cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of extractants for testing Coastal Plain soils.

Abstract Mehlich 3, proposed as the “universal extractant”; for the Eastern U. S., has not been adequately evaluated for the major agricultural soils of the Coastal Plain of Georgia. A greenhouse study was conducted to compare soil P, K, Ca, and Mg extracted by Mehlich 3, Mehlich 1, and Bray/Kurtz P1. Rye (Secale cereale L.) was grown oh six soil series with five P and five K rates to develop plant data for Mehlich 3 extractable P and K. Rye dry weight, P concentration, and P uptake were significantly related to applied and soil P. Extraction of soil P was significantly correlated among the extractants, but slopes varied from 1.22 to 1.84 in the order: Bray/Kurtz P1 > Mehlich 3 > Mehlich 1. Responses of soil tests to applied P were in the same order and for five of the soils were 0.87, 0.71, and 0.51 kg P extracted/kg P added for the three extractants, respectively. A sixth Coastal Plain soil with a relatively high clay content gave much smaller soil‐test responses of 0.32, 0.26, and 0.16 kg/kg for the th...
De Escuela a la Vida Adulta/From School to Adult Life: Transition Needs for Latino Youth With Disabilities and Their Families

Postschool outcomes for youth with disabilities vary depending on culture, ethnicity, race, gender, and socioeconomic status. The aim of this study was to identify and describe the needs of youth with disabilities from Latino backgrounds who are transitioning from school to adulthood in Oregon. Using a conceptual model that included community context, cultural context, and individual factors, the authors conducted individual and focus group interviews with school and transition professionals, Latino youth, and their families to identify available transition services and barriers faced by this population. The results were summarized into five major categories: (a) language issues, (b) concerns regarding documentation and citizenship, (c) lack of culturally appropriate practices, (d) barriers to family participation and, (e) limited school and community resources. Findings support the need for changes in transition service delivery for Latino students with disabilities at both the individual and school dist...
Rethinking faculty development.

Faculty development efforts within medical education have typically focused on the improvement of instruction. Minimal attention has been paid to personal development of faculty members or to organisational elements such as decision-making or the change process. Little empirical evidence exists about the outcomes of faculty development efforts, and existing studies are not conclusive. This article suggests that by overemphasising teaching, faculty development programs ignore at least three major topics: (1) the broad spectrum of a faculty member's responsibilities, (2) different faculty development needs in various career stages, and (3) needs identified by various clients of faculty development. The authors conclude by describing faculty development as a dynamic process which should involve periodic institutional and faculty assessments to determine faculty development priorities.
Cocoa and Heart Health: A Historical Review of the Science

The medicinal use of cocoa has a long history dating back almost five hundred years when Hernan Cortes’s first experienced the drink in Mesoamerica. Doctors in Europe recommended the beverage to patients in the 1700s, and later American physicians followed suit and prescribed the drink in early America—ca. 1800s. This article delineates the historic trajectory of cocoa consumption, the linkage between cocoa’s bioactive-mechanistic properties, paying special attention to nitric oxides role in vasodilation of the arteries, to the current indicators purporting the benefits of cocoa and cardiovascular health.
Institutional Development in the Face of Complexity: Developing Rules for Managing Forest Resources

The ability to develop institutions is constrained by human capacity to cope with complexity. But complexity is multidimensional and it is not clear which forms of complexity present the greatest challenges for institutional development. In the context of natural resources, the predictability of resource availability affects expectations that an individual or group will be able to capture the benefits of management. In addition, incomplete understanding of cause-and-effect relationships creates uncertainty about the consequences of alternative management options. These features influence calculations about resource management. The importance of resource complexity relative to various social, political, and institutional factors known to influence collective choice remains an open question. We evaluate the relative importance of several forms of resource complexity and characteristics of resource users for the development of rules for management for forest products in Indiana.
A Markov model to evaluate cost-effectiveness of antiangiogenesis therapy using bevacizumab in advanced cervical cancer

Abstract Objective To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of bevacizumab in recurrent/persistent and metastatic cervical cancer using recently reported updated survival and toxicology data. Methods A Markov decision tree based on the Gynecologic Oncology Group 240 randomized trial was created. The 2013 MediCare Services Drug Payment Table and Physician Fee Schedule provided costs. In the 5-year model subjects transitioned through the following states: response, progression, minor complications, severe complications, and death. Patients experiencing a health utility per month according to treatment effectiveness were calculated. Because cervical cancer survival is measured in months rather than years, results were reported in both quality adjusted cervical cancer life months and years (QALmonth, QALY), adjusted from a baseline of having advanced cervical cancer during a month. Results The estimated total cost of therapy with bevacizumab is approximately 13.2 times that for chemotherapy alone, adding $73,791 per 3.5months (0.29year) of life gained, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $21.083 per month of added life. The ICER increased to $5775 per month of added life and $24,597/QALmonth ($295,164/QALY) due to the smaller difference in QALmonths. With 75% bevacizumab cost reduction, the ICER is $6737/QALmonth ($80,844/QALY), which translates to $23,580 for the 3.5month (0.29year) gain in OS. Conclusions Increased costs are primarily related to the cost of drug and not the management of bevacizumab-induced complications. Cost reductions in bevacizumab result in dramatic declines in the ICER, suggesting that cost reconciliation in advanced cervical cancer may be possible through the availability of biosimilars, and/or less expensive, equally efficacious anti-angiogenesis agents.
Acute traumatic gonadal vein rupture in a pregnant patient involved in a major motor vehicle collision

