cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Observed Differences in Teacher Verbal Behavior When Using and Not Using the Overhead Projector

Technology in education is being utilized in greater amounts and quantity by an ever growing number of teachers. Yet to date little has been done to examine technology's effect on teachers' classroom verbal behavior. This study was an attempt to examine one facet of this technology, the effect of the overhead projector on teachers' classroom verbal behavior. Researchers addressing themselves to the problems of teacher behavior are working to develop and refine instruments by which it can be measured. Medley and Mitzel (1955) have studied teacher emotional climate in the classroom and
Complete solution to the nonsingular H ∞ four block problem

This paper considers the complete solution to the four block problem in a combined H2/H∞ setting. Specifically, an LQG control design problem involving a constraint on the H∞ disturbance attenuation is addressed. It is shown that the optimal H2/H∞ dynamic compensation gains are completely characterized via coupled Riccati/Lyapunov equations. The principal result involves sufficient conditions for characterizing full- and reduced-order controllers that satisfy both H2/ and H∞ performance costs. As a special case of this unified result we obtain the full-order H∞ solution to the general four block optimal control problem and the pure reduced-order H∞ solution with no H2/ contribution.
The mitochondrial calcium uniporter selectively matches metabolic output to acute contractile stress in the heart

In the heart, augmented Ca(2+) fluxing drives contractility and ATP generation through mitochondrial Ca(2+) loading. Pathologic mitochondrial Ca(2+) overload with ischemic injury triggers mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening and cardiomyocyte death. Mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake is primarily mediated by the mitochondrial Ca(2+) uniporter (MCU). Here, we generated mice with adult and cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of Mcu, which produced mitochondria refractory to acute Ca(2+) uptake, with impaired ATP production, and inhibited MPTP opening upon acute Ca(2+) challenge. Mice lacking Mcu in the adult heart were also protected from acute ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, resting/basal mitochondrial Ca(2+) levels were normal in hearts of Mcu-deleted mice, and mitochondria lacking MCU eventually loaded with Ca(2+) after stress stimulation. Indeed, Mcu-deleted mice were unable to immediately sprint on a treadmill unless warmed up for 30 min. Hence, MCU is a dedicated regulator of short-term mitochondrial Ca(2+) loading underlying a "fight-or-flight" response that acutely matches cardiac workload with ATP production.
Sweep-Frequency Measurements of Solar Bursts

For more than a decade, sweep-frequency studies of solar nonthermal radio emission have been carried out in the metric and decametric wavelength ranges. These include information on the polarization and position of bursts and other events. The original phenomenology proposed by Wild and associates at Sydney appears still to be valid; although complications have appeared, they do not vitiate the concepts of bursts generated at and near the plasma frequency by outward traveling disturbances in the corona. A new phenomenon, continuum outbursts associated with violent solar activity, was identified more recently in France. Its description at various observing wavelengths from decametric to centimetric ranges has proceeded apace.
Phased implementation of the Mid-Atlantic regional HF radar system

Surface currents are an integral component of the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) and High Frequency (HF) radar technologies provide the means to measure these data across regional scales. A national committee on surface current mapping, supported by OCEAN.US, has outlined an organizational structure for a national HF radar system. This plan separates the national system into regional centers responsible for the operation and maintenance of the network. Recently MACOORA, the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association, identified HF radar as an important component of the coastal observatory. In the context of MACOORA and the regional landscape outlined in the IOOS plan, the HF radar operators from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras have formed a consortium for the operation and maintenance of the HF radar network, including system hardware, data management, and product delivery. Through this consortium the existing pockets of systems can be operated as part of one regional network. This network consists of 11 long-range sites providing total vector coverage across a large majority of the region. Additional sites are proposed in Moriches, NY, Block Island, RI, and Martha's Vineyard, MA to completely fill in the shelf-wide coverage from Cape Cod, MA to Cape Hatteras, NC. In addition there are three higher resolution systems made up of 13 sites in operation in the Chesapeake Bay, New York Harbor, and Long Island Sound estuaries with plans for 2 more sites in Delaware Bay. This nested network makes the Mid-Atlantic Bight the most heavily HF radar instrumented region in the world. In addition to scientific research and education applications, the data has already been ingested into United States Coast Guard Search and Rescue planning tools. An overview of the network including existing products and system infrastructure will be discussed as well as plans for the continued operation and reliable product delivery supporting the regional IOOS mission. By leveraging off national efforts like the Radiowave Oceanography Working Group (ROWG) for operation and maintenance and ROADNET for data management, the Mid-Atlantic HF radar consortium has moved from small groups of systems to a single integrated regional system, a model that could be scaled nationally and internationally. The coastal geometry surrounding the Baltic Sea is particularly well suited for a similar system with continuous coverage across the entire sea. A preliminary analysis of this system will also be presented in collaboration with existing HF radar work in the area.
A progressive strategy to achieving automated lot processing

