cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wireless strain sensor through a flexible tag antenna employing inductively-coupled RFID microchip

Intensity variations of the backscattered power from an RFID tag have been demonstrated to be a potential wireless solution to measure material deformation. This paper discusses the design and performance of a flexible tag antenna equipped with novel inductively-coupled RFID microchip for use as a wireless strain sensor. Dielectric characterization of a flexible substrate has been carried out to properly design and simulate the proposed antenna design. Due to the balanced nature of this radiating element, differential scattering parameter measurements were performed to characterize the antenna input impedance. Finally, measurements of the backscattered power as a function of radial deformations are also shown as a qualitative analysis of the strain sensing capabilities.
Ciprofloxacin-induced renal insufficiency in cystic fibrosis.

Acute renal insufficiency is known to occur in patients who are taking ciprofloxacin, particularly the elderly. We report two young patients with cystic fibrosis who presented with acute renal insufficiency after 2-3 weeks of oral ciprofloxacin therapy. The incidence of this adverse effect in children and young adults who have cystic fibrosis is unknown. Multiple mechanisms for ciprofloxacin-induced nephrotoxicity have been proposed.
Dopamine System Dysregulation by the Hippocampus: Implications for the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Schizophrenia

For decades, the predominant hypothesis of schizophrenia centered on dysfunctions of the dopamine system. However, recent evidence now suggests that the dopamine system may be "normal" in its configuration, but instead is regulated abnormally by modulatory processes. Convergent studies in animals and in humans have now focused on the hippocampus as a central component in the generation of psychosis and possibly other symptom states in schizophrenia. Thus, activity in the ventral hippocampus has been shown to regulate dopamine neuron responsivity by controlling the number of dopamine neurons that can be phasically activated by stimuli. In this way, this structure determines the gain of the dopamine signal in response to stimuli. However, in schizophrenia, the hippocampus appears to be hyper-active, possibly due to attenuation of function of inhibitory interneurons. As a result, the dopamine system is driven into an overly responsive state. Current medications have focused on blockade of overstimulated dopamine receptors; however, this now appears to be several synapses downstream from the pathological antecedent. Therapeutic approaches that focus on normalizing hippocampal function may prove to be more effective treatment avenues for the schizophrenia patient.
The ultraviolet spectrophotometric determination of nitrite by the antipyrine method

Abstract An ultraviolet spectrophotometric study of 4-nitrosoantipyrine has resulted in the development of a method for the determination of 0.1–12 p.p.m. of nitrite. The recommended procedure is rapid and simple, and yields very reproducible results. The molar absorptivity for the proposed method is 7.61·103 1 mole−1 cm−1 at 343 nm. The detection limit is 0.057 μg of nitrite per ml.
Ecological planning: A review

Beginning with the passage of the National Environmental Policy Act in 1969, the federal government of the United States has enacted numerous pieces of legislation intended to protect or conserve the environment. Other national governments have also enacted environmental legislation during the past two decades. State and local governments have also adopted policies concerned with environmental planning and management. Multiple laws and overlapping governmental agency responsibilities have confused development and resource management efforts. A comprehensive methodology that integrates the legal mandates and the agency missions into a common and unified framework is needed. Ecological planning offers such a method. Application of the method allows planners and resource managers to better understand the nature and character of the land and/or resource and therefore make better decisions about its appropriate use or management. The steps taken in an ecological planning process—1) goal setting, 2) inventory and analysis of data, 3) suitability analysis, 4) developing alternatives, 5) implementation, 6) administration, and 7) evaluation—are outlined and explained. Hand-drawn overlays and computer programs as techniques for handling ecological planning information are compared. Observations and suggestions for further research are offered.
Prostate specific antigen predicts the long-term risk of prostate enlargement: results from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Purpose: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a predictor of prostate growth in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. The long-term risk of prostate enlargement as a function of PSA among community dwelling volunteers is unknown.Materials and Methods: A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to study the relationship between baseline PSA level at ages 40 to 49.9 years in 194 men, 50 to 59.9 in 191 and 60 to 69.9 in 144, and prostate enlargement, defined as a prostate volume larger than the 75th percentile for age decade, as measured by magnetic resonance imaging in a longitudinal study of aging (Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, National Institute on Aging). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to estimate the probability of freedom from prostate enlargement with time as a function of baseline PSA level.Results: The relative risk of prostate enlargement was 3- to 6-fold higher for men 40 to 49.9 years old with a baseline PSA of 0.31 ng./ml. or more compared to men with PSA levels o...
Sequential oxidative transformation of tetraarylethylenes to 9,10-diarylphenanthrenes and dibenzo[g,p]chrysenes using DDQ as an oxidant.

