cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ground‐Water Contamination and Well Construction in Southeast Nebraska

Nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) concentrations and total (TC) and fecal coliform (FC) densities were determined in ground water from 268 household and stock wells in an 1100 mi2 area of southeast Nebraska. Seventy-one percent of the samples had NO3-N concentrations above 10 mg/1 and/or TC densities ≥ 1/100 ml. Most of the NO3-N contamination is from the dissolution of manure in barnyards and corrals. The average δ15N value was + 11.9%0 for the 115 samples with NO3-N levels in excess of 8.5 mg/1. Only 10% of the wells met Nebraska's criteria for private well construction. NO3-N levels exceeded 10 mg/1 in 4% of these wells while 30% contained one or more TC/100 ml. The highest incidence of NO3-N and coliform contamination occurred in dug or augered wells with open-jointed casing. The rates were 47% and 80%, respectively. Low levels of atrazine were detected only in the poorly constructed wells. One well contained alachlor.
Maximizing returns on mentoring: factors affecting subsequent protégé performance

This study examined the effects of mentor success, relationship duration, and the amount of mentoring received on proteges' performance after the supervisory mentoring relationship had ended. Data collected from former proteges paired with objective measures of performance indicated that a mentor's success moderated the impact of mentoring functions received on subsequent protege success. Additionally, the strength of these relationships depended on the length of the mentoring relationship. The present study suggests more emphasis should be placed on the capabilities of the mentor. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protective Effects of Quercetin and Vitamin C against Oxidative Stress-Induced Neurodegeneration

Clinical trials of several neurodegenerative diseases have increasingly targeted the evaluation of various antioxidants' effectiveness. The human diet contains several thousand phytochemicals, many of which have significant bioactivities. Vitamin C, a naturally occurring antioxidant, is known to reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Quercetin, one of the major flavonoids in some fruits and vegetables, has much stronger antioxidative and anticarcinogenic activities than vitamin C. Therefore, we investigated the protective effects of quercetin on hydroxy peroxide-induced neurodegeneration. To determine the protective effects, PC12 cells were preincubated with quercetin and vitamin C before H(2)O(2) treatment for 2 h. Results showed that cell viability was clearly improved with quercetin, and quercetin showed a higher protective effect than vitamin C. Because oxidative stress is known to increase neuronal cell membrane breakdown, we further investigated lactate dehydrogenase and trypan blue exclusion assays. We observed that quercetin decreased oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell membrane damage more than vitamin C. These results suggest that quercetin, in addition to many other biological benefits, contributes significantly to the protective effects of neuronal cells from oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity, such as Alzheimer disease.
Role of Hcn1 and its phosphorylation in fission yeast anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome function.

The anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) is a conserved multisubunit ubiquitin ligase required for the degradation of key cell cycle regulators. The APC/C becomes active at the metaphase/anaphase transition and remains active during G1 phase. One mechanism linked to activation of the APC/C is phosphorylation. Although many sites of mitotic phosphorylation have been identified in core components of the APC/C, the consequence of any individual phosphorylation event has not been elucidated in vivo. In this study, we show that Hcn1 is an essential core component of the fission yeast APC/C and is critical for maintaining complex integrity. Moreover, Hcn1 is a phosphoprotein in vivo. Phosphorylation of Hcn1 occurs at a single Cdk1 site in vitro and in vivo. Mutation of this site to alanine, but not aspartic acid, compromises APC/C function and leads to a specific defect in the completion of cell division.
Likelihood-Based Confidence Intervals for Complementary Poisson Rate Parameters with Misclassified Data

We derive three interval estimators for complementary Poisson rates where the data are possibly misclassified: a Wald-based interval, a score-based interval, and an interval based on the profile log-likelihood statistic. Also, we derive an EM algorithm to determine profile maximum likelihood estimators. We investigate the coverage and average width properties of these intervals via a simulation study. The Wald interval is generally the narrowest, but can have some coverage problems when the Poisson counts are small. Lastly, we apply the newly derived confidence intervals to a real data set involving traffic accident data that contains misclassified counts.
Theories of Crime and Delinquency: Findings from an Analysis of Textbooks on Human Behavior and the Social Environment

This systematic review of 14 frequently used textbooks on human behavior and the social environment was conducted to identify content relating to crime and delinquency. The textbook information on crime and delinquency is either descriptive, uneven, or nonexistent. Despite the limited attention to crime and delinquency, the textbooks provide theoretical lenses that can be used to explain crime and delinquency. The analysis concludes with a discussion of how structuration theory can provide a holistic perspective on human behaviors and social environments of crime and delinquency.
Surface chemistry of alkylsilanes on Si(100)2 × 1

