cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scaling relationship between CO pollution and population size over major US metropolitan statistical areas

Abstract As the world’s population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, large and small cities will continue to expand. There are few studies investigating how the size of cities affects air pollution. Carbon monoxide (CO), a precursor of ozone and a by-product of incomplete combustion, is a common air pollutant. The major sources of CO in the US urban areas are motor vehicles. Here we examined the scaling relation of CO concentrations over major US metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) using Measurement Of Pollution in The Troposphere (MOPITT) surface CO retrievals and National Emissions Inventory (NEI) data. We found significant power-law scaling relationships between CO and population (r2 of 0.30 for MOPITT average CO concentration and r2 of 0.71 for NEI total CO emission). We found decreasing CO trends from 2000 to 2015 using MOPITT and EPA CO ground measurements. Sublinear scaling relationships (scaling coefficient β
WP1-17 Risk factors and patterns of progression in a surgical cohort of low grade glioma patients

Objectives To understand the risk factors for and patterns of progression of low grade glioma (LGG). Design Single centre retrospective cohort study. Subjects Patients undergoing at least two neurosurgical procedures for LGG, the first being for diffuse LGG (WHO 2). 22 patients included (14M; 8F); mean age at time of first operation 37.7±2.7 years. 20 patients had a Performance Status (PS) 0–1 and 2 patients had a PS 2. Methods All patients with LGG diagnosed in between 2009–2018 were retrospectively evaluated. Variables of interest included demographics, staging, performance status, time to re-operation (TTR), extent of resection, molecular genetics (1p19q co-deletion, IDH status). Tumour volumes were estimated from MRI images by the validated ABC/2 equation. Statistical analyses were performed by Stata13.0. Results The tumour progressed in WHO grade in 18 patients (WHO grade 3 (n=15); WHO grade 4 (n=3). Mean time to re-operation after the first surgery was 7.0±1.2 years following gross total resection (GTR) and 3.2±0.7 years following subtotal resection (STR). Non-adjusted analysis of risk factors for time to re-operation (TTR) showed absence of 1p19q co-deletion as a risk factor (p=0.021). Adjusted analysis revealed that GTR, 1p19q mutation, PS 0 at 1 st surgery and tumour volumetric change decrease the risk for re-intervention (p Conclusions In our cohort, TTR in LGG was influenced by the amount of initial resection, 1p19q deletion, PS and post-operative volumetric change.
Violence In Older Adults: Scope, Impact, Challenges, And Strategies For Prevention

Although often perceived to be a problem of the young, violence commonly affects older adults, a rapidly growing segment of the population. Violence can be directed toward older adults (elder abuse and intimate partner violence), self-directed (suicide), or perpetrated by older adults against others (intimate partner violence and violence in dementia). Across forms of violence, firearm access increases lethality, and veterans may be a particularly high-risk population. The forms of violence in older adults have some common risk factors (such as medical or psychiatric illness) and common challenges for prevention (such as balancing autonomy and well-being in vulnerable adults). The integration of prevention strategies across the life span, disciplines, and forms of violence offers promise for promoting older adult health and well-being. Looking forward, key areas for attention will include raising awareness about these topics and prioritizing funding for the implementation and evaluation of violence prevention interventions in health care settings and the community.
Effect of Foliar Fungicides Applied at Silking on Stalk Lodging in Corn

Stalk lodging in corn (Zea mays L.) leads to harvest complications and yield losses. Farmers who apply a foliar fungicide to manage leaf diseases have also observed reduced lodging. The goal of thi...
Intraoperative Intracavernosal Liposomal Bupivacaine (Exparel) Injection Does Not Affect Systemic Hemodynamics

Abstract Introduction The systemic effect of intracavernosal liposomal bupivacaine (Exparel) injection during inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) implantation on systemic hemodynamics has not been clarified. Aim To evaluate whether intraoperative intracavernosal Exparel injection affects systemic hemodynamics. Methods We studied 56 consecutive patients who underwent IPP implantation under general anesthesia using the transverse scrotal approach. Exparel [10 mL of 1.3% (13.3 mg/mL)] was instilled bilaterally intracavernosally via a 25-gauge needle around 30 min after starting the surgery. All patients graded their postoperative pain using a standard 10-point scale. Main Outcome Measure Perioperative vital signs at defined time intervals and postoperative pain were monitored. The degree of postoperative pain were analyzed using a standard 10-point scale. Results Medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs) of the patients' age [64 years (57.3–69.3)], operation time [85 min (78–96)], and estimated blood loss [75 mL (29–100)] were recorded. Although the median preoperative systolic noninvasively measured blood pressure of 131 mm/Hg (IQR: 122–139) fell by 25% to 98 mm/Hg (IQR: 90–100) (P Clinical Implications Intraoperative intracavernosal Exparel injection is safe and effective in patients undergoing IPP implantation surgery. Strength & Limitations This is the first report to describe systemic hemodynamics of intracavernosal Exparel injection. Limitations are lack of blood concentration of Exparel at various time points and long-term follow-up for pain assessment. Conclusion Although limited by a lack of the blood concentration of Exparel and short follow-up for pain assessment, we concluded that intraoperative intracavernosal Exparel injection does not affect systemic hemodynamics. Taniguchi H, Mulhall JP. Intraoperative Intracavernosal Liposomal Bupivacaine (Exparel) Injection Does Not Affect Systemic Hemodynamics. J Sex Med 2020;17:526–530.
Characterizing the Non-equilibrium Dynamics of Field-Driven Correlated Quantum Systems

