cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does accelerated soil organic matter decomposition in the presence of plants increase plant N availability

Plant roots can increase microbial activity and soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition via rhizosphere priming effects. It is virtually unknown how differences in the priming effect among plant species and soil type affect N mineralization and plant uptake. In a greenhouse experiment, we tested whether priming effects caused by Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii) and Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) grown in three different soil types increased plant available N. We measured primed C as the difference in soil-derived CO2-C fluxes between planted and non-planted treatments. We calculated ‘‘excess plant available N’’ as the difference in plant available N (estimated from changes in soil inorganic N and plant N pools at the start and end of the experiment) between planted and non-planted treatments. Gross N mineralization at day 105 was significantly greater in the presence of plants across all treatments, while microbial N measured at the same time was not affected by plant presence. Gross N mineralization was significantly positively correlated to the rate of priming. Species effects on plant available N were not consistent among soil types. Plant available N in one soil type increased in the P. fremontii treatment but not in the P. ponderosa treatment, whereas in the other two soils, the effects of the two plant species were reversed. There was no relationship between the cumulative amount of primed C and excess plant available N during the first 107 days of the experiment when inorganic N was still abundant in all planted soils. However, during the second half of the experiment (days 108–398) when soil inorganic N in the planted treatments was depleted by plant N uptake, the cumulative amount of primed C was significantly positively correlated to excess plant available N. Primed C explained 78% of the variability in plant available N for five of the six plant–soil combinations. Excess plant available N could not be predicted from cumulative amount of primed C in one species–soil type combination. Possibly, greater microbial N immobilization due to large inputs of rhizodeposits with low N concentration may have reduced plant available N or we may have underestimated plant available N in this treatment because of N loss through root exudation and death. We conclude that soil N availability cannot be determined by soil properties alone, but that is strongly influenced by root–soil interactions. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Blood sampling via umbilical vein catheters decreases cerebral oxygenation and blood volume in preterm infants.

Aim: We have shown previously that blood sampling via umbilical artery catheters decreases cerebral oxygenation and cerebral blood volume in preterm infants. To evaluate alternative methods, we assessed the effects of blood sampling via umbilical vein catheters in a cohort of preterm infants. Methods: Twenty neonates (median birth weight 900 g [range 410–1900 g], median gestational age 27 weeks [24–31 weeks]) were studied during routine blood sampling via umbilical vein catheters by near-infrared spectroscopy. Tissue oxygenation index and changes in concentrations of cerebral oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin were measured and changes in cerebral oxygenation and cerebral blood volume were calculated. Oxygen saturation and heart rate were recorded simultaneously. Results: There was a significant drop of cerebral oxygenation (−2.135 ± 0.532 μmol/L) and cerebral blood volume (−0.037 ± 0.019 mL/100 g tissue) during umbilical vein blood sampling. Although peripheral arterial oxygen saturation remained unchanged, cerebral tissue oxygenation index decreased from 64.8 ± 2.5% to 62.4 ± 2.6% (p < 0.01), accompanied by a slight increase in heart rate (from 140 ± 2.9 to 144 ± 2.9 beats/min, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Umbilical vein blood sampling reduces cerebral oxygenation and cerebral blood volume. The magnitude of the effects is similar to those during umbilical artery blood sampling.
Using critical incidents of instructional design and multimedia production activities to investigate instructional designers’ current practices and roles

Through consideration of critical incidents, this study analyzed 106 effective, ineffective and extraordinary instructional design and multimedia production (MP) activities discussed by 36 instructional design professionals. This evaluation provided insights into these professionals’ best and not so best practices during the past 6 months. Prevalent themes emerged from the data analysis with regards to these activities. Six themes emerged from the effective incidents, namely: (a) creating instructional products, (b) providing examples, (c) differentiating instruction, (d) establishing social presence, (e) providing resources, and (f) collaborating with stakeholders. Four themes emerged from the extraordinary incidents, namely: (a) matching methods and media to content and learners, (b) providing organized content, (c) managing a complex instructional design (ID) project, and (d) using theory to inform practice. Six themes emerged from the ineffective incidents, namely: (a) not matching methods and media to content and learners, (b) not supporting student interaction (c) selecting inadequate instructional strategies, (d) not using ID processes, (e) not collaborating with stakeholders, and (f) coping with inadequate technical infrastructure. Results from this study offer an understanding of the interrelationship between instructional design and MP activities and positive (both effective and extraordinary) outcomes in instructional design activities. Existing instructional design success factors and best practices studies are compared to the results of this study. Future research directions may involve analyzing little known phenomena in instructional design-related activities and further explore negative or ineffective instructional design practices.
The Behavior of Foundations During Construction

