cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison of Asperger symptom rating scales with children and adolescents

Abstract Asperger's syndrome (AS), first diagnosed in 1944, and has only recently begun to receive a great deal of research attention. An emerging controversy has been whether AS is a distinct condition from high functioning autism (HFA), and if so, can it be reliably and validly diagnosed. While measures designed specifically to aid in the screening and diagnosis of AS in children have been created, no study to date has appeared which directly tests the utility of AS measures for this purpose. The present study sought to compare the GADS, KADI, CAST and research criteria compiled based on the literature to determine which measure was most accurate at differentiating HFA and AS. Forty children, 14 AS, 11 HFA, and 15 typically developing, were evaluated with respect to their AS symptoms. The GADS had the greatest overall sensitivity and specificity compared to the other AS measures. Differential diagnosis capability of AS assessments varies across instruments. Research criteria may be used to expand upon already existing measures to further define diagnostic symptom patterns.
The enzymatic synthesis of amyrin glucoside

Abstract Label appeared in several cell fractions isolated from the cotyledons of pea seeds germinated for 48 hr with mevalonate-[2-14C]. The major radioactive metabolite in each fraction was amyrin. In a similar experiment, a fraction sedimenting between 1000 and 25 000 g and a microsomal pellet were labeled with 3H from mevalonate-[2-3H]. Each of these tritiated fractions on incubation with UDP-glucose-[U-14C] yielded CHCl3-MeOH-soluble material bearing 14C and 3H. TLC of the extracts gave a compound chromatographically identical with a glucoside and bearing the two isotopes. Acid hydrolysis of this compound gave an ether-soluble material carrying 3H alone. On TLC it co-chromatographed with amyrin. Of the two tritiated cotyledon fractions, the microsomal pellet had the lower glucosyltransferase activity. The labeled amyrin residing in this fraction served as an acceptor for glucose from UDP-glucose in the presence of a glucosyltransferase from pea seedling axis tissue. In such a mixed preparation, the axis tissue transferase suffers a marked inhibition by the cotyledon preparation.
Cooperative control of autonomous surface vehicles for oil skimming and cleanup

Oil skimmers towed by two vehicles have been widely used for skimming of oil on the water surface. In this paper, we address the cooperative control of two autonomous surface vehicles for oil skimming and cleanings. We model the skimmer as a flexible, floating rope of constant length as well as discrete segmented model. We derive the equations governing the rope dynamics from first principles and demonstrate their application through simulations. We have performed field experiments with two autonomous surface vehicles that substantiate the proposed model and provides estimates of constants underlying the model. We propose a method for controlling the shape of the rope, and derive the conditions that maximize skimming efficiency.
Regulation of gene expression by trans‐encoded antisense RNAs

Members of a class of antisense RNAs are encoded by genes that are located at loci other than those of their target genes. Three examples of antisense RNA genes are discussed here. micF is found in Escherichia coli and other bacteria and functions to control outer membrane protein F levels in response to environmental stimuli. dicF is also found in E. coli and is involved in the regulation of cell division. lin-4 is found in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and functions during larval development. Nucleotide sequences of at least two of these genes appear to be phylogenetically conserved. The trans-encoded antisense RNAs are small RNAs which display only partial complementarity to their target RNAs. Models for RNA/RNA interactions have been proposed. It is possible that currently known unlinked antisense RNA genes are part of a larger class of heretofore undiscovered regulatory RNA genes. Possible ways of detecting other unlinked antisense RNA genes are discussed.
Bridges Across the Sahara: Social, Economic and Cultural Impact of the Trans-Sahara Trade During the 19th and 20th Centuries – Edited by Ali Abdullatif Ahmida

This book grew out of a 2006 conference in the Jalu Oasis of Libya. It argues that the Sahara connects North and sub‐Saharan Africa and that scholarship about its peoples should no longer be divide...
Coastal geomorphology through the looking glass

Abstract Coastal geomorphology will gain future prominence as environmentally sound coastal zone management strategies, requiring scientific information, begin to supplant engineered shoreline stabilization schemes for amelioration of coastal hazards. We anticipate substantial change and progress over the next two decades, but we do not predict revolutionary advances in theoretical understanding of coastal geomorphic systems. Paradigm shifts will not occur; knowledge will advance incrementally. We offer predictions for specific coastal systems delineated according to scale. For the surf zone, we predict advances in wave shoaling theory, but not for wave breaking. We also predict greater understanding of turbulent processes, and substantive improvements in surf-zone circulation and radiation stress models. Very few of these improvements are expected to be incorporated in geomorphic models of coastal processes. We do not envision improvements in the theory of sediment transport, although some new and exciting empirical observations are probable. At the beach and nearshore scale, we predict the development of theoretically-based, two- and three-dimensional morphodynamical models that account for non-linear, time-dependent feedback processes using empirically calibrated modules. Most of the geomorphic research effort, however, will be concentrated at the scale of littoral cells. This scale is appropriate for coastal zone management because processes at this scale are manageable using traditional geomorphic techniques. At the largest scale, little advance will occur in our understanding of how coastlines evolve. Any empirical knowledge that is gained will accrue indirectly. Finally, we contend that anthropogenic influences, directly and indirectly, will be powerful forces in steering the future of Coastal Geomorphology. “If you should suddenly feel the need for a lesson in humility, try forecasting the future…” (Kleppner, 1991, p. 10).
Treatment of hypertrophie cardiomyopathy by mitral valve repair and septal myectomy

