cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methane Pyrolysis in a Hot Filament Reactor

An electrically heated platinum filament mounted inside a quartz tube was used as a high temperature flow reactor for methane pyrolysis. The reaction products included carbon and a mixture of hydrocarbons, mainly C1−C5 alkanes, alkenes, and benzene. The hydrocarbons were measured by gas chromatography and the carbon gravimetrically. At 1275 °C filament temperature and 100ms residence time in the hot region of the reactor, methane conversion was 19.7% and selectivity of hydrocarbon products 68%. Lowering the flow rate increased the conversion but lowered sharply the selectivity of hydrocarbon products. Coking of the filament surface gradually lowered the filament temperature and the conversion of methane. This deactivation process could be slowed by adding a few percent of oxygen to the methane feed.
Why we don't need built-in misbeliefs

In this commentary, I question the idea that positive illusions are evolved misbeliefs on the grounds that positive illusions are often maladaptive, are not universal, and may be by-products of existing mechanisms. Further, because different beliefs are adaptive in different situations and cultures, it makes sense to build in a readiness to form beliefs rather than the beliefs themselves.
Cardiomyocyte transverse tubule loss leads the way to heart failure.

Evaluation of: Wei S, Guo A, Chen B et al.: T-tubule remodeling during transition from hypertrophy to heart failure. Circ. Res. 107(4), 520–531 (2010). The highly organized transverse (T)-tubule membrane system in ventricular myocytes plays an integral role in excitation–contraction coupling, and disruption of this T-tubule network has been implicated in contractile dysfunction in heart failure. Wei and colleagues used advanced confocal imaging techniques to evaluate cardiomyocyte membrane structure in intact rat hearts following surgically induced pressure overload, and demonstrated a loss of integrity of the T-tubule system. Importantly, this T-tubule dropout was detected early in the disease process, at the stage of compensated hypertrophy before observable ventricular dysfunction, and then progressed in proportion to the severity of the systolic dysfunction. These findings provide a new insight into the critical transition from compensated hypertrophy to heart failure and suggests important future are...
Convergence results and a Poincaré-Bendixson trichotomy for asymptotically autonomous differential equations

Conditions are presented under which the solutions of asymptotically autonomous differential equations have the same asymptotic behavior as the solutions of the associated limit equations. An example displays that this does not hold in general.
Constitutive Relationship of FRP Reinforced Column Plastic Hinge Zone Based on Pushover Analysis

The formation and development of plastic hinge is the basis of the whole process of FRP reinforced concrete eccentricity compression and flexural member nonlinear analysis. The moment-rotation relationship of FRP reinforced rectangular column plastic hinge zone was studied. Its yield and ultimate moment formulas were proposed. The specific values of the moment and rotation were discussed in different modes of failure, retrofitting methods as well as FRP types. A constitutive relationship of FRP reinforced rectangular column plastic hinge zone was established. Based on the constitutive relationship, a pushover analysis of the numerical model is conducted, and the feasibility of its application in Etabs software through cases is verified.
The evolutionary importance of successful accidents

Neither uniformitarianism nor neo-Darwinism is tenable in the light of present knowledge of the role or unique events play in evolution. In geology, the present is no longer in such a simple key to the past as we had thought: there is convincing evidence for a catastrophic origin of certain geomorphic features as well for a catastrophic trigger to the extermination of the dinosaurs; many large volcanic terrains of the world were formed by eruptions of a type not yet seen by recording man. In biology, the concept of natural selection as a motor force directing evolution has given away, because of persuasive evidence from microbiology, to the idea of successful genetic accidents determining the rate and direction of evolution. It appears, therefore, that the neo-Darwinian paradigm, in which the paths of evolutionary leaps. The conditions for the evolutionary success of such accidents are: the existence of an environment in which the accident and its success are possible, and a stage of evolution in which the accident would be a logical next step (perhaps one of many). In this view, determinism is replaced by possibilism, and the accident becomes more important than the environment.
Hybrid silicon evanescent modulators

We review a range of modulators on silicon from groups around the world. We describe in detail high frequency, high power electroabsorption and Mach-Zehnder modulators on silicon waveguides with low drive voltages.
Controls on hydrologic similarity: role of nearby gauged catchments for prediction at an ungauged catchment

Abstract. Prediction of streamflow at ungauged catchments requires transfer of hydrologic information (e.g., model parameters, hydrologic indices, streamflow values) from gauged (donor) to ungauged (receiver) catchments. A common metric used for the selection of ideal donor catchments is the spatial proximity between donor and receiver catchments. However, it is not clear whether information transfer among nearby catchments is suitable across a wide range of climatic and geographic regions. We examine this issue using the data from 756 catchments within the continental United States. Each catchment is considered ungauged in turn and daily streamflow is simulated through distance-based interpolation of streamflows from neighboring catchments. Results show that distinct geographic regions exist in US where transfer of streamflow values from nearby catchments is useful for retrospective prediction of daily streamflow at ungauged catchments. Specifically, the high predictability catchments (Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency NS > 0.7) are confined to the Appalachian Mountains in eastern US, the Rocky Mountains, and the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. Low predictability catchments (NS
Pseudocodeword Performance Analysis for LDPC Convolutional Codes

