cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Failure Processes Governing High Rate Impact Resistance of Epoxy Resins Filled with Core Shell Rubber Nanoparticles

Epoxy resins are classically toughened by rubber additives, but the effectiveness of rubber toughening tends to diminish with increasing strain rate, decreasing temperature, and decreasing matrix ductility. In this study, we demonstrate that low loadings of 100–200-nm core–shell rubber (CSR) particulate additives can improve high strain rate (104–105 s−1) impact resistance by nearly 200 % for epoxy resins with glass transition temperatures T g in a range between 60 and 110 °C, without large reductions in T g or stiffness. In addition, CSR additives improve low-temperature impact resistance of the epoxies down to 0 °C. Size and surface chemistry of the CSR particles influence the ballistic response, with 200-nm diameter, weakly bound, and poorly dispersed CSR particles providing the greatest toughening performance at low filler loadings and high rates. Impact resistance for a systematic series of CSR-modified epoxies covers a transition from brittle to tough behavior, where the failure mechanism changes with effective fracture resistance. For brittle resins, failure is dominated by initiation of Hertzian cone fracture which depends strongly on fracture toughness K IC, while for tough resins, failure is dominated by plastic yield at the impact site and is independent of fracture toughness above a minimum K IC value of approximately 1.2–1.5 MPa m1/2. Interestingly, quasistatic mechanical properties are reasonably effective qualitative predictors of high-rate impact resistance, suggesting that the toughening mechanisms of CSR particles are similar over the rates studied here. The insights gained from this study are valuable for design of next generation adhesives, polymers, and polymer composite matrices for lightweight protective applications.
A Lagrangian relaxation for flexible order batching problem in iron and steel industry

This paper investigates the flexible order batching problem in iron and steel industry. The problem consists of grouping a set of orders to form a set of production batches - charge-lots. A novel mixed-integer programming model is established by taking the flexibilities of orders and the technological limitations into consideration. A solution methodology is developed combining Lagrangian relaxation, dynamic programming, and heuristics. Computational results using practical data collected from an iron and steel industry and random data of large scale problems, demonstrate that the proposed method generates high quality solution within a reasonable computation time.
Echocardiographic assessment of velocardiofacial syndrome

Abstract Velocardofacial syndrome (VCF) is a well-recognized collection of related cardiac and non-cardiac anomalies. Congenital heart disease is a common feature in patients. Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography provide a comprehensive means of non-invasive assessment of cardiac anatomy and function. The use of these techniques is reviewed with regard to identification of the cardiac defects associated with VCF.
Modulatory effects of FMRF-NH2 on outward currents and oscillatory activity in heart interneurons of the medicinal leech

Using single-electrode voltage clamp, heart interneurons of the medicinal leech were shown to possess both a rapidly inactivating outward current, IA, and a more slowly inactivating outward current, IK. IA and IK could be separated by their voltage sensitivity and kinetic properties. FMRF-NH2 (Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2) modulates IK by shifting both steady state activation and inactivation to more hyperpolarized potentials, but it does not affect the time constants. IA and IK appear to use K+ as a charge carrier; a change in the external [K+] produced a shift in the apparent reversal potential in the direction predicted with potassium as the charge carrier. Both IA and IK are sensitive to tetraethylammonium (TEA) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), and TEA and 4-AP both interfere with the effects of FMRF-NH2 on IK. The biophysical properties of IA and of IK in the presence and absence of FMRF-NH2 were incorporated into a Hodgkin-Huxley model of these currents that could reproduce voltage-clamp data. FMRF-NH2 produces two apparently dissimilar effects on the heartbeat rhythm--acceleration and disruption. We suggest that both effects could result from the hyperpolarizing shifts in steady state activation and inactivation of IK.
The rate of acute gastrointestinal illness in developed countries.

This paper reviews estimates of the incidence and prevalence of acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) from 33 studies. These studies include prospective cohort studies, retrospective cross-sectional population-based surveys, and intervention trials from the United States and six other developed countries published since 1953. The incidence and prevalence estimates for AGI reported in these studies range from 0.1 to 3.5 episodes per person-year. However, comparisons of these rates are problematic owing to significant variation in study design, sampling methodology, and case definitions and should be made with caution. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention9s (CDC) Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) estimates a rate of 0.65 episodes of AGI per person-year. This estimate includes diarrhea and/or vomiting of infectious or non-infectious origin, with a measure of severity (impairment of daily activities or diarrhea duration greater than 1 day), and has been adjusted for combined respiratory–gastrointestinal illnesses. However, it excludes episodes of diarrhea or vomiting due to any long-lasting or chronic illness or condition. Limitations in study design result in an unknown degree of uncertainty around this point estimate.
Colorimetric Determination of Procainamide in Injectable Preparations

