cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Corpus-based static branch prediction

Correctly predicting the direction that branches will take is increasingly important in today's wide-issue computer architectures. The name program-based branch prediction is given to static branch prediction techniques that base their prediction on a program's structure. In this paper, we investigate a new approach to program-based branch prediction that uses a body of existing programs to predict the branch behavior in a new program. We call this approach to program-based branch prediction, evidence-based static prediction, or ESP. The main idea of ESP is that the behavior of a corpus of programs can be used to infer the behavior of new programs. In this paper, we use a neural network to map static features associated with each branch to the probability that the branch will be taken. ESP shows significant advantages over other prediction mechanisms. Specifically, it is a program-based technique, it is effective across a range of programming languages and programming styles, and it does not rely on the use of expert-defined heuristics. In this paper, we describe the application of ESP to the problem of branch prediction and compare our results to existing program-based branch predictors. We also investigate the applicability of ESP across computer architectures, programming languages, compilers, and run-time systems. Averaging over a body of 43 C and Fortran programs, ESP branch prediction results in a miss rate of 20%, as compared with the 25% miss rate obtained using the best existing program-based heuristics.
Internet studios: design studios online among seven schools of architecture in the United States and Latin America

This paper analyzes the pedagogical use of high-end computer graphics, and of low- and high-bandwidth Internet technology for international architectural education between numerous universities in the Americas. The findings can be applied to any discipline that consists of a large number of participants within a design setting. The experiments, during the past two years, have allowed design studios from seven schools of architecture to work concurrently in a semester long design studio located in Miami, Buenos Aires, Caracas, Santiago de Chile, Valparaiso, Mar del Plata and Santa Fe de Argentina, with more than 130 students and 20 professors. The majority of the collaboration has been accomplished by using low-bandwidth Internet communication such as Web publishing, Chat, Web3D, RealPlayer, IP videoconferencing, CAD software, and other technologies such as ISDN broadcasting. New grants, obtained from Global Crossing, Cisco, and Lucent Technologies, from the Ampath project at FIU, Miami, support future experimentation with high-bandwidth technologies on the Internet 2 Abilene Network.
On the problem of finding all maximum weight independent sets in interval and circular-arc graphs

J.Y.-T. Leung (J. Algorithms, no.5, (1984)) presented algorithms for generating all the maximal independent sets in interval graphs and circular-arc graphs. The algorithms take O(n/sup 2/+ beta ) steps, where beta is the sum of the number of nodes in all maximal independent sets. The authors use a new technique to give fast and efficient algorithms for finding all the maximum weight independent sets in interval graphs and circular-arc graphs. The algorithms take O(max(n/sup 2/, beta )) steps in O(n/sup 2/) space, where beta is the sum of the number of nodes in all maximum weight independent sets. The algorithms can be directly applied for finding a maximum weight independent set in these graphs in O(n/sup 2/) steps. Thus, the result is an improvement over the best known result of O(n/sup 2/ log n) for finding the maximum weight independent set in circular-arc graphs. >
A thoracic surgery clinic dedicated to indeterminate pulmonary nodules: Too many scans and too little pathology?

Objective Widespread application of computed tomographic scans has increased detection of asymptomatic pulmonary nodules. A dedicated clinic was established to encourage referral and manage large numbers of patients with such nodules. Methods Patients were evaluated periodically by a nurse practitioner with surgeon oversight, and follow-up imaging was centralized. Patients were rescanned at intervals on the basis of radiologist recommendation. Results A total of 414 patients, 189 male and 225 female with a median age of 60.2 years (20.7–84.1 years), were evaluated since April 2000. Median follow-up was 1.51 years (0–6.65 years). Thirty-seven percent (153/414) were older than 60 years with at least 10 pack-years of tobacco use, whereas 30% (123/414) had never smoked. A total of 286 patients completed at least 2 years of follow-up computed tomographic evaluation. After 2 years, 24.2% (69/286) were deemed in stable condition and were discharged from further follow-up, whereas 22.4% (64/286) of patients were followed up longer than 2 years owing to the development of new nodules. Forty-five percent (127/286) of patients did not complete their recommended follow-up at our clinic. Overall, 3% (13/414) of our patients have been shown to have a malignant tumor. Only 5 patients underwent curative resection of a primary lung cancer. Conclusion In a population of patients with indeterminate nodules in routine clinical practice, few patients required intervention and few cancers were detected. Although the benefits of a "nodule" clinic may include patient reassurance and convenience to referring physicians, a significant number of patients did not complete their follow-up in our clinic.
Surface and interfacial FTIR spectroscopic studies of latexes. IV. The effect of surfactant structure on the copolymer–surfactant interactions

