cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epoxy Polymer Networks with Improved Thermal and Mechanical Properties via Controlled Dispersion of Reactive Toughening Agents

Highly cross-linked polymers are extensively used in the formulation of protective coatings, adhesives, and composite materials. The inherent densely cross-linked structure makes these materials strong but brittle limiting their use. This investigation reveals that rearranging the molecular structure of these polymers can significantly improve toughness without degrading and sometimes even enhancing other essential thermal and mechanical properties. Epoxy polymers are synthesized such that they have the same overall chemical composition but different molecular arrangements. These systems are referred to as polymer network isomers. The structural variations are introduced by using a processing technique termed “partially reacted substructures (PRS)”. The PRS were made from the stoichiometric reactions of poly(propylene oxide)diamine and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) up to specified extents of reaction (0, 60, 70, and 80%). The resulting still reactive PRS were mixed and cured with stoichiometric ...
The Effect of Economic Growth of a City on Its Neighboring Areas – Evidence from the US

Cities have always been important centers of growth throughout history. Various economics papers have looked into the factors that contribute to growth of a city. However, very little is known on the economic spillovers a city creates to its neighboring areas. In this paper, I look at the effect of the growth of different socio-economic factors of a city on its surrounding non-city counties. The results show that the impact of a city on its surrounding is mainly negative – although increases in income of a city leads to a slight increase in income of the neighboring non-city counties, increases in human capital of a city and the proximity of a city near a water-body can reduce the income of a neighboring non-city county.
Knox Cube Test and Digit Span

1 This problem was suggested by, and investigated under the direction of Dr. Florence L. Goodenough.
Determining an Efficient Repeat Ground Track Method for Earth Observation Satellites: For Use in Optimization Algorithms

This paper investigates methods for quick and efficient numerical determination of the condition for repeat ground tracks. The basic analytical condition for a repeat ground track is established followed by a short review of three recent methods. Then a simplified method is re-introduced. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach are weighed with each method’s reliability, performance, and computational ease based on a case study. From these criteria, one method is recommended for use in an orbit design optimization algorithm. I. Introduction or many earth observation satellites, an ideal orbit designed in the presence of perturbations is based on a repeating ground track which allows for specific observations to be scheduled on a routine basis or with the same sensing conditions. Three recent methods for finding a repeat ground track were discussed previously by Newman and Vtipil. 1 Two methods were based on different assumptions and parameters with their own set of limitations on the type of orbit for which the method should be applied. In order to bridge these differences and limitations and provide a comparison for evaluating the merits and/or deficiencies, a third method was developed. The first method for generating repeat ground tracks is the Flower Constellation (FC) concept by Mortari, Wilkins, and Bruccoleri. 2 The FC method is based on the Keplerian orbital elements: semi-major axis, eccentricity, inclination, longitude of the ascending node, argument of perigee, and the mean anomaly. The main advantage of this method is a general applicability to any elliptic eccentricity based on a specified perigee height. Unfortunately, the FC method only considers the second order zonal effects, that is J2 effects. The second method provides a repeating ground track based on epicyclic motion theory by Aorpimai and Palmer. 3 The Epicyclic motion Repeating
Repertoire Size, Repertoire Overlap, and Singing Modes in the Banded Wren (Thryothorus Pleurostictus)

We describe the song system of the Banded Wren (Thryothorus pleurostictus), with emphasis on within-species variation in repertoire size, song-type sharing, and singing mode, and identify some of the correlates of this variation. Unlike most of its duetting con- geners, males are the primary songsters in this species. Songs are discrete, 2 to 5 s in du- ration, and consist of softer introductory buzzes and rattles followed by several repeated frequency-modulated whistles or note complexes and a loud terminal trill. Song types are highly distinctive. Repertoire size averaged 19.7 song types (range 15 to 24) and did not vary among three populations located within 8 km of each other in northwestern Costa Rica. Song-type sharing between neighboring males averaged 77% (range 48 to 90%) and was sig- nificantly higher among males inhabiting a continuous forest habitat area (78%) than among birds in two broken-forest/second-growth areas (62%). Populations separated by 8 km shared few song types (10%). Singing mode encompassed both the immediate variety and eventual variety patterns found in other passerines, as well as a continuous range of inter- mediate variety between these two extremes. We used switching rate and a modified Shan- non-Wiener index of song-type diversity to quantify variation in singing modes. High- switching, high-diversity singing was associated with the dawn chorus and with soft singing in the presence of the male's mate. High-switching, low-diversity singing (alternation be- tween two or three song types) was associated with countersinging from a distance. Low- switching, low-diversity singing (repeat mode) occurred during and after highly escalated boundary encounters. Thus, unlike most discrete-repertoire species described to date, Band- ed Wrens decreased their switching rate in increasingly agonistic contexts. Received 10 April 1998, accepted 17 November 1998.
Serum Albumins in Natural Populations of Peromyscus

