cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wetting phenomena in oil sand systems and their impact on the water-based bitumen extraction process

The highly efficient and economically feasible technology for bitumen recovery from U.S. oil sands using a water-extraction approach was developed at the end of the last century. This water-based bitumen extraction process has been optimized based on observations and analysis of microscopic mechanisms of bitumen release from oil sands and the bitumen transfer to a froth product as well as measurements of interfacial properties of bitumen. The wetting mechanisms that occur in the diluent-assisted water-based processing of U.S. oil sands include bitumen film rupture and recession on sand grains and bitumen transfer to nucleated and injected gas bubbles. These mechanisms are reviewed in this contribution.
Strong Consistency of Reliability Estimators for Multiple-Component Measuring Instruments

It is shown that the maximum likelihood estimator of the widely used omega coefficient for reliability of multicomponent measuring instruments converges almost surely to the population reliability ...
Evaluation of Format- Preserving Encryption Algorithms for Critical Infrastructure Protection

Legacy critical infrastructure systems lack secure communications capabilities that can protect against modern threats. In particular, operational requirements such as message format and interoperability prevent the adoption of standard encryption algorithms. Three new algorithms recommended by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for format-preserving encryption could potentially support the encryption of legacy protocols in critical infrastructure assets. The three algorithms, FF1, FF2 and FF3, provide the ability to encrypt arbitrarily-formatted data without padding or truncation, which is a critical requirement for interoperability in legacy systems. This paper presents an evaluation of the three algorithms with respect to entropy and operational latency when implemented on a Xilinx Virtex-6 (XC6VLX240T) FPGA. While the three algorithms inherit the security characteristics of the underlying Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) cipher, they exhibit some important differences in their performance characteristics.
A Novel Architecture for Production of Glance-Friendly Online Documents Using Semiformal Approach

In this work, structured online document with standardized page layout is chosen and they are converted in such a way it helps the user to quickly decide whether the document has the necessary information they seek with minimal cognitive effort. The work deals with structured documents available in the Internet and in portable document format (PDF) file format. In an effort to convert documents in a systemic way, a novel Glance Jig architecture is proposed. In order to validate the concept, a technical article in PDF format is chosen and a systematic conversion is carried out to produce bandwidth-efficient glance-friendly document.
A Question of Identity: Vocation, Professionalization, and Atla Membership

“Who are we as theology librarians, and what does involvement in Atla mean to us? Does serving as a theology librarian signify an exercise in religious vocation and is our association a faith-based organization with professional dimensions? Or are we librarians in a professional association concerned with content in theology and religious studies?” There are different responses to this query, and these differences can lead to tension as theology and religious studies librarians with diverse perspectives work together to build a shared future in Atla. The panelists—representing different faith traditions, institutional settings, educational and professional backgrounds, and perspectives on their work as librarians—reflect on their roles as theology and religious studies librarians with regard to three guiding prompts: (1) What is your sense of vocation and identity as a librarian? (2) How does Atla function for you, in terms of spiritual formation and/or professional development? and (3) What are your expectations from Atla?
Assessment of variable block lengths during infrared neural inhibition (Conference Presentation)

Infrared neural inhibition (INI) is a method of blocking the generation or propagation of neural action potentials through heating with infrared lasers that target peaks in the water absorption spectrum (1460 nm, 1875 nm). Recent work showed that the length of axon heated modulates the temperature needed for inhibition. Different irradiation lengths for INI were tested in Aplysia nerves (n=7). Once 1 mm of irradiation was exceeded, longer irradiation lengths resulted in higher temperatures at inhibition threshold. Optimizing irradiation lengths of nerve to minimize temperatures will help inform the design of devices for longitudinal animal studies and human implementation.
News coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic: Missed opportunities to promote health sustaining behaviors.

Abstract Background Given that individuals may make health decisions based on mass media coverage, and given that such decisions have broad consequences in the case of highly contagious infectious disease, it is imperative that public health practitioners are aware of mass media coverage on emerging health threats such as COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to examine the content of news segments covering COVID-19 posted on-line. Methods Using the Google Videos function on a cleared browser, all videos identified from January and February, 2020 were archived by URL for analysis. After applying exclusion criteria, a total of 401 remained, comprising the sample. Content categories derived from trusted sources were applied to assess the content of broadcast news segments pertaining to COVID-19 on Google Videos. Results The most common topic mentioned across all videos was death and the death rate (43.6%) and many connoted anxieties surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak (37.4%). Critically important information about the prevention of COVID-19 spread received little attention. For example, only 3.0% of videos discussed coughing into or blowing one's nose into a tissue and throwing the tissue away, 6.2% talked about wearing a facemask when caring for the ill, and 8.8% covered disinfecting highly touched objects and surfaces. International videos more often presented captions and English subtitles (with and without narration) (7.8% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.018) and even more frequently discussed death and the death rate associated with COVID-19 (56.9% vs. 41.7%, p = 0.04). Conclusion Coupled with the resultant increase in negative emotion, the majority of videos missed an opportunity to reframe messages to encourage and promote coping strategies and health sustaining behaviors. Future videos should avoid contributing to negative emotion.
The Changing Adoption of Culture Change Practices in U.S. Nursing Homes.