The interactions between sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) and the components of an ethyl acrylate/methacrylic acid (EA/MAA) copolymer latex were examined and the influences of using D2O as the synthetic suspension medium were investigated. Whereas it is found that D2O has no detectable influence on the fully coalesced latex films, the film coalescence conditions are shown to significantly affect the nature of surfactant interactions within the film matrix. When films are prepared and stored under controllable low atmospheric water-vapor concentrations, hydrogen-bonding interactions between the surfactant SO3−Na+ groups and the copolymer acid functionality dominate. However, coalescence and storage of the films under higher relative humidity conditions results in a displacement of these interactions in favor of the hydrated form of the surfactant. It is also shown that the presence of an aromatic ring adjacent to the surfactant sulfonate group exerts an influence on the nature of the SO3− ··· HOOC interactions within the copolymer matrix. Relative to sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (SDOSS), the aromatic group near hydrophilic end of SDBS increases the strength of the SO bond in the presence of acid interactions. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Oral Vaccination of BALB/c Mice with Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Expressing Pseudomonas aeruginosa O Antigen Promotes Increased Survival in an Acute Fatal Pneumonia Model

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of nosocomial pneumonia. We compared the efficacies of oral and intraperitoneal (i.p.) vaccinations of BALB/c mice with attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium SL3261 expressing P. aeruginosa serogroup O11 O antigen to protect against P. aeruginosa infection in an acute fatal pneumonia model. Oral and i.p. vaccines elicited O11-specific serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, but IgA was observed only after oral immunization. Challenge of orally vaccinated mice with an O11 strain (9882-80) at 6 and 12 times the 50% lethal dose showed increased survival in mice that received the vaccine compared to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)- and vector-treated controls; no difference in survival was seen with a heterologous strain, 6294 (serogroup O6). In addition, significant protection against 9882-80 was not observed in i.p. vaccinated animals. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid taken from immunized mice harbored O11-specific IgA and IgG in orally immunized mice but only modest levels of IgG in i.p. vaccinated mice. To correlate protection, opsonophagocytosis assays were performed with pooled sera from orally immunized animals. Efficient killing of five O11 clinical isolates was observed, while no killing was noted with 6294, indicating that the recombinant SL3261 oral vaccine induces an O11-specific reaction. We next determined the ability of orally vaccinated animals to clear bacteria from their lungs. Following P. aeruginosa challenge, the numbers of viable bacteria were significantly fewer in orally vaccinated animals than in PBS- and vector-treated controls. Our results suggest that oral immunization with recombinant SL3261 is efficacious in protection against pneumonia caused by P. aeruginosa.
Chemically Functionalized Clay-Epoxy Nanocomposites: Vernonia Oil-based Surfactant

Reactive surfactant C19 hydroxyl amine hydrochloride and octadecyl amine hydrochloride are used to functionalize Na clay. The resultant clay is used to formulate an epoxy nanocomposite by the reactive diluent approach. The clay platelet morphology in the nanocomposites is characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy. Addition of a comonomer glycidyl methacrylate and high-intensity ultrasonic mixing produces an epoxy nanocomposite with improved degree of clay platelet exfoliation. At an organoclay loading of only 3.5 wt%, the modulus improved by 25% in a partially reactive organoclay epoxy system, while the modulus improved by 15% in nonreactive organoclay epoxy system compared to that of epoxy resin.
A field theoretic foundation for the representation of quality factor in terms of reactance-slope parameters for electrically large three-dimensional arbitrarily shaped resonators

The use of reactance-slope parameters for the design of RF and microwave filters was drawn from lumped-element circuit representations. This paper provides a field-theoretic foundation for reactance-slope parameters based upon the treatment of arbitrarily shaped electrically large resonators comprised of electric and magnetic conducting enclosures. Traditional representations for these parameters in terms of the reactance for series-connected network elements and susceptance for parallel-connected network elements are related to electromagnetic fields. The resulting generalized expressions for reactance-slope parameters with utility for evaluating quality (Q) factor are developed for both electric and magnetic conducting resonators using strictly surface electromagnetic fields and sources. The generalized expressions are used to evaluate the unloaded Q for TE/sub 101/-mode rectangular resonators comprised of silver, copper, aluminum, and brass based upon two different standard rectangular waveguides with enclosed ends. Q results are also presented for TM/sub 011/-mode circular cylindrical resonators comprised of the same conducting materials. Results from the method here are compared to well-established results published in the literature. These expressions are useful for either analytically or numerically evaluating the reactance-slope parameter and Q factor.
Simultaneous Variation of the Immunodominant Outer Membrane Proteins, MSP2 and MSP3, during Anaplasma marginale Persistence In Vivo

