cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SCC Failure Prediction of Austenitic Stainless Steels in Acid Solutions—Effect of pH, Anion Species, and Concentration

Abstract Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of type 304 (UNS S30400) and type 316 (UNS S31600) austenitic stainless steels in acidic chloride and sulfate solutions has been investigated as functions of pH and concentration by using the constant load method. It is found under a constant stress condition of 437 MPa that the logarithmic relationship between steady-state elongation rate (iss[m/s]) and time-to-failure (tf), which were obtained from the corrosion elongation curve (elongation—time), shows a good linear function with a slope of unity in these solutions, irrespective of material (type 304 and type 316), pH, and anion concentration. This result supports that iss becomes the parameter for prediction of time-to-failure as previously reported. It is also found that the ratio of transition time to time-to-failure holds constant with a value of 0.57 ± 0.02 independent of pH, anion species, concentration and material. Furthermore, iss below which no fracture occurs within the laboratory time scale (< 107 se...
Field Building: Lessons From The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Anthology Series

As editors of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF’s) anthology series, we have examined the entire range of the foundation’s grant making since 1972. We found that the RWJF has enjoyed consi...
Turning gait of a quadrupedal walking machine

The gaits used in turning motion of a quadruped are studied. Depending on the location of the turning center, turning gaits, are divided into two types: spinning gait and circling gait. The former is applied when the turning center is at or close to the gravity center, whereas the latter is suitable for a more distant turning center. The spinning gait is developed on the basis of the z-type creeping gait and is optimized for stability. The optimization procedure issues in two special gaits-the wave-spinning gait and the equal-phase-spinning gait. The circling gaits are developed based on the wave-crab gaits and the gaits are called wave-circling gaits. The stability margin curve of a wave-circling gait is found to be similar to a wave-crab gait when the turning radius is large. In order to assist the selection of a turning gait, the stable areas of turning center of both spinning and circling gaits are generated by numerical method. >
Vortex Flow Control Over a Delta Wing By Co-Rotating and Counter-Rotating Vortex Generator

A conventional double-delta or strake-delta wing generates a co-rotating vortex pair; one from the strake and the other from the main delta wing, which goes through a merging process, creating one strong vortex system core over the main wing. The merging process gives beneficial effects as it stabilizes the main wing vortex and produces higher suction lift. However, it tends to break down at wing aft region due to the higher rotational velocity of the merged vortex. This paper investigates the effects of a counter-rotating vortex pair on the aerodynamic characteristics of a strake-delta wing configuration. A new concept of a variable geometry strake (VGS) which can generate combinations of co-rotating and counter-rotating vortex pairs is implemented and its feasibility to be used as an active flow control actuator is tested through CFD simulations. The results indicate that a counterrotating vortex pair can greatly alter the aerodynamic forces on a delta wing beyond 20 o AOA. At 28 o AOA, the lift coefficient for a VGS configuration is improved by 22.4% over a conventional strake-delta case.
Anatomic feasibility of off-the-shelf fenestrated stent grafts to treat juxtarenal and pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysms

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the anatomic feasibility of two off-the-shelf fenestrated stent graft designs to treat juxtarenal and pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Methods Digital computed tomography angiograms were analyzed in 520 consecutive patients treated by open or fenestrated endovascular repair for complex AAAs (2000-2012). The anatomic feasibility of two off-the-shelf fenestrated designs, Endologix Ventana (Endologix Inc, Irvine, Calif) and Cook p-Branch (Cook Medical, Brisbane, Australia), was analyzed with the instructions for use (IFU) proposed by investigational protocols. Results There were 390 patients (75%) with juxtarenal and pararenal AAAs considered potential candidates for one of the two devices. Proximal seal (>15 mm) was achieved in all patients with the p-Branch and in 61% of the patients with the Ventana stent graft ( P P P P Conclusions The p-Branch design has greater anatomic feasibility and achieves proximal seal in all patients with juxtarenal and pararenal AAAs but is not able to incorporate visceral arteries in 40% of patients. The Ventana design allows incorporation of the visceral arteries in 90% of patients but fails to provide sufficient seal in 40%. Nearly 40% of juxtarenal and pararenal AAAs do not meet anatomic criteria for endovascular repair with one of the two devices, justifying the need for additional designs.
Acetoacetate augments β-adrenergic inotropism of stunned myocardium by an antioxidant mechanism

Blunted β-adrenergic inotropism in stunned myocardium is restored by pharmacological (N-acetylcysteine) and metabolic (pyruvate) antioxidants. The ketone body acetoacetate is a natural myocardial f...
Robot-based hand motor therapy after stroke

