cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DISPARATE POWER AND DISPARATE RESOURCES: COLLABORATION BETWEEN FAITH‐BASED AND ACTIVIST ORGANIZATIONS FOR CENTRAL FLORIDA FARMWORKERS

This article highlights the collaboration between an evangelical faith-based organization and secular activist organization to address the oral health needs of African American former farmworkers in Central Florida. Highlighting the FBO's evangelistic agenda, I discuss one FBO as a charitable health care provider filling a service gap within the broader health care system. In addition, I discuss the organizations’ different levels of access to powerful agents of change, and the role of the anthropologist as an intermediary between the FBO and secular organization. This article first details the health concerns of the former farmworker population in Central Florida as they relate to farm labor and living in an environmentally harmful area. It then sheds light on systematic health care constraints in the United States that necessitate intervention from faith-based organizations and secular activist organizations. Last, this article provides a case study of how an anthropologist, acting as an intermediary to connect a faith-based group with an activist group, helped address one specific health need for former migrant farmworkers.
The CDF Collaboration and Argumentation Theory: The Role of Process in Objective Knowledge

For philosophers of science interested in elucidating the social character of science, an important question concerns the manner in which and degree to which the objectivity of scientific knowledge is socially constituted. We address this broad question by focusing specifically on philosophical theories of evidence. To get at the social character of evidence, we take an interdisciplinary approach informed by categories from argumentation studies. We then test these categories by exploring their applicability to a case study from high- energy physics. Our central claim is that normative philosophy of science must move beyond abstract theories of justification, confirmation, or evidence conceived impersonally and incorporate a theoretical perspective that includes dialogical elements, either as adjuncts to impersonal theories of evidence or as intrinsic to the cogency of scientific argumentation.
Beyond violence: Threat reappraisal in women recently separated from intimate-partner violent relationships

This study examined reappraisal of threat to self, child, and partner wellbeing in a sample of 92 battered women's shelter residents. Participants were assessed for type and severity of intimate-partner violence experienced and current psychological distress. Perceived threats to self, child, and partner wellbeing were assessed and subscale scores developed to serve as dependent variables in multivariate regression analyses. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) predicted reappraised threat to self wellbeing. Years in the relationship predicted reappraised threat to partner wellbeing. Threat to child wellbeing was predicted by mother's physical abuse and PTSD. Implications for future research include longitudinal studies that investigate threat reappraisal, including postshelter outcomes of women with PTSD.
Nuclear-Size Effects on Vacuum Polarization in Muonic Pb

The effect of finite nuclear size on the vacuum-polarization charge density is studied. The results to third order $\ensuremath{\alpha}{(Z\ensuremath{\alpha})}^{3}$, and to all orders $\ensuremath{\alpha}{(Z\ensuremath{\alpha})}^{n}$, $ng~3$, are presented with special attention focused on the $5{g}_{\frac{9}{2}}\ensuremath{-}4{f}_{\frac{7}{2}}$ transition in muonic Pb. In addition, the accuracy of analytic calculations exploiting the smallness of the electron mass and of the nuclear radius is discussed.
The reaction of excited argon atoms and of F atoms with Methanol. Vibrational spectrum of CH2OH isolated in solid argon

Abstract When the products of the interaction between methanol and either excited argon atoms or F atoms, produced in a discharge, are frozen in a large excess of argon at 14 K, prominent infrared absorptions of CH 2 OH appear. Detailed isotopic substitution studies have permitted the derivation of a set of valence-force potential constants for this species. There is some evidence for the stabilization of CH 3 O, previously identified as a product of these two reactions, but the reaction channel producing CH 2 OH predominates. Secondary H-atom abstraction and photodecomposition lead to the stabilization of H 2 CO, with no evidence for an HCOH intermediate. HCO also appears. The highest frequency fundamental of DCO stabilized in solid argon agrees considerably more closely with the recently reported gas-phase band center than does the corresponding absorption in a carbon monoxide matrix. In the F-atom reaction studies the [CH 2 OH+HF] hydrogen-bonded complex is also stabilized. The infrared absorption spectrum of this complex suggests that the HF is hydrogen-bonded to the lone pair electrons on the oxygen atom.
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale in the Assessment of Sleep Disturbance in Veterans with Tinnitus

Purpose. Tinnitus and sleep disturbance are prevalent in veterans, and a better understanding of their relationship can help with tinnitus treatment. Materials and Methods. Retrospective chart review of 94 veterans seen in audiology clinic between 2010 and 2013 is presented. Results. The mean age was 62 years, and 93 of 94 veterans were males. The majority (96%) had hearing loss. The positive predictive value of the ESS for sleep disorder was 97% and the negative predictive value was 100%. Veterans with a Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score ≥38 had significantly higher Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores compared to those with THI score <38 (P = 0.006). The former had a significantly higher incidence of PTSD, anxiety, and sleep disorder. A subgroup of patients had normal sleep despite rising THI scores. Bilateral tinnitus, vertigo, and anxiety were found to be predictors of sleep disturbance. Conclusions. The ESS can be used as a tool in the initial assessment of sleep disorders in veterans with tinnitus. Higher tinnitus handicap severity is significantly associated with greater sleep disturbance. Optimal management of tinnitus may require concomitant treatment of sleep disorder, PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Si 2p core-level excitation in condensed SiCl4

