cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prerequisites for artificial intelligence in further education: identification of drivers, barriers, and business models of educational technology companies

The ongoing datafication of our social reality has resulted in the emergence of new data-based business models. This development is also reflected in the education market. An increasing number of educational technology (EdTech) companies are entering the traditional education market with data-based teaching and learning solutions, and they are permanently transforming the market. However, despite the current market dynamics, there are hardly any business models that implement the possibilities of Learning Analytics (LA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create adaptive teaching and learning paths. This paper focuses on EdTech companies and the drivers and barriers that currently affect data-based teaching and learning paths. The results show that LA especially are integrated into the current business models of EdTech companies on three levels, which are as follows: basic Learning Analytics, Learning Analytics and algorithmic or human-based recommendations, and Learning Analytics and adaptive teaching and learning (AI based). The discourse analysis reveals a diametrical relationship between the traditional educational ideal and the futuristic idea of education and knowledge transfer. While the desire for flexibility and individualization drives the debate on AI-based learning systems, a lack of data sovereignty, uncertainty and a lack of understanding of data are holding back the development and implementation of appropriate solutions at the same time.
Bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion may be the winner as an adjunct for brain protection.

Brain protection during open distal aortic arch replacement surgery is of utmost importance. Hypothermia in combination with cerebral perfusion offers optimal results by maintaining the brain's metabolic supply. Both retrograde cerebral perfusion and antegrade cerebral perfusion, used in combination with hypothermia, produce comparable results when the hypothermic circulatory arrest times are short; in contrast, for longer perfusion times, most aortic surgery centers are trending toward the use of antegrade rather than retrograde cerebral perfusion. Our own preference has been to use a bilateral mode of delivering antegrade cerebral perfusion instead of a unilateral approach, as bilateral perfusion appears to be more protective. We maintain that there is no harm in perfusing both brain hemispheres, so long as an appropriate balloon-tipped catheter is used carefully and manipulation of the head vessels is avoided.
E-cigarette use among Texas youth: Results from the 2014 Texas Youth Tobacco Survey

Abstract Introduction Several characteristics of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), such as candy flavorings, are worrisome for attracting youth. The current cross-sectional study uses data on e-cigarette use from the 2014 Texas Youth Tobacco Survey (TYTS), a representative statewide sample of Texas middle school and high school students. This study's aims are to determine the prevalence of e-cigarette use, including rates of concurrent use with other tobacco products among Texas youth and to describe the demographic and tobacco use differences between e-cigarette users and non-users. Methods Participants were 13,602 6th through 12th grade students in Texas. Descriptive statistics were generated to determine the prevalence of current and lifetime e-cigarette use and to determine the prevalence of demographic characteristics across e-cigarette usage groups. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine differences in demographic characteristics, cigarette use in the home, and tobacco use behaviors for e-cigarette users versus non-users. Results Almost one quarter of all middle and high school students reported lifetime e-cigarette use and 14.0% were past 30-day users of these products. Current e-cigarette users were more likely to be high school students, white and male than non-current users. Both current and lifetime e-cigarette users were also more likely than their peers to use other tobacco products, although 24.2% of current e-cigarette users had never smoked conventional cigarettes, and 7.3% had never used any other type of tobacco product besides an e-cigarette. Conclusions Findings highlight the urgency to regulate e-cigarettes as well as to include these products in tobacco prevention programs.
A Parallel Algorithm for Volume Projections on SIMD Mesh-Connected Computers

Projections are widely used in machine vision, volume rendering, and computer graphics. For applications with 3D volume data, we design a parallel projection algorithm on SIMD mesh-connected computers and implement the algorithm on the Parallel Algebraic Logic (PAL) computer. The algorithm is a parallel ray casting algorithm for both orthographic and perspective projections. It decomposes a volume projection into two transformations that can be implemented in the SIMD fashion to solve the data distribution and redistribution problem caused by non-regular data access patterns in volume projections.
The Effect of Inositol Hexaphosphate on the Allosteric Properties of Carp Hemoglobin

Abstract For carp hemoglobin in the presence of 0.7 and 7 mm inositol hexaphosphate (IHP) at 20° in the pH range below pH 6.2 and 6.4, respectively, oxygen binding is noncooperative. The absence of heme-heme interaction is indicated by a value of 0.75 for the Hill parameter n. The oxygen affinity and the oxygen dissociation rate, k, are pH- and phosphate-independent and are those of carp hemolysate below pH 5.6. Above pH 6.2 and 6.4, oxygen binding to the IHP-bound hemoglobin is cooperative and affected by changes in pH and organic phosphate conditions. The extent of heme-heme interaction is pH-dependent as indicated by an increase and subsequent decrease of the value of the Hill parameter n as pH is raised. Addition of 0.7 and 7 mm IHP to stripped carp hemoglobin has nearly the same effect on all aspects of ligand binding, affinity, kinetics, and cooperativity, as decreasing the pH of stripped hemoglobin by 1.6 and 1.8 pH units, respectively. In the case of CO binding, above pH 5.7, 0.7 mm IHP has nearly the same effect as decreasing the pH of stripped hemoglobin by 1.6 pH units. Below pH 5.7, CO affinity increases with decrease in pH. This acid Bohr effect is accompanied by a corresponding increase in the value of n. However, this is apparently not simply a reversal of the alkaline Bohr effect because the kinetic basis for the affinity change is very different.
The Industrialization of Agriculture: Implications for Future Policy

