cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Racial/ethnic differences in ovarian cancer risk: Results from the Multiethnic Cohort Study

Background: Incidence rates of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) vary across racial/ethnic groups, yet little is known about the impact of hormone-related EOC risk factors in non-Whites. Methods: Among 91,625 female Multiethnic Cohort Study participants, 155 incident EOC cases were diagnosed in Whites, 93 in African Americans, 57 in Native Hawaiians, 161 in Japanese Americans, and 141 in Latinas. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between race/ethnicity and EOC risk and between hormone-related factors and EOC risk across racial/ethnic groups. Results: Compared with Whites, African Americans and Japanese Americans had a lower multivariable-adjusted EOC risk; Native Hawaiians had a suggestive higher risk. Parity and oral contraceptive (OC) use were inversely associated with EOC risk (Pint race/ethnicity ≥ 0.43); associations were strongest among Japanese Americans (e.g., ≥4 vs. 0 children; HR = 0.45; CI, 0.26–0.79). Age at natural menopause and postmenopausal hormone (PMH) use were not associated with EOC risk in the overall population, but were positively associated with risk in Latinas (e.g., ≥5 years vs. never PMH use; HR = 2.13; CI, 1.30–3.49). Conclusions: We observed strong associations with EOC risk for parity and OC use in Japanese Americans and PMH use and age at natural menopause in Latinas. However, differences in EOC risk among racial/ethnic groups were not fully explained by established hormone-related risk factors. Impact: Our study indicates there are racial/ethnic differences in EOC risk and risk factors, and could help improve prevention strategies for non-White women.
Using Exotic Luminescent Materials to Monitor Radiation Exposure in Space

In 1951, Birks and Black showed experimentally that the fluorescence efficiency of anthracene bombarded by alphas varies with total fluence. Since 1990, we have found that the Birks and Black relation describes the reduction in emission yield for every tested luminescent material except lead phosphate glass due to proton irradiation. A few years ago, the 3 MeV half brightness fluence for exotic materials like EuD4TEA was measured to be about 3 x 1010 mm-2. Conversely, ZnS:Mn compounds were found to have equivalent half brightness values that are about one thousand times larger. Based on these measurements, EuD4TEA might be a candidate sensor material to monitor large-scale solar events for astronauts in vehicles flying in near earth space. The purpose of this presentation is to show results from our research on exotic EuD4TEA and its use as a radiation sensor for the CAPE-3 1U CubeSat that will launch in the near future.
The prevalence of precipitation from polar supercooled clouds

Abstract. Supercooled clouds substantially impact polar surface energy budgets, but large-scale models often underestimate their occurrence, which motivates accurately establishing metrics of basic processes. An analysis of long-term measurements at Utqiaġvik, Alaska, and McMurdo Station, Antarctica, combines lidar-validated use of soundings to identify supercooled cloud layers and colocated ground-based profiling radar measurements to quantify cloud base precipitation. We find that more than 85 % (75 %) of sampled supercooled layers are precipitating over the Arctic (Antarctic) site, with more than 75 % (50 %) precipitating continuously to the surface. Such high frequencies can be reconciled with substantially lesser spaceborne estimates by considering differences in radar hydrometeor detection sensitivity. While ice precipitation into supercooled clouds from aloft is common, we also find that the great majority of supercooled cloud layers without ice falling into them are themselves continuously generating precipitation. Such sustained primary ice formation is consistent with continuous activation of immersion-mode ice-nucleating particles (INPs), suggesting that supercooled cloud formation is a principal gateway to ice formation at temperatures greater than ∼ - 38 ∘ C over polar regions. The prevalence of weak precipitation fluxes is also consistent with supercooled cloud longevity and with well-observed and widely simulated case studies. An analysis of colocated microwave radiometer retrievals suggests that weak precipitation fluxes can be nonetheless consequential to moisture budgets for supercooled clouds owing to small liquid water paths. The results here also demonstrate that the observed abundance of mixed-phase clouds can vary substantially with instrument sensitivity and methodology. Finally, we suggest that these ground-based precipitation rate statistics offer valuable guidance for improving the representation of polar cloud processes in large-scale models.
Introduction: Contextualizing Immigration Using Bioecological Systems Theory

The collection of chapters in this book highlights immigrant psychological adjustment in their receiving countries using Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological systems theory as the theoretical framework and relying on multiple methodologies. This introduction is divided into three parts. First, we present an overview of Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological systems theory and the ways the theory has shifted to better reflect psychological processes and the contexts that influence them. Second, we focus on immigration as a compelling topic of study using bioecological systems theory. Specifically, we address how the landscape of immigration provides opportunities for in-depth research into the ways it affects individuals through history, families, culture, and school. Last, we present brief overviews of each chapter in the book.
Quantitative Resilience of Linear Driftless Systems.

