cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Near-surface ocean velocity from infrared images: Global Optimal Solution to an inverse model

[1] We address the problem of obtaining ocean surface velocities from sequences of thermal (AVHRR) space-borne images by inverting the heat conservation equation (including sources of surface heat fluxes and vertical entrainment). We demonstrate the utility of the technique by deriving surface velocities from (1) The motion of a synthetic surface tracer in a numerical model and (2) a sequence of five actual AVHRR images from 1 day. Typical formulations of this tracer inversion problem yield too few equations at each pixel, which is often remedied by imposing additional constraints (e.g., horizontal divergence, vorticity, and energy). In contrast, we propose an alternate strategy to convert the underdetermined equation set to an overdetermined one. We divide the image scene into many subarrays and define velocities and sources within each subarray using bilinear expressions in terms of the corner points (called knots). In turn, all velocities and sources on the knots can be determined by seeking an optimum solution to these linear equations over the large scale, which we call the Global Optimal Solution (GOS). We test the accuracy of the GOS by contaminating the model output with up to 10% white noise but find that filtering the data with a Gaussian convolution filter yields velocities nearly indistinguishable from those without the added noise. We compare the GOS velocity fields with those from the numerical model and from the Maximum Cross Correlation (MCC) technique. A histogram of the difference between GOS and numerical model velocities is narrower and more peaked than the similar comparison with MCC, irrespective of the time interval (Δt = 2 or 4 h) between images. The calculation of the root mean square error difference between the GOS (and MCC) results and the model velocities indicates that the GOS/model error is only half that of the MCC/model error irrespective of the time interval (Δt = 2 or 4 h) between images. Finally, the application of the technique to a sequence of five NOAA AVHRR images yields a velocity field, which we compare with that from a Coastal Ocean Dynamics Radar (CODAR) array. We find that the GOS velocities generally agree more closely with those from the CODAR than they do with those from the MCC. Specifically, the root mean square error obtained by differencing GOS and CODAR velocities is smaller than that from the similar calculation with MCC velocities. The magnitude of the complex correlation between GOS and CODAR is larger than that between MCC and CODAR. The phase of the complex correlation indicates that both MCC and GOS on average yield velocity vectors biased in the clockwise direction relative to the CODAR vectors for the period examined.
A Model for Managing Irrigated Agriculture

: Irrigation in arid and semiarid regions has led to accumulation of salts, destruction of soil texture, decline in fertility and yield, and eventual abandoning of the land. The problems of irrigated agriculture may be attributed to the fact that managers seldom consider irrigated land as a system consisting of a number of components and that the individual health of each component is vital to the overall health of the entire system. A management model is described here which considers all the important components of an irrigated system and may help maintain a permanent irrigated agriculture. The model optimizes net farm income, maintains favorable hydrologic and salt balance in the irrigated system, meets the concentration requirements of the drainage water for the individual crops, and simulates the impact of the irrigation on the unsaturated and the saturated zone.
Nanocomposites Prepared by Threading Polymer Chains through Zeolites, Mesoporous Silica, or Silica Nanotubes

The purpose of this brief review is to describe some recent, preliminary attempts to prepare nanocomposites in which polymer chains thread through the cavities or channels of several types of inorganic materials, specifically zeolites, a mesoporous hexagonal form of silica, and silica nanotubes. One goal is to determine the effects of the constraining geometry on the properties of the chains, in particular, their glass transition temperatures. Another is the hope that this molecular threading will provide such intimate interactions between the polymer chains and their inorganic environment that novel reinforcement effects will be obtained.
Business Practices in Higher Education: A Guide for Today's Administrators

(2012). Business Practices in Higher Education: A Guide for Today's Administrators. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice: Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 467-470.
New approaches to treating and preventing bone metastases.

Purpose of review Treatment and prevention of bone metastases is a major problem in patients with cancer. New treatment of bone metastases are needed to maintain the quality of life of our patients with metastastic bone disease. In addition, promising preliminary results suggest that bone-directed therapies may be able to prevent both skeletal and extraskeletal metastases Recent findings For the past decade intravenous bisphosphonates have been the mainstay of treatment of patients with bone metastases. New therapies such as the antibody to RANKL (denosumab) are undergoing phase III clinical testing. In addition, confirmatory studies suggesting that bisphosphonates can prevent metastatic disease are underway. Summary Understanding the biology of bone metastases has uncovered many new potential therapies for the treatment and prevention of bone metastases. Many of these potential new approaches are discussed in the enclosed article.
Ethanol, nicotine, amphetamine, and aspartame consumption and preferences in C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice

Using a two-bottle choice paradigm, adult C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice (11 males an 10 females per strain) were given access to tapwater and an ascending series of concentrations of ethanol, nicotine, amphetamine, and th artificial sweetener, aspartame. The C57 mice consumed more ethanol, nicotine, and amphetamine, and showed greater preferences for these substances, than did the DBA/2 mice. In contrast, DBAs consumed more and showed greater preference for aspartame than C57s. However, measures of drug and aspartame consumption and preference were moderately intercorrelated when the effects of gender and strain were controlled for. This pattern of results suggests that factors modulating differences between C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice in ethanol consumption and preference also modulate differences in consumption of nicotine and amphetamine.
Opportunities and Issues in Multiple Data Type Meta-Analyses

[This abstract is based on the author’s abstract.] The decision-making process often relies on multiple sources of data that provide partial information needed to solve the problem at hand. By analyzing all of the data at once, instead of each set separ..
Low level light in combination with metabolic modulators for effective therapy

Vascular damage occurs frequently at the injured brain causing hypoxia and is associated with poor outcomes in the clinics. We found high levels of glycolysis, reduced ATP generation, and increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis in neurons under hypoxia. Strikingly, these adverse events were reversed significantly by noninvasive exposure of injured brain to low-level light (LLL). LLL illumination sustained the mitochondrial membrane potential, constrained cytochrome C leakage in hypoxic cells, and protected them from apoptosis, underscoring a unique property of LLL. The effect of LLL was further bolstered by combination with metabolic substrates such as pyruvate or lactate both in vivo and in vitro . The combinational treatment retained memory and learning activities of injured mice to a normal level, whereas those treated with LLL or pyruvate alone, or sham light displayed partial or severe deficiency in these cognitive functions. In accordance with well-protected learning and memory function, the hippocampal region primarily responsible for learning and memory was completely protected by a combination of LLL and pyruvate, in marked contrast to the severe loss of hippocampal tissue due to secondary damage in control mice. These data clearly suggest that energy metabolic modulators can additively or synergistically enhance the therapeutic effect of LLL in energy-producing insufficient tissues like injured brain. Keywords:
Hydrolysis of a fluorescent phospholipid substrate by phospholipase A2 and lipoprotein lipase

Abstract The fluorescent phospholipid 1-acyl-2-[6-[(7-nitro-2,1,3benzoxadiazol-4-yl)amino]-caproyl]phosphatidylcholine (C6-NBD-PC) was used as a substrate for porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2 (PA2) and bovine milk lipoprotein lipase (LpL). Hydrolysis of C6-NBD-PC by either enzyme resulted in a greater than 50-fold fluorescence enhancement with no shift in the emission maximum at 540 nm; Ca++ was required for PA2 catalysis. Identification of the products of hydrolysis showed cleavage at the sn -1 and sn -2 positions for LpL and PA2, respectively. For PA2, but not for LpL, there was a marked enhancement of enzyme catalysis at lipid concentrations above the critical micellar concentration of the lipid. Furthermore, apolipoprotein C-II, the activator protein of LpL for long-chain fatty acyl substrates, did not enhance the rate of catalysis of the water-soluble fluorescent phospholipid for either enzyme.
An inequality for nonnegative matrices and the inverse eigenvalue problem

We present two versions of the same inequality, relating the maximal diagonal entry of a nonnegative matrix to its eigenvalues. We demonstrate a matrix factorization of a companion matrix, which leads to a solution of the nonnegative inverse eigenvalue problem (denoted the nniep) for 4×4 matrices of trace zero, and we give some sufficient conditions for a solution to the nniep for 5×5 matrices of trace zero. We also give a necessary condition on the eigenvalues of a 5×5 trace zero nonnegative matrix in lower Hessenberg form. Finally, we give a brief discussion of the nniep in restricted cases.
High-Valent Manganese in Polyoxotungstates. 3. Dimanganese Complexes of gamma-Keggin Anions.

Dimanganese-substituted gamma-Keggin heteropoly tungstates have been synthesized by reaction of the lacunary species gamma-[(SiO(4))W(10)O(32)](8)(-) with appropriate mixtures of Mn(II) and MnO(4)(-). The crystal structure of [(CH(3))(3)(C(6)H(5))N](4)[(SiO(4))W(10)Mn(III)(2)O(36)H(6)].2CH(3)CN.H(2)O (anion 1) was determined by X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic data: space group Po, a = 12.951(3) A, b = 14.429(3) A, c = 20.347(4) A, alpha = 81.95(3) degrees, beta = 88.92(3) degrees, gamma = 67.48(3) degrees, V = 3475.2(13) A(3), and Z = 2. The final R value is 7.29% for 15861 reflections with I > 2sigma(I). The anion has the anticipated gamma-Keggin structure with virtual C(2)(v)() symmetry. The two Mn cations occupy adjacent, edge-shared octahedra with bridging hydroxo and terminal aqua ligands. Anion 1 can be oxidized and reduced to the corresponding Mn(III)Mn(IV) (2) and Mn(II)(2) (3) species respectively. The magnetic susceptibility of 1 between 2 and 300 K indicates that the Mn(III) cations are antiferromagnetically coupled, with J = -17.0 cm(-)(1) and g = 1.965. No simple magnetic behavior was observed for 2 or 3.
Development and test of an integrated sensory system for advanced aircraft

