cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimum land cover products for use in a Glossina-morsitans habitat model of Kenya

Tsetse flies are the primary vector for African trypanosomiasis, a disease that affects both humans and livestock across the continent of Africa. In 1973 tsetse flies were estimated to inhabit 22% of Kenya; by 1996 that number had risen to roughly 34%. Efforts to control the disease were hampered by a lack of information and costs associated with the identification of infested areas. Given changing spatial and demographic factors, a model that can predict suitable tsetse fly habitat based on land cover and climate change is critical to efforts aimed at controlling the disease. In this paper we present a generalizable method, using a modified Mapcurves goodness of fit test, to evaluate the existing publicly available land cover products to determine which products perform the best at identifying suitable tsetse fly land cover. For single date applications, Africover was determined to be the best land use land cover (LULC) product for tsetse modeling. However, for changing habitats, whether climatically or anthropogenically forced, the IGBP DISCover and MODIS type 1 products where determined to be most practical. The method can be used to differentiate between various LULC products and be applied to any such research when there is a known relationship between a species and land cover.
Two-photon resonances in a sodium−potassium mixed alkali vapor

Two types of two-photon transitions are detected optically in a mixed alkali vapor of Na and K. Using a cw narrowband dye laser tunable from 5700 to 5850 A, two-photon transitions free of Doppler broadening in NaK have been observed, while five Doppler-limited transitions have also been detected. The latter signals are due to two-photon hybrid resonances involving the photolysis of K2 and a subsequent transition in the excited K atom.
Using fold recognition to search for useful proteins: Bayesian approach to fold recognition

The wealth of protein sequence and structure data is greater than ever, thanks to the ongoing Genomics and Structural Genomics projects. The information available through such efforts needs to be analysed by new methods that combine both databases. One important result of genomic sequence analysis is the inference of functional homology among proteins. Until recently sequence similarity comparison was the only method for homologue inference. The new fold recognition approach reviewed in this paper enhances sequence comparison methods by including structural information in the process of protein comparison. This additional information often allows for the detection of similarities that cannot be found by methods that only use sequence information.
Comparison of the Clinical Features of Children Hospitalized With Pandemic 2009 A:H1N1 and Seasonal Influenza

Introduction: We compared the demographics, clinical presentation, course and outcome of children hospitalized with pandemic A:H1N1 and seasonal influenza. Methods: Sixty seven patients hospitalized from April 1st through August 31st 2009 with pandemic A:H1N1 influenza were enrolled. Two seasonal influenza cohorts were identified: 38 inpatients from January 1st 2004 through March 31st 2009, diagnosed by viral culture or direct fluorescent antibody testing; and 42 inpatients from January 1st 2007 through December 31st 2008 diagnosed via a rapid test. The two seasonal cohorts were not significantly different and were combined. Results: Patients with pandemic influenza were older (median age 6.5 years versus 1.3 years, P <.0001); were more often black (46% versus 23%, P <.0002); more frequently had an underlying condition (72% versus 49% P <.0049); and more often had wheezing (57% versus 16%, P <.0001). Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the groups in measures of severity during hospital...
A World Turned Upside Down: Reflections on the 'New Wave' Inversions and Notice 2014-52

On September 22, 2014, the Treasury issued Notice 2014-52 (the “Notice”). The Notice was intended to fulfill President Obama’s pledge to use executive actions to the extent possible to block the new wave of corporate inversions. To what extent can the Notice succeed?This article will argue that while the Notice is a useful first step, it is unlikely to stem the tide of inversion transactions. To do that, legislative action is needed in the short term. In the longer term, the only solution to inversions is coordination with other OECD countries in the context of the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) endeavor to limit double non-taxation.
The Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)-I E-Peptides Modulate Cell Entry of the Mature IGF-I Protein

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I is a critical protein for cell development and growth. Alternative splicing of the igf1 gene gives rise to multiple isoforms. In rodents, proIGF-IA and proIGF-IB have different carboxy-terminal extensions called the E-peptides (EA and EB) and upon further posttranslational processing, produce the identical mature IGF-I protein. Rodent EB has been reported to have mitogenic and motogenic effects independent of IGF-I. However, effects of EA or EB on mature IGF-I, or whether proIGF-IA and proIGF-IB have different properties, have not been addressed. To determine whether the presence of EA or EB affected the distribution and stability of mature IGF-I protein, transient transfections of cDNAs encoding murine IGF-IA, IGF-IB, and mature IGF-I were performed in C2C12 cells, a skeletal muscle cell line. IGF-I secretion was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the media, and did not differ between expression of proIGF-IA, proIGF-IB, or mature IGF-I expression. Next, epitope-tagged constructs were transfected to determine cellular distribution of IGF-I, EA, and EB in the cells throughout the culture. IGF-I was detected in significantly fewer nontransfected cells in cultures transfected with mature IGF-I compared with transfection of proIGF-IA or proIGF-IB. These results demonstrate that EA and EB are not required for IGF-I secretion but that they increase cell entry of IGF-I from the media. This study provides evidence that the EA and EB may modulate IGF-I in addition to having independent activity.
Gesture offers insight into problem-solving in adults and children

