cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contrasting ecosystem recovery on two soil textures: implications for carbon mitigation and grassland conservation.

Understanding processes that promote or constrain ecosystem recovery from disturbance is needed to predict the restorative potential of degraded systems. We quantified a suite of ecosystem properties and processes across two chronosequences of restored grasslands on contrasting soil textures to test the hypothesis that restorations on silty clay loam soil would exhibit greater recovery of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools and fluxes than on loamy fine sand because soil with higher clay content possesses a greater capacity to physico-chemically protect organic matter. Warm-season grass aboveground net primary productivity was similar between the two soil textures. Root biomass increased and root quality (as indexed by C:N ratio) decreased across both chronosequences. An asymptote in the accumulation of N in roots in the silty clay loam chronosequence resulted in wider C:N ratios of roots than in the loamy fine sand chronosequence. Total soil C (TC) and microbial biomass C (MBC) increased across the si...
Detrimental and neutral effects of wild barley–Neotyphodium fungal endophyte associations on insect survival

Neotyphodium (Clavicipitaceae: Balansieae) fungal endophyte infection does not always confer temperate grass resistance to insect herbivores, although reports indicate that over 40 species are adversely affected by its infection. Laboratory and glasshouse experiments were conducted to improve our knowledge of the anti-insect properties of Neotyphodium-infected (E+) non-commercial grasses, and E+ wild barley (Hordeum) specifically. Neotyphodium infection of four plant inventory (PI) lines of wild barley conferred resistance to Mayetiola destructor (Say) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), whereas none of the E+ wild barley accessions reduced the survival of Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Homoptera: Aphididae). Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker) (Homoptera: Aphididae) densities were significantly lower on the E+ clones of Hordeum brevisubulatum ssp. violaceum (Boissier and Hohenacker) (PI 440420), compared with densities on endophyte-free (E-) plants of this species in population growth experiments. Neotyphodium infection of three Hordeum bogdanii (Wilensky) PI lines did not confer resistance to M. dirhodum; however, one of these E+ lines (PI 314696) was resistant to this aphid in a second population growth experiment. Our results provide additional evidence that the outcome of a grass-endophyte-insect interaction is influenced by the host grass species or genotype, Neotyphodium species or genotype, and the insect species involved. They also reinforce this phenomenon for non-commercial grass-endophyte-insect interactions and underscore the potential role of endophytes in mediating wild barley-insect interactions and their potential to act as defensive mutualists.
Effects of Particle Size Distribution on the Kinetics of Hydration of Tricalcium Silicate

An analysis of the validity of approximating selected particle size distributions by small numbers of size classes was carried out. It was determined that the selection of a small number of particle size classes is not adequate to describe a particle size distribution. One consequence of this is that the particle size distribution, if not properly accounted for, can mask the kinetics of a hydration process. The hydration rates of two finnesses of tricalcium silicate, each with known particle size distributions, were measured by isothermal calorimetry for a period of 28 d. These data were integrated, normalized, and represented as α-time curves as a basis for comparison with kinetic models of hydration. Agreement with kinetic models was found to be strongly influenced by the effect of particle size distribution. However, the rate-limiting mechanisms appear to be independent of particle size distribution No single kinetic model was adequate to describe C3S hydration over the first 28 d. A kinetic model that assumes initial surface-area control with diffusion control dominating subsequently provided an excellent fit to the experimental data.
Predicting USMC SBIR Phase I to II Transition Success by Evaluating Use of Systems Engineering Capabilities

Abstract:Defense research and development budget cuts, increased pressure from the acquisition community to find research funding, and a congressional directive enforced by the under secretary of defense for acquisition and technology have created a climate where the U.S. Marine Corps Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program must improve its ability to transition technology it develops into acquisition programs. One approach to accomplishing this is by applying systems engineering to the SBIR process. Though no formal systems engineering process exists for its SBIR program, the Marine Corps wishes to understand the relationship between the systems engineering capability of Phase I SBIR projects and the likelihood of transition to Phase II. This study seeks to shed light on this relationship.
Functional Bases for Interpreting Amino Acid Sequences of Voltage-Dependent K+ Channels

PERSPECTIVES AND OVERVIEW 174 CLASSIFICATION OF VOLTAGE-DEPENDENT K+ CHANNELS 175 FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF VOLTAGE-DEPENDENT K+ CURRENTS ..... ... ... ..... 176 STRUCTURAL CLASSIFICA nON OF K + CHANNELS ........ ....... 179 Subfamilies Identified by Similarities of Core Sequences .... 179 IJeteroand Homomultimeric Assemblies 179 Slowpoke and Other Ligand-Gated K+ Channels 181
Dynamics of A Large Streerable Radio Telescope Antenna

