cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monitoring of gene expression profiles and identification of candidate genes involved in drought responses in Festuca mairei.

To understand the molecular genetic basis underlying drought tolerance in grasses, the cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism (cDNA-AFLP) technique was applied for identification of genes responding to drought stress in a xerophytic adapted plant, Festuca mairei. A total of 11,346 transcript derived fragments (TDFs) were detected, and 464 (4.1%) TDFs were identified as differentially expressed fragments (DEFs) during the drought treatment of the plant. The expression patterns of these DEFs included up-regulated (∼30%), down-regulated (∼54.3%), and the remainder (∼16.7%) showing transient changes. The differential expression patterns of 171 DEFs were further confirmed by macroarray hybridization analysis. Sequences had been obtained for 163 DEFs, and 62 sequences had no significant hits to sequences currently in public databases. Predicted functions of remaining 101 sequences were subdivided into 17 categories. Down-regulated genes were highly represented by metabolism and cellular biogenesis. Up-regulated DEFs were enriched in genes involved in transcription, defense, cell cycle and DNA processing. Analysis of the 163 DEFs provides a first glimpse into the transcripts of F. mairei during drought stress treatment. The combination of data from studies on genetic model plants and on diverse plant species will enhance understanding of the drought tolerance mechanisms in plants.
Overview of Bioethical Issues in Contemporary PTSD Treatment and Research: Considering Priorities for Future Empirical Ethics Investigation

The last decade has seen a surge in biomedical research advancing the evidence base for the effective clinical management and study of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The authors review the literature describing ethical issues in conducting PTSD research; controversies over the role of preventive pharmacotherapy for PTSD; and ethical quandaries in the identification, treatment, or empirical investigation of PTSD in postdisaster settings. Findings are synthesized within an ethics framework that utilizes major constructs in the biomedical literature: beneficence/nonmaleficence, informed consent, and autonomy. Gaps and weaknesses in the current evidence base are highlighted. The authors conclude by considering priorities for future empirical ethics investigation in this field.
Using an Office System Intervention to Increase Breast Cancer Screening

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an innovative approach to continuing medical education, an outreach intervention designed to improve performance rates of breast cancer screening through implementation of office systems in community primary care practices. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial with primary care practices assigned to either the intervention group or control group, with the practice as the unit of analysis. SETTING: Twenty mostly rural counties in North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: Physicians and staff of 62 randomly selected family medicine and general internal medicine practices, primarily fee-for-service, half group practices and half solo practitioners. INTERVENTION: Physician investigators and facilitators met with practice physicians and staff over a period of 12 to 18 months to provide feedback on breast cancer screening performance, and to assist these primary care practices in developing office systems tailored to increase breast cancer screening. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Physician questionnaires were obtained at baseline and follow-up to assess the presence of five indicators of an office system. Three of the five indicators of office systems increased significantly more in intervention practices than in control practices, but the mean number of indicators in intervention practices at follow-up was only 2.8 out of 5. Cross-sectional reviews of randomly chosen medical records of eligible women patients aged 50 years and over were done at baseline (n=2,887) and follow-up (n=2,874) to determine whether clinical breast examinations and mammography, were performed. Results for mammography were recorded in two ways, mention of the test in the visit note and actual report of the test in the medical record. These reviews showed an increase from 39% to 51% in mention of mammography in intervention practices, compared with an increase from 41% to 44% in control practices (p=.01). There was no significant difference, however, between the two groups in change in mammograms reported (intervention group increased from 28% to 32.7%; control group increased from 30.6% to 34.0%, p=.56). There was a nonsignificant trend (p=.06) toward a greater increase in performance of clinical breast examination in intervention versus control practices. CONCLUSIONS: A moderately intensive outreach intervention to increase rates of breast cancer screening through the development of office systems was modestly successful in increasing indicators of office systems and in documenting mention of mammography, but had little impact on actual performance of breast cancer screening. At follow-up, few practices had a complete office system for breast cancer screening. Outreach approaches to assist primary care practices implement office systems are promising but need further development.
Processing of barium titanate tapes with different binders for MLCC applications—Part I: Optimization using design of experiments

Abstract Twenty-four kinds of BaTiO 3 slips for MLCC application were investigated using three different binder systems: one solvent-based, and two water-based with water-soluble acrylic binder and aqueous emulsion binder systems. The half-fractional factorial design method was used for each system with four input factors with two levels for each factor. Tape casting, K-square preparation, sintering and characterization were conducted. Slip viscosity, mechanical properties of the green tapes, green and sintered density of K-squares, and dielectric permittivity were analyzed as output responses using statistical analysis methods. Most of the green body properties from solvent-based system such as tensile strength, tape morphology and bulk density depended on the ceramic powder. While, dispersant was the most significant factor for the two water-based systems. The sintered properties such as microstructure and dielectric permittivity for the three systems depended significantly on the type of ceramic powder. Finally, an optimization was performed for each system by means of a scorecard which was used to prioritize all samples to important output responses through the numerical ranking method.
Is Class Becoming a More Important Determinant of Neighborhood Attainment for African-Americans?

