cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Malignant phyllodes tumor of the female breast: association of primary therapy with cause-specific survival from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program.

BACKGROUND. Malignant phyllodes tumor is a rare and potentially aggressive breast neoplasm. Little information is available regarding the optimal management of these lesions and rarer still are data regarding survival. The current study used a large population database to determine prognostic factors that predict cause-specific survival (CSS). METHODS. Data were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) for the years 1983–2002. Women receiving resection for primary nonmetastatic malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast were included (n = 821). Analyses of patient, pathologic, and treatment characteristics were performed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses for the CSS endpoint. RESULTS. With a median follow-up of 5.7 years, CSS was 91%, 89%, and 89%, at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. Mastectomy was performed in 428 women (52%) and wide excision or lumpectomy in 393 (48%). Women undergoing mastectomy were significantly older (P = .004) and had larger tumors (P = .009). Wide excision was associated with equivalent or improved CSS relative to mastectomy on univariate and multivariate analyses. Older age predicted for cause-specific mortality on multivariate analysis. Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) predicted for worse CSS when implemented compared with surgery alone. CONCLUSIONS. Mastectomy was not found to provide a benefit in CSS compared with wide excision in malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast. Women undergoing wide excision had at the minimum similar cancer-specific mortality compared with those who received mastectomy. The role of adjuvant RT is uncertain and requires further investigation. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Electrochemistry of a Single Attoliter Emulsion Droplet in Collisions

We report here the electrochemistry of emulsion droplets by observing single emulsion droplet collisions with selective electrochemical reduction on an ultramicroelectrode (UME). With appropriately applied potentials at an UME, we can observe the electrochemical effects of single collision signals from the complete electrolysis of single emulsion droplets, or selective electrolysis of redox species in single emulsion droplets. This was observed with nitrobenzene (NB), 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), and ionic liquid. The NB, TCNQ, and ionic liquid act as emulsion material, redox specie, and emulsifier (and electrolyte), respectively. NB emulsions and NB (TCNQ) emulsions were made by ultrasonic processing. During the amperometric current− time (i−t) curve measurement with NB/water emulsion at −0.65 V, reduction of NB emulsion droplets was measured. In the case of less negative potentials, e.g., at −0.45 V with a NB (TCNQ) emulsion, selective reduction of TCNQ in NB droplet was measured. Spike-like responses from electrolysis of NB or TCNQ in each experiment were observed. From these single-particle collision results of NB and NB (TCNQ) emulsions, the collision frequency, size distribution, i−t decay behavior of emulsion droplets, and possible mechanisms are discussed.
Development of an Evidence-Based Data Skills Curriculum for Public Health Professionals

Abstract Background: This article examines the development and implementation of “Prove It! Let the Data Tell the Story”, a day-and-a-half replicable training curriculum designed to enhance the data and information skills of public health professionals. Purpose: Prove It! emphasizes the importance of reliable and valid health data collection, analysis, and reporting in identifying the surrounding issues that have a measurable impact on communities. Methods: A total of 56 participants attended Prove It! in 2004 and 2005 during three sessions across New Hampshire. Participants were administered pre- and post-tests to evaluate knowledge and satisfaction. Results: Attendees showed marked improvement in the understanding of statistical concepts, and a majority of attendees felt the course would assist them personally in their work and reported that they would recommend Prove It! to colleagues. Discussion: The Prove It! curriculum provides an effective and user-friendly format for enhancing data and information...
The pressure drop across a packed-bed collector of low-concentration stratospheric gases

Abstract Packed beds of molecular-sieve pellets have found application in the high-altitude collection of certain gases present in the atmosphere in low concentrations. To facilitate the design of such low-pressure gas samplers, a theory is developed establishing practical relations between pressure drop, gas flow rate, and various gas and packing characteristics. Pressure-drop vs flow-rate relations are confirmed experimentally over the range of ambient pressures of 0.0013-0.79 atm, and for conditions of flow that may be either viscous or inertial, compressible or incompressible, or with or without molecular slip. The theory shows that, for a given set of experimental conditions, there exists a critical gas velocity below which a pressure drop and its associated velocity are possible, if at all, at only a single ambient pressure. Above the critical velocity, however, a given pressure drop-velocity combination may occur, if at all, at either one or two ambient pressures. Methods are described for correlating experimental data in terms of dimensionless groups and, on the basis of relatively few measurements near atmospheric conditions, for estimating pressure drop over a broad range of ambient pressures and gas velocities. The theory derived is thought to be applicable, under appropriate conditions, to a variety of porous media including fibrous filters.
The Measurement of Tropospheric Trace Gases at Fritz Peak Observatory, Colorado, by Long-Path Absorption: OH and Ancillary Gases

Abstract The determination of the concentration of the hydroxyl radical in the troposphere is of fundamental importance to an understanding of the chemistry of the lower atmosphere. Described here are experiments located at Fritz Peak Observatory, Colorado, that measure the OH concentration to a sensitivity limit of about 5×105 cm−3 (0.025 pptv) with absolute error approximately ±30% and, simultaneously, measure the concentrations of H20, SO2, CH2O, NO2, NO3, HONO, 03, and other trace gases in the troposphere that affect OH concentration to provide a test of photochemical theories of OH formation and destruction. An informal OH intercomparison campaign that occurred at Fritz Peak in 1991 and the 1993 Tropospheric OH Photochemistry Experiment are discussed.
(Neo-)Eurasianists and Politics: "Penetration" of State Structures and Indifference to Public Opinion?

