cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Buzzwear: supporting multitasking with wearable tactile displays on the wrist

On-the-go users' interaction with mobile devices often requires a high level of visual attention that can overtax limited human resources. For example, while attending information displayed on a mobile device, on-the-go users who are driving a car or walking in the street can easily fail to see a dangerous situation. This dissertation explores the benefits of wearable tactile displays (WTDs) to support eyes-free interaction for on-the-go users. The design and implementation of the WTDs are motivated by two principles in mobile user interaction that have been proven both commercially and academically: wristwatch interfaces that reduce the time for device acquisition and tactile interfaces that eliminate the need for visual attention. In this dissertation, I present three phases of design iteration on WTDs to provide the design rationale and challenges. The result of the iterative design is evaluated through in-depth formal investigations with novice users in two experiments: user perception of the tactile stimuli and information throughput in association with multiple tactile parameters, and perception of the tactile stimuli and information throughput when the user is visually distracted. The first experiment explores general human capabilities in perceiving tactile stimuli on the wrist. It reveals that subjects could discriminate 24 tactile patterns with 98% accuracy after 40 minutes of training. Of the four parameters (intensity, starting point, rhythm, and direction) that were configured to design the 24 patterns, intensity was the most difficult parameter to distinguish, and rhythm was the easiest. The second experiment explores users' abilities to perceive incoming alerts from two mobile devices (WTD and mobile phone) with and without visual distraction. Compare to the mobile phone alert perception which becomes slower and less accurate when visually distracted, alert perception through the WTD is less affected by visual distraction.
A Digital Certificate Authentication-based Electric Power Safe Dialing Authentication System

In view of the demand for security and protection of the electric power remote dialing system,an in-depth analysis is made of the possible hidden dangers to the system.An electric power safe dialing authentication system based on digital certificate authentication is designed and implemented.The technical characteristics of the system are dealt with such as its capability of certificate verification of both the dialing client end and the dialing grid and client end creditable access,data encryption and signature to avoid sensitive information leakage and distortion,while performing fine grained access control and user behavior auditing,effectively solving possible security problems with the electric power remote dialing system.
Analysis of the Stability of Enterprise Strategic Alliance

This paper discussed that selectivity was the base of the influence on the stability of enterprise strategic alliance,and uncertainty factors was its expanding by analyzing with the game theory to selectivity and uncertainty of members' behaviors in the enterprise strategic alliance.Furthermore,it explained the relationship between this two dimensions via building the regular tetrahedron of the stability of enterprise strategic alliance.
Adverb extraction, specificity, and structural parallelism

This paper investigates adverb extraction out of traditional adjective phrases (TAPs) like “extremely expensive”, in a number of Slavic, Romance, and Germanic languages, and establishes two novel generalizations regarding such extraction out of predicative and attributive TAPs, also showing what the (un)availability of such extraction reveals about the structure of TAPs cross-linguistically and in different constructions in a single language. I argue that attributive TAPs are never bare APs in languages that use only one adjectival form attributively. Languages that use two adjectival forms in the attributive position allow adverb extraction out of predicative and attributive TAPs, which indicates that adverb extraction is possible only if a bare AP is used in this position. More generally, I argue that extended projections of different lexical categories tend to be uniform within a language with respect to how much structure they project. Cet article etudie l’extraction adverbiale tiree des syntagmes adjectivaux traditionnels (SAT) tels que « extremement cher » dans un certain nombre de langues slaves, romanes et germaniques. Nous proposons deux nouvelles generalisations au sujet de l’extraction adjectivale tiree des SAT predicatifs et attributifs, et discutons des consequences de la possibilite ou non possibilite d’extraction dans differentes langues ainsi que dans differentes constructions. L’hypothese proposee est que les SAT ne sont jamais des SAdv nus dans les langues qui n’utilisent qu’une seule forme adjectivale attributivement. Les langues qui utilisent deux formes adjectivales dans la position attributive permettent l’extraction adjectivale tiree des SAT predicatifs et attributifs, ce qui indique que l’extraction adverbiale est possible seulement si un SAdv nu est utilise dans cette position. Plus generalement, il est propose que les projections etendues de plusieurs categories lexicales ont tendance a etre uniformes dans une langue donnee par rapport a la quantite de structure projetee.
Economic evaluation of lepidopterous pests in intercropped sorghum and maize in southern Hondurus 190

An important constraint to sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and maize (Zea mays L.) production in southern Honduras is a lepidopterous complex. The objective of this study was to apply economic analysis to sorghum production and insect pest management strategies. Whole plant samples were taken of sorghum and maize in an on-farm study to determine insect pest densities, plant damage, and yield in plots managed under different planting dates, weed management, and insecticide application treatment systems in 1996. An economic analysis was conducted on the production systems applying direct and fixed costs and income in an appropriate model. The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), was the most prevalent species; two other armyworm species, Metaponpneumata rogenhoferi (Moschler) and S. latifascia (Walker), were present only early in the season; and a grass looper, Mocis latipes (Guenee), was present in mid- to late season. The lepidopterous population density was kept under crop damaging levels and yield was increased when Semevin® (thiodicarb) insecticide was used as a seed protectant in combination with delayed planting date (five days after the beginning of the rainy season), delayed weed control (two to three weeks after crop emergence), and application of Lannate® (methomyl) insecticide as soon as eggs or first instar larvae were observed on the crop plants. Increased levels of technology input into the intercropped production system increased sorghum production by 49% and maize production by 26% in this on-farm study. This increase in yield may be translated to an increase in farm net return of 58% and 15% for sorghum and maize, respectively.
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in dogs with osteosarcoma do not differ from those of age- and weight-matched control dogs.

