cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Period Three Begins

By exploiting the geometry of the cobweb plot, we provide a simple and elementary derivation of the parameter for the period-three cycle of the logistic map.
Modeling of defect-tolerant thin multi-junction solar cells for space application

Using drift-diffusion model and considering experimental III-V material parameters, AM0 efficiencies of lattice-matched multijunction solar cells have been calculated and the effects of dislocations and radiation damage have been analyzed. Ultrathin multi-junction devices perform better in presence of dislocations or/and radiation harsh environment compared to conventional thick multijunction devices. Our results show that device design optimization of Ga 0.51 In 0.49 P/GaAs multijunction devices leads to an improvement in EOL efficiency from 4.8%, for the conventional thick device design, to 12.7%, for the EOL optimized thin devices. In addition, an optimized defect free lattice matched Ga 0.51 In 0.49 P/GaAs solar cell under 10 16 cm -2 1Mev equivalent electron fluence is shown to give an EOL efficiency of 12.7%; while a Ga 0.51 In 0.49 P/GaAs solar cell with 10 8 cm -2 dislocation density under 10 16 cm -2 electron fluence gives an EOL efficiency of 12.3%. The results suggest that by optimizing the device design, we can obtain nearly the same EOL efficiencies for high dislocation metamorphic solar cells and defect filtered metamorphic multijunction solar cells. The findings relax the need for thick or graded buffer used for defect filtering in metamorphic devices. It is found that device design optimization allows highly dislocated devices to be nearly as efficient as defect free devices for space applications.
Telomerase Activity in Sex Cord–Stromal Tumors of the Ovary

Abstract Objective. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein that protects chromosomes from degradation and end-to-end fusions by maintaining telomere length. Studies have shown that telomerase is present in 95% of gynecologic malignancies and in 88% of epithelial ovarian carcinomas but undetectable in benign tissue. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether telomerase is present in sex cord–stromal tumors and whether telomerase activity is indicative of patient outcomes. Methods. Forty-five consecutive sex cord–stromal ovarian tumors were analyzed by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for expression of human telomerase, human telomerase reverse transcriptase, and telomerase activity. Results. Of the 29 patients with malignant cell types (granulosa cell, Sertoli–Leydig cell, and steroid cell tumors), 21 of the 28 patients (75%) available for follow-up had recurrence, with a mean follow-up of 86 months (95% CI, 36–157 months). The telomerase repeat amplification protocol assay had a sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 94% for malignancy. Patients with telomerase-positive tumors had a mean disease-free interval of 66.5 months; for those with telomerase-negative tumors the interval was 90 months. In addition, patients with telomerase-positive tumors were more likely to be dead from disease or alive with disease than those without telomerase activity, and they showed trends toward requiring a larger number of surgical procedures for the treatment of their disease. However, these trends were not statistically significant. Conclusion. Although activation of telomerase is clearly an important step in carcinogenesis, it is unlikely to be helpful in the clinical management of sex cord–stromal tumors of the ovary.
E-Government-Induced Business Process Change (BPC): An Empirical Study of Current Practices

E-government (e-gov) projects have an increasing influence on how government business processes evolve and change. While early e-gov projects focused on government-to-public information and interaction, the second and third wave of e-gov projects also emphasize internal effectiveness and efficiency, along with intra- and interdepartmental as well as intra- and interbranch integration. With these increases in scope and scale of e-gov projects, existing business processes, including core processes, become candidates for improvement and change. While the private-sector-oriented literature on business process change abounds with descriptive and prescriptive accounts, no equivalent has been found in the public-sector-related literature. Although many insights drawn from the private sector may apply, the public sector seems to develop distinct practices. This paper contributes to the understanding of current practices in e-gov-induced business process change, comparing those practices to prescriptions derived from private-sector experience. Among other factors, the more inclusive approach observed in e-gov business process change may explain the higher success rate of public-sector projects compared to those reported from the private sector.
The News Media and the Rise of Negativity in Presidential Campaigns

Negative ads have become increasingly common in presidential campaigns. Figure 1 well illustrates this point (see also West 2009). The upcoming 2012 elections will almost surely augment this upward trend of more and more negativity. In fact, with the emergence of Super Pacs, the share of attack ads in 2012 will likely be significantly higher than in 2008, which in and of itself was the high-water mark for attack ads in the modern era. The harsh tone of the battle for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination certainly points toward an exceptionally nasty fall campaign.
Idempotent processor architecture

