bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precise Synthesis of Block Polymers Composed of Three or More Blocks by Specially Designed Linking Methodologies in Conjunction with Living Anionic Polymerization System
Authors: Matsuo Yuri , Konno Ryuji , Ishizone Takashi , Goseki Raita , Hirao Akira
Published: July 2013

This article reviews the successful development of two specially designed linking methodologies in conjunction with a living anionic polymerization system for the synthesis of novel multiblock polymers, composed of three or more blocks, difficult to be synthesized by sequential polymerization. The first methodology with the use of a new heterofunctional linking agent, 2-(4-chloromethylphenyl)ethyldimethylchlorosilane (1), was developed for the synthesis of multiblock polymers containing poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) blocks. This methodology is based on the selective reaction of the chain-end silanolate anion of living PDMS, with the silyl chloride function of 1, and subsequent linking reaction of the resulting ω-chain-end-benzyl chloride-functionalized polymer with either a living anionic polymer or living anionic block copolymer. With this methodology, various multiblock polymers containing PDMS blocks, up to the pentablock quintopolymer, were successfully synthesized. The second methodology using an α-phenylacrylate (PA) reaction site was developed for the synthesis of multiblock polymers composed of all-vinyl polymer blocks. In this methodology, an α-chain-end-PA-functionalized polymer or block copolymer, via the living anionic polymerization, was first prepared and, then, reacted with appropriate living anionic polymer or block copolymer to link the two polymer chains. As a result, ACB (BCA), BAC (CAB), (AB)n, (AC)n, ABA, ACA, BCB, and ABCA multiblock polymers, where A, B, and C were polystyrene, poly(2-vinylpyridine), and poly(methyl methacrylate) segments, could be successfully synthesized. The synthesis of triblock copolymers, BAB, CAC, and CBC, having molecular asymmetry in both side blocks, was also achieved. Furthermore, the use of living anionic polymers, derived from many other monomers, categorized as either of styrene, 2-vinylpyridine, or methyl methacrylate in monomer reactivity, in the linking methodology enabled the number of synthetically possible block polymers to be greatly increased. Once again, all of the block polymers synthesized by these methodologies are new and cannot be synthesized at all by sequential polymerization. They were well-defined in block architecture and precisely controlled in block segment.
A New Full Pose Measurement Method for Robot Calibration
Authors: Nguyen Hoai-Nhan , Zhou Jian , Kang Hee-Jun
Published: July 2013

Identification of robot kinematic errors during the calibration process often requires accurate full pose measurements (position and orientation) of robot end-effectors in Cartesian space. This paper proposes a new method of full pose measurement of robot end-effectors for calibration. This method is based on an analysis of the features of a set of target points (placed on a rotating end-effector) on a circular trajectory. The accurate measurement is validated by computational simulation results from the Puma robot. Moreover, experimental calibration and validation results for the Hyundai HA-06 robot prove the effectiveness, correctness, and reliability of the proposed method. This method can be applied to robots that have entirely revolute joints or to robots for which only the last joint is revolute.
Investigation on Dynamic Calibration for an Optical-Fiber Solids Concentration Probe in Gas-Solid Two-Phase Flows
Authors: Xu Guiling , Liang Cai , Chen Xiaoping , Liu Daoyin , Xu Pan , Shen Liu , Zhao Changsui
Published: July 2013

This paper presents a review and analysis of the research that has been carried out on dynamic calibration for optical-fiber solids concentration probes. An introduction to the optical-fiber solids concentration probe was given. Different calibration methods of optical-fiber solids concentration probes reported in the literature were reviewed. In addition, a reflection-type optical-fiber solids concentration probe was uniquely calibrated at nearly full range of the solids concentration from 0 to packed bed concentration. The effects of particle properties (particle size, sphericity and color) on the calibration results were comprehensively investigated. The results show that the output voltage has a tendency to increase with the decreasing particle size, and the effect of particle color on calibration result is more predominant than that of sphericity.
Parallel Hough Transform-Based Straight Line Detection and Its FPGA Implementation in Embedded Vision
Authors: Lu Xiaofeng , Song Li , Shen Sumin , He Kang , Yu Songyu , Ling Nam
Published: July 2013

Hough Transform has been widely used for straight line detection in low-definition and still images, but it suffers from execution time and resource requirements. Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) provide a competitive alternative for hardware acceleration to reap tremendous computing performance. In this paper, we propose a novel parallel Hough Transform (PHT) and FPGA architecture-associated framework for real-time straight line detection in high-definition videos. A resource-optimized Canny edge detection method with enhanced non-maximum suppression conditions is presented to suppress most possible false edges and obtain more accurate candidate edge pixels for subsequent accelerated computation. Then, a novel PHT algorithm exploiting spatial angle-level parallelism is proposed to upgrade computational accuracy by improving the minimum computational step. Moreover, the FPGA based multi-level pipelined PHT architecture optimized by spatial parallelism ensures real-time computation for 1,024 × 768 resolution videos without any off-chip memory consumption. This framework is evaluated on ALTERA DE2-115 FPGA evaluation platform at a maximum frequency of 200 MHz, and it can calculate straight line parameters in 15.59 ms on the average for one frame. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation results have validated the system performance regarding data throughput, memory bandwidth, resource, speed and robustness.
Posttranslational Modifications of HIV-1 Integrase by Various Cellular Proteins during Viral Replication
Authors: Zheng Yingfeng , Yao Xiaojian
Published: July 2013

