cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Where will I go next?: Predicting future categorical check-ins in Location Based Social Networks

Models to predict the future location of users have been developed in the past few decades. However, these efforts cannot drive applications related to location-based targeting since they focus on flat geographic prediction with no semantic information. With the emergence of Location Based Social Networks (LBSN) geographical data can be supplemented with contextual information. An efficient location predictor might bring numerous opportunities and commercial benefits. In this work we propose two simple predictors modeling future geo-contextual user behavior. The algorithms have two outputs: first the most likely next visit in terms of category and second the expected time frame, in when, such a visit may occur. The predictors use categorized user activities as unique checkins at specific times. Using real data obtained from the commercial LBSN (FourSquare), we show the efficiency of the algorithms.
Recent advances in understanding the long-term sequelae of childhood infectious diarrhea.

Worldwide, early childhood infectious diarrhea continues to be a significant concern. Diarrheal illness affects the world’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens disproportionately. Estimates are that over 70 % of deaths from diarrhea occur in people younger than 24 months of age. Diarrhea and environmental enteropathy have been associated with growth failure and stunting. In addition, the burden of enteric disease also leads to cognitive and academic losses, thus resulting in loss of human capital and economic productivity. While considerable progress has been made on preventing and treating childhood diarrheal illness, the mortality and morbidity still remain unacceptably high. This paper reviews recent (mainly from 2013) publications surrounding the global burden of childhood diarrhea and the implications for long-term sequelae.
Behavior therapy for obesity: An evaluation of treatment outcome

Abstract The long-term evidence on the behavioral treatment of obesity, including both experimentally controlled outcome studies and uncontrolled clinical trials, is critically reviewed. Results of the controlled studies show that weight loss at post-treatment (a mean of 10–11 lbs) is generally maintained at a one year follow-up. However, there is little evidence of continued weight loss during follow-up. The few studies with follow-ups of more than one year show less satisfactory maintenance of treatment effects. Other findings include marked variability in weight loss, the failure to find prognostic indicators, the absence of negative side-effects, and greatly reduced attrition. Ten of the 17 controlled studies included specific maintenance strategies, booster sessions being the preferred strategy despite the lack of supporting data. Findings from the controlled clinical trials are largely consistent with those of the controlled studies. Suggestions for improving the efficiency of behavioral treatment programs are made, with specific emphasis on changing treatment format, emphasizing physical activity, and incorporating improved maintenance strategies. The outcome evidence is summarized in an extended discussion of the question, what treatment method(s), administered by whom, for which populations, has what effects, on what measures, and at what cost.
Intelligent multi-shot visualization interfaces for dynamic 3D worlds

In next-generation virtual 3D simulation, training, and entertainment environments, intelligent visualization interfaces must respond to user-specified viewing requests so users can follow salient points of the action and monitor the relative locations of objects. Users should be able to indicate which object(s) to view, how each should be viewed, cinematic style and pace, and how to respond when a single satisfactory view is not possible. When constraints fail, weak constraints can be relaxed or multi-shot solutions can be displayed in sequence or as composite shots with simultaneous viewports. To address these issues, we have developed CONSTRAINTCAM, a real-time camera visualization interface for dynamic 3D worlds. It has been studied in an interactive testbed in which users can issue viewing goals to monitor multiple autonomous characters navigating through a virtual cityscape. CONSTRAINTCAM’s real-time performance in this testbed is encouraging.
Effect of additives on mineral trioxide aggregate setting reaction product formation.

Abstract Introduction Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) sets via hydration of calcium silicates to yield calcium silicate hydrates and calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH] 2 ). However, a drawback of MTA is its long setting time. Therefore, many additives have been suggested to reduce the setting time. The effect those additives have on setting reaction product formation has been ignored. The objective was to examine the effect additives have on MTA's setting time and setting reaction using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Methods MTA powder was prepared with distilled water (control), phosphate buffered saline, 5% calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ), 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), or lidocaine in a 3:1 mixture and placed in crucibles for DSC evaluation. The setting exothermic reactions were evaluated at 37°C for 8 hours to determine the setting time. Separate samples were stored and evaluated using dynamic DSC scans (37°C→640°C at10°C/min) at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months ( n = 9/group/time). Dynamic DSC quantifies the reaction product formed from the amount of heat required to decompose it. Thermographic peaks were integrated to determine enthalpy, which was analyzed with analysis of variance/Tukey test (α = 0.05). Results Isothermal DSC identified 2 main exothermal peaks occurring at 44 ± 12 and 343 ± 57 minutes for the control. Only the CaCl 2 additive was an accelerant, which was observed by a greater exothermic peak at 101 ± 11 minutes, indicating a decreased setting time. The dynamic DSC scans produced an endothermic peak around 450°C–550°C attributed to Ca(OH)2 decomposition. The use of a few additives (NaOCl and lidocaine) resulted in significantly less Ca(OH) 2 product formation. Conclusions DSC was used to discriminate calcium hydroxide formation in MTA mixed with various additives and showed NaOCl and lidocaine are detrimental to MTA reaction product formation, whereas CaCl 2 accelerated the reaction.
On the conformational stability and dimerization of phosphotransferase enzyme I from Escherichia coli

