cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Origin of Alkyl Substituent Effects on the Reactivity and Thermodynamic Stability of Alkenes. A Theoretical Study on Alkene Radical Cations

Fully optimized STO-3G SCF MO calculations were conducted on a series of methyl substituted ethylene radical cations. The stabilizing effect of a methyl group is found to be 14 kcal/mol using ethylene as a reference. Analysis of the orbital make-up of the radical cations and their calculated geometry suggests that hyperconjugative 1-, 2-, and 3-electron interactions between the alkyl groups and the π-system is largely responsible for the stabilization. Analysis of hyperconjugation in propene suggests that 2-electron stabilization outweighs 4-electron destabilization energetically but that effects of the 2-electron stabilization are manifested in a low-lying MO (Φ1, Fig. 6).
INFLUENCE OF THYROID ON EGG PRODUCTION

GRAHAM (1) reported that thyroidectomy tends to depress and thryroid administration to elevate the rate of milk production of dairy cows. Benoit and Aron (2) reported that the testes of White Leghorns rapidly decreased in size following thyroidectomy. Losses were as great as 80% of the testis size in 11 days and 90% in 20 days. Similar results were obtained with drakes. Repetto (3) was unable to detect histological changes in testes or ovaries of dogs following thyroidectomy. Zelesky and Wells (4) reported that of 11 thyroidectomised, thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Citellus tridecemlineatus) without thyroid tissue detectable by histological examination, 7 exhibited at the normal breeding season an infantile condition as regards both spermatogenesis and testis hormone-production, and one reached a state of very low sexual activity. However, 3 were apparently normal in regard to sexual development, but, as is pointed out by the authors, thyroid tissue may have been present in these 3 even though it was no...
Filter synthesis for coupled waveguides

The synthesis of realistic coupled waveguide filters is considered. The emphasis is on the synthesis of physical devices, rather than on the approximate coupled-mode representations. For this purpose, variational optimization is combined with the normal-mode analysis of interacting waveguides. Physical effects such as the change in coupling strength with waveguide or material dispersion are naturally taken into account. The beam propagation method (BPM) is used to verify the effectiveness of the designs and thus lends a measure of confidence of the applicability of the method to realistic devices.
Granular partitions and vagueness

There are some who defend a view of vagueness according to which there are intrinsically vague objects or attributes in reality. Here, in contrast, we defend a view of vagueness as a semantic property of names and predicates. All entities are crisp, on this view, but there are, for each vague name, multiple portions of reality that are equally good candidates for being its referent, and, for each vague predicate, multiple classes of objects that are equally good candidates for being its extension. We provide a new formulation of these ideas in terms of a theory of granular partitions. We show that this theory provides a general framework within which we can understand the relation between vague terms and concepts on the one hand and correlated portions of reality on the other. We also sketch how it might be possible to formulate within this framework a theory of vagueness which dispenses with the notion of truth-value gaps and other artifacts of more familiar approaches.
Eugenics and sterilization in the heartland.

On May 2 2002 Mark Warner governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia apologized for "Virginias participation in eugenics" which he categorized as a "shameful effort in which state government never should have been involved" ("Virginia Apologizes" 2002). Governor Warners apology was issued on the 75th anniversary of the United States Supreme Courts decision in Buck v. Bell (1927) which "opened the floodgates" (Smith & Polloway 1993) for the wholesale sterilization of people with epilepsy or who were then classified as feeble- minded. It was also the anniversary of Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes now infamous statement that "three generations of imbeciles are enough" Fittingly Virginia also dedicated a historical marker to the memory of Carrie Buck who became the first person to be forcibly sterilized under Virginias 1924 law on sterilization upheld by the 1927 Supreme Court decision. Virginia has received the lions share of publicity with regard to human sterilization in part due to the infamy of the Buck v. Bell case and its impact on the subsequent rate of sterilizations; in part because so many sterilizations were performed in that state after Buck v. Bell; and in part because the voices in our field that have most persistently and eloquently reminded us not to forget this portion of our past have often come from Virginia (Smith 1994 1995; Smith & Nelson 1989; Smith & Polloway 1993). It is worth noting however that in considering the appropriate response to the occasion of Virginias apology the stain of sterilization is not limited to the Commonwealth of Virginia but permeates the fabric of our country. There are undoubtedly many more apologies owed. Virginia was neither first to the sterilization scene nor perhaps the most enthusiastic of its enactors (although Kevless 1995 noted that by the end of the 1940s Virginia was second nationally in the total number of sterilizations performed accounting for roughly one seventh of all sterilizations in the country up to that time. (excerpt)
Applications and Techniques for Deficiency-Marker Exchange in Pseudomonas

