cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radial Distribution Function Analyses of Amorphous Carbon Films Containing Silicon and Hydrogen by Energy-Filtered Diffraction and EXELFS

Short-range order in amorphous materials is most commonly characterized with the use of radial distribution functions (RDFs). Two analytical electron microscopy methods were used in this study to measure RDFs from amorphous carbon films containing different levels of silicon and hydrogen (Si-aC:H): energy-filtered convergent-beam electron diffraction (EFCBED) and extended electron energy-loss fine structure (EXELFS) analyses. The films were deposited in an industrial-scale system onto a thin adhesive titanium layer on silicon substrates by reactive sputtering of carbon with a feed gas of tetramethyl silane (TMS) and argon, to produce a series of films with different Si and H contents (Si/C = 0, 0.04, 0.10, and 0.18).
Identification of yield loss sources in the outer dies using SEM based wafer bevel review

This paper describes a methodology for defect review and process monitoring on wafer's upper bevel and apex. A case study gives an example of successful application.
Comprehensive SRAM design methodology for RTN reliability

In this paper, a comprehensive design flow for achieving reliable SRAMs against random telegraph noise (RTN) is presented. The tailing information of RTN amplitude distributions is important for guardbanding, and can be directly extracted from SRAM test results. Monte Carlo simulation is in excellent agreement with the measurements, and can be used for detailed design. A simple extrapolation method for intuitive understanding of long term RTN impact is also proposed.
Thermal Aspects of Irreversible Electroporation

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a promising new technique for the ablation of tumors and arrhythmogenic regions in the heart (Davalos, Mir et al. 2005; Edd, Horowitz et al. 2006; Al-Sakere, Andre et al. 2007; Edd and Davalos 2007; Onik, Mikus et al. 2007; Rubinsky 2007). One of its primary advantages over other ablation techniques lies in its mechanism to kill undesirable cells by affecting the cell membrane without thermally damaging major blood vessels, connective tissue, nerves and the surrounding tissue. IRE’s ability to create complete and predictable tissue ablation with sharp transition between normal and necrotic tissue will have great advantages in a variety of medical applications (Rubinsky 2007).
Conjecture-based channel selection game for delay-sensitive users in multi-channel wireless networks

In this paper, we study the problem of multi-user channel selection in multi-channel wireless networks. Specifically, we study the case in which the autonomous users deploy delay-sensitive applications. Existing centralized approaches result in efficient allocations, but require intensive message exchanges among the users (i.e. they are not informationally efficient). Current distributed approaches do not require any message exchange for collaboration, but they often result in inefficient allocations, because users only respond to their experienced contention in the network. Alternatively, in this paper we study a distributed channel selection approach, which does not require any message exchanges, and which leads to a system-wise Pareto optimal solution by enabling a foresighted user to predict the implications (based on their beliefs) of their channel selection on their expected future delays and thereby, foresightedly influence the resulting multi-user interaction. We model the multi-user interaction as a channel selection game and show how users can play an e -consistent conjectural equilibrium by building near-accurate beliefs and competing for the remaining capacities of the channels. We analytically show that when the system has the foresighted user, this self-interested leader can deploy a linear belief function in each channel and manipulates the equilibrium to approach the Stackelberg equilibrium. Alternatively, when the leader is altruistic, the system will converge to the system-wise Pareto optimal solution. We propose a low-complexity learning method based on linear regression for the foresighted user to learn its belief functions.
Systematic comparison of perfusion-CT and CT-angiography in acute stroke patients

Objective To systematically evaluate the accuracy of noncontrast computed tomography (NCT), perfusion computed tomography (PCT), and computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in determining site of occlusion, infarct core, salvageable brain tissue, and collateral flow in a large series of patients suspected of acute stroke. Methods We retrospectively identified all consecutive patients with signs and symptoms suggesting hemispheric stroke of < 48 hours in duration who were evaluated on admission by NCT, PCT, and CTA, and underwent a follow-up CT/CTA or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) within 6 months of initial imaging. Two neuroradiologists evaluated NCT for hypodensity, PCT for infarct core and salvageable brain tissue, and CTA source images and maximal intensity projections for site of occlusion, infarct core, and collateral flow. Follow-up CTA and MRA were assessed for persistent arterial occlusion or recanalization. Follow-up CT and MRI were reviewed for final infarct location and volume, and used as a gold standard to calculate sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) of initial imaging. Results A total of 113 patients were considered for analysis, including 55 patients with a final diagnosis of stroke. CTA source images were the most accurate technique in the detection of the site of occlusion (SE = 95%; SP = 100%). Decreased cerebral blood volume on PCT was the most accurate predictor of final infarct volume (SE = 80%; SP = 97%), Increased mean transit time on PCT was predictive of the tissue at risk for infarction in patients with persistent arterial occlusion. CTA maximal intensity projections was the best technique to quantify the degree of collateral circulation. Interpretation The most accurate assessment of the site of occlusion, infarct core, salvageable brain tissue, and collateral circulation in patients suspected of acute stroke is afforded by a combination of PCT and CTA. Ann Neurol 2007
Spatial ensemble statistics are efficient codes that can be represented with reduced attention

