cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energy criterion for crack deflection at an interface between two orthotropic media

Abstract To achieve toughness in many brittle composites, crack deflection at interfaces between fibers and matrix, or between fibers and their protective coatings is essential. In this paper, an energy criterion for crack deflection at an interface between two aligned, orthotropic media is obtained by using the method of singular integral equations. Only the case of a perpendicularly impinging interface crack is considered. Since the main crack can either be deflected on one (singly deflected) or both (doubly deflected) sides of the interface, the energy release rate ratios (ratio of energy released for crack deflecting along the interface to that penetrating the interface) are calculated for both cases and the maximum of the two is assumed to govern the interface design. We provide results for the G d ⧸ G p ratio for both singly and doubly deflected cracks as a function of the orthotropic parameters /gr and /gl of each material and the two bi-material constants α and β. Unlike the strength criterion, the energy release rate criterion is very sensitive to the values of λ, ρ, α and β. Thus, it is not possible to provide generalized delamination charts as a function of the bi-material constant α alone. Instead, conditions for interface crack deflection are provided for several fiber-matrix pairs, chosen from different metal, ceramic and intermetallic matrix composites. We recover the previously published results for the singly deflected crack case when the orthotropic media approach the corresponding isotropic material idealization. In addition, we present the correct solutions for the doubly deflected case and show that for positive values of the Dundurs parameter α, the G d ⧸ G p ratio is higher than that obtained for the singly deflected case, albeit by only 3–4%. Finally, the results of the above analysis are demonstrated by growing wedge-induced cracks normal to the grain boundary of a freshwater ice bi-crystal with c -axes of the individual crystals oriented normal to each other.
Psychiatric symptom versus neurocognitive correlates of diminished expressivity in schizophrenia and mood disorders

Diminished expressivity is a poorly understood, but important construct for a range of mental diseases. In the present study, we employed computerized acoustic analysis of natural speech to understand diminished expressivity in patients with schizophrenia and mood disorders. We were interested in the degree to which speech characteristics tapping alogia (i.e., average pause duration) and blunted affect (i.e., prosody computed from fundamental frequency and intensity) reflected psychiatric symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, paranoia and bizarre behavior) versus neurocognitive deficits. Twenty-six subjects with schizophrenia and 22 subjects with mood disorders provided speech samples in response to a variety of laboratory stimuli and completed neuropsychological batteries assessing a range of abilities. For both the schizophrenia and mood disorder groups, attentional coding deficits were significantly correlated with increased pause time (at large effect size levels) and, for the schizophrenia group only, reduced prosody (also at a large effect size level). For the mood disorder but not the schizophrenia group, increased average pause time was also significantly associated with neurocognitive deficits on a range of other tests (medium to large effect size levels). Psychiatric symptoms were not significantly associated with speech characteristics for either group (generally, negligible effect sizes). These results suggest that there is a link between expressivity and neurocognitive dysfunctions for both patients with schizophrenia and mood disorders. Implications and future research directions are discussed.
Optical I/O for chip-to-chip interconnects on CMOS platform

Optical devices on a CMOS die and package for terabit computing are discussed. 200Gbps transmission is accomplished with a 1×10 VCSEL array. CMOS backend compatible modulators and photodetectors are demonstrated at 40Gbps for on-die integration.
A Test of Social Disorganization Theory in High-Risk Urban Neighborhoods

Although there is a growing body of research based on social disorganization theory that relates the neighborhood context to juvenile crime and delinquency, it is unknown whether neighborhood social processes operate in a similar way across all types of disadvantaged neighborhoods. It is possible that some social processes are unique to economically depressed areas. This research attempts to explain theoretically and test empirically the relationships between neighborhood social structure, social processes, delinquent opportunity structures, and rates of adolescent delinquency among structurally disadvantaged neighborhoods. The hypotheses are tested using neighborhood-level parent and youth data from 44 Denver neighborhoods. A series of regression models are constructed to estimate the effects of the neighborhood on rates of delinquency. The results show that for this high-risk sample the most consistent predictor of rates of problem behavior is youths' perceptions of limited opportunities for the future.
Cadmium and zinc in muscle of bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from an industrially contaminated lake

Abstract Cadmium and zinc analyses of 44 largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and 29 bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) indicate that fish in an ecosystem heavily contaminated by trace metals accumulate significantly more metal in edible muscle tissue than do fish in an uncontaminated ecosystem. Concentrations detected ranged from 0·010 to 1·308 ppm Cd and 18·2 to 158·2 ppm Zn (dry weight). Bluegill contained significantly greater concentrations of Cd and Zn than did bass and small bass contained significantly more Cd than did large bass. Human consumption of these fish is probably not a health hazard unless such fish constitute a major portion of the diet.
Older Adults’ Preferences for Independent or Delegated End-of-Life Medical Decision Making:

Objectives: This study assesses the proportions of participants who prefer independent or delegated medical decision making at the end of life and examines the relationships of personal beliefs, affiliative beliefs, and end-of-life planning behaviors to decision-making preference. Method: Data are drawn from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, a sample of nearly 4,500 healthy White Midwestern high school graduates in their mid-60s. Results: Four fifths of participants wanted to make decisions independently. Valuing independence, being less avoidant of thoughts of death, and valuing quality of life over length of life had strong associations with a preference for independent decision making. Those concerned about burdening a caregiver wanted to make independent decisions. Persons who both executed a living will and appointed a durable power of attorney for health care preferred independent decision making. Discussion: Older adults cite personal and affiliative beliefs, not lack of autonomy, as reasons for th...
A study to determine the effect of combination blue (415 nm) and near-infrared (830 nm) light-emitting diode (LED) therapy for moderate acne vulgaris

AbstractBackground and objective: Acne vulgaris remains a major problem in dermatological practice. Phototherapy for acne with blue (415 nm) and red (633 nm) light-emitting diode (LED) arrays has recently attracted attention. This pilot study assessed the efficacy of the combination of 415 nm and near-infrared (IR) LED therapy for moderate acne. Methods: Seventeen individuals were recruited: 13 females and four males. Skin types ranged from type II to type VI, and the acne grades at baseline ranged from Burton grade 1 to 5. Patients underwent twice-weekly 20-minute sessions of LED therapy for 4 weeks, alternating between the blue (415 nm) and near-IR (830 nm) heads. No other treatment was allowed. Results were assessed and compared with the baseline values at 1, 4 and 8 weeks post-treatment. Results: Six individuals failed to complete the study. Eleven individuals showed improvement ranging from 0% to 83.3%. A downward shift in the Burton grade was seen overall. Non-inflammatory lesion counts increased in...
Phase imaging on a .2-T MR scanner: application to temperature monitoring during ablation procedures.

Proton phase shift imaging methods with keyholing were developed to rapidly monitor temperature during MR-guided radiofrequency (RF) interventional procedures on a .2-T open configuration scanner. Temperature calibration was performed on thermally controlled gel phantom and ex vivo bovine liver samples. Keyholing methods were implemented for rapid imaging and tested both in simulation experiments and in the gel phantom. Phase drifts from extraneous sources were monitored and compensated for using reference phantoms. Sequence parameters TE, TR, and flip angle (FA) were optimized for maximum temperature sensitivity and minimum noise. Reduction of phase noise from coupling of the magnetic field to external perturbations using navigator-echo-based correction schemes were also investigated. The extraneous phase drifts from the magnet could be minimized by keeping the electromagnet on continuously. Navigator echo corrected keyholed FLASH sequences (TE = 30 msec, TR = 60 msec, FA = 40 degrees, 64 x 128 matrix) were used to monitor the RF lesioning process in gel phantoms yielding images every 4 seconds with a temperature sensitivity of .015 ppm/degree C. RF ablation in the bovine tissue was monitored using navigator-echo-corrected keyholed fast low angle shot (FLASH) sequences (TE = 30 msec, TR = 100 msec, FA = 40 degrees, 128 x 256 matrix) with a temporal resolution of 13 seconds and a temperature sensitivity of .007 ppm/degree C. The results indicate that monitoring of an RF ablation procedure by mapping temperature with sufficient temporal resolution is possible using phase images of FLASH sequences on a .2-T open scanner.
Direct-to-consumer advertising for urological pharmaceuticals: a cross-sectional analysis of print media.

OBJECTIVE To investigate direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription drugs that are relevant to urological conditions. Evidence suggests that DTCA of prescription drugs increase pharmaceutical sales. Concern about such advertising methods has recently increased owing to the market withdrawal of heavily marketed drugs that were found to have serious health risks. METHODS Three consecutive issues of 26 popular magazines during a 3-month period were screened for urology-related DTCA. Advertisements were abstracted using a standardized evaluation form that was pilot-tested in a separate sample of nonurological advertisements. Variables analyzed included the type of advertisement, claims of effectiveness, references of research studies, inducements, and use of tables, figures, and pictures. RESULTS We identified 8 unique DTCA in 4 different magazines (Ladies Home Journal, Golf Digest, Sports Illustrated, and Good Housekeeping). All advertisements were disease-specific and targeted patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia-related symptoms (n = 3), incontinence (n = 3), or erectile dysfunction (n = 2). The median number of claims made per DTCA was 3 (range, 2-6). None of the claims made were supported by research data, as presented in tables or figures, or referenced peer-reviewed publications. The most common types of appeals addressed symptom control (8/8), lifestyle improvement (7/8), effectiveness (4/8), and dependability (3/8), while none addressed drug safety. CONCLUSIONS DTCA of prescription drugs for urological conditions are found in select journals and focus on few highly prevalent conditions. None of the advertisement claims identified in this study were supported by research data. There seems to be significant room for improvement in the quality of information provided by urological advertisements.
Heterogene Katalyse mit quervernetzten Anordnungen lyotroper Flüssigkristalle: organische Analoga von Zeolithen und mesoporösen Molekularsieben