This paper presents the results of the second phase of an integrated sensory subsystem (ISS) development effort. The ISS is a combination of redundant inertial sensors, air data probes, transducers, other flight control related sensors, interfaces, and the associated data handling system (DHS). The sensor data derived within the ISS meets the requirements (performance, redundancy, survivability, etc.) for digital fly-by-wire flight control systems. The key task of this development phase was the synthesis and development of a DHS for dispersed arrays of flight control inertial sensors subjected to dissimilar motions due to body bending of the aircraft structure. The system design is described in terms of the hardware and data handling system synthesis, followed by a discussion of the methods and results utilized to verify the system design.
Intraocular silicone oil for retinal detachment in AIDS: CT and MR appearances

Abstract Aim: To describe the CT and MR features of intraocular silicone oil which is used to treat complex retinal detachments in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Patients and methods: Seven male patients with AIDS were treated by pars plana vitrectomy and intraocular silicone oil injection for complex retinal detachments due to biopsy proven cytomegalovirus retinitis. Two patients had bilateral therapy. Results: Silicone oil was hyperdense to muscle on CT with attenuation values of 106–139 HU (mean 115, SD 4.5). On MR, when compared with normal vitreous, intraocular silicone oil appeared hyperintense on T1-, proton density, and T2-weighted spin-echo sequences. A chemical shift artifact was seen on all MR images, being most marked on the T2-weighted images. Conclusion: The high attenuation value of silicone oil on CT and its hyperintensity on T1 weighted MR images may cause diagnostic confusion with haemorrhage. These entities can be distinguished at CT by directly measuring the attenuation number (silicone oil > 100 HU; blood
Copyrolysis of 1,1-dimethyl-1-silacyclobutane and acrolein

Copyrolysis of 1,1-dimethyl-1-silacyclobutane and acrolein at 600°C in the gas phase yields ethylene, hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (trimer), octamethylcyclotetrasfloxane (tetramer), 1,3-butadiene, 3-cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde, 1,1-dimethyl-2-oxa-1-sila-3-cyelohexene, and 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-2,4-dioxa-l,3-disila-5-cyclooctene. Formation of the products can be accounted for in terms of initial competing [2+2] and [2+4] cycloaddition reactions between acrolein and [(CH3)2SiCH2] (formed by pyrolysis of 1,1-dimethyl-1-silacyclobutane). The [2+4] reaction yields 1,1-dimethyl-2-oxa-1-sila-3-cyclohexene. The [2+2] reaction yields an unstable silaoxetane intermediate which decomposes to yield 1,3-butadiene and dimethylsilanone [(CH3)2SiO]. Cyclooligomerization of the reactive dimethylsilanone yields trimer and tetramer. Insertion of dimethylsilanone into the Si-O single bond of 1,1-dimethyl-2-oxa-1-sila-3-cyclohexene yields 1,1,3,3-tetrnmethyl-2,4-dioxa-l,3-disila-5-cyclooctene. 3-Cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde is formed by a Diels-Alder reaction between 1,3-butadiene and excess acrolein under the reaction conditions.
P+HA- charge recombination reaction rate constant in Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction centers is independent of the P/P+ midpoint potential.

The kinetics of the P+HA- (oxidized donor, reduced bacteriopheophytin acceptor) recombination reaction was measured in a series of reaction center mutants of Rhodobacter sphaeroides with altered P/P+ midpoint potentials between 410 and 765 mV. The time constant for P+HA- recombination was found to range between 14 and 26 ns and was essentially independent of P/P+ midpoint potential. Previous work has shown that the time constant for initial electron transfer in these mutants at room temperature is also only weakly dependent on the P/P+ midpoint potential, ranging from about 2.5 ps to about 50 ps. These results, taken together, imply that heterogeneity in the P/P+ midpoint potential within the reaction center population is not likely the dominant cause of the substantial kinetic complexity observed in the decay of the excited singlet state of P on the picosecond to nanosecond time scale. In addition, the pathway of P+HA- decay appears to be direct or via P+BA- rather than proceeding back through P*, even i...
Direct quantitative in vivo comparison of calcified atherosclerotic plaque on vascular MRI and CT by multimodality image registration.

