cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relation between host competence and vector-feeding preference in a multi-host model: Chagas and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Vector-borne diseases that occur in humans, as well as in domestic and wild reservoir hosts, cause a significant concern in public health, veterinary health, and ecological health in bio-diverse environments. The majority of vector-borne zoonotic diseases are transmitted among diverse host species, but different hosts have their own ability to transmit pathogens and to attract vectors. These combined transmission mechanisms in hosts and vectors are often called "host competencies" and "vector-feeding preferences." The purpose of this research is to assess the relationship between the host's ability to transmit the pathogen to vectors and the different feeding preferences for a specific host using a multi-host mathematical model. Working with zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis and Chagas disease, numerical simulations illustrate these vector-host populations' behavior together for the first time. Global sensitivity analyses confirm that the basic reproductive number, R0, is more sensitive to the the vector-demographic and biting-rate parameters in both diseases. Therefore, in this era of remarkable biodiversity loss and increased vector-borne diseases, it is crucial to understand how vector-host interaction mechanisms affect disease dynamics in humans within wildlife and domestic settings.
Educator Knowledge and Preparedness for Educating Students With Autism in Public Schools

Use of evidence-based practices is important for the success of students in special education settings in public education. In total, 255 special educators in public education were surveyed about (...
A deeper investigation into the effect of the built environment on the use of ridehailing for non-work travel

Abstract Ridehailing has become a main-stream mobility option in many cities around the world. Many factors can influence an individual's decision to use ridehailing over other modes, and the growing need of policy makers to make built-environment and regulatory decisions related to ridehailing requires an increased understanding of these. This study develops a model that estimates how the built environment affects the decision to choose ridehailing for making non-work trips, while carefully accounting for a variety of confounding effects that could potentially bias the results (if ignored or improperly incorporated). These include: total number of trips, differences in supply between urban and non-urban areas, residential choice (e.g. urban versus non-urban areas), and household choice of whether to own a vehicle. We use individual-level data from a California travel survey that includes detailed attitude measurements to estimate an integrated choice and latent variable (ICLV) model to properly specify these effects. We include accessibility measures used elsewhere (e.g., Walkscore) plus measures developed for this study. Our analysis estimates the effect of these measures on ridehailing mode share, and how they differ between urban and non-urban areas. This analysis results in several major findings: we confirm that omission of latent preferences for residential location and vehicle ownership from the analysis can lead to biased results; previous studies may have overestimated the complementarity or substitution relationships between public transit and ridehailing by ignoring confounding effects; and even after accounting for other effects, individuals living in vibrant and walkable neighborhoods have a higher mode share for ridehailing (potentially using it instead of active modes).
Choice of 16S ribosomal RNA primers affects the microbiome analysis in chicken ceca

We evaluated the effect of applying different sets of 16S rRNA primers on bacterial composition, diversity, and predicted function in chicken ceca. Cecal contents from Ross 708 birds at 1, 3, and 5 weeks of age were collected for DNA isolation. Eight different primer pairs targeting different variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene were employed. DNA sequences were analyzed using open-source platform QIIME2 and the Greengenes database. PICRUSt2 was used to determine the predicted function of bacterial communities. Changes in bacterial relative abundance due to 16S primers were determined by GLMs. The average PCR amplicon size ranged from 315 bp (V3) to 769 bp (V4-V6). Alpha- and beta-diversity, taxonomic composition, and predicted functions were significantly affected by the primer choice. Beta diversity analysis based on Unweighted UniFrac distance matrix showed separation of microbiota with four different clusters of bacterial communities. Based on the alpha- and beta-diversity and taxonomic composition, variable regions V1-V3(1) and (2), and V3-V4 and V3-V5 were in most consensus. Our data strongly suggest that selection of particular sets of the 16S rRNA primers can impact microbiota analysis and interpretation of results in chicken as was shown previously for humans and other animal species.
Assessing diagnosis disclosure and concealment in multiple sclerosis: Development and initial validation of the DISCO-MS survey.

Background:Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) regularly report making strategic decisions about whether to share their diagnosis or keep it a secret; for many, this represents a key stressor....
Freedom to Copy: Copyright, Creation and Context

Although much separates them musically, George Harrison and Michael Bolton share a common legal fate. Both have been held liable in copyright infringement cases in which a court articulated theories of liability based on subconscious infringement. This Article discusses how decisions in the Bolton, Harrison, and other copyright infringement cases reflect a common failing. Such decisions highlight the incomplete nature of the theories of creativity and creation processes in copyright doctrine.After discussing current approaches to questions of creation, this Article suggests ways in which copyright theory can better incorporate a contextualized understanding of creativity and creation processes. Creativity in copyright is frequently characterized as not involving copying, which is typically thought to be antithetical to both originality and creativity. This stigmatization of copying, however, means that copyright theory cannot adequately account for the reality of not infrequent similarities between works that are a result of copying both ideas and expression in the creation of new works. This missing theoretical link has significant implications for copyright in practice. The lack of legal analysis of the full range of creativity and processes of creation is also a major reason why copyright theory often has such difficulty delineating what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate copying of existing works.
Virtual stent grafting in personalized surgical planning for treatment of aortic aneurysms using image-based computational fluid dynamics

