cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Partially observed control of Markov processes, IV

Abstract A class of degenerate elliptic nonlinear second order equations is considered. These equations, arising from a related class of probabilistic variational problems, are defined on the space of probability measures on Rd. The existence of C1, 1 viscosity solutions is established as well as the existence, uniqueness, and feedback characterization of the minima of the variational problems.
Fast Atomic-Scale Elemental Mapping of Crystalline Materials by STEM Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy Achieved with Thin Specimens

Elemental mapping at the atomic-scale by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) provides a powerful real-space approach to chemical characterization of crystal structures. However, applications of this powerful technique have been limited by inefficient X-ray emission and collection, which require long acquisition times. Recently, using a lattice-vector translation method, we have shown that rapid atomic-scale elemental mapping using STEM-EDS can be achieved. This method provides atomic-scale elemental maps averaged over crystal areas of ~few 10 nm2 with the acquisition time of ~2 s or less. Here we report the details of this method, and, in particular, investigate the experimental conditions necessary for achieving it. It shows, that in addition to usual conditions required for atomic-scale imaging, a thin specimen is essential for the technique to be successful. Phenomenological modeling shows that the localization of X-ray signals to atomic columns is a key reason. The effect of specimen thickness on the signal delocalization is studied by multislice image simulations. The results show that the X-ray localization can be achieved by choosing a thin specimen, and the thickness of less than about 22 nm is preferred for SrTiO3 in [001] projection for 200 keV electrons.
Dual-Phase Iontophoresis for the Delivery of Antisense Oligonucleotides.

In support of ongoing research in the study of corneal and skin wound healing, we sought to improve on previously published results by using iontophoresis to deliver RNA interference-based oligonucleotides. By using a electromechanics-based approach, we were able to devise a two-phase solution that separated the buffering solution from the antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) solution. The separation was obtained by making the drug solution a higher density than the buffer, leading it to sink directly onto the tissue surface. This change immediately decreased the distance that the ASO would have to travel before delivery. The changes enabled delivery into ex vivo skin and corneas in 10 or fewer minutes and into in vivo corneas in 5 min. In vivo studies demonstrated short-term bioavailability of at least 24 h, a lack of chemical or thermal injury, a lack of interference in the healing of a corneal injury, and an antisense effect till at least day 7, but not day 14. The only side-effect observed was postdelivery...
Consensus score based outlier detection using extended Hough Transform

In this paper, a novel and efficient outlier detection method is introduced. This method is simple and elegant and it works by calculating a consensus score for each data point to determine the level of consensus of that point with respect to the other data points in a group. A low consensus score means that the corresponding data point has little in common with other data points, and thus is considered to be an outlier. The consensus score is calculated using an algorithm that is derived from an extended version of the basic Hough Transform algorithm. The proposed method is very efficient in that it requires much less computation compared with many other popular ourtlier detection methods. To be specific, the amount of calculation required by the proposed method has a linear relation to the number of data points, whereas most other methods assume an exponential relation in this regard. An analytical and side-by-side comparison in terms of computation complexity and computation time are conducted against a popular RANSAC-based outlier detection algorithm. The effectiveness of the proposed method is first demonstrated for cases where two-dimensional data and linear model are involved; then, extension to data with more complex data type and model is discussed.
Glutamine Hydrolysis by Imidazole Glycerol Phosphate Synthase Displays Temperature Dependent Allosteric Activation.

The enzyme imidazole glycerol phosphate synthase (IGPS) is a model for studies of long-range allosteric regulation in enzymes. Binding of the allosteric effector ligand N’-[5’-phosphoribulosyl)formimino]-5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-ribonucleotide (PRFAR) stimulates millisecond (ms) timescale motions in IGPS that enhance its catalytic function. We studied the effect of temperature on these critical conformational motions and the catalytic mechanism of IGPS from the hyperthermophile Thermatoga maritima in an effort to understand temperature-dependent allostery. Enzyme kinetic and NMR dynamics measurements show that apo and PRFAR-activated IGPS respond differently to changes in temperature. Multiple-quantum Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill relaxation dispersion experiments performed at 303, 323, and 343 K (30, 50, and 70 °C) reveal that millisecond flexibility is enhanced to a higher degree in apo IGPS than in the PRFAR-bound enzyme as the sample temperature is raised. We find that the flexibility of the apo enzyme is nearly identical to that of its PRFAR activated state at 343 K, whereas conformational motions are considerably different between these two forms of the enzyme at room temperature. Arrhenius analyses of these flexible sites show a varied range of activation energies that loosely correlate to allosteric communities identified by computational methods and reflect local changes in dynamics that may facilitate conformational sampling of the active conformation. In addition, kinetic assays indicate that allosteric activation by PRFAR decreases to 65-fold at 343 K, compared to 4200-fold at 303 K, which mirrors the decreased effect of PRFAR on ms motions relative to the unactivated enzyme. These studies indicate that at the growth temperature of T. maritima, PFRAR is a weaker allosteric activator than it is at room temperature and illustrate that the allosteric mechanism of IGPS relies on energetics beyond motional entropy for efficient chemistry.
An Investigation of China-U.S. Bilateral Trade and Exchange Rate Changes Using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model

