cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physiologic Responses to Sensory Stimulation by Food: Nutritional Implications

Abstract The importance of sensory factors (both the sensory properties of foods and sensory abilities of consumers) in food selection is widely accepted. Less recognized and understood are the effects of sensory stimulation on physiologic processes. Mere exposure to the sight, smell, taste, and textural attributes of foods elicits myriad digestive, endocrinologic, thermogenic, cardiovascular, and renal responses. The responses are rapid (generally occurring within minutes of sensory stimulation), small (relative to the magnitude achieved when food is actually being metabolized), and transient (returning to near-baseline levels within minutes). Nevertheless, they have been hypothesized to prime the body to better absorb and use ingested nutrients. They are termed preabsorptive or cephalic phase responses. This review summarizes current knowledge of stimuli that trigger cephalic phase responses and selected response features (eg, magnitude and type of enzymes or hormones released). Mechanisms by which cephalic phase responses may influence nutrient absorption and use are proposed. Current knowledge of the behavioral and physiologic importance of cephalic phase responses is limited, thereby hampering development of dietary recommendations for preventive or therapeutic interventions. Further study of several identified promising areas of application and other easily proposed situations may provide a basis for expanded medical nutrition therapy. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997; 97:406–410,413 .
An Analytical and Empirical Comparison of End-User Logical Database Design Methods

The current trend toward increasing database applications and end-user computing brings about the need for effective training and support tools that enable end users to perform logical database designs. This paper presents a unique comparison of a network-based data model (the extended entity relationship (EER)) and a hierarchical-based data model (the structured object model (SOM)) and their associated logical database design methods, LRDM (EER-based) and the SOM method, in end-user logical database design. The SOM method, based on an object-oriented knowledge representation scheme, is a new structured method designed to be less susceptible to designer errors and yet capable of maintaining ease of understanding and use. The Logical Relational Design Methodology (LRDM), based on the EER model, shares some common characteristics with the SOM method. In the analytic comparison the basic components and constructs of EER and SOM, as well as their use in the logical design process, are compared to derive a qualitative assessment of the two methods. Two experiments using novice database designers were conducted to examine the effectiveness of each method in leading to accurate logical designs, the time needed for task completion and the improvement in performance over a short training period. To confirm the findings from other studies on logical database design using non-graphic methods versus using graphic methods, the normalization method was included in one of the experiments. The results showed that end users performed better with graphic methods and also preferred them to the non-graphic (normalization) method. Furthermore, users learned and improved in a short period using LRDM (EER-based). However, users of the SOM method generated more accurate designs, were able to identify more complex relationships, and had more significant improvements during the training period than did users of LRDM (EER-based).
LA VIOLENCE DANS LES ÉTABLISSEMENTS SCOLAIRES EN FRANCE

Face a la montee de violence constatee ces dernieres annees en milieu scolaire, differentes causes sont invoquees et certains etablissements cumulent un certain nombre de handicaps. Le departement de Seine-Saint-Denis, par exemple, reunit ces criteres defavorables. Perte du lien avec les generations precedentes, perte de reperes, entrainent incivilites et echec scolaire. Le systeme educatif lui-meme produit de l'exclusion et le systeme du college unique est aujourd'hui mis en cause. Les mesures prises par les derniers ministres de l'Education nationale dans le cadre de la lutte contre la violence ont ete de trois ordes : l'encadrement par l'apport de personnels supplementaires, les aides-educateurs, le reapprentissage de la civilite par un programme d'education a la citoyennete a tous les niveaux, et, enfin, une etroite cooperation entre les etablissements scolaires, les parents et les collectivites locales. Malgre une mise en oeuvre reussie de ces mesures, les resultats sont encore pour le moment inferieurs aux attentes
Initial evaluation of bioinformatics curriculum at Fort Valley State University

This paper discusses the results of a survey conducted to evaluate the recently started bioinformatics curriculum at Fort Valley State University (FVSU). Bioinformatics curriculum implementation has been planned to take a three-pronged approach which includes a bioinformatics course, course-embedded modules that can be integrated into selected science courses, and training workshops for faculty and curriculum development. In particular, the bioinformatics course was evaluated for its pre-course preparation, outcomes, difficulty, workload requirement, and pace of covered material. The analysis of the data indicated more than satisfactory results in several sections. Overall 89.3% students evaluated the bioinformatics course as satisfactory. The goal is to seamlessly integrate biological and computer sciences to establish a bioinformatics curriculum that would appeal to both students and faculty of FVSU.
Technology in Self-Care: Implications for Diabetes Education

New diabetes technologies, such as insulin pump therapies and continuous glucose monitors (CGM), have become important tools for helping control hypoglycemia and achieving glycemic targets. There are, of course, advantages and disadvantages to the adoption of these technological tools, and patients require mastery of new skills in order to use these tools successfully. For the patient, use of the new technologies can be overwhelming or extremely helpful, which often depends on one’s level of knowledge about the new tools. Therefore, this chapter provides the basic foundation for educating patients about these new diabetes technologies.
Soil materials for earth construction: properties, classification and suitability testing

