cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Cultural Explanation of Collapse into Civil War: Escalation of Tension in Nigeria:

Culture has a central role in explaining Nigeria’s collapse into civil war, and Mary Douglas’ cultural theory can facilitate cultural analysis. Culture theory posits a limited number of viable ways of life, consisting of patterns of social relations undergirded by value systems. It explains preferences and can show why events or ideas may be acceptable to one way of life and unacceptable to another. In Nigeria, fundamental, salient cultural differences existed between the dominant groups, reinforced by pervasive social cleavages, in terms of ethnicity, region, religion, class, and levels of access to power and wealth. Intense competition for resources led to continual cultural interpretation of ethnic antagonisms based on different values, ways of life and institutions. While these struggles involved many issues, they were defined in terms of cultural principles, and made cultural differences more important. Culturally focused rhetoric was developed by political leaders and was interpreted within highly c...
A personal retrospective on the second half of the 20th century

During the Second World War scientists and engineers were involved as never before in all technical phases of the war effort. It included intelligence, logistics and large scale automated computation. Much of this required team work which led to the adoption of interdisciplinary perspectives and found expression after the war in new fields of enquiry such as cybernetics, biophysics and artificial intelligence. While Europe was recovering from its devastation, the United States entered an unprecedented age of prosperity beginning in the 1940s and 50s. The political and budgetary environment was favorable for scientific research and it was felt in Europe as well as the U.S.A. I discuss some of these conditions and the figures associated with the work that became the foundation for advances throughout the second half of the 20th century and conclude with a few observations on quantitative neuroscience and the problem of representation.
Population deconcentration in Hungary during the post-socialist transformation

Abstract This paper investigates the patterns of population redistribution in contemporary Hungary to better understand the demographic articulations of post-socialist restructuring. We analyze published data for 1980–1997, and machine-readable municipal-level data for 1990–1997 to find that post-socialist restructuring coincides with pronounced population de concentration after several decades of steady urbanization. While suburbanization accounts for much of this deconcentration, many of the more remote villages in the nation's rural periphery also experienced net in-migration. Our findings call into question the ways in which population deconcentration may be thought of as a social indicator, raise important empirical questions about the attractiveness of remote places as resettlement locations for economically marginal populations, and assert the relevance of demographic analysis for coming to more complete understandings of the effects and implications of post-socialist restructuring.
The existence of security market equilibrium with a non-atomic state space☆

Abstract We consider a finite horizon economy with incomplete markets and, at each period, a non-atomic continuum of states of nature. We combine backward recursion methods with a reformulation of the problem in terms of first-order conditions to establish the existence of a Radner equilibrium. One of our hypotheses, not required in the case of a finite number of states, says that in any date and state the position reached after any possible previous asset trades, but before spot trades, constitutes a feasible consumption. An example shows that this hypothesis cannot be dispensed with (even in the case of countable many states).
Graphite Electrodes Coated with Poly(dimethyldiallylammonium)chloride Network Films Cross-Linked by Gamma-Irradiation

Properties of graphite electrodes coated with poly(dimethyldiallylammonium) chloride (PDMDAAC) are described. Gamma-irradiation was used to immobilize the polymer on the graphite surface by cross-linking the water-soluble polymer into an insoluble network. Immobilization of the network is aided by the high porosity of the graphite electrodes. Potassium ferricyanide was used as a model analyte to demonstrate electrochemical properties of the polymer modified electrode. Cyclic voltammograms of Fe(CN)63– at the PDMDAAC modified electrodes exhibit partitioning of the analyte into the polymer film. Chronocoulometry was used to determine the quantities of Fe(CN)63– trapped in the polymer network. The results of ion-exchange reactions of Fe(CN)63– with the PDMDAAC film were used to determine distribution coefficients (Kd) between the polymer film and the bulk solution of the analyte. Kd is 4000 for 0.01 M Fe(CN)63– in 0.2 M KCl. Analytical calibration plots of cyclic voltammetric peak currents for Fe(CN)63– at gamma-irradiated PDMDAAC/graphite electrodes were linear from 0.01 mM to 0.4 mM. Substantial enhancement of current signal was observed at the PDMDAAC modified graphite vs. bare electrodes. Variation in radiation dosage from 0.48 to 5.5 Mrad does not change the cross-link density of PDMDAAC on the graphite surface as evidenced by almost identical cyclic voltammograms of Fe(CN)63– at electrodes exposed to dosages over this range.
Maternal, placental blood flow: a model with velocity-dependent permeability.