This paper focuses on the paradoxical relation of Eurasianists and neo-Eurasianists to politics. While they claim to express the opinion of the "silent minority," they, at the same time, refuse to ...
Audit Committees Oversight Responsibilities Post Sarbanes‐Oxley Act

In this study we examine the oversight responsibilities of audit committees in the post Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) era. The results show that audit committee oversight responsibilities assigned and disclosed in proxy statements expanded post‐SOX compared to pre‐SOX. We design a survey instrument to measure the difference between the perceived oversight responsibilities of audit committee members and the oversight responsibilities actually assigned in the proxy. Our results indicate that although audit committees made a substantial commitment to increase their assigned responsibilities over the period of 2001 to 2004, they still need to do more to meet the many additional challenges facing them in a post‐SOX environment. Overall, our results suggest that the intent of SOX‐for audit committees to be more involved and active in the oversight role of an organization‐is becoming institutionalized. These results should be interesting to policy makers, a variety of interest groups, and accounting researchers.
Practicing Socio-cultural Attunement: A Study of Couple Therapists

In this clinical project our research group of counseling and family sciences doctoral students, utilizing socio-emotional relationship therapy, studied our process of becoming socio-culturally attuned with our client couples. The aims of this clinical project were to operationally define socio-cultural attunement, identify therapist and client indicators of socio-cultural attunement, and outline a model of how to be socio-culturally attuned. Over the course of 4 months, 13 therapists focused on five couples and 25 therapy sessions, engaging in live observation, discussion, watching video tapes, and regularly providing written responses to open-ended questions about socio-cultural attunement. After four cycles of analysis we arrived at a working model for the process of socio-cultural attunement which involves three recursive phases: a beginning guiding lens, sociocultural interpretation, and client and therapist resonance. A case example is provided and clinical implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.
The Seven Traits of Superprofessionals

Superprofessionalism is a mode of conduct characterized by seven central traits: focus on individual responsibility, acute awareness, commitment to facts, resilience under pressure, sense of fairness, attention to detail in perspective, and pragmatism first. This editorial elaborates on these traits and comments on their relation to proficiency and ethics.
Impact of phosphorylation on structure and thermodynamics of the interaction between the N-terminal domain of enzyme I and the histidine phosphocarrier protein of the bacterial phosphotransferase system.

The structural and thermodynamic impact of phosphorylation on the interaction of the N-terminal domain of enzyme I (EIN) and the histidine phosphocarrier protein (HPr), the two common components of all branches of the bacterial phosphotransferase system, have been examined using NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry. His-189 is located at the interface of the α and αβ domains of EIN, resulting in rather widespread chemical shift perturbation upon phosphorylation, in contrast to the highly localized perturbations seen for HPr, where His-15 is fully exposed to solvent. Residual dipolar coupling measurements, however, demonstrate unambiguously that no significant changes in backbone conformation of either protein occur upon phosphorylation: for EIN, the relative orientation of the α and αβ domains remains unchanged; for HPr, the backbone ϕ/Ψ torsion angles of the active site residues are unperturbed within experimental error. His → Glu/Asp mutations of the active site histidines designed to mimic the phosphorylated states reveal binding equilibria that favor phosphoryl transfer from EIN to HPr. Although binding of phospho-EIN to phospho-HPr is reduced by a factor of ∼21 relative to the unphosphorylated complex, residual dipolar coupling measurements reveal that the structures of the unphosphorylated and biphosphorylated complexes are the same. Hence, the phosphorylation states of EIN and HPr shift the binding equilibria predominantly by modulating intermolecular electrostatic interactions without altering either the backbone scaffold or binding interface. This facilitates highly efficient phosphoryl transfer between EIN and HPr, which is estimated to occur at a rate of ∼850 s-1 from exchange spectroscopy.
Properties of remote flare ribbons associated with coronal mass ejections

To understand the large-scale structure of flares and coronal mass ejections, we studied the motion and properties of remote flare ribbons of three major events: 2003 May 27 X1.3, 2000 November 24 X1.8, and 2000 November 25 X1.9 flares. The remote ribbons are in addition to the typical two-ribbon pairs in the flare cores. We found two common properties of these three events. First, the flare core occurs at the edge of a major sunspot, associated with flux emergence parallel to the edge. Such a flux emergence formed complicated magnetic channel structure. Second, three flare ribbons are visible for each event. The first two make up a typical two-ribbon structure near the flare core. The third ribbon (remote ribbon) moves away from the flare site at a speed between 30 and 100 km s-1, several times larger than the nominal two-ribbon separation speed of flares. It is interesting to note that for the 2000 November 25 event, the remote ribbon first moved away in the same manner as the other two events; it then retracted after the flare emission peaked. We compared such an expansion/retraction motion with a limb event observed on 2001 April 15. We interpret the observed motion of remote ribbons by the interaction between the erupting flux rope in the flare core region and the overlying large-scale magnetic fields. For the 2000 November 25 event, the overlying field and flare core fields interacted twice, during the outward and inward motions.
Modeling of Acoustic Wave Propagation HAMR Media