In many bacteria, including some Pseudomonads, it is now possible to replace chromosomal genes with deficient alleles which were constructed in vitro. (This is variously referred to as marker exchange, homogenotization, transplacement, or the isolation of isogenic mutants.) We have two types of reason for manipulating the bacteria-plant interaction in this way. Firstly, we may create a desirable phenotype by doing so, as with the construction of (non-revertable) ice nucleation deficient competitors against natural strains. Secondly, it enables us to test agriculturally important hypotheses. For example, the ability of some rhizobacteria to promote plant growth is believed to be due to their production of antifungal compounds. We are testing this hypothesis for two such rhizobacterial strains by the construction of well-defined deficiency mutants which are otherwise isogenic with the wild-type strain. The same strategies may also be applied to the study of host-parasite interactions, particularly to the genetics of virulence of phytopathogenic bacteria.
School-based body mass index screening and parent notification: a statewide natural experiment.

Objective To assess the impact of body mass index (BMI) screening with parental notification on weight status for California public school students. Design A natural experiment wherein nearly all California school districts conducted annual BMI screening in the fifth, seventh, and ninth grades, but parental notification of BMI screening results was optional. Setting Data from mandatory fitness testing in California public schools for 2001 through 2008. Participants A total of 6 967 120 fifth-, seventh-, and ninth-grade youth (73% of enrolled students). Intervention School-based BMI screening with optional parent notification. Main Outcome Measure Body mass index z score was the main outcome in adjusted mixed-effects linear regression models, assessing whether notifying parents of their child's BMI in a given year predicted BMI z score 2 years hence. Results Rates of parental notification of BMI screening results increased from 35% in 2001 to 52% in 2008. Body mass index notification in fifth and/or seventh grade had no impact on subsequent BMI z scores (95% confidence interval, −0.03 to 0.01) compared with no notification. No differences in the impact of notification were seen by race/ethnicity. Results did not vary with sensitivity analyses. Conclusions These findings suggest that while BMI screening itself could have benefits, parental notification in its current form may not reduce pediatric obesity. Until effective methods of notification are identified, schools should consider directing resources to policies and programs proven to improve student health.
A Flexure-Based Steerable Needle: High Curvature With Reduced Tissue Damage

In the quest to design higher curvature bevel-steered needles, kinked bevel-tips have been one of the most successful approaches yet proposed. However, the price to be paid for enhancing steerability in this way has been increased tissue damage, since the prebent tip cuts a local helical path into tissue when axially rotated. This is problematic when closed-loop control is desired, because the controller will typically require the needle to rotate rapidly, and it is particularly problematic when duty cycling (i.e., continual needle spinning) is used to adjust curvature. In this paper, we propose a new flexure-based needle tip design that provides the enhanced steerability of kinked bevel-tip needles, while simultaneously minimizing tissue damage.
Cognitive control and the dopamine D 2-like receptor: A dimensional understanding of addiction

The phenotypic complexity of psychiatric conditions is revealed by the dimensional nature of these disorders, which consist of multiple behavioral, affective, and cognitive dysfunctions that can result in substantial psychosocial impairment. The high degree of heterogeneity in symptomatology and comorbidity suggests that simple categorical diagnoses of "affected" or "unaffected" may fail to capture the true characteristics of the disorder in a manner relevant to individualized treatment. A particular dimension of interest is cognitive control ability because impairments in the capacity to control thoughts, feelings, and actions are key to several psychiatric disorders. Here, we describe evidence suggesting that cognitive control over behavior is a crucial dimension of function relevant to addictions. Moreover, dopamine (DA) D(2)-receptor transmission is increasingly being identified as a point of convergence for these behavioral and cognitive processes. Consequently, we argue that measures of cognitive control and D(2) DA receptor function may be particularly informative markers of individual function and treatment response in addictions.
Pregnancy-induced autogrooming in mice: the effects of nipple removal.

As pregnancy advances, Rockland-Swiss albino mice spend increasingly more time engaged in autogrooming. By gestation day 18 (the day prior to parturition), the total duration of autogrooming (a composite measure) as well as the duration of nipple line grooming is significantly longer than that displayed by virgin and early pregnant females. Nipple excision (i.e., thelectomy) performed prior to pregnancy reduces the time GD 18 dams spend licking nipple line regions without producing a concomitant decrease in the duration of grooming all regions. It is unlikely, therefore, that peripheral stimulation of the nipple line regions via self-licking contributes to the heightened display of grooming by pregnant mice.
Bayesian super-resolved surface reconstruction from images

