cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Learning-Center Vocabulary—Reading Activity for English-Language Learners

In this article, the author shows how vocabulary learning and reading can be combined into an effective, comprehension activity. Two steps are involved: first, individual reading and self-study of vocabulary at home, and, second, exchanging readings and helping each other with comprehension in class. The success of the activity relies on the implementation of cooperative learning, extensive reading, and appropriate reading materials.
Guarding the castle keep: teaching with the fortress metaphor

The computer security field is replete with metaphors - the original and most commonly used metaphor is the computer (or network) as a fortress, the walls of which must be guarded against potential breaches. This metaphor is useful, but like all metaphors, it is not precise. Understanding the differences, between the metaphor of a fortress and the realities of securing a system is crucial to students understanding the subtleties of computer security. We discuss the fortress metaphor as a pedagogical tool, both how it succeeds and how it fails to aid student understanding.
Molecular basis for Gcn5/PCAF histone acetyltransferase selectivity for histone and nonhistone substrates

Histone acetyltransferase (HAT) proteins often exhibit a high degree of specificity for lysine-bearing protein substrates. We have previously reported on the structure of the Tetrahymena Gcn5 HAT protein (tGcn5) bound to its preferred histone H3 substrate, revealing the mode of substrate binding by the Gcn5/PCAF family of HAT proteins. Interestingly, the Gcn5/PCAF HAT family has a remarkable ability to acetylate lysine residues within diverse cognate sites such as those found around lysines 14, 8, and 320 of histones H3, H4, and p53, respectively. To investigate the molecular basis for this, we now report on the crystal structures of tGcn5 bound to 19-residue histone H4 and p53 peptides. A comparison of these structures with tGcn5 bound to histone H3 reveals that the Gcn5/PCAF HATs can accommodate divergent substrates by utilizing analogous interactions with the lysine target and two C-terminal residues with a related chemical nature, suggesting that these interactions play a general role in Gcn5/PCAF substrate binding selectivity. In contrast, while the histone H3 complex shows extensive interactions with tGcn5 and peptide residues N-terminal to the target lysine, the corresponding residues in histone H4 and p53 are disordered, suggesting that the N-terminal substrate region plays an important role in the enhanced affinity of the Gcn5/PCAF HAT proteins for histone H3. Together, these studies provide a framework for understanding the substrate selectivity of HAT proteins.
Directed maximal partial orders of matrices

Abstract It is proven that a directed maximal partial order on the full real matrix algebra is precisely a partial order the positive cone of which coincides with Π ( O ), the set of all matrices preserving some full cone O .
Gene modulation by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, sulindac sulfide, in human colorectal carcinoma cells: Possible link to apoptosis

The mechanisms underlying the anti-tumorigenic properties of cyclooxygenase inhibitors are not well understood. One novel hypothesis is alterations in gene expression. To test this hypothesis sulindac sulfide, which is used to treat familial adenomatous polyposis, was selected to detect gene modulation in human colorectal cells at physiological concentrations with microarray analysis. At micromolar concentrations, sulindac sulfide stimulated apoptosis and inhibited the growth of colorectal cancer cells on soft agar. Sulindac sulfide (10 microm) altered the expression of 65 genes in SW-480 colorectal cancer cells, which express cyclooxygenase-1 but little cyclooxygenase-2. A more detailed study of 11 genes revealed that their expression was altered in a time- and dose-dependent manner as measured by real-time RT-PCR. Northern analysis confirmed the expression of 9 of these genes, and Western analysis supported the conclusion that sulindac sulfide altered the expression of these proteins. Cyclooxygenase-deficient HCT-116 cells were more responsive to sulindac sulfide-induced gene expression than SW-480 cells. However, this response was diminished in HCT-116 cells overexpressing cyclooxygenase-1 compared with normal HCT-116 cells suggesting the presence of cyclooxygenase attenuates this response. However, prostaglandin E2, the main product of cyclooxygenase, only suppressed the sulindac sulfide-induced expression of two genes, with little known biological function while it modulated the expression of two more. The most likely explanation for this finding is the metabolism of sulindac sulfide to inactive metabolites by the peroxidase activity of cyclooxygenase. In conclusion, this is the first report showing sulindac sulfide, independent of cyclooxygenase, altered the expression of several genes possibly linked to its anti-tumorigenic and pro-apoptotic activity.
Approximate equations for some acoustical and thermodynamic properties of standard air

This paper describes an investigation into the variation with humidity and carbon dioxide content in air of the speed of sound, characteristic impedance, specific heats, the ratio of specific heats, air density and the molar mass. The theoretical model is an approximation, which is based on standard air over a temperature range of 0 to 30 degrees Celsius and at a barometric pressure of 101.325kPa. Empirical equations for the computation of the above physical properties are provided together with uncertainty estimations.
Inertial Oscillations and the DuFort-Frankel Difference Scheme

