cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NREL Efforts to Address Soiling on PV Modules

Natural soiling has reduced the energy output of PV systems since the technology was first used. Projecting even a small ~4% average annual soiling loss (found in some places in the U.S.), translates to ~10 GW of power loss worldwide, which correlates today to ~$2 billion in lost revenue annually, worldwide. Production losses due to soiling may be even higher in high soiling environments, substantially increasing the levelized cost of electricity (LeOE). Furthermore, while soiling has been discussed in the literature for more than 70 years, solutions to many problems are still needed. NREL is working with the PV industry to develop the tools/knowledge so that the effects of soiling can be predicted for different environmental conditions and cost effective mitigation can be implemented. For this paper, we will describe our efforts to (1) predict PV module soiling rates based on environmental factors at a PV installation and from its energy production data, (2) quantitatively measure the adhesion forces to understand the physics enabling soiling, and (3) develop related standards on PV module coatings and artificial soiling. For example, NREL has used soiling station data to identify the most important environmental factors that are correlated with average soiling losses, and is using this information to develop models that accurately predict soiling losses at prospective sites without the need for local soiling stations. Furthermore, by providing a detailed understanding of soiling mechanisms and the corresponding requirements for PV module coatings, we are providing valuable information about what improvements in performance may be possible at a given PV site. Ultimately, this effort will help reduce the uncertainty in PV plant power output and maintenance requirements, and thus reduce costs.
Reappraising the Role of Word-of-Mouth Communication as Both Antecedent and Outcome in Relationship Marketing: An Abstract

The role of word-of-mouth in relationship marketing (RM) has been treated solely as an outcome of relationship activities. This author argues that contemporary research may not fully capture the essential roles of WOM in RM and that WOM is both an antecedent of RM, as well as its outcome. After a comprehensive review of extant literature, the author conducts a multigroup survey, which establishes a significant, positive relationship between WOM valence and two key mediators of RM: trust and commitment (Morgan and Hunt 1994). This study also finds that conflict control and perceived consumer benefits are partial mediators and the level of consumer loyalty is a moderator of those two relationships. As a result, the author calls on marketers to give more attention to proactive WOM campaigns, which are critical for establishing long-term reciprocal relationships with consumers and ultimately for reaching firms’ strategic goals.
FDTD Modeling of Scattered Ultra-Low Frequency Electromagnetic Waves From Objects Submerged in the Ocean

The skin depth of electromagnetic (EM) waves in ocean water is on the order of 160 m at 3 Hz and just 50 m at 30 Hz. The detection of objects in the ocean using EM waves is, thus, very challenging due to the high attenuation rate of the EM fields. We propose the usage of ultra-low frequencies (ULF: <3 Hz) to detect submerged objects due to the larger skin depths (1.5 km at 0.03 Hz) at those frequencies. Using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, ULF scatterings from objects submerged in the ocean are obtained. This is achieved by running the FDTD model in the scattered-field-only regime, in which EM field components in a 3-D FDTD grid are excited by a “hard” source, i.e., the electric field components are set to a sinusoid at ULF to represent the scatterings from the object. The propagation attenuation versus distance from the source (object) is recorded and compared to the propagation attenuation as predicted by the plane wave theory. A total round-trip propagation attenuation is estimated for ULF waves originating in the air region above the ocean. Frequencies ranging from 0.01 to 2 Hz are tested.
Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

Obsessive-Compulsive and related disorders have in common persistent or recurrent uncontrollable ideas and/or behaviors that are dysfunctional. In most cases, there seem to be a neural substrate, particularly in the basal ganglia and the frontal lobe, as well as memetic (cultural/ideational) component. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, hoarding disorder, trichotillomania, excoriation disorder, and body dysmorphic disorders and their treatments are discussed.
Influence of dry season on Quercus suber L. leaf traits in the Iberian Peninsula.

Premise Water deficit and drought conditions are increasing in intensity, frequency, and duration in the Iberian Peninsula. We observed natural variation in leaf traits across the range of Quercus suber L. (cork oak), an ecologically important species within this region. Stomatal traits (e.g., pore length, maximum aperture) and carbon isotope composition (δ13 C) provide an opportunity to examine the integrative effects of drought and dry-season intensity on leaf development, maximum stomatal conductance, and adaptation to precipitation regimes. Methods Gross leaf traits (e.g., area, thickness), stomatal traits (e.g., pore length, size, aperture), and carbon isotope discrimination were measured in Q. suber leaves, and maximum stomatal conductance to water vapor (gwmax ) was calculated. Trees were sampled from nine natural populations across a climate gradient in the Iberian Peninsula, including trees from two genetic lineages. Linear mixed models compared total water deficit to leaf traits, accounting for tree and site as random effects. Results Quercus suber gross leaf morphology remained consistent across the climate gradient, but increasing water deficit was correlated with smaller stomata at the leaf level and low δ13 C at the tree level. No traits were significantly different between the two genetic lineages. Conclusions While there were no significant differences in gross leaf morphology across the climate gradient or between the genetic lineages, stomatal traits and δ13 C responded to climate, suggesting that Q. suber can inhabit a range of environments in the Iberian Peninsula via micro-adjustments of the trait that controls water loss into the atmosphere.
Die Kartierung des Weltalls: Scheiben und Blasen

