cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Production and characterization of melt-spun Poly(Ether Ether Ketone) fibers for biomedical applications

Abstract Melt-spun Poly (Ether Ether Ketone) (PEEK) fibers were produced on a custom built melt-spinning system. Fibers of two different grades were spun at two different draw-down ratios, with one of three possible post-spinning treatments: as-spun, annealed, or hot drawn. Fibers were characterized with SEM, DSC, WAXS, and tensile testing. Hot drawn fibers had the highest degree of crystalline orientation (S = 0.81). Modulus, strength, and yield stress, were found to be 1.7 GPa, 175 MPa, and 45 MPa, respectively for as-spun fibers. As-spun fibers had strains-to-failure as high as 215%, which decreased to about 25% after hot drawing. Annealed and drawn fibers had similar crystallinity and crystalline orientation, but drawn fibers had significantly higher moduli of 2.8 GPa and 5.2 GPa, and strength of 195 MPa and 480 MPa, respectively. Fiber properties were found to be tunable to a number of combinations, with potential for numerous applications as novel biomaterials.
A new surface wave launched plasma and its application as a gas chromatography detector

Abstract A highly efficient TM010 resonant cavity operating at 2.45 GHz has been shown to produce an external surface wave plasma propagating in the TM01 mode at atmospheric pressure. The evanescent radial electric field of this surface wave plasma has been used as a detector for gas chromatography. The detector is based on monitoring the electric field surrounding the plasma with an antenna probe. As an analyte elutes from the chromatograph, the change in the magnitude of the electric field is dependent on the amount of analyte present.
Fiber theory and cosmic plasmas

The fiber theory of plasmas has been developed as an alternative description to conventional MHD, and some of its aspects are reviewed. Cosmic plasmas described in terms of the fiber theory have very different properties from those predicted by traditional methods. For example, cosmic current filaments can store magnetic energy internally, so that intense electric activity is not necessarily observable in terms of a magnetic field. >
Bulk modulus and density of polyethylene to 30 kbar

The results of bulk modulus and density measurements on low-density polyethylene to 30 kbar are presented. From these data the pressure coefficient dTt/dp of the glass transition temperature is obtained, and a comparison is made with data calculated from Pastine's theoretical equation of state for polyethylene.
Ovarian cancer incidence in the United States, 1992-1999.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this epidemiological study was to report histology-specific age-adjusted ovarian cancer incidence rates that were standardized to the recently adopted year 2000 United States standard population. Methods We utilized data gathered from eleven population-based cancer registries of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute for the years 1992 through 1999. Our analyses included data on 23,484 microscopically confirmed cases of primary malignant ovarian cancer that were diagnosed in women residing in the eleven SEER registries. Results We categorized the 117 different histologies that were diagnosed in the 23,484 ovarian cancer cases into ten major classifications. The overall age-adjusted incidence rate for all ovarian cancer cases was 16.23 cases per 100,000 women. Epithelial tumors displayed the highest age-adjusted incidence rate (15.48), followed by germ cell tumors (0.41), sex cord-stromal tumors (0.20), and all other miscellaneous ovarian tumors (0.13). Serous epithelial tumors were the most commonly observed epithelial group (6.77 cases per 100,000 women), followed by other miscellaneous epithelial tumors (3.76), mucinous epithelial tumors (2.22), endometrioid epithelial tumors (2.11), and clear cell epithelial tumors (0.64). Notable differences were observed in the age-adjusted incidence rates for White and Black women. Conclusions Age-adjusted incidence rates of ovarian cancer vary by histology. This is the first study to standardize histology-specific age-adjusted incidence rates of ovarian cancer to the new 2000 United States standard population.
A manifold independent approach to understanding transport in stochastic dynamical systems

Abstract We develop a new collection of tools aimed at studying stochastically perturbed dynamical systems. Specifically, in the setting of bi-stability, that is a two-attractor system, it has previously been numerically observed that a small noise volume is sufficient to destroy would be zero-noise case barriers in the phase space (pseudo-barriers), thus creating a pre-heteroclinic tangency chaos-like behavior. The stochastic dynamical system has a corresponding Frobenius–Perron operator with a stochastic kernel, which describes how densities of initial conditions move under the noisy map. Thus in studying the action of the Frobenius–Perron operator, we learn about the transport of the map; we have employed a Galerkin–Ulam-like method to project the Frobenius–Perron operator onto a discrete basis set of characteristic functions to highlight this action localized in specified regions of the phase space. Graph theoretic methods allow us to re-order the resulting finite dimensional Markov operator approximation so as to highlight the regions of the original phase space which are particularly active pseudo-barriers of the stochastic dynamics. Our toolbox allows us to find: (1) regions of high activity of transport, (2) flux across pseudo-barriers, and also (3) expected time of escape from pseudo-basins. Some of these quantities are also possible via the manifold dependent stochastic Melnikov method, but Melnikov only applies to a very special class of models for which the unperturbed homoclinic orbit is available. Our methods are unique in that they can essentially be considered as a “black-box” of tools which can be applied to a wide range of stochastic dynamical systems in the absence of a priori knowledge of manifold structures. We use here a model of childhood diseases to showcase our methods. Our tools will allow us to make specific observations of: (1) loss of reducibility between basins with increasing noise, (2) identification in the phase space of active regions of stochastic transport, (3) stochastic flux which essentially completes the heteroclinic tangle.
Improved area density and luminescence properties of InP quantum dots grown on In0.5Al0.5P by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition

We report on the growth of InP self-assembled quantum dots (QDs) on In0.5Al0.5P matrices by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on (001) GaAs substrates. The effects of the growth temperature and V/III-precursor flow ratio on the areal density and the cathodoluminescence (CL) properties of the grown QDs were systematically studied. We found that, when the growth temperature is ≤630°C, coherent QDs as well as large dislocated InP islands can be observed on the matrix surface. However, by using a two-step growth method, i.e., by growing the InAlP matrix layer at higher temperatures and growing InP QDs at lower temperatures, the formation of large dislocated islands can be effectively suppressed. Moreover, the areal density of the InP QDs is increased as the QD growth temperature is reduced. Furthermore, we found that the V/III ratio used in growing QDs and in growing the InAlP matrix layers has a quite different effect. In growing QDs, decreasing the V/III ratio results in an increase in the CL intensity and a decrease in CL line width; while in growing the InAlP matrix layers, increasing the V/III ratio results in an increase in the CL intensity of the InP QDs.
Detection of a new mutation in the beta-myosin heavy chain gene in an individual with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Abstract Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHCM) is an autosomal dominant disease affecting primarily the myocardium. The gene responsible for FHCM has been localized to chromosome 14 in some families and several mutations have been described in the beta-myosin heavy chain (beta MHC), a candidate gene for the disease. We recently identified a family with HCM in whom we did not detect any of the known mutations in the beta MHC gene (the alpha/beta MHC hybrid gene and the missense mutation in exons 13 and 9). However, we did observe a novel 9.5-kb BamHI restriction fragment length polymorphism detected by a beta MHC probe on Southern blots of DNA from the proband of this family. Similarly, a novel 3.8-kb TaqI polymorphism and a novel 4.3-kb HindIII polymorphism were detected on Southern blots of DNA from the same proband. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the segment of the beta MHC that was detected by pSC14 probe. PCR amplification of the distal 3'-end of the beta MHC gene yielded an additional product in the DNA template from the proband which was subsequently cloned and sequenced. The sequence analysis showed a 2.4-kb nucleotide deletion involving one allele of the beta MHC gene. The deletion includes part of the intron 39, exon 40 including the 3'-untranslated region and the polyadenylation signal, and part of the beta-alpha MHC intergenic region. This deletion was inherited in Mendelian fashion in an additional three members of this small family of which only the proband has developed clinically diagnosed HCM at a very late onset (age 59 yr), the other three family members are younger and have not developed the disease at the ages of 10, 32, and 33 yr.
The Decline of a Craft: Basket Making in San Juan Guelavia, Oaxaca

Oaxacan crafts producers are celebrated for the quality of their work, their business success, and the ability of their goods to transcend space and time. Weavers of cotton and woolen textiles, potters of a wide variety of pottery styles, and most recently wood carvers who make alebrijes (painted wooden animals) produce goods that are bought and sold on the international market and appear in museum collections world-wide. Nevertheless, there are crafts in Oaxaca that are not viable in the current market and that do not show up in international collections. In this paper, we examine one such craft: basket making in the community of San Juan Guelavia. We argue that the decline in the market for these goods reflects several changes: first, a decline in local use; second, a rise in the costs of production; and third, a lack of support by exporters and an inability to engage the export or tourist markets. In response, local producers have moved into wage labor (locally and through migration) to secure their incomes.
Integrated multi-objective cross-layer optimization for wireless multimedia transmission

Many cross-layer design approaches for wireless multimedia transmission over various networks have been proposed. Truly cross-layer design solutions require joint optimization of multimedia coding, transport/network layer, medium access layer, and physical layer transmission strategies and protocols. The solution often becomes impractical because: (i) its computational complexity is high; and (ii) it needs to be recomputed as some inputs, such as the content characteristics or network conditions change. To this effect, we propose a novel framework for cross-layer design, which features: (i) the joint design strategy selection being adaptive not only to network conditions but also to multimedia content characteristics; (ii) the joint design strategy selection being based on off-line learning to address the computational complexity issue; and (iii) the off-line learning stage employing a new multiple objective optimization solution.
Should Birds of a Feather Flock Together? Understanding Self-Control Decisions in Dyads

Can we rely on our high self-control friends to help us make better joint spending and diet decisions? The current research reports seven studies showing that in joint decisions, homogeneous high self-control pairs make less indulgent choices than both homogeneous low self-control and mixed pairs. However, there is no difference in the self-regulatory patterns of the latter two dyad types: having one high self-control partner in a dyad does not lead to more restraint than having none. The authors argue that this pattern exists because higher self-control individuals tend to prioritize prorelationship behaviors over their personal preference for restraint. Therefore, they assent to the lower self-control partner’s more indulgent preferences. Consistent with this explanation, results suggest that interventions that change individuals’ prorelationship motivation can alter this pattern. Given the range of decisions consumers may make in couples or pairs, this research has implications for consumers, marketers...
Improved survival of vitrified porcine embryos after partial delipation through chemically stimulated lipolysis and inhibition of apoptosis.