A simple, rapid colorimetric method is described which determines procainamide in commercially available, injectable solutions. It is based on complexing the drug with cupric ion and then measuring the absorption at 380 nm. The reaction is fast and the metal-drug ratio in the complex is 1:1. The pH optimum for maximum reaction is 4.0-4.5 which is maintained by an acetate buffer. Linear standard curves were obtained from 1.52 to 6.06 mg/mL. Analysis of 29 commercial samples resulted in an average of 97.3% of the label claim.
Measurement of river surface currents with coherent microwave systems

River surface currents have been measured using coherent microwave systems from a bridge, a cableway, several riverbanks, a helicopter, and an airplane. In most cases, the microwave measurements have been compared with conventional measurements of near-surface currents and found to be accurate to within about 10 cm/s. In all cases, the basis for the microwave measurement of surface current is the Doppler shift induced in the signal backscattered from the rough water surface. In this paper, we outline the principles of the measurements and the various implementations that have been used to make microwave measurements of surface currents. Continuous-wave (CW) microwave systems have been used from a bridge to make long-term measurements of surface currents; these are compared with current-meter measurements and with time series of stage. A compact CW system has been developed and used on a cableway to measure surface currents at various distances across a river; these measurements have been compared with acoustic ones. Pulsed Doppler radars have been used to measure river surface currents from a riverbank, a helicopter, and an airplane. In the first two cases, comparisons with both current-meter and acoustic measurements have been made. We suggest that the CW system would be preferable to the pulsed Doppler radar to make such measurements from helicopters in the future. Finally, we consider the implications of our experiments for the measurement of surface currents from aircraft or satellites using interferometric synthetic aperture radars (INSARs). We find that a combination along-track, cross-track INSAR is necessary but that significant limitations are inherent in the technique.
Unlocking the privacy paradox: do cognitive heuristics hold the key?

Even though users have become increasingly concerned about their privacy online, they continue to disclose deeply personal information in a number of online venues, including e-commerce portals and social networking sites. Scholars have tried to explain this inconsistency between attitudes and behavior by suggesting that online users consciously weigh the trade-off between the costs and benefits of online information disclosure. We argue that online user behaviors are not always rational, but may occur due to expedient decision-making in the heat of the moment. Such decisions are based on cognitive heuristics (i.e., rules of thumb) rather than on a careful analysis of each transaction. Based on this premise, we seek to identify the specific triggers for disclosure of private information online. In the experiment reported here, we explore the operation of two specific heuristics-benefit and fuzzy boundary-in influencing privacy-related attitudes and behaviors. Theoretical and design implications are discussed.
Press pass: payoffs to media exposure among National Football League (NFL) wide receivers.

The authors examine Wide Receivers drafted into the National Football League (NFL) to test competing superstar theories related to both talent and popularity. The authors use player performance variables and media exposure in the popular press prior to the draft to explore whether talent and popularity can explain differences in salaries and NFL draft order. The authors find evidence of superstar effects stemming from player popularity but not performance even after controlling for measured physical attributes. The authors also find that tangible measures of player quality are valuable signals. Consistent with expectations, faster and more accomplished college receivers are drafted earlier and earn more.
Educating for Competence in Community and Culture: Exploring the Views of Exemplary African-American Teachers

There are too few positive images of African-American teachers in the education literature. In this article, the author reports the results of two ethnographic studies of 18 exemplary African-American teachers. Using the teachers' words, their backgrounds, educational philosophies, and the relationship between the two are described. The author emphasizes the differences that teachers' backgrounds make in their conceptions of the purpose and function of schooling and its relationship to education. She also argues that their knowledge of their community's norms and of the position of that community within the larger society explains their success with students.
Sociology and the Land-Use Problem

The discipline of sociology can make a distinctive contribution to the development of solutions to land-use issues. Sociology is distinguished from other social science disci plines by its stress o...
Advanced Two-Moment Bulk Microphysics for Global Models. Part II: Global Model Solutions and Aerosol–Cloud Interactions*

AbstractA modified microphysics scheme is implemented in the Community Atmosphere Model, version 5 (CAM5). The new scheme features prognostic precipitation. The coupling between the microphysics and the rest of the model is modified to make it more flexible. Single-column tests show the new microphysics can simulate a constrained drizzling stratocumulus case. Substepping the cloud condensation (macrophysics) within a time step improves single-column results. Simulations of mixed-phase cases are strongly sensitive to ice nucleation. The new microphysics alters process rates in both single-column and global simulations, even at low (200 km) horizontal resolution. Thus, prognostic precipitation can be important, even in low-resolution simulations where advection of precipitation is not important. Accretion dominates as liquid water path increases in agreement with cloud-resolving model simulations and estimates from observations. The new microphysics with prognostic precipitation increases the ratio of accre...
FDA's public health goals in evaluating health claims.

