cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Feeding of the copepod Acartia tonsa on the diatom Nitzschia closterium and brown algae (Fucus vesiculosus) detritus

Clearance, ingestion and incorporation rates of the copepod Acartia tonsa were measured using the diatom Nitzschia closterium and Fucus vesiculosus detritus. Mean clearance rates ranged from 1.5 to 3.7 ml copepod-1 day-1 on N. closterium and from 1.6 to 5.3 ml copepod-1 day-1 on 28 day-aged F. vesiculosus detritus. The copepods ingested from 0.05 to 0.29 μgC μg copepod C-1 day-1 feeding on N. closterium and from 0.06 to 0.81 μgC μg copepod C-1 day-1 on 28 day-aged F. vesiculosus detritus. N. closterium (4 to 6 μm diameter) is at the lower size limit of retention efficiency of A. tonsa as compared to the F. vesiculosus detritus used (10 to 24 μm diameter). Therefore, the greater feeding rate of A. tonsa on detritus was probably due to greater particle size. Relative levels of incorporation efficiency measured over several food concentrations ranged from 18 to 55% for P32-labelled N. closterium and 10 to 45% for 28 day-aged Zn65-labelled F. vesiculosus detritus. Incorporation rates of A. tonsa fed differently aged F. vesiculosus (0, 14, 28 and 56 days) ranged from 2.92 μg F. vesiculosus μg copepod-1 day-1 for unaged detritus to 0.06 μg F. vesiculosus μg copepod-1 day-1 for 56 day-aged F. vesiculosus detritus. Although the percent nitrogen of the detritus increased with age, A. tonsa had a greater incorporation rate on fresh detritus, which had a larger mean particle diameter than older detritus. As both P32 and Zn65 are not as metabolically labile as carbon, incorporation rates are probably underestimates of the true values. While A. tonsa was able to grow and reproduce on N. closterium, they did not survive on variously aged F. vesiculosus detritus. Cannibalism occurred in the A. tonsa cultures, so growth results are relative.
A flexible graphene FET gas sensor using polymer as gate dielectrics

We have successfully demonstrated a Graphene Field Effect Transistor (GFET) gas sensor on a flexible plastic substrate with a sensitivity of 0.00428ppm-1 (ΔR/R0) for ammonia. Compared with the state-of-art technologies, four distinctive advancements have been achieved: (1) first demonstration of a flexible graphene FET gas sensor; (2) a new fabrication process to achieve embedded-gate GFET on a flexible substrate; (3) proof of utilizing polymeric materials of parylene and polyethylenimine (PEI) as gate dielectrics and channel dopant for graphene FETs, respectively; and (4) validation of a gas sensing mechanism utilizing the real-time, n-type graphene doping process induced by the exposure of graphene FET to the targeted gases. As such, the proposed sensing scheme/platform could open up a new class of research in graphene-based, flexible gas sensing systems.
Why are Marketing Academicians so Cowardly

Marketing academicians frequently complain that they are not utilized as meaningful participants in debates concerning national business and economic policy. This lack of utilization may be of our own making. As academicians we have failed to speak out on the broad issues, electing instead to concentrate on topics of very narrow, very technical expertise.
High-sensitivity magnetic resonance by SQUID detection

A SQUID magnetometer has been used to detect electron paramagnetic resonance of the Ce%3 ion in dilute CMN (1 %) at low temperatures down to 10 mK. This method of detecting magnetic resonance allows a greater signalto-noise ratio over conventional methods with samples having long Τ1 and short Τ2 values and it is particularly useful at very low temperatures. Resonance experiments can be simply performed without apparatus modification at rf frequencies ranging from about 10 kHz to well above 1 GHz, thus making it possible to observe low-field EPR as well as NMR signals from the same sample. Spin lattice relaxation measurements, using this method, on both powdered and single-crystal 1% CMN show a low-temperature phonon bottleneck behavior consistent with previous measurements. Relaxation in the powder is much faster than that observed in the single crystal.
Total Synthesis of the Actin-Depolymerizing Agent (−)-Mycalolide A: Application of Chiral Silane-Based Bond Construction Methodology

A highly convergent asymmetric synthesis of the actin-depolymerizing agent (−)-mycalolide A has been achieved through the assembly and union of the C1−C19 trisoxazole fragment 2 and the C20−C35 aliphatic fragment 3, respectively. The C1−C19 fragment 2 was constructed via a Kishi−Nozaki coupling between the C1−C6 subunit 4 and the C7−C19 subunit 5, which in turn was obtained from a highly stereoselective crotylation reaction of silane (S)-7 with trisoxazole aldehyde 8. The synthesis of the C20−C35 fragment 3 has been accomplished using chiral silane-based bond construction methodology for the introduction of the stereochemical relationships. Union of the advanced intermediates 2 and 3 through a Schlosser−Wittig protocol, macrocyclization utilizing Yamaguchi conditions, and subsequent functional group adjustments completed the total synthesis of (−)-mycalolide A. The synthesis confirms the relative and absolute stereochemistry of (−)-mycalolide A, as well as illustrates the application of chiral silane-base...
Training for department chairs at SIGCSE 2015

