cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
First principles modeling and simulation of Zr-Si-B-C-N ceramics: Developing hard and oxidation resistant coatings

Abstract We model amorphous ZrSiBCN ceramics combining ab-initio molecular dynamic simulations with melt-quench and simulated annealing techniques. Starting from the parent composition Zr 42 B 32 C 8 N 18 we systematically increase the Si 3 N 4 content along four different pathways in the composition diagram and evaluate trends in structure and properties. Mixtures of ZrB 2 , ZrN, and ZrC exhibit Zr layers as well as ZrB 2 and ZrN(C) nuclei, but addition of Si 3 N 4 reduces structural order in the models. Elastic moduli decrease with increasing Si 3 N 4 content to values less than expected of a simple mixture model. Thus, while addition of Si 3 N 4 to amorphous ZrBCN coatings may improve oxidation resistance, this needs to be balanced with desired mechanical properties.
Nutrient Leaching from Compost: Implications for Bioretention and Other Green Stormwater Infrastructure

AbstractCompost is often used as a soil amendment in gardens, agricultural fields, and other landscaped systems to alter soil biophysical characteristics and increase availability of valuable nutri...
Reconstruction with Arbitrary Directions: Dimensions Two and Three

The main emphasis on this paper is on obtaining good ways to pick directions u1 … uM in space in order to estimate an unknown function f(x) from the values of the integrals $$({{\rm{P}}_{{{\rm{u}}_{\rm{i}}}}}{\rm{f}})({\rm{t}}) = \smallint {\rm{f}}(\underline {\rm{x}} ){\rm{ d}}\underline {\rm{x}} {\rm{ i}} = 1,...,{\rm{M }}\langle {\rm{x,}}{{\rm{u}}_{\rm{i}}}\rangle = {\rm{t}}$$ (1) X-ray tomography (as implemented in “parallel beam” machines) poses this problem for functions defined on R2 while one modality in the emerging field of NMR medical imaging [17] deals directly with functions defined on R3. The standard equipment in X-ray tomography leads to “fan beam” or “cone beam” projections for which the problems considered here have not yet been tackled. In both instances one of the main problems comes about from discretization.
001 INCOME-ASSOCIATED DISCREPANCIES IN MELANOMA SURVIVAL

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER 18) database is the largest national registry for cancer-related patient data in the United States. Black populations consistently have shown poorer survival statistics, possibly due to later stages of presentation, increased tumor aggressiveness, treatment noncompliance, or other debated causes. Our goal in this study is to look at a socioeconomic marker that may link all of these causes, namely median income level, and derive the extent of influence a patient's financial resources can have on overall survival. Original cases from the aforementioned database were identified, with unknown racial status cases excluded from the final dataset. Survival data by geographical county was collected from the SEER database and correlated to US Census Bureau median income data to uncover meaningful statistical relationships. Blacks were noted to present at later ages (60þyears), with deeper invasive lesions (median 1.255 mm vs 0.60 mm), and higher rates of ulceration (35.9% vs 13.0%) than White patients. Whites were found to overall fare better than Blacks for all time intervals (Year 1–5) following diagnosis, based on mean survival data (po0.05). Blacks have higher survival rates for the same time intervals (Year 1 to Year 5) when survival statistics adjusted for income (po0.05). Significant correlations were seen between presentation parameters, income, and overall survival. These findings identify a major socioeconomic issue to address within the policy-making framework and endorse earlier intervention for underprivileged populations.
Leveraging pediatric PROMIS item banks to assess physical functioning in children at risk for severe functional loss

Pediatric neuromuscular illnesses often result in decreased health-related quality of life (HRQL), notably in physical functioning. Generic HRQL measures have been developed for use in general populations, but may not adequately assess patients with severe functional loss. To address this measurement gap, we created two custom parent-proxy physical functioning short forms for use among children at risk for low levels of functioning, using pediatric Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) item banks for Upper Extremity and Mobility. Two custom short forms from PROMIS Upper Extremity (13 items) and Mobility (13 items) parent-proxy item banks were created and administered to parents of children (ages 5 – 22 years) enrolled in an integrated care program for management of chronic respiratory insufficiency, largely due to neuromuscular illnesses. Standardized PROMIS T-scores have a mean of 50 (SD = 10); higher scores indicate better functioning. Physicians rated clinical severity. Single proxy-rated items on mental and physical health from the Child Health Rating Inventories (CHRIs) global health scale were completed by parents. Psychometric properties, including known groups comparisons, were explored. Fifty-seven parents completed the parent-proxy custom PROMIS short forms. The mean Upper Extremity T-score was 21 (SD = 13); the mean Mobility T-score was 22 (SD = 11). Some participants scored at the measurement floor; two items on assistive devices did not perform well in this sample and were excluded from the Mobility T-score. Known groups comparisons showed that those with lower clinical severity had better median Upper Extremity (22 vs. 14, p < 0.001) and Mobility (28 vs. 16, p = 0.004) function than those with worse clinical severity. Both Upper Extremity and Mobility T-scores were higher in the subgroups defined by better physical and mental health, as measured by the CHRIs. Upper Extremity and Mobility T-scores were nearly three standard deviations below the PROMIS pediatric calibration population mean. Preliminary psychometrics demonstrated the potential to more accurately measure lower physical functioning using items from PROMIS item banks. However, some participants scored at the measurement floor despite targeting items at the lower end of the scale. Further short form refinement, enrichment of the item banks, and larger-scale field testing are needed.
Microbial profile and characterization of blue bulb manual suction devices used to promote airway clearance in newborns in intrapartum and postpartum units.

