cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role Models in Career Development: New Directions for Theory and Research.

Abstract Career theory proposes the importance of role models as helping to guide individual development. Furthermore, the media often depict role models as essential to career success. However, research on role models as a construct distinct from developmental relationships with mentors and behavioral models has waned. This article makes the case for reinvigorating the role model construct. A revised definition is provided, depicting role models as cognitive constructions based on an individual’s needs, wants, and ambitions. Drawing on recent advances in social comparison and self-concept theories, a dimensional approach to role models integrates current theory and research, suggesting that role models should be construed along two cognitive dimensions (positive/negative, global/specific), and two structural dimensions (close/distant, up/across-down). The article concludes by suggesting new research directions prompted by this new view of the role model construct.
Crystal growth of La3+-substituted BaCl2 by the micro-pulling-down technique and their luminescence properties

Abstract Due to the phase transition near 920 °C and hygroscopicity, the growth of BaCl 2 single crystals is difficult. However, owing to the suppression of the cubic–orthorhombic phase transition by La substitution and careful handling to prevent contact with the starting powders and moisture in the air, crack-free BaCl 2 single crystals were grown by the micro-pulling-down technique under ambient pressure. In addition, photo- and radio-luminescence in non-activated and Eu 2+ -activated compounds were reported for scintillator applications.
Complete computer automation of preparative liquid chromatography through intelligent fraction collection, with unlimited injection volume and repetitive collection of separated solute peaks

Abstract Most of the automatic high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) instruments, although comprising sophisticated injection and data systems, do not offer the possibility of achieving automatic preparative scale separations. To obtain the required capacity for unattended collection of the compounds separated, a programmable HPLC system controller (Waters 720) was interfaced between the detection system and a fraction collector. The computer program AUTOPREP, using BASIC language, was written to upgrade the standard 720 program, by automatically controlling the injection of large sample volumes and the collection of the peaks of solutes separated. Sample mixtures of unlimited volume could be injected through the pump head or, alternatively, small samples could be injected by the WISP autosampler, a process that has many advantages over the usual intensity threshold peak detection. A combination of contiuously adjusted peak slope thresholds and time windows provided logic decisions during teh chromatographic runs, which permitted to achieved various collection patterns. Finally, the model collection pattern generated by the program could be used for repetitive injections and collections. The practicability of the system is demonstrated with the automated isolation of compounds from sterol and phospholipid mixtures.
Coupling-aware mixed dummy metal insertion for lithography

As integrated circuits manufacturing technology is advancing into 65nm and 45nm nodes, extensive resolution enhancement techniques (RET) are needed to correctly manufacture a chip design. The widely used RET called offaxis illumination (OAI) introduces forbidden pitches which lead to very complex design rules. It has been observed that imposing uniformity on layout designs can substantially improve printability under OAI. In this paper, two types of assist features for the metal layer are proposed to improve the uniformity, printable assist feature and segmented printable assist feature. They bring different costs on performance and manufacturing. Coupling and lithography costs from these assist features are discussed. Optimal insertion algorithm is proposed to use both types of dummy metals, considering trade-offs between coupling and lithography costs.
Stability of the Langdon-Dawson advective algorithm

A recent article (J. Comput. Phys., 15, 504 (1974)) investigates the numerical stability of one-dimensional electromagnetic PIC-CIC plasma simulation algorithms. An advective differencing scheme incorrectly attributed to Langdon was discussed. The present note clarifies part of that discussion, analyzes the actual Langdon--Dawson one-dimensional algorithm, and suggests a corresponding multidimensional differencing scheme. The basic approach of advective differencing is to integrate numerically Maxwell's equations along their vacuum characteristics. 1 figure. (RWR)
Heat-solubilized curry spice curcumin inhibits antibody-antigen interaction in in vitro studies: A possible therapy to alleviate autoimmune disorders

Chronic and complex autoimmune diseases, currently treated palliatively with immunosuppressives, require multi-targeted therapy for greater effectiveness. The naturally occurring polyphenol curcumin has emerged as a powerful "nutraceutical" that interacts with multiple targets to regress diseases safely and inexpensively. Up to 8 g/day of curcumin for 18 months was non-toxic to humans. However, curcumin's utility is limited by its aqueous insolubility. We have demonstrated a heat-mediated 12-fold increase in curcumin's aqueous solubility. Here, we show by SDS-PAGE and surface plasmon resonance that heat-solubilized curcumin binds to proteins. Based on this binding we hypothesized that heat-solubilized curcumin or turmeric would prevent autoantibody targeting of cognate autoantigens. Heat-solubilized curcumin/turmeric significantly decreased binding of autoantibodies from Sjogren's syndrome (up to 43/70%, respectively) and systemic lupus erythematosus (up to 52/70%, respectively) patients as well as an animal model of Sjogren's syndrome (up to 50/60%, respectively) to their cognate antigens. However, inhibition was not specific to autoimmunity. Heat-solubilized curcumin/turmeric also inhibited binding of commercial polyclonal anti-spectrin to spectrin (50/56%, respectively). Thus, we suggest that the multifaceted heat-solubilized curcumin can ameliorate autoimmune disorders. In addition, the non-toxic curcumin could serve as a new protein stain in SDS-PAGE even though it is less sensitive than the Coomassie system which involves toxic chemicals.
The significance of host patch edges to the colonization and development of Corythucha marmorata (Hemiptera: Tingidae)