Background and objectives The study aimed to: (i) describe whether culture change (CC) practice implementation related to physical environment, resident-centered care, and staff empowerment increased within the same nursing homes (NHs) over time; and (ii) identify factors associated with observed increases. Research design and methods This was a nationally representative panel study of 1,584 U.S. NHs surveyed in 2009/2010 and 2016/2017. Survey data were merged with administrative, NH, and market-level data. Physical environment, staff empowerment, and resident-centered care domain scores were calculated at both time points. Multivariate logistic regression models examined factors associated with domain score increases. Results Overall, 22% of NHs increased their physical environment scores over time, 32% their staff empowerment scores, and 44% their resident-centered care scores. However, 32%-68% of NHs with below median baseline scores improved their domain scores over time compared with only 11%-21% of NHs with baseline scores at or above the median. Overall, NHs in states with Medicaid pay-for-performance (with CC components), in community care retirement communities, with special care units and higher occupancy had significantly higher odds of increases in physical environment scores. Only baseline domain scores were associated with increases in staff empowerment and resident-centered care scores. Discussion and implications This is the first nationally representative panel study to assess NH CC adoption. Many NHs increased their CC practices, though numerous others did not. While financial incentives and indicators of financial resources were associated with increase in physical environment scores, factors associated with staff empowerment and resident-centered care improvements remain unclear. Studies are needed to assess whether the observed increases in CC adoption are associated with greater quality of life and care gains for residents and whether there is a threshold effect beyond which the efficacy of additional practice implementation may be less impactful.
Self-perceptions of speech, voice, and swallowing in motor phenotypes of Parkinson's disease.

Introduction The ability of people with Parkinson's Disease (PWPD) to perceive and identify impairments related to communication and swallowing is often impaired. This impairment prolongs the time to diagnosis of dysphonia and dysphagia, and can delay implementation of speech or swallowing therapy. We have limited knowledge of how different motor phenotypes of PD impact speech, voice and swallowing, nor how PWPD perceive these impacts. The purpose of this study was to identify how perceptions of speech and voice impairments predict dysphagia in PD, and how those perceptions differ between motor phenotypes. Methods 38 PWPD completed clinical surveys including V-RQOL, DHI, and a speech, voice, and swallow symptom questionnaire. Participants were categorized as either tremor dominant (TD) or non-tremor dominant (NTD) phenotypes. Multiple regression and MANOVA were utilized to identify predictors of dysphagia perceptions, and for differentiating between motor phenotype based on perceptual severity. Results Perceptions of speech and voice impairment predicted perceptions of swallow impairment regardless of phenotype (p < .05, CI = 0.08-0.77). NTD participants reported significantly more communication and swallowing impairments than TD (p < .05) and perceived communication impairment severity was the strongest predictor of group classification (OR = 0.50). The survey battery displayed a robust discriminatory ability between phenotype (AUC = 0.87, CI = 0.76-0.98). Conclusion The use of a noninvasive and cost-efficient survey battery may be useful in predicting patient perceived swallow impairment in PWPD. Speech, voice, and swallow impairments based on survey responses were found to differ between motor phenotypes.
Recent Heavy-Flavor Results from STAR

In these proceedings, we report on the production of various open heavy-flavor hadrons and quarkonia in Au+Au collisions at \(\sqrt{s_\mathrm{{NN}}}\ =\ 200\ GeV \) from the STAR experiment.
Probabilistic forecasting of surgical case duration using machine learning: model development and validation