Vector-borne bacterial pathogens persist in the mammalian host by varying surface antigens to evade the existing immune response. To test whether the model of surface coat switching and immune evasion can be extended to a vector-borne bacterial pathogen with multiple immunodominant surface proteins, we examined Anaplasma marginale, a rickettsia with two highly immunogenic outer membrane proteins, major surface protein 2 (MSP2) and MSP3. The simultaneous clearance of variants of the two most immunodominant surface proteins of A. marginale followed by emergence of unique variants indicates that the switch rates and immune selection for MSP2 and MSP3 are sufficiently similar to explain the cyclic bacteremia observed during infection in the immunocompetent host.
From Door to Recovery: A Collaborative Approach to the Development of a Post–Cardiac Arrest Center

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest remains common and, despite advances in resuscitation practices, continues to carry a high mortality that may be influenced by several factors, including where a patient is cared for after the cardiac arrest. Implementing a post-cardiac arrest care guideline for survivors of out-of-hospital and in-hospital cardiac arrest involves a multidisciplinary approach with short-term and long-term strategies. Physician and nursing leaders must work in synergy to guide the implementation of an evidence-based plan of care. A collaborative approach was used at a hospital to develop processes, build consensus for protocols, and provide support to staff and teams. A joint approach has allowed the hospital to move from traditional silos of individual departmental care to a continuum of patient-focused management after cardiac arrest. This care coordination is initiated in the emergency department and follows the patient through to discharge.
The impact of concurrent and treated Ancylostoma ceylanicum hookworm infections on the immunogenicity of a recombinant hookworm vaccine in hamsters.

1,a Background. The effect of concurrent (active) and treated hookworm infections on the immunogenicity of vaccination with the recombinant fusion protein Ay-Ancylostoma-secreted protein 2 was analyzed in the Golden Syrian hamster. Methods. Hamsters were infected with the hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum and vaccinated with the re- combinant protein, with Quil A used as adjuvant. As controls, hookworm-infected hamsters were treated with the anthelmintic drug pyrantel pamoate before vaccination. Naive hamsters (i.e., those with neither previous hookworm infections nor treatment) were also vaccinated. Results. The proliferation capacities of carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester-positive lymphocytes from the hookworm-infected vaccinated group were reduced by 50% relative to the capacities of lymphocytes from uninfected or treated vaccinated hamsters; capacities were comparable to the rates observed in lymphocytes from the hamsters vaccinated with the adjuvant alone. Immunoglobulin G1 antibody responses were also reduced in the actively infected, untreated hamsters, and interferon-g and interleukin-4 cytokine mRNAs were down- regulated. Conversely, interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor-a mRNAs were up-regulated in those hamsters. Conclusions. These results suggest that hookworm infections have an immunomodulatory effect by impairing the immune response to an exogenous antigen during infection. The hookworm-associated immunodepression may have important implications for design of clinical trials of human vaccines and vaccination strategies. Human hookworm infection is a leading cause of iron- deficiency anemia and malnutrition, with an estimated 740 million cases in the tropical developing world (1). The current major approach to controlling soil-trans- mitted helminth infections, including hookworms, has
On estimating the large entries of a convolution

We give a Monte Carlo algorithm that computes an unbiased estimate of the convolution of two vectors. The variance of our estimate is small for entries of the convolution that are large; this corresponds to the situation in which convolution is used in pattern matching or template matching, where one is only interested in the largest entries of the resulting convolution vector. Experiments performed with our algorithm confirm the theory and suggest that, in contexts where one cares about only the large entries in the convolution, the algorithm can be a faster alternative to performing an FFT-based convolution.
Identification of gate electrode discontinuities in submicron CMOS technologies, and effect on circuit performance

An experiment to determine the effect of gate electrode resistivity on circuit speed gave unexpected results: circuits with the lowest sheet resistance had the poorest circuit speed. Explanation of this behaviour required development of a new high-frequency method of measuring the impedance of the gate electrode. This method revealed that the circuits with a composite gate electrode had been formed with a partial discontinuity. The measurement technique is described, and the evidence of the discontinuity is shown. The effect of the discontinuity on device and circuit speed is demonstrated.
Photosynthetic response of two submersed macrophytes to dissolved inorganic carbon concentration and pH1

The photosynthetic responses of Myriophyllum spicatum and Vallisneria americana to total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentration (pH 8.0; 25°C; saturating light) indicate that both species are sensitive to changes in DIC concentrations at natural lake levels, and that M. spicatum has a somewhat lower half-saturation constant than V. americana for that relationship. This difference is probably not ecologically significant. Carbon uptake rates of V. americana decline by 61% from pH 7 to 8, but change little from pH 8 to 9, whereas those of M. spicatum decline by 35% from pH 7 to 8 and by a further 58% from pH 8 to 9. These decreases do not parallel the corresponding decline in free CO, availability over this pH range. Carbon compensation points expressed as total DIC, free COz, or the atmospheric CO2 concentration in equilibrium with the corresponding free CO2 level are strongly pH-dependent and do not differ substantially between M. spicatum and V. americana.
Linking Calsequestrin to Lumenal Control of SR Ca2+ Release

