cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In situ control of sulfide emissions during the thermophilic (55°C) anaerobic digestion process

Abstract Sulfide volatilization was found to be sensitive to the pH variations expected during normal anaerobic digester operation. As digester pH levels increased from 6.7 to 8.2, gaseous sulfide concentrations decreased from 2900 to 100 ppm H 2 S(g). Although gaseous sulfide control through pH adjustment was technically feasible, its practical use was limited by the resulting increase in soluble sulfide concentration. pH adjustment for biogas sulfide control was recommended only under conditions in which the influent sulfur level was well below sulfide inhibitory concentrations. Control of gaseous sulfide levels through insoluble iron (3+) phosphate addition was an efficient gaseous sulfide control process with no adverse effects on digester performance. By varying the influent FePO 4 -Fe:SO 4 2− -S input ratio from 0.0 to 3.5, gaseous sulfide levels decreased from 2400 to 100 ppm. The availability of iron under anaerobic conditions from an aerobically insoluble compound has been termed reductive solubilization. Using results from this investigation, a unique anaerobic digestion system is outlined to treat sulfur rich wastes in which sulfide inhibition is minimized while maximizing energy recovery.
On the Limit of Machine Intelligence

Whether digital computers can eventually be as intelligent as humans has been a topic of controversy for decades. Neither side of the debate has provided solid arguments proving this way or the other. After reviewing the contentions, we show in this article that machine intelligence is not unlimited. There exists an insurmountable barrier for digital computers to achieve the full range of human intelligence. Particularly, if a robot had a human’s sentience of life and death, then it would cause a logical contradiction. Therefore, a digital computer will never have the full range of human consciousness. This thesis substantiates a limit of computer intelligence and draws a line between biological humans and digital robots. It makes us rethink the issues as whether robots will remain forever one of the tools for us to use, or they will someday become a species competing with us; and whether robots can eventually dominate humans intellectually.
Electrophysiological properties of different cell types in the shark rectal gland

Abstract Electrophysiological properties of different cell types were studied in single rectal gland cells of Squalus acanthias by the whole-cell voltage clamp technique. Based on electrophysiological characteristics and primary morphological observations (light microscope, X400), three cell types (named as I, II, and III) were found in isolated fresh cells and two cell types (I and II) in primary cultured cells of the shark rectal gland (SRG). Type I cells had both Cl − (I c1 ) and the inwardly rectifying K + channel (I k1 ). Type II and III cells only had I c1 . Under X400 light microscope granular materials in the cytoplasm were found in Type I and II cells, but not in Type III cells. The data from this study show that 65% of isolated fresh SRG cells strongly expressed the K + channel with much less amount of the Cl − channel and 35% had only I c1 . In sharp contrast, 11% had I k1 and I c1 , and 89% had only I c1 in cultured SRG cells. Extracellular application of 10 μM forskolin significantly enhanced I c1 in primary cultured SRG cells. This enhancement was influenced by intracellular Ca 2+ and blocked by 50 μM Ni 2+ . Other compounds, such as vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP) and 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-adenosine3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate (cpt-cAMP) also enhanced I c1 . Interestingly, cAMP and forskolin significantly inhibited I k1 in cultured and fresh SRG cells. I K1 was blocked by micromolar concentrations of Ba 2+ and significantly altered by extracellular K + concentrations. The present data suggest that 1) the shark rectal gland contains different cell types which may play various roles in the process of salt secretion; 2) I c1 and I k1 in SRG cells are strongly modulated by cAMP, forskolin, and VIP, as well as Ca 2+ , K + , and Na + ions.
Fall Direction, Bone Mineral Density, and Function: Risk Factors for Hip Fracture in Frail Nursing Home Elderly

Abstract Purpose: To determine the importance of fall characteristics, body habitus, function, and hip bone mineral density as independent risk factors for hip fracture in frail nursing home residents. Subjects and Methods: In this prospective, case-control study of a single, long-term care facility, we enrolled 132 ambulatory residents (95 women and 37 men) aged 65 and older, including 32 cases (fallers with hip fracture) and 100 controls (fallers with no hip fracture). Principal risk factors included fall characteristics, body habitus, measures of functional assessment, and hip bone mineral density by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: In multivariate analysis, including only those with knowledge of the fall direction (n = 100), those who fell and suffered a hip fracture were more likely to have fallen sideways (odds ratio 5.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7 to 18, P = 0.004) and have a low hip bone mineral density (odds ratio 1.9, 95% CI 0.97 to 3.7, P = 0.06) than those who fell and did not fracture. When all participants were included (n = 132) and subjects who did not know fall direction were coded as not having fallen to the side, a fall to the side (odds ratio 3.9, 95% CI 1.3 to 11, P = 0.01), low hip bone density (odds ratio 1.8, 95% CI 1.03 to 3, P = 0.04), and impaired mobility (odds ratios 6.4, 95% CI 1.9 to 21, P = 0.002) were independently associated with hip fracture. Sixty-seven percent of subjects (87% with and 62% without hip fracture) had a total hip bone mineral density greater than 2.5 SD below adult peak bone mass and were therefore classified as having osteoporosis using World Health Organization criteria. Conclusions: Among frail elderly nursing home fallers, the preponderance of whom are osteoporotic, a fall to the side, a low hip bone density, and impairment in mobility are all important and independent risk factors for hip fracture. These data suggest that, among the frailest elderly, measures to reduce the severity of a sideways fall and improve mobility touch on new domains of risk, independent of bone mineral density, that need to be targeted for hip fracture prevention in this high-risk group.
Optical fibre systems for the civil communications network

