cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Advanced vehicles with dynamically reconfigurable number of stator turns

This paper presents technical justification for implementing the capability to change automatically the effective number of turns in the stator of propulsion motors while they run, adapting to changes in speed and load of the vehicle. Our simulation studies show significant potential benefits on efficiency and battery size in a typical electrically propelled vehicle when the stator of its IPM motor is modified to be able to switch between its standard and twice the number of turns, as it operates.
Developing novel 3D measurement techniques and prediction method for food density determination

Density is a physical characteristic which depends on the experimental technique used and structural properties of food. True, apparent, and bulk are different types of densities based on the way volume is measured. For porous foods such as grain food products, accurate measurement of density is challenging. Current measurement techniques for food density are inconsistent and nutrient databases do not have sufficient density data. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), laser scanners are non-destructive diagnostic tools for characterizing food microstructure. The objectives of this study were to 1) optimize the parameters of CT, MRI, and laser scanner to determine food density and compare the corresponding values with other traditional techniques, and 2) to develop neural networks as a prediction method for apparent and bulk densities. MicroCT 40 (Scano Medical Inc.), Lightspeed QX/i clinical CT (GE Healthcare), and 3 Tesla Signa HDx MRI (GE Healthcare) were used to acquire 3D images of foods for true density. A 3D laser scanner (NextEngine, Inc) was used to scan the foods items for apparent density. Neural networks were used in conjunction with the data collected from laser scanner and using food composition and processing conditions to generate a black-box prediction scheme. The results of CT, MRI, and laser scanner showed great potential to estimate density in comparison to traditional techniques. Porosity was estimated from the CT and MRI scanned image data. Laser scanner was successful in acquiring 3D images and calculating apparent density. Neural networks provided reliable density prediction power and were comparable to the other empirical equations in terms of accuracy. The ability to predict food density based on composition and processing conditions is necessary to fill gaps in nutrient databases and account for new foods.
How many trivial getter methods does java have

A recent SIGPLAN Notice [5] repeated a claim [4] that "accessor methods used to obtain the value of a field (getter methods) account for about one fourth of the total number of methods in the standard java.* package source classes". This article examines that claim, and examines the variety of methods that are nowadays considered getter methods.
Transient analysis of cage induction machines under stator, rotor bar and end ring faults

An analysis method is developed for modeling of multi phase cage induction motors with asymmetry in the stator, arising due to an interturn fault resulting in a disconnection of one or more coils making up a portion of a stator phase winding and any distribution and number of rotor bar and end-ring failures. The approach, based on the winding functions, makes no assumption as to the necessity for sinusoidal MMF and therefore include all the space harmonics in the machine. Simulation and experimental results confirm the validity of the proposed method. >
Effectiveness of Cloning Techniques for Architectural Virtual Environments

Most current VE applications make use of well-known 3D interaction techniques, such as ray-casting or the Go-Go technique. Such techniques, however, were designed generically, without considering the context of use. We argue that the design of 3D interaction techniques should take the application domain into account. In our work, we have developed interfaces for a VE application for structural engineering, including interfaces for cloning, a domain-specific task. We designed and compared six cloning interfaces. The techniques designed using domain characteristics resulted in significant performance gains and a better workflow. In addition, those techniques designed from scratch using domain characteristics were generally superior to generic techniques that were modified to consider domain characteristics. Finally, we found that the transition time between actions in these complex interfaces was a major bottleneck for task performance.
Gamma-glutamyl transferase: Another biomarker for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk

Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is a cell-surface protein contributing to the extracellular catabolism of glutathione (GSH).1 The enzyme is produced in many tissues, but most GGT in serum is derived from the liver.1 In the serum, GGT is carried primarily with lipoproteins and albumin.2 Serum levels of GGT are determined by several factors: alcohol intake, body fat content, plasma lipid/lipoproteins and glucose levels, and various medications.1,3,4 See page 127 High levels of GGT have been associated in populations with increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD).5,6 In the current issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology , Lee et al7 report that in 3451 Framingham Study participants (mean age 44 years, 52% women) an increased serum GGT predicted the onset of metabolic syndrome and the occurrence of CVD and death; moreover, the highest GGT quartile experienced a 67% increase in CVD incidence. In this study the association of GGT concentrations with CVD and mortality remained significant after adjustment for traditional cardiac risk factors and C-reactive protein (CRP). …
A physical charge-based model for non-fully depleted SOI MOSFET's and its use in assessing floating-body effects in SOI CMOS circuits

