cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wildfires and water chemistry: effect of metals associated with wood ash

The reactivity of metals associated with ash from wood collected from the Valles Caldera National Preserve, Jemez Mountains, New Mexico, was assessed through a series of laboratory experiments. Microscopy, spectroscopy, diffraction, and aqueous chemistry measurements were integrated to determine the chemical composition of wood ash and its effect on water chemistry. Climate change has caused dramatic impacts and stresses that have resulted in large-scale increases in wildfire activity in semi-arid areas of the world. Metals and other constituents associated with wildfire ash can be transported by storm event runoff and negatively affect the water quality in streams and rivers. Differences among ash from six tree species based on total concentrations of metals such as Ca, Al, Mg, Fe, and Mn were identified using non-metric multidimensional analysis. Metal-bearing carbonate and oxide phases were quantified by X-ray diffraction analyses and X-ray spectroscopy analyses. These metal-bearing carbonate phases were readily dissolved in the first 30 minutes of reaction with 18 MΩ water and 10 mM HCO3− in laboratory batch experiments which resulted in the release of metals and carbonates in the ash, causing water alkalinity to increase. However, metal concentrations decreased over the course of the experiment, suggesting that metals re-adsorb to ash. Our results suggest that the dissolution of metal-bearing carbonate and oxide phases in ash and metal re-adsorption to ash are relevant processes affecting water chemistry after wildfire events. These results have important implications to better understand the impact of wildfire events on water quality.
The Handmaiden and the Handiwork

The nineteenth-century French social philosopher, Auguste Comte (1798–1857), claimed that the human intellect had historically evolved in three different stages: a theological one, a metaphysical one, and finally, in his own time, had entered into a positive and scientific stage.1
X-ray Spectroscopic Characterization of Co(IV) and Metal–Metal Interactions in Co4O4: Electronic Structure Contributions to the Formation of High-Valent States Relevant to the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

The formation of high-valent states is a key factor in making highly active transition-metal-based catalysts of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). These high oxidation states will be strongly influenced by the local geometric and electronic structures of the metal ion, which are difficult to study due to spectroscopically active and complex backgrounds, short lifetimes, and limited concentrations. Here, we use a wide range of complementary X-ray spectroscopies coupled to DFT calculations to study Co(III)4O4 cubanes and their first oxidized derivatives, which provide insight into the high-valent Co(IV) centers responsible for the activity of molecular and heterogeneous OER catalysts. The combination of X-ray absorption and 1s3p resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (Kβ RIXS) allows Co(IV) to be isolated and studied against a spectroscopically active Co(III) background. Co K- and L-edge X-ray absorption data allow for a detailed characterization of the 3d-manifold of effectively localized Co(IV) centers and...
Nacionalismo y lengua: Los judíos ashkenazitas en México, 1940-1950

This study understands the social process as a permanent construction of the world through the creation of identities. The analysis examines the power conflicts expressed in apparently non-political areas, such as the struggle between languages, in this case, between the sister languages Yiddish and Hebrew. This exemplifies how linguistic conflicts in the Jewish community in Mexico reveal certain groups' intentions of legitimizing and imposing their power vis-a-vis others. Once these intentions have materialized, relations of superiority and inferiority are established, regardless of the fact that on occasions, outbreaks of resistance occur within the group. The article concludes with a presentation of the process that has determined the new spaces of identity
Quantification of Uncertainty in Creep Failure of RF-MEMS Switches

We present simulations of the failure of radio-frequency micro-electro-mechanical systems switches due to diffusional creep that include the quantification of uncertainty in the geometry, material parameters, and residual stress. The switch is modeled as an Euler-Bernoulli beam that is actuated electrostatically in a fluid medium. The fluid damping is modeled by a squeeze-film model and the beam model incorporates stretching nonlinearity in addition to Coble creep. The resulting nonlinear dynamic model is solved using a Ritz-Galerkin-based modal expansion and explicit time integration. The focus of this paper is on the effect of creep as a failure mechanism and the implications of uncertainty in the device geometry, material parameters, and boundary conditions. The degradation of the device performance is evidenced by decreases in the pull-in voltage, the pull-out voltage, and the impact velocity. We find that the variability in the experimentally measured pull-in voltage is accounted for by the inclusion of uncertainty in the material and geometric properties.
SOLAR COLLECTOR/REGENERATOR PERFORMANCE BASED ON EXPERIMENTAL HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER CORRELATIONS

ABSTRACT One of the most promising concepts for economical solar cooling is the open cycle absorption refrigeration (OCAR) system. In the OCAR system, a solar collector/regenerator (C/R) is used to concentrate a liquid absorbent solution by evaporating water to the atmosphere. This research utilizes a C/R model based on experimentally determined heat and mass transfer correlations. The validated computer model is used to test the effects of various climatic, operational and collector design variables on evaporation rate.
The effect of pretreatment psychosocial factors on immune function and quality of life after brief presurgical stress management.

