cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Finger Markers and Harmonic Context on Performance of Beginning String Students

This study is an investigation of the effects of finger placement markers (FPMs) and I harmonic context on the left-hand technique, intonation performance skills, and overall musical performance sk...
The variational iteration method for exact solutions of Laplace equation

In this work, we introduce a framework for analytic treatment of Laplace equation with Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions. Exact solutions are developed by using the He's variational iteration method (VIM). The work confirms the power of the method in reducing the size of calculations.
Measurements of mechanical anisotropy in brain tissue and implications for transversely isotropic material models of white matter

Abstract White matter in the brain is structurally anisotropic, consisting largely of bundles of aligned, myelin-sheathed axonal fibers. White matter is believed to be mechanically anisotropic as well. Specifically, transverse isotropy is expected locally, with the plane of isotropy normal to the local mean fiber direction. Suitable material models involve strain energy density functions that depend on the I 4 and I 5 pseudo-invariants of the Cauchy–Green strain tensor to account for the effects of relatively stiff fibers. The pseudo-invariant I 4 is the square of the stretch ratio in the fiber direction; I 5 contains contributions of shear strain in planes parallel to the fiber axis. Most, if not all, published models of white matter depend on I 4 but not on I 5 . Here, we explore the small strain limits of these models in the context of experimental measurements that probe these dependencies. Models in which strain energy depends on I 4 but not I 5 can capture differences in Young's (tensile) moduli, but will not exhibit differences in shear moduli for loading parallel and normal to the mean direction of axons. We show experimentally, using a combination of shear and asymmetric indentation tests, that white matter does exhibit such differences in both tensile and shear moduli. Indentation tests were interpreted through inverse fitting of finite element models in the limit of small strains. Results highlight that: (1) hyperelastic models of transversely isotropic tissues such as white matter should include contributions of both the I 4 and I 5 strain pseudo-invariants; and (2) behavior in the small strain regime can usefully guide the choice and initial parameterization of more general material models of white matter.
Effects of NaCl salinity on miniature dwarf tomato ‘Micro‐Tom’: I. Growth analyses and nutrient composition 1

Abstract The growth and nutrient composition of miniature dwarf tomato selection Lycopersicon esculentum ’Micro‐Tom’ plants grown from seedling to harvest in solution batch culture at four different NaCl salinity levels (2.4 [control, no NaCl], 7.6, 12.8, or 18 dS‐m‐1 solution conductivities) was studied. Specific leaf area and relative growth rate generally decreased with increased NaCl. Shoot‐root, root mass, and leaf area ratios initially increased but later resumed control values. Although reduction in leaf area in response to higher NaCl was noted at 4 weeks, leaf and root dry mass was not significantly reduced until 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, enhanced carbohydrate partitioning toward shoot vegetative growth was observed in the highest NaCl level as reduced harvest index and increased leaf and stem mass ratios. An immediate proportional increase in leaf Na and decrease in Ca occurred with solution NaCl concentration. Although leaf K declined significantly between 4 and 8 weeks, there were no differences ...
The effects of naming style and expertise on program comprehension

The question of whether the use of good naming style in programs improves program comprehension has important implications for both programming practice and theories of program comprehension. Two experiments were done based on Pennington's (Stimulus structures and mental representations in expert comprehension of computer programs, Cognitive Psychology,19, 295-341, 1987) model of programmer comprehension. According to her model, different levels of knowledge, ranging from operational to functional, are extracted during comprehension in a bottom-up fashion. It was hypothesized that poor naming style would affect comprehension of function, but would not affect the other sorts of knowledge. An expertise effect was found, as well as evidence that knowledge of program function is independent of other sorts of knowledge. However, neither novices nor experts exhibited strong evidence of bottom-up comprehension. The results are discussed in terms of emerging theories of program comprehension which include knowledge representation, comprehension strategies, and the effects of ecological factors such as task demands and the role-expressiveness of the language.
High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of ecdysteroid titers in the house fly

Abstract An efficient, rapid and sensitive method has been developed for extraction, clean-up, and analysis of ecdysteroid titers in the larval stage of the house fly. A methanolic extract was filtered, defatted with hexane, and then passed through a C18 reversed-phase Sep-Pak cartridge, which retained the ecdysteroids. Polar interfering materials were removed by eluting the cartridge with water, followed by 5% acetonitrile and 20% methanol. The methanol eluate was used for quantitative analysis of ecdysteroids by high-performance liquid chromatography on a C18 μBondapak reversed-phase column with 16% aqueous acetonitrile. The detection limits for 20-hydroxyecdysone and ecdysone were 10 and 20 ng, respectively.
Design and evaluation of bio-based composites for printed circuit board application

