cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parasitism of leafrollers in Washington fruit orchards is enhanced by perimeter plantings of rose and strawberry

Abstract Pandemis pyrusana and Choristoneura rosaceana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) are dominant leafroller pests in fruit orchards in Washington State. Parasitism rates of orchard leafrollers are low in spring and moderate in summer. In a previous study, parasitism rates of leafrollers were high in two orchards adjacent to thickets of Rosa woodsii. Here we show that plantings of R. woodsii and strawberry can significantly increase parasitism rates of leafrollers in adjacent orchards. In late summer of 2000, R. woodsii and strawberries were planted near four apple orchards and plantings were infested with the strawberry leafroller, Ancylis comptana , which overwinters as mature larvae on rose. In fall, these larvae were parasitized by Colpoclypeus florus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a leafroller parasitoid of European origin that was recently discovered in central Washington. In the following spring of 2001, moderate rates of parasitism by C. florus were observed on P. pyrusana larvae placed along transects in apple orchards up to 200 m from three experimental plantings. Parasitism by C. florus increased in summer and was observed up to 500 m from the plantings. This pattern of parasitism by C. florus was observed through 2005 at one site. In contrast, little or no parasitism by C. florus was observed at these sites in 1999 and 2000 before planting of the rose habitats. Using a protein marking technique, self-marked C. florus originating from a marked rose planting were captured up to 100 m away in an adjacent orchard. We conclude that rose and strawberry plantings showed potential value as a sustainable landscape modification to improve biological control of leafrollers in Washington fruit orchards.
Understanding Diseases via Receptor Regulation

In this issue of Chemistry & Biology, Guy and coworkers demonstrate that they can selectively recruit individual nuclear receptors by using small molecules (proteomimetics) in combination with specific agonists. This may ultimately lead to a link between the receptor's signaling pathway and its role in individual diseases.
The Washington, D.C. Experience with Uncontrolled Donation after Circulatory Determination of Death: Promises and Pitfalls

The author recounts his experience with an uDCD program that ran for three years at the Washington Hospital I Center in Washington, D.C. in the 1990s. Challenges, I benefits, and lessons learned are considered in depth. A I primary focus is the importance of community education, Organ Procurement Organization support, and the need for immediate in-situ preservation of organs.
A Couple in Crisis: A Case Study With Implications for Counseling

This article examines the difficulties couples’s counselors encounter when counseling clients in crises who are coping with two personality disorders: narcissistic personality disorder and borderli...
Thermal and Mechanical Responses of Particulate Composite Plates Under Direct Excitation

The thermal and mechanical near-resonant responses of particulate composite plates formed from hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) binder and varying volume ratios of NH4CL crystals (50, 65, 75%) are investigated. Each plate is mounted and forced with three levels of band-limited, white noise excitation (10–1000 Hz at 1.00, 1.86 and 2.44 g RMS). The mechanical response of each plate is recorded via scanning laser Doppler vibrometry. The plates are then excited at a single resonant frequency and the thermal response is recorded via infrared thermography. Comparisons are made between the mechanical mode shapes of each plate and spatial temperature distributions, with correlation seen between stress/strain and heat generation. The effects of the various crystal/binder ratios on both the thermal and mechanical responses are discussed. Results are also compared to numerical simulations. The observed thermomechanical effects help render an improved understanding of the thermomechanics of plastic-bonded composites, an essential step in support of the development of new technologies for the vapor-based detection of hidden explosives.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
A novel trench gate LDMOS for RF applications

In this paper a novel trench gate lateral double diffused MOSFET (TG-LDMOS) device will be discussed and compared to the conventional LDMOS structure. Currently, the LDMOS devices are the preferred technology for base station amplifiers and in Power MOSFET switching applications[Baliga, B.Jayant (1988), Bose, Bimal. K (1992)]. The synopsys TCAD simulation results will shows an improvement in the breakdown capability, capacitance and gate charge reduction, and improved transfer curve characteristics as compared with a conventional LDMOS structure.
Auger spectroscopy of high energy magnets and some inferences regarding the mechanism of coercive force

Abstract Four laboratory-synthesized magnets, two NdFeB and two SmCo5, have been examined by Auger spectroscopy to identify impurity phases present and to study the interfacial characteristics of the grains which comprise the sintered magnets. The NdFeB magnets are quite heterogeneous. The intergranular regions contain particles of a secondary phase for which nFe/nNd = 1.0 ± 0.2, as well as a mixture of Nd and B oxides. The Auger results indicated an iron-depleted near-boundary layer in the grains which comprise NdFeB magnets. This non-magnetic layer insulates one grain from its neighbors. The Auger results thus support the often-proposed notion that the high coercivity originates with some type of magnetic insulator which isolates the Nd2Fe14B grains and makes the magnets behave as an assemblage of magnetically non-interacting particles. The SmCo5 magnets were more homogeneous than the NdFeB magnets, and their surfaces are somewhat Co-enriched relative to the bulk. This enrichment may be due to the loss of volatile Sm during processing of the sintered magnets.
Adaptive pulse-position modulation for high-dimensional quantum key distribution