Are you a new chair, a veteran chair, or considering a chair position? If so, please plan to participate in the SIGCSE 2015 Roundtable for Department Chairs. The insights likely to be gained should be beneficial to helping you become a more effective and successful chair.
Mindfulness and Mental Health Among African American College Students

The current study examined the relation of a commonly used measure of mindfulness (Mindful Attention Awareness Scale [MAAS]) and psychological flexibility (Acceptance and Action Questionnaire [AAQ]...
Optical holographic recording by guided waves in azo-dye-doped polymer multimode fibers

We report holographic recording in photosensitive polymer optical fibers by guided beams. The fibers are made of poly(methyl methacrylate) doped with Disperse Red 1as photosensitive element. Holographic recordings are performed with parallel- and orthogonally-polarized writing beams. Recording of Fourier-transform images in these fibers is also demonstrated. The recording mechanism is photoinduced reorientation of Disperse Red 1 molecules.
Optimally stopping the sample mean of a wiener process with an unknown drift

Abstract It is well known that optimally stopping the sample mean W(t) t of a standard Wiener process is associated with a square root boundary. It is shown that when W(t) is replaced by X(t) = W(t) + θt with θ normally distributed N(μ, σ2) and independently of the Wiener process, the optimal stopping problem is equivalent to the time-truncated version of the original problem. It is also shown that the problem of optimally stopping (b + X(t)) (a + t) , with constants a > 0 and b, is equivalent to the time-truncated version of the original problem or the one-arm bandit problem depending on whether σ2 a−1. Furthermore, the optimal stopping region changes drastically as the prior parameters (μ, σ2) are slightly perturbed in a neighborhood of ( b a , 1 a ).
Sex-Linked Characteristics of Brain Functioning: Why Jimmy Reads Differently.

Abstract For the most part, the comparatively inferior reading achievement of young boys has been attributed to maturational and socio‐cultural variables. Other contributing factors that are less frequently acknowledged by educators, are associated with the sex‐linked characteristics of neurological functioning. The importance of considering differentiated brain‐functioning, in conjunction with other conditions, is explained in this article. Evidence is presented to support the premise that boys reflect a predilection to process information visually, while girls reflect a preference to process information auditorally. Possible implications for instruction are presented, however, the need for further investigations is cited. Cautions are issued against relying on isolated components such as hemispheric dominance or laterality during the identification and correction of reading problems. Examples are provided to illustrate the importance of integrated processing between hemispheres of the brain.
Ribosome changes following illumination of dark-grown plants

Abstract The amino acid incorporating activity in vitro of ribosomes prepared from dark-grown plants is stimulated up to 200 % following exposure of the seedlings to low levels of light, and the percentage of polyribosomes is increased following this treatment. Red light is most effective in promoting this response. Polyuridylic acid (poly (U)) strongly enhances the incorporation of phenylalanine by ribosomes from both treated and control plants, and a portion of the observed stimulation by light is retained in the presence of an excess of this synthetic messenger.
Heterogeneous multi-channel wireless networks: routing and link layer protocols

We consider multi-channel wireless networks where nodes may be equipped with heterogeneous radios, each potentially capable of operation on a limited portion of the total available spectrum. Moreover even the channels may not all be identical; they may have potentially different propagation characteristics, and may support different sets of transmission rates. Much prior research on multi-channel networks has assumed identical channels and radio capabilities. However heterogeneity of channels and radios introduces a host of new issues that must be handled. In recent theoretical work we considered asymptotic transport capacity of multi-channel networks of single-radio nodes subject to switching constraints. This constitutes a class of instances involving heterogeneous radios, albeit identical channels. We leverage some of the insights obtained from our theoretical results, and now consider a more general model involving heterogeneity of radios and channels. We identify the key issues that differentiate heterogeneous multi-channel wireless networks, and describe a design framework for routing and channel assignment.
Upper-state rotational constants for the ν4 band of chlorine nitrate

Abstract The upper-state rotational constants for ν 4 band of 35 ClONO 2 are A ′ = 0.40361(4), B ′ = 0.0923(4) and C ′ = 0.07532(4)cm -1 . These values were originally determined by modeling the band. A normal coordinate analysis was subsequently conducted as an independent check of these rotational constants.
Brain and sperm cell surface antigen (NS-4) on preimplantation mouse embryos.

