cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of Anaerobic Digestion of Flotation Skim and Its Potential as Renewable Energy Source

The high portions of organic and Greasy constituents of the skim of Induced Air Flotation (IAF) unit that is typically land disposed or rendered have made it environmentally problematic for the receiving bodies due to its poor natural solubility and degradability. One solution for that was the use of anaerobic digestion. Five laboratory scale batch reactors (each of 10 L working volume) were used herein to test the effect of different IAF skim to working volume ratios; namely 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 4.0, 5.0:10 (R1-R5), while the rest of working volume was filled with livestock manure (as inoculums). These reactors were operated at two different temperatures (25C and 45C), to determine the temperature effects on digestion performance. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal efficiencies of 72.6%, 68.6%, 60.1%, 52.1%, and 43.25% were achieved for R1-R5 respectively, at temperature of 25C. These removal efficiencies were significantly improved at temperature of 45C, where efficiencies of 91.2%, 81.5%, 72.1%, 60.7% and about 50% were achieved for these reactors. In addition, very promising biogas production rates of 4.5- 5.8 l/day were determined at operation temperatures of 45C (compared with 3- 4 l/day at 25C) for the majority reactor life times. This achievement may compensate the treatment costs in addition to the supply of cheap renewable energy.
Human–Animal Interaction as a Context for Thriving and Coping in Military-Connected Youth: The Role of Pets During Deployment

There are close to two million children who have parents serving in the United States military. Youth in military families face unique challenges, such as stress about family deployment. Nevertheless, many military-connected youth also exhibit strength and resilience in the face of these challenges. Therefore, it is critical to identify useful resources that are available for youth in military-connected families that may promote such resilience, and how these resources can be optimized to help youth thrive in the context of parental deployment. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of positive relationships with companion animals as a resource for resilience and thriving in military families. Results suggested that attachment to an animal was associated with positive youth development for military-connected youth and with adaptive coping strategies for youth with a deployed family member. Implications of these findings for the potential role of pets as an effective contextual resource for milit...
Barriers to Managing Pain in the Nursing Home: Findings From a Statewide Survey

Objectives The objective of this study was to identify pain management demographics, perceived resources, and perceived barriers to adequately manage pain in the nursing home setting. Design Mailed survey. Setting All licensed Connecticut nursing homes. Participants Directors of Nursing (DONs). Measurements Survey eliciting pain management demographics, perceived resources, and perceived barriers to adequately manage pain in respondents’ nursing home. Results A total of 113 of 260 DONs (43%) responded to the survey. Respondents believed pain was suboptimally managed, particularly for residents with malignant and nonmalignant chronic pain. Perceived barriers to providing adequate pain management included lack of knowledge about pain management among nurses and physicians, lack of a standardized approach to treating pain, physicians’ personal attitudes toward treating pain (eg, fear of addiction or overdose), lack of diagnostic precision in treating pain, and difficulty in choosing the right analgesic. Other barriers are also discussed, including low hospice enrollment of nursing home residents. Conclusion Improving pain management in nursing homes requires improving provider knowledge and attitudes, enhancing diagnostic precision, standardizing pain treatment, and achieving an institutional commitment. Although responding DONs seemed aware of the need for improved pain management outcomes at their facilities, the required institutional commitment to accomplish this was not evidenced by these findings.
In vivo differentiation of progenitor cells of the periodontal ligament. An experimental study using physical barriers.

Abstract. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that during regeneration of cementum, the progenitor cells from periodontal ligament must come in contact with root dentin in order to differentiate into cementoblasts. After reflecting mucoperiostea flaps, fenestration wounds were made in the buccal cortical plates of mandibular canines in 6 beagle dogs. The exposed root surfaces were curretted to remove all cementum. The exposed root surface on one side was demineralized with citric acid while the contralateral wound had saline treatment. The exposed root surfaces were then dried and pieces of Nucle-pore membrane (pore size 0.1 μ) were attached to part of the exposed root surface to prevent contact of progenitor cells with root dentin. The fenestration wounds were then covered with Millipore filter to facilitate the population of wounds by progenitor cells from the periodontal ligament. Histologic analysis was performed after 3 months of healing. In specimens where the Nuclepore membrane had remained attached to root dentin, no new cementum was seen over the membrane. At the borders of the wounds and in specimens where the Nuclepore membrane had detached from root dentin. new connective tissue attachment was consistently seen. Also, root resorption was very rarely observed in both the acid-treated and control specimens. The present findings suggest that contact with root dentin may be necessary for progenitor cell differentiation into formative cells like cementoblasts.
Red Mass: 2009 Homily