9031 Background: It is important to identify factors that predict who will benefit the most from psychosocial interventions in cancer populations. Methods: We examined the association between pretr...
Overview and Facework Model Application for the Cross-Cultural Workplace

Chapter 10 reviews the concepts set forth in the book and reviews the strategies set forth in the facework model presented earlier. Chapter 10 begins with the rationale for the book. Then a description of the facework process and how different cultures have mishaps due to cross-cultural misunderstandings based on different cultural values. After a summary is provided of the cultural dimensions and the findings presented, an extended example of the case of Russia is presented and an how to use the facework model is applied with this case as well to give the reader a more hands-on example of applying the model in real-world situations.
Effects of thermal acoustic oscillations on LCLS-II cryomodule testing

Thermoacoustic Oscillations (TAOs) is a commonly experienced phenomenon in helium cryogenics and in most cases, is an undesirable effect. During LCLS-II prototype Cryomodule (pCM) testing, TAOs were observed in both the Cryogenics Distribution System and in the LCLS-II Cryomodule JT and Cooldown Valves. The TAOs manifested themselves through the usual effect of added heat load to the cryogenic system and ice formation on the oscillating device. However, during cavity testing, the TAOs were also found to significantly contribute to microphonics detuning of the SRF cavities. Systematic studies were carried out and it was discovered that the TAOs could be "turned-off" or substantially decreased by operating at subcritical pressures on the LHe supply. Lastly, various TAO dampening/mitigation techniques were employed to allow operations at supercritical pressure with greatly reduced static heat load and microphonics levels.
Characterization and Modeling of Polymeric Matrix Under Static and Dynamic Loading

A polymeric matrix (3501-6) used in composite materials was characterized under multi-axial loading at strain rates varying from quasi-static to dynamic ones. Tests were conducted under uniaxial compression, tension, pure shear and combinations of compression and shear. Quasi-static and intermediate strain rate tests were conducted in a servo-hydraulic testing machine. High strain rate tests were conducted using a split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (Kolsky bar) system built for the purpose. This SHPB system was made of a glass/epoxy composite (Garolite) bars having an impedance that is closer to that of the test polymer than metals. The typical stress-strain behavior of the polymeric matrix exhibits a linear elastic region up to a yield point, a nonlinear elastoplastic region up to an initial peak or “critical stress,” followed by a strain softening region up to a local minimum and finally, a strain hardening region up to ultimate failure. A general three-dimensional elasto-viscoplastic model was developed incorporating strain rate effects, and including the large deformation region. The model was formulated in strain space unlike most models in the literature. The stress-strain curves obtained were used to develop and validate the new elasto-viscoplastic constitutive model.
Perioperative Sedation in Mechanically Ventilated Cardiac Surgery Patients With Dexmedetomidine-Based Versus Propofol-Based Regimens.

Background: Sedative agents used during cardiac surgery can influence the patient’s time to extubation, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay, and incidence of delirium. Objective: ...
Aluminum Oxide Thin Films from Aqueous Solutions: Insights from Solid-State NMR and Dielectric Response

Here, we employ a combination of 27Al solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) and conventional spectroscopic and microscopic techniques to investigate the structural evolution of aqueous aluminum precursors to a uniform and smooth aluminum oxide film. The route involves no organic ligands and relies on dehydration, dehydroxylation, and nitrate loss for condensation and formation of the three-dimensional aluminum oxide structure. Local chemical environments are tracked as films evolve over the temperature range 200–1100 °C. 27Al SSNMR reveals that Al centers are predominantly four- and five-coordinate in amorphous films annealed between 200 and 800 °C and four- and six-coordinate in crystalline phases that form above 800 °C. The Al coordination of the aqueous-deposited aluminum oxide films are compared to data from SSNMR studies on vapor-phase-deposited aluminum oxide thin films. Additionally, dielectric constants of aluminum oxide-based capacitors are measured and correlated with the SSNMR results....
Regional Swell Transformation by Backward Ray Tracing and SWAN

AbstractBeach erosion and wave-induced flooding models are often initialized in O(10)-m depth, seaward of the surfzone, with wave conditions estimated from regional nonlinear spectral wave models [...
Knowledge Status and Disease Control Practices of Cassava Farmers in Delta State, Nigeria: Implications for Extension Delivery

