cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seasonal Influence of the Needle Rush Juncus roemarianus on Saltmarsh Pore Water Geochemistry

Previous studies have shown that saltmarsh macrophytes have a significant influence on sediment biogeochemistry, both through radial release of oxygen from roots and also via primary production and release of labile organic exudates from roots. To assess the seasonal influence of the needle rush, Juncus roemarianus, on saltmarsh sediment geochemistry, pore waters and sediments were collected from the upper 50 cm of two adjacent sites, one unvegetated and the other vegetated by Juncus roemarianus, in a Georgia saltmarsh during winter and summer. Pore waters collected at 1- to 2-cm intervals were analyzed for pH, alkalinity, dissolved phosphate, ammonium, Fe(II), Fe(III), Mn(II), sulfide, sulfate, and organic carbon. Sediments were collected at 5-cm intervals and analyzed for iron distribution in the solid phase using a two-step sequential extraction. The upper 50 cm of the sediment pore waters are mostly sulfidic during both winter and summer. The pore water and sediment geochemistry suggest organic matter degradation is coupled mostly to Fe(III) and sulfate reduction. In summer, there is greater accumulation of alkalinity, sulfide, ammonium, and phosphate in the pore waters and lower levels of ascorbate extractable Fe, which is presumed to be comprised primarily of readily reducible Fe(III) oxides, in the sediments, consistent with higher organic matter degradation rates in summer compared to winter. Lower pH, alkalinity, ammonium, and sulfide concentrations in sediments with Juncus, compared to nearby unvegetated sediments, is consistent with release of oxygen into the Juncus rhizosphere, especially during summer.
Nitrous oxide and perioperative outcomes

There is emerging evidence related to the effects of nitrous oxide on important perioperative patient outcomes. Proposed mechanisms include metabolic effects linked to elevated homocysteine levels and endothelial dysfunction, inhibition of deoxyribonucleic acid and protein formation, and depression of chemotactic migration by monocytes. Newer large studies point to possible risks associated with the use of nitrous oxide, although data are often equivocal and inconclusive. Cardiovascular outcomes such as stroke or myocardial infarction were shown to be unchanged in previous studies, but the more recent Evaluation of Nitrous Oxide in the Gas Mixture for Anesthesia I trial shows possible associations between nitrous oxide and increased cardiovascular and pulmonary complications. There are also possible effects on postoperative wound infections and neuropsychological function, although the multifactorial nature of these complications should be considered. Teratogenicity linked to nitrous oxide use has not been firmly established. The use of nitrous oxide for routine anesthetic care may be associated with significant costs if complications such as nausea, vomiting, and wound infections are taken into consideration. Overall, definitive data regarding the effect of nitrous oxide on major perioperative outcomes are lacking. There are ongoing prospective studies that may further elucidate its role. The use of nitrous oxide in daily practice should be individualized to each patient’s medical conditions and risk factors.
The CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β is a critical regulator of steroid-induced mitotic expansion of uterine stromal cells during decidualization

During early pregnancy, the concerted actions of the maternal steroid hormones, estrogen and progesterone, promote a unique process known as decidualization, which involves extensive proliferation and differentiation of uterine stromal cells. The molecular pathways underlying this hormonally induced cellular transformation, an essential prerequisite for embryo implantation, remain poorly understood. We previously identified CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ) as a target of steroid regulation in the uterus. Uteri of mice lacking C/EBPβ failed to undergo decidualization. In the present study, analyses of C/EBPβ-null uteri indicated that loss of this factor leads to a block in stromal cell proliferation in response to a decidual stimulation. The mutant stromal cells entered S phase of the cell cycle and completed DNA synthesis but were unable to execute mitosis. Further analysis revealed that C/EBPβ facilitates the transition of these cells into mitosis by binding directly to the cyclin B2 promoter to regulate its expression. The expression of cdc25C, a phosphatase that maintains the active state of the cyclin B-cyclin-dependent kinase complex during mitosis, is also strongly suppressed in C/EBPβ-null stromal cells. Furthermore, the expression of the tumor suppressor p53 and the cell cycle inhibitors p21 and p27 was markedly elevated in C/EBPβ-null stromal cells before the mitotic phase, uncovering additional mechanisms by which C/EBPβ controls G2 to M transition. Collectively, these results revealed that C/EBPβ mediates the effects of steroid hormones during decidualization by modulating the expression of multiple key cell cycle regulatory factors that control the G2 to M transition of the proliferating uterine stromal cells.
Multiple stages of learning in perceptual categorization: evidence and neurocomputational theory

Virtually all current theories of category learning assume that humans learn new categories by gradually forming associations directly between stimuli and responses. In information-integration category-learning tasks, this purported process is thought to depend on procedural learning implemented via dopamine-dependent cortical-striatal synaptic plasticity. This article proposes a new, neurobiologically detailed model of procedural category learning that, unlike previous models, does not assume associations are made directly from stimulus to response. Rather, the traditional stimulus-response (S-R) models are replaced with a two-stage learning process. Multiple streams of evidence (behavioral, as well as anatomical and fMRI) are used as inspiration for the new model, which synthesizes evidence of multiple distinct cortical-striatal loops into a neurocomputational theory. An experiment is reported to test a priori predictions of the new model that: (1) recovery from a full reversal should be easier than learning new categories equated for difficulty, and (2) reversal learning in procedural tasks is mediated within the striatum via dopamine-dependent synaptic plasticity. The results confirm the predictions of the new two-stage model and are incompatible with existing S-R models.
Draft Genome Sequences of Respiratory and Urinary Tract Isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii from the Same Patient.