A new model for the non-fully depleted (NFD) SOI MOSFET is developed and used to study floating-body effects in SOI CMOS circuits. The charge-based model is physical, yet compact and thus suitable for device/circuit simulation. Verified by numerical device simulations and test-device measurements, and implemented in (SOI)SPICE, it reliably predicts floating-body effects resulting from free-carrier charging in the NFD/SOI MOSFET, including the purportedly beneficial supra-ideal sub-threshold slope due to impact ionization and a saturation current enhancement due to thermal generation. SOISPICE CMOS circuit simulations reveal that the former effect is not beneficial and could be detrimental, but the latter effect can be beneficial, especially in low-voltage applications, when accompanied by a dynamic floating-body effect that effectively reduces static power. The dynamic floating-body effects are hysteretic, however, and hence exploitation of the beneficial ones will necessitate device/circuit design scrutiny aided by physical models such as the one presented herein. >
Aseptic Lymphocyte-Dominated Vasculitis-Associated Lesion A Clinicopathologic Review of an Underrecognized Cause of Prosthetic Failure

It is estimated that 35% of total hip arthroplasties (THAs) involve a second-generation metal-onmetal (MOM) prosthesis. A novel complication has appeared in a subset of patients with MOM THAs that is described as an aseptic, lymphocyte-dominated vasculitis-associated lesion (ALVAL). The clinical features of ALVAL are nonspecific, but patients complain of pain and may develop “pseudotumors.” It is hypothesized that metal ions are released from the prosthesis and form haptens with native proteins that elicit a type IV hypersensitivity response in the local soft tissues. Histopathologic descriptions of ALVAL are similar to those of failed arthroplasty in general, with the addition of a dense perivascular inflammatory infiltrate that is the hallmark of ALVAL. We report 3 cases of ALVAL with clinical, radiographic, and histologic findings. Accurate assessment is crucial because an intraoperative diagnosis of chronic inflammation suggestive of ALVAL will necessitate a replacement of the prosthetic component surfaces. Hip arthroplasty is a common procedure used to alleviate pain and dysfunction associated with a variety of joint problems, the most common being degenerative joint disease. It is estimated that the number of people undergoing hip replacement more than doubled in the interval between 1990 and 2002. 1 As the incidence of primary hip arthroplasty has increased dramatically during the last several years, so too has the need for revision of older prostheses. It is estimated that the number of procedures will increase to substantially more than 500,000 primary hip arthroplasty procedures and almost 100,000 revisions annually within the next 20 years. 2
Measurement of ion/molecule reactions between 10 and 20 K

Abstract In this paper, we describe an instrument and measurement technique which makes possible the determination of gas-phase ion/molecule reactions down to 10 K or lower and up to 20–100 K, depending on the species. The technique is particularly useful for the measurement of reaction rates between 10−11 and 10−15 cm3 s−1. The instrument makes use of a cooled hyperbolic Penning trap and a bolometric detector. We also describe the behavior of the stored ions and their interactions with the cryogenic neutral gases.
Extended irreversible thermodynamics modeling for self-heating and dissipation in piezoelectric ceramics

Self-heating or dissipation of piezoelectric ceramic elements is observed to be severe under dynamic operations even in the linear range. A nonequilibrium thermodynamic model is developed to delineate the coupled irreversible mechanical, electric, and thermal processes, which jointly contribute to dissipation. Specifically, additional nonequilibrium state variables, also known as thermodynamic fluxes, are brought in to describe each of these processes. The characteristic relaxation of these processes is modeled. The nonnegative rate of entropy production is found to be in quadratic form of thermodynamics fluxes. The energy balance equation, which governs the transformation between different energy forms, is obtained in the framework of extended irreversible thermodynamics. Using this model, the dissipation of a piezoceramic stack actuator under harmonic electric or mechanical loadings in linear operation range is studied. The harmonic-balance methods are utilized as solution techniques. In contrast to the existing piezoelectric dissipation models, the dissipation by the developed model is verified to nonlinearly depend on operating frequency, with a peak dissipation occurring at some operating frequency that is related to characteristic relaxation of irreversible processes. The measurements of newly introduced parameters are also discussed.
Implementing a Strategy for Monitoring Inpatient Antimicrobial Use Among Hospitals in the United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is pursuing 3 distinct, complementary efforts focused on providing data for action, including facility-level use metrics for benchmarking across comparable patient care settings, national estimates of usage patterns using sentinel surveillance sites, and limited assessments using proprietary data.
Engaged Scholarship and Embedded Librarianship

The authors, a sociology professor and a librarian, draw attention to the relatively limited contribution of librarians to the field of engaged scholarship (ES), which they demonstrate through a review of relevant literature. They contend that the limited contribution of librarians is not the outcome of librarians being consciously excluded from ES projects by faculty. It is their point of view that ongoing exclusion of librarians reflects a lack of awareness among faculty regarding a recent shift in library science referred to as embedded librarianship (EL). Using examples from the EL literature primarily about undergraduate research experiences, the authors identify a viable role for librarians in ES, particularly in instances where enhancing the “information literacy” of students, research assistants, or community members is a learning or research priority. This reflective essay provides readers an opportunity to reflect on how—when and where appropriate—librarians might contribute to ES.
Structural motifs in RNA.

