cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the MODIS collections 5 and 6 for change analysis of vegetation and land surface temperature dynamics in North and South America

Abstract The latest collection (C6) of MODIS data provides several algorithmic improvements and calibration adjustments that correct for sensor degradation, theoretically making the C6 MODIS products more accurate compared to previous collections. C6 adjustments also introduce several improvements in the vegetation index (VI) retrieval algorithms. With these improvements, we expect only minor differences between data from Terra and Aqua, but significantly different results between C5 and C6. In this paper, we investigate three different MODIS products to determine the extent that improvements made to C6 influence the overall trend results for time series between 2001 and 2017. We focus on these three products specifically, both to allow for a comparison of vegetation index products—NDVI and EVI from MOD13C1, and NDVI and EVI calculated based on surface reflectance from MCD43C4—and also to gain an understanding of the improvements on an entirely different product from the same sensor, namely Land Surface Temperature (LST) from MOD11C2. For the MCD43C4 dataset, we find that 17.9% and 16.4% of EVI and NDVI pixels, respectively, display trend discordance between C5 and C6. For the MOD13C1 vegetation indices, we found comparable rates of trend discordance between C5 and C6: 18.5% and 17.4% for the EVI and NDVI pixels, respectively. For both products the greatest changes between C5 and C6 are an overall increase in pixels exhibiting a significant greening trend and an overall decline in pixels exhibiting a significant browning trend. Moreover, the largest differences between C5 and C6 for the NDVI and EVI data appear in cropland areas and in regions with relatively little human influence. In the Land Surface Temperature product (MOD11C2), the discordance between C5 and C6 is much lower: only 3.2% of day and 5.0% of night LST trends exhibited discordance between C5 and C6. We analyze the complementary results of vegetation index and land surface temperature trends and demonstrate that combining the results from different products observed at different portions of the electromagnetic spectrum—but linked through the biogeophysical processes of surface energy balance—allows us to portray change with more confidence than when relying on vegetation index data alone.
A Calibration-Free Time-Interleaved Fourth-Order Noise-Shaping SAR ADC

Noise-shaping SAR (NS-SAR) is an emerging analog to digital converter (ADC) architecture that offers both high-resolution and high-energy efficiency. Despite these advantages, oversampling limits the useful bandwidth of NS-SAR ADCs. This article introduces a robust and practical interleaving architecture that overcomes this bandwidth limitation. Midway feedback to multiple successive-approximation conversion phases enables a realizable time-interleaved noise-shaped (TINS) system. The inherent delay between channels is harnessed to generate a high-order noise-transfer function (NTF). Redundancy and optimization of the NTF coefficients eliminate the risk of quantization overload, ensuring robust operation. Error feedback (EF) is realized with a summing pre-amplifier and a shared feedback bus, keeping the architecture simple. Thanks to the low required gain, the pre-amplifier is simply implemented as a single-stage open-loop amplifier. A prototype 40-nm CMOS TINS-SAR ADC has a measured SNDR of 70.4 dB for a 50-MHz bandwidth. It consumes only 13 mW and occupies 0.06 mm2. Testing of several devices and evaluation over temperature and supply variations demonstrate robust performance without calibration.
A simple model explaining the interaction between special interest spending and voter choices

Abstract. This research develops a model of eligible voters rationally maximizing their stochastic utility functions in their decisions with respect to casting ballots in elections that result in voting decision being largely determined by social and psychological factors heterogeneously maleable by political expenditures. The wealthiest agents utilize their overwhelming financial resources to promote only candidates cooperating with their special interests to attract public attention, which exerts social pressure on voters to cast ballots only for those politicians who represent those agents. The model, which enables exacting computation of the benefits to politicians, special interest groups, and voters from their political actions, is shown to supply insightful explanations for the 2016 U.S. Presidential polling results for the four leading candidates. Voters were effectively swayed by large political expenditures to select from the two candidates who represented the agents providing the financial backing to market their special interests. Keywords. Special interests, Voter utility, Elections, Political marketing. JEL. D71, D72, F50.
ζ Potential as a Measure of Asphalt Emulsion Stability

Asphalt emulsions are most often oil-in-water emulsions widely used in pavement preservation treatments as a result of lower application temperatures and versatility for many pavement preservation ...
The use of multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) in optimizing and predicting weld quality

The search for acceptable optimal or near-optimal weld process parameters through the application of suitable optimization technique cannot be over emphasized, as this will help prevent weld defect...
Improving Efficiency with EMR in Your Clinic and OR

The transition from paper chart to electronic medical records (EMR) was intended to improve patient safety, reduce healthcare spending, and improve physician efficiency. Despite these good intentions, the implementation of EMR has shown to increase physician burnout and reduce clinical efficiency. This chapter explores how ophthalmologists differ in their clinical practice and time charting on EMR from other specialties in medicine, how physician gender plays a role on total time charting on EMR, and gives suggestions on improving clinical efficiency for all EMR users.
The wolf in Yellowstone: Science, symbol, or politics? Deconstructing the conflict between environmentalism and wise use

