cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact response of three-dimensional multifunctional sandwich composite

Sandwich composite materials are characterized by high strength and low weight benefits. Traditional applications of sandwich structures primarily utilize polymeric foams and honeycomb as core materials. The primary concern with traditional core sandwich is however, the dissimilarity of the facesheet and core material, core to facesheet delamination under low velocity impact and space inaccessible core. This research presents multifunctional sandwich composites where the core is designed to incorporate functions such as sound/vibration damping and ability to route wires or embed sensors. The multifunctional sandwich composite used in this study has number of curved core piles in the z-direction which are woven to the facesheets at top and bottom. In the present study, the low velocity impact (LVI) response of the 3-D sandwich composites with hollow core and a polyurethane (PUR) foam filled core is studied. Impact response is interpreted in terms of incipient damage point and maximum load point for each case. The mode of failure for the unfoamed specimens was primarily the buckling of the core piles and the rupture of the facesheets, while for the foamed specimens, the foam core crushing along with the core piles failure were the primary modes of failure. The foam filled specimens could withstand the energies up to 70 J with a complete punch through for 73 J of impact energy.
Mobile applications and algorithms to facilitate electric vehicle deployment

Although electric vehicles are attracting increasing interest from consumers and automakers, the disadvantages associated with limited range and the current scarcity of public recharge stations have played a key role in limiting their large scale adoption. In this paper, we explore how information technologies might be used to mitigate `range anxiety' and further strengthen the potential of electric vehicle integration with the renewable energy generation and storage. We motivate several mobile applications/services which would improve the ownership experience of electric vehicles and flexibility for energy providers. Our work leverages a previously proposed sensor platform for collecting travel-time and energy-usage data for a road network by a community of electric car drivers. Travel-time and energy-usage on a given road segment may exhibit substantial variability due to environmental and temporal factors, e.g., congestion, road's grade, AC on/off, etc. Such variability in turn, makes it difficult to accurately predict travel-times as well as the feasible range of a car given its current energy reserves. However, by collecting statistical data using cars/mobiles as probes one can quantify such uncertainty and develop complementary algorithms to counter the anxiety and time waste associated with such uncertainty. This paper develops the necessary (routing) algorithms to support these new classes of applications/services for electric vehicles.
Nalmefene in the treatment of pathological gambling: multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Pathological gambling is a disabling disorder experienced by about 1% of adults. We randomised 233 participants (41.6% women) 1:1:1 to nalmefene (20 or 40 mg) or placebo. In analyses performed using an intention-to-treat (ITT) population, nalmefene failed to show statistically significant differences from placebo on primary and secondary outcomes. Post hoc analyses of only participants who received a full titration of the medication for at least 1 week demonstrated that nalmefene 40 mg/day resulted in significantly greater reductions on the primary outcome measure. These findings suggest that medication dosing may be an important consideration in achieving symptom control.
Coproducts of bounded distributive lattices: infinite distributivity

It is shown that, if two bounded distributive lattices satisfy the join-infinite distributive law (JID), then their coproduct also satisfies this law. In 1986, Yaqub proved that generalized Post algebras with a finite lattice of constants satisfy JID, and stated that, in general, it is not known whether a generalized Post algebra satisfies JID when its lattice of constants satisfies JID. In this note, the statement is proved.
Optimal Treatment of Stable Angina

Angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease is a common manifestation of myocardial ischemia. Reduction of oxygen demand (β-blockers) and relief of coronary vasoconstriction (calcium blocker or nitrate) are additive approaches to controlling ischemia. Risk factor reduction may improve coronary vascular physiology, and ASA reduces the likelihood of thrombosis and myocardial infarction. It is still unclear whether reduction of angina reduces cardiac morbidity and/or mortality. In the Asymptomatic Cardiac Ischemia Pilot Study (ACIP) and Total Ischemic Burden Bisoprolol Study (TIBBS) trials, data suggest benefit from reducing myocardial ischemia. Thus control of angina pectoris is a major goal of the treatment of coronary artery disease.
Biochemical and toxicological studies on the mixtures of three commonly-used herbicides in mice