Image-based computational fluid dynamics provides great promise for evaluation of vascular devices and assessment of surgical procedures. However, many previous studies employ idealized arterial and device models or patient-specific models with a limited number of cases, since the model construction process is tedious and time-consuming. Moreover, in contrast to retrospective studies from existing image data, there is a pressing need of prospective analysis with the goal of surgical planning. Therefore, it is necessary to construct models with implanted devices in a fast, virtual and interactive fashion. The goal of this paper is to develop new geometric methods to deploy stent grafts virtually to patient-specific models constructed from direct 3D segmentation of medical images. A triangular surface representing vessel lumen boundary is extracted from the segmentation. The diseased portion is then clipped and replaced by the surface of a virtual stent graft following the centerline obtained from the clipped portion. A Y-shape stent graft is employed in case of bifurcated arteries. A method to map a 2D strut pattern on the stent graft is also presented. We demonstrate the application of our methods to quantify wall shear stresses and forces acting on stent grafts in personalized surgical planning for endovascular treatment of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms. Our approach enables prospective model construction and may help to increase its throughput required by routine clinical uses in the future.
5 Multiple Tissue Interactions and Signal Transduction Pathways Control Somite Myogenesis

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews embryological and molecular studies that have established a central role for developmental signaling mechanisms in the establishment of myogenic cells in the somites of vertebrate embryos, and current models of embryonic signaling are also evaluated in the control of skeletal myogenic determination. In the context of the avian and mammalian studies, the chapter also discusses recent genetic studies of myogenesis in the zebrafish and embryological studies in Xenopus. Current evidence provides a general view that somite myogenesis is controlled by complex tissue interactions that expose somitic cells to multiple, independently functioning, and partially redundant signals that promote and inhibit myogenesis. These complex tissue interactions and signal transduction processes apparently have a common genetic outcome, which is the activation of myogenic regulatory factor (MRF) genes that commit somitic cells to a myogenic fate. This complexity of interactions and signaling processes, therefore, can be viewed as an adaptive mechanism to exploit the diversity of signaling mechanisms available throughout the embryo to activate a common MRF genetic regulatory pathway for muscle differentiation at widely dispersed anatomical sites in the vertebrate body.
Bernoulli Trials and Limiting Cases

The emphasis until this chapter has been upon continuous random variables. Most discrete RV’s may, anyhow, be described as a Dirac limit of corresponding continuous RV’s (Sect. 3.12). But, now we want to consider a situation which is intrinsically discrete and has many applications to the world around us. This is the situation of repeated trials.
Two-dimensional high-lift aerodynamic optimization using neural networks

The high-lift performance of a multi-element airfoil was optimized by using neural-net predictions that were trained using a computational data set. The numerical data was generated using a two-dimensional, incompressible, Navier-Stokes algorithm with the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model. Because it is difficult to predict maximum lift for high-lift systems, an empirically-based maximum lift criteria was used in this study to determine both the maximum lift and the angle at which it occurs. The 'pressure difference rule,' which states that the maximum lift condition corresponds to a certain pressure difference between the peak suction pressure and the pressure at the trailing edge of the element, was applied and verified with experimental observations for this configuration. Multiple input, single output networks were trained using the NASA Ames variation of the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm for each of the aerodynamic coefficients (lift, drag and moment). The artificial neural networks were integrated with a gradient-based optimizer. Using independent numerical simulations and experimental data for this high-lift configuration, it was shown that this design process successfully optimized flap deflection, gap, overlap, and angle of attack to maximize lift. Once the neural nets were trained and integrated with the optimizer, minimal additional computer resources were required to perform optimization runs with different initial conditions and parameters. Applying the neural networks within the high-lift rigging optimization process reduced the amount of computational time and resources by 44% compared with traditional gradient-based optimization procedures for multiple optimization runs.
Comment on "New Limits on Intrinsic Charm in the Nucleon from Global Analysis of Parton Distributions".

