cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The written communication skills that matter most for accountants

ABSTRACTGiven the importance of effective written communication skills to the discipline of accounting, faculty must emphasize these skills in their classroom in order to adequately prepare students for successful careers in the field. Since 2000, only two studies in the accounting literature have examined which written communication skills are needed by entry-level accountants and consensus is that spelling, grammar, punctuation, and clarity are of utmost importance. We surveyed accounting practitioners and faculty to determine what exactly, within those categories, is most bothersome. For example, within clarity, is it wordy sentences, passive voice, or shifts in tense? By documenting the most bothersome errors, our findings can help accounting educators to focus their limited time on the appropriate skill emphasis.
Almost sure convergence of extremum seeking algorithm using stochastic perturbation

Abstract This paper presents an extremum seeking (ES) algorithm where the perturbation signal is a martingale difference sequence (m.d.s.) with a vanishing variance. The measurement noise at the plant output is modeled by a superposition of deterministic component, and a non-stationary colored noise signal. The optimizing set point of the uncertain reference-to-output equilibrium map is estimated by a stochastic approximation (SA)-type algorithm. The algorithm has a vanishing gain sequence dependent on the set point estimates. By utilizing powerful tools of the martingale convergence theory it is proved that with probability one the set point estimates converge to the optimizing equilibrium point, in spite of the presence of a measurement noise. This result is derived without requiring boundedness or any prior condition on the set point estimates.
The decentralization experience in Africa: beyond donor-driven approaches

ABSTRACTUnder the auspices of the international donor community, decentralization has been pursued in the last couple of decades as a global mantra, albeit often with more attention to prescriptive models than political reality. This is particularly the case with Africa where donor-driven approaches have produced few sustainable outcomes because the context-specific situation in these countries has been ignored. This paper argues that the donors, in addition to failing to take the local context into consideration in their interventions, have been inclined to look at decentralization through the lens of a principal–agent model in which institutions have been treated as rules to be learned and adopted. With little to show for itself, this approach is increasingly under criticism in evaluations and research studies alike. The paper argues, in line with other recent studies, that time has come to rethink concepts and practices used to promote local governance in African countries. The political parameters of ...
ENSO and PDO-related climate variability impacts on Midwestern United States crop yields

An analysis of crop yields for the state of Missouri was completed to determine if an interannual or multidecadal variability existed as a result of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). Corn and soybean yields were recorded in kilograms per hectare for each of the six climate regions of Missouri. An analysis using the Mokhov “method of cycles” demonstrated interannual, interdecadal, and multidecadal variations in crop yields. Cross-spectral analysis was used to determine which region was most impacted by ENSO and PDO influenced seasonal (April–September) temperature and precipitation. Interannual (multidecadal) variations found in the spectral analysis represent a relationship to ENSO (PDO) phase, while interdecadal variations represent a possible interaction between ENSO and PDO. Average crop yields were then calculated for each combination of ENSO and PDO phase, displaying a pronounced increase in corn and soybean yields when ENSO is warm and PDO is positive. Climate regions 1, 2, 4, and 6 displayed significant differences (p value of 0.10 or less) in yields between El Nino and La Nina years, representing 55–70 % of Missouri soybean and corn productivity, respectively. Final results give the opportunity to produce seasonal predictions of corn and soybean yields, specific to each climate region in Missouri, based on the combination of ENSO and PDO phases.
John F. Kennedy, the Hawks, the Doves, and the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962

On October 16, 1962, President John F. Kennedy was informed that an American U-2 spy plane had photographed Soviet intermediate- and medium-range ballistic missile deployments in Cuba, only 90 miles from the Florida coast. The ensuing crisis proved to be the closest approach to a superpower nuclear war during the entire Cold War era. The crisis pitted Kennedy against Nikita Khrushchev, the leader of the Soviet Union, and Fidel Castro, who had seized power in Cuba in 1959.
Violent reinjury risk assessment instrument (VRRAI) for hospital-based violence intervention programs.

Abstract Background Violent injury is the second most common cause of death among 15- to 24-year olds in the US. Up to 58% of violently injured youth return to the hospital with a second violent injury. Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) have been shown to reduce injury recidivism through intensive case management. However, no validated guidelines for risk assessment strategies in the HVIP setting have been reported. We aimed to use qualitative methods to investigate the key components of risk assessments employed by HVIP case managers and to propose a risk assessment model based on this qualitative analysis. Materials and methods An established academic hospital-affiliated HVIP served as the nexus for this research. Thematic saturation was reached with 11 semi-structured interviews and two focus groups conducted with HVIP case managers and key informants identified through snowball sampling. Interactions were analyzed by a four-member team using Nvivo 10, employing the constant comparison method. Risk factors identified were used to create a set of models presented in two follow-up HVIP case managers and leadership focus groups. Results Eighteen key themes within seven domains (environment, identity, mental health, behavior, conflict, indicators of lower risk, and case management) and 141 potential risk factors for use in the risk assessment framework were identified. The most salient factors were incorporated into eight models that were presented to the HVIP case managers. A 29-item algorithmic structured professional judgment model was chosen. Conclusions We identified four tiers of risk factors for violent reinjury that were incorporated into a proposed risk assessment instrument, VRRAI.
Multiplier Optimization Method for the Feedforward Neural Networks Training

