cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Detection of Ionic Solutes by Surfactant-Mediated Adsorption to a Hydrophobic Surface:

Chemical modification of the surfaces of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-active metals with thin molecular layers expands the variety of molecular species that can be attracted to the SERS surface from solution. This approach can provide selective detection of new classes of molecules that would not otherwise be detectable through direct interaction with a SERS-active metal. For example, polycyclic aromatic compounds can be attracted from aqueous solution to gold or silver SERS substrates that are modified with alkylsilanes or alkanethiols. While n-alkane monolayers attract hydrophobic solutes to a SERS-active surface, they are not well suited to adsorbing more water-soluble, ionized species from solution. In this work, we address SERS detection of ionic solutes by applying the principles of ion-interaction chromatography, where a charged surfactant is added to solution and adsorbs to an n-alkane-modified, SERS-active surface. The adsorbed charged surfactant serves to attract an ionic solute of opposite charge to the surface, where it can be detected. This concept was tested with a model anionic solute, 3-nitrobenzenesulfonate (NBS?), with a cationic surfactant, cetylpyridinium (CP+), that adsorbs to a 1-dodecanethiol (C12)-modified silver surface. The interfacial populations of both the surfactant and anionic solute can be determined simultaneously from SERS spectra. The adsorption equilibrium of CP+ to the C12 surface was fit to a Langmuir model, and the effect of supporting electrolyte on its adsorption equilibria was also investigated by SERS. The retention of NBS? at the C12 surface depends on the concentration of CP+. The binding of NBS? to adsorbed CP+ is described by an ion-interaction model that includes competition for the NBS? population due to association with surfactant ions in solution. While the strength of this binding interaction is not as great as the hydrophobic interactions that drive aromatic hydrocarbons to hydrophobic SERS surfaces, SERS detection of analyte ions by this approach could be accomplished at concentrations two orders of magnitude lower compared with Raman detection in free solution.
Local solvent acidities in β-cyclodextrin complexes with PRODAN derivatives.

The local solvent acidities (SA scale) of six 6-carbonyl-2-aminonaphthalene derivatives as β-cyclodextrin complexes in water are determined through fluorescence quenching. The local polarities (ETN scale) are determined through the shift of the emission center-of-mass. The apparent SA values reflect the solvent structure surrounding the guest’s carbonyl group, whereas the apparent ETN values reveal the net polarity of the entire guest molecule. Comparison of these values affords greater insight into the structures of the host–guest complexes. Derivatives 1 and 5 show unusually large acidities, indicative of highly exposed carbonyl groups. The remaining compounds give emission intensities pointing to shielded carbonyl groups. In this study, PRODAN and its derivatives are functioning as dual channel sensors of their local environment.
The effect of diaphragmatic stressors on recurrent hiatal hernia

Hiatal disruption is one of the common mechanisms of failure after Nissen fundoplication. We investigated the correlation between various diaphragm stressors and disruption of the diaphragmatic closure. Thirty-seven patients with a hiatal hernia recurrence of 2 cm or greater, as proven by esophagram, endoscopy, or operative findings, were included. A retrospective analysis was conducted utilizing a standardized diaphragm stressor questionnaire for the study group and a control group of 50 patients without hiatal hernia recurrence. Logistic regression was used to determine the significant predictors of hiatal hernia recurrence. Three predictors emerged in the final model: weight lifting (P < 0.0174), vomiting (P < 0.0313) and hiccoughing (P < 0.2472). Of these, only vomiting and weight lifting were significant. The odds ratio for weight lifting is OR = 3.662 (95% CI: 1.256-10.676), and for vomiting it is OR = 4.938 (95% CI: 1.154-21.126). Vomiting or heavy weight lifting is a significant predictor of hiatal hernia recurrence.
Predictors of mortality in patients with delirium tremens.

Objectives: The objectives were to identify factors that may help predict mortality for patients with delirium tremens (DT). Methods: The authors conducted a 1:1 gender- and age-matched case–control study of patients hospitalized for DT. Using McNemar chi-square tests and conditional logistic regression (CLR), risk factors for death, including demographics, location of diagnosis, vital sign derangements, treatment methods, and comorbid conditions, were evaluated. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported. Results: Thirty-five patients with DT died between January 2000 and June 2006. The majority (31; 88.6%) were male with a mean (±standard deviation [SD]) age of 51.7 (±7.6) years. Hyperthermia in the first 24 hours of DT diagnosis (OR = 10.0, 95% CI = 2.3 to 42.7), persistent tachycardia (OR = 24.0, 95% CI = 3.3 to 177.4), and use of restraints (OR = 7.50, 95% CI = 1.7 to 32.8) were associated with increased mortality by univariate analysis, while an emergency department (ED) diagnosis of DT (OR = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.05 to 0.6) and use of clonidine (OR = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.01 to 0.78) were associated with decreased mortality. In the CLR model, restraint use and hyperthermia were the only variables that remained significant (OR = 5.8, 95% CI = 1.0 to 32.2; and OR = 6.1, 95% CI = 1.2 to 30.4, respectively). Conclusions: The use of restraints and hyperthermia is associated with increased odds of death for patients with DT. This study highlights the need for further research into modifiable factors influencing mortality from DT.
Investigation of Sorption Behavior between Pyrene and Colloidal Organic Carbon from Activated Sludge Processes