This paper is based on an extensive study of foundations on the M.I.T. campus. Measurements of pore pressure and movement of foundations on the campus are presented, some of the fundamentals of foundation behavior during excavation are identified, and predicted and measured performances compared. Most of the heave was caused by strains in the overconsolidated soil immediately below the surface of the excavation. Most of the heave was time-dependent, i.e., consolidation heave. Compressive horizontal strains occurred in the foundation soil during both the initial heave and the consolidation heave. Theoretical predictions of performance resulted in: (1) An underprediction of initial head drop; (2) an underprediction of consolidation rate; (3) a close prediction of total head at the end of the excavation period; and (4) an overprediction in both initial heave and consolidation heave.
Outcome Disparities in Caucasian and Non-Caucasian Patients With Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

Abstract Background The Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are characterized by an increased risk of thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications. Large retrospective studies have demonstrated racial disparities in MPN outcomes and attributed this to differences in access to health care. Utilizing a single institution experience, we report outcomes in patients with polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and myelofibrosis in relation to ethno-racial background. Patients and Methods A total of 127 Caucasian (56%) and non-Caucasian (44%) adult patients with MPNs consecutively treated at the University of Illinois between 1990 and 2012 were examined in this retrospective study. Relationships between ethno-racial background and vascular complications, and disease transformation were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression models. Results Non-Caucasian PV patients had an increased risk of vascular complications including cardiovascular thrombosis and hemorrhagic events, while Caucasian patients with PV and ET had a higher risk of progression to myelofibrosis. In a Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, Caucasian race emerged as an independent prognostic factor protective against cardiovascular thrombosis in PV and ET patients (hazard ratio, 0.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.03-0.9; P = .04) while age > 60 years and prior thrombosis were significant risk factors in univariate analysis. Non-Caucasian race was also a significant risk factor in univariate analysis of hemorrhagic complications of PV and ET, and this was largely driven by African American ethnicity. Conclusion This study shows for the first time that race can influence clinical outcomes in myeloproliferative neoplasms. Our findings highlight the need for greater representation of non-Caucasian patients in studies investigating vascular risk factors in MPNs.
Determination of Local Convection Heat Transfer Coefficients Inside a Circular Pipe Using Pulsed Laser

The determination of local convection heat transfer coefficients of pipe flow using pulsed laser heating (PLH) from a combination of experimental and numerical study is presented in this paper. The method is advantageous because it is fluid-independent, contact-free and high in spatial and temporal resolution. For simplicity, the experiment used water at different temperatures and flow rates inside two long circular tubes which were subject to radiation heating using a finite size (20 mm in diameter) pulsed laser beam. An infrared camera was used to image and measure its surface temperatures. Two correlations for convection heat transfer coefficient in the thermal/combined entry length region were used in this paper for comparison with the experimental results. The experimental results using the thermal circuit method processed by MATLAB® agree well with both correlations. To gain better insight and quantify the uncertainty, a 3-D conjugated heat transfer simulation was carried out using Fluent CFD. The implication of the accuracy and limitation of the PLH method on the determination of local heat transfer coefficients are also discussed in the analysis.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Phase Transformations in Sol-Gel PZT Thin Films

Thin films of PZT were deposited onto platinized and bare single crystal NaCl using spin coating and sol-gel precursors. These films were then analyzed using in situ heating in a transmission electron microscope. The results of in situ heating are compared with those of an ex situ heat treatment in a standard furnace, mimicking the heat treatment given to entire wafers of these materials for use in MEMS and ferroelectric applications. Films are shown to transform from amorphous to nanocrystalline over the course of days when held at room temperature. While chemical variations are found between films crystallized in ambient conditions and films crystallized in the vacuum conditions of the microscope, the resulting crystal structures appear to be insensitive to these differences. Significant changes in crystal structure are found at 500°C, primarily the change from largely amorphous to the beginnings of clearly crystalline films. Crystallization does occur over the course of weeks at room temperature in these films. Structural changes are more modest in these films when heated in the TEM then those observed on actual wafers. The presence of Pt significantly influences both the resulting structure and morphology in both in situ and ex situ heated films. Without Pt present, the films appear to form small, 10 nm grains consisting of both cubic and tetragonal phases, whereas in the case of the Pt larger, 100 nm grains of a tetragonal phase are formed.
Research on Fast Decomposition Algorithm for Dynamic Reactive Power Optimization on Large Scale Power System

An integrated dynamic reactive-power optimization(DRPO) model is represented as mixed-integer/non-linear programming problem,which takes the control devices action times and variables discretization into account.In accordance that coefficient matrix of the reduced linear correction equation has an arrow-shaped block structure and by use of decomposition algorithm of block matrix for solution,the paper points out that the most crucial part of solving reduced linear correction equation with block-matrix decoupling is computing and storage of coefficient matrix and its triangular factorization results.Moreover,it indicates twice triangular decomposition of coefficient matrix of the reduced linear correction equation can reduce the data storage requirements to realize dynamic reactive power optimization on large scale power system,which effectively solves curse of dimensionality in the process.However,the disadvantage is long calculation time for twice triangular decomposition.
Observations of Seismicity and Ground Motion in the Northeast U.S. Atlantic Margin from Ocean‐Bottom Seismometer Data