Farming is in the midst of a major transformation—not only in technology and production practices, but also in size of business, resource (land) control and operation, business model and linkages with buyers and suppliers. This paper describes the fundamental drivers of today’s structural change in U.S. agriculture. The impact of the drivers are illustrated by describing some illustrations of the kinds of innovative farming operations that are developing in agriculture, not the typical farms but those who appear to be leading and shaping the new agriculture. Finally, farm policy implications of the transformation of farming to an industrial manufacturing model are discussed.
p53 Serine 392 Phosphorylation Increases after UV through Induction of the Assembly of the CK2·hSPT16·SSRP1 Complex

Previously, we purified a UV-responsive p53 serine 392 kinase from F9 and HeLa cells and found that its activity is attributed to a high molecular weight protein complex containing the protein kinase CK2, along with the chromatin-associated factors hSPT16 and SSRP1. Here we determine that these proteins interact in vitro and in cells via non-overlapping domains and provide evidence consistent with the idea that hSPT16 and SSRP1 change the conformation of CK2 upon binding such that it specifically targets p53 over other substrates. Also, UV irradiation apparently induces the association of the complex, thereby increasing the specificity of CK2 for p53 at the expense of other cellular CK2 substrates and leading to an overall increase in p53 serine 392 phosphorylation.
Resolution of Boundary Layers on Triangular Meshes

Whether unstructured meshes of triangles can accurately capture a high Reynolds number boundary layer remains a hotly disputed topic. Despite the importance of this question and its implication for the future development of mesh generation methods there is surprisingly little evidence, either empirical or theoretical, on which one can attempt an answer. This paper presents a theoretical treatment that estimates the solution error which arises when using a finite volume flow solver to capture a boundary layer on a mesh of triangles. By examining the special case of the Blasius solution for incompressible flow over a flat plate we present arguments to indicate that accurate results can be obtained if one uses appropriately shaped triangles.
Reduced Enzyme Activity Following Hsp70 Overexpression in Drosophila melanogaster

Acclimation to environmental change can impose costs to organisms. One potential cost is the change in cell metabolism that follows a physiological response, e.g., high expression of heat shock proteins may alter specific activity of important enzymes. We examined the significance of this cost in a pair of Drosophila melanogaster lines transformed with additional copies of a gene that encodes the heat shock protein, Hsp70. Heat shock induces Hsp70 expression in all lines, but lines with extra copies produce much more Hsp70 than do excision control strains. The consequence of this supranormal Hsp70 expression is to reduce specific activity of both enzymes analyzed, adult alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), which is heat sensitive, and lactate dehydrogenase, which is not. Strain differences were most pronounced under those conditions where Hsp70 expression was maximized, and not where the heat stress denatured proteins. That result supported the idea that Hsp70 expression is constrained evolutionarily by its tendency to bind nascent peptides when overabundant within the cell.
Stability and Change of Behavioral and Emotional Screening Scores.

Universal screening for behavioral and emotional difficulties is integral to the identification of students needing early intervention and prevention efforts. However, unanswered questions regarding the stability of screening scores impede the ability to determine optimal strategies for subsequent screening. This study examined the 2-year stability of behavioral and emotional risk screening scores and investigated whether change could be predicted based on student characteristics or initial risk scores. As part of a district-wide screening effort, 863 middle and high school students completed the Behavioral and Emotional Screening System at two time points. Stability coefficients were moderate, with the majority of students remaining in a similar risk category across time. Gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, grade, school transition, and special education status were not predictive of movement across time. Initial risk score was predictive of movement from normal to at-risk categorization, with the internalizing domain being the most predictive of change.
Near Infrared Photoimmunotherapy Targeting EGFR Positive Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Optimizing the Conjugate-Light Regimen