As a first step towards mathematical modeling of the maternal blood flow in a human placental circulatory unit, the “villous tree” containing the fetal capillaries is represented as a continuous, deformable porous solid whose local permeability increases with increasing local flow speed. The use of this direct ad hoc dependence allows simple treatment of the large distortions which are observed. Results on quasi-steady flows with “Darcy Law” pressure drops are reported here.
Computation of the viscous supersonic flow over symmetrical and asymmetrical external axial corners

The primary objective of the reported investigation is the computational verification of the experimental results obtained by Salas and Daywitt (1978). Two existing computer codes were used to compute the supersonic flow field surrounding the external axial corner. For the inviscid and turbulent flow results, the unsteady, three-dimensional implicit code of Pulliam and Steger (1978) was used. For the laminar flow results, the unsteady two-dimensional explicit procedure of Vigneron et al. (1977) was employed. Inviscid solutions for a symmetric configuration with a rounded corner resulted in either single or triple surface crossflow stagnation point flows, depending on the corner radius. Numerical results obtained for the same symmetric configuration tested experimentally show the crossflow in the vicinity of the corner to be away from the corner and thus in agreement with the experimental oil flow results.
Intake rates of various solid carbohydrates by male German cockroaches

Abstract The rate of intake, F, as mg/g body wt. per day, of many individual solid carbohydrates and of some mixtures by adult male German cockroaches at 30°C has been determined. Equilibrium F values near 20 are maintained for several weeks on sugars such as sucrose, glucose, or maltose. This rate is high enough to support normal oxygen consumption rates without drawing on body carbohydrate reserves. Mixing a sugar with cellulose usually causes striking compensatory increases in F, to levels as high as 60. Other sugars, although they allow long survival (e.g. adonitol, sorbose, melibiose), have lower and less stable F values and seem to cause very gradual starvation. Still others (e.g. rhamnose or cellobiose) have low F values and survival times comparable to complete starvation. During the first day or two of transition from starvation or prolonged feeding on one sugar to feeding on another sugar, F values are often much higher or lower than normal. Cockroaches show definite and usually stable preferences among sugars; the order of preference shows some correlation with individual F values. A working hypothesis based on several parameters in the process of food intake, crop-emptying, and metabolic utilization is proposed to account for these observations.
On the Calculation of Multiplicities for P-Polynomial C-Algebras

An alternative rational function, with polynomial components of smaller degree, is constructed to compute multiplicities for a P-polynomial C-algebra whose generating tri-diagonal matrix has a set of repeated column entries. As a consequence, some upper bounds are derived for the diameter of the algebra. The bound in the case of an integral table algebra generalizes a well known result of Bannai and Ito for distance-regular graphs.
Determination of Very Rapid Molecular Rotation by Using the Central Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Line

Picosecond rotational correlation times of perdeuterated tempone (PDT) are found in alkane and aromatic liquids by directly using the spectral width of the central electron paramagnetic resonance line. This is done by mathematically eliminating the nonsecular spectral density from the spectral parameter equations, thereby removing the need to assume a particular form for it. This is preferable to fitting a constant correction factor to the spectral density, because such a factor does not fit well in the low picosecond range. The electron–nuclear spin dipolar interaction between the probe and solvent is shown to be negligible for the very rapid rotation of PDT in these liquids at the temperatures of the study. The rotational correlation times obtained with the proposed method generally agree to within experimental uncertainty with those determined by using the traditional parameters. Using the middle line width offers greater precision and smoother trends. Previous work with the central line width is discu...
Estimation of Plate Waste of School Lunches Served to Children of Low Socioeconomic Status

Abstract A total of 260 students (50% girls, 100% black) of low socioeconomic status, in grades 3 to 6 in one elementary school, were observed by trained nutritionists to assess amount of plate waste of menu items served. During 21 school lunch periods, amount of waste for each menu item was visually estimated and recorded using 2 control trays on each observation day and a 6-point rating scale for consumption. Between 60%–90% of the students selected the menu items, starch (61 %), dessert (80%), bread (92%), fruit (93%), and entree (99%). Only 43% selected the vegetable menu items (e.g., green beans, peas, broccoli, corn, mixed vegetables), and 36% selected the salad when served. Six percent selected lowfat milk, 48% whole milk, and 55% chocolate milk. The percent of students who did not eat the whole menu item was highest for salad (69%), followed by the vegetable (64%), bread (62%), starch (47%), entree (43%), and fruit (33%) and dessert (32%) menu items. Approximately 44% of students did not even taste the vegetable, salad, or bread. The percentage of students who did not consume all of the menu items selected ranged from 30% (grade 3) to 49% (grade 5), with girls wasting more than boys. Compared to boys, girls wasted more of the menu items: vegetable (p
Children's partial knowledge of the cognitive skill of counting

