cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infusion of Graphene Quantum Dots to Create Stronger, Tougher, and Brighter Polymer Composites.

Incorporation of nanoparticles into polymer resins has recently attracted a significant amount of attention from researchers for the nanoparticles’ ability to alter the properties of the resin. Whereas graphene-based structures possess a two-dimensional honeycomb arrangement of carbon atoms that makes them desirable for engineering composite materials, quantum dot formulations have been primarily used in optoelectronic applications that take advantage of quantum confinement and size-tunable properties. Graphene and quantum dots (GQDs) are ubiquitous in the current research literature; however, the impact of GQD on the physical properties of polymer resins like epoxy remains unclear. Here, we show that infusing GQD into an epoxy polymer matrix results in (1) a 2.6-fold increase in the toughness of the polymer resins, (2) a 2.25-fold increase in the tensile strength of the polymer resins compared to its original tensile strength, (3) uniform loading at weight percentages as high as 10% of the polymer resin,...
Exploring Student Perceptions of the Use of Open Educational Resources to Reduce Statistics Anxiety

Numerous instructional strategies have been applied to minimize statistics anxiety. Instructors are likely to consider those strategies a burden and may hesitate to apply them in their courses if there is a lack of continuous support. Open educational resources (OERs) enabled by information and communication technology have the potential to resolve this concern owing to their cost-effectiveness and to the prolific collections available. OERs can be adopted through reuse, redistribution, revision, and remix. Although a few former studies proved that technology could effectively reduce statistics anxiety, fewer studies demonstrated the effective adoption of OERs through reuse, redistribution, revision, and remix when coping with statistics anxiety. The purpose of this study was threefold. First, from earlier studies, we identified instructional strategies used to reduce statistics anxiety. Second, according to those instructional strategies, we assisted instructors in selecting and customizing OERs through reuse, redistribution, revision, and remix and in applying them in introductory statistics/quantitative research methodology courses. Third, we investigated the students’ perceptions of the use of OERs to reduce statistics anxiety. The findings indicated that students had a positive reaction to the use of OERs to reduce statistics anxiety. Through this study, we can establish a rigorous approach to adopting and customizing OERs for various instructional needs in an interdisciplinary curriculum.
In Vivo Assessment of the Potential for Renal Bio-Effects from the Vaporization of Perfluorocarbon Phase-Change Contrast Agents.

Abstract Low-boiling-point perfluorocarbon phase-change contrast agents (PCCAs) provide an alternative to microbubble contrast agents. Although parameter ranges related to in vivo bio-effects of microbubbles are fairly well characterized, few studies have been done to evaluate the potential of bio-effects related to PCCAs. To bridge this gap, we present an assessment of biological effects (e.g., hemorrhage) related to acoustically excited PCCAs in the rodent kidney. The presence or absence of bio-effects was observed after sonication with various perfluorocarbon core PCCAs (decafluorobutane, octafluoropropane or a 1:1 mixture) and as a function of activation pulse mechanical index (MI; minimum activation threshold, which was a moderate MI of 0.81–1.35 vs. a clinical maximum of 1.9). Bio-effects on renal tissue were assessed through hematology and histology including measurement of blood creatinine levels and the quantity of red blood cell (RBC) casts present in hematoxylin and eosin-stained kidney tissue sections after sonication. Short-term (24 h) and long-term (2 and 4 wk) analyses were performed after treatment. Results indicated that bio-effects from PCCA vaporization were not observed at lower mechanical indices. At higher mechanical indices, bio-effects were observed at 24 h, although these were not observable 2 wk after treatment.
Local Adaptive Multi-Grid Control Volume Method for the Air Bearing Problem in Hard Disk Drives

A new local adaptive grid-generating algorithm is developed and integrated with the multi-grid control volume method to simulate the steady state flying condition of air bearing sliders in HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) accurately and efficiently. Two sliders are used to demonstrate the applicability of this method. The results show that this new local adaptive grid-generating method improves substantially the stability and efficiency of the simulation scheme.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A Review of Traumatic Brain Injury and the Gut Microbiome: Insights into Novel Mechanisms of Secondary Brain Injury and Promising Targets for Neuroprotection

The gut microbiome and its role in health and disease have recently been major focus areas of research. In this review, we summarize the different ways in which the gut microbiome interacts with the rest of the body, with focus areas on its relationships with immunity, the brain, and injury. The gut–brain axis, a communication network linking together the central and enteric nervous systems, represents a key bidirectional pathway with feed-forward and feedback mechanisms. The gut microbiota has a central role in this pathway and is significantly altered following injury, leading to a pro-inflammatory state within the central nervous system (CNS). Herein, we examine traumatic brain injury (TBI) in relation to this axis and explore potential interventions, which may serve as targets for improving clinical outcomes and preventing secondary brain injury.
Sporadic random functions and conditional spectra; self-similar examples and limits

(This text was omitted in the original but inserted when distributing the original’s reprints). This paper introduces and investigates the new concept of “sporadically varying generalized random function.” A sporadic process attributes to the members of a family of functions a set of non-normalizable “probability” weights, in such a fashion that every non-constant finite sample exhibits the three properties (to be defined) of “intermittency,” “non-ergodicity” and “infrared catastrophe.” More generally, the concepts of stationarity and of the spectrum fail to be meaningful for sporadic processes, except after conditioning by appropriate events. The properties in question have been observed for such important phenomena as errors of communication, noises (in semiconductors, contacts and thin films), several forms of turbulence in gases and liquids in very large vessels, and (finally) highly clustered patterns in the plane and the space. This paper is motivated by the needs of physics but written in mathematical style.
Safety of a mutagen-attenuated Rift Valley fever virus vaccine in fetal and neonatal bovids.