This homily was delivered by Fr. Kalscheur at the Detroit Red Mass celebrated at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Detroit, Michigan on September 29, 2009. The Red Mass (a Mass at which red vestments are worn, marking the beginning of the new judicial term and invoking the guidance of the Holy Spirit), is attended by judges, lawyers, and public officials of all faiths asking God’s blessings in their work as servants of the law seeking to work more effectively for justice and freedom for all. The homily invited those present to reflect on a critical question: who are we becoming as people as we live out our vocations as lawyers, judges, and public servants? The challenge is to live lives that do justice with humility, gentleness, and civility, responding in gratitude to all that God has done for us with a life that reflects God’s faithful love in all of our relationships.
Template Switches during Plus-Strand DNA Synthesis of Duck Hepatitis B Virus Are Influenced by the Base Composition of the Minus-Strand Terminal Redundancy

Two template switches are necessary during plus-strand DNA synthesis of the relaxed circular (RC) form of the hepadnavirus genome. The 3′ end of the minus-strand DNA makes important contributions to both of these template switches. It acts as the donor site for the first template switch, called primer translocation, and subsequently acts as the acceptor site for the second template switch, termed circularization. Circularization involves transfer of the nascent 3′ end of the plus strand from the 5′ end of the minus-strand DNA to the 3′ end, where further elongation can lead to production of RC DNA. In duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV), a small terminal redundancy (5′r and 3′r) on the ends of the minus-strand DNA has been shown to be important, but not sufficient, for circularization. We investigated what contribution, if any, the base composition of the terminal redundancy made to the circularization process. Using a genetic approach, we found a strong positive correlation between the fraction of A and T residues within the terminal redundancy and the efficiency of the circularization process in those variants. Additionally, we found that the level of in situ priming increases, at the expense of primer translocation, as the fraction of A and T residues in the 3′r decreases. Thus, a terminal redundancy rich in A and T residues is important for both plus-strand template switches in DHBV.
Local texture changes associated with grain growth

Recently it has been shown that grain growth is accompanied by macroscopic texture changes. Such changes will necessarily produce modifications in the proportions of ‘special’ grain boundaries and consequently may affect significantly the kinetics of grain growth and particularly anomalous growth. After new contributions from computer modelling processes are taken into account, it becomes clear that the onset of grain growth for a fixed driving force is a complex function of particle pinning, effects from solutes, surfaces and residual strains, grain-size distribution and texture-boundary mobility. The aim of this paper is to provide insight into the relation between grain texture-grain misorientation texture and anomalous grain growth in the alloy Nimonic PE16 where, for the particular heat-treatment conditions employed, particle pinning may be ignored. Macroscopic orientation measurements reveal only the overall texture; the present work considers microstructural regions of anomalous growth and texture measurements arecollated on a grain-specific basis (microtexture). From this grain-specific data the grain-misorientation textures (GMT) (i. e. the grain-boundary counterparts of an inverse pole figure) are also computed. The experimental results demonstrate that two types of microtexture may exist for different regions of anomalous growth within the same specimen. These differences are rationalized by noting that further grain growth-inducing heat treatments cause a change from the first texture to the second. Clear evidence is thus provided that there are micro textural changes associated with anomalous grain growth. The grain-boundary textural data show some deviation from a random distribution, particularly for boundaries between small grains (SS boundaries) as compared to boundaries between large and small grains (LS boundaries). These differences between the SS and ls groups extend to the proportions of geometrically special boundaries in each group, with the SS group containing a higher proportion of special (therefore higher than average mobility and lower energy) boundaries than the ls group. This trend was particularly apparent for boundaries that fell into the second texture group. The implication from these results is that in this case anomalous growth will tend to stagnate because the boundaries of small grains surrounding the large grain (SS boundaries) are on average of lower energy than the boundaries that border the large grain (LS boundaries). Finally, it is suggested, by analogy with primary recrystallization, that the definition of grain growth in terms of an energy-reduction criterion should be extended to encompass the sum of all available sources of energy minimization. Hence both grain-boundary textural rearrangements and grain-boundary migration are included.
Integrating simulation into the research and teaching of construction engineering and management: reflections on experience

Simulations that are used for both research and teaching in Construction Engineering and Management have several common features that provide the foundation for both the synergies between these uses and challenges in their integration. This work uses experiences with 8-10 such integrations as the basis for observations on the practice, a critical assessment of what has worked well and what has not worked well, identification of benefits to both research and teaching, and challenges in integrating simulation for research and teaching. Opportunities for improved combined use of simulation for research and teaching are identified.
Helicobacter pylori Can Be Induced To Assume the Morphology of Helicobacter heilmannii

