cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New York City Taxi Drivers’ Knowledge and Perceptions of the Affordable Care Act

This study was conducted to assess New York City taxi drivers’ knowledge and perceptions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). A cross-sectional street-intercept study design was used to assess drivers’ knowledge about the ACA. A 146-item questionnaire was administered from September 12 to December 6, 2013 to 175 yellow taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers. 91 % of drivers were foreign-born; 50 % were uninsured. Mean knowledge about the ACA was quite low; 78 % of the sample either knew nothing or only a little bit about the ACA. 77 % wanted more information about the ACA. Greater English proficiency, more years driving a taxi, and knowledge of having or not having a pre-existing health condition (vs. not knowing) were related to higher ACA knowledge levels. Knowledge of a pre-existing condition (whether they had one or not) compared to those who lacked such knowledge was also an important predictor of the perception of whether the ACA would have a positive impact. To facilitate enrollment, efforts should focus on occupationally-focused initiatives that educate drivers at their places of work and leisure, to raise the overall knowledge levels and enrollment of the community.
Connection Between Parent–Child Religiosity: Moderated Mediation by Perceived Maternal and Paternal Warmth and Overprotection and Emerging Adult Gender

Previous research has shown a strong connection between parental religiosity and parenting behaviors in the transmission of religion from parent to child. Our study expanded upon previous research by examining how perceived maternal and paternal warmth and overprotection mediated the relation between parental and personal religiosity in males and females. A sample of 486 emerging adults reported maternal, paternal, and personal religiosity as well as their parents’ parenting behaviors. Results indicated that perceived paternal warmth served as a mediator for males only but neither perceived maternal nor paternal overprotection mediated the relationship between parental religiosity and emerging adult religiosity. Gender moderated the paths from perceived paternal religiosity to paternal overprotection, such that the relationship was stronger for females, and perceived paternal warmth to emerging adult religiosity, such that the relationship was stronger for males. Overall, results demonstrated that mediation effects occurred for males only, suggesting moderated mediation.
MIXED MITRAL VALVE DISEASE: TO BALLOON OR TO REPLACE?

Evaluation of mitral valve disease must be very meticulous, particularly in patient’s with mixed stenotic and regurgitant lesions, in order to provide the most appropriate treatment. A 54-year-old Middle Eastern female with no significant past medical history comes to the hospital with abrupt
Retina Injury After Dexamethasone Injection Into a Vitrectomized Eye

Purpose:This work reports a case of retinal and vitreous hemorrhage after a dexamethasone (Ozurdex, Allergan) intravitreal implant injection to treat clinically significant macular edema (ME) in a ...
Prediction of MRI RF-induced Heating for Passive Implantable Medical Devices Using Convolutional Neural Network

The purpose of this paper is to present a method to predict the radio frequency (RF) induced heating for passive implantable medical devices under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a convolutional neural network (CNN). A total of 576 generic solid plate devices are constructed as study examples. Numerical simulations were conducted at both 1.5 T and 3 T using a full-wave electromagnetic solver based on the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method to simulate the RF-induced heating for the solid devices in the ASTM phantom. Then the solid plate devices are characterized by using three-dimensional (3D) point cloud data (PCD) representations and used as the input of CNN. The extracted RF-induced heating from the numerical simulation, in terms of peak 10 gram (g) averaged specific absorption rate (psSAR 10g ), is related to the 3D PCD by using a CNN. Seventy percent of the configurations and the corresponding psSAR 10g from simulation results were randomly selected and used as the training set of the CNN, while the residuals were used as the test set. The results have shown the test error under 1.5 T system was very small with a mean absolute error which was less than 2.56 W/kg with a mean psSAR 10g of 34.52 W/kg. The test error under 3 T system was smaller than that from the 1.5 T system with a mean absolute error which was less than 1.14 W/kg.
Development of machine learning model algorithm for prediction of 5-year soft tissue myxoid liposarcoma survival.

Background Predicting survival in myxoid liposarcoma (MLS) patients is very challenging given its propensity to metastasize and the controversial role of adjuvant therapy. The purpose of this study was to develop a machine-learning algorithm for the prediction of survival at five years for patients with MLS and externally validate it using our institutional cohort. Methods Two databases, the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results program (SEER) database and an institutional database, were used in this study. Five machine learning models were created based on the SEER database and performance was rated using the TRIPOD criteria. The model that performed best on the SEER data was again tested on our institutional database. Results The net-elastic penalized logistic regression model was the best according to our performance indicators. This model had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.85 when compared to the SEER testing data and an AUC of 0.76 when tested against institutional database. An application to use this calculator is available at https://sorg-apps.shinyapps.io/myxoid_liposarcoma/. Conclusion MLS is a soft-tissue sarcoma with adjunct treatment options that are, in part, decided by prognostic survival. We developed the first machine-learning predictive algorithm specifically for MLS using the SEER registry that retained performance during external validation with institutional data.
Social Structures and Spatial Alignments of Agrarian Urbanisation

Agrarian urbanisation has gathered pace and intensity in the last few decades after economic liberalisation in India. A faster rate of economic growth has exacerbated the extraction of rural natura...
A Hybrid Machine-Learning-Based Method for Analytic Representation of the Vocal Fold Edges during Connected Speech.