Robots can improve motor status after stroke with certain advantages, but there has been less emphasis to date on robotic developments for the hand. The goal of this study was to determine whether a hand-wrist robot would improve motor function, and to evaluate the specificity of therapy effects on brain reorganization. Subjects with chronic stroke producing moderate right arm/hand weakness received 3 weeks therapy that emphasized intense active movement repetition as well as attention, speed, force, precision and timing, and included virtual reality games. Subjects initiated hand movements. If necessary, the robot completed movements, a feature available at all visits for seven of the subjects and at the latter half of visits for six of the subjects. Significant behavioural gains were found at end of treatment, for example, in Action Research Arm Test (34 +/- 20 to 38 +/- 19, P< 0.0005) and arm motor Fugl-Meyer score (45 +/- 10 to 52 +/- 10, P < 0.0001). Results suggest greater gains for subjects receiving robotic assistance in all sessions as compared to those receiving robotic assistance in half of sessions. The grasp task practiced during robotic therapy, when performed during functional MRI, showed increased sensorimotor cortex activation across the period of therapy, while a non-practiced task, supination/pronation, did not. A robot-based therapy showed improvements in hand motor function after chronic stroke. Reorganization of motor maps during the current therapy was task-specific, a finding useful when considering generalization of rehabilitation therapy.
Inhibition of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway for the treatment of patients with metastatic metaplastic breast cancer.

ABSTRACT Background Mesenchymal/metaplastic breast cancers (MpBCs) are often triple-negative (TNBC), and chemo-refractory, and can harbor phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3kinase) alterations; thus, therapy with mTor inhibitors may demonstrate activity. Patients and methods Patients with mesenchymal/MpBC treated with temsirolimus-based regimens were evaluated. Mutational analyses [polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based DNA sequencing method, mass spectrometric detection (Sequenom MassARRAY), or next-generation sequencing] as well as loss of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) (immunohistochemistry) were performed (archived tissue when available). Results Twenty-three patients (one of whom was on two separate trials) were treated using temsirolimus-containing regimens: temsirolimus alone (n = 1 patient) or combined with the following: liposomal doxorubicin and bevacizumab (DAT, n = 18); liposomal doxorubicin (DT, n = 1); paclitaxel and bevacizumab (TAT, n = 2); paclitaxel (TT, n = 1); carboplatin and bevacizumab (CAT, n = 1). Response rate [complete response (CR) + partial response (PR)] was 25% across all regimens; 32% in the anthracycline-based regimens [DAT and DT (CR = 2, PR = 4; N = 19)]. An additional two patients achieved stable disease (SD) ≥6 months [total SD ≥6 months/CR/PR = 8 (33%)]. Molecular aberrations in the PI3K pathway were common: PIK3CA mutation = 6/15 (40%), PTEN mutation = 3/11 (27%), and PTEN loss = 2/11 (18%). A point mutation in the NF2 gene (K159fs*16; NF2 alterations can activate mTor) was found in one patient who attained CR (3+ years). Of the eight patients who achieved SD ≥6 months/CR/PR, all 4 patients with available tissue had a molecular aberration that activate the PIK3CA/Akt/mTOR axis: PIK3CA mutation = 2; PTEN loss = 1; NF2 aberration = 1. Conclusions DAT has activity in MpBCs including complete CRs. Molecular aberrations that can activate the PI3 K/Akt/mTOR axis are common in MpBC.
Determination of Spectra of Functions

Boundaries of convex and compact spectra of functions on plane are fully described without passing to the complexification and the Fourier transform.
Differential Effects of Perceptions of Mothers’ and Fathers’ Favoritism on Sibling Tension in Adulthood

Method. Data used in the analysis were collected from 341 adult children nested within 137 later-life families as part of the Within-Family Differences Study. Results. Adult children’ s perceptions that their fathers currently favored any offspring in the family predicted reports of tension with their siblings, whereas perceptions of mothers’ favoritism did not. Fathers’ favoritism was a stronger predictor of daughters’ than sons’ reports of sibling tension. Discussion. These findings contrib ute to a growing body of research demonstrating the consequences of parental favoritism in adulthood. Equally important, they demonstrate that perceptions of fathers’ current favoritism plays an even greater role in shaping their adult children’s sibling relations than do mothers’ favoritism.
Electronic Logbook for Space System Integration & Test Operations

In the highly technological aerospace world, paper is still widely used to document space system integration and test (I&T) operations. E-logbook (electronic logbook) is a new technology designed to replace current documentation processes of space system I&T operations, such as connector mate and demate, flight hardware and flight software component installation, material mixes or electronic ground support equipment (EGSE) validation. It also includes new documentation concepts, such as the shift log, which improves project awareness and optimizes the shift hand-over process, and the configuration log, which instantly reports on the global I&T state of the space system and greatly enhances information gathering prior to major test events or project reviews. The design of E-logbook focuses not only on a reliable and efficient relational database, but also on an ergonomic human-computer interactive (HCI) system of graphical user interfaces (GUI) that can help reduce human error and improve I&T discipline and management oversight. E-Logbook has been used for the I&T of the large area telescope (LAT) of the gamma-ray large area space telescope (GLAST) scientific satellite at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC). After 19 months of operation, more than 41,000 records have been created for the different documentation components or I&T logs, with no data having been corrupted or critically lost. 94% of the operators and 100% of the management exposed to E-logbook prefer it to paper logbooks and recommend its use in the aerospace industry.
A Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Tax Laws Between Countries For Firms Engaging In Research And Development