Abstract This report describes surgical treatment consisting of mitral valve repair and septal myectomy in a young patient with a combination of hypertrophie cardiomyopathy and intrinsic mitral valve disease. The posterior mitral valve leaflet was elongated and was subject to systolic anterior motion, creating left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. With the described treatment, it was possible to avoid mitral valve replacement in this patient.
Isolated hippocampal neurons in cryopreserved long-term cultures: Development of neuroarchitecture and sensitivity to NMDA

Isolated neurons in long-term culture provide a unique opportunity to address important problems in neuronal development. In the present study we established conditions for cryopreservation and long-term primary culture of isolated embryonic hippocampal neurons. This culture system was then used for initial characterizations of the development of neuroarchitecture and neurotransmitter response systems. Cryoprotection with 8% dimethylsulfoxide, slow freezing, and rapid thawing provided high-yield cultures which appeared normal in terms of cell types, mitotic ability, axonal and dendritic outgrowth, and sensitivity to glutamate neurotoxicity. A reduced medium volume and moderate elevation in extracellular K+ to 20 mM promoted survival of isolated neurons through 3 weeks of culture. The outgrowth of axons and dendrites in pyramidal-like neurons was found to differ over a 3-week culture period such that axons continued to grow at a relatively constant rate while dendritic outgrowth slowed during the second week and ceased by the end of week 3. Developmental changes were also observed in the sensitivity of pyramidal neurons to glutamate neurotoxicity; functional kainate/quisqualate receptors were present during the first week of culture, while responses to N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) did not appear until the second week. The technologies for cryopreservation and long-term culture of isolated hippocampal neurons reported here provide a useful system in which to address a variety of problems in development neuroscience.
368: Rates and risk factors for nonadherence to the medical regimen after transplantation

intra-, and postoperative characteristics were analyzed as to their association with patients’ HRQoL at 8 weeks, 6 and 12 months after LTx. A prospective surveillance of infections preoperatively was performed. HRQoL was measured using the SF-36 and StGRQ. Results: Postoperatively, mean hospital length of stay was 26 days (13-95) influenced by prolonged weaning (31.2%), post-transplant infections (34%), and acute rejections (32%). HU status was associated with prolonged weaning (p 0.03) and resulted in reduced HRQoL subscales for physical functioning (p 0.05), role physical (p 0.01), and mental health (p 0.01) until 12 months after LTx. Prolonged hospitalisation ( 21days) negatively impacted patients’ activities until 6 months post-transplant (p 0.03) and was associated with impaired life satisfaction (p 0.01). SF-36 subscales physical functioning (p 0.05), bodily pain (p 0.006), and role emotional (p 0.05) all were influenced by wound infections, primary sepsis, pneumonia, and colonization with multi-resistant pathogens. Multivariate analysis revealed that wound infections (p 0.01) were associated with a higher risk for impaired HRQoL at the end of the first year after LTx. Conclusions: LTx represents a life-saving procedure but is associated with reduced psychosocial HRQoL and might necessitate close psychological monitoring. Out of different types of infections wound infections and colonization with multi-resistant pathogens were highly related to reduced HRQoL for the long-term.
Specific and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection for measurement of lometrexol and its polyglutamates in biologic samples

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay is described for the quantitative determination of lometrexol in biological samples; the assay is rapid, simple, specific, and highly sensitive. The method requires the dissociation of lometrexol from folate-binding proteins present in blood and formation of a fluorescent oxidized derivative of the compound. The dissociation of lometrexol from folate-binding proteins was achieved by acidification to pH 3.5 using ammonium formate, followed by serum protein precipitation with perchloric acid. The protein-free lometrexol was subsequently oxidized by MnO2 at 90 degrees C for 10 min. Chromatographic separation of lometrexol without interference was achieved on a C18 reversed-phase column with a convex gradient, using acetonitrile-0.1% ammonium formate, pH 7.0, as the mobile phase. In human serum and urine the calibration curve was linear between 5 and 300 nM. The lower limit of quantification was 5 nM. The method has been applied successfully to measure serum and urinary levels of lometrexol in patients.
Invited Paper-Single Turn Extraction

