cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Promoting primary care smoking-cessation support with quitlines: the QuitLink randomized controlled trial.

Background Counseling by clinicians promotes smoking cessation, but in most U.S. primary care practices, it is difficult to provide more than brief advice to quit in the course of routine work. Telephone quitlines can deliver effective intensive counseling, but few collaborate closely with clinicians. Purpose This study aimed to determine whether cessation support in practices is enhanced by a systems approach, in partnership with quitlines. Design A cluster RCT was used. Setting/participants Participants included 1817 adult smokers from 16 primary care practices in the Virginia Ambulatory Care Outcomes Research Network. Intervention An expanded tobacco-use "vital sign" intervention (identify smokers, advise cessation, and assess readiness to quit) that was combined with fax referral of preparation-stage smokers to a quitline providing feedback to practices was compared to a traditional tobacco-use vital sign alone. Main outcome measures The frequency of cessation support (in-office discussion of methods to quit or quitline referral) reported by patients in an exit survey (September 2005–July 2006, analyzed in 2008) was measured. Results The adjusted percentage of smokers who reported receiving cessation support differed by 12.5% in intervention and control practices (40.7% vs 28.2%, respectively; p Conclusions A systems approach to identifying smokers, advising and assessing readiness to quit, combined with a partnership with a quitline, increases delivery of cessation support for primary care patients beyond that accomplished by traditional tobacco-use vital sign screening alone. Clinical trial registration NCT00112268.
The Ingelfinger rule, embargoes, and journal peer review-part 1

It is 27 years since Dr Franz Ingelfinger announced that a manuscript would be rejected by his journal, the New England Journal of Medicine, if it had been published elsewhere. Many other medical journals have since adopted this so-called Ingelfinger rule. The restrictions resulting from the rule have generated enormous controversy in medical journalism, as shown by the first of the two-part article The Ingelfinger rule, embargoes, and journal peer review. Critics say that the rule restricts the free flow of information, whereas proponents claim that information from a paper released early may be inaccurate because the paper has not been subjected to peer review. Yet peer review itself has also come under scrutiny, with its many limitations rarely being openly discussed.
Rabies-based vaccine induces potent immune responses against Nipah virus.

Nipah Virus (NiV) is a re-emerging zoonotic pathogen in the genus Henipavirus of the Paramyxoviridae family of viruses. NiV is endemic to Bangladesh and Malaysia and is highly fatal to both livestock and humans (human case fatality rate = 74.5%). Currently, there is no approved vaccine against NiV on the market. The goal of this study was to use a recombinant RABV vector expressing NiV glycoprotein (NiV G) to develop a bivalent candidate vaccine against NiV disease and rabies virus (RABV) disease, which is also a significant health burden in the regions where NiV is endemic. The rabies vector is a well-established vaccine strain that lacks neurovirulence and can stably expresses foreign antigens that are immunogenic in various animal models. Mice inoculated intranasally with the live recombinant RABV/NiV vaccine (NIPARAB) showed no signs of disease. To test the immunogenicity of the vaccine candidate, groups of C57BL/6 mice were immunized intramuscularly with a single dose of live vaccine particles or two doses of chemically inactivated viral particles. Both vaccination groups showed NiV G-specific seroconversion, and the inactivated (INAC) vaccine group yielded higher titers of NiV G-specific antibodies. Furthermore, cross-reactivity of NiV G-specific immune sera against Hendra virus (HeV), was confirmed by immunofluorescence (IF) and indirect ELISA against soluble recombinant HeV glycoprotein (HeV G). Both live and killed vaccines induced neutralizing antibodies. These results indicate that NIPARAB may be used as a killed virus vaccine to protect humans against NiV and RABV, and possibly as a preventative measure against HeV as well. The Nipah virus (NiV) infects livestock and humans with high mortality, but to date no vaccine has been approved that protects against NiV. Here, Matthias Schnell and colleagues developed a bivalent vaccine based on a highly immunogenic rabies virus vector and on expression of NiV glycoprotein. The vaccine led to the formation of neutralizing antibodies against the NiV glycoprotein in inoculated mice, which developed no disease as a consequence of immunization. Notably, the researchers also show that NiV neutralizing antibodies generated in the inoculated mice were cross-reactive to the Hendra virus, broadening the spectrum of the vaccine. The work provides a candidate for a NiV vaccine that uses a highly immunogenic vector and that has the potential to induce protection against not only NiV, but to rabies virus and Hendra virus as well.
Outcomes and prognostic factors in parotid gland malignancies: A 10-year single center experience.