Abstract. 1. Corythucha marmorata (Hemiptera: Tingidae) was more abundant in clusters of small experimental patches of its host plant, goldenrod (Solidago altissima), than in large patches covering the same area. 2. Adults and egg masses were more abundant on stems on the edges of the patches than on those in the interior. 3. Female Cmarmorata caged on edge plants laid more eggs than females caged on interior plants, and eggs on exposed plants developed faster than those in the middle of a pacth. 4. A preference for edges results in negative ‘response’ to patch size because large patches invariably have a lower proportion of edge than small patches.
Landscape of unitary transformations in controlled quantum dynamics

We consider the control problem of generating unitary transformations, which is especially relevant to current research in quantum information processing and computing, in contrast to the usual state-to-state or the more general observable expectation value control problems. A previous analysis of optimal control landscapes for unitary transformations from a kinematic perspective in the finite-dimensional unitary matrices is extended to a dynamical one in the infinite-dimensional function space of the time-dependent external field. The underlying dynamical landscape is defined as the Frobenius square norm of the difference between the control unitary matrix and the target matrix. A nonsingular adaptation matrix is introduced to provide additional freedom for exploring and manipulating key features, specifically the slope and curvature, of the control landscapes. The dynamical analysis reveals many essential geometric features of optimal control landscapes for unitary transformations, including bounds on the local landscape slope and curvature. Close examination of the curvatures at the critical points shows that the unitary transformation control landscapes are free of local traps and proper choices of the adaptation matrix may facilitate the search for optimal control fields producing desired unitary transformations, in particular, in the neighborhood of the global extrema.
Culture and influence in multisite evaluation

Understanding the influence of multisite evaluation requires careful consideration of cultural context. The author illustrates dimensions of influence and culture with excerpts from four National Science Foundation evaluation case studies and summarizes what influence teaches us about culture and what culture teaches us about influence. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.
TU-B-201B-05: An Analytic Cone Beam CT Reconstruction Algorithm for Double-Orbit Axial Acquisition

Purpose: Linac‐mounted Cone Beam CT(CBCT)imaging is an important tool for IGRT. However, the limited longitudinal coverage hinders its application in the radiation oncology. We describe a FDK based analytic image reconstruction algorithm to reconstructimages from projections of two axial gantry rotation orbits. Materials and methods: We have implemented a procedure to extend the longitudinal coverage of our Varian Trilogy OBI/CBCT system consisting of two sequential single‐orbit data acquisitions separated by a pre‐defined superior‐to‐inferior (SI) shift. The CBCTimage sets of these two acquisitions overlap in the SI directions due to x‐ray beam divergence. Our reconstruction algorithm is derived from the FDK method using a specific weighting scheme that is applied to backprojected rays from this overlap region. The weight of ray passing through an overlap voxel is a function of its distance from the central plane of its acquisition orbit. The sum of weighting factors is unity for any pair of complementary rays from different orbits that intersect the same voxel. Unity weights are assigned to all rays intersecting voxels that arise from the non‐overlapped region. As the weighting scheme is implemented on the backprojection process for each voxel in each view, our algorithm is more CPU intensive than standard FDK reconstruction.Results: The reconstruction algorithm produces a seamless image volume with smooth transition to the non‐overlapping volume from the two single orbit projection datasets. The weighting scheme properly manipulates the overlapping region where the voxels are sampled twice. Conclusion: Our analytic reconstruction algorithm provides maximum dose efficiency using the detector data for image formation. However, the algorithm does not suppress the artifacts due to patient motion or physiological changes occurring during data acquisition. Supported by NIH grant P01 CA 116602
Understanding the under representation of women in IT: toward a theory of individual differences

Among the research challenges in studying the under representation of women in the IT field is that of developing appropriate theory to provide a basis for understanding and explanation about this gender imbalance. At present, there are two dominant theories in the gender literature that are used to explain the participation of women in the IT profession. The essentialist perspective dichotomizes gender based upon the presumption of significant inherent differences between women and men. This view finds the causes of gender under representation in biology. The social construction perspective focuses on the social construction of IT as a male domain, which is interpreted as incompatible with the social construction of female identity. This view finds the causes of gender under representation in the IT sector. The research discussed in this paper is directed at the development of a new theory that focuses on individual differences among women as they relate to the needs and characteristics of IT work and the IT workplace. This view finds the causes of gender under representation in the socio-cultural environment that shapes each woman's gender identity and her professional development, and her individual responses to these influences.
Compare diagnostic tests using transformation-invariant smoothed ROC curves

