cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NEW METHODS FOR QUANTIFYING THE SPATIAL STORAGE EFFECT: AN ILLUSTRATION WITH DESERT ANNUALS

Recent theory supports the long-held proposition that coexistence is promoted by species-specific responses to a spatially varying environment. The underlying coexistence mechanism, the spatial storage effect, can be quantified by the covariance between response to the environment and competition. Here, "competition" is generalized to encompass similar processes such as facilitation and apparent competition. In the present study, we use a model field system of desert annual plants to demonstrate this method and to provide insight into the dynamics of the field system. Specifically, we use neighborhood competition experiments to quantify the spatial storage effect and compare it to the separate (but not mutually exclusive) process of neighborhood-scale resource partitioning. As our basic experimental design has been used frequently in community ecology, these methods can be applied to many existing data sets, as well as future field studies.
Vapor-liquid equilibria of {xCH3CH(CH3)CHO+(1−x)C7H16}(l) and {xCH3CO2C2H5+(1−x)C7H16}(l)

Abstract Isothermal vapor-liquid equilibria have been measured for { x CH 3 CH(CH 3 )CHO+(1− x )C 7 H 16 }(l) at 335.0 K and { x CH 3 CO 2 C 2 H 5 +(1− x )C 7 H 16 }(l) at 323.15 and 343.15 K using a dynamic still. The results reported satisfy the point-to-point thermodynamic-consistency test. These results have been correlated with five activity-coefficient models using the maximum-likelihood parameter-estimation method, and have been used to estimate excess molar enthalpies. Also, the activity coeffcients derived from our measurements have been used to estimate group-contribution parameters.
Ultraviolet laser-induced desorption of molecules and ions from thin metal films

Experiments involving the adsorption of gas phase molecules onto thin metal films and the subsequent desorption and ionization of these species are described. The observed ion yield displays a rather striking laser pulse repetition rate dependence that can be interpreted using a simple model that quantitatively analyzes the competition between collisional adsorption and laser induced desorption.
Infrared and Raman spectra of the azide ion in potassium azide and potassium halides

Abstract The Raman and i.r. spectra of single crystal samples of potassium azide have been obtained. The aside ion exhibits splitting of the bending mode as predicted theoretically but not previously observed. Assignments of transitions in the axide ion and in the lattice region are made. Infrared spectra of the azide ion dissolved in potassium chloride, bromide and iodide as a function of temperature are reported.
A geometrical sintering model (GSM) to predict surface area change

A geometrical sintering model (GSM) to predict the surface area variation with time is proposed. Predictions of the GSM are compared to the commonly used Koch and Friedlander [(1990). The effect of particle coalescence on the surface-area of a coagulating aerosol. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 140, 419–427] model, mass transport based viscous flow sintering models and to experimental data reported in the literature. Closed form expressions for the normalized surface area variation with time are derived for specific sintering mechanisms such as overall diffusion and viscous flow. For other sintering mechanisms such as surface, grain boundary, and volume diffusion, closed form expressions could be derived by making simplifying assumptions of a reference radius for the primary particles.
THE REHNQUIST COURT, CRIMINAL PROCESS, AND THE QUEST FOR EMERGING COALITIONS

Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor recently observed that, “It is always true that when we lose a justice and get a new one, we have a new court” (Biskupic 1994a, 33). In light of the number of new justices added to the Supreme Court in the past few years, it may be futile to attempt generalizations concerning the ideological criminal procedure trends of “a” Rehnquist Court, and more informative to view the decisions from public policy and judicial behavior perspectives. Focusing on the criminal justice area, this article provides (1) a comparative overview of decisionmaking characteristics of the Burger and Rehnquist Courts, and (2) an analysis of Rehnquist Court decisions, highlighting specific substantive areas of conflict and noting emerging judicial coalitions as gleaned from close-margin cases decided during the 1986–1993 Terms. If the labels “liberal” and “conservative” no longer have real value in describing distinct ideologies of blocs of sitting justices, then political scientists are urged to evaluate the Rehnquist Court as nine independent political actors in temporary and shifting coalitions formed in response to specific, factbound problems.
Molecular Beam Photochemistry of Organopolysilanes and Organopolygermanes

The molecular beam photochemistry of various polysilanes and polygermanes was investigated. In most cases, the precursor compounds were photolyzed in the nozzle region of a supersonic jet by a 193 nm laser and the photoproducts analyzed downstream by 118 nm photoionization pulses followed by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The polysilane and polygermane compounds included in this study were PhMeSi(SiMe3)2, PhSi(SiMe3)3, (Me2Si)6, (Me2Ge)6, and 1,3-diphenyl-1,2,2,3-tetramethyl-1,2,3-trisilacycloheptane. The 193 nm photoproducts of PhSiMe3, Me3SiSiMe3, and vinyltrimethylsilane were also examined for comparison purposes. Dimethylsilylene (Me2Si:) was directly observed as the major one-photon photoproduct from the cyclic precursors (Me2Si)6 and 1,3-diphenyl-1,2,2,3-tetramethyl-1,2,3-trisilacycloheptane. Likewise, dimethylgermylene (Me2Ge:) was directly observed in the photolysis of (Me2Ge)6. One-photon photolysis of the noncyclic polysilanes PhMeSi(SiMe3)2 and PhSi(SiMe3)3, however, gave radical products de...
High-speed compressed sensing measurement using spectrally-encoded ultrafast laser pulses