See related article, pages 617–626 The heart, beating constantly over the course of the human lifetime, operates continuously through the process of excitation-contraction coupling. Initiated by a depolarizing influx of Na, a small Ca2+ flux across the sarcolemma causes a large release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Release of this Ca2+ takes place via the ryanodine receptor (RyR), a Ca2+ channel within the SR membrane which is gated by cytoplasmic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i).1 This gating takes place to a small but significant extent even at the relatively low [Ca2+]i found during diastole within the myocyte (SR Ca2+ leak). Among the striking features of this SR Ca2+ release is its steep nonlinear dependence on the total concentration of Ca2+ found in the lumen of the SR ([Ca2+]SRT). The degree of release at diastolic [Ca2+]i is very low when the [Ca2+]SRT is approximately 50% of the level usually found in an isolated cardiac myocyte.2 However, it increases dramatically as [Ca2+]SRT increases toward its normal level. Of special interest is the effect of SR [Ca2+] on the SR Ca2+ leak through the RyR. In the cardiac ventricular myocyte, this leak takes place just under the sarcolemmal membrane, the location of many proteins whose effects are regulated by Ca2+. The magnitude of SR Ca2+ leak may alter the activity of these proteins. Among the candidate proteins which may be affected by the subsarocolemmal Ca2+ is the sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX). This may be particularly relevant in cells from hearts undergoing chronic failure because the myocytes from these heart have a higher leak rate than normal.2 These …
Fixed size array architectures for computing arithmetic Fourier transform

The authors propose modular and area efficient VLSI architectures for computing the arithmetic Fourier transform (AFT). The proposed design uses 2p+1 PEs and external memory of size O(N) to compute 2N+1 Fourier coefficients, 1 >
Intersections of Race and Sexuality in a Teacher Education Course.

This paper examines the ways that one group of US pre‐service teachers, enrolled in an alternate route teacher education class, expressed and challenged each other’s contradictory discourses about teaching for social justice. Particularly significant are the many ways that this group of students enacted subject positions around race and sexuality as various combinations of African American, White, gay, straight, lesbian, Christian, and as members of this class. Epiphanic moments about race and sexual orientation are examined to illuminate the ways that subject positions were contested, reified, or renegotiated in order to preserve a sense of community within the class. This research demonstrates the ways that social justice teacher education differentially positions people who have been historically marginalized and how it can at times reify a hierarchy of marginality.
Probing re-ionization with quasar spectra: the impact of the intrinsic Lyman α emission line shape uncertainty

Arguably the best hope of understanding the tail end of the re-ionization of the intergalactic medium (IGM) at redshift z > 6 is through the detection and characterization of the Gunn-Peterson damping wing absorption of the IGM in bright quasar spectra. However, the use of quasar spectra to measure the IGM damping wing requires a model of the quasar's intrinsic Lyman α emission line. Here we quantify the uncertainties in the intrinsic line shapes, and how those uncertainties affect the determination of the IGM neutral fraction. We have assembled a catalogue of high-resolution Hubble Space Telescope spectra of the emission lines of unobscured low-redshift quasars, and have characterized the variance in the shapes of their lines. We then add simulated absorption from the high-redshift IGM to these quasar spectra in order to determine the corresponding uncertainties in re-ionization constraints using current and future samples of z > 6 quasar spectra. We find that, if the redshift of the Lyman α emission line is presumed to coincide with the systemic redshift determined from metal lines, the inferred IGM neutral fraction is systematically biased to low values due to a systematic blueshift of the Lyman α line relative to the metal lines. If a similar blueshift persists in quasars at z > 6, this bias strengthens previous claims of a significant neutral hydrogen fraction at z ≈ 6. The bias can be reduced by including a Lyman α blueshift in the modelling procedure, or by excising wavelengths near the Lyman α line centre from the modelling. Intrinsic Lyman α line shape variations still induce significant scatter in the inferred x IGM values. Nevertheless, this scatter still allows a robust distinction between a highly ionized (x IGM ∼ 10 ―3 ) and a neutral (x IGM = 1) IGM with even a few bright quasars. We conclude that if the variations of the intrinsic Lyman α emission line shapes in high-z quasars are similar to those at low-z, this variation will not limit the usefulness of quasar spectra in probing re-ionization.
Characterization of immune alterations induced by a conditioned aversive stimulus

In this study, we investigated the immune alterations induced in rats by an aversive conditioned stimulus that had been developed through pairings with electric shock. The results showed that the conditioned stimulus induced a pronounced suppression of the mitogenic responsiveness of splenic and blood lymphocytes and a reduction in splenic natural killer cell activity. In contrast, the conditioned stimulus did not induce any alteration in the mitogenic responsiveness of lymphocytes from the mesenteric lymph nodes. The reduction in the mitogenic responsiveness of splenic lymphocytes was not related to a reduction in the level of interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, as splenic lymphocytes from subjects exposed to the conditioned stimulus showed normal levels of IL-2. Plasma corticosterone measurements showed that glucocorticoid secretion was related to the alteration of the mitogenic responsiveness of blood lymphocytes. However, plasma corticosterone levels were not related to any of the other immune measures. These findings establish that a signal for an aversive event can have a pronounced effect on immune function, but that such an effect is dependent on the particular compartment of the immune system studied. These results support the claim that glucocorticoids can induce immune alterations, but they suggest that additional pathways must be involved in the immune alterations induced by a conditioned aversive stimulus.
Ligament Tissue Engineering Using a Novel Porous Polycaprolactone Fumarate Scaffold and Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Grown in Platelet Lysate.

