cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neutron spin manipulation devices using YBCO films

The Meissner effect in a thin-film superconductor can be used to create a sharp boundary between regions of different magnetic field and hence can be used as a component of neutron spin manipulation devices. We have developed two cryogenic neutron spin manipulation devices using single-crystal, high-Tc, YBCO films, which can be cooled without using liquid cryogens and eliminate small angle scattering associated with polycrystalline films. The devices are a spin flipper and a spin precession device both of which use 350-nm-thick YBCO films covered with gold on a 0.5 mm thick sapphire substrate. The spin flipper consists of one such film mounted on an oxygen-free copper frame and connected to a closed-cycle He refrigerator. The flipper is capable of working with a maximum neutron beam size of 42 x 42 mm2 and can be used with both vertical and horizontal guide fields. The spin precession device was constructed by mounting two of the YBCO films parallel to one another with an H-magnet between them. By changing the current through the H – magnet, the precession of the neutron polarisation between the films can be controlled. Tests at the Low Energy Neutron Source (LENS) show that this device is capable of generating controlled spin precession for a neutron beam up to 20 x 20 mm2 in cross section.
Mothers in Finance: Surviving and Thriving

This article explores two dimensions of well-being among five hundred finance managers and professionals in a large firm: higher income, which we regard as a proxy for career success, and work-family balance. These dimensions are partially incompatible: longer work hours are associated with higher earnings and with intensified conflict. Mothers are more likely than fathers to experience work-family conflict. Work that is overwhelming and unpredictable can exacerbate conflict, while workplace flexibility can alleviate it. Among men, using dependent care policies is associated with lower earnings. We find an earnings gap between men and women in the sample but no earnings penalty for mothers relative to other female respondents. Although women are less likely than men to combine parenting with careers at this firm, the mothers still at the firm may be unusually successful compared to their female coworkers.
Initiation of allelic exclusion by stochastic interaction of Tcrb alleles with repressive nuclear compartments

The influence of repressive nuclear compartments on Tcrb rearrangement remains uncertain. Krangel and colleagues show that frequent stochastic, rather than directed, association of Tcrb alleles with repressive compartments promotes monoallelic recombination at this locus.
Classification and treatment of proximal humerus fractures: inter-observer reliability and agreement across imaging modalities and experience

Proximal humerus fractures (PHF) are common injuries, but previous studies have documented poor inter-observer reliability in fracture classification. This disparity has been attributed to multiple variables including poor imaging studies and inadequate surgeon experience. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether inter-observer agreement can be improved with the application of multiple imaging modalities including X-ray, CT, and 3D CT reconstructions, stratified by physician experience, for both classification and treatment of PHFs. Inter-observer agreement was measured for classification and treatment of PHFs. A total of sixteen fractures were imaged by plain X-ray (scapular AP and lateral), CT scan, and 3D CT reconstruction, yielding 48 randomized image sets. The observers consisted of 16 orthopaedic surgeons (4 upper extremity specialists, 4 general orthopedists, 4 senior residents, 4 junior residents), who were asked to classify each image set using the Neer system, and recommend treatment from four pre-selected choices. The results were evaluated by kappa reliability coefficients for inter-observer agreement between all imaging modalities and sub-divided by: fracture type and observer experience. All kappa values ranged from "slight" to "moderate" (k = .03 to .57) agreement. For overall classification and treatment, no advanced imaging modality had significantly higher scores than X-ray. However, when sub-divided by experience, 3D reconstruction and CT scan both had significantly higher agreement on classification than X-ray, among upper extremity specialists. Agreement on treatment among upper extremity specialists was best with CT scan. No other experience sub-division had significantly different kappa scores. When sub-divided by fracture type, CT scan and 3D reconstruction had higher scores than X-ray for classification only in 4-part fractures. Agreement on treatment of 4 part fractures was best with CT scan. No other fracture type sub-division had significantly different kappa scores. Although 3D reconstruction showed a slight improvement in the inter-observer agreement for fracture classification among specialized upper extremity surgeons compared to all imaging modalities, fracture types, and surgeon experience; overall all imaging modalities continue to yield low inter-observer agreement for both classification and treatment regardless of physician experience.
Sizing up surfactant synthesis.