Recent experimental advances in ultrafast phenomena have triggered renewed interest in the dynamics of correlated quantum systems away from equilibrium. We review nonequilibrium dynamical mean-field theory studies of both the transient and the steady states of a DC field-driven correlated quantum system. In particular, we focus on the nonequilibrium behavior and how it relates to the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. The fluctuation-dissipation theorem emerges as an indicator for how the system thermalizes and for how it reaches a steady state. When the system thermalizes in an infinite temperature steady state it can pass through a succession of quasi-thermal states that approximately obey the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. We also discuss the Wigner distribution and what its evolution tells us about the nonequilibrium many-body problem.
Cover–biomass relationships of an invasive annual grass, Bromus rubens, in the Mojave Desert

Estimates of plant biomass are helpful for many applications in invasive plant science and management, but measuring biomass can be time-consuming, costly, or impractical if destructive sampling is inappropriate. The objective of this study was to assess feasibility of developing regression equations using a fast, nondestructive measure (cover) to estimate aboveground biomass for red brome (Bromus rubens L.), a widespread nonnative annual grass in the Mojave Desert, USA. At three study sites, including one measured for three consecutive years, B. rubens cover spanned 0.1% to 85% and aboveground biomass 1 to 321 g m−2. In log10-transformed linear regressions, B. rubens cover accounted for 68% to 96% of the variance in B. rubens biomass among sites, with all coefficients of determination significant at P < 0.05. For every doubling of percent cover, biomass was predicted to increase by 78%, 83%, and 144% among the three sites. At the site measured for three consecutive years, which ranged in rainfall from 65% to 159% of the long-term average, regression slopes each year differed from other years. Regression results among sites were insensitive to using cover classes (10 classes encompassing 0% to 100% cover) compared with simulated random distribution of integer cover within classes. Biomass of B. rubens was amenable to estimation in the field using cover, and such estimates may have applications for modeling invasive annual plant fuel loads and ecosystem carbon storage.
Cosmetic surgery in L-space homology spheres

Let K be a nontrivial knot in S^3, and let r and r′ be two distinct rational numbers of same sign. We prove that there is no orientation-preserving homeomorphism between the manifolds S_r^3(K) and S_r′^3(K). We further generalize this uniqueness result to knots in arbitrary L–space homology spheres.
Industrially Applicable Read Disturb Model and Performance on Mega-Bit 28nm Embedded RRAM

The read disturb performance and industrially applicable model of mega-bit level embedded RRAM with standard 28 nm select transistor are demonstrated in this study. At first, 100k endurance test on 0.5 Mb RRAM 1 T1R array is implemented and non-degraded memory window with high read disturb immunity results are acquired. Contrary to conventional analysis on major bits, the read disturb model is especially investigated on tail bits in this work. Furthermore, the read disturb performance for chip user condition with nano-second level pulse width is well emulated by long pulse, which provides a time-efficient way to evaluate read disturb performance at product level. As a consequence, the mega-bit 28 nm RRAM array in this work is able to sustain larger than 1 E 18 read counts at a rigorous fail criteria.
The Development of a Digital Apparel Spatial Visualization Test

The Apparel Spatial Visualization Test (ASVT) has been validated as an accurate measure of spatial visualization skills specific to the apparel discipline. The increasingly digital fashion industry requires apparel professionals to understand 2D to 3D transformations in virtual space. The purpose of this study was to develop a digital version of the ASVT using Optitex and validate it as an accurate measure for testing apparel design students' spatial visualization skills. Students in two levels of apparel design classes completed the Surface Development Test (SDT), the ASVT, and the Digital Apparel Spatial Visualization Test (DASVT) in a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study design. The spatial tests were positively correlated. Students' scores on the SDT and DASVT were significantly higher after indirect training, while no significant difference was found for scores on the ASVT after indirect training. The DASVT is an accurate measure of spatial visualization skills specific to the apparel discipline.
NUMERICAL SIMULATION ON FLOW AND MIXING PROCESSES IN BOTTOM BLOWN LADLES

An improvement on the flow and mixing conditions in bottom blown ladlesmay be made by either shifting the nozzle from centre to off-centre or changing from one totwo nozzles. Thus, the shorter time for homogeneous mixing in ladle seems to be available.
Descriptive Analysis of Forces Applied by Trained Clinicians During Two-Handed Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization.

