cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The open circuit voltage of amorphous silicon p-i-n solar cells

Results are presented of an extensive study of V/sub oc/ in a-Si:H p-i-n solar cells deposited by photo-CVD (chemical vapor deposition) and plasma-CVD. The diode parameters under illumination have been analyzed for varying p-layer and carbon graded layer thicknesses and impurity levels. It is found that the diode factor is 1.5 and that the built-in voltage is 1.05 V for most cells, indicating that the diode mechanism does not evolve from diffusion to space-charge recombination. Instead, it is concluded that in typical devices V/sub oc/ is dominated by recombination at the p/i junction. The author reviews previous analyses and conclusions of others and discusses limitations to V/sub oc/. >
A new measure of temporal consistency for derived objects in real-time database systems

A real-time database system (RTDBS) must satisfy the timing constraints of its transactions as well as the temporal consistency constraints of its temporal data. The data is considered to be temporally consistent if it is absolutely and relatively consistent. A data object is absolutely consistent if its age is younger than an absolute threshold, and a set of data objects is considered to be relatively consistent if the dispersion of ages is smaller than a relative threshold. It is often diAcult to select appropriate values for the thresholds that satisfy both absolute and relative consistency, especially in the case of objects whose values are derived (derived objects). In this paper we propose a new measure of temporal consistency for derived objects that is based on a new definition for the age of the derived object. Our proposed age provides additional insight into the temporal consistency of derived data objects and is useful for real-time database design and management. ” 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Novel Biologically Inspired Nanostructured Scaffolds for Directing Chondrogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Cartilage defects, which are caused by a variety of reasons such as traumatic injuries, osteoarthritis, or osteoporosis, represent common and severe clinical problems. Each year, over 6 million people visit hospitals in the U.S. for various knee, wrist, and ankle problems. As modern medicine advances, new and novel methodologies have been explored and developed in order to solve and improve current medical problems. One of the areas of investigation is tissue engineering [1, 2]. Since cartilage matrix is nanocomposite, the goal of the current work is to use nanomaterials and nanofabrication methods to create novel biologically inspired tissue engineered cartilage scaffolds for facilitating human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) chondrogenesis. For this purpose, through electrospinning techniques, we designed a series of novel 3D biomimetic nanostructured scaffolds based on carbon nanotubes and biocompatible poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) polymers. Specifically, a series of electrospun fibrous PLLA scaffolds with controlled fiber dimension and surface nanoporosity were fabricated in this study. In vitro hMSC studies showed that stem cells prefer to attach in the scaffolds with smaller fiber diameter or suitable nanoporous structures. More importantly, our in vitro differentiation results demonstrated that incorporation of the biomimetic carbon nanotubes and poly L-lysine coating can induce GAG and collagen synthesis that is indicative of chondrogenic differentiations of MSCs. Our novel scaffolds also performed better than controls, which make them promising for cartilage tissue engineering applications.
Exploring the time-scale of photo-initiated interfacial electron transfer through first-principles interpretation of ultrafast X-ray spectroscopy (Presentation Recording)

With the advent of X-ray free electron lasers and table-top high-harmonic-generation X-ray sources, we can now explore changes in electronic structure on ultrafast time scales -- at or less than 1ps. Transient X-ray spectroscopy of this kind provides a direct probe of relevant electronic levels related to photoinitiated processes and associated interfacial electron transfer as the initial step in solar energy conversion. However, the interpretation of such spectra is typically fraught with difficulty, especially since we rarely have access to spectral standards for nonequilibrium states. To this end, direct first-principles simulations of X-ray absorption spectra can provide the necessary connection between measurements and reliable models of the atomic and electronic structure. We present examples of modeling excited states of materials interfaces relevant to solar harvesting and their corresponding X-ray spectra in either photoemission or absorption modalities. In this way, we can establish particular electron transfer mechanisms to reveal detailed working principles of materials systems in solar applications and provide insight for improved efficiency.
Industrial Dynamics: An Overview

What are the causes of industrial development and economic growth? What are the linkages between these processes and their micro foundations? What is the framework within which we can best answer these questions and understand the ongoing transformation and restructuring of world industry? These are the basic questions which motivated the conference upon which this volume is based.
SPICE tutorial system

The concept of building a tutorial system to help in using SPICE tools is discussed. A system called the SPICE was built using the Franz Lisp environment. The user can learn how to simulate electrical or electronic circuits, how to use the subcircuit, and how to debug and deal with the error messages. A user with a basic understanding of using computers can update the system's engineering knowledge. The system has been tested, and it performs as expected. >
COPD disease severity and innate immune response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns

The airways of COPD patients are often colonized with bacteria leading to increased airway inflammation. This study sought to determine whether systemic cytokine responses to microbial pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) are increased among subjects with severe COPD. In an observational cross-sectional study of COPD subjects, PAMP-induced cytokine responses were measured in whole blood ex vivo. We used PAMPs derived from microbial products recognized by toll-like receptors 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Patterns of cytokine response to PAMPs were assessed using hierarchical clustering. One-sided Student's t-tests were used to compare PAMP-induced cytokine levels in blood from patients with and without severe COPD, and for subjects with and without chronic bronchitis. Of 28 male patients, 12 had moderate COPD (FEV1 50%-80%) and 16 severe COPD (FEV1 <50%); 27 participants provided data on self-reported chronic bronchitis, of which 15 endorsed chronic bronchitis symptoms and 12 did not. Cytokine responses to PAMPs in severe COPD were generally lower than in subjects with milder COPD. This finding was particularly strong for PAMP-induced interleukin (IL)-10, granulocyte colony stimulating factor, and IL-1β. Subjects with chronic bronchitis showed higher PAMP-induced IL-1RA responses to most of the PAMPs evaluated. COPD patients with more severe disease demonstrated a diminished cytokine response to PAMPs, suggesting that chronic colonization with bacteria may dampen the systemic innate immune response.
A probabilistic approach to 3D joint estimation of reservoir properties based on Gaussian Mixture Models

We propose here a methodology for estimating reservoir properties, including porosity, clay content, hydrocarbon saturation, and pore pressure, from partial stacks of seismic traces recorded at the top of a reservoir. This methodology is probabilistic and includes two main steps: (a) the estimation of the probability distributions of elastic parameters (velocities and density) and (b) the estimation of the probability distributions of the underlying reservoir properties and conditions. This probabilistic approach is based on the assumption that reservoir properties occurrences obey a Gaussian mixture distribution (a linear combination of Gaussian components). Such assumption is needed to describe the generally non-Gaussian behavior of these properties in nature. To illustrate the utility of the proposed probabilistic approach, we created a synthetic reservoir model that reflects the complexity and heterogeneity of real earth. These synthetic results are encouraging and make us believe this methodology will work with real data.
Factors controlling the facility of transannular Diels-Alder reactions of macrocyclic bis-enones

The reactivity of macrocyclic bis-enones in Diels–Alder reactions was examined using quantum chemical calculations. Stepwise pathways for these transannular cycloaddition reactions were shown to predominate. Steric interactions and torsional strain appeared to play a major role in controlling the overall barrier for polycycle formation.
An fMRI study of advertising appeals and their relationship to product attractiveness and buying intentions

This study examines the effects of various visual apparel advertisements on consumers' brain activation during exposure to different types of advertising appeals (i.e., celebrity, non-celebrity, and rational). The influence on consumer perceptions of products and their subsequent buying intentions are also measured. A repeated measures experimental design was employed, and the total of 27 right-handed female subjects participated in the study. The results of the quantitative data showed significant differences in perceived product attractiveness for each of the three types of advertising appeals, but not in buying intentions. Regarding the fMRI results, our findings support the notion that celebrity advertising appeals are associated with heightened brain activation of memory-related/retrieval regions, reflecting how consumers remember the ad and are influenced by the attractiveness of the source. Non-celebrity advertising appeals were more closely associated with brain activation of regions thought to mediate self-reflection and also engaging executive functions. For rational advertising appeals, our findings showed significant activation in brain areas associated with logical evaluative decision making reflecting more logical processing value assessments and reward potential. Therefore, retailers/marketers must be particularly mindful to match the appropriate advertising appeal to the specific purpose of the advertisement. This study also provides brain-based insight into the effectiveness of different types of advertising appeals and whether or not they have the desired impact on the consumer. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamics of C-terminus Motion of Norwalk Virus Capsid by Molecular Dynamics (All-Atom & Coarse Grained) Simulation

Dynamics of C-terminus arginine residues of Norwalk Virus capsid were investigated by molecular dynamics (All atom and Coarse grained) simulations. AMBER simulation suit 12 with the use of GPU card was employed for the simulation and the online server CABS Flex server was used for the coarse grained simulation.It was observed that these arginine residues interacted with specified residues of the capsid protein. Most of the interacting residues predicted by conventional molecular dynamics (cMD) and coarse grained molecualar dynamics (gMD) were subset of residues predicted by accelerated molecular dynamics (aMD) which confirmed that aMD spaned more conformational space than cMD and gMD. Priliminary analysis showed that those predicted residues sites could be a binding pocket for the drugable small molecules.
Urban sustainable energy development: a case study of the city of Philadelphia