Abstract The adsorption and thermal decomposition of ethylsilane, diethylsilane, triethylsilane, tetraethylsilane, dimethylsilane and di-isobutylsilane were studied on the Si(100)2 × 1 reconstructed surface using temperature-programmed desorption mass spectrometry and high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy. Ethylsilane, diethylsilane and di-isobutylsilane each adsorbs dissociatively onto the surface up to a saturation coverage of approximately 0.25 ML. Thermal decomposition proceeds via β-hydride elimination. Ethylene and hydrogen desorption occurs at 700 and 800 K, respectively, for ethylsilane and diethylsilane. Isobutylene desorption is observed at 635 K, followed by hydrogen desorption at 800 K for di-isobutylsilane. Dimethylsilane adsorbs dissociatively up to a saturation coverage of 0.25 ML. Thermal decomposition proceeds via dehydrogenation of the methyl groups. Hydrogen desorption is observed at 800 K for low coverages with a 5–10 K peak shift to higher temperatures for higher coverages. Triethylsilane adsorbs dissociatively, but saturation coverage could not be established in these experiments. Thermal decomposition proceeds via β-hydride elimination, resulting in the desorption of ethylene at 700 K and hydrogen at 800 K. Adsorption of tetraethylsilane is not observed. For every precursor, except tetraethylsilane, hydrogen adsorbs exclusively as the (2 × 1) monohydride. No adsorption of any of these precursors on the native SiO2 surface is observed at 100 K.
Selectively guiding visual concept discovery

Labeling data to train visual concept classifiers requires significant human effort. Active learning addresses labeling overhead by selecting a meaningful subset of data, but often these approaches assume that the set of visual concepts is known in advance. Clustering approaches perform bottom-up discovery of concepts, and reduce labeling effort by moving from instance-based to group-based labeling. Unfortunately, clustering techniques assume a one-to-one mapping between clusters and visual concepts even though learned groups are often not coherent and fail to represent all concepts. We introduce Selective Guidance, a technique that hierarchically clusters data and selectively queries labels of coherent clusters representing different visual concepts. Unlike most active learning and clustering techniques, Selective Guidance does not require any a priori knowledge. Using benchmark data sets we show that Selective Guidance achieves classification accuracy better than active learning and clustering approaches with fewer labeling queries.
Activity and temperature-programmed adsorption/desorption behavior of PdTiO2 catalysts in NO/CH4 reduction and NO decomposition reactions

Abstract Reduction and decomposition of nitric oxide using methane as a reducing agent has been studied in the presence and absence of oxygen over Pd/TiO 2 catalysts. Temperature-programmed adsorption/desorption and reduction/oxidation behavior has been examined. Prereduced catalysts have shown significant reduction as well as decomposition activity. Isotopic labelling studies using 13 CH 4 , 15 N 18 O, 15 NO, and 18 O 2 have also been performed to investigate the interaction of NO and methane with the catalytic sites.
Exhaust Gas Flowfield from the Deflection of Twin Jets

The aft engine placement, over-all length, and nose-tow catapulting provisions of the F111B result in engine nozzle to jet blast deflector clearances that are appreciably less than those existing with current operational aircraft. An analytic and test program was conducted to determine the temperature field and heat transfer resulting from this deflection of jet engine exhaust. The analysis and test showed that a strong forward flow of engine exhaust gas existed. Test results were obtained to define the effect of engine-blast deflector separation and blast deflector skew angle on the temperature field, for situations modeling the F-111B relationship to existing blast-deflector designs. Comparative tests of alternate deflector designs showed that a supplementary deflector can minimize the forward flow of hot exhaust gases. Heat-transfer coefficient data were obtained for representative locations on the airplane for the most severe conditions expected with current deflector designs.
Statistical analysis of drainage density from digital terrain data

Drainage density (D-d), defined as the total length of channels per unit area, is a fundamental property of natural terrain that reflects local climate, relief, geology, and other factors. Accurate measurement of D-d is important for numerous geomorphic and hydrologic applications, yet it is a surprisingly difficult quantity to measure, particularly over large areas. Here, we develop a consistent and efficient method for generating maps of D-d using digital terrain data. The method relies on (i) measuring hillslope flow path distance at every unchanneled site within a basin, and (ii) analyzing this field as a random space function. As a consequence, we measure not only its mean (which is half the inverse of the traditional definition of drainage density) but also its variance, higher moments, and spatial correlation structure. This yields a theoretically sound tool for estimating spatial variability of drainage density. Averaging length-to-channel over an appropriate spatial scale also makes it possible to derive continuous maps of D-d and its spatial variations. We show that the autocorrelation length scale provides a natural and objective choice for spatial averaging. This mapping technique is applied to a region of highly variable D-d in the northern Apennines, Italy. We show that the method is capable of revealing large-scale patterns of variation in D-d that are correlated with lithology and relief. The method provides a new and more general way to quantitatively define and measure D-d to test geomorphic models, and to incorporate D-d variations into regional-scale hydrologic models. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
NMDA receptor hypofunction model of schizophrenia

