cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Class-Weighted Evaluation Metrics for Imbalanced Data Classification

Class distribution skews in imbalanced datasets may lead to models with prediction bias towards majority classes, making fair assessment of classifiers a challenging task. Balanced Accuracy is a popular metric used to evaluate a classifier’s prediction performance under such scenarios. However, this metric falls short when classes vary in importance, especially when class importance is skewed differently from class cardinality distributions. In this paper, we propose a simple and general-purpose evaluation framework for imbalanced data classification that is sensitive to arbitrary skews in class cardinalities and importances. Experiments with several state-of-the-art classifiers tested on real-world datasets and benchmarks from two different domains show that our new framework is more effective than Balanced Accuracy –- not only in evaluating and ranking model predictions, but also in training the models themselves.
Chapter 51 – Papillary Glioneuronal Tumors

Papillary glioneuronal tumors are rare, typically low-grade brain tumors that usually present with seizure activity. Pathologically, they are characterized by gliovascular pseudopapillary structures, composed of astrocytes and neuronal appearing cells. On computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, they are most often noted in the supratentorial region, and have a benign appearance, with cystic and solid components, and minimal if any surrounding edema or infiltration. Enhancement is a common feature. Rarely, the tumor can appear more aggressive, and demonstrate peritumoral edema and mass effect.
Predictors of Multiple Jobholding among Dental Hygienists in the State of Iowa.

Purpose: Little is known about the prevalence of multiple jobholding practices among dental hygienists or the factors contributing to these employment patterns. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine predictors of multiple jobholding practices among dental hygienists in the state of Iowa. Methods: A mailed paper survey was sent to all licensed dental hygienists (n=2080) in Iowa in May 2018. The dependent variable was whether hygienists worked more than one job in dental hygiene. Key independent variables included individual, family, and practice-related factors. Descriptive, bivariate, and binary logistic regression analyses were completed. Results: A total of 1215 dental hygienists participated in the survey, for a response rate of 58%. Among respondents, 12.2% worked more than one job overall, with 10.7% working 2 jobs and 1.5% working three or more. Respondents who had at least a bachelor’s degree, did not have children in the household, were not married, had worked more years at their primary job, and worked more hours per week, were more likely to hold multiple jobs after adjusting for other factors. Conclusions: Consistent with national estimates, there was a high multiple jobholding rate among dental hygienists in Iowa. Multiple individual, family, and practice characteristics were found to be related to multiple jobholding, with the strongest predictors being the hygienist’s highest level of education and the number of hours worked at the primary job.
Responding to the Needs of the Homeless in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review of Initiatives in 20 Major U.S. Cities

This research examines the crisis management approaches of local governments in responding to the service demands of their homeless populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has genera...
Opportunities and Challenges for Artificial Intelligence Applications in Infrastructure Management During the Anthropocene

Pervasive and accelerating climatic, technological, social, economic, and institutional change dictate that the challenges of the future will likely be vastly different and more complex than they are today. As our infrastructure systems (and their surrounding environment) become increasingly complex and beyond the cognitive understanding of any group of individuals or institutions, artificial intelligence (AI) may offer critical cognitive insights to ensure that systems adapt, services continue to be provided, and needs continue to be met. This paper conceptually links AI to various tasks and leadership capabilities in order to critically examine potential roles that AI can play in the management and implementation of infrastructure systems under growing complexity and uncertainty. Ultimately, various AI techniques appear to be increasingly well-suited to make sense of and operate under both stable (predictable) and chaotic (unpredictable) conditions. The ability to dynamically and continuously shift between stable and chaotic conditions is critical for effectively navigating our complex world. Thus, moving forward, a key adaptation for engineers will be to place increasing emphasis on creating the structural, financial, and knowledge conditions for enabling this type of flexibility in our integrated human-AI-infrastructure systems. Ultimately, as AI systems continue to evolve and become further embedded in our infrastructure systems, we may be implicitly or explicitly releasing control to algorithms. The potential benefits of this arrangement may outweigh the drawbacks. However, it is important to have open and candid discussions about the potential implications of this shift and whether or not those implications are desirable.
Methamphetamine from Ephedrine: I. Chloroephedrines and Aziridines

Illicit methamphetamine clandestinely synthesized from ephedrine via reduction of chloroephedrine is discussed. The stereochemistry, mechanism, synthetic impurities, and analysis of clandestine methamphetamine samples is addressed. Stereochemical relation of (+)methamphetamine to its initial precursor (−)ephedrine or (+)pseudoephedrine is achieved by detection of (+)chloropseudoephedrine or cis-1,2-dimethyl-3-phenylaziridine, in the case of the first, and (-)chloroephedrine or trans-1,2-dimethyl-3-phenylaziridine in the case of the latter.
The Functional Lumen Imaging Probe Detects Esophageal Contractility Not Observed With Manometry in Patients With Achalasia

