cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Family Background and Early Marital Factors on Marital Disruption

A high level of marital disruption remains a major factor of American family experience. This analysis takes advantage of the broad coverage of family-related issues by the National Survey of Families and Households (1987-1988) to explore both methodological and substantive issues concerning marital dissolution in the United States. The analysis finds that marital disruptions are seriously underreported by males, making the analysis of male marital histories problematic. Also, the potential impact of reconciliations on the estimates of recent marital disruption based on separation is explored; no upward bias is likely to result from the inclusion of separations that may subsequently reconcile. The impact of a wide variety of factors on the risk of marital disruption is examined using proportional hazard techniques. Among them are included parental background factors, respondent's characteristics at the time of marriage, differences in spouses' characteristics, and joint activity statuses of marital partne...
Aneurysm of an Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery—: A Case Report

The authors present a case report of an aberrant subclavian artery aneu rysm recognized on chest x-ray and confirmed with barium swallow and angio gram.
Prevalence of asthma by industry in the US population: A study of 2001 NHIS data

Background The estimated number of US workers potentially exposed to asthmagens ranges from 8 to 20 million. This study was undertaken to estimate the US prevalence of asthma in adults by industry of employment and to identify industries with elevated risk of asthma. Methods Prevalence analysis was performed on 20,991 adults, 18 years of age and older who participated in the 2001 National Health Interview survey. We used SUDAAN software to estimate the prevalence of self-reported physician diagnosed asthma by industry, and odds ratios (ORs) for asthma and industry adjusted for age, sex, race, and smoking status. Results The overall prevalence of physician diagnosed asthma was 6.5% (95% CI 6.1–6.9); 4.7% (95% CI 4.1–5.3) for males and 8.5% (95% CI 7.9–9.1) for females. In whites, the prevalence and ORs were significantly elevated for printing, publishing, and allied industries (OR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.2–5.0) and health care (OR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.0–1.7). In blacks, ORs were elevated for furniture, lumber, and wood (OR = 5.9, 95% CI 1.4–25.4) and entertainment and recreation industries (OR = 4.1, 95% CI 1.1–15.9). Other industries with elevated ORs included automobile dealers and gasoline station; durable goods; elementary, secondary schools, and colleges; other personal services; eating and drinking places; entertainment and recreation services; and utility and sanitary. Conclusions Industries with elevated prevalence of asthma are identified. This information helps to target workplaces where detailed investigations for prevention and control may be appropriate. Am. J. Ind. Med. 47:500–508, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Modeling of tomato fruits into nine shape categories using elliptic fourier shape modeling and Bayesian classification of contour morphometric data

Classification and characterization of the shape of plant organs are important tools for plant biologists, breeders and growers. Here we use boundary measurements, i.e. contour morphometric data, of scanned tomato fruits in conjunction with elliptic Fourier shape modeling and Bayesian classification techniques to find the optimum number of shape categories. Our findings show that there are nine computationally and visually distinct tomato shape categories: ellipsoid, flat, heart, long, long rectangular, rectangular, round, obovoid, and oxheart. Analyses of fruits from a diverse set of tomato accessions demonstrate that some varieties carry fruits that conform to predominantly one shape category while others carry fruits that conform to multiple shape categories. In particular the categories oxheart and long rectangular feature fruit that tend to equivalently fit several categories of shape, while the flat and obovoid categories contain fruit that consistently conform exclusively to a single category. The findings show that elliptic Fourier shape modeling and Bayesian classification provide an excellent tool for further in depth analyses of fruit shape variation that may occur across varieties and/or result from growth under different environmental conditions.
An automated design specification and verification tool for systolic architectures

Presents a Prolog-based verifier, VSTA, for formal specification and verification of systolic architectures. VSTA allows users to design systolic array architectures in the systolic temporal arithmetic (STA) specification language, and the designs can be semi-automatically verified by the system. In addition, the authors describe how a systolic array for LU decomposition can be specified and verified with respect to its algorithm. The proof techniques used are mathematical induction and rewriting. The induction technique is adopted to exploit the regularity and locality nature of systolic array architectures. A number of verification tactics are developed in the verifier and their operational rules are used in the verifier. Using the powerful symbolic computation ability of Prolog, particularly pattern matching, automatic backtracking, and the depth-first searching rules, the verifier performs efficiently in the construction of proofs. >
Experimental verification of substrate-induced bianisotropy in optical metamaterials