Several decades of research attempting to explain schizophrenia in terms of the dopamine hyperactivity hypothesis have produced disappointing results. A new hypothesis focusing on hypofunction of the NMDA glutamate transmitter system is emerging as a potentially more promising concept. In this article, we present a version of the NMDA receptor hypofunction hypothesis that has evolved from our recent studies pertaining to the neurotoxic and psychotomimetic effects of PCP and related NMDA antagonist drugs. In this article, we examine this hypothesis in terms of its strengths and weaknesses, its therapeutic implications and ways in which it can be further tested.
A quantitative comparison of the hominoid thalamus. I. Specific sensory relay nuclei

Studies to date have indicated few differences in sensory perception among hominoids. Sensory relay nuclei in the dorsal thalamus--portions of the medial and lateral geniculate bodies (MGBp, LGBd) and the ventrobasal complex (VB)--in two gibbons, one gorilla, one chimpanzee and three humans were examined for anatomical similarity by measuring and estimating the nuclear volumes, neuronal densities, numbers of neurons per nucleus, and volumes of neuronal perikarya. The absolute volumes of these nuclei were larger in the larger brains; however, with the volume of the dorsal thalamus as a standard, these sensory relay nuclei showed negative allometry. The gibbons had about half as many neurons as did the other hominoids. Although the human VB had slightly more neurons, the numbers of neurons in LGBd and MGBp did not significantly differ between the great apes and humans. The volumetric distribution of the neuronal perikarya were similar among these hominoids. Other thalamic nuclei had much more diverse numbers of neurons and relative frequencies of their neuronal perikarya. The sensory relay nuclei appear to be a group of conservative nuclei in the forebrain. These results suggest that as a neurological base for complex behaviors evolved in hominids, not all parts of the brain changed equally.
Consumer Learning, Brand Loyalty, and Competition

In several markets, consumers can gain further information regarding how well a product fits their preferences only by experiencing it after purchase. This could then generate loyalty for the products tried first. This paper considers a model in which consumers learn in the first period about the product they buy and then make choices in the second period about the competing products, given what they learned in the first period. The paper finds that if the distribution of valuations for each product is negatively (positively) skewed, a firm benefits (is hurt) in the future from having a greater market share today-the brand loyalty characteristic. With negative skewness, two effects are identified: On one hand, marginal forward-looking consumers are less price sensitive than myopic consumers, and this is a force toward higher prices. On the other hand, forward-looking firms realize that they gain in the future from having a higher market share in the current period and compete more aggressively in prices. For similar discount factors for consumers and firms, the latter effect dominates. The paper also characterizes the importance of consumer learning effects on the market outcome.
Neutralization of ASC improves sperm motility in men with spinal cord injury

Study question Does neutralization of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase activation and recruitment domain (ASC) improve sperm motility in men with spinal cord injury (SCI)? Summary answer Neutralization of ASC improves sperm motility in men with SCI. What is known already Semen of men with SCI contains normal sperm concentrations but abnormally low sperm motility. Inflammatory cytokines, activated via the inflammasome complex, are contributory. A key component of the inflammasome is ASC. Study design, size, duration This prospective study included semen samples collected from 32 men with SCI. Participants/materials, setting, methods At a major university medical center, untreated semen was compared with semen treated with anti-ASC polyclonal antibody. Semen treated with IgG was used as a control. Main results and the role of chance Addition of anti-ASC polyclonal antibody to semen significantly increased mean sperm motility from 11.5% (95% CI, 6.3-16.7) to 18.3% (95% CI, 11.8-24.8). Improvements were most pronounced in the subgroup whose starting motility ranged between 6 and 40%. In this subgroup, the mean sperm motility improved from 13.3% (95% CI, 9.3-17.3) to 23.9% (95% CI, 14.7-23.0). Sperm motility did not improve after treatment with IgG. Limitations, reasons for caution This study is limited by the small sample size as this is a rare population. Wider implications of the findings Blockade of the inflammasome via treatment with anti-ASC improved sperm motility in men with SCI. In doing so, this treatment significantly increased their total motile sperm count. This is the first study to demonstrate that interference with the inflammasome improves sperm motility in men with SCI. This treatment has potential as a therapeutic intervention. Study funding/competing interests This study was funded by the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, Grant # 224598, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miami, FL, USA. R.W.K. and J.P.d.R.V. hold a patent for the treatment of inflammation after central nervous system injury using antibodies against inflammasome proteins. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Managing Organizational Behavior

The article reviews the book “Managing Organizational Behavior,” by David A. Nadler, J. Richard Hackman and Edward E. Lawler.
Development of tuberculous infection; in vivo observations in the rabbit ear chamber.