In the wake of the civil rights era, it is generally thought that the importance of class in determining social outcomes has increased. The extent to which this is true for locational outcomes, how...
Thermal Transformation of Smectite to Illite: ABSTRACT

The diagenetic transformation of smectite to illite, with an intermediate series of mixed-layered compositions, has been documented by numerous studies of surface and subsurface rocks. Shales from typical Gulf Coast wells show compositions greater than 50% illite at approximately 100°C; the composition stabilizes at about 80% illite at the greatest depths sampled where the temperature is or has been as high as 130°C. These findings are difficult to reconcile with data from oil (lower Paleozoic) rocks if it is assumed that illite-smectite compositions are equilibrium phases at specific temperatures. Potash bentonites (Ordovician) End_Page 300------------------------------ associated with thin cratonic sediments contain 80% illite in the mixed-layered species, and these rocks were probably never heated over 60°C. In addition, many shales and limestones of Devonian age and older contain almost pure illite despite histories of only moderate burial depths. Studies of shales near contacts with basaltic dikes show that compositions near 80% illite are associated with peak temperatures (calculated) of approximately 300°C, though the duration of the heating event was short (^approx1,000 yr). A synthesis of available information suggests that the smectite to illite transformation is kinetically controlled, and that a high-order rate law is required, despite laboratory synthesis results which fit a first-order kinetic scheme. These conclusions are not accepted by all investigators, and the details of the reaction stoichiometry, kinetic mechanisms, and the possible occurrence of equilibrium intermediate compositions have yet to be convincingly demonstrated. End_of_Article - Last_Page 301------------
Cross-correlation measurements on a high repetition rate, femtosecond optical parametric oscillator

Cross-correlation measurements between the pump, signal and idler pulses of a high repetition rate, femtosecond optical parametric oscillator are presented. In all cases the cross-correlation widths are within 10% of the autocorrelation widths. The results show that in an experiment, the achievable time resolution would be limited primarily by the pulse durations rather than the timing jitter between the pulse sequences.
Special issues: Glucose and the brain

Purpose This review focuses on the neurologic issues concerning the treatment of hypo- or hyperglycemia in the critically ill patient. Data sources Articles written in English and identified through the Bibliographic Retrieved Service Colleague database. Study selection Articles chosen on the basis of their relevance to the issue of blood glucose management and its neurologic effects in critically ill patients. Data extraction Data from articles were analyzed to obtain a scientific foundation and rationale for treating abnormal blood glucose levels. Data synthesis Moderate hypoglycemia may evoke a significant stress response, behavioral changes, and alterations in cerebral blood flow and metabolism. It is unclear what effect prolonged or repeated episodes of moderate hypoglycemia may have on patient outcome. However, alterations in cerebral vascular physiology must be addressed when caring for patients with cerebral ischemia or intracranial compliance problems. Depending on its severity, hypoglycemia has varying influences on neurologic damage after ischemia. Hyperglycemia may impair neuronal recovery following cerebral ischemia. However, the detrimental effects of hyperglycemia vary depending on the types of brain ischemia sustained (focal or global). Evidence suggests that hyperglycemia during global and incomplete global ischemia events is detrimental to neurologic outcome. However, the relationship between hyperglycemia and outcome after focal ischemia is controversial. Conclusion Because both hypo- and hyperglycemia may produce neurologic changes, aggressive management of abnormal glucose values is warranted.
Preliminary observations on the effects of flooding and desiccation upon the net photosynthetic rates of high intertidal estuarine sediments1

Measurements of gaseous CO2 exchange from high intertidal estuarine sediments revealed that net photosynthetic rates of moist, unflooded sediments were maximal. Flooding of moist sediments with 1–2 mm of agitated seawater reduced net photosynthetic rates by 48–66%. When moist sediments lost 10–15% of their water content CO2 uptake decreased, and high rates of CO2 evolution were observed later as water losses continued.
Finite element analysis of the effects of focal adhesion mechanical properties and substrate stiffness on cell migration