Phosphatidylcholine is generated through de novo synthesis and remodeling involving a lysophospholipid. In this issue of Cell Metabolism, research from the Shimizu lab (Harayama et al., 2014) demonstrates the highly selective enzymatic behavior of lysophospholipid acyltransferases. The authors present an enzymatic model for phosphatidylcholine molecular species diversification that impacts surfactant formation.
An integrated approach to using statistics concept inventories in instruction

In this paper, we investigate various possibilities of applying an integrated approach to Concept Inventory (CI) in statistics classes. The paper defines Concept Inventory, states the basic principles and goals of the CIs and respective tests, and outlines current state of related research. The paper sketches possible uses of CIs in various Statistics classes and discusses introduction of the concept based approach in the learning process itself. Such introduction is suggested in a form of concepts based projects and respective CI quizzes. The projects are suggested to be created based on specific students' majors to make them more attractive to the students and motivate them to learn underlying concepts.
Selecting optimum DNA oligos for microarrays

High-density DNA oligonucleotide microarrays are widely used in biomedical research. In this paper, we describe algorithms to optimize the selection of specific probes for each gene in an entire genome. Having optimized probes for each gene is valuable for two reasons: (1) by minimizing background hybridization, they provide more accurate determinations of true expression levels, and (2) having optimum probes eliminates the need for multiple probes per gene, as is usually done now, thereby decreasing the cost of each microarray and increasing their usage. The criteria for truly optimum probes is easily stated, but they are not computable at present. We have developed a heuristic approach that is efficiently computable and should provide a good approximation to the true optimum set. We have run the program on the complete genomes for several model organisms and deposited the results in a database that is available online ( ).
Framework for interactive video-on-demand service

We present a design of a video-on-demand (VOD) server, capable of supporting a large number of video requests with complete functionality of a remote control (as used in VCPs), for each request. In the proposed design, we have used an interleaved storage method with constrained allocation of video and audio blocks on the disk to provide continuous retrieval. Our storage scheme interleaves a movie with itself while satisfying the constraints on video and audio block allocation. This approach minimizes the starting delay and the buffer requirement at the user end while ensuring a jitter-free display for every request. A scheme supported by our disk storage method to provide the "pause" and "play" functions of a remote control has also been discussed. >
Do maternal concerns at delivery predict parenting stress during infancy

Objective: In a previous study, we found that new mothers could and would express concerns about their parenting, including concerns about maltreatment and poor care. In this study, we examine the utility of early maternal concerns for predicting parenting stress in the first year. Parenting stress is important because it has been shown to be related to maltreatment and poor parent-child relationships. Method: A sample of 246 mothers were interviewed shortly after delivery in a publicly funded hospital about their parenting concerns, and 93% were reinterviewed in their homes about their parenting when the infants were 6 to 12 months old. Standardized measures with demonstrated psychometric properties were employed, including a measure of parenting stress due to the demands of the parenting role, characteristics of the child that make him or her difficult to care for, and stress due to difficult interactions. Results: Multiple regression results indicate that both mothers concerns at delivery and sociodemographic variables are significant predictors of all three types of parenting stress in infancy. Maternal concerns were more powerful than sociodemographics in predicting stress related to the demands of parenting, while sociodemographics were more powerful for the prediction of stress related to difficult child characteristics and difficult mother-infant interaction. Conclusions: These findings suggest that knowledge of new mothers’ parenting concerns might be useful for predicting parenting problems, as well as for engaging mothers in and enhancing the effectiveness of parenting services.
Measuring student performance in general organic chemistry

Student performance in general organic chemistry courses is determined by a wide range of factors including cognitive ability, motivation and cultural capital. Previous work on cognitive factors has tended to focus on specific areas rather than exploring performance across all problem types and cognitive skills. In this study, we have categorized the different kinds of problems encountered in general organic chemistry, and correlated performance in each problem type with overall class performance. Fairly reproducible results are found for ten consecutive semesters over five academic years. Problem types that require higher-level cognitive skills tend to correlate better with overall class performance than those that rely more heavily on memorization. Performance on some problem types was found to predict up to ∼90% of the variances of overall class performance. Correlations across problem types with external student characteristics, such as general chemistry grade, are interpreted as highlighting the important contributions of other factors in addition to cognitive ability to success in organic chemistry.
Computational aspects of moisture transport in global models of the atmosphere

Computational aspects of methods used to simulate the transport of water vapour in a global atmospheric general circulation model are examined. A set of properties useful in characterizing numerical methods for modelling atmospheric transport are identified. Spectral and semi-Lagrangian methods, which are very different in terms of these desired properties are compared. The extent to which the schemes do not satisfy certain properties of the continuous equations provides a measure of one component of the error of the solution. For the spectral scheme, negative specific humidities q indicate such an error component. Conventional semi-Lagrangian schemes are also susceptible to generating negative values. In addition, they are not inherently conservative. Shape-preserving semi-Lagrangian methods do not generate negative values, but still are non-conservative. the degree to which the advection process does not conserve mass provides a measure of another error associated with the numerical solution. the negative error is shown to be large for the spectral transport scheme, measured either locally or globally. Measured globally, the semi-Lagrangian transport schemes' conservation errors are equally large. Locally, the correction of this error can be made very much smaller, relative to physical processes in the model. The study highlights the computational problems which still exist within the better numerical methods used to simulate the transport of water vapour, and demonstrates the care with which one must apply computational constraints to the solution. the spectral and semi-Lagrangian transport schemes produce very different climatologies in model simulations. A comparison of these climatologies will appear elsewhere.
Seed Bank Effects on Recovery after Disturbance in Reconstructed Tallgrass Prairies