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, plotting true positive rates against false positive rates as threshold varies, is an important tool for evaluating biomarkers in diagnostic medicine studies. By definition, ROC curve is monotone increasing from 0 to 1 and is invariant to any monotone transformation of test results. And it is often a curve with certain level of smoothness when test results from the diseased and non-diseased subjects follow continuous distributions. Most existing ROC curve estimation methods do not guarantee all of these properties. One of the exceptions is Du and Tang (2009) which applies certain monotone spline regression procedure to empirical ROC estimates. However, their method does not consider the inherent correlations between empirical ROC estimates. This makes the derivation of the asymptotic properties very difficult. In this paper we propose a penalized weighted least square estimation method, which incorporates the covariance between empirical ROC estimates as a weight matrix. The resulting estimator satisfies all the aforementioned properties, and we show that it is also consistent. Then a resampling approach is used to extend our method for comparisons of two or more diagnostic tests. Our simulations show a significantly improved performance over the existing method, especially for steep ROC curves. We then apply the proposed method to a cancer diagnostic study that compares several newly developed diagnostic biomarkers to a traditional one.
The use of declarative and procedural knowledge in intelligent navigation displays

One theory of environmental cognition suggests that both declarative landmark knowledge and procedural route knowledge are essential in structuring internal representations of the environment; such representations facilitate effective navigation in that environment [5, 7]. The proposed study will provide data to test this theory. The application that will be studied is an Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS), which provides route guidance information to automobile drivers. Current route guidance systems incorporate only procedural route information in their route guidance displays (i. e., they give directions for getting to your destination without supplying landmarks to identify the route [e.g., 3]). This study will evaluate how the inclusion of landmark icons in ATIS displays affects users' navigation performance. The results will be important to ATIS developers, who need to know what informational elements to include in ATIS route guidance displays to most effectively support navigation tasks. The results will also be important in a theoretical sense, by testing a theory of environmental cognition with real-world navigation tasks.
Electrodeposited Two-Layer Cu–In–Ga–Se/In–Se Thin Films

Cyclic voltammogram studies were performed on H 2 SeO 3 , CuSO 4 , In 2 (SO 4 ) 3 , and GaCl 3 of H 2 SeO 3 + CuSO 4 + In 2 (SO 4 ) 3 and H 2 SeO 3 + CuSO 4 + In 2 (SO 4 ) 3 + GaCl 3 to understand the electrodeposition mechanism. The reduction potential from the cyclic voltammogram studies indicates that the first deposited layer is Cu from the Cu-In-Se and Cu-In-Ga-Se (CIGS) solution mixture. The subsequent deposition of the In and Ga layers is more favorable on the first deposited Cu layer. CIGS absorber layers were fabricated using a two-step electrodeposition process. The first layer of Cu-rich CIGS thin film was electrodeposited from CuCl 2 , InCl 3 , GaCl 3 , H 2 SeO 3 , and LiCl dissolved in a pH 3 buffer solution, and the subsequent second layer of the In-Se thin film was electrodeposited from a solution mixture of indium sulfate, sulfamic acid, and LiCl. The bilayer electrodeposited films were annealed in a vacuum chamber in Se atmosphere. The as-deposited and annealed films were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, scanning electron micrographs, and X-ray diffraction analysis.
SONOGRAPHIC APPLICATION IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF INTRAABDOMINAL ABSCESS IN THE DOG

The sonographic appearance of intraabdominal abscess, excluding prostatic abscess, is presented. The most common sonographic pattern identified for intraabdominal abscess is an irregularly defined, hypoechoic mass with minimal to no through transmission. Definitive diagnosis of intraabdominal abscess using only sonography is not possible, as variations of this common sonographic pattern are imaged. Sonography is best utilized to scan an animal when there is a high suspicion of intraabdominal abscess with no overt physical or radiographic evidence, and to better characterize intraabdominal masses. Sonography can be used to assist in percutaneous aspiration, catheterization, and intraoperative localization of abscessation.
On the discrepancy of uniformly distributed roots of quadratic congruences

In this paper we consider the distribution of fractional parts {ν/p}, where p is a prime less than or equal to x and ν is the root in Z/pZ of a quadratic polynomial with negative discriminant. This set is known to be uniformly distributed as x→∞. Here we apply the Erdős–Turan inequality to obtain an estimate for the discrepancy.
Practice-based Teaching: A self-study by two teacher educators at the graduate level