Intrinsic heavy quarks in hadrons emerge from the non-perturbative structure of a hadron bound state and are a rigorous prediction of QCD. Lattice QCD calculations indicate significant intrinsic charm and strangeness probabilities. Since the light-front momentum distribution of the Fock states is maximal at equal rapidity, intrinsic heavy quarks carry significant fractions of the hadron momentum. The presence of Fock states with intrinsic strange, charm, or bottom quarks in hadrons lead to an array of novel physics phenomena. Accurate determinations of the heavy-quark distributions in the proton are needed to interpret Tevatron and LHC measurements as probed of physics beyond the Standard Model.
SNS cryogenic systems commissioning

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) is under construction at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The cold section of the Linac consists of 81 superconducting radio frequency cavities cooled to 2.1K by a 2400 watt cryogenic refrigeration system. The major cryogenic system components include warm helium compressors with associated oil removal and gas management, 4.5K cold box, 7000L liquid helium dewar, 2.1K cold box (consisting of 4 stages of cold compressors), gaseous helium storage, helium purification and gas impurity monitoring system, liquid nitrogen storage and the cryogenic distribution transfer line system. The overall system commissioning and future plans will be presented.
GENETIC CONTROL AND LINKAGE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG AMINOPEPTIDASES IN MAIZE

Maize aminopeptidase is coded by four genes. Amp1 and Amp2 have been localized to chromosome 1 . A three-point cross shows the gene order to be Amp2—15%—Amp1—33%—Adh2 (alcohol dehydrogenase). Amp3 and Amp4 assort independently of each other and of chromosome 1 aminopeptidases. Another linkage relationship among the maize genes Amy2 (amylase), Cat1 (catalase), and Amp3 exists, but the chromosome location has yet to be established unequivocally.
A kill curve for Phanerozoic marine species.

A kill curve for Phanerozoic species is developed from an analysis of the stratigraphic ranges of 17,621 genera, as compiled by Sepkoski. The kill curve shows that a typical species' risk of extinction varies greatly, with most time intervals being characterized by very low risk. The mean extinction rate of 0.25/m.y. is thus a mixture of long periods of negligible extinction and occasional pulses of much higher rate. Because the kill curve is merely a description of the fossil record, it does not speak directly to the causes of extinction. The kill curve may be useful, however, to li inverted question markmit choices of extinction mechanisms.
DYSFUNCTIONAL KYNURENINE PATHWAY METABOLISM IN THE R6/2 MOUSE MODEL OF HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE

Elevated concentrations of neurotoxic metabolites of the kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan degradation may play a causative role in Huntington's disease (HD). The brain levels of one of these compounds, 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), are increased in both HD and several mouse models of the disease. In the present study, we examined this impairment in greater detail using the R6/2 mouse, a well-established animal model of HD. Initially, mutant and age-matched wild-type mice received an intrastriatal injection of (3)H-tryptophan to assess the acute, local de novo production of kynurenine, the immediate bioprecursor of 3-HK, in vivo. No effect of genotype was observed between 4 and 12 weeks of age. In contrast, intrastriatally applied (3)H-kynurenine resulted in significantly increased neosynthesis of (3)H-3-HK, but not other tritiated KP metabolites, in the R6/2 striatum. Subsequent ex vivo studies in striatal, cortical and cerebellar tissue revealed substantial increases in the activity of the biosynthetic enzyme of 3-HK, kynurenine 3-monooxygenase and significant reductions in the activity of its degradative enzyme, kynureninase, in HD mice starting at 4 weeks of age. Decreased kynureninase activity was most evident in the cortex and preceded the increase in kynurenine 3-monooxygenase activity. The activity of other KP enzymes showed no consistent brain abnormalities in the mutant mice. These findings suggest that impairments in its immediate metabolic enzymes jointly account for the abnormally high brain levels of 3-HK in the R6/2 model of HD.
On the gradient-projection method for solving the nonsymmetric linear complementarity problem

The Levitin-Poljak gradient-projection method is applied to solve the linear complementarity problem with a nonsymmetric matrixM, which is either a positive-semidefinite matrix or aP-matrix. Further-more, if the quadratic functionxT(Mx + q) is pseudoconvex on the feasible region {x ∈Rn |Mx + q ≥ 0,x≥0}, then the gradient-projection method generates a sequence converging to a solution, provided that the problem has a solution. For the case when the matrixM is aP-matrix and the solution is nondegenerate, the gradient-projection method is finite.
Chemically evoked sensations from single human taste papillae

Abstract Early psychophysical studies of human taste papillae, using chemical stimuli, indicated that single papillae often have a broad taste quality range. Recent investigations, using both chemical and electrical stimulation, have contested this result; single papillae were observed to mediate only one of the so-called primary taste sensations (salty, sweet, bitter or sour). In each case the techniques used were such as to leave the conclusion open to doubt. The present study, employing an improved technique for chemical stimulation, corroborates the wide sensitivity range shown in the earlier studies. This result is in accord with the available anatomical and electrophysiological data. Moreover, it concurs with similar findings from all sensory modalities in support of the hypothesis that sensory receptors and afferent neurons typically have broad quality ranges, regardless of the characteristics of the phenomenal organizations derived from the information coded in this manner.
Rhetorical perspective and the limits of critique

