cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Retrospective Study of Home Hospice Care in Primary Malignant Brain Tumors (S18.004)

Objective: Characterize the timing of hospice enrollment among patients with primary malignant brain tumors (PMBT) Background: PMBT carries poor prognosis and hospice care is relevant to nearly all patients. Initiation of early multidisciplinary hospice care is associated with better psychosocial care, pain relief, quality-of-life, and reduced costs in patients with cancer compared to later enrollment. The timing of initiating hospice in PMBT and associated sociodemographic and clinical characteristics are unexplored. Design/Methods: Retrospective analysis of home-hospice care in PMBT in an urban, not-for-profit health care agency offering multidisciplinary hospice care. Patients included were adults with PMBT who died in home-hospice, 2009-2013. Late hospice was defined as initiation of care within 7 days of death. Clinical characteristics were compared between early versus late hospice initiation. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine sociodemographic characteristics associated with late hospice. Results: 172 subjects were identified, 99 (58[percnt]) were male. At the time of hospice admission, mean age was 62.6 (SD 16.0) years. 104 (61[percnt]) were white, 24 (14[percnt]) were Hispanic, 14 (8[percnt]) were black, and 30 (18[percnt]) were another race. 37 (21.5[percnt]) had Medicaid as their primary payer. 63 (37[percnt]) did not have a health care proxy (HCP) at admission. 39 (23[percnt]) died within 7 days of initiating hospice care, and as compared to patients referred earlier, a greater proportion were bedbound (OR=23.70; Fisher’s exact p<.001), aphasic (OR=3.4; p=0.004), or comatose (OR=6.45; p=0.005) at admission. Logistic regression demonstrated that late hospice referral was associated with male gender (OR=5.75; p=0.001), Medicaid insurance (OR=5.46; p=0.006), and absence of a HCP (OR=2.99; p=0.009), but not with age or race. Conclusions: PMBT patients referred late to hospice are severely debilitated at initiation of hospice and may not derive benefit from multidisciplinary palliative care. Greater understanding of the mechanism for sociodemographic influences upon late hospice referral is necessary. Disclosure: Dr. Diamond has nothing to disclose. Dr. Russell has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bowles has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kryza-Lacombe has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dennis has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kim has nothing to disclose. Dr. Prigerson has nothing to disclose.
Finance, State and Entrepreneurship in the Contemporary Economy

Entrepreneurs have been at centre of economists’ concerns and public policies since the beginning of the 1980s. This fact is relatively new. Since the end of the Second World War, the paradigm of the big company has prevailed. A paradigm (Kuhn, 1983) is defined as a set of interrogations, assumptions and responses starting from which a given reality becomes understandable. However, a paradigm also gives a structure to the scientific community which uses it as a reference. To question the theoretical model of reference is also to shed some doubts concerning the authority of the scientific community. On this aspect, we cannot fail to recall the acid remarks of J. Robinson, when she exposed the unrealistic nature of the production function, insufficient to explain economic reality, but absolutely necessary to make an academic career (Robinson, 1984). The paradigm of the big enterprise did not develop without clashes and conflicts. It progressively asserted itself to oppose the paradigm of a pure and perfect competition ignoring the existence of enterprises of different sizes (Walras, 1988).
Groundwater System in the Study Area

The research of groundwater is one of the research focuses on hydrogeology, as an inseparable entirety groundwater of the same system has often the same recharge source, close hydraulic connection, and the same time–space evolution process.
Bases and Structure of the Space

From the hypothesis of the existence of a basis of a certain type for a Banach space X, conclusions can be drawn on the structure of X, e. g. properties of X like weak sequential completeness, separability, reflexivity, weak conditional compactness and the dimension (finite or infinite). In the first section some results are established on the first two properties of X or of X*. The following paragraph has to do with reflexivity. In both sections the hypothesis of an unconditional basis plays an important role, while in the last paragraph criteria for finite dimension of X are given in terms of absolutely convergent and uniform bases for X.
The First Community Health Center in Mississippi: Communities Empowering Themselves.

The article discusses the history of the Tufts Comprehensive Community Health Action Program which was proposed in 1965 to intervene in the cycle of extreme poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment in America, and it mentions the struggles of black people in places such as Bolivar County, Mississippi during the 20th century. The success of the Tufts-Delta Health Center is examined, along with comprehensive health services involving preventive medicine, pediatrics, and health education.
Zur Form des “Phantasus”

(1940). Zur Form des “Phantasus”. The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory: Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 50-58.
Scaffolding learner-centered curricular coherence using learning maps and diagnostic assessments designed around mathematics learning trajectories

The paper describes how designers used the construct of learning trajectories to create a tool, Math-Mapper 6–8, to help scaffold curricula toward increased learner-centered coherence. It defines “learner-centered curricular coherence” as “an organizational means to promote a high likelihood that each learner traverses one of many possible paths to understand target disciplinary ideas in a curriculum.” The tool’s features, including its learning map, diagnostic assessments, and reporting system, are tied to its underlying foundation in learning trajectories. Three preliminary studies of the implemented tool’s effects are reported to provide insight to its influence on curricular sequencing, students’ patterns of performance in early algebra, and student responses to the assessments.
Nodulation response to molybdenum supplementation in alfalfa and its correlation with root and shoot growth in low pH soil

Molybdenum (Mo) is a critical micronutrient for nitrogen (N) fixation in legumes. Low pH limits the availability of Mo, thereby reducing nodulation and N fixation. This study investigates the effec...
Alan Gregg, the Diary of a Thoughtful Eye-Witness.

