cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Time Delays on Networked Control of Autonomous Systems

Large scale autonomous systems comprised of closed-loop networked subsystems need new scalable communication, control and computation techniques to interact with humans. In order to be stable and work efficiently, these systems need to have a feed-back loop which considers the networked communication. In this chapter (1) a control system to perform simulated experiments incorporating practical delays and the effects encountered when the subsystems communicate amongst each other is modeled. The simulations show the effects of time delays and the resulting instability from large delays. (2) The time delay systems (TDS) are modeled for both communication and computation in a system of multiple heterogeneous vehicles. (3) Open problems in the delay systems although mostly in the linear space, decentralized control framework for networked control systems has been researched. (4) Finally, an input observer based system for networked control system is reviewed.
Changes in Intravenous Immunoglobulin Usage for Hypogammaglobulinemia After Implementation of a Stewardship Program.

PURPOSE:Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is used to replenish immunoglobulins in hypogammaglobulinemia (HG) caused by hematologic malignancies (HM) or their treatment (autologous stem-cell transpl...
How intra-stage and inter-stage competition affect overcompensation in density and hydra effects in single-species, stage-structured models

Understanding and predicting responses to increased mortality is important for conservation biology and population management strategies. In stage-structured populations, increased mortality of a particular stage can have the counterintuitive effect of causing increased abundance in one or more stages (called stage-specific overcompensation in density) or the whole population (called a hydra effect). We analyzed an n-stage, single-species, ordinary differential equation model in order to explore the mechanisms driving overcompensation in density and hydra effects in stage-structured populations. We find that in the absence of inter-stage competition, overcompensation in density only occurs if intra-stage competition in one stage is sufficiently strong to cause overcompensation in the maturation or reproductive rate of that stage (i.e., increased input causes decreased output for that stage). When there is inter-stage competition, overcompensation in density can also be driven by sufficiently strong inter-stage competition, even in the absence of overcompensation in any ecological rate. Hydra effects arise under the same conditions and are more likely to be caused by sufficiently strong intra-stage competition. We interpret our results in terms of the direct and indirect effects between stages, which helps clarify the relationships between stage-specific overcompensation in density, overcompensation in ecological rates and hydra effects.
Survivorship Programs for the Cancer Survivor: Next steps for the Modern Cancer Patient

Cancer remains a significant medical challenge for modern health care. Therapies have improved. Chemotherapy can now be applied and targeted to specific expression products and biomarkers. Radiation therapy is directed to specific targets with applied image guidance including less normal tissue in the treatment fields. Surgery has improved with robotics and improvements in rehabilitation and recovery. More patients are surviving their primary challenge from malignancy. As such, more patients now have the imprint of therapy upon their normal tissues. It is important for all practitioners, including primary care physicians and medical subspecialists, to participate in the aftercare of these patients with a comprehensive strategic manner to both prevent normal tissue injury and ameliorate injury if/when it occurs.
Environmental neuroeconomics: how neuroscience can inform our understanding of human responses to climate change

The field of neuroeconomics offers a window into the mind, examining the neural mechanisms that motivate human decision-making at both the individual and population levels. This research can aid environmental economists, policymakers, and advocates who wish to better understand human perceptions of, and responses to, climate change. This article explores neuroeconomic investigations of many factors relevant to climate change risk including affective response, processing of uncertainty, intertemporal choice, and social and cooperative decision-making. The capacity of neuroeconomic data to both forecast population-level behavior and characterize individual differences is promising for yielding insights that can be built into climate policy and integrated assessment models, refining welfare analyses and understanding the boundaries of benefit-cost analyses. Informing existing models of environmental decision-making with an understanding of the functional bases for choice and risk perception can provide a more nuanced approach to public engagement on climate issues and planning for a sustainable future.
Quantitation of amiodarone and N-desethylamiodarone in single HepG2 cells by single-cell printing-liquid vortex capture-mass spectrometry.

Quantitative measure of a drug and its associated metabolite(s) with single-cell resolution is often limited by sampling throughput or other compromises that limit broad use. Here, we demonstrate the use of single-cell printing-liquid vortex capture-mass spectrometry (SCP-LVC-MS) to quantitatively measure the intracellular concentrations of amiodarone (AMIO) and its metabolite, N-desethylamiodarone (NDEA), from thousands of single cells across several AMIO incubation concentrations ranging from 0 to 10 μM. Concentrations obtained by SCP-LVC-MS were validated through comparison with average assays and traditional measurement of cells in bulk. Average of SCP-LVC-MS measurements and aggregate vial collection assay the concentrations differed by < 5%. Both AMIO and NDEA had clear log-normal distributions with similar standard deviation of concentrations in the cell population. The mean of both AMIO and NDEA intracellular concentrations were positively correlated with AMIO incubation concentration, increasing from 0.026 to 0.520 and 0.0055 to 0.048 mM for AMIO and NDEA, respectively. The standard deviation of AMIO and NDEA log-normal distribution fits were relatively similar in value across incubation concentrations, 0.15–0.19 log10 (mM), and exhibited a linear trend with respect to each other. The single cell-resolved conversion ratio of AMIO to NDEA increased with decreasing incubation concentration, 7 ± 2%, 18 ± 3%, and 20 ± 7% for 10.0, 1.0, and 0.1 μM AMIO incubation concentrations, respectively. Association with simultaneously measured lipids had several ions with statistically significant difference in intensity but no clear correlations with AMIO intracellular content was observed.
Walsh Functions and Predicting Problem Complexity

