cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
nTiO 2 induced changes in intracellular composition and nutrient stoichiometry in primary producer — cyanobacteria

Abstract The widely and increasing use of nano-titanium dioxide (nTiO2) has led to its release in the environment and concerns of consequent impact on aquatic eco-relevant biota. Previous studies indicated possible physiological changes (i.e., nitrogen storage) induced by nano-titanium dioxide (nTiO2) exposure in algae, which will likely have ecological implications. This study investigated the short- (96 h) and long-term (21 days) ecotoxic impact of environmentally relevant nTiO2 concentrations on the cellular biochemical pools and nutrient stoichiometry in the nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria Anabaena variabilis. Changes in nutrient element ratios and cellular composition were analyzed using both chemical elemental analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Chemical elemental analysis showed that exposure to nTiO2 at varying dose concentrations and exposure duration led to statistically significant changes in intracellular C:N, C:P and N:P stoichiometries compared with those in the controls. In general, there seemed to be a decreasing trends of cellular C:N ratio and increase in the cellular C:P and N:P ratios with the increasing level of nTiO2 exposure. Further FT-IR analysis results revealed both temporal and dose-dependent change patterns of major macromolecules, including protein, lipids, nucleic acids and carbohydrates, in A. variabilis upon nTiO2 exposure. The relative ratio of amide II, lipids, nucleic acids and carbohydrates to the cellular protein content (quantified as amide I stretch) changed significantly within the initial 96 h of exposure and, both the magnitude of changes and levels of recovery seemed to be nTiO2 dose-dependent. This study, for the first time, demonstrated that the intracellular composition and nutrient stoichiometry changes could be induced by long-term and short-term exposures to nTiO2 to primary producers, which may have ecological implications for interspecies equilibriums and community dynamics in aquatic ecosystems.
On the effect of initial curvature on cracked flat sheets

A survey of existing solutions describing the stress distribution around the crack tip of an initially curved sheet is made and a method for estimating approximate stress intensity factors of other more complicated shell geometries is discussed.
The MPEG-4 system and description languages: from practice to theory

We provide an overview of the novel system architecture currently adopted in the ISO MPEG-4 standardization effort, as embodied in its System and Description Languages design. We briefly describe its composition capabilities, multiplexing and synchronization model, as well as the syntactic description mechanism which is based on our "Flavor" language. We also describe a theoretical framework for the analysis of algorithmic or language-based compression using "Complexity Distortion Theory," an extension of Kolmogorov Complexity theory that takes into account distortion, and show that it is a universal and the most natural framework for analyzing traditional and new compression techniques.
Two degree of freedom control for nanopositioning systems: Fundamental limitations, control design, and related trade-offs

This paper studies and analyzes fundamental trade-offs between positioning resolution, tracking bandwidth and robustness to modeling uncertainties in two-degree-of-freedom (2DOF) control designs for nanopositioning systems. The analysis of these systems is done in optimal control setting with various architectural constraints imposed on the 2DOF framework. In terms of these trade-offs, our analysis shows that the primary role of feedback is providing robustness to the closed-loop device whereas the feedforward component is mainly effective in overcoming fundamental algebraic constraints that limit the feedback-only designs. This paper presents (1) an optimal prefilter model matching design for a system with an existing feedback controller and (2) a simultaneous feedforward and feedback control design in an optimal H ∞ mixed sensitivity framework. The experimental results on applying these controllers show a significant improvement, as high as 330% increase in bandwidth for similar robustness and resolution level over optimal feedback-only designs. Other performance objectives are similarly improved.We demonstrate that the 2DOF freedom design achieves performance specifications that are analytically impossible for the feedback-only design.
More Flexibility in Representing Geometric Distortion in Astronomical Images

A number of popular software tools in the public domain are used by astronomers, professional and amateur alike, but some of the tools that have similar purposes cannot be easily interchanged, owing to the lack of a common standard. For the case of image distortion, SCAMP and SExtractor, available from Astromatic.net, perform astrometric calibration and source-object extraction on image data, and image-data geometric distortion is computed in celestial coordinates with polynomial coefficients stored in the FITS header with the PV i_j keywords. Another widely-used astrometric-calibration service, Astrometry.net, solves for distortion in pixel coordinates using the SIP convention that was introduced by the Spitzer Science Center. Up until now, due to the complexity of these distortion representations, it was very difficult to use the output of one of these packages as input to the other. New Python software, along with faster-computing C-language translations, have been developed at the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC) to convert FITS-image headers from PV to SIP and vice versa. It is now possible to straightforwardly use Astrometry.net for astrometric calibration and then SExtractor for source-object extraction. The new software also enables astrometric calibration by SCAMP followed by image visualization with tools that support SIP distortion, but not PV . The software has been incorporated into the image-processing pipelines of the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF), which generate FITS images with headers containing both distortion representations. The software permits the conversion of archived images, such as from the Spitzer Heritage Archive and NASA/IPAC Infrared Science Archive, from SIP to PV or vice versa. This new capability renders unnecessary any new representation, such as the proposed TPV distortion convention.
A Radiochemical Analyses of Metastudtite and Leachates from Spent Fuel