SummaryA new use of the rabbit ear chamber technic is described.Microscopic studies of the tissue changes in developing tuberculous infection within the chamber were made. The early reaction to the presence of living tubercle bacilli was minimal. The late reaction was an explosive, necrotizing response. In the one rabbit systematically skin tested with Old Tuberculin this late reaction began coincidentally with the development of skin hypersensitivity. Progressive vascular damage ending in venous thrombosis played an important role in tissue destruction.The experimental technic and microscopic observations described have been recorded in Kodachrome motion pictures. It is suggested that this technic may be used for microscopic study of the dynamics of tissue changes in other pathological conditions.
Ultra-flat low-power process insensitive Ku-band HEMT feedback MMIC

A three-stage Ku-band monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) amplifier using feedback design and 0.25- mu m-gate-length single-heterojunction high-electron-mobility-transistor (HEMT) devices has demonstrated improved process insensitivity with state-of-the-art gain flatness and power dissipation. The amplifier exhibited 0.25-dB flatness from 11.4 to 12.4 GHz using less than 150 mW to deliver 25-dB gain. >
Multi‐period maintenance scheduling of tree networks with minimum flow disruption

We introduce a multi-period tree network maintenance scheduling model and investigate the effect of maintenance capacity restrictions on traffic/information flow interruptions. Network maintenance refers to activities that are performed to keep a network operational. For linear networks with uniform flow between every pair of nodes, we devise a polynomial-time combinatorial algorithm that minimizes flow disruption. The spiral structure of the optimal maintenance schedule sheds insights into general network maintenance scheduling. The maintenance problem on linear networks with a general flow structure is strongly NP-hard. We formulate this problem as a linear integer program, derive strong valid inequalities, and conduct a polyhedral study of the formulation. Polyhedral analysis shows that the relaxation of our linear network formulation is tight when capacities and flows are uniform. The linear network formulation is then extended to an integer program for solving the tree network maintenance scheduling problem. Preliminary computations indicate that the strengthened formulations can solve reasonably sized problems on tree networks and that the intuitions gained from the uniform flow case continue to hold in general settings. Finally, we extend the approach to directed networks and to maintenance of network nodes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2011
Rate of Mixing Controls Rate and Outcome of Autocatalytic Processes: Theory and Microfluidic Experiments with Chemical Reactions and Blood Coagulation

This article demonstrates that the rate of mixing can regulate the rate and outcome of both biological and nonbiological autocatalytic reaction systems that display a threshold response to the concentration of an activator. Plug-based microfluidics was used to control the timing of reactions, the rate of mixing, and surface chemistry in blood clotting and its chemical model. Initiation of clotting of human blood plasma required addition of a critical concentration of thrombin. Clotting could be prevented by rapid mixing when thrombin was added near the critical concentration, and mixing also affected the rate of clotting when thrombin was added at concentrations far above the critical concentration in two clinical clotting assays for human plasma. This phenomenon was modeled by a simple mechanism—local and global competition between the clotting reaction, which autocatalytically produces an activator, and mixing, which removes the activator. Numerical simulations showed that the Damkohler number, which describes this competition, predicts the effects of mixing. Many biological systems are controlled by thresholds, and these results shed light on the dynamics of these systems in the presence of spatial heterogeneities and provide simple guidelines for designing and interpreting experiments with such systems.
Application of the Intracellular Gamma Interferon Assay To Recalculate the Potency of CD8+ T-Cell Responses to Herpes Simplex Virus

Enumeration and characterization of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes are tedious and indirect. We quantitated antigen-specific CD8+ T cells during acute and secondary stages of HSV infection using intracellular gamma interferon production upon stimulation with virus or immunodominant peptide. Results show a substantial increase in the number of CD8+ T cells which was otherwise underestimated with the conventional limiting dilution analysis.
Panmixia postponed: ancestry-related assortative mating in contemporary human populations

A study of two different populations reveals that in both the choice of a spouse is non-random not only in respect of broad ethnic group but also in regard to specific ancestries within that group. The cause of this surprising bias remains unclear.
The development of salty taste acceptance is related to dietary experience in human infants: a prospective study