Electrophoresis of sera from individuals of seven species of the genus Peromyscus revealed unreported albumin polymorphisms in P. boylii and P. crinitus . Additional albumins were found in three species ( P. maniculatus, P. leucopus , and P. truei ) for which albumin polymorphism have been previously reported. P. maniculatus and P. leucopus as well as P. maniculatus and P. boylii have at least one albumin with the same mobility. The variation in albumin mobility exhibited within single species, in addition to the variation of the albumin frequencies in local populations of a species, indicates the dubious taxonomic value of albumin characteristics within the genus, but emphasizes their potential use as genetic markers within a species.
Chandrasekhar Polynomials and the Solution to the Transport Equation in an Infinite Medium

The Chandrasekhar polynomial of the first kind is at the heart of analytical solutions to the neutron and radiative transport equations in finite and infinite media. They form the basis for 1D solutions in plane geometry, which, in turn, enables solutions in spherical and cylindrical geometries. The scalar flux for a point source in spherical geometry permits scalar flux benchmarks for 2D and 3D sources in infinite media. The establishment of benchmarks expressly requires these polynomials to be highly accurate. Here, we focus on the numerical evaluation of Chandrasekhar polynomials for full anisotropic scattering as solutions to a three−term recurrence. When considered in this way, numerical theory guides their evaluation.
A study on ecological problems and countermeasures in the course of countryside urbanization

The countryside urbanization is the necessary choice of countryside modernization. However,ecological problems had been aggravated which prevented social progress during this process.This paper point out these ecological problems and propose countermeasures.
Does corporate governance really matter in the public venture capital industry

Publicly traded venture capital (VC) funds invest in high risk startup companies. In the United States, VC funds report their equity investments using Fair Value Accounting (ASR 118). Since there is no open market for shares of these startup companies, fair value estimates are determined by management, and are therefore subject to managerial discretion. We believe that these unique characteristics of VC funds make it the ideal laboratory to examine the importance of corporate governance to investors. We first examine whether good corporate governance, as represented by our governance index unique to this industry, PGOV, is correlated with higher fair values of equity investments. We find that it is. Furthermore, due to the unique ownership makeup of these firms in that they are largely owned by highly sophisticated investors such as institutions, and by insiders, we study the effects of the presence of insiders and institutional owners on firm fair value. We find that the presence of institutional investors seems to enhance firm fair value, while the presence of insiders detracts from it. Second, we study whether the market values corporate governance mechanisms in this unique industry above that of fair value. We find that it does not. When firms are performing well, the market does not react to increases in our corporate governance index, PGOV. This work contributes to the venture capital literature and yields important evidence regarding the market’s perception of the value of corporate governance in an industry with highly sophisticated institutional and inside investors.
Optimal distributed estimation in mobile ad hoc sensor networks

Consider a set of mobile wireless sensors that are embedded in devices that might, for example, be carried by pedestrians or vehicles that move about a city. A subset of these sensors may observe a localized event that occurs when they are all at approximately the same time/location. As they continue to move, the first one to take action based on its observations assumes the role of a Cluster-Head (CH) and floods the ad-hoc network with a request that all other sensors that collected observations of that event send in estimates related to some aspect of it.A BLUE estimator is used to fuse the individual estimates received by the CH. To ensure that these local estimates are unbiased, even if they are based on noisy observations and are relayed over multiple noisy wireless channels, we employ dithered quantization and channel compensation. We then determine the optimal number of bits for each sensor to transmit to minimize the energy the network uses to produce a BLUE with a specified MSE. The motion of each sensor determines how many hops its transmitted data traverses to reach the CH and thus how many bits it should transmit to the CH. We model this motion in the 1D case as a Correlated Random Walk (CRW). This allows us to precisely determine transient behavior, even with geographical restrictions and preferred directions of motion. We can then determine the energy, as a function of time, required to collect the estimates from all relevant sensors for the MSE of the final estimate to achieve a threshold. We demonstrate the capability of this approach by determining the minimum energy required to produce the estimate from a set of sensors that starts walking at one traffic light, spreads out in space, and then gathers together at the next traffic light.
Transitioning Natures: Robert Schuller’s Garden Grove Experiment

Through the lens of Evangelist Reverend Robert H. Schuller’s Garden Grove drive-in walk-in church, this paper aims to exemplify how his architecture has transcended existing geographies that have long been anchored by the epistemology of what can be referred to as traditional “religious” architecture. This paper examines how Schuller instrumentalized broader imbrications of political contexts to change or manipulate the traditional religious subject. It also presents how Robert Schuller’s Garden Grove experiment reconceptualized “territory” as an evolving ideological dimension; not as a trajectory, or as transitory space, but as inhabitable third nature. My analysis challenges established readings of religious architecture as being interiorized manifestations. To do so, it poses the following questions: how does this meta-geographical dimension shed new light on questions of (traditional) architectural aesthetics in Protestant architecture? What spaces and politics does it produce? Does the third nature have a history of its own?
Simulation and Test Study on Very Fast Transient Overvoltage in 1000kV GIS Substation