Objective Accurate estimations of surgical case durations can lead to the cost-effective utilization of operating rooms. We developed a novel machine learning approach, using both structured and unstructured features as input, to predict a continuous probability distribution of surgical case durations. Materials and methods The data set consisted of 53 783 surgical cases performed over 4 years at a tertiary-care pediatric hospital. Features extracted included categorical (American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] Physical Status, inpatient status, day of week), continuous (scheduled surgery duration, patient age), and unstructured text (procedure name, surgical diagnosis) variables. A mixture density network (MDN) was trained and compared to multiple tree-based methods and a Bayesian statistical method. A continuous ranked probability score (CRPS), a generalized extension of mean absolute error, was the primary performance measure. Pinball loss (PL) was calculated to assess accuracy at specific quantiles. Performance measures were additionally evaluated on common and rare surgical procedures. Permutation feature importance was measured for the best performing model. Results MDN had the best performance, with a CRPS of 18.1 minutes, compared to tree-based methods (19.5-22.1 minutes) and the Bayesian method (21.2 minutes). MDN had the best PL at all quantiles, and the best CRPS and PL for both common and rare procedures. Scheduled duration and procedure name were the most important features in the MDN. Conclusions Using natural language processing of surgical descriptors, we demonstrated the use of ML approaches to predict the continuous probability distribution of surgical case durations. The more discerning forecast of the ML-based MDN approach affords opportunities for guiding intelligent schedule design and day-of-surgery operational decisions.
An experimental and theoretical investigation of a small, high aspect-ratio, free-piston, two-stroke engine

Abstract This paper presents a design for a novel, palm sized, high-aspect-ratio engine. To simplify fabrication and keep the device unobtrusive, a design incorporating a two-cycle engine having a flat, rectangular piston with spring return was selected. An experimental engine based on this concept producing a significant amount of useful work was developed. Although results were encouraging, this geometry raised many issues to be investigated and resolved, including the effects of piston sealing, scavenging, heat losses, and combustion efficiency. Due to the complex interplay between these effects, experimental investigation was time consuming and simple models were found to be inadequate. Therefore, a more complex theoretical model accounting for these effects was developed and used to evaluate the sensitivity of engine performance to each of these parameters. The predictions of this model were used to develop recommendations for improving the experimentally developed engine.
Could age increase the strength of inverse association between ultraviolet B exposure and colorectal cancer

Vitamin D has been identified as a potential protective factor in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). We expect to see a stronger association of ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure and CRC crude rates with increasing age since chronic vitamin D deficiency leads to sustained molecular changes that increase cancer risk. The DINOMIT (disjunction, initiation, natural selection, overgrowth, metastasis, involution, and transition) model postulates various stages of cancer development due to vitamin D deficiency and the associated latency period. The purpose of this study is to examine this age-dependent inverse relationship globally. In this ecological study, a series of linear and polynomial regression tests were performed between country-specific UVB estimates adjusted for cloud cover and crude incidence rates of CRC for different age groups. Multiple linear regression was used to investigate the association between crude incidence rates of colorectal cancer and UVB estimate adjusting for urbanization, skin pigmentation, smoking, animal consumption, per capita GDP, and life expectancy. Statistical analysis was followed by geospatial visualization by producing choropleth maps. The inverse relationship between UVB exposure and CRC crude rates was stronger in older age groups at the country level. Quadratic curve fitting was preferred, and these models were statistically significant for all age groups. The inverse association between crude incidence rates of CRC and UVB exposure was statistically significant for age groups above 45 years, after controlling for covariates. The age-dependent inverse association between UVB exposure and incidence of colorectal cancer exhibits a greater effect size among older age groups in global analyses. Studying the effect of chronic vitamin D deficiency on colorectal cancer etiology will help in understanding the necessity for population-wide screening programs for vitamin D deficiency, especially in regions with inadequate UVB exposure. Further studies are required to assess the need for adequate public health programs such as selective supplementation and food fortification.
Strategi Pengembangan Pariwisata Berkelanjutan di Danau Mooat Sulawesi Utara dengan Menggunakan Analisis SWOT

Lake Mooat is a tourism destination that is located in East Bolaang Mongondow Regency, North Sulawesi Province, which has a lot of natural and cultural potentials. These potentials should be developed in accordance with the principles of sustainable tourism in order to improve the economic wellbeing of the local government and community. In the implementation of this development strategy, active participation of all stakeholders, such as the government, local community and tourists, is crucial. This research was aimed to formulate development strategies suitable for Danau Mooat. SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis was used to analyze the supporting and obstructing factors using data gathered from the tourism stakeholders in the area. Then, these factors were analyzed using a strategy matrix that could be used to determine appropriate and useful development strategies for Danau Mooat. Abstrak Danau Mooat merupakan destinasi wisata andalan di Kabupaten Bolaang Mongondow Timur, Provinsi Sulawesi Utara yang memilik potensi alam dan budaya yang sangat potensial. Potensi-potensi yang dimiliki ini perlu untuk dikembangkan dengan mengikuti prinsip-prinsip pariwisata berkelanjutan demi meningkatkan kesejahteraan ekonomi pemerintah dan masyarakat lokal. Dalam penerapan strategi pengembangan ini, diperlukan partisipasi aktif dari para pemangku kepentingan pariwisata, seperti pemerintah, masyarakat lokal dan wisatawan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk merumuskan strategi pengembangan berbasis pariwisata berkelanjutan di destinasi wisata Danau Mooat. Metode analisis SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) digunakan untuk menganalisis berbagai faktor penunjang maupun faktor penghambat melalui data yang didapatkan dari para pemangku kepentingan pariwisata. Kemudian, faktor-faktor tersebut dianalisis dengan menggunakan matriks strategi yang nantinya dapat digunakan untuk menentukan strategi-strategi yang tepat dan berguna bagi pengembangan destinasi wisata ini.
Employee vs. Independent Worker: A Framework for Understanding Work Differences

Independent work and the growing on-demand and crowdwork-based job opportunities facilitated by digital platforms, which have emerged as the gig economy, provide a unique opportunity to examine the differences in work characteristics between alternative and traditional labor arrangements. Although it is well known that, through intermediary digital platforms, independent workers take up commissioned tasks without guarantee of further employment, it is less well understood how work characteristics on digital platforms differ from work characteristics in traditional labor arrangements. We contribute to filling this void by systematically examining the difference in work characteristics of occupational roles currently found through digital platforms rather than in traditional work arrangements. We find that such independent workers rely less on team production and coordination and have greater separability of individual work outputs. Our results thus suggest there is a statistically significant difference in fundamental work characteristics between independent work and traditional employment.
Control of inflammation using non-invasive neuromodulation: past, present and promise.

The nervous system has been increasingly recognized as a novel and accessible target in the regulation of inflammation. The use of implantable and invasive devices targeting neural circuits have yielded successful results in clinical settings but do have some risk or adverse effects. Recent advances in technology and understanding of mechanistic pathways have opened new avenues of non-invasive neuromodulation. Through this review we discuss the novel research and outcomes of major modalities of non-invasive neuromodulation in the context of inflammation including transcutaneous electrical, magnetic and ultrasound neuromodulation. In addition to highlighting the scientific observations and breakthroughs, we discuss the underlying mechanisms and pathways for neural regulation of inflammation.
Elevated von Willebrand Factor Antigen is an Early Predictor of Mortality and Prolonged Length of Stay for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Inpatients.

Context Coagulation factor and endothelial injury marker, von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag), is elevated in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objective To assess prognostic value of vWF:Ag for COVID-19 inpatients. Design Citrated plasma samples collected from COVID-19 inpatients for D-dimer measurement were tested for vWF:Ag. Measurements of vWF:Ag and common acute phase reactants (APRs) were correlated with clinical outcomes and length of stay (LOS). Results We included 333 samples from a diverse group of 120 COVID-19 inpatients. There was a clear association of higher peak measurements of vWF:Ag and other APRs with adverse clinical outcomes. Peak vWF:Ag >300% was associated with a 5-fold increased risk of death (Odds Ratio 5.08, P 4 days) LOS (OR 29.65, P =.001). Peak D-dimer >3.8 FEU mg/L was associated with a 15-fold increase in risk of death (OR 14.73, P Conclusions Both peak and early post-admission vWF:Ag >300% were highly predictive of death and prolonged length of stay among COVID-19 inpatients. Measurement of vWF:Ag may prove a valuable tool to guide escalation of COVID-19 treatment, particularly anticoagulation.
Detecting Aortic Valve Anomaly From Induced Murmurs: Insights From Computational Hemodynamic Models.

Patients who receive transcatheter aortic valve replacement are at risk for leaflet thrombosis-related complications, and can benefit from continuous, longitudinal monitoring of the prosthesis. Conventional angiography modalities are expensive, hospital-centric and either invasive or employ potentially nephrotoxic contrast agents, which preclude their routine use. Heart sounds have been long recognized to contain valuable information about individual valve function, but the skill of auscultation is in decline due to its heavy reliance on the physician’s proficiency leading to poor diagnostic repeatability. This subjectivity in diagnosis can be alleviated using machine learning techniques for anomaly detection. We present a computational and data-driven proof-of-concept analysis of a novel, auscultation-based technique for monitoring aortic valve, which is practical, non-invasive, and non-toxic. However, the underlying mechanisms leading to physiological and pathological heart sounds are not well-understood, which hinders development of such a technique. We first address this by performing direct numerical simulations of the complex interactions between turbulent blood flow in a canonical ascending aorta model and dynamic valve motion in 29 cases with healthy and stenotic valves. Using the turbulent pressure fluctuations on the aorta lumen boundary, we model the propagation of heart sounds, as elastic waves, through the patient’s thorax. The heart sound may be recorded on the epidermal surface using a stethoscope/ phonocardiograph. This approach allows us to correlate instantaneous hemodynamic phenomena and valve motion with the acoustic response. From this dataset we extract “acoustic signatures” of healthy and stenotic valves based on principal components of the recorded sound. These signatures are used to train a linear discriminant classifier by maximizing correlation between recorded heart sounds and valve status. We demonstrate that this classifier is capable of accurate prospective detection of anomalous valve function and that the principal component-based signatures capture prominent audible features of heart sounds, which have been historically used by physicians for diagnosis. Further development of such technology can enable inexpensive, safe and patient-centric at-home monitoring, and can extend beyond transcatheter valves to surgical as well as native valves.
Naturally occurring antibiotic resistance inBacillus sphaericus andBacillus licheniformis