Abstract Mechanical removal of intracellular lipids has been the most effective approach to increase the cryosurvival of porcine embryos. In this experiment, we tested the hypotheses that the cryosurvival of porcine embryos can be improved after partial delipation through chemically stimulated lipolysis and that the survival can be further improved by inhibition of apoptosis. Porcine embryos were produced in vitro using sow oocytes. On Day 5 of embryonic development, embryos were cultured in the presence of 10 μM forskolin for 24 h. On Day 6 blastocysts were vitrified using an open pulled straw (OPS) method and warmed blastocysts were cultured 18 h for them to recover. A caspase inhibitor, benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone (Z-VAD-FMK) was used at 20 μM during vitrification and subsequent culture to inhibit apoptosis. A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design experiment was conducted to examine the effect of chemical delipation, vitrification and apoptosis inhibition. We also measured the lipolytic activity of porcine embryos cultured with or without forskolin. Chemical delipation increased the cryosurvival of porcine embryos compared to the controls (71.2 ± 2.8% versus 37.1 ± 5.1%). Apoptosis inhibition increased the ability of blastocysts to fully recover (23.8 ± 3.1% versus 14.6 ± 4.3%). However, there was no interaction between chemical delipation and apoptosis inhibition. Lipolytic agent treatment increased the lipolytic activity of porcine blastocysts. In conclusion, cryosurvival of porcine embryos was improved by partial delipation through chemical stimulation of lipolysis or apoptosis inhibition.
Prevalence of self-reported prediabetes among adults participating in a community-based health awareness program, New York State.

Introduction The purpose of this study was to assess crude, ageadjusted, and risk-factor–specific prevalences of selfreported prediabetes and to identify factors associated with self-reported prediabetes in an adult population. Methods Data were collected through questionnaires completed by a racially diverse sample of diabetes-free adult participants in the statewide community-based wellness and diabetes awareness program in New York State during 2006 (N = 2,572). Prediabetes was determined by the affirmative answer to the question, “Have you ever been told by a doctor that you have prediabetes?” Results The overall crude prevalence of self-reported prediabetes was 9.1%, and the age-adjusted prevalence was 7.6%. The age-adjusted prevalence of prediabetes was significantly lower among non-Hispanic blacks (4.2%) and significantly higher among American Indians (22.4%), compared with the prevalence among non-Hispanic whites (7.3%). The prevalence of self-reported prediabetes was uniformly higher among older (aged ≥45 years) adults than younger (aged <45 years) adults, overall and in each racial/ethnic group. In all age and racial/ethnic groups, the prevalence significantly increased with the number of additional risk factors. The best fit multivariate logistic regression model identified that self-reported prediabetes was associated with family history of diabetes (odds ratio [OR], 3.65), body mass index 25.0 kg/m 2 or higher (OR, 2.79), age 45 years or older (OR, 2.77), and having health insurance (OR, 2.38). Conclusion This study found that adults who were at high risk for diabetes and had health insurance were more likely to report having prediabetes. Community-based diabetes prevention needs to consider strategies to increase detection of prediabetes in high-risk uninsured people and to raise general awareness of prediabetes.
Open versus endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in VA hospitals.

Background Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR), when compared with conventional open surgical repair, has been shown to reduce perioperative morbidity and mortality. We performed a retrospective cohort study with prospectively collected data from the Department of Veterans Affairs to examine outcomes after elective aneurysm repair. Study design We studied 30-day mortality, 1-year survival, and postoperative complications in 1,904 patients who underwent elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR n=717 [37.7%]; open n=1,187 [62.3%]) at 123 Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals between May 1, 2001 and September 30, 2003. We investigated the influence of patient, operative, and hospital variables on outcomes. Results Patients undergoing EVAR had significantly lower 30-day (3.1% versus 5.6%, p=0.01) and 1- year mortality rates (8.7% versus 12.1%, p=0.018) than patients having open repair. EVAR was associated with a decrease in 30-day postoperative mortality (adjusted odds ratio[OR]=0.59; 95% CI=0.36, 0.99; p=0.04). The risk of perioperative complications was much less after EVAR (15.5% versus 27.7%; p Conclusions In routine daily practice, veterans who undergo elective EVAR have substantially lower perioperative mortality and morbidity rates compared with patients having open repair. The benefits of a minimally invasive approach were readily apparent in this cohort, but we recommend using caution in choosing EVAR for all elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs until longer-term data on device durability are available.
Patterns of Clinical Functioning over Time for Young People Served in a System of Care.

