cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From Census Tracts to Local Environments: An Egocentric Approach to Neighborhood Racial Change.

Most quantitative studies of neighborhood racial change rely on census tracts as the unit of analysis. However, tracts are insensitive to variation in the geographic scale of the phenomenon under investigation and to proximity among a focal tract’s residents and those in nearby territory. Tracts may also align poorly with residents’ perceptions of their own neighborhood and with the spatial reach of their daily activities. To address these limitations, we propose that changes in racial structure (i.e., in overall diversity and group-specific proportions) be examined within multiple egocentric neighborhoods, a series of nested local environments surrounding each individual that approximate meaningful domains of experience. Our egocentric approach applies GIS procedures to census block data, using race-specific population densities to redistribute block counts of whites, blacks, Hispanics, and Asians across 50-meter by 50-meter cells. For each cell, we then compute the proximity-adjusted racial composition of four different-sized local environments based on the weighted average racial group counts in adjacent cells. The value of this approach is illustrated with 1990–2000 data from a previous study of 40 large metropolitan areas. We document exposure to increasing neighborhood racial diversity during the decade, although the magnitude of this increase in diversity—and of shifts in the particular races to which one is exposed—differs by local environment size and racial group membership. Changes in diversity exposure at the neighborhood level also depend on how diverse the metro area as a whole has become.
INCORPORATION OF SV40 TUMOR DETERMINANT INTO ADENOVIRUSES

This chapter discusses the incorporation of Simian virus 40 ( SV40) tumor determinant into adenoviruses. The emergence of a stable adenovirus-SV40 hybrid in a population of adenovirus type 7 that had been grown in the presence of papovavirus SV40 has been established. This hybrid is capable of inducing synthesis of the SV40 tumor (T) antigen in various cell cultures, but does not induce the SV40 virus (V) antigen in any of the culture systems tested. In newborn hamsters, the hybrid produces tumors containing the SV40 T antigen. Incorporated in the adenovirus-SV40 hybrid is not only the SV40 determinant responsible for inducing the intranuclear tumor antigen but also the determinant responsible for conferring transplantation resistance. The hybrid population has been found to consist of two kinds of virus particles; the first is an adenovirion free of the SV40 tumor antigen determinant, and the second is a virion carrying the SV40 determinant within an adenovirus capsid. The latter particle has been named particle aiding replication of adenovirus (PARA). Both particles are required for the continued replication of the hybrid population. This seems to be a new phenomenon in animal virology, in which two defective virions with identical capsids but with different DNA-containing genomes complement each other.
Role of Tissue-Resident Memory in Intra-Tumor Heterogeneity and Response to Immune Checkpoint Blockade.

Tissue resident memory T (TRM) cells are a distinct subset of memory T cells that reside in peripheral tissue for prolonged periods of time without significant recirculation providing continued immune surveillance at these sites. Recent studies suggest that TRM cells are also enriched within tumor tissue. Expression of inhibitory immune checkpoints is particularly enriched on this subset of tumor-infiltrating T cells, suggesting that they are major targets for newer therapies targeting immune checkpoints such as the programmed death-1 (PD-1) pathway. Recent studies suggest that tissue restriction of these cells without recirculation may also lead to heterogeneity of TRM cells within individual metastatic lesions, ultimately leading to interlesional diversity. Thus, individual metastatic lesions may contain genomically distinct immune microenvironments that impact both evolution of tumors as well as the mechanisms underlying response and resistance to immune therapies. Understanding the biology of TRM cells infiltrating tumors will be essential to improving immune-based approaches in diverse settings
Horticultural Crops as a Source of Carotenoids

Horticultural crops are a rich and diverse source of carotenoids for consumers around the world.
Vasculitis and Vasculopathy

Vasculitis is characterized by damage to the vascular endothelium and necrosis of the vessel wall; vasculopathy demonstrates intravascular thrombosis often without significant inflammation. Leukocytoclastic vasculitis is characterized by the presence of neutrophils, nuclear dust (leukocytoclasia) and fibrinoid necrosis of vessel walls.
Up in Smoke: Removing Marijuana From Schedule I

With over 600,000 marijuana arrests nationwide, and more Americans being incarcerated than for any other crime in the nation's history, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 should be amended to eliminate the inclusion of cannabis or marijuana from Schedule I. Americans spent nearly $6 billion on "legal" cannabis last year alone, and the trend among states has been to legalize the use of cannabis for both medicinal purposes and recreational purposes. The initial prohibition, the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 ,was largely influenced by racially charged propaganda and a lack of any scientific studies of the substance. By removing the substance altogether from federal regulatory control, states would be allowed to determine for themselves how to regulate the use and dissemination of the substance. The adoption of state laws recognizing the various medical benefits of the marijuana plant will not have full force until the federal regulatory scheme has been altered.
Material Culture and Making Visible: On the Portrayal of Philistine Gath in the Book of Samuel:

Over the past twenty years our understanding of Philistine Gath's history (Tell es-Safl) has been transformed by what has been revealed through the site's early Iron Age remains. But what has recei...
Reverse TSA with an augmented baseplate: Dealing with glenoid deficiency

Abstract Glenoid deficiencies are present in 40% of patients who have reverse shoulder arthroplasty; these deficiencies must be treated to ensure correct orientation of the glenoid baseplate to optimize fixation and function and reduce complications. Small defects can be managed with eccentric reaming, bone grafting, or glenoid augmentation; larger defects generally are treated with bone grafting or more recently glenoid augmentation. Augmented glenoids have shown good results, roughly equivalent to bone grafting. They may be advantageous in decreasing operative time, graft osteolysis, subsidence, and non-union, though there is little mid-term and no long-term clinical data.
Electromagnetic plasmonic field of nanoparticles tune the band gap of two-dimensional semiconducting materials

The strong spin–orbital coupling in the two-dimensional semiconducting materials i.e. MoS2 sheets, originated from the d orbitals of Mo atoms, splits their valence band at the K and K′ valleys of the Brillouin zone into two levels. Ultra-high-resolution absorption, photoluminescence (PL), and Raman measurements conducted for an individual MoS2 sheet functionalized with polymer on the top of silver nanoparticle arrays suggested that the plasmon–exciton interaction and photothermal mechanisms are not supported. A direct correlation between the strength of the electromagnetic plasmon field of the silver nanoparticle arrays, calculated by finite time domain difference technique, and the energy difference between A and B absorption and PL peaks is observed. This suggested that the electromagnetic field of the plasmonic nanoparticles altered the spin–orbital coupling in the MoS2 thus changed the ground state splitting. Silver nanoparticle arrays such as nanotetrahedron (AgNT) and nanocube (AgNC) are used. AgNT 2D arrays with different sizes were prepared on glass substrates by the overgrowth of silver hemispheres, while AgNC 2D arrays were prepared by the overgrowth of silver monolayers.
Update in women's health.

INTRODUCTION The aim of this clinical update is to summarize articles and guidelines published in the last year with the potential to change current clinical practice as it relates to women’s health.
The machine learning revolution in materials

Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) are quickly becoming commonplace in materials research. In addition to the standard workflow of fitting a model to a large set of data in order to make predictions, the materials community is finding novel and meaningful ways to integrate AI within their work. This has led to an acceleration not only of materials design and discovery, but also of other aspects of materials research as well, including faster computational models, the development of autonomous and intelligent “robot researchers,” and the automatic discovery of physical models. In this issue, we highlight a few of these applications and argue that AI/ML is delivering real-world, practical solutions to materials problems. It is also clear that we need AI/ML methods and models, “dialects” that are better adapted to materials research.
Partner Selection in Social Entrepreneurship Collectives: How Team Selection Control Can Enhance Satisfaction in Cross-Sector Social Partnerships

Cross-sector social partnerships (CSSPs) represent a unique form of collective social entrepreneurship. This research explores team selection control – the ability of an entrepreneurial social coll...
Institutionalizing Community Engagement in Higher Education: A Case Study of Processes Toward Engagement

This qualitative single-case study examined the institutionalization of community engagement at a selected land-grant university by melding individual and organizational perspectives and examining the process as an adaptive challenge. Specifically, the study applied Holland’s (1997) assessment matrix for institutionalizing community engagement and Weerts and Sandmann’s (2010) boundary-spanning framework. Thematic analysis and constant comparison were used to examine data from transcripts from open-ended survey questions, focus groups, and semistructured interviews. Findings showed that institutionalizing community engagement represented an adaptive challenge that required a critical mass of boundary spanners enacting a variety of roles inside the university. Three conclusions resulted: (1) The case institution created conditions for personnel to safely experiment with community engagement; (2) the university engaged in strategic thinking and planning around the sustainability of community engagement; and (3) in its institutionalization efforts, the case institution fostered an “adaptive braid” model encompassing organizational and individual actions and motivations.
The effects of training status and exercise intensity on exercise-induced muscle damage.