Purpose: Surgical reconstruction of intra-articular ligament injuries is hampered by the poor regenerative potential of the tissue. We hypothesized that a novel composite polymer “neoligament” seeded with progenitor cells and growth factors would be effective in regenerating native ligamentous tissue. Methods: We synthesized a fumarate-derivative of polycaprolactone fumarate (PCLF) to create macro-porous scaffolds to allow cell–cell communication and nutrient flow. Clinical grade human adipose tissue-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) were cultured in 5% human platelet lysate (PL) and seeded on scaffolds using a dynamic bioreactor. Cell growth, viability, and differentiation were examined using metabolic assays and immunostaining for ligament-related markers (e.g., glycosaminoglycans [GAGs], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], collagens, and tenascin-C). Results: AMSCs seeded on three-dimensional (3D) PCLF scaffolds remain viable for at least 2 weeks with proliferating cells filling the pores. AMSC prol...
Self-pulsing in Erbium-doped fiber laser

We report the study of self-pulsing behavior in erbium-doped fiber laser due to the ion-pair formation and scattered feedback. We observed the high doping concentration of the laser to be the main cause of the pulsing phenomenon. We also demonstrate that the self pulsing can be suppressed by resonance pumping.
Plasma arginine, citrulline, and ornithine kinetics in adults, with observations on nitric oxide synthesis

The plasma fluxes of ornithine (Orn), arginine (Arg), and citrulline (Cit) and rate of conversion of labeled ornithine-to-citrulline (QOrn-->Cit) were estimated in six healthy adult men receiving an arginine-rich or arginine-free L-amino acid-based diet, each for 6 days. On day 7 an 8-h (3-h fast, 5-h fed) primed continuous intravenous infusion of L-[guanido-15N,15N] arginine, L-[ureido-13C]citrulline, L-[5,5,2H2]ornithine, and L-[5,5,5-2H3]leucine was conducted. Mean citrulline fluxes (mumol.kg-1.h-1) were 10.4-13.6 for the various conditions and/or diets and remained unchanged (P > 0.05). Arginine flux was lowered (P Cit declined by 30% (P < .05) during the fed arginine-free period. Short-term restriction in the dietary supply of arginine did not alter the rate of whole body nitric oxide synthesis. One subject showed a very high output of nitrate on arginine-free diet (6 times average for remaining subjects).
Titanium Precision Forgings

Alcoa, in conjunction with IIT Research Institute and the Air Force Materials Laboratory, has taken bold steps forward in developing precision titanium forgings in alloys Ti-6A1-4V and Ti-6A1-6V-2Sn using isothermal forging techniques. The process employs die materials capable of operating at 1600–1750°F, the same temperatures as the titanium stock. Superalloy nickel-base die materials are necessary to withstand these high temperatures. The casting and machining of these expensive superalloy die materials has been developed from several small dies weighing less than 200–300 pounds to very large dies in the 4000–8000-pound range. Forging tolerances and size capabilities of the isothermal forging process are still being developed. This information should be available on parts having 15–20 sq.in. to 300–400 sq.in. plan area parts by the end of 1972. Cost effectiveness of the isothermal forging process to produce precision titanium forgings has been studied and forgings in the 200–600 sq.in. plan area range appear to be the most cost effective.
LIFE HISTORIES OF FOUR SPECIES OF SCORPION IN THREE FAMILIES (BUTHIDAE, DIPLOCENTRIDAE, VAEJOVIDAE) FROM ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO

Although scorpions are common and potentially ecologically important members of arid ecosystems throughout the world, basic life history information is lacking for most species. In the current study I examined reproductive investment patterns in four species of scorpion (Centruroides exilicauda, Vaejovis spinigerus, Diplocentrus peloncillensis,and Pseudouroctonus apacheanus ) from southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico during 1996-1998. Vaejovis spinigerus invested more in repro- duction, in both absolute (total litter mass, TLM) and relative (TLM divided by female mass) terms, than did the other species, and produced the largest litters. Offspring of D. peloncillensis were the largest, weighing over twice as much as the next largest juveniles. Female size was uncorrelated with offspring size in any species, but positive correlations were found between female size and both litter size and total litter mass for C. exilicauda (marginally significant) andV. spinigerus (after removal of an outlier). Greater reproductive investment, measured as TLM, was used to make more offspring (in all species but P. apacheanus) but not larger offspring. A marginally significant trade-off between offspring size and number was found in V. spinigerus; there was no size-number trade-off in the other three species. Overall, then, my results suggest that (1) larger females do not produce larger offspring, (2) larger females may produce more offspring and invest more into a reproductive bout, and (3) the allocation strategy of these species appears to be to invest reproductive resources into production of as many offspring as possible of a relatively fixed size.
Understanding the Dispersion Mechanisms of Nanosilica in Ultra High Performance Concrete