This article tells the story of a self-study conducted by two faculty members teaching foundational concepts in a Master of Arts in Teaching initial certification program. Our research question was: “How can we best teach foundational concepts with a practice-based approach that we consider to be critical to our teacher candidates' ability to be successful in their future teaching careers?” Gathering data over three semesters, this research required constant re-examination. Data indicated that candidates had the educational and life experiences to allow them to grasp concepts as they pertained to educational foundations. This did not necessarily mean that, as initial certification candidates, they would be more adept than their undergraduate counterparts in understanding how these concepts would influence their practice. This conclusion resulted in our understanding of the need for more purposeful scaffolding and extensive modeling. It also reaffirmed our need for having cooperating teachers who are theor...
Analytic formulations for one-dimensional decay of rectangular homoepitaxial islands during coarsening on anisotropic fcc (110) surfaces

Submonolayer homoepitaxial fcc (110) systems display behavior reflecting strong anisotropy at lower temperatures, including one-dimensional decay during Ostwald ripening of rectangular islands maintaining constant width in the $\ensuremath{\langle}001\ensuremath{\rangle}$ direction. To appropriately describe this behavior, we first develop a refined continuum Burton-Cabrera-Frank formalism, which accounts for a lack of equilibration of island shape and importantly also for inhibited incorporation of adatoms at almost-faceted $\ensuremath{\langle}\overline{1}10\ensuremath{\rangle}$ island edges through effective kinetic coefficients. This formalism is shown to describe accurately the adatom diffusion fluxes between islands and thus island evolution for a complex experimental island configuration, as confirmed by matching results from realistic atomistic simulations for this configuration. This approach also elucidates basic dependencies of flux on island geometry and temperature. Second, a further refinement is presented incorporating separate terrace and edge adatom density fields either in a continuum setting or alternatively in a spatially discrete diffusion equation setting. The second approach allows more flexibility and accuracy in accounting for edge-diffusion kinetics including corner rounding, a lack of equilibration of the edge adatom density at $\ensuremath{\langle}\overline{1}10\ensuremath{\rangle}$ island edges, and the effect of rare kinks on $\ensuremath{\langle}\overline{1}10\ensuremath{\rangle}$ island edges. Significantly, it suggests facile two-way corner rounding at the island periphery during island decay, contrasting the previous picture.
Is Plato Really in Favour of Monotonous Literature? Republic 392c6-398b9

Plato is not serious when he has Socrates deduce that poetry must be mostly narrative with just a little dialogue. Not only is the argumentation purposely flawed, but he also has Socrates purposely obfuscate a key distinction. He then has Socrates pretend to be confused by his own obfuscation. By forcing us to work our way through the thickets of his faulty argumentation, Plato gives us the opportunity to become more deeply involved with the underlying issues and to discover his theme: a good person is one who is stoically indifferent to both bad fortune and good fortune.
Thermochemistry of two calcium silicate carbonate minerals: scawtite, Ca7(Si6O18)(CO3)·2H2O, and spurrite, Ca5(SiO4)2(CO3)

Abstract Calcium silicate carbonate minerals are products of contact metamorphism and metasomatism processes. They are also possible products of low temperature hydrothermal reactions, including those in cementitious materials and possibly in the geologic CO 2 sequestration environment. Two minerals in this class, scawtite, Ca 7 (Si 6 O 18 )(CO 3 )·2H 2 O, and spurrite, Ca 5 (SiO 4 ) 2 (CO 3 ), were synthesized and characterized in the present work. Their enthalpies of formation were determined by high temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry. The enthalpy of formation from the oxides is −689.5 ± 14.3 kJ/mol for scawtite and −455.1 ± 9.7 kJ/mol for spurrite, and the enthalpy of formation from the elements is −11564.5 ± 16.8 kJ/mol for scawtite and −5845.5 ± 10.9 kJ/mol for spurrite. By using an exchange reaction involving all solid phase reactants and products, the standard entropy of formation for scawtite was estimated. The energetics for several reactions in high temperature geochemical (metamorphic) processes have been determined. The calculated stability fields for these two minerals and calcium carbonate are presented for 25 °C and 80 °C, and the possibilities for these two minerals to precipitate under geologic CO 2 sequestration conditions are discussed. Although calcium carbonate is the most likely phase during carbonation reactions in aqueous solution, scawtite and spurrite may precipitate near the surfaces of dissolving silicate minerals, clays, or cement phases, particularly in the caprocks.
Series resonant type soft-switching grid-connected single-phase inverter employing discontinuous-resonant control applied to photovoltaic AC module

This paper presents a high-frequency transformer link single-phase inverter system using a series resonant softswitching scheme applied to photovoltaic AC modules. The proposed high-frequency transformer link inverter circuit consists of a full-bridge inverter, a series resonant circuit, an isolation transformer with center tap winding in secondary side and low-frequency distribution switches synchronized with a grid voltage. An AC output current is controlled by the discontinuous-resonant action that has constant on-time pulse pattern synchronized with the resonant frequency. Thus, the inverter switches are operated under zero current switching (ZCS). The basic operating principle and fundamental analysis to design the circuit parameters for the proposed inverter are described in the paper. The effectiveness of the proposed inverter is evaluated by using a prototype of 200W output capacity employing 190kHz resonant frequency based on Power MOSFET devices and a frequency modulation controller by MCU. The proposed series resonant inverter employing discontinuous-resonant control achieves maximum efficiency of 94.8% at 200W output power.
Co-channel and adjacent channel interference mitigation in cognitive radio networks