This paper examines how China's bilateral trade with the U.S. responds to exchange rate changes of the real Chinese yuan against the U.S. dollar using annual data covering the period 1985 to 2014. The short‐run dynamics of the China‐U.S. trade balance vs. the yuan's depreciation is examined through the S‐curve and J‐curve effects, and the long‐run relationship is established using the autoregressive distributed lag model. The paper found evidence of the S‐curve but not of the J‐curve in the short‐run although the J‐curve effect is found to be present in the long‐run. China's bilateral ratio of exports to imports with the U.S. is found to have an inelastic response to the yuan's exchange rate change against the U.S. dollar in the short‐run, but in the long‐run, it has the expected elastic response. Compared with the influence of the Yuan‐U.S. dollar exchange rate change and China's real income, U.S. real GDP has the largest impact on China‐U.S. bilateral trade relations in the long‐run. Additionally, the structural break in the data series in 2008 from the Great Recession had a small but significant short‐term effect on the bilateral trade between the two nations. Following an exchange rate shock, the deviation of China's trade ratio from its long‐run level takes less than 2 years to converge.
Effect of e-liquid flavor on electronic cigarette topography and consumption behavior in a 2-week natural environment switching study

Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) offer an alternate means to consume nicotine in a variety of flavored aerosols. Data are needed to better understand the impact of flavors on use behavior. A natural environment observational study was conducted on experienced ENDS users to measure the effect of e-liquid flavor on topography and consumption behavior. The RIT wPUMTM monitor was used to record to record the date and time and puff topography (flow rate, volume, duration) for every puff taken by N = 34 participants over the course of two weeks. All participants used tobacco flavor for one week, and either berry or menthol flavor for one week. Results provide strong evidence that flavor affects the topography behaviors of mean puff flow rate and mean puff volume, and there is insufficient evidence to support an influence of flavor on mean puff duration and mean puff interval. There was insufficient evidence, due to the low power associated with the limited number of observation days, to establish a relationship between flavor and cumulative consumption behavior. While the results indicate that an effect may be evident, additional observation days are required to establish significance.
Selective Activation of Methyl C–H Bonds of Toluene by Oxygen on Metallic Gold

In accord with its gas phase acidity, toluene is activated by atomic oxygen adsorbed on Au(111) at the methyl C–H bonds. Titration of this species from the surface with HCOOD yields C6H5CHD2, indicating that much of the toluene has been doubly deprotonated at the methyl carbon. Even at low surface coverages of atomic oxygen the thusly-activated species yields only CO, CO2 and water as gas phase products when heated above room temperature, indicating the facile formation of an adsorbed benzoate, not simple oxygen insertion into the carbene to form benzyl benzyloxy. At higher O pre-coverages benzoic acid forms between 400 and 500 K.
Acute CNS infection is insufficient to mediate chronic T cell retention.

CD8+ T cells control infection by the neurotropic JHM strain of mouse hepatitis virus (JHMV) by eliminating infectious virus and reducing CNS pathology (Stohlman et al. 1995). Virus-specific CTL in BALB/c mice (H-2d) respond almost exclusively to a single immunodominant epitope in the nucleocapsid (N) protein (Bergmann et al. 1993). During acute JHMV infection, CD8+ T cells account for up to 40% of CNS mononuclear cells (MNC) (Bergmann et al. 1999). Following viral clearance, virus specific CD8+ T cells remain in CNS for several weeks (Bergmann et al. 1999).
The Influence of Maternal Factors on Drug Levels in Human Milk

Transfer of drugs into human milk has been shown to be dependent upon the physiochemical properties of the drug and several maternal factors.1–3 The physiochemical properties include the molecular weight of the drug, its degree of ionization, its solubility in water and lipids, its binding to plasma and milk proteins, and the relative difference between the pH of maternal plasma and milk.1–5 The plasma drug concentration and mammary gland blood flow are the main maternal factors.1,2 Of the two, the maternal plasma drug concentration is the most important since it determines the amount of drug that is potentially available for transfer into milk.2–6
Modes of Engagement: Understanding Teachers’ Transactions with Mathematics Curriculum Resources

Drawing on research on elementary teachers in the United States, this chapter explores and theorizes the relationships that teachers develop with curriculum resources as they use them. The central argument is that teachers are positioned by and through their encounters with curriculum materials as particular kinds of users of them. The chapter examines modes of address in curriculum resources and modes of engagement taken up by teachers to illustrate how this positioning happens, including how teachers participate in it through their epistemological stances and orientations. Modes of address are experienced through various forms found in curriculum resource, including structure, look, voice, medium, and genre. Modes of engagement are seen in forms of teacher reading, including what the teacher reads for, which parts she reads, when she reads, and who she is as a reader. Four examples of teachers engaging with a curriculum resource designed to reflect the NCTM Standards are used to illustrate how modes and forms of address interact.
ACM SIGGRAPH 2006 Papers