Author(s): Parikh, Anuraag S; Khawaja, Ayaz; Puram, Sidharth V; Srikanth, Priya; Tjoa, Tjoson; Lee, Hang; Sethi, Rosh KV; Bulbul, Mustafa; Varvares, Mark A; Rocco, James W; Emerick, Kevin S; Deschler, Daniel G; Lin, Derrick T | Abstract: Objectives:To describe a 10-year single center experience with parotid gland malignancies and to determine factors affecting outcomes. Study Design:Retrospective review. Methods:The institutional cancer registry was used to identify patients treated surgically for malignancies of the parotid gland between January 2005 and December 2014. Clinical and pathologic data were collected retrospectively from patient charts and analyzed for their association with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Results:Two hundred patients were identified. Mean age at surgery was 57.8 years, and mean follow-up time was 52 months. One hundred two patients underwent total parotidectomy, while 77 underwent superficial parotidectomy, and 21 underwent deep lobe resection. Seventy patients (35%) required facial nerve (FN) sacrifice. Acinic cell carcinoma was the most common histologic type (22%), followed by mucoepidermoid carcinoma (21.5%) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (12.5%). Twenty-nine patients (14.5%) experienced recurrences, with mean time to recurrence of 23.6 months (range: 1-82 months). Five- and 10-year OS were 81% and 73%, respectively. Five- and 10-year DFS were 80% and 73%, respectively. In univariate analyses, age g 60, histologic type, positive margins, high grade, T-stage, node positivity, perineural invasion, and FN involvement were predictors of OS and DFS. In the multivariate analysis, histology, positive margins, node positivity, and FN involvement were independent predictors of OS and DFS. Conclusions:Our single-center experience of 200 patients suggests that histology, positive margins, node positivity, and FN involvement are independently associated with outcomes in parotid malignancies. Level of Evidence:4.
From South Asian Print to the Digital Archive: The Quest for Access and Sustainability

This essay examines the challenges involving the creation of and access to digital content and those faced by smaller nineteenth-century publishers in South Asia. Rather than seeing the digital are...
Modifying the RAPT Score to Reflect Discharge Destination in Current Practice.

Abstract Background The Risk Assessment Prediction Tool (RAPT) is a validated 6-question survey designed to predict primary total joint arthroplasty (TJA) patients’ discharge disposition. It is scored from 1 to 12 with patients stratified into high-, intermediate-, and low-risk groups. Given recent advancements in rapid-discharge protocols and increasing utilization of home services, the RAPT score may require modified scoring cutoffs. Methods A retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing primary TJA at a single academic center over 14 months was performed. The RAPT score was implemented during the sixth month. Patients undergoing revision TJA, complex TJA, and TJA after resection of malignancy were excluded. Outcomes before and after RAPT implementation were analyzed with additional subanalysis investigating of post-RAPT data. Results A total of 1264 patients (624 Pre-RAPT and 640 Post-RAPT) were evaluated. The post-RAPT group (245 total hip arthroplasty and 395 total knee arthroplasty) experienced significant decreases in mean hospital length of stay (2.22 days pre-RAPT to 1.82 days post-RAPT, P Conclusion Owing to the recent trends favoring in-home services over rehab facility after discharge, previously published RAPT scoring cutoffs are inaccurate for modern practice. Using mRAPT cutoffs maximizes the number of patients for whom a discharge prediction can be made, while maintaining excellent predictive accuracy.
Optimal Design of Consumer Contests

Abstract A consumer contest is a sales promotion technique that requires participants to apply certain skills as they compete for prizes or awards. This article is the first to employ a game-theoretical approach to investigate consumer contest design issues, including prize structure, segmentation, and handicapping. First, the authors find that both skill distribution and the number of contestants play an important role in determining the optimal prize structure in consumer contests. Specifically, if the skill distribution has the increasing hazard-rate property, it is optimal for a marketer to use a winner-take-all design. In large contests, for the winner-take-all approach to be optimal, it suffices to have the increasing hazard-rate property only at the high end of the skill distribution. Second, increasing contest size is beneficial to the marketer. Third, a less dispersive skill distribution leads to higher consumption by consumers at all skill levels and thus is beneficial to the marketer. The marke...
School-hosted urban development: the transformation of education facilities into residential real estate in Chicago

This article examines education-based urban restructuring in Chicago via the material relationships between school closures, real estate-led urban development, and tax subsidies. Drawing on partici...
Wideband Class Φ2 Power Amplifier for HF Applications

For high-frequency dc-to-RF power conversion, the Class Φ2 is a switch-mode power amplifier (PA) topology capable of achieving low device voltage stress while utilizing simple gate driving. The challenge with common switch-mode PA circuits is that they are narrowband, with the output power and efficiency degrading outside the nominal operating point. In applications such as plasma generation and wireless broadcasting, the PA is required to be efficient with constant gain across broadband. To enable the Class Φ2 for wideband operation, we incorporate a phase-switched impedance modulation (PSIM) variable capacitor and a reactance compensation network. This work experimentally demonstrates a 300 W PA prototype from 12.56-18.06 MHz with 93% peak drain efficiency.
Glass is a Viable Substrate for Precision Force Microscopy of Membrane Proteins