Cognitive radio (CR) is a paradigm of sharing spectrum among licensed (or, primary) and unlicensed (or, CR) users. In CR networks, interference mitigation is crucial not only for primary user protection, but also for the quality of service of CR users. We consider the problem of interference mitigation via channel assignment and power allocation for CR users. We develop a cross-layer optimization framework for minimizing both co-channel and adjacent channel interference; the latter has been shown to have considerable impact in practical systems. Spectrum sensing, opportunistic spectrum access, channel assignment, and power allocation are considered in the problem formulation. We propose a reformulation-linearization technique (RLT) based centralized algorithm that computes near-optimal solutions in polynomial time, and a distributed greedy algorithm that uses local information. Both algorithms are evaluated with simulations and are shown quite effective for mitigating both types of interference and achieving high CR network capacity.
Demonstration of a Multistep Mechanism for Assembly of the SRP·SRP Receptor Complex: Implications for the Catalytic Role of SRP RNA

Two GTPases in the signal recognition particle (SRP) and its receptor (SR) control the delivery of newly synthesized proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum or plasma membrane. During the protein targeting reaction, the 4.5S SRP RNA accelerates the association between the two GTPases by 400-fold. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer, we demonstrate here that formation of a stable SRP·SR complex involves two distinct steps: a fast initial association between SRP and SR to form a GTP-independent early complex and then a GTP-dependent conformational rearrangement to form the stable final complex. We also found that the 4.5S SRP RNA significantly stabilizes the early GTP-independent intermediate. Furthermore, mutational analyses show that there is a strong correlation between the ability of the mutant SRP RNAs to stabilize the early intermediate and their ability to accelerate SRP·SR complex formation. We propose that the SRP RNA, by stabilizing the early intermediate, can give this transient intermediate a longer life time and therefore a higher probability to rearrange to the stable final complex. This provides a coherent model that explains how the 4.5S RNA exerts its catalytic role in SRP·SR complex assembly.
Finding Ourselves Lost

This essay is a somewhat expanded version of an address to students and faculty delivered by the author on September 20, 2009, at the opening convocation of the 198th academic year of Princeton Theological Seminary. Building on Jesus’ parable of the shepherd and one lost sheep from Luke 15, it underscores the vulnerability of individuals to confusion and humiliation and advocates for the historic emphasis of pastoral theology on the one over the many as a preferred path to mutuality without coercion.
Mean Reversion in the United Kingdom Stock Market and its Implications for a Profitable Trading Strategy

Following Fama and French (1988), we examine the mean reverting behavior of the United Kingdom stock market total returns over the period 1919 through 1990. Evidence of statistically significant mean reversion is only found during the pre-war subperiod. A contrarian investment strategy, however, does not enhance performance over a naive buy and hold investment strategy. Further, an application of Richardson and Stock's (1989) alternative asymptotic distribution theory suggests that the mean reversion detected during the pre-war period may reflect the poor finite sample approximation of traditional fixed overlap asymptotic distribution theory.
Effects of microphthalmic white (Miwh) on the number and function of cutaneous melanocytes

Microphthalmic white (Miwh), when heterozygous, causes dilution of black fur to a uniform gray color. Miwh/+ also reduces the coloration of ear and tail skin. The present study, a quantitative assessment of the effects of Miwh/+ on cutaneous melanocytes, demonstrates that the primary effect of Miwh/+ on cutaneous pigmentation is to reduce the number of epidermal melanocytes. There is also indirect evidence that Miwh/+ reduces the rate of melanosome production within follicular melanocytes. These actions of Miwh/+ cause both lightened coloration of ear and tail skin and the deposition of fewer numbers of smaller melanosomes within the hair.
Statistical framework for phylogenomic analysis of gene family expression profiles.

Microarray technology has produced massive expression data that are invaluable for investigating the genomewide evolutionary pattern of gene expression. To this end, phylogenetic expression analysis is highly desirable. On the basis of the Brownian process, we developed a statistical framework (called the E model), assuming the independent expression of evolution between lineages. Several evolutionary mechanisms are integrated to characterize the pattern of expression diversity after gene duplications, including gradual drift and dramatic shift (punctuated equilibrium). When the phylogeny of a gene family is given, we show that the likelihood function follows a multivariate normal distribution; the variance-covariance matrix is determined by the phylogenetic topology and evolutionary parameters. Maximum-likelihood methods for multiple microarray experiments are developed, and likelihood-ratio tests are designed for testing the evolutionary pattern of gene expression. To reconstruct the evolutionary trace of expression diversity after gene (or genome) duplications, we developed a Bayesian-based method and use the posterior mean as predictors. Potential applications in evolutionary genomics are discussed.
Ultrasound simulation of real-time temperature estimation during radiofrequency ablation using finite element models.