We present a case of a 29-year-old female in her second trimester of pregnancy with twin gestations who was involved in a major motor vehicle collision and subsequently diagnosed by multidetector computed tomography with retroperitoneal hemorrhage from a traumatic ruptured right ovarian vein. Gonadal vein rupture should be considered as a rare cause of hemorrhage when evaluating a pregnant patient who has sustained blunt abdominal trauma.
Estimating soybean seed protein and oil concentration before harvest

Temperature and precipitation during the growing season have been shown to influence the protein and oil composition of the soybean [Glycine max L. Merr.] seed. A method based on these parameters was developed to estimate protein and oil concentrations of the seed before harvest. This method was developed with protein and oil data and temperature and precipitation data from the Uniform Soybean Tests, Southern Region, for the years 1975 to 1983. Classification and regression “tree-based” analyses were used to determine the month and numeric value (“splitting point”) of the environmental variable that correctly classified the variation from median protein and oil composition for the 126 location-years. Temperature in September was most influential in determining the splitting point for three of the four variables. Oil concentrations from the location-years were separated into low vs. high median-based boundary categories most readily by the September sum of minimum temperatures. Total protein and oil concentrations from the location-years were classified best by September growing degree days. Protein-to-oil ratios were best separated by the September mean minimum temperature. The August mean maximum temperature best separated protein concentration. These data demonstrate that temperature during specific months of the crop year were useful in estimating the final concentration of protein and oil in the seed and could be used by seed processors to estimate seed composition before harvest.
1288 DIMINISHED METABOLIC RESPONSE OF PREMATURE INFANTS TO A THERMAL STRESS WHILE PERIODIC BREATHING DURING SLEEP

Periodic breathing (PB) occurs frequently in premature infants and may represent immaturity of central chemoreceptors. We postulate that other regulated functions such as temperature might be altered during episodes of PB. Six premature infants were studied under radiant warmers for 6-8 hours while simultaneous measurements of oxygen consumption (VO2), skin (Tabd) and core (Trec) temperature, EEG, EOG, EMG, and respiration were made. After periods of stabilization (Tabd=36.5 ± 0.5 and Trec=37.0 ± 0.2°C.), Tabd was allowed to fall slowly for short periods 4-10 times during the study period. For each of the 907 minutes of total sleep time (TST), breathing pattern (PB or non-PB), state, and VO2 were assessed. PB occurred in all but one subject and accounted for 11-60% of the TST. PB was distributed equally between REM and NREM sleep. The values for VO2 were then compared during sleep for warm and cool periods by breathing pattern. These data support our hypothesis and suggest that PB during sleep is associated with a decreased metabolic response to thermal stress.
Two-mode control of Brownian Motion with quadratic loss and switching costs

Abstract We consider a simple problem in the optimal control of Brownian Motion. There are two modes of control available, each with its own drift and diffusion coefficients, and switching costs are incurred whenever the control mode is changed. Finally, holding costs are incurred according to a quadratic function of the state of the system, and all costs are continuously discounted. It is shown that there exists an optimal policy involving just two critical numbers, and formulas are given for computation of the critical numbers.
Cardiovascular Biology: Play It Again, Gata4

To function properly, the vertebrate heart must navigate challenging periods by utilizing appropriate stress-response pathways. A new study highlights a crucial role for the transcription factor Gata4 in mediating diverse stress responses in the zebrafish heart.
Medical electronics II: Seeing speech in real time: The deaf can now view tongue, jaw, and other vocal-tract movements on a CRT display

Describes a speech-feedback system called the dynamic orometer, that permits the profoundly deaf to master proper speech reproduction patterns and talk in a relaxed way, that is being developed at the University of Alabama in the USA. The device allows the deaf person to view tongue, jaw, and other vocal-tract movements on a CRT display.
Variables affecting the yield of normal oleic acid produced by the catalytic hydrogenation of cottonseed and peanut oils