ABSTRACTCities throughout the world are key sites for energy sustainability activities. However, analysis of such efforts to date has focused on a sub-set of atypical cities: early adopters and/or world cities. This article undertakes a case-study analysis for an ordinary city, Philadelphia, PA in order to assess the extent to which prior research provides adequate policy explanation for ordinary cities and to gain empirical insight on two under-researched aspects: policy actors, and the policy-making and implementation sites (action sites) for urban energy sustainability. Overall, the types of policy drivers, modes of governance, and enabling factors and barriers in the Philadelphia case fit with prior studies. Focusing on actors and action sites, however, offers insight on the city’s relative policy-making approach based on “non-controversy”, the key role of third-sector actors in both policy-making and implementation, and the diversification of action sites through external-level policy-making operatio...
What Is in It for Me? The Benefits of Diversity in Scientific Communities

I investigate the reciprocal relationship between social accounts of knowledge production and efforts to increase the representation of women and some minorities in the academy. In particular, I consider the extent to which feminist social epistemologies such as Helen Longino’s critical contextual empiricism can be employed to argue that it is in researchers’ epistemic interest to take active steps to increase gender diversity. As it stands, critical contextual empiricism does not provide enough resources to succeed at this task. However, considering this view through an employment equity lens highlights areas where such theories need to be further developed. I argue that views such as Longino’s ought to attend to nuances of community structure and cultural features that inhibit critical social interactions, if we are to maximize the epistemic as well as the ethical improvements associated with a social approach to knowing. These developments advance these epistemic theories for their own sake. They also help develop these theories into a tool that can be used by those calling for increased diversity in the academy.
Horst Brunner, Die poetische Insel. Inseln und Inselvorstellungen in der deutschen Literatur: Stuttgart: J. B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1967. Pp. 294.

(1969). Horst Brunner, Die poetische Insel. Inseln und Inselvorstellungen in der deutschen Literatur. The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory: Vol. 44, No. 4, pp. 312-314.
Single-Molecule Real-Time 3D Imaging of the Transcription Cycle by Modulation Interferometry

Many essential cellular processes, such as gene control, employ elaborate mechanisms involving the coordination of large, multi-component molecular assemblies. Few structural biology tools presently have the combined spatial-temporal resolution and molecular specificity required to capture the movement, conformational changes, and subunit association-dissociation kinetics, three fundamental elements of how such intricate molecular machines work. Here, we report a 3D single-molecule super-resolution imaging study using modulation interferometry and phase-sensitive detection that achieves <2 nm axial localization precision, well below the few-nanometer-sized individual protein components. To illustrate the capability of this technique in probing the dynamics of complex macromolecular machines, we visualize the movement of individual multi-subunit E. coli RNA polymerases through the complete transcription cycle, dissect the kinetics of the initiation-elongation transition, and determine the fate of σ70 initiation factors during promoter escape. Modulation interferometry sets the stage for single-molecule studies of several hitherto difficult-to-investigate multi-molecular transactions that underlie genome regulation.
Noise Reduction in Supersonic Jets Exhausting over a Simulated Aircraft Carrier Deck

An innovative noise reduction method for supersonic exhaust jets was studied in a model-scale aircraft carrier environment. Acoustic measurements of model exhaust jets with (and without) distribute...
Cox16 protein is physically associated with Cox1p assembly intermediates and with cytochrome oxidase

Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (COX) catalyzes the last step in the respiratory pathway. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, this inner membrane complex is composed of 11 protein subunits. Expression of COX is assisted by some two dozen ancillary proteins that intercede at different stages of the assembly pathway. One such protein, Cox16p, encoded by COX16, was shown to be essential for the activity and assembly of COX. The function of Cox16p, however, has not been determined. We present evidence that Cox16p is present in Cox1p assembly intermediates and in COX. This is based on the finding that Cox16p, tagged with a dual polyhistidine and protein C tag, co-immunopurified with Cox1p assembly intermediates. The pulldown assays also indicated the presence of Cox16p in mature COX and in supercomplexes consisting of COX and the bc1 complex. From the Western signal strengths, Cox16p appears to be substoichiometric with Cox1p and Cox4p, which could indicate that Cox16p is only present in a fraction of COX. In conclusion, our results indicate that Cox16p is a constituent of several Cox1p assembly intermediates and of COX.
Satellite Observed Salinity Distributions at High Latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere: A Comparison of Four Products