Aim Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is considered one of the most aggressive subtypes of breast cancer. Near infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a cancer treatment that employs an antibody-photosensitizer conjugate (APC) followed by exposure of NIR light for activating selective cytotoxicity on targeted cancer cells and may have application to TNBC. In order to minimize the dose of APC while maximizing the therapeutic effects, dosing of the APC and NIR light need to be optimized. In this study, we investigate in vitro and in vivo efficacy of cetuximab (cet)-IR700 NIR-PIT on two breast cancer models MDAMB231 (TNBC, EGFR moderate) and MDAMB468 (TNBC, EGFR high) cell lines, and demonstrate a method to optimize the dosing APC and NIR light. Method After validating in vitro cell-specific cytotoxicity, NIR-PIT therapeutic effects were investigated in mouse models using cell lines derived from TNBC tumors. Tumor-bearing mice were separated into 4 groups for the following treatments: (1) no treatment (control); (2) 300 μg of cet-IR700 i.v., (APC i.v. only); (3) NIR light exposure only, NIR light was administered at 50 J/cm2 on day 1 and 100 J/cm2 on day 2 (NIR light only); (4) 300 μg of cet-IR700 i.v., NIR light was administered at 50 J/cm2 on day 1 after injection and 100 J/cm2 of light on day 2 after injection (one shot NIR-PIT). To compare different treatment regimens with a fixed dose of APC, we added the following treatments (5) 100 μg of cet-IR700 i.v., NIR light administered at 50 J/cm2 on day 1 and 50 μg of cet-IR700 i.v. immediately after NIR-PIT, then NIR light was administered at 100 J/cm2 on day 2, which were performed two times every week (“two split” NIR-PIT) and (6) 100 μg of cet-IR700 i.v., NIR light was administered at 50 J/cm2 on day 1 and 100 J/cm2 on day 2, which were performed three times per week (“three split” NIR-PIT). Result Both specific binding and NIR-PIT effects were greater with MDAMB468 than MDAMB231 cells in vitro. Tumor accumulation of cet-IR700 in MDAMB468 tumors was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in MDAMB231 tumors in vivo. Tumor growth and survival of MDAMB231 tumor bearing mice was significantly lower in the NIR-PIT treatment group (p < 0.05). In MDAMB468 bearing mice, tumor growth and survival was significantly improved in the NIR-PIT treatment groups in all treatment regimens (one shot NIR-PIT; p < 0.05, “two split” NIR-PIT; p < 0.01, “three split” NIR-PIT; p < 0.001) compared with control groups. Conclusion NIR-PIT for TNBC was effective regardless of expression of EGFR, however, greater cell killing was shown with higher EGFR expression tumor in vitro. In all treatment regimens, NIR-PIT suppressed tumor growth, resulting in significantly prolonged survival that further improved by splitting the APC dose and using repeated light exposures.
On System Identification and Model Verification of Differential Hysteresis

The generalized Bouc-Wen differential model is a widely used empirical model of hysteresis for structures under cyclic loadings. In this paper, system identification based upon the simplex algorithm is used to estimate the thirteen parameters of the differential model. It is then experimentally verified that the identified models of hysteresis possess predictive capabilities. Through identification and verification, it is demonstrated that the response of a structure may be predicted well beyond its linear range.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Large airway constriction in allergic rhinitis: Response to inhalation of helium-oxygen

Abstract Pulmonary function results were compared in 15 allergic rhinitis and 30 normal subjects. Airways resistance (R AW ) was higher (p AW ) was lower (p E Max), lung volumes, and results of tests measuring airways closure, distribution of ventilation, diffusing capacity, volume of isoflow, and density-dependence of V E Max at 50% of vital capacity (ΔV E Max 50 ) significantly between the two groups. Following inhalation of isoproterenol, R AW decreased and SG AW and V E Max increased significantly in both groups. On the other hand, ΔV E decreased significantly in the rhinitis group (p
Immunotherapy of spontaneous mammary carcinoma with fusions of dendritic cells and mucin 1-positive carcinoma cells

Summary The tumour-associated antigen mucin 1 (MUC1) is a multifunctional protein involved in protection of mucous membranes, signal transduction, and modulation of the immune system. More than 70% of cancers overexpress MUC1, making MUC1 a potential target for immunotherapy. In the present study, MUC1 transgenic mice were crossed with syngeneic strains that express the polyomavirus middle-T oncogene (PyMT) driven by the mouse mammary tumour virus promoter long-terminal repeat (MMTV-LTR). The resultant breed (MMT mice) developed spontaneous MUC1-expressing mammary carcinomas with 100% penetrance at 8–15 weeks of age. As found in human breast cancer, the mammary carcinoma in MMT mice arose in multiple stages. Immunization with fusions of dendritic cells and MUC1-positive tumour cells (FC/MUC1) induced MUC1-specific immune responses that blocked or delayed the development of spontaneous breast carcinomas. In contrast, there was no delay of tumour development in MMT mice immunized with irradiated MC38/MUC1 tumour cells. The efficacy of fusion cells was closely correlated with the timing of initial immunization. Immunization with FC/MUC1 initiated in MMT mice at < 1, 1–2 and 2–3 months of age rendered 33, 5 and 0% of mice free of tumour, respectively, up to 6 months. Whereas mice immunized in the later stage of tumour development succumbed to their disease, immunization resulted in control of tumour progression and prolongation of life. These results indicate that immunization with FC/MUC1 can generate an anti-MUC1 response that is sufficient to delay the development of spontaneous mammary carcinomas and control tumour progression in MMT mice.
Hotel room suicide: Las Vegas and Clark County

Our objective is to study the link between hotel registration and suicide. Clark County, which contains Las Vegas, drew our interest because of its extremely large number of hotel rooms. Case files of suicide from the Clark County Coroner were reviewed for years 2003-2005. The suicide rate of local residents registering in local hotels was 271/100,000. This is greater than the suicide rate in the general population of Clark County, 16.6/100,000, P<0.0001, Poisson distribution. Hotel guests from outside Clark County had a reduced rate of suicide, 4.6/100,000, P<0.0001. Residents of Clark County registering in local hotels have an increased suicide risk that is statistically significant. Possible explanations for the results are provided.
Oxidation of cellulose microfibril segments by alkaline silver nitrate and its relation to the fine structure of cellulose