In this paper, we experimentally prove the theory that the supporting substrate underneath metallodielectric optical metamaterials induces bianisotropy due to the broken symmetry of the system. Specifically, an on-wafer fishnet structured metamaterial at near-infrared wavelengths was fabricated and fully characterized. The effective medium parameters extracted from the experimental data agree well with the theoretical predictions, thus confirming the existence of magnetoelectric coupling introduced by the substrate, which is otherwise absent in a free-standing fishnet metamaterial with the same dimensions. This study provides engineers and scientists insight into oft-overlooked properties of optical metamaterials.
Physical and Mechanical Properties of Highly Plasticized Pectin/Starch Films

SYNOPSIS Blends of citrus pectin and high amylose starch plasticized with glycerine were investigated to determine the effect of compositional variables on film properties. Several films with representative compositions were made from sugar beet and almond pectin, and tested for comparison. The films were cast from water onto glass plates, dried, and removed. Mechanical analysis was done using a Rheometrics RSA I1 solids analyzer. Increasing the glycerine concentration led to decreases in static modulus, dynamic modulus, and tensile strength, but to increases in elongation. Increasing levels of starch in the blend lowered the effect of glycerine on mechanical properties. Oxygen permeability of the films was extremely low. Sugar-beet pectin and almond pectin gave films with mechanical properties comparable to those made with citrus pectin. 0 1994 John Wiley & Sons, 1nc.t
A high-performance integrated microwave circuit frequency quadrupler

An S - to X -band frequency quadrupler was developed with a 4.0-dB conversion loss and 11-percent bandwidth using hybrid integrated microwave circuit techniques. The multiplier has a low-pass transforming filter on the input and a bandpass filter consisting of half-wavelength lines edge coupled over quarter wavelengths on the output. Design curves for the bandpass filter are given for ceramic microstrip. Two beam-lead varactors were used in the multiplier giving it an input power-handling capability of 3-watts peak power.
Self-organizing approximation based control

Adaptive approximation based control typically uses approximators with a predefined set of basis functions. Recent methods, spatially dependent methods, have defined self-organizing approximators where new locally supported basis elements were incorporated when existing basis elements were insufficiently excited. In this article, performance dependent self-organizing approximators will be defined. The designer specifies positive tracking error criteria. The self-organizing approximation based controller then monitors the tracking performance and adds basis elements only as needed to achieve the tracking specification. The paper includes a complete stability analysis.
Creek watch: pairing usefulness and usability for successful citizen science

Citizen science projects can collect a wealth of scientific data, but that data is only helpful if it is actually used. While previous citizen science research has mostly focused on designing effective capture interfaces and incentive mechanisms, in this paper we explore the application of HCI methods to ensure that the data itself is useful. To provide a focus for this exploration we designed and implemented Creek Watch, an iPhone application and website that allow volunteers to report information about waterways in order to aid water management programs. Working with state and local officials and private groups involved in water monitoring, we conducted a series of contextual inquiries to uncover what data they wanted, what data they could immediately use, and how to most effectively deliver that data to them. We iteratively developed the Creek Watch application and website based on our findings and conducted evaluations of it with both contributors and consumers of water data, including scientists at the city water resources department. Our study reveals that the data collected is indeed useful for their existing practices and is already in use in water and trash management programs. Our results suggest the application of HCI methods to design the data for the end users is just as important as their use in designing the user interface.
Studies in metachromatic leukodystrophy. XIII. Purification of sulfatase A from normal human liver.

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a genetically-determined neurolipidosis characterized by deficient activity of sulfatase A (cerebroside sulfatase) and by the resultant accumulation of cerebroside sulfate. Immunological studies using a monospecific antibody to sulfatase A have shown that MLD patients do have the enzyme protein (7). The reason why this protein has little or no activity is not yet clear. The first step in such a study is to isolate and characterize the normal sulfatase.
Test Methodologies for Determining Energy Absorbing Mechanisms of Automotive Composite Material Systems