Herbicidal-mixtures have not been adequately studied in biological systems. Therefore, mixtures of three commonly-used herbicides were evaluated. Alachlor (AL), atrazine (AT), picloram (PI), AL+AT, AT+PI, PI+AL and AL+AT+PI, at 10 ppm (in drinking water) of each herbicide, were provided to mice for 30, as well as for 90, days adlibitum; these herbicides and mixtures, at 100 mg/kg (in corn oil) of each herbicide, were also given to additional groups of mice by oral intubation daily for 21 days. In the 30-day test, the spleen/body weight ratios on Day 31 with respect to the control were increased in the AT (53%) and AL+AT (44%) groups. Decreases in the body weights were noted in the treated groups after Day 31 during the 90-day test. Serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT) and alkaline phosphatase activities with AL+AT+PI were elevated by 36–92% on Day 91; SGPT (34%) and SGOT (73%) activities were increased with AL. During the 21-day oral intubation study, the mouse body weights in the mixture groups were generally lower than the control (p ⩽ 0.05). The liver/body weight ratios were elevated in all groups (16–38%); the spleen/body weight ratio increased with PI (50%). The kidney/body weight ratios were high with PI+AL and AL+AT+PI (p ⩽ 0.05). Excluding AT, the pentobarbital-induced sleep was less (51–77%) in the herbicide-treated groups. Also, necrosis of individual and small groups of hepatocytes was noted with the mixtures. The 9000 g hepatic metabolism of aniline, amidopyrine, phenacetin, and/or benzo[a]pyrene in both 21- and 90-day tests was generally high in the herbicide-treated groups (p /</ 0.05). Findings from this study reveal that these herbicidal-mixtures have the potential to cause hepatotoxicity and stimulate the liver xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in mice.
Parametric studies of image-charge effects on an intense beam in a small-aperture alternating-gradient focusing system

Abstract The image-charge effects on an intense charged-particle beam propagating through an alternating-gradient focusing channel with a small aperture, circular, perfectly conducting pipe are studied using a test-particle model. For a well-matched elliptical beam with the Kapchinskij–Vladimirskij (KV) distribution, it is found that halo formation and beam loss are induced by nonlinear fields due to image charges on the wall. The halo formation and chaotic particle motion is found to depend sensitively on the system parameters: the occupancy of the quadrupole focusing field, the vacuum phase advance, the beam perveance, and the ratio of the beam size to the aperture. Furthermore, the percentage of beam loss to the conductor wall is calculated as a function of propagating distance and aperture.
Treatment of acrophobia with contact desensitization

Abstract Four adult acrophobic subjects were assigned to each of the following three conditions: (1) contact desensitization (CD) treatment; (2) treatment which involved all components of CD treatment except physical contact with the therapist (Non-TCD); or (3) no treatment. Results suggested that therapistcontact is a powerful therapeutic agent. CD treatment produced significantly greater reductions in fear and avoidance of heights than did the other conditions. Non-TCD and control treatments did not differ beyond chance.
Current checklist of state publications

Abstract This listing of state checklists has been compiled in response to requests from librarians and others interested in current bibliographic coverage of state government publications by the States. It is based on materials received by the Interstate Loan Library of the Council of State Governments, with our appreciation for the assistance of the issuing agencies that have made their publications available to us.
Numerical Prediction of Conjugate Heat Transfer in Fluid Network

An unsteady finite volume procedure for conjugate heat transfer in flow network that takes into account the longitudinal conduction through the solid is presented. It uses a fully coupled approach in which the governing equations for solid and fluid are coupled through solid to fluid heat transfer that is expressed as a function of flow properties and temperature of solid. As an evaluation of the proposed technique, a chilldown problem for a cryogenic transfer line is formulated and solved. Test cases modeling transient flow of liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid nitrogen (LN2) under saturated and subcooled liquid conditions are presented. The effects of varying the inlet driving pressure on the chilldown time and flow rates have been evaluated. Increasing the driving pressure decreased the chilldown time and increased the flow rate. Subcooling the inlet cryogen further reduced the chilldown time. Numerical predictions are compared with available experimental data and are found to be in good agreement. The proposed model captures the essential features of conjugate heat transfer and provides an efficient and robust way for predicting chilldown of transfer line at a low computational cost.
The Clinton administration: Science policy developments

There is much speculation on the direction of President-elect Clinton's science policy and who the key players to implement his decisions will be. Clinton has established nine “cluster groups” to review government agencies and their operations. The cluster group coordinators will prepare briefing books “assessing the state” of agencies, identifying trouble spots, and reviewing personnel issues. Cluster groups are looking at operations, while separate teams are developing policy and hiring sub-cabinet-level officials.
An ultrastructural study of the spermatozoon of Eudendrium ramosum.

Spermatozoa of the colonial marine hydroid, Eudendrium were examined with the electron microscope. The spermatozoa of this species were found to differ greatly in structure from previously described spermatozoa in the phylum. The mature sperm are acrosomeless and retain a considerable amount of perinuclear cytoplasm following their maturation. The perinuclear cytoplasm contains numerous organelles: Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, multivesicular bodies, ribosomes and membranous vesicles. The nucleus is elongate and cylindrical, rather than conical, in shape. The four wedge-shaped mitochondria which lie posterior to the nucleus form a fossa which contains proximal and distal centrioles. Centriolar satellites are associated with the distal centriole. The relatively short (15 μ) flagellum consists of two distinct segments: a proximal thick portion and a distal thin portion. The thick segment contains the typical 9+2 arrangement of tubules plus a variable number of peripheral, supernumerary tubules. The thin segment contains from one to eleven tubules.
The profitability of vertical mergers between hospitals and physician practices