To increase the efficiency of the semiconductor manufacturing process, the industry is striving to become more responsive to changing business conditions, thereby achieving lower throughput times, inventory levels, and labor costs. Towards this end, Intel has been pursuing a progressively layered roadmap to automate lot processing. By eliminating the manual steps to select, deliver, and process a lot, the efficiency of the semiconductor process can be greatly improved. Simulation studies have shown that fully automated lot processing provides compelling throughput, cycle time, and labor efficiency benefits. In this paper we describe the high-level strategy and implementation details on the effort towards fully automated lot processing at Intel's factories
A new registry for tracking outcomes of heart failure patients treated in the era of expanding device therapies

A New Registry for Tracking Outcomes of Heart Failure Patients Treated in the Era of Expanding Device Therapies Leslie A. Saxon, Teresa De Marco, James B. Young, Bruce Willkof, Robert Bourge, Neal Kay, Harold Javitz5—Cardiac Electrophysiology Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA; Division of Cardiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH; Divison of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL; Biostatistics, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA
Identification and partial characterization of rabbit brain deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphatase.

Adult rabbit brain contains the enzymatic machinery to convert deoxyuridine to deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP). Although dUTP as dUMP can be readily incorporated into DNA in place of thymidine monophosphate, we detected no (3H)dUMP in newly synthesized (3H)DNA in adult rabbit brain after the intraventricular injection of (3H)deoxyuridine. Only (3H)thymidine was detected. The probable explanation for the lack of incorporation of uracil into adult rabbit brain DNA is the presence of a specific, high affinity dUTPase which converts dUTP to dUMP and PP. After homogenization and ammonium sulfate fractionation of adult rabbit brain (35 to 75% saturation), a high affinity, specific dUTPase was detected in the dialyzed enzyme preparation. The Km and Vmax of the dUTPase were 0.2 μM and 36 pmol/mg protein/min. respectively. No high affinity dUTPase activity was detectable in liver. In brain, another enzyme hydrolyzed dUTPase, and dTTP (NTPase) to their respective diphosphates. NTPase, unlike dUTPase, was not sensitive to heating at 65°C for five minutes. Thus, brain, like other tissues, contains a high affinity, specific dUTPase presumably to “sanitize” the cells of dUTP and, thus, protect the integrity of newly synthesized DNA.
U.S. Intercounty Migration in the 1990s: People and Income Move Down the Urban Hierarchy

Internal migration within the United States continues to transform both the magnitude and composition of population at all geographic scales. During 1994 - 1995, the majority of counties gained both people and income, largely as a consequence of net outmigration by higher income migrants from the nation's most populous cities. Regionally, net gainers of both people and income included counties in the West and South as well as other areas renowned for environmental amenities. Spatially, net migration flowed down the urban hierarchy from large central cities to adjacent suburbs which, in turn, exported migrants to exurban areas. Large cities tended to exchange migrants with nearby counties as well as other large cities. Migration patterns such as these are contributing to spatial deconcentration and economic disparity.
Analyzing Sustainable, Localized Food Production Systems With a Systematic Optimization Model

Localized food production and sourcing is drawing increasing attention due to economic, environmental and health considerations. Yet significant challenges exist, such as how to effectively and efficiently map the localized supply and demand. In order to address this issue, we developed a framework that incorporates the population, dietary, and geographical information to map the potential foodsheds. The focus in this study is to minimize the total geographic distribution among the foodsheds. We also developed innovative protocols and metrics to analyze the foodshed localization of geographic areas. Data from Iowa are utilized to analyze and validate the optimization model. This study has the potential to be adapted to other regions.
Wellness, Prevention, Development: The Cornerstone of the Profession

The American Counseling Association's (ACA), formerly the American Association for Counseling and Development (AACD), unique contribution to a wellness philosophy lies in the profession's concern for development over the life span. In this article, ACA's commitment to and proactive stance toward wellness are described, the relationship between wellness, developmental approaches, and prevention is addressed, and the debate surrounding prevention as a non-third-party-reimbursable mental health service is discussed.
Manifestation of depressive symptoms among adolescents. A comparison of Mexican Americans with the majority and other minority populations.

The purpose of this research was to investigate differential manifestation of depressive symptomatology among adolescents from diverse ethnocultural groups. Data from a national survey of persons 12 to 17 years of age (N=2200) were analyzed, comparing responses of Anglo, African, Mexican, and other
Does metallic ammonium exist

THE ammonium ion NH4+ behaves in many ways like an alkali metal ion. This led Ramsey1 to propose that monovalent ammonium metal (NH4+ ions immersed in an almost uniform, degenerate sea of electrons) is stable at pressures much lower than typical insulator–metal transition pressures2 of megabars ∼1011 Pa (105 Pa = 1 bar). Subsequently, it was estimated3 that the transition from a mixture of NH3 and H2 molecules to metallic ammonium, occurs at a pressure of less than 2.5×1010 Pa. If this estimate were correct, metallic ammonium would be of great interest to experimental high pressure physicists, and to planetary physicists. Indeed, metallic ammonium has been invoked in some4,5 but not all models for the interiors of Uranus and Neptune; and its existence could be of importance6 for calculations of the interior magnetic fields of these planets.
Sudden onset of melanuria in a patient with metastatic melanoma and toxic epidermal necrolysis

