cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sexuality and Aging: A Timely Addition to the Gerontology Curriculum.

This article highlights the importance of including a sexuality and aging course as a separate offering in the curriculum of a master s of arts in human development and gerontology program. Despite growing interest and literature in the field, there have been few attempts to integrate sexuality into course curricula. Descriptions of an initial pilot course and the follow-up elective course; a critical review of the literature, including comments; student evaluations; and suggestions for future course content are presented. The article critically discusses specific books and articles that are most relevant and appropriate and describes the limitations of the selected literature. Recommendations for course development, educators, and future research are discussed.
Minimum Disruption Service Composition and Recovery over Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

The dynamic nature of mobile ad hoc networks poses fundamental challenges to the design of service composition schemes that can minimize the effect of service disruptions. Although improving reliability has been a topic of extensive research in mobile ad hoc networks, little work has considered service deliveries spanning multiple components. Moreover, service composition strategies proposed for wireline networks are poorly suited for wireless ad hoc networks due to their highly dynamic nature. This paper proposes a new service composition and recovery framework designed to achieve minimum service disruptions for mobile ad hoc networks. The framework consists of two-tiers: service routing, which selects the service components, and network routing, which finds the network path that connects these service components. Our framework is based on the disruption index, which is a novel construct that characterizes different aspects of service disruptions, including frequency and duration. For ad hoc networks with known mobility plan, we formulate the problem of minimum-disruption service composition and recovery (MDSCR) as a dynamic programming problem and give its optimal solution. Based on the derived analytical insights, we present our MDSCR heuristic algorithm for ad hoc networks with uncertain node mobility. This heuristic algorithm approximates the optimal solution with one-step lookahead prediction, where service link lifetime is predicted using linear regression. We evaluate the performance of our algorithm via simulation study conducted under various network environments.
Biosonar and neural computation in bats.

It used to be a common misconcep­ tion that bats' use of sound puls­ es to navigate and locate prey is a crude system, the acoustic equivalent of feeling one's way in the dark with a cane. But biosonar has since been shown to be anything but crude: an echolocating bat can pursue and cap­ ture a fleeing moth with a facility and success rate that would be the envy of any military aerospace engineer. In addition to providing information about how far away a target is, bat sonar can relay some remarkable de­ tails. Doppler shifts-changes in the frequency of the echo relative to the original signal-convey information not only about the relative velocity of a flying insect but also about its wing­ beat. The amplitude of the echo, com­ bined with the delay, indicates the size of the target. The amplitudes of the component frequencies correspond to the size of various features of the target. Differences between the ears in intensity and arrival time of sound give the azimuth of the target, where­ as the interference pattern of sound waves reflected within the structure of the outer ear gives the elevation. The complex neural computations needed to extract this information oc­ cur within a brain the size of a large pearl. For the past 27 years my col­ leagues and I have been exploring the neural mechanisms that underlie the
County-level factors contributing to deer-vehicle collisions in Arkansas

Abstract Arkansas harbors a substantial white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) population, boasts an expanding human population, and both enjoys and suffers the resulting consequences. A highly visible negative consequence is the occurrence of deer–vehicle collisions (DVCs). Several studies have investigated site-specific factors that may contribute to DVCs. However, few studies have explored the role of broader scale factors. In this study, we used an exploratory, multivariate approach to examine the influence of county-level factors on the density (no./1,000 km) of reported DVCs in Arkansas, USA, during 1998–2001. Factors considered to contribute to DVCs in Arkansas included human and deer population densities, urban growth, various roadway characteristics, daily traffic counts, timber harvests, and landcover composition and spatial characteristics. Using principal components and regression analysis we determined that there were 2 important components contributing to DVC densities in Arkansas. Compo...
Baroclinic Multiple Zonal Jets on the Sphere

Abstract Multiple zonal jets are investigated with a two-level primitive equation model on the sphere in which both baroclinicity and planetary radius are varied. As in the case for a two-layer quasigeostrophic model on a β-plane channel, it is found both that the Rhines scale successfully predicts the meridional scale of the multiple zonal jets, and that these jets are maintained in part by an eddy momentum flux divergence associated with slow baroclinic waves at the interjet minimum. A scaling analysis suggests that njets∝ (a/θm)1/2, with the constraints ζe ≡ 8 sin2f (θm/▵θ ) > 1 and njets ≥ 1, where njets is the number of the jets, a the planetary radius, θm one-half of the pole-to-equator potential temperature difference, ξe the supercriticality of the two-layer Phillips model, Δθ the potential temperature difference between the two levels, and ϕ the latitude. The number of jets simulated by the model agrees with this scaling, provided that Ljet ≤ a, where Ljet is the jet scale. In model runs with a l...
Data Archives of Intelligent Transportation Systems Used to Support Traffic Simulation

Collecting data for traffic simulation is expensive, particularly for large simulated systems. When traditional methods are used, data are normally collected for only one day or a few days and may not represent variations in traffic demands and conditions throughout the year. Collected data usually are imperfect, and additional efforts are needed to compensate for missing and erroneous data and to resolve data inconsistencies. In recent years, agencies have started archiving data collected by intelligent transportation systems (ITS). The ITS data archives can provide cost-effective, detailed information for the development and calibration of simulation tools if procedures are used to ensure data quality and to allow optimal categorization and use of the archived ITS data. An effort to develop a series of data manipulation procedures for the use of ITS data archives in support of simulation modeling is discussed. These procedures allow the extraction of collected volume data from ITS data archives, automat...
An analysis of terrain properties and the location of surface scatterers from persistent scatterer interferometry

Abstract Standard interferometry poses a challenge in heavily vegetated areas due to decorrelation of the radar signal. To alleviate this problem, we implement StaMPS, a persistent scatterer (PS) technique, to obtain a more spatially complete signal in the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest. In addition to comparing the spatial extent of the signal from standard Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) and StaMPS, we further analyze the selection of scatterers over several terrain types in the Cascades, and systematically vary StaMPS parameters to minimize the selection of false positives and negatives. Utilizing the best parameters, we correlate the location of persistent scatterers to geologic units, and vegetation density derived from Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data. Our findings indicate that persistent scatterers most frequently occur on young, rough basaltic to andesitic lava flows and to a lesser extent on older, reworked basaltic andesitic lava flows exposed as boulder fields in the forests. Very few or no scatterers were found over water, permanent snowfields, evergreen forest, or unconsolidated pyroclastics. Over 90% of the scatterers are located in areas with no or very sparse vegetation cover. Based on surface roughness and the percentage of bare earth within the radar footprint, we are able to predict where PS InSAR is most likely to be successful on natural terrains.
Cardiovascular Outcomes in Trials of Oral Diabetes Medications: A Systematic Review

Background A wide variety of oral diabetes medications are currently available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, but it is unclear how these agents compare with respect to long-term cardiovascular risk. Our objective was to systematically examine the peer-reviewed literature on the cardiovascular risk associated with oral agents (second-generation sulfonylureas, biguanides, thiazolidinediones, and meglitinides) for treating adults with type 2 diabetes. Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, from inception through January 19, 2006. Forty publications of controlled trials that reported information on cardiovascular events (primarily myocardial infarction and stroke) met our inclusion criteria. Using standardized protocols, 2 reviewers serially abstracted data from each article. Trials were first described qualitatively. For comparisons with 4 or more independent trials, results were pooled quantitatively using the Mantel-Haenszel method. Results are presented as odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Treatment with metformin hydrochloride was associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular mortality (pooled OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.62-0.89) compared with any other oral diabetes agent or placebo; the results for cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause mortality were similar but not statistically significant. No other significant associations of oral diabetes agents with fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular disease or all-cause mortality were observed. When compared with any other agent or placebo, rosiglitazone was the only diabetes agent associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity or mortality, but this result was not statistically significant (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 0.92-3.06). Conclusions Meta-analysis suggested that, compared with other oral diabetes agents and placebo, metformin was moderately protective and rosiglitazone possibly harmful, but lack of power prohibited firmer conclusions. Larger, long-term studies taken to hard end points and better reporting of cardiovascular events in short-term studies will be required to draw firm conclusions about major clinical benefits and risks related to oral diabetes agents.
PS1-38: A Simulation Study to Evaluate the Feasibility of Conducting Active Surveillance to Detect Clusters of Allograft Infection

3Merck and Co, Inc. Background/Aims: For patients with type 2 diabetes of long duration, we evaluated whether improved short-term outcomes obtained through diabetes education were sustained. Methods: 623 adults with glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c) greater or equal to 7% were randomized to individual education (IE), group education (GE) using Conversation Maps, or usual care (UC). A1c, Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID), Diabetes Self-Efficacy (DES), Recommended Food Score (RFS), Physical Activity (PA), and medication intensification (an increase in number of medication classes or insulin start) were evaluated at baseline and at approximately 6 month intervals for the following year using linear mixed models. Results: Compared to UC, IE resulted in sustained improved DES and PAID scores in the long-term (DES, +0.11, p=.03 and PAID, -2.94, p=.04), but not significant RFS or PA longterm change. IE resulted in a short-term A1c reduction of .25% (p=.03) and odds ratio (OR) of 1.83 (1.05-3.17) for achieving an A1c < 7% compared with UC, but significant effects were not observed after 6 additional followup months. No differences were observed between GE and UC for short-term and long-term DES, PAID, RFS, PA, or A1c. In patients with pharmacy claims data (n=488), odds ratios of medication intensification comparing IE to UC were short-term 0.83(0.44-1.57) and long-term 0.79(0.43-1.47); comparing or GE to UC were short-term 1.22(0.66-2.26) and long-term 0.92(0.50-1.68). Discussion: In patients with suboptimal glycemic control, improved measures of self-efficacy and lower diabetes distress observed with IE in the short-term were sustained long-term. However, short- term improvements in glucose control, nutrition, and physical activity were not sustained. Educational interventions did not result in higher medication intensification rates. Results are consistent with most behavior change theories, and suggest greater attention to maintenance and relapse, possibly
Artificial intelligence-definition and practice

A class of computer systems has emerged that makes extensive use of the capability of computers to operate equally well in processing either numbers or symbols. The best known such systems are the expert systems. The research from which these systems are derived is called artificial intelligence. An overview of the field is presented with definitions, recommendations, and an example. Following the definition of terms and a brief history, potential roles which a symbolic processing system might play are discussed, with a brief summary of those which have been most successfully used. The various methodologies in use and their respective strengths are reported. Arguments about the best language to use (such as the choice between LISP and PROLOG) are addressed. A practical example is described in some detail. The strengths and potential of parallel architectures and neural-net machines are briefly noted. >
Performance Pay and Workplace Injury: Panel Evidence

Using panel survey data, we show cross-sectional evidence of an elevated risk of workplace injury for those paid piece rates and bonuses. While consistent with Adam Smith's behavioural conjecture, this could simply reflect sorting across workers or firms. In response we successively control for a risk proxy, for worker fixed effects and for worker with employer match fixed effects. No previous examination has controlled for such fixed effects or examined US survey data. The estimates indicate that injury risk increases substantially when blue-collar (manual) workers become paid by piece rates and bonuses.
Mitigating electromigration of power supply networks using bidirectional current stress

Electromigration (EM) is one of the major reliability issues for IC designs. The EM effect is observed as the shape change of metal wires under uni-directional high density current. Such metal wire distortions could result in open-circuit failures or short-circuit failures for the interconnects in integrated circuits. The current density on power supply network is usually the highest one among all the on-chip interconnects, and the current direction on power rails seldom changes. Consequently, the power supply network is the most EM-vulnerable component on a chip. We propose a novel solution based on the electromigration AC healing effect to extend the lifetime of power supply networks. This solution uses simple control logics to apply balanced amount of current in both directions of power rails. Therefore, power wires can perform self-healing during function mode. This technique can be easily integrated into different package plans with small area and performance overhead. The post layout simulation shows 3X-10X increase of the mean time to failure (MTTF) for the power rails.
Nature of foulants and fouling mechanism in the Protein A MabSelect resin cycled in a monoclonal antibody purification process

The composition and origin of foulants and their spatial distribution within the particles of the Protein A MabSelect resin cycled in a mAb purification process are determined using electron and confocal microscopy techniques with gold and fluorescently labeled protein probes that associate with the foulants. The results show that the foulants are primarily related to the mAb product, are heterogeneously dispersed both on the outer surface and in the interior of the resin beads, and accumulate only when loading the conditioned CHO cell culture supernatant. Insignificant accumulation is seen if the process is run with purified mAb or with the null cell culture supernatant. When bound to the Protein A ligand, the mAb responsible for the observed fouling behavior is shown to associate with BSA and α-lactalbumin. This property is exploited using labeled versions of these lipophilic proteins to assess the effectiveness of improved resin cleaning processes and to elucidate the fouling mechanism. Resin fouling for this mAb appears to be consistent with the occurrence of conformational changes that occur upon binding, which, in turn, facilitate association of lipophilic proteins with the mAb. Upon desorption at low pH, these destabilized mAb complexes are deposited on and within the resin growing with each cycle and eventually leading to significant degradation of process performance.
Nonnegativity of bivariate quadratic functions on a triangle

Abstract A necessary and sufficient condition for the nonnegativity of a bivariate quadratic defined on a triangle is presented in terms of the Bernstein-Bezier form of the function.
Simulations, games, and experience-based learning: the quest for a new paradigm for teaching and learning

This article provides an overview of the evolution of experiential instruction theory and practice from its popular emergence in the late 1960s through the present period. Simulations, games, and other experience-based instructional methods have had a substantial impact on teaching concepts and applications during this period. They have also helped to address many of the limitations of traditional instructional methods, seven of which are discussed in the article. In addition to influencing classroom instruction, experiential methods have come to provide a pervasive and largely taken-for-granted foundation for a wide range of endeavors across many fields. Still, many of the limitations of the classic paradigm continue as vital and largely unresolved challenges today, and there remains much important work to be done to translate insights about experience, teaching, and learning into common practice.
Do Older People Benefit from Having a Confidant? An Oklahoma Physicians Resource/Research Network (OKPRN) Study

Objective: The objective was to determine whether having a confidant was associated with improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) or survival in older, community-dwelling individuals. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 23 family physician members of the Oklahoma Physicians Research/Resource Network in 9 practices and 852 community-dwelling adults 65 or older participating in the Oklahoma Longitudinal Assessment of Health Outcomes of Mature Adults Studies. Longitudinal models analyzed changes in self-administered Quality of Well-Being (QWB-SA) scores over an average (S.D.) of 2.51 (1.28) years. Cox proportional hazards models assessed variables possibly associated with mortality over an average survival time (+/-S.D.) of 9.22 (3.24) years. We controlled for chronic illnesses, baseline age, gender, marital status, income, race, BMI, education and specified Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) domain scores. Results: Initially, 740 participants (87%) had a confidant. Being married was strongly associated with having a confidant (91.9% vs. 77.8%, p Conclusions: Older people with a confidant demonstrated enhanced HRQoL maintenance over the short term, but not greater survival.
Cytochrome P450 and organochlorine contaminants in black-crowned night-herons from the Chesapeake Bay region, USA

Black-crowned night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) offspring were collected from a relatively uncontaminated coastal reference site (next to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, VA, USA) and two sites in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (Baltimore Harbor, MD and Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC, USA). Hepatic microsomal activities of benzyloxyresorufin-O-dealkylase and ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase were significantly elevated (up to sixfold and ninefold induction, respectively) in pipping embryos from the Baltimore Harbor colony compared to the reference site, whereas values in embryos from the Rock Creek Park colony were intermediate. Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and metabolites in pipping embryos from both sites in the Chesapeake watershed were greater than at the reference site but below the known threshold for reproductive impairment. However, concentrations of 10 arylhydrocarbon receptor-active polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and estimated toxic equivalents were up to 37-fold greater in embryos collected from these two sites in the Chesapeake Bay region, with values for toxic congeners 77 and 126 exceeding those observed in pipping heron embryos from the Great Lakes. Monooxygenase activity of pipping embryos was associated with concentrations of several organochlorine pesticides, total PCBs, arylhydrocarbon receptor-active PCB congeners, and toxic equivalents (r = 0.30–0.59), providing further evidence of the value of cytochrome P450 as a biomarker of organic contaminant exposure. Organochlorine contaminant levels were greater in 10-d-old nestlings from Baltimore Harbor than the reference site but had no apparent effect on monooxygenase activity or growth. These findings demonstrate induction of cytochrome P450 in pipping black-crowned night-heron embryos in the Chesapeake Bay region, probably by exposure to PCB congeners of local origin, and the accumulation of organochlorine pesticides and metabolites in nestling herons from Baltimore Harbor. Bio-monitoring with additional waterbird species (e.g., bald eagle, common tern, great blue heron) that appear to be more sensitive to PCBs than black-crowned night-herons is recommended to document health of waterbirds and remediation of the Chesapeake Bay.
Variations in Virulence and Molecular Biology among Emerging Strains of Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile is a Gram-positive, spore-forming organism which infects and colonizes the large intestine, produces potent toxins, triggers inflammation, and causes significant systemic complications. Treating C. difficile infection (CDI) has always been difficult, because the disease is both caused and resolved by antibiotic treatment. For three and a half decades, C. difficile has presented a treatment challenge to clinicians, and the situation took a turn for the worse about 10 years ago. An increase in epidemic outbreaks related to CDI was first noticed around 2003, and these outbreaks correlated with a sudden increase in the mortality rate of this illness. Further studies discovered that these changes in CDI epidemiology were associated with the rapid emergence of hypervirulent strains of C. difficile, now collectively referred to as NAP1/BI/027 strains. The discovery of new epidemic strains of C. difficile has provided a unique opportunity for retrospective and prospective studies that have sought to understand how these strains have essentially replaced more historical strains as a major cause of CDI. Moreover, detailed studies on the pathogenesis of NAP1/BI/027 strains are leading to new hypotheses on how this emerging strain causes severe disease and is more commonly associated with epidemics. In this review, we provide an overview of CDI, discuss critical mechanisms of C. difficile virulence, and explain how differences in virulence-associated factors between historical and newly emerging strains might explain the hypervirulence exhibited by this pathogen during the past decade.
Seasonal variations in pore water and sediment geochemistry of littoral lake sediments (Asylum Lake, MI, USA)

Seasonal changes in pore water and sediment redox geochemistry have been observed in many near-surface sediments. Such changes have the potential to strongly influence trace metal distribution and thus create seasonal fluctuations in metal mobility and bioavailability. Seasonal trends in pore water and sediment geochemistry are assessed in the upper 50 cm of littoral kettle lake sediments. Pore waters are always redox stratified, with the least compressed redox stratification observed during fall and the most compressed redox stratification observed during summer. A 2-step sequential sediment extraction yields much more Fe in the first step, targeted at amorphous Fe(III) (hydr)oxides (AEF), then in the second step, which targets Fe(II) monosulfides. Fe extracted in the second step is relatively invariant with depth or season. In contrast, AEF decreases with sediment depth, and is seasonally variable, in agreement with changes in redox stratification inferred from pore water profiles. A 5-step Tessier extraction scheme was used to assess metal association with operationally-defined exchangeable, carbonate, iron and manganese oxide (FMO), organic/sulfide and microwave-digestible residual fractions in cores collected during winter and spring. Distribution of metals in these two seasons is similar. Co, As, Cd, and U concentrations approach detection limits. Fe, Cu and Pb are mostly associated with the organics/sulfides fraction. Cr and Zn are mostly associated with FMO. Mn is primarily associated with carbonates, and Co is nearly equally distributed between the FMO and organics/sulfide fractions. This study clearly demonstrates that near-surface lake sediment pore water redox stratification and associated solid phase geochemistry vary significantly with season. This has important ramifications for seasonal changes in the bioavailability and mobility of trace elements. Without rate measurements, it is not possible to quantify the contribution of various processes to natural organic matter degradation. However, the pore water and solid phase data suggest that iron reduction and sulfate reduction are the dominant pathways in the upper 50 cm of these sediments.
THE IMPACT OF PRIMARY STAGE ON SURVIVAL IN PATIENTS WITH LYMPH NODE POSITIVE BLADDER CANCER

AbstractPurpose: Contemporary series indicate that survival of cystectomy candidates with node positive bladder cancer is favorable when the primary tumor is confined to the bladder wall and lymph node involvement is minimal. However, these series lack node negative controls with a similar tumor stage to determine accurately the true impact of pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical cystectomy on survival.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed disease specific survival in 686 consecutive cystectomy candidates of whom 193 (28.1%) had node positive disease at radical cystectomy. To correct for bias towards higher P category in the node positive group we subdivided groups into organ and nonorgan confined categories to compare outcome between node negative and node positive cases.Results: The frequency of organ confined disease in node positive cases was 22.8% compared to 59.2% in node negative cases. Although when analyzing the entire group disease specific survival was significantly decreased in node...
Linking ramped pyrolysis isotope data to oil content through PAH analysis

Ramped pyrolysis isotope (13C and 14C) analysis coupled with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) analysis demonstrates the utility of ramped pyrolysis in screening for oil content in sediments. Here, sediments from Barataria Bay, Louisiana, USA that were contaminated by oil from the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon spill display relationships between oil contamination, pyrolysis profiles, and isotopic composition. Sediment samples with low PAH concentrations are thermochemically stable until higher temperatures, while samples containing high concentrations of PAHs pyrolyze at low temperatures. High PAH samples are also depleted in radiocarbon (14C), especially in the fractions that pyrolyze at low temperatures. This lack of radiocarbon in low temperature pyrolyzates is indicative of thermochemically unstable, 14C-free oil content. This study presents a proof of concept that oil contamination can be identified by changes in thermochemical stability in organic material and corroborated by isotope analysis of individual pyrolyzates, thereby providing a basis for application of ramped pyrolysis isotope analysis to samples deposited in different environments for different lengths of time.
Evolution, Development, and the Emergence of Disgust

Evolutionary developmental psychology typically utilizes an evolutionary lens to explain various phenomena that occur throughout development. In this paper, I argue that the converse is also important: Developmental evidence can inform evolutionary theory. In particular, knowledge about the developmental origins of a psychological trait can be used to evaluate theoretical claims about its evolved function. I use the emotion of disgust as a case study to illustrate this approach. Disgust is commonly thought to be a behavioral adaptation for avoiding the ingestion of pathogens. Given this claim, disgust should be expected to develop at a time when humans are especially vulnerable to the dangers of ingesting pathogens, during the immediate post-weaning period from about 3 to 5 years of age. Despite a strong selective pressure at this point in development, research has suggested that the emotion of disgust and the recognition of the "disgust face" do not reliably emerge until later in ontogeny, at 5 years of age or after. Given the late developmental appearance of disgust, I re-evaluate claims about its adaptive role.
Appraisers and Toxic Mold: Legal and Valuation Issues

New construction techniques designed to improve insulation have created conditions ripe for the proliferation of toxic mold. These developments have spawned numerous and costly lawsuits. Appraisers...
Children’s spirituality and inclusion: strengthening a child’s spirit with community, resilience and joy

The vision of inclusion speaks to the minds, hearts and spirits of children with disabilities. A meaningful inclusive atmosphere exists when children with and without disabilities are physically engaged and interact with one another as a community in a variety of activities. Spirituality for children with disabilities within an inclusive early childhood classroom requires an education that is intellectual, emotional, social, moral and spiritual. In this type of environment, children with disabilities and peers can flourish in a warm and welcoming community. This paper contributes to the literature and asserts the importance of the ‘forgotten’ dimension of early childhood special education. Learning strategies to inform teachers and parents for establishing an inclusive welcoming classroom for children with disabilities are offered by exploring a spiritual curriculum emphasising holistic education with peers through strengths-based projects, small group work and peer-mediated interventions for supporting t...
Meeting Military Energy Demands

The United States Army’s Soldier Tactical Mission System is capable of providing a dramatic change in small-unit warfare with its enhanced communications, situational awareness, and navigation capabilities. A significant drawback to this system, however, is that the very systems that provide these advantages to the soldier also demand high quantities of energy. In order to design an adequate energy delivery system to support the operation of the soldier’s enhanced equipment, the problem is broken down and analyzed into three general areas: energy demand, energy management, and energy source design. The aim of this paper is to introduce the reader to each of these three general areas, thereby providing a potential catalyst for future research and exploration into the design solution of adequate energy delivery systems.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Alcohol-triggered signs of migraine: An animal model

We describe an animal model where characteristics of migraine can be triggered by alcohol administration. In rats chronically implanted with a cannula overlying the transverse sinus, we applied potassium chloride (KCl) (or saline) to the meninges to sensitize trigeminovascular afferents. We assessed effects of repeated KCl application on animal behavior using conditioned place avoidance paradigm. In KCl-treated rats we discovered that alcohol injections (0.2 mg/kg), but not saline, resulted in the development of extracephalic allodynia and signs of ongoing pain.
Design approaches for a cycling adsorbent/photocatalyst system for indoor air purification: formaldehyde example.

Abstract A kinetic model for a cycling adsorbent/photocatalyst combination for formaldehyde removal in indoor air (Chin et al. J. Catalysis 2006, 237, 29-37) was previously developed in our lab, demonstrating agreement with lab-scale batch operation data of other researchers (Shiraishi et al. Chem. Engineer. Sci. 2003, 58, 929-934). Model parameters evaluated included adsorption equilibrium and rate constants for the adsorbent (activated carbon) honeycomb rotor, and catalytic rate constant for pseudo-first-order formaldehyde destruction in the titanium dioxide photoreactor. This paper explores design consequences for this novel system. In particular, the batch parameter values are used to model both adsorbent and photocatalyst behavior for continuous operation in typical residential home challenges. Design variables, including realistic make-up air fraction, adsorbent honeycomb rotation speed, and formaldehyde source emission rate, are considered to evaluate the ability of the system to achieve World Heal...
The roots of Yn(λη)Jn(λ) – Jn(λη) Yn(λ) = 0

Cylinder functions, J n (λx), of integral orders which vanish at x = 1 and x = η (where η is an assigned positive constant less than 1) occur in the solution of many problems in applied mathematics. Such functions can be expressed in terms of the Bessel functions J n (x) and γ n (x) of the two kinds in the form J n (λx)=Y n (λη)J n (λx)-J n (λη)Y n (λx) Y n (λη)J n (λ)-J n (λη)Y n (λ)=0
Prelude to Cold War: American Catholics and Communism

On 5 April 1934 the father general of the Society of Jesus in Rome wrote to the fathers provincial in America directing them "to organize a plan of concerted action against Communism as it exists and labors in your country."1 Tlie response to Father Ledochowski's request was swift. Under the direction of Father Edmund Walsh of Georgetown University, the Jesuits devised and implemented a fourteen point program of "practical and concerted action."2 The Jesuit call-to-arms signaled the begin ning of a colossal campaign by American Catholics against communism.
Application of Siemens Simotion motion control system to the roller tube processing

The technological process of roller tube production line was designed through the Simens simotion motion control system.Servo technique is adopted to improve the fixed-length feeding ring with three saw blad cutting and ensure the accuracy of the pipe material fast cutting.The main control unit of production line consists of siemens simotion D motion control system,servo power unite,MM440 transducer,touch screen TP177B,remote IO module ET200M.The control system makes the more flexible and reliable operation of the machine and reduces the labor intensity of workes,raised labour productivity greatly.
Analysis and simulation on following-up steering of the angle input of car front wheel

On the basis of the simplified mechanics model of the two degree of free-domed following-up steering the kinetics differential equation was established. The influence of car speed,mass of entire car,moment of inertia and tire lateral leaning stiffness on the stability of vehicle following-up steering was analyzed. The correctness of the obtained method was validated by means of simulative calculation and analysis on the following-up steering of certain car rear axle,thus a theoretical basis was provided for improving the manipulation stability of the vehicle.
Touchpoint: Dynamically Re-Routable Effects Processing as a Multi-Touch Tablet Instrument.

Touchpoint is a multi-touch tablet instrument which presents the chaining-together of non-linear effects processors as its core music synthesis technique. In doing so, it utilizes the on-the-fly re-combination of effects processors as the central mechanic of performance. Effects Processing as Synthesis is justified by the fact that that the order in which non-linear systems are arranged results in a diverse range of different output signals. Because the Effects Processor Instrument is a collection of software, the signal processing ecosystem is virtual. This means that processors can be re-defined, re-configured, created, and destroyed instantaneously, as a “note-level” musical decision within a performance. The software of Touchpoint consists of three components. The signal processing component, which is addressed via Open Sound Control (OSC), runs in Reaktor Core. The touchscreen component runs in the iOS version of Lemur, and the networking component uses ChucK. The resulting instrument unifies many perceptual domains of modulation into a consistent interface, encouraging an expressive exploration of the areas between their borders. Touchpoint attempts to embody and make vital an aspect of contemporary music which is typically treated as augmentative and secondary.
Alterations in chromosomes and DNA content in gynecologic neoplasms

As a result of chromosome examinations of a variety of normal and neoplastic tissues and the study of their nuclear DNA content, it is possible to make broad generalizations regarding alterations in nuclear genetic material in neoplasia. The work to date in gynecologic neoplasms is reviewed and summarized and the etiologic and diagnostic ramifications of the data are discussed.
Enhancement of Release From MHC Class II Antigen-Positive Monocytes of Hematopoietic Colony Stimulating Factors CSF-1 and G-CSF by Recombinant Human Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha: Synergism With Recombinant Human Interferon-Gamma

The influence of purified recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rhuTNF-alpha) was assessed alone and in combination with purified recombinant human interferon gamma (rhuIFN-gamma) for its effects on enhancing release from human monocytes of activities that stimulate colony formation by granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM), erythroid (BFU-E), and multipotential (CFU-GEMM) progenitor cells. RhuTNF-alpha or rhuIFN-gamma enhanced release of colony stimulating factors (CSFs), which were determined by a combination of human and mouse colony assays, morphological assessment of colony types and neutralization studies with anti-human macrophage CSF (CSF-1) and anti-human granulocyte (G)-CSF to be CSF-1 and G-CSF. The activity in the uninduced and induced monocyte conditioned media (CM) for CFU-GM-type colonies and clusters was attributed to the presence of both CSF-1 and G-CSF, while the activity in the monocyte CM for BFU-E and CFU-GEMM colonies was attributed to the presence of G-CSF. Monocytes were separated by two-color fluorescence using a dye laser flow cytometry system with cells labeled with anti-leu M3 conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate and anti-HLA-DR conjugated with phycoerythrin. While "constitutive" release of CSFs from monocytes was apparent from both the leu M3+, HLA-DR+ and the leu M3+, HLA-DR- (low density or negative DR) fractions, enhanced release of CSFs in response to rhuTNF-alpha or rhuIFN-gamma was confined to the leu M3+, HLA-DR+ population of cells. RhuTNF-alpha and rhuIFN-gamma synergized to enhance release of CSFs such that low concentrations of each molecule, which were inactive when used alone, were active when the two molecules were used together. These studies suggest a role, at least in vitro, for TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in the release of CSFs from cells of the mononuclear phagocytic lineage.
Conditions for Long-Term Culture of Cattle Undifferentiated Spermatogonia

Continual and robust spermatogenesis relies on the actions of an undifferentiated spermatogonial population that contains stem cells. A remarkable feature of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) is the capacity to regenerate spermatogenesis following isolation from a donor testis and transplantation into a permissive recipient testis. This capacity has enormous potential as a tool for enhancing the reproductive capacity of livestock, which can improve production efficiency. Because SSCs are a rare subset of the undifferentiated spermatogonial population, a period of in vitro amplification in number following isolation from donor testicular tissue is essential. Here, we describe methodology for isolation of a cell fraction from prepubertal bull testes that is enriched for undifferentiated spermatogonia and long-term maintenance of the cells in both the feeder cell coculture and the feeder-free format. To achieve this method, we derived bovine fetal fibroblasts (BFF) to serve as feeders for optimizing medium conditions that promote maintenance of bovine undifferentiated spermatogonia for at least 2 mo. In addition, we devised a feeder-free system with BFF-conditioned medium that sustained bovine undifferentiated spermatogonia for at least 1 mo in vitro. The methodologies described could be optimized to provide platforms for exponential expansion of bovine SSCs that will provide the numbers needed for transplantation into recipient testes.
Time Preference, Firm Growth, and Programming Models

Publisher Summary The simplex method of linear programming introduces the use of dual variables in an elementary machine loading problem as a means of calculating either additional or lost profits from changing the capacities of the equipment. The assumptions implicit in the machine loading problem are equivalent to those of the purely competitive model of conventional microeconomics theory. That is, the model predicts that the firm is a profit maximizer, is a price taker, and cannot influence the price regardless of its output. In fact, unless either a demand limit is placed on the firm's maximum output or a cost is attached to the funds necessary to expand capacity, the firm surely grow without bound in both size and profitability. The chapter presents the reconciliation of the implicit assumptions of the machine loading problem with the theory of pure competition. Under very general conditions, equivalent to those found in conventional economic analysis, the linear programming model of the firm leads to an optimal size firm and a competitive equilibrium both of the firm and the product market.
National Security and the Efficacy of Drone Warfare

This chapter examines arguments on a series of national security issues including the role of drones in conventional armed conflict. First, it questions efficiency, finding that material and human costs are significantly lowered, though unmanned aircraft still require a great deal of technical support, remote pilots still face traumas and stresses, and many agree that a country pays a diplomatic price for the wanton use of drones in counter-insurgency operations and could undermine credibility with its own or foreign publics. This chapter also evaluates claims of accuracy and precision, comparing drones positively with other types of warfare, but uncertain of whether high value targets are really emphasized over low level militants and cognizant of serious civilian casualties despite lower degrees of collateral damage.
Microscale Mechanism of Age Dependent Wetting Properties of Prickly Pear Cacti (Opuntia).

Cacti thrive in xeric environments through specialized water storage and collection tactics such as a shallow, widespread root system that maximizes rainwater absorption and spines adapted for fog droplet collection. However, in many cacti, the epidermis, not the spines, dominates the exterior surface area. Yet, little attention has been dedicated to studying interactions of the cactus epidermis with water drops. Surprisingly, the epidermis of plants in the genus Opuntia, also known as prickly pear cacti, has water-repelling characteristics. In this work, we report that surface properties of cladodes of 25 taxa of Opuntia grown in an arid Sonoran climate switch from water-repelling to superwetting under water impact over the span of a single season. We show that the old cladode surfaces are not superhydrophilic, but have nearly vanishing receding contact angle. We study water drop interactions with, as well as nano/microscale topology and chemistry of, the new and old cladodes of two Opuntia species and u...
Convergence and Limit

The question of convergence of a series has already arisen in the definition of the exponential, (1.4).
ISOC, ICANN, and Experiments in Multistakeholder Global Internet Governance

In this chapter, we focus on the highly technical and politically sensitive policy issues related to the global governance of the Internet and the World Wide Web. We examine the people, networks, and issues giving rise to the fundamental changes in which the Internet has to be governed, and what it means to “govern” the Internet. We talk about the creation of the Internet Society (ISOC) to provide a stimulus toward informed policy- and standard-setting for the Internet. We then talk about the landmark creation of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) as an innovative multistakeholder institution, designed to address the growing calls for the internationalization and privatization of the oversight and maintenance of the key technical functions related to the stability and functioning of the Internet.
Laparoscopic gastroesophageal dissociation in neurologically impaired children with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Abstract Purpose Neurologically impaired children with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are a challenging group of patients. We theorized that a laparoscopic gastroesophageal dissociation (LGED) may decrease reflux-related readmissions and healthcare visits, and improve quality of life (QOL) for them and their caregivers. Methods A retrospective review was performed on our pediatric patients that underwent an LGED along with a caregiver survey from 2013 to 2017. Results Twenty-two neurologically impaired patients (14months–17years) with severe GERD underwent an LGED. Patients weighed 7.9-57kg (avg=23.8kg), length of stay ranged from 5 to 20days (avg=12days), estimated blood loss ranged from 3 to 450cm 3 (avg=66cm 3 , median=25cm 3 ), and duration of operation ranged from 299 to 641min (avg=462min). One death occurred on postoperative day 19 from gram negative sepsis (30-day perioperative mortality of 4.5%). There were a modest number of minor and major complications (follow-up avg.=13.7months, range=2–40months). There was a decrease in healthcare visits for respiratory illnesses (rated 5/5 from all 13/19 survey respondents) as well as improvements in perceived QOL of the patient (avg=4.3/5) and caregiver (avg=4.6/5). Conclusions Our cohort of patients had a reduction in readmissions and healthcare visits, and improved QOL after undergoing an LGED based on the perceptions of their caregivers. In neurologically impaired patients with severe GERD, an LGED may be a viable alternative to traditional treatments. Type of study Retrospective case series review. Level of evidence Level IV evidence: case series without comparison.
Urinalysis for the diagnosis of glomerulonephritis: role of dysmorphic red blood cells.

Background Dysmorphic red blood cells (dRBCs) on urine microscopy have been associated with glomerulonephritis (GN). We assessed the prevalence and ability of dRBCs to differentiate GN from other kidney diseases. Methods Adult patients with kidney biopsy performed between 2012 and 2015 at a single center who had a concurrent urinalysis were retrospectively studied. The association of ≥25% dRBCs with the presence of glomerular pathology was assessed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed on significantly associated variables. Results The mean age of the 482 eligible subjects was 55 years and 47.7% were female. Overall, 173 (35.9%) had 10 versus ≤10 (P 10 RBCs/high-power field) and proteinuria performed just as well as dRBCs plus proteinuria to predict underlying GN. A model based on the degree of hematuria and proteinuria found on urinalysis was able to predict the presence of GN.