This paper introduces the notion of quantitative resilience of a control system. Following prior work, we study systems enduring a loss of control authority over some of their actuators. Such a malfunction results in actuators producing possibly undesirable inputs over which the controller has real-time readings but no control. By definition, a system is resilient if it can still reach a target after a loss of control authority. However, after a malfunction a resilient system might be significantly slower to reach a target compared to its initial capabilities. We quantify this loss of performance through the new concept of quantitative resilience. We define this metric as the maximal ratio of the minimal times required to reach any target for the initial and malfunctioning systems. Na\"ive computation of quantitative resilience directly from the definition is a time-consuming task as it requires solving four nested, possibly nonlinear, optimization problems. The main technical contribution of this work is to provide an efficient method to compute quantitative resilience. Relying on control theory and on three novel geometric results we reduce the computation of quantitative resilience to a single linear optimization problem. We illustrate our method on two numerical examples: an opinion dynamics scenario and a trajectory controller for low-thrust spacecrafts.
Ultrasound Visceral Slide Assessment to Evaluate for Intra-abdominal Adhesions in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery - A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT Objective Abdominal entry at the time of laparoscopy is a critical step with a risk of injury to underlying viscera owing to bowel adhesions. Ultrasound can be used as a preoperative tool to assess the slide of viscera underneath the abdominal wall to detect adhesion-free areas. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative visceral slide assessment with ultrasound to detect intra-abdominal adhesions, compared with the gold standard of intraoperative findings. Data Sources Using Cochrane, Medline PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar electronic databases, 3737 articles were screened in April 2020 using a query that included variations of “adhesions” and “ultrasound.” Reference lists of relevant articles were searched for further articles. Methods of Study Selection Prospective and cross-sectional studies in English that included patients at risk for intra-abdominal adhesions who underwent preoperative ultrasound visceral slide assessment and subsequent intraoperative assessment of adhesions were selected. Two reviewers independently selected 25 articles, extracted data, and assessed bias using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Tabulation, Integration, and Results Twenty-five articles reported on 1609 patients and 5812 assessed abdominal areas, with considerable heterogeneity of described abdominal areas and degrees of adhesions. Meta-analysis was performed for 21 studies. The periumbilical area was assessed specifically for bowel adhesions in 890 patients in 12 studies, with a 12.0% bowel adhesion rate. Ultrasound assessment for periumbilical bowel adhesions had a combined sensitivity of 95.9% (95% confidence interval, 82.7%–99.1%), specificity of 93.1% (85.1%–96.9%), positive predictive value of 60.4% (44.2%–74.7%), and negative predictive value of 99.2% (97.9%–99.7%) with low heterogeneity (I2 = 16%). Conclusion Visceral slide assessment with ultrasound has a high negative predictive value for the absence of periumbilical bowel adhesions in patients at risk for adhesions and can function as a useful tool to detect adhesion-free areas to allow for safe laparoscopic entry.
Partitioning taste from aromatic flavor notes of fresh tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill) to develop predictive models as a function of volatile and nonvolatile components

Abstract Sensory descriptive measures of six breeding lines and four supermarket items of tomatoes were determined using the 150 mm unstructured line scales with and without partitioning of taste from aromatic flavor notes using nose clips. Chemical/instrumental analysis measurements of pH, titratable acid, soluble solids, glucose, fructose, total sugars, sucrose equivalents and gas chromatographic analysis of flavor volatiles was also conducted. Taste descriptors were significantly correlated to nonvolatile components when partitioned from flavor perception. Aroma descriptors were more pronounced when following taste perception than when evaluated simultaneously with taste descriptors. Regression models were more effective at predicting sensory descriptors when taste descriptors were partitioned than when they were not partitioned.
Research Frontiers for Moving Target Defenses

New software security threats are constantly arising, including new classes of attacks such as the recent spate of micro-architectural vulnerabilities, from side-channels and speculative execution to attacks like Rowhammer that alter the physical state of memory. At the same time, new defensive technologies are proposed and adopted, including advancements in programming languages and novel hardware architectures with a focus on security. Moving target defenses were developed to provide performant, incremental security to programs written in unsafe languages running on processors designed solely for performance. Here we examine the challenges and opportunities for moving target defenses in the evolving security landscape, and in new applications domains such as cloud computing and real-time systems.
Duration of hospital participation in a nationwide stroke registry is associated with improved quality of care