1. The effects of the following factors have been investigated in the hydrogenation of cottonseed and peanut oils: temperature, concentration of catalyst, pressure of the hydrogen, degree of agitation, and nature of the nickel catalyst. 2. The formation of stearic acid was found to be repressed and the formation of “iso-oleic” acid simultaneously favored by increasing the temperature, increasing the catalyst concentration, decreasing the pressure, and decreasing the agitation. 3. The nature of the nickel catalyst, as influenced by its method of preparation, may have a large effect on the composition of the hydrogenated product. One of the nickel catalysts investigated formed excessive amounts of iso-oleic acid without being correspondingly selective. 4. In the hydrogenation of cottonseed oil, within a comparatively wide range of conditions, the production of total solid acids with a given catalyst is relatively constant, since the conditions leading to the formation of stearic and iso-oleic acid are mutually exclusive. Extremes in either direction, however, lead to the production of excessive amounts of total solid acids. 5. Peanut oil is a more suitable raw material than cottonseed oil for the production of normal oleic acid, because of its initially greater content of this constituent and its lesser content of linoleic acid. 6. On the assumption that a quantitative separation could be made of the liquid acids from the solid acid fraction (saturated and iso-oleic) of the hydrogenated products, leaving minor amounts of unhydrogenated linoleic acid as an impurity in the separated normal oleic acid, the following maximum yields of “impure normal oleic acid” could be obtained: from cottonseed oil, 56 per cent of oleic acid of 85 per cent purity, 53 per cent of oleic acid of 90 per cent purity, and 48 per cent of oleic acid of 95 per cent purity; and from peanut oil, 70 per cent of oleic acid of 85 per cent purity, 68 per cent of oleic acid of 90 per cent purity, and 66 per cent of oleic acid of 95 per cent purity.
New developments on emerging organic pollutants in the atmosphere

Background The continuous progress in analytical techniques has improved the capability of detecting chemicals and recognizing new substances and extended the list of detectable contaminants widespread in all environmental compartments by human activities. Most concern is focused on water contamination by emerging compounds. By contrast, scarce attention is paid to the atmospheric sector, which in most cases represents the pathway of diffusion at local or global scale. Information concerning a list of organic pollutants is provided in this paper.
Monge’s method for intermediate integrals

In this paper we will present a framework of solving a second order differential equation using a solvable first order equation. Such a first order equation is called an intermediate integral. Illustrative examples are used to highlight the proposed algorithm.
Amine- and sulfide-sensing copper(I) iodide films

Abstract Copper(I) iodide films were cast onto glass from solution. The CuI films absorb vapor-phase amine and sulfide molecules, producing a range of photoluminescent emission colors. Spectroscopic data suggest the presence of low energy CuI cluster-centered transitions.
Vacancies in supply chain networks

We use the supply chain matching framework to study the effects of firm exit. We show that the exit of an initial supplier or end consumer has monotonic effects on the welfare of initial suppliers and end consumers but may simultaneously have positive and negative effects on intermediaries. Furthermore, we demonstrate that there are no clear comparative statics for the effects of intermediary exit on the welfare of other firms; most surprisingly, intermediary exit may diminish the welfare of other firms at the same level of the supply chain.
Photooxidation for sulphur dioxide removal from flue gases

Abstract An oxygen stream doped with SO2 at flue gas concentrations was passed at room temperature and atmospheric pressure through a photochemical reactor containing an aqueous solution of a photosensitizing dye. The oxidation of SO2 to SO3 was measured while intense visible light was passed through the reactor. During the experiments the removal of SO2 from the oxygen stream via oxidation to SO3 proceeded at a steady rate. SO2 removal efficiency ranged from 10–50% and was calculated as a function of the initial SO2 concentration (1240–3400 ppm), the light intensity on the reactor surface (7.3–13.3 W cm−2), the concentration of the sensitizing dye (4.0 × 10−5–4.0 × 10−4 M) and the reactor space time (1.7–5.5 s). SO2 removal efficiency increased with increase in light intensity and reactor space time and decreased with increase in initial SO2 concentration. In the dye concentration range of 4.0 × 10−5–9.8 × 10−5 M, the SO2 removal efficiency showed an increase with increasing dye concentration. Beyond 9.8 × 10−5 M, SO2 removal efficiency decreased with increasing dye concentration. Rose Bengal was a more efficient photosensitizing dye than Methylene Blue. A mathematical expression for SO2 removal efficiency was derived from a kinetic model independent of the experiments. This expression predicted a functional dependence on dye concentration, initial SO2 concentration, light intensity and reactor space time, which is consistent with the experiments.
Regulation of transcription by SMU.1349, a TetR-family regulator, in Streptococcus mutans