Bayesian inference has been used successfully for many problems where the aim is to infer the parameters of a model of interest. In this paper we formulate the three dimensional reconstruction problem as the problem of inferring the parameters of a surface model from image data, and show how Bayesian methods can be used to estimate the parameters of this model given the image data. Thus we recover the three dimensional description of the scene. This approach also gives great flexibility. We can specify the geometrical properties of the model to suit our purpose, and can also use different models for how the surface reflects the light incident upon it. In common with other Bayesian inference problems, the estimation methodology requires that we can simulate the data that would have been recorded for any values of the model parameters. In this application this means that if we have image data we must be able to render the surface model. However it also means that we can infer the parameters of a model whose resolution can be chosen irrespective of the resolution of the images, and may be super-resolved. We present results of the inference of surface models from simulated aerial photographs for the case of super-resolution, where many surface elements project into a single pixel in the low-resolution images.
A technique for fault detection in C-testable orthogonal iterative arrays

The authors present an approach to C-testability of orthogonal iterative arrays. C-testability is defined by those criteria which characterize the complexity of the testing process as independent of the dimensions of the array and of the erroneous states of the cells. The proposed approach is based on a cellular automata characterization under a single-faulty-cell assumption. This characterization analyzes the state transition table of a basic cell and adds new states to it. These new states are used to reproduce internally to the array the test input and propagate the faulty state to the output pins of a chip. This process is analyzed exhaustively. The characteristics of the additional states are presented. The conditions of C-testability are fully proved. Complexity of the testing process (number of test vectors) is discussed. It is proved that the proposed approach has a lower complexity than previously published work. >
Tracking of fast-fading channels in long-code CDMA

A new technique for blind tracking of fast-fading channels in long-code code division multiple access (CDMA) is proposed by exploiting multipath diversity. Based on a linear interpolation channel model, the proposed method blindly identifies a time-varying channel at arbitrary estimating points within a block up to a scale factor and increases bandwidth efficiency allowing only one pilot symbol within a block, which is much larger than channel coherence time. The proposed method can be implemented using an efficient state-space inversion technique for multiuser cases. The mean square error (MSE) performance of the proposed estimator is compared with the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) for interpolated channel. Modeling error and bit error rate (BER) are also evaluated using Monte-Carlo simulations and compared with the block fading model and a decision-directed tracking technique.
Bar code localization using texture analysis

Automatically locating a bar code on an object (e.g., a consumer product, postal mial, etc.) is an important step in an optical bar code recognition system. The authors present an approach for automatic bar code localization, which is based on the multichannel Gabor filtering technique. Both supervised and unsupervised methods are discussed. These methods are rotation-invariant and are able to locate bar codes on planar and curved surfaces. >
Biliary lipid composition in healthy and diseased infants, children, and young adults

Biliary lipid composition and cholesterol saturation were measured in 17 infants and children (age, 4 mo to 9 yr) who had recovered from chronic diarrhea (control subjects), 9 infants and children (age, 4 mo to 9 yr) with interruption of the enterohepatic circulation of bile salts from birth, and in 20 healthy young adults (age, 21-35 yr). The cholesterol molar fraction in pediatric controls was 3.7 +/- 0.2% (mean +/- SE), and in patients with ileal dysfunction or resection was 3.4 +/- 0.4%. Both values were significantly lower than that found in adults (5.7 +/- 0.5%, p less than 0.01). Cholesterol saturation, calculated using the method of Thomas and Hofmann, was significantly reduced in patients with ileal dysfunction or resection (0.60 +/- 0.10; p less than 0.01) and juvenile controls (0.72 +/- 0.04; p less than 0.05) compared with adults (1.08 +/- 0.09). It appears that proportionately larger bile salt pools (adjusted to body size) in both pediatric groups compared with their normal and diseased adult counterparts contribute to the observed reduction in the biliary molar fraction of cholesterol and reduced cholesterol saturation. However, both normal and diseased infants and children primarily have reduced biliary cholesterol/bile salt excretion ratios such that, even at low rates of secretion, bile is not saturated with cholesterol. Therefore, age-related differences in biliary lipid secretory rates seem to produce unsaturated bile in both normal and diseased prepubertal humans.
Electron Transfer Quenching and Photoinduced EPR of Hypericin and the Ciliate Photoreceptor Stentorin