There is a great deal of structural regularity in the natural environment, and such regularities confer an opportunity to form compressed, efficient representations. Although this concept has been extensively studied within the domain of low-level sensory coding, there has been limited focus on efficient coding in the field of visual attention. Here we show that spatial patterns of orientation information (“spatial ensemble statistics”) can be efficiently encoded under conditions of reduced attention. In our task, observers monitored for changes to the spatial pattern of background elements while they were attentively tracking moving objects in the foreground. By using stimuli that enable us to dissociate changes in local structure from changes in the ensemble structure, we found that observers were more sensitive to changes to the background that altered the ensemble structure than to changes that did not alter the ensemble structure. We propose that reducing attention to the background increases the amount of noise in local feature representations, but that spatial ensemble statistics capitalize on structural regularities to overcome this noise by pooling across local measurements, gaining precision in the representation of the ensemble.
Structure of the formin-interaction domain of the actin nucleation-promoting factor Bud6

Formin proteins and their associated factors cooperate to assemble unbranched actin filaments in diverse cellular structures. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae formin Bni1 and its associated nucleation-promoting factor (NPF) Bud6 generate actin cables and mediate polarized cell growth. Bud6 binds to both the tail of the formin and G-actin, thereby recruiting monomeric actin to the formin to create a nucleation seed. Here, we structurally and functionally dissect the nucleation-promoting C-terminal region of Bud6 into a Bni1-binding “core” domain and a G-actin binding “flank” domain. The ∼2-A resolution crystal structure of the Bud6 core domain reveals an elongated dimeric rod with a unique fold resembling a triple-helical coiled-coil. Binding and actin-assembly assays show that conserved residues on the surface of this domain mediate binding to Bni1 and are required for NPF activity. We find that the Bni1 dimer binds two Bud6 dimers and that the Bud6 flank binds a single G-actin molecule. These findings suggest a model in which a Bni1/Bud6 complex with a 2:4 subunit stoichiometry assembles a nucleation seed with Bud6 coordinating up to four actin subunits.
Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Burning Drops of Hydrocarbon Mixtures

This paper presents an experimental and theoretical study of the self-ignition and burning behaviour of drops of hydrocarbon mixtures.In the experimental work, the mass histories, as well as temperature, shape, and flame histories, of drops of heavy hydrocarbon mixtures, suspended on fine thermocouple beads and subjected to heated air streams, were obtained. Due to thermal decomposition and irregular burning, the masses could not be determined from temperature and size and were measured by a liquid-nitrogen quenching technique. Temperature, flame, and shape histories were obtained in the usual manner by thermocouple and photographic means. Drops of grade 6 fuel oil and grade 6 fuel oil minus its asphaltene constituent, of 1·2 and 1·7 mg initial mass, subjected to 1450 and 1600°F air-stream temperatures, were studied.The drop histories can be divided into four phases: (1) pre-ignition, (2) self-ignition and combustion, (3) thermal decomposition, and (4) carbon residue, or cenosphere, burning. The asphalten...
Infrared Transmission through the Atmosphere

An analytic expression for transmission in terms of optical path and pressure is combined with an analytical expression for equivalent atmospheric path length in terms of height and slant angle to yield a single expression for transmission in terms of height and slant angle. Separate equations are developed for carbon dioxide absorption, and for water vapor absorption. The latter may be used with almost any water vapor distribution in the atmosphere. A function due to Chapman is used instead of the usual secant factor for slant paths in order to extend the use of the equations to angles of incidence up to 90°. Wavelength dependent parameters are presented based upon Zachor’s analytic fits to laboratory data.
Application of an anisotropic perfectly matched layer absorber for open boundary truncation in the multiresolution time domain scheme

We apply an anisotropic perfectly matched layer (APML) absorber for open boundary truncation in implementation of the multiresolution time domain (MRTD) scheme. We develop an APML update algorithm to handle a general APML region in the MRTD formulations with the content of the leapfrog algorithm applied in the conventional finite-difference time-domain method. We also discuss the boundary truncations for both perfectly electric conductor (PEC) and perfectly magnetic conductor (PMC) walls using the image techniques. We validate the algorithm by analyzing various guided wave and antenna structures. It is found that the APML performs well for absorbing electromagnetic waves in the MRTD algorithm.
Habitat use and movement patterns of bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas determined using pop-up satellite archival tags