Background: Sodium intake is related to hypertension and other diseases, but little is known about the early development of salty taste acceptance. Objective: The prospective study asked whether dietary experience with foods containing sodium is associated with development of infant salty taste preference. Design: Infants (n = 61) were tested at 2 and 6 mo to assess their response to 0.17 and 0.34 mol NaCl/L in water. Intake tests consisted of randomized double-blind 120-s exposure to salt solutions and water. Acceptance, calculated as solution intake relative to water, was examined as a function of exposure to starchy table food—a significant source of sodium. Dietary exposure (yes or no) was defined by maternal report. As a control, similar comparisons were based on exposure to fruit table food. A subset of 26 subjects returned at 36–48 mo for assessment of salty taste hedonics and preference. Results: Dietary experience was related to salt acceptance, with only those infants previously exposed to starchy table foods (n = 26) preferring the salty solutions at 6 mo (P = 0.007). Fruit exposure was not associated with sodium chloride acceptance. Infants eating starchy table foods at 6 mo were more likely to lick salt from the surface of foods at preschool age (P = 0.007) and tended to be more likely to eat plain salt (P = 0.08). Conclusions: The findings suggest an influential role of early dietary experience in shaping salty taste responses of infants and young children. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;94:123–9.
Four generations of accessory-phase growth in low-pressure migmatites from SW New Hampshire

Mineral compositions and reaction textures found in migmatitic gneisses from near Gilsum, New Hampshire, constrain both peak metamorphic pressure ( P ) and temperature ( T ) conditions and the P - T path. Large K-feldspar porphyroblasts indicate isobaric heating of the samples at P P > 4 kb on the cooling path. Four generations of monazite have been identified, three of which have been linked to specific whole-rock reactions. Monazite (4) (the last generation) was produced with xenotime ± apatite during melt crystallization and consumption of garnet and cordierite. Monazite (3) grew in a xenotime-absent mineral assemblage as garnet + muscovite reacted to form sillimanite + biotite. Monazite (2) grew in a xenotime-bearing ± garnet + biotite + chlorite assemblage, as xenotime and chlorite were consumed during garnet production. Monazite (1) has not been linked to a specific reaction; it may be detrital, record an earlier metamorphic event, or represent disequilibrium overgrowths of xenotime. YAG-monazite, YAG-xenotime, and monazite-xenotime thermometry for monazite generations (2)–(4) yield temperatures consistent with major-phase thermometers.
Keystroke Biometric Systems for User Authentication

Keystroke biometrics (KB) authentication systems are a less popular form of access control, although they are gaining popularity. In recent years, keystroke biometric authentication has been an active area of research due to its low cost and ease of integration with existing security systems. Various researchers have used different methods and algorithms for data collection, feature representation, classification, and performance evaluation to measure the accuracy of the system, and therefore achieved different accuracy rates. Although recently, the support vector machine is most widely used by researchers, it seems that ensemble methods and artificial neural networks yield higher accuracy. Moreover, the overall accuracy of KB is still lower than other biometric authentication systems, such as iris. The objective of this paper is to present a detailed survey of the most recent researches on keystroke dynamic authentication, the methods and algorithms used, the accuracy rate, and the shortcomings of those researches. Finally, the paper identifies some issues that need to be addressed in designing keystroke dynamic biometric systems, makes suggestions to improve the accuracy rate of KB systems, and proposes some possible future research directions.
Effects of energy dissipation on motional dynamics in unilamellar vesicles.

We have investigated the molecular reorientation dynamics of perylene incorporated into the nonpolar acyl chain region of 100 nm diameter phosphocholine unilamellar vesicles. When perylene is excited to the S1 electronic manifold, it exhibits a different fluorescence anisotropy decay than when it is excited to its S2 electronic manifold. In addition to differences in the polarization of the two transitions, there is a difference in the amount of excitation energy dissipated nonradiatively, because for both excitation conditions radiative emission is from the S1 state. The data reveal a faster rotational diffusion constant for excitation to the S2 manifold, and we interpret this finding in the context of local heating of the chromophore immediate environment by the nonradiative dissipation of energy associated with rapid relaxation from the S2 to S1 manifolds. Our results are consistent with transient heating on the order of 4 K, with the actual temperature increase depending subtly on whether the phosphol...
Characteristics of patients who present to the emergency department with molar pregnancy.