Vitamin D concentrations show an inverse correlation with incidence of certain tumors in people and dogs. Additionally, human osteosarcoma has been associated with dysregulation of vitamin D-dependent pathways. The study objective was to compare serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in 20 dogs with osteosarcoma to age- and weight-matched control dogs. We hypothesized that dogs with osteosarcoma would have lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D than control dogs. The mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations for dogs with osteosarcoma and matched-controls were 34.95 ng/mL and 33.85 ng/mL, respectively (P = 0.784). Based on these data, 25-hydroxyvitamin D insufficiency might not be important in the pathogenesis of canine osteosarcoma.
Bisphosphoglycerate mutase controls serine pathway flux via 3-phosphoglycerate

Lower glycolysis involves a series of reversible reactions, which interconvert intermediates that also feed anabolic pathways. 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PG) is an abundant lower glycolytic intermediate that feeds serine biosynthesis via the enzyme phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase, which is genomically amplified in several cancers. Phosphoglycerate mutase 1 (PGAM1) catalyzes the isomerization of 3-PG into the downstream glycolytic intermediate 2-phosphoglycerate (2-PG). PGAM1 needs to be histidine phosphorylated to become catalytically active. We show that the primary PGAM1 histidine phosphate donor is 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG), which is made from the glycolytic intermediate 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate (1,3-BPG) by bisphosphoglycerate mutase (BPGM). When BPGM is knocked out, 1,3-BPG can directly phosphorylate PGAM1. In this case, PGAM1 phosphorylation and activity are decreased, but nevertheless sufficient to maintain normal glycolytic flux and cellular growth rate. 3-PG, however, accumulates, leading to increased serine synthesis. Thus, one biological function of BPGM is controlling glycolytic intermediate levels and thereby serine biosynthetic flux.
Genetic and environmental influences on household financial distress

Heterogeneity of household financial outcomes emerges from various individual and environmental factors, including personality, cognitive ability, and socioeconomic status (SES), among others. Using a genetically informative data set, we decompose the variation in financial management behavior into genetic, shared environmental and non-shared environmental factors. We find that about half of the variation in financial distress is genetically influenced, and personality and cognitive ability are associated with financial distress through genetic and within-family pathways. Moreover, genetic influences of financial distress are highest at the extremes of SES, which in part can be explained by neuroticism and cognitive ability being more important predictors of financial distress at low and high levels of SES, respectively.
Synthetic mesh: its use in abdominal wall reconstruction after the TRAM

The use of synthetic mesh for the closure of the abdominal wall after TRAM breast reconstruction offers the surgeon greater control of the abdominal wall. The technique described is based on the principles of preservation of rectus muscle blood supply, complete fascial closure, abdominal symmetry, and greater balance of forces. This technique results in a tighter closure with minimal donor site complications and yields an aesthetically superior abdominal contour.
Multi-Objective Controller Design for Smart Structures Using Linear Matrix Inequalities

Smart structures have emerged as a result of integration of research in the areas of sensors, actuators, micro electronics, signal processing and controller design. In this paper, we develop an integrated controller design procedure for disturbance rejection and performance optimization in smart structures. There are two main challenges in such an integration. The first problem known as spill over problem (see [1], is the degradation of the performance due to the effect of unmodeled dynamics on the closed-loop system. The second challenge is the constraint on the available actuation force which can also limit the achievable performance. Hence to design controllers for effective integration with structural systems, it is necessary that these constraints are incorporated in the controller design process, necessitating a multi-objective design approach. In recent times, Linear matrix inequalities(LMIs) (see [2]) have emerged as a powerful tool for formulating and solving such multi-objective design problems. We formulated the integration problem in smart structures as a problem of designing an output feedback robust controller in the presence of uncertainties due to unmodeled dynamics and control input limits to achieve maximum possible attenuation for a given set of finite energy disturbances. The proposed method is employed to design a controller for a smart structural test article. The controller is then implemented using dSpace system and experimental results are included.
How Cyclical Assessment Can Guide Information Literacy Instruction to Best Serve First-year Students

Abstract There are opportunities and challenges when working with multiple stakeholders, as well as challenges and barriers to first-year student information literacy learning. This article discusses the ways in which one regional university employed cyclical assessment to focus information literacy learning objectives, improve instruction methods, and advance methods of assessment across a four-year time span.
Are You Going to the Party: Depends, Who Else is Coming?: [Learning Hidden Group Dynamics via Conditional Latent Tree Models]