ABSTRACT Earthquake data from two short‐period ocean‐bottom seismometer (OBS) networks deployed for over a year on the continental slope off New York and southern New England were used to evaluate seismicity and ground motions along the continental margin. Our OBS networks located only one earthquake of M c ∼1.5 near the shelf edge during six months of recording, suggesting that seismic activity ( M Lg >3.0) of the margin as far as 150–200 km offshore is probably successfully monitored by land stations without the need for OBS deployments. The spectral acceleration from two local earthquakes recorded by the OBS was found to be generally similar to the acceleration from these earthquakes recorded at several seismic stations on land and to hybrid empirical acceleration relationships for eastern North America. Therefore, the seismic attenuation used for eastern North America can be extended in this region at least to the continental slope. However, additional offshore studies are needed to verify these preliminary conclusions.
Living without Boys: A Retrospective Analysis of the Benefits and Skills Gained at All-Female Camps.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcomes of all-female camp experiences on women’s lives. Using a retrospective approach, this study collected qualitative data from 131 women to ex...
Seaquakes in the Flores Sea

Abstract Continuous monitoring of low-frequency acoustic energy was accomplished in the Flores Sea using three hydrophones strung out astern of the listening ship during seismic refraction profile operations. In addition to energy from the TNT shots, unusual bursts of noise due to “seaquakes” were noted on some of the records. Analysis of these arrivals shows that most of the energy is in the less than 10 cps range, the events last from 0.2 to 4 minutes, occur up to four times per hour, and generally overload the recording system; i.e., the energy was greater than that from the shots that were being recorded. Because the hydrophones were in line, an indication of the direction of propagation of the energy is apparent from the arrival time on individual units. Analysis of the data shows that the majority of the events came from the West, had either emergent or impetus onset, a bimodal distribution in time, and were often followed by a secondary buildup of energy. If the onset is taken as a P arrival and the later phase as T , the T — P interval gives an epicentral distance of 50-400 km, or mostly within the western arm of the Flores Sea. Of the 27 seaquakes monitored, only one is noted on the USC & GS cards. The rest may have come from local disturbances or Krakatoa.
Parental decisional regret and views about optimal timing of female genital restoration surgery in congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Summary Purpose The role of female genital restoration surgery (FGRS) in girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is controversial, with no long-term parent-reported outcomes available. Decisional regret (DR) affects most parents after their children's treatment of pediatric conditions, including hypospadias. We aimed to assess parental DR after FGRS in infancy or toddlerhood and explore optimal timing for surgery. Materials and methods One-hundred and six parents of females with CAH undergoing FGRS before 3 years old and followed at our institution (1999–2017) were invited to enroll online. Higher Decision Regret Scale (DRS) scores indicated greater DR (range 0–100). Participants also reported preferred FGRS timing relative to their surgery (earlier, same, later/delayed). Non-parametric statistical tests were used. Results Thirty-nine parents (median 4.4 years after FGRS) participated (36.8% response rate). Median age at FGRS was 9 months. Median DRS score was 0 (mean: 5.0). Overall, 20.5% of parents reported some regret (all mild-moderate) (Figure). Fewer parents reported DR after FGRS compared with published DR after hypospadias repair (50–92%, p ≤ 0.001) or adenotonsillectomy (41–45%, p ≤ 0.03). No parent preferred delayed FGRS. Seven parents (18.1%) preferred earlier surgery, especially when performed after birthday (80.0% vs. 8.8%, p = 0.004). Discussion We present the first report of validated long-term parent-reported outcomes after FGRS in infant and toddler girls with CAH. One limitation is that this is largely a single surgeon series. Reasons for the observed low levels of DR are likely multifactorial. Far from a definitive study, we aimed to provide parents willing to share about their experience an opportunity to do so. For that reason, selection bias may exist in our study. While parents with higher DR were potentially less likely to participate because of mistrust of the medical establishment, those with a negative experience may in fact be more likely to voice their opinions. A low participation rate was likely a result of the sensitive nature of FGRS, a desire for privacy, and inability to locate parents. A larger study will be required to assess how DR is affected by sexual function, genital appearance and complications, and DR among women with CAH. Conclusions Parents of females with CAH report low levels of DR after FGRS in infancy and toddlerhood. This appears to be lower than after other genital and non-genital pediatric procedures. When present, parental DR is usually mild. No parents preferred delayed surgery, even among those with DR. Some preferred earlier surgery.
Hyper-elastoplastic/damage modeling of rock with application to porous limestone

