cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Leveraging brand equity to attract human capital

We propose that brand equity can influence job seekers’ perceptions of job opportunities. Our results suggest that job seekers view working for a strong brand as a way to build the power of their resume. The belief that strong brands build powerful resumes is, in part, the outcome of job seekers’ beliefs that working for a strong brand will allow them to advance to better positions internally, provide them job-related training and skills, and demonstrate their willingness to work hard. In turn, job seekers express a greater desire to work for strong brands as measured by salary requirements and perceptions of job appeal in experiment 1 and job choice in experiment 2.
Middle and high school students present posters at AGU Fall Meeting

[1] While science fairs may be one way for students to learn about science, AGU takes the science fair one step further by hosting middle and high school students from the San Francisco Bay Area so they can show off their research in the professional arena. The Bright Students Training as Research Scientists (Bright STaRS) program creates a special day at the AGU Fall Meeting for budding scientists. In addition to learning the ins and outs of geoscience research by participating in data collection and analysis for their research projects, they learn the importance of communication by presenting their results. Since 2004 the AGU Bright STaRS initiative has hosted students who have worked on research projects at universities, high schools, and science learning centers. The program enables them to spend a day at the Fall Meeting and to present their research in a poster session. Each year 10–15 abstracts are submitted by about 25–40 middle and high school students for this event; in 2010 this increased to 26 abstracts and 50 students. Since its inception, more than 250 students have participated in Bright STaRS.
The effect of fire on gas exchange and aboveground biomass production in annually vs biennially burnedSpartina pectinata wetlands

Photosynthetic and growth responses ofSpartina pectinata were compared in annually and biennially burned wetlands in a northeastern Kansas tallgrass prairie. Photosynthetic CO2 uptake was consistently higher inSpartina pectinata in annually burned wetlands, and there was a seasonal difference in maximum photosynthetic rates. Plants in annually burned wetlands reached a maximum photosynthetic rate of 38.2 μmol m−2 s−1 in late spring, while maximum photosynthesis in plants of biennially burned wetlands was 28.6 μmol m−2 s−1 in late summer. Culm density in these wetlands was not affected by fire; however, aboveground biomass production, inflorescence density and plant height at anthesis were significantly greater in annually burned wetlands. These results indicate thatSpartina pectinata may be a fire-dependent species, with post-fire responses similar to the dominant grasses in tallgrass prairie as well as otherSpartina congeners.
Peptide recognition by PTB and PDZ domains

Protein tyrosine binding (PTB) and 'post synaptic density disc-large zo-1' (PDZ) domains bind to short peptidic ligands by augmentation of one of the domain's beta sheets and other recognition mechanisms. The two domain classes have a superficial resemblance to each other, even though no sequential homology exists. The structural bases of the interactions are well understood for the few domains now experimentally determined, and ligand-target pairs can probably be identified in favorable cases by analogy with the known domains. For both PTB and PDZ classes, functional activities are still not fully defined: it is possible that these domain classes, along with pleckstrin homology domains, have multiple roles.
Investigating Fourth Amendment Judicial Outcomes across Contrasting Minority School Settings: Subjectivity in Disciplinary Decision Making in Diverse Settings?.

This study explores the court system's treatment of students' Fourth Amendment rights in cases emerging from contrasting minority school settings and whether discrepancies exist in case outcomes between these extremes. From virtually every search and seizure case that occurred between the 1985 U.S. Supreme Court case in New Jersey v. T.L.O. and December 2003, data for each search and how it was administered were gathered and analyzed. Findings suggest discrepancies in the manner in which student searches are administratively justified and subsequently treated (e.g., school disciplinary infraction versus criminal violation) by school officials. Implications for leadership and the role of emotion in legal decision making are presented.
Paramyxoviral-induced lung dendritic cell maturation occurs independently of CCR5 function☆

Abstract Rationale Chemokine signals are important in the maturation and migration of dendritic cells (DC) from the periphery to draining lymph nodes. The chemokine receptor CCR5 is thought to be involved in recruitment of immature DC to tissues; however, its role in maturation is unclear. Using CCR5 null mice, we assessed the effect of paramyxovirus infection on maturation of lung DC subsets. Methods CCR5-null mice were given intranasal FITC-dextran followed by either PBS or Sendai virus (SeV). One to 5 days later, CD11c+ DC were identified and their expression of FITC, MHC-II, CD11b, and CD86 was determined. Results In the PBS-treated animals, FITC-positive DC appeared immature with little expression of MHC-II, CD11b, or CD86 (2.2 ± 2%, 34 ± 3%, and 1.3 ± 1%, mean percent DC expressing marker ± sem, n=2). This contrasts with FITC-negative DC, which appeared more mature based on expression of MHC-II and CD86 (55 ± 6% and 22 ± 5%, respectively). One day after SeV infection, both DC subsets increased expression of MHC-II to similar levels (70–98% positive). CD11b and CD86, although increased in both subsets, were expressed more often on FITC-negative DC than on FITC-positive DC (97 ± 2% versus 63 ± 6% for CD11b, and 77 ± 7% versus 34 ± 3% for CD86). Five days after infection, similar numbers of both DC subsets expressed these markers (70–75%, 72–87%, and 21–35%, respectively). Conclusions Although FITC-negative DC are more mature at baseline, SeV infection rapidly induces both DC subsets to mature, and to remain mature for at least 5 days. A functional lack of CCR5 signaling does not impair this response.
Quantitative, Label-Free Detection of Five Protein Biomarkers Using Multiplexed Arrays of Silicon Photonic Microring Resonators