Abstract This paper reviews the state of the art of optical fibre systems with a bias towards civil telecommunications. Systems installed and undergoing trials are summarized. Finally, a cost benefit analysis is given and future developments considered.
A Field Study Investigating a Strategy of Elementary Mathematics Teacher Education in Respect to the Cognitive Domain— Preliminary Report

Summary Research has recently been undertaken at Kent State University aimed at improving the training of elementary mathematics teachers. It was based on five fundamental behavioural objectives and each of these was interpreted in respect of each of six levels of the cognitive domain. Trials were made to provide the best programme for students on this basis and the progress of the research up to the present time is reported in this article.
Cholesterol accumulation and liver cell death in mice with Niemann-Pick type C disease

Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease develops as a result of mutations in the NPC1 gene that encodes a protein involved in the net movement of unesterified cholesterol from the late endosomal/lysosomal compartment to the metabolically active pool of sterol in the cytosol of virtually every cell in the body. Although early publications emphasized the neurodegeneration occurring in children with this mutation, more recent clinical information suggests that serious liver disease also is an important part of this syndrome. These studies, therefore, were undertaken to characterize the liver dysfunction seen in mice with this same mutation. The NPC mouse develops significant hepatomegaly that reaches 8% of body weight at 5 to 6 weeks of age. This increase in liver size is associated with a linear increase in cholesterol content and with accumulation of amorphous cellular inclusions in both hepatocytes and macrophages. During the few weeks after birth, significant elevation of the plasma alkaline phosphatase level occurs, as also is seen in the human infant with this disease. At 4 to 5 weeks of age, plasma aminotransferase levels also rise abruptly. Histologically, at this time there is apoptosis, but no excess deposition of collagen or glycogen. mRNA expression is elevated for caspase 1, caspase 6, and several enzymes associated with sterol biosynthesis and bile acid formation. In conclusion, the NPC mouse has liver disease similar to that seen in the NPC infant and represents a relevant model for exploring the molecular events occurring in this form of liver disease.
Final Freedom: The Civil War, the Abolition of Slavery, and the Thirteenth Amendment

List of illustrations Acknowledgements List of abbreviations Introduction 1. Slavery's constitution 2. Freedom's constitution 3. Facing freedom 4. Debating freedom 5. The key note of freedom 6. The war within a war: emancipation and the election of 1864 7. A King's cure 8. The contested legacy of constitutional freedom Appendix: votes on antislavery amendment Bibliography Index.
The Papyrus query processing engine

This paper describes query processing in the Papyrus integrated data server. Query processing is unique in Papyrus because the underlying language is very powerful (computationally complete), performance on uni-processor systems is not sacrificed in order to support multiprocessor architectures, and queries are self-scheduling in order to support extensibility. A prototype demonstrating the feasibility of this approach is in operation. >
Physiological Consequences for the Cat's Visual Cortex of Effectively Restricting Early Visual Experience With Oriented Contours

1. The early visual experience of nine cats was restricted to viewing horizontal or vertical lines inside opaque goggles. 2. When the kittens were 3-4 mo old, extracellular recordings were made in the primary visual cortex. To obtain a representative sample of cortical cells, units were studied at regularly spaced intervals along the course of electrode penetrations traveling oblique to the cortical surface. An automated assessment of preferred orientation using a computer-driven optical display was employed, and during the recording session the experimenters did not know which orientation(s) each animal had viewed in early life. 3. In the cats that viewed horizontal lines with one eye and vertical lines with the other during rearing, two major findings of previous workers (14) were confirmed. First, a majority of units were not selective for orientation. Second, units with preferred orientations near vertical tended to be activated exclusively by the eye that had viewed vertical, and likewise for horizontal. 4. In cats that viewed lines of the same orientation with both eyes during rearing, a substantially smaller proportion of units were selective for orientation; the preferred orientations of these units also tended to match the orientation to which the cats had been exposed. 5. Portions of some electrode penetrations showed an orderly arrangement of cells according to preferred orientation similar to that seen in normal cats, but with regions over which only nonselective cells were found. Many penetrations appeared less orderly. 6. The results are consistent with a role for early visual experience in maintaining the responsiveness and innate selectivity of cortical neurons, although they cannot entirely rule out the possibility that experience may alter or determine the preferred orientation of some cells.
Weather forecasting: predicting performance for streaming video over wireless LANs