The TetR family of transcriptional regulators is ubiquitous in bacteria, where it plays an important role in bacterial gene expression. Streptococcus mutans, a gram-positive pathogen considered to be the primary etiological agent in the formation of dental caries, encodes at least 18 TetR regulators. Here we characterized one such TetR regulator, SMU.1349, encoded by the TnSmu2 operon, which appeared to be acquired by the organism via horizontal gene transfer. SMU.1349 is transcribed divergently from the rest of the genes encoded by the operon. By the use of a transcriptional reporter system and semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), we demonstrated that SMU.1349 activates the transcription of several genes that are encoded within the TnSmu2 operon. Gel mobility shift and DNase I footprinting assays with purified SMU.1349 protein demonstrated binding to the intergenic region between SMU.1349 and the TnSmu2 operon; therefore, SMU.1349 is directly involved in gene transcription. Using purified S. mutans RpoD and Escherichia coli RNA polymerase, we also demonstrated in an in vitro transcription assay that SMU.1349 could activate transcription from the TnSmu2 operon promoter. Furthermore, we showed that SMU.1349 could also repress transcription from its own promoter by binding to the intergenic region, suggesting that SMU.1349 acts as both an activator and a repressor. Thus, unlike most of the TetR family proteins, which generally function as transcriptional repressors, SMU.1349 is unique in that it can function as both.
Introduction of histidine analogs leads to enhanced proton transfer in carbonic anhydrase V.

The rate-limiting step in the catalysis of the hydration of CO2by carbonic anhydrase involves transfer of protons between zinc-bound water and solution. This proton transfer can be enhanced by proton shuttle residues within the active-site cavity of the enzyme. We have used chemical modulation to provide novel internal proton transfer groups that enhance catalysis by murine carbonic anhydrase V (mCA V). This approach involves the site-directed mutation of a targeted residue to a cysteine which is then subsequently reacted with an imidazole analog containing an appropriately positioned leaving group. Compounds examined include 4-bromoethylimidazole (4-BEI), 2-chloromethylimidazole (2-CMI), 4-chloromethylimidazole (4-CMI), and a triazole analog. Two sites in mCA V, Lys 91 and Tyr 131, located on the rim of the active-site cavity have been targeted for the introduction of these imidazole analogs. Modification of the introduced Cys 131 with 4-BEI and 4-CMI resulted in enhancements of up to threefold in catalytic activity. The pH profiles indicate the presence of a new proton shuttle residue of pKanear 5.8, consistent with the introduction of a functional proton transfer group into the active site. This is the first example of incorporation by chemical modification of an unnatural amino acid analog of histidine that can act as a proton shuttle in an enzyme.
Impact of high-volume wood-fired boiler ash amendment on soil properties and nutrients

Forest application of boiler ash is fast becoming a popular alternative to landfilling. Boiler ash is a good source of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), but it may potentially increase soil pH and electrical conductivity. A monitoring study was conducted to determine the changes in soil properties and the availability and leachability of nutrients following the application of large quantities of boiler ash in a sandy soil (with a spodic horizon). Two application rates (900 and 1800 Mg ha− 1) and two application methods (surface and subsurface) were used in a three-hectare area, which was divided into 15 subplots. Soil samples from different depths were collected over a period of 21 months. Soil pH increased from 5.6 to above 9 and the electrical conductivity increased by up to 2 orders in all plots compared to the controls. The high alkalinity from the ash in the 1800 Mg ha− 1 rate depleted the spodic layer, and this was more pronounced in the subs...
Suprathermal vibrational excitation of hydrogen molecules by heated rhenium

Abstract Hydrogen molecules (H2, HD, and D2) with suprathermal vibration excitation energies have been observed accompanying the atomization of hydrogen
Solodyn and Updates on Topical and Oral Therapies for Acne

Acne vulgaris is a chronic and ubiquitous skin condition that can result in both physical and psychological scarring. The need for early and aggressive treatment of acne is essential to prevent these deleterious effects. Understanding of acne pathophysiology continues to evolve, leading to new therapeutic targets and the development of advanced treatment regimens. Among the most recent advances in acne therapy are new fixed-drug combination therapies and novel vehicle technologies. Additionally, as the concern for antibiotic resistance grows, treatments involving nonantibiotic therapies are growing in popularity. Dermatologists have also begun to recognize the importance of diet effects on acne progression, as well as the therapeutic role of procedural acne treatments. This review summarizes the most recent developments in acne pathophysiology and discusses new trends in therapy.
Postpartum depression: what we know

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health problem. It is prevalent, and offspring are at risk for disturbances in development. Major risk factors include past depression, stressful life events, poor marital relationship, and social support. Public health efforts to detect PPD have been increasing. Standard treatments (e.g., Interpersonal Psychotherapy) and more tailored treatments have been found effective for PPD. Prevention efforts have been less consistently successful. Future research should include studies of epidemiological risk factors and prevalence, interventions aimed at the parenting of PPD mothers, specific diathesis for a subset of PPD, effectiveness trials of psychological interventions, and prevention interventions aimed at addressing mental health issues in pregnant women.
Esophageal cancer: therapeutic approaches and nursing care.