Seit mehr als 4500 Jahren stellen die Menschen Landkarten her. Wir haben die Oberflache der Erde fast peinlich genau kartographisch erfast. Tatsachlich erstreckt sich das Konzept der Kartographie auch auf Bereiche, die wir nicht auf direktem Wege erforschen konnen. So fertigen wir Karten an von der Lage der Atome in Festkorpern und in der DNA, dem Schlussel fur das Leben selbst. Von den kleinsten bis zu den grosten physikalischen Systemen spiegeln Karten den menschlichen Drang nach Wissen wider. Heute stellt die Erforschung des Universums uber Entfernungen von Hunderten Millionen, ja sogar Milliarden Lichtjahre hinweg eine der grosen Aufgaben an der Front der Forschung dar.
Cytokinin and CLE signaling are highly intertwined developmental regulators across tissues and species.

The control of cell identity and differentiation is critical for proper development. In plants, cell identity is largely determined by a cell’s spatial context, which is communicated in the form of varying abundances of hormones. Two classes of hormones, the classical phytohormone cytokinin and the small CLE peptide hormones, are potent regulators of cell division and cell differentiation. While a relationship between these two classes of hormones is well-established at developing shoot tips, recent evidence suggests that CLE and cytokinin signaling converge on the same developmental processes across many different contexts and in widely divergent species. Here, we review evidence predominately from Arabidopsis thaliana and the moss Physcomitrella patens that supports a general model where CLE and cytokinin signaling are highly intertwined developmental regulators with antagonistic functions in shoots and synergistic functions in roots.
History and Future of Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery

Transanal minimally invasive surgery first began with the introduction of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) by Buess and colleagues in 1985. Although mostly restricted to specific centers during the following two decades, advances in laparoscopy, natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), and single-incision surgery paved the way for a more accessible platform with the transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) platform by Atallah and colleagues in 2010. In that same year, Sylla and Lacy described the first transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME). In the years that followed, hundreds of surgeons would seek out advanced training to learn this exciting technique, and international clinical trials are currently enrolling patients to compare the oncologic and functional outcomes of this technique to established methods of rectal cancer surgery.
How should systematic reviewers handle conference abstracts? A view from the trenches

While identifying and cataloging unpublished studies from conference proceedings is generally recognized as a good practice during systematic reviews, controversy remains whether to include study results that are reported in conference abstracts. Existing guidelines provide conflicting recommendations. The main argument for including conference abstracts in systematic reviews is that abstracts with positive results are preferentially published, and published sooner, as full-length articles compared with other abstracts. Arguments against including conference abstracts are that (1) searching for abstracts is resource-intensive, (2) abstracts may not contain adequate information, and (3) the information in abstracts may not be dependable. However, studies comparing conference abstracts and fully published articles of the same study find only minor differences, usually with conference abstracts presenting preliminary results. Other studies that have examined differences in treatment estimates of meta-analyses with and without conference abstracts report changes in precision, but usually not in the treatment effect estimate. However, in some cases, including conference abstracts has made a difference in the estimate of the treatment effect, not just its precision. Instead of arbitrarily deciding to include or exclude conference abstracts in systematic reviews, we suggest that systematic reviewers should consider the availability of evidence informing the review. If available evidence is sparse or conflicting, it may be worthwhile to search for conference abstracts. Further, attempts to contact authors of abstracts or search for protocols or trial registers to supplement the information presented in conference abstracts is prudent. If unique information from conference abstracts is included in a meta-analysis, a sensitivity analysis with and without the unique results should be conducted. Under given circumstances, it is worthwhile to search for and include results from conference abstracts in systematic reviews.
Neuromuscular choristoma-associated desmoid-type fibromatosis: Establishing a nerve territory concept