There are several proven therapies for patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), including prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and initiation of antithrombotic medications within 48 h and at discharge. Stroke registries have been promoted as a means of increasing use of such interventions, which are currently underutilized. From 1999 through 2003, 86 U.S. hospitals participated in Ethos, a voluntary web-based acute stroke treatment registry. Detailed data were collected on all patients admitted with a diagnosis of TIA or ischemic stroke. Rates of optimal treatment (defined as either receipt or a valid contraindication) were examined within each hospital as a function of its length of time in registry. Generalized estimating equations were used to adjust for patient and hospital characteristics. A total of 16,301 patients were discharged with a diagnosis of stroke or TIA from 50 hospitals that participated for more than 1 year. Rates of optimal treatment during the first 3 months of participation were as follows: 92.5% for antithrombotic medication within 48 h, 84.6% for antithrombotic medications at discharge, and 77.1% for DVT prophylaxis. Rates for all treatments improved with duration of participation in the registry (p < 0.05), with the most dramatic improvements in the first year. In a large cohort of patients with stroke or TIA, three targeted quality-improvement measures improved among hospitals participating in a disease-specific registry. Although the changes could be attributed to interventions other than the registry, these findings demonstrate the potential for hospital-level interventions to improve care for patients with stroke and TIA.
Protein secondary structure prediction using machine learning

This paper presents an intelligent system for protein secondary structure prediction. The system consists of three pairwisely trained neural networks and a Bayesian inference function applied to the neural network outputs for accurate prediction. We tested our system on two well-known protein data set drawn from PDB, our system showed top performances on both data sets.
The Optimal Control of Systems with Transport Lag

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the optimal control of systems with transport lag. The control of dynamical systems described by ordinary differential equations has been extensively studied over the past few decades, and many real systems of practical interest can be adequately represented in this manner. Inherent in this simple description is the assumption that there exists a state of the system, expressible as a vector x of finite, preferable small, dimension, which, together with the differential equation and the future inputs, provides all the information necessary to predict the future behavior of the system. One common form of dynamical system that requires a differential-functional equation description is one in which the propagation of signals from one part of the system to another is slow enough that the propagation time is not negligible. The distinction between the optimal control problem and the so-called optimal feedback control problem seems to be technical rather than fundamental. If the optimal control problem can be solved for any possible state, then the solution can be used to provide the correct current value of the optimal control at any instant, based upon the state of the system at that instant.
Radiation Safety and Measurement

The pursuit of scientific knowledge has been considerably advanced by the use of biochemical molecules which incorporate radioisotopes at specific sites. The fate of these labeled molecules, and/or the radiolabeled products which result from biochemical reactions in which the parent molecule was involved, can be traced using a variety of instruments which detect radioactivity. This unit provides an overview of the use of radioisotopes in the biochemical laboratory. It begins with a discussion of the principles of radioactivity in order to provide the reader/user with knowledge on which to base a common sense approach to the safe use of isotopes. The characteristics of isotopes most commonly used in a biochemical laboratory are then detailed, as well as the safety precautions and monitoring methods peculiar to each one. Detection and imaging methods used in experimental analysis are reviewed. Finally, an outline of an orderly, proper response to a spill of radioactive material is presented. Keywords: radiation safety; radioactivity; isotopes; decay; shielding; monitoring; exposure; dosimeter
Yeast Aldehyde Dehydrogenase II. PROPERTIES OF THE HOMOGENEOUS ENZYME PREPARATIONS

Abstract Homogeneous preparations of the potassium-requiring yeast aldehyde dehydrogenase are active with either DPN or TPN in the oxidation of a wide variety of aldehydes. Exogenous mercaptan is not a requirement for catalytic activity. The enzyme is denatured in 6 m guanidine hydrochloride to form a protein species with a molecular weight somewhat greater than 21,000. The denatured protein may be reassociated to yield functional enzyme of higher molecular weight.
Phonetically sensitive discriminants for improved speech recognition

A phonetically sensitive transformation of speech features has yielded significant improvement in speech-recognition performance. This (linear) transformation of the speech feature vector is designed to discriminate against out-of-class confusion data and is a function of phonetic state. Evaluation of the technique on the TI/NBS connected digit database demonstrates word (sentence) error rates of 0.5% (1.5%) for unknown-length strings and 0.2% (0.6%) for known-length strings. These error rates are two to three times lower than the best previously reported results and suggest that significant improvements in speech-recognition system performance can be achieved by better acoustic-phonetic modeling. >
Overcoming Cost-Estimating Challenges for Navy Combat Systems