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a common intervention among clinicians. Despite the popularity, little is known about the forces applied by the clinician with the instruments during treatment. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the forces applied by trained clinicians using IASTM instruments during a simulated treatment. Eleven IASTM trained (Graston Technique, Tecnica Gavilan, or RockBlades) clinicians (Physical Therapist = 2, Chiropractor = 2, Athletic Trainer = 7) participated in the study. Each clinician performed 75 two-handed strokes distributed evenly across five different IASTM instruments on a skin simulant attached to a force plate. IASTM stroke application was analyzed for peak normal forces (Fpeak) and mean normal forces (Fmean) by stroke. We observed an average Fpeak of 8.9N and Fmean of 6.0N across all clinicians and instruments. Clinicians and researchers may use the descriptive values as a reference for application of IASTM in practice and research.
Diffusion coefficient of charge carriers in disordered semiconductors retaining a combination of exponential and Gaussian mobility-gap states: Application to amorphous selenium

Charge carrier transport in disordered semiconductors is highly influenced by the defect states near the mobility edges. A theoretical model for the generalized Einstein relation, namely, the diffusivity-mobility ratio, for disordered semiconductors retaining a combination of exponential and Gaussian mobility-gap states with square-root distribution of extended states, is presented in this article. The conditions for determining the diffusion coefficient of charge carriers in disordered semiconductors from the Einstein relation are described in the article. The effects of various parameters constituting the density of states (DOS) distribution on the Einstein relation are examined. The results show that the diffusivity-mobility ratio for such DOS distribution substantially deviates from the traditional constant value for carrier concentration larger than 1010 cm−3. The value of diffusivity-mobility ratio strongly depends on the amount, energy position, and the shape of the Gaussian peaks. The additional diffusion coefficient due to multiple trapping in disordered semiconductors (namely, field diffusion) under quasi-equilibrium transport is also examined as a function of electric field and carrier concentration.
Tax Exemption is Not a Subsidy - Except When it is

In this report, Aprill and Mayer argue that there is no uniform answer to the question whether a tax exemption is a subsidy, and they urge policymakers and exempt organizations to note the distinctions when changes to laws or other guidance regarding exemption are under consideration.
Durability of Composites in Sub-zero and Freeze-thaw Conditions

Publisher Summary While the effects of elevated temperature are routinely considered in the selection of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) materials for specific applications and a substantial body of knowledge exists regarding materials response at temperatures close to or exceeding the glass transition temperature, the effects of cold regions environments are not as well understood. Although the term, “cold regions”, is generally related to the geographical areas “with appreciable frozen ground and a substantial fraction of the annual precipitation falling as snow,” the terminology lexically refers to the areas within which the ambient temperature is such that it has a significant effect on the environment and human activities. With the increasing use of FRP composites in civil infrastructure, the consideration of exposure to freeze and “freeze–thaw” conditions is important. In addition, keeping in mind that polymeric resins absorb moisture in varying quantities, the effects of the colder conditions on the material with absorbed water is also important. Therefore, it is important to understand the thermal characteristics of the constituents used in FRPs since a number of effects are directly related to the incompatibility between the coefficients of thermal expansion of fibers and resins. The exposure to cold temperatures generally results in an increased embrittlement of the resin, causing an increase in effective stiffness, but a decrease in damage tolerance.
Aluminum-Rich Metallic Glasses

This paper will review work done in our laboratory on the formation, thermodynamics and crystallization of aluminum based metallic glasses. The results demonstrate that the metallic glasses are truly amorphous and not microcrystalline and that they are unusual in their formation because the alloys contain up to 90 at.% aluminum, there is no deep eutectic present in the phase diagram and the reduced glass temperatures are low (0.44) relative to the ease of glass form ability in this system. Tensile strengths that exceed 1200 MPa are obtained for several of the compositions and reveal increased strength values after partial crystallization. Various methods to form nanocrystals of aluminum in an amorphous matrix are discussed and include mechanical and thermal processing.
Linear and nonlinear optical processing of polymer matrix nanocomposites

This work focuses on the scalable synthesis and processing of nanostructures in polymer matrix nanocomposites (PMNCs) for applications that require photochemical functionality of these nanostructures. An in situ vapor deposition process using various metal and metal oxide precursors has been used to create a range of nanocomposites that display photochromic and photocatalytic behaviors. Under specific processing conditions, these composites consist of discrete nanoparticles distributed uniformly throughout the bulk of an optically transparent polymer matrix. Incorporating other chemical species as supplementary deposition agents in the synthesis process can modify these particles and produce complicated nanostructures with enhanced properties. In particular, work has been carried out to structure nanoparticles using laser irradiation. Starting with metallic or metal oxide nanoparticles in the polymer matrix, localized chemical vapor deposition in the near-particle environment has been carried out using laser irradiation to decompose chemical precursors leading to the formation of secondary structures surrounding the seed nanoparticles. Control of the spatial and temporal characteristics of the excitation source allows for synthesis of nanocomposites with a high degree of control over the location, composition and size of nanoparticles in the matrix and presents the opportunity to produce patterned materials with spatially varying properties.
Automated Provenance Collection for CCA Component Assemblies