An analytical model having a moderate number of degrees of freedom was formulated in order to represent approximately the dynamic behavior of a large steerable radio telescope antenna structure. Techniques for synthesizing simplified mathematical models for complex structures are described. A model consisting of nine rigid bodies with a total of 33 degrees of freedom was devised to represent a 210-ft diameter antenna structure having approximately 4,800 degrees of freedom. Determination of the mass, inertia, and stiffness properties of the model is presented. A method of establishing equations of motion is presented and demonstrated with a simple example having only six degrees of freedom. A tabular method for generating the coefficients in the equations is described in detail. This orderly approach to writing the equations is useful for either a hand or a computer solution. Several types of computer programs were utilized in the analysis in combination with a certain amount of hand calculation.
A Getter Pump with Evaporation Source made of Titanium Carbide

A TiC getter pump with evaporation source of TiC heater was made in order to evacuate a coating apparatus of mirror of 2.0m diameter.According to previous report the TiC bars were inserted into the ordinary alumina crucible which was a reservoir of molton metal. This time Ti is used in a wire form and is fed constantly onto a TiC heater. The conclusions are as follows.1) TiC is useful as Ti evaporating heater.2) When an oil diffusion pump was operated as a fore pump, the compound rate of exhaustion was, greatly affected by back diffusion of oil vapour. When the valve between the oil diffusion pump and the getter pump was appropriately opened, the rate of exhaustion was increased to a value 25 times as great as the rate when the valve was fully opened.3) A getter pump is not only useful for very high vacuum apparatuses with metal seals, but also, the conventional vacuum apparatus with synthetic rubber seals.
2-D Inversion of Marine EM Data – Validity and Variation

Between 1997 and 2003 the Gemini Prospect, Gulf of Mexico, was used as a test ground for development of broadband marine magnetotellurics (MT). In 2003 controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) data were acquired over Gemini using a prototype 200A transmitter on a profile that included earlier MT sites. In 2013 and 2014 these data were revisited as part of the evaluation of the recently developed Scripps 2D EM inversion/forward modeling code, MARE2DEM, developed largely by K. Key. A portion of the results of this evaluation are presented here with the objective that of examining aspects of the application of the inversion algorithm to real CSEM and MT data, rather than a detailed re-interpretation of the Gemini data set. Of order of 100 inversions were carried out as part of this study. The processed CSEM data were inverted for each of three frequencies individually and then for the three frequencies jointly, the MT data alone were inverted, and finally the multi-frequency CSEM and MT data were jointly inverted. Each of these data sets was subject to isotropic inversion, and then the joint CSEM/MT data were the subject of anisotropic inversion. Target misfits were varied and the results compared. Inversions were carried out with a half-space starting model as well as with more complex starting models. The results provide insight into the inversion outcome based on the effects of choice of data component to be used as input, the choice of starting model, target misfit selected, and the degree of anisotropy. The results imply that for CSEM and MT data collected at multiple frequencies, inverted models can change radically as different subsets of data are inverted individually or in combination, and with varying target misfit and/or anisotropy penalty.
Sedentary behaviors on weekend and it's association with overweight and obesity among secondary school students of Yuhang District in Hangzhou City

Objective To assess the situation of sedentary behaviors on weekend and its association with overweight and obesity among junior middle school students in Yuhang district,in order to provide basis for the effective control of the overweight and obesity problems among junior middle school students. Methods Using a cluster sampling,1 139 students in three secondary schools were selected and the survey was conducted among the students and their parents. The questionnaire consisted of the basic information of the student and the family,time spent on sedentary behaviors,dietary habit,physical activity,sleeping hours and academic stress. Overweight and obesity was classified with BMI cutoff points from WGOC. Results The median of written homework time and screen entertainment time were three hours. Girls spent more time on reading and learning using computer than boys( P0.05). In a Logistic regression model,after control diet,physical activity,sleeping hours and academic stress,it was found that screen entertainment time more than 3 hours was the risk factor of boys' overweight and obesity( OR = 2.227,95%CI: 1.439-3.445),screen entertainment time more than 3 hours( OR = 1.923,95%CI: 1.034-3.577) and learning using computer more than50 minutesa( OR = 2.073,95%CI: 1.094-3.928) were the risk factors of girls' overweight and obesity.Conclusion The sedentary behavior time of Yuhang District students on weekend is too long. Screen-related behavior may increase the risk of overweight and obesity.
Numerical analysis for effect of bolt length on stability of slopes

In order to study the reinforcement and load transfer mechanism of anchors in slopes,the dual-spring element is adopted to simulate the characteristics of anchors.A numerical model for slopes reinforced by anchors is founded by FLAC3D.The effects of anchors length on the safety factor and slip plane of slopes are analyzed as well as the mechanical response of anchors.The results show that,in the slope with anchors reinforcement,there exists an effective length;with the increase of anchors length,the potential slip plane moves towards the inside of slopes,and failure mode transfers from the shallow slip to the deep slip;when the length reaches the effective reinforcement length,the location of the slip plane changes abruptly;the axial forces at each layer distribute differently along the anchor;if the material of slopes becomes weaker after the disturbance of outer load,the anchors in the lower part of slopes exhibit the maximum axial force;so it is necessary to lengthen the anchors in these places for the slopes with permanent reinforcement of anchors.
Epidemiological analysis of pulmonary tuberculosis in Cheng'an County of Hebei from 2006-2010