Cultures of Helicobacter pylori obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (strain 43504) were grown as isolated colonies or lawns on blood agar plates and in broth culture with constant shaking. Examination of bacterial growth with Gram-stained fixed preparation and differential interference contrast microscopy on wet preparations revealed that bacteria grown on blood agar plates had a morphology consistent with that normally reported for H. pylori whereas bacteria from broth cultures had the morphologic appearance of Helicobacter heilmannii. Bacteria harvested from blood agar plates assumed an H. heilmannii-like morphology when transferred to broth cultures, and bacteria from broth cultures grew with morphology typical of H. pylori when grown on blood agar plates. Analysis by PCR of bacteria isolated from blood agar plates and broth cultures indicated that a single strain of bacteria (H. pylori) was responsible for both morphologies.
Problems in the Field: Participant Observation and the Assumption of Neutrality:

This article has two goals. First, using events that took place during fieldwork in rural Oaxaca, Mexico, in 1993, it argues that an unanticipated strength of participant observation is the way in which it forces us, as field-workers, to step into potentially alienating situations. Second, it highlights how important it is for us to share the challenges of fieldwork (and even the disasters that occur) with our students as we teach them the skills they will need to effectively conduct research.
The Unique α4(+)/(−)α4 Agonist Binding Site in (α4)3(β2)2 Subtype Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Permits Differential Agonist Desensitization Pharmacology versus the (α4)2(β2)3 Subtype

Selected nicotinic agonists were used to activate and desensitize high-sensitivity (HS; (α4)2(β2)3) or low-sensitivity (LS; (α4)3(β2)2) isoforms of human α4β2-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). Function was assessed using 86Rb+ efflux in a stably-transfected SH-EP1-hα4β2 human epithelial cell line, and two-electrode voltage-clamp electrophysiology in Xenopus oocytes expressing concatenated pentameric HS or LS α4β2-nAChR constructs (HSP and LSP). Unlike previously-studied agonists, desensitization bythe highly-selective agonists A-85380 and sazetidine-A (Saz-A) preferentially reduced α4β2-nAChR HS-phase vs. LS-phase responses. The concatenated-nAChR experiments confirmed that ≈20% of LS-isoform ACh-induced function occurs in an HS-like phase, which is abolished by Saz-A preincubation. Six mutant LSP were generated, each targeting a conserved agonist-binding residue within the LS-isoform-only α4(+)/(-)α4 interface agonist binding site. Every mutation reduced the percentage of LS-phase function, demonstrating that this site underpins LS-phase function. Oocyte-surface expression of the HSP and each of the LSP constructs was statistically indistinguishable, as measured using β2-subunit-specific [125I]mAb295 labeling. However, maximum function is approximately 5x greater on a "per receptor" basis for unmodified-LSP vs. HSP α4β2-nAChR. Thus, recruitment of the α4(+)/(-)α4 site at higher agonist concentrations appears to augment otherwise-similar function mediated by the pair of α4(+)/(-)β2 sites shared by both isoforms. These studies elucidate the receptor-level differences underlying the differential pharmacology of the two α4β2-nAChR isoforms, and demonstrate that HS vs. LS α4β2-nAChR activity can be selectively manipulated using pharmacological approaches. Since α4β2 nAChR are the predominant neuronal subtype these discoveries likely have significant functional implications, and may provide important insights for drug discovery and development.
Judges versus engineers

In January 1991, David Monts, an experienced, licensed electrical (and nuclear) engineer, began working for the Physical Plant Services Department (PPSD) of the New Orleans campus of the University of Louisiana (UNO). This department was responsible for building construction and renovation. Monts' immediate supervisor was John Michael Parnon, an architect, but the administrative head, Frank Schambach, had no technical background. On a number of occasions, Schambach, without consulting his engineers, underestimated the costs for certain jobs. When these projects threatened to go over budget, Schambach insisted on various cost-cutting measures. In some cases, these measures entailed improper practices that put people at risk. There were also situations in which engineering changes were made by people not licensed to practice in the technology involved. Monts repeatedly objected to these tactics. When these objections, though supported by his colleagues and supervisor, were repeatedly ignored by Schambach, Monts went to see the UNO attorneys. He reported the problems and asked for help. But before anything came of this, and just before another conversation was scheduled with them in July of 1996, he was summarily dismissed in a letter signed by Parnon and Schambach. The stated grounds for the dismissal were that Monts had a negative attitude with regard to his employment and that he disrupted weekly staff meetings by complaining and arguing about non-project related matters. Monts initiated a wrongful discharge suit, which the article considers in detail.
High-Spin and Spin-Crossover Behavior in Monomethylated Bis(indenyl)chromium(II) Complexes

Previous work on bis(indenyl)chromium(II) complexes substituted with bulky groups (i-Pr, t-Bu, SiMe3) found that their spin state (S = 1 or 2) depended on the symmetry of the molecules. Complexes w...
10-fs-range, high-peak power lasers and applications

Summary form only given. 10-fs-range, ultrahigh-peak-power laser systems have the unique potential to produce terawatt and even petawatt pulses at high repetition rates. The development of these systems and their applications to ultrafast X-ray generation and time resolved X-ray diffraction studies will be reviewed.
Hypocapnia-induced constriction of the canine peripheral airways exhibits tachyphylaxis.