Abstract In this paper, an Augmented Lagrange Multiplier Optimization Method is developed to solve the problem of training a multilayer feedforward neural network. The most attractive feature of the proposed algorithm is that the parameters of a layer are only related to the layers to which it is directly connected without the implicative function relation to other layers, i.e. the network is decomposed. The quadratic penalty function with the penalty coefficient assures the convergence of the training iteration. Thus, this new algorithm is effective for parallel processing of training neural networks. A Steepest Gradient Descent Training Algorithm is developed, and the simulation results for the benchmark XOR and PARITY CHECK problems are also presented in this paper, and demonstrates the compatibility of the computing efficiency of the new algorithms.
Resonance in Non-Stationary Casimir Effect

The Casimir force between two stationary conducting plates1 exhibits mechanical effects of the quantum vacuum. One interesting question is the non-stationary behavior of the Casimir effect when one of the conducting plates is moving. As the vacuum state of the field is continuously distorted by a moving boundary, the Casimir force can be modified dynamically. The problem has been studied by several authors.2–7 Our focus here is the resonance situation where the boundary oscillates periodically with the period of some of the eigenfrequencies of the unperturbed cavity modes. Under this resonance condition the vacuum field and the moving-mirror become strongly coupled to each other. In this paper, we discuss several exact results in a 1-D system.
Using isotope composition and other node attributes to predict edges in fish trophic networks

Abstract Stable isotope analysis becomes increasingly popular in ecological modeling. With exponential random graph models and machine learning techniques, this paper shows how predator isotope information and basic physical variables become predictors for the links in a trophic network.
Trading Volume Reaction to the Earnings Reconciliation from IAS to U.S. GAAP on Form 20-F

This paper examines the trading volume reaction to the reconciliation of IAS-based earnings to U.S. GAAP on Form 20-F filed during the period of 1995-2001. The sample includes all non-U.S. firms that use IAS as their primary reporting standards and reconcile their earnings to U.S. GAAP in their Form 20-F with available filing dates. The research question is of particular interest to policy makers when evaluating the necessity of reconciling the earnings. We find that the absolute magnitude of the earnings reconciliation is significantly and positively associated with trading volume around the Form 20-F filing dates, which supports the assertion that earnings reconciliation on Form 20-F provides additional information content to U.S. market investors beyond that provided by the IAS earnings. These findings also hold after the Core Standards Project and for various event windows. Moreover, the results indicate a stronger reaction for positive earnings reconciliation than for negative reconciliation.
Regional cerebral blood flow and glucose utilization during hypoglycemia in newborn dogs.

To assess alterations in regional cerebral blood flow and glucose utilization during perinatal hypoglycemia, newborn dogs (2-7 days postnatal age) were anesthetized with halothane, tracheostomized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated with 70% N2O-30% O2 to maintain arterial normoxia and normocapnia (arterial PO2 greater than 60 mmHg; arterial PCO2: 35-42 mmHg; arterial pH: 7.35-7.45). Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and glucose utilization (rCGU) were determined with iodo-[14C]antipyrine and 2-deoxy-[14C]glucose as the radioactive tracers, respectively. Hypoglycemia with blood glucose concentrations averaging 0.9 mmol/l was achieved within 90-120 min in 10 animals using intermittent intravenous injections of regular insulin; 10 control animals received 0.9% saline (blood glucose = 9 mmol/l). During hypoglycemia, mean arterial blood pressure was 81% of control, whereas heart rate was unchanged. Arterial O2 and acid-base balance were well maintained (arterial PO2 = 68 mmHg; PCO2 = 37 mmHg; pH = 7.35). Hypoglycemia was associated with significant increases in rCBF in all of 16 analyzed structures, ranging from 172% (parietal white matter) to 249% (thalamus) of control values (17-65 ml.100 g-1.min-1). During hypoglycemia, rCGU was relatively unchanged from normoglycemic values in 11 of 16 brain structures. Significant reductions in rCGU were seen only in occipital white matter (-31%) and in the cerebellar vermis and hemisphere (-31 and -43%, respectively). CGU actually increased slightly in the pons and medulla (+12 and +19%, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Considerations for Active Power Device Selection in High- and Very-High-Frequency Power Converters