Theorems axe given establishing the epistatic bounds for problems that can be stated as mathematical expressions. Examples of the application of the theorems and techniques for controlling epistasis are presented.
Development of Boridized Passivation Layer for Use in Pem Fuel Cells Bipolar Plates

This paper outlines the development of a new low-cost materials concept for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Employing the roll bonding process to prepare a nickel clad steel laminate, the thin outer nickel layer is then passivated using a powder pack boridization technique. Results from energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses and from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that a relatively homogeneous Ni 3 B layer grows on the exposed surfaces of the nickel and that the thickness of this layer can be readily controlled through the time and temperature over which boridization takes place. At high boridization temperatures, ≥ 700°C, and long periods of time, a Ni 2 B overlayer forms on top of the Ni 3 B. Preliminary exposure testing conducted at 80°C for 300hrs in 1M H 2 SO 4 containing 2ppm HF demonstrates a significant increase in the corrosion resistance that is attributable to the boridization treatment.
Evaluation of a Mentor Teacher Model for Enhancing Mathematics Instruction through the Use of Computers

AbstractThirty-nine middle- and high-school mathematics teachers, located in 33 different New Jersey schools in 14 districts, were trained in the effective use of computer-based technologies for teaching mathematics. These 39 teachers were also trained and supported as mentor teachers who worked with 212 mentee teachers during Year 3 of the project. Thus, the program affected a total of 251 classrooms. In the classrooms where teachers became regular users of computer technology for mathematics instruction, greater use of student-centered teaching methods that employed cooperative-learning and problem-solving activities was observed. An important component of this project was the development of a model for working with schools and school systems to diffuse computer-based technological approaches to staff development. Application of the model developed in this project has the capability of achieving large-scale diffusion and institutionalization of new teaching methods that incorporate the use of computer t...
Microbiological Examination of Cocoa Powder

Total aerobic plate counts of 36 cocoa powders ranged from 100 to 27,000 per g, with 86% having counts of less than 9,300 per g. Bacillus and Micrococcus were the only genera identified.
Can Corporate Social Responsibility Counteract Personal Incentives to Manage Earnings?: Examining Mechanisms that Influence Managers’ Discretionary Accrual Decisions

Regulators and investors have expressed concern over the number of companies that have had to restate earnings because of their inappropriate use of discretionary accruals to manage earnings. In many cases, this behavior has resulted in serious negative effects (e.g., loss of market capitalization). Thus, it is important to identify factors with the potential to mitigate such behavior. We examine a possible mitigating characteristic of an organization that may influence managers’ willingness to manage earnings: its level of commitment to social responsibility. A company’s commitment to socially responsible actions may serve to heighten its managers’ awareness of a broader range of stakeholders’ interests. This, in turn, may color managers’ perceptions of their organization’s corporate governance, thus influencing their willingness to manage earnings. We conduct an experiment in which experienced managers are placed in the role of a division manager facing a year-end accrual decision. We find that a company’s demonstrated commitment to social responsibility moderates both upward and downward earnings management attempts. Further, we respond to recent calls to identify mechanisms through which corporate social responsibility influences managers’ decisions. We propose, and find support for, a complex model in which a company’s demonstrated commitment to social responsibility influences the consideration managers give to the organization’s broader set of constituents and, in turn, managers’ perceptions of corporate governance. Perceptions of corporate governance then differentially affect the level of accruals, depending on the direction of the earnings management incentive.
Sampling rare pediatric populations.