Desmoid-type fibromatosis (DTF) frequently arises in patients with neuromuscular choristoma (NMC). We hypothesize that NMC-associated DTF occurs in soft tissues innervated by the NMC-affected nerve, and arises from CTNNB1-mutated (myo) fibroblasts within or directly adjacent to the NMC. A retrospective review of patients treated at our institution was performed for patients with biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of NMC-DTF. Clinical presentation, physical examination, electrodiagnostic findings and radiological features (MR and FDG PET/CT images for each NMC-DTF) and pathologic re-review of available materials were analyzed. A literature review was also performed. Eight patients from our institution met the inclusion criteria. All patients presented with neuropathic symptoms and soft tissue or bone changes in the nerve territory innervated by the NMC. All MR images (N=8 cases) showed the characteristic features of NMC, and also showed direct contact between unifocal (N=5) or multifocal (N=3) DTF(s) and the NMC-affected nerve NMC. FDG PET/CT (N=2 cases) showed diffuse, increased FDG uptake along the entire affected nerve segment, contiguous with the FDG-avid DTF. In all cases, the DTFs arose in the soft tissues of the NMC-affected nerve’s territory. No patient developed DTF at any other anatomic site. These data demonstrate that NMC-DTF arises solely within the NMC-affected nerve territory, and has direct contact with the NMC itself. Based on all these findings and the multifocality of NMC in several cases, we recommend imaging and surveillance of the entire NMC-affected nerve (from spine to distal extremity) to identify clinically-occult DTF in patients with NMC.
Impacts of a Mindful Eating Intervention on Healthy Food-related Behaviors and Mindful Eating Practices among Elementary School Children: A Pilot Study

Background and Purpose: Mindful eating approaches encourage paying purposeful attention on purpose to body sensations, thoughts and emotions related to food and eating. The current study examined the impact of Foodie U, a mindful-eating intervention, among elementary school children and their families. Methods: A total of 178 third- through fifth grade children and their parents in rural northern California participated in Foodie U. The quasi-experimental intervention included two parent workshops, six monthly in-class mindful eating lessons and activities, and mindful eating activities to complete at home. Outcomes included food consumption, mindful-eating practices, emotional eating, and cue-elicited food craving among children. Results: T-tests and linear regression results revealed that students who received the intervention reported significantly less intense craving responses, especially among female and Hispanic students. The impact of the intervention on food craving was significant after controlling for gender and ethnicity. Fruit consumption significantly increased among intervention students. The mindful eating awareness score significantly increased among female intervention students. Conclusions: Foodie U had a positive impact on some food-related behaviors among elementary school-aged students. Further research is needed to examine the effectiveness of each element of the intervention.
Stability Constrains How Populations Spread Risk in a Model of Food Exchange

Summary Food exchange between human populations can mitigate the risk arising from variable food production. Networks of exchange vary according to context but tend to fall into a relatively small number of qualitatively different types, including altruism, reciprocity, and resource pooling. This apparent canalization raises the question of whether specific networks of food exchange exhibit features that allow them to persist in the longer term, and we address this question by using a model of food exchange among multiple populations. First, we show that essentially any mode of exchange in our model will help to buffer the risk associated with local environmental variability. However, we also find that only a limited set of networks will guarantee population stability when resources are scarce. These stabilizing networks overlap empirical classifications of exchange, suggesting that population stability could provide an important filter for viable modes of exchange.
Malignancies in immune deficiencies

Abstract It is recognized that certain primary immune deficiencies are associated with increased risk of specific pathogens and this has led to a greater understanding of the role of individual genes in mediating host defense against these pathogens. In a similar fashion, the increased risk of cancers associated with primary immune deficiencies provides us with insight about immune protections from malignancies. The immune system has the ability to identify and eradicate developing cancers, a phenomenon termed “cancer immunosurveillance” (Schumacher and Schreiber, 2015). The notion of the normal immune system preventing cancer development through immune surveillance is supported by the increased risk of cancers in immunocompromized patients, including persons with AIDS (Patel et al., 2008; Shiels et al., 2010; Shiels et al., 2011; Simard et al., 2010), hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients (Majhail, 2011; Majhail et al., 2011), and solid organ transplant recipients (Engels et al., 2011). In these secondary immune deficiencies, multiple factors can influence the risk of cancer including impaired immunosurveillance as well as therapy-related genotoxicity (Olivero et al., 2007). In contrast, patients with primary immune deficiencies provide the opportunity to more directly delineate the role of immune protection from cancer at the level of specific genes and pathways. The goals of this chapter are to review immune deficient conditions in which the occurrence of cancer is strikingly high and describe the insights we gain regarding the role of the immune system in protecting from incident cancer. We will also discuss implications for cancer screening, gaps in knowledge, and future directions in research.
A comparison of robotic-assisted splenectomy and laparoscopic splenectomy for children with hematologic disorders.

Abstract Introduction Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is the standard of care for hematologic disorders requiring splenectomy. Less is known about the outcomes following robotic-assisted splenectomy (RS) for this indication. Our aim was to describe outcomes of RS to LS in pediatric patients with hematologic disorders in our institution. Methods A single institution retrospective review was performed of pediatric patients undergoing LS vs. RS from 2014 to 2019. Patient demographics, diagnosis, spleen size, hospital length of stay (LOS), operative time, post-operative opioid use, and hospital charges were evaluated. Standard univariate analyses were performed. Results Twenty-four patients were included in the study (14 LS, 10 RS). The mean spleen size at the time of surgery was larger in the RS group compared to LS (14.5 cm vs. 12.2 cm, p = 0.03). Operative time between the two cohorts was comparable (RS 140.5 vs LS 154.9 min). Median LOS for RS was shorter than LS (2.1 vs. 3.2 days, p = 0.02). Cumulative postoperative opioid analgesic requirements were not significantly different between the groups (17.4 mg vs. 30.5 mg). The median hospital charges, including the surgical procedure and hospital stay were higher in the RS group ($44,724 RS vs $30,255 LS, p = 0.01). Conclusion Robotic splenectomy is a safe and feasible option for pediatric patients with hematologic disorders, and was associated with decreased LOS but higher charges compared to laparoscopic splenectomy. Further studies are required to delineate the optimal use and potential benefits of robot-assisted surgical techniques in children. Level of Evidence II.
Intraoperative Applications of Topical Corticosteroid Therapy for Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