Immersion of commercial spent nuclear fuel (CSNF) in deionized water produced two novel corrosion products after a two-year contact period. Another unexpected result was that suspensions of aggregates were observed to form at the air-water interface for each of five samples. These solids were characterized, by SEM and XRD to be nearly pure metastudtite (UO4-2H2O); while the corrosion present on the surface of the fuel itself was determined to be studtite (UO4-2H2O). The occurrence of the floating phase prompted a radiochemical analysis of these solids. This chemical analysis was a unique opportunity to study the relatively pure corrosion phase for incorporation of radionuclides. The analysis indicated that high concentration of 90Sr, 137Cs, 99Tc, and that lower concentrations 237Np, 238, 239Pu and 243, 244Cm had partitioned with the air-water interface aggregates. The concentrations of 241Am were two orders of magnitude lower than the expected inventory in the suspended solids. The radiochemical analyses of the several leachate samples provide preliminary solubility data for the hydrogen peroxide leaching of CSNF and these data are compared to leaching of the same fuel in J-13 and deionized waters. The extent of fuel dissolution in these media are discussed.
Shape of Mesozoic dinosaur richness: Comment and Reply: COMMENT

The recent article by [Fastovsky et al. (2004)][1] examines the Mesozoic record of dinosaur diversity. For this study they utilized recently published dinosaur distribution data complied by [Weishampel et al. (2004)][2]. A major concern of [Fastovsky et al. (2004)][1] was the dinosaur record during
Effects of Ethnic Identification on Web Browsers’ Attitudes toward and Navigational Patterns on Race-Targeted Sites

Contrary to research that suggests Blacks can only be reached effectively with Black-oriented media, this research demonstrates that there appears to be a subset of the Black population that can be reached equally well with White targeted media as they can with Black-targeted media. The study findings confirm expectations that Blacks’ differential responses to race-targeted Web sites are mediated by their level of ethnic identification. Blacks with strong ethnic identities spent more time browsing a site and viewing each story when the site was targeted to Blacks than Whites. Blacks with strong ethnic identities also rated the site and the stories more favorably when browsing the Black-targeted site compared to the White-targeted site. In contrast, Blacks with weak ethnic identities displayed no difference in their browsing time on the sites and stories or their rating of the sites and stories based on the racial target of the Internet site.
Deposition of aluminum oxide by evaporative coating at atmospheric pressure (ECAP)

article i nfo Available online 18 June 2013 The Center for Plasma-Material Interaction (CPMI) has developed innovative coating method of evaporative coating at atmospheric pressure (ECAP). This new idea is an atmospheric-pressure-based process. Following the similar concept as the laser-assisted plasma coating at atmospheric pressure (LAPCAP) (1), the material captured by the plasma plume is atomic in nature (the evaporated metal atom) and should therefore end up deposited molecule-by-molecule as in a PVD fashion. By using the thermal energy from the microwave plasma, solid 99.99% + purity aluminum were evaporated and then produce a PVD-like alumina coating on a work piece. The aluminum target was inserted in the center of the microwave torch feeding a melt pool and evaporated into the surrounding plasma plume. A bottle neck was made in the antenna and could reduce the heat loss by 84%, thus allowing higher temperatures to exist in the sample-holder antenna tip. Gas shielding was used to keep the work gas pure. The film was deposited as Al2O3 using oxygen from the envi- ronment. Deposition rate was around 2 μm/min. Gas flow rate around the antenna tip was about 0.9 m/s, and the temperature of the plasma was about 1400 °C at 1350 W input power from simulations. Alpha and other metastable phases of aluminum oxide were found on the deposited films.
Multiscale structural analysis of mouse lingual myoarchitecture employing diffusion spectrum magnetic resonance imaging and multiphoton microscopy.

The tongue consists of a complex, multiscale array of myo- fibers that comprise the anatomical underpinning of lingual mechani- cal function. 3-D myoarchitecture was imaged in mouse tongues with diffusion spectrum magnetic resonance imaging DSI at 9.4 T bmax 7000 s/mm, 150-m isotropic voxels, a method that derives the preferential diffusion of water/voxel, and high-throughput 10 fps two-photon microscope TPM. Net fiber alignment was represented for each method in terms of the local maxima of an orientational distribution function ODF derived from the local diffusion DSI and 3-D structural autocorrelation TPM, respectively. Mesoscale myofi- ber tracts were generated by alignment of the principal orientation vectors of the ODFs. These data revealed a consistent relationship between the properties of the respective ODFs and the virtual super- imposition of the distributed mesoscale myofiber tracts. The identifi- cation of a mesoscale anatomical construct, which specifically links the microscopic and macroscopic spatial scales, provides a method for relating the orientation and distribution of cells and subcellular components with overall tissue morphology, thus contributing to the development of multiscale methods for mechanical analysis. © 2008
Analysis of the integration of wind generation into the Irish System