Abstract The present study examines the problem of horizontally uniform inertial oscillations in a homogeneous, horizontally unbounded rotating fluid. The analytical solution indicates that these oscillations are damped in time due to viscosity. Numerical calculations using the DuFort-Frankel finite difference scheme indicate that amplifying numerical solutions can exist when high frequency inertial oscillations are present. These positive growth rates are associated with the finite difference second time derivative which is a part of this scheme. The amplifying solutions can be eliminated by using a sufficiently small time step Δt . The existence of such solutions was encountered in a study of three-dimensional Benard convection in a rotating fluid. The numerical results and primary conclusions of that study are summarized.
Review of the possible role of self-ordering scalar fields in production of a stochastic background of gravitational waves

A primordial gravitational wave background is a hallmark of inflationary cosmology. The recent announcement made by the BICEP2 collaboration of a possible measurement of B-mode polarization of the CMB on degree scales has produced an abundance of ideas and speculations on how such a signal constrains the inflationary paradigm, or possible alternative mechanisms of gravitational wave production. Here the possibility of a contribution to the gravitational wave background from the relaxation of a scalar field after a global phase transition is reviewed. The general contribution to the overall power is shown, and it is then demonstrated that if the BICEP2 result were to hold, this mechanism could at best produce a very small fraction of the measured tensor power.
The changing concept of the “intellectual” in Iran of the 1960s

(1999). The changing concept of the “intellectual” in Iran of the 1960s. Iranian Studies: Vol. 32, No. 3, pp. 333-350.
Homotopy formulas for the magnetic vector potential and magnetic helicity: The Parker spiral interplanetary magnetic field and magnetic flux ropes

[1] Homotopy formulas are obtained for the magnetic vector potential A, where B = ∇ × A is the magnetic induction, which gives alternative methods for calculating A for a given B, different from the Biot-Savart formulas. The homotopy formulas are used to obtain A for multipole potential fields and other potential fields, which are useful in relative helicity calculations. However, the formulas do not work for monopole and split monopole magnetic fields. In the latter case, there is no global continuous solution for A, but a global discontinuous A can be constructed, which is continuous on two open sets that cover the sphere. The differential and integral forms of the helicity and relative helicity transport equations using both Eulerian and Lagrangian perspectives are discussed. The approach to magnetic helicity and magnetic helicity injection, based on a toroidal-poloidal decomposition of the field, in which the field is represented by Euler potentials is also used in the analysis. The relative magnetic helicity and helicity injection rate for the Parker spiral interplanetary magnetic field, in which there is either a flat current sheet or a warped current sheet in the helioequatorial plane, are discussed. One of the homotopy formulas is used to provide an efficient way to calculate the relative helicity of interplanetary magnetic flux rope configurations observed by the WIND spacecraft.
Platelet-activating factor modulates cardiorespiratory responses in the conscious rat

Platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) activation is associated with increases in neuronal excitability. We hypothesized that PAF may play a role in cardiorespiratory control. Ventilatory respo...
Harmonizing formal requirements for cross-border sales contracts

إن النظم القانونية لديها تقاليد مختلفة حول كيفية "إثبات" العقد المبرم لبيع الممتلكات الشخصية. تسمح معظم النظم القانونية حاليا بإثبات العقود بأي وسيلة، بينما تطلب بعض الدول إبرام الاتفاقية أو إثباتها كتابة. وفي حين أن اتفاقية الأمم المتحدة بشأن عقود البيع الدولي للبضائع تعتمد قاعدة حرية التعاقد، إلا أنه من حق الدولة أن تقر بعدم إلزام القاعدة للبائع أو المشتري الذي يمتلك مكان عمله داخل تلك الدولة. يتناول هذه المقال دراسة حول عواقب إصدار هذا الإعلان، والتي لا تنص عليها الاتفاقية صراحة. وتشير الأعمال التحضيرية للاتفاقية أن هذا الامتناع كان متعمدا. لقد انقسمت آراء المذاهب والمحاكم بين ما إذا كانت الإجراءات الكتابية للدولة المصدرة للإعلان ملزمة دائما، أم أن الملزم هو الإجراءات الشكلية في القانون المطبق بمقتضى قواعد القانون الدولي الخاص، إن وجدت. وفي ظل غياب توافق الآراء، ترى هذه المقالة أن الإجراءات الكتابية للدولة المصدرة للإعلان واجبة التطبيق. يستند هذا الطرح إلى السياسات التي تنطوي عليها قرار الدول المتعاقدة غير المصدرة للإعلان للالتزام باتفاق يسمح لبعض الدول المتعاقدة بالانسحاب من قاعدة حرية التعاقد. يتوافق هذا الطرح مع اتفاقيات القانون الدولي الخاص الحالية، والتي بالرغم من إقرارها القواعد الليبرالية المؤيدة لحرية التعاقد إلا أنها تلتزم بمباشرة تطبيق السياسات الجوهرية ليس لهذه الحكمة فحسب بل أيضا للهيئات القضائية المختصة الأخرى
An optimized automatic gain controller for real time recursive LMS adaptive filters