Tetraarylethylenes can be sequentially transformed into 9,10-diarylphenanthrenes and dibenzo[g,p]chrysenes using 1 and 2 equiv of DDQ, respectively, in CH2Cl2 containing methanesulfonic acid, in excellent yields. Efficient access to substituted dibenzochrysenes from tetraarylethylenes establishes the versatility of this procedure over the existing multistep syntheses of dibenzochrysenes. Moreover, the ready regeneration of DDQ from easily recovered reduced DDQ−H2 continues to advance the use of DDQ/H+ for the oxidative C−C bond forming reactions.
Staging of intrauterine growth-restricted fetuses.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of cardiovascular, ultrasonographic, and clinical parameters for developing a staging classification of intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) fetuses delivered at 32 weeks or earlier. Methods. Intrauterine growth restriction was defined as the presence of an estimated fetal weight below the 10th percentile. Intrauterine growth-restricted fetuses were staged according to the following parameters, with the presence of any 1 parameter in a stage placing the fetus in that stage: stage I, an abnormal umbilical artery or middle cerebral artery pulsatility index; stage II, an abnormal middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity, umbilical artery absent/reversed diastolic flow, umbilical vein pulsation and an abnormal ductus venosus pulsatility index; and stage III, reversed flow at the ductus venosus or reversed flow at the umbilical vein, an abnormal tricuspid E wave (early ventricular filling)/A wave (late ventricular filling) ratio, and tricuspid regurgitation. Each stage was divided into A (amniotic fluid index [AFI] 5 cm). The presence of maternal abnormalities was also reported. Results. Seventy-four IUGR fetuses delivered at 32 weeks or earlier were included. Gestational age at delivery was greater in stage I fetuses compared with the other stages. Birth weight decreased with advancing stages. Stage III fetuses had the lowest AFI. There was a direct correlation between the severity of staging and both perinatal mortality and mortality occurring between 20 weeks’ gestation and before the neonates were discharged from the hospital (P < .05). Conclusions. The staging system proposed here may allow comparison of outcome data for IUGR fetuses and may be valuable in determining more timely delivery for these high-risk
Effects of Personnel Turnover, Employee Qualifications, and Professional Staff Ratios on Administrative Intensity and Overhead

This study reports the results of a quantitative analysis of the influence of organizational characteristics on the proportion of administrative personnel (administration intensity) and the relative costs of administrative functions (administrative overhead). A number of propositions linking organization size, resources, personnel turnover, employee qualifications and professional staff ratios to administrative intensity and overhead are put forth. One hundred and thirty school systems serve as the units of analysis. Results show that high personnel turnover raises both administrative intensity and overhead; that large professional staff ratios expand administrative intensity, and that high employee qualifications depress the relative costs of administration.
Characterization of anisotropy field dispersion in perpendicular media

Two of the most publicized methods for anisotropy field dispersion characterization, the M-H loop method and the complex transverse susceptibility (TS) method, are evaluated with micromagnetic simulation. For the M-H loop method, the measured parameter is found to be dependent on grain saturation magnetization and easy axis dispersion, but only weakly dependent on intergranular exchange. It also depends on the dispersion of the anisotropy field as originally proposed. For the complex TS method, the technique is calculated to be most dependent on the intergranular exchange and exhibit little dependence on microstructure.
Ribosomal proteins: functions beyond the ribosome

Although ribosomal proteins are known for playing an essential role in ribosome assembly and protein translation, their ribosome-independent functions have also been greatly appreciated. Over the past decade, more than a dozen of ribosomal proteins have been found to activate the tumor suppressor p53 pathway in response to ribosomal stress. In addition, these ribosomal proteins are involved in various physiological and pathological processes. This review is composed to overview the current understanding of how ribosomal stress provokes the accumulation of ribosome-free ribosomal proteins, as well as the ribosome-independent functions of ribosomal proteins in tumorigenesis, immune signaling, and development. We also propose the potential of applying these pieces of knowledge to the development of ribosomal stress-based cancer therapeutics.
Cerebral Transplantation for Parkinson's Disease: Current Progress and Future Prospects

Cerebral transplantation has received considerable attention from both the medical community and lay press as a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease. Animal models have demonstrated feasibility, although the experience in subhuman primates was very limited when the first human trials were initiated in the mid-1980s. The dramatic success reported for adrenal-to-brain transplantation in some initial trials could not be consistently replicated by other centers. Occasionally, however, patients benefited. Failure of the adrenal medullary graft to survive may have been a major factor in the poor outcomes. Recently, several US and European centers reported substantial clinical improvement after fetal dopaminergic mesencephalon was grafted into the striatum of patients with Parkinson's disease. Although many outcomes were impressive, in some cases the improvement was marginal; in no case was the condition completely reversed, and all but one patient still required levodopa therapy. Before this technique can be considered for routine use, further refinement is necessary, and many technical issues must be addressed. Certain animal studies have suggested that transplantation-related improvement may be derived from graft neurotrophic factors rather than from secretion of dopamine into the dopamine-depleted brain of patients with Parkinson's disease. Preliminary investigations in animals indicate that several other tissues, besides fetal mesencephalon, may also prove appropriate for grafting. Ultimately, advances in molecular biology may allow either transplantation of genetically engineered cells or direct modification of existing brain cells by transfection with viral vectors. The favorable preliminary experience with cerebral transplantation in patients with Parkinson's disease has resulted in the consideration of this strategy for other neurologic disorders.
Distinct ceramide synthases regulate polarized growth in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans

In filamentous fungi, the stabilization of a polarity axis is likely to be a pivotal event underlying the emergence of a germ tube from a germinating spore. Recent results implicate the polarisome in this process and also suggest that it requires localized membrane organization. Here, we employ a chemical genetic approach to demonstrate that ceramide synthesis is necessary for the formation of a stable polarity axis in the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans. We demonstrate that a novel compound (HSAF) produced by a bacterial biocontrol agent disrupts polarized growth and leads to loss of membrane organization and formin localization at hyphal tips. We show that BarA, a putative acyl-CoA-dependent ceramide synthase that is unique to filamentous fungi mediates the effects of HSAF. Moreover, A. nidulans possesses a second likely ceramide synthase that is essential and also regulates hyphal morphogenesis. Our results suggest that filamentous fungi possess distinct pools of ceramide that make independent contributions to polarized hyphal growth, perhaps through the formation of specialized lipid microdomains that regulate organization of the cytoskeleton.
To Strengthen Security, Change Developers' Incentives

Many of the most common software vulnerabilities, such as buffer overflows, cross-site scripting, and misapplications of cryptography, are wholly avoidable if software makers apply an appropriate level of training, testing, and care.Yet developers today have the "wrong" incentives, often leading them to underinvest in security or even to directly harm it. If we can understand these incentives and their causes, we might be able to reshape them and radically improve security.Software makers have shown a dramatic ability to strengthen their products' security given sufficient motivation.The most famous example is Microsoft's transformation over the past decade from a security laughingstock to a leader. In 2002, stung by several widely publicized vulnerabilities across its product line, the company began a major security initiative that produced lasting changes in its priorities, processes, and culture. Gone were the days of "creating designs and code that emphasize features over security." Yet changes like these are exceptional. Microsoft's shift was motivated by an intense level of scrutiny and withering global publicity that few firms experience, and it had the unusual luxury of responding with vast engineering resources paid for by monopoly rents. Most developers face far weaker security incentives.
Childhood lead poisoning in Massachusetts communities: its association with sociodemographic and housing characteristics.

OBJECTIVES. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between communities' sociodemographic and housing characteristics and incidence of lead poisoning. METHODS. This was a population-based correlational study of 238,275 Massachusetts children from birth through 4 years of age who were screened for lead poisoning in 1991-1992. A logistic regression model was developed with the community as the unit of analysis, the case identification rate for lead poisoning (newly identified children with venous blood lead > or = 25 micrograms/dL per 1000 children) as the dependent variable, and US census variables as independent variables. RESULTS. A significant independent relationship with the community case identification rate of lead poisoning was found for seven variables: median per capita income, percentage of housing built before 1950, percentage of the population who were Black, percentage of children screened, and a "poverty index." Rates of iron deficiency and percentage of Hispanics were not a...
Herbert A. Simon as a Cyborg Scientist

This paper discusses how Herbert Simon's initial interest in decision making became transformed into a focus on understanding human problem solving in response to the concrete conditions of the Cold War and the practical goals of the military.In particular, it suggests a connection between the seachange in Simon's interest and his shift in patronage.As a result, Simon is portrayed as a component of the scientific-military World War II cyborg that further evolved during the Cold War.Moving from decision making to problem solving, Simon's cyborg science not only required large sums of money, but also managed to acquire these.
Amid the Clouds and Mist: China's Colonization of Guizhou, 1200–1700 – By John E. Herman

From a fundamentalist Confucian perspective, the indigenous inhabitants of Guizhou in southwestern China, the colonized subjects of this work, were tragically uncultured (as are the book's author a...
Distributed certificate and application architecture for VANETs

Privacy, authentication, confidentiality and non repudiation are the most desired security attributes for all vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) applications. A lot of solutions have been presented to address these issues. However, they are mostly dependent on centralized certificate architecture and some sort of hardware-based security. These solutions are expensive to carry out and lack the incentive for both users and service providers to deploy, which make them especially difficult to be implemented during the important initial deployment stage of VANET. In this paper, we present a distributed security architecture for VANET that does not rest on expensive security hardware or elaborate security infrastructure. The architecture can be incrementally deployed, facilitating small companies to jump in the VANET business, and can fill the void during the VANET initial deployment phase. Our solution is based on spatial and temporal restricted certificates, which are issued upon user's request and can be used for various VANET applications. Due to the restricted nature of these certificates, the certificate revocation process is simple and efficient, which solves another drawback of existing solutions.
Brownfield redevelopment: Information issues and the affected public