When asked to explain their solutions to a problem, both adults and children gesture as they talk. These gestures at times convey information that is not conveyed in speech and thus reveal thoughts that are distinct from those revealed in speech. In this study, we use the classic Tower of Hanoi puzzle to validate the claim that gesture and speech taken together can reflect the activation of two cognitive strategies within a single response. The Tower of Hanoi is a well-studied puzzle, known to be most efficiently solved by activating subroutines at theoretically defined choice points. When asked to explain how they solved the Tower of Hanoi puzzle, both adults and children produced significantly more gesture–speech mismatches—explanations in which speech conveyed one path and gesture another— at these theoretically defined choice points than they produced at non-choice points. Even when the participants did not solve the problem efficiently, gesture could be used to indicate where the participants were deciding between alternative paths. Gesture can, thus, serve as a useful adjunct to speech when attempting to discover cognitive processes in problem-solving. © 2002 Cognitive Science Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Development and Application of a Vehicle Procurement Model for Rural Fleet Asset Management

Advanced asset management systems have emerged as important tools in the management, maintenance, and procurement of vehicles for transit fleet operators. Effective design and use of an asset management system can increase productivity, enhance public perception, and provide a consistent basis for decision making and planning. This paper documents the design and application of a vehicle procurement model in an asset management system created for the Alabama Department of Transportation to manage vehicles purchased and operated through the Section 5311 federal grant program. The vehicle procurement model predicts future vehicle serviceability, or condition rating, by using a combination of factors, including service area socioeconomic data and vehicle usage data. Application of the system helps transportation professionals estimate the overall fleet quality, identify vehicles that will need to be replaced each year, aid in the management of vehicles, and provide a basis for predicting future funding and budgetary needs.
Rat vs. rabbit ventricle: Ca flux and intracellular Na assessed by ion-selective microelectrodes.

Trans sarcolemmal Ca movements in rabbit and rat ventricular muscle were compared using extracellular double-barreled Ca-selective microelectrodes. In rabbit ventricle, steady-state twitches were associated with transient extracellular Ca (Cao) depletions, indicative of Ca uptake during the twitch. In contrast, steady-state twitches in rat ventricle were associated with net cellular Ca extrusion. Rest periods in rabbit ventricle lead to a net loss of cell Ca and resumption of stimulation induces a net uptake of Ca by the cells. Conversely, in rat ventricle rest periods lead to cellular Ca gain and resumption of stimulation induces a net Ca loss from the cells. Thus stimulation is associated with net Ca gain in rabbit ventricle and net Ca loss in rat ventricle. These observations provide an explanation for some of the functional differences between rat and rabbit ventricle (e.g., negative force-frequency staircase and rest potentiation in rat vs. positive staircase and rest decay in rabbit). Resting intracellular Na activity (alpha iNa) was 12.7 +/- 0.6 mM in rat and 7.2 +/- 0.5 mM in rabbit ventricle. This alpha iNa in rat ventricle is sufficiently high that Ca entry via Na-Ca exchange is thermodynamically favored at the resting membrane potential. This may explain why rest potentiation is observed in rat ventricle. In contrast, the lower alpha iNa in rabbit ventricle would favor Ca extrusion via Na-Ca exchange at rest (and consequent rest decay). In rat ventricle, the increase of intracellular [Ca] ([Ca]i) associated with contraction, coupled with the short action potential duration, strongly favor Ca extrusion via Na-Ca exchange and explain the observed Cao accumulation observed during twitches in rat. The high plateau of the rabbit ventricular action potential tends to prevent Ca extrusion via Na-Ca exchange during the contraction and explains the Cao depletions observed in rabbit. It is concluded that the higher alpha iNa and shorter action potential duration in rat vs. rabbit ventricle can explain many of the functional differences observed in these tissues.
From Rights to Dignity: Applying Lessons from Physician-Assisted Death to the Movement for Reproductive Justice

Physician-assisted death (PAD) began as a question of constitutional rights, framed in the public’s consciousness by several high-profile court battles as the “right-to-die.” Over the last twenty years PAD has been dramatically transformed from the right to die to an issue expressed as “death with dignity” that includes broad considerations of healthcare, dignity, privacy and decisional autonomy. By contrast, the abortion right has experienced the opposite legal trajectory and considerably less dynamic range. Originally inspired by broad feminist ideals as one aspect of a larger call for equality, over the last forty years it has been significantly narrowed to an almost exclusive focus on “choice.” In case law and legislation, the issue continues to be framed as a constitutional right to decide to terminate a pregnancy and has been less successful in engaging broader questions of reproductive justice such as dignity, equality, autonomy and healthcare. This article considers why these two issues have experienced such dramatically different legal outcomes despite the fact that they share a legal lineage and engage similar moral and ethical tensions. I conclude that a significant part of the answer lies in the fact that abortion was granted status as a constitutional right, and PAD was not. I use the comparison with PAD as a vehicle for exploring the limitation that the constitutional rights framework has imposed on the abortion right and to consider ways to apply the successes of PAD to similarly broaden the framing of the abortion right.
Helping Students in Introductory Psychology Process Terrorist Attacks