We present a chirp processing technique for encoding pseudorandom patterns onto the spectra of broadband optical pulses for compressed sensing (CS) measurement. We demonstrate applications to characterization of ultrawideband sparse radio frequency (RF) signals and to very high-speed continuous microscopic flow imaging. In both domains, the optical sampling technique permits accurate recovery of the signals under test from only a few percent of the measurements required for conventional Nyquist sampling, significantly relaxing the required analog-to-digital conversion bandwidth and amount of data storage.
Relation between myocardial viability and abnormalities on the signal-averaged electrocardiogram in patients with low (<40%) ejection fraction and coronary artery disease.

To determine a possible mechanism for the previously observed improved outcome after bypass surgery in patients with poor ventricular function and viable myocardium, we sought to examine the relation between the extent of viability and the frequency of an abnormal signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG) in patients with reduced ejection fraction and coronary artery disease. Fifty-two patients with coronary disease and ventricular dysfunction underwent quantitative redistribution thallium-201 (Tl-201) scintigraphy at rest to determine the extent of viability. The presence of late potentials was assessed by SAECG. Long-term, cardiac event-free survival was determined. Patients with greater viability (group 1, n = 23) were similar to patients with less viability (group 2, n = 29) with respect to age, gender, ejection fraction, and incidence of arrhythmia. Fewer group 1 patients had late potentials (33% vs 65%, p = 0.05) and individual parameters were significantly more abnormal in the group 2 patients. Patients with late potentials had less viability than patients without late potentials (viability index 0.61 ± 0.15 vs 0.69 ± 0.14, respectively, p = 0.05). By multivariate analysis, only the extent of viable myocardium and the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure were independent predictors of late potentials. Survival free of cardiac death or transplantation was better in patients with a normal SAECG (p <0.04) and in patients with predominantly viable myocardium (p <0.005). Thus, patients with low ejection fraction, coronary disease, and viable myocardium have a lower frequency of late potentials, suggesting reduced susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmia.
Topic Orientation Markers

Topic Orientation Markers are proposed as a type of Discourse Management Marker, a fourth type of Pragmatic Marker (PM) (Fraser, 1996). These expressions such as incidentally, before I forget and if I might continue, signal a meta-comment on the structure of the emerging discourse. This paper examines their four uses in discourse (return to a prior topic; continuation with the present topic; digression from the present topic; and introduction of a new topic) and touches on how they combine with Attention Markers such as oh, now, and anyway, another type of management marker.
A semi‐empirical investigation of the electronic structure and stability of the oxycumulenes

A semiempirical investigation using the INDO and EWMO methods is carried out on the oxycumulenes in an attempt to explain the relative stabilities of the odd and even carbon compounds.
Videotape review leads to rapid and sustained learning.

Abstract Background Performance review using videotapes is a strategy employed to improve future performance. We postulated that videotape review of trauma resuscitations would improve compliance with a treatment algorithm. Methods Trauma resuscitations were taped and reviewed during a 6-month period. For 3 months, team members were given verbal feedback regarding performance. During the next 3 months, new teams attended videotape reviews of their performance. Data on targeted behaviors were compared between the two groups. Results Behavior did not change after 3 months of verbal feedback; however, behavior improved after 1 month of videotape feedback (P Conclusions Videotape review can be an important learning tool as it was more effective than verbal feedback in achieving behavioral changes and algorithm compliance. Videotape review can be an important quality assurance adjunct, as improved algorithm compliance should be associated with improved patient care.
Evaluation of Brewers Dried Grains and Yeast in Turkey Diets

Abstract Three experiments were conducted to evaluate different levels of brewers dried grains (BDG) and brewers dried grains plus yeast (BDGY) in corn-soy diets for starting and growing-finishing turkeys. BDGY was composed of 95% brewers dried grains and 5% brewers dried yeast. One experiment of 16 weeks duration was conducted with turkey breeder hens. Large White turkeys were used in all experiments. Various levels of BDG or BDGY were included in turkey diets at the expense of soybean meal and ground corn. The level of animal fat was increased in BDG or BDGY diets so that all experimental diets in a given trial were approximately isocaloric and isonitrogenous. A 5% level of BDG was well tolerated in turkey starter diets. Growing-finishing turkeys tolerated BDG and BDGY levels of 5 to 15% very well. However, levels of 15 to 20% or greater did depress feed efficiency. Pelleting BDG diets appeared to greatly improve performance in Experiment 3. However, no direct comparison was made between pelleted and unpelleted diets containing the various levels (5, 10 and 15%) of BDG. All BDG treatments without exception significantly (P
Transcriptional Regulation of the Yeast DnaJ Homologue SIS1