To identify and quantify the energy absorbing mechanisms in automotive composite material systems, test methodologies were developed for conducting progressive crush tests on composite specimens that have simplified test geometries. The test method development focused on isolating the damage modes associated with the frond formation that occurs in dynamic testing of composite tubes. A new test fixture was designed to progressively crush composite plate specimens under quasi-static test conditions. Preliminary results are presented under a sufficient set of test conditions to validate the operation of the test fixture. The experimental data, in conjunction with test observations, will be used in future work to identify the characteristic damage and failure modes, and determine the specific energy absorption capability of candidate automotive composite material systems.
On the political utterances of plantation tourists: vocalizing the memory of slavery on River Road

ABSTRACTWithin the study of southern plantation house museums, the cultural power that tourists exercise in interpreting, reacting to, and even shaping historical narratives has received limited attention. The purpose of this paper is to advance our understanding of the agency of visitors at plantation museums, paying particular attention to their verbal expressions as they respond to the depiction of slavery on guided tours. Spoken words, questions, and conversations of plantation tourists are not unproblematic transmissions of information but represent “political utterances” that play a crucial role in the constitution and mediation of the process of remembering (or forgetting) the enslaved. We consider the importance of tourist voice and outline two analytical settings for studying the political utterances of plantation visitors – the vocalizing of interpretative communities in post-tour or exit interviews and docent reaction to on-tour comments and questions posed by visitors. Drawing evidence from in...
3d visualization of in-flight recorded data

Human being can easily acquire information by showing the object than reading the description of it. Our brain stores images that the eyes are seeing and by the brain mapping, people can analyze information by imagination in the brain. This is the reason why visualization is important and powerful. It helps people remember the scene later. Visualization transforms the symbolic into the geometric, enabling researchers to observe their simulations and computations (Flurchick, 2001). As a consequence, many computer scientists and programmers take their time to build better visualization of the data for users. For the flight data from an aircraft, it is better to understand data in 3D computer graphics rather than to look at mere numbers. The flight data consists of several fields such as elapsed time, latitude, longitude, altitude, ground speed, roll angle, pitch angle, heading, wind speed, and so on. With these data variables, filtering is the first process for visualization in order to gather important information. The collection of processed data is transformed to 3D graphics form to be rendered by generating Keyhole Mark-up Language (KML) files in the system. KML is an XML grammar and file format for modeling and storing geographic features such as points, lines, images, polygons, and models for display in Google Earth or Google Maps. Like HTML, KML has a tag-based structure with names and attributes used for specific display purposes. In the present work, new approaches to visualize flight using Google Earth are developed. Because of the limitation of the Google Earth API, the Great Circle Distance calculation and trigonometric functions are implemented to handle the position, angles of roll and pitch, and a range of the camera positions to generate several points of view. Currently, visual representation of flight data depends on 2D graphics although an aircraft flies in a 3D space. The graphical interface allows flight analysts to create ground traces in 2D, and flight "ribbons" and flight "paths with altitude" in 3D. Additionally, by incorporating weather information, fog and clouds can also be generated as part of the animation effects. With 3D stereoscopic technique, a realistic visual representation of the flights is realized.
Gender and Interpersonal Task Behaviors: Status Expectation Accounts:

In this paper we argue for the utility of status characteristics theory (Berger et al. 1977) in accounting for research concerned with gender differences in interpersonal task situations. We state and defend a basic status argument that differences in stereotypical gender task behaviors are a direct function of status differences or of attempts to cope with status differences. We show support for this argument in several areas of research: the influence, participation and performer evaluations of group members; their relative performance-reactor profiles; the relation of these behavioral profiles to the assignment of personality traits; the correlation of status position with the gender typing of tasks (i.e., male-identified, female-identified, or neutral); the relationship between gender status and salient information about other statuses; the role of expectations for rewards; and the emergence of mechanisms for coping with the implication of a low gender status position. We conclude that status characte...
Male student veterans: Hardiness, psychological well-being, and masculine norms.