Hypocapnia-induced constriction of peripheral airways may be important in regulating the distribution of ventilation in pathological conditions. We studied the response of the peripheral lung to hy...
DNA methylation modulates transcription factor occupancy chiefly at sites of high intrinsic cell-type variability

The nuclear genome of every cell harbors millions of unoccupied transcription factor (TF) recognition sequences that harbor methylated cytosines. Although DNA methylation is commonly invoked as a repressive mechanism, the extent to which it actively silences specific TF occupancy sites is unknown. To define the role of DNA methylation in modulating TF binding, we quantified the effect of DNA methyltransferase abrogation on the occupancy patterns of a ubiquitous TF capable of autonomous binding to its target sites in chromatin (CTCF). Here we show that the vast majority of unoccupied, methylated CTCF recognition sequences remain unbound upon depletion of DNA methylation. Rather, methylation-regulated binding is restricted to a small fraction of elements that exhibit high intrinsic variability in CTCF occupancy across cell types. Our results suggest that DNA methylation is not a major groundskeeper of genomic transcription factor occupancy landscapes, but rather a specialized mechanism for stabilizing epigenetically labile sites.
Television and video game viewing and its association with substance use by Kentucky elementary school students, 2006.

Objective.We sought to determine if the number of hours elementary school students viewed television (TV) and video games is associated with substance use.Methods.We distributed the California Heal...
Degradation of Chemical Threats by Brominated Polymer Networks

Poly(N-bromomaleimide) (PMAi-Br), poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-bromine adducts (PVP–Br), and poly(ethylene-alt-N-bromomaleimide) (PEMAi-Br) and their cross-linked networks are introduced as reactive, self-decontaminating components of protective barriers. Synthetic routes toward polymaleimides include free-radical copolymerization of maleimide with divinyl cross-linkers as well as amidation of poly(ethylene-alt-maleic anhydride) with urea. The polymers are brominated by bromine in carbon tetrachloride or by copper(II) bromide in dimethylformamide, with the active bromine contents up to and above 4 mequiv/g, or >30 wt %. The brominated polymer networks exhibit considerable swelling in water and possess reversible redox peak potentials in cyclic voltammetry experiments due to the redox reactions of the bromine present in the polymer structures. In acidic aqueous media, PVP–Br, PMAi-co-DVB-Br, and PEMAi-Br materials are able to degrade 100% of hydrazine, monomethylhydrazine, and 1,1-dimethylhydrazine down to con...
Undoing the Alphabet A Queer Fugue on Grief and Forgiveness

This essay is written in and as a queer fugue—a series of themes and variations on grief, on loss and remembering, on the constitutive and dispossessing dance of relationality, and on the possibili...
The Supreme Court's Rhetorical Hostility: Defining Hostility Under the Establishment Clause

The use of the term "hostile" to describe the treatment of a person, idea, or entity generally implies that there is some negative intent or feeling involved - i.e., that the treatment is actually "hostile." Yet, when the United States Supreme Court has used that term in connection with government entities' treatment of religion, the Court has failed to adequately explain what it means by "hostility." Recent decisions indicate that the Court has presumed the failure of government entities to follow the dictates of formal neutrality is sometimes hostile to religion, although the Court has never seriously attempted to justify this characterization. The Supreme Court's use of the term in the Establishment Clause context thus appears to be only rhetorical. In cases such as Mitchell v. Helms, Justices use the term "hostility" without ever defining it or connecting it to hostile motives. It seems the Court applies the label of "hostility" to justify a result, but because the Court applies it to situations that may have little to do with "hostility" as commonly understood, the Court's rhetoric may turn into a blunt instrument to cast even mildly separationist doctrine and policies as "hostile," and thus violative of the Court's new "neutrality" principle. This has an Alice in Wonderland like impact, as Justices use hostility to apply to situations where there is no hostility, and then use this to find the government action is not "neutral" when the Court's neutrality concept has little to do with neutrality, if neutrality is even possible in the Establishment Clause context. Interestingly, the Court's use of "hostility" in its most recent funding decision, Locke v. Davey, suggests a limit to this trend, but the Court's brief discussion of hostility in that case seems to conflict with the use of the concept in other cases. Additionally, the limited holding in that case further calls its discussion of hostility into question. This article analyzes the Court's use of the "hostility" concept under the Establishment Clause and suggests that the Court is moving toward equating separationist motives with hostility. While this connection may be accurate in some limited contexts the Court has not seriously attempted to explain it. The article asserts that hostility toward religion is a real concern that needs to be addressed, but that the lack of formal neutrality is not adequate proof of hostility toward religion.
A study of brain biomechanics using hamilton’s principle: Application to hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is a serious neurological disorder characterized by abnormalities in the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain. Unfortunately, the response of the patients who have been treated for hydrocephalus continues to be poor and thus better therapy protocols are desperately needed. Mathematical models of CSF dynamics and CSF–brain interactions could play important roles in the design of improved, patient-specific treatments. To capture some of brain’s dynamics during the evolution of hydrocephalus we propose a new mathematical model using Hamilton’s principle. We assume the existence of current healthy healing and abnormal inflammation states and investigate the relationship between these states using volumetric data of healthy and untreated hydrocephalic mice.
Antagonism of black rot in cabbage by mixtures of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)

