cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of stream characteristics in glacial versus fluvial process domains in the Colorado Front Range

Abstract Many of the conceptual models developed for river networks emphasize progressive downstream trends in morphology and processes. Such models can fall short in describing the longitudinal variability associated with low-order streams. A more thorough understanding of the influence of local variability of process and form in low-order stream channels is required to remotely and accurately predict channel geometry characteristics for management purposes, and in this context designating process domains is useful. We define process domains with respect to glacial versus fluvial valleys and lateral confinement of valley segments. We evaluated local variability of process domains in the Colorado Front Range by systematically following streams, categorizing them into stream morphologic type and process domain, and evaluating a number of channel geometry characteristics. We evaluated 111 stream reaches for significant differences in channel geometry among stream types and process domains, location and clustering of stream types on a slope–drainage area ( S – A ) plot and downstream hydraulic geometry relationships. Although individual channel geometry variables differed significantly between individual stream types in glacial and fluvial process domains, no single channel geometry variable consistently differentiated all stream types between process domains. Hypothetical S – A boundaries between bedrock- and alluvial-bed channels proposed in previous studies did not reliably divide bedrock and alluvial reaches for our study sites. Although downstream hydraulic geometry relationships are well-defined using all reaches in the study area, reaches in glacial valleys display much more variability in channel geometry characteristics than reaches in fluvial valleys, less pronounced downstream hydraulic geometry relationships, and greater scatter of reaches on an S – A plot. Local spatial variability associated with process domains at the reach scale (10 1 –10 3 m) overrides progressive downstream relationships in low-order mountain streams of the Colorado Front Range.
Development and performance analysis of new spade bit designs

The purpose of this work is to present the development and experimental performance assessment of a new generation of spade drill bits. Rigorous point geometry and drilling force models that describe the topology of the drill and its cutting behaviour have guided the development of these new drills with unique topological features. It is shown, both analytically through simulations and through a systematic experimental study, that the performance of the newly developed topologies exceeds that of the commercially available designs. The new spade bits yield lower thrust and torque over the whole range of pragmatic operating conditions.
Characterization of Purine Receptors in Fetal Lamb Pulmonary Circulation

Background: We previously reported that activation of purine receptors in fetal pulmonary circulation by adenosine and ATP plays a major role in pulmonary vasodilation that occurs at birth (Ped Res 33:533-539, 1993). The purine receptors are widely distributed in several tissues and occur in several different subtypes. The biological effects of their stimulation vary with the subtype involved. The adenosine (P1) receptors are classified as A1, A2 and A3 and ATP-sensitive P2 receptors are classified as P2x, P2y and P2z. The current studies are undertaken to identify the specific receptor subtypes that mediate the pulmonary vasodilator effects of adenosine and ATP in fetal lambs. Methods: Eight fetal lambs were instrumented at 124 days of gestation (term 145 days) to measure pulmonary and systemic pressures, pulmonary flow (QP) and resistance (PVR) and studied after a 3 day recovery. The effects of following adenosine analogues were studied - CPA (A1 selective) in doses of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg, CV 1808 (A2 selective) and NECA(A1 and A2) in doses of 0.05, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg. Studies were repeated after treatment of animals with 5 mg of A1 antagonist DPCPX or 10 mg of A2 antagonist MDPX. For ATP-sensitive P2 receptors, we investigated the effects of P2x agonist, L-AMP PCP in doses of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg and P2x and P2y agonist ATP in doses of 0.05-2 mg/min. The studies were repeated after treatment with 25 mg of suramin, an antagonist of P2x and P2y receptors, or 15 mg of cibacron blue, an antagonist of P2y receptors. Results: CPA caused a decrease in heart rate from 204±29 to 134±26 at 0.1 mg and 99±26 at 0.2 mg dose. CPA did not change QP or PVR. The effect of CPA on heart rate was abolished by DPCPX but not by MDPX. These data indicate that CPA causes A1 activation and DPCPX is a selective A1 antagonist in this model. Both CV1808 and NECA caused increases in QP and decrease in PVR at 0.5, 1 and 2 mg doses. These effects were attenuated by A2 antagonist MDPX. CV1808 and NECA did not alter the heart rate. ATP caused a significant increase in QP and decrease in PVR at 0.2-2 mg/kg/min doses, whereas L-AMP PCP had no effect on QP and PVR. Cibacron blue, but not suramine attenuated the vasodilator effects of ATP. Conclusion: Adenosine and ATP cause pulmonary vasodilation in fetal lambs by activation of A2 and P2y receptors, respectively. These receptors are functional and active in pulmonary circulation of fetal lambs at 124 days of gestation.
Osmotic and activity coefficients of perrhenic acid and perrhenate salts

