmental outcome.
Effect of apolipoprotein ε4 allele on hippocampal and brain volume in intractable temporal lobe epilepsy

This study investigated the relationship between the apolipoprotein (APOE) e4 allele and brain volumes in patients with medically intractable temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). MRI-based volumetric analyses of the hippocampi, cerebral hemispheres, and whole brain were conducted in 59 patients with TLE (31 with left TLE, 28 with right TLE) with hippocampal sclerosis (HS). There were no differences in hippocampal, hemispheric, or whole brain volumes as a function of e4 status even after correcting for hemispheric and total brain volumes. However, APOE e4 carriers showed a trend toward having a smaller discrepancy between ipsilateral and contralateral hippocampal volumes than patients without this allele, and post hoc analyses suggest there may be an increased incidence of bilateral HS in e4 carriers. In summary, APOE e4 is not associated with significant hippocampal, hemispheric, or whole brain atrophy in patients with medically intractable TLE. However, e4 carriers may be more likely to have bilateral HS, with an apparent dose-dependent effect.
Immune response to influenza vaccine in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background & Aims: The aim of this study was to compare response to inactivated influenza vaccine in healthy children and pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: A prospective, open-label, controlled clinical trial during influenza seasons of 2002–2004 was performed. Single-dose inactive trivalent influenza vaccine was administered. Immune response to vaccination was measured by pre-immunization and postimmunization hemagglutinin inhibition titers. A postimmunization hemagglutinin inhibition titer of 40 or higher was considered protective against influenza. IBD activity and adverse events were recorded. Results: Eighty subjects were enrolled (29 healthy controls, 51 IBD patients). One patient did not complete the study. Patients were divided into 3 subgroups: infliximab and immunomodulatory (16), immunomodulatory (20), and anti-inflammatory therapy (14). Immunomodulatory therapy included corticosteroids, 6-mercaptopurine, or methotrexate. Overall, there was a statistically significant decrease in immune response in patients compared with healthy controls who received 1 influenza vaccine antigen (B/Hong Kong, P = .0125). Patients receiving infliximab and immunomodulatory therapy were less likely to respond to 2 influenza vaccine antigens (A/New Caledonia/20/99 and B/Hong Kong/330/2001, P = .018 and .0002, respectively). Fifteen subjects (19%) reported 19 mild adverse events: 11 (14%) reported soreness at the site, 4 (5%) reported having a cold, 3 (4%) reported flu-like symptoms, and 1 (1%) reported a headache. The clinical activity of IBD was not affected by vaccination. Conclusions: The serologic conversion rate to influenza vaccine in patients with IBD ranged from 33% to 85%. Patients on concomitant infliximab and immunomodulatory therapy are at risk of inadequate response to vaccination. The vaccine was safe and did not affect IBD activity.
Properties of highly clustered networks

We propose and solve exactly a model of a network that has both a tunable degree distribution and a tunable clustering coefficient. Among other things, our results indicate that increased clustering leads to a decrease in the size of the giant component of the network. We also study susceptible/infective/recovered type epidemic processes within the model and find that clustering decreases the size of epidemics, but also decreases the epidemic threshold, making it easier for diseases to spread. In addition, clustering causes epidemics to saturate sooner, meaning that they infect a near-maximal fraction of the network for quite low transmission rates.
Intrinsic Viscosity of Polymers and Biopolymers Measured by Microchip

Intrinsic viscosity provides insight to molecular structure and interactions in solution. A new microchip method is described for fast and accurate measurements of viscosity and intrinsic viscosity of polymer and biopolymer solutions. Polymer samples are diluted with solvent in the microfluidic chip by imposing pressure gradients across the channel network. The concentration and flow dilutions of the polymer sample are calculated from the fluorescent signals recorded over a range of dilutions. The viscosities at various polymer dilutions are evaluated using mass and momentum balances in the pressure-driven microchannel flow. The technique is particularly important to many chemical, biological, and medical applications where sample is available in very small quantities. The intrinsic viscosity experiments were performed for three classes of polymer solutions: (a) poly(ethylene glycol), polymers with linear hydrocarbon chains; (b) bovine serum albumin, biopolymer chains with hydrophobic and hydrophilic ami...
An Investigation into the Use of "Expert Systems" for System-Wide Diagnostics

With the ever increasing complexity of high energy physics experiments and the increasing number of parameters in data acquisition systems, it is worth investigating the use of "expert systems" for producing system wide diagnostics. Computer programs with "built-in" knowledge and operating at the expert level not only enable the inspection of status registers in each module, but can also make suggestions about the possible causes of a particular error situation. The expert system can be viewed as an "intelligent" assistant (who is on shift for 24 hours each day), and as a result of its ability to operate at the "expert" level, can offer advice or take a decision about a particular error situation. This paper discusses briefly the background to "expert system" research, describes the major components of expert systems, and presents some initial results from an "expert system" designed to diagnose a FASTBUS data acquisition system.
Metabolism of leucine in fibroblasts with defects in the leucine catabolic pathway.

