cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An improved Evolutionary Strategy with dynamic mutation rate applied to Kakuro puzzles

In this paper we apply a modified Evolutionary Strategy (ES) algorithm to the discrete optimization problem of solving Kakuro puzzles. Our ES modifies the mutation rate each generation based on the best fitness of the population. If the fitness improves then the mutation rate declines; if the fitness is stagnant for multiple generations then the mutation rate increases. We show that the dynamic mutation rate change leads to increased performance relative to a standard ($\mu , \lambda$) ES, a standard ($\mu +\lambda$) ES and a standard Genetic Algorithm. We compared the performance of the ES with dynamic mutation to the other algorithms with multiple puzzles of different sizes and the dynamic mutation ES, in general, found the correct solution more often and with less fitness function evaluations.
Self-regenerable carbon nanofiber supported Fe – Mo2C catalyst for CH4-CO2 assisted reforming of biomass to hydrogen rich syngas

Abstract In-situ self-regenerable Fe / Fe3C – Mo2C – CNF catalyst was developed and evaluated extensively over 15 cycles of CH4 – CO2 assisted biomass reforming. In-situ regeneration was observed through nucleation on carbon saturated Fe3Cx sites due to abundance of free-C from reaction and undercoordinated carbon in support. Molybdenum existed as stable β-Mo2C whereas Fe composition changed from Fe° sites to Fe3Cx. Due to highly dispersed small nanoclusters ( 60 % and H2:CO ratio of 2–4. Hydrodeoxygenation reforming of biomass was typically between 40–60 % of the amount of oxygenates.
Potential injuries and costs averted by increased use of evidence-based behavioral road safety policies in North Carolina.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the potential injuries and costs that could be averted by implementing evidence-based road safety policies and interventions not currently utilized in one ...
Associations of changes in fat free mass with risk for type 2 diabetes: Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

Abstract Aims To determine whether loss of muscle mass (approximated using fat free mass [FFM]) is associated with risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Hispanic/Latino adults in the United States. Methods Participants were Hispanic/Latino adults (18–74-year-olds) who completed Visit 2 of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL; multi-site, prospective cohort study; 6.1-year follow-up) and did not have T2DM at baseline (n = 6264). At baseline and Visit 2, FFM was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis and fasting glucose, HbA1c, and fasting insulin were measured by examiners. Diabetes was defined according to American Diabetes Association criteria. Survey-weighted Poisson regression models examined the association of percent change in relative FFM (%ΔFFM) with incident prediabetes and T2DM. Survey-weighted multivariable regression models examined associations of %ΔFFM with changes in glucose and insulin measures. Results Relative FFM declined by 2.1% between visits. %ΔFFM was inversely associated with incident prediabetes (p-for-trend = 0.001) and with changes in glucose and insulin measures (p-for-trend Conclusions Reducing loss of FFM during adulthood may reduce prediabetes risk (primarily insulin resistance), particularly among individuals with overweight/obesity.
Modeling the Influence of Changes in Silica Fume on Concrete Performance

AbstractAn analytical model was developed to describe the influence of silica fume on the mechanical behavior of ultra-high-performance concrete. The model defines a single parameter, tpaste, which...
Covid-19 Per Capita Fatality Rate: A Path Analysis Model

ABSTRACT Objectives Various individual factors have been shown to influence Covid-19 mortalities, but these factors do not exist in isolation. Unique to this study is a multivariate approach that has yet to be fully explored by previous research. Using an interconnected multifactor model, this work investigated social determinant, geographic, prior health, and political behavioral factors likely to influence Covid-19 per capita fatalities in Texas. Methods County-level income, rurality, insurance, health status, 2020 presidential vote percentage, and fatality rate data were collected and analyzed in a path analysis model with Covid-19 per capita fatalities as the key variable of interest. Results The analysis found strong support for the proposed model structure (R2 = 37.6%). The strongest overall effects on the Covid-19 per capita fatality rate came from income levels and voting behaviors. Conclusion The model explained a substantial amount of variability in mortalities attributed to Covid-19. Socioeconomic and political factors provided the strongest contribution to the per-capita Covid-19 death rate, controlling for the other variables studied. The Covid-19 pandemic was highly politicized by various leaders and media outlets. The current analysis showed that political trends were one of the key overall factors related to Covid-19 mortality. The strongest overall factor was median income. Income is used to enhance one’s current health or acquire adequate treatment which may safeguard people from the most severe effects of Covid-19. Counties with lower income levels had higher rates of Covid-19 per capita fatalities.
Efficacy of Orthodontic Bonding Agents in Preventing Demineralization Around Brackets

