cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stability Analysis on Kuramoto Model of Coupled Oscillators

Abstract In this paper we study the problem of stability for one of the most popular models of coupled phase oscillators, the Kuramoto model. The Kuramoto model is used to describe the phenomenon of collective synchronization, in which an enormous system of oscillators spontaneously locks to a common frequency although the oscillators have distinct natural frequencies. In the paper we consider the stability of the Kuramoto model of coupled oscillators with identical natural frequency and provide a stability analysis of phase difference equilibrium. The stability of the phase difference equilibrium make it possible to apply the Kuramoto model in pattern recognition.
Influence of pH, salinity, and selenium on the growth of Aeromonas veronii in evaporation agricultural drainage water

Abstract Aeromonas veronii was isolated from seleniferous agricultural drainage water and characterized in terms of growth kinetics under changing environmental parameters [i.e. pH, selenium (Se) and salinity (electrical conductivity, EC)] that simulated evaporation. Aeromonas veronii metabolized peptone and was active in volatilizing Se, principally as dimethyl selenide (DMSe). Other volatile products produced included dimethyl disulfide, methyl selenol, dimethyl selenosulfide and dimethyl diselenide. The rate of Se volatilization correlated with the growth of A. veronii , with the highest levels of DMSe released during the exponential phase of growth. The C assimilated was primarily respired as CO 2 or incorporated into cell biomass with a small fraction used in the alkylation of Se. The maximum growth rate ( μ max ) for A. veronii was 0.23 h −1 at pH 7.94, 10 μg Se 1 −1 , and EC of 3.9 dS m −1 and decreased to 0.06 h −1 with increasing salt content (40.2 dS m −1 ), pH (8.53) and Se (500 μg l −1 ). Salinity appeared to be the dominant inhibitory factor as observed by a decrease in growth rate and mass of cells. The range in salt content that was most inhibitory to the growth rate of A. veronii was from EC 11.7 to 40.2 dS m −1 . As drainage waters evaporate in holding facilities, salinity tends to increase having serious ecological effects on the growth of A. veronii .
Progressive growth of an iris melanocytoma in a child

Abstract PURPOSE: To document progressive growth of a benign iris melanocytoma. METHODS: Interventional case report. A 9-year-old male underwent removal of a pigmented iris tumor that had been documented photographically to double in size. RESULTS: Histopathologic sections revealed a deeply pigmented mass with cytologic features typical of a melanocytoma. CONCLUSION: Although iris melanocytoma is generally a stationary lesion, it can show progressive growth. Such enlargement does not necessarily imply malignant transformation of the lesion.
Pre-School Children as a Source of Maternal Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection in Young Black Women † 835

Pre-School Children as a Source of Maternal Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection in Young Black Women † 835
InN nanowires based multi-modal environmental sensors

High quality InN nanowires (NWs) have been investigated for sensing applications. The NWs were synthesized using a novel approach that enhanced the cracking of NH3 precursor and dramatically improving the growth rate and material quality. Field effect transistors (FETs) based on these high quality InN NWs showed excellent electrical characteristics and good average mobility (270 cm2/Vs). Preliminary sensing results for dilute acetone, diluted water vapor and NO2 at various concentrations are very encouraging. Because of high carrier density and mobility, these NWs are also good candidates for field emission based sensing. During the field emission experiments, sharp change in NW current was observed when supplied voltage increased to 2 V for ~1μm distance between NW and plate, demonstrating the suitability of these NWs for gaseous detection based on the field emission method, and for multimodal sensing in combination with FET based sensing method.
Cover and density of semi-desert grassland plants in permanent quadrats mapped from 1915 to 1947

This historical data set consists of 178 permanent 1-m2 quadrats located on semi-desert grasslands at the Santa Rita Experimental Range, Arizona, USA. Individual plants in these quadrats were identified and mapped annually (in most cases) from 1915 to 1933 and again in 1947. Quadrats were located in ungrazed exclosures and in pastures grazed at various intensities by livestock. These data provide unique opportunities to test the interactive effects of grazing and climate variables on demographic rates, plant–plant interactions, and population and community dynamics. We provide the following data and data formats: (1) the digitized maps in shapefile format; (2) a tabular representation of centroid or point location (x, y coordinates), basal or canopy cover (m2) for plants mapped as polygons, perimeter length (m), and seedling and clone status for each individual plant record; (3) quadrat information including elevation, livestock grazing history, and proximity to closest long-term rainfall gauge; (4) month...
Channel planform geometry and slopes from freely available high-spatial resolution imagery and DEM fusion: Implications for channel width scalings, erosion proxies, and fluvial signatures in tectonically active landscapes