Abstract 1. 1. The activity of the leucine catabolic pathway was measured by quantitation of the radiolabeled glutamic acid produced by intact cultured fibroblasts incubated with radiolabeled leucine. 2. 2. Five normal cell lines produced an average of 179 ±47pmol glutamic acid/mg cell protein/hr. 3. 3. Six cell lines with defects in one of the enzymes of the pathway showed activities of 0–40 pmol glutamic acid/mg cell protein/hr. 4. 4. Each of the cell lines with an enzyme defect produced a characteristic pattern of radiolabeled organic acids. In every case, the amounts of these organic acids produced was less than the amount of glutamic acid produced by normal cells. None of the cell lines accumulated CoA esters.
The relationship of raw broiler breast meat color and pH to cooked meat color and pH

Three replicate trials were conducted to determine the influence of raw breast meat color and pH on subsequent cooked meat color and pH. In each trial, approximately 50 breast fillets were obtained from a commercial processing plant based on being either normal, lighter than normal, or darker than normal. Color (L* = lightness, a* = redness, and b* = yellowness) of each fillet was determined in triplicate on the underside surface of the fillet (to avoid scalding effects), and the pH was determined on a tissue sample removed from the posterior portion of each fillet. Fillets were then cooked in steam at 98 C for 20 min and cooled to room temperature, and a second sample was removed from the posterior section for cooked meat pH. Cooked meat color was measured on an exposed surface, to avoid cooking-related discoloration. The data were subjected to linear regression analysis to determine the relationship between raw and cooked values. Results indicated a significant linear relationship between raw and cooked values for each color parameter as well as pH. Model R2 values were 0.43, 0.40, 0.64, and 0.78 for L*, a*, b*, and pH, respectively. There were also significant linear relationships between raw meat L* and raw muscle pH (R2 = 0.59) as well as cooked meat L* and raw meat pH (R2 = 0.36). These results indicate that raw breast meat color and pH affect cooked breast meat color and pH but that cooking reduces the degree of color variation. Moreover, cooked meat lightness is more closely associated with raw breast meat pH than with cooked meat pH.
Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) as a Potential Natural Enemy of Maize-Infesting Ulidiidae

Euxesta annonae Fabricius, E. eluta Loew, E. stigmatias Loew, and Chaetopsis massyla Walker (Diptera: Ulidiidae) are primary sweet corn pests in Florida. Few natural enemies of these flies are known. The pupal parasitoid Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae Rondani (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) was discovered in a laboratory colony of E. eluta and E. stigmatias, and its potential as a biological control agent was studied. Development times in fresh, chilled, and frozen E. eluta pupae were recorded. Fly larvae were allowed to dig into soil to pupate, and pupae covered by 2.5 cm of soil were presented to wasps to determine if P. vindemmiae could locate them. Finally, to evaluate susceptibility to insecticides commercially used in ear-stage sweet corn, adult parasitoids were caged on maize leaves treated with chlorpyrifos, methomyl, or zeta cypermethrin for 24 h. Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae completed development in normal, chilled, and frozen fly pupae in 15–17 days. None of the fly pupae covered by soil were parasitized. Chlorpyrifos and methomyl residues killed >95% of P. vindemmiae within 24 h. Zeta cypermethrin was slower acting, but resulted in 50% mortality after 24 h. Therefore, P. vindemmiae does not appear to be well suited as an effective biological control agent of maize-infesting Ulidiidae in sweet corn fields. This is the first known account of this cosmopolitan parasitoid attacking maize-infesting ulidiids.
The disadvantaged student at a liberal arts college

In the fall of 1969, a program to expand educational opportunities (EEO) for economically disadvantaged students was initiated at Macalester College. During the first three years of the program, the percentage of non-white students at the College rose from 3% to approximately 15%. Average grades for the EEO students were approximately one standard deviation below those of a random non-EEO sample, similar to the differences in high school grades between the two groups. However, the EEO students persisted at Macalester College at a slightly higher rate than non-EEO students. The EEO students also were more likely than non-EEO students to major in the behavioral/social sciences and less likely to major in the fine arts, humanities, and physical sciences.
SISAL versus FORTRAN: a comparison using the Livermore loops

