cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Excited-State Intramolecular Proton Transfer in 2-(2'-Tosylaminophenyl)benzimidazole

The spectroscopic properties of 2-(2‘-tosylaminophenyl)benzimidazole (TPBI) have been studied in a series of different solvents. As revealed by absorbance, steady-state, and time-resolved emission spectroscopy, the molecule undergoes fast excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) to yield emission of the corresponding tautomeric species with a large quantum yield (0.5). The fluorescence emission shows monoexponential decay kinetics (τ = 4.5 ns) regardless of the nature of the solvent. The ground-state equilibrium is dominated by a single rotamer and small amounts of the deprotonated anion. The X-ray structure of TPBI shows a substantial out-of-plane twist along the aryl−benzimidazole bond axis, which is presumably due to π-stacking interactions between the tosylamide and benzimidazole rings. Ab initio calculations suggest a different structure in the gas phase without π-stacking interactions and a substantially reduced twist angle. A large energy barrier for interconversion of the cis- and tran...
Educational Strategies and Volunteering in Global Health Radiology

The need for global health imaging expertise and resources is increasingly apparent. Unlike many other medical specialties, the modern radiology enterprise consists of a variety of skilled stakeholders with diverse expertise. Strategies for responsible education and sustainable outreach program development include designing and executing a formalized curriculum focused on components necessary for medical imaging utilization in low-resource settings. This chapter will touch upon related important components of global health imaging program development including principles of successful models, the role of research, challenges and controversies, and future directions for global health imaging education and volunteer programs. Though global health imaging as a field remains in the earliest stages, through a sustained multidisciplinary approach, global health imaging volunteer and education efforts will be successful in the long term.
The impact of the Good Behavior Game, a universal classroom-based preventive intervention in first and second grades, on high-risk sexual behaviors and drug abuse and dependence disorders into young adulthood

The Good Behavior Game (GBG), a method of teacher classroom behavior management, was tested in first- and second-grade classrooms in 19 Baltimore City Public Schools beginning in the 1985-1986 school year. The intervention was directed at the classroom as a whole to socialize children to the student role and reduce aggressive, disruptive behaviors, confirmed antecedents of a profile of externalizing problem outcomes. This article reports on the GBG impact on the courses and interrelationships among aggressive, disruptive behavior through middle school, risky sexual behaviors, and drug abuse and dependence disorders through ages 19-21. In five poor to lower-middle class, mainly African American urban areas, classrooms within matched schools were assigned randomly to either the GBG intervention or the control condition. Balanced assignment of children to classrooms was made, and teachers were randomly assigned to intervention or control. Analyses involved multilevel growth mixture modeling. By young adulthood, significant GBG impact was found in terms of reduced high-risk sexual behaviors and drug abuse and dependence disorders among males who in first grade and through middle school were more aggressive, disruptive. A replication with the next cohort of first-grade children with the same teachers occurred during the following school year, but with minimal teacher mentoring and monitoring. Findings were not significant but generally in the predicted direction. A universal classroom-based prevention intervention in first- and second-grade classrooms can reduce drug abuse and dependence disorders and risky sexual behaviors.
Cigarette smoke extract induces differential expression levels of beta-defensin peptides in human alveolar epithelial cells

Background The damaging effects of cigarette smoke on the lungs are well known in terms of cancer risks. Additional molecular changes within the lung tissue can also occur as a result of exposure to cigarette smoke. The human β-defensin (hBD) class of antimicrobial peptides is the focus of our research. In addition to antimicrobial activity, β-defensins also have immunomodulatory functions. Over 30 previously unrecognized β-defensin genes have recently been identified in the human genome, many with yet to be determined functions. We postulated that altered β-defensin production may play a role in the pathogenesis observed in the lungs of smokers. Our hypothesis is that cigarette smoke exposure will affect the expression of β-defensins in human lung alveolar epithelial cells (A549).
Analytic signal processing in music computation

Digital synthesis of music has led to the consideration of models other than the usual additive (Fourier) synthesis of waveforms. One of these methods, based on the FM equation, has been found to be of particular value due to its easy implementation and the richness and evolutionary character of its harmonic structure in time. Any useful synthesis procedure should be accompanied by a corresponding analytic procedure. In this paper we lay the foundations for such a procedure based on the discrete Hilbert transform.
Complex Interactions of HIV Infection, Malaria, and Iron Deficiency

children not infected with HIV [4]. Malaria and iron deficiency also have a complex relationship. Iron deficiency appears to be protective against clinical malaria in children in malaria-endemic areas [5], and iron supplementation in malaria-endemic areas, particularly in iron-replete children, has been associated with an increased risk of malaria and severe adverse events (hospitalization or death) [6].The relationship between HIV infection and iron deficiency is less well characterized. Some studies indicate that children infected with HIV have iron deficiency less frequently than children without HIV infection, but the chronic inflammation often seen during HIV infection might lead to underestimates of irondeficiencyinthispopulation,because
Sensing micrometer-scale deformations via stretching of a photonic crystal