Abstract Antiserum prepared in rabbit against 4-day-old mouse cerebellum (anti-NS-4 serum) reacts in the complement-mediated cytotoxicity test with unfertilized and fertilized mouse eggs, cleavage stage embryos, and cells of the trophoblast and inner cell mass of the mouse blastocyst. This activity is specifically removed by absorption of antiserum with adult mouse brain and epididymal sperm but not with adult liver, spleen, kidney, and thymocytes. The antiserum reacts most strongly with cells of the trophoblast and inner cell mass and, in order of decreasing reactivity, with four- to eight-cell stage embryos, zygotes, unfertilized eggs, and two-cell stage embryos.
A performance analysis of alternative multi-attribute declustering strategies

During the past decade, parallel database systems have gained increased popularity due to their high performance, scalability and availability characteristics. With the predicted future database sizes and the complexity of queries, the scalability of these systems to hundreds and thousands of processors is essential for satisfying the projected demand. Several studies have repeatedly demonstrated that both the performance and scalability of a paralel database system is contingent on the physical layout of data across the processors of the system. If the data is not declustered properly, the execution of an operator might waste resources, reducing the overall processing capability of the system.With earlier, single attribute declustering strategies, such as those found in Tandem, Teradata, Gamma, and Bubba parallel database systems, a selection query including a range predicate on any attribute other than the partitioning attribute must be sent to all processors containing tuples of the relation. By directing a query with minimal resource requirements to processors that contain no relevant tuples, the system wastes CPU cycles, communication bandwidth, and I/O bandwidth, reducing its overall processing capability. As a solution, several multi-attribute declustering strategies have been proposed. However, the performance of these declustering techniques have not previously been compared to one another nor with a single attribute partitioning strategy. This paper, compares the performance of Multi-Attribute GrId deClustering (MAGIC) strategy and Bubba's Extended Range Declustering (BERD) strategy with one another and with the range partitioning strategy. Our results indicate that MAGIC outperforms both range and BERD in all experiments conducted in this study.
Characterization of IHSS Pony Lake fulvic acid dissolved organic matter by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopy

Abstract We present the extensive characterization of Antarctic Pony Lake (PL) dissolved organic matter (DOM), an International Humic Substance Society (IHSS) fulvic acid (FA) reference standard, using electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS) and excitation–emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy (EEMS). PLFA is the first reference standard available through IHSS derived solely from a microbial source. A number of factors differentiate PLFA from other IHSS standards, including source material, geographic location, sunlight exposure, freeze–thaw conditions, and other in situ environmental influences. ESI FT-ICR MS and EEMS were used to compare the PLFA microbial DOM compositional signature with the IHSS Suwannee River (SR) FA, a standard frequently studied for environmental DOM analysis. Although CcHhOoNnSs (n = 0, 1, or 2 and s = 0 or 1) constituents were present in both IHSS samples, PLFA contained more N and S molecular species, whereas SRFA was dominated by CcHhOo compounds. Proteinaceous character was detected with both methods, in greater abundance for PLFA, which we attributed to its microbial source material and labile, potentially more reactive nature than SRFA. Characterization from both analytical techniques resulted in complementary data that reinforce the importance of PLFA as an IHSS reference standard that should be utilized for other microbiological environmental DOM comparisons.
The availability of iron from various solid‐phase iron sources to a siderophore producing Pseudomonas strain

Abstract Non‐crystalline or short‐range order Fe oxides (sometimes called amorphous Fe oxides) are of interest because of their surface area and high reactivity, and their influence on Fe availability in the soil. Eight non‐crystalline Fe(III) oxides were precipitated from solutions with Si/Fe(III) molar ratios ranging from 0.00 to 1.00. These eight Fe oxides, along with goethite and hematite, were evaluated for their ability to supply Fe to an isolate of Pseudomonas obtained from grass roots. Levels of siderophore in solution were significantly higher in controls (with no Fe added) and in the presence of hematite or the more‐crystalline goethite sample, than with the non‐crystalline oxide treatments. The non‐crystalline oxides were indistinguishable in their ability to suppress siderophore production. Greater numbers of Pseudomonas were observed in cultures amended with the non‐crystalline oxides than in the cultures amended with crystalline oxides or in the Fe‐deficient controls.
Outcomes research: Implications for occupational health

Concerns about quality, cost, and unnecessary medical care have led to substantial interest and growth in outcomes research with studies to determine the full range of effects of disease and comparative effectiveness of treatments. Investigators have developed new conceptual models of health-related quality of life and associated questionnaires, study designs that maximize use of administrative databases and the generalizability of results, and methods to control for severity and co-morbidity. As similar concerns about occupational health care have emerged, these approaches are being adapted for use in the occupational setting, and studies are beginning to address the concerns of working populations. These investigations will require development of new models of outcome, interdisciplinary research teams, adaptation of data collection methods to address the unique concerns of workers and the unique aspects of the workplace, use of new information databases, and methods of analysis. The implications of these concepts for a hypothetical study of carpal tunnel syndrome and a proposed agenda for future studies in occupational health outcomes research are presented. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Tracking the dynamics of T-cell activation in response to Salmonella infection

Despite the current availability of Salmonella vaccines, typhoid fever remains a significant public health problem in developing countries. A greater understanding of T-cell activation and the development of immunological memory during Salmonella infection should lead to the development of more effective prophylactic intervention. Here, we review recent literature on the initiation, expansion and memory development of T-cell responses using the mouse model of typhoid. We pay particular attention to strategies for tracking T-cell responses in vivo and ex vivo, and suggest models to integrate some these studies.
The Duration of Marketing Time of Residential Housing