article i nfo The rapid expansion of high-spatial resolution optical sensors and imagery over the last decade presents ex- ceptional opportunities for quantifying visible attributes of geomorphic systems. In this study, we detail a simple, robust methodology (ChanGeom) to extract continuous channel width and centerline datasets for single-thread channels using freely available high-spatial resolution imagery currently available in Google Earth and Bing Maps. Comparisons with a global dataset of field and lidar-derived channel widths indicate minimal errors associated with the imagery and ChanGeom methodology (b1% overall), while examples from the Goriganga River (Indian Himalaya) and the Yakima River (WA, USA) emphasize the benefit of em- pirical width values over established channel width scalings in deciphering fluvial responses to complex landscape forcings in tectonically active regions. Additionally, accurate centerline delineation from the ChanGeom methodology provides improved sinuosity measurements, and when fused with coarse resolution digital elevation models (DEMs), removes along-profile shortening and coincident increases in reach-scale channel slope. Lastly, comparisons of ASTER GDEM V2, SRTM V4.1, and lidar channel profiles extracted in moderate to high-relief regions demonstrate the inferiority of the ASTER GDEM for channel slope calcula- tions, despite the apparent spatial resolution advantages (9×). The methodology presented here will facili- tate new discoveries in the fluvial environment that have historically been difficult due to access and imagery resolution issues, and provide greater perspective on channel signatures and responses to a host of landscape forcings, especially in tectonically active bedrock and lower order drainage systems.
Cytometric analyses to distinguish death processes.

The morphological changes typical of apoptosis, as well as the loss of integrity of the plasma membrane and the breakdown of nuclear DNA provide numerous features that permit recognition of apoptotic cell death by various methods. Flow cytometry (FCM) and laser scanning cytometry (LSC) allow for accurate and rapid measurement of apoptosis in both cultures and clinical samples (e.g. solid tumors, bone marrow aspirates, peripheral blood etc.). Furthermore, both FCM and LSC enable one to correlate the apoptosis with the position of the dying cell in the cell cycle. Discussion includes the cytometric identification and quantitation of apoptotic or necrotic cells, based on the analysis of a particular biochemical or molecular feature that is characteristic for either necrosis or apoptosis.
Assessing computer proficiency

Summary form only given. In 1995, the College of Humanities and Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) reconsidered its general education requirements. One concern was that students should be proficient in the use of computers as a tool to support their education. The following skills were identified: basic use of the computer; word processing; retrieval of information from the WWW; accessing the VCU library online catalog; and using e-mail. Obviously these skills can be learned in a wide variety of ways. Thus the emphasis was placed on assessment. This paper describes how it was decided that all students should demonstrate their knowledge by completing a Computer Proficiency Exam.
Differentiated Planetesimals and the Parent Bodies of Chondrites

Meteorites are samples of dozens of small planetary bodies that formed in the early Solar System. They exhibit great petrologic diversity, ranging from primordial accretional aggregates (chondrites), to partially melted residues (primitive achondrites), to once fully molten magmas (achondrites). It has long been thought that no single parent body could be the source of more than one of these three meteorite lithologies. This view is now being challenged by a variety of new measurements and theoretical models, including the discovery of primitive achondrites, paleomagnetic analyses of chondrites, thermal modeling of planetesimals, the discoveries of new metamorphosed chondrites and achondrites with affinities to some chondrite groups, and the possible identification of extant partially differentiated asteroids. These developments collectively suggest that some chondrites could in fact be samples of the outer, unmelted crusts of otherwise differentiated planetesimals with silicate mantles and metallic cores...
Limited Engagements? Women's and Men's Work/Volunteer Time in the Encore Life Course Stage

Americans are living healthier and longer lives, but the shifting age distribution is straining existing and projected social welfare protections for older adults (e.g., Social Security, Medicare). One solution is to delay retirement. Another is an alternative to "total leisure" retirement -- an "encore" stage of paid or unpaid engagement coming after career jobs but before infirmities associated with old age. We draw on gendered life-course themes together with data from the American Time Use Survey (2003-2009) to examine the real time American men and women ages 50-75 apportion to paid work and unpaid volunteer work on an average day, as well as factors predicting their time allocations. We find that while full-time employment declines after the 50s, many Americans allot time to more limited engagements - working part time, being self-employed, volunteering, helping out - through and even beyond their 60s. Caring for a child or infirm adult reduces the odds of paid work but not volunteering. While time working for pay declines with age (though more slowly for men than women), time volunteering does not. Older men and women in poor health, without a college degree, with a disability or SSI income are the least likely to be publicly engaged. This social patterning illustrates that while the ideal of an encore of paid or unpaid voluntary, flexible, and meaningful engagement is an emerging reality for some, it appears less attainable for others. This suggests the importance of organizational and public policy innovations offering all Americans a range of encore opportunities.
Dietary vitamin E requirement of the red drum Sciaenops ocellatus

