cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perturbations of measurement matrices and dictionaries in compressed sensing

Abstract The compressed sensing problem for redundant dictionaries aims to use a small number of linear measurements to represent signals that are sparse with respect to a general dictionary. Under an appropriate restricted isometry property for a dictionary, reconstruction methods based on l q minimization are known to provide an effective signal recovery tool in this setting. This note explores conditions under which l q minimization is robust to measurement noise, and stable with respect to perturbations of the sensing matrix A and the dictionary D . We propose a new condition, the D null space property, which guarantees that l q minimization produces solutions that are robust and stable against perturbations of A and D . We also show that l q minimization is jointly stable with respect to imprecise knowledge of the measurement matrix A and the dictionary D when A satisfies the restricted isometry property.
Optical correlation functions applied to the random telegraph signal: how to analyze patch clamp data without measuring the open and closed times

Abstract The correlation functions used mostly to analyze data from photon correlation experiments can be used to analyze the random telegraph signal. Hence such functions can be used to determine the kinetic rate constants of ion channels in cell membranes directly from digitized patch clamp data by simple numerical integrations. Thus, it is not necessary to find, reconstruct, and measure the open and closed time intervals and to construct their frequency histograms in order to determine the rate constants of the observed channel.
Merging 3-D Symbolic Descriptions Obtained from Multiple Views of a Scene

An algorithm is presented for merging three-dimensional symbolic descriptions of static polyhedral scenes obtained from multiple viewpoints. The 3-D descriptions are assumed to be partial because of occlusions. The merging algorithm treats the topology of the descriptions (i.e., connections between vertices, edges, and faces) separately from the geometry (i.e., physical dimensions and relative locations). This paper describes one part of a larger project whose goal is to obtain an integrated symbolic description of a scene from range data obtained from multiple viewpoints.
Awareness for Emotional Abuse

ABSTRACT This study investigates links between emotional abuse and emotional awareness. Predictions included a positive correlation between emotional abuse and alexithymia, and that few individuals reporting emotional abuse would self-label as having been abused. Eighty participants completed anonymous, self-report surveys with symptom and trauma inventories. Participants were asked if they were physically, sexually, or emotionally abused (using the word “abused”); these questions preceded symptom and maltreatment measures. Emotional abuse and neglect were significantly positively correlated with difficulty identifying feelings, even after controlling for participants' depression, anxiety, dissociation, and lifetime trauma. Few subjects self-identified as having been “abused,” even among those reporting abuse experiences. The results demonstrate a connection between emotional abuse and difficulty identifying emotions. Cognitive, therapeutic, and research implications are discussed.
The surgical treatment of carcinoma of the pancreas

Abstract 1.1. With the advent of vitamin k for the control of the hemorrhagic diathesis in jaundice, with the use of the continuous drip of glucose in the prophylaxis and treatment of postoperative liver failure, and with the prospect that sulfanilamide may be of value in the control of cholangitis, it is probable that there will be a lowering of the surgical mortality in patients with obstructive jaundice and an increasing interest in the surgical treatment of carcinoma of the head of the pancreas. 2.2. Twelve cases of radical resection of the head of the pancreas have already been reported; six patients have survived operation, and one of these patients (reported by Whipple) is still alive and well nearly three years after the original operation. 3.3. The greatest progress in the surgical attack on carcinoma of the pancreas will come when physicians and surgeons recognize that carcinoma of the pancreas is a curable disease provided the diagnosis is established before the tumor has invaded vital structures.
Relative mobility of the common elements in weathering of some schist and granite areas

Abstract Chemical analyses were made of stream waters and rocks from three local drainage basins within, which the rocka are chemically homogeneous. The relative mobility of each major element was computed as the ratio of its content in the mineral residue of the stream water to its content in the rock drained by the stream. The order of mobility in each case was Mg > Ca > Na > K > Si > Al = Fe. This differs somewhat from published estimates based on the composition of average fresh waters and rocks, in which the reported order of mobility was Ca > Na > Mg > K > Si > Al = Fe.
Stargazin interacts functionally with the AMPA receptor glutamate-binding module

Neuronal AMPA receptors comprise pore forming glutamate receptor (GluR) proteins and auxiliary transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory (TARP) subunits. TARPs traffic AMPA receptors to synapses and regulate channel gating. Both intracellular and extracellular regions in TARPs regulate AMPA receptors; however, the details for these interactions remain unknown. Here, we employ site-directed mutagenesis to determine functional interactions between GluR1 and the prototypical TARP, stargazin. We find that a point mutation in the glutamate-binding region of GluR1 corresponding to the Lurcher allele of GluRdelta2, abolishes stargazin's effects on receptor trafficking and channel gating. A point mutation that prevents receptor desensitization modulates the effects of stargazin on channel gating but preserves receptor trafficking. These studies identify a functional interaction of stargazin with the extracellular glutamate-binding domain of AMPA receptors.
PHYLOGENETIC COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF LIFE-HISTORY VARIATION AMONG POPULATIONS OF THE LIZARD SCELOPORUS UNDULATUS: AN EXAMPLE AND PROGNOSIS