Purpose To investigate direct volumetric in vivo correspondence of calcified atherosclerotic plaque lesions in MRI and CT images of the thoracic aorta by multimodality image registration and fusion. Materials and Methods Twelve CT (11 noncontrast and one contrast) and MRI (TruFISP, contrast T1-weighted volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE)) data sets were coregistered by approximate segmentation of the aorta and subsequent automatic coregistration by maximization of mutual information (MI). We quantitatively assessed 22 coregistered calcified plaque lesions on CT and MRI. Results The three-dimensional registration consistency and accuracy were 1.74 ± 1.3 mm, and 2.42 ± 1.65 mm, respectively. The ratio of CT/MRI calcified plaque volume decreased asymptotically with MRI volume, and correlated with average CT lesion density (r = 0.72) for small lesions (<25 mm3). The average calcified plaque volume, circumferential extent, and maximal radial width by MRI were significantly smaller compared to CT (35%, 68%, and 53%, respectively; P < 0.05). Conclusion Software coregistration allowed precise, direct, and voxel-based comparison of calcified atherosclerotic plaque lesions imaged by MRI and CT. In comparison with coregistered MRI, overestimation of calcified plaque in aortic CT due to “blooming” correlates with the average lesion density for small plaques, and is greater for small plaques. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
MODERATE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION DURING PREGNANCY REDUCES BIRTH WEIGHT

The effect of maternal alcohol consumption in the first trimester on birth weight was studied prospectively in 34,660 pregnancies from the Walnut Creek Birth Defects Study (NICHD). Complete medical and demographic information was available in 28,698 live births. Drinking showed a dose-response effect on birth weight; mean birth weight decreased as daily alcohol consumption increased. When adjustment was made for confounding factors (smoking, parity, age, etc.), multiple linear regression revealed an estimated decrease in birth weight of 16 grams for women consuming <1 drink, 86 grams for 1-2 drinks, 169 grams for 3-5 drinks and 127 grams for 6 or more drinks daily compared to non-drinkers (R2=.26, p<.0001). When birth weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age, sex, and race was examined, rates were 6.0%, 6.8%, 11.5%, 16.8%, and 17.7% in non-drinkers, and those drinking <1, 1-2, 3-5, and 6 or more drinks per day, respectively. The trend was significant (p<.0001). This relationship remained significant (p<.005) after multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for confounding factors. Drinkers did not deliver significantly earlier than non-drinkers. Because of the large number of subjects, the study was able to demonstrate a statistically significant effect of alcohol on birth weight independent of other confounding factors. Women should be advised that alcohol is associated with intrauterine growth retardation, but that the effect in light drinkers is clinically small.
De se belief and rational choice

The Sleeping Beauty puzzle has dramatized the divisive question of how de se beliefs should be integrated into formal theories of rational belief change. In this paper, I look ahead to a related question: how should de se beliefs be integrated into formal theories of rational choice? I argue that standard decision theoretic frameworks fail in special cases of de se uncertainty, like Sleeping Beauty. The nature of the failure reveals that sometimes rational choices are determined independently of one’s credences in the kinds of ‘narrow’ de se propositions that Sleepy Beauty has set in relief. Consequently, in addition to pinpointing a failure of standard decision theoretic frameworks, this result casts doubt on a large class of strategies for determining principles for the rationally updating de se beliefs in cases like Sleeping Beauty, and also calls into question the importance of making such a determination at all.
The role of exploration in iron and copper supply

Abstract The development histories of approximately 200 each iron and copper mine openings in the non-centrally-planned-economies from the mid-1800s through the mid-1980s are analyzed to determine the role of exploration in mineral supply. The research shows that approximately 75 percent of the iron mines and 50 percent of the copper mines opened since World War II do not result from the prompt development of new discoveries. The mine openings result from the reevaluation of mineralization or orebodies that are previously recognized, which become economic under changed technologic or market conditions. Although the incentive for exploration is normally the expectation that high-profit deposits exist to be found, the supply of new mines does not depend critically on whether such high-profit deposits are discovered. Studies that predict scarcity of resources arising from the failure of exploration to uncover new, highprofit deposits thus do not adequately explain the mineral supply process.
From Kim Chee to Moon Cakes

AbstractA study of Korean adoptive parents and findings from “The Gathering of the First Generation of Adult Korean Adoptees” were analyzed to explore the role of food in constructing their multiple identities and connection to their birth heritage. Both parents and adoptees seemed to view food and other consumable cultural markers with some degree of ambivalence. Families largely encountered ethnic foods outside of the context of the home, in public settings such as restaurants and cultural events, for the purpose of exposing the adoptees to their birth culture. Adoptees' lack of cultural knowledge, which others presume them to possess, arguably positions them as observers, rather than participants, in Asian America. This article examines how adoptees' consumption of kimchee and moon cakes are both more and less important than adoptive parents understand.
Phosphorylation of a WRKY Transcription Factor by MAPKs Is Required for Pollen Development and Function in Arabidopsis