The acquisition of parallel processors in the scientific community is increasing, but the difficulties of programming parallel machines persist. Two approaches have emerged: automatic parallelizing compilers for extant languages, and new languages professed to provide simpler and cleaner parallel programming models. Unfortunately, because of their semantics most new languages have acquired a reputation for inefficiency. This paper compares the performance of SISAL, an applicative language for parallel numerical computations, and FORTRAN using the Livermore Loops. Our intent is to show that applicative programs, when compiled using a set of powerful yet simple optimization techniques, can achieve sequential execution speeds comparable to FORTRAN, and automatically utilize conventional shared memory multiprocessors.
Sterol Regulatory Element-binding Protein (SREBP) Cleavage Regulates Golgi-to-Endoplasmic Reticulum Recycling of SREBP Cleavage-activating Protein (SCAP)

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) transcription factors are central regulators of cellular lipogenesis. Release of membrane-bound SREBP requires SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) to escort SREBP from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi for cleavage by site-1 and site-2 proteases. SCAP then recycles to the ER for additional rounds of SREBP binding and transport. Mechanisms regulating ER-to-Golgi transport of SCAP-SREBP are understood in molecular detail, but little is known about SCAP recycling. Here, we have demonstrated that SCAP Golgi-to-ER transport requires cleavage of SREBP at site-1. Reductions in SREBP cleavage lead to SCAP degradation in lysosomes, providing additional negative feedback control to the SREBP pathway. Current models suggest that SREBP plays a passive role prior to cleavage. However, we show that SREBP actively prevents premature recycling of SCAP-SREBP until initiation of SREBP cleavage. SREBP regulates SCAP in human cells and yeast, indicating that this is an ancient regulatory mechanism.
Sex differences among correlates of extraversion and neuroticism.

Summary.-The responses of 235 psychology students at the University of Melbourne to the Neuroticism and Extraversion scales of the Eysenck and Heron personality inventories were correlated with their ratings of importance and selfratings of various areas of their lives. The results indicated that there may be significant differences in the self-perceptions of males and females with similar scores on the Neuroticism and Extraversion scales. Eysenck and Eysenck (1964) present a picture of the "typical" extravert as a sociable person who prefers parties to reading, craves excitement, and is impulsive, easygoing and optimistic. A complementary portrait is painted of the "typical" introvert. Although Eysenck and Eysenck do not give a corresponding description of the "typical" neurotic they do use such adjectives as "moody," "touchy," "anxious," and "restless" in their discussion of neurocicism. Pen portraits such as these are useful in that they allow the psychologist to picture the sort of person who would score high or low on these personality variables. However, Eysenck and Eysenck (1969) present some evidence that the conceptions men and women have of themselves in relation to extraversion and neuroticism differ markedly. Vagg, Stanley, and Hammond ( 1972) confirmed Eysenck and Eysenck's claim that adequate replication of factorial structure does not occur at the primary-factor level. Their analysis also suggested that sexrole factors strongly influenced the impulsivity component of extraversion and that identity of the two aspects of extraversion, sociability and impulsiveness, across sex does not occur. Results such as these suggest the possibility that the very concepts of "extraversion" and "neuroticism" may not be identical across sex. This proposition was examined in this research by considering the relationships between an individual's ratings of the importance of and satisfaction with various life areas and his or her scores on neuroticism and extraversion scales. METHOD The subjects were 235 psychology students from Melbourne University. The sample comprised 67 males and 168 females whose average age was 19 yr. They had taken an introductory course in psychology but had, at that time, no experience of personality tests and very little of personality theory. The tests were presented as part of the practical course, during the normal laboratory sessions by two of their regular instructors. Measures of neuroticism and extraversion were obtained from the Heron Personality Inventory and the Eysenck
Iceland Mantle Plume

O'HARA1 has objected to my interpretation concerning the trace element chemistry of lavas erupted along the Iceland-Reykjanes Ridge System2 on the ground that: (1) Such magmas are not “primary magmas” but residual liquids; (2) instead, such lavas have suffered prior to eruption extensive “gabbro fractionation” at low pressure (olivine-augite-plagioclase extraction), and/or “eclogite fractionation” at higher pressure (clinopyroxenegarnet extraction in a 50–50% mixture); (3) the “extent of fractionation” is directly proportional to the elevation of the surface on which these lavas have been erupted, thus increases toward Iceland, and is the principal cause of trace element variations along the ridge. According to O'Hara, the lavas are derived from a unique and homogeneous mantle at the upper mantle-transition zone boundary and not, as I prefer2, from two distinct mantle sources, one forcefully rising as a primary hot mantle plume (PHMP) beneath Iceland and interacting with the depleted low velocity layer (DLVL).
Classification of spatial patterns using wavelets