[Objective]To study the epidemiological characteristics and law of pulmonary tuberculosis in Cheng'an county of Hebei,Control the tuberculosis,and carry out the special prevention and control measures.[Methods]The cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in Cheng'an county from 2006-2010 were analyzed with epidemiological methods.[Results]There were 1 080 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in Cheng'an county from 2006-2010,and most of cases were people aged 15-50 years old.87.22% of patients were farmer,6.57% were student,and the male-to-female ratio was 1.97∶1.[Conclusion]In order to enhance the discovery rate and cure rate of tuberculosis in Cheng'an county,it is necessary to implement the report and transfer system among pulmonary tuberculosis patients and suspected patients,carry out the tuberculosis screening among close contacts and students,improve education and popularize prevention and treatment knowledge.
Health Status Survey and Analysis of 2382 School children in Yongdeng Township of Lanzhou City

OBJECTIVE To investigate and analyze the health status of 2 382 schoolchildren in Yongdeng Township. METHODS The method of cluster sampling was used to select randomly survey target population about 2 382 aged 8~13 primary school students coming from four primary schools including Zhongchuan,Langpai,Heqiao and Niuzhan primary school in Yongdeng Township of Lanzhou City. The body weight and the rate of commonly encounted deseas were regarded as the index of survey and analysis. RESULTS Compared with pupils in other cities,the proporation of malnutrition and obesity were high in pupils,and the obesity rate of schoolboys was higher than that of schoolgirls,while the malnutrition rate of schoolgirls was higher than that of schoolboys.The rate of hypopsia schoolboys was higher than that of schoolgirs. The commonly encounted deseas were mainly dental caries,hepatitis,B,tympanitis,hypopsia,trachoma and chicken breast and so on. CONCLUSIONS The health status of primary school students could have some problem including malnutrition,obedity and high rate of commonly encounted deseas such as dental caries,hepatitis B,tympanitis,hypopsia,trachoma and chicken breast and so on in Yongdeng Township of Lanzhou City.
Mate Choice and Sexually Selected Traits

Mating displays comprise some of the most elaborate traits in animals. A mechanism that can lead to the evolution of such traits is selection through mate choice. Generally, females exhibit stronger mate choice than males, preferentially mating with males that exhibit certain traits. In addition to male displays, the evolution of female mate choice needs to be explained. Here we discuss how sexual selection through mate choice can act on mating displays and preferences. We elaborate on the direct and indirect forms of selection acting on mating preferences. We also discuss the role of sexual selection in the speciation process.
Resolution of missing silicide layer on P-type MOSFET caused by water droplet

Some of the wafer fabrication defects are unable to be screened out during final test. It is inevitable that these defective units will reach customer. This paper aims to discuss on the failure analysis approach and resolution of wafer fabrication defect, missing silicide layer.
Evaluation of USDA's Broadband Loan Program: Impacts on broadband provision

Abstract Since 2002 the USDA's Broadband Loan Program has directed more than $1.8 billion in subsidized loans to help expand broadband access in under-served rural communities. Program eligibility criteria included having a population of 20,000 or fewer, having no prior access to broadband, and providing a minimum matching contribution of 15% by recipients of the loan. Loans were extended mainly to small telecommunications services firms at varying (subsidized) interest rates. We evaluate on the effectiveness of the Loan Program in increasing broadband availability in target locations. Specifically, we analyze whether loan receipt increases the number of broadband providers in a particular location, using various count panel methods. Our analysis is conducted at the ZIP code level over the period 1999–2008; it uses broadband provider data from the FCC's Form 477, and loan data from the Rural Utility Service (the implementing agency for the Broadband Loan Program). Results indicate that ZIP codes receiving broadband loans did in fact experience modest, statistically significant increases in the number of broadband providers vis-a-vis non-recipient locations; that average marginal effects on treated ZIP codes were approximately 0.092 additional broadband providers annually; and that these benefits accrued more towards rural locations than urban locations, in conformance with the intent of the program.
Review: Pastoral Capitalism: A History of Suburban Corporate Landscapes by Louise A. Mozingo

