cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nano-CT Characterization of Structural Voids and Air Bubbles in Fused Deposition Modeling for Additive Manufacturing

The build quality of fused deposition modeling (FDM) parts depends on many build parameters, such as toolpath and temperature. Destructive material testing methods are widely used to examine FDM parts with different build parameters. The optimization of build parameters relies on methods of experimental design and extensive material testing. However, this approach mainly considers the bulk properties of the FDM part, without fully understanding the effect of each parameter on the build quality. This study presents a method to investigate the integrity of FDM parts using nano-focus computed tomography (NanoCT). A solid filled ULTEM sample was built and underwent NanoCT scan. The three dimensional geometry of this sample was reconstructed. Structural voids and bubbles inside the sample were also identified and quantified. The volume of this solid filled sample consists of 11.9% structural voids and bubbles. Air bubbles are further categorized into internal bubbles (bubbles inside the deposited fibers) and necking bubbles (bubbles at the bonding region of two adjacent fibers). While structural voids can be predicted according to toolpath, layer thickness, and extruder diameter, the occurrence of air bubbles are unexpected and can compromise the integrity of the built parts. NanoCT offers a non-destructive way to inspect the integrity of FDM parts. NanoCT can also be used to study three dimensional meso-structure and correlate that with build parameters. This will provide insightful information for further studying the FDM process and help to predict material strengths and to improve the part quality.© 2015 ASME
MTHFR C677T Polymorphism Rapidly Detected with Direct Amplif ication Protocol in Peripheral Blood Samples

[Objective] To examine the frequency distribution of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR)C677T polymorphisms in Huaian Han population and to evaluate the application of Direct Amplification Protocol for detecting genetic polymorphisms in population. [Methods] Polymorphisms of MTHFR C677T in 205 Huaian Han healthy volunteers was detected with Direct Amplification Protocol and RFLP technique,respectively. The frequency of MTHFR C677T gene types was compared with other Han population data from different areas in China. [Results] There was high consistency of MTHFR C677T polymorphisms between the method with blood sample and with genomic DNA(Kappa=0.946,95%CI 0.906~0.985). The frequencies of the C/C,C/T and T/T genotypes in the subjects were 32.68%、46.83% and 20.49% respectively,and the allele frequencies of 677C and 677T were 56.10% and 43.90% respectively. The analysis of MTHFR 677T allele frequency with Han population in other nine different areas in China showed the distribution of MTHFR 677T was decreased with geographical latitude (P=0.001). [Conclusion] The frequency of the genetic polymorphisms of MTHFR C677T in Chinese Han populations from different areas depends on geographical latitude. The MTHFR C677T distribution of Huaian Han population group is consistent with the model of population groups with the latitude range between N30° and N35°. Direct Amplification Protocol in peripheral blood samples is a good system of direct PCR amplification with blood sample for rapid identification of genetic polymorphisms.
MEMR: a margin equipped monotone retargeting framework for ranking

We bring to bear the tools of convexity, margins and the newly proposed technique of monotone retargeting upon the task of learning permutations from examples. This leads to novel and efficient algorithms with guaranteed prediction performance in the online setting and on global optimality and the rate of convergence in the batch setting. Monotone retargeting efficiently optimizes over all possible monotone transformations as well as the finite dimensional parameters of the model. As a result we obtain an effective algorithm to learn transitive relationships over items. It captures the inherent combinatorial characteristics of the output space yet it has a computational burden not much more than that of a generalized linear model.
The effect of force transmission on the carpus after procedures used to treat Kienböck's disease.

Analytic and experimental methods used for the study of force transmission through the carpus are summarized. Data on the force and pressure distribution under normal wrist conditions and after procedures used to treat Kienbock's disease are reviewed. Potential biomechanical factors causing the disease and possible directions of future studies are discussed.
The natural history of and therapy for perirenal fluid collections following renal transplantation.

AbstractFluid collections following renal transplantation are not rare and may be associated with serious complications. We studied the incidence, clinical features, pathology and treatment outcome of perirenal fluid collections after kidney transplantation. Between January 1977 and June 1985, 386 consecutive renal transplants were performed at our university. All allografts were studied with B- mode ultrasonography together with a renal scan in the immediate post-transplant period, at 6- month intervals or when clinically indicated. Symptomatic fluid collections, those associated with rejection episodes and those containing more than 50 to 100 ml. fluid were aspirated under sonographic control via aseptic techniques. There were 190 fluid collections (49 per cent) observed during followup (2 to 11 years). Of these collections 98 (51 per cent) were estimated to be less than 50 ml. in volume, were clinically insignificant and resulted in no morbidity. A total of 92 collections was aspirated with 1 aspiratio...
Spectral discrimination between NTS explosions and Western United States earthquakes at regional distances