Because of the inherent complexity of biochemical pathways commonly altered in disease states, it has become accepted that multiplexed analyses can provide a more informative biomolecular understanding of disease onset and progression. Importantly, compared to conventional single-parameter assays, the detailed biomolecular insight gleaned from multiparameter measurements has the potential to greatly improve disease diagnostics, prognostics, and theragnostics. We have previously reported the utility of silicon photonic microring resonators for the sensitive quantitation of a single disease biomarker and herein demonstrate the first example of optical microcavity resonator arrays performing quantitative, label-free, multiplexed analyses of clinically relevant protein biomarkers. In this report, the concentrations of prostate specific antigen (PSA), α-fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) are simultaneously determined in three unknown pro...
A new mechanism for seaward dispersion of midshelf sediments

Silt- to sand-size particles may be transported across middle continental shelves by currents forced by the radiation stress of variable-amplitude swell. With the passage of each group of waves of sufficient amplitude for the high waves in the group to resuspend bottom sediments, there is a seaward bias in the return of sediments to the seafloor. Over a storm season, with the passage of many wave groups, the net seaward sediment displacement may be 1-5 km.
Biomolecular stress-sensitive gauges: surface-mediated immobilization of mechanosensitive membrane protein.

We report the observation of structural reorganizations associated with unique, stress-assisted gating of mechanosensitive (MscL) membrane protein on a silicon surface modified with alkyl-terminated monolayers. We observed that the shape of MscL membrane proteins changed dramatically depending upon the packing density of alkyl tails and the surface tension of the supporting organic layer. High-resolution atomic force microscopy confirmed a transition from an elongated, prolate shape of MscL molecules within a monolayer with low surface tension to a flattened, oblate shape with a wide central opening within a monolayer with high surface tension. These observations are consistent with the conformation reorganizations associated with the two-stage, “iris”-like expansion proposed for the gating of the MscL molecules.
Tissue transglutaminase is essential for neurite outgrowth in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells

Abstract Tissue transglutaminase is a normal constituent of the central and peripheral nervous systems and in rats transglutaminase activity in brain and spinal cord is highest during fetal stages when axonal outgrowth is occurring. Further, treatment of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells with retinoic acid results in the cells withdrawing from the cell cycle and extending neurites, in the same time frame that tissue transglutaminase expression significantly increases. Considering these and other previous findings, this study was carried out to determine whether tissue transglutaminase is involved in neuronal differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells. For these studies SH-SY5Y cells stably overexpressing wild-type tissue transglutaminase, an inactive tissue transglutaminase mutant (C277S) or an antisense tissue transglutaminase construct (which decreased endogenous tissue transglutaminase below detectable levels) were used. SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing wild-type tissue transglutaminase spontaneously differentiated into a neuronal phenotype when grown in low-serum media. In contrast, cells overexpressing inactive tissue transglutaminase or the antisense tissue transglutaminase continued to proliferate and exhibit a flat polygenic morphology even when maintained in low-serum conditions. In addition, increased tissue transglutaminase expression in response to retinoic acid was abolished in the antisense tissue transglutaminase cells, and antisense and mutant tissue transglutaminase expressing cells did not extend neurites in response to retinoic acid. Moreover, wild-type and inactive tissue transglutaminase exhibited differential intracellular localization. These data indicate that tissue transglutaminase is necessary and sufficient for neuronal differentiation of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.
Synthesis and characterization of four ethylenediamine-templated iron arsenates.