Abstract The attachment of cells to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is achieved by the specific binding of cell-surface receptors to ligands present in the ECM. These interactions are important for many biological processes, including cell migration, cancer development, and wound healing. Our objective was to develop a computational model to investigate how focal adhesion mechanical properties, substrate stiffness, and intracellular stresses affect cell–matrix interactions during cell migration on a flat substrate. In our model, the cell–substrate traction was proportional to the bound receptor concentration, relative velocity between the cell and substrate, and the cell–substrate friction coefficient. Simulation results showed that even if the receptor number and ligand density were fixed, the mechanical properties of the focal adhesions still affected cell–ECM interactions. In fact, the cell–substrate traction was biphasic with respect to the friction coefficient, a parameter that can be used to quantify focal adhesion properties. In contrast, the cell speed was a monotonically decreasing function with respect to this parameter. Furthermore, tractions showed greater increases when the maximum intracellular stress was increased from 400 to 600 Pa than when substrate stiffness was increased from 0.5 to 100 kPa. This mathematical model is able to quantify the effects of focal adhesion mechanical properties, extracellular stiffness, and intracellular stresses on cell–ECM interactions, and should be beneficial to research in cancer development.
Long‐term Use of Atypical Antipsychotics in Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a chronic disease that may require lifetime treatment. The maintenance therapy of bipolar disorder can be challenging for the treating clinician. Currently, according to the American Psychiatric Association (APA) guidelines, lithium, valproic acid, lamotrigine, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, and the antipsychotics are recommended for the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder. The antipsychotics are recommended to be continued only if the clinician decides that they are necessary for the control of persistent psychosis or for prophylaxis against recurrence. Although the APA guidelines provide sufficient evidence for the use of these mood stabilizers, newer drugs such as the atypical antipsychotics are being investigated for use in the maintenance phase of treatment of bipolar disorder.
ADVANCES IN CHEMICAL GENETICS

▪ Abstract Chemical genetics is an emerging approach for studying biological systems using chemical tools. This strategy aims to reveal the macromolecules responsible for regulating biological systems; thus, the approach shares much in common with genetics. In both strategies, one must (a) develop an assay that reports on a biological process of interest, (b) perturb this process systematically (with mutations or small molecules), and (c) determine the target of each perturbation to reveal macromolecules (i.e., proteins and genes) regulating the process of interest. In this review, we discuss advances and challenges in this field that have emerged over the past four years. Several technologies have converged, raising the hope that it may be possible to systematically apply chemical probes to biological processes.
Input saturation and global stabilization by output feedback for affine systems

For multi-input multi-output nonlinear systems whose free dynamics are Lyapunov stable, we show how the problem of global stabilization via dynamic output feedback can be solved by using the technique of input saturation. The power of this technique is also illustrated by solving the problem of global stabilization via bounded state feedback, for affine nonlinear systems with stable unforced dynamics. Analogous results are established for discrete-time nonlinear systems. >
A generic kinematic formulation for wheeled mobile robots

This article presents a generic kinematic formulation and a procedure developed to deduce the kinematics of wheeled mobile robots (WMRs), also known in the literature as driverless ground vehicles, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and autonomous transit vehicles (ATVs). The generic formulation to deduce the kinematics of WMRs with various combinations of driving and steering wheels is obtained by making use of the transformation approach and modifying the kinematic formulations developed for WMRs with inclined steering columns. A general expression for the angular velocity of wheel slip is derived to extend the suitability of the formulations for WMRs with various combinations of driving and steering wheels. It is illustrated that the procedure developed provides the final form of the kinematic equations by providing only the kinematic parameters of the WMR, including the type of wheels employed for the generic model. This approach is useful to automate the modeling procedure to obtain either symbolic expressions or numerical values for WMR kinematics. Several case studies are presented to illustrate the simplicity of the developed approach. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The PCICE-FEM Scheme for Highly Compressible Axisymmetric Flows

The recently developed PCICE-FEM scheme (Journal of Computational Physics, vol. 198, 659, 2004) is extended to two-dimensional axisymmetric geometries. The main discretization problem for nodal-based axisymmetric formulations lies in deriving a closed form as the radial coordinates approach zero along the axis of symmetry. This problem is addressed by employing the finite element piecewise linear approximations to both the flow variables and (separately) to the nodal values of the radial coordinates. The resulting formulation is an elegant treatment of the axisymmetric coordinate system with out noticeable loss of spatial accuracy and little additional cost in computational effort. An overview of the PCICE algorithm for the axisymmetric governing equations will be followed by a detailed axisymmetric finite element formulation for the PCICE-FEM scheme. The ability of the PCICE-FEM scheme to accurately and efficiently simulate highly compressible axisymmetric flows is demonstrated.
Defining the mode of action of tetramic acid antibacterials derived from Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing signals.