Background Newborns are suctioned with a blue bulb manual suction device to remove naso-oropharyngeal secretions and promote airway clearance. This study identifies and discusses the microbial profile and characterization of the bulb used in newborns on intrapartum and postpartum units. Methods This was a descriptive study with convenience sampling of a total of 50 bulbs used in cesarean births, vaginal births, and on the postpartum unit. The bulbs were tested for microbial growth, and the percentages of contaminated bulbs were calculated. The χ2 test was used to compare the proportion of bulbs with microbial growth by route of birth among bulbs sampled from the intrapartum unit. Results Microbial profile and characterization identified a total of 57 different gram-positive cocci and rods and gram-negative rods. Among 50 bulbs cultured, bacterial growth was present in 42% of the bulbs, and Escherichia coli was identified in 55% of the gram-negative rod isolates. The χ2 test comparing vaginal and cesarean bulbs showed a statistically significant difference in the percentages of contaminated bulbs for any growth (P = .023) and for any Staphylococcus spp (P = .050). Conclusions New empirical evidence confirms the bulb is a potential bacterial reservoir and poses a potential health risk for nosocomial infections for newborns. Further studies are needed to identify bacterial transmission, newborn outcomes, bactericidal bulb cleaning methods, and quality and safe suction practices.
Tidal freshwater forests: Sentinels for climate change

Abstract We measured plant community composition and productivity, soil accretion, and C, N, and P burial in a tidal freshwater forest of the Altamaha River, Georgia to gain a better understanding of the ecosystem services they deliver and their ability to keep pace with current and future rates of sea level rise. Ten species were identified in two 0.1 ha plots. Nyssa aquatica (Tupelo Gum) made up 50% of the density and 57% of the total basal area. Nyssa biflora, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Fraxinus pennsylvanica were the next dominant species, collectively accounting for 37% of the density and 26% of the total basal area. Taxodium distichum only accounted for 3% of the density, but 12% of the total basal area. Aboveground productivity, measured as litterfall and stem wood growth, averaged 927 and 1030 g/m2 in 2015 and 2016, respectively, with litterfall accounting for 60% of the total. Tidal forest soils in the streamside and the interior (0–60 cm) contained 3–6% organic C, 0.20–0.40% N, and 270–540 µg/g P. Soil accretion based on 137Cs was 4.0 mm/year on the streamside and 0.2 mm/year in the forest interior. The rate of accretion in the interior is considerably less than the current rate of sea level rise (3.1 mm/year) along the Georgia coast. Because the accretion rate was much higher on the streamside, rates of C sequestration, N and P accumulation, and mineral sediment deposition also were much greater. Low accretion rates in the interior of the forest that accounts for most of the acreage suggests that accelerated sea level rise is likely to lead to foreseeable death of tidal forests from saltwater intrusion and submergence.
Facile and scalable fabrication of polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte with high ceramic loadings

Abstract Solid state electrolytes are a promising alternative to flammable liquid electrolytes for high-energy lithium battery applications. In this work polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte membrane with high ceramic loading (greater than 60 vol%) is fabricated using a model polymer electrolyte poly(ethylene oxide) + lithium trifluoromethane sulfonate and a lithium-conducting ceramic powder. The effects of processing methods, choice of plasticizer and varying composition on ionic conductivity of the composite electrolyte are thoroughly investigated. The physical, structural and thermal properties of the composites are exhaustively characterized. We demonstrate that aqueous spray coating followed by hot pressing is a scalable and inexpensive technique to obtain composite membranes that are amazingly dense and uniform. The ionic conductivity of composites fabricated using this protocol is at least one order of magnitude higher than those made by dry milling and solution casting. The introduction of tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether further increases the ionic conductivity. The composite electrolyte's interfacial compatibility with metallic lithium and good cyclability is verified by constructing lithium symmetrical cells. A remarkable Li+ transference number of 0.79 is discovered for the composite electrolyte.
La somministrazione preoperatoria di antibiotici