Abstract Relations between porosity, damage, and bulk plasticity are examined in the context of continuum damage and hyper-elastoplasticity of porous rocks. Attention is given to a thermodynamically consistent derivation of the damage evolution equations and their role in the constitutive equations, for which the Eshelby stress is found to be important. The provided phenomenological framework allows for volumetric damage associated with pore growth to be distinguished from the isochoric damage associated with distributed microcracks, and a novel Drucker-Prager/cap type material model that includes damage evolution is presented. The model is shown to capture well the hardening/softening behavior and pressure dependence of the so-called brittle-ductile transition by comparison with confined triaxial compression measurements from the literature. Non-linear finite element simulations are also provided of the prediction of damage within porous limestone around a horizontal borehole wall.
Treatment of burn scars in Fitzpatrick phototype III patients with a combination of pulsed dye laser and non-ablative fractional resurfacing 1550 nm erbium:glass/1927 nm thulium laser devices.

Introduction:Burn scars cause cosmetic disfigurement and psychosocial distress. We present two Fitzpatrick phototype (FP) III patients with burn scars successfully treated with combination pulsed d...
Crisis concierge: The role of the DMO in visitor incident assistance

Abstract Travel-related risk perceptions have become more widespread in recent years due to the increased frequency and intensity of incidents, as well as heightened awareness of risk due to the 24‐hour news cycle and constant connection through technology. With growing concern surrounding traveling to destinations and a greater likelihood of unexpected incidents occurring, this regional spotlight: (1) recognizes the need for representation and care for the tourist in times of crisis; (2) uses caring theory to demonstrate the caretaker role; (3) introduces the concept of a crisis concierge program within a Destination Management Organization (DMO); and (4) demonstrates the application of caring theory and a crisis concierge program through the case of Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau's Visitor Assistance Program.
Plasmonic Resonance Enhanced Polarization-Sensitive Photodetection by Black Phosphorus in Near Infrared.

Black phosphorus, a recently intensely investigated two-dimensional material, is promising for electronic and optoelectronic applications due to its higher mobility and thickness-dependent direct band gap. With its low direct band gap and anisotropic properties in nature, black phosphorus is also suitable for near-infrared polarization-sensitive photodetection. To enhance photoresponsivity of a black phosphorus based photodetector, we demonstrate two designs of plasmonic structures. In the first design, plasmonic bowtie antennas are used to increase the photocurrent, particularly in the armchair direction, where the optical absorption is higher than that in the zigzag direction. The simulated electric field distribution with bowtie structures shows enhanced optical absorption by localized surface plasmons. In the second design, bowtie apertures are used to enhance the inherent polarization selectivity of black phosphorus. A high photocurrent ratio (armchair to zigzag) of 8.7 is obtained. We choose a near-...
Synthesis and characterization of Co2−xRhxP nanoparticles and their catalytic activity towards the oxygen evolution reaction

We show that Co2−xRhxP ternary phase nanoparticles can be synthesized using the arrested precipitation technique, via a requisite low temperature co-reduction of Co2+ and Rh3+ ions, followed by phosphidation of the resulting intermediate product at above 300 °C. The most unique aspect of our synthesis protocol is the fact that we are able to solubilize both cubic antifluorite and orthorhombic crystal systems, into uniform solid solutions of Co2−xRhxP nanoparticles under mild reaction conditions. These nanoparticles are active towards the oxygen evolution reaction and deliver higher electrolytic activities as compared to those of Co2P and Rh2P binary phases. Cobalt-rich compositions were found to be the most active, with a sweet spot occurring at a target composition of Co1.75Rh0.25P, where a current density of 10 mA cm−2 was achieved at an overpotential of 0.29 V.
Competitively Versus Cooperatively? An Analysis of the Effect of Gameplay on Human Emotions and Behaviors

This research aims to explore the impact of cooperative or competitive gaming modes on players’ emotion and behaviors. We conducted a with-in subject study with 30 participants. Participants were asked to play a fighting game with a male research confederate in two different gameplay modes. We examined (1) self-reported preference, (2) changes in the gamers’ emotional states, (3) facial expression data captured by emotion recognition software, and (4) video recordings of the gaming sessions. The statistical results showed no significant differences. However, we were able to identify unique behavioral patterns shown in the competitive gameplay mode.
A Mismatch-Free Strategy for the Diastereoselective α,α-Bisalkylation of Chiral Nonracemic Methyl Ketones