The problem of capturing provenance for computational tasks has recently received significant attention, due to the new set of beneficial uses (for optimization, debugging, etc.) of the recorded data. We develop a provenance collection system aimed at scientific applications that are based on the Common Component Architecture (CCA) that alleviates scientists from the responsibility to manually instrument code in order to collect provenance data. Our system collects provenance data at the granularity of component instances, by automatically recording all method invocations between them, including all input and output parameters. By relying on asynchronous communication and using optimizations to handle large data arrays, the overhead of our system is low-enough to allow continuous provenance collection.
Model-free functional connectivity and impulsivity correlates of alcohol dependence: a resting-state study

Alcohol dependence is characterized by impulsiveness toward consumption despite negative consequences. Although neuro-imaging studies have implicated some regions underlying this disorder, there is little information regarding its large-scale connectivity pattern. This study investigated the within- and between-network functional connectivity (FC) in alcohol dependence and examined its relationship with clinical impulsivity measures. Using probabilistic independent component analysis on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data from 25 alcohol-dependent (AD) and 26 healthy control (HC) participants, we compared the within- and between-network FC between AD and HC. Then, the relationship between FC and impulsiveness as measured by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), the UPPS-P Impulsive Scale and the delay discounting task (DDT), was explored. Compared with HC, AD exhibited increased within-network FC in salience (SN), default mode (DMN), orbitofrontal cortex (OFCN), left executive control (LECN) and amygdala-striatum (ASN) networks. Increased between-network FC was found among LECN, ASN and SN. Between-network FC correlations were significantly negative between Negative-Urgency and OFCN pairs with right executive control network (RECN), anterior DMN (a-DMN) and posterior DMN (p-DMN) in AD. DDT was significantly correlated with the between-network FC among the LECN, a-DMN and SN in AD. These findings add evidence to the concept of altered within-network FC and also highlight the role of between-network FC in the pathophysiology of AD. Additionally, this study suggests differential neurobiological bases for different clinical measures of impulsivity that may be used as a systems-level biomarker for alcohol dependence severity and treatment efficacy.
Self-Awareness and Memory

It is theorized that the brain has only frequency codes, carried by induced signals, including stimulations from light, sound or other senses, which travel through atomic composition of brain material and dissipate, creating tiny “gaps” or “holes” in atomic structure. These gaps or holes are assumed to be within the cellular and molecular composition in the interior of the brain. The true nature of memory is, in my view, the transformation or conversions of self-awareness signal into those frequencies of earlier received signals by passing through the infinitesimal gap in atomic structure created by said earlier signals.
Non-homogeneous gain state optimization for transponding satellite communications

Recent advances in the design of transponding communications satellites the ability to switch transponder sub-bands among multiple up-link and down-link antennas. This feature increases the flexibility of traffic routing and improves spectral re-use characteristics. A side benefit of such a new system is the capability of applying different transponder gains to carriers in different sub-channels within a given transponder. Recently, techniques have been developed for analyzing link supportability and the transponder loading with these non-homogeneous gain states. However, these new analysis techniques require that the gains be known a-priori. to complement these analysis techniques a method is needed for selecting the best gains to be used in each sub-channel. This paper presents such a method for selecting transponder gains. We define the constraining equations, which ensure that each link can be supported, and propose a optimization metric that maximizes the overall supportability. We the suggest an optimization approach that can be sued to select the gains for each sub-channel and the overall transponder operating point. The approach described includes a means of selecting the starting point for the optimization. A numerical example is provided.
C. Elegans Star Proteins, Gld-1 And Asd-2, Regulate Specific RNA Targets to Control Development

A comprehensive understanding of the C. elegans STAR proteins GLD-1 and ASD-2 is emerging from a combination of studies. Those employing genetic analysis reveal in vivo function, others involving biochemical approaches pursue the identification of mRNA targets through which these proteins act. Lastly, mechanistic studies provide the molecular pathway of target mRNA regulation.
Consolidation Theory for Cyclic Loading

This article presents a one-dimensional consolidation theory for an inelastic normally consolidated clay layer subjected to cyclic loading. Analytic solutions predict the steady-state excess pore pressures and settlements that take place after a large number of cycles. Approximate solutions provide upper and lower bounds for the settlement history. Finite difference solutions agree with the theoretical analyses and provide useful predictions in case of rapid cyclic loading. Design charts and an example illustrate the use of the prediction method in practice.
From heterosexuality to holiness: Psychoanalysis and ex-gay ministries