I argue that Gaonkar's diagnosis is flawed due to limits in his method of critique that obscure options available in rhetorical theory and overlook possibilities for application of that theory to practical contexts. Discussed are the limits of method, dialectical fragmentation of rhetorical perspective, and topoi in practice. I posit that the topical perspective for thinking rhetorically about scientific discourse encourages a kind of analysis that includes among its practical implications the prospect of furthering a humanistic form of science literacy.
Reduced redundancy arrays for detection and direction finding over a wide frequency range

Array design plays a key role in the performance of radio receivers used to detect signals and estimate their direction of arrival. Non-uniform arrays are used to meet conflicting requirements for large aperture and closely spaced elements, but selecting the best array is difficult when a receiver operates over a wide range of look-angles and signal frequencies. Minimum Redundancy Arrays (MRA) have narrow beamwidth, but sidelobe levels are somewhat high for detection using super-resolution array processing techniques. In addition, the MRA is physically large, often exceeding available space. This paper introduces a design called the Reduced Redundancy Array (RRA); a generalization of MRA's with antenna aperture as a design parameter, allowing the designer to trade beamwidth and sidelobe level. Design rules are described, and it is shown by example that MRA's have good performance over a wide range of frequencies and look-angles.
HIV Sexual Risk Behavior among Puerto Rican Women

We examined the association of primary or nonprimary sexual partner relationship status on sexual risk behaviors, including condom use, among Latina women who are at self-disclosed increased heterosexual risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Data were collected via structured interviews of 187 Puerto Rican women, aged 18-35, who attended a health clinic in the Bronx, New York. Approximately 13% of participants reported sexual activities with both primary and nonprimary sexual partners during the 6 months prior to the interview. Primary or nonprimary sexual partner status was associated with significant differences in frequency of condom use during anal sex and oral-penile sex, with more frequent condom use reported during these sexual activities with nonprimary sexual partners. Thus, potential contextual differences associated with primary or nonprimary relationship status may represent important factors to consider when designing interventions to facilitate HIV-protective behaviors among populations of urban women identified at increased heterosexual risk for HIV infection.
World standards for surgical implants: an American perspective.

Abstract Working cooperation among surgeons, manufacturers and scientists, working in many countries, over the last forty years has arrived at minimal standards. These standards are for both the materials to be used in the manufacture of surgical implants and for the design and performance of the implants themselves. An account is given here of the development of the standards writing procedure in the United States and the International Standards Organization in Geneva. The important contributions of all the working groups to write the present standards is underlined. This process has been set up within the European countries, the United States of America, Canada and other nations, to make sure that materials are adequately investigated prior to their use for the manufacture of surgical implants. In addition the implants themselves must satisfy design requirements which have been set up by consensus, this allows for the expression of all intrests. This is an account of what has been going on in standards writing and continues to take place in the writing of standards.
The influence of heavy water of low concentration on Spirogyra, Planaria and on enzyme action

Further experiments support the original suggestion of one of the authors (T. C. B.) that low concentrations of the heavy isotope of hydrogen in water will yield more significant physiological results than pure heavy water. The water employed had been slightly concentrated by commercial electrolysis and had a specific gravity of 1.00061 or 1 part in 2,000 of deuterium. Short lengths (5 to 50 cells) ofSpirogyra filaments lived longer in the isotope water (average 6.3 days for 355 cells) as compared to their longevity in ordinary distilled water (average 3.3 days for 322 cells). The experiments indicate that this effect was not due to differences in salt, CO2, or O2 content of the water samples.Planaria maintained their body size for longer periods in the isotope water. Fermentation by suspensions of commercial yeast, and digestion of starch by pancreatic amylase were inhibited only after a period of incubation of the enzyme in the heavy water; the degree of inhibition of the former reaction was, however, very nearly indentical for incubation periods of 16 and 166 hours indicating a stoichiometrical relationship between the isotope and the enzyme.
An analysis of the low temperature, low and high strain-rate deformation of Ti-6Al-4V

The deformation behavior of Ti−6Al−4V at temperatures between 76 and 495 K, strain rates between 0.001 and 3000 s−1, and compressive strains to 0.3 has been investigated. Measurements of yield stress as a function of test temperature, strain rate, and prestrain history are analyzed according to the model proposed by Kocks and Mecking. The mechanical threshold stress (flow stress at 0 K) is used as an internal state variable, and the contributions to the mechanical threshold stress from the various strengthening mechanisms present in this alloy are analyzed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is used to correlate deformation substructure evolution with the constitutive behavior. The deformation substructure of Ti-6-4 is observed to consist of planar slip in the α grains at quasistatic strain rates. At high strain rates, deformation twinning is observed in addition to planar slip. Increasing the temperature to 495 K is seen to alter the deformation mode to more random slip; the effect of this on the proposed deformation model is discussed.
Isolated low second-trimester maternal serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin is not associated with adverse pregnancy outcome