Abstract The activity of enzyme I (EI), the first protein in the bacterial PEP:sugar phosphotransferase system, is regulated by a monomer–dimer equilibrium where a Mg2+-dependent autophosphorylation by PEP requires the homodimer. Using inactive EI(H189A), in which alanine is substituted for the active-site His189, substrate binding effects can be separated from those of phosphorylation. Whereas 1 mM PEP (with 2 mM Mg2+) strongly promotes dimerization of EI(H189A) at pH 7.5 and 20 °C, 5 mM pyruvate (with 2 mM Mg2+) has the opposite effect. A correlation between the coupling of N- and C-terminal domain unfolding, measured by differential scanning calorimetry, and the dimerization constant for EI, determined by sedimentation equilibrium, is observed. That is, when the coupling between N- and C-terminal domain unfolding produced by 0.2 or 1.0 mM PEP and 2 mM Mg2+ is inhibited by 5 mM pyruvate, the dimerization constant for EI(H189A) decreases from >108 to
Low-dimensional models of coherent structures in turbulence

Abstract For fluid flow one has a well-accepted mathematical model: the Navier-Stokes equations. Why, then, is the problem of turbulence so intractable? One major difficulty is that the equations appear insoluble in any reasonable sense. (A direct numerical simulation certainly yields a “solution”, but it provides little understanding of the process per se .) However, three developments are beginning to bear fruit: (1) The discovery, by experimental fluid mechanicians, of coherent structures in certain fully developed turbulent flows; (2) the suggestion, by Ruelle, Takens and others, that strange attractors and other ideas from dynamical systems theory might play a role in the analysis of the governing equations, and (3) the introduction of the statistical technique of Karhunen-Loeve or proper orthogonal decomposition, by Lumley in the case of turbulence. Drawing on work on modeling the dynamics of coherent structures in turbulent flows done over the past ten years, and concentrating on the near-wall region of the fully developed boundary layer, we describe how these three threads can be drawn together to weave low-dimensional models which yield new qualitative understanding. We focus on low wave number phenomena of turbulence generation, appealing to simple, conventional modeling of inertial range transport and energy dissipation.
Surgical Operations in Fowls

Abstract In the course of work on the gonads of the domestic fowl the writer has performed over thirty operations of partial castration, vasectomy and unilateral adrenalectomy in White Leghorns. Experience has brought out several important points which may be of interest to those engaged in surgical work in fowls, whether for experimental purposes or in the treatment of diseases requiring this type of intervention. Hence the publication of the following notes. ASEPTIC PRECAUTIONS In order to prevent infection of the wounds, usually caused by contact with foreign materials, the feathers in the field of the operation must be thoroughly removed. In very young birds (chicks from the time of hatching up to one month old) this may be easily accomplished by the use of a 1 per cent solution of sodium sulphide, applied by rubbing a wad of cotton soaked in the solution. After removal of the feathers by this . . .
The extent of familial hypercholesterolemia instruction in US schools and colleges of medicine, pharmacy, and osteopathic medicine

Background Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common autosomal codominant disease characterized by extreme plasma cholesterol concentrations and high risk of early heart disease. FH is underdiagnosed and severely undertreated. This may be due in part to gaps in FH education within medical and pharmacy training programs. Objectives To assess the extent to which FH is covered in professional curriculums in accredited schools and colleges of medicine, pharmacy, and osteopathic medicine in the United States. Methods An 18-question survey was distributed via e-mail to 288 US schools and colleges of medicine, pharmacy, and osteopathic medicine. Results Fifty-six of 288 (19.4%) programs responded to the survey. Three were excluded from analysis because of lack of program accreditation and FH instruction. Overall, 43% indicated that FH instruction at their respective institution was perceived to be adequate. More than 90% of the programs indicated that the following topics were covered within the curriculum: FH pathophysiology; associated morbidity and mortality; guideline-recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals and risk factor management; consequences of poor lipid management; and the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of adult patients. However, instruction was lacking for FH screening methods as one-third of the programs covered cascade screening and only half of the programs reported distinguishing between heterozygous and homozygous FH including differences in treatment approach. Conclusions The results suggested important gaps in the coverage of FH in the curriculum, and strategies need to be developed to ensure that FH instruction is sufficient within these professional programs.
Bait Preferences and Population Status of Small Mammals in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Abstract Small mammal bait preferences and population status were studied in Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the summer of 2010. The possible occurrence of the least weasel (Mustela nivalis) in the Park was also assessed. Traps baited with peanut butter caught significantly more small mammals than empty traps or traps baited with potted meat. The overall number of small mammals caught was significantly less than in an extensive study in the Park during 1999–2003, although the effort (measured as trap-nights) for the two studies was similar. A drought that occurred between the two studies and/or the relatively recent appearances of the coyote (Canis latrans) and European wild boar (Sus scrofa) may have contributed to the significantly lower numbers of small mammals caught. Implications of climate change for small mammal populations are discussed. M. nivalis was not trapped during the study. Future, more intensive studies are recommended to explore thoroughly the possibility of M. nivalis inhabit...
Syntrophic Effects in a Subsurface Clostridial Consortium on Fe(III)-(Oxyhydr)oxide Reduction and Secondary Mineralization