Bacillus sphaericus is an aerobic, spore-forming, gram-variable bacillus. Certain strains of this organism are extremely pathogenic for mosquito larvae. Strains from four different serotypes ofB. sphaericus were found to be naturally resistant to streptomycin and to chloramphenicol. Both entomocidal and nonentomocidal strains of this organism exhibited similar patterns of resistance to these antimicrobial agents. In contrast, other members of the genusBacillus, includingB. subtilis, B. thuringiensis, B. laterosporus, andB. amyloliquefaciens, proved to be quite sensitive to these antibiotics. Four strains ofB. licheniformis were found to be resistant to chloramphenicol but sensitive to streptomycin.
Modeling Adhesive Forces for Ultra Low Flying Head Disk Interfaces

This paper addresses a major issue in microtribology related to the head/disk interface (HDI) in magnetic storage. This is the issue of strong intermolecular (adhesive) forces that may be present at the interface with very smooth surfaces. More specifically, a model termed the sub-boundary lubrication (SBL) model is developed and applied to typical HDI’s. It uses the Lennard-Jones attractive potential to characterize the intermolecular forces, and a statistical surface roughness model.
Causes of Male Infertility

Of all sexually active couples, 12–15% are infertile. When broken down by gender, a male component can be identified 50% of the time either in isolation or in combination with a female factor. The majority of the causes of male infertility are treatable or preventable, so a keen understanding of these conditions is paramount. Despite advancements in assisted reproductive technologies, the goal of a male infertility specialist is not simply to retrieve sperm. Instead, the male infertility specialist attempts to optimize a male’s reproductive potential and thereby allow a couple to conceive successfully through utilization of less invasive reproductive techniques. Often, this involves the use of sperm or testicular tissue cryopreservation prior to fertility insult. At the same time, the male fertility specialist is wary of underlying or causal, potentially serious medical or genetic conditions that prompted reproductive evaluation. Previous research in a US male fertility clinic analyzing 1,430 patients identified causes of infertility from most to least common: varicocele, idiopathic, obstruction, female factor, cryptorchidism, immunologic, ejaculatory dysfunction, testicular failure, drug effects/radiation, endocrinology, and all others. The focus of this book on the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is easily applied to the majority of the listed conditions (described in detail in later chapters) which comprise this chapter’s overview of pre-testicular, testicular, and post-testicular causes of male infertility.
An in vivo gene therapy approach for experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy using the truncated platelet-derived growth factor alpha receptor.

Purpose Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a serious problem in vitreoretinal surgeries. A report of a previous study has indicated that platelet-derived growth factor alpha receptor (alphaPDGFR) plays an important role in a rabbit model of this disease and that a dominant negative alphaPDGFR potently suppresses PVR in an ex vivo setting. Herein, the effect of in vivo gene delivery of a dominant negative alphaPDGFR on PVR was tested in a rabbit model of the disease. Methods The dominant negative alphaPDGFR (TalphaR) is a truncated version of the receptor, which does not have the intracellular domain. It was expressed by using a retrovirus. In vitro characterization of TalphaR was performed in primary cultures of rabbit conjunctival fibroblasts (RCFs). Western blot analysis was used to check the expression of TalphaR protein. A type I collagen gel contraction assay was performed to test the efficacy of TalphaR on PDGF-dependent cellular responses in vitro. The in vivo efficacy and specificity of the retrovirus was determined by injecting a green fluorescent protein (GFP) retrovirus into rabbits that had been preinjected with RCFs. The impact of the TalphaR retrovirus on PVR was tested by using the rabbit model in which PVR was induced by the injection of RCFs and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Results TalphaR was expressed at more that 50 times the level of endogenous alphaPDGFR in RCFs and severely reduced PDGF-dependent contraction of collagen gels. Intravitreal injection of the GFP retrovirus resulted in expression of GFP primarily in the injected RCFs. Whereas injection of RCFs induced complete retinal detachment in 100% of the animals, co-injection of the TalphaR retrovirus substantially reduced the severity and incidence of retinal detachments. Conclusions Gene therapy with a retrovirus used to express a dominant negative alphaPDGFR attenuates PVR in a rabbit model of the disease. This strategy may be a new approach to preventing PVR in humans.
Studies in biogeochemistry—II: Discussion and references