Efficacy of Orthodontic Bonding Agents in Preventing Demineralization Around Brackets By Morris Lewis Poole, D.D.S. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2010 Thesis Director: Eser Tufekci, D.D.S., MS, Ph. D. Associate Professor, Department of Orthodontics Enamel demineralization is a concern in orthodontic patients with poor oral hygiene. To curtail this problem, amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) containing adhesives have been developed. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the cariostatic potential of an ACP containing orthodontic bonding agent adjacent to brackets. Sixty human molars were randomly distributed into: ACP adhesive, resin modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC), and conventional composite resin groups (N=20 each). Brackets were bonded following the manufacturer’s instructions. Tooth enamel through a 2mm window around the brackets was cycled in demineralization (6 hrs) and remineralization (18 hrs) solutions. After 14 days, teeth embedded in resin and were sectioned. Knoop indentations were performed to determine enamel hardness. There were no statistically significant differences between the control and experimental groups. However, both Fuji Ortho LC (RMGIC), and Aegis Ortho (ACP)
Dramatizing Time in Twentieth-Century Fiction

Introduction: Thematicizing Time 1. Plum Time in Everland: The Divine Comedy of P.G. Wodehouse 2. Wyndham Lewis vs. Gertrude Stein: Classic Time vs. Romantic Time 3. Choral Narrative and the Web of Time in Ulysses: From Romanticism to Modernism 4. The Moment of Truth in The Sun Also Rises 5. Coming to Terms with Time in Faulkner 6. Particles and Waves in Borgesian Time 7. The Technique of Time in Lolita 8. A Pleromatic Reprise of the Book
U.S. Foreign Trade Zones and Chinese Free Trade Zones: A Comparative Analysis

There are many free trade zones in the United States and in China. Free trade zones have played an important role in the tremendous growth of the Chinese economy. One year ago, China established the Shanghai pilot free trade zone, and China plans to establish another free trade zone in Guangdong Province. Free trade zones increase manufacturing, jobs, and exports, all of which improve the economy.This article compares and contrasts U.S. foreign trade zones with Chinese free trade zones and the laws regulating these zones. It explores the institutionalization of domestic and international rules of trade law and the theoretical framework of free trade zones. The article examines the legal framework of free trade zones, how they work, the performance of U.S. foreign trade zones to date, the economic benefits of the development of foreign trade zones in the U.S., and the difference between bonded warehouses (which are what most Chinese free trade zones are) and free trade zones. It explores the history of Chinese free trade zones, the laws governing these primarily export processing zones, and it provides an in-depth look at a few well-established Chinese free trade zones located in Shenzhen and Xiamen as well as an analysis of the new Shanghai zone and its performance in its first year.This article also discusses the overall economic benefits of free trade zones in China. It offers a constructive critique of the Chinese free trade zones in view of the many economic challenges facing China today. Chinese free trade zones need more transparency, flexibility, the elimination of corruption and graft, and strict adherence to the rules of international trade. This article also provides some suggestions for the beneficial development of free trade zones in China as well as foreign trade zones in the U.S.
Flaw Characterization by Ultrasonic Spectrum Analysis

In this paper the problem of flaw characterization by ultrasonic spectroscopy method is addressed. Recent analytical works on scattering of elastic waves by obstacles embedded in solid body is summarized. Both two dimensional (crack like) defects and three dimensional (voids of inclusions) are considered. Experimental ultrasonic scattering date from artificial defects in metals are compared favorably to theoretical predictions.
Comet coma sample return via Giotto II

A comet coma sample return is possible with a low-cost flyby mission. Collecting coma materials and returning them to earth can be accomplished in a free-return trajectory. Intact capture of coma dust, preserving the cometary dust mineralogy, is possible at low encounter speeds. Samples from a known cometary source can then be compared with the wealth of information on meteorites and interplanetary dust. Sample return via Giotto II is a unique, low-cost NASA/ESA cooperative opportunity. With ESA providing the Giotto spacecraft and payload and NASA the sample return capability, first-class science can be accomplished at a very low cost for both NASA and ESA. This paper focuses on the sample return aspects, including sample return objectives, sample collection techniques, experimental work to verify collection concepts, and some of the characteristics of the cometary targets for sample return.
Characterizing performance of /spl alpha/-/spl beta/-/spl gamma/ filters

The /spl alpha/-/spl beta/-/spl gamma/ filter, a sampled data target tracker which can asymptotically track a constant acceleration target, is discussed in detail. The /spl alpha/,/spl beta/,/spl gamma/ parameters are studied to characterize the stability of the filter and its performance viz its transient behavior. A closed-form equation for the mean square response of the system to white noise is derived. In addition, performance measures to gauge the transient response and the steady state tracking error are derived. The closed-form equations for the noise ratio and the transient and steady state error are exploited to optimally select the /spl alpha/, /spl beta/, /spl gamma/ parameters. The resulting solutions are shown to reduce to some results presented in the literature for the /spl alpha/-/spl beta/ filter.
Nature, Action and Politics: An Arendtian Aristotle Against Arendt's Aristotle

Against Arendt’s view that Aristotle has a technē model of political community, one that leads to an Arendtian division of zōē from bios, I argue that Arendt’s conception of action is a better model of the formation of the polis in Aristotle that avoids this division and its exclusionary consequences where action is viewed analogously to physis against the view that Arendt’s praxis is a critique of Aristotle’s praxis.
Longitudinal study of fingerprint recognition

Human identification by fingerprints is based on the fundamental premise that ridge patterns from distinct fingers are different (uniqueness) and a fingerprint pattern does not change over time (persistence). Although the uniqueness of fingerprints has been investigated by developing statistical models to estimate the probability of error in comparing two random samples of fingerprints, the persistence of fingerprints has remained a general belief based on only a few case studies. In this study, fingerprint match (similarity) scores are analyzed by multilevel statistical models with covariates such as time interval between two fingerprints in comparison, subject's age, and fingerprint image quality. Longitudinal fingerprint records of 15,597 subjects are sampled from an operational fingerprint database such that each individual has at least five 10-print records over a minimum time span of 5 y. In regard to the persistence of fingerprints, the longitudinal analysis on a single (right index) finger demonstrates that (i) genuine match scores tend to significantly decrease when time interval between two fingerprints in comparison increases, whereas the change in impostor match scores is negligible; and (ii) fingerprint recognition accuracy at operational settings, nevertheless, tends to be stable as the time interval increases up to 12 y, the maximum time span in the dataset. However, the uncertainty of temporal stability of fingerprint recognition accuracy becomes substantially large if either of the two fingerprints being compared is of poor quality. The conclusions drawn from 10-finger fusion analysis coincide with the conclusions from single-finger analysis.
Evidence Disputing the Importance of Excitotoxicity in Hippocampal Neuron Death after Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury

: The hippocampus is selectively vulnerable to experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI). Beneficial effects of glutamate receptor antagonists and increased extracellular levels of glutamate have suggested that glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity may be responsible for this selective damage. In order to clarify this important issue, we applied a severe parasagittal fluid percussion injury (FPI) to strains of mice shown to be susceptible and resistant to kainic acid (KA)-induced excitotoxic hippocampal damage. Dystrophic neurons were present by 10 min after FPI in the hippocampi of both strains. Damaged hippocampal neurons were absent at 4 days and 7 days. Additionally, there was no significant difference ( p= 1.00 ) in CA3 Neuron survival between KA-susceptible and -resistant mice at 4 days. In conclusion, excitotoxicity does not significantly contribute to hippocampal neuron loss after FPI and, in contrast to classic studies of excitotoxicity in vivo, the pattern of hippocampal cell death after TBI is extremely acute.
Landmarks in the Evolution of the Social Audit

The social audit as a concept for monitoring, appraising, and measuring the social performance of business dates back at least to 1940. Landmark models of the evolving social audit are set forth in...
Pd/C catalyzed conversion of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone using alcohol as a hydrogen donor under microwave conditions

Abstract Levulinic acid can be converted to γ-valerolactone in 83–86% yield under microwave heating with 10 mg of 5% Pd/C per mmol levulinic acid as the catalyst and 2.0 equivalents of KOH in ethanol or iso -propanol. The alcohol is used as the hydrogen source as well as the solvent. Pd/C catalyst could be reused for five catalytic cycles without appreciable loss in activity.
Fitting To Lifetime Distributions in Photoacosutic Calorimetry

Photoacoustic calorimetry (PAC) is emerging as a powerful technique for extracting volume and enthalpy changes associated with photo-triggered reactions in both chemistry and biology. Current PAC methods allow for the deconvolution of PAC waves using a deconvolution by reconvolution strategy. In this process, the calorimetric reference wave serves as an impulse function to which either a single exponential or multiple exponential functions are convoluted producing a simulated sample wave. The amplitude and rate constants of the associated exponentials are varied using selected parameter estimation algorithms and the reconvolution process repeated until an appropriate chi-square is achieved. Here we investigate a new PAC deconvolution process which allows for the sample acoustic waves to be fit using a variety of reaction models including stretched exponentials and lifetime distribution functions. Our new algorithm is tested against simulated data sets to provide fit validation.
Two Metals Are Better Than One in the Gold Catalyzed Oxidative Heteroarylation of Alkenes

We present a detailed study of the mechanism for oxidative heteroarylation, based on DFT calculations and experimental observations. We propose binuclear Au(II)–Au(II) complexes to be key intermediates in the mechanism for gold catalyzed oxidative heteroarylation. The reaction is thought to proceed via a gold redox cycle involving initial oxidation of Au(I) to binuclear Au(II)–Au(II) complexes by Selectfluor, followed by heteroauration and reductive elimination. While it is tempting to invoke a transmetalation/reductive elimination mechanism similar to that proposed for other transition metal complexes, experimental and DFT studies suggest that the key C–C bond forming reaction occurs via a bimolecular reductive elimination process (devoid of transmetalation). In addition, the stereochemistry of the elimination step was determined experimentally to proceed with complete retention. Ligand and halide effects played an important role in the development and optimization of the catalyst; our data provides an e...
Alkali metal cation exchanged Nafion as an efficient micro-environment for oxidation of olefins by singlet oxygen

Abstract The utility of alkali metal cation exchanged Nafion beads as an efficient micro-environment for carrying out oxidation of olefins by singlet oxygen was examined with three structurally different olefins, namely, 1,2-dimethylcyclohexene ( 1 ), 2-methyl-2-heptene ( 4 ) and 2-methyl-4-phenyl-2-butene ( 7 ). In this report, a strategy was proposed in which the reactant and the photocatalyst are kept isolated in two different phases throughout the photoreaction and thereby enables easier separation of the products from the reaction mixture. I envisage that this approach can be synthetically useful due to the high mass balance of the photoreaction, reuse of the photocatalyst and easy handling of the reaction media. The investigated photochemical reactions also serve as probes to understand the nature of the reaction domains provided by Nafion matrix.
The Incidence of Thyroid Cancer by FNA Varies by Age and Gender

Background Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is the standard to evaluate thyroid nodules for malignancy. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of patient age and gender on the rate of thyroid nodule malignancy by FNA.
Guest editor's introduction: special section on visualization

—————————— ✦ —————————— HIS issue contains extended versions of five outstanding papers from the IEEE Visualization ‘99 conference and the IEEE 1999 Symposium on Information Visualization (InfoVis ‘99) held in San Francisco, California. The authors of these papers were invited to significantly extend their work and submit journal quality papers for this special issue. The papers were then reviewed and revised according to suggestions by expert referees. These papers represent a sampling of the state-of-the-art research from a diverse collection of research areas presented at IEEE Visualization ‘99 and InfoVis ‘99. The first two papers discuss important systems issues and new techniques for visualization of large scale data sets. The next two papers discuss new techniques in classical areas of visualization research: flow visualization and medical visualization. The final paper presents new research in one of the newest areas of visualization research, information visualization. Systems issues and visualization performance are still important research problems because dataset sizes are growing just as rapidly (or more rapidly) than processor speed, data transfer rates, and memory capacity. Sutton and Hansen present a new data structure and algorithm for interactive visualization and isosurface extraction of timevarying datasets. Their Temporal-Branch-on-Need Octree reduces I/O bottlnecks and achieves high performance isosurface extraction for time-varying fields. New techniques for the time-critical rendering of high-complexity scenes is presented in the paper by Klosowski and Silva. Their system takes the approach of producing partially-correct images using a new visibility culling algorithm that can be used for time-critical rendering of visualization data, as well as architectural scenes and other geometric datasets. There are still many open research problems in classic application areas of visualization research. The paper by Kindlmann, Weinstein, and Hart presents new techniques for volume rendering medical data from a relatively new source, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. They present extensions to previous volume visualization techniques, including barycentric opacity maps, hue-maps, and lit-tensors. Diewald, Preusser, and Rumpf present new techniques in another important area of visualization research: vector field visualization. Their work uses nonlinear anisotropic diffusion to aid the perception of complex flow pattens and flow fields. The work by Fua, Ward, and Rundensteiner presents new techniques in one of the newest areas of visualization research: information visualization. Their work on structure-based brushes helps to solve the navigation problem for visualization of hierarchically organized data. These five papers demonstrate the range of diverse research and the high-quality innovation presented at IEEE Visualization ‘99 and InfoVis ‘99.
On the polarization of Alpha Orionis

Much of the complex behavior of the polarization observed in the M2 supergiant Alpha Ori can be explained in terms of the combined effects of Rayleigh scattering in the photosphere and scattering by circumstellar dust in the presence of one or more photospheric hot spots. The ad hoc scattering layer of electrons which Schwarz and Clarke employed in their models reported in 1984 can be avoided, eliminating the conflict with the much lower column densities found in other studies of the extended chromosphere of this star. The transfer of polarized continuum radiation in cool model atmospheres has been treated fully. Under conditions of optimal spot area and location on the disk and large temperature differences (up to 1000 K) between the spot and normal photosphere, it is possible to get a net polarization up to about 0.3 percent in the blue in the direct starlight. The effects of spot limb darkening on the polarization of scattered spot light have been evaluated. Narrow-band observations that include molecular bands are encouraged for their diagnostic value.
Reconsidering a disjunct distribution: Molecular and morphological evidence for two evolutionarily distinct lineages in Protea mundii Klotsch

Protea mundii Klotsch (Proteaceae) has a disjunct distribution, with a large range in the Eastern Cape between Knysna and Port Elizabeth, and a smaller one in the Western Cape between Betty's Bay and Hermanus. Here, we provide population genetic and morphological evidence that populations in the two ranges belong to two distinct evolutionary lineages. Using 10 microsatellite loci, we show not only that the populations in the two ranges are genetically distinct but also that they may not even be sister to each other. We measured floral and leaf traits and determined that despite broad morphological similarities, the two lineages can be distinguished from each other by the width of their leaves (western — wider leaves, eastern — narrower leaves), the angle of the leaf bases (western — less acute, eastern — more acute), and the mass of their seeds. We conclude that these two lineages should be treated as independent entities for management and conservation purposes.
COMMON FEATURES OF ANALOGOUS REPLACEMENT HISTONE H3 GENES IN ANIMALS AND PLANTS

Phylogenetic analysis of histone H3 protein sequences demonstrates the independent origin of the replacement histone H3 genes in animals and in plants. Multiple introns in the replacement histone H3 genes of animals in a pattern distinct from that in plant replacement H3 genes supports this conclusion. It is suggested that replacement H3 genes arose at the same time that, independently, multicellular forms of animals and of plants evolved. Judged by the degree of invariant and functionally constrained amino acid positions, histones H3 and H4, which form together the tetramer kernel of the nucleosome, have co-evolved with equal rates of sequence divergence. Residues 31 and 87 in histone H3 are the only residues that consistently changed across each gene duplication event that created functional replacement histone H3 variant forms. Once changed, these residues have remained invariant across divergent speciation. This suggests that they are required to allow replacement histone H3 to participate in the assembly of nucleosomes in non-S-phase cells. The abundant occurrence of polypyrimidine sequences in the introns of all replacement H3 genes, and the replacement of an intron by a polypyrimidine motif upstream of the alfalfa replacement H3 gene, suggests a function. It is speculated that they may contribute to the characteristic cell-cycle-independent pattern of replacement histone H3 genes by binding nucleosome-excluding proteins.
The obligations of the registered pioneer investors: Toward a new understanding at the law of the sea Preparatory Commission

Abstract Since 1988, the Preparatory Commission for the Law of the Sea Convention has been negotiating the specific terms of the obligations of the pioneer investors. The crux of the issues involved is the dramatic fall in the world metal market that no one had expected when the deep seabed regime was negotiated in the late 1970s and the tremendous burden the pioneer investors are to bear under the regime during the forseeable future. This paper discusses the issues and arguments of the main interest groups as well as possible avenues of compromise. The author hopes that, as it was done before, a new practical solution will be found by the Commission taking into account the new circumstances.
Building states and markets after communism: the perils of polarized democracy

The book starts from a very telling cover design which depicts a man selling Soviet-produced chess sets and Matreshkas (Russian nesting dolls) displayed on portable folding tables somewhere on a ma...
Is routine duplex ultrasound surveillance after carotid endarterectomy cost-effective?

Abstract Background: Although duplex ultrasound surveillance of patients after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is routinely performed, the use of this policy has been questioned. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of this strategy. Methods: Using a decision-analytic Markov model that depicts the natural history of patients after CEA, we compared a strategy of duplex ultrasound surveillance to a strategy of no surveillance. Probability estimates were derived from the literature and costs were obtained from the hospital's cost accounting system. Sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness and stability of our base-case conclusion to variations in the underlying assumptions. Results: Using baseline estimates we determined that duplex ultrasound surveillance after CEA reduced the incidence of stroke; however, this required significant additional expense, which resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $126,950. This ratio could decrease to a more acceptable level (less than $100,000) if a subset of patients could be identified whose rate of progression to greater than 80% stenosis exceeded 6% per year or whose stroke rate associated with uncorrected asymptomatic stenosis exceeded 2.6% per year. Also, the cost-effectiveness ratio was reduced to less than $100,000 if patients were younger than 55 years old at the time of initial CEA or if the cost of CEA could be reduced to less than $7,000. Conclusions: Duplex ultrasound surveillance after CEA is associated with an unfavorable cost-effectiveness ratio. However, this strategy may be cost-effective in younger patients or in those patients who have a more progressive form of disease. (Surgery 1998;124:343-52)
An investigation of carriers of Entamoeba histolytica.

Abstract At a nurses' training school in South India 166 apparently healthy students were examined for E. histolytica cysts. The criterion of positive was the finding of cysts in 2 of 3 faecal samples by means of the formol-ether concentration method. 25 (15%) were positive. Cysts were found in 3 out of 5 persons who were preparing and serving food for these nurses. Approximately one year after the first examination 161 of these student nurses were re-examined and 8 (5%) were excreting the cysts. Another year later 107 of the nurses were examined a third time and 5 (4·7%) were positive. 6 infected nurses were deliberately left untreated during the first year and it was then found that 3 had lost the infection naturally. 7 nurses were believed to have acquired the infection during the period of observation. Treatment for 25 nurses with a 5-day course of diloxanide furoate (Furamide) 1·5 grammes daily resulted in the disappearance of E. histolytica cysts in an average of 3·3 days. All were followed up. 21 of those treated showed no further evidence of infection during an average of 50·7 weeks. 4 nurses (16%) relapsed during an average follow-up of 36 weeks. 3 of those who relapsed received a second identical course of the drug and they showed no further evidence of infection during an average period of 42 weeks.
Shake, Rattle, and … One or Two Objects? Young Infants' Use of Auditory Information to Individuate Objects

Most research on object individuation in infants has focused on the visual domain. Yet the problem of object individuation is not unique to the visual system, but shared by other sensory modalities. This research examined 4.5-month-old infants' capacity to use auditory information to individuate objects. Infants were presented with events in which they heard 2 distinct sounds, separated by a temporal gap, emanate from behind a wide screen; the screen was then lowered to reveal 1 or 2 objects. Longer looking to the 1- than 2-object display was taken as evidence that the infants (a) interpreted the auditory event as involving 2 objects and (b) found the presence of only 1 object when the screen was lowered unexpected. The results indicated that the infants used sounds produced by rattles, but not sounds produced by an electronic keyboard, as the basis for object individuation (Experiments 1 and 2). Data collected with adult participants revealed that adults are also more sensitive to rattle sounds than electronic tones. A final experiment assessed conditions under which young infants attend to rattle sounds (Experiment 3). Collectively, the outcomes of these experiments suggest that infants and adults are more likely to use some sounds than others as the basis for individuating objects. We propose that these results reflect a processing bias to attend to sounds that reveal something about the physical properties of an object—sounds that are obviously linked to object structure—when determining object identity.
Stem Cell-Based Microphysiological Osteochondral System to Model Tissue Response to Interleukin-1β

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease of the articular joint that involves both bone and cartilage degenerative changes. An engineered osteochondral tissue within physiological conditions will be of significant utility in understanding the pathogenesis of OA and testing the efficacy of potential disease-modifying OA drugs (DMOADs). In this study, a multichamber bioreactor was fabricated and fitted into a microfluidic base. When the osteochondral construct is inserted, two chambers are formed on either side of the construct (top, chondral; bottom, osseous) that is supplied by different medium streams. These medium conduits are critical to create tissue-specific microenvironments in which chondral and osseous tissues will develop and mature. Human bone marrow stem cell (hBMSCs)-derived constructs were fabricated in situ and cultured within the bioreactor and induced to undergo spatially defined chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation for 4 weeks in tissue-specific media. We observed tiss...
Depressive Symptoms, Low Adherence, and Poor Asthma Outcomes in the Elderly

Objective. To examine the impact of depressive symptoms on asthma outcomes and medication adherence in inner-city elderly patients with asthma. Methods. Cohort study of elderly asthmatics receiving primary care at three clinics in New York City and Chicago from 1 January 2010 to 1 January 2012. Depressive symptoms were ascertained with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Outcomes included asthma control (Asthma Control Questionnaire, ACQ), asthma-related quality of life (Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire, AQLQ), and acute resource utilization (inpatient and outpatient visits). Asthma medication adherence was evaluated using the Medication Adherence Reporting Scale (MARS). Results. Three hundred and seventeen participants ≥60 years were included in the study (83% women, 30% Hispanic, and 31% Black). In unadjusted analyses, participants with depressive symptoms were more likely to report poor asthma control (p < .001), worse AQLQ scores (p < .001), and higher rates of inpatient asthma-related visit...
Theoretical prediction of stress-induced phase transformations of the second kind in graphene

Simulations of planar graphene undergoing in-plane deformations are found to develop crystal structures different from the usual hexagonal configuration—either monoclinic or nearly orthorhombic—through two different types of solid phase transitions of the second kind. They are achieved through a concerted C2 rotation similar in appearance to the onset of the Stone-Wales transformation. The key result is the observation of the early rotation in even the smallest primitive cell. In connection to earlier findings on reversibility, the thermodynamic or kinetic character of the rearrangement is found to depend on the macroscopic straining direction.
The Development and Validation of Scores on Perceived Work and Family Demand Scales

Two scales, Perceived Work Demand (PWD) and Perceived Family Demand (PFD), are developed and their scores validated using three diverse samples. The scales are of particular interest in the work-family conflict (WFC) area and provide needed clarification in predicting WFC. Scale development procedures were followed, and dimensionality, internal consistency, discriminant validity, and predictive validity results are discussed. The results provide support for both perceived work and family demand scales.
Nitric oxide formation from thermal and fuel-bound nitrogen sources in a turbulent nonpremixed syngas flame

Nitric oxide formation from thermal and FBN sources is studied in a turbulent nonpremixed syngas flame using laser diagnostic techniques and turbulent combustion modeling. The well-characterized syngas flame (produced by a central jet of CO/H2/N2/CH4/NH3 fuel in a co-flowing air stream) is experimentally analyzed with laser velocimetry, pulsed Raman scattering and NO probe sampling. Data for the mean and rms fluctuations of axial velocity, temperature, major species concentrations, density and mixture fraction are presented, along with yields of nitric oxide from thermal and fuel-bound nitrogen sources. A turbulent combustion model based upon time-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with k-∈ turbulence closure gives results in reasonable agreement with experiment for axial velocity and mixture fraction. This model is based upon equilibrium chemistry with an assumed shape mixture fraction pdf. It overpredicts the average temperature by as much as 250 K and underpredicts the yield of thermal NOx by a factor of 3. A simplified kinetic mechanism involving the production and destruction of NO and NH2 successfully predicts the experimentally observed trends in NOx yield from NH3 added to the syngas fuel, although the yield of NOx from NH3 is overpredicted by about 50%. Most of the theory/data discrepancies may be a result of neglecting superequilibrium radical concentrations in the theory.
Measurement of Very Low Residual Reflections in Lensed-Fiber Pigtailed Semiconductor Optical Amplifier

The reflections from different surfaces in a lensed-fiber pigtailed SOA were measured. The SOA facet reflection is as low as -60dB. The fiber lens reflectivity is reduced from -37 to -47dB by AR coating.
Photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy study of CdS nanocrystals in ormosils

Abstract Photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy (PLE) has been used to characterize the size distribution of cadmium sulfide nanocrystals embedded in an Ormosil matrix. PLE spectroscopy is shown to be an excellent tool for determining average particle size and distribution for these samples. Through the use of current quantum confinement models, average size and size distribution information is obtained from PLE data. These data are shown to agree with x-ray diffraction analysis, absorption, photoluminescence, and TEM measurements within the experimental limits.
Gentle, Angry Women Creating Change:

Today, many of us in social work are ‘‘gentle, angry people’’ (Near, 2002). We live and work in a time of war and global economic crisis. Our gentleness is formed of a tender compassion for those who suffer the impacts. Our anger is directed at the greed that has led to ‘‘billions of dollars in cuts . . . in domestic discretionary . . . and entitlement programs’’ (Abramovitz, 2009, p. 106) and the harmful effects on people who did not create these problems. We know too well the loss and pain that neoliberal policies and the actions of some of the wealthiest have produced around the world. The loss of lives, jobs, and homes. The loss of dignity and futures. The worsening health and lack of medical care. The spread of hunger and hopelessness. The increase of violence in families and communities (Golie, 2006). We know that, as always, the most marginalized people bear the heaviest brunt of material and social exigency. Despite the years of cuts in domestic services, public budgets are overburdened by debt, and social services that have survived are being retrenched. As part of the retrenchment, many social workers’ already unrealistic workloads are being increased. Others’ jobs are being eliminated altogether. Under these conditions, an unfeasible job seems more preferable than having no job, and better judgment is silenced into bitter acquiescence. So far, this is a grim story. However, as in every story of struggle, there are tendrils of resistance and alternatives scattered throughout these current events. In November 2008, for example, the United States elected its first African American president through effective grassroots organizing on a platform of change. Time will tell, but so far, President Obama has held steadily to his platform. Social and economic justice and human rights continue to be central value premises articulated by social work. Social workers find many ways to express these value commitments through their practice, education, and scholarship, even now. Among its many publications, social work continues to have a thriving feminist social work journal with a transformative mission of change.
Secondary Flow Measurements in a Turbine Passage With Endwall Flow Modification

A flow modification technique is introduced in an attempt to allow increased turbine inlet temperatures. A large-scale two half-blade cascade simulator is used to model the secondary flow between two adjacent turbine blades. Various flow visualization techniques and measurements are used to verify that the test section replicates the flow of an actual turbine engine. Two techniques are employed to modify the endwall secondary flow, specifically the path of the passage vortex. Six endwall jets are installed at a location downstream of the saddle point near the leading edge of the pressure side blade. These wall jets are found to be ineffective in diverting the path of the passage vortex. The second technique utilizes a row of 12 endwall jets whose positions along the centerline of the passage are based on results from an optimized boundary layer fence. The row of jets successfully diverts the path of the passage vortex and decreases its effect on the suction side blade. This can be expected to increase the effectiveness of film cooling in that area. The row of jets increases the aerodynamic losses in the passage, however. Secondary flow measurements are presented showing the development of the endwall flow, both with and without modification.Copyright © 2000 by ASME
VERBAL AND NONVERBAL MEMORY AMONG CHILDREN WITH RIGHT OR LEFT BRAIN LESIONS

No previous studies of memory in children with left or right brain lesions have been reported, despite known sequelae in other aspects of learning. Memory for verbal (V) and nonverbal (NV) stimuli was evaluated here through a selective reminding task in which animal names (V) and dot patterns (NV) were learned over 8 trials. Measures of V and NV long-term storage (LTS) and cumulative long-term retrieval (CLTR) were made. 18 left lesioned (LL), 13 right lesioned (RL), and 31 age, sex, and SES matched control (C) children were included. All LLs and RLs had CT scan confirmation of unilateral lesions of vascular origin and were >1 yr. post lesion onset. M age at lesion onset was 4.05±4.59; M age at test was 9.42±3.89. M IQ for all groups was within normal limits, but IQ for RLs was significantly lower than for Cs. M T-scores, derived from age norms, SD and Ms adjusted for IQ differences+ were: Multivariate analyses revealed significant differences as noted above. These findings suggest that LLs store V and NV information, but do not retrieve V information normally. RLs have difficulty retrieving NV and also storing V information, possibly due to attentional limitations. These memory deficits correspond to lesion lateralization and hold implications for education.
Effect of antiplatelet therapy on patients undergoing gastroenterological surgery: thromboembolic risks versus bleeding risks during its perioperative withdrawal.

Antiplatelet agents given to prevent thromboembolic disease are frequently withdrawn prior to surgical procedures to reduce bleeding complications. This action may expose patients to increased thromboembolic morbidity and mortality. A series of 2012 patients who had undergone gastroenterologic surgery between January 2005 and June 2010 at our institution were reviewed. Among this cohort, antiplatelet therapy (APT) was used in 519 patients (25.8 %). The perioperative management included interruption of APT 1 week before surgery and early postoperative reinstitution in patients at low thromboembolic risk, although APT was maintained until surgery in those at high thromboembolic risk. Bleeding and thromboembolic complications, as well as other outcome variables, were assessed in patients with and without APT. Among 519 patients with APT, 99 (19.1 %) underwent multidrug APT. Among them, 124 (23.9 %) required preoperative continuation of APT. None suffered from excessive bleeding intraoperatively. There were 19 thromboembolic events (0.9 %) in the whole cohort. Postoperative bleeding complications occurred in 37 patients (1.8 %). Multivariate analysis showed that increased postoperative bleeding complications were independently associated with multidrug APT [hazard ratio (HR) 4.3, p = 0.014], high-risk surgical procedures (HR 3.5, p = 0.003), and perioperative heparin bridging (HR 2.8, p = 0.029). High-risk surgery (HR 8.3, p < 0.001) and poor performance status (HR 4.9, p = 0.005)—but neither APT nor anticoagulation use—were significant prognostic factors for thromboembolic complications. Satisfactory outcomes were obtained during gastroenterologic surgery under rigorous perioperative management, including single-agent APT continuation in patients at high thromboembolic risk. Patients treated with multidrug APT still represent a challenging group, however, and need to be carefully managed to prevent perioperative complications.
Reconfigurable computer architectures

Reconfigurable computing is a promising approach to overcome the traditional trade-off between flexibility and performance in the design of computer architectures. Computing systems that adapt their hardware to each application can achieve the high performance of dedicated hardware while retaining the flexibility of general-purpose processors. This paper introduces to the currently taken approaches in reconfigurable computing: fine-grained and coarse-grained reconfiguration. The enabling technology is discussed, reconfiguration models and application examples are presented. Finally, topical research problems are enumerated.
Inclusive π 0 Production at Large Transverse Momentum from π ± p and pp Interactions at 100 and 200 GeV/ c

We have measured large-transverse-momentum (p/sub perpendicular/) inclusive ..pi../sup 0/ production at c.m. angles centered near 90/sup 0/ for ..pi../sup + -/p and pp interactions at 100 and 200 GeV/c. This is the first such measurement using a pion beam. The ratio sigma(pp..--> pi../sup 0/X)/sigma (..pi..p..--> pi../sup 0/X) decreases with increasing p/sub perpendicular/ and is independent of energy when expressed as a function of x/sub perpendicular/ = p/sub perpendicular//p/sub max/. We compare the data with predictions of various models. (AIP)
Passive Rental Activity Issues Challenged in the Tax Court and on Appeal 2000–2006

Section 469 of the Internal Revenue Code limiting the current deduction of passive losses was introduced by the Tax Reform Act of 1986 in response to concerns that rental properties and other investments were acting as tax shelters for the rich. Application of the provision has resulted in a dynamic regulatory environment which often has been challenging to administer. The regulations have been amended and reissued so frequently that taxpayers have actually used the authoritative turmoil in the construction of their defensive arguments in the courts. In this paper we review a window of activity in the Tax Court and courts of appeal during the period just prior to the provision's twentieth anniversary to identify the issues that continue to challenge taxpayers and administrators. We find that, with few exceptions stemming from two of the six rental exceptions challenged in the Tax Court, the Commissioner has been successful in defending the Service's position on passive rental activity issues despite the d...