Abstract Acquiring the knowledge that constitutes a cognitive skill is the issue examined in this research—in particular, the skill of counting. Two theories guided the research, one concerning partial knowledge during cognitive growth and the other concerning children's understanding of number. Preschool children were given four tasks involving counting skills in two identical testing sessions, using problem sizes ranging from 3 to 26 items. Stochastic models of data from these tasks separated two sources of instability in the children's performance: measurement error in the tools of assessment and, more interestingly, variability intrinsic to the way the children's knowledge was structured. It was hypothesized that the children's knowledge was organized as separate, modular components for knowing how to tag, partition, and stop. The results showed that development of skilled counting during the preschool years rests primarily on learning to merge and coordinate these components, rather than on acquiring the components themselves. When a task required very few components, the children consistently performed well. When relatively many components had to be coordinated, the children's performance was both lower in absolute level and more variable over testing sessions. Supplementary data suggested that preschool children also have difficulty coordinating their knowledge of cardinality with their execution of the counting process proper.
Predator defense along a permanence gradient: roles of case structure, behavior, and developmental phenology in caddisflies

Species replacements along freshwater permanence gradients are well documented, but underlying mechanisms are poorly understood for most taxa. In subalpine wetlands in Colorado, the relative abundance of caddisfly larvae shifts from temporary to permanent basins. Predators on caddisflies also shift along this gradient; salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum) in permanent ponds are replaced by predaceous diving beetles (Dytiscus dauricus) in temporary habitats. We conducted laboratory and field experiments to determine the effectiveness of caddisfly cases in reducing vulnerability to these predators. We found that larvae of a temporary-habitat caddisfly (Asynarchus nigriculus) were the most vulnerable to salamanders. Two relatively invulnerable species (Limnephilus externus, L. picturatus) exhibited behaviors that reduced the likelihood of detection and attack, whereas the least vulnerable species (Agrypnia deflata) was frequently detected and attacked, but rarely captured because cases provided an effective refuge. Vulnerability to beetle predation was also affected by cases. The stout cases of L. externus larvae frequently deterred beetle larvae, whereas the tubular cases of the other species were relatively ineffective. Two of these vulnerable species (A. nigriculus and L. picturatus) often co-occur with beetles; thus, case construction alone is insufficient to explain patterns of caddisfly coexistence along the permanence gradient. One explanation for the coexistence of these two species with beetles is that they develop rapidly during early summer and pupate before beetle larvae become abundant. One species (L. picturatus) pupates by burying into soft substrates that serve as a refuge. The other (A. nigriculus) builds stone pupal cases, which in field experiments, more than doubles survival compared to organic pupal cases. The combined results of these experiments suggest that caddisfly distributions along permanence gradients depend on a suite of primary and secondary predator defenses that include larval and pupal case structure, predator-specific escape behaviors, and the phenology of larval development.
Medication-Free Research in Early Episode Schizophrenia: Why on Earth Would I Choose to Participate in Such Research?

The author concurs with Bola's conclusion that “a categorical prohibition of medication-free research in early episode schizophrenia on the ethical grounds of harm to human subjects should probably be reconsidered” on a case-by-case basis. The point that informed choice is rarely considered in the informed consent process is made. Several recommendations are made on how to augment the informed consent process and enhance the decision making of research participants.
Phase II trial of taxol in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

AbstractBased on results of previous Phase I studies, 18 patients with documented metastastic renal cell carcinoma received Taxol 250 mg/m2 as a 24-h infusion, repeated every 21 days in this Phase II study. All patients received premedication with dexamethasone, diphenhydramine, and cimetidine. There were no responses in the 18 patients treated.
D2-like receptor activation does not initiate a brain docosahexaenoic acid signal in unanesthetized rats

The polyunsaturated fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), participates in neurotransmission involving activation of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2), which is coupled to muscarinic, cholinergic and serotonergic neuroreceptors. Drug induced activation of iPLA2 can be measured in vivo with quantitative autoradiography using 14C-DHA as a probe. The present study used this approach to address whether a DHA signal is produced following dompaminergic (D)2-like receptor activation with quinpirole in rat brain. Unanesthetized rats were infused intravenously with 14C-DHA one minute after saline or quinpirole infusion, and serial blood samples were collected over a 20-minute period to obtain plasma. The animals were euthanized with sodium pentobarbital and their brains excised, coronally dissected and subjected to quantitative autoradiography to derive the regional incorporation coefficient, k*, a marker of DHA signaling. Plasma labeled and unlabeled unesterified DHA concentrations were measured. The incorporation coefficient (k*) for DHA did not differ significantly between quinpirole-treated and control rats in any of 81 identified brain regions. Plasma labeled DHA concentration over the 20-minute collection period (input function) and unlabeled unesterified DHA concentration did not differ significantly between the two groups. These findings demonstrate that D2-like receptor initiated signaling does not involve DHA as a second messenger, and likely does not involve iPLA2 activation.
Demo abstract: Online detection of speaking from respiratory measurements collected in the natural environment

We present a novel method to detect when a person is speaking using respiratory measurements collected in the natural environment. A speaker's respiration pattern is sampled from a respiratory inductive plethysmograph (RIP) band worn around the speaker's chest. Ratio of inhalation duration to exhalation duration (IE ratio) has traditionally been used to detect speaking in controlled lab environment [7]. However, we find that IE ratio is inadequate in the natural environment. We propose several new features to be used along with IE ratio. Using various statistics over these features, we obtain >95% accuracy in classifying respiration measurements into “speaking” or “silence” states with 10-fold cross validation. Our demonstration will show realtime capture of the respiration signal, computation of features, and detection of speaking and silence, all on a mobile smartphone.
Electromagnetic scattering from chiral objects using double-grid finite-difference frequency-domain (DG-FDFD) method

In this paper, a double-grid finite-difference frequency domain (DG-FDFD) method is introduced to solve for scattering of electromagnetic waves from chiral objects. The formulations are based on a double-grid scheme in which a traditional Yee grid and a transverse Yee grid are combined to achieve coupling of electric and magnetic fields that is imposed by the bianisotropy. While the presented formulations can solve problems including bianisotropic objects, the validity of the formulations is verified by calculating bistatic radar cross-sections of three-dimensional chiral objects and comparing the results to those obtained from analytical and other numerical solutions.
Should EUPHA publish a new journal for European health systems research

During the excellent Conference on Health Services Research in Europe (http://www.healthservicesresearch.eu/), in the Hague, the Netherlands, in March 2010, a conversation with a compatriot followed the perennial topic ‘What is public health research?’ On this occasion there was a twist: ‘Is health services research also public health research?’ We agreed they are both parts of the same activity, and noted that more health services research is done in institutes of public health than in university medical schools. Yet then my colleague said, ‘But I would never publish in the European Journal of Public Health . It has the wrong title.’ Also last year was the first Global Symposium on Health Systems Research (http://www.hsr-symposium.org/). The meeting was held in Montreux, Switzerland [where 1400 participants also attended the 2006 European Public Health Association (EUPHA) annual conference, memorably hosted by the Swiss Society for Public Health], with multiple international sponsorship including World Health Organisation (WHO) Headquarters in Geneva and its daughter organization the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research. The Global symposium, also an excellent meeting, was very different from the Hague conference. Although held in Europe, its perspective was slanted away from experience in ‘high-income’ countries. It drew on earlier annual meetings of the Global Forum for Health Research, also WHO sponsored, and including two global ministerial meetings on health research in 2004 (Mexico) and 2008 (Mali). It had a very ‘official’ character, with most participants (and their ‘per diems’) being funded by international sponsors or governments, and few participants paying themselves. How can we develop health services and systems research …
Neural stabilizers for unknown systems

In this paper, we show that for the unknown single-input nonlinear system x/spl dot/=f(x)+g(x)u, x/spl epsiv//spl Rfr//sup n/, u/spl epsiv//spl Rfr/ (0.1), it is possible to construct a semi-global state-feedback stabilizer when the only information about the unknown system is that: the system is stabilizable; the state dimension of the system is known; and the system vector-field are at least C/sup 1/. The proposed stabilizer uses linear-in-the-weights neural networks whose synaptic weights are adaptively adjusted, control Lyapunov functions. Using Lyapunov stability arguments, we show that the closed-loop system is stable and the state vector converges arbitrarily close to zero, provided that the controller's neural networks have sufficiently large number of regressor terms, and that the controller parameters are appropriately chosen. Although the proposed controller is a discontinuous one, the closed-loop system does not enter in sliding motions. However, the proposed controller can be a very conservative one and may result in very poor transient behavior and/or very large control inputs.
Online Network Influences on Emerging Adults’ Alcohol and Drug Use

Researchers have reported that network characteristics are associated with substance use behavior. Considering that social interactions within online networks are increasingly common, we examined the relationship between online network characteristics and substance use in a sample of emerging adults (ages 18–24) from across the United States (N = 2,153; M = 21 years old; 47 % female; 70 % White). We used regression analyses to examine the relationship between online ego network characteristics (i.e., characteristics of individuals directly related to the focal participant plus the relationships shared among individuals within the online network) and alcohol use and substance use, respectively. Alcohol use was associated with network density (i.e., interconnectedness between individuals in a network), total number of peer ties, and a greater proportion of emotionally close ties. In sex-stratified models, density was related to alcohol use for males but not females. Drug use was associated with an increased number of peer ties, and the increased proportion of network members’ discussion and acceptance of drug use, respectively. We also found that online network density and total numbers of ties were associated with more personal drug use for males but not females. Conversely, we noted that social norms were related to increased drug use and this relationship was stronger for females than males. We discuss the implications of our findings for substance use and online network research.
Acquisition of desiccation tolerance in soybeans

The entry into a desiccation-tolerant state is a major developmental component of seed maturation. Development of desiccation tolerance of embryonic axes of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill cv. Chippewa 64] was studied by measuring changes in electrolyte leakage. germination and relative growth rate after axes were rapidly air-dried to various water contents. Axes acquired the full capacity for germination at 34 days after flowering (DAF). and reached physiological maturity (maximum dry weight) at 48 DAF. When dried to water content h = 0. 08 (g water g−1 dry weight). few axes germinated before 42 DAF. but more than 90% germinated after 48 DAF. However, electrolyte leakage of rehydrated axes showed a linear decline from 30 to 55 DAF. For developing axes there was a critical water content or desiccation threshold. which could be estimated by using the electrolyte leakage method. The threshold of desiccation tolerance decreased gradually from h = 1. 10 to 0. 18 as axes matured from 28 to 55 DAF. The development of desiccation tolerance continued after physiological maturity at 48 DAF. We conclude that the acquisition of desiccation tolerance of soybean axes is a gradual event, rather than an abrupt transition.
A Longitudinal Analysis of the Relationship Between School Victimization and Student Mobility

Schools have generally been viewed as "safe havens" from victimization experiences. Yet, there is no question that youth experience a variety of victimization while attending school. The current study expands research on victimization at school by focusing on mobile youth. School mobility is of concern to both educators and practitioners and is associated with a number of harmful as well as beneficial outcomes (e.g., dropout and school failure, deviant behaviors, or increased test scores and grades). This research uses longitudinal data from a sample of approximately 2,000 youth to examine (1) the effect of in-school victimization on school mobility and (2) the consequences of school mobility on subsequent victimization. Findings from multilevel regression and change score analyses indicate that, in middle school, youth who are victimized are more likely to change schools and experience less victimization at the new school. Language: en
Van der Waals attraction between two conducting chains

Abstract The inclusion of retardation in calculating the Van der Waals attraction from zero point energies for a conducting chain molecule is shown to lead to a small correction with the same separation dependence as when retardation is ignored.
A review and update on the practice of evaluating Miranda comprehension.

This article summarizes recent developments in constitutional law relevant to the Miranda warning. We describe the origins of the warning, concerns about the use of the Miranda warning, perspectives on the utility of the warning, and the relevance of the warning. We describe how the warning has changed over time, requirements for administering the warning, and procedures that police use in delivering the warning and obtaining confessions. We review case law relevant to "coerced" Miranda waivers and confessions, changes over time in the court's interpretation of what constitutes "coercion," use of the warning with special populations, and the recent focus in case law on individual factors that might impair Miranda comprehension. We review empirical research on factors associated with deficits in Miranda comprehension. We integrate case law rulings and empirical research into suggested approaches to forensic assessment of Miranda comprehension.
BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS FOR THIRD ORDER DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS BY SOLUTION MATCHING

For the ordinary differential equation, y ′′′ = f(x, y, y ′ , y ′′ ), solutions of 3point boundary value problems on [a, b] are matched with solutions of 3-point boundary value problems on [b, c] to obtain solutions satisfying 5-point boundary conditions on [a, c].
Extensive reproductive disruption, ovarian masculinization and aromatase suppression in Atlantic croaker in the northern Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone

The long-term impacts on marine ecosystems of the recent dramatic worldwide increase in the incidence of coastal hypoxia are unknown. Here, we show widespread reproductive disruption in Atlantic croakers collected from hypoxic sites approximately 120 km apart in the extensive northern Gulf of Mexico continental shelf hypoxic zone. Gonadal growth and gamete production were impaired in croakers from hypoxic sites compared with fish from reference normoxic sites east of the Mississippi River Delta. Male germ cells were detected in approximately 19 per cent of croaker ovaries collected in the hypoxic region, but were absent in ovaries from normoxic sites. In addition, the sex ratio was skewed towards males at the hypoxic sites. The masculinization and other reproductive disruptions were associated with declines in neuroendocrine function, as well as ovarian and brain expression of aromatase (the enzyme that converts androgens to oestrogens). A similar incidence of ovarian masculinization and decline in ovarian aromatase expression were observed in croaker after chronic laboratory hypoxia exposure, indicating that ovarian masculinization is a specific hypoxia response and is due to decreased aromatase activity. The results suggest severe reproductive impairment can occur over large coastal regions in marine fish populations exposed to seasonal hypoxia, with potential long-term impacts on population abundance.
Effect of the Interfacial Transition Zone on the Conductivity of Portland Cement Mortars

The electrical conductivity of portland cement mortars was determined experimentally as a function of the volume fraction of sand and the degree of hydration. The results were analyzed using theoretical models that represent the mortars as three-phase, interactive composites. The three phases are the matrix paste, the aggregate, and the thin interfacial transition zone between the two. The microstructure and properties of the conductive phases (the transition zone and the matrix paste) were determined by a micrometer-scale microstructural model, and were used in conjunction with random-walk algorithms and differential-effective medium theory to determine the overall mortar conductivities. The presence of the transition zone was not found to significantly affect the global electrical conductivity of the mortar. However, there were significant differences in conductivity between the transition zone and matrix pastes when examined on a local level. These differences were found to vary with hydration and were most significant when the degree of hydration was between 0.5 and 0.8.
Validation of the Aging Hen (Gallus gallus domesticus) as an Animal Model for Uterine Leiomyomas

Uterine leiomyomas, or fibroids, are the most frequent gynecological tumors in premenopausal women with as many as 65% of women becoming clinically symptomatic. Uterine fibroids are benign myometrial tumors that produce large quantities of extracellular matrix proteins. Despite its high morbidity, the molecular basis underlying the development of uterine leiomyomas is not well understood. Domestic hens of Gallus gallus domesticus develop oviductal leiomyomas similar to those found in humans. We investigated the natural history of chicken leiomyomas, in vivo expression of protein biomarkers, and in vitro expression of ovarian steroid receptors. Based on the analysis of 263 hens, tumor prevalence, tumor number per hen, and tumor size increased as the hens aged. Immunohistochemistry for alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and desmin confirmed the smooth muscle phenotype of the chicken leiomyomas. Intense collagen expression was detected in these oviductal leiomyomas by Mason's trichrome, and the tumors also showed increased expression of TGFB3 and collagen type I mRNAs. Consistent with human leiomyomas, chicken fibroids displayed increased BCL2 and estrogen (E) and progesterone (P) receptor expression. Chicken leiomyomas were dissociated for in vitro culture. Cells from explants were positive for SMA, desmin, and E and P receptors until the fourth passage. These cells also displayed a response similar to human cells when challenged with halofuginone, an antifibrotic agent. Our findings indicate that the chicken is an excellent complementary model for studies involving the pathophysiology of human uterine leiomyomas.
An excitation mechanism for the free ‘core nutation’

The earth is believed to possess a free nutational mode due to its rotating, elliptical, fluid core, with an eigenfrequency of approximately (1 + 1/460) cycle per sidereal day as seen from the sidereally rotating earth. This free 'core nutation' has not yet been undisputably observed. Furthermore, there has been considerable doubt that any known mechanism could excite this mode to an observable level. It is shown here that diurnal atmospheric and oceanic loading of the earth's surface provides an efficient excitation mechanism which depends critically on the physical damping of the mode. Possible effects of the mode on geodetic measurements are discussed. The effects of 'wobble' and 'nutation' on astrometric observations are also considered.
Accelerator requirements for fast-neutron interrogation of luggage and cargo

Several different fast-neutron based techniques are being studied for the detection of contraband substances in luggage and cargo containers. The present work discusses the accelerator requirements for fast-neutron transmission spectroscopy (FNTS), pulsed fast-neutron analysis (PFNA), and 14 MeV neutron interrogation. These requirements are based on the results of Monte-Carlo simulations of neutron or gamma detection rates. Accelerator requirements are driven by count-rate considerations, spatial resolution and acceptable uncertainties in elemental compositions. We have limited our analyses to luggage inspection with FNTS and to cargo inspection with PFNA or 14-MeV neutron interrogation.
CELLULAR AND VASCULAR COMPONENTS OF THE ALLOGRAFT REACTION : EVIDENCE FROM RETURNED SKIN ALLOGRAFTS

In order to gain added insight into the mechanisms of allograft destruction, skin grafts were returned to their original donors after remaining as allografts long enough to induce immunity in the intermediate host but not long enough to cause destruction of the graft. Upon their return to unmodified donors, such grafts became revascularized and remained viable. An intense cellular infiltration was incited within the graft and its draining lymph node by the interaction between immunologically competent cells, some antigenically activated, that were transferred from the intermediate host with the graft, and those of the final host, the original donor. This immune interaction excited a nonspecific granulocytic and histiocytic response, which led to the destruction of the adjacent epithelium already re-accepted within its native habitat. This mechanism of epithelial destruction required vascular connection to permit the cellular infiltration, and was unlikely to have primarily involved circulating antibody. When similar grafts were returned to donors that had been sensitized to the intermediate host, vascularization and reacceptance of the graft did not occur. No cellular infiltration took place in the graft and no lymph node response was evoked. The returned grafts were cast off as full-thickness sloughs. Here the mechanism of graft rejection was apparently an interaction between the preformed antibody of the specifically sensitized host and the allogeneic cells transferred from the intermediate host; this interaction prevented the vascularization of the graft, even though the endothelia involved were autologous. In unmodified allografts, both the character and the variability of the histologic patterns can be accounted for by the superimposition, in differing rates and degrees, of humoral vascular effects upon cellular events already in progress.
pH-sensing characteristics of multi-walled carbon nanotube sheet