Background & Aims The functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) could improve the characterization of achalasia subtypes by detecting nonocclusive esophageal contractions not observed with standard manometry. We aimed to evaluate esophageal contractions during volumetric distention in patients with achalasia using FLIP topography. Methods Fifty-one treatment-naive patients with achalasia, defined and subclassified by high-resolution esophageal pressure topography, and 10 asymptomatic individuals (controls) were evaluated with the FLIP during endoscopy. During stepwise distension, simultaneous intrabag pressures and 16 channels of cross-sectional areas were measured; data were exported to software that generated FLIP topography plots. Esophageal contractility was identified by noting periods of reduced luminal diameter. Esophageal contractions were characterized further by propagation direction, repetitiveness, and based on whether they were occluding or nonoccluding. Results Esophageal contractility was detected in all 10 controls: 8 of 10 had repetitive antegrade contractions and 9 of 10 had occluding contractions. Contractility was detected in 27% (4 of 15) of patients with type I achalasia and in 65% (18 of 26, including 9 with occluding contractions) of patients with type II achalasia. Contractility was detected in all 10 patients with type III achalasia; 8 of these patients had a pattern of contractility that was not observed in controls (repetitive retrograde contractions). Conclusions Esophageal contractility not observed with manometry can be detected in patients with achalasia using FLIP topography. The presence and patterns of contractility detected with FLIP topography may represent variations in pathophysiology, such as mechanisms of panesophageal pressurization in patients with type II achalasia. These findings could have implications for additional subclassification to supplement prediction of the achalasia disease course.
Disputas por el espacio sagrado. La doctrina de Trajomulco a fines del periodo colonial

This article explores how historical actors who interact in a sacred space create, confront and rebuild it in several ways. The author chose to study the Tlajomulco doctrina in the late colonial period in order to analyze some changes undergone during the secularization of a Franciscan doctrine. He also studies the institutional dimension of the doctrine in order to understand how the Guadalajara diocese and the Franciscan province of Jalisco related to this particular sacred space. The analysis of quarrels over property and authority over the doctrine enables the author to discuss what this sacred space meant to ministers and parishioners and to conclude that each form of interaction with a sacred space represents a particular way of understanding society and, more specifically, religiosity.
Reducing the global benefits load

Business–process outsourcing has helped companies reduce costs while concentrating on their core competencies. But multinationals have not yet applied this concept to their benefit programmes outside the USA. This paper explains why non-US benefits should be the next step on the outsourcing agenda.
Anomolus Shrinkage of Lanthanum Strontium Manganite

Anomalous shrinkage behavior of porous Sr-doped lanthanum manganite (La 1 - x Sr x ) 1 - y MnO 3 + δ , or LSM, where x = 0.0 to 0.4) has been studied as a function of thermal cycling, oxygen partial pressure, and Sr dopant concentration. An anomalous shrinkage due to thermal cycling in doped lanthanum manganite perovskite has previously been reported in the temperature range of 600°C to 1000°C. 1 , 2 However, the shrinkage reported here was in a 150°C range. Shrinkage of LSM during PO 2 cycling between air (2x10 5 ppm O 2 ) and N 2 (lOppm), was much less pronounced than that of thermal cycling in the same temperature range. The two cannot be directly compared due to the difference in cycling time. The effect of Sr dopant concentration on the shrinkage due to thermal cycling reached a maximum at a dopant level of 0.1. The postulated mechanism responsible for anomalous shrinkage is the metal ion vacancy gradient produced by the oxygen nonstoichiometry of LSM. Along with this gradient or driving force for metal ion vacancy diffusion; shrinkage also requires vacancy mobility or thermal excitation to advance the anomalous shrinkage.
Development of a Method to Assess the Hazard of Plastic Components to Passengers Trapped in Post-Collision Motor Vehicles Fires

This paper describes the development of a method to assess the fire hazard of automotive materials. The fire scenario of concern for these materials involves a front-end collision followed by an engine fire that may spread and expose trapped occupants in the passenger compartment. The hazard assessment method consists of the seven steps that are described in ASTM E 1546, Standard Guide for Development of Fire-Hazard Assessment Standard. Application of the method is illustrated for nineteen exterior and ten interior automotive materials that were tested in the Cone Calorimeter. Additional work is needed to determine suitable acceptance criteria and to expand the method so that other relevant post-collision motor vehicle fire scenarios are addressed. The paper is largely based on a previously published paper at the 2004 Interflam conference 1 .
The End of the Entrepreneurial Age

This essay aims to show to what extent the 80s enthusiasm for entrepreneurship is based on an ideological foundation and is, therefore, useless for management scholars and managers. To say this does not mean that one is against in­ novative ways for business venturing, rather, what I will argue in this essay is an effort toward understanding the need for systemic, purposeful, and theoretical treatment of manage­ ment. Furthermore, this paper claims for "The End of the En­ trepreneurial Age". By that I mean an increasing interest in business and society relationship. Such an interest will in­ troduce a new perspective that I call the postmodern business.
Sensitization of Nitrosourea-resistant Mer+ Human Tumor Cells to N-(2-Chloroethyl)-N'-cyclohexyl-N-nitrosourea by Mild (41°C) Hyperthermia

Experiments were designed to determine whether heat treatment could sensitize nitrosourea-resistant human tumor cell lines expressing a repair system ( O 6-alkylguanine DNA alkyltransferase; Mer+) capable of removing monoadducts from the DNA of treated cells prior to the formation of lethal interstrand cross-links. Effects of temperatures compatible with systemic hyperthermia were of particular interest, and, consequently, the effect of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) exposure in vitro for 4 h at 37°C was compared with that for 1 h at 41°C followed by 3 h at 37°C. CCNU toxicity was significantly enhanced by heat treatment in the Mer+ HT-29 human colon carcinoma, and in HeLa-S3 and HeLa-CCL2 cell lines [thermal enhancement factor (ratio of CCNU doses required to reduce cell survival to 0.001 at 37° and 41°C) = 1.3–1.4]. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated that the effect of heat treatment on CCNU toxicity was not attributable to exposure to increased concentrations of reactive species, nor was the enhancement due to a direct effect of heat and/or drug on alkyltransferase activity. A similar enhancement of CCNU toxicity was also observed in a Mer- line, HeLa-MR (thermal enhancement factor = 1.3). Heat-sequencing experiments clearly demonstrate that heat and CCNU must be administered concurrently. Alkaline elution experiments were designed to examine DNA-DNA cross-link formation in Mer+ and Mer- cells exposed to CCNU at 37° and 41°C, but quantitation of cross-link formation was not possible owing to the persistence of single strand breaks in the DNA of drug-treated cells. Nevertheless, collectively the data indicate that thermal enhancement of CCNU toxicity is independent of effects on alkyltransferase activity and indicate that hyperthermia could provide an effective strategy for improving the nitrosourea response of resistant Mer+ tumors.
Connecting Place and Community to Mathematics Instruction in Rural Schools

This chapter uses a mixed-method approach to address practices of mathematics education in the context of various rural schools in the US. It reports on connections of mathematics instruction to place and community by developing issues of relevance, sustainability and social-class interaction. Special attention is paid to place-based education and the university-intending students, to rural insufficiency and rural affordance and to the egalitarian local/elite cosmopolitan continuum.
How much missing data is too much? A single study exploration

6116 Background: Analyses of patient-reported outcomes rely on the dependability of patients to complete and submit assessments in a timely manner – not all data is obtained. In recent work focusin...
An endogenous aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand, ITE induces regulatory T cells (Tregs) and ameliorates experimental colitis (IRC4P.490)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic intestinal inflammatory condition that affects millions of people with high morbidity and health-care cost. Recent studies have shown that activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) with the nontoxic ligand 2-(1’H-indole-3’-carbonyl)-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (ITE) induces regulatory T cells (Tregs) and suppresses autoimmune diseases. However, the effects of ITE on experimental colitis have not been investigated. We hypothesized that ITE induces in-vitro and in-vivo Tregs through activation of AhR and suppresses experimental colitis. Our data showed that ITE increases the frequency of Tregs in spleen, MLN and LPL as compared to vehicle. This induction of Tregs was reversed by AhR antagonist treatment in-vitro. Next, in-vivo colitis pathogenesis including a decrease in body weight was significantly reversed and systemic inflammatory cytokines were reduced in mice that received ITE treatments as compared to vehicle. ITE treatment also increased CD11c+, decreased activated T and CD11b+ cells from the spleen, MLN and LP as compared to vehicle alone. These findings clearly suggest that ITE diminishes colitis pathology through induction of Tregs, reduces inflammatory cytokines, decreases the inflammation score, and induces dendritic cells resulting in amelioration of colitis. Thus, our work demonstrates that the nontoxic endogenous AhR ligand, ITE, may serve as unique treatment modality against IBD.
Probing Structural Dynamics of Individual Calmodulin:Peptide Complexes in Hydrogels by Single-Molecule Confocal Microscopy

An environment-sensitive probe, Nile Red, tagged to a designed model peptide, is used to probe the structural changes and dynamics of single calmodulin (CaM):peptide complexes. When the Ca2+ concentration changes from 0 M to 5 mM, the labeled Nile Red dye undergoes an order of magnitude increase in fluorescence intensity. By encapsulation of single CaM:peptide−Nile Red complexes into a hydrogel, single-molecule fluorescence detection has been achieved using confocal microcopy. The fluorescence polarization distribution obtained for these single complexes shows a mean of 0 and a width of 0.17, for a binning time of 1 ms. This finding shows that on the 10−100-μs time scale the CaM:peptide complex is tumbling within the hydrogel matrix. The single-molecule spectral distribution provides the scale of the heterogeneity of the polarity sensed by the probe. The calcium concentration dependency of the single-molecule-fluorescence lifetime distributions and photon-arrival-time (PAT) trajectories of the CaM:peptide...
Comparison of hypothetical LNG and fuel oil fires on water

Large spills of refined petroleum products have been an occasional occurrence over the past few decades. This has not been true for large spills of liquefied natural gas (LNG). This paper compares the likely similarities and differences between accidental releases from a ship of sizable quantities of these different hydrocarbon fuels, their subsequent spreading, and possible pool-fire behavior. Quantitative estimates are made of the spread rate and maximum slick size, burn rate, and duration; effective thermal radiation; and subsequent soot generation.
Reconfigurable manufacturing systems: the state of the art