Objectives:To provide an overview of recent techniques and technologies for the application of topical corticosteroid therapy immediately following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic rhinos...
Inhibiting xCT/SLC7A11 induces ferroptosis of myofibroblastic hepatic stellate cells but exacerbates chronic liver injury.

Background & aims The outcome of liver injury is dictated by factors that control the accumulation of myofibroblastic (activated) hepatic stellate cells (MF-HSCs) but therapies that specifically block this process have not been discovered. We evaluated the hypothesis that MF-HSCs and liver fibrosis could be safely reduced by inhibiting the cysteine/glutamate antiporter xCT. Methods xCT activity was disrupted in both HSC lines and primary mouse HSCs to determine its effect on HSC biology. For comparison, xCT expression and function were also determined in primary mouse hepatocytes. Finally, the roles of xCT were assessed in mouse models of liver fibrosis. Results We found that xCT mRNA levels were almost a log-fold higher in primary mouse HSCs than in primary mouse hepatocytes. Further, primary mouse HSCs dramatically induced xCT as they became MF, and inhibiting xCT blocked GSH synthesis, reduced growth and fibrogenic gene expression and triggered HSC ferroptosis. Doses of xCT inhibitors that induced massive ferroptosis in HSCs had no effect on hepatocyte viability in vitro, and xCT inhibitors reduced liver fibrosis without worsening liver injury in mice with acute liver injury. However, TGFβ treatment up-regulated xCT and triggered ferroptosis in cultured primary mouse hepatocytes. During chronic liver injury, xCT inhibitors exacerbated injury, impaired regeneration and failed to improve fibrosis, confirming that HSCs and hepatocytes deploy similar mechanisms to survive chronic oxidative stress. Conclusions Inhibiting xCT can suppress myofibroblastic activity and induce ferroptosis of MF-HSCs. However, targeting xCT inhibition to MF-HSCs will be necessary to exploit ferroptosis as an anti-fibrotic strategy.
Automatic Printed Fabric Defect Detection Based on Image Classification Using Modified VGG Network

Fabric defect detection is a critical operation in textile manufacturing. The inaccuracy in manual fabric inspection system may cause high fabric wastage. Therefore, deep learning algorithm-based automatic fabric defect detection (ADD) method is expected to gradually replace manual inspection method. However, the existing literature on ADD shows scarcity in the number of research conducted on printed fabric defect detection. A recent research on ADD of printed fabric showed that Virtual Geometric Group-16 (VGG16) network showed better performance in defect detection than that of a customized convolutional neural network (CNN) [1]. Our research proposes a modified structure of VGG16 and uses an extended printed fabric dataset to identify color spots and misprints on the printed fabric. The results show that proposed methodology enables the model to achieve higher accuracy (76%) than that of the accuracy (62.28%) achieved in the previous research [1]].
Developing an electronic health record-derived health equity dashboard to improve learner access to data and metrics.

Objectives It is essential to engage learners in efforts aimed at dismantling racism and other contributors to health care disparities. Barriers to their involvement include limited access to data. The objective of our study was to create a data dashboard using an existing quality improvement (QI) infrastructure and provide resident access to data to facilitate exploratory analysis on disparities in emergency department (ED) patient care. Methods Focusing on patient populations that have previously been shown in the literature to suffer significant disparities in the ED, we extracted outcomes across a variety of metrics already collected as part of routine ED operations. Using data visualization software, we developed an interactive dashboard for visual exploratory analyses. Results We designed a dashboard for our resident learners with views that are flexible and allow user selected filters to view clinical outcomes by patient age, treatment area, and chief complaint. Learners were also allowed to select grouping and outcomes of interest to investigate questions and form new hypotheses of their choosing. Available dashboard views included summary counts view to assess ED visits over time by selectable group, a rooming and triage acuity view, time-to-event survival curve view, histogram and box plot views for continuous variables, a view to assess outcome variables by time of day of ED arrival, customizable contingency table views, and correspondence analysis. Conclusions Utilizing an existing QI infrastructure, we developed a dashboard that provides a new perspective into commonly collected ED operations data to allow for the exploration of disparities in ED care that is accessible to learners. Future directions include using these data to refine hypotheses on ED disparities, understand root causes, develop interventions, and measure their impact.
Decision Problems for Timed Automata : A Survey