Global surface ocean salinity measurements have been available since the launch of SMOS in 2009 and coverage was further enhanced with the launch of Aquarius in 2011. In the polar regions where spatial and temporal changes in sea surface salinity (SSS) are deemed important, the data has not been as robustly validated because of the paucity of in situ measurements. This study presents a comparison of four SSS products in the ice-free Arctic region, three using Aquarius data and one using SMOS data. The accuracy of each product is assessed through comparative analysis with ship and other in situ measurements. Results indicate RMS errors ranging between 0.33 and 0.89 psu. Overall, the four products show generally good consistency in spatial distribution with the Atlantic side being more saline than the Pacific side. A good agreement between the ship and satellite measurements were also observed in the low salinity regions in the Arctic Ocean, where SSS in situ measurements are usually sparse, at the end of summer melt seasons. Some discrepancies including biases of about 1 psu between the products in spatial and temporal distribution are observed. These are due in part to differences in retrieval techniques, geophysical filtering, and sea ice and land masks. The monthly SSS retrievals in the Arctic from 2011 to 2015 showed variations (within ~1 psu) consistent with effects of sea ice seasonal cycles. This study indicates that spaceborne observations capture the seasonality and interannual variability of SSS in the Arctic with reasonably good accuracy.
An Attribute & Network Coding-Based Secure Multicast Protocol for Firmware Updates in Smart Grid AMI Networks

Smart meters operate based on their firmware ruling the hardware. The firmware occasionally needs to be updated to fix bugs and improve the services. Since the smart meter firmware is proprietary, the update file should be communicated to the smart meters in a secure way. In addition, the firmware update may target a specific subgroup of the smart meters rather than all of them in which case access control is required. In this paper, we address the problem of updating the smart meter firmware securely in an IEEE 802.11s-based AMI network and develop a secure and reliable multicast-over-broadcast protocol by making use of ciphertext-policy attribute-based signcryption (CP-ABSC) to provide not only confidentiality and access control but also message authentication. CP-ABSC is employed to signcrypt both the firmware update file and the firmware update request based on an access tree such that the signcrypted update file and request can be designcrypted by the smart meters possessing the attributes that can satisfy the access tree. The preliminary tests showed that increased size of the request due to signcryption reduces reliability of the protocol. Therefore, we employ random linear network coding along with CP- ABSC in order to increase the reliability and use the bandwidth and processing resources efficiently. We assessed the performance of the proposed protocol under ns-3 network simulator. The simulation results have shown that the protocol can accomplish the process of downloading a firmware update without needing any human intervention while consuming less bandwidth when compared to a baseline that employs unicasting.
Here We Are Again: Performing the Temporality of the Brazilian Transition

In 2011, Brazilian theatre group Oi Nois Aqui Traveiz staged an environmental production of Ariel Dorfman’s play Widows on an island that held political prisoners during the country’s military regime. In Viuvas-Performance sobre a ausencia, Oi Nois Aqui Traveiz, one of the most politically engaged theatre groups in the country, discloses relationships between disappearance, memory, and resistance in both politics and performance.
Investigating perceptions of race and ethnic diversity among prospective police officers

Many have suggested police diversity will improve police-community relations, but research testing this hypothesis is inconclusive. We investigated perceptions of police race, ethnicity, and divers...
Rapid acquisition of data dense solid-state CPMG NMR spectral sets using multi-dimensional statistical analysis

The development of multi-dimensional statistical methods has been demonstrated on variable contact time (VCT) 29Si{1H} cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) data sets collected using Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill (CPMG) type acquisition. These methods utilize the transformation of the collected 2D VCT data set into a 3D data set and use tensor-rank decomposition to extract the spectral components that vary as a function of transverse relaxation time (T2) and CP contact time. The result is a data dense spectral set that can be used to reconstruct CP/MAS spectra at any contact time with a high signal to noise ratio and with an excellent agreement to 29Si{1H} CP/MAS spectra collected using conventional acquisition. These CPMG data can be collected in a fraction of time that would be required to collect a conventional VCT data set. We demonstrate the method on samples of functionalized mesoporous silica materials and show that the method can provide valuable surface specific information about their functional chemistry.
Measuring Technology Readiness and Skills

Traditional and emerging forms of assessment for measuring technology readiness are ­presented in the context of society’s need for assessing twenty-first century skills. Workforce preparation is identified as a driving force for new forms of assessment, while rapid advances in information technologies offer opportunities for new techniques to emerge. Recent approaches to learning, such as digital game environments, demonstrate that alternative forms of assessment are emerging to fulfill these changing needs. In this chapter the need for technology readiness is introduced in the context of assessing twenty-first century skills. Conceptual and practical considerations are addressed within the categories of foundation skills, technology applications, attitudes toward technology, communicating with technology and digital citizenship. A presentation of emerging assessment techniques leads to discussion of the importance of technology readiness for preparing a productive workforce. In addition, this chapter includes prospects for forms of assessment unique to new digital media.
A Statistical Tolerancing Formulation

In statistical tolerancing the tolerances on component parts of an assembly are specified as distributions. Allowance should be made for the fact that a distribution for a component may shift due to raw material variations, different suppliers, tool wea..
Clozapine-induced priapism.