The oxidation by alkaline silver nitrate of segments (ca 0.1 μ long) of cellulose microfibrils from Avena coleoptiles, ramie, bacteria, and Valonia has been followed by electron microscopy. For comparison, chitin microfibrils have been oxidized by the same reagent and observed by the same method. Oxidation proceeds equally at both ends of the segments, as judged by the rate of deposition of colloidal silver. As a consequence of oxidation, dissolution of the ordered array of 14β-polyglucosan chains (or poly-N-acetylglucosamine chains) takes place rapidly from both ends, due to Coulomb repulsion between ionized carboxyl groups and/or electrostriction of water molecules about the same groups. The observations are consistent with the assumption that the neighboring chains run in opposite directions in the cellulose microfibril (i.e., with the Meyer-Misch antiparallel postulate). They are not in agreement with expectations based upon the parallel arrangement.
Low-temperature behavior of two ternary lanthanide nickel carbides: Superconducting LaNiC 2 and magnetic CeNiC 2

A study of the magnetic properties and the heat capacity as functions of temperature and magnetic field of two ternary carbides $R{\mathrm{NiC}}_{2},$ where $R=\mathrm{La}$ and Ce, confirms that ${\mathrm{LaNiC}}_{2}$ becomes superconducting at ${T}_{c}=2.7\mathrm{K},$ and that ${\mathrm{CeNiC}}_{2}$ orders antiferromagnetically below 18 K. ${\mathrm{LaNiC}}_{2}$ is a conventional superconductor with a critical field of 900 Oe at $T=2\mathrm{K}.$ ${\mathrm{CeNiC}}_{2}$ obeys the Curie-Weiss law between 50 and 300 K showing the nearly full ${\mathrm{Ce}}^{3+}$ magnetic moment, ${p}_{\mathrm{eff}}=2.47(1){\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B},$ and has a negative paramagnetic Weiss temperature ${\ensuremath{\Theta}}_{p}=\ensuremath{-}18.3(8)\mathrm{K}.$ A low net magnetic moment in the ordered state, which is far from saturation in a magnetic field of 5 T, is consistent with an antiferromagnetic ground state. Below 20 K ${\mathrm{CeNiC}}_{2}$ shows multiple-step magnetic transitions at 18, 10, and 2.4 K. Both ${\mathrm{LaNiC}}_{2}$ (in the normal state) and ${\mathrm{CeNiC}}_{2}$ have the same electronic heat capacity, $\ensuremath{\gamma}=6.5(2){\mathrm{m}\mathrm{J}/\mathrm{m}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{}\mathrm{K}}^{2},$ which is typical for many lanthanide-based intermetallic compounds. The Debye temperature of ${\mathrm{LaNiC}}_{2}$ determined from the heat capacity in the normal state below 5.5 K is ${\ensuremath{\Theta}}_{D}=388(9)\mathrm{K}.$
An evaluation of the strategies of sorting, filtering, and grouping API methods for Code Completion

Code Completion is one of the most popular IDE features for accessing APIs, freeing programmers from remembering specific details about an API and reducing keystrokes. We propose three ways to enhance the current code-completion systems to work more effectively with large APIs. First, we propose two methods for sorting APIs, by type hierarchy and by use count, and show that their use significantly reduces the number of API proposals a user must navigate while using Code Completion. Second, we show that context-specific filtering of inappropriate proposals can also reduce the number of proposals a user must navigate. Third, we propose to group API proposals by their functional roles, which can help maintain a well-ordered, meaningful list of API proposals in the presence of dynamic reordering. These functionalities are grouped into a research prototype, BCC (Better Code Completion). We evaluated fourteen configurations of BCC by simulating Code Completion nearly three million times on nine open-source Java projects that utilize AWT/Swing.
To be or not to be protease activated receptor-1 in activated protein C-initiated endothelial barrier protection?

The review by Looney and Matthay summarized recent progress in basic and preclinical research of activated protein C (APC), a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of severe sepsis [1]. APC is traditionally an anticoagulant and profibrinolytic agent, and has been appreciated to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties, yet the exact mechanisms by which APC executes its clinical effects in sepsis are not defined [2]. Emerging evidence has suggested that APC might exert its clinical benefit, at least in part, by maintaining endothelial barrier function [3,4]. The authors reviewed conflicting results of endothelial barrier protection of APC in the literature and pointed out that caution must be taken to interpret cell culture experiments and their relationship to in vivo conditions. Indeed, one should exercise caution while reviewing controversial data. Looney and Matthay stated that 'in two different in vitro investigations [3,4], APC promoted endothelial barrier protection in a PAR-1- and S1P1-dependent mechanism', which represents a misinterpretation. These two papers did conclude that APC enhanced endothelial barrier function in different cell lines by a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1P1)-dependent signaling pathway, but it is still arguable whether this is protease activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) dependent. Finigan and colleagues showed that anti-PAR-1 blocking antibody did not interfere with either APC-mediated myosin light-chain phosphorylation or S1P1 receptor phosphorylation/activation, and concluded that it was endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) ligation with APC and the resulting S1P1 transactivation that led toendothelial cell cytoskeletal rearrangement and barrier protection [4]. There is therefore no evidence so far to support the notion that the 'APC ... effect on endothelial cytoskeletal rearrangement ... appears to operate in a PAR-1- ... dependent manner' [1].
Acid-base and nucleophilic chemistry of atomic oxygen on the Au(110) surface: Reactions with formic acid and formaldehyde