The growth of wireless LANs has brought the expectation for high-bitrate streaming video to wireless PCs. However, it remains unclear how wireless channel characteristics impact the quality of streaming video sent over wireless LANs. This paper presents results from experiments that stream commercial video over a wireless campus network. By analyzing the streaming video quality and capturing wireless LAN characteristics across network and wireless link layers, "weather forecasts" are created such that selected wireless LAN performance indicators might be used to predict the streaming video quality. Furthermore, a quantified measurement of accuracy is presented to evaluate the effectiveness of individual weather forecasts. The paper evaluates six distinct weather forecasts four different streaming configurations including TCP and UDP streaming, and single and multiple-level encoded videos. The results show that the wireless Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and average wireless link capacity are the most accurate indicators to predict the performance of streaming video over wireless LANs. The weather forecast philosophy can be beneficial for adapting video streaming in wireless LAN environments.
Cloud flagging and clearing using high-resolution infrared and microwave sounding data

The temperature profile retrieval performance of airborne and spaceborne atmospheric infrared sounders is significantly degraded by clouds. The impact due to two-level clouds is quantitatively assessed in two ways using simulated radiances from the Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (AIRS), the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU), and the Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS). First, cloud characterization (cloud flagging) techniques were developed to identify cloud-contaminated pixels. Second, a neural network was trained to estimate clear-column infrared radiances from cloud-contaminated 3/spl times/3 pixel clusters of infrared and microwave radiances (cloud clearing). This algorithm reduced the a priori radiance error due to clouds by at least a factor of three for those 4- and 15-micron sounding channels with weighting function peaks located from 0-10 km. Radiance cloud-clearing errors (RMS) for infrared channels with weighting functions peaking from 10 to 0 km ranged from 0.1 to 0.7 K for the 4-micron channels and from 0.1 to 1.2 K for the 15-micron channels. Combining microwave and infrared data at the pixel level always yielded results superior to infrared alone. It was found that microwave surface emissivity uncertainties are a key contributor to residual errors.
Real-time welding process control using infrared sensing

The thermal distribution changes associated with gas tungsten are welding process were studied to identify and correct for weld joint offsets for butt joints. These changes were experimentally measured using infrared thermography. In the weld offset conditions the slope of the temperature distributions were found to be altered dramatically. Not only did offset produce asymmetric temperature distributions but a steep increase in gradients was also observed. These changes were then used to detect and correct initial errors in the position of the torch during the welding of straight and curved contours of perfectly fitted butt joints and joints with gap.
A portable, low-cost assessment device for reaching times

We present the Systematic Test for Assessing Reaching Times (START), an interactive device for measuring reaction and movement times. START uses randomly lighted buttons to elicit reaches to a variety of target locations with a standardized setup. A magnetized wristband and reed switch monitor the hand rest position while capacitive touch sensors embedded in the buttons sense successful target reaches. A microcontroller measures reaching times at tens of milliseconds resolution. START can easily translate to the clinic because it is portable, easy to use and inexpensive to construct. We designed START for use with stroke patients and are using START to assess the progress of upper extremity rehabilitation of stroke survivors. It can be modified to fit a number of other motor control or cognitive tasks.
Slow Strain-Rate Stress Corrosion Testing for Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor Steam Generator Applications

A high-temperature slow strain-rate facility was developed to evaluate the stress corrosion resistance of alloys considered for the construction of liquid metal fast breeder reactor (LMFBR) steam generators. The primary concern was stress corrosion that might occur on the water side during steam generator operation in locally faulted caustic environments. Most of the studies were performed at 316°C in 5 or 10 percent sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions with 2Cr-1Mo steel and Incoloy-800. With minor modification, the slow strain-rate test was converted to a straining electrode test. Experiments conducted by the straining electrode test permitted the study of stress corrosion behavior in the high temperature caustic solutions over a range of oxidizing potentials. It was found that 2 1/4 Cr-1Mo steel was extremely resistant to caustic cracking at 316°C in all metallurgical conditions tested by the slow strain-rate test and the straining electrode test. A few slow strain-rate tests performed at 232°C in 5 to 10 percent NaOH resulted in intergranular and transgranular stress corrosion failures of 2 1/4 Cr-1Mo steel. Unlike 2 1/4 Cr-1Mo, Incoloy-800 was susceptible to caustic cracking at 316°C. The susceptibility depended on the metallurgical condition and to some extent, the oxidizing potential. The cold-worked and Grade 1 conditions exhibited excellent resistance to caustic cracking in the slow strain-rate test. However, limited studies in the straining electrode test showed the Grade 1 condition could be readily cracked at anodic oxidizing potentials.
Doppler line super-radiant emission from a sphere