Litter-removing disturbances such as fire in grasslands temporarily increase available resources for plants, opening a window of opportunity for new establishment as communities recover. At this time, new individuals or species could be added to the community as a result of germination from the local seed bank. In reconstructed grasslands this may be problematic, as the seed bank may contain a suite of undesired species reflective of prior and surrounding land uses. In two, 25-year-old, low-diversity reconstructed grasslands, we tested the effect of local seed bank establishment following litter-removing disturbance using seedling removal plots (1 m2) and plots where natural seedling establishment was allowed. Following disturbance, the vegetation was either left intact or hayed to enhance seedling establishment (a common practice following inter-seeding efforts). Although the seed bank and seedling community were dominated by resident grasses (Andropogon gerardii and Poa pratensis), recruitment from the seed bank increased species richness and reduced evenness through the addition of forb species (including Cirsium arvense) in one of the study sites. Haying temporarily altered the abundances of the dominant grasses, but did not consistently affect seedling recruitment. Disturbances that facilitate seed bank recruitment may promote establishment of undesired species within reconstructed grassland communities, and we need to take steps to better manage the contributions into and recruitment from the seed bank to reconstruct sustainable grasslands.
Multiple imputation for national public-use datasets and its possible application for gestational age in United States Natality files

Multiple imputation (MI) is a technique that can be used for handling missing data in a public-use dataset. With MI, two or more completed versions of the dataset are created, containing possibly different but reasonable replacements for the missing data. Users analyse the completed datasets separately with standard techniques and then combine the results using simple formulae in a way that allows the extra uncertainty due to missing data to be assessed. An advantage of this approach is that the resulting public-use data can be analysed by a variety of users for a variety of purposes, without each user needing to devise a method to deal with the missing data. A recent example for a large public-use dataset is the MI of the family income and personal earnings variables in the National Health Interview Survey. We propose an approach to utilise MI to handle the problems of missing gestational ages and implausible birthweight– gestational age combinations in national vital statistics datasets. This paper describes MI and gives examples of MI for public-use datasets, summarises methods that have been used for identifying implausible gestational age values on birth records, and combines these ideas by setting forth scenarios for identifying and then imputing missing and implausible gestational age values multiple times. Because missing and implausible gestational age values are not missing completely at random, using multiple imputations and, thus, incorporating both the existing relationships among the variables and the uncertainty added from the imputation, may lead to more valid inferences in some analytical studies than simply excluding birth records with inadequate data.
Calcium channel isoforms underlying synaptic transmission at embryonic Xenopus neuromuscular junctions.

Studies on the amphibian neuromuscular junction have indicated that N-type calcium channels are the sole mediators of stimulus-evoked neurotransmitter release. We show, via both presynaptic and postsynaptic voltage-clamp measurements, that dihydropyridine (DHP)-sensitive calcium channels also contribute to stimulus-evoked release at developing Xenopus neuromuscular junctions. Whereas inhibition of postsynaptic responses by ω-conotoxin (ω-Ctx) GVIA has been taken previously as evidence that only N-type channels mediate transmitter release, we find that both N-type and DHP-sensitive calcium currents are sensitive to this toxin. The unusual sensitivity of DHP-sensitive calcium channels to ω-Ctx GVIA in presynaptic terminals raises the possibility that this channel type may have escaped detection in previous physiological studies on adult frog neuromuscular junctions. Alternatively, the additional channel isoforms may be present only during early development, when they may serve to strengthen collectively presynaptic release during critical periods of synaptogenesis.
RATSNO—an experiment in software adaptability

Adaptable programs are one of the benefits of structured programming. The adaptability of a program is the degree to which it can be transformed into another program that performs a similar, but slightly different, function. While it is clear that the aims of structured programming are best satisfied by the use of modern programming languages, a great number of programmers must use languages such as Fortran. To alleviate this situation, a number of preprocessors have been introduced that give Fortran a more structured facade. This paper describes an experiment performed to test the adaptability of programs written in RATFOR, one of these preprocessors. Judging from the results, the use of a good preprocessor can significantly increase the adaptability of Fortran programs.
Controlling Molecular Weight of a High Efficiency Donor‐Acceptor Conjugated Polymer and Understanding Its Significant Impact on Photovoltaic Properties

The molecular weight (MW) of PBnDT-FTAZ can be precisely controlled by adjusting the stoichiometric ratio of the two monomers, following the Carothers equation. The study of a set of PBnDT-FTAZ polymers with different MWs reveals that the MW significantly influences the morphology and structural order of PBnDTFTAZ in its bulk heterojunction solar cells, with the highest efficiency (over 7%) achieved with the use of a MW of 40 000 g mol(-1) .
Catalytic Properties of Supported MoO3 Catalysts for Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane

The effects of MoOx structure on propane oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) rates and selectivity were examined on Al2O3-supported MoOx catalysts with a wide range of surface density (0.4-12 Mo/nm), and compared with those obtained on MoOx/ZrO2. On MoOx/Al2O3 catalysts, propane turnover rate increased with increasing Mo surface density and reached a maximum value for samples with ~ 4.5 Mo/nm. All MoOx species are exposed at domain surfaces for Mo surface densities below 4.5 Mo/nm. Therefore, the observed trends reflect an increase in ODH turnover rates with increasing MoOx surface density. As Mo surface densities increase above the polymolybdate monolayer value (~ 4.5 Mo/nm), ODH turnover rates decreased with increasing Mo surface density, as a result of the formation of MoO3 crystallites with inaccessible MoOx species. The ratio of rate constants (k2/k1) for propane combustion (k2) and for propane ODH reactions (k1) decreased with increasing MoOx surface density and then remained constant for values above 5 Mo/nm. Propene combustion rate constants (k3) also decreased relative to those for propane ODH (k1) as two-dimensional structures formed with increasing Mo surface density. These Mo surface density effects on k2/k1 and k3/k1 ratios were similar on MoO3/Al2O3 and MoO3/ZrO2, but the effects of Mo surface density on ODH turnover rates for samples with submonolayer MoOx contents were opposite on the two catalysts. A comparison of ODH reaction rates and selectivity among MoO3/Al2O3, MoO3/ZrO2, bulk MoO3, ZrMo2O8, and Al2(MoO4)3 suggests that the behavior of supported MoOx at low surface densities resembles that for the corresponding bulk compounds (ZrMo2O8, and Al2(MoO4)3), while at high surface density the behavior approaches that of bulk MoO3 on both supports.
Nonintegrability and Fractional Kinetics Along Filamented Surfaces

Filamented surfaces are invariant surfaces, with respect to the Hamiltonian dynamics, that are wound by trajectories and that have topological genus more than one. Dynamics along the surfaces is not integrable (V. Kozlov, 1979), and numerous examples of such surfaces can be found in hydro- and magneto-hydrodynamics. Using the renormalization group approach we study transport of particles along such surfaces and show that the kinetics is superdiffusive. Other discussed features of the dynamics are Poincare recurrences, stickiness of trajectories, and connection to dynamics in billiards.
Dispersal of Viable Algae and Protozoa by Horse Flies and Mosquitoes (Diptera: Tabanidae, Culicidae)

Algae and protozoa of 28 different genera were cultured from external “washings” of 14 species of aseptically collected adult horse flies and mosquitoes. Algae predominated, with 7 genera of blue-greens, 15 of greens, and 1 genus of diatoms; 5 genera of flagellate protozoa were identified in the cultures, although no rhizopods or ciliates were found. Analysis by “t” test showed that the horse flies carried significantly more algae and protozoa than the mosquitoes. Five tabanid species yielded 21 genera; 9 mosquito species of 4 genera yielded 17. Known dispersion distance of some of the Diptera studied suggest that the numerous algae and protozoa which they carried could be transported overland from 1 aquatic or moist habitat to another. The data suggest that some Diptera contribute substantially to the passive dispersal of large numbers of different algae and protozoa.
Narrativity, Myth, and Metaphor: Louise Erdrich and Raymond Carver Talk About Love

Robert Penn Warren's speaker in "Tell Me A Story" calls out for a story to stabilize and center his existence. In "Dover Beach," viewing in his mind's eye the mania of his civilization's future, Matthew Arnold's speaker turns to love for comfort. These two terribly ordinary, time honored, and surprisingly efficacious responses have much in common. Love and stories are both imaginative creations, essentially aware of the presence of The Other, who responds as if this offered figment were real-who observes, judges, and participates, who willingly suspends disbelief and meets halfway. Both depend upon creatively matching intention with reception. Both thrive upon words as metaphors and exhort us to discover some "meaning" beneath words' polysemous characters. (We stubbornly pursue this quest even with cruel lovers and narratives which intentionally deny us access.) Like love, stories bring out humanity's irrational faith in entelechy. And both are backgrounded by cultural expectations transmitted to us through myth. Both are, in sum, exclusively, excessively, and most typically human. As Barbara Herrnstein-Smith points out, it has not been fashionable for the last several decades to evaluate literature (17).1 I, however (like most human beings, I imagine), cannot help doing so. I judge pieces of literature (like love) as more or less satisfying to me, more or less valuable, notwithstanding the fact that the two pieces before me may have been executed with apparently near equal talent, according to whatever "objective" critical criteria I might apply.
Orderly careers and social participation: The impact of work history on social integration in the middle mass.