The interpretation of airphotos relies heavily on the identification of textures and spatial patterns. The 2-D wavelet transform can be used to quantify simple patterns for automated classification of pixels in an image. The transform generates a set of images similar in format to a multispectral image deck, but based on spatial information localized about each pixel. The images in this 'wavelet' deck each correspond to an analysis of patterns in the original image at different spatial resolutions. For example, where one image in the wavelet deck depends on spatial variations within a 32 by 32 pixel area, the next image in the deck contains information on spatial features within a 16 by 16 pixel area. Individual pixels in the wavelet deck can be classified using the same classification and pattern recognition algorithms used with multispectral images. Classifications based on the wavelet deck of four airphoto samples using a minimum-distance to means algorithm and an artificial neural network are presented.
Metabolism, enzymic activities and cold adaptation in Antarctic mesopelagic fishes

Several species of Antarctic mesopelagic fishes that have different minimal depths of occurrence but the same environmental temperature were collected in November–December 1983 and in March 1986 between 0 and 1 000 m in the open water near the marginal ice zone in the vicinity of 60°S 40°W (1983) and 65°S 46°W (1986), and oxygen consumption rate (V O 2) and the activity of two metabolic enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, an indicator of the anaerobic potential of locomotory muscle) and citrate synthase (CS, an indicator of citric acid cycle activity or aerobic potential), were determined. In four dominant species, whole-individual oxygen-consumption rate (y, ml O2 individual−1 h−1) varied with weight (X, g) according to the equation y=aX b, with b values falling between 0.889 and 1.029. The relation of weight-specific LDH activity (y, U g−1 wet wt) with weight (x, g) was also described by the equation y=aX b, with b values varying between 0.229 and 1.025. Weight-specific CS activity declined with weight, with b values from-0.031 to-0.369. V 2 O, LDH activity and CS activity all declined markedly with increased species' minimum depth of occurrence (the depth below which 90% of a species' population lives). Comparisons with previous studies on ecologically equivalent species of the California Borderland indicate that depth-related decreases in metabolism are the result of adapted traits of deeper-living species, not declining temperature within the water column. The metabolic rate of Antarctic mesopelagic fishes is approximately twice that of California species at equivalent temperatures; similar rates were found at the normal habitat temperatures of the two groups. Thus, a well-developed compensation for temperature is present in the Antarctic fishes: cold adaptation. Differences in enzymic activity among species, and among different sized individuals of a species are related to differences in metabolic rate and locomotory capacity. Enzymic indices can be used to estimate metabolic rates and evaluate ecological parameters such as predatory strategies and niche separation.
Brief Report: Long‐Term Functional Engraftment of Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells in a Mouse Model of Accelerated Aging

Age-related osteoporosis is characterized by a decrease in bone-forming capacity mediated by defects in the number and function of osteoblasts. An important cellular mechanism that may in part explain osteoblast dysfunction that occurs with aging is senescence of mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs). In the telomere-based Wrn(-/-) Terc(-/-) model of accelerated aging, the osteoporotic phenotype of these mice is also associated with a major decline in MPC differentiation into osteoblasts. To investigate the role of MPC aging as a cell-autonomous mechanism in senile bone loss, transplantation of young wild-type whole bone marrow into Wrn(-/-) Terc(-/-) mutants was performed and the ability of engrafted cells to differentiate into cells of the osteoblast lineage was assessed. We found that whole bone marrow transplantation in Wrn(-/-) Terc(-/-) mice resulted in functional engraftment of MPCs up to 42 weeks, which was accompanied by a survival advantage as well as delays in microarchitectural features of skeletal aging.
Existence theory and invariant manifolds of bubble clouds

This work is motivated by a desire to understand the dynamics of a cloud of bubbles in the wake of a ship. In particular we are interested in understanding how the sound waves from the propellors excite the cloud and how the cloud in turn modifies these waves. Many applications of bubble cloud dynamics exist ranging from cavitation damage to shock wave propagation in bubbly liquids
Stabilising the international wheat market with a US buffer stock

Abstract An aggregate simulation model of the wheat market is presented and the simulator is used to analayse (a) a free or non-buffered wheat market, (b) a market buffered by a US wheat reserve, and (c) a free market with fewer trade restrictions. The authors conclude that a US-owned buffer stock of 15M tonnes could greatly reduce US and world wheat price variability at an average annual cost a little under $300 million.
Culture Shock! Brain-Like Tissue Grown in Vitro Has Potential