Abstract: Each soil has a different particle size and/or mineral structure, based on the process of formation. This leads to different properties, which distinguish the constructional abilities of a soil. A brief discussion of soil types and classification is provided. Chief mineral constituents of clays along with their structures are explained. Different soil properties which make soil a suitable construction material are also discussed. Some soil property tests to identify soil properties, such as consistency and compaction are briefly explained. Different compaction procedures suitable for different soils are discussed. Water content in a soil plays an important role in providing strength to a soil during compaction.
Estimating the Cognitive Diagnosis [Formula: see text] Matrix with Expert Knowledge: Application to the Fraction-Subtraction Dataset.

Cognitive diagnosis models (CDMs) are an important psychometric framework for classifying students in terms of attribute and/or skill mastery. The $$\varvec{Q}$$ matrix, which specifies the required attributes for each item, is central to implementing CDMs. The general unavailability of $$\varvec{Q}$$ for most content areas and datasets poses a barrier to widespread applications of CDMs, and recent research accordingly developed fully exploratory methods to estimate Q. However, current methods do not always offer clear interpretations of the uncovered skills and existing exploratory methods do not use expert knowledge to estimate Q. We consider Bayesian estimation of $$\varvec{Q}$$ using a prior based upon expert knowledge using a fully Bayesian formulation for a general diagnostic model. The developed method can be used to validate which of the underlying attributes are predicted by experts and to identify residual attributes that remain unexplained by expert knowledge. We report Monte Carlo evidence about the accuracy of selecting active expert-predictors and present an application using Tatsuoka’s fraction-subtraction dataset.
Contextualizing Women’s Work in Special Period Cuba

By providing background information, discussing existing studies on the ‘feminization thesis’ and jineterismo, and then locating her significant intervention within these debates, Jeronimo Kersh offers an informative introduction to the topic of women’s work in Special Period Cuba. She also presents the book’s theoretical framework of individual and collective memory, contextualizing the Cuban example within broader discussions on memory studies. This chapter also explains the originality of conducting research outside Havana by providing context to the specific town referred to as Otivar. It concludes with a rationalization of the unique methodology of combining an analysis of official Cuban press publications with the analysis of individual oral history testimonies, followed by an overview of chapters.
Re-emergence of scrub typhus in Zhejiang Province, southern China: A 45-year population-based surveillance study

Abstract Background Scrub typhus is the leading cause of treatable unidentified febrile illnesses in Southeast Asia. This study was conducted to document the epidemiological characteristics of scrub typhus and its change in Zhejiang, one of traditional epidemic provinces in China. Methods Scrub typhus surveillance data in Zhejiang province during 1957–1989 and 2006–2012 were obtained. Descriptive analysis was conducted to characterize the epidemiology of scrub typhus. The spatial distributions over the periods were explored using spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatiotemporal cluster analysis. Results A total of 4104 cases and 7 deaths were reported from 1957 to 1989 and 2006 to 2017. The incidence declined since 1959, remained low from 1967 to 1989, and then exponentially increased after 2006. The seasonality changed from a summer pattern between 1957 and 1989 to a bimodal peak pattern in July to August and October to November from 2006 to 2017. One primary and three secondary high-risk clusters were affirmed in both periods from 1980 to 1989 and 2006 to 2017. The primary cluster expanded southwestward and the time span of the secondary clusters extended in the later period compared to the clusters in the previous time frame. Conclusion Zhejiang recently underwent a seasonality change, geographic extension, and incidence increase in scrub typhus. More attention should be paid to controlling scrub typhus.
Closed range of \(\overline \partial \) on unbounded domains in ℂn

In this article, we establish a general sufficient condition for closed range of the Cauchy-Riemann operator $$\overline \partial$$ in appropriately weighted L2 spaces on (0, q)-forms for a fixed q on domains in ℂn. The domains we consider may be neither bounded nor pseudoconvex, and our condition is a generalization of the classical Z(q) condition that we call weak Z(q). We provide examples that explain the necessity of working in weighted spaces for closed range in L2.
States lack endangered species reporting