In a similar manner, experimental results presented using a tissue-mimicking phantom also demonstrate that the maximum percent difference with 2D block matching was 5%, when compared to 31% with the 1D method over the 700 second heating duration on the phantom.
Short-time scale correlation between slow slip and tremor in Cascadia

[1] We use borehole strain and seismic data to show that slow slip and tremor in central Cascadia are correlated on a range of time scales shorter than 1 day. The recorded strain rate is our proxy for the slow slip moment rate, and the seismic amplitude is our proxy for the tremor amplitude. We find that, on average, the strain rate is higher when the seismic amplitude is larger. This correlation persists on time scales between 15 min and 16 h, and it can be seen in each of the five slow slip events between 2007 and 2011. Our results imply that the slow slip moment rate varies by a large amount even at these short time scales. For instance, we observe a factor of 2 variation on time scales shorter than 4 h. This apparently aperiodic variation is larger than the previously observed variation in moment rate resulting from tidal forcing. It is a lower bound on the actual moment rate variation, as we detect only changes in slow slip that are correlated with tremor amplitude.
Comparative Effectiveness of Pharmacologic Interventions for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

Background The relative efficacy of available treatments of knee osteoarthritis (OA) must be determined for rational treatment algorithms to be formulated. Purpose To examine the efficacy of treatments of primary knee OA using a network meta-analysis design, which estimates relative effects of all treatments against each other. Data sources MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception through 15 August 2014, and unpublished data. Study selection Randomized trials of adults with knee OA comparing 2 or more of the following: acetaminophen, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, intra-articular (IA) corticosteroids, IA hyaluronic acid, oral placebo, and IA placebo. Data extraction Two reviewers independently abstracted study data and assessed study quality. Standardized mean differences were calculated for pain, function, and stiffness at 3-month follow-up. Data synthesis Network meta-analysis was performed using a Bayesian random-effects model; 137 studies comprising 33,243 participants were identified. For pain, all interventions significantly outperformed oral placebo, with effect sizes from 0.63 (95% credible interval [CrI], 0.39 to 0.88) for the most efficacious treatment (hyaluronic acid) to 0.18 (CrI, 0.04 to 0.33) for the least efficacious treatment (acetaminophen). For function, all interventions except IA corticosteroids were significantly superior to oral placebo. For stiffness, most of the treatments did not significantly differ from one another. Limitation Lack of long-term data, inadequate reporting of safety data, possible publication bias, and few head-to-head comparisons. Conclusion This method allowed comparison of common treatments of knee OA according to their relative efficacy. Intra-articular treatments were superior to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, possibly because of the integrated IA placebo effect. Small but robust differences were observed between active treatments. All treatments except acetaminophen showed clinically significant improvement from baseline pain. This information, along with the safety profiles and relative costs of included treatments, will be helpful for individualized patient care decisions. Primary funding source Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Coral–algal phase shifts on coral reefs: Ecological and environmental aspects

This paper briefly reviews coral–algal phase shifts on coral reefs, with particular regard to summarizing the exogenous and endogenous factors in support of a proposed conceptual model, and to identifying critical information gaps. A phase shift occurs on a coral reef when the cover of a substrate by scleractinian corals is reduced in favor of macroalgal dominance, and resilience of the former condition is retarded because of ecological processes and/or environmental conditions. The change is often, but not always, associated with a perturbation such as coral bleaching, outbreaks of a coral-eating species, or storm damage. The new state is generally associated with some combination of reduced herbivory (from disease and/or fishing) and nutrient enrichment, although the relative importance of these factors is under debate and may vary among locations and even across single reefs. Disturbances that result in a state of generally low biotic three-dimensional structural complexity often precede a phase shift. Following such a disturbance, the system will pass to a state of higher biotic structural complexity, with either macroalgae or coral dominating. As the community progresses towards larger and more three-dimensionally complex corals or macroalgae, it exhibits greater resistance to shifting dominance from one state to the other. Studies of the phase-shift phenomena have been generally conducted at scales that are small relative to the sizes and inherent variability of whole coral reefs and systems of reefs. There is an urgent need for studies aimed at quantifying and simulating cause and effect aspects of the phase shift, including human–environment coupling, particularly in support of coral reef decision-making. 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Experimental Investigation of a Miniature-Scale Refrigeration System for Electronics Cooling

A miniature-scale refrigeration system suitable for electronics cooling applications was developed and experimentally investigated. A detailed review of the literature on refrigeration systems and system simulation models for application to electronics cooling is also provided. Experimental results obtained with the prototype system demonstrate its feasibility for use in cooling compact electronic devices. The cooling capacity of the system investigated varied from 121 to 268W, with a COP of 2.8 to 4.7, at pressure ratios of 1.9 to 3.2. The effectiveness of the condenser ranged from 52% to 77%, while a thermal resistance of 0.60 and 0.77degC-cm 2/W was achieved at the evaporator. The evaporator-heat spreader thermal resistance is defined as the ratio of the temperature difference between the chip surface and the refrigerant evaporator to the evaporator heat transfer rate. The overall system thermal resistance, defined as the ratio of the temperature difference between the chip surface and the condenser air inlet, is of 0.04 to 0.18degC-cm2/W. An overall second-law efficiency ranging from 33% and 52% was obtained, using a commercially available small-scale compressor. The measured overall isentropic efficiency was between 25% and 60%
BigMouth: a multi-institutional dental data repository

Few oral health databases are available for research and the advancement of evidence-based dentistry. In this work we developed a centralized data repository derived from electronic health records (EHRs) at four dental schools participating in the Consortium of Oral Health Research and Informatics. A multi-stakeholder committee developed a data governance framework that encouraged data sharing while allowing control of contributed data. We adopted the i2b2 data warehousing platform and mapped data from each institution to a common reference terminology. We realized that dental EHRs urgently need to adopt common terminologies. While all used the same treatment code set, only three of the four sites used a common diagnostic terminology, and there were wide discrepancies in how medical and dental histories were documented. BigMouth was successfully launched in August 2012 with data on 1.1 million patients, and made available to users at the contributing institutions.
Transfer of patients receiving advanced mechanical circulatory support.

Abstract Objective: Improving results with ventricular assist devices have led to their wider clinical application. Centers can stabilize, support, and wean or transfer patients to regional transplant centers. Methods: Prospectively collected data were reviewed to evaluate the clinical results of patients transferred to our institution while receiving advanced mechanical circulatory support. Results: Since 1993, 16 patients were accepted while receiving support with either extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or a ventricular assist device. The 10 male and 6 female patients ranged in age from 9 to 60 years (mean, 42.1 years). Thirteen had had cardiac surgical procedures, two had acute myocardial infarctions, and one had myocarditis. The distance transported ranged from 0.2 to 309 miles (mean, 132 miles). Twelve patients were transferred by ground, and 4 were transported by air. Seven patients were originally supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, 6 with centrifugal pumps, and 3 with ABIOMED ventricular assist devices (ABIOMED, Inc, Danvers, Mass). Two patients had clinical complications during transfer, and one had a cerebrovascular accident, recovered, was weaned, and survived. A second patient had hemodynamic deterioration. There were no technical complications associated with transport. Six patients were left on the original support device; 3 of the 6 were weaned and survived, and 3 died during support. The 10 remaining patients were switched to other ventricular assist devices: 9 patients to Thoratec devices (Thoratec Laboratories, Pleasanton, Calif) and 1 patient to a Novacor device (Baxter Healthcare Corp, Novacor Division, Oakland, Calif). Six of the 10 patients underwent transplantation and survived. Four patients died while being supported by the devices. Nine patients were discharged, with 1 late death at 29 months. Eight patients are alive 4 to 65 months after discharge. Conclusions: These data suggest that patients receiving advanced support can be moved between clinical centers with acceptable risks. Because 33% of the survivors were weaned, transplantation is not required for survival. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2000;119:1015-20)
The Arabidopsis LOS5/ABA3 Locus Encodes a Molybdenum Cofactor Sulfurase and Modulates Cold Stress– and Osmotic Stress–Responsive Gene Expression

To understand low temperature and osmotic stress signaling in plants, we isolated and characterized two allelic Arabidopsis mutants, los5-1 and los5-2, which are impaired in gene induction by cold and osmotic stresses. Expression of RD29A-LUC (the firefly luciferase reporter gene under the control of the stress-responsive RD29A promoter) in response to cold and salt/drought is reduced in the los5 mutants, but the response to abscisic acid (ABA) remains unaltered. RNA gel blot analysis indicates that the los5 mutation reduces the induction of several stress-responsive genes by cold and severely diminishes or even completely blocks the induction of RD29A, COR15, COR47, RD22, and P5CS by osmotic stresses. los5 mutant plants are compromised in their tolerance to freezing, salt, or drought stress. los5 plants are ABA deficient, as indicated by increased transpirational water loss and reduced accumulation of ABA under drought stress in the mutant. A comparison with another ABA-deficient mutant, aba1, reveals that the impaired low-temperature gene regulation is specific to the los5 mutation. Genetic tests suggest that los5 is allelic to aba3. Map-based cloning reveals that LOS5/ABA3 encodes a molybdenum cofactor (MoCo) sulfurase. MoCo sulfurase catalyzes the generation of the sulfurylated form of MoCo, a cofactor required by aldehyde oxidase that functions in the last step of ABA biosynthesis in plants. The LOS5/ABA3 gene is expressed ubiquitously in different plant parts, and the expression level increases in response to drought, salt, or ABA treatment. Our results show that LOS5/ABA3 is a key regulator of ABA biosynthesis, stress-responsive gene expression, and stress tolerance.
Improvement of fT by dipole doping at the collector heterojunction in InP double HBTs