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SIS1 gene encodes an essential heat shock protein with similarity to the Escherichia coli DnaJ protein. In sis 1-85 and sis1-86 mutants, the sis1 RNA is induced to high levels at room temperature and without heat shock. The presence of wild type SIS1 in the sis1-85 mutant represses the overexpression of SIS1-85 protein. Furthermore, overexpression of wild type SIS1 reduces the beta-galactosidase activity expressed from a SIS1:lacZ fusion. These results suggest that SIS1 negatively regulates its own expression. The autoregulation of SIS1 transcription is mediated through a 39-base pair cis-element containing the SIS1 heat shock element plus additional flanking sequences on one side. Although SIS1 transcription is constitutive, it is transiently induced upon heat shock. In addition, SIS1 transcription is regulated by SSA (a class of HSP70 proteins) function. The elevated transcription of SIS1 in ssa1 ssa2 mutants is mediated solely through the SIS1 heat shock element. Therefore, the SIS1 autoregulatory element is different from the SSA-responsive element, suggesting that the mechanism involved in autoregulation of SIS1 is distinct from regulation of SIS1 by SSA proteins.
The Commitment and Retention Intentions of Traditional and Alternative Licensed Math and Science Beginning Teachers

Teachers often enter the profession through a traditional (four-year teacher education program) or an alternative route without an education degree and appropriate testing credentials. Math teachers entering through an alternative route have a higher rate of attrition than math teachers with a traditional license. In addition, math and science teachers have a higher attrition rate than other teachers. This article looks at specific differences between traditionally and alternatively licensed math and science teachers' commitment to teaching and retention intentions. The differences explored can provide school system leaders with an insight into how to differentiate the induction experiences for math and science teachers with alternative and traditional licenses
Methionine transport in S37 cells. Substrate-dependent function of amino acid transport system A in exchange processes.

Summary Methionine had been observed to interact with two principal transport systems for amino acids in mammalian cells, the A and L systems. The present study of methionine transport and of exchange processes through system A arose in the course of a study to define the specificity of a transinhibition effect caused by cysteine. Methionine uptake through two transport systems in the $37 cell was confirmed by the occurrence of a biphasic double-reciprocal plot for labeled methionine uptake. Preloading cells with methionine stimulated labeled histidine uptake through both systems A and L. Efflux of labeled methionine from cells was stimulated by histidine in a biphasic manner, so that both systems A and L can be used for exchange when methionine is the intracellular amino acid. Aminocycloheptan ecarboxylic acid elicited exchange efflux of labeled methionine only through system L. ~-Aminoisobutyric acid and N-methyl-~aminoisobutyric acid both stimulated efflux of labeled N-methyl~-aminoi sobutyric acid from $37 cells. These findings are interpreted a showing that transport system A is capable of functioning as an exchange system depending upon the identity of intracellular and extracellular substrates available.
Single channel properties of synaptic acetylcholine receptors in dystrophic fibers

Neuromuscular transmission in dystrophic mice has been extensively studied through analysis of nerve-evoked endplate potentials. In the present study, single channel ACh-induced activity recorded from endplates of fast twitch muscle fibers from mdx and dy dystrophic mice, was compared with activity recorded from wild-type fiber endplates to ascertain whether expression of these phenotypes leads to changes in ACh receptor properties and synaptic transmission. An 89 pS class of ACh-induced events predominated in recordings from wild-type and both strains of dystrophic mice. The mean open times for this class of events was well described by two exponential components, one with a voltage-independent time constant of ∼ 0.3 ms and the other with a time constant of 2–5 ms which increased e-fold with ∼ 120 mV of hyperpolarization. The expression of the mdx or the dy phenotype was not associated with significant differences in the conductance, distribution of open durations, or the voltage-dependence of the mean open time for this class of ACh-induced events. © 1993 John Wiley & Soncs, Inc.
Performance of Adult Ineraid and Nucleus Cochlear Implant Patients after 3.5 Years of Use

Forty-two postlingually deafened adult patients, 21 with a formant extraction version of the Nucleus cochlear implant and 21 with the Ineraid cochlear implant (analog processing), were evaluated on a series of speech perception tests after using their implants for about 3.5 years. A wide range of performance was observed across patients for both devices. All but 4 patients showed an enhancement in their lipreading ability with the implant. Word recognition averaged about 14–19% correct, and word recognition in sentences averaged about 43–49% correct for the two implant groups. Average performance was superior with the Ineraid implant on consonant recognition in noise. An information transmission analysis suggested that vowel perception was influenced by first- and third-for-mant frequency for the Nucleus, and first-formant and fundamental frequency for the Ineraid patients. It appeared that the Ineraid device was more effective, on average, at conveying information about consonant nasality and frication. ...
A Beam Element Using Touratier Theory