Disconnector switching in gas insulated switchgear (GIS) generates very fast transient overvoltage (VFTO). VFTO may damage the insulation of GIS equipment. This paper studies the VFTO of a 1000kV GIS substation. The simulation models are obtained according to the configuration of GIS. Operation modes of disconnector were summarized. The characteristics of VFTO were obtained. During the system commissioning test of the substation, VFTO were measured during disconnector switching. Comparison was made between the test and simulation results. The simulation results were in agreement with the test results. The accuracy of the simulation model is verified. Simulation and test study shows that it is safe to do switching operation of disconnector in this GIS substation without damping resistor.
Empowerment in a bureaucracy? Survivors' perceptions of domestic violence shelter policies and practices

Ten qualitative focus groups were conducted with 31 survivors of domestic violence living at an emergency shelter to study survivors’ perceptions of whether shelter policies and practices felt empo...
Exit Outcomes for Probation-Supervised Youth in Foster Care: An Examination of Past Child Protection Involvement.

Research on youth in foster care has focused on those placed for reasons of maltreatment rather than delinquency, yet most states provide foster care services to youth under probation supervision. ...
Abstract 3991: Profiling the immune tumor microenvironment in primary and recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer

Clinical trials targeting the immune tumor microenvironment (TME) in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) typically have included patients with heavily pre-treated advanced disease and demonstrated only marginal efficacy. A better understanding of how the EOC TME evolves with progression from primary to recurrent disease may inform future immunotherapy trials. Here, we evaluate the immune TME in primary and recurrent EOC using tissue microarrays. Our cohort included matched primary and recurrent tumors from 17 patients, and additional non-matched primary tumors from 20 patients and recurrent tumors from 15 patients. We stained for CD8, FOXP3 (regulatory T cells (Tregs)), CD68 (tumor associated macrophages (TAMs)), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) by immunohistochemistry to interrogate the immune composition of the TME. Tregs increased in recurrent tumors compared to primary tumors (8.0 vs 14.2/HPF, p=0.0210). Higher TAM density was associated with higher levels of Treg and CD8+ T cell infiltrates in recurrent tumors (p=0.001 and p Citation Format: Laureen S. Ojalvo, Elizabeth D. Thompson, Tian-Li Wang, Alan K. Meeker, Ie-Ming Shih, Amanda N. Fader, Ashley Cimino-Mathews, Leisha A. Emens. Profiling the immune tumor microenvironment in primary and recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3991. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3991
Identification of Southeastern Bat Species Using Noninvasive Genetic Sampling of Individual Guano Pellets

Abstract The impact of white-nose syndrome on North American bat populations may limit the effectiveness of traditional monitoring methods, including roost surveys, mist netting, and acoustic monitoring, and, in turn, determination of bat species occurrence. Genetic markers from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted from feces (i.e., guano pellets) may provide an effective alternative method for assessing occurrence. We used an existing genetic marker from the 16S ribosomal subunit, mitochondrial DNA, to create a DNA sequence database for the 16 species of bats known to occur in Tennessee. We used our database to identify bat species from DNA extracted from 68 guano pellets collected from accumulations found in buildings of Great Smoky Mountains National Park from May to August 2015. No bats were directly observed at 19 roost buildings (55.9% of all identified roost buildings), where genetic analysis of guano was the only method available to determine species occurrence. Two of the species we detected roo...
Response by Kormos to Letter Regarding Article, “Left Ventricular Assist Device Malfunctions: It Is More Than Just the Pump”

I appreciate the editorial comments by Spartalis and associates on our article, “Left Ventricular Assist Device Malfunctions: It Is More Than Just the Pump.”1 I feel it is important to realize that the goal of this manuscript was not to compare pump thrombosis rates between the HeartMate II and the HeartWare left ventricular assist devices but rather to demonstrate that various categories of device malfunction encompass a much broader spectrum of device components that includes both the pump and its controller and peripheral attachments. It was a secondary finding that these categories of device malfunction in some cases do indeed occur at …
Intergenerational Transmission of Physical and Emotional Sibling Violence: A Potential Connection to Elder Abuse:

This article focuses on the persistence of physical and emotional sibling violence through the life course and its potential connection to elder abuse. Theories relevant to the linkage between sibl...
Small-scale Fluctuations in the Microwave Sky: CBR Fluctuations on Sub-arcminute Scales and Sources of Foreground Noise

A discussion of the various physical processes which introduce fluctuations into the cosmic microwave background radiation (CBR) and of the observational techniques used in different ranges of angular scale to detect them. A review of sources of foreground noise that dominate in each range of angular scale.
The influence of the major histocompatibility locus on Marek's disease in the chicken.