Interdisciplinary research achievements in the world's most prestigious presentation of current work in computer graphics and interactive techniques. Academic and industry investigators explain their ground-breaking, provocative, and important new work. After their talks, most authors are available for informal discussion of their research and its implications.
Quadriceps Strength Deficits After a Femoral Nerve Block Versus Adductor Canal Block for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Prospective, Single-Blinded, Randomized Trial:

Background:Peripheral nerve blocks, particularly femoral nerve blocks (FNBs), are commonly performed for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, associated quadriceps muscle weakn...
Understanding How ADHD Affects Visual Information Processing

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that is characterized by impulsivity, age-inappropriate attention, and hyperactivity. ADHD is one of the most prevalent disorders among children. For a significant number of children whose condition persists into adulthood, ADHD leads to poor social and academic performance. In this paper we present preliminary results of an experiment that investigates how ADHD affects visual information processing under three information presentation methods (textual, graphical, and tabular). The efficiency and accuracy of both the neurotypical group and the group with ADHD were significantly impacted by different information presentation methods. However, the neurotypical group and the group with ADHD showed different patterns in their perceived interaction experience with the three information presentation methods. The result provides insights that might help designers and educators develop or adopt more effective information representation for people with ADHD.
Intraoperative Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging of Femoral Head Perfusion in Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: A Feasibility Study

Objectives Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is one of the most common developmental deformities of the lower extremity. Although many children are successfully treated with a brace or harness, some require intraoperative closed or open reduction and spica casting. Surgical reduction is largely successful to relocate the hip; however, iatrogenic avascular necrosis is a major source of morbidity. Recent research showed that postoperative gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can depict hip perfusion, which may predict a future incidence of avascular necrosis. As contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) assesses blood flow in real time, it may be an effective intraoperative alternative to evaluate femoral head perfusion. Here we describe our initial experience regarding the feasibility of intraoperative CEUS of the hip for the assessment of femoral head perfusion before and after DDH reduction. Methods This single-institution retrospective Institutional Review Board-approved study with a waiver of informed consent evaluated intraoperative hip CEUS in children with DDH compared to postoperative contrast-enhanced MRI. Pediatric radiologists, blinded to prior imaging findings and outcomes, reviewed both CEUS and MRI examinations separately and some time from the initial examination both independently and in consensus. Results Seventeen patients had 20 intraoperative CEUS examinations. Twelve of 17 (70.6%) had prereduction hip CEUS, postreduction hip CEUS, and postreduction gadolinium-enhanced MRI. Seven of 12 (58.3%) were evaluable retrospectively. All CEUS studies showed blood flow in the femoral epiphysis before and after reduction, and all MRI studies showed femoral head enhancement after reduction. The CEUS and MRI for all 7 patients also showed physeal blood flow. Conclusions Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is a feasible intraoperative tool for assessing adequate blood flow after hip reduction surgery in DDH.
Meaning in life: A Therapist’s Guide

This review of Clara E. Hill’s book, Meaning in Life: A Therapist’s Guide, emphasizes the author’s exemplary focus on the ways that clinicians can profitably integrate discussion of clients’ meanin...
A continuing need to revisit BECCS and its potential

Though critical to many projected pathways to meet global climate targets, the challenges facing biomass energy with carbon capture and storage have yet to enter the forefront of public dialogue.
The association of microhematuria with mesangial hypercellularity, endocapillary hypercellularity, crescent score and renal outcomes in immunoglobulin A nephropathy.

BACKGROUND Microhematuria is common in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). However, current prognostication is based on proteinuria and mesangial hypercellularity, endocapillary hypercellularity, segmental sclerosis, tubulointerstitial fibrosis and crescent (MEST-C) scores. METHODS In this retrospective study, we evaluated whether MEST-C score components are associated with the presence of microhematuria at biopsy and whether the degree of microhematuria during follow-up is associated with change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), after adjusting for clinical and histological parameters. We identified 125 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN and MEST-C scoring who were not on immunosuppressive therapy at biopsy. Microhematuria was defined as ≥3 red blood cells (RBCs)/high-power field (hpf). RESULTS Of the 125 patients, 97 had microhematuria at baseline and were more likely to have M1, E1 and C ≥ 1 lesions (P < 0.05 for all) compared with patients without microhematuria. Of the 125 patients, 72 had follow-up data available. An increase in the degree of microhematuria was significantly associated with an eGFR decline of -0.81 mL/min/1.73 m2 [95% confidence interval (CI) -1.44 to -0.19, P = 0.01], after adjusting for follow-up time, proteinuria and T score. Severe microhematuria (≥21 RBCs/hpf) was associated with an even larger decline in eGFR (-3.99 mL/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI -6.9411 to -1.0552, P = 0.008), after similar adjustments. CONCLUSION Degree of microhematuria during follow-up is an independent predictor of eGFR decline after adjusting for clinical and histological parameters. Therefore, monitoring the degree of microhematuria as well as proteinuria is important when evaluating patients with IgAN. Additional studies using improvement in microhematuria as a primary surrogate outcome are needed.
Yin-Yang Circles