The Department of Defense has established guidelines and processes that have evolved over several decades for its acquisition community to ensure affordability of Navy ship and combat systems. A common challenge within the Navy combat systems cost-estimating community is the ability to utilize many of the guidelines and processes put in place by experienced entities such as the Government Accountability Office and the Naval Center for Cost Analysis because of the evolving environment associated with past, present, and future Navy combat systems. The purpose of this paper is to give a detailed insight on the challenges Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) cost estimators encounter when building cost models and estimates for the Navy. Many challenges include limited program definition because of emerging threats, new technologies, and collection and utilization of data to produce valid and credible estimates. Through combined knowledge, expertise, and evolving practice of incorporating lessons learned, the NSWCDD Cost Group has overcome many cost-estimating challenges. This paper will share the NSWCDD Cost Group's insights with the larger Navy community. Owing to the sensitive nature of cost, no specific estimates or project names are referenced. This paper is philosophical in nature and does not discuss mechanics of cost estimation in detail.
Cultural Dimensions of Socioecological Systems: Key Connections and Guiding Principles for Conservation in Coastal Environments

Environments are complex socioecological systems demanding interdisciplinary research and conservation. Despite significant progress in characterizing socioecological complexity, including important inroads for measuring human wellbeing through ecosystem services approaches, cultural interactions with ecosystems remain poorly understood. Inadequate knowledge of cultural dimensions of ecosystems challenges the ability of conservation professionals to include these considerations in their programs. Ecosystem-based conservation without cultural considerations is not only insufficient, it risks producing unaccounted negative impacts to communities and misses an opportunity to build culturally meaningful alternatives. This mini review of relevant social science identifies five key cultural dimensions of ecosystems, highlighting examples from coastal North America. These key dimensions are: meanings, values, and identities; knowledge and practice; governance and access; livelihoods; and interactions with biophysical environments. We outline guiding principles for addressing these connections in integrated conservation research and application. Finally, we discuss potential methodologies to help improve interdisciplinary assessment and monitoring of cultural dimensions of conservation.
Social Work Organizations

A theme throughout the evolution of social work as a profession is one of structural and organizational diversity. The profession continues to engage its effort to forge an integration of several large constituencies of practitioners and educators. The struggle to establish a unified voice for the profession reflects a century long organizational history marked by divergent voices and forces. While the medical profession, the historical professional template for social work's founding members, and the discipline of psychology, maturing social work's historical clinical template, have both managed to create powerful organizational bases via the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Psychological Association (APA), social work is still struggling to find a similar coherent organizational structure that embraces the diversity of interests under the notion of social work as one profession. This article will provide an historical overview of the professional and educational organizational evolution of social work in the United States. The history chronicled here reflects a constant motif of approach/avoidance as the profession began to emerge in the late 1800s, struggling to assert itself as a definable new profession through the first half of the 20th century, equal to medicine, law, and other emerging occupational categories. Keywords: social work organizations; history of social work; professional social work
Examination of band dispersion during size-selective capillary electrophoresis separations of DNA fragments

Versatile capillary electrophoresis instrumentation that permits the rapid and precise translation of a laser fluorometric detection zone along the capillary wall has been used to examine the factors which cause band broadening during size-selective separations of DNA fragments. Separations are performed using capillaries containing entangled polymer solutions. The scanning capabilities of this instrumentation facilitates the determination of diffusion coefficients under static conditions without the need to discontinue and reapply an electric field. The ability to rapidly translate the detection zone along the column allows the monitoring of the separation at various points along the capillary which enables the examination of the sources of band dispersion under kinetic conditions. Results from experiments utilizing various concentrations of both high and low molecular mass methyl cellulose polymers as sieving media are presented. It is shown that axial diffusion, even when adjusted for kinetic conditions using the Einstein relationship, does not account for the total observed band variance. Possible explanations for this behavior are presented.
The Fail-Safe Operation of Collaborative Driving Systems

We consider the problem of collaborative driving systems in which the vehicles share sensor information and make joint decisions on vehicle control. Such a system involves vehicular control, communications links, and environment sensing. We propose a multiple stack architecture that is based on the nature of collaborative driving systems. The architecture facilitates the design, implementation, verification, and testing of a collaborative driving protocol. The advantage of using absolute time in a distributed system is also demonstrated. Specifically, we propose a merge protocol that assists a driver in merging with other vehicles based on the proposed architecture. We create a lock protocol and specify it as an extended finite state machine as a subroutine of the merge protocol. Absolute time simplifies a deadlock-free lock protocol. The lock protocol is verified using probabilistic verification.
Understanding the atomic-level Green-Kubo stress correlation function for a liquid through phonons in a model crystal