Abstract A simple theory is given for the super-radiant emission from a uniform spherical gaseous medium. The emission stems from a Doppler-broadened transition with positive gain. Application of the theory to a recent fluorescence experiment shows that super-radiant emission does not account for the decay of the population in the upper level.
Amoeboid Movement in Chaos Carolinensis

Amoeboid movement is often regarded as one of the simplest forms of cell motility. However, it consists of even simpler phenomena that either constitute, or are encountered in, other forms of motility, namely cytoplasmic streaming, changes in cell shape, and the formation of temporary locomotor appendages, pseudopodia.
Torso morphology and locomotion in Proconsul nyanzae

A new partial skeleton of Proconsul nyanzae from Mfangano Island, Kenya (KNM-MW 13142) includes five lumbar vertebrae, a partial sacrum, and nearly complete hipbone. Until recently, little was known of the axial and pelvic skeletons of Proconsul, or any early Miocene hominoid. Because torso morphology directly reflects locomotor behavior, these elements provide important new information about posture and locomotion of P. nyanzae. Two basic patterns of locomotor behavior and corresponding torso morphology exist among extant anthropoids. Monkeys have long, flexible spines with powerful epaxial muscles and mediolaterally narrow thoraces. This morphology represents a response to the mechanical requirements of habitual pronograde quadrupedalism. In contrast, hominoids, particularly great apes, have shorter, stiffer spines and broader torsos than do monkeys. The hominoid pattern reflects an emphasis on forelimb abduction-adduction, and on stability and control of the lower back during forelimb-dominated arboreal locomotion. KNM-MW 13142 had craniocaudally elongate vertebral bodies, and probably six lumbar vertebrae, reflecting a long, flexible vertebral column. The narrow, laterally facing iliac blades of KNM-MW 13142 imply the presence of a mediolaterally narrow, dorsoventrally deep thorax. Its wide iliac tuberosities, ventrally located lumbar transverse processes, and distinct accessory processes suggest that Proconsul nyanzae also had strap-like epaxial muscles similar to those characterizing most monkeys. Axial and pelvic morphology of KNM-MW 13142 indicate that P. nyanzae had not undergone an ape-like rearrangement of its torso to adapt to forelimb-dominated arboreality. Instead, P. nyanzae probably retained a more primitive pattern of pronograde quadrupedalism. This morphology indicates that the extant hominoid pattern of torso anatomy arose subsequent to the establishment of the hominid clade. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Combined stability of hydrogen maser and superconducting cavity maser oscillator

The authors combined a superconducting cavity maser oscillator (SCMO) and a hydrogen maser to form a standard which shows the medium-term performance of the hydrogen maser together with improved short-term performance available only from cryogenic oscillators. A double-loop receiver combines the two sources with a 100-MHz quartz crystal oscillator. Fractional frequency stability of 2*10/sup -14/ was obtained for a measuring time of tau =1 s, and 1*10/sup -15/ at tau =1000 s. The 1-s value is almost as low as the floor (1*10/sup -14/) for the measurement system, while the 1000-s value is identical to hydrogen maser performance. The design is based on models of hydrogen maser and SCMO phase noise for offset frequencies down to 1*10/sup -6/ Hz. >
Symmetry-, time-, and temperature-dependent strength of carbon nanotubes

Although the strength of carbon nanotubes has been of great interest, their ideal value has remained elusive both experimentally and theoretically. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of underlying atomic mechanisms and evaluate the yield strain for arbitrary nanotubes at realistic conditions. For this purpose, we combine detailed quantum mechanical computations of failure nucleation and transition-state barriers with the probabilistic approach of the rate theory. The numerical results are then summarized in a concise set of equations for the breaking strain. We reveal a competition between two alternative routes of brittle bond breaking and plastic relaxation, determine the domains of their dominance, and map the nanotube strength as a function of chiral symmetry, tensile test time, and temperature.
Student perceptions of ePortfolio integration in online courses