The purpose of the design was to demonstrate visually the connection between a cultural symbol and artistic fashion. The objective of this design was to create a wearable avant-garde look satisfying both the aesthetics and wearability of women’s strapless dresses and accessories by using handmade and 3D-printed yin-yang circles. The shape and color contrast of yin-yang circles on this garment has aesthetic properties viewers will appreciate. The yin-yang circles consist of contrasting colors, with black on one side and light gray/black on the other, which generates a strong visual impact. To elevate the overall concept of yin-yang into a wearable avant-garde look, 3D-printed yin-yang circles were also created and made into a necklace. This necklace consisted of different-sized yin-yang circles, which resemble Asian hanging wall art; it accents and completes a wearable avant-garde look. This wearable avant-garde strapless dress, inspired by a cultural symbol, the yin-yang circle can help upgrade the use of yin-yang in both art and fashion.
Why the Legal Strategy of Exploiting Immigrant Families Should Worry Us All

This article applies a family law lens to explore the systemic and traumatic effects of modern laws and policies on immigrant families. A family law lens widens the scope of individuals harmed by recent immigration laws and policies to show why all families are affected and harmed by shifts in state power, state action, and state rhetoric. The family law lens reveals a worrisome shift in intentionality that has moved the state from a bystander to family-based immigration trauma to an incendiary agent perpetrating family trauma. Modern immigration laws and policies are deploying legal and political strategies that intentionally sever the parent-child relationship and demonize immigrant families. The family law lens brings into focus how the state is acting under the parens patriae power, which positions the state as the “parent of the nation.” For the state to intervene using its parens patriae power to perpetrate the exact kinds of harms that would be considered abusive if deployed by a parent, suggests a deep dissonant injustice in the use of state power in certain families. This shift in intentionality exacerbates deep longstanding differences in government family interventions by race, class, and immigration status. Laws and policies that exploit the hardships of families as political pressure should worry all families under the law because we entrust the state to intervene to protect families. These political strategies threaten the constitutional norms that are the foundation of modern family law. Revealing new insights from family law is a call to action for the family law bar to engage in immigration advocacy and reform.
Synthetic coracoclavicular ligament vs. coracoclavicular suspensory construct for treatment of acromioclavicular dislocation: a biomechanical study.

BACKGROUND A synthetic ligament (LockDown, Worcestershire, England) has become available to treat complete acromioclavicular dislocation with promising clinical results and potential benefit to avoid postoperative loss of reduction. We investigated the biomechanics of this synthetic ligament in a simulated immediate postoperative rehabilitation setting, hypothesizing that the synthetic ligament would demonstrate less superior coracoclavicular displacement to cyclic loading and higher ultimate load-to-failure values than a coracoclavicular suspensory construct. METHODS Seven matched-pair cadaveric shoulders (mean age at time of death, 79 years) were loaded cyclically and to failure. One specimen in each pair was randomly assigned to the synthetic ligament or coracoclavicular suspensory construct. Superiorly directed 70-N cyclic loading for 3000 cycles at 1.0 Hz was applied through the clavicle in a fixed scapula simulating physiologic states during immediate postoperative rehabilitation, followed by a load-to-failure test at 120 mm/min. RESULTS After 3000 cycles, the superior displacement of the clavicle in the synthetic ligament (9.2 ± 1.1 mm) was 225% greater than in the coracoclavicular suspensory construct (2.8 ± 0.4 mm, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.4, 8.3; P < .001). Average stiffness of the synthetic ligament (32.8 N/mm) was 60% lower than that of the coracoclavicular suspensory construct (81.9 N/mm, 95% CI 43.3, 54.9; P < .001). Ultimate load-to-failure of the synthetic ligament was 23% (95% CI 37.9, 301.5; P = .016) lower than the coracoclavicular suspensory construct (580.5 ± 85.1 N and 750.2 ± 135.5 N, respectively). CONCLUSION In a simulated immediate postoperative cadaveric model, the synthetic ligament demonstrated poorer biomechanics than the coracoclavicular suspensory construct. These findings suggest that a coracoclavicular suspensory construct may be preferable to a synthetic ligament if early rehabilitation is intended.
Alternative approaches to treat bacterial infections: targeting quorum-sensing

