cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design an Input Shaper to Reduce Operation-Induced Vibration

This paper proposes an input shaper, which is insensitive to the error in estimating the vibration information, to eliminate residual vibration and also to reduce the transit vibration induced by the operation of a flexible mechanical system. The input shaper, which preconditions the command input and suppresses multiple vibration modes, is designed by a pole/zero placement approach based on estimated system poles. This pole/zero placement method provides better performance and easier design procedures than existing input shaping algorithms. Transfer function analysis shows that proposed shaper actually resembles a notch filter that has zero gain and zero derivative at the poles to be suppressed. However, the input alteration due to the shaper limits this approach to point-to-point operations, or relatively slow tracking operations.
Position Cues and Reward Memories as Compatible Components of Serial Learning

Abstract Rats were runway trained on three-trial series of different reward events, plain pellets (P), sucrose pellets (S), and nonreward (N). The series were constructed so that the position of the N event was always a valid cue for N. The relative validity of the P and S events, and their respective memories as cues, was manipulated by holding the reward kind constant, PSN or SPN (Experiment 1) and SNS and PNS, or SNP and PNP (Experiment 2), or by varying the reward kind from series to series (PSN, SSN, PPN, and SPN; Experiment 1). In both experiments, transfer tests to series with equivalent numbers of nonreward trials (NNN) or reward trials (SSS or PPP) showed that the pattern of approach, fast on P and S trials and slow on N, that developed under all training conditions was retained in the transfer tests. The transfer results implicate control by position cues under conditions that might otherwise have been interpreted only by reference to reward memories.
Hydrogen versus synthetic fossil fuels

Abstract The fuels most considered for the post petroleum and natural gas era, hydrogen (gaseous and liquid) and synthetic fluid fossil fuels, have been compared by taking into account production costs, utilization efficiencies and environmental effects. Three different cost bases have been used for hydrogen depending on the primary energy sources used in its production. The results show that hydrogen is a much more cost effective energy carrier than synthetic fossil fuels. In addition to its environmental and efficiency benefits, hydrogen causes resource conservation, savings in transportation and capital investment, and reduction in inflation.
Whole body motion-detection tasks can yield much lower thresholds than direction-recognition tasks: implications for the role of vibration

Earlier spatial orientation studies used both motion-detection (e.g., did I move?) and direction-recognition (e.g., did I move left/right?) paradigms. The purpose of our study was to compare thresh...
Sonic diagnosis of bone fracture healing—A preliminary study

Abstract The definition of bone fracture healing onset, progress and extent is a difficult clinical diagnosis. Available criteria of manual stability, X-ray appearance, symptomatic pain and passage of time are indeed valuable, but subjective in nature. This study explores the transmission and comparative measurement of stress wave disturbances across a fracture site as a technique of quantifying the union state. Results from laboratory animal experimentation and subsequent clinical usage indicate a potentially valuable method has been developed.
Chromosome distribution: experiments on cell hybrids and in vitro

Ostergren (1951) provided a simple explanation for both chromosome distribution in mitosis and chromosome segregation in meiosis, and more recently a molecular extension of his hypothesis has been possible. This report focuses on experimental tests of these ideas. Micromanipulation experiments on cell hybrids containing both meiotic and mitotic spindles demonstrate that differences in meiotic and mitotic chromosome behaviour are determined by something intrinsic to the chromosome : meiotic chromosomes transferred to a mitotic spindle (or vice versa) behave just as they normally would. The molecular explanation postulates polarized growth or binding of microtubules at kinetochores. This has just been tested in vitro by McGill & Brinkley (1975) and by Telzer, Moses & Rosenbaum (1975), and their results are reviewed. In addition, a novel method for in vitro studies is described - mechanical demembranation of cells which is compatible with quite normal chromosome movement in anaphase. After addition of microtubule subunits to a demembranated prophase cell, chromosome orientation and movement toward an aster was observed for the first time in vitro . It is concluded that important aspects of chromosome distribution are probably understood at both the cellular and molecular levels, but final tests are still required. The outlook is hopeful indeed because the gaps in our knowledge are well known - the necessity of observations on prophase is a recurrent theme - and the means of filling the gaps are in hand. (At the discussion meeting itself, part of this work was presented as a cine film.)
From Cannibal Tours to cargo cult: On the aftermath of tourism in the Sepik River, Papua New Guinea:

This article challenges the moral parable of the film Cannibal Tours by drawing on long-term ethnographic research in a Iatmul-speaking village along the Sepik River, Papua New Guinea—one of the ve...
Tunable delays via conversion-dispersion using on-chip four-wave-mixing

We demonstrate tunable optical delays of 10 Gbit/s data pulses over a total range of 12 ns using a combination of wavelength conversion via four-wave-mixing on a silicon chip and a dispersive element.
Depression, Perception of Illness and Mortality in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease

A role of depression in affecting outcome in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) has been suggested but few have assessed psychological parameters and medical factors thought to influence survival simultaneously and prospectively. To assess whether depression or perception of illness influences survival in patients treated for ESRD, we prospectively evaluated fifty-seven patients with ESRD treated with hemodialysis (HD, n = 43) or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD, n = 14). Patients were interviewed and completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Illness Effects Questionnaire (IEQ). An ESRD severity coefficient was used to measure chronic illness severity. A cognitive item subset of the BDI (CDI) was used as an additional measure of depression. One and two years later, records were examined to determine survival. When initial results of the assessment of survivors and non-survivors were compared, at one year follow-up, there were no differences in mean age, duration of dia...
Rain Cell Size Statistics Derived from Radar Observations at Wallops Island, Virginia

Results of an investigation are given describing two-di-two-dimensional rain cell size statistics employing radar and disdrometer data bases spanning more than 5 years and all seasons. Radar data were obtained employing the SPANDAR radar located at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Virginia. These data corresponded to approximately 100 low-elevation azimuthal antenna scans encompassing 17 rain days. For each of these rain days, disdrometer data were also obtained. Analysis of the regression relations relating the rain rates to the disdrometer data enabled the determination of least square fit radar reflectivity factors. The individual disdrometer results along with the radar data were employed with a contouring program. More than 22 000 contours were generated, where each isopleth belonged to predefined rain rate intervals. Computing the areas of each of these contours, statistics were generated relating the equi-circle contour diameters and rain rate categories. Two types of contour have been analyzed. One pertained to the above-described isopleth regardless of the rain rate levels interior to it. Another type corresponded to those isopleths in which the rain rates interior to it were equal or greater than the isopleth values. These isopleths were referred to as "total" and "cell" contours, respectively. An abundance of total and cell contours were observed belonging to all rain rate categories. In particular, a dominant number of smallarea contours were observed belonging to the lower rain rate levels. The results showed that the average and median "equi-circle" cell contour diameters were 2.4 and 1.9 km, respectively.
Receiver-Window Modified Random Early Detection (RED-RWM) Active Queue Management Scheme: Modeling and Analysis

In this paper, we present a mathematical model for a novel TCP congestion control approach called Receiver-Window Modification (RWM). RWM could be used with any of the present Active Queue Management (AQM) schemes, such as Random Early Detection (RED), Adaptive Random Early Detection (ARED), and BLUE queues to reduce congestion at the ingress and gateway routers. We extend the work done on stochastic modeling of RED-ECN gateways to RED-RWM gateways. Using this model, we provide a weak convergence theorem for the number of connections; thus leading the way to more relaxed configuration of RED-RWM gateway parameters. We use a Monte Carlo simulation method to compare outcomes of our mathematical model with those of NS2 simulation experiments.
"Pink spots" in formalin-fixed brains--poor fixation or bacterial byproduct?

Circumscribed pink areas 0.3–1.0 cm in diameter seen in the deeper parts of otherwise well-fixed brains are usually ascribed to inadequate fixation. Twenty-three patients with pink areas in their fixed brains had evidence of inflammation in at least one organ. Blood vessels in the pink areas contained bacteria. Postmortem cultures identified the organisms in 16 cases. Gram-negative bacteria were the most common. Sharply delineated pink areas in well-fixed brains correlate with postmortem intravascular growth of bacteria.
Segmentation of textured images based on fractals and image filtering

This paper describes a new approach to the segmentation of textured gray-scale images based on image pre-"ltering and fractal features.Traditionally, "lter bank decomposition methods consider the energy in each band as the textural feature, a parameter that is highly dependent on image intensity.In this paper, we use fractal-based features which depend more on textural characteristics and not intensity information.To reduce the total number of features used in the segmentation, the signi"cance of each feature is examined using a test similar to the F-test, and less signi"cant features are not used in the clustering process.The commonly used K-means algorithm is extended to an iterative K-means by using a variable window size that preserves boundary details.The number of clusters is estimated using an improved hierarchical approach that ignores information extracted around region boundaries. 2001 Pattern Recognition Society.Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.All rights reserved.
Intermittent HIV-1 Viremia (Blips) and Drug Resistance in Patients Receiving HAART