Finite automata and regular languages have been useful in a wide variety of problems in computing, communication and control, including formal modeling and verification. Traditional automata do not admit an explicit modeling of time, and consequently, timed automata [2] were introduced as a formal notation to model the behavior of real-time systems. Timed automata accept timed languages consisting of sequences of events tagged with their occurrence times. Over the years, the formalism has been extensively studied leading to many results establishing connections to circuits and logic, and much progress has been made in developing verification algorithms, heuristics, and tools. This paper provides a survey of the theoretical results concerning decision problems of reachability, language inclusion and language equivalence for timed automata and its variants, with some new proofs and comparisons. We conclude with a discussion of some open problems.
CEO Entrenchment and Corporate Risk Management

Will corporations hedge even if risk management does not raise firm value? We address this question by examining theoretically and empirically the effects of CEO entrenchment and overinvestment on corporate hedging. Our theoretical analysis indicates that the avoidance of financial distress costs and managerial risk aversion are not necessary for hedging and risk management by corporations. We also generate novel predictions on the influence of entrenchment related factors, CEO equity ownership, and available cash flows on hedging. Using a unique hand-collected dataset with detailed quarterly data on hedging by non-integrated exploration and production firms in the oil and gas industry, we test these predictions and find support for them. Corporate hedging intensity is positively (or negatively) related to internal and external governance factors that enhance (or weaken) CEO entrenchment, even after controlling for leverage, size, risk, and the marginal tax rate. Our study provides a new perspective and evidence on the determinants of corporate hedging.
Fries rearrangement of acetanilide over zeolite catalysts

Zeolites Y and Beta have been evaluated for the Fries type rearrangement of acetanilide (1) to the corresponding aminoacetophenones. Aniline was the major product but in the presence of added acetic anhydride the major product was meta-aminoacetophenone (3). The photo-Fries rearrangement was attempted for X, Y and Beta zeolites impregnated with 1. In contrast to the catalytic rearrangement at elevated temperatures the major product was the ortho-aminoacetophenone (2). It appears that the selectivity for the ortho isomer improves at the expense of conversion with decreasing acidity.
Impact of Somatotropins on Nutrient Requirements in Domestic Animals

Somatotropins increase nitrogen retention, decrease carcass fat and increase lean/fat ratio in growing ruminants and swine. However, responses are much more variable in growing ruminants. Maintenance requirements in both ruminants and swine are increased slightly with somatotropin treatment in conjunction with increased lean mass. This is associated with increases in partial efficiency of protein accretion, resulting in increased efficiency of growth. Additional information is required to accurately assess effects of somatotropin on nutrient requirements for growing ruminants and swine. Future studies should target degradable and nondegradable protein requirements for growing ruminants and the impact of somatotropin on these requirements; definition of dose, pattern and formulation of somatotropin for both ruminants and swine and interaction of somatotropin with other factors affecting feed intake in swine and ruminants.
Hexahydrogallic Acid and Hexahydrogallic Acid Triacetate

Hexahydrogallic acid and hexahydrogallic acid triacetate solvent: 100 ml. of 30–40° petroleum ether product: hexahydrogallic acid product: Hexahydrogallic acid triacetate Keywords: reduction, CC HC–CH; gallic acid; hydrogenation apparatus
Conjugate Direction Methods

Conjugate direction methods can be regarded as being somewhat intermediate between the method of steepest descent and Newton’s method. They are motivated by the desire to accelerate the typically slow convergence associated with steepest descent while avoiding the information requirements associated with the evaluation, storage, and inversion of the Hessian (or at least solution of a corresponding system of equations) as required by Newton’s method.
Esophageal eosinophilia after radiofrequency ablation for Barrett’s esophagus

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with HALO system has been developed as a new treatment option for Barrett's esophagus (BE). It had been observed that some patients had esophageal eosinophilia (EE) infiltration after RFA. The incidence and features of EE after RFA were systematically determined. From a prospectively compiled database, data on 148 patients who underwent RFA for BE were analyzed. Biopsies were taken pre- and post-RFA from the BE segment, and histological sections of the biopsy specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and examined by a gastrointestinal pathologist. The incidence of EE post-RFA was then determined. Of the 148 patients, 120 (81%) were men, 137 (92%) were white, 64 (43%) were overweight and 49 (33%) obese, and 128 (86%) were over 50 years of age or more. Four (2.7%) of the patients developed post-RFA EE, but none had symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis. All patients except one had a history of seasonal allergies. All four were taking proton pump inhibitor before and after RFA. Two patients with EE drank alcohol, one of which was a smoker. EE is a potential adverse event of RFA for BE. The absence of esophageal dysfunction symptoms suggests a different clinicopathological entity from eosinophilic esophagitis. Further studies should be done to assess its clinical significance, if therapy is needed, or if it may eventually lead to eosinophilic esophagitis.
Antagonistic Interactions between Yeast Chaperones Hsp104 and Hsp70 in Prion Curing