Time-correlated single photon counting was used to observe dynamic quenching of the hypericin and stentorin excited singlet states. The fluorescence quenching data for hypericin and stentorin were interpreted in terms of electron transfer. The observed correlation between free energy change of electron transfer and quenching rate constant suggests that quenching proceeds via electron transfer from hypericin and stentorin to the quenchers. EPR spectra for hypericin, stentorin, and stentorin chromoprotein demonstrated that free radical formation was initiated or enhanced by visible light and that similar radical species were produced in each sample. Furthermore, the EPR signal for stentorin was significantly enhanced by 1,4-benzoquinone, but the overall shape and g-value was unchanged. We suggest that electron transfer in the excited state of these chromophores results in the formation of a cation radical. This electron transfer is a rapid and efficient pathway for deactivation of hypericin and stentorin excited singlet states and should be considered when discussing the photoreactivity of hypericin as a photodynamic agent and of stentorin as the Stentor coeruleus photoreceptor.
Cognitive status of children treated with central nervous system prophylactic chemotherapy for acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Abstract Treatment-related cognitive impairments have been reported for survivors of childhood leukemia following prophylactic central nervous system (CNS) treatment with craniospinal radiation. We examined the neurocognitive status of 46 children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) to assess the impact of a regimen consisting of systemic chemotherapy and prophylactic CNS chemotherapy. By comparing three groups of ALL children (i.e., patients whose diagnosis was recent, patients 1 year postdiagnosis currently receiving CNS prophylactic chemotherapy, and offtherapy patients who had been treated with chemotherapy for 3 years) and their healthy siblings on measures of sequential and simultaneous processing, we were able to examine the effects of CNS prophylactic and systemic chemotherapy at various points during treatment. Results indicate that the children who had received a 3-year course of chemotherapy (off-therapy patients) were more impaired on tasks involving right-hemisphere simultaneous processing than were sibling controls or ALL children whose diagnosis was recent and whose treatment had just begun. Age at diagnosis did not interact with the effects of chemotherapy. These findings support the need for continued evaluation of cognitive functioning in ALL, children receiving CNS prophylactic chemotherapy to identify potential harmful neurocognitive sequelae of treatment.
Unsaturated-Zone Leaching and Saturated-Zone Mixing Model in Heterogeneous Layers

A screening level model was developed for simulation of pollutant migration through the unsaturated-zone and subsequent mixing within the saturated-zone. This one-dimensional finite difference model simulates the transport processes of liquid-phase advection, liquid- and vapor-phase dispersion, sorption, and decay of the contaminant. The model estimates contaminant concentration in the saturated-zone by using a simple mass balance technique for mixing of the unsaturated-zone leachate with the groundwater. The model can be a useful tool in making preliminary assessments of the potential impacts of contaminants in the subsurface. The model can handle vertical heterogeneity of the soil columns and non-uniform initial contaminant concentration. It was verified by comparing its simulation results to an analytical solution and laboratory soil column experiments. In addition the model was validated against laboratory experiments with three different soil sample sizes of Ottawa quartz sand and 480 ppm saline water as a groundwater contamination source.
Anisotropic propagation of P- and S-waves in the western Pacific lithosphere

Summary Apparent velocities for oceanic P and S phases from NW circum-Pacific earthquakes recorded on an ocean bottom hydrophone array near Wake Island vary with azimuth of approach. The apparent velocity data from events in the Mariana Islands are fast, whereas velocities of events between the Izu-Bonin Islands and the Kurils are slower. For data showing slow apparent velocities, the path average group velocity exceeds the local apparent velocity. The azimuthal variation of oceanic P and S apparent velocity is consistent with azimuthal anisotropy, and the slow direction of propagation is nearly parallel to the strike of local magnetic lineations. Propagation paths that parallel the local magnetic lineations near the OBH array are more perpendicular to lineations in the region of the NW Pacific basin where the paths originate. The observation of path group velocity faster than local apparent velocity for oceanic P and S is qualitatively consistent with a re-orientation of anisotropy as manifested in the magnetic lineations along the propagation path between source and receiver. Results suggest that the western Pacific lithosphere is azimuthally anisotropic for P- and S-wave propagation.
Older Widows' Experience of living Alone at Home

Older widows' experience of living alone is described in this research. Based on Husserl's (1913/1962) philosophy, a phenomenological method was used. Prior to data-gathering, knowledge pertaining to older widows' experience was bracketed. During semi-structured, tape-recorded conversations, seven older widows described how they lived at home alone. From data pertaining to their actions, intentions and perceptions, four phenomena of the lived experience were developed: (a) making aloneness acceptable; (b) going my own way; (c) reducing my risks; and (d) sustaining myself.
The Solitary Pulmonary Nodule

The imaging evaluation of a solitary pulmonary nodule is complex. Management decisions are based on clinical history, size and appearance of the nodule, and feasibility of obtaining a tissue diagnosis. The most reliable imaging features are those that are indicative of benignancy, such as a benign pattern of calcification and periodic follow-up with computed tomography for 2 years showing no growth. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy and core biopsy are important procedures that may obviate surgery if there is a specific benign diagnosis from the procedure. In using the various imaging and diagnostic modalities described in this review, one should strive to not only identify small malignant tumors—where resection results in high survival rates—but also spare patients with benign disease from undergoing unnecessary surgery. © RSNA, 2006
The Rise of Regional Integration Law (RIL): Good News for International Environment Law (EIL)?