▪ Abstract An RNA motif is a discrete sequence or combination of base juxtapositions found in naturally occurring RNAs in unexpectedly high abundance. Because all the motifs examined so far have three-dimensional structures independent of the context in which they are embedded, they are important components of the “kit” of structural elements from which RNAs are constructed. This review discusses the structures of the motifs that have been identified so far and speculates on the importance of their role in determining RNA conformation and their evolutionary origin.
Optimal Transistor Tapering for High-Speed CMOS Circuits

Transistor tapering is a widely used technique applied to optimize the geometries of CMOS transistors in high-performance circuit design with a view to minimizing the delay of a FET network. Currently, in a long series-connected FET chain, the dimensions of the transistors are decreased from bottom transistor to the top transistor in a manner where the width of transistors is tapered linearly or exponentially. However, it has not been mathematically proved whether either of these tapering schemes yields optimal results in terms of minimization of switching delays of the network. In this paper, we rigorously analyze MOS circuits consisting of long FET chains under the widely used Elmore delay model and derive the optimality of transistor tapering by employing variational calculus. Specifically, we demonstrate that neither linear nor exponential tapering alone minimizes the discharge time of the FET chain. Instead, a composition of exponential and constant tapering actually optimizes the delay of the network. We have also corroborated our analytical results by performing extensive simulation of FET networks and showing that both analytical and simulation results are always consistent.
Protein kinase C agonists inhibit bile secretion independently of effects on the microcirculation in the isolated perfused rat liver.

The role of hormones in the regulation of bile secretion is not known; however vasoactive agents, which act via the phosphoinositide signal transduction pathway, may mediate changes in bile flow by altering the hepatic microvasculature. We therefore examined the effects of phorbol esters and diacylglycerol, agonists of the protein kinase C branch of the phosphoinositide cascade, on perfusion pressure and bile flow in a single-pass, hemoglobin-free, isolated perfused rat liver system with constant perfusate flow. The active phorbol ester, 12,13-phorbol dibutyrate, produced a dose-dependent (maximal effect at 10−6M), sustained and reversible decrease in bile flow from 1.09 ± 0.18 to 0.61 ± 0.09 μl per min per gm liver (37.2 ± 5.9%) while simultaneously increasing perfusion pressure from 12.3 ± 0.7 to 21.5 ± 2.5 cm H2O (74.0 ± 4.3%). Both effects were inhibited by the synthetic protein kinase C antagonist H-7. 1,2-Dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol, a diacylglycerol, produced changes in bile flow and perfusion pressure that were similar to, but more marked than, those caused by 12,13-phorbol dibutyrate, whereas the inactive phorbol ester 4α-phorbol didecanoate and the vehicle dimethyl sulfoxide had no effects on either parameter. 12,13-Phorbol dibutyrate infusion resulted in reversible decreases in oxygen consumption (23.3%) and a reversible vascular redistribution of trypan blue dye but did not alter hepatic venous effluent concentrations of K+. Increases in perfusion pressure produced by mechanical constrictions of the hepatic venous cannulae did not reproduce phorbol-induced changes in bile flow, suggesting that the cholestasis is not mediated by postsinusoidal increases in hepatic outflow resistance. Furthermore, the nonspecific vasodilators sodium nitroprusside (10−3M) and papaverine (40 μM) prevented the phorbol-induced increases in perfusion pressure (p < 0.01) but did not block 12,13-phorbol dibutyrate's cholestatic effects. We conclude from this study that protein kinase C agonists have both vascular and nonvascular effects in the isolated perfused rat liver and that the cholestasis caused by these agents is independent of effects on the hepatic microcirculation.
Design of a MEMS Tunable Polymer Grating for Single Detector Spectroscopy

High-speed, highly sensitive, miniature photospectroscopy techniques suited for a microfluidic platform enable rapid, cost-effective and efficient assays for numerous applications. Guided by these application requirements, we designed and demonstrated an innovative tunable diffraction grating implemented for spectroscopic measurements requiring minimal optics and signal processing. The device includes a flexible polymer microbridge with a nanoimprinted grating pattern on the top surface. Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) silicon actuators mechanically strain the microbridge to variably tune the grating period. Our innovative nanophotonic technology incorporating the tunable grating may guide future advancements of wavelength-discriminating detection for the identification and quantification of chemical and biological species.
A study of the systems engineering approach using an existing electric vehicle as the subject