Terrorist attacks, such as the one that occurred on September 11, 2001 in the US, create an opportunity for psychology faculty to explore with students both the psychological aftermaths of a disaster and the psychological factors associated with terrorism. This article briefly reviews the literature on previous campus response to war and tragedy and then presents ways to integrate illustrations from the psychology of terrorism and victim response with the standard introductory psychology curriculum, as well as some advanced courses, as a method of helping students (and educators) to progressively process a terrorist attack. In practice, we took topics found in introductory psychology textbooks and developed ways to embed discussion, teach psychological principles, understand terrorism and promote healing while moving forward with and maintaining the integrity of the curriculum.
Spin dynamics of the ferromagnetic Heisenberg chain in a magnetic field: Evidence for "second magnons"

We report molecular-dynamics results for the ferromagnetic Heisenberg chain in an applied field. The results for the magnetization fluctuations cover both the collision-dominated and nearly collisionless regimes. They provide strong evidence for a crossover between these regimes and the existence of the "second-magnon" mode.
New Polymers Possessing a Disulfide Bond in a Unique Environment

The synthesis and some of the physical properties of the first poly(disulfidediamines) are reported. The disulfidediamine functional group (R2NSSNR2) possesses a disulfide bond in a unique environment that leads to a low bond dissociation energy (calculated BDE of 43.1 kcal mol–1). These polymers were synthesized in high yields and with conversions up to >98% by reactions between secondary diamines and a new disulfide monomer. The disulfide monomer was synthesized in two steps without the need for column chromatography. The polymerizations were robust and completed at room temperature, under ambient atmospheric conditions, and in solvents that were used as purchased. These polymers were stable, but they rapidly decomposed under acidic, aqueous conditions or by heating to 175 °C as shown by thermal gravimetric analysis. The first fully conjugated poly(disulfidediamine) was synthesized, and its electrical conductivity was characterized in the solid state.
Nonlinear Flutter of Cylindrical Panels Under Yawed Supersonic Flow Using Finite Elements

In the extensive published literature on panel flutter, large number of papers were dedicated to investigate flat plates in the supersonic flow regime. Very few authors have extended their work to flutter of curved panels. The curved geometry generates a pre-flutter behavior due to a static aerodynamic load (SAL) over the panel resulting in the existence of a static deflection. The purpose of this paper is to provide new insights in the subject of flutter of curved panels. A finite element frequency domain method is developed and presented to predict the pre-flutter behavior and the flutter onset of curved panels. The firstorder shear deformation theory, the Marguerre curved plate theory, the von Karman large deflection theory, and the quasi-steady first-order piston theory appended with SAL are used in the formulation. The principle of virtual work is applied to develop the equations of motion of the fluttering system in structural node degrees of freedom (DOF). The NewtonRaphson iteration method is used to determine the panel deflection under the SAL, and an eigen-value solution is employed for the determination of the flutter critical dynamic pressure at different panel height-rises. Pre-flutter static deflection shape, flutter coalescence frequency, and damping rate of various cylindrical panels are thoroughly investigated. The main results revealed that the pre-flutter static response of curved panels is fundamentally different from the one associated with flat plates. It is shown that curvature has a detrimental effect for 2-D cylindrical panels, and beneficial for 3-D at an optimum heightrise.
STUDY OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POISSON′S RATIO AND ANGLE OF INTERNAL FRICTION FOR ROCKS

Based on relationship between Poisson′s ratio and angle of internal friction for pure tensile failure,the relationship between Poisson′s ratio and angle of internal friction for pure shear failure is deduced;the shear,brittle shear,plastic shear and tensile failures as well as creep deformation distribution zones are defined by Poisson′s ratio and angle of internal friction.Based on the analysis of test data,the linear boundary lines for tensile shear and shear tensile failures are determined;the semi-empirical formulae of brittle shear failure criteria are established.According to the semi-empirical formulae,Poisson′s ratio and angle of internal friction and shear strength of single rock specimen can be calculated easily;the mesoscopic failure modes of rock can be zoned.By comparing with the results of triaxial compression tests,the mechanisms for different rock failures are explained.The case study demonstrates that it is practical to use the Poisson′s ratio to calculate shear strength of single rock specimen.The classification of rock failure zones can be used in prediction of failure modes and failure types.
Does the use of tubular digesters to treat livestock waste lower the risk of infection from Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia

Worldwide, high incidences of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis are attributed to livestock waste. Quantitative microbial risk assessment can be used to estimate the risk of livestock related infections from Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia. The objective of this paper was to assess the occupational and public health risks associated with management of raw and anaerobically digested livestock waste in two rural communities in Costa Rica based on fomite, soil and crop contamination and livestock waste management exposure pathways. Risks related to cattle waste were greater than swine waste due to cattle shedding more (oo)cysts. Cryptosporidium parvum also posed a greater risk than Giardia lamblia in all exposure pathways due to livestock shedding high loads of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts and oocysts' lower inactivation rates during anaerobic digestion compared with Giardia lamblia cysts. The risk of infection from exposure to contaminated soil and crops was significantly lower for a community using tubular anaerobic digesters to treat livestock waste compared to a community where the untreated waste was applied to soil. The results indicate that treatment of livestock waste in small-scale tubular anaerobic digesters has the potential to significantly decrease the risk of infection below the World Health Organization's acceptable individual annual risk of infection (10-4).
Reconstructing the music hall rotunda and annex at vauxhall pleasure gardens c. 1764

This paper summarises work in progress on the digital reconstruction of the structure, space and decorative program of the music hall and annex at Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens c. 1764. The proposed outcome will be a recreation of the space and its contents combining Building Information Modelling in programs such as Revit with panoramic interior views of the larger-than life modern-subject history paintings of scenes from and allegories based upon England's victories in the Seven Years' War, marble busts of British worthies and mirrors. The final version of the project will also include a choral and instrumental musical element, as the space was physically connected to the garden's indoor orchestral performance space.
Lipid-Free Apolipoprotein A-I Reduces Progression of Atherosclerosis by Mobilizing Microdomain Cholesterol and Attenuating the Number of CD131 Expressing Cells: Monitoring Cholesterol Homeostasis Using the Cellular Ester to Total Cholesterol Ratio.

Background Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder whose development is inversely correlated with high‐density lipoprotein concentration. Current therapies involve pharmaceuticals that significantly elevate plasma high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Our studies were conducted to investigate the effects of low‐dose lipid‐free apolipoprotein A‐I (apoA‐I) on chronic inflammation. The aims of these studies were to determine how subcutaneously injected lipid‐free apoA‐I reduces accumulation of lipid and immune cells within the aortic root of hypercholesterolemic mice without sustained elevations in plasma high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Methods and Results Ldlr −/− and Ldlr −/− apoA‐I −/− mice were fed a Western diet for a total of 12 weeks. After 6 weeks, a subset of mice from each group received subcutaneous injections of 200 μg of lipid‐free human apoA‐I 3 times a week, while the other subset received 200 μg of albumin, as a control. Mice treated with lipid‐free apoA‐I showed a decrease in cholesterol deposition and immune cell retention in the aortic root compared with albumin‐treated mice, regardless of genotype. This reduction in atherosclerosis appeared to be directly related to a decrease in the number of CD131 expressing cells and the esterified cholesterol to total cholesterol content in several immune cell compartments. In addition, apoA‐I treatment altered microdomain cholesterol composition that shifted CD131, the common β subunit of the interleukin 3 receptor, from lipid raft to nonraft fractions of the plasma membrane. Conclusions ApoA‐I treatment reduced lipid and immune cell accumulation within the aortic root by systemically reducing microdomain cholesterol content in immune cells. These data suggest that lipid‐free apoA‐I mediates beneficial effects through attenuation of immune cell lipid raft cholesterol content, which affects numerous types of signal transduction pathways that rely on microdomain integrity for assembly and activation.
Matrimonial Consent in Canon Law Juridical Aspects