Four new ethylenediamine-templated iron arsenates and fluoroarsenates have been hydrothermally synthesized from iron metal, hydrofluoric and arsenic acids, and ethylenediamine. Fe(H2AsO4)(HAsO4)2.enH2.H2O (1) is one-dimensional and contains chains, FeIIIFeIIF2(HAsO4)(AsO4).enH2.2H2O (2) is a layered fluoroarsenate, and Fe3(HAsO4)6.enH2.NH3.NH4 (3) and Fe2F2(AsO4)2(H2O).enH2 (4) are an arsenate and a fluoroarsenate, respectively, with three-dimensional open-framework type structures. Compounds 1, 3, and 4 contain Fe(III) only, while 2 is a mixed-valence compound of Fe(III) and Fe(II). The structures were determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data: (1) P2(1), a = 4.762(1) A, b = 16.086(3) A, c = 8.698(2) A, beta = 90.65(3) degrees, Z = 2; (2) P-1, a = 5.289(1) A, b = 7.573 (1) A, c = 8.888(2) A, alpha = 67.32(3) degrees, beta = 82.77(3) degrees, gamma = 69.76(3) degrees, Z = 1; (3) C2/c, a = 18.384(3) A, b = 8.785(1) A, c = 16.052(2) A, beta = 111.11(1) degrees, Z = 4; (4) Pbca, a = 10.490(2) A, b = 10.090(2) A, c = 20.540(4) A, Z = 8. Strong hydrogen bonding exists between the chains and the layers in 1 and 2, and between the diprotonated ethylenediamine and the inorganic part of the structures of 1, 2, and 4. The ethylenediamine in 3 is not hydrogen bonded, and as a result it is disordered. The compounds are characterized also by thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and magnetic measurements.
A model for dynamic embrittlement

A model is presented to calculate the rate of crack advance in the stepwise decohesion process which can result from the stress-induced penetration of a surface-adsorbed element into a solid, usually along grain boundaries. We call this process dynamic embrittlement. The model employs a diffusion equation containing both the usual random-mixing term and a term reflecting the work done by a tensile stress when surface atoms diffuse inward. Given the diffusion constant of the surface species and the stress profile at the crack tip, the concentration build-up ahead of the crack as a function of time can be calculated. This can be combined with an empirical relationship between the interfacial concentration of the surface species and the stress to cause decohesion to give the crack-growth rate. This model is applied to the case of sulfur-induced cracking of an alloy steel in the process known as stress-relief cracking.
Numerical investigation of ultrashort laser damage in semiconductors

Abstract A complete self-consistent model for transport dynamics in semiconductors caused by ultrashort-pulse laser heating is presented based on the relaxation-time approximation of the Boltzmann equation. Carrier–lattice nonequilibrium interactions are simulated to obtain the temporal and spatial evolution of the carrier density and temperature as well as the lattice temperature. It is shown that the calculated damage threshold based on the carrier density criterion agrees fairly well with the experimental data for both Si and Ge semiconductors, especially for sub-picosecond pulses. It is also found that one-photon absorption and Auger recombination are the two critical factors that influence the electron–hole carrier generation.
Root locus near isolated pole-zero dipoles and a counterintuitive case of digital control compensation

A convenient characterization is given for root loci associated with open-loop pole-zero dipoles. A particular dipole-locus effect is shown to influence the design of a digital PID controller for an oscillatory plant; the design is a counterintuitive one in which zeros of the compensator are placed outside the unit circle in the neighborhood of the plant poles.
Extending memory hierarchy into multiprocessor interconnection networks

The speed with which processors can access memory is critical to the performance of scaleable, shared-memory parallel computers. An important factor in the effective memory access time is the interconnection network that connects processors and memories. In this dissertation we propose and analyze a novel interconnection network in which data is stored at each switch of the network and may change location dynamically in response to the processors' request patterns. By allowing dynamic routing capabilities and by putting memory into each switch element we create a hybrid network offering the best features of uniform and non-uniform memory distance architectures. In contrast to uniform distance networks, locality of reference can be exploited by placing a data item near the processors currently referencing it. In contrast to static mapping of data onto non-uniform distance networks, the dynamic movement mechanism allows the system to accommodate efficiently software that exhibits phases with differing reference patterns or for which the reference pattern may depend heavily on the data. Finally, in contrast to multiple copy caching schemes, there is only a single copy of any data item in the system, and so there is no need for coherency protocols. Of course, some price must be paid for the additional power of this network. In particular, there are increases in design complexity and dynamic overhead (cycle times) of the switch elements. The major focus of this study is the determination of the performance benefits that can be realized by such a network, taking into account the runtime overheads. Possible implementations of the switch elements, the associated protocols, and their relative cost and performance, are also presented. The suggested architecture requires memory which is beyond the capabilities of current technology, but it will become feasible in the near future. The dissertation's conclusion is that the suggested architecture is expected to perform much better than conventional networks over a wide range of assumptions about reference behavior.
The Properties and Performance of Cast Iron Grinding Media

Cast iron balls have been used for decades as a grinding media in all types of grinding applications. Early applications of cast iron grinding balls in mineral processing operations were disastrous due to spalling and premature breakage. Better control and understanding of a high chromium cast iron metallurgical system have led to the use of high chromium cast iron balls in all types of grinding. This paper reviews the wear properties of cast iron grinding media materials during dry and wet grinding conditions. The media wear mechanisms and the factors influencing the grinding ball wear during grinding are discussed, giving special importance to the corrosion and abrasion properties of cast iron media materials.
Further tests of a scaled local exchange-correlation functional

The local Wigner exchange-correlation functional and its scaled analog are tested by self-consistent calculations on ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ determining energy curves and atomic polarizabilities. The kinetic-energy contribution, which results from coordinate scaling of the exchange-correlation potential energy, is shown to be important in the density-functional theory.
Variational analysis of transverse cracking and local delamination in [θm/90n]s laminates