This study explored students’ perceptions regarding the integration of electronic portfolios (ePortfolios) in two online graduate‐level courses at a small research university in the western United States. Researchers investigated student perceptions of communication, connectedness, value, and perceived student learning through ePortfolio integration and formative peer review to support a sustained community of learning. Data was collected from 40 students with a Web‐based questionnaire and a threaded discussion forum. Results indicate ePortfolios positively impacted some students’ perception of communication, connectedness, and learning. Most participants also valued ePortfolios. Prior ePortfolio experience and gender were responsible for minor differences in student perceptions, whereas lack of prior reflective experience impacted student perceptions significantly. Researchers conclude that ePortfolios can foster learning communities in online graduate programs.
Children's Spontaneous Utterances during Early Reading and Writing Instruction in Whole-Language Classrooms

This study examined the spontaneous utterances of first-grade inner-city children in whole-language classrooms in two urban sites. Data were gathered across the first-grade year for 12 learners who were observed twice-weekly across the school year. The context for each utterance was documented in field notes recording instructional context, learner behavior, and social interactions. Three selection criteria were used for utterances; spontaneity, being embedded in acts of reading and writing, and explanatory value. The 87 categorized utterances revealed five trends in terms of learner perceptions of beginning reading and writing: (a) nearly half of the utterances were metacognitive statements reporting learner self-appraisal and self-management; (b) learners were concerned with sound/symbol relations and argued with peers about them; (c) hypotheses about reading reflected learner patterns of development, teacher demonstrations, and classroom experiences; (d) learners paid close attention to patterns in letters and words, and (e) learners' interpretations of their whole-language classrooms included notions about the interrelatedness of reading and writing. What can we learn about children's understanding of written language from the talk that occurs in whole-languag e classrooms as children learn to read and write? What do the spontaneous utterances, the remarks blurted out during reading instruction, the talking to self during composing episodes reveal about children's early school-based literacy experiences? What do children's utterances show us about learning to read and write in whole-language settings as seen from children's perspectives?
The Design of Multiple-Line Redundant Networks

One means to assure high reliability in digital electronic equipment is to incorporate multiple-line redundancy in its design. This type of redundancy has been described frequently in the literature. This paper treats the problem of determining the design of a multiple-line redundant network which maximizes the reliability of the network. There is an extremely large number of feasible designs for moderately sized networks, and no computationally practical method exists for determining the optimum design. To provide a practical solution for this problem an algorithm is described which generates a small subset of all feasible designs. A dynamic programming algorithm then selects the best from the reduced set. Computational results show that the design discovered by these techniques, in most instances, has a reliability very close to that of the optimum, and that the time for the computation increases approximately as the fourth power of the number of logical elements in the network.
The Rcs phosphorelay system is specific to enteric pathogens/commensals and activates ydeI, a gene important for persistent Salmonella infection of mice.

Bacteria utilize phosphorelay systems to respond to environmental or intracellular stimuli. Salmonella enterica encodes a four-step phosphorelay system that involves two sensor kinase proteins, RcsC and RcsD, and a response regulator, RcsB. The physiological stimulus for Rcs phosphorelay activation is unknown; however, Rcs-regulated genes can be induced in vitro by osmotic shock, low temperature and antimicrobial peptide exposure. In this report we investigate the role of the Rcs pathway using phylogenetic analysis and experimental techniques. Phylogenetic analysis determined that full-length RcsC-and RcsD-like proteins are generally restricted to Enterobacteriaceae species that have an enteric pathogenic or commensal relationship with the host. Experimental data show that RcsD and RcsB, in addition to RcsC, are important for systemic infection in mice and polymyxin B resistance in vitro. To identify Rcs-regulated genes that confer these phenotypes, we took advantage of our observation that RcsA, a transcription factor and binding partner of RcsB, is not required for polymyxin B resistance or survival in mice. S. enterica serovar Typhimurium oligonucleotide microarrays were used to identify 18 loci that are activated by RcsC, RcsD and RcsB but not RcsA. Five of the 18 loci encode genes that contribute to polymyxin B resistance. One of these genes, ydeI, was shown by quantitative real-time PCR to be regulated by the Rcs pathway independently of RcsA. Additionally, the stationary-phase sigma factor, RpoS (sigmaS), regulates ydeI transcription. In vivo infections show that ydeI mutants are out-competed by wild type 10- to 100-fold after oral inoculation, but are only modestly attenuated after intraperitoneal inoculation. These data indicate that ydeI is an Rcs-activated gene that plays an important role in persistent infection of mice, possibly by increasing bacterial resistance to antimicrobial peptides.
Differential response to stress in Ostrea lurida as measured by gene expression