tude are tremendous, and he himself did not bring them fully out. But there is one important conclusion which he did draw. If social conduct is learned conduct, if it arises in and through education and experience, then there is nothing pre-determined about social life, then the measureless variety of social forms ceases to be a matter for surprise,14 as it must be if it is regarded as a fixed pattern like an organism or an equally fixed pattern like an equilibrium system. Spencer moves to the very brink of the realization that a society is an order underlaid by comparative freedom, not an order dominated by comparative necessity. Not all the seeds he has sown blossom under his hands; but they are there all the same. In the history of sociological thought, Spencer's third theory has played a far more significant part than either of the other two. To prove this, it is necessary to mention only one name-William Graham Sumner. Sumner's folkway concept is directly inspired by, and based on, Spencer's concept of egoaltruistic sentiments. It was through Sumner that what is most vital in Spencer's sociology entered into American sociology, and through American sociology into world sociology. In this case, the son was probably greater than the father; but we who are the son's sons, do well to remember our father's father. His inspiration is still with us, and so it will remain, a treasured possession, even in days to come. 14 Loc. cit., pp. 602 et seq.
Comparison of Field Methods and Models to Estimate Mean Crown Diameter

The direct measurement of crown diameters with logger's tapes adds significantly to the cost of extensive forest inventories. We undertook a study of 100 trees to compare this measurement method to four alternatives-two field instruments, ocular estimates, and regression models. Using the taping method as the standard of comparison, accuracy of the tested alternatives was adequate for softwood species, but short of the specified measurement quality objectivefor estimating the mean crown diameter of hardwoods. Due to savings infield costs, ocular estimation and regression models were the best alternatives to direct measurement with
Role of food characteristics in behavioral change and weight loss

A behaviorally oriented correspondence course was completed by 517 subjects. All subjects received the behavioral course but were sorted into four groups: (a) behavioral instruction only, (b) recommend soup for lunch, (c) recommend soup for any meal or snack, and (d) recommend yogurt for meals or snacks. Subjects lost an average of 3.8 kg. in 10 weeks. There was a marked association between rate of eating and total caloric consumption for the meal. Eating soup as part of lunch or dinner led to both decreased consumption of kilo-calories and a slower rate of eating.
Grain processing: effects on mixing, prehension, and other characteristics of feeds

The primary objective of most grain processing of cattle diets is to increase starch availability. Evaluation of processing methods is usually based on ruminal or total tract starch disappearance and relative production rates (ADG, DMI, and gain: feed) demonstrated by cattle. Grain processing alters the mixing characteristics of grains and also influences steer preference for a grain and the manner in which grain is consumed. It is possible that mixing characteristics and selective eating influence production rates independent of starch availability when processed grains are fed. The magnitude of influence may depend upon the physical characteristics of other diet ingredients and feed intake. These relationships may work to improve or worsen production efficiencies. There is sufficient evidence to justify a closer evaluation of the influence of grain processing and feed ingredient combinations on mix quality, eating behavior, and true nutrient intakes of group-fed cattle.
Personality as a Leisure Market Segmentation Criteria

The exploratory research discussed here focuses on the question of associations between personality factors and the extent of involvement in leisure time pursuits, and also evaluates the possibility that personality may be a useful segmentation variable.
Establishing Positive Discipline Policies in an Urban Elementary School

Researchers and school practitioners alike are finding positive outcomes in the proactive practices of schoolwide positive behavior supports (SWPBS). However, reform through such systemic efforts as SWPBS is a challenging endeavor. For SWPBS to reach the widest number of schools, it is necessary to provide school faculty and staff with the knowledge and tools necessary to design and implement effective behavioral supports. Foundations is a staff development tool designed to guide school teams through the process of developing positive disciplinary practices consistent to the principles of SWPBS that prevent problem behavior and encourage safety and civility. This paper includes a description of SWPBS and Foundations followed by outcomes from a diverse, urban elementary school. Following one year of implementation, data indicated positive changes in schoolwide behavior and discipline practices.
Studies of Sequence-Nonspecific HMGB DNA-Binding Proteins

This chapter introduces the interesting class of eukaryotic sequence-nonspecific DNA-bending proteins known as high-mobility group B (HMGB) proteins. The general problem of DNA stiffness and compaction is first considered. Molecular characteristics of HMGB proteins and hypothetical biological roles are then reviewed. The rest of the chapter relates examples of recent work from the author and collaborators to gain mechanistic insights by ensemble and single-molecule approaches and to develop quantitative in vivo assays of DNA physical properties and the effects of HMGB proteins.
Implementation of Twitter and Google Voice to simulate a pharmacy resident’s day on-call for third-year pharmacy students