In spring 1995, wolves were returned to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem for the first time in five decades. Despite this being hailed as a success, public opposition to the wolf remains intense in many rural communities surrounding the reintroduction site. This study shows that social controversy remains because it is much more than a debate about wolves; it is a conflict between the advocates of two social movements—environmentalism and wise use—struggling to impose their own preferences for land use in the American West. Wolves are merely symbols delineating the battle lines of a much larger conflict. Three underlying social issues drive the debate: (1) differential access to social power, (2) conflicting ideas about private property, and (3) divergent beliefs about nature. Recognizing these deeper levels of social conflict is important, because it is from here that future land use controversies are likely to emerge. By identifying and describing the symbolic nature of the wolf reintroduction conflict...
A case for seaweed aquaculture inclusion in U.S. nutrient pollution management

Abstract Seaweed aquaculture is capable of removing large quantities of nitrogen and phosphorus from coastal ecosystems, yet seaweed has gained little traction for its potential role in targeted nutrient assimilation. Marine nutrient pollution is increasing around the world, contributing to expanding eutrophic conditions and co-occurring with other stressors that impact the state and stability of aquatic ecosystems. In the United States, climate change, legacy nitrogen, and nonpoint source pollution make it increasingly difficult to curb growing eutrophication and the associated effects, such as hypoxia (dissolved oxygen
Economic transition and insurance market development: evidence from post-communist European countries

We evaluate the development of insurance markets in 18 post-communist European countries over a 10-year period. In doing so, we estimate static and dynamic models to test the relationship between economic transition indices and insurance density and penetration. Results suggest that licensing and trade practices, monetary stability, consumer protections, and government transfers are relevant to property–casualty and life–health insurance consumption. The findings have implications for policymakers aiming to increase insurance coverage in post-communist countries. Additionally, the research underscores the importance of accounting for economic policies and institutions in studies of insurance market development.
Mapping New Classrooms in Literacy-Oriented Foreign Language Teaching and Learning: The Role of the Reading Experience

While multiliteracy frameworks grounded in social semiotics and genre theory have provided language teachers and users with valuable theoretical maps for understanding the linguistic design of texts, the social and affective experience of foreign language reading has received less attention in fields of foreign and second language pedagogy. Especially in the social, institutional context of the classroom, literacy involves an awareness of periodically precarious symbolic terrains. Readers situate themselves and their textual responses vis-a-vis authors, narrators, or characters, and their own predispositions to a text’s subject matter. This chapter draws on examples from in and outside of the classroom in order to raise some of the issues related to experientiality and reading that theories of literacy and language teaching might address.
Perceptually Adaptive Rendering of Immersive Virtual Environments

When rendering immersive virtual environments, it is necessary to limit the geometric complexity of the scene in order to retain interactive frame rates. Both reduced frame rendering rates and reduced geometric complexity have been shown to have a negative impact on task performance. We present a perceptually adaptive rendering system which optimizes rendering performance in immersive virtual environments. Our system currently uses three discrete levels of detail for each model, which are created prior to run time. We use head position and orientation in the 3D environment to determine the appropriate geometric level of detail (LOD) of the objects in the scene. Based upon the thresholds used to trigger a change between two LODs, interactivity can be significantly improved without overtly distracting the user.
Crystal and molecular structure of a steroidal spirocyclic lactone, C29H34O4

The X-ray crystal structure of the title compound, as crystallized from methanol–methylene chloride was determined. The asymmetric unit contains two steroid molecules, which differ primarily in the orientation of the aromatic rings of the benzyl ethers. The title compound crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric space group P2(1), with a = 7.558(2), b = 16.673(3), c = 18.735(4) A, β = 97.610(10)°, and D calc = 1.268 g cm−1 for Z = 4.
Molecular Cloning of Genes for Cellobiose Utilization and Their Expression in Escherichia coli

The genes for cellobiose utilization in Escherichia adecarboxylata were cloned by using recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid techniques and transferred to Escherichia coli. Preliminary analysis of the β-glucosidase activity expressed in these host cells indicated that the enzyme is membrane bound and required magnesium ions, phosphate ions, and heat-stable, non-dialyzable factors from the bacterial cytoplasm.
Metalloregulation of Helicobacter pylori physiology and pathogenesis