The process of brownfield redevelopment often demands higher levels of information than traditional real estate transactions. While much of this information is pertinent to site identification and remediation, additional information is needed to address issues that are important for better public understanding of the process by which brownfields can be made clean and productive. Decision makers within municipal government need more information from developers on the site identification and selection process, how properties are characterized as suitable for redevelopment, and how various redevelopment options are evaluated. Other stakeholder groups, including regulators, lenders, realtors, and the general public, are becoming more involved in the prioritization and acceptance of redevelopment plans. Information is also needed to address growing concerns over envir onmental justice, social equity, and quality of life. This article discusses information needs and public issues in brownfield redevelopment projects with respect to information access, screening and selection of properties, intergovernmental cooperation, public participation, and the evaluation of the impacts and risks of redevelopment alternatives (including the no action alternative). Innovative information technologies help create decision support systems, which include enhanced geographic information systems, site prioritization methods, and training programs. These decision support systems are information rich and technologically advanced, and they have been valuable in providing information to decision makers and the public to evaluate redevelopment options. Such systems have been used in several brownfield redevelopment programs in Michigan, and can provide models for other communities engaged in brownfield redevelopment.
Dangling the carrot of improved survival in non-Hodgkin lymphoma: does carotenoid consumption make a difference?

In 2012, there were an estimated 18 940 deaths from non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the USA [1]. While the addition of rituximab to traditional therapies has improved survival [2], determining lifest...
Beyond terrorism: The real impact of Afghan drugs trafficking on northern neighbours

It is clear that illicit drug trafficking affects the security of societies and states in a number of ways — Afghanistan is a prime example. But while the majority of international attention is given to the link between more traditional security threats, such as the relationship between drugs and terrorism, less attention has been focused towards what we might consider ‘new’ security threats related to the international drugs trade. Such threats include the spread of addiction, HIV/AIDs, corruption, trans‐national organised crime and the development of illegal black market economies. For Central Asia the impact of such threats is likely to pose one of the most significant challenges yet to be faced by these post communist states.
Towards a “Power-Net”: Impact of smart grids development for ICT networks during critical events

This paper evaluates equivalences between smart grids and the Internet, particularly within the context of Internet's resistance to extreme events. This evaluation is used to introduce the concept of the Power-Net as an advanced smart grid that incorporates Internet features that make ICT networks resistant to critical events. These features are discussed and technological options that can extend these Internet features into the power grid in order to create a Power-Net are also presented. Since power supply is identified as a significant weakness of ICT systems during disasters, this study also explains how the PowerNet can, in turn, mitigate these weaknesses.
State Estimation for Large-Scale Systems Based on Reduced-Order Error-Covariance Propagation

We compare several reduced-order Kalman filters for discrete-time LTI systems based on reduced-order error-covariance propagation. These filters use combinations of balanced model truncation and complementary steady-state covariance compensation. After describing each method, we compare their performance through numerical studies using a compartmental model example. These methods are aimed at large-scale data-assimilation problems where reducing computational complexity is critical.
Application of Prediction Levels to OR Scheduling

ABSTRACT Many perioperative managers record operating room times (ORTs) and use average ORTs to facilitate scheduling of elective surgical procedures. A second statistic, the upper 95% prediction level (ie, 95% chance the next ORT will be less than the upper prediction level) can be calculated from previous ORTs and used in scheduling elective procedures. The author used eight elective surgical procedures to test a distribution-free method for calculating ORT upper prediction levels. Upper prediction levels can provide perioperative managers better knowledge than average ORTs to facilitate decision making during the scheduling of elective surgical procedures. This method can be used to find upper prediction levels for any desired measure of procedure duration (eg, surgeon, scheduled procedure-specific times). AORN J 63 (March 1996)607–615.
Two-photon absorption and anisotropic transient energy transfer in BaTiO 3 with 1-psec excitation

We use a cross-polarized pump–probe technique and 1-psec pulses at 596 nm to measure a two-photon absorption coefficient of 0.1 cm/GW in BaTiO3. A long-lived absorption is also observed and is shown to be consistent with free-carrier absorption and charge redistribution between two separate impurity levels. We also observe an anisotropic transient energy-transfer process in which the p-polarized pump is scattered into the s-polarized probe. The energy transfer occurs when the c axis of the crystal is oriented along a grating vector equal to the difference between the pump- and probe-wave vectors.
Free/open source software development