Over the past 15 years, phylogenetic comparative methods (PCMs) have become standard in the study of life-history evolution. To date, most studies have focused on variation among species or higher taxonomic levels, generally revealing the presence of significant phylogenetic effects as well as residual variation potentially attributable to adaptive evolution. Recently, population-level phylogenetic hypotheses have become available for many species, making it possible to apply PCMs directly to the level at which experiments are typically used to test adaptive hypotheses. In this study, we present the results of PCMs applied to life-history variation among populations of the widespread and well-studied lizard Sceloporus undulatus. Using S. undulatus (which may represent four closely related species) as an example, we explore the benefits of using PCMs at the population level, as well as consider the importance of several thorny methodological problems including but not limited to nonindependence of populations, lack of sufficient variation in traits, and the typically small sample sizes dictated by the difficulty of collecting detailed demographic data. We show that phylogenetic effects on life-history variation among populations of S. undulatus appear to be unimportant, and that several classic trade-offs expected by theory and revealed by many interspecific comparisons are absent. Our results suggest that PCMs applied to variation in life-history traits below the species level may be of limited value, but more studies like ours are needed to draw a general conclusion. Finally, we discuss several outstanding problems that face studies seeking to apply PCMs below the species level.
Left atrial dilatation resulting from chronic mitral regurgitation decreases spatiotemporal organization of atrial fibrillation in left atrium

Atrial conduction properties have been shown to differ among animal atrial fibrillation (AF) models of rapid atrial pacing (RAP), chronic mitral regurgitation (MR), and control. We hypothesized tha...
Electromyographic Analysis of Postural Adjustments in Two Methods of Balance Testing

The primary purpose of this study was to compare postural responses during two methods of balance testing: 1) a platform perturbation test (PP), with destabilizing forces of uniform magnitude given at the base of support, and 2) a postural stress test (PST), with destabilizing forces of increasing magnitude given at the waist. A secondary purpose was to examine the relationship between balance strategy scores and the patterns of muscle responses as determined by electromyographic analysis on the PST. Postural responses to backward sway of 17 healthy subjects, aged 60 to 79 years (means = 69.0, s = 5.3), were characterized bilaterally by EMG recording of the tibialis anterior, quadriceps femoris, gastrocnemius, and hamstring muscles. We examined three measures of bilateral postural responses: 1) latency to first muscle response (FR) among the four lower extremity muscle groups, 2) tibialis anterior muscle latency (TA), and 3) patterns of muscle responses. Our results demonstrated significantly shorter (p less than .001) TAs and FRs (in milliseconds) on the PST than on the PP (PST TA: = means = 80.3, s = 12.4; PP TA: = means = 142.6, s = 13.4; PST FR: means = 75.9, s = 10.4; PP FR: = means = 140.4, s = 13.6). The ankle strategy was the most frequently used pattern of muscle response during both the PP and the PST, but it occurred less frequently on the PST than on the PP (PP = 72.5%, PST = 50.9%) (p less than .05). No consistent relationship was observed between the balance strategy scores as determined by videotape analysis of the PST and the patterns of muscle responses as determined by EMG analysis.
Pyrolytic sugars from cellulosic biomass.

Depolymerization of cellulose offers the prospect of inexpensive sugars from biomass. Breaking the glycosidic bonds of cellulose to liberate glucose has usually been pursued by acid or enzymatic hydrolysis although a purely thermal depolymerization route to sugars is also possible. Fast pyrolysis of pure cellulose yields primarily the anhydrosugar levoglucosan (LG) whereas the presence of naturally occurring alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEMs) in biomass strongly catalyzes ring-breaking reactions that favor formation of light oxygenates. Here, we show a method of significantly increasing the yield of sugars from biomass by purely thermal means through infusion of certain mineral acids (phosphoric and sulfuric acid) into the biomass to convert the AAEMs into thermally stable salts (particularly potassium sulfates and phosphates). These salts not only passivate AAEMs that normally catalyze fragmentation of pyranose rings, but also buffer the system at pH levels that favor glycosidic bond breakage. It appears that AAEM passivation contributes to 80 % of the enhancement in LG yield while the buffering effect of the acid salts contributes to the balance of the enhancement.
A Case Report of Successful Treatment of Recalcitrant Childhood Localized Scleroderma with Infliximab and Leflunomide