The study assessed the knowledge and control of cassava diseases by farmers in Delta State, Nigeria and the resultant implication for agricultural extension. Data were obtained from 569 cassava farmers by a simple random sampling technique. Data were analyzed by means, percentage, frequency counts and binary logit model. Mean results depicted that cassava farmers in the area were 42.5 years old, spent 13 years in schooling, had a farming experience of 9.5 years and had poor (1.68) annual extension contacts. Extension contact and friends and neighbours were the major sources of information on cassava disease control. Results of the logit regression of the relationship between farmers’ characteristics and knowledge of cassava diseases gave an R² value of 0.74 indicating that age (negative coefficient), education, farming experience, farm size and extension contact were statistically significant in explaining cassava farmers knowledge of disease control measures. Logit estimates for control of diseases indicated that age, farming experience, farm size and extension contact were statistically significant at P<0.05. Although education was crucial in determining farmers’ knowledge, it was not significant in determining adoption of control measures. The study recommends urgent and good extension contact, good government policy on enlightenment of farmers to improve not only farmers’ knowledge but their adoption of disease control measure as well.
Cautious Bully: Reputation, Resolve, and Beijing's Use of Coercion in the South China Sea

Since 1990, China has used coercion in its maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea, despite adverse implications for its image. China is curiously selective in its timing, targets, and...
Age-Related Resistance to Thyroid Hormone Action

The age-related resistance to thyroid hormones (THs) explains the paucity of symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidism in older adults and may partly explain the myriad of symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism in biochemically euthyroid older people. This review considers the available data on the mechanisms underlying TH resistance with aging and compares these physiologic changes with the changes observed in congenital TH resistance syndromes. Aging is associated with alterations in TH economy along with a host of changes in the responsiveness of various tissues to THs. The age-related resistance to THs can be attributed to decreased TH transport to tissues, decreased nuclear receptor occupancy, decreased activation of thyroxine to triiodothyronine, and alterations in TH responsive gene expression. Although an increase in serum TH levels is expected in syndromes of TH resistance, unchanged serum TH levels in the euthyroid elderly is the result of increased sensitivity to TH negative feedback with increased suppression of thyroid-stimulating hormone, decreased thyroidal sensitivity to thyroid-stimulating hormone, and decreased TH production and secretion. The current clinical evidence suggests that the age-related TH resistance is mostly an adaptive response of the aging organism. It is tempting to speculate that similar changes can occur prematurely in a group of younger people who present with signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism despite normal serum thyroid function tests.
Re-examining thermal metamorphism of the Renazzo-like (CR) carbonaceous chondrites: Insights from pristine Miller Range 090657 and shock-heated Graves Nunataks 06100

Abstract We re-examine the Renazzo-like (CR) chondrite metamorphic trend based on Cr2O3 contents of FeO-rich olivine, indicating that it is only appropriate to use such analyses to identify the endmembers of this group (i.e., those that have experienced either no detectable heating or significant heating). As such Miller Range (MIL) 090657 appears to have experienced very minimal (if any) thermal processing and is one of the most pristine CR chondrites analyzed to date, while Graves Nunataks 06100 is the most shock-heated CR chondrite studied. On the basis of bulk H-C-N isotopic compositions, MIL 090657 appears to be of petrological type 2.7. We also report the H-C-N isotopic compositions of extracted insoluble organic matter, in situ chemical compositional data, presolar grain abundances, and a petrologic description of MIL 090657. As a minimally altered CR chondrite of relatively high mass (133.1 g), MIL 090657 provides an invaluable opportunity to perform coordinated, often destructive, analyses on pristine CR chondrite material. By combining a number of petrographic characteristics (Cr2O3-content of ferroan olivine, Co/Ni ratios of Fe,Ni metal, ratios of Fe# in chondrule olivine and low-Ca pyroxene, and the presence of excess silica in chondrule plagioclase) with bulk isotopic compositions, we demonstrate their utility as indicators for determining the relative pristinity/heating of low petrographic (type 1–3) chondrites.
Mobility Pattern-Aware Task Recommendation for Taxi Crowdsourcing Delivery

With the emerging of sharing economy, taxi crowdsourcing delivery could be a feasible solution for logistics companies to deliver packages efficiently and securely with a lower cost in the urban area. In this paper, we propose LSTM2V, a novel mobility pattern-aware task recommendation algorithm for taxi crowdsourcing delivery leveraging the long short-term memory and Markov model. Taking the mobility pattern into consideration, LSTM2V leverages both deep learning and probabilistic model to recommend the most suitable tasks to taxis. It mainly consists of two components – the feature window based Long Short-Term Memory neural network (LSTM-w) and SpatioTemporal Markov (STM) model. The taxi mobility pattern is predicted by LSTM-w, and STM is utilized to predict locations which taxis can visit in the future. Extensive evaluations with real taxi trajectory dataset show LSTM2V can predict the mobility pattern precisely, improve the multi-location prediction accuracy, and recommend tasks efficiently.
Optimizing Mesh Reconstruction and Texture Mapping Generated from a Combined Side-View and Over-View Imagery