Spectral ratio disciminants are applied to 72 Western United States earthquakes and 64 NTS explosions recorded at four broadband seismic stations surrounding NTS. The ratio of the energy in the 1- to 2- and 6- to 8-Hz bands for Pn, Pg , and Lg is calculated and a simple distance correction applied to the data. The spectral ratio appears to have potential as a disciminant at relatively small magnitudes (3.0 4.5 to 5.0). This may be due to uncertainties in the apparent source-time function for explosions. These complications may be due to changes in the dynamic response of the material in the near-source region as a function of overburden pressure, effects of secondary sources, or to variations in regional phase excitation with depth.
Adaptation to Climate Change for Water Utilities

Anticipated effects of climate change include prolonged heat waves, changes in precipitation patterns (both drought and flooding), frequency and intensity of storms, and sea-level rise. Urban water systems—water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities—are vulnerable to these pressures, which have direct effects on water infrastructure, water resources, and the communities that they serve. This chapter will elaborate on how these pressures affect water utilities and possible adaptation measures that can be taken. It will also direct readers to examples of adaptation measures that have been effective around the world as well as resources for water utilities that can be useful in addressing the potential impacts climate can cause.
Aerosolizable modified-release particles of montelukast improve retention and availability of the drug in the lungs

Montelukast, a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist available as oral tablets, is used as a second-line therapy in asthma. In this study, we sought to enhance the availability of montelukast in the lungs by encapsulating the drug in poly (lactide-co-glycolic acid)-based (PLGA) respirable large porous particles. We determined the oral and lung specific availability of montelukast by assessing metabolic stability of the drug in the lung and liver homogenates, respectively. We similarly measured the oral and inhalational bioavailability by monitoring the pharmacokinetics and disposition of the drug in live animals. After preparing montelukast-loaded particles with various polymers, in the absence or presence of polyethylenimine (PEI-1), we characterized the particles for physical-chemical properties, entrapment efficiency, in vitro release, uptake by alveolar macrophages, deposition in the lungs, and safety after pulmonary administration. When incubated in lung or liver homogenates, the amount of intact drug in the lung homogenates was greater than that in the liver homogenates. Likewise, the extent of montelukast absorption via the lungs was greater than that via the oral route. Compared with smaller non-porous particles, large porous particles (PEI-1) were taken up by the alveolar macrophages at a lesser extent but deposited in the lungs at a greater extent. The levels of injury markers in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), collected from rat lungs treated with PEI-1, were no different from that in BALF collected from saline treated rats. Overall, the retention time and concentration of montelukast in the lungs can be increased by formulating the drug in large porous particles of PLGA.
Active localization of VHF collared animals with aerial robots

Tagging animals with radio devices is a commonly used technique in wildlife and conservation biology. We study the problem of localizing a tagged animal using the audio output of an off-the-shelf receiver mounted on an autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). This problem is motivated by the application of taking pictures of bears to document their interactions with the environment after contact with the radio signal has been established. We make two contributions. (1) Received signal characteristics depend on the environment, device and driver characteristics as well as target/receiver geometry. Due to complex interactions among these factors, directly estimating range or bearing from the signal may not be possible. Instead, we show that given a sufficient step-size, we can use signal characteristics to compare the proximity of two sensing locations with respect to the source. We present a novel model from data collected in field experiments. (2) Based on this model, we also present a local-search algorithm which drives the UAV toward the target. We study the performance of the algorithm in extensive simulations using field measurements. The algorithm has also been implemented on the UAV and tested in preliminary experiments.
Artifacts of the Craniocervical Venous System on MRI

A number of venous artifacts on routine craniocervical MRI or MR venography (MRV) can simulate stenosis or thrombosis. Artifacts limiting the evaluation of the cranial venous vasculature can be related to turbulence (or fast flow), slow or reversed flow, in-plane saturation effects, patient motion, or susceptibility artifact (adjacent to metal or gas), to name a few. The following pages demonstrate such artifacts on routine T1-weighted images (T1WI) and T2-weighted images (T2WI), as well as on 2D time-of-flight (2DTOF) MRV and contrast enhanced MRV (CEMRV), as well as ways to counter artifacts and to exclude or confirm potential abnormalities. Newer techniques utilizing blood-oxygen level dependent (BOLD) imaging and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) have been used for the purposes of high-resolution MRV, but these are not discussed in detail here. It is important to note that the relatively high resolution of postcontrast CT venography (CTV) or dedicated MRV can help distinguish normal structures. In particular, the multiple-pass nature of CTV and its high resolution can be quite helpful in confirming flow abnormalities or normal variations suspected on MRI. MRV is often preferred, however, because of the additional information obtained from evaluation of the brain by MRI, which yields superior information regarding the degree of cerebral edema and infarction, and has higher sensitivity in detecting contrast-enhancing lesions. Also, CTV utilizes radiation, which is not insignificant, particularly in children.
Dimensions of Patient Experience and Overall Satisfaction in Emergency Departments

Objective:To determine the correlation between individual patient experience dimensions and overall patient satisfaction using text-based analysis of subjective comments of patients treated in emer...
Guadalupan Devotion as a Moderator of Psychosocial Stress among Mexican Immigrants in the Rural Southern United States.