Abstract Objective To implement an exercise for pharmacy students that would simulate the experience of being a pharmacy resident “on-call.” Design Students in the third professional year were instructed to “follow” a Twitter account using cell phones or other devices. The students were told on a specific day that they would be “on-call,” and they would receive clinical questions similar to one’s that a resident may receive. The students would have a certain amount of time to develop a response to the question and call a phone number. The number was to a free Google Voice account that automatically rolled over to voicemail. The students’ response was time stamped, and a faculty member would later grade the responses by listening to the voicemail messages at their computer. The students were surveyed on their experience and perspectives. Assessment In the first year of implementation, a total of eight clinical consults were sent out (approximately two per block). A 13-item survey was sent to 101 students with 84 students completing the survey (83% response rate). The majority of the students felt as though they were able relate the simulated clinical consults to real-life clinical scenarios. Additionally, 77% felt as though it made them more conscious of their communication skills. Conclusion The process for clinical consults described is a low cost, easily implemented clinical simulation technique that is easily scaled to virtually any size class.
Policies for High-Value Contributions of Africa’s Resources to Sustainable Development

This chapter is about the valuable lessons from Ghana’s and Africa’s natural resources and their relationship with sustainable development. It focuses on what Ghana and other African/developing nations can learn and apply to improve the management of their natural endowment to improve the lives of their citizens. In connection with that, one of the chapter’s main concerns is to lay the foundation for the kind of economic growth that is shared broadly and lasts across generations. Discussions both within and outside Ghana with OG practitioners, government officials, academics, and consultants, drove home some essential points: in order for Ghana to deal effectively and efficiently with its newly found petroleum resource, it has to position itself to learn from both the successes and failures of different nations.
Passivation agents and conditions for Mo2C and W2C: Effect on catalytic activity for toluene hydrogenation

Abstract The passivation and reactivation of Mo2C and W2C were investigated by thermogravimetry with effluent gas analysis, and by comparison of the toluene hydrogenation activity of fresh carbides with those of passivated and reactivated carbides (21 bar, H2:toluene = 33, 150 or 200 °C, WHSV = 10 or 20 g gcat−1 h−1). Contrary to the literature, CO2 and H2O were unsuitable passivation agents for Mo2C. Mo2C and W2C reacted readily with O2 at 40 °C. The mass gained during oxidation could be quantitatively removed through reduction in 1 bar H2 at 300 °C (Mo2C) or 400 °C (W2C). The rate of toluene conversion was fully recovered only for Mo2C that had been passivated with an initial O2 concentration of 0.1 vol.% and not for other passivation conditions or for W2C. Intervening operation of toluene hydrogenation at 300 or 400 °C enhanced the activity of samples that were previously oxidized and reduced or harshly reduced. This enhancement suggests that carbide formation is possible at milder temperatures than typically employed.
Results of surgical excision of urethral prolapse in symptomatic patients

Aim Here, we present the clinical presentation and surgical outcomes of women with symptomatic urethral prolapse presenting to our institution over 20 years, and seek to provide treatment recommendations for management of symptomatic urethral prolapse and caruncle. Methods A retrospective review of medical records from female patients who underwent surgery for symptomatic urethral prolapse from June 1995 to August 2015 was performed. Surgical technique consisted of a four-quadrant excisional approach for repair of urethral prolapse. Results A total of 26 patients were identified with a mean age of 38.8 years (range 3-81). The most common presentations were vaginal bleeding, hematuria, pain, and dysuria. All patients underwent surgical excision of urethral prolapse via a standard approach. Follow-up data was available in 24 patients. Six patients experienced temporary postoperative bleeding, and one patient required placement of a Foley catheter for tamponade. One patient experienced temporary postoperative urinary retention requiring Foley catheter placement. Three patients had visible recurrence of urethral prolapse, for which one later underwent re-excision. Conclusion Surgical excision of urethral prolapse is a reasonable treatment option in patients who have tried conservative management without relief, as well as in those who present with severe symptoms. Possible complications following excision include postoperative bleeding and recurrence, and patients must be counseled accordingly. In this work, we propose a treatment algorithm for symptomatic urethral prolapse.
Higher risk-taking behavioursbehaviors and sensation seeking needs in collegiate student-athletes with a history of multiple sport-related concussions