Few studies have examined the longitudinal impact that systems of care (SOCs) have on the clinical functioning of young people. This study investigated patterns of clinical improvement over time in...
Physical Characteristics of Insulin Receptors on Renal Cell Membranes

Certain physical characteristics of the insulin-kidney-membrane interaction in dog renal cortex have been defined. Two classes of binding sites were identified: the high-affinity-low-capacity site had a Ka of 1.3 × 109 M1 and a capacity of 43 fmols per milligram membrane protein. The lower-affinity site Ka was 3.7×107 M-1. Saturabili t y of receptor sites could not be demonstrated at any insulin concentration. At 21° C, binding of insulin was maximal after 60 minutes of incubation, with a t1/2of proinsulin>desoctapep-tide insulin). Arginine vasopressin and glucagon did not compete with native (labeled) insulin for binding sites. The kinetic properties of the kidney insulin-receptor sites are similar to those previously reported for liver and fat cell receptors. A comparison of specific binding of 125I-insulin to kidney and liver membranes in the presence of various cation concentrations showed no enhancement of binding in either tissue by NaCl as high as 2 M and KC1 up to 50 mM. In contrast, 25 mM CaCl2 caused an increase in specific binding from 3.8 to 7.7 fmols 125I-insulin per milligram protein in kidney and from 1.0 to 2.1 fmols per milligram protein in liver. MgCl2 (10 mM) increased binding of insulin from 3.5 to 7.3 fmols per milligram in kidney and from 1.0 to 2.1 fmols per milligram in liver. EDTA (2mM) had no intrinsic effect on binding but reversed (by 50 per cent) the Ca2+ -mediated enhancement of binding. Divalent cations appeared to influence both high and low affinity sites. 125I-insulin degradation occurred as a function of total insulin concentration in the kidney membrane system and reduced the amount of “bindable” free hormone. The process was not saturable below 10-6 M insulin. Degradation effects influenced calculated equilibrium constants to a minimal degree.
Comparative Diagnostic Case Study of East Coast Secondary Cyclogenesis under Weak Versus Strong Synoptic-Scale Forcing

Abstract Two cases of east coast cyclogenesis are compared. They occur under weak and strong synoptic scale forcing, respectively. A set of objective analyses with one degree latitude-longitude horizontal resolution and 100 mb vertical resolution is used to support the diagnostic analysis. A more limited subjectively prepared data set is used as a check against the objective analyses. Vertical motions are computed from a diagnostic ten-level nonlinear balance model. The vertical motions are partitioned into contributions from latent heat release, thermal advection and differential vorticity advection. Energetics, after Lorenz, are computed from the balanced vertical motions. One of the principal results is that thermal advection and latent heat release are both of nearly equal importance to low level convergence and vorticity production for the weak cyclone event, while differential cyclonic vorticity advection in addition is crucial to the deeper, more intense development. The kinematic analysis disclose...
Teaching movement with Boxer

Description of a course on the mathematics of motion based on the premise that everyone involved - students, teachers and designers - should know a programmer and general computational medium, Boxer.
Dual Flying Capacitor Active-Neutral-Point-Clamped Multilevel Converter

Hybrid multilevel converters combine features of conventional multilevel topologies to provide an acceptable tradeoff between the advantages and disadvantages of these converters. For many industrial applications, common dc link is a requirement that limits the choice of topologies to neutral point clamped (NPC) and flying capacitor multicell (FCM) hybrid types. This paper investigates the operation of a hybrid five-level topology and proposes a modulation method that takes the advantage of the combined features of NPC and FCM. The dual flying capacitor (FC) active-neutral-point-clamped (DFC-ANPC) converter provides certain advantages such as natural soft switching of line frequency switches, elimination of the transient voltage balancing snubbers, and a more even loss distribution. Simulation results and experimental verification of the five-level DFC-ANPC converter are presented to validate the performance of the converter as well as the applied modulation technique.
Development of Solid-Supported Glaser–Hay Couplings

While the Glaser–Hay coupling of terminal alkynes is a useful reaction, several issues associated with chemoselectivity preclude its widespread application in synthetic chemistry. To address these issues, a solid-supported Glaser–Hay methodology was developed to afford only asymmetric diyne products. This methodology was then applied to a series of immobilized alkynes with a diverse set of soluble alkynes to generate an array of heterocoupled products in high yields and purities.
Notes on Reproduction in the Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys

During a preliminary study of the incompletely understood reproductive anatomy and physiology of the kangaroo rat ( Dipodomys ), observations were made that do not conform to statements in a recent paper by Fitch (Jour. Mamm., 29: 5–35, 1948). This author states that non-breeding females of D. heermanni have an imperforate and regressed vaginal orifice, while in “apparently” estrous animals the vaginal orifice is open, and its lips are greatly enlarged and thickened. These conclusions resulted from observations of external genitalia only. However, I believe that the situation is more complex than this statement indicates, at least for the species D. ordii . My …
Feasibility of self-pre-stressing concrete members using shape memory alloys:

Shape memory alloys are a class of smart materials that recover apparent plastic deformation (∼6%–8% strain) after heating, thus “remembering” the original shape. This shape memory effect can be exploited for self-post-tensioning applications, and NiTi-based shape memory alloys are promising as shape memory effect is possible at elevated temperatures amenable to practical application compared to conventional NiTi. This study investigates the feasibility of self-post-tensioned concrete elements by activating the shape memory effect of NiTiNb, a class of wide-hysteresis shape memory alloys, using the heat of hydration of grout. First, the microstructure characterization of the NiTiNb wide-hysteresis shape memory alloys is discussed. Then, the tensile stress-induced martensitic transformations in NiTiNb shape memory alloy tendons are studied. Next, the temperature increase due to the heat of hydration of four commercially available grouts is investigated. Pull-out tests are also conducted to investigate the ...
Responses of grain chalky traits to nitrogen application levels for different growth-period Japonica cultivars

The appearance quality is one of the important aspects of rice quality.Nitrogen is the indispensable nutrient to rice production although over application of N could cause so many environment problems.The effect of nitrogen application rates on appearance quality is varied in different rice cultivars,especially in different genotypes.Therefore it is necessary to identify the responses of grain chalky traits to nitrogen application levels for different growth-period Japonica cultivars.In this research,a field experiment with four nitrogen levels(zero,low,medium and high) was carried out.About 56 Japonica rice cultivars which are representative in the region of Yangtze River were adopted to investigate the differences of the rice types under the four nitrogen levels.The chalkiness degree was clustered and selected in term of their different responses to the nitrogen application levels.The main results are as follows: 1) In the range of 0-300 kg/ha nitrogen fertilization,the effects of nitrogen application rates on rice chalkiness rate are genotype-dependent,with the increasing chalky-grain rate in high level for medium growth-period Japonica cultivars,while the dropping one for late growth-period Japonica cultivars.With the level of nitrogen increased,the chalkiness degree of Japonica rice cultivars is increased.2) All 56 rice cultivars can be classified into three types(insensitive,intermediate and sensitive) in term of their different responses of grain chalkiness degree to the nitrogen application levels.And two rice groups among them are also recommended.One group is the cultivars with low and stable chalkiness degree under all nitrogen levels;the other group is the cultivars which are sensitive to nitrogen application levels,and good appearance quality can be obtained through the proper reducing nitrogen application.
Boundary-value Problems for Higher-order Elliptic Equations in Non-smooth Domains

This paper presents a survey of recent results, methods, and open problems in the theory of higher-order elliptic boundary value problems on Lipschitz and more general non-smooth domains. The main topics include the maximum principle and pointwise estimates on solutions in arbitrary domains, analogues of the Wiener test governing continuity of solutions and their derivatives at a boundary point, and well-posedness of boundary value problems in domains with Lipschitz boundaries.
Image fusion of astronomical images via parallel/cloud processing

This work compares Measure of Effectiveness (MOE) of different image fusion algorithms implemented on astronomical images and then compares them using different computing methods; sequential, parallel and cloud. Parallel computing compares two different methods implemented using Python while the Cloud computing was implemented using two different servers; Windows based and Linux based.
Relative Efficacy of Two Variants of the Differential Reinforcement Paradigm in Elimination of Undesirable Behavior

The relative efficacy of two techniques for elimination of behavior, extinction for the old response coupled with reinforcement of a new incompatible behavior versus continuance of reinforcement for the old response but quantitatively greater reinforcement for a new incompatible behavior, was examined. In a controlled environment 30 retarded, educable Ss learned a lever-press response which served as the behavior to be eliminated. The results indicate that differential reinforcement is most effective when it includes extinction for the old behavior. This produced a more rapid decrease in behavior than providing quantitatively more reinforcement for a new incompatible response while continuing to reinforce the old response.
Social and Emotional Learning in Adolescence: Testing the CASEL Model in a Normative Sample

As Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) expands to focus on adolescent populations, the broadly accepted theoretical framework put forth by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Lear...
Mirror imagery and biological selection

Lake Tanganiyka has lefty and righty cichlid fish that show there can be natural selection for a trait over its mirror image counterpart.This raises the question ‘Can there be biological selection of a whole organism over its mirror image counterpart?’ That is, could the fitness of a fish be altered by simply changing it into its own enantaniomorph? My answer is no. I present Flatlander thought experiment to demonstrate that mirror imagecounterparts are duplicates because they only differ in how they happen to be oriented in space. The counterparts have the same intrinsic properties and are in the same environment,so there can be no difference in fitness.
WIC Cash Value Voucher Redemption Behavior in Jefferson County, Alabama, and Its Association With Fruit and Vegetable Consumption.