Introduction: The emergence of multi- and pan-drug-resistant bacteria represents a global crisis that calls for the development of alternative anti-infective strategies. These comprise anti-virulence approaches, which target pathogenicity without exerting a bacteriostatic or bactericidal effect and are claimed to reduce the development of resistance. Because in many pathogens, quorum-sensing (QS) systems control the expression of virulence factors, interference with QS, or quorum-quenching, is often proposed as a strategy with a broad anti-virulence effect.Areas covered: We discuss the role and regulatory targets of QS control in selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, focusing on those with clinical importance and QS control of virulence. We present the components of QS systems that form possible targets for the development of anti-virulence drugs and discuss recent research on quorum-quenching approaches to control bacterial infection.Expert opinion: While there has been extensive research on QS systems and quorum-quenching approaches, there is a paucity of in-vivo research using adequate animal models to substantiate applicability. In-vivo research on QS blockers needs to be intensified and optimized to use clinically relevant setups, in order to underscore that such drugs can be used effectively to overcome problems associated with the treatment of severe infections by antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Design of tailorable stiffness structures using L-system topology optimization

Within numerous disciplines, the ability to model and then optimize structures for a given application is of paramount importance to the design process. Topology optimization has been established as a valuable tool within such a structural design process as it allows for the realization of high-performing and non-intuitive material distributions within a design domain without the need for rigorous initial parameters. Traditional topology optimization methodologies are historically applied considering only static loading conditions consisting of a limited number of forces and displacements, thus optimizing desired performance metrics only under these conditions. As an alternative, this work proposes the use of a Lindenmayer System coupled with a graphbased interpreter known as Spatial Interpretation for the Development of Reconfigurable Structures (SPIDRS) to optimize the response of a structural topology over a range of loading magnitudes. The structures examined herein have the goal of matching their mechanical response under loading to an arbitrarily defined stiffness curve. Consequently, this work is one of the first to employ topology optimization in the generation of a structure with a specified behavior across a range of loading conditions. It will be shown that the L-System/SPIDRS framework enables the design of structures which produce a desired reaction force at each of many defined displacements in both tensile and compressive loading conditions.
Professional development journey in MOOCs by pre- and in-service teachers

Pre- and in-service teachers’ professional development is critical in the lifelong learning era. This case study explores 27 pre- and in-service teachers’ reasons for selecting a MOOC, their learni...
Medical Visits From Birth to 6 Months Predict Child Maltreatment Diagnoses Up to Age 5

Electronic health record data for pediatric members of Kaiser Permanente Southern California were used to identify key variables (ie, the number of emergency department visits and the number of pro...
Processing of high-speed videos of shock wave boundary layer interactions

This paper presents a framework for processing high-speed videos recorded during gas experiments in a shock tube. The main objective is to study boundary layer interactions of reflected shock waves in an automated way, based on image processing. The shock wave propagation was recorded at a frame rate of 500,000 frames per second with a Kirana high-speed camera. Each high-speed video consists of 180 frames, with image size [ $$768 \times 924$$ ] pixels. An image processing framework was designed to track the wave front in each image and thereby estimate: (a) the shock position; (b) position of triple point; and (c) shock angle. The estimated shock position and shock angle were then used as input for calculating the pressure exerted by the shock. To validate our results, the calculated pressure was compared with recordings from pressure transducers. With the proposed framework, we were able to identify and study shock wave properties that occurred within less than $$300\, \upmu \hbox {sec}$$ and to track evolveness over a distance of 100 mm. Our findings show that processing of high-speed videos can enrich, and give detailed insight, to the observations in the shock experiments.
Implementing the Flipped Classroom in an Undergraduate Corporate Finance Course

This study analyzes flipped mode of instruction in Corporate Finance. In the current environment, with many students in quarantine and greater emphasis on self-study, it is even more relevant to understand how students understand and retain concepts derived from online environment. In this study, performance of students in flipped mode is compared with the performance in traditional lecture-style. In flipped class, students watched a brief video-lecture, took an online assessment quiz prior to attending an interactive discussion-based class session, unlike the traditional lecture style. The results of this study suggest that with flipped mode, most students take greater responsibility of their learning, prefer hands-on learning, achieve more and feel more satisfied with their performance. However, there is no statistical difference in the test scores of students in the flipped classroom as compared to the traditional classroom.
Smart coating with dual-pH sensitive, inhibitor-loaded nanofibers for corrosion protection

Smart coatings that provide corrosion protection on demand have received a lot of recent attention. In the present study, nanofibers containing a corrosion inhibitor were prepared by a coaxial electrospinning technique, which addresses the limitations of inhibitor-loaded microcapsules or nanocontainers. The as-prepared nanofibers have a core-shell structure with Ce(NO3)3 and the chitosan/polyacrylic acid polyelectrolyte coacervate as the core and shell materials, respectively. UV-vis spectroscopic analysis confirms that the nanofibers are pH-sensitive and able to release the enclosed Ce(NO3)3 at both low and high pH conditions, which are spontaneously generated during corrosion at local anodes and cathodes, respectively. A coating system consisting of such nanofibers within a polyvinyl butyral coating matrix exhibits improved corrosion protection of an AA2024-T3 substrate. Moreover, the embedded Ce(NO3)3-loaded nanofibers can persistently release Ce(NO3)3 to impede corrosion of AA2024-T3 when the artificially damaged coating sample is exposed to NaCl solution.
On partial constituent fronting in German