Organische nanoporose Heterogenkatalysatoren, die aus einem amphiphilen, carboxylatgruppenhaltigen Mesogen bestehen, katalysieren die Knoevenagel-Kondensation (siehe schematische Darstellung). Diese Katalysatoren behalten ihre Strukturen in Losung bei und konnen recycliert werden. Starkere Basizitaten, sehr gute Zuganglichkeit zu den aktiven Zentren und formselektives Verhalten zeichnen diese nanostrukturierten Systeme aus.
Rapid Accumulation of Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate and Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Correlates with Calcium Mobilization in Salt-Stressed Arabidopsis

The phosphoinositide phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] is a key signaling molecule in animal cells. It can be hydrolyzed to release 1,2-diacyglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), which in animal cells lead to protein kinase C activation and cellular calcium mobilization, respectively. In addition to its critical roles in constitutive and regulated secretion of proteins, PtdIns(4,5)P2 binds to proteins that modify cytoskeletal architecture and phospholipid constituents. Herein, we report that Arabidopsis plants grown in liquid media rapidly increase PtdIns(4,5)P2 synthesis in response to treatment with sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and sorbitol. These results demonstrate that when challenged with salinity and osmotic stress, terrestrial plants respond differently than algae, yeasts, and animal cells that accumulate different species of phosphoinositides. We also show data demonstrating that whole-plant IP3 levels increase significantly within 1 min of stress initiation, and that IP3 levels continue to increase for more than 30 min during stress application. Furthermore, using the calcium indicators Fura-2 and Fluo-3 we show that root intracellular calcium concentrations increase in response to stress treatments. Taken together, these results suggest that in response to salt and osmotic stress, Arabidopsis uses a signaling pathway in which a small but significant portion of PtdIns(4,5)P2 is hydrolyzed to IP3. The accumulation of IP3 occurs during a time frame similar to that observed for stress-induced calcium mobilization. These data also suggest that the majority of the PtdIns(4,5)P2 synthesized in response to salt and osmotic stress may be utilized for cellular signaling events distinct from the canonical IP3 signaling pathway.
Light field compression using homography and 2D warping

This paper describes a new method for light field compression that exploits inter-view correlation. The proposed method uses homography and 2D warping to predict views and does not require additional camera parameters or a 3D geometry model. The method utilizes angular shift between views, which is neglected in conventional motion compensation methods. Results indicate improved coding efficiency of the proposed method over traditional motion compensation schemes. A full light field coder based on video-compression demonstrates 1–1.5 dB additional improvement in PSNR, or equivalently a 4–12% additional reduction in bitrate when the new method is introduced as a prediction mode.
The Predictive Studies Series: Correlation of physiologic responses to extreme environmental stresses.

Periodically over the past four decades, investigators at the Institute for Environmental Medicine have carried out correlated physiologic experiments programs that were from the outset designated individually and collectively as ‘Predictive Studies.’ Because of my long and close association, I have been invited to summarize the scope of these studies designed to identify and quantitatively measure in human subjects the physiologic and pathophysiologic effects of extreme respiratory gas and ambient pressure environments that could limit or aid man's ability to live or work in those environments. Each of these eight broad studies was conceived, designed, and led by C. J. Lambertsen, and joined by selected collaborating participants from military, university, or corporate backgrounds. In most cases, the Predictive Studies employed a “dose-response” design, in which human subjects were exposed to a range of respiratory gases and pressures for durations that approached the limits of tolerance at both rest and during physical work. By measuring physiologic and/or toxic responses to each pressureduration dose and then interpolating between doses, the intent was to “predict” responses to pressure-duration combinations over the ranges of stresses studied. C.J. Lambertsen's earliest physiologic study of oxygen involved microtonometry to determine in-vivo relationships of PO2, PCO2, and hemoglobin O2 saturation in the arterial blood of human subjects exposed to increasingly severe degrees of hypoxia (1). Ensuing analyses of arterial and brain venous blood at 3.5 ATA-inspired O2, beyond full saturation of hemoglobin, demonstrated that human subjects are functional without the benefit of hemoglobin for O2 transport to the brain or CO2 transport from it (2). These early observations, superimposed on extreme personal exposures to hyperoxia and oxygen poisoning in development of practical selfcontained diving (3, 4), led to seminal investigations of human respiration and brain circulation functions in hyperoxic states (5-7). Subsequently, the focus which emerged was on relations of evolving undersea and aerospace activity, in which Lambertsen played a special role as Chairman of the Man in Space Committee, Space Science Board, established by the National
Towards an architecture for real-time decision support systems: challenges and solutions