Purpose:To examine cash value voucher (CVV) redemption behavior and its association with fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption among women who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for W...
Ultrafast optics used in modern electronic device research

High-speed compound semiconductor devices have dimensions challenging the distance between collisions. The transport in these devices is dominated by nonstationary electron dynamics usually referred to according to the regime as ballistic, nearly ballistic transport, or velocity overshoot. This transient transport is governing and will govern the speed of present and future high-speed electronic devices. The pseudomorphic modulation doped field effect transistor (MODFET) and the permeable base transistor with a switching time of 3 ps are examples of such devices where the transport cannot be considered classical.
Study of Air Pollution Particulates by X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy*

This paper discusses the application of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to the determination of the chemical composition of sulfur and nitrogen species in air pollution particulates. Core electron chemical shift measurements are augmented by the determination of relative concentrations and volatility of particulate species.
11 – Constructivist Psychotherapies

Publisher Summary This chapter begins with an examination of the philosophical heritage of constructivism and discusses the emergence of psychological theory from constructivist epistemology, the study of knowledge. Constructivism is an epistemological position that emphasizes the personal and collective processes of meaning-making and their implications for psychotherapy. Human beings are viewed as active creators of constructions that vary in the extent to which they help a person adjust to life's challenges. The chapter then considers two current issues pertaining to constructivist theory and therapy: first, the relationship between language and reality, and second, the construction of the self. Next, it compares and contrasts four traditions of constructivist psychotherapy, including personal construct theory, narrative approaches, family systemic orientations, and developmental perspectives. Finally, it concludes by considering the implications of constructivism on psychotherapy research and offers a critical evaluation of the current status of constructivist practice.
Islamic Legitimacy Still Matters: The Rule of Law and Governance in Contemporary Arab Muslim-Majority States

David Mednicoff scrutinizes how the rule of law functions and connects to governance in Arab Muslim-majority states. He characterizes law’s relation to governance in MMS as a fraught and fragile balancing act. The chapter shows that while the rule of law clearly applies centrally to governance and policy implementation throughout the Arab world, deep social divisions around political legitimacy, enhanced by colonial and post-colonial authoritarianism, limit key features important to legal accountability and transparency, such as judicial review and, frequently, the legislative process itself. Because of the ongoing significance, and unresolved status, of how specific Islamic historical sociolegal practice, and more general values, should play into the rule of law in contemporary Arab states, the relationship between governance and law faces continuing challenges. Islamic governance starts from a theistic, particularistic communal identity, and this raises possible tensions for its commensurability with today’s largely plural, non-theological dominant global sociolegal norms. Yet this does not mean an inevitable or inexorable lack of congruence between MMS and other legal systems, or liberal Western political and legal norms generally. Diverse Muslim perspectives remain key contributions to hopes for the rule of law in different Arab states.
The Political Economy of

This paper explores the origins and impact of "truth-in-advertising" regulation during the Progressive era. Was advertising regulation adopted in response to rent-seeking on the part of firms who sought to limit the availability of advertising as a competitive device? Or was advertising regulation desired because it furnished a mechanism through which firms could improve the credibility of advertising? We find the available qualitative and quantitative evidence to be more consistent with the latter hypothesis.
Reduced Frailty after Lung Transplant is Associated with Survival