Abstract This paper reports micrometer-scale strain measurements that are enabled through the observed wavelength shift in a stretched surface photonic crystal narrow bandwidth optical reflectance filter. The photonic crystal optical filter is comprised of a 550 nm period, dielectric-coated linear grating structure, which was fabricated on the surface of a thin sheet of silicone rubber. When stretched, the change in grating period induced a change in the wavelength of light coupled into the photonic crystal, which could be measured using a spectrometer. The observed wavelength change was 4.53 nm per 1% strain and was linear up to 3.75% strain. The measurement was affected by temperature fluctuations, which could be compensated. The resolution of the measurement was 78 μɛ.
Unicellular Ca2+ Signaling ‘Toolkit’ at the Origin of Metazoa

Ca 2+ signaling pathways control many physiological processes in almost all types of animal cells such as fertilization, muscle contraction, hormone release, and learning and memory. Each animal cell type expresses a unique group of molecules from the Ca 2+ signaling 'toolkit' to control spatiotemporal patterns of Ca 2+ signaling. It is generally believed that the complex Ca 2+ signaling 'toolkit' has arisen from the ancestral multicellular organisms to fit unique physiological roles of specialized cell types. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the presence of an extensive Ca 2+ signaling 'toolkit' in the unicellular choanoflagellate Monosiga brevicollis. Choanoflagellates possess homologues of various types of animal plasma membrane Ca 2+ channels including the store-operated channel, ligand-operated channels, voltage-operated channels, second messenger-operated channels, and 5 out of 6 animal transient receptor potential channel families. Choanoflagellates also contain homologues of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors. Furthermore, choanoflagellates master a complete set of Ca 2+ removal systems including plasma membrane and sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ ATPases and homologues of 3 animal cation/Ca 2+ exchanger families. Therefore, a complex Ca 2+ signaling 'toolkit' might have evolved before the emergence of multicellular animals.
Effects of Washing on Fiber Properties, Dust Generation, and Processing Quality of Cotton1

Thoroughly washed cotton has been exempted from the OSHA cotton dust standard. For insuring worker safety and health and for possible economic benefit, processing of washed cotton may be a realistic method for dealing with the cotton dust problem, at least for some segments of the cotton textile industry. Cottons washed under different conditions of time, temperature, detergency, and fiber finish were evaluated for effects on noncellulosic constituents, fiber properties, dust generation, and processing and yarn qualities. The more severe washing treatments adversely affected fiber length and removed large percentages of the natural waxes, whereas, the milder treatments did not affect fiber properties and left the natural waxes intact. All washing treatments reduced dust in processing. Washing generally had some adverse effect on processing and yarn qualities, but all washed cottons were processed into commercially acceptable yarns.
A Brief Look at the Learning Disabilities Movement in the United States

The article describes briefly the development of the learning disability movement in the United States, beginning in 1800 and continuing to the present. The discussion has three parts. The first part deals with the foundations phase and focuses on ideas that contributed tot eh theoretical basis that preceded, and actually made possible, the formation of the LD movement. The second part, the early years of the field, deals with events that established LD as a specific area of study and contributed to its growth from 1963 to around 1990. The third part provides a brief glimpse into to the future.
Cooperative time-reversal communication in wireless sensor networks

In this paper, we study the feasibility of using a technique called time reversal for cooperative communication on wireless sensor networks. An indoor environment containing multiple wireless sensors is used as an example in which to test and demonstrate this approach. Using numerical simulations, we study the behavior of the peak power received at a target sensor as a function of the number of cooperating transmitting sensors as well as the level of transmitted signal distortion and timing synchronization errors. The simulation results demonstrate that time reversal is an effective generalization of beamforming that provides an efficient basis for cooperative communication on broadband multipath channels
Localization of boar sperm proacrosin during spermatogenesis and during sperm maturation in the epididymis