Investigating the phonatory processes in connected speech from high-speed videoendoscopy (HSV) demands the accurate detection of the vocal fold edges during vibration. The present paper proposes a new spatio-temporal technique to automatically segment vocal fold edges in HSV data during running speech. The HSV data were recorded from a vocally normal adult during a reading of the “Rainbow Passage.” The introduced technique was based on an unsupervised machine-learning (ML) approach combined with an active contour modeling (ACM) technique (also known as a hybrid approach). The hybrid method was implemented to capture the edges of vocal folds on different HSV kymograms, extracted at various cross-sections of vocal folds during vibration. The k-means clustering method, an ML approach, was first applied to cluster the kymograms to identify the clustered glottal area and consequently provided an initialized contour for the ACM. The ACM algorithm was then used to precisely detect the glottal edges of the vibrating vocal folds. The developed algorithm was able to accurately track the vocal fold edges across frames with low computational cost and high robustness against image noise. This algorithm offers a fully automated tool for analyzing the vibratory features of vocal folds in connected speech.
Estimating and Penalizing Preference Shift in Recommender Systems

Recommender systems trained via long-horizon optimization (e.g., reinforcement learning) will have incentives to actively manipulate user preferences through the recommended content. While some work has argued for making systems myopic to avoid this issue, even such systems can induce systematic undesirable preference shifts. Thus, rather than artificially stifling the capabilities of the system, in this work we explore how we can make capable systems that explicitly avoid undesirable shifts. We advocate for (1) estimating the preference shifts that would be induced by recommender system policies, and (2) explicitly characterizing what unwanted shifts are and assessing before deployment whether such policies will produce them – ideally even actively optimizing to avoid them. These steps involve two challenging ingredients: (1) requires the ability to anticipate how hypothetical policies would influence user preferences if deployed; instead, (2) requires metrics to assess whether such influences are manipulative or otherwise unwanted. We study how to do (1) from historical user interaction data by building a user predictive model that implicitly contains their preference dynamics; to address (2), we introduce the notion of a “safe policy”, which defines a trust region within which behavior is believed to be safe. We show that recommender systems that optimize for staying in the trust region avoid manipulative behaviors (e.g., changing preferences in ways that make users more predictable), while still generating engagement.
Optimizing Freight Operations for Autonomous Transfer Hub Networks

Autonomous trucks are expected to fundamentally transform the freight transportation industry, and the technology is advancing rapidly. According to some of the major players, the Autonomous Transfer Hub Network (ATHN) business model is the most likely future for the industry. ATHNs make use of transfer hubs to hand off trailers between human-driven trucks and autonomous trucks. Autonomous trucks then carry out the transportation between the hubs, while conventional trucks serve the first and last mile. This paper presents a Constraint Programming (CP) model to schedule the ATHN operations to perform a given set of orders. The model is used to, for the first time, provide a detailed quantitative study of the benefits of ATHNs by considering a real case study where actual operations are modeled and optimized with high fidelity. It is found that solving this large-scale optimization problem with CP is computationally feasible, and that ATHNs may bring significant cost savings.
Biomineralization of nanoscale single crystal hydroxyapatite

The chemical and physical characteristics of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite particles which formed during the subcutaneous implantation of crab shell in Sprague-Dawley rats were studied using selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The initial SAED characterization evidence indicated the presence of an amorphous calcium phosphate phase. The electron dense nanophase particles which formed in the wound healing zone displayed broad diffuse rings which usually indicate a low crystalline order or amorphous phase. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) revealed that these mineralized regions contained discrete single crystal particles less than 5nm in size. Micrographs taken at successively higher magnifications revealed very small nanoparticles with a hexagonal arrangement of ion channels with characteristic spacing of 0.54nm and 0.23nm. This study revealed that single crystal hydroxyapatite nanoparticles consisting of only a few unit cells formed via a biomineralization directed process.
Aluminum and Nickel