Acinetobacter baumannii is a frequent hospital-acquired human pathogen. This report describes the draft genome sequences of two distinct A. baumannii clinical isolates from the same patient. A comparison of the genomes revealed differences in antibiotic resistance and will enable the determination of genomic differences responsible for virulence at each body site.
Thermal considerations on the recalescence of alloy powders

The principles involved in the solidification of supercooled binary alloy droplets are discussed with particular emphasis on solute redistribution. The effects of alloying elements on the relevant parameters of the thermal history of recalescing aluminum droplets are studied with the aid of enthalpytemperature relationships. Thermal considerations indicate that the critical supercoolings to achieve partitionless solidification change rather modestly for the alloys investigated. In addition, the rate of recalescence after nucleation is likely to be slowed down by the addition of solute. A Newtonian model for solidification of nonideal binary alloys with morphologically stable interfaces is derived and used to study the thermal history and solute redistribution during recalescence. The effects of different solutes, alloy concentration, initial supercooling, and interfacial kinetics are discussed.
Are More Stringent NCLB State Accountability Systems Associated With Better Student Outcomes? An Analysis of NAEP Results Across States:

This study developed a comprehensive measure of the stringency level of NCLB states’ accountability systems, including the strength of their annual measurable objectives, confidence intervals, perf...
Measurements of the cooling at the base of Pahoehoe Flows

Temperature measurements were made in August and October of 1994 at the base of small active pahoehoe flow lobes on Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i. Surprisingly, after about 2 minutes of initial rapid cooling, the basal temperatures increased significantly before resuming a slower cooling trend. The recorded temperatures are also warmer than those predicted by simple conductive cooling models. Preliminary calculations suggest that these observations can be explained by the insulating effect of microfractures in the underlying flow and the kinetics of crystallization. The initial cooling may be rapid enough to super-cool the lava such that the onset of crystallization is delayed. When crystallization does begin, it is initially rapid, releasing sufficient latent heat to re-heat the lava. As the system equilibrates, the flow resumes a slow cooling.
The Basic Helix-Loop-Helix-PAS Protein MOP9 Is a Brain-Specific Heterodimeric Partner of Circadian and Hypoxia Factors

PAS (PER, ARNT, SIM) proteins play important roles in adaptation to low atmospheric and cellular oxygen levels, exposure to certain environmental pollutants, and diurnal oscillations in light and temperature. In an attempt to better understand how organisms sense environmental changes, we have characterized a novel member of the PAS superfamily, MOP9 (member of PAS superfamily), that maps to human chromosome 12p11.22-11.23. This protein displays significant homology to the Drosophila circadian factor CYCLE and its putative mammalian ortholog MOP3/bMAL1. Like its homologs, MOP9 forms a transcriptionally active heterodimer with the circadian CLOCK protein, the structurally related MOP4, and hypoxia-inducible factors, such as HIF1alpha. In a manner consistent with its role as a biologically relevant partner of these proteins, MOP9 is coexpressed in regions of the brain such as the thalamus, hypothalamus, and amygdala. Importantly, MOP9 is coexpressed with CLOCK in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the site of the master circadian oscillator in mammals.
Narcissism and the Self as Continuum: Correlations with Assertiveness and Hypercompetitiveness:

In a sample of 596 undergraduates, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) and its factors were correlated with self-esteem, assertiveness, and hypercompetitiveness. In zero-order data, assert...
Measurement of surface residual stresses and testing mechanical properties of high-strength steel butt joints obtained by hybrid laser/gas metal arc welding:

Hybrid laser/gas metal arc welding was applied to join the thick high-strength steel in square butt joints with narrow gaps. An X-ray diffraction technique was used to measure the surface residual stress distribution of high-strength steel by a hybrid laser/gas metal arc welding in a butt joint configuration. The influence of welding parameters, including welding speed and wire feeding rate, on the residual stress distribution and mechanical properties of the hybrid weld was experimentally studied. The obtained results show that there exist high compressive transverse and longitudinal residual stresses along the centerline of the weld. However, high tensile transverse and longitudinal stresses are located in the nearby heat-affected zone. An increase in the welding speed definitely decreases the residual stress concentration. A good weld quality of high-strength steel butt welds without cracking or defects can be achieved by a hybrid laser/gas metal arc welding technique.
Computation reuse for rigid-body dynamics