In large enterprises, huge volumes of data are generated and consumed, and substantial fractions of the data change rapidly. Business managers need up-to-date information to make timely and sound business decisions. Unfortunately, conventional decision support systems do not provide the low latencies needed for decision making in this rapidly changing environment. The paper introduces the notion of real time decision support systems. It distills the requirements of such systems from two real-life IT outsourcing examples drawn from our extensive experience in developing and deploying such systems. We argue that real time decision support systems are complex because they must combine elements of several different types of technologies: enterprise integration real time systems, workflow systems, knowledge management, and data warehousing and data mining. We then describe an approach to addressing these challenges. The approach is based on the message brokering paradigm for enterprise integration, and combines this paradigm with workflow management, knowledge management, and dynamic data warehousing and analysis. We conclude with lessons learnt from building systems based on this architectural approach, and discuss some hard research problems that arise.
Determinants of decisions to enter the U.S. farming sector

This study investigates the factors likely to affect an individual’s decision to enter farming after and/or while participating in an off-farm employment activity. Additionally, an ordered multivariate regression procedure was used to analyze the degree of importance of selected motivating reasons that were drivers of individuals’ decision to enter farming. Results indicate that individuals with lower education, children in the household, and older family members were more likely to have entered farming as an occupation. Findings further suggest that federal policies in the form of farm program payments may provide retired nonfarm workers incentives to enter farming in later life.
MASM: a look back and a peek ahead

The first Winter Simulation Conference (WSC) papers on the use of simulation in semiconductor manufacturing appeared in the late 1980s and then appeared regularly throughout the 1990s. The first WSC track on semiconductor manufacturing was in 1996 and it was repeated in most WSCs over the next decade. The first Modeling and Analysis of Semiconductor Manufacturing (MASM) conference took place in 2000. The focus of the MASM conference was the use of operations research and statistical tools and techniques (including but not limited to discrete event simulation) aimed at improving semiconductor manufacturing operations. In 2008, MASM became a conference within WSC, keeping its focus that is broader than just discrete event simulation applications. In this talk, the history of modeling and simulation of semiconductor manufacturing from the early days to the present time will be discussed. This will include the separate efforts of WSC and MASM and the current combined efforts. Finally, the future of MASM and the possibility of adding some formal structure to the MASM community will be proposed.
Role analysis

We present a new role system in which the type (or role) of each object depends on its referencing relationships with other objects, with the role changing as these relationships change. Roles capture important object and data structure properties and provide useful information about how the actions of the program interact with these properties. Our role system enables the programmer to specify the legal aliasing relationships that define the set of roles that objects may play, the roles of procedure parameters and object fields, and the role changes that procedures perform while manipulating objects. We present an interprocedural, compositional, and context-sensitive role analysis algorithm that verifies that a program maintains role constraints.
Column with Equal-Spaced Elastic Supports

m = number of spans of the column L = length of a span of the column C = spring constant of the elastic supports EI = bending stiffness of the column S = stiffness ratio, CL/EI P = buckling load of the column / = a dimensionless parameter, PL/EI M = bending moment, sign according to beam convention R = reaction of support, positive if upward y = deflection of the column, positive if upward x = an integer between 0 and m X = a parameter defined by Eq. (7)
Fusion of ligand-coated nanoparticles with lipid bilayers: effect of ligand flexibility.

Amphiphilic, monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have recently been shown to insert into and fuse with lipid bilayers, driven by the hydrophobic effect. The inserted transmembrane state is stabilized by the “snorkeling” of charged ligand end groups out of the bilayer interior. This snorkeling process is facilitated by the backbone flexibility of the alkanethiol ligands that comprise the monolayer. In this work, we show that fusion is favorable even in the absence of backbone flexibility by modeling the ligands as rigid rods. For rigid ligands, snorkeling is still accommodated by rotations of the ligand with respect to the grafting point, but the process incurs a more significant free energy penalty than if the backbone were fully flexible. We show that the rigid rod model predicts similar trends in the free energy change for insertion as the previous flexible model when the size of the AuNPs is varied. However, the rigidity of the ligand backbone reduces the overall magnitude of the free energy...
Induction of respiration deficient mutants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by berenil. I. Berenil, a novel, non-intercalating mutagen.