Abstract Objective We investigated whether low human chorionic gonadotropin from maternal serum screening is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. Study design Women between 15 and 20 completed weeks of gestation who had a maternal serum screen performed from June 1999 to November 2001 were studied. Cases included women with human chorionic gonadotropin values of ≤0.5 multiples of the median, α-fetoprotein values of >0.5 and 0.6 and Results There were 146 case subjects and 292 control subjects. There was no increased risk in the study group compared with the control subjects for preterm delivery, intrauterine fetal death, low birth weight, abruptio placentae, preeclampsia, or preterm premature rupture of membranes. Conclusion An isolated low human chorionic gonadotropin level from second-trimester maternal serum screening is not associated with adverse pregnancy outcome.
Complicating the Complicated: The Importance of Status in Understanding Constrained Career Choices

In spite of gains made by women and minorities over the last several decades in the workplace, much work is left to be done to achieve equality. Of particular concern is the diminishing number of w...
SU-E-T-90: Determination of Orthovoltage Beam-Hardening Filters Generating the NIST-Traceable Beam Quality

Purpose: We performed Monte Carlo simulation using EGSnrc for simulating an X‐RAD 320 Biological Irradiator (Precision X‐Ray Inc., North Branford, CT) which generates orthovoltage x‐rays. Monte‐Carlo simulation was used to determine an appropriate filter to generate the NIST‐traceable beam quality so that a calibration factor necessary for a secondary chamber can be obtained by comparing to a NIST primary standard. Methods: The dimensions and positions of various components including a target within the X‐RAD 320 irradiator were implemented in BEAMnrc. The Monte Carlo simulation was validated by comparing with measurement of x‐ray transmission with a tube potential of 200, 250, and 300 kVp. Using the validated Monte‐Carlo codes, appropriate beam‐hardening filters were investigated to produce the NIST‐traceable beam qualities such as M200, M250, and M300. Results: The simulated transmission of x‐rays with a tube potential of 200, 250, and 300 kVp agreed with the measured ones with a difference of −0.1 ± 2.0%, 1.7 ± 2.1%, and 1.6 ± 2.3%, respectively. The statistical uncertainty in the Monte Carlo simulations was less than 0.5%. The Monte Carlo simulations verified that the NIST‐listed filters for M200 (4.35 mmAl + 1.12 mmCu), M250 (5.25 mmAl + 3.2 mmCu), and M300 (4.25 mmAl + 6.5 mmSn) were adequate for our X‐RAD 320 irradiator. The simulated half‐value layers and homogeneity coefficients using the above filters were 1.64 mmCu and 67.5% for 200 kVp, 3.20 mmCu and 86.1% for 250 kVp, and 5.3 mmCu and 97.1% for 300 kVp, which are in good agreement with the NIST‐traceable beam quality. Conclusions: Monte Carlo simulations of an X‐RAD 320 irradiator were performed to determined beam‐hardening filters for producing the NIST‐traceable beam quality. The NIST‐listed filters were satisfactory for the X‐RAD 320 irradiator to generate the NIST‐traceable beam quality. This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, NCI.
An Empirical Approach to Modeling Ion Size Effects in Diffuse Double Layer Theory

A novel empirical model for the diffuse double layer is found by generalizing the simple analytical equations of Gouy–Chapman theory. Two adjustable parameters are introduced into the Boltzmann equation for the exponential dependence of the ion–wall correlation functions on the diffuse layer potential. Optimal parameter values and model validation for 1 : 1 and 2 : 1 electrolytes are provided by Monte Carlo simulations. Simple relationships are obtained between these empirical parameters and those commonly associated with the mean-spherical approximation. The new empiricism accurately models diffuse layer potential profiles and ion–wall correlation functions for a restricted 1 : 1 electrolyte in a primitive solvent.
Spin-dependent sum rule for high-energy neutrino reactions

Abstract We present a sum rule which related the inclusive cross section for high-energy neutrino scattering on polarized proton targets to the axial-vector coupling constant. The derivation of the sum rule rests on the equal-time algebra of the time-components of the weak currents. The sum rule also provides a discriminatory test of unified models of weak and electromagnetic interactions based on spontaneously-broken gauge symmetry.
PS2-43: VDW Data Sources: Group Health