An optimized automatic gain controller (AGC) to improve the performance of a recursive least mean squares (LMS) adaptive filter for an active noise control application is designed and implemented. The gain is self-adjusted over a broad range (40 dB), and considerable changes in amplitude produced by electromechanical resonances can be controlled for the adaptive infinite impulse response (IIR) filter. Experiments of noise attenuation system show that the behavior of the recursive LMS adaptive filter with this optimized AGC is improved in terms of stability and convergence rate during a frequency sweep in an acoustic duct. The controller allows the attenuation of strong signals. An input test signal with abrupt changes of 10 dB at each step (from 0 to 40 dB) is made, and it is controlled without changes in the performance of the recursive LMS filter. >
Surgical manifestations of heroin addication

Heroin addicts fall heir to a specialized collection of surgical problems that are noted to be directly related to the procurement and utilization of the narcotic. Fifty-eight percent of the surgical problems of a group of 128 addicts could be ascribed to their drug habit. These included gunshot wounds, fractures, cellulitis, abscesses and pneumothorax. These problems may be regarded as surgical manifestations of the addiction. Adequate management of the surgical problem demands early recognition of the addiction. Such clues as needle tracks, nasal ulcerations, cardiac murmurs, hepatomegaly, unexplained respiratory problems and embolic retinal findings have proved helpful. The special value of methadone for the treatment of both the surgical and narcotic problems is emphasized. Vigilance must be maintained for possible continued access of the patient to heroin.
Holographic Bragg grating input–output couplers for polymer waveguides at an 850-nm wavelength

Bragg gratings used as input–output couplers in polymeric waveguides have been demonstrated at infrared wavelengths. These Bragg grating couplers were holographically formed volume phase gratings with a near-45° fringe slant angle embedded directly into a waveguide layer. A photopolymer was used for both producing a planar waveguide and constructing the embedded Bragg grating coupler. A coupling efficiency of 23% for input and 5% for output has been achieved at 850 nm. The output-coupling beam profiles are also discussed.
CD40 Induces Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Activity in Nonhematopoietic Cells Dependent on Autophagy Proteins

Toxoplasma gondii infects both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells and can cause cerebral and ocular toxoplasmosis, as a result of either congenital or postnatally acquired infections. Host protection likely acts at both cellular levels to control the parasite. CD40 is a key factor for protection against cerebral and ocular toxoplasmosis. We determined if CD40 induces anti-T. gondii activity at the level of nonhematopoietic cells. Engagement of CD40 on various endothelial cells including human microvascular brain endothelial cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and a mouse endothelial cell line as well as human and mouse retinal pigment epithelial cells resulted in killing of T. gondii. CD40 stimulation increased expression of the autophagy proteins Beclin 1 and LC3 II, enhanced autophagy flux, and led to recruitment of LC3 around the parasite. The late endosomal/lysosomal marker LAMP-1 accumulated around the parasite in CD40-stimulated cells. This was accompanied by killing of T. gondii dependent on lysosomal enzymes. Accumulation of LAMP-1 and killing of T. gondii were dependent on the autophagy proteins Beclin 1 and Atg7. Together, these studies revealed that CD40 induces toxoplasmacidal activity in various nonhematopoietic cells dependent on proteins of the autophagy machinery.
Chronic D1 agonist and ethanol coadministration facilitate ethanol-mediated behaviors

Separate lines of evidence suggest that neuroadaptations associated with ethanol (EtOH) reinforcement can be initiated by chronic EtOH preexposure and a signaling pathway activated by dopamine (DA) D1 receptor stimulation. We have previously shown that rewarding and locomotor effects of EtOH alone [Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 72 (2002) 787] are enhanced after chronic exposure to self-administered EtOH/cocaine combinations. To determine the importance of chronic EtOH exposure, dopamine D1 receptor activation and mode of drug administration in EtOH reward, animals were given daily intravenous infusions of experimenter-administered saline, EtOH (2.0 g/kg), the DA D1 receptor agonist, SKF81297 (0.2 mg/kg), or EtOH+SKF81297 over a 4-week period. Compared to other groups, animals preexposed to EtOH+SKF81297 self-administered significantly greater amounts of intravenous EtOH and showed greater enhancement and less suppression of locomotor activity in response to a range of intravenous EtOH dosages (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg). Since chronic treatment with EtOH alone did not enhance EtOH-induced reinforcement or locomotor activity, it is unlikely that these effects were due to EtOH tolerance. These findings suggest that chronic D1 receptor activation combined with EtOH administration alters neural responsiveness to EtOH and support the notion that D1 activation is important to EtOH reward.
The Validity of Self-Reported Primary Adherence Among Medicaid Patients Discharged From the Emergency Department With a Prescription Medication