Habitat use, movement and residency of bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas were determined using satellite pop-up archival transmitting (PAT) tags throughout coastal areas in the U.S., Gulf of Mexico and waters off the south-east U.S. From 2005 to 2007, 18 fish (mean size = 164 cm fork length, L(F)) were tagged over all seasons. Fish retained tags for up to 85 days (median = 30 days). Based on geolocation data from initial tagging location to pop-off location, C. leucas generally travelled c. 5-6 km day(-1) and travelled an average of 143.6 km. Overall, mean proportions of time at depth revealed C. leucas spent the majority of their time in waters <20 m. They exhibited significant differences among depths but were not found at a particular depth regardless of diurnal period. Most fish occupied temperatures c. 32 degrees C with individuals found mostly between 26 and 33 degrees C. Geolocation data for C. leucas were generally poor and varied considerably but tracks for two individuals revealed long distance movements. One fish travelled from the south-east coast of the U.S. to coastal Texas near Galveston while another moved up the east coast of the U.S. to South Carolina. Data on C. leucas movements indicated that they are found primarily in shallower waters and tend to remain in the same location over long periods. While some individuals made large-scale movements over open ocean areas, the results emphasize the importance of the coastal zone for this species as potential essential habitat, particularly in areas of high freshwater inflow.
Ethics and Professionalism Education in a Health Science Center: Assessment Findings from a Mixed Methods Student Survey

Background Prior to initiating interprofessional ethics education, assessment of current student learning of ethics content within their professional schools is essential. Few studies have included direct measures of student learning on ethics and professionalism. This article reports findings from a mixed methods student survey conducted at a comprehensive health science center.
Nivolumab for second-line treatment of metastatic squamous non-small-cell lung cancer.

Purpose The pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, toxicity, and place in therapy of nivolumab, a novel immunotherapy agent for the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) of the squamous cell subtype are reviewed. Summary Nivolumab is a novel programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor indicated as a second-line treatment for patients with NSCLC whose tumors exhibit squamous cell histology. Nivolumab has high affinity for the PD-1 receptor, and durable responses to treatment have been reported in clinical trials. In a Phase II study evaluating the drug’s safety and efficacy in patients who had disease progression despite treatment with platinum-based doublet chemotherapy and at least one additional systemic therapy, nivolumab-treated patients had an objective response rate of 14.5%, with a 17% rate of grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events; overall survival at one year was 40.8%. A head-to-head comparison of docetaxel and nivolumab for second-line treatment of squamous cell NSCLC demonstrated superior overall survival and reduced grade 3 or 4 adverse effects in nivolumab-treated patients. Conclusion Nivolumab is a novel PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor that is effective for treating advanced squamous NSCLC in patients previously treated with platinum-based doublet chemotherapy or alternative first-line agents. Based on its improved efficacy and lower toxicity relative to docetaxel, nivolumab should be considered standard second-line therapy for this population.
Thermopower of Bi Nanowire Array Composites

The small effective mass and high mobility of electrons in Bi, make Bi nanowires a promising system for thermoelectric applications. Dense arrays of 20-200 nm diameter Bi nanowires were fabricated by high pressure injection of the melt. Transport properties and Seebeck coefficient were investigated for Bi nanowires with various wire diameters as a function of temperature (1 K < T < 300 K) and magnetic fields (B < 0.6 T). We discuss the problem of the contact resistance of Bi nanowire arrays.
Neutrino Catalyzed Diphoton Excess

Abstract In this paper we explain the 750 GeV diphoton resonance observed at the run-2 LHC as a scalar singlet S , that plays a key role in generating tiny but nonzero Majorana neutrino masses. The model contains four electroweak singlets: two leptoquarks, a singly charged scalar and a neutral scalar S . Majorana neutrino masses might be generated at the two-loop level as S gets nonzero vacuum expectation value. S can be produced at the LHC through the gluon fusion and decays into diphoton with charged scalars running in the loop. The model fits perfectly with a narrow width of the resonance. Constraints on the model are investigated, which shows a negligible mixing between the resonance and the standard model Higgs boson.
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach in Patients with Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis

The prevalence of exercise-induced anaphylaxis is estimated to be about 2.36-5 % of all cases of anaphylaxis. The clinical manifestations of exercise-induced anaphylaxis include flushing, increase warmth, diffuse pruritus, urticaria, angioedema, bronchospasm, gastrointestinal symptoms, hypotension, and laryngeal edema. The main differential diagnosis is with cholinergic urticaria. Exercise-induced anaphylaxis may display food-dependence, with or without specific IgE sensitivity. The most commonly implicated foods are wheat (omega-5 gliadin), shellfish (especially shrimps), celery, corn, cow’s milk, mite-contaminated wheat flour, and peanuts. Interestingly, in these patients aerobic exercises alone, as well as the sole ingestion of the allergenic foods without associated exercises, do not cause anaphylaxis. The synergistic effect of both inducing factors is necessary for the occurrence of the anaphylactic manifestations. There may be drug-dependence in exercise-induced anaphylaxis. Implicated drugs and chemicals include NSAIDS, aspirin, antibiotics (cephalosporins), and the so-called anti-catabolic energizer supplements, such as beta-hydroxymethylbutyrate. Avoidance of eating the triggering foods is recommended when possible, and in temperate areas of the planet an additional preventive measure is not to exercise when there is high environmental exposure to pollens (then exercising indoors). It is also advisable to avoid exercising in extreme weather conditions (too hot, cold, or humid environments). Monoclonal anti-IgE (omalizumab) as a mast cell stabilizer with downregulation of the high affinity IgE receptors (FceRI) can have a potential role preventing these anaphylactic episodes. Key Points 1. Exercise-induced anaphylaxis may be food-dependent and independent and also drug-dependent. 2. For prevention, it is recommended to avoid exercising both 4-6 h after eating the specific food, as well as after the ingestion of aspirin and NSAIDS in drug affected patients. 3. Patients should stop exercising at the first onset of symptoms to avoid progression to the potentially fatal laryngeal edema and/or cardiocirculatory collapse. 4. Exercise always with a partner and two epinephrine auto-injectors immediately available. 5. Currently, there are no effective prophylactic medications.
Abstract 170: Weight Changes 1 Year beyond Completion of a 12 month Workplace-Based Intensive Lifestyle Modification Program: The My Unlimited Potential

Introduction: To date, there is paucity of evidence describing the long-term effects of health promotion programs in the workplace. In the current study, we present weight changes over 2 years of follow-up after participation in a 12-month lifestyle improvement program (My Unlimited Potential, [MyUP]) among high metabolic risk employees of Baptist Heath South Florida. Methods: The MyUP program is a 1 year lifestyle improvement program with an initial intensive phase of 12 weeks, and subsequent monthly checks up to 12 months from commencement of the program. To assess weight changes beyond one year, data from participants who began the program in 2011 and 2012 and subsequently participated in a voluntary health risk assessment (HRA) in 2013 and 2014 was analyzed. We excluded follow-up data less than 18 months or more than 3 years, as well as participants who did not complete the 12-week intensive phase. Baseline weight was measured at the beginning of the MyUP in each participant and follow-up weight was obtained via the HRA. Results: There were 138 participants with follow-up data, with a median follow-up of 25 months (range 22-27months). At baseline, the mean weight was 212.4 ± 45.1 lbs. At follow-up, mean weight change (in lbs) from baseline was -1.9 (95%CI: -4.1, 0.4). By contrast, there was a mean weight reduction from baseline to 1 yr prior to the end of follow-up was 9.8 lbs, with an average weight increase of 8 lbs in the 12 month period prior to the end of follow-up. At the end of follow-up, 18% achieved ≥ 5% weight loss from baseline, compared to 46% a year preceding the follow-up date. Completing the 12 month period of program was not associated with achieving ≥5% weight loss at 2 years. Conclusion: An intensive workplace lifestyle program remains effective at maintaining significant weight loss in a nearly 20% individuals even after 2 years. More studies are needed to understand factors that determine how to achieve and maintain long term gains achieved in lifestyle intervention wellness programs. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Beyond Dynamic Pricing: Dynamic Product Configuration with Auction/Negotiation Mechanisms

Abstract Reverse auctions are one of the standard exchange mechanisms used in procurement. In many situations heterogeneous products and services that are auctioned require multi-attribute auctions. Often these goods are produced and delivered by the winning bidder after the conclusion of the auction. In such cases the price and other attributes are interrelated. This means that the key assumption of auction theory that the buyers and the sellers have quasi-linear utilities does not hold. The relationship between the price and other attributes is illustrated here with a simple exchange in which the buyer's utility is linear and the sellers’ utilities are Cobb-Douglass production functions with increasing returns to scale. Even in this case, the contract curve is a convex function so the auction does not maximize social welfare. This means that a reverse auction is an inefficient mechanism. Moreover, efficient winning bids can be improved in cases when side-payments are possible. The decrease in the buyer's utility when another efficient solution is selected may be offset by the seller's side-payment. The search for such an alternative and side-payments requires that the buyer and the sellers engage in post-auction negotiations.
Optimal combination of FLAIR and T2-weighted MRI for improved lesion contrast in multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE Postacquisition combination of three-dimensional T2-weighted (T2w) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images can improve the visualization of brain lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, an optimal way to combine these images has not been described so far. The main objective of this study is to investigate an optimal combination of T2w and FLAIR to improve the conspicuity of MS lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS We determined the parameters for a generalized multiplicative image combination which maximize the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between lesions and normal-appearing brain tissue through simulations and verified experimentally. MRI data from 11 MS patients acquired at 3 Tesla were retrospectively analyzed using the proposed approach and compared with conventional FLAIR, and to images obtained by direct multiplication of T2w and FLAIR (FLAIR2 ). Image quality was assessed by region-of-interest analysis. In addition, to evaluate the degree of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) suppression, CSF-to-gray matter (CSF/GM) ratio was calculated. Reduction in global image contrast was assessed by computing the reduction in the contrast of mid-level intensity values. RESULTS An optimal combination was found to be the third order expression: FLAIR3 = FLAIR1.55 × T2w1.45 . Compared with FLAIR, the lesion CNR was significantly increased by 1.9× (P < 0.005) and 2.5× (P < 0.001) using FLAIR2 and FLAIR3 , respectively. CSF/GM ratio was increased by 1.7× in FLAIR2 (P < 0.001) compared with FLAIR, while it was reduced to 0.7× on FLAIR3 (P < 0.05). The mid-intensity contrast was preserved on FLAIR2 (P = 0.2), and decreased by 29% on FLAIR3 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION These results show that the optimized combination of FLAIR and T2w can improve MS lesion conspicuity. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1293-1300.
Determination of Trace Rare Earth Elements in U_3O_8 by ICP-MS After Cationic Exchange Separation