Herein we report successful treatment of an adolescent Caucasian female with severe progressive localized scleroderma (mixed subtype, including generalized morphea and linear scleroderma of the trunk/limb) using infliximab and leflunomide. The patient demonstrated improvement after the first 9 months of therapy based on her clinical examination, objective measures, and patient and parent global assessments. Infliximab is a potential treatment option for pediatric localized scleroderma patients who have progression of disease or who are unable to tolerate the side effect profile of more standard systemic therapy. Larger longitudinal studies or case series are needed to confirm and further investigate infliximab's role in localized scleroderma.
Current techniques for treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency

Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is most commonly seen as a result of cleft palate. Even when appropriately repaired in a timely fashion, there are still a small number of children who continue to have the speech sequela of an inappropriately functioning velopharynx. Noncleft children may also suffer from VPI. Although sometimes these children have the VPI as one of the manifestations of a syndrome such as velocardiofacial syndrome, there are others who have isolated velopharyngeal dysfunction. Occasionally, velopharyngeal dysfunction is also exasperated by adenoidectomy. The following pages will attempt to look at the techniques that are used for treatment of VPI in a treatment paradigm, which is based on the initial assessment of the problem.
Magnetic Resonance Pancreatography (MRP)

Magnetic resonance pancreatography (MRP) is a technique that permits accurate evaluation of the pancreatic duct without instrumentation, contrast material administration, or ionizing radiation. Because MRP is entirely noninvasive, MRP avoids complications associated with endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) such as pancreatitis and perforation. MRP allows for the noninvasive evaluation of patients with acute and chronic pancreatitis, variant anatomy of the pancreatic duct, pancreatic duct trauma, and pancreatic neoplasia. MRP yields diagnostic information in the setting of a failed or incomplete ERP. When MRP is performed in conjunction with conventional abdominal MR, the result is a comprehensive examination of the pancreatic duct as well as the pancreas and other solid organs of the abdomen.
Increased snow facilitates plant invasion in mixedgrass prairie.

Summary • Although global change is known to influence plant invasion, little is known about interactions between altered precipitation and invasion. In the North American mixedgrass prairie, invasive species are often abundant in wet and nitrogen (N)-rich areas, suggesting that predicted changes in precipitation and N deposition could exacerbate invasion.  Here, this possibility was tested by seeding six invasive species into experimental plots of mixedgrass prairie treated with a factorial combination of increased snow, summer irrigation, and N addition.  Without added snow, seeded invasive species were rarely observed. Snow addition increased average above-ground biomass of Centaurea diffusa from 0.026 to 66 g m −2 , of Gypsophila paniculata from 0.1 to 7.3 g m −2 , and of Linaria dalmatica from 5 to 101 g m −2 . Given added snow, summer irrigation increased the density of G. paniculata, and N addition increased the density and biomass of L. dalmatica. Plant density responses mirrored those of plant biomass, indicating that increases in biomass resulted, in part, from increases in recruitment. In contrast to seeded invasive species, resident species did not respond to snow addition.  These results suggest that increases in snowfall or variability of snowfall may exacerbate forb invasion in the mixedgrass prairie.
Understanding Gross Worker Flows Across U.S. States

Abstract The main cross-sectional and time-series properties of state-level gross and net worker flows, wages, and rents are characterized using micro-data from the U.S. Census. A dynamic general equilibrium model of worker migration is introduced to explain the stylized facts. In the model, a location may experience simultaneous inflows and outflows of workers. Recent migrants choose to migrate more often than incumbent workers. Thus, locations that attract high numbers of migrants also tend to experience high outflow rates. This pattern is a robust feature of the data and cannot be explained by models of net flows only.
Diverse Population, Diverse Collection? Youth Collections in the United States

Do school, public, and academic library collections in the United States provide the children, young adults, and future teachers they serve with books that reflect diverse families and life experiences? Using checklists and OCLC holdings, the authors assessed the extent to which libraries collect youth literature that includes characters from racial and ethnic minorities, characters with disabilities, and characters who identify as LGBTQ. They also assigned public libraries to Conspectus levels and compared youth-diversity holdings by collection expenditures. They found that more than one-third of public libraries spending over $100,000 annually on materials did not achieve the minimal level for representations of diversity in their youth collections, indicating a need for local assessments and additional efforts to provide diverse youth collections.
Hydrogen bubble-assisted syntheses of polypyrrole micro/nanostructures using electrochemistry: structural and physical property characterization