Abstract Using monochromatized synchrotron radiation in the range 102 to 112 eV we have monitored the total electron yield resulting from excitation of a Si 2p electron in condensed SiCl 4 . We find a one-to-one correspondence for the first two peaks observed in the gas phase with those in the solid. However, the higher-lying peaks are either broadened or missing in the solid phase. This behaviour is consistent with the assignment of the first two peaks to core—valence transitions and most of the higher lying structure to core-Rydberg transitions.
Distributed policy based access to networked heterogeneous ISR data sources

Within a coalition environment, ad hoc Communities of Interest (CoI's) come together, perhaps for only a short time, with different sensors, sensor platforms, data fusion elements, and networks to conduct a task (or set of tasks) with different coalition members taking different roles. In such a coalition, each organization will have its own inherent restrictions on how it will interact with the others. These are usually stated as a set of policies, including security and privacy policies. The capability that we want to enable for a coalition operation is to provide access to information from any coalition partner in conformance with the policies of all. One of the challenges in supporting such ad-hoc coalition operations is that of providing efficient access to distributed sources of data, where the applications requiring the data do not have knowledge of the location of the data within the network. To address this challenge the International Technology Alliance (ITA) program has been developing the concept of a Dynamic Distributed Federated Database (DDFD), also know as a Gaian Database. This type of database provides a means for accessing data across a network of distributed heterogeneous data sources where access to the information is controlled by a mixture of local and global policies. We describe how a network of disparate ISR elements can be expressed as a DDFD and how this approach enables sensor and other information sources to be discovered autonomously or semi-autonomously and/or combined, fused formally defined local and global policies.
Optimal Transient Removal in a Power System

After a transient disturbance in a power system, some of the generators will have advanced in phase and some will have been retarded in phase. The deviation from steady-state operation can be removed in minimum time by optimal nonlinear bang-bang control. For each generator whose phase has advanced, the optimal control consists of exciting the field with maximum voltage, followed by a period of reversed voltage on the generator field, a period of maximum positive voltage on the generator field, and then a return to normal excitation. This sequence is controlled by nonlinear decision functions which obtain their information from the state of the system. The most desirable state variables are shaft angle, shaft velocity, and field current. Experimental tests have shown significant increases in transient stability [1]-[3].
Effects of Item Characteristics on Multiple-Choice Item Difficulty

MULTIPLE-choice test item responses may be influenced by a number of factors other than knowledge of content. Two factors, language difficulty and option set convergence, were experimentally manipu...
Climatic changes lead to declining winter chill for fruit and nut trees in California during 1950-2099.

Background Winter chill is one of the defining characteristics of a location's suitability for the production of many tree crops. We mapped and investigated observed historic and projected future changes in winter chill in California, quantified with two different chilling models (Chilling Hours, Dynamic Model). Methodology/Principal Findings Based on hourly and daily temperature records, winter chill was modeled for two past temperature scenarios (1950 and 2000), and 18 future scenarios (average conditions during 2041–2060 and 2080–2099 under each of the B1, A1B and A2 IPCC greenhouse gas emissions scenarios, for the CSIRO-MK3, HadCM3 and MIROC climate models). For each scenario, 100 replications of the yearly temperature record were produced, using a stochastic weather generator. We then introduced and mapped a novel climatic statistic, “safe winter chill”, the 10% quantile of the resulting chilling distributions. This metric can be interpreted as the amount of chilling that growers can safely expect under each scenario. Winter chill declined substantially for all emissions scenarios, with the area of safe winter chill for many tree species or cultivars decreasing 50–75% by mid-21st century, and 90–100% by late century. Conclusions/Significance Both chilling models consistently projected climatic conditions by the middle to end of the 21st century that will no longer support some of the main tree crops currently grown in California, with the Chilling Hours Model projecting greater changes than the Dynamic Model. The tree crop industry in California will likely need to develop agricultural adaptation measures (e.g. low-chill varieties and dormancy-breaking chemicals) to cope with these projected changes. For some crops, production might no longer be possible.
Fluxless InSn bonding process at 140 °C