Some characteristic details of mutagenesis by Berenil, a non-intercalating trypanocidal dye, that govern the change from wild type (ϱ+) to vegetative petite (ϱ−) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are presented and contrasted with the intercalating mutagens ethidium bromide and euflavine.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Prognosis and Progression of Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasing public health threat with significant related morbidity and mortality. NAFLD is currently separated into two clinical entities, benign simple steatosis, and NASH, the more progressive form. Instead, NAFLD is likely a spectrum of disease that can progress regardless of the initial histologic findings. Risk factors associated with disease progression of NASH include the histologic findings of lobular inflammation, presence of NASH rather than simple steatosis, and most significant, the presence of fibrosis. In addition, comorbid metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic syndrome play a significant role in progression, and sometimes regression, of NAFLD. Currently liver biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis and staging of NAFLD, however noninvasive testing is garnering more interest in ongoing research trials and will hopefully prove to be a reliable means of evaluating patients with NAFLD in the future.
The Role of Standards in Real-Time Computing

Having participated in the IEEE POSIX 1003.4 “Realtime” extensions [1],[2],[3], including process and thread-level functions as well as profiles, it has become apparent that there are a number of important attributes of standards in the real-time systems arena. These can be characterized along two dimensions; a set of attributes that illustrate the importance of real-time standards, and a set of attributes that seem to lead to the conclusion that real-time standards could be inappropriate. This discussion will cover each of these sets of attributes in turn, followed by some brief conclusions.
Fabrication and Characterization of Flexible Thin Film Transistors on Thin Solution-Cast Substrates

We report flexible ZnO thin film transistors (TFTs) fabricated on 5 µm thick solution-cast polyimide substrate. Plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) was used to deposit Al2O3 dielectric and ZnO active layers respectively. The highest processing temperature was 200 °C. The flexible ZnO TFTs we fabricated have very similar characteristics to devices fabricated on glass substrates. Typical TFT mobility was greater than 12 cm2/V∙s for a gate electric field of 2 MV/cm. Simple mechanical releasing can be used to detach the polyimide substrate from the rigid carrier. Device performance showed almost no degradation after releasing. Repeated bending test using homemade roller-flex testing apparatus was conducted. The flexible ZnO TFTs were repeatedly bent and flattened to a minimum radius of 1.6 mm for more than 10,000 cycles with little change in device characteristics. These results demonstrated solution-cast thin polymeric film as a simple but profound path to oxide semiconductor flexible electronics.
Laser-assisted anastomosis of large-diameter vessels with the carbon dioxide laser

A low-powered carbon dioxide laser was used to accomplish large-vessel anastomosis in growing minipigs. Results showed excellent patency, near-normal growth rates, and minimal foreign body response.
Transnational Resource Conflict: The Politics of Whaling

Global resource scarcity has recently led to a proliferation of nonviolent resource conflicts, with one of the most viable being the direct physical confrontation on the high seas between Greenpeace (a transnational conservationist organization) and the Soviet whaling ships. Focusing on the politics of whaling, this study explores the possibility that conflict between private lobbying groups and nations may be more effective in achieving environmentalist objectives than the more traditional government-to-government negotiations. The limits to the generalizability of this notion are then delineated.
PNT2258, a novel deoxyribonucleic acid inhibitor, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via a distinct mechanism of action: a new class of drug for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

// Abdul Shukkur Ebrahim 1 , Mustapha Kandouz 2 , Allison Liddane 1 , Hussam Sabbagh 1 , Yuning Hou 3 , Chunying Li 3 , Ayad Al-Katib 1 1 Lymphoma Research Lab, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201-USA 2 Department of Pathology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201-USA 3 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201-USA Correspondence to: Ayad Al-Katib, e-mail: aa1526@wayne.edu Keywords: non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, WSU-FSCCL, PNT2258, DNAi, apoptosis Received: November 14, 2015 Accepted: May 11, 2016 Published: June 7, 2016 ABSTRACT Current therapy for BCL-2-associated tumors such as Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas (NHL) is inadequate. The DNAi PNT2258, a 24 base single-stranded phosphodiester DNA oligodeoxynucleotide (PNT100) encapsulated in a protective liposome, was precisely designed to treat cancers that over-express BCL-2. PNT2258 strongly inhibited BCL-2 promoter activity, confirming its predicted mechanism of action. BCL-2 mRNA and protein expression were significantly downregulated in a follicular small cleaved cell lymphoma (WSU-FSCCL) cell line. 2.5μM PNT2258 induced an initial S- phase arrest followed by a gradual increase in the sub-G0 (apoptosis) compartment and a reciprocal progressive decrease of the S phase. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-positive populations and cleaved caspase-3 and PARP were also increased. The data are consistent with the idea that BCL-2 inhibition by PNT2258 activates apoptotic pathways in WSU-FSCCL cells. This is the first report to address the distinct mechanism of action underlying the anti-BCL-2 functions of PNT2258. Growth inhibition in two other cell lines, WSU-DLCL2 and WSU-WM, supports broad applicability of BCL-2 DNAi to treatment of B-cell NHL.
Role of Soil Moisture Feedback in the Development of Extreme Summer Drought and Flood in the United States