BACKGROUND Individuals participating in exercise beyond their level of fitness may be at higher risk for exercise-induced muscle damage, however the impact of training status on muscle damage development is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to measure skeletal muscle damage and soreness after five days of high and low intensity exercise in previously trained and untrained individuals. METHODS Eighteen males and females (9 trained and 9 untrained) completed five consecutive days of high intensity (HI) exercise and five consecutive days of low intensity (LI) exercise. Blood was drawn at the initial visit and after completion of each exercise intensity period. RESULTS CK was elevated post exercise for both groups during both intensities, but was greater in trained vs. untrained (HI: 203.6 vs. 143.4 IU/L and LI: 156.4 vs. 109.3 IU/L; P<0.01). Myoglobin was significantly higher after exercise for both groups (P<0.01) and was higher following high vs. low intensity in trained (P<0.01), but not untrained (P=0.052). Untrained experienced soreness following one day of high intensity exercise vs. after 3 days in trained participants (P=0.04, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS The current study suggests that high intensity exercise results in greater muscle damage in both trained and untrained individuals vs. low intensity exercise. However untrained participants experience more pain and with earlier onset and should therefore take caution when beginning exercise programs that require consecutive sessions of high intensity exercise.
Unequal Pay for Equal Work? Unpacking the Gender Gap in Principal Compensation

Abstract We investigate the male–female gap in principal compensation in state and national data: detailed longitudinal personnel records from Missouri and repeated cross-sections from the nationally representative Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS). In both data sets, we estimate substantively important compensation gaps for school leaders. In Missouri, female principals make approximately $1,450 less annually than their male colleagues with similar characteristics, including experience level and degree attainment, leading the same school in different years. Gaps are present in both base salary and extra duty salary, and are only partially explained by career paths or workplace sorting. SASS analyses show that women make about $1,000 less than men nationally, on average, a gap that even grows larger once accounting for individual and workplace characteristics, teacher-supplied effectiveness ratings, and reported hours worked. The presence of these residual gaps after accounting for many supply-side explanations may signal gender discrimination in school principal compensation.
Programmed Activity Offerings and Attendance Patterns in Assisted Living

The scope of programmed activity offerings and attendance rates for specific activities are not thoroughly captured in the assisted living (AL) literature. The purpose of this study is to report ac...
Cardiogenic Shock and Advanced Heart Failure Therapies

Cardiogenic shock is a state of cellular hypoperfusion which is often associated with multisystem organ failure and high mortality rate. There are many etiologies of cardiogenic shock with acute coronary syndrome being the most common cause. Cornerstones of management of cardiogenic shock include initial hemodynamic resuscitation and stabilization, comprehensive work-up to identify the underlying cause, and initiate therapy to restore and maintain satisfactory tissue perfusion.
Examination of index gradients created by Fick's law diffusion

In the last few years, interest in research and development into new ways of creating gradient index optics has increased dramatically. One approach revisited was to employ diffusion, governed by Fick’s law, to generate both axial and radial index gradients. However, Fick’s law of diffusion tends to yield index gradients that are mathematically uncommon in optical engineering and lens design. The impact of these new gradients on lens aberrations and image quality are not well understood. We will examine index gradients that can be described by (makeable by) solving Fick’s diffusion laws but limited by the assumptions made to simplify the mathematics, the most significant of these being a diffusion coefficient of 1 on both sides of the boundary (implying a concentration change only) and that the change in concentration yields a one-to-one change in refractive index.
Degree of Agreement Between Infant Serum and Salivary Concentration of Leptin and Adiponectin and Its Association With Infants' Feeding

Background:Leptin and adiponectin, two adipokines involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, have been linked to regulation of growth in early infancy, energy balance, and metabolic disorders in chi...
Multiple Random Variables and Their Characteristics

This chapter is devoted to multiple random variables (mainly two variables). The transformation of two variables is presented initially by expanding on the notions of conditional densities in Chap. 3, before invoking the approaches requiring the use of Leibniz theorem and Jacobian. Modeling of outcomes in an experiment is presented as a two-stage experiment. Characteristic functions and Laplace transforms are offered for the determination of the densities of the sum and difference of variables. Mellin transforms (a topic not covered in textbooks) are presented as an approach to finding the densities of the products and ratios of two or more random variables. Meijer G functions are introduced to express the densities of products of random variables. The chapter offers detailed descriptions of the central limit theorem (sums and products) and order statistics. The examples and exercises are applications oriented and often involve the use of computational approaches.
Connecting the dots: forecasting and explaining short-term market volatility

Market volatility prediction is of significant theoretical and practical importance in the financial market, and the news is a significant source to influence the market. By using deep learning networks, we can forecast the volatility based on the news; meanwhile, how to explain the deep neural network is a prevalent topic, especially the attention mechanism in the NLP field. Current studies mainly focus on unveiling the principles behind attention mechanisms without considering generating human-readable explanations. In this work, we attempt to generate a human-readable explanation about the evidence that led to the prediction. To achieve our goal, we propose news-powered neural models to forecast short-term volatility and present a soft-constrained dynamic beam allocation algorithm to control the state-of-the-art language model (GPT-2) to generate fluent and informative explanations.
Vertical Si Nano Vacuum Channel Transistors: Building Blocks for Empty State Electronics