This study considers how shared devotion to the Virgin of Guadalupe among Mexican immigrants in rural Mississippi buffers the effects of immigration stress. Rural destinations lacking social services can quickly compound the already stressful experience of immigration. Guadalupe devotion provides a way of coping with the daily life stressors of immigration. We test the hypothesis that high consonance in the cultural model of Guadalupan devotion will moderate the adverse health effects of immigration stress. Results indicate that as exposure to immigration stressors increased, well-being decreased among those with low consonance, while the effect was eliminated in those with high consonance. Findings demonstrate the advantage of expanding research on coping to incorporate complex models that consider religious and secular elements and also illustrate how a master symbol, characterized as a cultural model of coping with limited local distribution, yields health effects dissimilar to the mediation normally associated with consonance. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Selected contact within structured mixing with an application to HIV transmission risk from oral and anal sex

This paper presents a mathematical model of heterogeneous mixing which is designed to explore the effects of partner selection on the transmission patterns of sexually transmitted diseases. The model generates a symmetric matrix of the rate of sexual contacts between individuals categorized into discrete population subgroups. Sexual pairing results from a process with three separate stages: 1) social contact, 2) acceptance as a potential sex partner, and 3) initiation of sex in response to the needs and standards of each partner. This model can define the contact pattern within any single activity group of the structured mixing model presented by Jacquez et al (1989) in this volume. In such a formulation, the rate of new sexual partnership formation is determined by the number of available partners as well as by sexual needs and moral standards and can vary throughout the course of an epidemic. This approach provides a framework for exploring the potential consequences on infectious disease transmission of different sociological factors while at the same time providing a framework for testing specific sociological theory. We present an example of an epidemic in a male homosexual population where all sexual partnerships are short term. The parameters relating the acceptance of one group by another as potential sexual partners vary by the relative sexual activity rates of individuals and by their relative preference for oral or anal sex. Per sex act transmission probabilities for anal sex were made four times as high as oral sex. Proportional mixing results in a corresponding fourfold difference in risks of oral and anal sex. A moderate degree of selective mixing, however, generates a thirty two fold difference in the risk of oral and anal sex during the stage of the epidemic corresponding to that in which epidemiologic studies have been used to assess the relative risks of oral and anal sex.
Vaccines for the Prevention of Melioidosis and Glanders.

Burkholderia pseudomallei’s and Burkholderia mallei’s high rate of infectivity, limited treatment options, and potential use as biological warfare agents underscore the need for development of effective vaccines against these bacteria. Research efforts focused on vaccines against these bacteria are in preclinical stages, with no approved formulations currently on the market. Several live attenuated and subunit vaccine formulations have been evaluated in animal studies, with no reports of significant long-term survival after lethal challenge. This review encompasses the most current vaccine strategies to prevent B. pseudomallei and B. mallei infections while providing insight for successful vaccines moving forward.
UAV attitude estimation using antenna arrays

This paper presents a new algorithm for estimating all three Euler angles that specify the relative attitude between two unmanned aerial vehicles based on multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radio transmissions. The algorithm uses direction-of-arrival estimates as well as estimates of the multi-polarized MIMO channel response to construct the coordinate frames describing the UAV attitudes. These coordinate frames then allow specification of the rotations required to align one UAV with the other. Simulations reveal that estimation errors are relatively small even for low signal-to-noise ratio.
Abstract 20032: Outpatient Exposure to Potentially Harmful Drugs in Patients With Heart Failure

Background: Several drugs have the potential to cause or decompensate heart failure (HF). Objective: To evaluate the frequency of potentially harmful drug exposure after hospital discharge in patie...
Eulogy for Karen Wetterhahn

I want to thank my colleagues on the International Organizing Committee for this session in tribute to Karen Wetterhahn. I only wish it wasn’t necessary! I knew Karen for about 10 years. I met her through Max Costa. That’ the way it was with Karen. You always knew someone through her or met someone who knew her. In that way we were all touched by her in life and, now, unfortunately in death. I am a better person for having known her. She was the most unassuming, nice person I knew. Scientific and academic credentials aside, she was truly a warm and sincere friend and colleague.
What's your choice? Learning the mixed multi-nomial logit model

Computing a ranking over choices using consumer data gathered from a heterogenous population has become an indispensable module for any modern consumer information system, e.g. Yelp, Netflix, Amazo...
Ageing with Chagas disease: an overview of an urban Brazilian cohort in Rio de Janeiro.