This article presents an isotropic beam element based on a sinusoidal shear deformation theory. The element shape functions are found directly from the solutions of the governing differential equations that describe the deformations of the cross-section based on the high order theory. The presented beam element is used for stiffness analysis and the results are compared with the solutions obtained from classical beam theory, elasticity theory, and Petrolito beam theory.
Equatorial Waves in a Stratospheric GCM: Effects of Vertical Resolution

It is noted that equatorially trapped wave modes, e.g., Kelvin and Rossby-gravity waves, are thought to play a critical role in forcing the quasi-biennial oscillation of the lower tropical stratosphere. The ability of a GCM to simulate these waves is examined and the changes in the wave properties as a function of the vertical resolution of the model are investigated. The dependence of the equatorial wave simulation of vertical resolution is examined utilizing three experiments with vertical grid spacings of about 2.8, 1.4, and 0.7 km. At high vertical resolution, the simulated waves are shown to agree with the available observations.
Efficient use of a priori data in sediment tomography through the use of null space

Geoacoustic properties of sediments play an important role in shallow water acoustic propagation. Many techniques to infer sediment geoacoustic properties have been developed in the past. These methods are based on linear or non-linear inversion approaches and use the acoustic field or other parameters derived from it. This paper describes a modified linear inversion technique in which a priori information is used advantageously. These a priori data is projected into the model null space to modify the linear inversion output. This approach is tested using broadband acoustic data from a shallow water acoustic experiment.
A History of What Has Not Yet Happened

The practice of history is under siege today from two armies: one made up of theorists, whose writings have called into question the truth claims of traditional historical discourse; another made up of filmmakers, who have stolen the audience for historical stories. Yet it is precisely the attacks from the former army that open the way for us to accept the latter as a new kind of historian - that is, of people who attempt to make meaning out of the traces of the past. This new 'history' on the screen has different rules of engagement with the past than does our traditional written history. It also raises new questions about why we study the past or what we really want to learn from that study. Before the Rain is a historical film that hints at a new kind of history, one set not in the past but in the very near future, a history that has as its burden not to explain what has happened but a history that uses trace elements of the past to serve as both witness of and warning against a potentially destructuve...
The Nontraditional Quality of Organizational Learning

The traditional definition of learning as a shift in performance when the stimulus situation remains essentially the same implies a set of conditions that occur rarely in organizations. Thus, either organizational learning is an infrequent event, or it occurs frequently but takes a nontraditional form. Both possibilities are reviewed and implications for research strategy are suggested.
The effect of DFD classification and internal cooking temperature on certain pork muscle characteristics.

The data incorporated in this experiment were gathered from 14 littermate pairs of swine of the same sex differing in weight by <4·5 kg with one animal in each pair subjected to standardized stress. Samples of the Longissimus dorsi (LD) and the Psoas major (PM) muscles were cooked to internal temperatures of 64, 70 and 76°C. The samples of the Quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle were cooked to internal temperatures of 70 and 76°C. DFD classification of the raw muscle was determined by the 48 h pH. Stress produced DFD meat in the PM and QF muscles but not in the LD muscle. DFD muscle required shorter time to reach any of the cooked internal temperatures studied when compared to normal muscle. Slightly-DFD PM muscle more closely resembled the normal muscle in all variables except the panel tenderness score. Cooking DFD PM muscle to an internal temperature 6°C higher than normal muscle caused a reverse in the direction of cooking loss, fiber diameter, tenderness and expressible water when compared to normal and DFD muscle cooked to the same internal temperature. Cooking DFD PM muscle to an internal temperature 12°C higher than normal muscle produced changes associated with increasing the internal temperature of normal muscle. Similar trends, as described for the PM muscle, were observed in the QF muscle.
Reduction of Oxamyl and Related Pesticides by FeII: Influence of Organic Ligands and Natural Organic Matter

The reduction of oxamyl and related oxime carbamate pesticides (OCPs; methomyl and aldicarb) by FeII is an important pathway for the degradation of these compounds in soil and groundwater. A series of batch kinetic experiments was carried out to assess the effects that selected carboxylate and aminocarboxylate ligands have on these reactions. In the absence of FeII, no OCP reduction by the ligands is observed. In the presence of FeII, the rate of OCP reduction varies by several orders of magnitude and can be described by the expression kred = [FeII]∑ikiαi, where kred is the observed pseudo-first-order rate constant for OCP reduction, [FeII] is the total FeII concentration, αi is the fraction of each FeII species in solution, and ki is the second-order rate constant for OCP reduction by each FeII species. The reactivity of individual FeII species is dependent upon the standard one-electron reduction potential of the corresponding FeIII/FeII redox couple (EH°) and the availability of inner-sphere FeII coord...
Are Live Instructors Replaceable? Computer vs. Classroom Lectures for EFAST Training