ContextMany patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy experience intermittent episodes of detectable viremia (“blips”), which may raise concerns about drug resistance, lead to costly repeat measurements of viral RNA, and sometimes trigger alterations in therapy.ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that blips represent random biological and statistical variation around mean steady-state HIV-1 RNA levels slightly below 50 copies/mL rather than biologically significant elevations in viremia.Design, Setting, and PatientsBetween June 19, 2003, and February 9, 2004, patients receiving therapy underwent intensive sampling (every 2-3 days) over 3 to 4 months to define the frequency, magnitude, and duration of blips and their association with drug levels and other clinical variables. Blips were defined as HIV-1 RNA measurements greater than or equal to 50 copies/mL preceded and followed by measurements less than 50 copies/mL without a change in treatment. To determine whether blips result from or lead to drug resistance, an ultrasensitive genotyping assay was used to detect drug resistance mutations before, during, and after blips. Patients were 10 HIV-1–infected asymptomatic adults recruited by clinicians and followed up in the Moore Clinic at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Patients had suppression of viremia to below 50 copies/mL while receiving a stable antiretroviral regimen for 6 months or longer.Main Outcome MeasuresAt each time point, plasma HIV-1 RNA levels were measured in 2 independent laboratories and drug resistance mutations were analyzed by clonal sequencing.ResultsWith the intensive sampling, blips were detected in 9 of 10 patients. Statistical analysis was consistent with random assay variation around a mean viral load below 50 copies/mL. Blips were not concordant on independent testing and had a short duration (median, <3 days) and low magnitude (median, 79 copies/mL). Blip frequency was not associated with demographic, clinical, or treatment variables. Blips did not occur in relation to illness, vaccination, or directly measured antiretroviral drug concentrations. Blips were marginally associated (P = .08) with reported episodes of nonadherence. Most importantly, in approximately 1000 independent clones sequenced for both protease and reverse transcriptase, no new resistance mutations were seen before, during, or shortly after blips.ConclusionMost blips in this population appear to represent random biological and statistical variation around mean HIV-1 levels below 50 copies/mL rather than clinically significant elevations in viremia.
Paternal Deletion from Snrpn to Ube3a in the Mouse Causes Hypotonia, Growth Retardation and Partial Lethality and Provides Evidence for a Gene Contributing to Prader-Willi Syndrome

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is caused by paternal deficiency of human chromosome 15q11-q13. There is conflicting evidence from human translocations regarding the direct involvement of SNRPN in the pathogenesis of PWS and it is not known if the phenotypic features result from the loss of expression of a single imprinted gene or multiple genes. In an attempt to dissect genotype/phenotype correlations for the homologous region of mouse chromosome 7C, we prepared three mutant genotypes: (i) mice with a deletion of Snrpn exon 2, which removes a portion of a small, upstream open reading frame (ORF); (ii) mice with double targeting for Snrpn exon 2 and Ube3a; (iii) mice deleted from Snrpn to Ube3a, removing coding exons for both loci and intervening genes. Mice deleted for Snrpn exon 2 have no obvious phenotypic abnormalities and switching of the genomic imprint for the region is conserved. Mice carrying the Snrpn - Ube3a deletion on the paternal chromosome showed severe growth retardation, hypotonia and approximately 80% lethality before weaning. The surviving mice were fertile and were not obese up to 14 months of age. The deletion was transmitted for multiple generations and continued to cause partial lethality when inherited paternally, but not when inherited maternally. The normal imprinted expression and methylation patterns of necdin, a gene outside the deletion region, indicate that the deletion is not an imprinting mutation. The data suggest the presence of a paternally expressed structural gene between Snrpn and Ipw whose deficiency causes lethality, although other possibilities exist, including position effects on expression of imprinted genes or that simultaneous deficiency of both ORFs of Snrpn causes lethality.
Assessing a signal model and identifying brain activity from fMRI data by a detrending-based fractal analysis.

One of the major challenges of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data analysis is to develop simple and reliable methods to correlate brain regions with functionality. In this paper, we employ a detrending-based fractal method, called detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), to identify brain activity from fMRI data. We perform three tasks: (a) Estimating noise level from experimental fMRI data; (b) Assessing a signal model recently introduced by Birn et al.; and (c) Evaluating the effectiveness of DFA for discriminating brain activations from artifacts. By computing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, we find that the ROC curve for experimental data is similar to the curve for simulated data with similar signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This suggests that the proposed algorithm for estimating noise level is very effective and that Birn’s model fits our experimental data very well. The brain activation maps for experimental data derived by DFA are similar to maps derived by deconvolution using a widely used software, AFNI. Considering that deconvolution explicitly uses the information about the experimental paradigm to extract the activation patterns whereas DFA does not, it remains to be seen whether one can effectively integrate the two methods to improve accuracy for detecting brain areas related to functional activity.
Quartile and Outlier Detection on Heterogeneous Clusters Using Distributed Radix Sort

In the past few years, performance improvements in CPUs and memory technologies have outpaced those of storage systems. When extrapolated to the exascale, this trend places strict limits on the amount of data that can be written to disk for full analysis, resulting in an increased reliance on characterizing in-memory data. Many of these characterizations are simple, but require sorted data. This paper explores an example of this type of characterization -- the identification of quartiles and statistical outliers -- and presents a performance analysis of a distributed heterogeneous radix sort as well as an assessment of current architectural bottlenecks.
Feedback control of selected biosynthetic activities of chondrocytes in culture.

