cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Names and Notions of Black Studies: Issues of Roots, Range, and Relevance

The principle purpose of this article is to bring under critical reflection some of the central issues surrounding and informing current and continuing notions of Black Studies and the ongoing concerns about its appropriate naming. It is a fundamental assumption of this article that the various notions and names of Black Studies are anchored in and reflective of differing concepts of the roots, range, and relevance of the discipline. The issue of roots has to do with the conception of the primary rootedness of the discipline in the African American initiative and experience and the Black Freedom Movement and its emancipatory thrust. The issue of range involves varied positions on the reach and inclusiveness of the discipline in terms of African peoples and its self-conception as a pan-African project. Finally, the issue of relevance raises questions of the intellectual value and viability of the African American initiative and experience as a self-standing discipline in the academy, as distinct from a dep...
Squaring a tournament: a proof of Dean's conjecture

Let the square of a tournament be the digraph on the same nodes with arcs where the directed distance in the tournament is at most two. This paper verifies Dean's conjecture: any tournament has a node whose outdegree is at least doubled in its square. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Semantic facilitation and lexical access during sentence processing: An investigation of individual differences

An earlier experiment (Blank & Foss, 1978) showed that the time required to access the object noun of a sentence was shortened if the noun was preceded by a semantically related verb or adjective. When both the verb and the adjective were semantically related to the noun, the amount of facilitation of lexical access was additive. However, additivity appeared to break down for subjects who did poorly on the comprehension test administered in that experiment, suggesting that the activation function among related lexical items was different for good and poor comprehenders. Such a finding would have implications for theories of lexical facilitation, especially the two-factor theories such as the one proposed by Posner and Snyder (1975). The present experiment again measured access time for the object noun of a sentence when it was preceded by an unrelated or a related verb or adjective (four sentence types). Two groups of college subjects were tested, relatively good (N = 63) and relatively poor (N = 42) comprehenders. The difference in the time taken to retrieve the object noun was ascertained by measuring reaction time to respond to the initial phoneme of the next word in the sentence (phoneme monitoring technique). Reaction times were shorter when the noun was preceded by a semantically related word; the effects of two sources of related context (verb and adjective) appeared to be additive forboth groups of subjects. These results were discussed within the context of two-factor theories of lexical activation and within the context of Morton’s (1969) logogen model.
Head-to-Head Polymers. XVI. Polymerization of 2,3-Dimethyibutadiene-l,3 to cis- and trans-1,4-Poly(2,3,-dimethyIbutadiene)

Abstract 2,3-Dimethylbutadiene-1,3 was polymerized to cis- and trans-1,4-poly(2,3-dimethylbutadiene) of high stereochemical purity with triisobutylaluminum/titanium tetrachloride initiator systems in n-hexane. With a mole ratio of Al/Ti of 2:1, pure cis isomer was obtained while an Al/Ti ratio of 1:2 in the initiator system produced the trans polymer of 1,4-poly(2,3-dimethylbutadiene) free from 1,2-isomers. For the cis-isomer a 0.5 mol% initiator to monomer ratio gives maximum molecular weight while a 1 mol% ratio gives maximum yield. For the trans-polymer the ratios are 1 and 2 mol%, respectively. The cis- and trans-polymers are high melting crystalline materials of melting points of 190°C and near 280°C, respectively. The glass transition temperatures were 2 and 12°C, respectively (onset of transition). The temperature of maximum rate of degradation was 380°C for both polymers.
What Vagueness Consists In

The main question of the paper is that ofwhat vagueness consists in. This question must be distinguished from other questions about vagueness discussed in the literature. It is argued that familiar accounts of vagueness for general reasons failto answer the question ofwhat vagueness consists in. A positive view is defended, according to which, roughly, the vagueness of an expression consists in it being part ofsemantic competence to accept a tolerance principle for the expression. Since tolerance principles are inconsistent, this is an inconsistency view on vagueness.
Modeling Uncertainties in Emergency Service Resource Allocation

The problem of allocating multiple emergency service resources to protect critical transportation infrastructures is studied in this paper. Different modeling approaches, including deterministic, stochastic programming, and robust optimization, are used to model various risk preferences in decision making under uncertain service availability and accessibility. Singapore is used as a case study for numerical experiments. The performances of different models are compared in terms of allocation strategies and the reliability and robustness of the system.
High-throughput CAVLC architecture for real-time H.264 coding using reconfigurable devices

One of the encoding methods offered by H.264 AVC is context-based adaptive variable length coding (CAVLC). This paper presents a high-throughput hardware implementation of the CAVLC encoder. A dual-coefficient scanning phase is investigated and modified to improve the speed of the encoding phase. This improved scanning solution determines all the required data for the encoding phase to be completed in a minimized and constant number of clock cycles. In addition, an algorithmic approach for encoding levels is exploited to reduce hardware resource requirements. The modified scanning phase approach offers significant throughput capabilities for CAVLC: at 200 MHz, the architecture is capable of encoding 1,080 p video files at 95 fps.
Does tinnitus, hearing asymmetry, or hearing loss predispose to occupational injury risk?