Prima di eseguire una laparotomia per una patologia chirurgica acuta o per un trauma e consuetudine somministrare antibiotici ad ampio spettro. In questo caso, la somministrazione di antibiotici puo essere terapeutica o profilattica.
Trauma: Conscious and Unconscious Meaning

Developmental, constructivist theory is applied to increase understanding of conscious and unconscious dynamics of trauma experience. DSM-IV criteria provide the accepted standard guiding research and practice for trauma. Concern is raised that rigid adherence to diagnostic categories is problematic for trauma survivors. Trauma survivors are unique in both conscious and unconscious experience. Saari's (2002) levels of cognitive integration of experience based on Nelson's (1985) tripartite theory of meaning are employed as an investigative tool. Understanding the individual's cognitive integration of the traumatic event is central to facilitating reintegration and healing post-trauma. The therapeutic dyad co-constructs a narrative that allows reintegration and healing. A case study of a childhood sexual abuse survivor demonstrates how relationship dynamics facilitate co-creation of a healing narrative.
The telomere and telomerase: nucleic acid-protein complexes acting in a telomere homeostasis system. A review.

Abstract The tandemly repeated DNA sequence of telomeres is typically specified by the ribonucleoprotein enzyme telomerase. Telomerase copies part of its intrinsic RNA moiety to synthesize one strand of the telomeric repeat DNA Recent work, taken together with many observations over the past years, has led to the concept of a telomere homeostasis system. We have analyzed the interplay between two key physical components of this system: structural components of the telomere itself and of telomerase. Here we review some of these recent studies. The experimental method used in common in these studies was to make mutations in the template sequence of telomerase RNA, which caused various phenotypes. First, mutating specific residues in the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila and yeast showed that these residues are required for critical aspects of the enzymatic action of telomerase. Second, certain mutated telomeric sequences caused a strong anaphase block in Tetrahymena micronuclei. Third, specific template mutations in the telomerase RNA gene led to varying degrees of telomere elongation in Tetrahymena and the yeast Kluyveromyces lactis. For some of the K. lactis mutations, the loss of length unregulated elongation was directly related to loss of binding to K. lactis Rap 1p protein. Using K. lactis carrying alterations in the telomerase RNA template, and in the gene encoding the Rap 1p protein, we found that a crucial determinant of telomere length homeostasis is the nature of the duplex DNA-Rap 1p protein complex on the very end repeat of the telomere. We propose that this complex plays a key role in regulating access of telomerase to the telomere.
Verification and modification of Fautley’s model for analysis of lower secondary school students’ group composing processes

The purpose of this study was to apply Fautley’s model– [Faultley, Martin. 2005. “A New Model of the Group Composing Process of Lower Secondary School Students.” Music Education Research 7 (1): 39–...
In-plane orthotropic property characterization of a polymeric battery separator

Abstract The in-plane characterization of an orthotropic porous polymer thin film used as separators in lithium-ion batteries was investigated. The mechanical behavior of an orthotropic material is described by the stress-strain relationships in the principal material directions and shear, and the Poisson's ratios. The measurements of the shear properties and the Poisson's ratio for polymer films with a thickness of tens micrometers has not been well established. In this work, these measurements were attempted for a separator of 25 μm thickness. The mechanical testing was performed with a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). Digital image correlation (DIC) was used for strain measurements. The measured major Poisson's ratio was at a constant value whereas the minor Poisson's ratio increased linearly with strain. The symmetry condition for the elastic orthotropic relation was found to be valid up to 1% strain under transverse tension. The shear properties were measured with an off-axis tensile experiment. The shear modulus determined from the DIC strain measurement agreed well with that from the off-axis modulus and elastic constants. Based on the analogy for anisotropy between the elastic and linear viscoelastic domains, the shear creep response was measured with the off-axis tensile creep experiments. The creep compliances in shear and in the principal material directions were determined. This work laid the foundation for the development of orthotropic elastic and viscoelastic models for battery separators.
Gerald Egan, Fashioning Authorship in the Long Eighteenth Century: Stylish Books of Poetic Genius (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016)

Gerald Egan, Fashioning Authorship in the Long Eighteenth Century Stylish Books of Poetic Genius. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2016. €62
African Americans and the Crisis of Modernity: An Interpretation of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun

This article examines Lorraine Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun by exploring the conflict between a traditionally Southern, Afro-Christian, communitarian worldview and certain more destabilizing elements of the worldview of modernity. In addition to examining the socio-economic problems confronted by some African Americans in the play, this article investigates the worldviews by which these Black people frame their problems as well as the dynamics within the relationships of a Black family that lives at the intersection of racial, class, and gender inequality in Chicago during the latter 1950s.
Treatment Trends and Long-Term Survival Associated with Cryotherapy and Partial Nephrectomy for Small Renal Masses in the National Cancer Database Using Propensity Score Matching

Abstract Objective: Trends in the utilization of ablative therapy are unknown for the treatment of small renal masses. Our goal is to utilize the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to both assess the ...
Hierarchical factor structure of the Bullying Participant Behavior Questionnaire with a middle school sample

The Bullying Participant Behavior Questionnaire is a 50 item self-report survey designed to measure engagement in five bullying roles: bully, victim, assistant to the bully, defender of the victim,...
Statistical Modelling of the Clipping Noise in OFDM-based Visible Light Communication System.