The European Union RES-E target for renewables for Ireland is 13.2% in 2010. ESB National Grid estimate that this corresponds to an installed capacity of 1,000 MW wind generation, together with some hydro and biomass. In order to determine the technical issues associated with accommodating various levels of wind generation from a system perspective, a number of areas need to be examined. Wind generation may be constrained for two reasons: transmission reasons and "wind reasons" due to the inherent variable and unpredictable nature of the wind. ESB National Grid has undertaken to carry out analysis of the effect of the wind on the system in isolation of transmission constraints. To this end, ESBNG has a devised a work programme, which can be split into two main strands: an initial investigation and a detailed technical analysis. A report is programmed for completion by the end of April 2004.
Solubility of Pyrene in Binary Alcohol + 2-Methyl-2-butanol Solvent Mixtures at 299.2 K

Experimental solubilities are reported for pyrene dissolved in eight binary mixtures containing 2-methyl-2-butanol and alcohol (1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 1-pentanol, 2-pentanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, or 4-methyl-2-pentanol) at 26 °C. Results of these measurements are used to test two mathematical representations based upon the combined nearly ideal binary solvent (NIBS)/Redlich−Kister and modified Wilson equations. For the eight systems studied, both equations were found to provide an accurate mathematical representation of the experimental data, with an overall average absolute deviation between measured and calculated values being 0.3% and 0.4% for the combined NIBS/Redlich−Kister and modified Wilson equations, respectively. Also reported are experimental solubilities for pyrene dissolved in 2-methoxyethanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, 2-propoxyethanol, 2-butoxyethanol, and 3-methoxy-1-butanol.
The effect on tipping of a waitress touching male and female customers.

(1986). The Effect on Tipping of a Waitress Touching Male and Female Customers. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 126, No. 1, pp. 141-142.
A gradient-layer calorimeter for measurement of energy expenditure of infants.

We have developed and validated a gradient-layer calorimeter for direct measurement of energy expenditure of preterm infants. Infant calorimeters must be operated and tested differently from adult ...
Light-Stimulated Changes in the Acidity of Suspensions of Oat Protoplasts Dependence upon Photosynthesis

Light induced an alkalinization and stimulated a subsequent acidification of the medium surrounding oat ( Avena sativa L. cv Garry) leaf protoplasts. Blue light was less effective than would be predicted from photosynthetic action spectra. Nonetheless, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea prevented alkalinization and reduced acidification to the dark rate for protoplast suspensions exposed to all light regimes tested. Alkalinization increased in parallel with initial rates of O 2 evolution as the quantum flux density of white light was raised to 75 microeinsteins per square meter per second. Alkalinization was accompanied by a decrease in the CO 2 content of the medium; therefore, it was attributed to photosynthetically induced CO 2 uptake. The effect of CO 2 depletion on the acidity of the medium appeared to be mainly restricted to the first 15 minutes of exposure to light. Consequently, subsequent pH changes primarily reflected a constant net proton efflux. Acidification occurred in the dark, but rates of acidification increased in response to increased light approximately in parallel with changes in a concomitant net O 2 efflux. The results indicated that protoplasts could acidify the medium in response to nonphotosynthetic activity, but that photosynthesis mediated light stimulation of acidification.
Determining 'Just Compensation'

The US Constitution requires the government to pay just compensation for taking private property. Justice, in this context, will be achieved only if compensation meets two tests, a reality test and a perception test. The reality test asks whether is it more likely than not that the owner deprived of her property would be made whole by the amount of compensation provided. In determining this likelihood, economics, biology, and psychology ought all to be considered. These disciplines indicate that possession, duration of possession, and multiple occupancy call for compensation bonuses. The perception test asks whether it is more likely than not that the average person would think that the owner would be made whole by the amount of compensation provided. In determining this likelihood, surveys of lay persons should play a key role. Participants surveyed provide more compensation when owners are in possession, when possession lengthens, when there are multiple occupants, and when the land is taken for a project involving substantial private ownership. Participants surveyed did not, however, consider justice to require that owners be awarded full compensation for subjective losses or that compensation be increased proportionately when property appreciates in value.
442OCELL CYCLE BIOMARKER ANALYSIS FROM THE PALOMA-1/ TRIO 18 PALBOCICLIB PLUS LETROZOLE PHASE II STUDY IN ER-POSITIVE/HER2-NEGATIVE ADVANCED BREAST CANCER (ABC)