The ex-gay movement in the United States has undergone major changes in recent years, including Exodus International’s repudiation of reparative therapies and the organization’s subsequent demise. However, the movement continues to exist even as the efficacy and ethics of reparative therapies are debated. It is possible to identify three intersections between psychoanalysis and the ideology of sexuality that constitute the foundation of the ex-gay movement. The first of these is the role of psychoanalytic thought and clinical practice in constructing the intellectual foundations of ex-gay ideology. The second intersection is the use of psychodynamic critiques that Christian-therapeutic readings of emotional responses associated with non-normative sexualities seem to invite. And the third intersection is the use of psychoanalytic thought to interpret fundamental facets of ex-gay ideology. What these intersections suggest is that psychoanalysis can be a fruitful source of critique of the ex-gay movement and reparative therapies as well as a source of sexual regulation.
Other Gait Disorders

This chapter focuses on one of the most common types of movement disorders: altered walking (Nutt et al. Movement Disorders 26:1166–1174, 2011). As walking is affected by many of the diseases discussed in other chapters of this book, from Parkinson’s disease to various causes of ataxia, those disorders will not be discussed again, but this chapter will focus on other disorders of gait and specifically on neuroimaging of gait. For this reason, it is introduced by a brief description of the neurobiological underpinning of walking, stressing on information that is critical for imaging, namely, the anatomical representation of gait and balance mechanisms. This background is essential not only in order to direct the relevant imaging tools to the regions more likely to be affected but also to interpret correctly imaging findings that may not be related to the walking deficit object of clinical study.
Modeling and Scaleup of Galvanic Deoxidation of Molten Metals Using Solid Electrolyte Cells

Argon and induction stirred copper melts were deoxidized at different temperatures by short-circuiting a solid electrolyte cell. The solid electrolyte cell consisted of an yttria-stabilized zirconia tube closed at one end. The tube interior was flushed with a reducing gas and the tube was immersed in the copper melt. A layer of porous Ni-ZrO{sub 2} cermet deposited on the inner wall of the tube served as the anode while the copper melt was the cathode. The deoxidation experiments were modeled as a function of mass transfer in the melt, temperature, electronic and ionic conductivity of the electrolyte, short-circuit resistance, and flow rate of the reducing gas. The deoxidation model was used to discuss process optimization and scaleup.
Diffusion problems in bonded nonhomogeneous materials with an interface cut

Abstract In this paper the mixed boundary value problem for a nonhomogeneous medium bonded to a rigid subspace is considered. The main objective is to investigate the techniques that would lead to analytically tractable solutions and to provide examples comparing the results of various kinds of material nonhomogeneities. The problem studied is a two dimensional diffusion problem in which the interface contains a plane crack. An elastic medium under antiplane shear loading is used to formulate the problem. However, the results may be interpreted in terms of any number of steady-state diffusion phenomena. The method used is essentially an inverse method in the sense that it provides the material constitutive behavior for which the mixed boundary value problem can be solved rather than solving the problem for a given material. Two different methods are described and some numerical examples are given.
Multiple scattering effects on boson interferometry in high energy heavy-ion collisions

The goal of the present study is to see to what extent a pure'' multiple scattering model can describe recent boson interferometry measurements which have been carried out at the CERN SPS. Assuming an initially spherical spacial distribution of the produced particles and with multiplicities, [ital p][sub [ital T]] distributions, and rapidity-distributions taken from experiment, the position and momentum of each particle are allowed to evolve in time while undergoing multiple scatterings with the other particles in the system until freezeout for that particle occurs. Pions, kaons, and nucleons are included in the calculations but no resonance production of hadrons is included. From the resulting space-time and momentum information for each boson, bosons are symmetrized in pairs, a two-boson correlation function is formed, and a Gaussian source parametrization is fitted to extract the radius parameter for the source. It is found that although the present model radius parameters tend to be systematically slightly smaller than the experimental ones in some cases, the pure'' multiple scattering calculation describes well the experimental rapidity, [ital p][sub [ital T]], and boson-type dependences observed at CERN energies.
Clinical Application of the Reger Modification of the Stenger Test