Vacuum nano channel transistors (VNCT) could potentially have superior performance compared to solid state devices of equivalent channel length owing to ballistic transport of electrons, shorter transit time and higher intrinsic breakdown voltage. Furthermore, they are expected to have very high breakdown voltage. Hence, NVCT have promise for very high Johnson Figure of Merit that is as high as 1014 V/s.
Internationale Finanzierungsstrukturen in Unternehmenskrisen

Frank Grell und Ulrich Klockenbrink erlautern in ihrem Beitrag die wesentlichen restrukturierungsrelevanten Regelungen in internationalen Finanzierungsdokumentationen und vergleichen diese mit Regelungen, wie sie typischerweise in nationalen Finanzierungen vereinbart werden. Darauf aufbauend stellen sie die unterschiedlichen Wirkungen der Regelungen in der Restrukturierungspraxis dar. Hieraus leiten sie ab, dass internationale Finanzierungsstrukturen in der Tendenz restrukturierungsfreundlicher ausgestaltet sind als rein nationale. Ferner zeigen Frank Grell und Ulrich Klockenbrink wesentliche restrukturierungskulturelle Unterschiede im internationalen Vergleich auf.
Amalthaea: An Evolving Multi-Agent Information Filtering and Discovery System for the WWW

Amalthaea is an evolving, multi-agent ecosystem for personalized filtering, discovery, and monitoring of information sites. Amalthaea's primary application domain is the World Wide Web and its main purpose is to assist its users in finding interesting information. Two different categories of agents are introduced in the system: filtering agents that model and monitor the interests of the user and discovery agents that model the information sources.A market-like ecosystem where the agents evolve, compete, and collaborate is presented: agents that are useful to the user or other agents reproduce, while low-performing agents are destroyed. Results from various experiments with different system configurations and varying ratios of user interests versus agents in the system are presented. Finally issues like fine-tuning the initial parameters of the system and establishing and maintaining equilibria in the ecosystem are discussed.
Signal propagation characteristics for thin film, glass-ceramic and alumina based MCM

The authors describe the signal propagation characteristics in three types of package wiring media, namely, thin-film Cu in polyimide (MCM-D), thick-film Cu in glass-ceramic (MCM-C), and thick-film Mo in alumina (MCM-C). The transmission line parameters for the thin-film (MCM-D) and thick-film (MCM-C) package are modeled as a function of frequency using electrostatic and full-wave, electromagnetic programs. The frequency-dependent signal propagation characteristics for the thin and thick film wiring media are compared. Although the TF wiring in the current high density results in lower time-of-flight delay it suffers from higher attenuation, especially for longer nets, leading to risetime degradation and potential circuit delay. Thus, the total net delay including the driver and receiver should be used in choosing a wiring medium for a given system application. The extent of skin effect losses in the signal propagation characteristics were examined for the three types of wiring media. The results of circuit simulations show that the skin effect losses are much more dominant in defining the risetimes for TF wiring as compared to those of the thick-film media. >
Cosmopolitanism as Cultural Creativity: New Modes of Educational Practice in Globalizing Times

Cosmopolitanism is an ancient idea that is enjoying a critical renaissance today. Scholars across the humanities and social sciences have been examining the meanings and historical trajectories of ...
Self-directed learning through journal use in an elective pharmacy course

Introduction: The objective of this study was to implement and assess the use of electronic self-directed learning journals in a one-semester pharmacy elective course as a development tool to promote self-learning amongst students. Description of Course: In a toxicology doctor of pharmacy elective course, students completed self-directed assignments based on in-class material in an electronic journal. Students participated in group discussions based on the assignment. Journals were graded for completeness and pursuit of individual interests was encouraged. Evaluation: Students responded positively to journal assignments and their educational value. Faculty members also recognised a high level of learning by students based on their group discussions. Performance on course learning objectives and quality of in-class discussions also indicated that the use of journals in the elective course was successful. Future Plans: Based on these findings, journals will continue to be used in this course, will be further assessed, and may be expanded to additional courses in the pharmacy curriculum.
Effects of ordering on the electron effective mass and strain deformation potential in GaInP2: Deficiencies of the k

The conventional eight-band {bold k}{center_dot}{bold p} model predicts a {ital decrease} of the electron effective mass and {ital no} {ital dependence} of the (001) strain band-gap deformation potential with the degree {eta} of long-range order in Ga{sub 0.5}In{sub 0.5}P alloys. We show that a complete band-structure approach predicts instead that (i) the electron effective mass in the ordering direction {ital increases} from 0.092{ital m}{sub 0} for {eta}=0 (random alloy) to 0.133{ital m}{sub 0} for {eta}=1 (ordered alloy), and (ii) the strain deformation potential {ital decreases} in magnitude from 8.26 eV for {eta}=0 to 6.34 eV for {eta}=1. These two effects are caused by the mixing of the conduction-band minimum with the {ital L}-derived conduction band, neglected in the standard eight-band model.
Validation of The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database for epidemiologic studies of chronic kidney disease.