Abstract Scientific developments have increased awareness of possible links between diet and health within the scientific community and in the general public and have generated interest in the use of disease‐related health claims on food labels. The enactment of the Nutrition, Labeling, and Education Act for the first time authorizes such claims if they are claims approved by FDA. From FDA's perspective, it is imperative that statements regarding potential health benefits of changes in nutrient intake also take into consideration potential health risk. The ultimate goal must be to capitalize on available scientific evidence and the communication capacity of the food label to assist the consumer in constructing healthier diets.
Issues in International Program Partnering

This paper explores the issues two technical communication departments face in an international program partnering. For the departments, the partnership answers the need for efficient course delivery. Faculty and students enjoy the opportunity for intercultural exchanges. The immediate issues that challenge the programs are explored. But additional considerations add complexity to the endeavor. The international program partnering begins with small steps.
Flowfield measurements for a highly turbulent flow in a stator vane passage

Turbine vanes experience high convective surface heat transfer as a consequence of the turbulent flow exiting the combustor. Before improvements to vane heat transfer predictions through boundary layer calculations can be made, we need to understand how the turbulent flow in the inviscid region of the passage reacts as it passes between two adjacent turbine vanes. In this study, a scaled-up turbine vane geometry was used in a low-speed wind tunnel simulation. The test section included a central airfoil with two adjacent vanes. To generate the 20 percent turbulence levels at the entrance to the cascade, which simulates levels exiting the combustor, an active grid was used. Three-component laser-Doppler velocimeter measurements of the mean and fluctuating quantities were measured in a plane at the vane midspan. Coincident velocity measurements were made to quantify Reynolds shear stress and correlation coefficients. The energy spectra and length scales were also measured to give a complete set of inlet boundary conditions that can be used for numerical simulations. The results show that the turbulent kinetic energy throughout the inviscid region remained relatively high. The surface heat transfer measurements indicated high augmentation near the leading edge as well as the pressure side of the vane as a result of the elevated turbulence levels.
Institutional Characteristics and State Policy Priorities: The Impact of Legislatures and Governors

This article examines how the institutional characteristics of state legislatures and governors affect state policy priorities. We argue that differences in the nature of their respective constituencies lead legislators to press for particularized benefits while governors favor collective goods. Empirical analysis of state-level data from 1982 through 2011 confirms that this is the case. The organizational arrangements of the two branches of government have an impact that is usually greater than that of state public opinion but generally less than that of state interest groups. The results from this analysis are important because they show that institutional structure has systematic effects that are independent of ideology, partisanship, and the other factors that are known to shape state policy making.
O-198 Cultural Differences Impact Paediatric Resident Education In Communication And Professionalism

Background and aims Effective communication and strong professional conduct are essential to the practice of medicine. Differences across cultures are likely to impact education in these areas. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of paediatric residents in United States (US) and Singapore to study these differences. Methods A 108-item written questionnaire was developed, addressing residents’ perceptions and attitudes towards communication/professionalism using five-point Likert scales. Reliability was analysed using Cronbach’s alpha. Results Response rate was 64% (89/139). Median age 29 years (28–30). Cronbach’s alpha for professionalism (r = 0.94) and communication (r = 0.96) were excellent. Residents in both countries rated the top three principles of professionalism and communication similarly: 1) shared decision making with patients, 2) compassion/empathy, and 3) competency, and 1) breaking bad news, 2) dealing with difficult parents, and 3) discussing end of life issues, respectively. However, Singapore residents perceived self-awareness more importantly than US residents. Role modelling was the most useful teaching method on both sides. Residents in Singapore placed more emphasis on didactic lectures for teaching professionalism and standardised patients with role-play for communication. Top barriers and promoters to learning were similar on both sides. However, Singapore residents highlighted negative culture and role-modelling within the department as additional barriers, and formal education through lectures and feedback on personal behaviour as additional promoters. Conclusion Although residents from both countries view the various components of professionalism and communication similarly, preferred teaching methods, barriers, and promoters differ across cultures. These cultural differences are important considerations in developing the curricula for professionalism and communication.
Sex Pheromones of Noctuid Moths. V. Circadian Rhythm of Pheromone-Responsiveness in Males of Autographa californica, Heliothis virescens, Spodoptera exigua, and Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Males of the alfalfa looper, Autographa californica (Speyer); tohacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.) ; beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner); and cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) exhibited a cyclic rhythm of responsiveness to the sex pheromones extracted from females of their respective species. When the males were synchronized to a 12:12-hour light :dark cycle, maximum pheromone-responsiveness occurred during the hours of darkness. The response rhythms were maintained for at least 36 hours under conditions of continuous darkness. In T. ni , a reversal in the 12:12-hour light:dark cycle was followed by a complete reentrainment of the male responsiveness rhythm to the new cycle within 24 hours. A 24-hour rhythm of responsiveness could be synchronized in T. ni males by light:dark cycles as abnormal as 20:4 or 4:20. However, the time of maximum responsiveness did not appear to be related in a constant manner to the time of initiation of light or darkness.
EVOLUTIONARY RESPONSE OF PREDATORS TO DANGEROUS PREY: PREADAPTATION AND THE EVOLUTION OF TETRODOTOXIN RESISTANCE IN GARTER SNAKES