ABSTRACT Aim: Palbociclib (P) is a highly selective, reversible inhibitor of CDK 4/6. Preclinical data identified breast cancer cell lines representing ER+ luminal breast cancer as more sensitive to the anti-proliferative effects of P and with lower levels of CDKN2A and higher levels of Rb and CCND1 by RNA expression. Based on these data, a phase 2 randomized study of P plus letrozole (P + L) vs. L alone in the first-line treatment of postmenopausal women with ER + /HER2- ABC was conducted. Final results demonstrated a significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) with P + L (HR = 0.488; 95% CI 0.319-0.748, p = 0.0004) (Finn et al AACR 2014). We assessed potential biomarkers both retrospectively and prospectively, and their relationship with PFS. Methods: 165 patients were randomized. CCND1 and CDKN2A copy numbers were determined by four-color FISH assay. The expressions of pRb, CCND1, and Ki67 were measured by validated IHC assays at central laboratories. Results: The study consisted 2 parts. Part 1 (N = 66) enrolled patients (pts) with ER + /HER2- ABC. 46 of 66 pts had tissue available for retrospective CCND1 and CDKN2A FISH analysis. 21 pts were biomarker positive (BM+) (CCND1/CEP11 ratio ≥ 1.5 and/or CDKN2A/CEP9 ratio 20% vs. ≤20% were observed. 80 /165 pts had tissue for cyclin D1 and pRb protein IHC. 73/79 (92.4%) and 73/77 (94.8%) were positive for cyclin D1 and pRb, respectively. Conclusions: P + L provides a consistent benefit in ER + /HER2- ABC compared to L alone. Both BM+ and BM- pts benefited from P + L. Ki67 staining did not identify a subgroup that benefited more from P + L. As expected, over 90% of the pts analyzed stained positive for pRb and cyclin D1. Disclosure: Y. Jiang, S. Randolph, P. English, S. Kim and X. Huang: Employment: Pfizer; D. Slamon and R.S. Finn:: Research Support: Pfizer. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Tissue Engineering: Propagation and Potency Evaluation

Abstract With the exception of donor-patient compatibility, the potency of a cellular therapeutic or regenerative medicine product is one of the most important parameters to measure prior to use in the patient. This review describes the problems and limitations of present tests and assays considered or recommended as potency assays by regulatory agencies and standards organizations as they pertain to legislative statutes. It also describes how new technology is used to develop a potency assay that requires the characterization of the active components of the product. Since umbilical cord blood has been designated a drug, it is used as an example of a cellular therapeutic that requires the measurement of stem cell potency.
Purification and kinetic characterization of Haemophilus parasuis malate dehydrogenase.

Abstract Haemophilus parasuis malate dehydrogenase (( S )-malate:NAD + oxidoreductase; EC 1.1.1.37) isolated from cell sonicates was purified 584-fold to electrophoretic homogeneity with a 19% recovery and a specific activity of 222 units/mg protein. SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and molecular exclusion chromatography indicated the purified enzyme to be a dimer composed of 34,600 molecular weight subunits. Kinetic parameters for all four substrates in the forward and reverse reactions indicated a sequential mechanism for this enzymic process. Product and dead-end inhibition studies were consistent with an ordered bi–bi mechanism in which NAD is the first substrate bound to the enzyme and NADH the second product released. Protection against thermodenaturation of the enzyme by NAD and not by malate was supportive of this mechanism. A pronounced product inhibition by NADH ( K i = 9.0 μ m ) was observed. Although NADP did not serve as a coenzyme, a number of analogs of NAD structurally altered in the nitrogen base moieties were observed to function as coenzymes in the oxidation of malate catalyzed by the purified malate dehydrogenase. Coenzyme-competitive inhibition of the malate dehydrogenase was observed with five adenosine derivatives and six structural analogs of NAD. Of the NAD analogs studied as inhibitors, 3-pyridylcarbinol adenine dinucleotide was the most effective ( K i = 18 μ m ). Although inhibition of growth of H. parasuis by this analog was observed, it was less effective ( K i = 136 μ m ) than the inhibition of the purified dehydrogenase.
On the near-wall effects induced by an axial-flow rotor

Abstract Laboratory experiments were performed to quantify the near-wall flow characteristics and the bed shear stress in the vicinity of an axial-flow rotor model. It was placed in a smooth-wall open channel flow under subcritical conditions and operated at two heights. A laser Doppler velocimeter was used to collect profiles of the streamwise and vertical velocity at few locations within the rotor symmetry plane as close as one wall unit from the bed. Local estimates of the mean bed shear stress were obtained from the mean velocity profiles in the viscous and logarithmic regions. Results show that the bed shear stress is sensitive to the distance from the rotor and to the relative height of the rotor. Maximum bed shear stress occurred downstream of the rotor with the rotor closer to the bed. Flow statistics shows a reduction of turbulence intensity and turbulent shear stress near the wall and close to the rotor due to flow acceleration and changes in the pressure distribution. Spectral analysis of the streamwise velocity evidences a reduction of the energy content across scales spanning two decades right below the turbine. The increase of bed shear is due to mainly flow accelerating but not to turbulence.
Demography and cultural evolution: How adaptive cultural processes can produce maladaptive losses: The Tasmanian case