Though ubiquitous in optical microscopy, glass has long been overlooked as a specimen supporting surface for high resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) investigations due to its roughness. Using bacteriorhodopsin from Halobacterium salinarum and the translocon SecYEG from Escherichia coli, we demonstrate that faithful images of 2D crystalline and non-crystalline membrane proteins in lipid bilayers can be obtained on microscope cover glass following a straight-forward cleaning procedure. Direct comparison between AFM data obtained on glass and on mica substrates show no major differences in image fidelity. Repeated association of the ATPase SecA with the cytoplasmic protrusion of SecYEG demonstrates that the translocon remains competent for binding after tens of minutes of continuous AFM imaging. This opens the door for precision long-timescale investigations of the active translocase in near-native conditions and, more generally, for integration of high resolution biological AFM with many powerful optical techniques that require non-birefringent substrates.
Culture and computers: a review of the concept of culture and implications for intercultural collaborative online learning

Our research is aimed at a systematic investigation of phenomena in the nexus of culture, technology and learning. The basic premise of our research is that social affordances of technologies might vary along cultural dimensions. In this paper we present a brief overview of the concept of culture. We then discuss empirical findings demonstrating cultural effects on social behavior, communication and cognition and draw implications to online collaborative learning. In the last part of this paper, we present a selective review of research in cross-cultural human computer interaction.
A temporal logic language for distributed environments

For the last two decades temporal logic has been used for specifying parallel and concurrent systems. Although a large number of axiomatics have been proposed all of them use an interleaved model of concurrency for modelling purposes. In this paper we present a temporal logic system that introduces two new modal operators which specifically denote the parallel or serial way of computation. >
Takings and Property Rights Legislation

Over the years, regulatory takings case law has supported land use regulations by cloaking them with a presumption of validity and placing a heavy burden on their challengers of proving either that the regulation fails to substantially advance a legitimate public purpose or that it deprives the owner of all economically beneficial use of the land. Insulated in this way, regulators, on occasion, have transgressed the boundaries of fundamental fairness. As we examine pending property rights proposals, and the few statutes that have been adopted at the state level, we should take seriously those progressive features that seek to promote fairness. We also should recognize and reject those retributive provisions which diverge as far from fundamental fairness as do the excessive regulations of which property rights advocates complain.
Experimental evaluation of automatic hint generation for a logic tutor

We have augmented the Deep Thought logic tutor with a Hint Factory that generates data-driven, context-specific hints for an existing computer aided instructional tool. We investigate the impact of the Hint Factory's automatically generated hints on educational outcomes in a switching replications experiment that shows that hints help students persist in a deductive logic proofs tutor. Three instructors taught two semester-long courses, each teaching one semester using a logic tutor with hints, and one semester using the tutor without hints, controlling for the impact of different instructors on course outcomes. Our results show that students in the courses using a logic tutor augmented with automatically generated hints attempted and completed significantly more logic proof problems, were less likely to abandon the tutor, performed significantly better on a post-test implemented within the tutor, and achieved higher grades in the course.
Upper aerodigestive tract squamous dysplasia: correlation with p16, p53, pRb, and Ki-67 expression.

Abstract Context.—Differential expression of cell cycle–associated proteins may correlate with human papillomavirus status and may help delineate degree of dysplasia in upper aerodigestive tract squamous lesions. Objective.—To determine intraepithelial height of immunohistochemical staining for p16, p53, pRb, and Ki-67 in upper aerodigestive tract lesions with reference to degree of dysplasia. Human papillomavirus status was ascertained to correlate with p16 expression. Design.—Biopsy specimens of 53 squamous dysplastic and 13 keratotic/hyperplastic lesions were immunohistochemically stained for p16, p53, pRb, and Ki-67. Mean height and proportion of positive staining were quantified and compared for keratotic/hyperplastic, mild, moderate, and severe dysplasia/carcinoma in situ. DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded blocks was evaluated for human papillomavirus by polymerase chain reaction amplification using consensus primers for mucosal viral types. Results.—Height of Ki-67 staining within the epithelium...
Electrophoretic Variations in Seed Protein Profile of Green Pea (Pisum Sativum L.) and Soybean [Glycine Max (L.) MERR.] Seeds Seedlings During Early Stages of Germination Under Heat-Stress

The effect of high temperature treatment on seeds/seedlings of pea and soybean was investigated by analyzing qualitative protein profiles of heat-stressed and control seed/ seedlings samples by performing Sodium Oodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SOS-PAGE). A comparative study of SDS-PAGE protein profiles of both the legume grains showed different response towards heat-stress. The high temperaturetreatment up to 70°C for 10 continuous days induced some changes on the metabolism of the seed tissues producing some new bands of proteins-probably heat shock proteins in pea where as in soybean the same stress promoted the disintegration of proteins and as a result, certain characteristic bands of proteins in the gel of control samples were disappeared from the high temperature-treated seed samples. SOS-PAGE derived seed protein profile is species specific and this analysis is very helpful to elucidate the response of seeds towards heatstress and the production of heat shock proteins by seed tissues. The response towards the heat-stress varied in pea and soybean because pea seeds are protein and starch rich but soybean seeds are protein and lipid rich type.
Bio-inspired robotic manta ray powered by ionic polymer–metal composite artificial muscles