The mind is a beautiful thing, but its complexity makes it extremely difficult to study. Analysis of brain interconnectivity is complicated by the overlapping distribution of functionally distinct neuron populations as well as the technical and ethical challenges of studying real-time neuronal behavior in animal models and humans. Previous studies attempting to grow brain tissue in the lab used neurons suspended in extracellular matrix (ECM)–derived gels, but these gels failed to support functional neuronal connections, possibly because of inadequate mechanical properties and rapid degradation in culture. To overcome these limitations, Tang-Schomer et al. put mind over matter to carefully design biomaterials based on silk scaffolds and collagen gel. These materials showed similar elasticity to mouse and rat brain tissue and slower degradation as compared with that of other ECM gels. Importantly, the self-binding nature of silk allowed the adhesive-free assembly of interlocking pieces, which may facilitate connections of neurons in discrete compartments. After just 7 days, primary rat cortical neurons organized around the pores of the scaffold and extended long axons into the collagen gel, creating mini-networks reminiscent of the compartmentalized gray and white matter of the brain. Compared with two-dimensional culture or to collagen gel alone, the composite silk-collagen system supported extended viability, the growth of longer axons, and increased expression of genes associated with neuronal adhesion, regenerative growth, and synaptogenesis. Recordings of local field potential showed electrophysiologically relevant behavior in response to treatment with a neurotoxin. Excitingly, the viable brain-like tissue allowed analysis of the effects of a mechanical injury, creating a model of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a way that has never been possible before. When a weight was dropped onto the tissue, the neurons showed a spike in electrical activity and a rapid release of the neurotransmitter glutamate, similar to what has been observed in animal models of TBI. Although preliminary, this study represents proof of concept that brain-like tissue grown in vitro can be used to examine physiologically relevant responses to drugs and mechanical injury. Future generations of the biomaterials may include important extracellular matrix components, soluble factors, electrical stimulation, and more highly differentiated cell types in separate compartments. The model must then be extended to human neurons differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells in order to fully realize its translational potential. Unfortunately, this bioengineered brain is unlikely to help us think, but it can allow detailed studies of the complex behavior of neurons. M. D. Tang-Schomer et al ., Bioengineered functional brain-like cortical tissue. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 10.1073/pnas.1324214111 (2014). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2014/08/06/1324214111.short
Factors necessary to produce basoapical polarity in human glandular epithelium formed in conventional and high-throughput three-dimensional culture: example of the breast epithelium

Basoapical polarity in epithelia is critical for proper tissue function, and control of proliferation and survival. Cell culture models that recapitulate epithelial tissue architecture are invaluable to unravel developmental and disease mechanisms. Although factors important for the establishment of basal polarity have been identified, requirements for the formation of apical polarity in three-dimensional tissue structures have not been thoroughly investigated. We demonstrate that the human mammary epithelial cell line-3522 S1, provides a resilient model for studying the formation of basoapical polarity in glandular structures. Testing three-dimensional culture systems that differ in composition and origin of substrata reveals that apical polarity is more sensitive to culture conditions than basal polarity. Using a new high-throughput culture method that produces basoapical polarity in glandular structures without a gel coat, we show that basal polarity-mediated signaling and collagen IV are both necessary for the development of apical polarity. These results provide new insights into the role of the basement membrane, and especially collagen IV, in the development of the apical pole, a critical element of the architecture of glandular epithelia. Also, the high-throughput culture method developed in this study should open new avenues for high-content screening of agents that act on mammary tissue homeostasis and thus, on architectural changes involved in cancer development.
Spiritual Transformation and Emotion: A Semiotic Analysis

The semiotics of Charles Sanders Peirce is proposed as a theoretical framework that can model more adequately than conventional theories in psychology the emotional transformations in cultural practices that rest squarely upon self-transcendence as the basis for healing. For illustration, the Peircean notion of the sign is applied to an analysis of spirit healing in Puerto Rico. Clinical implications for psychotherapy in general, and treatment for alexithymia in particular, will be explored.
THE ADAPTATION OF AMERICAN BUSINESS SCHOOL TEACHING TECHNIQUES IN LESOTHO, AFRICA: A CASE STUDY

This study deals with the transfer of American business school technology to the National University of Lesotho. The study considers the nature of the transfer process, the local innovations to the education program, and the role of the government of Lesotho in the transfer. Appropriate recommendations are offered to further improve the effectiveness of the educational package and its effect on the economic development of Lesotho.
Pulsed laser deposition of manganese oxide thin films for supercapacitor applications

Abstract Thin films of manganese oxides have been grown by the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) process on silicon wafer and stainless steel substrates at different substrate temperatures and oxygen gas pressures. By proper selection of processing parameters such as temperature and oxygen pressure during the PLD process, pure crystalline phases of Mn2O3, Mn3O4 as well as amorphous phase of MnOx were successfully fabricated as identified by X-ray diffraction. The pseudo-capacitance behaviours of these different phases of manganese oxides have also been evaluated by the electrochemical cyclic voltammetry measured in 0.1 M Na2SO4 aqueous electrolyte at different scan rates. Their specific current and capacitance determined by electrochemical measurements were compared and the results show that crystalline Mn2O3 phase has the highest specific current and capacitance, while the values for crystalline Mn3O4 films are the lowest. The specific current and capacitance values of the amorphous MnOx films are lower than Mn2O3 but higher than Mn3O4. The specific capacitance of Mn2O3 films of 120 nm thick reaches 210 F g−1 at 1 mV s−1 scan rate with excellent stability and cyclic durability. This work has demonstrated that PLD is a very promising technique for screening high performance active materials for supercapacitor applications due to its excellent flexibility and capability of easily controlling chemical composition, microstructures and phases of materials.
Toward the Development of a Professional Perspective among Retailing Students