Chagas disease control programmes have decreased the prevalence of Chagas disease in Latin America. Together with migration to urban areas and increase in life expectancy, a new scenario for Chagas disease has emerged in Brazil with most patients currently elderly individuals living in urban areas. However, acute Chagas disease cases still occur due to vector transmission by sylvatic vectors and oral transmission by contaminated food. Therefore, we characterized the clinical and epidemiological profile of the patients followed at Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We aimed to identify the clinical forms, associated co-morbidities, and geographical areas where younger patients originate from. This will aid in the identification of potential challenges to be currently faced. This is a cross-sectional study. Adult patients with chronic Chagas disease were recruited between March 2013 and April 2016. Clinical and epidemiological data were obtained from electronic medical records and interviews. The clinical form of the Chagas disease presented by the patients was determined following the Brazilian Consensus on Chagas disease. Six hundred and nineteen patients (mean age 60 ± 12 years; 56.9% women) were included in this study. Patients’ clinical forms were classified as follows: indeterminate 29.1%; cardiac 55.4%; digestive 5.5%; and mixed 10.0%. Patients aged over 65 years comprised 38% of the population. Hypertension was present in 347 (56%) patients, dyslipidemia in 261 patients (42%) and diabetes mellitus in 185 patients (30%). There were no differences regarding gender, race, comorbidities frequency or place of origin across Chagas disease clinical forms. Most of the elderly population originated from Bahia, Minas Gerais and Pernambuco states, while most of the younger patients were born in Ceara, Paraiba and Rio de Janeiro states. We described a great proportion of elderly patients in the composition of an urban Brazilian Chagas disease patient cohort with a high prevalence of comorbidities. We also identified a change in the pattern of the place of origin among younger patients.
Traveling Wave Generation on a Clamped, Thin Plate with Flush-Mounted Piezoelectric Actuators

Structural traveling waves have significant potential in applications such as propulsion and drag reduction. Using the two-mode excitation method, traveling waves which are both steady-state and open-loop controlled can be generated on various structures such as beams, plates, and cylinders. In order to develop this method further for applications such as drag reduction, more representative cases must be investigated. This work models and experimentally validates traveling waves generated on a thin, fully clamped plate with flush-mounted piezoelectric actuators. A two-step experimental modal analysis is conducted on a free and then clamped plated to validate and update a finite-element model of the plate. The finite element model, which has been developed in-house, accounts for piezoelectric actuators, pre-stresses in the plate, and non-ideal (elastic) clamped boundary conditions. The validated model is then used to compare experimental- and model-generated traveling waves.
Primary Motoneurons of the Zebrafish

We are interested in understanding how cell fate is determined in the nervous system. That is, we want to learn how neurons acquire their particular size, shape, and pattern of connections. This lecture reviews our current state of understanding of rules that govern the embryonic development of a specific set of neurons, the primary motoneurons of the spinal cord in zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio). Primary motoneurons are a subset of a larger class of early-developing neurons called primary neurons (Coghill, 1913; Kimmel and Westerfield, 1989).
Radiation Induced Modifications of Diamond

A technique for radiation induced modifications is introduced. The process can be thought of as internal and uniform ion implantation. It has been shown that ion implantation can modify the surface properties of a material. However, its disadvantages are small and nonuniform interaction volumes. The proposed technique bypasses these limitations and could be suitable for large area modifications. This process could be used to form new composites and compounds. Additionally, the electronic and optical properties of materials could be specifically tailored. Promising experimental data using CVD diamond is presented.
Abstract 660: Reverse-D4F (Rev-D4F), an Apolipoprotein-AI Mimetic Peptide, Reduces Plaque Macrophage Content in Apolipoprotein E-null Mice