A 46-year-old man presented to our institution with blisters and eruption on the body and oral mucosa. He had a history of metastatic melanoma to the brain and had undergone radiation therapy to the head and chemotherapy with temozolomide. He was then started on dexamethasone and phenytoin. One month later, he developed a fever of 39.5 °C and an eruption in the axilla and groin. He was admitted to another hospital with a presumptive diagnosis of disseminated herpes zoster and was started on acyclovir, vancomycin, methylprednisolone, and fluconazole. The phenytoin was discontinued. Three days after admission, the eruption progressed and the patient developed respiratory distress. Biopsies from several lesions showed focal necrosis of keratinocytes with minimal superficial perivascular inflammation, consistent with toxic epidermal necrolysis. He was intubated and transferred to our medical center. On physical examination, the patient had exfoliation of over 70% of his body surface area (Fig. 1), and scattered blisters were observed on the hands, chest, abdomen, and back. He also had crusted hemorrhagic plaques on the lips and conjunctiva. The patient was admitted with a diagnosis of toxic epidermal necrolysis, secondary to phenytoin. Figure Figure 1 . Extensive desquamation over the patient’s flank and thigh Download figure to PowerPoint At the time of admission, the patient was noted to have black urine (Fig. 2). His urine analysis showed moderate proteinuria, 8.0 mg/dL of urobilinogen (normal range, 0.2–1 mg/dL), coarse granular casts, amorphous phosphate crystals, and was nitrate positive. The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels were within normal limits. A urine sample was sent to the laboratory for cytospin and cell block analysis. Melanin was present in macrophages as detected by Fontana–Masson stain (Fig. 3). A heme stain for iron was negative. The patient was treated with supportive therapy and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (1 g/kg/day × 4). The patient’s skin slowly improved over the 6-week hospital course with full re-epithelialization by the end of his hospital stay. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the head showed the presence of multiple hemorrhagic metastases involving the brain bilaterally, edema and compression of the left ventricle, and a midline shift, which was consistent with metastatic melanoma. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a large low-density focus within the right lobe of the liver, also consistent with metastatic involvement. There was no evidence of metastatic disease in the kidneys or the urinary tract. Given the extent of his disease, he was discharged to a hospice facility. Figure 2. Patient’s urine (melanuria) at the time of admission Download figure to PowerPoint Figure 3. Urine cytospin showing melanin within macrophages Download figure to PowerPoint This case is presented because melanuria is a rare complication of metastatic melanoma and, unlike this case, most cases of melanuria have been associated with diffuse melanosis and/or metastasis to the genitourinary tract.
An Expansion and Practical Evaluation of Expected Classification Accuracy

Rudner (2001, 2005) described an expected classification accuracy index for determining the asymptotic expectation of accuracy of classifications of examinees into score categories. This article expands on that exposition by evaluating the index as it is likely to be used in practice (as a point estimate of classification accuracy), provides a related index of expected proportion in each score category, derives a measurement error—based standard error of expected proportion in each category, applies the methods to a large-scale state assessment database, and analyzes the benefits and limitations of the methodology. This study demonstrates that Rudner's index as a point estimate is slightly positively biased but nevertheless useful for groups with reasonably large numbers of examinees. It also reinforces the inappropriateness of estimating proportions in score categories for many small groups.
Calculating the vegetation index faster

The NIR versus red 'infrared percentage vegetation index', NIR/(NIR + Red), is functionally and linearly equivalent to the normalized difference vegetation index, (NIR-Red)/(NIR + Red). Advantageously, it is both computationally faster and never negative.
Existence of solutions to some classes of partial fractional differential equations

Abstract In this paper we obtain the existence of solutions to some classes of partial fractional differential equations. Applications include the existence of solutions to a fractional heat-like equation.
Molecular Tumour Clocks

Multistep tumour progression predicts that cancer arises through a series of mutations and cell divisions. This process has been difficult to document in humans because direct physical observations over time are impractical. Phylogenetic approaches, properly translated to cancer, offer opportunities to unravel the occult historical trail of mutations and clonal expansions inherent to multistep progression. Microsatellite loci in mutator phenotype tumours can function as molecular tumour clocks because they acquire single repeat unit additions or deletions at high frequencies. Differences in the number of somatic microsatellite mutations may indicate their relative ages.
Prospects for an electron electric-dipole moment search in metastable ThO and ThF+

The observation of an electron electric-dipole moment EEDM would have major ramifications for the standard model of physics. Polar molecules offer a near-ideal laboratory for such searches due to the large effective electric field Feff, on order of tens of GV/cm that can be easily oriented in the laboratory frame. We present an improved method for simply and accurately determining Feff, in a heavy polar molecule, allowing for a quick determination of candidates for an EEDM experiment. We apply this method to ThO and ThF + , both of which possess metastable 3 electronic states. The values of Feff in ThO and ThF + are estimated to be 104 GV/cm and 90 GV/cm, respectively, making them two of the best known candidates for the EEDM search.
Measurements of laminar mixed convection in boundary-layer flow over horizontal and inclined backward-facing steps