The salient features of the resonance extractio ystem for the MSU cyclotron have already been described in a series of studies includings the generation of turn separation via the resonance mechanism, the design calculations for the electrostatic and magnetic channels, and the development of the air-core magnetic channel. A report issued in connection with this conference describes the status and presents pertinent data on the performanc of the cyclotron, including the extraction system. Since the issuing of that report, the electrostatic channel has been installed for preliminary tests. Experiments have verified that a suitable field bump drives the beam into this channel with clean turn separation, and that the turn pattern observed under these conditions agrees with orbit computations; the upper part of Fig. 1 shows the turn patter obtained from the differential and integral probe with the deflector in place (the azimuth of the probe is 160° before that of the channel entrance). The air-core magnetic channel is approaching completion and when this channel is installed, the extraction system will beame fully operational.
Clinical studies of a new vehicle formulation for topical corticosteroids in the treatment of psoriasis

Topical corticosteroids have been the mainstay of topical anti-inflammatory therapy of psoriasis and are available in different treatment strengths or doses and various formulations or vehicles. Traditional formulations have included ointments, creams, and lotions. More recently, the mid-potency corticosteroid betamethasone valerate (BMV) and the ultra-high-potency corticosteroid clobetasol propionate (CP) have become available in a novel, thermolabile, low-residue foam vehicle for topical application. This review examines recent clinical studies on efficacy and safety of these two new formulations, BMV 0.12% foam (Luxiq; Connetics Corp, Palo Alto, Calif) and CP 0.05% foam (OLUX, Connetics Corp), as treatments for scalp and nonscalp psoriasis. The studies demonstrated that BMV foam and CP foam are safe and effective treatments for psoriasis affecting scalp and nonscalp regions of the body. BMV foam and CP foam were absorbed more rapidly and demonstrated greater total absorption than their respective comparison formulations, namely BMV lotion and CP solution. The foam vehicle also appears to be associated with better compliance and improvements in quality of life. The unique nature of the foam vehicle, together with the positive findings of in vitro studies suggest these new foam formulations may expand the options currently available for combination therapy.
Efficiently Studying Rare Events: Case-Control Methods for Sociologists:

Case-control designs involve samples stratified disproportionately on a binary dependent variable. This design, though infrequently used by sociologists, offers tremendous logistical efficiency in ...
Automated on-orbit frequency domain identification for large space structures

Recent experiences in the field of flexible structure control in space have indicated a need for on-orbit system identification to support robust control redesign to avoid in-flight instabilities and maintain high spacecraft performance. This paper highlights an automated frequency domain system identification methodology recently developed to fulfill this need. The methodology is focused to support (1) the estimation of system quantities useful for robust control analysis and design; (2) experiment design tailored to performing system identification in a typically constrained on-orbit environment; and (3) the automation of operations to reduce 'human in the loop' requirements.
IBAD–MgO buffer layers for coated conductors in the large-scale system

Abstract For practical applications of high-temperature superconductor tape, the high production rate of tapes is needed to reduce its cost. Recently, the long-length coated conductor with high performance has been fabricated by an ion beam assisted deposition/pulsed laser deposition (IBAD/PLD) method in Fujikura. In IBAD process, we adopted IBAD–Gd2Zr2O7 (GZO) film. The process speed of IBAD–GZO film was increased up to 5 m/h using a polished metal substrate tape. To fabricate biaxially-textured buffer layers at a higher rate, we have started to develop another structures such as (a) IBAD–GZO/IBAD–MgO (3-fold symmetry) and (b) IBAD–MgO (4-fold symmetry). In the case (a), we fabricated GdBCO/CeO2/IBAD–GZO/IBAD–MgO tape and the critical current was Ic = 550 A/cm (2.46 MA/cm2) and throughput of IBAD processes were 20 m/h. In the case (b), IBAD–MgO short samples with ΔΦ of 9°–11° were obtained at 500 m/h. The 500 m/h (10 mm width) is extremely high rate in IBAD process in the world. As long-length IBAD layer 10 m, 50 m and 100 m IBAD–MgO films were fabricated at the speed of 100 m/h. After CeO2 deposition, in-plane textures of these samples were ΔΦ of 3.7°–3.7°, 4.1°–4.9° and 4.2°–4.8°. Using some of these buffer layers, we have obtained GdBCO film with Ic = 400 A/cm (2 MA/cm2, 10 m) and Ic = 550 A/cm (2.7 MA/cm2, short sample).
Event-related potentials associated with the discrimination of acoustic and semantic aspects of speech.

Abstract Analysis of a word's acoustic structure must precede identification of its meaning. Therefore, these aspects of speech processing could be associated with event-related potential (ERP) components that differed in their timing. To identify electrophysiologic indices of the cortical processing of acoustic and semantic features of speech, we recorded ERPs to the random presentation of nonsense or real words in four conditions designed to manipulate the extent to which the speech sounds were processed. In one condition subjects responded to all stimuli; in a second and third, to a designated nonsense or real word; and in the final condition to words within a specified semantic category. To define the cortical activity associated with acoustic processing, ERPs obtained when no discrimination was required were subtracted from those recorded during the identification of a specified speech target. The difference waveforms exhibited a negative potential that began about 50 msec after stimulus onset and lasted about 200 msec. Difference waveforms obtained by subtracting the non-discrimination ERP from those obtained during semantic discrimination exhibited a negative potential with similar onset timing. We concluded that the early negative potential indexed acoustic processes necessary for stimulus identification. To identify potentials associated with determination of a word's meaning, we subtracted the verbal discrimination from the semantic discrimination ERPs. This difference waveform exhibited a later negativity beginning at 150 msec and lasting about 250 msec. This potential may be related to the semantic processing of speech.
On the coverage area in broadcast ad hoc networks

In this paper, we first define the problem of computation of the potential hidden node area and the extra coverage area that can benefit from rebroadcasts in broadcast ad hoc networks and abstract two types of computations as a geometric coverage area computation problem. Then, under two distinct distributions of the nodes in the network, we derive the closed-form expressions of the cumulative distribution functions and the probability density functions of the distance between the source node and the nodes (especially, the farthest node) within its transmission range. Finally, the defined coverage area can be derived through the density functions in one-dimensional case. This calculation can be beneficial to the design and analysis of multi-hop broadcast ad hoc networks.
Riccati type transformations for second-order linear difference equations

Abstract Oscillation and comparison theorems for a linear homogeneous second-order difference equation are proved by employing various equivalent non-linear equations obtained by means of transformations analogous to the Riccati transformation for ordinary differential equations.
Effects of Synthetic Angiotensin on Plasma Free Fatty Acid and Blood Glucose-levels

RECENTLY, a number of investigators reported that the vasoactive peptides with smaller molecular weights, oxytocin, vasopressin and pitressin, decrease or increase plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels in animals1 and human subjects2–4. These peptides were also found to cause mobilization of FFA from the rat epididymal adipose tissues in vitro5–8. The present investigation was undertaken to examine the effects of a potent vasoactive peptide, angiotensin, on the plasma FFA and blood glucose-levels in dogs.
Inhibition of MAO-A fails to alter cocaine-induced increases in extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine in rat nucleus accumbens.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors are being investigated as possible medications for cocaine dependence, but there are potential problems with this approach. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that inhibition of catecholamine metabolism with the MAO-A inhibitor, clorgyline, might enhance cocaine-induced increases in extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine in rat nucleus accumbens. Male rats were pretreated with clorgyline (1 mg/kg, s.c.) or its saline vehicle (1 ml/kg, s.c.), and microdialysis probes were inserted into previously implanted guide cannulae. After overnight perfusion of the probes in situ, rats received an acute challenge injection of either cocaine (1 mg/kg, i.v.) or its saline vehicle (1 ml/kg, i.v.). Clorgyline pretreatment alone caused significant elevations in basal levels of dialysate norepinephrine but not dopamine. Cocaine administration elicited significant increases in extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine in all groups of rats, and this effect was not altered by clorgyline pretreatment. The 1 mg/kg dose of clorgyline decreased dopamine metabolites in postmortem brain tissue by more than 80%. Our data are consistent with clinical studies that demonstrate pretreatment with the MAO-B selective inhibitor, selegeline, fails to alter cocaine-induced subjective effects in human drug users. Moreover, these findings suggest that adverse consequences related to altered catecholamine transmission would not occur if patients taking phenelzine, a non-selective MAO inhibitor, relapsed and used cocaine.
A mechanism of paraquat toxicity involving nitric oxide synthase

Paraquat (PQ) is a well described pneumotoxicant that produces toxicity by redox cycling with cellular diaphorases, thereby elevating intracellular levels of superoxide (O-(2)). NO synthase (NOS) has been shown to participate in PQ-induced lung injury. Current theory holds that NO reacts with O-(2) generated by PQ to produce the toxin peroxynitrite. We asked whether NOS might alternatively function as a PQ diaphorase and reexamined the question of whether NO/O-(2) reactions were toxic or protective. Here, we show that: (i) neuronal NOS has PQ diaphorase activity that inversely correlates with NO formation; (ii) PQ-induced endothelial cell toxicity is attenuated by inhibitors of NOS that prevent NADPH oxidation, but is not attenuated by those that do not; (iii) PQ inhibits endothelium-derived, but not NO-induced, relaxations of aortic rings; and (iv) PQ-induced cytotoxicity is potentiated in cytokine-activated macrophages in a manner that correlates with its ability to block NO formation. These data indicate that NOS is a PQ diaphorase and that toxicity of such redox-active compounds involves a loss of NO-related activity.
SNBENCH: a development and run-time platform for rapid deployment of sensor network applications

We envision the emergence of general-purpose, well-provisioned sensor networks - which we call "Sensoria" - that are embedded in (or overlayed atop) physical spaces, and whose use is shared amongst autonomous users of that space for independent and possibly conflicting missions. Our conception of a Sensorium stands in sharp contrast to the commonly adopted view of an embedded sensor network as a special-purpose infrastructure that serves a well-defined, fixed mission. The usefulness of a Sensorium will not be measured by how highly optimized its various protocols are, or by how efficiently its limited resources are being used, but rather by how flexible and extensible it is in supporting a wide range of applications. To that end, in this paper, we overview and present a first-generation implementation of SNBENCH: a programming environment and associated run-time system that support the entire life-cycle of programming sensing-oriented applications. The components of SNBENCH are analogous to those commonly found in traditional, stand-alone general-purpose computing environments. SNAFU (sensornet applications as functional units) is a high-level strongly-typed functional language that supports stateful, temporal, and persistent computation. SNAFU is compiled into an intermediate, abstract representation of the processing graph, called a STEP (Sensorium task execution plan). The STEP graph is then linked to available Sensorium execution environments (SXEs). A Sensorium service dispatcher (SSD) decomposes the STEP graph into a linked execution plan, loading STEP sub-graphs to appropriate individual SXEs and binding those loaded sub-graphs together with appropriate network protocols. The SSD may load many such programs onto a Sensorium simultaneously, taking advantage of programs' shared computation and dependencies to make more efficient use of sensing, computation, network, and storage resources
HETEROGENEITY AND VARIABILITY IN THE CONTEXT OF FLOW LINES

We propose a model in which between-individual differences in performance (heterogeneity) and within-individual differences in performance over time (variability) affect flow line performance. The impact of heterogeneity and variability is contingent upon the flow line context, particularly the rules governing the way work moves between employees (work flow policy). We show how subtle changes in this policy can have a motivational effect on heterogeneity and variability and how these, in turn, can impact the relationship between work flow policy and flow line performance.
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of the parotid: a case report and review of the literature.

The cytologic features of an alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma arising within the parotid gland are described. The occurrence of this neoplasm as a primary malignancy in the parotid gland is very rare, and the tumor is usually not included in the cytologic differential diagnosis of parotid tumors. The diagnosis of the current case was achieved by a combination of fine-needle aspiration biopsy and frozen sections. Realizing the difficulty of recognizing this tumor both histologically and cytologically, we present this case to increase the awareness of this tumor's occurrence within the parotid gland and other salivary glands, and to highlight cytomorphologic features that will aid the pathologist in making the correct diagnosis.
Note---Sensitivity to Distributions in Inventory Systems

The optimal decisions and costs of several inventory systems with the s, S policy are presented showing how they are affected by different distributions of demand, different shortage costs and different leadtimes. The numerical results seem to imply that in many cases the optimal decisions depend on the means and standard deviations of demand but not on the specific forms of the distributions.
Comparison of the Heme Iron Utilization Systems of Pathogenic Vibrios

Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio fluvialis, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus utilized heme and hemoglobin as iron sources and contained chromosomal DNA similar to several Vibrio cholerae heme iron utilization genes. A V. parahaemolyticus gene that performed the function of V. cholerae hutA was isolated. A portion of the tonB1 locus of V. parahaemolyticus was sequenced and found to encode proteins similar in amino acid sequence to V. cholerae HutW, TonB1, and ExbB1. A recombinant plasmid containing the V. cholerae tonB1 and exbB1D1 genes complemented a V. alginolyticus heme utilization mutant. These data suggest that the heme iron utilization systems of the pathogenic vibrios tested, particularly V. parahaemolyticus and V. alginolyticus, are similar at the DNA level, the functional level, and, in the case of V. parahaemolyticus, the amino acid sequence or protein level to that of V. cholerae.
The significance of antibody to hepatitis C virus in patients with chronic hepatitis B

We assessed the prevalence and clinical significance of antibodies to hepatitis C virus among a cohort of 148 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Sixteen patients (11%) had anti-hepatitis C virus detectable by enzyme-linked immunoassay. The results from eight of these patients were positive by recombinant immunoblot assay. The results of recombinant immunoblot assay testing were not consistent; therefore the analysis of the patients' data was based on anti-hepatitis C virus enzyme-linked immunoassay results. Patients with chronic hepatitis B with anti-hepatitis C virus were more likely to be cirrhotic (44% vs. 21%) and to have decompensated liver disease (24% vs. 6%). Hepatitis B virus replication appeared to be suppressed in patients with both infections as measured by hepatitis B virus-associated DNA polymerase activity (mean = 2,055 vs. 2,555 cpm). Human immunodeficiency virus infection was more common in the anti-hepatitis C virus positive group (36% vs. 11%). Thus hepatitis C virus appears to suppress hepatitis B virus replication and to cause more severe liver disease in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection.
Improving influenza immunization among healthcare workers

A survey among hospital personnel regarding influenza vaccination (response rates 44% and 80% for vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects, respectively) identified fear of side effects as the main reason for refusing vaccination, whereas a convenient vaccination schedule fostered participation.
Non‐violent Erotica: A Case Study in an Issue Network within the Australian Federal Parliament

The federal government's attempt to replace the X classification for videotapes with a Non-violent Erotica (NVE) classification category was rejected through the intervention of an issue network within the federal parliament. By assessing this process, we can see how individuals can form issue networks and successfully alter a policy proposal.
Application of FRP composites for underwater piles repair

The lightweight, high strength and corrosion resistance of fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) make them ideally suited for quick and effective structural repairs. As a result, they have been favoured for conducting emergency bridge repairs where speed is of essence. The availability of resins that can cure under water has made it possible to similarly extend its application to substructure elements such as partially submerged damaged piles. Such repairs can be carried out using the same strategies that were successfully used in recent demonstration projects in which FRP was used to repair and rehabilitate corrosion-damaged piles. In the projects two disparate FRP systems – a pre-preg and a wet layup – were used and both carbon and glass evaluated. Access to the piles in the deep waters was provided by a custom-designed, lightweight modular scaffolding system that was assembled around the piles. An overview of the project is provided with particular emphasis on changes that would allow its adoption for emergency repairs. � 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Monte Carlo convolution method for simulation and analysis of fluorescence decay data

A Monte Carlo convolution method for simulating time‐correlated single photon counting data is presented. The random convolution automatically produces the Poisson statistics of the real experiment. The new simulation technique offers realistic treatment of various aspects of the single photon counting experiment, including pulse pileup. The random convolution is also incorporated in a data analysis technique using a reference fluorophore. Illustrative examples comparing the Monte Carlo and conventional simulation methods are given and the conceptual differences are discussed.
Combining Novel Modes of Action for Early-Season Management of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus in Tomato

Abstract Management of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) in Florida tomato involves destroying inoculum sources, using reflective mulches to repel the vector, growing TYLCV-tolerant varieties, and using insecticidal control. Three new insecticides with distinct modes of action were evaluated for management of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and the whitefly-transmitted TYLCV. Chemicals were applied in paired combinations during the first 5 weeks after transplanting. Flupyradifurone (Sivanto) and cyantraniliprole (Cyazypyr™) are systemic insecticides that can be applied to soil or foliage and pyrifluquinazon is a translaminar material for foliar application. In order to determine optimal combination of chemicals with different modes of action for early-season whitefly control and virus suppression, systemic materials were soil-applied at-plant followed by foliar applications of a material with a distinct mode of action. Dinotefuran (Venom) was included as a standard at-plant material for comparison. Field t...
Moral Tensions and Obligations of Occupational Therapy Practitioners Providing Home Care

Home care has been valued as a relevant context for the provision of occupational therapy since the inception of the field. The setting provides rich opportunities to restore meaningfulness in living for clients whose lives have been disrupted by illness or untoward events. Additionally the home care setting allows practitioners to exercise professional commitments and to meet ethical obligations congruent with the field of occupational therapy. Nevertheless, the home care arena is not exempt from the pressures that pervade the health care industry. To thrive in the provision of home care, occupational therapy practitioners must prepare themselves to deal with the philosophic, economic, and moral challenges inherent in the setting. This article explores the moral obligations of occupational therapy practitioners who provide home care. More specifically, it addresses obligations to self, to patients, to caregivers, to society, to the profession, to fellow health care providers, and to agencies and payers. Ethical principles associated with each are highlighted, and issues are raised. Home care practitioners who are attuned to the moral commitments imbedded in occupational therapy philosophy will most likely incorporate these tenets into their clinical decisions.
Association of Proteinuria with Race, Cause of Chronic Kidney Disease, and Glomerular Filtration Rate in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children Study

Background and objectives: Proteinuria is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and heavy proteinuria predicts a rapid decline in kidney function. However, the epidemiologic distribution of this important biomarker study is not well described in the pediatric CKD population. Design, setting, participants & measurements: This cross-sectional study of North American children with CKD examined the association of proteinuria among the baseline clinical variables in the cohort. Urinary protein-to-creatinine ratios (Up/c) were used to measure level of proteinuria. Results: Of the 419 subjects studied, the median GFR as measured by iohexol disappearance (iGFR) was 42 ml/min per 1.73 m2, median duration of CKD was six yr, and glomerular diseases accounted for 22% of the CKD diagnoses. Twenty-four percent of children had normal range (Up/c 2.0). A decrease in iGFR was associated with an increase in Up/c. At any level of GFR, a higher Up/c was associated with a glomerular cause of CKD and non-Caucasian race. Among subjects with a glomerular cause of CKD, Up/c was lower in subjects reporting utilization of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) antagonists (median Up/c = 0.93) compared with those who did not (median Up/c = 3.78). Conclusions: Proteinuria is associated with level of iGFR, cause of CKD, and race. The longitudinal study design of Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) cohort study and the large number of subjects being studied has created an opportunity to better define the association between proteinuria and CKD progression.
Iterative grid-based computing using mobile agents

We describe an environment for the distributed solution of iterative grid-based applications. The environment is built using the MESSENGERS mobile agent system. The main advantage of paradigm-oriented distributed computing is that the user only needs to specify the application-specific sequential code, while the underlying infrastructure takes care of the parallelization and distribution. The two paradigms discussed in this papers are: the finite difference method, and individual-based simulation. These paradigms present some interesting challenges, both in terms of performance (because they require frequent synchronized communication between nodes) and in terms of repeatability (because the mapping of the user space onto the network may change due to load balancing or due to changes in the underlying logical network). We describe their use, implementation, and performance within a mobile agent-based environment.
The Fallacy of Large Numbers

Traditional mean-variance calculations tell us that the return to a well-diversified portfolio of stocks with an average beta of one will be close to the benchmark. This may suggest that an active manager seeking to beat the market cannot succeed with a large diversified portfolio, and that any successful active portfolio must be limited to a small number of stocks. However, the traditional calculations are not appropriate for an active manager, since traditional calculations assume a fixed portfolio, not an active portfolio that varies depending on the information acquired by the manager. For an active manager, a well-diversified portfolio can add trading profits to the market portfolio without adding significant idiosyncratic risk to the return. This implies a defense of holding large active portfolios, which may potentially provide superior performance and do not expose investors to idiosyncratic risk even if the manager has no talent.
Setting up a maternal child health center: organizational and marketing strategies.

This article describes the process used by a team of university graduate nurses practicing comprehensive pediatric nursing in designing village-based Mated Child Health (MCH) center in western Turkey. An analysis of organizational and marketing strategies is presented. Recommendations for future such efforts and implications, transferable to the U.S. for preventive pediatric nursing and involvement of midwifery are suggested as a part of the conclusions.
Critical segment based real-time E-signature for securing mobile transactions

The explosive usage of mobile devices enables conducting electronic transactions involving direct E-signature on such devices. Thus, user signature verification becomes critical to ensure the success deployment of online transactions such as approving legal documents and authenticating financial transactions. Existing approaches mainly focus on user verification targeting the unlocking of mobile devices or performing continuous verification based on a user's behavioral traits. Few studies provide efficient real-time user signature verification. In this work, we propose a critical segment based online signature verification system to secure mobile transactions on multi-touch mobile devices. Our system identifies and exploits the segments which remain invariant within a user's signature to capture the intrinsic signing behavior embedded in each user's signature. Our system further extracts useful features from a user's signature that describe both the geometric layout of the signature as well as physiological characteristics in the user's signing behavior. Our experimental evaluation of 25 subjects over six months time period shows that our system is highly accurate in provide signature verification and robust to signature forging attacks.
Correlation between Mechanical Strength and Surface Conditions of Laser Assisted Machined Silicon Nitride

High power fiber-coupled diode lasers for Laser-Assisted Machining (LAM) of ceramics provides an efficient, cost effective solution for surface finishing of ceramic products. This paper presents experimental evidence of advantages of LAM over the traditional diamond wheel grinding, a standard technique currently utilized in the finishing of ceramic surfaces. LAM, utilizing fiber-coupled diode lasers, also provides advantages over other types of lasers such as CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers. The emphasis of this work is in the evaluation of LAM in the strength of finished products of two different sources of silicon nitride. An optical technique based on evanescent illumination was utilized to measure the Ra of the finished surfaces utilizing LAM, laser glazed, diamond ground, and as-received surface conditions. Four point bending test for specimens of each surface condition were utilized to measure the fracture strength. A correlation was found between the measured Ra and the predicted strengths resulting from Weibull analysis. The correlation shows a decrease of strength with the increase of Ra. The fracture surfaces were observed both optically and with a SEM, and the flaw sizes were measured. The analysis of the fractographs indicated that the flaw sizes are consistent with Fracture Mechanics predictions. Explanations of the correlation between Ra, strength, and flaw sizes require further testing.
The Differential Dynamometer as an Instrument for Conductometric Methods of Analysis Part II . Operational Characteristics, Technique, Use with Certain Reactions

The differential dynamometer, the design of which has been reported in a previous paper, has been used in observing the progress of several types of reactions and found to be quite satisfactory. The precision and accuracy varies with the particular reaction investigated, but is usually in the neighborhood of 1 per cent. Data are presented for these tests.
Heterogeneity of programmed cell death-ligand 1 expression in lung cancer

sequenced the miRNA in these cells and found that cells with EMT memory have distinct miRNA profile compared to cells with transient EMT, suggesting that the epigenetic switch upon chronic IL-1b exposure leads to selective gene expression. These findings, for the first time, demonstrate a unique feature in chronic inflammation that allows cells to metastasize and eventually grow in distant organs, suggesting that these cells may serve as a reservoir for tumor metastasis and relapse. The intent of this study is to ultimately identify targets to intervene in preventing and treating metastatic behavior in lung cancer.
Ligand Influence on the Electronic Spectra of Dicationic Ruthenium-Bipyridine-Terpyridine Complexes