In multi-layered solids, an acoustic wave is partially reflected and partially transmitted at boundaries, which renders a too complex wave pattern to be predicted with analytical models. A Finite Element Method (FEM) based numerical model is developed to predict the acoustic wave propagation in multi-layered solids, where an ANSYS acoustic fluid element is adopted to solve this problem. The model is applied to study the pump-probe transient reflectivity measurements on Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) media, where the thermo-elastic waves are isolated and then subtracted from the composite reflectivity change measurement. As a result, the reflectivity change caused by the thermal decay is separated from the thermo-elastic waves, allowing a more accurate prediction and measurement of the thermal properties of HAMR media.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Estimation of Groundwater and Nutrient Fluxes to the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina

A study was conducted between April 2004 and September 2005 to estimate groundwater and nutrient discharge to the Neuse River estuary in North Carolina. The largest groundwater fluxes were observed to occur generally within 20 m of the shoreline. Groundwater flux estimates based on seepage meter measurements ranged from 2.86 × 108 to 4.33 × 108 m3 annually and are comparable to estimates made using radon, a simple water-budget method, and estimates derived by using Darcy’s Law and previously published general aquifer characteristics of the area. The lower groundwater flux estimate (equal to about 9 m3 s−1), which assumed the narrowest groundwater discharge zone (20 m) of three zone widths selected for an area west of New Bern, North Carolina, most closely agrees with groundwater flux estimates made using radon (3–9 m3 s−1) and Darcy’s Law (about 9 m3 s−1). A groundwater flux of 9 m3 s−1 is about 40% of the surface-water flow to the Neuse River estuary between Streets Ferry and the mouth of the estuary and about 7% of the surface-water inflow from areas upstream. Estimates of annual nitrogen (333 tonnes) and phosphorus (66 tonnes) fluxes from groundwater to the estuary, based on this analysis, are less than 6% of the nitrogen and phosphorus inputs derived from all sources (excluding oceanic inputs), and approximately 8% of the nitrogen and 17% of the phosphorus annual inputs from surface-water inflow to the Neuse River estuary assuming a mean annual precipitation of 1.27 m. We provide quantitative evidence, derived from three methods, that the contribution of water and nutrients from groundwater discharge to the Neuse River estuary is relatively minor, particularly compared with upstream sources of water and nutrients and with bottom sediment sources of nutrients. Locally high groundwater discharges do occur, however, and could help explain the occurrence of localized phytoplankton blooms, submerged aquatic vegetation, or fish kills.
Regular and irregular micelles formed by A LEL triblock copolymer in aqueous solution

Abstract Laser light scattering (LLS) techniques were used to characterize the micellization of poly( d , l -lactide)–poly(ethylene glycol)–poly( d , l -lactide) (LEL) triblock copolymer (MW 1K–2K–1K) in aqueous solution. We observed the existence of both thermodynamically stable flower-like micelles (regular micelles) and large, less soluble nanoparticles (irregular micelles) in dilute aqueous solutions with the same preparation procedure. Both kinds of micelles were found to co-exist with single copolymer chains. The initial copolymer concentration determines the nature of the micelles. The regular core-shell micelle formation follows a closed association mechanism, resulting in flower-like micelles. The hydrophobicity of a L unit is estimated as ∼0.5–0.6 B (polyoxybutylene) units from the micellization parameters, which is quite consistent with earlier estimations obtained from EL diblock copolymers.
Aquaculture disturbance impacts the diet but not ecological linkages of a ubiquitous predatory fish

Aquaculture operations are a frequent and prominent cause of anthropogenic disturbance to marine and estuarine communities and may alter species composition and abundance. However, little is known about how such disturbances affect trophic linkages or ecosystem functions. In Puget Sound, Washington, aquaculture of the Pacific geoduck clam (Panopea generosa) is increasing and involves placing nets and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes in intertidal areas to protect juvenile geoducks from predators. Initial studies of the structured phase of the farming cycle have documented limited impacts on the abundance of some species. To examine the effect of geoduck aquaculture on ecological linkages, the trophic relationships of a local ubiquitous consumer, Pacific staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus), to its invertebrate prey were compared between geoduck aquaculture sites and nearby reference areas with no aquaculture. Mark-recapture data indicated that sculpin exhibit local site fidelity to cultured and reference areas. The stomach contents of sculpin and stable isotope signatures of sculpin and their prey were examined to study the trophic ecology of cultured and reference areas. Results showed that the structured phase of geoduck aquaculture initiated some changes to staghorn sculpin ecology, as reflected in sculpin diet through stomach content analysis. However, carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes revealed that the general food web function of sculpin remained unchanged. The source of carbon at the base of the food web and the trophic position of sculpin were not impacted by geoduck aquaculture. The study has important implications for geoduck aquaculture management and will inform regulatory decisions related to shellfish aquaculture policy.
Impact of Terrorism, Insurgency, and Other Human-caused Catastrophes on Pivotal National Leaders’ Vision Statements