In this study, we cultivated from subsurface sediments an anaerobic clostridial consortium that was composed of a fermentative Fe-reducer Clostridium species (designated as strain FGH) and a novel sulfate-reducing bacterium belonging to the clostridia family Vellionellaceae (designated as strain RU4). In pure culture, Clostridium sp. strain FGH mediated the reductive dissolution/transformation of iron oxides during growth on peptone. When Clostridium sp. FGH was grown with strain RU4 on peptone, the rates of iron oxide reduction were significantly higher. Iron reduction by the consortium was mediated by multiple mechanisms, including biotic reduction by Clostridium sp. FGH and biotic/abiotic reactions involving biogenic sulfide formed by strain RU4. The Clostridium sp. FGH produced hydrogen during fermentation, and the presence of hydrogen inhibited growth and iron reduction activity. The sulfate-reducing partner strain RU4 was stimulated by the presence of H2and generated reactive sulfide which promoted ...
Site Mapping and Characterization of O-Glycan Structures on α-Dystroglycan Isolated from Rabbit Skeletal Muscle

The main extracellular matrix binding component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex, α-dystroglycan (α-DG), which was originally isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle, is an extensively O-glycosylated protein. Previous studies have shown α-DG to be modified by both O-GalNAc- and O-mannose-initiated glycan structures. O-Mannosylation, which accounts for up to 30% of the reported O-linked structures in certain tissues, has been rarely observed on mammalian proteins. Mutations in multiple genes encoding defined or putative glycosyltransferases involved in O-mannosylation are causal for various forms of congenital muscular dystrophy. Here, we explore the glycosylation of purified rabbit skeletal muscle α-DG in detail. Using tandem mass spectrometry approaches, we identify 4 O-mannose-initiated and 17 O-GalNAc-initiated structures on α-DG isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle. Additionally, we demonstrate the use of tandem mass spectrometry-based workflows to directly analyze glycopeptides generated from the purified protein. By combining glycomics and tandem mass spectrometry analysis of 91 glycopeptides from α-DG, we were able to assign 21 different residues as being modified by O-glycosylation with differing degrees of microheterogeneity; 9 sites of O-mannosylation and 14 sites of O-GalNAcylation were observed with only two sites definitively exhibiting occupancy by either type of glycan. The distribution of identified sites of O-mannosylation suggests a limited role for local primary sequence in dictating sites of attachment.
Use of packrat middens to determine rates of cliff retreat in the eastern Grand Canyon, Arizona

Packrat midden data can be used to calculate rates of cliff retreat by relating midden age to the distance between cliff face and midden. Regression analysis using 14 radiocarbon-dated packrat deposits from the Mississippian Redwall Limestone in the eastern Grand Canyon suggests that the Redwall has been retreating at an average rate of 0.45 m/103 14C yr. This rate of cliff retreat, which is comparable to other cliff-retreat rates reported from arid environments, implies that the Colorado River cut through the Redwall Limestone in the vicinity of Horseshoe Mesa about 3.7 m.y. B.P.
Multiple-alignment and -sequence searches

Comparisons of multiple sequences can reveal gene functions that are not clear from simple sequence homologies. The important parameters in multiple alignment and multiple-sequence-based searches, using an example from Caenorhabditis elegans are described.
TEGS-CN: A Statistical Method for Pathway Analysis of Genome-wide Copy Number Profile

The effects of copy number alterations make up a significant part of the tumor genome profile, but pathway analyses of these alterations are still not well established. We proposed a novel method to analyze multiple copy numbers of genes within a pathway, termed Test for the Effect of a Gene Set with Copy Number data (TEGS-CN). TEGS-CN was adapted from TEGS, a method that we previously developed for gene expression data using a variance component score test. With additional development, we extend the method to analyze DNA copy number data, accounting for different sizes and thus various numbers of copy number probes in genes. The test statistic follows a mixture of X2 distributions that can be obtained using permutation with scaled X2 approximation. We conducted simulation studies to evaluate the size and the power of TEGS-CN and to compare its performance with TEGS. We analyzed a genome-wide copy number data from 264 patients of non-small-cell lung cancer. With the Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB) pathway database, the genome-wide copy number data can be classified into 1814 biological pathways or gene sets. We investigated associations of the copy number profile of the 1814 gene sets with pack-years of cigarette smoking. Our analysis revealed five pathways with significant P values after Bonferroni adjustment (<2.8 × 10⁻⁵), including the PTEN pathway (7.8 × 10⁻⁷), the gene set up-regulated under heat shock (3.6 × 10⁻⁶), the gene sets involved in the immune profile for rejection of kidney transplantation (9.2 × 10⁻⁶) and for transcriptional control of leukocytes (2.2 × 10⁻⁵), and the ganglioside biosynthesis pathway (2.7 × 10⁻⁵). In conclusion, we present a new method for pathway analyses of copy number data, and causal mechanisms of the five pathways require further study.
Living with aliens

Non-native species get nothing but bad press, but this often has more to do with prejudice than science, says biologist Mark Davis
Powering the internet of things

Various industry forecasts project that, by 2020, there will be around 50 billion devices connected to the Internet of Things (IoT), helping to engineer new solutions to societal-scale problems such as healthcare, energy conservation, transportation, etc. Most of these devices will be wireless due to the expense, inconvenience, or in some cases, the sheer infeasibility of wiring them. Further, many of them will have stringent size constraints. With no cord for power and limited space for a battery, powering these devices (to achieve several months to possibly years of unattended operation) becomes a daunting challenge. This paper highlights some promising directions for addressing this challenge, focusing on three main building blocks: (a) the design of ultra-low power hardware platforms that integrate computing, sensing, storage, and wireless connectivity in a tiny form factor, (b) the development of intelligent system-level power management techniques, and (c) the use of environmental energy harvesting to make IoT devices self-powered, thus decreasing -- in some cases, even eliminating -- their dependence on batteries. We discuss these building blocks in detail and illustrate case-studies of systems that use them judiciously, including the QUBE wireless embedded platform, which exploits the characteristics of emerging non-volatile memory technologies to seamlessly and efficiently enable long-running computations in systems that experience frequent power loss (i.e., intermittently powered systems).
The Modification of Indium Tin Oxide with Phosphonic Acids: Mechanism of Binding, Tuning of Surface Properties, and Potential for Use in Organic Electronic Applications

Transparent metal oxides, in particular, indium tin oxide (ITO), are critical transparent contact materials for applications in next-generation organic electronics, including organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Understanding and controlling the surface properties of ITO allows for the molecular engineering of the ITO–organic interface, resulting in fine control of the interfacial chemistries and electronics. In particular, both surface energy matching and work function compatibility at material interfaces can result in marked improvement in OLED and OPV performance. Although there are numerous ways to change the surface properties of ITO, one of the more successful surface modifications is the use of monolayers based on organic molecules with widely variable end functional groups. Phosphonic acids (PAs) are known to bind strongly to metal oxides and form robust monolayers on many different metal oxide materials. They also demonstrate several advantages over other functi...
On the application of probabilistic distance measures for the extraction of features from imperfectly labeled patterns

A commonly used approach for feature selection is to select those features that extremize certain probabilistic distance measures. In most of the procedures it is assumed that the labels of the patterns are perfect. There are many practical situations in which the labels of the patterns are imperfect. This paper examines the applicability of the extremization of the Bhattacharyya distance, the divergence, equivocation, Kalmogrov variational distance, and Matusita distance as criteria for selecting the effective features from imperfectly identified patterns.
Infrared spectrum and structural assignment of the water trimer anion

The bending vibrational spectrum of the perdeutero isotopomer of the water trimer anion has been measured and compared with spectra calculated using the MP2, CCSD, and Becke3LYP electronic structure methods. Due to its low electron binding energy (approximately 150 meV), only the OD bending region of the IR spectrum of (D2O)3(-) is accessible experimentally, with electron ejection dominating at higher photon energies. The calculated spectrum of the isomer having three water molecules arranged in a chain agrees best with the experimental spectrum. In the chain isomer, the excess electron is bound to the terminal water monomer with two dangling OH groups. This is consistent with the electron binding mechanism established previously for the (H2O)n(-) (n = 2, 4-6) anions.
Sensitivity Enhancement of Polyorganophosphazenes to Radiation with 2,2,4,4,6,6-Hexakis(2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate)Cyclotriphosphazene Monomer and its Application for Negative Resists

Abstract This work focuses on the application of a multifunctional phosphazene monomer, 2,2,4,4,6,6-hexakis(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-cyclotriphosphazene (6-Hema) for enhancement of the sensitivity of polyphosphazenes to both 60Co and E-beam radiation. Specifically, elastomeric and glassy phosphazene polymer films treated with 6-Hema were irradiated under vacuum, and the gel content was determined. The Charlesby-Pinner approach was used to compare the radiation sensitivities of these films. This served as the basis for eventually preparing SiO2 wafers with thin films of the glassy polyphosphazenes mixed with or overcoated by the 6-Hema monomer. The SiO2 wafers prepared with the most sensitive polymer/monomer system were patterned with an ERC electron beam accelerator/scanning electron microscope computer-driven instrument. It was determined that these negative resist films were 1-2 orders of magnitude more sensitive to radiation than the polymers without the monomer.
Autoradiographic study of [3H]flunitrazepam binding sites in the subnuclei of the thalamus of rats rendered tolerant to and dependent on pentobarbital.

Abstract We examined changes in benzodiazepine binding sites labeled by [ 3 H ]flunitrazepam in five nuclei of the thalamus, the central medial, central lateral, intermediodorsal, ventroposterior, and laterodorsal nuclei, in rats made tolerant to and dependent on pentobarbital. Animals were made tolerant by intracerebroventricular infusion with pentobarbital (300 μg (10 μl) −1 h −1 for six days) through pre-implanted cannulae. Pentobarbital dependence was assessed 24 h after abrupt withdrawal from pentobarbital. Pentobarbital-tolerant rats showed no significant change in [ 3 H ]flunitrazepam binding sites ( B max and K d ) in any nucleus examined in the thalamus. In the rats made dependent on pentobarbital, significant increases in the B max of [ 3 H ]flunitrazepam binding without changes in K d were noted in central medial and central lateral nuclei. GABAergic (γ-aminobutyric acid) neurons in the ventrobasal nucleus and in nuclei in the midline group are important in seizure regulation and arousal. These findings suggest that alterations of benzodiazepine receptors in certain nuclei of thalami are involved in the physiological changes induced by pentobarbital dependence. There were no changes in the binding parameters for [ 3 H ]flunitrazepam in pentobarbital-tolerant rats.
Modulation transfer function (MTF), aliasing, and dithering with high-precision CCD imagers

CCD imagers introduce artifacts into the images they reproduce with a variety of mechanisms related to sampling by a regular array of finite- size pixels. Two classes of artifacts are aliasing and modulation transfer function (MTF) limitations. This work analyzes the origin of both effects and concludes that aliasing is solely an artifact of the sampling process and that MTF limitations are due to the properties of the pixels. The dithering technique is intended to decrease these limitations by repeatedly sampling the same scene. We show in this paper that dithering is effective in removing aliasing artifacts but cannot avoid MTF limitations inherent in the image. In situations where dithering is effective, we analyze some errors likely to be encountered in implementing the technique.
Star-Star Relation for the Potts Model

A star-star transformation is introduced for the Potts model as a generalization of the Onsager star-triangle relation. By considering a special limit of the star-star relation, we deduce a dual transformation relation for the Potts model on the 3-12 lattice. We also obtain numerical bounds on the critical point of the Potts model on the kagome lattice, a long unsolved problem.
Longevity, lipotoxicity and leptin: the adipocyte defense against feasting and famine.

Abstract In this review, we propose that actions of the lipid-lowering, apoptosis-inhibiting effects of certain “longevity genes” oppose the life-shortening consequences of lipotoxicity and lipoapoptosis. We note that lipotoxicity occurs whenever leptin action is deficient, or whenever satiety is overridden, as in forced or voluntary overfeeding (“supersizing”). The role of hyperleptinemia, we suggest, is to extend survival during famine by permitting the storage of surplus calories in adipocytes without concomitant injury to nonadipose tissues from ectopic lipid deposits. It achieves this lipid partitioning by (1) restraining the level of overnutrition so as not to exceed the available adipocyte storage space and (2) enhancing oxidation of any ectopic lipid overflow: The mechanisms of lipoapoptosis are discussed, and the possibility that metabolic syndrome is the human equivalent of rodent lipotoxicity is suggested.
A Pulsed Negative Hydrogen Source for Currents up to One Ampere

During the 2nd Symposium on Ion Sources and Formation of Ion Beams, we reported on the development of our Mk II pulsed double slit magnetron source for the production of negative hydrogen ions.1 The source was capable of yielding beam currents up to 125 milliamperes, corresponding to current densities of 1.25 A/cm2. In order to increase negative hydrogen beam intensities by an order of magnitude (this would be quite useful for initial high energy neutral injector systems on Tokamaks), a larger, Mk III magnetron has been constructed, with the number of slits increased up to six. The idea was to utilize in a more efficient way the plasma width. In addition, such a source geometry will be more adaptable for beam formation and acceleration than single slit structures. With three extraction slits, we obtained a negative hydrogen yield of 300 mA with current densities of 1.2 A/cm2; preliminary results with six extraction slits showed beam currents in excess of half an ampere with averaged current densities in excess of 0.75 A/cm2.
Biomechanics of slips

The biomechanics of slips are an important component in the prevention of fall-related injuries. The purpose of this paper is to review the available literature on the biomechanics of gait relevant to slips. This knowledge can be used to develop slip resistance testing methodologies and to determine critical differences in human behaviour between slips leading to recovery and those resulting in falls. Ground reaction forces at the shoe-floor interface have been extensively studied and are probably the most critical biomechanical factor in slips. The ratio of the shear to normal foot forces generated during gait, known as the required coefficient of friction (RCOF) during normal locomotion on dry surfaces or 'friction used/achievable' during slips, has been one biomechanical variable most closely associated with the measured frictional properties of the shoe/floor interface (usually the coefficient of friction or COF). Other biomechanical factors that also play an important role are the kinematics of the foot at heel contact and human responses to slipping perturbations, often evident in the moments generated at the lower extremity joints and postural adaptations. In addition, it must be realized that the biomechanics are dependent upon the capabilities of the postural control system, the mental set of the individual, and the perception of the environment, particularly, the danger of slipping. The focus of this paper is to review what is known regarding the kinematics and kinetics of walking on surfaces under a variety of environmental conditions. Finally, we discuss future biomechanical research needs to help to improve walkway-friction measurements and safety.
Mask Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in The Delivery Room Improves Outcomes of Term and Near-Term Infants With Respiratory Distress 1952

Objective: To evaluate the effect of delivery room mask continuous positive airway pressure (mCPAP) on the outcomes of newborns with respiratory distress (RD). Design: Retrospective chart review.Setting: Tertiary perinatal center in a private community hospital. Patients: All inborn infants of gestational age (GA)>34 wks with RD at birth (persistent grunting, nasal flaring, retractions, tachypnea) who were discharged between January 1 and June 30, 1997.Interventions: Use of mCPAP, excluding bag-mask ventilation (BMV) and endotracheal intubation (ETT). Outcome measures: Admission to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), NICU length of stay (LOS), RD duration, pneumothorax, and total LOS. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare the use of mCPAP with non-treatment. Results: A total of 1,228 charts were reviewed; 71 (5.8%) represented births at GA <35 wks, a main exclusion criterion. Of the remainder, 171 infants (14.8%) had RD in the delivery room and were the focus of this study. The Cesarean section rate of these symptomatic infants was 31.6% vs. 21.6% of all cases reviewed (p<0.01, Chi-square). Of the infants with RD at birth, 109 received mCPAP, 13 received BMV, 3 received ETT, and 53 received no ventilatory intervention(some received multiple interventions). The 15 cases who received BMV and/or ETT were excluded from analysis. The 103 infants who received only mCPAP(group 1) vs. 53 with no ventilatory intervention (group 2) did not differ statistically in birthweight, GA, Apgar scores, mode of delivery, or RD (based on a scoring system). Twenty-two (21%) of group 1 vs. 19 (36%) of group 2 were admitted to the NICU [odds ratio 0.28 (95% CI 0.09-0.82), p=0.032]. Two (1.9%) of group 1 vs. 5 (9.4%) of group 2 developed a pneumothorax [odds ratio 0.18(95% CI 0.02-1.26), p=0.036]. RD persisted for 0.55 days (SD 1.3) for group 1 vs. 1.1 days (SD 2.0) for group 2 (p=0.008). Of infants admitted to the NICU, NICU LOS was 5.3 (SD 5.2) for group 1 vs. 5.3 (SD 4.5) for group 2 (NS). Total LOS was 4.1 (SD 5.5) for group 1 vs 3.6 (SD 3.2) for group 2 (NS).Conclusions: RD is common in term and near-term infants in the delivery room. In this study, the use of mCPAP to treat infants with RD in the first minutes after birth: 1) decreased the likelihood of admission to the NICU; 2) decreased the duration of RD; and 3) may have reduced the risk of pneumothorax. NICU LOS and total LOS were not affected. These findings have major implications with respect to parent-infant separation and cost of care.
Performance evaluation of local appearance based periocular recognition

The human periocular region is known to be one of the most discriminative regions of a face image, and recent studies have indicated its potential as a biometric trait. However, the bulk of the previous work concerning the periocular region consists of feasibility studies that report recognition results on controlled data, and lacks rigorous performance evaluation, thus leaving various open questions regarding the effectiveness of periocular region as a biometrie modality. In this paper we present a performance evaluation of a local periocular texture based recognition approach. Specifically, the paper investigates the effect of input image quality on recognition performance, the uniqueness of texture between different color channels, and texture information present in different color channels. Recognition results of periocular texture features are compared to those of full face texture features and suggest that periocular texture features are robust to varying image quality.
The transactional relationship between parenting and emotion regulation in children with or without developmental delays

Researchers have identified numerous internal and external factors that contribute to individual differences in emotion regulation (ER) abilities. To extend these findings, we examined the longitudinal effects of a significant external predictor (parenting) on children's ER abilities in the context of an internal predictor (intellectual functioning). We used cross-lagged panel modeling to investigate the transactional relationship between parenting and ER in children with or without developmental delays (DD) across three time points in early and middle childhood (age 3, 5, and 8). Participants were 225 families in the Collaborative Family Study, a longitudinal study of young children with or without DD. Child ER ability and maternal scaffolding skills were coded from mother-child interactions at ages 3, 5, and 8. Compared to children with typical development (TD), children with DD were significantly more dysregulated at all time points, and their mothers exhibited fewer scaffolding behaviors in early childhood. In addition, cross-lagged panel models revealed a significant bidirectional relationship between maternal scaffolding and ER from ages 3 to 5 in the DD group but not the TD group. These findings suggest that scaffolding may be a crucial parenting skill to target in the early treatment of children with ER difficulties.
The relationship between playfulness and creativity of Japanese preschool children

