cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disparities in Adult Fast-Food Consumption in the U.S. by Race and Ethnicity, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2018.

Introduction This study provides the most recent estimates for fast-food consumption in the U.S., overall and by race/ethnicity and age. Methods Data from adults (aged ≥20 years, N=3,560) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2017–2018, were used to identify the (1) percentage of adults consuming fast food, (2) estimated mean percentage of calories consumed from fast food, and (3) estimated mean total calories consumed from fast food on a typical day. Intake was measured by in-person, 24-hour dietary recall. Analysis was conducted in 2020. Results During 2017–2018, fast food was consumed by 36.5% of adults on a typical day, accounting for 13.8% of daily calories, an average of 309 kcal/day. More non-Hispanic Black adults consumed fast food (42.6%), consumed the largest percentage of daily calories from fast food (17.4%), and consumed the greatest number of daily calories from fast food (381 kcal/day) than adults of other racial/ethnic groups. Young non-Hispanic Black adults had the highest level of fast-food consumption, and this was significantly higher than that among Mexican Americans: percentage consuming fast food (53.5% vs 42.5%, p=0.02) and percentage of calories from fast food (24.1% vs 16.8%, p=0.03). Young non-Hispanic Black adults consumed the highest total fast-food calories, which were significantly higher than that among non-Hispanic Asian young adults (526 kcal vs 371 kcal, p=0.04). No significant differences in the study outcomes were observed by race/ethnicity and age compared with non-Hispanic White adults of the same group. Conclusions Fast-food consumption among adults in the U.S. is high, particularly among young non-Hispanic Black adults.
"Gasdynamic Diode" Formation for High-Voltage NS Discharges

It was demonstrated by numerical calculations, that the streamer propagation can be blocked both in the cases of streamer’s interaction with a low and high gas densities in the layer formed across the propagation axix if its thickness is large enough. In the case of a thin high-density layer, streamers overlap the gap both for positive and negative polarities on the high-voltage electrode. On the other hand, the development of a discharge in the gap with a low-density gas layer strongly depends on the polarity of applied voltage. For a relatively small layer thickness (δ < r m ), the gap exhibits selective "conductivity": a negative discharge can develop up to a low-voltage electrode, while a positive discharge stops in a low density layer.
Test tradeoffs in ASIC design: tutorial

In this tutorial test fundamentals are reviewed to introduce key concepts in design for test and built-in self-test. Design for test and built-in self-test are illustrated by their implementation in single-chip conversion of a PCB design and a floating point co-processor design, respectively. The savings in design effort when testability is part of the initial design is stressed. >
The Behavior of a Spherical Hole in an Infinite Uniform Universe

In this paper, the behavior of a spherical hole in an otherwise infinite and uniform universe is investigated. First, the Newtonian theory is developed. The concept of negative gravity, an outward gravitational force acting away from the center of the spherical hole, is presented, and the resulting expansion of the hole is investigated. Then, the same result is derived using the techniques of Einstein's theory of general relativity. The field equations are solved for an infinite uniform universe and then for an infinite universe in which matter is uniformly distributed except for a spherical hole. Negative pressure caused by negative gravity is utilized. The physical significance of the cosmological constant is explained, and a new physical concept, that of the gravitational potential of a hole, is discussed. The relationship between the Newtonian potential for a hole and the Schwarzschild solution of the field equations is explored. Finally, the geodesic equations are considered. It is shown that photons and particles are deflected away from the hole. An application of this idea is pursued, in which a new cosmology based upon expanding holes in a uniform universe is developed. The microwave background radiation and Hubble's Law, among others, are explained. Finally, current astronomical data are used to compute a remarkably accurate value of Hubble's constant, as well as estimates of the average mass density of the universe and the cosmological constant.
Impact of U.S. Government Food Aid Reforms on the U.S. Shipping Industry: Preliminary Results

George Mason University (GMU), School of Policy, Government and International Affairs (SPGIA), is conducting a study of the impact of proposed reforms of USAID and USDA food aid programs on the U.S. shipping industry. Preliminary results suggest that food aid reforms will not significantly impact the shipping industry, the U.S. agricultural economy, or the economy more generally. Some U.S.-flag oceangoing merchant ships and the mariners who crew them might be affected. The Maritime Administration and the Department of Defense have raised concerns that any reduction in the number of mariners could affect the effectiveness of the Navy's surge fleet in the event of a war. We found that data on available mariners is inadequate. Preliminary results also indicate that the current policy of food aid cargo preference has hampered the ability of food assistance programs to deliver needed aid, has not benefited industry substantially, and has failed to erase setbacks experienced by the shipping industry in recent years. Therefore, this report recommends that Congress eliminate food aid cargo preference. It further recommends that the Maritime Administration and Department of Defense provide adequate data and analysis on whether there are sufficient mariners to help man the Navy's surge fleet. And, it recommends that the Maritime Administration's development of a National Maritime Strategy include cost benefit analyses of any proposals to subsidize the addition of more U.S.-flag oceangoing merchant vessels to the U.S. flag foreign trade fleet.
Review of pressurized-water-reactor- related thermal shock studies