Many renewable energy developers have created deployable systems capable of supplying electric power to troops in the field. Most of these systems are large 10KW+ or small personnel sized systems of only a few watts. There are few systems that are both highly portable and that supply power in the 2–5kW range. As undergraduate First Class Cadets at the United States Air Force Academy, our team has been tasked to develop and design a portable, renewable power generation, storage, and distributive system to support sustained operations in austere environments. We began with an electrical all-terrain vehicle originally built by American Electrical Vehicles (AEV). The Electric Covert All-Terrain Transport (ECATT), though non-operational, was originally designed as a prototype for Air Force Special Operations but never fielded. Our team used a systems engineering approach to design a highly portable, 2–5 kW solar electric, all-terrain vehicle (SATV). The chosen wattage allowed for maximum provision of power, while still keeping relatively mobile. The SATV will be capable of supplying up to 36 kW-h of single and/or 3-phase power. Many senior design teams design projects begin from the ground up but our team's project is unique in that we were able to start with non-functioning but commercially designed system. First, to integrate our designs into the existing system, we invested a great deal of effort to reverse engineer the existing system. Once we had a solid understanding of how and what the functionalities of the existing vehicle was capable, we created four conceptual designs that would meet or surpass the requirements set by our customer. Our team is comprised of mechanical, electrical, systems, and computer engineering undergraduates, offering a myriad of different ideas to the best solution. This paper is a study of the design, solution selection, and implementation process we used as seen from a non-technical systems engineering major. Our intent is to explain our formal approach, methodology and how we translated our ideas using the system engineering principles. The challenges throughout the project are further discussed. Lastly, this is a working paper, as the project is inconclusive and will be further continued by other classes of Cadets.
Identification and solubilization of iodinated cell surface human melanoma associated antigens.

To identify soluble cell surface melanoma-associated antigens (MAA), human melanoma cells in culture were radioiodinated by the lactoper-oxidase technique and solubilized in non-ionic detergent (NP-40). Labelled MAA were identified by a quantitative double-antibody antigen binding assay and unrelated labelled macromolecules by trichloroacetic acid precipitation. Detergent solubilized 95% of the macromolecule-associated radioactivity. Approximately 8%, presumably MAA, was bound specifically by anti-melanoma serum. In contrast, anti-melanoma serum bound specifically only 0.5 to 1.5% of the acid precipitable radioactivity in control cells iodinated in a similar manner. Specificity was further studied by quantitative serum absorption. Two different melanoma lines were equally effective in inhibiting specific binding of iodinated melanoma lysate, whereas 50-100 times more normal fresh lymphocytes, liver and spleen cells, cultured HeLa or colon adenocarcinoma cells, and 8 times more cultured fetal cells were required to produce similar reductions in specific binding. These studies demonstrate that cell surface human melanoma antigens that differ qualitatively and/or quantitatively from those on normal or malignant allogeneic tissues can be solubilized and identified. These antigens are shared with other melanomas, and some are also present on fetal cells.
BUCKLING OF SANDWICH WIDE COLUMNS

The paper deals with the theoretical prediction of buckling loads for sandwich columns with metallic and laminated facings and foam or honeycomb core. The loading is a uniform axial compression, applied statically (very slowly) and suddenly with constant magnitude and infinite duration (step loading). The effect of length and boundary conditions is assessed and results are presented for the following cases: for a cantilever column, a simply supported column and a clamped column, for several lengths. Several fiber materials are used in the laminated facings. Two types of core were examined: alloy-foam or hexagonal glass/phenolic honeycomb. The facings are Boron/Epoxy, Graphite/Epoxy and Kevlar/Epoxy laminates with 0° orientation with respect to the column axis and a metallic one made out of aluminum. These various materials are employed to provide comparative data that can be used in design. Results, for the static case are generated by computer codes as well as by the use of closed form theoretical solutions. For the dynamic case, results are generated by the DYNA3D code.
Variations in Mental Health Problems, Substance Use, and Delinquency Between African American and Caucasian Juvenile Offenders: Implications for Reentry Services

The incarceration of young people is a growing national problem. Key correlates of incarceration among American youth include mental health problems, substance use, and delinquency. The present study uses a statewide sample of incarcerated youth to examine racial differences in African American and Caucasian juvenile offenders' outcomes related to mental health, substance use, and delinquency. The data indicate that relative to Caucasian offenders, African American offenders report lower levels of mental health problems and substance use but higher levels of delinquent behavior such as violence, weapon carrying, and gang fighting. The data further reveal that African American offenders are more likely than Caucasian offenders to be victims of violence and to experience traumatic events such as witnessing injury and death. Recognition of these patterns may help to improve postrelease services by tailoring or adapting preexisting programs to patterns of risk factors and their relative magnitudes of effect.
Low Prepregnancy Adiponectin Concentrations Are Associated With a Marked Increase in Risk for Development of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE To examine whether circulating total and high–molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin concentrations, measured before pregnancy, are associated with subsequent risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This was a nested case-control study among women who participated in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Multiphasic Health Check-up exam (1984–1996) with a serum sample obtained and who had a subsequent pregnancy (1984–2009). Eligible women were free of recognized diabetes. Case subjects were the 256 women who developed GDM. Two control subjects were selected for each case and matched for year of blood draw, age at exam, age at pregnancy, and number of intervening pregnancies. RESULTS Compared with the highest quartile of adiponectin, the risk of GDM increased with decreasing quartile (odds ratio [OR] 1.5 [95% CI 0.7–2.9], 3.7 [1.9–7.2], and 5.2 [2.6–10.1]; P trend P trend 2 ) were associated with a sevenfold increased risk of GDM compared with normal-weight women with adiponectin levels above the median (OR 6.7 [95% CI 3.6–12.5]). CONCLUSIONS Prepregnancy low adiponectin concentrations, a marker of decreased insulin sensitivity and altered adipocyte endocrine function, is associated with reduced glucose tolerance during pregnancy and may identify women at high risk for GDM to target for early intervention.
The average binary expansion of a Reed-Solomon code is good for error detection