The creation of new technology is seen as a driver for economic expansion and job growth worldwide. To encourage firms to innovate, many countries provide tax incentives. Two such tax incentives are the ability to carry back net operating losses and tax credits for research and development expenditures. This paper attempts to answer the question: Do these tax incentives truly lower the average tax rates paid by high-technology firms? Firms from Canada, Germany, and Japan are examined for the years 1993 to 1997. In general, this paper finds that the ability to carry back a loss, or to use the R&D tax credit, does not, in themselves, produce a lower average tax rate than a similar firm within the same country. However, the more tax options a country produces does lower average tax rates – a larger combination of tax incentives allows firms more leeway towards tax minimization.
Effects of incident angle on readout in magnetooptic storage media

The effects of incident angle on the readout SNR of a magnetooptic storage system employing the differential detection system were theoretically investigated. The most important parameters which depend on incident angle were found to be the Kerr reflectance and the phase difference between the two components of the reflected wave. In particular, the phase difference was found to depend strongly on incident angle for structures which are strongly antireflective.
Thermodynamic Cycle Analysis of Pulse Detonation Engines

Pulse detonation engines (PDEs) are currently attracting considerable research and development attention because they promise performance improvements over existing airbreathing propulsion devices. Because of their inherently unsteady behavior, it has been difficult to conveniently classify and evaluate them relative to their steady-state counterparts. Consequently, most PDE studies employ unsteady gasdynamic calculations to determine the instantaneous pressures and forces acting on the surfaces of the device and integrate them over a cycle to determine thrust performance. A classical, closed thermodynamic cycle analysis of the PDE that is independent of time is presented. The most important result is the thermal efficiency of the PDE cycle, or the fraction of the heating value of the fuel that is converted to work that can be used to produce thrust. The cycle thermal efficiency is then used to find all of the traditional propulsion performance measures. The benefits of this approach are 1) that the fundamental processes incorporated in PDEs are clarified; 2) that direct, quantitative comparisons with other cycles (e.g., Brayton or Humphrey) are easily made; 3) that the influence of the entire ranges of the main parameters that influence PDE performance are easily explored; 4) that the ideal or upper limit of PDE performance capability is quantitatively established; and 5) that this analysis provides a basic building block for more complex PDE cycles. A comparison of cycle performance is made for ideal and real PDE, Brayton, and Humphrey cycles, utilizing realistic component loss models. The results show that the real PDE cycle has better performance than the real Brayton cycle only for flight Mach numbers less than about 3, or cycle static temperature ratios less than about 3. For flight Mach numbers greater than 3, the real Brayton cycle has better performance, and the real Humphrey cycle is an overoptimistic (and unnecessary) surrogate for the real PDE cycle.
Image based view synthesis of articulated agents

Using a combination of techniques from visual representations, view synthesis, and visual-motor model estimation, we present a method for animating movements of an articulated agent (e.g. human or robot arm), without the use of any prior models or explicit 3D information. The information needed to generate simulated images can be acquired either on or off fine, by watching the agent doing an arbitrary, possibly unrelated task. We present experimental results synthesizing image sequences of the simulated movement of a human arm and a PUMA 760 robot arm. Control is in either image (camera), motor (joint), or Cartesian world coordinates. We have created a user interface, where a user can input a movement program, and then upon execution, view movies of the (simulated) agent executing the program, along with the instantaneous values of the dynamics variables.
Radiation therapy field extent for adjuvant treatment of axillary metastases from malignant melanoma.

Purpose To compare treatment-related outcomes and toxicity for patients with axillary lymph node metastases from malignant melanoma treated with postoperative radiation therapy (RT) to either the axilla only or both the axilla and supraclavicular fossa (extended field [EF]). Methods and Materials The medical records of 200 consecutive patients treated with postoperative RT for axillary lymph node metastases from malignant melanoma were retrospectively reviewed. All patients received postoperative hypofractionated RT for high-risk features; 95 patients (48%) received RT to the axilla only and 105 patients (52%) to the EF. Results At a median follow-up of 59 months, 111 patients (56%) had sustained relapse, and 99 patients (50%) had died. The 5-year overall survival, disease-free survival, and distant metastasis-free survival rates were 51%, 43%, and 46%, respectively. The 5-year axillary control rate was 88%. There was no difference in axillary control rates on the basis of the treated field (89% for axilla only vs. 86% for EF; p = 0.4). Forty-seven patients (24%) developed treatment-related complications. On both univariate and multivariate analyses, only treatment with EF irradiation was significantly associated with increased treatment-related complications. Conclusions Adjuvant hypofractionated RT to the axilla only for metastatic malignant melanoma with high-risk features is an effective method to control axillary disease. Limiting the radiation field to the axilla only produced equivalent axillary control rates to EF and resulted in lower treatment-related complication rates.
Frequency and Prognosis of Coexisting Sickle Cell Disease and Acute Leukemia in Children