In the early to mid 1960’s Marek’s disease was becoming a severe problem to the poultry industry. This served as a stimulus for our laboratory to initiate research on the disease which eventually evolved to a concerted effort in the late 1960Ts and early 1970Ts. Early studies were plagued by an inability to obtain reproducible results from trial to trial. However, a report by Sevoian (1962) established reliable methodology and facilitated the development of long range research programs. In a relatively short period of time, tissue culture propagation was documented (Churchill and Biggs, 1967; and Solomon, et al., 1968), the causative agent, a DNA virus was found (Biggs, et al., 1968; and Nazerian et al., 1968), its infectious characteristics were intensely investigated (Witter, et al., 1969; Purchase and Biggs, 1967; and Biggs, 1968), and a protective vaccine was developed (Churchill, et al., 1969; and Okazaki et al., 1970). Concurrently, genetic studies were being made by a number of investigators throughout the world. A great amount of effort on the genetic control of Marek’s disease was made by the Northeastern (NE-60) Regional Cooperative Breeding project of which the Regional Poultry Research Laboratory was a member. The general consensus of opinion was that genetic differences in susceptibility existed in both meat and egg type chickens, but it was a difficult task to markedly alter the susceptibility state. Fortunately, lines did exist at East Lansing (Table 1) as well as other locations which showed extreme differences in Marek’s disease susceptibility and lent themselves favorably to the study of genetic control mechanisms.
Application of Ultrasound Time-Domain Correlation to the Ageing of Porcine Muscle for the first Twenty-Four Hours Post Mortem

The Ultrasound Time-Domain Correlation (UTDC) technique has been developed at the Bioacoustics Research Laboratory at the University of Illinois in order to estimate blood flow velocity in vessels [1][2]. This technique compares different ultrasound echoes via digital correlation to produce a normalized correlation coefficient. The correlation coefficient has a value between zero and one and indicates the similarity between echoes.
Functionalist Emotion Model in NARS

Emotions play a crucial role in different cognitive functions, such as action selection and decision-making processes. This paper describes a new appraisal model for the emotion mechanism of NARS, an AGI system. Different from the previous appraisal model where emotions are triggered by the specific context, the new appraisal evaluates the relations between the system and its goals, based on a new set of criteria, including desirability, belief, and anticipation. Our work focuses on the functions of emotions and how emotional reactions could help NARS to improve its various cognitive capacities.
When “SOP” Fails: Disseminating Risk Assessment in Aviation Case Studies and Analysis

In the early 1990s, a regional jet taking off from LaGuardia airport with ice and snow on the wings crashed into a nearby bay and killed 27 passengers and crew. The accident of US Air Flight 405 is studied critically in this review as a result of incomplete identification and dissemination of the risks involved in operations under icing conditions. The improper system risk dissemination and mitigation led the crew of USAir 405 to believe they were in a condition for a safe takeoff. In the larger context outside of this accident, unidentified hazards resulting from poor communication and company dissemination are still an everyday threat. I argue that this disconnect is a causal factor in Normalization of Deviance. Contemporary examples of safety incidents are used to support this argument and introduce possible new areas for monitoring and research. The author argues that companies should employ techniques to open new policies up for testing and feedback before being implemented as policy or standard operating procedure.
PW 0766 Marijuana use in older drivers in colorado: the AAA longroad study

Marijuana use among older adults has increased over the past decade. Describe marijuana use and driving outcomes among older drivers in Colorado, which has legalized medical and recreational use. We examined the association of self-reported past-year marijuana use and driving outcomes in 598 drivers aged 65–79 (mean 70.6 years; 51 percent female, 70 percent postsecondary education), using regression analysis to adjust for health and sociodemographic characteristics. 244 (40.7 percent) drivers reported ever using marijuana. Fifty-four (9.0 percent) reported past-year use, ranging from at least weekly (33.4 percent) to less than monthly (50.0 percent). Only five participants (0.8 percent) reported using marijuana within 1 hour of driving in the past year. Past-year users were younger, less educated and lower income, and reported significantly worse mental, emotional, social and cognitive health status, compared to those without past-year use. Past-year users were four times as likely to report having driven when they may have been over the legal blood-alcohol limit (adjusted OR [aOR]=4.1; 95 percent CI: 2.0, 8.2) but were not more likely to report having had a crash or police action (e.g., being pulled over) (aOR=1.4 [0.7, 2.7]) in the past year. An index of driving-related lapses, errors and violations in the past year was also similar among users and non-users (adjusted beta=0.04 [-0.04, 0.12]). Nearly 10 percent of Colorado drivers aged 65–79 reported past-year marijuana use, but driving immediately after use was uncommon. Despite significantly worse mental, emotional and social health and increased driving while alcohol-impaired, past-year marijuana use was not associated with more frequent self-reported lapses, errors and violations or motor vehicle crashes and police actions. While driving under the influence of marijuana appears to be rare in older drivers, further study is needed to establish driving risks resulting from marijuana use, independent of other associated risk factors.
Efficacy of largemouth bass stock enhancement in achieving fishery management objectives in Florida