In order to gain insight into the connection between the vibrational dynamics and the atomic-level Green-Kubo stress correlation function in liquids, we consider this connection in a model crystal instead. Of course, vibrational dynamics in liquids and crystals are quite different and it is not expected that the results obtained on a model crystal should be valid for liquids. However, these considerations provide a benchmark to which the results of the previous molecular dynamics simulations can be compared. Thus, assuming that vibrations are plane waves, we derive analytical expressions for the atomic-level stress correlation functions in the classical limit and analyze them. These results provide, in particular, a recipe for analysis of the atomic-level stress correlation functions in Fourier space and extraction of the wave-vector and frequency-dependent information. We also evaluate the energies of the atomic-level stresses. The energies obtained are significantly smaller than the energies previously determined in molecular dynamics simulations of several model liquids. This result suggests that the average energies of the atomic-level stresses in liquids and glasses are largely determined by the structural disorder. We discuss this result in the context of equipartition of the atomic-level stress energies. Analysis of the previously published data suggests that it is possible to speak about configurational and vibrational contributions to the average energies of the atomic-level stresses in a glass state. However, this separation in a liquid state is problematic. We also introduce and briefly consider the atomic-level transverse current correlation function. Finally, we address the broadening of the peaks in the pair distribution function with increase of distance. We find that the peaks' broadening (by $\ensuremath{\approx}40%$) occurs due to the transverse vibrational modes, while contribution from the longitudinal modes does not change with distance.
The genomic organization of Isopeptidase T-3 (ISOT-3), a new member of the ubiquitin specific protease family (UBP).

Abstract A novel Isopeptidase T gene (ISOT-3) has been identified on human chromosome 3q26.2–q26.3. This gene shows 67.3% nucleotide identity and 54.8% amino acid identity to human Isopeptidase T-1 (ISOT-1). Northern blot analysis has shown that ISOT-3 is highly expressed in ovary and testes, with low-level expression in six other tissues tested. In contrast, ISOT-1 is expressed at high levels in the brain, and there is no detectable expression in ovary. The exonic organization of these two genes is highly conserved with only one variant intron position. Intron 15 in ISOT-3 is absent in ISOT-1, but there is an alternate splice site at the same location. Although the exon–intron structure has been conserved between the two genes, ISOT-3 has significantly larger intronic regions, and the overall size of this gene is at least 90 kb compared to 15 kb for ISOT-1. These data suggest that both ISOT-1 and ISOT-3 have descended from a common ancestor. In addition, the low overall sequence identity and different expression patterns may reflect differences in substrate specificity.
Influence of interfaces on the crystallization characteristics of Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5

The crystallization times (τx) and crystallization temperatures (Tx) of the phase change material Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) as a function of capping materials was systemically evaluated. SiO2 and GeOx capping materials accelerated the recrystallization of 10nm GST substantially and increased Tx. In addition, the crystallization mechanisms depended on GST thickness as well as capping materials. For very thin films, Tx increased by up to 120°C and re-crystallization times were shortened. Through optimization of phase-change layer thickness and interface conditions, a material system with faster recrystallization time and with higher thermal stability is proposed, which is promising for the scalability of phase change random access memory technology.
Hepatocellular carcinoma: Findings on spiral CT during arterial portography

Background To determine characteristic imaging features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on spiral CT during arterial portography (SCTAP) and to correlate the presence or absence of spontaneous portosystemic shunts with the degree of hepatic parenchymal enhancement during SCTAP in patients with HCC.
Disoriented Grief: A Lens Through Which to View the Experience of Katrina Evacuees

Many studies on the impact of natural disasters have focused primarily on immediate stress reactions and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms rather than on evacuees' stories of grief and loss. Known categories of grief and loss do not fully capture the experiences of disaster survivors as evidenced by interviews of Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Austin, Texas. This article will describe their experiences through a resultant framework of Disoriented Grief.
Multiblock Approach for Calculating Incompressible Fluid Flows on Unstructured Grids

A multiblock approach is presented for solving two-dimensional incompressible turbulent flows on unstructured grids. The artificial compressibility form of the governing equations is solved by a vertex-centered, finite-volume implicit scheme which uses a backward Euler time discretization. Point Gauss-Seidel relaxations are used to solve the linear system of equations at each time step. This work introduces a multiblock strategy to the solution procedure, which greatly improves the efficiency of the algorithm by significantly reducing the memory requirements while not increasing the CPU time. Results presented in this work shows that the current multiblock algorithm requires 70% less memory than the single block algorithm.
Model-driven assessment of learners in open-ended learning environments

Open-ended learning environments (OELEs) provide students with opportunities to take part in authentic and complex problem-solving tasks. However, many students struggle to succeed in such complex learning endeavors. Without support, these students often use system tools incorrectly and adopt suboptimal learning strategies. However, providing adaptive support to students in OELEs poses significant challenges, and relatively few OELEs provide students with adaptive support. This paper presents the initial development of a systematic approach for interpreting and evaluating learner behaviors in OELEs called model-driven assessments, which uses a model of the cognitive and metacognitive processes important for completing the open-ended learning task. The model provides a means for both classifying and assessing students' learning behaviors while using the system. An evaluation of the analysis technique is presented in the context of Betty's Brain, an OELE designed to help middle school students learn about science.
Effect of lithium on rod photoreceptor rhodopsin-coupled G-protein (transducin).