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative spiral-shaped bacterium that colonizes over half of the world's population. Chronic H. pylori infection is associated with increased risk for numerous disease outcomes including gastritis, dysplasia, neoplasia, B-cell lymphoma of mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma), and invasive adenocarcinoma. The complex interactions that occur between pathogen and host are dynamic and exquisitely regulated, and the relationship between H. pylori and its human host are no exception. To successfully colonize, and subsequently persist, within the human stomach H. pylori must temporally regulate numerous genes to ensure localization to the gastric lumen and coordinated expression of virulence factors to subvert the host's innate and adaptive immune response. H. pylori achieves this precise gene regulation by sensing subtle environmental changes including host-mediated alterations in nutrient availability and responding with dramatic global changes in gene expression. Recent studies revealed that the presence or absence of numerous metal ions encountered in the lumen of the stomach, or within host tissues, including nickel, iron, copper and zinc, can influence regulatory networks to alter gene expression in H. pylori. These expression changes modulate the deployment of bacterial virulence factors that can ultimately influence disease outcome. In this review we will discuss the environmental stimuli that are detected by H. pylori as well as the trans regulatory elements, specifically the transcription regulators and transcription factors, that allow for these significant transcriptional shifts.
Eyewitness Identifications by Older and Younger Adults: A Meta-Analysis and Discussion

The current meta-analysis compared younger and older adult eyewitness identification accuracy and includes analyses designed to determine what witness and event factors might moderate any differences found. Results showed that, regardless of lineup type and perpetrator age, older eyewitnesses are reliably worse at making correct lineup decisions than younger eyewitnesses whether they are identifying perpetrators or rejecting perpetrator-absent lineups. Discussion of possible causes for this difference in identification accuracy is drawn from cognitive and social psychology literatures, and possible implications for future research and public policy are put forth.
Exploring Representations of Characters with Disabilities in Library Books

Early literacy experiences are critical for young children’s development. More specifically, quality literacy experiences are beneficial to children’s understanding of their world. Ensuring that early childhood literature appropriately reflects the diversity of children’s life experiences can support their sense of belonging within an early childhood environment. Considering that the number of children with diverse abilities who attend general education classrooms is increasing, it is imperative that these classrooms provide welcoming and supportive environments for all children. One way to support inclusive environments for children with disabilities is to ensure that classroom books include characters with and without disabilities. As many early childhood teachers and family members regularly use community libraries to find books to read to young children, exploring how characters with disabilities are represented in library books is important. Results of a study focusing on children’s library books revealed that characters with diverse abilities were represented in ways that promote their inclusion, however some books displayed poor insight into the individual lives of characters with varying abilities. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
A novel approach to educating men about preventative health in the digital age

Abstract Background: In the modern era, many men spend inadequate time focusing upon healthy living. However, men are increasingly “connected” by email and mobile Internet devices, which are now commonplace at most socio-economic levels. We hypothesized that reaching men electronically, with 90 second video clips on men's preventative health topics might provide effective health education. Methods: Six health topics felt to be of broad interest to men were selected for video preparation. Literature reviews led to the preparation of 90 second video clips, termed Men's Health PITCHes. These were sent electronically to a cohort of men and women who had previously consented to receive electronic health-related information from our hospital. PITCHes were also made available through the Facebook and Twitter social networks, and our hospital website. Data regarding the email open rates, the average viewing time, and total viewing time for each video were collected for up to 1 year after the delivery of the first...
Design and initial testing of a highly maneuverable remotely operated vehicle with dual articulating thrusters

This research involves the design, manufacture, and testing of a small, <1 m/sup 3/, <10 kg, low cost, unmanned submersible. High maneuverability in the ROV as achieved through a high thrust-to-mass ratio in all directions. One identified solution is moving the primary thrusters in both the pitch and yaw directions. The robot is propelled by a pair of 2 DOF thrusters, and is directly controlled in heave, surge, sway, yaw, and roll. Pitch is controlled through passive buoyancy and active manipulation of added mass and gyroscopic effects. This system is compared against a traditional fixed-thruster system in terms of cost, size, weight, and high/low speed performance. Preliminary results indicate that the actuated system can provide an improved thrust-to-mass metric at the expense of increased system complexity. The system has applications in high accuracy positioning areas such as ship hull inspection, recovery, and exploration.
Charm Threshold in Electron-Positron Annihilation

Available data on new mesons discovered at SPEAR are sufficient to determine the spectrum of low-lying charmed mesons and to provide a complete description of the threshold structure of $R$ in the framework of the charmonium model. A number of simple tests are proposed to confirm the charm interpretation.
Design and Control of the Methoxy-Methyl-Heptane Process

The chemical 2-methoxy-2-methylheptane (MMH) has been proposed as a gasoline additive to replace methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in order to avoid groundwater contamination. The chemistry involves the liquid-phase reversible reaction of methanol with 2-methyl-1-heptene (MH) to form MMH. However, methanol and MH also undergo an undesirable reaction to form dimethyl ether (DME) and 2-methyl-2-heptanol (MHOH). The activation energies of the two competing reactions favor high reactor temperature, which is limited by catalyst activity to 400 K. Yield of the desired product is increased by either increasing reactor size or keeping the concentration of methanol in the reactor low by using a large excess of MH in the reactor. The latter strategy results in a large recycle flow rate of MH, which increases separation costs. Thus, this process demonstrates the classic design trade-off between reactor costs and separation costs. The purpose of this paper is to explore the economics and the dynamics of this process. Th...
Seakeeping performance of a containment boom section in random waves and currents