Abstract The sampling of general populations of individuals or households for survey research is well described. However, much of the focus of pediatric nursing research is on special or rare populations. This article presents techniques that may be used to locate rare populations for pediatric nursing research. Additionally, development and analysis of one technique used to locate a sample frame for a survey of time use of chronically ill school-age children is discussed.
Spectrophotometric titration of zirconium in siliceous materials

An accurate and selective complexometric titration procedure based upon a spectrophotometrically detected end-point has been developed for the determination of zirconium in glasses, glass-ceramics and refractories. A p-bromomandelic acid separation step for zirconium imparts excellent selectivity to the procedure. The method is particularly important for the 1-5% concentration range where a simple, accurate and selective method for the determination of zirconium has been lacking.
Design and synthesis of a potent biotinylated Smac mimetic

Abstract A biotinylated Smac mimetic ( 2 ) was designed based upon our previously reported potent, conformationally constrained Smac mimetic ( 1 ). Smac mimetic ( 2 ) was synthesized and determined to bind to XIAP protein with a high-affinity ( K i value of 13 nM) and is therefore a useful pharmacological tool for probing the intracellular targets of this class of potent Smac mimetics.
Red light-induced suppression of gravitropism in moss protonemata

Abstract Moss protonemata are among the few cell types known that both sense and respond to gravity and light. Apical cells of Ceratodon protonemata grow by oriented tip growth which is negatively gravitropic in the dark or positively phototropic in unilateral red light. Phototropism is phytochrome-mediated. To determine whether any gravitropism persists during irradiation, cultures were turned at various angles with respect to gravity and illuminated so that the light and gravity vectors acted either in the same or in different directions. Red light for 24h (≥140nmol m −2 s −1 ) caused the protonemata to be oriented directly towards the light. Similarly, protonemata grew directly towards the light regardless of light position with respect to gravity indicating that all growth is oriented strictly by phototropism, not gravitropism. At light intensities ≤100nmol m −2 s −1 , no phototropism occurs and the mean protonemal tip angle remains above the horizontal, which is the criterion for negative gravitropism. But those protonemata are not as uniformly upright as they would be in the dark indicating that low intensity red light permits gravitropism but also modulates the response. Protonemata of the aphototropic mutant ptr1 that lacks a functional Pfr chromophore, exhibit gravitropism regardless of red light intensity. This indicates that red light acts via Pfr to modulate gravitropism at low intensities and to suppress gravitropism at intensities ≥140nmol m −2 s −1 .
An Analytical Solution to Transient Heat Conduction in a Composite Region With a Cylindrical Heat Source

An approximate analytical solution to the transient heat-conduction problem in a large composite region with an internal cylindrical source is presented. The generalized orthogonal expansion technique is utilized in deriving the solution. Such problems are encountered in the design or simulation of the ground-coupled heat exchangers used in ground-coupled heat pumps. Solutions are presented for the nondimensional temperature as a function of the ratios of the thermal conductivities and thermal diffusivities of the two materials in the layers. To verify the correctness of the solution, comparisons are made between the two-layer composite solution and the classical homogeneous cylindrical source solution and a finite difference solution.
The Doubly Fed Machine

SYNCHRONOUS machines, operating with a-c excitation on both stator and rotor are used in many applications, for example, as induction frequency converters, as power and instrument Selsyn drives, and as variable speed power drives. Reference 1 has mentioned particularly the variable speed fan drive, and presented equations for the small oscillations of one such doubly fed machine. Reference 2 has also previously given the equations of hunting of the doubly fed machine (part XIV, section IV) in connection with the general study of oscillations of rotating machines. However, since the present authors have been using in their own work equations which seem to them to be more convenient and simpler in form for calculations, and since it now seems desirable to present not only general equations but also some of the more fundamental and significant performance characteristics of these machines, it is thought that this paper may now be appropriate. The form of the equations developed possesses the additional novelty of facilitating the setting up of equivalent circuits for hunting on the a-c network analyzer, and allowing the quick determination of the damping and synchronizing torques directly by wattmeter readings.
Sensitivity requirements of reactive load division circuits in aircraft electric systems

Reactive load unbalance among paralleled generators is analyzed to relate the largest unbalance with the sensitivity of the reactive load division circuit employed in the regulators and with the regulation characteristics of the individual generator-exciter-regulator units. The maximum permissible sensitivity of the reactive load division circuit is found, from stability considerations, to be determined by the unsaturated synchronous reactance of the paralleled generators. The design of the reactive load division circuit is discussed from a system viewpoint.
Are we, as physicians, entitled to our frame of reference?

Abstract [Propp DA. Are we, as physicians, entitled to our frame of reference? Ann Emerg Med . May 2000;35:509-510.]
Evidence for the presence of a [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin in bean sprouts.