Message-passing iterative decoders for low-density parity-check (LDPC) block codes are known to be subject to decoding failures due to so-called pseudocodewords. These failures can cause the large signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) performance of message-passing iterative decoding to be worse than that predicted by the maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding union bound. In this paper, we address the pseudocodeword problem from the convolutional code perspective. In particular, we compare the performance of LDPC convolutional codes with that of their "wrapped" quasi-cyclic block versions and we show that the minimum pseudoweight of an LDPC convolutional code is at least as large as the minimum pseudoweight of an underlying quasi-cyclic code. This result, which parallels a well-known relationship between the minimum Hamming weight of convolutional codes and the minimum Hamming weight of their quasi-cyclic counterparts, is due to the fact that every pseudocodeword in the convolutional code induces a pseudocodeword in the block code with pseudoweight no larger than that of the convolutional code's pseudocodeword. This difference in the weight spectra leads to improved performance at low-to-moderate SNRs for the convolutional code, a conclusion supported by simulation results.
Electrical characterization and gate stack optimization of nitride trapping NVSM devices

A continued scaling of NVSM devices has increased the appeal of nitride trapping memory devices over floating gate devices, since the former appear not to be limited by drain disturb effects or gate coupling issues [1]. In this paper we will present several techniques to electrically characterize and optimize the gate stack of nitride trapping NVSM devices. An automated flatband voltage tracking system has been developed to characterize the performance of NVSM capacitors and a model has been proposed to determine the vertical location of trapped charges in the nitride. In addition, we describe experiments on MANOS capacitors with varying silicon-rich and stoichiometric nitride stacks to study device performance. The system is controlled with a LabVIEWTM program and consists of a flatband tracking circuit (Fig. 1), pulse generation circuitry capable of producing square pulses as short as 10−7 seconds, and a Boonton 72BD differential capacitance meter. Program/erase speed, data retention and endurance of various gate structures are studied without the need to fabricate NVSM transistors.
Observations of Saharan dust microphysical and optical properties from the Eastern Atlantic during NAMMA airborne field campaign

Abstract. As part of the international project entitled "African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA)", NAMMA (NASA AMMA) aimed to gain a better understanding of the relationship between the African Easterly Waves (AEWs), the Sahara Air Layer (SAL), and tropical cyclogenesis. The NAMMA airborne field campaign was based out of the Cape Verde Islands during the peak of the hurricane season, i.e., August and September 2006. Multiple Sahara dust layers were sampled during 62 encounters in the eastern portion of the hurricane main development region, covering both the eastern North Atlantic Ocean and the western Saharan desert (i.e., 5–22° N and 10–35° W). The centers of these layers were located at altitudes between 1.5 and 3.3 km and the layer thickness ranged from 0.5 to 3 km. Detailed dust microphysical and optical properties were characterized using a suite of in-situ instruments aboard the NASA DC-8 that included a particle counter, an Ultra-High Sensitivity Aerosol Spectrometer, an Aerodynamic Particle Sizer, a nephelometer, and a Particle Soot Absorption Photometer. The NAAMA sampling inlet has a size cut (i.e., 50% transmission efficiency size) of approximately 4 μm in diameter for dust particles, which limits the representativeness of the NAMMA observational findings. The NAMMA dust observations showed relatively low particle number densities, ranging from 268 to 461 cm−3, but highly elevated volume density with an average at 45 μm3 cm−3. NAMMA dust particle size distributions can be well represented by tri-modal lognormal regressions. The estimated volume median diameter (VMD) is averaged at 2.1 μm with a small range of variation regardless of the vertical and geographical sampling locations. The Angstrom Exponent assessments exhibited strong wavelength dependence for absorption but a weak one for scattering. The single scattering albedo was estimated at 0.97 ± 0.02. The imaginary part of the refractive index for Sahara dust was estimated at 0.0022, with a range from 0.0015 to 0.0044. Closure analysis showed that observed scattering coefficients are highly correlated with those calculated from spherical Mie-Theory and observed dust particle size distributions. These values are generally consistent with literature values reported from studies with similar particle sampling size range.
Physics-Mathematics Building at Kansas State University

A building of about 134 000-sq ft area, containing research rooms, shops, store rooms, three lecture halls, classroom, and offices, for the Departments of Physics and of Mathematics has been completed at Kansas State University. Details concerning the construction, the provision of laboratory facilities, and special features of the building are given, as are floor plans and statements of costs involved.
Reconstructions of western Ross Sea palaeo‐ice‐stream grounding zones from high‐resolution acoustic stratigraphy