The localization of proacrosin was determined by using colloidal gold labeling and electron microscopy of boar germ cells during spermiogenesis to post-ejaculation. Proacrosin was first localized in round spermatids during the Golgi phase of spermiogenesis; it was associated with the electron-dense granule, or acrosomal granule that was conspicuous within the acrosome. It remained within the acrosomal granule during the cap and acrosome phases of spermiogenesis. At these stages, there was no apparent association of the proacrosin molecule with the acrosomal membranes. During the maturation phase of spermiogenesis, proacrosin was seen to become dispersed into all regions of the acrosome except the equatorial segment. When sperm from different segments of the epididymis and ejaculated sperm were examined, localization was observed throughout the acrosome except for the equatorial segment. Here proacrosin appeared to be localized on both the inner and outer acrosomal membranes as well as with the acrosomal matrix, although further studies are required to verify the membrane localization. No labeling was seen on the plasma membrane. These data suggest that the synthesis and movement of proacrosin to sites in the acrosome are controlled by an as yet unknown process. The absence of proacrosin on the plasma membrane of mature ejaculated sperm makes it unlikely that this enzyme plays a role in sperm-zona adhesion prior to capacitation.
Developing capable quality improvement leaders

Background/objective Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center created the Intermediate Improvement Science Series (I2S2) training course to develop organisational leaders to do improvement, lead improvement and get results on specific projects. Design methods Each multidisciplinary class consists of 25–30 participants and 12 in-class training days over 6 months. Instructional methods include lectures, case studies, interactive application exercises and dialogue, participant reports and assigned readings. Participants demonstrate competence in improvement science by completing a project with improvement in outcome and/or process measures. They present on their projects and receive feedback during each session and one-on-one coaching between sessions. Results Since 2006, 279 participants in 11 classes have completed the I2S2 course. Participant evaluations have consistently rated satisfaction, learning, application, impact and value very high. Large and statistically significant changes were observed in pre-course to post-course self-assessment of knowledge of five quality improvement topics. Approximately 85% of the projects demonstrated measurable improvement. At follow-up, 72% of improvement projects were completed and made a part of everyday operations in the participant's unit or were the focus of continuing improvement work. Many changes were spread to other units or programmes. Most (88%) responding graduates continued to participate in formal quality improvement efforts and many led other improvement projects. Nearly half of the respondents presented their results at one or more professional conference. Conclusions Through the I2S2 course, the authors are developing improvement leaders, accelerating the shift in the culture from a traditional academic medical centre to an improvement-focused culture, and building cross-silo relationships by developing leaders who understand the organisation as a large system of interdependent subsystems focused on improving health.
Explaining the IPV Arrest Decision: Incident, Agency, and Community Factors

Over the last half century in the United States, we have seen the criminal system become increasingly aggressive in its response to violence against intimate partners. Although policies have been i...
Evidence for a tetrahedral intermediate complex during serpin-proteinase interactions.

Proteinase inhibitors in the serpin family form complexes with serine proteinases by interactions between the gamma-OH group at serine 195 of the enzyme and a specific peptide bond within the reactive site loop of the inhibitor. However, the type of complex formed (i.e. Michaelis, acyl, or tetrahedral) is unknown. Until now, 13C NMR spectroscopy studies have only been useful in examining complexes formed with either peptide-related or small protein inhibitors, where 13C-labeled amino acids can be inserted semi-synthetically. Recombinant DNA technology has, however, made it possible to specifically enrich larger proteins with 13C. In the case of serpins we have examined the structure of the complex formed between human alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor uniformally labeled with [13C]methionine and porcine pancreatic elastase. 13C NMR spectroscopic studies revealed a large upfield chemical shift of the carbonyl signal of Met-358 upon complex formation suggesting for the first time that a tetrahedral adduct is formed between a serpin inhibitor and a serine proteinase.
Laser-Induced Current Transients in Strained-Si Diodes

Laser-induced current transients are measured on uniaxially stressed silicon (Si) N+/P diodes using a high speed measurement system. Controlled external mechanical stress along the (110) direction is applied via a four-point bending jig while the samples are irradiated using a cavity-dumped dye laser with a wavelength of 590 nm. A decrease in the peak current is observed for increasing tensile stress applied to the diode. Unlike tensile stress, compressive stress increases the peak current. Charge collection is observed to decrease with tensile and increase with compressive stress. These results suggest that uniaxial mechanical stress alters the current transients due to strain-induced changes in electron mobility along the (001) direction. The average effective electron mass along the (001) direction increases with tensile and decreases with compressive stress resulting from the splitting of degenerate conduction band valleys and the repopulation of electrons from higher to lower valleys. The Florida object oriented device simulator (FLOODS) is used to explain the mechanism of current transients in unstressed and stressed diodes. FLOODS is also used to predict results for values of applied stress ( ~ 1 GPa) beyond those that can be obtained using the bending jig (~ 240 MPa).
Phosphorylation of the AMPA Receptor GluR1 Subunit Is Required for Synaptic Plasticity and Retention of Spatial Memory