In this paper, we extend recent work on $C_{OSS}$ losses, which have a significant impact on high- and very-high-frequency resonant converters, from GaN HEMTs to the remainder of the core active power devices used in medium- and highvoltage power conversion. Here, we characterize $C_{OSS}$ losses in Silicon MOSFETs – including superjunctions and traditional constructions – and Silicon Carbide MOSFETs. The measured $C_{OSS}$ losses in SiC MOSFETs do not increase with dV/dt at frequencies from 1–35 MHz and applied voltages up to 900 V. Across the tested SiC MOSFETs, 3-10% of the energy stored in the output capacitor is dissipated. In Si MOSFETs, $C_{OSS}$ losses make the tested devices non-competitive with wide-bandgap devices for MHz-frequency, soft-switched applications. In superjunctions, $C_{OSS}$ losses are much higher than those in comparable GaN and SiC devices. In planar MOSFETs, $C_{OSS}$ losses are similar to the wide-bandgap devices but the on-resistance is an order-of-magnitude higher in the Si MOSFETs.
Post-solidification effects in directionally solidified ternary eutectic Al-Ag2Al-Al2Cu

Abstract One commonly used system to study morphology development in multi-phase, multi-component alloys is directionally solidified ternary eutectic Al - Ag 2 Al - Al 2 Cu . One challenge in studying this system is a relatively large solubility shift of the chemical element Ag in the Al -phase after solidification, which significantly affects the observed phase fractions. The effects of this change on the microstructural patterns are not yet understood. To study these effects, directionally solidified samples of ternary eutectic Al - Ag 2 Al - Al 2 Cu were quenched, sectioned and subjected to systematic annealing. This allowed the microstructure evolution at the quenched solid-liquid interface to be recorded in cross section and quantitatively analyzed. The results show that the phase fraction changes in the micrographs are in good accordance with theoretical predictions from the thermodynamic Calphad database. Different microstructural patterns show distinct responses to the annealing. For a more highly ordered chain-like structure, the pattern is preserved even after 32 h at more than 96% of the melting temperature, as determined by the constant number and size of the intermetallic rods in the micrographs. For a less ordered cross-type structure, coarsening of the microstructure is observed, resulting in a pattern change. The outcomes underline the importance of considering post-solidification effects during the investigation of ternary eutectic Al - Ag 2 Al - Al 2 Cu and help to improve the understanding of the microstructure arrangement in complex eutectic alloys.
Clinicopathologic characteristics, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and programed cell death ligand-1 expression in 162 endometrial carcinomas with deficient mismatch repair function.

Objective Endometrial carcinoma (EC) with deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) protein has been reported to have increased tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and programed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression. TILs and PD-L1 expression are compared between two main types of dMMR ECs (epigenetic dMMR due to MLH1 promoter methylation vs mutated dMMR due to genetic mutation). Methods Immunohistochemistry for PD-L1 was performed in triplicate on tissue microarray sections. TILs were semi-quantitatively evaluated on whole-slide images of whole histologic sections. The clinicopathologic characteristics together with PD-L1 expression and TILs were analyzed between mutated and epigenetic dMMR ECs. Results Of the 162 dMMR ECs identified, 126 had epigenetic dMMR and 36 had mutated dMMR. Univariate analysis demonstrated mutated dMMR ECs showed younger age, less myometrium invasion of >50%, less lymphovascular invasion, and more TILs than epigenetic dMMR ECs. Multivariate analysis demonstrated significantly younger age and more TILs in mutated dMMR ECs than in epigenetic ECs. PD-L1 expression did not show any significant difference between these two groups. Seventeen (13.5%) patients with epigenetic dMMR EC had recurrence and 13 (10.3%) patients died of disease. In contrast, only one patient with mutated dMMR EC had recurrence (3%) and died of disease (3%). Conclusion ECs with mutated dMMR demonstrated significantly increased TILs than ECs with epigenetic dMMR, suggesting a stronger immune reaction and potential response to immunotherapy in these tumors.
Evaluation of an Online Residency Training in Tobacco Use Disorder.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Despite the overwhelming need for tobacco use disorder (TUD) treatment in behavioral health settings, few models have emerged for training psychiatry residents. One barrier may be a lack of curricula or faculty expertize in this area. The goal of this project was to develop and evaluate a 3 hour online webinar-based course for teaching psychiatry residents about TUD. METHODS Residents from 42 participating general psychiatry residency programs were emailed a unique link to course materials. Participation was voluntary. RESULTS Two-hundred and seven residents completed the pretest measuring baseline knowledge and 199 completed the survey measuring attitudes toward treatment of tobacco use. Mean pretest scores were 53.0% correct (SD 19.6), showing low levels of baseline knowledge. Pretest knowledge scores differed by residency year, suggesting no gain in knowledge during residency training. About 80% of participants completed the entire course and posttest evaluations. Paired t tests for 150 individuals who completed both a pretest and posttest indicated a significant increase in knowledge, with a mean gain in score of 35 points. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Many residents reported feeling not well prepared to treat TUD from prior education. The vast majority (98%) felt the program enhanced their professional experience somewhat or substantially or would recommend the program to others (82%). SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE Online training for residents is a viable option to address knowledge deficits in TUD. (Am J Addict 2019;28:277-284).
A Critical Reframing of Theoretical Psychology as Maternal: Strengthening Psychology’s Inter- and Transdisciplinary Identity for the Twenty-First Century