Background The Virtual Data Warehouse (VDW) was created as a mechanism for producing comparable data across sites for purposes of proposing and conducting research. It is “virtual” in the sense that the data remain at the local sites; there is no multi-site physical database at a centralized data coordinating center. At the core of the VDW are a series of standardized file definitions. Content areas and data elements that are commonly required for research studies are identified, and data dictionaries are created for each of the content areas, specifying a common format for each of the elements—variable name, label, description, code values, and value labels. Local site programmers have mapped the data elements from their HMO’s data systems into this standardized set of variable definitions, names, and codes, as well as onto standardized SAS file formats. This common structure of the VDW files enables a SAS analyst at one site to write one program to extract and/or analyze data at all participating sites.
A Survey and Categorization of Small Low-Cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System Identification

Remote sensing has traditionally be done with satellites and manned aircraft. While these methods can yield useful scientific data, satellites and manned aircraft have limitations in data frequency, process time, and real time re-tasking. Small low-cost unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can bridge the gap for personal remote sensing for scientific data. Precision aerial imagery and sensor data requires an accurate dynamics model of the vehicle for controller development. One method of developing a dynamics model is system identification (system ID). The purpose of this paper is to provide a survey and categorization of current methods and applications of system ID for small low-cost UAVs. This paper also provides background information on the process of system ID with in-depth discussion on practical implementation for UAVs. This survey divides the summaries of system ID research into five UAV groups: helicopter, fixed-wing, multirotor, flapping-wing, and lighter-than-air. The research literature is tabulated into five corresponding UAV groups for further research.
Upstream influence: The positive impact of PAC contributions on Marcellus Shale roll call votes in Pennsylvania

Political scientists have long tried to explain how interest group lobbying and political action committee campaign donations affect election outcomes and public policy debates. Unfortunately, they are often met with null or conflicting results. Consequently, scholars have tested the influence of campaign donations on Congressional outcomes in different parts of the policy-making process, such as roll call votes and committee hearings. Building on these findings, I use the adoption of a Marcellus Shale impact fee in Pennsylvania to test whether campaign contributions have a different effect on bill amendment roll call votes than final floor votes. Given the differing political contexts of these two votes, it stands to reason that there is variation in the relationship between campaign donations and member voting behavior. Specifically, I expect that legislators have more flexibility in voting on amendments than on final bills, and thus factors other than party, including campaign funding, are also relevant. I find that while party, ideology and tenure are the only significant factors associated with roll call votes on final bills, campaign contributions and local-level salience are positively associated with voting on amendments. This shows that while moneyed interests may not be successful in stopping undesirable legislation, they can achieve legislative victory by shaping the bill as it travels through the legislature.
Context and Control in Foreign Subsidiaries: Making a Case for the Host Country National Manager

Conventional wisdom has equated expatriate managers with increased control of foreign subsidiaries of multinational corporations (MNCs). Integrating theory from the control, leadership, and organiz...
Synthesis of Poly[disilanyleneethynyleneoligo(thienylene)ethynylene]s and Their Photoconductivity

Polymers having the diethynyldisilanylene and oligothienylene units were prepared by the reaction of 1,2-diethynyl-1,1,2,2-tetraethyldisilane with dibromooligothiophene in the presence of a Pd(PPh3)4−CuI catalyst in triethylamine or a mixture of a triethylamine and toluene solution. The molecular weights of the disilanylene polymers were calculated to be 6300−19000. The polymers with more than two thienylene units in their backbone exhibit their absorption in the visible region, and their absorption maxima are red-shifted about 10−50 nm relative to poly(disilanyleneoligothienylene)s bearing the same number of a thienylene group. The present polymers showed to be photoconducting in the visible light region and showed thermal cross-linking properties.
EIS adoption, use, and impact: the executive perspective

Abstract Executive decision making continues to gain in importance as competitive situations increase in the fast-paced, global economy facing organizations today. Until recently, however, few executives have had easy access to the timely, complete, and accurate information they need for strategic decision making. The emergence of Executive Information Systems (EIS) provides the opportunity to change this situation. This research examines the role and use of information by senior executives in three different organizations in order to gain some insights on the adoption, use, and impact of EIS. The results of this examination are presented as a series of testable propositions.
Geriatric grand rounds: nutrition and the elderly. University of California, Los Angeles.