Louise A. Mozingo Pastoral Capitalism: A History of Suburban Corporate Landscapes Cambridge: MIT Press, 2011, 336 pp., 49 color and 45 b/w illus. $32.95, ISBN 100262015439 At the beginning of this carefully researched and illuminating study of suburban corporate headquarters, research centers, and office parks, author Louise Mozingo quotes a principal in the offices of well-known landscape architect Peter Walker. Responding to a comment from her about the scale of the landscape of a suburban office project in Texas designed by the firm, he said, “Well, you know, this is the American Versailles.” On this, Mozingo writes in Pastoral Capitalism : “The comment was professional puffery, to be sure, but this not-quite-offhand remark stuck with me.” Years later, the curiosity that was piqued by the encounter eventually resulted in this book. Amazingly enough, despite the way the landscapes she describes were among the most conspicuous products of postwar America and are fast becoming common elsewhere around the world, this is the first serious study of them. Fortunately, author and subject are ideally matched here. Mozingo, a professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at the University of California, Berkeley, has produced an important book. Carefully researched, well written, beautifully illustrated, and nicely produced by the MIT Press, it is likely to be a standard work on this subject for many years to come. The core chapters focus on a series of corporate landscapes created during the decades immediately following the end of World War II. Although Mozingo sees prototypes earlier, for example General Electric’s Nela Park complex outside Cleveland in the 1920s, she believes that the real start of the story comes after the war, when American corporations perfected their brand of managerial capitalism and American cities were experiencing a massive shift of population and resources from city centers to the suburbs. Mozingo does a good job describing some of the motivations for companies to move out of cities. To some degree, the …
Biomimetic Nanofibers as Artificial Stem Cell Niche

Stem cell niche provides a complex array of biochemical and physical signals in a temporally and spatially defined fashion, which engages and instructs stem cells to proliferate, migrate, and differentiate. Understanding molecular and structural components of stem cell niche and their respective functions is critical to the development of effective methodologies for stem cell manipulation. Polymeric nanofiber matrices have been developed to mimic the key physical and structural characteristics of stem cell niche. In this chapter, three major methods for preparation of polymeric nanofibers are reviewed, including electrospinning, solution phase separation, and self-assembly, followed by case studies on various nanofiber matrices to regulate stem cell adhesion, morphology/alignment, migration, proliferation, differentiation, and maturation. In particular, the function of nanofibers for the delivery of stem cells to regenerate various types of tissue is highlighted. Lastly, critical challenges and future directions in the development of biomimetic nanofibers as an artificial stem cell niche for regenerative medicine applications are discussed.
Theory of incompressible magnetohydrodynamic turbulence with scale-dependent alignment and cross-helicity

A phenomenological anisotropic theory of MHD turbulence with nonvanishing cross-helicity is constructed based on Boldyrev's phenomenology and probabilities p and q for fluctuations {delta}v{sub perpendicular} and {delta}b{sub perpendicular} to be positively or negatively aligned. The positively aligned fluctuations occupy a fractional volume p and the negatively aligned fluctuations occupy a fractional volume q. Guided by observations suggesting that the normalized cross-helicity {sigma}{sub c} and the probabilities p and q are approximately scale invariant in the inertial range, a generalization of Boldyrev's theory is derived that depends on the three ratios w {sup +}/w {sup -}, {epsilon}{sup +}/{epsilon}{sup -}, and p/q. It is assumed that the cascade processes for positively and negatively aligned fluctuations are both in a state of critical balance and that the eddy geometries are scale invariant. The theory reduces to Boldyrev's original theory when {sigma} {sub c} = 0, {epsilon}{sup +} = {epsilon}{sup -}, and p = q and extends the theory of Perez and Boldyrev when {sigma}{sub c} {ne} 0. The theory is also an anisotropic generalization of the theory of Dobrowolny, Mangeney, and Veltri.
The Role of Oral Contraception on Bladder Symptoms

Purpose of Review While the effects of local and systemic estrogen on the pelvic floor have been widely studied in postmenopausal women, little is known about oral contraceptive (OCP) use and the role on bladder symptoms. Estrogen and progesterone have been implicated in both the treatment and etiology of various pelvic floor conditions including overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, recurrent urinary tract infections, and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. This article will review the effect of oral contraceptive pills on bladder symptoms.
Level of Non-Matching Primary Transplant Cases According to Repeat Transplants Cases and a New Bivariate Poisson Distribution

In their practice, healthcare administrators and professionals often wonder about the non-matching level organs in transplants for the sake of future forecasting. Currently, there is no appropriate methodology to analyze the pertinent transplant data and describe the patterns. The lack of a suitable methodology in the literature originates from an incorrect impression that the primary transplant cases and the repeat transplant cases are two separate and independent Poisson probability processes. In fact, the actual data on the primary and repeat transplant cases in USA during the year 2014 indicate otherwise with a high degree of correlation between them. One wonders about the missing link and it hides in their model as this article articulates. The aims of this article are set to find an appropriate underlying model for the data and then construct an analytic methodology. In this research process, a novel and useful bivariate probability distribution is discovered and it is named here "seemingly independent bivariate Poisson distribution" for a lack of better title. Its statistical properties are derived, explained and illustrated. This new bivariate distribution helps not only to estimate the non-matching level of organs in the transplant cases but also to project the number of repeat transplant cases based on knowing the number of primary transplant cases and vice versa.
Postexamination Reviews: A Faculty Inquiry

