cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Workshop: eye gaze in intelligent human machine interaction

This workshop brought researchers from academia and industry together to share recent advances and discuss research directions and opportunities for next generation of intelligent human machine interaction that incorporate eye gaze.
Direct space vector modulated three level matrix converter

A new direct multi level matrix converter has been proposed in this paper. In comparison to the conventional matrix converter the proposed converter makes available the input phase voltages in addition to the line voltages at the converter output. This increased level comes at the cost of three additional bi-directional switches connecting output terminals to the filter capacitor neutral. Direct space vector modulation scheme, for synthesizing the required input current and the output voltage while balancing the input capacitor voltage, is presented. This converter offers reduced THD and lowered switching stress compared to conventional matrix converter. The effectiveness of the proposed converter has been verified by means of simulation and hardware experiments.
Some physiological and biochemical considerations of larval development in the American lobster, Homarus Americanus Milne Edwards☆

Abstract The weight-specific respiration rates of fed and starved lobsters and the ammonia excretion rates of fed lobsters increased with each larval stage (I through IV) and decreased with the first postlarval stage (V). The rate of change in metabolic rates was greater than the rate of change of body size of the larval stages, indicating an increased energy demand of the later larval stages. There was no significant difference in the O: N ratio for the first three larval stages but a reduction was observed in stage IV and V lobsters, reflecting an increased dependence on protein catabolism for energy. Protein was the principal biochemical constituent of all lobster stages. Significant decreases in lipid content and increases in ash and chitin content of the last larval (IV) and first postlarval (V) stages were detected.
Self-doubt, attributions, and the perceived implicit theories of others

Four studies explored whether perceived implicit theories (Dweck, Chiu, & Hong, 1995) of others have the potential to engender self-doubt and influence one's self-attributions. Study 1 showed that people are aware of the attributional implications of evaluators' implicit theories. Study 2 showed that people can use social cues to detect evaluators' implicit theories. In Study 3, participants who believed that significant others endorsed an entity theory of intelligence exhibited greater self-doubt and made attributions for their own outcomes that were more stable (for negative events) and global (for negative and positive events). Finally, in Study 4, a manipulation of evaluators' implicit theories interacted with performance expectations to predict self-doubt about an upcoming evaluative situation. Compared to their counterparts with incremental evaluators, participants with entity evaluators reported greater self-doubt when they expected to do poorly and less self-doubt when they expected to do well. Di...
Germline deletion of β2 microglobulin or CD1d reduces anti-phospholipid antibody, but increases autoantibodies against non-phospholipid antigens in the NZB/W F1 model of lupus

Introduction β2-microglobulin (β2m) is required for the surface expression of MHC class I and class I-like proteins such as CD1d, Qa1 and neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), all of which may impact the development of autoimmunity. Since CD1d is known to bind and present phospholipid antigens to T cells, we asked if the deficiency of β2m or CD1d will impact the development of anti-phospholipid antibodies as compared to other aspects of lupus autoimmunity.
The alpha-fetoprotein enhancer region activates the albumin and alpha-fetoprotein promoters during liver development.

The four members of the albumin gene family encode the serum transport proteins albumin, α-fetoprotein, α-albumin, and vitamin D-binding protein. These genes are transcribed primarily in the liver with each having a different pattern of developmental expression. The tight linkage of these genes, particularly that of albumin, α-fetoprotein and α-albumin, and their liver-specific expression, has led to the suggestion that these genes share common regulatory elements. To directly examine whether the α-fetoprotein enhancer region could regulate the albumin gene family, expression of these genes was monitored in mice in which this region was deleted by homologous recombination. Our data indicate that this enhancer region is required for α-fetoprotein and albumin activation early in liver development and α-fetoprotein reactivation during liver regeneration, but that albumin, α-albumin, and vitamin D-binding protein expression later in hepatic development is not affected by the absence of these enhancers. We also demonstrate that RNA polymerase II loading on the α-fetoprotein and albumin promoters is reduced in the absence of this enhancer region, indicating a direct role for these enhancers in the assembly of the RNA Polymerase II complex during liver development.
Ionic crystals in a linear Paul trap

We describe a configuration for a linear Paul rf ion trap. This trap can store a long string of ions with a small second-order Doppler shift, comparable to that achieved with a single ion in a quadrupole Paul trap. Crystallized strings of trapped ions, as well as more complicated structures, have been observed in the trap. We report an observation of the 40.5-GHz ground-state hyperfine interval of $^{199}\mathrm{Hg}^{+}$ by microwave-optical double-resonance spectroscopy and discuss prospects for a microwave frequency standard based on a trapped string of ions.
DNA sequence of the tryptophan synthase genes of Pseudomonas putida.

