cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Introduction to Flow Control

The subject of flow control is broadly introduced in this first chapter, leaving much of the details to the subsequent chapters of the book. The ability to actively or passively manipulate a flow field to effect a desired change is of immense technological importance, and this undoubtedly accounts for the fact that the subject is more hotly pursued by scientists and engineers than any other topic in fluid mechanics. In this chapter classical tools of flow control are emphasized, leaving the more modern strategies to the following chapter. Methods of control to achieve transition delay, separation postponement, lift enhancement, drag reduction, turbulence augmentation, or noise suppression are considered. The treatment is tutorial at times, making the material accessible to the advanced graduate student in the field of fluid mechanics. Emphasis is placed on external boundary-layer flows although applicability of some of the methods reviewed for internal flows will be mentioned. An attempt is made to present a unified view of the means by which different methods of control achieve a variety of end results. Performance penalties associated with a particular method such as cost, complexity, or trade-off will be elaborated.
Real-world use of PCSK9 inhibitors: A single-center experience.

ObjectiveHyperlipidemia is an important risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Many patients are intolerant to or have limited benefit from statins. Proprotein convertase subtilisi...
Bilingual Versus Monolingual Vocabulary Instruction for Bilingual Children with Hearing Loss

Effective vocabulary interventions for children with hearing loss, including children who are bilingual, are needed because of persistent vocabulary deficits in this population. Current instructional practices for children with hearing loss who are bilingual vary in the degree to which they incorporate the language the child uses at home. Unfortunately, there is little direct evidence as to whether bilingual or monolingual instructional practices yield greater benefits for these children. Three Spanish-English-speaking children participated in this single case adapted alternating treatments design study that evaluated the effectiveness and efficiency of bilingual and monolingual teaching procedures for an expressive vocabulary intervention. Contrary to predictions from a monolingual instruction perspective, no evidence of an inhibitory effect of bilingual instruction on English performance was identified. Participants exhibited gains in Spanish for words in the bilingual condition only. Findings suggest more efficient word learning in the bilingual condition as measured by conceptual vocabulary.
Charge polarization near dielectric interfaces and the multiple-scattering formalism

Interfacial charge polarization is ubiquitous in systems with sharp dielectric contrast. Fully resolving the interfacial charges often relies on demanding numerical algorithms to solve the boundary value problem. The recent development of an analytical multiple-scattering formalism to solve the interfacial charge polarization problem for particles carrying monopolar, dipolar, and multipolar charges is reviewed. Every term produced in this formalism has a simple interpretation, and terms for spherical particles can be rapidly evaluated using an image-line construction. Several practical applications of this formalism are illustrated. A dielectric virial expansion for polarizable particles based on this formalism is also described. The origins of singular polarization charges for particles in close contact are explained and evaluated for both dielectric and conducting spheres.
TOOLS OR SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY TO FINANCIAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to highlight the need for banks to develop financial products and services for small and medium enterprises. Methodology: The research design was descriptive survey study. The target population was 46 commercial banks .The sampling frame was the list of commercial banks given at the Central bank of Kenya Website. A sample of 17 banks was selected using random sampling. The second stage of sampling involved the selection of the respondents using a stratified sampling approach. The strata were the various departments that interact with SMEs in a bank. The respondents were the head of departments of the respective departments that form the strata. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected using a questionnaire that consisted of both open ended and close ended questions. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS. Results: One of the study objectives was to establish the level of access to financial products and services offered by the banks to SMEs. Results from the bank manager’s perspective indicated that the level of access to finance was high, but the bank clients indicated otherwise, that it was low. The other objective of the study was to determine the factors that hinder the SMEs from accessing the financial products offered by banks. Results indicated that several factors influence access of SMEs to finance. These factors include gender, level of education, size of the business, age of the entrepreneur, collateral, and level of income for the entrepreneurs. All the factors had a negative effect on the access of finances from the banks by SMEs and hence indicate SMEs low access to financial products. Another objective of the study was to establish the tools or systems required to improve accessibility to financial products offered. Results indicated that there are tools and systems put in place by banks to improve accessibility to financial products offered to small and medium enterprises. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommended that training be emphasized to SME entrepreneurs on financial matters, all gender to be treated equally, the banks to introduce financial education programs for SMEs to improve their access to credit, banks to further make use of a credit scoring system to assess the credit worthiness of small businesses and to introduce the use of new credit bureau regulations to increase SME finances.
Cultural Preferences or Financial Constraints? Understanding Racial and Ethnic Differences in Family Attitudes and Parental Coresidence in Young Adulthood:

Establishing an independent household is a key marker of adulthood. Yet, the proportion of young adults who remain in the natal home has increased, with large variations across racial and ethnic gr...
Unsupervised Deep Visual-Inertial Odometry with Online Error Correction for RGB-D Imagery

