cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Tropical Cyclone-Induced Ecological Regime Shift: Mangrove Forest Conversion to Mudflat in Everglades National Park (Florida, USA)

The ecological effects of tropical cyclones on mangrove forests are diverse and highly location- and cyclone-dependent. Ecological resistance, resilience, and enhancement are terms that describe most mangrove forest responses to tropical cyclones. However, in the most extreme cases, tropical cyclones can trigger abrupt and irreversible ecological transformations (i.e., ecological regime shifts). Here, we examine a cyclone-induced ecological regime shift that occurred in Everglades National Park (USA), where forest mortality and peat collapse due to a powerful tropical cyclone (the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane) led to the conversion of mangrove forests to mudflats and an estimated elevation loss of approximately 75 cm. We investigated soil elevation change measured in these mangrove forests and adjacent mudflats during a twenty-year period [1998–2018] using Surface Elevation Table-Marker Horizon (SET-MH) methods. This period encompasses the effects of Hurricanes Wilma (2005) and Irma (2017). We also used historical sea-level rise rates and future sea-level rise scenarios to estimate surface elevation changes in the past (1930–1998) and to illustrate elevation gains needed for these ecosystems to adapt to future change. Collectively, our findings advance understanding of the long-term effects of cyclone-induced ecological regime shifts due to forest mortality, peat collapse, and conversion of mangrove forests to mudflats.
Appearance variation adaptation tracker using adversarial network

Abstract Visual trackers using deep neural networks have demonstrated favorable performance in object tracking. However, training a deep classification network using overlapped initial target regions may lead an overfitted model. To increase the model generalization, we propose an appearance variation adaptation (AVA) tracker that aligns the feature distributions of target regions over time by learning an adaptation mask in an adversarial network. The proposed adversarial network consists of a generator and a discriminator network that compete with each other over optimizing a discriminator loss in a mini-max optimization problem. Specifically, the discriminator network aims to distinguish recent target regions from earlier ones by minimizing the discriminator loss, while the generator network aims to produce an adaptation mask to maximize the discriminator loss. We incorporate a gradient reverse layer in the adversarial network to solve the aforementioned mini-max optimization in an end-to-end manner. We compare the performance of the proposed AVA tracker with the most recent state-of-the-art trackers by doing extensive experiments on OTB50, OTB100, and VOT2016 tracking benchmarks. Among the compared methods, AVA yields the highest area under curve (AUC) score of 0.712 and the highest average precision score of 0.951 on the OTB50 tracking benchmark. It achieves the second best AUC score of 0.688 and the best precision score of 0.924 on the OTB100 tracking benchmark. AVA also achieves the second best expected average overlap (EAO) score of 0.366, the best failure rate of 0.68, and the second best accuracy of 0.53 on the VOT2016 tracking benchmark.
La violencia de género en tres novelas policiacas negras de escritoras mexicanas : Patricia Valladares, Laura Esquivel y Fernanda Melchor

Este articulo plantea que varias novelas policiacas de escritoras mexicanas, surgidas en las primeras decadas del siglo XXI relacionan el delito con la sociedad y la cultura. En las obras de Patricia Valladares (Tan frio como el infierno, 2014), Laura Esquivel (A Lupita le gustaba planchar, 2015) y Fernanda Melchor (Temporada de huracanes, 2017) el crimen que se investiga esta engranado con el contexto de la violencia generalizada, la corrupcion y el caos que gobiernan en el pais sumido en la crisis social de la era neoliberal. El problema que se destaca mas es la violencia de genero como parte de la cultura patriarcal machista, agravado por la crisis. Las novelas denotan una esperanza de encontrar posibilidades de experiencias alternativas, mas liberadoras que, sin embargo, no necesariamente encuentran soluciones viables. This article suggests that several detective novels written by Mexican women writers in the first decades of the 21st century connect crime with society and culture. In the works of Patricia Valladares (Tan frio como el infierno, 2014), Laura Esquivel (A Lupita le gustaba planchar, 2015) and Fernanda Melchor (Temporada de huracanes, 2017), the crime being investigated occurs embedded in the context of general violence, corruption and chaos that govern the country immersed in social crisis of the Neoliberal era. The problem that stands out is gender violence as part of the patriarchal macho culture, aggravated by the crisis. The novels denote hope of finding alternate, more liberating experiences, even though they do not necessarily find viable solutions.
Pre-COVID-19 lung function and other risk factors for severe COVID-19 in first responders