When different bases are used to expand different columns of any Reed-Solomon code, the average error-detecting performance of the resulting binary codes is a monotonic function of the bit error probability.
Ammonia gas sensing behavior of graphene surface decorated with gold nanoparticles

Abstract Ammonia gas sensing behavior of graphene synthesized by CVD on copper substrate using a methane and hydrogen gas mixture was investigated. The Raman spectroscopy was used to monitor the quality of graphene films transferred onto SiO 2 /Si substrates. The sensitivity and the recovery time of the device were enhanced by the deposition of gold nanoparticles on the surface of graphene films. The dependence of the sensing response with the operating temperature was studied. The adsorption and desorption curves were analyzed using Langmuir kinetic theory and Freundlich isotherm for the adsorption of ammonia gas. The activation energy and the heat of adsorption were estimated to be around 38 and 41 meV, respectively for NH 3 gas concentration of 58 ppm at room temperature.
WAVELET ANALYSIS TO CHARACTERISE NON-LINEARITIES AND PREDICT LIMIT CYCLES OF AN AEROELASTIC SYSTEM

Non-linear dynamics in aeroelastic systems are difficult to analyse and can induce unpredicted limit cycle oscillations in flight. This paper introduces wavelet analysis for processing flight data to extract information about structural non-linearities. Features and trends from wavelet transform maps of transient responses are used to detect and characterise polynomial non-linearities in stiffness. These features are also used to formulate functions that use transient responses at stable flight conditions to predict the onset of limit-cycle oscillations.
Cumulative Results of Extended Forecast Experiments I. Model Performance for Winter Cases

Abstract Two-week experimental forecasts were carried for 12 July Cases with a nine vertical level, 270 km grid-size hemispheric model, and the results were examined statistically. The solutions studied were the stationary (10-day average) and transient components of the general circulation; in particular, the ensemble mean of temperature, zonal wind and eddy kinetic energy; and the hemispheric maps of ensemble mean height fields. The predictive ability of this model was examined by comparing the results with observation and calculating statistical scores such as standard deviation, correlation coefficient and horizontal gradient (S1) score for 1000, 500 and 50 mb geopotential height verified against the NMC (National Meteorological Center) analysis. The results were also analyzed in terms of zonal wavenumbers of geopotential. So far as this model (1967 version) is concerned, the predictability in the lower atmosphere seems to decay more rapidly in July than in January. However, the predictability of the ...
The Four PS of Green Marketing: A Critical Review of the Literature

The popular business press routinely highlights environmentally conscious (and careless) companies, yet there have been relatively few academic investigations of the disposition and essence of "green" marketers. This review examines academic research that has been conducted to identify and characterize these firms. Beyond merely identifying the existence of these firms, however, the review seeks to determine whether significant empirical testing has been conducted to substantiate the often-hypothesized relationships regarding green marketers, their strategic approaches, and subsequent performance. The marketing mix (Four Ps) framework is used to identify academic works specific to particular areas of marketing strategy. This review specifically addresses the following questions:
Influences of Temperature and Humidity on Pre-Adult Development of the Banks Grass Mite (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Developmental rates of pre-adult stages of Banks grass mite, Oligonychus pratensis (Banks), were determined under constant temperatures (23, 25, 30, 33, 36, and 39°C). Age-specific developmental rate curves were estimated, and these indicated highly temperature-dependent rates for all stages. These curves showed that the fastest development occurred between 25 and 37°C, with maximum developmental rates predicted near 37°C. The developmental time required for egg hatch was nearly 50% of the total immature developmental time. The influence of humidity on pre-adult development was studied by using specially designed humidity chambers. Chambers were calibrated to deliver high, medium, and low vapor pressure deficits at 25, 33, 36, and 39°C. Under these conditions, humidity had little effect on development, except at 39°C, low vapor pressure deficit. In this environment, egg hatch was severely reduced. This study suggests that developmental rates in high-temperature environments may contribute to Banks grass mite outbreaks. Humidity did not seem to influence the developmental rate, but may be an important variable in egg survival at high temperatures.
Defining the microsatellite instability phenotype in colorectal cancer through analysis of surrogate markers.