Objectives To review the various treatment approaches, complications, and nursing management of patients with esophageal cancer. Data Sources Review articles, staging manual, textbook chapters, and research studies. Conclusions The diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer is a complicated process. Combined multimodal therapy with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery is showing promising results. However, each treatment approach has complications and side effects that must be managed. Implications for nursing practice Nursing care is complicated and requires coordinating various support services, patient and family education, clinical assessment, nutritional management, management of side effects, and palliative care.
The establishment of vascular-derived microenvironments in the developing chick wing.

Abstract The results of previous studies on the temporal sequence of limb vascularization suggest that the prospective myogenic and chondrogenic areas of the mesoderm are distinguished by a differential vascularization pattern prior to the overt expression of muscle- and cartilage-specific phenotypes. The experiments presented here are designed to reveal the dynamic aspects of vascular flow in the limb by the observation of how an inert, particular tracer (india ink) is mobilized and dispersed at specific points in the mesoderm. Data are presented as a temporal sequence of fluid flow “maps” which detail both the rate and the direction of vascular flow in the limb. It is proposed that not only does the vasculature compartmentalize the mesoderm into prospective myogenic and chondrogenic zones but also that these broad areas are subcompartmentalized into discrete microenvironments that are spatially distinct with regard to their capacity for transporting the carbon particles. The developmental significance of this observation may be that limb mesodermal cells are granted precise, “positional” information in the form of the specific nutrient and oxygen levels they encounter during critical, or decisional, phases of morphogenesis.
Fabrication of high-density collagen fibril matrix gels by renaturation of triple-helix collagen from gelatin.

Collagen-based 3-D hydrogels often lack sufficient mechanical strength for tissue engineering. We developed a method for fabrication of high-density collagen fibril matrix (CFM) gels from concentrated solutions of uncleaved gelatin (UCG). Denatured random-coil UCG exhibited more rapid and efficient renaturation into collagen triple-helix than cleaved gelatin (CG) over a broad range of setting temperatures. The UCG solution formed opaque gels with high-density reconstituted collagen fibrils at 28-32 °C and transparent gels similar to CG at 5%) and elasticity (1.28 ± 0.15 kPa at 5% and 4.82 ± 0.38 kPa at 8%) with minimal cell loss. The elastic modulus of these gels was higher than that of conventional CFM containing 0.5% collagen. High-strength CFM may provide more durable hydrogels for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Evaluation of a mesoscale atmospheric dispersion modeling system with observations from the 1980 Great Plains mesoscale tracer field experiment. Part I: Datasets and meteorological simulations

Abstract The Colorado State University mesoscale atmospheric dispersion (MAD) numerical modeling system, which consists of a prognostic mesoscale meteorological model coupled to a mesoscale Lagrangian particle dispersion model, has been used to simulate the transport and diffusion of a perfluorocarbon tracer-gas cloud for one afternoon surface release during the July 1980 Great Plains mesoscale tracer field experiment. Ground-level concentration (GLC) measurements taken along arcs of samplers 100 and 600 km downwind of the release site at Norman, Oklahoma, up to three days after the tracer release were available for comparison. Quantitative measures of a number of significant dispersion characteristics obtained from analysis of the observed tracer cloud's moving GLC “footprint” have been used to evaluate the modeling system's skill in simulating this MAD case. MAD is more dependent upon the spatial and temporal structure of the transport wind field than is short-range atmospheric dispersion. For the Great...
Mapping multiple genes for quantitative or complex traits.

Models for complex and quantitative traits that involve multiple, possibly interacting, genes are described. Methods of linkage analysis are developed that utilize special features of these models, and their power is compared with that of simple genome scans that ignore these special features. Our calculations show that for family-based nonparametric linkage analysis in human genetics, in contrast to experimental genetics, there are limits to the increase in power that can be achieved by correctly modeling gene-gene interactions. In particular, the noncentrality parameter of likelihood-based statistics to detect single gene effects involves both single gene and interaction components of variance, so even when the interaction components of variance are relatively large, the incremental power from a statistic designed to detect both single gene and interaction effects is often quite modest. We carry out our analysis with the assistance of a parameterization that allows us to compute score statistics, noncentrality parameters, and Fisher information matrices reasonably explicitly.
An overview to integrated power module design for high power electronics packaging