Among 58 black children with leukemia, seven had sickle cell trait and one was homozygous for Hb-S. Both of these rates are similar to those for the black population of the United States in general. The presence of sickle cell trait did not appear to influence the median age of onset, the median survival time, or the quality of survival in black children with acute leukemia. The single patient with sickle cell ane mia died a sudden, unexpected death with massive intravascular eryth rocytic sickling secondary to viremia while in a leukemic remission.
Transduction of TAT-HA-β-galactosidase Fusion Protein into Salivary Gland-derived Cells and Organ Cultures of the Developing Gland, and into Rat Submandibular Gland in Vivo

We have studied the transduction of TAT-HA-beta-galactosidase fusion protein into two cell lines of rat salivary gland origin, A5 and C6-21, into cells of fetal mouse submandibular glands in organ culture, and into rat submandibular gland after retrograde duct injection, using a histochemical method to demonstrate beta-galactosidase activity. Transduction of the fusion protein into A5 and C6-21 cells was concentration- and time-dependent. Therefore, the intensity of the beta-galactosidase staining, which was cytoplasmic, was less after 1 hr of exposure compared to exposures up to 24 hr. However, the fusion protein was transduced into 100% of both types of cultured cells. When explants of mouse fetuses at 13 days of gestation were exposed to the fusion proteins, both epithelial and mesenchymal cells were stained for the enzyme, with a conspicuous accumulation of the reaction product at perinuclear cytoplasmic regions. The histochemical staining of the mesenchymal cells was more intense compared to that seen in epithelial cells. TAT-HA-beta-galactosidase fusion protein was also delivered to rat submandibular glands by retrograde duct injection. Histochemical staining for beta-galactosidase activity of cryostat sections prepared from the injected glands revealed that the transduction of the fusion protein was also time- and dose-dependent. In the glands of rats sacrificed from 10 min to 1 hr after the retrograde injection, essentially all acinar and duct cells showed cytoplasmic staining. The intensity of the staining then declined, and was not seen in the glands of rats killed 24 hr after the injection of the fusion proteins. These results indicate that a full-length, active TAT fusion protein can be targeted to salivary gland cells both in vitro and in vivo to analyze physiological, developmental, and pathophysiological processes.
Reflection moveout inversion for horizontal transverse isotropy: Accuracy, limitation, and acquisition

Horizontal transverse isotropy (HTI) is the simplest azimuthally anisotropic model used to describe vertical fracturing in an isotropic matrix. Assuming that the subsurface is laterally homogeneous, and using the elliptical variation of P-wave NMO velocity with azimuth measured in at least three different source‐to‐receiver orientations, we can estimate three key parameters of HTI media: the vertical velocity, anisotropy, and the azimuth of the symmetry axis. Such parameter estimation is sensitive to the angular separation between the survey lines in 2-D acquisition or, equivalently, to source‐to‐receiver azimuths in 3-D acquisition and the set of azimuths used in the inversion procedure. The accuracy in estimating the azimuth, in particular, is also sensitive to the strength of anisotropy, while the accuracy in resolving vertical velocity and anisotropy is about the same for any strength of anisotropy. To maximize the accuracy and stability in parameter estimation, it is best to have the azimuths for the...
Trace Semantics is Fully Abstract

The discussion in the computer-science literature of the relative merits of linear- versus branching-time frameworks goes back to the early 1980s. One of the beliefs dominating this discussion has been that the linear-time framework is not expressive enough semantically, making linear-time logics lacking in expressiveness. In this work we examine the branching-linear issue from the perspective of process equivalence, which is one of the most fundamental concepts in concurrency theory, as defining a notion of equivalence essentially amounts to defining semantics for processes. We accept three principles that have been recently proposed for concurrent-process equivalence. The first principle takes contextual equivalence as the primary notion of equivalence. The second principle requires the description of a process to specify all relevant behavioral aspects of the process. The third principle requires observable process behavior to be reflected in its input/output behavior. It has been recently shown that under these principles trace semantics for nondeterministic transducers is fully abstract. Here we consider two extensions of the earlier model: probabilistic transducers and asynchronous transducers. We show that in both cases trace semantics is fully abstract.
Measures of aggressive care in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients

9063 Background: Data suggests that cancer care has become more aggressive over the last decade. Patients with advanced NSCLC have a short life expectancy and achieve only a modest survival benefit...
Dimensional synthesis of three-fingered robot hands for maximal precision manipulation workspace