Plasticity of the nervous system is dependent on mechanisms that regulate the strength of synaptic transmission. Excitatory synapses in the brain undergo long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), cellular models of learning and memory. Protein phosphorylation is required for the induction of many forms of synaptic plasticity, including LTP and LTD. However, the critical kinase substrates that mediate plasticity have not been identified. We previously reported that phosphorylation of the GluR1 subunit of AMPA receptors, which mediate rapid excitatory transmission in the brain, is modulated during LTP and LTD. To test if GluR1 phosphorylation is necessary for plasticity and learning and memory, we generated mice with knockin mutations in the GluR1 phosphorylation sites. The phosphomutant mice show deficits in LTD and LTP and have memory defects in spatial learning tasks. These results demonstrate that phosphorylation of GluR1 is critical for LTD and LTP expression and the retention of memories.
Modeling the Failure Strength of Notched Graphite/Polyimide Plates Subjected to Extreme Temperatures

The influence of cryogenic and elevated temperatures on the notched strengths of two Celion 6000/PMR-15 laminates was investigated. Tests were conducted at −157, 24 and 316°C ( − 250, 75 and 600 ° F). Two failure criteria were used to model the fracture strength.
Construction of Morrow Point Power Plant and Dam

Construction of the Morrow Point double-curvature thin-arch concrete dam and underground power plant is in progress in the rugged Black Canyon of the Gunnison River. Rock excavations, open cut and underground, require extensive stabilization. Periphery smooth wall blasting techniques result in more uniform and stable open cut rock slopes and reduce overbreak. Alinement symmetry and configuration of underground excavations are greatly improved. There was teamwork between the engineer and the geologist employed to analyze and prescribe drilling and blasting patterns in alternating lenticular and irregular beds of rock of varying hardness and strength. Rock bolts were used extensively in open cuts and as a means of roof supports in underground excavations. In the crown of the power plant chamber, no rock was left unsupported longer than 12 hr after blasting. Proper instrumentation provides essential information concerning movement and reactions in the rock in the underground excavations. Gain in tension of rock bolts is recorded by strain-meters. Borehole extensometers are monitoring rock movements. The dam concrete was designed for a compressive strain of 4,500 psi at the end of 1 yr.
A Solution of the Irrigation Advance Problems

Dimensionless curves for solution of the infiltration-advance problem in irrigation hydraulics are developed for the case in which infiltration satisfies the equation, y = k t a . These curves allow the direct determination of either stream size or length of run. The predicted position of the advancing wetting front is compared to measured positions for field data obtained from graded borders and both level and graded furrows. The proposed method is also compared with Hall's method for predicting wetting front advance positions. Empirical equations for the prediction of the depth of flow and average area of surface storage for typical furrows are also presented.
Audit Fees and Nonaudit Fees in the Governmental Sector: A Self-Selection Analysis

We use a self-selection model to examine differences in audit fees between purchasers and non-purchasers of nonaudit services for a sample of 165 Michigan governmental units. Understanding the relationship between audit fees and nonaudit fees is important because nonaudit services potentially influence audit quality in the governmental sector. We find significant differences between purchasers and non-purchasers of additional services which influence audit fees. Purchasers of additional services have more audit adjustments and less experienced financial personnel than non-purchasers, suggesting that purchasers experience more accounting problems. Consistent with previous private sector research, we find a positive relationship between audit fees and nonaudit fees. Further analysis by auditor type suggests that the relationship between audit fees and nonaudit fees is negative for Big 6 auditors, but positive for other audit firms. This difference in the relationship between audit fees and nonaudit fees by auditor type may be due to differences in the nature of the consulting services demanded, or differences in the contractual arrangements for audit and nonaudit services.
Nanocrystalline Germanium and Germanium Carbide Films and Devices

Nanocrystalline Ge and its alloys with C are potentially useful materials for solar cells, thin film transistors and image sensors. In this paper, we discuss the growth and properties of these materials using remote, low pressure ECR plasma deposition. The materials and devices were grown from mixtures of germane, methane and hydrogen. It was found that high hydrogen dilutions (>40:1) were needed to crystallize the films. Studies of x-ray spectra revealed that the grains were primarily oriented. The grain size was a strong function of hydrogen dilution and growth temperature. Higher growth temperatures resulted in larger grain size. High hydrogen dilution tended to reduce grain size. These results can be explained by recognizing that excessive amounts of bonded H can inhibit the growth of grain, which is the thermodynamically favorable direction for grain growth. Grain sizes as large as 80 nm were obtained in nc-Ge. Addition of C reduced the crystallinity. Mobility and carrier concentrations in nc-Ge were measured using Hall effect. Mobility values of ~5 cm2/V-s and carrier concentrations of were obtained in larger grains. p+nn+ devices were fabricated on stainless steel substrates and compared with similar devices deposited in nc-Si:H. It was found that the voltage decreased and current increased in nc-Ge devices, in comparison with devices in nc-Si:H. Addition of C to Ge devices increased the open circuit voltage and shifted the quantum efficiency to larger photon energies, as expected.
Civil Engineering and National Goals in Bioengineeirng