AbstractObjective: To determine the relative contributions of tinnitus, asymmetrical hearing loss, low frequency hearing loss (pure tone average of 0.5, 1, 2, 3 kHz; PTA.5123), or high frequency hearing loss (pure tone average of 4, 6 kHz; PTA46), to acute injury risk among a cohort of production and maintenance workers at six aluminum manufacturing plants, adjusting for ambient noise exposure and other recognized predictors of injury risk. Design: Retrospective analysis. Study sample: The study considered 9920 workers employed during 2003 to 2008. The cohort consisted of 8818 workers (89%) whose complete records were available. Results: Adjusting for noise exposure and other recognized injury predictors, a 25% increased acute injury risk was observed among workers with a history of tinnitus in conjunction with high-frequency hearing loss (PTA46). Low frequency hearing loss may be associated with minor, yet less serious, injury risk. We did not find evidence that asymmetry contributes to injury risk. Conc...
Conformational analysis by NMR. 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of saturated and unsaturated carboxylic acids and their corresponding esters and anhydrides

Abstract The 13C NMR spectra of a large number of closely related saturated and unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and their anhydrides and derivatives have been analyzed to determine the structural and electronic effects which govern their chemical shifts. In monocarboxylic acids the conversion of an acid to its methyl ester causes an upfield shift of −5.9 ± 0.5 ppm for the carboxyl carbon while in diacids the effect is only −1.6 ± 0.6 ppm. The conversion of an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid (or its methyl ester) to the corresponding anhydride causes an upfield shift of −3.2 ± 0.6 ppm in the carboxyl carbon resonance. The closure of saturated diacids to their corresponding anhydrides has a variety of effects which can, in general, be rationalized in terms of the stereochemistry and structure of the diacids. The closure of an α,β-unsaturated diacid to its corresponding anhydride causes an upfield shift of −2.6 ± 1.1 ppm in the carboxyl carbon resonance and a downfield shift of 6.4 ± 1.2 ppm in the olefinic carbon resonance. These and other additivity effects and regularities in the 13C chemical shifts of these diacids and anhydrides are discussed in terms of electronic and steric effects.
Effect of prolactin on thyroxine-induced metamorphosis.

Prolactin inhibits thyroxine-induced tail regression, a metamorphic event which has been unequivocally shown to be caused directly by thyroxine. On the other hand, thyroxineinduced pancreatic regression, and acid phosphatase increase and biochemical differentiation in the liver are not inhibited or counteracted by prolactin treatment. Therefore, prolactin does not antagonize the entire process of metamorphosis. These studies also indicate that some metamorphic events are not directly induced by thyroxine (Endocrinology85: 1213, 1969)
Syrian hamster males below an age threshold do not elicit aggression from unfamiliar adult males

In many species, young males are the dispersers, leaving their natal area after weaning to establish a breeding area of their own. As young males disperse, however, they are bound to encounter unfamiliar adult males with established territories. Such interactions between an adult male and a young male may always be agonistic. Alternatively, there may be an age threshold below which aggression is not elicited and above which the adult male is aggressive toward the juvenile male. To test these two alternative hypotheses, we paired 47 young Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) males ranging from 24 to 65 days of age with 47 adult male hamsters and measured aggressive and investigatory behavior for 5 min. We observed no aggression by the adult toward young males between 24 and 47 days of age or toward the single male that was 49 days of age. Young males that were 50 days of age or older, however, elicited significant levels of aggression from the adults. These results indicate that in Syrian hamsters, young males are less vulnerable to adult aggression up to an age threshold and are more vulnerable to adult aggression beyond that threshold. This pattern may facilitate the establishment of territories by dispersing young males below that age threshold. Aggr. Behav. 37:91–97, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
High-Speed and High-Reynolds-Number Jet Control Using Localized Arc Filament Plasma Actuators

A class of plasma actuators called localized arc filament plasma actuators for high-speed and high-Reynoldsnumber flow and acoustic control has been developed at the Gas Dynamics and Turbulence Laboratory. Over the past several years, these high-bandwidth (0 to 200 kHz) and individually controlled actuators have been used successfully to excite the jet shear layer, jet column, and azimuthal instabilities in high subsonic and supersonic jets. The focus of this paper is to provide detailed information and sample results highlighting the capabilities and potential of the actuators and the control technique formixing enhancement, noise mitigation, and flow and acoustic diagnostics. The jet, using three different nozzles, is operated over a large range of jet Mach numbers (0.9 to 1.65), stagnation temperature ratios (up to 2.5), and Reynolds numbers (0:2 10 to 1:65 10). Over this space of operating conditions, the jet is found to respond to control with a large range of forcing Strouhal numbers and azimuthalmodes. The results reveal that the jet flowfield and acoustic farfield can be dramatically altered, providing a powerful control tool in these practical high-speed and high-Reynolds-number jets.
Superconducting transition thermometry for 4He lambda point experiments