Abstract In recent years, there has been an explosion in demand for smaller and lighter, more efficient, and less expensive power electronic supplies and converters. There are a number of reasons for this recent necessity, ranging from the need for smaller and cheaper power converters for consumer electronics (such as laptop computers and cellular phones) to the need for highly reliable power electronics for such items as satellite and military craft power systems, which are required to be highly efficient, light in weight, smaller in volume, and low cost. This paper discusses the concept of Integrated Power Modules (IPMs), in which the electronic control circuitry and the high power electronics of the converter are integrated into a single compact standardized module. The advantages and disadvantages of such an approach will be discussed in reference to the current industry standard for power electronics design and packaging. The researchers will then take the readers through the IPM design, including basic circuit topology layout, module fabrication processes, and finally thermal considerations.
Bio-light for optical sensing

Laser and fluorescence-based sensing is promising for medical applications. Here, we present new approaches to enable efficient light delivery into the body and to generate light from biomolecules -- biological light -- for optical sensing and therapy.
Mining for insights in the search engine query stream

Search engines record a large amount of metadata each time a user issues a query. While efficiently mining this data can be challeng-ing, the results can be useful in multiple ways, including monitoring search engine performance, improving search relevance, prioritizing research, and optimizing day-to-day operations. In this poster, we describe an approach for mining query log data for actionable insights - specific query segments (sets of queries) that require attention, and actions that need to be taken to improve the segments. Starting with a set of important metrics, we identify query segments that are "interesting" with respect to these metrics using a distributed frequent itemset mining algorithm.
The permittivity at X-band frequencies of nickel-coated graphite fibers in an epoxy matrix

In this study, we have investigated the microwave dielectric behavior of a composite formed by embedding nickel-coated graphite fibers in an epoxy matrix. Permittivities of composites in the X-band frequency range as a function of fiber concentration, fiber length, and the degree of fiber aggregation were studied. Fiber aggregation was reduced significantly by the addition of silica particles to the composite mixture before epoxy curing. Predictions from the mean field theory fit the experimental data well at dilute fiber concentrations.
Motional spin relaxation in large electric fields

We discuss the precession of spin-polarized ultracold neutrons (UCNs) and 3He atoms in uniform and static magnetic and electric fields and calculate the spin relaxation effects from motional v×E magnetic fields. Particle motion in an electric field creates a motional v×E magnetic field, which when combined with collisions produces variations of the total magnetic field and results in spin relaxation of neutron and 3He samples. The spin relaxation times T1 (longitudinal) and T2 (transverse) of spin-polarized UCNs and 3He atoms are important considerations in a new search for the neutron electric dipole moment at the Spallation Neutron Source nEDM experiment. We use a Monte Carlo approach to simulate the relaxation of spins due to the motional v×E field for UCNs and for 3He atoms at temperatures below 600 mK. We find the relaxation times for the neutron due to the v×E effect to be long compared to the neutron lifetime, while the 3He relaxation times may be important for the nEDM experiment.
Sum of heterogeneous blind zones predict movements of simulated groups

Simulation models regarding groups of fish and birds based on individual movement decision rules have become increasingly sophisticated. Recent studies have started to tie together how the rules of homogeneous independent-acting individuals lead to emergent group behaviors. However, there is less research on the role that heterogeneity within a group has on these emergent properties. Heterogeneity in real animal groups due to hunger, sex, body size, species, and age can influence speed, nearest neighbor distance, and viewing angle. In our study we examine how differences in viewing angle (or its complement: blind zone) within a group influence emergent properties such as group size, polarization, group shape, and segregation. Simulated groups were assembled with different mixes of blind zones (e.g. half the members with a blind zone of 60 degrees and half with a blind zone of 120 degrees). Significant differences in many of the measured emergent properties were found and were related to the level of heterogeneity as well as the absolute value of the blind zone. In homogeneous groups, increased values for the blind zone led to groups that were: smaller, more elongated, and denser. In heterogeneous groups the sum of blind zones predicted emergent group behaviors. Specifically, as the sum of the blind zones increased: group size and density decreased and the shape of the group became rounder. However, several mixes produced emergent properties that were very different than the predicted regressions. Our findings suggest that it will be important for researchers to look at how individual differences in blind zones within real groups such as fish schools and bird flocks influence emergent behaviors. Our findings also have applications to designing sensor systems for car navigation systems and robotic arrays.
Bupropion SR in the naturalistic treatment of elderly patients with major depression.