Abstract The seakeeping characteristics of various boom geometries in irregular waves and currents are investigated. The response of a floating boom section on the open sea is a function of a number of parameters, such as boom geometry, distribution of mass, buoyancy/weight ratio, and wave and current characteristics. To understand the relationship between these design parameters more clearly, a series of regular and irregular wave tests were conducted with six different 1:4 scale models for three current velocities and six different wave conditions. To simplify the problem, only rigid boom sections consisting of a buoyancy cylinder and vertical skirt were used. In parallel with this experimental program, a numerical model for the responses of two-dimensional floating boom sections in small-amplitude waves is also developed. The numerical results are compared with our large-scale experimental results. The boom effectiveness on the open sea is evaluated based on the concept of “effective draft” and “effective freeboard” assuming that drainage and oversplashing failures are the prime mechanisms of containment failure. Using the present results, a guideline for the optimum design/selection of future booms is developed.
A World History of Design and the History of the World

World history, as an institutional enterprise with a community of scholars, a journal, and a professional association, is a comparatively recent phenomenon. Although comprehensive world histories continue to appear, design historians are only gradually confronting the question of how a world history of design might be written. A major problem is the limited definition of design that has, for many scholars, confined its study to industrialized regions of the world. We need to understand how different cultures have providedfor their respective material needs, as well as how largerforces of politics and economics have shaped the conditions for material production in those cultures. Design is an integral component of modern production and a world history of design should arguefor its vital role in economic development. Other issues include the rise of nationalism and the question of race. Looking at the history of design from a world perspective enables us to see that people of all ethnic backgrounds have been active designers within their own communities, even if they have largely worked outside the orbit of advanced industrialization. Writing a world history of design with an emphasis on how empires, nations, and other political entities have used it to advance their political and economic agendas links design to the larger problems of the world.
Comparative study of ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity in patients randomly assigned to treatment with amikacin or gentamicin

Fifty-four patients treated with gentamicin and 52 patients treated with amikacin were evaluated for nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity in a prospective, randomized, blinded comparative trail. According to our definition of nephrotoxicity (an increase in serum creatinine levels to at least 50 percent and 0.5 mg/dl above the baseline value), nephrotoxicity occurred in eight (15 percent) of the patients who were treated with gentamicin and none of the patients who were treated with amikacin (p = 0.006). Using several other definitions of nephrotoxicity, the differences in incidence between the treatment arms were not significant. Nephrotoxicity appeared to be associated with impaired baseline renal function, greater age, and the presence of bacteremia. Ototoxicity occurred in six (11 percent) of the 54 gentamicin-treated patients; auditory toxicity occurred in three patients, and toxic changes were observed in three of the 33 patients who could also be evaluated for vestibular toxicity. Similarly, ototoxicity was observed in seven (13 percent) of the 52 amikacin-treated patients; auditory toxicity occurred in four patients, and of the 34 patients who could also be evaluated for vestibular toxicity, three exhibited vestibular toxicity without auditory toxicity are one experienced vestibular effects in addition to those affecting the cochlea. We observed a modest association of ototoxicity with nephrotoxicity and with an elevated mean trough aminoglycoside serum level. The results of this study indicate that amikacin may be less nephrotoxic than gentamicin in humans; however, the broad applicability of this finding to other patient populations is uncertain.
Solid phase synthesis of styrylquinazolinones

Abstract The solid phase synthesis of styrylquinazolinones is described. Starting from resin-bound amino acids, and employing alkylation, acylation, and condensation reactions, the desired styrylquinazolinones have been synthesized in good yield and high purity.
2,6-Diiodopyridine

The title compound, C5H3I2N, crystallizes in the polar space group Fmm2, with crystallographic mm2 symmetry imposed on the mol­ecule. Mol­ecules are linked through C—H⋯N hydrogen bonding to form chains which are, in turn, joined through weak I⋯I halogen-bonding interactions to form layers. The pyridine ring lies parallel to the polar z axis and has the N atom pointing in the +z direction. The layers stack in a polar fashion normal to the a axis and the absolute structure has been determined.
Structure and organization of GABRB3 and GABRA5.