The syntheses of proteoglycans and proteins by chondrocytes from the Swarm rat chondrosarcoma in primary cultures were modulated on the addition of matrical molecules. In the presence of hyaluronan, collagen or proteoglycan aggregates the synthesis of proteoglycans was depressed. The synthesis of collagen was also depressed in the presence of hyaluronan or collagen. In the presence of proteoglycan monomers, the incorporation of 35S-sulfate was enhanced in proportion to the concentration of the additive in the medium; the synthesis of protein was unaffected. The proteoglycan monomers synthesized in the presence of proteoglycan monomers were larger than those synthesized in their absence. In combinations, the exogenous macromolecules did not affect the selected biosynthetic activities to an extent greater than that which they exerted separately. The data suggest, however, that the proteoglycan monomers can counteract the inhibitory effects of the macromolecules which are inhibitory. The data, moreover, sugg...
Investigation of the fracture mechanism in Ti-5Al-2.5Sn at cryogenic temperatures

Fractography and metallographic sectioning were used to investigate the influence of microstructure on the fracture mechanism and fracture toughness (KIC) of normal interstitial and extra low interstitial (ELI) Ti-5Al-25Sn at 20 K (-423 F) and 77 K (-320 F). Plates of each grade were mill annealed at 815 C followed by either air or furnace cooling. These variations in composition and cooling rate resulted in differences in the volume fraction and internal structure of the dispersed beta phase and in the ordering of the alpha matrix. The ELI alloys were tougher than the normal interstitial plates. KIC of the furnace-cooled ELI plate was 25% lower than that of the air-cooled ELI material. Variations in cooling rate had no influence of KIC of the normal interstitial alloys. Fractography showed that a large portion of the fracture surfaces were covered with elongated dimples. Metallographic sections of specimens deformed at 77 K showed that these features form at the intersections of slip bands or deformation twins with grain or twin boundaries. Ordering and higher interstitial levels increase the local strain in slip bands resulting in void nucleation at lower macroscopic strains and lower KIC values.
Effects of temperature and molecular oxygen on the use of atmospheric pressure plasma as a novel method for insect control.

Helium atmospheric pressure plasma discharge (APPD) was previously shown to have insecticidal activity with a possible site of action on the insect nervous, neuromuscular system, or both. In the current study, methods to increase the insecticidal activity of plasma by using increased APPD temperature and the introduction of molecular oxygen were investigated for the first time. An increase in the helium plasma temperature from 37 to 50°C increased the insecticidal activity of plasma for the control of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.); western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande); and citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso). This increase in activity could not be explained by the increase in air temperature alone, and it suggests that the enhanced insecticidal activity resulted from increased ionization of the APPD and ion bombardment of the insect. Emission spectroscopy showed that the introduction of 0.5% oxygen into helium plasma produced ionic molecular oxygen at 559.7 and 597.3 nm. The introduction of oxygen to the APPD greatly increased the insecticidal activity of plasma for the citrus mealybug but not the German cockroach or western flower thrips. For the mealybug as an example, the mortality of a 60-s exposure of 37°C helium plasma was 0% at 1 h after exposure and 100% under the same conditions after the introduction of oxygen. It seems that increases in temperature and the introduction of oxygen even at low levels can increase the insecticidal activity of plasma to varying degrees depending on the insect species. The symptomology of cockroach death for both hot plasma and plasma containing trace amounts of molecular oxygen continued to suggest that the site of action of APPD is the insect nervous system, neuromuscular system, or both.
Precision and Bias in Aging Northern Pike: Comparisons among Four Calcified Structures

AbstractAge estimates based on calcified structures are central to the analysis and management of fish populations. A variety of structures have been used in studies of Northern Pike Esox lucius despite limited data on whether the structures provide comparable results. We quantified precision and bias of ages estimated from cleithra, otoliths, anal fin rays, and scales of Northern Pike sampled in tributaries of Green Bay, Lake Michigan. For three independent readers, the precision (CV) of age estimates did not significantly differ among otoliths, cleithra, and anal fin rays but was significantly lower for scales than for the other structures. Similarly, partial agreement among readers was greater than 90% for ages estimated from otoliths, cleithra, and anal fin rays, whereas partial agreement was 76% for scale-based ages. We discuss the tradeoffs associated with precision and bias for each structure in the context of reader experience, fish age, and management goals. We recommend that when fish mortality ...
Existence Theorems I