Abstract Background: The EFAST (extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma) is part of the recommended curriculum for Emergency Medicine and Surgery residents. Computer-based lectures may represent a time-efficient alternative to traditional lectures. Objectives: Our hypothesis was that computer lectures in basic ultrasound and the EFAST are not inferior to classroom lectures in test score improvement for residents with or without prior training. Methods: First-year Emergency Medicine and Surgery residents were enrolled and completed a pre-test. Subjects were then randomized into a classroom group, which attended traditional lectures, and a computer group, which listened to narrated lectures on computers. After the didactic training, all subjects completed a post-test. Results: Forty-four subjects completed the study: 64% were General Surgery residents, 66% were male. Overall, mean test score improvements were higher in the classroom than in the computer group (28.0% vs. 18.4%). In 25 residents without prior training, mean improvements in the computer and classroom groups were 25% and 27%, respectively. The 95% confidence limit around the difference was 9%, falling within the a priori non-inferiority range of 10%, and consistent with non-inferiority of computer-based lectures. In 19 residents with prior training, mean test score improvements for the computer and classroom groups were 13% and 29%, respectively. The 95% confidence limit of 24% exceeded the non-inferiority range, consistent with inferiority of computer-based lectures. Conclusions: Computer-based lectures are not inferior to classroom lectures and may represent a worthwhile substitution in subjects without prior ultrasound education. Our data suggest that didactic ultrasound training through classroom lectures is more effective than computer-based lectures in individuals with prior training.
Response of intracranial metastases to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors: it may all depend on EGFR mutations.

TO THE EDITOR: We read with great interest the case description by Fekrazad and colleagues in the Journal. They describe a nonsmoking Native American woman with brain metastases from a lung adenocarcinoma who had a marked response to monotherapy with erlotinib at 150 mg/d. Although they do not provide these data, it is very likely that the patient had an activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, based on her clinical characteristics and response to the oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) erlotinib. In the recently reported phase II trials of gefitinib 250 mg/d and erlotinib 150 mg/d for patients with the L858R and exon 19 deletion EGFR mutations, patients with CNS metastases were included. The overall response rate in these and other prospective trials of gefitinib and erlotinib exceed or equal 75% for all sites. In both instances, it seems that patients with intracranial metastases also have a similar high level of tumor responses in their CNS. The Spanish Lung Cancer Group followed the CNS response of seven chemotherapynaivepatients with an EGFR mutation given erlotinib 150 mg/d (available as part of the 2006 ASCO Annual Meeting’s slide presentation of their abstract). They reported four patients with a complete response and three with a partial response to this EGFR inhibitor: a 100% response rate of brain metastases. These results are astounding, and indicate that in a molecularly selected population with brain metastases, both gefitinib and erlotinib can achieve high response rates in a metastatic site that historically has not been sensitive to systemic chemotherapeutic agents used in non–small-cell lung cancer. Despite the striking efficacy of these EGFR inhibitors, secondary resistance is common and the brain may actually be the first site of loss of response to EGFR TKIs. Others have speculated that over time the effective dose of gefitinib in the CNS may wean to levels that are subtherapeutic to inhibit EGFR mutations. We look forward to mature results of prospective trials that evaluate the clinical benefit of EGFR TKIs in patients who have EGFR mutations with brain metastases. It is not inconceivable to think that in this patient population, oral TKIs may replace or supplement radiation therapy for management of brain metastases.
Coordination of Reactive Power Sources to Correct Bus Voltage Violations in an AC-DC System

The paper presents a formulation for coordinating all controll-able reactive power sources, including the DC converters of a multiterminal DC system, to correct bus voltage violations. Based on the formulation, an algorithm using Linear Programming solution technique has been developed. The effectiveness of this algorithm to correct bus voltage violations in a 30 bus, 5 DC terminal AC-DC system under heavy and light load conditions is demonstrated.
A Cautionary Note on Designing Discrete Choice Experiments: A Comment on Lusk and Norwood’s “Effect of Experiment Design on Choice-Based Conjoint Valuation Estimates”

Recent Monte Carlo work on choosing experimental designs for discrete choice experiments seemed to greatly simplify this choice for applied researchers. It suggested that (a) commonly used designs can generate unbiased estimates for indirect utility function specifications with main effects only and main effects plus higher order terms, and (b) random designs are more efficient than main effects designs. We show that these results are very specific to the particular indirect utility specifications studied and do not generalize well. We further show that conclusions drawn concerning random designs are problematic and potentially dangerous for applied researchers.
Women's Use of Force: Complexities and Challenges of Taking the Issue Seriously

This article discusses the complexities, challenges, and urgency surrounding addressing women's use of force. The author emphasizes that women's and girls'use of force needs to be analyzed using a framework that keeps power and control central to the definition of domestic violence and identifies that violence by men and women takes place within a social, historical, and economic context in which men's and women's roles, opportunities, and social power differ. The article builds on an understanding of women's use of force in heterosexual relationships; however, a similar contextual analysis is also applied to women's use of force in teen dating relationships, lesbian relationships, and against children.
Characterizing riverbed sediment using high-frequency acoustics: 2. Scattering signatures of Colorado River bed sediment in Marble and Grand Canyons