Polypyrrole (PPy) in the family of π-conjugated polymers is a potential candidate for microscopic actuators, electrochromic devices, batteries, and drug delivery systems. We report the controlled syntheses of PPy micro/nanocontainers through electrochemical generation of H2 bubbles from a surfactant cum electrolyte β-NSA (β-naphthalene sulfonic acid) stabilized on the working electrode, followed by electrochemical polymerization of monomer (pyrrole) around the wall of the micelles serving as template. It is noticed that the density, shape, caliber, and thickness of self-assembled PPy micro/nanocontainers can be regulated by electrochemical potential window for H2 bubbles and number of cyclic voltammetric scans for the electropolymerization of pyrrole. Sodium chlorate and perchlorate are used to synthesize conventional PPy films. By changing the dopant structure, one can control the microscopic structure and physical properties, which are analyzed using multiple microscopic techniques and X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared, vis Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analytical tools. In light of this information, an exhaustive description of the material is attained. Experimental results show that the films consist of spherical/globular surface morphology and cup-/bowl-like structures, which becomes lantern-like with increasing cyclic voltammetry scans. The bowl diameter and caliber and room temperature conductivities range 0.05–60 µm, 5–50 µm and 2 × 10−2–20 S cm−1, respectively. Raman spectroscopy (RS) helps to identify the oxidized PPy; polaron and bipolaron states and thus a detailed molecular structure. The results also showed that the relative conjugation length increases with decreasing size of the morphological feature. Moreover, these studies enhanced the understanding of bubble nucleation at the solid–electrolyte interface. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapamycin Limits the Growth of Established Experimental Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Objectives Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting 4–8% of men older than 60 years. No pharmacologic strategies limit disease progression, aneurysm rupture, or aneurysm-related death. We examined the ability of rapamycin to limit the progression of established experimental AAAs. Methods AAAs were created in 10–12-week-old male C57BL/6J mice via the porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) infusion method. Beginning 4 days after PPE infusion, mice were treated with rapamycin (5 mg/kg/day) or an equal volume of vehicle for 10 days. AAA progression was monitored by serial ultrasound examination. Aortae were harvested for histological analyses at sacrifice. Results Three days after PPE infusion, prior to vehicle or rapamycin treatment, aneurysms were enlarging at an equal rate between groups. In the rapamycin group, treatment reduced aortic enlargement by 38%, and 53% at 3 and 10 days, respectively. On histological analysis, medial elastin and smooth muscle cell populations were relatively preserved in the rapamycin group. Rapamycin treatment also reduced mural macrophage density and neoangiogenesis. Conclusion Rapamycin limits the progression of established experimental aneurysms, increasing the translational potential of mechanistic target of rapamycin-related AAA inhibition strategies.
A Scale to Measure Embarrassment Associated with Condom Use

Abstract The Condom Embarrasment Scale (CES), an 18-item Likert-type scale, was developed to assess the level of embarrassment associated with condom use. Two hundred and fifty-six college students completed a questionnaire which included the CES, the Sex Anxiety Inventory, a sexually transmitted disease/condom knowledge test, a demographic, and sex behavior items. The CES had a Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of .92 and a three-week test-retest reliability of .78. The mean score for women on the CES was significantly higher than the mean score for men, suggesting that women students experience greater anxiety around condom use than do men students. A principal factor analysis revealed three major components of condom embarrassment which accounted for 59.4 percent of the total variance. These factors were interpreted as (a) embarrassment about obtaining or possessing condoms, (b) embarrassment about negotiating the use of condoms, and (c) embarrassment about using condoms. Supporting its construct ...
Parent-Teacher Association, Soup Kitchen, Church, or the Local Civic Club? Life Stage Indicators of Volunteer Domain.

Gaps in existing literature hinder our knowledge of how life stage-related identities (e.g., worker, parent, student, etc.) influence individuals’ decisions about whether and how to get involved in community service. Interventions to increase volunteerism throughout the life course require a more nuanced understanding of this relationship. We use multinomial logistic models to analyze how life phase factors relate to involvement in different types of voluntary organizations across the adult life course in the Chicago Community Adult Health Study. Half of the adults did not volunteer. Those who did volunteer were categorized as charitable, youth-oriented, religious, civic, or multidomain volunteers. Age, employment, family structure, demographics, and self-rated health differentially predicted volunteering in specific domains. Findings from this study suggest that recruitment and retention efforts employed by different nonprofit organizations may be more effective if they take into consideration the life p...
Betraying Truth: Ethics Abuse in Middle East Reporting

This article presents a brief overview of press freedom under the First Amendment, attempts to create a working definition of media “objectivity,” examines various codes of professional ethics for journalists, and analyzes specific cases in which such standards have allegedly been abused or abandoned in Middle East reporting.
The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning as a Subversive Activity

One of the most serious challenges facing higher education today is the erosion of academic culture—a declining sense that faculty form a community whose members reflect, deliberate, and make decisions together in the name of a shared educational vision. Our experience with Gonzaga University’s Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Initiative suggests that SoTL can be a powerful counter force to this erosion. What became increasingly evident as the initiative unfolded was that its most important result was the creation of a kind of alternative academic community that stands in opposition to many of the dis-integrative, disempowering forces at work in higher education. The scholarly examination of practice, done in a collaborative context, changed participants’ perceptions of learning, of themselves as teachers, and of the larger endeavor of which they are a part. Thus, we came to see the SoTL initiative as a subversive activity in the sense used by Neil Postman and Charles Weingartner in their 1969 book, Teaching as a Subversive Activity: one that invites critical questions about education’s purposes, practices, and underlying assumptions, and in so doing reanimates core values.
Effects of chloride, nitrate and sulfate on ATPase of renal cortex and medulla.