Abstract. Image-based 3D modelling are rather mature nowadays with well-acquired images through standard photogrammetric processing pipeline, while fusing 3D dataset generated from images with different views for surface reconstruction remains to be a challenge. Meshing algorithms for image-based 3D dataset requires visibility information for surfaces and such information can be difficult to obtain for 3D point clouds generated from images with different views, sources, resolutions and uncertainties. In this paper, we propose a novel multi-source mesh reconstruction and texture mapping pipeline optimized to address such a challenge. Our key contributions are 1) we extended state-of-the-art image-based surface reconstruction method by incorporating geometric information produced by satellite images to create wide-area surface model. 2) We extended a texture mapping method to accommodate images acquired from different sensors, i.e. side-view perspective images and satellite images. Experiments show that our method creates conforming surface model from these two sources, as well as consistent and well-balanced textures from images with drastically different radiometry (satellite images vs. street-view level images). We compared our proposed pipeline with a typical fusion pipeline - Poisson reconstruction and the results show that our pipeline shows distinctive advantages.
The Political Configuration of Late Ilkhanid Iran: A Case Study of the Chubanid Amirate (738–758/1337–1357)

The disintegration of the Ilkhanate following the death of its last effective ruler, Abu Sa'id Bahadur Khan (d. 736/1335), precipitated the emergence of a number of regional dynasties, not least of...
Competency-based education model: is it appropriate for counselor education?

Amid evolving needs of students and institutions comes a logical investigation of innovative ways to provide advanced level students with affordable and flexible education. The introduction of COVI...
Improving Learner-Driven Teaching Practices through Reflective Assessment

Abstract Objective – Reflective assessment is an effective method of teacher evaluation, serving as an approach for assessing teaching practices, generating insights, and connecting with colleagues, ultimately supporting meaningful transformation of teaching practice. In this paper, three librarians model a reflective assessment approach in evaluating and improving their experiences implementing learner-driven teaching practices in credit-bearing courses in topics related to library and information studies. Methods – Following a model of reflective assessment, we asked ourselves how our practice can better support learner-driven teaching practices, thus assessing and improving our own teaching and improving students’ learning experiences. Our process involved five steps: cohere around shared viewpoints, identify teaching practices for reflection, conduct reflection, discuss and analyze reflections to produce insights, and apply insights to improve teaching. Results – We reflect on five different learner-driven teaching practices: co-creative syllabus design, learner-defined personal learning goals, soliciting and responding to learner feedback, interdisciplinary discussions and exercises, and self-evaluation. We discuss improvements and refinements that we implemented in response to our reflective assessment, including more frequent checking in with students; more clarity regarding self-evaluation and grading; one-on-one meetings with all students; allowing students to negotiate, discuss, and determine assignment deadlines and dates; more flexibility with students’ work products; and increased pedagogical transparency. As a further result, our reflective process models an approachable framework for engaging in reflective assessment. Conclusion – This paper presents a model for reflective assessment of teaching in an academic library. We present a discussion of learner-driven teaching practices, and we offer a practical pathway for other teachers and practitioners to assess their teaching. We find that reflective assessment is an effective and insightful approach for understanding and improving learner-driven teaching practices.
Induction of Autophagy Reduces IFN-I Mediated Inflammation and Restores Anti-HIV-1 T Cell Response in vivo

A hallmark of HIV-1 infection is chronic inflammation. Chronic immune activation drives the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection, leading to loss of CD4+ T cells and exhaustion of antiviral cellular immunity. Previously, we demonstrated that persistent inflammation mediated by type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling drives T cell exhaustion. Combination of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and IFN-I receptor blockade therapy led to accelerated viral suppression and reduced latent HIV-1 reservoirs, suggesting that targeting type I IFN signaling can be used as a therapeutic strategy to alleviate T cell exhaustion. However, as IFN-Is are key regulators for antiviral immunity, more specific interventions to fine-tune IFN-I signaling and chronic inflammation are needed. Autophagy is a homeostatic mechanism for disposal of damaged cellular organelles and elimination of intracellular pathogens, which is pivotal for cellular homeostasis, T cell development and function. Autophagy is also impaired during HIV-1 infection. Here we demonstrate that autophagy is directly linked to IFN-I signaling. Impairment of autophagy leads to accumulation of damaged mitochondria and spontaneous IFN-I signaling. Autophagy inducers reduce IFN-I signaling in activated macrophages and restore functions of exhausted anti-HIV-1 T cells in vitro. Importantly, autophagy inducer treatment in HIV-1 infected humanized bone marrow/liver/thymus (BLT) mice significantly reduced persistent IFN-I signaling and immune activation, restored exhausted antiviral T cell responses, and accelerated viral suppression by ART. Autophagy inducer treatment also led to reduced viral rebound after ART withdrawal. Taken together, our data suggest that therapeutically targeting autophagy could be used to treat persistent immune activation and improve immune control of HIV replication.
Noise Mapping and Removal in Complex-Valued Multi-Channel MRI via Optimal Shrinkage of Singular Values

In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), noise is a limiting factor for higher spatial resolution and a major cause of prolonged scan time, owing to the need for repeated scans. Improving the signal-to-noise ratio is therefore key to faster and higher-resolution MRI. Here we propose a method for mapping and reducing noise in MRI by leveraging the inherent redundancy in complex-valued multi-channel MRI data. Our method leverages a provably optimal strategy for shrinking the singular values of a data matrix, allowing it to outperform state-of-the-art methods such as Marchenko-Pastur PCA in noise reduction. Our method reduces the noise floor in brain diffusion MRI by 5-fold and remarkably improves the contrast of spiral lung \(^{19}\)F MRI. Our framework is fast and does not require training and hyper-parameter tuning, therefore providing a convenient means for improving SNR in MRI.
Revalidating U.S. Army soldiers' perceptions of combat arms job tasks: Frequencies, importance and expectations of performance.