Background: Class A amphipathic helical peptide analogs of apo-AI mimetic peptides are potential emerging therapeutic approaches to improve HDL function to decrease atherosclerosis. Using retro-inversal sequence approach to synthesize Reverse (Rev) D-4F apo-AI mimetic peptide with D-amino acids and reverse order to maintain exact alignment and superimposable to the parent L-4F peptide, we have recently shown that Rev D-4F peptide significantly reduces aortic root atherosclerosis in apo E-null mice without affecting plasma total and HDL-cholesterol (Qin, et al. Circulation 2005, 112 (17): II-110). In order to define the mechanisms, using in-vivo and in-vitro studies we investigated the effect of Rev D-4F on aortic lesion macrophage content in apo E-null mice, and human aortic endothelial cell (HAEC) LDL oxidation, VCAM-1 expression, and monocyte adhesion, key pathobiological processes involved in atherogenesis. Methods: Three groups of 4 week old apoE-null mice were fed chow diet, and administered water (control), Rev-D4F, or L-4F mimetic peptides (1.6 mg/day, n=6/group) orally in drinking water for 6 weeks. Lesion macrophage content was measured by immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal anti-mouse MOMA2 antibody as a specific marker for monocyte/macrophage in aortic root sections. HAEC LDL oxidation, VCAM-1 expression, and adhesion assays were done by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), Real-time PCR analysis, ELISA, and adhesion rate using fluorescently labeled monocytes respectively. Results and Conclusions: Rev-D4F significantly (p=0.0009) reduced macrophage content in lesions by 47% compared to controls. L-4F mimetic peptide had no effect on macrophage content. In-vitro studies indicated that Rev D-4F significantly inhibited endothelial cell LDL oxidation, TNF-α- and LPS-induced VCAM-1, and oxidized LDL-induced monocyte adhesion. The data suggest that Rev-D4F, through inhibiting inflammatory and LDL oxidative events, reduces endothelial monocyte migration, lesion macrophage content and atherosclerosis.
Regulation of purine savage enzymes in E. coli.

There is no doubt that in eukaryotic cells there is an interplay between the de novo purine biosynthetic pathway and purine salvage enzymes, or products of these enzymes. Feedback inhibition of the first specific enzyme of the pathway, PRPP amidotransferase, occurs via AMP or GMP and repression of the pathway is possibly controlled by the product of the salvage enzymes, APRT and HGPRT (Henderson, 1972).
Africa and the Disciplines of International Economic Law: Taking Stock and Moving Forward

This paper the Opening Keynote Lecture Delivered at the 5th Society of International Economic Law Biennial Conference, University of Witwatersrand Schreiner School of Law, Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday July 7, 2016. It argues that there is a new scholarship on international economic law in Africa. The lecture begins with a brief background and overview of the new scholarship on Africa and International Economic Law. Second, it highlights some significant challenges in the production and dissemination of this scholarship particularly here in Africa. Third, it discusses this scholarship in four areas. International Trade Law focusing in particular on Regional and Sub-Regional Trade Integration, International Investment Law, International Intellectual Property.
Commentary: The Lyrics of Public Service Excellence

The death of the founding father of Singapore, former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) in March 2015 renewed worldwide interest in Singapore’s rapid development. The ‘Singapore Story’ has been remarkable, and comparatively well documented. One essential factor that, however, has attracted relatively little attention was LKY’s instinctive understanding that economic growth is too important to be left to economists. As a profound process of social transformation, he pithily observed in 1965, “Economics is politics” (Lee 1965). Over forty years later, in more convoluted prose, the 2008 UN/World Bank Growth Commission reached the same conclusion: economic growth is primarily a political process delivered by effective political leaders with a vision of improving prosperity.
Informality, Harassment, and Corruption : Evidence from Informal Enterprise Data from Harare, Zimbabwe

New representative survey data for Harare, Zimbabwe are used to analyze the conditions under which informal businesses encounter requests for bribes. A simple model develops basic expectations of bribe exposure: those with higher opportunity costs of formalizing and with a higher ability to pay (resources) are expected to face a higher bribe risk. Empirical results find that informal businesses operating out of necessity are likelier to have a bribe demanded of them. Robustness checks are performed to account for the endogeneity of the main regressors, through a bivariate probit specification, using an instrumental variable of whether an informal business owner started in the area of activity before the country's 2009 dollarization. Limited significant results are found for the effect of revenues (ability to pay).
RSFit3000: A MATLAB GUI-based program for determining rate and state frictional parameters from experimental data

We present a MATLAB, graphical user interface (GUI) software package for analyzing rate and state friction experiments. Called RSFit3000, the software allows users to easily constrain frictional parameters by fitting velocity step and slide-hold-slide events using the aging and slip law forms for state variable evolution. RSFit3000 includes features for removing strain hardening/weakening trends from the data, and provides options for using two state variables, applying a weighting function, and treating stiffness as a fitting parameter. Completed fits are conveniently saved in MATLAB structure arrays that contain fitted parameter values with their error intervals, and all information required to reproduce a given fit. The GUI makes the program simple to use, as all fitting tasks are completed via interaction with the interface. Here we describe how to use the software, and illustrate its flexibility and utility by analyzing two sets of synthetic friction data, as well as some previously published experimental data. Although descriptions of rate and state friction fitting routines have been published in the past, RSFit3000 marks the first time a software package for analyzing friction experiments has been described in the literature.
Stress generation theory in couples with depression: A latent profile analysis:

Depressive symptoms and conflict negatively affect romantic relationships, but does this differ among couples? Using a stress generation theory framework, we aim to understand the types of profiles...
Managing Hearing Loss Stigma: Experiences of and Responses to Stigmatizing Attitudes & Behaviors