This paper applies dimensional synthesis to explore the geometric design of dexterous three-fingered robotic hands for maximizing precision manipulation workspace, in which the hand stably moves an object with respect to the palm of the hand, with contacts only on the fingertips. We focus primarily on the tripod grasp, which is the most commonly used grasp for precision manipulation. We systematically explore the space of design parameters, with two main objectives: maximize the workspace of a fully actuated hand and explore how under-actuation modifies it. We use a mathematical framework that models the hand-plus-object system and examine how the workspace varies with changes in nine hand and object parameters such as link length and finger arrangement on the palm. Results show that to achieve the largest workspaces the palm radius should be approximately half of a finger length larger than the target object radius, that the distal link of the two-link fingers should be around 1-1.2 times the length of the proximal link, and that fingers should be arranged symmetrically about the palm with object contacts also symmetric. Furthermore, a proper parameter design for an under-actuated hand can achieve up to 50% of the workspace of a fully actuated hand. When compared to the system parameters of existing popular hand designs, larger palms and longer distal links are needed to maximize the manipulation workspace of the studied design.
Proton pump inhibitor use by aspirin-treated coronary artery disease patients is not associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events

Aims Daily low-dose aspirin is recommended for prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are recommended to prevent or treat aspirin-associated gastrointestinal injury. Previous studies have reported contradictory findings regarding the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients who use PPI with aspirin therapy. We sought to examine associations between PPI use and MACE and all-cause mortality in aspirin-treated CAD patients. Methods and results Using electronic medical record and healthcare claims data, we conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study to examine patients 40 years or older with a diagnosis of CAD and documented aspirin use. Patients taking clopidogrel or other antiplatelet or anticoagulant agents were excluded. Risk of MACE and all-cause mortality associated with PPI use vs. no PPI use was analysed by Cox proportional hazards regression with standard covariate adjustment. Of the 2011 patients included in the study, 295 (14.7%) used a PPI. During a mean follow-up of 3.1 years, 294 patients [63 PPI users (21.4%) and 231 PPI non-users (13.5%)] experienced an MACE. In the adjusted model, the risk of MACE with PPI treatment was no different than without PPI treatment [hazard ratio (HR) 1.32 (95% confidence interval 0.8–2.4)]. Likewise, there was no difference between groups for risk of all-cause mortality; 201 patients [47 PPI users (15.9%) and 154 PPI non-users (9.0%)] died of any cause [HR 1.33 (0.9–1.9)]. Results were validated by robust propensity score-matching methods ( n = 574). Conclusions No evidence was found that PPI use is associated with increased risk of MACE or all-cause mortality in aspirin-treated CAD patients. [10.1093/ehjcvp/pvv038][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1093/ehjcvp/pvv038
Tribological Applications for Advanced Ceramics

Advanced structural ceramics offer unique capabilities as tribomaterials. They are being used today in diverse applications such as tips for ball-point pens, precision instrumentbearings, and cutting tool inserts. Tribological applications of ceramics can be divided into several categories based on the properties of the ceramics. These include: resistance to abrasion and erosion; resistance to corrosive wear; wear resistance at elevated temperatures; low density; and electrical, thermal and magnetic properties. Examples of present utilization of ceramics in each category are described and a few examples of potentialfuture applications are given. Many scientific and technical barriers must be overcome before the full potential of ceramics in tribological applications is realized. These barriers are discussed in terms of the limited knowledge regarding tribological performance, problems with reliability, and lack of design knowledge and experience. It is clear that the wide-spread use of advanced ceramics requires further research and development. However, it must be realized that the solutions to the scientific and technical problems will be slow.
Education Guidelines Fail to Inspire

Seldom in the special section on Grand Challenges in Science Education (19 April, p. [290][1]) do I see the words "inspiration" or "excitement." The News story "Transformation is possible if a university really cares" (J. Mervis, p. [292][2]) suggests starting "by asking what the faculty member wants students to know how to do at the end of the course" and approves of applying "basic concepts to real-life situations." That is suitable for an engineering course or for basic physics, but what if your goal for nonscience students is to foster inspiration, excitement about what they have learned, and enthusiasm for supporting science by reading newspaper or magazine articles on STEM topics or by voting for candidates who demonstrate scientific experience or understanding? The Review "Physical and virtual laboratories in science and engineering education" (T. de Jong et al. , p. [305][3]) acknowledges the importance of enthusiasm by suggesting that actual labs are more successful than virtual ones in creating "young people who are skillful in and enthusiastic about science," but the article is aimed at those "who view science as their future career field." Meanwhile, the Review "Outside the pipeline: Reimagining science education for nonscientists" (N. W. Feinstein et al. , p. [314][4]) describes the goal of "nonscientists who can access and make sense of science relevant to their lives." I agree that we want nonscientists to "judge the credibility of scientific claims," but I contend that teaching about exciting, mind-bending, and current results can inspire students to do better in all their studies, not just those in science courses. ![Figure][5] CREDIT: AAAS I suggest adding several components to the list of Next Generation Standards listed in the Venn diagram in "Opportunities and challenges in next generation standards" (E. K. Stage et al. , Education Forum, p. [276][6]). Students should recognize that many scientific questions are currently unsolved. They should study current trailblazers and the sequence of discovery. Courses should emphasize the importance of current research. Each topic should end with a summary of some outstanding questions. Without context, students may leave school thinking that physical science ended with Newton and that it isn't important to support our current research efforts. They may believe that scientific problems have been solved and can all be dealt with in classroom-quality laboratories. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.340.6130.290 [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.340.6130.292 [3]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1230579 [4]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1230855 [5]: pending:yes [6]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1234011
Crystallization Behavior of Chemically Prepared and Rapidly Solidified PbTiO3