In this paper, general requirements of next generation manufacturing systems are discussed, and the strategies to meet these requirements are considered. The production paradigms which apply these strategies are also classified. Particular emphasis is put on the paradigm of Reconfigurable Manufacturing System (RMS). Some key issues of the RMS design are discussed, and a critical review is presented concerning the developments of RMSs. Finally, suggestions of the RMS research are made and future research directions are identified.
Aerophones in flatland: interactive wave simulation of wind instruments

We present the first real-time technique to synthesize full-bandwidth sounds for 2D virtual wind instruments. A novel interactive wave solver is proposed that synthesizes audio at 128,000Hz on commodity graphics cards. Simulating the wave equation captures the resonant and radiative properties of the instrument body automatically. We show that a variety of existing non-linear excitation mechanisms such as reed or lips can be successfully coupled to the instrument's 2D wave field. Virtual musical performances can be created by mapping user inputs to control geometric features of the instrument body, such as tone holes, and modifying parameters of the excitation model, such as blowing pressure. Field visualizations are also produced. Our technique promotes experimentation by providing instant audio-visual feedback from interactive virtual designs. To allow artifact-free audio despite dynamic geometric modification, we present a novel time-varying Perfectly Matched Layer formulation that yields smooth, natural-sounding transitions between notes. We find that visco-thermal wall losses are crucial for musical sound in 2D simulations and propose a practical approximation. Weak non-linearity at high amplitudes is incorporated to improve the sound quality of brass instruments.
Upper Quaternary peat deposits on the Atlantic inner shelf of the United States

Twenty-one upper Quaternary peat samples have been obtained from vibracores collected along the inner continental shelf of the Atlantic coast of the United States. Radiocarbon ages and pollen identifications from the peats, coupled with those from onshore borings and published data, provide additional information on the latest history of the Atlantic shelf. The radiocarbon ages cluster in two groups: early and middle Holocene time (10,000 to 5,000 B.P.) and late Pleistocene time (35,000 to 20,000 B.P.). Although ages and depths of the upper Pleistocene peats show some agreement with published graphs of changes in sea level, pollen data indicate that most of the peats formed in terrestrial environments and therefore may be unreliable as indicators of sea level. The Holocene peats were deposited in both marine and terrestrial environments. Correlation of the stratigraphic sequences in the cores containing peat with high-resolution seismic reflection profiles indicates a history of transgressive erosion on the inner shelf. Only remnants of carbonaceous sediments originally deposited in bogs, ponds, estuaries, and salt-marsh lagoons are present in the shallow subsurface on the inner shelf. These remnants, which are discontinuous and usually associated with erosional unconformities, provide evidence of regional marine planation of the shelf by the rising Holocene sea.
Copyrights and digitizing the systematic literature: the horror... the horror...

It is time for us to take full advantage of the investment that our societies have made in documenting the biodiversity of the world. It is time for us to fully, and legally, make systematic literature available worldwide. Using U.S. "Fair Use" guidelines, we can.
The effect of ultraviolet light on mitochondria VI. Inactivation and protection of mitochondrial adenosinetriphosphatases during far-ultraviolet irradiation

Abstract The effect of ultraviolet light on mitochondrial ATPase has been studied. the dinitrophenol-activated ATPase was found to be extremely labile to ultraviolet light while the deoxycholate plus Mg 2+ -stimulated ATPase was relatively resistant to the effects of irradiation. Adenine nucleotides generally protected the ATPases from the inactivating effects of ultraviolet light. FAD, FMN and NAD were without significant effect in either the irradiated or non-irradiated system. The preparation of mitochondria in EDTA resulted in increased rates of dinitrophenol-activated ATPase and decreased rates of deoxycholate plus Mg 2+ -activated ATPase. Mitochondria prepared in the presence of EDTA are more resistant to ultraviolet damage than are controls. Evidence is also presented which indicates that mitochondrial ATPases are more labile to the inactivating effects of ultraviolet light when they are bound to, or part of, the mitochondrial structure than when they are in a soluble form.
Early Jurassic extensional basin formation in the Daqing Shan segment of the Yinshan belt, northern North China Block, Inner Mongolia

Abstract Structural and stratigraphic studies of the western Daqing Shan segment of the Yinshan belt have recognized an Early Jurassic extensional episode supported by several lines of evidence. First, normal faults cut the lowermost Jurassic sequence and are overlapped by younger Lower Jurassic rocks. Second, Lower Jurassic rocks include growth strata in small-scale graben at the base of the Jurassic basin. Third, rapid lateral facies changes are mapped from boulder conglomerates along the basin-bounding faults to lacustrine and meandering fluvial rocks in the basin center. Fourth, paleodrainage systems provided sediment input from three sides of the basin, two transverse and one axial. Finally, there is a strongly asymmetric distribution of coarse proximal and fine distal facies within the basin. The Early Jurassic extensional episode was responsible for formation of an east-trending half-graben basin in the western Daqing Shan in which at least 1800 m of syn-extensional nonmarine sediments accumulated and are preserved. Previous studies in the Triassic and Jurassic of other parts of northwest and north-central China have concluded that the early Mesozoic was a time of continental amalgamation and contractile deformation. The recognition of an Early Jurassic extensional episode along the northern margin of the North China Block is problematic in this context, at least superficially. We propose two possible explanations for the Early Jurassic extension: transtension associated with strike-slip tectonics, or gravitational collapse of a pre-existing Late Paleozoic–Early Mesozoic contractile orogenic belt. The first possibility, transtensional deformation, is problematic because specific strike-slip faults have not been identified that could control extension in the western Daqing Shan. However, several lines of evidence allow the possibility of such a driving mechanism, including: documented Early Jurassic transtensional systems in the southwestern North China Block, several candidate strike-slip faults along the China–Mongolia border region, structural discontinuity between the Daqing Shan and southern Mongolia, and along strike-changes in structural style within the Yinshan belt. The second possibility, orogenic collapse, is similarly difficult to establish because of the limited amount of data concerning the regional distribution and orientation of pre-Jurassic contractile structures and Early Jurassic extensional structures. However, documented Late Paleozoic–Triassic contractile deformation, as well as the close temporal and spatial association, and parallelism between Early Jurassic extensional structures and older contractile structures in the western Daqing Shan requires consideration of gravitational collapse as a driving mechanism for Early Jurassic extension in the Yinshan belt.
Synthesis and characterization of unsymmetrical benzonitrile‐containing polyimides: Viscosity‐lowering effect and dielectric properties

A new unsymmetrical diamine, 2-(3-aminophenoxy)-6-(4-aminophenoxy)benzonitrile (3,4-APBN), is synthesized via two consecutive SNAr reactions and the temperature-dependent reactivity of the fluorides in 2,6-difluorobenzonitrile, whose first SNAr reaction occurs at 70 °C and second, at 100 °C, allowing timing control of reaction sequence and circumventing the transetherification side reaction. Thus, a series of polyimides (PIs) is prepared from the polymerization of 3,4-APBN with five common dianhydrides (6FDA, DSDA, OPDA, BTDA, and PMDA). For comparison, a second series is also prepared from two symmetrical diamines ([2,6-bis(3-aminophenoxy)benzonitrile (3,3-APBN) and 2,6-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzonitrile (4,4-APBN)] and 6FDA or PMDA. The processability of the poly(amic acids) (PAAs), for the first series is greatly improved since their solution viscosities are much lower than PAAs based on symmetrical diamines. Besides having high glass-transition temperatures (249–332 °C), and thermal stability [5% weight loss in the range of 505–542 °C (air) and 512–546 °C (nitrogen)], these PIs form tough, transparent and flexible films that have a tensile-strength range of 82.1–121.3 MPa, elongations-at-break of 5.33–9.81%, and tensile moduli of 2.11–2.97 GPa. Their film dielectric constants are 3.08–3.62 at 10 kHz, moderately higher than that (2.92) of analogous PI (CP2) without nitrile groups. Overall, we found that the reduction of structural symmetry in repeat units can improve the polymer processibility as well as increasing their dielectric constants. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 4998–5011
Tracking Monotonically Advancing Boundaries in Image Sequences Using Graph Cuts and Recursive Kernel Shape Priors

We introduce a probabilistic computer vision technique to track monotonically advancing boundaries of objects within image sequences. Our method incorporates a novel technique for including statistical prior shape information into graph-cut based segmentation, with the aid of a majorization-minimization algorithm. Extension of segmentation from single images to image sequences then follows naturally using sequential Bayesian estimation. Our methodology is applied to two unrelated sets of real biomedical imaging data, and a set of synthetic images. Our results are shown to be superior to manual segmentation.
Infants’ use and weighting of prosodic cues in clause segmentation

Abstract This paper investigates the acoustic properties of speech used by infant listeners to discover clauses in continuous speech. In a series of experiments using the Headturn Preference procedure, 6-month-old infants’ use and weighting of prosodic cues in their segmentation of clauses in continuous speech was explored. The experiments sequentially featured each of three acoustic correlates of syntactic boundaries (pause duration, pitch, and preboundary lengthening) and examined whether infants’ performance on clause segmentation tasks remained the same or was degraded as the result of the loss of one or more of these correlates of a syntactic boundary. In this way, information concerning the perceptual weighting of these cues was elucidated. Results of these experiments suggest that while pitch is a necessary cue for 6-month-old English-learning infants, it is not a sufficient cue to segment clauses. Rather, the converging cues of pitch and pause or pitch and preboundary length are necessary. These results suggest that, although infants do not seem to weight these prosodic cues the same as adult listeners do, nonetheless, by 6 months of age they have already become attuned to some of the weighting of prosodic cues present in their input language and do not treat all cues equally.
Multiple periodic oscillations in a nonlinear suspension bridge system

In this paper, we study periodic oscillations in a suspension bridge system governed by the coupled nonlinear wave and beam equations describing oscillations in the supporting cable and roadbed under periodic external forces. By applying a variational reduction method, it is proved that the suspension bridge system has at least three periodic oscillations.
A damage constitutive model of progressive debonding in aligned discontinuous fiber composites

Abstract A micromechanical damage constitutive model is presented to predict the overall elastoplastic behavior and damage evolution in aligned discontinuous fiber polymer composites (AFPCs). In an attempt to estimate the overall elastoplastic-damage responses, an effective yield criterion is micromechanically derived based on the ensemble-volume averaging process and first-order (noninteracting) effects of eigenstrains stemming from the existence of (prolate) spheroidal fibers. The proposed effective yield criterion, in conjunction with the assumed overall associative plastic flow rule and hardening law, provides analytical foundation for the estimation of effective elastoplastic behavior of ductile matrix composites. Uniaxial elastoplastic stress–strain behavior of AFPCs is also investigated. An evolutionary interfacial debonding is subsequently employed in accordance with Weibull's probability function to characterize the varying probability of fiber debonding. Finally, the present damage model is compared with Halpin–Tsai's bounds for stiffness predictions and is applied to uniaxial loading to illustrate the damage behavior of AFPCs.
The Effect of Scanning Power on AISI 434L Stainless Steel-Based Composite Laser Cladding Coatings

In this experiment, several coatings, which were used 434L ferrite stainless steel powders and B4C powders as raw material, were prepared under different laser scanning power. The samples of the coatings were detected by XRD and EDS, and observed by OM and SEM. The results are shown as follow: when laser scanning power is 1800W, the cladding layer contains FeB and CrB6, as scanning power increasing, these two phases disappear in cladding layer, and Fe2B and CrB are detected in the layer. Fe2B, CrFeB, (Cr Fe)7C3, Fe-Cr solid solution are found in all samples no matter which laser scanning power are changed to prepare cladding layers The morphology of phases rich boron and carbon transform from an irregular layer-like shape to a cycle-like or a bar-like one with the scanning power increasing.
Reciprocal diffusions and stochastic differential equations of second order

We develop a theory of second order diffusion processes and associated stochastic differential equations of second order. We show that equations of evolution of the density, mean velocity and momentum flux are a family of first order conservation laws similar to those of continuum mechanics. We verify that the theory is satisfied for a large class of reciprocal Gaussian processes
Sedative effects of antihistamines: safety, performance, learning, and quality of life.

Antihistamines are frequently part of the treatment regimen for seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis occurring alone or in conjunction with associated airway disorders, such as asthma, sinusitis, and otitis media with effusion. These agents are also frequently prescribed for the treatment of urticaria to eliminate the need for long-term corticosteroids. This paper reviews the side-effect profile of the sedating and nonsedating agents (a classification given these drugs by the US Food and Drug Administration) in terms of patient satisfaction and quality-of-life parameters. Because the sedating antihistamines cross the blood-brain barrier more quickly and easily than the nonsedating antihistamines, they produce more central nervous system (CNS) effects, further exacerbating the decreases in decision-making, verbal learning, and psychomotor skills already experienced by the patient with allergic rhinitis. In contrast, the now-preferred nonsedating agents do not readily cross the blood-brain barrier, do not produce CNS side effects, and, therefore, do not cause sedation or performance impairment. The nonsedating agents provide a safer alternative for patients with allergic rhinitis. Their use can increase patient satisfaction with the health care received.
Structure and origins of the HZ2-feline sarcoma virus

Abstract The HZ2-feline sarcoma virus (HZ2-FeSV) is a replication-defective acute transforming feline retrovirus with oncogene homology to Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV) (P. Besmer, W. D. Hardy, Jr., E. E. Zuckerman, P.1. Bergold, L. Lederman, and H. W. Snyder, Jr. (1983) Nature (London) 303, 825–828). In contrast to A-MuLV which was isolated from a hematopoietic tumor, the HZ2-FeSV derives from a multicentric fibrosarcoma. We have molecularly cloned the HZ2-FeSV provirus from mink HZ2-FeSV nonproducer cells. The molecularly cloned HZ2-FeSV provirus is biologically active upon transfection of NIH 3T3 indicator cells. The genetic structure of the HZ2-FeSV provirus was determined by EM heteroduplex and Southern blot analysis. The HZ2-FeSV has a 6.8 kb-viral genome with the structure: 5′ Δgag - abl - Δpo - Δenv 3′. The abl insert, which is 1.4 kb, is located 1.9 kb from the 5′ end and 3.5 kb from the 3′ end of the viral genome. The 5′ 1.9 kb in the HZ2-FeSV are colinear with 5′ FeLV sequences, and the 3′ 3.5 kb are colinear with 3′ FeLV sequences, with the exception of a 0.85-kb deletion in the env gene. HZ2-FeSV v- abl and A-MuLV v- abl share 1.2 kb of abl sequences which are known to specify the protein kinase domain of the abl gene product and are necessary for fibroblast transformation in vitro . The DNA from several tumor tissues of cat 3590 from which the HZ2-FeSV was obtained was found to contain several HZ2-FeSV-related proviruses including the HZ2-FeSV. The variant HZ2-FeSVs have indistinguishable 5′ gag-abl sequences; however, they differ in 3′ sequences which likely do not include any abl sequences. The DNAs from fibrosercomas obtained by inoculation of kittens with tumor extract were found to contain variant HZ2-FeSV proviruses as well. Taken together these results indicate a role for the HZ2-FeSVs in sarcomagenesis.
Determination of the “NiOOH” charge and discharge mechanisms at ideal activity

Abstract Optimization of electrodeposition conditions produced Ni(OH)2 deposits chargeable up to 1.84 ± 0.02 e− per Ni on and the resulting nickel oxide/hydroxide active material could subsequently deliver 1.58 ± 0.02 e− per Ni ion (462 mA h/g) over a potential range
Push−Pull Arylethynyl Porphyrins: New Chromophores That Exhibit Large Molecular First-Order Hyperpolarizabilities

A new class of chromophores has been fabricated that features both electron-releasing and electron-withdrawing groups fused via an intervening ethynyl moiety to the carbon framework of a (porphinato)metal complex. These species possess large molecular first-order hyperpolarizabilities (β). We report herein the synthesis, optical spectroscopy, and the hyper-Rayleigh scattering data used to determine the β values of two archetypal members of this new class of exceptional nonlinear chromophores: [5-[[4‘-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethynyl]-15-[(4‘‘-nitrophenyl)ethynyl]-10,20-diphenylporphinato]copper(II) and [5-[[4‘-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethynyl]-15-[(4‘‘-nitrophenyl)ethynyl]-10,20-diphenylporphinato]zinc(II). One of these compounds, [5-[[4‘-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethynyl]-15-[(4‘‘-nitrophenyl)ethynyl]-10,20-diphenylporphinato]zinc(II), possesses β values near 5000 × 10-30 esu at incident irradiation wavelengths of both 830 and 1064 nm. These studies suggest that this chromophoric structural motif may find utility...
The Secular Basis of the Separation of Church and State: Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, and Tocqueville

Abstract In this article, I argue that John Locke presents a novel understanding of “ecclesiastical liberty” that allows him to use it as the basis for separating religion from politics, church from state, in a manner favorable to secular interests and power. Montesquieu and Toqueville understood this approach and adapted and modified it to conditions in France and America.
Performance evaluation of ambulatory surgery centres: an efficiency approach.

This paper evaluates the performance of 198 ambulatory surgery centres (ASCs) operating in the State of Pennsylvania during the fiscal year 2006. Performance is assessed from technical efficiency view using data envelopment analysis (DEA). Multi-input/output model included two inputs: number of operating rooms and labour, and patient surgical visits differentiated by age groups: 0–17, 18–64, 65+ as three outputs. Input oriented models were employed to assess various DEA efficiency models. Results show that about 48 (24%) of ASCs are efficient with a mean efficiency score of 0.60. The results also indicate that appropriate utilization of operating rooms and labour inputs are the main determinants of ASC efficiency.
A Diagnostic System for Optimization of the External Beam Quality of the Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron

The parameters of the external beam that are of prime importance to the experimenter are the emittance, energy spread, intensity of analyzed beam, and time structure. Diagnostic equipment has been developed for routine measurement and optimization of these parameters.
Metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma to the eye.

Abstract Merkel cell carcinoma is an infrequent but highly aggressive cutaneous neoplasm. Previous reports of ocular involvement have included primary eyelid carcinomas, eyelid and orbital metastases, and a clinically diagnosed choroidal metastasis. The authors report the histopathologic documentation of a metastatic lesion to the ciliary body, confirming the intraocular metastatic potential of this tumor.
An implantable fluid transfer system for treatment of impotence

Abstract The feasibility of using pressurized elastic tubing implanted within the penis as a means for volitional erection control is demonstrated. This is achieved by replacement of the corpora cavernosa with tubes that can assume either buckled or beam-like (erection) state. depending on fluid pressure. Two secondary pressurization systems are developed, one with and one without valves. This technique offers an alternative to rigid rod prosthesis implantation for treatment of impotence.
Pursuing a Field of Critical Catholic Studies

As co-chairs of the Roman Catholic Studies group of the American Academy of Religion (AAR), we have facilitated conference programs that featured insightful, eloquent scholars doing groundbreaking work in history and theology. Yet the conversation in sessions, especially after very strong papers, often was characterized by a nagging sense of irrelevance. Why were the only folks who attended sessions for Roman Catholic Studies primarily other folks in Roman Catholic Studies? Why did our sessions not draw a broader range of scholars? Was our field a specialized, esoteric conversation among the usual suspects, or did the study of Roman Catholicism have something distinctive to contribute to larger questions about religion and human culture, about violence, philosophical meaning, and human flourishing? The steering committee of the Roman Catholic Studies Group decided to address this sense of intellectual marginalization directly, focusing the program of the 2013 annual meeting of the AAR around the concept of "critical Catholic Studies." Our goal was to move beyond the standard "state of the field" appraisals toward a more robust (and potentially contentious) conversation about the forces, approaches, and assumptions that have limited the intellectual scope and heft of Catholic Studies. Inviting an interdisciplinary conversation, we asked scholars to consider what kinds of critical apparatus emerging in other fields might push against Catholic Studies and challenge it toward greater insight, clarity, scope. And – just as important – we asked scholars to identify specific theoretical issues, methodological approaches, and interpretive frameworks emerging from the study of Roman Catholicism that either enhance or challenge scholarly paradigms in Religious Studies. Our hope was to unearth those unique contributions Catholic Studies might bring to important scholarly discussions of gender, race, and imperialism, among others. The essays
The molecular weight of a-chymotrypsinogen