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between playfulness and creativity of 164 Japanese children aged five and six in a group-oriented program. Playfulness was assessed using The Child Behaviors Inventory, teacher interviews, and observations. Creativity was measured using The Creativity Thinking-Drawing Production Test, The Drawing Test, teacher interviews, and observations. Although the statistical data analysis indicated no significant relationship between playfulness and creativity; the qualitative data analysis revealed that such a relationship may exist. However, conclusions must be qualified because analysis of the qualitative data revealed confounding factors in the concepts of playfulness and creativity. The teachers described some non-playful children as being internally playful, and this internal playfulness was observable in a one-to-one interaction to be manifest as joy, sense of humor, and active involvement. Although these internally playful children possessed a great deal of internal imagination, they were not able to express it externally in a group situation. The Japanese understanding of the concept of creativity also influenced teachers’ views of children’s creativity, because creativity is not valued in the same way as it is in the US. Although the Japanese concur with American educators’ concept of originality as one indicator of creativity, the Japanese place a greater emphasis on persistence as the key to a successful school life.
Effects of feedback, competitor’s gender, and locus of control on reaction time of females

In Experiment 1, 32 females were randomly assigned to four groups, differing in sex of competitor and feedback condition (winning or losing). Each subject competed individually. Following five discriminative reaction time trials, the subject received feedback and was given five more trials. All subjects improved significantly following feedback except those females competing with a male and winning. In Experiment 2, 40 female subjects were assigned to four groups, differing in locus of control (internal or external) and feedback condition. Each of these subjects competed with a male. Both internal-control groups improved significantly following feedback. External-control subjects who were told they were losing improved dramatically (p <.0005); however, external-control subjects who were told they were winning did not improve significantly.
The ‘1/3’ power law between effective radius and liquid‐water content

Radiative properties of water clouds are parametrized in terms of the effective radius, liquid-water content and total droplet concentration. A new general ‘1/3’ power law between effective radius and the ratio of liquid-water content to total droplet concentration is formulated theoretically. The prefactor in the ‘1/3’ power law depends upon, and relates, cloud droplet size distributions to physical mechanisms such as entrainment and mixing. It shows that the ‘1/3’ power law holds in general for non-precipitating water clouds with any entrainment and mixing, including clouds with monodispersed cloud droplet size distributions as special cases. The formulation builds upon a system theory that is based on Shannon's maximum entropy principle. The theoretical ‘1/3’ power law is further demonstrated using observational data. The existence of such a ‘1/3’ power law indirectly justifies the system theory generalized in this paper.
The Legacy of African Slavery in Colonial Mexico, 1519‐1810

L'A. examine l'apport des Africains a la culture mexicaine pendant la periode coloniale du Mexique. Il soutient que l'heritage africain est essentiel pour la comprehension du Mexique moderne et que les Afro-mexicains ont joue un role actif dans l'evolution du Mexique colonial malgre l'oppression hispanique de l'esclavage africain. Prenant part au processus de metissage (mestizaje), les Africains mexicains furent un element important de la naissance difficile de la nation mexicaine.
Archimedean Orders on Certain Rings of Invariants

Let $\mathcal{G}\leq {\rm GL}_n (\mathbb{Z})$ act multiplicatively on the Laurent polynomial algebra k[x± 1] in n indeterminates x={x1, …,xn}. Consider the initial algebra of the ring of invariants $k[\textbf{x}^{\pm1}]^{\mathcal{G}}$ with respect to some monomial order. We set a sufficient condition on $\mathcal{G}$ such that each initial algebra is represented by some weight vectors in ℝn. We also show that the condition is necessary in the case where the rank n = 2.
Finding the low-energy structures of Si[001] symmetric tilted grain boundaries with a genetic algorithm

We developed a global structure optimization method, genetic algorithm, for a fast and efficient prediction of grain-boundary structures. Using this method we predicted the most stable structures and a number of low-energy metastable structures for Si[001] symmetric tilted grain boundaries with various tilted angles. We show that most of the grain-boundary structures can be described by the structural unit model with the units being the dislocation cores and perfect-crystal fragments. The energies of the grain-boundary structures obtained from the genetic algorithm optimization are evaluated by tight-binding calculations using the environment-dependent Si tight-binding potential developed previously and found to be in very good agreement with the first-principles calculation results.
Parallel Implementation of Structural Dynamic Analysis for Parachute Simulation

An iterative parallel finite element procedure for the simulation of nonlinear structural behavior of parachute systems is presented. The Hilber-Hughes-Taylor method is employed in this procedure for nonlinear implicit time integration. Parallel techniques derived from the geometrical parallelism algorithm are developed in a finite element code. This involves the parallel implementation of generating the tangent stiffness matrix and the effective force vector, solving the resulting linearized simultaneous system equations and other required operations. Two sample problems are presented to demonstrate the inherent features of parachute simulations and to analyze the efficiency of the parallel algorithms.
MOTHERSHIP — A serpentine tread/limb hybrid marsupial robot for USAR