Abstract A rule relating, within each periodic group, biological importance to ocean abundance is presented and discussed. Other biogeochemical relationships are analysed, and Frey-Wyssling's nutrient line is examined in the light of chemical developments. The possible existence of as yet unidentified nutritionally-essential trace elements is considered.
Work In Progress - Area Level Assessment Process

Outcomes assessment is now an integral part of the ABET accreditation criteria. The process to implement an automated on-line area level assessment test that helps meet ABET requirements is discussed. Selection of appropriate technology, online test questions generation and administering the test, initial implementation results and future work are discussed
An intermolecular (H2O)10 cluster in a solid-state supramolecular complex

Chemical self-assembly is the process by which ‘programmed’ molecular subunits spontaneously form complex supramolecular frameworks1,2. This approach has been applied to many model systems, in which hydrogen bonds3,4, metal–ligand coordination5 or other non-covalent interactions6 typically control the self-assembly process. In biology, self-assembly is generally dynamic and depends on the cooperation of many such non-covalent interactions. Water can play an important role in these biological self-assembly processes, for example by stabilizing the native conformation of biopolymers7,8,9. Hydrogen-bonded (H2O)n clusters10,11 can play an important role in stabilizing some supramolecular species, both natural and synthetic, in aqueous solution. Here we report the preparation and crystal structure of a self-assembled, three-dimensional supramolecular complex that is stabilized by an intricate array of non-covalent interactions involving contributions from solvent water clusters, most notably a water decamer ((H2O)10) with an ice-like molecular arrangement. These findings show that the degree of structuring that can be imposed on water by its surroundings, and vice versa, can be profound.
Service learning: preparing teachers to understand better culturally and linguistically diverse learners

Very large numbers of students for whom English is not their native language attend public school classrooms in the USA every year. It is estimated that there are currently about 5.3 million Englis...
The Behavior of Functions of Operators Under Perturbations

This is a survey article. We consider different problems in connection with the behavior of functions of operators under perturbations of operators. We deal with three classes of operators: unitary operators, self-adjoint operators, and contractions. We study operator Lipschitz and operator differentiable functions. We also study the behavior of functions under perturbations of an operator by an operator of Schatten-von Neumann class S p and apply the results to the Livschits—Krein and Koplienko—Neidhardt trace formulae. We also include in this survey article recent unexpected results obtained in a joint paper with Aleksandrov on operator Holder—Zygmund functions.
SOME INDEPENDENT AND COMBINED EFFECTS OF COPPER, MOLYBDENUM, AND ZINC ON THE PLACENTAL TRANSFER OF ZINC-65 IN THE RAT.

Metabolism of Zn has assumed greater importance since the advent of the nuclear age, and since the start of atomic weapons testing, Zn/sup 65/ has been reported in farm products, mollusks, fish, cattle, and in the Marshall Island natives, as well as in cyclotron workers. Radiozinc has been also found to be second only to radiophosphorus as an ecologically troublesome isotope in the vicinity of reactor sites. Hence an investigation was undertaken to observe how increased dietary levels of different combinations of three elements, Cu, Mo, and Zn, affect growth and the excretion and placental transfer of intraperitoneally injected radiozinc in rats. Addition ot 0.01% Cu and/or 0.08% Mo to the diet of pregnant rats causes competition with Zn within the fetus and placental structures (amnion, chlorion, yolk sac, allantois, and decidua) resulting in a lower uptake of Zn/sup 65/ in these tissues. A high level of dietary Mo counteracts the influence of an increased level of dietary Cu on this uptake in the absence of increased dietary Zn, and partially overcome the influence of excess Cu when it is fed in combination with a high level of Zn (0.50%). Molybdenum apparently does not elicit a similar action on dietarymore » Zn. Autoradiographic studies were conducted in calcifying bones; liver, spleen, and lumen of large blood vessels; and kidneys. A highly significant increase in Zn/ sup 65/ urine excretion was observed in rats fed a ration high in Zn, and a significant increase was noted in animals fed an excess Cu and Mo diet. Possible competitive mechanisms are discussed. (BBB)« less
Confusion about the Socratic Method: Socratic Paradoxes and Contemporary Invocations of Socrates