AbstractPriapism may be a side effect of certain medications. We present a case of priapism associated with the nonphenothiazine antipsychotic drug clozapine. The possible mechanism for the drug-induced priapism is discussed.
Calculating Topological Indexes of Networks from the Corresponding Wells Point Symbol

This paper begins with a review of the Euler relation for the convex polyhedra. The Schlafli relation is derived from this by introducing the secondary topological indexes of polygonality and connectivity. A topology map of the polyhedra and extended structures, in a Schlafli space, is illustrated and is discussed from the point of view of its organizational value for defining the topological relationship of structures from their Schlafli indexes. A comment is then made with respect to the definition of the various vertex connectivities in structures, from knowledge of the circuit number of the vertex. It is shown here that vertices containing polar connections have a reduced circuit number from that calculated according to the prescription p(p-1)/2. Next a review is made of the Wells point symbols and corresponding Schlafli indexes; first of the regular diamond and graphene nets; second of the semi-regular nets, including the Archimedean fullerene polyhedron and the Cooperite structure-type, and the Catalan fluorite and Waserite structure-types; and third of the irregular nets to include the Wellsean glitter and phenacite structure-types. The direct translation of the Wells point symbol to a weighted average polygonality, n, and a weighted average connectivity, p, is demonstrated in these examples.
Abstract 2020: SAHA and EGCG affect metastatic potential to varying degrees in three triple-negative breast cancer cell lines

Although triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) have distinct molecular aberrations, tumors of the same histological grade may have dramatically different responses to the same therapy. TNBC tumors are basal-like, aggressive, and harbor a proclivity to metastasize to the brain and lungs. By modifying the cancer epigenome we have shown it is possible to reduce the metastatic potential of triple-negative breast cancer. Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA, clinically Vorinostat) is a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a green tea polyphenol that acts as a DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor. In combination, we found that 3 μM SAHA and 5 μM EGCG alter mammosphere formation, and the expression of E-cadherin and N-cadherin, which are genes involved in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Epigenetic enzyme activity was also assessed to determine if SAHA and EGCG were capable of modulating the functionality of DNMTs and HDACs. Because our previous work has identified a decrease in cellular viability with the combination of SAHA and EGCG, we aimed to investigate the effect on cell cycle arrest and genes involved in cell cycle progression. Our prior findings have indicated that the combination of SAHA and EGCG decreases the expression level of miR-221/222, which is known to directly inhibit translation of p27 and PTEN. p27 is involved in regulating the transition from G1 to S phase, and with the combination of SAHA and EGCG the expression of p27 was significantly increased, suggesting potential cell cycle arrest between G1 and S phase. Because the PTEN/Akt pathway plays a role in progression from G1 to S phase through p-Akt, we also investigated changes in the expression of PTEN with SAHA and EGCG. Together our findings are reflective of tumor heterogeneity; despite the same breast cancer subtype they respond differently to chemotherapeutics. Further studies will include research into specific epigenetic modifications associated with the epithelial-like reversion seen in this project. Citation Format: Kayla A. Lewis. SAHA and EGCG affect metastatic potential to varying degrees in three triple-negative breast cancer cell lines [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2020.
An IMU-based traffic and road condition monitoring system

Abstract This paper presents a new type of wireless platform designed for real-time traffic estimation and road surface monitoring. The sensor platform is built around a 32-bit ARM Cortex M4 micro-controller and a LSM9DS0 Inertial Measurement Unit module. This platform is mainly designed for probe vehicles and can be easily installed in a vehicle equipped with a USB charger. The hardware architecture design and software programming system of the proposed platform are introduced as well as its cost evaluation from the first generation to the third generation. The article then demonstrates some applications of such a platform in smart cities, including trajectory estimation and road condition monitoring. All design files have been uploaded and shared in an open science framework, and can be accessed from https://osf.io/524y9/?view_only=85859a345a7b429fbb8fe194966daa5b . It is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0.
Characterizing persistent unburned islands within the Inland Northwest USA