OBJECTIVE To examine effects of in utero inoculation with a mutagen-attenuated Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) vaccine (RVF MP-12) on fetal bovids and to assess the safety and efficacy of calfhood vaccination with RVF MP-12. ANIMALS 18 pregnant Hereford and Hereford-type cows in the third or fifth month of gestation, their progeny, and 25 calves from cows immunized with RVF MP-12 during pregnancy. PROCEDURE Bovine fetuses were inoculated, via laparotomy, with 1 ml of RVF MP-12 containing 5 log10 plaque-forming units (PFU) of virus. Blood was obtained from newborn calves prior to their ingestion of colostrum. Immune-naive calves and calves born to RVF MP-12-vaccinated dams, ranging in age from 2 to 45 days, were vaccinated with RVF MP-12, and some were later challenge exposed with 1 ml of 5.7 log10 PFU of virulent RVFV strain ZH-501. Cows were monitored for viremia and antibody responses and for hematologic and serum biochemical alterations through parturition or abortion. RESULTS Surviving in utero-vaccinated calves were healthy, with no noticeable defects. Except for 1 vaccine-inoculated fetus that died on postinoculation day 21, all in utero-vaccinated fetuses had serum neutralizing antibody titer > or = 1:20 at the time of delivery. All dams of in utero-vaccinated fetuses also developed neutralizing antibody titer. Calves born to cows vaccinated during gestation did not have antibody at birth, and all but 1 quickly acquired colostral antibody. Postparturient inoculation of immune-naive calves and calves with colostral antibodies resulted in no untoward effects, and all calves with detectable neutralizing antibodies were protected against virulent virus challenge exposure. CONCLUSIONS Fetal death and abortion would be rare even if fetuses were exposed to RVF MP-12. The trauma and complications associated with in utero inoculation do not make this a practical method of immunization. RVF MP-12 was safe, immunogenic, and protective in calves as young as 2 days of age.
Implementation of a Self-Balancing Robot Using LEGO EV3 Robotic Kit and EV3DEV

This paper discusses an educational project, in which we use LEGO Mindstorms EV3 and embedded programming to implement a self-balancing and line-following robot. In particular, we use the open source EV3DEV programming environment to write Python programs to get data from the sensors and control the motors. The benefit of our approach is that the students can solely focus on implementing the required PID controller and the corresponding parameter tuning, without the need of having to do mechanical and electrical design. We explain in the paper in details about the system setup, software development, and testing and verification. The outcomes of this paper can be very helpful to other educational and research projects that utilize the Lego EV3 robotic kits for learning and discovery purposes.
Shifting perspectives from “oncogenic” to oncofetal proteins; how these factors drive placental development

Early human placental development strongly resembles carcinogenesis in otherwise healthy tissues. The progenitor cells of the placenta, the cytotrophoblast, rapidly proliferate to produce a sufficient number of cells to form an organ that will contribute to fetal development as early as the first trimester. The cytotrophoblast cells begin to differentiate, some towards the fused cells of the syncytiotrophoblast and some towards the highly invasive and migratory extravillous trophoblast. Invasion and migration of extravillous trophoblast cells mimics tumor metastasis. One key difference between cancer progression and placental development is the tight regulation of these oncogenes and oncogenic processes. Often, tumor suppressors and oncogenes work synergistically to regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and invasion in a restrained manner compared to the uncontrollable growth in cancer. This review will compare and contrast the mechanisms that drive both cancer progression and placental development. Specifically, this review will focus on the molecular mechanisms that promote cell proliferation, evasion of apoptosis, cell invasion, and angiogenesis.
In defense of picturing; Sellars’s philosophy of mind and cognitive neuroscience

I argue that Sellars’s distinction between signifying and picturing should be taken seriously by philosophers of mind, language, and cognition. I begin with interpretations of key Sellarsian texts in order to show that picturing is best understood as a theory of non-linguistic cognitive representations through which animals navigate their environments. This is distinct from the kind of discursive cognition that Sellars called ‘signifying’ and which is best understood in terms of socio-linguistic inferences. I argue that picturing is required because reflection on signifying cannot adequately explain our need for cognitive friction. I then show how the idea of picturing is further developed by Paul Churchland, Ruth Garrett Millikan, and Huw Price. I finally turn to predictive processing as a theory of cognitive representation, and in particular Andy Clark’s ‘radical predictive processing’, to further characterize picturing. However, doing so has the cost of pushing picturing and signifying further apart than Sellars intended.
Safety, Security, and Reliability: The Automotive Robustness Problem and an Architectural Solution