Abstract Genes encoding the 2 subunits of tryptophan synthase in Pseudomonas putida have been identified and cloned by their similarity to the corresponding genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The deduced amino acid sequences were confirmed by comparison with regions ascertained earlier by protein sequencing. The Pseudomonas amino acid sequences are 85% identical for the β subunit and 70% identical for the α subunit. These sequences are compared to those of Salmonella typhimurium, where the structure is known from X-ray crystallography. Although amino acid conservation drops to 54% and 36% for the β and α subunits, only 3 single residue gaps are required to maintain alignment throughout and most of the residues identified as important for catalysis or cofactor binding are conserved. The 23 residues surrounding the β chain lysine that enters into a Schiff base linkage with the pyridoxal phosphate cofactor are compared in 13 species, including representatives from the eukaryotic and both prokaryotic kingdoms; appreciable conservation is apparent. The approximately 100 base pairs separating the trp B gene from its divergently transcribed activator gene are similar in the 2 pseudomonads, but do not resemble those of any other bacterium or fungus studied to date.
Chemistry and immunochemistry of poisonous Anacardiaceae.

Abstract The sensitizing substances present in plants of the family Anacardiaceae are sometimes referred to as urushiols, a name of Japanese origin. It does not refer to a single substance but rather to a group of closely related substances. To quote from the 1883 paper of Yoshida, 1 "urushi is the milky secretion of Rhus vernicifera [currently known as Toxicodendron vernicifluum ], and is the material for the well-known Japanese lacquer-varnish. The pure and unaltered urushi is a thick greyish fluid of dextrinous consistency, which under the microscope is found to consist of minute globules… the whole being held mixed in the form of an intimate emulsion. If the juice be exposed to moist air in a thin layer at about 20 °, it rapidly darkens in color and dries up to a lustrous translucent varnish. It contains a small quantity of volatile poison, which acts terribly on some persons, producing very disagreeable itching. Urushi juice (lacquer) consists essentially of four substances, viz, urushic acid, gum, water, and a peculiar diastatic matter; and the phenomenon of drying is due to the oxidation of urushic acid into oxy-urushic acid which takes place by the aid of diastase in the presence of oxygen and moisture."
Simulating the Flows About Cargo Containers Used During Parachute Airdrop Operations

This paper presents results from a Navier-Stokes finite volume flow solver simulating the flowfields around a platform and cargo configuration representative of platforms used for military parachute airdrops. The platform and cargo configuration consists of a flat plate model with an aspect ratio (width/length) of 0.56, upon which a box representing cargo is placed. This combination is simulated in conditions approximating the fall of a container prior to, and after parachute deployment and inflation, including a full 360 ◦ angle of attack range at a Reynolds number of 2.94 ·10 6 (freestream velocity of 30ft/s). The static simulations approximate those cases where the tumbling of the container (mostly prior to parachute deployment) is slow enough to approximate near-steady state flow conditions. Results include lift, drag, and moment coefficients over the range of flow conditions, as well as pressure contours to help elucidate relevant flow physics around the pallet-cargo configuration. Results show the flow orientation (into the nose bumper or flat side first) significantly affects the drag and moment behavior, but not the lift coefficient. Lift curve slopes match well to previously published data on pallet and cargo geometries as well as flat plates with similar aspect ratios. Drag and moment coefficients were significantly different between flow orientations; drag coefficients exhibit asymmetry between positive and negative angles of attack while moment coefficients illustrate that flow into the nose bumper may be more stable during extraction but much less stable during steady descent.
An algorithm for voice and data integration on packet-switched local area networks

The single-cycle protocol for integrating voice and data transmission on local area networks is introduced. This protocol is capable of maintaining low average data delays while supporting a large number of simultaneous voice calls. It makes more efficient use of silence suppression than classical time-assignment speech interpolation (TASI). Simulation results are presented and the performance with respect to other voice/data networks is discussed. >
RNA structure refinement and force field evaluation using molecular dynamics simulations

In this study we investigated the structure of two similar RNA hairpins using molecular dynamics. Both structures were originally determined using solution NMR. Despite having a nearly identical base sequence, the published 3D structures have striking differences. To further understand these differences we used the AMBER suite of simulation software to perform a series of explicitly solvated simulations with the experimental structure restraints enforced. These simulations revealed incorrect restraints in one hairpin and a problematic nucleotide conformation in the other. Removal of the bad restraints and addition of a heating step to the structure refinement procedure yielded two high quality structural ensembles with very low pairwise RMSD to one another. Thus our restrained simulations suggest that these two RNA hairpins have quite similar 3D structures and the differences in the published structures are likely due to refinement problems. In addition to the structure refinement study, we were also interested in how the AMBER RNA force fields performed in unrestrained simulations. We found that non-canonical features, such as bulge and loop regions, were modeled very poorly. In some cases, pathological conformations dominated the entire simulation trajectory. The results of both the restrained and unrestrained simulations show that while the molecular dynamics environment is a powerful tool for structure refinement of RNA, unrestrained simulations must be treated with great caution until force field performance is improved.
Tropolone antagonism of the L-dopa-induced elevation of S-adenosylhomocysteine: S-adenosylmethionine ratio but not depletion of adrenaline in rat hypothalamus