A 12-week feeding trial was conducted to establish the minimum dietary vitamin E requirement of juvenile red drum by broken-line regression analysis. The semi-purified basal diet was supplemented with 10, 20, 30, 40, 60 or 80 IU vitamin E kg−1 as all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate. Juvenile red drum were conditioned by feeding the basal diet for 8 weeks prior to the feeding trial to reduce whole-body vitamin E levels. Then, fish initially averaging 12.2 ± 0.4 g fish−1 (mean ± SD) were fed the experimental diets at a rate approaching apparent satiation for 12 weeks. Weight gain and feed efficiency responses of fish fed diets were significantly (P < 0.01) altered by the level of vitamin E supplementation but not strictly in a dose-dependent manner. Vitamin E concentrations in liver and plasma also were significantly (P < 0.001) influenced by dietary vitamin E level. Plasma ascorbic acid in fish fed the basal diet tended (P = 0.066) to be lower than in fish fed diets containing the various levels of vitamin E. In addition, fish fed the basal diet showed edema in the heart, while fish fed all other diets were normal. Fish fed 60 or 80 IU all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate kg−1 diet had significantly higher respiratory burst of head kidney macrophages than fish fed all other diets, although dietary effects on hematocrit and neutrophil oxidative radical production were not significant. The minimum dietary vitamin E requirement of juvenile red drum was established based on broken-line regression of liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances to be 31 mg all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate kg−1 diet.
Policy Update: The effect of biofuel policies on food grain commodity prices

The consensus in the extensive literature on the causes of recent grain price increases is that biofuel policies are only one of a multitude of contributing factors. Typical studies include Headey ...
A critique of the application of unit root tests

Abstract This paper exploits the fact that any time series with a unit root can de decomposed into a stationary series and a random walk. Since the random walk component can have arbitrarily small variance, tests for unit roots or trend stationarity have arbitrarily low power in finite samples. Furthermore, there are unit root processes whose likelihood functions and autocorrelation functions are arbitrarily close to those of any given stationary processes and vice versa, so there are stationary and unit root processes for which the result of any inference is arbitrarily close in finite samples.
Culture Fluid and Complex

The clarion call from the Institute of Medicine for cultural competency along with nursing standards of cultural care and education on competencies of care for diverse groups are entertained in this column. Ideas from the humanbecoming family model will also be discussed as they relate to cultural care. Finally, a simple solution to the problem of attaining cultural competence by healthcare providers is proposed.
Web Site Review of PREVLINE, Web Site of the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol & Drug Information/NCADI

Description of information on the web site:Authority (who produces the site): The site is produced by a U.S. (federal) government agency.Mission statement of the organization: There is a mission st...
A complete system for barcode generation on the HP-41CX hand-held computer using a standard thermal printer.

Abstract One of the unique features of the HP-41C hand-held computer is its ability to read program code and alphanumeric data in the form of printed barcode. This greatly facilitates the dissemination of medical software and data used by this system. Initially, the ability to generate HP-41 barcode was restricted to a few centers in possession of specialized microcomputer equipment, and more recently to users able to either obtain a plotter read-only memory (ROM) module and HP7400 series plotter, or a dot-matrix impact printer, for which a special interface was then required. This paper presents a set of twenty programs which allows all nine types of HP-41C barcode to be generated using an HP-41CX, the commonly encountered 82162A thermal printer, an HP-IL ROM, and the plotter ROM. The package includes a number of input/output routines which are of general utility. Complete barcode listings, generated by the system itself, allow complete installation of the system without use of the keyboard. ‘Synthetic programming’ code permits the use of helpful nonstandard characters in the display and allows that part of the system which is concerned with generating program barcode to run in extended memory, freeing main memory (RAM) to hold a large program. This system should make the generation of barcode much more widely available.
INCENTIVES AND THE COST OF FIRING IN AN EQUILIBRIUM LABOR MARKET MODEL WITH ENDOGENOUS LAYOFFS

I study the effects of firing costs in an equilibrium model of the labor market with moral hazard. Layoff is an incentive device, modeled as termination of the optimal long-term contract. When the economy’s stock of firms is fixed, firing costs could reduce layoffs and increase worker welfare. In the long run when firms are free to enter and exit the market, firing costs generate not only lower employment, longer unemployment durations, and lower aggregate output, but also lower welfare for both employed workers and new labor market entrants.
The death of Henry II of France

✓ On June 30, 1559, King Henry II of France (1519–1559), against the advice of his court ministers, participated in a fateful joust. The wooden lance of his younger opponent pierced the King's headgear, shattered into fragments, and penetrated his right orbit and temple. The King survived for 11 days following the mortal wound and was treated by two of the most distinguished physicians of the Renaissance: Ambroise Pare (1510–1590), the master surgeon, and Andreas Vesalius (1514–1564), the great anatomist. The unfortunate event, the nature of the injury, and the medical consultation between these eminent physicians should all be of interest to neurosurgeons. The historical consequences of this event are briefly reviewed.
Carrier collection in quantum dots solar cells with barrier modification