An iron-sulfur protein with properties similar to those of ferredoxins found in the leaves of higher plants has been isolated from bean sprouts - a non-photosynthetic plant tissue. The bean sprout protein has a molecular mass of 12.5 kDa and appears to contain a single [2Fe-2S] cluster. The absorbance and circular dichroism spectra of the bean sprout protein resemble those of spinach leaf ferredoxin and the bean sprout protein can replace spinach ferredoxin as an electron donor for NADP+ reduction, nitrite reduction and thioredoxin reduction by spinach leaf enzymes. Although the reduced bean sprout protein (Em = −440 mV) is a slightly stronger reductant than spinach ferredoxin and appears to be less acidic than spinach ferredoxin, the two proteins are similar enough so that the bean sprout protein is recognized by an antibody raised against spinach ferredoxin.
Sorption of monoaromatic hydrocarbons to wood

The sorption of benzene, toluene and o-xylene to wood, a common subsurface fill material, was characterized. Sorptive equilibrium was attained within 24 h for water-saturated Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine chips of centimeter-sized dimensions, consistent with predictions of retarded diffusive transfer into the wood. Sorption to the chips exhibited linear sorption isotherms. When wood−water partition coefficients were normalized to the wood's lignin content, the resulting lignin−water partition coefficients, Klignin, agreed to within a factor of 2 with literature values reported for chemically isolated lignins. Wood sorption was substantially overpredicted by an organic carbon-based model (i.e., Koc). Wood−water partition coefficients for nonionic sorbates (10 < Kow < 104) can be predicted as the product of the wood's fractional lignin content, flignin, and a Klignin estimated from the linear free energy relationship: log Klignin = (0.74 ± 0.09) log Kow − (0.04 ± 0.25).
Dose response and local control using radiotherapy in non‐metastatic Ewing sarcoma

Background To determine prognostic factors for local control in the radiotherapeutic management of non-metastatic Ewing sarcoma. Procedure Forty patients with localized Ewing sarcoma (ES) were treated with primary site RT at one institution. Median RT dose was 55.8 Gy (range, 25.5–76 Gy). Chemotherapy was given to 34 patients (85%) with the most common regimen being vincristine, dactinomycin, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin alternating with ifosfamide and etoposide (VACA + IE) in 10. Median follow-up for surviving patients was 12.3 years (range, 1.7–26.4 years). Results The 5- and 10-year local control rate was 78.2%. On multivariate analysis, RT dose was the only prognostic factor to impact on local control. The 5- and 10-year local control rate was 88.7% for RT dose ≥49 Gy and was 37.5% for 8 cm, the 5- and 10-year local control rate was 85.7% for RT dose ≥54 Gy and 26.7% for RT dose <54 Gy (P = 0.006, log-rank test). Conclusions Radiotherapy dose was found to influence local control in ES. In particular, patients who received RT doses ≥49 Gy for tumor size ≤8 cm and ≥54 Gy for tumor size >8 cm had improved local control. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:145–148. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Phase Behavior and Vapor Pressures of the Pyrene + 9,10-Dibromoanthracene System.

Abstract The present work concerns the thermochemical and vapor pressure behavior of the pyrene + 9,10-dibromoanthracene system. The phase diagram of the system has been studied using the thaw melt method and the results show the formation of non-eutectic multiphase mixtures. The temperatures of crystallization, and enthalpies of fusion and crystallization of the system were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The system behavior can be divided into 5 regions. The X-ray diffraction results also indicated the existence of multiple phase characteristics. The solid–vapor equilibrium studies showed that for mixtures with high mole fractions of pyrene, two different preferred states exist that determines the vapor pressure. For those mixtures with moderate and low mole fractions of pyrene, only one preferred state exists that determines vapor pressure behavior. It was also demonstrated that the vapor pressure of the mixtures is independent of the mixture preparation technique.
Impact of protists on a hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial community from deep-sea Gulf of Mexico sediments: A microcosm study

In spite of significant advancements towards understanding the dynamics of petroleum hydrocarbon degrading microbial consortia, the impacts (direct or indirect via grazing activities) of bacterivorous protists remain largely unknown. Microcosm experiments were used to examine whether protistan grazing affects the petroleum hydrocarbon degradation capacity of a deep-sea sediment microbial community from an active Gulf of Mexico cold seep. Differences in n-alkane content between native sediment microcosms and those treated with inhibitors of eukaryotes were assessed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography following 30–90 day incubations and analysis of shifts in microbial community composition using small subunit ribosomal RNA gene clone libraries. More biodegradation was observed in microcosms supplemented with eukaryotic inhibitors. SSU rRNA gene clone libraries from oil-amended treatments revealed an increase in the number of proteobacterial clones (particularly γ-proteobacteria) after spiking sediments with diesel oil. Bacterial community composition shifted, and degradation rates increased, in treatments where protists were inhibited, suggesting protists affect the hydrocarbon degrading capacity of microbial communities in sediments collected at this Gulf of Mexico site.
CAMS/LLNL ion source efficiency revisited