This paper analyses the statistics of the clipping noise in orthogonal frequency-division-multiplex (OFDM) based visible light Communication systems. The clipped signal is generally modelled as the summation of the scaled original signal and clipping noise, which is treated by the linear equalizer in the receiver. Generally, it is assumed that the clipped and original signal share the same statistics. Although valid in some cases, we show that such assumption is invalid when the transmitter is tightly constrained. We derive closed-form probability distribution function (pdf) for the clipping noise and use the pdf for statistical hypothesis testing in an optimum receiver
Metabolomic Pathways Predicting Labor Dystocia by Maternal Body Mass Index

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the metabolic pathways activated in the serum of African-American women during late pregnancy that predicted term labor dystocia. Study Design Matched case–control study (n = 97; 48 cases of term labor dystocia and 49 normal labor progression controls) with selection based on body mass index (BMI) at hospital admission and maternal age. Late pregnancy serum samples were analyzed using ultra-high-resolution metabolomics. Differentially expressed metabolic features and pathways between cases experiencing term labor dystocia and normal labor controls were evaluated in the total sample, among women who were obese at the time of labor (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), and among women who were not obese. Results Labor dystocia was predicted by different metabolic pathways in late pregnancy serum among obese (androgen/estrogen biosynthesis) versus nonobese African-American women (fatty acid activation, steroid hormone biosynthesis, bile acid biosynthesis, glycosphingolipid metabolism). After adjusting for maternal BMI and age in the total sample, labor dystocia was predicted by tryptophan metabolic pathways in addition to C21 steroid hormone, glycosphingolipid, and androgen/estrogen metabolism. Conclusion Metabolic pathways consistent with lipotoxicity, steroid hormone production, and tryptophan metabolism in late pregnancy serum were significantly associated with term labor dystocia in African-American women.
Implementation of Remedial Action Scheme for Transient Stability Index Improvement of Power System Island

As generation mixes change, modern power system is more likely to operate near its secure limit. As a result, there is a need to put measures in place to improve transient stability to be able to mitigate the effect of overstressing the power system infrastructure. Also, power grid islanding is employed to prevent cascading outages when a severe contingency occur in the power system. Controlled islanding scheme can also be implemented to curtail the wide spread impact of cyber attack on the power grid. In this paper, we demonstrate the deployment of remedial action schemes (RAS) to improve the transient stability index of the power system broken into islands as a result of cyber attack. The implemented RAS scheme is aimed at improving the resilience of the island in such a way that such island is able to operate independently. We modeled the RAS scheme using user-defined models (UDM) and implemented it in Transient Stability Assessment Tool (TSAT). WECC 179-bus test system was used for the simulation.
Revisiting a measure of engineering design self-efficacy

An important step in the growth of engineering education as a unique field of inquiry is to understand how theoretical constructsmanifest within different engineering contexts. Replication and reproducibility studies should be conducted to support and ensureresults are valid and generalizable across different variations of the same context, and to support and ensure research in engineeringeducation maintains an integral role in the development of future engineers. This study follows the previous work of Major andKirn to replicate and re-validate Carberry and colleagues’ work to create an engineering design self-efficacy instrument.Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of data collected from students enrolled in active learning environments reveal thatstudents’ confidence and perceived success to complete design tasks combine into a single factor. Additional work is needed tofurther explore this emergent inconsistency and refine the model used to assess engineering design self-efficacy.
Open Challenges as a Way to Engage Students: an Experience Report from Three Undergraduate Courses

New approaches to problem-solving through crowdsourcing offer great potential for project-based learning opportunities in higher education. This experience report details how students in three upper-division courses were exposed to an open design challenge sponsored by NASA. Each course had a different level of involvement in the project, documented in the paper, which looks at different levels of involvement from the instructor's perspective. At the end of the semester, students reported on their engagement in the course as well as how these assignments compared to traditional ones. The findings support that open challenges, and NASA SUITS in particular, offer a great opportunity to engage students with computer programming.
Introduction: Colonization, Modernity, and the Editorialization of the Americas

This introduction prefaces a compact essay cluster on editorial and textual thought in Spanish America. Providing several examples of editorial influence throughout Spanish American textual history, this essay provides an overview of the evolution of the largely imposed editorialization of Spanish America by colonial and then both regional and global forces. The essay then gives an overview of the three articles included in the dossier and their adeptness in introducing Textual Cultures’ readers to the field of Spanish American editorial and textual studies.
Safety profile of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery

Purpose of review This article reviews the safety profile of trabecular meshwork/Schlemm's canal-based, subconjunctival, and suprachoroidal minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). Recent findings Prospective randomized clinical trials and metaanalyses published during the 2019-2020 review period provided important data regarding the safety profile of trabecular meshwork/Schlemm's canal-based MIGS. Transient hyphema and intraocular pressure spikes are among the most common complications associated with this category of MIGS, but more serious adverse events such as cyclodialysis cleft formation may also occur. Trabecular bypass microstents and the intracanalicular scaffold are further subject to device-related complications, including malposition and obstruction. Recent case reports and retrospective case series have further characterized the safety profile of the subconjunctival gel stent, with adverse events ranging from self-limited hypotony to visually devastating endophthalmitis and suprachoroidal hemorrhage. Five-year results of the COMPASS XT study demonstrated significantly greater endothelial cell loss in patients randomized to receive CyPass Micro-Stent (Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, TX, USA) in combination with cataract surgery versus those who underwent cataract surgery alone, and ultimately led to a Food and Drug Administration Class I recall of the device. Summary Trabecular meshwork/Schlemm's canal-based procedures are generally among the safest MIGS, with mostly self-limited and nonvision-threatening complications. Subconjunctival gel stent insertion is associated with both bleb-related and stent-specific adverse events, which are similar to those observed with trabeculectomy and tube shunt surgery, respectively. Removal of the CyPass Micro-Stent from the market underscores the need for high-quality, long-term safety data regarding MIGS.
Rapid Clinical Recovery from Critical COVID-19 Pneumonia with Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Treatment

Introduction RLF-100 (Aviptadil), a synthetic form of human Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP), is in clinical trials for treatment of critical COVID-19 pneumonia with respiratory failure. VIP was shown to protect the lung against a broad array of injuries by binding to the VPAC1 receptor of alveolar type II (ATII) cells, the cells that SARS-CoV-2 binds to. The role of RLF-100 in treating lung transplant patients with COVID-19 pneumonia is unknown. Case Report A 54 year old man with double lung transplant presented with headache, fever and productive cough. COVID-19 infection was confirmed by positive RT-PCR of nasopharyngeal swab. The patient required only supportive care for three days and was discharged home. Two weeks later he presented with worsening dyspnea, fever and severe hypoxemia requiring high flow O2 and ICU admission. Chest CT showed diffuse bilateral consolidations. He had markedly elevated inflammatory markers. He was treated with dexamethasone and tocilizumab without improvement. He was not a candidate for Remdesivir due to chronic kidney disease. Convalescent plasma was not available. Pro-BNP level was normal; echocardiogram showed preserved biventricular function. He received Aviptadil, a total of three doses, per an open label access under an emergency use approved by US FDA. Rapid improvement in oxygenation and radiologic findings were noticed. No adverse effects were recorded. The patient was transferred out of the ICU 24 hours following the third dose and discharged home on room air 15 days later. Summary We report a case of lung transplant recipient with critical COVID-19 pneumonia treated with RLF-100 chieving rapid clinical and radiologic improvement. This is consistent with that VIP protects ATII cells, ameliorating the inflammation and improving oxygenation in critical COVID-19 pneumonia. A randomized prospective trial is underway to evaluate the efficacy of RLF-100 in reducing mortality and improving oxygenation in patients with critical COVID-19 pneumonia.
Objective and subjective memory: Impact on the financial behavior of older adults in the United States

Abstract This study adds to the literature on the adverse effects of cognitive decline among older adults focusing on financial decisions. The article investigates the impact of objective and subjective memory on the financial decisions of older adults, such as asset holdings, allocation, and financial health. In general, older adults with higher objective memory have better financial outcomes. A higher objective memory leads to greater financial assets including stocks, cash-equivalent, individual retirement accounts, bonds, and thus total financial assets. It also leads to a smaller share in cash-equivalent. Older adults with better objective memory are more likely to have sufficient liquid assets to cover short-term expenses and they save enough to meet retirement adequacy. On the other hand, a higher subjective memory leads to fewer financial assets, retirement inadequacy, and insolvency. These findings have important implications for older adults who experience memory loss, and their families.
How to Employ Competitive Smart Home Retailers to React to Cyberattacks in Smart Cities

The growing implementation of information/communication technology accompanied with increasing integration of distributed generation (DG) and smart homes (SHs) have made smart cities more prone to malicious cyberattacks. This chapter proposes a three-layer framework to react to cyberattacks reported by decentralized DG retailers and SH retailers. In the first layer, the system operator administratively modifies the topology of the system to enhance the network reliance on the non-attacked retailers. In the second layer, non-attacked SH retailers are handled by the market operator to manage congestions caused by the administrative action of the system operator in outages prevention. In the third layer, the system operator applies a forced load curtailment on the non-attacked SH retailers who were passive in the second-layer market mechanism to relieve the remaining congestions. The performance of the introduced framework is verified by its implementation on a distribution network modified to contain DG retailers and SH retailers.
Is Body Sway Model Valid to Analyze Postural Control for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy People