Abstract Device packages usually need more than one soldering operation to complete. For photonic and fiber optic device packaging, indium solder is often used due to its ductility. Since indium has a relatively low melting temperature of 156.6 °C, the subsequent bonding operation requires a process temperature that is lower than 156 °C . In this paper, we report a new bonding process at 140 °C based on an indium–tin multilayer composite. This is a fluxless bonding technique. In fabrication, a chromiurn–tin–indium–gold multilayer composite is deposited on silicon die in one high vacuum cycle to prevent oxidation. Immediately upon deposition, gold and indium react to form a stable AuIn 2 protective outer layer against oxidation. Silicon substrates are deposited with thin chromium–gold layers. The silicon die and substrate are bonded in a hydrogen environment at 140 °C. Scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) analysis is used to evaluate the joint quality. This bonding technique consistently achieves uniform and void-free joints. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses also are performed on the joint cross sections. The SEM image shows a uniform joint thickness of 5 μm and the joint microstructure. SEM and EDX results indicate the joint consists of In–Sn alloy with embedded AuIn 2 grains. The re-melting temperature of the joint is found to be 125–150 °C, which shows that the joint composition is not exactly eutectic that has a melting temperature of 118 °C, but rather is Sn-rich. The success of this design illustrates the solid-state interdiffusion between Sn and In to form a thin layer of Sn–In eutectic alloy. The fluxless feature of this technology is valuable for bonding and assembling many emerging photonic devices that simply cannot tolerate fluxes.
Central bump-like opacity as a complication of high hyperopic photorefractive keratectomy.

Abstract PURPOSE: A new complication is reported in association with high hyperopic excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy. METHODS: One thousand consecutive eyes were treated with a Meditec MEL-60 excimer laser (Meditec Inc, Heroldsberg, Germany) for hyperopic refractive error between +1 diopters and +7 diopters. RESULTS: Three eyes with high hyperopic corrections between +5 and +6 diopters had a central, round bump-like subepithelial scar develop 1 month after hyperopic photorefractive keratectomy, which reduced the uncorrected and spectacle-corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Central bump-like opacity is a new, visually significant complication of unknown origin associated with high hyperopic photorefractive keratectomy. Possible causes of this complication include drying and edema of the cornea as a result of prolonged exposure, interruption of the peripheral superficial nerve plexus affecting the central anterior stroma, and abnormal epithelial or tear film function resulting from excessive central steeping.
Attitudes Toward the Poor and Attributions for Poverty

Prior psychological research on attitudes toward the poor has focused almost exclusively on the attributions people make to explain why individuals are poor (e.g., Smith & Stone, 1989; Zucker & Weiner, 1993). The goal of the current study was to investigate the relationships among feelings about the poor and poverty, stereotypes of the poor, attributions for poverty, and sociopolitical ideologies (as assessed by the Protestant Ethic, Belief in a Just World, and Right Wing Authoritarianism Scales). In our Midwestern college sample (n = 209), attitudes toward the poor were found to be significantly more negative than attitudes toward the middle class. In addition, participants were most likely to blame poor people them-selves for their poverty. However, attitudes toward the poor and attributions for the causes of poverty were found to vary among individuals from different sociodemographic backgrounds and by degree of endorsement of Protestant ethic, just world, and authoritarianism beliefs. Few gender differences were obtained.
STUDIES ON HYPERSENSITIVENESS TO DIPHTHERIA BACILLI I. AN IMMEDIATE SKIN REACTION WHICH CAN BE PASSIVELY TRANSFERRED.

The paper describes an "immediate" skin reaction to derivatives of the diphtheria bacillus which is shown to be distinct from the "delayed" or "pseudoreaction" commonly seen in Schick tests on adults. The "immediate" reaction was passively transferred to local areas of the skin of other people.
Energy levels in 47Ti and 50V

Abstract Energy levels in 47 Ti and 50 V were located by means of the 47 Ti(p, p′), 50 V(p, α) and 50 V(p, p′) reactions. The (p, p′) energy resolution was 8 keV, and the (p, α) resolution was about 15 keV. Fifty excited states were found in 47 Ti up to 3.84 MeV excitation, and sixty excited 50 V states were identified below 3.75 MeV. Consistent level schemes are presented for both nuclei.
Changes in composition of the outer epidermal cell wall of pea stems during auxin-induced growth

The gross composition of the outer epidermal cell wall from third internodes of Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska grown in dim red light, and the effect of auxin on that composition, was investigated using interference microscopy. Pea outer epidermal walls contain as much cellulose as typical secondary walls, but the proportion of pectin to hemicellulose resembles that found in primary walls. The pectin and hemicellulose fractions from epidermal peels, which are enriched for outer epidermal wall but contain internal tissue as well, are composed of a much higher percentage of glucose and glucose-related sugars than has been found previously for pea primary walls, similar to non-cellulosic carbohydrate fractions of secondary walls. The epidermal outer wall thus has a composition rather like that of secondary walls, while still being capable of elongation. Auxin induces a massive breakdown of hemicellulose in the outer epidermal wall; nearly half the hemicellulose present is lost during 4 h of growth in the absence of exogenous sugar. The percentage breakdown is much greater than has been seen previously for whole pea stems. It has been proposed that a breakdown of xyloglucan could be the basis for the mechanical loosening of the outer wall. This study provides the first evidence that such a breakdown could be occurring in the outer wall.
Influence of HIV co-infection on hepatitis C immunopathogenesis