The accelerations of and forces among contacting rigid bodies may be computed by formulating the dynamics equations and contact constraints as a complementarity problem (P. Lotstedt, 1981). Dantzig's algorithm, when applicable, will find a solution to the linear complementarity problem corresponding to an assembly with n contacts in O(n) major cycles. Can the dynamics of an assembly be computed more quickly if the dynamics of a subassembly are already known? This paper shows that Dantzig's algorithm will find a solution in O(n - k) major cycles if the algorithm is initialized with a solution to the dynamics problem for a subassembly with k internal contacts. We apply this observation to two robotics problems: dynamic simulation and assembly sequence planning. In dynamic simulation, the positions of several bodies might remain fixed during a sequence of frames. We compute the dynamics of this motionless subset (which might not be motionless when considered in isolation), and use the result to initialize the computation for the entire assembly. In assembly planning, non-disjoint sets of objects are typically considered sequentially by the planner. If the configuration of only one body is varied, the dynamics of successive assemblies can be computed in a constant number of major cycles
Extensible embedded web server architecture for Internet-based data acquisition and control

The server enables Web access to distributed measurement/control systems and provides a scalable networking solution that is optimized for educational laboratories, instrumentation, and industrial and home automation. Users can monitor and control transducers on active Web pages enhanced with JavaScript and Java. The server makes integration of a new system as easy as connecting I2C devices and creating a new Web page
Antibodies against synthetic peptides reveal that the unidentified reading frame A6L, overlapping the ATPase 6 gene, is expressed in human mitochondria

Abstract Antibodies prepared against chemically synthesized peptides predicted from the DNA sequence have been used to detect human mitochondrial gene products. In particular, antibodies directed against either the NH 2 -terminal decapeptide or the COOH-terminal undecapeptide of cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COII) were both very effective in immunoprecipitating the previously identified COII polypeptide from an SDS lysate of mitochondria from HeLa cells. Similarly, antibodies directed against the COOH-terminal nonapeptide of the putative polypeptide encoded in the unidentified reading frame A6L, which overlaps the ATPase 6 gene, immunoprecipitated specifically a component (#25) of the HeLa cell mitochondrial translation products; antibodies directed against the NH 2 -terminal octa-peptide also precipitated protein 25, although less efficiently. The size of protein 25, as estimated from its electrophoretic mobility, is compatible with its being the unidentified reading frame A6L product. Furthermore, a fingerprinting analysis of this protein after trypsin digestion has given results consistent with this identification.
The Path to Licensure for Academic Psychologists: How Tough Is the Road?

What obstacles are faced by academic psychologists seeking professional licensure? Data presented here from all U.S. jurisdictions suggests that licensure requirements vary greatly across states and in some areas may be quite diffi cult to fulfi ll within the context of an academic position. Results of a survey of training directors of clinical and counseling doctoral programs accredited by the American Psychological Association indicated that, although licensure is expected of most faculty, a number of challenges may impede this goal. Programmatic efforts to facilitate licensure of new faculty, as well as implications of our fi ndings, possible remedies, and recommendations to new faculty, are presented.
Temperature-based concurrency control

This paper briefly describes the work on concurrency-control algorithms for client-server object-oriented database systems. Other recent relevant work includes the design and implementation of the Harp replicated file system, the design of the Thor object-oriented database system and the design of the Theta object-oriented programming language. >
Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species promote production of proinflammatory cytokines and are elevated in TNFR1-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have an established role in inflammation and host defense, as they kill intracellular bacteria and have been shown to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome. Here, we find that ROS generated by mitochondrial respiration are important for normal lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-driven production of several proinflammatory cytokines and for the enhanced responsiveness to LPS seen in cells from patients with tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), an autoinflammatory disorder caused by missense mutations in the type 1 TNF receptor (TNFR1). We find elevated baseline ROS in both mouse embryonic fibroblasts and human immune cells harboring TRAPS-associated TNFR1 mutations. A variety of antioxidants dampen LPS-induced MAPK phosphorylation and inflammatory cytokine production. However, gp91(phox) and p22(phox) reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase subunits are dispensable for inflammatory cytokine production, indicating that NADPH oxidases are not the source of proinflammatory ROS. TNFR1 mutant cells exhibit altered mitochondrial function with enhanced oxidative capacity and mitochondrial ROS generation, and pharmacological blockade of mitochondrial ROS efficiently reduces inflammatory cytokine production after LPS stimulation in cells from TRAPS patients and healthy controls. These findings suggest that mitochondrial ROS may be a novel therapeutic target for TRAPS and other inflammatory diseases.
Operation of a novel negative differential conductance transistor fabricated in a strained Si quantum well