HIV-1 integrase (IN) is a key viral enzyme during HIV-1 replication that catalyzes the insertion of viral DNA into the host genome. Recent studies have provided important insights into the multiple posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of IN (e.g., ubiquitination, SUMOylation, acetylation and phosphorylation), which regulate its multifaceted functions. A number of host cellular proteins, including Lens Epithelium‑derived Growth factor (LEDGF/p75), p300 and Ku70 have been shown to interact with IN and be involved in the PTM process of IN, either facilitating or counteracting the IN PTMs. Although previous studies have revealed much about the important roles of IN PTMs, how IN functions are fine-tuned by these PTMs under the physiological setting still needs to be determined. Here, we review the advances in the understanding of the mechanisms and roles of multiple IN PTMs.
Deletions within the 3' Non-Translated Region of Alfalfa mosaic virus RNA4 Do Not Affect Replication but Significantly Reduce Long-Distance Movement of Chimeric Tobacco mosaic virus
Authors: Roy Gourgopal , Fedorkin Oleg , Fujiki Masaaki , Skarjinskaia Marina , Knapp Elisabeth , Rabindran Shailaja , Yusibov Vidadi
Published: July 2013

Alfalfa mosaic virus (AlMV) RNAs 1 and 2 with deletions in their 3' non‑translated regions (NTRs) have been previously shown to be encapsidated into virions by coat protein (CP) expressed from RNA3, indicating that the 3' NTRs of RNAs 1 and 2 are not required for virion assembly. Here, we constructed various mutants by deleting sequences within the 3' NTR of AlMV subgenomic (sg) RNA4 (same as of RNA3) and examined the effect of these deletions on replication and translation of chimeric Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) expressing AlMV sgRNA4 from the TMV CP sg promoter (Av/A4) in tobacco protoplasts and Nicotiana benthamiana plants. While the Av/A4 mutants were as competent as the wild-type Av/A4 in RNA replication in protoplasts, their encapsidation, long-distance movement and virus accumulation varied significantly in N. benthamiana. These data suggest that the 3' NTR of AlMV sgRNA4 contains potential elements necessary for virus encapsidation.
Post Approval Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake Is Higher in Minorities Compared to Whites in Girls Presenting for Well-Child Care
Authors: Pierce Jennifer , Korte Jeffrey , Carr Laura , Gasper Catherine , Modesitt Susan
Published: July 2013

Since introduction of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, there remains low uptake compared to other adolescent vaccines. There is limited information postapproval about parental attitudes and barriers when presenting for routine care. This study evaluates HPV vaccine uptake and assesses demographics and attitudes correlating with vaccination for girls aged 11–12 years. A prospective cohort study was performed utilizing the University of Virginia (UVA) Clinical Data Repository (CDR). The CDR was used to identify girls aged 11–12 presenting to any UVA practice for a well-child visit between May 2008 and April 2009. Billing data were searched to determine rates of HPV vaccine uptake. The parents of all identified girls were contacted four to seven months after the visit to complete a telephone questionnaire including insurance information, child’s vaccination status, HPV vaccine attitudes, and demographics. Five hundred and fifty girls were identified, 48.2% of whom received at least one HPV vaccine dose. White race and private insurance were negatively associated with HPV vaccine initiation (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.61–0.85 and RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.72–1.01, respectively). In the follow-up questionnaire, 242 interviews were conducted and included in the final cohort. In the sample, 183 (75.6%) parents reported white race, 38 (15.7%) black race, and 27 (11.2%) reported other race. Overall 85% of parents understood that the HPV vaccine was recommended and 58.9% of parents believed the HPV vaccine was safe. In multivariate logistic regression, patients of black and other minority races were 4.9 and 4.2 times more likely to receive the HPV vaccine compared to their white counterparts. Safety concerns were the strongest barrier to vaccination. To conclude, HPV vaccine uptake was higher among minority girls and girls with public insurance in this cohort.
Hypervalent iodine/TEMPO-mediated oxidation in flow systems: a fast and efficient protocol for alcohol oxidation
Authors: Ambreen Nida , Kumar Ravi , Wirth Thomas
Published: July 2013

Hypervalent iodine(III)/TEMPO-mediated oxidation of various aliphatic, aromatic and allylic alcohols to their corresponding carbonyl compounds was successfully achieved by using microreactor technology. This method can be used as an alternative for the oxidation of various alcohols achieving excellent yields and selectivities in significantly shortened reaction times.
Le couteau de Bohémond et la thériaque à vilain. La vénénologie savante face aux remèdes “merveilleux” ou “populaires”
Authors: Collard Franck
Published: July 2013

[fr] Éclos en Occident à la fin du XIIIe siècle, les traités des poisons visent à protéger ou soigner les patients des périls ou des effets du poison. Ils se rangent parmi les écritures médicales scolastiques. Mais le domaine de la toxicatio conduit les auteurs à traiter d’antidotes à première vue éloignés des sphères de la médecine savante, soit qu’ils se rattachent aux “merveilles de la nature”, soit qu’ils proviennent de la culture vulgaire. Après avoir inventorié ces anti-poisons mentionnés par les docteurs, l’article s’attachera à montrer pourquoi et comment ils sont intellectuellement intégrés à la scientia venenorum.
Enfermar lejos de casa. La atención médica y veterinaria en los hostales de la Corona de Aragón durante la Baja Edad Media
Authors: Ferragud Carmel
Published: July 2013