Stigma can negatively affect the lives and the relationships of those who are stigmatized. This study examines one such population that is often stigmatized, individuals with hearing loss. Through ...
Biogas Technology for Animal Manure Management in the USA: State of the Art, Opportunities, Challenges, and Perspectives

Anaerobic digestion is an established technology for treating organic wastes and producing renewable energy as biogas. This technology is well suited for US livestock operations which have been moving toward increasingly larger facilities with large quantities of manure. However, out of an estimated 8000 plus dairy and swine farms that could use AD, there are currently only 248 operational farm digesters in the USA. The environmental problems associated with livestock manures are summarized, and the benefits of AD to alleviate the problems are discussed. Increasing the versatility of products derived from farm-based AD may make biogas technology more attractive. Some of these products could be enhanced methane production through power-to-gas (PtG) technology, combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP), bio-crude oil, and the enhanced production of medium-chain fatty acids with modified AD microbiomes.
Speech tested for Zipfian fit using rigorous statistical techniques

Zipf’s law describes the relationship between the frequencies of words in a corpus and their rank. Its most basic form is a simple series, indicating that the frequency of a word is inversely proportional to its rank: 1/2 , 1/3 , 1/ 4 ,... The past two decades have seen the emergence of usage-based and cognitive approaches to language study. A key observation of these approaches, along with the importance of frequency, is that speech differs in substantial and structural ways from writing. Yet, except for a few older analyses performed on very small corpora, most studies of Zipf’s law have been done on written corpora. Further, a judgement of Zifianness in much of this work is based on loose and informal criteria. In fact, sophisticated statistical techniques have been developed for curve fitting in recent years in the mathematics and physics literature . These include the use of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic, along with maximum likelihood estimation to generate p-values and the use of the complementary error function for normal distributions. The latter helps determine if a corpus, failing a Zipfian fit, might be better described by another distribution. In this paper, we will: Show that three corpora of recorded speech follow a power law distribution using rigorous statis- tical techniques: Buckeye, Santa Barbara, MiCase Describe preliminary results showing that the techniques outlined in this paper may be useful in the diagnoses of those conditions that can include disordered speech. Explain how to do the analyses described in this paper. Explain how to download and use the R/Python code we have written and packaged as the Zipf Tool Kit
Spectral factorization in periodically time-varying systems and application to navigation problems.

Spectral factorization has been used previously to derive the steady-state solution of Kalman filtering equations without iteration for constant coefficient systems. The present work extends the spectral factorization algorithm to time-varying systems having periodic coefficient matrices for cases of both discrete and continuous systems. Time-consuming, expensive iterations of sequential covariance equations are not required to reach the final solution since this is an algebraic algorithm employing existing eigenvalue, eigenvector subroutines. The computer program incorporating the algorithm is suitable for sensitivity studies in formulating navigation and guidance strategies of low-thrust interplanetary missions. The determination of an optimum tracking pattern from an earth station is examined as an example.
Four Amazing Positivities with Dimers/i-Matchings

We collect a number of striking recent results in a study of dimers on infinite regular bipartite lattices and also on regular bipartite graphs. We clearly separate rigorously proven results from conjectures. A primary goal is to show people: here is a field which is ripe for further interesting research. We separate four classes of endeavor, of which we here extract two items to whet one's appetite. Primo, for hyper-rectangular lattices of dimension d, 0 < d < 11, the first 20 virial coefficients are positive. (One has no understanding of this yet!) Secondo, all regular bipartite graphs with less than 14 vertices satisfy graph positivity, defined below. (Here there is some understanding.)
Theoretical Analysis and Optimization of a Gloved Hand-Arm System.

Studies have shown that isolators in the form of anti-vibration gloves effectively reduce the transmission of unwanted vibration from vibrating equipment to the human hand. However, as most of these studies are based on experimental or modeling techniques, the level of effectiveness and optimum glove properties for better performance remains unclear. To fill this gap, hand-arm system dynamics with and without gloves are studied analytically in this work. In the current work, we use a lumped parameter model of the hand-arm system, with hand-tool interaction modeled as a linear spring-damper system. The resulting governing equations of motion are solved analytically using the method of harmonic balance. Parametric analysisis performed on the biomechanical model of the hand-armsystem with and without a glove to identify key design pa-rameters. It is observed that the effect of glove parameters on its performance is not repetitive and changes in the studied different frequency ranges. This observation further motivates us to optimize the glove parameters to minimize the overall transmissibility in different frequency ranges.
Soil Organic Matter Characterization by Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FTICR MS): A Critical Review of Sample Preparation, Analysis, and Data Interpretation