Abstract Measurements and predictions of velocity and temperature distributions are presented for buoyancy-assisting mixed convection laminar boundary-layer flow over horizontal and inclined, twodimensional backward-facing steps. Laser-Doppler velocimeter and cold wire anemometer are used to measure simultaneously the velocity and the temperature distributions, respectively. Flow visualizations are carried out to determine the reattachment length and the onset/start of vortex instability for different wall temperatures (0°C ⩽ ΔT⩽ 30°C), free stream velocities (0.285 m s−1 ⩽ u∞ ⩽ 0.7 m s−1), step heights (0.35 cm ⩽ s ⩽ 0.8 cm), and inclination angles (30° ⩽ φ ⩽ 90°) as measured from the vertical direction. For the horizontal case, the buoyancy force has a negligible effect on the velocity and temperature distributions, but it influences significantly the onset/start of instability. The inclination angle, on the other hand, affects significantly the temperature and velocity distributions. As the inclination angle from the vertical increases, the local Nusselt number decreases, while the reattachment length and the location of the maximum Nusselt number behind the backward-facing step increase.
Chronic toxicity to fathead minnow Pimephales promelas of wastewater from a conventional wastewater treatment system receiving organic priority pollutants

Abstract Chronic toxicity tests were made with unchlorinated and dechlorinated effluent from a conventional wastewater treatment system receiving 22 organic priority pollutants. The early-life-stage (ELS) tests began with fathead minnow embryos less than 1-day old and exposure continued for 30 days post hatch. There was no significant difference in hatchability between any effluent concentration (5·0–0·16%) and control. Survival and growth of larvae-juveniles in all unchlorinated concentrations were similar to controls. The chronic value for this exposure was 5% and the acute-chronic ratio was
Structure-activity relationship of 2,2-dimethyl-2H-chromene based arylsulfonamide analogs of 3,4-dimethoxy-N-[(2,2-dimethyl-2H-chromen-6-yl)methyl]-N-phenylbenzenesulfonamide, a novel small molecule hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) pathway inhibitor and anti-cancer agent.

Abstract We have discovered that 3,4-dimethoxy- N -[(2,2-dimethyl-2 H -chromen-6-yl)methyl]- N -phenylbenzenesulfonamide, a novel small molecule HIF-1 pathway inhibitor, can antagonize tumor growth in animal models of cancer, but the treatment necessitates its delivery in a formulation, due to poor water solubility ( As a first step towards this goal we investigated the structure–activity relationships of 15 lipophilic 2,2-dimethyl-2 H -chromene based arylsulfonamide analogs of 3,4-dimethoxy- N -[(2,2-dimethyl-2 H -chromen-6-yl)methyl]- N -phenylbenzenesulfonamide to find out strategies of modification. A 3,4-dimethoxybenzenesulfonyl group in region 1 showed the strongest inhibition among five arylsulfonyl groups tested. The presence of propan-2-amine in region 2 conferred the strongest inhibitory effect of the compound on HIF-1 activated transcription in a reporter assay. These findings are important as they help define the structural motifs where the 3,4-dimethoxy- N -[(2,2-dimethyl-2 H -chromen-6-yl)methyl]- N -phenylbenzenesulfonamide can be chemically modified to improve its pharmacological properties towards development as a cancer therapeutic.
A synthesis of dl-α-aminoadipic acid and its N-chloroacetyl derivative

Abstract For use as a bacterial growth substrate it was necessary to rapidly and simply synthesize dl -α-aminoadipate and resolve its isomers. A simple method for the synthesis of dl -α-aminoadipic acid, which had been given brief mention previously, is reported in detail. In several attempts at dl -α-aminoadipate resolution via the action of renal acylase I on the N -chloroacetyl derivative it was not possible to synthesize any quantity, if at all, of the derivative as reported. A detailed description of a modified synthesis and isolation of N -chloroacetyl- dl -α-aminoadipate which consistently provided good yields of high purity is described.
Holographic interferometry for rotating object

A holography device incorporating an optical system including a semireflecting mirror disposed vertically with respect to the axis of the rotary shaft of a rotating object for producing a double-exposure hologram of the rotating object at different speeds of rotation, thereby enabling the interference measurement of a variation occurring in the configuration of the rotating object with the variation in its speed of rotation.
Conversion of Tungsten(IV) Oxo−Alkyne Complexes to Oxo−Vinylidene Complexes