The operation of a negative differential conductance (NDC) transistor fabricated on a high-mobility Si/Si/sub 1-x/Ge/sub x/ heterostructure wafer is described. The drain characteristic of this device shows a large NDC with current peak-to-valley ratios as high as 600 (100) at T=0.4 K (T=1.3 K). The NDC can be modulated over a wide range of current levels by either of two separately-contacted gate electrodes. The device shows bistable switching behaviour in both current- and voltage-controlled circuit configurations. The novel operating principle of this transistor is described, along with its potential for future logic and memory applications.
Experimental Investigation of Thermal and Hydrodynamic Effects on Radially Grooved Thrust Washer Bearings

In this study, an experimental investigation on the effects of grooves on thrust washer bearings is investigated. Eight equally sized grooves are machined about 100 μ m deep into one side of a flat-faced steel washer. This thrust washer bearing is located between a helical gear and its carrier and is tested on a test rig capable of measuring frictional torque and the temperature of the bearing at different speeds. It is found that the grooved washers had lower bearing temperatures and failed at significantly higher loads than the control washer with no grooves. For a test procedure with varying operating conditions, the coefficient of friction is also significantly lower for the grooved washers. However, the grooved washers had about the same coefficient of friction as the control washers at each step when the speeds are very high. The results from various tests suggest that the increased amount of lubricant passing through the grooved surface of the washer removes heat from the washer bearing by convecti...
Utility of remote wireless pressure sensing for endovascular leak detection after endovascular thoracic aneurysm repair.

Background The goal of thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) is to exclude and depressurize the aneurysm sac. Type I and III endovascular leaks (EL) transmit systemic pressure and represent treatment failures. The significance of type II EL is more controversial. Remote pressure sensing is a novel nonradiographic technology for EL detection and monitoring. However, little experience exists with regard to use in the thoracic aorta. We present our experience with the EndoSure wireless pressure measurement system (CardioMEMS, Atlanta, GA) for monitoring aneurysm sac pulse pressure (ASP) after TEVAR. Methods Beginning May 2006, the EndoSure system was routinely implanted in TEVAR patients with suitable anatomy (36 aneurysm patients; 7 chronic dissection patients). The ASP measurements were taken predischarge and at scheduled follow-up visits. Computed tomography angiograms were performed at scheduled follow-up appointments. Data were prospectively maintained in an institutional aortic database. Results Through June 2008, 43 patients (34% of TEVARs performed during this interval) underwent implantation. In 10 patients (23%), the device was suboptimally positioned between the endovascular graft and the aortic wall, rather than in an area of thrombus-free lumen, with subsequent transmission of systemic pressure despite no radiographic evidence of EL. In patients with well-positioned sensors, predischarge ASP averaged 43% +/- 22% of systemic. In 2 patients, systemic ASP measurements before discharge prompted imaging, confirming type I EL; both patients were treated successfully with cuff extension. One patient exhibited reduced ASP before discharge but exhibited increased ASP (70% systemic) at 1 month; computed tomography scan confirmed a type I EL. Additional TEVAR sealed the EL and reduced ASP to 39% systemic. For all patients at midterm follow-up, ASP decreased further, averaging 19% +/- 12% systemic (p = 0.019); this correlates with computed tomography imaging demonstrating a 5 mm or greater reduction in aortic diameter in 76% of patients (25 of 33) with follow-up of 6 months or longer. No patients manifested a recurrent type I or type III EL at latest follow-up. The device has also been used to follow 8 patients with type II EL with low ASP. Conclusions Implantation of a wireless ASP sensor provides useful information regarding type I and type III EL after TEVAR and permits serial observation of type II EL. This information may guide clinical therapy and improve outcomes. Longer term follow-up will define sensor reliability in postoperative surveillance.
Covariance estimation in non-stationary interference

We consider the problem of estimating the covariance matrix of a 0-mean Gaussian random vector, when the observations consist of i.i.d. samples corrupted by additive noise. The noise vectors are independent 0-mean Gaussian random vectors with known covariance which is varying across observations. Such a problem could arise in an adaptive radar system operating in a non-stationary interference environment. We derive the log-likelihood function and state necessary conditions which a maximizer of the log-likelihood must satisfy. We derive an EM algorithm for numerical maximization of the log-likelihood. Some interesting convergence properties of the EM algorithm can be shown analytically (for special cases) and via simulation. >
Introduction to Laser Theory

This chapter gives a simple theory of the laser using the classical electromagnetic theory of Chap. 1 in combination with Chap. 5’s discussion of the interaction of radiation with two-level atoms. We consider arrangements of two or three highly reflecting mirrors that form cavities as shown in Fig. 6-1. Light in these cavities leaks out (decays to its 1/e value) in a time Q/v where v is the frequency of the light and Q is the cavity quality factor (the higher the Q the lower the losses). An active gain medium is inserted between the mirrors to compensate for the losses. In the simple cases we consider in this chapter, the electromagnetic field builds up until it saturates the gain down to the cavity losses. Chapter 10 considers some more complicated cases. Chapter 7 discusses a related cavity problem in which the medium in the cavity is not a gain medium, i.e., it has dispersion and/or absorption. This nonlinear cavity problem can lead to two or more stable output intensities for a given input intensity, and hence belongs to a class of problems called optical bistability. In the present chapter we also see a bistable configuration that involves active media, namely the homogeneously broadened ring laser.
First FDA Approval of Neoadjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer: Pertuzumab for the Treatment of Patients with HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