We demonstrate that the existence of incentives for vertical mergers between hospitals and physician practices depends upon the relative degree of competitiveness of the two providers' markets. When the degree of competitiveness is comparable, a vertical merger enhances the bargaining position of both merging parties vis-a-vis insurers. In contrast, when one provider's market is much more competitive than the other a vertical merger may reduce the joint profits of the merged entity. Prohibiting the parties from offering their services in conjunction with outside independent entities may restore the profitability of the vertical merger even in this case.
Synthesis of ordered arrays of discrete, partially crystalline titania nanotubes by Ti anodization using diethylene glycol electrolytes

We report the fabrication of self-organized titania nanotube arrays comprised of separated, discrete nanotubes by Ti anodization in fluoride ion containing diethylene glycol (DEG) electrolytes. We describe the effect of the fluoride bearing species used in the anodization electrolyte on the tube morphology, degree of tube-to-tube separation, and crystallization. The arrayed nanotubes achieved from DEG electrolytes containing either HF or NH4F are fully separated with open pores.
(3R,3′R,4S,4′S,11bS,11′bS)‐4,4′‐Bis(1,1‐dimethylethyl)‐4,4′,5,5′‐tetrahydro‐3,3′‐bi‐3H‐dinaphtho[2,1‐c:1′,2′‐e]phosphepin

[528854-26-4] C52H48P2 (MW 734.89) InChI = 1S/C52H48P2/c1-51(2,3)53-31-37-25-23-33-15-7-11-19-39(33)45(37)47-41-21-13-9-17-35(41)27-29-43(47)49(53)50-44-30-28-36-18-10-14-22-42(36)48(44)46-38(32-54(50)52(4,5)6)26-24-34-16-8-12-20-40(34)46/h7-30,49-50H,31-32H2,1-6H3/t49-,50-,53?,54?/m1/s1 InChIKey = YXMFQIWDFKIXGQ-JBOWJRQASA-N (optically active reagent used as a ligand for asymmetric catalysis; the rhodium(I) complexes are highly enantioselective catalysts in homogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation reactions) Alternate Name: (S)-Binapine. Physical Data: mp 375–379 °C. Solubility: soluble in THF, CH2Cl2, and other common organic solvents. Analysis of Reagent Purity: optical rotation; NMR spectroscopy. Form Supplied in: colorless crystals, Sigma–Aldrich. Preparative Method: the Binapine ligands are readily synthesized from (S)-2,2′-dimethylbinaphthyl (eq 1).1 Double metalation of enantiomerically pure (S)-2,2′-dimethylbinaphthyl with n-BuLi/TMEDA followed by reaction with t-BuPCl2 and sulfur yielded the binaphthophosphepine sulfide in 61% yield. Deprotonation of sulfide with t-BuLi/TMEDA followed by coupling mediated by CuCl2 provided disulfide as a single isomer in 25% yield, which was desulfurized with hexachlorodisilane to afford (S)-Binapine in 90% yield. (1) Purification: passing through a short silica gel plug under N2 afforded the pure compound. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: although exposure of the ligand to air for several days did not yield any detectable oxidation product,1 the reagent is still considered air sensitive and should be handled and stored under an inert atmosphere. Toxicity data are not available.
The State of Gerontology—Opus One

An examination of the state of gerontology as observed from the office of the provost prepared for the 2012 GSA Kent Award Lecture. Strengths and weaknesses of the field are identified in the context of the changing environment of higher education. This article identifies specific recommendations for strengthening the field, particularly in the arena of theory development, with the implications for long-range financial support within research universities. The conclusion focuses on GSA leveraging a multidisciplinary team of scholars to sharpen gerontology's underlying theoretical concepts.
An Emerging Protestant Establishment: Religious Affiliation and Public Power on the Urban Frontier in Miami, 1896-1904

A photograph taken in 1896, the year of Miami's incorporation, circulated widely in periodicals of the time, and it came to symbolize the founding of the city in the local and national imagination (figure 1). “That picture has gone all over this country,” one of the men who posed for it recalled, “showing the start of Miami.” In the image seventeen men stand by the mouth of the Miami River, where workers were clearing the ground for the construction of the first tourist hotel, a building owned by a wealthy northern Protestant. For the historian, the carefully posed photograph is illuminating. Most important for the purposes of this essay, it offers hints about power relations in that urban frontier. Note the four white men dressed in their Sunday best who stand behind the workers and observe the scene. They were there that day because John Sewell, the white Baptist who supervised the crew, had hurried down the dirt street to invite "the boys" to get into the historic picture. For Sewell, “the boys” meant white mainline Protestants, each of whom had arrived relatively recently to seek his fortune.
Modern meningioma imaging techniques