The article provides information on the 1927 trip of medical researcher Alan Gregg to the Soviet Union to study public health and medical education in Russia.
Validation of the prognostic power of the RETREAT score for hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence using the UNOS database.

A recent multi-center study developed and validated a novel prognostic index “Risk Estimation of Tumor Recurrence After Transplant (RETREAT)”, which incorporates alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) at liver transplant (LT), microvascular invasion, and the sum of the largest viable tumor and number of tumors on explant. We now aim to evaluate RETREAT in the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients meeting Milan criteria by imaging who underwent LT from 2012-2014. On explant (n=3276), 13% had microvascular invasion, 30% had no viable tumor, and 15% exceeded Milan criteria. Post-LT survival at 3 years decreased with increasing RETREAT score: 91% for a score of 0, 80% for a score of 3, and 58% for a score >5 (p 5 (p<0.001). Increasing RETREAT score was also associated with a shorter time to HCC recurrence. RETREAT was superior to Milan criteria (explant) in predicting HCC recurrence by the net reclassification index (p<0.001). This study validates the prognostic power of RETREAT, which may help standardize post-LT surveillance, provide a framework for tumor staging and risk stratification, and select candidates for adjuvant therapies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Predicting trade secret case outcomes using argument schemes and learned quantitative value effect tradeoffs

This paper presents the Value Judgment Formalism and its experimental implementation in the VJAP system, which is capable of arguing about, and predicting outcomes of, a set of trade secret misappropriation cases. VJAP creates an argument graph for each case using argument schemes and a representation of values underlying trade secret law and effects of facts on these values. It balances effects on values in each case and analogizes it to tradeoffs in precedents. It predicts case outcomes using a confidence measure computed from the graph and generates textual legal arguments justifying its predictions. The confidence propagation uses quantitative weights learned from past cases using an iterative optimization method. Prediction performance on a limited dataset is competitive with common machine learning models. The results and VJAP's behavior are discussed in detail.
50 GHz electro-optic modulators with BaTiO 3 epitaxial thin film platform for short distance optical communications

Future datacom and telecom applications as well as optical interconnects require high bandwidth, low-power, small area optical modulator devices [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]. No device technology to date has been shown with the concomitant properties of high electro-optic (EO) bandwidth, wide optical range, low power consumption, and compact size. We have taken an alternative approach of developing thin film BaTiO 3 as an optoelectronic material platform for high frequency, low operation voltage, and compact modulators. The BaTiO 3 thin film platform has competitive advantages over other legacy platforms for optical modulator applications. In brief, ferroelectric oxide thin film BaTiO 3 modulators have advantages of: (1) large EO coefficient, more than ten times higher compared to those of LiNbO 3 devices currently dominating optical modulator markets; (2) low driving voltage of 50 GHz demonstrated with potential reaching 100 + GHz regime; (4) potential for medium scale integration; and (5) integration with Si electronics leading to ultrahigh compact electrooptical components at low cost [6]. Using BaTiO 3 thin films with 1 mm long interaction length, we have demonstrated optical modulators with voltage-length products nearly an order of magnitude smaller than that of silicon [7]. We have also shown the potential for high frequency operation by demonstrating modulation out to 50 GHz [7], [8], [9].
Danger signals from mitochondrial DAMPS in trauma and post-injury sepsis

In all multicellular organisms, immediate host responses to both sterile and infective threat are initiated by very primitive systems now grouped together under the general term ‘danger responses’. Danger signals are generated when primitive ‘pattern recognition receptors’ (PRR) encounter activating ‘alarmins’. These molecular species may be of pathogenic infective origin (pathogen-associated molecular patterns) or of sterile endogenous origin (danger-associated molecular patterns). There are many sterile and infective alarmins and there is considerable overlap in their ability to activate PRR, but in all cases the end result is inflammation. It is the overlap between sterile and infective signals acting via a relatively limited number of PRR that generally underlies the great clinical similarity we see between sterile and infective systemic inflammatory responses. Mitochondria (MT) are evolutionarily derived from bacteria, and thus they sit at the crossroads between sterile and infective danger signal pathways. Many of the molecular species in mitochondria are alarmins, and so the release of MT from injured cells results in a wide variety of inflammatory events. This paper discusses the known participation of MT in inflammation and reviews what is known about how the major.
Effects of Direct Payments on Agricultural Development in Bulgaria