On September 30, 2013, the FDA granted accelerated approval to pertuzumab (Perjecta; Genentech, Inc.) for use in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel as neoadjuvant treatment of patients with HER2-positive, locally advanced, inflammatory, or early-stage breast cancer (either greater than 2 cm in diameter or node positive) as part of a complete treatment regimen for early breast cancer. The approval was based in part on a randomized multicenter trial in the indicated population that allocated 417 patients to neoadjuvant treatment with trastuzumab-docetaxel (TD), pertuzumab-trastuzumab-docetaxel (PTD), pertuzumab-trastuzumab, or pertuzumab-docetaxel. PTD was administered preoperatively every 3 weeks for four cycles. Following surgery patients received three cycles of 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide every 3 weeks and trastuzumab every 3 weeks to complete 1 year of therapy. The pathologic complete response rates by the FDA-preferred definition [absence of invasive cancer in the breast and lymph nodes (ypT0/is ypN0)] were 39.3% and 21.5% in the PTD and the TD arms, respectively (P = 0.0063). The most common adverse reactions with PTD were alopecia, diarrhea, nausea, and neutropenia. This approval was based on the totality of evidence, particularly improved survival in the metastatic breast cancer trial, and a fully accrued confirmatory trial.
Pathogen-induced Arabidopsis WRKY7 Is a Transcriptional Repressor and Enhances Plant Susceptibility to Pseudomonas syringae

The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) WRKY7 gene is induced by pathogen infection and salicylic acid (SA) treatment and may therefore play a role in plant defense responses. Here, we show that WRKY7 is localized in the nucleus, recognizes DNA molecules with the W-box (TTGAC) elements, and functions as a transcriptional repressor in plant cells. To study its biological functions directly, we have characterized both loss-of-function T-DNA insertion and RNAi mutants and gain-of-function transgenic overexpression plants for WRKY7 in Arabidopsis. The T-DNA insertion and RNAi mutant plants displayed enhanced resistance to a virulent strain of the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae as measured by significant decrease in both bacterial growth and symptom development as compared to those in wild-type plants. The enhanced resistance in the loss-of-function mutants was associated with increased induction of SA-regulated Pathogenesis-Related 1 (PR1) by the bacterial pathogen. Transgenic plants that constitutively overexpress WRKY7 have altered leaf growth and morphology strikingly similar to those observed in the previously isolated eds8 mutant plants. Like eds8 mutant plants, WRKY7-overexpressing plants supported more growth of P. syringae and developed more severe disease symptoms than wild-type plants. The enhanced susceptibility of both the WRKY7-overexpressing plants and the eds8 mutant correlated with reduced expression of defense-related genes, including PR1, but significantly increased accumulation of SA after pathogen infection, probably due to reduced negative feedback of SA synthesis. Thus, pathogen-induced WRKY7 transcription factor play a negative role in defense responses to P. syringae.
Executive Behavior and Decision Making in Small U.S. Cities

This study examines how chief executives in small U.S. cities allocate their time, view their involvement in decisions related to the dimensions of the governmental process, who they consult in making decisions about local services, and the extent to which they perceive that their decisions are influenced by community interest groups. The study confirms that several differences exist among the different types of executives with respect to time allocation and role emphases. City managers spent more time on and perceived themselves to be more extensively involved in decisions related to local mission, policy, administration, and management compared with mayors. Mayors and city managers exhibited different patterns of consultation with key stakeholders inmaking decisions about local services. City managers were more likely than mayors to engage in activities related to the city’s mission and policy, but they tempered that involvement with a more inclusive pattern of consultation.
The Effects of an Appraisal Manipulation: Affect, Intrusive Cognitions, and Performance for Two Cognitive Tasks

We examined the relationship between trait measures of general appraisal and test anxiety, state measures of stress appraisals, affect, and intrusive cognition, and performance measures on two cognitive tests (mental math and Raven matrices). Participants were randomly assigned to threat, challenge, or control conditions that were created by manipulating both primary and secondary appraisals. We predicted that the threat condition would lead to more negative affect, stress appraisals, intrusive cognitions, and more errors. While our manipulated conditions led to inconsistent effects, path analyses tended to confirm predictions that negative task appraisals and trait test anxiety lead to negative affect and to intrusive cognitions, and that for mental math test performance a path from intrusive cognitions to test errors was established. The importance of understanding dispositionaland situational variables and their interactions during stress encounters are discussed, as is future research involving the general appraisal dimension.
Left ventricular volume and hypertrophy in outflow obstruction.