Vision statements articulated by seven pivotal national leaders before and after a catastrophe were exam- ined for changes in moral reasoning stage, moral reasoning orientation, explanatory style, and rumination. Established two-stage structured content analysis methods were used and a perspective of shared leadership. Five leaders showed no significant change in moral reasoning stage but two showed a statistically significant reduction following overt attack on their homeland. After a catastrophe, six showed significant change in moral reasoning orientation, four showed less positive or negative explanatory style, and all seven showed high rumination. From an organizational systems perspec- tive, an impact of human-caused catastrophe was adjustment of these four variables in pivotal national leaders' vision statements as if they are systems levers.
Bilateral Clearing and the Separation of Czechoslovakia: An Obviously Hopeless Proceeding?

This paper examines the effectiveness of the bilateral clearing agreement following the separation of Czechoslovakia. The value of the Czech and Slovak Clearing Agreement (CSCA) depended on its ability to relieve pressure on convertible currency reserves and preserve inter-republic trade. The assessment is made by measuring the trend in the Czech and Slovak cases and comparing these results to instances without a bilateral arrangement. The CSCA experience reveals that a more widespread use of bilateral clearing arrangements by other transition economies might have provided little in terms of stability to convertible currency reserves. However, the evidence indicates a more positive effect on inter-republic trade than that attained under a number of non-bilateral scenarios.
The Heart Smart cardiovascular school health promotion: behavior correlates of risk factor change.

Abstract Background . A growing awareness of health promotion and positive lifestyle change, coupled with the knowledge that cardiovascular risk has its origins in childhood, has led to the development of health promotion programs in the elementary school. While most school-based programs target specific behaviors or enlist singular intervention modalities, the Heart Smart cardiovascular school health promotion targeted the total school environment with a multidisciplinary approach to prompt the school's varied institutions to implement changes in curriculum, school lunch, and physical education. Methods . Components of the Heart Smart environmental intervention included: (a) a school lunch program providing cardiovascular healthful food choices, reduced in fat by 30% and in sodium and sugar by 50%; (b) a physical education program promoting personal fitness and aerobic conditioning; and (c) cardiovascular risk factor screening, measuring fasting lipids and lipoproteins, anthropometrics, and blood pressure. Changes in cardiovascular risk factor status, school lunch selections, and exercise performance were compared. Results . Screening participants showed greater improvement in health knowledge than nonparticipants. School lunch choices were successfully altered, and children whose lunch choices were cardiovascular healthful evidenced the greatest cholesterol reduction. Improvements in run/walk performance were related in predicted directions to the overall cardiovascular risk profile. Increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed at intervention schools. Conclusion . Observations indicate a relationship between behavior change and physiologic changes achieved in a total school health promotion to reduce cardiovascular risk.
Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and chemometrics for the high-speed quantitative analysis of aromatic isomers in a jet fuel using the standard addition method and an objective retention time alignment algorithm

A high-speed quantitative analysis of aromatic isomers in a jet fuel sample is performed using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) and chemometrics. A GC × GC separation time of 2.8 min is achieved for three aromatic isomers in jet fuel, which is 5 times faster than a reference method in which a single-column separation resolves two of the three isomers of interest. The high-speed GC × GC separation is more than 10 times faster than a recent GC × GC separation that fully resolves the three components of interest in gasoline. The high-speed GC × GC analysis of jet fuel is accomplished through short GC columns, high gas velocities, and partial chromatographic peak resolution followed by chemometric resolution of overlapped peaks. The standard addition method and an objective retention time alignment algorithm are used to correct for retention time variations prior to the chemometric data analysis. The standard addition method corrects for chemical matrix effects that cause analytes in...
Patterns from models of dissipative systems

Abstract We use various computer graphics techniques to study complex systems— computer graphics help us to decide what and how to measure. We use a recursion relationship as a way of generating instabilities and turbulence on a two-dimensional lattice. We have been successful in recovering many patterns observed in recent experiments, and mathematical analyses of some experiments also corroborate the mathematical analyses of some of our pictures.
GaInP/GaAs and mechanically stacked GaInAs solar cells grown by MOCVD using TBAs and TBP as V-precursors