Purpose—Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent and important outcome and covariate in pharmacoepidemiology. The Health Improvement Network (THIN) in the U.K. represents a unique resource for population-based studies of CKD. We compiled a valid list of Read codes to identify subjects with moderate to advanced CKD. Methods—A cross-sectional validation study was performed to identify codes that best define CKD stages 3–5. All subjects with at least one non-zero measure of serum creatinine after 1Jan-2002 were included. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated according to the Schwartz formula for subjects <18 years and the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula for subjects ≥18 years of age. CKD was defined as an eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73m 2 on at least two occasions, more than 90 days apart. Results—The laboratory definition identified 230,426 subjects with CKD, for a period prevalence in 2008 of 4.56% (95% CI: 4.54, 4.58). A list of 45 Read codes was compiled which yielded a positive predictive value of 88.9% (95% CI: 88.7, 89.1), sensitivity of 48.8%, negative predictive value of 86.5%, and specificity of 98.2%. Of the 11.1% of subjects with a code who did not meet the laboratory definition, 83.6% had at least one eGFR <60. The most commonly used code was for CKD stage 3. Conclusions—The proposed list of codes can be used to accurately identify CKD when serum creatinine data are limited. The most sensitive approach for the detection of CKD is to use this list to supplement creatinine measures.
Multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase: domain structure and regulation

Cells respond to many hormones, neurotransmitters and growth factors by increasing intracellular Ca2+. This second messenger, in turn, affects cellular function via activation of a novel multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. The kinase displays an interesting form of biochemical 'memory'; activation elicits an autophosphorylation which converts it to a Ca2+-independent enzyme that can continue to phosphorylate cellular proteins for some time following termination of the initial Ca2+ stimulus.
Hormones, genes, and behavior

With assays of hormone-sensitive behaviors, it is possible to demonstrate both direct and indirect actions of genes on mammalian social behaviors. Direct effects of estrogen receptor gene expression and progesterone receptor gene expression figure prominently in well analyzed neuroendocrine mechanisms for sex behavior, operating through a neural circuit that has been delineated. Indirect effects, notably the consequences of sexual differentiation, display complex dependencies. In a human condition, Kallmann syndrome, the data show a clear, indirect genetic influence on an important human social behavior, in which damage at chromosome Xp-22.3 works through at least six discrete steps to affect libido. Altogether, simplistic extrapolations from lower animals, especially during brief summaries for nonscientists, do not appear justified as we discover and conceptualize genetic influences on mammalian brain and behavior.
NATO: Problems of Security and Collaboration

The North Atlantic Treaty is unique among alliances in embodying a degree of peacetime military integration, strategic collaboration, and political cooperation that few wartime coalitions have achieved. This unprecedented degree of interdependence constitutes a great part of NATO's strength but also a great part of NATO's problems-especially those that spring from the dual task of combining the external security with the internal collaboration of its members. Certain military and political developments that were not foreseen when the alliance was created have seriously aggravated these problems. The prospect of several allies acquiring independent nuclear capabilities challenges the basic foundation of the alliance and calls for a reappraisal of its underlying assumptions.
CDOM transport from the Bahamas Banks

The transport of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) between shallow banks and deep basins in the Bahamas was the focus of this study. Hydrographic and CDOM absorption measurements made on the Bahamas Banks and in Exuma Sound during the spring of 1999 and 2000 showed that values of salinity and CDOM absorption at 440 nm were higher on the banks (37.18 psu, 0.06 m–1), compared to Exuma Sound (37.04 psu, 0.03 m–1). Spatial patterns of CDOM absorption in Exuma Sound revealed that plumes of CDOM-rich water flow into Exuma Sound from the surrounding banks. These patterns were determined using Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) data processed using a Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) algorithm to derive CDOM absorption estimates. These data, along with time-series data collected in a channel between the banks and sound, suggest that bank water rich in CDOM and salinity leaves the banks during ebb tide, whereas sound water, with lower levels of CDOM and salinity, extends onto the banks during flood tide. Because CDOM absorbs ultraviolet radiation, a causal factor of reef organism bleaching, we discuss the meaning of our findings in terms of susceptibility to coral bleaching in the Exuma region.
Role of calcium in inactivation of calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II after cerebral ischemia.