Commentary to:Evaluation of Microsatellite Instability, hMLH1 Expression and hMLH1 Promoter Hypermethylation in Defining the MSI Phenotype of Colorectal CancerChristian N. Arnold, Ajay Goel, Carolyn Compton, Victoria Marcus, Donna Niedzwiecki, Jeannette M. Dowell, Linda Wasserman, Toru Inoue, Robert J. Mayer, Monica M Bertagnolli and C. Richard Boland
Research on Portfolio Decision-making Analysis Framework About Demonstration of Arms and Equipment Architecture

Aiming at the special requirement on the demonstration of arms and equipment architecture,the decision-making analysis framework is proposed.The framework has a core about the requirement analysis and assessment of the equipment architecture operational capability,using the different key technology to support the interrelated logical procedure,and gives a new research idea about the demonstration of arms and equipment architecture.
Model Fermentation of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) can Produce Similar Microbial and Chemical Quality of Cocoa Compared to Conventional On-Farm Cocoa Fermentation

Polyphenols in cocoa beans contribute from 12 to 18% dry weight of the whole bean. The major constituent polyphenols in cocoa are catechins (37%), procyanidins (58%) and anthocyanins (4%). Despite ...
Point: Interferon-α for Adjuvant Therapy for Melanoma Patients

Interferon-alpha is possibly the most controversial adjuvant therapy for any solid tumor, and multiple trials involving varying doses, routes, schedules, and formulations of interferon-alpha have increased the confusion. Clinicians are left in a quandary, because high-dose interferon-alpha-2b (HDI) remains the only FDA-approved adjuvant therapy for high-risk melanoma. Of the three prospective randomized trials involving high-dose interferon-alpha-2b, all show a significant improvement in disease-free survival and two show a significant improvement in overall survival. Despite this strong evidence, data from studies involving alternate doses, concerns regarding cost and toxicity, and the promise of future therapies have led opponents of interferon to overlook these results. Based on the available clinical evidence, however, high-dose interferon should be offered as standard care for patients with high-risk, resected melanoma. Informed patients who have elected to forego interferon and patients with lower risk lesions can be offered participation in clinical trials with a no-treatment control arm.
An evaluation of the components of compliance in patients with diabetes.

In the past, research directed at understanding patient compliance behavior has generally resulted in findings that were not predictive of compliance or that were at best contradictory. A study of 98 adult patients with diabetes was conducted to investigate some of the variables affecting compliance in that patient population. Compliance and knowledge scores were computed for all 98 patients interviewed. Twelve patients at each extreme of the compliance distribution (no. = 24) were selected for further interviews. Nonparametric analyses were used to test for group differences. Significant differences were found in the mean values for the following variables (mean +/- standard error of the mean for low and high compliers): years diabetic, 5.7 +/- 1.5 and 12.1 +/- 2.4, respectively (p = .05); knowledge scores, 12.2 +/- 1.4 and 20.9 +/- 2.6, respectively (p = .001); and Health Belief Model score, 35.5 +/- 2.6 and 47.2 +/- 1.2, respectively (p = .002). In addition, significant differences were found in the use of home glucose monitoring, which was practiced by 33% of low compliers and 100% of high compliers (p = .002). No significant differences were found between the groups for sex, marital status, employment status, or ethnicity. The patients' perception of health care delivery and the knowledge acquired about the disease condition appeared to be important factors that had a bearing upon the control the patients chose to exert upon their care. There also appears to be some indication that the Health Belief Model can be used for predicting compliance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Cortico-Basal Ganglia Networks and the Neural Substrates of Actions

This chapter reviews the mechanisms underlying reward-guided behavior and their implications for alcohol addiction. It can be divided into three parts. First, I review recent innovations in the analysis of goal-directed behavior using instrumental conditioning procedures and outline a model of motivated behavior based on hierarchical negative-feedback control systems. Secondly, I describe the anatomy and function of the cerebral cortico-basal ganglia networks, the neural implementations of motivational and motor-control hierarchies. And finally, I discuss the implications of the hierarchical model for our understanding of addiction in general and alcohol addiction in particular.
Temporal Dynamics and Stability of Spatial Soil Matric Potential in Two Land Use Systems

The spatial variability of the soil water status and its temporal behavior are essential for hydrological modeling and agricultural management. Changes in atmospheric conditions such as precipitation usually cause large temporal dynamics in the soil water status, whereas inherent soil properties such as soil texture and topography maintain their spatial pattern with time. Our objective was to identify the relevant spatial and temporal processes underlying soil water behavior. Along a 48- by 3-m transect evenly distributed across two land use systems, i.e., cropland and grassland, the soil matric potential (ψm) was measured on a weekly basis from May to October 2013 at 1-m intervals and at depths of 10, 30, 50, 70, 90, and 110 cm. The spatial variance of ψm at the 10-cm depth decreased with weekly precipitation and the spatial median of ψm in both land use systems, owing to the enhancement of lateral water redistribution by elevated soil wetness. Temporal dynamics in ψm and its spatial variance diminished with soil depth. In contrast, the temporal stability of ψm generally increased with soil depth because of the decreasing impact exerted by precipitation. According to Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients, the relative distribution of ψm in space was more strongly correlated with relative elevation than with soil texture in the grassland. These results have direct implications for irrigation management.
Soil Inorganic Nitrogen with Incubation of Rye Cover Crop Biomass