The rare earth element was separated from U_3O_8 by the cationic exchange column after U_3O_8 sample was resolved in the nitric acid. The recovery rates of the rare earth elements extracted from U_3O_8 were 98%~101%. The detect limit of the rare earth elements was o.1 μg/g(3σ, n =6). The optimization of the separating factor and instrumental parameter, and the effect of the residual uranium amount on measuring rare earth element was discussed in great detail.
Modification of Phenolic Resin Using Nanomaterials and Its Application in the Refractories

The phenolic resin modified by nanomaterials has a high mechanical strength and excellent heat resistance, therefore,it is widely used in refractories.The effects of the addition of nano-silica,nano-carbon and mont-morillonite on the properties of the phenolic resin and the refractories are introduced.The effects of the addition of titanium dioxide,rectorite and vermiculite on the modification of the phenolic resin are also mentioned.The modification technology of phenolic resin using nanomaterials can be a promising research field.
Excitability and burst generation of AVPV Kisspeptin neurons are regulated by the estrous cycle via multiple conductances modulated by estradiol action

The preovulatory secretory surge of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is crucial for fertility and is regulated by a switch of estradiol feedback action from negative to positive. GnRH neurons likely receive estradiol feedback signals via ERα-expressing afferents. Kisspeptin neurons in anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) are thought to be critical for estradiol-positive feedback induction of the GnRH surge. We examined the electrophysiological properties of GFP-identified AVPV kisspeptin neurons in brain slices from mice on the afternoon of diestrus (negative feedback) and proestrus (positive feedback, time of surge). Extracellular recordings revealed increased firing frequency and action potential bursts on proestrus versus diestrus. Whole-cell recordings were used to study the intrinsic mechanisms of bursting. Upon depolarization, AVPV kisspeptin neurons exhibited tonic firing or depolarization-induced bursts (DIB). Both tonic and DIB cells exhibited bursts induced by rebound from hyperpolarization. DIB occurred similarly on both cycle stages, but rebound bursts were observed more often on proestrus. DIB and rebound bursts were both sensitive to Ni2+, suggesting that T-type Ca2+ currents ( I Ts) are involved. I T current density was greater on proestrus versus diestrus. In addition to I T, persistent sodium current ( I NaP) facilitated rebound bursting. On diestrus, 4-aminopyridine-sensitive potassium currents contributed to reduced rebound bursts in both tonic and DIB cells. Manipulation of specific sex steroids suggests that estradiol induces the changes that enhance AVPV kisspeptin neuron excitability on proestrus. These observations indicate cycle-driven changes in circulating estradiol increased overall action potential generation and burst firing in AVPV kisspeptin neurons on proestrus versus diestrus by regulating multiple intrinsic currents.
Ruling and Governance

A dump truck rammed into 70 border patrol paramilitary police during a routine early morning jog, in just one instance that indicates the complications surrounding governance in multiethnic China. Hitting an electrical pole, two Uyghur men jumped out, tossed homemade explosives and attacked surrounding police with knives. Fourteen officers died on the spot, two others on the way to the hospital.1 Can strife like this mean that ruling and governance has failed in a large, multiethnic country?2
Modelling unconventional gas traps: Elmworth Field, Alberta, Canada

The Elmworth Field is the largest gas field of the Western Canada sedimentary Deep Basin. Gas found in stratigraphic traps lies downdip from water, with no known permeability barrier between. A two dimensional quantitative analysis of the basin was undertaken in order to simulate such unconventional entrapment. The modelling shows how it is possible to accumulate gas in the low permeability sand reservoirs of the Lower Cretaceous. It appears that the Elmworth basin is a system in dynamical evolution, where gas loss due to migration is partly compensated for by contemporary gas generation. While the on-going gas generation is highly influenced by the recent paleoheat flow, the early migration has been controlled by cementation which, by lowering the permeability, reduced the gas loss with time, so that significant gas trapping can be obtained today
Functionally Diverse NK-Like T Cells Are Effectors and Predictors of Successful Aging