As we move towards increasingly autonomous vehicles, it is getting increasingly crucial to ensure that they behave safely, securely, and reliably. Automotive robustness refers to the study of synergies and trade-offs between these requirements. In this paper we discuss challenges and practice in two critical components of automotive robustness, functional safety and security. We also discuss the potential application of a flexible architecture for systematically implementing these requirements.
Asymptotic Solution of the First 3D Dynamic Elasticity Theory Problem on Forced Vibrations of a Three-Layer Plate with an Asymmetric Structure

The first 3D dynamic problem on forced vibrations of an orthotropic three-layer plate with an asymmetric structure is solved asymptotically. On faces of the package, conditions of the first boundary-value problem of elasticity theory, i.e., the values of corresponding components of the stress tensor, are set. It is assumed that they vary harmonically in time. An asymptotic solution of the internal (external) problem is found. Conditions for the origination of resonance are established. The cases where the solution of the internal problem becomes mathematically exact are indicated, and an illustrative example is given. The question about the conjugation of solutions of the inner and boundary-layer problems is discussed.
Narrating International and National Trends in US Science Education: An Autobiographical Approach Showcasing Dr. Robert Yager

This biographical piece is based on a conversation involving Bob Yager, Geeta Verma, and Lisa Martin-Hansen which took place at the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) conference in March, 2008. The unique aspect of this autobiographical piece is that it highlights Dr. Yager’s account about the emergence of the science education field of study and his engagement with the field over a period of more than 50 years. The piece is organized using conversation topics through a biographical narrative format that starts at the beginning of Dr. Yager’s career, establishing science education at The University of Iowa, the emergence of Science, Technology, and Society (STS) ideas, existing intersections between STS and Socioscientific Issues (SSI) ideas, his reflections on work with doctoral students, and a consideration of the goals and aims for future directions in the field.
Wasserman, Bonnie S. Cinema for Portuguese Conversation. Newburyport, MA: Focus Publishing, 2009.

Cinema for Portuguese Conversation , written in Brazilian Portuguese, presents a series of activities which lead to discussion and analysis (if somewhat superficial) of each movie. The textbook is designed for intermediate and advanced students, as explained in the introduction. It presents a total of 14 movies grouped into five different sections that reflect themes such as urban violence, political transition, and the sertao .
Lymphoid neoplasms in Shanghai, China: Relative frequency of subtypes of NHL diagnosed according to the WHO classification.

5364 The relative frequency of subtypes of lymphoid neoplasms was determined in a prospective series of 380 patients presenting at 28 Shanghai hospitals over a 2-year period. Diagnosis was established in a single laboratory, analyzing morphologic, immunophenotypic, cytogenetic and molecular data, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) revised classification. Precursor B- and T-cell leukemias represented 19.7% and 2.6% of total lymphoid neoplasms, respectively. The frequency of Hodgkin lymphoma was 11.6%. For comparison, the remaining non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtypes (N=251) were classified according to the Revised European-American Lymphoma (REAL) system. The most prevalent NHL subtypes in Shanghai were: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma 30.3%, small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia (SLL/CLL) 11.6%, follicular lymphoma 9.2%, peripheral T-cell lymphoma 9.2%, aggressive NK cell leukemia 6%, marginal zone B-cell lymphoma 5.6% and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma 5.6%. Although a low incidence has been reported in some Asian populations, SLL/CLL was the second most commonly encountered NHL subtype, indicating that chronic lymphoid neoplasms are not rare in Shanghai. Consistent with previous reports, our findings indicate a decrease in the frequency of follicular lymphoma and an increase in T-cell neoplasms compared to the West. Aggressive NK cell leukemia, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and peripheral T-cell lymphoma were prominent subtypes of T-cell NHL, which comprised 31.8% of NHL (REAL). This study was supported by a grant from the Benzene Health Research Consortium.
Court Rulemaking in Washington State