We adopted a new approach focusing on the development of greener materials for the printed circuit boards (PCBs) in this study. The bio-based composites from soybean oil resins, chicken feathers, and E-glass fibers could potentially replace the traditional E-glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites used in PCBs. The flame retardancy of the PCB was achieved by halogen-free melamine polyphosphate and diethylphosphinic salt. The essential properties of the bio-composites/bio-PCB were evaluated, including mechanical properties, electrical properties, thermal properties, flammability, and peel strength. The properties were found promising for PCB application.
Optical networking by DLP-based switched blazed grating

All-optical modules are devices which process and transport optical signals without transforming to electronic signals. They get more attention as the optical communication network becomes more and more complicated. Among them, OADM (optical add drop module) is one of the most important devices in the optical DWDM (dense wavelength division multiplex) network. It plays the role of a node in network to upload/download signals or to route signals for optical performance monitoring. Applied broadly in projection display systems, DLP TM (Digital Light Processing TM ) from Taxes Instruments turns out to be a versatile device for optical signal processing. The working principle of DLP is based on so called switched-blazedgrating. Part of its micro-mirror array can be formed as a dynamic blazed grating with a period of 14 µm by tilting the micro-mirrors at an angle of 12 degrees. It is expected to function as either a switch or an attenuator by directing total or part of the incident light between the 2 nd and –2 nd diffraction orders. In this paper, we investigate the optical characteristics of a switched-blazed-grating, its application as a re-configurable OADM, and the performance of such a device. Ray tracing and optical analysis of the OADM are made by using package software ASAP TM from Breault Research Organization. In conclusion, as a mature and reliable MEMS device, DLP TM -based switched-blazed-grating provides a very versatile platform for digital optical signal processing and can be
Recombinant hepatitis E virus vaccine: a successful Phase II trial in a disease-endemic region

Evaluation of: Shrestha MP, McNair Scott R, Joshi DM et al. Safety and efficacy of a recombinant hepatitis E vaccine. N. Engl. J. Med. 356, 895–903 (2007).A recombinant hepatitis E (rHEV) vaccine was evaluated for safety and efficacy in healthy adults susceptible to HEV infection randomly assigned to receive three doses of vaccine (898 subjects) or placebo (896 subjects). Vaccine efficacy in prevention of clinically overt hepatitis E was 95.5% after dose three until the end of the study (median: 804 days, primary end point of the study) and 85.7% 14 days after dose two until dose three (secondary end point). The proportion of subjects with adverse events (general symptoms and injection site findings) was similar among subjects receiving rHEV vaccine or placebo. The rHEV vaccine was proven safe and highly efficacious in preventing clinically overt hepatitis in a high-risk population.
Corrugated waveguide and directional coupler for CW 250-GHz gyrotron DNP experiments

A 250-GHz corrugated transmission line with a directional coupler for forward and backward power monitoring has been constructed and tested for use with a 25-W continuous-wave gyrotron for dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) experiments. The main corrugated line (22-mm internal diameter, 2.4-m long) connects the gyrotron output to the DNP probe input. The directional coupler, inserted approximately midway, is a four-port crossed waveguide beamsplitter design. Two beamsplitters, a quartz plate and ten-wire array, were tested with output coupling of 2.5% (-16dB) at 250.6 GHz and 1.6% (-18dB), respectively. A pair of mirrors in the DNP probe transferred the gyrotron beam from the 22-mm waveguide to an 8-mm helically corrugated waveguide for transmission through the final 0.58-m distance inside the NMR magnet to the sample. The transmission-line components were all cold tested with a 248/spl plusmn/4-GHz radiometer. A total insertion loss of 0.8 dB was achieved for HE/sub 11/-mode propagation from the gyrotron to the sample with only 1% insertion loss for the 22-mm-diameter waveguide. A clean Gaussian gyrotron beam at the waveguide output and reliable forward power monitoring were achieved for many hours of continuous operation.
Desensibilización sistemática: evidencia empírica y problemática teórica

Investigations on systematic desensitization have pursued two main complementary goals. Some of them sought to test the efficiency of the technique as a whole. From the results we are able to conclude that systematic desensitization is a kind of efficient treatment suitable for a broad set of problems. Other investigations sought to evaluate the load of each element on the efficiency of systematic desensitization as a whole, and it appears that there is only one main and necessary condition, this is, to be exposed to situations generating anxiety. Research undertaken about the elements of systematic desensitization gave rise to some theories about this behavioral therapy that can be clustered in two sets: behavioural theories and cognitive theories.
Developmental problems and interactions between mothers and prematurely born children

This study explored how the developmental status of 49 3-year-old prematurely born children related to the interactions between these children and their mothers. Two 2-hour observations of mother-child interactions, the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) inventory, a developmental assessment, and Nursing Child Assessment Teaching Scale (NCATS) were scored when the child was 3 years corrected age. The effects of specific developmental problems (cognitive, language, and attention) were examined by comparing subgroups with and without these problems. Children with normal IQs spent less time not playing and scored higher on the NCATS than children with low IQs. Mothers of children with normal IQs scored higher on provision of play materials on the HOME. The mothers of children with language concerns interacted less, talked less, were more negative, and scored lower on the HOME and NCATS than mothers of the children with normal language abilities. Children with attention problems were more active than children with normal attention spans. These findings suggest that mother-child interactions might be useful for identifying children at risk for developmental delay and that interventions with preschool children with developmental delays will probably be more effective if their mothers are helped to provide a more appropriate social environment.
Issues in linking information technology capability to firm performance