The marketing of unique durable goods such as housing presents a good example for the application of search theory. An optimal stopping rule strategy is employed to model sellers' behavior. The primary hypothesis is that the greater the atypicality of a house, the greater the expected variance of offers. Because a maximizing seller will wish to entertain more offers the greater is the variance, the marketing time of atypical houses will be relatively longer than that of standard houses. Using a sample of resale houses, the empirical study uses a failure time model to confirm the hypothesis. Extensions are mentioned, including discussions of the role of the list price and the limitations of the standard hedonic regression approach when applied to housing.
The atomic structure of a [100], 45° twist plus 17.5° tilt grain boundary in aluminium by high-resolution electron microscopy

Abstract A [100], 45° twist plus 17.5° tilt mixed character aperiodic grain boundary in aluminium has been studied by high-resolution electron microscopy. Most of the boundary is asymmetric and exhibits coherency and/or anticoherency dislocations due to lattice mismatch across the interface. The boundary structure was found to be constituted of two basic structural units and could not be characterized on the basis of coincident-site lattice, displacement shift complete and the O-lattice geometric models of grain boundaries. Steps and microfacets observed at the boundary have also been characterized within the framework of the same structural unit model.
Microsensors based on quantum cascade lasers

We present our results on efficient coupling of Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs) into Whispering Gallery Resonators, Hollow Waveguide. We also present results of micro sensors using the unique properties of QCLs, e.g. online sensors for Gas Chromatography (GC). We show that because of the unique brightness properties of QCLs, we could improve GC-Infrared sensors' sensitivity to the same level as Mass Spectrometry, and with different dimension of chemical information.
The thoracic vent. Clinical experience with a new device for treating simple pneumothorax.

We report recent experience with a new device, the thoracic vent, in the management of simple pneumothorax. There were 16 patients aged 19 to 73 years who suffered pneumothorax due to spontaneous (4), traumatic (3), or iatrogenic (9) causes. Ease of insertion, patient tolerance, and the presence of a unique signal diaphragm all contributed to patient and physician acceptance of the device. Average time to pneumothorax resolution was 2.5 days, and time to thoracic vent removal averaged 3.2 days. There were no immediate recurrences or significant complications. We conclude that the thoracic vent is an effective device for initial and definitive therapy of simple pneumothorax. (Chest 1991; 100:880-82)
Actinic Neoplasia Syndrome and an Update on the Epidemiology of Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Actinic Keratosis

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common cancer in the world, and the incidence is rising. Accurate measures of prevalence and incidence are difficult to obtain and verify, however, because most countries do not keep registries for NMSC. Actinic neoplasia syndrome conceptualizes multiple NMSCs, as well as other signs of extensive ultraviolet radiation exposure, as a chronic illness, rather than a series of individual events. We provide an overview of the epidemiology of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, as well as actinic keratosis, another exceedingly common consequence of ultraviolet radiation. We also discuss actinic neoplasia syndrome and its implications for patient care.
Oviposition Site Selection and Spatial Predictability of Female White‐faced Dragonflies (Leucorrhinia intacta) (Odonata: Libellulidae)

Location of breeding or egg-laying sites may be an important factor underlying social behavior of many organisms. We studied oviposition sites used by a population of Leucorrhinia intacta dragonflies at a small pond near Syracuse, NY, USA. Females preferentially used shallow water as an oviposition habitat. Shallow water increases egg hatching rate through temperature effects on development time and reduces predation on the female. Use of shallow water areas was reduced by locally high densities of territorial males. The same oviposition sites probably maximized the fitness of the male, female, and offspring, meaning that site selection did not necessitate fitness tradeoffs among these classes of individuals. Pond sectors used by ovipositing females were significantly correlated within and between years, but not within days or between consecutive days. Use of pond sectors within and between days was not related to the relative availability of the shallow water habitat, while seasonal use of pond sectors was related positively to availability of shallow water. In spite of the preference by females for ovipositing in shallow water, short-term location of females was not predictable and males could not search predictably good areas during a day. However, across a season, areas with more shallow water available were used for oviposition more than areas with limited substrate.
Phase behavior of pure and mixed systems at high pressure

Abstract Our knowledge of intermolecular potentials, equations of state theories, and methods of handling chemical reactions are at a stage where one can perform rigorous calculations on pure and mixture systems at high pressures and temperatures.
Critical analysis of results after chimney endovascular aortic aneurysm repair raises cause for concern.