Courts are not normally thought of as "legislating" agencies. They are either trial level institutions deciding individual cases, or they are appellate bodies interpreting the law. But what happens when state courts "legislate" rules in advance to govern activities related to the judicial system? Several recent controversies in Washington State raise the question whether a system of court-adopted rules of procedure is compatible with the "separation of powers" model of government.Two issues associated with court rulemaking are (1) the proper extent of court authority over political issues with a significant budget impact; and (2) the ability of an appellate court, in its administrative capacity, to promulgate rules which may later be challenged in court and appealed to that same body on constitutional or statutory construction grounds. Another problem argues for closer attention to internal procedural safeguards in the court rulemaking process. More effective inclusion of people with varied experiences or representing interested institutions in the rulemaking process will help avoid such drafting oversights.This article suggests that these Washington court rule controversies arose from the lack of a clear, constitutionally established apportionment of rulemaking powers between the legislative and judicial branches, and that there is a lack of procedures providing adequate internal safeguards or accountability. Although the supreme court has generally issued rules of high quality which have improved Washington's system of justice, the high court's insistence on sole ultimate control of procedural rules has caused practical problems and disputes between branches. These problems and disputes might be avoided if the court were not wedded to a politically and philosophically untenable theory of "inherent" power over rulemaking. A systematic sharing of rule promulgation would give better results.This article suggests that from a logical view, the scope of sole judicial power over rulemaking should be limited to control of those rules necessary to the very existence and functioning of the courts; beyond that, policy considerations argue for a recognized legislative role: specifically, a limited "legislative veto" over court rules. Finally, this article urges that court rules would be better drafted and better reflect competing institutional needs if they were regularly promulgated according to a fixed procedure by an independent Judicial Council rather than by the state supreme court. This approach would both save the justices' time for appellate work and protect the integrity of the court as an appellate body when it is called upon to review the constitutionality of court rules.
Applicability of cervical sagittal vertical axis, cervical lordosis, and T1 slope on pain and disability outcomes after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in patients without deformity

OBJECTIVE Understanding what influences pain and disability following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in patients with degenerative cervical spine disease is critical. This study examines the timing of clinical improvement and identifies factors (including spinal alignment) associated with worse outcomes. METHODS Consecutive adult patients were enrolled in a prospective outcomes database from two academic centers participating in the Quality Outcomes Database from 2013 to 2016. Demographics, surgical details, radiographic data, arm and neck pain (visual analog scale [VAS] scores), and disability (Neck Disability Index [NDI] and EQ-5D scores) were reviewed. Multivariate analysis was used. RESULTS A total of 186 patients were included, and 48.4% were male. Their mean age was 55.4 years, and 45.7% had myelopathy. Preoperative cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA), cervical lordosis (CL), and T1 slope values were 24.9 mm (range 0-55 mm), 10.4° (range -6.0° to 44°), and 28.3° (range 14.0°-51.0°), respectively. ACDF was performed at 1, 2, and 3 levels in 47.8%, 42.0%, and 10.2% of patients, respectively. Preoperative neck and arm VAS scores were 5.7 and 5.4, respectively. NDI and EQ-5D scores were 22.1 and 0.5, respectively. There was significant improvement in all outcomes at 3 months (p < 0.001) and 12 months (p < 0.001). At 3 months, neck VAS (3.0), arm VAS (2.2), NDI (12.7), and EQ-5D (0.7) scores were improved, and at 12 months, neck VAS (2.8), arm VAS (2.3), NDI (11.7), and EQ-5D (0.8) score improvements were sustained. Improvements occurred within the first 3-month period; there was no significant difference in outcomes between the 3-month and 12-month mark. There was no correlation among cSVA, CL, or T1 slope with any outcome endpoint. The most consistent independent preoperative factors associated with worse outcomes were high neck and arm VAS scores and a severe NDI result (p < 0.001). Similar findings were seen with worse NDI and EQ-5D scores (p < 0.001). A significant linear trend of worse NDI and EQ-5D scores at 3 and 12 months was associated with worse baseline scores. Of the 186 patients, 171 (91.9%) had 3-month follow-up data, and 162 (87.1%) had 12-month follow-up data. CONCLUSIONS ACDF is effective in improving pain and disability, and improvement occurs within 3 months of surgery. cSVA, CL, and T1 slope do not appear to influence outcomes following ACDF surgery in the population with degenerative cervical disease. Therefore, in patients with relatively normal cervical parameters, augmenting alignment or lordosis is likely unnecessary. Worse preoperative pain and disability were independently associated with worse outcomes.
Day-to-day fluctuations in experiences of discrimination: Associations with sleep and the moderating role of internalized racism among African American college students.

Objectives Studies of discrimination and sleep have largely focused on between-person differences in discrimination as a correlate of sleep outcomes. A common criticism of this research is that standard questionnaire measures of discrimination may be confounded by personality and identity and are subject to recall bias. Partially addressing these limitations, the current study examined within-person, day-to-day fluctuations in perceived discrimination as a predictor of day-to-day fluctuations in sleep. The role of internalized racism as a moderator of the within-person association between discrimination and sleep was also considered. Method Participants were African American college students attending a predominantly White institution (N = 124, 26% male, Mage = 20.1, SD = 1.6). Each student was asked to complete a baseline questionnaire and a 9-day diary. Experiences of discrimination were assessed in the questionnaire and daily diary format. Sleep problems were measured each day using self-report measures focusing on sleep quality. Internalized racism was assessed with the miseducation scale, which captures the degree to which individuals associate negative characteristics such as laziness and criminality with their racial/ethnic group. Established measures of racial identity were considered as covariates. Results Multilevel analyses indicated that on days when participants experienced more discrimination, subsequent sleep problems increased (B = .037, SE = .017, p = .034). Furthermore, this within-person association was moderated by internalized racism such that the effects of daily discrimination on sleep were stronger among those who scored higher on miseducation (B = .046, SE = .021, p = .033). Conclusions Overall, results suggest that ongoing efforts to reduce discrimination, support the adjustment of racial/ethnic minority students, and address internalized racism are warranted. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
The total synthesis of chlorophyll a