The manta ray (Manta birostris) is the largest species of rays that demonstrates excellent swimming capabilities via large-amplitude flapping of its pectoral fins. In this article, we present a bio-inspired robotic manta ray using ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC) as artificial muscles to mimic the swimming behavior of the manta ray. The robot utilizes two artificial pectoral fins to generate undulatory flapping motions, which produce thrust for the robot. Each pectoral fin consists of an IPMC muscle in the leading edge and a passive polydimethylsiloxane membrane in the trailing edge. When the IPMC is actuated, the passive polydimethylsiloxane membrane follows the bending of the leading edge with a phase delay, which leads to an undulatory flapping motion on the fin. Characterization of the pectoral fin has shown that the fin can generate flapping motions with up to 100% tip deflection and 40° twist angle. To test the free-swimming performance of the robot, a light and compact on-board control unit wit...
Protein synthesis in human peripheral blood leukocytes.

Protein synthesis was studied in suspensions of peripheral blood leucocytes containing chiefly neutrophiles. No long-lived messenger RNA was demonstrated and fractionation of cells into major subcellular components showed that a variety of proteins were being synthesized. Thus gene action is active in circulating leucocytes producing information for a variety of proteins.
Vitamin E supplementation reverses the age-associated decrease in effective immune synapse formation in CD4+ T cells.

Aging is associated with impairment of T cell function. We demonstrate here that age-associated declines in T cell signaling are due to the inability to form effective immune synapses at the site of the T cell receptor and antigen interaction. On the basis of our previous research with vitamin E (VE), we hypothesized that VE supplementation of old CD4 + T cells enhances effective immune synapse formation through increased translocation of signaling proteins. Using confocal microscopy, we found that when exposed to antigen-presenting cells, CD4 + T cells from old mice have a lower percentage of effective immune synapses compared to those from young mice. Furthermore, we show that in vitro and in vivo VE supplementation increases the percentage of old CD4 + T cells capable of forming a functional immune synapse. Further studies are under way to determine the mechanisms of age and VE-induced enhancement of effective immune synapse formation.
Rates from the coalescence of relaxation times

Abstract A method has been developed for obtaining intramolecular exchange rates in liquids from the coalescence of nonselective 13 C spin-lattice relaxation times for the general case in which T 1 at the two sites can have any relative values. Regression analysis and curve fitting of the relaxation data to the double-exponential solution of the Bloch equations modified for exchange yields the exchange rate k and the true spin-lattice relaxation times for each site ( T 1 A and T 1 B ). The method has been applied to the exchange of methyl groups by amide bond rotation in dimethyl-formamide (DMF). Comparison of the true relaxation times with those obtained by single-exponential analysis ( T 1 A (eff) and T 1 B (eff)) at several temperatures provides insight into the double-exponential behavior of relaxation times in exchanging systems. A computer simulation model of the relaxation behavior demonstrates that the peculiar temperature dependence of T 1 (eff) at sites A and B is a superposition of exchange effects on dipole-dipole relaxation. For DMF, the exchange rate constants derived from the double-exponential analysis agree reasonably well with the literature values. All T 1 measurements are made in the temperature range below the initiation of any lineshape changes.
The Effect of Definite versus Indefinite Quantitative Terms upon the Comprehension and Retention of Social Studies Material

The purpose of the present investigation was to attack one phase of the general prob lem of comprehension with special reference to (i) the relative efficiency of definite as against indefinite methods of presentation of quantitative concepts in social studies ma terial; (2) the relation of the ability of pupils to comprehend and to retain quantita tive terms to their intelligence as measured by the I. Q.; and (3) an analysis of the various combinations of response made by pupils to a test designed to measure the re tention as well as the application of the mean ing of quantitative terms in given situations.
Cumulus Convection in Weak and Strong Tropical Disturbances

Abstract A relatively simple method of parameterizing subgrid-scale moist convection has been developed for use in tropical numerical weather prediction experiments. The technique includes entrainment, moist and dry downdrafts, and environmental mixing. Vertical extent of the model cloud is to one of three possible tropospheric levels. The formulation of the mass flux into cloud base is such that the amount of low-level energy consumed by the clouds is approximately that supplied by the large-scale flow. The model convection was employed, without change, in real-data primitive equation forecasts of two separate tropical disturbances. The first disturbance was a non-developing, Caribbean easterly wave (August 1961) and the second was hurricane Alma (August 1962). Predicted convection in the easterly wave tended to be weak and sporadic. Convective regions, generally in the eastern half of the wave, developed and then dissipated within 6–12 hr. Averaged over longer periods, latent heating tended to be weak a...
Algorithms for Computations in Local Symmetric Spaces