This article addresses a common problem encountered at the introductory level in retailing and other marketing courses: the difficulty of influencing the student away from long-held consumer attitudes and toward a professional perspective. The author discusses two field projects which were used successfully to achieve these teaching objectives.
Numerical Analysis of Total Energy Storage of Nanofluidized Heat Transfer Fluid in Thermocline Thermal Energy Storage System

Thermal energy storage (TES), when combined with a concentrating solar power (CSP) plant has potential to produce electricity at a cost-competitive rate to traditional sources of electricity production. In single tank TES system both the hot fluid and cold fluid settle in the same tank. The region of contact of these two fluids is called thermocline. Preservation of this thermocline region in the cylindrical tank during charging and discharging cycles depends on the uniformity of the velocity profile at any horizontal plane. So to maintain this thermocline region, a pipe flow distributor was placed near the inlet and outlet of the cylindrical tank. To optimize the efficiency of this single tank TES system is to increase the thermo-physical properties of heat transfer fluid. This addition will result in harnessing solar energy by increasing thermal efficiency of the thermodynamic cycles. Adding of nanoparticles, in the heat transfer fluid give rise of this thermo-physical properties i.e. thermal conductivity (k) and specific heat capacity (Cp). Hitec® molten salt is used as the base-fluid and synthesized with five different types of nanoparticles (SiO2, Al2O3, Fe3O4, ZnO and Ag) with different concentrations. The values of effective k and Cp are calculated for the new Hitec® nanofluid. The doping of nano-particles results in higher k and Cp when compared to the base fluid. Higher Cp is expected to improve the thermal storage capacity but higher value of k is expected to increase the thermal diffusivity, thereby affecting the performance of the thermocline. The diffusivity depends on the ratio of k to Cp and density of the effective properties. So there is a need to balance the effective properties to improve thermal storage performance. The total energy storage capacity is then checked by finite volume based computational fluid dynamics software. The simulation shows how the performance of the nanofluid changes at different concentrations in a single tank TES system during its charging-discharging cycle.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Seismoelectric Measurements In a Fractured Borehole Model

SUMMARY Seismoelectric logging method is based on measuring the electric field generated by the seismic waves in a fluid-filled borehole. Two kinds of the electromagnetic (EM) fields can be generated inside the formation and at the interface of formations. One is a stationary or local EM wave. The other is a radiating EM wave. In this paper we made various fractured borehole models with artificial materials or natural rocks and measure the electric field generated a seismic source in a water-filled borehole. The experimental results show that the Stoneley wave generates a radiating EM wave on the fracture, which propagates with light speed in the borehole. And the Stoneley wave also generates a stationary EM wave at the borehole wall. When the aperture of the fracture increases, the amplitude of the seismoelectric wave decreases due to the low ion concentration in the fracture. Comparing with the acoustic waveforms in the same borehole, the seismoelectric waveforms have more advantages for determining and characterizing a fracture or fractured zone intersecting a borehole.
Understanding measured water rotational temperatures and column densities in the very innermost coma of Comet 73P/Schwassmann–Wachmann 3 B

Direct sublimation of a comet nucleus surface is usually considered to be the main source of gas in the coma of a comet. However, evidence from a number of comets including the recent spectacular images of Comet 103P/Hartley 2 by the EPOXI mission indicates that the nucleus alone may not be responsible for all, or possibly at times even most, of the total amount of gas seen in the coma. Indeed, the sublimation of icy grains, which have been injected into the coma, appears to constitute an important source. We use the fully-kinetic Direct Simulation Monte Carlo model of Tenishev et al. (Tenishev, V.M., Combi, M.R., Davidsson, B. [2008]. Astrophys. J., 685, 659−677; Tenishev, V.M., Combi, M.R., Rubin, M. [2011]. Astrophys. J., 732) to reproduce the measurements of column density and rotational temperature of water in Comet 73P-B/Schwassmann–Wachmann 3 obtained with a very high spatial resolution of ∼30 km using IRCS/Subaru in May 2006 (Bonev, B.P., Mumma, M.J., Kawakita, H., Kobayashi, H., Villanueva, G.L. [2008]. Icarus, 196, 241−248). For gas released solely from the cometary nucleus at a heliocentric distance of 1 AU, modeled rotational temperatures start at 110 K close to the surface and decrease to only several tens of degrees by 10–20 nucleus radii. However, the measured decay of both rotational temperature and column density with distance from the nucleus is much slower than predicted by this simple model. The addition of a substantial (distributed) source of gas from icy grains in the model slows the decay in rotational temperature and provides a more gradual drop in column density profiles. Together with a contribution of rotational heating of water molecules by electrons, the combined effects allow a much better match to the IRCS/Subaru observations. From the spatial distributions of water abundance and temperature measured in 73P/SW3-B, we have identified and quantified multiple mechanisms of release. The application of this tool to other comets may permit such studies over a range of heliocentric and geocentric distances.
Do slow orbital periodicities appear in the record of Earth's magnetic reversals?