The resource-based view has been proposed to investigate the impact of information technology (IT) investments on firm performance. Researchers have shown that a firm's ability to effectively leverage its IT investments by developing a strong IT capability can result in improved firm performance. We test the robustness of this approach and examine several related issues. Our results indicate that firms with superior IT capability indeed exhibit superior current and sustained firm performance when compared to average industry performance, even after adjusting for effects of prior firm performance. However, the differences in the results from various analyses suggest that the impact of "halo effects" and prior financial performance of firms must be taken into consideration in future tests of IT capability. Further, it is critical to develop theoretically derived multidimensional measures of IT capability in order to continue to apply the RBV approach to assess the impact of IT investments on firm performance.
Second-order filter response with series-coupled silica microresonators

We have demonstrated an approach for fabricating a photonic filter with second-order response function. The filter consists of two germania-doped silica microtoroidal or microspherical resonators cascaded in series. We use ultraviolet irradiation to tune the mode of one microcavity to bring it close to the mode of the second microcavity. This approach produces a filter function with much sharper rolloff than can be obtained with the individual microresonators.
Navigating the Web with a Typology of Corporate Uses

Many business communication teachers are grappling with ways to use the rich potential of the WorldWide Web. A categorization or typology of sites provides students with a tool to explore the Web systematically and attentively. The typology discussed in this article divides corporate sites into five cate gories depending on purpose: marketplace awareness and promotion, cus tomer support, sales, advertising, and electronic information services. Armed with this typology, students analyze sites as examples of business communica tion. Based on this analysis, they develop a collaborative oral presentation.
Idea density — A potentially informative characteristic of retrieved documents

Idea density, or number of propositions divided by number of words, is a well-known psycholinguistic measurement which can now be estimated reliably by software. Preliminary tests indicate that idea density distinguishes between documents about the same subject written for specialist and nonspecialist audiences, and that it does not correlate with lexical diversity or Flesch-Kincaid readability.
Viscous Sintering on a Rigid Substrate

Two analyses are presented for the sintering kinetics of a porous glass layer on a rigid substrate. The first treatment uses a continuum model, with constitutive equations and the free strain rate derived from an appropriate microstructural model. Predictions are obtained for the sintering kinetics and the magnitude of the tensile stress in the layer. During sintering, shrinkage is not permitted in the plane of the substrate, but the resulting microstructural anisotropy is ignored by the model. A second treatment represents the sintering layer by tubes whose axes are normal to the substrate. The densification kinetics of this model are in reasonable agreement with the results of the continuum model. Therefore, the effects of microstructural anisotropy (pore orientation) are likely to be small, and either model can be used
The Use of Novel Organometallic Sources in Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD)

In metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), the most commonly used sources are the trimethyls of Al, Ga, In, and Sb, and PH3 and ASH3. New organometallic sources are being developed as the understanding of the deposition process improvesand allows for the determination of the effects of source type and growth condition on the properties of the grown films. These new sources are safer and allow for the growth of higher purity materials using more favorable growth conditions. InSb and AlSb prepared using these trimethyl-sources are not of high enough quality to be used in many current device applications. Alternate organometallic Sb sources are being investigated to improve the materials characteristics of InSb grown by MOCVD.InSb grown using trimethylindium (TMIn) and trimethylantimony (TMSb) or triethylantimony (TESb) yielded similar quality materials under similar growth conditions. InSb grown using triethylindium (TEIn) and TESb under similar growth conditions yielded very poor quality n-type material. Three new organometallic Sb sources, triisopropylantimony (TIPSb), tris(dimethylamino)antimony (TDMASb), and tertiarybutyldimethylantimony (TBDMSb) are being investigated. The growth of InSb using TIPSb, TDMASb, or TBDMSb and TMIn was investigated over a temperature range of 350 to 475 °C. InSb grown from TDMASb had similar properties to InSb grown from TMIn and TMSbwhen using a similar temperature and V/III ratio range. The growth rates of InSb using TMIn and either TIPSb or TBDMSb at temperatures <= 425 °C were proportional to both the TMIn flow rate and the temperature. The surface morphology of InSb grown using eitherTIPSb or TBDMSb was very rough for growth temperatures <=425 °C. This may be due to the complex decomposition mechanisms involved and the presence of methyl groups on the surface. The InSb with the highest mobility was grown at 400 °C and a V/III ratioof 3 using TIPSb. It was n-type with a carrier concentration of 2.5 x 1015 cm-3 and a mobility of 78,160 cm2/Vs at 77 K. Both n- and p-type InSb were grown using TBDMSb with mobilities up to 67,530 and 7773 cm2/Vs, respectively at 77 K. The mobility for InSb using either TIPSb or TBDMSb was optimized by going to lower temperatures, pressures and V/III ratios. The opposite was truefor surface morphology which improved with higher temperature, pressure, and V/III ratio. The growth of high mobility InSb with smooth surfaces at T<=425 °C was not achieved with TIPSb or TBDMSb and TMIn under the conditions investigated in this work.
Polarized Absorption Spectra of Green Fluorescent Protein Single Crystals: Transition Dipole Moment Directions†