In the last two decades much of the algebraic/combinatorial structure of Lie groups, Lie algebras, and their representations has been implemented in several excellent computer algebra packages, including LiE, GAP4, Chevie, Magma, and Maple. The structure of reductive symmetric spaces or more generally symmetric k-varieties is very similar to that of the underlying Lie group, with a few additional complications. A computer algebra package enabling one to do computations related to these symmetric spaces would be an important tool for researchers in many areas of mathematics, including representation theory, Harish Chandra modules, singularity theory, differential and algebraic geometry, mathematical physics, character sheaves, Lie theory, etc. In this article we lay the groundwork for computing the fine structure of symmetric spaces over the real numbers and other base fields, give a complete set of algorithms for computing the fine structure of symmetric varieties and use this to compute nice bases for th...
Superiority and failure mode of automotive batteries insulated with polyethylene separators

Abstract For separator types used in North America and Western Europe the trend is towards microporous polyethylene (PE) materials. Battery industries in these regions have demonstrated the superiority of PE separators with respect to other types in terms of physical, electrical and chemical properties. Grace battery separator technical center (BSTC) in Hamburg (Germany) has analysed 53 failed batteries removed from field service and found only 11.3% of failures is related to PE separators. In explicit terms, separator-related failures are due to deep-discharge and subsequent charge of the batteries.
Analysis of Oligomer Assembly for the GluA2 Amino Terminal Domain

For GluA2, an ionotropic glutamate receptor that mediates excitatory synaptic transmission at CNS synapses, the reported monomer-dimer Kd of the amino-terminal domain (ATD) varies widely, ranging from 1.8 nM to 4 μM.1-3 To investigate causes of discrepancies in the literature, several protein constructs, diverse in glycosylation and overall size, were created and the dimer Kd analyzed by analytical ultracentrifugation with absorbance and interference optics (AUC). Sedimentation velocity (SV) Kds varied from 2 to 11 nM, with size and glycosylation having little effect. At the highest protein concentration examined (33 μM) we did not detect formation of tetramers or larger oligomer species. Steady state fluorescence anisotropy titrations for DyLight405 labelled protein yielded similar results. However, sedimentation equilibrium analysis yielded dissociation constants of 160 to 280 nM. Temperature and pressure variations did not explain this difference. Small amounts of degradation over the several day sedimentation equilibrium protocol was revealed by silver-stained SDS-PAGE and likely underlies the different Kds for sedimentation velocity and sedimentation equilibrium experiments. Our results confirm that the GluA2 ATD forms nM affinity dimers3. The spread of values measured by SV highlights the difficulty in making accurate measurements at nanomolar protein concentrations, due to dimer-deficient monomers produced by proteolysis or extremely small signal to noise ratios. The similar variance observed in prior work with fluorescence detection AUC suggests that S/N limitations are not the major cause of Kd variations.1. Jin R, Singh SK, Gu S, Furukawa H, Sobolevsky AI, Zhou J, Jin Y, Gouaux E (2009). EMBO J 28:1812-1823.2. Clayton A, Siebold C, Gilbert RJ, Sutton GC, Harlos K, McIlhinney RA, Jones EY, Aricescu AR (2009) J Mol Biol 392:1125-1132.3. Rossmann M, Sukumaran M, Penn AC, Veprintsev DB, Babu MM, Greger IH (2011) EMBO J 30:959-971.
Murine β1,4-galactosyltransferase: round spermatid transcripts are characterized by an extended 5′-untranslated region

We have previously shown that the expression of the gene encoding murine beta 1,4-galactosyltransferase (beta 1,4-GT, UDP-galactose:N-acetyl-D-glucosaminyl-glycopeptide 4-beta-D galactosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.38) is fundamentally different between somatic and male germ cells (Shaper et al., 1990b). In somatic cells, two transcripts of 3.9 kb and 4.1 kb are produced. In contrast, in spermatogonia only the 4.1 kb transcript is expressed. Maturation of spermatogonia to pachytene spermatocytes is accompanied by reduced expression of the 4.1 kb transcript to barely detectable levels. Continued differentiation to haploid round spermatids is coincident with renewed expression in which the 4.1 kb transcript is replaced by two truncated transcripts of 2.9 and 3.1 kb. In this study, we report the characterization of a full-length beta 1,4-GT cDNA clone from a murine round spermatid library that corresponds to the 2.9 kb transcript. This transcript encodes the same open reading frame as the 4.1 kb transcript, but utilizes alternative poly(A) signals embedded within the long 3'-untranslated region of the somatic transcript. Based on sequence analysis, together with primer extension and S1 nuclease protection experiments, both the 2.9 and the 3.1 kb round spermatid beta 1,4-GT transcripts are distinguished by the presence of an additional 5'-untranslated sequence of approximately 560 bp that is absent in premeiotic germ cells and somatic cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Cancer Screening Barriers for Community-based Older Hispanics and Caucasians