Abstract We report on a high resolution thermometer based on the change in resistance of a metal film near its superconducting transition. This thermometer has an observed absolute temperature resolution of 1O−8K. The operating temperature for these thermometers is tuned by an external magnetic field. The temperature resolution is limited by the combination of the thermal noise and the voltage dependence of the resistance in the transition region. Future improvements by an order of magnitude in the resolution seem feasible.
Tympanic Membrane Perforation and Hearing Loss From Blast Overpressure in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom Wounded

Background: Tympanic membrane perforation is the most common primary blast injury in the current conflicts and occurs in approximately one tenth of service members wounded by combat explosions. We wanted to determine the severity of perforation and its effect on hearing and combat readiness. Methods: This analysis is a retrospective study of US service members injured in combat explosions in Afghanistan or Iraq and treated at our institution between March 2003 and July 2006. Data captured included location and grade of perforation, symptoms, healing rates, audiogram results, need for hearing aids, and loss of eligibility for military service. Results: Of 436 explosion-wounded patients admitted to our facility, 65 (15%) patients had tympanic membrane perforation diagnosed by the otolaryngology service. A total of 97 tympanic membrane perforations occurred among 65 patients. The average surface area involved was 41% ± 32% (right) and 35% ± 34% (left). More than one third of perforations were grade 4. The most common locations were central and anterior-inferior. Most (83%) patients reported symptoms, most commonly diminished hearing (77%) and tinnitus (50%). Outcome data were available for 77% of perforations. Spontaneous healing occurred in 48%. The remainder (52%) had surgical intervention. The most common audiogram abnormality was mild high frequency hearing loss. Ultimately, three patients (5%) required hearing aids and one discharge from military service. Conclusions: Tympanic membrane perforation occurs in 16% of explosion-injured patients. Most patients are symptomatic and many have large perforations requiring operative intervention. Long-term hearing loss is uncommon but does impact ability to continue military service.
Mathematical aspects of the synthesis of linear minimum response-time controllers

A procedure is presented for finding, in a systematic matter, the forcing function to be applied to a process to give time-optimal control. The results are limited to the case where the process to be controlled has dynamics which are completely known and are adequately described by a system of linear differential equations. It has also been assumed that the process is not subject to unknown disturbances. The implication of the method presented is that any process as limited above can be time-optimally controlled, in those cases where a time-optimal controller exists, provided an underlying system of transcendental equations can be solved. This system of transcendental equations can be quite easily solved for systems of order less than three, even with two forcing functions, and for various other special cases of higher order. The results of a study which indicate that the method can be applied in quite general situations are being presented elsewhere
Neuroprotective roles of the P2Y 2 receptor

Purinergic signaling plays a unique role in the brain by integrating neuronal and glial cellular circuits. The metabotropic P1 adenosine receptors and P2Y nucleotide receptors and ionotropic P2X receptors control numerous physiological functions of neuronal and glial cells and have been implicated in a wide variety of neuropathologies. Emerging research suggests that purinergic receptor interactions between cells of the central nervous system (CNS) have relevance in the prevention and attenuation of neurodegenerative diseases resulting from chronic inflammation. CNS responses to chronic inflammation are largely dependent on interactions between different cell types (i.e., neurons and glia) and activation of signaling molecules including P2X and P2Y receptors. Whereas numerous P2 receptors contribute to functions of the CNS, the P2Y2 receptor is believed to play an important role in neuroprotection under inflammatory conditions. While acute inflammation is necessary for tissue repair due to injury, chronic inflammation contributes to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease and occurs when glial cells undergo prolonged activation resulting in extended release of proinflammatory cytokines and nucleotides. This review describes cell-specific and tissue-integrated functions of P2 receptors in the CNS with an emphasis on P2Y2 receptor signaling pathways in neurons, glia, and endothelium and their role in neuroprotection.
Efficient top-K query calculation in distributed networks

This paper presents a new algorithm to answer top-k queries (e.g. "find the k objects with the highest aggregate values") in a distributed network. Existing algorithms such as the Threshold Algorithm [10] consume an excessive amount of bandwidth when the number of nodes, m, is high. We propose a new algorithm called "Three-Phase Uniform Threshold" (TPUT). TPUT reduces network bandwidth consumption by pruning away ineligible objects, and terminates in three round-trips regardless of data input.The paper presents two sets of results about TPUT. First, trace-driven simulations show that, depending on the size of the network, TPUT reduces network traffic by one to two orders of magnitude compared to existing algorithms. Second, TPUT is proven to be instance-optimal on common data series. In particular, analysis shows that by using a pruning parameter α
Effects of dietary L-arginine on structure and function of flow-restricted vein grafts.