Objective "Chimney" techniques used to extend landing zones for endovascular aortic repair (chEVAR) have been increasingly reported; however, concerns about durability and patency remain. The purpose of this analysis was to examine midterm outcomes of chEVAR. Methods All patients at the University of Florida treated with chEVAR were reviewed. Major adverse events (MAEs) were recorded and defined as any chimney stent thrombosis, type Ia endoleak in follow-up, reintervention, 30-day/in-hospital death, or ≥25% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate after discharge. Primary end points included chimney stent patency and freedom from MAE. Secondary end points included complications and long-term survival. Results From 2008 to 2012, 41 patients (age ± standard deviation, 73 ± 8 years; male, 66% [n = 27]) were treated with a total of 76 chimney stents (renal, n = 51; superior mesenteric artery, n = 16; celiac artery, n = 9) for a variety of indications: juxtarenal, 42% (n = 17, one rupture), suprarenal, 17% (n = 7), and thoracoabdominal aneurysm, 17% (n = 7); aortic anastomotic pseudoaneurysm, 15% (n = 6; three ruptures); type Ia endoleak after EVAR, 7% (n = 3); and atheromatous disease, 2% (n = 1). Two patients had a single target vessel abandoned because of cannulation failure, and one had a type Ia endoleak at case completion (technical success, 93%). Intraoperative complications occurred in seven patients (17%), including graft maldeployment with unplanned mesenteric chimney (n = 2) and access vessel injury requiring repair (n = 5). Major postoperative complications developed in 20% (n = 8). The 30-day mortality and in-hospital mortality were 5% (n = 2) and 7% (n = 3), respectively. At median follow-up of 18.2 months (range, 1.4-41.5 months), 28 of 33 patients (85%) with available postoperative imaging experienced stabilization or reduction of abdominal aortic aneurysm sac diameters. Nine patients (32%) developed endoleak at some point during follow-up (type Ia, 7% [n = 3]; type II, 10% [n = 4]; indeterminate, 7% [n = 3]), and one patient underwent open, surgical conversion. The estimated probability of freedom from reintervention (±standard error mean) was 96% ± 4% at both 1 year and 3 years. Primary patency of all chimney stents was 88% ± 5% and 85% ± 5% at 1 year and 3 years, respectively. Corresponding freedom from MAEs was 83% ± 7% and 57% ± 10% at 1 year and 3 years. The actuarial estimated survival for all patients at 1 year and 5 years was 85% ± 6% and 65% ± 8%, respectively. Conclusions These results demonstrate that chEVAR can be completed with a high degree of success; however, perioperative complications and MAEs during follow-up, including loss of chimney patency and endoleak, may occur at a higher rate than previously reported. Elective use of chEVAR should be performed with caution, and comparison to open and fenestrated EVAR is needed to determine long-term efficacy of this technique.
DEVELOPMENTAL PATTERNS OF CONCEPTUAL STYLES

Two differing interpretations of maturation in children's conceptual behavior—continuity and discontinuity—were compared for their relative efficiency in predicting, among the same children, developmental changes in two sets of cognitive measures expected to demonstrate either continuity- or discontinuity-like growth patterns. Five groups of Ss (N = 100), 7- to 11-yr.-old, were selected from an age range during which major cognitive shifts were hypothesized by theorists of the discontinuity persuasion. Growth patterns of 48 conceptual style measures were analyzed by trend analyses. Neither the discontinuity nor the continuity mode of interpretation alone accounted for the many types of growth patterns empirically established. A rationally derived system for classifying types of developmental trends was proposed and devised, based on multicriterial analyses of three basic components determining curve forms (i.e., predominance, directionality, and rate of change).
Spreading the risk: Small-scale body temperature variation among intertidal organisms and its implications for species persistence

Abstract The intertidal zone of wave-swept rocky shores is a potentially useful system in which to monitor, experimentally manipulate, and possibly forecast the ecological consequences of impending changes in environmental temperature. However, the spatial and temporal complexity of the shoreline's thermal environment challenges ecologists' ability to progress from site-specific measurements to general predictions. In this study, we conducted intensive field experiments to quantify inter-individual variation in body temperature among organisms and surrogate organisms at a typical intertidal site, and we used these measurements to characterize micro-scale variation in potential thermal stress. Within the 336-m extent of our site, local variation was substantial in several metrics of extreme and cumulative thermal exposure. The within-site variation in extreme temperatures rivaled (and in some cases greatly exceeded) variation among sites along 14° of latitude (1660 km of Pacific shoreline). Application of our within-site data to a simple theory of risk suggests that small-scale spatial variation in temperature can reduce the chance of local extirpation that otherwise would accompany an increase in average habitat temperature or an increase in the frequency of extreme thermal events. The magnitude of this “buffering” effect also depends heavily on inter-individual variation in thermal tolerance, a factor that has received relatively little attention from physiologists. We hope that by highlighting the important role of within-site variability (both of temperature and tolerance) in the persistence of intertidal populations, this study will foster further research into the biophysical, physiological, behavioral, and genetic interactions underlying ecological dynamics on wave-washed shores.
Size-dependent oxygen reduction property of octahedral Pt–Ni nanoparticle electrocatalysts