In Chapters 6 and 7, we shall attempt to answer the question which we raised in Section 3.55, and we shall show that, under certain circumstances, if F is a compact subset of \( {mathbb{S}^2} \) and Y is a WATI subset [respectively ATI subset] of F, then there exists a flow ϕ in \( {mathbb{S}^2} \), such that $$ F(\varphi )\, = \,F\,{\text{and}}\,S{\text{(}}\varphi {\text{)}}\, \subseteq \,Y. $$
An ultra thin implantable system for cerebral blood volume monitoring using flexible OLED and OPD

An ultra thin implantable system using flexible organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic photodetectors (OPDs) on parylene substrate shows biocompatibility and high conformability on any surface. This system was used to monitor variations in cerebral blood volume (CBV) corresponding to an epileptic seizure, along with baseline signals such as heartbeat, respiration and slow sinusoidal hemodynamic oscillations (SSHOs). As such, this system shows strong potential for implantable and/or wearable biosensors for continuous health monitoring.
Sparsity aware dynamic distributed compressive spectrum sensing and scheduling

A cross-layer framework for resource constrained dynamic distributed spectrum sensing and scheduling is presented. A network of secondary users (SUs) opportunistically communicate over portions of the spectrum estimated to be unused by other systems. A central controller (CC) schedules the traffic of the SUs, based on distributed compressed measurements collected by the SUs. Sensing and access are jointly controlled to maximize the SU throughput, with constraints on PU throughput degradation and SU cost. Sparsity in the network dynamics is exploited: leveraging a prior spectrum occupancy estimate, the CC needs to estimate only a residual uncertainty vector via sparse recovery techniques. The trade-off between achieving accurate spectrum estimates, high throughput, and low state information overhead, is optimized via dynamic programming.
ToF-SIMS and XPS Characterization of Protein Films Adsorbed onto Bare and Sodium Styrenesulfonate-Grafted Gold Substrates

The adsorption of single-component bovine serum albumin (BSA), bovine fibrinogen (Fgn), and bovine immunoglobulin G (IgG) films as well as multicomponent bovine plasma films onto bare and sodium styrenesulfonate (NaSS)-grafted gold substrates was characterized. The adsorption isotherms, measured via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, showed that at low solution concentrations all three single-component proteins adsorb with higher affinity onto gold surfaces compared to NaSS surfaces. However, at higher concentrations, NaSS surfaces adsorb the same or more total protein than gold surfaces. This may be because proteins that adsorb onto NaSS undergo structural rearrangements, resulting in a larger fraction of irreversibly adsorbed species over time. Still, with the possible exception of BSA adsorbed onto gold, neither surface appeared to have saturated at the highest protein solution concentration studied. Principal component (PC) analysis of amino acid mass fragments from time-of-flight secondary ion mass sp...
Preparing Students for Class: A Clinical Trial Testing the Efficacy between Multimedia Pre-Lectures and Textbooks in an Economics Course.

Motivating students to come prepared to class is often a futile exercise. The consequences are magnified as more instructors adopt the flipped classroom teaching model, in which students are expected to come to class with some knowledge of the material. This paper analyzed the implementation of a pedagogical tool that addresses this problem: multimedia pre-lectures. We tested the efficacy of pre-lectures on students with no prior exposure to college or AP-level economics using a controlled clinical experiment, focusing on introductory economics concepts. Students who had access to pre-lecture materials scored significantly higher on comprehension and retention than those with access only to textbooks.
Effect of oral contraceptive hormones on zinc metabolism in the rat.

SummaryThe effects of an estrogen (mestranol), a progestational agent (norethindrone), and a combination of the two hormones on plasma zinc concentration, growth, and zinc-65 uptake in selected tissues were investigated in female rats fed a zinc-sufficient diet. Mestranol significantly (p<0.02) lowered plasma zinc concentration whereas norethindrone had no effect. Mestranol caused a significant increase in the uptake of a single injected dose of zinc-65 in the liver, spleen, adrenals, and uterus. Mestranol also caused a significant decrease in the growth.
Analysis of the UML Sequence Diagram Based on Petri Net

A formal semantics of the UML sequence diagram based on the Petri net theory is defined based on the Message Event Sequence Constraint.The algorithm for the check of consistency and collision is given.Finally,the effectiveness and practicability of the method are demonstrated by an example.
Preparation of ORF6 protein recombinant antigen from Mycoplasma pneumonia and its preliminary application in serological diagnosis

To establish ELISA experimental method for IgM antibody of Mycoplasma pneumonia infector,recombined ORF6 protein from Mycoplasma pneumonia were produced.The constructed plasmid was induced to express the corresponding protein,then the recombined protein was purified by electroelution and applied in indirect ELISA to detect 224 clinical samples.The results were compared with two imported commercialization kits to check the specificity and sensitivity of diagnosis method initially.The results suggested that the diagnosis method was specific and sensitive.There was an application prospect for the M.pneumoniae ELISA kit.
Choice of an Optimal Diluent for Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Administration