An important area of inquiry in meta-scientific theorizing today is disciplinary boundaries and disciplinary and professional identity. At a critical crossroads in its history and identity, theoretical psychology has a unique opportunity in this twenty-first century to engage meaningfully with social work and other disciplines, and through such engagement to expand and strengthen its own capabilities to effect social change in the face of societal suffering on a global scale. Such directions hold great promise for genuine encounter with the deepest and perhaps most challenging realities of our times, especially at the margins of scientific inquiry. A critical reframing of the goals of theoretical psychology as maternal will help to equip psychology to confront such challenges without apology, and to guide the development of the psychological humanities.
Altered frontal white matter microstructure is associated with working memory impairments in adolescents with congenital heart disease: A diffusion tensor imaging study.

Children and adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk for mild to moderate cognitive impairments. In particular, impaired working memory performance has been found in CHD patients of all ages. Working memory is an important domain of higher order cognitive function and is crucial for everyday activities, with emerging importance in adolescence. However, the underlying neural correlate of working memory impairments in CHD is not yet fully understood. Diffusion tensor imaging and tract based spatial statistics analyses were conducted in 47 adolescent survivors of childhood cardiopulmonary bypass surgery (24 females) and in 44 healthy controls (24 females) between 11 and 16 years of age (mean age = 13.9, SD = 1.6). Fractional anisotropy (FA) of white matter diffusion was compared between groups and was correlated with working memory performance, derived from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV. CHD patients had significantly poorer working memory compared to controls (p = 0.001). Widespread bilateral reduction in FA was observed in CHD patients compared to healthy controls (threshold-free cluster enhancement (TFCE) corrected p < 0.05). This reduction in FA was present both in cyanotic and acyanotic CHD patients compared to healthy controls (both p < 0.001). The FA reduction in the frontal lobe, mainly in the forceps minor, was associated with poorer working memory performance in both patients with CHD and healthy controls (TFCE corrected p < 0.05). The current findings underline that in CHD patients, irrespective of disease severity, disrupted or delayed maturation of white matter may persist into adolescence and is associated with working memory impairments, particularly if present in the frontal lobe. Adolescence, which is a crucial period for prefrontal brain maturation, may offer a window of opportunity for intervention in order to support the maturation of frontal brain regions and therefore improve higher order cognitive function in patients with CHD.
Asset Maintenance Practices and Challenges in U.S. Counties

This study explores capital asset maintenance practices and challenges in U.S. counties, which have been understudied in previous public administration research. We also compare the current practic...
Assessing Empathy and Self-Efficacy Levels of Pharmacy Students in an Elective Diabetes Management Course

Objective. To assess the impact of a 6-week patient/provider interaction simulation on empathy and self-efficacy levels of diabetes management skills in third-year pharmacy students. Design. Pharmacy students enrolled in a diabetes elective course were paired to act as a patient with diabetes or as a provider assisting in the management of that patient during a 6-week simulation activity. After 3 weeks, students switched roles. The simulation was designed with activities to build empathy. Assessment. The Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) and a self-efficacy survey were administered to assess change in empathy and confidence levels from baseline to the end of the activity. Completion of the activity resulted in significant improvement in total JSE scores. Additionally, significant improvements in overall self-efficacy scores regarding diabetes management were noted. Conclusion. The 6-week patient/provider interaction simulation improved empathy and self-efficacy levels in third-year pharmacy students.
Atrio-Esophageal Fistula Associated with Stroke: 2 Case Reports Of Rare But Fatal Complication (259)

Objective: Atrial esophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare but fatal complication after atrial fibrillation (AFib) ablation. We present 2 cases of AEF complicated by devastating strokes. Background: Case(1): A 52 y.o. man developed severe sepsis and seizures 20 days after catheter ablation for AFib. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was unremarkable. MRI brain showed bilateral frontal laminar cortical infarcts. Echocardiography showed no abnormality. Blood cultures were positive for streptococcus mitis and he clinically improved with antibiotics. However, few days later, he became stuporous with Glasgow Coma Scale 9. Head CT showed hemorrhagic strokes and air emboli. CT chest with contrast showed esophageal perforation and air bubble in the left atrium and superior pulmonary vein. He was deemed a poor candidate for surgery, remained comatose and died 3 weeks after his presentation. Case(2): A 42 y.o. man presented with fever and confusion 1 month after left atrial radiofrequency ablation for AFib. Blood cultures were negative, CSF showed leukocytosis and high protein. He was started on antibiotics for meningitis. CT and MRI brain showed multiple foci of cortical strokes and bilateral air emboli. CT chest with contrast showed air posterior to the left atrial wall. Cardiothoracic surgery was scheduled, but the patient had a cardiac arrest beforehand. CTH afterwards demonstrated diffuse cerebral edema and larger air emboli. He was deemed a poor candidate for surgery and was managed medically. After 53 days he was discharged in a stable condition. Design/Methods: Not Applicable Results: Not Applicable Conclusions: Atrio-esophageal fistula is a serious complication of AFib ablation that causes sepsis and delayed serious neurological sequelae. Multifocal strokes, air emboli, and pneumo-mediastinum are very characteristic findings on imaging. Any esophageal manipulation may cause passage of air and food particles to the systemic circulation. It is unknown if emergent surgical repair improves the survival. Disclosure: Dr. Mahmoud Mohamed has nothing to disclose. Dr. Aboul Nour has nothing to disclose. Dr. Varelas has nothing to disclose.
Gametogenesis: Germ Cells Aren’t Just Along for the Ride