A valid marriage emerges thanks to the founding power of one sole efficient cause—consent. Marriage is a complex human reality; it encompasses physio-biological, psychological, personal, social, religious, moral, and judicial aspects. The essence and characteristics of marriage are determined by natural law. From here, Canon Law made an extraordinary effort, unknown by the other judicial codes, to investigate the natural demands of marriage, just as they are demanded by the dignity of the human being. Consent is the only efficient cause of the matrimonial bond. It is generally accepted that the mutual consent of both of the contracting parties is what “makes” each marriage specific, not only in an “efficient” sense but also in a “formal” sense, using the scholastic terminology. The celebration of marriage has no effect if consent is lacking. Consent is the sole and irreplaceable cause of marriage, and therefore presupposes and demands natural, absolute and relative capacity of both of the contracting parties.
35-Year Experience with Surgical Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a painful and disfiguring chronic inflammatory condition affecting both men and women. Medical treatments, such as antibiotics and immunosuppressive agents, are often ineffective. Over time, patients can suffer from recurrent abscesses, chronic purulent drainage, scarring, and contractures that can only be corrected by surgical excision. There is no agreement, however, on the best way for the surgeon to manage this condition. The purpose of this review is to describe the results of surgical treatment of this condition in a large cohort of patients managed by local excision of hidradenitis, healing by secondary intention and reoperation as needed. A retrospective review was conducted of all patients operated on by the author for hidradenitis over a 35-year period. Specific data abstracted included patient age, weight, admission, length of stay, wound size, type of wound care, number of post-op visits, time to heal, and recurrence. Most wounds healed by secondary intention and were managed using simple tap water-moistened plain gauze dressings changed three times a day. From 1979 through 2014, 122 patients (56 men and 66 women), median age 38, underwent 245 operations for hidradenitis suppurativa. Patients underwent from 1 to 10 procedures; 61 patients (50%) underwent two or more procedures; and 26 (21%) underwent three or more. Wound sizes at operation ranged from quite small to over 1500 cm2. Men were older (42 vs 34 years, p < 0.001) and had larger median wound size (98 vs 55 cm2, p < 0.001). A total of 197 wounds healed by secondary intention: 83 of these (median size 159 cm2) were left completely open at the time of surgery; 117 (median size 100 cm2) were partially closed. A total of 30 wounds (median size 38 cm2) were closed primarily; 15 (median size 196 cm2) were closed by skin graft. Patients undergoing 139 procedures were admitted to the hospital for the initial wound care. Their median combined total wound size was 160 cm2; length of stay was 5.5 days; and median time to heal was 60 days. In total, 106 procedures were ambulatory; median wound size was 30 cm2; and median time to heal was 40 days. Recurrent or new disease was common, with some patients requiring multiple procedures over many years to maintain control of symptoms. Although wound healing can take up to several months, patients quickly learned how to care for themselves and were usually pain-free after the first two or three weeks. Surgical treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa by wide local excision with healing by secondary intention using tap water-moistened plain gauze dressings changed 2–3 times per day is a simple, practical approach that has good results. Recurrence of disease is common and should not be thought of as a failure of surgical treatment, but rather as a feature of the disease that must be anticipated and managed.
Epilepsy Secondary to Specific Mechanisms

In many cases of adult-onset epilepsy, an etiology is not found. However, thorough investigation may find a cause, which can influence management, shed light on prognosis, and help alleviate both patient and physician uncertainty. Various causes of epilepsy will be discussed, including autoimmune epilepsy, brain tumors, malformations of cortical development, head trauma, stroke, mesial temporal sclerosis, and vascular malformations.
Breast cancer risk assessment: Evaluation of screening tools for genetics referral.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends breast cancer risk-screening tools to help primary care providers determine which unaffected patients to refer to genetic specialists. The USPSTF does not recommend one tool above others. The purpose of this study was to compare tool performance in identifying women at risk for breast cancer. METHODS Pedigrees of 85 women aged 40-74 years with first-degree female relative with breast cancer were evaluated using five tools: Family History Screen-7 (FHS-7), Pedigree Assessment Tool, Manchester Scoring System, Referral Screening Tool, and Ontario Family History Assessment Tool (Ontario-FHAT). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated to describe each tool's ability to identify women with elevated risk as defined by Claus Model calculations (lifetime risk ≥15%). Receiver operating curves were plotted. Differences between areas under the curve were estimated and compared through logistic regression to assess for differences in tool performance. CONCLUSIONS Claus calculations identified 14 of 85 women with elevated risk. Two tools, Ontario-FHAT and FHS-7, identified all women with elevated risk (sensitivity 100%). The FHS-7 tool flagged all participants (specificity 0%). The Ontario-FHAT flagged 59 participants as needing referral (specificity 36.2%) and had a NPV of 100%. Area under the curve values were not significantly different between tools (all p values > .05), and thus were not helpful in discriminating between the tools. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The Ontario-FHAT outperformed other tools in sensitivity and NPV; however, low specificity and PPV must be balanced against these findings. Thus, the Ontario-FHAT can help determine which women would benefit from referral to genetics specialists.
Effect of a metalloproteinase inhibitor on established corneal ulcers after an alkali burn

Proteinase inhibitors have been shown to prevent corneal ulceration and perforation when used immediately after an experimental alkali burn injury. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a synthetic metalloproteinase inhibitor, HSCH2CH[CH2CH(CH3)2]CO-Phe-Ala-NH2(SIMP), treatment with inhibitor was withheld until corneal ulceration ensued after a standard alkali injury to the rabbit eye. When topical therapy with a 1 mmol/l solution of SIMP was initiated after corneal ulceration had progressed to a mid-stromal level (clinical score of 2), there was no significant difference in the progression of corneal ulceration between the treated vs. control group after 6 d of therapy. In the second study in which treatment was initiated earlier at the onset of superficial ulceration (clinical score of 1), there was a significant difference in clinical scores between the two groups after 1 day of treatment until termination of the experiment at 21 d (P less than 0.005). In the inhibitor-treated group, 88.9% of the corneas showed a reversal or cessation of progression of the ulceration process. Eighty-seven-and-a-half percent of the control corneas progressed to descemetocele formation or perforation by day 14 of treatment. This study suggests that SIMP may be used for effective treatment of corneal ulcers resulting from an alkali burn injury in the human eye. It also shows that early and aggressive initiation of therapy is critical.
Progressive phase trends in plates with embedded acoustic black holes.