Improving architectural energy efficiency is important to address diminishing energy efficiency gains from technology scaling. At the same time, limiting hardware complexity is also important. This paper presents a new processor architecture, the idempotent processor architecture, that advances both of these directions by presenting a new execution paradigm that allows speculative execution without the need for hardware checkpoints to recover from mis-speculation, instead using only re-execution to recover. Idempotent processors execute programs as a sequence of compiler-constructed idempotent (re-executable) regions. The nature of these regions allows precise state to be reproduced by re-execution, obviating the need for hardware recovery support. We build upon the insight that programs naturally decompose into a series of idempotent regions and that these regions can be large. The paradigm of executing idempotent regions, which we call idempotent processing, can be used to support various types of speculation, including branch prediction, dependence prediction, or execution in the presence of hardware faults or exceptions. In this paper, we demonstrate how idempotent processing simplifies the design of in-order processors. Conventional in-order processors suffer from significant complexities to achieve high performance while supporting the execution of variable latency instructions and enforcing precise exceptions. Idempotent processing eliminates much of these complexities and the resulting inefficiencies by allowing instructions to retire out of order with support for re-execution when necessary to recover precise state. Across a diverse set of benchmark suites, our quantitative results show that we obtain a geometric mean performance increase of 4.4% (up to 25% and beyond) while maintaining an overall reduction in power and hardware complexity.
Relationality: From Attachment to Intersubjectivity

Part 1 From Ghosts to Ancestors: the Psychoanalytic Vision of Hans Loewald - Language and Reality Drivees and Objects. Part 2 Levels of Organization: an Interactional Hierarchy Attachment Theory and Relationality Between Paradigms - Fairbairn's Theory of Object Relations Intersubjectivity Expressiveness and Restraint in the Analytic Relationship.
Review of Non-Local Mixing in Turbulent Atmospheres: Transilient Turbulence Theory

Some of the larger eddies in a turbulent region can be coherent structures that turbulently advect air parcels across large vertical distances before smaller eddies mix the parcels with the environment. Such a process is nonlocal rather than diffusive. Transilient turbulence theory, named after a Latin word meaning “jump over”, provides a framework for considering the ensemble-averaged effect of many eddies of different sizes on the net nonlocal mixing in the vertical. Nonlocal turbulence statistics can then be examinated, and nonlocal first-order closure can be formulated.
A microsequencing approach to identify proteins which appear to interact with thyrotropin in rat FRTL-5 thyroid cells

In order to resolve questions concerning the in situ structure of the thyrotropin (TSH) receptor, [35S]methionine-labeled thyroid cell preparations were detergent solubilized and proteins exhibiting TSH-dependent binding to TSH-Sepharose were identified. Two such proteins, 43 and 70 kd, are identified in this report as gamma-actin and a member of the heat shock 70 protein family, respectively, based on the microsequence of two peptides from each. Identification of the former was confirmed by Western blotting and immunostaining using anti-actin, the latter by its ability to bind [32P]ATP, a characteristic feature of this family of proteins. The results suggest that TSH-cross linking reports defining TSH receptor subunits should be viewed with caution in the absence of comparative sequence data; consideration must, however, be given to the existence of receptor associated proteins.
Airborne/spacebased radar STAP using a structured covariance matrix

It is shown that partial information about the airborne/spacebased (A/S) clutter covariance matrix (CCM) can be used effectively to significantly enhance the convergence performance of a block-processed space/time adaptive processor (STAP) in a clutter and jamming environment. The partial knowledge of the CCM is based upon the simplified general clutter model (GCM) which has been developed by the airborne radar community. A priori knowledge of parameters which should be readily measurable (but not necessarily accurate) by the radar platform associated with this model is assumed. The GCM generates an assumed CCM. The assumed CCM along with exact knowledge of the thermal noise covariance matrix is used to form a maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) of the unknown interference covariance matrix which is used by the STAP. The new algorithm that employs the a priori clutter and thermal noise covariance information is evaluated using two clutter models: 1) a mismatched GCM, and 2) the high-fidelity Research Laboratory STAP clutter model. For both clutter models, the new algorithm performed significantly better (i.e., converged faster) than the sample matrix inversion (SMI) and fast maximum likelihood (FML) STAP algorithms, the latter of which uses only information about the thermal noise covariance matrix.
Molecular design and cellular studies with oral insulin delivery systems

New biomaterials and carriers for transmucosal protein delivery by molecular design have been the subject of a number of studies in recent years. Of particular interest to our laboratory has been the development of a new class of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-containing grafted copolymers of acrylic acid (AA) or methacrylic acid (MAA), crosslinked with a wide range of agents and containing various enabling compounds such as glycosides. In our recent work, we have shown that protein delivery of from these hydrogels can be controlled by the three-dimensional network structure as well as the conditions of the surrounding environment as such systems exhibit a reversible hydrogen bonding complexation and decomplexation. Promising new studies indicate that this class of hydrogel carriers is mucoadhesive and can be used for protein delivery. We have reported various forms of adhesive hydrogels based on poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) or poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) which exhibit inhibition of the degradation of proteins (including insulin and calcitonin) by proteolytic enzymes.
Posterior capsule opacification in rabbit eyes implanted with hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses with enhanced square edge