Abstract Examinations are a main source of evaluation in nursing programs. Performances on examinations determine retention, progression, and graduation. These examinations require decision making that nursing students need time to develop. A postexamination review can help nursing students better understand content and make good decisions. Postexamination reviews also allow for students to get feedback on their performance and guidance for higher-level thinking.
Modeling the Thorax for Impact Scenarios

In this chapter, several critical anatomic structures of the human thorax are reviewed, followed by descriptions of various injury types and corresponding severities. Structural and material properties needed to properly model the rib are then discussed. A review of scientific literature reveals many human-thorax models developed by both academic and industrial institutions. Although great advances have been made over the last 2 decades, a paucity of experimental data still hinders the development of high-fidelity human-thorax models.
Probing Ligand Exchange in the P450 Enzyme CYP121 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Dynamic Equilibrium of the Distal Heme Ligand as a Function of pH and Temperature.

CYP121 is a cytochrome P450 enzyme from Mycobacterium tuberculosis that catalyzes the formation of a C–C bond between the aromatic groups of its cyclodityrosine substrate (cYY). The crystal structure of CYP121 in complex with cYY reveals that the solvent-derived ligand remains bound to the ferric ion in the enzyme–substrate complex. Whereas in the generally accepted P450 mechanism, binding of the primary substrate in the active-site triggers the release of the solvent-derived ligand, priming the metal center for reduction and subsequent O2 binding. Here we employed sodium cyanide to probe the metal–ligand exchange of the enzyme and the enzyme–substrate complex. The cyano adducts were characterized by UV–vis, EPR, and ENDOR spectroscopies and X-ray crystallography. A 100-fold increase in the affinity of cyanide binding to the enzyme–substrate complex over the ligand-free enzyme was observed. The crystal structure of the [CYP121(cYY)CN] ternary complex showed a rearrangement of the substrate in the active-s...
Statistical adjustment of culture-independent diagnostic tests for trend analysis in the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet), USA

Background Culture-independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs) are increasingly used to diagnose Campylobacter infection in the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet). Because CIDTs have different performance characteristics compared with culture, which has been used historically and is still used to diagnose campylobacteriosis, adjustment of cases diagnosed by CIDT is needed to compare with culture-confirmed cases for monitoring incidence trends. Methods We identified the necessary parameters for CIDT adjustment using culture as the gold standard, and derived formulas to calculate positive predictive values (PPVs). We conducted a literature review and meta-analysis to examine the variability in CIDT performance and Campylobacter prevalence applicable to FoodNet sites. We then developed a Monte Carlo method to estimate test-type and site-specific PPVs with their associated uncertainties. Results The uncertainty in our estimated PPVs was largely derived from uncertainty about the specificity of CIDTs and low prevalence of Campylobacter in tested samples. Stable CIDT-adjusted incidences of Campylobacter cases from 2012 to 2015 were observed compared with a decline in culture-confirmed incidence. Conclusions We highlight the lack of data on the total numbers of tested samples as one of main limitations for CIDT adjustment. Our results demonstrate the importance of adjusting CIDTs for understanding trends in Campylobacter incidence in FoodNet.
Gene inversion increases evolvability in bacteria

In bacteria, most genes are encoded on the leading strand, co-orienting the movement of the replication machinery with RNA polymerases. This co-orientation bias reduces the frequency of highly detrimental head-on collisions between the two machineries. This and other work set up the expectation that over evolutionary time, head-on alleles are selected against, maximizing genome co-orientation. Our findings challenge this model. Using the well-established GC skew method, we reveal the evolutionary inversion record of all chromosomally encoded genes in multiple divergent bacterial pathogens. We find that a surprisingly large number of co-oriented genes have inverted to, and are retained in the head-on orientation. Furthermore, we find that these head-on genes, (including key antibiotic resistance and virulence genes) have higher rates of nonsynonymous mutations and are more frequently under positive selection (dN/dS>1). Based on these results, we propose that bacteria increase their evolvability through gene inversion and promotion of head-on replication-transcription collisions.
Evaluating Detectors on Optimal Attack Vectors That Enable Electricity Theft and DER Fraud

Worldwide, utilities are losing billions of dollars annually because of electricity theft. The detection of electricity theft has been a topic of research for decades. In this paper, we extend our prior work in the context of advanced metering infrastructures, wherein smart meters are compromised and made to under-report consumption. To the best of our knowledge, this paper presents the first study of meter fraud in the context of distributed energy resources (DERs). With an increased penetration of DERs in modern power grids, and with the decline in electricity prices, we show that there is incentive for electricity generators to over-report generation. We quantify the economic impact of cyber-attacks (on meters) that are optimal in that they maximize fraud while circumventing detectors. In doing so, we use consumption data from Ireland, solar generation data from the U.S. and Australia, and wind generation data from France.
Concomitants of Extreme Order Statistics