Time-series spectral analysis has been performed on the dates of geomagnetic reversals of the last 20 Myr BP and earlier. Possible evidence is found from the presence of high spectral peaks for two very long periodicities, 0.4 Myr and 1.3 Myr, that may be associated with slow variations of the earth's orbital eccentricity as predicted by Berger. However, statistical significance tests and a number of other arguments do not confirm the two detections.
Direct motion stereo: Recovery of observer motion and scene structure

Using a stereo vision system, the authors show how the translational motion and scene structure can be recovered directly from image gradients and time derivatives. There is no need to estimate or establish correspondences between features across images. The direction of motion is recovered using a procedure which involves minimizing the sum of the squared error of a linear constraint equation over the entire image. The magnitude of the motion is estimated from the stereo disparity. The scene structure is recovered in the form of a depth map using the recovered motion, image gradients, and time derivatives. Experimental results using real images are presented. >
Anti-Stokes generation in focused geometries

The Stokes and anti-Stokes Raman-scattering equations with pump depletion are solved for focusing in rotationally symmetric geometry using a Gauss–Laguerre decomposition. This decomposition results in a mode-coupling matrix that is an integral over products of Laguerre polynomials. In order to evaluate this matrix, we use a recursive technique. Three examples are given that show Stokes and anti-Stokes extraction for Gaussian and annular input pump beams with confocal parameters equal to 3, 5, and 8 cm focused in the center of a 25-cm cell.
Testosterone and mate choice in the dark-eyed junco ☆

Investigations of the effects of testosterone on male mating effort have focused on behaviours associated with intra-sexual interactions. We tested whether testosterone may also affect male reproductive behaviour by mediating the intensity and frequency of male courtship. In two simultaneous choice experiments, we assessed the relative attractiveness of testosterone-implanted males, whose testosterone levels were manipulated to match naturally occurring spring peaks, and empty-implanted control males, whose testosterone levels were lower and resembled those of males caring for young. In both experiments, testosterone-males outperformed control-males, giving both more frequent and more exaggerated displays. Females showed a significant preference for the peak-testosterone males as measured by both female attendance and female courtship displays. We concluded that variation in testosterone can affect male attractiveness to females and thus male copulatory success. Thus, testosterone has the potential to mediate all aspects of male reproductive behaviour and may provide a mechanism through which males adjust their full range of breeding behaviours (i.e. inter-sexual as well as intra-sexual and parental behaviour) to fit their current status. In a second experiment, we tested the effect of oestradiol treatment on female mating preferences. No evidence was found that oestradiol changed the preferences of females.
Topic review: surface modifications enhancing biological activity of guglielmi detachable coils in treating intracranial aneurysms.

BACKGROUND Endovascular therapy with Guglielmi detachable coils is an accepted treatment option for patients with intracranial aneurysms. However, an emerging technology in the realm of endovascular tools is the use of traditional Guglielmi detachable coils with biologically active substances complexed to the coil surface to enhance aneurysm occlusion. METHODS We review the literature and current trends in modified Guglielmi detachable coils. Surface modifications with extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors, ion impregnation, and genetically altered cells have been used in animal studies to improve the cellular response of Guglielmi detachable coils. Similarly, coronary artery stents have been modified in several different ways to maintain vessel patency, contrary to the goal of endovascular therapy. We comparatively reviewed this literature to add insight into the evolution of the research on modified Guglielmi detachable coils. CONCLUSIONS Guglielmi detachable coil modifications have the potential to enhance aneurysm obliteration with directed cellular responses. This may allow aneurysm occlusion with coils in less time than untreated coils, thus decreasing the risks of aneurysm enlargement and hemorrhage.
Promoting Consumerism in West Germany During the Cold War: An Agency Perspective

This historical study attempts to explore how advertising, from the perspective of the J. Walter Thompson (JWT) Agency, contributed to the development of consumerism in West Germany during the Cold War (roughly the early 1950s until the late 1980s). The article describes how West Germany rebuilt its economy and eventually developed into the largest exporting country in the world. It also illustrates how advertising as an institution contributed to a functioning consumer society and chronicles the agency's development in the U.S. and expansion to Germany. Finally, it explores the agency's insights into consumer behavior in West Germany during the Cold War.
Enabling Spectrum Sharing in Secondary Market Auctions