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the development of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after implantation of single-piece hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) with an enhanced square edge. Setting: John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Methods: The standard 570H Centerflex (Rayner Ltd.) design was compared to 2 new designs with enhanced square edges: the 570E and the 570C. Ten IOLs of each type were implanted in a randomized manner by the same surgeon in 15 pigmented rabbits. After a follow-up of 3 weeks, the rabbits were killed and the eyes were analyzed from the posterior view. The intensity of central PCO, peripheral PCO, and Soemmering's ring formation was graded from 0 to 4. The area of Soemmering's ring was graded from 0 to 4 based on the number of quadrants involved. Other parameters analyzed were capsulorhexis coverage of the IOL edge and IOL centration and fixation. Results from the posterior view were complemented by histopathological evaluation. Results: Posterior capsule opacification was lowest in the 570C group, highest in the 570H group, and intermediate in the 570E group. There was a statistically significant difference between the 3 groups in peripheral PCO ( P = .039). No significant difference was found between the groups in the other parameters analyzed. When cell ingrowth occurred with the 570H, it started at the optic–haptic junctions, as observed during the clinical follow-up and confirmed by gross and histopathological analyses. Conclusions: The square optic edge is the most important IOL design feature for PCO prevention. However, it should be present for 360 degrees around the IOL optic to provide an effective barrier effect.
Real-time is no longer a small specialized niche

Operating system and real time researchers have historically worked in areas that are considered by each to be specialized and unrelated to the other's domain. However, embedded real time systems are evolving such that they now require increasing amounts of general purpose operating system support. Meanwhile, general purpose computer systems are evolving such that they are requiring increasing amounts of support for reliable real time components. These trends suggest that the real time and mainstream operating system researchers must join forces in order to effectively solve problems that are common to both. The paper provides examples of the shortcomings of current approaches to these problems, and suggests a number of areas in which these two independent research groups might work together more closely in the future.
Kruppel-Like Factor 2 (KLF2) Regulates Endothelial Thrombotic Function

The vascular endothelium maintains blood fluidity by inhibiting blood coagulation, inhibiting platelet aggregation, and promoting fibrinolysis. Endothelial cells lose these nonthrombogenic properties on exposure to proinflammatory stimuli. We recently identified the Kruppel-like factor KLF2 as a novel regulator of endothelial proinflammatory activation. Here it is found that KLF2 differentially regulates key factors involved in maintaining an antithrombotic endothelial surface. Overexpression of KLF2 strongly induced thrombomodulin (TM) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and reduced plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression. Furthermore, overexpression of KLF2 inhibited the cytokine-mediated induction of tissue factor (TF). In contrast, siRNA mediated knockdown of KLF2 reduced antithrombotic gene expression while inducing the expression of pro-coagulant factors. The functional importance of KLF2 was verified by in vitro clotting assays. By comparison to control infected cells, KLF2 overexpression increased blood clotting time as well as flow rates under basal and inflammatory conditions. In contrast, siRNA-mediated knockdown of KLF2 reduced blood clotting time and flow rates. These observations identify KLF2 as a novel transcriptional regulator of endothelial thrombotic function. The full text of this article is available online at http://circres.ahajournals.org.
A Novel Approach to Cancer Immunotherapy: Tumor Cells Decorated with CD80 Generate Effective Antitumor Immunity

Malignant cells often elude the immune system by lacking costimulatory signals required for the generation of effective antitumor immunity. Immunization with tumor cells genetically modified to express costimulatory molecules is a highly promising approach to cancer immunotherapy. However, genetic modification of tumor cells is not only labor/time intensive but is also less efficient and bears safety concerns. To override these complications, we have recently developed a novel technology that allows for efficient and durable display of exogenous proteins on the surface of a cell within 2 h. This technology involves modification of the cell membrane with a biotin derivative and decoration of biotinylated cells with proteins chimeric with core streptavidin. A chimeric molecule composed of the extracellular domains of the human CD80 costimulatory molecule and core streptavidin (CD80-SA) was efficiently displayed on the cell surface, where it persisted with a t(1/2) of >10 days in vivo. Tumors from patients with advanced stage gynecologic cancers decorated with CD80-SA elicited potent ex vivo tumor-specific proliferative and cytotoxic responses in autologous lymphocytes. Immunization with tumor cells decorated with CD80-SA completely prevented tumor growth in an aggressive model of mouse lymphoma. This technology may serve as a fast, efficient, and safe alternative to gene transfer approaches for engineering tumor cells for use in immunotherapy and research.
Segmentation of ALSM point data and the prediction of subcanopy sunlight distribution