Steady improvements in imaging modalities have enabled a new realm of capabilities in the identification and assessment of meningiomas. The cross-sectional imaging modalities, MRI and CT, have improved in resolution and fidelity. These modalites now provide not only improved structural information but also insights into functional behavior. MRI has, in particular, proven to have powerful capabilities in evaluating meningiomas because of the ability to assess soft tissue characteristics such as diffusion and vascular supply information, such as perfusion. Recent investigational advances have also been made using a combination of X-ray fluoroscopy for selective catheterization followed by MR perfusion measurement performed with intra-arterial injection of contrast. Together all these modalities provide the radiographer with powerful capbilities for evaluating meningiomas.
AFFECTED WITH A PUBLIC INTEREST

The following address xvas delivered before the August 26, 1964 Opening Session of the 17th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Blood Banks held at the Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D. C.
Species identity influences belowground arthropod assemblages via functional traits

Plant species influence belowground communities in a variety of ways, ultimately impacting nutrient cycling. Functional plant traits provide a means whereby species identity can influence belowground community interactions, but little work has examined whether species identity influences belowground community processes when correcting for evolutionary history. Specifically, we hypothesized that closely related species would exhibit (i) more similar leaf and root functional traits than more distantly related species, and (ii) more similar associated soil arthropod communities. We found that after correcting for evolutionary history, tree species identity influenced belowground arthropod communities through plant functional traits. These data suggest that plant species structure may be an important predictor in shaping associated soil arthropod communities and further suggest the importance of better understanding the extended consequences of evolutionary history on ecological processes, as similarity in traits may not always reflect similar ecology.
Pathogenic neisseriae can use hemoglobin, transferrin, and lactoferrin independently of the tonB locus.

Redundant TonB systems which function in iron transport from TonB-dependent ligands have recently been identified in several gram-negative bacteria. We demonstrate here that in addition to the previously described tonB locus, an alternative system exists for the utilization of iron from hemoglobin, transferrin, or lactoferrin in Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Following incubation on media containing hemoglobin, N. meningitidis IR3436 (tonB exbB exbD deletion mutant) and N. gonorrhoeae PD3401 (tonB insertional mutant) give rise to colonies which can grow with hemoglobin. Transfer of Hb+ variants (PD3437 or PD3402) to media containing hemoglobin, transferrin, and/or lactoferrin as sole iron sources resulted in growth comparable to that observed for the wild-type strains. Transformation of N. meningitidis IR3436 or N. gonorrhoeae PD3401 with chromosomal DNA from the Hb+ variants yielded transformants capable of growth with hemoglobin. When we inactivated the TonB-dependent outer membrane hemoglobin receptors (HmbR or HpuB) in the Neisseria Hb+ variants, these strains could not grow with hemoglobin; however, growth was observed with transferrin and/or lactoferrin. These results demonstrate that accumulation of iron from hemoglobin, transferrin, and lactoferrin in the pathogenic neisseriae can occur via a system that is independent of the previously described tonB locus.
Skiing the embedded systems mountain

UCLA teaches students how to master the steep slopes of the embedded systems mountain. The EE201A graduate course connects high-level design specification to embedded implementation. There is a long-standing and wide culture gap between system designers that create those abstract specifications and the system architects that need to implement them. In industry, the culture gap has separated software from hardware teams, and platform creators from platform users. In an embedded context, where these are very tightly connected, this leads to large inefficiencies both in design time and design results. Our course takes students to both sides of the gap and lets them look at this problem from different perspectives. For a given application, it teaches how to select target architectures, tools, and design methods. The course covers a stepwise systematic design process. It includes specification, transformation, and refinement of an application. Specifications enable systematic and structured expression of an application. Transformations rework specifications into ones that are a better match for a given target architecture. Refinements lower the abstraction level toward the target architecture. The embedded systems mountain is traversed in two directions. A vertical refinement axis covers elements such as power-memory-reduction methods or fixed-point refinement. A horizontal exploration axis covers various architecture alternatives including application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), domain-specific processors, digital signal processors (DSP), embedded cores, programmable processors, and system-on-chip (SOC). During the course, the students also go through an extensive design project to apply the methods learned in this course. A typical embedded application is used to drive the project. In this paper it is illustrated using an embedded version of an image encoder, more specifically a JPEG encoder. Several commercial tools, design environments, and platforms have been used as alternative implementation targets for this application.
Unresolved feelings of guilt and shame in the maternal role with substance-dependent African American women.