The CAP policy in Bulgaria during these 10 years reveals difficulties in handling the current national problems in agriculture in terms of market, production and structure. A strongly adaptive behaviour is observed among producers in making their management and production decisions stuck and oriented to the policy and the financial support. During the last years the gross agricultural production in Bulgaria amounts to threefold lower compared to the average level in the EU-27. These low values reveal the big issue in Bulgarian agriculture and raise the question about the efficiency of the policy and the benefits for the society. The goal of the paper is to analyse some of direct payments effects on agricultural output, value added, production costs, land structure and rent. It turns out that the CAP is the policy adjusted better to the old Member States, which can be explained by the historical development approach. The direct payments, based on area, distort the allocation of resources and do not generate adequate growth entailing higher productivity, bigger employment and labour remuneration, better market stability and competitiveness.
Developing and Localizing International Software

1. Introduction. 2. Understanding Internationalization. 3. Running Internationalized Software. 4. Developing International Software. 5. Special Programming Topics. 6. Localizing Internationalized Software. 7. Creating a New Language Environment. Appendix A: Internationalization Routines and Commands. Appendix B: Obsolete Routines and Interfaces (HP-Specific). Appendix C: HP-UX Languages and Codesets. Glossary. Index.
Controlled observations of the genetic algorithm in a changing environment: case studies using the shaky ladder hyperplane-defined functions

Though recently there has been interest in examining genetic algorithms (GA's) in dynamic environments, work still needs to be done. When studying the GA in static environments, a test suites of functions that are designed for the GA is often used so that the performance of the GA can be observed under systematic, controlled conditions. One example of these suites is the hyperplane-defined functions (hdf's) designed by Holland. This dissertation describes a new test suite of dynamic functions to the study of the GA, and explores three main variants of that test suite that exhibit different effects on the performance of the GA. This test suite, called the shaky ladder hyperplane-defined functions (sl-hdf's) is developed in accordance with a framework that calls for the GA and its behavior to be studied through systematic, controlled observations, thus providing recommendations to practitioners and possible hypotheses to theorists. I begin by describing the sl-hdf's: how they are created, what properties they have, and how they can be utilized for exploring the GA. I conduct examinations of the landscapes of the sl-hdf's and show that some standard metrics of ruggedness are inadequate for these landscapes. Next, I describe a suite of metrics that allow the behavior of the GA in dynamic environments to be observed and analyzed more readily. I then examine these measures on variations of the sl-hdf's. I show that the type and the frequency of changes in dynamic environments is important to the performance of the GA. For instance, in a very rugged environment, the GA is able to perform better when there are regular changes which prevent it from prematurely converging. In addition, I show that crossover greatly increases the performance of the GA on the sl-hdf's. I also investigate the use of self-adaptive mutation rates in dynamic environments. I show that in a variety of circumstances, self-adaptive mutation rates lead to worse performance on the sl-hdf's than a fixed mutation rate, even in a static environment. I conclude by detailing future work to further test the hypotheses presented in this thesis and investigate mechanisms that could be incorporated into the simple GA, like coevolution, to improve performance. I also show how the results of this dissertation could be applied to different fields, and end with a summary.
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products Can Be Transformed by Anaerobic Microbiomes in the Environment and in Waste-Treatment Processes

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are emerging environmental contaminants that can be transformed by anaerobic microorganisms in anoxic environments. The present study examined 2 consortia, enriched under methanogenic and sulfate-rich conditions, that demethylate the phenylmethyl ether anti-inflammatory drug naproxen to 6-O-desmethylnaproxen. Both enriched consortia were also able to demethylate a range of phenylmethyl ether compounds of plant-based origin or used as PPCPs. Results from 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the 2 communities were very different despite sharing the same PPCP metabolism. In most cases, the demethylated metabolite was not further degraded but rather accumulated in the culture medium. For the expectorant guaifenesin, this resulted in a novel microbial metabolite. Furthermore, to our knowledge, this is the first report of methylparaben metabolism under methanogenic conditions. The wide range of phenylmethyl ether substrates that underwent O-demethylation in both methanogenic and sulfate-rich conditions suggests that there are potentially bioactive transformation products in the environment that have not yet been quantified. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1585-1593. © 2019 SETAC.
The Expansion of International Society

This chapter tracks the development of a central aspect of the English School’s narrative of international relations history, the notion of the expansion of the norms and practices of “international society.” The literature on Expansion has arguably had three phases—classical statements, revisions, and the new globalization approach. The School’s early take was rather Eurocentric and Europhilic, along with the themes of incorporation into a “European international society” after meeting the expectations of Europe’s “standard of civilization,” but it has gradually taken on a syncretist, contestation model which views international society as a product of multi-vectored contributions of many different civilizations. What is unique is the School’s record of focused debate on how today’s global international society came to be.
LRRK2 mediates tubulation and vesicle sorting from membrane damaged lysosomes