Sunlight flux in forest canopies is an important source of energy for the productivity of forests and is therefore an important input to biophysical process models. High-resolution three-dimensional estimates of sunlight flux are derived from directional foliage density measured from airborne laser swath mapping data. Forest edges are shown to exhibit measurable differences in flux. A method for determining appropriate in situ sampling intervals is also presented.
Size and composition for 1–5 nm Ø PtRu alloy nano-particles from Cu Kα X-ray patterns

Abstract X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies on PtRu clusters with a range of diameters are reported. It is shown that for clusters smaller than 5 nm, Scherrer's formula is not adequate for the simultaneous interpretation of the size and composition of the clusters from their diffraction patterns. The theoretically and computationally developed approach is based on Debye's exact formula for scattering by randomly oriented molecules applied here to atomic models for the clusters. The novel approach interprets plausibly the same XRD patterns that Scherrer's formula could not. Pt 1− x -Ru x nano-particles are synthesized with a modified polyol method and their size and composition are found from the interpretation of Cu Kα diffraction patterns using Debye's formula. The obtained results are consistent with both the chemical information and with previously reported results from other methods of investigation. Experimental profiles are shown to be affected here by non-uniformity of particle sizes.
The HIV-1 Inducer of Short Transcripts Activates the Synthesis of 5,6-Dichloro-1-β-d-benzimidazole-resistant Short Transcripts in Vitro

The HIV-1 inducer of short transcripts (IST) is an unusual promoter element that activates the synthesis of short transcripts from the HIV-1 promoter as well as from heterologous promoters. While the DNA sequences constituting IST have been characterized in some detail, little is known about the biochemical mechanisms underlying IST activity. Here, we describe a cell-free transcription assay that faithfully reproduces the synthesis of IST-dependent HIV-1 short transcripts. As in vivo, formation of these short transcripts requires a functional IST element and is repressed in the presence of the viral trans-activator Tat. Short transcript and full-length transcript synthesis respond differently to variations in several reaction parameters, suggesting that the short and full-length transcripts are synthesized by transcription complexes with distinct biochemical properties. In particular, short transcript synthesis is resistant to the action of 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-benzimidazole, an inhibitor of transcript elongation. Formation of transcription complexes directed by the IST element may, therefore, not require the activity of a factor inhibited by 5, 6-dichloro-1-beta-D-benzimidazole, such as the TFIIH-associated or pTEFb kinases.
Quark-tadpole origin of the ΔI = 12 rule

Abstract In the context of a two-quark field picture of current quarks and renormalized constituent quarks, we show that an s-d current-quark tadpole generated by the weak Cabbibo-GIM current appears in the current-quark nonleptonic ΔY = 1 hamiltonian. Then we demonstrate that this ΔI = 1 2 operator in fact sets the observed scale of the Ks→ππ decays without recourse to any fitted parameters.
Social policies and ethnic conflict in China: lessons from Xinjiang

Since the 2009 Urumqi riots, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has cranked out a series of policies aimed at engineering social stability in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Bans on Islamic v...
No More 'Sha Still'

This op-ed laments the consequences of staying quiet in light of recent national and international events. It takes President Obama to task for blaming Israel for lack of progress in Middle East peace negotiations, as well as Congress for its ineptitude during the recent national debt ceiling negotiations.
Impression Management, Super PACs and the 2012 Republican Primary

Super Political Action Committees (PACs) are new organizations within American politics allowing for unlimited donations to candidate campaigns. Super PACs helped make the 2012 Republican primary the most well-funded primary in American history. Both candidates and Super PACs spend much of their money on televised campaign ads. My study of the 2012 Republican primary expands existing literature concerning political impression management by examining advertising imagery in the era of Super PACs. I developed a typology of performance types from a qualitative content analysis of television advertisements for both candidates and Super PACs. The significance of Super PACs as they interact and overlap with the images of candidate ads calls for analysis of the changing front stage in the political realm.
On Using Adaptive Surrogate Modeling in Design for Efficient Fluid Power

In the last several decades fluid power has been used extensively in diverse industries such as agriculture, construction, marine, offshore resource extraction, and even entertainment. With a vast and ever-increasing spectrum of potential applications, the design of efficient and leak-free components in fluid power systems has become essential. Previous experiments and studies have shown that the use of microtextured surfaces in hydraulic components achieves performance enhancement by reducing friction and leakage. This article aims to build on this recent work through a systematic optimization-based study of performance improvement through microtexture surface design. These studies evaluate the potential of Newtonian fluid properties, coupled with varying surface features, to achieve design objectives for efficiency. This early-stage design strategy aims to find optimal surface features that minimize apparent fluid viscosity (low friction) and the area of the microtexture. The resulting multi-objective optimization (MOO) problem involves a computationally intensive simulation of the system based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD). As a strategy to reduce overall computational expense, this paper describes the development of a new adaptive surrogate modeling strategy for multi-objective optimization. Two case studies are presented: a simple analytical case study illustrating the details of the method and a more sophisticated case study involving the two-dimensional CFD simulation of Newtonian fluids on symmetric surface textures. This design approach embraces the potential of using rheologically complex fluids in engineering system design and optimization. This study can be further extended to a more generalized problem by coupling both fluid and geometrical design decisions.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Harry Hoogstraal (1917-1986): a bibliography.