The size effect on the electrocatalytic property of octahedral Pt–Ni alloy nanoparticles in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was studied by making particles with different sizes and conducting electrochemical measurements. Octahedral Pt–Ni nanoparticles on carbon support (Pt–Ni/C) were produced using a facile and surfactant-free solid-state chemistry method. Two groups of octahedral Pt–Ni/C, including Pt3Ni/C and Pt1.5Ni/C, with particle size ranging from around 4 to 8 nm were prepared. Both the ORR activity and the stability of the two group catalysts were studied, which exhibited varying dependence over the particle size. The different relationships between the Pt–Ni size and the ORR property were investigated and attributed to alterations in the particle electronic/geometric structure and the Ni leaching behaviour.
Augmenting the maximum likelihood delay estimator to give maximum likelihood direction

The maximum likelihood (ML) estimator was developed by Knapp and Carter [1] for determining time delay between two signals received at two spatially separated sensors in the presence of uncorrelated noise. This brief note shows that that estimator is readily extended to ML estimation of arrival angle even though the medium causes a non-linear phase-versus-frequency difference (in general, a filtering) between the two received signals.
Artists' Circles and the Development of Artists:

The best things come ... from the talents that are members of a group; every man works better when he has companions working in the same line, and yielding to the stimulus of suggestion, comparison, emulation. Great things have of course been done by solitary workers; but they have usually been done with double the pains they would have cost if they had been produced in more genial circumstances [Henry James, in Cowley 1973: 134].
Echocardiographic Strain and Mortality in Black Americans With End-Stage Renal Disease on Hemodialysis

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) presents a significant health burden and is associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This is particularly true in African Americans who generally have higher rates of cardiovascular mortality. Outcomes in ESRD are related to extent of cardiovascular disease, but markers for outcome are not clearly established. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) has emerged as an important measure of left ventricular systolic function that is additive to traditional ejection fraction (EF). It can be measured on routine digital echocardiography and is reproducible. This study tested the hypothesis that GLS is associated with mortality in black Americans with ESRD and preserved EF. Forty-eight outpatients undergoing hemodialysis, 59.4 ± 13.3 years, with EF ≥50% were prospectively enrolled. GLS, measured by an offline speckle tracking algorithm, ranged from -8.6% to -22.0% with a mean of -13.4%, substantially below normal (-16% or more negative). The prevalence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction, as determined by GLS, was 89%. Patients were followed for an average of 1.9 years; all-cause mortality was 19% (9 deaths). GLS was significantly associated with mortality (hazard ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 1.02 to 1.30, p = 0.02), whereas EF was not. After adjustment for multiple potential confounders (age, gender, race, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, coronary disease, heart failure, and EF), GLS remained strongly associated with mortality (hazard ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval 1.10 to 1.56, p = 0.002). In conclusion, GLS is an important index in patients with ESRD, which is additive to EF as a marker for mortality in this high-risk group.
A semi-supervised Support Vector Machine model for predicting the language outcomes following cochlear implantation based on pre-implant brain fMRI imaging

Introduction We developed a machine learning model to predict whether or not a cochlear implant (CI) candidate will develop effective language skills within 2 years after the CI surgery by using the pre-implant brain fMRI data from the candidate. Methods The language performance was measured 2 years after the CI surgery by the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals-Preschool, Second Edition (CELF-P2). Based on the CELF-P2 scores, the CI recipients were designated as either effective or ineffective CI users. For feature extraction from the fMRI data, we constructed contrast maps using the general linear model, and then utilized the Bag-of-Words (BoW) approach that we previously published to convert the contrast maps into feature vectors. We trained both supervised models and semi-supervised models to classify CI users as effective or ineffective. Results Compared with the conventional feature extraction approach, which used each single voxel as a feature, our BoW approach gave rise to much better performance for the classification of effective versus ineffective CI users. The semi-supervised model with the feature set extracted by the BoW approach from the contrast of speech versus silence achieved a leave-one-out cross-validation AUC as high as 0.97. Recursive feature elimination unexpectedly revealed that two features were sufficient to provide highly accurate classification of effective versus ineffective CI users based on our current dataset. Conclusion We have validated the hypothesis that pre-implant cortical activation patterns revealed by fMRI during infancy correlate with language performance 2 years after cochlear implantation. The two brain regions highlighted by our classifier are potential biomarkers for the prediction of CI outcomes. Our study also demonstrated the superiority of the semi-supervised model over the supervised model. It is always worthwhile to try a semi-supervised model when unlabeled data are available.
Authorization policy specification and enforcement for group-centric secure information sharing

In this paper, we propose a methodology for incremental security policy specification at varying levels of abstraction while maintaining strict equivalence with respect to authorization state. We specifically consider the recently proposed group-centric secure information sharing (g-SIS) domain. The current specification for g-SIS authorization policy is stateless in the sense that it solely focuses on specifying the precise conditions under which authorization can hold in the system while only considering the history of actions that have occurred. The stateless application policy has been specified using linear temporal logic. In this paper, we develop an enforceable specification that is stateful in the sense that it is defined using specific data structures that are maintained in each state so as to make authorization decisions. We show that the stateful specification is authorization equivalent to that of stateless. That is, in any state, authorization will hold in stateful if and only if it also holds in the stateless specification.
Innovative liquid cooling configurations for high heat flux applications