Acoustic black holes (ABHs) have been explored and demonstrated to be effective passive treatments for broadband noise and vibration control. Performance metrics for assessing damping concepts are often focused on maximizing structural damping loss factors. Optimally performing damping treatments can reduce the resonant response of a driven system well below the direct field response. This results in a finite structure whose vibration input–output response follows that of an infinite structure. The vibration mobility transfer functions between locations on a structure can be used to assess the structure's vibration response phase, and compare its phase response characteristics to those of idealized systems. This work experimentally explores the phase accumulation in finite plates, with and without embedded grids of ABHs. The measured results are compared and contrasted with theoretical results for finite and infinite uniform plates. Accumulated phase characteristics, their spatial dependence and limits, a...
6-DoF Haptic Rendering of Static Coulomb Friction Using Linear Programming

Simulating frictional contact between objects with complex geometry is important for 6-DoF haptic rendering applications. For example, friction determines whether components can be navigated past narrow clearances in virtual assembly. State-of-the-art haptic rendering of frictional contact either augments penalty contact with frictional penalty springs, which do not prevent sliding and cannot render correct static friction, or uses constraint-based methods that have difficulties in meeting the stringent haptic loop computation time requirements for complex geometry. We give a 6-DoF Coulomb friction haptic rendering algorithm for distributed contact between rigid objects with complex geometry. Our algorithm is compatible with the fast point vs implicit function penalty-based contact method such as the Voxmap-PointShell method. Our algorithm incorporates the maximal dissipation principle and produces correct static friction, all the while inheriting the speed of penalty-based methods. We demonstrate our algorithm on several challenging 6-DoF haptic rendering examples.
75 – Epidemiology of Lung Cancer in Women

This chapter focuses on the changing demographic pattern of lung cancer in women. Lung cancer incidence and mortality in women, as in men, shows strong cohort patterns related to age at smoking initiation and subsequent smoking prevalence. Although standards of ascertainment and diagnosis may account for some of the observed differences in rates internationally, differences in smoking patterns likely explain most of this variation. One exception is the high lung cancer rate among Chinese females in Asia, where the prevalence of smoking in women has historically been low. In the United States, female lung cancer incidence has increased 600% during the past five decades, from 7 per 100,000 persons in the late 1940s. Increases in mortality are comparable to those seen for incidence. Lung cancer surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer death in U.S. women in 1987. The average annual increase in female lung cancer incidence peaked between 1969 and 1974 but declined to 6.3% for 1975–1979 and to just 1.8% for 1987–1992. Concurrently, lung cancer death rates have also declined among white femalesunder age 45 between 1973 and 1986.
Feasibility of Using Satellite Water Tanks for Protecting Drinking Water in Urban Communities in Developing Countries

Nepal is one of the few countries in Southeast Asia that is uniquely rich in water resources according to a report prepared by Nepal’s Water Energy Commission Secretariat (WRNCCS 2011). Nepal has approximately 6,000 rivers with a drainage area of 191,000 km2 (73,745.1 mile2), 74 % of which lie in Nepal alone. If properly developed these rivers could generate hydropower; provide water for irrigation, industrial uses; and supply water for domestic purposes. About 10 % of total precipitation in Nepal falls as snow, and 23 % of Nepal’s total land area lie above the permanent snowline of 5,000 m (16,404 ft), with 3.6 % being covered by glaciers.
“Risk It Out, Risk It Out”: Occupational and Organizational Stresses in Rural Policing:

In rural areas, police experience unique work-related health and safety risks attributable to a multitude of factors, ranging from inaccessible backup to navigating inclement weather alongside geog...
Identification of 2, 3-dihydrodipicolinate as the product of the dihydrodipicolinate synthase reaction from Escherichia coli.

Dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS) catalyzes the first step in the pathway for the biosynthesis of L-lysine in most bacteria and plants. The substrates for the enzyme are pyruvate and L-aspartate-β-semialdehyde (ASA). The product of the reaction was originally proposed to be 2,3-dihydrodipicolinate (DHDP), but has now generally been assumed to be (4S)-4-hydroxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-(2S)-dipicolinate (HTPA). ASA is unstable at high pH and it is proposed that ASA reacts with itself. At high pH ASA also reacts with Tris buffer and both reactions are largely reversible at low pH. It is proposed that the basic un-protonated form of the amine of Tris or the α-amine of ASA reacts with the aldehyde functional group of ASA to generate an imine product. Proton NMR spectra of ASA done at different pH values shows new NMR peaks at high pH, but not at low pH, confirming the presence of reaction products for ASA at high pH. The enzymatic product of the DHDPS reaction was examined at low pH by proton NMR starting with either 3 h-pyruvate or 3 d-pyruvate and identical NMR spectra were obtained with four new NMR peaks observed at 1.5, 2.3, 3.9 and 4.1 ppm in both cases. The NMR results were most consistent with DHDP as the reaction product. The UV-spectral studies of the DHDPS reaction shows the formation of an initial product with a broad spectral peak at 254 nM. The DHDPS reaction product was further examined by reduction of the enzymatic reaction components with borohydride followed by GC-MS analysis of the mixture. Three peaks were found at 88, 119 and 169 m/z, consistent with pyruvate, homoserine (reduction product of ASA), and the reduction product of DHDP (1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate). There was no indication for a peak associated with the reduced form of HTPA.
Analytic functions on Banach spaces