Harry Hoogstraal was closely associated with the Journal of Medical Entomology from the time of its founding in 1964. He contributed significantly to its early direction and policies and, as a life member of the Editorial Board, provided advice and support for the Journal. Harry Hoogstraal was one of the preeminent medical entomologists of our time, and we take exceptional pleasure in publishing his bibliography, both as a useful tool to medical entomologists everywhere and as a tribute to Harry—an outstanding scientist and gentleman .
¿El Campeón de Los Hispanos? Comparing the coverage of Latino/a collective action in Spanish- and English-language newspapers

Newspaper coverage of Latino collective action events is critical because it can shape how issues and problems are understood by policymakers and the larger public. There is an assumption that English- and Spanish-language newspapers will report on these events in different ways, but few studies have systematically explored these differences. In this article, we document and compare the coverage of Latino protest and civic engagement in English- and Spanish-language newspapers. Focusing on four metropolitan areas in 2000, we find that both types of newspapers cover nearly the same number of Latino collective action events, and although Spanish-language newspapers provide more thorough and in-depth coverage than English-language newspapers, the difference is slight. In fact, in some metropolitan areas, general-market English-language newspapers report on more events and provide more extensive coverage than Spanish-language newspapers, as evidenced by the inclusion of contextual information about the larger structural conditions that contribute to Latino organizers’ concerns or motivations. Our results show that Latino collective action events are visible within English-language newspapers, which signifies that the American mainstream is expanding its borders to include Latinos.
Monte Carlo Simulations of Charge Transport in 2D Organic Photovoltaics

The effect of morphology on charge transport in organic photovoltaics is assessed using Monte Carlo. In isotopic two-phase morphologies, increasing the domain size from 6.3 to 18.3 nm improves the fill factor by 11.6%, a result of decreased tortuosity and relaxation of Coulombic barriers. Additionally, when small aggregates of electron acceptors are interdispersed into the electron donor phase, charged defects form in the system, reducing fill factors by 23.3% on average, compared with systems without aggregates. In contrast, systems with idealized connectivity show a 3.31% decrease in fill factor when domain size was increased from 4 to 64 nm. We attribute this to a decreased rate of exciton separation at donor–acceptor interfaces. Finally, we notice that the presence of Coulomb interactions increases device performance as devices become smaller. The results suggest that for commonly found isotropic morphologies the Coulomb interactions between charge carriers dominates exciton separation effects.
Heart Sounds in Myocardial Infarction Due to Acute Coronary Occlusion

SummaryIn myocardial infarction due to acute coronary occlusion the first sound is usually diminished in amplitude both absolutely and relatively to the second sound, and is of low pitch owing to the small amplitude of the high frequency component. There is an increased incidence of auricular and third sounds. The accentuation of these sounds by increased intraauricular pressure and decreased ventricular tonus often results in gallop rhythm.
Serum corticosteroid binding following thermal injury.

SummaryAn adsorption technique has been adapted to measure both the total corticosteroid-binding capacity (CBC) and corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) capacity of rat serum following thermal injury. A maximum increase in the rat serum CBC was seen 4 days following a third-degree burn. This increase in CBC activity was accounted for by a twofold increase in the activity of the CBG fraction. Changes in corticosterone levels paralleled alterations in the CBG capacity. Increased levels of CBG were still indicated when CBG capacity was corrected for changes in serum globulin levels following a burn. The binding by non-CBG serum elements remained relatively constant postburn.In contrast to the rat, no significant alteration in CBC or CBG capacity occurred in human burn patient serum. As a result, the level of cortisol in excess of CBC was as much as 5 times normal in the early postburn period and remained elevated up to 40 days after injury. It is concluded that the human, unlike the rat, does not respond wi...
The Current Situation and Countermeasures of IC Patent Competence in China

Being the base of hi-tech industry,IC affects and prompts the development of traditional industry greatly and is the fundamental and strategic industry of economy. The competence of IC patent is a core indicator of measuring the scientific and technological development of one country and it also,in a great degree,symbolizes the technological security and comprehensive power of the country. IC technology is essential in improving the competence of our patents. Although the competence of IC patent has obtained great achievement in China and the economic environment has improved,measures should be taken in direction,organizing mode and technological breakthrough of great patents.
Evaluation of the Dermal Graft Inlay Technique for the Surgical Treatment of Peyronie’sdisease