In this, the second of a pair of papers on the statistical signatures of riverbed sediment in high-frequency acoustic backscatter, spatially explicit maps of the stochastic geometries (length and amplitude scales) of backscatter are related to patches of riverbed surfaces composed of known sediment types, as determined by georeferenced underwater video observations. Statistics of backscatter magnitudes alone are found to be poor discriminators between sediment types. However, the variance of the power spectrum and the intercept and slope from a power law spectral form (termed the spectral strength and exponent, respectively) successfully discriminate between sediment types. A decision tree approach was able to classify spatially heterogeneous patches of homogeneous sands, gravels (and sand-gravel mixtures), and cobbles/boulders with 95, 88, and 91% accuracy, respectively. Application to sites outside the calibration and surveys made at calibration sites at different times were plausible based on observations from underwater video. Analysis of decision trees built with different training data sets suggested that the spectral exponent was consistently the most important variable in the classification. In the absence of theory concerning how spatially variable sediment surfaces scatter high-frequency sound, the primary advantage of this data-driven approach to classify bed sediment over alternatives is that spectral methods have well-understood properties and make no assumptions about the distributional form of the fluctuating component of backscatter over small spatial scales.
Development and deployment of a performance model for the prototype planetary exploration hopper

This paper describes the development of a detailed model of the TALARIS hopper and demonstrates its performance1,2. TALARIS (Terrestrial Artificial Lunar And Reduced gravIty Simulator) is a small prototype hopping vehicle currently being developed in collaboration between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Draper Laboratory. It will serve as an Earth-based testbed for guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms that will be used to explore lunar and other planetary surfaces remotely. As part of the overall design process, a three degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) performance model called HopperSim was created to simulate the vehicle and run various experiments. First, the design and details of the model are described. Then its capabilities are demonstrated in a study comparing the performance of the Earth-based TALARIS to its Moon-based equivalent. Through HopperSim it is shown that, in 3-DOF, TALARIS can closely emulate a lunar hopper with respect to relevant fight parameters. The model is seen to be a useful tool that can be matured to better predict important details of the performance characteristics of the TALARIS hopper and similar proposed vehicles.
Medial prefrontal cortex supports source memory for self-referenced materials in young and older adults

Behavioral evidence suggests that young and older adults show a benefit in source memory accuracy when processing materials in reference to the self. In the young, activity within the medial prefrontal cortex supports this source memory benefit at study. In this investigation, we examined whether the same neural regions support this memory benefit in both age groups. Using fMRI, we scanned participants while they studied and retrieved pictures of objects paired with one of three scenes (source) under self-reference and other-reference conditions. At the time of study, half of the items were presented once and half twice, allowing us to match behavioral performance between the groups. Both groups showed equivalent source accuracy benefits for objects encoded self-referentially. Activity in the left dorsal medial prefrontal cortex supported subsequent source memory in both age groups for the self-referenced relative to the other-referenced items. At the time of test, source accuracy for both the self- and other-referenced items was supported by a network of regions including the precuneus in both age groups. At both study and test, little in the way of age differences emerged, suggesting that when they are matched on behavioral performance, young and older adults engage similar regions in support of source memory when processing materials in reference to the self; however, when we did not match performance, age differences in functional recruitment were prevalent. These results suggest that by capitalizing on preserved processes (self-referential encoding), older adults can show improvement in memory for source details that they would typically not remember well, relative to the young.
Ketoconazole effects on methylprednisolone disposition and their joint suppression of endogenous cortisol

The effects of ketoconazole and methylprednisolone on endogenous cortisol were studied in eight normal subjects. Intravenous methylprednisolone sodium succinate was given alone in doses of 15 or 30 mg. The methylprednisolone dose was reduced by 57% when ketoconazole was administered chronically for 1 week to seek equivalent methylprednisolone AUCs by compensating for the expected reduction in methylprednisolone clearance. Ketoconazole decreased clearance by 46% and increased mean residence time by 37%. The ratio of the cortisol AUC during each drug treatment compared with baseline conditions was used to assess the net extent and duration of cortisol suppression. This cortisol AUC ratio was reduced from 0.45 (methylprednisolone) to 0.39 (methylprednisolone plus ketoconazole), suggesting that ketoconazole modestly enhanced (P less than 0.01) cortisol suppression. Based on the reduction in methylprednisolone clearance and cortisol AUC by ketoconazole, a 50% lower dose of methylprednisolone during concomitant therapy with ketoconazole is recommended.
Sun Protection Counseling by Pediatricians has Little Effect on Parent and Child Sun Protection Behavior