Abstract The genes encoding the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type-A receptor subunits β3 (GABRB3), α5 (GABRA5), and γ3 (GABRG3) map to chromosome 15q11–q13. The three genes are contained within roughly 800 kb of the distal part of the imprinted Prader–Willi and Angelman syndrome region. A 570-kb contig encompassing GABRB3 and GABRA5 has been constructed in P1, λ phage, and PAC clones. GABRB3 spans 250 kb of DNA and is organized into 9 exons that range from 68 to 504 bp, while GABRA5 is encoded by 11 exons (65 to 924 bp in length) within 86 kb. The exon/intron borders for both genes have been characterized, and primers have been designed to amplify each of the individual exons. Two reference STR markers have been positioned in the contig. The reference STR for GABRB3 is in fact located at least 60 kb beyond the 3′ terminus of GABRB3, while D15S97 is contained within intron 4 of GABRB3. The detailed physical map of this GABAAreceptor subunit gene cluster should not only be useful in genetic studies of the 15q11–q13 region, but will also be important for investigating the evolution and expression of the GABAAreceptor gene superfamily.
Small printed integrated inverted‐F antenna for Bluetooth application

A printed integrated inverted-F antenna is introduced which operates in the Bluetooth frequency band (2.4–2.485 GHz). The proposed antenna is a part of the radio frequency printed circuit board (PCB) of a cellular telephone or a personal digital assistant (PDA). The antenna being an integral part of the PCB reduces the cost and complexity of designing and manufacturing a separate antenna. The maximum dimension of the antenna on standard FR4 substrate is 25 × 5 × 1 mm3. The antenna operates within 2:1 voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) and has a free-space peak gain of 1.5 dBi. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 33: 347–349, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10317
Quenched disorder in Josephson-junction arrays in a transverse magnetic field

A simple model for weak quenched disorder in Josephson-junction arrays is considered and the effects of two kinds of disorder on the resistive behavior of the array is determined. For the case of random plaquette areas, the lower envelope of resistance increases quadratically with the magnetic field and no superconducting phase exists, whereas positional disorder leads to a reentrant phase at low temperatures in finite field and a critical value of the field above which there is no superconducting phase. The consequences of these results for experiments reported recently are also presented.
We Mean to Be Counted: White Women and Politics in Antebellum Virginia

Over the past two decades, historians have successfully disputed the notion that American women remained wholly outside the realm of politics until the early twentieth century. Still, a consensus has prevailed that, unlike their Northern counterparts, women of the antebellum South were largely excluded from public life. With this book, Elizabeth Varon effectively challenges such historical assumptions. Using a wide array of sources, she demonstrates that throughout the antebellum period, white Southern women of the slaveholding class were important actors in the public drama of politics. Through their voluntary associations, legislative petitions, presence at political meetings and rallies, and published appeals, Virginia's elite white women lent their support to such controversial reform enterprises as the temperance movement and the American Colonization Society, to the electoral campaigns of the Whig and Democratic Parties, to the literary defense of slavery, and to the causes of Unionism and secession. Against the backdrop of increasing sectional tension, Varon argues, these women struggled to fulfill a paradoxical mandate: to act both as partisans who boldly expressed their political views and as mediators who infused public life with the "feminine" virtues of compassion and harmony. |Demonstrates the widespread reform efforts and partisan political activities of elite white women in antebellum Virginia. An eye-opening contribution to the history of women's activism in the U.S.
The anatomy of the bicipital tuberosity and distal biceps tendon.

The anatomy of the distal biceps tendon and bicipital tuberosity (BT) is important in the pathophysiology of tendon rupture, as well as surgical repair. Understanding the dimensions of the BT and its angular relationship to the radial head and radial styloid will facilitate surgical procedures such as reconstruction of the distal biceps tendon, radial head prosthesis implantation, and reconstruction of proximal radius trauma. We examined 178 dried cadaveric radii, and the following measurements were collected: radial length, length and width of the BT, diameter of the radius just distal to the BT, distance from the radial head to the BT, radial head diameter, width of the radius at the BT, radial neck-shaft angle, and styloid angle. Furthermore, the morphology of the BT ridge was defined as smooth (absent), small, medium, large, or bifid. Of the specimens, 48 were further analyzed with a computed tomography scanner at the level of the BT to determine the distance to traverse both the anterior and posterior cortex and the anterior cortex alone. Eighteen fresh-frozen cadaveric elbows were dissected, and the insertion footprint of the distal biceps tendon was defined. The BT has a mean length of 22 ± 3 mm and a mean width of 15 ± 2 mm. The tendon insertion footprint is a ribbon-shaped configuration on the most ulnar aspect of the BT, and it occupies 63% of the length and 13% of the width of the BT. The BT ridge is absent in 6% of specimens and bifid in 6%, and the remaining 88% of specimens have a single ridge that may be classified as small, medium, or large. The mean diameter of the radial head is 22 ± 3 mm. The mean radial neck-shaft angle is 7° ± 3°, and the mean BT-radial styloid angle is 123° ± 10°. None of the measurements correlated with patient age, sex, or race. We concluded that the morphology of the BT ridge is variable. The insertion footprint of the distal biceps tendon is on the ulnar aspect of the BT ridge. The dimensions of the radius and BT are applicable to several surgical procedures about the elbow.
Absorption Length and Collision Length of Hard-Shower-Producing Radiation