Abstract Stock enhancement is a practiced management strategy for sustaining and rebuilding largemouth bass fisheries in Florida and throughout their native and introduced range. However, quantitative assessment comparing efficacy of stocking to traditional management approaches are rare. We adapt an age-structured population model that explicitly represents the size and density-dependent effects on mortality and somatic growth to assess potential outcomes of stocking largemouth bass relative to traditional length-based harvest regulations. We explore two management situations in which stocking might be considered: maintaining high abundance in an exploited population and rebuilding a population that has been depleted. We find that different stocking scenarios comprised of combinations of size, density, and duration at which fish were stocked influence three fishery response metrics: abundance of catchable fish, abundance of trophy-sized fish and relative wild spawner biomass. Stocking larger juveniles can bypass some of the compensatory density dependence and yield a net augmentation of total abundance of catchable largemouth bass, but usually leads to a reduction in the abundance of the wild population and the number of trophy-sized bass. We find enhancements of small (25 mm) fingerlings fail to help maintain or augment wild populations, but could be effective at rebuilding depleted bass populations and may replace the need for effort restriction. Our study suggests stocking is a comparatively powerful tool for achieving high catch rates in largemouth bass fisheries, but may perform poorly at meeting other objectives of largemouth bass management such as production of trophy fish.
Sex differences in common sports-related injuries

Sex plays a role in mediating different susceptibilities and outcomes of disease and injury. Sports injuries are included in this phenomenon, as recent research demonstrates that males and females show differences in incidences of varying injuries, presentations of injury, and treatment outcomes. Incidence of certain sports injuries like anterior cruciate ligament injury or patellofemoral pain syndrome may vary widely between male and female athletes, with female athletes being more susceptible to anterior cruciate ligament injury and patellofemoral pain syndrome. Treatment outcomes for males and females may also vary widely. For example, males have a higher risk of recurrent shoulder instability compared with females. These variances among incidence and outcome following certain injuries highlight the necessity of understanding these differences to provide quality care. It is especially important for the school nurse to be aware of these sex differences as they are well positioned to make youth athletes and their families aware of the varying injury susceptibilities among them.
Book Review: Scale and the Incas, by Andrew Hamilton

Scale and the Incas , by Andrew Hamilton. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2018. 304 pages, 105 color and 55 b/w illus. Hardcover $65.00, e-book, $52.00. Reviewed by Terence N. D'Altroy. Every so often, a researcher proposes a novel way to approach a subject that has been plumbed for
A Rare Presentation of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Induced Viral Myositis With Subsequent Rhabdomyolysis

A 38-year-old gentleman with no significant past medical history but had recent COVID-19 exposure presented to the hospital with the chief complaints of fever, shortness of breath, and generalized myalgia. He was unfortunately found to be severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive. Laboratory findings showed creatine kinase (CK) >42,670 U/L along with elevated inflammatory markers and unremarkable creatinine, cardiac troponin level. The cause of his rhabdomyolysis was discovered to be due to COVID-19 as he had no evidence of other viral infections, strenuous exercise, seizure, or other nontraumatic exertional etiologies. He received aggressive fluid resuscitation while we trended his CK levels along with other inflammatory markers throughout his hospitalization course. His diffuse myalgia improved with treatments, and he was found to maintain stable hemodynamics and was subsequently discharged home.
A longitudinal study on morpho-genetic diversity of pathogenic Rhizoctonia solani from sugar beet and dry beans of western Nebraska

Root and stem rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani is a serious fungal disease of sugar beet and dry bean production in Nebraska. Rhizoctonia root rot and crown rot in sugar beet and dry bean have reduced the yield significantly and has also created problems in storage. The objective of this study was to analyze morpho-genetic diversity of 38 Rhizoctonia solani isolates from sugar beet and dry bean fields in western Nebraska collected over 10 years. Morphological features and ISSR-based DNA markers were used to study the morphogenetic diversity. Fungal colonies were morphologically diverse in shapes, aerial hyphae formation, colony, and sclerotia color. Marker analysis using 19 polymorphic ISSR markers showed polymorphic bands ranged from 15 to 28 with molecular weight of 100 bp to 3 kb. Polymorphic loci ranged from 43.26–92.88%. Nei genetic distance within the population ranged from 0.03–0.09 and Shannon diversity index varied from 0.24–0.28. AMOVA analysis based on ΦPT values showed 87% variation within and 13% among the population with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Majority of the isolates from sugar beet showed nearby association within the population. A significant number of isolates showed similarity with isolates of both the crops suggesting their broad pathogenicity. Isolates were grouped into three different clusters in UPGMA based cluster analysis using marker information. Interestingly, there was no geographical correlation among the isolates. Principal component analysis showed randomized distribution of isolates from the same geographical origin. Identities of the isolates were confirmed by both ITS-rDNA sequences and pathogenicity tests. Identification and categorization of the pathogen will be helpful in designing integrated disease management guidelines for sugar beet and dry beans of mid western America.
Friction and Flow in Granular Materials