Breakthroughs in the recent cutting-edge technologies have become increasingly dependent on the ability to safely dissipate large amount of heat from small areas. Improvements in cooling techniques are therefore required to avoid unacceptable temperature rise and at the same time maintain a high efficiency. Jet impingement is one such cooling scheme which has been widely used to dissipate transient and steady concentrated heat loads. But with constantly increasing cooling needs, conventional jet impingement cooling is no longer a viable option. Considerable improvements are therefore required to meets such stringent requirements. A combination of swirl-impingement-fin generating geometry is one such alternative. Even without a fin, an overall enhancement of 150% – 200% in the maximum heat transfer coefficient has been recorded both experimentally and computationally due to impingement and associated swirl. Moreover, the presence of fins further increases the cooling area. The present scheme is therefore expected to overcome the existing heat distribution and cooling problems in high heat flux dissipating devices.
Placental blood for bone marrow replacement: the New York Blood Center's program and clinical results.

Abstract Background and Objectives . Placental/umbilical cord blood (PCB) has been used for allogeneic bone marrow replacement since 1988. The Placental Blood Program of the New York Blood Center has developed techniques for collecting, testing, freezing and searching units on behalf of unrelated patients in need of hematopoietic stem cell replacement since 1993 and provided analysis of the outcomes of these transplants identified variables associated with clinical outcomes. In this review, after considering practical and conceptual aspects of the technology, we update information on the clinical outcomes of these transplants. Materials and Methods. All 861 patients transplanted through 1999 with PCB from our Program are included in this report. Two thirds were diagnosed with leukaemia or lymphoma, 25% with inherited conditions and 7% with acquired diseases. Outcome data were provided by the respective Transplant Center and analyses included both univariate and multivariate regression tests and actuarial (Kaplan–Meier) techniques. Results . Engraftment was achieved by over 90% of recipients (Kaplan–Meier estimate). Multivariate analysis confirmed the influence of cell dose, HLA matching, disease diagnosis and transplant center location (US vs. foreign). Patient age and HLA match grade independently affected the frequency and severity of acute graft vs. host disease. Leukaemic relapse was associated with the stage of disease at transplantation and the prior existence of acute graft vs. host disease. The probability of transplant-related events was independently associated with disease diagnosis, cell dose, number of HLA mismatches and transplant center, while the cell dose failed to associate significantly with the relative risk of reaching this endpoint in the subset of patients who achieved engraftment. Overall, event-free survival rates at one year post-transplant were 49 and 30%, respectively for genetic disease and haematologic malignancies and 35% for patients with acquired diseases, respectively. Conclusions . These results confirm and extend earlier data, particularly establishing the significant association of transplant success with histocompatibility matching grades, and indicatng the urgency of improving the transplant match levels.
WiFi-Based Telemedicine System: Signal Accuracy and Security

Accuracy and security of medical information, when a patient vital sign signal such as respiratory sounds must be transmitted through a communication channel, are two essential important features in design of telemedicine systems and in medical diagnosis. This paper studies medical signal accuracy in WiFi-based telemedicine system. When system resources are limited such as the transmission bandwidth of a WiFi channel, appropriate utility of available resources to enhance information accuracy becomes imperative. This paper also studies security issue for WiFi-based telemedicine system. When a WiFi channel is selected to transmit or receive medical signals, carefully choose and design security features and methods such as authentication and encryption are crucial.
The Value-Added Dog Food Market: Do Dog Owners Prefer Natural or Organic Dog Foods?

This research provides novel information on dog food attributes that influence a dog owner’s food purchase decision, examining preferences as they relate to natural and organic ingredients using a discrete choice experiment. A total of 661 U.S. dog owners were surveyed. Results suggest respondents prefer dog food made with natural ingredients to dog foods made with conventional or organic ingredients. Although price was the most important attribute, ingredient source (e.g. natural, 75/25% organic/non-organic or 100/0% organic/non-organic) was more important than the other dog food attributes studied (package size, product recommendation, and product formula). The product combination that provided the highest level of survey respondent satisfaction was a 5-pound package of natural dog food that came recommended by a veterinarian and used an age and size-specific formula.
ON SUBSTANCES, ACCIDENTS AND UNIVERSALS: IN DEFENCE OF A CONSTITUENT ONTOLOGY

Exploration mereologique du paysage ontologique de la realite ordinaire, a travers une analyse de type aristotelicien des schemes conceptuels et des entites mesoscopiques du sens commun, tels que les substances, les accidents individuels et les universaux, en vue d'etablir une ontologie constituante fondee sur la relation d'inherence des deux premiers, et la relation de la partie au tout des derniers
Ceramic dielectric resonators for high-field magnetic resonance imaging