Black rot, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) (Xanthomonadales: Xanthomonadaceae), is the most important and potentially destructive disease of cabbage. Twenty-three plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains were tested for antibiosis against Xcc in vitro. Seven strains with antibiosis activity significantly reduced disease in the greenhouse. Two mixtures of PGPR strains and four individual strains were then tested three times in the greenhouse and one time in the field. In the greenhouse test, all treatments resulted in significant disease suppression. Mixture-2 and strain AP218 caused the highest and most consistent disease reduction in two of the three trials. In the field test, both mixtures and two individual strains significantly reduced disease incidence and disease severity. In conclusion, mixture-2 exhibited consistent biocontrol of black rot of cabbage.
Multidisciplinary audit of digoxin

Use review of digoxin as part of a medical care evaluation study in a hospital is described. This drug audit within the hospital's quality assurance program used a multidisciplinary approach. The study was designed to measure the incidence of digoxin toxicity, evaluate monitoring practices for digoxin use and evaluate the adequacy of digoxin dosing patterns. Forty-eight patients were involved. Results indicated that some patients were not adequately assessed in regard to renal function and digoxin serum level. Further, there was a 17% incidence of digoxin toxicity. Studies such as this give pharmacists an opportunity to use their knowledge of proper drug use through a structured hospital program.
The effect of intraspecific variation and heritability on community pattern and robustness

Intraspecific trait variation is widespread in nature, yet its effects on community dynamics are not well understood. Here we explore the consequences of intraspecific trait variation for coexistence in two- and multispecies competitive communities. For two species, the likelihood of coexistence is in general reduced by intraspecific variation, except when the species have almost equal trait means but different trait variances, such that one is a generalist and the other a specialist consumer. In multispecies communities, the only strong effect of non-heritable intraspecific variation is to reduce expected species richness. However, when intraspecific variation is heritable, allowing for the possibility of trait evolution, communities are much more resilient against environmental disturbance and exhibit far more predictable trait patterns. Our results are robust to varying model parameters and relaxing model assumptions.
Containers of Clay and Stone

The potter is under the soil, though as yet among the living. He grubs in the mud more than a pig in order to fire his pots. His clothes are stiff with clay, his girdle is in shreds. From “The Satire of the Trades” In the present day, consumer society is almost completely dependent on metal cans, bottles of glass and plastic, specially designed cartons, and other packaging means such as Styrofoam or shrink-wrap. Foods that are shipped long distances need to be protected; fragile electronic parts need other kinds of special protection designed for them as well. The use of expert packaging has become so familiar that we tend to forget that there was a time when glass was a rarity, metal was too precious to waste on one-time use, and the whole field of plastics had not been invented and developed. In the modern world, packaging has become a specialized industry where the highly complex design and engineering of materials is intended to contain, protect, and display goods. Any thoughtful visit to a supermarket or a hardware store immediately reveals how much the purchaser is influenced by the wrapper or package. The ancient Egyptians had a number of solutions to the problems of “packaging.” First and most important among these was the use of pottery – vessels or containers made of the local clays of the Nile valley (Fig. 56). Pottery was the most widely used material in almost every aspect of life, and this is well attested by the vast quantities of it, both whole and broken, found on any archaeological site. Although clay was by far the material most commonly used, the abundance and variety of native stone in Egypt made it also possible to fashion durable containers for more special uses. In addition to the two materials of pottery and stone, sacks for dry foodstuffs were made from woven fibers; animal skins and leather were used in a variety of ways as containers for liquids as well as for dry materials.
Asynchronous Cryptographic Hardware Design

Asynchronous integrated circuit technology provides low-power and low-noise operation for portable electronic security applications. Rather than using a global clock, asynchronous circuits employ a system of distributed handshake signals that control on-chip dataflow; reducing power consumption to only those parts of a chip actively involved in computation. Sandia has developed an automated asynchronous design flow that enables the rapid development of these asynchronous ASICs. This paper describes the design of asynchronous DES encryption circuits using this flow, and evaluates their performance against standard synchronous implementations
Not all cementless femoral stems are created equal but the results may be comparable.