Plant male gametogenesis involves complex and dynamic changes in gene expression. At present, little is known about the transcription factors involved in this process and how their activities are regulated. Here, we show that a pollen-specific transcription factor, WRKY34, and its close homolog, WRKY2, are required for male gametogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. When overexpressed using LAT52, a strong pollen-specific promoter, epitope-tagged WRKY34 is temporally phosphorylated by MPK3 and MPK6, two mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs, or MPKs), at early stages in pollen development. During pollen maturation, WRKY34 is dephosphorylated and degraded. Native promoter-driven WRKY34-YFP fusion also follows the same expression pattern at the protein level. WRKY34 functions redundantly with WRKY2 in pollen development, germination, and pollen tube growth. Loss of MPK3/MPK6 phosphorylation sites in WRKY34 compromises the function of WRKY34 in vivo. Epistasis interaction analysis confirmed that MPK6 belongs to the same genetic pathway of WRKY34 and WRKY2. Our study demonstrates the importance of temporal post-translational regulation of WRKY transcription factors in the control of developmental phase transitions in plants.
International joint ventures and tax competition in an integrated market

Abstract The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First, it develops a theoretical model of international joint ventures to suggest a new approach to the determination of profit allocation between the partners in the joint venture. Second, we examine the issue of tax competition between two countries for an international joint venture. We find that even in the absence of any bargaining power for the domestic firms, the foreign firm would like to give up more than half of profits to its partner. Furthermore, the foreign firm would like to locate in a country in which the partner firm is more efficient. We also find, with numerical simulations, that the domestic firm will accept the joint venture if the foreign firm's technology is significantly more superior than its own.
Coupling protocol for thin layer chromatography/matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization

This paper reports the investigation and optimization of the thin layer chromatography/matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (TLC-MALDI) coupling protocol. The fundamental coupling parameters which influence sensitivity and lateral analyte spreading are extraction solvent selection, extraction time, and pressure. Selection of the solvent is dependent upon its extraction efficiency, which has been correlated with extraction solventR f value. Maximum extraction efficiency occurs after two minutes for the analyte/solvent system studied. High extraction efficiency solvents cause significant lateral spreading of analyte; up to a three-fold increase in initial analyte spot size. Analyte recovery was found to be limited by the silica gel inter-partice porosity and the solvent extraction efficiency. For maintaining chromatographic resolution and maximizing signal intensity, extraction solvents withR f values between 0.4 to 0.6 are optimal. The upper analyte recovery limit, using extraction solvents within thisR f range, is estimated at 22%.
A model for moisture capacities of composite materials Part II: application to concrete

Abstract The composite model developed for effective moisture capacity of a two phase composite is used for concrete with cement paste as the matrix and aggregate as the inclusion. Analysis showed that the difference between the two moissture capacities for hardened concrete, i.e. moisture capacities at constant stress and constant deformation, is practically negligible within the ranges of room temperature and atmospheric pressure. In order to apply the model to concrete, several models are developed for evaluating the parameters for cement paste and aggregate including moisture capacities, bulk moduli and shrinkage coefficients. Moisture capacities of cement paste and aggregate are determined based on BET adsorption isotherm, which includes the effects of age, water-cement ratio, type of cement, curing temperature, and type of aggregate. Bulk modulus and shrinkage of cement paste is determined by a multiscale and multiphase composite model which takes into account the effects of age, water-cement ratio, and type of cement. All models developed are then combined to determine the effective moisture capacity of concrete. Parametric analysis shows that the moisture capacity of concrete depends strongly on the volume fraction and shrinkage coefficient of cement paste, and should not be considered simply as volumetric average of the two components.
Minimum-volume design of elastic trusses with deflection constraints

The paper is concerned with the analysis of minimum-volume design of an elastic truss with deflection constraints. Optimality conditions are obtained by means of the calculus of variations technique utilizing the principle of stationary mutual complementary energy. In comparison with the method based on searching technique in nonlinear programming, it is found that the calculus of variations approach provides us with a better understanding of the general characteristics of the problem. It is shown that for a single loading with a single deflection constraint, the optimum truss is statically determinate. The effects of inequality stress constraints and multiple loadings are examined.
Electrostatic application of a plant-disease biocontrol agent for prevention of fungal infection through the stigmatic surfaces of blueberry flowers

Abstract The long-term application of chemical pesticides for protecting agricultural crops has helped ensure increased food and fiber yields for the world's growing population, but not without certain disadvantages such as environmental impact and eventual development of pest resistance. Biologically derived pest-control agents offer significant promise as alternatives to chemical pesticides but may require precision delivery onto specific plant structures. This paper investigates the incorporation of electrostatic force to increase the mass transfer of the viable bacterial biocontrol agent Bacillus subtilis onto stigmatic surfaces of blueberry flowers for protection against a flower-infecting fungal pathogen. The population density of 1.52×10 5 colony-forming units (CFU) of biocontrol agent electrostatically deposited per ∼0.7-mm-diameter stigma exceeded by 4.5-fold that deposited by conventional hydraulic spraying. Stated differently, one-eighth to one-quarter rate electrostatic-spray applications deposited at least as many CFU as did conventional full-rate application of B. subtilis . These deposition results, as well as measurements of stigma-style charge relaxation ( τ = 44 ns ), portent well for efficacious plant disease protection by electrostatic spraying of this bacterial biocontrol agent.
On Micromechanical Evolutionary Damage Models for Polycrystalline Ceramics