A combination of archeological and ethnohistorical evidence indicates that, over an approximately 8,000-year period, from the beginning of the Holocene until European explorers began arriving in the eighteenth century, the societies of Tasmania lost a series of valuable skills and technologies. These likely included bone tools, cold-weather clothing, hafted tools, nets, fishing spears, barbed spears, spear-throwers, and boomerangs. To address this puzzle, and the more general question of how human cognition and social interaction can generate both adaptive cultural evolution and maladaptive losses of culturally acquired skills, this paper constructs a formal model of cultural evolution rooted in the cognitive details of human social learning and inference. The analytical results specify the conditions for differing rates of adaptive cultural evolution, and reveal regimes that will produce maladaptive losses of particular kinds of skills and related technologies. More specifically, the results suggest that the relatively sudden reduction in the effective population size (the size of the interacting pool of social learners) that occurred with the rising ocean levels at the end of the last glacial epoch, which cut Tasmania off from the rest of Australia for the ensuing ten millennia, could have initiated a cultural evolutionary process that (1) kept stable or even improved relatively simple technological skills, and (2) produced an increasing deterioration of more complex skills leading to the complete disappearance of some technologies and practices. This pattern is consistent with the empirical record in Tasmania. Beyond this case, I speculate on the applicability of the model to understanding the variability in rates of adaptive cultural evolution.
An open trial evaluating an attention bias modification program for overweight adults who binge eat.

Abstract Background and Objectives Binge eating is prevalent and is associated with significant psychiatric and medical comorbidities. To date, the most effective psychological treatments for individuals who binge eat are not effective for all patients and they do not result in significant weight loss. Dual process theories suggest that implicit factors, such as attention bias, may influence behavior, even when the behavior is in opposition to long-term goals. Attention bias modification programs have been tested in other areas of psychopathology, and could be utilized to improve outcomes for people who binge eat. Thus, the aim of this open trial was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of an attention bias modification program (ABM-Food) designed to train attention away from food cues. Methods Adults who binge eat and were overweight or obese enrolled in an 8-week ABM-Food program, which consisted of one session in the lab each week and two training sessions at home. Nine participants completed the ABM-Food training program and the post-treatment assessment, and 8 completed the 3-month post-treatment assessment. Results: Results showed that the ABM-Food program is a feasible and acceptable treatment for adults who binge eat. Initial effectiveness data showed decreases in weight, eating disorder symptoms, binge eating, loss of control and responsivity to food in the environment, as well as changes in attention bias. The majority of these effects remained at the 3-month follow-up time point. Limitations This study is limited by the single-group open label trial, and the small sample size. Conclusions This open trial provides initial evidence for the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of ABM-Food for individuals who binge eat and are overweight or obese.
CHARACTERIZATION OF TITANIUM PHTHALOCYANINE DICHLORIDE THIN FILMS AND ITS USE AS GAMMA RADIATION SENSOR

The temperature at which the substrate is maintained during deposition is the most critical parameter determining the structure and properties of thin solid films. Halogenated metallo- phthalocyanine thin films are suitable for gas sensing applications. Titanium phthalocyanine dichloride (TiPcCl 2 ) thin films are prepared on pre-cleaned glass substrates kept at different temperatures ranging from 300K to 475K by vacuum sublimation technique. The effects of substrate temperature on the optical band gap have been studied by recording absorption spectrum. The dependence of substrate temperature on electrical conductivity of thin films is studied from the Arrhenius plots Ln s Vs 1000/T. Structural studies are done by analyzing the X-ray diffractograms of thin films and different micro structural parameters such as lattice constant, grain size, lnternal strain and dislocation density are determined. It is found that optical band gap, thermal activation energy and structural parameters vary considerably with substrate temperature. . Thin films are irradiated with gamma radiation for different exposure times and different dosages. Effect of irradiation on optical and electrical properties of the samples are also studied. The temperature at which the substrate is maintained during deposition is the most critical parameter determining the structure and properties of thin solid films. Halogenated metallo- phthalocyanine thin films are suitable for gas sensing applications. Titanium phthalocyanine dichloride (TiPcCl 2 ) thin films are prepared on pre-cleaned glass substrates kept at different temperatures ranging from 300K to 475K by vacuum sublimation technique. The effects of substrate temperature on the optical band gap have been studied by recording absorption spectrum. The dependence of substrate temperature on electrical conductivity of thin films is studied from the Arrhenius plots Ln s Vs 1000/T. Structural studies are done by analyzing the X-ray diffractograms of thin films and different micro structural parameters such as lattice constant, grain size, lnternal strain and dislocation density are determined. It is found that optical band gap, thermal activation energy and structural parameters vary considerably with substrate temperature. . Thin films are irradiated with gamma radiation for different exposure times and different dosages. Effect of irradiation on optical and electrical properties of the samples are also studied.
Quantum Mechanics, a Thermodynamic Approach