Purpose: To identify care needs of African American women residing in an inner-city transitional home for substance abuse, with the goal of facilitating their ability to move successfully through treatment and recovery. Design: Ethnography. The convenience sample consisted of 12 key participants and 18 general participants. Data were collected 1996–1998. Method: Participant observation and focused interviews were used to collect data. Participants were asked open-ended questions designed to determine their care needs as they experienced treatment and recovery for substance abuse. Findings: Unresolved feelings of guilt and shame associated with perceptions of failure in the maternal role during their active addiction were discovered to be critical issue and possible barrier to successful treatment for African American women in a residential program for treatment of substance abuse. Conclusions: Unresolved feelings of guilt and shame associated with consequences of the use and abuse of substances, particularly with perceptions of failure in the maternal role, could serve as barriers to successful treatment and recovery for substance-dependent African American women. Nursing actions designed to facilitate healing with these women could offer the potential for improved maternal and child health and well being.
Uncertainty and Price Theory

I. Introduction, 116. — II. Cost and uncertain demand, 117. — III. Alternative specifications, 118. — IV. Single period horizon: equilibrium conditions, 119. — V. The fundamental theorem, 122. — VI. Example: constant marginal cost, linear riskless demand, and rectangular distribution, 124. — VII. Rising marginal cost, 126. — VIII. Falling marginal cost, 127. — IX. Multi-period horizon, 128.— X. Conclusion, 129.
The effect of doubly ionizable vacancy acceptors on the conductivity of donor doped semiconducting compounds with special reference to CdTe and ZnTe

Abstract A discussion is given for the effect of doubly ionizable vacancy acceptors on the semi-conducting properties of donor doped compound semiconductors. The state during preparation as well as that reached after rapid cooling is discussed. The considerations are applied to CdTe and ZnTe. It is shown that a model proposed for CdTe by de Nobel is consistent with the experimental data available at present. ZnTe is seen to have a strong preference for p -type conduction, but on the basis of the model accepted so far conversion to low resistivity n -type material should be possible at large doping concentrations. High resistivity material, as observed, requires extension of the model. Different conclusions reached by M andel et al. are traced back to the assignment of an erroneous value to an essential entropy term.
The overall constitutive behaviour of nonlinearly elastic composites

This work uses the general framework of Hill for the definition of overall mechanical properties of composite materials undergoing large deformations, together with Ball's constitutive assumption of polyconvexity, and ideas based on a Hashin-Shtrikman variational structure developed recently by Talbot & Willis for nonlinear problems, to obtain rigorous first-order (depending only on the initial volume fractions of the phases) and second-order (depending also on the overall isotropy of the composite) bounds on the overall properties of composite materials with nonlinearly elastic phases. Although the proposed first-order upper bound, or Voigt bound, agrees with a previous result, the corresponding lower bound, or Reuss bound, is significantly tighter than the previously available result. The proposed second-order bounds are completely new, and are of course tighter than the first-order bounds. Additionally, a 'self-consistent' estimate is given for the case when the phases are neohookean.
Relation of dietary carbohydrates to blood lipids in the special intervention and usual care groups in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial

This chapter explores relations between reported intake of dietary carbohydrates and measurements of plasma lipids at baseline and during trial years 1-6 of the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial. With control for dietary lipids, alcohol, and other factors, total carbohydrate intake at baseline was inversely related to baseline plasma total cholesterol and high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol; starch and other simple carbohydrates were unrelated to plasma lipids and sucrose was inversely related to HDL cholesterol. During trial years 1-6, men assigned to the special intervention group increased their intake of starch and other simple carbohydrates as they decreased their fat intake, and lowered their intakes of refined and processed sucrose. Total carbohydrate intake of these men was inversely related to total, low-density-lipoprotein (LDL), and HDL cholesterol. Starch and sucrose intakes were also inversely related to HDL cholesterol. In contrast, intake of other simple carbohydrates was directly related to HDL, and inversely related to plasma total and LDL cholesterol. For men in the highest quintile of intake of other simple carbohydrates compared with men in the lowest quintile, plasma total cholesterol was lower by 3.6 mg/dL, LDL cholesterol was lower by 4.3 mg/dL, and HDL cholesterol was higher by 1.6 mg/dL. Findings were generally similar for men in the usual care group.
An Empirical Test of the Validity of the Oral Health Status Index (OHSI) on a Minority Population

Disease varies in different populations based on sociodemographic variables, and there is limited understanding of this interaction. The purpose of this methodological study was to determine the validity of the Oral Health Status Index, a disease-based index, on a Hispanic population by comparing it with the NIDCR epidemiological measures of disease, with the addition of demographic and behavioral variables. The epidemiologic data were collected according to the criteria defined by the NIDCR, including: a modified Decayed Missing Filled Surfaces Index, gingival inflammation, calculus, and destructive periodontal disease measures. The demographic and behavioral variables were gathered from 240 interviews with Hispanic adults in two community clinics. Bivariate analysis was used to determine relationships between the descriptive epidemiologic, demographic, and behavioral variables and the Oral Health Status Index (OHSI). There were statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in mean OHSI scores among t...
Boundary‐conforming coordinates with grid line control for acoustic scattering from complexly shaped obstacles