This paper presents a reevaluation of the choice between the two analyses for German partial fronting phenomena proposed in the literature, remnant movement and reanalysis. We show that the empirical arguments which were presented in favor of an extraction analysis are not convincing, and we provide empirical evidence supporting a reanalysis-like approach. Turning to a detailed data discussion, we compare three different kinds of partial constituents: verbal, adjectival, and nominal ones. Adjectival complements pattern with coherently selected verbal complements whereas nominal complements turn out to be less restricted. On the theoretical side, we show that a reanalysis-like theory can be given a formally precise rendering in the HPSG architecture in terms of a lexical argument-raising specification, which is already widely employed in HPSG analyses of coherence in Germanic and restructuring verbs in Romance languages. The account we propose generalizes previous HPSG approaches to partial complements of different categories and correctly predicts the interaction of (partial) VP topicalization with embedded partial NPs or APs.
Data Compression Support in Databases

Computers running database management applications often manage large amounts of data. Typically, the price of the I/O subsystem is a considerable portion of the computing hardware. Fierce price competition demands every possible savings. Lossless data compression methods, when appropriately integrated with the dbms, yield signiflcant savings. Roughly speaking, a slight increase in cpu cycles is more than offset by savings in I/O subsystem. Various design issues arise in the use of data compression in the dbms from the choice of algorithm, statistics collection, hardware versus software based compression, location of the compression function in the overall computer system architecture, unit of compression, update in place, and the application of log’ to compressed data. These are methodic & y examined and trade-offs discussed in the context of choices made for IBM’s DB2 dbms product.
Spin Dynamics of Rare Earth Ions in Crystal Fields Probed by Muon Spin Rotation

Muon spin rotation (µSR) has been used to probe the dynamics of rare-earth ions in situations where the crystal field splittings have important effects. This paper outlines the theory of spin dynamics in such cases and discusses its application to µSR studies in two specific systems: erbium in noble metals and holmium in LuRh4B4. The former shows novel effects of a muon-induced axial crystal field in the otherwise cubic lattice, and the latter exhibits a dramatic change in temperature dependence because of small admixtures from the tetragonal field.
Direct observations of the connection between meteor activity and mid-latitude sporadic-E using the long wavelength array radio telescope

The phenomenon of mid-latitude sporadic-E (E S ), transient and dense layers of ions within the ionospheric E-region, has been well established to be formed via a combination of zonal wind shears, ion/neutral coupling, and E×B forces at altitudes of ∼100 km. The time scales on which these processes work require relatively long-lived metallic ions. Thus, it has been surmised that the likely seeds for E S are meteors, which deposit significant amounts of metallic material as they ablate within the E-region. However, efforts to uncover observational evidence to support this presumption have had mixed results. Here, we report results from a recent VHF-regime observing campaign that appear to support this notion.
VALIDATION OF TEMPORAL OPTIMIZATION EFFECTS FOR A SINGLE FRACTION OF RADIATION IN VITRO

Purpose To experimentally validate how temporal modification of the applied dose pattern within a single fraction of radiation therapy affects cell survival. Method and Materials Using the linear-quadratic model, we have previously demonstrated that the greatest difference in cell survival results from comparing a temporal dose pattern delivering the highest doses during the middle of a fraction and the lowest at the beginning and end ("Triangle") to one with the lowest doses at the middle and the highest at the beginning and end ("V-shaped"). Also, these differences would be greatest in situations with low α/β and large dose/fraction and fraction length. Two low (WiDr, PC-3) and one high (SQ-20B) α/β cell lines were irradiated in six-well plates with 900 cGy over 20 min (900 cGy/20 min), one each with a Triangle and V-shaped dose pattern. WiDr cells were subjected to the same experiments with first 180 cGy/20 min, then 900 cGy/5 min. Cell survival was assessed using the clonogenic assay. Results At 900 cGy/20 min, irradiation with a V-shaped pattern resulted in an increased survival compared with use of a Triangle pattern of 21.2% for WiDr ( p p p > 0.05). For WiDr cells at 180 cGy/20 min, this increase reduced to 2.7% ( p > 0.05) and to −0.8% ( p > 0.05) at 900 cGy/5 min. Conclusions These results verify the assertions of the modeling study in vitro , and imply that the temporal pattern of applied dose should be considered in treatment planning and delivery.
Transient Response of Glow Discharges with Applications

The transient responses of a number of glow discharges were observed. From the response time of several microseconds, and the characteristic overshoot, they can be described as having an inductive component approaching a henry. This is consistent with the observed frequency response. It is shown how standard neon lamps can be used as fast and noiseless coupling elements for voltage level changing in direct coupled circuits, in spite of the above.
First-principles calculation of the zone center phonons in Zn Si N 2 : Comparison with infrared data