ResumeUne des methodes les plus connues dans la recherche de la surdite fonctionnelle unilateral est la methode du test de Stenger. Il est possible d'effectuer le test de Stenger sur un audiometre de Bekesy en ajoutant un simple systeme attenuateur d'apres la suggestion de Dr. S. N. Reger. En se servant de ce systeme attenuateur au cours du test, l'examinateur peut faire varier l'intensite du son applique sur l'oreille supposee sourde, en meme temps que le malade est soumis au test de Bekesy sur son oreille non-atteinte du surdite. L'intensite du son acroit ou decroit simultanement dans les deux oreilles quand le malade opere la clef de signal de l'appareil de Bekesy. Cette methode d'examination donne une idee approximative de l'etat physiologique du seuil organique de l'oreille malade. Plusieurs cas presentant differents traces de Reger-Stenger ont ete presentes. En conclusion, cette methode d'examen presente une tres bonne surete du point de vue clinique.
Penalized maximum-likelihood estimation, the Baum-Welch algorithm, diagonal balancing of symmetric matrices and applications to training acoustic data

We study penalized maximum-likelihood estimation methods for nonparametric density estimation and propose their use in training acoustic models for speech recognition. Several algorithms for the numerical solution of the optimization problems that we encounter are proposed and analyzed.
On People's Welfare in Aganbegyan's The Economic Challenge of Perestroika

The major objective of Aganbegyan′s book is to enhance arguments made by Gorbachev in the latter′s Perestroika. New Thinking for Our Country and the World. Like his leader, Aganbegyan asserts that the ultimate purpose of perestroika is people′s welfare and that the policy of the acceleration of the Soviet economic development is the principal means to achieve the goal. This article challenges Aganbegyan′s claim. It argues that: (1) given the inefficient and wasteful character of the Soviet system, the projected increase in the standard of living of the Soviet population could be accomplished now, and not in the future; (2) the acceleration of the economic growth and restructuring of Soviet society contradict one another and, thus, make the attainment of the proclaimed goal impossible even in the future, and (3) the forthcoming reform of retail prices more than anything else reveals the true, anti‐consumerist nature of the policies of the Soviet leadership.
Blogs as a collective war diary

Disaster-related research in human-centered computing has typically focused on the shorter-term, emergency period of a disaster event, whereas effects of some crises are long-term, lasting years. Social media archived on the Internet provides researchers the opportunity to examine societal reactions to a disaster over time. In this paper we examine how blogs written during a protracted conflict might reflect a collective view of the event. The sheer amount of data originating from the Internet about a significant event poses a challenge to researchers; we employ topic modeling and pronoun analysis as methods to analyze such large-scale data. First, we discovered that blog war topics temporally tracked the actual, measurable violence in the society suggesting that blog content can be an indicator of the health or state of the affected population. We also found that people exhibited a collective identity when they blogged about war, as evidenced by a higher use of first-person plural pronouns compared to blogging on other topics. Blogging about daily life decreased as violence in the society increased; when violence waned, there was a resurgence of daily life topics, potentially illustrating how a society returns to normalcy.
New immunological approaches in treating and diagnosing CNS diseases

The immune system evolved to launch effective and specific responses against pathogens. A key feature of this defense mechanism is its ability to differentiate between self and nonself. However, in autoimmune diseases, the host’s immune system fails to discriminate self versus foreign. The CNS is further protected by the blood–brain barrier. In spite of its ‘immune privilege,’ the brain is not protected from autoimmunity; perhaps paradoxically xenoantibodies can be used to treat neurological diseases. We describe patents covering treatment methods for CNS diseases with suspected or demonstrated autoimmune etiology. These include multiple sclerosis and, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The goal is to less invasively, yet efficiently, treat neurological diseases. Although autoimmune responses are often detrimental, recent studies have begun to harness, boost and induce immune responses as a mechanism of treatment. The patents discussed herein highlight new treatments for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s dise...
Soft-switching self-driven buck converter with three-switch cell structure

For high conversion ratio and high frequency applications, such as high frequency 12V input voltage regulator (VR), due to the larger switching loss, it is very difficult for conventional PWM DC/DC converter to achieve high efficiency. In these applications, soft switching, duty cycle extension and self-driven are three methods that can be used to increase efficiency. A single phase self-driven soft switching DC/DC converter that has all of these three benefits is studied in this paper. The essence of this novel circuit is thoroughly analyzed and the sources for all the benefits are clearly revealed.
Photoperiodic control of fur growth and reproduction in the mink (Mustela vison)

The influence of light on fur growth and reproduction in the mink has been investigated. Exposure of kits and adults to 4L/20D (4 light hours/20 dark hours) after completion of the summer furring cycle accelerated the development of the winter pelage. Gradually increasing the length of the daily photoperiod after growth of the winter pelage had been completed also hastened the onset of the breeding season. An abrupt change from 4L/20D to 16L/8D either inhibited gonadal development or initiated gonadal atrophy. It was also noted that mink changed from a 4L/20D schedule to a 16L/8D schedule immediately after completion of the winter furring cycle failed to begin development of the summer pelage for 10 to 12 weeks. This observation suggests that a refractory period exists in the initiation of growth of the summer pelage. However, a similar experiment conducted after completion of the summer pelage showed that the animals responded immediately to decreased light by molting into the winter pelage. It was also noted that changes leading to the development of the summer pelage occurred concomitant with or slightly after the initiation of testicular regression, while gonadal recrudescence occurred after completion of the winter furring cycle. The significance of these observations in relation to possible hypophyseal mechanisms for their control is discussed.
Self-avoiding random walks on multifractal lattices

A renormalisation theory is developed to study the critical behaviour of self- avoiding random walks on multifractals. Critical exponents and connectivity constants are calculated for walks on a class of square multifractal lattices using a finite lattice renormali- sation. The effect of the multifractal disorder is considered for both annealed and quenched disorder .
NLO EVOLUTION OF STRUCTURE FUNCTIONS AT SMALL x

Using the high-energy Operator Product Expansion of the T-product of two electromagnetic currents, we calculate the Photon Impact Factor for Deep Inelastic Scattering at small value of the Bjorken variable xB at the next-to-leading order (NLO) accuracy in αs. We provide for the first time an analytic expression in coordinate space and in Mellin space of the NLO impact factor for the forward unpolarized structure functions.
Wear and interfacial transport of material

Bonding across the interface for two solids in contact and the subsequent transfer of material from one surface to another is a direct result of the interfacial bonds being stronger than the cohesive bonds in either of the two solids. Surface tools such as LEED, Auger emission spectroscopy, field‐ion microscopy, and the atom probe are used to examine adhesive contacts and to determine the direction, nature, quantity of material transfer, and properties of the solids which effect transfer and wear. The electronic nature, cohesive binding energies, surface structure, lattice disregistry, and distribution of species in surface layers are all found to effect adhesion and transfer or transport for clean surfaces in solid state contact. The influence of adsorbed and reacted surface films from fractions of a monolayer to multilayer reactive films are considered. It is shown that even fractions of a monolayer of surface‐active species such as oxygen and sulfur can markedly inhibit adhesion and transport.
Epidermal growth factor, renin, and protease in hormonally responsive duct cells of the mouse sublingual gland

In the striated ducts of the sublingual glands of normal adult male, but not female, Swiss-Webster mice a few scattered cells have apical secretion granules. These sublingual duct cells resemble the granular convoluted tubule (GCT) cells of the submandibular glands of adult female mice, in that they are smaller than submandibular GCT cells of adult males, and contain fewer apical granules, and prominent basal striations. These cells stain immunocytochemically for epidermal growth factor (EGF), renin, and protease A. Such granular striated duct cells could be induced in the sublingual glands of adult female mice by treatment with either testosterone propionate or thyroxine; the two hormones given simultaneously acted synergistically in this induction.
A theory for stress-driven interfacial damage upon cationic-selective oxidation of alloys

Abstract Imagine a void at an interface, separating an outwardly growing oxide and a substitutional solid solution of two metallic elements A and B. Assume the metal interface oxidizes, but the void-free surface does not. Interdiffusion inside the metal, and misfit dislocation activities at the oxidizing interface, both generate a stress-free strain rate field. The compositional and material constraints in the presence of a non-oxidizing void give rise to a multi-axial tensile stress field, while a viscoplastic strain field arises to relax stress. The tensile stress at the interface enforces a concave curvature near the void tip through the continuity condition of the chemical potential. Atoms interflow along the void surface under the combined action of curvature, stress and composition gradients. They enter the metal/oxide interface and flow under the action of local stress, curvature and composition fields. The void grows. The stress at the interface relaxes, and the interface recedes partially and non-uniformly. Interfacial voiding upon cationic-selective oxidation is a long-standing topic in the world of thermal barrier coating and interconnect systems. This paper develops governing equations, within the alloy, for stress generation upon composition evolution and induced plastic strain. Governing equations at the interface and the void surface are next formulated to describe a moving boundary problem that accounts for the simultaneous void extension and interface recession. These governing equations are boundary conditions for the bulk formulation.
Computational analysis of the lattice contribution to thermal conductivity of single-walled carbon nanotubes

Molecular dynamics based heat-flux auto-correlation functions are combined with a Green-Kubo relation from the linear response theory to quantify the lattice contribution to thermal conductivity of single-walled carbon nanotubes with three different chiralities (screw symmetries). The interactions between carbon atoms within a nanotube are analyzed using the Adaptive Intermolecular Reactive Empirical Bond Order (AIREBO) potential. The results obtained show that, due to a long-term exponential-decay character of the heat-flux auto-correlation functions, converging values of the lattice thermal conductivities can be obtained using computational cells considerably smaller than the phonon mean free path. However, to obtain accurate values of the thermal conductivity, a spectral Green-Kubo relation and a phonon-based extrapolation function are found to be instrumental for quantifying the thermal conductivity contribution of the long-wavelength phonons not allowed in the computational cells of a finite size. The results further show that chirality of the carbon nanotubes can affect the lattice contribution to the thermal conductivity by as much as 20%. Also, the simulation results of the effect of temperature on the thermal conductivity clearly show a competition between an increase in the number of phonons and an increased probability for phonon scattering at higher temperatures.
Optical absorption and Mössbauer spectra of Fe, Ti silicate glasses

Abstract Optical absorption spectra of reduced synthetic Fe, Ti silicate glasses were measured at elevated temperatures and results correlated with information from Mossbauer spectra in order to resolved several controversies concerning the species and coordination environment causing each absorption. Crystal field (CF) bands were resolved due to Fe2+ in octahedral coordination (9500 ± 300 cm−1, 1.05 μm), Fe2+ in tetrahedral coordination (5300 ± 200 cm−1, 1.89 μm), and Ti3+ in octahedral coordination (17 700 ± 300 cm−1, 0.56 μm) as well as the Fe2+ → Ti4+ charge transfer (CT) transition (24 000 ± 300 cm−1, 0.42 μm). Several oxygen-cation CT transitions contribute to the near-ultraviolet absorption edge usually extending into the visible region. Mossbauer spectra show asymmetry common to other glass studies and have been assigned to Fe2+ in octahedral coordinations. The asymmetry is shown to be due to multiple overlapping doublets of slightly varying quadrupole splitting. No evidence of two distinguishable octahedral glass sites has been found in either set of spectra. Only minor amounts of tetrahedral Fe2+ are present in the glasses, observed in the optical spectra due to the two orders of magnitude difference between octahedral and tetrahedral extinction coefficients.
Dopamine D2 receptor density and personal detachment in healthy subjects.

Objective:The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the personality trait involving personal detachment and dopamine D2 receptor specific binding in healthy subjects.Method:Eighteen adult subjects completed the Karolinska Scales of Personality and the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire and participated in a study that used [11C]raclopride positron emission tomography (PET) to quantify striatal D2 receptor binding. Results:A significant relationship was found between D2 receptor specific binding and detachment scores on the Karolinska Scales of Personality but not between D2 receptor specific binding and attachment scores on the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire. In an exploratory analysis, the authors found a significant relationship between binding and the sentimentality cluster on the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire but on no other personality clusters scores on the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire or Karolinska Scales of Personality.Conclusions:Thes...
Towards social-therapeutic robots: How to strategically implement a robot for social group therapy?

One of the most innovative applications of robotics is creating artificial social relationships between humans and robots in order to promote healthier and more active lifestyles as a means of long-term, sustainable healthcare solutions. This paper describes a theoretical framework to strategically and effectively implement a sociable robot in a healthcare or elderly care facility. Based on the innovation diffusion theory and the agent-based modeling (ABM) technique, a diffusion model of social interactions between a robot and multiple individuals is proposed. This model links the diffusion of human-robot social interactions (HRSI) to the social characteristics of the first adopters and their subsequent influence on the rest of the social network. Therefore, in our view, determination of innovators in a social group can play an important role in planning robot-assisted social therapy. To identify the innovators in a given social group, an information-theoretic approach based on entropy computation is presented. In addition, a postexperimental analysis method for assessing the effect of the robot in promoting social interactions among group members is proposed based on the entropy reduction due to the social network changes.
Hirulog in the Treatment of Unstable Angina Results of the Thrombin Inhibition in Myocardial Ischemia (TIMI) 7 Trial

Background Direct thrombin inhibitors are a new class of drugs that may offer a more effective and potentially simpler alternative to heparin. Hirulog is a synthetic peptide based on the leech-derived compound hirudin and, like hirudin, is a highly specific, direct inhibitor of free and clot-bound thrombin. Methods and Results TIMI 7 was a randomized, double-blind study of Hirulog, given with 325 mg/d aspirin to 410 patients with unstable angina. Patients received a constant infusion of Hirulog for 72 hours at one of four doses: 0.02 (n=160), 0.25 (n=81), 0.5 (n=88), and 1.0 (n=81) mg · kg−1 · h−1. The primary efficacy end point was “unsatisfactory outcome,” defined as death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), rapid clinical deterioration, or recurrent ischemic pain at rest with ECG changes by 72 hours. Unsatisfactory outcome was not different among the four dose groups: 8.1%, 6.2%, 11.4%, and 6.2% ( P =NS). However, the secondary end point of death or nonfatal MI through hospital discharge occurred in 10.0% of patients treated with 0.02 mg · kg−1 · h−1 compared with 3.2% of patients treated with the three higher doses of Hirulog (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg · kg−1 · h−1, P =.008). Only 2 of 410 patients (0.5%) experienced a major hemorrhage attributed to Hirulog. Conclusions The direct thrombin inhibitor Hirulog is a promising new antithrombotic agent that deserves further study. The results of TIMI 7 lend support to the use of an antithrombin agent with aspirin in patients with unstable angina.