Causes de l'anorexie du vieillard. Traitement de la malnutrition. Complications de l'intervention nutritionnelle. Etat vitaminique du vieillard. Elements traces
Optimal resonant tank design considerations for primary track compensation in Inductive Power Transfer systems

In this paper, design of a primary resonant tank for resonant converters compensation in an Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) system is analyzed and some criteria for selecting its reactive components are established. The optimization goal is to maximize the transferred power, while limiting the number of compensation components to no more than two reactive components. Additionally, VA limits of the inverter are taken into consideration. Current track requirements are relaxed and instead of constant track current, small track load dependency is allowed, which is acceptable in practice. The theoretical investigations and calculations, as well as simulations for two important practical cases considered are presented in the paper. It is shown that LC compensation structure allows maximum delivered power, but not for the case when the impedances of compensation elements are the same as it would be expected. Additionally, the impact of converter ratings and allowed load dependent track current variation on the optimal design are investigated through the set of numerical simulations.
Test-Wiseness for Teachers and Students.

Seventh-grade students' comments about their responses to a test designed to illustrate faulty items suggests students are quite proficient in using secondary clues to figure out correct answers. Teacher comments suggest teachers are unaware they provide such clues.
The Presence of Active C1 (C1-) on Peripheral Human Lymphocytes

. We have shown that the first component of complement C1 is present in an active form on the surface of washed human peripheral lymphocytes but not on platelets or erythrocytes. This active C1 (C1-) was detected by its ability to transfer to sensitized cells carrying C4, i.e., EAC4, forming EAC1-,4. Active C1 was also able to consume C4. Treatment of these lymphocytes with 0.02 m EDTA removed C1. EDTA-treated lymphocytes were able to bind exogenous purified human C1. Comparative studies with sentized erythrocytes (EA) and EDTA treated lypmhocytes showed that although fewer molecules of exogenous C1 could bind to the EDTA-treated lymphocytes than to EA, the consumption of C4 by C1- bound to lymphocytes was significantly higher than that observed with EAC1-. When lymphocytes obtained from 2 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and hypocomplementemia were tested, the release of C1, the C4 consumption and the binding of C1- to EDTA-treated cells were highly inefficient.
Improving the segmentation of therapy-induced leukoencephalopathy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia using a priori information and a gradient magnitude threshold

Reliably quantifying therapy-induced leukoencephalopathy is a challenging task due to the similarity between its MR properties and those of normal tissues. Multispectral MR images were analyzed for 15 children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Three different analysis techniques were compared to examine improvements in the segmentation accuracy of leukoencephalopathy versus manual tracings by two experienced observers. The original technique used a white matter mask based on the segmentation of the first serial examination of each patient and no a priori information. The modified techniques combine spatially normalized a priori maps as input and a gradient magnitude threshold. The second technique used a 2D threshold, while the third algorithm utilized a 3D threshold. MR images were segmented with a Kohonen self-organizing map for all three algorithms. Kappa values were compared for the three techniques to each observer and statistically significant improvements were seen between the original and third algorithms (Observer 1: 0.651, 0.744, P = 0.015; Observer 2: 0.603, 0.699, P = 0.024). More accurate and reliable quantification reduces the amount of variance in MR measures and facilitates clinical trials to determine the clinical significance of leukoencephalopathy in this vulnerable population.
Cutis laxa: A review

Cutis laxa is a rare disorder of elastic tissue resulting in loose, redundant, hypoelastic skin. Both acquired and inherited forms exist, some of which have significant systemic manifestations. Here, we review the various forms of cutis laxa, with focus on the inherited forms. Recent molecular studies have provided many new insights into the causes of cutis laxa and revealed greater genetic heterogeneity than previously appreciated.
Notch Signaling Functions in Retinal Pericyte Survival

Purpose Pericytes, the vascular cells that constitute the outer layer of capillaries, have been shown to have a crucial role in vascular development and stability. Loss of pericytes precedes endothelial cell dysfunction and vascular degeneration in small-vessel diseases, including diabetic retinopathy. Despite their clinical relevance, the cellular pathways controlling survival of retinal pericytes remain largely uncharacterized. Therefore, we investigated the role of Notch signaling, a master regulator of cell fate decisions, in retinal pericyte survival. Methods A coculture system of ligand-dependent Notch signaling was developed using primary cultured retinal pericytes and a mesenchymal cell line derived from an inducible mouse model expressing the Delta-like 1 Notch ligand. This model was used to examine the effect of Notch activity on pericyte survival using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and a light-induced cell death assay. The effect of Notch gain- and loss-of-function was analyzed in monocultures of retinal pericytes using antibody arrays to interrogate the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Results Primary cultured retinal pericytes differentially expressed key molecules of the Notch pathway and displayed strong expression of canonical Notch/RBPJK (recombination signal-binding protein 1 for J-kappa) downstream targets. A gene expression screen using gain- and loss-of-function approaches identified genes relevant to cell survival as downstream targets of Notch activity in retinal pericytes. Ligand-mediated Notch activity protected retinal pericytes from light-induced cell death. Conclusions Our results have identified signature genes downstream of Notch activity in retinal pericytes and suggest that tight regulation of Notch signaling is crucial for pericyte survival.
An evaluation of lenses designed to block light emitted by light-curing units