Objective To compare counseling concerning sun protection and outdoor exercise with the parent's report of the behavior of a child aged 9-16 years old. Study design Structured interviews of medical personnel in 3 Chicago area practices elicited information about counseling methods and recommendations. In each practice, a convenience sample of parents completed a self-reported survey of their and their child's behavior. Results Sun protection counseling occurred more frequently than exercise counseling in all practices ( P = .014). Sun protection counseling was associated with parental prompting ( P = .004), performing a summer camp physical ( P = .002), and the child having a sunburn ( P = .003). After controlling for the child's age, sex, and skin tone, sun protection counseling was not associated with the child's use of sun protection. In multivariate analysis of the child's sun protection behavior, parental sunburns, indoor tanning in the last 12 months, perception of skin cancer risk, and sun protection self-efficacy were significant ( P = .02). Children who pursued outdoor sports were twice as likely to use inadequate sun protection and sustain sunburns (CI 1.3-1.7). Conclusions The child's sun protection behavior was influenced by parental sun protection, parental perception of skin cancer risk, and parental sun protection self-efficacy; therefore, sun protection for children needs to be aimed at parents as well as children. Communication with parents in a way that incorporates the principles of motivational interviewing may be more effective in promoting behavioral change than admonitions to use sunscreen.
Rethinking Program Fidelity for Criminal Justice

Criminal justice program evaluation has long been oriented around reduction objectives determined through quasi-experimental and related variable analytic designs (Petrosino and Soydan, 2005; Shover, 1979). Such purely quantitative approaches relate program impacts considered indicative of program effectiveness but neglect nonmeasured program drivers informing why or how outcomes are realized. More often than not, outcome evaluation in criminal justice imprudently assumes that program results are a function of treatment or intervention sans empirical confirmation. Helpfully, mixed-methods approaches coupling process and outcome phases have migrated from other disciplines and offer a more rigorous and scientific strategy for determining program efficacy. Mixed-methods research in the milieu of applied criminology and criminal justice science, unfortunately, is generally underutilized as the objectives and design requirements of the process phase are poorly articulated and blurred with the functions of pure qualitative research. Although applied fieldwork enables an exploration of phenomena and contextualization of quantitative findings, process evaluation uses qualitative techniques to capture data for confirmatory as well as ethnographic purposes. Accordingly, the foremost objective of process evaluation is to ascertain program fidelity, a concept informing whether treatment services are delivered consistent with program theory and design.
Robust adaptive control for a class of MIMO nonlinear systems with guaranteed error bounds

The design of stabilizing controllers for multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) nonlinear plants with unknown nonlinearities is a challenging problem. The high dimensionality coupled with the inability to identify the nonlinearities online or offline accurately motivates the design of stabilizing controllers based on approximations or on approximate estimates of the plant nonlinearities that are simple enough to be generated in real time. The price paid in such case, could be lack of theoretical guarantees for global stability, and nonzero tracking or regulation error at steady state. In this paper, a nonlinear robust adaptive control algorithm is designed and analyzed for a class of MIMO nonlinear systems with unknown nonlinearities. The proposed control scheme provides a general approach to bypass the stabilizability problem where the estimated plant becomes uncontrollable without any restrictive assumptions. The controller is continuous and guarantees closed-loop semi-global stability and convergence of the tracking error to a small residual set. The size of the tracking error at steady state can be specified a priori and guaranteed by choosing certain design parameters. A procedure for choosing these parameters is presented. The properties of the proposed control algorithm are demonstrated using simulations.
Modeling and simulation of the optical response rod-functionalized reflective surfaces

In a variety of emerging energy applications such as photovoltaic conversion, thermo-electric conversion, electrochromic actuation, artificial photosynthesis, etc., the capture and trapping of light on a surface is a critical first step in a multistage process. The functionalization of a surface by adding small-scale features, such as fine-scale rods, to trap incoming light, is one possible approach. In this paper, a model that is amenable to large-scale computation is developed. The approach provides a computational tool that allows analysts to quickly study a wide variety of rod-like microstructures. Both analytical and large-scale computational results are presented.
Ric-8 proteins are molecular chaperones that direct nascent G protein α subunit membrane association.

Ric-8A (resistance to inhibitors of cholinesterase 8A) and Ric-8B are guanine nucleotide exchange factors that enhance different heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide–binding protein (G protein) signaling pathways by unknown mechanisms. Because transgenic disruption of Ric-8A or Ric-8B in mice caused early embryonic lethality, we derived viable Ric-8A – or Ric-8B –deleted embryonic stem (ES) cell lines from blastocysts of these mice. We observed pleiotropic G protein signaling defects in Ric-8A −/− ES cells, which resulted from reduced steady-state amounts of Gα i , Gα q , and Gα 13 proteins to s and total Gβ protein were partially reduced in Ric-8A −/− cells compared to those in wild-type cells, and only the amount of Gα s was reduced substantially in Ric-8B −/− cells. The abundances of mRNAs encoding the G protein α subunits were largely unchanged by loss of Ric-8A or Ric-8B . The plasma membrane residence of G proteins persisted in the absence of Ric-8 but was markedly reduced compared to that in wild-type cells. Endogenous Gα i and Gα q were efficiently translated in Ric-8A −/− cells but integrated into endomembranes poorly; however, the reduced amounts of G protein α subunits that reached the membrane still bound to nascent Gβγ. Finally, Gα i , Gα q , and Gβ 1 proteins exhibited accelerated rates of degradation in Ric-8A −/− cells compared to those in wild-type cells. Together, these data suggest that Ric-8 proteins are molecular chaperones required for the initial association of nascent Gα subunits with cellular membranes.
Label-free detection of C-reactive protein using a carbon nanofiber based biosensor