A chiral auxiliary-based diastereoselective transformation that entirely avoids the stereochemically mismatched pairing, providing equally high levels of asymmetric induction in the formation of each diastereomer is described. In particular, we show that chiral nonracemic methyl ketones undergo α,α-bisalkylation using phenylalanine-derived N-amino cyclic carbamate (ACC) auxiliaries with essentially perfect diastereoselectivity, as well as excellent yield and regioselectivity. Significantly, with the use of a single enantiomer of the auxiliary, either diastereomeric product can be synthesized with an equally high level of asymmetric induction.
Quasiparticle Interactions in Many-Body Systems

A survey of recent developments in the study of interacting elementary excitations is presented. The general features of the formalism are discussed in the formation of bound states of quasiparticles, and their possible hybridization with other excitations. The relevant theoretical features and their relation to experimental data are briefly discussed for phonons in solids, rotons in liquid helium, spin waves, and plasmon excitations in an electron gas.
Pathologic Findings from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast Project (Protocol No. 4): VI. Invasive Papillary Cancer

Although papillary forms of intraductal cancer are a common component of amny mammary cancers, invasive papillary cancer of the breast is relatively rare. Only 35 examples were encountered in the specimens obtained from 1603 women participating in a prospective randomized study of invasive mammary cancer. Contingency-table analysis disclosed that invasive papillary cancer, as opposed to the non-papillary histologic types, is significantly more likely to show circumscription, cytoplasmic oxyphilia, microcalcification, intermediate histologic grade, moderate or marked mucin and an intraductal component of papillary type. Although patients who have invasive papillary cancer are frequently judged by clinical criteria to have regional nodal metastases, in pathologic analysis these metastases are not commonly found and, if present, involve fewer than four nodes. There is a significant frequency of marked sinus histiocytosis in regional nodes. The lesion occurs with a significantly high frequency among non-Caucasian and postmenopausal women. Only three patients with invasive papillary cancer experienced treatment failure after five years of observation. Life-table probabilities showed that the treatment failure rate was significantly lower for the group of patients who had any other histologic type, and in this regard invasive papillary cancer was similar to the tubular and mucinous varieties. Although apocrine metaplasia, fibrous supporting stalks and cellular differentiation have been espoused as important criteria distinguishing intraductal papi-loma from intraductal cancer, these features were also not uncommonly observed in the examples of invasive papillary cancer studied. It is concluded that invasive papillary cancer represents a unique histologic type of invasive mammary cancer attendant with a favorable prognosis.
Geometric analysis of ϕ 4 fields and Ising models

The general context in which this talk should be placed was given in the presentations of K. Symanzik [i] and J. Frohlich [2]. We also heard arguments that the whole subject of this discussion is passE, since the problem was exhaustively solved by the renormalization group method (see the contribution of E. Br~zin [3]). On this question I agree with the opinion that the quickest way for mathematical physics to degenerate is to stop listening to good physicists. At the same time, if we want to get somewhere with the development of good mathematics for modern physics we should be able to settle to our satisfaction such problems as the properties of fields in high dimensions. Although many physicists regard these questions as settled, a year ago they seemed to be just beyond the reach of rigorous methods.
Off-Chip MAHA Using NAND Flash Technology

In this chapter, details of the hardware architecture for an off-chip MAHA framework based on CMOS-compatible Single Level Cell (SLC) NAND Flash memory array (Park et al. A 45nm 4Gb 3-Dimensional Double-Stacked Multi-Level NAND Flash Memory with Shared Bitline Structure, Intl. Solid-State Circuits Conference, 2008) are presented. CMOS-compatibility allows the integration of MLB controller (including registers, datapath and PI) realized using CMOS logic with the Flash process. Flash memory has seen an astounding increase in integration density over the last few years (Technologies for Data-Intensive Computing, http://www.hpts.ws/session1/bechtolsheim.pdf), making it attractive storage system for data-intensive computing (Technologies for Data-Intensive Computing, http://www.hpts.ws/session1/bechtolsheim.pdf; Kgil et al. Improving NAND Flash Based Disk Caches, Intl. Symp. on Computer Architecture, 2008). Although Multi-Level Cell (MLC) Flash has gained more popularity due to its high-integration density and low cost per bit, the consideration for SLC Flash is mainly driven by the availability of opensource area, power and delay models for the same (Mohan et al. FlashPower: A detailed power model for NAND flash memory, DATE, 2010). The proposed architecture, however, applies to MLC Flash memory as well.
The Role of Antioxidants in the Protection of Plants against Inhibitors of Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase

Protoporphyrin IX (proto), a photodynamic chlorophyll synthesis intermediate, is present in trace amounts in plant tissues. However, plants treated with protoporphyrin IX oxidase (PPO) inhibitors (e.g., acifluorfen-methyl) accumulate high levels of proto leading to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsible for rapid light-dependent loss of cellular membrane integrity and subsequent cell death. We show that increasing the level of certain antioxidants protects plants against the herbicidal effect of PPO inhibitors. In particular, hydrophilic antioxidants such as reduced glutathione and ascorbic acid (ascorbate) had superior protective effects than the lipophilic antioxidant ?-tocopherol. Conversely, inhibiting glutathione biosynthesis with 5 mM l-buthionine sulfoximine rendered plants more sensitive to acifluorfen-methyl. These reducing agents protect plants by quenching the ROS generated by the photoactivation of proto. The quenching of superoxide by ascorbate and reduced glutathione provided superior protection than quenching of hydrogen peroxide by ascorbate. Additionally, the absolute amounts of proto present in the tissues were also reduced in the presence of the more active antioxidants, suggesting that these molecules further protect plants by enhancing the degradation of proto.
Nonvolatile Colloidal Dispersion of MgO Nanoparticles in Molten Salts for Continuous CO2 Capture at Intermediate Temperatures

The establishment of advanced CO2 capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology is a crucial challenge for the mitigation of serious ongoing climate change. Herein, we report nonaqueous colloidal dispersions of MgO nanoparticles in molten salts as a new class of fluid absorbents for continuous CO2 capture at intermediate temperatures ranging from 200 to 350 °C. The colloidal absorbents were developed by dispersion of the nanoparticles in three different types of thermally stable low-melting point salts: ternary-eutectic alkali-metal nitrates ((Li–Na–K)NO3), tetraphenylphosphonium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide ([P(Ph)4][NTf2]), and their mixtures. The new absorbents show high CO2 uptake performance with acceptable rheological properties at the target temperatures. The analysis of reaction rate kinetics in the uptake of CO2 revealed that CO2 can diffuse quickly into the molten salts to initiate the rapid formation of carbonates on the surfaces of MgO nanoparticles dispersed in these molten salts. T...
Fabrication of monocrystalline silicon x-ray mirrors

Progress within the field of x-ray astronomy depends on astronomical x-ray observations of ever-increasing quality and speed. Fast and high-resolution x-ray observations over a broad spectral range promise amazing new discoveries. These observations, however, require a spaceborne x-ray telescope of unprecedented imaging power. Of the numerous technological concerns associated with the design and construction of such a telescope, the x-ray focusing optics present a particularly complex and arduous set of challenges. An x-ray optical assembly comprises many thousands of x-ray mirrors, a most critical element. Our group at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) pursues the development of an x-ray mirror manufacturing process capable of meeting the stringent quality, production time, and cost requirements of the next-generation of x-ray telescopes. The manufacturing process employs monocrystalline silicon: a lightweight, stiff, thermally conductive, and readily available material which is free of internal stress; it is a nearly ideal material for a thin mirror substrate. The process involves various traditional optical fabrication techniques adapted to x-ray mirror geometry. Presently, our process is capable of fabricating sub-arcsecond half-powerdiameter (HPD) resolution mirror pairs (primary and secondary) at a mirror thickness of 0.5 mm and of virtually any x-ray optical design (e.g. Wolter-I, Wolter-Schwarzschild, etc.). The mirror substrate surface quality is comparable to, and sometimes exceeding, that of the mirrors on the Chandra X-ray Observatory. This paper describes the various manufacturing steps involved in the production of x-ray mirror substrates and a present status report.
Leaf webs of Emblyna sp. and Mallos hesperius (Araneae: Dictynidae)

The prey capture webs of Emblyna sp. and Mallos hesperius (Chamberlin, 1916) span gentle curves in the surfaces of single, rigid leaves. They share several traits with orb webs: geometrically regular and approximately planar arrangements of strong, non-sticky lines; geometrically regular arrays of sticky lines laid on these non-sticky lines; and frequent renewal (webs are routinely damaged by rain, and are often largely renewed daily). They generally differ from orbs in that neither the sticky nor the non-sticky lines are organized radially. Comparisons with the webs of 22 other dictynid species in seven other genera reveal little phylogenetic pattern. Comparisons with the orb-like para-orbs of six, distantly related species reveal variable combinations of orb-like traits in different groups, suggesting widespread convergence. New details of possible taxonomic interest concerning how silk is combed from the cribellum are described.
Stained Glass Windows and Rainbows: My Journey to Socially Just Perceptions of and Actions toward LGBTQ Students

As a classroom teacher I have an ethical and moral obligation to provide a socially just and equitable learning environment and educational experience for all my students. Auto-ethnography is a research method grounded in modern philosophy. Auto-ethnography enables me to link the personal and cultural through inquiry and voice. In this article I explore the state of understanding my personal role and experiences as a conservative Christian educator in learning about and interacting with LGBTQ students. By reflecting and evaluating my personal experiences and attitudes I am able to identify my former biases, discriminatory tendencies, and stereotypes about LGBTQ community members. Therefore, throughout my analysis, I sought a means that would enable me to maintain my personal religious values while eliminating biases, stereotypes, and unjust perceptions. As a result, I recognize and embrace my religious identify as a conservative Christian educator who accepts my LGBTQ students without judgement or bias in order to be respectful, socially just, equitable, and nondiscriminatory.
The effects of feedback on lying behavior: Experimental evidence