The U.S. Senate is currently considering a bill (S. 1051) that would cede some permitting decision authority to states relative to the U.S. Endangered Species Act ([ 1 ][1]). This bill is but one in a series of recent attempts to transfer authority for endangered species from federal to state agencies ([ 2 ][2]). The Endangered Species Act has long been criticized for its apparent inability to recover species ([ 3 ][3]). These efforts to give states more authority typically argue that recovery of endangered species would be more successful if states were granted more control. We find this argument problematic. State endangered species programs do not, generally, report on recovery planning, expenditures, actions, outcomes, or status of endangered species. In contrast, federal agencies report on each of these issues and make the information readily accessible ([ 4 ][4]). If states are to assume more responsibility for endangered species in the United States, then transparency is critical. Under existing policies, the lack of public reporting by states results in a disquieting accountability gap. Without information, how can the public evaluate whether the gains that Congress envisions actually occur? Information and accountability have been critical to the administration of, and the evaluation of, the federal application of the Endangered Species Act. This same transparency needs to be a component of any state Endangered Species Act responsibility. Before states take on tasks that are currently under federal jurisdiction, staffers, nongovernmental organizations, environmental lobbyists, and watchdog groups such as the Center for Biological Diversity and Defenders of Wildlife should ask Congress to make sure that the relevant laws and regulations stipulate transparent reporting as a key part of the states' duties. 1. [↵][5]U.S. Senate Bill 1051, “A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to establish a program to allow States to assume certain Federal responsibilities under that Act with respect to agency actions applicable to highway projects within the States, and for other purposes” (2019); [www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/1051/text][6]. 2. [↵][7]Center for Biological Diversity, “Politics of extinction” (2019); [www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/esa_attacks/trumptable.html][8]. 3. [↵][9]1. D. M. Evans et al ., “Species recovery in the United States: Increasing the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act,” Issues in Ecology, Rep. No. 20 (Ecological Society of America, 2017). 4. [↵][10]U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, “Recovering threatened and endangered species” ([www.fws.gov/southeast/endangered-species-act/recovery/][11]). [1]: #ref-1 [2]: #ref-2 [3]: #ref-3 [4]: #ref-4 [5]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1 in text" [6]: http://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/1051/text [7]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2 in text" [8]: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/esa_attacks/trumptable.html [9]: #xref-ref-3-1 "View reference 3 in text" [10]: #xref-ref-4-1 "View reference 4 in text" [11]: http://www.fws.gov/southeast/endangered-species-act/recovery/
Functional nanostructures for drug resistance breast cancer theranostics

Abstract Cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs fight against rapidly growing cancerous cells by inhibiting their growth or killing them, thus increasing the survival rate. However, chemotherapy treatments pose challenges because of being non-specific to cancer cells and damaging rapidly growing healthy cells required for maintaining the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and hair follicles. However, there are few alternative solutions available, and more effective approaches have been under investigation to improve existing therapeutic efficacy. Nanoparticles (NPs) have potential as drug carriers and controlled drugs releasing at site with internal or external stimulus-response, biocompatibility, and prolonged circulation in blood. New strategies are being investigated for NPs in multifunctional roles such as drug carriers, imaging contrasts, and therapeutic agents, and known as theranostic NPs. This chapter aims to provide a brief overview on recent advancements in NP technology to overcome the chemoresistance were discussed.
Putting the lake back together 20 years later: what in the benthos have we learned about habitat linkages in lakes?

Our understanding of lake ecosystems has undergone a paradigm shift over the past few decades. While the classic tradition in limnology has been the study of planktonic, open-water habitats, a shif...
MEIRLOP: improving score-based motif enrichment by incorporating sequence bias covariates.

Motif enrichment analysis (MEA) identifies over-represented transcription factor binding (TF) motifs in the DNA sequence of regulatory regions, enabling researchers to infer which transcription factors can regulate transcriptional response to a stimulus, or identify sequence features found near a target protein in a ChIP-seq experiment. Score-based MEA determines motifs enriched in regions exhibiting extreme differences in regulatory activity, but existing methods do not control for biases in GC content or dinucleotide composition. This lack of control for sequence bias, such as those often found in CpG islands, can obscure the enrichment of biologically relevant motifs. We developed Motif Enrichment In Ranked Lists of Peaks (MEIRLOP), a novel MEA method that determines enrichment of TF binding motifs in a list of scored regulatory regions, while controlling for sequence bias. In this study, we compare MEIRLOP against other MEA methods in identifying binding motifs found enriched in differentially active regulatory regions after interferon-beta stimulus, finding that using logistic regression and covariates improves the ability to call enrichment of ISGF3 binding motifs from differential acetylation ChIP-seq data compared to other methods. Our method achieves similar or better performance compared to other methods when quantifying the enrichment of TF binding motifs from ENCODE TF ChIP-seq datasets. We also demonstrate how MEIRLOP is broadly applicable to the analysis of numerous types of NGS assays and experimental designs. Our results demonstrate the importance of controlling for sequence bias when accurately identifying enriched DNA sequence motifs using score-based MEA. MEIRLOP is available for download from https://github.com/npdeloss/meirlop under the MIT license.
Emerging investigator series: bacterial opportunistic pathogen gene markers in municipal drinking water are associated with distribution system and household plumbing characteristics