Olympia oysters are the only oyster native to the west coast of North America. The population within Puget Sound, WA has been decreasing significantly since the early 1900's. Current restoration efforts are focused on supplementing local populations with hatchery bred oysters. A recent study by Heare et al. (2017) has shown differences in stress response in oysters from different locations in Puget Sound however, nothing is known about the underlying mechanisms associated with these observed differences. In this study, expression of genes associated with growth, immune function, and gene regulatory activity in oysters from Oyster Bay, Dabob Bay, and Fidalgo Bay were characterized following temperature and mechanical stress. We found that heat stress and mechanical stress significantly changed expression in molecular regulatory activity and immune response, respectively. We also found that oysters from Oyster Bay had the most dramatic response to stress at the gene expression level. These data provide important baseline information on the physiological response of Ostrea lurida to stress and provide clues to underlying performance differences in the three populations examined.
Predictors of renal function in nephron sparing surgery for renal cell carcinoma in solitary kidneys

e16045 Background: Partial nephrectomy (PN) is an effective option for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in patients who need to preserve renal function. However, the oncologic safety and functional outcome after PN in solitary kidneys have not been fully examined. We assessed the outcomes after PN, and evaluated predictors of post-operative renal function. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the Columbia Urologic Oncology database found 1327 patients were treated for RCC from 1988 - 2008, of whom 38 consecutive patients underwent PN on a solitary kidney. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated with the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. Severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal failure were defined as GFR of 15–30 cc/min/1.73m2 and GFR<15, respectively. Cox proportional hazards regression methods were used. Results: The study group included 30 men and 8 women with unilateral RCC. The mean age was 63.2 years (range 35–83). The mean estimated blood loss was 465cc, ...
Assessing skin blood flow dynamics in older adults using a modified sample entropy approach

The aging process may result in attenuated microvascular reactivity in response to environmental stimuli, which can be evaluated by analyzing skin blood flow (SBF) signals. Among various methods for analyzing physiological signals, sample entropy (SE) is commonly used to quantify the degree of regularity of time series. However, we found that for temporally correlated data, SE value depends on the sampling rate. When data are oversampled, SE may give misleading results. To address this problem, we propose to modify the definition of SE by using time-lagged vectors in the calculation of the conditional probability that any two vectors of successive data points are within a tolerance r for m points remain within the tolerance at the next point. The lag could be chosen as the first minimum of the auto mutual information function. We tested the performance of modified SE using simulated signals and SBF data. The results showed that modified SE is able to quantify the degree of regularity of the signals regardless of sampling rate. Using this approach, we observed a more regular behavior of blood flow oscillations (BFO) during local heating-induced maximal vasodilation period compared to the baseline in young and older adults and a more regular behavior of BFO in older adults compared to young adults. These results suggest that modified SE may be useful in the study of SBF dynamics.
Autonomic Nervous System Responses to Concussion: Arterial Pulse Contour Analysis

The arterial pulse wave (APW) has a distinct morphology whose contours reflect dynamics in cardiac function and peripheral vascular tone as a result of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) control. With a transition from rest to increased metabolic demand, the expected augmentation of SNS outflow will not only affect arterial blood pressure and heart rate, it will also induce changes to the contours of the APW. Following a sports concussion, a transient state cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction is present. How this state affects the APW, has yet to be described. A prospective, parallel-group study on cardiovascular autonomic control (i.e., digital electrocardiogram and continuous beat-to-beat blood pressure) was performed in the seated upright position in ten athletes with concussion and 7 non-injured control athletes. Changes in APW were compared at rest and during the first 60 seconds (F60) of an isometric handgrip test (IHGT) in concussed athletes and non-injured controls within 48 hours (48hr) and 1 week (1wk) of injury. The concussion group was further separated by the length of time until they were permitted to return to play (RTP>1wk; RTP≤1wk). SysSlope, an indirect measurement of stroke volume, was significantly lower in the concussion group at rest and during F60 at 48hr and 1wk; a paradoxical decline in SysSlope occurred at each visit during the transition from rest to IHGT F60. The RTP>1wk group had lower SysSlope (405±200; 420±88; 454±236 mmHg/s, respectively) at rest 48hr compared to the RTP≤1wk and controls. Similarly at 48hr rest, several measurements of arterial stiffness were abnormal in RTP>1wk compared to RTP≤1wk and controls: Peak-to-Notch Latency (0.12±0.04; 0.16±0.02; 0.17±0.05, respectively), Notch Relative Amplitude (0.70±0.03; 0.71±0.04; 0.66±0.14, respectively) and Stiffness Index (6.4±0.2; 5.7±0.4; 5.8±0.5, respectively). Use of APW revealed that concussed athletes have a transient increase in peripheral artery stiffness, which may be a compensatory adaptation to a paradoxical decline of stroke volume during the transition from rest to a state of increased metabolic demand within 48hr of concussion. This dysfunction of the SNS appeared to be more pronounced among concussed athletes who were removed from participation for >1 week compared to those who resumed play within 7 days.
Evaluation of the Position and Orientation of (Semi-) Passive RFID Tags for the Potential Application in Ground Worker Proximity Detection and Alert Devices in Safer Construction Equipment Operation