Abstract A displacement-based variational model is developed to study the effects of transverse cracking and local delaminations in symmetric composite laminates. In the model, the crack shape is assumed to be a function of crack density and delamination length. Using a variational approach with the principle of minimum potential energy, governing equations are derived. The effective Young’s modulus Ex and energy release rate G are theoretically examined as a result of local delaminations.
Sympathetic cochleolabyrinthitis in revision stapedectomy surgery

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether revision stapedectomy could precipitate sensorineural hearing loss in the contralateral ear. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 148 patients undergoing primary or revision stapedectomy at an academic, tertiary care facility. Results: Stapedectomy resulted in significant improvements in mean air conduction thresholds in the ipsilateral ear. Overall, there were no significant changes in either the air or bone conduction values of the contralateral ear. Two patients demonstrated a >20-dB decline in speech reception threshold and/or >20% decrease word recognition in the contralateral ear. Both of these patients demonstrated the decline only after revision surgery. Conclusion: Revision stapedectomy is on rare occasions associated with hearing loss in the contralateral ear. Contralateral hearing loss after revision stapedectomy may be due to sympathetic cochleolabyrinthitis. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002;126:273-80.)
Axonal pathways in the brain-retrocerebral neuroendocrine complex of Manduca sexta (L.) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)

Abstract Axonal pathways of the various neurosecretory cell groups in the brain of larvae and pupae of Manduca sexta were studied, using a cobalt diffusion and precipitation technique. Five groups of cells were found to send axons to each retrocerebral complex. Axons from the fused nervi corporis cardiaci I and II arise from 2 ipsilateral dorsomedial groups, a controlateral anteromedial group, and a controlateral dorsolateral group. Axons from the NCC III arise from a group of ipsilateral tritocerebral neurosecretory cells. All of the cell groups sending axons through the NCC I+II innervate the corpus allatum. By contrast, only a few of the axons making up the NCC I+II appear to terminate in the corpora cardiaca (CC). The tritocerebral cells send axons to the CC only. Extensive migration of neurosecretory cells takes place during metamorphosis. The dorsomedial cells of the larva migrate laterad to become the lateral neurosecretory cells of the pupa and adult. The anteromedial cells of the larva migrate dorsad to become the medial neurosecretory cells of the pupa and adult.
Adaptive low-latency communications over the Internet

An increasing number of applications, such as audio and video conferencing, are using the internet as a communication backbone. In such applications it is important to minimize the latency of communication while extracting sufficient throughput. Existing applications tend to fill the internet with large amounts of data with the result that maximum throughput is achieved only at the cost of very high latency. In the case of packet switched networks there are large delays due to the presence of the routers in the path and due to the networks being shared. We have developed a protocol to control the latency for communications over the internet while holding throughput to an acceptable level and reducing jitter. The scheme is general and adaptive, so it can work with a variety of applications and protocols. An important aspect of our work is that it provides a possible solution for reducing latency in communications over the existing internet without using any additional hardware.
10 BIOMEDICAL KNOWLEDGE, CULTURAL VALUES AND CHOICES FOR INFANT FEEDING AMONG ADOLESCENT MOTHERS

Abstract: A study to examine the relationships between specific infant feeding choices, demographic factors, cultural beliefs, and bio-medical knowledge was conducted. Three hundred thirteen (313) consecutive parturient women, of whom 68 were 18 years old or younger at the time of their first delivery, were interviewed. Of these adolescents, 16 were breastfeeding (24%) as compared to 56% of all women in the sample. Of those who were young, but married, 46% were breastfeeding. Young mothers knew breast milk was best for the infant, but thought bottlefeeding was best for the mother because of the proscriptions and prescriptions required for breastfeeding and the wish to share the feeding with others. The need to work or the desire to return to school was not given as reasons to bottlefeed. The choice between breastfeeding and bottlefeeding is found to be affected by cultural beliefs and values such as young mothers' beliefs about interdependence and reliance on others.
ERP System and Implementation-Process Benefits: Implications for B2B E-Procurement

Although a considerable amount of documentation has been published on the alleged benefits of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, rigorous theoretically supported research into this topic has been limited. Furthermore, with the recent popularity of new technologies such as those supporting Business-to-Business (B2B) e-procurement, many have begun to loose focus of the underlying infrastructure upon which these new technologies depend, and which ERP systems provide. The aim of this paper is to provide a theoretical foundation for the consideration of the criticality of ERP system implementations with regards to the effective utilization of up-and-coming technologies. We approach this task in two steps. First we apply the theory of Swift, Even Flow to illustrate the potential impact that both the Product and Process of ERP implementation can have on overall operational effectiveness. We then utilize the theory of Resource Dependency to suggest the impact that such improved effectiveness might have on the ability of a firm to take advantage of B2B e-procurement technologies. An investigation of 61 B2B success cases reveals that the extent to which firms witness savings through such procurement is dependent not only on the presence of an implemented ERP system but also on the length of time such systems have been present and active.
What can we learn from the recent measurements of the spin-dependent structure function g1(x)?