Osmotic and activity coefficients are reported for the aqueous solution of perrhenic acid and for its lithium, sodium and tetramethylguanidinium slats at 25°C. These coefficients are similar in order of magnitude but smaller than the coefficients of the corresponding perchorates. Evidence is submitted for the ion pairing of the perrhenate ion with both hydronium and tetramethylguanidinium ions in fairly dilute aqueous solutions. The association with hydronium ion decreases in more concentrated solutions.
High-Throughput Sample Preparation for the Quantitation of Acephate, Methamidophos, Omethoate, Dimethoate, Ethylenethiourea, and Propylenethiourea in Human Urine Using 96-Well–Plate Automated Extraction and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Acephate, methamidophos, o-methoate, and dimethoate are organophosphorus pesticides, and ethylenethiouria and propylenethiourea are two metabolites from the bisdithiocarbamate fungicide family. They are some of the most widely used pesticides and fungicides in agriculture both domestically and abroad. The existing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)–tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) method for the measurement of these compounds in human urine was improved by using a 96-well plate format sample preparation; the use of HPLC-MS/MS was comparable with a concentration range of 0.125 to 50 ng/ml. Deuterium-labeled acephate, ethylenethiouria, and methamidophos were used as internal standards. The sample preparation procedure, in the 96-well format with a 0.8-ml urine sample size, uses lyophilization of samples, followed by extraction with dichloromethane. The analytes were chromatographed on a Zorbax SB-C3 (4.6 × 150 mm, 5.0-μm) column with gradient elution by using 0.1% formic acid in aqueous solution (solvent A) and 0.1% formic acid in methanol (solvent B) mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. Quantitative analysis was performed by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source in positive ion mode using multiple-reaction monitoring of the precursor-to-product ion pairs for the analytes on a TSQ Quantum Ultra HPLC-MS/MS. Repeated analyses of urine samples spiked with high (15 ng/ml), medium (5 ng/ml), and low (1 ng/ml) concentrations of the analytes gave relative SDs of <13%. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.004–0.01 ng/ml. The method also has high accuracy, high precision, and excellent extraction recovery. Furthermore, the improved sample preparation method decreased the cost and labor required while effectively doubling the analytic throughput with minimal matrix effect.
What Controls the Mean Depth of the PBL

The depth of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) is a climatologically important quantity that has received little attention on regional to global scales. Here a 10-yr climatology of PBL depth from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) atmospheric GCM is analyzed using the PBL mass budget. Based on the dominant physical processes, several PBL regimes are identified. These regimes tend to exhibit large-scale geographic organization. Locally generated buoyancy fluxes and static stability control PBL depth nearly everywhere, though convective mass flux has a large influence at tropical marine locations. Virtually all geographical variability in PBL depth can be linearly related to these quantities. While dry convective boundary layers dominate over land, stratocumulus-topped boundary layers are most common over ocean. This division of regimes leads to a dramatic land–sea contrast in PBL depth. Diurnal effects keep mean PBL depth over land shallow despite large daytime surface fluxes. The contrast arises because the large daily exchange of heat and mass between the PBL and free atmosphere over land is not present over the ocean, where mixing is accomplished by turbulent entrainment. Consistent treatment of remnant air from the deep, daytime PBL is necessary for proper representation of this diurnal behavior over land. Many locations exhibit seasonal shifts in PBL regime related to changes in PBL clouds. These shifts are controlled by seasonal variations in buoyancy flux and static stability.
Life Before Polls: Ohio Politicians Predict the 1828 Presidential Vote

Candidates covet votes. They exert extraordinary effort and expend vast resources seeking to win as many votes as possible. Yet, the costly pursuit of votes occurs under great uncertainty concerning both the strategic correctness of their positions on issues and the efficiency of their campaigns. Of course, prudent candidates dedicate some resources to learning how voters are responding to their appeals, generally by commissioning polls of public opinion.Candidates' early adoption of scientific survey technology (Converse 1987) and the important role polls play in modern campaigns invite the question of how candidates ever got on without them. Before polls, did public opinion reside on a vast terra incognita on which candidates staked out issue positions oblivious to the whereabouts of the median voter? If so, campaigns must have been riddled with mistakes and inefficiency. John G. Greer (1991) made just this argument in claiming that the absence of accurate information about shifts in the electorate's preferences allowed political parties to be blindsided by what became realigning elections.The historical record offers few clues as to the extent to which nineteenth-century candidates labored under strategic ignorance. Yet, accounts of politicos and pundits alike tallying newspaper endorsements and carefully gauging attendance at campaign rallies do survive. However questionable these indicators' validity, even to contemporaries, they represented some of the few quantifiable barometers of voter sentiment available to that era's politicians. Some candidates kept “their ear to the ground” (a nineteenth-century dictum) by engaging in more active forms of voter research.
Symbolism in Building Materials Self-Presentational and Cognitive Components