The current work sets forth a practical approach to numerically solve two-dimensional direct acoustic scattering problems from complexly shaped scatterers with severe singularities, such as corners and cusps. First, boundary conforming coordinates are generated. This generation is performed through an elliptic grid generator algorithm, including control of the coordinate lines. The grid line control solely depends on the initial distribution of grid points. Following the grid generation process, the initial boundary value problem, modelling the scattering phenomenon, is formulated in terms of the new curvilinear coordinates, and a finite-difference time domain method is implemented. The presence of the boundary singularities causes instability of the numerical method. However, by appropriately controlling the distance between grid lines in the vicinity of these singularities, stability and convergence are achieved. A semianalytical formula for the differential scattering cross-section is obtained from the discrete Fourier transform of the computed scattered pressure field. The method is successfully applied to several interesting scatterers of various shapes. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2007
YOUNG WIDOW(ER)S, SOCIAL SECURITY, AND MARRIAGE

The Social Security program, like the federal income tax system, is not marriage neutral. In the income tax literature, when a couple faces a higher (lower) tax bill as a married couple than as two single individuals, it is said that the couple, in effect, faces a marriage penalty (marriage subsidy). Similarly, provisions in Social Security lead to marriage subsidies or penalties. In this paper, we examine marriage penalties associated with Social Security's child-in-care benefits. These benefits are paid to widow(er)s who are caring for minor or disabled children. Benefits to the widow(er) terminate upon remarriage, giving rise to marriage penalties. We document the size of these penalties, discuss their likely effects on marriage decisions, and measure the cost of repealing the termination provision.
An adaptive algorithm for optimizing the packet size used in wireless ARQ protocols

We develop an algorithm that allows an ARQ protocol to dynamically optimize the packet size based on estimates of the channel bit-error-rate. Our algorithm is particularly useful for wireless and satellite channels where the bit-error-rates tend to be relatively high and time variable. Our algorithm uses the acknowledgment history to make estimates of the channel bit-error-rate, based on which the optimal packet size can be chosen. We develop a Markov chain model for the analysis of the system, under static channel conditions, and show that the algorithm can achieve close to optimal performance using a history of just 10,000 bits. We also use the Gilbert–Elliott two-state Markov channel to model dynamic channel conditions. We show, through simulation, that the algorithm performs well even under rapidly changing channel conditions. Finally, we discuss a maximum likelihood approach for choosing the packet size, which performs almost optimally but is much easier to implement.
Low-noise broadband light generation from optical fibers for use in high-resolution optical coherence tomography

Broadband light generation from a single-mode optical fiber was developed for high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT). No noise amplification was observed for light broadened by self-phase modulation. The investigation showed that the intensity noise of light broadened by self-phase modulation in a single-mode optical fiber was much lower than that of continuum light from a microstructure fiber (MSF). The spectral width of a femtosecond input laser pulse was successfully broadened by a factor of 11, and a coherence length of 3.7 microm was achieved with this source. The application of light broadened by a single-mode optical fiber and MSF was compared for use in OCT imaging. The results showed that a single-mode fiber with a small core diameter is a useful way to generate low-noise, broadband light for high-resolution OCT imaging.
Automated and Manual Direct Methods for the Determination of Blood Urea

Automated and manual direct methods for the determination of urea in blood or serum are described. These methods determine urea by the colored product formed when urea, in relatively weak acid solution, reacts with diacetyl monoxime in the presence of thiosemicarbazide and ferric ion. Results are compared with those obtained by urease conversion of urea to ammonia and measurement of the ammonia by nesslerization.
Synthesis of Carbide Nanostructures on Monolithic Agricultural‐Waste Biomass‐Activated Carbon Templates

Silicon carbide nanowires (SiCNWs) have been successfully produced by a conventional synthesis method with silicon powder on agricultural-waste-activated carbon templates. Specific surface area (SSA) values of ∼900 m2/g were achieved through the conventional activation of Crambe stalk with potassium hydroxide (KOH). Various morphologies and large-scale growth of SiCNWs are observed after loading with Si and pyrolysis at 1500°C. Solid–solid and vapor–liquid–solid processes are considered potential mechanisms for nanowire development and KOH may also contribute to reaction kinetics. The demonstrated process may provide structurally stable high SSA monolithic templates for the production of tailored solid-state adsorbent bed precursors.
The chromosome: Cytogenetic analysis and its clinical application ☆ ☆☆ ★ ★★ ♢

Abstract Purpose: Chromosomes are highly structured, dynamic complexes of DNA and protein. The human genome consists of 46 chromosomes (22 paired autosomes and 2 sex chromosomes). Cytogenetic analysis provides a means to identify, as well as describe, chromosomes and disorder-related aberrations. The purpose of this article is to 1) introduce chromosome structure and alterations, 2) describe the technical fundamentals of cytogenetic analysis, and 3) provide a brief overview of the clinical applications of this technology. © 2000 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Selective pressures in the human bony pelvis: Decoupling sexual dimorphism in the anterior and posterior spaces

Objectives Sexual dimorphism in the human bony pelvis is commonly assumed to be related to the intensity of obstetrical selective pressures. With intense obstetrical selective pressures, there should be greater shape dimorphism; with minimal obstetrical selective pressures, there should be reduced shape dimorphism. This pattern is seen in the nondimorphic anterior spaces and highly dimorphic posterior spaces. Decoupling sexual dimorphism in these spaces may in turn be related to the differential influence of other selective pressures, such as biomechanical ones. Materials and Methods The relationship between sexual dimorphism and selective pressures in the human pelvis was examined using five skeletal samples (total female n = 101; male n = 103). Pelvic shape was quantified by collecting landmark coordinate data on articulated pelves. Euclidean distance matrix analysis was used to extract the distances that defined the anterior and posterior pelvic spaces. Sex and body mass were used as proxies for obstetrical and biomechanical selective pressures, respectively. Results MANCOVA analyses demonstrate significant effects of sex and body mass on distances in both the anterior and the posterior spaces. A comparison of the relative contribution of shape variance attributed to each of these factors suggests that the posterior space is more influenced by sex, and obstetrics by proxy, whereas the anterior space is more influenced by body mass, and biomechanics by proxy. Conclusions Although the overall shape of the pelvis has been influenced by obstetrical and biomechanical selective pressures, there is a differential response within the pelvis to these factors. These results provide new insight into the ongoing debate on the obstetrical dilemma hypothesis. Am J Phys Anthropol 157:428–440, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Functional reactive programming as a hybrid system framework

In previous work we presented functional reactive programming (FRP), a general framework for designing hybrid systems and developing domain-specific languages for related domains. FRP's synchronous dataflow features, like event driven switching, supported by higher-order lazy functional abstractions of Haskell allows rapid development of modular and reusable specifications. In this paper, we look at more closely to the relation of arrowized FRP (AFRP), the FRP implementation, and formal specification of hybrid systems. We show how a formally specified hybrid system can be expressed in FRP and present a constructive proof showing that, for a subset of AFRP programs, there is a corresponding formal hybrid system specification.
The Numeracy Understanding in Medicine Instrument: A Measure of Health Numeracy Developed Using Item Response Theory

Background: Health numeracy can be defined as the ability to understand and apply information conveyed with numbers, tables and graphs, probabilities, and statistics to effectively communicate with health care providers, take care of one’s health, and participate in medical decisions. Objective: To develop the Numeracy Understanding in Medicine Instrument (NUMi) using item response theory scaling methods. Design: A 20-item test was formed drawing from an item bank of numeracy questions. Items were calibrated using responses from 1000 participants and a 2-parameter item response theory model. Construct validity was assessed by comparing scores on the NUMi to established measures of print and numeric health literacy, mathematic achievement, and cognitive aptitude. Participants: Community and clinical populations in the Milwaukee and Chicago metropolitan areas. Results: Twenty-nine percent of the 1000 respondents were Hispanic, 24% were non-Hispanic white, and 42% were non-Hispanic black. Forty-one percent had no more than a high school education. The mean score on the NUMi was 13.2 (s = 4.6) with a Cronbach a of 0.86. Difficulty and discrimination item response theory parameters of the 20 items ranged from –1.70 to 1.45 and 0.39 to 1.98, respectively. Performance on the NUMi was strongly correlated with the Wide Range Achievement Test–Arithmetic (0.73, P \ 0.001), the Lipkus Expanded Numeracy Scale (0.69, P\0.001), the Medical Data Interpretation Test (0.75, P\ 0.001), and the Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test (0.82, P \ 0.001). Performance was moderately correlated to the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy (0.43, P \ 0.001). Limitations :T he NUMi was found to be most discriminating among respondents with a lower-than-average level of health numeracy. Conclusions :T he NUMi can be applied in research and clinical settings as a robust measure of the health numeracy construct.
The Influence Of Atmospherics In Consumer Research Data Collection

This study investigates the effects of ambient atmosphere on market research survey response quality, following approaches in the retail atmospherics literature. Participants completed a survey task and reported their affect states in a between subjects factorial experiment which manipulated ambient music, lighting and aroma conditions. Structural equation methods were used to test for effects of atmospheric factors on response quality and respondent affect. Findings suggest that ambient atmosphere may contribute to cognitive enrichment up to a point where it becomes distracting. At that point, ambient cues appear to interfere with cognitive processing. Survey response quality may be compromised through reduced positive affect, increased fatigue, or boredom, but the influence mechanism is different between males and females. The importance of stimulus manipulations is stressed and the effects of specific stimulus are provided to help researchers understand the impact toward response quality. Marketing researchers from both the academic and managerial community may be able to improve survey response quality by managing environmental conditions to enhance survey experience.
Recurrent pneumococcal meningitis in pregnancy. Case report.