The sorption behavior of pyrene for different size fractions of colloidal organic carbon (COC) originating from two biological wastewater treatment facilities (a full-scale activated sludge system (FSAS) and a membrane bioreactor (MBR)) was investigated by fluorescence quenching. Fluorescence lifetime measurements demonstrated a dynamic quenching component in all samples, including the colloidal-free filtrates. COC sorption coefficients (Kcoc) for pyrene ranged from <1 x 10(3) L/kgcoc to 80 x 10(3) L/kgcoc and were comparable to values obtained in the literature for natural organic matter. Both linear and nonlinear behaviors were observed in the Freundlich-described converted isotherms (n = 0.89-2.1). The aromatic content of COC was quantified by the molar extinction coefficient at 280 nm (e280). Good correlations were observed between COC-pyrene sorption coefficients and e280 coefficients, suggesting that e280 may be a useful tool for predicting colloidal transport of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) from activated sludge systems. The removal of COC from treated effluents may appreciably reduce the concentrations of HOCs discharged to receiving streams.
Refractive Deviation Errors of Interferograms

The effect of refractive deviation on interferograms of cylindrical and planar disturbances has been investigated analytically by a ray-tracing method. The results indicate that the effects are additive and consist of three physically separable types: (1) deviation in the disturbance only; (2) deviation caused by misfocusing, or separation of the observation plane from the disturbance; and (3) deviation of rays by passage through optically dense thick plates, such as windows. For most applications, the thick-window effect is negligible, especially when strongly deviated rays are excluded by the optical aperture. Applicable equations for typical experimental arrangements are given so the investigator can anticipate errors likely to be caused by deviation. Finally, careful focusing of the observation plane is recommended, both to decrease the additional path of deviated rays, and to prevent image blurring from a light source of finite size.
Influence of space charge on the scale-up of multiplexed electrosprays

The effect of the space charge of the homopolarly charged droplets in a system of multiplexed electrosprays is investigated. The system consists of a microfabricated liquid distributor with multiple electrospray sources held at a high voltage, a nearby extractor electrode plate held at an intermediate voltage, and a grounded electrode further downstream. The system is very compact, with a spatial density as large as 250 sources/cm 2 . Experimentally, we observed that the system performance was limited by the occurrence of path reversal of the satellite droplets, accumulating on the extractor electrode, flooding it and ultimately causing the electrospray to cease operation. To prevent this phenomenon, hereafter referred to as satellite trapping, and “sweep” the satellites downstream, the driving field between the extractor electrode and the ground must be increased. The system behavior was modeled by a simple line-of-charge approximation, which was validated by a more detailed Lagrangian model and by experiments on an individual electrospray. Subsequently, the line-of-charge model was extended to the multiplexed system yielding a satisfactory comparison between the computed minimum driving field that is necessary to prevent satellite path reversal and experimental values. Additional analytical approximations of the multilines-of-charge model yielded a scaling law showing the dependence of the space charge on: (i) the primary droplet residence time, (ii) the current emitted per unit area, and (iii) a dimensionless parameter, , that is the ratio of the distance between the extractor electrode and the ground electrode to the distance between neighboring nozzles. As a result, guidelines for the design of multiplexed electrosprays are established on a fundamental basis, without the need for costly and empirical microfabrication prototyping. 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Simulation of Water and Energy Fluxes in an Old-Growth Seasonal Temperate Rain Forest Using the Simultaneous Heat and Water (SHAW) Model

In the Pacific Northwest (PNW), concern about the impacts of climate and land cover change on water resources and flood-generating processes emphasizes the need for a mechanistic understanding of the interactions between forest canopies and hydrologic processes. Detailed measurements during the 1999 and 2000 hydrologic years were used to modify the Simultaneous Heat and Water (SHAW) model for application in forested systems. Major changes to the model include improved representation of rainfall interception and stomatal conductance dynamics. The model was developed for the 1999 hydrologic year and tested for the 2000 hydrologic year without modification of the site parameters. The model effectively simulated throughfall, soil water content profiles, and shallow soil temperatures for both years. The largest discrepancies between soil moisture and temperature were observed during periods of discontinuous snow cover due to spatial variability that was not explicitly simulated by the model. Soil warming at bare locations was delayed until most of the snow cover ablated because of the large heat sink associated with the residual snow patches. During the summer, simulated transpiration decreased from a maximum monthly mean of 2.2 mm day21 in July to 1.3 mm day21 in September as a result of decreasing soil moisture and declining net radiation. The results indicate that a relatively simple representation of the vegetation canopy can accurately simulate seasonal hydrologic fluxes in this environment, except during periods of discontinuous snow cover.
On Thinking about History as Social Psychology