We report the sensitive detection of C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker for cardiac disease, using a carbon nanofiber based biosensor platform. Vertically aligned carbon nanofibers were grown using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition to fabricate nanoelectrode arrays in a 3×3 configuration. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used for the CRP detection. The CV responses show a 25% reduction in redox current upon the immobilization of anti-CRP on the electrode where as a 30% increase in charge transfer resistance is seen from EIS. Further reduction in redox current and increase in charge transfer resistance result from binding of CRP on anti-CRP immobilized surface, proportional to the concentration of the CRP target. The detection limit of the sensor is found to be ~90 pM or ~11 ng/ml, which is in the clinically relevant range. Control tests using non-specific myoglobin antigen confirmed the specificity of the present approach.
Accelerating Correlated Quantum Chemistry Calculations Using Graphical Processing Units

Graphical processing units are now being used with dramatic effect to accelerate quantum chemistry applications. The authors give a brief introduction to electronic structure methods and describe their efforts to accelerate a correlated quantum chemistry code. They propose and analyze two new tools for accelerating matrix-multiplications where single-precision accuracy is insuffcient.
Validation of Vitek version 7.01 software for testing staphylococci against vancomycin.

Abstract We tested 143 isolates of staphylococci with vancomycin by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards broth microdilution (BMD) reference method and compared the results to those generated using the Vitek automated system (GPS-105 and GPS-107 cards and version 7.01 software). For ten isolates, the vancomycin MICs by BMD were 8 μg/ml. By Vitek, the vancomycin MICs ranged from 2 to 16 μg/ml. Vancomycin MICs of ≥32 μg/ml were reported for two additional isolates by Vitek; however, the MICs decreased to ≤0.5 μg/ml on retesting. By BMD, the vancomycin MICs for both isolates were 1 μg/ml. While the modal vancomycin MIC results by BMD for S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) were both 1 μg/ml, Vitek results showed a mode of ≤0.5 μg/ml for S. aureus, and a mode of 2 μg/ml for CoNS. Vitek did not report vancomycin MICs of 1 or 4 μg/ml for any of the isolates tested. While the sensitivity of detecting staphylococci with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin appears to be improved with Vitek version 7.01 software, when compared to earlier software versions, laboratories may notice an overall shift in MIC data toward higher vancomycin MICs, although for the most part, this does not affect the categorical interpretations of the results.
Gene expression profiling in postmortem prefrontal cortex of major depressive disorder

Investigations of the molecular mechanisms underlying major depressive disorder (MDD) have been hampered by the complexity of brain tissue and sensitivity of gene expression profiling approaches. To address these issues, we used discrete microdissections of postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) (area 9) and an oligonucleotide (60mer) microarray hybridization procedure that increases sensitivity without RNA amplification. Mixed-effects statistical methods were used to rigorously control for medication usage in the subset of medicated depressed subjects. These analyses yielded a rich profile of dysregulated genes. Two of the most highly dysregulated genes of interest were stresscopin, a neuropeptide involved in stress responses, and Forkhead box D3 (FOXD3), a transcription factor. Secondary cell-based analysis demonstrated that stresscopin and FoxD3 are increased in neurons of DLPFC gray matter of MDD subjects. These findings identify abnormal gene expression in a discrete region of MDD subjects and contribute to further elucidation of the molecular alterations of this complex mood disorder.
Complementary Therapy Use and Health Self-Management Among Rural Older Adults

Objectives. This article describes dimensions of complementary therapy use among rural older adults, employs these dimensions to delineate sets of complementary therapy use, and describes the personal characteristics related to each set of complementary therapy use. Methods. Data are from in-depth interviews conducted with 62 African American and White rural older adults. Results. Three dimensions of complementary therapy use are delineated: types of therapies used, mindfulness in therapy use, and sharing information with conventional health care providers. The intersection of these dimensions indicates 5 patterned sets of complementary therapy use among rural older adults: (a) mindful use of only home remedies; (b) mindful use of home remedies and contemporary supplements; (c) mindful use of home remedies, contemporary supplements, and complementary practices; (d) nonmindful use of home remedies and contemporary supplements; and (e) use of conventional care only. Involvement in the 5 sets of therapy use is related to sex, ethnicity, educational attainment, and migration. Discussion. Understanding how older adults include sets of complementary therapies in their health self-management is important for improving their health care resources, expectations, awareness, and priorities.