A series of chiral tungsten(IV) oxo−alkyne complexes of the type Tp‘W(O)(I)(RC⋮CR‘) (R = R‘ = H (1); R = H, R‘ = Me (2); R = R‘ = Me (3); R = Me, R‘ = Ph (4); Tp‘ = hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) has been prepared. These complexes were synthesized by reaction of Tp‘W(O)(CO)(I) with Me3NO in the presence of an excess of alkyne. Phenylpropyne complex 4 was isolated as a 2:1 mixture of alkyne rotamers. For the propyne complex, a second route involving deprotonation of acetylene complex 1 followed by addition of MeI also produced complex 2. The oxidation pathway to 2 with Me3NO resulted in a 1:1.5 ratio of alkyne rotamers, while the elaboration of 1 via deprotonation/methylation gave 2 in a 9:1 ratio of alkyne rotamers. Addition of n-BuLi to propyne complex 2 resulted in deprotonation of the terminal acetylene site, and electrophile addition then produced the vinylidene complexes Tp‘W(CCMe2)(O)(I) (5) and Tp‘W[CC(Me)(H)](O)(I) (6) upon addition of MeI or HCl, respectively. X-ray structure determina...
MRI in the early identification and classification of high-risk atherosclerotic carotid plaques.

Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and long-term morbidity. As a means for stroke prevention, an estimated 99,000 carotid endarterectomy procedures were performed in the USA in 2006. Traditionally, the degree of luminal stenosis has been used as a marker of the stage of atherosclerosis and as an indication for surgical intervention. However, prospective clinical trials have shown that the majority of patients with a history of recent transient ischemic attack or stroke have mild-to-moderate carotid stenosis. Using stenosis criteria, many of these symptomatic individuals would be considered to have early-stage carotid atherosclerosis. It is evident that improved criteria are needed for identifying the high-risk carotid plaque across a range of stenoses. Histological studies have led to the hypothesis that plaques with larger lipid-rich necrotic cores, thin fibrous cap rupture, intraplaque hemorrhage, plaque neovasculature and vessel wall inflammation are characteristics of the high-risk, ‘vulnerable plaque’. Despite the widespread consensus on the importance of these plaque features, testing the vulnerable plaque hypothesis in prospective clinical studies has been hindered by the lack of reliable imaging tools for in vivo plaque characterization. MRI has been shown to accurately identify key carotid plaque features, including the fibrous cap, lipid-rich necrotic core, intraplaque hemorrhage, neovasculature and vascular wall inflammation. Thus, MRI is a histologically validated technique that will permit prospective testing of the vulnerable plaque hypothesis. This article will provide a summary of the histological validation of carotid MRI, and highlight its application in prospective clinical studies aimed at early identification of the high-risk atherosclerotic carotid plaque.
Commitments to aggression and nest sites in male Betta splendens.

Male Siamese fighting fish construct nests that are relatively isolated from conspecific males. Following nest construction, the presence of a male opponent elicits (a) nest fixation, (b) further nest building, and (c) Betta's agonistic sequence, i.e., attacks alternating with flight movements, along with gill displays occurring near the opponent. The form of a male-male encounter depends upon the distance between a resident's nest and the opponent as well as upon the individual differences in combatants' tolerance for the presence of a conspecific nearby. Also, the intensity of aggression early in an encounter is positively correlated with the intensity of subsequent fighting. Male Bettas appear to compete for space through the use of aggressive behavior and to coordinate their fighting activities by means of visual signals. An incentive model of visual communication is proposed in which visual cues emanating from a displaying male opponent elicit attack with an intensity that is directly proportional to the persistence of the opponent and inversely proportional to the distance between fish.
Visually Guided Performance of Simple Tasks Using Simulated Prosthetic Vision

Loss of photoreceptor cells is one of the major causes of blindness. Several groups are exploring the functional replacement of photoreceptors by a retinal prosthesis. The goal of this study was to simulate the vision levels that recipients of retinal prostheses with 4 x 4, 6 x 10, and 16 x 16 electrode arrays may experience, and to test the functionality of this vision. A PC video camera captured images that were converted in real time into dots ("pixels"). The PC monitor and a head-mounted display worn by test subjects displayed the pixelized images. To assess performance of normally sighted individuals with each array, we designed a set of tasks including: four-choice orientation discrimination of a Sloan letter E, object recognition and discrimination, a cutting task, a pouring task, symbol recognition, and two reading tasks. In the letter E task, subjects were found to have visual acuities of 20/1,810, 20/1,330, and 20/420 with the 4 x 4, 6 x 10, and 16 x 16 arrays, respectively. Most subjects were able to read fonts as small as 36 point with the 16 x 16 array, corresponding with a visual acuity of 20/600 in our system. The test subjects partially overcame the visual limitation of the system by scanning the video camera over the letters allowing spatial and temporal integration of visual information. In all categories, subjects performed best with the 16 x 16 array and least well with the 4 x 4 array. Even with the lowest resolution array, however, some subjects could recognize simple objects and symbols.
Properties of carbon nitride films deposited with and without electron cyclotron resonance plasma assistance