InAs quantum dot (QD) has been attractive in high conversion efficiency solar cell applications, due to its extended absorption in the infrared spectrum and as a promising material for the intermediate band solar cell (IBSC). To enhance the sequential absorption process towards the concept of IBSC, modified barriers of InGaP were applied to suppress thermal escape and tunneling process in InAs quantum dots solar cells (QDSCs). Despite improved spectral response from QD absorption, InAs QDSC with InGaP barrier is associated with degradation in the bulk spectral response at room temperature; the carrier collection can be optimized via adjusting operation condition and solar cell design.
On the Kernel and Cokernel of Some Toeplitz Operators

We show that the kernel and/or cokernel of a block Toeplitz operator T (G) are trivial if its matrix-valued symbol G satisfies the condition \(G(t^{-1})G(t)^*\;=\;I_N\). As a consequence, the Wiener–Hopf factorization of G (provided it exists) must be canonical. Our setting is that of weighted Hardy spaces on the unit circle. We extend our result to Toeplitz operators on weighted Hardy spaces on the real line, and also Toeplitz operators on weighted sequence spaces.
The Contribution of the Economic Classification of Farms to the Understanding of American Agriculture

ARMS in the United States are highly competitive businesses distrib7 uted over a broad geographic area. They are operated under varied and diverse topographic and climatic conditions. Backgrounds and traditions associated with their location are also highly diversified. It is no wonder that we find a great variety in size of business, in organization of production resources, and in type of production itself. This complex farm economy is rapidly changing and readjusting to new postwar conditions. At the outbreak of World War II, American agriculture was organized into approximately 6 million farm businesses, representing 30.5 million people-almost a fourth of the total population. Today we have about 3.5 million farms and only 13 million people living on those farms-less than 7 percent of the total population. Although the number of farms and the farm population have declined by about one-half, the total value of farm output has nearly doubled. In 1939, the value of farm marketings amounted to $20 billion. In 1964, the value was $37 billion (values expressed in 1959 prices). To understand the changing structure of our agriculture, we need data that will provide a constant and systematic measure of the changes occurring in all sectors of the farm economy. We need to know not only that the number of farms is declining, but also which farm businesses are disappearing. We need to know their main characteristics to understand why they are going out of business. We need to have similar information for the remaining farms to understand why and how they are adapting to changing economic conditions. We must have information that will indicate where and how technological, economic, and social developments are affecting the farm economy. Classification of farms and of farm character-
Perinatal thiamine deficiency causes cochlear innervation abnormalities in mice.

Neonatal thiamine deficiency can cause auditory neuropathy in humans. To probe the underlying cochlear pathology, mice were maintained on a thiamine-free or low-thiamine diet during fetal development or early postnatal life. At postnatal ages from 18 days to 22 wks, cochlear function was tested and cochlear histopathology analyzed by plastic sections and cochlear epithelial whole-mounts immunostained for neuronal and synaptic markers. Although none of the thiamine-deprivation protocols resulted in any loss of hair cells or any obvious abnormalities in the non-sensory structures of the cochlear duct, all the experimental groups showed significant anomalies in the afferent or efferent innervation. Afferent synaptic counts in the inner and outer hair cell areas were reduced, as was the efferent innervation density in both the outer and inner hair cell areas. As expected for primary neural degeneration, the thresholds for distortion product otoacoustic emissions were not affected, and as expected for subtotal hair cell de-afferentation, the suprathreshold amplitudes of auditory brainstem responses were more affected than the response thresholds. We conclude that the auditory neuropathy from thiamine deprivation could be produced by loss of inner hair cell synapses.
Regulatory focus in the life story: prevention and promotion as expressed in three layers of personality.

Regulatory Focus Theory (Higgins, 1997) outlines the ways in which people attempt to achieve the presence of positive outcomes (promotion) or preserve the absence of negative outcomes (prevention), suggesting that individuals may differ in chronic orientations. The present work examines regulatory o
Intensity noise statistics of GaAIAs lasers

Many groups1-3 have published theoretical and experimental studies of laser diode intensity noise, but none has reported the dependence of this noise on the photocurrent level. In this paper we show experimentally and theoretically that the photocur- rent noise power includes a term depending on photocurrent squared (l2p) in addition to the shot noise term proportional to lp. Furthermore, except near mode hops, this noise has Gaussian statistics.
Agglutination Tests with Streptococcus No. 344 in Primary Atypical Pneumonia.