Purpose Preoperative frailty is associated with mortality after lung transplant . For many, frailty improves after transplant; whether this improvement is associated with decreased risk of death is unknown. We hypothesized that reduced frailty after transplant would be associated with survival. Methods Between 2010 and 2017, we prospectively assessed frailty with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) before and at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months after transplant in adults at UC San Francisco. The SPPB is an aggregate score from 0-12 incorporating gait speed, balance, and chair stands, with higher values indicating less frailty. We tested the association between mortality after lung transplant and SPPB as a time-dependent continuous predictor using Cox regression ; we adjusted for age, sex, race, body mass index (BMI), diagnosis, and FEV 1 as a time-dependent predictor. Follow-up was administratively censored at 48 months after transplant. Results The cohort included 259 persons with mean age 55.9 years; 56% men, 72% white, with median BMI of 25.8 kg/m2 . Diagnoses included ILD (N=184), COPD (N=42), CF (N=23), and PAH (N=10). There were 46 deaths during a median follow up of 41.7 months. We found that each 1-point increase in SPPB was associated with a 13% reduction (95% confidence interval [CI] 6%-20%, p=0.001) in death risk adjusted for lung function. Allograft function was also associated with survival — each 200-ml increase in FEV 1 was associated with a 15% reduction (95% CI, 9%-21%, p Conclusion Reduced frailty after lung transplant is associated with survival after accounting for preoperative characteristics and allograft function. Interventions targeted to improve frailty after lung transplant, such as physical rehabilitation and nutrition optimization, warrant further investigation.
Bioreactor produced wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cell- derived exosomes prevent lung injury in a pre-clinical model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Background & Aim Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been safely and effectively used to treat lung and heart diseases. However, cell product variability and limited survival post transplantation has led to varying degrees of clinical success. Recent evidence suggest that exosomes rather than stem cell engraftment and differentiation mediate MSC regenerative effects. Exosomes are nanosized extracellular vesicles that a play a key role in intercellular and interorgan communications. Therefore, exosome therapy has emerged as a new therapeutic alternative to MSCs. One of the challenges for the transition of exosomes from the bench to the bedside is the generation of high quantity GMP-compliant products. Thus, we aimed to develop a production methodology of Wharton's Jelly MSC (WJMSC) derived exosomes in a bioreactor and test the hypothesis that the exosome product would significantly reduce neonatal lung injury in a preclinical model of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia. Methods, Results & Conclusion WJMSCs were isolated from Wharton's Jelly and expanded to passage 1. After harvest, 30 × 106 cells were loaded into the quantum bioreactor (Terumo BCT) and expanded for 1 week to achieve 4.05 × 108 cells. Serum-free aMEM conditioned media was collected every 24 hours for 96 hours for exosome precipitation by ultracentrifugation. NanoSight analysis of the final products revealed a production of 15.0 × 1012± 0.32 × 1012 total particles with an average mode size of 111±4.78 nm. Furthermore, protein analysis revealed positive expression of exosome markers CD9, CD63, and CD81. To test the regenerative potential of this product, we treated newborn Sprague-Dawley rats (n=9/group) exposed to normoxia or hyperoxia (85% O2) from postnatal day 1-14 at day 3 with 1 × 1010 total particles (EXO) or placebo (PL). The degree of lung vascular remodeling, alveolarization, and pulmonary hypertension was then assessed. Results confirmed a significant lung protective effect of the EXO treatment in the hyperoxia groups by the demonstration of decreased percentage of muscularized vessels (67 ± 9% in PL vs 14 ± 7% in EXO, P
Balancing or backscratching? Sino-Russian logrolling during US decline

How will American relative decline impact security cooperation between Russia and China? The conventional wisdom holds that the Sino-Russian “strategic partnership” is largely a “marriage of convenience” held together only by shared antipathy toward the US-led international order. From a traditional balance of power perspective, given their lack of a shared vision for global and regional order, we should expect Sino-Russian cooperation to deteriorate as US relative power recedes. I suggest, to the contrary, that Sino-Russian cooperation could remain quite durable throughout a prolonged period of American decline and retrenchment. I apply theories of bureaucratic and legislative “logrolling” to demonstrate how China and Russia each have incentives to support one another’s revisionist actions in their respective home regions. An underlying asymmetry of regional importance—China’s prioritization of East Asia, and Russia’s prioritization of Europe—enables this logrolling dynamic. Thus, I argue that while there are few shared interests between them, Russia and China could well maintain a limited but highly consequential cooperative relationship over the medium to long term. As such, the Sino-Russian threat to US-led order comes not from a coordinated balancing effort, but from reciprocal support of one another’s region-specific revisionist actions.
Effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation transport on short- and long-term survival in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has emerged as an important tool in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The creation of portable ECMO circuits and pum...
The Walled Gardens of Ebook Surveillance: A Brief Set of Arguments Against DRM in Libraries

This piece outlines a few brief arguments against the inclusion of ebooks with DRM restrictions in libraries. These arguments center upon what the presence of these ebooks signifies to patrons about libraries today, and how librarians should avoid holding books with DRM within their collections. Ebooks with DRM require that users give up personal data in order to read. In addition, restricted ebooks are frustrating to users and makes them dislike the libraries that offer them. Finally, DRM surveillance is at odds with librarians’ professional commitments to protecting patron privacy.
Aggressive Utilization of Liver Allografts: Improved Outcomes over Time

Background Aggressive acceptance of liver allografts has driven utilization of marginal allografts. Our aim was to assess the impact of the aggressive phenotype on transplant center outcomes over time. Methods We used a cohort of 148 361 candidates from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network for liver transplantation between 2002 and 2016 in 134 centers. Using the Discard Risk Index, we designated high probability discard allografts by the top 10th percentile for likelihood of discard. Aggressive phenotype was defined by usage of high probability discard (HPD) allografts (top 10th percentile). Our analysis of survival on waitlist and graft survival after transplantation included a comprehensive list of center level covariates across three equal time periods (2002-2006, 2007-2011, and 2012-2016). Results After adjusting for recipient and center-level factors, aggressive centers had improving graft survival over time. Aggressive vs non-aggressive centers: 2002-2006 HR 1.12 (1.05-1.19), 2007-2011 HR 1.13 (1.05-1.22), 2012-2016 HR 0.99 (0.89-1.10). Aggressive centers had improved waitlist survival compared with non-aggressive centers after adjusting for allograft disparity. Conclusions Aggressive phenotype had a positive impact on waitlist survival, and graft survival in aggressive centers have improved to benchmark levels over time. These findings serve as justification for aggressive utilization of allografts.
Chapter 3 – Sending and Receiving Data