The role of CD4 + or CD8 + T cells in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is unclear. People with chronic infection have weak responses against HCV in the blood, but HCV-specific responses are present within liver. The prevailing hypothesis of liver injury in HCV is that CD4 + and CD8 + T cell responses mediate HCV-related liver damage but are ineffectual at clearing the chronic infection. However, we recently reported that vigorous CD4 + responses that produce interferon gamma (IFNγ) early in infection are correlated with slower rates of disease progression, and compartmentalize to the liver. People with chronic HIV and HCV co-infection, particularly those with CD4 + 3 , have a higher rate of fibrosis development and severe liver disease. Co-infected people have variable degrees of immunosuppression that may provide insight into the relationship between cellular immune functions and the degree of liver damage as assessed by liver biopsy. People with co-infection may have quantitative or qualitative differences in the immune responses. We recently found a relationship between CD4 + immune responses and liver histology. There are qualitative differences in the CD4 + responses found in the liver in co-infected people compared to those with HCV alone, whereas no such differences are found when CD8 + responses are measured. Neither CD4 + nor CD8 + responses correlate with the peripheral CD4 count.
Implementing Real-Time Gain Optimization in a Multi-Agent System Designed for Optimized Multiobjective Power Plant Control

Abstract The multi-agent system approach to power plant control provides many benefits in that it allows multiple computationally intensive tasks to be performed in parallel to provide effective real-time control, such as training and adapting artificial neural network models, parameter optimization, and system monitoring. The multi-agent system approach also provides intelligent control that is robust and flexible in that it can autonomously make decisions depending on the situation and adjust to partial control system failure to maintain control, to name a few of the potential benefits. It is the goal of this paper to detail the implementation of real-time feedback gain optimization as a means to provide more efficient control and demonstrate an added advantage of the parallel nature of a multi-agent system designed for intelligent optimized multiobjective control.
Structural transformation reactions of anthocyanins

Spectroscopic evidence shows that the flavylium cation (1) undergoes hydroxylation to form the carbinol base (2) and can also deprotonate to form the anhydro (quinonemethane) bases (3a and3b). The anhydro bases hydrate to the carbinol base. The carbinol base above pH 6, or the ionzed carbinol base (2a), undergoes diring fission to produce the cischalcone (4).
Wnt-independent activation of β-catenin mediated by a Dkk1-Fz5 fusion protein

Abstract An XWnt8–Fz5 fusion protein synergizes with LRP6 to potently activate β-catenin-dependent signaling. Here, we generated a fusion in which XWnt8 was fused to the N-terminus of LRP6 and show it synergizes with both Fz4 and Fz5 to potently transactivate β-catenin-dependent Wnt signaling. Based on this, we hypothesized that the main function of Wnt is to nucleate the formation of a physical complex between LRP6 and a Frizzled. Dkk1, but not the related Dkk3, binds LRP6 and inhibits canonical Wnt signaling by blocking the interaction of Wnt and LRP6. Therefore, we reasoned that a covalent fusion of Dkk1 to Fz5 (Dkk1–Fz5) would mimic Wnt ligand by nucleating the formation of a complex containing Fz5 and LRP6, while Dkk3 (Dkk3–Fz5) would not. We found that Dkk1–Fz5, but not Dkk3–Fz5, potently synergized with LRP6 to activate signaling in a dishevelled-dependent manner.
Effect of Chromate Stress on Escherichia coli K-12

The nature of the stress experienced by Escherichia coli K-12 exposed to chromate, and mechanisms that may enable cells to withstand this stress, were examined. Cells that had been preadapted by overnight growth in the presence of chromate were less stressed than nonadapted controls. Within 3 h of chromate exposure, the latter ceased growth and exhibited extreme filamentous morphology; by 5 h there was partial recovery with restoration of relatively normal cell morphology. In contrast, preadapted cells were less drastically affected in their morphology and growth. Cellular oxidative stress, as monitored by use of an H2O2-responsive fluorescent dye, was most severe in the nonadapted cells at 3 h postinoculation, lower in the partially recovered cells at 5 h postinoculation, and lower still in the preadapted cells. Chromate exposure depleted cellular levels of reduced glutathione and other free thiols to a greater extent in nonadapted than preadapted cells. In both cell types, the SOS response was activated, and levels of proteins such as SodB and CysK, which can counter oxidative stress, were increased. Some mutants missing antioxidant proteins (SodB, CysK, YieF, or KatE) were more sensitive to chromate. Thus, oxidative stress plays a major role in chromate toxicity in vivo, and cellular defense against this toxicity involves activation of antioxidant mechanisms. As bacterial chromate bioremediation is limited by the toxicity of chromate, minimizing oxidative stress during bacterial chromate reduction and bolstering the capacity of these organisms to deal with this stress will improve their effectiveness in chromate bioremediation.
Suspicion of intrauterine growth restriction: Use of abdominal circumference alone or estimated fetal weight below 10%