BACKGROUND In 2013 the U.S. Army began developing physical tests to predict a recruit's ability to perform the critical physically demanding tasks (CPDTs) of combat arms jobs not previously open to women. OBJECTIVE To revalidate 15 CPDTs chosen by subject matter experts (SMEs) and researchers through questionnaires pertaining to task performance frequency, perceived importance, and performance expectations. METHOD Web-administered job analysis questionnaires were completed by 2,090 soldiers. Seventy-three percent ranged between 25-38 years of age, 66%were staff sergeants or above, and 73%were in service for 7 + years. RESULTS Overall, the nine SME-endorsed CPDTs were conducted more frequently and rated as more important than the six tasks identified by researchers. Foot march, dragging a casualty to safety, and connecting a tow bar (vehicle transport) were identified as the combined most important, most frequently performed and highly expected CPDTs to be performed. The canonical correlation between task performance frequencies and ratings of task importance across all 15 CPDTs was 0.82 (p < 0.001). Expectations of task completion were strongly associated with more frequent task performance (Cramer's Vs ranged 0.22 to 0.71; all p's < 0.001), but not task importance (only four CPDTs at p < 0.05). CONCLUSION This study revalidates the value of CPDTs chosen by SMEs and researchers. Soldier readiness should reflect tasks identified by incumbents as important to success (e.g., evacuating a casualty) be trained more often, whereas others classified as frequently performed, but less important (e.g., filling sandbags), be deemphasized while ensuring that standards are met.
Status and trends of eastern redcedar ( Juniperus virginiana ) in the central United States: Analyses and observations based on Forest Inventory and Analysis data

Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) (ERC) is a conifer native to North America that has been used for a variety of wood products, and its planting has been encouraged to help stabilize soil, reforest abandoned farmland, and provide cover for wildlife. However, ERC tends to expand rapidly and take over certain areas primarily because it can grow on a wide variety of soils and tolerates salt and harsh climatic conditions. As a result of this invasive behavior, the ERC composition of central United States forestlands has been on the rise over several decades. To evaluate the current status and recent trends of ERC on forestland in eight central states, we analyzed forest resource data collected annually from 2001 to 2012 by the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the USDA Forest Service at county, state, and regional levels. Our results indicate that ERC increased in terms of area, density, and volume across a range of diameter classes. In addition, ERC seedling abundance increased, and we found a statistically significant relationship between decreasing tree species diversity and ERC basal area proportion. We draw several conclusions from these analyses: (1) the geographic distribution of ERC in central US forestlands is widespread, but varies in density, (2) the area of ERC forestland increased most significantly in Nebraska and Missouri during the early 2000s, (3) the density and volume of ERC are on the rise in the region, and (4) the changes in seedling species abundance and the negative association between diversity and ERC presence suggest that the future composition of forests in the region could be altered if the current trends in ERC invasion continue.
Local spectral variability and the origin of the Martian crustal magnetic field

[1] The crustal remanent magnetic field of Mars remains enigmatic in many respects. Its heterogeneous surface distribution points to a complex history of formation and modification, and has been resistant to attempts at identifying magnetic paleopoles and constraining the geologic origin of crustal sources. We use a multitaper technique to quantify the spatial diversity of the field via the localized magnetic power spectrum, which allows us to isolate more weakly magnetized regions and characterize them spectrally for the first time. We find clear geographical differences in spectral properties and parameterize them in terms of source strengths and equivalent-layer decorrelation depths. These depths to the base of the magnetic layer in our model correlate with independent crustal-thickness estimates. The correspondence indicates that a significant fraction of the martian crustal column may contribute to the observed field, as would be consistent with an intrusive magmatic origin. We identify several anomalous regions, and propose geophysical mechanisms for generating their spectral signatures.
Cutting Edge: Role of Toll-Like Receptor 9 in CpG DNA-Induced Activation of Human Cells