The maintenance of [PSI], a prion-like form of the yeast release factor Sup35, requires a specific concentration of the chaperone protein Hsp104: either deletion or overexpression of Hsp104 will cure cells of [PSI]. A major puzzle of these studies was that overexpression of Hsp104 alone, from a heterologous promoter, cures cells of [PSI] very efficiently, yet the natural induction of Hsp104 with heat shock, stationary-phase growth, or sporulation does not. These observations pointed to a mechanism for protecting the genetic information carried by the [PSI] element from vicissitudes of the environment. Here, we show that simultaneous overexpression of Ssa1, a protein of the Hsp70 family, protects [PSI] from curing by overexpression of Hsp104. Ssa1 protein belongs to the Ssa subfamily, members of which are normally induced with Hsp104 during heat shock, stationary-phase growth, and sporulation. At the molecular level, excess Ssa1 prevents a shift of Sup35 protein from the insoluble (prion) to the soluble (cellular) state in the presence of excess Hsp104. Overexpression of Ssa1 also increases nonsense suppression by [PSI] when Hsp104 is expressed at its normal level. In contrast, hsp104 deletion strains lose [PSI] even in the presence of overproduced Ssa1. Overproduction of the unrelated chaperone protein Hsp82 (Hsp90) neither cured [PSI] nor antagonized the [PSI]-curing effect of overproduced Hsp104. Our results suggest it is the interplay between Hsp104 and Hsp70 that allows the maintenance of [PSI] under natural growth conditions.
The CDF L2 Track Trigger Upgrade

This proceedings describes the XFT stereo upgrade for the CDF Level 2 trigger system. Starting with the stereo finder boards, up to the XFT stereo track algorithim implementation in the Level 2 PC. This proceedings will discuss the effectiveness of the Level 2 Stereo track algorithm at achieving reduced trigger rates with high efficiencies during high luminosity running.
Cognitive impairment is associated with subcortical magnetic resonance imaging grey matter T2 hypointensity in multiple sclerosis

Grey matter hypointensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, suggesting iron deposition, has been described in multiple sclerosis (MS) and is related to physical disability, disease course and brain atrophy. We tested the hypothesis that subcortical grey matter T2 hypointensity is related to cognitive impairment after adjusting for the effect of MRI lesion and atrophy measures. We studied 33 patients with MS and 14 healthy controls. Normalized T2 signal intensity in the caudate, putamen, globus pallidus and thalamus, total brain T1-hypointense lesion volume (T1LV), fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery-hyperintense lesion volume (FLLV) and brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) were obtained quantitatively. A neuropsychological composite score (NCS) encompassed new learning, attention, working memory, spatial processing and executive function. In each of the regions of interest, the normalized T2 intensity was lower in the MS versus control group (all P <0.001). Regression modelling tested the...
Synthesis and structural characterization of [ (C5H4 )SiMe2 (N -t -Bu ) ]Ti [ (o -C6H4 )C (Ph )=C (Ph ) ], generated via an alkyne-Ti benzyne coupling reaction

Abstract The thermolysis of [(C 5 H 4 )SiMe 2 (N- t -Bu)]TiPh 2 in the presence of diphenylacetylene proceeds at 80 °C in cyclohexane solution with the sole formation of the titanacyclic complex [(C 5 H 4 )SiMe 2 (N- t -Bu)]Ti[( o -C 6 H 4 )C(Ph) C(Ph)], which has been characterized by solution NMR measurements and X-ray crystallographic analysis. This reaction is accompanied by the elimination of benzene and presumably occurs via coupling of a titanium benzyne intermediate with diphenylacetylene. The two chemically inequivalent Ti–C bonds of 2.081(7) and 2.103(6) A in [(C 5 H 4 )SiMe 2 (N- t -Bu)]Ti[( o -C 6 H 4 )C(Ph) C(Ph)] reflect the increased electrophilicity of the d 0 Ti(IV) center arising from the presence of the bifunctional ansa -cyclopentadienyldimethylsilylamido ligand.
Efficient Data Staging Using Performance-Based Adaptation and Policy-Based Resource Allocation

Before scientific analyses run on shared infrastructure, such as the Open Science Grid or XSEDE, scientists must often transfer or stage key data sets those resources. Often these datasets consist of many files that may be transferred by multiple clients in parallel. We study two techniques that improve the use of available resources for these large, long-running, multi-file transfers. First, we adapt transfer parameters for multi-file transfers based on recent transfer performance. Second, we use VO and site policies to influence the allocation of system resources for transfers, such as available transfer streams. We describe our system design and summarize its implementation and performance.
Graft copolymerization of polyfurfuryl alcohol and cellulose