This article features interactions between the young disciplines of regional integration law (RIL) and international environmental law (IEL). In contrast to the subspecialties of international economic law and international human rights law, cross-linkages between RIL and EIL and their broader significance for international law doctrine and practice have been woefully under-explored.The article endeavors to make amends through a nexus discussion showcasing the worlds most advanced regional integration project under the auspices of the European Union (EU or Union). After introducing EU law in the environment sphere, specific case studies in the areas of regulatory policy and dispute settlement are offered to highlight contributions and challenges to IEL associated with European RIL. The article closes with observations about the practical realities of the Union s stage presence in the IEL arena.
XVis: Visualization for the Extreme-Scale Scientific-Computation Ecosystem: Mid-year report FY15 Q2

The XVis project brings together the key elements of research to enable scientific discovery at extreme scale. Scientific computing will no longer be purely about how fast computations can be performed. Energy constraints, processor changes, and I/O limitations necessitate significant changes in both the software applications used in scientific computation and the ways in which scientists use them. Components for modeling, simulation, analysis, and visualization must work together in a computational ecosystem, rather than working independently as they have in the past. This project provides the necessary research and infrastructure for scientific discovery in this new computational ecosystem by addressing four interlocking challenges: emerging processor technology, in situ integration, usability, and proxy analysis.
Exosomal microRNA Biomarkers: Emerging Frontiers in Colorectal and Other Human Cancers

Diagnostic strategies, particularly non-invasive blood-based screening approaches, are gaining increased attention for the early detection and attenuation of mortality associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the majority of current screening approaches are inadequate at replacing the conventional CRC diagnostic procedures. Yet, due to technological advances and better understanding of molecular events underlying human cancer, a new category of biomarkers are on the horizon. Recent evidence indicates that cells release a distinct class of small vesicles called 'exosomes', which contain nucleic acids and proteins that reflect and typify host-cell molecular architecture. Intriguingly, exosomes released from cancer cells have a distinct genetic and epigenetic makeup, which allows them to undertake their tumorigenic function. From a clinical standpoint, these unique cancer-specific fingerprints present in exosomes appear to be detectable in a small amount of blood, making them very attractive substrates for developing cancer biomarkers, particularly noninvasive diagnostic approaches.
Some Bibliographical Aids to the Use of British Government Publications 1

It is a well recognized fact that government publications are frequently the most valuable, and sometimes practically the only, reliable source of information on many phases of political, social, and economic life. Every bibliographical aid to their use, therefore, is to be highly welcomed by the student of government; and, fortunately for him, these aids are being rapidly multiplied. A noteworthy illustration is the List of Serial Publications of Foreign Governments, 1815–1929 , now being prepared by Miss “Winifred Gregory under the general direction of a joint committee of the American Council of Learned Societies, the National Eesearch Council, and the American Library Association. Under each country will be listed, in a classified arrangement, the reports and other serials which record governmental activities since 1815. Section two of the preliminary checking edition of the List is devoted to the British Overseas Empire (except Canada). Angus Fletcher, librarian of the British Library of Information in New York, points out that “the publication of official documents is a relatively recent development in English parliamentary history. It was not until 1837 that official documents were finally made available to the public, in the form of the regularly issued Parliamentary Papers as we know them today. The publication of Non-Parliamentary Papers is of stilllater origin.” The establishment of His Majesty's Stationery Office was a result of Burke's Act for Economical Reform in 1782, prior to which time the service of this office had been granted as a monopoly to persons in favor at court. The student entering on a study of British public documents can well afford to review the very readable and valuable historical account of the records of Parliament given by Sir Courtney Ilbert, wherein he traces the development of the written reports of the journals and debates from their beginnings.
Evaluation of a molded splicing system

This paper evaluates the performance of a newly designed cable splicing system with a unique connector design. Comprehensive short and long term test data are presented. Special features of the splicing system and their contribution to the performance of the splicing system are discussed.
Is fluoxetine an effective therapy for weight loss in obese patients

Fluoxetine (Prozac) use may result in an average, short-term weight loss of up to 3.3 kg (7 lb, 4 oz) in obese patients, but the longterm effects and maintenance of weight loss after discontinuation of the drug have not been well studied. No evidence concerning other SSRIs was found.
Paternal Pregnancy Intention and Breastfeeding Duration: Findings from the National Survey of Family Growth