Objective. To determine, among patients at risk for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), the peripartum outcomes and predictive accuracy for those with normal abdominal circumference (AC) and estimated fetal weight (EFW) for gestational age (GA; group 1) versus those with AC ≤ 10% for GA but EFW>10% (group 2) versus those with AC and EFW ≤ 10% for GA (group 3).Study design. We identified, retrospectively, non-anomalous singleton pregnancies with reliable GA, and delivery within 21 days of the examination who were referred for possible IUGR. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, as were likelihood ratios (LR) for detection of small for gestational age (SGA) (birth weight ≤ 10% for GA; SGA).Results. Among the 169 consecutive patients who met the inclusion criteria, the prevalence of SGA was significantly higher for group 3 (80%) than group 1 (42%; OR 4.26, 95% CI 1.94–9.16) or group 2 (49%; OR 5.49, 95% CI 2.13–13.85). The rate of admission to the neonatal intensive care uni...
Volume‐exclusion effects in polyethylene blends filled with carbon black, graphite, or carbon fiber

Conductive polymer composites possessing a low percolation-threshold concentration as a result of double percolation of a conductive filler and its host phase in an immiscible polymer blend afford a desirable alternative to conventional composites. In this work, blends of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) were used to produce ternary composites containing either carbon black (CB), graphite (G), or carbon fiber (CF). Blend composition had a synergistic effect on electrical conductivity, with pronounced conductivity maxima observed at about 70–80 wt % UHMWPE in the CB and G composites. A much broader maximum occurred at about 25 wt % UHMWPE in composites prepared with CF. Optical and electron microscopies were used to ascertain the extent to which the polymers, and hence filler particles, are segregated. Differential scanning calorimetry of the composites confirmed that the constituent polymers are indistinguishable in terms of their thermal signatures and virtually unaffected by the presence of any of the fillers examined here. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed that CF imparts the greatest stiffness and thermal stability to the composites. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 1013–1023, 2002
Women's empowerment and male involvement in antenatal care: analyses of Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) in selected African countries

Increasing women’s status and male involvement are important strategies in reducing preventable maternal morbidity and mortality. While efforts to both empower women and engage men in maternal health care-seeking can work synergistically, in practice they may result in opposing processes and outcomes. This study examines whether a woman’s empowerment status, in sum and across economic, socio-familial, and legal dimensions, is associated with male partner accompaniment to antenatal care (ANC). Women’s empowerment was measured based on the sum of nine empowerment items in the 2010–2011 Demographic and Health Surveys in eight sub-Saharan African countries: Burkina Faso (n = 2,490), Burundi (n = 1,042), Malawi (n = 1,353), Mozambique (n = 414), Rwanda (n = 1,211), Senegal (n = 505), Uganda (n = 428) and Zimbabwe (n = 459). In cross-sectional analyses, bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions models were used to examine the odds of male partner accompaniment to ANC between women with above-average versus below-average composite and dimensional empowerment scores. In the majority of countries, male accompaniment to ANC was not uncommon. However, findings were mixed. Positive associations in women’s composite empowerment and male involvement were observed in Burkina Faso (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.50) and Uganda (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.00-2.35), and in the economic empowerment dimension in Burkina Faso (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.05-1.47). In Malawi, significant negative associations were observed in the odds of male accompaniment to ANC and women’s composite (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.62-0.97) and economic empowerment scores (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.59-0.94). No significant differences were observed in Burundi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, or Zimbabwe. Women’s empowerment can be positively or negatively associated with male antenatal accompaniment. Male involvement efforts may benefit from empowerment initiatives that promote women’s participation in social and economic spheres, provided that antenatal participation does not undermine women’s preferences or autonomy. The observation of mixed and null findings suggests that additional qualitative and longitudinal research may enhance understanding of women’s empowerment in sub-Saharan African settings.
Nucleotide Recognition by Macrocyclic Receptors

It is shown that complementary positioning of recognition sites (particularly hydrogen bonding, stacking and hydrophobic groups) into a macrocyclic structure can lead to very strong and specific complexation of uncharged organic molecules.
Elicitor of sorghum phytoalexin synthesis from Colletotrichum graminicola

Abstract Extracts of conidia and the conidial mucilage of Colletotrichum graminicola contained materials that elicited the accumulation of deoxyanthocyanidin phytoalexins in sorghum mesocotyls and juvenile sorghum leaves. Elicitor activity was associated with peptide and carbohydrate components extracted from conidia and with peptides removed from conidia by repeated washing. The accumulation in mesocotyl tissue of deoxyanthocyanidin phytoalexins occurred linearly over time in response to a single elicitor concentration and the amount of deoxyanthocyanidins that accumulated also increased linearly in response to increasing concentrations of crude elicitor preparations. Elicitor activity was highly specific for sorghum in that crude preparations did not elicit a visible response from nine other plant species. Neither wounding by cutting nor gentle abrasion of the sorghum tissue was sufficient to elicit the accumulation of the deoxyanthocyanidin phytoalexins.
Development of micro-electro-mechanical optical scanner