AimsThe aim of this study was to compare the survivorship and radiographic outcomes at ten-year follow-up of three prospective consecutive series of patients each of which received a different desi...
The Pleasures and Pains of Distinct Self-Construals

Regulatory focus theory distinguishes between self-regulatory processes that focus on promotion and prevention strategies for goal pursuit. Five studies provide support for the hypothesis that these strategies differ for individuals with distinct self-construals. Specifically, individuals with a dominant independent self-construal were predicted to place more emphasis on promotion-focused information, and those with a dominant interdependent self-construal on prevention-focused information. Support for this hypothesis was obtained for participants who scored high versus low on the Self-Construal Scale, participants who were presented with an independent versus interdependent situation, and participants from a Western versus Easter culture. The influence of interdependence on regulatory focus was observed in both importance ratings of information and affective responses consistent with promotion or prevention focus.
Long-term effects of directed forgetting.

The intention to forget reduces the accessibility of information in memory, which is commonly explained with temporary retrieval difficulties. Long-term effects have rarely been studied, and result...
Interpreting Images of Fracking: How Visual Frames and Standing Attitudes Shape Perceptions of Environmental Risk and Economic Benefit

The news media’s increased reliance on visual communication to illustrate complex processes and promote learning stresses the importance of investigating how visual content impacts the understandin...
Polydopamine-enabled surface coating with nano-metals

Abstract Current processes for surface coating by nano-metals must be performed at extreme conditions and require the use of sophisticated instruments. Herein, we developed a new method of polydopamine (PDA)-enabled surface coating with nano-metals by combining PDA surface coating and PDA-enabled metal ions reduction with PDA removal by argon plasma afterwards. The size and density of the metal nanoparticles (MNPs) could be tuned easily by controlling the amount (and thickness) of PDA coating layers, metal ions concentration, and reduction time as demonstrated in surface coating with silver or gold nanoparticles. Resulting MNPs coated surfaces were characterized through scanning electron microscope (SEM), spectrophotometer, and X-ray Diffractometer (XRD). One application in surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to detect rhodamine 6 G (R6G) molecule is demonstrated. This new and simple technology of polydopamine-enabled surface coating with nano-metals should have wide applications.
Adaptive immunity by convergent evolution.

Jean-Laurent Casanova describes three papers by Max Cooper and colleagues that described the convergent evolution of adaptive immunity in jawless vertebrates.
Time-resolved digital in-line holography and pyrometry for aluminized solid rocket propellants

Combustion of aluminum droplets in solid rocket propellants is studied using laser diagnostic techniques. The time-resolved droplet velocity, temperature, and size are measured using high speed digital in-line holography and imaging pyrometry at 20 kHz.
Fatigue Spectra Development for Airborne Stores

Traditionally, airborne store design has been based on service life criteria similar to those used for aircraft development. Recent research has shown that an airborne store may be exposed to a unique loading environment and may therefore require a different approach. Moreover, flight loads data for aircraft and airborne stores are normally difficult and expensive to obtain, because resources are not available to fly a sufficient variety of combinations of aircraft, stores, and mission types. Finally, the increased life of many stores has made fatigue life an important consideration in design. These considerations led to development of an approach to building flight-load spectra for fatigue testing of externally mounted airborne stores (that is, fuel tanks, missiles, bombs, etc.) using time-history load data collected from U.S. Air Force and Navy training flights. The data are processed using a "racetrack" type data compaction algorithm to yield sequential peak/valley pair files, and then reorganized to build new mission profiles. Finally, the new mission profiles are weighted by expected frequency of occurrence and organized to reflect the expected service use over a period of time.
Formal Definitions and General Properties

In this section, we introduce formally the concept of an input-output linear system. Like the state space systems of Part II, input-output systems serve as models for real-world processes which may be viewed as “boxes” which take input functions to output functions in some linear manner. The differences between input-output linear systems and state space linear systems, however, are both philosophical and substantial. Processes which are modeled appropriately with state space linear systems have associated with them some notion of an internal situation whose initial setting might influence the outcome of an input-output “experiment” on the process. On the other hand, input-output linear systems may be used as models for processes having associated with them no well-defined concept of what constitutes an internal situation; the only experiments one may perform on such a black box-type process are of the input-output variety. Proceeding in the spirit of §6, we propose the following definitions.
The Effect of Augmented Surfaces on Two-Phase Flow Instabilities