Introduction Bupropion immediate release (IR) and bupropion sustained release (SR) are frequently used to treat geriatric depression, as they have few cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and sexual adverse effects. We sought to examine the efficacy and dosing patterns of bupropion in a naturalistic cohort of elderly subjects with major depression (MD). Methods 31 elderly ( > 60 years) patients with unipolar MD (DSM-IV) who were enrolled in Duke's Mental Health Clinical Research Center for the Study of Depression in Later Life were prescribed bupropion SR or IR, alone or in combination with other antidepressant agents, for 12 weeks. Montgomery–Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS) scores and clinical global impression (CGI) severity scores were used to define response. Results 74% (23/31) of the sample were responders (MADRS < 15) and 53% (16/30) achieved a partial (CGI = 2) or complete (CGI = 1) remission of MD at week 12. Among patients treated with bupropion SR monotherapy, the mean (range) maximal daily dose achieved was 240 mg (150–400 mg). Among those treated with bupropion IR, the mean (range) maximum daily dose achieved was 258 mg (150–450 mg). In subjects on monotherapy, 67% (10/15) of MD subjects were responders (MADRS < 15) and 50% (7/14) achieved full or partial remission. Response rates did not differ statistically among those with high and low medical comorbidity. Conclusions In this naturalistic 12-week study, geriatric MD patients with high and low medical comorbidity responded well to bupropion and bupropion SR. In elderly patients, four to eight week acute treatment periods may be insufficient. Our findings suggest that nearly 50% of elderly depressed subjects at a tertiary center may need combination therapy over the course of their illness. Controlled randomized studies to establish the long-term efficacy and optimal dose of the newer antidepressants in geriatric depression are urgently needed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FROM PEASANT TO FARMER: A STUDY OF AGRARIAN TRANSFORMATION IN AN IRANIAN VILLAGE, 1967–2002

Iranian agriculture and rural society have undergone profound socioeconomic and political changes over the past four decades. While recognizing the significant impact of urbanization, economic development, and integration of the rural economy in the market, this paper contends that the land-reform program of the 1960s and the 1979 revolution represent the primary turning points in the rural transformation. Land reform, through intense state intervention, dramatically changed the traditional landlord-sharecropping system (nizam-i arbab-rayati). Peasant uprisings, the forcible occupation of large estates, and the agrarian policies of the postrevolutionary regime have led to the demise of the urban agricultural bourgeoisie and the empowerment of the peasants. There has been a disintegration of large-scale public and private agricultural production systems, including agribusinesses, farm corporations, and the agricultural production cooperatives developed under the shah's regime.
Fabrication of tunnel junctions for direct detector arrays with single-electron transistor readout using electron-beam lithography

This paper describes the fabrication of small aluminum tunnel junctions for applications in astronomy. Antenna-coupled superconducting tunnel junctions with integrated single-electron transistor readout have the potential for photon-counting sensitivity at sub-mm wavelengths. The junctions for the detector and single-electron transistor can be made with electron-beam lithography and a standard self-aligned double-angle deposition process. However, high yield and uniformity of the junctions is required for large-format detector arrays. This paper describes how measurement and modification of the sensitivity ratio in the resist bilayer was used to greatly improve the reliability of forming devices with uniform, sub-micron size, low-leakage junctions.
A Linux Implementation of Temporal Access Controls

Control of access to information based upon temporal attributes can add another dimension to access control. To demonstrate the feasibility of operating system-level support for temporal access controls, the Time Interval File Protection System (TIFPS), a prototype of the Time Interval Access Control (TIAC) model, has been implemented by modifying Linux extended attributes to include temporal metadata associated both with files and users. The Linux Security Module was used to provide hooks for temporal access control logic. In addition, a set of utilities was modified to be TIFPS-aware. These tools permit users to view and manage the temporal attributes associated with their files and directories. Functional, performance, and concurrency testing were conducted. The ability of TIFPS to grant or revoke access in the future, as well to limit access to specific time intervals enhances traditional information control and sharing.
Self-control and impulsiveness: Resolution of apparent contradictions in choice behavior

Choosing the smaller, less delayed reinforcers of drug abuse (including cessation of withdrawal) over the larger, more delayed reinforcers of a healthy life can be described as impulsiveness (the opposite of self-control). Examination of drug abuse using a self-control/impulsiveness framework can help explain many of the puzzles about this behavior, while tying drug abuse into a large research database.
Physical Model Approach to Taste Studies of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Formulations

This paper explores the physical model approach in studying the taste of drugs and assessing physical formulation factors for improving the undesirable taste of drugs. Various aspects of physiology relevant to the taste phenomenon have been reviewed to provide the biophysical basis for mathematical modeling. The model involves non-steady-state mass transport across the aqueous boundary layer and buildup of solute concentration at the essentially impermeable tongue surface. The theoretical predictions are consistent with experimental studies on the lag time to taste perception by the electrophysioiogical method and also with “instantaneous” psychophysical taste perception when solute concentrations much greater than the taste threshold are applied on the tongue. Within the framework of the non-steady-state model, novel experimental studies involving the use of a porous half-diffusion cell placed on the surface of an extended human tongue and the recording of the times for psychophysical taste response are proposed to quantify and provide mechanistic understanding of the taste of drugs and also physical formulation factors in overcoming undesirable taste properties.
An audio-visual approach to simultaneous-speaker speech recognition