We probe the transitions between solid-like and fluid-like granular states in the presence of shaking in the horizontal and vertical directions. These transitions are fundamental to other aspects of granular flow such as avalanche flow, in which there is a free surface. Key control parameters include accelerations in the vertical and horizontal directions, Γi = Aiω2i/g, for shaking of the form si = Ai cos(ωit + φi), i = h, v. Here, g is the acceleration of gravity. Also important is the relative phase between the two modes of shaking. We focus on low to moderate dimensionless accelerations, 0 < Γv,h < 1.6. We consider first the case Γv = 0, i.e. pure horizontal shaking. In this case, there is a hysteretic transition between solid and fluid states, where the fluid state consists of a sloshing layer of material of height H plus additional transverse flow. The hysteresis is lifted in the presence of a modest amount of fluidization by gas flow, or if a slight overburden is provided. We also identify a time scale, τ, for the transition between the phases that diverges inversely as the distance e = (Γh-Γhc)/Γhc, from the appropriate transition points, i.e. as τ α e-1. We identify a new convective mechanism, associated with horizontal shearing at the walls, as the mechanism that drives the transverse convective flow. For combined horizontal and vertical shaking, there exist a related set of novel dynamics and stability properties. These include the spontaneous formation of a static heap and a transition to flow, similar to the flow state under horizontal shaking, when the vertical acceleration Γv < 1. A simple friction model provides a good description of the steady states and a reasonably good description of the transition to flow. Horizontal and vertical shaking frequencies that differ by a small amount can lead to a novel switching state, as the relative phase, φh—φv, shifts over time.
The impact of moderate physical activity and student interaction on retention at a community college

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of a voluntary walking program that combined moderate physical activity and student interaction on student retention at a community co...
Determination of acoustic free sources in large cross-section ducts

Abstract Blocked forces are determined at the interface between source and receiver structures. Recent investigations have shown that these forces can be determined using inverse methods. Once determined, they can be used to drive simulation because they are independent of the receiver. This methodology has been primarily used for structural applications. This research demonstrates that a similar procedure can be used to determine acoustic free sources on a plane along the cross-section of a duct with the downstream portion of the duct serving as the receiver subsystem. This may be considered as a three-dimensional equivalent of source impedance and source strength. If a continuous source distribution is applied across the plane, these sources should be appropriate regardless of how the system is modified downstream so long as the upstream geometry is unchanged. The approach is first validated using acoustic finite element simulation. It is then demonstrated experimentally using a source room as the source component and an attached duct as the receiver component. Sources are determined along a cross-sectional plane within the duct. The downstream side of the duct is then modified, and it is shown that the acoustic free sources predict the downstream response successfully.
PREVENT PANCREATIC INFLAMMATION DUE TO AN ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURE

A novel strategy to prevent pancreatic inflammation due to an endoscopic procedure called an ERCP. There is a pressing need to develop effective preventative therapies for post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). We recently published that early PEP events are induced through the activation of a calcium-activated phosphatase called calcineurin and that global deletion of calcineurin abolishes PEP in a mouse model. A crucial question is whether calcineurin within the pancreas itself controls the initiation of PEP. We now show, using two complementary genetic approaches, that PEP is dependent on calcineurin produced by the main cells of the pancreas called acinar cells and that calcineurin inhibitor medications, infused within the radiocontrast given during ERCP, can largely prevent PEP. These results provide impetus for launching clinical trials to test the efficacy of this novel delivery of calcineurin inhibitors to prevent PEP.
Coupled Mode Theory as a Unifying Concept in Multi-Mode Patch Antenna Design