In nature, bacteria rarely exist as single, isolated entities, but rather as communities comprised of many other species including higher host organisms. To survive in these competitive environments, microorganisms have developed elaborate tactics such as the formation of biofilms and the production of antimicrobial toxins. Recently, it was discovered that the Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic human pathogen, produces an antibiotic, 3-(1-hydroxydecylidene)-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidine-2,4-dione (C12-TA), derived from one of its quorum sensing molecules. Here, we present a comprehensive study of the expanded spectrum of C12-TA antibacterial activity against microbial competitors encountered by P. aeruginosa in nature as well as significant human pathogens. The mechanism of action of C12-TA was also elucidated, and C12-TA was found to dissipate both the membrane potential and the pH gradient of Gram-positive bacteria, correlating well with cell death. Notably, in stark contra...
Who uses bereavement services? An examination of service use by bereaved dementia caregivers

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with the bereavement service utilization of bereaved dementia caregivers. Grounded in Andersen's behavioral model of health service use, this study examined predisposing, enabling, and need factors as potential predictors of bereavement service use. Method: Data were drawn from the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health Study. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted for bereaved dementia caregivers (N = 224). Results: Approximately one in three participants utilized bereavement services. Support groups, counseling, and psychotropic medications were used in similar proportions. Depressive symptomatology, anxiety, and complicated grief served as need factors, with higher levels resulting in higher probability of service utilization. Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of need factors in the utilization of bereavement services. Future research should focus on interventions designed to assure ti...
α-Adrenergic receptors regulate human lymphocyte amiloride-sensitive sodium channels

Two independent signal transduction pathways regulate lymphocyte amiloride-sensitive sodium channels (ASSCs), one utilizing cAMP as a second messenger and the other utilizing a GTP-binding protein....
Social Change and Fathering Change or Continuity in Vietnam

Dramatic social changes have restructured virtually all aspects of Vietnam society. Although the economic consequences of these changes are well documented, little is known about how family roles and relationships have been affected. Because social and cultural contexts powerfully shape conceptions of parenting, the accelerated rate of social change in Vietnam may have reconfigured notions of fatherhood and fathering. Through increased globalization, Western notions of the modern, involved father and these more egalitarian views of household relationships may indicate a more involved father in Vietnam today. However, Vietnam’s strong Confucian heritage, its kinship structure, and its unique history could limit the adoption of fathers as equal co-parents. This article examines changes over time in attitudes toward the father role and the extent of father involvement.
Two-point microrheology and the electrostatic analogy

The recent experiments of Crocker et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 888 (2000)] suggest that microrheological measurements obtained from the correlated fluctuations of widely-separated probe particles determine the rheological properties of soft, complex materials more accurately than do the more traditional particle autocorrelations. This presents an interesting problem in viscoelastic dynamics. We develop an important, simplifing analogy between the present viscoelastic problem and classical electrostatics. Using this analogy and direct calculation we analyze both the one- and two-particle correlations in a viscoelastic medium in order to explain this observation.
Relative importance of weather and climate on wildfire growth in interior Alaska

Efforts to quantify relationships between climate and wildfire in Alaska have not yet explored the role of higher-frequency meteorological conditions on individual wildfire ignition and growth. To address this gap, meteorologi- cal data for 665 large fires that burned across the Alaskan interior between 1980 and 2007 were assessed to determine the respective influence of higher-frequency weather and lower-frequency climate, in terms of both antecedent and post- ignitionconditionsonfiregrowth.Antecedentclimateexhibitednodiscernableinfluenceoneventualfiresize.Incontrast, fire size was sensitive to weather in the days to weeks following ignition, particularly the post-ignition timing of precipitation. Prolonged periods of warm and dry conditions coincident with blocking that persists for several weeks after ignition enabled growth of large wildfires, whereas the return of wetting precipitation generally within a week after ignition inhibited growth of smaller wildfires. These results suggest that daily weather data are a critical predictor of fire growth and large fire potential and encourage their use in fire management and modelling.
Advocating for Whole Health: The Role of the Mental Health Professional in Promoting Diet, Nutrition, and Management of Physical Disease With American Indian Clients

A strong correlation between mental health issues, substance abuse issues, and diabetes has been found within the American Indian (AI) community. This multimorbidity exists at higher rates than any other population within the United States. As research shows that more AI are living outside of tribal statistical areas and opting to receive services from the general mental health community, knowledge of the possible interplay between physical and mental health for AI clients and the possible treatment issues they could represent has become increasingly important. Strategies and resources for referral and advocacy are also discussed.
Segmented Foil SEM Grids at Fermilab

We present recent beam data from a new design of a profile monitor for proton beams at Fermilab. The monitors, consisting of grids of segmented Ti foils 5μm thick, are secondary-electron emission monitors (SEM’s). We review data on the device’s precision on beam centroid position, beam width, and on beam loss associated with the SEM material placed in the beam.
Sensitivity of stratospheric inorganic chlorine to differences in transport