Tropolone, an inhibitor of catechol O-methyl transferase, largely prevented the increase in SAH : SAMe ratio in rat hypothalamus following L-dopa injection. Tropolone did not prevent but instead enhanced the decrease produced by L-dopa of adrenaline concentration in rat hypothalamus. The results imply that the decrease in hypothalamic adrenaline concentration following L-dopa injection was not caused by the increase in SAH : SAMe ratio.
Escaping a microburst with turbulence

This paper compares three escape strategies for microburst encounters during final landing approach: altitude guidance, dive guidance, and pitch guidance. In the paper, two different approaches are used for comparison. 1) In a sample analysis approach, typical samples of the time histories of various variables are analyzed. 2) In a statistical approach, the probability distribution of the minimum altitude is estimated by the Monte Carlo method when the statistical properties of the microburst parameters are known. Both approaches suggest that, within the modeling assumptions of this paper, and in the absence of human factors, altitude and dive guidance with low commanded altitude may provide better safety than pitch guidance.
Induction accelerator development for heavy ion fusion

For approximately a decade, the Heavy Ion Fusion Accelerator Research (HIFAR) group at LBL has been exploring the use of induction accelerators with multiple beams as the driver for inertial fusion targets. Scaled experiments have investigated the transport of space charge dominated beams (SBTE), and the current amplification and transverse emittance control in induction linacs (MBE-4) with very encouraging results. In order to study many of the beam manipulations required by a driver and to further develop economically competitive technology, a proposal has been made in partnership with LLNL to build a 10 MeV accelerator and to conduct a series of experiments collectively called the Induction Linac System Experiments (ILSE). The major components critical to the ILSE accelerator are currently under development. We have constructed a full scale induction module and we have tested a number of amorphous magnetic materials developed by Allied Signal to establish an overall optimal design. The electric and magnetic quadrupoles critical to the transport and focusing of heavy ion beams are also under development. The hardware is intended to be economically competitive for a driver without sacrificing any of the physics or performance requirements. This paper will concentrate on the recent developments and tests of the major components required by the ILSE accelerator. >
On the information content of the thermal infrared cooling rate profile from satellite instrument measurements

This work investigates how remote sensing of the quantities required to calculate clear-sky cooling rate profiles propagates into cooling rate profile knowledge. The formulation of a cooling rate profile error budget is presented for clear-sky scenes given temperature, water vapor, and ozone profile uncertainty. Using linear propagation of error analysis, an expression for the cooling rate profile covariance matrix is given. Some of the features of the cooling rate covariance matrix are discussed, and it is found that nonzero error correlations in the temperature, water vapor, and ozone retrieval profiles must be considered to produce an unbiased estimate of cooling rate profile variance and the covariance structure. To that end, the exclusion of the details of this error correlation leads to an underestimation of the cooling rate profile uncertainty. This work then examines the assumptions made in the course of deriving the expression for the cooling rate covariance matrix by using ERA-40 Reanalysis data. It is established that the assumptions of linear error propagation and Gaussian statistics are generally tenable. Next, the information content of thermal infrared spectra with respect to clear-sky cooling rate profiles is investigated. Several formerly- and currently-operational spectrometers are compared with different spectral coverage, resolution, signal-to-noise ratio. Among these, IASI is found to have the ability to provide the greatest amount of information on the cooling rate profile. Also, it may be scientifically useful to develop far-infrared missions in terms of cooling rate profile analysis.
The Effect of Unit Gravity Sedimentation on Adrenal Steroidogenesis by Isolated Rat Glomerulosa and Fasciculata Cells

To assess the mechanisms by which regulatory factors control aldosterone secretion, a purified adrenal glomerulosa cell system, sensitive to physiological concentrations of agonists is of critical importance. We have evaluated the feasability of using a unit gravity sedimentation technique to achieve this objective. Although basal aldosterone and corticosterone levels fell to 20% and 35% of the values in unsedimented cells, respectively, adrenal glomerulosa cells purified by unit gravity sedimentation demonstrated the same threshold sensitivity to angiotensin II (2.4 × 10−10 m) and potassium (4.3 meq/liter) as unsedimented cells. In contrast, the threshold sensitivity of the sedimented cells to α-ACTH-(l–24) (3.5 × 10−11 m) was one tenth that observed in the unsedimented glomerulosa cells. Regardless of the method of preparation, fasciculata cells did not respond to either angiotensin II or potassium, while sensitivity to ACTH was established at 3.5 × 10−12 m, and the cells reached a maximum corticosteron...
Low temperature synthesis of silicon nanowire arrays