Municipally-treated drinking water (DW) is a potential source of exposure to bacterial opportunistic pathogens (OPs), which can cause infection in susceptible individuals. In this study, we used quantitative PCR to determine concentrations of two bacterial species (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia) and three genera containing OPs (nontuberculous mycobacteria [NTM], Achromobacter spp., and Burkholderia spp.) in water and faucet aerator biofilm samples collected from 15 homes serviced by one DW treatment plant and distribution system. DNA from all five groups was detected in all samples. In addition to quantifying OP gene markers, we measured 15 water quality parameters and generated linear mixed-effect models, demonstrating that dissolved iron concentration was positively associated with the concentration of each bacterial group. Distribution system associated characteristics such as disinfectant concentration, water age, and pressure zone also had a significant association (individually and collectively) with OP abundance. Home specific factors influenced the abundance of some OPs. Specifically, water in newer homes and in homes with plastic plumbing contained higher concentrations of S. maltophilia and Achromobacter spp., respectively. Collectively, these findings provide insights into factors that may impact the abundance of OPs throughout the distribution system and building plumbing transect and will aid in the development of mitigation strategies to reduce waterborne opportunistic infections.
Role of grain dynamics in determining the onset of sediment transport

Dimensional analysis and numerical simulations show that the onset of sediment transport by a flowing fluid may be best described as the point when mobile grains can no longer stop, as opposed to when static grains start to move in response to fluid forces.
Time-dependent Stable Task Assignment in Participatory Mobile Crowdsensing

Finding efficient task assignments is key to the success of mobile crowdsensing campaigns. Many studies in the literature focus on this problem and propose solutions that optimize the goals of mobile crowdsensing platform, but disregard user preferences. On the other hand, in a few recent studies that consider user preferences, workers are assigned a single task at a time, and the effect of these assignments to their prospective utilities is ignored. In this paper, we address these issues and study the task assignment problem considering both the user preferences and impact of each task assignment on the long-term utility of workers given the spatio-temporal characteristics of tasks. We propose a dynamic programming based task assignment algorithm that guarantees the satisfaction of users with their assignments. Through simulations, we compare it with a state-of-the-art algorithm and show the superiority of our algorithm in various aspects.
Mathematics Unbound: The Evolution of an International Mathematical Research Community, 1800--1945

The evolution of an international mathematical research community, 1800-1945: An overview and an agenda by K. H. Parshall and A. C. Rice The end of dominance: The diffusion of French mathematics elsewhere, 1820-1870 by I. Grattan-Guinness Spanish initiatives to bring mathematics in Spain into the international mainstream by E. Ausejo and M. Hormigon International mathematical contributions to British scientific journals, 1800-1900 by S. E. Despeaux International participation in Liouville's \textit{Journal de mathematiques pures et appliquees} by J. Lutzen The effects of war on France's international role in mathematics, 1870-1914 by H. Gispert Charles Hermite and German mathematics in France by T. Archibald Gosta Mittag-Leffler and the foundation and administration of \textit{Acta Mathematica} by J. E. Barrow-Green An episode in the evolution of a mathematical community: The case of Cesare Arzela at Bologna by L. Martini The first international mathematical community: The \textit{Circolo matematico di Palermo} by A. Brigaglia Languages for mathematics and the language of mathematics in a world of nations by J. J. Gray The emergence of the Japanese mathematical community in the modern western style, 1855-1945 by C. Sasaki Internationalizing mathematics east and west: Individuals and institutions in the emergence of a modern mathematical community in China by J. W. Dauben Chinese-U. S. mathematical relations, 1859-1949 by Y. Xu American initiatives toward internationalization: The case of Leonard Dickson by D. D. Fenster The effects of Nazi rule on the international participation of German mathematicians: An overview and two case studies by R. Siegmund-Schultze War, refugees, and the creation of an international mathematical community by S. L. Segal The formation of the international mathematical union by O. Lehto Index.
Management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer in the elderly.

Purpose of reviewThe number of cases of muscle-invasive bladder cancer is increasing along with the age of the population. Management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer in the elderly is complex, requiring a multidisciplinary team approach and a comprehensive assessment of each individual patient.Rec
Study of Possible Correlation between Pancreatitis and Daily Consumption of Catha edulis in Experimental Animals