Abstract We investigate the effects of feedback on the decision to lie in a sender-receiver deception game with imperfect lie detection. We find evidence of feedback effects through two channels. First, the mere expectation of receiving feedback, including the anticipation of positive feedback and the threat of negative feedback, reduces lying. Second, actually-received feedback affects the subsequent decision to lie, but only in one situation: honest-type people who are being falsely punished with negative feedback become three times as likely to lie as those who are correctly rewarded with positive feedback. Our results indicate that the anticipation effect is the primary deterrent of lying, rather than the experience of receiving negative or positive feedback. Feedback may backfire and should be used with caution: honest-type individuals who are condemned as liars are surprised and react with moral indignation.
Electronic Properties and Molar Excitation Coefficient for Organic Solar Cells Materials by using TD-DFT Method

This paper evaluated the oscillator strength and the band gap for specific organic photovoltaic cells (OPV) materials by using Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT). The oscillator strength values are used to find absorption spectrum of those materials in term of the molar excitation coefficient, dielectric constant and the refractive indices for those materials. The band gap value is used to find the donor-acceptor materials combination that can give the highest open circuit voltage. The donor materials covered in this paper are P3HT, Octithiophene, Sexithiophene, Quaterthiophene, and Pentacene. Also, the study covers the following acceptor materials: C60, C70, PCBM, and Bis- PCBM
Materiality and the Length of Misstatement Detection Periods

In this paper, I examine if misstatement materiality motivates managers to shorten misstatement detection periods. Following the literature, I find that management shortens the gross detection period by about 116 days for material misstatements than for the immaterial misstatements. The impact of materiality is even more evident for the disclosure of serious (fraud/SEC investigated) than non-serious (error-related) misstatements. In order to reduce the confounding factor – SEC 2004 mandates disclosure of material misstatement within four business days – I estimate net detection periods and find consistently that they are negatively associated with materiality. Additional tests using misstatement severity and cumulative income effect in non-BigR firms as alternative measures of materiality yield consistent results. All three tests alleviate the concern that my finding is mechanical due to the regulatory requirement on disclosure. Further test shows that non-earnings related components of materiality contribute to shorter detection periods as well. Finally, I provide evidence that among material-misstating firms the litigation risk is lower for earlier disclosers than for the later. This finding explains why management would like to shorten the detection period of material misstatement.
The Apocalyptic Creole, from Dessalines to the Chimères

In this article, I explore the idea of the hybrid, creolized subject in Haiti as a kind of living phantom. To do so, I refer initially to the notion of the “Creole Dessalines,” the idea that Haiti’s first leader was island-born and culturally creole. I then move forward in time 200 years, to just before the bicentenary, a time that seemed to usher back into Haitian society figures that appear to echo in many ways the creole Dessalines in their ambiguous, contradictory values, actions, and relations to broader Haitian society. These figures are the so-called Chimeres, the term used to refer to the gangs from the shantytowns of Port-au-Prince who were used in the service of Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s government and who developed a reputation for extreme violence, used against the antigovernment popular movement. Beginning with a discussion of the origins of the Chimeres, I will then focus on three works in which the Chimeres figure prominently: the documentary films Ghosts of Cite Soleil and Haiti, la fin des chimeres , and Lyonel Trouillot’s Bicentenaire . In all but Trouillot’s work, the prominent Chimeres brothers known as Billy and Tupac are featured, which allows one to move from the general conceptions of the Chimeres into the particular realities of these individual lives.
Flamboyant cuttlefish behavior: Camouflage tactics and complex colorful reproductive behavior assessed during field studies at Lembeh Strait, Indonesia

Abstract The flamboyant cuttlefish Metasepia pfefferi is renowned for its bold and colorful body patterns, yet the functions of these displays and other behaviors remain largely unknown. We conducted two field studies in Indonesia using SCUBA and video to record its behavior under natural conditions. Camouflage via background matching and masquerade is the common primary defense against predators, and is also used offensively to approach prey closely. This species rarely uses its “flamboyant” bright conspicuous displays in nature; they were observed only during courtship or as secondary defense when a large fish closely approaches it. Males are only 10–60% the size of females and they court her with a vivid and dynamic Flamboyant Display, which appears to be one of the most elaborate among cephalopods. Conversely, females remain camouflaged and show no conspicuous courtship behaviors. When two males courted or mate-guarded a single female, unilateral signaling of aggression was observed. Twenty matings were recorded among 5 pairs of cuttlefish; they were in the “head-to-head” position and lasted only 3 s. Females were choosy; they required males to court for long periods and rejected 50% of males that attempted to mate with them. Females lay ca. 25 eggs per batch, roughly 6–7 min apart, usually during morning hours and with no male present. They often deposit eggs in coconut shells that occupy this open sandy habitat. This small species is cryptic and spends the vast majority of each day in a variety of highly camouflaged body patterns.
Association of Living in Urban Food Deserts with Mortality from Breast and Colorectal Cancer