A new study explores the mechanical basis of germline encapsulation in Drosophila gametogenesis, reporting that it is not driven solely by somatic tissue, as previously assumed, but instead relies on actomyosin-generated force in the germline cells.
STEM Pipeline: Mathematics Beliefs, Attitudes, and Opportunities of Racial/Ethnic Minority Girls

Racial/ethnic minority girls have a history of being underrepresented in STEM. Yet, there is a dearth of research that identifies the mathematics experiences that predict being on a STEM pipeline. Analyzing data from the Educational Longitudinal Study (ELS: 2002), we examined the relationship between mathematics attitudes, beliefs, and enrichment activities and being on a STEM pipeline among racial/ethnic minority girls. The findings indicated that for Black and Latinx girls, higher levels of mathematics self-efficacy beliefs were associated with being on a STEM pipeline. For American Indian/Alaska Native girls, endorsing a growth mindset was associated with being on a STEM pipeline. For Asian, Hawaii/Pacific Islander girls, mathematics enjoyment was associated with being on a STEM pipeline. Yet, endorsing higher levels of participation in mathematics enrichment activities and mathematics self-efficacy beliefs was associated with lower endorsements of being on a STEM pipeline for Black and American Indian/Alaska Native girls, respectively. Results build on previous work by highlighting important mathematics experiences that impact being on a STEM pipeline for racial/ethnic minority girls.
Repetitive sequences of the sea urchin genome: II. Subfamily structure and evolutionary conservation

Members of three repetitive sequence families were isolated from recombinant λ-genome libraries, and were used to investigate sequence relationships within these families. Studies presented elsewhere show that members of all three repeat sequence families are transcribed tissue-specifically. The thermal stability of intrafamilial heteroduplexes was measured, and the extent of colinearity between related sequences was determined by restriction mapping, heteroduplex visualization, gel blot hybridization, and direct sequencing. One large and very divergent family, named 2108, was shown to consist of an assemblage of many small repeat sequence subfamilies. Each subfamily includes <40 members which are not contiguous in the genome but are very closely related colinear sequence elements several thousand nucleotides in length. The different 2108 subfamilies share only small sequence subelements, which in each subfamily occur in a different linear order and are surrounded by different sequences. A second divergent family consisting of short repetitive sequences, the 2109 family, includes many small internally homologous subfamilies as well. A third family, 2034, displays little internal sequence divergence and no apparent subfamily structure. The repeat sequence subfamilies may be biologically significant units of repetition. Thus specific 2108 subfamilies were shown to be evolutionary conserved to a remarkable degree. Highly homologous 2108 sequences were found shared among sea urchin species which diverged almost 200 million years ago, although only about 10% of the single copy DNA sequences of these species are now homologous enough to crossreact.
Uncovering a Pedagogy of Persuasion in the Letters of John Baptist De La Salle

This paper analyzes the letters that John Baptist de La Salle wrote to his Brothers by historically situating their correspondence as a creative means of stabilizing a fledgling lay community to educate poor children, a need that was inadequately met in a highly cleric-centered Church in France during the 17th century. It proposes a pedagogy of persuasion that lies beneath the method of De La Salle’s letter writing. The author suggests that this pedagogy consists of three dimensions: conversation, accompaniment, and role modeling. The paper concludes by considering briefly the contemporary implications of a pedagogy of persuasion in the formation of teachers in Catholic educational institutions.
A climatically extreme year has large impacts on C4 species in tallgrass prairie ecosystems but only minor effects on species richness and other plant functional groups