In this study, high permittivity ceramic resonators were used to produce the Bl field in a 14.1 Tesla NMR device with a proton frequency of 600 MHz. Magnetic field distributions in the setup are analyzed using the finite-difference time-domain simulations. The NMRI images obtained by using the new setup are demonstrated.
Are Articular Cartilage Lesions and Meniscus Tears Predictive of IKDC, KOOS, and Marx Activity Level Outcomes After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction? A 6-Year Multicenter Cohort Study

Background:Identifying risk factors for inferior outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is important for prognosis and future treatment.Hypothesis:Articular cartilage lesions and meniscus tears/treatment would predict International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) (all 5 subscales), and Marx activity level at 6 years after ACLR.Study Design:Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 1.Methods:Between 2002 and 2004, a total of 1512 ACLR patients were prospectively enrolled and followed longitudinally, with the IKDC, KOOS, and Marx activity score completed at entry, 2 years, and 6 years. A logistic regression model was built incorporating variables from patient demographics, surgical technique, articular cartilage injuries, and meniscus tears/treatment to determine the predictors (risk factors) of IKDC and KOOS scores and Marx activity level at 6 years.Results:A minimum follow-up on 86% (1307/1512) of the cohort was com...
Tagged behavior based systems: integrating cognition with embodied activity

Focuses on tagged behavior-based systems-supporting a large subset of classical AI architectures while allowing object representations to remain distributed across multiple sensory and representational modalities.
High-T/sub c/-superconductor-sapphire microwave resonator with extremely high Q-values up to 90 K

A theoretical analysis was performed for an extremely high-Q resonator formed by a sapphire rod sandwiched by a pair of high-T/sub c/ superconductor (HTS) films. A number of these HTS-sapphire-HTS resonators at C-band and Ka-band were designed, fabricated, and tested. At 5.552 GHz, Q/sub 0/ reached 2*10/sup 6/ at 90 K, 3*10/sup 6/ at 80 K and 1.4*10/sup 7/ at 4.2 K with circulating power up to 500 kW. Formulas for calculating the resonant frequency and Q-value derived from the theoretical analysis were verified by experimental data with good agreement. Three different thin-film HTS materials-Tl/sub 2/Ba/sub 2/CaCu/sub 2/O/sub 8/, YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7- delta / and Tl/sub 0.5/Pb/sub 0.5/Sr/sub 2/CaCu/sub 2/O/sub 7/-were tested. The sensitivity of the high Q-value and the parasitic coupling to the case modes are discussed. Applications such as frequency stabilized oscillators, filters, and HTS film characterization are described. >
Case Studies, Online Databases, and the Senior Seminar

Students typically enter the senior seminar in political science having taken different sets of courses in the major and having developed interests in different subjects. They also may believe they are incapable of conducting social scientific research because they have limited skills and because the term is so short. In particular, students taking a capstone course in political science at a liberal arts college that, like Rhodes College, lacks a major research library may question their ability to accumulate in a timely manner adequate information about a subject of interest. These doubts and concerns are not unfounded. Fortunately, combining the case study method and online research resources offers a solution to these difficulties and can greatly enrich the senior seminar experience. This combination would also prove beneficial to faculty overseeing honors research or senior theses.
Isotopes and identity: Australia and the nuclear weapons option, 1949–1999

(2000). Isotopes and identity: Australia and the nuclear weapons option, 1949–1999. The Nonproliferation Review: Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 1-23.
Does Transparency Improve Citizens’ Perceptions of Government Performance? Evidence From Seoul, South Korea:

Despite a great deal of research that examines consequences of transparency policies, there have been few empirical assessments of the relationship between transparency and citizens’ perceptions of public sector performance. This study focuses upon the relationship between computer-mediated transparency and perceptions of public sector performance in particular. We hypothesize that citizens’ increased exposure to computer-mediated transparency will be positively related to their generalized perceptions of public sector performance. We also hypothesize that this positive relationship is mediated by citizens’ satisfaction with public service provision. Results suggest that increased exposure to computer-mediated transparency is positively associated with citizens’ perceptions of public sector performance, but negatively related to citizens’ satisfaction with public service provision. Moreover, the positive relationship between computer-mediated transparency and perceptions of public sector performance incre...
When Citizens and Officeholders Meet Part 1: Variations in the Key Elements of Public Meetings

In recent years, thinking among public administrators and civic leaders has shifted from reliance on hierarchy and control in policymaking to a desire for collaboration and empowerment. With this shift have come new calls from civic reformers and public-minded officials for public participation in governance. This emphasis on participation by members of the public has necessitated the creation of novel venues for citizens and officeholders to meet. But do both lay and professional participants have the communicative attitudes and aptitudes conducive to effective collaboration in these new public meetings? In order to answer this question, we need first to take a look at public meetings in general. Here we develop a framework for examining the connections between key elements of such meetings, including goals, communication strategies, and task and relational outcomes. This essay, the first in a two-part series, provides a conceptual grounding that will facilitate the development of a typology of public meetings.