Quantum mechanics is usually derived from a dualistic quality of matter—half wavelike and half particle like. The present discussion treats the structure of quantum mechanics as a consequence of a simple and almost self-evident principle in the domain of thermodynamics, namely, a principle of continuity for the entropy, in opposition to the discontinuity paradox of classical statistical theory. Entropy continuity implies a continuity of likeness values between two gases, or two states of the same gas, from total unlikeness to total likeness through various degrees of “fractional likeness.” From the latter concept, physically interpreted as fractional separability, one obtains the general structure of quantum mechanics, the necessity of introducing probability aniplitudes mutually related by a wavelike rule of superposition, and the basic principles of the two quantum statistics of Bose and of Fermi.
A review of sugarcane bagasse for second‐generation bioethanol and biopower production

Sugarcane bagasse is a large-volume agriculture residue that is generated on a ~540 million metric tons per year basis globally1,2 with the top-three producing countries in Latin America being Brazil (~181 million metric ton yr−1),3 Mexico (15 million metric ton yr−1),4 and Colombia (7 million metric ton yr−1),5 respectively.6 Given sustainability concerns and the need to maximize the utilization of bioresources, the use of sugarcane bagasse is receiving significant attention in biorefining applications, as it is a promising resource for the conversion to biofuels and biopower. This review provides a comprehensive review of bagasse and its chemical constituents and on-going research into its utilization as a feedstock for cellulosic ethanol and electricity generation. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Global k-space analysis of electron-phonon interaction in graphene

Electron-phonon coupling in graphene is studied across the Brillouin zone. The contributions from modulated hopping and conventional deformation potential coupling, and from intraband and interband coupling are analyzed and related to available experimental M-point spectroscopy.
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to Study Liquid Food and Beverages

Food spoilage by chemical oxidation represents one of the major problems for society. Typically, an exposure of a food or beverage to oxygen would trigger a chain of chemical reactions involving proteins, pigments, fatty acids, and lipids, producing other compounds with undesirable biochemical properties including toxicity, as well as undesirable taste, smell, and color. Many of these processes occur via free radical mechanisms and involve chain reactions. This chapter reviews current progress in the use of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to characterize endogenous free radicals and paramagnetic metal ion complexes in liquid food and beverages, as well as reactive radical species directly involved in chemical reactions leading to food degradation. This field has experienced enormous growth over the last two decades. We also review the expanding use of EPR to characterize antioxidants present in food, and commercial applications of EPR methods to predict the shelf life of beer. The remaining problems, potential solutions, and future directions for using this powerful and informative spectroscopic method in characterizing liquid food and beverages are also discussed.
Sound categories or phonemes

Vihman emphasizes the importance of early word production to the emergence of phonological knowledge. This emphasis, consistent with the generative function of phonology, provides insight into the concurrent representation of phonemes and words. At the same time, Vihman's focus on phonology leads her to possibly overstate the influence of early word acquisition on the emergence of sound categories that are probably purely phonetic in nature at the outset of learning.
HCl-Catalyzed Polymerization of Benzoxazine and Chemical Transformations along Pyrolysis to Microporous Carbons

This chapter describes a room-temperature HCl-catalyzed synthesis of polybenzoxazine aerogels from bisphenol A, formaldehyde, and aniline that cuts the typical multiday, high-temperature (≥130°C) route to a few hours. In addition to the ortho-position of the phenol, the HCl-process engages the para-position of the aniline moieties leading to a higher degree of cross-linking, which, in turn, leads to smaller particles, higher mesoporosity, higher surface areas, and lower thermal conductivity than the thermal route. The carbonization efficiency (up to 61% w/w), as well as the nanomorphology and the pore structure of pyrolytically derived C-aerogels depend critically on a curing step of as-prepared polybenzoxazine aerogels at 200°C in air, which oxidizes the –CH2– bridges along the polymeric backbone and subsequently fuses the rings of phenol and aniline. C-aerogels from cured polybenzoxazine aerogels are microscopically similar to their respective parent aerogels, however, they have greatly enhanced surface areas, up to 520 m2g−1 (from ≤70 m2g−1 in the parent aerogel) with up to 83% of that new surface area attributed to newly created micropores. The applications reviewed are specific to those findings and include the synthesis of iron oxide/polybenzoxazine interpenetrating networks as precursors of iron(0) aerogels, and the use of microporous carbons for CO2 sequestration.
2.1 A 28GHz/37GHz/39GHz multiband linear Doherty power amplifier for 5G massive MIMO applications

Millimeter-wave fifth-generation (5G) systems will extensively leverage massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) architectures to improve their link performance. These array systems will employ many power amplifiers (PAs) operating at moderate output power (P out ), e.g., 16 PAs each with +7dBm P out [1]. The PA energy efficiency is of paramount importance in MIMO systems for improved battery life and thermal management. Due to spectrum-efficient modulations with high peak-to-average power ratios, both PA peak efficiency and power back-off (PBO) efficiency are critical. To achieve 5G Gb/s data-rates with complex modulations, envelope tracking PAs require high-speed/high-precision supply modulators, and outphasing PAs need high-speed baseband computation, both of which pose substantial challenges in practice. Although Doherty PAs support high data-rates, existing silicon mm-wave Doherty PAs exhibit very limited PBO efficiency enhancement, mainly due to inefficient Doherty power combiners and imperfect main/auxiliary PA cooperation [2,3].
Comparison of the international prognostic factors index (IPI) with the absolute monocyte and lymphocyte prognostic index (AMLPI) for patients (Pts) with diffuse large b-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) receiving R-CHOP.