Summary 1. The occurrence and intensity of climate extremes, such as extremely warm years, are expected to continue to increase with increasing tropospheric radiative forcing caused by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. 2. Responses of terrestrial ecosystem processes and services – such as above-ground net primary productivity (ANPP) and maintenance of plant species diversity – to these extreme years for multiple years post-perturbation are poorly understood but can have significant feedback effects on net ecosystem CO2 uptake and ecosystem carbon sequestration. 3. We exposed six 12 000-kg intact natural tallgrass prairie monoliths to an extremely warm year (+4 � C in 2003) in the second year of a 4-year study (2002–2005) using the EcoCELL whole-ecosystem controlled-environment, gas exchange facility. Six control monoliths were not warmed in the second year but were maintained under average field conditions. Natural diel and seasonal patterns in air temperature were maintained in both treatments throughout the study. Thus, with the exception of the second year in the ‘warmed’ treatment, we created 4 years of nearly identical climate in all EcoCELLs. 4. Interannual ANPP (10 cm clipping height) responses of the entire plant community to the extreme year were largely determined by responses of the dominant C4 grasses. These included large decreases in ANPP in 2003 followed by complete recovery to levels observed in the control ecosystems in the year following warming. Species richness and productivity of the nitrogen-fixing plant functional group appeared to play a role in defining overall plant community ANPP, however, even though this richness and productivity could not explain the decrease in community ANPP observed in warmed ecosystems in the second year (2003) of the study or its recovery in the year after (2004). Surprisingly, very few of the 67 species present in plant communities during the 4-year study responded to the warm year at any time during or after the treatment. 5. Synthesis. Results from this study indicate that as extreme climate years become more prevalent, their immediate and lagged impacts on collective ecosystem processes, such as whole-community ANPP, may be very pronounced, but effects on component ecosystem processes may be limited to the dominant plant functional group (ANPP).
Statics of a Geometrically Nonlinear Elastic Body

Gibbs principle. Equilibrium of elastic bodies is governed by Gibbs variational principles. We will use as a starting point the second Gibbs principle. We assume that the positions of the boundary particles are given at some part of the boundary, \(\partial \mathop {V_u }\limits^ \circ \)
Cytotoxicity induced by the combination of valproic acid and tumor necrosis factor-α: Implication for valproic acid-associated hepatotoxicity syndrome

Abstract A previous study showed that valproic acid (VPA) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) exhibit synergistic toxicity (lethality) in Sprague–Dawley and Wistar rats. The present study investigated a possible mechanism for this synergy using an in vitro system. Incubation of human U937 cells with 1 mM VPA or with 0.001 ng/mL of TNF-α alone had a negligible effect on cytotoxicity (less than 7%). However, the combination of the two drugs significantly increased the cytotoxicity up to 34%. Chronic treatment of U937 cells with VPA or TNF-α for 48 hr reduced protein kinase C (PKC) activity. Further, the PKC selective inhibitor Go6976 potentiated VPA-induced cytotoxicity and TNF-α-induced cytotoxicity, whereas the PKC activator phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate provided a significant protection against the cytotoxicity associated with VPA or TNF-α. These results suggest that the synergism in cytotoxicity exhibited by the combination of VPA and TNF-α may be mediated through attenuation of PKC activity.
Inhibition of Growth and Proliferation of EcRG293 Cell Line Expressing High-Affinity Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) Receptor Under the Control of an Inducible Promoter by GnRH Agonist (d-Lys6)GnRH and Antagonist (Antide)

The mechanism by which gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and antagonists inhibit tumor cell growth and proliferation is controversial. Direct mediation of the antitumor effects through the high-affinity GnRH receptors has been questioned because of the low level of expression of receptors on the tumor cells. We have developed a human kidney embryonic cell line (EcRG293) that expresses high-affinity GnRH receptor under the control of an inducible promoter activated by muristerone A. Treatment of this cell line with either GnRH agonist (D-Lys6)GnRH or GnRH antagonist (Antide) resulted in a significant, time-dependent decrease in cell proliferation in muristerone A-induced cells but not in the uninduced cells, which do not express the GnRH receptor. These data suggest strongly that the antitumor effect of GnRH agonists and antagonist is specific, direct, and mediated through high-affinity GnRH receptors present on the cell membranes of tumor cells.
Walker Percy’s Last Men: Love in the Ruins as a Fable of American Decline

Laden with allusions to philosophy and addressing the gamut of modernity’s political and social quandaries, Walker Percy’s novels present images of our existence as fallen wayfarers in a profoundly disturbed world, and they stand as warnings of where we as a people might soon go. This essay explores the politics and psychology of Love in the Ruins and argues that Percy’s value to political philosophers lies in the way he traces out modernity’s warping effects upon our already fallen nature, and the consequences this has on our ability to resist self-destructive beliefs and actions in times of crisis. Where human community and sincere religious belief once restrained the extremes of human action, Percy develops a striking account of the way people unmoored from the old order lose their way, and perhaps more importantly, cannot develop a self-understanding that might lead them into a coherent, healthy life. Because we oscillate between the angelic and the bestial, our peril stems not so much from Nietzschean quiescence, but in our alternating extremes of thought and behavior.
Korean entrepreneurs in Kansas City metropolitan area: An immigrant community under ethnic local and global intersection