Flaw behavior trends associated with pressurized thermal shock (PTS) loading of pressurized water reactor (PWR) pressure vessels have been under investigation at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for approximately twelve years. During that time, eight thermal shock experiments with thick-walled steel cylinders were conducted as a part of the investigations. These experiments demonstrated, in good agreement with linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM), crack initiation and arrest, a series of initiation/arrest events with deep penetration of the wall, long crack jumps without significant dynamic effects at arrest, arrest in a rising stress-intensity-factor (K I ) field, extensive surface extension of an initially short and shallow flaw, and warm prestressing with K I ≤ 0. This information was used in the development of a fracture mechanics model that is being used extensively in the evaluation of the PTS issue.
Religion and Early Marriage in the United States: Evidence from the Add Health Study.

Early marriage has important consequences for individuals in the United States. Several studies have linked religion to early marriage but have not examined this relationship in depth. Using data from Waves 1, 3, and 4 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, I conduct multilevel event-history analysis to examine how religion, at both individual and contextual levels, is associated with early marriage. Further, I test mediators of the religion-early marriage relationship. I find significant variation in early marriage by religious tradition, religious service attendance, religious salience, belief in scriptural inerrancy, and religious context in high school. The individual religious effects—but not the school context effects—are explained in part by differential attitudes toward marriage and cohabitation.
Occurrence of mycotoxins in indoor environments

This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the occurrence of mycotoxins in indoor environments, considering residential homes, schools, offices, and other public buildings. We provide an overview of studies that report on the detection of mycotoxins and fungal secondary metabolites in actual indoor sample materials, but do not consider mycotoxin production by indoor molds under laboratory conditions. The research on indoor mycotoxins has almost exclusively been conducted in the context of dampness and mold contamination in buildings and has for a long time considered a very limited range of compounds, specifically macrocyclic trichothecenes. There is a striking lack of studies that target a large variety of mycotoxins in samples collected from indoor environments both with and without moisture damage. The absence of comprehensive index/reference data also impedes attempts to conclude on the most relevant indoor mycotoxins that are associated with observations of indoor moisture problems and visible mold.
Voltage-dependent block by neomycin of the ATP-induced whole cell current of guinea-pig outer hair cells

1. The effects of externally applied ATP and neomycin on whole cell currents of isolated guinea pig cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs) were studied using the whole cell voltage-clamp technique. In OCHs held at -70 mV, ATP activated a large inward current. In the presence of neomycin, the ATP-induced whole cell current activated along a relatively unaltered time course, but the current then decreased to a reduced steady level. The neomycin inhibition of the ATP-induced current was dose dependent. The half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) of neomycin measured at steady state was estimated to be 90 microM. 2. Neomycin inhibition of the ATP response could not be reversed by increasing the concentration of ATP, indicating that the effect was noncompetitive. The inhibition was voltage dependent and was greatly reduced when OHCs were held at positive potentials. 3. Cells treated with 100 microM ATP gave maximal current responses. Addition of neomycin substantially increased membrane current noise of the 100 microM ATP responses. When neomycin concentration was varied from 10 to 500 microM, the current noise level peaked between 50 and 100 microM. The noise increase was observed at negative holding potentials but not at positive potentials. 4. The neomycin-induced whole cell current noise was used to estimate the size of the underlying elementary current. The ATP-induced single channel current of OHCs at -70 mV was estimated to be approximately 0.3 pA. The number of ATP-activated channels in a single OHC was estimated to be in the range of a few thousand. 5. The characteristics of the neomycin inhibition of ATP-induced currents were consistent with an open channel blocking mechanism. Analysis of the voltage dependence of the steady state neomycin inhibition suggested a neomycin binding site at an electrical distance of 0.3 from the extracellular side.
Transient Annealing in Sekiconductor Devices Following Pulsed Neutron Irradiation

Transient annealing following pulsed neutron exposure has been investigated in silicon transistors and solar cells as a function of both irradiation temperature and injection level. In addition, experiments incorporating both X and gamma ray irradiation have demonstrated that transient annealing is a bulk, not a surface, effect. The observed annealing following neutron irradiation is considerably slower at low temperatures than at room temperature. At 213°K thg density of annealable defects remaining at 10-10 seconds after exposure is approximately three times that observed at this same time for a 300°K irradiation. The injection studies show that at any temperatures from 76°K to 300°K the presence of minority carrier injection considerably speeds the transient annealing processes. A model is presented which explains many of the features observed in transient annealing. Various kinetic processes are discussed in the derivation of this model, including diffusion-limited and generation-limited processes, and the results of the model are compared with experimental data.
Genetic Diversity and Phylogenetic Relationships in Cotton Based on Isozyme Markers