In these lectures we discuss various topics related to algebras of analytic functions on Banach spaces. We begin in Chapter 1 with a brief development of function theory on a Banach space, and we prove Ryan’s theorem that the Dunford-Pettis property implies the polynomial Dunford-Pettis property. Chapter 2 is devoted to extensions of analytic functions to the bidual. It includes a proof of the Aron-Herves-Valdivia theorem. Chapter 3 is devoted to approximation by finite-type polynomials, including theorems of Littlewood and Pitt. In Chapter 4 we study the algebra of entire functions that are bounded on bounded sets, and in Chapter 5 we take a brief look at the algebra of bounded analytic functions on the open unit ball of a Banach space.
Quakefinder: a scalable data mining system for detecting earthquakes from space

We present an application of novel massively parallel datamining techniques to highly precise inference of important physical processes from remote sensing imagery. Specifically, we have developed and applied a system, Quakefinder, that automatically detects and measures tectonic activity in the earth's crust by examination of satellite data. We have used Quakefinder to automatically map the direction and magnitude of ground displacements due to the 1992 Landers earthquake in Southern California, over a spatial region of several hundred square kilometers, at a resolution of 10 meters, to a (sub-pixel) precision of 1 meter. This is the first calculation that has ever been able to extract area-mapped information about 2D tectonic processes at this level of detail. We outline the architecture of the Quakefinder system, based upon a combination of techniques drawn from the fields of statistical inference, massively parallel computing and global optimization. We confirm the overall correctness of the procedure by comparison of our results with known locations of targeted faults obtained by careful and time-consuming field measurements. The system also performs knowledge discovery by indicating novel unexplained tectonic activity away from the primary faults that has never before been observed. We conclude by discussing the future potential of this data mining system in the broad context of studying subtle spatio-temporal processes within massive image streams.
A Deterministic and Symbolic Regression Hybrid Applied to Resting-State fMRI Data

Symbolic regression (SR) is one the most popular applications of genetic programming (GP) and an attractive alternative to the standard deterministic regression approaches due to its flexibility in generating free-form mathematical models from observed data without any domain knowledge. However, GP suffers from various issues hindering the applicability of the technique to real-life problems. In this paper, we show that a hybrid deterministic regression (DR)/genetic programming based symbolic regression (GP-SR) algorithm outperforms GP-SR alone on a brain imaging dataset.
Parallel Arrays of Binary Actuators

The subject of this paper is an exploration of the properties of large arrays of actuators connected in parallel between an output member and base. Each actuator is postulated to operate in a binary fashion: either fully excited, or off. The array is viewed as a programmable force generator, rather than as a motion generator. A massive array of actuators acting in parallel is a model of biological muscle which can be used to examine the strategy of control via fiber recruitment, which is a major control strategy used by biological systems. Thus, in this work we are attempting to gain insights into the behavior of biological systems, as well as developing new artificial actuator structures which present machine designers with new opportunities for packaging and control.
A sharp, sweet tooth: Vampires, junk food, and dangerous appetites in the lost boys and the hunger

Next to blood, fast food and junk food make up the most common meals in ‘80s vampire fiction. Whether munching on chips, devouring a Big Mac, or slurping down soda, humans use these foods to satisf...
Modifying Food Textures: Practices and Beliefs of Staff Involved in Nutrition Care.

Purpose Modifying food texture is an important part of dysphagia management, yet less is known about the day-to-day practices that might impact the nutritional well-being of patients. This study su...
Who Makes a Tough Call? An Emotion Regulation Approach to Moral Decision Making

In this paper, we contribute to the theory of conflict monitoring by showing that emotion regulation plays a key role in making utilitarian decisions by inhibiting the influence of negative emotions that are associated with the prospect of harm. In particular, we provide much needed data of concurrent monitoring of psycho-physiological indices of emotion while participants make decisions in the moral dilemma situations. In Study 1, we found that individuals who engage in suppression more frequently were more likely to make utilitarian choices in the moral dilemma situation, while those who engage in reappraisal more frequently were less likely to make utilitarian choice. In Study 2, not only did participants make more utilitarian decisions when they were told to suppress emotional reactions they experienced, but also their utilitarian preferences carried over to increase perceptions of moral clarity concerning unrelated moral decisions. More specifically, this relationship between suppression and utilitar...
A dose-response model of road development and child nutrition in Nepal