Despite advances in screening and early detection, ethnic minority populations, ages 65 and older, are less likely than Caucasians to participate in cancer screening services. Empirical research indicates that older ethnic minorities have cultural values that influence their behaviors. Addressing culturally relevant communication to better understand those values may increase participation in cancer screening. The study reported is a secondary analysis of qualitative data gathered from focus groups. Utilizing an interdisciplinary analytical lens, we compared older Hispanic and Caucasian's cultural values and their screening behaviors. Suggested psychosocial interventions are discussed to assist providers in their ongoing efforts to promote cancer screening.
Computer vision: An in-depth look at the technique and applications of digital image processing

Digital image processing involves the manipulation and analysis of images or pictures using digital computers. The field of image processing can be divided into three main areas. The first, sometimes referred to as image coding, deals with the digitization and compression of image data so as to make efficient use of memory space during storage and channel capacity during transmission. The second area is commonly referred to as pattern recognition or computer vision and is concerned with the processing of images to be used for machine analysis. The third area is concerned with the processing of pictures where the resulting image is to be used by humans or machines. The author discusses in-depth the technique and application of digital image processing.
Construction of a permeable reactive barrier in a residential neighborhood

In June 2001, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) installed a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) within a roadway in Needham, Massachusetts, to treat a plume of chlorinated solvents migrating toward two public water-supply wells located in the adjacent town of Wellesley, Massachusetts. The solvents originated from an electronics manufacturer located approximately 2,300 feet upgradient of the roadway and 5,200 feet upgradient of the public supply wells. Chlorinated solvents, primarily trichloroethene (TCE), had migrated past the roadway to within 300 feet of the public supply wells. Two contaminant transport models prepared by the DEP's design contractor and the EPA indicated that the plume would reach the well field if no response actions were taken. To mitigate the future impact to the municipal well field, the DEP decided to install a PRB composed of zero-valent granular iron across the path of the plume along Central Avenue in Needham. Though several dozen PRBs have been installed at sites worldwide and the technology is no longer considered innovative, the application of the technology in a roadway that receives 17,000 vehicles per day within a residential neighborhood is unique and presented difficulties not typically associated with PRB installations. The Needham PRB was also one of the first zero-valent iron PRBs installed using the slurry trench method to treat chlorinated compounds. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MEASUREMENT OF MICROBIAL BIOMASS AND ACTIVITY IN LANDFILL SOILS

Two complementary techniques, which have been widely used to provide a general measure of microbial biomass or microbial activity in natural soils, were evaluated for their applicability to soils from the Mallard North and Mallard Lake Landfills, DuPage County, Illinois, U.S.A. Included were: (1) a potassium sulphate extraction technique with quantification of organic carbon for measurement of microbial biomass; and (2) an arginine ammonification technique for microbial activity. Four profiles consisting of replaced soils were sampled for this study; units included topsoil (mixed mollisol A and B horizons), compacted clay cover (local calcareous Wisconsinan age glacial till), and mixed soil/refuse samples. Internally consistent results across the four profiles and good correlations with other independent indicators of microbial activity (moisture, organic matter content, nitrogen, and phosphorus) suggest that, even though these techniques were developed mainly for natural mineral soils, they are also applicable to disturbed landfill soils.
Lipase Catalysis. A Direct Route to Linear Aliphatic Copolyesters of Bis(hydroxymethyl)butyric Acid with Pendant Carboxylic Acid Groups

Immobilized Lipase B from Candida antartica (CAL-B, Novozyme 435) catalyzed terpolymerizations of bis(hydroxymethyl)butyric acid, BHB (AB2) and 1,8-octanediol (B2) with adipic acid (A2). The copoly...
Temperature Dependence of the Emission Spectrum of Silicon Nanoparticles in Acetone and Isopropanol Solvents

This study investigated the emission spectra of select silicon nanoparticles when subjected to various temperature changes. Two sizes of silicon nanoparticles, dispersed in both isopropanol and acetone solvents, were studied. Photoluminescence responses of the samples were measured in an environmental chamber that allowed exposure to temperatures in the range of −73 to 65 °C (−100 to 150 °F). These silicon nanoparticles exhibited emission dependence on the temperature of their environment. The emission become brighter as the temperature decreased and less intense as the temperature increased. Thus, the response of these silicon nanoparticles in a harsh environment has been qualified.
Reversible Cyclic Peptide Libraries for the Discovery of Affinity Ligands

A novel strategy is presented for the identification of cyclic peptide ligands from combinatorial libraries of reversible cyclic depsipeptides. A method for the solid-phase synthesis of individual cyclic depsipeptides and combinatorial libraries of these compounds is proposed, which employs lactic acid (Lact) and the dipeptide ester (Nα-Ac)-Ser(Ala)- as linkers for dilactonization. Upon alkaline treatment of the beads selected by screening a model library, the cyclic depsipeptides are linearized and released from the solid support to the liquid phase, to be sequenced via single-step tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The protocol presented for library synthesis provides for wide structural diversity. Two model sequences, VVWVVK and AAWAAR, were chosen to present different structural examples for depsipeptide libraries and demonstrate the process of sequence determination by mass spectrometry. Further, a case study using the IgG binding cyclic depsipeptide cyclo[(Nα-Ac)-S(A)-RWHYFK-Lact-E] is presented to d...
Bullying in the clinical training of pharmacy students.