AbstractThe physical conditions, including diluent pH, salt concentration and duration of bacillus Calmette-Guerin attachment, were determined in in vitro binding assays for soluble and matrix fibronectin. Since soluble fibronectin may block attachment of bacillus Calmette-Guerin to matrix fibronectin in the bladder, the optimal conditions were determined under which matrix fibronectin-bacillus Calmette-Guerin binding was maximal and soluble fibronectin-bacillus Calmette-Guerin binding was minimal. These conditions, which were confirmed in vivo in the murine bladder model, included use of normal saline, pH 7 as diluent for bacillus Calmette-Guerin organisms, with retention of the bacillus Calmette-Guerin suspension for 2 hours.
Seismological constraints on stress in the oceanic lithosphere

Studies of earthquakes provide some of the basic constraints on the stress within the oceanic lithosphere. The focal mechanisms of earthquakes indicate the directions of the principal stress axes. These directions can be compared with the stresses predicted by plate driving-force models, given the caveat that they can be biased by the locations of pre-existing weak zones and local processes. One basic result, that lithosphere older than about 35 Ma is in deviatoric compression, can constrain the basal drag on plates and hence mantle viscosity. A second result, the absence of a broad zone of ridge-normal extension in younger lithosphere, suggests that the ridge axis is rheologically weak. The focal depths of earthquakes, which indicate the depth to which the lithosphere is strong enough to support seismicity, can be combined with thermal models and laboratory rock mechanics to constrain the rheology of the lithosphere, both in plate interiors and at plate boundaries. An additional data type, which could in principle yield inferences about the magnitudes of stress, consists of the seismic moments, magnitudes, and source time functions of the earthquakes. Some initial results suggest that transform fault earthquakes release seismic energy more slowly than ridge events, perhaps due to lower stress drops or source geometry.
Online Student Orientation: Guerrilla Style

Gen Z students are bringing new and different expectations to college that impact how we deliver servicesEngaging and inspiring digital natives who rely on technology in every aspect of their lives...
Does my contribution to your crowdfunding project matter

Abstract In this study, we consider the dynamics of crowdfunding project support over time. We propose that people support crowdfunding projects financially when they believe that their contribution will make an impact. Because perceptions of impact are positively related to goal proximity, we predict that support for a crowdfunding project will increase as the project funding approaches its target goal. In addition, because motivation decreases after a goal is attained, we further predict that crowdfunding contributions will significantly decrease after the target goal is reached. We find strong support for these hypotheses from a large-scale field study involving Kickstarter. Furthermore, we show that several factors related to the expected impact moderate the effects of goal proximity; that is, the positive effect of goal proximity on project support is accentuated if the project is nearing its funding deadline, if the target goal is relatively small, or if the project has limited early support.
Drumming behavior and life history notes of a high-altitude Colorado population of the stonefly Isoperla petersoni Needham

Late instar nymphs and adults of a Colorado Hudsonian zone population of Isoperla petersoni Needham and Christenson were studied during the summer and early fall months of 1998, when stream temperature ranged from 3.3° C to 8.9° C. Early and middle instar nymphs were absent from July to October, and nymphs attained maximum size in mid-August during the 2nd week of adult field presence, suggesting a univoltine-slow life cycle. Nymphs were carnivorous and fed primarily on chironomid larvae. Adults were present from August to mid-October, with peak numbers of adult males and females occurring in mid-September and late September, respectively. Fecundity of field-collected females averaged 94.1 ± 45.15 eggs per female in September ( N = 81) and decreased to 85.2 ± 57.6 in October ( N = 12). Drumming duets were 2-way (male-female), and female answers followed male calls (nonoverlapped) or began before completion of the male call (overlapped). Male calls averaged 11.1 ± 2.09 beats and female answers averaged 6.2 ± 2.99, with mean intervals of 118 and 58 ms, respectively. The average number of female answer beats increased from 5.3 ± 2.56 when duets were nonoverlapped, to 6.6 ± 3.08 when overlapped.
Cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE To examine the common clinical and behavioural factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk (ie, attributable risk) among those with type 2 diabetes. DESIGN Analysis of data from a larger observational study. Using the validated UK Prospective Diabetes Study risk engine, the primary analysis examined the prevalence and attributable risk of CVD for 4 factors. Multivariable models also examined the association between attributable CVD risk and appropriate self-management behaviour. SETTING Twenty primary health care clinics in the South Texas area of the United States. PARTICIPANTS A total of 313 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus currently receiving primary care services for their condition. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalence of elevated CVD risk factors (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] levels, blood pressure, lipid levels, and smoking status), the attributable risk owing to these factors, and the association between attributable risk of CVD and diet, exercise, and medication adherence. RESULTS The mean 10-year CVD risk for the study population (N = 313) was 16.2%, with a range of 6.5% to 48.5% across clinics; nearly one-third of this total risk was attributable to modifiable factors. The primary variable driving risk reduction was HbA1c levels, followed by smoking status and lipid levels. Patients who were carefully engaged in monitoring their diets and medications reduced their CVD risk by 44% and 39%, respectively ( P < .03). CONCLUSION Patients with diabetes experience a substantial risk of CVD owing to potentially modifiable behavioural factors. High-quality diabetes care requires targeting modifiable patient factors strongly associated with CVD risk, including self-management behaviour such as diet and medication adherence, to better tailor clinical interventions and improve the health status of individuals with this chronic condition.
2 p decays of O 11