Scalable probabilistic modeling and prediction in high dimensional multivariate time-series, such as dynamic social networks with co-evolving nodes and edges, is a challenging problem, particularly for systems with hidden sources of dependence and/or homogeneity. Here, we address this problem through the discovery of hierarchical latent groups. We introduce a family of Conditional Latent Tree Models (CLTM), in which tree-structured latent variables incorporate the unknown groups. The latent tree itself is conditioned on observed covariates such as seasonality, historical activity, and node attributes. We propose a statistically efficient framework for learning both the hierarchical tree structure and the parameters of the CLTM. We demonstrate competitive performance on two real world datasets, one from the students' attempts at answering questions in a psychology MOOC and the other from Twitter users participating in an emergency management discussion and interacting with one another. In addition, our modeling framework provides valuable and interpretable information about the hidden group structures and their effect on the evolution of the time series.
Hybrid Systems With Delayed Jumps: Asymptotic Stability via Robustness and Lyapunov Conditions

Hybrid systems subject to delayed jumps form a class of dynamical systems with broad applications. This article develops sufficient conditions for robust asymptotic stability of hybrid systems in the presence of delayed jumps. More precisely, given a delay-free hybrid system, we introduce a higher order delayed system parametrized by the length of delays. We show that when the delay parameter is set to zero, the higher order model captures the solutions of the delay-free system. Under mild conditions, it is shown that when the delay-free system has an asymptotically stable compact set, for small enough delays, solutions of the delayed system converge to a neighborhood of a set of interest related to the aforementioned compact set. Then, Lyapunov functions for the delay-free system are used to develop sufficient conditions for asymptotic stability in the presence of delays. Unlike prior work in the literature, the results pertaining to these notions of stability hold for systems possessing Zeno solutions, with time-varying delays. Importantly, the required conditions are expressed in finite-dimensional space, and depend primarily on the data of the delay-free system. The practical stability result is validated numerically through the hybrid system model of a controlled boost converter circuit with state-triggered switches and Zeno solutions. The higher order model and the derived Lyapunov conditions are utilized to obtain quantitative bounds on maximum allowable delays for switched systems and sampled-data control.
Identification of stable adsorption sites and diffusion paths on nanocluster surfaces: an automated scanning algorithm

The diverse coordination environments on the surfaces of discrete, three-dimensional (3D) nanoclusters contribute significantly to their unique catalytic properties. Identifying the numerous adsorption sites and diffusion paths on these clusters is however tedious and time-consuming, especially for large, asymmetric nanoclusters. Here, we present a simple, automated method for constructing approximate 2D potential energy surfaces for the adsorption of atomic species on the surfaces of 3D nanoclusters with minimal human intervention. These potential energy surfaces fully characterize the important adsorption sites and diffusion paths on the nanocluster surfaces with accuracies similar to current approaches and at comparable computational cost. Our method can treat complex nanoclusters, such as alloy nanoclusters, and accounts for cluster relaxation and adsorbate-induced reconstruction, important for obtaining accurate energetics. Moreover, its highly parallelizable nature is ideal for modern supercomputer architectures. We showcase our method using two clusters: Au18 and Pt55. For Au18, diffusion of atomic hydrogen between the most stable sites occurs via non-intuitive paths, underlining the necessity of exploring the complete potential energy surface. By enabling the rapid and unbiased assessment of adsorption and diffusion on large, complex nanoclusters, which are particularly difficult to handle manually, our method will help advance materials discovery and the rational design of catalysts.
Simple FPGA Mezzanine Interface for Test and Measurement of Digital-to-Analog Converters

In this work we demonstrate the experimental design and realization of a simple FPGA mezzanine interface to test and measure digital-to-analog converters. The test system can also be used (with limitations) as an arbitrary four-channel 8-bit waveform generator with fully-differential outputs. In the arbitrary waveform generator mode, the system is capable to generate high-order modulations for testing quad-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulators.
Development and Validation of the Thought Impact Scale: A Measure of Subconscious Connectedness.

The Thought Impact Scale (TIS) is a new questionnaire designed to measure the theorized psychological characteristic of subconscious connectedness, defined as the degree to which nonconscious menta...
Digital flesh: a feminist approach to the body in cyberspace

Despite the rapid growth of digital learning, the relationship between the body and new information technologies has been underexamined in education research literature. This study presents a femin...
Drivers and challenges of precision agriculture: a social media perspective