The focus of this paper is to review what is known about free and open source software development (FOSSD) work practices, development processes, project and community dynamics, and other socio-technical relationships. It focuses on exploring how FOSS is developed and evolved based on an extensive review of a set of empirical studies of FOSSD projects that articulate different levels of analysis. These characterize what has been analyzed in FOSSD studies across levels that examine (i) why individuals participate; (ii) resources and capabilities supporting development activities; (iii) how cooperation, coordination, and control are realized in projects; (iv) alliance formation and inter-project social networking; (v) FOSS as a multi-project software ecosystem, and (vi) FOSS as a social movement. Next, there is a discussion of limitations and constraints in the FOSSD studies so far. Last, attention shifts to identifying emerging opportunities for future FOSSD studies that can give rise to the development of new software engineering tools or techniques, as well as to new empirical studies of software development.
Interconnect process variations: theory and practice

Summary form only for tutorial. Historically, transistor process variations have been studied in great detail. As interconnect becomes a significant portion of circuit performance, signal integrity, power integrity and chip reliability, study of interconnect process variations has gained increased importance. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of types and sources of all aspects interconnect process variations, including via, contact, metal, dielectric barriers and low-k dielectrics. Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) induced variations and etch induced variations in metal topography are covered. Both systematic and random process variations are discussed. Impact of these interconnect process variations on RC delay, circuit delay, crosstalk noise, voltage drop and EM are discussed. Foundations for statistical parasitic extraction and results from correlation to silicon are discussed. Methods to determine intra-level/inter-level variations and their impact on potential circuit hazards are covered.
Flipping a Class: Active Learning and More of It

Despite what many claim, just because there is teaching does not mean there is learning. Clear and convincing evidence supports changing the instructional paradigm to a learner-centered classroom. Flipping a class shifts the delivery, often through technologically presented lectures, to free class time for student participation in a plethora of learning activities, such as think-pair-share and discussions, leading to student perceptions of greater learning and more enjoyment. In an action research approach with one class, 72% of juniors and seniors in an undergraduate sport finance and economics class reported out-of-class lectures often positively impacted their learning, and the remaining 28% responded these lectures did sometimes. End-of-course evaluations and surveys were overwhelmingly positive about class engagement, interaction, and enjoyment.
Acupuncture and Acupuncture-Related Therapies Are Well-Tolerated and Can Effectively Provide Pain Relief in the Pediatric Population

Abstract Introduction: Acupuncture, a complementary and alternative medical therapy, has become a viable treatment option for patients in Western society during the last few decades. Objective: The aim of this research was to analyze acupuncture and acupuncture-related therapies (ARTs) performed in a pediatric population. Materials and Methods: A 3-year retrospective review was performed on all inpatient and outpatient pediatric acupuncture services. Results: During the 3-year study period, 174 patients were seen 1090 times. The average patient age was 13.9 years. Patients were seen an average of 6.3 times. Of these encounters, 95.6% occurred in the clinic and 4.4% occurred in the hospital. Headache or migraine was the most common diagnosis. Acupuncture and ARTs performed included: 96% acupuncture body needling; 90% electroacupuncture; 49% laser therapy; 32% auricular acupuncture; and 27% moxibustion. Active pain was present in 72% of the patients encountered. The average pain score was 5.5 prior to inter...
A Randomized Ensemble Approach to Industrial CT Segmentation

Tuning the models and parameters of common segmentation approaches is challenging especially in the presence of noise and artifacts. Ensemble-based techniques attempt to compensate by randomly varying models and/or parameters to create a diverse set of hypotheses, which are subsequently ranked to arrive at the best solution. However, these methods have been restricted to cases where the underlying models are well-established, e.g. natural images. In practice, it is difficult to determine a suitable base-model and the amount of randomization required. Furthermore, for multi-object scenes no single hypothesis may perform well for all objects, reducing the overall quality of the results. This paper presents a new ensemble-based segmentation framework for industrial CT images demonstrating that comparatively simple models and randomization strategies can significantly improve the result over existing techniques. Furthermore, we introduce a per-object based ranking, followed by a consensus inference that can outperform even the best case scenario of existing hypothesis ranking approaches. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach using a set of noise and artifact rich CT images from baggage security and show that it significantly outperforms existing solutions in this area.
Predicting Power Relations between Participants in Written Dialog from a Single Thread

We introduce the problem of predicting who has power over whom in pairs of people based on a single written dialog. We propose a new set of structural features. We build a supervised learning system to predict the direction of power; our new features significantly improve the results over using previously proposed features.
Is the Common Law the Free Market Solution to Pollution