Abstract Transient cerebral ischemia demonstrates an increase in activated oxygen species in the brain that could lead to eventual neuronal cell death. Neuronal cells respond to oxygen free radicals through the restructuring of the cytoskeleton and membranes, mobilization of calcium and gene expression which play a role in cell injury. Ten min of bilateral carotid artery occlusion resulted in a decrease in calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) phosphorylation and activity detected in the brain immediately following ischemia and was partially restored within 24 h of reperfusion. Pretreatment of animals with an anesthetic dose of pentobarbital (40 mg/kg) resulted in partial protection of inactivation of CaM kinase II following ischemia. CaM kinase II activity was maintained following pretreatment of animals with α-phenyl N - tert -butyl nitrone (PBN), which traps oxygen free radicals. Infusion of superoxide dismutase or catalase prior to ischemia, blocked CaM kinase II inactivation. Blockage of calcium uptake with bepridil resulted in a marked protection of CaM kinase II inactivation. In addition, trifluoperazine, a calmodulin antagonist also diminished the inhibition of CaM kinase II phosphorylation in our model. These results suggest that ischemia and reperfusion injury results in the generation of activated oxygen and the mobilization of calcium which inactivate CaM kinase II. These results indicate that changes associated with protein kinase activity in the brain following an ischemic insult may have profound effects upon neurodegeneration and neuronal survival.
Investigation of the Burning Properties of Ti/C-Type Delay Composition in the Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis (SHS) Process

This study explored the reaction characteristics and the burning properties of titanium/carbon (Ti/C)–type delay composition in the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) process. First, the initial reaction temperature and reaction heat of these two types of delay compositions were measured by means of differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), which can aid understanding of the reaction characteristics in advance. Afterward, these delay compositions of different formulas were processed to be cylindrical pellets and were characterized by measuring their burning properties, including igniting ability, burning rate, and output flame temperature. In the experiments, the cylindrical pellets were packed into a heat-resisting quartz tube and were ignited by an electrical-heating wire. A high-speed video camera and a digital-image processing device were used simultaneously to record their combustion phenomena such as ignition and flame propagation. In addition, the output flame temperature was detected...
Controlling a system to a non-convex target

We consider the problem of steering the state of the system x(t) = A(t)x(t) + f(t, u(t)) to a pre-specified target set X. No assumptions about the structure of the target set are made, and criteria for controllability to a target at some prespecified time are obtained. Finally, we obtain criteria for global controllability.
Specification of a social-cognitive model predicting smoking cessation in a Mexican-American population: A prospective study.

The stages-of-change model for smoking cessation was specified using interview and biochemical data from a sample of Mexican—American smokers in south Texas. Factor analysis of items measuring the processes of change for smoking indicated the stability of the structure of these constructs for this population. The scales discriminated among groups of smokers with different intentions toward smoking cessation. Intention to change was predictive of cessation category 1 to 2 years later and mediated the influences of three process-ofchange cognitions on behavior. Number of years of smoking was independently negatively related and age was positively related to cessation category. Our findings for Mexican—Americans showed that the stages and processes of change are generalizable to this population and that they predict cessation behavior prospectively.
Hippocampal abnormalities in amnesic patients revealed by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging

The identification of brain structures and connections involved in memory functions has depended largely on clinico-pathological studies of memory-impaired patients, and more recently on studies of a primate model of human amnesia. But quantitative neurobehavioural data and detailed neuropathological information are rarely available for the same patients. One case has demonstrated that selective bilateral damage to the hippocampus causes a circumscribed memory impairment in the absence of other intellectual deficits. This finding, in conjunction with evidence from humans and monkeys, indicates that the hippocampus together with adjacent and anatomically related structures is essential for the formation of long-term memory, perhaps by virtue of the extensive reciprocal connections between the hippocampal formation and putative memory storage sites in the neocortex. Although cognitive studies of amnesia provide useful information about the functional organization of normal memory, it has not usually been possible to relate memory impairment to anatomy in living patients. We have developed a high-resolution protocol for imaging the human hippocampus with magnetic resonance that permits visualization of the hippocampal formation in substantial cytoarchitectonic detail, revealing abnormalities in patients with severe and selective memory impairment.
Review essay: Feminism, cultural studies, and rhetorical studies

DEFINING WOMEN: TELEVISION AND THE CASE OF CAGNEY AND LACEY. By Julie D'Acci. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1994; pp. xii + 344. $45.00; paper $16.95. TELEVISION CULTURE AND WOMEN'S LIVES: THIRTYSOMETHING AND THE CONTRADICTIONS OF GENDER. By Margaret Heide. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1995; pp. x + 173. $28.95; paper $12.95. THE MOVIE OF THE WEEK: PRIVATE STORIES, PUBLIC EVENTS. By Elayne Rapping. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1992; pp. xliii + 162. $39.95; paper $14.95. WHERE THE GIRLS ARE: GROWING UP FEMALE WITH THE MASS MEDIA. By Susan Douglas. New York: Times Books, 1994, pp. 340. $23.00; paper $ 15.00.
Training fuzzy logic based software components by combining adaptation algorithms