In this paper, we argue that the effects of the Drell-Hearn-Gerasimov (DHG) sum rule should be included to extract the sum rule of polarized neutrons from the recent Spin Muon Collaboration measurement of the spin-dependent structure function [ital g][sub 1]([ital x]) of the deuteron, since the measurement was obtained at fairly low [ital Q][sup 2]. The value [Gamma][equivalent to][integral][sub 0][sup 1][ital g][sub 1]([ital x])[ital dx] could be modified significantly at [ital Q][sup 2] around 2--4 GeV[sup 2] by the high twist effects connected with the DHG sum rule. More accurate data for the spin-dependent structure function in the resonance region are needed to obtain reliable information on [Gamma] for the polarized protons and neutrons.
Angioarchitectural Evolution of Clival Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas in Two Patients

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) may present in a variety of ways, including as carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas. The ophthalmologic sequelae of carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas are known and recognizable, but less commonly seen is the rare clival fistula. Clival dAVFs may have a variety of potential anatomical configurations but are defined by the involvement of the venous plexus just overlying the bony clivus. Here we present two cases of clival dAVFs that most likely evolved from carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas.
An approach to measuring the achievement or proficiency of an examinee

Various school systems are developing proficiency tests which are conceptualized as representing a variety of skills with one or more items per skill. This paper discusses how certain recent technical advances might be extended to examine these tests. In contrast to previous analyses, errors at the item level are included; and it is shown that inclusion of these errors implies that a substantially longer test might be needed. One approach to this problem is described, and directions for future research are suggested.
Molecular Dissection of an Outbreak of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Reveals Intergenus KPC Carbapenemase Transmission through a Promiscuous Plasmid

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) have emerged as major causes of health care-associated infections worldwide. This diverse collection of organisms with various resistance mechanisms is associated with increased lengths of hospitalization, costs of care, morbidity, and mortality. The global spread of CRE has largely been attributed to dissemination of a dominant strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae producing a serine β-lactamase, termed K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC). Here we report an outbreak of KPC-producing CRE infections in which the degree of horizontal transmission between strains and species of a promiscuous plasmid is unprecedented. Sixteen isolates, comprising 11 unique strains, 6 species, and 4 genera of bacteria, were obtained from 14 patients over the first 8 months of the outbreak. Of the 11 unique strains, 9 harbored the same highly promiscuous plasmid carrying the KPC gene bla(KPC). The remaining strains harbored distinct bla(KPC) plasmids, one of which was carried in a strain of Klebsiella oxytoca coisolated from the index patient and the other generated from transposition of the bla(KPC) element Tn4401. All isolates could be genetically traced to the index patient. Molecular epidemiological investigation of the outbreak was aided by the adaptation of nested arbitrary PCR (ARB-PCR) for rapid plasmid identification. This detailed molecular genetic analysis, combined with traditional epidemiological investigation, provides insights into the highly fluid dynamics of drug resistance transmission during the outbreak. IMPORTANCE The ease of horizontal transmission of carbapenemase resistance plasmids across strains, species, and genera of bacteria observed in this study has several important public health and epidemiological implications. First, it has the potential to promote dissemination of carbapenem resistance to new populations of Enterobacteriaceae, including organisms of low virulence, leading to the establishment of reservoirs of carbapenem resistance genes in patients and/or the environment and of high virulence, raising the specter of untreatable community-associated infections. Second, recognition of plasmid-mediated outbreaks, such as those described here, is problematic because analysis of resistance plasmids from clinical isolates is laborious and technically challenging. Adaptation of nested arbitrary PCR (ARB-PCR) to investigate the plasmid outbreak facilitated our investigation, and the method may be broadly applicable to other outbreaks due to other conserved mobile genetic elements. Whether infection control measures that focus on preventing transmission of drug-resistant clones are effective in controlling dissemination of these elements is unknown.
Darwin's “Eye of Reason”: Natural Selection and the Mathematical Sublime

According to charles darwin'S subsidence theory of coral reef formation, coral polyps laid the foundation fifty million years ago for a Pacific reef now known as Enewetak Atoll (Wood 12). At that time Enewetak was simply a ring of coral around the fringe of a sinking island mountain. Able to live only near the ocean's surface, however, corals build upon previous generations of coral structure as their land base sinks, and in the case of Enewetak this process continued long after the mountain's peak first submerged. Today Enewetak Atoll rises above the original mountain seven-tenths of a mile (two-and-a-half times the height of the Chicago Sears Tower) before it reaches its apex in a circle of lagoon islands on the ocean's surface. Darwin's presentation of the subsidence theory in The Voyage of the Beagle was the occasion of the following reflection. First, nature's art looms larger than that created by humans, and then this image is followed by a quieter thought concerning the invisibility of the object in question:
Global Positioning System (GPS)