Of the construction fatalities that occurred in 2010, approximately one-fourth resulted from workers being struck by an object or piece of equipment on a construction site. The objective of this particular research is to evaluate the capabilities and reliability of low-cost (semi-) passive radio frequency identification (RFID) technology as the main component of a pro-active real-time personal protection unit (PPU). Experiments emulating typical interactions between ground workers and heavy construction equipment are designed and executed. Various positions and orientations of the designed (semi-) passive RFID-based PPU were evaluated based on typical ground worker movements during construction tasks. Results indicate that both position and orientation of the PPU impact the reliability of the system's ability to activate alerts during hazardous proximity situations. The overall purpose of this research is to generate scientific data and knowledge of proximity detection and alert system for eventual implementation of these systems on construction sites. By implementing these systems in the construction environment, ground workers can be provided an alert during hazardous proximity situations.
Laboratory Evaluation of Several Organotin Compounds Against Heliothis Spp.

Since the development of resistance to DDT in the bollworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), in Louisiana during 1958 (Graves et al. 1963) and in the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), in Texas during 1961 (Brazzel 1963), the control of these pests has become increasingly difficult. The problem has become acute in some areas such as the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas where the tobacco budworm is resistant to the point of practical immunity to 1 or more representatives of all 3 major classes of insecticides in current use (Graves et al. 1964).
Sociologists in the Present Crisis

JN OCTOBER, I940,ERobert M. MacIver, then President of the American Sociological Society, appointed a special committee on Participation of Sociologists in the National Emergency; it was headed by Joseph K. Folsom. Though seriously handicapped in time and funds, this committee did some fine preliminary work on a problem which is bound to concern us for some time to come. Its report, which is published in the April issue of the American Sociological Review, urged definite steps to secure increased employment of sociologists in the Federal civil service. In line with the committee's recommendation a resolution was adopted and sent to the Unitecd States Civil Service Commission; a new committee was authorized to cooperate with the Commission; and members of the Society were urged to fill out and return promptly the questionnaire for the National Roster of Scientific and Specialized Personnel. Sociologists were also advised to watch all announcements of relevant civil service examinations, Federal, state, and local, both for themselves and for their students. As to the new Committee on Cooperation with the United States Civil Service Commission, its chairman and one other member are now in the Federal service. The three academic members are thoroughly familiar with the problems involved. It is expected that this committee will aid in the classifying of positions wherein sociological knowledge and skills may be utilized to advantage; that it will make known to various Federal agencies the nature of these skills and bodies of knowledge; that it will convey to members of our group information about openings in government service. Whether the term sociologist will become one of the major categories used by the Civil Service Commission I have no idea, but I am confident that something worth while will emerge from the work of our committee. But the report of last year's committee was by no means confined to the employment of sociologists in the Federal and other civil service. It dealt also with modifications in our present programs of teaching, research, and extra-curricular activities:
The parasexual cycle in Aspergillus parasiticus.

SUMMARYSix diploids of Aspergillus parasiticus involving 12 genetic markers were analyzed by means of the parasexual cycle. Heterokaryotic heads consisted of homokaryotic and heterokaryotic conidia...
Wound Healing: A Comprehensive Wound Assessment and Treatment Approach

Wound healing is a complex process that requires the coordination of many interdependent steps. There have been many advances in the science of wound healing and numerous new techniques for treating wounds. The process of wound healing can be defined by the stages of hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, epithelialization, and remodeling. There are many factors that can negatively impact the normal healing cascade, and these can be divided into local, systemic, and iatrogenic factors. The most common chronic wounds treated in wound centers include venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and pressure ulcers. Despite a potentially large number of different wound etiologies, the work-up of a patient with a nonhealing wound is very systematic, and a general approach can be taken with all patients. This chapter reviews the history, physiology, factors influencing, and future directions of chronic wound care. A diagnostic algorithm is described that will assist the clinician when presented with a patient with a nonhealing, chronic wound.
On Citizen's Obligation of Abiding by Constitution

Many constitutions prescribe the citizen's obligation of abiding by constitution.To common citizens,abiding by constitution mainly means maintaining constitution,not submitting to it.The obligation of maintaining constitution is ethical,while the obligation of submitting to constitution is legal,which has indirect legal validity to citizens,however.The primary effect that constitution prescribes this obligation is to cultivate citizens' constitution consciousness and right consciousness.
The Psychological Puzzle: Contributing Factors to the Top-Down Politicization of Intelligence