Coevolutionary interactions typically involve only a few specialized taxa. The factors that cause some taxa and not others to respond evolutionarily to selection by another species are poorly understood. Preadaptation may render some species predisposed for evolutionary response to new pressures, whereas a lack of genetic variation may limit the evolutionary potential of other taxa. We evaluate these factors in the predator-prey interaction between toxic newts (Taricha granulosa) and their resistant garter snake predators (Thamnophis sirtalis). Using a bioassay of resistance to tetrodotoxin (TTX), the primary toxin in the prey, we examined phenotypic evolution in the genus Thamnophis. Reconstruction of ancestral character states suggests that the entire genus Thamnophis, and possibly natricine snakes in general, has slightly elevated TTX resistance compared to other lineages of snakes. While this suggests that T. sirtalis is indeed predisposed to evolving TTX resistance, it also indicates that the potential exists in sympatric congeners not expressing elevated levels of TTX resistance. We also detected significant family level variation for TTX resistance in a species of Thamnophis that does not exhibit elaborated levels of the trait. This finding suggests that evolutionary response in other taxa is not limited by genetic variability. In this predator-prey system, species and population differences in resistance appear to be largely determined by variation in the selective environment rather than preadaptation or constraint.
MODELING AND SIMULAT ION OF THE NONLINEAR DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR OF A FLAPPING WINGS MICRO - AERIAL - VEHI CLE

This paper describes nonli near computational model for the simulation of co ntrolled motion of flapping wings Micro Air Vehicle. The following assumptions are made: the motion of wings are d ecomposed into flapping, lagging, and feathering rot ations; each wing is rigid and rotates ab out the co mmon axis; aerod ynamic forces coming from airfoils have periodical character; the wing vortices are ge nerated at the trai ling edge only; the shape of the wake is determined from calc ulations via a time -stepping procedure. Because of highly nonlin ear dynamics of flapping wings MAVs over the flight env elope, the state space formulation with the linearized equ ations of motion is not sufficient to describe the co upled dynamics of those vehicles. Therefore, a model with the complete nonlinear different ial equations of m otion and nonlinear aerodyna mics is derived.
The Flexibility of Conceptual Pacts: Referring Expressions Dynamically Shift to Accommodate New Conceptualizations

In a classic paper, Brennan and Clark argued that when interlocutors agree on a name for an object, they are forming a temporary agreement on how to conceptualize that object; that is, they are forming a conceptual pact. The literature on conceptual pacts has largely focused on the costs and benefits of breaking and maintaining lexical precedents, and the degree to which they might be partner-specific. The research presented here focuses on a question about conceptual pacts that has been largely neglected in the literature: To what extent are conceptual pacts specific to the local context of the interaction? If conceptual pacts are indeed temporary, then when the local context changes in ways that are accessible to participants, we would expect participants to seamlessly shift to referential expressions that reflect novel conceptualizations. Two experiments examined how referential forms change across context in collaborative, task-oriented dialogue between naive participants. In Experiment 1, names for parts of an unknown object were established in an “item” identification stage (e.g., a shape that looked like a wrench was called “the wrench”). In a second “build” stage, that name was often supplanted by an object-oriented name, e.g., the “leg”. These changes happened abruptly and without negotiation. In Experiment 2, interlocutors manipulated clip art and more abstract tangram pictures in a “slider” puzzle to arrange the objects into a target configuration. On some trials moving an object revealed a picture that could be construed as a contrast competitor, e.g., a clip art picture of a camel after “the camel” had been negotiated as a name for a tangram shape, or vice versa. As would be expected, modification rates increased when a potential contrast was revealed. More strikingly, the degree to which a name had been negotiated or the frequency with which it had been used did not affect the likelihood that the revealed shape would be considered as a potential contrast. We find little evidence that names that are introduced as part of a conceptual pact persist when either the task goals or informational needs change. Rather, conceptual pacts are fluid temporary agreements.
"Huazhi Fugan Granule" for 124 Cases of Fatty Liver