Abstract 1. Lithium was known to inhibit both adrenergic and cholinergic agonist-induced activation of G-proteins in cerebral cortex. 2. Doly et al (1989) observed that lithium reduced the b-wave of the electroretinogram and suggested that the effect was due to inhibition of G-protein in photoreceptor cells. 3. This study was undertaken to test this hypothesis directly on photoreceptor cell membranes. Rod disk membranes containing the visual transduction machinery were isolated in the dark and the effect of lithium was tested on (a) activation by bright light of G-protein-mediated cyclic GMP hydrolysis, (b) light sensitivity of the activation, (c) the lifetime of the light-activated receptor, and (d) light activation of GTP-γ-S binding to the membranes. 4. None of these processes were affected by lithium. It is therefore concluded that the effects of lithium on the b-wave of the electroretinogram should be due to influences on G-proteins in other parts of the retina.
Construction details and test results from RHIC sextupoles

Four 8 cm aperture sextupoles have been built at BNL to verify the magnetic performance of this magnet in the RHIC installation. Two significantly different mechanical configurations have been designed, and two magnets of each design have been built, and successfully tested, and have exceeded the required minimum quench current by a substantial margin. This report describes the assembly details of the second configuration, which is the final production configuration. In addition the first industry built production sextupole has been delivered and tested. This report presents the results of quench tests on all 5 magnets and field measurements on the first production sextupole. >
Computer models of leadership: Foundations for a new discipline or meaningless diversion?

Abstract This article reviews and synthesizes fourteen distinct approaches that have appeared to date in which computer simulation is used in leadership research. The research has touched several levels of analysis, including individuals, dyads, groups, and the organization itself. After a brief overview of the four main techniques used, each model is described and its findings are discussed. All of the findings are then synthesized in a discussion of the implications for research, and a series of 14 propositions is offered. The potential of this method and its contribution to a new paradigm in leadership research are discussed.
Development of the National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank

The National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank (NMMTB) has been established as part of a comprehensive effort to obtain reliable information on contaminant levels in marine mammal tissues. A four component program consisting of the NMMTB, stranding networks, monitoring and quality assurance has been developed. The development and current status of the NMMTB and its relationship to the other three components will be described.
Human mobile-device interaction on HEVC and H.264 subjective evaluation for video use in mobile environment

High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) is the next coding standard that is being finalized by ITU's Joint Collaborative Team on Video Coding (JCT-VC). This paper compares the H.264/AVC, current coding standard, and HEVC (aka H.265) in mobile compute environments. In this study, the focus, within the mobile compute environment, are smart phones. The major smart phone elements are smaller screen size, which is typically 3.5 inches diagonal to 5.0 inches diagonal for high end smart phones and typical cellular network bandwidth, which is typically 3G or faster. There is compelling subjective test feedback that indicates human device interaction focused on user's experience is very similar between HEVC and H.264 encoding standards for mobile environment screen size and higher cellphone bandwidth (such as 400kbps constant bit rate). This suggests the benefits of HEVC over H.264 in mobile environment are not as clear.
Interpolation of aerodynamic damping of lifting rotors in forward flight from measured response variance

Abstract With the necessity of experimentally measuring the aerodynamic derivatives of lifting rotors in forward flight, it becomes desirable for reasons of parametric resonance to measure the variance data of the response to white noise inputs, and then to interpolate with the numerically computed variance values for different assumed values of the damping parameter or the inertia number. Accordingly, methods are developed to compute directly the blade response variance matrix up to high rotor advance ratios for a series of inertia numbers. Numerical results refer to a rigid blade flapping model with an elastically restrained flapping hinge at the rotor centre. Different combinations of the advance ratio, tip-loss factor, flapping restraint parameter and inertia number are included. The white noise excitation is treated without and with input modulation, the latter case including azimuthwise blade input variation. The mean square response study of the model shows that up to an advance ratio of the order of 0·3 and at conventional values of the inertia number the perturbation approach is satisfactory. The numerical scheme, in addition to solving directly the response variance equations which are similar in structure to the original blade dynamic equations, makes use of the fact that the variable part of system parameter functions are independent of the inertia number. Compared to earlier studies the methods therefore offer significant saving in machine time. Numerical results pertaining to previously proposed experimental and analytical models show excellent agreement.
The relationship of mechanical Vmax to myosin ATPase activity in rabbit and marmot ventricular muscle.