In the Inland Pacific Northwest of the United States, fire is a dominant driver of ecological change. Within wildfire perimeters, fire effects often vary considerably and typically include remnant patches of unburned islands. As fires reburn the landscape, some unburned islands remain persistently unburned. These persistent unburned islands can serve an important ecological function as fire refugia; however, their characteristics have not been quantified. The objective of this study was to assess the characteristics of persistent unburned islands and compare them to the burned areas that surround them. Using an existing database of unburned islands from 1984 to 2014, overlapping unburned islands were delineated. We sampled points in both persistent unburned islands and in areas burned by wildfire. At these sample points, we derived several topographical and other geospatial metrics, and we compared the characteristics of these groups. Because the study area covers many ecosystems, we stratified the analysis by different fire regime groups. Our analysis revealed that persistent unburned islands are not randomly distributed across the landscape. While the topography and vegetation fuel type that underlie persistent unburned islands differ from burned areas, these differences are dependent upon fire regime group and are less pronounced than what other studies have found. The topographic features that differed the most between persistent unburned islands and burned areas were terrain ruggedness, slope, and transformed aspect. We also found that, as unburned islands increased in persistence (i.e., remained unburned for an increasing number of overlapping fires), they decreased in size and shape complexity. Our research shows that the biophysical setting underlying persistent unburned islands differs between forests and rangelands, and also differs from burned areas, which has potential applications for fire refugia prediction and management. Characterizing fire refugia and understanding the processes that contribute to their creation and maintenance will be important for land management as climate changes and increasingly large areas are affected by wildfire.
Application of thermodynamic models to the calculation of solidification paths of Al-Rich Al-Li alloys

One of the key parameters in calculating the paths of solidifications is the distribution coefficient. This coefficient, usually referred to ask, is the compositional ratio of the coexisting solid and liquid at the interface at a given temperature. This value is usually assumed to be a constant for this type of calculation.[1.2] Sometimes values ofk are taken directly from the binary phase diagram.[3,4] However, if appropriate thermodynamic models are available, values ofk can be calculated as a function of temperature. The calculated values can then be used directly to compute the paths of solidification using a solidification model such as the Scheil model. This approach is highly desirable in view of the recent development in thermodynamic modeling and phase diagram calculation, on the one hand, and the availability of personal computers, on the other. While this approach is desirable for binary systems, it is essential for ternary and higher order systems. For a ternary system, even for a system of commercial importance, the phase diagram is known usually at one and perhaps two temperatures.
Inside the Emergency Service Call-Center: Reviewing Thirty Years of Language and Social Interaction Research

ABSTRACTCalls to police agencies featured in some of the earliest work of conversation analysts. Since that time, scholars interested in language and interaction have developed a research program t...
Automating Audio Description for Live Theater: Using Reference Recordings to Trigger Descriptive Tracks in Real Time

Audio description is an accessibility service used by blind or visually impaired individuals. Often accompanying movies, television shows, and other visual art forms, the service provides spoken descriptions of visual content, allowing people with vision loss the ability to access information that sighted people obtain visually. At live theatrical events, audio description provides spoken descriptions of scenes, characters, props, and other visual elements that those with vision loss may otherwise find inaccessible. In this paper we present a method for deploying pre-recorded audio description in a live musical theater environment. This method uses a reference recording and an online time warping algorithm to align audio description with live performances, including a process for handling unexpected interruptions. A software implementation that is integrated into an existing theatrical workflow is also described. This system is used in two evaluation experiments that show the method successfully aligns multiple recordings of works of musical theater in order to automatically trigger pre-recorded, descriptive audio in real time.
Controlled assembly of secondary keratin structures for continuous and scalable production of tough fibers from chicken feathers

Tough keratin fibers from chicken feathers have been produced continuously via controlled assembly of secondary protein structures. Though research on utilization of keratinous wastes began decades ago, very few regenerated products with high quality were developed due to damage to the primary structures during extraction and poor recovery of the secondary structures in the regenerated materials. Fibers have the highest quality requirements among the regenerated keratin products, including high toughness and resistance to repeated laundering. Our group developed regenerated keratin fibers on a lab scale previously. However, the regenerated keratin had poor spinnability with low recovery of secondary protein structures. As a result, keratin fibers could not be produced continuously, and their properties, especially the wet strength, were not acceptable. In this paper, high drawing ratios of keratin fibers on a continuous line have been achieved via stepwise oxidation and drawing technology. This technology resulted in controlled assembly of disulfide crosslinkages, optimum recovery of the secondary structures, satisfactory mechanical properties and scalable production of keratin fibers. Furthermore, the use of inexpensive chemicals makes the continuous keratin fiber production developed in this work affordable for scale-up. The technology developed for continuous production of tough keratin fibers has high potential for the development of high quality regenerated products from other cysteine-containing protein materials.
22.3 A 128Gb 8-High 512GB/s HBM2E DRAM with a Pseudo Quarter Bank Structure, Power Dispersion and an Instruction-Based At-Speed PMBIST

There is enormous demand for high-bandwidth DRAM: in application such as HPC, graphics, high-end server and artificial intelligence. HBM DRAM was developed [1] using the advances in package technology: TSV, microbump and silicon-interposer. Owing to these advances, HBM has a much higher bandwidth, at a lower pin speed rate, than conventional DRAM. However, the 3D-stack structure causes TSV interface and PDN problems: TSV connection failure and 3D-accumulation of IR drop, which increases the total cost of HBM. Moreover, as memory bandwidth increases DRAM architectural challenges arise, power consumption and associated thermal problems increase as well.
Comprehensive characterization of tense and relaxed quaternary state glutaraldehyde polymerized bovine hemoglobin as a function of cross-link density.