We have applied metallorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) using less toxic group V-precursors to the fabrication of the monolithic dual-junction GaInP/GaAs and mechanically-stacked GaAs/GaInAs cells, targeting for the super-high-efficiency triple-junction GaInP/GaAs/GaInAs solar cells. The dual-junction GaInP/GaAs cell grown on an n-type GaAs substrate, which is suitable for higher optical transmittance to the bottom cell, showed a conversion efficiency of 25.9% at AM 1.5, 1-sun. Combined with an efficiency of 5.1% for GaInAs bottom cell grown on an InP substrate under the mechanically stacked GaAs top cell, it is possible to attain an efficiency of over 30% by the all organometallic-source MOCVD method.
Direct conversion of cellulose to levulinic acid and gamma-valerolactone using solid acid catalysts

Cellulose was converted with high yield (69%) to levulinic acid (LA) using Amberlyst 70 as the catalyst and using a solution of 90 wt% gamma-valerolactone (GVL) and 10 wt% water as the solvent, compared to the low yield of 20% obtained in water. The LA was upgraded to GVL without any neutralization or purification steps due to the solubilization of humins by the GVL solvent. High LA yields (54%) were also obtained from real biomass (corn stover).
Macrophage-derived chemokine expression in classical Hodgkin's lymphoma: Application of tissue microarrays

Hodgkin's disease (HD) is a lymphoid malignancy characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg (RS) and Hodgkin's cells in a background of mixed inflammatory cells and stromal reaction. Studies have documented that HD is a neoplasm associated with abnormal cytokine and chemokine production. To define the expression of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) in HD, 57 cases (18 lymphocyte predominant, 11 mixed cellularity, 28 nodular sclerosis) were stained for MDC by immunohistochemistry and compared with reactive lymph nodes as controls. MDC was expressed by RS cells in classical HD (CHD) and showed a distinct cytoplasmic and Golgi localization. Accumulating evidence suggests that lymphocyte-predominant HD (LPHD) represents an entity distinct from CHD, with different biological properties and clinical course. On the basis of the high level of MDC staining alone, CHD could be distinguished from LPHD (P <.001), which showed only faint staining of scattered histiocytes similar to control tissues. CHD cases with high MDC mRNA levels showed high levels of MDC protein expression by immunohistochemistry (P <.001) and significant eosinophil infiltration, suggesting that MDC may represent another molecule that plays a critical role in eosinophil recruitment. We also analyzed 102 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and normal spleen, lymph node, and thymic tissue. High levels of MDC expression were specific to CHD cases because only low levels of MDC were observed in a minor subset of LPHD, NHL or normal lymphoid tissues.
The innovation challenge at Durable Surface Corporation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a practice that has implications for increasing product innovation in a variety of industries.Design/methodology/approach – The case describes a market orientation and product innovation program to increase a company's competitiveness. At the organization's request, its name has been changed. The author is indebted to an executive with contacts in the company for insight into the company's operations.Findings – The case provides information and a solid action approach to increasing company competitiveness by strengthening a firm's market orientation and new product innovation. The subject company remedied a lack of product development and management skills by training and hiring new specialists to operate a new department. In addition, it put a reward and communication program in place that increased its intelligence generation, dissemination and corporate responsiveness.Research limitations/implications – As in all case studies, the specific conditions f...
Transarterial embolization of clival dural arteriovenous fistulae using liquid embolic agents.

Objective Dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVFs) rarely involve the clivus. This report examines the clinical presentation, angiographic findings, endovascular management, and outcome of clival DAVFs. Particular attention was given to safety and efficacy of transarterial embolization using liquid embolic agents. Methods We reviewed the clinical and radiological data of 10 patients with spontaneous clival DAVFs who were treated endovascularly at the University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center between 1992 and 2006. Results Nine patients presented with ocular symptoms and one patient experienced pulsatile tinnitus. Cerebral angiograms showed that these clival DAVFs were supplied by multiple branches of the internal and external carotid arteries. The patterns of venous drainage were from the clival veins to the cavernous sinus and superior ophthalmic vein in nine patients and to the inferior petrosal sinus in two patients. Six clival DAVFs were embolized transarterially through the clival branches of the ascending pharyngeal artery. Onyx 18 (Micro Therapeutics Inc., Irvine, CA) was used in three patients and n-butyl cyanoacrylate was used in three patients. Immediate complete angiographic obliteration was achieved in three patients. All six patients experienced an angiographic and clinical cure without any complications at 3 months. Two patients were incompletely treated using particles and coils for the relief of the symptoms. Two other patients were completely treated after the recipient clival venous structures were occluded transvenously with coils. Conclusion Clival DAVFs can be misdiagnosed as dural cavernous sinus fistulae. The best treatment is transarterial embolization of the dural feeders using liquid embolic agents. Transvenous occlusion of the cavernous sinus is unnecessary in most cases.
Irradiance for skew rays incident upon a trough-like solar collector of arbitrary shape

Abstract A formula is derived for the irradiance at the base of a trough-like solar concentrator for rays incident at any arbitrary angle upon the curved sides of the concentrator. Two angles are required to specify the direction of the incoming rays. It is shown that one of the angles, θ, enters the expression for the irradiance only through the multiplicative factor cos θ and therefore plays the role of the obliquity factor associated with cosine of the angle of incidence for a flat plate collector.
Lherzolite, Anorthosite, Gabbro, and Basalt Dredged from the Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge

The Central Indian Ridge is mantled with flows of low-potassium basalt of uniform composition. Gabbro, anorthosite, and garnet-bearing lherzolite are exposed in cross fractures, and lherzolite is the bedrock at the center of the ridge. The Iherzolites are upper-mantle rock exposed by faulting.
Transient accumulation of new class II MHC molecules in a novel endocytic compartment in B lymphocytes

Endocytosis of antigen by antigen-presenting cells results in the production of peptides that bind to newly synthesized class II molecules of the major histocompatibility complex. A new population of class II-enriched vesicles has been discovered in B lymphocytes that accumulate internalized antigen but are distinct from endosomes and lysosomes. These vesicles also transiently accumulate newly synthesized class II and class II-peptide complexes and appear to be a compartment specialized for the transport and loading of class II molecules.
Basics of Energy Systems through Games

Energy topics have remained dominant in the political arena in the United States since September 11, 2001 and various energy policy statements have been focused on the need for research and development. To effectively engage and attract undergraduate students to studies in energy however, the leanin structure of presentation of energy information and learning must be expanded. This paper presents two learning games - "Who Wants to be an Engineer?" and "Energy Jeopardy" that are designed to capture the interest of undergraduates as they are introduced to various topics on electric energy systems.
Dispersion of pulsed squeezing for reduction of sensor nonlinearity

In applications of pulsed squeezed light in sensors, the high peak intensity of the light used in the squeezer will also cause nonlinearity in the sensor, destroying some of the quantum noise reduction. A dispersive element inserted between the squeezer and the sensor reduces the sensor nonlinearity, leaving the squeezing unaffected.
Can antibrowsing defense regulate the spread of woody vegetation in arctic tundra

Global climate warming is projected to promote the increase of woody plants, especially shrubs, in arctic tundra. Many factors may affect the extent of this increase, including browsing by mammals. We hypothesize that across the Arctic the effect of browsing will vary because of regional variation in antibrowsing chemical defense. Using birch (Betula) as a case study, we propose that browsing is unlikely to retard birch expansion in the region extending eastward from the Lena River in central Siberia across Beringia and the continental tundra of central and eastern Canada where the more effectively defended resin birches predominate. Browsing is more likely to retard birch expansion in tundra west of the Lena to Fennoscandia, Iceland, Greenland and South Baffin Island where the less effectively defended non-resin birches predominate. Evidence from the literature supports this hypothesis. We further suggest that the effect of warming on the supply of plant-available nitrogen will not significantly change either this pan-Arctic pattern of variation in antibrowsing defense or the resultant effect that browsing has on birch expansion in tundra. However, within central and east Beringia warming-caused increases in plant-available nitrogen combined with wildfire could initiate amplifying feedback loops that could accelerate shrubification of tundra by the more effectively defended resin birches. This accelerated shrubification of tundra by resin birch, if extensive, could reduce the food supply of caribou causing population declines. We conclude with a brief discussion of modeling methods that show promise in projecting invasion of tundra by woody plants.
Momentum Exchange Tether as a Hypersonic Parachute During Reentry for Human Missions

DOI: 10.2514/1.48126 The use of tethers in space shows promise in future astronautical applications, with the strong possibility of providing more sophisticated functionality to satellites and spacecraft. One particular application of significant promiseincludesusingamomentumexchangetethertodeorbitareentrycapsule whilesimultaneouslyorbit-raising abasestation.Apossibleconsequenceofthistechnologyincludesusingtheattachedtetherasahypersonicparachute during reentry, effectively exploiting a momentum exchange tether as a drag device to reduce heat loads on the capsule. To quantify these benefits, the authors have investigated how various tether parameters would affect thesystem’sperformanceintermsofreducedconvective(aerothermal) heat fluxesandreducedtemperaturesonthe capsule’s leading edge, including the effect on the capsule’s ballistic coefficient. Modeling the system as a series of lumped masses and rigid rods (links) in conjunction with Lagrange’s equations, software was developed that is capable of generating the equations of motion for any arbitrary number of links. The resulting heat loads on the capsule were calculated using a one-dimensional multilayer heat transfer model based on the system’s reentry dynamics. For certain cases, the presence of a tether can reduce the convective heat flux by almost 60% and the surface temperature by just over 20% when compared with an equivalent untethered system, which would be equivalent to an 80% reduction in capsule mass or a 60% increase in capsule diameter. Moreover, the ballistic coefficient for a tethered capsule may be reduced to almost 60 kg=m 2 as compared with an untethered system value of 701 kg=m 2
Tick Tock, a Vitamin C Clock