The symbolic significance of building materials was used as a vehicle to explore theoretical issues pertaining to environmental symbolism. Four studies assessed the meaning and social symbolism inherent in six construction materials: brick, concrete block, weathered wood, stucco, flagstone, and wooden shingles. Data from the first two studies supported a symbolic interactionist analysis of material symbolism. The presence of different materials on the exterior of homes conveyed information about the social identity of the homeowner on three orthogonal dimensions: creative expression, interpersonal style, and social class. The final two studies explored cognitive mechanisms underpinning such symbolism. Results indicated that each building material was associated with a unique character or "personality" that became attributed to the homeowner only when the homeowner actively chose the material. Building materials may be regarded as having both intrinsic meanings and culturally relative meanings that homeown...
A Probabilistic Substructure-Based Approach for Graph Classification

Graph classification is an important data mining task that has attracted considerable attention recently. This paper presents a probabilistic substructure-based approach for classifying graph-based data. More specifically, we use a frequent subgraph mining algorithm to extract substructure based descriptors and apply the maximum entropy principle to build a classification model from the frequent subgraphs. We perform extensive experiments to compare the performance of the proposed approach against existing feature vector methods using AdaBoost and support vector machine.
Can We Afford to Be Complacent About Teens' Use of Condoms?

This editorial reports on the recent plateauing and possible reversal of the improvements for teen sexual risk taking behavior made over the past several decades. It offers potential strategies to get teens back on track with their condom use as well as compares the United States’ condom use among teens to other developed countries.
Adapting the Clean Deconvolver and Clean Detector to Doppler Uncertainty

This paper extends the author's work on the CLEAN algorithm. In the previous paper the author develops the CLEAN Deconvolver and CLEAN Detector that each has their optimality claims. In this paper the CLEAN Deconvolver and the CLEAN Detector are extended to the situation of unknown Doppler. Results presented show that good performance can still be achieved when the Doppler is unknown.
Investigation of residents' health literacy status and its risk factors in Jiangsu Province of China.

Health literacy has become an important public health concern. Multistage cluster random sampling was used to select 12 450 individuals. Using the 2009 Chinese Health Literacy questionnaire, participants were divided into groups with poor or not poor health literacy status. The knowledge rates for 6 areas of health literacy were determined with the following results: science concept of health (60.0%), literacy for preventing acute infectious disease (66.8%), literacy for preventing noncommunicable chronic disease (51.9%), safety and first aid (66.8%), obtaining and making use of basic medical care (55.3%), and comprehensive health literacy (52.5%). Multiple logistic regression showed that living in a rural area, fewer individuals in a household, younger age, low education, agricultural or rural migrant occupation workers, and low family income were associated with a poor health literacy status. Our results support the use of health education and promotion interventions to improve health literacy in this h...
Receptive Field Inference with Localized Priors

The linear receptive field describes a mapping from sensory stimuli to a one-dimensional variable governing a neuron's spike response. However, traditional receptive field estimators such as the spike-triggered average converge slowly and often require large amounts of data. Bayesian methods seek to overcome this problem by biasing estimates towards solutions that are more likely a priori, typically those with small, smooth, or sparse coefficients. Here we introduce a novel Bayesian receptive field estimator designed to incorporate locality, a powerful form of prior information about receptive field structure. The key to our approach is a hierarchical receptive field model that flexibly adapts to localized structure in both spacetime and spatiotemporal frequency, using an inference method known as empirical Bayes. We refer to our method as automatic locality determination (ALD), and show that it can accurately recover various types of smooth, sparse, and localized receptive fields. We apply ALD to neural data from retinal ganglion cells and V1 simple cells, and find it achieves error rates several times lower than standard estimators. Thus, estimates of comparable accuracy can be achieved with substantially less data. Finally, we introduce a computationally efficient Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm for fully Bayesian inference under the ALD prior, yielding accurate Bayesian confidence intervals for small or noisy datasets.
Why Learn a Foreign Language

Even when the learner doesn't reach expert levels, the value of learning a foreign language should not be underestimated.
Regulating web tension in tape systems with time-varying radii

A tape system is time-varying as tape winds from one reel to the other. The variations in reel radii consist of two components: the nominal reel radii change due to tape winding and the reel eccentricities as a result of non-circular reels. These variations introduce disturbances in the tape tension. This paper presents a feedforward control that addresses the time-varying reel radius to regulate the tension. The algorithm is based on the fact that the change of the nominal radius is slow and hence the nominal plant in two consecutive revolutions can be considered as the same. The reel eccentricity disturbance is then repetitive in these two revolutions. We investigate the tension error in the previous revolution and calculate the compensation input that should have cancelled it. The compensation input is interpolated properly and then fed forward to the system in the current revolution. A new compensation input sequence is computed for the immediately following revolution. This computation pattern continues until the end of the tape winding process. Simulation results demonstrate and compare the performance of the proposed algorithm with other recently developed methods.
Influence of Random Geometry on Effective Properties and Damage Formation In Composite Materials