Several theoretical problems in social psychology have been resilient to correction or resolution as illustrated in the case of sex-role research. This article proposes that these problems require modifications in our metatheoretical bases. Although alternative metatheories have been postulated by numerous social psychologists, the development of methodology and of viable research programs remains. It is suggested that historiography may inform the social psychologist on these matters.
The Joint Contribution of Early Parental Warmth, Communication and Tracking, and Early Child Conduct Problems on Monitoring in Late Childhood

The relationship of parental warmth, communication, and tracking (WCT), and child conduct problems in early elementary school (age 5.5 years) to monitoring in late elementary school (age 9.5 years) was longitudinally examined in a sample of 267 boys and girls. WCT in kindergarten was associated with lower kindergarten levels and less growth of conduct problems into the first grade, and was prospectively associated with effective monitoring in the third and fourth grades. Overt and covert conduct problems in kindergarten and growth in covert problems during kindergarten and first grade were associated with less effective later monitoring. Early conduct problems mediated the prospective association of WCT on later monitoring. The results are described in a transactional model of parent-child relationships and child problem behavior.
Enabling hierarchical dissemination of streams in content distribution networks

In streaming systems the content distribution network routes streams based on interests registered by the consuming entities. In hierarchical streaming, the dissemination is also predicated on the resolution of hierarchical dependencies between various streams. Entities specify explicit wildcards, in addition to the implicit ones in place, to further control the types of streams within a given hierarchy that should be routed to them. This paper presents an analysis and performance evaluation of three different algorithms for hierarchical streaming. In our evaluation of these algorithms we are especially interested in three factors: performance, ability to cope with flux, and memory consumption. Comprehensive benchmarks for these algorithms, in this paper, will enable system designers to harness the best algorithm that satisfies their hierarchical streaming requirements. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Concept Selection Using s-Pareto Frontiers

We introduce the notion of s-Pareto optimality and show how it can be used to improve concept selection in engineering design. Specie c design alternatives are classie ed as s-Pareto optimal when there are no other alternatives from the same or any other general design concept that exhibit improvement in all design objectives. Further, we say that the set of s-Pareto design alternatives comprises the s-Pareto frontier. Under the proposed approach the s-Pareto frontier plays a paramount role in the concept selection process, as it is used to dee ne and classify concept dominance. Thes-Pareto frontier-based concept selection method can becharacterized as onethat capitalizes on the benee ts of computational optimization during the conceptual phase of design, before a general design concept has been chosen. An introduction to s-Pareto optimality and a method for generating s-Pareto frontiersaredeveloped.Anapproachforusing s-Paretofrontierstoperformconceptselectionisalsopresented.The methods proposed can effectively aid in the elimination of dominated design concepts, keep competitive concepts, and ultimately choose a specie cdesign alternative from theselected design concept. A truss design problem is used to illustrate the usefulness of the method. Nomenclature g = vector of inequality constraints h = vector of equality constraints J = aggregate objective function mi = number of points along Ni Ni = ith vector dee ning the utopia plane n = number of design objectives nx = number of design variables T k = relaxation/slack variable for concept k X P = generic point on the utopia plane x = vector of design variables ± = increment by which feasible space is reduced π = vector of design objectives (or design metrics) π i¤ = ith anchor point π ¤k = optimum design objective value for concept k π si¤ = s-anchor point for the ith objective
Measuring a Community-Based Mental Health Organization's Culture and Climate Scores Stability

This project builds on the work of Glisson et al. (2008) and the knowledge learned from community-based mental health organizations' internal structures (e.g., culture and climate), which possibly impede the implantation and adoption of new technologies. The Organizational Social Context (OSC) Model measurement system is guided by a model of social context that composes both organizational and individual level constructs, including individual and shared perceptions that are believed to mediate the impact of the organization on the individual. Although the OSC has been developed and validated over time, the literature does not provide guidance on test–retest reliability of the scale.
Biomarker for breast cancer chemoprevention: Antimalignin antibody