The adsorption of formic acid and formaldehyde on clean and oxidized Au(110) surfaces was investigated with temperature programmed reaction spectroscopy. Each molecule molecularly adsorbed on the clean Au(110) surface with monolayer binding energies of 13 and 10 kcal mol−1, respectively. Formic acid reacted with oxygen adatoms below 210 K in a typical Bronsted acid-base reaction to form water and adsorbed formate (HCOO). The formate decomposed at 340 K to evolve water, carbon dioxide, and formic acid with an activation energy of 20 kcal mol−1. Formaldehyde also reacted with oxygen adatoms in a nucleophilic reaction below 210 K to form water, hydrogen, and formate groups. These reactions are directly analogous to reactions of atomic oxygen adsorbed on the other group IB metals, copper and silver and demonstrate that oxygen adatoms on all of the group IB metals exhibit Bronsted basicity and nucleophilicity.
Role of emergent neural activity in visual map development

The initial structural and functional development of visual circuits in reptiles, birds, and mammals happens independent of sensory experience. After eye opening, visual experience further refines and elaborates circuits that are critical for normal visual function. Innate genetic programs that code for gradients of molecules provide gross positional information for developing nerve cells, yet much of the cytoarchitectural complexity and synaptogenesis of neurons depends on calcium influx, neurotransmitter release, and neural activity before the onset of vision. In fact, specific spatiotemporal patterns of neural activity, or ‘retinal waves’, emerge amidst the development of the earliest connections made between excitable cells in the developing eye. These patterns of spontaneous activity, which have been observed in all amniote retinae examined to date, may be an evolved adaptation for species with long gestational periods before the onset of functional vision, imparting an informational robustness and redundancy to guide development of visual maps across the nervous system. Recent experiments indicate that retinal waves play a crucial role in the development of interconnections between different parts of the visual system, suggesting that these spontaneous patterns serve as a template-matching mechanism to prepare higher-order visually associative circuits for the onset of visuomotor learning and behavior. Key questions for future studies include determining the exact sources and nature of spontaneous activity during development, characterizing the interactions between neural activity and transcriptional gene regulation, and understanding the extent of circuit connectivity governed by retinal waves within and between sensory-motor systems.
Relativistic particles and gamma-rays in quasars and active galactic nuclei

A model for a class of quasars and active galactic nuclei is described in which a shock around a massive black hole randomizes the infall kinetic energy of spherically accreting matter producing a non-thermal spectrum of high energy protons. These protons may be responsible for the secondary production (via π±decay) of the radio emitting high energy electrons and also of high energy yrays (via π° decay and inverse Compton interactions of the electrons). The correlation between radio and γ-ray emission implied by the model is in good agreement with observations of 3C273. Observation of the flux of high energy neutrinos from quasars may provide a test for the model.
Nuclear-Particle Track Detection Using Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation—the Glass Chamber

A new technique is described for the detection of charged-particle tracks in glasses. The energy stored along the particle tracks is used to initiate heterogeneous nucleation of the second liquid phase. Track registration results are presented for uranium fission fragments using a sodium-silicate glass.
Terrain analysis and data mining techniques applied to location of classic gully in a watershed

Abstract. Gullies are an extreme form of soil erosion that degrade diverse environments trough the siltation of streams and water bodies. Indirectly, gully erosion compromises crop productivity working as a link to watercourse allowing movement of detached topsoil particles from agricultural fields during heavy storm events. Furthermore, studies found reduction of the catchment area when active gullies are present. This complex process involves multiple factors and it demands to be studied consistently in order to locate the areas prone for gully erosion. The determination of gullies areas depends upon topographical, geological, and hydrological characteristics; however its location is mainly controlled by the high capacity of overland flow to cut the channel. We hypothesize that identification of gully in agricultural landscape can be performed from high-resolution elevation data products and unsupervised clustering approaches. In order to examine this hypothesis we have used variables resultant from of LiDAR-based terrain analysis as input of a three clustering techniques. A k-means, fuzzy k-means, and CLARA clustering algorithms were used to carry out the cluster analysis. The results of the cluster analysis suggested that 8 classes were optimal for group areas in the watershed. Elevation data from one field-scale watershed near Treynor in Pottawattamie County, IA, was used to calibration purpose and terrain analysis using slope, flow accumulation, plan convexity, topographic wetness Index, and stream power index were calculated. The cluster analysis has shown highest concordance with percentage of corrected classified pixels that approach based in medoid (CLARA) has obtained the best agreement of points within gullied area (30.1%). The results of this research might speed up gullies field surveys and also can serve as input in conservation planning framework
Crystallization behavior in a low temperature acetate process for perovskite PbTiO3, Pb(Zr, Ti)O3, and (Pb1−x, Lax) (Zry, Ti1−y)1−x/4O3 bulk powders