Summary Phylogenetic relationships among 16 diploid species, including at least one species for each of the A, C, D, E and G genomic groups, and for the natural AD tetraploid species and one synthetic AD tetraploid species were investigated using starch gel electrophoretic techniques for isozyme detection in conjunction with multivariate analysis. The species were polymorphic for phosphoglucomutase (PGM), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), shikimate dehydrogenase (SKDH), aconitase (ACO) and isozymes, but monomorphic for phosphoglucoisomerase (PGI). Similar isozyme arrays indicated close or perhaps conspecific relationships between natural tetraploids G. hirsutum and G. lanceolatum and between G. barbadense and G. darwinii. Natural tetraploid G. mustelinum was found to be relatively distinct from the other tetraploid species. The synthetic AD tetraploid was intermediate between the natural AD tetraploid and the A and D diploid clusters. The two A genome species, G. aboreum and G. herbaceum were closely related to...
Effect of heterozygosity on metabolism during starvation in the American oysterCrassostrea virginica

Crassostrea virginica were collected in winter from the Nissequogue estuary, Long Island, New York, USA and starved for 42 d at 20°C in 28‰ salinity. Oxygen consumption (VO2) and ammonia excretion (VNH4), measured at about 20-d intervals, and changes in dry weight and carbohydrate content were tested for relationship with heterozygosity at six enzyme loci. Rate of decline in tissue dry weight during starvation was size-dependent, small oysters losing weight faster than large individuals. There was a significant effect of heterozygosity, the rate of weight loss decreasing with increasing heterozygosity. No significant correlation was found between heterozygosity and carbohydrate depletion rate, VO2 or VNH4. Carbohydrate content was positively correlated with size before and after starvation. Carbohydrate depletion contributed less to weight loss in small than in large oysters. This suggests that more lipid and protein was catabolised in small oysters. VO2 and VNH4 declined during the course of the experiment. There was good agreement between energy loss estimated from decline in dry weight and energy loss estimated from physiological measurements. We conclude that heterozygotes conserve weight more efficiently under temperature and nutritive stress and that this may be expected to enhance viability and growth.
Evolutionary consequences of cytoplasmic sex ratio distorters

Computer simulations of diploid genetic models were used to examine the consequences of the spread of a cytoplasmic sex ratio distorter on the frequencies of nuclear sex-determination alleles and the spread of nuclear resistance alleles in female biased populations. The cytoplsmic elements considered here override the expression of the nuclear sex-determination genes, turning genetic males into females. When homozygous male genotypes are viable, a cytoplasmic sex ratio historter spreads in a population if the proportion of daughters produced by infected females exceeds the proportion of daughters produced by uninfected females. The equilibrium frequency of male phenotypes is the proportion of uninfected progeny produced by infected females. When homozygous male genotypes are lethal, the conditions for the spread of the cytoplasmic element are more stringent. The spread of a cytoplasmic sex ratio distorter causes an increase in the frequency of nuclear male sex-determination alleles as a result of the unusual combinations of genotypes which mate in infected populations. Eventually, a cytoplasmic element may replace the nuclear gene as the sex-determination mechanism. This occurs without selection. Nuclear genes conferring resistance to cytoplasmic sex ratio distorters generally increase in female biased populations and often restore a 1∶1 sex ratio despite continual selection on the cytoplasmic element to increase its transmission efficiency.
Students' choice of animated pedagogical agents in science learning: A test of the similarity-attraction hypothesis on gender and ethnicity

College students learned about science with a multimedia program. One group (choice or C) chose to learn with or without an animated pedagogical agent (APA) representing a male or female of five different ethnicities. Another group (no-choice or NC) was assigned an APA by the system. All participants in C group chose to learn with APAs and students of color chose significantly more same-ethnicity APAs than White American students. A significant interaction between choice and ethnic similarity factors revealed that group C produced lower retention, transfer, and program ratings when learning with same-ethnicity rather than different-ethnicity APAs. Results support an interference hypothesis for students who choose to learn with same-ethnicity APAs.
Computer modeling of the optical properties of substitutional chromium impurities in halide elpasolites

Abstract Ab initio embedded-cluster molecular-orbital calculations were performed with the MELD program on both ground ( 4 A 2g ) and excited ( 4 T 2g ) electronic states of substitutional Cr 3+ in the halide elpasolites K 2 NaGaF 6 , K 2 NaScF 6 and Cs 2 NaYCl 6 . External interactions of the molecular cluster were represented by pair potentials, and lattice relaxation was accomplished by means of a modification of the HADES lattice-statics program. The calculations account successfully for the pressure dependence of photoluminescence spectra and of vibration frequencies inferred from their vibronic structure.
A generalized quartic equation of state