The crystallization behavior of chemically prepared and rapidly solidified PbTiO3 was investigated. Chemical methods were (i) polymeric sol-gel processing and (ii) co-precipitation of fine particles. Rapid solidification was obtained by a twin-roller quencher. Details are reported for the processing methods and the characteristics of the materials. X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy confirmed the amorphous nature of the prepared materials. Crystallization was examined as a function of heat-treatment conditions. Non-isothermal DSC was used to determine the kinetics of crystallization. Activation energies and frequency factors were determined. Co-precipitated PbTiO3 crystallized at the lowest temperature of 375 C, followed by sol-gel at 425 C, and rapidly solidified at 475 C. The results are interpreted in terms of processing routes, structural free-energies, available surface areas and fractional free volumes.
Guns, Latrines, and Land Reform: Dynamic Pigouvian Taxation

Abstract Dynamically and statically optimal Pigouvian subsidies and taxes on durables will differ in a growing economy. In a dynamic game, consumers may delay purchasing durables with positive externalities, such as latrines, anticipating greater future subsidies. Governments can most cheaply induce optimal purchasing by commiting to make subsidies temporary. Foreign donors may make commitment impossible, generating delays in private investment that more than fully offset the social benefits of transfers. Anticipated future taxes or regulation of durables with negative externalities, such as guns, may encourage current purchase, potentially causing policymakers who would otherwise prefer taxes or regulation to abandon such policies.
Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Presenting as Pauci-Immune Crescentic Glomerulonephritis in Pregnancy

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis rarely affects females of reproductive age. A 28-year-old African American woman presented at 8 weeks of gestation with intractable vomiting attributed to hyperemesis gravidarum. She was found to have acute kidney injury that was unresponsive to vigorous fluid resuscitation and urine sediment examination was suggestive of an underlying glomerulonephritis. Serum c-ANCA and PR3 were elevated and there was no peripheral eosinophilia. During her course she also developed one episode of small volume hemoptysis with right upper lobe infiltrates on CT Chest. There were no cutaneous manifestations of vasculitis or upper respiratory symptoms. Renal biopsy revealed a pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis (PICGN). The diagnosis was consistent with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). Management initially comprised teratogen sparing agents; steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin; and plasma exchange. The response was suboptimal and she became dependent on daily renal replacement therapy. Ultimately the pregnancy was terminated allowing for traditional treatment approaches with dramatic effect. This is the first case of GPA presenting as PICGN in pregnancy and highlights the challenges of its management.
Computer applications in quality assurance.

Summary The computer is rapidly becoming an essential tool for the physician. Proper use of computers in practice will help physicians achieve both higher levels of quality and greater consistency in patient care. Only with computers can physicians rapidly access and process all the data now needed to best address the needs of their patients. As computer use in practice becomes the standard, the inability to use these tools will be incompatible with quality care. The computer is rapidly becoming essential to modern medical management strategies that demand efficiency, accuracy, and cost effectiveness in response to patient demands for assurance that quality care is being delivered.
T cell-derived migration-inhibitory factor and colony-stimulating factor share common structural elements.

Migration-inhibitory factor (MIF) is a lymphokine that acts to localize mononuclear phagocytes (monocytes and macrophages) and perhaps to activate them. Mo cells are a human T cell leukemia virus II-infected T cell line previously shown to secrete large quantities of MIF upon stimulation with phytohemagglutinin and phorbol myristate acetate. MIF was purified from Mo cell-conditioned medium by gel filtration, phenyl- Sepharose affinity chromatography, isoelectrofocusing, and reverse- phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Overall purification was 6,000-fold. The purified MIF fraction was found to display potent colony-stimulating factor (CSF) activity when assayed on human bone marrow cells. The double peak of MIF activity as shown by C 18-RP-HPLC coincided with the double peak of CSF activity. A monoclonal antibody selected for its anti-MIF activity absorbed both the CSF and the MIF activity. These findings indicate that MIF and CSF are either identical molecules or closely related molecules with common structural elements.
Efficacy of CPAP modalities in lowering blood pressure in OSA: does the method used to measure blood pressure matter?

In recent years, a number of meta-analyses have consistently concluded that CPAP therapy elicits modest, yet significant, reductions in 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP).1–4 These improvements in 24-hour BP appear to be more dramatic in patients with resistant hypertension,5 and reductions in nocturnal BP tend to be more dramatic than daytime BP.1–4 There is also evidence indicating that CPAP adherence plays a critical role in the potential BP-lowering effects of CPAP therapy.6 Pepin et al 7 conducted the largest double-blind randomised-controlled trial (RCT) to date comparing the efficacy of 4 months of therapy with fixed-pressure CPAP (FP-CPAP, n=161) versus auto-adjusting CPAP (auto-CPAP, n=161) in reducing BP in patients with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). In an intention-to-treat analysis, there was no difference in the primary outcome of change in office systolic BP between FP-CPAP and auto-CPAP groups. Auto-CPAP devices analyse flow and pressure signals on a breath-by-breath basis and use a variety of algorithms to adjust the delivered pressure in order to resolve detected residual obstructive events while trying to apply the lowest effective pressure. Thus far, the preponderance of data suggests that this modality is no better than FP-CPAP in improving adherence to therapy or quality of life. What remains unclear is whether the inherent fluctuations in delivered pressure by an auto-CPAP device can lead to microarousals and sleep fragmentation, ultimately leading to less effective reduction in nocturnal and daytime BP compared with FP-CPAP. Accordingly, the study by Pepin et al is important and timely, and the authors are to be commended for executing such a large and well-designed RCT to provide clinically useful information for the care of patients with OSA. Pepin et al 7 estimated their sample size and set their a priori primary end point of office BP based on a prior smaller …
HOPF BIFURCATION IN AN ADAPTIVE SYSTEM WITH INMODELED DYNAMICS

Adaptive schemes can exhibit a “nonlinear” instability in which the linear system with fixed parameters is stable. This instability is a Hopf bifurcation caused by unmodeled dynamics.
Conclusions and Prospects for the Future of German Foreign Policy

Conclusions are the place to state an argument in bold terms and to take some risks in generalizing it. In this chapter I begin by summarizing the evidence for the argument of ‘embedded hegemony.’ I then look at how the alternative theoretical perspectives hold up in light of the empirical data. Third, I build on the argument and evidence presented here to venture some predictions for the future. I speculate again on Germany’s future course of action that we might expect if the argument holds. I tackle issue areas NOT addressed in the case studies but rather other issue areas that are likely to be crucial in the next ten years: Germany’s relations with the US, Germany’s relations with Russia, and some domestic issues that may impinge on Germany’s foreign policy decisions. With these issues in mind, I end this chapter as I began the volume: with one possible scenario for the future — a political science-fiction account, set in the year 2014, of how a typical workday in the life of the German Chancellor might end.
Laser damage mechanisms in conductive widegap semiconductor films

Laser damage mechanisms of two conductive wide-bandgap semiconductor films - indium tin oxide (ITO) and silicon doped GaN (Si:GaN) were studied via microscopy, spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), and elemental analysis. Nanosecond laser pulse exposures with a laser photon energy (1.03 eV, 1064 nm) smaller than the conductive films bandgaps were applied and radically different film damage morphologies were produced. The laser damaged ITO film exhibited deterministic features of thermal degradation. In contrast, laser damage in the Si:GaN film resulted in highly localized eruptions originating at interfaces. For ITO, thermally driven damage was related to free carrier absorption and, for GaN, carbon complexes were proposed as potential damage precursors or markers.
Ultraviolet/Ozone as a tool to control grafting density in surface-initiated controlled-radical polymerizations via ablation of bromine

We used an ultraviolet-ozone (UVO) cleaner to create substrates for atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with varying surface initiator coverage. We collected complementary time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements to investigate the precise chemical origin of the variation in grafting density. At short exposure times, the atomic composition underwent minor changes except for the relative amount of bromine. At longer UVO exposure times, there is clear evidence of exposure-dependent surface initiator oxidation. We interpret these data as evidence of a bromine ablation process within the UVO cleaner, with additional oxidative modification of the rest of the surface. We then used these substrates to create a series of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) brushes varying in grafting density, demonstrating the utility of this tool for the control of polymer brush density. The measured brush grafting densities were correlated with the bromine concentration measured by both ToF-SIMS and XPS. XPS and brush thicknesses correlated strongly, following an exponential decay with a half-life of 18 ± 1 s.
Context and Auditory Fear are Differentially Regulated by HDAC3 Activity in the Lateral and Basal Subnuclei of the Amygdala

Histone acetylation is a fundamental epigenetic mechanism that is dynamically regulated during memory formation. Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) compete to modulate histone acetylation, allowing for rapid changes in acetylation in response to a learning event. HDACs are known to be powerful negative regulators of memory formation, but it is not clear whether this function depends on HDAC enzymatic activity per se. Here, we tested whether the enzymatic activity of an individual Class I HDAC, HDAC3, has a role in fear memory formation in subregions of the hippocampus and amygdala. We found that fear conditioning drove expression of the immediate early genes cFos and Nr4a2 in the hippocampus, which coincided with reduced HDAC3 occupancy at these promoters. Using a dominant-negative, deacetylase-dead point mutant virus (AAV-HDAC3(Y298H)-v5), we found that selectively blocking HDAC3 deacetylase activity in either the dorsal hippocampus or basal nucleus of the amygdala enhanced context fear without affecting tone fear. Blocking HDAC3 activity in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala, on the other hand, enhanced tone, but not context fear memory. These results show for the first time that the enzymatic activity of HDAC3 functions to negatively regulate fear memory formation. Further, HDAC3 activity regulates different aspects of fear memory in the basal and lateral subregions of the amygdala. Thus, the deacetylase activity of HDAC3 is a powerful negative regulator of fear memory formation in multiple subregions of the fear circuit.
Topic Order in Introductory Physics and its Impact on the STEM Curricular Ladder

Introductory physics courses are an important rung on the curricular ladder in STEM. These courses help to strengthen students critical thinking and problem solving skills while simultaneously introducing them to many topics they will explore in more detail in later courses in physics and engineering. For these reasons, introductory physics is a required element on the curricular ladder. Most often, introductory physics is offered as a two-semester sequence with basic mechanics being taught in the first semester and electricity and magnetism in the second. In fact, this curricular sequence has not been altered in decades. Is there a reason for this? There are many other enduring questions that arise pertaining to these foundation courses in physics. These questions include: Does taking the introductory course sequence “out of order” have an impact on student learning in physics? What topics should be taught? When should these topics be taught? What topics could be left out? The list of questions is essentially endless. This paper will address some of these questions in part, through a brief discussion on student learning in a second-semester algebra-based physics course. Connections will also be made to the broader curricular ladder in STEM. To this end, an illustration that makes connections to an engineering statics course will be presented. This discussion will conclude by presenting some broader implications for the larger STEM communities.
What Is the Job Creation Potential of New Technologies

Although most human mental and physical labor will eventually be replaced by automation, complex cognitive skills, such as creativity and social-emotional intelligence, will take longer to replace. As a consequence, there may be, for a time, expanding employment opportunities for occupations that use more of those skills, such as architects, artists and designers, information specialists, and public relations professionals. It is impossible to predict what new creative or social jobs might be invented, but it is likely that the future job market will see more part-time “gig” jobs, public sector jobs, and elderly care jobs, and that many new jobs will be types that will integrate technology and humans in a symbiotic way.
Fournier's Gangrene: A Review and Outcome Comparison from 2009 to 2016.

Objective: The outcome of Fournier's gangrene (FG) may be affected by comorbidities, demographics, and choice of treatment modality. We sought to evaluate our institution's management protocol of FG measured by mortality rate (MR) and length of hospital stay (LHS) in a retrospective cohort study. Approach: A database of 20 FG cases at our institution throughout the 2009–2016 study period was assembled by a retrospective review of medical records. A Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index Score (FGSIS) was calculated for each case. Data were analyzed for statistical significance using logistic regression. Results: The most common presentation of FG at our institution was a hyperglycemic diabetic male in his fifth decade of life with a second risk factor such as recent surgery or active malignancy. The average FGSIS was 9 overall and 14 for the mortalities. An increased FGSIS was predictive of having an increased MR or hospital stay above the median (>25 days) (p = 0.0194). The average LHS was 32 days overall, 2...
Load-Following Voltage Controller Design for a Static Space Nuclear Power System

The reliability of static space nuclear power systems (SNPSs) could be improved through the use of backup devices in addition to shunt regulators, as currently proposed for load following. Shunt regulator failure leading to reactor shutdown is possible, as is the possible need to deliver somewhat higher power level to the load than originally expected. A backup system is proposed in SNPSs to eliminate the possibility of a single-point failure in the shunt regulators and to increase the overall system power delivery capability despite changing mission needs and component characteristics. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the feasibility of such a backup device for voltage regulation in static SNPSs that is capable of overcoming system variations resulting from operation at different power levels. A dynamic compensator is designed using the Linear Quadratic Gaussian with Loop Transfer Recovery method. The resulting compensators are gain scheduled using the SNPS electric power as the scheduling variable, resulting in a nonlinear compensator. The performance of the gain-scheduled compensator is investigated extensively using an SNPS simulator. The simulations demonstrate the effects of the fuel temperature reactivity coefficient variations on the load-following capabilities of the SNPS. Robustness analysis results demonstrate that the proposed controllermore » exhibits significant operational flexibility, and it can be considered for long-term space mission requiring significant levels of autonomy.« less