AbstractThis study tackles the contribution of soil moisture feedback to the development of extreme summer precipitation anomalies over the conterminous United States using a regional climate model. The model performs well in reproducing both the mean climate and extremes associated with drought and flood. A large set of experiments using the model are conducted that involve swapped initial soil moisture between flood and drought years using the 1988 and 2012 droughts and 1993 flood as examples. The starting time of these experiments includes 1 May (late spring) and 1 June (early summer). For all three years, the impact of 1 May soil moisture swapping is much weaker than the 1 June soil moisture swapping. In 1988 and 2012, replacing the 1 June soil moisture with that from 1993 reduces both the spatial extent and the severity of the simulated summer drought and heat. The impact is especially strong in 2012. In 1993, however, replacing the 1 June soil moisture with that from 1988 has little impact on precip...
Management of severe respiratory failure.

Although many of the authors in this book discuss the pathogenesis of lung dysfunction, the review by Demling deserves particular scrutiny. He stretches the pertinent literature over a framework of pulmonary physiology in a fashion that is uniquely readable and understandable. With the breadth of background provided by this article, the reader is ready tor Lewis’ scholarly review of atelectasis and pneumonia and the parallel piece by Weinstein and Skillman on the overall management of respiratory failure. There is no chapter on "acute respiratory distress syndrome" (ARDS) in this book because the term is too vague and ill-defined to be helpful to the clinician. However, for those who recognize a syndrome of diffuse atelectasis combined with interstitial edema at normal hydrostatic pressure, (that is, ARDS) that disorder is discussed in these three articles. Protocols for management of respiratory failure on the surgical service at the Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, and San Francisco General Hospital are presented in this section. A Serious student of respiratory care would do well to compare the similarities and differences of the various protocols presented in this book. Good respiratory care assumes expert management of the other nonpulmonary organ systems. Waxman and Shoemaker present a protocol for such care, with reference to their own methods.
The AC (Alternating Current) Electrical Behavior of Multi-layered Thermoelectric Devices

In this study the ac (alternating current) small-signal electrical data in the frequency range 5 Hz ≤ f ≤ 13 MHz are obtained for the multi-layered thermoelectric (TE) devices to extract underlying operative mechanisms via an equivalent circuit model. This model is developed from the complex plane plots in conjunction with the Bode plot. It is observed that the inductive behavior is prevalent for both unbombarded and bombarded TE devices regardless of the doses as both types are observed as somewhat weak in thermoelectric properties. The bombarded multi-layered devices followed a systematic pattern in ac behavior via semicircular relaxation both in the impedance and admittance planes for the same measured data. This pattern is attributed to the transition from one lumped behavior to two distinct mechanisms. It is observed that the␣conductive nature of the equivalent circuit model via non-blocking (non-capacitive) elements, attributed to the underlying operative electrical paths between the two opposite electrodes across the multi-layered device exists, satisfying direct current conditions of the equivalent circuit model. The inductive behavior at high frequencies originates from the conductive aspect of the lumped response of the device in addition to the contribution of the electrode leads. Thus, the proposed equivalent circuit model contains external inductance that verifies a meaningful representation of the multi-layered TE device, though weak in thermoelectric properties.
The Effect of Prequestions on Learning from Video Presentations

Asking students questions before they learn something has been shown to enhance memory for that information. Studies demonstrating this prequestion effect in reading tasks have shown that such prequestions may not enhance—and could even impair—learning of information that was not prequestioned, possibly due to learners’ tendencies to selectively process the prequestioned information at the expense of non-prequestioned information. The current study explored the effects of prequestions on learning from videos, where such a selective processing strategy would be less likely to occur. Participants viewed an educational video and either answered prequestions prior to viewing each of three segments (Prequestion Group) or viewed the same video without answering prequestions (Control Group). A later test revealed a significant advantage for the Prequestion Group over the Control Group, and this pertained to both prequestioned and non-prequestioned information. Thus, prequestions appear to confer both specific and general benefits on video-based learning.
Macromolecular Crowding Facilitates the Conformational Transition of on-Pathway Molten Globule States of the Prion Protein

A simple analytical model is applied to study the effects of macromolecular crowding on the stability of partially folded states of the murine prion protein. It is found that relatively low levels of macromolecular crowding stabilize the partially folded states. The magnitude of the stabilization effect is similar for the partially folded to that of the fully folded state. Thus, the model suggests that it is on-pathway molten globule-like states, rather than partially folded states arising from unfolding of the native state, that play a key role in the pathogenic interconversion mechanism under crowded conditions.
Cultured Cells as Model Systems in Shock Wave Lithotripsy Research: Advantages, Methodological Concerns and Potential Applications