Evolutionary micromechanical constitutive models for polycrystalline MgO ceramics with distributed dislocations and integranular microcracks are presented. Based on the description of dominant modes of microstructural changes in polycrystals, the kinetics of microcrack evolution in a typical grain is studied. Four basic deformation modes are considered within the micromechanics framework—the elastic deformation, slip band, microcrack nucleation, and microcrack kinking mechanisms. In particular, a slip band is assumed to be caused by the Frank-Read dislocation source, and a microcrack is assumed to be nucleated by the Zener-Stroh mechanism.At the onset, the stress-strain relation of the polycrystalline MgO ceramics is taken as linearly elastic. As the loading stress increases, slips will occur first in those crystals having the "easiest" slip planes at an angle of 45 degree. At some point, the stress in front of a dislocation pileup will exceed the cohesive strength of an intergranular plane. Therefore, a ...
On the assessment of a Bayesian validation methodology for data reduction models relevant to shock tube experiments

Abstract Experimental raw data provided by measuring instruments often need to be converted into meaningful physical quantities through data reduction modeling processes in order to be useful for comparison with outputs of computer simulations. These processes usually employ mathematical models that have to be properly calibrated and rigorously validated so that their reliability can be clearly assessed. A validation procedure based on a Bayesian approach is applied here to a data reduction model used in shock tube experiments. In these experiments, the raw data, given in terms of photon counts received by an ICCD camera, are post-processed into radiative intensities. Simple mathematical models describing the nonlinear behavior associated with very short opening times (gate widths) of the camera are developed, calibrated, and not invalidated, or invalidated, in this study. The main objective here is to determine the feasibility of the methodology to precisely quantify the uncertainties emanating from the raw data and from the choice of the reduction model. In this analysis of the methodology, shortcomings, suggested improvements, and future research areas are also highlighted. Experimental data collected at the Electric Arc Shock Tube (EAST) facility at the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) are employed to illustrate the validation procedure.
Implementation of a demand-side approach to reduce aeration requirements of activated sludge systems: Directed acclimation of biomass and its effect at the process level

Abstract Conventionally, increased oxygen requirements of biological wastewater treatment systems have been addressed through supply-side approaches that focus on upgrading the oxygen mass transfer capabilities of aeration devices. Such approaches entail high aeration energy penalties for relatively low performance improvements, as well as causing decreased oxygen mass transfer efficiencies. In this study, a nitrifying community acclimated to low dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions has been demonstrated to yield similar treatment performance as a conventional nitrifying process with 20% less aeration requirements and 20% improvement in mass transfer efficiency. Such a demand-side approach has been shown to be successful due to an improvement of the half saturation constant of the acclimated biomass that has, in turn, been linked to the expression of hemoglobin proteins. Directed acclimation of nitrifying communities could help address the operational requirement to carry out ammonia oxidation at consistently low DO conditions in the mainstream anammox and simultaneous nitrification–denitrification processes.
The terminology and use of species-area relationships: a response to Dengler (2009)

Dengler (Journal of Biogeography, 2009, 36, 728–744) addresses issues regarding species–area relationships (SARs), but fails to settles those issues. He states that only certain types of sampling schemes should be used to construct SARs, but is not consistent in the criteria that he uses to include some sampling schemes but not others. He argues that a sampling scheme of contiguous plots will be more accurate in extrapolating beyond the sampled area, but logic tells us that a dispersed sampling scheme is likely to be more accurate. Finally, he concludes that the ‘true’ SAR is a power function, but this conclusion is inconsistent with his results and with the results of others. Rather than defining a narrow framework for SARs, we need to recognize that the relationship between area and species richness is scale- and system-dependent. Different sampling schemes serve different purposes, and a variety of functional relationships are likely to hold. Further theoretical and empirical work is needed to resolve these issues fully.
Making the Case for Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) performed through the Smith–Peterson surgical approach has seen renewed interest among arthroplasty surgeons, as a minimally invasive intervention. Several reports have described the functional outcomes related to direct anterior THA. Most of these have shown that early surgical recovery parameters are improved, with satisfactory component position and an acceptable low risk of complications. Other authors have encountered a higher risk of complications, most often related to surgeon inexperience during early learning. Here, we have summarized the literature pertaining to direct anterior THA, to facilitate informed choices in adopting and learning this technique of THA.
REGIONAL DEMOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE OF THE UNITED STATES

This paper analyzes the surprisingly great variation in demographic character across the states, utilizing data on fertility, mortality, age, sex, mobility, household character, abortion, race and ethnicity. A fairly simple regional pattern is revealed that is less related to levels of economic development than to long-standing historical cultural differences.
On two-stage stochastic minimum spanning trees