Left ventricular wall thickness and ejection fraction were found to be increased in 17 patients with either hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy or organic obstruction to left heart outflow. Concentric hypertrophy appears to take place partly by inward growth, and this behaviour may be important for understanding the diseases associated with it.
Estimating the noise mitigation effect of local decoupling in printed circuit boards

Local decoupling, i.e., placing decoupling capacitors sufficiently close to device power/ground pins in order to decrease the impedance of power bus at frequencies higher than the series resonant frequency, has been studied using a modeling approach, a hybrid lumped/distributed circuit model established and an expression to quantify the benefits of power bits noise mitigation due to local decoupling developed. In this work, a test board with a local decoupling capacitor was studied and the noise mitigation effect due to the capacitor placed adjacent to an input test port was measured. Closed-form expressions for self and mutual inductances of vias are developed, so that the noise mitigation effect can then be estimated using the previously developed expression. The difference between the estimates and measurements is approximately 1 dB, which demonstrates the application of these closed-form expressions in the PCB power bus designs. Shared-via decoupling, capacitors sharing vias with device power/ground pins, is also modeled as an extreme case of local decoupling.
Risk Measures from Risk-Reducing Experiments

This paper introduces the concept of risk-reducing experiments as a basis for designing risk measures. A risk-reducing experiment provides the option to mitigate the impact of less favorable outcomes in a gamble, and the gamble's risk is measured as the increase in value brought about by such an experiment. Two examples are presented, including one based on the concept of expected value of perfect information. Both examples yield familiar risk measures, and extensions of them are discussed. A risk measure derived from a risk-reducing experiment makes explicit the sense in which the riskiness of a gamble is captured. Risk-reducing experiments offer a new approach for conceiving, or choosing among, risk measures.
“Fracking democracy”: Issue management and locus of policy decision-making in the Marcellus Shale gas drilling debate

Abstract This study examined a two-year period in which natural gas development in the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania expanded rapidly, as did public policy proposals meant to deal with the myriad legal, economic, and environmental issues that accompanied this growth. Focusing on the use of legitimacy strategies during the critical phase of the issue of hydraulic fracturing, the study examined how activists and energy industry advocates argued that different levels of government policy making – local, state, and federal – should be the locus of policy decisions. Both the “fractivists” and the energy industry sought to legitimize state-level legislators and regulators. Activists viewed federal-level intervention as legitimate leverage for their work in the state, while the energy industry saw federal regulators as redundant and restrictive. Finally, while both sides viewed local authorities as legitimate actors, the energy industry sought to limit their ability to act against the development of new wells.
Determinants of Foreign Firm Location Decisions in the United States, 1985-1990 Implications for State Economic Development Policies

Foreign direct investment is an important component of state economic development and state political economy, yet relatively little is known about the political factors that influence foreign firm location decisions. Previous econometric studies of firm location decisions have downplayed the role of political conditions (i.e., institutions, parties, and policy interventions) in influencing firm location decisions, whereas case studies have provided evidence of political effects that are limited to specific firms. This study combines important elements from each of these perspectives into a regional- and time-effects Poisson analysis of foreign manufacturing firm location decisions in the American states from 1985 to 1990. The authors depict firm location decisions as a function of several sets of variables, including labor market conditions, manufacturing density, infrastructure/transportation, access to markets, taxes, the national context, state institutional ideology, and state policy activism. Findin...
CONTEXT-SPECIFIC RESPONSE OF FLORIDA SCRUB-JAY PAIRS TO NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD VOCAL MIMICRY

Abstract It is well established that vocal mimicry serves an intraspecific function in birds by increasing repertoire size. On an interspecific level, territorial exclusion of other species by deceptive mimicry may occur if the model (i.e., mimicked) species song is effectively reproduced by the mimicking species. Few studies have effectively demonstrated deceptive mimicry because they did not use the context of the mimic's song as a control stimulus. We addressed this shortcoming by using isolated and context-dependent playback stimuli to assess the response of Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) pairs to Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) imitation. Scrub-jay pairs responded more aggressively to isolated scrub-jay weep calls than to playbacks consisting of either isolated imitation calls, imitated calls embedded in mockingbird song, or control mockingbird song. These results fail to support the hypothesis that mimicry deceives the model species. Whether mockingbird imitation of scrub-jays ...
How To Raise Social Capital: Experiential Exercise Teaching Note

Entrepreneurship is alive and thriving in our nation's colleges and universities. The distinctive entrepreneurial spirit and signature entrepreneurial pedagogies have spread from the business school to the entire campus. To support this growth a wide variety of entrepreneurial competencies are emerging in the entrepreneurship education literature.
Status of Solidification/Stabilization in the United States and Factors Affecting its Use

Solidification/stabilization (S/S) technology has been used for over 20 years to treat U.S. industrial waste.
Facilitated diffusion of urate in avian brush-border membrane vesicles.