The total synthesis of chlorophyll a starting from Knorr's pyrrole (1) is described with full experimental detail. Forty six stages are involved to reach the target molecule, chlorin e6 trimethyl ester (46), from which the preparation of chlorophyll a has already been described. The four pyrroles which are required for rings A, B, C and D are elaborated largely by known reactions, although with considerable improvements. These pyrroles are manipulated to give two dipyrrin derivatives: a left-hand component (26, comprising rings A and D) and a right-hand component (the thioaldehyde 31, comprising rings B and C). These are brought together in a carefully controlled, stepwise, condensation to give a single porphyrin product (35) in 50% yield. This synthesis of an unsymmetrically-substituted porphyrin bearing an electron-withdrawing substituent and a meso-substituent is seen as a very considerable advance, both in conceptual and practical terms, over earlier approaches. During the course of the closure of the macrocycle, intermediates which exemplify a new group of dihydroporphyrins, the phlorins (e.g. 34), are recognised. Eleven steps remain. The porphyrin (35) is shown to undergo dehydrogenation (again via a phlorin intermediate) on brief treatment with acetic acid in air to give the meso-crylic acid derivative (36), which in acetic acid under nitrogen at 110° slowly reaches equilibrium with the purpurin (37). The introduction of the reactive vinyl group at C-3 has been delayed until this point in the synthesis. Photo-oxygenation of the product, the vinylpurpurin (38), cleaves the cyclopenteno-ring giving the methoxalylpurpurin (39). A reverse Claisen reaction now generates the methoxylactone, rac-isopurpurin 5 methyl ester (40), the first substance in this synthetic series which can be compared with a sample (albeit optically active) derived from natural chlorophyll a. rac-Isopurpurin 5 methyl ester (40) is hydrolysed to the lactol, chlorin 5 (41), which is resolved (diastereoisomeric salts with quinine). The less soluble salt gives synthetic act-chlorin 5, identical with a sample of natural provenance. Diazomethane treatment of the free acid (42) yields purpurin 5 dimethyl ester (43), again identical with the naturally-derived compound. Treatment with hydrogen cyanide in triethylamine leads to the cyanolactone (44), reductive cleavage and methylation of which give the chlorin e6 nitrile (45). Methanolysis of this furnishes synthetic crystalline chlorin e6 trimethyl ester (46), identical (mp, mixed mp, electronic spectrum, infra red spectrum) with a naturally-derived sample, so completing the total synthesis.
The Process and Politics of Educational Governance Change in New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Denver:

In recent years, some U.S. school districts have shifted away from direct management of schools, toward systems in which some or all schools operate under enhanced autonomy, accountability, and par...
Trends in Initial Systemic Therapy for Elderly Patients with Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND The treatment landscape for metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is rapidly changing. It is unknown how adoption of new types of therapies may differ by patient age. OBJECTIVE To compare trends in first-line therapy use for older (≥70 years) and younger (< 70) patients with mRCC before and after approval of nivolumab in 2015. METHODS Using the National Cancer Database, we assessed trends in first-line therapy use by calculating the proportion of patients receiving targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or no systemic therapy by year of diagnosis. Initial systemic treatment was compared for patients diagnosed in 2016 with patients diagnosed in 2011 as a control group prior to nivolumab approval. Multivariable regression analysis was used to evaluate the interaction between year of diagnosis and elderly status for use of first-line immunotherapy or targeted therapy. RESULTS From 2006 to 2016, the proportion of patients receiving any type of systemic therapy increased from 43.7% to 56.5%. On stratified multivariable regression analysis, older patients diagnosed in 2016 were 17.3 times more likely to receive first-line immunotherapy compared to those diagnosed in 2011, while younger patients were 2.3 times more likely. There was no change in targeted therapy use over this time regardless of patient age. CONCLUSIONS The rate of adoption of first-line immunotherapy was particularly pronounced for elderly compared to younger patients. While first-line use of immunotherapy may have allowed elderly patients to receive systemic therapy that they otherwise would not, the efficacy of these drugs in elderly patients deserves further study.
Multi-Set Low-Rank Factorizations With Shared and Unshared Components

Low-rank matrix/tensor factorizations play a significant role in science and engineering. An important example is the canonical polyadic decomposition (CPD). There is also a growing interest in multi-set extensions of low-rank matrix/tensor factorizations in which the associated factor matrices are partially shared. In this paper we propose a more unified framework for multi-set matrix/tensor factorizations. In particular, we propose a multi-set extension of bilinear factorizations subject to monomial equality constraints to the case of shared and unshared factors. The presented framework encompasses (generalized) canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and (coupled) CPD models as special cases. CPD, CCA and hybrid models between them feature interesting uniqueness properties. We derive uniqueness conditions for CCA and multi-set low-rank factorization with partially shared entities. Computationally, we reduce multi-set low-rank factorizations with shared and unshared components into a special CPD problem, which can be solved via a matrix eigenvalue decomposition. Finally, numerical experiments demonstrate the importance of taking the coupling between multi-set low-rank factorizations into account in the actual computation.
Thermostabilization of Viruses via Complex Coacervation