Recognin M has been isolated from MCF-7 malignant mammary cells. It is a 10 kD cancer polypeptide antigen rich in glutamic and aspartic acids related to malignin isolated from glial brain tumors (Glu13, Asp9, His2). An IgM auto-antibody against Recognin M, antimalignin, has been isolated from human serum, produced both as a mouse monoclonal antibody and in human form by challenge of human lymphocytes with the antigen in vitro. It has been isolated from malignant cells obtained at surgery and autopsy by elution and immunoabsorption to its immobilized purified antigen. Antimalignin antibody is cytotoxic to malignant cells in vitro in concentrations of picograms/cell. In a 20-year study involving several hundred physicians and three independent laboratories in the U.S., and three hospitals and one laboratory in the U.K., we have found that the concentration of antimalignin in serum, in μg/ml, (1) of normal healthy non-tumor-bearing humans increases moderately each decade between the third and the seventh, as the risk of cancer increases (p < 0.001; N = 1972), (2) increases earlier and more markedly in as yet apparently unaffected members of high-risk cancer families (p < 0.001; N = 1106), and (3) is markedly increased in concentration in human serum within weeks of the occurrence of malignant transformation and returns to normal within 3 months of successful treatment (p < 0.001; false positive and false negatives < 5% on first determination, < 1% on repeat determination; N = 600). Quantitative determination of serum antimalignin antibody is therefore of interest for use as a noninvasive biomarker to indicate successful results in breast cancer chemoprevention trials. In addition, purified antimalignin antibody (MTAG), due to its demonstrated specificity in fluorescent and other chromogen staining of cell membranes with exposed malignin epitopes, is applicable for use alone or as part of a battery of pre-dysplasia or dysplasia-based surrogate endpoint biomarkers in both individual and computerized cytometry.
Theory of mind broad and narrow: Reasoning about social exchange engages ToM areas, precautionary reasoning does not

Baron-Cohen (1995) proposed that the theory of mind (ToM) inference system evolved to promote strategic social interaction. Social exchange--a form of co-operation for mutual benefit--involves strategic social interaction and requires ToM inferences about the contents of other individuals' mental states, especially their desires, goals, and intentions. There are behavioral and neuropsychological dissociations between reasoning about social exchange and reasoning about equivalent problems tapping other, more general content domains. It has therefore been proposed that social exchange behavior is regulated by social contract algorithms: a domain-specific inference system that is functionally specialized for reasoning about social exchange. We report an fMRI study using the Wason selection task that provides further support for this hypothesis. Precautionary rules share so many properties with social exchange rules--they are conditional, deontic, and involve subjective utilities--that most reasoning theories claim they are processed by the same neurocomputational machinery. Nevertheless, neuroimaging shows that reasoning about social exchange activates brain areas not activated by reasoning about precautionary rules, and vice versa. As predicted, neural correlates of ToM (anterior and posterior temporal cortex) were activated when subjects interpreted social exchange rules, but not precautionary rules (where ToM inferences are unnecessary). We argue that the interaction between ToM and social contract algorithms can be reciprocal: social contract algorithms requires ToM inferences, but their functional logic also allows ToM inferences to be made. By considering interactions between ToM in the narrower sense (belief-desire reasoning) and all the social inference systems that create the logic of human social interaction--ones that enable as well as use inferences about the content of mental states--a broader conception of ToM may emerge: a computational model embodying a Theory of Human Nature (ToHN).
Current Status and Variability of In-Service Truck Tire Pressures in Texas

Truck tire pressure is closely related to tire-pavement contact pressure and could be an easy index representing the tire-pavement contact pressure level. To characterize in-service truck tire pressures and truck configurations on Texas highways, a truck survey was conducted on major Texas trucking routes. The survey data demonstrate a significant increase in in-service truck tire pressures in the state of Texas. Analysis of the collected tire-pressure data showed that factors such as axle weight, tire temperature, geographic area, highway class, traveled distance, and axle type are related to the in-service tire-pressure values. In a survey study, a factorial experiment design and a stratified sampling design were used. Analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, and t-tests were used for comparisons of truck tire-pressure data. Laboratory experiments and linear regression were used to identify relationships between the parameters of tire pressure and tire temperature. The survey results for in-service...
Dual-Tone Patterned Mesoporous Silicate Films Templated From Chemically Amplified Block Copolymers