Polarized absorption spectra of orthorhombic crystals of wild-type green fluorescent protein (GFP) were measured between 350 and 520 nm to obtain information on the directions of the electronic transition dipole moments (m) of the chromophore relative to the molecular axes. The transition dipole moment orientation is a basic spectroscopic parameter of relevance to biologists when interpreting Forster-type fluorescence resonance energy transfer data and for comparing absorbance and fluorescence spectra of GFP with quantum chemical calculations. Maximal extinction was obtained throughout the spectrum when the polarization direction of the electric vector of incident light was parallel to the c-axis of the crystal. The transition dipole moments were assumed to be parallel to the plane of the chromophore. With this assumption and the measured dichroic ratios in the crystals, the transition dipole moments associated with the neutral (λmax = 398 nm) and anionic (λmax = 478 nm) forms of the chromophore were fou...
The Ninth Annual North American Labor History Conference

political, not a social, event. For Furet, "the legacy of the terror poisoned all subsequent revolutionary history." For Schama, the terror was the revolution. It was the source of its energy, and all attempts to write about the revolution as though the terror was incidental to it have failed to understand what the revolution was about. More significant, he proposed that the terror was the first example of modern totalitarianism. Neither Furet nor Schama, then, believe that the legacy of the revolution is modern democracy and republicanism, as reiterated in countless republican histories and celebrated during the revolution's 1889 centennial. Nor do they believe that its legacy lies in the revolution's promise of an egalitarian society, heralded in the long-accepted but now rejected Marxist accounts produced by Georges Lefebvre, Albert Soboul, and Claude Mazauric. As a consequence, labor history played almost no role in these discussions. As Donald Sutherland argued, the old orthodoxy based on class struggle seems to have declined with the collapse of communism. This may be a positive develop ment if it forces us as historians of the working class to reexamine what we mean by democracy and to pay attention to its limitations in most of modern history. It would be a positive development if we heeded Patrice Higonnet's advice and began to consider the work of feminist scholars of the French Revolution, including that published by Joan Landes, Dorinda Outram, and Lynn Hunt. As Higonnet explained, these historians have examined the process by which misogynist redefinitions of masculine and feminine identity denied women access to the "natural" rights extended to men. Unfortunately, Hunt and Higonnet were the only voices for women present in the many sessions on the revolution. And only the Australians, Peter McPhee and Alison Patrick, seemed to think it was necessary to reiterate the idea that the French Revolution had an important impact on the lives of common people.
Characterization of Random Composites Using Moving-Window Technique

Many critical damage phenomena in composite materials, including cracking, are related to local stresses that are linked to local variations in material properties associated with composite microstructure. Relatively little research, however, has been done on the effects of randomness in microstructural configuration on the material behavior of composites. For many engineering applications, it is assumed that small-scale fluctuations in material properties are averaged when evaluating macroscopic behavior. This assumption is generally valid when evaluating quantities such as displacements, average strain, or even average stress, but this approach does not provide any information about local stresses. The analysis of local stresses requires a method of characterizing material properties in terms of material microstructure. This characterization is made more difficult by the inherent randomness in composite microstructure. A methodology is presented whereby the micromechanics model known as the generalized method of cells is used in combination with a moving-window technique to produce material property fields, for elastic and inelastic material properties, associated with the random microstructure of a composite material. In this work, it is assumed that the properties of each constituent of the composite are deterministic and that the fields are the result of randomness in microstructural configuration. Subsequent statistical and probabilistic analysis of these fields will result in a probabilistic description of each property. In this work, the moving-window methodology is applied to a numerically generated micrograph and the real micrograph of a matrix-infiltrated fiber tow.
Analysis of Stress in speech using adaptive Empirical Mode Decomposition

Stress in human speech can be detected by various methods know as Voice Stress Analysis (VSA). The detection is accomplished by measuring the frequency shift of a microtremor normally residing in the frequency range of 8 to 12 Hz when not stressed. Conventional detection methods include Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) or McQuiston-Ford algorithm. This paper presents a new method called Adaptive Empirical Mode Decomposition (AEMD) applied to voice stress detection. Because AEMD in essence is a time-frequency analysis method, it is possible to use this method for real-time voice stress detection.
Using type-extension to organize virtual-memory mechanisms