Abstract Purpose: Experiments were designed to determine effects of dietary supplementation with L -arginine on structure and function of flow-restricted vein grafts. Methods: Saphenous veins were placed as bilateral interposition grafts in femoral arteries of two groups of adult male mongrel dogs; one group was maintained on a normal diet (control), the other group supplemented with L -arginine (200 mg/kg per day) beginning 1 week before surgery. In each dog, flow was reduced by 50% in one graft by placing an adjustable clamp on the artery distal to the distal anastomosis. Plasma amino acids and oxidized products of nitric oxide (NO x ) were measured before and after L -arginine feeding. At postoperative week 4, grafts were removed and prepared for organ chamber studies to determine functions of the endothelium or smooth muscle and for histology. Results: Plasma L -arginine increased within 3 hours after feeding and increased from 141 ± 8 nmol/mL to 169 ± 11 nmol/mL (n = 6) after 5 weeks of supplementation. Plasma ornithine and citrulline paralleled arginine, whereas circulating NO x was unchanged. Maximal contractions to 60 mmol/L KCl were reduced in grafts from L -arginine–fed dogs. Endothelium-dependent relaxations to the calcium ionophore A23187 and relaxations of the smooth muscle NO were reduced in grafts from L -arginine–fed dogs. Neointimal hyperplasia was increased in grafts with reduced flow and not affected by arginine feeding. Conclusions: Dietary supplementation with L -arginine did not increase plasma NO in dogs with peripheral vein grafts or increase endothelium-dependent relaxations in control or flow-restricted grafts. Therefore, dietary supplementation with L -arginine may not improve long-term functions of flow-restricted peripheral bypass grafts. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:829-39.)
Photonic measurement of apparent presence of spirit using a computer automated system.

Background Research investigating the potential of detecting the purported presence of spirit (POS) has been hampered by the necessity of employing a human being to collect the data. To infer the presence of alleged spirit, it is essential to remove the simultaneous presence of an experimenter (POE), thereby eliminating his or her physical energy as well as accompanying conscious intentions and expectations. Objective The purpose of these two proof of concept experiments was to explore the feasibility of completely automating data collection in the absence of an experimenter to determine if evidence consistent with POS was still obtained. Design A computer automated system was developed making it possible to collect all data in the absence of an experimenter (thereby achieving complete experimenter blinding). In the evenings, the computer would perform as follows: (1) start the experimental run at random times, (2) conduct 30-minute baseline as well as POS trials involving two different alleged spirits, and (3) record background light in a completely dark chamber with a highly sensitive low-light Princeton Instruments charge-coupled device (CCD) camera system. Setting The CCD camera and light-tight recording chamber were housed in a light-tight room; the computer, large screen monitor, and speakers were housed in a separate control room. Participants The participants were two purported spirits involved in previous research published in this journal, in which a silicon photomultiplier system was used. Intervention The primary intervention was the computer selecting and presenting visual and auditory information inviting Spirit 1 or Spirit 2 to enter the chamber in the absence of experimenter presence and awareness. Main Outcome Measurements The CCD camera provided 512 × 512 pixel images of 30-minute exposures (reflecting a combination of possible background light plus instrument dark noise). The images were imported into image processing software, and two-dimensional fast fourier transform (FFT) analyses were performed. Visual examinations of the FFT images were performed; average brightness levels of the FFTs were calculated and subjected to repeated measures analyses of variance. Results Compared with prebaseline and postbaseline images, the POS trials were associated with reliable increases in the average brightness of the FFT images, suggesting increased structure of the background light as revealed in the FFTs. Conclusion These findings indicate that POE per se is not sufficient to explain the observed POS effects. Future experiments can address the remaining potential psi interpretations (decision augmentation theory [DAT] and retro psychokinesis [PK]) as well as the source of the observed information (ie, the chamber, cosmic rays, and/or the CCD chip itself).
Nonexistence of Brownian models for certain multiclass queueing networks

We present two multiclass queueing networks where the Brownian models proposed by Harrison and Nguyen [3,4] do not exist. If self-feedback is allowed, we can construct such an example with a two-station network. For a three-station network, we can construct such an example without self-feedback.
Practical considerations for the use of a Howland current source for neuro-stimulation

We analyze the Howland current source circuit topology in detail with regards to non-ideal circuit component properties. This circuit is one of the few which can be built with a small number of discrete components, offers very good performance due to the use of an operational amplifier, and supplies true symmetric bi-directional currents, and is hence well suited for use in the multi-channel electrical stimulation of nerve fibers and neurons.
Incorporating quality metrics in centralized/distributed information retrieval on the World Wide Web