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine presenting signs/symptoms and risk factors in emergency department (ED) patients ultimately diagnosed with molar pregnancy. Methods A retrospective review of ED medical records using a standardized abstraction sheet was conducted over a 10-year period (1995-2005) from three EDs. Results Records were available on 44 patients (mean age 25.2 years, 75% African-American) with a diagnosis of molar pregnancy who had been seen in the ED. Almost half presented with abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, and/or vaginal bleeding. Forty-three percent had a history of sexually transmitted disease; 41% had a history of abdominal or gynecological surgery; and three patients had a documented prior molar pregnancy. Of 22 ultrasounds performed, 68% were noted to have a molar pregnancy. Only five patients had molar pregnancy listed in the differential diagnosis at their initial visit. Conclusion Patients who presented with molar pregnancy tended to be young, multiparous, and African-American. The most common presenting complaint was vaginal bleeding, and the ultrasound was not diagnostic of molar pregnancy in almost one-third of the cases.
Convective heat transfer correlations for molten core debris pools growing in concrete

A volumetrically-heated pool with gas injection at the boundaries is used to simulate the heat transfer processes taking place in molten core debris—concrete systems. Measurements of the upward, downward, and sideward heat transfer rates at the pool boundaries have been made over wide ranges of power density, superficial gas velocity, and pool aspect ratio. Pools with either a free upper surface or an isothermal solid upper boundary to simulate an overlaying solid crust of oxides have been examined. Detailed measurements of the temperature distribution within the pool have also been made. A total of nearly 400 experiments have been conducted. Based on the results of these experiments, generalized correlations for the downward and sideward Nusselt numbers have been developed. The results indicate that the Nusselt numbers are nearly independent of the internal Rayleigh number and depend only on the nondimensional quantity (ϱV3/μg) where V is the superficial gas velocity, ϱ is the pool density, μ is the viscosity, and g is the gravitational acceleration. The results also indicate that the downward and sideward Nusselt numbers in pools with gas release at the boundaries are comparable. This result is in contrast to the natural convection case where the sideward Nusselt numbers are significantly higher than those in the downward direction. The correlations developed in this investigation cover a wide range of the relevant nondimensional quantity (5 × 10−10 ≤ (ϱV3/μg) ≤ 5 × 10−3). They can be used to determine the heat transfer rates at the pool boundaries, and hence, the pool growth rate into the concrete. Such information is necessary since it constitutes the last line of defence against violation of the containment.
Endogenous Expression Modification: Antisense Approaches

Antisense approaches provide alternative tools to local modification of gene expression. In this chapter we will consider different antisense techniques, discuss the nature and theoretical basis of this approach, and examine its in vivo application. We will primarily focus on application of antisense techniques to vascular smooth muscle cell studies, but other areas of applications will be mentioned as well.
A stochastic Petri net-approach to modeling and analysis of ad hoc network

We present a stochastic Petri net-based approach to modeling and analysis of ad hoc wireless networks. We illustrate how our model can exploit the characteristics of the system to construct a scalable model. The proposed scheme is a powerful analytical model that can be used to derive network performance much easier than a simulation-based approach. Yet it offers very close numerical results as compared with the latter. Therefore, it has great potential in assisting engineers in the design and implementation of ad hoc networks.
Exploring physiological differences in time-frequency domain to improve tumor detectability for dynamic PET

The time activity curve (TAC) of FDG PET, which reflects glucose metabolic rate, often increases in cancer cell while decreases in normal tissue along with time, we studied this temporal difference in frequency domain to characterize the behaviors of the individual physiological function and TAC. An image enhancement algorithm was designed and tested based on this frequency domain property of TAC which showed a good performance. However, by simply applying the conventional frequency domain analysis, the distinguishable temporal characteristics appearing in TACs are somehow lost. In this paper, we further examined the TAC differences in time-frequency domain using wavelet based multi-channel analysis. By decomposing the TAC into different frequency bands and time slots, we found out that energy of TAC in tumor and background distributed differently in time-frequency domain. To validate these time-frequency differences of TAC, an energy ratio detection criterion is designed to distinguish malignance from normal tissue by evaluating the ratio of energies over two subsets of wavelet base functions in which malignant and normal TACs energy mainly lay. The phantom and clinical studies show that the tumor to background contrast can be improved by our method. These time-frequency properties can also be exploited for bases function selection for list mode based reconstruction method
Efficient approach to find optimal antenna assignment for JALN HCB

Joint Aerial Layered Network (JALN) could provide crucial communication links when milsatcoms are degraded or lost. A configuration problem arising is that how we can assign the antennas to JALN High Capacity Backbone (HCB) links to maximize the link availability where each JALN aircraft has four mounting points for directional antennas? The antenna assignment problem was first formulated as a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) problem, and a greedy approach was developed [1]. The goal of this work is to develop an efficient approach based on branch-and-bound method to find an optimal solution for the antenna assignment problem. The key to the success is that the problem-specific branch strategy can significantly reduce the optimization space by removing the redundant vertices that could not appear in the optimal solutions. Also, a better formulation of the antenna assignment problem reduces the constraint space by explicitly finding all maximal cliques in the conflict graph. Thus, the proposed efficient approach constructs a sequence of subproblems that monotonically converge to an optimal solution.
Revocable anonymity based authentication for vehicle to grid (V2G) communications