In a potential model, I have estimated decay widths for $^{11}\mathrm{O}$ to $^{9}\mathrm{C}+2p$ for sequential decay through $^{10}\mathrm{N}$ resonances and by simultaneous $2p$ ($^{2}\mathrm{He}$) decay by integrating over the relevant energy profiles. Results indicate that sequential decays through positive-parity resonances are only slightly smaller than those through negative-parity resonances. Simultaneous decay is predicted to be larger than sequential.
Unraveling the mystery of “tech red” – a volatile technetium oxide

We show that a Tc2O5 molecular species is the likely identity of an unknown volatile oxide which has remained uncharacterized for 50+ years. Exploration of this molecule's absorption spectra and intermolecular self-interactions provides a close match to experimental data and an explanation for volatility and resistance to crystallization.
Mining and International Law: Britain and the Hague Conference

The Hague Conference was a key event in the development of international law before the First World War and mining was one of the most contentious subjects to be discussed there. Through exploring firstly why Britain attempted to ban mines at The Hague and secondly, why those attempts failed, it is possible to see how the competing issues of international law and military necessity interacted in this period.
Default mode network abnormalities in posttraumatic stress disorder: A novel network-restricted topology approach.

Abstract Disruption in the default mode network (DMN) has been implicated in numerous neuropsychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, studies have largely been limited to seed-based methods and involved inconsistent definitions of the DMN. Recent advances in neuroimaging and graph theory now permit the systematic exploration of intrinsic brain networks. In this study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), diffusion MRI, and graph theoretical analyses to systematically examine the DMN connectivity and its relationship with PTSD symptom severity in a cohort of 65 combat-exposed US Veterans. We employed metrics that index overall connectivity strength, network integration (global efficiency), and network segregation (clustering coefficient). Then, we conducted a modularity and network-based statistical analysis to identify DMN regions of particular importance in PTSD. Finally, structural connectivity analyses were used to probe whether white matter abnormalities are associated with the identified functional DMN changes. We found decreased DMN functional connectivity strength to be associated with increased PTSD symptom severity. Further topological characterization suggests decreased functional integration and increased segregation in subjects with severe PTSD. Modularity analyses suggest a spared connectivity in the posterior DMN community (posterior cingulate, precuneus, angular gyrus) despite overall DMN weakened connections with increasing PTSD severity. Edge-wise network-based statistical analyses revealed a prefrontal dysconnectivity. Analysis of the diffusion networks revealed no alterations in overall strength or prefrontal structural connectivity. DMN abnormalities in patients with severe PTSD symptoms are characterized by decreased overall interconnections. On a finer scale, we found a pattern of prefrontal dysconnectivity, but increased cohesiveness in the posterior DMN community and relative sparing of connectivity in this region. The DMN measures established in this study may serve as a biomarker of disease severity and could have potential utility in developing circuit-based therapeutics.
Combining NMR and EPR/ESR for in Vivo Experiments

NMR and EPR can be combined for in vivo studies in ways that are synergistic and provide unique information. This chapter discusses the problems and advantages of combining NMR and EPR. Specific examples are given for parallel and serial experimental designs. EPR is often used to verify or calibrate the more readily available NMR methods. Examples are given of combined studies on tissue pO2 blood oxygen level dependent MR imaging (BOLD), perfusion, tissue energetics, polymer implant biochemistry, contrast agent, and studies of bioreduction.
Vertical Facial Deficiency

The morphologic designation of short face has several skeletal etiologies. The most common of these is mandibular deficiency with an anterior deep-bite malocclusion. Second in frequency is vertical maxillary deficiency. Last, and least common, is true vertical microgenia, which is rarely seen by itself but usually in combination with mandibular deficiency.
23 – Statistics II: Correlation of Brain Structure and Function