In this paper, the properties of strain sensors made of spin-capable multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were characterized and their sensing mechanisms analyzed. The key contribution of this paper is a new fabrication technique that introduces a simpler transfer method compared to spin-coating or dispersion CNT. Resistance of the MWCNT sheet strain sensor increased linearly with higher strain. To investigate the effect of CNT concentration on sensitivity, two strain sensors with different layer numbers of MWCNT sheets (one and three layers) were fabricated. According to the results, the sensor with a three-layer sheet showed higher sensitivity than that with one layer. In addition, experiments were conducted to examine the effects of environmental factors, temperature, and gas on sensor sensitivity. An increase in temperature resulted in a reduction in sensor sensitivity. It was also observed that ambient gas influenced the properties of the MWCNT sheet due to charge transfer. Experimental results showed that there was a linear change in resistance in response to strain, and the resistance of the sensor fully recovered to its unstressed state and exhibited stable electromechanical properties.
Coded cooperative diversity with convolutional codes over Nakagami-m wireless fading channels

Space diversity is a simple and cost-effective technique to combat fading in wireless channels. For small handheld devices with limited space and power for multiple antennas, cooperative diversity is proposed. In cooperative diversity, adjacent users to a certain user, using their own antennas, act as relays to create ”virtual space diversity” for the source user. The success of cooperative diversity depends heavily on the channel quality between users. To improve the interuser channel quality, coded cooperative diversity is introduced. Most of the research on coded cooperative diversity models the wireless fading channels as Rayleigh or Ricean. However, it was shown that the Nakagami-m channel model is more accurate and flexible in describing the fading conditions. In this paper, coded cooperative diversity with convolutional codes over Nakagami-m channels is analyzed. Code design considerations are developed from this analysis. Simulation results show that coded cooperation with convolutional codes is practical over Nakagami-m fading channels.
Primary and Secondary Sources in History: A Primer for Undergraduates, Challenges for Librarians

This article discusses the challenges reference librarians face in identifying primary and secondary sources in the study of history. Labeling sources depends wholly on how they are used. Through better observation of sources in history, librarians can assist instructors and students in the use of primary sources in the classroom and research.
Relationship Between Weights of the Engorged Nymphal Stage and Resultant Sexes in Ixodes scapularis and Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks

The relationship between weights of the nymphal stage and their resultant sexes in Ixodes scapularis Say and Dermacentor variabilis (Say) was examined under laboratory conditions. Nymphs were fed to repletion on laboratory white mice, weighed individually, and held until they molted. Fully engorged I. scapularis nymphs that subsequently molted to females weighed between 3.8 and 6.4 mg (n = 64). Those nymphs that molted to males weighed between 2.0 and 3.2 mg (n = 57). Body weights of engorged nymphs that became females were significantly greater than those of nymphs that became males (P < 0.05). Similarly, the range of body weights of engorged D. variabilis nymphs that subsequently became females was 9.1-15.1 mg (n = 32), whereas those nymphs that molted to males weighed between 3.9 and 13.0 mg (n = 39). Body weights of engorged nymphs that became females were significantly greater than those of nymphs that became males (P < 0.05). This suggests that nymphs of both species that become females presumably imbibe more blood than those that became males.
Control of a Robot Arm with Artificial and Biological Neural Networks

To perform research on learning in cultures of mouse neurons, a hardware and software system for interfacing a biological neuronal culture to a robot arm has been constructed. The software architecture is modular, which permits simulated neurons to be used in place of biological neurons. In both cases, the activity of the culture over time is represented as an activation vector that captures recent spatiotemporal patterns of neuron firing. The activation vector is converted into control signals for the arm in a manner that can be generalized to multiple degrees of freedom. Preliminary results from the system with both simulated and biological cultures are presented.
Incidence and predictors of respiratory viral infections by multiplex PCR in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients 50 years and older including geriatric assessment

Community respiratory viruses (CRV) are important agents of morbidity and mortality within the allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) population. Few proven methods to prevent CRV infections exist. No studies have specifically investigated their impact on older patients. We reviewed patients 50 years and older undergoing HCT between 2009-2013 to determine the incidence of CRV infection using multiplex PCR and risk factors for infection including geriatric assessment (GA). Thirty-two first episode CRV infections occurred in 118 patients for a 1-year cumulative incidence of 27.2% (CI: 19.4-35.6%). Hospitalization and mortality were restricted to those who developed lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) (n = 22, 69%). CRV infection contributed to 8 deaths (36% of LRTIs) and 7 of these patients were taking steroids for GvHD at the time of infection. Health impairments by GA did not translate into increased risk for CRV infection. Steroid use at time of LRTI was associated with high mortality.
Understanding user requirements for music information services

User studies in the music information retrieval and music digital library fields have been gradually increasing in recent years, but large-scale studies that can help detect common user behaviors are still lacking. We have conducted a large-scale user survey in which we asked numerous questions related to users’ music needs, uses, seeking, and management behaviors. In this paper, we present our preliminary findings, specifically focusing on the responses to questions of users’ favorite music related websites/applications and the reasons why they like them. We provide a list of popular music services, as well as an analysis of how these services are used, and what qualities are valued. Our findings suggest several trends in the types of music services people like: an increase in the popularity of music streaming and mobile music consumption, the emergence of new functionality, such as music identification and cloud music services, an appreciation of music videos, serendipitous discovery of music, and customizability, as well as users’ changing expectations of particular types of music information. Understanding what kinds of music information services people use, how they use them, and what they expect from them is critical in designing successful services. We have seen a gradual increase in different types of user and usability studies in recent years. However, many of these studies are based on a limited number of subjects, and tend to employ analysis of qualitative research methods, like in-depth interviews or focus groups. While these kinds of studies can help uncover rich data about music users, large-scale user studies are also necessary in order to test the generalizability of results and to complement the insights obtained from smaller qualitative studies. To fill this gap, we have conducted a large-scale user survey questioning people’s music needs, uses, and music seeking and management behaviors. This survey is an extension of previous research conducted in 2004 by Lee and Downie [7]. The information we acquired through this new study can help improve our general understanding of music users and their behaviors, as well as how they have changed as compared to the 2004 survey results. 2. LITERATURE REVIEW
Unsupervised Segmentation of RGB-D Images

While unsupervised segmentation of RGB images has never led to results comparable to supervised segmentation methods, a surprising message of this paper is that unsupervised image segmentation of RGB-D images yields comparable results to supervised segmentation. We propose an unsupervised segmentation algorithm that is carefully crafted to balance the contribution of color and depth features in RGB-D images. The segmentation problem is then formulated as solving the Maximum Weight Independence Set (MWIS) problem. Given superpixels obtained from different layers of a hierarchical segmentation, the saliency of each superpixel is estimated based on balanced combination of features originating from depth, gray level intensity, and texture information. We want to stress four advantages of our method: (1) Its output is a single scale segmentation into meaningful segments of a RGB-D image; (2) The output segmentation contains large as well as small segments correctly representing the objects located in a given scene; (3) Our method does not need any prior knowledge from ground truth images, as is the case for every supervised image segmentation; (4) The computational time is much less than supervised methods. The experimental results show that our unsupervised segmentation method yields comparable results to the recently proposed, supervised segmentation methods [1, 2] on challenging NYU Depth dataset v2.
Effective MAPK Inhibition is critical for therapeutic responses in colorectal cancer with BRAF mutations

ABSTRACTRAF inhibitor monotherapy is ineffective in BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer (CRC) but RAF inhibitor combinations have demonstrated improved efficacy, likely through superior suppression of MAPK signaling. The first identified mechanisms of acquired resistance to these combinations all promote MAPK reactivation, underscoring the MAPK pathway as a critical target in BRAF-mutant CRC.
International Biomass Production and Policies in Leading Nations

Although solar and wind energy are most frequently cited in popular media and scholarly reports, biomass is the greatest current source of total renewable energy for the United States, as well as other leading nations. Top nations for total biomass production in 2012 were China, followed by the U.S. and Brazil. Federal government programs have given the U.S. leadership in ethanol production. However, environmentalists are critical of ethanol produced from corn. U.S. cellulosic ethanol production was initiated in 2014 but remains far behind targeted levels. Forest and wood products are prominent energy resources for Sweden and Finland, which lead in biomass production per capita. Germany is the international leader in renewable energy policy. Its feed-in tariff (FIT), initiated in 1991 for an initial 20-year period, provided the stimulus for Germany’s success in fostering growth of diverse renewable energies, including solar and wind energy, and biogas. The FIT is a widely used policy, including in China and Japan and some U.S. states but has not been employed by the U.S. federal government. Commitment, cooperation, and stable national and European policies have fostered biomass energy development in Europe. However, despite large potentials, minimal increase in U.S. biomass production other than corn-based ethanol is attributable to policy conflicts and a complex regulatory environment.
Challenges facing employers in the treatment of depression.

OBJECTIVE: To review the challenges of treating depression in the workplace in the environment of increased health care costs. SUMMARY: The cost of health care is on the rise, and employers and employees are at odds over who will share the burden of these costs. The focus of cost containment has been to minimize drug cost; however, employers need to be aware of indirect costs of medical illness. Due to its prevalence and rate of undertreatment, depression is one of the main disease states that employers should target in their disease management efforts. CONCLUSION: In order to treat depression appropriately, we must consider the social stigma, treatment barriers, and health care structure that exist to treat depression. Additional outcomes data is needed to demonstrate to employers, the largest purchasers of health care, the benefit of managing depression in the workplace.