Abstract Research on carbon nitride has received considerable attention since β-C 3 N 4 offers high technological potential for protective, wear, and optical applications. Deposition of carbon nitride by various techniques has mostly resulted in nitrogen deficient amorphous CN x films. In this research, reactive magnetron sputtering with and without the assistance of an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) source was used to deposit CN x thin films at ambient temperature. The process variables include power level, nitrogen partial pressure, and substrate bias. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger analysis were used to determine the composition and chemical bonding of the films. Ball-on-disc experiments were performed between 440C stainless steel balls and CN x -coated 440C substrates at 0.1 m/s sliding velocity and 1 N load. The effects of process variables and interface modification on friction and wear rate were examined. Mechanical properties including hardness, modulus, and elastic response were obtained from nanoindentation. CN x films with hardness in the range of 12–16 GPa demonstrated better wear performance than the hardest diamond-like carbon (24 GPa) deposited by the same technique. ECR assisted magnetron sputtering provided films with the lowest wear rates.
The Bivariate Erlang and its Application in Modeling Recurrence Times of Kidney Dialysis Data

Recent advances in computer modeling allows us to find closer fits to data. Our emphasis is on the interdependence between occurrence at kidney dialysis. The interdependence between kidney dialysis occurrences is modelled by a bivariate exponential that we propose in this article. The application is shown on the McGilchrist and Aisbett kidney data set with the use of the exponential distribution. The proposed bivariate exponential model has exponential marginal densities, correlated via a latent random variables and with finite probability of simultaneous occurrence. Extension of the model to a bivariate Erlang type distribution with same shape parameter is presented.
Numerically Efficient Robustness Analysis of Trajectory Tracking for Nonlinear Systems

A numerical algorithm for computing necessary conditions for performance specifications is developed for nonlinear uncertain systems following a prescribed trajectory. This algorithm provides a computational efficient means of evaluating the performance of a nonlinear system in the presence of noise, real parametric uncertainty, and unmodeled dynamics. The algorithm is similar in nature and behavior to the power algorithm for the mu lower bound, and does not rely on a descent method. The algorithm is applied to two flight control examples.
A prospective randomized trial using solvent dehydrated fascia lata for the prevention of recurrent anterior vaginal wall prolapse.

Objective This study was undertaken to compare outcomes after anterior colporrhaphy with and without a solvent dehydrated cadaveric fascia lata graft. Study design A total of 162 women were enrolled in a prospective, randomized trial that evaluated the impact of a solvent dehydrated cadaveric fascia lata patch on recurrent anterior vaginal prolapse. Subjects were randomly assigned to standard colporrhaphy with or without a patch. Before and after surgery, subjects were evaluated by both the Baden-Walker and pelvic organ prolapse quantification systems. "Failure" was defined as stage II anterior wall prolapse or worse. Results Of 154 women randomly assigned (76 patch: 78 no patch), all underwent surgery and 153 (99%) returned for follow-up. Sixteen women (21%) in the patch group and 23 (29%) in the control group experienced recurrent anterior vaginal wall prolapse (P =.229). Only 26% of all recurrences were symptomatic. Concomitant transvaginal Cooper's ligament sling procedures were associated with a dramatic decrease in recurrent prolapse (odds ratio [OR] 0.105 , P Conclusion Solvent dehydrated fascia lata as a barrier does not decrease recurrent prolapse after anterior colporrhaphy. Transvaginal bladder neck slings were associated with a significant reduction in the risk of recurrent anterior wall prolapse.
Sequence-dependent cleavage of albumins with palladium(II) complexes: role of serine residue in controlling the high regioselectivity of protein cleavage

Abstract Bovine serum, pig serum, and chicken egg albumins were incubated at 60 °C for 2 days or at 50 °C for 6 days with the pyridine (py) complex trans-[Pd(py)2(H2O)2]2+, the ethylenediamine (en) complex cis-[Pd(en)(H2O)2]2+, the 1,4-diazacycloheptane (dach) complex cis-[Pd(dach)(H2O)2]2+, and the 1,5-dithiacyclooctan-3-ol (dtco-3-OH) complex cis-[Pd(dtco-3-OH)(H2O)2]2+ at pH 4.5±0.2. The mole ratio of the complex and the protein was 8:1 or 16:1. Except for cis-[Pd(dtco-3-OH)(H2O)2]2+, which was unreactive, the remaining three palladium(II) complexes consistently cleaved bovine albumin at the sites Glu57-Ser58, Gly85-Asp86, Leu103-Ser104, and Lys285-Ser286; pig albumin at the site Lys285-Ser286; and chicken albumin at the sites Ala6-Ser7, Ala220-Ser221, Gly237-Thr238, and Met239-Ser240. With all the three active Pd(II) complexes and all the three proteins, each site of major cleavage is a peptide bond followed by two residues, the first of which is serine or threonine and the second of which is histidine or methionine. The latter of the two residues serves as an anchor for the Pd(II) complex. The former of the two residues, with its alcoholic side chain, seems to guide the cleavage of the peptide bond immediately preceding it. To explain this guidance, we optimized the geometry of the relevant tripeptide complex [Pd(OH)(Ac-Gly-SerH−1-MetH−1-NMe-κ3NS,NM,S]− by MM+ and ZINDO/1 calculations. A mechanism involving the nucleophilic attack of the hydroxylic group of serine on the carbonyl carbon atom of glycine resembles the catalytic mechanism of serine proteases.
Hedonic sensitivity in adolescent and adult rats: Taste reactivity and voluntary sucrose consumption