Papillary muscle mechanics and ventricular myosin calcium-activated ATPase activity were measured in the same heart as a function of temperature (8–28°) in rabbits and marmots, in order to examine further the hypothesis that the velocity of cardiac muscle shortening at zero load (V max) is correlated with myosin ATPase activity. There was a similarQ 10 forV max in each muscle type, as measured with isotonic afterloaded quick-releases at 30–33% time-to-peak tension; the calcium activated ATPase of myosin in the two muscle types also was similar. The least squares linear regression of rabbitV max on calcium-activated myosin ATPase activity was the same as in the marmot, so all the data were pooled to yield a linear regression (Y=0.47+3.82X) with a high correlation between the two variables [r=0.95,P<0.01 (ANOV)]. Furthermore, the correlation proved to be predictive of cardiacV max and myosin ATPase activity levels in other experiments where these two measurements decreased below normal as a result of hypertrophic growth. Consequently, the quantitative relationship betweenV max and myosin ATPase defined here may prove to be predictive of the ability of cardiac muscle to release bond energy.
Nucleoside conformations: an analysis of steric barriers to rotation about the glycosidic bond

Abstract The results of crystal structure determinations of eighteen nucleosides and nucleotides have been analyzed to determine the nature of the steric barriers to rotation about the glycosidic (C-N) bond. Freedom of rotation is closely correlated with the type of ring puckering in the furanose residue. In some of these structures the existence of two rotational isomers is indicated. The results are discussed in relation to polynucleotide structures.
Effect of ascorbic acid on ACTH-induced cyclic AMP formation and steroidogenesis in isolated adrrenal cells of vitamin E-deficient rats

Abstract Isolated adrenal cells from Vitamin E-deficient and control rats were prepared by a trypsin digestion method. Cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) formation was studied in response to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) in the presence and absence of ascorbate by measuring the conversion of prelabeled adenosine 5′-triphosphate [ 14 C]ATP to cyclic [ 14 C]AMP. Ascorbate (0.5 mM) inhibited ACTH-induced cyclic [ 14 C]AMP formation in adrenal cells isolated from Vitamin E-deficient rats but had no effect in the control cells. The inhibitory effect of ascorbate on ACTH-induce cyclic AMP formation in Vitamin E-deficient rats decreased as the concentration of ACTH increased. In Vitamin E-deficient rats ascorbate inhibited ACTH-induced cyclic [ 14 C]AMP formation after 30 min of incubation. There was no further significant accumulation of cyclic [ 14 C]AMP at 60 min or 120 min although in the absence of ascorbate cyclic [ 14 C]AMP continued to be formed. The in vitro addition of α-tocopherol reduced the inhibition of ACTH-induced cyclic [ 14 C]AMP formation by ascorbate in Vitamin E-deficient rats. These studies suggest that α-tocopherol and ascorbate may affect ACTH-induced cyclic AMP formation through interaction with membrane-bound enzyme adenylate cyclase.
Passport to Development? Local Perceptions of the Outcomes of Post-Socialist Tourism Policy and Growth in Nicaragua

Enduring decades of dictatorship under the Somoza dynasty, several highly destructive natural disasters, a major “unnatural” disaster in the form of revolutionary conflict, and a subsequent civil war have all taken a serious toll on Nicaraguan society. Today overall poverty is second highest in the hemisphere, with 80% of the population surviving on less than US $2 a day. Crippling debt contributes to a desperate need for foreign exchange, and with an attractive tax incentive package promoting external investment, the government is turning to tourism as its passport to development. After a virtual absence in the 1980s, tourism quickly skyrocketed to the top of Nicaragua's export list in less than a decade and has remained there since 2000. Yet after more than a decade of open-door policy to foreign investors, the wealth distribution remained the second most unequal on the planet. This paper briefly describes Nicaragua's history of dictators, disasters, and delayed development, and how this relates to the ...
Phenanthrene sorption by compost humic acids

Nonlinear isotherms were observed for sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to humic materials, but the exact sorption mechanism is not clearly understood. This study aimed to investigate the sorption of PAHs by compost humic materials. Humic acids (HAs) were progressively extracted from two compost samples by a 0.1-M sodium pyrophosphate solution. Sorption of phenanthrene by the extracted HAs was studied with a batch equilibration technique. Competitive sorption between pyrene and phenanthrene in the HAs was also examined. Elemental analysis and solid-state 13C NMR were used to characterize HAs. All sorption isotherms were nonlinear although these samples contained little black carbons if any. Isotherm linearity increased with increasing number of extractions. Isotherm nonlinearity was negatively related to HA aliphaticity. Addition of pyrene to the phenanthrene-HA system increased isotherm linearity. Competition between phenanthrene and pyrene sorption was more pronounced in the first fraction of HAs with a higher content of aromatic moieties. This study showed that humic materials alone could lead to nonideal sorption for PAHs.
Tardigrades of North America: Milnesium alabamae nov. sp. (Eutardigrada: Apochela: Milnesiidae) a New Species from Alabama