8067 Background: We studied the value of a proposed prognostic index (PI) generated by baseline absolute monocyte (AMC) and lymphocyte (ALC) counts for pts with DLBCL, using values as previously re...
Segmentation and endogenous entry under consumer uncertainty of novel technologies

The paper presents a model of new product marketing when consumers are unable to provide perfect information on their preferences. Given the information available, firms have to decide their new product introduction strategy. Two situations are examined: a monopolist deciding on how many segments to enter, and a duopoly facing a single market segment in which each firm must decide to enter first or second. The monopolist strategy turns out to be either entering many segments when the uncertainty is low or a market niche when it is high. For the duopoly situation, a firm with limited resources wants to enter first whereas a firm with large resources wants to go second. This outcome is an endogenous equilibrium of the model.
The atopic dermatitis blood signature is characterized by increases in inflammatory and cardiovascular risk proteins

Beyond classic “allergic”/atopic comorbidities, atopic dermatitis (AD) emerges as systemic disease with increased cardiovascular risk. To better define serum inflammatory and cardiovascular risk proteins, we used an OLINK high-throughput proteomic assay to analyze moderate-to-severe AD (n = 59) compared to psoriasis (n = 22) and healthy controls (n = 18). Compared to controls, 10 proteins were increased in serum of both diseases, including Th1 (IFN-γ, CXCL9, TNF-β) and Th17 (CCL20) markers. 48 proteins each were uniquely upregulated in AD and psoriasis. Consistent with skin expression, AD serum showed up-regulation of Th2 (IL-13, CCL17, eotaxin-1/CCL11, CCL13, CCL4, IL-10), Th1 (CXCL10, CXCL11) and Th1/Th17/Th22 (IL-12/IL-23p40) responses. Surprisingly, some markers of atherosclerosis (fractalkine/CX3CL1, CCL8, M-CSF, HGF), T-cell development/activation (CD40L, IL-7, CCL25, IL-2RB, IL-15RA, CD6) and angiogenesis (VEGF-A) were significantly increased only in AD. Multiple inflammatory pathways showed stronger enrichment in AD than psoriasis. Several atherosclerosis mediators in serum (e.g. E-selectin, PI3/elafin, CCL7, IL-16) correlated with SCORAD, but not BMI. Also, AD inflammatory mediators (e.g. MMP12, IL-12/IL-23p40, CXCL9, CCL22, PI3/Elafin) correlated between blood and lesional as well as non-lesional skin. Overall, the AD blood signature was largely different compared to psoriasis, with dysregulation of inflammatory and cardiovascular risk markers, strongly supporting its systemic nature beyond atopic/allergic association.
Surgical Technique — How to Perform a Smooth Transition

The advantages of micro incision phaco outweigh any increased difficulty or complications that occur during a surgeon's early experience with the technique. The many advantages of biaxial micro incision phaco are easily accessible to the skilled cataract surgeon.
The experimental critique and philosophical practice

Some experimental philosophers have criticized the standard intuition-based methodology in philosophy. One worry about this criticism is that it is just another version of the general skepticism to...
"They Can't Expect to be Treated Like Normal Americans so Soon": Reconceptualizing Latinx Immigrants in Social Studies Education

This autoethnography examines the experiences of an assistant professor of elementary social studies methods at a predominantly White institution (PWI). Drawing on the Latina/o Critical Race Theory (LatCrit) methodology of testimonio, the assistant professor in this study, who self-identifies as Chicano, intentionally situates Latinx immigration counter-narratives as oppositional stories to the master narrative of “who belongs.” Using a Critical Race Theory (CRT) framework for analysis, this paper argues that counter-narratives serve as necessary correctives for reconceptualizing racist, essentialist, and nativist master narratives. This paper shows how social studies education courses in teacher preparation programs (TEPs) can serve as sites for counter-hegemonic resistance to the master narratives that racialize and criminalize recent Latinx immigrants.
Designing an Autonomous Vehicle Lean Recovery System for Motorcycles

Motorcycle accidents can cause property damage, bodily injury and even death. The purpose of the vehicle lean recovery system is to introduce a level of safety and security associated with riding motorcycles not previously in place. Three preliminary designs, capable of preventing a motorcycle from rolling over, were developed and tested. These designs were developed by mathematical modeling, 3D simulation and CAD modeling, cost analysis, preliminary calculation of required forces, power requirement, weight of components, and quantitative estimations of feasible range and performance. These quantitative metrics were compared between the various designs and used to create a weighted decision matrix. Finally a prototype was manufactured and tested.
Perioperative epidural use and survival outcomes in patients undergoing primary debulking surgery for advanced ovarian cancer.