The discovery by Thomas, Mirick, Ziegler, Curnen, and Horsfallr1 that sera of patients convalescent from primary atypical pneumonia frequently agglutinate an indifferent streptococcus, labeled No. 344, has provided yet another method for investigating this disease. The fact that the streptococcus agglutinins persist for a long time when stored at 4°C has made it possible to investigate sera from patients with primary atypical pneumonia received at this laboratory since the summer of 1941. Results of the tests, together with certain observations correlating laboratory and clinical findings, form the subject of this report.Methods and Materials. The method described in the original report was followed without modification. Titers of 10 or more were considered significant.Sera were collected from students admitted to Cowell Memorial Hospital, University of California, Berkeley, and to the University of California Hospital, San Francisco; from patients admitted to certain west coast military establishments; a...
Robotic Follicular Unit Graft Selection

BACKGROUNDThe use of robotic technology to harvest grafts in a follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplant procedure has been available since 2011. A new capability of the robotic system is to harvest follicular units based on the number of hairs they contain to increase the hair/wound yield.OB
Determination of Phosmet in Plant Food by Gas Chromatography -Electron Capture Detection

[Objective]To establish a new gas chromatography-electron capture detection (GC-ECD) method for quantitative detection of phosmet in plant food.[Methods]The sample was abstracted by benzene, and concentrated to a defined volume, after that it was tested and analyzed by capillary column and GC-ECD. [Results]In this method, the detection limit was 0.01 mg/kg, the recovery rates were 91.7% and 85.6%,the relative standard deviations(RSDS) was 2.75% while dosage of addition were 0.6 mg/kg and 1.8 mg/kg. [Conclusion]This method is simple and reproducible. It is more sensitive and has better peak shape compared with GC-FPD method in national standard. It's an effective method for determination of phosmet in plant food.
Analysis on the influenza surveillance results during 2012-2013 in Shijiazhuang city

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of influenza in Shijiazhuang city,so as to provide scientific evidence for influenza prevention and control. Methods The data of influenza-like illness( ILI) from April of 2012 to March of 2013 in Shijiazhuang were collected,epidemiologically and pathogenically detected. Results The average proportion of ILI cases in outpatients was 1. 05% during 2012-2013,popular peak was in winter and spring. A total of 711 swab samples were collected,108 were influenza positive,with the detection ratio 15. 18%. 92 strains were isolated with the positive rate of 12. 94%,among which 1 strain was B subtype,47 strains were pandemic A( H1N1) subtype,44 strains were seasonal A( H3N2) subtype. Conclusions The popularity of influenza has seasonal characteristics in Shijiazhuang city,the incidence peak was in winter and spring,the highest positive rate of influenza virus was consistent with the ILI( ILI%) peaks. Seasonal A( H3N2) subtype remained the dominant circulating influenza virus until January 2013,followed by pandemic A( H1N1) subtype influenza virus after January of 2013. Viral isolation rate is irrelevant with age and gender.
Networks underlying trait impulsivity: Evidence from voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping.

Impulsivity is considered a multidimensional construct that encompasses a range of behaviors, including poor impulse control, premature decision-making, and the inability to delay gratification. In order to determine the extent to which impulsivity and its components share a common network, a voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping (VLSM) analysis was performed in a large sample of patients (N = 131) with focal, penetrating traumatic brain injuries (pTBI). Impulsivity was assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), a standard self-report measure that allows for unique estimates of global impulsivity and its factor analysis-derived components (e.g., "motor impulsivity"). Heightened global impulsivity was associated with damage to multiple areas in bilateral prefrontal cortex (PFC), left superior, middle and inferior temporal gyrus, and left hippocampus. Moreover, a cluster was identified within the left PFC associated specifically with motor impulsivity (defined as "acting without thinking"). The results were consistent with the existing literature on bilateral prefrontal cortical involvement in behavioral impulsivity, but also provided new evidence for a more complex neuroanatomical representation of this construct, characterized by left-lateralized temporal and hippocampal involvement, as well as a left-lateralized prefrontal network specifically associated with motor impulsivity. Hum Brain Mapp 38:656-665, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An introduction to programming in Haskell: conference workshop

In this hands-on tutorial, the functional programming language Haskell will be introduced. No prior experience with functional programming in general or Haskell in particular will be assumed. Haskell is of particular interest in that as a purely functional language, it contains much potential for innovation in software verification. Due to its lazy evaluation strategy, Haskell programmers are able to experiment easily with different types of algorithms and data structures in comparison to those available in mainstream programming languages. The features of Haskell have influenced contemporary languages such as Python and Perl 6.
Monica’s Voice: Developing Designer Professional Identity