The Center for AMS, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (CAMS) modified high-intensity Cs+ sputter source has several key characteristics, including very high ion current output, that make it useful for AMS applications. Within the AMS community there have been suggestions that certain aspects of operation of a sputter ion source at very high output levels could result in low ionization efficiency and the likelihood of consuming (burning through) small samples without acquiring adequate statistics. This is of particular importance for small mass carbon targets. We have recently re-determined the carbon ionization efficiency of the CAMS sputter source using graphite targets derived from Oxalic Acid I & II and demonstrated relatively high ionization efficiency (∼33%) during the operation of these sources at high output levels. We also examine the relationship between ion source efficiency and sample size.
Synchronization of perturbed non-linear Hamiltonian oscillators

Abstract We develop a new transformation method for simplifying perturbed non-linear Hamiltonians with one degree of freedom in “generalized” action-angle variables. The method uses non-canonical Lie transformations. The first transformation is chosen to eliminate all perturbation terms from the transformed Hamiltonian. It completely determines the shape of the perturbed orbits; however, a separate time equation must be solved to relate the motion of the perturbed system with the transformed. Thus, we view the transformation as a synchronization of the perturbed motion with the motion along an unperturbed orbit. The second transformation inverts the time equation to produce solutions which are explicit, rather than implicit, in time. These solutions are shown to be equivalent to solutions found using a traditional normalization procedure. Our approach disencumbers the shape of a perturbed orbit from the phase-time relation on the orbit. Furthermore, it avoids the difficulties found in the averaging procedure involving partitioning and integration of periodic functions for as long as possible. This is important for non-linear oscillators since partitioning and integration can be much more involved than for harmonic oscillators described by trigonometric functions. Finally, we demonstrate the method on a perturbed Duffing oscillator in which the periodic functions are elliptic functions.
Soft quaternary anticholinergics: comprehensive quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) with a linearized biexponential (LinBiExp) model.

A comprehensive quantitative structure−activity relationship (QSAR) study is presented for quaternary soft anticholinergics including two distinctly different classes designed on the basis of the soft analogue and the inactive metabolite approaches. Because of the clear biphasic (bilinear) nature of the activity data when all structures (n = 76) were considered as a function of molecular size (volume), a nonlinear model had to be used, and a linearized biexponential (LinBiExp) model proved very adequate. LinBiExp can fit activity data that show a maximum (or a minimum) around a given parameter value but tend to show linearity away from this turning point. Contrary to Hansch-type parabolic models, LinBiExp represents a natural extension of linear models, and a direct correspondence between its parameters and those obtained earlier by linear regression on compound subsets covering more limited parameter ranges could be easily established. Stereospecificity was confirmed as important, and the presence of an ...
40 Gbit/s photonic receivers integrating UTC photodiodes with high- and low-confinement SOAs using quantum well intermixing and MOCVD regrowth

Photonic receivers integrating unitravelling carrier (UTC) photodiodes with high saturation power/high gain semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) are presented. The SOAs demonstrated up to 28 dB of gain with saturation output powers of up to 18.6 dBm, while the UTC photodiodes were capable of 40 Gbit/s operation under high photocurrent operation. The chip-coupled receiver sensitivity was better than -20 dBm at 40 Gbit/s. A high-flexibility quantum well intermixing and MOCVD regrowth integration method was used for device fabrication.
Electrospun poly(D,L-lactide) and polyaniline scaffold characterization

Neuromuscular disease or peripheral nerve damage can interrupt muscle contraction, but tissue engineered constructs can be created to combat this problem. Electrospinning provides a way to create a degradable nonwoven mesh that can be used to culture cells and tissues. Conductive polymers can be blended with other polymers to provide an electrical current to increase cell attachment, proliferation, and migration. We electrospun several polyaniline and poly(D,L-lactide) (PANi/PDLA) mixtures at different weight percents including the following PANi-PDLA solutions (w/v): 24% (83% PDLA/17% PANi), 24% (80% PDLA/20% PANi), 22% (75%PDLA/25% PANi), 29% (83% PDLA/17% PANi), and 29% (80% PDLA/20% PANi). Only the 75/25 electrospun scaffold was able to conduct a current of 5 mA. The calculated electrical conductivity for this scaffold was 0.0437 S/cm. Primary rat muscle cells were cultured on all three of the scaffolds and on tissue culture polystyrene as a positive control. Although the scaffolds degraded during this process, cells were still able to attach and proliferate on each of the different scaffolds. The cellular proliferation measurements showed no significant difference between the four groups measured. The conductivity and cellular behavior demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating a biocompatible, biodegradable, and electrically conductive PDLA/PANi scaffold. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
The time-course of electrocardiographic interbeat interval dynamics in alcoholic subjects after short-term abstinence.