We consider the undirected minimum spanning tree problem in a stochastic optimization setting. For the two-stage stochastic optimization formulation with finite scenarios, a simple iterative randomized rounding method on a natural LP formulation of the problem yields a nearly best-possible approximation algorithm. We then consider the Stochastic minimum spanning tree problem in a more general black-box model and show that even under the assumptions of bounded inflation the problem remains log n-hard to approximate unless P = NP; where n is the size of graph. We also give approximation algorithm matching the lower bound up to a constant factor. Finally, we consider a slightly different cost model where the second stage costs are independent random variables uniformly distributed between [0,1]. We show that a simple thresholding heuristic has cost bounded by the optimal cost plus $\frac{\zeta(3)}{4}+o(1)$.
Cytoreductive surgery for recurrent ovarian cancer: A meta-analysis

Abstract Objective To determine the relative effect of multiple prognostic variables on overall post-recurrence survival time among cohorts of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer undergoing cytoreductive surgery. Methods Forty cohorts of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer (2019 patients) meeting study inclusion criteria were identified from the MEDLINE database (1983–2007). Simple and multiple linear regression analyses, with weighted correlation calculations, were used to assess the effect on median post-recurrence survival time of the following variables: year of publication, age, disease-free interval, localized disease, tumor grade and histology, the proportion of patients undergoing complete cytoreductive surgery, requirement for bowel resection, and the sequence of cytoreductive surgery and salvage chemotherapy. Results The mean weighted median disease-free interval prior to cytoreductive surgery was 20.2 months, and the mean weighted median overall post-recurrence survival time was 30.3 months. The weighted mean proportion of patients in each cohort undergoing complete cytoreductive surgery was 52.2%. Median survival improved with increasing year of publication ( p =0.009); however, the only statistically significant clinical variable independently associated with post-recurrence survival time was the proportion of patients undergoing complete cytoreductive surgery ( p =0.019). After controlling for all other factors, each 10% increase in the proportion of patients undergoing complete cytoreductive surgery was associated with a 3.0 month increase in median cohort survival time. Conclusions Among patients undergoing operative intervention for recurrent ovarian cancer, the proportion of patients undergoing complete cytoreductive surgery is independently associated with overall post-recurrence survival time. For this select group of patients, the surgical objective should be resection of all macroscopic disease.
Shape-memory behavior of high-strength amorphous thermoplastic poly(para-phenylene)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the shape-memory behavior of poly(para-phenylene) (PPP) under varying programming temperatures, relaxation times, and recovery conditions. PPP is an inherently stiff and strong aromatic thermoplastic, not previously investigated for use as a shape-memory material. Initial characterization of PPP focused on the storage and relaxation moduli for PPP at various frequencies and temperatures, which were used to develop continuous master curves for PPP using time–temperature superposition (TTS). Shape-memory testing involved programming PPP samples to 50% tensile strain at temperatures ranging from 155°C to 205°C, with varying relaxation holds times before cooling and storage. Shape-recovery behavior ranged from nearly complete deformation recovery to poor recovery, depending heavily on the thermal and temporal conditions during programming. Straining for extended relaxation times and elevated temperatures significantly decreased the recoverable deformation in PPP during shape-memory recovery. However, PPP was shown to have nearly identical full recovery profiles when programmed with decreased and equivalent relaxation times, illustrating the application of TTS in programming of the shape-memory effect in PPP. The decreased shape recovery at extended relaxation times was attributed to time-dependent visco-plastic effects in the polymer becoming significant at longer time-scales associated with the melt/flow regime of the master curve. Under constrained-recovery, recoverable deformation in PPP was observed to have an exponentially decreasing relationship to the bias stress. This study demonstrated the effective use of PPP as a shape-memory polymer (SMP) both in mechanical behavior as well as in application. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42903.
Developments with maximum likelihood X-ray computed tomography

An approach to the maximum-likelihood estimation of attenuation coefficients in transmission tomography is presented as an extension of earlier theoretical work by K. Lange and R. Carson (J. Comput. Assist. Tomography, vol.8, p.306-16, 1984). The reconstruction algorithm is based on the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. Several simplifying approximations are introduced which make the maximization step of the algorithm available. Computer simulations are presented using noise-free and Poisson randomized projections. The images obtained with the EM-type method are compared to those reconstructed with the EM method of Lange and Carson and with filtered backprojection. Preliminary results show that there are potential advantages in using the maximum likelihood approaches in situations where a high-contrast object, such as bone, is embedded in low-contrast soft tissue. >
Research Commentary—Educational Interventions: Essential Strategies for Pediatric Nursing Practice and Research