The authors show clearly how dipole doping at the collector heterojunction in an InP/lnGaAs double heterojunction bipolar transistor improves device performance. Specifically, both f/sub T/ and f/sub max/ are increased and the DC current-blocking is reduced. Also the DC switching characteristics, seen in devices with abrupt undoped InGaAs/InP collector heterojunctions, can almost be eliminated by using the dipole doping at that interface.
Intrinsic and extrinsic rewards in a nonformal environmental education program

Humans are surrounded by threats to the environment, many of their own making. The severity of environmental problems will not decrease unless action is taken to develop and encourage greater environmentally responsible behavior (ERB) in the general populace. Environmental education (EE) is one method for strengthening precursors to ERB such as knowledge and attitudes, but research on the connection is currently unclear. In this paper we present the results of a study investigating the role played by rewards in encouraging ERB precursors for adults and children involved in a zoo-based Nature Swap program. We used semistructured interviews to question 91 participants, including 38 children, 38 adult guardians, and 15 staff members regarding the importance of rewards in the program. We content analyzed the interviews to identify and describe major themes and then coded them. We found that adult guardians and Play Partners perceived intrinsic and extrinsic rewards as aiding in maintaining motivation and interest in the nonformal Nature Swap program. In addition, both children and adult companion participants in the program mentioned strengthened precursors to ERB. Overall we found that adult companions perceived that children who participated in the program spent more quality time outdoors and had a heightened awareness of their surroundings as a result of program-based rewards. Implications for other EE and conservation education programs are discussed.
Insight toward epithelial Na+ channel mechanism revealed by the acid-sensing ion channel 1 structure

The epithelial Na(+) channel/degenerin (ENaC/DEG) protein family includes a diverse group of ion channels, including nonvoltage-gated Na(+) channels of epithelia and neurons, and the acid-sensing ion channel 1 (ASIC1). In mammalian epithelia, ENaC helps regulate Na(+) and associated water transport, making it a critical determinant of systemic blood pressure and pulmonary mucosal fluidity. In the nervous system, ENaC/DEG proteins are related to sensory transduction. While the importance and physiological function of these ion channels are established, less is known about their structure. One hallmark of the ENaC/DEG channel family is that each channel subunit has only two transmembrane domains connected by an exceedingly large extracellular loop. This subunit structure was recently confirmed when Jasti and colleagues determined the crystal structure of chicken ASIC1, a neuronal acid-sensing ENaC/DEG channel. By mapping ENaC to the structural coordinates of cASIC1, as we do here, we hope to provide insight toward ENaC structure. ENaC, like ASIC1, appears to be a trimeric channel containing 1alpha, 1beta, and 1gamma subunit. Heterotrimeric ENaC and monomeric ENaC subunits within the trimer possibly contain many of the major secondary, tertiary, and quaternary features identified in cASIC1 with a few subtle but critical differences. These differences are expected to have profound effects on channel behavior. In particular, they may contribute to ENaC insensitivity to acid and to its constitutive activity in the absence of time- and ligand-dependent inactivation. Experiments resulting from this comparison of cASIC1 and ENaC may help clarify unresolved issues related to ENaC architecture, and may help identify secondary structures and residues critical to ENaC function.
Recent results in robust parametric stability and control

The author describes some recent results obtained on the robust stability and control of systems containing parametric uncertainty. He begins with Kharitonov's theorem on interval systems and its generalization to control systems containing linearly correlated interval parametric uncertainty, obtained by H. Chapellat and S.P. Bhattacharyya in 1989. The relationship of this result, called the linear CB theorem and of its generalization to the multilinear case, to extremal stability subsets and other connections constitutes an extensive and coherent theory of robust parametric stability. This theory is summarized. >
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in cancer detection

The rapid developments in the field of infrared spectroscopy in the past decade have demonstrated a potential for disease diagnosis using noninvasive technologies. Several earlier studies have highlighted the advantage of using infrared spectroscopy both in the near- and mid-infrared regions for diagnostic purposes at clinical levels. The areas of focus have been the distinction of premalignant and malignant cells and tissues from their normal state using specific parameters obtained from Fourier transform infrared spectra, making it a rapid and reagent-free method. While it still requires pilot studies and designed clinical trials to ensure the applicability of such systems for cancer diagnosis, substantial progress has been made in incorporating advances in computational methods into the system to increase the sensitivity of the entire setup, making it an objective and sensitive technique suitable for automation to suit the demands of the medical community. The development of fiber-optics systems for infrared spectroscopy have further opened up new and modern avenues in medical diagnosis at various levels of cells, tissues and organs under laboratory