ABSTRACTA soil incubation study was conducted to evaluate the effect of winter cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop (CC) biomass and fertilizer nitrogen (N) addition on soil inorganic-N. Rye aboveground biomass was collected following corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and incubated at equivalent field temperatures for 105 d at rates of 1120, 2240, and 3360 kg dry matter (DM) ha−1. Despite N addition from the rye biomass at any rate, there was no real effect on ammonium (NH4)-N, and only from 63 d to 105 d a limited net increase in nitrate (NO3)-N and inorganic-N was observed compared to no-rye. Nitrate-N and inorganic-N concentrations change per heat unit (HU) accumulation was negative with rye addition through 7 d, but was positive consistently across the remaining incubation period with or without rye. Overall, the rye CC biomass had only a neutral to small positive effect on soil inorganic-N.
Phase Stability, Oxygen-Storage Capability, and Electrocatalytic Activity in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells of (Y, In, Ca)BaCo4–yGayO7+δ

With an aim of enhancing their high-temperature phase stability, oxygen-storage capability, and electrocatalytic activity in intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs), RBaCo4O7+δ-based samples have been investigated with a co-substitution at the R site with Y, In, and Ca and Ga substitution at the Co site. YBaCo4–yGayO7+δ, Y1–xInxBaCo3.3Ga0.7O7+δ, Y1–xCaxBaCo3.3Ga0.7O7+δ, In1–xCaxBaCo3.3Ga0.7O7+δ, and Y0.5In0.5BaCo4–yGayO7+δ series of materials have been synthesized by a solid-state reaction, and the phase stabilities have been assessed by long-term testing at 600–800 °C for 120 h. The substitution of In for Y mitigates the phase decomposition but decreases the oxygen-storage capacity and electrochemical performance in IT-SOFCs. With In and Y co-dopants, Y0.5In0.5BaCo3.5Ga0.5O7+δ remains stable even with a smaller amount of Ga. In contrast, Ca doping reduces the phase stability regardless of its content. Via optimization of the compositions, Y0.9In0.1BaCo3.3Ga0.7O7+δ is found to exhibit t...
Two-Ness and Liminality in Mayfair

A pronounced theme of marginalization and stigmatization comes out in the interviews among women in all three groups in the study. By virtue of geographically or symbolically existing in two spheres, based upon their point of access, these women also experience a sense of liminality, of not fully belonging in either world. Although the young women of color who live in the town are simply attending their local high school, they are often associated by teachers and other adults in the community with one of the two racial desegregation programs. Young women who accessed the high school through one of the two racial desegregation programs are confronted with stereotypes about lives and neighborhoods of deprivation and violence. At the same time, they no longer feel they belong in their home communities. Women also discuss a distinct form of romantic marginalization, resulting from feelings of undesirability by young men in the community.
Stem cells: Subclone wars.

Pluripotent stem cells, which give rise to every cell type, can acquire cancer-causing genetic mutations when grown in vitro. This finding has implications for the use of pluripotent cells in basic research and in the clinic. See Letter p.229
Diving beneath the surface: long-term studies of dolphins and whales

Although aquatic mammals are elusive subjects, long-term studies of cetaceans have revealed remarkable lifehistory traits, including long life spans, bisexual philopatry, prolonged maternal care, and even menopause. Long-term cetacean research, defined here as studies lasting ≥ 10 years, has also helped shape our understanding of large multilevel societies, fission-fusion dynamics, cultural processes, complex sociality, and cognition. Yet relative to their terrestrial counterparts, little is known about many cetacean societies, especially pelagic species; similarly, collection of biological samples (such as blood, feces, urine) from live subjects is rarely possible. Cetaceans have been severely impacted by human activities, from commercial whaling to fisheries bycatch, prey depletion, habitat loss, and chemical and noise pollution. Longitudinal research, defined as measuring the same individuals repeatedly over time, can provide vital information necessary for devising viable solutions for mitigating these impacts and promoting sustainable practices. This review evaluates key findings gleaned from continuous and systematic longitudinal studies of free-living cetaceans. We present examples for each topic, though our condensed review cannot be comprehensive. Given their adaptations to the marine environment, slow life histories, and complex societies, continued investment in long-term research is vital for both understanding and protecting this taxonomic group.
Parents' perceptions during the transition to home for their child with a congenital heart defect: How can we support families of children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome?