Objectives Despite the benefits of breastfeeding, less than a fifth of American mothers breastfeed for the recommended duration. Paternal support plays a major role in maternal and child health outcomes; however, the influence of paternal pregnancy intention on breastfeeding duration is under investigated. This study examines the relationship between fathers’ pregnancy intention and breastfeeding duration. Methods Data from the 2011–2013 National Survey of Family Growth were analyzed using cross-sectional methodology. Women who were pregnant, never received medical help to become pregnant, whose partner was aged 18–49 years, and who responded to questions related to paternal pregnancy intention and breastfeeding were included in the analysis (N = 2089). Multinomial logistic regression, odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals were calculated. There was a statistically significant interaction between father’s age and father’s pregnancy intention (P = 0.0385) and all models were stratified by paternal age. Results Fathers aged 18–24 years with a mistimed pregnancy were 2.3 times more likely to have a child who was never breastfed, (AOR 2.27, 95 % CI 1.39–3.70) and 1.7 times more likely to have a child who was breastfed 6 months or less (AOR 1.69, 95 % CI 1.28–2.23) compared to fathers with an intended pregnancy. No statistically significant association was observed among fathers aged 25–49 years. Conclusion Findings from this study show a relationship between mistimed pregnancies and breastfeeding duration among younger fathers. Healthcare professionals should develop breastfeeding interventions targeting fathers and young families.
Emotion Regulation and Strain in Corrections Officers: Examining the Role of Recovery Experiences and Coping Mechanisms

Research has begun to identify recovery experiences during nonwork time as an important mechanism explaining the relationship between job characteristics and strain (Geurts & Sonnentag, 2006; Kinnunen, Feldt, Siltaloppi, Sonnentag, 2011). Corrections officers face challenges unique to their occupation (Armstrong & Griffin, 2004) that may contribute to the high levels of strain that currently characterize their occupation (i.e., short life expectancy, high suicide rates; Spinaris & Denhof, 2011; Stack & Tsoudis, 1997). Though previous research has not examined emotion regulation, recovery experiences, and coping within corrections officers, these constructs may be of particular importance to an occupation that requires employees to navigate the complex demands of managing an incarcerated population of individuals. Emotion regulation – managing one’s emotions – is an important aspect of many jobs, and has been linked with employee strain, such as burnout, psychological strain, and psychosomatic complaints (Hulsheger & Schewe, 2011). However, research only begun to assess nonwork recovery and its relationship with emotion regulation strategies at work, and additionally the influence of individual coping strategies has not been considered in past studies. I offered that recovery experiences (i.e., psychological detachment, relaxation, and mastery) mediated the relationship between emotion regulation at work (i.e., reappraisal and suppression) and strain (i.e., disengagement, emotional exhaustion, and psychological distress). I further offered, based on the matching hypothesis (de Jonge & Dormann, 2006), that emotion-focused coping strategies (i.e., emotional social support and venting emotions) moderated the relationships between emotion regulation, recovery experiences, and
Effects of Land Use on Selected Properties and Heavy Metal Concentration for Soil in the US Great Plains

ABSTRACTThere is increasing interest in the current conditions of dynamic soil properties and element concentration in the US Great Plains as well as the nature and magnitude of change due to land use and management practices. The study was conducted on Pawnee soil, a major U.S. benchmark soil in the Great Plains. The objectives were to investigate the effects of four common land uses [NoTill (NT), Conventional Till (CT), Grass (G), and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)] on: i) selected soil properties [total organic carbon (TOC), bulk density (BD), pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and electric conductivity (EC)] and ii) water-soluble concentration of 14 heavy metals and micronutrients. The analysis of variance (ANOVA test) indicated that the land use had significant effects on the TOC, CEC, and EC, whereas no relation was detected for BD and pH. Irrespective of land use, the mean element concentration in soil could be arranged in the order: Si (Silicon) > Al (Aluminum) > Fe (Iron) > Mn (Manganese) > ...
Recycled concrete aggregate coated with quaternary ammonium compounds for water disinfection

Growing demand for point-of-use water treatment including greywater recycling as well as appropriate disinfection without formation of harmful disinfection byproducts (DBPs) calls for new methods of efficient microbial control. In recent years, antimicrobial nanomaterials (NMs) have been widely studied as a potential alternative to traditional chlorine disinfection, yet concerns over their releases to environments and subsequent impacts have limited their use on a large scale. In this work, recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) was proposed as a sustainable and environmentally friendly disinfecting substrate for water disinfection by coating with a composite of silica-quaternary ammonium compound (Fixed-Quat). Two different types (gel and particle) of Fixed-Quat were applied to RCA, and their adherence and antimicrobial activities were compared each other. When using E. Coli as a model bacterial pathogen, the Fixed-Quat gel and particle coated RCA materials showed similar and effective microbial inactivation performance with a rate of 2.0 × 10−3 (gel) and 1.82 × 10−3 (particle) log reduction cm−2 min−1. By potentially eliminating regulated DBPs formation and minimizing release of NMs into the environment, the antimicrobial coated RCA would be a promising and sustainable alternative to conventional disinfection methods in engineered aquatic systems.
Inhibition of Clostridium botulinum types A and E toxin production by liquid smoke and NaCl in hot-process smoke-flavored fish.