Ask the average person, “Who was Socrates and what did he do?” and you are likely to get the following response: Socrates was a old philosopher who bothered people with questions and was ultimately put to death. Almost twenty-five hundred years after placidly drinking the hemlock, what we remember Socrates for is his habitual questioning, his demand to live an examined life. The figure of Socrates is in ordinary discourse synonymous with his method — the Socratic method.
Nonreciprocal TM-mode thin-film phase shifters

TM modes guided by thin-film waveguides with one or more magnetooptic and anisotropic layers (i.e., substrate, film, and cover layers) have been studied with emphasis on its nonreciprocal characteristics. Our analysis shows that the nonreciprocity of TM modes is the result of nonreciprocal Goos-Haenchen phase shifts at the cover–film and/or film–substrate interfaces. Contributions to the nonreciprocity defined as (N+ − N−) from various regions are identified. Here N± are the effective indices of refraction of two counterpropagating modes. An accurate algebraic approximation for (N+ − N−) has been obtained to provide physical insight into the problem and facilitate numerical calculations. Guidelines for designing nonreciprocal TM mode phase shifters are also listed.
The electron transport system in nitrogen fixation by Azotobacter. III. Requirements for NADPH-supported nitrogenase activity

Abstract Evidence has been obtained that NADPH may serve as a physiological source of reducing power for nitrogenase activity in Azotobacter vinelandii . NADH was ineffective. Electron transfer from NADPH to nitrogenase depended on four factors native to A. vinelandii cells: azotobacter ferredoxin, azotoflavin, a component replaceable by spinach ferredoxin-NADP + reductase and another soluble, heat-labile component not yet chemically characterized. The four factors probably constitute an electron transport chain between NADPH and nitrogenase.
High resolution interferometric metrology for patterned wafers

The precision metrology of patterned wafer is increasingly demanded by the semiconductor device manufacturers. The most common methods include scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques such as stylus profilometry and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). These methods acquire data by contacting the surface over a sequence of one-dimensional scans. While high lateral resolution can be achieved in this way, such processes are time-consuming and can have the potential to deform the surface under test. An alternative non-contact interferometric method is presented here. The method uses the white-light interferometry (WLI) to provide wafer topography quickly in a direct three-dimensional format. The improved measurement throughput suggests that it is feasible to use this method for production monitoring. Most commercial interferometers with WLI are capable of measuring opaque surfaces with sub-nanometer precision. The described method extends this capability to determine the top surface topography of structured surfaces in the presence of varying phase shifts on reflection. The phase shift on reflection may be due to the material properties of bulk surfaces, single or multi-layer film stacks on a substrate, or other micro-structures on the wafer. Furthermore, this method simultaneously or separately provides additional parameters of the test piece e.g. layer thickness and/or material refractive index for film stacks, or line width and structure depth of micro-structures. The measurement results on various types of the wafer surfaces will be presented in this paper.
Providing context for a medical school basic science curriculum: The importance of the humanities

AbstractIntroduction: To increase students’ understanding of what it means to be a physician and engage in the everyday practice of medicine, a humanities program was implemented into the preclinical curriculum of the medical school curriculum. The purpose of our study was to determine how medical students’ views of being a doctor evolved after participating in a required humanities course.Methods: Medical students completing a 16-clock hour humanities course from 10 courses were asked to respond to an open-ended reflection question regarding changes, if any, of their views of being a doctor. The constant comparative method was used for coding; triangulation and a variety of techniques were used to provide evidence of validity of the analysis.Results: A majority of first- and second-year medical students (rr = 70%) replied, resulting in 100 pages of text. A meta-theme of Contextualizing the Purpose of Medicine and three subthemes: the importance of Treating Patients Rather than a Disease, Understanding Ob...
Using eReaders and Tablets in the engineering classroom

The use of eReaders, and Tablets is increasing dramatically by engineering students. As engineering and science textbooks become more available for these devices at costs significantly below the costs of traditional printed textbooks, even more students will uses these devices. In addition to the text, students often use a professor's slides, handouts, assignments, laboratory exercises, and supplemental material as part of their studies. While some is prepared by the publisher, the material is more often locally prepared by the professor. Having this material available on the students' eReader or Tablet would significantly enhance the students' use of their device. During the past academic year, we have begun to develop supplementary materials for several courses for use with a Kindle or Tablet. In this paper, we will describe the techniques needed, beginning from the straightforward transfer of purely textual materials, to developing materials will highly mathematical and graphical content for display on the devices. In addition, we will describe how these techniques can be used to produce material for these multiple uses without placing a significant additional burden the faculty member. The paper will report the results of a pilot project where students in several Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 Electrical and Biomedical Engineering courses were loaned Kindles and all material beyond the texts for the courses was produced for the devices. The results of the students' surveys on their use of the material and the eReaders will be presented and discussed.
Electron Tomography and Molecular Modeling Study of Chemoreceptor Organization

