cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reconfiguring processor arrays using multiple-track models

The authors study a 3-track-1-spare model that has three tracks along each channel and one spare row or column along each boundary. It is shown that the model uses the spare processors very efficiently; specifically, it is proved that a 3-track-1-spare model can support any set of nonintersecting compensation paths. This provides theoretical justification of the observations made in the literature about the power of 3-track models. The authors also discuss efficient algorithms for reconfiguration in the 3-track-1-spare model and show that it has much higher reconfiguration probability than the corresponding 2 1/2-track-2-spare model. >
An Analysis of Welfare Effects of Legislative Term Limits

This paper analyzes the welfare effects of term limits forstate legislators. Legislators tend to pursue their ownobjectives and deviate from the interests of voters as theystay longer in office. However, such long-term incumbentsbecome more productive in transferring wealth to theirconstituents due to seniority they gain, and voters re-electthe incumbent. Term limits reduce the maximum seniority of adistrict's legislator and of other districts' legislators aswell, affecting the relative seniority of the legislator.Thus, the legislator gains relative seniority sometimes andloses other times under term limits. As a consequence, votersof a district may or may not benefit from term limits. Thewelfare effects of term limits depend crucially on the shapeof the voters' utility function.
Geochemical and Pedochemical Weathering

If a soild rock is broken down into a mass of rock fragments, the process is known as physical weathering (Chapter 7) and little change in the minerals of the rock takes place. In chemical weathering, however, the chemical elements in minerals (and therefore in rocks) are redistributed to a greater or lesser extent depending on the variables of weathering discussed in Section 2–3, and on the steady state discussed in Section 2–4. Chemical weathering of the outermost part of the lithosphere takes place in two stages; the first stage is the production of rotten rocks or saprolites, on which the second stage, soil formation, takes place. The first stage is geochemical weathering, and is mostly the inorganic alteration of solid rocks, but in the second stage the effects of vegetation, both living and dead, together with the effects of metabolism of microorganisms living in the geochemically altered rock material, are added to the continued inorganic processes, and this combination produces a soil which is the culmination of weathering at that particular locality.
Inhibition of Rumen Methanogenesis by Methane Analogues

Extremely low concentrations of chloroform and carbon tetrachloride and somewhat larger concentrations of methylene chloride inhibited the formation of methane by the rumen microbiota in the presence or absence of added substrate. The accumulation of hydrogen at these low concentrations indicates a selective inhibition of methanogenesis. Presumably, these inhibitors affect one or more of the reactions by which methane is formed from hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
Sulfate Reduction and Porewater Chemistry in a Gulf Coast Juncus roemerianus (Needlerush) Marsh

Sulfate reduction rates were measured over the course of a year in the sediments of aJuncus roemerianus marsh located in coastal Alabama. Sulfate reduction rates were typically highest in the surface 0–2 cm and at depths corresponding to peak belowground biomass of the plants. The highest volume-based sulfate reduction rate measured was 1,350 μmol liter-sediment−1 d−1 in September 1995. Areal sulfate reduction rates (integrated to 20 cm depth) were strongly correlated to sediment temperature and varied seasonally from 15.2 mmol SO 4 2− m−2 d−1 in January 1995 to 117 mmol SO 4 2− m−2 d−1 in late August 1995. Despite high sulfate reduction rates porewater dissolved sulfide concentrations were low (<73 μM), indicating rapid sulfide oxidation or precipitation. Sulfate depletion data indicated that net oxidation of sediment sulfides occurred in March through May, following a period of infrequent tidal flooding and during a period of high plant production. Porewater Fe(II) reached very high levels (maximum of 969 μM; mean for all dates was 160 μM), particularly during periods of high sulfate reduction. The annual sulfate reduction rate integrated over the upper 20 cm of sediment was 22.0 mol SO 4 2− m−2 yr−1, which is among the highest rates measured in a wetland ecosystem. Based on literature values of net primary production inJ. roemerianus marshes, we estimate that an amount equivalent to 16% to 90% of the annual belowground production may be remineralized through sulfate reduction.
Application of Legendre polynomials to the elimination of baseline variation in biological FT-IR spectra

A method for eliminating baseline variation is proposed for use on biological FT-IR spectra. This method is motivated by the fact that baselines are often assumed to be low-degree polynomials. Spectra are expanded in terms of a set of orthonormal polynomials derived from the Legendre polynomials, and leading terms of the expansion, which contain most of the baseline variation, are removed. An application of this method to protein spectra is presented and discussed.
Photoactivation and color formation in antioxidant treated lard

1. A study has been made of factors causing blue colors in antioxidant treated lards. 2. The formation of blue-colored lards or of blue-black sludges in lard storage tanks is due to reaction of propyl gallate in the antioxidant with iron contamination in the lard. 3. The solubility of the antioxidant mixture in lard is not a factor in the formation of blue-colored lard. 4. A new cause of blue-colored lard has been discovered. This is a photoactivated blue color resulting from irradiation of antioxidant treated lard. The blue color was developed in lard treated with BHA, propyl gallate, and citric acid only when lecithin was present and the lard was contaminated with iron. The state of oxidation of the lard did not contribute to these colors.
Engineering nanofibers for a novel intradermal vaccination method for whooping cough

Current delivery systems for vaccines present major logistical problems when large populations need to be vaccinated within a short time period, such as in the case of a pandemic. An efficient and effective method for pandemic vaccination is the driving force of the research performed by our group. The proposed alternative vaccination technique consists of a self-administrable patch made of electrospun nanofibers, where antigens and adjuvants are imbedded during the electrospinning process. This allows large quantities of immunogens to be encapsulated within the nanofibrous mat. This abstract describes the use of the electrospinning technique for the development of a new intradermal delivery system for biologically functional pertussis toxin (PT) to effectively vaccinate against whooping cough. The functional PT was immobilized within highly hygroscopic polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibers. To establish the efficiency of the technique to immobilize biologically functional PT, prepared patches were incubated with Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO, K1) cells. The cellular assay measures the degree of clumping of the natively attached CHO cells upon exposure to biologically functional PT. The simultaneous incubation of diluted stock and electrospun PT allowed for a direct comparison of functional PT concentration. This study has reproducibly demonstrated that approximately 80% of the total PT added to the polymer solution was successfully incorporated into the electrospun mat, and maintained biological functionality.
Biological aspects of DNA/RNA quadruplexes

Among the many unusual conformations of DNA and RNA, quadruplex structures, based on the guanine quartet, possess several unique properties. These properties, along with the general features of guanine quadruplexes, are described in the context of possible roles for these structures in biological systems. A variety of experimental observations supporting the notion that quadruplexes are important in vivo is presented, including proteins known to specifically bind to quadruplex structures, guanine-rich DNA, and RNA sequences endowed with the potential for forming quartet-based structures in telomeres and regulatory regions, such as gene promoters, quadruplexes as DNA aptamer folding motifs arising from in vitro selection experiments, and potential chemotherapeutic, quadruplex-forming oligonucleotides. Taken together, all of these observations argue cogently not only for the presence of quadruplexes in biological systems but also for their significance in terms of their roles in various biological processes. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopolymers (Nucleic Acid Sci) 56: 209–227, 2001
An outline of the three-layer survivability analysis architecture for strategic information warfare research

We apply the three-layer survivability analysis architecture developed by Ma & Krings (Ma & Krings 2009, Ma 2008) in the context of distributed networks (such as wireless sensor networks) to the study of strategic information warfare. To simplify the research problem, we assume that the information warfare (IW) is conducted in an isolated paradigm, which we call an electronic cosmos (e-cosmos), i.e., independent of other national and/or war strategies, which is not realistic but allows us to develop a manageable mathematical architecture for modeling and simulation. In this architecture issues outside the cosmos, such as other national or war strategies, are abstracted and represented with the vectors of environmental covariates. This architecture integrates four closely related fields: reliability analysis, survivability analysis, dynamic hybrid fault models, and agent-based computing under a unified architecture. Analogically, it draws on biological inspiration from the studies on metapopulation dynamics, animal communication networks and conflict resolution, social learning and social foraging in behavioral and cognitive ecology. Mathematically, the architecture consists of three layers and is formulated around the core concept of dynamic hybrid fault models---the notion of "Byzantine generals playing the evolutionary game." The three-layer architecture includes a set of definitions, models and approaches: The tactical level deals with unpredictable, latent, unobserved or unobservable risks (UUUR) by utilizing survival analysis and its sister technologies. The strategic level integrates dynamic hybrid fault models (Ma & Krings 2008, Ma 2008) and tactical level models. From the strategic level, the evolutionary stable strategy (ESS) prescribes the sustainable or survivable strategies. In the third level---operational level---a duo of survivability metrics, action threshold survivability (TS) and the expected survivability (ES), are defined to help implement the survivable strategies. This new approach requires neither the knowledge of the probabilities of UUUR events nor the assignment of subjective probabilities. In addition, we subscribe to Deibel's (2007) concept of hierarchical strategies and consider IW strategy as simply a layer in a multi-layer structure of the national strategy. Due to the generalities of the mathematical approaches adopted in the architecture and of the architecture itself, the methodology we develop (temporality termed enhanced evolutionary game theory) may be applied to an expanded cosmos---when the strategic IW is put into a larger context such as warfare strategy.1
A naturally heavy fourth generation neutrino

Abstract We propose that there exists a fourth generation, all neutrinos have Dirac masses of order the corresponding charge lepton partner, and right-handed neutrinos have Majorana masses of order the weak scale. The see-saw mechanism then implies the light neutrino masses are O( mM lepton 2 / M ), while a fourth generation neutrino is heavy with mass O( M )∼O( M w ), and would not have been seen in the Z 0 width a LEP. Such a solution appears to be compatile with all known phenomenological and cosmological constraints, and predicts masses for neutrinos near their current upper bounds.
Efficiency measurement with multiple outputs and multiple inputs

This paper discusses modeling technical and allocative inefficiencies in both cost minimizing and profit maximizing frameworks with special emphasis on multiple inputs and multiple outputs. Both primal and dual models are considered for this purpose. In the primal approach we use a separable output and input function (the constant elasticity of transformation output function and Cobb-Douglas input function). The dual models assume translog cost or profit functions. Technical inefficiency is assumed to be random in the cross-sectional models, and fixed firm-specific parameter in the panel data models. Allocative inefficiencies are always treated as input-specific parameters. We derive exact relations linking technical inefficiency and allocative inefficiencies to cost and profit when the underlying technology is represented by a flexible functional form such as the translog. It is shown that appending a one-sided homoscedastic error term to model technical inefficiency, or neglecting technical inefficiency altogether in a translog profit tunciton results in model misspecification and inconsistent parameter estimates.
Some strategies related to the development of a CAD/CAM system for mechanical products based on solid modeling techniques

Abstract Solid Modeling techniques are anticipated to be the foundation of future cad / cam systems. Based on the experience of six years' practice in developing experimental solid modeling system packages, some ideas about how to build a low-cost cad / cam system are outlined.
Electrochemical Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Formate in Alkaline Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Cells

This paper is about the continuous electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide to formate in a polymer electrolyte membrane cell using an alkaline ion-exchange membrane sandwiched between two catalyzed electrodes. This type of cell configuration allows carbon dioxide conversion to occur at high efficiencies and is particularly attractive for large-scale implementation. Formate was produced at high efficiency, and hydrogen evolution was suppressed with lead and indium as catalysts. The production of formate was monitored by UV-visible spectroscopy. During short experimental runs, the faradaic efficiency of formate production was as high as 80%. The faradaic efficiency was strongly dependent on the concentrations of carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and carbonate at the surface of the electrodes. Low concentrations of carbon dioxide in the reactant feed led to the mass transport limitations and hence low faradaic efficiencies. The results show that mass transport limitations can be mitigated and high efficiencies can be realized by conducting the electrolysis in a pulsed mode. An alkaline membrane-based flow cell that ensures abundant availability of carbon dioxide to the electrodes can be a cost-effective and efficient approach for the continuous production of fuels from sunlight, storing of renewable energy, and lowering carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
Terrorist Hostage-Taking and Kidnapping: Using Script Theory to Predict the Fate of a Hostage

This study examines whether there is a consistent pattern in terrorist hostage-taking and kidnapping. Script theory, developed in the discipline of cognitive psychology, explains that human behavior, whether brutal or benevolent, typically has a certain pattern to it because every human is programmed to some extent by learned experience; this experience, or script, can determine how an individual [hostage-taker/kidnapper] will respond to a particular stimulus or event [hostage-taking/kidnapping]. This study hypothesizes that script theory can be applied to cases of terrorist hostage-taking and kidnapping to determine the fate of a hostage—either to execute or to release. This study uses 764 cases of terrorist hostage-taking and kidnapping data originally collected by the Institute for the Study of Violent Groups (ISVG). Two hundred thirty four cases were finally selected for the analysis. Logistic regression method was used for the analysis.
Muonium in Silicon and Germanium-a Deep Donor

The hyperfine splitting of muonium in Si and Ge is analyzed on various models of the dielectric properties of the medium. Muonium acts as a deep donor in Si and Ge, contrary to some earlier predictions. It is possible to give a reasonable account of the observed values of ${|\ensuremath{\psi}(0)|}^{2}$ in terms of the Reiss-Kaus cavity models, and in terms of the Walter-Cohen $\ensuremath{\epsilon}(q)$ calculated from the actual band structures, provided that the electron mass is taken as essentially equal to the free-electron mass. Identical results are expected for interstitial atomic hydrogen.
Influence of brine composition and fines migration on crude oil/brine/rock interactions and oil recovery

Increase in recovery of crude oil with decrease in salinity has been observed for numerous laboratory waterfloods. Repeated waterfloods on a single reservoir sandstone core indicated that potentially mobile fine particles play a key role in the sensitivity of oil recovery to salinity. This conclusion was tested using Berea sandstone after fines had been stabilized by firing at 800°C and metal oxides removed by acidizing. Recovery of crude oil from this fired and acidized sandstone was essentially independent of salinity. The presence of crude oil was also a necessary condition for sensitivity to salinity. When refined oil was used rather than crude oil, with all other conditions held the same, salinity had no effect on recovery. There was also no effect for cores that were initially 100% saturated with crude oil so that the fines were initially immersed in the oil phase. Adsorption from crude oil, the presence of potentially mobile fines, and initial water saturation are all necessary conditions for increase in oil recovery with decrease in salinity. Observed recovery behavior is ascribed to partial stripping of mixed-wet fines from pore walls during the course of waterflooding.
265 D-PENICILLAMINE (PCA): ITS ACTIONS ON LEAD-203(203Pb) CHELATION IN BONE ORGAN CULTURE

PCA is used often to treat Pb toxicity after administration of CaNa2EDTA. Since the source of Pb mobilized by PCA comes from bone, this study was undertaken to define further PCA's actions on bone, after demonstration of a readily mobile compartment of skeletal Pb in vitro regulated like bone mineral. Pregnant rats were injected with 500 μCi of 203Pb and 200 μCi of 45Ca on the 18th day of pregnancy. On day #19, paired fetal bones were cultured in a chemically defined medium to which PCA, parathyroid hormone (PTH) or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D3) were added. For 48 to 120H, bones were maintained in experimental media (EM); and the amount of 203Pb released into the EM's was compared to that released into the appropriate control media (CM). The results (* = p<.01, different from 1.00) were expressed as cpm EM/CM ratios: PCA (1.00mM) 1.96±.04*; PCA+PTH 6.30±.14*; PCA + 1, 25(OH)2 D3 5.89±.10*. Increasing and decreasing medium levels of Ca and phosphate depressed and enhanced 203Pb release, respectively, while no effect on 45Ca release was seen with PCA alone. PCA, compared to equimolar amounts of CaNa2EDTA, was 1000 times less potent in chelating 203Pb; and PCA's maximum effect was transient vs. CaNa2EDTA (48 vs. 120H). These data indicate that PCA, like CaNa2EDTA, produce 203Pb release from a rapidly mobile compartment of bone Pb; but PCA's action was less potent and short-lived compared to CaNa2EDTA.
Current Approach to Antithrombotic Therapy: An Abbreviated Reference for Practicing Clinicians.

Antithrombotic therapy continues to play a vital role in the treatment of patients with thromboembolic diseases of the arterial and venous circulatory systems. Appropriate, safe, and effective use of these agents requires that practicing clinicians keep abreast of new developments in the field. However, this is no small task, given an abundance of new information coupled with rapidly changing indications and guidelines for their use. To this end, the American College of Chest Physicians first convened in 1985, and after an indepth review of available information, put forth management guidelines for the use of antithrombotic agents. Since their original consensus conference, they have reconvened every 2-3 years for the purpose of updating recommendations in the face of new data. The Fourth American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) Consensus Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy was published recently [1]. Many of the citations appear in the original publication, and the reader is referred to it for a more in-depth review. The following is an abbreviated synopsis of this most recent report, including 1995 updates and information designed specifically for practicing clinicians involved in the management of patients with thromboembolic diseases.
The crystal and molecular structure of ()436-(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)(CH3CO)[Ph2PNHCH(Me)(Ph)]

Abstract The X-ray crystal structure and absolute configuration of (−)436-(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)(CH3CO)[Ph2PNHCH(Me)(Ph)] have been determined from single crystal diffraction data. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21 with two molecules in a unit cell of dimensions a = 10.676(4), b = 8.913(7), c = 13.275(9) A, and β = 91.36°. The structure was solved by the Patterson method and refined to a final R value of 4.7% using 2299 independent data. The iron atom has distorted octahedral coordination, and the configuration at the iron is found to be (S) for the (−)436 diastereoisomer. The FeCp distances average 2.131 A, with an Fe-(ring centroid)distance of 1.76 A. The Fe-acetyl distance is virtually identical to that found in another iron/acetyl complex, but shows substantial variation from other compounds where the nature of the C(O)R group is changed. Comparison to the Mo-alkyl/Mo-acetyl series is made, and the argument for back-donation in transition metal acyls is strengthened. The orientation of the acetyl group is determined by a strong NH⋯O intra-molecular hydrogen bond having an N⋯O separation of only 2.86 ». The phosphine ligand has a very short FeP bond which could be in part caused by the role of the adjacent nitrogen in hydrogen bonding. The remaining ligand geometry is the same as that found in a recently reported ruthenium structure, although the absolute configurations at the chiral carbons are reversed, with the current compound being designated (S) at this site.
Examination of the Cellular Mechanisms by Which Marinobufagenin Inhibits Cytotrophoblast Function

Marinobufagenin (MBG) is an endogenous mammalian cardiotonic steroid involved in the inhibition of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. Increased plasma levels have been reported in patients with volume expansion-related hypertension. We have recently demonstrated that MBG impairs first trimester cytotrophoblast (CTB) cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, which may play a role in the development of preeclampsia. However, whether apoptosis contributes to altered CTB cell function by MBG remains unknown. Using the human extravillous CTB cell line SGHPL-4, we examined the effect of MBG and a similar Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, ouabain, on the phosphorylation status of Jnk, p38, and Src. Additionally, we measured apoptosis by caspase 9 and 3/7 activity and by annexin-V staining. We also investigated interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion with or without p38 and Jnk inhibition. MBG significantly increased the phosphorylation of Jnk, p38, and Src and increased the expression of caspase 9 and 3/7 indicating the activation of apoptosis. MBG treatment also stimulated the expression of the early apoptosis marker, annexin-V, which was prevented by Jnk and p38 inhibition. MBG also stimulated the secretion of IL-6, which was attenuated by p38 inhibition. Ouabain had similar effects to those of MBG, suggesting that the apoptotic effects on CTB cells may be mediated by inhibition of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. In conclusion, the MBG-induced impairment of CTB function occurs via activation of Jnk, p38, and Src leading to increased apoptosis and IL-6 secretion. These observations may have clinical applicability with respect to the therapy of preeclampsia.
Alloy Shrinkage Factors for the Investment Casting of 17-4PH Stainless Steel Parts

In this study, alloy shrinkage factors were obtained for the investment casting of 17-4PH stainless steel parts. For the investment casting process, unfilled wax and fused silica with a zircon prime coat were used for patterns and shell molds, respectively. The dimensions of the die tooling, wax pattern, and casting were measured using a coordinate measurement machine (CMM). For all the properties, the experimental data available in the literature did not cover the entire temperature range necessary for process simulation. A comparison between the predicted material property data and measured property data is made. It was found that most material properties were accurately predicted over most of the temperature range of the process. Several assumptions were made, in order to obtain a complete set of mechanical property data at high temperatures. Thermal expansion measurements for the 17-4PH alloy were conducted during heating and cooling. As a function of temperature, the thermal expansion for both the alloy and shell mold materials showed a different evolution on heating and cooling. Thus, one generic simulation was performed with thermal expansion obtained on heating, and another one was performed with thermal expansion obtained on cooling. The alloy dimensions were obtained from the numerical simulation results of the solidification, heat transfer, and deformation phenomena. As compared with experimental results, the numerical simulation results for the shrinkage factors were slightly overpredicted.
An Eye Movement Analysis of Evolving User Preferences during Internet Search

Using an eye tracker we examined decision making processes during a simulated real estate internet search. Specifically, we studied discrepancies between “stated preferences”, or preferences that are revealed through verbalizations or answers on a questionnaire, and “revealed preferences”, or preferences that become apparent from an actual decision or choice. Participants viewed photographs of homes, similar to those seen on actual real estate websites. Average dwell time, fixation duration/counts, and saccade counts/amplitudes were compared to their stated preferences on home survey questionnaires and assessed by gender. This information was used to determine if discrepancies exist between stated and revealed preferences, what qualities on the website drew the homebuyer's attention, how this may differ by gender, and ways in which these websites can more effectively be designed. In addition, we examined the effect of negative externalities, or physical properties that may affect an individual's internet ...
Current-carrying state in a polar-phase superconductor at T=0

We discuss the current-carrying state in a polar-phase superconductor at zero temperature. This phase has a line of nodes on the Fermi surface, and its properties are quite anisotropic. We compute the relation between J and ${\mathrm{v}}_{s}$ both for a pure metal and for one with impurities. This allows us to find the critical current for a variety of situations. We also consider the density of states in the presence of superflow.
Phosphoglycerides and their acyl group composition in myelin and microsomes of rat spinal cord during development

Abstract The phosphoglycerides and their acyl group composition in myelin and microsomes isolated from rat spinal cords were examined at various stages of the postnatal developmental period. In the immature cord, diacyl-GPC is the major phosphoglyceride in both microsomal and myelin fractions. The proportion of this phosphoglyceride decreased steadily with age during development and the decrease was marked by an increase in diacyl-GPE in microsomes and ethanolamine plasmalogen in both fractions. Marked changes in acyl group composition were observed in the microsomes during development of spinal cord, whereas acyl groups of myelin showed less extensive changes. A considerable amount of monoenoic fatty acid is already present in the myelin of 7-day-old cord. Acyl groups of diacyl-GPC in the microsomal fraction indicated a decrease in 16:0, 16:1,20:4( n −6) and an increase in 18:0, 18:1 and 20:1 with respect to development. On the other hand, microsomal diacyl-GPE and alkenylacyl-GPE indicated a decrease in 16:0, 18:0 and 20:4( n −6), but an increase in 18:1 and 20:1. An exception is the proportion of 22:6( n −3) which increased in diacyl-GPE and decreased in alkenylacyl-GPE during development. The lack of obvious acyl group changes in myelin phosphoglycerides after 7 days of age is in agreement with the results of deSousa & Horrocks ( Devl Neurosci . 1 , 114–120, 1979) that myelination in spinal cord took on an early course and reached the adult composition sooner than the cerebrum.
Flight path strategies for 3-D scene reconstruction from bistatic SAR

Proper design of receiver flight paths allows three-dimensional information to be encoded in sensed bistatic SAR phase history data. The authors show how the flight path taken by the receiving platform determines the resolution of nonparametric scene reconstructions and determines the variance of three-dimensional scattering centre location parameter estimates. Based on these relationships, a bistatic SAR data collection strategy can be designed, involving a nonlinear receiver trajectory that allows preservation of three-dimensional scene information.
Mobility, Balance, and Falls in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of information concerning the relation between objective measures of gait and balance and fall history in persons with MS (PwMS). This investigation assessed the relation between demographic, clinical, mobility and balance metrics and falls history in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: 52 ambulatory persons with MS (PwMS) participated in the investigation. All persons provided demographic information including fall history over the last 12 months. Disease status was assessed with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Walking speed, coordination, endurance and postural control were quantified with a multidimensional mobility battery. RESULTS: Over 51% of the participants fell in the previous year with 79% of these people being suffering recurrent falls. Overall, fallers were older, had a greater prevalence of assistive devices use, worse disability, decreased walking endurance, and greater postural sway velocity with eyes closed compared to non-fallers. Additionally, fallers had greater impairment in cerebellar, sensory, pyramidal, and bladder/bowel subscales of the EDSS. CONCLUSIONS: The current observations suggest that PwMS who are older, more disabled, utilize an assistive device, have decreased walking coordination and endurance and have diminished balance have fallen in the previous year. This suggests that individuals who meet these criteria need to be carefully monitored for future falls. Future research is needed to determine a prospective model of falls specific to PwMS. Additionally, the utility of interventions aimed at reducing falls and fall risk in PwMS needs to be established. Language: en
Parallel pipeline networking and signal processing with field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and VCSEL-MSM smart pixels

We present a networking and signal processing architecture called Transpar-TR (Translucent Smart Pixel Array-Token- Ring) that utilizes smart pixel technology to perform 2D parallel optical data transfer between digital processing nodes. Transpar-TR moves data through the network in the form of 3D packets (2D spatial and 1D time). By utilizing many spatial parallel channels, Transpar-TR can achieve high throughput, low latency communication between nodes, even with each channel operating at moderate data rates. The 2D array of optical channels is created by an array of smart pixels, each with an optical input and optical output. Each smart pixel consists of two sections, an optical network interface and ALU-based processor with local memory. The optical network interface is responsible for transmitting and receiving optical data packets using a slotted token ring network protocol. The smart pixel array operates as a single-instruction multiple-data processor when processing data. The Transpar-TR network, consisting of networked smart pixel arrays, can perform pipelined parallel processing very efficiently on 2D data structures such as images and video. This paper discusses the Transpar-TR implementation in which each node is the printed circuit board integration of a VCSEL-MSM chip, a transimpedance receiver array chip and an FPGA chip.
Stereocontrol of β-lactam formation using microwave irradiation

Abstract Formation of β-lactams by the reaction of an acid chloride, a Schiff base and a tertiary amine seems to involve multiple pathways some of which are very fast at higher temperatures. When β-lactam formation is conducted in open vessels in unmodified domestic microwave ovens, high level irradiation leads to preferential formation of trans β-lactams in several cases when the Schiff base is derived from an aryl aldehyde rather than glyceraldehyde acetonide.
Do You See What I See? Effects of Group Consciousness on African American Women's Attributions to Prejudice

This study examined the effects of three types of group consciousness among African American women (ethnic, feminist, and womanist) on prejudice attributions and appraised personal significance (ce...
Spectroscopic imaging of stroke in humans: histopathology correlates of spectral changes.

Previous studies of human stroke by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy have shown elevation of lactate lasting 3 to 6 months. Complete metabolic turnover of the elevated lactate pool has been demonstrated 5 weeks after a stroke. Its cellular localization is among the first questions requiring clarification. Information pertinent to this question came to us from a patient with a 2-week-old stroke by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging 1 week before his death led to neuropathologic examination of the brain. 1H spectra from voxels including the infarcts showed increased lactate and decreased N-acetylaspartate. Histopathology showed sheets of foamy macrophages in the infarct, but few neurons. Macrophage density ranged from 196 cells/mm2 near the surface of the infarct to 788 near its medial margin. Glial density was 500 to 800 cells/mm2. Lactate concentration in voxels including portions of the infarct was estimated at 7 to 14 mM. Voxels showing low N-acetylaspartate and high lactate on spectroscopic imaging were associated with histopathologic sections containing foamy macrophages. Brain macrophages—which begin to appear 3 days after infarction and gradually disappear over several months—could be a major source of elevated lactate signals that persist for months after stroke.
Don’t You Wish You Had Blond Hair

Aphenomenological study was initiated to discover the structure and essence of the lived experience of undergraduate women of color while attendinga predominately White university in the Northeast region of the country. Of those interviewed for the project, one participant’s responses were especially rich in descriptive narrative of her experiences while attending the university. So moved by the respondent’s honesty and openness to describe her experiences to a White, male faculty member of the university, the author felt compelled to highlight the essence of the participant’s story in a poignant and meaningful manner. The author chose poetic transcription to portray this lived experience.
An a‐mazing way to deal with performance‐based assessment in early childhood education

Abstract This article discusses the lessons learned by the implementation of Colorado Senate Bill 99–154, a performance‐based teacher education bill with implications for other Early Childhood Programs that want to promote a developmentally appropriate standard‐based program. A parable about change is used to make a point.
Coupled Soot Formation and Radiation in a Laminar Diffusion Flame

The effect of soot formation on a flamelet structure and radiation in a laminar methane flamelet is presented in this paper. A new kinetics mechanism, GRI-Mech2.1, for methane combustion is used. TDMA computer code is used to solve the coupled mass conservation, momentum, energy, species, and soot transport equations to determine the properties of the flamelet. The flamelet structure and soot concentration profiles are presented over the entire range of mixture fraction. The soot enhancement by preheating is examined. Effects of soot formation and gaseous species on flame radiation are also investigated.The calculations show that the methane/air flamelet is a light sooting flame, and that the soot formation does not have a profound effect on flame radiation and flamelet structure. It is shown that preheating the combustion air can lead to a great enhancement in soot formation but not in flame radiation. While the soot formation contributes to larger Planck mean absorption coefficient for emission, the emission lowers the flame temperature. These opposing effects dampen the effectiveness of soot formation on flame radiation enhancement in methane/air flames.Copyright © 1997 by ASME
Minor components of olive oils. I. Triterpenoid acids in an acetone-extracted orujo oil

Two triterpenoid acids have been isolated from an acetone extracted orujo oil (sulfur olive oil). One of these, amounting to 0.1% of this oil, has been shown to be oleanolic acid, 3β-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid. The other, amounting to 0.4% of the oil, has not been completely characterized, but is apparently a novel dihydroxy triterpenoid acid.
Metalinguistic dualism and the mark of the mental

In this paper I argue against the view, defended by some philosophers, that it is part of the meaning of “mental” that being mental is incompatible with being physical. I call this outlook metalinguistic dualism (MLD for short), and I distinguish it from metaphysical theories of the mind-body relation such as Cartesian dualism. I argue that MLD is mistaken, but I don't try to defend the contrary view that mentalistic terms can be definitionally reduced to nonmental ones. After criticizing arguments by certain philosophers which purport to establish MLD, I formulate a criterion for a phenomenon's being mental. I then show that this criterion is neutral between monistic and dualistic theories of the mind-body relation. Since if MLD were true it should be impossible to construct such a criterion, I conclude that it is false (i.e., if it is intended as a descriptive thesis about our language). The significance of my paper is that if I am right then I remove one important type of objection to aposteriori, noneliminative forms of the identity theory of mind, namely that such theories ought to be rejected merely on the basis of semantical considerations about the word “mental”. Beyond that, I believe that my criterion of mental phenomena correctly captures our intuitions about the nature of the distinction between mental and nonmental phenomena.
Resistance to extinction as a function of constant delay of reinforcement

Two pairs of experiments are reported in which a constant 20-sec. delay of reinforcement produced markedly increased resistance to extinction. These results severely strain theoretical efforts to relate the delay-extinction phenomenon to the partial reinforcement effect and suggest the necessity of an independent interpretation.
Can cognitive deterioration associated with Down syndrome be reduced

Individuals with Down syndrome have signs of possible brain damage prior to birth. In addition to slowed and reduced mental development, they are much more likely to have cognitive deterioration and develop dementia at an earlier age than individuals without Down syndrome. Some of the cognitive impairments are likely due to post-natal hydrogen peroxide-mediated oxidative stress caused by overexpression of the superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) gene, which is located on the triplicated 21st chromosome and known to be 50% overexpressed. However, some of this disability may also be due to early accumulation of advanced protein glycation end-products, which may play an adverse role in prenatal and postnatal brain development. This paper suggests that essential nutrients such as folate, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc, as well as alpha-lipoic acid and carnosine may possibly be partially preventive. Acetyl-L-carnitine, aminoguanidine, cysteine, and N-acetylcysteine are also discussed, but have possible safety concerns for this population. This paper hypothesizes that nutritional factors begun prenatally, in early infancy, or later may prevent or delay the onset of dementia in the Down syndrome population. Further examination of these data may provide insights into nutritional, metabolic and pharmacological treatments for dementias of many kinds. As the Down syndrome population may be the largest identifiable group at increased risk for developing dementia, clinical research to verify the possible validity of the prophylactic use of anti-glycation nutrients should be performed. Such research might also help those with glycation complications associated with diabetes or Alzheimer's.
Layered double hydroxides intercalated with borate anions: Fire and thermal properties in ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer

Abstract Fire and thermal properties of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) composites prepared by melt blending with layered double hydroxides (LDH) have been studied. Two types of LDHs intercalated with borate anion were prepared using the coprecipitation method and the metals Mg 2+ , Zn 2+ and Al 3+ . Characterization of the LDHs and the EVA composites was performed using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and cone calorimetry. Thermal analyses show that the addition of LDHs improves the thermal stability of EVA. Fire properties evaluated using the cone calorimeter were significantly improved in the EVA/LDH composites. The peak heat release rate was reduced by about 40% when only 3% by weight of the LDH was added to the copolymer. Comparison of the fire properties of the LDHs with those of aluminum trihydrate (ATH), magnesium hydroxides (MDH), zinc hydroxide (ZH) and their combinations at 40% loading, reveal that the LDHs were more effective than when MDH and ZH are used alone.
Evaluating parameters of a professional hockey team

A championship professional hockey team was eval uated with regard to three systems: cardiovascular, muscular, and visual. The cardiovascular system was tested three times during the season, revealing little significant variation in fitness parameters from the preseason to the late-season periods. The visual and muscular testings were performed only during the preseason. Visual functions, especially eye speed and span, were positively correlated to face-off ability, shot accuracy, and goal-tending capability. Muscular testing demonstrated the importance of hip strength in power skating; a rationale for the use of knee extension hip flexion and knee extension hip abduc tion ratios is clearly established.The most striking correlations were found in relat ing skating skills to muscle testing performances of the left lower extremity as opposed to the right. Regression analysis of the data made it possible to predict super-star capability with 100% correlation to only three simple tests.
Getting your partner to use condoms: Interviews with men and women at risk of HIV/STDs

Data from individual semistructured interviews with 90 young heterosexual couples were analyzed to identify strategies that men and women at risk of HIV/STDs would use to influence their partners to use condoms for the purpose of disease prevention. In addition, we explored whether participants thought influencing strategies would differ for pregnancy prevention. Content analysis of the interview data indicated that participants would use the following verbal strategies: persuading/suggesting, commanding/asserting, and threatening to withhold sex. Several participants, particularly those who had recently used condoms with their partners, reported that they would also use non‐verbal strategies involving condoms themselves (e.g., putting a condom on, buying or getting condoms, or presenting a condom to their partner). Many participants believed that they would use a different strategy for pregnancy prevention because it would be easier to convince a partner to use condoms for that purpose.
Parametric Uncertainty Identification and Model Reduction for Dual-Stage Robust H2 Track-following Control Synthesis

This paper presents a systematic method for identifying parameters and parametric uncertainty for a set of dual-stage hard disk drives. A modal analysis technique is selected to extract parameters from a batch of frequency response data. Next, an optimal model truncation methodology is presented to eliminate redundant modes from each multiple-input-multiple-output system model. Finally, principle component analysis is employed to obtain a low-order, minimally conservative approximation of uncertain parameters. The result is a reduced order state space model and parameter uncertainty set to be used in robust H2 control synthesis for a track-following servo.
Skew group rings and free rings

Abstract In this paper, we briefly discuss problems posed by S. Montgomery and E. A. Whelan. The first concerns the skew group ring AG. Specifically the problem is to determine when AG is prime in terms of the action of the finite group G on the ring A. Here we are quite far from the answer, but we do exhibit some of the subtleties involved. The second problem is more technical and concerns whether a certain induced module from a primitive ring R to its left Martindale ring of quotients can be zero. In this case we give a positive answer by taking R to be an appropriate free ring.
Winter methane dynamics beneath ice and in snow in a temperate poor fen

The influence of winter on methane (CH 4 ) stored in pore water and emitted through snow was investigated in a temperate poor fen in New Hampshire over two winters. Methane accumulated beneath ice layers (1 cm) deposited by freezing rain, resulting in snow-pore air mixing ratios as high as 140 ppmv during the first winter and 600 ppmv during the second. An early winter snow crust of 300 kg m -3 caused no discontinuity in a linear mixing ratio profile and therefore was not observed to retard snowpack emissions. Methane concentration-depth profiles in pore water steepened and concentrations increased by as much as 400 μM at the 10 and 20 cm depths as the ice cover formed. This suggests that the peat-ice cover plays an important part in CH4 build-up in pore water by limiting the transport of gases between the peat and the atmosphere. Pore water concentrations gradually declined through late winter. The seasonality of dissolved CH4 in pore water over two winters and one summer showed an average annual amplitude of 1.3 gCH 4 m -2 (25-75 cm depth range), with a winter maximum of 4.7 gCH 4 m- 2 . Emissions during the winter with average snowfall accounted for a larger percentage (9.2% in 1993-1994) of total annual emission than the winter with below-average snowfall and warmer air temperature (2% in 1994-1995). Emissions averaged 56 and 26mgm -2 day -1 during the first and second winter (December, January and February), respectively.
Akt-ing Up on SRPK1: Oncogene or Tumor Suppressor?

In this issue of Molecular Cell, Wang et al. (2014) report that the splicing kinase SRPK1 can function as both an oncogene and a tumor suppressor by modulating the activation state of the protein kinase Akt. This is shown to be mediated by the ability of SRPK1 to bind to the Akt phosphatase PHLPP1.
Ictal electroencephalography in a case of benign centrotemporal epilepsy.

The purpose of this research was to publish a complete ictal electroencephalographic (EEG) record of a child with benign centrotemporal epilepsy. The record includes a brief description of the pati...