The Global Positioning System, commonly referred to as GPS, is a worldwide, satellite-based positioning and timing system that allows suitably equipped radio receivers to locate themselves in four dimensions, latitude, longitude, altitude, and time, anywhere there is a reasonably clear view of the sky. The system is also known as NAVSTAR, a convenient nickname that is not an acronym. The GPS system was developed, deployed, and is currently operated by the U.S. Air Force. GPS enables precision weapon delivery for all branches of the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as allied nations. Additionally, GPS supports civilian positioning and was always intended to support civil operations. The complete satellite constellation and ground support equipment that make up GPS was declared “operational” in December 1994, although civil use of the developmental signals started in the early 1980s. The fundamental operation is as follows: the 24 GPS satellites are uploaded from the ground with their current and predicted positions (called ephemeris or orbital parameters). Small corrections of their space-borne atomic clocks are also uploaded. This information is broadcast to the user as a data modulation on an L-band signal (1575 MHz for most civilian users) that doubles as a precise, one-way ranging signal. Ranging is achieved by synchronizing the start time of a pseudorandom sequence of bits transmitted from the GPS satellites at an accuracy of about one nanosecond (10−9 s). Three very important results are achieved by this implementation. First, this makes GPS ranging a one-way signal that allows an infinite number of users to receive the signal and compute their position without saturating the GPS system. Additionally, this makes the GPS receiver passive, so that it does not radiate radio-frequency (RF) energy. Last, by receiving four or more satellite signals, users can synchronize their local clocks to GPS time, obviating the need for a very high quality and very expensive atomic clock in the receivers. The design objectives of the GPS system were to provide a continuously available, worldwide, all-weather, three-dimensional precision navigation system for both military and civilian users on land, at sea, or in the air (or even in space). Selected application of the GPS system are discussed. Many topics presented are on the cating edge of research. Keywords: Global Positioning Systems (GPS); satellites; history; TRANSIT; timation; 621B; predecessors; operation; multiateration; signal structure; space segment; ground control; navigational data; user; ranging errors; error analysis; differential GPS; national differential GPS; user; ranging errors; error analysis; differential GPS; national differential GPS; Wide Area Augmentation System; Local Area Augmentation System; survey; crustal motion; aviation; vehicle tracking; precision munitions; space applications; Galileo
Index of Suspicion in the Nursery

A 2-month-old male baby is admitted to the hospital for the third time with a history of abnormal movements since the first day after delivery. He returns to the hospital on this occasion due to the appearance of bluish skin associated with the occurrence of abnormal movements that persist despite the use of anticonvulsant medication. The parents describe the abnormal movement as a sudden, startling jump followed by a forceful body contraction in which the baby becomes rigid, with fists firmly clenched, arms flexed, spine erect, head tilted slightly backward, and legs extended. He remains awake during and after the episode. The contraction lasts for approximately 10 seconds and is followed by floppiness for 1 to 2 seconds. Sometimes episodes are accompanied by a bluish coloration of the entire body. Startling sounds or even a sudden touch trigger the episodes, which occur frequently all day long. They explain that firm holding and hugging sometimes seem to stop the episodes. On questioning, they report no eye rolling, blinking, or lip smacking during the episodes, and the episodes usually are not preceded by feedings. The boy has good suckling and appetite; no constipation or diarrhea; and is active, afebrile, and seemingly otherwise healthy. A review of the pregnancy and delivery reveals no complications or infections during the pregnancy, although the mother says that the movements of the baby in the womb seemed different from those in …
Alderson’s General Theory of Marketing: A Formalization

Wroe Alderson is one of three marketers to attempt a general theory of marketing. Substantial controversy exists concerning this general theory, partially because few understand Alderson and his work. The authors attempt to clarify Alderson’s work by “formalizing” his theory.
Timing of pair production in time-dependent force fields

We examine the creation and annihilation dynamics for electron-positron pairs in a time-dependent but subcritical electric force using a simplified model system. Numerical and semianalytical solutions to computational quantum field theory show that despite the continuity of the quantum field operator in time, the actual number of created particles can change in a discontinuous way if the field changes abruptly. The number of permanently created particles after the pulse, however, increases continuously with the duration of the electric field pulse, suggesting a transition from an exclusive annihilation to a creation regime.
The Three-dimensional Solution Structure of Ca2+-bound S100A1 as Determined by NMR Spectroscopy