Huazhi Fugan Granule" was employed to treat 124 cases of fatty liver for 1 month. Results showed cure in 18 cases, marked effectiveness in 39 cases, effectiveness in 51 cases and failure in 16 cases; and the total effective rate was 86.9%.
Multiple Attempt Write Strategy for Low Energy STT-RAM

In this paper, we demonstrate an energy-reduction strategy that exploits the stochastic switching characteristics of STT-RAM write operation and propose a multiple-attempt write technique needed for it. In contrast to the traditional approach which uses the pulse that guarantees writes for all cells, the proposed technique uses multiple short pulses. Individually, these pulses result in high probability of write error therefore multiple attempts are made until a successful write for all bits. Average write energy is significantly reduced because the average write duration is far shorter than the worst-case duration. We developed a self-validation write circuit that allows bit-wise validation and current de-activation without adding energy and area overhead. We evaluated the proposed circuit using a compact STT-RAM model targeting an implementation in a 10nm technology node. Results indicate that the proposed architecture reduces write energy by 94.6% compared to the conventional design. Compared to the best previously known architectures that rely on write-read-verify strategy we reduce write energy by 2.1 χ without area overhead.
Poisson's ratio inversion based on AVO forward modeling

AVO responses indicate changes of seismic reflection amplitude with offset,AVO responses can be used to predict reservoir parameters and identify hydrocarbon anomalies.Poisson's ratio changes obviously in the hydrocarbon charged reservoir,AVO anomaly is very strong.We analyzed relations between AVO characteristic parameters(AVO intercept and gradient) in various combinations of Poisson's ratio and reservoir thickness by means of AVO forward modeling.Then a Poisson's ratio inversion method and an inversion experience formula are put forward.Inversion Poisson's ratios are close to real data.The efficiency of the method has been proved by accurate inversion results for theoretical models and real seismic data.Using this inversion method,we can predict the Poisson's ratio and whether or not to charge reservoir.
Prognostic index for vaginal delivery in breech presentation at term. Prospective study.

Abstract The obstetric decision of allowing the vaginal delivery of a term fetus in breech presentation is fraught with danger. In our present state of knowledge, the choice of abdominal versus vaginal delivery in these cases resides mostly in the obstetrician's experience. It is unfortunate that this decision is the wrong one on far too many occasions. Retrospective analysis of term breech presentation has led us to the development of a Breech Scoring Index. The present study, a prospective one, emphasizes the usefulness of the Index in selecting those patients whose labor should be terminated by the abdominal route. Experience with the Breech Index demonstrates that approximately 20 per cent of patients with a term fetus in breech presentation will require cesarean section. The morbidity and mortality associated with breech presentation will be significantly decreased by the use of the Breech Index.
Software Process Automation in Perspective

Jim is the manager responsible for developing the software performance requirements on a flight control computer. Since he is, as usual, overloaded, he asks Bob, one of his engineers, to determine the timing constraints on the system. Bob, who is new to the job, performs the task but significantly overestimates the values. He e-mails these to Jim who inserts them into the requirements document. At the requirements review, Mary who is familiar with timing constraints realizes that something is wrong and requests a recalculation. Jim readily agrees, but because he is preoccupied, forgets to inform Bob about the problem, and corrective action is never taken. When the system is built, a major crisis develops when it is found that the control computer cannot perform the job...
Blockade of norepinephrine-induced lipolysis by isomers of dl-1-(nitrophenyl)-1-hydroxy-2-isopropylaminoethane.

The ability of three new beta adrenergic blocking agents, dl -1-(2-nitrophenyl)-1-hydroxy-2-isopropylaminoethane (2-INPEA), dl -1-(3-nitrophenyl)-1-hydroxy-2-isopropylaminoethane (3-INPEA), and dl -1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-hydroxy-2-isopropylaminoethane (4-INPEA) to antagonize norepinephrine-induced lipolysis was investigated utilizing an isolated fat cell preparation. All three isomers were capable of blocking norepinephrine competitively. The pA 10 values for 2-INPEA, 3-INPEA, and 4-INPEA were determined and concentration-inhibition curves were plotted. 4-INPEA was found to be approximately ten times as potent as 2-INPEA and 3-INPEA, the latter two being equipotent. The results are discussed in relation to the classification of the adrenergic receptor in adipose tissue.
Pigment-based chemotaxonomy of phytoplankton in the Patos Lagoon estuary (Brazil) and adjacent coast