Membrane transport pathways mediating transcellular secretion of urate across the proximal tubule were investigated in brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) isolated from avian kidney. An inside-po...
Growth of BaTiO3 in Hydrothermally Derived (<100° C) BaTiO3/Polymer Composite Thin Films

Composite BaTiO3/polymer films (<μm thickness) were processed by the in-situ growth of BaTiO3 particles in a polymer matrix. A solution of a polybutadiene/polystyrene triblock copolymer and titanium diisoproxide bis(ethlyacetoacetate) dissolved in toluene was cast onto a Ag-coated substrate. Subsequent hydrothermal treatment of the films in 1.0 M Ba(OH)2 solutions at 80° C resulted in the nucleation and growth of BaTiO3 within the polymer matrix. The volume fraction/connectivity of BaTiO3 was controlled by varying the relative amounts of titanium precursor and polymer in solution. Growth of BaTiO3 within the polymer was examined by infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy. The dielectric constant of the composite films increased with BaTiO3 content.
Barley seed osmolyte concentration as an indicator of preharvest sprouting

This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that barley seed osmolyte concentrations (OCs) can be used as an indicator of preharvest sprouting (PHS). Samples from the 2002 Minnesota and North Dakota crops were used. Seed samples ranged from approx. 70 to 100% in their ability to germinate. Samples were evaluated for OC, pearling, fluorescein dibutyrate staining, stirring number, falling number, and α-amylase activity. Pearling and fluorescein dibutyrate indicated samples ranged from 0 to approx. 25% sprouted. OCs correlated well with pearling (r = 0.822, P < 0.0001) and fluorescein dibutyrate staining (r = 0.835, P < 0.0001). α-Amylase activity correlated less positively with OC (r = 0.650, P < 0.0001). Stirring number and falling number had weak negative correlations with OC. We concluded that seed OC is a good indicator of PHS in barley as assessed by the pearling method and fluorescein dibutyrate staining. However, unlike the pearling method and fluorescein dibutyrate staining, OC values have the advantage of not being subject to visual interpretation and possible subjective bias. OC values are direct numerical measures of a physical property that changes dramatically during germination and are not simple positive or negative assessments.
Depression and self-reported physical health in patients with coronary disease: mediating and moderating factors.

Author(s): Sullivan, MD; LaCroix, AZ; Russo, JE; Walker, EA | Abstract: ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to define how the relation between depression and self-reported physical health in patients with coronary disease is modified by other patient-centered factors.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study of 111 patients (members of a health maintenance organization) with angiographically documented coronary disease, examining factors (physical symptoms, psychological states and traits, and spousal support) modifying the relation between depression and patient-reported physical health 5 years later using multiple hierarchical regression models.ResultsFive regression models (all including demographic and disease severity covariates) were constructed to predict physical health from depression only (R2 = 0.22); depression plus angina and fatigue (R2 = 0.53); depression plus positive affect and novelty seeking and their interaction (R2 = 0.48); depression plus spousal support (R2 = 0.27); and depression, angina, fatigue, positive affect, and novelty seeking (overall model) (R2 = 0.65). Depression remained significant in each model, but the proportion of variance it predicted was diminished in the presence of the other variables (bivariate r = 0.39, partial r = 0.37-0.13).ConclusionsThe effect of depression on self-reported physical health is significantly mediated by physical symptoms (angina and fatigue), personality states and traits (positive affect and novelty seeking), and spousal support. Positive affect and novelty seeking had more marked effects on physical health in the presence of more depression. Thus, a broad range of factors beyond the severity of coronary disease itself affect the perceived physical health of patients with coronary heart disease.
Green Peach Aphid: Field Trials with Newer Insecticides on Cabbage and Spinach

Four experiments were conducted during (1971–72 to compare some of the never chemicals for control of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) on cabage and spinach in south Texas. Acephate, Monitor® ( O, S -dinmethyl phosphoramidothioate), chlordimeform, Pirimor® 2-(dimethylamino) 5,6-dimethyl 4-pyrimidinyl dimethylcarbamate), and oxy-demetonmethyl showed the most promise as control agents. No visible phytotoxicity caused by any treatment was detected.
Discussion of “The Need for More Emphasis on Prediction: A ‘Nondenominational’ Model-Based Approach”

David Harville has provided a compelling case for an increased focus on prediction in the teaching of statistics. I am very sympathetic to Harville’s plea. Indeed, it was the ability of statistical methods to address prediction problems (in sports and finance, the same fields that Harville mentions) that attracted me to the field of statistics more than 30 years ago. Even in application areas where the focus has been on parameter estimation, e.g., regression coefficients in economics or treatment effects in clinical trials in medicine, it seems quite natural to me to think of these parameter estimates in terms of the predictions that they imply. Given that I agree with Harville on the central role of prediction, my comments below concern his focus on models and the relevance of the “nondenominational” approach.
Back reflection and temperature effects on n-i-p-p+ amorphous and nanocrystalline silicon based solar cells performances