Design thinking locates the designer as the mediator of the design space, personally responsible for managing uncertainty, leveraging failures, and gaining insight through reflection to maintain momentum and deliver meaningful outcomes. As design education becomes more closely aligned with these principles, the development and understanding of the role of the designer is viewed as an intricate component of design. Much of my academic research on designer professional development focuses on how these professionals develop their identity. What characteristics do they embrace and how do these characteristics impact their design work? Do they become innovative, intuitive, and/or courageous because they are designing or do they bring these traits to their work? As I ponder these and many other questions, I think about my own professional development journey. Identifying some of my own characteristics has caused me to reflect on those who modeled, taught, and assisted me in developing as a designer. Although not an inclusive list of professional traits or people who have impacted my development, I illustrate a few of examples in an effort to provide snapshots of my professional identity development.
Age- and Sex-Dependent Impact of Repeated Social Stress on Intrinsic and Synaptic Excitability of the Rat Prefrontal Cortex

Stress is implicated in psychiatric illnesses that are characterized by impairments in cognitive functions that are mediated by the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Because sex and age determine stress vulnerability, the effects of repeated social stress occurring during early adolescence, mid-adolescence, or adulthood on the cellular properties of male and female rat mPFC Layer V neurons in vitro were examined. Repeated resident-intruder stress produced age- and sex-specific effects on mPFC intrinsic and synaptic excitability. Mid-adolescents were particularly vulnerable to effects on intrinsic excitability. The maximum number of action potentials (APs) evoked by increasing current intensity was robustly decreased in stressed male and female mid-adolescent rats compared with age-matched controls. These effects were associated with stress-induced changes in AP half-width, amplitude, threshold, and input resistance. Social stress at all ages generally decreased synaptic excitability by decreasing the amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic potentials. The results suggest that whereas social stress throughout life can diminish the influence of afferents driving the mPFC, social stress during mid-adolescence additionally affects intrinsic characteristics of mPFC neurons that determine excitability. The depressant effects of social stress on intrinsic and synaptic mPFC neurons may underlie its ability to affect executive functions and emotional responses, particularly during adolescence.
Aircraft maneuvering via genetics-based adaptive agent

Aircraft flight challenges both human pilots and artificial (auto-) pilots. Aircraft maneuvering supplies a rich and complex task for machine learning. A rudimentary flight test maneuvering agent (FTMA) possesses the potential to be moved from aircraft to aircraft in a robust but general manner. This study presents an FTMA, whose adaptive qualities are tested in two, NASA developed, hi-fidelity flight simulations|the X-31A Enhanced Fighter Maneuverability Demonstrator and the F-106 Delta Dart. These two aircraft possess dramatically different dynamics and control laws. The agent approach contributes generality of interface and adaptation to this complex problem.
Adsorption-controlled growth and the influence of stoichiometry on electronic transport in hybrid molecular beam epitaxy-grown BaSnO3 films

High room-temperature electron mobility and optical transparency in the visible spectrum distinguishes BaSnO3 from other perovskite oxides. The origin of low mobility in thin films as compared to their bulk counterpart is attributed to the presence of dislocations in films with nearly no discussion on the role of point defects such as cation non-stoichiometry. Using high-resolution X-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, thermal, and electronic transport measurements, we show that a growth window, in which cation stoichiometry is self-regulating, can be achieved for BaSnO3 films on SrTiO3(001) and (La0.3Sr0.7)(Al0.65Ta0.35)O3(001) (LSAT) substrates using a hybrid molecular beam epitaxy approach. BaSnO3 films on SrTiO3 grown within the growth window yielded a mobility value of 105 cm2 V−1 s−1 at a density, 2.5 × 1020 cm−3. Bulk-like thermal conductivity of 13.3 ± 1.46 W m−1 K−1 was achieved for stoichiometric films. Both Ba- and Sn-deficient films resulted into charge compensation and low mobility, with a stronger dependence for Sn-deficient films.
Rhinoplasty Results Are Influenced by Non-nasal Features

Rhinoplasty results are evaluated both objectively and subjectively following any procedure by plastic surgeons and nonplastic surgeons at meetings, in publications, and online. We aim to evaluate whether subjective aesthetics of non-nasal features, such as the eyes and lips, would influence the overall evaluation of rhinoplasty results. We matched pairs of photographs of patients who had undergone aesthetic rhinoplasty by sex, age, and skin tone. We transferred the eyes/eyebrows and lips from the photographs of the donor patient onto the photographs of the original patient to create composite photographs. Plastic surgeons were asked to rate the rhinoplasty results objectively, and non-plastic surgeons were asked to rate the overall attractiveness of 16 sets of photographs (8 originals and 8 composites). Postoperative photographs that were deemed to be more attractive were associated with higher ratings of rhinoplasty improvement. The objective nasal result may be influenced by non-nasal aesthetic factors as rhinoplasty surgeons gave higher ratings to more attractive faces. Greater emphasis on neutralizing non-nasal factors in pre- and postoperative photographs should be considered.
A Consistent Definition of Phase Resetting Using Hilbert Transform.