This study analyses acoustic profiles of two mid-shelf troughs, the JOIDES Basin and Pennell Trough in the western Ross Sea, Antarctica. These troughs are subglacial erosion features formed by repeated advance of streaming ice onto the Ross Sea continental shelf. Sediment wedge formations, interpreted to have been deposited at the most seaward grounding zone during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), are observed within the mid-shelf region of these troughs. By correlating high-resolution acoustic profiles with core samples, we resolve the stratigraphy of these wedge formations to assess the relationships between bathymetry, subglacial sediment distribution and palaeo-ice-stream configuration. The grounding zone wedge geometries were controlled by the pre-existing topography. The JOIDES and Pennell Troughs were only partially infilled during the LGM. Axial diamict progradation from the landward margin of the troughs indicates enhanced flow (debris supply) along the axis of ice flow. Differences in grounding zone geometries indicate a decrease in basal debris deposition and/or supply during ice recession. The lack of a recessional ice-shelf facies indicates that either the ice shelf was absent during retreat, or that there was no melt-out of basal debris.
Capturing experiences anytime, anywhere

What's the future of mobile experience-capture technology? One problem with mobile blogging is that it requires a lot of user interaction: the user must manually record some media, annotate it with text, and upload it to a server. While applications such as LifeBlog enable this process, there's still room for improvement. One potential way to lessen the burden on the user is to automate capture. This is the goal of Microsoft's SenseCam project. The technology needed to implement SenseCam, with the possible exception of the IR sensor, is already present in several of today's mobile phones. By adding wireless data transfer capabilities, SenseCam could semiautomatically blog for the user. Combining SenseCam technology with a good user interface could allow for much more efficient on-the-go blogging.
A spiking neural model for stable reinforcement of synapses based on multiple distal rewards

In this letter, a novel critic-like algorithm was developed to extend the synaptic plasticity rule described in Florian 2007 and Izhikevich 2007 in order to solve the problem of learning multiple distal rewards simultaneously. The system is augmented with short-term plasticity STP to stabilize the learning dynamics, thereby increasing the system's learning capacity. A theoretical threshold is estimated for the number of distal rewards that this system can learn. The validity of the novel algorithm was verified by computer simulations.
Reliability and fatigue failure modes of implant-supported aluminum-oxide fixed dental prostheses.

Objectives To investigate failure modes and reliability of implant-supported aluminum-oxide three-unit fixed-dental-prostheses (FDPs) using two different veneering porcelains.
An agent oriented business model for e-commerce based on the NYSE specialist system

The rapid development of commerce on the World Wide Web has been accompanied by the creation of new business models and customer relationships involving the use of intelligent software agents. Agents are characterized by autonomy, perception, and intelligence and have been used primarily for search and data mining activities on the Web. A parallel trend in electronic commerce is the development of auction markets in contrast to traditional fixed posted price models. Web based auction markets are structured on the “English Auction” model where a reserve price is established and bids are increased until the market is cleared.This paper describes an intelligent agent based architecture for electronic commerce. The proposed architecture implements a continuous double auction modeled on the two hundred-year-old New York Stock Exchange specialist system. The complex functionality of the specialist system is replicated through dedicated agents and knowledge bases that interact with buyer and seller agents. The specialist system, thought to be superior to other auction systems, requires a relatively high level of intelligence.The proposed architecture fully models the duties of a human specialist at a NYSE stock exchange post. These duties are broadly described as customer agent, principal, market catalyst, and auctioneer. In addition to describing the architecture, the paper includes a discussion of current research in electronic commerce auction markets and likely future impacts of the technology.
A New Look at Service Climate: Its Relationship with Owner Service Values in Small Businesses

The present study examined the relationship between service climate and an organizational-level variable not studied to date: owner service values. Thirty-one small businesses (35 owners and 221 employees) participated in the study. Service climate and owner service values were found to be negatively correlated such that the more an owner valued service, the lower the employees rated the organization's service climate. Although this result was contrary to expectations, the “false consensus” effect provides a useful framework to explain the negative relationship. Other owner values (e.g., innovation, aggressiveness, and decisiveness) did not correlate with service climate.
Importance of exercise capacity in predicting outcomes and determining optimal timing of surgery in significant primary mitral regurgitation.

Background In primary mitral regurgitation (MR), exercise echocardiography aids in symptom evaluation and timing of mitral valve (MV) surgery. In patients with grade ≥3 primary MR undergoing exercise echocardiography followed by MV surgery, we sought to assess predictors of outcomes and whether delaying MV surgery adversely affects outcomes. Methods and Results We studied 576 consecutive such patients (aged 57±13 years, 70% men, excluding prior valve surgery and functional MR). Clinical, echocardiographic (MR, LVEF, indexed LV dimensions, RV systolic pressure) and exercise data (metabolic equivalents) were recorded. Composite events of death, MI, stroke, and congestive heart failure were recorded. Mean LVEF was 58±5%, indexed LV end-systolic dimension was 1.7±0.5 mm/m2, rest RV systolic pressure was 32±13 mm Hg, peak-stress RV systolic pressure was 47±17 mm Hg, and percentage of age- and gender-predicted metabolic equivalents was 113±27. Median time between exercise and MV surgery was 3 months (MV surgery delayed ≥1 year in 28%). At 6.6±4 years, there were 53 events (no deaths at 30 days). On stepwise multivariable survival analysis, increasing age (hazard ratio of 1.07 [95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 1.12], P 100% predicted metabolic equivalents (n=399), delaying surgery by ≥1 year (median of 28 months) did not adversely affect outcomes ( P =0.8). Conclusion In patients with primary MR that underwent exercise echocardiography followed by MV surgery, lower achieved metabolic equivalents were associated with worse long-term outcomes. In those with preserved exercise capacity, delaying MV surgery by ≥1 year did not adversely affect outcomes.
PETS OR MEAT: CLASS, IDEOLOGY, AND SPACE IN ROGER & ME*

This paper offers a reading of Michael Moore's docu-comedy, Roger & Me, a film ostensibly chronicling the director's effort to interrogate General Motors Chairman Roger Smith following massive plant closures in and around Flint, Michigan in the 1980s. Our analysis focuses on four key themes: (1) the status of “community” as an ideological lever both prior and subsequent to GM's layoffs; (2) the spatial consequences of economic restructuring, expressed most formidably in the division between public and private space; (3) the charge that Moore's film suffers from a lack of objectivity; and (4) the notable absence of any significant representation of labor resistance to the plant closures. The film's themes, we argue, coalesce in an emblematic sequence involving Rhonda Britton, a woman who sells rabbits as both pets and meat. The paper concludes by calling for increased attention on the part of geographers to filmic portrayal, and, more generally, to all forms of representation and the issues which surround them.
Consensus diagnosis: a simulation study

Consensus diagnoses arise when several experts contribute their opinions about the relative merits of a series of competing hypothesis, and a single decision maker combines their responses and makes a decision without further discussion among the contributors. Consensus diagnoses were simulated by allowing an oracle to generate 'opinions' based on universal background knowledge and all available information about the specific problem being diagnosed. Contributors' opinions were generated by perturbing the oracle's opinion; the size of the perturbation depended on the contributor's degree of expertise. Several different aggregation functions were then used to reclaim the oracle's opinion from those of the contributors. The performance of these functions was compared as panel size and hypothesis-set size varied from two to ten. Comparative and individual analyses indicated that for panels assembled under circumstances similar to those of this study, small, simple methods work best. >
Maximum Temperature Trends in the Himalaya and Its Vicinity: An Analysis Based on Temperature Records from Nepal for the Period 1971-94

Analyses of maximum temperature data from 49 stations in Nepal for the period 1971‐94 reveal warming trends after 1977 ranging from 0.068 to 0.128 Cy r 21 in most of the Middle Mountain and Himalayan regions, while the Siwalik and Terai (southern plains) regions show warming trends less than 0.038 Cy r 21. The subset of records (14 stations) extending back to the early 1960s suggests that the recent warming trends were preceded by similar widespread cooling trends. Distributions of seasonal and annual temperature trends show high rates of warming in the high-elevation regions of the country (Middle Mountains and Himalaya), while low warming or even cooling trends were found in the southern regions. This is attributed to the sensitivity of mountainous regions to climate changes. The seasonal temperature trends and spatial distribution of temperature trends also highlight the influence of monsoon circulation. The Kathmandu record, the longest in Nepal (1921‐94), shows features similar to temperature trends in the Northern Hemisphere, suggesting links between regional trends and global scale phenomena. However, the magnitudes of trends are much enhanced in the Kathmandu as well as in the all-Nepal records. The authors’ analyses suggest that contributions of urbanization and local land use/cover changes to the all-Nepal record are minimal and that the all-Nepal record provides an accurate record of temperature variations across the entire region.
Comparative genomics in vertebrates: a role for the platypus

What an uncommon treat for a student of comparative genomics to witness the assembly of the Australian and International science community in Victor Harbour, South Australia, to celebrate the completion and assembly of the platypus whole genome sequence (WGS) (Warren et al. 2008; Warren and Grutzner 2009). We’ve had a human genome sequence for 6 years, mouse WGS for a few, and dog and cat WGS only very recently. These and some 28 additional mammal species were nominatedandfundedforgenomesequencingbytheUSNational HumanGenomeResearchInstitute (NHGRI) as anadjuncttothe human genome sequence primarily to provide an evolutionary context for understanding and interpreting the human genome organisationandallitsextraordinarypuzzlements(O’Brienetal. 2001; Green 2007; NHGRI 2009). The addition of the platypus addsenormousevolutionarydepthbecauseitisanoutgrouptoall these species. Comparative inference in biology is not new: it began with comparative anatomy of cats and pigs to inform 17th century surgeons, and continued through comparative physiology, neurology, biochemistry and other biological disciplines. By the 21stcentury, thetimehascomeforcomparative genomics,asthe technology and computer routines to sequence, assemble maps and align unimaginably large genome sequence sets of 3 billion nucleotide letters are now available. When NHGRI staffed its ‘Human Genome Annotation’ Committee, chaired by Robert Waterston, in 2004, it nominated and funded whole genome assessment of selected mammals, anticipating four principal goals for this bold sequencing initiative: (1) to discover evolutionarily conserved sequence motifs that are responsible for regulatory and other critical genomic functions, particularly outside of protein coding genes; (2) to provide a framework for reconstruction of genome organisation,contentanddynamicsthathaveoccurredduringthe mammalian radiations; (3) to empower new animal models of human disease and heritable phenotypes; and (4) to provide a starting point for assessment of the expansion, contraction and adaptationofgenefamiliesindifferentevolutionarylineages.All these goals are laudable and ongoing, and for reasons of evolutionary context the platypus genome sequence is a critical keystone of an amazing comparative genomics endeavour. The platypus is a basal mammal, but only just. The paleontological and geologic records tells us that the earliest vertebrates (mostly jawless fishes) first appeared around 600million years ago (MYA), morphing to primitive tetrapod amphibians and reptile ancestors 250million years later (Hedges and Kumar 2009). The earliest mammals began their divergencefromreptilessome300MYAwhentheyrelinquished eggs,scales,venomandfeathers(modernbirdsareapolyphyletic inclusion of reptiles, notably dinosaurs; see Fig. 1) to warm-bloodedanimalswithfurcoats,givingbirthtoandnursing live young, having four-chambered hearts, and (in one species) remarkable cognitive neurodevelopment. Mammal proliferation fuelled a dynamic grand experiment of diverse ecological
In Memoriam Martin D. Kamen (1913–2002), Nuclear Scientist and Biochemist

The life and work of Martin D. Kamen, codiscoverer of carbon-14 and a distinguished Nobel-caliber nuclear scientist and biochemist, are briefly recounted on the occasion of his recent death.
Guidance and Control Algorithm Robustness Baseline Indexing

Throughout the design process, guidance and control algorithms are continually assessed to determine their applicability to a given application. Due to this need, an equitable assessment of how various algorithms meet desired objectives is a necessity. Traditionally these comparisons rely on conducting performance assessments of the algorithms that stress the algorithms and then human judgment is used to provide recommendations on which algorithm(s) to carry forward as the design matures. This paper presents a way to develop a baseline robustness index, that is a single value that captures the desired attributes of the algorithm in the presence of uncertainty, which can be used to compare various algorithms. Due to the general formulation of the baseline index value, these indicies can be comprised of algorithm complexity metrics, algorithm consistency metrics, and algorithm performance metrics. These indicies can also be used to assess the eect of algorithm maturation on a single algorithm. In this paper, the groundwork and underlying theory for the methodology are described for use in both guidance and control algorithms. Additionally, two example uses of the methodology are provided. One demonstrates the parametric nature of the baseline robustness index and the exibility extended during the conceptual design of a vehicle. The other demonstrates the impact on the baseline robustness index as a propulsive propulsive guidance law is matured from the theoretical foundations to an almost ight mature algorithm that is being developed for the Autonomous Landing and Hazard Avoidance Technology program.
Options for surgical repair in hearts with univentricular atrioventricular connection and subaortic stenosis.

Thirteen patients have undergone surgical treatment because of subaortic obstruction in hearts with a univentricular atrioventricular connection. Nine patients underwent surgical enlargement of the ventricular septal defect and four patients had construction of an aortopulmonary anastomosis and closure of the pulmonary trunk (the Damus-Kaye-Stansel procedure). Two patients undergoing enlargement of the septal defect and two having the Damus-Kaye-Stansel procedure also had a modified Fontan procedure. One patient had complete atrioventricular dissociation after direct enlargement of the ventricular septal defect, which necessitated insertion of an epicardial pacemaker. One patient died within 30 days of the operation after enlargement of the defect and two patients after the Damus-Kaye-Stansel procedure. There was one late death, occurring in a patient who underwent enlargement of the ventricular septal defect Ten patients have subsequently undergone conventional cardiac catheterization and angiography or transcutaneous Doppler flow studies to assess the relief of the subaortic obstruction. The result has been satisfactory in all. Because of this experience, we now recommend direct surgical enlargement of the restrictive ventricualr septal defect for direct relief of subaortic stenosis occurring with a univentricular atrioventricular connection to a dominant left ventricle, inasmuch as it appears to be hemodynamically effective with a low operative mortality and morbidity The Damus-Kaye-Stansel procedure can also have a role in relieving subaortic stenosis when the atria are connected to a dominant right ventricle.
Characterization of a 5′-Nucleotidase cDNA from Root Nodules of Glycine max

Conversion of XMP to xanthosine is critical step in the ureide biosynthetic pathway. The enzyme responsible for the removal of the phosphate group of XMP has been postulated to be an acid phosphatase and/or a 5′ nucleotidase. A soluble acid phosphatase with highest specificity for 5-nucleotides was isolated from effective nodules of Glycine max and sujected to N-terminal and internal peptide microsequencing. PCR primers were designed from the peptide sequences and used to screen and soybean root nodule cDNA library. Three independent clones were isolated from the library and found to be identical. A comparison of the mature protein sequence and the translated cDNA sequence revealed the presence of an uncharacterized N-terminal signal sequence. Three potential N-linked glycosylation sites were found in the translated cDNA. The 5′-nucleotidase cDNA was found to be 73 and 58% identical at the nucleotide level to the soybean vegetative storage protein α and the tomato acid phosphatase, respectively. Northern and western blotting and RT-PCR indicate a differential regulation of the nodule 5′-nucleotidase and the closely-related vegetative storage proteins.
Mobility vs thickness in n+-ZnO films: Effects of substrates and buffer layers

Abstract We review recent work on thickness effects in thin films of Ga- and Al-doped ZnO (GZO and AZO, respectively) grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD), RF sputtering (RFS), or molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), and comprising four, distinct types of structures: (1) films grown directly on lattice-mismatched substrates; (2) films grown on buffer layers on lattice-mismatched substrates; (3) films grown on lattice-matched bulk substrates; and (4) homoepitaxial films with nearly perfect interfaces. Representative examples of each type include: 1a) PLD-GZO/Si; 1b) RFS-AZO/quartz; 2) RFS-AZO/ZnON/quartz; 3) PLD-GZO/bulk-ZnO; and 4) MBE-GZO/MBE-ZnO/GaN. Samples 1a, 1b, 2, and 3 can all be well described by a simple, phenomenological model for the thickness (d) dependence of sheet concentration ns and mobility μ: ns(d)=n(∞)(d - δd), and μ(d)=μ(∞)/[1+d*/(d-δd)], where n(∞) is the predicted volume carrier concentration at d=∞ (i.e., the bulk value), δd is the thickness of the dead layer (if any) between film and substrate, μ(∞) is the predicted mobility at d=∞, and d* is a figure of merit for the electrical properties of the interface. Samples 1a, 1b, 2, and 3, are well explained by the model with d*=23, 22, 7, and 3 nm, respectively. However, sample 4 does not obey the d* model at all and must be explained by entirely different physics. The films are characterized by Hall-effect, X-ray reflectance, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, reflectance, and transmittance measurements.
How can data mining help bio-data analysis? [extended abstract]

Recent progress in data mining research has led to the development of numerous efficient and scalable methods for mining interesting patterns in large databases. In the mean time, recent progress in biology, medical science, and DNA technology has led to the accumulation of tremendous amounts of bio-medical data that demands for in-depth analysis. The question becomes how to bridge the two fields, data mining and bioinformatics, for successful mining of bio-medical data. In this abstract, we analyze how data mining may help bio-medical data analysis and outline some research problems that may motivate the further developments of data mining tools for bio-data analysis.
Phytophthora megakarya and p. Palmivora, causal agents of black pod rot, induce similar plant defense responses late during infection of susceptible cacao pods

Phytophthora megakarya (Pmeg) and Phytophthora palmivora (Ppal) cause black pod rot of Theobroma cacao L. (cacao). Of these two clade 4 species, Pmeg is more virulent and is displacing Ppal in many cacao production areas in Africa. Symptoms and species specific sporangia production were compared when the two species were co-inoculated onto pod pieces in staggered 24 h time intervals. Pmeg sporangia were predominantly recovered from pod pieces with unwounded surfaces even when inoculated 24 h after Ppal. On wounded surfaces, sporangia of Ppal were predominantly recovered if the two species were simultaneously applied or Ppal was applied first but not if Pmeg was applied first. Pmeg demonstrated an advantage over Ppal when infecting un-wounded surfaces while Ppal had the advantage when infecting wounded surfaces. RNA-Seq was carried out on RNA isolated from control and Pmeg and Ppal infected pod pieces 3 days post inoculation to assess their abilities to alter/suppress cacao defense. Expression of 4482 and 5264 cacao genes was altered after Pmeg and Ppal infection, respectively, with most genes responding to both species. Neural network self-organizing map analyses separated the cacao RNA-Seq gene expression profiles into 24 classes, 6 of which were largely induced in response to infection. Using KEGG analysis, subsets of genes composing interrelated pathways leading to phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, ethylene and jasmonic acid biosynthesis and action, plant defense signal transduction, and endocytosis showed induction in response to infection. A large subset of genes encoding putative Pr-proteins also showed differential expression in response to infection. A subset of 36 cacao genes was used to validate the RNA-Seq expression data and compare infection induced gene expression patterns in leaves and wounded and unwounded pod husks. Expression patterns between RNA-Seq and RT-qPCR were generally reproducible. The level and timing of altered gene expression was influenced by the tissues studied and by wounding. Although in these susceptible interactions gene expression patterns were similar, some genes did show differential expression in a Phytophthora species dependent manner. The biggest difference was the more intense changes in expression in Ppal inoculated wounded pod pieces further demonstrating its rapid progression when penetrating through wounds.
Motion energy analysis reveals altered body movement in youth at risk for psychosis

Abstract Background Growing evidence suggests that movement abnormalities occur prior to the onset of psychosis. Innovations in technology and software provide the opportunity for a fine-tuned and sensitive measurement of observable behavior that may be particularly useful to detecting the subtle movement aberrations present during the prodromal period. Methods In the present study, 54 youth at ultrahigh risk (UHR) for psychosis and 62 healthy controls participated in structured clinical interviews to assess for an UHR syndrome. The initial 15 min of the baseline clinical interview was assessed using Motion Energy Analysis (MEA) providing frame-by-frame measures of total movement, amplitude, speed, and variability of both head and body movement separately. Results Result showed region-specific group differences such that there were no differences in head movement but significant differences in body movement. Specifically, the UHR group showed greater total body movement and speed of body movements, and lower variation in body movement compared to healthy controls. However, there were no significant associations with positive, negative or disorganized symptom domains. Conclusion This study represents an innovative perspective on gross motor function in the UHR group. Importantly, the automated approach used in this study provides a sensitive and objective measure of body movement abnormalities, potentially guiding novel assessment and prevention of symptom development in those at risk for psychosis.
Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes about Pain: Personal and Professional Characteristics and Patient Reported Pain Satisfaction

Pain is a nursing sensitive indicator and yet pain is often not well managed in both hospital and ambulatory settings. Improving nurse knowledge and attitudes about pain may translate to improved patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate knowledge and attitudes about pain (KAP) in nurses who work in diverse settings, professional and personal characteristics that predict KAP, and whether KAP correlated with patient satisfaction according to Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers (HCAHPS). Descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study. A large integrated health care facility in the northwest. A total of 217 registered nurses working in acute, ambulatory, and long-term care. A Pain Knowledge and Attitudes Survey was administered to registered nurses in diverse settings. Scores were examined for personal and professional predictors of KAP and correlated with HCAHPS patient satisfaction surveys. Nurses scored an average of 72%; nurses in long-term care scored the highest. Having more than 5 years of nursing experience, being a certified nurse, and receiving pain education in the last year were predictive of a higher score on the KAP survey, which explained only 9.8% of the variance. Unit mean KAP scores were highly correlated with unit-based HCAHPS scores (r = 0.917, p = .01). Certified nurses scored higher on the KAP survey, consistent with other studies. This study suggests that having more knowledge and better attitudes about pain may improve patient satisfaction of pain. Further studies are needed that link knowledge and attitudes about pain to patient outcomes.
Recent Placement Litigation. Part I, Regular Education Grouping: Comparison of "Marshall" (1984, 1985) and "Hobson" (1967, 1969); Part II, Minority EMR Overrepresentation: Comparison of "Larry P." (1979, 1984, 1986) with "Marshall" (1984, 1985) and "S-1" (1986); Part III, Analysis of Differences in "Larry P.,""Marshall" and "S-1" and Implications for Future Practices.

Two noteworthy court decisions concerning regular education grouping practices which led to disproportionate placement of black and white students were reviewed: Hobson v. Hansen (1967, 1969) which...
Effect of strength on environment-assisted cracking of Ti–8V–6Cr–4Mo–4Zr–3Al in aqueous NaCl: Part II: Crack tip strain rate

Abstract The objective of this study is to critically examine the intrinsic environment-assisted cracking (EAC) resistances of three microstructures of Ti–8V–6Cr–4Mo–4Zr–3Al (Beta-C) in aqueous NaCl through variation in crack tip strain rate. The single-phase β microstructure of Beta-C cold worked to high strength, as well as a β/α structure from short-term aging at 500°C, are immune to EAC in aqueous NaCl for a range of crack tip strain rates that should allow varying levels of atomic hydrogen production and accumulation. Intergranular EAC occurs in underaged Beta-C, but only if driven by high crack tip strain rate from rapid loading or stable crack growth. Increased process-zone hydrogen from increased crack tip strain rate promotes this embrittlement. The severity of EAC in ST/A Beta-C increases with aging time for constant crack tip strain rate. These results strengthen the Part I finding that increased strength does not uniquely promote intergranular EAC; rather, crack tip strain rate as well as grain boundary characteristics that change during α-precipitation hardening govern the EAC severity of β-Ti alloys.
Crabs and Criminals

This chapter discusses vacancy chains as models of social mobility using the mathematics of transition probabilities for absorbing Markov chains . A single vacancy leaves in its wake a chain of opportunities, since one vacancy begets another while individuals move up the social ladder. The assumption is that individuals want or need a resource unit ( hermit crabs looking for shells, people looking for houses or jobs) that is somehow better or, at least, no worse than the one they already possess. There is a limited number of such resources and many applicants. As units trickle down from prestigious to commonplace, individuals move in the opposite direction to fill the opening created in the social hierarchy.
Perioperative Care of the Orthopedic Patient with Neurological Disease

This chapter deals with an array of neurological conditions and complications that are not uncommonly seen in the perioperative period. Due to their disparate nature and potential seriousness they may present major challenges to the perioperative physician and health care team at large. Owing to the significant functional incapacity that may accompany such conditions, they have important implications concerning the outcome of orthopedic surgery and present unique challenges to the physical therapist.
Towards High Evolvability Dynamics Introduction

Some organizations are more friendly to evolution than others. Biological systems, since they are the products of evolution, must fall into the friendly class. Computer programs are at the opposite extreme. They are too fragile, at the level of base code, for random changes to produce acceptable new code with any reasonable degree of probability.
Towards the next generation of frequency-multipexed TES bolometer readout (Conference Presentation)

The Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) has provided an invaluable source of information about the universe we live in. However, much information is yet to be gained. For instance, information about the cosmological parameters of dark energy, inflation, and the neutrino sector is nearly guaranteed to provide revolutionary results in upcoming CMB experiments. The current most popular detector technology, TES bolometers, finds a challenge in its low-noise readout, which requires a per-detector strong voltage bias while being able to sense O(10 aW/rtHz) fluctations in incident power. Frequency-multiplexed (fMUX) readout has been demonstrated to great success with an O(10) multiplexing factor, and is currently being implemented with an O(100) multiplexing factor for SPT-3G and POLARBEAR-2. We are developing a series of improvements that will greatly simplify the fMUX readout architecture, improve performance, and increase the multiplexing factor. I will present results on a lossless method of fMUX detector bias that simplifies the readout architecture, as well as an effort to radically change and further simplify the readout architecture by moving the 4K DC SQUID to the sub-Kelvin stage.
The gender effect: capitalism, feminism, and the corporate politics of development

In an era of popular feminism and neoliberalism, the expansion of corporate social responsibility has led to the increased investment in and commodification of individuals (particularly girls) in t...
Seismic response and design of buried concrete pipes subjected to soil loads

Abstract Concrete pipes are a crucial element in sustaining contemporary life because they afford appropriate means to transport drinking water, sewage, and storm water. Thus, these useful assets must be designed correctly. The current methodology to design these assets is based on factors called the bedding factors; these factors have been developed considering only static loads. Evidences from previous studies showed that buried structures, including concrete pipes, are vulnerable to failure due to seismic shake. However, no study has been found in the literature to address the response and the design of buried concrete pipes subjected to seismic shake. Thus, this research aims to study the seismic response and seismic design of underground concrete pipe subjected to soil loads. The combined influence of the seismic shake and diameter of pipe, burial depth, installation condition, and intensity of the seismic shake have been studied using a carefully developed finite element model. The results showed that the seismic shake noticeably rises the maximum bending moment; however, the percentage increase remarkably influenced by the diameter of the pipe and the burial depth. Furthermore, the percentage rise of the maximum bending moment declines as the installation quality becomes poorer. The results also showed that the maximum bending moment rises nonlinearly as the acceleration rises. Comparisons with the current AASHTO bedding factors illustrated that these factors either conservative or unsafe. The reasons for these inaccuracies in the current design bedding factors have been discussed and novel equations to predict bedding factors that consider the seismic shake have been derived using novel intelligent data mining technique. The accuracy of the proposed equations has been demonstrated and thus, these equations can be used by practitioners/designers to implicate the effect of seismic shake in the design of buried concrete pipes.
A comprehensive overview and safety evaluation of fremanezumab as a preventive therapy for migraine

Introduction: Fremanezumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP mAb), is a migraine-specific treatment for migraine prevention.Areas covered: This review will briefly discuss other available and emerging CGRP mAbs and the neurophysiology of fremanezumab. The review will focus on phase III trials of the efficacy of fremanezumab for episodic and chronic migraine, and a recent pooled safety and tolerability analysis of its use.Expert opinion: Continued efficacy and safety data collection will help guide long-term risk and efficacy counseling in the general population.
The aspectual distribution and modal licensing in Russian infinitival constructions

The puzzle to be explored here is why Russian Modal Dative Infinitival Constructions (DMCs) are restricted in their aspectual choice. Specifically, in declarative environments, only imperfective is grammatical. Perfective requires non-veridical environments. This paper offers a unified account for the aspectual distribution in DMCs in terms of licensing conditions on a covert future modal. Extending Todorovic and Wurmbrand’s (2016) analysis of future infinitives to Russian DMCs, I propose that the difference between perfective and imperfective structures is attributed to the absence/presence of the present tense. The main claim is that similar to English and BCS future tense constructions, DMCs involve a covert future modal (e.g, need), which needs to be licensed by non-veridical operators when the infinitival DMC lacks the tense components. The licensing conditions on covert future modals lay the foundation to understanding the aspectual distribution in infinitival structures across languages.
Dose Rate and Therapeutic Gain

There is a consensus that previous difficulties encountered in U.S. clinical trials of NCT resulted from the use of inorganic compounds showing no tumor selectivity, and the use of thermal neutron beams which are known to have poor penetration in tissue (HVL ≈ 1.8 cm). Consequently, normal surface tissues were over-exposed, while viable tumor remained at depth. Since then, these problems have been largely circumvented through the development of epithermal neutron beams with better tissue penetration, and the synthesis of various boronated biomolecules which demonstrate tumor selectivity.