Objective To investigate differences in risk-taking behaviours and sensation seeking needs between collegiate student-athletes with and without a history of sport-related concussion (SRC). Design Cross-sectional quantitative study. Setting Four National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) universities. Participants A total of 1,398 (68%) of 2,055 collegiate student-athletes completed the survey. There were 146 participants excluded due to: age Assessment of risk factors A10-minute survey was administered that included demographic information, SRC history, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) for risk-taking, and Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (BSSS). The independent variable was SRC history: 0(n=938), 1(n=205), 2+(n=109). Outcome measures The dependent variables were BIS total risk-taking impulsivity and BSSS total sensation seeking scores. Main results Significant differences were found between SRC groups for the totalrisk-taking impulsivity [F(1,227)=7.15,p=0.00] and sensation seeking [F(1,214)=4.53,p=0.01] variables. Total risk-taking impulsivity was significantly higher for the 2+ SRC group compared to the 0 SRC group (MD±95%CI=0.18 ± 0.11,p=0.00) and the 1 SRC group (MD±95%CI=0.15 ± 0.12,p=0.02). Total sensation seeking scores were significantly higher for the 2+ SRC group compared to the 0 SRC group (MD±95%CI=0.19 ± 0.17, p=0.03). Conclusions Total risk-taking and sensation seeking scores were higher for collegiate student-athletes with a history of multiple SRC. This finding could be useful when implementing behaviour modifications for safer play. Future longitudinal research should adopt a pre-/post-test design to determine if increased risk-taking and sensation seeking are SRC risk-factors or if multiple SRCs cause an increase in psychological variables. Competing interests None.
Developing fluency in writing: How features of speech can support acts of writing

Grounded in the work of Ong’s (1982) theory of the ‘internalization of the technology of writing’ (p. 437), this study sought to understand the application of oral language skills to writing. Contextualized in a South Texas urban setting, five elementary students participated in an after-school book club over the course of six months. During this time, the participants engaged in discursive activities in the form of response sheets, discussions, communal meaning statements, and reflective journal entries. Using seminal research by Elbow (1985) that supports how writing is similar to speech, findings showed that seven of the nine characteristic features of speech were also evident in the writing acts engaged by the participants. Those characteristics were: spontaneity; responding, replying, and two-way communication; voice, participation in meaning making; and organization and structure. This context for writing removed many of the threats commonly associated with the traditional unidirectional approach to writing. Overall, the participants merged the speech acts into the writing acts, moving seamlessly through the processes of communication.
Evaluation of loading parameters for murine axial tibial loading: Stimulating cortical bone formation while reducing loading duration.

Classic studies in bone mechanobiology have established the importance of loading parameters on the anabolic response. Most of these early studies were done using loading methods not currently in favor, and using non-murine species. Our objective was to re-examine the effects of several loading parameters on the response of cortical bone using the contemporary murine axial tibial compression model. We subjected tibias of 5-month old, female C57Bl/6 mice to cyclic (4 Hz) mechanical loading and examined bone formation responses using dynamic and static histomorphometry. First, using a reference protocol of 1200 cycles/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks, we confirmed the significant influence of peak strain magnitude on periosteal mineralizing surface (Ps.MS/BS) and bone formation rate (Ps.BFR/BS) (p 0.05). On the other hand, reducing the daily frequency of loading from 5 consecutive days/week to 3 alternate days/week significantly diminished the periosteal response, from a loading-induced increase in Ps.MS/BS of 38% (loaded vs. control) for 5 days/week to only 15% for 3 days/week (p < 0.05). Finally, we determined that reducing the study duration from 2 to 1 weeks of loading did not affect bone formation outcomes. In conclusion, cyclic loading to −1800 μϵ peak strain, at 4 Hz and 60 cycles/day for 5 consecutive days (1 week) induces an increase in periosteal lamellar bone formation with minimal incidence of woven bone in 5-month old C57Bl/6 female mice. Our results provide a basis for reduction of loading duration (daily cycles and study length) without loss of anabolic effect as measured by dynamic histomorphometry. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Use of Endoscopic Ultrasound in a Diagnostic Dilemma: Metastatic Breast Cancer to the Stomach

A 55-year-old woman presented with persistent nausea, vomiting, and weight loss previously attributed to Menetrier's disease. On further workup, she was found to have metastatic lobular breast carcinoma causing gastric outlet obstruction, diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration after previous gastric mucosal biopsies were unremarkable. In most reported cases of gastric metastasis from breast cancer, a diagnosis was established by mucosal biopsy. This case is an important reminder that mucosal biopsies can be negative in about 20% of patients with gastric metastasis, which may lead to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. Gastroenterologists should be diligent in taking deeper biopsies if there is a suspicion for gastric metastasis.
New Expressions for Level-restricted Kostka Polynomials

We show that the bijection between tableaux and rigged configurations introduced by Kirillov and Reshetikhin is well-behaved with respect to level-restriction. hi particular we give an explicit characterization of the image of level-restricted tableaux under this bijection which yields new expressions for level-restricted Kostka polynomials. We conjecture that the bijection is also well-behaved with respect to skew shapes and give an explicit characterization of the image under the bijection. Type Â branching functions can be expressed in terms of limits of level-restricted Kostka polynomials, thereby also yielding new expressions for these branching functions.
The Relation of Solutions of Different ODEs is a Commutation Relation