The authors study the effective moduli and damage formation in out-of-plane elasticity (i.e., two-dimensional conductivity) of matrix-inclusion composite materials with either randomly or periodically distributed inclusions (fibers). In this paper, they focus their attention on composites with isotropic phases, both of which have elastic-brittle response in damage. The elastic-brittle behavior is modeled with the help of a fine mesh finite-difference system, whereby damage evolution is simulated by sequentially removing/breaking bonds in this lattice in accordance with the state of stress/strain concentrations. The composite systems are specified by two parameters: stiffness ratio and strength ratio of both phases. In particular, the authors investigate the following aspects: basic classification of effective constitutive responses, geometric patterns of damage, varying degrees of randomness of the inclusions' arrangements, and mesh resolutions of continuum phases.
The Impact of Juvenile Justice Reforms in India

This article examines changes in the juvenile justice system after passage of the comprehensive Juvenile Justice Act (1986) and the impact those changes have had on juvenile offenders in India. Specifically, this study examines how changes in the juvenile justice system impacted the types of cases brought before the juvenile courts and the types of dispositions imposed on delinquent children. Data were collected from court records in the Southern state of Tamil Nadu, India, from January 1983 to November 1997.
A blended online curriculum in the basic surgery clerkship: a pilot study.

Abstract Background A “lectures plus clinical experiences” curriculum for surgical clerkships has significant faculty demand. A less faculty-intense blended online curriculum (BOC) could provide similar/improved academic performance compared with traditional curricula (TCs). Methods Following an initial pilot study, students in the surgery clerkship at Johns Hopkins during 2013 to 2014 experienced a BOC (n = 129). Students the preceding year (2012 to 2013) experienced the TC (n = 108). Performance and satisfaction were compared between groups using clinical evaluations, National Board of Medical Examiners examination scores, and clerkship evaluations. Results No significant differences in academic performance between BOC and TC students were observed on National Board of Medical Examiners examination or clinical evaluation scores. After multivariable adjustment, student year was the only significant predictor of student performance. Clerkship teaching ratings were higher for BOC students than TC students (4.25/5 vs 3.98/5, P = .03). Conclusions BOC incorporation in the basic surgery clerkship resulted in noninferior academic outcomes and significantly improved student satisfaction.
Damage tolerance and cotyledonary resource use in the tropical tree Gustavia superba

Explanations for the extremely large seed size of some tropical forest plants are currently lacking. In this study we examine cotyledonary resource use of the tropical tree Gustavia superba, and test whether tolerance to damage of either seeds or establishing seedlings might be an important function leading to, or maintaining, its large ( > 5 g) seed reserves. We found that seeds of Gustavia were both tolerant of insect infestation and were also capable of successful germination after removal of half of their cotyledonary reserves. Simulated complete above-ground herbivory resulted in repeated resprouting (up to 8 times). Resprout shoots were constructed of a small, but fixed proportion of remaining cotyledonary mass regardless of seed size. In the absence of damage, cotyledon reserves were used for onward seedling growth: however, conversion of cotyledon resources was slow, lasting several months. Given high rates of damage to Gustavia seeds and seedlings in the field, and the apparent use of cotyledonary reserves to tolerate or recover from it in growing house experiments, we conclude that cotyledonary seed size and morphology in this species is adaptive in surviving pre- and early post-germination hazards.
Promoting human factors psychology thinking through design assignments

This article describes an assignment for use in courses covering human factors psychology. The assignment requires students to identify a poorly designed object they encounter in their daily lives and to suggest an alternative design that would be more effective and user-friendly. This exercise allows students to experience the type of thinking and decision making involved in human factors psychology. Students prove to be creative with their designs, and they evaluate the assignments favorably.
A Geometric Approach to Improve Interference Mitigation in Multi-User Detection and Equalization

We apply maximal asymptotic conditional efficiency joint successive interference cancellation (MACE-JSIC) to frequency-selective channel equalization and propose improvements that extend MACE-JSIC detection to the broader paradigm of time-varying and imprecisely known communication systems. The need for expensive redesign to include any change in the interfering signals is a fundamental limitation of MACE-JSIC detection despite its high performance and low detection complexity. In this work, we derive sufficiency criteria that reduce maximum asymptotic efficiency (MAE) detection to low-complexity decorrelation and exploit this relationship to extend the MACE-JSIC approach to time-varying communication systems. Simulations on several multi-user systems and frequency-selective channels demonstrate that the performance of the proposed detectors is consistent with theoretical expectations.
A Spatially Autoregressive Median Voter Model of Recreation Expenditures