Most information retrieval systems on the Internet rely primarily on similarity ranking algorithms based solely on term frequency statistics. Information quality is usually ignored. This leads to the problem that documents are retrieved without regard to their quality. We present an approach that combines similarity-based similarity ranking with quality ranking in centralized and distributed search environments. Six quality metrics, including the currency, availability, information-to-noise ratio, authority, popularity, and cohesiveness, were investigated. Search effectiveness was significantly improved when the currency, availability, information-to-noise ratio and page cohesiveness metrics were incorporated in centralized search. The improvement seen when the availability, information-to- noise ratio, popularity, and cohesiveness metrics were incorporated in site selection was also significant. Finally, incorporating the popularity metric in information fusion resulted in a significant improvement. In summary, the results show that incorporating quality metrics can generally improve search effectiveness in both centralized and distributed search environments.
Dramatic changes in muscle contractile and structural properties after 2 botulinum toxin injections.

Introduction Botulinum toxin is frequently administered serially to maintain therapeutic muscle paralysis, but repeated dose effects on muscle function are largely unknown. This study characterized the muscle response to 2 onabotulinum toxin (BoNT) injections separated by 3 months.
Rapid and Reliable Identification of Ionophore Antibiotics in Feeds by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Veterinary diagnostic laboratories are constantly required to be innovative to develop quick, reliable, and cost-effective methods for use in diagnosis of intoxications. Livestock intoxication with...
Expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 depends on cell-specific factors in human breast cancer cell lines: role of estrogen receptor status

The impact of estrogen receptor (ER) was examined for expression and activity of cytochrome P4501B1 (CYP1B1) and cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) in two pairs of ER+/ER- human breast epithelial cell lines derived from single lineages, and representing earlier (T47D) or later (MDA-MB-231) stages of tumorigenesis. Acute loss of ER was evaluated using the anti-estrogen ICI 182,780 (ICI). In all lines, CYP1B1 was expressed constitutively and was induced by 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), whereas CYP1A1 was expressed only following induction. Expression of each CYP (with or without TCDD) was greater in T47D cells than MDA cells. The ER impacted expression of these genes in opposite directions. The ER- phenotype was associated with less TCDD-induced CYP1A1 expression, but greater basal and induced CYP1B1 expression. A 48 h treatment of ER+ cells with ICI did not revert the P450 expression pattern to that of ER- cells. Based on activities of recombinant enzyme and expression levels, differences in 7,2-dimethylbenz [a]anthracene (DMBA) metabolism between the cell lines were consistent with differences in CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expression. In T47D lines, basal microsomal DMBA metabolism was primarily due to CYP1B1, based on regioselective metabolite distribution and inhibition by anti-CYP1B1 antibodies (>80%). Metabolism in TCDD-induced microsomes was mostly due to CYP1A1 and was inhibited by anti-CYP1A1 antibody (>50%). TCDD-induced MDA+ cells demonstrated CYP1A1 activity, whereas TCDD-induced MDA- cells displayed CYP1B1 activity. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) levels, but not AhR nuclear translocator protein (ARNT) levels were highly dependent on cell type; AhR was high and ER-independent in MDA, and low and ER-linked in T47D. AhR levels were insensitive to ICI. ER does not directly modulate the expression of CYP1A1, CYP1B1 or AhR. Indeed, factors that have replaced ER in growth regulation during clonal selection predominate in this regulation. Characteristics unique to each cell line, including ER status, determine CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expression.
Gα13 regulates MEF2-dependent gene transcription in endothelial cells: role in angiogenesis

The α subunit of heterotrimeric G13 protein is required for the embryonic angiogenesis (Offermanns et al., Science 275:533–536, 1997). However, the molecular mechanism of Gα13-dependent angiogenesis is not understood. Here, we show that myocyte-specific enhancer factor-2 (MEF2) mediates Gα13-dependent angiogenesis. Our data showed that constitutively activated Gα13Q226L stimulated MEF2-dependent gene transcription. In addition, downregulation of endogenous Gα13 inhibited thrombin-stimulated MEF2-dependent gene transcription in endothelial cells. Both Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase IV (CaMKIV) and histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) were involved in Gα13-mediated MEF2-dependent gene transcription. Gα13Q226L also increased Ca2+/calmodulin-independent CaMKIV activity, while dominant negative mutant of CaMKIV inhibited MEF2-dependent gene transcription induced by Gα13Q226L. Furthermore, Gα13Q226L was able to derepress HDAC5-mediated repression of gene transcription and induce the translocation of HDAC5 from nucleus to cytoplasm. Finally, downregulation of endogenous Gα13 and MEF2 proteins in endothelial cells reduced cell proliferation and capillary tube formation. Decrease of endothelial cell proliferation that was caused by the Gα13 downregulation was partially restored by the constitutively active MEF2-VP16. Our studies suggest that MEF2 proteins are an important component in Gα13-mediated angiogenesis.
Understanding internet sex-seeking behaviour and sexual risk among young men who have sex with men: evidences from a cross-sectional study.