A phase resetting curve (PRC) measures the transient change in the phase of a neural oscillator subject to an external perturbation. The PRC encapsulates the dynamical response of a neural oscillator and, as a result, it is often used for predicting phase-locked modes in neural networks. While phase is a fundamental concept, it has multiple definitions that may lead to contradictory results. We used the Hilbert Transform (HT) to define the phase of the membrane potential oscillations and HT amplitude to estimate the PRC of a single neural oscillator. We found that HT’s amplitude and its corresponding instantaneous frequency are very sensitive to membrane potential perturbations. We also found that the phase shift of HT amplitude between the pre- and poststimulus cycles gives an accurate estimate of the PRC. Moreover, HT phase does not suffer from the shortcomings of voltage threshold or isochrone methods and, as a result, gives accurate and reliable estimations of phase resetting.
Real Time Eye Blink Detection Method for Android Device Controlling

Designing systems to detect the human gestures and movements is an important area in computer vision. In this chapter, a method to detect human eye blink patterns is proposed. Our system detects the user’s eye blink patterns in real time and responds with an action on a mobile device, such as the phone call, text message, and/or an alarm. In this chapter, several image processing techniques are used for detecting human eye blinks. To examine the state of the eyelid, whether it’s opened or closed, the eye state value is used by computing the minimum threshold. The system is able to track the blinking of the eyes efficiently and accurately from the video using the proposed method. This system is user-friendly and easy to operate. The experiment was performed under different conditions by changing the distance from the camera and light in the room. The experimental results showed that the overall detection rate for eye blink is 98%. The proposed method takes only 8 ms as the average execution time for each frame, which makes it work more efficiently in real time applications.
Kinematics of the anthropoid os centrale and the functional consequences of scaphoid-centrale fusion in African apes and hominins

In most primates, the os centrale is interposed between the scaphoid, trapezoid, trapezium, and head of the capitate, thus constituting a component of the wrist's midcarpal complex. Scaphoid-centrale fusion is among the clearest morphological synapomorphies of African apes and hominins. Although it might facilitate knuckle-walking by increasing the rigidity and stability of the radial side of the wrist, the exact functional significance of scaphoid-centrale fusion is unclear. If fusion acts to produce a more rigid radial wrist that stabilizes the hand and limits shearing stresses, then in taxa with a free centrale, it should anchor ligaments that check extension and radial deviation, but exhibit motion independent of the scaphoid. Moreover, because the centrale sits between the scaphoid and capitate (a major stabilizing articulation), scaphoid-centrale mobility should correlate with scaphocapitate mobility in extension and radial deviation. To test these hypotheses, the centrale's ligamentous binding was investigated via dissection in Pongo and Papio, and the kinematics of the centrale were quantified in a cadaveric sample of anthropoids (Pongo sp., Ateles geoffroyi, Colobus guereza, Macaca mulatta, and Papio anubis) using a computed-tomography-based method to track wrist-bone motion. Results indicate that the centrale rotates freely relative to the scaphoid in all taxa. However, centrale mobility is only correlated with scaphocapitate mobility during extension in Pongo-possibly due to differences in overall wrist configuration between apes and monkeys. If an extant ape-like wrist characterized early ancestors of African apes and hominins, then scaphoid-centrale fusion would have increased midcarpal rigidity in extension relative to the primitive condition. Although biomechanically consistent with a knuckle-walking hominin ancestor, this assumes that the trait evolved specifically for that biological role, which must be squared with contradictory interpretations of extant and fossil hominoid morphology. Regardless of its original adaptive significance, scaphoid-centrale fusion likely presented a constraint on early hominin midcarpal mobility.
Variety of Enriching Early-Life Activities Linked to Late-Life Cognitive Functioning in Urban Community-Dwelling African Americans.

Objectives The early environment is thought to be a critical period in understanding the cognitive health disparities African Americans face today. Much is known about the positive role enriching environments have in mid- and late-life and the negative function adverse experiences have in childhood; however, little is known about the relationship between enriching childhood experiences and late-life cognition. The current study examines the link between a variety of enriching early-life activities and late-life cognitive functioning in a sample of sociodemographic at-risk older adults. Method This study used data from African Americans from the Brain and Health Substudy of the Baltimore Experience Corps Trial (M = 67.2, SD = 5.9; N = 93). Participants completed a battery of neuropsychological assessments and a seven-item retrospective inventory of enriching activities before age 13. Results Findings revealed that a greater enriching early-life activity score was linked to favorable outcomes in educational attainment, processing speed, and executive functioning. Discussion Results provide promising evidence that enriching early environments are associated with late-life educational and cognitive outcomes. Findings support the cognitive reserve and engagement frameworks, and have implications to extend life-span prevention approaches when tackling age-related cognitive declines, diseases, and health disparities.
Model for Thermodynamics of Ionic Surfactants: Effect of Electrolytes on Osmotic and Activity Coefficients

Equations have been derived for osmotic and activity coefficients of ionic surfactant solutions. The equations are based on a single-step association process that includes counterion binding and a thermodynamic treatment of a micellar solution as a mixed electrolyte. The model includes the effects of ion-ion interactions and provides a basis for a self-consistent treatment of the thermodynamic properties of surfactant solutions. The model has previously been applied to experimental data for aqueous surfactant solutions and demonstrated to provide quantitative agreement with a relatively small number of adjustable parameters. The extension of the model to include surfactant-water-electrolyte solutions is presented, and model equations are compared with experimental data.
The Benjamin W. Zweifach Award Lecture. Blood cell deformability and interactions: from molecules to micromechanics and microcirculation.