Abstract: The results of treatment with the dermal graft inlay technique for 7 patients with Peyronie’s disease and the inability to achieve intercourse are discussed. All 7 patients were unable to attain tumescence postoperatively. We believe that patients who require surgical therapy for Peyronie’s disease and who have functional impotence should be treated with silicone penile implants.
Strategic Ironing in Pay-as-Bid Auctions: Equilibrium Existence with Private Information

It is known that pay-as-bid auctions admit pure-strategy equilibria when bidders have private information, as long as the space of available strategies is discrete; except in parameterized settings, there is no tractable method for computing these equilibria. Continuous approximations frequently prove useful when equilibria are difficult to compute in underlying discretized models, however the presence of payoff discontinuities in pay-as-bid auctions implies that current equilibrium existence results cannot be directly applied to the natural continuous approximation of the pay-as-bid auction. I establish the existence of pure-strategy Bayesian-Nash equilibria in divisible-good pay-as-bid auctions with private information. Existence in the divisible-good model follows from examining a particular limit of strategies in discretized models, taken as the discretization becomes infinitesimal. The techniques employed in demonstrating that properly-defined limiting strategies are mutual best responses may be useful to establishing the existence of pure-strategy equilibria in other models which do not meet the assumptions of the current equilibrium existence literature. That the proof of existence relies on a semi-constructive argument from equilibria in discretized auctions implies that equilibrium in the divisible-good model can approximate equilibrium in nearby multi-unit auctions, hence the divisible-good model may be a reasonable approximation of real-world multi-unit auctions. I further show that equilibrium strategies must exhibit strategic ironing, a phenomenon in which the bidding incentives for an infinitesimal quantity are linked to the bidding incentives for nearby quantities. Strategic ironing implies that incentives in the discriminatory divisible-good auction differ from those in the classical single-unit first-price auction in ways which have not previously been recognized. While equilibrium first-order conditions give the impression that divisible-good auctions may be solved by a system of differential equations, strategic ironing implies that the optimal bid for any particular quantity may depend on non-local constraints, and has negative implications for the tractability of equilibrium strategies.
Chapter 10 – Contributions That Mitigated the Epidemic

This chapter recounts three key breakthroughs that ended the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among hemophiliacs: the development of a test for the virus; the production of sterilized clotting factor concentrates; and the discovery of effective antiviral medications. At the height of the epidemic, a few individuals made outstanding contributions to preserving the health of the hemophilia community: they warned about the risks of clotting factor concentrates; they were strong advocates for more research funding; and they disseminated critical information about HIV. In addition, many hemophiliacs and their families, although experiencing life-threatening infections and being socially isolated, fought for better health care and more support for research. Hemophilia nurses, physicians, and other health personnel continued to provide care for their patients despite the risks of infection from exposure to bodily fluids. All these individuals worked selflessly and courageously to mitigate the disease and provided exemplary leadership during the epidemic.
Hyperspectral sensors integration in a RPAS investigation aerial platform

Abstract Remote sensing is the science and art of obtaining information about an object, area or phenomenon starting from the data obtained through a device or instrument without any physical contact with it. These sensors capture electromagnetic energy that comes to them from the reflection or emission of the objects on the Earth's surface, and convert it into an electronic signal that once conditioned, is recorded in some kind of support for further processing and analysis. On the other hand, the field of remotely piloted Aircraft systems, also called drones, has undergone tremendous growth in recent years. There is a possibility to integrate these remote sensing cameras on-board of them. The result is a remote sensing system applicable in the atmospheric, terrestrial and marine environment allowing a systematic analysis of many geophysical parameters of high interest to researchers, businesses, Government and the public community. The present document explains the integration process of remote hyperspectral sensors on-board of an unmanned aircraft system as an investigation aerial platform. Once sensor is fully integrated in the Aircraft, next step is the qualification of the system, military or civilian. The integration ends obtaining the airworthiness certificate. Lastly, to conclude, future lines of research are exposed.
An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, by Chris HadfieldElon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future, by Ashlee Vance

Reviewed by KYLE GRAYBefore I ever dreamed of becoming a doctor, I dreamed of space. As cliche as it was for me to want to be an astronaut when I grew up, as a little girl growing up under the clea...
Detached shear-layer instability and entrainment in the wake of a flat plate with turbulent separating boundary layers