Abstract The molecular weight of crystalline a-chymotrypsinogen has been determined from amino acid analysis, light-scattering, and sedimentation-diffusion measurements. The values obtained by the use of these methods are, respectively, 25,100, 26,000 and 24,200. These values, together with the recently reported X-ray estimate of 25,000, converge toward 25,000 as the most probable molecular weight of a-chymotrypsinogen.
Sufficient conditions for flow admission control in wireless ad-hoc networks

Wireless nodes within the same vicinity contend with each other for accessing the shared wireless medium. The contention constraints for sharing the medium depend on the medium access control (MAC) protocol that administers the accessibility of the network. In a previous work, we derived a set of sufficient conditions under which rates of all the flows are feasible given a MAC protocol. In this paper, we derive a new set of sufficient conditions that are better than those developed earlier. We show that these conditions are useful in solving many problems such as linear programming-based routing and admission control for QoS routing. We also evaluate, compare and discuss the performance of the derived sufficient conditions through simulation studies.
Influence of screening on the superconductive transition temperature

We extend the Morel-Anderson model, originally developed to account for the superconductive transition temperature, ${T}_{c},$ of the elements, so that it accounts for the complete phase line for ${T}_{c}$ of disordered systems over the full range of metallic behavior, from the pure metal to the extinction of the metallic state at the metal-insulator transition. The cornerstone of this model is the calculation of the BCS interaction potential, V, and the single-particle density of states, N, using the Landau theory for interacting fermions evaluated with a screened Coulomb interaction potential. Thus, an interpolation is established between Fermi liquid behavior and the critical regime where disorder and Coulomb interactions define the metal-insulator transition. Experimental values for ${T}_{c},$ N, and V were compared with these predictions and the agreement was excellent. Furthermore, since the model is expressed entirely in terms of parameters that may be calculated or measured, it has predictive powers that may prove useful in the search for $\mathrm{h}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{g}\mathrm{h}\ensuremath{-}{T}_{c}$ materials.
Enforcement in Sherman Alexie's INDIAN KILLER

Concerning the American Indian, Ward Churchill proposes that the Other is denied the chance to tell his or her own story. In “Literature and the Colonization of American Indians,” he proposes that ...
Extreme cold air outbreaks over the United States, the polar vortex, and the large-scale circulation

[1] Extreme cold air outbreaks (CAOs) affect a large region of the midlatitudes during the winter months. An objective criterion was developed for identifying and ranking the 30 most extreme CAOs over the eastern United States using observational surface temperatures for November–March 1948–2002. A composite of these events shows that the tropospheric polar vortex is weaker than average prior to CAO onset, while the vortex strengthens following CAO onset. There is also very little correlation between the strength of the polar vortex and the intensity of CAOs. These results suggest that the polar vortex is generally not a useful forecasting tool by itself in predicting the timing and severity of a CAO event. Additionally, other large-scale circulation features were examined to see whether CAO events occur in response or subsequent to teleconnection anomalies over the North Pacific and North Atlantic. It was found that the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is negative prior to onset of the composite CAO but becomes positive approximately 5 days after onset. This suggests that there is some predictability in the Atlantic and European weather during CAOs on timescales of 3 to 6 days. The Pacific–North American (PNA) teleconnection pattern becomes increasingly positive during onset of the composite CAO. Even though the largest 500 mb height anomalies in the composite CAO do not align closely with the nodes of the PNA pattern, the deepening of the 500 mb trough over the eastern United States following CAO onset appears to be directly responsible for the increase in the composite PNA.
A 2-DOF MEMS Positioning System

We report on the design, fabrication, and testing of a 2 degree of freedom MEMS positioning system. Sandia National Laboratories' MEMS foundry process was utilized for the fabrication of the device; this process incorporates five layers of polysilicon and four sacrificial layers of silicon dioxide. The actuation was achieved by identical comb-drives on both axes. The comb drives produce a displacement of ~ 4 μm which was amplified to ~ 30 μm by the use of a distance multiplier. A pin and track arrangement in the X and Y arms, extending from the actuator assembly, allows bi-axis motion. The stage is connected to the central pin. For testing the performance of the fabricated design a custom made optical characterization setup was assembled. To provide the actuation signals to the stage, a Keithley 2400 source meter was programmed using LabView to provide actuation voltages from 0-100 V with a 2 volt step. An optical microscope, interfaced with a Canon S5 IS digital camera, was used to record the actuation events for the measurement of in-plane displacement. Displacement at the various actuation voltages was obtained using a National Instruments' Vision image analysis software routine. The device has been tested and demonstrates a useful design for realizing a bi-directional 2-D positioning system. The positioning system is capable of 0 - 30 μm of motion in both the X and Y axes, with displacement showing a quadratic relationship with the applied voltage.