This article presents a median voter model to explain the expenditures on recreation by local governments. The authors show that when the benefits of a public good provided by one community can spill over to members of other communities the correct empirical specification is a spatially autoregressive econometric model With respect to local recreation, it was found that communities with relatively high incomes and air pollution spend relatively less on provision.
A Fortran code for solving the Kadanoff-Baym equations for a homogeneous fermion system

Abstract A Fortran code for solving the Kadanoff–Baym equations for a homogeneous fermion system is presented. These are a class of quantum kinetic equations the solutions of which are two-time Green (correlation) functions, which carry both statistical (orbital occupation distributions) and dynamical (orbital energies and widths) information about the system away from equilibrium. In this program, the system's initial state is assumed to be uncorrelated. As examples of applications, two separate situations involving equilibration (thermalization) are considered: the first one models an electron plasma in an excited semiconductor, and the other models nuclear heavy-ion collisions. The most time-consuming part of the program is the computation of the convolutions of various combinations of the Green functions. This task is efficiently performed by the use of Fast Fourier Transform. As summary output, the particle density, energy densities, and the quadrupole moment of the distribution are displayed. The program can easily be modified such that the user may use any initial distribution of fermions.
Selective removal of arsenate from drinking water using a polymeric ligand exchanger

Abstract The new maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 μg/L for arsenic in the US drinking water will take effect on January 22, 2006. The compliance cost is estimated to be ∼$ 600 million per year using current treatment technologies. This research aims to develop an innovative ion exchange process that may help water utilities comply with the new MCL in a more cost-effective manner. A polymeric ligand exchanger (PLE) was prepared by loading Cu2+ to a commercially available chelating ion exchange resin. Results from batch and column experiments indicated that the PLE offered unusually high selectivity for arsenate over other ubiquitous anions such as sulfate, bicarbonate and chloride. The average binary arsenate/sulfate separation factor for the PLE was determined to be 12, which were over two orders of magnitude greater than that (0.1–0.2) for commercial strong-base anion (SBA) exchangers. Because of the enhanced arsenate selectivity, the PLE was able to treat ∼10 times more bed volumes (BVs) of water than commonly used SBA resins. The PLE can operate optimally in the neutral pH range (6.0–8.0). The exhausted PLE can be regenerated highly efficiently. More than 95% arsenate capacity can be recovered using ∼22 BVs of 4% (w/w) NaCl at pH 9.1, and the regenerated PLE can be reused without any capacity drop. Upon treatment using FeCl3, the spent brine was recovered and reused for regeneration, which may cut down the regenerant need and reduces the volume of process waste residuals. The PLE can be used as a highly selective and reusable sorbent for removal of arsenate from drinking water.
Vector-Matrix Algebra and the State-Space Representation of Dynamic Systems

An alternative to deriving a high-order differential system equation is to represent the system as a set of simultaneous first-order differential equations of the system’s state variables, which are its energy storage variables. This is known as state-space. State equations are solved numerically, using finite difference approximations. They can also be solved using Laplace transformations to yield transfer functions. State-space has three advantages. It is much easier to derive a set of state equations than the corresponding high-order differential equation. It is also easy to include non-linear properties, since the solution uses numerical methods. Finally, state-space is the basis of Modern Control theory, which enables the control designer to arbitrarily tailor the response of a system, within the physical limitations of the hardware.
Constraining gravity at the largest scales through CMB lensing and galaxy velocities

We demonstrate a new method to constrain gravity on the largest cosmological scales by combining measurements of cosmic microwave background (CMB) lensing and the galaxy velocity field. $E_G$ is a statistic, constructed from a gravitational lensing tracer and a measure of velocities such as redshift-space distortions (RSD), that can discriminate between gravity models while being independent of clustering bias and $\sigma_8$. While traditionally, the lensing field for $E_G$ has been probed through galaxy lensing, CMB lensing has been proposed as a more robust tracer of the lensing field for $E_G$ at higher redshifts while avoiding intrinsic alignments. We perform the largest-scale measurement of $E_G$ ever, up to 150 Mpc/$h$, by cross-correlating the Planck CMB lensing map with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey III (SDSS-III) CMASS galaxy sample and combining this with our measurement of the CMASS auto-power spectrum and the RSD parameter $\beta$. We report $E_G(z=0.57)=0.243\pm0.060$ (stat) $\pm0.013$ (sys), a measurement in tension with the general relativity prediction at a level of 2.6$\sigma$. Note that our $E_G$ measurement deviates from GR only at scales greater than 80 Mpc/$h$, scales which have not been probed by previous $E_G$ tests. Upcoming surveys, which will provide an order-of-magnitude reduction in statistical errors, can significantly constrain alternative gravity models when combined with better control of systematics.
The Impact of Adaptive Design on Portfolio Optimization