In the last chapter we discussed concentration of Cu in soil profiles by supergene enrichment. Two other elements that are enriched to ore grade by soil processes are aluminum and nickel. Virtually all of the world’s Al and perhaps one third of its Ni comes from such deposits (Lelong and others 1976, p. 147). Aluminum ores overlie a variety of rock types, but Ni is associated exclusively with ultramafics, reflecting the relative abundance of the two elements in the crust. Deep weathering under humid tropical conditions is necessary for the formation of both ore types, and aluminum ores are widely distributed in parts of the world having such climates now, or in the Tertiary, but production of lateritic Ni is largely confined to New Caledonia, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba.
A copula-based precipitation forecasting model: Investigating the interdecadal modulation of ENSO's impacts on monthly precipitation

[1] The influence of two large-scale circulation patterns (the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO)), and the effect of the interdecadal modulation of ENSO on precipitation in the state of Texas, U.S., was explored. Texas, by virtue of its size, topography, and geographical location, spans a wide range of climatic regions. The state is divided into 10 climate divisions. The precipitation pattern in each division follows different probability distributions. The climate regimes which trigger this difference are discussed. The seasonal correlation between ENSO and PDO with precipitation anomaly in each climate division was established. Copula-based models were developed to examine the dependence structure between the large-scale climate indices and average monthly seasonal precipitation. The choice of copula is discussed in light of the dependence structure. The selected copulas were then used to simulate precipitation anomalies in three climate divisions: one which has a semiarid climate, one located in the wettest region, and one straddling the subtropical humid and subtropical subhumid regions of the state. The statistical performance of bivariate models for ENSO and precipitation, and trivariate models for ENSO, PDO, and precipitation, in simulating precipitation anomalies were compared. In general, inclusion of PDO was found to improve simulation results. The most notable improvement was in simulating negative precipitation anomalies during La Nina and negative PDO. The copula models were also tested for their abilities to predict precipitation anomalies in these three regions. Again, the trivariate models performed better, especially in predicting droughts due to La Nina and negative PDO.
Three Strikes and You're Out

Abstract This research pathfinder is a comprehensive guide of the recent trend in criminal law for enhanced sentences for repeat offenders-pop-ularly called “three strike laws.” Particular attention is given to California law because it is the most often cited example of this type of law.
Thermodynamics of Amyloid Formation

Originally published in: Amyloid Proteins. Edited by Jean D. Sipe. Copyright © 2005 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA Weinheim. Print ISBN: 3-527-31072-X The sections in this article are Introduction Thermodynamic versus Kinetic Control of Protein Folding What Thermodynamic Forces are Responsible for the Exceptional Stability of Amyloid Aggregates? Single Polypeptide Chain-Multiple β-Sheet-rich Abnormal Isoforms Does the Process of Prion Propagation Differ from Formation of Ordered Amyloid Aggregates? Prion Propagation is an Autocatalytic Process Conformational Diversity of Self-propagating Prion Aggregates High Species Specificity of Prion Propagation Conclusions Keywords: protein aggregates; amyloid protein; prion protein; folding pathways
A bilocal scale-invariant field theory for massive particles

A recently proposed algebraic model for relativistic hadrons that contains dilatations in an interesting substructure is realized in terms of differential operators acting on a bilocal field. Wave equations are found for both 0 and 1/2 spin. It is shown that, in spite of dilatation invariance, particles can have nonvanishing rest mass. This result is a consequence of having multicomponent wave functions, where the components belong to different values of the dilatation quantum number. A canonical formalism is developed and the currents, related to various symmetries, are computed. It is possible to represent the currents of interest as various first moments of two energy-momentum tensors.
Methods of emittance measurement

We discuss experimental techniques for measurement of the density of beam particles in both the transverse and longitudinal phase space. The second moments of a two-dimensional density in conjugate coordinates are combined to form the emittance, which remains invariant under idealized beam transport. Four different methods of emittance measurement are presented, as will be implemented at the Brookhaven Accelerator Test Facility.
Possible adrenocortical insufficiency in postmature neonates

Abstract Total plasma cortisol in cord and neonatal blood was measured by a radioassay method in neonates resulting from (1) term vaginal delivery following uncomplicated labor (control group), (2) term vaginal delivery following fetal distress during labor, (3) postterm, postmature vaginal delivery following fetal distress during labor, and (4) postterm, postmature emergency cesarean section performed because of signs of severe fetal distress during labor. Comparison of the mean peripheral plasma cortisol values showed that whereas the mean level (±S.E.) of the distressd term neonates (22.2 ± 5.3 μg per 100 ml.) use 180 per cent of that of the control group (12.3 ± 1.1 μg per 100 ml.; P P
Additional Evidence is Needed to Recommend Acquiring a Dog to Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Response to Wright and Colleagues

Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder are vulnerable to overstated benefits of interventions, and such overstatements are common with interventions involving animals. This response to Wright, Hall, Hames, Hardmin, Mills, the Paws Team, and Mills' (2015) article, "Acquiring a Pet Dog Significantly Reduces Stress of Primary Careers for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Prospective Case Control Study," details why that study's conclusions are premature. Specific limitations of the study are detailed, including overstatements of the supportive literature, problems with the design, and mismatch between the findings and conclusions. The purpose is not to challenge the benefits of pet ownership, but to point out that those benefits have not yet been established.
Influence of fire damage on the modal parameters of a prestressed concrete double‐tee joist roof

SUMMARY This paper examines the influence of fire damage on experimentally measurable modal parameters to explore the potential role of vibration-based structural identification in post-fire condition assessment. Experimental modal analysis of a precast, prestressed concrete roof comprised of modular double-tee joists was performed following exposure to an accidental fire. Empirical evidence of localized structural degradation is identified in the mode shapes, which suggests that modal parameters are sensitive to fire-induced damage in prestressed concrete members. Additionally, measured out-of-plane global modes are correlated with finite element simulations using a model of the as-built roof as well as a model updated using a large set of impact-echo measurements across the double-tee roof to spatially map localized reductions in stiffness. The comparisons support the experimental conclusions and further demonstrate that, by coupling nondestructive techniques, it is possible to construct a validated analytical model of structural components with sufficient fidelity to assess suitability for rehabilitation and reuse. With further development, vibration-based monitoring and structural identification may be an attractive alternative to physical load testing, particularly when the risk of structural collapse under proof testing loads is high. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dienophile Activation via Selenosulfonation: 1‐(Phenylsulfonyl)cyclopentene

Dienophile activation via selenosulfonation: 1-(phenylsulfonyl)cyclopentene intermediate: phenyl benzeneselenosulfonate product: 1-(Phenylsulfonyl)cyclopentene. Keywords: oxidation, miscellaneous; oxidation, miscellaneous; photochemical reactions; sulfonation, C-sulfonation
Hydroxymethylphosphonate: Novel Oligonucleotide Analogue

Abstract Thymidine(3′,5′)thymidine hydroxymethylphosphonate (10), the first oligonucleotide bearing hydroxymethylphosphonate function, and t -butylammonium 5′- O -monomethoxytritylthymidine 3′- O -acetoxymethylphosphonate (7), oligonucleotide monomer, were synthesized using t -butylammonium O -methylacetoxymethylphosphonate (4) as a novel phosphonylating agent. Hydroxymethylphosphonate internucleotide linkage is stable at physiological pH and resistant to 3′- and 5′-exonucleases. While retaining the neutral character of the phosphonate modification, the presence of hydroxymethyl function increases hydrophilicity of hydroxymethylphosphonate oligonucleotide and its solubility in water compared to the parent methylphosphonate analogue. Therefore, hydroxymethylphosphonate modification can be used to fine-tune the physicochemical properties of antisense oligonucleotides.
Left ventricular thrombus in the absence of detectable heart disease.

A woman presented with acute left leg pain requiring urgent left femoral embolectomy. Echocardiography showed a large, pedunculated left ventricular mass, but no additional cardiac abnormality. Clinical evaluation including cardiac catheterization and open heart surgery demonstrated no cardiac pathologic findings. At surgery, a large thrombus was removed from the left ventricle. We suggest that all patients with arterial embolic disease have echocardiography, even if heart disease is not suspected. (Chest 1989;96:426–27)
581. IL-23 Is Required for B-Cell Memory after CD40 Ligand-Modified Dendritic Cell Vaccination

Rationale CD40 ligand modified dendritic cells (DCs) can elicit IL-12 and IL-23, as well as CD4-independent antibody responses. IL-23 has been shown to act on memory T cells. Due to this we investigated whether DC expression of IL-12 or IL-23 is required for B-cell memory after CD40L-modified DC-based vaccination using antigen from Pneumocystis carinii (PC)
Pros and Woes of Interdisciplinary Collaboration With a National Clinical Trial

Nursing collaborations with clinical trials provide opportunities to answer important nursing questions, enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, use collected data efficiently, include sophisticated measures, and answer questions that could not be answered by either project alone. To foster interdisciplinary collaboration, the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) issued a funding initiative to link nurse researchers and clinical trial teams. This article describes a successful collaboration between Extremity Constraint-Induced Therapy Evaluation (EXCITE), a multisite, national clinical trial, and Caregiver-EXCITE, a complementary nursing study funded by NINR. EXCITE tested a neurorehabilitative technique to improve upper extremity function in stroke survivors, whereas Caregiver-EXCITE addressed hypotheses about family function, stroke recovery, and caregiver outcomes. This article addresses advantages and challenges of this collaboration and provides illustrations of excellent opportunities that joint ventures offer to advance science. These types of collaborations have the potential to profoundly move nursing's research agenda forward.
Dental morphology of the cannibal morph in the tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum

Cannibalistic behavior is accompanied by a robust dental and skeletal polymorphism in cannibal tiger salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum. This study describes the dental polymorphism in terms of hypertrophy, recurvature, and surface detail as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. Vomerine and dentary teeth in cannibals are longer than those of non-cannibals of the same head size. While cannibals exhibit recurved teeth on each dentigerous bone, straight peg-like teeth appear occasionally. Conversely, isolated recurved teeth may be present in non-cannibals. No consistent differences between cannibal and noncannibal teeth with respect to the surface geography of the pedicel, shaft, or pedicel shaft junction were observed. Hypertrophy of the horizontally ankylosed vomerine teeth is associated with a distortion of the underlying vomer. This suggests that alterations in odontogenesis may effect changes in the morphogenesis of underlying dentigerous bones. Differential rates of development (heterochrony) between the skull (dentigerous bones) and the dentition may be a characteristic feature in the evolution of cranial morphology in cannibal tiger salamanders.
Comparative antidepressant effects of intravenous and intrathecal thyrotropin-releasing hormone: Confounding effects of tolerance and implications for therapeutics

A significant amount of preclinical and human data indicate that thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) has antidepressant effects. Although early studies showing these effects using intravenous TRH were not consistently replicated, it has been suggested that this could be explained by its poor blood—brain barrier penetration. For this reason we compared the antidepressant effect of intrathecal and intravenous TRH administered in a double-blind design to 2 treatment-refractory patients with bipolar II disorder. Each experienced a robust antidepressant response by both routes; subsequent open trials of intravenous TRH also were effective until apparent tolerance developed. Intrathecal TRH was readministered and both subjects again experienced robust antidepressant responses. These preliminary data suggest a differential mechanism of tolerance to the two routes of administration and raise the possibility that a subgroup of patients may be responsive to the antidepressant effects of TRH independent of its route of administration.
Interfacial Rheology of Globular and Flexible Proteins at the Hexadecane/Water Interface: Comparison of Shear and Dilatation Deformation

After long-time exposure, protein adsorption at fluid/fluid interfaces is documented to produce interfacial, gellike networks. Formation of this network apparently results from adsorption-induced conformational changes and subsequent interprotein aggregation at the interface. We utilize interfacial shear and dilatational rheology to probe the structure of a globular protein, lysozyme, and a disordered protein, β-casein, and the kinetics of network formation at the hexadecane/water interface. For the first time, we present a detailed comparison of the interfacial shear and dilatational responses. For lysozyme, the shear moduli grow with interface age indicating a transition from fluidlike behavior at early times to network formation (solidlike behavior). Conversely, the interfacial shear moduli of β-casein change very little with interface age; in addition, both G ‘ and G ‘ ‘ for β-casein are an order of magnitude smaller than those of lysozyme. The strong protein intramolecular interactions that stabilize...
A specific acylating agent for the (3H)phencyclidine receptors in rat brain

Abstract A derivative of phencyclidine (PCP, 1 in fig. 1) bearing an isothiocyanate moiety on the meta position of the aromatic ring (Metaphit, 3 in fig. 1) has been synthesized and identified as a rapid and specific site-directed acylating agent of the [ 3 H]phencyclidine binding site in rat brain homogenates. The percentage of sites irreversibly inactivated by Metaphit was found to be the same in the hippocampus and striatum and the remaining sites were unaffected by Metaphit treatment under any conditions, suggesting that at least two distinct binding sites are present. An isomeric isothiocyanate derivative did not irreversibly inhibit [ 3 H]phencyclidine receptors, indicating structural specificity for Metaphit in the inhibition of these receptors. The availability of Metaphit should greatly facilitate study of the structure and function of the phen-cyclidine receptors.
Multiscale modeling of photon detectors from the infrared to the ultraviolet

Due to the ever increasing complexity of novel semiconductor systems, it is essential to possess design tools and simulation strategies that include in the macroscopic device models the details of the microscopic physics and their dependence on the macroscopic (continuum) variables. Towards this end, we have developed robust multi-scale modeling capabilities that begin with modeling the intrinsic semiconductor properties. The models are fully capable of incorporating effects of substrate driven stress/strain and the material quality (dislocations and defects) on microscopic quantities such as the local transport coefficients and non-radiative recombination rate. Using this modeling approach we have extensively studied UV APD detectors and infrared focal plane arrays. Particular emphasis was placed on HgCdTe and InAsSb arrays incorporating photon trapping structures as well as two-color HgCdTe detectors arrays.
Superconductivity: A new window on plutonium's complexity

Superconductivity has recently been discovered in a plutonium intermetallic compound (PuCoGa5) at the surprisingly high temperature of 18.5 K. This article discusses the motivation that led to this discovery as well as what it implies for the understanding of both unconventional superconductivity and the metallurgy of plutonium.
Using transient properties of a tunable narrowband antenna to realize a dual-band antenna

Switched antennas have been used for wireless communication in order to achieve a direct modulation. A combination of semiconductor switch and a radiating element can be employed to decouple the information bandwidth from the antenna bandwidth. This method allows the system to operate in a wideband range using small and resonant antennas instead of wideband radiators. The first attempt to use a switched antenna to increase the impedance bandwidth was done by Merenda (USA Patent 5402133, March 28, 1995) and there have been several publications afterwards. However, most designs suffer from signal ringing, spurious radiation and high switching rate requirements.
Numerical analysis and characterization of the dissociated flowfield inside a 1.6 MW arc-heated wind tunnel facility

Abstract The present work focuses on a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) investigation of the high-enthalpy flow produced by the 1.6 MW arc-heated wind tunnel facility of the University of Texas at Arlington. The numerical analysis is dedicated to the aerothermodynamic characterization of the internal flowfield of a nominal M = 1.8 conical nozzle. Due to dramatic changes in the thermomechanical response of TPS materials when specific conditions of temperature, species composition, and pressure are reached, the knowledge of the flow conditions at the nozzleʼs exit is an essential element for the identification of appropriate test conditions during the design of the experiment first, and the interpretation of the results later. Thermal and chemical nonequilibrium conditions must be considered in the high-temperature nozzle flow when the characteristic times for the chemical reactions and vibrational energy are comparable to the characteristic flow time. The Navier–Stokes equations are solved with the implicit finite volume density-based solver of the CFD code Fluent. From the numerical characterization of the nozzle flow, new facility performance envelopes have been generated providing analytical correlations between the relevant aerothermodynamic parameters at the nozzle exit plane and the input facility operation conditions. The impact of the choice of thermochemical models on the calculated aerothermodynamic quantities is also investigated by a comparative study of the results obtained when both the Park and Gupta models are implemented to simulate the nonequilibrium flow.
Undercooling, Freezing Point Depression, and Ice Nucleation of Soil Water

Certain aspects of the phenomena of undercooling and ice nucleation in soils are discussed with respect to recently established properties of phase boundary water in soils. Nucleation temperature as a function of water content is given for representative clays. In view of the fact that silicate surfaces seem always to be separated from ice by an interfacial layer of unfrozen, liquid like water a new concept of heterogeneous nucleation is outlined. It is proposed that ice nucleation occurs in the undercooled interfacial water layer at some distance removed from the particle surfaces. This concept, in effect, suggests that heterogeneous nucleation (nucleation of ice due to the influence of a substrate) in all its essential aspects may be only a special case of homogeneous nucleation (no substrate present) of water.
The Hymenoptera Genome Database

The Hymenoptera Genome Database (HGD) is an informatics resource supporting genomics of hymenopteran insect species. This relational database implements open-source software and components providing access to curated data contributed by an extensive, active research community. HGD includes the genome sequences and annotation data of honey bee _Apis mellifera_ and its pathogens ("http://BeeBase.org":BeeBase.org) the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis ("http://NasoniaBase.org":NasoniaBase.org) and a portal to the genomes of six species of ants. Together, these species cover approximately 200 MY in the phylogeny of Hymenoptera, allowing to leverage genetic, genome sequence, and gene expression data, as well as the biological knowledge of related model organisms. The availability of resources across an order greatly facilitates comparative genomics and enhances our understanding of the biology of agriculturally important Hymenoptera species through genomics. HGD has supported research contributions from an extensive community from almost 80 institutions in 14 countries. Community annotation efforts are made possible thanks to a remote connection to a Chado database by Apollo Genome Annotation client software. Curated data at HGD includes predicted and annotated gene sets supported with evidence tracks such as ESTs/cDNAs, small RNA sequences and GC composition domains. Data at HGD can be queried using genome browsers and / or BLAST/PSI-BLAST servers, and it may also be downloaded to perform local searches. We encourage the public to access and contribute data to HGD at "http://HymenopteraGenome.org":HymenopteraGenome.org.This poster contains material included in an article accepted for publication in Nucl. Acids Res.©: 2011. The Database Issue. Published by Oxford University Press.
The University of Hawaii lunar ranging experiment geodetic-geophysics support programme

Secular changes in the geocentric positions of lunar laser ranging stations will include components due to local and regional crustal deformations and tectonic plane movements. Terrestrial geodetic and geophysical methods appear to be the most timely and economical approach to determining local and regional effects. The University of Hawaii expects to implement a comprehensive geodetic-geophysical programme in support of its lunar ranging programme in mid-1976. Measurements will include ( a ) repeated geodetic surveys between the observatory and selected points on the island of Maui and neighbouring islands, ( b ) repeated level surveys on the island tied to ocean tide gauges, ( c ) tilt meter monitoring of changes in the local vertical, ( d ) gravimetric Earth tidal measurements, and ( e ) seismic monitoring of crustal activity. A similar programme is also being undertaken by the University of Texas in support of their MacDonald Observatory lunar ranging programme.
Motivations for drug use and problematic outcomes among rural junior high school students

Abstract Personal, social and experiential motivations for drug use were investigated among rural high school students in terms of problematic outcomes as measured by reported frequency of intoxication and number of social complications. Results indicate that while problematic outcomes are significantly associated with increased number of reported motivations in all categories, when proportion scores are examined only personal effects motivations remain significantly related to problematic use. As suggested by previous research on the relationship of motivation and outcome in the use of alcohol, it seems likely that motivations which link the use of other drugs to a need for alteration of self-perception or for assistance in coping with stress are important in the development of problematic use patterns.
Langmuir and Langmuir–Blodgett films of quantum dots

Abstract Trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) capped CdSe and (CdSe)ZnS quantum dots (QDs) were prepared. The surface chemistry behavior of both QDs at the air–water interface was carefully examined by various physical measurements. Stable Langmuir films were formed for both QDs. The average limiting nanoparticle area derived from the π – A isotherms of the QDs could be used to estimate the average size of the QDs if the thickness of TOPO shell was counted. The epifluorescence image of the QDs Langmuir films revealed an aggregation in 2D during the early stage of the compression process. On the other hand, a diacetylene-peptide (PDA-Cys-Cys-Gly-OH) derivative, namely PDA-CCG, was used to modify the surface of QDs. This modification resulted in a robust and homogeneous Langmuir film, which is photopolymerizable and contains active binding sites for the binding of biomolecules.
How much agreement is there in the visual search strategy of experts reading mammograms

Previously we have shown that the eyes of expert breast imagers are attracted to the location of a malignant mass in a mammogram in less than 2 seconds after image onset. Moreover, the longer they take to visually fixate the location of the mass, the less likely it is that they will report it. We conjectured that this behavior was due to the formation of the initial hypothesis about the image (i.e., 'normal' - no lesions to report, or 'abnormal' - possible lesions to report). This initial hypothesis is formed as a result of a difference template between the experts' expectations of the image and the actual image. Hence, when the image is displayed, the expert detects the areas that do not correspond to their 'a priori expectation', and these areas get assigned weights according to the magnitude of the perturbation. The radiologist then uses eye movements to guide the high resolution fovea to each of these locations, in order to resolve each perturbation. To accomplish this task successfully the radiologist uses not only the local features in the area but also lateral comparisons with selected background locations, and this comprises the radiologist's visual search strategy. Eye-position tracking studies seem to suggest that no two radiologists search the breast parenchyma alike, which makes one wonder whether successful search models can be developed. In this study we show that there is more to the experts' search strategy than meets the eye.
On the electrical resistivity of a metallic powder

Abstract A formula for the resistivity γ of a metallic powder: γ = αϱ 0 + Γγ c (1/ d ) is derived, using elementary arguments. Here ϱ 0 and γ 0 are, respectively, the resistivity of the corresponding single crystal and the average contact resistance; α and Γ are numerical factor of order 1–2 depending on the geometrical arrangement of the constituting grains; d is the average linear dimension of a grain. In an ideal case, this formula predicts that the increase in resistance is inversely proportional to the linear average size of a grain.
Liver and Other Gastrointestinal Cancers Are Frequent in Mexican Americans

Disease patterns in Mexican American health-disparity populations differ from larger US populations. This study is aimed to determine frequency of gastrointestinal cancers in Mexican Americans. We analyzed self-reported data from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort where we find high rates of risk factors for cancer: obesity (48.5 %) and diabetes (30.7 %). Participants provided cancer histories about themselves and first- and second-degree relatives. Logistic regression models assessed risk factors. Frequencies of cancer sites were ranked and validated using concurrent age local cancer registry data. Among 9,249 individuals (participants and their relatives), there were 1,184 individuals with reports of cancer. Among cohort participants under 70 years of age, the most significant risk factor for all-cause cancers was diabetes (OR 3.57, 95 % CI 1.32, 9.62). Participants with metabolic syndrome were significantly more likely to report cancer in relatives [1.73 (95 % CI 1.26, 2.37]. Among cancers in fathers, liver cancer was ranked third, stomach fourth, colorectal sixth, and pancreas tenth. In mothers, stomach was third, liver fourth, colorectal seventh, and pancreas eleventh. The unusual prominence of these cancers in Mexican Americans, including liver cancer, was supported by age-adjusted incidence in local registry data. Gastrointestinal system cancers, particularly, liver cancer, in a Mexican American health disparity cohort and their relatives rank higher than in other ethnicities and are associated with high rates of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Effective prevention of diabetes and low-tech, high-quality screening strategies for gastrointestinal cancers are needed in health disparity communities.
The future of the ABET computer science program criteria (abstract only)

The ABET Computing Accreditation Commission and CSAB (made up of representatives from ACM and IEEE-CS) are currently considering the next generation of changes to the computing accreditation criteria, with emphasis on the program criteria for the various disciplinary areas, including computer science. This Birds-of-A-Feather session will provide a platform for discussion of the types of changes that are currently under consideration, with a view toward obtaining feedback on those changes, as well as obtaining new ideas for revisions from the audience.The ABET Computing Accreditation Commission and CSAB (made up of representatives from ACM and IEEE-CS) are currently considering the next generation of changes to the computing accreditation criteria, with emphasis on the program criteria for the various disciplinary areas, including computer science. This Birds-of-A-Feather session will provide a platform for discussion of the types of changes that are currently under consideration, with a view toward obtaining feedback on those changes, as well as obtaining new ideas for revisions from the audience.
Vacuum self-focusing of very intense laser beams

We argue that long-range photon-photon attraction induced by the dipole interaction of two electron-positron loops can lead to ``vacuum self-focusing'' of very intense laser beams. The focusing angle ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{F}$ is found to increase with the beam intensity $I$ as ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{F}\ensuremath{\sim}{I}^{4∕3}$; for the laser beams available at present or in the near future, ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{F}\ensuremath{\simeq}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}10}--{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$.
Consistency Analysis and Improvement of Vision-aided Inertial Navigation

In this paper, we study estimator inconsistency in vision-aided inertial navigation systems (VINS) from the standpoint of system's observability. We postulate that a leading cause of inconsistency is the gain of spurious information along unobservable directions, which results in smaller uncertainties, larger estimation errors, and divergence. We develop an observability constrained VINS (OC-VINS), which explicitly enforces the unobservable directions of the system, hence preventing spurious information gain and reducing inconsistency. This framework is applicable to several variants of the VINS problem such as visual simultaneous localization and mapping (V-SLAM), as well as visual-inertial odometry using the multi-state constraint Kalman filter (MSC-KF). Our analysis, along with the proposed method to reduce inconsistency, are extensively validated with simulation trials and real-world experimentation.
Data integration for conservation: Leveraging multiple data types to advance ecological assessments and habitat modeling for marine megavertebrates using OBIS–SEAMAP

Abstract Spatially explicit conservation efforts to identify, designate, and prioritize protected areas or biologically significant areas require analyses beyond basic species distribution and abundance studies, including assessments of migration patterns, habitat use, and ecological drivers of behavior. With the advent of alternate survey methods and platforms within the marine environment (e.g. satellite telemetry, passive acoustics, photo identification, nesting site monitoring and genetic sampling) in addition to traditional shipboard or aerial visual surveys, researchers have been developing novel analytical and modeling methodologies to fulfill such in-depth ecological assessments. This trend has raised interests and needs not only in filling spatial, temporal and ‘ecological’ gaps but also in the synthesis of these disparate data from multiple methods/platforms. OBIS–SEAMAP, a thematic node of the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) specializing on marine megavertebrates, takes a unique approach to data integration into the OBIS–SEAMAP database to enable novel applications of a global biogeographic database. In this paper, we summarize our efforts to accomplish this integration and to develop novel mapping and visualization tools available on the OBIS–SEAMAP web site. We also discuss advantages and implications of an integrated database in advancing ecological assessments and modeling efforts based on preliminary assessments of the OBIS–SEAMAP data and derived products. Finally, we make critical suggestions for the design and function of biogeographic databases to make contributed data more useful for conservation efforts.
Generative Aspects of the Computer Based Educational Software System (CBESS).

A system of computer-based instruction (CBI) authoring and delivery tools was developed in which generative CBI techniques were used to dynamically create instructional presentations from content databases during program execution. Three applications using these techniques are examined with regard to trade-offs between case of development and limitations imposed by program specificity: 1) A semantic network was used to represent large bodies of terse facts to be memorized. The need for authors to create large numbers of question screens was avoided by a feature enabling questions and foils to be generated on-the-fly from database assertions as the student programs ran. 2) Technical vocabulary training was accomplished with a generative approach in which an array of student learning activities were automatically generated from a database minimally consisting of technical terms and their definitions. 3) A more difficult program allowed greater interface and lesson control flexibility for creating more sophisticated practice lessons in which new instances were dynamically inserted into templates for questions, anticipated answers and feedback. A common application theme emerging from field-testing the programs was their use in learning resource centers to address specific learning objectives from larger courses.