Unmethylated CpG motifs present in bacterial DNA stimulate a rapid and robust innate immune response. Human cell lines and PBMC that recognize CpG DNA express membrane-bound human Toll-like receptor 9 (hTLR9). Cells that are not responsive to CpG DNA become responsive when transfected with hTLR9. Expression of hTLR9 dramatically increases uptake of CpG (but not control) DNA into endocytic vesicles. Upon cell stimulation, hTLR9 and CpG DNA are found in the same endocytic vesicles. Cells expressing hTLR9 are stimulated by CpG motifs that are active in primates but not rodents, suggesting that evolutionary divergence between TLR9 molecules underlies species-specific differences in the recognition of bacterial DNA. These findings indicate that hTLR9 plays a critical role in the CpG DNA-mediated activation of human cells.
A Bird Dance near Saturday City: Sidi Ballσ and the Art of West African Masquerade

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Patrick R. McNaughton Year: 2008 Pages: 328 Publisher: Indiana University Press ISBN: 978-0-253-35148-7 (hard cover). Prices: $65.00 USD(hard cover).
Fetal Hemoglobin in Sickle Cell Anemia: Determinants of Response to Hydroxyurea

Hydroxyurea (HU) can increase fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in sickle cell anemia (HbSS). To identify determinants of the HbF response, we studied 150 HU-treated patients grouped by quartiles of change in HbF from baseline to 2 years. Half of the HU-assigned patients had long-term increments in HbF. In the top two quartiles, HbF increased to 18.1% and 8.8%. These patients had the highest baseline neutrophil and reticulocyte counts, and largest treatment-associated decrements in these counts. In the lower two quartiles, 2-year HbF levels (4.2% and 3.9%) and blood counts changed little from baseline. In the highest HbF response quartile, myelosuppression developed in less than 6 months, compliance was best, and final doses of HU were 15 to 22.5 mg/kg. All four quartiles had substantial increases of F cells in the first year. This was maintained for 2 years only in the top three quartiles. Leukocyte and reticulocyte counts decreased initially in all quartiles, but drifted back toward baseline levels in the lowest HbF response quartile. Initial HbF level and phenotype of the F-cell production (FCP) locus were not associated with HbF response, but absence of a Central African Republic (CAR) haplotype was. Bone marrow ability to withstand HU treatment may be important for sustained HbF increases during HU treatment of HbSS.
Calculation of the characteristics of a mixing CO2 gasdynamic laser with a nozzle unit of honeycomb construction

A mathematical model of a gasdynamic laser with parallel supersonic mixing of the components and its applications to the choice of the geometrical characteristics of the nozzle unit of honeycomb construction are presented.
The Astonishing Micropygmies

The stunning discovery of a Late Pleistocene hominin skeleton, on the Indonesian island of Flores has thrown the anthropological world into a frenzy. The primitive and derived features of the skeleton, but most curiously its tiny stature suggest a new species of diminutive Homo erectus called H. floresiensis. In a provocative Perspective, Jared Diamond provides a scintillating synthesis of the evidence for a new H. erectus species and debates the reasons why the fossil remains of this pygmy hominin have only now been discovered.
Costco: robust content and structure constrained clustering of networked documents

Connectivity analysis of networked documents provides high quality link structure information, which is usually lost upon a content-based learning system. It is well known that combining links and content has the potential to improve text analysis. However, exploiting link structure is non-trivial because links are often noisy and sparse. Besides, it is difficult to balance the term-based content analysis and the link-based structure analysis to reap the benefit of both. We introduce a novel networked document clustering technique that integrates the content and link information in a unified optimization framework. Under this framework, a novel dimensionality reduction method called COntent & STructure COnstrained (Costco) Feature Projection is developed. In order to extract robust link information from sparse and noisy link graphs, two link analysis methods are introduced. Experiments on benchmark data and diverse real-world text corpora validate the effectiveness of proposed methods.
A convection–diffusion porous media model for moisture transport in polymer composites: Model development and validation

Moisture may cause many detrimental effects to polymers and their composites, thus inhibiting the applications of polymeric materials in hot and humid environments. In this article, a convection–diffusion porous media model is derived to better characterize rapid moisture transport in polymer composites at high temperatures. The model considers both continuum diffusion in solid and high-pressure convection taking place in the pore network. Coupling of convection and diffusion is achieved by combining the law of conservation of mass, Darcy's law, the liquid–vapor chemical equilibrium, and the ideal gas law. The presented model is validated by conducting experimental tests on an epoxy compound. It is found that the proposed convection–diffusion model is more effective than diffusion-only and convection-only models for interpreting rapid desorption tests at high temperatures. A numerical study is also performed to predict maximum vapor pressure during a rapid heating process. Vapor pressure is found to be as high as 6.5 MPa at a heating rate of 10 K/s. It is concluded that the convection–diffusion model is able to capture both vapor dynamics and diffusion mechanism in porous polymeric materials, and can be potentially used to further investigate polymer-moisture interactions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 1440–1449
Globalization and the Christian Idea of a University (or, the Lexus, the Olive Tree, and Higher Education).