Policy and intelligence are intimately intertwined. Policymakers need intelligence to make decisions, while the intelligence community derives significance from its ability to provide policy makers with reliable information. In this symbiotic relationship, it is healthy for intelligence consumers to at times check and direct the work of intelligence producers. However, if undertaken maliciously, this checking mechanism manifests as top-down politicization. Here, leaders use intelligence post facto to legitimize their policies instead of using it to guide them, reversing the rational decision-making process. Certain factors may compel leaders to manipulate intelligence to reflect their policy preferences. This essay demonstrates how three distinct processes of top-down politicization can arise from ambiguous evidence, the psychology of intelligence consumers, and the nature of the leaders’ political positions and responsibilities. It then proceeds to argue that political leaders’ psychology is the most potent source of top-down politicization.
G.P.99

Non-ambulatory patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) have arm weakness limiting anti-gravity movement resulting in severe functional impairments. The Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton (WREX), by employing a unique 4 bar link technology married with a variable linear elastic band power source, allows for 3 dimensional gravity reduced movement of the arms to enhance function for the completion of Activities of Daily Living (ADL). To establish the utility of WREX in patients with DMD, we report our experience from 2011 to 2014. Nine boys with DMD, aged 11–17y/o (median age 16y/o), were evaluated. Active range of motion (AROM) and functional task completion (self-feeding, drinking from a glass, access to face for grooming, manage eyeglasses, and access their environment, computer, cell phone, and other technology) were completed both with and without the WREX. AROM (without WREX/with WREX) was the following: shoulder flexion 0–30 degrees/45–100 degrees, shoulder abduction 0–30 degrees/45–100 degrees, and elbow flexion was 0–100 degrees/80–120 degrees. With the WREX, all patients demonstrated increased functional skills, especially the ability to self-feed, access joystick, access face for grooming, and reach away from the body to use technology. We conclude WREX provides a decreased gravity environment that allows for significant increased AROM at the shoulder and elbow joints. In addition, WREX allows for the patients to reach away from the body and across midline, improved independence with ADL completion, as well as increased safety in the home and community. WREX may also improve psychosocial wellbeing as all patients demonstrated a positive emotional response to WREX use.
Transcending the prediction paradigm: novel applications of SHAPE to RNA function and evolution.

Selective 2′-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension (SHAPE) provides information on RNA structure at single-nucleotide resolution. It is most often used in conjunction with RNA secondary structure prediction algorithms as a probabilistic or thermodynamic restraint. With the recent advent of ultra-high-throughput approaches for collecting SHAPE data, the applications of this technology are extending beyond structure prediction. In this review, we discuss recent applications of SHAPE data in the transcriptomic context and how this new experimental paradigm is changing our understanding of these experiments and RNA folding in general. SHAPE experiments probe both the secondary and tertiary structure of an RNA, suggesting that model-free approaches for within and comparative RNA structure analysis can provide significant structural insight without the need for a full structural model. New methods incorporating SHAPE at different nucleotide resolutions are required to parse these transcriptomic data sets to transcend secondary structure modeling with global structural metrics. These ‘multiscale’ approaches provide deeper insights into RNA global structure, evolution, and function in the cell. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1374. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1374 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Estimation and Prediction in Dynamic Econometric Models

The presence of lags and other dynamic operators in the equation systems of economics is known to be a complicating factor in many aspects of estimation theory, but accepted practice is to follow the ‘comforting’ asymptotic result of Mann and Wald [6] that maximum likelihood estimates of linear difference equation systems are based on the specification that lagged variables may be formally treated like exogenous variables. Mann and Wald required dynamic stability, normality of error, stability of the distribution, and other assumptions that are usually made.
No-till with high biomass cover crops and invasive legume mulches increased total soil carbon after three years of collard production

ABSTRACTStudies have shown that conversion to conservation tillage from conventional tillage does not increase total soil organic carbon (SOC) significantly in the short term (<5 yrs). While no-till increases total SOC in the medium to long term, it was hypothesized that the inclusion of high biomass cover crops and organic mulches may increase total SOC in the short term. The use of invasive, perennial leguminous species as mulch may sustainably increase SOC during limited-input fall vegetable production. The objective of this study, conducted in Alabama (USA), was to quantify total SOC changes due to organic mulches and forage soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Derry) as a summer cover crop after conversion to no-till during limited-input fall collard (Brassica oleracea L.) production. Forage soybean as a summer cover crop did not increase SOC. No-till without mulch (control treatment) significantly increased SOC at 0–5 cm from 6.3 to 14.0 g kg−1 soil in 3 yrs, whereas inclusion of cut-and-carry mulche...
Neoliberal Policy Network Governance and Counter-Networks of Resistance: Actions and Reactions From Across Policy Arenas

This 2017 Politics of Education Yearbook focuses on the power of policymaking networks to set agendas and shape education policy. As the yearbook title suggests, we present a series of case studies...