Adolescents have been hypothesized to exhibit an age-related partial anhedonia that may lead them to seek out natural and drug rewards to compensate for this attenuated hedonic sensitivity. In the present series of experiments, taste reactivity (TR) and 2 bottle choice tests were used to assess hedonic reactions to sucrose. In Exp 1, total positive taste responses to 10% sucrose solution were significantly higher in adolescent than adult rats during the infusion period. In Exp 2, adolescent animals exhibited a concentration-effect shift that was consistent with a greater hedonic sensitivity compared to adults. Conversely, adolescents exhibited fewer negative responses to quinine. Using a shortened infusion period, adolescents in Exp 3 exhibited a trend for greater positive TR than adults in response to 10 and 34% sucrose. Consistent with the TR results of Exp 1-3, adolescents consumed significantly more sucrose solution (ml/kg) than adults, although no significant age difference in sucrose preference rates emerged. The results of the current series of experiments do not support the hypothesis that adolescents exhibit an age-related, partial anhedonia, with adolescent animals, under a number of test circumstances showing greater positive taste reactivity and reduced negative responding.
Shear strength of chromia across multiple length scales: An LDA + U study

Abstract A method for predicting the shear strength of materials over multiple length scales is developed and tested. The method is based on renormalizing the energies and shear displacements obtained through electronic structure calculations of nanoscale models of the material of interest. All material- and size-dependent quantities are incorporated into the renormalization factors, yielding a universal model that can be applied to many materials and length scales. The model is used to predict the shear strength of Cr 2 O 3 along three relevant slip planes and slip directions. The results demonstrate that the shear strengths of the nanoscale systems used in the calculations range from 19.4 to 29.4 GPa. These data are then renormalized to predict the shear strength of a grain that is 10 μm thick, yielding shear strengths ranging from 189 to 342 MPa. The large decrease in the shear strength with increasing grain size is consistent with the behavior of many materials. The ability to capture this change using electronic structure calculations that do not require experimental input may be useful in developing cohesive laws of novel materials for use in large-scale mechanical engineering simulations of materials failure.
n-Channel polymer thin film transistors with long-term air-stability and durability and their use in complementary inverters

We report an investigation of the stability and durability of p- and n-channel polymer thin film transistors in air over a 4-year period. All-polymer p/n complementary inverters fabricated from an n-channel poly(benzobisimidazobenzophenanthroline) (BBL) transistor and a p-channel poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) transistor showed excellent switching characteristics and a large voltage gain. The electrical parameters (electron mobility, on/off current ratio, and threshold voltage) of the n-channel BBL transistors in air were found to be constant over the 4 years. The performance of the p-channel P3HT transistors deteriorated dramatically after only 2 weeks in air. The excellent stability/durability of the BBL transistors in air is explained by the closely-packed crystalline morphology which creates a kinetic barrier against diffusion of extrinsic molecules and its high electron affinity that provides energetic stability against chemical/electrochemical reactions. The results demonstrate the longest air-stability and durability of non-encapsulated organic electronic devices to date while offering insights for the design of more environmentally rugged organic semiconductors.
Work in progress — The role of working memory and epistemic beliefs on open-ended problem solving

Open-ended problem solving is a skill that is central to engineering practice. As a consequence, developing skills in solving such problems is imperative for engineering graduates. Open-ended problems are often ill-defined and can have more than one viable solution. This paper presents preliminary results from a mixed methods study examining the specific problem solving strategies of undergraduate engineering students when dealing with the ambiguity of open-ended problems. Participants completed measures of content knowledge, epistemic beliefs, and working memory, and also solved four complex engineering problems during individual problem solving sessions. A subset of participants solved these problems during a think aloud session and participated in follow-up interviews. Preliminary analysis of quantitative data has focused on identifying correlations between problem solving solution scores and the measures of epistemic beliefs and working memory capacity. Analysis of qualitative data is examining the problem-solving processes students.
Will Medicare reforms increase managed care enrollment

“It depends,” says this noted health economist. Indeed, fears of reforms herding seniors into managed care plans may be unfounded.
Quantum coherence in photosynthesis

Abstract Quantum coherence improves the quantum efficiency of excitonic energy transport within the Fenna-Matthews-Olson photosynthetic complex from the green sulphur bacterium, Chlorobium tepidum. Experimental evidence from third-order nonlinear spectroscopies provides clear evidence of quantum coherence among excited states persisting for picoseconds despite rapid (
Representation of Radar Image's Timestamp in the Cockpit