High-dimensional quantum key distribution (QKD) systems that exploit temporal correlation among entangled photons are of growing practical interest. In such systems, the observation time is typically partitioned into frames of fixed duration, with pulse-position modulation (PPM) coding used within each frame, via which a secret key is established between the parties. Such schemes can be very inefficient in their use of photons, since only a fraction of the frames can be used. As an alternative, we describe an efficient class of schemes with adaptive frame size whose performance can converge to the fundamental limit much more quickly. We analyze and compare the performances of both fixed and adaptive PPM schemes, taking into account photon transmission and detection losses. Further numerical results reveal the significant performance gain of adaptive PPM relative to fixed PPM.
Evaluation of a new Internet-based self-help guide for patients with bulimic symptoms in Sweden

The current study evaluated a new Internet-based self-help guide based on cognitive-behavioural therapy for patients with bulimic symptoms. Thirty-eight participants from a waiting list at an eating-disorder outpatient unit were assessed pre-treatment, post-treatment and at a 2-month follow-up using the Rating of Anorexia and Bulimia interview-revised version, an anamnesis questionnaire, the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2) and Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90R). The SCL-90R Global Severity Index and most EDI-2 subscales showed significant differences from pre-to post-treatment and the 2-month follow-up, apart from ineffectiveness, impulse regulation and social insecurity. Expert ratings revealed a significant reduction in vomiting, dietary restraints and weight phobia, with the exception of binge eating from pre-treatment to the 2-month follow-up. Exercise increased significantly, indicating that participants changed their method of compensation. An Internet-based self-help guide for bulimic symptoms is a promising new tool and can be used effectively as the first step in a stepped-care model. Further evaluations with randomized controlled trials are necessary.
Enantiomer-Specific Binding of Ruthenium(II) Molecular Wires by the Amine Oxidase of Arthrobacter Globiformis.

The copper amine oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis (AGAO) is reversibly inhibited by molecular wires comprising a Ru(II) complex head group and an aromatic tail group joined by an alkane linker. The crystal structures of a series of Ru(II)-wire−AGAO complexes differing with respect to the length of the alkane linker have been determined. All wires lie in the AGAO active-site channel, with their aromatic tail group in contact with the trihydroxyphenylalanine quinone (TPQ) cofactor of the enzyme. The TPQ cofactor is consistently in its active (“off-Cu”) conformation, and the side chain of the so-called “gate” residue Tyr296 is consistently in the “gate-open” conformation. Among the wires tested, the most stable complex is produced when the wire has a −(CH_2)_4− linker. In this complex, the Ru(II)(phen)(bpy)_2 head group is level with the protein molecular surface. Crystal structures of AGAO in complex with optically pure forms of the C4 wire show that the linker and head group in the two enantiomers occupy slightly different positions in the active-site channel. Both the Λ and Δ isomers are effective competitive inhibitors of amine oxidation. Remarkably, inhibition by the C4 wire shows a high degree of selectivity for AGAO in comparison with other copper-containing amine oxidases.
Diffusion of cattle manure solution through a wet porous stratum with reaction

A process governing the transport rate of cattle manure as measured by their COD (chemical oxygen demand) through a wet porous stratum is investigated under simulated conditions. A mathematical model of the system is presented. The model simulates diffusion and biological reaction processes taking place simultaneously in the system. Experimental observations have been made to determine the diffusion coefficient and the biological reaction rate constant of the cattle manure solution. Values of approximately 6.76 × 10−6 cm2 s−1 for the diffusion coefficient and 3.05 × 10−2 day−1 for the reaction rate constant at the temperature of 25 ± 2°C were obtained. For the system with known diffusion coefficient and reaction rate constant, the analytical expressions obtained here can be used to approximately evaluate or predict the rates that animal wastes, under conditions similar to those in this study, will contaminate surface water, soil or ground water.
Patch Burn Grazing Management in a Semiarid Grassland: Consequences for Pronghorn, Plains Pricklypear, and Wind Erosion☆

Management strategies that allow for spatiotemporal interactions between fire and herbivores can potentially achieve multiple management goals related to livestock production and wildlife conservation, but little is known about such interactions in semiarid grasslands where fire has traditionally been viewed as having few management applications. We studied patch burn grazing management in the shortgrass steppe of northeastern Colorado, comparing unburned pastures to pastures where 25% of the area was burned in October or November each year over 4 years. Our objective was to examine the interactive effects of patch burns and the subsequent response by pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) on plains pricklypear (Opuntia polyacantha) and wind erosion rates. We monitored abundance of plains pricklypear and wind erosion rates throughout the experiment and quantified seasonal pronghorn densities and postburn damage to plains pricklypear cladodes during the latter 2 years of the study. Pronghorn density was 26 times greater in winter and 7 times greater in spring on patch burns compared with unburned pastures. By late winter, densities of bitten or uprooted plains pricklypear cladodes were five times greater on patch burns compared with unburned pastures. Patch burns, as well as the subsequent response of pronghorn, reduced plains pricklypear density by 54–71% during the first year after the burns, and density remained suppressed for up to 6 years after burns. Wind erosion rates on patch burns were greater compared with unburned pastures but were two orders of magnitude lower than rates measured on fallow croplands in the region. Autumn patch burns can be a valuable means to suppress plains pricklypear and thereby increase grass available for livestock consumption in the shortgrass steppe. These outcomes can be achieved without increasing wind erosion in a manner that threatens long-term soil sustainability and without negative consequences for livestock weight gains.
Photoregulated Release of Noncovalent Guests from Dendritic Amphiphilic Nanocontainers