Rockwell is working on the development of a micro-electromechanical optical scanner based on bimorph microactuators. This scanner is lightweight, is small, and has superior scanning performance. The scanner is a low-power (<1 W) device that has large scan angles (?20 deg) and scan rates in the range of 100 to 2000 Hz. It works for all wavelengths and offers the potential for monolithic integration with both electronics and optics for on-chip signal processing and control. The optical scanner consists of two main components—actuator and mirror— which are fabricated on a silicon cantilever beam. The actuator is comprised of a bimorph layer covered with two metal layers, which function as top and bottom electrodes. The mirror can be as large as 12 mm2 in area, is placed at the end of the cantilever beam, and is designed for maximum optical flatness. The optical efficiency of the device is very high and can exceed 90% on proper metallization of the mirror area. The scan angle is a function of beam thickness, power efficiency of the bimorph, and many other design criteria. Through many improvements in these design parameters, a scan angle greater than 20 deg is expected to be achieved with high yield.
MEMS Particulate Matter (PM) monitor for cellular deployment

In this work, we present designs, modeling as well as initial results from ongoing fabrication of a novel, portable MEMS Particulate Matter (PM) monitor. The PM monitor uses an air-based microfluidic circuit to select the particles of interest based on their size, and then deposit them onto the surface of a temperature-compensated Film-Bulk Acoustic Resonator (FBAR). The relative change in the resonance frequency of the FBAR provides an indication of the mass of the particles that are deposited on its surface, and correspondingly of the PM concentration in the surrounding air. Our device measures 40 mm × 25 mm × 12 mm, and is 1 – 2 orders of magnitude smaller than commercially available PM monitors. The use of microfabricated components allowed us to reduce the size of the device by an order of magnitude from our previously developed prototype, while at the same time increasing its sensitivity. Combined with a location-aware cellphone, this technology will allow collection of personal PM exposure data.
Investigation of Superconducting Niobium Cavities at S-Band

This paper describes the investigation of superconducting Nb cavities at S-band frequencies. The TE011 and TM011 cavities were machined by Varian Associates from solid billets of electron-beam-melted niobium and chemically polished to remove all work-damaged material. At low power levels, the TE011 cavity had a measured Qo(4.2°K) ? 324 × 106 and a residual Qres ? 6.97 × 109, whereas the TM011 cavity had a Qo(4.2°K) ? 89 × 106 and a residual Qres ? 425 × 106 . These results correspond to a surface resistance of R(4.2°K)/f2 = 0.29 ??/GHz2. High level measurements were limited at a critical RF field Hacc = 15.5 G in the TM011 mode and Hacc = 290 G in the TE011 mode.
Conjugation symmetry in linear electromagnetism in extension of materials with negative real permittivity and permeability scalars

If all space is occupied by a linear bianisotropic material—whether homogeneous or not—then the concurrent replacements of the permittivity and the impermeability tensors by the negatives of their respective complex conjugates and of the magneto-electric tensors by their respective complex conjugates (in the Boys–Post representation) imply the conjugation of both E and H, in the absence of externally impressed sources. This conjugation symmetry in linear electromagnetism has observable consequences when the linear bianisotropic material occupies a bounded region. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 40: 160–161, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11315
The effect of decision style on the use of a project management tool: an empirical laboratory study

Managing a software development project presents many difficulties. Most software development projects are considered less than successful, and many are simply cancelled. Ineffective project management has been cited as a major factor contributing to these failures. Project management tools can greatly assist managers in tracking and controlling their projects. However, their structured and analytical nature does not necessarily match the decision-making styles of project managers.This paper presents the results of an empirical laboratory study that examined the influence of decision style on a project manager's use of the project management tool, Microsoft Project. Project managers from eight companies participated in the study, and generated an interesting pattern indicating that significant differences exist with respect to the use made of a project management tool when the project manager's decision style is taken into consideration. The results clearly indicate that when completing certain tasks, such as developing an initial project plan, project managers preferring a more directive or analytical approach to decision making significantly outperformed those project managers preferring a more conceptual or behavioral approach, both in regard to the time taken to complete the plan, and the accuracy of the plan.
A Thin-Plate Spline Calibration Model For Fingerprint Sensor Interoperability

Biometric sensor interoperability refers to the ability of a system to compensate for the variability introduced in the biometric data of an individual due to the deployment of different sensors. Poor intersensor performance has been reported in different biometric domains including fingerprint, face, iris, and speech. In the context of fingerprint technology, variations are observed in the acquired images of a fingerprint due to differences in sensor resolution, scanning area, sensing technology, etc., which subsequently impact the feature set extracted from these images. The inability of a fingerprint matcher to compensate for these variations introduced by different sensors results in inferior intersensor matching performance. In this work, a nonlinear calibration scheme based on the Thin- Plate Spline (TPS) model is used to register a pair of fingerprint sensors. The proposed calibration technique relies on the evidence of a few image pairs acquired using the two sensors to generate an average deformation model that defines the spatial relationship between the two sensors. This assists in the systematic perturbation of images/features pertaining to one sensor in order to make them compatible with images/features originating from the other sensor. Experimental results using multiple fingerprint data sets confirm the efficacy of the proposed method in addressing intersensor geometric variations.
System Identification via Artificial Neural Networks:Applications to On-line Aircraft Parameter Estimation*

In this report, the neural identification problem is outlined and the identifiability question for a general class of recurrent neural networks is addressed. As part of the intelligent flight control concept program, recurrent second-order neural networks are utilized in order to continuously identify critical stability and control parameters during flight. Our group at Washington University participated in Phase II, the online learning, with neural networks that learn new information during flight. In particular, a recurrent second-order neural network architecture with a robust filtered error learning algorithm was utilized to identify the dynamics of an F-15 aircraft. While the emphasis of our work has been on the development and implementation of online neural network estimators, we shall also include results with and without the baseline network. Several examples including in-flight situations are presented and the effectiveness of the recurrent high-order neural networks is illustrated.
An Improved Visual Cryptography Scheme for Secret Hiding

Visual cryptography is based on cryptography where n images are encoded in a way that only the human visual system can decrypt the hidden message without any cryptographic computations when all shares are stacked together. This paper presents an improved algorithm based on Chang's and Yu visual cryptography scheme for hiding a colored image into multiple colored cover images. This scheme achieves lossless recovery and reduces the noise in the cover images without adding any computational complexity
The use of plastic cover sheaths at the time of artificial insemination improved fertility of lactating dairy cows

An adequate and clean artificial insemination (AI) technique is recommended to improve reproductive outcomes in dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using protective plastic sheaths (PS) to minimize contamination of the AI catheter (AIC) on pregnancies per AI (PAI) in lactating dairy cattle. Lactating cows housed in freestall barns on a commercial dairy farm were presynchronized with 2 injections of PGF(2α) given 14 d apart (starting at 26±3 d postpartum) followed by Ovsynch (GnRH-7 d-PGF(2α)-56 h-GnRH-16 h-timed-AI; TAI) 12 d later. Cows presenting signs of standing heat any time during the protocol received AI, whereas the remaining animals were subjected to TAI 16h after second Ovsynch GnRH. At the time of AI (1 AI technician), 996 services from 773 lactating dairy cows were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 groups; with (TRT, n=487) or without (CON, n=509) the use of disposable PS. In the TRT group, the AIC protected with a PS was introduced into the vagina; once in the cranial portion of the vagina adjacent to the cervical os, the PS was pulled back and only the AIC was manipulated through the cervix into the uterine body for semen deposition. In the CON group, cows were inseminated without the use of PS. Samples were taken with a sterile cotton swab from the tip of the AIC (n=51) after AI from both treatment groups. Pregnancy diagnosis was determined by ultrasonography 39±3 d after AI. Cultured swab samples revealed that the use of PS was effective in minimizing contamination of the AIC (positive bacterial growth: TRT=61.53% vs. CON=100%). Overall, the proportion of cows pregnant was greater for cows in TRT (42.7) compared with the CON group (36.1). For first services postpartum, PAI did not differ between CON (43.01%, n=194) and TRT (43.8%, n=182) groups. However, PAI for second or greater services were greater in TRT (43.8%, n=305) than in CON cows (32.3%, n=315). Results from this study provided evidence that the use of PS during AI improved PAI for second or greater services in lactating dairy cows. Performing a clean AI technique through the use of PS may be an effective strategy to improve reproductive outcomes in dairy cattle.
Human immunodeficiency virus 1 protease inhibitors in clinical practice: predictors of virological outcome.

Objectives To ascertain whether prolonged suppression of viral replication can be achieved in clinical practice and to identify factors associated with virological outcome. Design Retrospective observational study. Setting University-affiliated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. Participants Patients treated with regimens that included protease inhibitors between June 1995 and December 1997. We identified 366 patients; 310 had sufficient virological follow-up data to be included. Main Outcome Measure Virological success was defined as plasma HIV-RNA levels lower than 400 copies/mL at the last clinic visit. Virological failure was subdivided according to the maximum degree of suppression of viral replication achieved. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify baseline factors associated with virological outcome. Results Virological success was achieved by 47% of patients at a median follow-up of 335 days. The median CD4+cell count increase and HIV-RNA level decrease were 0.10×109/L (100 cells/µL) and greater than 1.3 log10in patients who achieved virological success, and 0.010×109/L and 0.32 log10for those who did not. In multivariate analysis the likelihood of virological success was diminished in women (P Conclusions More than half the patients who started a regimen that included protease inhibitors in an academic clinical practice failed to achieve durable suppression of viral replication and also experienced a poorer immunologic outcome as determined by CD4+cell count increase. Missed clinic visits, more advanced disease, and higher plasma HIV-RNA levels may predict failure.
Role of Nitric Oxide in Modulating the Long-term Renal and Hypertensive Actions of Norepinephrine