Precision agriculture, which has existed for over four decades, ensures efficient use of agricultural resources for increased productivity and sustainability with the use of technology. Due to the lingering perception that the adoption of precision agriculture has been slow, this study examines public thoughts on the practice of precision agriculture by employing social media analytics. A machine learning-based social media analytics tool—trained to identify and classify posts using lexicons, emoticons, and emojis—was used to capture sentiments and emotions of social media users towards precision agriculture. The study also validated the drivers and challenges of precision agriculture by comparing extant literature with social media data. By mining online data from January 2010 to December 2019, this research captured over 40,000 posts discussing a myriad of concerns related to the practice. An analysis of these posts uncovered joy as the most predominant emotion, also reflected the prevalence of positive sentiments. Robust regulatory and institutional policies that promote both national and international agenda for PA adoption, and the potential of agricultural technology adoption to result in net-positive job creation were identified as the most prevalent drivers. On the other hand, the cost and complexity of currently available technologies, as well as the need for proper data security and privacy were the most common challenges present in social media dialogue.
An Abiotic Glucose Indicator System

This study reports the development of an abiotic glucose indicator system constructed using a biofuel cell consisting of a colloidal platinum coated gold microwire (Au-co-Pt) anode and a platinum coated gas diffusion electrode (GDE). The electrochemical and polarization characterizations were achieved via cyclic voltammetry and current-voltage measurements. The biofuel cell demonstrated a maximum open circuit voltage ( $\text{V}_{{\mathrm {oc}}}$ ) of 0.38 V and an $\text{I}_{{\mathrm {sc}}}$ of 0.225 mA/cm2 with $\text{P}_{{\mathrm {max}}}$ of 0.022 mW/cm2 when operating in 5 mM concentration. An optical readout circuit comprising a light emitting diode (LED) and an android mobile phone camera application (App.) were integrated to record glucose concentration levels correlating to the blinking frequency of the LED and transmit the recorded data to a smart phone in real time. When operated as a glucose indicator, the system exhibited a good sensitivity of $0.616~\mu \text{A}$ mM−1 and linear dependence with a correlation coefficient of 0.995 and a wide linear dynamic range up to 50 mM. Excellent selectivity towards glucose in the presence of competing and interfering species was demonstrated. The fabricated abiotic glucose indicator system has the potential to serve as a potentiostat-less platform in point-of-care applications.
Medical Applications of Additive Manufacturing

Rapid advances in imaging and additive manufacturing (AM) technologies are significantly changing clinical practice. Additive manufacturing, with its flexibility, provides a highly customizable and patient-specific treatment which could reduce the treatment time, improve outcomes, and increase patients’ comfort and satisfaction. In this chapter, we first introduce the general additive manufacturing process adopted in medical applications. Major steps such as 3-D imaging and printing are discussed in detail. Current-state-of-the-art medical applications are introduced and classified based on their medical purposes. Requirements and unique characteristics of specific cases are presented to provide insights for future AM applications. Limitations and regulatory issues regarding medical additive manufacturing are discussed. Finally, several possible future trends of medical applications of additive manufacturing are presented.
Human Activity and Mobility Data Reveal Disparities in Exposure Risk Reduction Indicators among Socially Vulnerable Populations during COVID-19

Non-pharmacologic interventions (NPIs) are one method to mitigate the spread and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. NPIs promote protective actions to reduce exposure risk and can reduce mobility patterns within communities. Growing research literature suggests that socially vulnerable populations are disproportionately impacted with higher infection and higher fatality rates of COVID-19, though there is limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms to this health disparity. Thus, the research examines two distinct and complimentary datasets at a granular scale for five urban locations. Through statistical and spatial analyses, the research extensively investigates the exposure risk reduction of socially vulnerable populations due to NPIs. The mobility dataset tracks population movement across ZIP codes; it is used for an origin-destination network analysis. The population activity dataset is based on the number of visits from census block groups (CBG) to points of interest (POIs), such as grocery stores, restaurants, education centers, and medical facilities; it is used for network analysis of population-facilities interactions. The mobility dataset showed that, after the implementation of NPIs, socially vulnerable populations engaged in increased mobility in the form of inflow between ZIP code areas. Similarly, population activity analysis showed an increased exposure risk for socially vulnerable populations based on a greater number of inflow visits of CBGs to POIs, which increases the risk of contact at POIs, and a greater number of outflow visits from POIs to home CBGs, which increases risk of transmission within CBGs. These findings can assist emergency planners and public health officials in comprehending how different groups are able to implement protective actions and can inform more equitable and data-driven NPI policies for future epidemics.
Barriers and facilitators to expressing milk on campus as a breastfeeding student.

OBJECTIVE Despite the growing student parent population, many postsecondary institutions in the United States (U.S.) lack sufficient lactation policies for students. The objective of this study was to explore breastfeeding students' perceived awareness and use of on-campus lactation rooms and identify barriers and facilitators to expressing milk on campus.Participants:A convenience sample of breastfeeding students enrolled in colleges/universities in the U.S.Methods:Information about students' experiences expressing milk on campus was collected via an online survey. Thematic analysis was used to qualitatively analyze self-reported barriers/facilitators to expressing.Results:Ninety-three participants representing 68 unique institutions completed the survey. Barriers to expressing on campus included inadequate lactation spaces, lack of storage for breast pump equipment/expressed milk, and lack of time to express. Conversely, access to adequate lactation spaces, having appropriate breast pump equipment, and on-campus social support, were important facilitators.Conclusion:Comprehensive lactation policies may improve on-campus breastfeeding experiences among students.
Cannabinoids and Brain Development