Much effort is currently being devoted to producing computer systems that are easy to understand, to verify and to develop. The general methodology for designing such a system consists of decomposing it into a structured set of modules so that the modules can be understood, verified and developed individually, and so that the understanding/verification of the system can be derived from the understanding/verification of its modules. While many of the mechanisms in a computer system have been decomposed successfully into a structured set of modules, no technique has been proposed to organize the virtual memory mechanism of a system in such a way.The present paper proposes using type extension for that purpose. The virtaul memory mechanism consists of a set of type manager modules implementing abstract information containers. The structure of the mechanism reflects the structure of the containers that are implemented. While using type extension to organize a virtual memory mechanism is conceptually simple, it is hard to achieve in practice. All existing or proposed uses of type extension assume the existence of information containers that are uniformly accessible, can always be grown and are protected. Using type extension inside a virtual memory mechanism raises implementation problems since such containers are not implemented. Their implementation is precisely the objective of the virtual memory mechanism. In addition to explaining how type extension can be supported inside a virtual memory mechanism, the paper briefly discusses some aspects of its application to the reorganization of the kernal of a commercial, general-purpose, time-sharing system. It concludes by presenting some results of that case study concerning the organization of operating systems.
Dynamic Data Driven Applications Systems: A New Paradigm for Application Simulations and Measurements

Dynamic Data Driven Application Systems (DDDAS) entails the ability to incorporate additional data into an executing application – these data can be archival or collected on-line; and in reverse, the ability of applications to dynamically steer the measurement process. The paradigm offers the promise of improving modeling methods, and augmenting the analysis and prediction capabilities of application simulations and the effectiveness of measurement systems. This presents the potential to transform the way science and engineering are done, and induce a major impact in the way many functions in our society are conducted, such as manufacturing, commerce, hazard management, medicine. Enabling this synergistic feedback and control-loop between application simulations and measurements requires novel application modeling approaches and frameworks, algorithms tolerant to perturbations from dynamic data injection and steering, and systems software to support the dynamic environments of concern here. Recent advances in complex applications, the advent of grid computing and of sensor systems, are some of the technologies that make it timely to embark in developing DDDAS capabilities. Research and development of such technologies requires synergistic multidisciplinary collaboration in the applications, algorithms, software systems, and measurements systems areas, and involving researchers in basic sciences, engineering, and computer sciences. The rest of the papers in the proceedings of this workshop provide examples of ongoing research developing DDDAS technologies within the context of specific and important application areas.
Is OASIS Effective in Predicting Rehospitalization for Home Health Care Elderly Patients

Using the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS), this study examined the feasibility of using OASIS items to identify direct and indirect factors contributing to rehospitalization among el...
Exercise and the immune response

Summary The data presented here document that exercise is associated with changes in immunological activity as assessed by a variety of in vitro assays. In general, these changes appear to be temporally associated with activity and are not persistent. In fact, most alterations are probably secondary to exercise-induced hormonal changes, with resultant effects on the intravascular composition of immunocompetent cells. Thus, changes in lymphocyte trafficking induced by hormonal effects lead to relative and absolute differences in cell numbers, which may be reflected in in vitro functional assays. These data argue against any profound impact of exercise on the immune system, which might impact on overall health. Furthermore, there is little information about exercise decreasing the number of infectious illnesses or diminishing the likelihood of immunologically mediated conditions or malignancies. Nevertheless, these results should not be construed as an argument against the tangible health benefits of exercise. The changes in life-style which often accompany exercise programmes, as well as the documented benefits for cardiovascular health, are reasons enough to support these activities.
Introduction to Diffusion MR

Developments in the last century have led to a better understanding of diffusion, the perpetual mixing of molecules caused by thermal motion. In this chapter, the basic principles governing the diffusion phenomenon and its measurement using magnetic resonance (MR) are reviewed. The concepts of the apparent diffusion coefficient and of the diffusion propagator as well as their MR measurements are introduced from basic principles. Finally, the influence of neural tissue microstructure on the diffusion-weighted MR signal is briefly discussed.
Designing for diverse classrooms: Using iPads and digital cameras to compose eBooks with emergent bilingual/biliterate four-year-olds

This paper reports the findings of a two-year design study exploring instructional conditions supporting emerging, bilingual/biliterate, four-year-olds’ digital composing. With adult support, child...
An induction-based magnetohydrodynamic 3D code for finite magnetic Reynolds number liquid-metal flows in fusion blankets