Study objective We determine the validity of self-reported prescription filling among emergency department (ED) patients. Methods We analyzed a subgroup of 1,026 patients enrolled in a randomized controlled trial who were prescribed at least 1 medication at ED discharge, were covered by Medicaid insurance, and completed a telephone interview 1 week after the index ED visit. We extracted all pharmacy and health care use claims information from a state Medicaid database for all subjects within 30 days of their index ED visit. We used the pharmacy claims as the criterion standard and evaluated the accuracy of self-reported prescription filling obtained during the follow-up interview by estimating its sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio tests. We also examined whether the accuracy of self-reported prescription filling varied significantly by patient and clinical characteristics. Results Of the 1,635 medications prescribed, 74% were filled according to the pharmacy claims. Subjects reported filling 90% of prescriptions for a difference of 16% (95% confidence interval [CI] 14% to 18%). The self-reported data had high sensitivity (0.96; 95% CI 0.95 to 0.97) but low specificity (0.30; 95% CI 0.26 to 0.34). The positive likelihood ratio (1.37; 95% CI 1.29 to 2.46) and negative likelihood ratio (0.13; 95% CI 0.09 to 0.17) tests indicate that self-reported data are not a good indicator of prescription filling but are a moderately good indicator of nonfulfillment. Several factors were significantly associated with lower sensitivity (drug class and over-the-counter medications) and specificity (drug class, as needed, site and previous ED use). Conclusion Self-reported prescription filling is overestimated and associated with few factors.
Cue-dependent deficits in grating orientation discrimination after V4 lesions in macaques

To examine the role of visual area V4 in pattern vision, we tested two monkeys with lesions of V4 on tasks that required them to discriminate the orientation of contours defined by several different cues. The cues used to separate the contours from their background included luminance, color, motion, and texture, as well as phase-shifted abutting gratings that created an “illusory” contour. The monkeys were trained to maintain fixation on a fixation target while discriminating extrafoveal stimuli, which were located in either a normal control quadrant of the visual field or in a quadrant affected by a lesion of area V4 in one hemisphere. Comparing performance in the two quadrants, we found significant deficits for contours defined by texture and for the illusory contour, but smaller or no deficits for motion-, color-, and luminance-defined contours. The data suggest a specific role of V4 in the perception of illusory contours and contours defined by texture.
Minimum variance deconvolution based-speech enhancement system for a new generation of hearing aids

Describes a novel method for the enhancement of speech of a particular speaker in a noisy multispeaker environment. Many potential applications of the method are possible including the implementation in a new generation of hearing aids. The system is based on the minimum variance deconvolution (MVD) algorithm. The method was tested using the TIMIT speech database. The utterances of two speakers were first combined to create a multispeaker environment, and then separated using the MVD algorithm. The intelligibility of the separated and enhanced speech was high. Likewise the frequency spectra of the original speech were very similar to the spectra of the separated and enhanced speech for each of the two speakers. >
Linkage to CFA29 Detected in a Genome-Wide Linkage Screen of a Canine Pedigree Segregating Sry-Negative XX Sex Reversal

Canine Sry-negative XX sex reversal is a disorder of gonadal development wherein individuals having a female karyotype develop testes or ovotestes. In this study, linkage mapping was undertaken in a pedigree derived from one proven carrier American cocker spaniel founder male and beagle females. All affected dogs in the analysis were XX true hermaphrodites and confirmed to be Sry negative by polymerase chain reaction. A genome-wide linkage screen conducted using 245 microsatellite markers revealed highest LOD score of 3.4 (marker CPH9) on CFA29. Fine mapping with additional microsatellites in the region containing CPH9 localized the Sry-negative XX sex reversal locus to a 5.4-Mb candidate region between markers CPH9 and FH3003 (LOD score 3.15). Insignificant LOD scores were found at genome-wide screen or fine mapping markers that were within 10 Mb of 45 potential candidate genes reported to have a role in mammalian sex determination or differentiation. Together, these results suggest that a novel locus on CFA29 may be responsible for sex reversal in this pedigree.
Safety Evaluation of Low-Rise Steel Structures under Wind Loads by Nonlinear Database-Assisted Technique

The design of a large proportion of the low-rise metal buildings in the United States is based on the ASCE 7-93 Standard and the use of allowable stress design (ASD). In this paper we examine, for a typical case, the question of whether such buildings satisfy requirements implicit in more recent versions of the ASCE Standard. We base our investigation into this question on all three wind loading conditions specified in the ASCE 7-02 Standard. In particular, we use the nonlinear database-assisted design technique to assess the degree of safety of a typical portal frame belonging to the wind-force resisting system of a low-rise industrial structure designed in accordance with ASCE 7-93 and ASD. The conclusion of our assessment is that the frame being considered satisfies all ASCE 7-02 requirements with respect to wind loading, but that its safety level is relatively low, and could be improved substantially at very low cost.
Periprocedural imaging and outcomes after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

Objective Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has become an increasingly safe and effective therapy. This has been partly attributed to the use of adjunctive imaging modalities. We aimed to describe the use and associated outcomes of periprocedural imaging for AF ablation. Methods We studied all Medicare fee-for-service claims for AF ablation from July 2007 to December 2009, and identified associated imaging studies before and during ablation, including transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE), intracardiac echocardiography (ICE), CT and MRI. The primary outcomes were death, stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), repeat ablation, and bleeding (pericardial or vascular) at 6 months. Results 11 525 patients underwent AF ablation during the study period. There was significant variation in imaging use at the practice level. In addition to electroanatomic mapping, 53% (n=6060/11 525) underwent TEE, 67% (n=7715/11 525) received ICE, and 50% (n=5724/11 525) underwent a preprocedure CT or MRI. Imaging generally increased from 2007 to 2009. After adjustment, the use of preablation CT or MRI was associated with a significantly lower risk of stroke or TIA (0.4% vs 0.9%, adjusted HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.74, p=0.002), and the use of ICE was associated with a lower risk of repeat ablation (5.7% vs 8.5%, adjusted HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.92, p=0.02) but higher risk of bleeding (1.1% vs 0.7%, adjusted HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.70, p=0.009). Conclusions Periprocedural imaging for AF ablation is increasingly used, although practice patterns vary widely. Our data suggest that periprocedural imaging is associated with better outcomes after catheter ablation; however, prospective studies of periprocedural imaging strategies are warranted.
Chain transfer in ethylene polymerization. IV. Additional study at 1360 atm and 130°C