Liquid smoke in combination with NaCl was an effective inhibitor of outgrowth and toxin production by Clostridium botulinum types A and E spores in hot-processed whitefish, chub and carp stored at an abuse temperature of 25°C for 7 or 14 d. Surface-inoculated type E produced toxin in control samples containing 3.7% water-phase NaCl, but not in liquid smoke-treated samples having less than 2.0% water-phase NaCl. Liquid smoke was less effective when type E spores were injected intramuscularly. Liquid smoke lowered the concentration of NaCl required to inhibit toxin production by surface-inoculated type A from 4.6 to 2.8% in samples stored 7 d. Liquid smoke enhanced the ability of NaCl to prevent toxin production, but should not be considered a substitute for NaCl or refrigerated storage (below 3.3°C).
Near-field transport imaging applied to photovoltaic materials

Abstract We developed and applied a new analytical technique—near-field transport imaging (NF-TI or simply TI)—to photovoltaic materials. Charge-carrier transport is an important factor in solar cell performance, and TI is an innovative approach that integrates a scanning electron microscope with a near-field scanning optical microscope, providing the possibility to study luminescence associated with recombination and transport with high spatial resolution. In this paper, we describe in detail the technical barriers we had to overcome to develop the technique for routine application and the data-fitting procedure used to calculate minority-carrier diffusion length values. The diffusion length measured by TI agrees well with the results calculated by time-resolved photoluminescence on well-controlled gallium arsenide (GaAs) thin-film samples. We report for the first time on measurements on thin-film cadmium telluride using this technique, including the determination of effective carrier diffusion length, as well as the first near-field imaging of the effect of a single localized defect on carrier transport and recombination in a GaAs heterostructure. Furthermore, by changing the scanning setup, we were able to demonstrate near-field cathodoluminescence (CL), and correlated the results with standard CL measurements. The TI technique shows great potential for mapping transport properties in solar cell materials with high spatial resolution.
Modeling of Picosecond Pulse Propagation on Silicon Integrated Circuits

We have modeled the dispersion and loss of pulses on microstrip transmission line interconnections on silicon integrated-circuit substrates. Geometric dispersion and conductor linewidth, as well as losses from conductor resistance, conductor skin effect, and substrate conductance are considered over the frequency range from 100 MHz to 100 GHz. Results show the enormous significance of the substrate losses, and demonstrate the need for substrate resistivities >10 Ω-cm for high performance circuits. The results also show the effects of geometric dispersion for frequencies above 10 GHz and the unimportance of conductor skin-effect losses for frequencies up to 100 GHz.
AUTOMATA GUIDED HIERARCHICAL REINFORCEMENT LEARNING FOR ZERO-SHOT SKILL COMPOSITION

An obstacle that prevents the wide adoption of (deep) reinforcement learning (RL) in control systems is its need for a large number of interactions with the environment in order to master a skill. The learned skill usually generalizes poorly across domains and re-training is often necessary when presented with a new task. We present a framework that combines techniques in \textit{formal methods} with \textit{hierarchical reinforcement learning} (HRL). The set of techniques we provide allows for the convenient specification of tasks with logical expressions, learns hierarchical policies (meta-controller and low-level controllers) with well-defined intrinsic rewards using any RL methods and is able to construct new skills from existing ones without additional learning. We evaluate the proposed methods in a simple grid world simulation as well as simulation on a Baxter robot.
Risk Factors for Malignant Transformation of Low-Grade Glioma

Purpose The incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of low-grade glioma patients who undergo malignant transformation (MT) in the era of temozolomide are not well known. This study evaluates these factors in a large group of World Health Organization grade 2 glioma patients treated at a tertiary-care institution. Methods and Materials Patient, tumor, and treatment factors were analyzed using an institutional review board–approved low-grade glioma database. Characteristics were compared using χ2 and Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Time to event was summarized using proportional hazards models. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed. Results Of a total of 599 patients, 124 underwent MT; 76 (61.3%) had biopsy-proven MT. The MT incidence was 21%, and the median time to MT was 56.4 months. The 5- and 10-year progression-free survival rates were 30.6% ± 4.2% and 4.8% ± 1.9%, respectively, for MT patients and 60% ± 2.4% and 38% ± 2.7%, respectively, for non-MT patients. The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 75% ± 4.0% and 46% ± 5.0%, respectively, for MT patients and 87% ± 1.7% and 78% ± 2.3%, respectively, for non-MT patients. On multivariate analysis, older age (P = .001), male sex (P = .004), multiple tumor locations (P = .004), chemotherapy alone (P = .012), and extent of resection (P = .045) remained significant predictors of MT. Conclusions MT affects survival. Risk factors include older age, male sex, multiple tumor locations, use of chemotherapy alone, and presence of residual disease. Our finding that initial interventions could affect the rate of MT is provocative, but these data should be validated using data from prospective trials. In addition to improving survival, future therapeutic efforts should focus on preventing MT.
Tailoring peptide conformational space with organic gas modifiers in TIMS-MS