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examines the pattern of linkage between Korean immigrant business community in the Kansas City area and global forces by focusing on how an immigrant community has transformed and reacted to the global trends of business transaction. Design/methodology/approach – The data on Korean entrepreneurs in the Kansas City area was obtained from the semi-structured and informal interviews with Korean community leaders, Korean businessmen and customers who use Korean grocery markets in the Kansas City area. This study also utilizes documents on Korean and Asian ethnic community and neighborhood relations in news media. It analyzes entrepreneurial strategy and business transactions of Korean immigrant community and its relations to global trends using the Directory of Korean Entrepreneurs of Greater Kansas City Area in different points of time: 1990, 2006 and 2011. Findings – The types of businesses observed in the Directory of Korean Business in Greater Kansas City area hav...
Rotavirus Group A Genotypes Detected Through Diarrheal Disease Surveillance in Haiti, 2012

Samples collected in 2012 through diarrheal disease surveillance in Haiti were tested for rotavirus by enzyme immunoassay and real time RT-PCR and positive samples were genotyped. The predominant genotypes were G1P[8] (29% prevalence) and G9P[8] (21%). The observed genotype prevalence was similar to that reported previously for other Caribbean countries.
Parallelizing a reservoir simulator using MPI

The Message Passing Interface (MPI) was developed to address the issue of portability of parallel codes to different parallel computers. It has been implemented on Intel iPSC/860, IBM SP1/SP2, clusters of workstations and many other architectures, providing the possibility of running the same parallel code on all of these computing platforms without changing the source code. Since MPI is implemented on top of the customized communication subroutines provided by the specific vendor for a specific machine, we are concerned about the influence of MPI on the performance of parallel codes. In this paper, a reservoir simulator was implemented on iPSC/860 using both the NX communication library provided by Intel and the MPI. Extensive numerical experiments have been conducted to compare the performance and scalability of the code using MPI with that using the NX communication library. It is found that the code using MPI has maintained the same performance and scalability as the code using the customized communication library. >
Requiring system documentation: a resource kit

Students today need a variety of skills as they go into the job market. A good percentage of their jobs will involve documentation and we must prepare them for this just as we prepare them to use the computer to solve problems. The author has produced a variety of materials to help faculty who wish to incorporate such work into their curricula. He has also created a resource Web site to freely share his materials and provide links to similar work of other faculty members.
Imaging Evaluation of Artificial Nipples During Bottle Feeding

Objectives: To determine whether real-time ultrasonography can be used to directly visualize artificial nipples in vivo while an infant is sucking, to compare deformation differences of the artificial nipple with the human nipple during sucking, and to compare the suck mechanism used by the infant with four types of artificial nipples. Design: Nonrandomized clinical study with a control group. Setting: University-affiliated teaching hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. Participants: A volunteer sample of 35 healthy infants 6 to 12 weeks of age. Intervention: None. Measurements/Main Results: Images produced by real-time ultrasound of infants during sucking using artificial nipples were measured to determine the percentage lengthening, the percentage lateral compression, and the percentage flattening of nipples. These results were compared with data obtained from studies using breast-fed infants. None of the artificial nipples lengthened like the human nipple. One artificial nipple was significantly more compressible than the human nipple and the remaining three artificial nipples. Conclusion: Real-time ultrasonography can be used to visualize artificial nipples in vivo during sucking. (Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1994;148:40-42)
Fireblight epidemic among Kentish apple orchards in 1969

SUMMARY Evidence from field observations and orchard plans indicates that the fireblight epidemic among apples in 1969 followed a critical combination of weather conditions. There is little doubt that diseased hawthorns, situated entirely or mainly to the north-west of the main lanes of infection, were the source of inoculum. Initial infection was confined to shoots. No blossom infection was seen at any time. Weather data from a nearby meteorological station point to distribution of inoculum having taken place on one of the days 6–10 July when strong winds, rainfall and hailstorms occurred. These days were followed immediately by temperatures above 18dC which are considered suitable for infection and for progress of the bacterium within the shoot tissues. The control measures advised were the removal and destruction of diseased parts, the disinfection of pruning implements, the protection of wounded surfaces against infection and the destruction of nearby diseased hawthorns.
Pull versus push strategy for automated guided vehicle load movement in a batch manufacturing system

Abstract Most automated guided vehicle (AGV) dispatching rules reported in literature to date are based on the attributes of the vehicles and the workcenters from where the loads originate. These rules can therefore be described as source driven vehicle dispatching rules. In none of these rules is the load pickup priority determined based on the states of the load destinations. Therefore, the priority assignment algorithms used by source driven rules are inflexible for application in some manufacturing systems, especially those based on the just-in-time (JIT) principle. What is required for JIT manufacturing therefore is a demand driven rule. In this paper, an algorithm that assigns load movement priority based on the demand states of the load destinations is presented. When applied to the material flow of an illustrative shop, analysis indicates that the algorithm performs competitively with some of the best source driven rules currently reported. It also provides a material flow and workcenter priority assignment flexibility not matched by any source based rules.
CHILDREN'S SOLUTIONS TO INTERPERSONAL PROBLEMS