Durante la baja Edad Media la movilidad de las personas fue muy intensa, por razones diversas. Frecuentemente la gente se alojaba en hostales, abundantes en todas las ciudades y también en el mundo rural, donde podían descansar, alimentarse y recibir atención médica para ellos y para sus caballerías. Dichos hostales fueron ámbitos propicios para la intervención de barberos y cirujanos, pues en ellos se producían muchas trifulcas con heridos.
L’esperança de vida dels infants de l’hospital de la Santa Creu de Barcelona
Authors: Vinyoles Vidal Teresa
Published: July 2013

[ct] Partint de la premissa de la gran mortalitat infantil baixmedieval, aquest treball intenta una aproximació a l’esperança de vida dels infants acollits a l’hospital de la Santa Creu de Barcelona durant la primera meitat del segle XV. Una de les funcions de l’hospital era recollir els expòsits, procurar la seva supervivència i la seva integració a la societat. El compliment d’aquestes funcions va implicar la redacció d’una sèrie de documents que, si bé només s’han conservat en part, ens ofereixen informació molt interessant pel tema d’aquest treball. Presentem dades sobre la mortalitat en les diverses etapes de la infància, la incidència dels brots epidèmics, les notícies que hem pogut obtenir sobre les malalties, els remeis, les causes de la mort i els enterraments infantils.
A Case-Control Study of Oral Epithelial Proliferative Markers among Sudanese Toombak Dippers Using Micronuclei Assay, Argyrophilic Nucleolar Organizer Region, Papanicolaou and Crystal Violet Methods
Authors: Anass M. Abbas , Ahmed Hussain G.
Published: July 2013

The use of Toombak has been reported to play a major role in the etiology of oral cancer in Sudan. The cellular proliferative activity on the oral epithelium of 210 Toombak dippers was assessed by applying the micronuclei frequency, mean argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) counts, Papanicolaou method, and 1% crystal violet stain. Participants were divided into 3 groups: 200 were apparently healthy individuals, 100 were Toombak users (cases), 100 were non-tobacco users (control) and 10 were patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas. Cytological atypia was identified among 4 (4%). Toombak users and was not found among the control group (P<0.04). The micronuclei frequencies were higher in Toombak users (1.026) than in the control group (0.356) (P<0.0001). The mean AgNOR counts in Toombak users (2.423) were higher than control group (1.303) (P<0.0001). Neither Toombak users nor control group showed mitotic figures in 1% crystal violet method. The results of this research showed that Toombak dipping is a high risk factor for increase in the cellular proliferation in the oral mucosa. The cytological proliferative marker methods used are useful for screening Toombak users.
Splitting Families and Complete Separability
Authors: Mildenberger Heike , Raghavan Dilip , Steprans Juris
Published: July 2013