Prenatal and early cannabis exposure result in measurable brain changes. Cannabis use is currently increasing among adolescents and the perception of its risk is diminished among this vulnerable cohort and pregnant women. Cannabis exposure during vulnerable periods is linked to permanent brain and behavioral changes. Since greater neuromaturation takes place during adolescence, there is evidence that the adolescent brain is at great deleterious risk, compared to the adult brain. The deleterious effects of weekly cannabis use by teenagers are evident, which include lower IQ scores, decreased verbal memory, poorer executive function, decreased sustained attention, neurocognitive abnormalities, and abnormalities in brain morphometry.
Coble, Orowan Strengthening, and Dislocation Climb Mechanisms in a Nb-Modified Zircaloy Cladding

Biaxial creep tests on HANA-4 tubes, Nb-added Zircaloy-4 were conducted using internal pressurization of closed-end tubes to investigate the rate-controlling mechanisms over a range of hoop stresses, $$ 8.38 \times 10^{ - 5} E - 2.87 \times 10^{ - 3} E $$ , at three different temperatures 673 K, 723 K, and 773 K (400 °C, 450 °C, and 500 °C). The mechanistic creep parameters such as stress exponent (n) and activation energy (Q C) were then determined from steady-state creep rates. Based on the variance in stress exponent with respect to the applied stress, three regimes have been identified: a stress exponent close to 1 at low stresses that increased to 3 at the intermediate stresses, which became 4.5 at high stresses. An activation energy value of 226 kJ/mol was evaluated for the n = 3 and n = 4.5 regimes, which lies close to the activation energy for self-diffusion (Q L) in α-Zr alloys. Further, TEM analyses of crept microstructures and comparison of experimental results with standard models were undertaken to find out the rate-controlling mechanisms. Coble creep, climbing of dislocations to bypass β-Nb precipitates, and dynamic recovery by edge dislocation climb are proposed as the rate-controlling mechanisms in the n = 1, n = 3, and n = 4.5 regimes of HANA-4, respectively.
Cover Crop Management Effects on Soil Physical and Biological Properties

Cover crops have been known to reduce soil erosion, among other benefits, and increase water infiltration, organic matter and soil microbial activity. This study was conducted at Lincoln University's Freeman farm during 2011 and 2012 to assess the effects of cover crop management on soil physical and biological properties. The soil of the experimental site was a Waldron silt loam soil (Fine, smectitic, calcareous, mesic Aeric Fluvaquents). The field was 4.05 ha in size and subdivided into 48 plots, each measuring 12.2 m x 21.3 m. The cropping pattern for the plots was a corn (Zea mays L.)/soybean (Glycine max) rotation. The cover crop of choice was cereal rye (Secale cereale). Half of the total plots had cover crop management while the other half had no-cover crop. Soil samples were collected at four depths; 0-10, 10-20, 20-40 and 40-60 cm. Samples were oven dried at 105oC for 72 h for soil physical properties analysis. Air dried soil samples were also sent to a commercial laboratory for analysis of soil biological properties. Results showed a significant effect (p< 0.05) of cover crop on the selected soil physical and biological properties. A 3.5% decrease was also observed in soil bulk density in cover crop plots as compared with no-cover crop plots. The carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio decreased with increasing sampling depth for the first three depths and increased slightly in the fourth depth (p<0.05). C/N ratio also showed a 5.6% increase in no-cover crop plots as compared with cover crop plots. The cover crop used in this study was capable of significantly improving soil physical and biological properties.
The multiple input floating gate MOS differential amplifier: an analog computational building-block

The lossless property of an MOS floating gate is exploited to implement exact summing operations in the charge domain. Lossless charge sharing in such structures yields circuits with potential applications as building blocks for analog-signal processing. A canonical structure, the Multiple Input Floating-gate Differential Amplifier is proposed and its use in different circuit configurations demonstrated. Experimental data from a multiple differential input operational amplifier are presented. Limitations of the proposed circuits are also discussed. >
Globalized Freight Transport: Intermodality, E-Commerce, Logistics and Sustainability

The subtitle of this group of ten original essays by fifteen authors provides the focus and organization of the contents of this book edited by Thomas R. Leinbach and Cristina Capineri. These essay...
Perspectives Gained from a Combination of Polar, Cluster and ISEE Energetic Particle Measurements in the Dayside Cusp

