Towards finding the best-fit distribution for OSN data

The Journal of Supercomputing - Currently, all online social networks (OSNs) are considered to follow a power-law distribution. In this paper, the degree distribution for multiple OSNs has been...     

IndoorSense: context based indoor pollutant prediction using SARIMAX model

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Indoor air pollutants e.g., Carbon dioxide (CO2), Particulate Matter(PM)2.5, PM10, Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC), etc. have a serious impact on human...     

Convergence in Diversity: New York City School Food and the Future of the Food Movement

In the context of a global food system that has given rise to widespread concerns for food security and sustainability, reformative efforts have emerged, expanded and multiplied worldwide. To enhance understanding of the multi-faceted nature of this food movement and its scope for convergence and consolidation, in this article we propose frame alignment and alliance-building as a theoretical and analytical framework. Using New York City as a case study, we explore how school food reform may act as a particularly powerful platform for coalescing the interests and goals of diverse food system actors. We conclude with a call to interrogate school food and other reform activities with specific attention to the opportunities they pose for finding ‘convergence in diversity’ — in other words, for aligning the diverse and often fragmented efforts of the ‘food movement’ around an integrated and shared agenda with heightened potential for impact.     

The prevalence of foot ulceration and its correlates in type 2 diabetic patients: a population-based study

The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, and foot ulceration in Type 2 diabetic patients in the community were determined in a community-based study. Eight hundred and eleven subjects (404 male, 407 female, mean age 65.4 (range 34-90) years, diabetes duration 7.4 (0-50) years) from 37 general practices in three UK cities were studied. Neuropathy was diagnosed clinically using modified neuropathy disability scores which were ascertained using structured interviews and clinical examinations by one observer in each city. Peripheral vascular disease was diagnosed if a history of revascularization was present or > or = 2 foot pulses were absent. History of current or previous foot ulceration was recorded. The prevalence of neuropathy was 41.6% (95% confidence limits 38.3-44.9%) and the prevalence of PVD, 11% (9.1-13.7%). Forty-eight percent of neuropathic patients reported significant neuropathic symptoms. Forty-three patients (5.3% (3.8-6.8%)) had current or past foot ulcers; 20 of these were pure neuropathic ulcers, 13 neuroischaemic, 5 pure vascular, and 5 were unclassified. Multiple logistic regression showed history of amputation, neuropathy disability score, and peripheral vascular disease to be significantly associated with foot ulceration after adjusting for age and diabetes duration. A substantial proportion of Type 2 diabetic patients, often elderly patients who do not attend hospitals, suffered from peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease. These patients are at risk of foot ulceration and may benefit from preventive footcare.     

Comparison of one-way and shuttle-avoidance performance of gerbils and rats.

Compared the avoidance probability of 10 male and 10 female Long-Evans rats and an equal number of gerbils in a l-way and in a shuttle task. Rats in the shuttle task, especially males, had lower avoidance probabilities than gerbils possibly reflecting a species difference in the response hierarchy in the shuttle task. It is suggested that the lower avoidance probabilities of rats may be attributable to the displacement of the flight response by other species-specific defense reactions (SSDRs) induced by the impossibility in the shuttle task of physically escaping the site of noxious stimulation. The uniformity of gerbil avoidance probability across sex and task suggests that the impossibility of fleeing the location of noxious stimuli does not alter the hierarchy of SSDRs in the gerbil. (17 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Pyrolysis studies of organic oxygenates: 3. High temperature rearrangement of aryl alkyl ethers

Thermal chemistry pathways of aryl alkyl ethers have been investigated under coal conversion-like conditions. Anisole is a thermally reactive compound having an oxygen functionality found in such coal precursors as lignins. Pyrolysis of anisoles was carried out using small batch autoclaves. Under thermolysis conditions anisole yielded a product distribution strongly dependent upon experimental parameters. Phenol, methane, CO and benzaldehyde are the low molecular weight products and polyphenyls and polyethers are the predominant high molecular weight products. The generation of CO is explained by a high temperature rearrangement of the phenyl group from O- to C- followed by rapid thermal decarbonylation of the benzaldehyde. Carbon monoxide formation from aryl alkyl ethers can thus be an important mechanistic pathway in coal conversion processes. By investigating the rearrangement using para-fluoroanisole it was shown that this rearrangement proceeds via a three-centered intermediate to para-fluorobenzaldehyde. No meta isomer was observed.     