First-principles calculations were performed for the structure and zone center phonons in $\mathrm{Zn}\mathrm{Si}{\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ using the pseudopotential linear-response approach in the generalized gradient approximation. The lattice constants are obtained in agreement with experiment to better than 1%. The static and high-frequency dielectric constants in the $a$, $b$, and $c$ directions are obtained to be about 9.3, 9.9, and 11.0 and 4.9, 4.9, and 5.4, respectively. Using the calculated oscillator strengths and high-frequency dielectric tensor, the infrared spectrum for the ${b}_{1}$ modes is obtained in excellent agreement with experimental data both in terms of peak positions (to within a few percent) and relative peak heights. Our calculations show, however, that the broad higher-frequency peaks in the experiment are still superpositions of unresolved modes. A low-frequency mode at $277\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ with strong oscillator strength predicted by our calculations has thus far not been detected experimentally. This may be due to a short lifetime owing to phonon-phonon scattering to modes at other points in the Brillouin zone, as evidenced by a high density of states near this frequency. Predictions are made for the phonon spectra of other infrared active symmetry modes. Significant anisotropy of the infrared response is obtained. The mode Gr\"uneisen parameters are calculated and various sum rules related to the LO-TO splittings and the Born effective charges are checked.
Finite-dimensional control of distributed parameter systems by Galerkin approximation of infinite dimensional controllers☆

The Galerkin method is presented as a way to develop finite-dimensional controllers for linear distributed parameter systems (DPS). The direct approach approximates the open-loop DPS and then generates the controller from this approximation; the indirect approach approximates the infinite-dimensional stabilizing controller. Conditions under which they produce equivalent controllers in the sense of closed-loop stability are presented. The indirect approach is shown to converge to the stable closed-loop system consisting of DPS and infinite-dimensional controller; conditions are presented on the behavior of the Galerkin method for the open-loop DPS which guarantee closed-loop stability for large enough finite-dimensional approximations.
Two-dimensional modeling of contaminant transport in porous media in the presence of colloids

Abstract It has long been known that colloids can facilitate the transport of contaminants in groundwater systems by reducing the effective retardation factor. A significant effort has been devoted to study colloid-facilitated contaminant transport during the past decade. Many of the previous studies were restricted to one-dimensional analyses and comparisons with finite-column experiments. In this work, a two-dimensional numerical model is developed and used to study the different interactions between colloids, contaminants, and porous media under homogeneous conditions. The numerical formulation of the model is based on discretizing mass balance equations and reaction equations using finite differences having a third-order, total variance-diminishing scheme for the advection terms. This scheme significantly reduces numerical dispersion and leads to greater accuracy compared to the standard central-differencing scheme. The model is tested against analytical solutions under simplified conditions as well as against experimental data, and the results are favorable. The model is used to investigate the impact of the various reaction rates and parameter values on the movement of contaminant plumes in two dimensions. The model is also used to investigate the hypothesis that colloids may increase the effective retardation factor of contaminant plumes. The analysis shows that assuming kinetic mass exchange between contaminant and colloids with constant reaction rate coefficients that are not related to the concentrations may lead to inaccurate results. These inaccurate results are exemplified in the finding that under the kinetic assumption the ratio of the initial concentration of colloids to the initial concentration of contaminant does not affect the amount of facilitation or retardation that occurs in the system. It is also found that colloids can increase the effective retardation factor for the contaminant under certain combinations of reaction rates and distribution coefficients. A quantitative empirical expression to identify whether colloids retard or facilitate the contaminant movement is presented.
DISCRIMINABILITY OF FREQUENCY OF FOOD OR STIMULUS PRESENTATIONS IN VARIABLE-TIME SCHEDULES

Pigeons responded in a two-alternative forced-choice task in which reinforcement was dependent upon the frequency of events that occurred in an immediately preceding schedule sample. On a given trial the events were either brief food presentations or brief visual and auditory stimulus changes. High levels of stimulus control were obtained by food-presentation schedules only. Discriminative control by frequency or stimulus change was absent. Stimulus control by food frequency was decreased by the imposition of a delay period between the schedule sample and the choice. Moreover, stimulus control by food frequency was related to the ratio of food-presentation schedule pairs when novel schedules were presented in a transfer test.
Physical criteria in computer methods for partial differential equations

The purpose of this paper is to show that there are many physical or problem related criteria which may be used to measure quantitatively numerical accuracy. Such criteria have been used sporadically in specialized areas, but little attempt has been made to bring them together within the mainstream of numerical analysis. It has been the case that users of analog/hybrid computers, having to worry about limitations related to the size of machines and number of computing elements in computers, have been very much interested in errors when solving partial differential equations, more than the users of digital machines. Several of the results shown in this paper originated in that field. Our interest however is to apply those concepts to numerical computations, without excluding, however, their applicability to analog/hybrid computation.
Sequence Dependent Parallel Machine Scheduling Using Parallel Ant Colony Optimization With Graphics Hardware Acceleration