Widespread vaccine coverage for viral diseases could save the lives of millions of people each year. For viral vaccines to be effective, they must be transported and stored in a narrow temperature range of 2-8 °C. If temperatures are not maintained, the vaccine may lose its potency and would no longer be effective in fighting disease; this is called the cold storage problem. Finding a way to thermally stabilize a virus and end the need to transport and store vaccines at refrigeration temperatures will increase access to life-saving vaccines. We explore the use of polymer-rich complex coacervates to stabilize viruses. We have developed a method of encapsulating virus particles in liquid complex coacervates that relies on the electrostatic interaction of viruses with polypeptides. In particular, we tested the incorporation of two model viruses; a non-enveloped porcine parvovirus (PPV) and an enveloped bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) into coacervates formed from poly(lysine) and poly(glutamate). We identified optimal conditions (i.e., the relative amount of the two polypeptides) for virus encapsulation, and trends in this composition matched differences in the isoelectric point of the two viruses. Furthermore, we were able to achieve a ∼103-104-fold concentration of virus into the coacervate phase, such that the level of virus remaining in the bulk solution approached our limit of detection. Lastly, we demonstrated a significant enhancement of the stability of non-enveloped PPV during an accelerated aging study at 60 °C over the course of a week. Our results suggest the potential for using coacervation to aid in the purification and formulation of both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, and that coacervate-based formulations could help limit the need for cold storage throughout the transportation and storage of vaccines based on non-enveloped viruses.
Biopolymers Fractionation and Synthesis of Nanocellulose/Silica Nanoparticles from Agricultural Byproducts

Agricultural byproducts rich in lignocellulose are considered one of the most promising feedstocks to produce sustainable value-added materials with different industrial applications. However, fractionation into carbohydrates, lignin, and silica is a key challenge in the conversion of plant biomass into value-added products due to its complex structure. This study is designed to develop a novel method for sequential separation and collection of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and silica from agricultural byproducts, peanut shell (PS), rice husk (RH), and sugar cane bagasse (SB), using an integrated approach under mild hydrolysis conditions. Silica and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were synthesized using an ultrasonic-assisted chemical method. Pure silica was obtained by further pyrolysis. The yield percent of cellulose was 35%, 39%, and 41% and hemicellulose and lignin combined was 30%, 18%, and 29% from PS, RH, and SB, respectively. The X-ray diffraction results demonstrated that CNFs were semicrystalline from all samples, and CNFs from SB had the highest crystallinity. Similarly, silica nanoparticles (SNPs) were amorphous in RH, while it was crystalline in both PS and SB. The surface morphologies of the CNFs and nanosized fibers were observed by field emission-scanning electron microscopy. It revealed that there were different morphological characteristics such as web-like, parallel, and tangled in PS, RH, and SB, respectively. The surface morphology of SNPs was also varied among the samples. In BET analysis, SNPs from RH had a larger specific surface area of 37.5 m²/g and total pore volume of 0.08 cc/g compared to SNPs from both PS and SB. The ascribed method could be a potential approach for comprehensive utilization of agricultural biomass through a relatively simple process, which can then be used for the biorefinery process or as a feedstock for the biomaterials industry. It is also suggested that the structural variations of CNFs/SNPs might be a vital factor to be considered for selecting optimal biomaterials.
Digest: No conflict of interest between the sexes for optimal immune response in threespine stickleback

Will sex-specificparasite exposure lead to sexually antagonistic immune trait fitness optima? Despite female stickleback encountering parasites at a higher rate, De Lisle and Bolnick found no evidence of sexual conflict related to their primary immune trait. Both male and female fish suffered high costs of infection and immune response on reproduction. If costs of both immunity and infection are high and concordant, the sexual conflict will not arise despite different parasite exposure rates.
AB2 Miktoarm Star Polymers

The generation of novel macromolecular architectures utilizing the concept of supramolecular chemistry has driven synthetic polymer chemistry significantly in the last years [2]. Hydrogen bonding [3, 4], metal complexes [5] and inclusion complexes [6] are widely employed.
Nucleosomes as antigens. Characterization of determinants and cross-reactivity.