An iodine clock reaction that gives a colorless to black result similar to that of the familiar Landolt iodate-bisulfite clock reaction is described. The vitamin C clock reaction uses chemicals that are readily available on the retail market: vitamin C, tincture of iodine, 3% hydrogen peroxide, and laundry starch. Orange juice may be used as the vitamin C source to give an orange to black reaction.
Structure, Salinity and Density of Multi-Year Sea Ice Pressure Ridges

Data are presented on the variation of ice structure, salinity, and density in multi-year pressure ridges from the Beaufort Sea. Two continuous multi-year pressure ridge cores are examined as well as ice sample data from numerous other pressure ridges. The results suggest that the large scale properties of multi-year pressure ridges are not isotropic, and that the use of anisotropic ridge models may result in lower design ridge ice loads.
The Merits and Challenges of the Transtheoretical Model

Those committed to the improvement of addictive behavior treatment have witnessed phenomenal growth in the past decade in a number of areas: The NIDA-sponsored Clinical Trials Network (CTN; ) has f...
Increases in a marker of immune system reconstitution are predated by decreases in 24-h urinary cortisol output and depressed mood during a 10-week stress management intervention in symptomatic HIV-infected men.

Abstract Background Stress management interventions reduce distress symptoms and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis hormones such as cortisol, which has been related to a down-regulation of immune system components relevant to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We previously showed that HIV+ men assigned to a 10-week cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) intervention showed more CD4+CD45RA+CD29+ lymphocytes, an indicator of immune system reconstitution, at a 6- to 12-month follow-up compared with controls. Here, we tested whether reductions in urinary cortisol output and depressed mood during the 10-week CBSM intervention period mediated its effects on this immune system reconstitution marker at follow-up. Methods Twenty-five HIV-infected men randomized to either a 10-week CBSM intervention or a wait-list control provided 24-h urine samples and psychological responses pre- to postintervention, which were related to changes in immune status over a 6- to 12-month follow-up period. Results Greater reductions in cortisol output and depressed mood during CBSM appeared to mediate the effects of this intervention on this indicator of immune system reconstitution over the 6- to 12-month follow-up period. Changes in mood were maintained over the follow-up period, although these did not add explanatory information beyond the cortisol and mood changes that were observed during the 10-week intervention period. These findings were not explained by the changes in medications or health behaviors during follow-up. Conclusion A time-limited CBSM intervention may affect the rate of immune system reconstitution in HIV-infected men by modifying the stress of symptomatic disease. This intervention may work by decreasing depressed mood and normalizing HPA axis functioning.
Anthrax epizootic and migration: Persistence or extinction

In this paper, we use an extension of the deterministic mathematical model of an anthrax epizootic of Hahn and Furniss to study the effects of anthrax transmission, carcass ingestion, carcass induced environmental contamination, and migration rates on the persistence or extinction of animal populations. We compute the basic reproduction number R(0) for the anthrax epizootic model with and without taking into account animal migration. We obtained conditions for an anthrax enzootic region. We demonstrate that decreasing the levels of carcass ingestion by removal of carcases in game reserves, for example, may not always lead to a reduction in the population of animals infected with anthrax. However, increasing levels of carcass induced environmental contamination rates in an enzootic anthrax region can result in the catastrophic extinction of a persistent animal population.
Fabrication of Cu 2 ZnSnSe 4 thin-films by a two-stage (2SSS) process

Cu2ZnSnSe4 thin-films have been produced by a two-stage (2SSS) growth process, at annealing temperatures of 400°C-500°C, with different compositions of metallic precursors/Se, in order to reduce the major secondary phases ZnSe and CuxSey. Raman scattering is used to determine the phases in the thin-films. Under proper preparation conditions CZTSe modes are found to dominate, while the common secondary phase ZnSe is not detected.
Sparse OCT: optimizing compressed sensing in spectral domain optical coherence tomography

We applied compressed sensing (CS) to spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Namely, CS was applied to the spectral data in reconstructing A-mode images. This would eliminate the need for a large amount of spectral data for image reconstruction and processing. We tested the CS method by randomly undersampling k-space SD-OCT signal. OCT images are reconstructed by solving an optimization problem that minimizes the l1 norm to enforce sparsity, subject to data consistency constraints. Variable density random sampling and uniform density random sampling were studied and compared, which shows the former undersampling scheme can achieve accurate signal recovery using less data.
Identification of a transposon Tn7-dependent DNA-binding activity that recognizes the ends of Tn7.