Purpose The aim of the study was to explore the literature related to transitions in healthcare between the hospital and home that caregivers experience with a child who has a congenital heart defect (CHD), specifically related to hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Design and Methods A systematic literature review was conducted searching OVID Medline, CINAHL, and PubMed to discover the caregivers’ perceptions on their transitions between hospital care and home care of their child with a CHD. Articles included those with focus on the transitions of caregivers between hospital and home care for children with CHD. Excluded articles were studies focused on adolescents, transition to adult healthcare, mortality results, other diseases associated with CHDs, comparison of CHD treatments, feasibility studies, differences in care between hospitals, home monitoring, and comparison of videoconference and telephone home communication. Results Ten articles were selected. Many parents voiced their concerns with feeding their child, learning medical skills and knowledge, reported a disrupted relationship between parents and their child, and identified stress and anxiety associated with taking care of a child with a CHD. Practice Implications There were limited studies on caregivers’ transitions with a child with HLHS, but there also was limited focus on the caregivers’ experiences with transitions between hospital and home care for their child with any CHD. Research on the transition experience between hospital care and home care for caregivers of children born with a CHD, and a specific focus on HLHS from the caregivers’ viewpoint, would provide insight into the perspective of caregivers during the numerous transitions.
The mineral sediment loading of the modern Mississippi River Delta: what is the restoration baseline?

A restoration baseline for river deltas establishes a framework for achieving goals that can be thwarted by choosing an improper historical background. The problem addressed here is identify the size of the modern Mississippi River delta that restoration should use as that baseline. The sediment loading to the Mississippi River main stem delta fluctuated over the last 160 years with a consequential dependent plasticity in delta size. A visual time series of the delta size is presented, and the area: sediment loading ratio is calculated. This ratio ranged from 1.8 to 3.9 km2 per Mmt sediment y−1 during the pre-European colonization of the watershed in the 1800s, a maximum size in the 1930s, and then lower after soil conservation and dam construction decades later. This land building rate is similar to the 1.3 to 3.7 km2 per Mmt sediment y−1 for the Wax Lake and Atchafalaya sub-deltas located to the west, which receives some of the Mississippi River sediment and water from the main channel below St. Francisville, LA. The significance to restoration of delta land lost since the 1930s is that the baseline for the 1930s was conditioned on previous sediment loading that has since declined. Most sediment is trapped in the delta, and so the existing situation is close to a zero-sum land balance. The restoration potential should be based on the delta land area that could be built from the current sediment loading, not from those of the era during peak agricultural expansion and soil erosion in the watershed. Sediment diversions upstream will, therefore, deplete sediment supply downstream where delta land will be lost. The choice of which baseline is used can be seen as a choice between unrealistic perceptions that leads to unachievable goals and agency failures, or, the realism of a delta size limited by current sediment loading.
Vocational Education, Per Capita Income, and Employment in the US

This paper examines the effects of vocational education on per capita income and employment in the U.S. A panel dataset on the number of graduates from community colleges as a proxy for vocational education for fifty states and Washington D.C. during 2002-2010 is used. The method of three stage least squares was employed. The results show that vocational education appears to affect changes in per capita income and employment positively. Nest, we compare and contrast vocational education with university education by using data on the number of four-year college graduates. The results show that the vocational education increases per capita income and employment more than university education in the short run but less than the latter in the long run.
A Game Theory Perspective on Requirement-Based Engineering Design

In the design of large-scale systems, component/subsystems are oftentimes designed by different design teams who utilize shared resources. Requirement-based engineering design is a common practice that allocates the shared resource to each design team and requires each component/subsystems to be designed within that resource limitation. This paper explores limitations and challenges of requirement-based engineering design. Specifically, we use noncooperative game theory to demonstrate that requirement-based engineering design results in suboptimal performance for the entire design project.
Maternal/Child Health, Religion, and Spirituality

This chapter reviews theories and empirical evidence on religion and spirituality (R/S) as factors relevant to maternal and child health, the field of concentration of about 3% of public health students nationwide.
Topological phases and nonreciprocal edge states in non-Hermitian Floquet insulators

Topological phases in quantum and classical systems have been of significant recent interest due to their fascinating physical properties. Floquet topological insulators represent one of the possible venues for engineering topological phases, yet they have been so far largely restricted to temporal modulation of Hermitian potentials. On the other hand, in many physical systems, including acoustic and optical systems, modulating loss or gain can be more straightforwardly achieved. On the other hand, non-Hermitian Floquet potentials have not been shown to yield any novel topological phases to date. It is therefore of great interest to explore time-modulated non-Hermitian potentials in periodic lattices, and the emergence of topological phases associated with them. Here we demonstrate that non-Hermitian Hamiltonians can indeed result in topological phases supporting nonreciprocal edge states propagating without dissipation, as well as regimes of dissipative and amplifying topological edge transport.