The biogeochemical cycling of soil organic matter (SOM) plays a central role in regulating soil health, water quality, carbon storage, and greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, many studies have been conducted to reveal how anthropogenic and climate variables affect carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling. Among the analytical techniques used to better understand the speciation and transformation of SOM, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR MS) is the only technique that has sufficient mass resolving power to separate and accurately assign elemental compositions to individual SOM molecules. The global increase in the application of FTICR MS to address SOM complexity has highlighted the many challenges and opportunities associated with SOM sample preparation, FTICR MS analysis, and mass spectral interpretation. Here, we provide a critical review of recent strategies for SOM characterization by FTICR MS with emphasis on SOM sample collection, preparation, analysis, and data interpretation. Data processing and visualization methods are presented with suggested workflows that detail the considerations needed for the application of molecular information derived from FTICR MS. Finally, we highlight current research gaps, biases, and future directions needed to improve our understanding of organic matter chemistry and cycling within terrestrial ecosystems.
Hungama ho gaya? (An uproar has happened?): the erotic threat of female intoxication in Hindi film songs

A recurring staple of the popular Hindi film is when actresses dance as if they were drunk. Underlying such performances are notions of nasha (intoxication) and sharam, or shame. This article explo...
On the Dynamics of Cables with Application to Marine Use

Cables play an important role in ship operations, whether in anchoring, docking, towing, or in passing through locks. The frequent casualties that result from cable failure attest to the need for a better understanding of cable dynamics. This paper explains analytical techniques that can be used to assess the adequacy of cables of all types. The classical methods for treating static conditions are reviewed. Then dynamic conditions are analyzed in recognition of transient loads applied to cables (e.g., the surging of a ship at anchor). Water resistance and cable elasticity are also recognized. The paper concludes with a numerical example showing how the foregoing principles can be applied to a typical situation of a ship at anchor.
Dolling up in Europe

(1936). Dolling up in Europe. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 7, No. 10, pp. 603-646.
Economic Impact of Federal Investments in Infratechnology

In Chapter 4 we presented preliminary data on the magnitude of public-and private-sector investments in infratechnology research. Albeit that these estimates are preliminary, our evidence suggests that the level of investments in infratechnology research by public-and private-sector participants clearly represents a significant resource commitment to the innovation process. The purpose of this chapter is to extend Chapter 4 by presenting two case studies of investments in infratechnology research by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST; formerly the National Bureau of Standards). Our conclusion is that these investments have a significant impact on the economy -- as suggested in the previous chapters -- and that continued public sector investments appear warranted, at least from a social perspective.
Role of Serotonin in Regulation of the Pituitary-Adrenocortical Axis in Rats

Several classes of drugs that enhance central serotonergic function increase serum corticosterone concentration in rats, including serotonin uptake inhibitors, serotonin releasers, the serotonin precursor L-5-hydroxytryptophan, and direct-acting serotonin agonists. Corticosterone elevation by quipazine, a direct agonist, is blocked by numerous centrally acting serotonin antagonists but not by xylamidine or BW501C67, antagonists that block peripheral serotonin receptors selectively. From studies with selective agonists and antagonists, it appears that activation of either 5HT-1A or 5HT-2 receptors in brain can increase serum corticosterone concentrations in rats.
Development of a Compact Dilution Refrigerator for Zero Gravity Operation

A compact dilution refrigerator of unique design using internal charcoal adsorption pumps is being modified and tested for operation in zero gravity. This commercially-available refrigerator is self-contained with no external pumps or gas handling system and provides very reliable operation since it has no moving parts. All operations are performed with heaters and are completely computer controlled. The refrigerator provides many hours of operation at very low temperature before the charcoal pumps must be recycled.
Adaptive algorithms for spatial adaptive interference rejection

In the mobile communications field, smart technologies are not only being applied at the antenna level, but also at the receiver (for direction of arrival estimation, detection. diversity combining and equalization). The ultimate benefit of these techniques is to increase cellular capacity and range. Furthermore, with the use of CDMA, where multiaccess interference power is a fundamental capacity limiting factor, adaptive beamforming is revealed to be another complementary means for signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) optimization. The problem in this case deals with the formation of a lobe structure that results from the variation of an element-space processing weight vector. The beamforming in such adaptive arrays is controlled by an adaptive algorithm minimizing a particular cost function, ideally directing beams toward the signal of interest and nulls in the direction of interference. In this paper we examine the characteristics of two such algorithms, least mean square (LMS) and sampled matrix inversion (SMI) and discuss a modification in the SMI algorithm to handle some situations.
Kainate receptor-mediated heterosynaptic facilitation in the amygdala