It is essential to maintain the center of gravity of body within the base of support of posture while standing or gaiting for controlling posture properly. For this control fundamental functions of human body such as visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems should be capable to make appropriate musculoskeletal responses to keep the equilibrium of the posture that can be disrupted by internal disturbances or external perturbations. These responses should be able to make the center of gravity of body being balanced with opposing forces during voluntary movements as well as disturbed movements Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can cause a loss of sensation in the feet, which can lead to impaired stability of body balance and result in a risk of falls or slips. In the literature, a considerable number of studies have reported that people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy tend to be inferior to keeping posture stable when the equilibrium of body balance is disturbed, even when standing quietly. Ability of postural control has been evaluated from the perspective of body sway that is measured by total displacement of sway, velocity or acceleration of sway, or virtual time to contact a boundary of postural stability. In general, some studies found differences of postural stability between people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and without neuropathy. Also, some studies have reported contradictory results with the same or different methodologies. There have been inconsistent results with body sway models to analyze posture control for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the literature. The objective of this study was to review several body sway analysis models and to discuss some possible causes of inconsistent reports on postural sway analyses from the perspective of data sampling issues, statistical analysis, body sway models, and methodology of data analysis.
Localizing a quiet moving source with range-coherent matched field processing

We introduce range-coherent matched field processing (MFP) to lower the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) threshold required to successfully localize a narrowband source in a well-characterized shallow water environment. To accomplish this, range-coherent MFP coherently processes snapshots formed from a moving source. This approach differs from existing MFP approaches that treat each snapshot as having a random phase. Range-coherent MFP requires determination of the source phase acquired between snapshots. With that information, MFP can be applied to the cross-spectrum of the ''supervector'' of concatenated snapshots acquired at different times. Viewed another way, range-coherent MFP is simply MFP applied to a passive synthetic aperture formed from a moving source. The synthetic aperture geometry depends on source velocity, which is included in the MFP search space. Range-coherent MFP produces robust velocity estimates at low SNR, which permits the use of a longer FFT in pre-processing. The synthetic aperture array gain plus the increased input SNR afforded by the enhanced pre-processing significantly lower the signal level required for successful localization. We present the application of range-coherent MFP to data from the SWellEx-96 experiment to localize a source that is too quiet for conventional methods to localize.
The Porosity-Water Saturation-Conductivity Relationship: An Alternative to Archie's Model

The bulk volume fraction of conducting brine β in a reservoir rock is given by the product of porosity and water saturation, β = φS w, symmetric in φ and S w . Bulk conductivity a, of a rock varies as this product varies. When β = 1 bulk conductivity necessarily equals brine conductivity, σ t = σ w ; conversely, bulk conductivity typically vanishes at some β ≠ 0. A mathematical description of the physical relationship underlying bulk rock conductivity and brine conductivity and the bulk volume fraction of brine must be constrained by these properties. The classical three-parameter relationship connecting bulk formation conductivity to porosity and water saturation is an ad hoc formula comprising two separate power laws proposed by Archie in 1941 and modified by Winsauer et al. in 1952. The three adjustable parameters a, m, and n, in the usual formulation of these laws are chosen, for particular data sets, by the method of least squares to minimize sums of squared residuals between observed and predicted data. The resulting theory depends upon the term φ m S w n , breaking the φ-S w symmetry inherent in the bulk volume brine fraction. While the laws have proved useful for predicting water saturations by interpolation within the bounds of observed data sets, they do not usually extrapolate to correct values at the limits of their domain of applicability, suggesting that the Archie double-power law formulation cannot correctly represent the underlying physics. The classical power laws devolve from an arbitrary selection of one particular class of fitting function from among several possible choices. It is possible to use the same porosity-resistivity data sets used by Archie and Winsauer to define an alternative three-parameter model. The proposed model's adjustable parameters are critical values of porosity, water saturation and conductivity and can be interpreted directly in terms of the percolation threshold of the medium. The proposed model simultaneously (1) treats the fractional brine volume /? as the fundamental variable, (2) accommodates the boundary condition a, = 0 at β ≠ 0 and satisfies σ t = σ w at β = 1, and (3) gives a smaller sum of squared residuals using the classical data sets than the classical models. Many additional insights into the conductivity-porosity-water saturation relationship follow from this new model. The efficacy of the model is illustrated using Archie's and Winsauer's original data by better predicting conductivity from porosity, demonstrated by a smaller sum of squared residuals using those data, and using conductivity-porosity-water saturation data published by Hamada and others in 2002.
Analysis of the Potential Benefits of Terminal Air Traffic Control Automation (TATCA)