Publisher Summary Any programs that exchange information must agree on how that information will be encoded—represented as a sequence of bits—as well as which program sends what information when, and how the information received affects the behavior of the program. This chapter discusses sending and receiving data. It discusses how simple values such as ints, longs, chars, and Strings can be sent and received via sockets. The TCP/IP protocols transport bytes of user data without examining or modifying them. This allows applications great flexibility in how they encode their information for transmission. Most application protocols are defined in terms of discrete messages made up of sequences of fields. Each field contains a specific piece of information encoded as a sequence of bits. The application protocol specifies exactly how these sequences of bits are to be arranged by the sender and interpreted, or parsed, by the receiver so that the latter can extract the meaning of each field. Bytes of information can be transmitted through a socket by writing them to an OutputStream (associated with a Socket) or encapsulating them in a DatagramPacket (which is then sent via a DatagramSocket). However, the only data types to which these operations can be applied are bytes and arrays of bytes. As a strongly typed language, Java requires that other types—int, String, and so on—be explicitly converted to byte arrays. Fortunately, the language has built-in facilities to help with such conversions.
On the diamagnetic effect of the plasma sheet near 60 earth radii.

The two-dimensional (YZ plane) spatial distribution of magnetic field magnitudes in the geomagnetic tail at the lunar distance is given in both the solar magnetospheric and the neutral-sheet coordinate systems by using three years of data from the Ames magnetometer on Explorer 35. The effect of changes in geomagnetic activity is also presented. In the magnetotail near 60 earth radii, a broad region in which the magnetic field intensity is relatively weak in comparison with that in the other region of the tail is located adjacent to the solar magnetospheric equatorial plane and the calculated neutral sheet. This depression of the field due to the diamagnetic effect of the plasma sheet is more evident during times of minimum geomagnetic activity.-
Stress and Crime

Criminal actors and victims experience various forms of stress related to criminal activity. Stress and crime are interrelated in a linear fashion (e.g., stress causes crime) and in a reciprocal cycle (e.g., victimization inducing stress). Strain theories posit the causal relationship of stress to crime, and psychological conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder, explain the experience of stress caused by criminal action. Using general strain theory to explain the causal relationship, recent research explores the circumstances that cause stress and result in crime. Gender differences will be explored in relation to criminal activity resulting from stress. Lastly, victimization in the prison system and community will be explored as crime inducing stress. Future areas to explore the stress–crime relationship in research will be suggested. Keywords: crime; stress; victim
Redshift of the purple membrane absorption band and the deprotonation of tyrosine residues at high pH: Origin of the parallel photocycles of trans-bacteriorhodopsin.

At high pH (> 8) the 570 nm absorption band of all- trans bacteriorhodopsin (bR) in purple membrane undergoes a small (1.5 nm) shift to longer wavelengths, which causes a maximal increase in absorption at 615 nm. The pK of the shift is 9.0 in the presence of 167 mM KCl, and its intrinsic pK is ∼8.3. The red shift of the trans -bR absorption spectrum correlates with the appearance of the fast component in the light-induced L to M transition, and absorption increases at 238 and 297 nm which are apparently caused by the deprotonation of a tyrosine residue and red shift of the absorption of tryptophan residues. This suggests that the deprotonation of a tyrosine residue with an exceptionally low pK (pK a ≈ 8.3) is responsible for the absorption shift of the chromophore band and fast M formation. The pH and salt dependent equilibrium between the two forms of bR, "neutral" and "alkaline," bR ↔ bR a , results in two parallel photocycles of trans -bR at high pH, differing in the rate of the L to M transition. In the pH range 10–11.8 deprotonation of two more tyrosine residues is observed with pK's ∼ 10.3 and 11.3 (in 167 mM KCL). Two simple models discussing the role of the pH induced tyrosine deprotonation in the photocycle and proton pumping are presented. It is suggested that the shifts of the absorption bands at high pH are due to the appearance of a negatively charged group inside the protein (tyrosinate) which causes electrochromic shifts of the chromophore and protein absorption bands due to the interaction with the dipole moments in the ground and excited states of bR (Stark effect). This effect gives evidence for a significant change in the dipole moment of the chromophore of bR upon excitation. Under illumination alkaline bR forms, besides the usual photocycle intermediates, a long-lived species with absorption maximum at 500 nm (P500). P500 slowly converts into bR a in the dark. Upon illumination P500 is transformed into an intermediate having an absorption maximum at 380 nm (P380). P380 can be reconverted to P500 by blue light illumination or by incubation in the dark.
Technical challenges in the globalization of software radio

The software radio has emerged from the third-generation strategy for affordable, ubiquitous, global communications. This article reviews the concepts, architecture, technology challenges, and economics of the continuing productization and globalization of software radio.
Isolation and Genetic Analysis of a Strain of Escherichia coli K-12 with an Amber recA Mutation

The isolation, properties, and genetic analysis of a strain of Escherichia coli K-12 with an amber recA mutation are described. The experiments demonstrate that the recA product is a protein that is probably not essential for growth.