The previously reported chain-transfer studies were extended to include chain transfer to esters, amides, amines, phosphines, and other compounds containing functional groups. Phosphines are very reactive, amines are moderately reactive, and amides and esters are quite unreactive. Most other functional groups give moderate reactivity. Halogens and compounds containing a nitrogen-oxygen bond were all found to be inhibitors for ethylene polymerization.
Risk factors for wound disruption following cesarean delivery

AbstractObjective: Risk factors for post-cesarean wound infection, but not disruption, are well-described in the literature. The primary objective of this study was to identify risk factors for non-infectious post-cesarean wound disruption.Methods: Secondary analysis was conducted using data from a single-center randomized controlled trial of staple versus suture skin closure in women ≥24 weeks’ gestation undergoing cesarean delivery. Wound disruption was defined as subcutaneous skin or fascial dehiscence excluding primary wound infections. Composite wound morbidity (disruption or infection) was examined as a secondary outcome. Patient demographics, medical co-morbidities, and intrapartum characteristics were evaluated as potential risk factors using multivariable logistic regression.Results: Of the 398 randomized patients, 340, including 26 with disruptions (7.6%) met inclusion criteria and were analyzed. After multivariable adjustments, African-American race (aOR 3.9, 95% CI 1.1–13.8) and staple – as op...
Phase I evaluation of gemcitabine, mitoxantrone, and their effect on plasma disposition of fludarabine in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia.

Our aim was to estimate the duration of maximum tolerated dose (MTD) duration for gemcitabine given as a continuous infusion in combination with fludarabine and mitoxantrone and to evaluate potential pharmacokinetic (PK) interactions in 17 patients with refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Gemcitabine was administered at 10 mg/m2/min for 3–15 h, fludarabine at 25 mg/m2 daily for days 1–5 and mitoxantrone at 10 mg/m2 daily on days 1–3. PK studies revealed that fludarabine clearance was not affected by gemcitabine but mean terminal half-life and volume of distribution of fludarabine were slightly increased. The duration of MTD for gemcitabine was 12 h. Our previous in vitro work has demonstrated the binary combination of gemcitabine + fludarabine is most synergistic at a molar ratio around 0.002. However, with MTD dosing this drug ratio is not optimal to produce synergy and future studies using ratiometric dosing are required to confirm these findings.
A Structured Approach to LFS-Complaints in the Rotterdam Region of the Netherlands:

SUMMARY In the working area of the DCMR Environmental Protection Agency (EPA ) an increasing number of people have registered complaints because of low frequency sound (LFS ). A ‘ protocol of low frequency sound’ for use in the Rotterdam-area has been developed. The purpose of the approach on LFS is threefold: (1 ) to offer the several organisations involved a handle to work with, in order to clarify the nature of the LFS complaints and structure them in a procedure; (2 ) to register their experiences with LFS; (3 ) to possibly develop a policy on LFS. Conclusions are as follows. (a ) The indications lead us to assume that LFS is a growing problem. (b ) If the source is not found directly there are complex factors contributing to the LFS-annoyance. (c ) Those whose quality of life and health are threatened by LFS need help. (d ) The system introduced is a good start. (e ) Periodic modifications should lead to an improvement in efficiency. (f ) A necessary condition is a consistent, wellequipped and well balanced team of people with experience in handling LFScomplaints. (g ) To improve the approach it is worthwhile gathering information from complaint handlers elsewhere. 1. FRAMEWORK The word ‘ sound’ is used intentionally because most of the complainants do not use the word ‘ noise’ . Hence, LFS instead of LFN. This paper clarifies the backgrounds, the systems used with the protocol, together with a report of experiences and a look into the future. The Rotterdam region (Rijnmond ) and its acoustic climate . The figures between brackets are a comparison with the Netherlands. Rijnmond is about 2700 km 2 (3%), with 1.2 million inhabitants (7% ), about 25,000 companies, 200 industrial sites, and some 30% of the inhabitants are noise-annoyed. There are 18 municipalities in the Rotterdam region. Noise is coming from various sources: traffic (road, rail, water, air ) and main sites (factories/harbours ). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA; in Dutch: DCMR ) has about 450 employees. One of the responsibilities is the registration and investigation of complaints, reports and incidents. Specialists are on duty 24 hours a day as telephone operators and field inspectors. Most of their incoming information is passed on to the enforcement-sections. They catalogue the information (in most cases on the next day ) and arrange follow-up proceedings. The follow-up can consist of a visit to both the companies responsible for the noise annoyance and the complainants. Reports are made of all the activities following a complaint and this is added to the system MIRR [EPA97].
Coopted environmental justice? Activists’ roles in shaping EJ policy implementation

In this article, I augment scholars’ explanations for why agencies’ environmental justice (EJ) programs often fail to meet EJ movement principles. Other scholars have shown that countermovement actors within the state and from industry have coopted EJ policy implementation by reframing ‘EJ’ away from activist principles. Drawing on insights from social movement theorists who have shown that social movement outcomes are shaped also by movements’ own internal struggles, I focus here on the cleavages among EJ activists and how those factions shape EJ policy implementation outcomes. I do so through an analysis of agencies’ EJ grant programs in the United States. I use agency documents to describe how most of the programs were implemented in problematic ways that deviate from long-standing EJ movement priorities, and I use qualitative interviews with movement leaders influential over other EJ advocates and agency EJ efforts to help explain those outcomes. I demonstrate that EJ policy implementation often devia...
Calculation and Interpretation of Surface Free Energy of Wetting of E‐Glass by Vapors

The surface free energy of wetting of E-glass by water and benzene vapors was calculated from Bangham and Razouk's free-energy equation. The method of Fu and Bartell for determining specific surface area was used to analyze the microstructure. The surface free energies, which were computed from adsorption isotherms obtained at temperatures from 18° to 20°C, had values from -235 to -254 ergs/cm2 and -71.1 to -72.4 ergs/cm2 for water and benzene adsorption, respectively, depending on temperature, surface geometry, and sample treatment. The lower affinity of E-glass for benzene, which resulted in a smaller work of adhesion, suggests that active adhesion of hydrocarbons is impossible in the presence of bulk water. Microstructural analysis indicated that the water-modified E-glass surface contains micropores 23 A in diameter.
SegTC: fast texture compression using image segmentation

Fast, high quality texture compression is becoming increasingly important for interactive applications and mobile GPUs. Modern high-quality compression formats define sets of pre-existing block partitions that allow disjoint subsets of pixels to be compressed independently. Efficient encoding algorithms must choose the best partitioning that fits the data being compressed. In this paper, we describe a new method for selecting the best partition for a given block by segmenting the entire image into superpixels prior to compression. We use the segmentation boundaries to determine a partitioning for each block and then use this partitioning to select the closest matching predefined partitioning. Using our method for BPTC compression results in up to 6x speed-up over prior methods while maintaining comparable visual quality.
Collaborative Training Tools for Emergency Restoration of Critical Infrastructure Systems

Large-scale disasters can produce profound disruptions in the fabric of critical infrastructure systems such as water, telecommunications and electric power. The work of post-disaster infrastructure restoration typically requires close collaboration across these sectors. Yet the technological means to support collaborative training for these activities lag far behind training needs. This paper motivates and describes the design and implementation of a multi-layered system for use in cross-organizational, scenario-based training for emergency infrastructure restoration. Ongoing evaluation studies are described in order suggest directions for further work.
On the relations between some of the parameters of the direct current mercury vapour discharges

By the application of the probe measurement method ofLangmuir the author was able to determine the dependence of the axial gradient and the electron temperature of direct current discharges on the discharge current, in the case of heated and unheated cathodes. With the help of theNolle method of evaluation, the potential distribution of the discharge was determined through the measurement of the dependence of the cathode dark spaces on the current and through the measurement of the plasma potentials. Further, in the present paper the dependence of the cathode and anode fall on the current is discussed. The phenomenon of the axial cataphorasis is then examined and the connection between the process of cataphorasis and the change in time of the electron temperature is shown.
Cauda equina syndrome after spinal anaesthesia in a patient with severe vascular disease.

Purpose Spinal anaesthesia is selected for many lower extremity surgical procedures each year in the United States with a high degree of safety and efficacy. Even when adverse neurological outcomes have occurred, anatomical abnormality or coagulopathy have been implicated in the majority of cases. Epinephrine is used in high concentrations in many of these anaesthetics to increase the duration and intensity of the block. Although epinephrine is known to decrease spinal cord blood flow, its use in normal patients has not caused complications. We report a case where spinal anaesthesia with bupivacaine and epinephrine resulted in anterior spinal artery compromise and the development of a cauda equina syndrome postoperatively.
A novel role for the immunoproteasome in retinal function

The immunoproteasome (i-proteasome) is a protease that is abundant in cells of the immune system and is known to generate peptides for MHC class I presentation. I-proteasome is also present in tissues outside the immune system, including retina and RPE cells, suggesting alternative functions are possible. We have previously shown that i-proteasome is upregulated in the retina of donors with AMD, in response to acute injury in the retina and brain, and chronic oxidative stress in cultured RPE. These results suggest a novel role in the cellular stress response. Our recent focus has been on defining how i-proteasome is involved in regulating two key stress response pathways, NFkB and autophagy. To investigate i-proteasome’s role, we used RPE cells derived from WT and KO mice lacking either one (lmp2-/-) or two (lmp7-/-/mecl-/-) i-proteasome catalytic subunits. Results show that cells deficient in the LMP2 subunit demonstrate differences in the alternative pathway of NFkB signaling, as well as a diminished response to autophagic stimuli. Thus, i-proteasome upregulation with AMD, and with chronic and acute injury, may be a compensatory response that is required to help regulate these two stress response pathways.
Differential Vulnerability Disentangling the Effects of State Dependence and Population Heterogeneity on Repeat Victimization

It is well established that victimization is associated with increased risk of future victimization. According to state dependence arguments, this occurs because the victimization event changes eit...
Effect of Sc Addition on Deformation Behavior of Mg-3Li Alloy at High Strain Rates

The impact experiment for Mg-3Li and Mg-3Li-1Sc alloys was conducted using the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar(SHPB) at high strain rates.The effect of minor Scandium on the impact deformation behavior and strain rate effects of Mg-3Li alloy were analyzed.The results show that the dynamic stress-strain behaviors of both alloys exhibit evident positive strain rate effect at strain rates from 1350s-1 to 3000s-1.However,the dynamic deformation behaviors of both alloys change to negative strain rate effect with the increasing strain rate.At strain rates from 1350s-1 to 3500s-1,the dynamic yield strength of Mg-3Li-1Sc alloy is enhanced significantly compared to that of Mg-3Li alloy.Under high strain rate impact loading,the strain-hardening generated by slip and twining inside grains causes the positive strain rate effect of deformation behaviors in two alloys,while the following negative strain rate effect is attribute to the initiation and propagation of micro-crack.The notable improvement of impact deformation resistance of Mg-3Li-1Sc alloy is mainly attributed to the grain refinement and the formation of small and uniformly distributed MgSc phase because minor Scandium addition.
Local Phase Separation of Co-solvents Enhances Pretreatment of Biomass for Bioenergy Applications.

Pretreatment facilitates more complete deconstruction of plant biomass to enable more economic production of lignocellulosic biofuels and byproducts. Various co-solvent pretreatments have demonstrated advantages relative to aqueous-only methods by enhancing lignin removal to allow unfettered access to cellulose. However, there is a limited mechanistic understanding of the interactions between the co-solvents and cellulose that impedes further improvement of such pretreatment methods. Recently, tetrahydrofuran (THF) has been identified as a highly effective co-solvent for the pretreatment and fractionation of biomass. To elucidate the mechanism of the THF–water interactions with cellulose, we pair simulation and experimental data demonstrating that enhanced solubilization of cellulose can be achieved by the THF–water co-solvent system at equivolume mixtures and moderate temperatures (≤445 K). The simulations show that THF and water spontaneously phase separate on the local surface of a cellulose fiber, owi...
The Role of Agriculture in National Economic Development

As a subsistence economy develops, (a) it consumes more of its own food, (b) it is able to divert a gradually increasing proportion of its labour force to non-agricultural tasks, and (c) it trades more with the rest of the world. In low-income countries, a high proportion of the whole labour force is engaged in agriculture.
Capturing Policies for Fine-Grained Access Control on Mobile Devices

As of 2016, there are more mobile devices than humans on earth. Today, mobile devices are a critical part of our lives and often hold sensitive corporate and personal data. As a result, they are a lucrative target for attackers, and managing data privacy and security on mobile devices has become a vital issue. Existing access control mechanisms in most devices are restrictive and inadequate. They do not take into account the context of a device and its user when making decisions. In many cases, the access granted to a subject should change based on the context of a device. Such fine-grained, context-sensitive access control policies have to be personalized too. In this paper, we present a system i.e. Mithril that uses policies represented in Semantic Web technologies and captured using user feedback, to handle access control on mobile devices. We present an iterative feedback process to capture user specific policy. We also present a policy violation metric that allows us to decide when the capture process is complete.
Computational Modeling of Fluid–Structure–Acoustics Interaction during Voice Production

The paper presented a three-dimensional, first-principle based fluid-structure-acoustics interaction computer model of voice production which employed a more realistic human laryngeal and vocal tract geometries. Self-sustained vibrations, important convergent-divergent vibration pattern of the vocal folds and entrainment of the two dominant vibratory modes were captured. Voice-quality associated parameters including the frequency, open quotient, skewness quotient, and flow rate of the glottal flow waveform were found to be well within the normal physiological ranges. The analogy between the vocal tract and a quarter-wave resonator was demonstrated. The acoustic perturbed flux and pressure inside the glottis were found to be at the same order with their incompressible counterparts, suggesting strong source-filter interactions during voice production. Such high fidelity computational model will be useful for investigating a variety of pathological conditions that involve complex vibrations, such as vocal fold paralysis, vocal nodules and vocal polyps. The model is also an important step toward a patient-specific surgical planning tool can serve as a no-risk trial and error platform for different procedures, such as injection of biomaterials and thyroplastic medialization.
Sources of Dietary Sodium: Implications for Patients, Physicians, and Policy.