One of the current challenges to nanoengineering cementitious composite materials is obtaining proper dispersion of nano-sized particles in the cementitious composite matrix. Proper dispersion of particles can lead to improved particle packing density, a key parameter in improving the mechanical, chemical, and sustainable properties of the cementitious composite. Current advances in optimizing particle packing density have led to the development of higher strength, higher durable cementitious composite materials, such as ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). Further advancement of UHPC can be achieved by the addition of properly dispersed nano-sized particles which will assist in broadening the particle size distribution for further optimization of the particle packing density. Among the vast variety of potential nano-particles, nanosilica is the most studied to date. Nanosilica has been shown to improve macroscopic properties such as mechanical strength, durability, and chemical resistivity of cementitious materials. However, as the average particle diameter size decreases the water demand increases and challenges a balanced mix design. More fundamental work needs to be done in order to understand how nanosilica disperses inside the hydrating matrix. Our research investigations will focus on the interfacial interactions between nanosilica and the hydration products, the ions of the pore solution, and the polymers of admixtures.
Modified Solutions for Decreasing Discharge Wells

Several modified solutions are proposed for the problem of nonsteady flow to a well of decreasing discharge that completely penetrates an extensive artesian aquifer. The solutions reduce the computations required in using a general solution previously developed. A particular modified solution depends on the magnitude of the discharge and aquifer characteristics. In general, the analytical solutions for nonsteady confined flow to a well available for determination of aquifer characteristics or drawdown assume that the discharge of the well is essentially constant over the period of pumping; and yet, in many cases, some change does take place. This is particularly true during short-term pumping tests. Neither the Theis or Jacob methods nor the proposed solutions for nonsteady flow were very satisfactory when applied to a field test cited as an example.
Modeling, Fabrication, and Characterization of Oleophobic/Oleophilic Surfaces

Oleophobic surfaces have the potential for self-cleaning and antifouling from biological and organic contaminants both in air and underwater applications. A model surface for superoleophobicity and self-cleaning is provided by sea animals such as fish and sharks, which are known to be well protected from contamination by oil pollution although they are wetted by water (Bhushan, 2009). Fish scales have a hierarchical structure consisting of sector-like scales with diameters of 4–5 mm covered by papillae 100–300 μm in length and 30–40 μm in width (Liu et al., 2009).
Foundations of Sustainability

This book is designed for government and corporate education, or for an introductory course on the topic of sustainability taught at either the undergraduate, MS/MBA, or doctoral level. This book offers the first comprehensive foundation in sustainability from a holistic, integral, and systems-oriented perspective. Sustainability requires an organization to reduce adverse environmental and social impacts while promoting long-term economic performance. Sustainability issues are boundary spanning in nature that link all functional areas, from developing innovative product designs to sustainable sourcing to utilizing emerging environment-based financial tools. This approach to sustainability provides a system viewpoint that links the various functional areas of business to relevant environmental considerations to create a sustainable market of products and services. Sustainability must be approached from a boundary spanning perspective because of the nature of business functions involved as well as the interdependent, dynamic, and systemic nature of environmental and social problems, all of which create feedback loops that affect the financial performance of a business. Approaching sustainability merely from a single perspective ignores the complexity of social and environmental systems in which organizations function, and overestimates the ability of a management team to effectively “green” their organization. This book also illustrates the various points at which government, public-interest advocates, and corporations interact over sustainability policies.
Characterization of the Bridged Hyponitrite Complex {[Fe(OEP)]2(μ-N2O2)}: Reactivity of Hyponitrite Complexes and Biological Relevance

The detoxification of nitric oxide (NO) by bacterial NO reductase (NorBC) represents a paradigm of how NO can be detoxified anaerobically in cells. In order to elucidate the mechanism of this enzyme, model complexes provide a convenient means to assess potential reaction intermediates. In particular, there have been many proposed mechanisms that invoke the formation of a hyponitrite bridge between the heme b3 and nonheme iron (FeB) centers within the NorBC active site. However, the reactivity of bridged iron hyponitrite complexes has not been investigated much in the literature. The model complex {[Fe(OEP)]2(μ-N2O2)} offers a unique opportunity to study the electronic structure and reactivity of such a hyponitrite-bridged complex. Here we report the detailed characterization of {[Fe(OEP)]2(μ-N2O2)} using a combination of IR, nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, and magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy along with SQUID magnetometry. These results show that the gr...
A second species of Chaetomidium with a cephalothecoid peridium wall