ABSTRACTThe composition and distribution of phytoplankton assemblages were studied monthly at two sites in the Patos Lagoon estuary and at one site on the adjacent coast over three years (May 2012–April 2015). Samples were collected for microscopic examination and high-performance-liquid-chromatography pigment analysis. The pigment data were analysed using CHEMTAX software to estimate the contribution of different taxonomic groups to total chlorophyll a (Chl a). Phytoplankton assemblages were generally dominated by diatoms, which contributed, on average, 51% of the total Chl a, especially at the Cassino Beach surf zone, where Asterionellopsis guyunusae was the main species contributing to the high diatom-associated biomass. Cyanobacteria appeared as an important group at the lagoon’s mouth station, contributing, on average, 37% of the total Chl a. Cryptophytes, chlorophytes, prasinophytes and dinoflagellates were less important and contributed, on average, 13, 7, 5 and 3%, respectively, of the total phyto...
Extended Password Security via Cloud: CloudPass

We propose the design and development of CloudPass, a novel password storage and retrieval scheme that offers extended protection against confidentiality threats. CloudPass first encrypts password, then stores this encrypted password in a cloud environment, namely Dropbox. Employing CloudPass for password storage and retrieval offers a threefold benefit: (1) We optimize memory requirements by having to store less content in local computer/device pertaining to password storage, (2) we gain extra security that is integral to the cloud service, (3) all these services are obtained free of charge. It provides fundamental security services fully, i.e. confidentiality, integrity, availability, authentication, and non-repudiation. Our design is presented as a mobile application, yet it can well be adopted to a PC environment. Performance metrics, measured as the time to store and retrieve a secure password to/from cloud are promising, and their comparisons with similar products as presented are evidently comparable to its peers.
Walking the Boundaries Between Modernity and Tradition: Perambulation and 'Beating the Bounds in nineteenth-century Hungary.

Gray shows how walking was crucial in producing and defining the limits of the peasant world of nineteenth-century Hungary. Through the traditional practice of beating the bounds, the space defined by everyday use became ingrained in local memory and customary law. Yet, as part of the overhaul of Hungary’s traditional rural society during the long nineteenth century, new practices of surveying, mapping and measuring threatened to supplant these traditional practices. Gray shows how beating the bounds retained its authority, acting as a more accurate reflection of local practice and expectations than maps, surveys and registers, and thus ensuring traditional borders were accounted for within the new legal boundaries produced by reform.
Mesa Verde Region Towers: A View from Above

ABSTRACTThis study tests a hypothesis for the function of Pueblo III period Mesa Verde Region towers: that their construction and use enabled visual monitoring of the use of valuable resources. Geographic Information System (GIS) procedures and aerial photo interpretation are combined to develop and analyze two catchment types: 1) arbitrary 1-km-radius catchments and 2) 1-km-viewshed catchments, each type associated with both an equal sample of prehistoric tower sites and of randomly selected points. Discriminant analyses are used to determine which landscape attributes are most useful in distinguishing the catchment types. The analyses indicate that the tower viewsheds are distinguished from other catchment types by overrepresentation of those areas best suited for dry farming. This suggests that the prehistoric towers of the northern San Juan region of the U.S. Southwest were built to overlook the most valuable farmlands. Therefore, anyone entering such areas would see the towers and realize that someon...
Connections between Neurons and details of their Structure

Study of neurons of the visual system and the attempt to schematize the manner in which excitation propagates through its various components inevitably brings up the complex problem of interneuronal connections. This problem has particularly interested me because the method used in the present investigation is so far the only means for obtaining a complete picture of the neuron with all its dendrites and sometimes with its axon and collaterals; and more rarely, if the impregnation is wholly successful, a variety of connections can also be distinguished.
Weight Regain After Bariatric Surgery

Understanding the phenomenon of weight regain in the bariatric patient first requires a full understanding of the physiology of obesity and the specifics of the bariatric procedure utilized in the particular patient. This chapter will explain the physiology of obesity and the mechanisms of action for each of the most common bariatric surgical procedures. It will also explain why weight regain occurs after a bariatric procedure and outline the optimal way to medically monitor the bariatric patient for weight regain in order to maximize prevention. Diagnostic evaluation protocols and recommended strategies for combatting weight regain are also discussed. Finally, weight regain as it relates to the need for surgical conversions and/or revisions of previously performed bariatric surgical procedures is analyzed in this chapter.
The Dark Side of the Prism

The first time I heard a Pink Floyd album was in the late ‘80s. I was with my older cousin who introduced me to The Wall. The good time, party rock scene of the ‘80s hair bands was beginning to fade alongside my preteen years, but popular music had yet to turn the corner to the ‘90s West Coast alternative rock scene, which would resonate with me in my teenage years. For me, The Wall, released in 1982, filled a music void in that span of time.
Glee-talia: adapting Glee for an Italian audience