Wireless spectrum is a scare resource, but in practice much of it is underused by current owners. To enable better use of this spectrum, we propose an auction approach that leverages dynamic spectrum access techniques to allocate spectrum in a secondary market. These are markets where spectrum owners can either sell or lease spectrum to other parties. Unlike previous auction approaches, we seek to take advantage of the ability to share spectrum among some bidders while respecting the needs of others for exclusive use. Thus, unlike unlicensed spectrum (e.g., Wi-Fi), which can be shared by any device, and exclusive-use licensed spectrum, where sharing is precluded, we enable efficient allocation by supporting sharing alongside quality-of-service protections. We present SATYA (Sanskrit for "truth"), a strategyproof and scalable spectrum auction algorithm whose primary contribution is in the allocation of a right to contend for spectrum to both sharers and exclusive-use bidders. Achieving strategyproofness in our setting requires appropriate handling of the externalities created by sharing. Using realistic Longley-Rice-based propagation modeling and data from the FCC's CDBS database, we conduct extensive simulations that demonstrate SATYA's ability to handle heterogeneous agent types involving different transmit powers and spectrum needs.
The Effect of Bending-Torsion Coupling on Fan and Compressor Blade Flutter

A study of the effects of bending-torsion interaction of the flutter boundaries of turbomachinery blading is presented. The blades are modeled as equivalent sections, and the equations of motion allow for the general case of structural, inertial and aerodynamic coupling, in the presence of structural damping. Two different speed regimes are investigated: incompressible flow, and supersonic flow with a subsonic leading edge locus. Flutter boundaries are presented for cascade design parameters representative of current technology fan rotors. These results illustrate that bending-torsion interaction has a pronounced effect on the flutter boundaries for both speed regimes, although the mode frequencies show no appreciable tendency to coalesce as flutter is approached. Several cases of bending branch instability were observed, without incorporating the effects of finite mean lift or strong shocks in the analysis.
An artifical feedback model of the leg drop pendulum test: implications for studying and evaluating spastic cerebral palsy

Reports on ongoing work in the modeling of the leg drop pendulum test as a means of assessment in spastic cerebral palsy. In previous papers it was demonstrated that a passive model is not adequate for modeling the limb of a subject with spastic cerebral palsy. Succeeding papers showed that the addition of a set of velocity feedback loops, around a passive plant, could accurately represent both normal and spastic limbs. This paper uses that model to document changes in spasticity after a simple clinical intervention. The intervention consists of 15 minutes of reciprocal vertical motion. By optimizing feedback parameters so that model data fits actual limb position data changes in the gains of the model's feedback loops are demonstrated. These gain changes are suggestive of an additional mechanism for spasticity beyond the hypersensitive stretch reflex. It will be argued that the model represents a possible means of evaluating clinical change as well as fertile ground for further study.
EigenCFA: accelerating flow analysis with GPUs

We describe, implement and benchmark EigenCFA, an algorithm for accelerating higher-order control-flow analysis (specifically, 0CFA) with a GPU. Ultimately, our program transformations, reductions and optimizations achieve a factor of 72 speedup over an optimized CPU implementation.We began our investigation with the view that GPUs accelerate high-arithmetic, data-parallel computations with a poor tolerance for branching. Taking that perspective to its limit, we reduced Shivers's abstract-interpretive 0CFA to an algorithm synthesized from linear-algebra operations. Central to this reduction were "abstract" Church encodings, and encodings of the syntax tree and abstract domains as vectors and matrices.A straightforward (dense-matrix) implementation of EigenCFA performed slower than a fast CPU implementation. Ultimately, sparse-matrix data structures and operations turned out to be the critical accelerants. Because control-flow graphs are sparse in practice (up to 96% empty), our control-flow matrices are also sparse, giving the sparse matrix operations an overwhelming space and speed advantage.We also achieved speedups by carefully permitting data races. The monotonicity of 0CFA makes it sound to perform analysis operations in parallel, possibly using stale or even partially-updated data.
INNOVATIONS IN PUMP DESIGN-WHAT ARE FUTURE DIRECTIONS?

Displacement-controlled actuators, advanced continuously variable transmissions and hydraulic hybrid power trains represent new technologies for mobile hydraulic machines, off road and on road vehicles. These new technologies allow major fuel savings and reduced emissions, but they change the performance requirements of positive displacement pumps and motors. Additionally, the market demand for positive displacement machines will increase. This paper briefly discusses these technology trends and the impact on existing pump and motor designs. The three major challenges are efficiency improvements, noise reduction and advancements in pump and motor control. Examples from the author’s research team documenting the progress in computer modeling of piston pumps and motors will be given.