Abstract The bacterial transposon Tn7 is distinguished by its capacity for high-frequency transposition to a specific site in the Escherichia coli chromosome. tnsB is one of the five Tn7-encoded transposition genes. We have identified in vitro a tnsB-dependent DNA binding activity that interacts specifically with cis-acting transposition sequences at the Tn7 termini. Although the left and right termini of Tn7 are structurally distinct, each end contains several copies of a closely homologous 22-base-pair sequence. We present results indicating that this 22-base-pair repeat sequence is recognized by the tnsB-dependent binding activity.
Working Memory, Language Skills, and Autism Symptomatology

While many studies have reported working memory (WM) impairments in autism spectrum disorders, others do not. Sample characteristics, WM domain, and task complexity likely contribute to these discrepancies. Although deficits in visuospatial WM have been more consistently documented, there is much controversy regarding verbal WM in autism. The goal of the current study was to explore visuospatial and verbal WM in a well-controlled sample of children with high-functioning autism (HFA) and typical development. Individuals ages 9–17 with HFA (n = 18) and typical development (n = 18), were carefully matched on gender, age, IQ, and language, and were administered a series of standardized visuospatial and verbal WM tasks. The HFA group displayed significant impairment across WM domains. No differences in performance were noted across WM tasks for either the HFA or typically developing groups. Over and above nonverbal cognition, WM abilities accounted for significant variance in language skills and symptom severity. The current study suggests broad WM limitations in HFA. We further suggest that deficits in verbal WM are observed in more complex tasks, as well as in simpler tasks, such as phonological WM. Increased task complexity and linguistic demands may influence WM abilities.
Comment on “Do credit rating agencies add to the dynamics of emerging market crises?” by Roman Kräussl

Abstract Possible explanations are provided for two basic results in Kraussl's paper. First, rating effect may be stronger in emerging markets because they are less transparent. Transparency is interpreted in the context of Knightian uncertainty and institutional quality. Emerging markets have lower institutional quality ratings and present greater uncertainty than mature markets, therefore, they are more susceptible to rating agencies’ evaluations. Some empirical evidence on the correlations between institutional quality rankings and portfolio investment is presented. Second, sovereign credit downgrades generate a stronger market reaction than upgrades because decision makers value losses more than gains, as posited by cumulative prospect theory.
Derivation of free energy expressions for tube models from coarse-grained slip-link models.

We present the free energy of a single-chain mean-field model for polymer melt dynamics, which uses a continuous (tube-like) approximation to the discrete entanglements with surrounding chains, but, in contrast to previous tube models, includes fluctuations in the number density of Kuhn steps along the primitive path and in the degree of entanglement. The free energy is obtained from that of the slip-link model with fluctuating entanglement positions [J. D. Schieber and K. Horio, J. Chem. Phys. 132, 074905 (2010)]10.1063/1.3314727 by taking the continuous limit of (functions of) the discrete Kuhn-step numbers and end-to-end vectors of the strands between entanglements. This coarse-graining from a more-detailed level of description has the advantage that no ad hoc arguments need to be introduced. Moreover, the thermodynamic consistency of the slip-link model [J. D. Schieber, J. Non-Equilib. Thermodyn. 28, 179 (2003)]10.1515/JNETDY.2003.010 can be preserved. Fluctuations in the positions of entanglements le...
A land suitability assessment for tropical forage legumes

Abstract Land suitability assessments for forage legume production (genera Stylosanthes, Centrosema , and Desmodium ) for 21 Hawaii soils were obtained by using a land suitability classification based on Soil Taxonomy. Land assessments based on four qualities, viz., nutrient availability, water availability, soil acidity and soil thermal regime, indicated that six of the soils were unsuitable for forage legume production without application of agricultural inputs (fertilizer, lime, and irrigation). Nutrient availability was the land quality that most frequently failed to meet the requirements of tropical forage legumes. Application of low levels of input reduced the number of unsuitable soils from six to three, whereas high inputs made all soils suitable for forage legume production. The land suitability assessments were consistent with published field results on forage legume performance in Hawaii. The results suggest that quick and reliable estimates of land use for forage legume production can be obtained wherever Soil Taxonomy is used in available surveys.
Long-term visual outcome following chemoreduction for retinoblastoma.

Objective To evaluate long-term visual outcome following chemoreduction. Design Interventional case series evaluating 54 eyes of 40 children with retinoblastoma successfully treated with chemoreduction, consisting of a combination of intravenous carboplatin, etoposide phosphate, and vincristine sulfate plus focal therapy without external beam radiotherapy or enucleation. All patients were followed up for at least 5 years. Patient and tumor data were analyzed for their effect on the main outcome measures (final visual acuities of 20/40 or better and of 20/200 or better) using univariate and multivariate regression models. Patients who failed chemoreduction were excluded. Results There were 4 eyes in Reese-Ellsworth group I, 7 in group II, 3 in group III, 15 in group IV, and 25 in group V. The mean distance from the posterior tumor margin to the optic disc was 2 mm, and from the tumor margin to the foveola it was 3 mm. After a mean follow-up of 68 months, 27 eyes (50%) had a final visual acuity of 20/40 or better, and 36 eyes (67%) had final visual acuity of 20/200 or better. Of 33 eyes with macular tumor, only 8 (24%) had a final visual acuity of 20/40 or better, and 15 (45%) had a final visual acuity of 20/200 or better. Of 21 eyes with extramacular tumor, 19 (90%) had a final visual acuity of 20/40 or better, and all (100%) had a final visual acuity of 20/200 or better. Conclusion The clinical factors that predicted visual acuity of 20/40 or better were a tumor margin at least 3 mm from the foveola and optic disc and an absence of subretinal fluid.