An aqueous, metallo-organic precursor for PbTiO3 (PT), Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 (PZT), and (Pb1−x, Lax) (Zry, Ti1−y)1−x/4O3 (PLZT) ceramic powders has been developed employing the acetate complexes of Pb2+, La3+, Zr4+, and Ti4+. The crystallization behavior (e.g., degree of crystallization and crystallite size) was examined over the temperature range of 400–700 °C with concentrations of excess lead varying from 0–5% using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques. It was found that PT, PZT, and PLZT crystallize at temperatures as low as 450 °C, 500 °C, and 500 °C, respectively, and the excess lead required for crystallization of the perovskite phase is ⋚1%. Intermolecular mixing among acetate precursors via chelating and bridging structures was evident and appeared to be responsible for the low crystallization temperatures. The process is compared to the current sol-gel methods for its possible use in thin film ferroelectric manufacture.
Rectal pain of neural origin: resection of sensory rectal branches of pudendal nerve.

Background A neural origin should be considered in the differential diagnosis of rectal pain if the onset of the pain is in relationship to previous surgery on the anus or rectum. Study Design A retrospective cohort was identified by computer search of office files from May 2010 to December 2012. Seven patients, two males, and five females, were identified who have been treated surgically for complaints of isolated rectal pain arising from coloproctectomy in three patients (inflammatory bowel disease) and after hemorrhoidectomy in three patients and one patient with mesh placed for urinary incontinence. Patient's mean age was 52.5 years. Mean duration of pain was 29.9 months (range, 9–120 months). Diagnosis was demonstrated by an anesthetic block of the pudendal nerve. Surgical approach was excision of rectal sensory branches of the pudendal nerve in the ischiorectal fossa and implantation of these nerves into the gluteus maximus muscle. Results Outcome data are available, with a mean follow-up of 17.7 months (range, 13–30 months). Of the three coloproctectomy patients, two are considered excellent results and one a poor result. All three of the hemorrhoidectomy patients are excellent results. The one patient who had the mesh placement for urinary incontinence required two attempts to remove all sensory rectal branches and then achieved excellent pain relief. Conclusion Chronic rectal pain should be considered to have a pudendal neural origin after previous anal/rectal surgery. Resection of all rectal sensory branches can give excellent and lasting relief of pain.
Optimal timing control of switched linear systems based on partial information

Abstract Optimal switch-time control is an area that investigates how best to switch between different control modes. In this paper we present an algorithm for solving the optimal switch-time control problem for single-switch, linear systems where the state of the system is only partially known through the outputs. A method is presented that both guarantees that the current switch time remains optimal as the state estimates evolve, and that ensures this in a computationally feasible manner, thus rendering the method applicable to real-time applications. An extension is moreover considered where constraints on the switch time provide the observer with sufficient time to settle. The viability of the proposed method is illustrated through a number of examples.
Social anxiety disorder as a risk factor for alcohol use disorders: A prospective examination of parental and peer influences

Elucidation of mechanisms underlying the high rates of alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains a pressing clinical and research concern. Despite data indicating that social anxiety disorder (SAD) may be a psychological vulnerability that increases AUD risk, no known prospective research has examined underlying mechanisms. Given the nature of SAD, social support and peer alcohol use may be implicated. The present study set out to clarify the SAD-AUD link in several ways using a prospective dataset comprised of 1803 (47% female) young adults at T1, 1431 of whom were assessed again approximately 3 years later. First, stringent criteria were used to directly test whether SAD was a risk for AUD. Second, we examined whether social support and peer alcohol use moderated the prospective SAD-AUD link. Structured diagnostic interviews were conducted to assess DSM-IV Axis I disorders, negative life events, social support, and peer alcohol use. Among men, Time 1 (T1) SAD was not significantly related to Time 2 (T2) AUD. Yet, among women, T1 SAD was related to T2 AUD. Further, T1 SAD was the only internalizing disorder to significantly predict T2 AUD after controlling for relevant variables (e.g., T1 depression, other anxiety, alcohol and marijuana use disorders). The SAD-AUD relation demonstrated directional specificity. Family cohesion and adverse family relations significantly moderated this relation. Findings highlight the important role of SAD and familial support in the onset of AUD among women.
Hydrothermal alteration of basic island‐arc volcanic rocks north and south of Mytilini Town, Lesvos Island, Greece

The mobilities of major and trace elements have been investigated in hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks of Pliocene age on the island of Lesvos. One type of hydrothermal assemblage, montmorillonite-K-feldspar-goethite, was recognized in outcrops north of Mytilini town. The alteration occurs a few metres under the surface of unaltered volcanic rocks of high-K andesite and high-K basaltic andesite composition. The unaltered latite-andesite consists of plagioclase, clinopyroxene, sanidine and magnetite with quartz, calcite, pumpellyite and montmorillonite as subordinate secondary minerals. The main control over major oxide distribution appears to be the extent of conversion of plagioclase to K-feldspar. Three distinct groups of elements were revealed to be positively correlated: 1 Si, Mg, Ca, Na, Mn, Sr and Ba, which are leached during the alteration process. This group of elements reflects their association with plagioclase feldspar and clinopyroxene. 2 Fe, K, Ti, P, Nb, Zr, Y, Rb, Ni, Cr, V. This group includes elements which are enriched relative to the unaltered volcanic rock, reflecting their association with K-feldspar, iron hydroxides and Ti and P-bearing minerals. 3 Ti, P, Nd, La, Ce. From this group of elements it is indicated that Nd, La and Ce are associated with Ti- and P-bearing minerals. There is no evidence of Cu or Zn addition to the system by hydrothermal fluids since there are no correlations between these base metals and elements enriched in the K-feldspar, montmorillonite-rich zone. This potassic rich zone may be connected with hidden epithermal sulphide mineralization with gold.
Syndrome and transition count are uncorrelated (logic circuit testing)

In the testing of logic circuits, two proposed data-compression methods use the number of ones (syndrome) and the number of sequence changes (transition count). An enumeration N(m, k, t) of the number of length-m binary sequences having syndrome value k and transition count t is developed. Examination of this result reveals that the parallel compression of these two methods has small overlap in error masking. An asymptotic expression for N(m, k, t) is developed. >
Navier-Stokes analysis of blunt trailing edge airfoils

The flow around blunt trailing edge airfoils was studied by solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. The solution procedure combines a grid around the airfoil with a second grid for the wake so that the time advancement over the domain is fully implicit. This is not only very efficient for the algorithm but also allows implicit solutions of a one equation turbulence model appropriate for both boundary layers and wakes. An algebraic and two one-equation turbulence models are tested for a blunt RAE 2822 airfoil section and detailed comparisons with experimental data are presented in the trailing edge region.
An economic analysis of deforestation in Madagascar in the 1990s

Abstract Madagascar is well-known among conservationists for both its unique forest ecosystems and its alarmingly high rates of deforestation. This paper studies the factors driving deforestation in Madagascar using a nation-wide data set of commune-level variables. The analysis suggests that higher population and fertility rates were associated with higher deforestation in the moist forest region in the 1990s. Deforestation was lower in vanilla producing areas and higher in coffee producing areas. This finding runs counter to the theory that higher prices for crops drive deforestation, since prices for vanilla growers in Madagascar were more favourable than for coffee growers. Provincial road access also led to more forest loss, but other road and market access variables were insignificant. In the dry and spiny forest areas, market-oriented maize production plays a significant role. The study also makes a methodological contribution by addressing the potential bias introduced by missing data due to cloud...
Dependent Functional Data

This paper reviews recent research on dependent functional data. After providing an introduction to functional data analysis, we focus on two types of dependent functional data structures: time series of curves and spatially distributed curves. We review statistical models, inferential methodology, and possible extensions. The paper is intended to provide a concise introduction to the subject with plentiful references.
Acid-sensing ion channels contribute to synaptic transmission and inhibit cocaine-evoked plasticity

Acid-sensing ion channel 1A (ASIC1A) is abundant in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a region known for its role in addiction. Because ASIC1A has been suggested to promote associative learning, we hypothesized that disrupting ASIC1A in the NAc would reduce drug-associated learning and memory. However, contrary to this hypothesis, we found that disrupting ASIC1A in the mouse NAc increased cocaine-conditioned place preference, suggesting an unexpected role for ASIC1A in addiction-related behavior. Moreover, overexpressing ASIC1A in rat NAc reduced cocaine self-administration. Investigating the underlying mechanisms, we identified a previously unknown postsynaptic current during neurotransmission that was mediated by ASIC1A and ASIC2 and thus well positioned to regulate synapse structure and function. Consistent with this possibility, disrupting ASIC1A altered dendritic spine density and glutamate receptor function, and increased cocaine-evoked plasticity, which resemble changes previously associated with cocaine-induced behavior. Together, these data suggest that ASIC1A inhibits the plasticity underlying addiction-related behavior and raise the possibility of developing therapies for drug addiction by targeting ASIC-dependent neurotransmission.
TheJ/Ψ absorption cross section in nuclei and color screening

Data on 120 GeV photoproduction ofJ/Ψ's in nuclear targets are re-examined to extract the absorption cross section forJ/Ψ's in high energy collisions with nucleons. We find σa=6.6±2.2 mb in contrast with an earlier estimate of 1–2 mb. Comparison of low and high energy data on photon producedJ/Ψ's thus no longer show possible evidence for observable effects of color screening. Examination of representative data on the Feynmanx distributions ofJ/Ψ production by hadrons demonstrates how to extract both the total inelasticJ/Ψ-nucleon cross section and the partial cross section into open charm. We find that the data is inconsistent with any significant contribution from color screening.
Stochastic Breakeven Analysis