Forty preschool, forty first grade and forty second grade children generated strategies to interpersonal problems that might arise within the context of a friendship relationship. Two types of problems were presented by having dolls act out an interaction: (1) a conflict between two friends over a desired object or activity, and (2) one friend evidences a lack of knowledge and must be taught a game or social norm. The number, type and predicted success of interpersonal strategies generated by the children were found to vary with age and the context of the interpersonal problem.
Computational investigation of the key factors affecting the second stage activation mechanisms of domain II m-calpain.

The unique conformation of the active site in calpains along with the implication of their role in several diseases has prompted widespread research interest in the scientific community. Structural studies devoted to m- and μ-calpains have proposed a two-stage calcium-dependent activation mechanism for calpains. In this work, we performed conventional and targeted molecular dynamics simulations to investigate global and local changes in the structure of the protease core of m-calpain upon calcium binding. Simulations were performed on the protease core of calcium free (pdbid: 1kfu) and calcium bound (pdbid: 3df0) m-calpain with and without the presence of calcium ions. Our results indicate that the inactive, open conformation of the protease core does not transform into the active, closed conformation simply upon removal of constraints from the neighbor domains. The role of other factors, including calcium binding and the subsequent formation of an Arg94–Glu305 inter-domain salt bridge and the change in the orientation of Trp288 side chain, in the activation of the protease core is elicited.
A Comparison of the Career Orientations of Rural and Urban Educators

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study is to compare the career orientations of rural and urban educators. An instrument entitled the ‘Career Orientations Inventory’ was administered to 377 urban and 153 rural educators. Through statistical analysis the results indicate very strong similarities in the career orientations of educators from both groups. However, two distinct groups with different values emerged: one group had a managerially and autonomy oriented value system, and the second group was more security and technically oriented. The results imply that educational organisations may need to understand and appreciate individual differences more between teachers. Teachers may also be leaving the educational sector for more reasons other than financial reasons. Rather, individual needs and values (career orientations) may be guiding and constraining the entire careers of individuals.
Heat Transfer in High-Temperature Fibrous Insulation

The combined radiation/conduction heat transfer in high-porosity, high-temperature fibrous insulations was investigated experimentally and numerically. The effective thermal conductivity of fibrous insulation samples was measured over the temperature range of 300-1300 K and environmental pressure range of 1.33 x 10(exp -5)-101.32 kPa. The fibrous insulation samples tested had nominal densities of 24, 48, and 72 kilograms per cubic meter and thicknesses of 13.3, 26.6 and 39.9 millimeters. Seven samples were tested such that the applied heat flux vector was aligned with local gravity vector to eliminate natural convection as a mode of heat transfer. Two samples were tested with reverse orientation to investigate natural convection effects. It was determined that for the fibrous insulation densities and thicknesses investigated no heat transfer takes place through natural convection. A finite volume numerical model was developed to solve the governing combined radiation and conduction heat transfer equations. Various methods of modeling the gas/solid conduction interaction in fibrous insulations were investigated. The radiation heat transfer was modeled using the modified two-flux approximation assuming anisotropic scattering and gray medium. A genetic-algorithm based parameter estimation technique was utilized with this model to determine the relevant radiative properties of the fibrous insulation over the temperature range of 300-1300 K. The parameter estimation was performed by least square minimization of the difference between measured and predicted values of effective thermal conductivity at a density of 24 kilograms per cubic meters and at nominal pressures of 1.33 x 10(exp -4) and 99.98 kPa. The numerical model was validated by comparison with steady-state effective thermal conductivity measurements at other densities and pressures. The numerical model was also validated by comparison with a transient thermal test simulating reentry aerodynamic heating conditions.
The Traditional Mechanisms of Conflict Resolution & Peace Building in Darfur; From an Anthropological Perspective

The study assesses the Volunteering & social interaction between components of Darfur that remain active and peaceful as long as these mechanisms remain active. Historically, Darfur society enjoys accumulative and stratified stage of norms and traditions that processed over experiments and experience of generation throughout centuries and converged to unrecorded law which all subjected to it. Norms and traditions were transformed orally from one generation to another. The research found that many indigenous affected by conflicts resolution in Darfur, i.e. the native administration, ajaweed council (al-judia), mechanisms of farmer, herder conflict the rakuba and so on. And on other side their mechanisms for peace building like: al- Nafeir, Social relations, Hunting group, al-fazza, al-darra, local markets, life cycle event, folke literature …etc. The study concludes with recommendations to for promoting these mechanisms in order to contribute efforts aimed at identifying ways of achieving sustained peace in Darfur. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n9p132