Mutations in the leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are a cause of familial and sporadic Parkinson disease (PD). Nonetheless, the biological functions of LRRK2 remain incompletely understood. Here, we observed that LRRK2 is recruited to lysosomes that have a ruptured membrane. Using unbiased proteomics, we observed that LRRK2 is able to recruit the motor adaptor protein JIP4 to permeabilized lysosomes in a kinase-dependent manner through the phosphorylation of RAB35 and RAB10. Super-resolution live cell imaging microscopy and FIB-SEM revealed that once at the lysosomal membrane, JIP4 promotes the formation of LAMP1-negative lysosomal tubules that release membranous content from ruptured lysosomes. Released vesicular structures are able to interact with other lysosomes. Thus, we described a new process that uses lysosomal tubulation to release vesicular structures from permeabilized lysosomes. LRRK2 orchestrates this process that we name LYTL (LYsosomal Tubulation/sorting driven by LRRK2) that, given the central role of the lysosome in PD, is likely to be disease relevant.
Death from salt and baking soda ingestion

Table salt (sodium chloride) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) are rarely included on the list of potentially dangerous household toxins and many clinicians are unfamiliar with the management of...
Rewriting Mythology, Reclaiming History: Christine de Pizan and Eva Gore-Booth on Gendered Performance and Equality

In 1405, the Italian-French poet and prose writer Christine de Pizan completed her most famous work, Le Livre de la Cite des Dames , translated into English as The Book of the City of Ladies (hence...
The role of Si in determining the stability of the θ′ precipitate in Al-Cu-Mn-Zr alloys

Abstract Precipitate-strengthened Al-Cu-Mn-Zr (ACMZ) alloys demonstrate improved microstructural stability compared to conventional Al-Cu alloys. Si is typically considered an impurity in these alloys, but a systematic analysis of ACMZ alloys with a range of Si levels revealed that there is a Si content range (~0.05 wt%
Anesthesia-Sepsis-Associated Alterations in Liver Gene Expression Profiles and Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation Complexes

Background: Hepatic dysfunction plays a major role in adverse outcomes in sepsis. Volatile anesthetic agents may protect against organ dysfunction in the setting of critical illness and infection. The goal of this study was to study the impact of Sepsis-inflammation on hepatic subcellular energetics in animals anesthetized with both Propofol (intravenous anesthetic agent and GABA agonist) and Isoflurane (volatile anesthetic i.e., VAA). Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with Propofol or isoflurane. Rats in each group were randomized to celiotomy and closure (control) or cecal ligation and puncture "CLP" (Sepsis-inflammation) for 8 h. Results: Inflammation led to upregulation in hepatic hypoxia-inducible factor-1 in both groups. Rats anesthetized with isoflurane also exhibited increases in bcl-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) during inflammation, whereas rats anesthetized with Propofol did not. In rats anesthetized with isoflurane, decreased mRNA, protein (Complex II, IV, V), and activity levels (Complex II/III,IV,V) were identified for all components of the electron transport chain, leading to a decrease in mitochondrial ATP. In contrast, in rats anesthetized with Propofol, these changes were not identified after exposure to inflammation. RNA-Seq and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) expression analysis identified a substantial difference between groups (isoflurane vs. Propofol) in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) related gene expression following exposure to Sepsis-inflammation. Conclusions: Compared to rats anesthetized with Propofol, those anesthetized with isoflurane exhibit more oxidative stress, decreased oxidative phosphorylation protein expression, and electron transport chain activity and increased expression of organ-protective proteins.
Catheterized-bladder environment induces hyphal Candida albicans formation, promoting fungal colonization and persistence.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are a serious public health problem and account for approximately 40% of hospital-acquired infections worldwide. Candida spp are a major causative agent of CAUTI (17.8%) – specifically Candida albicans – that has steadily increased to become the second most common CAUTI uropathogen 1 . Yet, there is poor understanding of the molecular details of how C. albicans attaches, grows in the bladder, forms biofilms, survives, and persists during CAUTI 2 . Understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to CAUTI and invasive fungal infection will give insights into the development of more effective therapies, which are needed due to the spread of antifungal resistance and complex management of CAUTI in patients that require a urinary catheter 3 . Here, we characterize the ability of five Candida albicans clinical and laboratory strains to colonize the urinary catheter, grow and form biofilm in urine, and their ability to cause CAUTIs using our mouse model. Analysis of C. albicans strains revealed that growth in urine promotes morphological transition from yeast to hyphae, which is important for invasive infection. Additionally, we found that biofilm formation was dependent on the presence of fibrinogen, a protein released on the bladder to promote bladder healing 4,5 . Furthermore, deletion of hyphae regulatory genes resulted in defective bladder and catheter colonization and abolished dissemination. These results indicate that novel antifungal therapies preventing the morphological transition of C. albicans from yeast to hyphae have considerable promise for the treatment of fungal CAUTIs.
On Some Parametric and Nonparametric Sequential Subset Selection Procedures

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses some parametric and nonparametric sequential subset selection procedures. In sequential selection and ranking procedures, the best population is selected by using the indifference zone approach. Multiple decision procedures can be defined that select a subset of a fixed or random size. The chapter describes a method to construct nonelimination type sequential procedures to select a subset containing all the superior populations. These procedures are formed by choosing a statistic based on the observations from any two of the populations and performing a sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) based on this statistic. The selection procedure is applied to the problem of choosing normal populations for the superior populations with smaller variance. An appropriate population is removed from a set of contending populations, if the associated SPRTs terminate. This is continued until the elimination is stopped.
Inhibition of Neurotoxic Esterase in Vitro by Novel Carbamates

Carbamyl sulfonate (CS) compounds are a novel class of carbamates derived from amino acid methyl esters. They have the general structure RCH(COOCH3)NH(CO)SO-3K+, where R is the sidechain of the parent amino acid. These compounds were developed as active site-directed inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase (HLE). The purpose of this study was to characterize the inhibition of hen brain neurotoxic esterase (neuropathy target esterase, NTE), horse serum butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), and bovine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by CS analogs derived from the methyl esters of L-ala, D-norval, L-norval, L-phe, L-val, L-norleu, D-met, and L-met. Bimolecular rate constants of inhibition (ki) for NTE ranged from 0.571 for L-ala-CS to 17.7 mM-1 min-1 for L-norleu-CS (10-min I50 values of 123 and 3.92 microM, respectively). Potency against NTE increased with chain length for straight-chain R-groups of L-CS compounds. Unlike HLE, NTE was only weakly stereoselective for CS compound enantiomers. The L-isomers were weaker inhibitors of BuChE than NTE (10-min I50 range of 742 to 35.6 microM). In contrast to the L-enantiomers, the I50 plots of D-met-CS and D-norval-CS were not linear for BuChE, suggesting a possible stereospecific mechanistic shift for inhibition of this enzyme, AChE was not effectively inhibited by any of the CS compounds (I50 values > 750 microM). The specificity and charged nature of CS compounds give these unusual NTE inhibitors potential advantages for mechanistic studies of organophosphorus compound-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN) and its protection or potentiation.
Health Monitoring of Thermal Barrier Coatings by Mid-Infrared Reflectance

Mid-infrared (MIR) reflectance is shown to be a powerful tool for monitoring the integrity of 8wt% yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). Because of the translucent nature of plasma-sprayed 8YSZ TBCs, particularly at MIR wavelengths (3 to 5 microns), measured reflectance does not only originate from the TBC surface, but contains strong contributions from internal scattering within the coating as well as reflectance from the underlying TBC/substrate interface. Therefore, changes in MIR reflectance measurements can be used to monitor the progression of TBC delamination. In particular, MIR reflectance is shown to reproducibly track the progression of TBC delamination produced by repeated thermal cycling (to 1163 C) of plasma-sprayed 8YSZ TBCs on Rene N5 superalloy substrates. To understand the changes in MIR reflectance with the progression of a delamination crack network, a four-flux scattering model is used to predict the increase in MIR reflectance produced by the introduction of these cracks.
The Barycentric Coordinates Solution to the Optimal Road Junction Problem

The road junction location problems, first posited by Fermat and later generalized by Simpson, is a fundamental component of optimal network design. The barycentric resection formulas of plane surveying provide a solution of elegant simplicity to this problem. Prerequisite junction point angles for the application of the resection formulas are obtained directly from Launhardt's original analytical development of this fundamental problem in route location.
Performance evaluation of convolutional encoded partial differential space time OFDM using modified local splines

Convolutional encoding is an effective technique to increase the resistance of the system towards frequency-selective channels, especially fading. In this paper, we investigate a technique in which convolutional encoding and interleaving are combined with the partial differential space time orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). The estimation of channel parameters is done using modified local splines method. Space diversity is applied to OFDM for overall improvement of the system performance. The signals transmitted through the time-varying channel experiences multipath fading and results in burst error condition. This burst error degrades the performance of the system and should be overcome by appending a convolutional encoder and an interleaver at the transmitter end and similarly using a deinterleaver and a Viterbi decoder at the receiver end. To combat intercarrier interference (ICI), channel estimation should be done. Another method which does not require channel estimation to overcome ICI is called differential detection. This method is only valid for low Doppler. For high Doppler conditions, differential detection is combined with channel estimation for space time OFDM. This paper compares the performance evaluation of convolutional encoded partial differential ST-OFDM with three other different schemes namely; partial differential ST-OFDM, convolutional encoded coherent ST-OFDM and coherent ST-OFDM. The simulation results show that convolutional encoded partial differential ST-OFDM performs better than other mentioned schemes. Performances have been evaluated in terms of bit error rate (BER), residual ICI power and signal power to ICI power ratio.
txteagle: Mobile Crowdsourcing