SummaryThe ascending limb of Henle actively reabsorbs chloride by a ouabain-inhibitable process. Since ouabain is considered to be a specific inhibitor of Na-K ATPase, a role for this enzyme in active chloride transport is suggested. The present investigation compares the effects of chloride, sulfate and nitrate on Mg2+ ATPase and Na-K ATPase of rabbit renal cortex and outer medulla. Renal Na-K ATPase activity is influenced by the anionic milieu, but the changes are not of great magnitude. There is no qualitative difference between the anion effects on the Na-K ATPase activity of cortex or outer medulla. It is concluded that chloride has no specific activating action on renal Na-K ATPase.
Heterogeneity of Rabbit Aortic Endothelial Cells in Primary Culture

Factor VIII-related antigen (F8-RAg) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) are accepted diagnostic markers of endothelial cells in culture. However, when we isolated cells from rabbit thoracic aorta (after collagenase treatment and gentle scraping of the intima) and examined them with immunoperoxidase techniques, we observed two cell types which stained specifically for either F8-RAg or ACE, but not both. Each cell type was morphologically distinguishable in primary culture. F8-RAg-positive cells were recognizable in distinct patches as more elongated, tightly apposed, and firmly adherent cells; they exhibited only faint or no staining for ACE and no accumulation of a fluorescent, acetylated low-density lipoprotein probe (DiI-Ac-LDL), another endothelial cell marker. In contrast, ACE-positive cells were more rounded, less closely apposed, and grew as strict monolayers that exhibited a characteristic cobblestone appearance at confluence; ACE-positive cells were F8-RAg negative, but demonstrated intense labeling with DiI-Ac-LDL. Subcultures of ACE-positive cells were also stained by anti-rabbit thrombomodulin.
36 RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM ACTIVATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH IMPAIRED MICROVASCULAR RESPONSES AND ORGAN DYSFUNCTION IN HUMAN SEPSIS.

Severe sepsis is a systemic response to infection that results in organ dysfunction. Microvascular dysregulation characterized by hyporesponsive and heterogeneous blood flow is implicated in the pathogenesis of organ failure. Although the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has known effects on the microvasculature and is activated in sepsis, the relationships between RAS and organ injury in human sepsis remain unclear. We hypothesized that systemic RAS mediators are associated with microvascular hyporesponsiveness and organ dysfunction in human sepsis. We studied 30 severe sepsis subjects, and healthy volunteers served as controls. Septic subjects were studied 24 hours after the initial recognition of organ dysfunction; 12 subjects were enrolled such that an initial study was also performed 8 hours after organ dysfunction. Plasma was analyzed for plasma renin activity (PRA) and angiotensin II (Ang II) concentration. Organ failure was assessed quantitatively with the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score. Using near-infrared spectroscopy, we measured the rate of increase in the oxygen saturation of microvascular hemoglobin in thenar muscles after 5 minutes of forearm ischemia. In so doing, we assessed bulk arteriolar and capillary hemoglobin influx to the tissue during reactive hyperemia. At 8 hours, Ang II was markedly elevated and significantly correlated with the extent of organ failure in septic subjects. After 24 hours of resuscitation to achieve clinically defined end points of preload and arterial pressure, Ang II remained elevated in septic subjects. There was a strong linear relationship between PRA and Ang II in the systemic circulation. Notably, both PRA and Ang II significantly and negatively correlated with the rate of microvascular reoxygenation during reactive hyperemia in septic subjects. We conclude that RAS is activated in severe sepsis, and systemic RAS mediators correlate with measures of microvascular dysregulation and organ failure.
The study on Location of Jiangxi Strategic Agri-products Based on Technology Innovation

Rice,live pig and citrus as Jiangxi three strategic agri-products,has its advantages in resources development,but still have some gaps compared with home and abroad.Therefore,from the perspective of technology innovation at home and abroad to find factors for the rapid development of three strategic agri-products have been the reason for future strategic agri-products development to provide more comprehensive reform of technology innovation.
Recognizing and Dealing with the Uncertainty in Weather and Climate Forecasts