A training framework of an effective method for off-line training of a class of control software components (e.g., for first-order nonlinear feedback control systems) using combinations of three kinds of adaptation algorithms is presented. Each control software component is represented at the abstract level by means of a set of adaptive fuzzy logic (FL) rules and at the concrete level by means of fuzzy membership functions (MBFs). At the concrete representation level adaptation algorithms specified for use in adapting MBFs are: genetic algorithms, neural net algorithms, and Monte Carlo algorithms. We specify effective combinations of these three existing adaptation algorithms to train a faulty FL rule-based software component for the tracker problem. In the framework, training consists of two phases: testing and adapting. In the testing phase, a test driver generates an effective fault scenario ( fs) and locates the faulty fuzzy elements (FFEs) by using each or a combination of three adaptation algorithms. In the adapting phase, for each fault scenario adaptation algorithms and their combinations are used to modify the MBFs of the component. Effectiveness of the two phase training is determined in terms of testability, flexibility, adaptability, and stability. An initial design of the simulation environment is presented. In the experiment, for a given circumstance (environment and fuzzy rules) we apply a combination of a genetic algorithm GA) and a neural network (NN) with an error back-propagation algorithm (BP) in the testing phase for generating fault scenarios. Then we apply GA-only method in the adapting phase for adapting the faulty software component. Simulation results on effectiveness and efficiency are discussed.
Substrate-induced bianisotropy compensation in optical metamaterials

In this paper, we present an effective approach to compensate for the substrate-induced bianisotropy in optical metamaterials, thus making them bianisotropy-free to outside observers. This magnetoelectric coupling compensation for the system is achieved by adding an ultrathin superstrate, with a judicious choice of its thickness and permittivity values, directly on top of the metamaterial. A specific example will be illustrated using the well-known multilayer fishnet nanostructure. Both the extracted nonlocal effective medium parameters and the induced electric/magnetic dipole moments calculated from volumetric microscopic fields will be presented to validate the proposed methodology. This study will be beneficial to the design of future optical metamaterials, especially their related fabrication and characterization.
A general bayes rule and its application to nonlinear estimation

Abstract This paper consists of two main results, a general Bayes rule, and a general Bucy representation theorem. The general Bayes rule is a natural generalization of the elementary Bayes rule: P(A B) P(A) = P(B A) P(B) . The general Bucy representation theorem plays a central role in nonlinear estimation theory as does the Bucy theorem in nonlinear filtering. A simple and direct proof of the general Bucy representation theorem is obtained by the application of the general Bayes rule.
"Feed My Sheep": Faculty Shepherding Student Ethical Development in College

Student ethical development can occur both inside and outside the classroom. Faculty members have the opportunity to engage deeply with students in the classroom to help support and challenge ethical development in their students.
Cooperativity and complementarity: synergies in non-classical and classical glucocorticoid signaling.

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are an ubiquitous class of steroid hormones that exert a wide array of physiological effects. Traditionally, GC action has been considered to primarily involve transcriptional effects following the binding of hormone to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and subsequent activation or repression of target genes. However, a number of findings suggest that cellular responses following GC exposure may be mediated by transcription-independent, or “non-classical,” mechanisms. We have added to this growing body of work by recently uncovering a novel GC signaling pathway that operates through plasma membrane GRs to limit gap junction intercellular signaling and limit the proliferation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs). In this review, we highlight our current state of knowledge of non-classical GR signaling, in particular as it applies to neuronal function. Using NPCs as a cellular model, we speculate on the components of this non-classical pathway and the mechanisms whereby a number of cytoplasmic and nuclear signaling events may be integrated.
Experimental results on sliding mode control of an electromagnetic suspension

Abstract The application of sliding mode control to stabilise an electromagnetic suspension system is presented in this paper. Unlike conventional linear control techniques, the sliding mode control method can be applied in the global sense to a class of non-linear systems. The performance and stability robustness as well as the practicality of the sliding mode controller are demonstrated using a laboratory electromagnetic suspension system. The methodology developed lends itself very well to the stabilisation of electromagnetic suspensions for use in vibration isolation platforms and magnetic bearings.
Jamming III: Characterizing randomness via the entropy of jammed matter