Previously, our lab developed high molecular weight (MW) tense (T) quaternary state glutaraldehyde polymerized bovine hemoglobins (PolybHbs) that exhibited reduced vasoactivity in several small animal models. In this study, we prepared PolybHb in the T and relaxed (R) quaternary state with ultrahigh MW (>500 kDa) with varying cross-link densities, and investigated the effect of MW on key biophysical properties (i.e., O2 affinity, cooperativity (Hill) coefficient, hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity, polymer composition, viscosity, gaseous ligand-binding kinetics, auto-oxidation, and haptoglobin [Hp]-binding kinetics). To further optimize current PolybHb synthesis and purification protocols, we performed a comprehensive meta-data analysis to evaluate correlations between procedural parameters (i.e., cross-linker:bovine hemoglobin (bHb) molar ratio, gas-liquid exchange time, temperature during sodium dithionite addition, and number of diafiltration cycles) and the biophysical properties of both T- and R-state PolybHbs. Our results showed that, the duration of the fast-step auto-oxidation phase of R-state PolybHb increased with decreasing glutaraldehyde:bHb molar ratio. Additionally, T-state PolybHbs exhibited significantly higher bimolecular rate constants for binding to Hp and unimolecular O2 offloading rate constants compared to R-state PolybHbs. The methemoglobin (metHb) level in the final product was insensitive to the molar ratio of glutaraldehyde to bHb for all PolybHbs. During tangential flow filtration processing of the final product, 14 diafiltration cycles was found to yield the lowest metHb level.
Long Arm 'Statutes'

Long arm statutes, we have been told, are the vehicles through which legislatures define the personal jurisdiction of their courts. But it turns out that many long arm “statutes” are not statutes at all. Although most states define personal jurisdiction in statutes, twelve states put their long arms in judge-made rules or in a combination of rules and statutes. In search of a better label – and a deeper understanding – I attempted to determine which “long arm statutes” are statutes and which are something else. I asked this question based on current law, as well as based on the law of each state when that state adopted its first set of judge-made rules of procedure. This short essay presents those results and offers some thoughts on what these findings have to say about federal procedure and about the institutional design of procedure-making in American law. It also provides an appendix documenting various aspects of state long arms.
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer (NK)-cell therapy: leveraging the power of innate immunity

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are a rapidly emerging form of cancer treatment, and have resulted in remarkable responses in refractory lymphoid malignancies. However, their widespread clinical use is limited by toxicity related to cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, the logistic complexity of their manufacturing, cost and time-to-treatment for autologous CAR-T cells, and the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) associated with allogeneic CAR-T cells. Natural killer (NK) cells have emerged as a promising source of cells for CAR-based therapies due to their ready availability and safety profile. NK cells are part of the innate immune system, providing the first line of defence against pathogens and cancer cells. They produce cytokines and mediate cytotoxicity without the need for prior sensitisation and have the ability to interact with, and activate other immune cells. NK cells for immunotherapy can be generated from multiple sources, such as expanded autologous or allogeneic peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood, haematopoietic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, as well as cell lines. Genetic engineering of NK cells to express a CAR has shown impressive preclinical results and is currently being explored in multiple clinical trials. In the present review, we discuss both the preclinical and clinical trial progress made in the field of CAR NK-cell therapy, and the strategies to overcome the challenges encountered.
A Review of Developing Communication Skills for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities on College Campuses

In the current investigation, we reviewed the literature on communication interventions for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) on college campuses. Eight studies met our inclusion criteria. Data were extracted related to participant demographics (e.g., disability, response form, type of postsecondary program) and study variables (e.g., design, settings, intervention). We evaluated the methodological quality of each study using the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition's Quality Indicator Checklist for single-case design studies. Results indicated a dearth of literature in this critical area and that extant literature reflected a primary research emphasis on the use of multi-component packages to teach communication skills to students with mild or no intellectual disability. Limitations and implications for research and practice for transition professionals and university campus providers are discussed.
Characterizing substance use among men who have sex with men presenting to a sexually transmitted infection clinic.