We answer a question from Raghavan and Steprans by showing that Then we use this to construct a completely separable maximal almost disjoint family under a, partially answering a question of Shelah.
Aerosol effects on the cloud-field properties of tropical convective clouds
Authors: Lee S.-S. , Feingold G.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Aerosol effects on condensed water and precipitation in a tropical cloud system driven by deep convective clouds are investigated for two-dimensional simulations of 2-day duration. Although an assumed 10-fold increase in aerosol concentration results in a similar temporal evolution of mean precipitation and a small (9%) difference in cumulative precipitation between the high- and low-aerosol cases, the characteristics of the convection are much more sensitive to aerosol. The convective mass flux, and temporal evolution and frequency distribution of the condensed water path WP (sum of liquid- and ice-water paths) differ significantly between unperturbed and aerosol-perturbed simulations. There are concomitant differences in the relative importance of individual microphysical processes and the frequency distribution of the precipitation rate (P). With increasing aerosol (i) the convective mass flux increases, leading to increases in condensation, cloud liquid, and accretion of cloud liquid by precipitation; (ii) autoconversion of cloud water to rain water decreases; (iii) the WP spatial distribution becomes more homogeneous; and (iv) there is an increase in the frequencies of high and low WP and P, and a decrease in these frequencies at the mid-range of WP and P. Thus, while aerosol perturbations have a small influence on total precipitation amount, for the case considered, they do have substantial influence on the spatiotemporal distribution of convection and precipitation.
Biases in regional carbon budgets from covariation of surface fluxes and weather in transport model inversions
Authors: Williams I. N. , Riley W. J. , Torn M. S. , Biraud S. C. , Fischer M. L.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Recent advances in transport model inversions could significantly reduce uncertainties in land carbon uptake through assimilation of high frequency CO2 concentration measurements. The impact of these measurements depends on the strength of covariation between surface fluxes and atmospheric transport and mixing at weekly and shorter time-scales, and on how well transport models represent this covariation. A stochastic boundary layer model was developed to quantify the effects of synoptic covariation on surface flux inversions at daily to season time-scales, and to compare covariation in transport model simulations to observations at the US Southern Great Plains Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Climate Research Facility. The most significant covariation of surface fluxes and transport occurred on weekly and longer time-scales, suggesting that surface flux inversions would benefit most from improved simulations of dynamics at the lower-frequency end of the synoptic spectrum. Biases in these rectifier effects contributed to surface flux biases of 13% of the seasonal cycle amplitude, estimated from differences between observations and a data assimilation system (CarbonTracker). Biases in simulated covariation of transport and surface fluxes resulted in overestimated boundary layer concentrations during the growing season over the Southern Great Plains, by up to 0.3 ppm CO2. Though small relative to the seasonal cycle, the strength of synoptic rectifier effects strongly varies on inter-annual time-scales, with some years having negligible and others having large vertical concentration gradients during the growing season, due only to differences in covariation of surface fluxes and transport. Inter-annual variability in vertical gradients due to synoptic rectifier effects is of similar magnitude to the inter-annual variability due to carbon sinks alone.
Speeding up a Lagrangian ice microphysics code
Authors: Unterstrasser S. , Sölch I.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. This paper presents various techniques to speed up the Lagrangian ice microphysics code EULAG-LCM. The amount of CPU time (and also memory and storage data) depends heavily on the number of simulation ice particles (SIPs) used to represent the bulk of real ice crystals. It was found that the various microphysical processes require different numbers of SIPs to reach statistical convergence (in a sense that a further increase of the SIP number does not systematically change the physical outcome of a cirrus simulation). Whereas deposition/sublimation and sedimentation require only a moderate number of SIPs, the (non-linear) ice nucleation process is only well represented, when a large number of SIPs is generated. We introduced a new stochastic nucleation implementation which reallistically mimics the stochastic nature of nucleation and greatly reduces numerical sensitivities. Furthermore several strategies (SIP merging and splitting) are presented which flexibly adjust and reduce the number of SIPs. These may well serve as an inspiration for developers of other Lagrangian particle tracking models. These efficiency measures reduce the computational costs of present cirrus studies and allow extending the temporal and spatial scales of upcoming studies.
Small sinkhole-like features in alluvial plains: the example of Paganico (Lucca Plain, Italy)
Authors: Dell'Aringa M. , Giannecchini R. , Puccinelli A.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Paganico is a little village located in the south-eastern portion of the Lucca Plain (North Western Tuscany, Italy). Since Seventies a few square kilometres area around Paganico has been involved in opening of small cavities (sinkhole-like features – in this work named micro-sinkholes for simplification) on the land surface. At the beginning they were very small and sporadic. Then (in Eighties), the phenomenon has been characterized by a significant extension, increasing in frequency and size (up to 2 m in diameter and depth), causing inconvenience to local people, agricultural operation and sometimes damage (cracks to buildings, walls, floorings). The cavities prevalently occur at the end of the dry season, during or immediately after the first intense rainy events, that is between the end of summer and autumn. Even so the predisposition and triggering causes are not at present completely clarified. Therefore this study is aimed at individuating the triggering and evolution mechanism of the Paganico micro-sinkholes, particularly referring to the stratigraphic, hydrogeological and geotechnical features of the involved materials. Another important issue made clear with this research is represented by the overexploitation involving the local aquifer, characterized by particular hydro-structural conditions. In fact, the Paganico underground shows three horizons with different lithologic, hydrogeological and geotechnical properties: a superficial silty-sandy horizon (2–3 m thick), which is particularly involved in collapses; an intermediate silty-clayey horizon (2–4 m thick); a lower and thick gravel-pebbly horizon, interested by important water resources and heavy pumping. Since Seventies, such water pumping considerably rose, due to the local demographic (well-field), industrial (paper manufacture) and agricultural development. From an hydrogeological point of view, this area is consequently characterized by two water tables: a temporary one, housed in the superficial silty-sandy horizon (aquitard), and a second one, confined, associated to the lower gravel-pebbly horizon (aquifer). Such water tables are separated by an impermeable silty-clayey horizon. According to the observations resulting from this study, the latter probably tends to fracture by desiccation during the dry season, originating water exchange between the two water tables during the first important autumnal rainfall, depending on the pumping conditions, which lower the piezometric surface of the confined aquifer. Cracking would interest also the superficial horizon. Thus, the water exchange would produce erosional phenomena in the superficial material, with removal of the fine fraction and collapse. This process could be at the base of the micro-sinkholes opening.
Supernumerary Kidney with Ipsilateral Cryptorchidism in a Cat
Authors: Paradise Danielle , Clark David
Published: July 2013

An 8 wk old male domestic longhair was presented with an abdominal mass and cryptorchidism. A 2 cm mass was palpable in the midabdomen. Ultrasonography confirmed a complex, septated, cystic mass adjacent and caudal to the right kidney. A normally appearing left kidney was present. Pathologic examination of the excised abdominal mass revealed it to be a kidney with an attached, normal caliber ureter. At surgery, this kidney was separate from the parenchyma of the second, cranial, right kidney. Subsequently, the second right kidney became hydronephrotic and was removed together with the cryptorchid testis and an apparently hypoplastic ureter. This is the first report of a supernumerary kidney in a cat, adding it to the differential diagnoses of abdominal masses.
Hypercalcemia of Malignancy Associated with Renal Cell Carcinoma in a Dog
Authors: Merrick Christine H. , Schleis Stephanie E. , Smith Annette N. , Mallett Courtney L. , Graff Emily C. , Johnson Calvin
Published: July 2013