We report electronic spectra of a series of ruthenium polypyridine complexes of the form [(trpy)(bipy)Ru(II)-L](2+) (bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine and trpy = 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine), where L represents a small molecular ligand that occupies the last coordination site. Species with L = H2O, CO2, CH3CN, and N2 were investigated in vacuo using photodissociation spectroscopy. All species exhibit bright metal-to-ligand charger transfer (MLCT) bands in the visible and near UV, but with different spectral envelopes and peak energies, encoding the influence of the ligand L on the electronic structure of the complex. Several individual electronic bands can be resolved for L = H2O and CO2, while the spectra for L = N2 and CH3CN are more congested, even at low ion temperatures. The experimental results are discussed in the framework of time-dependent density functional theory.
Slip Casting and Sintering of Silicon Carbide (Part 1)

The slip casting of silicon carbide was studied to develop a forming method for the fabrication of engineering ceramics. In this study, α-silicon carbide powder produced by the Acheson method was used. The isoelectric point of α-silicon carbide powder was determined to be pH 3.5 from zeta-potential measurement. By using styrene-maleic acid copolymer as a deflocculant, high density green bodies were obtained from a slurry containing 60mass% solids. The SiC sintered at 2200°C for 4h in Ar atmosphere showed a high density of 3.10g·cm-3, flexural strength of 400MPa and Weibull modulus of 9.4.
Polynomial interpolation in several variables, cubature formulae, and ideals[*]Supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant DMS-9802265.

We discuss polynomial interpolation in several variables from a polynomial ideal point of view. One of the results states that if I is a real polynomial ideal with real variety and if its codimension is equal to the cardinality of its variety, then for each monomial order there is a unique polynomial that interpolates on the points in the variety. The result is motivated by the problem of constructing cubature formulae, and it leads to a theorem on cubature formulae which can be considered an extension of Gaussian quadrature formulae to several variables.
Challenges to neurology residency education in today's health care environment

Residency training has had to adapt to higher patient volumes, increased complexity of medical care, and the commercialized system of health care. These changes have led to a concerning culture shift in neurology. We review the relationship between the emerging health care delivery system and residency training, highlighting issues related to duty hours and work-life balance, the changing technological landscape, high patient volumes, and complex service obligations. We propose that the current challenges in health care delivery offer the opportunity to improve neurology residency through faculty development programs, bringing teaching back to the bedside, increasing resident autonomy, utilizing near-peer teaching, and rewarding educators who facilitate an environment of inquiry and scholarship, with the ultimate goal of better alignment between education and patient care. Ann Neurol 2016;80:315-320.
Conditionality and the Future of ‘Europe’

The fragility of conditionality as a technique of governance emerges in part from the ‘technical’ limits of its instruments: ill-defined fields of intervention, imprecise objects, insufficient financial support, inadequate implementation infrastructure, and agents sometimes working at cross-purposes — in short, a relay that can short-circuit at various points. European Commission officials have continually worked to overcome these limits: fields of intervention have been reimagined, financial assistance has been restructured, and the instruments of conditionality have been adjusted, refined, and expanded over time. The conditionality that has emerged from this ad hoc configuration is neither a centralized set of practices dictated from Brussels nor a strategic game between a unitary European Union and candidate state counterparts acting as more or less rational persons, but a bundle of diverse activities coordinated through the operation of several instruments and conducted by a range of agents who are differentially positioned across space and time, working within and across spaces of governance usually designated as international, national, and local.
Defect mediated room temperature ferromagnetism and resistance minima study in epitaxial ZnGa0.002Al0.02O transparent conducting oxide films

We report on the micro-structural, transport, optical and magnetic properties in ZnGa0.002Al0.02O (AGZO) films grown by pulsed laser deposition under different growth conditions. AGZO films grown at substrate temperatures of 600 °C show metal-like behavior with a resistivity minima at lower temperatures, whereas films grown at 300 °C and ambient oxygen partial pressure of 1 mTorr show metallic nature with resistivity values on the order of 100 µΩ cm at room temperature. The most interesting features are the concomitant occurrence of high temperature resistivity minima and room temperature ferromagnetism with a saturation magnetic moment of 1000 A m−1 and with coercivity in the range 100–240 Oe. The temperature dependent resistivity data has been interpreted in the light of quantum corrections to conductivity in disordered systems, suggesting that the e–e interactions is the dominant mechanism in the weak-localization (WL) limit in the case of films showing resisitivity minima. The simultaneous ferromagnetic ordering coupled with the enhancements in electrical conductivity in AGZO system should have their origin in native point defects in the form of oxygen and zinc vacancies and interstitials and their complexes. We propose that formation of oxygen vacancy–zinc interstitial defect complex (V O–I Zn) is responsible for the enhancement in n-type conductivity, and zinc vacancies (V Zn) for the observed room temperature ferromagnetism.