This paper studies the effectiveness of using parallel Ant Colony Optimization for sequence dependent parallel machine scheduling on a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) hardware platform. Parallel machine scheduling is a traditional NP-hard combinatorial optimization problem. In this research, a hybrid ant colony optimization method that combines the ‘Apparent Tardiness Cost with Setups’ (ATCS) dispatching rule with massive ants is proposed to solve the parallel machine scheduling problem quickly and efficiently. The computational results demonstrate that the proposed method is effective and solve the problems order of magnitude faster with a GPU accelerated implementation.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Development of spoke cavities for RIA

This paper reports the development status of 345 MHz, 4 cm beam aperture, three-spoke-loaded, TEM-class superconducting cavities for particle velocities 0.4 < v/c < 0.8. Two prototype cavities have been operated cw at 4.2 K at accelerating gradients above 10 MV/m. Results of cold tests, including mechanical properties and microphonic behavior, are presented.
The effects of individual PCB congeners on the soil bacterial community structure and the abundance of biphenyl dioxygenase genes

Abstract Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic environmental contaminants that represent a class of 209 congeners characterized by different degrees of chlorination and substitution patterns. Most of experimental studies about microbial degradation of PCBs have been conducted on PCB mixtures, even though evidence accumulated in bacteria and other organisms shows that exposure to different congeners may have different biological effects. Microcosm experiments were conducted using aerobic agitated soil slurries individually exposed to PCB congeners with different degrees of chlorination: PCB-3, 15, 28, and 77, and the commercial mixture Aroclor 1242. After four weeks of incubation, PCBs were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) showing different transformation extents: With the exception of PCB-15 that was not significantly transformed (7%), biodegradation rates decreased with the degree of chlorination, from 75% for PCB-3 to 22% for PCB-77 and Aroclor 1242. The bacterial abundance, as measured by colony counting and 16S rDNA quantification by real-time PCR, was lower (of about 40%) in soil microcosms exposed to the higher-chlorinated congeners, PCB-28, PCB-77, and Aroclor 1242, as compared to non-exposed soils and soils exposed to the lower-chlorinated congeners, PCB-3 and PCB-15. The relative abundance of different taxonomic groups, as determined by real-time PCR, revealed an increase of β-Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria in all microcosms exposed to PCBs, as compared with non-exposed soil. In addition, exposure to PCB-77 and Aroclor 1242 resulted in a higher abundance of α-Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria. Globally, these results suggest that exposure to PCBs (and especially to higher-chlorinated congeners and Aroclor 1242) selected bacterial groups involving most known PCB degraders, i.e., β-Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria. The quantification of biphenyl dioxygenase (BPH) genes — involved in the aerobic degradation of PCBs — using real-time PCR showed that exposure to all PCB congeners and Aroclor 1242 resulted in a marked increase of two out of the four BPH genes tested, similarly suggesting the selection of PCB-degrading bacteria. This paper showed that exposure to different PCB congeners leads to different structures of the soil bacterial community and BPH genes expression patterns.
Prostacyclin synthesis elicited by cholinergic agonists is linked to activation of M2α and M2β muscarinic receptors in the rabbit aorta

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the subtypes of muscarinic receptors involved in the action of cholinergic agents on prostacyclin synthesis in the rabbit aorta. Prostacyclin production measured as 6-keto-PGF1α was assessed after exposing the aortic rings to different cholinergic agents. Acetylcholine (ACh) (M1 and M2 agonist) (1–10 μM) and arecaidine proparagyl ester (APE) (M2 selective agonist) (1–10 μM) enhanced 6-keto-PGF1α output in a concentration-dependent manner. A selective M1 receptor agonist, McN-A-343, at 1 μM-1 mM did not alter 6-keto-PGF1α output. ACH- and APE induced increases in 6-keto-PGF1α output were attenuated by the M 1 M 2 antagonist atropine (0.1 μM), M2α antagonist (AF-DX 116), (0.1–1.0 μM), and by selective M2β antagonist, hexahydro-sila-difendiol (HHSiD) (0.1–10 μM), but not by the M1 antagonist pirenzepine (1.0 μM). 6-Keto-PGF1α output elicited by ACh- or APE was not altered by the adrenergic receptor antagonist phentolamine and propranolol or by the nicotinic receptor blocker hexamethonium. Similarly, the arachidonic acid- or norepinephrine induced 6-keto-PGF1α accumulation was not altered by these muscarinic receptor antagonists. Indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, prevented arachidonic acid, ACh- or APE induced 6-keto-PGF1α output. Removal of the endothelium abolished the production of 6-keto-PGF1α elicited by ACH, APE, bradykinin, and calcium ionophore A 23187, but not that induced by angiotensin II, K+ or norepinephrine. These data suggests that vascular prostaglandin generation elicited by cholinergic agonists is mediated via activation of M2α and M2β but not M1 muscarinic receptors, which are most likely located on the endothelium.