Prolonged low-frequency stimulation of excitatory afferents to basolateral amygdala neurons results in enduring enhancement of excitatory synaptic responses. The induction of this form of synaptic plasticity is eliminated by selective antagonists of GluR5 kainate receptors and can be mimicked by the GluR5 agonist ATPA. Kainate receptor-mediated synaptic facilitation generalizes to include inactive afferent synapses on the target neurons, and therefore contrasts with other types of activity-dependent enduring synaptic facilitation that are input-pathway specific. Such heterosynaptic spread of synaptic facilitation could account for adaptive and pathological expansion in the set of critical internal and external stimuli that trigger amygdala-dependent behavioral responses.
Consumption and Saving under Knightian Uncertainty

This paper studies consumption/saving problem under Knightian uncer- tainty in a two period setting. The multiple-priors utility model is adopted. The e®ects of income uncertainty and capital uncertainty on optimal savings are analyzed by deriving closed form solutions.
Locally optimal codebook design for quadtree-based vector quantization

The optimal design of quadtree-based vector quantizers is addressed. Until now, work in this area has focused on optimizing the quadtree structure for a given set of leaf quantizers with little attention spent on the design of the quantizers themselves. In cases where the leaf quantizers were considered, codebooks were optimized without regard to the ultimate quadtree segmentation. However, it is not sufficient to consider each problem independently, as separate optimization leads to an overall suboptimal solution. Rather, joint design of the quadtree structure and the leaf codebooks must be considered for overall optimality. The method we suggest is a "quadtree" constrained version of the entropy-constrained vector quantization design method. To this end, a centroid condition for the leaf codebooks is derived that represents a necessary optimality condition for variable-rate quadtree coding. This condition, when iterated with the optimal quadtree segmentation strategy of Sullivan and Baker (see IEEE Trans. on Image Processing, vol.3, p.327-331, May 1994) results in a monotonically descending rate-distortion cost function, and consequently, an (at least locally) optimal quadtree solution.
Velocity observer for PMSM without rotational transducer

In this paper, a velocity estimator is proposed for the purpose of improving the transient velocity control performance of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) operating without a rotor position or velocity transducer. An observer is designed to estimate rotor velocity using the electro-mechanical parameters of the system, measured stator currents, and the estimated rotor angle, where the angle estimate is obtained from a separate observer. Special attention is given to very low speed operation where the rotor angle estimate may be inaccurate due to ill-conditioning of the rotor angle observer under those conditions. Experiments are used to examine the velocity control performance of the resulting sensorless PMSM drive and the robustness of the system to external disturbances and model uncertainty.
Regulation of N-Formyl Peptide Receptor Signaling and Trafficking by Individual Carboxyl-Terminal Serine and Threonine Residues

Adaptation, defined as the diminution of receptor signaling in the presence of continued or repeated stimulation, is critical to cellular function. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) undergo multiple adaptive processes, including desensitization and internalization, through phosphorylation of cytoplasmic serine and threonine residues. However, the relative importance of individual and combined serine and threonine residues to these processes is not well understood. We examined this mechanism in the context of the N -formyl peptide receptor (FPR), a well-characterized member of the chemoattractant/chemokine family of GPCRs critical to neutrophil function. To evaluate the contributions of individual and combinatorial serine and threonine residues to internalization, desensitization, and arrestin2 binding, 30 mutant forms of the FPR, expressed in the human promyelocytic U937 cell line, were characterized. We found that residues Ser 328 , Ser 332 , and Ser 338 are individually critical, and indeed sufficient, for internalization, desensitization, and arrestin2 binding, but that the presence of neighboring threonine residues can inhibit these processes. Additionally, we observed no absolute correlation between arrestin binding and either internalization or desensitization, suggesting the existence of arrestin-independent mechanisms for these processes. Our results suggest C-terminal serine and threonine residues of the FPR represent a combinatorial code, capable of both positively and negatively regulating signaling and trafficking. This study is among the first detailed analyses of a complex regulatory site in a GPCR, and provides insight into GPCR regulatory mechanisms.
Trust in Texts: A Different History of Rhetoric, Susan Miller

What's not to trust? This commonplace rejoinder to an expression of skepticism is the sort of rhetorical question that is at issue in Susan Miller's latest book. She prefaces her study by questioni...
The role of leadership decision styles on the use and effectiveness of Information Systems

Decision-making is an outcome of mental cognitive processes that lead to the selection of a course of action among several alternatives (Reason, 1990). Given this definition, do the dynamics of decision-making in a group between leader and members affect how well that group uses Information Systems (IS) for achieving group goals? That is, how do a group's decision-making practices influence how the IS are used within that group? Do the information flows fit with the leader's style for delegating decision-making in the group? Because information or meaningful data is the fuel for good decision-making, a group needs to align its use of IS with the prevalent decision styles to enhance its effectiveness. Then, this article analyses the managerial implications given the current environment that leaders face. Future research directions are also explored.