The nature of the first order operators which relate solutions of different second order equations is found to be determined by the existence of a (weighted) commutation relation for the second order operators. The properties of the corresponding mappings between solutions of these operators are discussed. especially for those forms which deal with spectral transformations. as found in work dating back to Darboux. Finally. application to a particular problem arising for scattering on the whole line is dealt with.
A remote region, revealed

Although Greenland occasionally figures into news stories and debates about rising sea level and a warming Earth, the relevant historical background rarely enters into such discussions. Consequently, many fascinating elements of the island9s story that could capture the interest and attention of the public have lain dormant. Jon Gertner9s compelling book, The Ice at the End of the World, addresses this paucity with intelligence and insight.
Analysis of IoT Traffic using HTTP Proxy

In this current era of Internet of Things, data privacy and security of internet enabled devices has become a major concern of many users and manufacturers. Massive amount of data is being generated by these IoT devices and there might be possibilities of user's information being exposed without any privacy protection. The rate of data transfer, size, kind of information transmitted and secure channels used by these IoT devices are of utmost importance and demand more exploratory research. It is not all IoT devices that utilize encryption in their data transmission and those devices that incorporate such security measure can be compromised by the interception of generated traffic via proxy server and its decryption. In this paper, we explore and investigate the data being transmitted by six representative IoT devices and analyze the data, using a proxy server to capture both HTTP and HTTPS traffic. Our results show that one of the IoT devices transmit data in plain text while others utilize encryption. User's information, MAC address and IP address were identified in our data analysis. We propose that IoT devices should not allow proxy connections and implement machine learning algorithms to detect proxies using network connection information.
Distributed Multilateral Teleoperation Framework Using Passivity-Shortage

Abstract In this paper, we propose a multilateral teleoperation framework, to cooperatively control a distributed multi-agent system, using passivity-short controllers. The output of the multi-agent system is designed to follow a normal distribution and desired performance is achieved by controlling the features of distribution. The concept of incremental passivity-shortage is introduced, and it is used to achieve convergence of input-output error. The results show that the proposed method has L2 stability and zero convergence error, even in the presence of communication delays. We also provide an example, that shows delay-independent performance, for both symmetric and asymmetric multilateral teleoperation. The proposed method does not have an upper-bound on the number of agents to be controlled.
Fluid transport in open-cell polymeric foams: effect of morphology and surface wettability

Fluid transport behavior inside polymer foams (polyHIPEs) templated from high-internal-phase emulsions (HIPEs) has been studied. Morphological properties of the foams were controlled through shearing their precursor emulsions for varying durations. Two types of flow, Darcy flow through the filled foam, and capillary imbibition into unfilled foams, have been studied. From permeability measurement, the size of the interconnections (windows) between the voids of the polyHIPE was found to provide the appropriate characteristic length to describe Darcy flow. For capillary imbibition, liquid/foam interaction effects were studied under two wetting conditions: silicone oil in which the oil readily spreads (at a vanishing contact angle) on the struts within the foam; and, using water and foams coated with various amount of surfactant where the liquid only partially wets the surface. For capillary imbibition, the dominant morphological feature was also the window size when the internal surfaces of the foam have a macroscopically uniform wettability for the liquid. The Lucas–Washburn analysis was found to well describe imbibition rates in this case. However, when the internal surfaces of the foam have a non-uniform wettability (due to a non-uniform deposition of surfactants), the concentration and distribution of surfactants plays a large role in determining imbibition kinetics.
Sacred violence in mimetic theory and Levinasian ethics

Levinas is famously opposed to the sacred and its association with violence. In Totality and Infinity, he writes that he seeks to describe a relationship with the other that is ‘purified of the vio...
The Disaster Sciences Interdisciplinary Minor at the University of Mississippi: Positive Psychology in Action

Natural disasters are on the rise, of growing concern globally, as well as from the perspective of the U.S. and regionally with respect to the state of Mississippi. Mississippi experiences high rates of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods. Technological disasters are also not uncommon. Historical, culturally-changing examples affecting Mississippi in recent years include Hurricane Katrina (2005) and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (2010). Given the growing need for a proactive stance in terms of disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery, the Clinical-Disaster Research Center at the University of Mississippi, with the support of the Departments of Psychology, Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Social Work, as well as the College of Liberal Arts and the School of Applied Sciences, has established a new interdisciplinary minor in Disaster Sciences. The minor is multidisciplinary, with special emphasis placed on exposing students to science and practice in fields such as emergency management and disaster mental health. The minor promotes an integrated understanding of human behavior before, during, and after disasters, and an enhanced ability to work effectively across disciplines in diverse disaster-related contexts. Disaster Sciences is one example of positive psychology in action because it aims to build community resilience, foster meaning and purpose for those involved, aid in posttraumatic growth for students who have experienced disasters, and harness self-efficacy for disaster management.