Suppose the independent pairs of variates (Xi, Yi), i = l,…,n, are ordered by the Xi. Then the Y-variate paired with the r-th order statistic Xr:n is called the concomitant of Xr:n and denoted by Y[r:n]. This paper treats the asymptotic distribution theory of concomitants when r or n-r remains fixed as n→∞. The special case of a linear regression linking X and Y is examined in detail and a theorem of Galambos (1978) is generalized. Results on the joint distribution of concomitants of extremes are reviewed and some applications are indicated.
The Synthesis of Polyamic-Acids with Controlled Molecular Weights

A series of polyamic-acid polymers with varying molecular weight have been prepared by condensation of pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and oxydianiline (ODA) in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). Polyamic-acid solutions between 10 – 20 wt% total solids content were prepared under highly controlled conditions.
Implicitly-learned spatial attention is unimpaired in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Abstract Extensive research has examined how current goals influence spatial attention. Yet the allocation of spatial attention is also guided by previous experience, which may induce consistent spatial preferences when a visual search target is frequently found in one region of space. Here, we examined the role of the dopaminergic system in acquiring and maintaining location probability learning. We tested Parkinson's patients and age-matched controls in a difficult visual search task in two sessions. In Session 1, unbeknownst to the participants, the target appeared most often in one quadrant in an early, training phase of the experiment. The target was randomly located in a later, testing phase. Both Parkinson's patients and controls acquired an attentional preference toward the high-probability quadrant during training that persisted in the testing phase. Learning yielded a large reduction in response time (345 ms) in Parkinson's patients, and this effect was highly significant. In Session 2, administered several days later, the target's high-probability quadrant changed. Both groups acquired a new preference for Session 2's high-probability quadrant, demonstrating reversal learning. These findings contrast with previously observed deficits in PD in acquiring probabilistic learning and contextual cueing. This result suggests that not all habit-like behaviors depend on the basal ganglia and the dopaminergic system. Instead, preservation of location probability learning may compensate for other types of attentional deficits in PD.
Four Nondestructive Electrochemical Tests for Detecting Sensitization in Type 304 and 304L Stainless Steels

Three different electrochemical reactivation tests are compared with etch structures produced in the electrolytic oxalic acid etch test. These nondestructive tests are needed to evaluate welded sta...
The Impact of Benchmark Set Composition on Auditors' Level 3 Fair Value Judgments

ABSTRACT Auditors frequently use benchmarking analysis to evaluate the appropriateness of a client's estimates. Client management may strategically select benchmark data, making an auditor's evalua...
A survey of family-violence curricula in Virginia medical schools and residencies at university medical centers.

PURPOSE: To examine the status (as of 1995) of family violence curricula at Virginia's three medical schools and their affiliated residencies. METHOD: Questionnaires were sent in the fall of 1995 to the deans of undergraduate medical education at the three schools and the directors of the 69 fully accredited residencies at the university medical center. The questionnaires inquired about the presence of particular family-violence topics in the curricula (battered women, child abuse, elder abuse) and whether teaching about family violence was required or elective. In addition, the medical schools' departments were asked to identify faculty who were experts in the area of family violence. RESULTS: All three schools responded about undergraduate education, showing considerable variability among departments concerning whether instruction was required or elective and what instructional methods were used. A total of 48 (70%) of the 69 residencies responded. Twenty-six (54%) indicated that they had at least some curriculum content related to particular family-violence topics: child abuse, 20 (42%); battered women, 13 (27%); and elder abuse, nine (19%). A total of 27 faculty with expertise in family violence were identified, and 16 were experts in identifying and treating injuries related to family violence. No expert was identified in such areas as mental health sequelae or violence prevention. CONCLUSION: The results allowed for the development of recommendations regarding medical education about family violence in Virginia, including the formal integration of family-violence curricula into medical school and internship and residency programs, and the coordination of disciplines within Virginia in family-violence prevention. Language: en
Banking Spreads in Latin America

Intermediation spreads in Latin America are high by international standards. This paper examines the determinants of bank interest margins in that region using bank and country-level data from 85 countries, including 14 Latin American economies. The results suggest that Latin America has higher interest rates, less efficient banks, and larger reserve requirements than other regions and that these factors have a significant impact on spreads. However, Latin American countries do not differ markedly from their peers in other aspects that are found important in determining the cost of financial intermediation, such as inflation and bank profit taxation.
Diagnostic Testing of a Vertical Lift Truss Bridge for Model Verification and Decision-Making Support