ABSTRACTKhat (Catha edulis) is widely used throughout the world especially in Yemen and East Africa; It becomes a serious public health phenomena in Yemen that affects the health features of life. The present study evaluates the possible correlation between pancreatitis and daily consumption of khat leaves or extract in rabbits. Thirty adult male rabbits were divided randomly into five groups, 6 each: (I)control, (II)L-arginine, (III)pioglitazone, (IV)khat leavesand (V)khat extract.From group (II) to (V) were given L-arginine (450mg/100g b.wt) i.pto induce acute pancreatitis.Treatments were given via oral gavage for 4 weeks.FBS, p.amylase, lipase, insulin, TAS were measuredas well ashistopathologyexamination ofpancreas.FBS was significantly reduced, whereas insulin level was increased in both groups of khat (leaves and extract). Additionally, p.amylase and lipase levels were decreased, and increased in TAS level. These results similar to that in pioglitazone group compared to L-arginine group, which found that significantly increased in p.amylase, lipase and FBS, while decreased in insulin and TAS levels. All these were accompanied with pancreatic histopathological improvements seen in khat leaves, khat extract and pioglitazone groups when compared to L-arginine group. The improvement of acute pancreatitis induced by L-arginine reflected remarkably on FBS and insulin levels in khat treated groups, this indicating that there is no correlation between acute pancreatitis and daily consumption of khat.Keywords: Acute pancreatitis, L-arginine, Catha edulis, Pioglitazone
Exercising a Native Intelligence Metric on an Autonomous On-Road Driving System

Abstract : The intelligence of artificial systems is well quantified by the amount of specified complexity inherent in the representation, provided we have tools to measure it. Some may generally agree with this claim, but argue that it is simply intractable to successfully and accurately measure the specified complexity of any system, no matter how it was represented. We respond to this important and substantive criticism by performing a computation required by the NIM on an example problem. We have chosen autonomous on-road driving, a problem that has already been solved by "systems" that are known to be both complex and specified, namely, humans. We will begin with a concise statement of the scope of the problem and a summary description of an appropriate system representation approach. We then apply a previously published Native Intelligence Metric (NIM) to measure the specification inherent in that representation and perform some preliminary intelligence measurements for a particular autonomous on-road driving subsystem. We claim that with an appropriate intelligence metric and an appropriate system representation, we can establish an equivalency between 1) the "state of the world" conditions, forming the input to the system, that the system can respond to successfully, 2) the system representation, and 3) the system performance. This equivalency is a potentially powerful result and is a key benefit and uniqueness of the theory proposed in this paper.
Synthesis of purines under possible primitive earth conditions. II. Purine intermediates from hydrogen cyanide.

Abstract In addition to adenine, the supernatant solution from the product of the base-catalyzed condensation of hydrogen cyanide in aqueous ammonia contains several purine precursors such as 4-aminoimidazole-5-carboxamide, 4-aminoimidazole-5-carboxamidine, formamide, and formamidine. It also contains glycinamide, glycine, alanine, aspartic acid, and a large number of unidentified ultraviolet-absorbing and fluorescing compounds. The data obtained indicate that the mechanism of adenine synthesis occurs by formation of a hydrogen cyanide trimer, possibly aminomalonodinitrile, which either directly or after transformation to its mono- or diamidine condenses with formamidine to form 4-aminoimidazole-5-carboxamidine. This imidazole derivative condenses in the final step with another molar equivalent of formamidine to form adenine. Less likely alternative mechanisms of adenine synthesis are also described. These results are considered to be of significance in relation to the formation of imidazoles and other heterocyclic compounds on the abiotic earth. The fact that not only adenine, but also amino acids and polypeptides can be synthesized under similar conditions to the ones used in these experiments supports strongly the geochemical models with reducing conditions proposed by Oparin, by Urey, and, more recently, by Oro for the formation of biochemical compounds on the primitive earth.
Post-Booker Judicial Discretion and Sentencing Trends in Criminal Intellectual Property Cases: Empirical Analysis and Societal Implications

As a result of the Supreme Court’s 2005 decision in Booker v. United States that rendered the United States Sentencing Commission’s Sentencing Guidelines advisory only and no longer mandatory, district courts now enjoy significant discretion in determining the appropriate sentence for convicted offenders. Because Booker was decided seven years ago, the numbers of pre- and post-Booker cases are now large enough that one can now assess Booker’s specific impact on sentencing for intellectual property offenses. A full understanding of how judges impose sentences for intellectual property crimes is critical, as (1) the number of defendants sentenced for intellectual property crimes has grown 50% faster in the past several years than the number of overall defendants sentenced during that same period; and (2) individuals and corporations derive ever-increasing value from their own intellectual property. By analyzing federal sentencing data for sentences imposed between 1997 and 2011, this article presents an empirical analysis of how Booker has impacted the ways in which district courts impose sentences on offenders convicted of intellectual property crimes. This analysis reveals, inter alia, that (1) sentences imposed on intellectual property offenders deviate from Guidelines-recommended sentences in two out of every three cases; (2) prosecutors seek and judges impose reduced sentences for intellectual property crimes more frequently than for other comparable crimes; and (3) judge-initiated downward deviations from the Guidelines occur after Booker about twice as frequently for intellectual property offenders than for other offenders, whereas such judge-initiated deviations before Booker occurred less frequently than for crimes in general or for other economic crimes. Using the foregoing empirical analysis as a jumping-off point, this article also explores how sentences imposed on intellectual property offenders may reflect societal views of intellectual property crimes in general. The data suggest that prosecutors’ and judges’ views of intellectual property crimes do not align with the sentences that the Guidelines prescribe for intellectual property crimes, and this article accordingly proposes solutions for harmonizing the advisory Guidelines sentences for intellectual property offenses with the sentences that are actually imposed based on prosecutors’ recommendations and judges’ discretion.
Embedded resistive strain sensors for harsh environments

Strain gages developed using high-definition direct write technology enable direct bonding to substrates without an adhesive layer, so greater shear forces may be faithfully transmitted and thicker, more robust conductors may be used for strain-sensing. Effects of hysteresis, creep, and temperature limitations common to adhesively-bonded gages can also be mitigated. Manufacture and installation of the gage (and lead wires) are automatic and simultaneous, reducing preparation time and cost. Using the above developed method, industrial-grade strain gages have been fabricated and tested. Standard gage resistances between 120/spl Omega/-350/spl Omega/ have been achieved on grids smaller than 10mm/sup 2/ using nickel-chrome as the gage material. Thermal plasma-sprayed laser-cut resistive gages have achieved gage factors of 1.3, operating linearly and repeatably for more than 10/sup 5/ cycles between /spl plusmn/1000/spl mu//spl epsiv/. Additional performance metrics, e.g. temperature sensitivity and compensation, were treated in this paper.
Advancements in Dual-Pump Broadband CARS for Supersonic Combustion Measurements

Space- and time-resolved measurements of temperature and species mole fractions of nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen were obtained with a dual-pump coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) system in hydrogen-fueled supersonic combustion free jet flows. These measurements were taken to provide time-resolved fluid properties of turbulent supersonic combustion for use in the creation and verification of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models. CFD models of turbulent supersonic combustion flow currently facilitate the design of air-breathing supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) engines. Measurements were made in supersonic axi-symmetric free jets of two scales. First, the measurement system was tested in a laboratory environment using a laboratory-scale burner (approx.10 mm at nozzle exit). The flow structures of the laboratory-burner were too small to be resolved with the CARS measurements volume, but the composition and temperature of the jet allowed the performance of the system to be evaluated. Subsequently, the system was tested in a burner that was approximately 6 times larger, whose length scales are better resolved by the CARS measurement volume. During both these measurements, weaknesses of the CARS system, such as sensitivity to vibrations and beam steering and inability to measure temperature or species concentrations in hydrogen fuel injection regions were indentified. Solutions were then implemented in improved CARS systems. One of these improved systems is a dual-pump broadband CARS technique called, Width Increased Dual-pump Enhanced CARS (WIDECARS). The two lowest rotational energy levels of hydrogen detectable by WIDECARS are H2 S(3) and H2 S(4). The detection of these lines gives the system the capability to measure temperature and species concentrations in regions of the flow containing pure hydrogen fuel at room temperature. WIDECARS is also designed for measurements of all the major species (except water) in supersonic combustion flows fueled with hydrogen and hydrogen/ethylene mixtures (N2, O2, H2, C2H4, CO, and CO2). This instrument can characterize supersonic combustion fueled with surrogate fuel mixtures of hydrogen and ethylene. This information can lead to a better understanding of the chemistry and performance of supersonic combustion fueled with cracked jet propulsion (JP)-type fuel.
Detection of stop consonants with the wavelet transform

We present the burst detection of stop consonants in the French language with the wavelet transform. The system is based on the study of normalized correlation functions between the modulus of the impulse wavelet transform and the same transform of the speech signal. Every correlation function presents a minimum before each maximum, where that maximum is synchronous with the burst. Two signals S/sub M/ and S/sub m/ are computed. They respectively are the synchronous and asynchronous sum of all correlation functions. The detector presents two parts: first the localisation of a local minimum of the S/sub m/ function is found, then the temporal localisation of the burst is accomplished with the next maximum of the S/sub M/ function. The method presents a best compromise between the number of omissions and insertions for the unvoiced stop consonants. The main interest of this method is the good time localisation of the discontinuity. Furthermore, it shows that for detection, the burst can be modelled with a pulse. >
Normative data for rotational chair stratified by age.

Objectives/Hypothesis The purpose of this study is to examine the range of vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain on rotary chair (RC) testing in subjects without ear and vestibular problems stratified by age and gender. Study Design Prospective cross-sectional study. Methods One hundred subjects ranging in age from 6 to 78 years underwent RC testing. VOR gains at frequencies ranging from 0.01 to 0.64 Hz were recorded. The PROC MIXED procedure in SAS was used to analyze differences in VOR gain between gender and the following age groups: group 1 (6–12 years), group 2 (13–17 years), group 3 (18–30 years), group 4 (31–50 years), and group 5 (>50 years). Results Twenty subjects were recruited for each of the five groups. Group 1 showed the highest average VOR gain compared to all other age groups (P < .05). There was an inverse correlation between VOR gain and age (P < .05). The lowest frequency (0.01 Hz) had the highest correlation between VOR gain and age (r = −0.425; P < .0001). Conclusions Our study demonstrates VOR gain differences with age, especially in the preadolescent and geriatric groups. The current manufacturer-provided normative data do not serve as an accurate reference, especially for these two age groups. A larger population of all age groups should be compared to the current RC manufacturer normative values to ensure that they accurately reflect the true normative data. Level of Evidence 2. Laryngoscope, 2015
Cyberknife radiosurgery for metastatic spine tumors

In the past decade, surgical spinal oncology has focused on new surgical approaches to the spine, the application of new instrumentation to spinal reconstruction, various forms of radiation delivery systems, and, most importantly, complication avoidance. Patients with metastatic spine tumors are usually debilitated and at a high risk for surgical morbidity. For patients with limited life expectancies because of their underlying disease, high surgical complication rates with a subsequent decrease in quality of life are most unacceptable. To this end, radiation often has been used as an initial treatment modality in place of open surgery because of its perceived diminished risk of morbidity. The role of radiation therapy in the treatment of tumors of the spine has been well established. The goals of local radiation therapy in the treatment of spinal tumors are palliation of pain, prevention of pathologic fractures, and halting progression of or reversing neurologic compromise. A primary factor that limits radiation dose for this tumor control with conventional radiotherapy is the low tolerance of the spinal cord to radiation. Spinal metastases often progress or
High field electronic properties of SiO2

Abstract The effects of very high electric fields on the transport of electrons and holes in SiO2 are discussed. At fields above 5 × 105 V/cm, electrons emit optical phonons, which is a very efficient energy loss mechanism. Holes on the other hand form small polarons in about 10−12 s, and their mobility becomes very low, but is unaffected by field up to 5 × 106 V/cm. The field dependent generation of electron-hole pairs is fit by application of the geminate recombination theory with a distribution of thermalization distances and excitation by X-rays and bandgap radiation is discussed. The first dependent bulk recombination coefficient is discussed in terms of high field mobility of the electrons. The impact ionization of electrons in SiO2 is discussed by comparing recent results for laser-induced breakdown in SiO2 with experiments on thin films involving photocurrents, space charge buildup and prebreakdown currents, and also theoretical predictions. Below 107 V/cm the laser experiments indicate higher impact ionization rates than the thin film experiments or theory.
Decomposition of different organic materials in soils

Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate organic C mineralization of various organic materials added to soils. A soil sample was mixed with organic material to approximate a field application of 9 g organic C kg-1 soil (0.9% or 50 Mg ha-1). The organic materials used were four crop residues [corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.), sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)], four animal manures [chicken (Gallus domesticus), pig (Sus scrofa), horse (Equus caballus), and cow (Bos taurus)] and four sewage sludges [Correctionville (Imhoff tank), Charles City (holding tank), Davenport (secondary digester), and Keokuk (primary digester)]. The soil-organic material mixture was incubated under aerobic conditions at room temperature (20±2°C) for 30 days. The CO2 evolved was collected in standard KOH solution by continuously passing CO2-free air over the soil. Results showed that, in general, the amounts of CO2-C released mereased rapidly initially, but the pattern differed among the organic materials used. More than 50% of the total CO2 produced in 30 days of incubation was evolved in the first 6 days. Expressed as percentages of organic C added, the amounts of CO2 evolved ranged from 27% with corn to 58% with alfalfa. The corresponding percentages for animal manures ranged from 21 to 62% with horse and pig manures, respectively, and for sewage sludges they ranged from 10 to 39% for Charles City and Keokuk sludges. All CO2 evolution data conformed well to a first-order kinetic model. Potentially, readily mineralizable organic C values and first-order rate constants (k) of the organic matter-treated soils ranged from 1.422 g C kg-1 soil with ak value of 0.0784 day-1 to 6.253 g C kg-1 soil with ak value of 0.0300 day-1. The half-lives of the C remaining in soils ranged from 39 to 54 days for plant materials. The corresponding half-lives for the C remaining from animal manures and sewage sludges ranged from 37 to 169 days and from 39 to 330 days, respectively.
Wireless networking, dominating and packing

Recently, there are many papers published in the literature on study of dominating sets, connected dominating sets and their variations motivated from various applications in wireless networks and social networks. In this article, we survey those developments for wireless networking, dominating, and packing problems.
Fuzzy logic based localization for vehicular ad hoc networks

Recent advances in wireless communications have led to the development of vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). It has attracted the interest of both industrial and academic communities due to its potential in reducing accidents and saving lives. In VANETs, vehicles can communicate with each other to exchange traffic and road information. One of the challenges in VANETs is to determine the location of a vehicle in the network. In this paper, we propose an intelligent localization method, which is based on fuzzy logic and neighbors' location information. The main objective of our proposed method is to estimate the location of a vehicle by utilizing the location information of its neighboring vehicles. To achieve accurate localization, we model vehicles' weights using fuzzy logic system, which utilizes the distance and heading information in order to obtain the weight values. By assigning weights to neighboring vehicles' coordinates, we expand the concept of centroid localization (CL). We evaluate our proposed method via simulation and compare its performance against CL. Results obtained from the simulation are promising and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in varying traffic densities.
Electron‐sensitive resists. II. Positive resists derived from high polymers of methyl methacrylate, methyl α‐chloroacrylate, and hexyl methacrylate

This paper reports the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of copolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and hexyl methacrylate (HMA) and of HMA and methyl ..cap alpha..-chloroacrylate (MCA) and of terpolymers of MMA, MCA, and HMA as electron-sensitive positive resists. The sensitivities of the resists were found to be strongly dependent on the composition. Two of the terpolymers were found to be significantly more sensitive than poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).
Effect of C2-Deficiency on the Bactericidal Activity and Chemiluminescence Responses of Human Neutrophils in vitro

of invading bacbria by neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) is an important aspect of pulmonary host defense.l Opsonins play a key role in the process by facilitating uptake of bacteria by PMN. Opsonic substances m serum include heat-stable components such as specific antibody, which usually develops later in the course of infection, and heat-labile factors, like those produced rapidly by activation of the complement cascade.¶ Fdlowing engulfment of opsonized bacteria, PMN consume oxygen, undergo a series of metabolic reactions, and produce highly reactive oxygen intermediates.a.4 These oxygen byproducts are necessary for optimal killing of ingested bacteria by PMN.' In association with production of these oxygen intermediates, PMN generate chemiluminescence. This light can be measured in a scintillation counter and used to accurately quantitate the metabolic reactions of PMN to engulfment of bacte~ia.&-~ The nature of the requirements for the complex processes by which PMN pick up and kill bacteria and produce chemiluminescence remain poorly d&d8*@ In the present investigation, we evaluated the effect of a selective absence of the second component of camplement (C2) on the uptake of bacteria by PMN, using both a standard assay of PMN bactericidal activity and an assay of the quantitative chemiluminemmce response of PMN stimulated by bacteria.@*7J0 The patient we studied had a complete selective absence of C2 by radial immun- or immundectrophoresis analy
Recreational Physical Activity and Ovarian Cancer Risk and Survival

Purpose Physical activity may influence ovarian cancer risk and outcomes through effects on ovulation, inflammatory markers, and other processes. We examined associations between self-reported physical activity and ovarian cancer risk and survival in a population-based, case-control study in North Carolina. Methods The analyses involved 638 epithelial ovarian cancer cases and 683 controls recruited between 1999–2008. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess ovarian cancer risk in relation to reported average physical activity at various time periods. Kaplan-Meier analyses and proportional hazards modeling were used to assess associations between physical activity and survival among ovarian cancer cases. Results Modestly reduced risks for ovarian cancer were observed in some categories of physical activity, but there were no consistent patterns of greater reductions in risk with higher activity levels. Physical activity before diagnosis was not significantly related to ovarian cancer survival overall, but survival was better for women who reported greater than 2 hours of activity/week as compared to those reporting less than 1 hour/week among women who were non-obese (multivariable Hazard ratio = 0.69, 95% confidence interval: 0.47–1.00). Conclusions Our data provide weak evidence in support of beneficial effects of physical activity on ovarian cancer risk and survival, but results should be interpreted cautiously because of the lack of a clear dose response relation with higher levels of exercise and the likely misclassification of self-reported activity.
SPECIFYING THE SES/DELINQUENCY RELATIONSHIP

Theoretical and empirical work concerning socioeconomic status (SES) and delinquency has mainly been devoted, throughout the past decade, to specifying the conditions under which SES and delinquency are likely to be highly related. Three broad categories of conditions, with 12 particular subconditions, have been hypothesized as specifiers of the SES/delinquency relationship. Here, we review the recent empirical literature as it bears on these potential specifications. The results do not support any of the conditional hypotheses about SES and delinquency, and they again challenge the idea that a negative SES/delinquency relationship is general and pervasive. Almost all of the recent research finds some condition under which SES and delinquency are significantly related, however, and several of the specification hypotheses have not been thoroughly enough investigated to permit firm conclusions about their potency. This poses a quandary for scholars trying to understand delinquent behavior. Possible responses to the situation are discussed.
Transforming growth factor-alpha expression in human renal cell carcinoma: TSG-α expression in renal cell carcinoma

Objectives To characterize the expression of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α) in various histologic types of renal cell carcinomas.