Audio-visual speech recognition is an area with great potential to help solve challenging problems in speech processing. Difficulties due to background noise are significantly reduced by the additional information provided by extra visual features. The presence of additional speech from other talkers during recording may be viewed as one of the most difficult sources of noise. The paper presents a study using audio-visual speech recognition for simultaneous-speaker speech recognition. The desired goal is to separate and potentially recognize speech from several simultaneous speakers. Speaker pairs from the CUAVE multimodal speech corpus (see http://ece.clemson.edu/speech) are used. Audio-visual techniques are compared against speaker-independent and speaker-dependent audio-only methods for speech recognition of individuals from these pairs.
Progression of Coronary Artery Calcification: A Pilot Study

Objective To describe individual changes in the quantity of coronary artery calcification (CAC) measured by electron beam computed tomography (CT) and determine the rate of change in the quantity of CAC during a 3.5-year period. Material and Methods Eighty-eight consecutive participants (51 men at least 30 years of age and 37 women at least 40 years of age) from a community-based CAC study were invited for a follow-up examination. Established coronary artery disease risk factors were studied at baseline. CAC score was measured by electron beam CT at baseline and follow-up. Results Of the 88 invited participants, 82 (93%) returned for a follow-up examination. Considerable variation existed among the participants in the extent of CAC score change. On average, CAC score increased over time by an estimated 24% each year ( P Conclusion The ability to recruit follow-up participants in this pilot study and to detect significant change in CAC score over time provides evidence that electron beam CT is useful for studying progression of CAC in a sample and may be a valuable procedure for assessing the effectiveness of clinical interventions designed to retard progression of coronary atherosclerosis.
Dependence of Pituitary Hormone Secretion on the Pattern of Spontaneus Voltage-gated Calcium Influx

In excitable cells, voltage-gated calcium influx provides an effective mechanism for the activation of exocytosis. In this study, we demonstrate that although rat anterior pituitary lactotrophs, somatotrophs, and gonadotrophs exhibited spontaneous and extracellular calcium-dependent electrical activity, voltage-gated calcium influx triggered secretion only in lactotrophs and somatotrophs. The lack of action potential-driven secretion in gonadotrophs was not due to the proportion of spontaneously firing cells or spike frequency. Gonadotrophs exhibited calcium signals during prolonged depolarization comparable with signals observed in somatotrophs and lactotrophs. The secretory vesicles in all three cell types also had a similar sensitivity to voltage-gated calcium influx. However, the pattern of action potential calcium influx differed among three cell types. Spontaneous activity in gonadotrophs was characterized by high amplitude, sharp spikes that had a limited capacity to promote calcium influx, whereas lactotrophs and somatotrophs fired plateau-bursting action potentials that generated high amplitude calcium signals. Furthermore, a shift in the pattern of firing from sharp spikes to plateau-like spikes in gonadotrophs triggered luteinizing hormone secretion. These results indicate that the cell type-specific action potential secretion coupling in pituitary cells is determined by the capacity of their plasma membrane oscillator to generate threshold calcium signals.
Processing of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate)-based bionanocomposite foams using supercritical fluids

Supercritical fluid (SCF) N2 was used as a physical foaming agent to fabricate microcellular injection-molded poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)–poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)–hyperbranched-polymer (HBP)–nanoclay (NC) bionanocomposites. The effects of incorporating HBP and NC on the morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties of both solid and microcellular PHBV–PBAT blends were studied. NC exhibited intercalated structures in solid components, but showed a mixture of exfoliated and intercalated structures in the corresponding microcellular nanocomposites. The addition of NC improved the thermal stability of the resulting nanocomposites. The addition of HBP and NC reduced the cell size and increased the cell density of microcellular components. The addition of HBP and NC enhanced the degree of crystallinity for both solid and microcellular components. Moreover, with the addition of HBP, the area under tan d curve, specific fracture toughness, and strain-at-break of the PHBV-based nanocomposite increased significantly whereas the storage modulus, specific Young’s modulus, and specific tensile strength decreased.
Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology of Escherichia coli Sequence Type 131 among Hospitalized Patients Colonized Intestinally with Fluoroquinolone-Resistant E. coli

This study examined molecular and epidemiologic factors associated with Escherichia coli sequence type 131 (ST131) among hospitalized patients colonized intestinally with fluoroquinolone (FQ)-resistant E. coli between 2002 and 2004. Among 86 patients, 21 (24%) were colonized with ST131. The proportion of ST131 isolates among colonizing isolates increased significantly over time, from 8% in 2002 to 50% in 2004 (P = 0.003). Furthermore, all 19 clonally related isolates were ST131. Future studies should identify potential transmissibility differences between ST131 and non-ST131 strains.