ABSTRACTGlee was an American television program that emphasized differences in high school students’ social status by juxtaposing popular teens with underdogs. This theme, consistently reinforced in promotional materials in the US, got lost in translation when Glee was exported to Italy. Through an examination of cultural symbols and editing practices that affect both visual and auditory elements, this study brings critical attention to one element of the transnational television adaptation industry. Although the Italian alteration of American promos disrupts the encoding of Glee’s central narrative—the exclusion of marginalized identities by those with privilege—I conclude that viewers’ increased familiarity with American symbols ultimately reinforces the social binary that separates popular characters from social outcasts; furthermore, the development of Italian promos for Glee’s second season demonstrates the learning curve inherent in promotional materials’ cross-cultural adaptation.
The Development and Future of TV Everywhere as a Television Platform

Television audiences have frequently adopted new forms of technology to enhance their viewing experience. Some examples from the past that seem commonplace now include cable television, direct-broadcast satellite, and recorded media. As consumers utilize new ways of consuming content, broadcasters must adapt to new innovations in media consumption. One fairly recent model that has been deployed by multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) is TV Everywhere (TVE). Over the past decade, streaming of video content has become a popular means for audiences to consume content. As a result of this changing environment, a major component of the FCC 18th Annual Video Competition Report is the impact TV Everywhere is playing on competition of video-based subscription services. Since the introduction of the TV Everywhere platform, online consumption of video content has continued to increase among free and paid services. The traditional method of cable television being the primary deliverer of video content appears to be shifting as consumers are choosing to increasingly consume more content via the Internet. TV Everywhere was envisioned as a way to provide consumers a way to use their favorite devices to receive the content they could receive through their traditional cable connection to their television. The TV Everywhere model requires a large amount of coordination between various entities in order for it to be successful. This paper will explore the events that led the cable television industry to develop the TV Everywhere platform along with developments and changes that have occurred since its introduction in 2009. As television audiences continue to evolve in the way they choose to view content, it is crucial for the cable industry to continue to move towards delivering content to customers in a way that is competitive with other video services available through the Internet. This paper will also examine the effects that present FCC Open Internet policies may have on the future of TV Everywhere as well as any potential rule alterations that may occur with recent changes in FCC leadership.
Metformin use and survival in diabetic patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

e15612 Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is independently associated with decreased overall survival in patients with RCC. Metformin has shown to decrease recurrence and improve survival in diabetic patients with various cancers. At present there are many clinical trials ongoing with metformin in non-diabetic patients to prevent or treat cancer. Methods: We performed an IRB approved retrospective chart review of all patients who were diagnosed with RCC at West Virginia University from 2002-2012. 598 patients with RCC were selected and stratified into two cohorts based on the presences or absence of diabetes mellitus type II (DM). The diabetic cohort was further stratified into two cohorts based on metformin use. We compared patients by age, clear cell RCC vs other histology, pathologic stage, whether or not nephrectomy was performed, smoking & alcohol use, and body mass index (BMI). Statistical analysis was performed with S-PLUS Version 7.0. Results: Of the 598 patients identified with RCC, 148 (25%) had...
PEG Application in Clinical Cases of Canine Paraplegia

Given the positive results gained from studies of guinea pig, veterinary clinical trials of PEG injections as a treatment for severe acute canine paraplegia have just been completed in a joint clinical trial at the Schools of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University and Texas A&M University. The investigative protocol was similar to that described for OFS studies described in Sect. 14.1. Following admission to the hospital and a standardized neurological examination, to set a baseline of functional and physiological deficits, PEG was administered intravenously as soon as possible to spinal-injured dogs before and after surgery. If a durotomy was necessary, during decompressive surgery PEG was also topically applied to the exposed lesion for 2 min, removed, and lavaged, as in the laboratory experiments discussed in Sect. 15.3 “Repairing a crush Injury with PEG.”
The Impact of Restricting Labor Mobility on Corporate Investment and Entrepreneurship

This paper examines how labor frictions affect investment rate and new firm entry. Using matched employee-employer data from LinkedIn, I first show that increases in the enforceability of non-compete agreements lead to widespread declines in employee departures across seniority levels, driven by workers in knowledge-intensive occupations. Investment rates at existing firms increase, especially for firms that employ more skilled workers. This comes at the expense of new firm entry, which declines substantially in knowledge-intensive sectors. The results suggest that labor frictions play an important role in investment decisions, and that NCs may factor into slowing business dynamism.
Nonlinear optical properties of Ag@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles investigated by continuous wave He-Ne laser