Abstract Alcohol dependence has been correlated with decreases in heart rate variability. However, the time course of recovery of heart rate variability after cessation of alcohol consumption is unknown. We used electrocardiogram (ECG) data serially obtained from a population of detoxifying alcoholic subjects to determine the Hurst exponent of the ECG interbeat interval time series. Higher values of the Hurst exponent are associated with decreased heart rate variability when H ≤0.5. We tested a series of response-surface models relating the Hurst exponent ( H ) thus obtained to the following independent variables: the time interval T (days since last use of alcohol), A (age in years at time of admission), and gender. The best-fit model was: H ( T )=( KA + H m T + H f T )/(1+ T ), F =5.2, P ( F )≤0.01. Model parameters were: K =0.008±0.002 (mean±SEM); asymptotic H -values for males and females: H m =0.24±0.02 and H f =0.16±0.03, respectively, significantly different at P ≤0.05. Age was the strongest predictor of initial H -values in this alcoholic population sample.
Salt related expansion reactions in Portland-cement-based wasteforms

Abstract A small-scale study was conducted to investigate the expansion of a simulated salt-cement wasteform made with a salt mixture containing sodium nitrate, sodium sulfate, and sodium chloride blended with water and Type I Portland cement. The total salt loading was 39.4% by mass of simulated wasteform. Samples cured at 23°C hardened within 90 h and showed strength averaging 11.67 MPa after 23 days. Samples cured at 23°C and 55°C expanded when subjected to temperature cycling from 1 to 25°C. The samples cured at 55°C required only four cycles to disintegrate after showing 14% expansion. Samples cured at 23°C required eight cycles before disintegrating after showing 16% expansion. X-ray diffraction patterns from 1-, 4-, 6-, and 21-day-old samples showed the characteristic patterns of halite, sodium nitrate, darapskite, and unreacted Portland cement. Samples older than 1 day also showed portlandite, sodium sulfate and calcium chloroaluminate hydrate which were not found in the younger sample. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that expansion is due to recrystallization of confined soluble salts. Results suggest thatwasteforms containing such high loadings of soluble salts may disintegrate if subjected to thermal cycling.
Sputter Roughening Instability on the Ge(001) Surface: Energy and Flux Dependence

We have measured surface roughening kinetics during low energy Xe ion sputtering of Ge (001) surfaces. Results are interpreted in terms of an instability theory developed by Bradley and Harper. Although the calculated magnitude of the roughening rate does not agree with the measured value, the variation of the rate with ion flux and energy is on agreement with the theory.
Serum agglutinators of erythrocytes sensitized with enzyme digested anti-Rh antibodies.

Summary Four anti-Rh antibodies were digested with 4 different proteolytic enzymes: pepsin, papain, ficin and bromelin. It was demonstrated that most human sera will agglutinate erythrocytes sensitized with these antibodies when they are ‘modified’ by the proteolytic enzymes. The agglutinators in human sera were shown to be specific for the ‘modification’ characteristic of the specific enzyme, although papain and ficin agglutinators cross react. Furthermore, only a minimal degree of digestion of the globulin molecule is necessary to reveal the hidden determinant. A study of certain individuals subject to the stress of renal transplantation, tuberculosis or rheumatoid arthritis, showed some fluctuation in agglutination titer but the events eliciting this change remain elusive.
Surface modification by a two-liquid process deposition of A–B block copolymers

Abstract A surface modification technique involving a two-liquid process deposition of an A–B block copolymer (where A is more hydrophilic than B) onto hydrophobic surfaces is proposed. One of the liquids is a solvent for the block copolymer as well as for the hydrophobic solid, while the second liquid is water. The solid is immersed for a short time into a solution of the block copolymer. After its withdrawal from the solution, the polymer sheet is introduced in water. This technique allows an oriented deposition of the block copolymer such that the more hydrophobic block is deeply imbedded into the substrate, while the hydrophilic block becomes exposed to water. As a result, the polar component of the solid's surface free energy is increased while the dispersion component is decreased. By controlling the amount of block copolymers deposited, it is possible to obtain a surface which will have a low interfacial free energy with a polar medium such as blood. A contact angle technique is employed to evaluate the polar and dispersion components of the surface free energy of the solid, and to confirm that the deposited block copolymers are not extracted during long exposures to the aqueous medium. Finally, a discussion is presented, suggesting that by depositing a block copolymer containing either polyethylene-oxide or polyvinylpyrrolidone as the hydrophilic block, the biocompatibility of that surface could be enhanced through the reduction of the solid—liquid interfacial free energy, and through the inhibition of protein adsorption by the steric repulsion created by the polymeric chains.
MECA: mobile edge capture and analysis middleware for social sensing applications

In this paper, we propose and develop MECA, a common middleware infrastructure for data collection from mobile devices in an efficient, flexible, and scalable manner. It provides a high level abstraction of phenomenon such that applications can express diverse data needs in a declarative fashion. MECA coordinates the data collection and primitive processing activities, so that data can be shared among applications. It addresses the inefficiency issues in the current vertical integration approach. We showcase the benefits of MECA by means of a disaster management application.
Comparison of Thoroughbred Growth Data to Body Weights Predicted by the NRC