A 10 yr old castrated male Siberian husky was evaluated for polyuria, polydipsia, a retroperitoneal mass, and urolithiasis. A marked elevation in Ca was noted on initial blood work, and results of additional testing were consistent with hypercalcemia of malignancy, including an elevated parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrp) value. Based on clinical signs, blood work, diagnostic imaging, and cytology results, unilateral renal neoplasia was suspected. Following a complete right nephrectomy and cystotomy, histopathologic examination confirmed a diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Five days postoperatively, the hypercalcemia had nearly resolved and the PTHrp was zero. This is the first reported case of hypercalcemia of malignancy associated with RCC in a dog.
Liver Failure in a Dog Following Suspected Ingestion of Blue-Green Algae (Microcystis spp.): A Case Report and Review of the Toxin
Authors: Sebbag Lionel , Smee Nicole , van der Merwe Deon , Schmid Dustin
Published: July 2013

A 2.5 yr old spayed female Weimaraner presented after ingestion of blue-green algae (Microcystis spp.). One day prior to presentation, the patient was swimming at a local lake known to be contaminated with high levels of blue-green algae that was responsible for deaths of several other dogs the same summer. The patient presented 24 hr after exposure with vomiting, inappetence, weakness, and lethargy. Blood work at the time of admission was consistent with acute hepatic failure, characteristic findings of intoxication by Microcystis spp. Diagnosis was suspected by analyzing a water sample from the location where the patient was swimming. Supportive care including fluids, fresh frozen plasma, whole blood, vitamin K, B complex vitamins, S-adenosyl methionine, and Silybum marianum were started. The patient was discharged on supportive medications, and follow-up blood work showed continued improvement. Ingestion is typically fatal for most patients. This is the first canine to be reported in the literature to survive treatment after known exposure.
Incomplete descriptions in Raymond’s Secret Agent X-9
Authors: Labarre Nicolas
Published: July 2013

Nicolas Labarre examines description in comics, through the “unrealized realism” of Hammett and Raymond’s Secret Agent X-9 (1934-35).
Potential of Aqueous Ozone to Control Aflatoxigenic Fungi in Brazil Nuts
Authors: Freitas-Silva Otniel , Morales-Valle Héctor , Venâncio Armando
Published: July 2013

This study aimed to verify the use of aqueous ozone as alternative technology for fungal control. Brazil nuts sterilized were inoculated with either 1×106 or 1×107 conidia mL−1 of Aspergillus flavus (MUM 9201) to determine optimal treatment parameters and different aqueous ozone contact times. These assays showed that the effect of ozone is almost immediate against A. flavus, and the optimum ozone concentration depended on the number of initial viable spores on the shell. The remaining viable spores in the ozone solution were recorded, and the rate of inactivation for each treatment was determined by assessing the ratio between the cfu of each treatment and the control. The ozonized nuts were also cultured to recover the fungal population. Aqueous ozone was effective in reducing the conidia of A. flavus and the natural fungal population associated with Brazil nuts. Aqueous ozone presented a great potential to reduce microorganisms counts in Brazil nuts with a great potential use in packing houses for decontamination step.
Architecture, Ethical Perception, and Educating for Moral Responsibility
Authors: Haji Ishtiyaque , Cuypers Stefaan E. , Joye Yannick
Published: July 2013

This paper explores elements of architecture’s influence on moral responsibility and educating for responsible agency. It does so by forging relevant connections among architecture, an Aristotelian account of ethical perception, and child education. The Aristotelian account underpins our proposal that architecture’s embodied values have a significant impact on responsibility’s agency requirement, thereby opening the doors to architecture’s influence on educating for responsibility.
Martial Somaesthetics
Authors: Mullis Eric C.
Published: July 2013

In this essay I consider the aesthetic merit of martial arts practice. I argue that the practice fosters kinesthetic appreciation, rich somaesthetic experiences of psycho-somatic integrity, and experiences of martial grace for martial artists. Further, I argue that a trained eye can appreciate variations in style, the expression of effortless technique, and the expression of embodied energy that more generally characterizes classical Chinese aesthetics. The essay is pertinent since it advances the field of somaesthetics and fosters discussions regarding the intersection of martial arts, sports, and dance.
Invisible peril: Managing rate issues through public involvement
Authors: Goetz Melanie
Published: July 2013

Like a life‐threatening riptide, utility rate increases that lack a carefully thought‐out process to inform and involve the public can have disastrous consequences.
Committed to success: New CIS and CMMS integration net huge benefits for utility
Authors: Rettie Melanie
Published: July 2013

With careful planning, Saint Paul Regional Water Services simultaneously implemented two new systems that now save the utility time and money while providing more efficient service to the utility's customers.
How Preparedness Can Work for Busy Utilities
Authors: Spence Shannon , Warren Linda P.
Published: July 2013

Staff from hundreds of utilities have spoken with me about preparedness, and every one of them has a story to share. Sometimes it was an accident that caused a chlorine leak, or a well‐meaning citizen walking into city hall with an unexploded ordinance from the Civil War, or a cyber‐system shut‐down because of an e‐mail virus. Every water and wastewater system is vulnerable in some way; it is the responsibility of each system's leadership to be prepared just in case the unthinkable occurs. If you are reading this, you likely have an interest in emergency preparedness, and chances are your plate is overflowing, as is the list of items on which to spend your budget. That's why this month's column is about what a busy utility can do to increase its preparedness.
The Future of Water Infrastructure Asset Management, Part 3: Breaking Down Organizational Silos as Barriers to Cost Savings
Authors: Baird Gregory M.
Published: July 2013