By conducting research to determine the efficacy of educational interventions, nurse scientists can identify best practices that will enable pediatric nurses, parents, and families to better manage children's health and illness while improving their quality of life. TEACHING INTERVENTIONS FOR children, their parents, and families are essential strategies inherent in pediatric nursing practice and research. Educating parents and families about health, illness, and child development is fundamental to pediatric nursing practice (Hockenberry & Wilson, 2009). Teaching strategies are designed to teach children, parents, and families the necessary skills to promote child health and development, strategies for behavior and lifestyle modification, and self-care management. Moreover, teaching parents and families about their child's illness and the related care strategies improves their understanding and ability to manage care of their child's acute or chronic illness and/or physical disability. To that end, educational interventions for children, parents, and families are essential for improving the health and wellbeing of children and their families. Health education involves teaching to support healthy lifestyle behaviors and change unhealthy behaviors to promote health (Glanz, Rimer, & Viswanath, 2008). With this knowledge, parents and families have the ability to make informed decisions about their child's health to improve the health and well-being of their children and family. Teaching parents and families the critical skills necessary to manage their child's illness and prevent disease progression is essential for maintaining the child's health and quality of life. Key educational intervention strategies for parents and families include teaching about the child's condition, educating about how to manage the child's care, role
Visually-guided Attention Enhances Target Identification in a Complex Auditory Scene

In auditory scenes containing many similar sound sources, sorting of acoustic information into streams becomes difficult, which can lead to disruptions in the identification of behaviorally relevant targets. This study investigated the benefit of providing simple visual cues for when and/or where a target would occur in a complex acoustic mixture. Importantly, the visual cues provided no information about the target content. In separate experiments, human subjects either identified learned birdsongs in the presence of a chorus of unlearned songs or recalled strings of spoken digits in the presence of speech maskers. A visual cue indicating which loudspeaker (from an array of five) would contain the target improved accuracy for both kinds of stimuli. A cue indicating which time segment (out of a possible five) would contain the target also improved accuracy, but much more for birdsong than for speech. These results suggest that in real world situations, information about where a target of interest is located can enhance its identification, while information about when to listen can also be helpful when targets are unfamiliar or extremely similar to their competitors.
Hyponatremia Associated with Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors in Older Adults

Objective:To review the incidence, risk factors, mechanism, times of onset and resolution, and treatment of hyponatremia associated with selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).Data Sources:An English-language literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (1966–December 2005) using the search terms selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor, hyponatremia, syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone, citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and sertraline. Additional references were identified by reviewing bibliographies of articles retrieved.Study Selection and Data Extraction:Relevant data were extracted from published reports, letters, and studies of humans with hyponatremia and/or syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secondary to SSRIs. All articles identified from data sources were reviewed for relevant information. Applicable information was included in this review.Data Synthesis:Numerous case reports, observational studies, and...
A distributed newton method for network optimization

Most existing work uses dual decomposition and subgradient methods to solve network optimization problems in a distributed manner, which suffer from slow convergence rate properties. This paper proposes an alternative distributed approach based on a Newton-type method for solving minimum cost network optimization problems. The key component of the method is to represent the dual Newton direction as the solution of a discrete Poisson equation involving the graph Laplacian. This representation enables using an iterative consensus-based local averaging scheme (with an additional input term) to compute the Newton direction based only on local information. We show that even when the iterative schemes used for computing the Newton direction and the stepsize in our method are truncated, the resulting iterates converge superlinearly within an explicitly characterized error neighborhood. Simulation results illustrate the significant performance gains of this method relative to subgradient methods based on dual decomposition.
STATE AND SOCIETY AT TEOTIHUACAN, MEXICO

Between 100 BCE and 200 CE, the city of Teotihuacan grew rapidly, most of the Basin of Mexico population was relocated in the city, immense civic-religious structures were built, and symbolic and material evidence shows the early importance of war. Rulers were probably able and powerful. Subsequently the city did not grow, and government may have become more collective, with significant constraints on rulers' powers. A state religion centered on war and fertility deities presumably served elite interests, but civic consciousness may also have been encouraged. A female goddess was important but probably not as pervasive as has been suggested. Political control probably did not extend beyond central Mexico, except perhaps for some outposts, and the scale and significance of commerce are unclear. Teotihuacan's prestige, however, spread widely in Mesoamerica, manifested especially in symbols of sacred war, used for their own ends by local elites.
Harmonic Improvement without Candidate Chains in Chamorro

This article argues that some ostensible advantages of Optimality Theory with Candidate Chains (OT-CC) over classic OT are actually liabilities. OT-CC correctly predicts that Chamorro umlaut occurs only when trigger and target are adjacent. But OT-CC is incompatible with similar phenomena like Central Venetan metaphony, and attempts to modify OT-CC to produce metaphony impair the theory's handling of umlaut. Classic OT provides a superior approach: constraints grounded in prominence asymmetries produce the umlaut facts, and there is no conflict with analyses of metaphony. This result suggests that despite OT-CC's advancements in treatments of opacity, the theory's machinery remains inadequate in important ways.