With the number of Electric Vehicles (EVs) increasing, there is a growing need to schedule the charging of EVs in order to optimize grid load and improve stability. Charging scheduling involves several communications between the EV and the charging station (state of charge and time of arrival) happening either immediately before charging or at some earlier point in time. On account of privacy concerns and the potential for tracking of the users and their behaviors, the reporting of information from the EV to the charging station needs to be anonymous. Communications also need to be authenticated by the charging station to defend against external attacks. Additionally, this anonymity should be revocable to identify malicious, misbehaving users. In this paper, we leverage federated trust management and propose a revocable anonymous authentication framework that achieves the above desirable functionalities for reporting and interaction between an EV and the charging station. Using our framework, an EV can communicate with the charging station using anonymous pseudonyms that cannot be linked to its identity by the charging station alone. If the EV's anonymity needs to be revoked, the charging station can identify the EV with the help of the federated trust entities. We also present a proof mechanism that an EV can use to prove it did not misbehave. Security analysis and experiments demonstrate that our framework is secure, robust, scalable, and light-weight.
Perceived cognitive deficits are associated with diabetes self-management in a multiethnic sample.

People with diabetes have almost twice the risk of developing cognitive impairment or dementia as do those without diabetes, and about half of older adults with diabetes will become functionally disabled or cognitively impaired. But diabetes requires complex self-management: patients must learn about the implications of their disease; manage their diets, physical activity, and medication; and monitor their blood glucose. Difficulties with cognition can hinder these activities. The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of cognitive ability in a multiethnic sample of persons with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). One hundred twenty participants completed surveys assessing perceived memory, executive function, diabetes self-management, and quality of life. Scores on the surveys were examined along with hemoglobin A1C levels and demographics. Scores for executive function were positively associated with self-reports of dietary adherence and blood glucose monitoring. Perceived memory ability was a significant predictor of quality of life, and executive function was a significant predictor of A1C. Patients’ perceptions of their cognitive difficulties may assist health care providers in detection of patients’ deficiencies in performing diabetes self-management tasks. The relationships between cognitive difficulties and self-management found in this descriptive study suggest that research on the processes leading to cognitive changes in T2DM is needed, as are studies on how those processes affect diabetes self-management.
Guide of Hypertensive Crisis Pharmacotherapy.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the number one cause of death globally compared to any other cause. CVD accounts for approximately 17.3 million deaths per year and are rising. Hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Approximately, 80 million people suffer from hypertension in the U.S. While, majority of these individuals are on antihypertensive medications only 54% of individuals with hypertension are optimally controlled. Heart failure and stroke are some of the devastating complications of uncontrolled hypertension. Hypertensive crisis can be classified as either an urgency or emergency; difference between the two is the presence of end organ damage, which is noted in hypertensive emergency. Hypertensive crisis is usually treated by parenteral antihypertensive medications. The main drug classes of drugs for treatment are nitrates, calcium channel blockers, dopamine-1 agonists, adrenergic-blocking agents etc. Conclusion: In this review, we discuss approach to management of hypertensive crisis and each drug class with its physiology and complications.
An exploration of perceived contraceptive coercion at the time of abortion.

Abstract Objective To explore patient experiences of contraceptive coercion by healthcare providers at time of abortion. Study Design We conducted a qualitative study of English-speaking women seeking abortion services at a hospital-based clinic. We used the Integrated Behavioral Model and the Reproductive Autonomy Scale to inform our semi-structured interview guide; the Scale provides a framework of reproductive coercion as a lack of autonomy or power to decide about and control decisions relating to reproduction. We enrolled participants until thematic saturation was achieved. Two coders used modified grounded theory to analyze transcribed interviews with Nvivo 11.0 (Κ=0.81). Results The 31 women we interviewed from June 2016 to March 2017 were all in the first trimester, and predominantly young (mean age 27±5 years), non-Hispanic Black (52%) and Medicaid-insured (68%). Some participants (42%) reported feeling “pressured” into choosing some form of contraception. A subset of participants (26%) voiced that providers seemed to prefer LARC methods or were “pushing” a specific method. Several participants perceived pressure to choose any method due to providers' preference to prevent repeat abortions. Conversely, participants who were offered a range of methods through the use of decision aids and who were given time to deliberate demonstrated more reproductive autonomy. Conclusions Almost half of participants perceived a form of coercion around their contraceptive counseling. Coercion manifested in perceived provider preference for specific methods or immediate initiation of a method. Participant narratives involving decision aids to offer a range of methods and time for deliberation demonstrated greater reproductive autonomy and less coercion. Abortion stigma may mediate potentially coercive interactions between patients and providers. Implications This qualitative study explored contraceptive coercion at the time of abortion. Findings highlighted provider pressure to initiate contraception, LARC preference, and abortion stigma. Offering many methods and opportunity for deliberation supported autonomy and satisfaction. Findings inform ongoing efforts to improve contraceptive counseling and promote reproductive autonomy, while addressing unintended pregnancies.
Invited Commentary: Calcinosis cutis and renal disease: an evolving story.