The near and very near wake of a flat plate with a circular trailing edge, with vigorous vortex shedding, is investigated with data from direct numerical simulations (DNS). Computations were performed for four different combinations of the Reynolds numbers based on plate thickness ( ) and momentum thickness near the trailing edge ( ). Unlike the case of the cylinder, these Reynolds numbers are independent parameters for the flat plate. The objectives of the study are twofold, to investigate the entrainment process when the separating boundary layers are turbulent and to better understand the instability of the detached shear layers (DSLs). A visualization of the entrainment process, the effect of changing the ratio on entrainment and wake-velocity statistics, and a way of understanding entrainment in a phase-averaged sense via distributions of the turbulent transport rate are provided here. The discussion on shear-layer instability focuses on the role of log-layer eddies in the destabilization process, the effect of high-speed streaks in the turbulent boundary layer in the vicinity of the trailing edge on shear-layer vortex generation rates, and a relationship between the prevalence of shear-layer vortex generation and shedding phase that is a result of an interaction between the shedding process and the shear-layer instability mechanism. A power-law relationship between the ratio of shear-layer and shedding frequencies and the Reynolds numbers mentioned above is obtained. A discussion of the relative magnitudes of the exponents is provided. A second power-law relationship between shed-vortex strength and these two Reynolds numbers is also proposed.
SEDACS-a client/server approach to TPS development

The C-17 Support Equipment Data Acquisition and Control System (SEDACS) Test Program Set/Test Requirements Document (TPS/TRD) development system was upgraded from a host-based Honeywell/Multics mainframe system to a new client/server system with Internet connectivity. Reliability, flexibility, and supportability were the requirements for the new system. The combination of the client/server model and commercial software met these requirements by exploiting fast and inexpensive hardware and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software such as word processing and project and circuit analysis software. Greater efficiencies were realized by reducing the required time needed to train users, develop TPSs, and prepare supporting documentation. Quality was improved by incorporating configuration management tools and integrated spell checking into the applications suite and by designing around a centralized database. This paper briefly describes how we developed our new system and how we migrated from our existing mainframe (or legacy) system to a client/server system.
Reliability of Vibrating Mesh Technology.

BACKGROUND: For delivery of inhaled aerosols, vibrating mesh systems are more efficient than jet nebulizers are and do not require added gas flow. We assessed the reliability of a vibrating mesh nebulizer (Aerogen Solo, Aerogen Ltd, Galway Ireland) suitable for use in mechanical ventilation. METHODS: An initial observational study was performed with 6 nebulizers to determine run time and efficiency using normal saline and distilled water. Nebulizers were run until cessation of aerosol production was noted, with residual volume and run time recorded. Three controllers were used to assess the impact of the controller on nebulizer function. Following the observational study, a more detailed experimental protocol was performed using 20 nebulizers. For this analysis, 2 controllers were used, and time to cessation of aerosol production was noted. Gravimetric techniques were used to measure residual volume. Total nebulization time and residual volume were recorded. Failure was defined as premature cessation of aerosol production represented by residual volume of > 10% of the nebulizer charge. RESULTS: In the initial observational protocol, an unexpected sporadic failure rate was noted of 25% in 55 experimental runs. In the experimental protocol, a failure rate was noted of 30% in 40 experimental runs. Failed runs in the experimental protocol exhibited a wide range of retained volume averaging ± SD 36 ± 21.3% compared with 3.2 ± 1.5% (P = .001) in successful runs. Small but significant differences existed in nebulization time between controllers. CONCLUSIONS: Aerogen Solo nebulization was often randomly interrupted with a wide range of retained volumes.
Reflex test reminders in required cancer synoptic templates decrease order entry error: An analysis of mismatch repair immunohistochemical orders to screen for Lynch syndrome.

Background: Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most common extracolonic malignant neoplasm associated with Lynch syndrome (LS). LS is caused by autosomal dominant germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Screening for LS in EC is often evaluated by loss of immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of DNA MMR enzymes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 (MMR IHC). In July 2013, our clinicians asked that we screen all EC in patients ≤60 for loss of MMR IHC expression. Despite this policy, several cases were not screened or screening was delayed. We implemented an informatics-based approach to ensure that all women who met criteria would have timely screening. Subjects and Methods: Reports are created in PowerPath (Sunquest Information Systems, Tucson, AZ) with custom synoptic templates. We implemented an algorithm on March 6, 2014 requiring pathologists to address MMR IHC in patients ≤60 with EC before sign out (S/O). Pathologists must answer these questions: is patient ≤60 (yes/no), if yes, follow-up questions (IHC done previously, ordered with addendum to follow, results included in report, N/A, or not ordered), if not ordered, one must explain. We analyzed cases from July 18, 2013 to August 31, 2016 preimplementation (PreImp) and postimplementation (PostImp) that met criteria. Data analysis was performed using the standard data package included with GraphPad Prism® 7.00 (GraphPad Software, Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA). Results: There were 147 patients who met criteria (29 PreImp and 118 PostImp). IHC was ordered in a more complete and timely fashion PostImp than PreImp. PreImp, 4/29 (13.8%) cases did not get any IHC, but PostImp, only 4/118 (3.39%) were missed (P = 0.0448). Of cases with IHC ordered, 60.0% (15/25) were ordered before or at S/O PreImp versus 91.2% (104/114) PostImp (P = 0.0004). Relative to day of S/O, the mean days of order delay were longer and more variable PreImp versus PostImp (12.9 ± 40.7 vs. -0.660 ± 1.15; P = 0.0227), with the average being before S/O PostImp. Conclusion: This algorithm ensures MMR IHC ordering in women ≤60 with EC and can be applied to similar scenarios. Ancillary tests for management are increasing, especially genetic and molecular-based methods. The burden of managing orders and results remains with the pathologist and relying on human intervention alone is ineffective. Ordering IHC before or at S/O prevents oversight and the additional work of retrospective ordering and reporting.
Quantifying geomorphic change at ephemeral stream restoration sites using a coupled-model approach