Directly patterned mesoporous silicate films are prepared using positive- and negative-tone strategies by performing phase selective silica condensation within lithographically exposed poly(styrene-b-tert-butyl acrylate) (PS-b-PtbA) templates containing photoacid generators. The use of supercritical fluid as a process medium enables rapid diffusion of the silicate precursor within the prepatterned block copolymer template film without disrupting its morphology. Template exposure through the mask triggers area selective generation of acid, which in turn both deprotects the poly(tert-butyl acrylate) block to yield a poly(acrylic acid) block and provides a catalyst for silica precursor condensation yielding pattern formation at the device level. Because the acid generated in the UV exposed field preferentially segregates into hydrophilic poly(acrylic acid) domains of the phase segregated, deprotected block copolymer, precursor condensation is simultaneously controlled at nanoscopic length scales via templating by the underlying block copolymer morphology. The ability of PS-b-PtbA to undergo chemical transformation in two stages, deprotection followed by crosslinking, enables precise replications of the photomask in positive and negative tones. Detemplating via calcination yields patterned mesoporous silicate films without etching. Template formulations are optimized using infrared spectroscopic studies and the silicate films are characterized using electron microscopy and scanning force microscopy.
Brain Electrical Activity: An Introduction to EEG Recording

The ability to generate electrical activity is a common if not ubiquitous property of living tissue. The electrical activity produced by the heart and recorded in the electrocardiogram (ECG) and the electrical activity generated by muscles and recorded in the electromyogram (EMG) are familiar examples. Less well known is the fact that skin, stomach, and gut also produce electrical activity. Electrical activity has even been observed in plants. In view of this knowledge, it is not surprising that the brain should also generate electrical activity.
Architecture and Abstractions for Environment and Traffic Aware System-Level Coordination of Wireless Networks: The Downlink Case

Two ways to substantially enhance wireless broadband capacity are full frequency reuse and smaller cells, both of which result in operational regimes that are highly dynamic and interference limited. This paper presents a system-level approach to interference management, that has reasonable backhaul communication and computation requirements. The basis for the approach is clustering and aggregation of measurements of the spatial diversity in sensitivity to interference associated with average user populations. This enables the system to exchange information and optimize coordinated transmission schedules using only coarse grained data. The paper explores various ways of optimizing such schedules: from a static, decoupled version to a dynamic version capturing user-level scheduling, fluctuating loads and inter-cell interference that couples base stations' performance. Based on extensive system-level simulations, we demonstrate reductions in file transfer delay ranging from 20-80%, from light to heavy loads, as compared to a simple baseline not unlike those in the field today. This improvement is achieved while providing more uniform coverage, and reducing base station power consumption by up to 45%.
Optical properties of III nitrides grown by reactive MBE

Properties of GaN and GaN/AlGaN structures deposited by reactive MBE where the reactive nitrogen source is provided by thermal disassociation of ammonia on the substrate surface. Bulk GaN layers with excellent excitonic transitions on sapphire, GaN buffer layers deposited by MOCVD, and ZnO substrates have been obtained. So have the GaN/AlGaN separate confinement heterostructures exhibiting optical pumping threshold powers of under 90 kW/cm/sup 2/ diode along with DH AlGaN/GaN LEDs. Recently, pin diode UV detectors exhibiting what appears to be excitonic response at room temperature with a sensitivity of about 0.1 A/W near the band edge have been obtained.
The unexpectedly positive consequences of confronting sexism

Majority-group members expect to dislike those who confront them for prejudiced behavior. Yet if majority-group members are susceptible to the same social constraints as minority-group members, then their public responses to confrontation should be similarly inhibited. A tempered response to confrontation could smooth a potentially problematic social interaction, thereby producing an outcome that is better than expected. Female confederates confronted men during an interpersonal interaction and then had a second conversation. When interpersonally confronted, men reported equally positive evaluations of a sexist and gender-neutral confronter and confrontational interaction. Additionally, after the sexist confrontation, men's compensatory efforts increased mutual liking and this mutual liking then reduced men's use of sexist language. Thus, social forces also constrain those who are confronted as prejudiced, thereby positively influencing intergroup relations.
Modification of a School-Based Nutrition Education Curriculum to be Culturally Relevant for Western Pacific Islanders

Abstract This report describes the process of developing cultural adaptations to a nutrition curriculum. Curriculum modifications were initiated by the investigators and then extended by 22 teachers and the school nurse of an elementary school on Guam during a 15-hour in-service session. Investigators modified the curriculum for historical and technological issues while teachers focused on appropriate food substitutions, cultural foodways, and methods of presenting the curriculum. Teachers taught the lessons and provided written and oral evaluations. Effective components of the modified curriculum were the attention to local food and history, emphasis on group learning activities, and cultural sensitivity.
The Cullin-RING Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