Article, see p 1775 The best available evidence strongly supports population-wide sodium reduction as a means to prevent cardiovascular disease and stroke. Excess sodium intake raises blood pressure (BP), the leading preventable cause of mortality worldwide. Well-controlled trials have documented a direct progressive relationship of sodium intake with BP. On average, as sodium intake is lowered, so is BP, both in hypertensive and nonhypertensive individuals. By lowering BP, sodium reduction should prevent cardiovascular disease. Given that elevated BP is a global pandemic affecting 1.4 billion people worldwide1 and that cardiovascular risk is elevated at BP levels below drug treatment thresholds, the critical issue is not whether, but how to lower sodium intake in the general population. Any such strategy must start with knowledge of the dietary sources of sodium. The study by Harnack and colleagues,2 published in this issue of Circulation , provides such information, updating a highly cited but relatively small study published in 1991 by Mattes and Donnelly,3 that documented that 77% of sodium is added outside the home during food processing.4 In contrast to Western societies, the majority of sodium is added at home in some regions of Asian countries. For example, in Guangxi, China, over 80% of sodium is added during home cooking.4 Differences in sodium sources have important policy implications because strategies to reduce sodium in the food supply are distinct from those aimed at reducing sodium added at home. In the study by Harnack and colleagues,2 450 adults were recruited in 3 geographic locations in the United States: Birmingham, AL; Palo Alto, CA; and Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN. Equal numbers of women and men from each of 4 race/ethnic groups (African American, Asian, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic whites) were enrolled. Four 24-hour dietary recalls over 11 days and duplicate samples …
Impact of tool design on defect detection sensitivity in extreme ultraviolet actinic blank inspection

We discuss the impact of various tool design perspectives on defect detection sensitivity for dark-field-based extreme ultraviolet (EUV) actinic blank inspection. We consider the impact of pixel size, EUV source type, and photon collection efficiency on critical defect signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) performance. The results show that as the pixel size approaches the target defect image size, defect SNR increases, and that pixel size also determines the dominant noise source in the inspection system. Moreover, the choice of the EUV source affects the optimal numerical aperture (NA) and illumination settings. For plasma-discharged sources, more photons provided by larger partial coherent illumination can improve the defect SNR, while coherent illumination is needed to get a higher defect SNR for synchrotron-based source. In the end, we show that simply increasing the photon collection efficiency by using high-NA optics or increasing the source power cannot always improve the defect SNR. In a speckle-noise dominated situation, larger outer NA includes more noise than defect signal, thus resulting in a lower SNR. The impact of source power also saturates at a certain level as the system becomes speckle-noise limited compared to photon-noise limited.
Identifying Relevant Acid–Base Topics in the Context of a Prenursing Chemistry Course To Better Align Health-Related Instruction and Assessment

This study explores the acid–base topic in the context of a chemistry course taken as a prerequisite for a baccalaureate nursing program. Core findings were derived from semistructured interviews with experts in the areas of chemistry and nursing, and a multiple university survey of experts’ opinions. The acid–base topic was reviewed and evaluated in several general, organic, and biological (GOB) chemistry textbooks and nursing textbooks. A set of acid–base chemistry concepts were identified that have relevance in the allied-health fields, especially nursing. By being aware of these concepts, the GOB chemistry instructors can better plan their learning activities, teaching strategies, and assessment.
Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Surgery Complications: Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management

Purpose of discussion: As newer materials and less invasive techniques emerge, surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) has increased over time. This shift has implications for the types of complications seen in contemporary practice compared to those even a few years ago. This chapter details prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of complications of surgery for SUI.
Mathematics’ Mortua Manus:Discovering Dexterity

Dexterous manipulation, a major subfield of robotics and manufacturing, experienced a mathematical rebirth in the mid 80’s, when this nascent field established many beautiful connections to convexity theory and computational geometry. Jack Schwartz played a seminal role in its inception and development. Here, I speculate on where Jack might have liked this field to go in the future.
An Insect Virus for Genetic Engineering: Developing Baculovirus Polyhedrin Substitution Vectors

Baculoviruses are exceptionally attractive candidates as vectors for propagating and expressing exogenous DNAs in a eukaryotic (invertebrate) environment (Miller, 1981a). Among the features which make baculoviruses highly advantageous as recombinant DNA vector systems are (1) a covalently-closed, circular, nuclear-replicating DNA genome, (2) an extendable rod-shaped capsid, (3) a group of genes, involved in occlusion, that are nonessential for infectious virus production and thus deletable, and (4) a strong promoter which is turned on after infectious virus production and controls the synthesis of the major occlusion body protein (poly-hedrin), constituting approximately ten percent of the protein of infected cells. The replacement of the polyhedrin gene with passenger DNA was previously suggested as an approach to using baculoviruses as recombinant DNA vectors (Miller, 1981a). The initial experimental advances our laboratory has made in developing the baculovirus Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) as a vector in insect cells are described herein.
Behavior Modification in Protozoa

A review is presented of several past studies which have shown behavioral modification in protozoa. At least two methodological problems inherent in these studies make it difficult to conclude unequivocally that learning has been shown: (1) often the behavioral changes seen over time could have been due to changes in the animal’s environment rather than in the animal itself; and (2) it has not been clearly demonstrated that the temporal order of the stimulus and response events was the relevant variable responsible for the behavioral change rather than the total amount of stimulation per se.