OBJECTIVE. To determine whether bullying is a significant factor in the clinical training of pharmacy students. METHODS. The literature as well as the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Standards and American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) surveys were reviewed for mention and/or measurement of bullying behaviors in the clinical training of pharmacy students. The authors used a Delphi process to define bullying behavior. The consensus definition was used to analyze 2,087 in-house student evaluations of preceptors for evidence of bullying behaviors. The authors mapped strings of text from in-house student comments to different, established categories of bullying behaviors. RESULTS. The ACPE Standards and AACP surveys contained no mention or measures of bullying. The 2013 AACP survey data reported overwhelmingly positive preceptor ratings. Of the 2,087 student evaluations of preceptors, 119 (5.7%) had at least 1 low rating. Within those 119 survey instruments, 34 comments were found describing bullying behaviors. Students' responses to the AACP survey were similar to data from the national cohort. CONCLUSIONS. Given the evidence that bullying behaviors occur in pharmacy education and that bullying has long-term and short-term damaging effects, more attention should be focused on this problem. Efforts should include addressing bullying in ACPE Standards and AACP survey tools developing a consensus definition for bullying and conducting more research into bullying in the clinical training of pharmacy students. Language: en
Low Cloud Type over the Ocean from Surface Observations. Part II: Geographical and Seasonal Variations

Abstract Synoptic surface cloud observations primarily made by volunteer observing ships are used to construct global climatologies of the frequency of occurrence of individual low cloud types over the ocean for daytime during summer and winter seasons for the time period 1954–92. This essentially separates the previous S. Warren et al. “stratus,” “cumulus,” and “cumulonimbus” climatologies into their constituent cloud types. The different geographical and seasonal distributions of low cloud types indicate that each type within the Warren et al. categories is associated with different meteorological conditions. Hence, investigations based on individual low cloud types instead of broader categories will best identify the processes and variability in meteorological parameters responsible for observed variability in cloudiness. The present study is intended to provide a foundation for future investigations by documenting the climatological distributions of low cloud type frequency and demonstrating the physi...
Single CdSe quantum dots for high-bandwidth single-photon generation

We have measured the correlation of the photon emission from single CdSe quantum dots under pulsed excitation. The results demonstrate that the emission from a single CdSe quantum dot can be used to generate single green photons on demand with subnanosecond accuracy.
Suicide risk assessment in a college student population.

A group of 211 students at a midwestem university completed the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire (M. M. Linehan & S. L. Nielsen, 1981), Adult Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (W. M. Reynolds, 1991a), Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale (I. Orbach et al., 1991), Beck Helplessness Scale (A. T. Beck, A. Weissman, D. Lester, & L. Trexler, 1974), and the Reasons for Living Inventory (M. M. Linehan, L. J. Goodstein, S. L. Nielsen, & J. A. Chiles, 1983) to determine if this group of commonly used self-report measures can distinguish between individuals with high and low levels of suicidal ideation and history of self-harmful behaviors. Exploratory principal-axis factor analysis resulted in an interpretable 2-factor solution accounting for 36.2% of the variance in suicidality. Support for convergent validity of the chosen measures was also found. It appears that rapid, accurate assessment of university student suicide risk is possible. Implications for reduction of suicide risk in this segment of the population are discussed.
The Mechanism of the Negative Point Corona at Atmospheric Pressure in Relation to the First Townsend Coefficient

On the basis of recent work by P. L. Morton and G. W. Johnson on ionization by electrons in divergent electrical fields, it is shown that at atmospheric pressure it is permissible to compute the ionization in electron avalanches by means of the Townsend expression $\ensuremath{\int}{e}^{}\ensuremath{\alpha}\mathrm{dx}$ down to points of the order of 1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ cm radius. The phenomena resembling a glow discharge, observed at atmospheric pressure with the negative points normally used, must be ascribed to ionization of the Morton type which can only be produced in the positive space charge fields built up at the point later in the course of pulse formation. The ionization at both positive and negative points must initially be of the Townsend type. This conclusion clarifies difficulties, and is consistent with the pulse build-up time of 0.4 microsecond just observed by W. N. English with a Synchroscope. An explanation is also given for the equality of starting potentials of pulses from positive and negative points in air, while in pure ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$, the negative pulses start at much lower potentials.
New high- Tc benchmarks for organic and fullerene superconductors

Abstract Superconductivity in the highest-T c radical- cation [ κ -(ET) 2 Cu[N(CN) 2 ]X,X = Br (T c = 11.6 K), X = Cl (T c = 12.8 K , 0.3 kbar )] and radical - anion [K x C 60 (T c = 28.6 K)] organic superconductors is discussed.
A Combination Staining Method for Fibers and Cell Bodies of the Urodele Central Nervous System