A generalized quartic equation of state has been developed for nonpolar and polar fluids. The quartic equation of state needs only four fluid properties to predict physical and thermodynamic properties over a wide range of temperatures and pressures. These four properties are critical volume, critical temperature, acentric factor and dipole moment. The new equation of state models the repulsive forces between molecules correctly, unlike the cubic equations of state. One of the four roots obtained by solving the equation of state is always negative, making it possible to identify the remaining three roots like the roots of a cubic equation. The quartic equation of state shows superior performance compared with the Peng-Robinson equation of state.
A new physics-based method for detecting weak nuclear signals via spectral decomposition

Abstract We propose a new physics-based method to determine the presence of the spectral signature of one or more nuclides from a poorly resolved spectra with weak signatures. The method is different from traditional methods that rely primarily on peak finding algorithms. The new approach considers each of the signatures in the library to be a linear combination of subspectra. These subspectra are obtained by assuming a signature consisting of just one of the unique gamma rays emitted by the nuclei. We propose a Poisson regression model for deducing which nuclei are present in the observed spectrum. In recognition that a radiation source generally comprises few nuclear materials, the underlying Poisson model is sparse, i.e. most of the regression coefficients are zero (positive coefficients correspond to the presence of nuclear materials). We develop an iterative algorithm for a penalized likelihood estimation that prompts sparsity. We illustrate the efficacy of the proposed method by simulations using a variety of poorly resolved, low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) situations, which show that the proposed approach enjoys excellent empirical performance even with SNR as low as to −15 db.
Parallel implementation of multi-resolution filter band with novel Adaptive Load Balancing Algorithm on consumer-level multicore systems

The widespread usage of the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) has motivated the development of Parallel Discrete Wavelet Transform (PDWT) on multicore computer systems. Several studies that have implemented PDWT by utilization of parallel technology have shown that it is an effective approach to speed up the wavelet transformation by a considerable factor. However, the parallelism is implemented in multi-machine network environment which affects the system maintenance and the bandwidth speed. Therefore, multi-core technology has great importance as it gives an intermediate approach to system speedup without jeopardizing on performance. In this work, wavelet transform is implemented on a single core/multi-core system and developed in C# using. Net framework 4.0. This study presents an efficient approach to compute the DWT transform with Adaptive Load Balancing Algorithm (ALBA) which is applied on standard form on parallel general-purpose computers. This technique does not introduce any restriction on the size of the input data or on the transform parameters. Complete use of the available processor parallelism, modularity, and scalability are achieved. Theoretical and experimental evaluations and comparisons are given with respect to traditional parallelization.
Prioritizing scientific exploration: A comparison of the ethical justifications for space development and for space science

Abstract I argue that the moral justification for space science is more compelling than the moral justification for space development. Thus, we ought to reemphasize the status of science as a major stakeholder in space, especially when entertaining policies which might encourage the kinds of space development activities (e.g. resource exploitation) that are liable to conflict with the scientific uses of space.
The use of bioindicators for assessing the effects of pollutant stress on fish

Abstract The use of bioindicators in environmental pollution studies involves monitoring a suite of selected stress responses at several levels of biological organization in order to (1) assess the effects of sublethal stress on fish, (2) predict future trends (early warning indicators) and (3) obtain insights into causal relationships between stress and effects at the community and ecosystem level. We have successfully applied this approach with redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) in freshwater systems receiving inputs of complex contaminant mixtures containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hydrocarbons, heavy metals and chlorine. Indicators such as mixed-function oxidase (MFO) enzymes and DNA damage have provided direct evidence of toxicant exposure, while condition indices and indicators related to lipid biochemistry and histopathology have reflected impaired lipid metabolism, immune and reproductive system dysfunction, and reduced growth potential. At higher levels of organization, stress-mediated effects have included changes in the richness and biotic integrity of fish communities.
Very low-power Stirling cryocoolers using plastic and composite materials☆

Resume Une etude experimentale a ete entreprise, concernant plusiers conceptions de refoidisseurs cryogeniques pour dispostifs supra-conducteurs ultra-sensibles. Les appareils a refroidir sont ceux qui utilisent les jonctions Josephson, comme par exemple les magnetomeres SQUID, les etalons de voltage, et les transformateurs alternatif-continu. Ces conceptions possedent toutes la caracteristique essentielle que de tres bas niveaux d'interference magnetique, electrque et mechanique sont potentiellement realisables.
Operative approach via the superior ophthalmic vein for the endovascular treatment of carotid cavernous fistulas that fail traditional endovascular access.