Abstract Transportation development accompanies economic development, both as a driver of growth and as an outcome of economy-wide investments made possible by growth. Evidence of the effects of roads and road quality on human well-being is limited. This paper studies the association between district-level transportation infrastructure and district-average child nutrition outcomes in Nepal. We combine two rounds of nationally representative data on child growth from the 2006 and 2011 Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys with district-level information on roads and road quality. We estimate a dose-response function for height-for-age and weight-for-height z-scores. Results suggest that roads and road quality matter for short- and long-term nutrition outcomes for children under five years of age. Using a spatial econometric model we also observe statistically significant geographic spillovers from roads, suggesting broad and beneficial health and nutrition payoffs from transportation development.
Is this London? Chance, crisis, aggression, weirdness and expense

The article discusses a number of post-millennial London narratives in print and on screen. Significantly, these use chance as a structural device, contrive chance encounters between disparate characters and/or twists of fate in individual characters' lives. It is concerned with the changing fortunes of different areas of the metropolis by way of economic and cultural capital, migration within and beyond London, immigration and shifts in generic representations of the city. Chance here designates lucky, improbable, arbitrary and coincidental occurrences: modern inflections of a mythologised metropolitan theme.
General Technical Recommendations for Difficult Laparoscopic Cases

The surgeon will most likely encounter challenging and difficult cases, and this may occur with either open or laparoscopic approaches. Laparoscopy with its limited optical view, diminished tactile sensation, retraction/exposure difficulties, and instrument limitations can present significant obstacles for the surgeon during a difficult surgical situation. In this chapter we discuss several important steps the surgeon can take to improve the laparoscopic approach in difficult scenarios.
Interactions among dietary fat, protein, and cholesterol in atherosclerosis-susceptible pigeons. Effects on serum cholesterol and aortic atherosclerosis.

In a 3x 2x 2 factorially designed experiment, White Carneau pigeons were kept nine months on diets containing three levels of protein (5 per cent, 15 per cent, and 30 per cent casein) and two types of dietary fat (10 per cent oil or 10 per cent hydrogenated coconut oil). Identical groups received, in addition, 0.25 per cent cholesterol. Analysis for serum cholesterol, and for cholesterol, total lipids, and phospholipids in the aorta, and measurements of atherosclerotic index were carried out. The data were subjected to statistical evaluation by analysis of variance. The addition of cholesterol to the diets elevated the level of cholesterol in the serum and the aorta and increased the severity of atherosclerosis. A significant interaction was found to exist between the type of fat in the diet and the presence or absence of cholesterol. Among cholesterol-fed birds only, corn oil exerted a significant cholesterol-lowering action. Suggestive evidence was obtained for the concept that the severity of atherosclerosis is influenced by the type of dietary fat, the level of protein, and the presence or absence of cholesterol in the diet, and that bio-logical interactions exist among these dietary variables.
Language and environmental justice: articulating intersectionality within energy policy deliberations

The widespread practice of shale gas extraction via high volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) has created challenges for communities who attempt to understand HVHF risk. This study uses a critical di...
Dietary Guidance and New School Meal Standards: Schoolchildren's Whole Grain Consumption Over 1994-2014.

Introduction Since 2005, the federal government's Dietary Guidelines for Americans have recommended at least half of total grain intake be whole grains. Beginning with the 2012–2013 school year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture updated school meal regulations to align with this recommendation. Methods Nationally representative food consumption survey data spanning 1994–2014 were analyzed in 2018 to construct a sample of 17,016 schoolchildren aged 5–19 years. Regression models were used to examine changes in whole grain/total grain intake by food source. For school-obtained foods, changes in whole grain intake are decomposed into changes in propensity (proportion of students consuming whole grains) and intensity (amount consumed by whole grain consumers). Results The whole grain/total grain ratio from all sources fell from 9.67% (1994–1998) to 7.6% (2005–2006) before climbing to 13.48% (2013–2014). Home-prepared foods topped the whole grain/total grain ratio among all sources until surpassed by school foods in 2013–2014 (17.16% vs 21.48%). The whole grain/total grain ratio from school rose from 4.02% to 21.48% during 1994–2014. Among those consuming school foods, increased intensity contributed more than propensity to increases in whole grain intake from school between 2005–2010 and 2011–2012; the opposite occurred between 2011–2012 and 2013–2014 because of increasing propensity, from one in four to one in two students consuming whole grains. Conclusions During 1994–2006, the whole grain/total grain ratio of schoolchildren's diets declined, contrary to expert advice. Following the 2012 U.S. Department of Agriculture school meal regulations, both the propensity and the intensity of whole grain consumption from school rose considerably, demonstrating the important role school meals may play in improving children's diets.
Predicting the Need for Surgical Intervention Prior to First Encounter for Individuals With Knee Complaints: A Novel Approach.

Background:Orthopaedic complaints, particularly those relating to the knee, are some of the most common conditions that bring patients to the hospital. Many patients bypass their primary care physi...