Starting 1/3/2020, New York City (NYC) suffered an intense COVID-19 outbreak caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. By 31/5/2020, there were 203 248 diagnosed patients, 52 301 hospitalisations and 17 756 confirmed deaths in NYC [1]. Cardiac arrests with resuscitation increased 3-fold compared with the same time 2019 period [2]. Despite proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and compliance with Centers for Disease Control guidelines [3], medical leave for suspected/confirmed COVID-19 in Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) responders was substantial, affecting 40.7% of emergency medical service providers (EMS) and 34.5% of firefighters [4]. We examined risk factors for COVID-19 diagnosis and severe COVID-19 disease (hospitalisation or death) in FDNY responders. Footnotes This manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the ERJ Open Research . It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJOR online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article. Conflict of interest: Dr. Weiden has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Zeig-Owens reports grants from NIOSH, outside the submitted work. Conflict of interest: Ms. Singh has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Ms. Schwartz has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Mr. Liu has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Mr. Vaeth has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Nolan has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Cleven has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Hurwitz has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Beecher has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. prezant has nothing to disclose.
A Balance-Sheet Analysis of the Dutch Economy

The Dutch economy is characterized by substantial financial balance sheets in the private sector. Uncommonly large gross financial assets and liabilities are found in the financial sector, whereas households own significant net financial wealth. The large gross financial assets and liabilities reflect a dominant role of multinational corporations (MNCs). Despite their size, these financial positions have not brought significant financial stability risks to the country. On the other hand, Dutch households’ long balance sheets have been associated with depressed consumption and volatile real estate investment, which has probably exacerbated the cyclicality of the economy. The expected reform of the pension system is likely to change the way household balance sheets interact with private consumption.
Lightweight monitoring of MPI programs in real time: Research Articles

Current technologies allow efficient data collection by several sensors to determine an overall evaluation of the status of a cluster. However, no previous work of which we are aware analyzes the behavior of the parallel programs themselves in real time. In this paper, we perform a comparison of different artificial intelligence techniques that can be used to implement a lightweight monitoring and analysis system for parallel applications on a cluster of Linux workstations. We study the accuracy and performance of deterministic and stochastic algorithms when we observe the flow of both library-function and operating-system calls of parallel programs written with C and MPI. We demonstrate that monitoring of MPI programs can be achieved with high accuracy and in some cases with a false-positive rate near 0p in real time, and we show that the added computational load on each node is small. As an example, the monitoring of function calls using a hidden Markov model generates less than 5p overhead. The proposed system is able to automatically detect deviations of a process from its expected behavior in any node of the cluster, and thus it can be used as an anomaly detector, for performance monitoring to complement other systems or as a debugging tool. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Epidemiology of Bacterial Resistance to Antimicrobial Agents

Infectious diseases have continually played a role in shaping human history. The plague pandemic of the 13th century claimed approximately 25% of the world’s population. Dysentery decimated the forces of Napoleon, and tuberculosis, also known as “the white plague,” condemned many of histories most influential leaders, writers, artists, and scientists to untimely deaths, often in their most productive years. Thus, it was assumed that with the introduction of antibiotics into clinical medicine during the 20th century, the conquest of infectious diseases was likely to be close at hand. Yet, a closer examination of the medical literature beginning in the 1940s reveals an ominous trend that would be repeated over and over again throughout the next several decades: The discovery of a new antibacterial agent was followed sooner or later by the recognition of bacterial resistance to the agent. How bacteria develop resistance to antimicrobial agents and how resistant microorganisms spread in hospitals, other health care settings, and communities will be the focus of this chapter.
The Digital Person: Technology and Privacy in the Information Age

Acknowledgments1 Introduction I Computer Databases2 The Rise of the Digital Dossier 3 Kafka and Orwell: Reconceptualizing Information Privacy 4 The Problems of Information Privacy Law 5 The Limits of Market-Based Solutions 6 Architecture and the Protection of Privacy II Public Records7 The Problem of Public Records8 Access and Aggregation: Rethinking Privacy and Transparency III Government Access9 Government Information Gathering 10 The Fourth Amendment, Records, and Privacy11 Reconstructing the Architecture 12 Conclusion Notes IndexAbout the Author Contents
Bi-rewriting, a Term Rewriting Technique for Monotonic Order Relations

We propose an extension of rewriting techniques to derive inclusion relations \(a \subseteq b\) between terms built from monotonic operators. Instead of using only a rewriting relation \(\xrightarrow{ \supseteq }\) and rewriting a to b, we use another rewriting relation \(\xrightarrow{ \supseteq }\) as well and seek a common expression c such that \(a{\xrightarrow{ \subseteq }^*}c\) and \(b{\xrightarrow{ \supseteq }^*}c\). Each component of the bi-rewriting system \(\left\langle {\xrightarrow{ \subseteq },\xrightarrow{ \supseteq }} \right\rangle\) is allowed to be a subset of the corresponding inclusion ⊆ or ⊇. In order to assure the decidability and completeness of the proof procedure we study the commutativity of \(\xrightarrow{ \subseteq }\) and \(\xrightarrow{ \supseteq }\). We also extend the existing techniques of rewriting modulo equalities to bi-rewriting modulo a set of inclusions. We present the canonical bi-rewriting system corresponding to the theory of non-distributive lattices.
Failure Analysis of Semiconductor Devices

This chapter is a review of effective and disciplined analytical techniques which are utilized in the failure analysis of bipolar and field effect transistors (FET). Present integrated circuit complexity has increased, and device geometries have decreased to submicron dimensions. With this increase in manufacturing complexity, needs dictate state-of-the-art analytical capabilities to support product production and to continue to assure reliability. Continuous failure analysis of line and yield problems supports the refinement and achievement of a quality product. Long-term performance (field reliability) can also be improved by performing analysis on returned failed parts. Results from both analyses are continuously fed back to manufacturing and engineering for improved product quality and reliability.
Radar Meteorological Applications of Automatic Film Reading

The data recording of storm information as detected by a weather radar has been customarily made on photographic film. Research radars and an occasional U. S. Weather Bureau radar are fitted with scope cameras to record the radar plan position indicator (PPI) display. Over the past 15 years a large sample of weather radar data has been accumulated in this fashion. The photographic technique provides an easy, quick, and inexpensive way to record weather radar data. The major drawback of this technique is data reduction. Information on storm shape, size, and intensity is normally extracted from the photographic images by hand. This means that only the most interesting aspects of individual storms are analyzed and the vast majority of the collected radar data is not analyzed. A vast amount of climatological information could be obtained from the existing store of weather radar data if an automatic technique of data retrieval were available. The first part of this report describes the use of a computer-controlled programmable film reader to process weather radar PPI photographs to obtain digital maps of rainfall intensity for use in climatological studies.
Metabolic correlates of intracellular pH change during rapid contractile activity in a molluscan muscle

Intracellular pH (pHi) changes during burst contractile activity in in vitro preparations of phasic adductor muscle of the bay scallop, Argopecten irradians concentricus, were monitored using phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR) spectroscopy. A transient alkalinization (from pHi 7.06 to 7.15) was observed during the first period of contractions. The predominant mode of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production during this period was by hydrolysis of arginine phosphate, a proton consuming process. Subsequent contractions of the muscle resulted in a gradual acidification, with pHi approaching 6.94. During these later stages of contraction, glycolytic production of octopine was a major source of ATP. The net proton yields of energy transformations were estimated, based on proton consumption by arginine phosphate utilization and proton yield of octopine production. The resulting predicted pattern of proton change was very similar to those of observed changes in pHi. Intracellular pH changes during contractile activity in A. irradians concentricus phasic adductor muscle are strongly correlated with the pattern of proton yield of metabolic energy transformations taking place in the tissue.
The temperature of the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame

Abstract A line-reversal technique has been used to measure the temperature profiles of premixed nitrous oxide-acetylene flames of differing stoichiometries. The temperature of the region of the fuel-rich flame where emission and absorption measurements are usually made is found to be about 2880°K. The widely-quoted figure of 3228°K for the maximum temperature of the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame occurs, if at all, only in the primary reaction zone, where lack of thermal equilibrium makes the results of temperature measurements uncertain.
Mediastinal lymphoma simulating primary heart disease.

Abstract The heart is involved by lymphoma in approximately 20 per cent of patients dying of this disease. Because of a low index of suspicion antemortem recognition of such involvement is infrequent even when cardiac manifestations are present. The clinical and pathologic features of lymphomatous heart disease are briefly reviewed and two illustrative cases presented. Patients with known lymphoma should be carefully observed for signs of cardiac invasion and lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of heart disease of obscure etiology.
Recruiting Future Neuroscientists: What Asking the Recruits Can Teach Us:

Many different strategies are used to recruit students into scientific research careers, including neuroscience research. These strategies are rarely based on knowledge about students; instead, activities are selected based on their ease of implementation. The goal of the LEARN Project is to encourage high school students into mental health science research using the theme of learning and memory. One intervention the authors developed is five Web-based biographies introducing students to contemporary neuroscientist role models studying learning and memory. To guide the design of this intervention, the authors created a survey to determine where students obtain career information and who and what influences their career selection. In a convenience sample of 124 students, the authors found that almost all students use the Internet for information about careers, in addition to consulting family members and teachers. Students’ career selections are influenced most by family members, teachers, and people alrea...
Immunosuppression may be present within condyloma acuminata

Background Condyloma acuminatum are common lesions caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is associated with many human cancers, and a vaccine now prevents infection with high-risk HPV. However, eradication of established disease is difficult, indicating that these lesions are capable of local immunosuppression. Objective This study examines the immunohistochemical staining characteristics of condyloma acuminatum lesions for markers of cellular immunity, including T-lymphocyte subsets, dendritic cells, and infected keratinocytes and markers of antigen presentation in condyloma tissue. Methods Five snap-frozen, optimal cutting temperature–embedded condyloma lesions were immunostained for T-lymphocyte markers Fox P3, CD8, CD25 and molecules involved in antigen presentation. Results Condylomas demonstrated hallmarks of immunosuppression, such as increased cellular interleukin-10 production, decreased expression of transporter associated with antigen presentation, CD40, and carbonic anhydrase IX, decreased dendritic cell counts, and increased T-regulatory cell infiltration. Limitations This study was performed with lesions from a single center, and control tissue from the same patients was not available because of lack of patient consent. Conclusion These results demonstrate that condylomas induce a local immunosuppressive environment, with deficits in antigen presentation and enhancement of immunosuppressive T-regulatory cell populations. Strategies to block this immunosuppression are required to elicit effective immune responses to HPV infection.
Absorption of aspirin from the stomach in man

Abstract In six healthy fasting subjects gastric emptying of a barium meal containing aspirin equivalent to four 0.3 g aspirin tablets was impeded by the use of atropine and the left supine position. X-Ray photographs and measurements of plasma salicylate revealed that measurable amounts of the drug appeared in the blood at times when the meal was completely or almost wholly retained within the stomach. It is concluded that this initial absorption takes place across the gastric mucous membrane.
Return of normal voiding function after vesica bone-anchored sling procedure for stress urinary incontinence

Abstract Objective: To present initial data of return to normal voiding function after vesica-bone anchoring sling for stress urinary incontinence. Methods: Thirty women from February 1997 through October 1999 underwent a bone anchor sling procedure for stress urinary incontinence and/or intrinsic sphincter deficiency. Their average age as 58.8 years (43–77); 19 were white, 11 Hispanic. Three types of slings were used: protogen (synthetic), cadaveric fascia, and alloderm. Indications were stress alone (21), stress plus ISD (6), and mixed (3). The standard of care was to leave the Foley catheter in place for 3 days. A trial of voiding on postoperative day 3 involved catheterization after a 2nd spontaneous void. If residual was greater than 175 mL, the catheter was left in place and trial of voiding repeated in 3–7 days. Protogen (n = 10) Fascia (n = 9) Alloderm (n = 11) Total (n = 30) Average time to nl void 11.13 7.88 9.7 d 9.65 d Range (days) 3–27 3–13 3–33 3–33 Results: There was no significant difference between the sling types. No patients required prolonged catheterization past 33 days. One patient required midline excision of sling on postoperative day 248 for persistent slightly elevated residuals (100–125 mL) and repeat urinary tract infections. Conclusions: Contrary to previously reported data, normal voiding with removal of the catheter immediately postopera-tive is unlikely; however, it is also unlikely for the patient to require catheterization for longer than 1 month.
Effects of local anesthetics of guanyl nucleotide modulation of the catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase system and on β-adrenergic receptors

Abstract Tetracaine and other local anesthetics exert multiple actions on the catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase system of frog erythrocyte membranes. Tetracaine (0.2–2.0 mM) reduces the responsiveness of adenylate cyclose to (a) guanyl-5′-yl-imidodiphosphate and (b) isoproterenol in the presence of GTP or guanyl-5′-yl-imidodiphosphate. Local anesthetics did not affect (a) basal enzyme activity, and (b) enzyme responsiveness to NaF. Tetracaine inhibited stimulation of adenylate cyclase by guanyl-5′-yl-imidodiphosphate over the whole range of nucleotide concentrations. By contrast, inhibition by tetracaine of isoproterenol activity in the presence of GTP was significant only if GTP concentrations exceeded 10−7 M. Tetracaine also competitively inhibited binding of both the antagonist [3H]-dihydroalprenolol and the agonist [3H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol to β-adrenergic receptors. However, it was twice as potent in inhibiting [3H]-hydroxybenzylisoproterenol as [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding. The greater potency for inhibition of agonist binding was due to the ability of the anesthetics to promote dissociation of the high-affinity nucleotide sensitive state of the β-adrenergic receptor induced by agonists. Other local anesthetics mimicked the effects of tetracaine on adenylate
Perceptions of Women as Managers in Chile and the United States

The objective of the current study was to determine if stereotypical perceptions of women as managers existed among men and women in two different cultural settings, the U.S. and Chile. Using the Women as Managers Scale (WAMS), 412 participants from the U.S. and Chile responded to questions about their perceptions of women performing managerial roles and tasks. Gender and culture effects were identified at both the multivariate and univariate levels.1 The results showed that male subjects in both cultures had more stereotypical and negative perceptions of women as managers than did female subjects, and the U.S. participants (both male and female) had more positive and less stereotypical perceptions of women as managers than the Chilean participants. Implications for research and practice in cross‐cultural and international management are discussed.
Sintering of amorphous Si3N4 nanoclusters: a molecular dynamics study of stress analysis

The authors investigate the onset and growth of the neck between amorphous Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} nanoclusters at zero and finite pressures. Local stress fluctuations and atomic self-diffusion in the interface region are found to be responsible for neck formation. External pressure has a dramatic influence on the rate of sintering.
WHAT IS THE LOGIC OF EXPERIMENTAL INQUIRY

The purpose of this paper is to expound one of the most important insights yielded by the interrogative model of inquiry, prominently including scientific inquiry. I have outlined this model elsewhere.1 The basic idea on which this model is based is simplicity itself. It can be expressed most easily in the jargon of game theory.2 A player, called the Inquirer, is trying to prove a predetermined conclusion C from a given theoretical premise T. (In a variant form, the Inquirer is trying to prove either C or ~ C, i.e., to answer the initial question “C or not- C?”.) Over and above deductive moves, i.e., over and above drawing logical inferences, beginning with T, the Inquirer may address questions to a source of information and use the answers (when available) as additional premises, in short, may carry out interrogative moves. The answerer is called Nature. As a bookkeeping technique, a Beth-like semantical tableau can be assumed to be used.3 Each move is relative to the stage of a subtableau reached in the game at the time. The questions must of course pertain to a given model M of the language of T. Before a question is asked, its presupposition must have been established by the Inquirer, that is, occur in the left column of the subtableau in question.4
BEHAVIOR OF T3, T4, TSH AND ACID LIPASE(AL) ACTIVITY IN THYROIDECTOMIZED RATS TREATED WITH T3 AND T4

Studies have shown a differeritial sensitivity of various biological systems to T3 and T4; it has therefore been questioned whether TSH supppression truly reflects euthyroidism at the periphery. To explore this differential sensitivity, the acute effects of graded doses of T3 and T4 on TSH suppression and hepatic AL activity were determined in hypothyroid rats.
Sieve-equivalence and explicit bijections

Abstract Suppose A1,…, An are subsets of a finite set A, and B1,…, Bn are subsets of a finite set B. For each subset S of N = {1, 2,…, n}, let As = ∩iϵSAi and BS = ∩iϵSBi. It is shown that if explicit bijections fS:AS → BS for each S ⊆ N are given, an explicit bijection h:A-∪i=1Ai→B-∪i=1Bi can be constructed. The map h is independent of any ordering of the elements of A and B, and of the order in which the subsets Ai and Bi are listed.
Use of pharmacy informatics resources by clinical pharmacy services in acute care hospitals

Purpose. The use of pharmacy informatics resources by clinical pharmacy services and the presence of a pharmacy informatics specialist in acute care hospitals were evaluated. Methods. Two hundred randomly selected pharmacies in general medical and surgical hospitals in the United States with at least 100 acute care beds were surveyed via mail. Survey items gathered information regarding facility attributes, opinions about staff pharmacists’ understanding of information technology, and departmental utilization of pharmacy informatics. Results. Of the 200 surveys mailed, 114 (57%) were returned completed. When asked to rate their departments’ use of pharmacy informatics, 82% indicated that pharmacy informatics use was good or fair, while 12% considered information use to be optimized. A majority of respondents (60%) indicated that a pharmacy informatics specialist was employed within the pharmacy, with 47% indicating that the specialist was a pharmacist. An overwhelming percentage of these pharmacists received informatics training on the job, and roughly half had specialty positions integrated into their pharmacist job description. No significant association existed between the use of pharmacy informatics and facility teaching status (teaching versus nonteaching), geographic location (urban versus rural), or use of computerized prescriber order entry. Employment of a pharmacy informatics specialist was significantly associated with the use of such informatics applications as database mining, renal-dosing-rules engines, antibiotic–pathogen matching-rules engines, and pharmacokinetic-monitoring rules engines. Conclusion. The use of clinical pharmacy informatics in patient care in acute care hospitals with at least 100 beds was significantly more likely when a pharmacy informatics specialist was present in the pharmacy. However, 4 in 10 hospital pharmacies did not employ a pharmacy informatics specialist.
A FINITE STATE COMMA TAGGER

A method has been developed and implemented that assigns syntactic roles to commas. Text that has been tagged using a part-of-speech tagger serves as the input to the system. A set of Finite State Automata first assigns temporary syntactic roles to each comma in the sentence. A greedy learning algorithm is then used to determine the final syntactic roles of the commas. The system requires no training and is not domain specific. The performance of the system on numerous corpora is given and compared against a rule-based approach.
Morphologically induced density lag formation on bedforms and biogenic structures in aeolian sands

Abstract In a variety of sand-dominated depositional settings, an increase in near-surface wind velocity typically culminates with the formation of a lag deposit, such as an increase in coarse fraction, accumulation of shell fragments, or a concentration of heavy minerals (density > 2.9 g/cm 3 ). This study presents examples from six coastal dune sites where prominent heavy-mineral concentrations (HMCs) are confined to the crests of aeolain ripples and marginal ridges of biogenic structures. In settings with low background fraction of heavy minerals (2–5%), micro-topographic highs ( 500 MHz) georadar imaging.
Development of Analytical Skills Through Cooperative Learning

Learning analytical skills in the context of formulating and solving a well-posed fluid flow problem requires special considerations which are often missed by students or under-emphasized by faculty during instructional delivery of materials. This paper presents the results of a pilot study in the class Transport Phenomena to determine if cooperative learning and working in groups would assist better understanding of these topics. Cooperative learning was found to have many benefits related to comprehension and positive interdependence. But benefits derived from this approach are limited unless such methods are reinforced in several places in the curriculum. Comparative performance data is presented with and without this approach. Issues related to Bloom’s taxonomy and cognitive apprenticeship were investigated and discussed in context of the class Transport Phenomena.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Porous Film Deposition by Electrohydrodynamic Atomization of Nanoparticle Sols

Film deposition by electrohydrodynamic atomization of nanoparticle sols was studied experimentally using zinc oxide nanoparticles in ethanol and using sequential Monte Carlo simulations, in which proper statistics and particle transport to the substrate were accounted for. Experimentally produced and simulated films were in good agreement, and simulations were used to determine the influences of deposition time, nanoparticle concentration in the sol, mean droplet size, and droplet polydispersity on the film thickness, porosity, surface roughness, and lateral feature size. Film growth rates were non-constant due to decreases in the film porosity early in the deposition process. Over time, the thickness of films increased, while the porosity decreased. After sufficient deposition time, the porosity reached a constant value and consequently the film growth rate was constant. The use of high concentration sols or large droplets resulted in the deposition of agglomerated particles, which gave rise to thicker, ...
Transient Behavior of a Class of Wind Turbine Generators During Electrical Disturbances

Common to many present-day designs of large wind turbines is the soft shaft in the low speed part of the drive train. The untwisting of this shaft during an electrical disturbance determines the short-term transient behavior of this type of wind energy system. This feature of the mechanical system and its influence upon transient stability and thus the performance of the wind turbine generator are investigated.
Metformin and/or Clomiphene Do Not Adversely Affect Liver or Renal Function in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Context: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is common to insulin-resistant states such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Metformin (MET) is often used to treat PCOS but information is limited as to its effects on liver function. Objective: We sought to determine the effects of MET on serum hepatic parameters in PCOS patients. Design: This was a secondary analysis of a randomized, doubled-blind trial from 2002–2004. Setting: This multi-center clinical trial was conducted in academic centers. Patients: Six hundred twenty-six infertile women with PCOS with serum liver function parameters less than twice the upper limit of normal were included. Interventions: Clomiphene citrate (n = 209), MET (n = 208), or combined (n = 209) were given for up to 6 months. Main Outcome Measure: The percent change from baseline in renal and liver function between- and within-treatment arms was assessed. Results: Renal function improved in all treatment arms with significant decreases in serum blood urea nitrogen levels (range,...
Glioblastoma in the elderly: the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Experience (1997-2007).

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor, and approximately 50% of cases occur in patients aged ≥65 years. However, to the authors' knowledge, there is no accepted standard treatment for elderly GBM patients, and specific prognostic factors in the elderly GBM population have not been systematically studied to date. METHODS: The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center institutional database was used to identify patients with histologically confirmed GBM who were aged ≥65 years at the time of diagnosis. RESULTS: Three hundred ninety-four GBM patients with a median age of 71.9 years (59% of whom were men) were included. Approximately 18% of patients underwent biopsy, whereas 82% underwent tumor resection; 81% received radiotherapy (RT), and 43% received adjuvant chemotherapy. The median overall survival was 8.6 months; at the time of last follow‒up, 90% of patients had died, and the median follow-up of the 39 surviving patients was 12 months. In a multivariate analysis, younger age, better Karnofsky performance status (KPS), single tumor, and surgical resection were found to be independent predictors of survival. Comparing 103 patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy with 48 who were only followed after RT, there was a 55% decrease in the risk of death (hazards ratio, 0.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.30-0.66 [P < .0001]) after adjusting for age, KPS, extent of surgical resection, and number of lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to studies in younger GBM patients, advancing age, KPS, and extent of tumor resection were found to be independent prognostic factors in the current study. Although survival is inferior in older GBM patients, age alone should not disqualify patients from aggressive therapy with surgical resection, RT, and chemotherapy. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
An analysis of agency compliance with the indexing requirements of the freedom of information act as amended

Abstract This article discusses the importance of information, particularly government information, as background to the Freedom of Information Act as Amended which was intended to strengthen public access to government information. The article presents the results of an analysis of federal agency compliance with the indexing requirements of the FOI Act as Amended for the period January 1975 through September 1977.
Testing, Testing and More Testing

(1981). Testing, Testing and More Testing. Childhood Education: Vol. 58, Pressures Abolishing Childhood, pp. 76-80.
On (m,p)-expansive and (m,p)-contractive operators on Hilbert and Banach spaces