Not long ago,the U.S.National Research Council(NRC) published a study report about the uncertainty in weather,climate and hydrological forecasts.The report emphasizes the importance of communicating uncertainties associated with these forecasts to users in their specific applications.Otherwise, without quantifying its uncertainty,a forecast is incomplete.The publishing of a Chinese translation of this book is currently under the way.At the moment before the Chinese version is released,this paper would like to take this occasion to contribute a comprehensive review as well as some discussions to readers, which cover the following four aspects:(1) Why is uncertainty in all hydrometeorological forecasts inherited to be intrinsic?(2) What general goals should be set to successfully deal with the uncertainty in solving real world problems?(3) To accomplish these goals,what efforts have to be made and coordinated within the entire weather-related enterprise including government,research community and industries or end-users.(4) Finally,the efforts and roadmaps planned so far by the American Meteorological Society and NOAA in dealing with the forecast uncertainty are briefly introduced for reference.Via this paper,it is hoped that more people will pay attention to the importance of communicating the forecast uncertainty and work toward reforming and improving weather-related forecasts and services to benefit the entire society.
Conductive polymer binder for nano-silicon/graphite composite electrode in lithium-ion batteries towards a practical application

The state-of-the-art graphite anode containing a small portion of silicon represents a promising way of applying high-capacity alloy anode in the next generation high energy density lithium-ion batteries. The conductive polymeric binders developed for Si anodes proved to be an effective binder for this graphite/nanoSi composite electrode. Without any acetylene black conductive additives in the electrode, a high areal capacity of above 2.5 mAh/cm2 is achieved during long-term cycling over 100 cycles. This conductive polymer-enabled graphite/nanoSi composite electrode exhibits high specific capacity and high 1st cycle efficiency, which is a significant progress toward commercial application of Si anodes.
A CuII2 Paramagnetic Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Contrast Agent Enabled by Magnetic Exchange Coupling

The ability of magnetic exchange coupling to enable observation of paramagnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer (PARACEST) in transition metal ions with long electronic relaxation times (τs) is demonstrated. Metalation of the dinucleating, tetra(carboxamide) ligand HL with Cu2+ in the presence of pyrophosphate (P2O7)4– affords the complex [LCuII2(P2O7)]−. Solution-phase variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data reveal weak ferromagnetic superexchange coupling between the two S = 1/2 CuII centers, with a coupling constant of J = +2.69(5) cm–1, to give an S = 1 ground state. This coupling results in a sharpened NMR line width relative to a GaCu analogue, indicative of a shortening of τs. Presaturation of the amide protons in the Cu2 complex at 37 °C leads to a 14% intensity decrease in the bulk water 1H NMR signal through the CEST effect. Conversely, no CEST effect is observed in the GaCu complex. These results provide the first example of a Cu-based PARACEST magnetic resonance contrast agent ...
Mott cell (Russell body) Barrett's esophagitis.

![Figure][1] An 80-year-old man presented with chronic pain in the epigastrium. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with esophageal biopsy was performed. Histopathologic sections showed Barrett’s mucosa (panel A; original magnification ×20, hematoxylin and eosin stain) with marked
Theorizing Employment Division v. Smith: The Affective Politics of the Legal Regulation of Religion

This commentary interrogates, first, Justice Antonin Scalia’s assertion in Employment Division v. Smith that the law must uphold the belief-action distinction in order to preserve democratic norms and, second, the affect that this distinction had on Alfred Smith’s relationship with his faith. I argue that as Smith responded to the law’s repeated requests for justification as to why his religious convictions ought to exempt him from the criminal regulation of peyote, he experienced a profound sense of legal, political, and spiritual disempowerment – a disempowerment compounded by the erasure of the complexities of his faith in both the decision and aftermath of Smith. By way of making this argument, I bring Scalia, Smith, and Smith into sustained conversation with an unlikely interlocutor: Jurgen Habermas. As one of the leading legal and political theorists of religion in the late modern moment, Habermas articulates a vision of democratic life that at once venerates public religious expression and insulate...
Application considerations for led light fixtures in process industry production environments

Light Emitting Diode (LED) luminaires provide compelling benefits such as long-term cost savings, and safety advantages through longer life and durability. LED luminaires have lower maintenance costs, and improved instant restrike capability when compared to legacy luminaire types. In industrial applications, the proven lower total cost of ownership and increased safety for LEDs are the driving forces for LED luminaires to replace traditional light sources. As with any new technology, challenges exist in designing and maintaining an optimal system to withstand the intended application and environmental conditions. Common challenges and considerations include luminaire placement, the intensity/ dispersion/quality of light, thermal management, material selection, and redundant safety and operating systems. The authors will examine best practices and common misconceptions in the selection and application of LED luminaires focusing on process and harsh/hazardous locations. The probability of success in maximizing reliability, safety & efficiency of LED technology in such applications is enhanced by utilizing proven design principles & methods. The selection methods and design principles will be explained using actual application examples and case studies.
Profile of Lily and Yuh Nung Jan, winners of the 2017 Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science.