Thomas Friedman uses the Lexus and the olive tree as symbols to describe the characteristics and challenges of globalization. They can also be used to describe the issues facing the new “global” university. The Lexus is an appropriate symbol of the American university whose material success has been unrivaled and whose dominant values have increasingly been centered on prestige and funding. It has been a major contributor to globalization, and many countries have adopted its characteristics with the expectation that national economic growth and prosperity would follow. Globalization, however, has overwhelmed and uprooted traditional cultures. Likewise, the olive tree is an appropriate symbol to describe the void that exists in the global university. Education that identifies and roots people of all cultures has been removed from the center of the university to the periphery of the enterprise if not eliminated entirely. This has occurred at a time when the clash of cultures and religions is at the heart of...
Hypertensive effect of tissue kallikrein in rostral ventrolateral medulla is mediated by brain kinins.

Abstract Microinjections of kallikrein, 0.5–2.0 units, in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) of brain increased arterial pressure in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). This effect was significantly greater in SHR. The kinin B 2 receptor antagonist icatibant (Hoe 140) blocked the hypertensive responses to kallikrein in both groups and caused greater hypotension and bradycardia in SHR. These results suggest that local kinins in the RVLM act to alter cardiovascular function and may be involved in the maintenance of blood pressure in the SHR.
Drug-eluting versus bare-metal stents in the treatment of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes for drug-eluting stents (DES) and bare-metal stents (BMS) for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Background Despite some controversy related to late stent thromboses, DES are approved for use in many patients undergoing stenting. However, there are several types of patients in whom implanting a DES would be regarded as off-label use, and this study compares DES and BMS for one of these groups. Methods New York’s percutaneous coronary intervention registry was used to identify 772 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI who received BMS and 1,154 STEMI patients who received DES between October 1, 2003, and December 31, 2004. These patients were tracked through December 31, 2005. Mortality, target vessel PCI, and subsequent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery within 2 years of undergoing the procedure were captured. Adverse outcomes were adjusted using proportional hazards methods to account for baseline differences in patients’ severity of illness. Results The BMS patients had significantly higher mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] vs. DES = 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21 to 3.34, risk-adjusted mortality = 8.6% vs. 5.0%, p = 0.007) and significantly higher subsequent CABG surgery (adjusted HR vs. DES = 2.33, 95% CI 1.31 to 4.16, risk-adjusted rate = 6.4% vs. 3.0%, p = 0.004) rates. There was no difference by type of DES (adjusted HR for paclitaxel-eluting stent versus sirolimus-eluting stent; mortality 0.72, 95% CI 0.30 to 1.72), subsequent CABG surgery (adjusted HR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.26 to 1.40), and target vessel PCI (adjusted HR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.58). Conclusions In this observational study, DES were associated with lower mortality and subsequent CABG surgery when used for STEMI patients.
Variations on Invariance or Some Unpleasant Nonparametric Arithmetic

The nonparametric approach to production or demand analysis involves testing data for compatibility with restrictions from theory. This avoids reliance on particular functional forms. When the data are not consistent with utility or profit maximization, adjustments in the data using linear programming can restore consistency. Such adjustments have been interpreted as taste changes or measures of technical change and technical change bias. This paper describes nonparametric approaches and shows that the programming methods that have been used yield results that are not invariant to the scaling of prices and quantities. A solution is proposed that solves the invariance problem.
Optimizing analytic data flows for multiple execution engines

Next generation business intelligence involves data flows that span different execution engines, contain complex functionality like data/text analytics, machine learning operations, and need to be optimized against various objectives. Creating correct analytic data flows in such an environment is a challenging task and is both labor-intensive and time-consuming. Optimizing these flows is currently an ad-hoc process where the result is largely dependent on the abilities and experience of the flow designer. Our previous work addressed analytic flow optimization for multiple objectives over a single execution engine. This paper focuses on optimizing flows for a single objective, namely performance, over multiple execution engines. We consider flows that span a DBMS, a Map-Reduce engine, and an orchestration engine (e.g., an ETL tool or scripting language). This configuration is emerging as a common paradigm used to combine analysis of unstructured data with analysis of structured data (e.g., NoSQL plus SQL). We present flow transformations that model data shipping, function shipping, and operation decomposition and we describe how flow graphs are generated for multiple engines. Performance results for various configurations demonstrate the benefit of optimization.
Flicker noise in pentodes flicker partition noise

Abstract The method of approach used in the study of flicker noise in positive grid triodes is applied to pentodes with some modifications. It is demonstrated experimentally that the flicker noise current generated at the cathode of a pentode distributes over the positive electrodes in the ratio of the ac currents. Tomlinson's discovery of flicker partition noise is verified and it is shown that his results are caused by a noise current generator connected between screen grid and anode that is indeed independent of the flicker noise generated at the cathode.
A mathematical theory of the random walk model in chromatography

An exact mathematical treatment of the random walk model in chromatography is given in this paper. Various factors which can cause broadening of peaks, such as equilibium fluctuation, diffusion, size and structure of fixed phase particles, fluid velocity, flow around the particles, distribution ratio, column temperature and nonuniformity, etc., are all considered with a unified theory. Formulas of mean retention time and height of theoretical plate, containing all of the factors, are presented.
Promoting the President's Foreign Policy Agenda: Presidential Use of Executive Agreements as Policy Vehicles