Abstract 1. A case of recurrent pneumococcal meningitis complicating pregnancy is reported. 2. No fetal or maternal morbidity or mortality was encountered in either pregnancy. 3. Surgical treatment offers the only assurance of freedom from still another recurrence, since a craniopharyngeal fistula is presumed to be present.
Probabilistic Verification of Multi-robot Missions in Uncertain Environments

The effective use of autonomous robot teams in highly-critical missions depends on being able to establish performance guarantees. However, establishing a guarantee for the behavior of an autonomous robot operating in an uncertain environment with obstacles is a challenging problem. This paper addresses the challenges involved in building a software tool for verifying the behavior of a multi-robot waypoint mission that includes uncertain environment geometry as well as uncertainty in robot motion. One contribution of this paper is an approach to the problem of a-priori specification of uncertain environments for robot program verification. A second contribution is a novel method to extend the Bayesian Network formulation to reason about random variables with different subpopulations, introduced to address the challenge of representing the effects of multiple sensory histories when verifying a robot mission. The third contribution is experimental validation results presented to show the effectiveness of this approach on a two-robot, bounding overwatch mission.
Protein kinase Cζ: not-so-innocent bystander or unusual suspect in kidney transplant rejection?

Antibodies against non-HLA targets are increasingly recognized in the context of transplant rejection. However, their specific role remains largely elusive, as evidence exists supporting both their occurrence as an epiphenomenon and their actual pathogenicity in the rejection process. Sutherland et al. describe protein kinase Cζ as a novel, non-HLA antigenic target in the setting of graft rejection.
Wrinkles and Acne Scars: Technology-Based Treatment of Periorbital Wrinkles

Although many energy-based devices offer well-documented benefits in treating facial rhytids, less comprehensive study exists to support their safety and efficacy within the orbital rim. Choose ocular safety devices appropriate to the therapy. These include plastic eye shields for radiofrequency treatments and metal eye shields for laser resurfacing. To determine the optimal treatment, consider the anatomic basis for the patient’s periorbital rhytids: photodamage, volume loss, frequent use of the underlying musculature, or a combination of the three. Understand the primary indications and limitations of each of the major treatment options that are safe and efficacious for use in the periorbital region. Multiple treatment approaches are often required to optimize cosmetic results in the periocular area. These may include dermal fillers, chemical peels, neurotoxins, or blepharoplasty in addition to lasers or other energy-based devices. Surgery is indicated for individuals with excessive periorbital laxity or skin redundancy, which cannot be treated effectively with laser and energy treatments alone.
Electrolytic Deposition of Fine Pitch Sn/Cu Solder Bumps for Flip Chip Packaging

Current methods for the formation of pre-solder bumps for flip chip attachment use stencil printing techniques with an appropriate alloy solder paste. The continuing trend towards increased miniaturization and the associated decrease in size of solder resist opening, SRO is causing production difficulties with the stencil printing process. Practical experience of production yields has shown that stencil printing will not be able to meet future requirements for solder bump pitch production below 150μm for these applications. This paper describes latest developments in the electrolytic deposition of solder to replace the stencil printing process; results from production of 90μm bump pitch solder arrays with tin/copper alloy are given. The solder bump is produced with a specially developed electrolytic tin process which fills a photo resist defined structure on the SRO. The photoresist dimensions determine the volume of solder produced and the subsequent bump height after reflow. Investigations on the bump r...
Comparison of Sampling Methods for the Detection of Salmonella on Whole Broiler Carcasses Purchased from Retail Outlets

An experiment was conducted to compare the effectiveness levels of two methods in recovering Salmonella from the same carcass. One hundred fresh whole broiler chickens were purchased from retail outlets over a 5-week period (20 carcasses per week). After carcasses had been aseptically removed from the packages and giblets had been removed, the carcasses were placed in sterile bags containing 400 ml of 1% buffered peptone water, the bags were shaken for 60 s, and a 30-ml aliquot was removed and incubated for 24 h at 37°C (aliquot sample). Then, an additional 130 ml of 1% buffered peptone water was immediately added to the bag with the carcass (bringing the volume to 500 ml), the bag was reshaken, and the carcass and rinse were incubated for 24 h at 37°C (whole-carcass enrichment sample). Following incubation, 0.5-ml samples for the two methods were placed into 10 ml of Rappaport-Vassiliadis broth and into 10 ml of tetrathionate (Hajna) broth and incubated at 42°C for 24 h. Each broth was then streaked onto...
Single Particle Nanomechanics in Operando Batteries via Lensless Strain Mapping

We reveal three-dimensional strain evolution in situ of a single LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 nanoparticle in a coin cell battery under operando conditions during charge/discharge cycles with coherent X-ray diffractive imaging. We report direct observation of both stripe morphologies and coherency strain at the nanoscale. Our results suggest the critical size for stripe formation is 50 nm. Surprisingly, the single nanoparticle elastic energy landscape, which we map with femtojoule precision, depends on charge versus discharge, indicating hysteresis at the single particle level. This approach opens a powerful new avenue for studying battery nanomechanics, phase transformations, and capacity fade under operando conditions at the single particle level that will enable profound insight into the nanoscale mechanisms that govern electrochemical energy storage systems.