The 2017 Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science has been awarded to Lily Y. Jan and Yuh Nung Jan, professors in the department of physiology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators. The Jans are being recognized for demonstrating how ion channels contribute to neuronal signaling and how neurons acquire their cell fates and morphologies. Lily and Yuh Nung Jan. Image courtesy of Cindy Chew (photographer). Side view of a Drosophila larva, with body wall innervated by two types of sensory neurons (green and red). Image courtesy of Chun Han (Cornell University, Ithaca, NY). Dendritic arbor of Drosophila larval neuron. Image courtesy of Lily and Yuh Nung Jan. Vilcek Prizes—accompanied by an unrestricted cash award of $100,000 each—have been awarded annually since 2006 to prominent foreign-born biomedical scientists and artists. To recognize a younger generation of distinguished immigrant scientists, in 2009 the Vilcek Foundation also established annual Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science. Currently, three scientists, 38 years of age or younger, are selected for the latter awards, each carrying a cash prize of $50,000. The Jans are the first Chinese-born scientists to receive the main biomedical prize awarded by the Foundation. Today, numerous Chinese American scientists play invaluable roles in science and technology in the United States. By contrast, when the Jans arrived in this country in 1968 to pursue graduate studies, there were few scientists of Chinese origin in laboratories in this country. Perhaps even more significantly, the 2017 Vilcek Prizes reflect the fact that the proportion of foreign-born researchers among highly accomplished American scientists greatly exceeds the fraction of foreign-born people living in the United States. The remarkable achievements of these scientists attest to the vital and well-documented role of immigrants in sustaining the American economy. Beginning in 1979, neurologist … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: pnair{at}nas.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
3D CDSEM characterization of feature profiles at spacer on spacer SAQP process (Conference Presentation)

Sidewall image transfer has become a key enabler of future design shrink. It is consisted of several process steps that multiply the number of lithography backbone patterns in a self-aligned form, shrinking pattern and pitch sizes. The quality of the image transfer process depends on the characteristics of the sidewall pattern morphology. Rectangular Sidewalls with a flat top and vertical edges will result with symmetrical and uniform etched image. On the other hand, Facet top, bent sidewalls, sloped edges or foot, may distort the etched image and device electrical characteristics. In this paper we present a description of the 3DSEM metrology technique used and simulation results. We demonstrate three dimensional characterization of Sidewalls pattern fabricated with different etch recipes: Top Facet measurements vs cross section images Spacer edge slop and oxide recess characterization
Effect of humidity on surface structure and permeation of triblock terpolymer derived SNIPS membranes

Abstract Block copolymer (BCP) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes derived from a hybrid process of BCP self-assembly and non-solvent induced phase separation (SNIPS) exhibit an asymmetric structure consisting of ordered pores in a selective skin layer above a highly permeable substructure. In this work, we investigate relative humidity (RH) as a casting condition that influences poly(isoprene- b -styrene- b -4-vinylpyridine) (ISV) membrane surface structure in terms of order and uniformity. An optimum RH of 40–45% is determined to produce membranes characterized by a high density of square packed pores with a narrow pore size distribution. Membranes cast at lower and higher RH show a drop off in order and uniformity. The RH dependent structural changes correlate well with small molar mass dye solute (methyl orange; molar mass of 327 g/mol) diffusion rates. Membranes cast at 40% RH reveal higher diffusivity than when cast at 75% RH. The rate of permeation is further controlled via pH dependent pore closure as well as through ISV terpolymer molecular architecture with increasing solute diffusivity observed in membranes cast from increasing terpolymer molar mass. Experimental findings on small molar mass solute permeability can only be accounted for when compared with theoretical predictions from a hydrodynamic theory combined with the effects of tortuosity when a simplified membrane structure is assumed. Results suggest that SNIPS derived BCP membranes may have potential for applications in drug delivery.
The integration of core cleaning and product serviceability into product modularization for the creation of an improved remanufacturing-product service system

Abstract Remanufacturing has been identified as the most viable product end-of-life (EOL) management strategy. However, about 80% of manufactured products currently end up as waste. Meanwhile, some of the bottlenecks in product remanufacturing could be remedied by Product Service System (PSS). Therefore, the integration of remanufacturing and PSS as an improved product offering has been increasingly recommended. However, an integration that is informed by mathematical analysis is still missing. Meanwhile, product life cycle performance is largely influenced by the decisions made at the early phase of product development (PD). Therefore, an effective remanufacturing-PSS synergy is mainly dependent on the PD decisions. Among the PD strategies, modular architecture has been identified as a technique that significantly enhances product life cycle management including ease of product disassembly, thereby improving product serviceability and cleaning processes. Consequently, modular product design is a suitable PD strategy for improved remanufacturing-PSS integration. This research identifies two factors that are critical for the success of remanufacturing and PSS: core cleaning and product serviceability. Module variants are assessed in pairs, and the modular pair compatibility indices are obtained via fuzzy system. These indices are the coefficients in the objective functions of an optimization model. The essential criteria are optimized and integrated at the modular product development phase, and the viable product configuration(s) are determined from among several product alternatives. The study provides decision guides to the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in making product configuration choice(s) that will enhance product serviceability and core cleaning so as to boost remanufacturing-PSS business offering.
Physical Therapy Evaluation and Treatment of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Including Hypertonic Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