Correctly modeling stratospheric inorganic chlorine (Cl y ) is crucial for modeling the past and future evolution of stratospheric ozone. However, comparisons of the chemistry climate models used in the latest international assessment of stratospheric ozone depletion have shown large differences in the modeled Cl y , with these differences explaining many of the differences in the simulated evolution of ozone over the next century. Here in, we examine the role of transport in determining the simulated Cl y using three simulations from the same off-line chemical transport model that have the same lower tropospheric boundary conditions and the same chemical solver, but differing resolution and/or meteorological fields. These simulations show that transport plays a key role in determining the Cl y distribution, and that Cl y depends on both the time scales and pathways of transport. The time air spends in the stratosphere (e.g., the mean age) is an important transport factor determining stratospheric Cl y , but the relationship between mean age and Cl y is not simple. Lower stratospheric Cl y depends on the fraction of air that has been in the upper stratosphere, and transport differences between models having the same mean age can result in differences in the fraction of organic chlorine converted into Cl y . Differences in transport pathways result in differences in vertical profiles of CFCs, and comparisons of observed and modeled CFC profiles provide a stringent test of transport pathways in models.
A new frequency hopping-multilevel FSK system for mobile radio

The authors discuss the problem of designing a frequency hop-multilevel frequency shift keying (FH-MFSK) code division multiple access (CDMA) system for applications in mobile radio. The need for such system is explained, and a system is proposed. The system is shown have the capability of servicing an increased number of users in the same available frequency bandwidth with a higher spectral efficiency than previously proposed FH-MFSK systems. Families of frequency hop codes are reviewed, and it is shown that codes based on the number theoretic concept of linear congruences achieve the best performance in the system. The operation of the decoder at the receiver is explained, and the error probability calculated in both the synchronous and asynchronous case. >
Systemic Insecticides Reduce Feeding, Survival, and Fecundity of Adult Black Vine Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on a Variety of Ornamental Nursery Crops

Systemic activity of the neonicotinoids clothianidin, dinotefuran, and thiamethoxam and the anthranilic diamide chlorantraniliprole was tested against adult black vine weevils, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), on Astilbe, Euonymus, Heuchera, Rhododendron, Sedum, and Taxus. Insecticide treatments were applied to the soilless substrate of containerized plants. Bioassays were conducted 12 or 13, 26, and 42 d after treatment (DAT) and ran for 7 d; and feeding, mortality, and weight gain or loss by weevils were evaluated. Foliage was removed from test plants and then placed in arenas with adult black vine weevils. The neonicotinoids reduced feeding and weight gain by adult black vine weevils on most plant species with residual activity 42 DAT on some plant species. At 12 DAT, mortality was caused by the three neonicotinoids on Astilbe and by thiamethoxam on Sedum; and at 26 DAT dinotefuran caused mortality on Astilbe. Chlorantraniliprole reduced feeding on Taxus at 12 DAT, with no activity detected in other bioassays. Another set of bioassays was conducted to examine survival and fecundity of adult black vine weevils during prolonged feeding on Heuchera and Taxus systemically treated with dinotefuran or thiamethoxam. Bioassay procedures were similar to those described above, except they ran continuously for 56 d. Prolonged feeding on dinotefuran and thiamethoxam treated Heuchera and Taxus resulted in high mortality of adult black vine weevils and reduced fecundity. These studies show that the systemic activity of neonicotinoids is influenced by plant species and that systemic neonicotinoids have the potential to suppress black vine weevil populations in containerized nursery crops.
Self-focusing in the presence of small time dispersion and nonparaxiality.

We analyze the combined effect of small time dispersion and nonparaxiality on self-focusing and its ability to arrest the blowup of laser pulses by deriving reduced equations that depend on only the propagation distance and time. We calculate the pulse duration for which time dispersion dominates over nonparaxiality, or vice versa. We identify additional terms (shock term, group-velocity nonparaxiality, etc.) that should be retained when time dispersion and nonparaxiality are of comparable magnitude. These additional terms lead to temporal asymmetry, and in the visible spectrum they can dominate over both time dispersion and nonparaxiality.
Enantioselective separations by packed column subcritical and supercritical fluid chromatography

Enantioselective separations have been one of the most successful applications of supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). Although analytical scale separations have dominated the literature, the use of SFC for preparative chiral separations is growing. Both analytical and preparative scale SFC separations seek to take advantage of the high efficiency, high throughput, and rapid method development associated with the technique. This review will cover recent developments in the application of SFC to enantioseparations.
A Theory of Family, Economy, and Gender

Two assumptions undergird the argument: In all societies producers have more power than consumers; those who control the distribution of valued goods beyond the family have the most power. Historically, the requirements of population replacement have interacted with modes of subsistence technology to shape the differential distribution of power and prestige by sex. Evidence comes from societies based on foraging, the hoe, the plow, herding, and industrial technologies.
A commentary on the US policies for efficient large scale renewable energy storage systems: Focus on carbon storage cycles