Recently, we showed the advantages of Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry for the study of kinetic intermediates of biomolecules as a function of the starting solvent composition (e.g., organic content and pH) and collisional induced activation. In the present work, we further characterize the influence of the bath composition (e.g., organic content) on the conformational space of an intrinsically disordered, DNA binding peptide: AT-hook 3 (Lys-Arg-Pro-Arg-Gly-Arg-Pro-Arg-Lys-Trp). Results show the dependence of the charge state distribution and mobility profiles by doping the solution and the bath gas with organic modifiers (e.g., methanol and acetone). The high resolving power of the TIMS analyzer allowed the separation of multiple IMS band per charge state, and their relative abundances are described as a function of the experimental conditions. The use of gas modifiers resulted in larger inverse mobilities, with a direct correlation between the size of the modifier and the 1/K0 differences. Conformational isomer inter-conversion rates were observed as a function of the trapping time. Different from solution experiments, a larger variety of organic gas modifiers can be used to tailor the peptide conformational space, since peptide precipitation is not a problem.
Subspace-Based Imaging Using Only Power Measurements

In this paper, we are interested in the high-resolution imaging of an unknown area based on only power measurements of a small number of wireless transceivers located on one side of the unknown area. In order to do so, we propose a framework that achieves a polynomial order reduction in the number of antennas required for high-resolution imaging. More specifically, we show that by spacing the antennas at multiples of the wavelength and applying subspace-based analysis, we can image $M$ targets using only 2M + 1 transmit/receive antennas (as compared to the state-of-the-art value of M2 + 1 antennas). We then validate our framework using simulations in both noise-free and noisy environments.
Linear Complementarity Since 1978

We survey developments on the Linear Complementarity Problem (LCP) since 1978, the year in which the International School of Mathematics on Variational Inequalities and Complementarity Problems took place at the ‘Ettore Majorana’ Centre of Scientific Culture in Erice, Sicily. This report will touch on matrix classes and the existence of solutions, complexity, degeneracy resolution, algorithms, software products, applications and generalizations of the LCP.
Decision Making Methodology to Reduce Energy in Automobile Manufacturing

Energy is a necessary input for most manufacturing processes and is increasingly the focus of industry to reduce its consumption. There are many processes that use energy both directly and indirectly. Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems that precisely control indoor climate are driven both by direct and indirect process requirements and often account for a significant percentage of energy consumption in manufacturing facilities. This paper presents a case study of one type of specialized industrial HVAC system in automotive manufacturing, namely air supply houses for paint shop spray booths. The study examines three different facility improvement options in terms of energy consumption and life cycle cost. Such analysis enables decision makers to select optimal capital improvement projects related to HVAC systems.
Simultaneous estimation of flexible models and associated hyperparameters: An application to travel activity-duration modeling

Estimation of flexible-statistical models of travel demand involves tuning varying parameters, hyperparameters, manually and iteratively. Proper tuning of hyperparameters results in superior models. However, considerable expertise including technical knowledge of statistics, data mining or machine learning and experience are required to tune hyperparameters and consequently generate appropriate models. Moreover, tuning hyperparameters is prone to subjective error and consequently produces travel demand models that are difficult to reproduce, and extend; and makes the development more an art than a science. There is a need for methods to reduce or eliminate subjectivity during the tuning process. This study proposed a framework to reduce subjectivity during the tuning of hyperparameters required for the estimation of nonparametric models of activity-duration. That is, a flexible-statistical framework, which leverages state-of-the-art innovations in Bayesian optimization (BO), was proposed to estimate Gaussian process models of activity duration and associated hyperparameters. The framework was applied to estimate duration models for five types of out-of-home non-mandatory activity episodes for household individuals in the greater Los Angeles area. Experiments demonstrate that the accuracy of results from the proposed framework are superior than those from the state-of-art tuning process, and are obtained in a fraction of time. The proposed framework could potentially increase the productivity of modelers by reducing time required to tune hyperparameters.
The Material Manifestations of Regional Culture

This essay explores the non-luxury materialities through which most people experienced the world, argues for the possibilities of a geographically based view of Ming and Qing material history, and demonstrates some methods for approaching hard-to-find sources. It is my contention that not only will learning about and paying attention to such regional materialities open up new areas of research, but historians will also become better equipped to assess what we think we know about “China.” Here, I will concentrate on the geologically homogeneous region of the Greater North China Plain and focus on temple buildings, ritual vessels, and images of gods.
Will an Enhanced Thayer Method of Learning Apply to Physical Education Classes

This article investigates the use of the Thayer Method (TM, also known as the flipped classroom) to teach college and university physical education classes, and proposes a modification to the method. This update to the TM will increase physical activity enjoyment and adherence.