In this paper, we report the synthesis of silicon nanowire arrays using Ga cluster tip-led growth at temperatures lower than 200 °C using gentle plasma and chloro-silane gas phase chemistry. No nanowire growth is observed in the absence of plasma indicating that atomic hydrogen is essential for selective dissolution of silicon in to molten Ga. The growth kinetics analysis suggests that silicon dissolution from vapor phase occurs through dehydrogenation of silyl radicals through reaction with dissolved hydrogen in Ga. Also, the mode of silicon dissolution from the vapor phase in to molten Ga determines tip-led versus bulk nucleation and growth from molten Ga droplets, i.e., selective dissolution through vapor-molten Ga interface allows for tip-led growth and silicon dissolution through solid Si film-molten Ga interface leads to bulk nucleation and growth.
CONTEMPORARY LABOR AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE

This introduction to the special issue on “Contemporary Labor and Cultural Exchange” argues for the importance of the category of labor to the study of contemporary transnational literatures and cultures. Responding to dominant discourses on globalization as well as the debate about “world literature” within literary studies, the introduction suggests that increased attention to the routes of labor migration and cultural representations of exploited migrant labor offers a new, productive approach to the study of contemporary literature and culture. In contrast to the celebratory rhetoric of globalization which represents a “flat” and democratically interconnected world, the focus on labor migration brings to light the persistence of uneven development and exploitation, and the frequent isolation of migrant workers, even as the surplus value they generate plays a major role in the global economy. Written at a time when many U.S.-based universities are adopting the neoliberal practices of global corporations, the attention to labor in literary and cultural studies also places an emphasis on the material conditions of academic production and scholars' embeddedness in economic processes. An approach to transnational literature which follows the cartography of labor migration and uneven development could become a vital alternative to the “world literature” curriculum which tends to disregard economic inequality.
An Experimental Study of Simulated Web-Based Threats and Their Impact on Knowledge Communication Effectiveness

It is evolutionarily adaptive for humans to have enhanced memories of events surrounding surprise situations, because in our ancestral past surprise situations were often associated with survival threats. Vividly remembering memories immediately before and after a snake attack, for example, allowed our hominid ancestors to be better prepared to avoid and deal with future attacks, which in turn enhanced their chances of survival. This study shows that such enhanced memorization capacity likely endowed on us by evolution can be exploited for knowledge communication through computer interfaces. A knowledge communication experiment was conducted in which subjects were asked to review Web-based learning modules about International Commercial Terms (Incoterms), and then take a test on what they had learned. Data from six learning modules in two experimental conditions were contrasted. In the treatment condition, a Web-based screen with a snake picture in attack position, displayed together with a hissing background noise, was used to create a simulated threat that surprised the subjects. In the control condition the simulated threat was absent. As expected, based on the evolutionary psychological view that surprise can enhance learning, the subjects in the treatment condition (i.e., with the snake screen) did approximately 28% better than those in the control condition (i.e., without the snake screen) at learning about Incoterms. This improvement occurred only for the two Web-based modules immediately before and after the snake screen. Those two modules comprise what is referred to in this study as the surprise zone. There were no significant differences in learning performance between the two experimental conditions for modules outside the surprise zone.
Effects of graded levels of microbial phytase on the standardized total tract digestibility of phosphorus in corn and corn coproducts fed to pigs.

An experiment was conducted to de- termine the influence of adding graded levels of micro- bial phytase to corn, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), high-protein distillers dried grains (HP- DDG), and corn germ on the standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P. A second objective was to develop regression equations to predict the response of adding phytase to each of these ingredients. Four corn- based diets, 4 DDGS-based diets, 4 HP-DDG-based di- ets, and 4 corn germ-based diets were formulated. The 4 diets with each ingredient were formulated to contain 0, 500, 1,000, or 1,500 phytase units (FTU)/kg. A P- free diet was also formulated to determine basal endog- enous losses of P. A total of 102 pigs (initial BW: 18.2 ± 2.1 kg) were individually housed in metabolism cages equipped with a feeder, a nipple drinker, and a screen floor that allowed for total collection of feces. Pigs were allotted to the 17 diets in a randomized complete block design with 6 replicate pigs per diet. Pigs were fed their respective diets for 12 d, and feces were collected quan- titatively from d 6 to 11. Supplementation with 500, 1,000, or 1,500 FTU of microbial phytase/kg increased (linear, P < 0.01; quadratic, P < 0.05) the STTD of P in corn from 40.9 to 67.5, 64.5, and 74.9%, respec- tively, tended to increase (linear, P = 0.07) the STTD of P in DDGS from 76.9 to 82.9, 82.5, and 83.0%, re- spectively, increased (linear, P < 0.01; quadratic, P < 0.05) the STTD of P in HP-DDG from 77.1 to 88.0, 84.1, and 86.9%, respectively, and increased (linear and quadratic, P < 0.01) the STTD of P in corn germ from 40.7 to 59.0, 64.4, and 63.2%, respectively. Regression equations were developed to calculate the STTD of P in corn and corn germ, and R 2 values were 0.63 and 0.79, respectively. However, for DDGS and HP-DDG, the R 2 values were only 0.20 and 0.36, respectively, and these equations were, therefore, not considered adequate to predict the STTD of P. In conclusion, the increase in the STTD of P in corn and corn germ that is a result of microbial phytase can be predicted by regression equa- tions, but microbial phytase has much less of an effect on the STTD of P in DDGS and HP-DDG and re- sponses to addition of graded levels of phytase to these ingredients can, therefore, not be accurately predicted by regression equations.
Home-Based Walking Exercise in Peripheral Artery Disease: 12-Month Follow-up of the Goals Randomized Trial