Abstract A facile one step synthesis approach for preparing Ag@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles was reported and its third-order nonlinear optical analysis was discussed. The linear optical behaviour of the synthesized core-shell structured Ag@SiO2 nanoparticles was studied by UV-vis spectral analysis. The red shifting of the surface plasmon resonance peak affirmed the core-shell structure of the products. The surface functionality of the product was probed by the FTIR spectral investigations and the results revealed that silica networks formed an outer shell covering Ag nanoparticles. The crystallinity and chemical composition of the products are analyzed by powder XRD pattern and confirmed that the crystallinity of Ag nanoparticles was not affected by the formation of the amorphous SiO2 shell. The particle size, morphology and the formation of uniform SiO2 shell over the Ag core are visualized by the TEM analysis. Moreover, the optical nonlinearity of the Ag and Ag@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles is examined by z-scan technique using continuous wave He-Ne laser which showed interesting optical nonlinearity and exhibited switching behaviour from reverse saturated absorption to saturated absorption, which could be useful for numerous photonic applications like, Q-switching and optical limiting.
Pushing 3D Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometry to Capture Time Varying Dynamic Characteristics

3D scanning laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) systems are well known for modal testing of articles whose excited dynamic properties are time-invariant over the duration of all scans. However, several potential test situations can arise in which the modal parameters of a given article will change over the course of a typical LDV scan. One such instance is considered in this work, in which the internal state of a thermal battery changes at different rates over its activation lifetime. These changes substantially alter its dynamic properties as a function of time. Due to the extreme external temperatures of the battery, non-contact LDV was the preferred method of response measurement. However, scanning such an object is not optimal due to the non-simultaneous nature of the scanning LDV when capturing a full set of data. Nonetheless, by carefully considering the test configuration, hardware and software setup, as well as data acquisition and processing methods it was possible to utilize a scanning LDV system to collect sufficient information to provide a measure of the time varying dynamic characteristics of the test article. This work will demonstrate the techniques used, the acquired results and discuss the technical issues encountered.
Electing One of Our Own: Descriptive Representation of Asian Americans

The voting behavior of Asian Americans is one of the most intriguing puzzles of contemporary American politics. The potential political significance of the population growth rates of Asian Americans provides a lingering opportunity for parties and candidates seeking to boost their fortunes by mobilizing peripheral electorates. This study uses both experimental design and survey data to examine the thesis of minority representation among Asian American voters. The analysis partially confirms the thesis with caution. The appearance of Asian American candidates on the ballot does increase turnout rates among Asian American voters. Mentioning the origin of the Asian Indian American candidate's parents seems to be positively associated with a higher preference of the Asian Indian American candidate over his opponent. The bivariate analysis of the 2008 presidential election does not only indirectly confirms the minority representation thesis, but also suggests the viability of building an across-racial line coalition.
Young children's communication and literacy : a qualitative study of language in the inclusive preschool

Interactive and literacy-based language use of young children within the context of an inclusive preschool classroom was explored. An interpretivist framework and qualitative research methods, including participant observation, were used to examine and analyze language in five preschool classes that were composed of children with and without disabilities. Children's language use included spoken, written, signed, and typed. Results showed complex communicative and literacy language use on the part of young children outside conventional adult perspectives. Also, children who used expressive methods other than speech were often left out of the contexts where spoken language was richest and most complex.
NeuralWISP: A Wirelessly Powered Spike Density Recording System

Having discussed the critical components of implantable neural interfaces, we may now move on to system integration issues. After reviewing some previous systemlevel efforts, this chapter and the next will describe two example systems, both including signal acquisition circuitry and a wireless communication link.
Experience with a Wearable Electric Left Ventricular Assist System

The Novacor (Novacor Division, Baxter Healthcare, Oakland, CA, USA) left ventricular assist system (LVAS) has been developed as a long-term circulatory support. The implanted pump, with its integral electrically powered drive, is designed to be compatible with a totally implanted system. Two hundred and sixty-three patients were supported in a 10-year, multi-center, international bridge-to-transplant trial. A wearable control system was introduced in 1993. Morbidly ill, last-resort patients were entered into this protocol. Patients were generally rehabilitated from New York Heart Association functional Class IV to functional Class I. Patients supported for longer than 30 days (47%) had an 82% survival to transplant. Complication rates decreased substantially with the time of support. Patient death was usually the consequence of preimplant dysfunction. The opportunity for recovery while supported allowed these patients to achieve a post-transplant survival equal to transplant recipients overall. The wearable control system provided significant improvements in patient mobility, with many leaving the hospital for daily activities and for trips home. Patients lived outside the hospital for as long as 5 months while awaiting transplant. A clinical trial of the LVAS as an alternative to transplantation is now underway.