Executive agreements represent a powerful tool for pursuing commitments with other nations across the spectrum of foreign policy issues. In particular, the executive agreement gives presidents the flexibility to act independently of Congress. The authors' research demonstrates, quantitatively, how presidents use international executive agreements to advance their foreign policy priorities. The authors evaluate the foreign policy agendas of the Carter, Reagan, G. H. W. Bush, and first Clinton administrations and test whether the executive agreements signed during each administration serve to further the individual foreign policy goals of each president. The authors find that presidents are more likely to devote personal attention to an agreement that furthers a specific policy priority, and they identify greater agreement activity in areas that correspond to presidential initiatives.
The effect of race on outcomes for appendicitis in children: a nationwide analysis

Abstract Background We sought to examine the impact of race on the management and outcomes of appendicitis in children aged 20 years or younger. Methods We studied 96,865 inpatient admissions for children undergoing an appendectomy for acute appendicitis in 2009 using the Kids' Inpatient Database. Results Perforation at presentation was more common among African-Americans and Hispanics than Caucasians (27.5% and 32.5%, respectively, vs 23.9%, P P P P = .001). African-Americans and Hispanics remained in the hospital for .73 more days than Caucasians (3.07 vs 2.34 days, P Conclusions African-American and Hispanic children present more often with perforation. Adjusting for perforation, they were more likely to have a complication and longer hospital stays. Access to care and delayed presentations may be potential explanations.
Staged Process for Composite Propellants: Recovery of Energetic and Metallic Fuel

A feasible process has been developed to recover precious inorganic solids (energetic and metallic fuel) from the obsolete polyurethane-based propellants in order to solve their associated long-term disposal problems. In the staged process, two major tasks have been accomplished. One was the successful separation of the three major components, energetics, metallic fuel, and polymer, by cleaving the polyurethane binders of the three-dimensional network; the other was the complete degradation of the high molecular weight polymers into simple phenolic compounds. The preliminary results indicate that the techniques of matrix modification, ultrasonic degradation, and biodegradation are, to various degrees, effective in handling polyurethane-based propellants in an environmentally safe and stable manner. In addition to its unparalleled technical precedence, it is believed that this process will provide an economical solution to a global environmental problem and can be put into actual industrial use.
Effects of L-tryptophan on sleepiness and on sleep

Abstract Over the past 20 yr, 40 controlled studies have been described concerning the effects of L -tryptophan on human sleepiness and/or sleep. The weight of evidence indicates that L -tryptophan in doses of 1 g or more produces an increase in rated subjective sleepiness and a decrease in sleep latency (time to sleep). There are less firm data suggesting that L -tryptophan may have additional effects such as decrease in total wakefulness and/or increase in sleep time. Best results (in terms of positive effects on sleep or sleepiness) have been found in subjects with mild insomnia, or in normal subjects reporting a longer-than-average sleep latency. Mixed or negative results occur in entirely normal subjects—who are not appropriate subjects since there is “no room for improvement”. Mixed results are also reported in severe insomniacs and in patients with serious medical or psychiatric illness.
Muslim and Christian conflict styles in Western Europe

Purpose – This study seeks to examine the influence of national and religious identification on conflict styles among Christians and Muslims in Western Europe.Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered in France, Germany and the UK (n=909) in 2008. Conflict was measured using Oetzel's Conflict Style Measure. To test the hypothesis and answer the research questions, multiple regression models were constructed.Findings – National and religious identification had a significant influence on conflict style preference. Muslims prefer more compromising and obliging conflict styles, while Christians prefer the dominating style. France is more dominating than Germany or the UK. Significant interactions revealed how individuals' religion and national identification influence conflict styles.Research limitations/implications – The use of self‐report instruments is the primary limitation.Practical implications – Individuals' lived experiences have a significant influence on their conflict preference. The result...
Effects of Electrical Stimulation on the Functional Properties of Lamb Muscle

One side from each of eleven lamb carcasses was electrically stimulated (60 Herz alternating current at 240v followed by 420v) within 45 min postmortem. Three carcasses (stimulated and respective control sides) were rapidly chilled (1°C), three carcasses received a delayed chill (12°C until pH 6.0 was attained, then excision and 1°C), and three carcasses were slowly chilled (12°C). Measurements beginning at 44 hr postmortem showed that stimulation increased the sarcomere lengths but had few consistent or significant effects on water-holding capacity, protein solubility, emulsifying capacity, gel strength, cooking loss, or binding strength. The remaining two carcasses were rapidly chilled and their meat was manufactured into frankfurters. The emulsion stability was slightly improved by stimulation but smokehouse weight loss, Warner-Bratzler shear force, penetration force, cooking loss, and sensory characteristics were unaffected.