The increasing societal demands for better, more effective health care cannot be met without a fundamental re-examination of health care as a system, and without the mobilization of all our technological resources. The role that technology can play in the analysis, planning, and operation of an effective health-care system is extremely vast, and yet only imperfectly perceived. Two sets of questions need to be examined and resolved. The first is the potential that different areas of technology have in specific segments and aspects of the health-care system and of the related background disciplines. The second is the establishment of specific, pragmatic goals for increasing the effectiveness of the system.
Distribution of diaminobenzidine reaction products in zoospores of Phytophthora palmivora

Because microbodies in many filamentous fungi fail to stain with the 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) technique, the subcellular localization of DAB reaction products at two pHs was explored in an electron microscopic study of zoospores of Phytophthora palmivora. At pH 9.2, but not at pH 7.2, DAB reaction product was in the matrix of U-bodies and microbodies, indicating that both organelles contained catalase. In contrast to a homogeneous distribution in microbodies, reaction product was limited to the core of U-bodies and absent from their halo and shell regions. At both pH 7.2 and 9.2, reaction product filled mitochondrial cristae, the site of cytochrome c oxidase. In addition to the organellar compartmentalization of reaction product, DAB reactions at pH 9.2 and 7.2 enhanced the prominence of an asymmetry in the trilamellar structure of the zoospore plasma membrane and the appearance of a cell coat covering the plasma membrane and flagellar sheath. This coat formed during zoosporogenesis, and DAB reactions intensified cell coat material that lined the inner surfaces of membranes involved in cytoplasmic cleavage. Since no reaction product formed in tissues incubated in reaction media to which sodium azide was added or DAB eliminated, reaction products were enzymatically produced. Because the DAB reaction highlights plasma membrane asymmetry and the presence of a cell coat, this technique should be useful in morphologically marking plasma membranes, enabling their recognition during zoosporogenesis or in isolated subcellular fractions of this fungus.
Interaction of human chorionic gonadotropin with rat gonads.

This paper describes preparation of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) with 125 I by an enzymatic method. When administered intravenously to pseudo-pregnant immature rats (125 I) HCG was concentrated in the ovary. The labeled hormone was allowed to intract with decapsulated rat testes in vitro. The hormone bound to the membrane fraction of rat testes and ovaries was extracted with acid saline (pH2.3). The extracted hormone was capable of interacting with the receptor fraction of rat testes to the same extent extracted hormone was administered to superovulated rats it was concentrated by the ovary. The pattern of uptake however was biphastics and a new early peak was observed occurring within 30 minutes after administration. On electrophoesis of the extracted hormone in acrylamide gel its motility was slightly slowed as compared with the membrane franction of rat testes or ovaries resulted in some structural modifications of the HCG molecule. Details of technique are given. Findings suggest that the labeled HCG was bound to the receptor rather than absorbed nonspecifically on corpus luteum cells.
Solar Inactivation of Enterococci and Escherichia coli in Natural Waters: Effects of Water Absorbance and Depth

The decay of sewage-sourced Escherichia coli and enterococci was measured at multiple depths in a freshwater marsh, a brackish water lagoon, and a marine site, all located in California. The marine site had very clear water, while the waters from the marsh and lagoon contained colored dissolved organic matter that not only blocked light but also produced reactive oxygen species. First order decay rate constants of both enterococci and E. coli were between 1 and 2 d–1 under low light conditions and as high as 6 d–1 under high light conditions. First order decay rate constants were well correlated to the daily average UVB light intensity corrected for light screening incorporating water absorbance and depth, suggesting endogenous photoinactivation is a major pathway for bacterial decay. Additional laboratory experiments demonstrated the presence of colored dissolved organic matter in marsh water enhanced photoinactivation of a laboratory strain of Enterococcus faecalis, but depressed photoinactivation of se...
Culture strategy to shape an enterprise's core competence

Rand corporation divide an enterprise's core competence into three partitions,that is,product level,system level and core level.Of which the core level is a basic and kernel while corporate culture is one of the most important matter in the core level.Suggestions about how to build and mould an enterprise's core competence were presented in view of corporate culture in the paper.
The Air Flow Model/Boundary Fluid Structure Interaction/The Aeroelastic Problem