Abstract The inevitable depletion of fossil resources and increasing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations demonstrate the need for renewable energy conversion technologies for a sustainable economy. Intermittencies and variability in availability of renewable energy sources are the challenges for uninterrupted energy supply, which can be overcome by large scale energy storage facilities. Pumped hydroelectric energy storage is an efficient but a very low energy density energy storage method that dominates the current energy storage market with ~96% share. We first present a recently developed potential solution for large scale efficient and dense energy storage: closed loop carbon storage cycles and a specific example dimethyl ether storage cycle. We then discuss the relevant US energy storage regulations, policy initiatives, their status, and potential modifications that will contribute to the invention and implementation of novel energy storage systems.
Performance validation and optimization of a dual coaxial-cylinder ocean-wave energy extractor

Abstract A point-absorber wave-energy extractor is developed, consisting of a dual coaxial-cylinder system, with the inner cylinder tension-tethered and an outer cylinder (floater) oscillating vertically. A permanent magnet linear generator (PMLG) is used as a power take-off (PTO) capturing wave energy from the relative motion of the two cylinders. The mathematical modeling of the system includes the coupling effects of the cylinder hydrodynamics and the PMLG behavior. It gives a rational and effective way of providing performance predictions and directions for optimization. The flat bottom shape of the floater is modified into a needle-like curved shape to minimize viscous losses, which leads to three-times increase in floater response, compared with the flat-bottom geometry and thus improved wave-energy capture. The behavior of the PTO in the presence of an appropriate supporting structure for the coaxial cylinders are investigated, and optimal operating conditions for energy extraction and mechanical to electrical conversion efficiency are determined. Experimental results of this coupled system in regular waves confirm the validity of the theoretical predictions and soundness of the engineering design. Optimizing the floater bottom shape and the operating conditions for energy extraction lead to a two-times increase in overall efficiency, even without any active control.
International Law in a Multicultural World

The effectiveness, even the possibility, of universal international law continues to be denied on the grounds of the international society's cultural heterogeneity. The argument dates back to the time when international law was developed in the Western world and applied only among "Christian" and "civilized" states. The Statute of the International Court of Justice still refers to general principles of law "recognized by civilized nations." The argument received a slight shift and a big boost from the ideological warfare in the 1930s, the Cold War in the 1940s and 1950s, and finally from the birth of new states in Asia and Africa. Effective law, the argument runs, requires consensus on values. Yet the main consensus prevailing in the contemporary international society is that all states shall enjoy sovereign independence. They try to do so, with deleterious consequences for international law. Their ways of life, moral tenets, and legal systems differ. The shared value is divisive nationalism, leading to isolated national existence with international structures, institutions, and organizations geared to maintaining or at least not disturbing the separation of states. Even that value is said to be shared in some Asian and African countries only by elites. It is not representative of a generally internalized and accepted normative system. The seemingly unifying spread of modern technology and an international diplomatic language is written off as a surface phenomenon, unable to overcome the world's
Postural blood pressure differences in pregnancy: A prospective study of blood pressure differences between supine and left lateral position as measured by ultrasound

Abstract Differences in blood pressure between the supine and left lateral positions were studied in pregnant subjects under standardized conditions with an automated ultrasound device. Cross-sectional studies were performed in 125 nulliparous pregnant women after the twenty-eighth week of amenorrhea and in 42 nonpregnant controls. Arterial blood pressure in the left lateral position was lower than in the supine position. This difference was due largely to differences in hydrostatic pressure. Large errors in measurement and regression to the mean contributed to a wide spread in measured values. Neither hypertension nor pregnancy alone gave an enhanced postural difference in blood pressure. Hypertension in pregnancy was associated with a significantly larger positional change in diastolic blood pressure (D) than in systolic blood pressure (S). This study pleads for a standardized procedure for the measurement of blood pressure in gravidas in the supine position, for the detection of peripheral vasoconstriction in the supine position, and to compare clinical blood pressure studies in different institutions.
The effects of endurance exercise with and without a reduction of energy intake on fat-free mass and the composition of fat-free mass in obese women.