(1980). A Second Species of Chaetomidium with a Cephalothecoid Peridium Wall. Mycologia: Vol. 72, No. 4, pp. 832-836.
Adsorption of Short-Chain Alcohols by Hydrophobic Silica Aerogels

The hydrophobic silica aerogel Cabot Nanogel TLD302 was evaluated as an adsorbent for recovering 2–5 carbon n-alcohols from aqueous solutions. Whereas intraparticle transport limitations restricted...
Effects of temperament on growth and reproductive performance in heifers12

ABSTRACT The present study evaluated the effect of temperament on heifer BW, postweaning gain, and pregnancy status. Temperament was evaluated on 259 Angus-sired and 173 Brahman-influenced heifers. Temperament was assessed on heifers at weaning (FALL) and when they were yearlings (SPR) by chute score (CS), exit velocity (EV), and a combination of CS and EV (COMB). Chute scores were categorized into low (CS 1 and 2), moderate (CS 3), and high (CS 4 and 5). Based upon the mean and SD of each, EV was categorized into 3 levels of slow, moderate, and fast, and COMB score was categorized into 3 levels of low, moderate, and high. The FALL assessment of EV (slow, moderate, and fast), affected (P
Screening Florida Mango Fruits from Germplasm for Resistance to Immature Stages of Caribbean Fruit Fly

Mature fruits from 21 mango, Mangifera indica L., cultivars grown in the Miami National Clonal Germplasm Repository were examined for resistance under laboratory conditions to identify those resistant (antibiotic or antixenotic) to the eggs and larvae of the Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Leow). The bioassay consisted of artificially infesting a slice of fruit with eggs obtained from a laboratory colony and counting the adults that emerged. Emergence ranged from 26.6% (on Tobago Small Red) to 119.0% (on Sabre) of controls (on artifical diet). Tobago Small Red, Becky, Saigon Seedling, Zilate, Sandersha, 13-1, Keitt, Turpentine, Rumani, Tommy Atkins, Irwin and Peach had the highest level of resistance observed with less than 80% emergence. The most resistant cultivars are promoted to breeders and growers for production in areas under quarantine for Caribbean fruit fly.
Non-Sink Dissolution Conditions for Predicting Product Quality and In Vivo Performance of Supersaturating Drug Delivery Systems

Abstract With recent advances in the development of supersaturating oral dosage forms for poorly water-soluble drugs, pharmaceutical scientists are increasingly applying in vitro dissolution testing under non-sink conditions for a direct evaluation of their ability to generate and maintain supersaturation as a predictive surrogate for ensuring product quality and in vivo performance. However, the scientific rationale for developing the appropriate non-sink dissolution methodologies has not been extensively debated. This calls for a comprehensive discussion of recent research efforts on theoretical and experimental considerations of amorphous solubility, liquid–liquid phase separation, and phase transitions of drugs in a supersaturated solution when dissolution testing is performed under supersaturated non-sink conditions. In addition, we outline the concept of “sink index” that quantifies the magnitude of deviations from perfect sink dissolution conditions in the sink/non-sink continuum and some considerations of non-sink dissolution testing for marketed drug products. These factors should be carefully considered in recommending an adequately discriminatory dissolution method in the performance assessment of supersaturating drug delivery systems.
Sleep and Cognitive Function in Multiple Sclerosis

Study objectives To examine associations between cognitive performance and polysomnographic measures of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods Participants underwent a comprehensive MS-specific cognitive testing battery (the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS, or MACFIMS) and in-laboratory overnight PSG. Results In adjusted linear regression models, the oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and minimum oxygen saturation (MinO2) were significantly associated with performance on multiple MACFIMS measures, including the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT; 2-sec and 3-sec versions), which assesses working memory, processing speed, and attention, and on the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised, a test of delayed visual memory. The respiratory disturbance index (RDI) was also significantly associated with PASAT-3 scores as well as the California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II) Discriminability Index, a test of verbal memory and response inhibition. Among these associations, apnea severity measures accounted for between 12% and 23% of the variance in cognitive test performance. Polysomnographic measures of sleep fragmentation (as reflected by the total arousal index) and total sleep time also showed significant associations with a component of the CVLT-II that assesses response inhibition, explaining 18% and 27% of the variance in performance. Conclusions Among patients with MS, obstructive sleep apnea and sleep disturbance are significantly associated with diminished visual memory, verbal memory, executive function (as reflected by response inhibition), attention, processing speed, and working memory. If sleep disorders degrade these cognitive functions, effective treatment could offer new opportunities to improve cognitive functioning in patients with MS. Commentary A commentary on this article appears in this issue on page 1489.
Improved Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm for Optimal Scheduling of Cascade Hydropower Stations