Abstract Using AMPS-1D program, temperature and back reflection effects on n-i-p-p + a-Si:H/nc-Si:H based solar cells performances are simulated. Performances of a solar cell depend on external parameters like short-circuit current (J SC ), open-circuit voltage (V OC ), fill factor (FF) and efficiency (E ff ). A cell without back reflector and two cells, with flat and textured back reflectors, are studied. At a fixed temperature and due to the presence of the back reflector, absorption for wavelengths over 500 nm increases. As a consequence, external cell’s parameters and quantum efficiency are improved. For example, an increase about 20.4% in J SC is obtained for a cell with textured back reflector. When decreasing the temperature from 350 K to 250 K, V OC is improved by 31.16% for all devices. In this particular case of a cell with textured back reflector, the efficiency increases from 8.13% at 350 K, to 10.86% at 250 K. The comparison of the external cell’s parameters of our optimized structures with back reflector to experimental data of n-i-p-p + typical structure without back reflector, shows an improvement of the conversion efficiency, which has increases from 7.44% to 9.64%, at 300 K.
Fairness and Efficiency Considerations in Performance-Based, Cross-Asset Resource Allocation

Resource allocation mechanisms have become a major issue for transportation agencies in the United States and around the world. For this reason, agencies are exploring alternatives to modify traditional allocation mechanisms because of budgetary challenges generated by the decrease in funding and the increasing cost of preserving and operating transportation systems. Transportation asset management (TAM) practices enable agencies to change operations from the traditional efficiency mechanisms to more business-oriented structures. One of the main concerns with the TAM framework and its implementation is the absence of an organized process for cross-asset resource allocation. In addition, most alternative methods for funding allocation focus on maximizing infrastructure performance but ignore the consideration of equity. Equity considerations often influence allocation decisions; therefore, the impact on equity should be considered in funding allocation mechanisms. This paper presents a methodological frame...
Edward Said: The Man, His Works, and His Cause

To say that Edward Said occasioned a great number of Western scholars to view the Palestinian issue in a fairly measured fashion is to state the obvious indeed. Not only was Said a formidable intellectual force to be reckoned with, but he also succeeded in being a catalyst who helped move the cause along, becoming quite instrumental in shaping the Western debate over Palestine through the better part of the previous three decades. To some extent, almost single-handedly, he was able to affect the fairly entrenched terms of the debate, question and modify its prevailing terminology, and provide a more favourable context for the relevant discourse, one that acknowledged the yet unexplored Palestinian narrative as a legitimate complement—if not outright alternative—to the received wisdom of years past. With each new literary and political affirmation, his towering presence on the American literary and cultural scene grew larger and became more difficult to ignore. As with most intellectual giants, his commitm...
Soliton Type Solutions

This chapter describes the yield and procedure of soliton-type solutions. It is applicable to partial differential equations with wave-like solutions, often partial differential equations with only two independent variables. It yields knowledge of whether solitons can be present. It is suggested to see if there is a solitary wave solution to the partial differential equation. This indicates the possibility that the equation has solitons for solutions. A solitary wave is a localized, traveling wave, and many nonlinear partial differential equations have solutions of this type. A soliton is a solitary wave that exhibits particle-like behavior. The particle-like properties include stability, localizability, and finite energy. A soliton is best described, however, in terms of its interaction with other solitary waves. An equation possesses solitons when two, or more colliding solitary waves do not break up, and disperse but, instead, become more solitary waves.
Age at first birth and risk of later-life cardiovascular disease: a systematic review of the literature, its limitation, and recommendations for future research

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the principal contributor to the burden of disease and mortality worldwide. Previous studies observed associations between early age at first birth (AFB) and all-cause mortality. AFB may be associated with CVD both through physiological and sociobiological pathways. In this paper, we review the literature on AFB and CVD events and mortality. Additionally, we provide an overview of limitations of the current research and recommendations for future research. PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for observational studies published between 1980-June 2016, investigating associations between AFB and CVD events and mortality. Data were extracted using a pre-defined list. A total of 20 publications, reporting on 33 associations, were included in the review. Ten studies observed a positive association between early AFB and CVD while two studies observed a positive association between later AFB and CVD. Substantial methodological limitations were observed related to: operationalization of exposure categories, choice of reference category, sample size, follow-up time and possibly over adjustment. Early AFB is possibly related to CVD. More work, in particular from large cohort studies starting before reproductive age is reached, is needed to better investigate this relationship, and to ascertain causal pathways that may explain observed associations.
Scheduling Schedulable Energy in Smart Grid

Real-time pricing’s total cost minimization problem is studied in this paper at a neighborhood area network level in smart grid. We propose a mathematical energy scheduling model for real-time pricing demand response, and based on which, a distributed energy consumption scheduling algorithm for total cost minimization is proposed.