The posttranslational addition of ubiquitin (Ub) helps control the half-life, localization, and action of many intracellular plant proteins. A primary function is the degradation of ubiquitylated proteins by the 26S proteasome, which in turn plays important housekeeping and regulatory roles by removing aberrant polypeptides and various normal short-lived regulators. Strikingly, both genetic and genomic studies reveal that Ub conjugation is extraordinarily complex in plants, with more than 1500 Ub-protein ligases (or E3s) possible that could direct the final transfer of the Ub moiety to an equally large number of targets. The cullin-RING ligases (CRLs) are a highly polymorphic E3 collection composed of a cullin backbone onto which binds carriers of activated Ub and a diverse assortment of adaptors that recruit appropriate substrates for ubiquitylation. Here, we review our current understanding of the organization and structure of CRLs in plants and their dynamics, substrates, potential functions, and evolution. The importance of CRLs is exemplified by their ability to serve as sensors of hormones and light; their essential participation in various signaling pathways; their control of the cell cycle, transcription, the stress response, self-incompatibility, and pathogen defense; and their dramatically divergent evolutionary histories in many plant lineages. Given both their organizational complexities and their critical influences, CRLs likely impact most, if not all, aspects of plant biology.
Support for the beam focusing hypothesis in the false killer whale

The odontocete sound production system is complex and composed of tissues, air sacs, and a fatty melon. Previous studies suggested that the emitted sonar beam might be actively focused, narrowing depending on target distance. In this study, we further tested this beam focusing hypothesis in a false killer whale. Using three linear arrays of hydrophones, we recorded the same emitted click at 2, 4 and 7 m distance and calculated the beamwidth, intensity, center frequency, and bandwidth as recorded on each array at every distance. If the whale did not focus her beam, acoustics predicts the intensity would decay with range as a function of spherical spreading and the angular beamwidth would remain constant. On the contrary, our results show that as the distance from the whale to the array increases, the beamwidth is narrower and the received click intensity is higher than that predicted by a spherical spreading function. Each of these measurements is consistent with the animal focusing its beam on a target at a given range. These results support the hypothesis that the false killer whale is "focusing" its sonar beam, producing a narrower and more intense signal than that predicted by spherical spreading.
Urban and Rural Differences in Parental Attitudes About Influenza Vaccination and Vaccine Delivery Models.

Objectives To assess and compare among parents of healthy children in urban and rural areas: (1) reported influenza vaccination status; (2) attitudes regarding influenza vaccination; and (3) attitudes about collaborative models for influenza vaccination delivery involving practices and public health departments. Methods A mail survey to random samples of parents from 2 urban and 2 rural private practices in Colorado from April 2012 to June 2012. Results The response rate was 58% (288/500). In the prior season, 63% of urban and 41% of rural parents reported their child received influenza vaccination (P < .001). No differences in attitudes about influenza infection or vaccination between urban and rural parents were found, with 75% of urban and 73% of rural parents agreeing their child should receive an influenza vaccine every year (P = .71). High proportions reported willingness to participate in a collaborative clinic in a community setting (59% urban, 70% rural, P = .05) or at their child's provider (73% urban, 73% rural, P = .99) with public health department assisting. Fewer (36% urban, 53% rural, P < .01) were likely to go to the public health department if referred by their provider. Rural parents were more willing for their child to receive vaccination outside of their provider's office (70% vs. 55%, P = .01). Conclusions While attitudes regarding influenza vaccination were similar, rural children were much less likely to have received vaccination. Most parents were amenable to collaborative models of influenza vaccination delivery, but rural parents were more comfortable with influenza vaccination outside their provider's office, suggesting that other venues for influenza vaccination in rural settings should be promoted.
SIM spectral characteristics and accuracy analysis

The Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) will perform global astrometry (full sky), local wide-angle (15 degree) and narrow-angle (1 degree) observations to search extra-solar planets, and can calibrate stellar and galactic evolution theories. The astrometric accuracy of the SIM mission depends on spectral characteristics of the optics, detectors and targets. This paper will discuss the photometric throughput of the SIM instrument, and analyze effects of wavefront errors, optical mismatches and control biases as a function of wavelength. The color dependence models of the instrument optics including mirrors, lenses, field-stop and beam-splitter are presented. The performances of different detectors with a variety of coatings are compared. A model of the SIM fringe spectrometer is created. For early and late types of stars, brightness dependency errors are analyzed for different combinations of optics and detectors. Visibility loss due to imperfect optics is investigated in detail. Based on the models of instrument and estimated visibilities, the astrometric accuracies for various kinds of stars are evaluated. It is important to emphasize that not only light sources, mirrors, lenses, field stop and detectors are all wavelength dependent, but also fringe visibility loss, wavefront error, optics control error, etc. are all a function of wavelengths. For the first time the estimate of SIM performance is based on spectral analysis of all factors above, rather than monochromatic approximations of detected fringes, or simply adopted constants. This paper summarizes the astrometric accuracies for a wide range of stars and various combinations of optical design and detector configurations. It has been verified that SIM has astrometric accuracy of about 4 μas for targets with different spectra.
A Strategy for Developing Novel Drugs for the Treatment of Schizophrenia