The fundamental challenge of aging and long-term survivorship is maintenance of functional independence and compression of morbidity despite a life history of disease. Inasmuch as immunity is a determinant of individual health and fitness, unraveling novel mechanisms of immune homeostasis in late life is of paramount interest. Comparative studies of young and old persons have documented age-related atrophy of the thymus, the contraction of diversity of the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire, and the intrinsic inefficiency of classical TCR signaling in aged T cells. However, the elderly have highly heterogeneous health phenotypes. Studies of defined populations of persons aged 75 and older have led to the recognition of successful aging, a distinct physiologic construct characterized by high physical and cognitive functioning without measurable disability. Significantly, successful agers have a unique T cell repertoire, namely, the dominance of highly oligoclonal αβT cells expressing a diverse array of receptors normally expressed by NK cells. Despite their properties of cell senescence, these unusual NK-like T cells are functionally active effectors that do not require engagement of their clonotypic TCR. Thus, NK-like T cells represent a beneficial remodeling of the immune repertoire with advancing age, consistent with the concept of immune plasticity. Significantly, certain subsets are predictors of physical/cognitive performance among older adults. Further understanding of the roles of these NK-like T cells to host defense, and how they integrate with other physiologic domains of function are new frontiers for investigation in Aging Biology. Such pursuits will require a research paradigm shift from the usual young-versus-comparison to the analysis of defined elderly populations. These endeavors may also pave way to age-appropriate, group-targeted immune interventions for the growing elderly population.
Emphasizing the Significance of Electrostatic Interactions in Chemical Bonding.

This paper describes a pedagogical approach to help students understand chemical bonding by emphasizing the importance of electrostatic interactions between atoms. The approach draws on prior studies that have indicated many misconceptions among students in understanding the nature of the chemical bond and energetics associated with bond formation and dissociation. The paper also presents an activity designed to help students conceptualize and demonstrate their understanding of relevant principles. To assess the effectiveness of this approach, a series of pre- and posttest questions and specific questions on the final exam was used to evaluate students’ understanding of concepts. Analyses of this assessment reveal that emphasizing the significance of electrostatic interactions and the role of potential energy in chemical bonding helps students articulate why atoms form chemical bonds. Consequently, students recognize the energetics associated with bond formation and dissociation and are able to apply this...
Healthy families: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of a screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment intervention for caregivers to reduce secondhand smoke exposure among pediatric emergency patients

Involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke (SHSe) is an important cause of morbidity in children who present to the pediatric emergency department (PED) and urgent care (UC). SHSe interventions delivered in the PED and UC would benefit both the smoker and child, but there have been no large trials testing the efficacy of such interventions. The Healthy Families program is the first randomized controlled trial to test whether a screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) intervention delivered in the PED and UC will be effective in decreasing SHSe in children and increasing cessation in smokers. This trial uses a randomized, two-group design in which caregiver-smokers of children 0–17 years old are recruited from the PED and UC. Eligible caregiver-smokers are randomized to either the: 1) SBIRT Condition with face-to-face, tailored counseling that focuses on the child’s illness, the importance of reducing child SHSe, caregiver smoking cessation, and the option to receive nicotine replacement therapy; or 2) Healthy Habits Control Condition which includes face-to-face, tailored attention control “5–2–1-0” counseling that focuses on improving the child’s health. Dyadic assessments are conducted in-person at baseline, and via email, phone, or in-person at 6-weeks and 6-months. The primary outcomes are biochemically-verified, 7-day point prevalence and prolonged smoking abstinence. Secondary outcomes are cigarettes smoked per week, 24 h quit attempts, and biochemically validated child SHSe at each time point. The costs of this intervention will also be analyzed. This study will test an innovative, multilevel intervention designed to reduce child SHSe and increase smoking cessation in caregivers. If effective and routinely used, this SBIRT model could reach at least one million smokers a year in the U.S., resulting in significant reductions in caregivers’ tobacco use, SHSe-related pediatric illness, and healthcare costs in this population of children. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02531594. Date of registration: August 4, 2015.
Tribe's Jurisprudence of the Religion Clauses

Laurence Tribe has usefully been described as a constitutional apologist for liberal political causes. His conspicuous opposition to the nomination of Judge Robert Bork to the Supreme Court and his imaginative defenses of Roe v. Wade have fueled that image. Tribe's "jurisprudence of the religion clauses" both confounds and complicates the picture. He sees no constitutional difficulty with public education vouchers,' and defends the Catholic Church against "pro-choicers" who would strip its tax-exempt status because of the Bishops' "pro-life" activities. 2 Tribe thinks that a public school moment-of-silence can be consistent with the Constitution and carves out a considerable zone of "permissible" state accommodation" of religion, a position usually aligned with "conservative" bearings on the church-state compass. By far his favorite judicial analyses of church and state are those of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
Products from the Oxidation of n-Butane from 298 to 735 K Using Either Cl Atom or Thermal Initiation: Formation of Acetone and Acetic Acid—Possible Roaming Reactions?

The oxidation of 2-butyl radicals (and to a lesser extent 1-butyl radicals) has been studied over the temperature range 298 K to 735 K. The reaction of Cl atoms (formed by 360 nm irradiation of Cl2) with n-butane generated the 2-butyl radicals in mixtures of n-C4H10, O2, and Cl2 at temperatures below 600 K. Above 600 K, 2-butyl radicals were produced by thermal combustion reactions in the absence of chlorine. The yields of the products were measured by gas chromatography using a flame ionization detector. Major products quantified include acetone, acetic acid, acetaldehyde, butanone, 2-butanol, butanal, 1- and 2- chlorobutane, 1-butene, trans-2-butene, and cis-2-butene. At 298 K, the major oxygenated products are those expected from bimolecular reactions of 2-butylperoxy radicals (butanone, 2-butanol, and acetaldehyde). As the temperature rises to 390 K, the butanone decreases while acetaldehyde increases because of the increased rate of 2-butoxy radical decomposition. Acetone and acetic acid first appear...
The Orange Trees of Marrakesh: Ibn Khaldun and the Science of Man: Dale, Stephen Frederic Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press 383 pp., $31.00 ISBN 978-0-674-96765-6 Publication Date: November 2015

There has been no shortage of analytical studies on Ibn Khaldun's Muqaddimah by both Western and Middle Eastern scholars during the past 175 or so years, a flood of literature that more than makes ...
Estimation of DNS Source and Cache Dynamics under Interval-Censored Age Sampling

Since inception, DNS has used a TTL-based replication scheme that allows the source (i.e., an authoritative domain server) to control the frequency of record eviction from client caches. Existing studies of DNS predominantly focus on reducing query latency and source bandwidth, both of which are optimized by increasing the cache hit rate. However, this causes less-frequent contacts with the source and results in higher staleness of retrieved records. Given high data-churn rates at certain providers (e.g., dynamic DNS, CDNs) and importance of consistency to their clients, we propose that cache models include the probability of freshness as an integral performance measure. We derive this metric under general update/download processes and present a novel framework for measuring its value using remote observation (i.e., without access to the source or the cache). Besides freshness, our methods can estimate the inter-update distribution of DNS records, cache hit rate, distribution of TTL, and query arrival rate from other clients. Furthermore, these algorithms do not require any changes to the existing infrastructure/protocols.
A lifetime of changing calls: North Atlantic right whales, Eubalaena glacialis , refine call production as they age

The trajectory of development and refinement of communication signals closely map physical and social development in many vertebrate species. Although marine mammals exhibit highly complex and diverse communication signals, asking similar questions about signal development can be challenging when dealing with long-lived species that roam widely at sea. North Atlantic right whales, a large baleen whale species, are intensely studied due to their endangered status. We examine whether right whale acoustic signals vary with the physical and social development of individuals from birth to adulthood using a latitudinal analysis. Data included 986 high-quality calls recorded from 49 individuals of known age spanning from 1 month to 37 years, with two individuals measured at different ages. Calls produced by calves younger than 1 year were easily distinguished by their short duration, a high degree of frequency modulation and a high percentage of nonlinear phenomena. Nonlinear phenomena within calls shifted from disorder (deterministic chaos) to increased control (biphonation and subharmonics) with increasing age. The overall percentage of calls containing nonlinear phenomena decreased with increasing age. Duration of the calls and calling bouts increased in direct correlation with age. Notably there was no clear indication of fixation in any of the measured parameters with age, with directional changes continuing over the entire age range studied. This study presents the first evidence that acoustic maturation does not stop at sexual maturity (∼9 years) in right whales and that refinement of calls continues through adulthood. Clear age-related voice cues have been documented in a range of terrestrial species with increases in call duration often reflecting increased stamina or condition in older adults. This study shows a similar trend in right whale sound production, with changes detectable across three-decade age range of available data.
Explicit Backscattering Coefficient for Ultrasonic Wave Propagating in Hexagonal Polycrystals with Fiber Texture

Hexagonal polycrystalline materials such as titanium, zirconium and magnesium are common in engineering structures like car bodies and airplane engines. These components are usually specially designed in microstructure level to guarantee desired mechanical properties, so microstructure characterization is of great importance to the optimization of manufacturing processes. Compared with traditional destructive characterization methods like scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the ultrasonic approach is nondestructive and cost-effective. Although some progress has been made in ultrasonic microstructure characterization of polycrystal aggregates of hexagonal grains, some factors like macro texture and grain size distribution associated with realistic microstructures were not accounted for yet. Targeting one common texture component for hexagonal polycrystalline materials, {0001} basal fiber texture, this paper derived the explicit backscattering coefficient for aggregates of ellipsoidal grains through one texture parameter and obtained an analytical backscattering coefficient for microstructures with various grain size distributions. In this study, the basal fiber texture was quantified by the 1D Gaussian orientation distribution function (ODF), which merely includes one texture parameter, and its relationship with generalized spherical harmonics ODF was also addressed. Moreover, explicit expressions for effective elastic moduli and elastic constant covariances were derived. Furthermore, some computational examples were given to demonstrate the impacts of texture, frequency, grain geometry and grain size distribution on backscattering behavior. The theoretical results in this study will greatly benefit the later ultrasonic microstructure characterization of hexagonal polycrystalline materials.
Boundary Control of Beams

In this chapter, distributed vibration control of a laminated elastic beam is studied. It is assumed that two thin layers of a mono—axially oriented piezoelectric material, i.e., d31 only and d32 = 0, are respectively bonded on the top and bottom surfaces of the elastic beam. One layer serves as a distributed sensor and the other as a distributed actuator. The effective axis of the piezoelectric layers is aligned with the x—axis to ensure the maximum piezoelectric effects in sensor and actuator applications. It is intended to use the distributed sensor signal as a feedback reference in a closed—loop feedback control system. Two control algorithms, namely a displacement feedback and a velocity feedback are implemented and their control effectiveness evaluated. In the displacement feedback, the distributed sensor signal is amplified and fed back to the distributed piezoelectric actuator. (Note that the sensor signal is proportional to strains which can be ultimately expressed in terms of displacements as presented in Chapter 4. Thus, the conventional “displacement” feedback is used. In general, the dominating vibration component contributes to a higher strain level and consequently to a higher percentage of the total output signal.) In the velocity feedback, this sensor output is differentiated, amplified, and then fed back into the distributed actuator. (Note that the signal used in the velocity feedback is actually a strain/unit-time. Since the strain is ultimately expressed in terms of displacements, the time derivative of the displacement is the velocity.
Graphs and Orders in Ramsey Theory and in Dimension Theory

The purpose of this paper is to present a concise and relatively self contained treatment of recent results linking partially ordered sets with topics more traditionally associated with graph theory and combinatorics: Ramsey theory and chromatic graph theory. In particular, we will present the major theorems of Nesetril and Rodl ([31], [33], and [34]) concerning Ramsey theory for partially ordered sets in a new setting which will allow nonspecialists to appreciate the power and beauty of these results. Other Ramsey theoretic results for partially ordered sets will be discussed briefly and some directions for future research will be indicated.
Hollow Metallic Micromachined Needle Arrays

In this paper, fluid coupled metallic micromachined needle arrays are designed, fabricated, packaged, and characterized. The described hollow metallic needle arrays include design features such as dual structural supports and needle coupling channels. The supports and needle walls are formed by micro-electroformed metal to provide increased structural integrity. The needle coupling channels are used to fluidically interconnect the needles and allow pressure equalization and balance of fluid flow between needles. In addition, the needle coupling channels minimize the effects of restricted needle passages by providing a redistribution point for fluid flow between them. The optimum design for the needle coupling channels is investigated using an ANSYS finite element numerical model. The significance of this work includes the development of hollow, metallic micromachined needle arrays for biomedical applications, as well as, a discussion of structural, fluidic, and biological design considerations
Kann eine Zahl ungefähr rational sein

Bob: Du kannst recht haben, aber fur Zahlen, die in Alltagsproblemen vorkommen, liefert meine Methode im Allgemeinen die richtige Antwort. Also kann ich mich auf meinen Taschenrechner verlassen, wenn ich bestimmen will, welche Zahlen rational sind und welche irrational. DieWahrscheinlichkeit fur einen Irrtum wird sehr gering sein.
Water chemistry effects on the zeta potential of concentrated hematite ore

The effectiveness of selective flocculation and dispersion processes for the concentration of hematite ore are strongly dependent on the ionic content of the process water. It has been noticed that magnesium ions are more detrimental to iron recoveries during gravity separation and flotation processes than calcium. This phenomenon was studied by measuring the zeta potential of hematite ore at various concentrations of sodium, magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium at a pH of 11. Results show that zeta potential inverts from negative to positive at concentrations as low as 0.16 mM of magnesium ions in the solution. It takes a significantly higher concentration (1.25 mM) of calcium ions to achieve the same effect. This difference is attributed to the ability of magnesium ions to adsorb to all surface hydroxyl groups, whereas calcium, due to its larger size, can only adsorb to every third hydroxyl group. This hypothesis was confirmed by results similar to those seen with calcium when this test was repeated with strontium and barium ions. The tendency for calcium ions to adsorb to every third surface hydroxyl group causes higher concentrations of calcium to be less detrimental to hematite concentration processes than magnesium.