The effect of different heater surface configurations on two-phase flow instabilities has been investigated in single channel, forced convection , up-flow and horizontal systems. Freon-11 is used as the test fluid, and different heater tubes with various surface configurations have been tested at different heat inputs. The effect of augmentation on flow instabilities is studied with three different tubes made of different inner surfaces, at various inlet temperatures. All experiments are carried out at constant system pressure and exit restriction. Steady-state characteristics of the system composed of different tubes are found and presented in pressure-drop versus mass flow rate diagrams. Dynamic instabilities, such as pressure-drop-type, density-wave-type instabilities and thermal oscillations are found to occur in every system, and boundaries for the appearance of these oscillations are found. The dependence of the characteristics of these oscillations on the augmented surfaces is emphasized, and comparisons between the bare tube and the augmented tubes are made.
Religion Undefined: Competing Frameworks for Understanding 'Religion' in the Establishment Clause

In the midst of all the case law and scholarship on church and state issues, the term "religion" in the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution remains undefined. This article will not start with individual cases and attempt to distill definitions from them. Rather, it will turn to another arena for perspective: the intellectual history of American Christianity. Within the last century, two different frameworks for using the terms "religion" and "religious" have emerged in American Christianity. Understanding these two frameworks gives a fresh perspective on possible meanings for the word "religion" generally, and also points towards some surprising conclusions as to how the modern era of Establishment Clause jurisprudence has been operating on a philosophically inconsistent understanding of religion. The two frameworks are presented in the first part of this article. The one I refer to as a "dualist" approach, and the other, a "worldview" approach. Part II examines the question of which of these views is more compatible with the Establishment Clause. I suggest that if the issue is reduced to semantics, it will be possible to have the best of both worlds: an Establishment Clause that makes sense while still leaving room for the important philosophical and theological insights of the alternative framework. Part III turns from the theoretical to the practical, and examines how modern Establishment Clause jurisprudence has fit into our conceptual schemes.
Neurosensory network functionality and data-driven control

Abstract Emerging data-driven modeling methods are affording new opportunities for building bio-inspired models for neurosensory integration. Of particular interest is understanding how neural pathways from input stimuli to motor-neuron driven behavioral responses function. Importantly, data-driven models are capable of framing neurosensory integration into a modern control theoretic framework, allowing for an improved understanding of the role of network structure and function. Two model organisms are considered here: Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and (ii) the Manduca Sexta (Manduca) moth. These well studied model organisms exploit different network architectures for functionality, with the former leveraging a small, stereotyped connectivity graph for its function, while the latter makes use of a large, randomly connected network for processing sensory (olfactory) information and learning. These two alternative strategies give insight into the diversity of neurosensory strategies available to organisms for producing robust and stable behaviors in a noisy stimulus environment.
The Geometry of the SU(2)$\times$ G$_2$-model

We study elliptic fibrations that geometrically engineer an SU(2)$\times$ G$_2$ gauge theory realized by Weierstrass model for the collision III+$\text{I}_0^{*\text{ns}}$. We construct the four possible crepant resolutions of such a Weierstrass model and show that they form a chain of four minimal models connected by flops. We compute the generating function for the Euler characteristic of these crepant resolutions. In the case of a Calabi-Yau threefold, we consider the compactification of M-theory and F-theory on an SU(2)$\times$ G$_2$-model to a five and six-dimensional supergravity with eight supercharges. By matching each crepant resolution with each Coulomb chamber of the five-dimensional theory, we determine the number of multiplets and compute the prepotential in each Coulomb chamber. In particular, we discuss counting number of hypermultiplets in presence of singularities. We discuss in detail the cancellation of anomalies of the six-dimensional theory.
Biplanar Low-Dose Radiography Is Accurate for Measuring Combined Anteversion After Total Hip Arthroplasty

BackgroundAcetabular component position alone has not been predictive of stability after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Combined anteversion of the acetabulum and femur has the potential of being mo...
Sub-10µm Pitch Hybrid Direct Bond Interconnect Development for Die-to-Die Hybridization

Direct bond interconnect (DBI) processes enable chip to chip, low resistivity electrical connections for 2.5-D scaling of electrical circuits and heterogenous integration. This work describes SiO2/Cu DBI technology with Cu interconnect performance investigated over a range of inter-die Cu gap heights and post-bond annealing temperatures. Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) generates wafers with a controlled Cu recess relative to the SiO2 surface, yielding die pairs with inter-die Cu gap heights ranging between 9 and 47 nm. Bonded die with different gap heights show similar per-connection resistance after annealing at 400 degrees Celsius but annealing at lower temperatures between 250 and 350 degrees Celsius results in failing or high-resistance interconnects with intermediate gaps showing lowest resistance. Cross-section scanning electron microscope (SEM) image analysis shows that the microstructure is largely independent of post-bond annealing temperature, suggesting that the temperature behavior is due to nanoscale scale interfacial effects not observable by SEM. The bond strength is affirmed by successful step-wise mechanical and chemical removal of the handle silicon layer to reveal metal from both die. This work demonstrates a 2.5-D integration method using a 3 micron Cu DBI process on a 7.5 micron pitch with electrical contacts ranging between 3.8 and 4.8 Ohms per contact plug.
Chemically Induced Chromosomal Interaction (CICI): A New Tool to Study Chromosome Dynamics and Its Biological Roles