Background Endovascular embolization is the preferred treatment for carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs), but failure to catheterize the cavernous sinus may occur as a result of tortuosity, hypoplasia, or stenosis of the normal venous routes. In these cases, direct operative cannulation of the arterialized superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) offers an excellent alternative approach. Methods We reviewed the records of patients who underwent surgical cannulation of the SOV in preparation for embolization and identified 10 patients with indirect CCF, all of whom presented with ocular signs and symptoms. All had previously undergone unsuccessful endovenous attempts at treatment at our institution. In the operating room, the SOV was catheterized under microscopic magnification through an eyelid or eyebrow incision, and the patients were taken directly to the angiographic suite for embolization. Results In 9 of 10 patients, embolization of the CCF was complete with clinical improvement. In 1 case, navigation of the catheter into the SOV proved difficult, and the procedure was aborted because of contrast extravasation after partial embolization. One patient required a small orbital osteotomy to localize the SOV. There were no clinical complications and no known recurrences. Cosmetic results were excellent in all patients. Conclusion Surgical access to the superior ophthalmic vein for embolization of a CCF is an excellent and definitive alternative treatment when traditional endovenous routes are inaccessible. The operative approach to the SOV is straightforward and can be performed safely and expeditiously by the neurovascular team.
An artistic dialogue with the artificial

In conjunction with Brigham Young University's Visual Arts program, we conducted a study centered around a system designed to be an artificial artist, in order to synthesize the ideas of visual artists and computer scientists. Participants from both disciplines designed activities that imposed the limitations of the artificial system on their fellow participants. These activities sparked discussion and insight into the nature of the creative process and how it can be better emulated in artificial systems. We present our system and several of the activities designed around it and discuss the synergistic results.
Achieving new lanthanide chemistry within the tetracyclopentadienyl cavity formed by two (C5Me5)2Ln moieties

Abstract The unusual bent metallocene, (C5Me5)2Sm, often forms bimetallic complexes, [(C5Me5)2Sm]2 (substrate), in which the four C5Me5 ring centroids describe a tetrahedron. Studies of the reactivity of (C5Me5)2Sm with alkenes suggest that the four C5Me5 rings can provide a protective cavity which selectively enhances some reactions over others. The steric effects of the tetracyclopentadienyl environment may also provide the basis for new types of lanthanide-based reactions involving CC coupling. Hence, the formation of [(C5Me5)2Sm]2 (μ-η2:η2-PhCCCCPb) instead of [(C5Me5)2Sm(μCCPh)]2 from reactions which should generate (C5Me5)2SmCCPh moieties may occur because the bridged alkynide complex would be too sterically crowded. The steric effects of this tetracyclopentadienyl coordination environment may be of general importance in the chemistry of samarium.
Conversion of emodin to chrysophanol in a cell-free system from Pyrenochaeta terrestris

Abstract Incubation of a cell-free extract from Pyrenochaeta terrestris with [3H]emodin gave a single major product which was purified and identified as chrysophanol by mass spectrometry. Maximum conversion of [3H]emodin to [3H]chrysophanol was obtained with anaerobic conditions and NADPH, ATP, mercaptoethanol, iron(II) and glycerol. The apparent Km for emodin in the crude extract was 1.0 ± 0.2 μM. At 4.2 μM, the conversion ofemodin was 17 times the conversion of emodinanthrone to chrysophanol plus chrysophanolanthrone. It is proposed that chrysophanol is synthesized in plant and fungal species primarily by dehydroxylation of emodin.
A novel RNA binding protein affects rbcL gene expression and is specific to bundle sheath chloroplasts in C4 plants

Background Plants that utilize the highly efficient C4 pathway of photosynthesis typically possess kranz-type leaf anatomy that consists of two morphologically and functionally distinct photosynthetic cell types, the bundle sheath (BS) and mesophyll (M) cells. These two cell types differentially express many genes that are required for C4 capability and function. In mature C4 leaves, the plastidic rbcL gene, encoding the large subunit of the primary CO2 fixation enzyme Rubisco, is expressed specifically within BS cells. Numerous studies have demonstrated that BS-specific rbcL gene expression is regulated predominantly at post-transcriptional levels, through the control of translation and mRNA stability. The identification of regulatory factors associated with C4 patterns of rbcL gene expression has been an elusive goal for many years.
Hematozoa from the spotted owl.

One hundred five spotted owls (Strix Occidentalis) from seven populations and three subspecies were examined for hematozoa. Hacmoproteus noctuae, H. syrnii, Leucocyto-zoon ziemanni, Trypanosoma avium, Atoxoplasma sp. and unidentified microfilariae were recorded. All northern (S. occidentalis caurina), California (S. occidentalis occidentalis) and Mexican (S. occidentalis lucida) spotted owls were infected with at least one hematozoan; 79% had multiple infections. Twenty-two percent of the owls were infected with as many as four species of parasites. There were significant differences in the prevalence of these species of parasites occurring among the five populations of northern and California spotted owls sampled in California. Haemoproteus noctuae, H. syrnii and Atoxoplasma sp. represented new host records for this host species.
Creativity and school mathematics: some modest observations

In spite of its importance, research into mathematical creativity has not received the same attention as research into student difficulties in learning mathematics. In this paper, I review some of the history, policies and research in this area from the last 40 years, and then critique the papers in this issue, noting progress that has been made in the field.
The neutron matter in a nonlocal hadronic model

Abstract Recently we have introduced a nonlocal field theoretical model for the nuclear matter in which nucleon and meson fields interact via a distributed vertex. The origin of this nonlocality lies in the substructure of the participating hadrons at the level of quarks and gluons. We parametrize this nonlocality by Gaussian sideways form factors. In this work we explore the neutron matter properties dictated by the above simple model at the mean-field level and compare them with the corresponding local Walecka model results.
Injection-induced flows in porous-walled ducts

Analyse theorique de l'ecoulement dans des tubes et canaux a paroi poreuse. On tient compte des effets de compressibilite, de conditions aux limites non ideales et de transition turbulente sur le developpement de l'ecoulement. On utilise un modele de turbulence a contrainte de Reynolds et un schema de differences finies implicite pour resoudre le systeme d'equations paraboliques resultant
Modeling the Segmental Relaxation Time Distribution of Miscible Polymer Blends: Polyisoprene/Poly(vinylethylene)

In considering the relaxation of segments in a blend whose components have reasonably disparate glass transition temperatures, local concentration fluctuations and density fluctuations each play a role. The result is a distribution of environments around a given segment in the blend, which translates into a distribution of segmental relaxation times. In this work we focus on concentration fluctuations, making use of a simple lattice model to generate a distribution of environments, which we then translate into a dielectric relaxation spectrum. We analyze experimental data for several polyisoprene/ poly(vinylethylene) (PI/PVE) blends and show that, by accounting for the relatively strong composition dependence of the blend glass transition temperature, it is possible to model the dielectric relaxation spectrum by considering concentration fluctuations at the scale of the Kuhn length, which is both composition and temperature independent.
Neurophysiological evaluation of children with traumatic radiculopathy, plexopathy, and peripheral neuropathy

Neurophysiological evaluation of children with traumatic peripheral nervous system injury is accomplished with electromyography, motor and sensory nerve conduction studies, and somatosensory and motor-evoked potentials. Preoperative neurophysiological tests are performed if motor deficits persist for more than 3 months. Evidence of reinnervation on these neurophysiological tests predates clinical recovery by weeks, hence they help determine the site of the lesion and provide objective measures for selecting candidates for surgical exploration. Intraoperative neurophysiological tests help to identily and confirm the integrity of nerves and to develop the optimal surgical strategy. Postoperative evaluations every 3 to 6 months may determine efficacy of treatment.
Neuropsychological dysfunction associated with cancer and cancer therapies: a conceptual review of an emerging target

Neuropsychological dysfunction associated with cancer and cancer treatment is a growing concern. Methodological limitations permeate the corpus of research in this area and have limited our understanding of the multifactorial nature of this process. The following review provides a summary of the current state of knowledge and highlights future directions.
Effects of luminance oscillations on simulated lightness discriminations

The speed of processes underlying lightness constancy was studied by having observers discriminate small differences in simulated lightness under an oscillating illumination. The period of oscillation varied from 0.25 to 120 sec. The target was a 1° square which appeared for 150 msec at random intervals either directly against a uniform background or separated from the background by a 1° dark gap. When the target and background were adjacent to each other, discrimination accuracy approached control levels (fixed illumination) at all but the shortest periods of oscillation. When the gap was introduced, accuracy increased as the period of oscillation increased, but never approached control levels. The results suggest that a fast local contrast mechanism is the primary mediator of lightness constancy for this task, but that there is also a slower mechanism that may be related to adaptation.
Thin Si3N4 windows for energy loss STIM in air

Abstract The use of thin (102 nm) windows of Si 3 N 4 to transmit an electronically rastered microbeam of MeV protons into ambient air with small scattering is reported. The windows were made by anisotropic etching of Si, exposing about 1 mm 2 of silicon nitride film integrally attached to a silicon supporting frame. Stress measurements on films of several thicknesses yielded a value of Young's modulus of 350 GPa. Energy loss scanning transmission ion micrographs of several small living animals are presented. Focused beams of 100 pA have been passed through the films without failure.
One size does not fit all: Averaged data on household electricity is inadequate for residential energy policy and decisions

Abstract Residential electricity users need more detail than monthly bills to reduce consumption. With the emergence of technologies that provide detailed usage estimates for energy consumption, two questions arise. First, how many different energy-consuming appliances contribute to household electricity load, and secondly which appliances? Using national average penetration rates, the Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), estimates that 42 unique appliances account for 93% of electricity consumption, while 12 appliances account for 80% of average household electric load. A typical scenario is developed from national and regional penetration rates and find that eight appliances are responsible for 80% of a household's electric load in the United States. Four household scenarios are developed: a house that uses electric appliances, gas appliances, the average household, and typical household. It is concluded that RECS cannot be used as a representative household as it overestimates the number of appliances that contribute to a household electric load. The number of significant appliances is affected by appliance ownership and use, which is more variable between homes than between census divisions. These results can be used to design and maximize the value of residential energy information and management systems.
ACTH and cAMP stimulation of adrenal ribosomal protein phosphorylation.

The incorporation of 32PO4 into cytosol and ribosomal proteins was measured after cAMP and ACTH treatment of functional adrenal tumor cell cultures. Although small changes in total 32PO4 uptake occurred after ACTH treatment a marked increase in 32PO4 incorporation into cytosol and ribosomal proteins was observed. Changes in phosphate uptake and pool size previously observed after cAMP treatment were eliminated by the use of preincubated adrenal cell cultures. In the absence of such changes, selective increases in the incorporation of 32PO4 into cytosol and ribosomal protein were observed after cAMP treatment. This is the first report that cAMP increases the phosphorylation of both cytosol and ribosomal proteins. These results support the concept that ACTH regulates adrenal cell function via cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of adrenal cell proteins. (Endocrinology 93: 1287, 1973)
Antibodies to HSP70 and HSP90 in serum in non-small cell lung cancer patients

Abstract Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are components of a physiologic stress response that are also over-expressed in various cancers including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). During NSCLC serum-antibody screening of a NSCLC cDNA T7 phage library for immunogenic proteins we isolated HSP70 and HSP90 proteins. Isolation of these proteins suggested that corresponding antibodies could be elevated in NSCLC patient sera, a novel finding that could pilot their use as markers of NSCLC. We showed histochemically that patient sera were more reactive with each phage-expressed protein than normal sera. Antibody affinity for each phage-expressed protein was confirmed by limiting the dilution of individual sera assayed by Ab enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sera from 49 NSCLC patients assayed by Ab ELISA and normalized to 40 controls showed that HSP70 antibodies were significantly greater in patient sera than in normals ( P =0.0002), while HSP90 antibodies were not significantly different ( P =0.11). Analysis of the results with logistic regression and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves showed that HSP70 antibodies were modest markers of NSCLC (sensitivity 0.74 and specificity 0.73; area under the curve or AUC=0.731), while HSP90 antibodies appeared to be poor in both criteria with an AUC of 0.602. Further evaluation of HSP70 antibodies as potential markers of disease may be rational.
Diverted Total Synthesis Leads to the Generation of Promising Cell-Migration Inhibitors for Treatment of Tumor Metastasis: In vivo and Mechanistic Studies on the Migrastatin Core Ether Analog

A significantly simpler analog of the natural product migrastatin, termed migrastatin ether (ME), has been prepared and evaluated. Both in vivo and in vitro studies indicate that ME exhibits a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on migration of breast cancer cells.
FFT Architectures for Real-Valued Signals Based on Radix- $2^{3}$ and Radix- $2^{4}$ Algorithms

This paper presents a novel approach to develop pipelined fast Fourier transform (FFT) architectures for real-valued signals. The proposed methodology is based on modifying the flow graph of the FFT algorithm such that it has both real and complex datapaths. The imaginary parts of the computations replace the redundant operations in the modified flow graph. New butterfly structures are designed to handle the hybrid datapaths. The proposed hybrid datapath leads to a general approach which can be extended to all radix- 2n based FFT algorithms. Further, architectures with arbitrary level of parallelism can be derived using the folding methodology. Novel 2-parallel and 4-parallel architectures are presented for radix- 23 and radix- 24 algorithms. The proposed architectures maximize the utilization of hardware components with no redundant computations. The proposed radix- 23 and radix- 24 architectures lead to low hardware complexity with respect to adders and delays. The N-point 4-parallel radix- 24 architecture requires 2(log16N-1) complex multipliers, 2log2N real adders and N complex delay elements.
The Impact of Gaming on the Indian Nations in New Mexico