Shock waves generated during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL†) therapy have produced both renal and extrarenal tissue injury.1–4 Renal injury, although not yet fully characterized, includes disruption of the vasculature, damage to the tubular epithelium, and apparent alterations in the renal interstitium. Whole animal studies are being used to document the types of tissue injury that occur during ESWL and are suitable for the investigation of how acute injury may lead to chronic alterations in kidney structure and function. However, in vivo studies may neither allow the adequate probing of the cellular basis of ESWL injury nor aid the understanding of the mechanism by which cells of the kidney are damaged. Such studies cannot precisely determine what role the various physical parameters of shock wave delivery play in producing cell injury. Therefore, investigators have employed cultured cells as model systems to investigate how shock waves injure cells and to determine the role of physical parameters in producing cell/tissue injury. A rationale for employing cultured cells as model systems in ESWL research is presented here, along with a discussion, from a tissue culture perspective, of the advantages and limitations of using isolated cells to better understand how shock waves injure cells of the intact kidney.
Safety of ovarian preservation in premenopausal women with stage I uterine sarcoma

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the oncologic safety of ovarian preservation (OP) in premenopausal women diagnosed with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I uterine sarcoma. METHODS The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was accessed and a cohort of women aged ≤50 diagnosed between 1988-2013 with a sarcoma limited to the uterus was drawn. Based on site-specific surgery codes, women who underwent hysterectomy with or without oophorectomy and did not receive radiation therapy were selected for further analysis. Overall (OS) and cancer-specific (CSS) survival were determined following generation of Kaplan-Meier curves; comparisons were made with the log-rank test. A Cox-proportional hazard model was constructed to control for possible confounders. RESULTS A total of 1,482 women were included in the analysis; 800 (54.0%) were diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma (LMS), 520 (35.1%) with low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LG-ESS), and 162 (10.9%) with adenosarcoma (AS). The OP group included 418 women (28.2%). Differences in the rate of OP were noted based on histology (p=0.014), year of diagnosis (p=0.001), patient age (p<0.001) and race (p=0.012). There was no difference in OS (p=0.220) or CSS (p=0.210) between women who had OP and those who did not. Multivariate analysis confirmed that OP was not associated with a worse mortality. CONCLUSION In this population-based cohort of women with sarcoma limited to the uterus, OP was not associated with worse oncologic outcomes. OP could be considered for women with LMS, sparing them from the morbidity associated with iatrogenic menopause. No conclusions could be made for those with LG-ESS or AS.
Scaling point set registration in 3D across thread counts on multicore and hardware accelerator platforms through autotuning for large scale analysis of scientific point clouds

In this article, we present an autotuning approach applied to systematic performance engineering of the EM-ICP (Expectation-Maximization Iterative Closest Point) algorithm for the point set registration problem. We show how we were able to exceed the performance achieved by the reference code through multiple dependence transformations and automated procedure of generating and evaluating numerous implementation variants. Furthermore, we also managed to exploit code transformations that are not that common during manual optimization but yielded better performance in our tests for the EM-ICP algorithm. Finally, we maintained high levels of performance rate in a portable fashion across a wide range of HPC hardware platforms including multicore, many-core, and GPU-based accelerators. More importantly, the results indicate consistently high performance level and ability to move the task of data analysis through point-set registration to any modern compute platform without the concern of inferior asymptotic efficiency.
THE FORMATION OF CREATINE FROM GLYCOCYAMINE IN THE LIVER

The study of the precursors of creatine in animals has been beset by two difficulties principally. One has been the lack of really adequate biological material; the other, the lack of a specific, and at the same time sensitive analytical method. Experiments hitherto have consisted in attempts to change the urinary excretion of creatine and creatinine, or the creatine content of the tissues of intact animals or of isolated perfused organs. The normal, i.e. uncontrolled, fluctuations in tissue composition and urinary excretion are relatively large compared with the changes induced experimentally; it is often impossible to distinguish when experimental effects are observed, whether these have arisen from changes in the processes of excretion or synthesis; there may be variations in the water content of the tissues, thereby affecting their percentile composition; all of these have stood in the way of firm conclusions being drawn.
Camera canvas: image editing software for people with disabilities

We developed Camera Canvas, photo editing and picture drawing software for individuals who cannot use their hands to operate a computer mouse. Camera Canvas is designed for use with camera-based mousereplacement interfaces that allow a user with severe motion impairments to control the mouse pointer by moving his or her head in front of a web camera. To make Camera Canvas accessible to as wide of a range of movement abilities as possible, we designed its user interface so that it can be extensively tailored to meet individual user needs. We conducted studies with users without disabilities, who used Camera Canvas with the mouse-replacement input system Camera Mouse. The studies showed that Camera Canvas is easy to understand and use, even for participants without prior experience with the Camera Mouse. An experiment with a participant with severe cerebral palsy and quadriplegia showed that he was able to use some but not all of the functionality of Camera Canvas. Ongoing work includes conducting additional user studies and improving the software based on feedback.
Data Collection and Analysis