Milnesium alabamae nov. sp. is a new species of tardigrade described from Alabama, USA. This unique tardigrade of order Apochela and family Milnesiidae is characterized by its visibly punctuated cuticle, short, narrow buccal tube, and long primary branch of the claws without accessory points. The buccal tube appears to be only half the length of the signature species Milnesium tardigradum for animals of similar body length. The specimens add data to the questions of tardigrade distribution and evolution.
Noncoherent detection of periodic signals

In this paper the optimal Bayes detector for a general periodic waveform having uniform delay and additive white Gaussian noise is examined. It is shown that the detector is much more complex than that for the we!l-known cases of pure sine waves (i.e., classical noncoherent detection)and narrow-hand signals. An interpretation of the optimal processor is presented, and several implementations are discussed.
Comment: Doctors' dilemmas

After years of training and practice, physicians are justly proud of their skills. But we all recall times where, despite heroic effort, the goal of restoring patients to health and well-being hit a brick wall. While we learn to accept disappointment—too often perceived as failure or defeat—we do not always take time to reckon with the emotional toll such experiences take on our professional esteem and our senses of competence and beneficence.
An NMR Study of the Decomposition of a 2,2-Disubstituted Thiazolidine. Kinetic Evidence for a Schiff Base Intermediate

The pH-rate profile for the decomposition of 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-4-thiazolidinecarboxylic acid is used to identify the presence of a Schiff base intermediate. Activation parameters for the reaction are reported at various pH's and in particular the negative values of entropy support the presence of a carbinolamine in the rate-determining step.
Processing And Display Of Multi-Dimensional Thunderstorm Measurements.

During the 1981 summer season within a 70,000 km2 area surrounding Miles City, Montana, the meteorological community conducted the Cooperative Convective Precipitation Experiment (CCOPE). The measurements collected during this project comprise the largest and most com-prehensive data set ever acquired in and around individual thunderstorms on the high plains of North America. The resultant archive contains approximately 300 billion bits of informa-tion compiled by state-of-the-art instrumentation in a field setting. The principal data systems utilized during CCOPC included 8 ground-based radars (7 of which had Doppler capability), 13 instrumented research aircraft, 6 sites from which balloon-borne instruments were launched, and a network of 123 surface stations. Our data processing goal has been to integrate all of these measurements into an accurate and com-plete three-dimensional description of any thunderstorm observed at any point throughout its history. Furthermore, this three-dimensional storm description must be embodied in a digi-tal structure that can be easily manipulated, altered, and displayed. Our presentation will focus on the procedures employed in reducing these diverse measurements to common spatial and temporal scales. The final product is a regularly spaced multi-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system at a discrete analysis time where each grid location contains the set of relevant meteorological parameters. A recently developed soft-ware package for analyzing the information in these data structures will also be discussed.
The effect of a picture activity schedule on performance of the MABC-2 for children with autism spectrum disorder.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an assessment protocol utilizing a picture activity schedule on the performance of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children–Second Edition (MABC–2) by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Method: Twenty-five children (ages 3–16 years; 20 boys, 5 girls) performed the MABC–2 under two different protocols (i.e., traditional protocol and picture activity schedule protocol). In the traditional protocol condition, each child received detailed verbal descriptions and demonstrations prior to the motor skill performance. During the picture activity schedule protocol, a picture of each task was presented to the children and the verbal instructions were minimized to emphasize visual supports. MABC–2 percentile scores were analyzed using a within-subjects repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: All children were delayed or at risk for delay in both fine and gross motor skill performance during the administration of the traditional p...
Hotel multiprocessor environments: guest and nonguest operated interfaces

Abstract Hotel property management systems (PMS) are very effective in monitoring guest transactions in the front office and financial transactions in the back office. There are, however, many other functional activities which are better handled outside their purview. While some of these applications might actually be included in a basic PMS design, the result would most likely be an unnecessarily complex and inefficient system; rather than an enhanced one. In addition, several candidate applications (e.g. point of sale, self check-in, call accounting, and electronic locking systems) require specialty hardware, software, and for operating systems. Realizing the scope of these requirements, vendors have developed independent, standalone systems capable of PMS interfacing. This design strategy enables increased fundamental PMS capabilities without enlarged structure. Connecting a secondary system (interface) to a hotel's primary computer system (PMS) creates a multiprocessor environment. Just as there are portions of the hotel that guests contact during a normal stay, there are PMS interfaces that require guest interaction to operate (guest operated interfaces); others that do not (nonguest operated interfaces). Popular guest operated interfaces are: self check-in/check-out systems, guest information systems, in-room movie systems, and in-room beverage systems. Nonguest operated interfaces include: point-of-sale systems, call accounting systems, electronic locking systems, and energy management systems. It is by virtue of their interface capability that guest and nonguest operated interfaces create a multiprocessor environment.