A number of protective lenses are available to prevent ocular injury from wavelength spectrum generated by visible light. Four of the five lenses tested absorbed virtually all of the radiation transmitted in the 200 to 800 nm level. Protective eyewear should be used when blue and ultraviolet light-curing units are involved.
Pressure field measurement in abubbling fluidized bed

Abstract Artificial bubbles made of fine mesh were immersed in a fluidized bed and instrumented with pressure probes inside the bubble and in the surrounding dense phase. A two phase finite difference model was used to predict these pressure fields in terms of the two phase theory. Agreement between experimental and numerical results was good except above the mesh bubble, where some channeling may occur.
Frequency-dependent hyperpolarizabilities in the coupled-cluster method: the Kerr effect for molecules

Abstract Introducing frequency dependence in the equation-of-motion coupled-cluster method, we evaluate the optical Kerr effect for butadiene and ammonia. This permits a critical evaluation of dispersion estimates via the uncorrelated time-dependent Hartree-Fock theory. The percentage dispersions are similar for low frequencies, but not for larger values. We also consider other dispersion estimates based upon a power series expansion in the frequency. This leads to a possible resolution of the observed discrepancy between correlated theory and experiment for butadiene. Augmented by vibrational corrections, we offer estimates for the experimentally unknown Kerr values for NH3 and C4H6.
Separation of priority organic pollutants from tap water by low pressure composite membrane

Abstract The rejection of salt (TDS) and selected organic pollutants from tap water was investigated using low pressure composite membrane (FT‐30). The parameters used to evaluate the system behavior as a function of operating conditions were the absolute throughput (permeate flow rate) and the rejection. The reverse osmosis system was operated in the range of 80–195 psi. In the throughput range of 14–19.7%, the single pass system achieved rejections of TDS (as measured by conductivity), benzene, chloroform, and pentachlorophenol (PCP) in the range of 98.4–98.7%, 76.3–87.1%, 49.5–88.9%, and 93.5–95% respectively. The results of this investigation help to define the relationship between the membrane and the organic solutes in terms of their molecular characteristics (molecular weight, hydrogen bonding ability, and water solubility).
The obscuring torus in AGN

Abstract Unified schemes of active galactic nuclei (AGN) require an obscuring dusty torus around the central engine. Torus sizes of hundreds of parsecs were deduced from early theoretical modeling efforts, but high-resolution IR observations now show that the torus size is no more than a few parsecs. This conflict is resolved when the clumpy nature of the torus is taken into account. The compact torus may be best understood when identified with the dusty, optically thick region of the wind coming off the central accretion disk.
CFD and Optical Investigations of Fluid Dynamics and Mixture Formation in a DI-H2ICE

This paper reports the validation of a three-dimensional numerical simulation of the in-cylinder processes during gas-exchange, injection, and compression in a direct-injection, hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine. Computational results from the commercial code Fluent are compared to experimental data acquired by laser-based measurements in a corresponding optically accessible engine. The simulation includes the intake-port geometry as well as the injection event with its supersonic hydrogen jet. The cylinder geometry is typical of passenger-car sized spark-ignited engines. Gaseous hydrogen is injected from a high-pressure injector with a single-hole nozzle. Numerically and experimentally determined flow fields in the vertical, central symmetry plane are compared for a series of crank angles during the compression stroke, with and without fuel injection. With hydrogen injection, the fuel mole-fraction in the same data plane is included in the comparison as well. The results show that the simulation predicts the flow field without injection reasonably well, with increasing numerical-experimental disagreement towards the end of the compression stroke. The injection event completely disrupts the intake-induced flow, and the simulation predicts the post-injection velocity fields much better than the flow without injection at the same crank-angles. The two-dimensional tumble ratio is evaluated to quantify the coherent barrel motion of the charge. Without fuel injection, the simulation significantly over-predicts tumble during most of the compression stroke, but with injection, the numerical and experimental tumble ratio track each other closely. The evolution of hydrogen mole-fraction during the compression stroke shows conflicting trends. Jet penetration and jet-wall interaction are well captured, while fuel dispersion appears under-predicted. Possible causes of this latter discrepancy are discussed.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Equator-pole differences in the solar chromosphere from Lyman-continuum data

From the analysis of OSO-4 Lyman-continuum spectroheliograms, differences in the brightness and the color temperature between the poles and the equator have been found. These differences are interpreted as resulting from a lower chromospheric density at the poles than at the equator. Two models, one for the poles and one for the equator, giving temperature and density as a function of height, explain the observations. The poles have a lower density and a smaller temperature gradient than the equator does. The differences begin in the middle chromosphere and increase toward the transition zone.