Objective Internet sex-seeking is common among young men who have sex with men (MSM). However, research examining its association with risky sexual behaviour has produced mixed findings, possibly due to various operational definitions of internet sex-seeking which fail to account for its multi-dimensionality. This study purposed to: (1) examine if the way internet sex-seeking behaviour is operationalised influences its association with risky sexual behaviour (unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and casual sex) and (2) determine the association of each operational definition with sexual risk. Methods We recruited 263 sexually-experienced young MSM (18–29 years) and operationalised internet sex-seeking behaviour in four ways: (i) ever used the internet to meet other men, (ii) currently own a profile on a website dedicated to meeting other men, (iii) ever physically met a man you initially met online and (iv) ever had sex with a man you met online. Using binomial regression, we examined the association of each operationalisation with UAI and casual sex. Results Only MSM who reported physically meeting a man they met online and those who ever had sex with a man they met online were more likely to report a history of UAI (p Conclusions The way internet sex-seeking is operationalised in research is differentially associated with sexual risk. Against this backdrop, the utility of these operational definitions in future research and inferences drawn from such research must be interpreted with caution. Findings have important implications for sexual health research and methodology, survey development, sexual health prevention interventions, and evaluating sexual risk among young MSM.
Characterization of atomic layer deposited ultrathin HfO2 film as a diffusion barrier in Cu metallization

Thermally stable, amorphous HfO2 thin films deposited using atomic layer deposition have been studied as a diffusion barrier between Cu and the Si substrate. 4 nm thick as-deposited HfO2 films deposited on Si are characterized with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Cu/HfO2/ samples are annealed at different temperatures, starting from 500 °C, in the presence of N2 atmosphere for 5 min and characterized using sheet resistance, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Ultrathin HfO2 films are found to be effective diffusion barrier between Cu and Si with a high failure temperature of about 750 °C.
The resolution of coronary collaterals after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Abstract It has been shown that collaterals can develop rapidly during acute coronary occlusion, either due to thrombosis or during angioplasty (PTCA). However, the fate of well-developed collaterals immediately after a successful PTCA is unknown. Accordingly, 15 patients with Rentrop class 2 or 3 collaterals as visualized angiographically were studied immediately after successful single-vessel PTCA. The left anterior descending artery contained the stenosis in nine patients and the right coronary contained the stenosis in six patients. There was total occlusion of six vessels and subtotal occlusions of nine vessels pre PTCA. Immediately after PTCA, flow through the collaterals to the stenosed artery could no longer be visualized angiographically in eight patients (group 1), but remained faintly visible in seven patients (group 2). There was no difference between these two groups with regard to pre PTCA transstenotic pressure gradient (46 ± 12 vs 42 ± 14 mm Hg), post PTCA pressure gradient (13 ± 7 vs 11 ± 10 mm Hg), or post PTCA percent luminal diameter narrowing (26 ± 18% vs 24 ± 13%). These findings suggest that despite similar hemodynamic and angiographic improvement, the resolution of collaterals immediately after PTCA is variable.
The Ghost Club Storyscape: Designing for transmedia storytelling

One of the key questions about transmedia storytelling is how to design a participant's experience across different media so that it is connected and perceived as a whole. We extract four components for building such connections from current work in media studies and production literature and practice. These proposed design components are mythology, canon, character and genre. To test this approach we have designed and developed a group of connected digital media expressions, The Ghost Club Storyscape, to experiment with these four ingredients on multiple media.
An Ensemble Approach to Adaptation-Guided Retrieval.

Instance-based learning methods predict the solution of a case from the solutions of similar cases.However, solutions can be generated from less similar cases as well, provided appropriate case adaptation rules are available to adjust the prior solutions to account for dissimilarities. In fact, case-based reasoning research on adaptation-guided retrieval (AGR) shows that it may be beneficial to base retrieval decisions primarily on the availability of suitable adaptation knowledge, rather than on similarity. This paper proposes a new method for adaptation-guided retrieval for numerical prediction (regression) tasks. The method, EAGR (ensemble of adaptations-guided retrieval) works by retrieving an ensemble of cases, with a case favored for retrieval if there exists an ensemble of adaptation rules suitable for adapting its solution to the current problem. The solution for the input problem is then calculated by applying each retrieved case's ensemble of adaptations to that case, and combining the generated values. The approach is evaluated on four sample domains compared to three baseline methods: k-NN, an adaptation-guided retrieval approach, and a previous approach using ensembles of adaptations without adaptation-guided retrieval. EAGR improves accuracy in the tested domains compared to the other methods.
Articulated pose estimation using tangent space approximations