Antipsychotic drugs currently in use have been developed as antidopaminergic agents; that is, normalization of psychotic symptoms occurs through a reduction in dopaminergic activity, usually by blockade of postsynaptic dopamine receptors. Based on this current understanding of the mechanism of action of antipsychotic drugs, it is suggested that one physiological role of the dopaminergic system is to down-regulate in the face of biological or psychological insult, as a means of maintaining mental stability. An attempt to develop new drugs to improve the efficiency of this down-regulative system as an alternative to conventional drugs that block dopamine receptors is proposed.
Numerical Study of Stiffened Socket Connections for Highway Signs, Traffic Signals, and Luminaire Structures

Sparse fatigue test data was available for gusset stiffener details on through plate socket connections when the AASHTO 2001 specification for signal, sign, and luminaire structures was developed. An effort was carried out to investigate the effect of base plate thickness on various sizes and geometries of gusset stiffener details for through plate socket connections, based on previous research study results at Valmont, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Texas at Austin. Fatigue test results revealed an improved fatigue resistance for socket connections compared to stiffened details. Parametric studies using the finite-element method revealed behavior that tends to contradict current AASHTO specifications. Local stresses were nearly constant after the stiffener reached a 102 mm (4 in.) vertical length. Further, local stresses appear highest for short stiffeners that are currently recognized as Category C details. The study also demonstrated that fatigue investigations and experiments are essential to validate current fatigue categories for such structures.
Group Independent Component Analysis of Multi-subject fMRI Data: Connections and Distinctions between Two Methods

Independent component analysis (ICA) has been successfully applied for single-subject functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) analysis. The extension of ICA for group inferences remains an active research topic. We consider two popular group ICA methods for multi-subject fMRI data: GIFT [1] and tensor PICA [2]. Both models assume statistical independence in the spatial source signals in the brain. The two methods differ in terms of the assumed structure of the group spatio-temporal process. Their estimation and inference procedures are also different and tailored specifically for the assumed model structure. To understand the relative effectiveness of the two methods under various scenarios, we generate multi-subject fMRI data to compare the performance the two methods under varying types of between- subject variability. The simulation results show that both methods have high accuracy when the data were generated from the trilinear model[1]. When the underlying model deviates from the trilinear model, GIFT tends to be more robust than the tensor PICA. We reveal the connection between the two methods by introducing a class of group ICA models. We show that GIFT and tensor PICA are special cases in this class of models when assuming different model structures.
Metabolism of c4 and factor b in rheumatoid arthritis

Metabolic turnover determined by radioiodide labeled C4 and Factor B was studied in 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 19 normal control subjects as a means of estimating the relative ratio of consumption of components in the classical and alternative pathways of complement activation. Predominance of fractional catabolic rate (FCR) of C4 over Factor B was demonstrated with differentially labeled C4 and Factor B. The hypercatabolism occurred in the extravascular space. C4 FCR correlated significantly with rheumatoid factor (RF) determined in a hemolytic assay (rs = 0.72), measured as IgG RF (rs = 0.57), and as IgM RF (rs = 0.45). There were no significant correlations with several other antibodies measured. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that RA is a systemic, extravascular immune complex disease, in which RF immune complexes play a significant pathogenetic role principally via activation of the classical pathway of complement.
Using Functional Behavior Assessment to Match Task Difficulty for a 5th Grade Student: A Case Study.

We used an AB design with a control condition to examine the effects of an academic strategy on a student with a learning disability during a 5th grade math class. During baseline the student had high rates of disruptive behavior, low percentages of intervals of on-task behavior, and low percentages of correct responses. An antecedent-based intervention was developed to target the student's escape-maintained behavior during independent seatwork. The intervention consisted of matching task difficulty with the student's level of performance based on his success in a special education resource room. During intervention the targeted student demonstrated lower rates of disruptive behavior, higher levels of on-task behavior, and higher percentages of correct responses. The student's positive results were compared to his performance in a special education resource room. A discussion on study limitations, implications, and future research directions is included.
Reducing metric sensitivity in randomized trajectory design

This paper addresses the trajectory design for generic problems that involve: (1) complicated global constraints that include nonconvex obstacles, (2) nonlinear equations of motion that involve substantial drift due to momentum, and (3) a high-dimensional state space. Our approach to these challenging problems is to develop randomized planning algorithms based on rapidly-exploring random trees (RRTs). RRTs use metric-induced heuristics to conduct a greedy exploration of the state space; however, performance substantially degrades when the chosen metric does not adequately reflect the true cost-to-go. In this paper, we present a version of the RRT that refines its exploration strategy in the presence of a poor metric. Experiments on problems in vehicle dynamics and spacecraft navigation indicate substantial performance improvement over existing techniques.
Vers Un Procès Civil Transnational. Une Première Réponse Aux Critiques (Towards a Transnational Civil Procedure. A Brief Response to Comments and Criticisms) [French and English]