Abstract Antibodies raised against chicken erythrocyte nucleosomes were characterized in terms of their binding to individual chromatin components and tested for cross-reactivity with chromatin from other species. Most of the proteins present in the immunogen elicited antibodies. Of the histones, H5 elicited the strongest response, followed by H2B, H2A, H3 and H4. In addition, antibodies specific for several non-histone chromosomal proteins (NHCPs) were present, especially those NHCPs which remain bound to DNA in 5.0 M urea, 2.5 M NaCl, at pH 5.0. No antibodies to native DNA could be detected. Strong cross-reactions were observed between the antinucleosome sera, and nuclei, chromosomes, or nucleosomes from other vertebrate (calf, African green monkey), insect ( Drosophila melanogaster ) and higher plant ( Haemanthus katherinae ) species. In the case of Drosophila the cross-reaction was shown to be mainly due to the C-terminal (63–128) portion of H2B with smaller contributions from H3 and H4. These results are discussed in relation to exposed antigenic sites on nucleosomes, and the extent to which they have been conserved during evolution. Also, parallels between the immunological response to nucleosomes and the anti-nuclear antibodies characteristics of systemic lupus erythematosus are considered.
Homogeneity and Heterogeneity Within and Across Boundaries and Shorelines: Ensemble of Darwin's Finches and Human Transaction Types

Synopsis: In the most famous example of the biological process of adaptive radiation, two forces explain the fourteen distinct species of Darwin's finches on the Galapagos and Cocos Islands: First, populations adapt to their respective distinct ecological environments. Second, previously separated populations come in contact and may adapt to mitigate inter-species competition. The result is a complex pattern of homogeneity and heterogeneity among the birds, both on a single island and across islands. This pattern reflects the finches' adaptations both to the distinct ecological conditions created by the visible shorelines that separate the islands' niches and to the finches' own less-visible cultural and societal shorelines. The New Institutional Economics highlights the fact that human institutional infrastructures also exhibit complex homogeneities and heterogeneities, as we adapt those infrastructures to accomplish the tasks at hand in distinct geographic and societal contexts. Mixes of both state enforcement and self-enforcement, through inter-temporal, inter-issue, and inter-actor linkages, provide support and enforcement for transactions; and those mixes differ across transactions and across states. When transactions occur across state or cultural shorelines, institutional infrastructures must be flexible enough to accommodate those differences, without allowing the differences to become disguised protectionism or barriers to competition. These issues contribute to many of the regulatory disputes associated with ‘globalization’. We briefly consider two concrete recent examples: (1) the European Union–United States ‘Safe Harbor’ Agreement that regulates firms' policies toward Internet-data privacy; and (2) international trade policy negotiations over regulation of ‘geographical indications’ (for example, Champagne or Roquefort) as means of assuring product quality for processed foods.
Remote sensing of H 2 O at 0.94 μm

ABSTRACT A H20 vapor remote sensing instrument which could operate in the 0.94 jim region would have several highly desirablecharacteristics. Among the characteristics are access to absorption lines with approximately the correct strength and theavailability of good detection systems. A good candidate for the laser for such a system is a Nd:gamet laser operating on one of the 4F312 to I9/2 transitions. To make such a system a reality, NASA Langley has investigated compositional tuning todevelop a laser at precisely the correct wavelength and methods of improving the efficiency. Both efforts have achievedsuccess. A flashlamp pumped Nd:YAG laser operating at room temperature on the 0.946 tm transition has achieved athreshold of 12 J and a slope efficiency of 0.009.Keywords: H20 remote sensing, 0.946 pm Nd:YAG, Compositional tuningMore accurate Differential Absorption Lidar or (DIAL) measurements of H20 can be made under dry conditions usingwavelengths near 0.94 tm than can be made using wavelengths near 0.82 rim. To date, the Laser Atmospheric SensingExperiment (LASE) project has made excellent measurements of H20 vapor using the absorption features near 0.82 rim.
sti35, a stress-responsive gene in Fusarium spp.

Abstract A stress-induced mRNA was identified in the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum. Treatment of the fungus with ethanol resulted in the induction of a major mRNA species encoding a protein of approximate Mr 37,000. A full-length cDNA clone of the induced message was obtained. RNA blot analysis indicated that the mRNA was induced by various other stresses, including treatment with copper(II) chloride and heat (37 degrees C). However, it was not greatly induced by treatment with phaseollinisoflavan, an antifungal isoflavonoid produced by Phaseolus vulgaris (French bean). In contrast, phaseollinisoflavan induced the homologous mRNA in the related bean pathogen Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli. A genomic clone of the F. solani f. sp. phaseoli gene was obtained, and both this and the cDNA clone from F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum were sequenced. The latter indicated an open reading frame of 320 codons encoding a 34,556-dalton polypeptide. The corresponding reading frame in F. solani f. sp. phaseoli was 324 codons, 89% identical to the F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerium sequence, and was interrupted by a short intron. The gene was designated sti35 (stress-inducible mRNA). Although computer homology searches were negative, the cloned gene was observed to cross-hybridize to DNAs of other filamentous fungi, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and soybean. Thus, sti35 appears to be a common gene among a variety of eucaryotes.
Burns and Fire-Related Deaths

This chapter addresses deaths related to burns, as well as fire-related deaths. It begins by describing the various types and extent of burns that can be encountered in such cases, along with specific sub-types of burns, including dry burns, radiant burns, scald burns, chemical burns, and fire-related thermal burns. Next, the chapter discusses issues of importance when dealing with a body found at a fire scene. It concludes by addressing other important issues, including autopsy findings, mechanism of death, death certification, fire investigation, and cremation.
Adolescent body mass index is decreased in children conceived by infertile couples, regardless of fertility treatment

patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients aged 21-35 presenting to an infertility clinic were invited to complete an anonymous survey regarding demographics, perceptions of health, weight status, the effect of excess preconception weight and potential weight optimization interventional components. Data was analyzed using regression models. RESULTS: To date, 24 of the 50 eligible women completed the survey. Women were typically young (30.1 6.5 years), married (87%), Caucasian (78%), and college educated (61%) with average BMI of 32 kg/m2. On a 5point Likert scale, most consider themselves ‘‘somewhat healthy’’ (64%), feel ‘‘very/completely confident’’ (64%) that they could perform moderate physical activity (PA) for 30minutes 5 times/week, correctly identify PA recommendations (71%) but are aware that they do not meet these recommendations (68%). In preparation for pregnancy, patients indicated they should lose weight (65%) and increase PA (74%), and were aware that excess preconception weight increases the risk of infertility (86%), pregnancy complications (86%), and difficult childbirth (82%), however, only 50%were aware of the increased risk of having an overweight/obese child. Of the 67% of patients who indicated they would attend a health promotion class (HPC), many would attend weekly or monthly meetings (58%) lasting 30-60 minutes (63%) in a community room (42%), gym (42%), online (58%), or via email (46%), without monetary incentive (85%). Most preferred a HPC that would provide tips for cheap, healthy eating including recipes and progress tracking. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that infertile patients are aware of the risks of excess weight as well as PA recommendations, but do not meet PA recommendations despite indicating they are physically capable of doing so. Amajority of patients would participate in a HPCwithout incentive. Preferences for frequency, duration, location and type of class identified by this study can be used to develop a HPC tailored to infertility patients. Supported by: Study funded byVirginia Tech Fralin Life Sciences Institute
Anchorage of Reinforced Concrete Parapets on Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Bridge Decks

An experimental investigation was conducted to develop an effective means of connecting glass fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge decks to conventional reinforced concrete parapets. Six full-scale subassemblies were studied under quasi-static loading; two examined a prototype system installed in eastern Pennsylvania, two evaluated an improved connection detail, and two evaluated rehabilitation for the structural system after impact. Poor fabrication of the FRP on the first specimen led to brittle fracture of the deck at 20% of the expected capacity. Five properly fabricated FRP decks were subsequently tested and remained undamaged up to the ultimate capacity of the parapet. The results indicate: (1) reliance on reinforcement-to-resin anchorage transfer mechanisms result in brittle pullout failure of parapet reinforcement from the decks; (2) use of headed reinforcement anchored in the bottom deck flange enhances the ductility of the system; and (3) external steel brackets can provide adequate strength and deformation capability when rehabilitating damaged parapets.
Teaching radiographic localization in dental schools in the United States and Canada

Although radiographic localization is an essential element of the practices of radiography and radiology, its incorporation into the dental curriculum has not previously been studied. This project surveyed dental schools in the United States and Canada on the relative amount of time that was given to instruction in various localization techniques and instructor opinion of the adequacy of training in localization skills. Ninety-eight percent of all dental schools returned questionnaires. Respondents who felt that teaching time was inadequate had mean rank time scores that were 40% less for total localization instruction and 57% less for teaching anatomic clues of the Buccal Object Rule than those who felt that teaching time was adequate. Because the Buccal Object Rule, cues, and cues represent the definitive dose-reducing approach to radiographic localization and because the Buccal Object Rule is readily applied across a broad range of clinical disciplines and activities, we recommend that this concept be incorporated into the curricula of all dental schools.
Generalized inverses of matrices over a finite field

Abstract For a given m × n matrix A of rank r over a finite field F , the number of generalized inverses, of reflexive generalized inverses, of normalized generalized inverses, and of pseudoinverses of A are determined by elementary methods. The more difficult problem of determining which m × n matrices A of rank r over F have normalized generalized inverses and which have pseudoinverses is solved. Moreover, the number of such matrices which possess normalized generalized inverses and the number which possess pseudoinverses are found.
Fighting the Wimp Image: Why Calls for Negotiation Often Fall on Deaf Ears

Must calls for war always dominate pleas for more serious negotiation? Not necessarily. But, if negotiation is to prevail, its advocates have to recognize which elements of their rhetoric sound weak and timid to others.
SIGIR workshop report: predicting query difficulty - methods and applications

Estimation of query difficulty is an attempt to quantify the quality of results returned by the search system for a query. Ideally, a system that can predict difficult queries can adapt parameters or change algorithms to suit the query. Such systems could give feedback to the user, for example, by reporting confidence scores for results, and report to the system administrator regarding topics that are of increasing interest to users but are not answered well by the system.