S100A1 is an EF-hand-containing Ca 2+ -binding protein that undergoes a conformational change upon binding calcium as is necessary to interact with protein targets and initiate a biological response. To better understand how calcium influences the structure and function of S100A1, the three-dimensional structure of calcium-bound S100A1 was determined by multidimensional NMR spectroscopy and compared to the previously determined structure of apo. In total, 3354 nuclear Overhauser effect-derived distance constraints, 240 dihedral constraints, 160 hydrogen bond constraints, and 362 residual dipolar coupling restraints derived from a series of two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and four-dimensional NMR experiments were used in its structure determination (>21 constraints per residue). As with other dimeric S100 proteins, S100A1 is a symmetric homodimer with helices 1, 1′, 4, and 4′ associating into an X-type four-helix bundle at the dimer interface. Within each subunit there are four α-helices and a short antiparallel β-sheet typical of two helix-loop-helix EF-hand calcium-binding domains. The addition of calcium did not change the interhelical angle of helices 1 and 2 in the pseudo EF-hand significantly; however, there was a large reorientation of helix 3 in the typical EF-hand. The large conformational change exposes a hydrophobic cleft, defined by residues in the hinge region, the C terminus, and regions of helix 3, which are important for the interaction between S100A1 and a peptide (TRTK-12) derived from the actin-capping protein CapZ.
Symbolic versus Blind Patriotism Distinction without Difference

Patriotism is an important predictor of political attitudes and preferences. Nevertheless, the complexity of patriotism remains unresolved, especially as it pertains to blind and symbolic patriotis...
Nobloedischia rasnitsyni, a new genus and species of Oedischiidae (Orthoptera) from the Lower Permian Wellington Formation of Oklahoma, USA

Nobloedischia rasnitsyni gen. et sp. n. (Oedischiidae) is described from the Lower Permian Wellington Formation of Noble County, Oklahoma. The genus is similar to both Petrelcana (Oedischiidae: Mezenoedischiinae) and Oedischia (Oedischiidae: Oedischiinae) and is left unplaced at the subfamily level. The new species is the twelfth Orthoptera species and the fourth species of Oedischiidae from these deposits.
Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) conversion of L-Arginine to nitric oxide (NO) decreases low density mononuclear cell (LD MNC) trans-endothelial migration and cytokine output

Abstract Background Biochemical, molecular, and cellular events at the micro-vascular endothelial interface determine the integrity of the vascular system. Disruption of these events has been described to occur in accordance with ischemic/reperfusion injury leading to inflammation, cell adhesion, and endothelial permeability changes. It has also been suggested that nitric oxide (NO) participates in these events. However, the manner in which it does is debated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of exogenous l -arginine, an NO precursor, and L-N (G) nitroarginine methyl ester ( l -NAME), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, upon inflammatory events at the endothelial interface. Materials and methods Fresh cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells were established and used to seed Transwell chemotaxic chambers, and then grown to confluence. Whole blood was obtained from the same healthy volunteer and processed for light density mononuclear cells. Following per-stimulation of the endothelial monolayer with IL-1β or antigen-antibody complex, known numbers of mononuclear cells were seeded to the endothelium. Incubation with and without exogenous l -arginine or l -NAME for 48 h was done. Lower chamber supernatant was then collected, cell numbers and viability determined and levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and INF-λ determined via ELISA assay. Results Tran-endothelial cellular migration was nil lacking pre-stimulation, regardless of the addition of exogenous l -arginine. With pre-stimulation trans-endothelial migration increased significantly, a response that was greatly enhanced by l -arginine. With the further addition of L-NAME cellular migration decreased substantially. Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels of TNF-α and INF-λ followed levels of cellular migration. Conclusions In vitro there was little to no trans-endothelial migration of inflammatory cells across an unstimulated monolayer of vascular endothelium. Pre-stimulation of the same endothelial monolayer with either a cytokine or antigen-antibody complex resulted in a significant trans-endothelial migration of inflammatory cells. This latter response was associated with a concurrent increase in the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and INF-γ. The presence of the NO precursor l -arginine greatly enhanced the observed inflammatory response. Conversely, l -NAME, an inhibitor of NOS, depressed the inflammatory response.
Feedback for Programming Assignments Using Software-Metrics and Reference Code

Feedback for student programming assignments on quality is a tedious and laborious task for the instructor. In this paper, we make use of few object-oriented software metrics along with a reference code that is provided by the instructor to analyze student programs and provide feedback. The empirical study finds those software metrics that can be used on the considered programming assignments and the way reference code helps the instructor to assess them. This approach helps the instructor to easily find out quality issues in student programs. Feedback to such assignments can be provided using the guidelines which we will be discussing. We also perform an experimental study on programming assignments of sophomore students who were enrolled in an object-oriented programming course to validate our approach.
Tesseract: Interactive environment for exploration of project relationships

Important insights can be gained by exploring the connections between project entities as recorded in the siloed databases maintained by software projects. We have developed Tesseract, a software archive browser that utilizes cross-linked displays to enable visual exploration of relationships between artifacts, developers, issues, and project communications.
Generating Semantically Precise Scene Graphs from Textual Descriptions for Improved Image Retrieval