By combining techniques of coincidence counter circuits and nuclear photographic emulsions, values are obtained for the absorption length in air of 104\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}6 (p.e.) g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, and for the collision length in paraffin of 61\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}6 (p.e.) g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ for hard-shower-producing radiation. The method also provides evidence of a cascade mechanism by which the hard showers are produced.
Prospects for the therapeutic use of anticancer vaccines

Although a century has passed since initial attempts were made to stimulate the immune system to destroy tumour, the immunotherapy of cancer is still in the early stages. Historically, a variety of specific and nonspecific immunostimulatory strategies have been administered with only modest clinical success. However, recent advances in tumour immunology, most notably the identification of genes encoding for cancer regression antigens, have paved the way for the development of a variety of novel and specific vaccine approaches. These include vaccines based on tumour cells, carbohydrates, peptides and heat-shock proteins, DNA-based vaccination, and the use of recombinant bacteria and viruses to deliver antigens or the DNA coding for them. While several of these approaches have yielded exciting clinical results, a number of immunological and host obstacles to the successful application of cancer vaccines remain. Further research is needed on the optimum choice of antigen, delivery vector, adjuvant and administration regimen.
The ideology of progress in Levinson's theory of adult development: A response to Basseches and Kalinowski

Basseches and Kalinowski make a number of perceptive criticisms of The Seuson’,~ ofu Man’s Life, but they seem finally unable to grasp the significance of their own insights. Consequently, after a review which implicitly undermines the basic structure of Levinson’s work, they end by reinforcing its fundamental perspective. The author’s basic criticisms are of two fundamental sorts: (1) they maintain that Levinson’s work suffers from defects in research design, broadly defined, and (2) that the work in fact advocates compliance with present society under the guise of a value-neutral empirical description. I will refer to these basic critiques under the heading of “methodology” and “ideology”.* I believe that both assertions made against Levinson are valid, but that the authors do not fully grasp their inter-relationship nor the devastating implications that follow for any study of human development.
BENZENE/SI(100) : METASTABLE CHEMISORPTION AND BINDING STATE CONVERSION

Abstract Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) has been used to investigate the adsorption of benzene on the Si(100)(2×1) surface. At room temperature two types of bonding configurations are observed; on-top of a single Si dimer and bridging two dimers. Upon dosing the single dimer state is populated preferentially but is seen to be metastable with respect to the bridging configuration, in agreement with semi-empirical quantum cluster calculations. The single dimer to bridge conversion is activated, with a barrier of 0.95 eV. The single dimer state can be re-populated via a process assisted by the STM tip.
Biomechanical evaluation of double-strand (looped) and single-strand polyamide multifilament suture: influence of knot and suture size.

Background Flexor tendon repair in zone II remains a vexing problem. Repair techniques have been developed to strengthen and optimize the number of core strands crossing a repair. A polyamide looped suture doubles the number of core strands for every needle path. This simplifies repairs, but the knot remains a potential weakness. The purpose of our study was to create a biomechanical model used to evaluate the bulky knot of a looped suture as it may be weaker, resulting in greater deformation.
Stability and kinetics of step motion on crystal surfaces

The kinetics of monoatomic steps in diffusion-controlled crystal growth and evaporation processes are investigated analytically using a Green's function approach. Integro-differential equations of motion for the steps are derived; a systematic linear stability analysis is carried out treating simultaneously perturbations both along and perpendicular to the steps. Morphological fluctuations of steadily moving steps in response to ambient thermodynamic noises are also studied within a general Langevin formalism. Finally, a phase field model is developed to investigate the time-dependent, collective motion of steps. An application of the model to a finite step train recovers a variety of kinetic behaviors such as the bunching and spreading of steps.
Gamma Total Dose Effects on ALS Bipolar Oxide Sidewall Isolated Devices

Advances in bi-polar technology that increase device performance through the use of oxide sidewall isolation have revived concerns about total dose radiation effects. Extensive Cobalt 60 tests of Texas Instruments ALS devices were conducted and comparative results of "walled" and "nested" emitter devices are included. It was determined that inversion at the Si-SiO2 interface between the isolation oxide and residual EPI material was the source of IIH leakage. Controls were established to improve gamma total dose tolerance.
A connection between the moment problem and the subnormal completion problem

In this note we give a connection between the truncated complex moment problem and the subnormal completion problem for the unilateral weighted shifts.
External reputational penalties for CEOs and CFOs following information technology material weaknesses

Abstract Information Technology (IT) serves as the foundation for an effective internal control system. Deficiencies in internal controls related to IT (as evidenced by SOX 404 IT internal control material weaknesses (ITMW)) can diminish the quality of financial reporting and lead to the dismissal of executives. We investigate if the labor market penalizes executives for publicly announced IT failures. Specifically, we examine the employment opportunities that CEOs and CFOs receive following their termination from a firm reporting an ITMW. We find that executives who lose their jobs due to an ITMW are less likely to find an equivalent job compared to executives dismissed for material weaknesses not related to IT. We also determine that this is especially true for the CFO, perhaps suggesting that firms hold the CFO more responsible for IT failures, particularly as it relates to financial reporting and internal controls.
E-gun anode modulator R&D for RHIC ELENS project

In order to increase the polarized proton luminosities, a new E-LENS system will be installed in RHIC tunnel. One of the key parts of this project is a fast rise time electron gun. The electron gun is driven by a fast high voltage rise time and high pulse repetition rate anode modulator. This paper will discuss some detail of the modulator design concept and its simulation, problems during the test, modulator scheme modification and new modulator scheme prototype test result. Meanwhile, some test schematic, prototype pictures and measured waveforms will be shown in the paper. The prototype test has reached the specification requirement of the modulator. The output high voltage is 10 kV, HV pulse rise and fall time is about 50 nS (10%-90%) and the pulse repetition rate has reached 80 kHz.
Idiotypes and anti-idiotypic antibodies: a review

An idiotype (Id), defined as an epitope within the variable region of immunoglobulin, is used as a structural and functional marker of the region. Anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Ids or Ab2s) can be generated upon immunization with an antibody (Ab1) which contains a variety of Ids. One set of anti-Ids, referred to as internal-image Ab2s, recognizes an Id which is shared by antibodies with the same or similar specificities. This Id is designated a common Id. Anti-Ids that recognize a common Id and represent an internal image of the antigen have been generated in many systems. Many experimental studies have shown the potentials of anti-Ids as immune regulators to various pathogens. The antigenic mimicry of internal-image Ab2β makes them valuable not only as immunogens for eliciting specific immune response to infectious pathogens but also as probes for studying cell receptors, as well as for immune therapy for tumors.
Russian Agriculture in 2009: Continuity or Change?

An American specialist on Russian agriculture examines that country's agrarian policy, as well as the agricultural sector more generally, one year into the presidency of Dmitriy Medvedev. Focusing on the three key policy issues—state financial support, state intervention in the grain market, and international food trade policy—he assesses the extent to which current policy represents a continuation of that prevailing during the presidency of Vladimir Putin. The author discusses the appointment of a new Agriculture Minister in 2009, which may signal a different approach to the management of the sector, and concludes with an assessment of the impact of the global financial crisis. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: F130, Q100, Q170, Q180. 2 tables, 63 references.
Dependence of the focal shift on Fresnel number and f number

The behavior along the axis of the intensity arising from the diffraction of a uniform, converging spherical wave at a circular aperture is studied on the basis of the theory of the boundary-diffraction wave. The results are used to determine the location of the principal intensity maximum and to elucidate the dependence of the focal shift both on the Fresnel number and on the f number of the focusing geometry. Analytic as well as numerical results are obtained. Comparison with microwave experiments of Farnell [ Can. J. Phys.36, 935 ( 1958)] is also made.
Knowledge-acquisitions and post-acquisition innovation performance: a comparative hazards model

Do acquisitions lead to instrumental innovations related to the acquired knowledge? Past arguments on vertical integration espouse how a quest for knowledge drives acquisitions culminating in innovation performance. Using Google and Yahoo as cases-in-point, we examine how facets of acquired innovation knowledge impact post-innovation performance. In particular, the apparently opposing fortunes of Google and Yahoo allow us to investigate the pace of their innovation performance as a hazards model. Results from our investigation highlight Google’s ambidexterity over Yahoo with a swifter, systematic pace of innovation performance – from hastening time to patenting new ideas to the time to releasing new applications from acquisitions.
Seizures and cortical blindness after meglumine (hypaque) administration: a variant of autonomic dysreflexia

Abstract Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a syndrome that consists of facial flushing, excessive sweating, nasal congestion, throbbing headache and paroxysmal hypertension which may occur in response to bladder distension in patients with spinal cord lesion above the T6 level. We report the case of a C2 quadriplegic patient who developed clinical features of AD along with cortical blindness and seizures after administration of meglumine (Hypaque) for diagnostic cystogram.
Proinsulin: Further crystallization and X-ray crystallographic studies of bovine and porcine prohormone

Abstract Further crystallization studies of bovine proinsulin have led to the preparation of large crystals of the neutral form (pH 7.25) grown from citrate buffer containing m-cresol and excess zinc. These are tetragonal, space group P41212 (or its enantiomorph P43212) with a = 157.8 ± 0.5 A and c = 132.0 ± 0.7 A . The protein component of the asymmetric unit is equivalent to three proinsulin hexamers. When citrate was replaced by zinc-free phosphate, crystals grew which are apparently isomorphous with these. Porcine proinsulin has also been crystallized at pH 7.25 in citrate with m-cresol and zinc present; the crystals are isomorphous with the bovine preparation described here; space group P41212 with a = 158.3 ± 0.5 A and c = 132.5 ± 0.7 A . Porcine proinsulin crystals have been grown at acid pH in the presence of ammonium sulfate. These are tetragonal bipyramids isomorphous with the previously reported bovine proinsulin crystals; space group P41212 with a = 52 ± 1 A and c = 151 ± 2 A . The marked differences in the connecting peptide region of these two prohormones have little if any effect on their crystalline intermolecular packing at both acid and neutral pH.
Monte Carlo results for random coagulation