Coupled Mode Theory (CMT) is a classic model that addresses a vast array of problems in physics and electrical engineering [1] . Although CMT is well-established in areas such as directional coupler design, its significance in antenna engineering is less recognized. Recently, Characteristic Mode Analysis (CMA) has shown how CMT quantitatively models a variety of multi-mode patch structures [2-5] and provides a logical framework with which to understand the sometimes-counterintuitive behavior of these structures within their respective design spaces. More broadly, this kind of analysis shows qualitative differences between these patch structures that can also serve as a guide to developing novel radiating structures. For example, in the U-slot [2] and E-shaped patches [3] the radiation pattern of the in-phase and anti-phase coupled modes are similar, resulting in broad pattern and impedance bandwidths. This is not the case in stacked [4] and coplanar [5] patches; thus, these structures are pattern bandwidth limited rather than impedance bandwidth limited. This is perhaps an unexpected result, considering that the original motivation for stacked and coplanar patches was to increase the impedance bandwidth of single-patch elements. Thus, having similar in-phase and anti-phase patterns in a candidate structure is a qualitative goal when exploring novel multi-mode radiating structures.
Twin boundary migration mechanisms in quasi-statically compressed and plate-impacted Mg single crystals.

Twinning is a prominent deformation mode that accommodates plasticity in many materials. This study elucidates the role of deformation rate on the atomic-scale mechanisms that govern twin boundary ...
Algorithm-Specific Parallel Processing with Linear Processing Arrays

Publisher Summary This chapter presents two representation methods for synthesizing recurrent computations for linear processor arrays: dependency-based methods and general parameter-based methods. These two methods differ in their representation power and search procedures. They can be conveniently modeled in terms of ordered multidimensional integer sets and matrix algebra that supports the efficient representation and solution of scheduling and processor allocation problems. The dependency method (DM) is based on linear mappings. The chapter presents conditions that guarantee its correctness, including the absence of computational conflicts. It presents closed-form expressions for these conditions which can be used with optimization techniques that use linear integer programming or intelligent searches. The general parameter-based approach (GPM) is described for mapping algorithms with uniform indexing functions to systolic processor arrays. In this method, the behavior of the target array is captured by a set of parameters, and the design problem is formulated as an optimization problem with an objective and a set of constraints specified in terms of the parameters. Optimization procedures used with both DM and GPM approaches are discussed along with examples.
Traditional, iterative, and component-based development: A social analysis of software development paradigms

Information systems have always been developed through social processes, wherein actors playing a variety of specialized roles interact to produce new business applications of information technology. As systems development practices continue to evolve, an ongoing assessment of their social implications is required. This paper develops a framework for understanding the potential social implications of an emerging, component-based development paradigm. Like two alternative paradigms for systems development, the traditional life-cycle and the iterative-incremental paradigms, the new component-based paradigm requires that certain generic roles be performed to build a desired application. For each paradigm, we identify the actors who play different roles, specify the nature of their interdependence, and indicate the requirements for managing conflicts constructively. The framework may guide research into the social dynamics of system development and serve as a tentative guide to the management of information systems development.
Homo Ciborg: Cincuenta años después

While the term “cyborg” is only 50 years old, the process that has produced cyborgization is much older: the evolution of the human. Humans have evolved to modify ourselves and our environment, especially through evolving culture and the technologies it creates. Culture is part of nature. Today’s mundane i-cyborgs, military drones, intimate human-machine merging and genetic engineering are a result of this; which in turn produce feelings of uncanniness, hubris, and fear. Contemporary politics must take this complex dynamic into account if we are to secure a sustainable, survivable, future for ourselves and our descendents. Social experiments such as Burning Man are a prefiguration of the kinds of (self) conscious techno-social creativity needed.
Gender Differences in What Is Desired in the Sexual Relationship

It has been proposed that women possess a "person centered" orientation to sexuality- the goal of sex is to express affection to another person in a committed relations. Conversely, men possess a "body centered" orientation toward sex-the goal of sex is physical gratification. These different orientations toward sex in relatidnships should lead men and women to have different desires in the sexual relationship. We hypothesized that women will desire more activities in sex that demonstrate love and intimacy, while men will desire more activities that focus on arousal aspects of the sexual activity itself (more partner initiative; more variety). Two samples were used to test the hypotheses: 189 undergraduate students and 53 newly married couples. Men and women were asked how much they desired their partner to do less or more of a variety of activities during sex. The results indicated that there were gender differences found in what was desired from the sexual relationship that were consistent with our pred...
Understanding stocks and flows through analogy

Although it has been suggested that people use the wrong cognitive procedures in solving stock and flow (SF) problems, we know little of what these mental procedures are. We present two experiments aimed at demonstrating the influence of analogical reasoning on SF failure. Results of Experiment 1 show that SF failure decreases when people are asked to compare problems that share behavioral similarity (common relations). However, the benefit of behavioral similarity depends on the surface similarity (common superficial object attributes). Results from Experiment 2 demonstrate that when the behavioral characteristics of the problems are unknown by the participants, the process of comparing two problems with behavioral similarity improves responses to a subsequent SF problem, regardless of the surface similarity between the problems. Surface similarity helps only when the behavioral similarity between the problems is already known. Implications for training and education in system dynamics are discussed. Copyright © 2011 System Dynamics Society.
Cómo la ficción consume las series: Radionovelas, telenovelas y la narrativa latinoamericana contemporánea

El articulo examina la curiosa relacion reciproca entre las telenovelas y la literatura latinoamericana. El exito de las telenovelas latinoamericanas, tanto domesticamente como en el extranjero, conduce a los escritores de ficcion a tomarlas como competencia en el genero narrativo. Para la teoria critica, este genero desafia asimismo los paradigmas teoricos. El articulo comienza resumiendo las teorias criticas universales y particulares sobre el melodrama, del cual se considera deriva la redaccion de las telenovelas. El articulo muestra ejemplos de la interpretacion de la telenovela hecha por escritores contemporaneos de ficcion en America Latina, y destaca como descubrieron una manera de transformar a su competidor en una herramienta experimental.Palabras clave: Telenovelas, literatura latinoamericana, genero narrativo, teoria critica, melodrama This article examines the reciprocal relationship between soap operas and Latin-American literature, which success in Latin-American soap operas, both domestically and foreign, lead fiction writers to consider them as competition in the narrative genre. For critic theory, the genre challenges theoretical paradigms. The article starts summarizing the universally and particularly criticized theories about melodrama, from which soap opera redaction derivates. Contemporary Latin-American fiction writers’ interpretations of soap opera are shown, emphasizing the way they found to make from his competitors an experimental tool.Key words: Soap operas, Latin-American literature, narrative genre, critic theory, melodrama.
Mild Conversion of Tertiary Amides to Aldehydes using Cp2Zr(H)Cl (Schwartz's Reagent)

Diethylamine Zirconocene chloride hydride 3,4,5-Trimethoxybenzoyl chloride 3,4,5-Trimethoxybenzaldehyde N,N-Diethyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzamide Keywords: Cp2Zr(H)Cl; Schwartz's reagent; tertiary amides; aldehydes; reduction; over-reduction products; amide reduction methods
Collection Development Competencies for Science and Technology Libraries

SUMMARY This paper focuses on both traditional and current competencies–defined as the knowledge, and skills and abilities to carry out one's responsibilities in building relevant collection for given user populations in a specific institutional and scholarly environment, some of the competencies are broad and theoretical, while others are specific and highly technical. Both approaches are needed especially in an era of rapid change. Itself, is another key competency–mastering this will help the science collections librarian, and the collections they build remain relevant well into, the future.
On two-layer models and the similarity functions for the PBL

An operational Planetary Boundary Layer model which employs similarity principles and two-layer patching to provide state-of-the-art parameterization for the PBL flow is used to study the popularly used similarity functions, A and B. The expected trends with stratification are shown. The effects of baroclinicity, secondary flow, humidity, latitude, surface roughness variation and choice of characteristic height scale are discussed.
Mast cells in the periprosthetic breast capsule.

Background Symptomatic capsular contracture occurs in about 10 % of primary breast augmentations and in more than double that rate in reconstruction after mastectomy, especially in the setting of radiation. Mast cells, traditionally associated with immune response and inflammation, secrete profibrotic mediators and may play a role in capsule formation and contracture. We analyzed the mast cell and fibroblast populations in breast capsule tissue from patients who underwent capsular excision.
Identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with hyperproduction of alpha-toxin in Staphylococcus aureus.

The virulence factor α-toxin (hla) is needed by Staphylococcus aureus in order to cause infections in both animals and humans. Although the complicated regulation of hla expression has been well studied in human S. aureus isolates, the mechanisms of of hla regulation in bovine S. aureus isolates remain undefined. In this study, we found that many bovine S. aureus isolates, including the RF122 strain, generate dramatic amounts of α-toxin in vitro compared with human clinical S. aureus isolates, including MRSA WCUH29 and MRSA USA300. To elucidate potential regulatory mechanisms, we analyzed the hla promoter regions and identified predominant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at positions −376, −483, and −484 from the start codon in α-toxin hyper-producing isolates. Using site-directed mutagenesis and hla promoter-gfp-luxABCDE dual reporter approaches, we demonstrated that the SNPs contribute to the differential control of hla expression among bovine and human S. aureus isolates. Using a DNA affinity assay, gel-shift assays and a null mutant, we identified and revealed that an hla positive regulator, SarZ, contributes to the involvement of the SNPs in mediating hla expression. In addition, we found that the bovine S. aureus isolate RF122 exhibits higher transcription levels of hla positive regulators, including agrA, saeR, arlR and sarZ, but a lower expression level of hla repressor rot compared to the human S. aureus isolate WCUH29. Our results indicate α-toxin hyperproduction in bovine S. aureus is a multifactorial process, influenced at both the genomic and transcriptional levels. Moreover, the identification of predominant SNPs in the hla promoter region may provide a novel method for genotyping the S. aureus isolates.