In this paper we present a novel serpentine marsupial robot that consists of three articulated modules of 10 treads each, ringing the circumference. The treads of each cylindrical tread module move in two dimensions, resulting in holonomic behavior. The differentially-driven planetary gears permit both transverse and longitudinal tread motion while both motors remain stationary in the module frame of reference. Active articulated joints between the modules enable the navigation of obstacles and climbing steep gradients and steps larger than the diameter of the modules. As a marsupial robot team, the larger MOTHERSHIP carries small, rubble-penetrating CRAWLER robots to assist a search, either via teleoperation or, eventually, via autonomous teaming.
A perturbative treatment of motion near the 3/1 commensurability

A semianalytic perturbation theory for motion near the 3/1 commensurability in the planar elliptic restricted three-body problem is presented. The predictions of the theory are in good agreement with the features found on numerically generated surfaces of section; a global understanding of the phase space is achieved. The principal cause of the large chaotic zone near the 3/1 commensurability is identified, and a new criterion for the existence of large-scale chaotic behavior is presented.
Transition-Metal Nanocluster Catalysts: Scaled-up Synthesis, Characterization, Storage Conditions, Stability, and Catalytic Activity before and after Storage of Polyoxoanion- and Tetrabutylammonium-Stabilized Ir(0) Nanoclusters

Previously, we reported the milligram-scale synthesis of tetrabutylammonium- and polyoxoanion (P2W15Nb3O629-)-stabilized Ir(0) nanoclusters. To increase the isolable yield of this nanocluster catalyst material to near 1 g, experiments were carried out optimizing the key synthetic variables including the solvent, the presence or absence of olefin during the nanocluster formation reaction, the isolation procedure, and the storage conditions. The ability to quantitatively monitor each nanocluster synthesis by the catalytic activity of the resultant material has led to an optimized synthesis yielding 880 ± 10 mg of 3.8 ± 0.6 nm Ir(0)∼2000 nanoclusters. The scaled-up nanoclusters are characterized by TEM, elemental analysis, GC, TGA/MS, IR,1H, and 31P NMR, resulting in compositionally well-characterized nanoclusters with an average stoichiometry of [(n-C4H9)4N]∼11000Na∼5000Ir∼2000(P4W30Nb6O123)∼1000(C4H6O3)∼5000 (where C4H6O3 = propylene carbonate). The isolated nanoclusters are active cyclohexene hydrogenatio...
Analysis of formation of hafnium silicide on silicon

Backscattering of He ions and Seemann‐Bohlin x‐ray diffraction techniques have been used to investigate the composition and growth kinetics of hafnium silicide formed from thin films of hafnium sputter deposited on silicon. The stable‐phase HfSi was formed in the temperature region 550–750°C. Zirconium and argon impurities were present in the Hf films at the level of 2.5 at.%. During the formation of the HfSi phase, these impurities served as markers which were used to determine the diffusing species. We conclude that Si is the diffusing species.
Using Pattern Recognition in Decoding Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points HACCP for Quality Assurance: The Case for a Start-up Company

Jack Grealish is an aspiring entrepreneur. During his undergraduate in UCLA, he worked in his father's business, which focused on selling specialized foods. He became fascinated with the food industry and find out more what it entails. His investigation has unveiled the landscape of the food industry. Furthermore, he discovered that the hazard analysis and critical control points HACCP system implemented in the food industry was rather disjointed and could benefit from automation. He conducted a preliminary research about current HACCP development and determine to plunge ahead. Jack ponders about the possibility of integrating different pattern recognition methodologies in HACCP processes to improve the effectiveness of overall quality control at his company.
Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 214

The available nuclear structure information for all nuclei with mass number A=214 is presented. Various decay and reaction data are evaluated and compared. Adopted data, levels, spin, parity and configuration assignments are given.
Cross correction following haemopoietic stem cell transplant for purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency: engrafted donor-derived white blood cells provide enzyme to residual enzyme-deficient recipient cells

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) deficiency is an immunodeficiency disorder characterized by recurrent infections, failure to thrive and neurologic symptomatology. While enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is a therapeutic option for adenine deaminase (ADA) deficiency, a similar disorder, this is not available for PNP deficiency, and bone marrow transplant (BMT) is the only treatment option. Moreover, even with BMT, improvement of neurological deficits is not definite. We describe a 16-month-old boy who underwent BMT for PNP deficiency which resulted not only in freedom from infections but also in neurological improvement and autologous T-cell recovery.
Prediction of colloid detachment in a model porous media: Thermodynamics

Detachment of polystyrene latex colloids was studied in a model porous media system comprised of a packed column of glass beads. The polystyrene colloids were attached and subsequently detached from the glass beads by varying solution pH and ionic strength. It was found that classical-DLVO theory could not predict detaching conditions. Extended-DLVO theory was used to determine the median detaching pH for deionized water, and solutions of 0.01 and 0.1 M NaCl. Although both the colloids and porous media were macroscopically homogeneous, detachment was observed at a variety of pH values. The pH distribution of detachment and the energy distribution of the interaction between the polystyrene latex colloids and the glass beads followed gamma distributions. This work has provided a technique to quantitatively predict the aqueous chemistry changes that induce colloid detachment in porous media.