This paper presents a practical approach for studying the profit probability distribution defined in stochastic breakeven analysis. After presenting a procedure for calculating the mean and the second to fourth central moments of the profit distribution, the several important uses of these four moments are discussed. A major application of the four moments is in the fitting of a Pearson's curve. Using a numerical example in conjunction with a set of published tables, we then demonstrate the simplicity of our proposed approach as well as the resultant high accuracy in estimating probabilities of various profit levels.
Review article: Bone density in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 4‐5

Skeletal fractures are common in dialysis patients. Bone density measurements predict fractures in the general population, but in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) there is limited ability to predict fractures with these techniques. A review of the literature in patients with CKD stage 5 shows that bone density in the cortical bone of the radius or hip is generally lower compared with normal reference ranges by about one to two standard deviations, whereas in the spine bone density tends to be closer to the average expected values. The bone density is not able to predict the underlying histology in patients with renal osteodystrophy. The serum PTH levels are inversely related to bone density in some studies, and not related in other studies, but none found a positive association of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bone density. There are very few data about longitudinal changes of bone density in these patients, and also inadequate studies of whether osteoporosis medications are effective in this population. Therefore, at this time the clinical utility of bone density measurements in patients with CKD-5 is uncertain.
Relation of the magnitude of blood enzyme elevation to severity of exocrine pancreatic disease.

Blood levels of lipase, amylase, and trypsin occurring spontaneously and after pancreatic stimulation with secretin-pancreozymin (S-P) or morphine-Prostigmin (M-P) were measured in 200 normal subjects and patients with various types and stages of exocrine pancreatic disease. Maximum enzyme elevations occurred in two opposite conditions: after M-P stimulation in normal subjects, and spontaneously in patients with moderate acute pancreatitis. The lowest elevations occurred also in two opposite conditions: after S-P stimulation in patients with minimal disease, and in patients with extensive disease. Intermediate elevations occurred in patients with either mild or severe pancreatitis. The relation between magnitude of blood enzyme elevation and severity of pancreatic disease was thus found to be a combination of direct and inverse correlations; two possible interpretations always exist for the same enzyme value and must be clarified in terms of the type of stimulus, whether hormonal, pharmacologic, or inflammatory. This relationship is depicted graphically by a double-limb response curve which embodies the entire spectrum of health and disease and can be applied to stimulation tests of pancreatic function as well as to spontaneous enzyme values in disease. Stages of disease can be quantified by the degree of elevation of blood enzymes.
Distortion parameter estimation using complex distortion-invariant correlation filter bank responses

We present an approach to estimating the distortion parameters of distorted target objects. We first detect the presence and position of the targets with a bank of distortion-invariant correlation filters. The filter set we use, known as hybrid composite filters, yields complex responses at the target locations. The phase angles at the target locations are linearly related to the distortion parameter. In the case of in-plane or out-of-plane distortion, the distortion parameter is the rotation angle of the object. We assume a finite number of values for the distortion parameter so an M-ary classification algorithm is used to determine the input distortion parameter. The classification algorithm is a Maximum Likelihood M-ary classification algorithm, more commonly known as 'largest of' filtering, which determines the most likely distortion parameter value. A set of complex signatures is formed with weighted linear combinations of the different filter target responses. The signature with the highest correlation with the set of known signatures indicates the associated distortion parameter. In practice, we do not use all the hybrid filters and the ones we do use are optimally selected and combined for detection and discrimination. Since we know the target location, we can use a different set of filters, optimized for angle estimation, and implement them with an inner product operation. Inner product filter responses are complex so estimation ambiguities may arise. We present a selection criterion, optimal for signal-to-noise ratio. We combine knowledge of the ambiguities with this optimal selection criterion to prevent ambiguities and achieve minimal estimation error. Numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate this new approach to parameter estimation.
The anhydride structure of several previously reported stable areneselenenic acids1

Abstract The compounds previously reported 2 to be the stable areneselenenic acids, o -nitro-( la and +o -benzoylbenzeneselenenic acid ( lb ), are shown actually to be the corresponding selenenic anhydrides (ArSeOSeAr). Solutions of the selenenic acids (ArSeOH), however, can be easily generated from the anhydrides byacid-catalyzed hydrolysis.
65 SHOULD THE PREMATURE INFANT VISIT THE MOTHER

As part of the evaluation of a new intervention for parents of prematures, we studied maternal behavior during one-hour visits of the infant to the mother in the first five post partum days. The baby was transported from the NICU to the maternity hospital in an incubator and placed nude next to the mother on her bed under a heat shield. A nurse at the head of the bed observed the status of the infant and recorded the mother's behavior for 15 sec/min. We studied 15 mothers who had healthy prematures who ranged in wt from 1620-2370 gms, G.A. 30-36 weeks. The level of maternal behavior was much higher than in a comparison group of mothers (studied previously) who visited their premature infants (in incubators) in the NICU. Those mothers spoke to their babies less and took many visits to change from touching the baby's extremities with their fingertips to palm contact of the head and trunk. There have been no problems with temperature control, apnea or bradycardia, but one infant expired later with Group B strep septicemia. In summary, bringing the premature infant to the mother's bed for 1 hour in the first days of life results in higher levels of maternal behavior that are more typical of the mother of a full-term infant.