Viscosity of polyfurfuryl alcohol (PFA) and addition of hydroquinone exert a strong positive effect on grafting polyfurfuryl alcohol to cellulose fiber with H2O2/Fe2+ oxidant in an aqueous slurry at pH 2. Composition of the atmosphere and the nature of acids used to adjust pH does not influence the reaction, with the exception of phosphoric acid, which negatively influences polymer loading. Conducting the reaction in nonaqueous media inhibits grafting. K2S2O8, Ce(SO4)2, and K2Cr2O7 perform as well as H2O2/Fe2+, whereas H2O2/thiourea dioxide, H2O2/thiourea, NH4VO3, KMnO4, and KNO3 give inferior polymer loads; Mn3+/acetylacetonate and azobisisobutyronitrile are ineffective. A small improvement in polymer loading is obtained by gradual addition of the oxidant to the reaction slurry.
Australian Aborigine: Transition in Family Grouping†

In the brief period of fifty years, under the tutelage of the missionaries, there has been a marked transition of family structure in one group of Australian Aborigines from polygynous to monogamous. Those who are now middle-aged have lived as man and wife in Western-style nuclear families. Presently, however, there is a tendency for the youth not to marry but for the young women to incorporate their offspring into the household of their monogamous parents. A matrilocal pattern is developing that has the potential for matriarchal dominance. Some of the forces contributing to these changes are discussed. Several parallels with transitions in American minority family groupings are presented.
Heat transfer and pressure on a hypersonic blunt cone with mass addition

Surface pressure and heat transfer over blunt conical body in hypersonic flow with uniform mass addition of various gases
A micromechanical constitutive framework for the nonlinear viscoelastic behavior of pultruded composite materials

Abstract This study introduces a new three-dimensional (3D) micromechanical modeling approach for the nonlinear viscoelastic behavior of pultruded composites. The studied pultruded composite system consists of vinylester matrix reinforced with E-glass roving and continuous filament mat (CFM) layers. Micromechanical models are introduced for the roving and CFM layers each having a unit-cell with four fiber and matrix subcells. In addition, a sublaminate model is used to provide for a nonlinear equivalent continuum of a layered medium with alternating roving and CFM layers. The roving layer consists of unidirectional fibers embedded in the matrix; it is idealized as doubly periodic array of fiber with square cross-sections. The CFM layer consists of relatively long, swirl, and randomly oriented filaments. This system is idealized using a weighted-average response of two simplified micromodels with fiber and matrix dominated responses. A new iterative procedure is introduced along with a recursive integration method for the Schapery nonlinear viscoelastic model used for the isotropic matrix subcells of the two micromodels. The fiber medium is considered as transversely isotropic and linear elastic. Incremental micromechanical formulations of the above three micromodels are geared towards the time integration scheme in the matrix phase. New iterative numerical algorithms with predictor–corrector type steps are derived and implemented for the micromodels in order to satisfy the fiber and matrix viscoelastic constitutive relations along with the micromechanical equations in the form of traction continuity and strain compatibility between the subcells. Experimental creep tests are performed with coupons cut from E-glass/vinylester pultruded plate to calibrate and predict the nonlinear viscoelastic response. Three sets of pultruded specimens having off-axis angles: 0°, 45°, and 90° were tested at room temperature under different applied compression stress levels.
Charitable organizations: Which are most deserving?

With recent cutbacks in social welfare spending, private contributions to charitable organizations are increasingly important. This article attempts to find the most worthy. This article attempts to find the most worthy charities from a list of 78 organization surveyed. Organizations are judged by efficiency in minimizing fund raising and administrative costs, while maximizing program expenses. Other factors useful in assessing charitable organizations are discussed.
ENZYME HISTOCHEMISTRY OF THE CHICK CHOROID PLEXUS.

1. By use of histochemical methods the activity and localization of oxo-reductive enzymes and certain hydrolytic enzymes in chick embryo choroid plexus in between the 35 to 46th stage of development was studied. 2. An increase of enzyme activity with increasing age was found in the choroid plexus with the exception of cytochrome oxidase, which revealed activity of a fairly constant level. 3. The localization of oxoreductive and hydrolytic enzymes on the brush borders of epithelial cells of the choroid plexus especially at the 40th stage of development was prominent. 4. The localization of the various enzyme systems may be related to the active transport phenomena in the choroid plexus.
Microelectronic Development with MEMS Capable Caseless Projectiles

This paper regards the implementation of micro electronics into the bodies of MEMS compatible case-less ammunition. These electronic devices can range from RFID tags to ultrasonic transducers for item location to wireless micro cameras that are all wired into the detachable head of a rocket-like bullet projectile. Drag stabilization allows for a non-spin stabilized projectile in which micro electronics can be embedded. This drag stabilization reduces the centripetal force to zero and thus highly contributes to the survivability of the electronics used in the particular ammunition.
An Empirical Investigation of the Effects of Heterogeneous Regression Slopes in Analysis of Covariance

The effects of violation of the assumption of homogeneity of regression on the Type I error rate and on the power of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were investigated. The data situations included ...
Is direct collection of pleural fluid into a heparinized syringe important for determination of pleural pH? A brief report.