We describe an algorithm to estimate the pose of a generic articulated object. Our algorithm takes as input a description of the object and a potentially incomplete series of observations; it outputs an on-line estimate of the object's configuration. This task is challenging because: 1 the distribution of object states is often multi-modal; 2 the object is not assumed to be under our control, limiting our ability to predict its motion; and 3 rotational joints make the state space highly non-linear. The proposed method represents three principal contributions to address these challenges. First, we use a particle filter implementation which is unique in that it does not require a reliable state transition model. Instead, the method relies primarily on observations during particle proposal, using the state transition model only at singularities. Second, our particle filter formulation explicitly handles missing observations via a novel proposal mechanism. Although existing particle filters can handle missing observations, they do so only by relying on good state transition models. Finally, our method evaluates noise in the observation space, rather than state space. This reduces the variability in performance due to choice of parametrization and effectively handles non-linearities caused by rotational joints. We compare our method to a baseline implementation without these techniques and demonstrate, for a fixed error, more than an order-of-magnitude reduction in the number of required particles, an increase in the number of effective particles, and an increase in frame rate. We examine the effects of errors in the kinematic model and demonstrate a reduced dependence on state parametrization. The novel use of a precision matrix allows observations which do not provide complete 6-DOF pose information to be processed. Source code for the method is available at http://rvsn.csail.mit.edu/articulated.
CHAPTER 10 – Context-Sensitive Languages

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses context-sensitivity languages. The inclusions suggested by the numbering obviously hold that every regular grammar is context-free and every positive context-free grammar is context-sensitive. For each type of grammar, there is a corresponding class of languages. Every regular language is context-free. Every context-free language is context-sensitive. Every context-sensitive language is recursive. There is a recursive language on the alphabet context-sensitive.
Towards test focus selection for integration testing using software metrics

Object-oriented software systems contain a large number of modules which make the unit testing, integration testing, and system testing very difficult and challenging. While the aim of the unit testing is to show that individual modules are working properly and the aim of the system testing is to determine whether the whole system meets its specifications, the aim of integration testing is to uncover errors in the interactions between system modules. Correct functioning of object-oriented software depends upon the successful integration of classes. While individual classes may function correctly, several faults can arise when these classes are integrated together. However, it is generally impossible to test all the connections between modules because of time and cost constraints. Thus, it is important to focus the testing on the connections presumed to be more error-prone. The general goal of this research is to let testers know where in a software system to focus when they perform integration testing to save time and resources. In this work, we propose a new approach to predict and rank error-prone connections in object-oriented systems. We define method level metrics that can be used for test focus selection in integration testing. In addition, we build a tool which calculates the metrics automatically. We performed experiments on several Java applications taken from different domains. Both error seeding technique and mutation testing were used for evaluation. The experimental results showed that our approach is very effective for selecting the test focus in integration testing.
Russellian Monism and Epiphenomenalism

Contemporaries often reject epiphenomenalism (EPI) out of hand, while Russellian Monism (RM) is regarded as worthy of further development. It is argued here that this difference of attitudes is indefensible, because the easy rejection of EPI is due to its violating a certain Causal Intuition, and RM implicitly violates that same intuition. An enriched version of RM mitigates the violation, but the same mitigation results if we make a parallel enrichment of EPI. If RM and EPI are approached on a level playing field, it is not obvious which will prove to be the better view.
Free-Volume Properties of Amorphous Polymers Probed by Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy

Positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) has been developed to characterize the free-volume properties of polymers. Positron annihilation lifetime measurements give direct information about the dimension, content, and hole-size distributions of free-volume in amorphous materials. The angular correlation of positron annihilation radiation measurements give additional information about the shape of the free-volume holes in oriented polymeric materials. The unique capability of PAS to probe free-volume properties is from the fact that positronium atom is preferentially trapped in the atomic-scale holes which have a size ranging from 1 to 10 A.
Ruling Out Behavior Rules: When Theoretical Virtues and Empirical Evidence Collide:

In this article, I assess several methodological concerns surrounding mentalistic interpretations of infant social cognition. Those skeptical of such interpretations have offered behavior-reading i...
Models and reality

Kripke models, interpreted realistically, have difficulty making sense of the thesis that there might have existed things that do not in fact exist, since a Kripke model in which this thesis is true requires a model structure in which there are possible worlds with domains that contain things that do not exist. This paper argues that we can use Kripke models as representational devices that allow us to give a realistic interpretation of a modal language. The method of doing this is sketched, with the help of an analogy with a Galilean relativist theory of spatial properties and relations.
Pathological effects of chronic myocardial infarction on peripheral neurons mediating cardiac neurotransmission.