Terminal Air Traffic Control Automation (TATCA) is an FAA research and development program to provide computer-aided sequencing, spacing, and management of air traffic flows in terminal areas. This paper discusses technical and national economic benefits that are attainable with such a terminal automation program.
Bitonic sorting on Benes/spl caron/ networks

An algorithm to sort via a Benes/spl caron/ network is derived from the logic of the fired data routings found in bitonic sorting networks. The appropriate routings are developed and presented using an expanded version of Knuth diagrams for sorting networks. These diagrams illustrate the address line logic within the network.
CRACK WIDTH CONTROL IN REINFORCED CONCRETE TWO-WAY SLABS

This investigation covers the effect of two-way action on crack width development in both centrally loaded and uniformly loaded slab systems of varied boundary conditions. As a result, criterion is developed whereby more but narrower flexural cracks of orthogonal pattern can be precipitated, thereby control of crack width development in two-way concrete floor slabs. A cracking hypothesis is presented and verified by tests on 22 centrally loaded slabs 5 ft 8 in. x 5 ft 8 in., and 32 uniformly loaded slabs 5 ft 0 in. x 5 ft 0 in. The size and spacing of the wire reinforcement are varied to extremes. A grid index is proposed as a measure of crack control in two-way slabs under different boundary as well as loading conditions.
Coherent multilateral radar processing for precise target geolocation

This paper analyzes the target geolocation performance of coherent processing of target signals observed by several radar receivers in a multilateral configuration. Each radar sensor is designed with a sufficient bandwidth to support good target range resolution but without the benefit of a narrow radar antenna beam for useful cross range measurement of the target position. The analysis results demonstrate the ability of coherent multilateral radar signal processing to achieve accurate target geolocation via triangulation and to eliminate target ghosts in a dense, multiple target environment.
River‐Ice Hydrology

The hydrology of almost 60% of rivers in the Northern Hemisphere is affected by ice for at least a portion of the winter. At the higher latitudes, river ice is the major controller of most fluvial processes. Although traditionally the pursuit of hydraulic engineers, hydrologic studies of river ice have broadened greatly over the last decade. Initially, this was driven by recognition that many hydrologic extremes produced by river ice, such as floods and low flows, exceed those of the more intensively studied, open-water period. Added recognition that river ice strongly influenced other fluvial disciplines, such as geomorphology and aquatic ecology, increased its scientific visibility. This manuscript reviews the basic physics of river ice; evaluates its effect on various hydrologic processes and events from freeze-up to breakup; and discusses its extended role in affecting sediment transport/erosion, river morphology and a number of key ecological processes including geochemical mixing and habitat modification. Arguments are made for increased focus on river-ice hydrology given its significance to physical and ecological processes, and the growing need to understand the effects of climate change and flow regulation on cold regions rivers. Keywords: river ice; freshwater ice; flood; low flow; freeze-up; breakup; ice jam; aquatic ecology; fluvial geomorphology
Monique W. Morris, Black Stats: African Americans by the Numbers in the Twenty-First Century

Monique Morris’s short volume contains a wealth of information for scholars. Black Stats: African Americans by the Numbers in the TwentyFirst Century is an invaluable resource for researchers, and is highly recommended for undergraduates, graduates, media professionals, and activists. Morris’s work contributes to the ongoing discussion about black identity, representations in media, and intersection with other identity markers such as gender, religion, class. While not strictly a text about communication studies or rhetorical studies, the author’s text complicates the ways in which black people are represented in the media by using statistics to challenge simplistic notions of identity in film, news media, music, and popular culture, among other media.
Committee Parallelism and Bicameral Agenda Coordination

We examine why a significant proportion of the policy issues passed in either the U.S. House or Senate often fail to pass in the other chamber. We hypothesize that much of this failure of the House and Senate to coordinate their agendas occurs because committee jurisdictions are not parallel across chambers. To compare House and Senate agendas, we develop a comprehensive issue-level data set covering all bills introduced in the 103rd Congress. We estimate a multinomial logit model that reveals that the degree of jurisdictional parallelism across chambers is indeed one of the most important determinants of whether issues that pass in one chamber also pass in the other chamber.
Control of reflectivity and surface conductivity in metallized polyimide films prepared via in situ silver(I) reduction

Optically reflective and surface-conductive polyimide films have been prepared by the incorporation of silver(I) acetate and trifluoroacetylacetone into a dimethylacetamide solution of the poly(ami...
Synthesis-guided structure revision of the sarcodonin, sarcoviolin, and hydnellin natural product family.