Energetic particles are a consistent and common feature of the high-altitude dayside cusp. Observing these particles in a region where they cannot be stably trapped is one of the most striking findings of the Polar and Cluster satellites. The source of these cusp energetic particles (CEP) has centered on the possible role of the bow shock, leakage from the magnetosphere, and local acceleration within the cusp itself. The Polar satellite has documented that the shocked solar wind plasma enters the weak geomagnetic field of the polar region and produces cusp diamagnetic cavities (CDC) of apparent tremendous size ( ∼6 RE) well within the traditional magnetosphere. Within these cavities the local magnetic field is depressed and very turbulent. The intensities of the energetic ions are observed to increase by many orders of the magnitudes during the CDC encounters. The four Cluster spacecraft have typically not observed such a large cusp and extended diamagnetic cavity. The search for evidence to resolve this inconsistency led to a revisiting of ISEE 1 and 2 satellite measurements during two encounters with the high altitude cusp. In each of these cases the very good energy and angular resolution of the ISEE energetic particle experiment revealed that energetic ions within the cusp located at GSM Z ranging from 4 RE to 5 RE appeared from closer to the Earth and streamed outward in very close association with the diamagnetic cavities in the measured magnetic field. The electrons demonstrated a peaked at 90° pitch angle distribution indicative of being confined within a cusp minimum field trap. In one of these cases the electron fluxes peak near the cusp boundary and in the other case they sharply define the CDC boundaries varying in a strictly anti-correlated manner during a large geomagnetic storm. The charge state distribution of these cusp cavity ions is indicative of their seed populations being a mixture of ionospheric and solar wind particles in many cases. Taken together these facts argue for a local acceleration of plasma within the cusp to many 10s and 100s of keV. By their geometry cusp magnetic field lines are connected to all of the magnetopause boundary layers and these cusp charged particles will form an energetic particle layer on the magnetopause. A source of energetic particles in the dayside high-altitude CDC will be effective in transferring the solar wind energy, mass, and momentum into the Earth’s magnetosphere and could provide the source of the ring current ions.
Thermal degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate) on SiO2 nanoparticles as a function of SiO2 size and silanol density

The degradation behavior of amorphous polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) on silica (SiO2) nanoparticles (PMMA–SiO2) as a function of silanol density and nanoparticle size was investigated by derivative thermogravimetric analysis (dTGA). The thermal degradation temperature, Td, was measured for PMMA adsorption amounts below plateau adsorption, which enhanced the contribution of chains in direct contact with the silica. Td increased as the number of hydrogen bonds between the silanol (SiOH) groups of the SiO2 and the carbonyl (CO) of the PMMA increased, either from varying the heat treatment of the SiO2, which changed the silanol density, or increasing the nanoparticle size, thus increasing the number of sites where the PMMA chain contacted the nanoparticles. The increases in Td correlated with increases in Tg for the PMMA–SiO2, suggesting that the enhanced thermal stability was attributable to decreased segmental mobility of PMMA chain segments, which in turn decreased thermally induced degradation. Td and Tg did not change for polar PMMA on hydrophobically modified SiO2, (CH3)–SiO2, as expected based on this mechanism, since there were no specific hydrogen-bond interactions between the CO of PMMA and the Si–O–(CH3)3 of SiO2.
Post-Vaccination Encephalitis

Excerpt Post-vaccination encephalitis is a disease of unknown etiology that has appeared in recent years and which occurs without regard to the existence of known factors other than the presence of...
A conversation with I. Richard Savage (with the assistance of Bruce Spencer)

I. Richard Savage was born in Detroit on October 26, 1925. He attended Northern High School in Detroit and received a bachelor's degree in mathematics at the University of Chicago when he was nineteen. Subsequently, he received a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Michigan (1945) and a Ph.D. in mathematical statistics from Columbia in 1953. While at Columbia, he met JoAnn Osherow and they were married in 1950. They have two daughters, Martha, born in 1951, and Donna, born in 1953. His career began with a three­year (1951–1954) stint as a mathematical statistician in the National Bureau of Standards, followed by a three­ year visiting appointment in the Department of Statistics at Stanford University. From 1957 to 1963, Savage was a professor of Statistics, Biostatistics and Economics at the University of Minnesota. He then spent the next eleven years on the faculty of Florida State University in the Department of Statistics. From 1974 until his retirement in 1990, he was a professor in the Department of Statistics at Yale University. His research interests include rank order statistics, statistics and pub­ lic policy and Bayesian statistics. He served as Coeditor of the Journal of the American Statistical Association (1968, as Editor of the Annals of Statistics (1974–1977), and as President of the American Statistical Association (1984). Because of his commitment to advance proper use of statistics to shape public policy, he has been heavily involved with the Committee on National Statistics of the National Research Council. The book Statistics and Public Policy, edited by Bruce Spencer, was published in 1997 in honor of Savage's contributions to statistics.
Quantitative zonal differentiation of articular cartilage by microscopic magnetic resonance imaging, polarized light microscopy, and Fourier‐transform infrared imaging