In this chapter we make a precise mathematical statement of the aeroelastic problem that we wish to solve. Having described the structure model, we turn to the air flow model simplifying it to the most used case where we neglect viscosity and consider “nonviscous flow” but more importantly assume that the entropy is constant. This makes the flow vortex free so that the flow can be described in terms of the potential. Our concern is again more the structure response in air flow—“aeroelasticity”—and hence the fluid–structure boundary conditions play the dominant role in determining the aerodynamic loading on the wing structure.
Overcoming cancer multidrug resistance through inhibition of microparticles

One of the main obstacles to success of chemotherapy agents is the development of cancer resistance. Cancer multi-drug resistance (MDR) is thought to arise from over-expression of efflux transporters on cancer cells’ plasma membranes. Recently, microparticles (MP) were found to play a major role in mediating the resistance to antineoplastic agents. Microparticles can confer MDR phenotype to cancer cells though 3 complimentary pathways: 1) Intercellular transfer of P-gp and MRP1; 2) Intercellular transfer of regulatory nucleic acids that ensure acquisition of MDR phenotype; and 3) Internal sequestration of anticancer drugs to reduce the amount of free active drug. Compounds that inhibit MP formation that are currently under investigation include calpain inhibitors, RhoA inhibitors, ROCK inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, pantethine, glutaminase inhibitors, some anti-platelet drugs and some lipid-lowering agents. This area of research requires further development to select, improve and test those compounds that show the most promise in providing safe and effective treatment against MDR.
Integrated geo-scientific surveys in the historical centre of Mesagne (Brindisi, Southern Italy)

The topographic and geo-morphological characteristics of the Salento peninsula (Puglia, south-eastern Italy) mean that movements of mass are extremely rare. These phenomena particularly affect certain coastal zones characterized by cliffs in rapid retreat and some unusual points in the hinterland in which collapses, generally linked to the development of karstic cavities, are common. These phenomena demonstrate the brittleness of some areas of the Salento, and they constitute a restraint on the use of the territory itself. The town of Mesagne is one of the sites at greatest geological risk in the north Salento peninsula. In the last few decades, the historical centre of Mesagne has been affected by a series of subsidence events, which have, in some cases, resulted in the partial collapse of buildings and road surfaces. The last event was in the January 2014. It caused subsidence phenomenon in a wide area, and many families have been forced from their homes. These events have had both social repercussions, causing alarm and emergency situations, and economic repercussions in terms of the expense of restoration. In order to determine the causes of the ground subsidence events, integrated geophysical surveys were undertaken in the historical centre of Mesagne. In addition, the analysis of several wells allowed the 3D model reconstruction related both to the geology and to the groundwater depth in the surveyed areas. With the purpose of estimating the dimensions of the phenomenon and its possible relationship with both specific environmental conditions (for instance groundwater depth variation) and anthropic conditions (for instance the losses in water supply and sanitation), some geophysical measurements were repeated in the time. The study led to the production of a detailed description of the subsidence causes that allows a quick action to restore security conditions in the area.
The use of permutation tests for the analysis of parallel and stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trials

We investigate the use of permutation tests for the analysis of parallel and stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trials. Permutation tests for parallel designs with exponential family endpoints have been extensively studied. The optimal permutation tests developed for exponential family alternatives require information on intraclass correlation, a quantity not yet defined for time-to-event endpoints. Therefore, it is unclear how efficient permutation tests can be constructed for cluster-randomized trials with such endpoints. We consider a class of test statistics formed by a weighted average of pair-specific treatment effect estimates and offer practical guidance on the choice of weights to improve efficiency. We apply the permutation tests to a cluster-randomized trial evaluating the effect of an intervention to reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired infection. In some settings, outcomes from different clusters may be correlated, and we evaluate the validity and efficiency of permutation test in such settings. Lastly, we propose a permutation test for stepped-wedge designs and compare its performance with mixed-effect modeling and illustrate its superiority when sample sizes are small, the underlying distribution is skewed, or there is correlation across clusters. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A 2.24-mW, 61.8-dB SNDR, 20-MS/s Pipelined ADC With Charge-Pump-Based Dynamic Biasing for Power Reduction in Op Amp Sharing

A high-speed dynamic biasing technique is presented for reducing op amp power in discrete-time, multistage, analog circuits employing op amp sharing. To exploit typical power scaling in such circuits, a charge pump, of which the on-times of up and down currents are controlled by two comparators, performs rapid change of the op amp bias condition between a low-current mode and a high-current mode during nonoverlapping clock periods of the two phase clocks. The errors caused by finite comparator delay are compensated for by embedding intentional offset voltages in the comparators, which are implemented by using asymmetric differential input pairs in the comparators. To verify the efficacy of the proposed biasing technique, an 11-b pipelined analog-to-digital converter (ADC) has been implemented using 0.15- $\mu \text{m}$ devices in a 28-nm CMOS technology. With a 20-MHz sampling clock, the ADC achieves a 61.8-dB SNDR while consuming a 2.24-mW power from a 1.8-V supply. The MDAC and ADC power are reduced by about 45% and 30%, respectively, compared with a conventional pipelined ADC employing an op amp in each MDAC. Owing to the simple structure of the proposed dynamic biasing, the prototype ADC occupies only 0.052 mm2.
Deep learning control for complex and large scale cloud systems

Deep learning attempts to model high level perceptions in data using deep graph representations and creating models to learn these representations from large-scale unlabeled signals. Efficient unsu...
Measuring Firms’ Investment in Accounting Resources: Implications for Malfeasance Versus Optimal Incompetence

Despite acknowledgement in the literature that low quality earnings (i.e., those that are subsequently restated) arise not only from managerial malfeasance but also underlying differences in firm fundamentals, many studies focus on the former and relegate the latter to the generic rubric of “innate” factors. We seek to expand this black box by studying one specific mechanism, which is firms’ investment in accounting resources. This represents investments in hardware, software, and accounting staff that focus on the accounting function. We provide a framework that illustrates how this cost-benefit tradeoff is influenced by firm characteristics, and we demonstrate that restatements and these innate factors are linked because earnings quality arises endogenously from firm-value maximizing investments in accounting resources. We test our framework empirically and propose two proxies for the firm’s (unobservable) investment in accounting systems: filing timeliness of the 10-K and spelling errors in the 10-K. In addition to uncovering correlations consistent with our framework, we document that our composite measure of accounting resources is negatively associated with the likelihood of a restatement in the subsequent year. We apply these insights to prior work, in particular the role of the business cycle in accounting fraud. We find that intertemporal variation in the frequency of accounting restatements is correlated with similar patterns in firms’ investments in accounting resources. This evidence raises the alternative explanation that the alleged role of the business cycle on accounting fraud can be driven by time-series variation in accounting resources. Our results are robust to controlling for the endogeneity of accounting resources using an instrumental variables design that exploits regulatory changes in firms’ filing deadlines.
Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Cystic Fibrosis: Metabolism and Therapy

Patients with cystic fibrosis exhibit characteristic abnormalities in the levels and metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids. The most common are decreases in linoleate and docosahexaenoate and increases of palmitoleate and Mead acid. There is evidence suggesting that these alterations play a role in disease development through altering cellular membrane characteristics and changing levels of eicosanoids and docosanoids that regulate important processes involved in the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis. The precise mechanisms of these changes are not entirely understood, but there is evidence suggesting that overexpression of certain metabolic enzymes is involved. Reversal of these abnormalities by dietary supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids has shown therapeutic promise in cell and animal models. Clinical trials have shown that such supplementation may benefit some patients, but the evidence is not yet sufficient to recommend routine use.
Role of crystal lattice templating and galvanic coupling in enhanced reversible capacity of Ni(OH)2/Co(OH)2 core/shell battery cathode

Abstract A series of Ni(OH)2/Co(OH)2 core/shell nanoplatelets with varying shell thickness (0.5–4.1 nm) are systematically investigated with a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX), x-ray diffraction (XRD), in situ and ex situ x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS), and electrochemical tests. Structure-properties correlations reveal that electrochemical behavior and reversibility of Co(OH)2 redox conversion depends non-linearly on the average shell thickness, with the best performance (99.6% of theoretical capacity of the composite material, 10% improvement over the performance of pristine Ni(OH)2 nanoparticles) is achieved at shell thickness of 1.9 ± 0.3 nm. Two fundamental phenomena are suggested to be responsible for the superior performance: templated shell deposition and galvanic coupling of core and shell materials. Homogeneous deposition of the shell is confirmed with XRD, SEM and EDX, while lattice templating effect was suggested from XAFS results showing that Co-M and Co-O distances are close to those of the Ni(OH)2 lattice in thin shells and shift gradually towards values of bulk Co(OH)2 as the shell thickness increases. From a combination of electrochemical and structural characterization of these composite nanomaterials, including in situ XAFS, galvanic coupling between the shell and core is proposed as a material activation mechanism, which explains the limited reversibility of the Co(II)/Co(III) oxidation in some cases. Proposed performance enhancement mechanisms are applicable for design of other core/shell electrode materials.
Joint probability density function models for multiscalar turbulent mixing

Abstract Modeling multicomponent turbulent mixing is essential for simulations of turbulent combustion, which is controlled by mixing of fuel, oxidizer, combustion products, and intermediate species. One challenge is to find functions that can reproduce the joint probability density function (PDF) of scalar mixing states using only a small number of parameters. Even for mixing with only two independent scalars, several statistical distributions, including the Dirichlet, Connor–Mosimann (CM), five-parameter bivariate beta (BVB5), and statistically-most-likely distributions, have previously been proposed for this purpose, with minimal physical justification. This work uses the concept of statistical neutrality to relate these distributions to each other, relate the distributions to physical mixing configurations, and develop a systematic approach to model selection. This approach is validated by comparing the ability of these distributions to reproduce the evolution of the scalar PDF from Direct Numerical Simulations of three-component passive scalar mixing in isotropic turbulence with 11 different initial conditions that are representative of a wide range of mixing conditions of interest. The approach correctly identifies whether the Dirichlet, CM, and BVB5 distributions, which are increasingly complex bivariate generalizations of the beta distribution, can accurately model the joint PDFs, but knowledge of the mixing configuration is required to select the appropriate distribution. The statistically-most-likely distribution is generally less accurate than the appropriate bivariate beta distribution but still gives reasonable predictions and does not require knowledge of the mixing configuration, so it is a suitable model when no single mixing configuration can be identified.
The Young Child as Victim of Sibling Attack

A younger child may be a family's sacrificial lamb bearing the brunt of considerable physical punishment and deflecting such abuse from other family members
From Cajal to the Connectome: Building a Neuroanatomical Framework for Understanding the Auditory System

We are working in a time of great change in neuroscience in general and in auditory neuroscience in particular. Rapid development of powerful new methods for studying the nervous system, combined with massive increases in affordable computer memory and storage capacity and the expanding field of bioinformatics, have opened the door for analysis and dissemination of neuroanatomical data in exciting new ways. In this chapter, I discuss some of the new possibilities (and some of the many associated challenges) available for sharing large amounts of neuroanatomical data in ways that can be used as frameworks for organizing results from all areas of auditory research.
Calculation of Gaseous Heat Conduction in Dewars

The use of high vacuum as an element of thermal insulation is familiar through the example of the cryogenic vessel. In such devices it is not always practical to achieve such a high vacuum as to make the gaseous conduction of heat negligible compared to radiation. Indeed, when both boundaries are at a low temperature—as in a vessel for liquid hydrogen or helium when surrounded by liquid nitrogen or liquid air—the gaseous conduction may predominate. Consequently the calculation of such conduction is a necessary part of the engineering design of vacuum insulations.
The effect of surface bending and surface stress on the transmission of a vertical line force in soft materials

Abstract When the surface of a soft substrate that carries a constant in-plane residual stress is indented by a concentrated line force, its profile near the applied load is found to have a kink, which results from a local balance of the surface stresses and the imposed force. Although the local bulk stresses in the substrate no longer have a net contribution to this force balance, they nevertheless grow according to a weak logarithmic singularity with respect to distance from the line load. Here we study how a normal line load is transmitted across a solid surface that can provide additional resistance due to bending deformation; we present an exact closed-form solution. Our analysis shows that the ability of the surface to resist bending completely regularizes the stress field — it is continuously differentiable everywhere. In particular, the stress state in the elastic substrate is hydrostatic right underneath the line load if the material is incompressible. Its maximum value is directly proportional to the applied normal load and inversely proportional to the elasto-bending length. It also depends on a dimensionless parameter which is the ratio of the elasto-capillary length to the elasto-bending length.
Machine learning for behavior classification of passively tracked vessels

Situational awareness is a constant challenge for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) due to limited communication to the surface, navigation drift, and a need to operate in busy areas around other vessels. One piece of information that would be valuable to both keep AUVs safe and inform autonomous monitoring missions is the location and behavior of nearby surface vessels. Passive acoustic data collected on a hydrophone array and processed on an on-board computer can provide bearing and time-to-intercept (TTI). This information can be used to classify overall boat behavior and inform AUV response: for example, investigating an area a boat has circled or avoiding an approaching vessel for vehicle safety reasons. Simulation studies were used to characterize trajectories for simple vehicle behaviors based on the bearing and TTI data produced by an existing passive tracking system. A classifier based on K-nearest-neighbor with dynamic time warping as a distance metric was used to classify simulation data. The simulation-based classifier was applied to classify experimental tracking data on boats completing different types of behaviors using bearing/TTI from dock-based and AUV-based hydrophone arrays.