A sweeping structural revision of the sarcodonin natural product family (published structures 1a−13a) is proposed after extensive studies aimed at their chemical synthesis. Key features of revised structure 1b include replacement of the N,N-dioxide moiety with an oxime, ring-opening of the central diketopiperazine, and transposition of the terphenyl wing from the 1β−2β position of 1a to the 2β−3β position of 1b. This structure revision arose from the serendipitous synthesis of a benzodioxane aminal (44) whose structure was unambiguously determined by X-ray crystallography and whose spectral properties bore considerable resemblance to the published data for the sarcodonins. A versatile new method for O-arylation of hydroxamic acids is also reported herein, as well as a manganese(III)-mediated α-oxidation of hydroxamic acids to aminals.
Lung Volumes and Maximal Respiratory Pressures in Collegiate Swimmers and Runners

Abstract To determine whether respiratory muscle strength is related to pulmonary volume differences in athletes and nonathletes, 11 intercollegiate female swimmers, 11 female cross-country runners, and two nonathletic control groups, matched to the athletes in height and age, were evaluated for pulmonary parameters including maximal inspiratory pressure (Plmax) and maximal expiratory pressure (PEmax). Swimmers exhibited larger (p .05) in either Plmax or inspiratory flow (FIV25%-75%). Timed expiratory volumes (FEV Q.5 m and FEV1.0 were significantly (p < .05) lower in the swimmers than in the controls. These data suggest that an adaptational growth may be responsible, in part, for the augmented static lung volumes demonstrated in swimmers
Drug discovery and development for ageing: opportunities and challenges

The prevention and treatment of late-life dysfunction are the goals of most geriatricians and should be the primary target for discovery and development of new medicines for elderly people. However, the development of new medicines for elderly people will face a number of challenges that are not seen for other patient populations. The burdens of multiple chronic diseases, low physiological reserve and polypharmacy must result in new clinical trials in frail older people with a high expectation of safety and efficacy. The etiology of functional limitations in elderly people is complex and often ascribed to conditions that escape the traditional definition of disease. While our society urgently needs new treatments that can reduce the burden of physical decline among older persons, guidelines on how these treatments should be developed and tested are currently lacking, in part because a consensus has not yet been achieved regarding the identifiable target diseases. New potential indications included sarcopaenia, anorexia of ageing, frailty, mobility disability and reduced functional capacity secondary to hospitalization. The challenges to conducting clinical trials in the elderly should not offset the great opportunity for the development of new medicines to prevent or reverse age-associated changes in body composition and poor functional capacity in the elderly.
Population and reproductive biology of two sibling amphipod species from ascidians and sponges

The population dynamics and reproductive biology of an ascidian- and a sponge-dwelling amphipod were examined. The two undescribed amphipod species, Leucothoe“ascidicola” and L.“spongicola”, are closely related to each other, and occur in ascidians and sponges, respectively, along the Florida Atlantic coast. L. “ascidicola” was abundant in solitary ascidians during fall 1997, disappeared during spring/early summer, and became abundant again in September 1998. During the time when L. “ascidicola” were absent from their hosts, a copepod became a frequent inhabitant of the ascidians but disappeared again when L.“ascidicola” returned to the ascidians in September 1998. The numbers of L.“spongicola” in sponges increased substantially during spring, when high reproductive activity was observed. Following this reproductive peak, both adult and juvenile amphipods apparently left the sponges, and during the summer amphipod numbers in the sponges were very low. Another small amphipod species, which often co-occurred with L.“spongicola”, showed less seasonal variation and was found in sponges throughout the whole study period. The percentage of ovigerous females per host unit was usually lower in the ascidian-dwelling than in the sponge-dwelling amphipods. In solitary ascidians, L.“ascidicola” amphipods usually occurred in groups of several adults, yet there never was more than one ovigerous female per ascidian. In contrast, several ovigerous L.“spongicola” females were found to cohabit in the same spongocoel. This suggests that intrasexual aggression may be stronger among reproductive amphipod females in the ascidians than in sponges. The size distributions of juvenile cohorts indicate that juvenile L.“ascidicola” remain for relatively long time periods in the parental ascidian, where they may reach sexual maturity. In contrast, in L.“spongicola”, only cohorts of very small juveniles could be identified, indicating that juveniles disperse shortly after emerging from the female's brood pouch. It is concluded that extended parental care is of very short duration or does not occur in the sponge-dwelling amphipod L. “spongicola”, possibly because fast-growing sponges with a highly branched spongocoel system do not allow long-lasting coexistence of parent-offspring groups. In contrast, the discrete character of the solitary ascidians may enhance the potential for exclusion of other species, resource monopolization by reproductive females, and furthermore for long-lasting extended parental care in the ascidian-dwelling amphipod. Groups of single parents together with cohorts of large juveniles are reported in the literature for amphipods and isopods from brachiopods, bivalves and ascidians, suggesting that these discrete biotic microhabitats may favor the evolution of extended parental care in peracarid crustaceans.