This chapter discusses the tools and issues related to the multimodality integration of information from a single individual to study correlation of brain structure and function. It provides a series of case vignettes that illustrate the use of the intrasubject techniques for human patients and focuses on issues of intersubject registration and comparison, with particular emphasis on the selection of tools and models. A great deal of a function of a particular brain area is dictated by its anatomic connections to other brain areas. Thus at the microscopic level, structure and function are intimately linked. At a higher level of organization, it is clear that parcellation of specific functions into anatomically distinct locations is a general principle of brain organization. This functional parcellation is so well characterized in some brain areas that “functional landmarks” can be identified to complement or even substitute for traditional structural landmarks. Recent developmental work suggests that the functional activation of brain pathways can even be responsible for molding brain structure and anatomic connectivity. The eventual goal of brain mapping is to understand the rules that govern both the structural and the functional aspects of the brain.
Neurogenically derived nitrosyl factors mediate sympathetic vasodilation in the hindlimb of the rat

Skeletal muscle vasculature of the hindlimb is innervated by a sympathetic noncholinergic vasodilator system. The aim of this study was to determine whether this vasodilator system may represent postganglionic lumbar sympathetic neurons that synthesize and release nitric oxide (NO) or related NO-containing factors. We examined whether NO synthase (NOS)-positive postganglionic lumbar nerves innervate the hindlimb vasculature of the rat and whether the hindlimb vasodilation produced by electrical stimulation of the lumbar sympathetic chain of anesthetized rats is reduced after the systemic administration of the specific inhibitor of neuronal NOS 7-nitroindazole (7-NI). Subpopulations of lumbar sympathetic cell bodies stained intensely for NOS. Postganglionic fibers and varicosities within the iliac and femoral arteries also stained for NOS. Double ligation of the lumbar chain demonstrated that NOS was transported from the cell bodies toward the peripheral terminals. Low-intensity electrical stimulation of the lumbar chain produced a pronounced hindlimb vasodilation that was markedly diminished by pretreatment with 7-NI (45 mg/kg i.v.). In contrast, the vasodilator potency of acetylcholine and S-nitrosocysteine were augmented by 7-NI. These results suggest that postganglionic lumbar sympathetic neurons may synthesize and release NO-containing factors.
Compensation effects of high oxygen levels in semipolar AlGaN electron blocking layers and their mitigation via growth optimization

Abstract InGaN-based laser diodes (LDs) grown on the semipolar ( 20 2 ¯ 1 ¯ ) plane of GaN offer advantages arising from predicted higher gain compared to c-plane devices. However, the performance of semipolar devices has been limited by low injection efficiency. In prior work, this has been proposed to be caused by an inefficient AlGaN electron blocking layer (EBL). A high oxygen level in the EBL found in previous work could cause compensation of the p-type dopants. In this work the oxygen impurities were eliminated via optimizations during the metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) growth. Optimization of the V/III ratio and an increase in the growth temperature during the AlGaN growth was found to reduce the oxygen incorporation. Additionally, residual sources of oxygen were removed from the MOCVD growth process. These combined steps reduced the peak oxygen level in the AlGaN from 5 × 1018/cm3 to 6 × 1017/cm3 as measured by secondary ion mass spectroscopy. LDs were fabricated with and without these modifications to clarify the effect of the reduced oxygen. The threshold current and differential efficiency showed improvement with reduced oxygen. The internal loss and gain of these LDs were measured using the segmented contact method, confirming that the injection efficiency was boosted from 60% with high oxygen to 80% with low oxygen.
The Effects of Early Numeracy Interventions for Students in Preschool and Early Elementary: A Meta-Analysis

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the effectiveness of early numeracy interventions for young students, including students with disabilities or those at risk for math difficulty (MD). This study evaluated preschool, kindergarten, and 1st-grade interventions on early numeracy content, instructional features, and methodological components that improved students’ math achievement. A total of 34 studies met inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis, with 52 treatment groups. The average weighted effect size for numeracy interventions with two outliers removed was moderate (g = 0.64), and the 95% confidence interval did not include zero [0.52, 0.76]. Results of the final metaregression model predicted larger treatment effects for interventions that included counting with 1-to-1 correspondence and were 8 weeks or shorter in duration. The results of the metaregression also showed that, on average, interventions were more effective for students with lower levels of risk for MD according to screening criteria compared to typically achieving students; interventions were less effective for students with higher levels of risk for MD according to screening criteria and risk according to low socioeconomic status compared to typically achieving students. Directions for future research and implications for educators implementing early numeracy interventions are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)
Draft Genome Sequence of Janthinobacterium sp. Strain PC23-8, Isolated from a Freshwater Stream Impacted by Acid Mine Drainage.

ABSTRACT We present the draft genome sequence of Janthinobacterium sp. strain PC23-8, a bacterium isolated from freshwater stream sediment downstream from acid mine drainage. The 6.4-Mb genome sequence of this strain contains several secondary metabolite gene clusters, including one similar to the cyclic peptide jagaricin, synthesized by Janthinobacterium agaricidamnosum.