Background We studied whether a 6-month group-mediated cognitive behavioral (GMCB) intervention for peripheral artery disease (PAD) participants, which promoted home-based walking exercise, improved 6-minute walk and other outcomes at 12-month follow-up, 6 months after completing the intervention, compared to a control group. Methods and Results We randomized PAD participants to a GMCB intervention or a control group. During phase I (months 1 to 6), the intervention used group support and self-regulatory skills during weekly on-site meetings to help participants adhere to home-based exercise. The control group received weekly on-site lectures on topics unrelated to exercise. Primary outcomes were measured at the end of phase I. During phase II (months 7 to 12), each group received telephone contact. Compared to controls, participants randomized to the intervention increased their 6-minute walk distance from baseline to 12-month follow-up, (from 355.4 to 381.9 m in the intervention versus 353.1 to 345.6 m in the control group; mean difference=+34.1 m; 95% confidence interval [CI]=+14.6, +53.5; P <0.001) and their Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) speed score (from 36.1 to 46.5 in the intervention group versus 34.9 to 36.5 in the control group; mean difference =+8.8; 95% CI=+1.6, +16.1; P =0.018). Change in the WIQ distance score was not different between the 2 groups at 12-month follow-up ( P =0.139). Conclusions A weekly on-site GMCB intervention that promoted home-based walking exercise intervention for people with PAD demonstrated continued benefit at 12-month follow-up, 6 months after the GMCB intervention was completed. Clinical Trial Registration URL: [ClinicalTrials.gov][1]. Unique identifier: [NCT00693940][2]. [1]: http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov [2]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT00693940&atom=%2Fahaoa%2F3%2F3%2Fe000711.atom
Functions Required for Extracellular Quinolone Signaling by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A set of 30 mutants exhibiting reduced production of the phenazine poison pyocyanin were isolated following transposon mutagenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. The mutants could be subdivided into those with defects in the primary phenazine biosynthetic pathway and those with more pleiotropic defects. The largest set of pleiotropic mutations blocked the production of the extracellular Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS), a molecule required for the synthesis of secondary metabolites and extracellular enzymes. Most of these pqs mutations affected genes which appear to encode PQS biosynthetic functions, although a transcriptional regulator and an apparent response effector were also represented. Two of the genes required for PQS synthesis (phnA and phnB) had previously been assumed to encode phenazine biosynthetic functions. The transcription of one of the genes required for PQS synthesis (PA2587/pqsH) was regulated by the LasI/R quorum-sensing system, thereby linking quorum sensing and PQS regulation. Others of the pleiotropic phenazine-minus mutations appear to inactivate novel components of the quorum-sensing regulatory network, including one regulator (np20) previously shown to be required for virulence in neutropenic mice.
Reliability of third molar probing measures and the systemic impact of third molar periodontal pathology.

Purpose This study examined the reliability of assessing clinical periodontal measures on third molars, and the association between oral inflammation with periodontal pathology including third molars, and systemic inflammation including negative obstetric outcomes. Patients and Methods Reliability of third molar probing depth (PD) was assessed for 41 patients by trained examiners. The data for the association between oral inflammation with periodontal pathology and systemic outcomes were derived from an IRB-approved study, “Oral Conditions and Pregnancy.” Full mouth periodontal exams including third molars were conducted at less than 24 weeks of pregnancy. Periodontal status, moderate/severe periodontal disease (15 or more sites PD ≥4 mm) was considered as a possible predictor of systemic inflammation and pre-term birth. The upper quartile of the extent of PD for third molars alone (PD ≥4 mm) also was considered as a possible exposure variable for the same outcomes. Chi-square and t tests were used to determine statistical significance (0.05). Significant predictor variables were included in multivariate models. Unconditional logistic multivariate models were used to derive odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Reliability of PD within 1 mm was excellent, and similar for third molars and non-third molars. Data from 1,020 obstetric patients were available for analysis. Eighteen percent of the patients delivered preterm, at less than 37 weeks. Having moderate/severe periodontal disease excluding third molars, was significantly associated with preterm birth ( P = .008). Results were more significant if third molars were included ( P = .0005). With multivariate models moderate/severe periodontal disease at enrollment including third molar PD, was associated with preterm birth (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1, 2.6). If only the extent of third molar PD was considered, odds also were increased for preterm birth (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1, 5.2). If only the extent of third molar PD was considered at enrollment, odds were increased for serum markers of systemic inflammation, elevated serum CRP, and oxidative stress, 8-isoPGF 2α . Conclusions Dental examiners could reliably assess clinical periodontal measures on third molars. Third molars should be included in studies of systemic outcomes associated with oral inflammation. Women of child-bearing age should be made aware of the systemic risks of oral inflammation with third molar periodontal pathology.
Soy Isoflavones and Osteoporotic Bone Loss: A Review with an Emphasis on Modulation of Bone Remodeling