Abstract Most numerical analysis performed in the past for MHD flows in liquid-metal blankets were based on the assumption of low magnetic Reynolds number and involved numerical codes that utilized electric potential as the main electromagnetic variable. One limitation of this approach is that such codes cannot be applied to truly unsteady processes, for example, MHD flows of liquid-metal breeder/coolant during unsteady events in plasma, such as major plasma disruptions, edge-localized modes and vertical displacements, when changes in plasmas occur at millisecond timescales. Our newly developed code MOONS (Magnetohydrodynamic Object-Oriented Numerical Solver) uses the magnetic field as the main electromagnetic variable to relax the limitations of the low magnetic Reynolds number approximation for more realistic fusion reactor environments. The new code, written in Fortran, implements a 3D finite-difference method and is capable of simulating multi-material domains. The constrained transport method was implemented to evolve the magnetic field in time and assure that the magnetic field remains solenoidal within machine accuracy at every time step. Various verification tests have been performed including purely hydrodynamic flows and MHD flows at low and finite magnetic Reynolds numbers. Test results have demonstrated very good accuracy against known analytic solutions and other numerical data.
Fungi from Spartina Alterniflora in Rhode Island

A survey was made of the fungi associated with Spartina alterniflora in southern Rhode Island. Eighteen Ascomycetes, twelve Deuteromycetes, and two Basidiomycetes were collected, some of which are ...
Transcranial Doppler series part II: performing a transcranial Doppler.

ABSTRACT.Because of its portability, low cost, and quick, noninvasive nature, transcranial Doppler (TCD) has become a widely utilized exam to evaluate the basal cerebral arteries for various disease processes. The test is considered a “blind” and very difficult study by most vascular labs. Neurologists commonly order TCD, so the performance of it is slowly being adopted by neurodiagnostic labs. To perform a quality TCD, the technologist must be extremely skilled. The technologist must know where to place and how to angle the probe in order to insonate the vessels and must be familiar with the TCD equipment. The technologist should also have an understanding of what each vessel's waveform should look like under normal circumstances.
Chronic Pain and Mental Health Disorders: Shared Neural Mechanisms, Epidemiology, and Treatment

Chronic pain and mental health disorders are common in the general population, and epidemiological studies suggest that a bidirectional relationship exists between these 2 conditions. The observations from functional imaging studies suggest that this bidirectional relationship is due in part to shared neural mechanisms. In addition to depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, individuals with chronic pain are at risk of other mental health problems including suicide and cigarette smoking and many have sustained sexual violence. Within the broader biopsychosocial model of pain, the fear-avoidance model explains how behavioral factors affect the temporal course of chronic pain and provides the framework for an array of efficacious behavioral interventions including cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance-based therapies, and multidisciplinary pain rehabilitation. Concomitant pain and mental health disorders often complicate pharmacological management, but several drug classes, including serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and anticonvulsants, have efficacy for both conditions and should be considered first-line treatment agents.
POSITIVELY CHARGED ACCEPTORS WITH (ls)3 AND (ls) 4 CONFIGURATIONS

We show that multiple acceptors in Ge can readily bind an extra hole. Experimental values for the binding energies of the extra hole for the multiple acceptors Be, Mg, Mn, Zn, Hg, and Cu in Ge are compared to model calculations. One such center (Zn+) has been used for the first time as a long-wavelength (λ < 500 μm) photoconductor at T=1.2 K. Using the Zn+ photoconductor in high-resolution spectroscopy, we have discovered that the linear absorption coefficients for shallow acceptor and donor transitions are substantially larger than previously reported, making possible absorption spectroscopy of lightly doped (<10l2 cm−3) samples.
The Role of Creative Awards in the Advertising Industry: A Signaling Perspective

Since advertising may be the only profession where the central figure in the business process is titled a ‘creative’, it is worth asking why creativity is such a prominent feature of the advertising industry. From a consumer behavior perspective, creative commercials are more likely to break through the clutter, increase awareness, and possibly even generate word-of-mouth effects. Creative commercials facilitate unaided recall and this effect persists over an extended period. Therefore, all else being equal, prospective advertisers have an incentive to seek out observably creative advertising agencies. In addition, there is evidence that creative agencies are more successful at retaining their current clients. Finally, the effects of creativity might not be limited just to consumers and advertisers; creative agencies might find it easier to attract and retain creative talent and thus enhance their future creativity.
Analysis of Defective Class II Allostimulation by γ-Interferon-Activated Fibroblasts

γ-Interferon (IFN-γ)-activated human dermal fibroblasts (FBIFN) express HLA class II molecules (1–3) and specifically stimulate the proliferation of some allospecific, CD4-positive T-cell clones (2,3) or antigen-specific, class II-restricted T-cell clones (4,5). However, FBIFN elicit little or no proliferation from naive T cells (2,3), resting, antigen-specific T cells (3,6), or certain T-cell clones (5). It has been proposed that particular T-cell populations may require accessory cell properties distinct from class II expression that cannot be provided by FBIFN alone (3,6), but that can be restored by the addition of a competent accessory cell (7). We used primed lymphocyte techniques to demonstrate specific priming to lymphocyte-activating determinants (LAD) expressed by FBIFN in cultures containing naive T cells, FBIFN, and peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMC) accessory cells. Specific priming to FB LAD was dependent on two factors: allogenicity of the added accessory cells and prior treatment of FB with IFN-γ to induce HLA class II expression. These results suggest that under limited conditions, the HLA class II LAD expressed by FBIFN can be recognized by naive T cells and that priming in this instance is mediated by bystander effects.
Muscle function and fatigability of trunk flexors in males and females.