We present txteagle, a system that enables people to earn small amounts of money by completing simple tasks on their mobile phone for corporations who pay them in either airtime or MPESA (mobile money). The system is currently being launched in Kenya and Rwanda in collaboration with the mobile phone service providers Safaricom and MTN Rwanda. Tasks include translation, transcription, and surveys. User studies in Nairobi involving high school students, taxi drivers, and local security guards have been completed and the service has recently launched in Kenya nationwide.
Energy-water nexus in Texas

In “Energy-Water Nexus in Texas”, author Amy Hardberger discusses the water requirements of producing energy in Texas. In the first half of the article she addresses the use of water for energy, the need for energy to access water, and the current energy-water nexus in Texas. The second half of the report focuses on future energy-water use in Texas along with the policy decisions that could affect use. Hardberger stresses the importance of the energy-water nexus in planning and management. Next, she makes several policy recommendations including a requirement water and energy analyses in new power plant applications. In closing, Hardberger reminds the reader that improving water efficiency will help reduce costs to consumers and help further the supply of water and energy.
Does Mandatory Audit Firm Rotation Improve or Impair Corporate Investment Efficiency

We develop a framework with which to analyze the interactions among auditor attestation strategy, corporate investment decision, and capital market valuation. We use this framework to examine mandatory audit firm rotation (Section 207 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) and identify its three potential effects: the real (cash flow) effect; the attestation effect; the price effect. In particular, we show that mandatory audit firm rotation impairs corporate investment efficiency for firms with rosy prospects but improves corporate investment efficiency for firms with gloomy prospects.
IUGR Increases Chromatin-Remodeling Factor BRG1 Expression and Binding to GR Exon 1.7 Promoter in Newborn Male Rat Hippocampus

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) increases the risk for neurodevelopment delay and neuroendocrine reprogramming in both humans and rats. Neuroendocrine reprogramming involves the glucocortico...
Re-evaluation of sugarcane borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) bioeconomics in Louisiana

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is the key insect pest of sugarcane, Saccharum spp., grown in Louisiana. For more than 40 years, Louisiana sugarcane farmers have used a value of 10% internodes bored at harvest as the economic injury level (EIL). Three plant-cane studies were conducted to re-evaluate the long-standing sugarcane borer EIL level using the most recently released varieties of sugarcane. Varieties were exposed to artificially enhanced borer infestations; the experimental treatments consisted of borer control with insecticides or no control. Data were collected on infestation intensity, damage intensity, and associated yield losses. Crop yields from plots were obtained by mechanical harvesting, and losses were classified as field losses, e.g. losses of gross tonnage in the field and factory losses, e.g., losses that were realized at the factory as cane is
Phase-resolved frequency domain optical doppler tomography

ABSTRACT We present a phase-resolved optical Doppler tomography (ODT) sys tem at 1310 nm using frequency domain method. Frequency domain phase-resolved ODT potentially allows for an increased longitudinal imaging range, signal-to-noise ratio and imaging acquisition rates, which can dramatically increase the measurable velocity dynamic range. A detailed derivation of phase-resolved frequency domain ODT and a measurement of flow through micro channel are presented. This technique can be used to quantify flow in integrated microfluidic devices in which complex three-dimensional structures and a wide velocity range are present. Keywords : Optical Doppler Tomography, Flowmetry INTRODUCTION Optical Doppler tomography (ODT) is a noninvasive diagnostic technique for imaging sample structure and the cross sectional velocity distribution of moving scattering media [1]. Early ODT systems were unable to achieve simultaneously both high imaging speed and high velocity sensitivity. Phase-resolved ODT [2,3] provides information on flow velocity and variance in this velocity and several clinical applications of phase-resolved ODT have been reported [3]. We have also applied this noninvasive imaging technique to quantify micro flow and the result is comparable to those obtained by conventional testing method [4]. Recently, frequency domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) has attracted great attention due to its intrinsic advantage in signal-to-noise ratio. Several research groups have shown that frequency domain OCT has a signal-to-noise ratio approximately 20 dB higher than that of time domain OCT [9-11]. In addition, frequency domain OCT does not require any axial scanning and the imaging speed is determined by either the electronic detection system or the tuning rate of a tunable laser [5-15]. Because parallel data acquisition can be implemented in frequency domain, high speed A-line data rate is possible. This provides phase-resolved ODT a better signal-to-noise ratio since the phase noise (caused by
A Framework for Research in Computer-Based Management Information Systems