For a bounded operator T on a Banach space X, we define β(m,p)(T,x):=∑k=0m(−1)m−k(mk)‖Tkx‖pfor all x∈X. We prove β(m,p)(T,x)≤0 for all x∈X implies β(m−1,p)(T,x)≥0 for all x∈X. This result allows us to extend several results for (m,p)-isometries (β(m,p)(T,x)=0) to operators only satisfying β(m,p)(T,x)≤0. A Berger–Shaw type result is also proved for a class of m-expansive operators on a Hilbert space. Several classes of operators are introduced and studied by using β(m,p)(T,x) in parallel with corresponding classes of operators on Hilbert space. In particular a class of p-subnormal operators on a Banach space is introduced and such operators are proved to be paranormal.
Kaolmite layer structure: relaxation by dehydroxylation.

Single-crystal electron-diffraction data reveal features of metakaolin. The basal plane parameters increase 2.2 percent in formation of metakaolin produced by heating kaolinite in air at 700°C for 12 hours. This increase results from removal of the distortion of sheet structure (relaxation).
On the local hölder continuity of the inverse of the p-laplace operator

We prove an interpolation type inequality between C α , L°° and L P spaces and use it to establish the local Holder continuity of the inverse of the p-Laplace operator: ∥(-Δp) -1 (f)-(-Δp) -1 (g)∥c1(Ω) ≤C∥f-g∥ r L (Ω), for any f and g in a bounded set in L∞(Ω).
Angiotensin II blockade: A therapeutic strategy with wide applications

Evidence now exists suggesting a pathologic role for angiotensin II in patients with cardiovascular disease and those with risk factors. Clinical trials such as the Losartan Intervention for Endpoint Reduction in Hypertension Study (LIFE), the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation Study (HOPE), the African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension (AASK), and the Reduction of Endpoints in NIDDM with the Angiotensin II Antagonist Losartan (RENAAL) study have clearly demonstrated that blood pressure reduction is important in hypertension and diabetes. If this can be accomplished with agents that block the renin-angiotensin system, then additional clinical benefit will be achieved. Clinical data on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) are well established, while emerging data on the use of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) continue to grow. There is evidence supporting the concept of angiotensin II escape in the presence of ACEIs. The question that remains to be answered is whether a combination of both agents (ACEIs and ARBs) can improve clinical outcomes. Ongoing clinical trials will answer this question.
Herpes zoster vaccine: What are the potential benefits for the ageing and older adults?

Abstract The burden of illness and healthcare resource utilisation associated with herpes zoster in individuals aged 50 years or above is substantial, causing severe loss of quality of life (QoL). Herpes zoster incidence varies from 1.5 to 5.0 per 1000 person-years in adults of all ages, and reaches 10 cases per 1000 person-years in individuals aged over 60. The most frequent and debilitating complication is post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). In the absence of antiviral therapy, up to 45% of over 60-year-old experience pain which persists for 6 months to a year. The importance of preventive strategies for PHN is becoming widely recognised. Several systematic reviews confirm that short-term benefit can be gained from antiviral drugs, with limited evidence that they reduce the incidence of PHN. Complementary analgesic drugs are often required. However, prescribing advised medications in old, frail, co-morbid and poly-medicated patients must be carefully considered, as there may be contraindications. Consequently, the difficulties in effectively treating HZ and severe, often intractable PHN that may follow provide a strong argument for the development of effective immunization strategies. In the Shingles Prevention Study, a placebo-controlled trial in adults aged 60 years or more, the HZ vaccine led to a sustained boost of specific cell-mediated immunity with a good tolerance. In older adults, the HZ vaccine has the potential of significantly reducing the HZ burden of illness by decreasing the incidence of HZ or reducing its severity. This review aims to detail and analyse the potential benefits of this immunization.
Poster: User-centered query expansion model for health disparities research

Health disparities are gap in health status driven by social inequities. The differences have affected how many people get sick or how often diseases cause death. In order to reduce the health disparities, many research projects have been led by National Institutes of Health. In this paper, we propose a user-centered query expansion model that assists the health disparity researches. The proposed model is tested on recent health disparities research documents.
Formant frequency fluctuation in stuttering and nonstuttering adults

Abstract Inferences were made regarding the vocal tract stability of stutterers’ and nonstutterers’ fluent speech through the examination of formant frequency fluctuation (FFF). Fifteen adult males served as subjects comprising separate groups of untreated stutterers, stutterers enrolled in a fluency-shaping treatment program, and nonstuttering controls. The steady-state portion of formant 2 (F2) was examined in the production of various CVC tokens and evaluated by examining the absolute Hz difference in F2 across consecutive glottal periods. Results of the acoustic analysis indicated a trend in FFF across the three groups. The untreated stutterers displayed the greatest FFF, followed by the control group, with the treated stutterers displaying the most F2 stability. Discussion focuses on the vocal tract stability displayed by each group, as well as the influence of a fluency-shaping treatment program to achieve perceptually fluent speech.
Lived-positive emotionality in elementary physical education