A simple method for staining nerve cells and fibers of the salamander central nervous system is described. The procedure employs Carnoy's fixation followed by Protargol inpregnation and Nissl staining. This technique permits the simultaneous observation of intracellular neurofibrils, neuronal processes and basophilic components of the neuron. In addition, it eliminates the need to stain alternate sections with separate procedures to view the various components of the urodele central nervous system.
Solar burst precursors and energy build-up at microwave wavelengths

We summarize high-resolution microwave observations (VLA) of heating and magnetic triggering in coronal loops. Magnetic changes that precede solar eruptions on time scales of tens of minutes involve primarily emerging coronal loops and the interaction of two or more loops. Thermal cyclotron lines have been detected in coronal loops, suggesting the presence of hot current sheets that enhance emission from relatively thin layers of enhanced temperature and constant magnetic field. These current sheets may play a role in the excitation of solar bursts. A filament-associated source with a high brightness temperature and steep radiation spectrum occurs above a region of apparently weak photospheric field. This source might be attributed to currents that enhance coronal magnetic fields. Compact (phi=5 sec) transient sources with lifetimes of 30 to 60 minutes have also been detected in regions of apparently weak photospheric field. We conclude by comparing VLA observations of coronal loops with simultaneous SMM-XRP observations.
Improving Consumer Satisfaction of Beef Through the Use of Thermometers and Consumer Education by Wait Staff

ABSTRACT: When consumers were provided with visual and verbal assistance in placing orders for beef sirloin steaks, ratings for overall liking and liking of flavor were higher (P < 0.05) compared to liking ratings for steaks when no assistance was provided. In a comparison of thermometers and touch method to determine endpoint temperature, steaks cooked using thermometers had endpoint temperatures closer to the desired endpoint temperature (1.0 compared with 18.9 °C). Consumers receiving their steak correctly cooked rated the steak higher (P < 0.05) for overall liking and liking of flavor. Providing wait staff assistance and using thermometers in foodservice establishments will increase consumer preference for beef sirloin steaks.
From morphological to molecular: studies of myxomycetes since the publication of the Martin and Alexopoulos (1969) monograph

Myxomycetes (plasmodial slime molds or myxogastrids) are a group of eukaryotic microorganisms usually present and sometimes abundant in terrestrial ecosystems. Because they produce aerial spore-bearing structures that resemble those of certain fungi and also typically occur in some of the same types of ecological situations as fungi, myxomycetes have been traditionally studied by mycologists, and this continued to be the case for the greater part of the twentieth century. However, there is now abundant molecular data to confirm that they are amoebozoans and not fungi. Efforts are currently underway to develop the first molecular phylogeny for myxomycetes, and several recent studies have used molecular techniques to detect the presence of these organisms in nature by means of direct environmental sampling.
Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy of Cervicofacial Masses in Children

Objective: To show the usefulness of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in the diagnosis of cervicofacial masses in children. Design: Case series. Setting: Pediatric otolaryngology referral center; ambulatory and hospitalized patients. Patients: Seventeen pediatric (age, Intervention: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Outcome Measures: Cytologic diagnosis, resolution of mass, and need for further surgical diagnosis or treatment. Results: Following FNAB, 10 patients underwent open surgery; in seven, the surgery was indicated based on FNAB diagnosis; in three, surgery provided diagnoses where FNAB was insufficient. Based on FNAB data, seven patients were observed without surgery. Conclusions: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is a useful early step in diagnosing cervicofacial masses in children. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995;121:533-536)
Equivariant cohomology and lower bounds for chromatic numbers

We introduce a general topological method for obtaining a lower bound of the chromatic number of an n-graph. We present numerical lower bounds for intersection n-graphs
Donor–recipient ideological differences and economic aid

We explore the impact of donor–recipient ideological differences on US economic aid decisions. We find that the odds and the amount of aid to left-wing recipients are higher under left-wing US administrations. The opposite result is found for center-right recipients.
Climate, modeling, and predictability

Abstract Among the most interesting and fascinating phenomena that are predicted are the chaotic ocean/atmosphere/land system called weather and its longtime average climate. While weather is not predictable beyond a few days, aspects of the climate may be predictable for years, decades, and perhaps longer. A major reason for this is the presence within this chaotic system of discernible periodic cycles varying from very low frequency of a hundred thousand years or so to interannual variations such as El Nino and the Quasi biennial Oscillation. This paper is meant as a broad introduction and survey to those interested in predictability, but not familiar with climate variability. No attempt is made to give an exhaustive treatment; rather examples of variability across the temporal spectrum will be given to illustrate behavior and suggest causes. There is also a short treatment of secular and sporadic forcings that complicate attempts to pin down variability of the same time scale. And finally the problem of attribution of anthropogenic forcings is looked at as one that must have major periodic and quasi-periodic phenomena stripped away before it can be isolated quantitatively.