Free market environmentalism (FME) analyzes environmental problems as property rights problems. Whereas conventional analyses characterize environmental problems as examples of 'market failure,' FME diagnoses point to the lack of markets, and in particular a lack of enforceable and exchangeable property rights. This approach works well with many, if not most natural resources. The case for FME approaches to pollution problems is much weaker, however. Most FME proponents suggest that common law tort suits can adequately protect private property and ecological resources from environmental harm. Yet such claims have not been substantiated. The case for the common law as an effective substitute for pollution control regulation has yet to be made. Much work needs to be done before the common law, or regulatory reforms grounded on common law principles, can be seen as a viable alternative to traditional environmental regulation.
A critical Examination of the Phenomenon of Bonding Area - Bonding Strength Interplay in Powder Tableting

Although the bonding area (BA) and bonding strength (BS) interplay is used to explain complex tableting behaviors, it has never been experimentally proven. The purpose of this study is to unambiguously establish the distinct contributions of each by decoupling the contributions from BA and BS. To modulate BA, a Soluplus® powder was compressed into tablets at different temperatures and then broken following equilibration at 25°C. To modulate BS, tablets were equilibrated at different temperatures. To simultaneously modulate BA and BS, both powder compression and tablet breaking test were carried out at different temperatures. Lower tablet tensile strength is observed when the powder is compressed at a lower temperature but broken at 25°C. This is consistent with the increased resistance to polymer deformation at lower temperatures. When equilibrated at different temperatures, the tensile strength of tablets prepared under identical conditions increases with decreasing storage temperature, indicating that BS is higher at a lower temperature. When powder compression and tablet breaking are carried out at the same temperature, the profile with a maximum tensile strength at 4°C is observed due to the BA-BS interplay. By systematically varying temperature during tablet compression and breaking, we have experimentally demonstrated the phenomenon of BA-BS interplay in tableting.
Bioassay Determination of Insecticide Residues in Alfalfa

Alfalfa samples treated with Cytrolane® (cyclic propylene P, P -diethyl phosphonodithioimidocarbonate) and Cyolane® (cyclic ethylene P, P -diethyl phosphonodithioi-midocarbonate) were collected from 2 climatically different localities in Wyoming, Torrington and Laramie. Samples were taken at 0-, 7-, 14-, and 21-day intervals following treatment during 1969 and 1970, Bioassay studies were conducted using larvae of Culiseta inornata (Williston). The percent recovery was 88±3 for Cytrolane and 88±3.5 for Cyolane. As low as 0.01 ppm of these insecticides could be detected by this assay method. Residues (ppm) present in alfalfa samples indicated comparatively higher concentrations of residues in Laramie samples than in the Torrington samples. Hence, the data revealed a more rapid rate of degradation at Torrington than at Laramie.
Factors associated with the accuracy of subjective assessments of hearing impairment.

Objectives Self-reported hearing impairment is often used to gauge objective hearing loss in both clinical settings and research studies. The aim of this study was to examine whether demographic factors affect the accuracy of subjective, self-reported hearing in older adults. Design We examined 3557 participants aged 50 and older in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles 1999-2006 and 2009-2010. We examined the relationship between objective and subjective hearing impairment using percent correct classification and misclassification bias in analyses stratified by gender, age group, race/ethnicity, and education. Results We found that younger participants tended to overestimate and older participants underestimate their hearing impairment. Older women, blacks, and Hispanics were less accurate in self-reporting than their respective younger age groups. Conclusions The association between subjective and objective hearing differs across gender, age, race/ethnicity, and education, and this observation should be considered by clinicians and researchers employing self-reported hearing.
Why the Graph Isomorphism Problem Is Easier Than Propositional Satisfiability: A Possible Qualitative Explanation

A recent result has shown that the graph isomorphism problem can be solved in quasi-polynomial time, while the general belief is that only exponential time algorithms are possible for propositional satisfiability. This is somewhat counter-intuitive, since for propositional satisfiability, we need to look for one of 2 options, while in graph isomorphism, we need to look for one of n! options, and n! ≫ 2. Our qualitative explanation for this counter-intuitive fact comes from the fact that, in general, a graph isomorphism problem has a unique solution – in contrast to propositional satisfiability which, in general, has many solutions – and it is known that problems with unique solutions are often easier to solve. 1 Complexity of Different NP-Problems and a Recent Result on Graph Isomorphism To explain the result about graph isomorphisms, it is necessary to recall the corresponding definitions: what is a feasible algorithm, what is an NP-problem, etc. For detailed description of these notions, see, e.g., [7]. Feasible algorithms: reminder. Some theoretical algorithms require so much computation time that they are not practically useful. For example, if on inputs of bit size n, the algorithm requires exponentially many 2 steps, then even for a moderate-size input, with n = 1000, this algorithm needs time which is larger than the lifetime of the Universe. It is therefore desirable to find out which algorithms are feasible. Usually:
Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome: Evaluation of a Multiple-Setting Program:

Abusive head trauma, including shaken baby syndrome, is a serious form of abuse that often results in lifelong developmental challenges or infant death. Educational programs have helped reduce the number of infants hospitalized due to abusive head trauma. The current study provides a process evaluation of Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee’s Shaken Baby Prevention Project. We utilized survey data from (a) 189 trained professionals who delivered the program to new parents in either the hospital or home-visiting setting and (b) 5,565 new mothers who participated in the program in one of those two settings (n = 5,416 hospital setting; n = 149 home-visiting setting). Results suggest that Shaken Baby Prevention Project facilitator training was effective, and the intervention was well-received by mothers in both the home and hospital settings. Furthermore, shaken baby syndrome information should be provided in both home and hospital settings because each provided access to a different population.
Characterization of Sandia Capacitive Comb-finger MEMS Accelerometers

This paper discusses various methods for testing the performance of MEMS capacitive comb-finger accelerometers manufactured by Sandia National Laboratories. The use of Capacitive MEMS devices requires complex circuits for measurement of capacitance and the Sandia MEMS accelerometer’s capacitance changes in a very small femto-farad (fF) range. The performance of accelerometer is tested using Analog Devices AD7747 sigma-delta capacitance to digital converter. The response of a MEMS capacitive accelerometer to various tests is useful for testing and characterization and investigate it’s suitability for various applications.
Barriers to International Exchange of Data-Related Services: Economic Protectionism vs. Privacy Issues

Transnational data flows are increasingly being hindered by governmental controls. There are three main reasons for imposition of these limitations: (1) individual privacy, (2) economic, and (3) national security. While large MNC’s are affected the most, in the long-run small domestic firms may also suffer from such controls. Future prospects for these sorts of controls promise to make things more difficult for the marketers of data related services, as they affect export and import of television productions, movies, music, and other services. This article discusses the development of transnational data flow limitations, its reasons, and marketing influences of such limitations.
Systematic Assessment of a High-Impact Course Design Institute

Herein, we describe an intensive, week-long course design institute (CDI) designed to introduce participants to the scholarly and evidence-driven process of learning-focused course design. Impact of this intervention is demonstrated using a multifaceted approach: (a) post-CDI satisfaction and perception surveys, (b) pre-/post-CDI surveys probing pedagogical confidence and perceptions regarding importance of syllabi components, and (c) pre-/post-CDI syllabi analysis using a reliable syllabus rubric validated for higher education courses. The combined results of these qualitative and quantitative studies indicate that participants value the CDI experience, believe they learn basic principles of learning-focused course design, report they are more confident enacting learning-focused concepts in the classroom, believe they are better able to design learning-focused syllabi, and they actually design more learning-focused courses/syllabi.
Striatal dopamine responses to IV alcohol in social drinkers and nontreatment-seeking alcoholics

303 Objectives To determine if differences in striatal dopamine (DA) responses exist between social drinkers (SD) and nontreatment-seeking alcoholics (NTS) in response to IV alcohol (EtOH) intoxication. Methods 24 SD and 22 NTS received a structural MRI (MP-RAGE; Siemens 3T Tim Trio) and two [11C]raclopride (RAC; a D2/D3 antagonist sensitive to DA concentration) PET scans (Siemens ECAT HR+); one at rest, and one during a pharmacokinetically modeled IV EtOH alcohol infusion to a target breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) of 80mg% (legal threshold for intoxication). 50 min scans were initiated with IV infusion of 13.9±1.51 mCi RAC. IV EtOH was started 5min after scan start, raised to target BrAC over 15min, and maintained at 80mg% for 30min. Data were reconstructed by filtered backprojection with a 5mm Hanning filter, motion-corrected and spatially normalized. Voxel-wise binding potential (BPND) was estimated with MRTM2; parametric images were smoothed with an 8mm FWHM Gaussian kernel. Paired t-tests of changes in BPND between rest and EtOH conditions (responding regions: p Results In SD, IV EtOH increased DA in the left anterior caudate (∆BP=8%); decreased DA was observed in the right dorsal caudate (-3%) and left posterior putamen (-8%). NTS demonstrated increased DA in the right ventral striatum (10%); no decreases in DA were found. Conclusions Alcohol intoxication results in differential anatomic profiles of DA responses in SD and NTS, suggesting that the striatal DA system processes information about EtOH intoxication differently in SD and NTS. Research Support R01AA018354 (KKY) ABMRF (KKY)
Assessing Hubbard-corrected AM05+U and PBEsol+U density functionals for strongly correlated oxides CeO2 and Ce2O3

The structure–property relationships of bulk CeO2 and Ce2O3 have been investigated using AM05 and PBEsol exchange–correlation functionals within the frameworks of Hubbard-corrected density functional theory (DFT+U) and density functional perturbation theory (DFPT+U). Compared with conventional PBE+U, RPBE+U, PW91+U and LDA+U functionals, AM05+U and PBEsol+U describe experimental crystalline parameters and properties of CeO2 and Ce2O3 with superior accuracy, especially when +U is chosen close to its value derived by the linear-response approach. The present findings call for a reexamination of some of the problematic oxide materials featuring strong f- and d-electron correlation using AM05+U and PBEsol+U.
The tropical rain forest near its northern limits in Veracruz, Mexico: Recent and ephemeral?