The movement of bacteria in response to external stimuli represents a paradigm of broad general interest for the understanding of mechanisms underlying signal transduction across cell membranes. Bacterial chemoreceptors respond to changes in concentration of extracellular ligands by undergoing conformational changes that initiate a series of signaling events, leading ultimately to regulation of flagellar motor rotation. Atomic structures for several domains of chemoreceptors, including the periplasmic ligand-binding domain, the cytoplasmic signaling domain and the HAMP domain are available, but the molecular architectures of an intact receptor dimer, or the functionally relevant trimer-of-dimer configuration have remained elusive. Here, we have used cryo-electron tomography combined with 3D averaging to determine the in situ 3D structure of receptor assemblies in bacterial cells that have been engineered to overproduce only the receptor for serine chemotaxis, Tsr, and lacking all other chemotaxis receptors and signaling components. We identified two major conformations of the chemotaxis receptors. Through comparative modeling and map-constrained molecular dynamics simulations, we obtained the assembly structures of tsr organized in a two dimensional array. We show that receptors are organized in trimer-of-dimer conformations with peripasmic domain, HAMP domain, and signal traction domain transiting between conformations. It is suggested that the position of the ligand binding domain and the HAMP domain play a pivotal role in mediating signal transduction across the cell membrane.
Amorphous polymer solids at low temperatures

Abstract In recent years we have studied the thermal expansivities of a series of polymers between the glass transition temperature and about 20°K [1]. The results have been discussed from two points of view, namely, relaxation spectrometry and in connection with free volume considerations.
Microscopic theory of orientational order, structure and thermodynamics in strained polymer liquids and networks

A microscopic integral equation theory of the segmental orientational order parameter, structural correlations and thermodynamics of strained polymer solutions, melts and networks has been developed. The nonclassical problem of the consequences of intermolecular excluded volume repulsions and chain connectivity is addressed. The theory makes several novel predictions, including effective power law dependences of the orientational order parameter on monomer concentration and chain degree of polymerization, and strain hardening of the bulk modulus. The predictions of a nearly classical strain dependence, and supralinear scaling with segment concentration, of the strain-induced nematic order parameter is in agreement with nuclear magnetic resonance experiments. The absolute magnitudes of the a priori calculated orientational order parameter agree with simulations and experiments to within a factor of 2. The possible complicating influence of "trapped entanglements" in crosslinked networks is discussed. Extensions of the theory are possible to treat the mechanical response of flexible polymer liquids and rubbers, and the structure, thermodynamics, and mechanical properties of strained liquid crystal forming polymers.
An investigation of government preference functions: The case of Canada, 1970–1981

Abstract This paper presents an econometric analysis of the goals of Canadian monetary policy over the 1970–1981 period. A macroeconomic model of the Canadian economy is developed and used to derive a reaction function. The complete system is estimated with a nonlinear three-stage least squares estimation method. The empirical results for the policy weights fail to find evidence of consistent adherence to any particular policy goal, but do find some evidence of an attempt to promote monetary stability. In addition, instability in the exchange rate relationship may have complicated the task of policymakers.
Particle trapping in stratified estuaries: consequences of mass conservation

Estuarine turbidity maxima (ETM) can retain suspended particulate matter (SPM) through advection, settling, aggregation, and nonlinearities in bed processes. We define a parameter space descriptive of ETM water column particle trapping processes through a scaling analysis of the local and integral SPM balances. There are six primary non-dimensional parameters for the large particles or aggregates that are typically trapped in an ETM. Rouse numberP, the ratio of settling velocityW S to the shear velocityU *, describes the material trapped in the ETM in terms of the local vertical balance between vertical mixing and aggregate settling. Advection numberA = PDU/UT scales the landward transport of SPM in terms of flood-ebb velocity difference (ΔU; the internal asymmetry) and maximum tidal current (U T ). Supply number Sr =PU r /U t defines SPM supply and removal (U r is river flow). Changes in the estuarine inventory of SPM are described in terms of a Trapping EfficiencyE, a ratio of peak ETM concentration to fluvial or marine supply concentration. The effects of aggregation and disaggregation in the integral dynamic balance are quantified by a Floc number Θ = Φ/Г that describes the balance of aggregation (Φ) and disaggregation (Г). The balance between erosion and deposition at the bed is described by the Erosion number Π = Ψ/Ω, the ratio of erosion (Ψ) to deposition(Ω). The non-dimensional, integral SPM conservation equation is then used to examine steady and unsteady particle trapping scenarios, including adjustments to a change in river flow and to a neap-spring transition in salinity intrusion and stratification.