Background:Pharmaceutical portfolios are optimized by improved allocation of a fixed budget into individual trials that leads to an improved value of a portfolio. This paper investigates how flexib...
Building an information model (with the help of PSL/PSA)

Problem Statement Language/Problem Statement Analyzer (PSL/PSA) applications, which were once a one-step process in which product system information was immediately translated into PSL statements, have in light of experience been shown to result in inconsistent representations. These shortcomings have prompted the development of an intermediate step, designated the Product System Information Model (PSIM), which provides a basis for the mutual understanding of customer terminology and the formal, conceptual representation of that product system in a PSA data base. The PSIM is initially captured as a paper diagram, followed by formal capture in the PSL/PSA data base.
Chemical Stability of Advanced Metal Gate and Ultra-thin Gate Dielectric Interface During Rapid Thermal Annealing

The chemical stability of the compound metals TiN x and WN x on SiO 2 and SiO 2 /Si 3 N 4 (ON) dielectric stacks is studied by on-line Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) following sequential rapid thermal annealing treatments of 15 - 180 s up to 850 °C. The TiN x /SiO 2 interface reacts at 850 °C and the reaction is kinetics driven. The TiN x /Si 3 N 4 interface is more stable than TiN x /SiO 2 even after a 180 s anneal at 850 °C. WN x is stable below 650 °C both on SiO 2 and Si 3 N 4 , but above this temperature the film changes, possibly due to crystallization or interdiffusion. The changes in the WNx film are not controlled by kinetics. The compound metals are chemically more stable at elevated temperatures than pure Ti or W on SiO 2 .
A model of integrated health care in a poverty-impacted community in New York City: Importance of early detection and addressing potential barriers to intervention implementation

Disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs) are chronic, impairing, and costly behavioral health conditions that are four times more prevalent among children of color living in impoverished communities as compared to the general population. This disparity is largely due to the increased exposure to stressors related to low socioeconomic status including community violence, unstable housing, under supported schools, substance abuse, and limited support systems. However, despite high rates and greater need, there is a considerably lower rate of mental health service utilization among these youth. Accordingly, the current study aims to describe a unique model of integrated health care for ethnically diverse youth living in a New York City borough. With an emphasis on addressing possible barriers to implementation, integrated models for children have the potential to prevent ongoing mental health problems through early detection and intervention.
The Origins of Millet Agriculture in North China from the Evidences on the Grinding Stones at Locality S9 of Shizitan Paleolithic Site in Shanxi Province

Shizitan Site is one of the Later Upper Paleolithic sites located along the middle Yellow River.The grinding stones were uncovered in the Layer 4 dated to ca.12756-11350 cal BP at Locality S9 of Shzitan Site.The residue and use-wear analysis showed that the grinding stones were of multi-functions for wild plants processing,pigments and ornaments grinding.According to the increasing proportion of grass subfamily Panicoideae in the identified starch grains and enhancing trend for semi-sedentary evidenced from the grinding stones,the intensive use of wild cereals had been undergoing at Locality S9.The Shizitan Site has been in the very earliest stage of origins of millet agriculture in North China.
Adaptive Semi-Fragile Digital Watermarking Algorithm

Presents an adaptive semi-fragile digital watermarking algorithm,which is based on the image of the relevant and human visual system.For the middle and low frequency image information,the algorithm adaptive adjusts gray-value of middle pixel and changes gray-value differential of both ends to embed the digital watermarking by using improved low-pass filter.The experiment shows that the algorithm can resist against all levels JPEG compression,and has sensitivity and precise localization for tamper detection such as image of cut,additive noise or extrusion etc.
Stabilization Operations, Security and Development

This edited volume, part of a series on emerging patterns in conflict, development and peacebuilding, should be of interest to scholars, policymakers, diplomats and practitioners. The book offers a...
E-098 histopathological and hemodynamic assessment of the cerebral arteriovenous malformation nidus