Comprehensive asset management is one of the most important cost‐saving measures for business transformation as people, processes, and technology are strategically aligned. Asset management goes beyond normal collaborative efforts and promises to bring a wide range of tangible and intangible benefits to every utility function.
Medicaid Coverage in Early Childhood for Children With Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Horiuchi Sophia S. , Reeves Sarah L. , Plaxco Allison P. , Peng Hannah K. , Zhou Mei , Kayle Mariam , Hulihan Mary
Published: July 2024

This cohort study examines patterns of Medicaid coverage in the first 3 years of life among children with sickle cell disease across 5 states.
Representation of Older Adults in the ACC/AHA/SCAI Guideline for Coronary Artery Revascularization
Authors: Jamil Yasser , Sibindi Cosmas , Park Dae Yong , Frampton Jennifer , Damluji Abdulla A. , Nanna Michael G.
Published: July 2024

This cross-sectional study assesses the generalizability of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (ACC/AHA/SCAI) guideline by examining the representation of older adults in studies cited in the guideline.
COVID-19 Pandemic Quarantines and Mental Health Among Adolescents in Norway
Authors: Pettersen Johanne H. , Hannigan Laurie J. , Gustavson Kristin , Lund Ingunn O. , Pearson Rebecca M. , Jensen Pia , Nesvåg Ragnar , Brandlistuen Ragnhild E. , Ask Helga
Published: July 2024

Importance

Adolescence is a critical developmental phase when mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, often emerge. Stringent public health measures and quarantine mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic could threaten adolescent mental health.

Objective

To investigate the associations of public health measures and quarantine experiences with mental distress among Norwegian adolescents and to explore if certain vulnerability factors moderate these associations.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This longitudinal cohort study used repeated measures to capture variations in mental distress explained by the stringency of public health measures and quarantine experiences. Data from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child cohort study were linked to national health registries and a national stringency index from April 1, 2020, to February 17, 2021. Participant included 7787 Norwegian adolescents aged 16 to 18 years. Data were analyzed from October 2022 to October 2023.

Exposures

Stringency index of public health measures and quarantine experiences including recent quarantine (within the last 2 weeks) and quarantine frequency (cumulative number of quarantine episodes).

Main Outcome and Measures

Mental distress was measured using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist across 6 data collection waves.

Results

In this study, 7787 participants were included in the analysis (4473 female [57%]; mean [SD] age, 17.0 [0.6] years). Stringent public health measures (β = 0.18; SE, 0.02;P < .001), recent quarantine (β = 0.11; SE, 0.02;P < .001), and frequent quarantine (β = 0.08; SE, 0.01;P < .001) were associated with higher levels of mental distress. The associations between public health measures and mental distress were not moderated by sex, age, prepandemic anxiety or depression, or genetic liability for mental health conditions. Frequency of quarantine appeared to be more strongly associated with mental distress among younger adolescents (β = −0.04; SE, 0.01;P = .008), those with parents with lower education (β = −0.04; SE, 0.01;P = .007), and those with lower genetic risk for depression (β = −0.03; SE, 0.01;P = .006).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, younger adolescents, those with parents with lower education, or those with low genetic liability for depression appeared more vulnerable when being quarantined several times. These findings emphasize the need for targeted support strategies to better protect adolescent well-being during future crises. Adolescents who experienced increased mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic may be at risk of continued mental health problems and in need of ongoing support.
Decentralized adaptive practical prescribed‐time control via command filters
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhang Tianping
Published: July 2024

This paper proposes a command filter‐based decentralized adaptive backstepping practical prescribed‐time (PPT) tracking control scheme for a class of non‐strict feedback interconnected systems with time varying parameters, unknown control coefficients, unmodeled dynamics, input deadzone and saturation. By the aid of the characteristics of Gaussian functions, the obstacles arising from the non‐strict feedback terms are successfully solved. By constructing a novel time‐varying scaling function and utilizing nonlinear mapping, the PPT tracking control is developed. The estimations of dynamical uncertainties resulting from unmodeled dynamics are accomplished by employing auxiliary signals, while the unknown continuous terms are characterized by the aid of radial basis function neural networks (RBFNNs). A superposition of two hyperbolic tangent functions is utilized to approximate input nonlinearity. Utilizing the compact set defined in the command filtered backstepping technique, the problem of unknown control direction is solved without using the Nussbaum gain technique. All the signals involved are proved to be semi‐global uniform ultimate bounded, and the tracking error can enter the pre‐specified convergence region within a pre‐specified time. Simulation results are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.
Potassium Phthalimide Doped with Delta‐Site Structures to Construct Ultra‐Long Cycle Life Aqueous Zn‐Polymer Batteries
Authors: Gong Shengen , Sun Kaisheng , Cao Ningzhi , Chao Danming , Jia Xiaoteng , Wang Caiyun
Published: July 2024