Osteoporosis is an age-related disorder that affects both women and men, although estrogen deficiency induced by menopause accelerates bone loss in older women. As the demographic shifts to a more aged population, a growing number of men and women will be afflicted with osteoporosis. Since the current drug therapies available have multiple side effects, including increased risk of developing certain types of cancer or complications, a search for potential nonpharmacologic alternative therapies for osteoporosis is of prime interest. Soy isoflavones (SI) have demonstrated potential bone-specific effects in a number of studies. This article provides a systematic review of studies on osteoporotic bone loss in relation to SI intake from diet or supplements to comprehensively explain how SI affect the modulation of bone remodeling. Evidence from epidemiologic studies supports that dietary SI attenuate menopause-induced osteoporotic bone loss by decreasing bone resorption and stimulating bone formation. Other studies have also illustrated that bone site-specific trophic and synergistic effects combined with exercise intervention might contribute to improve the bioavailability of SI or strengthen the bone-specific effects. To date, however, the effects of dietary SI on osteoporotic bone loss remain inconclusive, and study results vary from study to study. The current review will discuss the potential factors that result in the conflicting outcomes of these studies, including dosages, intervention materials, study duration, race, and genetic differences. Further well-designed studies are needed to fully understand the underlying mechanism and evaluate the effects of SI on osteoporosis in humans.
Ultra-low thermal conductivity in graphene nanomesh

Abstract Graphene nanomesh (GNM), a new nanostructure of graphene, has attracted extensive interest recently due to the promising chemical, electronic and photonic applications. In this paper, another important property – thermal conductivity is systematically investigated by using molecular dynamics simulations. The thermal conductivity (κ) is found to be extremely low, up to more than 3 orders lower than the pristine single layer graphene. Roughly, κ decreases exponentially with increasing porosity and linearly with decreasing neck width, and is not temperature sensitive in the range of 300 K–700 K. κ of GNMs is found to be even up to 200-fold lower than the graphene nanoribbons (GNR), a potential thermoelectric material, of the same neck width and boundary-to-area ratio. The extremely low κ in the GNM makes it a potential candidate for thermoelectrics. The phonon participation spectra show that the low κ in GNM is due to the localization and phonon back scattering around the nanopores. We also find that the phonon coherence in two dimensional superlattice GNM indeed exists, but is not as important as in the one dimensional superlattices. The isotope effect is negligible. The thermal conductivity reduction by edge passivation increases with increasing neck width and porosity.
Optimum Diffraction-Corrected Frequency-Shift Estimator of the Ultrasonic Attenuation Coefficient

The ultrasonic attenuation coefficient is an important parameter that has been studied extensively in quantitative ultrasound and tissue characterization. There are various methods described in the literature which estimate this parameter by measuring either spectral difference (i.e., decay) or spectral shift of the backscattered echo signal. Under ideal conditions, i.e., in the absence of abrupt changes in tissue backscattering, spectral difference methods can produce estimates with high accuracy and precision. On the other hand, diffraction-corrected spectral shift methods (e.g., the hybrid method) are better suited for application in practical settings using clinical ultrasound scanners. However, current spectral shift methods use inefficient frequency-shift estimators that ultimately degrade the quality of attenuation coefficient estimates. In this paper, a probabilistic model of the backscattered radio frequency (RF) echo is used to derive the Cramer–Rao lower bound (CRLB) on estimation variance of the spectral centroid. Next, an efficient correlation-based shift estimator is presented, which achieves the CRLB. Used in conjunction with a well-characterized reference phantom to correct for diffraction and other system-related effects, this estimator greatly improves the accuracy and precision of spectral-shift attenuation estimation. A theoretical analysis of this method is provided, and its performance is quantitatively compared with that of the hybrid method using simulated and experimental phantom studies. A minimum of threefold reduction in the standard deviation of attenuation coefficient estimates is observed using the new method.
Utilization of microbially solubilized coal