While numerous deep approaches to the problem of vision-aided localization have been recently proposed, systems operating in the real world will undoubtedly experience novel sensory states previously unseen even under the most prodigious training regimens. We address the localization problem with online error correction (OEC) modules that are trained to correct a vision-aided localization network's mistakes. We demonstrate the generalizability of the OEC modules and describe our unsupervised deep neural network approach to the fusion of RGB-D imagery with inertial measurements for absolute trajectory estimation. Our network, dubbed the Visual-Inertial-Odometry Learner (VIOLearner), learns to perform visual-inertial odometry (VIO) without inertial measurement unit (IMU) intrinsic parameters or the extrinsic calibration between an IMU and camera. The network learns to integrate IMU measurements and generate hypothesis trajectories which are then corrected online according to the Jacobians of scaled image projection errors with respect to spatial grids of pixel coordinates. We evaluate our network against state-of-the-art (SoA) VIO, visual odometry (VO), and visual simultaneous localization and mapping (VSLAM) approaches on the KITTI Odometry dataset as well as a micro aerial vehicle (MAV) dataset that we collected in the AirSim simulation environment. We demonstrate better than SoA translational localization performance against comparable SoA approaches on our evaluation sequences.
Patients with breast cancer may be at higher risk of colorectal neoplasia.

Background The risk of colorectal neoplasia in breast cancer survivors is unclear. This study aimed to determine the colonic adenoma detection rate (ADR) in patients with breast cancer. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of patients with breast cancer who underwent a colonoscopy between 2000 and 2017. A control group (n=3295), comprising cancer-free patients undergoing their first screening colonoscopy, was used for comparison. Results Of 62,820 breast cancer patients, 3304 met the inclusion criteria. The mean age at the time of first colonoscopy was 59 years. ADR was 55%; 1803 patients had adenomas. High-grade dysplasia was evident in 28% of polyps and invasive adenocarcinoma was detected in 172 patients (5%). The median time from breast cancer diagnosis to adenoma detection was 3 years. The ADR was 21% in patients aged <40 years (n=63) and 39% in patients aged 40-50 years (n=314). The ADR was 26% in patients <50 years with a body mass index (BMI) lower than 30 kg/m2 or no family history of colorectal cancer. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the following independent factors were associated with a greater risk of colon adenoma: older age, higher BMI, family history of colorectal cancer, and personal history of breast cancer. Conclusions In patients with breast cancer, the ADR was higher than the reported rates for the general population. Screening colonoscopy should be considered soon after breast cancer diagnosis in patients <50 years of age. Further prospective studies investigating our findings are warranted.
Ion Beam Modification of Polyimides

Polyimides are used extensively in situations requiring high-performance plastic materials, where other engineering materials do not function, because of their unique combination of superior mechanical, electrical, chemical and thermal properties. Kapton, a popular polyimide, is able to operate in temperature extremes as low as –269°C and as high as 400°C [1]. In particular, its excellent insulating properties, together with radiation resistance, and fire resistance, have made this polyimide one of the favorite choices for applications in wire and cable insulation, electrical component seal assemblies, and component leads in nuclear power plants, military aircraft, and space shuttles [2,3]. Other applications include various electronic components such as flexible circuits, semiconductor pads, microprocessor chip carriers, coil insulation, magnetic wire insulation, and solar arrays.
Effect of Loop Positions on Reliability and Attack Resistance of Feed-Forward PUFs

In this paper, we study multiplexer (MUX) based feed-forward (FF) physical unclonable functions (FF PUFs) with 64 stages. This paper provides the first systematic empirical analysis of the effect of FF PUF design choices on their performance by evaluating various FF PUF structures in terms of their reliability and attack resistance. To this end, the change in reliability is studied by varying the location of FF loops and varying the number of loops within the circuit. It is observed adding more loops and arbiters makes PUFs more susceptible to noise; FF PUFs with 5 intermediate arbiters can have reliability values that are as low as 81%. It is further demonstrated that a soft-response thresholding strategy can significantly increase the reliability during authentication to more than 96%. We also show that attack resistance can change as a consequence of relative positioning of the FF loops. In case of double-loop FF PUFs (one intermediate arbiter with two utputs), it is shown that appropriately choosing the input and output locations of the FF loops, the number of challenge-response pairs required to attack can be increased by 7 times and can be further increased by 15 times if two intermediate arbiters are used.
Critical Evaluation of the Methodologic Quality of the Top 50 Cited Articles Relating to Knee Dislocation and Multiligamentous Knee Injury

Background:Many studies have evaluated the management of knee dislocations (KDs) and multiligamentous knee injuries (MLKIs). However, no study to date has analyzed the quality of the most cited art...
Updates on Technology for Diabetes Mellitus

To update the medical community on the new and old technologies use for the control and management of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes technology is defined as the different technology including hardware, devices, and software that are used by diabetic patients in order to help to manage blood glucose levels. This technology can be used in patients with any type of diabetes mellitus and, when applied appropriately, it can have a significant impact on these patients’ health. They can be divided into different insulin delivery methods, blood glucose monitoring, and hybrid and implantable devices. Insulin delivery can be further subdivided into insulin pens, insulin syringes, or insulin delivery via a pump. New technology includes a bionic or “artificial” pancreas that has been introduced. This is an external device or system of devices that mimic the glucose regulating the function of a healthy pancreas. It is essential to deeply understand the use of each of the devices so you can recommend the best one that fits your patient.
Dimensional Crossover of the Integer Quantum Hall Plateau Transition and Disordered Topological Pumping

We study the quantum Hall plateau transition on rectangular tori. As the aspect ratio of the torus is increased, the two-dimensional critical behavior, characterized by a subthermodynamic number of topological states in a vanishing energy window around a critical energy, changes drastically. In the thin-torus limit, the entire spectrum is Anderson localized; however, an extensive number of states retain a Chern number $C\ensuremath{\ne}0$. We resolve this apparent paradox by mapping the thin-torus quantum Hall system onto a disordered Thouless pump, where the Chern number corresponds to the winding number of an electron's path in real space during a pump cycle. We then characterize quantitatively the crossover between the one- and two-dimensional regimes for finite torus thickness, where the average Thouless conductance also shows anomalous scaling.
Exploring Future Research in Adapted Physical Education.

Quality physical education can play a critical role in helping students become more active, physically literate, and develop the skills and interests to remain physically active throughout their li...
Static and Transient Simulation of 4H-SiC VDMOS Using Full-Band Monte Carlo Simulation That Includes Real-Space Treatment of the Coulomb Interactions

In this article, we present a novel full-band Monte Carlo device simulator for modeling 4H-SiC power electronic devices in which, for the first time, the Coulomb interactions have been accounted for through a real-space molecular dynamics approach. Proper treatment of the electron–electron interactions is critical for modeling power electronic devices because of the high electron densities. In addition, because of the high applied voltages, the use of a full-band Monte Carlo device simulator is a must. The simulator has been successfully used to explain on a physical basis the steady-state and the switching behavior of a 3-D vertical double-diffused MOSFET (VDMOS) fabricated in the 4H-SiC technology.
Simulating Imaging of Large Scale Radio Arrays on the Lunar Surface.

In recent years there has been a renewed interest in returning to the Moon for reasons both scientific and exploratory in nature. The Moon provides the perfect training ground for building large scale bases that one may apply to other planets like Mars. The existence of a radio quiet zone on the lunar far side has promise for early universe studies and exoplanet searches, while the near side provides a stable base that may be used to observe low frequency emissions from Earth’s magnetosphere that may help gauge its response to incoming space weather. The construction of a large-scale radio array would provide large scientific returns as well as acting as a test of humanity’s ability to build structures on other planets. This work focuses on simulating the response of small to large-scale radio arrays on the Moon consisting of hundreds or thousands of antennas. The response of the array is dependent on the structure of the emission along with the configuration and sensitivity of the array. A set of locations are selected for the simulated radio receivers, using Digital Elevation Models from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter instrument on Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to characterize the elevation of the receiver locations. A custom Common Astronomy Software Applications code is described and used to process the data from the simulated receivers, aligning the lunar and sky coordinate frames using SPICE to ensure the proper projections are used for imaging. This simulation framework is useful for iterating array design for imaging any given scientific target in a small field of view. This framework does not currently support all sky imaging.
Heartbeat: therapeutic targets for prevention of calcific aortic valve stenosis

Correspondence to Professor Catherine M Otto, Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;cmotto@uw edu Current management of calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) is limited to palliation of end-stage disease with valve replacement to relieve left ventricular outflow obstruction The current study suggests that this association is not mediated by Lp-PLA2 and underlines the importance of scrutinising whether biological factors within pathophysiological pathways are merely biomarkers or actually represent a feasible and causal target ’Table 1 Ongoing randomised clinical trials of medical therapies in aortic stenosis Study Target Treatment Lipid-driven inflammation pathways PCSK9 inhibitors in the progression of aortic stenosis (NCT03051360) ApoB-containing lipoproteins;PCSK9 Based on this analysis, the authors propose a risk score from pregnant women with RHD (table 2) Table 2 New prognostic score (DEVI’s score) to predict composite adverse cardiac outcome in pregnant women with rheumatic valvular heart disease Predictor Score Prior cardiovascular event* +4 0 Pulmonary hypertension +4 0 Taking cardiac medications −1 0 Severe mitral stenosis +4 0 Moderate mitral stenosis +2 0 Mild mitral stenosis +1 0 Prosthetic heart valve +2 0 Score is calculated by adding the individual score for the presence of each parameter and its range (minimum–maximum) is 0–12
Differences in length of stay and discharge destination among patients with substance use disorders: The effect of Substance Use Intervention Team (SUIT) consultation service.

Background Addiction medicine consultation services (ACS) may improve outcomes of hospitalized patients with substance use disorders (SUD). Our aim was to examine the difference in length of stay and the hazard ratio for a routine hospital discharge between SUD patients receiving and not receiving ACS. Methods Structured EHR data from 2018 of 1,900 adult patients with a SUD-related diagnostic code at an urban academic health center were examined among 35,541 total encounters. Cox proportional hazards regression models were fit using a cause-specific approach to examine differences in hospital outcome (i.e., routine discharge, leaving against medical advice, in-hospital death, or transfer to another level of care). Models were adjusted for age, sex, race, ethnicity, insurance status, and comorbidities. Results Length of stay was shorter among encounters with a SUD that received a SUIT consultation versus those admissions that did not receive one (5.77 v. 6.54 days, p<0.01). In adjusted analyses, admissions that received a SUIT consultation had a higher hazard of a routine discharge [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.16 (1.03–1.30)] compared to those not receiving a SUIT consultation. Conclusions The SUIT consultation service was associated with a reduced length of stay and an increased hazard of a routine discharge. The SUIT model may serve as a benchmark and inform other health systems attempting to improve outcomes in SUD patient cohorts.
Nonlinear Least-Squares State Estimation for 2D RFID-Based Motion Capture

In this paper, we present a general technique for implementing nonlinear least-squares state estimation for a two-dimensional RFID-based motion capture problem that can achieve 1.45 cm localization accuracy without the need for special initialization or tuning processes – a significant improvement over previous results in the literature. We demonstrate various algorithms that use different combinations of received signal strength (RSS), backscatter signal phase, a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyrometer, and 3-axis magnetometer measured in a live microwave backscatter system. Permutations involving different nonlinear solvers (Gauss-Newton and Levenberg-Marquardt) and different stack levels (the number of samples in time incorporated into an estimation) are addressed.
Techniques for Optimizing Safe Hysteroscopic Myomectomy Using the Bipolar Resectoscope Loop

Study Objective The objective of this video is to highlight the benefits of the bipolar resectoscope loop for hysteroscopic myomectomy and to review surgical techniques to optimize outcomes. Design Hysteroscopic mechanical morcellators have gained popularity given their ease of use. As a result, resectoscope loops are being used less frequently, resulting in less resident training with this device. Although the bipolar resectoscope loop has a steeper learning curve than mechanical morcellators, the bipolar device offers distinct advantages such as the ability to produce both cutting and coagulation tissue effects with electrosurgery. The ability to achieve electrosurgical hemostasis is unique to the resectoscope loop and may result in less blood loss, less extravasation of intrauterine distention media, and improved visibility allowing for a more efficient and safer surgery. Setting Patients should be in lithotomy position in the operating room. Standard hysteroscopic resectoscope setup is required. Patients or Participants N/A Interventions N/A Measurements and Main Results In this video, we review specific surgical techniques for optimizing outcomes and safety with the bipolar resectoscope loop including the “bow and arrow” technique, identification of the fibroid anatomy (pseudocapsule plane), cold loop blunt dissection, the “push and tuck“ method, and efficient electrosurgical hemostasis. Conclusion The bipolar resectoscope loop is an important tool that offers gynecologic surgeons a wider range of techniques for fibroid removal while still being able to achieve hemostasis. It is important to train residents to learn to use both hysteroscopic mechanical morcellators and resectoscope loops.
The Reproduction of Mothering: Forty Years on

This essay situates Chodorow’s groundbreaking book in two traditions: 70s second-wave feminism and in the transformations in psychoanalysis in which attachment, early object relations and intergenerational transmission are prominent areas of interest. This book is a stellar example of interdisciplinary thinking, bridging sociology, feminism, and psychoanalysis in a unique mixture that was transformative for the each of these areas.
Comparing the predictive value of suicide risk screening to the detection of suicide risk using electronic health records in an urban pediatric emergency department

Abstract Objective To compare the accuracy, sensitivity and utility of brief screening to predictive modeling for identifying suicide-related outcomes in a pediatric emergency department. Our hypothesis was that predictive modeling would be more accurate and useful compared to brief screening. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study at an urban pediatric Emergency Department (PED) in the United States. Patients were aged 8 to 18 years old who presented from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2019. Predictors included positive suicide risk screen and/or demographic, medical and mental health diagnostic Electronic Health Record (EHR) data at the time of visit. The main outcome was subsequent PED visit with suicide-related presenting problem (i.e. ideation or attempt) within a 3-month follow-up period. Results Of the N=13420 individuals, n=141 had a subsequent suicide-related ED visit. Approximately 63% identified as Black Non-Hispanic. Results showed that a model based only on EHR data performed only slightly worse than the ASQ alone. Combining ASQ screening and EHR data resulted in a 17.4% improvement in sensitivity and 13.4% increase in AUC compared to the ASQ alone. The LASSO models indicated a diagnosis of major depressive disorder in addition to the ASQ improved the AUC by 9%. Conclusions, Implications, Future Directions Our findings show that EHR data is helpful either in the absence or as an addition to brief suicide screening. To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare brief screening to EHR based predictive modeling and adds to our understanding of how best to identify youth at risk of suicidal behaviors in clinical care settings.
Acculturation and dental sealant use among US children.

OBJECTIVES Healthcare (including dental care) service use is influenced by predisposing, enabling and need factors. One area with limited research is the association of acculturation (defined as behavioural changes in the adaptation to another culture) as a predisposing factor for dental care preventive service use. Preventive service use is a primary objective of Healthy People, 2030. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of acculturation with the preventive dental service use of dental pit-and-fissure sealant placement, among children in the United States, ages 6-18 years. METHODS A cross-sectional, secondary data analysis study was completed using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2013-2016 data. NHANES is a nationally representative survey of noninstitutionalized individuals across the United States. In the data set, children, ages 6-18 years, had been evaluated for pit-and-fissure dental sealant use. Information that served as proxies for acculturation was length of stay in the United States (a citizen at the time of the survey; not a citizen and in the country <5 years; or not a citizen and in the country ≥5 years) and whether English was spoken at home (yes; no). Data were analysed for descriptive statistics. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine strength of the associations. Odds ratios for pit-and-fissure sealants among groups were determined. RESULTS There were 2220 children participants whose data were used for this study. Less than half (45.5%) had received dental pit-and-fissure sealants. A majority (53.3%) were white and were ages 12-18 years (51.6%). The mean number of dental pit-and-fissure sealants among all children was 5.5. There was a lower percentage of children living in the United States <5 years who had received pit-and-fissure sealants than children who were citizens of the United States (22.2% vs 48.9%, respectively). The adjusted odds ratio was lower for dental pit-and-fissure sealants among children who were in the United States <5 years than children who were citizens of the United States (adjusted odds ratio, 0.38; 95% Confidence Interval: 0.24, 0.58). CONCLUSIONS In this study, children who had lived in the United States <5 years were less likely to have pit-and-fissure sealants than children who were citizens of the United States. There is a need to reach all children with preventive services to improve dental quality of life, reduce the need for dental restorations and decrease overall financial burden regardless of time in the United States.
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT FISCAL CONSTRAINTS: PUBLIC SECTOR AND PRIVATE SECTOR EFFECTS

This article examines whether economic growth is impaired by constitutional or statutory limitations on the public sector. The analysis utilizes the Tennessee Econometric Model (TEM) to simulate the effects of four alternative, currently existing fiscal limits on the Tennessee economy and related limitations now in place in California, Colorado, and New Jersey. The authors conclude that, in general, an effective constraint will cause reduction in the public sector, small increases (in some cases) in the private sector, and a small overall decline in economic activity. While the economic effects of the limits depend on the type of limit imposed, the elasticity of the revenue structure, and the way excess revenues are refunded, the authors observe that education and transportation are significant losers under the effective constraints.
Experiential Educating in the Classroom: Designing an Administrative Law Practicum Meeting New ABA Requirements and Student Needs

In August 2014 the American Bar Association approved Revisions to the Standards for Approved Law Schools Relating to Learning Outcomes and Experiential Learning. Standards 302-304 set forth, generally, desired skills, competencies and goals to promote experiential learning opportunities for students. This essay is the first to detail, from start to finish, how a practicum or simulation course -- blending doctrinal and clinical course pedagogies -- can be successfully developed to implement those Standards, in this instance in an administrative law practicum with an environmental and energy law focus. The ongoing decline in the number of jury trial proceedings in America has been well-documented; what has been less well-documented or discussed is the ongoing growth of the number of administrative agencies and bodies promulgating rules and regulations, conducting many more adjudicatory proceedings, and requiring very different skill sets for lawyers representing clients impacted by those agencies. The art of advocating for clients in a regulatory arena is very different from that in the courtroom, yet while almost all law schools have a trial practice course, there are virtually no comparable administrative or regulatory law practicum (versus clinical or externship) courses. This article uniquely details the design, implementation and assessment of two editions of a new practicum that focused on the many ethical, environmental and administrative law issues arising out of a proposed $200 million wind power project through use of a dozen different oral and written exercises, and an evolving Case Study, through the semester. The goal is to help interested faculty, deans and others to more effectively craft similar, blended courses that students both greatly need and will welcome.
A simple total energy sensor