The design of molecular systems with stimuli-sensitive properties is of great interest for applications ranging from drug delivery to gene transfection.[1] The use of these molecular systems in drug-delivery applications has been enhanced by imparting amphiphilic character to these designs, as these systems are capable of self-assembling into various supramolecular architectures such as micelles and vesicles, and thus provide interiors that can encapsulate guest molecules noncovalently.[2] In this context, significant effort has been devoted to amphiphilic polymers with stimuli-sensitive elements because they are able to 1) form stable micelles, thus providing interiors that can sequester lipophilic guest molecules noncovalently, and 2) release guest molecules in response to both external and internal stimuli such as light,[3] pH,[4] temperature,[5] and reduction/oxidation.[6] Since dendrimers can be obtained with a high degree of control over their polydispersity and size,[7] it is fundamentally interesting to investigate stimuli-sensitive characteristics in these branched macromolecules. Incorporation of stimuli-sensitive characteristics into dendrimers has been relatively underexplored.[8] In particular, amphiphilic dendrimers[8f,9] with stimuli-responsive properties would significantly expand the scope of these molecules in a variety of applications. Herein, we describe the design and syntheses of dendritic micelles that can release their guest molecules in response to a light stimulus.
A research agenda for radiation oncology: results of the radiation oncology institute's comprehensive research needs assessment.

Purpose To promote the rational use of scarce research funding, scholars have developed methods for the systematic identification and prioritization of health research needs. The Radiation Oncology Institute commissioned an independent, comprehensive assessment of research needs for the advancement of radiation oncology care. Methods and Materials The research needs assessment used a mixed-method, qualitative and quantitative social scientific approach, including structured interviews with diverse stakeholders, focus groups, surveys of American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) members, and a prioritization exercise using a modified Delphi technique. Results Six co-equal priorities were identified: ( 1 ) Identify and develop communication strategies to help patients and others better understand radiation therapy; ( 2 ) Establish a set of quality indicators for major radiation oncology procedures and evaluate their use in radiation oncology delivery; ( 3 ) Identify best practices for the management of radiation toxicity and issues in cancer survivorship; ( 4 ) Conduct comparative effectiveness studies related to radiation therapy that consider clinical benefit, toxicity (including quality of life), and other outcomes; ( 5 ) Assess the value of radiation therapy; and ( 6 ) Develop a radiation oncology registry. Conclusions To our knowledge, this prioritization exercise is the only comprehensive and methodologically rigorous assessment of research needs in the field of radiation oncology. Broad dissemination of these findings is critical to maximally leverage the impact of this work, particularly because grant funding decisions are often made by committees on which highly specialized disciplines such as radiation oncology are not well represented.
The Role of Barium Esophagography in an Endoscopy World

Barium esophagography, although an old test, remains important to the understanding of esophageal physiology and diagnosis of esophageal disorders. It provides additive and/or confirmatory information to endoscopy and is the more accurate means of yielding diagnosis. Barium esophagography allows correlation of symptoms with barium findings and with varied textures substances. It allows, particularly for oropharyngeal dysfunction, implementation therapeutic maneuvers and instructions while testing. The caveat to maintaining the benefits of barium esophagography is continuing to promote and support expertise from our radiologists in performing these studies, which has been challenged by our cost-efficient and high-tech medical society.
Flight Muscle Enzymes and Metabolic Flux Rates During Hovering Flight of the Nectar Bat, Glossophaga Soricina: Further Evidence of Convergence With Hummingbirds

article i nfo Given their high metabolic rates, nectarivorous diet, and ability to directly fuel their energetically-expensive flight using recently-ingested sugar, we tested the hypothesis that Pallas long tongued nectar bats (Glossophaga soricina) possess flight muscles similar to those of hummingbirds with respect to enzymatic flux capacities in bioenergetic pathways. In addition, we compared these biochemical capacities with flux rates achieved in vivo during hovering flight. Rates of oxygen consumption (V2) were measured during hover-feeding and used to estimate rates of ATP turnover, glucose and long-chain fatty acid oxidation per unit mass of flight muscle. Enzyme Vmax values at key steps in glucose and fatty acid oxidation obtained in vitro from pectoralis muscle samples exceed those found in the locomotory muscles of other species of small mammals and resemble data obtained from hummingbird flight muscles. The ability of nectar bats and hummingbirds to hover in fed and fasted states, fueled almost exclusively by carbohydrate or fat, respectively, allowed the estimation of fractional velocities (v/Vmax) at both the hexokinase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-2 steps in glucose and fatty acid oxidation, respectively. The results further support the hypothesis of convergent evolution in biochemical and physiological traits in nectar bats and hummingbirds.
Rubidium Marking Technique for the European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Corn