Objective. This study examines the economic and social impact of Indian gaming on the residents of the 22 pueblos and tribes in New Mexico. Method. We employ a naturally occurring quasi-experimental design that classifies each of the Indian Nations into one of two groups, gaming and nongaming, depending on the continuous operation of a ‘‘Las Vegas’’ style casino for multiple years in the 1990s. For these two groups we compare aggregate, primarily U.S. Census, data spanning 25 indicators in both 1990 and 2000. Results. Although improvements were evident for both groups, nine of the 12 economic measures and six of the 13 social measures revealed a growing disparity favoring gaming nations during the 1990s, while six other measures suggested declining but continuing differences. These findings persisted in light of controls for population and urbanization, though many of the economic differences disappeared for the rural nations. Conclusion. Gaming has had a positive economic and social impact on the gaming pueblos and tribes in New Mexico, especially for the more urbanized nations. The gaming nations are enjoying higher incomes, lower levels of poverty, and improvements in selected social areas compared to those nations opting not to pursue casino gaming in the 1990s. Legalized casino gambling has become a significant economic force in the United States, with total revenues surpassing $50 billion in 2005 and Indian casinos accounting for what is approximately 50 percent of this total (American Gaming Association, 2008). Indian Nations are authorized to establish, subject to some controversial state-imposed stipulations, ‘‘Las Vegas’’ style casinos under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988 (e.g., Anders, 1998; Eadington, 2004). Through the development of a tribal-state compact, this might include offering slot machines to table (bank) games such as blackjack and craps, all of which are considered to be Class III games under the IGRA. In the 20 years since passage of the IGRA,
On the application of the extrapolation techniques in elastic buckling

Abstract The critical buckling load of a structure undergoing lateral buckling can be determined experimentally by using the extrapolation or plotting techniques, without having to subject the structure to loading in the vicinity of critical. To achieve this, it is only necessary to have data relating load to a deformation characteristic. A search of the literature reveals that only certain and just a few deformation characteristics such as lateral displacement and/or twist have mostly been used by researchers in this regard. In this paper, the feasibility of application of various deformation variables for experimental determination of the critical buckling load is investigated in case of I-beams with different initial geometrical imperfections undergoing the elastic lateral–distortional mode of buckling. It is demonstrated that lateral displacement of the I-beams is directly coupled with different deformation variables such as web transverse and longitudinal strains, vertical deflection, and angles of twist of top and bottom flanges. Based on these key findings, the Southwell, Massey, Modified, and Meck Plot methods are applied on these various deformation variables, and consequently satisfactory and reliable estimates are obtained for the critical buckling loads. Finally, it may be concluded that the application of the extrapolation techniques does not actually need to be limited to some certain deformation variables.
Stability of Haynes 242 as metallic interconnects of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs)

Abstract Haynes 242 is a unique Ni based alloy for interconnect application of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), due to its low CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) value which matches other fuel cell components over its peer of other Ni based alloys, together with very excellent oxidation resistance, and electrical conductive nature of the thermally grown oxide scales. A Ni–Mo rich intermetallic phase was observed to precipitate in this alloy during the thermal exposure in the SOFC environments and cause stability issue. This paper examined the stability of Haynes 242 in terms of oxidation resistance, electrical property, and oxidation kinetics as interconnects of solid oxide fuel cells. Results indicated that the precipitation helped significantly towards formation of NiO to reduce the Cr evaporation, and influenced little on oxidation resistance and electrical property.
Spherical tip model in the theory of the scanning tunneling microscope

The tunneling current contributed by angular momentum states, l >0, is obtained from a spherical tip model of the scanning tunneling microscope. It is found that for this model, the energy of the bound state depends upon the quantum number n, l , and the tip radius R . Here n is approximately the number of zeros of the l th spherical Bessel function j l inside the well. Since degeneracy is not, in general, present in the spherical square-well model, the dominant contribution to the tunneling current is due to a single state at the Fermi level. However, it is found that accidental degeneracy, e.g., between the s- and d-states for n ≥3 has to be considered. In this case, the d-state contribution is approximately 10% of the s-state contribution to the current. For this model, the p-state energy levels are usually well separated from the s-state level, though they might be accidentally (nearly) degenerate with f-levels. However, for R 20 A, the energy separation, ∼ ( h 2 /2m ) ( π/2R ) 2 , between the s- and p-states is comparable to k B T at room temperature. Therefore, when T ≈300 K, both the s- and p-state contributions must be included. Finally, analysis of the lateral resolution suggests that the smallest resolvable wavelength of the corrugation of the sample surface is [4 ln 2( R+d )/ K )] 1/2 , which is larger by the factor of √¯2 In 2 than the value quoted by Tersoff and Hamann.
Environmental Impacts of Smallholder Ethanol Production from Cassava Feedstock for the Replacement of Kerosene Household Cooking Fuel in Nigeria

The Federal Government of Nigeria in November 2009 announced the replacement of kerosene household cooking fuel with ethanol produced from cassava feedstock. The project tagged ‘cassakero’ involved the installation of 10,000 units of mini-ethanol refineries for the production of 1.44 billion liters of ethanol cooking fuel by smallholder processors. This study presents the pathway of ethanol production from cassava, which includes farming, processing of cassava tubers to flour, and conversion to ethanol. Potential environmental impact associated with the cassakero project is the production of liquid and solid waste streams, which could cause acidification, eutrophication, and aquatic toxicity and biodiversity impacts arising from the conversion of 400,000 ha of forest to farmland. Notwithstanding, these waste streams could be converted to useful by-products including fertilizer, animal feeds, biogas, and co-generated electricity using currently available technologies.