cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimating bias in the OCO-2 retrieval algorithm caused by 3-D radiation scattering from unresolved boundary layer clouds

Abstract. Due to the complexity of the multiple scattering problem for shortwave radiative transfer in Earth's atmosphere, operational physical retrieval algorithms commonly use a plane parallel radiative transfer model (RTM). This so-called one-dimensional (1-D) assumption allows practical retrieval algorithms to be implemented. In order to understand the impacts of this assumption for low altitude, unresolved clouds observed by OCO-2, the three-dimensional (3-D) radiative transfer model SHDOM is used to generate synthetic observations which are then processed by the operational retrieval algorithm based on a 1-D RTM. Simulations are performed over three realistic surface spectral albedos, corresponding to snow, vegetation, and bare soil. The results show that the existing cloud screening algorithm has difficulty identifying sub-field of view (FOV), unresolved clouds that fill less than half of the FOV. The unresolved clouds introduce a bias in the retrieved CO2 concentration, as quantified by the dry air mole fraction (XCO2). The biases are relatively small (less than 1 ppm) when the albedo at 2.1 μm is high, which is common over bare land surfaces. For cases with low 2.1 μm albedo, such as snow, the bias becomes much larger, up to 5 ppm. These results indicate that the XCO2 retrieval appears robust to 3-D scattering effects from unresolved low level clouds when the short wave infrared surface albedo is large, but for darker surfaces these clouds can introduce significant biases.
Defining and managing overactive bladder: disagreement among the experts.

Objective To better understand experts' perceptions of the definition of overactive bladder (OAB) and the evaluation and treatment of OAB in women. Materials and Methods OAB has been defined by the International Continence Society as “urinary urgency, with or without urge urinary incontinence, usually with frequency and nocturia.” Under the current definition, people with very different clinical conditions are included under the OAB umbrella. In the present study, 12 interviews with leading urologic, gynecologic, and geriatric practitioners in urinary incontinence and OAB were performed. Questions were asked about their perception and agreement with the current definition of OAB. The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. The grounded theory method was used to analyze the data. Results Overall, a great amount of variability was found in the definition and management of OAB. Four categories of definitions were derived from the qualitative analysis: the current OAB definition is adequate, OAB is a constellation of symptoms, OAB should include the fear of leakage, and OAB is a marketing term. Although some consensus has been reached on the evaluation, several areas have demonstrated disagreement over elements of the evaluation. Experts also believed that OAB is a chronic condition, with symptom variability, and has no cure. Managing patient expectations is essential, because OAB is challenging to treat. A focus was placed on behavioral therapy. Conclusion The experts disagreed over the definition and workup of OAB. However, the experts agreed that OAB is a chronic condition with a low likelihood of cure.
Effects of simulated acid precipitation on cadmium- and zinc-amended soil and soil-pine systems

In order to determine the effect of acid precipitation on the movement of Cd and Zn in metal-contaminated systems, Cd- and Zn-amended soil systems, with and without eastern white pine seedlings, were treated with solution at pH levels of 2, 3, 4, and 5.3 for a 10-week period. While the soil parameters measured were not significantly altered by the higher pH treatments, treatment at pH 2 decreased soil pH, base saturation, and leachate pH, and increased leachate metal content. The presence of the seedlings moderated the effects of the pH 2 treatment by a probable combination of root cation exchange capacity and plant uptake. Seedlings receiving the higher pH treatments exhibited the expected metal distribution pattern (roots ≫ stems = leaves), while the pH 2 seedlings exhibited a different pattern (roots = stems = leaves). Cadmium and Zn levels in the stems and needles of the pH 2 plants were significantly higher than levels in those of the higher pH seedlings, while levels in the roots treated with pH 2 solution were significantly lower. This unusual distribution pattern may be the result of root injury due to the highly acidic solution. Although metal distribution was clearly affected by the acid treatments, increased toxicity symptoms were not observed in seedlings subjected to soil applications of acidified solutions.
ESR study of MMA polymerization by a peroxide/amine system: bone cement formation.

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy was used to gain insight at the molecular level into the curing of bone cement. Methyl methacrylate was polymerized using a N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine (TD)/benzoyl peroxide (BPO) redox system in the presence of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) powder. The conventional nine-line ESR spectrum for the growing polymer radical was detected at the gel stage of polymerization. While the optimum free radical concentration was observed near the equimolar amine/BPO concentration, excess amine led to a change in the chemical structure of the trapped radical and inhibited the polymerization process. At a high amine/BPO ratio the nine-line signal disappeared and a three-line nitroxide-based radical appeared. The appearance of this nitroxide signal seems to depend on the amine/BPO molar ratio and on the presence of PMMA. An excess amount of amine with respect to BPO was found to inhibit the polymerization process. When BPO was removed, the system still polymerized but with a longer gelation time and a lower radical concentration. These results demonstrate that trapped free radicals in the bulk polymerization of MMA convert to polymeric peroxides that act as initiators in bone cement. When the accelerator 4-dimethylamino phenethyl alcohol (TDOH) was used, a higher radical concentration was observed in the polymerizing system. TDOH shows potential for being a more effective accelerator than TD for bone cement curing.
Correlation effects in the ground state of trapped atomic Bose gases

We study the effects of many-body correlations in trapped ultracold atomic Bose gases. We calculate the ground state of the gas using a ground-state auxiliary-field quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) method [Phys. Rev. E 70, 056702 (2004)]. We examine the properties of the gas, such as the energetics, condensate fraction, real-space density, and momentum distribution, as a function of the number of particles and the scattering length. We find that the mean-field Gross-Pitaevskii (GP) approach gives qualitatively incorrect result of the kinetic energy as a function of the scattering length. We present detailed QMC data for the various quantities, and discuss the behavior of GP, modified GP, and the Bogoliubov method under a local density approximation (LDA).
The NMR solution structure of the NMDA receptor antagonist, conantokin-T, in the absence of divalent metal ions

The solution conformation of conantokin-T, a Gla-containing 21-residue peptide, (G1EγγY5QKMLγ10NLRγA15EVKKN20A-amide), in the absence of divalent metal ions, was studied by use of two-dimensional proton NMR spectroscopy. The peptide is helical from the N-terminus to the C-terminus, as defined by upfield-shifted α-proton resonances and by characteristic NOE connectivities. Extensive interactions among the amino acid side-chains were identified from the NOESY spectra of this peptide in a buffered aqueous solution. Four hydrophobic residues Tyr5, Met8, Leu9, and Leu12 contact one another in a stable cluster, even in the presence of 6 M urea. The solution structure of conantokin-T is a well-defined α-helix, having RMSD values for the backbone and all heavy atoms of 0.40 A and 0.77 A, respectively. Potential repulsion between the negatively-charged side chains of Gla10 and Gla14 is minimized by a Gln6-Gla10 hydrogen bond and by an Arg13-Gla14 ion-pair interaction. The C-terminal amide and the Asn20 side-chain amide both interact with the backbone and minimize fraying at the C-terminal end of the α-helix. This study provides a basis to evaluate the changes in peptide conformation concomitant upon the binding of divalent metal ions. In addition, this investigation demonstrates that apo-conantokin-T has almost all of the favorable interactions that are known to contribute to helical stabilization in proteins and monomeric helices.
Measurement of the angular correlation between L-M X-ray cascades

Abstract The angular correlation between Lβ 1 and several M 4 X-rays of plutonium has been measured with semiconductor detectors. The angular correlation coefficient obtained is A 22 = (8.5 ± 1.5) × 10 −2 . This value is compared with theory.
The State Variable Approach to System Effectiveness

Expressions are given in the literature for the availability, mean-time-between-failures, mean uptime, and mean downtime for systems consisting of a number of identical modules in redundancy. Using the concept of superstates, vector expressions for these parameters are presented which apply to a system consisting of an arbitrary interconnection of different types of modules. A vector expression for system effectiveness is presented which is formally the same as the expression for availability in the case of a single-function system and which can be extended easily to cover multifunction systems.
The antitubercular activity of azo dyes. II. Monazo dyes derived from diazotized sulfa drugs and bis (4-aminophenyl)-sulfone and bisazo dyes from tetrazotized bis (4-aminophenyl)-sulfone and sulfa drugs

With the aim of obtaining azo dyes with high chemotherapeutic properties, two groups of azo dyes were prepared for studies, namely, (1) monazo dyes by the diazotization of sulfa drugs and related amines and then coupling with bis(4-aminophenyl)-sulfone, and (2) bisazo dyes by the tetrazotization of bis(4-aminophenyl)-sulfone and then coupling with sulfa drugs. Biological tests seemed to indicate that the monazo dyes are in general more active than the corresponding bisazo dyes, which in turn are more active than the bisazo dyes described previously and prepared from tetrazotized bis(4-aminophenyl)-sulfone and various common coupling components. In this paper, the relationship between chemical structure and biological properties (notable antitubercular in vitro) has been again discussed.
Statistical Moments of Polynomial Dimensional Decomposition

This technical note presents explicit formulas for calculating the response moments of stochastic systems by polynomial dimensional decomposition entailing independent random input with arbitrary probability measures. The numerical results indicate that the formulas provide accurate, convergent, and computationally efficient estimates of the second-moment properties.
The Home and the World: Domestic Service and International Networks of Caring Labor

The employment of immigrant domestic workers is a valuable entry point for examining the construction of class and racial-ethnic differences among women in a global economy. It also reveals the complex ways that social reproduction, like production, is shaped by international connections and flows. This article draws on interviews with thirty-two immigrant domestic workers and twenty-nine employers of domestic workers in San Diego to examine the organization of caring labor in the two sets of households. The interview data show that employers of domestic workers rely on paid service workers to supply additional labor, while domestic workers rely on the unpaid labor of family members. Neither group relies primarily on government support, although differences in citizenship status influence the strategies of the two groups. The article draws on the interviews to make two related points. First, it argues that social reproduction has come, in some places, to involve networks that cross international borders. ...
Simulation of large networks: efficient simulation of the National Airspace System

The National Airspace System (NAS) is a large and complicated system. Detailed simulation models of the NAS are generally quite slow, so it can be difficult to obtain statistically valid samples from such models. This paper presents two methods for reducing the complexity of such networks to improve simulation time. One method is removal of low-utilization queues - that is, replacing a queueing node with a delay node, so that airplanes experience a service time at the node but no queueing time. The other is removal of nodes by clustering - that is, where groups of nodes are collapsed into a single node. We employ the methods on simple networks and show that the reductions yield very little loss in modeling accuracy. We provide some estimates for the potential speedup in simulation time when using the methods on large networks.
A vibrofluidized-bed heat exchanger for heat recovery from a hot gas I: Feasibility study of a pilot-scale system

Abstract The purpose of this study is to experimentally evaluate a process for recovering the thermal energy from a hot exhaust gas by direct contact of the gas with a counter-currently flowing vibrofluidized bed of solids. This portion of the two-part paper describes a pilot-scale experimental system for heat-transfer studies and feasible operating conditions under which experiments are performed. Key variables that are tested in the vibrofluidized-bed heat-exchanger system include the gas flow rate, solid flow rate, height and number of gas-deflection baffles, and vibrational conditions (for example, throw angle, frequency, and amplitude). Tests demonstrate the importance of selecting the correct height of a gas-deflection baffle so that a ‘solid flooding’ condition does not exist within the heat exchanger. Results show that a prototype system using multiple baffles operates similarly to a single-baffle system, except in the case of high air flow rates, where a ‘multiple retardation’ effect prevents a major portion of solid particles from exiting the heat exchanger. A ‘flooding’ diagram is presented that summarizes the range of feasible operating conditions for steady-state operations. In addition, under vibrational conditions where solids are truly vibrofluidized, a ‘spray zone’ is observed which can greatly increase gas—solid mixing and enhance gas-to-bed heat transfer.
Modulation of gastric H+, K+-transporting ATPase function by sodium

Gastric H+,K+-ATPase activity is not affected by Na+ at pH 7.0 but is significantly stimulated by Na+ at pH 8.5. For the stimulation at the latter pH, the presence of both Na+ and K+ were essential. Contrary the H+,K+-ATPase, the associated K+-pNPPase was inhibited by Na+ at both pH values. Sodium competes with K+ for the K+-pNPPase reaction. Also, unlike the H+, K+-ATPase activity the ATPase-mediated transport of H+ within the gastric microsomal vesicles was inhibited by Na+. For the latter event only the extravesicular and not the intravesicular Na+ was effective. The data suggest that the K+-pNPPase activity does not represent the phosphatase step of the H+,K+-ATPase reaction. In addition, the observed inhibition of vesicular H+ uptake by Na+ appears to be due to the displacement by Na+ of a cytosolic (extravesicular) H+ site responsible for the vectorial translocation of H+.
Species concepts and the ontology of evolution

Biologists and philosophers have long recognized the importance of species, yet species concepts serve two masters, evolutionary theory on the one hand and taxonomy on the other. Much of present-day evolutionary and systematic biology has confounded these two roles primarily through use of the biological species concept. Theories require entities that are real, discrete, irreducible, and comparable. Within the neo-Darwinian synthesis, however, biological species have been treated as real or subjectively delimited entities, discrete or nondiscrete, and they are often capable of being decomposed into other, smaller units. Because of this, biological species are generally not comparable across different groups of organisms, which implies that the ontological structure of evolutionary theory requires modification. Some biologists, including proponents of the biological species concept, have argued that no species concept is universally applicable across all organisms. Such a view means, however, that the history of life cannot be embraced by a common theory of ancestry and descent if that theory uses species as its entities. These ontological and biological difficulties can be alleviated if species are defined in terms of evolutionary units. The latter are irreducible clusters of reproductively cohesive organisms that are diagnosably distinct from other such clusters. Unlike biological species, which can include two or more evolutionary units, these phylogenetic species are discrete entities in space and time and capable of being compared from one group to the next.
THE USE OF BLADDER FOR TOTAL TRANSPLANT URETERAL RECONSTRUCTION

AbstractPurpose: Although complete necrosis of a transplanted renal allograft ureter is uncommon, it is a difficult complication to manage. Long or multisegment ureteral strictures, most commonly ischemic in nature, are formidable problems for the reconstructive surgeon. We reviewed 655 consecutive renal allografts to determine the incidence of these complex ureteral complications, and the effectiveness and morbidity of complete ureteral reconstruction using bladder alone.Materials and Methods: Of 20 patients (3.0%) who required ureteral reconstruction 9 had complete ureteral necrosis and 11 had long (4) or multisegment (7) ureteral strictures. Total ureteral reconstruction was performed using a modified Boari flap in 15 patients and direct pyelovesicostomy in 5. All patients were followed postoperatively with renal ultrasound as well as99mtechnetium mercaptoacetyltriglycine-3 diuretic renal scans. Mean followup was 28 months.Results: All 20 patients had successful reconstruction of the transplant ureter ...
Hierarchical decomposition algorithm for hardware/software partitioning

This paper proposes a novel fast technique for partitioning a system into hardware and software components and scheduling the resulting components for execution. The technique maps hierarchical task graphs onto a heterogeneous architecture containing a single sequential processing engine for executing software components and programmable logic for implementing hardware components. The technique uses an iterative improvement algorithm to evaluate placement of components in the hardware and software partitions. It also uses a decomposition phase to alter the number and granularity of tasks evaluated. By doing so, the algorithm can perform early evaluations on fewer, coarse grained tasks and only evaluate smaller granularities as needed to achieve the desired execution time of the task system. The suitability of this technique in finding a solution which meets a given timing constraint on the system is evaluated by comparing it to a iterative improvement algorithm on a typical non-hierarchical task graph where the task granularities are fixed. To show robustness of the approach, the comparison is done for a large number of synthetic task graphs and the results are normalized so that statistical analysis can be performed on the large sample set.
Genetic Control of the Secondary Modification of Deoxyribonucleic Acid in Escherichia coli

The wild-type restriction and modification alleles of Escherichia coli K-12 and B were found to have no measurable effect on the patterns of methylated bases in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of these strains. The genetic region controlling the methylation of cytosine in E. coli K-12 was mapped close to his, and the presence or absence of this gene in E. coli B or E. coli K had no effect on the restriction and modification properties of these strains. Thus, only a few of the methylated bases in the DNA of these strains are involved in host modification, and the biological role of the remainder remains obscure.
A comparison of online and lecture methods for delivering the CS 1 course

The study examined both completion rates and success scores between students taking a CS 1 course. The sample included 111 students at Western Oregon University. The students were divided into three groups. The traditional group included students not wanting to take the course online. The students volunteering to take the course online were randomly selected for the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group received online instruction. Both the control group and the traditional group received instruction in a lecture setting. The results showed no significance in completion of the course among the three groups. In comparing the success rate among the groups, the students in the control and experimental group scored lower on the weekly quizzes than the students in the traditional group.
Obstructive Fibrinous Tracheal Pseudomembrane

We present 2 patients who had upper airway obstruction develop secondary to a fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane after short-term endotracheal intubations. Early recognition and removal of the pseudomembrane resulted in complete resolution of symptoms. We discuss the characteristic presentation of symptoms, diagnosis, and management.
B‐3‐Pinanyl‐9‐borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane

(R) [173624-47-2] C18H31B (MW 258.30) InChI = 1S/C18H31B/c1-12-16-10-13(18(16,2)3)11-17(12)19-14-6-4-7-15(19)9-5-8-14/h12-17H,4-11H2,1-3H3/t12-,13+,14-,15+,16-,17-/m1/s1 InChIKey = VCDGSBJCRYTLNU-PHPOFCCKSA-N (S) [42371-63-1] InChI = 1S/C18H31B/c1-12-16-10-13(18(16,2)3)11-17(12)19-14-6-4-7-15(19)9-5-8-14/h12-17H,4-11H2,1-3H3/t12-,13+,14-,15+,16-,17+/m1/s1 InChIKey = VCDGSBJCRYTLNU-VRXFMZDNSA-N (asymmetric reducing agent which is particularly effective for aldehydes1 and alkynic ketones2) Alternate Name: Alpine-Borane®. Solubility: sol most organic solvents. Form Supplied in: 0.5 M solution in THF. (R)-Alpine-Borane is prepared from (+)-α-pinene, and (S)-Alpine-Borane from (−)-α-pinene. High purity α-pinene is available commercially. Preparative Methods: readily prepared by hydroboration of either (+)- or (−)-α-pinene4 with 9-Borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane Dimer (9-BBN) (eq 1). (1) Since the neat reagent is most effective, the solvent is usually removed before reduction of the ketone. Brown has reported a synthesis using neat α-pinene and solid 9-BBN.5 The deuterium- or tritium-labeled compound may be prepared by hydroboration with labeled 9-BBN.6 Alternatively B-methoxy-9-BBN may be reduced with LiAlD4 (see Lithium Aluminum Hydride) in the presence of α-pinene.7, 8 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: organoboranes are spontaneously flammable in air and must be handled under an inert atmosphere. They are generally stable to moisture. Alpine-Borane can slowly undergo dehydroboration.3 Use in a fume hood.
Binding to the open conformation of HIV-1 protease.

A recent crystal structure of HIV-1 protease (HIVp) was the first to experimentally observe a ligand targeting an open-flap conformation. Researchers studying a symmetric pyrrolidine inhibitor found that two ligands co-crystallized with the protease, forcing an unusual configuration and unique crystallographic contacts. One molecule is centered in the traditional binding site (α pose), and the other binds between the flaps (β pose). The ligands stack against each other in a region termed the “eye” site. Ligands bound to the eye site should prevent flap closure, but it is unclear if the pyrrolidine inhibitors or the crystal packing are causing the open state. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to examine the solution-state behavior of three possible binding modes: the ternary complex of HIVp+αβ and the binary complexes, HIVp+α and HIVp+β. We show that HIVp+α is the most stable of the three states. During conformational sampling, α takes an asymmetric binding pose, with one naphthyl ring occupying the eye site and the other reoriented down to occupy positions seen with traditional inhibitors. This finding supports previous studies that reveal a requirement for asymmetric binding at the eye site. In fact, if the α pose is modified to splay both naphthyl rings across the binding site like traditional inhibitors, one ring consistently flips to occupy the eye site. Our simulations reveal that interactions to the eye site encourage a conformationally-restrained state, and understanding those contacts may aid the design of ligands to specifically target alternate conformations of the protease.
On The Linear Combination Of Laplace Random Variables

The distribution of the linear combination aX + bY is derived when X and Y are independent Laplace random variables. Extensive tabulations of the associated percentage points are also given. The work is motivated by examples in automation, control, fuzzy sets, neurocomputing, and other areas of informational sciences.
Unbiased estimation in dynamic data reconciliation

A computationally fast technique accurately estimates process variables when conditions are dynamic due to changes in steady states. The process variable estimators are unbiased and have known distributions. Thus, confidence intervals for true values of process variables are provided. The formulation of this technique was motivated by a recursive, dynamic data reconciliation technique that obtains very accurate estimators. These two techniques are compared in terms of computational speed and accuracy of estimators. The proposed technique is computationally faster, but not as accurate when variances of process measurements are large. However, the accuracy of the proposed estimators is shown to approach that of the recursive technique by iteratively recalculating estimates and when measurement variances decrease.
R-CHOP versus R-CVP in the treatment of follicular lymphoma: a meta-analysis and critical appraisal of current literature

Purpose: R-CHOP (rituximab with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) and R-CVP (rituximab with cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone) have both been used successfully in the treatment of patients with symptomatic follicular lymphoma (FL). No study has compared the efficacy of the two treatment modalities and attempted to evaluate the role of anthracyclines in the management of patients with FL. We conducted a meta-analysis of relevant literature comparing the two treatment arms for FL with response being the final endpoint. Patients and Methods: Two analyses were conducted: The first analysis compared R-CHOP to R-CVP as frontline agents for the treatment of FL, and the second analysis included both untreated and relapsed patients. Results: For both studies, R-CVP was superior to R-CHOP when evaluating for complete response (CR). Odds ratios were 2.86 (95% CI, 1.81–4.51) in the first analysis and 1.48 (95% CI, 0.991–2.22) in the second analysis. However for overall response (CR+Partial response, PR), RCHOP was superior, with odds ratios of 5.45 (95% CI: 2.51 – 11.83) and 5.54 (95% CI: 2.69 – 11.40), for the first and second analyses, respectively. Conclusion: R-CHOP and R-CVP protocols achieve excellent overall response. In patients with known cardiac history, omission of anthracyclines is reasonable and R-CVP provides a competitive CR rate. In younger patients with FL where cumulative cardio-toxicity may be of importance in the long term and in whom future stem cell transplantation is an option, again R-CVP may be a more appealing option.
Incidence of Behavior Problems in Toddlers and Preschool Children from Families Living in Poverty

ABSTRACTFew studies have examined the incidence of behavior problems in toddlers and preschool children from families living in poverty. The available research suggests behavior problems occur at higher rates in children living in poverty and may have long-term negative outcomes if not identified and properly treated. This study included an ethnically representative sample of 357 children, five years of age and younger, from a diverse, low-income, urban area. All families’ incomes met the federal threshold for living in poverty. Behavior problems were assessed by parent report through a questionnaire specifically designed for low-income families. Boys and younger children were reported as demonstrating a higher rate of externalizing behaviors than girls and older children. The overall rate of children scoring at least one standard deviation above the sample's mean for challenging behaviors was 17.4% and was not related to the child's gender, age or ethnicity. This study also sampled children's positive be...
Growing Pains: The Why and How of Canadian Law Firm Expansion

Over the last decade, the Canadian corporate law firm, like its counterparts in other industrialized countries, has undergone a profound transformation, the most remarkable feature of which has been the rapid growth of individual firms. Whereas a mere decade ago only one Canadian firm could boast of having more than 100 lawyers, today there are at least 19 firms that can make this claim. Accompanying the firms' rapid growth has been their steady expansion into distant national and international markets. Significantly, even when that expansion has been confined to local markets, law firms have invoked a much broader array of growth instruments than in the past. In place of singular reliance upon the standard practice of recruitment directly from law schools and subsequent promotion through the ranks, law firms have shown themselves willing to deploy other methods including lateral recruitment ('cherry picking'), greenfielding, affiliations,and mergers. Interestingly, while the rationale for rapid law firm growth has been given belated, though careful, attention by legal academics, the issue of the mechanisms by which that growth can be achieved has been virtually ignored. This oversight is curious. By understanding the calculus governing the choice of growth instruments, important light can be cast on the structure of and rationale for the modern law firm, and on the way in which it has coped with the stresses and strains of a dramatically changing market environment.
Families and Nurses: Building Partnerships for Growth and Health

The newborn's social and emotional development depends on a relationship in which attention, affect, and information are shared with the mother. Young, disadvantaged families may encounter characteristic difficulties in maintaining these social relationships. Partnerships for health between nurses and disadvantaged clients require sharing similar relationships, and they present parallel challenges.
The Evolving Puzzle of Autosomal Versus Y-Linked Male Determination in Musca domestica

Sex determination is one of the most rapidly evolving developmental pathways, but the factors responsible for this fast evolution are not well resolved. The house fly, Musca domestica, is an ideal model for studying sex determination because house fly sex determination is polygenic and varies considerably between populations. Male house flies possess a male-determining locus, the M factor, which can be located on the Y or X chromosome or any of the five autosomes. There can be a single M or multiple M factors present in an individual male, in heterozygous or homozygous condition. Males with multiple copies of M skew the sex ratio toward the production of males. Potentially in response to these male-biased sex ratios, an allele of the gene transformer, Md-traD, promotes female development in the presence of one or multiple M factors. There have been many studies to determine the linkage and frequency of these male determining factors and the frequency of Md-traD chromosomes in populations from around the world. This review provides a summary of the information available to date regarding the patterns of distribution of autosomal, X-linked and Y-linked M factors, the relative frequencies of the linkage of M, the changes in frequencies found in field populations, and the fitness of males with autosomal M factors vs. Y-linked M. We evaluate this natural variation in the house fly sex determination pathway in light of models of the evolution of sex determination.
Turbulent Flow Studies in Two Arc-Heated Duct Facilities

The results of preliminary investigation of the flow conditions in two arc-heated duct facilities are presented. These facilities were developed to simulate space shuttle vehicle entry conditions by providing high-temperature, supersonic, turbulent boundary-layer flows over relatively large samples of candidate materials for thermal protection systems. In one facility, a rectangular duct provides two-dimensional flow over a flat plate model, whereas in the other facility a contoured nozzle provides axisymmetric flow through a hollow circular cylinder of test material. Convective heating rate measurements are compared to theory and other experimental data and, with Teflon ablation measurements, are used to verify turbulent flow in both facilities. The ranges of heattransfer rate, heat-transfer coefficient, and surface temperature attained are shown to provide adequate simulation of the space shuttle entry heating environment.
Type-2 Fuzzistics for Symmetric Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets: Part 1, Forward Problems

Interval type-2 fuzzy sets (T2 FS) play a central role in fuzzy sets as models for words and in engineering applications of T2 FSs. These fuzzy sets are characterized by their footprints of uncertainty (FOU), which in turn are characterized by their boundaries-upper and lower membership functions (MF). In this two-part paper, we focus on symmetric interval T2 FSs for which the centroid (which is an interval type-1 FS) provides a measure of its uncertainty. Intuitively, we anticipate that geometric properties about the FOU, such as its area and the center of gravities (centroids) of its upper and lower MFs, will be associated with the amount of uncertainty in such a T2 FS. The main purpose of this paper (Part 1) is to demonstrate that our intuition is correct and to quantify the centroid of a symmetric interval T2 FS, and consequently its uncertainty, with respect to such geometric properties. It is then possible, for the first time, to formulate and solve forward problems, i.e., to go from parametric interval T2 FS models to data with associated uncertainty bounds. We provide some solutions to such problems. These solutions are used in Part 2 to solve some inverse problems, i.e., to go from uncertain data to parametric interval T2 FS models (T2 fuzzistics)
Transformation abroad: Sojourning and the perceived enhancement of self-efficacy

Abstract This paper empirically examines communication self-efficacy as a possible profound payoff of sojourning. A review of relevant literature explores the interrelationships of communication, sojourning, and personal growth. Questionnaire data from an international sample of 212 Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET) alumni are used to test hypotheses about the sojourn and perceived changes in communication self-efficacy. Data analysis revealed that 95.5% of the sample retrospectively reported a perceived increase in self-efficacy. In addition, positive correlations were found between self-reported challenge of sojourn and reported perceived change in self-efficacy, and between self-reported success of sojourn and perceived communication self-efficacy scores. Discussion addresses these findings as well as study limitations, possible future research directions, and implications for practice.
Immunology of Cytomegalovirus

The human cytomegalovirus (CMV) causes an infection that is strongly influenced by the immune status of the individual and that also has profound consequences for the immune system. Like other herpesviruses, after acute infection CMV enters a state of latency that is maintained principally by cellular immune mechanisms. One site of latency is probably the lymphoid cells, so that infection may suppress the very immune responses the host depends on to combat disease. As a cause of congenital infection and mental retardation, CMV is unequaled among viruses, and immunological methods to prevent infection by this virus are badly needed.
A Computational Cognitive Model for Semantic Sub-Network Extraction from Natural Language Queries

Semantic query sub-network is the representation of a natural language query as a graph of semantically connected words. Such sub-networks can be identified as sub-graphs in larger ontologies like DBpedia or Google knowledge graph, which allows for domain and concepts identification, especially in noisy queries. In this paper, we present a novel standalone NLP technique that leverages the cognitive psychology notion of semantic forms for semantic subnetwork extraction from natural language queries. Semantic forms, borrowed from cognitive psychology models, are one of the fundamental structures employed by human cognition to construct semantic information in the brain. We propose a computational cognitive model by means of conditional random fields and explore the interaction patterns among such forms. Our results suggest that the cognitive abstraction provided by semantic forms during labelling can significantly improve parsing and sub-network extraction compared to pure lexical approaches like parts of speech tagging. We conduct experiments on approximately 5000 queries from three diverse datasets to demonstrate the robustness and efficiency of the proposed approach.
Recoil-free fractions of iron in aluminous bridgmanite from temperature-dependent Mössbauer spectra

Aluminous bridgmanite (Al-Bm) is the dominant phase in the Earth’s lower mantle. In this study, the Mossbauer spectra of an Al-Bm sample Mg0.868Fe0.087Si0.944Al0.101O2.994 were recorded from 65 to 300 K at 1 bar. The temperature dependence of the center shift was fitted by the Debye model and yielded the Debye temperatures of 305 ± 3 K for Fe2+ and 361 ± 22 K for Fe3+. These values are lower than those of Al-free bridgmanite by 17 and 24%, respectively, indicating that the presence of Fe and Al increases the average Fe-O bond length and weakens the bond strength. At 300 K, the calculated recoil-free fractions of Fe2+ (0.637 ± 0.006) and Fe3+ (0.72 ± 0.02) are similar and therefore the molar fractions of Fe2+ and Fe3+ are nearly the same as the area fractions of the corresponding Mossbauer doublets. At 900 K, the calculated recoil-free fractions of Fe3+ is 46% higher than that of Fe2+, implying that the molar fraction of Fe3+ is only 41% for a measured spectral area fraction of 50%, and that the area fractions of iron sites may change with temperature without any changes in the valence state or spin state of iron. We infer that Fe3+ accounts for 46 ± 2% of the iron in the Al-Bm and it enters the A site along with Al3+ in the B site through the coupled-substitution mechanism. An Fe2+ component with large quadrupole splitting (~4.0 mm/s) was observed at cryogenic conditions and interpreted as a high-spin distorted iron site.
Rapid determination of plasma tocopherols.

SummaryExpansion of the micro method of Quaife for the estimation of blood tocopherols affords a rapid and convenient routine analytical procedure.
Biological Studies on Nidicola marginata (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

Nidicola marginata Harris & Drake is a predator on eggs of stored-grain insects. The biology of N. marginata was studied in the laboratory at 26±2°C and at 10, 60, and 95+% RH. Development required from 28 to 35 clays. Instars are described and measured and the duration of each stage is determined. Each instar had a characteristic number of setae on the hind tibia. Prey consumption, longevity, and fecundity were recorded.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON GERMICIDAL PROPERTIES AND TOXICITY OF AN ANTIBACTERIAL WOMAN LOTION

Objective To study the germicidal efficacy and toxicity of an antibacterial woman lotion in order to evaluate its germicidal activity and safety.Methods Suspension quantitative germicidal test and animal test were utilized for laboratory observation.Results The antibacterial woman lotion is composed of eucalyptus oil,menthol and benzalkonium bromide 10 g/L.The average killing rate of Staphlococcus aureus in suspension exposed to the stock solution of the antibacterial woman lotion for 2min was 99.36% and that of Escherichia coli and Candida albicans in suspension exposed for 20 min was 90.92% and 95.26% respectively.It was non-irritating to rabbit skin,slightly irritating to vaginal mucosa and has no-allergizing effect on guinea pig skin.Conclusions The antibacterial woman lotion has certain germicidal effect and slightly irritating to mucosa.
The Role of the General Pediatrician in Coordinating the Care of Children with Chronic illness

The author outlines why the pediatrician is uniquely qualified to assume primary responsibility for the care of the chronically ill child and makes recommendations for greater commitment by pediatricians to the total care of their chronically ill patients.
Marketing Management’s Utilization of Trade Shows: Confronting the Opportunities, Mistakes and Challenges

This paper examines the significant role and scope of trade shows to marketing management. More specifically, it pinpoints the potential marketing contributions and decision making steps of trade shows. It also cautions the reader to be cognizant of the multitude of salient mistakes and challenges that are frequently made my management. To avoid potential problems, some strategic and tactical advice is given on overcoming the trade show blunders. Lastly, future trends and the implications to marketing educators are also explored.
A Robust Motion Artifact Detection Algorithm for Accurate Detection of Heart Rates From Photoplethysmographic Signals Using Time–Frequency Spectral Features

Motion and noise artifacts (MNAs) impose limits on the usability of the photoplethysmogram (PPG), particularly in the context of ambulatory monitoring. MNAs can distort PPG, causing erroneous estimation of physiological parameters such as heart rate (HR) and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2). In this study, we present a novel approach, “TifMA,” based on using the time–frequency spectrum of PPG to first detect the MNA-corrupted data and next discard the nonusable part of the corrupted data. The term “nonusable” refers to segments of PPG data from which the HR signal cannot be recovered accurately. Two sequential classification procedures were included in the TifMA algorithm. The first classifier distinguishes between MNA-corrupted and MNA-free PPG data. Once a segment of data is deemed MNA-corrupted, the next classifier determines whether the HR can be recovered from the corrupted segment or not. A support vector machine (SVM) classifier was used to build a decision boundary for the first classification task using data segments from a training dataset. Features from time–frequency spectra of PPG were extracted to build the detection model. Five datasets were considered for evaluating TifMA performance: (1) and (2) were laboratory-controlled PPG recordings from forehead and finger pulse oximeter sensors with subjects making random movements, (3) and (4) were actual patient PPG recordings from UMass Memorial Medical Center with random free movements and (5) was a laboratory-controlled PPG recording dataset measured at the forehead while the subjects ran on a treadmill. The first dataset was used to analyze the noise sensitivity of the algorithm. Datasets 2-4 were used to evaluate the MNA detection phase of the algorithm. The results from the first phase of the algorithm (MNA detection) were compared to results from three existing MNA detection algorithms: the Hjorth, kurtosis-Shannon entropy, and time-domain variability-SVM approaches. This last is an approach recently developed in our laboratory. The proposed TifMA algorithm consistently provided higher detection rates than the other three methods, with accuracies greater than 95% for all data. Moreover, our algorithm was able to pinpoint the start and end times of the MNA with an error of less than 1 s in duration, whereas the next-best algorithm had a detection error of more than 2.2 s. The final, most challenging, dataset was collected to verify the performance of the algorithm in discriminating between corrupted data that were usable for accurate HR estimations and data that were nonusable. It was found that on average 48% of the data segments were found to have MNA, and of these, 38% could be used to provide reliable HR estimation.
Abstract 4600: Target exome sequencing for disease-causing rare mutations in familial and sporadic lung cancer

Background: Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified 28 susceptibility loci for Lung cancer (LC), 32 loci for smoking behavior, 10 loci for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 63 loci for pulmonary function and related phenotypes, totaling 107 GWAS susceptibility loci (as of November 2014). Given the common variants that have been found to be associated with LC in GWAS, targeted-region exome sequencing provides a cost-effective approach for further investigation of high-priority regions of the genome and has the great potential to identify rare causal variants in GWAS loci. Patients and Methods: Using an extreme phenotype approach, we selected 48 sporadic LC patients reporting heavy smoking histories with the presence of severe COPD in whom environmental factors are considered overwhelming, and 54 familial LC cases from families with at least three first-degree relatives with LC who are likely enriched for genomic signal, to search for the disease-causing rare mutations within the target 107 GWAS loci using exome sequencing data. Results: By focusing on exome profiles of these target 107 loci, we identified two disease-causing rare mutations on 6p21.32 TNXB p. Arg504His and 10q25.1 CCDC147 p.Arg696Cys. The homozygous Arg504His mutation presented in four familial and one sporadic LC cases. Notably, the minor allele frequency (MAF) of this variant in Caucasians from 1000 Genomes is very rare ( Conclusion: Our target exome sequencing results demonstrate novel highly disruptive LC risk-conferring TNXB and CCDC147 mutations. Since the rare variants have appreciable effects on disease risk prediction, families and patients may warrant screening for mutations in TNXB and CCDC147 (if validated) to assess their potential LC risk. Citation Format: Yanhong Liu, Farrah Kheradmand, Michael Scheurer, Caleb Davis, David Wheeler, Edwin Silverman, Shete Sanjay, Spiridon Tsavachidis, Georgina Armstrong, Elena Kupert, Marshall Anderson, Yafang Li, Claudio Pikielny, Joan E. Bailey-Wilson, Ming You, Colette Gaba, Mariza DeAndrade, Diptasri Mandal, Claire Simpson, Susan Pinney, Christopher Amos, Margaret Spitz. Target exome sequencing for disease-causing rare mutations in familial and sporadic lung cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4600. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4600
Degenerative Conditions of the Vitreous Body

Asteroid hyalosis is characterized by the presence of white spherical particles embedded in the vitreous body. About 27% of patients with asteroid hyalosis are diabetic, yet only 5.4% of diabetic patients have asteroid hyalosis. Therefore, the findings of asteroid hyalosis should alert the examiner to the possibility of diabetes in the patient. Asteroid hyalosis is unilateral in 75% of cases. There is no special sexual or racial predilection. Asteroid hyalosis is usually asymptomatic even in cases where the particles are so numerous that it is difficult to see the retina with indirect ophthalmoscopy. Yet many of the patients do not report decreased visual acuity! The reasons for this discrepancy are not clear.
Effect of a Conditioning Lesion on Axonal Transport During Regeneration

The term “conditioning lesion effect” refers to the earlier formation and/or accelerated outgrowth of axonal sprouts in response to a second growth stimulus as compared to a single growth stimulus. Although the first (conditioning) stimulus can be a direct axotomy or partial denervation of an end organ (to produce collateral sprouting), it is important that the second (testing) stimulus be a direct axotomy. It is preferrable to locate the testing axotomy far enough proximal to the conditioning axotomy that the intervening segment of nerve is sufficiently long to permit measuring the outgrowth rate.