The solubilization of low-ranked coals by fungi, such as Paecilomyces, in defined submerged culture systems has been demonstrated. Current efforts focus on the conversion of the aerobically-solubilized coal into less oxidized products. Anaerobic methanogenic consortia have been developed that can remain active and viable in the presence of the aqueous coal product or vanillin, a coal model compound. The results suggest that a methanogenic consortium was able to produce methane and carbon dioxide from the product of coal biosolubilization by Paecilomyces as a sole carbon source. Work continues on the development of cultures able to convert the aqueous coal product and its various fractions into methane or fuel alcohols.
The Church and Emigration in Late Victorian England

IVIany English churchmen living in the era of imperialist expan sion blessed massive emigration as simple obedience to the will of God. Yet a great migration entailed problems intimately related to the great religious questions of the time and the future of the Establishment in England. Anglican emigration might help strengthen the Church of England in faraway places, but would it weaken it at home? If a large emigration was inevitable, should the Church attempt to guide and protect those leaving? If it was not inevitable, should the Church encourage a greater exodus, and by what means? What was the relationship between urban crowding and disbelief, and should missions to the poor in English cities include emigration assistance among their ameliorating activities?
Gender Differences in Social Relationships and Mental Health Among Veterans Affairs Patients

ABSTRACTThis study explored gender differences in social relationships and associated symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among 6,449 Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care patients referred for a behavioral health assessment. Patients provided demographic information, information on social relationships, and mental health symptoms. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between gender, social relationships, and symptoms, and to test moderation by gender. Women reported more social interaction and negative social exchanges than men. No gender differences were obtained in perceived social support. Social functioning difficulties were associated with greater symptom severity. Gender did not moderate the strength of these associations. Findings highlight gender differences in experiences of social relationships.
Population Dynamics of the Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) at Rochester, Alberta

THE primary objectives of this paper are to describe the dynamics of a representative population of Red-tailed Hawks in central Alberta and to evaluate current population status and trend through a life equation. A number of studies of the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) have been carried out in the temperate latitudes of the United States. Fitch et al. (1946) discussed the behavior and food habits of a Red-tail population in the foothills of the California Sierra Mountains. Orians and Kuhlman (1956) and Hagar (1957) described breeding populations of Red-tailed Hawks and Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus) in Wisconsin and New York. Species composition and nesting success of raptor populations, including Red-tails, was studied in Michigan and Wyoming by Craighead and Craighead (1956). To our knowledge, no detailed investigation of Redtailed Hawk populations on their northern breeding range has been published. The influences of biocides and changing land use on populations of avian predators is causing increasing concern (International Council for Bird Preservation, [1964]; Hickey, 1969). To assess the effects of such environmental changes on populations, rates of reproduction and survival must be known from different segments of a species' range.
Commercial Route Research and Development for SGLT2 Inhibitor Candidate Ertugliflozin

A practical synthesis of SGLT2 inhibitor candidate ertugliflozin (1) has been developed for potential commercial application. The highly telescoped process involves only three intermediate isolations over a 12-step sequence. The dioxa-bicyclo[3.2.1]octane motif is prepared from commercially available 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-d-glucose, with nucleophilic hydroxymethylation of a 5-ketogluconamide intermediate as a key step. The aglycone moiety is introduced via aryl anion addition to a methylpiperazine amide. High chemical purity of the API is assured through isolation of the crystalline penultimate intermediate, tetraacetate 39. A cocrystalline complex of the amorphous solid 1 with l-pyroglutamic acid has been prepared in order to improve the physical properties for manufacture and to ensure robust API quality.
Design of Water and Electricity Metering System for Agricultural Irrigation Motor-Pumped Well

In order to improve the utilization efficiency of agricultural motor-pumped well water for irrigation and the traditional fee charging method to reduce the waste of water resources,agricultural irrigation motor-pumped well water and electricity metering system was designed through the division of three functional modules,including water management,water sales and water use,and using database technology,data transmission technology based on Internet and GPRS,non-contact IC card,radio frequency identification technology,to achieve a rational allocation of irrigation water,water and electricity metering.Also,specific solutions are given for the particularity of the target users and applications,both of the charging method and the level of agricultural water management are improved.
Design and application of automatic on- line flow monitoring device of electric wave flow meter

In recent years,the electric wave flow meter is widely used in flow monitoring because it cannot be influenced by water regime,sediment concentration and floaters. In this paper,the design scheme of a flow automatic on- line monitoring device of electric wave flow meter is introduced,including the realization process of hardware and software in the device. This monitoring device was used in flow monitoring of Neijiang Hydrological Station in Sichuan Province,the result showed that the device is reliable,which can improve the monitoring effect and reduce cost.
Cross‐Shelf Habitat Occupancy Probabilities for Juvenile Groupers in the Florida Keys Coral Reef Ecosystem

AbstractIn the Florida Keys coral reef ecosystem, delineation of reef fish distributions in relationship to habitat patterns is important for improving the design characteristics of fishery-independent surveys. Efficient survey design depends on analysis of fish distribution patterns to inform and improve the precision of future surveys. We used a diver visual survey to quantify occupancy patterns of preexploitation-size Black Grouper Mycteroperca bonaci and Red Grouper Epinephelus morio. The survey was based on a stratified random sampling design with strata reflecting cross-shelf coral reef habitat types. A multiple spatial scale modeling approach confirmed a cross-shelf occurrence gradient for Red Grouper, with higher nearer-to-shore occupancy probability and lower offshore occupancy probability. Black Grouper occurrence followed a latitudinal gradient, with higher occurrence probabilities in the lower Florida Keys than in the upper Keys. Local habitat characteristics measured within reef strata sugges...
Perforating pilomatricoma: a case report.