Abstract The nature of randomness in disordered packings of frictional and frictionless spheres is investigated using theory and simulations of identical spherical grains. The entropy of the packings is defined through the force and volume ensemble of jammed matter and this is shown to be difficult to calculate analytically. A mesoscopic ensemble of isostatic states is then utilized in an effort to predict the entropy through the definition of a volume function that is dependent on the coordination number. Equations of state are obtained relating entropy, volume fraction and compactivity characterizing the different states of jammed matter, and elucidating the phase diagram for jammed granular matter. Analytical calculations are compared to numerical simulations using volume fluctuation analysis and graph theoretical methods, with reasonable agreement. The entropy of the jammed system reveals that random loose packings are more disordered than random close packings, allowing for an unambiguous interpretation of both limits. Ensemble calculations show that the entropy vanishes at random close packing (RCP), while numerical simulations show that a finite entropy remains in the microscopic states at RCP. The notion of a negative compactivity, which explores states with volume fractions below those achievable by existing simulation protocols, is also explored, expanding the equations of state. The mesoscopic theory reproduces the simulations results in shape well, though a difference in magnitude implies that the entire entropy of the packing may not be captured by the methods presented herein. We discuss possible extensions to the present mesoscopic approach describing packings from random loose packing (RLP) to RCP to the ordered branch of the equation of state in an effort to understand the entropy of jammed matter in the full range of densities from RLP to face-centered cubic (FCC) packing.
Successful Localization of Recurrent Thyroid Cancer in Reoperative Neck Surgery Using Ultrasound-Guided Methylene Blue Dye Injection

Background Reoperation in the neck can be challenging and is associated with increased complication rates and operative times. Here we analyze our methylene blue dye injection method to localize reoperative neck pathology in patients with thyroid cancer and lymph node metastases. Study Design We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients at a single university tertiary care center who had reoperative neck surgery for recurrent thyroid cancer between 2004 and 2009, and who also underwent intraoperative methylene blue dye injection. Outcomes measured were efficacy and safety of the injection technique as well as complication rates. Results Fifty-three operations were performed in 44 patients (average age, 51.2 years [range 16 to 83 years]). Ninety-one percent (48 of 53) of the operations resulted in successful resection of recurrent disease. Of these, 96% (46 of 48) were guided successfully by blue dye injection. Thyroglobulin became undetectable in 42% (11 of 26) of patients. Neck pathology included the following thyroid cancers: papillary (48 of 53), follicular (2 of 53), medullary (2 of 53), and tall cell variant (1 of 53). Among these patients, there were a total of 26 central and 38 lateral neck dissections. The average number of previous neck dissections was 2 (range 1 to 5). The mean intraoperative ultrasound/injection time was 21.3 min (n = 13). Median operative time was 90 minutes (range 40 to 300 minutes). Complications included 2 permanent vocal cord paralyses, 1 instance of permanent hypocalcemia, and 3 instances of temporary hypocalcemia. There were no complications related to the dye injection. Conclusions Intraoperative, ultrasound-guided, methylene blue dye injection is a safe and effective technique. It facilitates tumor localization and removal especially in patients requiring reoperative neck surgery.
P300, disinhibited personality, and early-onset alcohol problems.

Background: Recent research suggests that a reduced P300 amplitude of the event-related potential is associated with a vulnerability to alcoholism. This study tested the hypothesis that reductions in the P300 amplitude would be associated with specific dimensions of disinhibited personality (social deviance proneness and impulsivity) and that these personality traits would mediate the association between P300 and alcohol problems in a young adult sample that varied widely in disinhibitory traits. Methods: Alcohol problems, personality (impulsivity, social deviance, harm avoidance, and excitement seeking), and event-related potentials were measured in a sample of 190 subjects (87 men, 103 women) with a mean age of 20.7 ± 1.9 years. Results: Social deviance, impulsivity, and alcohol problems were associated with reductions in the P300, but only in male subjects. A structural model suggested that social deviance, impulsivity, and alcohol problems were all strongly related to P300 amplitude at Fz. Further analyses indicated that for male subjects, social deviance mediated the association between P300 at Fz and alcohol problems as well as the association between impulsivity and alcohol problems. Conclusions: This study suggests that reduced P300s are strongly associated with a general tendency toward antisocial, defiant, and impulsive traits, which might, in turn, increase the risk for alcohol abuse. The lack of an association between reduced P300s and personality or alcohol problems in women was unexpected and deserves further study.
Efficient generation of far-infrared radiation in the vicinity of polariton resonance of lithium niobate

We efficiently generated far-infrared radiation at the wavelengths centered at 20.8 μm in the vicinity of one of the polariton resonances of lithium niobate. Such an efficient nonlinear conversion is made possible by exploiting phase matching for difference-frequency generation in lithium niobate. The highest peak power reached 233 W.