Abstract Rock-detention structures are used as restoration treatments to engineer ephemeral stream channels of southeast Arizona, USA, to reduce streamflow velocity, limit erosion, retain sediment, and promote surface-water infiltration. Structures are intended to aggrade incised stream channels, yet little quantified evidence of efficacy is available. The goal of this 3-year study was to characterize the geomorphic impacts of rock-detention structures used as a restoration strategy and develop a methodology to predict the associated changes. We studied reaches of two ephemeral streams with different watershed management histories: one where thousands of loose-rock check dams were installed 30 years prior to our study, and one with structures constructed at the beginning of our study. The methods used included runoff, sediment transport, and geomorphic modelling and repeat terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) surveys to map landscape change. Where discharge data were not available, event-based runoff was estimated using KINEROS2, a one-dimensional kinematic-wave runoff and erosion model. Discharge measurements and estimates were used as input to a two-dimensional unsteady flow-and-sedimentation model (Nays2DH) that combined a gridded flow, transport, and bed and bank simulation with geomorphic change. Through comparison of consecutive DEMs, the potential to substitute uncalibrated models to analyze stream restoration is introduced. We demonstrate a new approach to assess hydraulics and associated patterns of aggradation and degradation resulting from the construction of check-dams and other transverse structures. Notably, we find that stream restoration using rock-detention structures is effective across vastly different timescales.
A study of reactivity biases and their dependence on spatial discretization in depleted TRIGA fuel

Abstract The impact of spatial discretization on reactivity biases in TRIGA fuel models was analyzed. In particular, unit-cell analyses in 2-D and 3-D were performed using Serpent to understand how spatial discretization affects the accuracy with which the effects of material evolution and temperature feedback are resolved. For temperature-dependent cases, a simple, single-channel model was employed. Analysis of 2-D models showed that essentially no radial discretization resolution is needed to eliminate biases (i.e., to reduce biases to the level of stochastic uncertainties) due to material evolution but that more than eight, equal-area, radial regions are needed to resolve temperature-feedback effects. Analysis of 3-D models showed that at least seven, equal-volume, axial regions may be required to resolve material evolution with temperature feedback leading to insignificant additional bias. Because of memory constraints, a full-core model with radially- and axially-resolved fuel elements may be impractical, especially for production-level analyses. Consequently, an “effective Doppler temperature” was determined empirically as a function of the radially-averaged temperature and may be used for future, full-core analyses.
Real-Time Junction Temperature Sensing for Silicon Carbide MOSFET With Different Gate Drive Topologies and Different Operating Conditions

The switching transient properties from the switching power semiconductor gate side are sensitive to the device's junction temperature ( $T_{j}$ ). Real-time $T_{j}$ sensing methods based on gate drive switching transient properties have been investigated on silicon MOSFET and silicon IGBT, with a conventional push–pull-type gate drive, under fixed dc-bus voltage. In this paper, this method is applied to silicon-carbide (SiC) MOSFET. The $T_{j}$ sensing methods are evaluated with different types of gate drive topologies. By implementing the SiC MOSFETs into an H-bridge inverter, the effect of dc-bus voltage for the $T_{j}$ sensing method is investigated. Different “gate drive−semiconductor” dynamic models are built, including gate drive output power stage, gate drive parasitics, SiC MOSFET intrinsic parameters, and PCB parasitics. Experimental results are compared with circuit LTSpice model simulation. The device vertical temperature contours are evaluated. Suitable circuitry for $T_{j}$ sensitivity extraction is provided.
Anomalous and nonanomalous behaviors of single-file dynamics

Abstract We study the dynamics of a tagged particle that undergoes single-file diffusion in an environment of point Brownian particles. Specifically, we examine the effect of the particle density on the well-known anomalous sub-diffusion behavior of the tagged particle. We compare two single-file systems; the first maintains a fixed average particle density and the second experiences a dilution with time. Both our analytical predictions and computational results, that study the time evolution of the mean square displacement per particle for both systems, show that the behavior of the tagged particle transforms from anomalous sub-diffusive (if the average particle density is kept fixed) to normal if a reduction in the average particle density takes place during the diffusion. Our computational results are based on a discrete Monte-Carlo technique that captures perfectly the dynamics of the continuum formulation of single-file systems.