We have previously reported that nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in protecting the renal vasculature from acute norepinephrine-induced vasoconstriction. The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of this interaction between NO and norepinephrine in long-term control of renal hemodynamics and arterial pressure. To achieve this goal, we examined the effects of an intrarenal infusion of norepinephrine (NE) (0.1 μg·kg −1 ·min −1 ) for 7 days in conscious, chronically instrumented control dogs and in dogs pretreated with a synthesis inhibitor, L-NAME (3 μg·kg −1 ·min −1 intrarenally). Both groups of dogs also received captopril (15 μg·kg −1 ·min −1 ) plus angiotensin II intravenously to clamp the renin-angiotensin system throughout the protocol. In control dogs (n=6), intrarenal infusion of NE decreased renal plasma flow by 9% (134±10 to 122±14 mL/min) and glomerular filtration rate by 16% (49±4 to 41±5 mL/min) while having no effect on mean arterial pressure (100±3 to 98±4 mm Hg). In marked contrast, in dogs pretreated with intrarenal L-NAME (n=9), NE decreased renal plasma flow by 37% (129±8 to 81±16 mL/min) and glomerular filtration rate by 32% (47±3 to 32±5 mL/min) while increasing mean arterial pressure from 104±5 to 113±6 mm Hg. The results of this study demonstrate that NO plays an important role in modulating the long-term actions of NE on renal function and arterial pressure.
Posterior Crlb Based Sensor Selection for Target Tracking in Sensor Networks

The objective in sensor collaboration for target tracking is to dynamically select a subset of sensors over time to optimize tracking performance in terms of mean square error (MSE). In this paper, we apply the Monte Carlo method to compute the expected posterior Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) in a nonlinear, possibly non-Gaussian, dynamic system. The joint recursive one-step-ahead CRLB on the state vector is introduced as the criterion for sensor selection. The proposed approach is validated by simulation results. In the experiments, a particle filter is used to track a single target moving according to a white noise acceleration model through a two-dimensional field where bearing-only sensors are randomly distributed. Simulation results demonstrate the improved tracking performance of the proposed method compared to other existing methods in terms of tracking accuracy.
Modular assembly of dimeric HIV fusion inhibitor peptides with enhanced antiviral potency.

The HIV-1 envelope gp120/gp41 glycoprotein complex plays a critical role in virus-host cell membrane fusion and has been a focus for the development of HIV fusion inhibitors. In this Letter, we present the synthesis of dimers of HIV fusion inhibitor peptides C37H6 and CP32M, which target the trimeric gp41 in the pre-hairpin intermediate state to inhibit membrane fusion. Reactive peptide modules were synthesized using native chemical ligation and then assembled into dimers with varying linker lengths using Cu(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) ‘click’ chemistry. Cell–cell fusion inhibition assays demonstrated that dimers with a (PEG)7 linker showed enhanced antiviral potency over the corresponding monomers. Moreover, the bio-orthogonal nature of the CuAAC ‘click’ reaction provides a practical way to assemble heterodimers of HIV fusion inhibitors. Heterodimers consisting of the T20-sensitive strain inhibitor C37H6 and the T20-resistant strain inhibitor CP32M were produced that may have broader spectrum activities against both T20-sensitive and T20-resistant strains.
How Does the Effort Spent to Hold a Door Affect Verbal Thanks and Reciprocal Help

When someone holds a door for us we often respond with a verbal “thanks.” But given such a trivial favor, our feelings can vary considerably depending on how the door is held. Studies have shown that verbal thanking increases in relation to door-holding effort. However, it is unclear how such a favor can lead to verbal thanks in addition to reciprocal help. We examined how holding a door in an effortful or non-effortful manner relates to verbal thanking and reciprocal helping. We measured: (1) whether participants verbally thanked the experimenter, (2) whether they agreed to help another person by taking a survey, and (3) whether they helped pick up objects (pens) that the door-holder subsequently dropped. Participants in the effortful condition were more likely to offer verbal thanks, to help pick up the pens, and to walk a greater distance to pick them up. Participants who thanked the door-holder, however, were not more likely to provide help.
Projections of future meteorological drought and wet periods in the Amazon

Future intensification of Amazon drought resulting from climate change may cause increased fire activity, tree mortality, and emissions of carbon to the atmosphere across large areas of Amazonia. To provide a basis for addressing these issues, we examine properties of recent and future meteorological droughts in the Amazon in 35 climate models participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5). We find that the CMIP5 climate models, as a group, simulate important properties of historical meteorological droughts in the Amazon. In addition, this group of models reproduces observed relationships between Amazon precipitation and regional sea surface temperature anomalies in the tropical Pacific and the North Atlantic oceans. Assuming the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 scenario for future drivers of climate change, the models project increases in the frequency and geographic extent of meteorological drought in the eastern Amazon, and the opposite in the West. For the region as a whole, the CMIP5 models suggest that the area affected by mild and severe meteorological drought will nearly double and triple, respectively, by 2100. Extremes of wetness are also projected to increase after 2040. Specifically, the frequency of periods of unusual wetness and the area affected by unusual wetness are projected to increase after 2040 in the Amazon as a whole, including in locations where annual mean precipitation is projected to decrease. Our analyses suggest that continued emissions of greenhouse gases will increase the likelihood of extreme events that have been shown to alter and degrade Amazonian forests.