Semantically complex queries which include attributes of objects and relations between objects still pose a major challenge to image retrieval systems. Recent work in computer vision has shown that a graph-based semantic representation called a scene graph is an effective representation for very detailed image descriptions and for complex queries for retrieval. In this paper, we show that scene graphs can be effectively created automatically from a natural language scene description. We present a rule-based and a classifierbased scene graph parser whose output can be used for image retrieval. We show that including relations and attributes in the query graph outperforms a model that only considers objects and that using the output of our parsers is almost as effective as using human-constructed scene graphs (Recall@10 of 27.1% vs. 33.4%). Additionally, we demonstrate the general usefulness of parsing to scene graphs by showing that the output can also be used to generate 3D scenes.
High performance and reliable silicon field emission arrays enabled by silicon nanowire current limiters

We report a high current density (J > 100 A/cm2) cold cathode based on silicon field emitter arrays (FEAs) that operates at low voltage (VGE 100 hours @ 100 A/cm2, > 300 hours @ 100 mA/cm2). The demonstrated current density is an increase of > 10x over state-of-the art (∼10 A/cm2) for field emission cathodes operated in continuous wave (CW) mode. To achieve the record performance, we developed a unique device architecture that uses a high-aspect-ratio (∼50:1) silicon nanowire current limiter to regulate electron flow to each field emitter tip in the array. High current, high current density, long lifetime cold cathodes that can be integrated with silicon ICs will enable new systems architectures for RF amplifiers, terahertz, IR, and x-ray sources.
Alcohol- and light-induced electro-oculographic responses in age-related macular degeneration & central serous chorioretinopathy. alcohol- and light-induced EOG responses in ARMD & CSC.

The non-photic electro-oculographic (EOG) response induced by alcohol has been proposed as an indicator of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) integrity, and reported to be abnormal in age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). To evaluate this proposal, we have measured the alcohol-EOG as well as the ISCEV-standard EOG in patients with ARMD (n=11 patients, 4 eyes with drusen, 8 eyes with ‘dry’ and 7 eyes with ‘wet’ lesions) and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC, n=11 patients, 7 eyes with active and 6 eyes with inactive lesions), compared with 29 normal controls. We recorded the alcohol-induced EOG response after a single oral administration of ethanol at 160 mg/kg, followed by an ISCEV-standard EOG. Blood alcohol levels were monitored with a breath analyzer. We found that neither the alcohol-EOG nor the light-induced EOG response showed any difference between either ARMD or CSC patients and normal controls. Nor was there difference among eyes of different ARMD or CSC subgroups. In addition, blood alcohol concentrations near the time of the alcohol-EOG peak showed no obvious relationship with peak/baseline ratios. These data suggest that neither the alcohol- nor the light-induced EOG is a sensitive indicator of these diseases.
On Compensation and Impurities in State-of-the-Art GaN Epilayers Grown on Sapphire

A comparison between 300 K electron transport data for state-of-the-art wurtzite GaN grown on sapphire substrates and corresponding theoretical calculations shows a large difference, with experimental mobility less than the predicted mobility for a given carrier concentration. The comparison seems to imply that GaN films are greatly compensated, but the discrepancy may also be due to the poorly known values of the materials parameters used in the calculations. In this work, recent analysis of transport and SIMS measurements on silicon-doped GaN films are shown to imply that the compensation, N A /N D , is less than 0.3. In addition, the determination of an activation energy of 34 meV in a GaN film doped to a level of 6×10 16 cm −3 suggests either that a second, native donor exists in the doped films at a level of between 6×10 17 cm −3 and 1×10 17 cm −3 , or that the activation energy of Si in GaN is dependent on the concentration, being influenced by impurity banding or some other physical effect. GaN films grown without silicon doping are highly resistive.
Spatial Light Modulator Based Spectral Polarization Imaging

We describe a compressive snapshot spectral polarization imager that encodes spatial, spectral and polarization information by a liquid crystal on silicon modulator. The camera multiplexes the spatial distribution of four polarizations and three color channels.
Analysis on epidemiological characteristics and measures of measles elimination in Suzhou City during 2005-2008.

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristic of measles in Suzhou city,and to explore strategies to eliminate measles.Method Descriptive epidemiology was conducted to describe and analyze the data from measles supervision system.Results The incidence of measles in Suzhou between 2005-2008 was 5.18 per one hundred thousands,the highest incidence noted in 2005.Little children group accounted most of the patients and tended to be higher along time among those who were under five years old,especially those under 1 year old.Analyzing the vaccination history among 184 cases between 8 months old and 4 years old we found 0 time of vaccination accounted 39.13%,1 time of vaccination accounted 35.33%,unknown accounted 22.28%.Conclusion The key points to prevent and eliminate measles were to carry out measles vaccine(MV),increase regular MV rate,strengthen supervision of suspected cases,prevent measles transmission in hospitals.
National Economic Information Systems for Developed Economies

A National Economic Information System (NEIS) is defined as having five elements: (I) computer systems; (2) a communications network; (3) software; (4) databanks; and (5) econometric models. The characteristics of each element are discussed, and the contributions of such systems to the various types of centres of economic analysis are indicated. It is concluded that timesharing computer technology does have particular benefits for economic analysis.