Introduction It has long been believed that pleural fluid must be directly aspirated into a heparinized syringe to obtain an accurate value. Many operators aspirate 30 to 60 mL of pleural fluid into a syringe without heparin, and then place 1 mL into a heparinized syringe from which the pH is determined. We postulated that this technique does not cause a clinically significant difference in pleural pH values. Methods Patients undergoing thoracentesis in the outpatient clinic, general ward, and medical ICU were eligible. After the initial entry of the needle into the pleural space, a heparinized syringe was used to obtain pleural fluid for pH determination. A 60-mL syringe was then used to aspirate additional pleural fluid for biochemical analysis and culture. At the end of the procedure, a second aliquot of pleural fluid was placed into a heparinized syringe for pH determination. A difference of 0.1 in pH was taken as clinically important. Results Twenty-one pleural fluid samples were obtained from 20 patients. Pleural fluid pH determinations were within 0.1 in all but one patient. The mean pH for the directly collected group was 7.39 (25%: 7.35; 75%: 7.45). The mean for the indirectly collected group was 7.41 (25%: 7.35; 75%: 7.45). The difference between the two means (0.02; 95% confidence interval, 0.0368 to 0.00131) was statistically significant but clinically unimportant (p=0.037). Conclusions Pleural fluid can be collected in a large syringe and then placed into a heparinized syringe to assess pH. This is useful information because the use of just one syringe saves time and reduces the risk of iatrogenic complications.
Pathological glial tau accumulations in neurodegenerative disease: review and case report

Abnormal deposits of tau protein accumulate in glia in many neurodegenerative diseases. This suggests that in some instances the disease process may target glial tau, with neuronal degeneration a secondary consequence of this process. In this report, we summarize the pattern of glial tau pathology in various neurodegenerative disorders and add original findings from a case of sporadic frontotemporal dementia that exhibits astrocytic tau pathology. The neurodegenerative diseases span the spectrum of relative neuronal and glial tau involvement, from disorders affecting only neuronal tau to those in which abnormal tau deposits are found only in glia. From this, we conclude that glial tau can be a primary target of the disease process, and that this can lead to neuronal degeneration.
A new facile trinitrophenylated substrate for peptide α-amidation and its use to characterize PAM activity in chromaffin granules

Carboxyl terminal alpha-amidation is a prevalent post translational modification in neuropeptide hormones, with amidation being essential for biological activity. We report a direct demonstration and characterization of peptidyl alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM) activity in chromaffin granules, secretory vesicles long known as loci for synthesis and storage of catecholamines but only recently recognized as processing and storage sites for neuropeptides. This finding, together with the recently recognized competence of dopamine-b-monooxygenase to carry out N-dealkylation, provides important information regarding the co-localization and co-secretion of multiple neuromodulators. In addition, we introduce a new substrate for both pituitary and chromaffin granule PAM--TNP-D-Tyr-Val-Gly. This substrate exhibits high turnover, and has the important advantage of allowing quantitative activity determinations using standard spectrophotometric techniques, thus facilitating mechanistic studies and inhibitor development.
Health Education and Reading Skills of Lower SES Students.

Students exposed to the SHCP did not achieve significantly different (p=.01) reading comprehension mean scores than students not exposed to the program. However, the gains measured in this research covered only a nine week period, and if the reading comprehension mean score gains were projected over the academic year, the difference would be significant. The experimental students achieved significantly higher posttest vocabulary mean scores than students receiving their regular health instruction. Since there was no difference in mean scores by sex, it was concluded that the special prototype health-education curriculum in combination with the process used by the teachers appeared to have some impact on the experimental students' vocabulary mean scores. Since the total sample used in this study was small, there is a need for further studies with larger samples to further investigate the effects of the SHCP, as well as other prototype programs on the basic skill development of lower SES students.
Asymptotic approximations and bottleneck analysis in product form queueing networks with large populations

Abstract Asymptotic approximations are constructed for the performance measures of product form queueing networks consisting of single server, fixed rate nodes with large populations. The approximations are constructed by applying singular perturbation methods to the recursion equations of Mean Value Analysis. Networks with a single job class are studied first to illustrate the use of perturbation techniques. The leading term in the approximation is related to bottleneck analysis, but fails to be accurate if there is more than one bottleneck node. A uniform approximation is constructed which is valid for networks with many bottleneck nodes. The accuracy of the uniform approximation is demonstrated for both small and large population sizes. Next, multiclass networks are considered. The leading term in the asymptotic approximation is again related to bottleneck analysis but fails to be valid across “switching surfaces”. Across these the bottleneck nodes of the network change as a function of the fraction of jobs in the different job classes. A boundary layer correction is constructed near the switching surfaces which provides an asymptotic connection across the switching surfaces. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy of the results. We illustrate the asymptotic approach on some simple networks and indicate how to treat more complicated problems.