Abstract The National Research Council (NRC) recently published a method for calculating expected body weight (BW) in growing horses. The objective of this study was to compare foal BW data obtained from commercial Thoroughbred (TB) farms with BW estimates obtained using the 2007 NRC equation. A total of 9,589 observations on 885 growing TB horses were obtained. Data were sorted by age, and a subset was used for statistical analysis. Comparisons between actual BW and 2007 NRC-predicted BW at each month (0–18 months of age) were made using paired t -tests. The 2007 NRC closely predicted BW of growing TB horses at birth and between 6 and 9 months of age (within 3 kg). However, the equation underestimated BW between 1 and 5 months of age (by as much as 10 kg) and overestimated BW between 10 and 13 months of age (by as much as 9 kg). The 2007 NRC also underestimated BW by as much as 9 kg between 15 and 16 months of age. In the current study, the 2007 NRC equation did not precisely predict BW of horses at all ages. The 2007 NRC equation predicts that daily gain will decrease over time, whereas foals in the current study had an increase in daily gain between 12 and 14 months of age. Foals in the current study were raised in pasture-based management systems in which variations in forage availability and quality could have resulted in fluctuations in growth rate.
Compressive and Flexural Creep Behavior of Carbon Fiber/PEEK Composites

The present study deals with the compressive and flexural creep properties of polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a high temperature semicrystalline thermoplastic. The compressive and flexural modes are important from a practical viewpoint, and yet rather limited viscoelastic data exist presently for testing in the two modes. The creep compli ance results of the unreinforced PEEK and the carbon fiber/PEEK composites are reported for temperatures ranging from 120°C to 160°C. Transverse compressive and cross-ply [±45°]s flexural compliances, the matrix dominated properties, displayed a significant viscoelastic behavior. The unidirectional 0° samples, on the other hand, displayed only a very limited time dependent response since the composite properties in the longitudinal direction are controlled by the almost elastic response of the fibers. The time-dependent experimental compliance values for the composites are compared to the results predicted from a micromechanics model and the classical lamination theory in c...
Electroviscous effects in suspensions of monodisperse spherical particles

Abstract The electrophoretic mobility and viscosity of three monodisperse polystyrene latices were investigated in media of varying ionic strength. Electroviscous effects were marked for the smallest, 0.088 micron in diameter, which exhibited non-Newtonian flow at low ionic strengths. The viscosity-concentration relationships of all latices could be described by the empirical equation log ⁡ η γ = β α φ 1 − α φ . Both α and β were found to vary with the ionic strength of the suspension. The results for all three latices could be described by a single pair of straight lines by plotting α and β against the product of electrophoretic mobility and the Debye-Huckel reduced double layer thickness, on logarithmic coordinates.
Using a paired-catchment manipulation experiment to evaluate a catchment-scale biogeochemical model

Abstract Data from a paired-catchment manipulation experiment are used to evaluate a model of the biogeochemical responses of catchments to acidic deposition. The data are from the Watershed Manipulation Project at Bear Brook, Maine, USA. The model is MAGIC, (Model of Acidification of Groundwater In Catchments) which has been widely used in assessments of acidification effects. The catchment manipulation consisted of 3 years of application of dry ammonium sulfate to the catchment on a bimonthly schedule. The principal stream responses to treatment included increased concentrations of SO4, NO3, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Al and H, decreased alkalinity and dissolved organic carbon and essentially no change in the concentrations of Cl and Si. The model was calibrated to pre-treatment data on the manipulated catchment as well as to 4 years of data from the paired control catchment. In general, the calibration to the pre-treatment data from the manipulated catchment gave smaller residual differences (simulated minus observed values for the treatment period) than did the calibration to the data from the control catchment. The larger differences resulting from calibration to the control catchment were decomposed into components arising from biases in the calibration and manipulation data and from biases in the model structure and/or parameterization. The former were of the same order as the latter. Comparisons of the dynamic responses of systems and models (like rates of change variables) also provided important information concerning the adequacy of the model. The trends in variables simulated by the model paralleled the trends in variables observed in the manipulated system. While there are problems related to interannual variability, spatial aggregation and incompletely determined parameters, the basic structure of the model appears to be consistent with the observed responses to the manipulations. It is concluded that paired-catchment manipulation experiments are extremely useful for evaluating models of catchment biogeochemistry. However, rather than seeking to verify or validate (or invalidate) models, model evaluations should strive to provide increased awareness of the weakest elements in the models which hopefully will lead to improvements not only in the model structure but also in understanding of the system being modelled.
Development of a Guinea Pig Model of Perinatal Cytomegalovirus-Induced Hepatobiliary Injury