Optimal function of the abdominal muscles is necessary for several life functions including lifting and carrying tasks. Sex differences in strength and fatigability are established for many limb muscles and back extensor muscles, but it is unknown if sex differences exist for the abdominal muscles despite their functional importance. Eighteen females (24.3 ± 4.8 years) and 15 males (24.1 ± 6.6 years) performed (1) isometric trunk flexion maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) in a range of trunk positions to establish a torque-angle curve and (2) submaximal (50% MVC), intermittent isometric contraction (6 s on, 4 s off) until task failure to determine fatigability of the trunk flexor muscles. Dual X-ray absorptiometry quantified body fat and lean mass. Physical activity levels were quantified with a questionnaire. Torque-angle curves, electromyography (EMG), MVC torque, and torque steadiness were compared with repeated measures ANOVA with sex as a between-subjects factor. For the torque-angle curve, MVC torque was reduced as the trunk angle increased toward flexion (p 0.05). Time-to-task failure for the submaximal fatigability task in upright sitting was similar between males and females (12.4 ± 7 vs 10.5 ± 6 min). Time-to-task failure was positively associated with strength (r = 0.473, p = 0.005) and self-reported physical activity (r = 0.456, p = 0.030). Lean mass in the trunk was positively associated with trunk flexor strength (r = 0.378, p = 0.011) and self-reported physical activity (r = 0.486, p = 0.007). Finally, torque steadiness [coefficient of variation of torque (CV)] during submaximal isometric contractions decreased with contraction intensity and was similar for males and females across all intensities. Unlike many limb muscle groups, males and females had similar fatigability and torque steadiness of the trunk flexor muscles during isometric contractions. Stronger individuals, however, exhibited less fatigability. Lower self-reported physical activity was associated with greater fatigability of trunk flexor muscles. The relationship between strength and fatigability of the trunk flexor muscles and physical activity supports the importance of abdominal muscle strengthening to offset fatigability in both males and females.
Capital Budgeting Decisions: The End of the Roads Meets the Beginning of Another

As promised, we are at long last to the end of our journey. After the long, tedious task of determining the WACC, we now just have to use it. While the hard part is over, arguably the most important step is yet to come. As stated several times, in order for a company to flourish financially, they must maximize shareholder wealth, which they do, in part, by ensuring company growth. This growth most often comes about as a result of the company undertaking new projects. Thus, we have to decide which projects to accept, and which to reject, in order to maximize shareholder wealth. As you can probably ascertain, a large part of this goes hand in hand with the discussion of cost of capital completed in the previous chapter. To put is as simply as possible, the objective of this chapter is to find the best possible projects, conditional upon the optimal capital structure used to finance said project. Or, we are finally combining the concepts of capital structure and capital budgeting.
Family-Peer Linkages for Children with Intellectual Disability and Children with Learning Disabilities

Abstract Family interactions are potential contexts for children with intellectual and learning disabilities to develop skillful social behaviors needed to relate effectively with peers. This study examined problem solving interactions within families of elementary school-age children (7–11 years) with intellectual disability ( n = 37), specific learning disabilities ( n = 48), and without disabilities ( n = 22). After accounting for group differences in children's behaviors and peer acceptance, across all groups, mothers' behaviors that encouraged egalitarian problem solving predicted more engaged and skillful problem solving by the children. However, mothers' controlling, directive behaviors predicted fewer of these behaviors by the children. Fathers' behaviors had mixed associations with the children's actions, possibly because they were reactive to children's unengaged and negative behaviors. For the children, greater involvement, more facilitative behaviors, and less negativity with their families were associated with greater acceptance from their peers, supporting family-peer linkages for children at risk for peer rejection.
Complexity and Power: A Bioarchaeological Analysis of Socioeconomic Change on the Copacabana Peninsula, 800 BC–AD 200

Between 800 BC and AD 200, people in the Titicaca Basin of Peru and Bolivia began practicing agriculture, living in sedentary settlements, and engaging in public ritual. The resulting social complexity was likely associated with shifts in power relationships and social hierarchy, as has been noted in other areas of the world. In fact, in the northern lake basin these changes are clearly associated with an increase in violent conflict and competition. However, the archaeological evidence for hierarchy from the southern Titicaca Basin is inconclusive. This article presents analyses of burials from the southern Titicaca Basin to investigate the creation of social hierarchy during this time. These burials came from seven distinct burial locations, suggesting that hierarchy or ritual exclusion was occurring. Indicators of childhood malnutrition, skeletal responses to inflammation, and traumatic lesions were recorded as potential markers of status differentiation. Results showed that no indicators varied significantly between burial groups, with the exception of age and cribra orbitalia. I interpret these results as representative of a lack of social hierarchy, at least as reflected on the skeleton. Instead, groups may have acted cooperatively in order to facilitate these larger socioeconomic changes. Entre 800 aC y 200 dC, las personas en la cuenca del Titicaca en Peru y Bolivia comenzaron a practicar la agricultura, a vivir en pueblos y a participar en rituales publicos. Esta complejidad social probablemente estaba asociada con cambios en relaciones de poder y jerarquia social, como se ha notado en otras partes del mundo. De hecho, en la cuenca del norte, estos cambios se asociaron claramente con un aumento en violencia y competencia. Sin embargo, en la cuenca del sur, la evidencia arqueologica de jerarquia es ambigua. Este estudio presenta el analisis de entierros de la cuenca sur del Titicaca para investigar la creacion de jerarquia social en este momento. Estos entierros vinieron de siete cementerios diferentes, lo que sugiere que la jerarquia o exclusion ritual estaba ocurriendo. Los indicadores esqueleticos de malnutricion infantil y enfermedad y lesiones de trauma fueron registrados para analizar el potencial en diferenciacion de estatus social. Los resultados muestran que los indicadores no varian significativamente entre los entierros o grupos de entierros, excepto por edad y cribra orbitalia. Estos resultados indican una falta de jerarquia social, como se refleja en el esqueleto. A lo contrario, los grupos pueden haber actuados cooperativamente para facilitar estas cambias sociales.
Independent Predictors of Increased Operative Time and Hospital Length of Stay Are Consistent Across Different Surgical Approaches to Pancreatoduodenectomy

While minimally invasive approaches are increasingly being utilized for pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), factors associated with prolonged operative time (OpTime) and hospital length of stay (LOS) remain poorly defined, and it is unclear whether these factors are consistent across surgical approaches. The ACS-NSQIP targeted pancreatectomy database from 2014 to 2016 was used to identify all patients who underwent open (OPD), laparoscopic (LPD), or robotic (RPD) pancreatoduodenectomy. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to evaluate predictors of OpTime and LOS, as well as quantify the changes observed relative to each surgical approach. Among 10,970 patients, PD procedure types varied: 9963 (92%) open, 418 (4%) laparoscopic, and 409 (4%) robotic. LOS was longer for the open and laparoscopic approaches (11 vs. 11 vs. 10 days, P = 0.0068), whereas OpTime was shortest for OPD (366 vs. 426 vs. 435 min, P 370 min (all p < 0.05) and specific postoperative complications (all p < 0.05) for all surgical approaches. Perioperative risk factors for prolonged OpTime and hospital LOS are relatively consistent across open, laparoscopic, and robotic approaches to PD. Particular attention to these factors may help identify opportunities to improve perioperative quality, enhance patient satisfaction, and ensure an efficient allocation of hospital resources.
Integration of TNF-a Signaling: Crosstalk between IKK, JNK, and Caspases

The pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) is a key regulator in immune responses, inflammation and programmed cell death (apoptosis). TNF-a exerts its biological activities through activation of multiple signaling effectors, including IKK, JNK and caspases. Activation of caspases is required for apoptosis, whereas IKK activation results in inhibition of apoptosis through the transcription factor NF-kB, which can induce expression of inhibitors of apoptosis. Activation of JNK stimulates the transcription factor c-Jun/AP-1, which regulates expression of many genes. In contrast to IKK and caspases, the role of JNK activation in apoptosis is highly controversial. Recent studies reveal that crosstalk between IKK, JNK and caspases determines the life or death of a cell in response to TNF-a. Here we propose a model that can explain how integration of TNF-a signaling affects the process of apoptosis.
Frequency and Ecology of Tail Loss in Populations of the Georgetown Salamander (Eurycea naufragia)

Tail loss (autotomy) is common in populations of many caudate amphibians and often is assumed to be an antipredator adaptation, but few studies have examined associated costs and ecology of tail loss in natural populations of salamanders. We examined tail loss in two populations of the Georgetown Salamander (Eurycea naufragia) over a 2-yr period. The percentage of individuals with tail loss at Swinbank Spring compared to Twin Spring (both in central Texas) differed significantly (14.17 vs. 4.92%, respectively), and there was more frequent tail loss in salamanders captured in spring–summer than in fall–winter. At Swinbank Spring, larger salamanders experienced more frequent tail loss than smaller salamanders; the frequency of tail loss did not differ between gravid salamanders and nongravid salamanders at either population. Body condition, as measured by relative tail width, was lower in salamanders that had experienced tail loss at Swinbank Spring. These observations indicate that tail loss is common in populations of E. naufragia and that patterns of tail loss in this species are associated with important ecological characteristics.