Abstract Objective To determine whether chronic myocardial infarction (MI) induces structural and neurochemical changes in neurons within afferent and efferent ganglia mediating cardiac neurotransmission. Methods Neuronal somata in i) right atrial (RAGP) and ii) ventral interventricular ganglionated plexi (VIVGP), iii) stellate ganglia (SG) and iv) T1–2 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) bilaterally derived from normal (n = 8) vs. chronic MI (n = 8) porcine subjects were studied. We examined whether the morphology and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression in soma of RAGP, VIVGP, DRG and SG neurons were altered as a consequence of chronic MI. In DRG, we also examined immunoreactivity of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), a marker of afferent neurons. Chronic MI increased neuronal size and nNOS immunoreactivity in VIVGP (but not RAGP), as well as in the SG bilaterally. Across these ganglia, the increase in neuronal size was more pronounced in nNOS immunoreactive neurons. In the DRG, chronic MI also caused neuronal enlargement, and increased CGRP immunoreactivity. Further, DRG neurons expressing both nNOS and CGRP were increased in MI animals compared to controls, and represented a shift from double negative neurons. Conclusions Chronic MI impacts diverse elements within the peripheral cardiac neuraxis. That chronic MI imposes such widespread, diverse remodeling of the peripheral cardiac neuraxis must be taken into consideration when contemplating neuronal regulation of the ischemic heart.
Participating in the Neoliberal Art Museum

(2015). Participating in the Neoliberal Art Museum. Studies in Art Education: Vol. 57, No. 1, pp. 39-52.
A phase II study of muscadine grape skin extract in men with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer.

248Background: Pulverized muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) skin (MPX) is a potential therapeutic option for men with biochemically recurrent (BCR) prostate cancer (PCa) wishing to defer androgen deprivation therapy. MPX demonstrated antitumor effects in PCa through antioxidant activity of its principal polyphenol components, ellagic acid, quercetin, and resveratrol. A Phase I trial demonstrated safety of MPX in doses up to 4000 mg/day. Methods: This is a 12-month, multi-center, placebo-controlled, two-dose, double-blinded trial of MPX (manufactured by Muscadine Naturals Inc. in Warsaw, NC) in 125 men with BCR PCa. Participants were stratified by baseline PSADT and Gleason score, with no restrictions for PSADT and no upper limit PSA value. Patients were randomly assigned 2:2:1 to receive 4000 mg (8 capsules) of MPX, 500 mg (1 capsule) of MPX plus 7 capsules of placebo, or 8 capsules of placebo. PSA levels were obtained every 3 months The trial was powered to detect a statistically significant between-g...
Recommended Areas for Future Research in Two-Phase Flow and Heat Transfer Applications

Research papers have been presented in this workshop covering almost all areas of two-phase flow and heat transfer. The results represent advances in some of the frontiers. The usefulness of this workshop will be enhanced if an attempt is made to identify clearly and concisely future research problems. This will benefit researchers and funding agencies by: (1) Providing a reference to researchers in planning of their research projects, (2) furnishing clearcut directions to the researchers for specific research problems leading to applications, and (3) providing research funding agencies a complete overview of possible areas of research related to heat transfer equipment and other engineering applications. Hopefully, the end product will be better designs of new equipment, improved designs of current equipment, and prediction of anticipated problems before the design is finalized. Major unresolved problems of two-phase fundamentals related to heat transfer equipment are summarized next based on the workshop discussion. The following individuals actively participated in the workshop session and/or provided written inputs: A. E. Bergles, J. G. Collier, F. Dobran, G. Farello, D. C. Groeneveld, M. Ishii, S. Kakac, L. N. Persen, J. Reimann W. M. Rohsenow, R. K. Shah, S. Sidemann, J. Taborek, V. Teschendorff, G. L. Wedekind, and J. W. Westwater.
New science of climate change impacts on agriculture implies higher social cost of carbon

Despite substantial advances in climate change impact research in recent years, the scientific basis for damage functions in economic models used to calculate the social cost of carbon (SCC) is either undocumented, difficult to trace, or based on a small number of dated studies. Here we present new damage functions based on the current scientific literature and introduce these into an integrated assessment model (IAM) in order to estimate a new SCC. We focus on the agricultural sector, use two methods for determining the yield impacts of warming, and the GTAP CGE model to calculate the economic consequences of yield shocks. These new damage functions reveal far more adverse agricultural impacts than currently represented in IAMs. Impacts in the agriculture increase from net benefits of $2.7 ton-1 CO2 to net costs of $8.5 ton-1, leading the total SCC to more than double.
Mass Transfer Parameters for Packings: Effect of Viscosity

The effect of liquid viscosity (μL) on the effective mass transfer area (ae) and liquid film mass transfer coefficient (kL) of packing must be known to determine packing height. Most existing correlations are based on water and are not applicable to viscous systems. In this work, ae, kL, and gas film mass transfer coefficient (kG) were measured in a 0.43 m ID packed column with 0.5–3 m of packing. Liquid viscosity was varied from 0.8 to 70 mPa·s by adding glycerol to water. Liquid viscosity has an insignificant effect on ae over the range of μL investigated. The total dependence of kL on μL is −0.75, of which −0.35 is indirect influence through diffusivity, and −0.4 is direct influence through liquid turbulence. Universal mass transfer models for packing were developed as functions of packing geometry, operating condition, and fluid property.