To explore the possible link between perinatal cytomegalovirus infection and onset of biliary atresia, we build up a perinatal cytomeglovirus induced hepatobiliary system injury model in guinea pigs, verified the biliary tropism of gpCMV and the related inflammatory injury. It suggested host immune status, local response to inflammation, and activation of Th1-cell-mediated antiviral immune responses contributed to newborn geinea pigs' hepatobiliary damage. The model was helpful in study the CMV infection and biliary injury.
INTERMACS: Interval Analysis of Registry Data

Background The Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) is an NIH-sponsored registry of US FDA−approved mechanical circulatory support devices (MCSDs) used for destination therapy, bridge to transplantation (BTT), or recovery of the heart. INTERMACS data were analyzed through the most recent quarter ending March 31, 2008. Study Design INTERMACS variables include demographics, patient outcomes (survival and adverse events), hemodynamic data, and laboratory values. Data were analyzed with competing outcomes methods. Risk factors were identified for death and transplantation. Results Ninety-four sites have prospectively enrolled 483 patients in INTERMACS (BTT, 80%; destination therapy, 15%; bridge to recovery, 5%). Forty-two percent of patients had critical cardiogenic shock before implantation, 38% had progressive circulatory decline despite inotropic agents, and 8% were stable but inotropic agent−dependent. The remaining 12% had recurrent advanced heart failure, severe exercise intolerance, or advanced class III heart failure. At 6 months postimplantation, the competing outcomes for the 483 patients included ongoing support (42%), cardiac transplantation (33%), cardiac recovery with pump removal (3%), or death (22%). The most common causes of death were central nervous system events (11%), cardiovascular failure (8%), or respiratory failure (8%). Less common causes were infection (4%), device malfunction (4%), and liver failure (3%). Survival for BTT and destination therapy were similar (p = 0.53). Patient profile at the time of implantation (critical cardiogenic shock versus others) influenced survival (p = 0.007), as did device configuration (left ventricular assist device versus biventricular ventricular assist device; p Conclusions INTERMACS has increasing participation among domestic MCSD centers. The influence of preimplantation patient condition on survival underscores the importance of timely referral before critical cardiogenic shock occurs. As more devices achieve US FDA approval, INTERMACS will become useful for comparing MCSDs.
Highlights from Year One: Novel Approaches to Instructional Instrumentation

This paper offers a brief review of the articles published in this column during 2010. It also calls for contributions for the upcoming year and outlines the submission process.
Cryptic Bioluminescence in a Midwater Shrimp

The mesopelagic shrimp Sergestes similis emits ventrally directed bioluminescence that closely matches the intensity of downward-directed illumination and is able to rapidly modify its light output to match changes in background intensity. Masking experiments show that the photoreceptors involved are the compound eyes or adjacent tissues. Light emission originates from modified portions of the hepatopancreas and is similar to oceanic light in angular distribution and spectral characteristics. Normally oriented animals respond minimally to upward-directed light.
Stationarity and mixing properties of the dynamic Tobit model

Abstract We establish strict stationarity and strong mixing properties of the dynamic Tobit process. Using these results we show that the regularity conditions for bias corrections in general non-linear dynamic panel models are satisfied for the dynamic Tobit model.
Measuring the wavelength dependence of magnetooptical Kerr (or Faraday) rotation and ellipticity: a technique

A technique is proposed that allows accurate determination of the magnetooptic rotation and ellipticity angles. This method requires only a few standard optical elements and is expected to be effective over a relatively wide range of wavelengths.
Dimension reduction and source identification for multispecies groundwater contamination.

Abstract Assessment of chemical contamination at large industrial complexes with long and sometimes unknown histories of operation represents a challenging environmental problem. The spatial and temporal complexity of the contaminant may be due to changes in production processes, differences in the chemical transport, and the physical heterogeneity of the soil and aquifer materials. Traditional mapping techniques are of limited value for sites where dozens of chemicals with diverse transport characteristics may be scattered over large spatial areas without documentation of disposal histories. In this context, a site with a long and largely undocumented disposal history of shallow groundwater contamination is examined using principal component analysis (PCA). The dominant chemical groups and chemical “modes” at the site were identified. PCA results indicate that five primary and three transition chemical groups can be identified in the space of the first three eigenvectors of the correlation matrix, which account for 61% of the total variance of the data. These groups represent a significant reduction in the dimension of the original data (116 chemicals). It is shown that each group represents a class of chemicals with similar chemo-dynamic properties and/or environmental response. Finally, the groups are mapped back onto the site map to infer delineation of contaminant source areas for each class of compounds. The approach serves as a preliminary step in subsurface characterization, and a data reduction strategy for source identification, subsurface modeling and remediation planning.