(2017). Calcinosis Cutis and Renal Disease: An Evolving Story. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings: Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 370-371.
ABSENCE OF LARGE CONDUCTANCE CALCIUM AND VOLTAGE ACTIVATED POTASSIUM CHANNEL CAUSES CARDIAC DYSFUNTION

Expression and activation of BKCa encoded by a Kcnma1 gene, is known to play a direct role in cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury by modulating mitochondrial function, and in regulating the heart rate. However, the role of BKCa in cardiac function is not yet deciphered Cardiac
Atomic and Molecular Adsorption on Cu(111)

Due to the wide use of copper-based catalysts in industrial chemical processes, fundamental understanding of the interactions between copper surfaces and various reaction intermediates is highly desired. Here, we performed periodic, self-consistent density functional theory (DFT-GGA) calculations to study the adsorption of five atomic species (H, C, N, O, and S), seven molecular species (NH3, CH4, N2, CO, HCN, NO, and HCOOH), and 13 molecular fragments (CH, CH2, CH3, NH, NH2, OH, CN, COH, HCO, COOH, HCOO, NOH, and HNO) on the Cu(111) surface at a coverage of 0.25 monolayer. The preferred binding site, binding energy, and the corresponding surface deformation energy of each species were determined, as well as the estimated diffusion barrier and diffusion pathway. The binding strengths calculated using the PW91 functional decreased in the following order: CH > C > O > S > CN > NH > N > CH2 > OH > HCOO > COH > H > NH2 > NOH > COOH > HNO > HCO > CH3 > NO > CO > NH3 > HCOOH. No stable binding structures were observed for N2, HCN, and CH4. The adsorbate–surface and intramolecular vibrational modes of all the adsorbates at their preferred binding sites were deternined. Using the calculated adsorption energetics, potential energy surfaces were constructed for the direct decomposition of CO, CO2, NO, N2, NH3, and CH4 and the hydrogen-assisted decomposition of CO, CO2, and NO.
Sleep and vestibular adaptation: implications for function in microgravity

Optimal human performance depends upon integrated sensorimotor and cognitive functions, both of which are known to be exquisitely sensitive to loss of sleep. Under the microgravity conditions of space flight, adaptation of both sensorimotor (especially vestibular) and cognitive functions (especially orientation) must occur quickly--and be maintained--despite any concurrent disruptions of sleep that may be caused by microgravity itself, or by the uncomfortable sleeping conditions of the spacecraft. It is the three-way interaction between sleep quality, general work efficiency, and sensorimotor integration that is the subject of this paper and the focus of new work in our laboratory. To record sleep under field conditions including microgravity, we utilize a novel system called the Nightcap that we have developed and extensively tested on normal and sleep-disordered subjects. To perturb the vestibular system in ground-based studies, we utilize a variety of experimental conditions including optokinetic stimulation and both minifying and reversing goggle paradigms that have been extensively studied in relation to plasticity of the vestibulo-ocular reflex. Using these techniques we will test the hypothesis that vestibular adaptation both provokes and is enhanced by REM sleep under both ground-based and space conditions. In this paper we describe preliminary results of some of our studies.
Variable Structure Systems

Since its introduction in the early sixties, optimal control has been used extensively to determine strategies in many areas of economics. Economic policies based on closed loop optimal control (CLOC) laws are the most powerful and stable, but yield a control vector with continuously changing components. Such policies work well in organizations or institutions with reliable information, with a centralized small group of decision makers, and with clear communication lines with the agents implementing the policies. The reality of many decentralized organizations is that poor communications and model inaccuracies are often the source of discrepancy between the expected and actual performance of their policies. The inaccuracies can be either structured uncertainties (inaccuracies in the coefficients estimated for the model) or unstructured (omission of relevant variables, lags, underestimation of the order of the model, and any unmodeled dynamics). Since model inaccuracies have strong adverse effects on system performance, it seems natural to implement a set of laws that are simple enough to allow for fast implementation, that are robust to model inaccuracies, and that still yield a near-optimal performance. Two complementary tools have been developed to cope with the degradation of system performance due to uncertainty; Adaptive control, which is introduced in the next chapter, and variable structure control.