Data-linked mosaic NEXRAD images can be more than 14 minutes old by the time they reach the cockpit for use by pilots (Elgin & Thomas, 2004; Novacek et al., 2001; Yuchnovicz et al., 2001). Unfortunately, research has indicated that pilots may not be fully aware of the delay (Yuchnovicz etc., 2001) and that it can adversely affect their decision-making and performance (Chamberlain & Latorella, 2001). The experiment reported here evaluated the effects of three types of timestamp representation methodologies on participant’s accuracy for quick assessments of delay of NEXRAD mosaic radar images. The three types of timestamps investigated were “direct age”, “clock” and “UTC” with three levels of delay (short, medium and long). Twenty-one participants compared two radar images, via their timestamps, to determine which one was more recent. The results indicated that “direct age” timestamp resulted in the highest accuracy and fastest response time, and was considered as intuitive and easy to perceive for particip...
Moving the backlog: An optimum cycle for searching OCLC

Abstract A three year study was conducted to determine the optimum number of times an item should be searched on OCLC and an appropriate time frame for the performance of those searches. The items considered were only those which did not have CIP or full Library of Congress copy. The number of searches and time allowed to lapse between searches were varied. Five categories of cataloging copy were established. Recommendations are made for further searching on the basis of those categories. An appropriate “hold and re-search” time frame for further searching is determined.
ToF-SIMS Depth Profiling of Organic Films: A Comparison between Single Beam and Dual-beam Analysis.

In dual-beam depth profiling, a high energy analysis beam and a lower energy etching beam are operated in series. Although the fluence of the analysis beam is usually kept well below the static SIMS limit, complete removal of the damage induced by the high energy analysis beam while maintaining a good depth resolution is difficult. In this study, a plasma polymerized tetraglyme film is used as the model organic system and the dimensionless parameter R, (analysis beam fluence)/(total ion fluence), is introduced to quantify the degree of sample damage induced as a function of the analysis beam fluence. For a constant C60+ etching beam fluence, increasing the analysis fluence (and consequently increasing the R parameter) increased the amount of damage accumulated in the sample. For Bin+ (n = 1 and 3) and C60+ depth profiling, minimal damage accumulation was observed up to R = 0.03, with a best depth resolution of 8 nm. In general, an increase in the Bin+ analysis fluence above this value resulted in a decrea...
Convergence of Some Greedy Algorithms in Banach Spaces

We consider some theoretical greedy algorithms for approximation in Banach spaces with respect to a general dictio- nary. We prove convergence of the algorithms for Banach spaces which satisfy certain smoothness assumptions. We compare the algorithms and their rates of convergence when the Banach space is Lp(T d )( 1 <p <1) and the dictionary is the trigonometric system.
Spectroscopic Characterization of Structural Isomers of Naphthalene: 1-Phenyl-1-butyn-3-ene

Abstract Laser induced fluorescence (LIF), single vibronic level dispersed fluorescence (DFL) spectra, and high resolution rotationally resolved scans of the S0–S1 transition of the C10H8 isomer 1-phenyl-1-butyn-3-ene have been recorded under jet-cooled conditions. The S0–S1 origin of PAV at 34 922 cm−1 is very weak. A vibronic band located 464.0 above the origin, assigned as 3010, dominates the LIF excitation spectrum, with intensity arising from vibronic coupling with the S2 state. High resolution scans of the S0–S1 origin and 3010 vibronic bands determine that the former is a 65:35 a:b hybrid band, while 3010 is a pure a-type band, confirming the role for vibronic coupling and identifying the coupled state as the S2 state. DFL spectra of all vibronic bands in the first 800 cm−1 of the spectrum were recorded. A near-complete assignment of the vibronic structure in both S0 and S1 states is obtained. Herzberg–Teller vibronic coupling is carried by two vibrations, ν28 and ν30, involving in-plane deformations of the vinylacetylene side chain, leading to Duschinsky mixing evident in the intensities of transitions in excitation and DFL spectra. Extensive Duschinsky mixing is also present among the lowest five out-of-plane vibrational modes, involving motion of the side chain. Comparison with the results of DFT B3LYP and TDDFT calculations with a 6-311+G(d,p) basis set confirm and strengthen the assignments.
Association of adiponectin with type 2 diabetes and hypertension in African American men and women: the Jackson Heart Study

Adiponectin is a biomarker that is associated with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Lower circulating level is a risk factor. Higher levels are protective. African Americans have a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes and hypertension and lower levels of adiponectin when compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Little is known about the association of adiponectin on these health outcomes among African Americans. The purpose of the study was to assess the association of adiponectin on type 2 diabetes and hypertension likelihood among African American men and women in the Jackson Heart Study. Separate multivariate logistic regressions were conducted stratified by sex based on cross-sectional data with type 2 diabetes and hypertension as the outcomes. Adiponectin was divided into four quartiles with the highest quartile as the reference. Data was collected from 2000-2004 on 3,663 participants. Data analysis was conducted in calendar year 2014. Two- tailed P < .05 was established as level of significance. In the adjusted multivariate models, adiponectin level was inversely associated with type 2 diabetes among women (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.47, [1.02, 2.11], P = .04). There was no association among men. Women with the lowest level of adiponectin were less likely to be hypertensive (OR, 95% CI = 0.66, [0.46, 0.95], p = .02). There was no association among men. Findings reveal differential associations between levels of adiponectin with type 2 diabetes and hypertension likelihood among African American women. More research is needed to elucidate this differential association.