Laboratory and greenhouse experiments conducted in 1980 showed that rubidium (Rb) could be used to mark corn plants and emergent European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Huebner), moths. Rb had no adverse effects on pre-adult mortality, moth deformity, or fecundity. The best application method for marking ECB moths was an over-the-top + directed foliar spray to the corn plants. 14 references, 1 figure, 4 tables.
Carbon Emissions Embodied in Importation, Transport and Retail of Electronics in the U.S.: A Growing Global Issue

Due to increased international trade over the past decade, the global carbon footprint of the US has been expanding. Electronics are a major driver in this trend, as they are both heavily imported and energy intensive. We estimate that the embodied emissions in electronic goods imported to the US has increased from ~170 Mmt CO2 in 1997 to ~470 Mmt CO2 in 2004, primarily driven by increased consumption of computers and peripherals, audio/video equipment, wireless communications equipment, and various components. Two usually ignored portions of the supply chain, international transport and wholesaling/retailing, represent further emissions of 4-10 Mmt CO2 and ~33 Mmt CO2 respectively, showing the importance of including them in life cycle inventories of electronics.
Transplant Immunology, Unit 32 in the AGA Undergraduate Teaching Project in Gastroenterology and Liver Disease

Abstract Physicians in general, and gastroenterologists in particular, love to learn. Nowadays, there is no shortage of ways to learn: not only books, but also programs on CD-ROM, audiotapes, videotapes, and slide sets, with the promise of even more techniques in the future. To reflect the expanding array of approaches to self-learning and dissemination of new information, we have with this issue of GASTROENTEROLOGY changed the name of this section from "Book Reviews" to the more inclusive title of "Print and Media Reviews." A second modification beginning with this issue is a brief concluding "bottom line" statement by each reviewer. This will permit readers to scan the section more easily for the "take-home message" about each work reviewed. On the other hand, we have decided to resist another current trend of structured, formatted reviews, preferring instead to continue to permit reviewers unfettered literary freedom in essay form. We hope these minor but significant changes will enhance the value of this section to our readers. GASTROENTEROLOGY 1998;114:223-224
Disparities in post–acute rehabilitation care for joint replacement

Objectives—To determine the extent to which demographic and geographic disparities exist in the use of post-acute rehabilitation care (PARC) for joint replacement. Methods—Cross-sectional analysis of two years (2005–2006) of population-based hospital discharge data from 392 hospitals in four states (AZ, FL, NJ, WI). 164,875 individuals 45 years and older admitted to the hospital for a hip or knee joint replacement and who survived their inpatient stay were identified. Three dichotomous dependent variables were examined: 1) discharge to home vs. institution (i.e., skilled nursing facility (SNF) or inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF)); 2) discharge to home with vs. without home health (HH); and 3) discharge to a SNF vs. IRF. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify demographic and geographic disparities in PARC use, controlling for illness severity/comorbidities, hospital characteristics, and PARC supply. Interactions among race, socioeconomic, and geographic variables were explored. Results—Considering PARC as a continuum from more to less intensive care in regard to hours of rehabilitation/day (e.g., IRF→SNF→HH→no HH), the uninsured received less intensive care in all three models. Individuals on Medicaid and those of lower SES received less intensive care in the HH/no HH and SNF/IRF models. Individuals living in rural areas received less intensive care in the institution/home and HH/no HH models. The effect of race was modified by insurance and by state. In most instances minorities received less intensive care. PARC use varied by hospital. Conclusions—Efforts to further understand the reasons behind these disparities and their effect on outcomes are needed.
Near-infrared Spectroscopy: Neonatal and Perinatal Applications

After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Delineate the clinical benefits of near-infrared spectroscopy. 2. Describe the primary clinical applications of near-infrared spectroscopy. ### Development of Light-based Diagnostic Systems Transillumination, or the passage of light through the body, has been studied since the early 1800s. Attempts to image organs and tissues for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment have developed to the point that light-based monitoring in the form of pulse oximetry is used daily in hospitals and clinics. Transillumination of the head, first described in 1831 by Richard Bright, eventually would be recognized as the first light-based diagnostic technique to identify hydrocephalus. With modification, although still crude, it was used to diagnose intracranial hemorrhage in the neonate at a time before head ultrasonography was available and when computed tomography (CT) was extremely expensive and not widely available. In early devices, light in the visible part of the spectrum was employed; more recently, light over a narrower band of wavelengths has been used. In 1977, Jobsis showed that tissue absorption of near-infrared light at a wavelength of 700 to 1,000 nm was low enough to allow spectral measurements across the head of an animal with a diameter of 5 to 6 cm. The absorption of near-infrared light by particular pigments in the body changes as the oxygenation state of these pigments change. Thus, deoxyhemoglobin (Hb) absorbs light differently after it has bound oxygen and becomes oxyhemoglobin (HbO2). Cytochrome aa3, the terminal enzyme in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, also can be detected using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Measurement of cytochrome aa3 may allow assessment of oxygenation at the cellular level, with changes in oxidized and reduced cytochrome aa3 concentrations (redox state) indicating changes in molecular oxygen availability. The relative absorbances for HbO2 and Hb are unique at each wavelength (Fig. …
Network motif-based identification of transcription factor-target gene relationships by integrating multi-source biological data