The paper presents a comprehensive framework for research in Management Information Systems MIS. The necessity for a more comprehensive research framework is derived from a review of past research frameworks. The new framework is validated by mapping 331 MIS doctoral dissertations into its research categories. The dissertations are also classified by research methodology employed. The comprehensive MIS research model is useful not only in understanding and classifying MIS research but also in generating potential hypotheses for future research. Hypothesis generation using the model is explained and illustrated.
A group decision device: Its pareto-like optimality

A decision problem, as described in Dubins (1977), is an ordered pair of sets G, D, where G can be thought of as a group of individuals who must choose one, and only one, decision (act) from the set, D, of possible decisions (acts). Suppose, with little, if any, loss of realism, that G and D are nonempty, finite sets. The main device for selecting the group act suggested in Dubins (1977), and developed in Green and Laffont (1979), was accompanied by an exchange of cash among the members of G, and can be described as follows. The group G first constructs a matrix, M, of real numbers where, to each g E G and d E D, correspond, respectively, a row M, and a column, Md of M. Indeed, g may select any Mi provided that the sum of the entries in that row, namely 1 M:(d E D) is zero [and in practice the supremum Mi(d E D) should not exceed the resources (say in dollars) available to g]. Interpret his selection of Mt as a commitment by g to contribute up to Mi in cash if the group decision turns out to be d. (For negative Md, IM:l is the amount that g commits himself to accept as a side-payment if d becomes the group decision.) (It is probably best and simplest for all the row vectors of M to be chosen before any of the choices are revealed to the other members of G.) Define We or w for short, w:D+lK! by
The natural history and clinical course of calculus formation in man

This paper describes levels and progression of supra- and subgingival calculus undisturbed by active professional intervention or home care between 1970 and 1985 in Sri Lanka, or when removed at regular intervals between 1969 and 1988 in Norway. In the Sri Lankan tea laborers, both supra- and subgingival calculus formation started before age 14 years. At 40 years of age, all participants and almost all teeth and tooth surfaces had calculus. Tea laborers who both smoked tobacco and chewed betel had significantly higher calculus scores than those who only had one of these habits, and those who neither chewed nor smoked had the lowest calculus scores. Teeth with calculus showed a significantly higher rate of loss of attachment than teeth that remained calculus free. For the Norwegians who had enjoyed regular dental care throughout their lives, supragingival calculus did not increase in frequency from adolescence to the forties. Approximately 70% of the interproximal surfaces were calculus free after 40-50 years of age. Subgingival calculus scores, although low, showed some increase with longer times of exposure. On average, each person had 0.4 interproximal surfaces with subgingival calculus as they approached 50 years of age. In this Norwegian population, subgingival calculus had no impact on loss of attachment.
Use of sol-gels as solid matrixes for simultaneous multielement determination by radio frequency glow discharge optical emission spectrometry: determinations of suspended particulate matter.

A new approach for the analysis of particulate matter by radio frequency glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (rf-GD-OES) is described. Dispersion of the particles in a sol−gel sample matrix provides a convenient means of generating a thin film suitable for sputter-sampling into the discharge. Acid-catalyzed sol−gel glasses synthesized from tetramethyl orthosilicate were prepared and spun-cast on glass substrates. The resultant thin films on glass substrates were analyzed to determine the discharge operating conditions and resultant sputtering characteristics while a number of optical emission lines of the film components were monitored. Slurries of powdered standard reference materials NIST SRM 1884a (Portland Cement) and NIST SRM 2690 (Coal Fly Ash) dispersed in the sols were cast into films in the same manner. Use of the sol−gels as sample matrixes allows for background subtraction through the use of analytical blanks and may facilitate the generation of calibration curves via readily synthesiz...
Articulations of wikiwork: uncovering valued work in wikipedia through barnstars

Successful online communities have complex cooperative arrangements, articulations of work, and integration practices. They require technical infrastructure to support a broad division of labor. Yet the research literature lacks empirical studies that detail which types of work are valued by participants in an online community. A content analysis of Wikipedia barnstars -- personalized tokens of appreciation given to participants -- reveals a wide range of valued work extending far beyond simple editing to include social support, administrative actions, and types of articulation work. Our analysis develops a theoretical lens for understanding how wiki software supports the creation of articulations of work. We give implications of our results for communities engaged in large-scale collaborations.
Deep Space One: Preparing for space exploration in the 21st century

This October, NASA will take a revolutionary step with the launch of the New Millennium program's Deep Space One (DS1) mission. DS1 will fly by asteroid 1992KD in July of 1999 and will then be on a trajectory toward comet 19P/Borrelly.
A note on circular gravitational orbits

The Schwarzchild circular orbits provided by the general theory of relativity for a mass circulating about a fixed mass are examined. For a given angular momentum, two circular orbits are described. It is found that there are also two circular orbits for a photon; certain energies cause these orbits to be unstable under relativistic considerations. (L.N.N.)
Uniform Mean Value Estimates and Discrete Hilbert Inequalities VIA Orthogonal Dirichlet Series