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of endurance exercise on fat-free mass and nitrogen balance, with energy restriction or with energy intake to meet non-exercise needs in obese women. Design The study was a 14-week metabolic control study with a 2-week baseline period for dietary stabilization followed by a 12-week period of exercise (E) with or without energy restriction (D), E or D+E. Setting Metabolic research unit of the Western Human Nutrition Research Center. Subjects Ten obese women between the ages of 19 and 37 years volunteered as subjects. Body weight ranged from 19% to 41% IBW and body fat was 31-40% of body weight. Intervention Women were assigned to either an energy-restricted or energy-'adequate' group so that group means for weight, body fat, FFM, predicted VO2max and RMR were similar. Data were polled for the 2-week baseline period and in 3-week intervals during the intervention period. Results The data indicated that E had a slower rate of weight loss and a lower loss of FFM than D+E. Nitrogen balance was more positive in E than D+E. Negative N balance occurred in the D+E group when blood was drawn. There was no decrease in N excretion to compensate for blood losses. N balance for E was positive throughout the study. Conclusion Changes in FFM, assessed by total body electrical conductivity, were different from the results obtained by classic nitrogen balance. This suggests that losses were due to fluid losses, which were confirmed by deuterium dilution procedures. This study demonstrated that body protein stores remained intact during periods of increased energy expenditure and dietary restriction in obese women.
SU-F-T-589: HybridArc Planning Criteria for Brain SRS

Purpose: To compare VMAT SRS plans, dynamic conformal arc (DCA) plans, and Brainlab iPlan's capability of planning and delivering brain SRS plans by employing HybridArc. HybridArc utilizes both DCA and IMRT. Using HybridArc, the amount of DCA versus IMRT needs to be optimized. Methods: Four SRS patients with the aim of reducing brainstem dose were selected for this study. All patients were contoured in iPlan and transferred to Eclipse for VMAT planning. In iPlan, DCA plans were created for each case. Moreover, nine HybridArc plans with DCA-IMRT ratios between 9:1 through 1:9 were created with a single ring structure generated by subtracting 3 mm expansion of target from a 10 mm expansion of the target. Two static IMRT beams were used in each of the five DCA arcs for HybridArc. The dose was prescribed to DCA only and HybridArc plans and normalized so that the target volume (TV) receives 100% dose to 99.5% of the TV to achieve 120% ∼ 130% max dose within targets. Following metrics were compared: PITV, V12Gy, CGIc, CGIg, CGI, brainstem max dose, and total monitor units (MUs). Results: A brainstem max dose comparable with VMAT from 30% IMRT and less with 50% or more IMRT could be achieved. PITV decreased with increasing IMRT portion and begins to saturate past an IMRT portion of 30%. The CGIg index, which represents how fast the dose falls off, was better with HybridArc in all HybridArc plans. Total MUs increased with increasing IMRT but less than VMAT in all cases. Conclusion: Overall, a lower brainstem max dose and a lower V12Gy with fewer MUs can be achieved with HybridArc. Considering all factors, it would be best to use a DCA-IMRT ratio of either 7:3 or 6:4.
SQL Multimedia and Application Packages

This chapter focuses on the Structured Query Language/Multimedia (SQL/MM) and its application packages. SQL/MM is a multipart standard. Unlike SQL:1999, the various parts of SQL/MM are quite independent from one another. In late 1991 or early 1992, a specification for a language called SFQL (Structured Full-text Query Language) was issued by a group of vendors of text search engines. SFQL's stated goal was the definition of extensions to standard SQL to make that popular language more suitable for performing full-text searches of document repositories. The immediate target marketplace was the aviation industry that uses full-text systems for the management and retrieval of aircraft manufacturing and maintenance data. The proposed standard was soon to become known as SQL/MM, and the letters ‘‘MM” was understood to imply ‘‘MultiMedia.” SQL/MM Data Mining supports four different data mining techniques. One technique, the rule model, allows searching for patterns (rules) in the relationships between different parts of data. A second technique, the clustering model (sometimes called the segmentation model), helps in grouping data records that share the common characteristics and identify the most important of those characteristics. The third technique, the regression model, helps to predict the ranking of new data based on an analysis of existing data. The final technique, the classification model, shares many concepts with the regression model but is oriented toward predicting the group or class into which new data will fit based on its relationship to existing data.
A generalized structure of multilevel power converter

Multilevel inverters are becoming popular in the past few years for high voltage and high power applications. Various topologies and modulation strategies have been investigated for utility and drive applications in the recent literature. However, most of the reported topologies for multilevel structures employ DC voltage sources of equal magnitudes. This paper is devoted to the investigation of a generalized structure of multilevel power converter where these discrete voltage sources are not necessarily equal. The topological structures, operating principles and performance characteristics resulting from this general approach are presented. Various design criteria and issues like spectral structure are discussed. A comparative evaluation of various alternatives obtained from the generalized structure is presented.
Comparison between Photosynthetically Available Radiation (PAR) estimated from MODIS and GOES over the Gulf of Mexico

Photosynthetically Available Radiation (PAR) is an important parameter to estimate marine primary productivity (PP), where MODIS daily PAR is generated by an instantaneous PAR (iPAR) around local solar noon. The uncertainties associated with MODIS daily PAR need to be quantified in order to understand the uncertainties in the estimated PP. On the other hand, Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite system (GOES) provides estimates of hourly solar radiation product (24 images per day) over North America, which can be integrated to produce daily PAR. In this study, both GOES iPAR and daily PAR are used to compare with the corresponding MODIS products to understand uncertainties in MODIS daily PAR products and to understand how multiple measurements per day can improve daily PAR estimates. While GOES iPAR and MODIS iPAR showed excellent consistency over cloud-free regions, their daily PAR products showed some degree of discrepancy due to variable cloud cover.
Anodal tDCS to Right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Facilitates Performance for Novice Jazz Improvisers but Hinders Experts.

Research on creative cognition reveals a fundamental disagreement about the nature of creative thought, specifically, whether it is primarily based on automatic, associative (Type-1) or executive, controlled (Type-2) processes. We hypothesized that Type-1 and Type-2 processes make differential contributions to creative production that depend on domain expertise. We tested this hypothesis with jazz pianists whose expertise was indexed by the number of public performances given. Previous fMRI studies of musical improvisation have reported that domain expertise is characterized by deactivation of the right-dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (r-DLPFC), a brain area associated with Type-2 executive processing. We used anodal, cathodal, and sham transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) applied over r-DLPFC with the reference electrode on the contralateral mastoid (1.5mA for 15 min., except for sham) to modulate the quality of the pianists’ performances while they improvised over chords with drum and bass accompaniment. Jazz experts rated each improvisation for creativity, aesthetic appeal, and technical proficiency. There was no main effect of anodal or cathodal stimulation on ratings compared to sham; however, a significant interaction between anodal tDCS and expertise emerged such that stimulation benefitted musicians with less experience but hindered those with more experience. We interpret these results as evidence for a dual-process model of creativity in which novices and experts differentially engage Type-1 and Type-2 processes during creative production.
Bent Metal-Clad Waveguides for Fiber-to-Waveguide and 3D Chip-to-Chip Light Coupling Applications

We report efficient fiber-to-waveguide and 3D chip-to-chip light coupling devices based on bent metal-clad waveguides. According to our FDTD simulation, the coupling efficiency is over 80% within a broad range of working wavelengths.
Differences in school boards with hired and elected superintendents: a first look

AbstractIn this article, we use original survey data collected from Florida school board members to determine if the perceived benefits of an appointed local government executive apply to the school board context. Though we observe a performance advantage for school districts with appointed superintendents, the advantage appears to be a function of school district size and demographics rather than government form. Similarly, observed differences in board governance dynamics in districts with elected as opposed to appointed superintendents appear to be a function of factors other than government form. Finally, we find that board members are more likely to delegate day-to-day financial management duties to appointed superintendents. Overall, we conclude that the government form literature does not necessarily translate to special purpose governments. The results are of interest to scholars of local government, education administration, and group dynamics.
Microfluidic Assisted Synthesis of Hybrid Au–Pd Dumbbell-like Nanostructures: Sequential Addition of Reagents and Ultrasonic Radiation

A sequential-addition microfluidic reactor and an ultrasonic integrated microfluidic reactor were designed to produce with high selectivity hybrid Au–Pd dumbbell-like nanostructures (Au–Pd DBNPs), consisting of a palladium segment tipped with gold heads. A single-stage synthesis was not able to synthesize hybrid nanostructures due to the high reactivity of gold. On the other hand, a two-step method was successful by first synthesizing Pd nanorod-like structures and subsequent growing of Au on the tips of those structures by the localized galvanic replacement reaction. The localized deposition of Au onto both tips of palladium rods was achieved by using two different microfluidic approaches: (i) by sequential injection of gold along the reaction channel at 100 °C and a 5 min residence time, and (ii) by ultrasonic radiation at room temperature and a 2 min residence time. The synthesized Au–Pd DBNPs had higher electrocatalytic activity in the ethanol oxidation reaction in alkaline media than the Pd nanorods.
A ROLE FOR LYSOSOMES IN CORPUS LUTEUM FUNCTION

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a role for lysosomes in corpus luteum function. Because the functions of lysosomes are often associated with cell demise, it is not surprising that the rapid structural luteolysis, as described for corpora lutea of sheep, has been attributed to increased lysosomal activities. Highly luteinized ovaries were obtained by treating Sprague–Dawley rats, 21–23 days old, with subcutaneous injections of 50 IU of pregnant mare's serum followed 56 hours later by 25 IU of human choriogonadotropin. Buoyant densities of lysosomes were investigated by centrifugation of lysosomal fractions, which were suspended as middle layers on discontinuous gradients. The subcellular distribution of marker enzymes for mitochondria, cytochrome oxidase, and for microsomes, glucose-6-phosphatase, differed distinctly from the lysosomal enzymes, although fractions designated lysosomal also contained considerable cytochrome oxidase activity.