Aqueous Zn‐polymer batteries hold great promise for environmentally friendly energy storage systems. However, the poor cycling performance caused by irreversible structural deformation and polymer chain entanglement during the embedding and de‐embedding processes of Zn2+ and H+ ions is one of the key challenges facing their development. Here a new polyaniline cathode doped is developed with potassium phthalimide using a secondary doping approach. This polymeric electrode integrates the conjugated backbone for charge transport with an anionic phthalimide dopant for constructing a triangular‐site structure, as illustrated by the density functional theory calculations. This unique molecular structure is favorable for improving conductivity and structural stability by effectively modulating the localized electron cloud density. The Zn‐polymer battery holds an outstanding capacity retention of 76.1% after 25,000 cycles at a current density of 1 A g−1 with the coulombic efficiency maintained above 99.4%. This secondary doped polymer strategy offers a new host alternative for the ultra‐long cycle life of Zn‐polymer batteries. The molecular design strategy and the insight into the relationship between the structure and performance may provide some guidelines for developing polymer cathodes with high stability.
Programmable Chemical Reactions Enable Ultrastrong Soft Pneumatic Actuation
Authors: Qu Yang , Tang Wei , Zhong Yiding , Sheng Qincheng , Xu Huxiu , Qin Kecheng , Li Zhaoyang , Guo Xinyu , Gao Yidan , Yang Huayong , Zou Jun
Published: July 2024

Soft pneumatic actuation is widely used in wearable devices, soft robots, artificial muscles, and surgery machines. However, generating high‐pressure gases in a soft, controllable, and portable way remains a substantial challenge. Here, a class of programmable chemical reactions that can be used to controllably generate gases with a maximum pressure output of nearly 6 MPa is reported. It is proposed to realize the programmability of the chemical reaction process using thermoelectric material with programmable electric current and employing preprogrammed reversible chemical reactants. The programmable chemical reactions as soft pneumatic actuation can be operated independently as miniature gas sources (∼20–100 g) or combined with arbitrary physical structures to make self‐contained machines, capable of generating unprecedented pressures of nearly 6 MPa or forces of about 18 kN in a controllable, portable, and silent manner. Striking demonstrations of breaking a brick, a marble, and concrete blocks, raising a sightseeing car, and successful applications in artificial muscles and soft assistive wearables illustrate tremendous application prospects of soft pneumatic actuation via programmable chemical reactions. The study establishes a new paradigm toward ultrastrong soft pneumatic actuation.
Insulator Polymer Matrix Construction on All‐Small‐Molecule Photoactive Blend Towards Extrapolated 15000 Hour T80 Stable Devices
Authors: Ma Ruijie , Jiang Xinyu , Dela Peña Top Archie , Gao Wei , Wu Jiaying , Li Mingjie , Roth Stephan V. , Müller‐Buschbaum Peter , Li Gang
Published: July 2024

To boost the stability of all‐small‐molecule (ASM) organic photovoltaic (OPV) blends, an insulator polymer called styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene (SEBS) as morphology stabilizer is applied into the host system of small molecules BM‐ClEH:BO‐4Cl. Minor addition of SEBS (1 mg/ml in host solution) provides a significantly enhanced T80 value of 15000 hours (extrapolated), surpassing doping‐free (0 mg/ml) and heavy doping (10 mg/ml) counterparts (900 hours, 30 hours). The material reproducibility and cost‐effectiveness of the active layer will not be affected by this industrially available polymer, where the power conversion efficiency (PCE) can be well maintained at 15.02%, which is still a decent value for non‐halogen solvent‐treated ASM OPV. Morphological and photophysical characterizations clearly demonstrate SEBS's pivotal effect on suppressing the degradation of donor molecules and blend film's crystallization/aggregation reorganization, which protects the exciton dynamics effectively. This work pays meaningful attention to the ASM system stability, performs a smart strategy to suppress the film morphology degradation, and releases a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of device performance reduction.
Unveiling the Effect of Cooling Rate on Grown‐in Defects Concentration in Polycrystalline Perovskite Films for Solar Cells with Improved Stability
Authors: Yin Qixin , Chen Tian , Xie Jiangsheng , Lin Ruohao , Liang Jiahao , Wang Hepeng , Luo Yuqing , Zhou Sicen , Li Hailin , Wang Zhouti , Gao Pingqi
Published: July 2024

Numerous efforts are devoted to reducing the defects at perovskite surface and/or grain boundary; however, the grown‐in defects inside grain is rarely studied. Here, the influence of cooling rate on the point defects concentration in polycrystalline perovskite film during heat treatment processing is investigated. With the combination of theoretical and experimental studies, this work reveals that the supersaturated point defects in perovskite films generate during the cooling process and its concentration improves as the cooling rate increases. The supersaturated point defects can be minimized through slowing the cooling rate. As a result, the optimized FAPbI3 polycrystalline films achieve a superior carrier lifetime of up to 12.6 µs and improved stability. The champion device delivers a 25.47% PCE (certified 24.7%) and retain 90% of their initial value after >1100 h of operation at the maximum power point. These results provide a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of grown‐in defects formation in polycrystalline perovskite film.
Bond Formation at Polycarbonate | X Interfaces (X = Al2O3, TiO2, TiAlO2) Studied by Theory and Experiments
Authors: Patterer Lena , Ondračka Pavel , Bogdanovski Dimitri , Mráz Stanislav , Pöllmann Peter J. , Karimi Aghda Soheil , Vašina Petr , Schneider Jochen M.
Published: July 2024