This paper was delivered at a conference in Paris about the ALI Transnational Civil Procedure Project and was published as a response to the comments and criticisms received in that event. It was published in French, with an English version attached.
Recent advances in flexible and stretchable electronics, sensors and power sources

There has been ongoing keen interest to mold electronic devices into desired shapes and be laid on desired configurable surfaces. In specific, the ability to design materials that can bend, twist, compress and stretch repeatedly, while still able to maintain its full capability as conductors or electrodes, has led to numerous efforts to develop flexible and stretchable (bio)devices that are both technologically challenging and environmentally friendly (e.g. biodegradable). In this review, we highlight several recent significant results that have made impacts toward the field of flexible and stretchable electronics, sensors and power sources.
The Buyout of Amc Entertainment

In July 2004, J.P. Morgan Partners (JPMP), the private equity arm of JPMorgan Chase & Co., was in the midst of formulating the final terms of a public-to-private buyout proposal for AMC Entertainment Inc. (AMCE), a publicly traded movie theater company.
Synthetic Biology R&D Risks: Social–Institutional Contexts Matter!

Factors that shape actual research practices – ‘social and institutional context' – typically are missing from considerations of synthetic biology R&D-related risk and containment. We argue that analyzing context is essential in identifying circumstances that create, amplify, or diminish risk, and in revealing new opportunities for avoiding or managing those risks.
Seven Deadly Sins of Health Care: Part II.

![Figure][1] My last Leadership Page focused on 4 of the “7 deadly sins for public health”—greed, complacency, timidity, and obstinacy—developed by Harvey Fineberg, MD, PhD, during his time as president of the Institute of Medicine [(1)][2]. Where Fineberg had focused on the “sins
Static angle stability analysis of wind power grid system based on PSS/E

With the increasing of installed wind power capacity, the proportion of wind power in the grid is also growing, which requires that wind power system should have a certain degree of stability. With the typical single machine infinite bus system as the ideological basis, the system based on the trend of the limits of static angle stability analysis method used in Zhangjiakou, a regional power grid was proposed. The system simulation and research results show that this method can effectively analyze grid wind power system static angle stability and stability margin.
Analysis of the impact of noise on human health in a dairy enterprise

objective Know some dairy enterprise operation noise damage to workers of the body, for the dairy enterprises to provide basis for prevention and control of occupational diseases and occupational health management work. Methods Of a dairy companies on-site hygiene investigation and monitoring of occupational hazard and homework personnel occupational health examination. Results of investigation object, and high. Young crews hearing loss detection rate comparison, the difference was statistically significant(χ2= 6.47, P 0.05). Conclusion industrial noise on workers health harm is great, suggest that relevant departments of the maximum improvement of the workers' working environment.
Compensation Dispatch Method for Inter Basin Hydropower Reservoir Group

Several models for compensation dispatch method of inter basin reservoirs have been built in this paper,which have considered maximization of water energy use,requirement of the firm power output of hydro electric station group and related loads,then the algorithm of math model is given.At last,the case study on Guangxi power grid shows that this method plays a guiding role in making of operation plan for inter basin reservoir group.
An Ultra High Speed Optoelectronic Multiplexer Bus as an Integral Design Component for a Parallel Computer

As opposed to communication buses that connect a computer to its external environment, this paper proposes a parallel computer architecture that integrates an ultra high speed communication bus as part on the computer's internal data transfer. The architecture proposed has potential application in the class of problems which may be processed using perfect shuffle algorithms. It does however, lend itself to other applications since in effect the ultra high speed serial bus replaces a comprehensive crossbar interconnection switch. An example of the architecture as applied to the Fast Fourier Transform is given, and a method of determining computer design parameters to accomplish the application is also given.
Ferroelectric-Domain-Patterning-Controlled Schottky Junction State in Monolayer MoS 2

We exploit scanning-probe-controlled domain patterning in a ferroelectric top layer to induce nonvolatile modulation of the conduction characteristic of monolayer ${\mathrm{MoS}}_{2}$ between a transistor and a junction state. In the presence of a domain wall, ${\mathrm{MoS}}_{2}$ exhibits rectified $I\text{\ensuremath{-}}V$ characteristics that are well described by the thermionic emission model. The induced Schottky barrier height ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}}_{B}^{\text{eff}}$ varies from 0.38 to 0.57 eV and is tunable by a ${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ global back gate, while the tuning range of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}}_{B}^{\text{eff}}$ depends sensitively on the conduction-band-tail trapping states. Our work points to a new route to achieving programmable functionalities in van der Waals materials and sheds light on the critical performance limiting factors in these hybrid systems.