To overcome the defect of local optimization of PSO,this paper presents a hybrid-advanced strategy,which combines dual adaptation degree method,dynamic neighborhood field operator and randomly dynamically adjusting inertia weight method.The simulation results show that the proposed strategy can increase the local convergence ability and accelerate convergence of particles,and thus,it is a simple effective approach to solve nonlinear programming problems with complex constraint conditions.This paper discusses the correlative problems in optimal scheduling of cascade hydroelectric power plants and establishes a long-term optimal scheduling model based on flood and dry time-of-use power prices.The computation results for actual cascade hydroelectric power plants show that this model can help coordinate power generation and water consumption,and decrease profitless spill water of cascade hydroelectric power plants.This model can keep up balanced power output in the dry season,and is propitious to stable operation of a power system.The advanced PSO algorithm is a simple effective approach to long-term optimal scheduling of cascade hydroelectric power plants.
Study on the appropriate collecting time of exocarpium citri grandis

Objective:To determine the appropriate collecting-time of Exocarpium citri grandis,the naringin in Exocarpium citri grandis in diferent fruit ages and diameters was compared and analyzed.Methods:The HPLC method was adopted to determine the naringin in Exocarpium citri grandis in diferent fruit ages and diameters.Results:With the increase of fruit ages and diameters,the naringin in Exocarpium citri grandis decreased.Conclusion:The appropriate collecting time of Exocarpium citri grandis is 45-60 days, the all naringin in Exocarpium citri grandis is more.
Clean Photothermal Heating and Controlled Release From Near Infrared Dye Doped Nanoparticles Without Oxygen Photosensitization

The photothermal heating and release properties of biocompatible organic nanoparticles, doped with a near-infrared croconaine (Croc) dye, were compared with analogous nanoparticles doped with the common near-infrared dyes ICG and IR780. Separate formulations of lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticles and liposomes, each containing Croc dye, absorbed strongly at 808 nm and generated clean laser-induced heating (no production of 1O2 and no photobleaching of the dye). In contrast, laser-induced heating of nanoparticles containing ICG or IR780 produced reactive 1O2, leading to bleaching of the dye and also decomposition of coencapsulated payload such as the drug doxorubicin. Croc dye was especially useful as a photothermal agent for laser-controlled release of chemically sensitive payload from nanoparticles. Solution state experiments demonstrated repetitive fractional release of water-soluble fluorescent dye from the interior of thermosensitive liposomes. Additional experiments used a focused laser beam to contro...
P-105 Autonomy and acp: The failure of respect for autonomy to result in autonomous decision-making

Background Respect for autonomy (RfA) is often talked about and treated as the conceptual core of advance care planning (ACP). Yet the philosophical and ethical relationship between RfA and ACP has not been carefully explored in the literature on ACP. One on hand, tying ACP to RfA makes sense given that the goals of ACP are to identify and honour persons’ treatment preferences when they are no longer decisional. On the other hand, ACP models or tools that are based solely on RfA often fail in practice. Aim This presentation aims to address the value and limits of RfA as an essential component of ACP, and to discuss how accurately identifying and communicating care plans requires a pluralistic ACP model not based solely on RfA. Methods To achieve this aim in the allotted time, a comparison will be made between ACP models that do not first explore the persons’ understanding of their medical conditions and their values and preferences against ACP models that begin planning with such an exploration. Results N/A Discussion N/A Conclusion Two concluding points will be demonstrated: 1) that ACP models that take RfA as their sole conceptual core are actually autonomy-constraining, thereby partially explaining their general failure in practice, and 2) public policy support of ACP should be for pluralistic models rather than one based on any one conceptual component, such as RfA.
Comment: Advertising's Domain and Definition

Dahlen and Rosengren's (2016) thought-provoking article proposes an updated definition of advertising based on three dynamics that have been identified as critical components of the phenomenon: new...
Cortical plasticity following stripe rearing in the marsupial Monodelphis domestica: neural response properties of V1

These results are the first description of visual response properties of the most commonly studied marsupial model organism, the short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica). Further, these results...
Business survival rates across the urban–rural divide

AbstractScholars and practitioners have concluded that entrepreneurship and small business development is central to community economic development. Often times community members, including elected officials, are skeptical of the importance of new and small firms due to their seemingly high failure rate. In this study we use the National Establishment Time Series (NETS) database of US establishments survival rate of new firms in each US county. For each county, we identify the number of new firms born in each year and calculate their survival rate as the share of firms from each cohort still operating five years later. We then explore how survival rates change over a simple urban–rural spectrum from 1990 to 2007. As expected, survival rates vary significantly by birth year, and new businesses in rural communities tend to have higher survival rates than those in urban communities. We close the study with a discussion of specific policy options.