Interfacial bond formation during sputter deposition of metal‐oxide thin films onto polycarbonate (PC) is investigated by ab initio molecular dynamics simulations and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of PC|X interfaces (X = Al2O3, TiO2, TiAlO2). Generally, the predicted bond formation is consistent with the experimental data. For all three interfaces, the majority of bonds identified by XPS are (C─O)─metal bonds, whereas C─metal bonds are the minority. Compared to the PC|Al2O3 interface, the PC|TiO2 and PC|TiAlO2 interfaces exhibit a reduction in the measured interfacial bond density by 75 and ∼65%, respectively. Multiplying the predicted bond strength with the corresponding experimentally determined interfacial bond density shows that Al2O3 exhibits the strongest interface with PC, while TiO2 and TiAlO2 exhibit ∼70 and ∼60% weaker interfaces, respectively. This can be understood by considering the complex interplay between the metal‐oxide composition, the bond strength, and the population of bonds formed across the interface.
High‐Throughput Microfluidic 3D Outer Blood‐Retinal Barrier Model in a 96‐Well Format: Analysis of Cellular Interactions and Barrier Function in Retinal Health and Disease
Authors: Kim Jiho , Song Youngsook , Jolly Amber L. , Hwang Taeseon , Kim Suryong , Lee Byungjun , Jang Jinhwan , Jo Dong Hyun , Baek Kyusuk , Liu Tsung‐Li , Yoo Sanghee , Jeon Noo Li
Published: July 2024

Numerous diseases, including age‐related macular degeneration (AMD), arise from the blood‐retinal barrier and blood vessel abnormalities in the eye; unfortunately, there is a lack of reliable in vitro models for their systematic study. This study describes a high‐throughput microphysiological system (MPS) designed to model the outer Blood‐Retinal Barrier (oBRB). The MPS platform is engineered to integrate seamlessly with high‐content screening technologies, utilizing a design with a single oBRB model incorporating RPE (retina pigment epithelial cells) and endothelial cell co‐culture to fit within a single 96‐well. Arranged in the standard 96‐well plate format, the platform allows high‐throughput assessment of barrier integrity through 3D confocal imaging (ZO‐1 staining), Trans Epithelial Electrical Resistance (TEER), and permeability measurements. The oBRB model enables the investigation of crosstalk among different cell types in co‐culture. This includes assessing changes in the barrier integrity of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) monolayer and investigating neovascularization events resulting from endothelial cell remodeling. The platform is positioned for utility in drug discovery and development efforts targeting diseases involving oBRB damage and choroidal neovascularization, such as age‐related macular degeneration.
Large Electro‐Optic Coefficient in Single‐Domain PIN‐PMN‐PT Single Crystal
Authors: Liu Xin , Li Fangbing , Li Jingwei , Tan Peng , Lei Jing , Zhao Weigang , Song Kexin , Zheng Huaibin , Tian Hao , Li Fei , Wei Xiaoyong , Xu Zhuo
Published: July 2024

Due to the excellent shear‐mode piezoelectric properties, single‐domain tetragonal Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3‐Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3‐PbTiO3 (PIN‐PMN‐PT) crystals are believed to possess giant electro‐optic (EO) coefficients as well. However, the EO properties of single‐domain PIN‐PMN‐PT crystals have not been systematically studied because of the difficulties in the single‐domain sample preparation. Here, by this newly developed orthogonal poling method, single‐domain tetragonal PIN‐PMN‐39PT crystals are successfully obtained by poling the sample along the non‐spontaneous polarization direction at room temperature. Optical grade crystal with good transparency and high EO coefficient component γ51 (≈2800 pm V−1) is achieved. The orientation dependence of the EO coefficient is analyzed based on the measured full matrix of the EO coefficients. This work confirms the giant EO performance of domain‐engineered PIN‐PMN‐PT single crystals mainly comes from the contribution of EO coefficient component γ51 of single domain crystal other than the domain wall or domain switching related mechanisms.
Non‐Covalent Iron‐Armored Chain Horse: A Strategy Leading to Highly Efficient Deep‐Blue Room Temperature Phosphorescence
Authors: Gu Ting , Wang Tai , Wu Tongyue , Li Xiaoyu , Huang Jianbin , Xiao Yunlong , Yan Yun
Published: July 2024

The iron‐armored chain horse is a military strategy in ancient China to enhance the combat force of the entire army, especially when individual fighters are vulnerable to being picked off one by one. Herein, this strategy is adopted to generate highly efficient metal‐free blue room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) using the world's largest production of dicarboxylate acid. By encapsulating the commercially available chemical disodium terephthalate (DTPA) within the iron armor of α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD), and subsequently linking the iron‐armored DTPA@α‐CD horses into a crystalline array mediated by hydrogen bonds and Na+ coordination, a highly confined and segregated arrangement of DTPA is achieved, leading to heavy atom‐free deep‐blue phosphorescence with a maximum efficiency of 83.3%. Since the crystalline array of the iron‐armored chain horse DTPA@α‐CD can be facilely obtained through water evaporation, the current phosphorescent material allows for rapid, high‐throughput solution processing of deep‐blue afterglow display, offering an economic and environmentally benign approach for deep‐blue RTP materials and facilitating their application.