This research concerns a simple technique for total energy compensation having the primary requirement of good compensation with a low cost, easy to make sensor. A comprehensive library search and a small wind tunnel were used to explore fundamentals and to develop a number of probes which were flight tested with satisfactory results. Simple probe configurations were tested using the characteristics of laminar flow separation around a small cylinder to produce a sensor pressure having the desired relationship between static and dynamic pressures. Wind tunnel and flight tests confirmed the concepts for a wide range of speeds, altitudes, and flow directions encountered in soaring. Data and findings are presented, along with a discussion of factors important to total energy compensation.
Data detection in relay-based communication systems using Bayesian methods

Data detection in a relay-based communication system (RCS) is challenging because its end-to-end channel, which comprises a cascade of several channels, has unique statistical characteristics. Assuming different channel conditions, in this paper, we address the problem of data detection in an RCS where one amplify-and-forward relay is used as an intermediate node between a transmitter and a receiver. Our approach is based on Bayesian methodologies in which a variant of Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique, known as Metropolis-Hasting-within-Gibbs, is applied for systems with quasi-static channel models, whereas particle filtering technique is used for systems with fast varying channels to develop joint data detection and channel estimation algorithms. By providing detailed derivations, we present two algorithms for each channel condition by formulating the transmission process of the communication systems in different ways. The effectiveness of our algorithms is demonstrated through computer simulations.
Banked scratch-pad memory management for reducing leakage energy consumption

Current trends indicate that leakage energy consumption will be an important concern in upcoming process technologies. We propose a compiler-based leakage energy optimization strategy for on-chip scratch-pad memories (SPMs). The idea is to divide SPM into banks and use compiler-guided data layout optimization and data migration to maximize SPM bank idleness, thereby increasing the chances of placing banks into low-power (low-leakage) state.
Legionellosis in the Compromised Host

Legionella pneumophila was first described in early 1977 by McDade et al.1 They recognized that this organism was the causative agent for the outbreak of acute pneumonia that occurred during the state American Legion convention in Philadelphia that previous summer. Further epidemiologic investigation led to the discovery that these organisms were also responsible for earlier outbreaks of acute disease for which no cause could be found.2,3 Since these initial studies, much has been learned about Legionellae and the diseases caused by them, but our knowledge remains incomplete. Currently, at least seven species are definitely associated with human illness (Table 1),1,4–9 but the number of recognized species is continuing to expand.10
Optimization Algorithms for the Selection of Key Frame Sequences of Variable Length

This paper presents a novel optimization-based approach for video key frame selection. We define key frames to be a temporally ordered subsequence of the original video sequence, and the optimal k key frames are the subsequence of length k that optimizes an energy function we define on all subsequences. These optimal key subsequences form a hierarchy, with one such subsequence for every k less than the length of the video n, and this hierarchy can be retrieved all at once using a dynamic programming process with polynomial (O(n3)) computation time. To further reduce computation, an approximate solution based on a greedy algorithm can compute the key frame hierarchy in O(n?log(n)). We also present a hybrid method, which flexibly captures the virtues of both approaches. Our empirical comparisons between the optimal and greedy solutions indicate their results are very close. We show that the greedy algorithm is more appropriate for video streaming and network applications where compression ratios may change dynamically, and provide a method to compute the appropriate times to advance through key frames during video playback of the compressed stream. Additionally, we exploit the results of the greedy algorithm to devise an interactive video content browser. To quantify our algorithms' effectiveness, we propose a new evaluation measure, called "well-distributed" key frames. Our experimental results on several videos show that both the optimal and the greedy algorithms outperform several popular existing algorithms in terms of summarization quality, computational time, and guaranteed convergence.
3,3',5,5'-Tetra-nitro-biphen-yl.

The title compound, C12H6N4O8, is a biphenyl system that was synthesized as a building block for a new series of anti­malarial compounds. The aromatic rings are oriented at a dihedral angle of 45.5 (2)°, and inter­molecular short O⋯O contacts form a chain along the b axis. The strength of the inter­actions involved in this chain cause one of the rings to be slightly distorted, with the torsion angle between the nitro groups being 23.4 (2)°, whereas, in the other ring, both nitro systems are parallel, forming an angle of 9.6 (2)° with the plane of the aromatic ring to which they are bound. Furthermore, the three ring C atoms around the ring–ring linkage belong to a plane inclined by 4.5 (1)° in relation to the plane containing the other three C atoms, i.e. (NO2–)C—C—C(NO2). This distortion of the ring causes uncommonly short intermolecular O⋯O [3.038 (2) A] and O⋯C [3.000 (4) and 3.214 (1) A] contacts.
EFFECT OF HYDRODYNAMIC PRESSURE PROCESSING AND AGING ON THE TENDERNESS AND MYOFIBRILLAR PROTEINS OF BEEF STRIP LOINS

This study evaluated the effects of hydrodynamic pressure (HDP) processing and aging on the tenderness and myofibrillar proteins of beef strip loins. Loins (n = 12) were halved at 48 h postmortem and assigned to HDP or control treatments. Following treatment, each half was divided into three portions for aging (0, 5 or 8 days). Samples were removed for Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) determination and myofibrillar protein isolation. HDP decreased (P < 0.0001) WBSF values 23% at 0, 5 and 8 days of aging. Myofibrillar fragmentation and myofibrillar protein solubility increased (P < 0.01) with HDP and aging. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting analysis of myofibrillar proteins showed that HDP and aging decreased the intensity of the troponin T (TnT) band and enhanced the accumulation of the 30 kD TnT degradation product. These data suggest that HDP is more effective than aging tenderization, and that HDP tenderization is caused by both protein degradation and physical disruption of the myofibril apparatus. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Hydrodynamic pressure (HDP) processing was shown to instantaneously tenderize tough cuts of beef to tenderness levels attained following 8 days of postmortem aging. For the meat industry, these results demonstrate the potential benefits of alternative tenderization techniques, such as high-energy shock waves. Observed changes in protein characteristics due to HDP and aging allow researchers to understand better potential mechanisms of meat tenderization.
Estimating Inequality with Tax Data: The Problem of Pass-Through Income

In recent decades, a growing share of U.S. business income has been taxed on a pass-through basis. When taxed on a pass-through basis, business income is attributed to a firm’s owners and taxed to them as individual income, rather than being subject to a separate entity-level tax. Among its many implications, the growth of pass-through taxation complicates our ability to estimate historical trends in income inequality. Prominent studies of income inequality use data from individual income tax returns to measure changes in the distribution of income over time yet fail to control for the increasing amounts of business income reflected in this data. Accordingly, to the extent that pass-through income flows to high-income individuals, such studies may overestimate the recent growth in income inequality. This paper explores the effect of pass-through income taxation at the high-end of the income distribution. Using data from the World Top Incomes Database, it shows that the growth of pass-through income has been concentrated among the top 0.5 percent of taxpayers. The trend towards taxing business income on a pass-through basis may thus be responsible for some of the growth in income inequality that researchers have observed.
Functional Analysis of the Staphylococcus aureus Collagen Adhesin B Domain

The Staphylococcus aureus collagen adhesin (CNA) occurs in at least four forms that differ in the number (one, two, three, or four) of B domains. The B domains contain 187 amino acids and are located between the domains that anchor CNA to the cell envelope and the ligand-binding A domain. To determine whether a B domain is required for functional expression of CNA, we cloned the 2B cna gene from S. aureus strain Phillips and then eliminated both B domains by overlapping PCR. The absence of a B domain did not affect processing of the collagen adhesin to the cell surface or the ability to bind collagen. Based on our recent demonstration that the capsule can mask CNA on the surface of S. aureus cells (A. F. Gillaspy et al., Infect. Immun. 66:3170-3178, 1998), we also investigated the possibility that multiple B domains can extend the ligand-binding A domain outward from the cell surface and thereby overcome the inhibitory effect of the capsule. Specifically, we cloned the naturally occurring 4B CNA variant from S. aureus UAMS-639 and, by successive elimination of B domains, generated 1, 2, and 3B variants that are isogenic with respect to the 4B clone. After introducing each variant into microencapsulated and heavily encapsulated strains of S. aureus and growing cells under conditions known to affect capsule production (e.g., growth on Columbia agar), we correlated capsule production with exposure of CNA on the cell surface and the ability to bind collagen. Under no circumstance was the masking effect of the capsule reduced by the presence of multiple B domains. These results indicate that the B domains do not extend the ligand-binding A domain outward in a fashion that can overcome the inhibition of collagen binding associated with capsule production.
Experiencia y empirismo en el siglo XVI: reportes y cosas del Nuevo Mundo

This article discusses the emergence of empirical practices in the context of the sixteenth-century Spanish American empire. My thesis is simple: the commercial and imperial expansion of Spain in America (as well as the expansion of other European kingdoms afterwards) fostered the creation and institutionalization of empirical practices for the study of the natural world. This was a significant event that has not yet been well understood in history of science. In the traditional historiography of the history of science the emphasis has been placed on the European social mechanisms that helped to establish empirical practices. It does not consider the American experience central in the understanding of the emergence and institutionalization of those practices; I argue that the American experience was central in the development of modern science. This article studies the creation of questionnaires and expeditions not only as part of state formation but also as part of the development of modern science.
Histidine-Proline-rich Glycoprotein as a Plasma pH Sensor MODULATION OF ITS INTERACTION WITH GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS BY pH AND METALS

The middle domain of plasma histidine-proline-rich glycoprotein (HPRG) contains unusual tandem pentapeptide repeats (consensus G(H/P)(H/P)PH) and binds heparin and transition metals. Unlike other proteins that interact with heparin via lysine or arginine residues, HPRG relies exclusively on histidine residues for this interaction. To assess the consequences of this unusual requirement, we have studied the interaction between human plasma HPRG and immobilized glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) using resonant mirror biosensor techniques. HPRG binding to immobilized heparin was strikingly pH-sensitive, producing a titration curve with a midpoint at pH 6.8. There was little binding of HPRG to heparin at physiological pH in the absence of metals, but the interaction was promoted by nanomolar concentrations of free zinc and copper, and its pH dependence was shifted toward alkaline pH by zinc. The affinity of HPRG for various GAGs measured in a competition assay decreased in the following order: heparin > dermatan sulfate > heparan sulfate > chondroitin sulfate A. Binding of HPRG to immobilized dermatan sulfate had a midpoint at pH 6.5, was less influenced by zinc, and exhibited cooperativity. Importantly, plasminogen interacted specifically with GAG-bound HPRG. We propose that HPRG is a physiological pH sensor, interacting with negatively charged GAGs on cell surfaces only when it acquires a net positive charge by protonation and/or metal binding. This provides a mechanism to regulate the function of HPRG (the local pH) and rationalizes the role of its unique, conserved histidine-proline-rich domain. Thus, under conditions of local acidosis (e.g. ischemia or hypoxia), HPRG can co-immobilize plasminogen at the cell surface as well as compete for heparin with other proteins such as antithrombin.
Vibrational Heating and Atom Transfer with the STM

The high current density obtainable with the STM can be used to promote multiple vibrational excitation of an adsorbate via inelastic electron tunneling. The resulting vibrational distribution is approximately Maxwell-Boltzmann, with a characteristic vibrational temperature. A simple expression is given for this vibrational temperature as a function of the tunneling current. Calculations indicate that vibrational heating by inelastic tunneling plays an important role in the transfer of Xe atoms between a sample and tip. A simple expression is given for the rate of atom transfer over a barrier. Directionality of the atom-transfer process and applications to other systems are discussed.
Case Study: Analysis of Coating Failure on Hinged Steel Boxes

Summary A systematic failure analysis was performed on three large steel boxes in which the coating system had blistered, extensively delaminated, and subsequently corroded. These boxes were a sample from a larger batch of boxes that had been recalled due to severe corrosion. Despite the fact that limited information on the process history was provided, we were able to determine that two out of three boxes were neither galvanized nor protected by a zinc-rich primer to provide cathodic protection. The coating system comprised an epoxy primer, zinc-rich intermediate coat followed by an acrylate urethane top coat. A zinc-rich coating should never be applied over a nonmetallic coating because cathodic protection of the underlying steel can only take place if the zinc-rich coating is in direct electrical contact with clean steel. The third box was galvanized and primed with a urethane-alkyd primer followed by an acrylate urethane top coat. Alkyd-type coatings should not be applied over zinc (galvanizing) because the corrosion products of zinc are alkaline. Alkyd-modified coatings are very sensitive to alkalinity and a saponification reaction occurs at the zinc-alkyd interface. This degrades the alkyd and causes it to peel or delaminate from the zinc alloy used for the galvanization. The epoxy primer showed unusually severe air bubbles (or pockets) that could have been due to saponification and/or solvent entrapment. In either case, these large pockets weakened the bond between the primer and galvanized layer and allowed delamination to occur. Our finding that chlorides were present on the surface of the epoxy primer indicated that the boxes might have been exposed to a marine or coastal atmospheric environment. Marine or coastal atmospheric corrosion is generally considered to be one of the most severe atmospheric corrosion environments and the presence of chlorides explains the severity of the corrosion. The boxes were presumed to have been powder coated, yet microscopic and chemical analysis showed the coatings were probably applied as liquids. This was further supported by the thinning of the coatings at the sharp edges and corners of the boxes.
Regression-based tests for overdispersion in the Poisson model☆

Abstract A property of the Poisson regression model is mean-variance equality, conditional on explanatory variables. ‘Regression-based’ tests for this property are proposed in a very general setting. Unlike classical statistical tests, these tests require specification of only the mean-variance relationship under the alternative, rather than the complete distribution whose choice is usually arbitrary. The optimal regression-based test is easily computed as the t-test from an auxiliary regression. If a distribution under the alternative hypothesis is in fact specified and is in the Katz system of distributions or is Cox's local approximation to the Poisson, the score test for the Poisson distribution is equivalent to the optimal regression-based test.