Illicit substance use poses a significant public health challenge in the United States. Certain populations are disproportionately impacted by substance use disorders. Men who have sex with men (MS...
Intraoperative Neuromonitoring for Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation Embolization: A Propensity-Score Matched Retrospective Database Study

Introduction The treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) may result in neurologic morbidity, particularly when an AVM is located in or adjacent to eloquent brain regions. Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IONM) may be utilized to reduce the risk of iatrogenic injury during endovascular AVM embolization; however, IONM for endovascular AVM embolization is not ubiquitously the standard of care. Methods Admissions for AVM embolization were assessed from the IBM MarketScan® Commercial and Medicare Supplemental databases (IBM Watson Health, Somers, NY). Inclusion criterion for patients was continuous enrollment six months before and after the index encounter. The use of IONM and presence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) were noted. Propensity-score matched cohorts with and without IONM were generated to minimize bias between treatment groups (adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities). Results From 2007 to 2016, there were 16,279 patients diagnosed with cerebral AVM in the MarketScan database. Embolized patients were stratified into IONM and non-IONM cohorts; there were 357 patients in the IONM cohort and 1775 patients in the non-IONM cohort. Provider types were significantly different between cohorts (p<0.005). Unruptured AVMs were significantly more likely to be embolized with adjunctive IONM (17.7%) compared to ruptured AVMs (7.9%) (p<0.005). After balancing for baseline comorbidities, there were 266 patients in the IONM cohort, and 1347 patients in the non-IONM cohort. Among unruptured AVM patients, IONM was linked to a significantly shorter length of stay (2.72 versus 4.92 days; p<0.005), significantly lower rates of complications within 30 days of discharge (0.00% versus 1.88%; p=0.038), and significantly lower total payment ($40,179 versus $50,844; p<0.0001). Conclusion Endovascular embolization for unruptured AVMs performed with adjunctive IONM was associated with shorter length of stay, lower complication rates, and hospitalization costs.
2.1 mm-Wave 5G Radios: Baseband to Waves

There are many challenges in building millimeter-Wave (mmW) 5G radios [1] –[3]. Some of the key challenges are the cost, heat dissipation, and array calibration. This paper describes ADI’s full line-up of mmW 5G radios used today, with a focus on the millimeter wave front-end portion, and how it addresses some of these challenges. The radio block diagram, shown in Fig. 2.1.1, is an example of a dual-polarized 24-to-30GHz band mmW radio. All ICs in this radio cover 24 to 30GHz, allowing the same chips to be used in n257, n258, and n261 radios, which reduces the development cost. The radio consists of two domains: BB-IF and mmW. The BB-IF domain contains either an IF transceiver utilizing quadrature baseband data converters and mixers to generate the IF, or data converters (MxFE) to directly synthesize the IF. The former is optimal for narrower bandwidth applications while the latter consumes more power but can support higher bandwidths. The mmW domain consists of a mmW Up/Down converter and a 16-channel, (2 polarizations $\times 8$ channels per pol) high-performance beamformer (BF). The mmW chips utilize a 45nm RF SOI process, which is optimized for RF performance at the mmW 5G bands. The SOI process is a 12-inch process, hence economically suitable for large-volume applications. The BF linear output power is 12dBm/channel @ 3% EVM using a 400MHz 5G NR waveform. The channel P1dB is 20dBm. Two mmW BFs, cover 24-to-30 and 37-to-44GHz bands, respectively. An implementation of the mmW front-end, consisting of 128 dual-polarized antenna elements, 16 BFs, 4 Up/Down frequency converters (UDCs), and the power-management circuitry has been fabricated and is shown in Fig. 2.1.2. Over-the-air (OTA) measurement results of the fabricated array are presented below. The measurements include the radiation pattern, EIRP, linearity, and combined throughput of four streams. The paper also discusses the following: OTA Performance of ADI’s mmW 5G radios, antenna performance and design aspects, thermal aspects and heat dissipation modelling, and calibration of mmW radios.
Mechanical Imaging of Soft Tissues With Miniature Climbing Robots

Systematically mapping the mechanical properties of skin and tissue is useful for biomechanics research and disease diagnostics. For example, later stage breast cancer and lymphoma manifest themselves as hard nodes under the skin. Currently, mechanical measurements are done manually, with a sense of touch or a handheld tool. Manual measurements do not provide quantitative information and vary depending on the skill of the practitioner. Research shows that tactile sensors could be more sensitive than a hand. We propose a method that uses our previously developed skin-crawling robots to noninvasively test the mechanical properties of soft tissue. Robots are more systematic and repeatable than humans. Using the data collected with a cutomoter or indenter integrated into the miniature robot, we trained a convolutional neural network to classify the size and depth of the lumps. The classification works with 98.8% accuracy for cutometer and 99.6% for indenter for lump size with a diameter of 0 to 10 mm embedded in depth of 1 to 5 mm in a simulated tissue. We conducted a limited evaluation on a forearm, where the robot imaged dry skin with a cutometer. We hope to improve the ability to test tissues noninvasively, and ultimately provide better sensitivity and systematic data collection.