Integrating data from multiple global assays and curated databases is essential to understand the spatio-temporal interactions within cells. Different experiments measure cellular processes at various widths and depths, while databases contain biological information based on established facts or published data. Integrating these complementary datasets helps infer a mutually consistent transcriptional regulatory network (TRN) with strong similarity to the structure of the underlying genetic regulatory modules. Decomposing the TRN into a small set of recurring regulatory patterns, called network motifs (NM), facilitates the inference. Identifying NMs defined by specific transcription factors (TF) establishes the framework structure of a TRN and allows the inference of TF-target gene relationship. This paper introduces a computational framework for utilizing data from multiple sources to infer TF-target gene relationships on the basis of NMs. The data include time course gene expression profiles, genome-wide location analysis data, binding sequence data, and gene ontology (GO) information. The proposed computational framework was tested using gene expression data associated with cell cycle progression in yeast. Among 800 cell cycle related genes, 85 were identified as candidate TFs and classified into four previously defined NMs. The NMs for a subset of TFs are obtained from literature. Support vector machine (SVM) classifiers were used to estimate NMs for the remaining TFs. The potential downstream target genes for the TFs were clustered into 34 biologically significant groups. The relationships between TFs and potential target gene clusters were examined by training recurrent neural networks whose topologies mimic the NMs to which the TFs are classified. The identified relationships between TFs and gene clusters were evaluated using the following biological validation and statistical analyses: (1) Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to evaluate the clustering results; (2) Leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) to ensure that the SVM classifiers assign TFs to NM categories with high confidence; (3) Binding site enrichment analysis (BSEA) to determine enrichment of the gene clusters for the cognate binding sites of their predicted TFs; (4) Comparison with previously reported results in the literatures to confirm the inferred regulations. The major contribution of this study is the development of a computational framework to assist the inference of TRN by integrating heterogeneous data from multiple sources and by decomposing a TRN into NM-based modules. The inference capability of the proposed framework is verified statistically (e.g., LOOCV) and biologically (e.g., GSEA, BSEA, and literature validation). The proposed framework is useful for inferring small NM-based modules of TF-target gene relationships that can serve as a basis for generating new testable hypotheses.
Accelerated ordered-subsets algorithm based on separable quadratic surrogates for regularized image reconstruction in X-ray CT

Iterative algorithms for X-ray CT image reconstruction offer the possibility of reduced dose and/or improved image quality, but require substantial compute time. Reducing the time will likely require algorithms that can be massively parallelized. Ordered subsets (OS) algorithms update all voxels simultaneously and thus are amenable to such parallelization. We present an new monotonic algorithm for regularized image reconstruction that is derived using optimization transfer with separable quadratic surrogates (SQS). The new algorithm accelerates the convergence rate by adapting reduced curvature values for the regularizer that were proposed by Yu et al. [1] for coordinate descent algorithms. We further accelerate the algorithm using ordered subsets. Simulation results show that the proposed OS algorithm converges faster than the traditionalOS algorithmforX-ray CT reconstruction from a limited number of projection views.
Discretionary calorie intake a priority for obesity prevention: results of rapid participatory approaches in low-income US communities

Background Since resources are limited, selecting the most promising targets for obesity interventions is critical. We examined the relative associations of physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption and ‘junk food’ consumption with BMI and the prevalence of relevant policies in school, work, food outlets and health-care settings. Methods We conducted intercept surveys in three low-income, high-minority California communities to assess fruit, vegetable, candy, cookie, salty snacks and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and self-reported height, weight and physical activity. We also assessed relevant policies in selected worksites, schools and health-care settings through key informant interviews. Results Data were collected from 1826 respondents, 21 schools, 40 worksites, 14 health-care settings and 29 food outlets. The average intake of salty snacks, candy, cookies and sugar-sweetened beverages was estimated at 2226 kJ (532 kcal) daily, 88% higher than the US Department of Agriculture/Department of Health and Human Services guidelines recommend. Energy from these sources was more strongly related to BMI than reported physical activity, fruit or vegetable consumption. Policies to promote healthy eating and physical activity were limited in worksites. Fruits and vegetables were less salient than junk food in community food outlets.
Quantitative Mineral Resource Assessments: An Integrated Approach.: Donald A. Singer and W. David Menzie. Pp. 232. 2010. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-539959-2. Price US$74.00.