Numerous intra- and inter-chromosomal contacts have been mapped in eukaryotic genomes, but it remains challenging to link these 3D structures to their regulatory functions. To establish the causal relationships between chromosome conformation and genome functions, we need a method that allows us to selectively perturb the conformation at targeted loci. Here, we developed a method in budding yeast, Chemically Induced Chromosomal Interaction (CICI), to engineer long-distance chromosomal interactions selectively and dynamically. We implemented CICI at multiple intra- and inter-chromosomal loci pairs and showed that CICI can form in >50% of cells, even between loci with very low Hi-C contact frequencies. CICI formation is slower at these low Hi-C sites, revealing the dynamic nature of the Hi-C signals. As a functional test, we forced the interaction between mating-type locus (MAT) and HMR and observed significant change in donor preference during mating-type switching, showing that chromosome conformation plays an important role in homology-directed DNA repair. Overall, these results demonstrate that CICI is a powerful tool to study chromosome dynamics and the 3D genome function.
Algorithmically encoded identities: reframing human classification

Our aim with this workshop is to provide a venue within which the FAT* community can thoughtfully engage with identity and the categories which are imposed on people as part of making sense of their identities. Most people have nuanced and deeply personal understandings of what identity categories mean to them; however, sociotechnical systems must, through a set of classification decisions, reduce the nuance and complexity of those identities into discrete categories. The impact of misclassifications can range from the uncomfortable (e.g. displaying ads for items that aren't desirable) to devastating (e.g. being denied medical care; being evaluated as having a high risk of criminal recidivism). However, even the act of being classified can force an individual into categories which feel foreign and othering. Through this workshop, we hope to connect participants' personal understandings of identity to how identity is 'seen' and categorized by sociotechnical systems.
Identifying the effect of vancomycin on HA-MRSA strains using bacteriological and physiological media

Healthcare-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) USA100 strains are of major concern due to their evolving antibiotic resistant. They are resistant to a broad class of antibiotics like macrolides, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, and many more. The selection of appropriate antibiotic susceptibility examination media is very important. Thus, we use bacteriological (CA-MHB) as well as physiological (R10LB) media to determine the effect of vancomycin on USA100 strains. The study includes the profiling behaviour of HA-MRSA USA100 D592 and D712 strains in the presence of vancomycin through various high-throughput assays. The US100 D592 and D712 strains were characterized at sub-inhibitory concentrations through growth curves, RNA sequencing, bacterial cytological profiling, and exo-metabolomics high throughput experiments. The study reveals the vancomycin resistance behavior of USA100 strains in dual media conditions using wide-ranging experiments.
Phase-Disposition PWM Based Active Voltage Control of Seven-Level Nested Neutral-Point-Piloted (NNPP) Inverters

This paper introduces logic-equations for active voltage balancing of seven-level nested neutral-point-piloted (NNPP) inverters. It measures the load current and voltage of floating-capacitors (FCs). These instantaneous measurements are then translated into logic-variables on basis of their reference values. Next, the interpreted logic-variables are employed in a set of logic-equations that are specifically derived for the 7-level NNPP inverters. These equations aim to actively balance the FC voltages at their target operating levels and to generate the reference voltage-level according to the adopted PWM strategy. As an outstanding advantage, the proposed logic-equations-based active-voltage balancing method eliminates all the complicated and time-consuming computations that are necessary in the conventional active balancing approaches since it is not utilizing or optimizing any cost/energy functions. The experimental results obtained from a 7-level prototype of the NNPP converter are provided to verify the logic-equations and active control method.
What Is Happening to the World’s Coral Reefs?

Coral reefs are in decline worldwide. Rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations, which are causing ocean acidification and warming oceans, are clearly major threats to the future of coral reefs, but certainly not the only threats. Indeed, the range of threats increases with ever-increasing human populations. The consequences of local and regional activities are vast, including the ever-expanding impacts of environmental pollutants, coastal development, land-use in the watersheds, and even desertification in distant places that result in dust and smoke plumes that cross oceans and carry microbes. If a diversity of coral species and other reef-dwelling organisms is to persist and thrive in warming seas, humans must truly “think globally and act locally” to mitigate the compounding environmental damage that we continue to cause; the consequences of which are amplified by natural events such as major storms, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes.