cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The cleavage of ethynylsilanes by alcoholic solutions of alkali halides

Abstract Solutions of certain alkali halides in alcohols have been found to readily cleave the ethynyl C-Si bond with formation of alkoxysilane and an acetylene. The relative rates of cleavage are a function of the anion (F− >I−) and the cation (K+ > Na+. Chloride and bromide ions were found to be ineffective in causing cleavage. The results are interpreted in terms of the nature of species present in alcohol solutions of alkali halides. Trimethylallylsilane and trimethylbenzylsilane are less readily cleaved than ethynylsilanes under these conditions. Cleavage of phenyl or vinyl groupps from silicon was not observed.
Factors Associated with Parents’ Knowledge of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youths’ Sexual Orientation

This study examined factors associated with gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) youths’ parents’ knowledge of their children's sexual orientation. Over a 2-year period, we studied 196 youths whose parents were aware or unaware of their children's sexual orientation, and youths whose sexual orientation became known to their parents. Differences between youths in their sexual orientation development, psychosocial adjustment, support, victimization by parents, and involvement in GLB social activities were considered. Youths whose parents were aware of their sexual orientation indicated that they were more same-sex oriented and reported less internalized homophobia than youths in the other two groups. Youths whose sexual orientation became known had poorer parental relationships and also feared parental harassment and rejection.
Vortex-array model for charge-density-wave conduction noise

It is proposed that ac voltage (${v}_{\mathrm{a}\mathrm{}\mathrm{c}}$) oscillations observed in sliding charge-density-wave systems are caused by phase vortices at the sample ends. The model's prediction that ${v}_{\mathrm{a}\mathrm{}\mathrm{c}}$ is length independent is verified experimentally. The long-range phase coherence implied by thermal-gradient experiments is consistent with the vortex model but not with models based on impurities.
Effects of preoptic electrical stimulation on pituitary LH release following interruption of components of the preoptico-tuberal pathway in rats.

The present investigation has analysed certain aspects of the organization of the preoptico-tuberal system in relation to its role in activating the adenohypophyseal discharge of luteinizing hormone (LH). In Nembutal-blocked proestrous rats, transections were placed unilaterally in either the suprachiasmatic plane (SCH), the anterior hypothalamic area (AHA), the ventromedial-arcuate complex (VMN-ARC) or posterior hypothalamus. Whereas SCH or AHA transections failed to alter the basal concentrations of plasma LH, transections of the VMNAHC complex elevated plasma LH sufficiently to induce ovulation. In a second study the SCH region or AHA was transected and the medial preoptic area (MPOA) then was stimulated using electrical parameters previously shown to induce ovulation. When the transection was ipsilateral to the electrode, no alterations were observed in plasma LH and ovulation failed. On the contrary, MPOA electrical stimulation resulted in LH patterns and concentrations similar to controls when the t...
Control by light of the temperature rhythm in food-restricted hamsters

Abstract To establish the relative importance of light and food in the control of core temperature ( T c ) rhythm in food-restricted hamsters, mature female hamsters maintained in 14L:10D lighting were fed restricted amounts of food at the onset of light (n = 6) or at the onset of dark (n = 6) and were compared to ad lib-fed animals. After 21–25 days of this entrainment, light stimulus was shifted by 12 h, and animals were kept in shifted lighting for another 13 days. Food restriction led to a 0.6° decrease in the mean T c , which was expressed entirely during the day in night-fed hamsters and was evenly divided between day and night in day-fed animals. Thus, T c and general activity rhythms maintained the entrainment to light under both dietary conditions, with peak values for all occurring during the early night. During 13 days following the 12-h shift in lighting, T c and activity rhythms shifted in all animals, regardless of nutritional status, from entrainment to preceding lighting, through double rhythm frequency, indicating entrainment to preceding as well as current lighting, to entrainment to current lighting. Thus, in food-restricted hamsters, light stimulus rather than predictable timing of food prevails as the entrainer of T c and activity rhythms.
Food deprivation increases oral and intravenous drug intake in rats

Rats given continuous access to etonitazene hydrochloride in their drinking water (5 micrograms per milliliter) more than doubled their drug intake while deprived of food. Another group of rats with implanted jugular catheters self-administered etonitazene (10 micrograms per kilogram) intravenously on a continuous reinforcement schedule, and the number of infusions increased significantly on days when they were deprived of food. These results suggest that feeding condition may be a powerful determinant of drug-reinforced behavior.
An experiment on dissipation in helium film flow

Experiments are reported in a double-bucket system with a view to examining the application to helium film flow of recent predictions regarding the exponential relationship between the superflow speed and the chemical potential gradient driving force. The theory is found to be generally commensurate with our experimental results with a notable exception. One of the parameters, which is predicted to be constant, is experimentally found to have a definite temperature dependence which we give in detail. We report also our evidence with regard to the height dependence of film thickness in the dissipative regime. We find that this thickness appears to be determined by the mean distance to the two bath levels.
Ventilation circuit for large and gassy longwall panels – an Australian perspective

The current trend in Australian longwall mines is to increase panel dimensions and production rate, and mining in gassy regions. However, this trend poses a challenge to provide adequate ventilation to manage gas emissions. While the traditional two heading gateroad bleederless U ventilation circuit, which is the most commonly used circuit in Australia, is no longer suitable due to its low volumetric capacity, a few mines manage to overcome this problem by employing a three heading gateroad ventilation circuit. However, this circuit requires significant additional development, which makes it not popular in Australian coal mines. The aim of this paper is to review the suitability of two heading and three heading gateroad traditional bleederless U ventilation circuits for a large longwall panel mining in gassy conditions. It was found that significant predrainage of the thickest roof seam is required in order to make the two heading gateroad circuit feasible in large and gassy longwall panels.
Symbolic model checking: 10/sup 20/ states and beyond

A general method that represents the state space symbolically instead of explicitly is described. The generality of the method comes from using a dialect of the mu-calculus as the primary specification language. A model-checking algorithm for mu-calculus formulas which uses R.E. Bryant's (1986) binary decision diagrams to represent relations and formulas symbolically is described. It is then shown how the novel mu-calculus model checking algorithm can be used to derive efficient decision procedures for CTL model checking, satisfiability of linear-time temporal logic formulas, strong and weak observational equivalence of finite transition systems, and language containment of finite omega -automata. This eliminates the need to describe complicated graph-traversal or nested fixed-point computations for each decision procedure. The authors illustrate the practicality of their approach to symbolic model checking by discussing how it can be used to verify a simple synchronous pipeline. >
Psychological Reactance and the Relinquishment of Control

This study examines the hypothesis that the motivational state of psychological reactance can undermine effective control relinquishment. Subjects were asked to make control relinquishment decisions regarding an upcoming task after either performing adequately or inadequately on a prior task. Subjects also received feedback indicating that a partner had performed at a similar or superior level. Results indicate that subjects who had previously performed at an adequate level, but not those who performed at an inadequate level, relinquished more task control to superior partners. These findings indicate that under conditions conducive to eliciting reactance, ineffective decision making may result.
Implications of combat casualty care for mass casualty events.

Violence from explosives and firearms results in mass casualty events in which the injured have multiple penetrating and soft tissue injuries. Events such as those in Boston, Massachusetts; Newtown, Connecticut; and Aurora, Colorado, as well as those in other locations, such as Europe and the Middle East, demonstrate that civilian trauma may at times resemble that seen in a combat setting. As the civilian sector prepares for and responds to these casualty scenarios, research and trauma practices that have emerged from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq provide a valuable foundation for responding to civilian mass casualty events. Several lessons learned by the US military were implemented during the response to the bombings in Boston in April of this year. Military research has found that approximately 25% of persons who die as a result of explosive or gunshot wounds have potentially survivable wounds.1 These individuals have injuries that are not immediately or necessarily lethal and have a chance to survive if appropriate care is rendered in a timely fashion. The military has learned that implementation of evidence-based, clinical practice guidelines can reduce potentially preventable death.2 Certain aspects of these lessons also apply to multiple casualty scenarios in civilian settings. The care of wounded military service personnel is based on an integrated trauma system and involves timely point-of-injury intervention, coordinated patient transport, whole blood or blood component-based resuscitation, and initial operating focused on control of hemorrhage and optimizing patient physiology. Referred to as damage control surgery, this approach involves abbreviated techniques instead of longer definitive operations. The principles of combat casualty care should be considered in 3 phases: point of injury, during transport to the hospital, and hospital-based treatment. The wars have highlighted the importance of a trauma system to coordinate these phases and improve survival. In implementing this strategy, the military developed the Joint Trauma System, which is designed to provide wounded troops an optimal chance for survival and recovery....
A Computer Calculation of the Far Field Radiation Pattern of an Antenna Array

A computer program has been investigated and developed for the calculation of the far field radiation pattern of an antenna array. This paper contains an IBM 360/65 program for the calculation of the far field pattern with accuracy checks on the pattern obtained by using radio stations KXIC and WSUI, both located in Iowa City, Iowa, as assumed normals. Two theories of solving the far field calculation problem with the SDS-92/TR-48 hybrid computer are submitted.
From Creative Destruction to Intelligent Design: Antecedents and Normative Elements of an Agnostic Framework for Aspiring Transformational Firms

When the late Steve Jobs prominently adopted Wayne Gretzky's slogan wanting to "skate where the puck will go, not to where it has been", it sounded simply as a pragmatic response to the limitations of chasing the elusive 'environmental fit' for the notion of strategy as a fit with the environment, see Porter, 1996, 1998. Yet, it prefigured a truly paradigmatic leap. With information technology becoming the dominant technology of the day, firms are no longer confined to either being simply part of the problem, part of the solution or part of the landscape. They now can quickly capture and move the entire landscape; but even more importantly, they can become an entire landscape in their own right. Firms need no longer be mired in perpetual reform efforts, endlessly defining, designing, and developing themselves form the inside out as transactional systems, configuring dimensions of strategy, structure, scale, and scope hopelessly imperfectly given environmental turbulence, technological transience, and socio-politico-economic complexity, and perpetually, almost wastefully tuning their internal synergies to merely becoming incrementally agile and increasingly nimble. The commonality among the recently quickly emerging complex information technology-intensive firms that are breaking the mold, especially represented by the social-media movement, is their deliberate and explicit social positioning. These firms are demonstrating a level of creative intelligence that allows them to aspire to, design, and construct, in their entirety, the very environments into which they want to project themselves. To enable and to leverage this new transformational nature they cultivate and nurture two additional dimensions that define such social positioning: scheme and soul. Scheme represents their agenda for social stance, positioning, action, and change. And soul is their intentionality to go beyond economic rationality and business logic in order to create logos from chaos. But while people may have overcome the controversy of creating social outcomes with economic means, one now has the mandate to design and govern how one creates economic outcomes with social means.
Actinomycin D inhibition of intestinal transport of calcium and of vitamin D action.

SummaryActinomycin D injection inhibits the actions of vitamin D in increasing concentrative transport of calcium across the intestinal wall in vitro and in raising serum calcium concentrations of fasted vitamin D-deficient rats. Actinomycin D blocks the transport of calcium across the mucosal surface of vitamin D-deficient as well as vitamin D-treated rats so that its action is on the calcium transport system rather than on the stimulatory effect of vitamin D. This inhibitory effect of actinomycin D on calcium transport is present within 3 hours of its subcutaneous injection and is less marked at 18 hours which suggests a direct interaction with the calcium transport system. Under the same conditions actinomycin D does not influence the transport of 1-tyrosine across the intestinal wall in vitro.
Silver(I)-mediated separations by capillary zone electrophoresis and micellar electrokinetic chromatography: argentation electrophoresis.

The addition of Ag(I) to the run buffer in capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC), containing sodium dodecyl sulfate, applies the principles of argentation chromatography to electrophoretic separations and is termed “argentation electrophoresis”. This technique is shown to provide a complementary method to CZE and MEKC for the separation of specific types of solutes that selectively complex with Ag(I). Baseline resolution in the CZE separation of nine sulfonamides is achieved by the addition of 50 mM silver nitrate to the run buffer. Retention mechanisms in MEKC separations can also be manipulated by the addition of Ag(I) to the micellar solution. Only slight resolution of a pair of sulfonamides was achieved under normal MEKC conditions. Upon the addition of Ag(I) to the mobile phase containing SDS micelles, baseline resolution of the compounds is shown. The retention order and resolution of five sulfonamides changed significantly when 25 mM Ag(I) was added ...
A Rapid Method for the Identification of the Type of a Four-Variable Boolean Functin

The hyperoctahedral group on the set of N-variable Boolean functions is defined. The problem of determining, given an arbitrary function, its equivalence class membership (type) is posed and, for the special case of four-variable functions, solved by a method that in use proved to be four times as rapid as computation of the conventional Golomb-Ninomiya[1],[2] invariants.
Fiber and prebiotics: mechanisms and health benefits.

The health benefits of dietary fiber have long been appreciated. Higher intakes of dietary fiber are linked to less cardiovascular disease and fiber plays a role in gut health, with many effective laxatives actually isolated fiber sources. Higher intakes of fiber are linked to lower body weights. Only polysaccharides were included in dietary fiber originally, but more recent definitions have included oligosaccharides as dietary fiber, not based on their chemical measurement as dietary fiber by the accepted total dietary fiber (TDF) method, but on their physiological effects. Inulin, fructo-oligosaccharides, and other oligosaccharides are included as fiber in food labels in the US. Additionally, oligosaccharides are the best known “prebiotics”, “a selectively fermented ingredient that allows specific changes, both in the composition and/or activity in the gastrointestinal microflora that confers benefits upon host well-bring and health.” To date, all known and suspected prebiotics are carbohydrate compounds, primarily oligosaccharides, known to resist digestion in the human small intestine and reach the colon where they are fermented by the gut microflora. Studies have provided evidence that inulin and oligofructose (OF), lactulose, and resistant starch (RS) meet all aspects of the definition, including the stimulation of Bifidobacterium, a beneficial bacterial genus. Other isolated carbohydrates and carbohydrate-containing foods, including galactooligosaccharides (GOS), transgalactooligosaccharides (TOS), polydextrose, wheat dextrin, acacia gum, psyllium, banana, whole grain wheat, and whole grain corn also have prebiotic effects.
Clean and green bioplastic composites: Comparison of calcium sulfate and carbon nanospheres in polylactide composites

Two environmentally friendly fillers, carbon nanospheres (CNS) derived from cellulose and calcium sulfate anhydrite (CaSO 4 ), a by-product of the polylactide (PLA) production process, are compared as nucleating agents in commercial-grade PLA. CNS and CaSO 4 are compounded with PLA using solution blending. Additionally, CaSO 4 is melt mixed with PLA. Crystallization kinetics are explored using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy. Mechanical properties are examined using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and morphology is determined using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). It is found that the filler does not increase the PLA crystallization rates significantly at loadings up to 15 wt% (CNS) or 20 wt% (CaSO 4 ). The lack of effect on crystallization kinetics is attributed to the high D-lactic acid content of commercial-grade PLA, and also to poor dispersion of the fillers in the PLA matrix. The glassy shear storage modulus of the composites is found to increase by 50% in the highest weight loadings tested. These clean and green bioplastic composites may be able to offset the use of fossil resource-based materials.
Computer simulation of high-discharge-rate battery systems

Simulations were carried out for a proposed two-dimensional high-discharge-rate cell under load with an interelectrode gap of the order of 100 μm. A finite difference program was written to solve the set of coupled, partial differential equations governing the behaviour of this system. Cell dimensions, cell loads, and kinetic parameters were varied to study the effects on voltage, current and specific energy. Trends in cell performance are noted, and suggestions are made for development of cells to meet specific design criteria. Modelling difficulties are discussed and suggestions are made for improvement.
Reactive ion exchange for the chemical detoxification of environmental pollutants

Abstract Among different approaches to rendering harmless toxic substances in the environment, the use of chemical reactions producing less hazardous substances is an attractive alternative wherever applicable. A purposefully broad definition of “detoxification” is proposed and it is suggested that adopting such a general viewpoint may further the systematic exploration of new possibilities for reactive detoxification procedures. Three major categories of environmental hazards are briefly discussed—pesticides, microorganisms, and radionuclides. Potential applications of reactive ion exchange (RIEX) are illustrated by a number of examples. Some recent results obtained in the RIEX detoxification of one typical carbamate pesticide, Aldicarb, are presented and it is concluded that this approach holds promise for other toxic species as well.
Fault Rupture Propagation through Previously Ruptured Soil

AbstractSurface fault rupture during recent earthquakes has significantly damaged structures. Although several researchers have studied surface fault rupture, the effects of fault rupture propagating through soil that has been ruptured previously have not been investigated. Yet, faults rupture multiple times so that native soil deposits will have likely undergone previous ruptures that would have developed shear bands within the soil, and the stress state of the soil will have evolved because of these events. In addition, the predominant modes of soil shearing during the fault rupture process have not been characterized fully. Numerical simulations are performed to analyze the mechanics of dip-slip surface fault rupture and to explore the effects of previously ruptured soil. The numerical results demonstrate that the soil rupture process occurs in two distinct stages. First, broad deformation occurs before strain localization, which is followed by more localized deformation after shear band formation. Str...
Three-dimensional descriptions based on the analysis of the invariant and quasi-invariant properties of some curved-axis generalized cylinders

We address the recovery of object-level 3D descriptions of some classes of curved-axis generalized cylinders. For this, the first part of the paper analyzes the projective properties of two common generic shapes, planar right constant generalized cylinders (PRCGCs) and circular planar right generalized cylinders (circular PRGCs). The properties we analyze include new geometric invariant and quasi-invariant properties of the orthographic projection of the above shapes and a useful classification of their structural properties as functions of their pose. The second part of the paper describes an implemented system which detects and recovers PRCGCs and circular PRGCs from an intensity image in the presence of noise, surface markings, shadows, and partial occlusion. The methods exploit the projective properties to hypothesize and verify relevant curved-axis objects, thus explicitly using the three-dimensionality of the objects and of the desired descriptions. This work extends past work on the recovery of volumetric shapes from an intensity image by addressing new primitives, deriving new properties and by developing a system that recovers them from an intensity image. We demonstrate our method on several real intensity images.
The Questionable Status of Student Evaluations of Teaching

Until much more research is done, caution should be exercised in possible misuse of these ratings.
Influence of monsoon-related riparian phenology on yellow-billed cuckoo habitat selection in Arizona

Aim The western yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus occidentalis), a Neotropical migrant bird, is facing steep population declines in its western breeding grounds owing primarily to loss of native habitat. The favoured nesting habitat for the cuckoo in the south-western United States is low-elevation riparian forests and woodlands. Our aim was to explore relationships between vegetation phenology patterns captured by satellite phenometrics and the distribution of the yellow-billed cuckoo, and to use this information to map cuckoo habitat. Location Arizona, USA. Methods Land surface phenometrics were derived from satellite Advanced Very High-Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), bi-weekly time-composite, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data for 1998 and 1999 at a resolution of 1 km. Fourier harmonics were used to analyse the waveform of the annual NDVI profile in each pixel. To create the models, we coupled 1998 satellite phenometrics with 1998 field survey data of cuckoo presence or absence and with point data that sampled riparian and cottonwood–willow vegetation types. Our models were verified and refined using field and satellite data collected in 1999. Results The models reveal that cuckoos prefer areas that experience peak greenness 29 days later, are 36% more dynamic and slightly (< 1%) more productive than their average cottonwood–willow habitat. The results support a scenario in which cuckoos migrate northwards, following the greening of riparian corridors and surrounding landscapes in response to monsoon precipitation, but then select a nesting site based on optimizing the near-term foraging potential of the neighbourhood. Main conclusions The identification of preferred phenotypes within recognized habitat can be used to refine future habitat models, inform habitat response to climate change, and suggest adaptation strategies. For example, models of phenotype preferences can guide management actions by identifying and prioritizing for conservation those landscapes that reliably exhibit highly preferred phenometrics on a consistent basis.
Solar irradiance variations

The planned repair in orbit by NASA of the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) in April 1984 provides an excellent opportunity for improved observations of the sun. In retrospect the solar-terrestrial research community should have organized new programs before the 1980 launch of this satellite, but foresight is sometimes difficult to achieve. We now have an opportunity to redress this omission, and the organizers of the June 1983 Workshop on Solar Irradiance Variations on Active-Region Time Scales hope that with this advantage a substantial improvement can be made. The goal of the workshop, held in Pasadena, Calif., was to help plan for improved solar synoptic observations to coincide with the 1984 repair of the SMM satellite. Most of the major participants in experimentation, observation, and data analysis were present. A particularly important aspect of the meeting was the participation of the ultraviolet (UV)-irradiance community, and it was generally recognized that irradiance variations in the UV are important both energetically and physically.
Engineered interaction between SUR1 and Kir6.2 that enhances ATP sensitivity in KATP channels

The ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel consisting of the inward rectifier Kir6.2 and SUR1 (sulfonylurea receptor 1) couples cell metabolism to membrane excitability and regulates insulin secretion. Inhibition by intracellular ATP is a hallmark feature of the channel. ATP sensitivity is conferred by Kir6.2 but enhanced by SUR1. The mechanism by which SUR1 increases channel ATP sensitivity is not understood. In this study, we report molecular interactions between SUR1 and Kir6.2 that markedly alter channel ATP sensitivity. Channels bearing an E203K mutation in SUR1 and a Q52E in Kir6.2 exhibit ATP sensitivity ∼100-fold higher than wild-type channels. Cross-linking of E203C in SUR1 and Q52C in Kir6.2 locks the channel in a closed state and is reversible by reducing agents, demonstrating close proximity of the two residues. Our results reveal that ATP sensitivity in KATP channels is a dynamic parameter dictated by interactions between SUR1 and Kir6.2.
An adjustable work function technology using Mo gate for CMOS devices

Nitrogen implantation of Mo gate was used to fabricate MOS capacitors and CMOS transistors. Initial studies demonstrate that the work function of Mo is sensitive to nitrogen implantation energy. Mo with (110) orientation exhibits a high work function, making it suitable for bulk p-MOSFET gate electrodes. Nitrogen implantation can be used to lower the Mo work function, making it suitable for n-MOSFET gate electrodes. A gate work function reduction of 0.42 eV was achieved for the n-FETs on CMOS wafers. With further optimization, this single metal gate technology may potentially replace conventional poly-Si gate technology for CMOS and can also be used for multiple-VTtechnologies.
A Simple Model for the Line Parameters of a Lossy Coaxial Cable Filled With a Nondispersive Dielectric

This paper discusses a simple model for approximating the per-unit-length parameters of a lossy cable providing a smooth transition from low to high frequencies. Using Schelkunoff's classical expressions for the transmission-line parameters of a coaxial line, the simple model is postulated and used to provide approximate responses that can be compared with the rigorous solutions. This approximate model is shown to be accurate and offers an alternative to evaluating the Bessel function expressions for the line parameters
No evidence of real progress in treatment of acute pain, 1993–2012: scientometric analysis

Over the past 2 decades, many new techniques and drugs for the treatment of acute pain have achieved widespread use. The main aim of this study was to assess the progress in their implementation using scientometric analysis. The following scientometric indices were used: 1) popularity index, representing the share of articles on a specific technique (or a drug) relative to all articles in the field of acute pain; 2) index of change, representing the degree of growth in publications on a topic compared to the previous period; and 3) index of expectations, representing the ratio of the number of articles on a topic in the top 20 journals relative to the number of articles in all (>5,000) biomedical journals covered by PubMed. Publications on specific topics (ten techniques and 21 drugs) were assessed during four time periods (1993–1997, 1998–2002, 2003–2007, and 2008–2012). In addition, to determine whether the status of routine acute pain management has improved over the past 20 years, we analyzed surveys designed to be representative of the national population that reflected direct responses of patients reporting pain scores. By the 2008–2012 period, popularity index had reached a substantial level (≥5%) only with techniques or drugs that were introduced 30–50 years ago or more (epidural analgesia, patient-controlled analgesia, nerve blocks, epidural analgesia for labor or delivery, bupivacaine, and acetaminophen). In 2008–2012, promising (although modest) changes of index of change and index of expectations were found only with dexamethasone. Six national surveys conducted for the past 20 years demonstrated an unacceptably high percentage of patients experiencing moderate or severe pain with not even a trend toward outcome improvement. Thus, techniques or drugs that were introduced and achieved widespread use for acute pain management within the past 20 years have produced no changes in scientometric indices that would indicate real progress and have failed to improve national outcomes for relief of acute pain. Two possible reasons for this are discussed: 1) the difference between the effectiveness of old and new techniques is not clinically meaningful; and 2) resources necessary for appropriate use of new techniques in routine pain management are not adequate.
Innovation and Farm Performance: The case of Dutch Agriculture

The agricultural sector in The Netherlands, as elsewhere in Europe, is confronted with three related types of change in its environment. First, markets are changing. Over the years, shortage markets have changed into surplus markets. Prices for basic bulk products fluctuate around, or just above, average production costs. Prices substantially higher than costs can only be obtained on niche markets by offering products with specific extra qualities (in terms of taste, health or production mode). Second, policies are changing. Whereas in the past, the government assumed a role in taking care of the economic fate of farmers, it is now putting more emphasis on the private sector’s own responsibilities. Policies under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) are gradually reformed and the market is left to do its work. The farmer is expected to change from an artisan into an entrepreneur. Third, the institutional environment is changing. Until recently, a system of political representation and product and industry boards was in place, to take care of the collective interests of the agricultural community. In the Netherlands, this system has largely broken down as a consequence of the growing differentiation between farmers, and under increasing pressure from within-industry competition.
Data remapping for design space optimization of embedded memory systems

In this article, we present a novel linear time algorithm for data remapping, that is, (i) lightweight; (ii) fully automated; and (iii) applicable in the context of pointer-centric programming languages with dynamic memory allocation support. All previous work in this area lacks one or more of these features. We proceed to demonstrate a novel application of this algorithm as a key step in optimizing the design of an embedded memory system. Specifically, we show that by virtue of locality enhancements via data remapping, we may reduce the memory subsystem needs of an application by 50p, and hence concomitantly reduce the associated costs in terms of size, power, and dollar-investment (61p). Such a reduction overcomes key hurdles in designing high-performance embedded computing solutions. Namely, memory subsystems are very desirable from a performance standpoint, but their costs have often limited their use in embedded systems. Thus, our innovative approach offers the intriguing possibility of compilers playing a significant role in exploring and optimizing the design space of a memory subsystem for an embedded design. To this end and in order to properly leverage the improvements afforded by a compiler optimization, we identify a range of measures for quantifying the cost-impact of popular notions of locality, prefetching, regularity of memory access, and others. The proposed methodology will become increasingly important, especially as the needs for application specific embedded architectures become prevalent. In addition, we demonstrate the wide applicability of data remapping using several existing microprocessors, such as the Pentium and UltraSparc. Namely, we show that remapping can achieve a performance improvement of 20p on the average. Similarly, for a parametric research HPL-PD microprocessor, which characterizes the new Itanium machines, we achieve a performance improvement of 28p on average. All of our results are achieved using applications from the DIS, Olden and SPEC2000 suites of integer and floating point benchmarks.
Four-Year Incidence of Open-Angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension: The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study

Purpose To estimate the 4-year incidence of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT) among adult Latinos 40 years of age and older. Design Population-based longitudinal study. Methods Comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations including intraocular pressure, visual field testing, and stereoscopic fundus photography were performed at both baseline and the 4-year follow-up examination. Incident OAG at the 4-year follow-up examination was defined as the presence of an open angle and a glaucomatous visual field abnormality or evidence of glaucomatous optic disc damage, or both when not present at baseline. Incident OHT was defined as intraocular pressure of more than 21 mm Hg and the absence of optic disc damage or abnormal visual field results at the 4 year follow-up examination when not present at baseline. Results Among the 3939 participants (mean age, 54.7 ± 10.5 years) with complete data for a diagnosis of glaucoma at both baseline and follow-up examination, incident OAG at the 4-year follow-up was identified in 87 persons (4-year incidence rate, 2.3%; 95% confidence interval, 1.8% to 2.8%). Incident OHT at the 4-year follow-up was identified in 124 persons (4-year incidence rate, 3.5%; 95% confidence interval, 2.9% to 4.1%). In participants with OAG in 1 eye, the 4-year risk of OAG developing in the fellow eye was 5 times as high as the risk for those without OAG in either eye at baseline. In participants with OHT in 1 eye, the 4-year risk of OHT developing in the fellow eye was 10 times as high as the risk for those without OHT in either eye at baseline. The incidence rates of OAG and OHT were higher in older Latinos than in younger Latinos. Conclusions Incidence of OAG in Latinos is higher than in non-Hispanic whites, but lower than in Afro-Caribbeans. The relatively high rate of incident OAG and OHT underscores the need for community screening programs in this fastest growing segment of the United States population.
Near-wall turbulence statistics and flow structures over three-dimensional roughness in a turbulent channel flow

Utilizing an optically index-matched facility and high-resolution particle image velocimetry measurements, this paper examines flow structure and turbulence in a rough-wall channel flow for Reτ in the 3520–5360 range. The scales of pyramidal roughness elements satisfy the ‘well-characterized’ flow conditions, with h/k ≈ 50 and k+ = 60 ~ 100, where h is half height of the channel and k is the roughness height. The near-wall turbulence measurements are sensitive to spatial resolution, and vary with Reynolds number. Spatial variations in the mean flow, Reynolds stresses, as well as the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) production and dissipation rates are confined to y < 2k. All the Reynolds stress components have local maxima at slightly higher elevations, but the streamwise-normal component increases rapidly at y < k, peaking at the top of the pyramids. The TKE production and dissipation rates along with turbulence transport also peak near the wall. The spatial energy and shear spectra show an increasing contribution of large-scale motions and a diminishing role of small motions with increasing distance from the wall. As the spectra steepen at low wavenumbers, they flatten and develop bumps in wavenumbers corresponding to k − 3k, which fall in the dissipation range. Instantaneous realizations show that roughness-scale eddies are generated near the wall, and lifted up rapidly by large-scale structures that populate the outer layer. A linear stochastic estimation-based analysis shows that the latter share common features with hairpin packets. This process floods the outer layer with roughness-scale eddies, in addition to those generated by the energy-cascading process. Consequently, although the imprints of roughness diminish in the outer-layer Reynolds stresses, consistent with the wall similarity hypothesis, the small-scale turbulence contains a clear roughness signature across the entire channel.
Stochastic Modeling and Control of Biological Systems: The Lactose Regulation System of Escherichia Coli

In this paper, we present a comprehensive framework for stochastic modeling, model abstraction, and controller design for a biological system. The first half of the paper concerns modeling and model abstraction of the system. Most models in systems biology are deterministic models with ordinary differential equations in the concentration variables. We present a stochastic hybrid model of the lactose regulation system of E. coli bacteria that capture important phenomena which cannot be described by continuous deterministic models. We then show that the resulting stochastic hybrid model can be abstracted into a much simpler model, a two-state continuous-time Markov chain. The second half of the paper discusses controller design for a specific architecture. The architecture consists of measurement of a global quantity in a colony of bacteria as an output feedback and manipulation of global environmental variables as control actuation. We show that controller design can be performed on the abstracted (Markov chain) model and implementation on the real model yields the desired result.
Prevalence and correlates of current depressive symptomatology and lifetime diagnosis of depression in Black women.

Background. There is a paucity of research on depressive symptoms and their correlates among Black women, which may contribute to underdiagnosis, misdiagnosis, and inappropriate treatment. Methods. Data were analyzed from the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, an ongoing, state-based, random-digit–dialed telephone survey of the noninstitutionalized U.S. population aged � 18 years. A total of 10,783 Black women aged 18 to 64 years were interviewed from 38 states, 2 U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia (DC). There were 8,412 (78.0%) women who provided complete responses to questions regarding demographic characteristics, psychosocial variables, current depressive symptomatology, and a lifetime diagnosis of a depressive disorder. Weighted prevalence estimates and 95% confidence limits of current depressive symptomatology and self-reported lifetime diagnosis of depression were derived. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the association of each correlate with the depression outcomes. Results. Overall, 13.8% of Black women reported current depressive symptoms, and 14.9% reported a lifetime diagnosis of a depressive disorder by a health care provider. Significant correlates of both outcomes included rarely/never receiving social support, being unable to work, having physical health problems for 14 or more days in the past month, and dissatisfaction with life. Conclusions. This study indicates that a substantial number of Black women suffer from significant symptoms of depression and report that they have been diagnosed with depressive disorders in their lifetime. Health care providers should assess Black women with poor physical health and life dissatisfaction for depressive disorders and not dismiss somatic complaints as solely physically based.
Fire histories in ponderosa pine forests of Grand Canyon are well supported: reply to Baker

Fire scars and other paleoecological methods are imperfect proxies for detecting past patterns of fire events. However, calculations of long fire rotations in Grand Canyon ponderosa pine forests by Baker are not convincing in methodology or assumptions compared with fire-scar evidence of frequent surface fires. Patches of severe disturbance are a possible hypothesis to explain the relatively short age structure at the park, where ∼12% fewer trees were older than 300 years compared with another unharvested northern Arizona site. However, mapped patterns of old trees as well as the evidence for frequent surface fire from fire scars, charcoal deposition studies, and evolutionary history are more consistent with the dominance of surface fire prior to c. 1880. The most relevant available evidence of fire recurrence at a given point, mean point fire intervals, had median values <16 years at all five study sites, close to filtered composite fire interval statistics (∼6-10 years), but much lower than Baker's calculated fire rotation values (55-110 years). The composite fire interval is not a uniquely important statistic or a numerical guideline for management, but one of many lines of evidence underscoring the ecological role of frequent surface fire in ponderosa pine forests.
Racial and Ethnic Cultural Factors in the Process of Acceptance of Mental Illness

Acceptance of mental illness is essential to promoting recovery and is uniquely impacted by issues of culture, race, and ethnicity. Qualitative case narrative methodology was used to identify theme...
Radon potential mapping in Piemonte (North-West Italy): An experimental approach

Early radon studies in Piemonte, an administrative district in North-West Italy (25200 km−2, around 4300000 inhabitants) have been done since 19901991, when a general radon survey of the dwellings of Piemonte was performed in order to assess the average radon exposure of the whole population. The survey, executed in the framework of the National Radon Survey by the National Environmental Protection Agency (former ANPA, now ISPRA) and ISS (National Health Institute), involved about 430 dwellings, chosen randomly with a stratified sampling technique. After this first step, radon researches were continued in different areas of Piemonte and involved schools as well as dwellings. In particular, radon surveys were conducted in areas where the geological conditions (i.e., the occurrence of rocks with Uranium content well above the typical average concentration found in the Earth crust) appear to favour a stronger radon emanation. Besides this kind of studies, other surveys were performed in order to assess the radon exposure in schools, where children and young students, the most radio-sensitive part of the population could be exposed to high radon concentrations. These extensive radon monitoring programs led to the implementation of
Management of post-traumatic headaches in children and adolescents

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) occur in an estimated 475,000 children aged 0-14 each year. Worldwide, mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) represent around 75-90% of all hospital admissions for TBI. mTBI are a common occurrence in children and adolescents, particularly in those involved in athletic activities. An estimated 1.6-3.8 million sports-related TBIs occur each year, including those for which no medical care is sought. Headache is a common occurrence following TBI, reported in as many as 86% of high school and college athletes who have suffered from head trauma. As most clinicians who manage concussion and post-traumatic headaches (PTHs) can attest, these headaches may be difficult to treat. There are currently no established guidelines for the treatment of PTHs, especially when persistent, and practices can vary widely from one clinician to the next. Making medical management more challenging, there are currently no randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of therapies for PTHs in children and adolescents.
Is There a Threshold for Stiffness Complaints Following TKA on the WOMAC Stiffness Subscale

Background Stiffness complaints after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are frequent, yet poorly understood and can be challenging for surgeons to address. The WOMAC stiffness subscale is a widely used measure of stiffness and can serve as a simple screening tool for complaints.