This chapter will describe a pelvic floor physical therapy evaluation and treatment of clients referred for pelvic floor dysfunction of any kind. This chapter will also describe the typical findings and treatment of the client with hypertonic pelvic floor dysfunction. Ultimately, it is the goal of this chapter to encourage physicians who see clients with hypertonic pelvic floor dysfunction or any other type of pelvic floor dysfunction to give appropriate and early referrals to pelvic floor physical therapist specialists for treatment as an important part of an interdisciplinary team.
Bronchoscopy for the diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions

Peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) are generally considered as lesions in the peripheral one-third of the lung although a precise definition and radiographic anatomical landmarks separating central and peripheral lesion does not yet exist. The radiographic detection of such lesions has increased significantly with the adoption of lung cancer screening programs. These lesions are not directly visible by regular flexible bronchoscopes as they are usually distal to the lobar and segmental bronchi. Traditionally, depending on location and clinical stage at presentation, these lesions were typically sampled by computerized tomography (CT) guided needle or surgical biopsy although some centers also used ultrasound and fluoroscopy guided percutaneous needle biopsy. Due to lack of direct visualization, the yield for bronchoscopic guided sampling especially of the small <2 cm pulmonary nodules was very low. Therefore, sampling has been preferentially performed by percutaneous CT guidance, which had high yield of above 90% but it comes at the cost of higher risk complications like pneumothorax with reported rate of 15% to 28%. Directly proceeding to surgical resection is also considered in appropriate candidates with high suspicion of malignancy without any evidence of distant metastasis but the proportion of such cases of lung cancer is low. The manuscript discussed the various bronchoscopic diagnostic modalities for peripheral pulmonary lesions. It is important to note that most of the studies in this field are relatively small, not randomized, suffer from selection bias, have considerable heterogeneity in sampling methodology/instruments and usually have been performed in high volume institutions by dedicated highly experienced proceduralists. The prevalence of malignancy in most of the reported cohorts has also been high which may result in higher diagnostic yields. All these factors need to be kept in mind before generalizing the results to individual centers and practices.
Recommendations for a “Target Understanding” of the Derivative Concept for First-Semester Calculus Teaching and Learning

The derivative framework described by Zandieh (2000) has been an important tool in calculus education research, and many researchers have revisited the framework to elaborate on it, extend it, or refine certain aspects of it. We continue this process by using the framework to put forward a suggestion on what might constitute a “target understanding” of the derivative concept for first-semester calculus teaching and learning. We draw on empirical results from psychological research into analogical reasoning in order to create a guideline for such a “target understanding,” which includes a process-object comprehension of the ratio-limit-function layers in three distinct graphical-symbolic-verbal/rate-physical contexts. Our recommended target understanding creates a testable hypothesis, in that obtaining this target may allow students to apply their derivative understanding to additional contexts, as needed. We provide the results of an empirical study regarding this hypothesis and show that they support our recommendation.
Low energy chronic traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis.

The aim of this study is to present a unique case of a patient who presented to our Emergency Department with evidence of a chronic traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis with severe displacement treated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) of C2–C3 as well as and posterior cervical fusion (PCF) of C1–C3. One patient with an untreated traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis with Levine type II injury pattern and 1.2 cm of anterior subluxation underwent ACDF C2–C3 and PCF C1–C3. The patient recovered well, radiographs demonstrated reduction of the anterior subluxation, and the patient reported a neck disability index (NDI) score of 20 at 6-month follow-up with full neurologic function intact. The patient was then lost to follow-up. In this report, we present an alcoholic patient with a history of many falls who presented with a Levine type II traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis with signs of chronicity seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We were able to partially reduce the anterior displacement with traction, but needed both anterior and posterior cervical approaches to achieve adequate reduction and stabilization of the injury.
Model predictive control of a fuel cell-based power unit

Fuel cell is an attractive alternative to generate clean electricity for many industrial applications. This paper discusses model predictive control (MPC) of a fuel cell-based power unit (FC-PU) for vehicular applications. The MPC improves the transient response of the FC-PU. In this FC-PU, a unidirectional converter controls the current of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, and a bidirectional converter controls the output DC link voltage by regulating the battery current. The proposed MPC structure in the continuous control set (CCS) scheme has a fixed switching frequency and employs two different sampling frequencies to provide MPC for both inner and outer control loops. This controller provides a fast response to the changes in the reference values of the control variables or system transients such as load transients. It is also robust against parameter mismatch. Simulation results validate the proposed controller via several simulation case studies.