Abstract Objective Epidurals are associated with improved outcomes in some solid tumors, presumably due to their effect on surgical stress response. There are limited data on the prognostic significance of epidural anesthesia in patients undergoing primary debulking surgery (PDS) for advanced ovarian cancer. We sought to assess the impact of epidural anesthesia on the survival outcomes of patients undergoing PDS for advanced ovarian cancer. Methods In this retrospective study, consecutive patients with stage IIIB-IV epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal carcinoma who underwent PDS at our institution from 01/2005–12/2013 were identified. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) with regard to epidural use were analyzed. Results Of 648 patients, 435 received an epidural and 213 did not. Patients in the former group were more likely to have higher stage disease (stage IV disease, 26% vs. 16%, respectively; P = .005), carcinomatosis (87% vs. 80%, respectively; P = .027), and bulky upper abdominal disease (66% vs. 58%, respectively; P = .046). Complete gross resection was achieved in 48% and 32%, respectively (P Conclusions Perioperative epidural use was independently associated with improved PFS and OS in these patients. Epidural anesthesia at the time of PDS may be warranted in this setting.
Unconstrained procedures for the estimation of positive definite covariance matrices using restricted maximum likelihood in multibreed populations

Two unconstrained procedures to ensure that intrabreed and interbreed genetic and environmental covariance estimates for multibreed populations are computed within the permissible ranges were developed. These procedures were called Partial Scoring and Cholesky Maximization. The Partial Scoring procedure uses partial steps to keep estimates of covariance matrices positive definite at each expectation-maximization (EM) iteration, and the Cholesky Maximization procedure achieves the same goal by computing the elements of the Cholesky Decomposition of each intrabreed and interbreed genetic and environmental covariance matrix. Groups of small simulated data sets containing either direct genetic effects of two traits (90 bulls, 13,500 calves) or direct and maternal genetic effects for a single trait (135 bulls, 32,400 calves) were used to test the computational feasibility of these two procedures. The overall means (and ranges) of the numbers of expectation-maximization iterations, times to convergence, and accuracy of estimation were 10 (2 to 184), 26.2 min (4.1 to 773.2 min), and 40.1% (12.7 to 81.9%) for the Partial Scoring procedure and 7 (3 to 37), 16.7 min (9.5 to 64.6 min), and 37.8% (3.1 to 67.8%) for the Cholesky Maximization procedure. Although the overall accuracy of both procedures was similar, the Cholesky Maximization procedure should be preferred because it converged faster and its covariance estimates were less affected by the values of the covariance priors than those computed using the Partial Scoring strategy. Application to large unbalanced multibreed data sets will require an iterative version of these procedures.
Education Through The Adult Life Span.

Education has uses in every stage of the life cycle. For the most effective adult education, or lifelong education, it is useful to keep in mind two aspects—the instrumental and the expressive. Cer...
Environmental Stress: Salinity Ruins a Plant's Day in the Sun.

New research reveals how low levels of salinity in soil inhibit a plant's ability to respond to shade through a signaling mechanism involving the plant stress hormone abscisic acid.
Bounded Memory Peak End Models Can Be Surprisingly Good

Sales promotions provide an important tool in the retail industry and can have a significant impact on a retailer's revenue. In this paper, we study the trade-off between prediction accuracy and optimization complexity. We introduce a compact set of demand features, which includes the last seen price as well as the minimum price seen within a bounded number of past time periods. We refer to this model as the bounded-memory-peak-end model. We compare this model with traditional anchoring based demand models such as the exponential smoothing, peak-end, and bounded memory models. Using ideas from duality theory, we show that even if the true underlying demand exhibits a different demand structure than the bounded memory peak-end model, the suggested bounded-memory-peak-end model can still predict the true demand with provably low prediction error. Moreover, this demand model allows us to solve the promotion planning optimization problem in polynomial time. By analyzing the structure of the optimal promotion policy under the bounded-memory-peak-end demand model, we characterize the optimal separation between consecutive promotions. This allows us to also determine the optimal promotion policy in an intuitive way. In the cases where the demand follows a different model, we still suggest to use the bounded-memory-peak-end and establish what would be the estimation error. We then show how the estimation error translates into a bounded optimality gap on the revenue arising from the optimization aspect of the problem. Finally, inspired by the Gaussian Process, we develop a novel demand prediction procedure that can increase prediction accuracy. In particular, the non-parametric nature of the Gaussian Process allows us to capture demand even when the true underlying true demand model follows a complex functional form. We illustrate the advantages of our approach by testing it on real sales data from a large supermarket retailer and demonstrate 9% relative improvement in WMAPE.