This study aimed to synchronize the zonal differentiation of the full-thickness articular cartilage by three micro-imaging techniques, namely microscopic magnetic resonance imaging (µMRI), polarized light microscopy (PLM), and Fourier-transform infrared imaging (FTIRI). Eighteen cartilage-bone blocks from three canine humeral joints were imaged by: (a) µMRI T2 relaxation at 0° and 55° orientations in a 7 T magnetic field, (b) PLM optical retardation and azimuthal angle, and (c) FTIRI amide I and amide II anisotropies at 0° and 90° polarizations relative to the articular surface. In addition, µMRI T1 relaxation was imaged before and after the tissue being immersed in gadolinium (contrast agent) solution, to calculate the proteoglycan concentration. A set of previously established criteria in cartilage imaging was revised. The new criteria could simultaneously correlate the thicknesses of the three consecutive subtissue zones in articular cartilage among these imaging techniques.
POCs and performance decrements - A reply to Kantowitz and Weldon

This paper responds to some of the criticisms presented by Kantowitz and Weldon (1985) that have been directed toward the methodology used in a 1981 article by Wickens, Mount-ford, and Schreiner. We state here that some of their criticisms are valid: A performance operating characteristic (POC) cannot be derived from a single point in a POC space, and therefore resource competition cannot be separated from concurrence cost as a source of task interference. However, we also note that the primary issue of importance to system designers---how to compare interference between different tasks---is not answered by Kantowitz and Weldon's critique. That issue requires that some technique for standardizing performance decrements across tasks be assumed. Two alternate techniques for standardizing are described in the present paper.
Reply to |[lsquo]|Haematological malignancies in developing countries|[mdash]|is CML the commonest childhood leukaemia?|[rsquo]| by Dr Ashutosh Wechalekar and Dr Chandrakant Parande

Reply to ‘Haematological malignancies in developing countries—is CML the commonest childhood leukaemia?’ by Dr Ashutosh Wechalekar and Dr Chandrakant Parande
Band Structure of the Solar System: An Objective Test of the Grouping of Planets and Satellites

Alfven in his early work on the origin of the solar system (1942–1946) noted a pronounced band structure in the gravitational potential distribution of secondary bodies, and suggested this feature to be directly related to the formation process. When the critical velocity phenomenon was later discovered, a close agreement was found between the planet-satellite bands on one hand, and the critical velocity limits of the major compound elements in the interstellar medium on the other, suggesting a specific emplacement mechanism for the dusty plasma which presumably constituted the solar nebula.
Optimized near-field antenna for UHF RFID smart shelf applications

This paper presents the design of UHF RFID read/write (R/W) antenna for the variety of smart shelf retail applications. Antenna operation is based on the EM coupling between the open-ended or shorted MS feed line and periodic planar metal strips of certain layout. The proposed antenna can be easily customized for the required volume of smart shelf RFID interrogation. Several antenna prototypes have been designed, produced and measured. The antenna performance has been evaluated in UHF RFID system for the simultaneous detection of arbitrary oriented tagged apparel items placed on the antenna surface. The proposed antenna demonstrates excellent ability to provide strong and uniform E-field distribution at the distances up to 50 cm form the antenna surface.
Nanoscale reconfigurable computing using non-volatile 2-D STTRAM array

In this paper, we investigate the combination of a novel computing paradigm referred to as Memory Based Computing (MBC) and an emerging non-volatile nanoscale memory technology, namely Spin-Torque Transfer Random Access Memory (STTRAM), to build a reconfigurable nanocomputing framework with high integration density, robustness and energy-delay efficiency. MBC uses a 2-D memory array as underlying computing element. Noting the read-dominant access pattern in MBC, we optimize the STTRAM cells to increase the energy-delay efficiency. Further, exploiting the asymmetric nature of the cells, we introduce the notion of preferential storage which optimizes the cell performance for ‘1’ over ‘0’ and skew the LUT content toward ‘1’ for improved energy-delay product (EDP).
Structure and Vibrational Spectrum ofβ-Cs3(HSO4)2[H2−x(P1−x, Sx)O4] (x∼0.5), a New Superprotonic Conductor, and a Comparison withα-Cs3(HSO4)2(H2PO4)

The structure of the new protonic conductor, β-Cs₃(HSO₄)₂(H₂₋ₓ(P₁₋ₓ, Sx)O₄) (with a superprotonic transition at 125°C), has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Structural features of this and the related compound,α-Cs₃(HSO₄)₂(H₂PO₄), have been further examined by Raman and IR spectroscopy. The new compound crystallizes in space group C2/c, contains four formula units in the unit cell, and has an x value (in the stoichiometry) of approximately 0.5. X-ray intensity data, collected at room temperature, yielded lattice parameters a=20.04(1), b=7.854(5), c=8.954(5)A, and β=100.11(2)° and a unit cell volume of 1387.5(14)A³, implying a density of 3.304 g/cm³. Within the asymmetric unit, 10 nonhydrogen atoms and 3 hydrogen sites were located. Refinement of the X-ray data using anisotropic temperature factors for all 10 of the former yielded residuals wR(F²)=0.0952 and R(F)=0.0358. The structure contains alternating zig-zig chains of anion tetrahedra and cesium ions, in a manner similar to that found in α-Cs₃(HSO₄)2(H2PO₄) and in CsHSO₄-II. The structure is unique, however, in that P and S occupy the same crystallographic position, and there is, accordingly, a variable H content and a partially occupied hydrogen bond. Broader peaks in the Raman spectrum of β-Cs₃(HSO₄)₂(H₂₋ₓ(P₁₋ₓSₓ)O₄) support the assumption of greater structural disorder in this compound than in α-Cs₃(HSO₄)₂(H₂PO₄).
Are there advantages for additive bilinguals in working memory tasks