Teaching is an occupation that requires a considerable amount of emotional energy when interacting with students. Through in-depth interviews, field notes and journal entries the investigators examined the phenomenon of lived-positive emotionality (LPE) involving two physical education (PE) teachers. The purpose of this study was to determine the teachers' representation of LPE within PE and the perceived benefits that come from these types of experiences while teaching. Findings suggest that positive emotions are central to teaching, must be intentionally experienced, provide multiple benefits for self and student and beget a cycle of positive emotions.
Joint distribution function of certain ratios of chi-square variates

This paper derives formulas for the numerical computation of the joint distribution function of certain ratios of chi-square variates. The form is general enough to include the incomplete beta, F, t, and the distribution of certain Behrens-Fisher statistics.
Broadband antireflection and absorption enhancement of ultrathin silicon solar microcells enabled with density-graded surface nanostructures

Density-graded surface nanostructures are implemented on ultrathin silicon solar microcells by silver-nanoparticle-catalyzed wet chemical etching to enable near-zero surface reflection over a broad wavelength range of incident solar spectrum as well as non-zeroth order diffraction and light trapping for longer wavelength photons, thereby achieving augmented photon absorption for ultrathin silicon microcells in a simple, cost-effective manner. The increase of absorbed photon flux through the “black silicon (b-Si)” surface translates directly into the corresponding enhancement of photovoltaic performance, where 5.7-μm b-Si microcells with the rational design of device configuration exhibit improved energy conversion efficiency by 148% and 50% with and without a diffuse backside reflector, respectively, compared to devices from the bare silicon without b-Si implementation. Systematic studies on nanostructured morphology, optical and electrical properties of b-Si microcells, together with semi-empirical numerical modeling of photon absorption, provide key aspects of underlying materials science and physics.
Asymptotic normality of least-square estimators in multivariate singular linear models

An extension of a central limit theorem of F. EICKER for linear vector forms is used to derive conditions for the asymptotic normality of Least-Square Estimators in multivariate linear singular models with stochastically independent error terms. These conditions are shown to be necessary too in some cases. Several previous results concerning asymptotic normality of Least-Square Estimators in regular models are special cases of the theory developed in this paper.
Masters of swing

The Lesser Apes: Evolutionary and Behavioural Biology. Edited by Holger Preuschoft et al: Edinburgh University Press/Columbia University Press: 1984. Pp. 709. 65, 56.
Learning Convex Concepts from Gaussian Distributions with PCA

We present a new algorithm for learning a convex set in $n$-dimensional space given labeled examples drawn from any Gaussian distribution. The complexity of the algorithm is bounded by a fixed polynomial in $n$ times a function of $k$ and $\eps$ where $k$ is the dimension of the {\em normal subspace} (the span of normal vectors to supporting hyper planes of the convex set) and the output is a hypothesis that correctly classifies at least $1-\eps$ of the unknown Gaussian distribution. For the important case when the convex set is the intersection of $k$ half spaces, the complexity is \[ \poly(n,k,1/\eps) + n \cdot \min \, k^{O(\log k/\eps^4)}, (k/\eps)^{O(k)}, \] improving substantially on the state of the art \cite{Vem04,KOS08} for Gaussian distributions. The key step of the algorithm is a Singular Value Decomposition after applying a normalization. The proof is based on a monotonicity property of Gaussian space under convex restrictions.
Multiple modeling of propensity to adopt residential energy conservation retrofits

Abstract This paper concerns the propensity of American homeowners to adopt three residential energy conserving practices (adding insulation, adding storm doors or windows, adding caulking or weatherstripping). We present an analysis of the National Interim Energy Consumption Survey of 1978–1979 using two distinct statistical models: the multivariate log-linear/logistic model, and the multivariate structural probit model with latent variables. The two models are shown to be complementary.
Exploiting Mobility Patterns to Reduce Re-Authentication Overheads in Infrastructure WLAN Networks

The current EAP-TLS standard accounts for authentication delays of the order of one second for infrastructure 802.11 networks. This delay is clearly unacceptable for maintaining the QoS requirements for a mobile station which have frequent handoffs to different regions. pre-authentication schemes have been proposed to reduce these delays. However, most of these schemes suffer from an increased network message overhead since they fail to appropriately model the mobility of each individual user. In this paper, we exploit the notion of predictability in user mobility patterns and propose a set of novel proactive key distribution algorithms to achieve low latencies while minimizing the message overhead. Our schemes involve pre-distributing keys in fewer necessary Access Points (APs) as opposed to all neighboring APs. We evaluate the performance of our schemes for three different mobility models; (i) predictable motion (iii) changing predictable motion and (iii) random motion. Almost under all scenarios, our schemes indicate up to 70% message reduction, while maintaining similar latencies.