Observation chez une femme de 60 ans presentant un psoriasis. Elle consulte pour l'apparition d'un nodule ferme, erythemateux de la levre. Diagnostic anatomopathologique. Traitement par curetage et electrocoagulation
Evaluating the Systems Engineering Problem Management Process for Industrial Manufacturing Problems

Problems are ever-present in nearly all engineered systems. A Systems Engineering Problem Management Process SEPMP has been proposed, and this research presents empirical evidence to support its validity. In order to evaluate the SEPMP, which uses a risk management style matrix to monitor problem timeliness and impact, it is necessary to determine the importance of communicating these components of the SEPMP model. A correlation and regression analysis is employed using existing empirical problem data and an analysis including communication of impact and timeliness components as independent variables. The dependent variable is the effectiveness of problem management, modeled as a measurement of the problem timeliness, implemented process improvements, training completed, and process delay as a result of the problem. Communication of timeliness and communication of impact are demonstrated to be significantly predictive of effective problem management. Finally, a plan for continued research is presented, including suggested future analyses to include additional empirical research and case studies of the implementation of a comprehensive problem management process, all of which may encourage acceptance of the SEPMP as a standard systems engineering tool.
WE‐AB‐BRA‐04: Investigation of MRI Derived Thermal Dose Models

Purpose: To develop and investigate a novel thermal dose model methodology using MR temperature imaging (MRTI) and post-treatment MRI changes as a surrogate of tissue damage in clinical laser ablation of the brain. Methods: Post-treatment contrast enhanced T1-weighted images were registered to MRTI acquired during two MR-guided thermal ablation procedures. The non-enhancing central region and hyperintense ring of vascular disruption characteristic of the thermal lesion were segmented manually and resampled into the 2D geometry of the MRTI. Regions immediately inside and outside the ring were classified as nonviable and viable tissue, respectively (N=1860). Logistic regression was performed on these classifications using thermal dose (Ω) calculated via four Arrhenius dose models from the literature (Henriques (H), Weaver & Stoll (WS), Diller & Klutke (DK), and Brown (B)). The optimal (O) Arrhenius dose model was found by iteratively changing the parameters of the Arrhenius model, Ea and A, until logistic model deviance was minimized. Results: Deviance of the Henriques model was closest to the optimized model (360 (H), 630 (WS), 438 (DK), 803(B), 330(O)). The thermal dose required to achieve a 90% probability of nonviability was 1.4 (H), 2.65 (WS), 1.8 (D), 4.5 (B), 1.1 (O) for each model. Agreement between the area of >90% nonviability between each model and the optimal model was 0.97 (H), 0.89(WS), 0.94(DK), and 0.88(B) using the Dice Similarity Coefficient. Conclusion: A methodology for deriving new thermal dose models from clinically used surrogates of tissue damage has been developed and tested. The logistic model suggests that the common dose threshold of Ω=1 may overestimate tissue damage. Good agreement is observed between the nonviable regions predicted by the optimized model and literature models. However, agreement between models is expected to decrease for longer ablation procedures designed to create larger thermal lesions and is an opportunity for further study.
Helicopter Scene Response for Stroke Patients: A 5-Year Experience

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of an emergency medical service (EMS)-requested air medical helicopter response directly to the scene for a patient with clinical evidence of an ischemic cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and transport to a regional comprehensive CVA center. Methods CareFlight, an air medical critical care transportation service, is based in Dayton, OH. The 3 CareFlight helicopters are geographically located and provided transport to all CVA scene patients in this study. A retrospective chart review was completed for all CareFlight CVA scene flights for 5 years (2011-2015). A total of 136 adult patients were transported. EMS criteria included CVA symptom presence for less than 3 hours or awoke abnormal, nonhypoglycemia, and a significantly positive Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale. Results The majority of patients (75%) met all 3 EMS CVA scene criteria; 27.5% of these patients received peripheral tissue plasminogen activator, and 9.8% underwent a neurointerventional procedure. Conclusion Using a 3-step EMS triage for acute CVA, air medical transport from the scene to a comprehensive stroke center allowed for the timely administration of tissue plasminogen activator and/or a neurointerventional procedure in a substantive percentage of patients. Further investigation into air medical scene response for acute stroke is warranted.