A practical long term structural health monitoring program must be based on reasonable field capabilities, the needs of the bridge owner, and the anticipated structural behavior unique to the structure. Each sensor installed as part of the monitoring program should provide information directly in response to an operational needs related to the structure’s short term and long term performance. A thoughtfully considered instrumentation plan developed in cooperation with the bridge designer, bridge manager, bridge maintenance operator and academic researchers will provide data to enhance both the state of the practice and state of the art for the bridge structural design, management and maintenance. Monitoring a bridge’s structural response has the potential to a) detect the presence of structural changes for condition assessment, b) inform the bridge manger to assist in daily operational decision-making and c) validate the structural design assumptions and (d) refine a structural model of the bridge to be used for performance prediction. The excitation for these responses typically comes from traffic or environmental demands. Vertical lift bridges provide a unique opportunity for structural health monitoring based on the dynamic response due to the frequent and repeated impact imparted on the structure each time the lift span open and closes. In this paper, a structural health monitoring system designed to provide valuable information for design verification, structural model calibration, fatigue monitoring, and operational decision-making support for the reconstructed Memorial Bridge carrying US Route 1 between Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Kittery, Maine. This paper will detail the development of the sensor layout including input from stakeholders, accessibility issues and complementary and contradicting objectives. A set of structural models with varying degrees on complexity were created based on the structural performance objectives. The data collected during a pseudo-static truck load test was used to calibrate the structural models of the bridge and to select the appropriate model for each post-processing and decision-making tools related to structural performance.
Validating enhancer signature classifications (ESCs) in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs).

627Background: Predicting recurrence risk (RR) for resected (res) PNET patients (pts) is challenging using existing pathologic criteria. Better predictive models to tailor surveillance for individu...
P146 California Youth Participatory Action Research Projects Illustrates the Need for Nutrition Staff Professional Development

Background Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) is an innovative approach to engage youth (ages 12-18) in projects that address issues in their community. When implemented as part of a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) program, YPAR aims to empower youth to achieve policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes related to community health and nutrition. SNAP-Ed programming has traditionally focused on direct nutrition education, which may require substantially different professional skills than needed to implement YPAR projects. Objective This qualitative research project aimed to assess the impact of professional development and learning to support the shift from traditional nutrition education delivery to an approach that engages youth in creating PSE changes. Study Design, Setting, Participants Pre- and post-project interviews were conducted with 6 SNAP-Ed staff members who implemented or attempted to implement YPAR projects in 4 California counties during the 2018-2019 school year. Questions assessed the impact of current technical assistance, professional learning opportunities and needs, and suggestions for improving future support. Analysis Members of the research team each individually analyzed a subset of the interview responses and reported emerging themes. The team consolidated reports and identified key findings for 3 outcome measures related to 1) Staff capacities for YPAR work aimed at PSE changes; 2) key topics; and 3) key processes/structures for additional professional learning support. Results The following themes emerged related to the outcome measures: 1) the importance of comprehensive knowledge and skills related to youth engagement and positive relationship skills to build support for YPAR: 2) the need for information on the history of YPAR; training around PSE change work, evaluation and reporting; and curricula for younger youth; and 3) the need for regular support from supervisors. Conclusions Staff articulated the capacities they gained, key learning topics and support received, and additional professional development support needed to conduct a YPAR project. Key themes were identified that can help inform practitioners interested in conducting YPAR projects, especially under the SNAP-Ed framework. Funding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Education.
Nanoscale Run-In of Silicon Oxide-Doped Hydrogenated Amorphous Carbon: Dependence of Interfacial Shear Strength on Sliding Length and Humidity

We conducted atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments by sliding hard tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C)-coated and diamond AFM probes against silicon oxide-doped hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H:Si:O) films. We reproducibly observe a substantial reduction in friction with repeated sliding. This behavior qualitatively resembles the run-in effects generally seen in macroscale frictional sliding on diamond-like carbons (DLCs), including this a-C:H:Si:O film in particular. As the applied normal load is increased with repetitive sliding, the friction reduces in tandem. The lateral stiffness of the nanoscale contact is measured as a function of applied normal load, thus the real contact area and the interfacial shear strength are inferred throughout the sliding experiments. These measurements show that the friction reduction is caused by a reduction in the interfacial shear strength of the contact. We propose that this arises from sliding-induced structural modification of the a-C:H:Si:O film. The calculated shear strengths are more than an order of magnitude higher than estimates from macroscale friction experiments. Additionally, humidity-controlled experiments show no significant humidity dependence of the friction despite a very strong dependence at macroscale. Reasons for these contradictions with macroscale experiments are discussed.
Response of grain sorghum to low rates of glufosinate and nicosulfuron

Previous research has shown that glufosinate and nicosulfuron at low rates can cause yield loss to grain sorghum. However, research has not been conducted to pinpoint the growth stage at which these herbicides are most injurious to grain sorghum. Therefore, field tests were conducted in 2016 and 2017 to determine the most sensitive growth stage for grain sorghum exposure to both glufosinate and nicosulfuron. Field test were designed with factor A being the herbicide applied (glufosinate or nicosulfuron). Factor B consisted of timing of herbicide application including V3, V8, flagleaf, heading, and soft dough stages. Factor C was glufosinate or nicosulfuron rate where a proportional rate of 656 g ai ha⁻¹ of glufosinate and 35 g ai ha⁻¹ of nicosulfuron was applied at 1/10×, 1/50×, and 1/250×. Visible injury, crop canopy heights (cm), and yield were reported as a percent of the nontreated. At the V3 growth stage visible injury of 32% from the 1/10× rate of glufosinate and 51% from the 1/10× rate of nicosulfuron was observed. This injury was reduced by 4 wk after application (WAA) and no yield loss occurred. Nicosulfuron was more injurious than glufosinate at a 1/10× and 1/50× rate when applied at the V8 and flagleaf growth stages resulting in death of the shoot, reduced heading, and yield. Yield losses from the 1/10× rate of nicosulfuron were observed from V8 through early heading and ranged from 41% to 96%. Yield losses from the 1/50× rate of nicosulfuron were 14% to 16% at the flagleaf and V8 growth stages respectively. The 1/10× rate of glufosinate caused 36% visible injury 2 WAA when applied at the flagleaf stage, which resulted in a 16% yield reduction. By 4 WAA visible injury from either herbicide at less than the 1/10× rate was not greater than 4%. Results indicate that injury can occur, but yield losses are more probable from low rates of nicosulfuron at V8 and flagleaf growth stages. Nomenclature: glufosinate; nicosulfuron; grain sorghum; Sorghum bicolor L. Moench ssp. bicolor
Pharmacokinetics of Chlortetracycline in Cattle

Chlortetracycline (CTC) contributes extensively to profitable cattle production as an antimicrobial and growth promoting agent. The NAHMS 1999 Feedlot study reports 51.9% of all feedlots administer CTC as a health or production management tool. However, information regarding the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of CTC is scarce in the literature. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed using oral and intravenous preparations of CTC to reveal the pharmacokinetic parameters of this drug in cattle.
Two Piece Composite Truck Cab

SUBTITLE: A TWO-PIECE FORD RANGER CAB MADE OF RESIN-TRANSFER-MOLDED, GLASS-FIBER-REINFORCED PLASTIC DEMONSTRATES PARTS INTEGRATION, LOW-COST TOOLING, AND AUTOMATED ASSEMBLY
Vitamin E Requirements of Human Infants1

Publisher Summary Despite numerous studies, the mechanism of action of tocopherol and its importance in human nutrition have not been clearly defined. The relative infrequency of naturally occurring deficiency states has contributed to the difficulty in establishing a role for vitamin E in human nutrition. Indeed, the tocopherols are so widely distributed in foods, and body stores are maintained so tenaciously, that it is difficult to conceive of the occurrence of dietary deficiency even with inadequate intake. This chapter reviews data collected mostly during the past decade on the role of vitamin E in the nutrition of infants and children, with and without steatorrhea.
Chapter IX The Measurement of Oxygen Absorption and Carbon Dioxide Evolution in Stirred Deep Cultures

Publisher Summary The measurement of oxygen (O 2 ) consumption and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) evolution as features of microbial metabolism and their relationship, along with dissolved O 2 tension, creation of microbial substance, substrate utilization or product formation, is of importance in understanding and controlling microbial processes. The CO 2 and O 2 concentration in the effluent air stream are a measure of the metabolic rate of the process, and therefore continuous analysis is of great value as a supervisory tool. As well as analyzing the effluent gas from aerobes for CO 2 and O 2 and that from anaerobes for CO 2 , it is also necessary to know the inlet air rate in aerobic cultures and the effluent gas rate in aerobic and in anaerobic cultures. Effluent gas rate in aerobic cultures can be calculated if the inlet air rate and the analysis of the effluent gas are known. The Orsat apparatus is described (along with the Haldane apparatus) in a British Standard (British Standards Institution, 1952) that deals with the analysis of flue gases. It is cited as “the best known apparatus . . . for the determination of CO 2 , O 2, and CO where a high degree of accuracy is not required.” There are two methods for the continuous analysis of O 2 in gases, both of which depend on the paramagnetic properties of O 2 gas. In fermentation work, the magnetic wind instrument appears to be less in favor than the Pauling type. In the Pauling type, a dumb-bell formed by two hollow glass spheres is suspended on a taut fiber in a magnetic field.
The Importance of Continuous and Discrete Elements in Continuum Robots

In this paper, we examine key issues underlying the design and operation of robots featuring continuous body (“continuum”) elements. We contrast continuum and continuum-like robots created to date with their counterparts in the natural world. It is observed that natural continuum locomotors or manipulators almost invariably rely on hard or discrete elements (in their structure or operation) in their interactions with their environment. We suggest innovations in continuum robot design and operation motivated by this observation, supported by experiments using the “Tendril” continuum robot. The results suggest new ways in which continuum robot operations could be significantly enhanced. In particular, the exploitation of “hard” and “discrete” environmental features can greatly enhance stability in continuum robot operations, compensating for inherent backbone compliance. Additionally, the incorporation of discrete behaviours (sweeping and striking with the backbone) can both compensate for imprecision in co...