Introduction/purpose The geometry and organization of intranidal vessels that underlie flow within cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM) have not been clearly elucidated. Here, we examine the relationship between intranidal artery characteristics and AVM flow rate. Materials and methods Records of patients with cerebral AVMs evaluated at our institution between 2007–2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were included if a surgical specimen of the nidus was available and if flows were obtained before treatment using quantitative magnetic resonance angiography. Specimens were mounted on slides and stained with hematoxylin and eosin as well as with elastic special stain. Intranidal arteries were identified and the diameter and cross-sectional area of each artery were measured from digitized images of the slides. The total area of the slide studied and magnification used was the same for each patient. Total AVM flow was estimated as aggregate flow within primary arterial feeders or flow in single draining veins. AVM volume was determined from digital subtraction angiography. The relationship between vessel diameter, vessel cross-sectional area, AVM volume, and AVM flow was assessed. Results 29 patients were included. Cohort characteristics are summarized in Table 1. Mean total number of arteries per specimen was 133. Mean total AVM flow was 340 ± 276 mL/min. Mean vessel diameter ranged from 0.18–2.37 mm and mean vessel cross-sectional area ranged from 0.09–9.46 mm 2 . Linear regression analysis showed that total flow is significantly associated with larger AVM volume (R 2 = 0.28, P = 0 .007), but not with the number of arteries per section of the specimen ( P = 0 .20) or mean vessel diameter ( P = 0 .92). Exponential regression analysis demonstrated that AVM flow is significantly correlated to the sum of the cross-sectional areas within each specimen (R 2 = 0.16, P = 0 .05) (Figure 1). Conclusion Total AVM flow is significantly related to the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all arteries within each nidus, rather than to the total number of arteries or mean nidal vessel diameter. This finding suggests that the sum of the cross-sectional areas of intranidal arteries likely determines the permeability of the cerebral AVM nidus. Disclosures S. Shakur: None. T. Valyi-Nagy: None. S. Amin-Hanjani: None. L. Ya9qoub: None. V. Aletich: None. F. Charbel: None. A. Alaraj: None.
Adoption of Cotton Biotechnology in the United States: Implications for Impact Assessment

By most measures, adoption of first-generation crop agrobiotechnologies in the United States and elsewhere has been extremely fast (James, 2001). Yet, only modest research effort has been devoted to understanding why producers in different parts of the world have adopted these technologies at such rapid rates. Indeed, one can find only a handful of published studies that have formally modelled and tested producer behavior in the adoption of first-generation crop biotechnologies (as in Marra et al., 2001). Instead, there has been more interest in measuring the impacts of agrobiotechnologies and their distribution both at the farm-level (e.g., see Marra, 2001, for a review of farm-level impact assessment studies) and at an aggregate level (Falck-Zepeda et al., 2000; Traxler & Falck-Zepeda, 1999; Moschini et al., 2000; Frisvold & Tronstad, chapter 14 in this volume).
Circadian Systems: Entrainment

The circadian rhythmicity of eukaroytic organisms is dictated by an innate program that specifies the time course through the day of many aspects of metabolism and behavior. The programmed sequence of events in each cycle of the rhythm has been evolved to parallel the sequence of predictable change (physical and biological) in the course of the day-outside: it constitutes an appropriate day-within. It is a characteristic, almost defining, feature of these circadian programs that their time course is stabilized with almost clocklike precision to parallel the stable time course of the environmental day. There is equally clear functional significance to the program’s being driven by a self-sustaining oscillator; thus, the program is subject to entrainment by one or more of the external cycles whose period it closely approximates. It is this entrainability that provides for proper phasing of the program to the sequence of external changes that it has been evolved to cope with and exploit.
Senescence in Wild Populations of Mammals and Birds

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews research undertaken to understand senescence in birds and mammals in the wild. Increasing age-specific mortality in adulthood is widely used as the gold standard of senescence, both in natural and in laboratory populations. Both reproductive and survival senescence can be difficult to detect in the presence of infectious disease. The relationship between senescence and disease is complex. Decreased reproductive performance near the very end of life might as easily reflect infectious status as senescence per se. A potentially useful way of envisioning demographic senescence is to assess the maintenance of adaptive tradeoffs between reproduction and somatic survival as they occur in young adults. Senescence could potentially be seen as well in reduced ability to provide nourishment to offspring. Mammary glands themselves may senesce because of a decreasing replicative capacity of mammary epithelial cells with age. The ability to defend a territory declines with age in a number of species. In small passerine birds, the great tit, male territory size increases until 4 years of age and then decreases from 5 years throughout the rest of life.
Pre- and post- evaluation of students interest on multinational projects based on class standing and gender

Multinational engineering design projects have been implemented at various academic institutions in order to offer their students exposure to the issues present when work needs to be carried out globally. Such implementation tries to emulate the environment that actually exists in many engineering projects being done nowadays in practice. These experiences is something that academic institutions needs to include and emphasize in their programs, and is gaining acceptance at a variety of colleges and universities worldwide. The importance of such activities is something that students need to be aware because of its benefit, and students should be motivated to participate. The main goal of this study is to determine the level of interest by engineering students participating in a multinational collaborative design project, and to make a comparison of such indicator at the start and at the end of their participation. Such comparison is as a group of students, and as well based on class standing and gender. For this purpose, a survey based on the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) was administered to the students, and data collected provides information on the level of interest or enjoyment that they declare. This interest construct provide an indication of the students’ interests, beliefs, and feelings about the international project that reflect their level of motivation to undertake such task. The results of the comparison indicate the need to define intervention that result in more uniform level of interest by students.
Optimization of biologic therapy in Crohn's disease.