Estudios palinologicos de depositos del Mioceno superior de Veracruz, revelan una ausencia o escaso desarrollo de la selva alta perennifolia. La pPresecia de polen de Picea indica bajas temperaturas que debieron haber impedido la coalescencia de elementos tropicales para configurar a una selva humeda moderna, lo cual ocurrio hasta periodos post-glaciales. La informacion presentada es consistente con los modelos recientes de especiacion basados en ambientes ecuatoriales y en la dinamica de la selva alta perennifolia.
EFFECTIVENESS AND SAFETY OF APIXABAN AND RIVAROXABAN VERSUS WARFARIN FOR THE SECONDARY PREVENTION OF STROKE OR SYSTEMIC EMBOLISM AMONG NONVALVULAR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION PATIENTS

Background: Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients experiencing prior stroke or systemic embolism (SSE) are at an increased risk of recurrent events. Limited real-world data exists comparing rivaroxaban or apixaban to warfarin in such patients. We sought to compare the effectiveness and
The role of N-acetylcysteine amide in defending primary human retinal pigment epithelial cells against tert-butyl hydroperoxide- induced oxidative stress

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the United States among adults age 60 and older. While oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of AMD, dietary antioxidants have been shown to delay AMD progression in clinical studies. We hypothesized that N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA), a thiol antioxidant, would protect retinal pigment epithelium and impede progression of retinal degeneration. Methods: tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) was used to induce oxidative stress in cell cultures. The goal was to evaluate the efficacy of NACA in an in vitro model of AMD in primary human retinal pigment epithelial cells (HRPEpiC). Results: Our data indicates that TBHP generated reactive oxygen species (ROS), which reduced cell viability, depleted glutathione (GSH) levels, and compromised glutathione reductase (GR) activity. Pretreatment with NACA significantly reduced ROS generation, restored GSH levels and GR activity, and recovered transepithelial electrical resistance. Pretreatment with NACA did not decrease the number of dying cells as determined by flow cytometry analysis. However, survival was significantly improved when cells were co-exposed to NACA and TBHP after a shortened pretreatment period. Conclusion: Our data suggest that pretreatment with NACA reduces sublethal but not lethal effects of TBHP in HRPEpiC. NACA significantly improves cell survival when administered prior to and during oxidative damage similar to that observed in the development of dry AMD. These results indicate that continuation of a thiol antioxidant regimen for treatment of AMD is beneficial throughout the course of the disease, and NACA is a potent antioxidant that should be further evaluated for this purpose.
Alteration and Erosion of Rock Matrix Bordering a Carbonate-Rich Shale Fracture.

A novel reactive transport model has been developed to examine the processes that affect fracture evolution in a carbonate-rich shale. An in situ synchrotron X-ray microtomography experiment, flowing CO2 saturated water through a single fracture mini-core of Niobrara Shale provided the experimental observations for the development and testing of the model. The phenomena observed included the development of a porous altered layer, flow channeling, and increasingly limited calcite dissolution. The experimental observations cannot be explained by models that consider only mineral dissolution and development of an altered layer. The difference between the fracture volume change recorded by the microtomography images and what would be expected from mineral dissolution alone suggest that there is erosion of the altered layer as it develops. The numerical model includes this additional mechanism, with the erosion rate based on the thickness of the altered layer, and successfully captures the evolution of the geo...
Tone association and F? timing in Chichewa

In Chichewa (Bantu, Malawi), a high tone is realized as a peak in fundamental frequency (fO). In this study, the timing of fO peaks relative to the duration of the high-toned syllable was measured for high tones in phrase-medial, -penultimate and -final positions. No phonetic support was found for the assumption in the literature that a phrase-medial high tone is spread over two syllables. Instead, it was found that such a high tone is realized with a significantly later fO peak than a high tone in the last two syllables. On the other hand, support was found for Kanerva's proposal that a phrase-final high tone is shifted in phonological representation to the phrase-penultimate syllable.
The promising potential role of intercultural citizenship in preparing mainstream teachers for im/migrant populations:

The multilingual reality of migration in the 21st century has presented US schools and teacher education programs with pressing challenges: more and more P-12 educators have become de facto languag...
Post-crash fiction and the aesthetics of austerity in Kevin Barry’s City of Bohane

Since 2008, the phrase “age of austerity” has become commonplace in political, economic, and sociocultural discourse across Europe and the globe. This article contributes to interdisciplinary studi...