Food deserts are neighborhoods with low access to healthy foods and are associated with poor health metrics. We investigated association of food desert residence and cancer outcomes. In this population-based study, data from the 2000–2012 California Cancer Registry was used to identify patients with stage II/III breast or colorectal cancer. Patient residence at time of diagnosis was linked by census tract to food desert using the USDA Food Access Research Atlas. Treatment and outcomes were compared by food desert residential status. Among 64,987 female breast cancer patients identified, 66.8% were 65 years old, and 6.4% resided in food deserts. Five-year survival for food desert residents was 60% compared with 64% for non-desert residents (p < 0.001). Living in food deserts was significantly associated with diabetes, tobacco use, poor insurance coverage, and low socioeconomic status (p < 0.05) for both cancers. There was no significant difference in rates of surgery or chemotherapy by food desert residential status for either diagnosis. Multivariable analyses showed that food desert residence was associated with higher mortality. Survival, despite treatment for stage II/III breast and colorectal cancers was worse for those living in food deserts. This association remained significant without differences in use of surgery or chemotherapy, suggesting factors other than differential care access may link food desert residence and cancer outcomes.
Transgenerational Disease Specific Epigenetic Sperm Biomarkers after Ancestral Exposure to Dioxin

Dioxin was historically one of the most common industrial contaminants with several major industry accidents, as well as governmental actions involving military service, having exposed large numbers of the worldwide population over the past century. Previous rat studies have demonstrated the ability of dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)) exposure to promote the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease susceptibility in subsequent generations. The types of disease previously observed include puberty abnormalities, testis, ovary, kidney, prostate and obesity pathologies. The current study was designed to use an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) to identify potential sperm DNA methylation biomarkers for specific transgenerational diseases. Therefore, the transgenerational F3 generation dioxin lineage male rats with and without a specific disease were compared to identify differential DNA methylation regions (DMRs) as biomarkers for disease. The genomic features of the disease-specific DMRs were characterized. Observations demonstrate that disease-specific epimutation DMRs exist for the transgenerational dioxin lineage rats that can potentially be used as epigenetic biomarkers for testis, kidney, prostate and obesity diseases. These disease-specific DMRs were associated with genes that have previously been shown to be linked with the specific diseases. This EWAS for transgenerational disease identified potential epigenetic biomarkers and provides the proof of concept of the potential to develop similar biomarkers for humans to diagnose disease susceptibilities and facilitate preventative medicine.
Hiding in Plain Sight: A Case of Perinephric Abscess Diagnosed by POCUS

An 87 year old male with obstructive uropathy was initially diagnosed with acute kidney injury (AKI), a new renal mass and hydronephrosis. When transferred to a facility with a hospital medicine POCUS program, the renal mass was correctly identified as a perinephric abscess, which was percutaneously drained leading to resolution of AKI and the underlying infection. Renal POCUS is readily taught via brief educational interventions and empowers providers to identify common (hydronephrosis) and uncommon (perinephric abscess) renal pathology at the bedside.
Automation and remote control of fast neutron computed tomography system

Automation and remote control are added to a fast neutron tomography system at the Ohio State University Research Reactor (OSURR). The automated system with XYZ stages allows for an improved imaging efficiency and quality of computed tomography, while reducing total image acquisition time and keeping the user further from the neutron beam facility. The automation code was written in Python scripting utilizing the Tkinter GUI structure and modules for instrumentation control. A Python wrapper for Micro-Manager, pycromanager, is used to control the Electron Multiply (EM) CCD and CMOS cameras. The system has a three directional XYZ stage for precise alignment and a rotational stage to obtain the radiograph views for computed tomography. Both of these stages hold the imaging object and are external to the light tight box. Finally, another one direction stage is employed within the light tight box to move the camera for real-time focusing. Each stage is controlled through user defined functions that pull from the serial control offered by pyserial. Within the light tight box is the camera, a telecentric lens, a mirror, and a Polyvinyl Toluene (PVT) scintillator. The GUI allows for the users to input all of the experiment parameters such as exposure time, EM Gain (for EMCCD), file save information, and rotational requirements. Upon submission, the rotational degree information is passed into an algorithm to generate a list for a few view tomography. As the imaging system takes and saves the images, the users are shown the progress in real time through messages and pictures in the GUI.