This book is the result of almost 40 years of effort the authors have made to develop an integrated approach to mineral resource assessments, principally working with the U.S. Geological Survey. The authors’ goal was to provide information valuable to users or practitioners of these types of assessments and, overall, they have done a fine job with this book. Although they emphasize the importance of quantitative mineral resource assessments (QRAs) and the details about how they are developed, principally being focused on the needs of government decision makers, the value of the book for exploration managers is much more than the authors intended. The QRAs have been developed to provide a rational, fact-based analysis of the potential for discovery of mineral resources on public lands. This information is important to people making informed decisions about land use and policy. The authors have developed a stepwise, three-part approach to QRAs: (1) using models of tonnages and grades to estimate possible tonnages and grades of undiscovered deposits, (2) …
Iterations of linear maps over finite fields

We study the dynamics of the evolution of Ducci sequences and the Martin-OdlyzkoWolfram cellular automaton by iterating their respective linear maps on Z n .A fter a review of an algebraic characterization of cycle lengths, we deduce the relationship between the maximal cycle lengths of these two maps from a simple connection between them. For n odd, we establish a conjugacy relationship that provides a more direct identification of their dynamics. We give an alternate, geometric proof of the maximal cycle length relationship, based on this conjugacy and a symmetry property. We show that the cyclic dynamics of both maps in dimension 2n can be deduced from their periodic behavior in dimension n. This link is generalized to a larger class of maps. With restrictions shared by both maps, we obtain a formula for the number of vectors in dimension 2n belonging to a cycle of length q that expresses this number in terms of the analogous values in dimension n.
Pregnancy is a screening test for later life cardiovascular disease: now what? Research recommendations.

Several months ago, we wrote a commentary describing pregnancy as a screening test for later life cardiovascular diseases in mothers (Roberts & Hubel, 2010). We emphasized the wellestablished relationship of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes with later life cardiovascular disease and carbohydrate intolerance, respectively. We also pointed out the less wellestablished relationships of preterm birth, other pregnancy disorders associated with abnormal placental implantation, and even pregnancy itself with later life heart disease. We further considered the purported protective effect of breastfeeding to reduce cardiovascular disease. In the presentation, we complained that the 2007 American Heart Association’s “Evidence Based Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Women” (Mosca et al., 2007) did not include a pregnancy history as a part of the evaluation of cardiovascular risk for women. We are happy to point out that the new 2011 guidelines from the American Heart Association do include a recommendation to obtain a pregnancy history and also consider both preeclampsia and gestational diabetes as risk factors for later life maternal cardiovascular disease (Mosca et al., 2011). The question that now arises is how are we to use this information? For gestational diabetes, we need to determine themost cost-effective follow-up to at least identify and perhaps prevent diabetes in later life. For preeclampsia (and by extension other relevant pregnancy disorders), the answer is not at all obvious. Once the pregnancy history of preeclampsia is determined, what is next? Little information is available to guide actions for clinicians.What testing shouldbedone?When should this be done? Is there information to justify testing women with a history of
A single-VDD ultra-low energy sub-threshold FPGA

Sub-threshold operation in CMOS has in recent years become an accepted ultra-low power solution. However, many low-volume applications cannot afford to produce custom silicon. An FPGA, which delivers the flexibility of programming and yet consumes ultra-low power by way of sub-threshold operation, can fill this gap. In this work we propose a single-VDD sub-threshold FPGA, map a benchmark circuit application to it and analyze the resulting fabric from various standpoints. The constituent blocks functionally work down to 110mV and the ISCAS benchmark mapped onto the fabric has a minimum energy point around 200mV while consuming 8pJ/operation. These results serve as the foundation to further investigate energy efficiency in the context of sub-threshold operation and identify limits of scale, impact of design styles and achievable performance.
On fast Hartley transform algorithms

This letter discusses the equivalence between the pre- and post-permutation algorithms for the fast Hartley transform (FHT). Some improvements are made to two recently published FHT programs.
Interaction of alkynes with palladium POCOP-pincer hydride complexes and its unexpected relation to palladium-catalyzed hydrogenation of alkynes

Palladium POCOP-pincer hydride complexes [2,6-(R2PO)2C6H3]PdH (R = tBu, 2a; R = iPr, 2b; R = cPe, 2c, cPe = cyclopentyl) have been synthesized from [2,6-(R2PO)2C6H3]PdCl (1a–c) and LiAlH4 or LiBEt3H. These hydride complexes react with phenylacetylene to afford H2, [2,6-(R2PO)2C6H3]PdCCPh (3a–c) and a small amount of styrene. When the R groups are isopropyl groups, a second palladium species is generated, and it has been identified as an alkenyl complex (E)-[2,6-(iPr2PO)2C6H3]PdCHCHPh (4b). Mechanistic studies have shown that decomposition of these palladium pincer complexes and related palladium methyl complexes [2,6-(R2PO)2C6H3]PdCH3 (5a–c) occurs at room temperature in the presence of H2 (1 atm or lower), resulting in the leaching of palladium particles. These particles have been shown to catalyze the hydrogenation of phenylacetylene and diphenylacetylene to their alkene and alkane products. A mechanism for the formation of palladium particles has been proposed. The structures of 1a, 1c, 2a, 2c, 3a, 4b and 5b have been studied by X-ray crystallography.
Causes of sterile vitritis in the setting of Boston keratoprosthesis

An idiopathic inflammation of the vitreous humor, “sterile vitritis”, has been observed in some keratoprosthesis recipients, typically months to years after implantation. Its etiology is unclear. Potential mechanisms include: (i) local tissue destruction and inflammation around the prosthesis, at the point of contact between cornea donor tissue and the device, (ii) microbial cell wall or nucleic acid triggering inflammation, and (iii) a systemic immune response with ocular manifestations. One or more of these mechanisms likely contributes to each case of idiopathic vitreous inflammation. Tissue remodeling around the keratoprosthesis may create a dynamic space for inorganic or organic debris to enter the eye. Some cases of vitritis may have an infectious origin, despite negative cultures. Continued studies are needed to assess the clinical significance of corneal tissue loss under the front plate and adjacent to the stem. These areas of tissue “gaps” may provide access for organic and inorganic debris to enter the eye and stimulate inflammation.
Langmuir—Blodgett monolayer deposition on collodion☆

Abstract The deposition of stearic acid monolayers on collodion by the Langmuir-Blodgett method was characterized by transfer ratio and withdrawal contact angle measurements. A transfer mechanism is proposed and discussed.
Effect of body-image stimuli on verbal errors of dysphasic subjects.

given 20 sec. to name them. A Z score representing the difference between the proportion of neutral and bodystimuli errors for all Ss was 1.28 which was less than the critical value of 1.96 for significance, indicating there were no significant differences between proportion of neutral and body-stimuli errors. A Z score of 1.33 was calculated for the proportion of total errors for neutral and body stimuli for dysarthric and nondysarthric Ss and this was below the critical value of 1.96 indicating no significant differences. A Z score of 2.1 was calculated for the proportion of errors for neutral and body stimuli for Ss with mild and severe right-sided paralysis. The Z score was higher than the critical value of 1.96, indicating that body stimuli produced significantly more errors than neutral stimuli. The results suggest the naming of body parts is not necessarily affected by disturbed speech or language components but rather is affected by the physical impairment of the patient.
Effect of Land Use Uncertainty on Watershed modeling

Modeling is nothing but approximation of real world problems through mathematical equations. Therefore, results obtained through use of models contain a lot of uncertainties (e.g. uncertainties due to model structure, precipitation, soil and land use/cover data, etc.) and should be approached with caution. Although there has been an increasing awareness and interest in addressing model predictive uncertainties, uncertainties induced by land use/cover have attracted little attention. This study evaluated model predictive uncertainty due to land use/cover in predicting flow, sediment and nutrients (Nitrogen and Phosphorus) from Greensboro watershed at Maryland. SWAT model is applied to the watershed using three different land use/cover datasets coming from three different sources: NLCD 2001, Mid-Atlantic Regional Earth Science (RESAC 2000) land use map and state land use maps from Maryland and Delaware (2000). Differences in model outputs due to use of land use/cover data from variable sources are discussed. The results generated by uncertainty in input data are evaluated by statistical measures such as coefficient of determination, Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency and mass balance error (MBE). At the end, we elaborate on which of the four simulated model outputs (i.e. flow, sediment, N, and P) are affected most by land use/cover uncertainty.
Evaluation of Scientific Research Efficiency of Provincial Universities Based on Improved DEA Method

The efficiency of universities scientific research is playing a strong role in supporting regional technological efficiency and economic and social development.In the study of inter-provincial university research efficiency,traditional DEA method is often applied,which can't solve the time lag problem of inputs and outputs in university scientific research and the problem of the effects of non-uniformity.To solve the above problems,by applying the improved DEA method,the paper establishes an evaluation model with relatively lagged output time then evaluates the efficiency of university scientific research for the period of 2003-2009 in 31 provinces.And based on the evaluation results,the paper proposes some recommendations for each province to improve university research efficiency as an effective reference.
Oblivious equilibrium for stochastic games with concave utility

We study stochastic games with a large number of players, where players are coupled via their payoff functions. A standard solution concept for stochastic games is Markov perfect equilibrium (MPE). In MPE, each player's strategy is a function of its own state as well as the state of other players. This makes MPE computationally prohibitive as the number of players becomes large. An approximate solution concept called oblivious equilibrium (OE) was introduced by Weintraub et al., where each player's decision depends only on its own state and the ldquolong-run averagerdquo state of other players. This makes OE computationally more tractable than MPE. It was shown that under a set of assumptions, as the number of players becomes large, OE closely approximates MPE. However, these assumptions require the computation of OE and verifying that the resulting stationary distribution satisfies a certain light-tail condition. In this paper, we derive exogenous conditions on the state dynamics and the payoff function under which the light-tail condition holds. A key condition is that the agents' payoffs are concave in their own state and actions. These exogenous conditions enable us to characterize a family of stochastic games in which OE is a good approximation for MPE.
ARM Instructions Part I

Advanced RISC Machine (ARM) was developed by the Acorn Company. ARM is a leader supplier of microprocessors in the world, ARM develop the core CPU and thousand of suppliers add more functional units to the core. ARM uses two types instruction called Thumb and Thumb-2. Thumb instructions are 16 bits and thumb-2 instructions are 32 bits, currently most ARM processors uses 32 bit instructions.
Updating highway asset inventory using airborne LiDAR

Abstract Highway assets, including traffic signs and signals, light poles, guardrails, and culverts, are essential components of transportation networks. They guide, warn, and protect drivers and regulate traffic. To manage and maintain the regular operation of the highway system, state departments of transportation (DOTs) need reliable and up-to-date information about the location and condition of highway features. Various techniques have been employed to collect highway inventory data. These techniques range from the simplest manual inventory method to methods that involve advanced technology, such as light detection and ranging (LiDAR). The focus of this paper is to analyze the capability and strengths of airborne LiDAR in highway inventory data collection. A field experiment was conducted to collect airborne LiDAR data, and an ArcGIS-based workflow was proposed to process the data. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed workflow as well as the feasibility and high efficiency of airborne LiDAR for highway inventory data collection.
Chitosan-Based Delivery System for Tissue Regeneration and Chemotherapy

A variety of polymeric devices have been widely studied as a means to deliver drugs at an appropriate dosage, delivery sequence, and time period to improve and optimize the treatment. In the conventional therapy of drug administration, a major limitation is the initial burst release of drugs, inducing a rapid loss of therapeutic efficacy and increasing the risk of harmful side effects to patients. As an alternative approach, single or multiple therapeutic agents can be incorporated into an appropriate material to well regulate its residence time and dosages. In this regard, numerous synthetic and natural polymers have been employed as drug carriers to control drug release for a desired administration. Recently, chitosan, a cationic natural polymer, has gained considerably attention due to its potential broad application in tissue regeneration, chemotherapy, and wound healing. In this chapter, chitosan is introduced as a drug carrier in a variety of forms. This chapter discusses several properties of chitosan such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and functionality. It will also discuss techniques for preparation of chitosan-based delivery systems, and strategies of controlled drug release for potential biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, including tissue regeneration, chemotherapy, and wound healing.
El flirt: la velada estrategia feminista de Eduarda Mansilla en Recuerdos de viaje (1882)

Este articulo enlaza Recuerdos de viaje (1882), de Eduarda Mansilla (1834–1892) con la tradicion de la cronica modernista, revisa las distintas interpretaciones que del texto ha propuesto la critica, a la vez que examina las estrategias discursivas que esta autora elabora en su relato de viaje para proponer su particular ideario feminista. Una de las estrategias mas innovadoras que lleva a cabo esta escritora es la creacion de la joven yankee. Esta figura representa la modernidad estadounidense, esa mezcla de belleza, vulgaridad, atrevimiento y acatamiento. Estrategicamente, Mansilla distancia a su publico lector argentino de la realidad de este conjunto de mujeres, pero es a traves de su recreacion que esta escritora expone (en la doble acepcion de mostrar y hacer experimentar) un modelo de liberacion femenina.
Improving Nutrition Outcomes for Infants < 1500 Grams With a Progressive, Evidenced-Based Enteral Feeding Protocol.

BACKGROUND Growth is essential for very low birth weight infants. The purpose of this retrospective chart review was to evaluate the impact of a new standardized, evidenced-based feeding protocol for infants born < 1500 g in correlation with growth and clinical outcomes. METHODS Growth and nutrition data was reviewed from 2 groups of infants born < 1500 g within a level III newborn intensive care unit (NICU). Epoch 1 infants (N = 32) received care following initial implementation of a standardized enteral feeding protocol. Epoch 2 infants (N = 32) received care following aggressive modification of this initial protocol based on newly available literature that promotes earlier initiation and advancement of enteral feedings. RESULTS Epoch 2 infants weighed more at 36 weeks (2562 vs 2304 g) with higher discharge weight percentiles (32nd vs 15th percentile). Epoch 2 infants started and achieved full enteral feedings earlier (day of life 1 vs 4; 7 vs 22, P < 0.0001) and required less days of parenteral nutrition (5.5 vs 17.5 days, P < 0.0001), with indwelling central line for parenteral access (6 vs 17.5). There were no differences in retinopathy of prematurity (17% control vs 19% study), oxygen requirement at 36 weeks (22% epoch 1 vs 43%), necrotizing enterocolitis (3% epoch 1 vs 0%), intraventricular hemorrhage grade 3-4, periventricular leukomalacia, or death. CONCLUSION In this sample of very low birth weight infants, a progressive standardized, evidence-based feeding protocol was associated with improved growth without increased risk for necrotizing enterocolitis.