National differences can have a profound effect on market strategy, NMS, and firm performance. This chapter outlines the approach employed to examine NMS in ten countries and is intended primarily for scholars who wish to understand the approach and methods inherent in the analysis. Indeed, it is important to acknowledge the strengths and shortcomings of any research design. A detailed assessment of statistical tools is beyond the scope of this book, but the most salient issues are presented herein.
The Political Economy of US Antibiotic Use in Animal Feed

This chapter examines the evidence for antibiotic resistance in the United States and globally, the public health implications, and the impact of—and related industry and political responses to—antibiotic use in animal feed. In 1969, the Swann Report in the United Kingdom noted a dramatic increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria in food animals receiving low levels of antibiotics in their feed. While the Food and Drug Administration of the United States sought to control antibiotics in animal feed as far back as 1977, only in 2016 were such regulations fully implemented. The farm-level costs of such controls are estimated by the US Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service to be minimal, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s estimates of the public health costs of antibiotic resistance without implementing controls are $7 billion annually. The complex interactions which exist between economic interests, regulatory policy, and human and animal health are explored in this chapter.
Oxidative stress does not differ in primary dermal fibroblasts isolated from fast-growing and control-growing Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica)

Growth rate is a key life-history trait that influences fitness and shapes the physiology of organisms. Additionally, faster growing individuals of the same species seem to be burdened with higher ...
Adolescent Adjustment Problems Mediate the Association Between Racial Discrimination and School Connectedness

BACKGROUND Whereas previous research suggests a positive association between racial discrimination and early adolescent adjustment problems, few studies examine the relationship between discrimination and school connectedness as it relates to adjustment problems among Hispanic early adolescents. In this study, we examined if depressive symptoms and conduct problems would mediate the concurrent association between perceived racial discrimination and school connectedness among Hispanic early adolescents. METHODS Participants for this study were 192 11-15-year-old (M = 12.1; SD = .95) Hispanic middle school students. Using multigroup path analyses, we examined the indirect association between racial discrimination and school connectedness through adjustment problems, and the equivalence of the associations across girls and boys. RESULTS Racial discrimination was positively associated with depressive symptoms and conduct problems for both girls and boys. In turn, depressive symptoms were negatively associated with school connectedness for girls only, whereas conduct problems were negatively associated with school connectedness for boys only. CONCLUSIONS In consideration of study findings, school personnel should be mindful of Hispanic adolescents who display depressive symptoms or conduct problems, as they may be highly vulnerable to lower levels of school connectedness when experiencing racial discrimination.
Perpetuating factors of social anxiety: a serial mediation model.

Background:There is evidence that individuals with high levels of social anxiety utilize more safety behaviours and experience more post-event processing than those with lower levels of social anxiety. There are also data to suggest that the relationship between safety behaviour use and social anxiety symptoms is mediated by perceived control of one’s anxiety. Furthermore, it has been suggested that post-event processing influences anticipatory anxiety for a future social situation.Aim:A direct link between the perpetuating factors of social anxiety described above has not been established in the literature. The aim of the current study was to test a model examining the relationship between these constructs.Method:Participants first completed a battery of questionnaires. They then participated in an impromptu, 3-minute speech and were informed they would be videotaped. Following the speech, participants completed measures of anxiety and were instructed to return the following week. During the second session, they were informed they would deliver an additional speech and provided ratings of their anxiety in anticipation of delivering the second speech.Results:The results of a serial mediation support that greater levels of social anxiety lead to less perceived control over one’s anxiety, leading to increased safety behaviour use. The increase in safety behaviours led to an increase of post-event processing which resulted in greater anticipatory anxiety for a future speech task.Conclusions:This study provides novel evidence for the importance of perceived control in the genesis of social anxiety, which has implications for treatment.
New Classification System for the U.S. Restaurant Industry: Application of Utilitarian and Hedonic Continuum Model:

In epistemological domains, classification systems play an integral part as tools of discovery and systematic exploration. Classifications are essential for the integrity and validity of any academ...
Context-Dependent Gene Regulation by Homeodomain Transcription Factor Complexes Revealed by Shape-Readout Deficient Proteins

Eukaryotic transcription factors (TFs) form complexes with various partner proteins to recognize their genomic target sites. Yet, how the DNA sequence determines which TF complex forms at any given site is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that high-throughput in vitro DNA binding assays coupled with unbiased computational analysis provide unprecedented insight into how different DNA sequences select distinct compositions and configurations of homeodomain TF complexes. Using inferred knowledge about minor groove width readout, we design targeted protein mutations that destabilize homeodomain binding both in vitro and in vivo in a complex-specific manner. By performing parallel systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment sequencing (SELEX-seq), chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and Hi-C assays, we not only classify the majority of in vivo binding events in terms of complex composition but also infer complex-specific functions by perturbing the gene regulatory network controlled by a single complex.