Introduction: Crohn’s disease (CD) is a manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which can result in significant morbidity. Biologic therapy with anti-TNF medication has been effective in...
Zero-nonzero patterns of order n ≥ 4 do not require Hn⁎

Abstract In [1] , the set of refined inertias H n for sign patterns is expanded to H n ⁎ for zero-nonzero patterns. Also, it is proved that there are no zero-nonzero patterns of even order 2m that require H 2 m ⁎ . In this paper, it is shown that there are no zero-nonzero patterns of odd order n ≥ 5 that require H n ⁎ , which together with the previous result prove that there are no zero-nonzero patterns of order n ≥ 4 that require H n ⁎ .
Imaging features of leadless cardiovascular devices

Cardiovascular devices and hemodynamic monitoring systems continue to evolve with the goal of allowing for rapid clinical intervention and management. Cardiovascular devices including the CardioMicroelectromechanical (CardioMEMS) device, implantable loop recorder, and right ventricular (RV) leadless pacemaker are now widely used for treatment and monitoring of advanced cardiac conditions, as many of these devices have been shown to significantly improve patient outcomes. Additionally, hemodynamic monitoring devices have shown utility in monitoring patients with aortic aneurysms after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for early detection of Type I and Type II endoleaks. There is limited published data regarding the imaging features of these devices. As these devices become more widely used, it is important for radiologists to become familiar with the normal imaging features and potential complications. The goal of this review is to summarize the data regarding the use of leadless cardiovascular devices including the CardioMEMS device, implantable loop recorder, and RV leadless pacemaker, and to present cases demonstrating their utility and normal imaging features.
The Meaning and Measurement of Guilt

Mosher presents a comprehensive review of the literature on the objective measurement of guilt. Much of this work has been done by Mosher and his colleagues, and their work has culminated not only in the successful measurement of guilt but in well-differentiated and relatively independent scales for measuring sex-guilt, hostility-guilt, and moral-guilt. By beginning his project on the measurement of guilt with an incomplete-sentences test, Mosher anchored his test items in the language and phenomenology of a broad sample of individuals.
Impact of the ACA’s Dependent Coverage Mandate on Health Insurance and Labor Market Outcomes Among Young Adults: Evidence from Regression Discontinuity Design

This paper identifies the effect of the Affordable Care Act’s dependent coverage mandate on health insurance coverage and labor market outcomes among young adults by exploiting the discrete change in health insurance coverage at age 26. Using a regression discontinuity design, we find that aging out from the ACA’s dependent coverage mandate is associated with up to a 4.2-percentage-point decrease in private insurance coverage at age 26. We also find that aging out from the mandate is significantly associated with an increase in the probability of being employed. However, we do not find any significant changes in hourly wage, weekly working hours or job mobility at age 26.
Rates and Correlates of Depression Symptoms in a Sample of Pregnant Veterans Receiving Veterans Health Administration Care.

Abstract Background Depression is the most commonly diagnosed medical condition among women veterans ages 18 to 44; however, depression symptoms occurring during pregnancy have not been well-studied in this population. Methods Pregnant veterans were recruited from 15 Veterans Health Administration sites across the United States; our sample included 501 participants. Sociodemographic characteristics, military service, health status, and pregnancy related factors, as well as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), were collected as part of a telephone survey. Additional data were obtained from electronic health record data. We used multivariable logistic regression models to examine factors associated with an EPDS score suggestive of clinically significant depressive symptoms (≥10). Findings Prenatal EPDS scores of 10 or greater were calculated for 28% of our sample. Our final model indicated that factors associated with decreased odds of an EPDS score of 10 or greater included spousal or partner support during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16–0.77) and employment (aOR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.24–0.67). A past diagnosis of anxiety (aOR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.43–4.50), past antidepressant use (aOR, 3.27; 95% CI, 1.71–6.24), and active duty service (aOR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.08–3.37) were associated with increased odds of having an EPDS score of 10 or greater. Conclusions This is the first quantitative estimate of depression symptoms in pregnant veterans across multiple Veterans Affairs facilities. The prevalence of depression symptomology was greater than the high end of prevalence estimates in the general pregnant population. Given that the risk of depression increases during the postpartum period, women who can be identified with depressive symptomatology during pregnancy can be offered critical resources and support before giving birth.