UNLABELLED RBC deformability and PMN-endothelial interaction have been used as two examples to illustrate how recent investigations have generated information from molecules to micromechanics and the microcirculation, and how some of the results can be used to understand the physiology and pathophysiology in man. While this presentation on the molecular basis of microcirculatory events is focused on micromechanics, active work is being conducted to establish the molecular basis of many other microcirculatory processes. These include endothelial transport, vascular smooth muscle activity, neurohumoral control of the microcirculation, and angiogenesis, as well as some of the disease states such as ischemia, shock, and cancer. The field is still in its infancy, and we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. Further developments in this fertile interdisciplinary field will allow us to gain further understanding of the molecular basis of the microcirculatory processes in health and disease. IN CONCLUSION (i) The deformability and interactions of blood cells play a significant role in microcirculatory dynamics. (ii) Modern biological approaches have provided insights into the molecular bases of blood cell deformability and interactions. (iii) Understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the microcirculation requires the application of knowledge derived from molecular and cell biological studies to the in vivo microcirculatory preparations. (iv) Bridging of the new biology and in vivo microcirculatory investigations represents a great challenge and a golden opportunity for microcirculation researchers.
Street Smart Innovations: Technological Change and the Modern Street Sweeper

Street sweeping operations have gradually evolved from largely manual and predominantly local operations involving people pushing hand brooms along streets, to encompass large-scale mechanized fleets of street sweepers managed by municipalities. The original goals of street sweeping that focused attention on sanitary conditions and waste removal have given way to broader concerns of storm water pollution reduction, urban cleanliness, and aesthetic considerations. Indeed, sanitary conditions, at least in most modern cities, is no longer a significant issue because of relatively efficient sewage systems that quickly remove and treat wastes. However, this is not true for cities in some less wealthy nations, where raw sewage and untreated wastes can still be found running along streets and in drainage ditches in both commercial and residential districts.
Model-Based Flaw Sizing

One important use of models is the development of methods to size unknown flaws from their measured response. Since natural occurring flaws are typically irregular in shape, when sizing defects it is necessary to determine the degree to which one wants to try to recover the details of the flaw geometry.
Interspecies allometric scaling.

Lack of approved pharmaceutical agents and very limited pharmacokinetic data in the scientific literature for exotic, wildlife, and zoo species are a major issue for veterinarians treating these species. There are fewer than 15 compounds approved in the United States for zoo and wildlife species compared to nearly 300 drugs licensed for cattle. Zoo veterinarians are therefore required to extrapolate the use of approved agents (veterinary or human) to nonapproved species, often with little or no scientific basis to support drug or dose schedule selection. In general, species differences in drug absorption, metabolism, distribution, and excretion have been well documented for domestic species. However, there has been limited research to provide similar data for nondomestic species. Consequently, with the possible exception of pet bird species, there is little published information on the pharmacokinetic parameters of drugs in nondomestic species. Additionally, because of the commercial value of many zoo species, the traditional method of “trial and error” for drug and dose selection and related compliance issues is often inappropriate. There is an understandable concern, whereby the zoo veterinarian does not wish to be the first to administer an agent or formulation in an untested species. “One medicine” is a central concept in treating zoo species, in that vertebrate species are generally more similar than dissimilar. However, drug absorption can vary within as well as between species. Considering the anatomical differences between true monogastrics (canine and feline species), hind-gut fermentors (rodents, rabbits, horses, and elephants), fore-gut fermentors (Colobus monkeys and kangaroos), and ruminants (cattle, goats, sheep, and antelope), the potential for differences in pharmacokinetic profiles are marked. Moreover, there are potential differences between organisms in a single class. An example is the ability of several snake species to up- and down-regulate their digestive systems. This renders the time course of oral drug absorption dependent on both body temperature and time after feeding. Plasma protein binding may vary considerably between species and may also be temperature dependent. This is very significant when treating poikilothermic (reptiles, amphibians, and fish) species and when conducting pharmacokinetic studies with highly protein-bound drugs. The large body sizes of some zoo species create additional considerations for treatment with drugs and can place significant limitations on delivery of an effective drug dose.