This paper gives a Monte Carlo algorithm for stochastic coagulation when the coagulation kernel Kij = figj + fjgi. For a monodisperse system with M = 106 monomers, each realization takes 7 min on a CDC 7600. On the basis of Monte Carlo experiments performed with this algorithm, the following conclusions are inferred. If wg = wg(t) = the gel weight fraction = the proportion of monomers contained in the largest cluster at time t, then, as M → ∞, for Kij = (ij)ω: w ≦ 12, wg → 0 ; 12 < w ≦ 1; wg approaches a well-defined limit, nonzero after a critical time ([i]and [ii]support a conjecture of Ziff); and w > 1, wg(t) → 1, t > 0 . (This last result was known to Domilovskii et al. in 1978.) For ω < 1, the Smoluchowski coagulation equation is the limit of random coagulation. For 12 < ω < 1, this equation gives rise to mass nonconservation; the mass deficit wg(t) is contained in a single cluster. For Kij = [(f − 2)i + 2][(f − 2)j + 2], due to correlations, the coagulation equation is not the limit of random coagulation. Instead, its Flory version, incorporating gel reactivity, is the appropriate limit.
Effects of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-ethane (p,p′-DDT) on 3T3-L1 and 3T3-F442A adipocyte differentiation

Based upon our initial observations that 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-ethane (p,p'-DDT) induces a concentration-dependent increase in 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation, the mechanism of the p,p'-DDT-induced adipocyte differentiation was studied, using 3T3-L1 and 3T3-F442A cells. Since, it is known that the differentiation of the 3T3-L1 adipocyte cell line involves the induction of the transcription factors CCAAT enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPbeta), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), and C/EBPalpha, the possible role of these factors in p,p'-DDT-induced adipocyte differentiation had to be examined. It was found that p,p'-DDT-treated 3T3-L1 cells showed a concentration-dependent increase in the nuclear levels of both PPARgamma and C/EBPalpha protein. On the other hand, treatment with p,p'-DDT (20 microM) did not affect the expression pattern of C/EBPbeta protein during differentiation. Gel shift analysis of nuclear proteins for binding to the C/EBP recognition site of DNA showed an increase in binding activity at day 2 of differentiation in p,p'-DDT-treated cells. Supershift analysis revealed that this rise was caused mainly by a dramatic increase in the abundance of the C/EBPalpha-DNA complex. Similar increases were observed at days 4 and 7 after the induction of differentiation. Tumor necrosis factor alpha induced a strong inhibition of adipocyte differentiation, which was reversed by co-treatment with troglitazone, an activator of PPARgamma. p,p'-DDT was unable to reverse the inhibitory effect of tumor necrosis factor alpha on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. 3T3-F442A is another preadipocyte cell line that can be induced to differentiate into adipocytes in the presence of insulin and fetal bovine serum. p,p'-DDT (20 microM) induced an alteration in the morphology of these cells at day 2 after the induction of differentiation. These cells however, were unable to become fully differentiated adipocytes. These data showed, therefore, the ability of p,p'-DDT to alter the differentiation process of adipocyte cell lines through the modification of transcription factors regulating this event.
Modality-specific nutrition support in ESRD: weighing the evidence.

Abstract Protein-calorie malnutrition affects a large fraction of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and contributes significantly to the high rates of mortality and morbidity observed in this population. Observational studies of specific interventions, including intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN), suggest that aggressive nutrition support may be of some benefit to some patients with ESRD. Due in part to lack of data derived from prospective, randomized clinical trials, and to the large expense associated with these therapies, Medicare and other payers have strongly discouraged the prescription of IDPN and other intermittent, dialysis-specific methods of nutrition support, such as intraperitoneal nutrition (IPN). The "burden of proof" has been placed on the dialysis community. In response, we must continue to emphasize the importance of securing nutritional health for all patients on or anticipating renal replacement therapy. Intradialytic parenteral nutrition should be reserved for patients who are taking in sufficient calories yet are unable to tolerate oral or enteral protein-rich foods or formulas designed to meet daily protein requirements (≥1.5 g/kg in some patients). Intradialytic parenteral nutrition should not be prescribed in place of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) if the latter is truly needed. Creative methods of nutrition support, including the use of dietary supplements at dialysis (intradialytic oral or enteral nutrition), should be explored. Prospective clinical trials investigating the effects of nutrition support on survival, hospitalization rates, health-related quality of life, and functional status, are urgently needed.