Let $${\{\lambda_j\}^\infty_{j=0}}$$ be a strictly increasing sequence of positive numbers with λ0 = 0 and λ1 = 1. We use orthogonal Dirichlet polynomials associated with the arctangent density, to observe that for r > 0, $$\begin{array}{ll}\int^\infty_0\left |\sum\limits^\infty_{n=1}(-1)^{n-1}a_n\lambda^{-irt}_n\right |^2 \frac{dt}{\pi(1 + t^2)}\\ = \sum\limits^\infty_{n=1}(\lambda^{2r}_n - \lambda^{2r}_{n-1})\left |\sum\limits^\infty_{k=n}(-1)^{k-1}\frac{ak}{\lambda^r_k}\right |^2,\end{array}$$ when the right-hand side converges. As a consequence, we obtain uniform mean value estimates, discrete Hilbert type inequalities, and asymptotics as r → ∞ for classes of Dirichlet series.
Multielement analysis of whole blood using a capacitively coupled microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometer

Abstract A capacitively coupled microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometer (CMP-AES) has been evaluated as a means for the direct analysis of several of the primary and trace elements in whole blood. A tungsten filament spiral electrode was used with the CMP, and whole blood samples were deposited on the electrode and subsequently dried, ashed, and atomized. The emission was measured with a spectrometer and a charge-coupled-device detector. A sample size of only 2 μl was required and the time for each sample run was under 4 min. This method has a wide dynamic range, allowing the determination of both the primary elements in blood and elements present in trace quantities. Potassium, sodium, lithium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc were studied. Good linearity was observed and the concentration levels obtained for these elements were consistent with literature values. The primary advantages of this method are that no sample pretreatment or dilution is required, the instrument cost is low, and the method is capable of simultaneous multielement analysis on small, discrete samples.
The English Language and the Gulf War: corpus linguistics, variation, and word‐formation

: Television and print media during the 1991 Gulf War exposed the English-speaking world to word-formation patterns that produced neologisms and analogical forms. The language of the military briefing room became the language of media reportage. Established patterns were employed to create new forms with new meanings. The data are taken from the television and print media in the USA. This paper analyzes a corpus of data from television and radio broadcasts for purposes of assessing the open-ended corpus as a source of variation, the productivity of forms, the extension of meaning, and the implications for the use of corpus data for teaching patterns of word-formation in English.
Technological innovations in the m-commerce industry : a conceptual model of WAP banking intentions

Abstract The mobile commerce (m-commerce) industry is expected to gain ascendancy as new technological innovations change the competitive dynamics of the global business environment. Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) banking is a technological innovation that will change the way consumers and business interact. This paper proposes a conceptual model that helps to explain both the external and internal environmental influences that an individual is influenced by intending to adopt WAP banking. Implications both for business and existing research are espoused and suggestions for further research are stated.
Concentration Profiling of a Molecular Sieve Membrane by Step-Scan Photoacoustic Spectroscopy

We report the quantitative, nondestructive determination of the concentration profile of an organic molecule in a nanoporous polycrystalline zeolite molecular sieve membrane by step-scan IR photoacoustic experiments and analysis. A heterogeneous zeolite membrane model system was constructed by growing a zeolite MFI layer on a macroporous α-alumina substrate, followed by calcination to remove the organic tetrapropylammonium (TPA) structure-directing agent, and finally the growth of a second TPA-containing layer over the first. Step-scan photoacoustic spectroscopy is then used with a large range (10-500 Hz) of incident signal modulation frequencies to obtain a series of depth-dependent IR spectra. Deconvolution of these spectra and analysis of band intensities by the theory of photoacoustic signal generation allows for the determination of the TPA concentration profile. We briefly discuss the implications of this technique for understanding structure-property relationships in materials deposited as membranes for molecular sieving applications.
Dynamics of Rotational Energy Release for Dissociation of Singlet Ketene and the Singlet/Triplet Branching Ratio

The rotational energy release in the dissociation of ketene along its singlet potential energy surface is observed and compared with various statistical and dynamical theories. Rotational distributions for CO(X 1Σ+)(v=1) are measured from the threshold for production of CH2(a 1A1)(0,0,0) + CO(X 1Σ+)(v=1) to 1720 cm-1 above. At low energies (≤200 cm-1), phase space theory (PST) matches the observed distributions. At 357 and 490 cm-1, PST, constrained by the measured state distributions of the methylene fragment, provides a good fit. For E ≥ 1107 cm-1, the constrained PST matches the average rotational energy observed but gives distributions which are broader than observed. This contrasts with the 1CH2 fragment rotations which become progressively colder than PST as energy increases from 200 cm-1 above the threshold. The CO(v=1) rotational distributions for E ≥ 357 cm-1 contain no measurable product from triplet channel fragmentation. They can be compared with the previously determined CO(v=0) rotational ...