Side Chain Redistribution as a Strategy to Boost Organic Electrochemical Transistor Performance and Stability

A series of glycolated polythiophenes for use in organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) is designed and synthesized, differing in the distribution of their ethylene glycol chains that are tethered to the conjugated backbone. While side chain redistribution does not have a significant impact on the optoelectronic properties of the polymers, this molecular engineering strategy strongly impacts the water uptake achieved in the polymers. By careful optimization of the water uptake in the polymer films, OECTs with unprecedented steady-state performances in terms of [μC^*] and current retentions up to 98% over 700 electrochemical switching cycles are developed.     

Localization of the cellular expression of inhibin in trophoblastic tissue

We report four new cases of chordoma of "the mobile spine", all at the L2 level. Diagnosis was often delayed due to predominantly nonspecific low back symptoms; however, neurological involvement is more frequent than in chordoma with a sacrococcygeal localization. No pathognomonic images have been described for any imaging modality, and differential diagnosis should include metastases, chondrosarcoma, and giant-cell tumor. Histopathological analysis can be performed on CT-guided puncture biopsy samples, but a high level of suspicion must be present and, if there is any doubt, immunohistochemical studies should be carried out. Despite being the treatment of choice, complete tumor resection by a double-approach spondylectomy is barely feasible at the L2 level.     

Beryllium-doped single-walled carbon nanotubes with Stone-Wales defects: A promising material to store hydrogen at room temperature

Hydrogen storage in single-walled carbon nanotubes containing the Stone-Wales defects and doped with metal atoms (titanium and beryllium) has been studied using molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory calculations. Although, Be is known to be toxic at high temperatures, Be-doped SWCNT shows a promising potential to exceed the DOE target at moderate temperatures and pressures. One of the major advantages of doping Be is its lower atomic weight, which increases the gravimetric storage capacity compared to SWCNTs doped with heavy-wight Ti atoms. In addition, the binding energy of Be is higher than that of Ti, which enhances the capture of hydrogen molecules. The gravimetric and volumetric storage capacities depend not only on the dopant atom but also on the location of doping. SWCNTs in which Be is doped on the octagonal ring of the Stone-Wales defects exhibits higher storage capacity than Be doped on defect-free SWCNTs. At room temperature (298 K), the storage capacity of Be-doped SWCNT containing the Stone-Wales defect exceeds the DOE target of 5.5 wt% (gravimetric) and 40 g H₂/L (volumetric) at a pressure of 267 atm, which is significantly lower than that used in high pressure vessels.     

PYROLYSIS STUDIES OF ORGANIC OXYGENATES VI. THERMAL CHEMISTRY OF LONG CHAIN ALIPHATIC ACIDS

ABSTRACT

The thermal chemistry of two long-chain fatty acids, decanoic acid and tetradecanoic acid (myr1st1c add), has been determined at temperatures of 400-450^°C under Inert {helium and nitrogen) and reactive (hydrogen) atmospheres. In general the thermal chemistry pathways are similar to those found with aromatic acids. Secondary cracking type reactions were found to be much more Important for the fatty acids, leading to a very complex product mix.

As expected, decarboxylation and subsequent radical reactions are Important whether the pyrolysis is carried out In the presence of an Inert gas such as helium or whether a hydropyrolysis occurs. Consistent with what was previously demonstrated with an aromatic acid⁽⁷⁾ and an aryl alkyl ether⁽⁵⁾, hydropyrolysis suppresses CO_x formation and tends to generate more aldehydes and alcohols than are produced under conventional pyrolysis conditions.

For fatty acids under Inert atmosphere pyrolysis conditions, the major initial products are the alkanes and alkenes derived from loss of CO₂, and CO₂ Itself. When hydrogen is present In the vapor phase, additional major products are formed. These Include the alkane, alkene and aldehyde derived from reduction of the fatty add. In all cases there is a substantial yield of the ketone