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the development of English and Spanish working memory (WM) components within four subgroups of bilingual children. For children who maintained their classification status across testing waves, the results found no WM advantages for additive bilinguals when compared to dominant bilinguals in their respective language. However, an advantage in the executive component of WM was found for those children who transitioned from Spanish dominant to additive bilinguals and an advantage in the phonological loop component of WM was found for those children who transitioned from English dominant to additive bilinguals. The results suggested that for bilinguals who acquire vocabulary proficiency in both languages at a later time point manifest a WM advantage relative to subgroups that maintain stable vocabulary knowledge.
Edge Effect From Drug-Eluting Stents as Assessed With Serial Intravascular Ultrasound A Systematic Review

Several studies have demonstrated effective reduction of intimal hyperplasia within a drug-eluting stent (DES) when compared with a bare metal stent (BMS), thereby resulting in a lower incidence of target lesion revascularization.1–3 Restenosis at the stent edges, however, is not appreciably reduced by DES. Thus, to understand stent edge effect in DES, it is important to improve the efficacy of this technology. The concern that stent edge effects alter intimal hyperplasia in the stent but not at the edges has existed for many years, and often is described as the “candy wrapper phenomenon.” This phenomenon was first described in radioactive stents4,5 and is due to local inhibition of intimal growth and endothelial healing6 only within the stent. Many DES trials, therefore, sought to better understand the edge effect using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to assess the vessel response post stent implantation. Many studies have documented DES edge effect in older- and newer-generation DES. One challenge facing IVUS studies that assess DES edge effect is a high degree of patient-to-patient variability, along with potential variability among the different DES types. Because of these variables and the relatively small size of most sequential IVUS studies, there is no general consensus regarding stent edge effect in DES. We therefore reviewed the literature to find common findings and tendency. This review focused on 4 DES types approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration: the Cypher sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) (Cordis), the Taxus paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) (Boston Scientific), the Endeavor zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES) (Medtronic CardioVascular Inc.), and the XIENCE V everolimus-eluting stent (EES) (Abbott Vascular). ### Mechanical Edge Effect Post Stent Implantation Edge stenosis can occur from several different mechanisms: a vascular response from peri-stent vascular injury, plaque shift, and thrombus or hematoma formation post stent implantation. Before discussing DES and the impact of adding …
Influenza during pregnancy: a cause of serious infection in obstetrics.

Influenza infection during pregnancy imparts disproportionate morbidity and mortality. This has been primarily noted during occasional influenza pandemics but also during seasonal epidemics. The majority of pregnant women who contract influenza appear to have a mild, self-limited course. However, in
Physical characteristics of Ti‐6Al‐4V implants fabricated by electrodischarge compaction

Physical characteristics of a Ti-6A1-4V implant were evaluated following fabrication using a new electrodischarge compaction technique. Ti-6A1-4V atomized powders were loaded into Pyrex tubes (3.3 mm ID) and subjected to a high-voltage, high-current-density pulse in air for a period of less than 300 microseconds. Single pulses (1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 KJ/grampowder) were applied from a capacitor bank (240, 480 or 720 microF) to produce solid core implants with porous surface layers. Implants were evaluated microscopically for core size, neck size, pore size, grain structure, and incorporated oxide film. Hardness was also evaluated. Implants were compared with Ti-6A1-4V commercial powders. Core size increased and pore size decreased with increases in energy and capacitance. The cores were composed of equiaxed grains which were free of oxide at the grain boundary. Porous layers, consisting of particles connected in three dimensions by necks, were free of oxide films at the connecting interfaces. Neck size increased with increases in input energy and capacitance. Hardness readings of the core, necks, and porous particles resulted in readings higher than or similar to control materials. Electrodischarge compaction did not alter the physical characteristics during compaction.
PARP-1 inhibitors and radiotherapy sensitivity: future prospects for therapy?

SUMMARY Despite the efficacy of multimodality treatment for women with breast cancer, sustained locoregional control remains a significant issue. Efforts to identify effective targeted therapies for treatment of these patients have intensified in recent years. The PARP family of proteins represents one potential target. PARP-1 is a DNA repair enzyme that plays a critical role in base excision repair, homologous recombination, nonhomologous end joining and transcriptional regulation. In this review, we discuss the rationale for using PARP-1 inhibitors clinically, the role of PARP-1 in DNA damage repair and the potential clinical utility of using PARP-1 inhibitors as a radiosensitization strategy. We will also review the most relevant clinical trials using various PARP-1 inhibitors and the future of biomarker development to predict response to PARP-1 inhibition.