This study assessed whether conformity to masculine norms was associated with psychological well-being among 117 college-attending veterans and active-duty service members, and the extent to which hardiness mediated that relationship. Results indicated that greater conformity to masculine norms was
Introduction to classification: likelihoods, margins, features, and kernels: tutorial for NAACL-HLT 2007

Statistical methods in NLP have exploited a variety of classification techniques as core building blocks for complex models and pipelines. In this tutorial, we will survey the basic techniques behind classification. We first consider the basic principles, including the principles of maximum likelihood and maximum margin. We then discuss several core classification technologies: naive Bayes, perceptrons, logistic regression, and support vector machines. The discussion will include the key optimization ideas behind their training and the empirical trade-offs between the various classifiers. Finally, we consider the extension to kernels and kernelized classification: what can kernels offer and what is their cost? The presentation is targeted to NLP researchers new to these methods or those wanting to understand more about how these techniques are interconnected.
Determination of the solvent gasolines in the air of workplace by solvent desorption gas chromatography

Aim To establish a gas chromatography method for determination of solvent gasolines in the air of workplace.Methods Sample of solvent gasolines in the air of workplace was collected by active charcoal tube,then desorbed in solution with carbon disulfa and detected by GC with an HP-FFAP capillary column and FID.Results The linear range of solvent gasolines was 0.6603~660.30μg/ml and correlation coefficient was 0.99999.The minimum detection concentration was 0.11 mg/m3 for 1.5L air.Relative standard deviation was below 1.0% and desorption efficiency was in the range of 99.2%～100.0%.Conclusion The method is accurate,simple,sensitive and suitable for determination of solvent gasolines in air of workplace.
Analysis of Hot-air Thin Layer Drying Characteristics and Kinetics Model of Bamboo Shoots

Drying is one of the most common ways in bamboo shoots processing and is the key to affect the quality of dried bamboo shoots. In order to evaluate the drying characteristics of bamboo shoots and determine the most appropriate drying model under the hot-air thin layer drying conditions, the moisture content and drying rate of bamboo shoots studies were carried out during hot-air thin layer drying process. The effects of drying temperature, air speed and slice thickness on the drying characteristics were determined and hot-air thin layer drying kinetics model of bamboo shoots was set up. The results showed that the hot-air thin layer temperature, air speed and slice thickness had greater influences on the drying characteristics of bamboo shoots. The drying rate increased with the increase of drying temperature and air speed, whereas the drying rate gradually decreased with the increase of slice thickness. The whole drying process was divided into three stages with different conditions, including the accelerated drying, constant rate drying and falling rate drying. The most appropriate hot-air thin layer drying conditions were drying temperature 80 ℃, air speed 2.0 m/s, and slice thickness 1.0 cm. The hot-air thin layer drying kinetics met Page model and this model was suitable for describing and predicting the hot-air thin layer drying of bamboo shoots. The research may provide a reference for industrial production of dried bamboo shoots or other dried vegetables.
Conceptual Constructs and Social Classes: A Review of Capitalizing Religion

Capitalizing Religion is a good addition to the growing number of works in the last decade that examine the intertwinings of religion, spirituality, and capitalism in the neoliberal present. Through an examination of scholarly discourses on modern religion and contemporary fiction and spirituality manuals, Martin demonstrates how, within the consumer capitalist present, the ideologies of individualism, consumption, quietism, and productivity shape conversations, habits, relationships, and fantasies. Martin tells us that the goal of social theory should be to account for how individuals and their choices are propelled by the material, historical, and structural forces that constitute them. He is a writer who has long been particularly attentive to the fact that “religion” is not some particular entity that exists “out there” that can be examined, but rather a bounded construct whose definition – through processes of inclusion and exclusion – performs works of distinction that benefit some interests, groups...
Basic chemistry of acetylcholine receptors

SUMMARY The idea of receptors is an old one, but detailed knowledge of receptors is new, and research on receptors is one of the most active areas in neurobiology. Much is still to be learned, but there is a great deal to be gained from knowing how neurons in the nervous system interact with each other and with muscle cells at the neuromuscular junction. In the meantime, we must deal with the new knowledge of muscle cholinergic receptors and try to apply it to a better understanding of the pharmacology of muscle relaxants.
Directed and Undirected Graphs

Up to now, we have been able to construct all basic number domains ℕ, ℤ, ℚ, ℝ, ℂ. But we have not considered geometric objects. This chapter begins to fill that gap. It introduces the most elementary geometric objects: graphs—systems of points and arrows connected by directed or undirected lines. We shall conclude part IV with the introduction of higher-dimension graphical objects that relate to coverings of sets by a system of subsets.
Artificial urinary sphincter urethral erosions: Temporal patterns, management, and incidence of preventable erosions.

Introduction: The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the mainstay of surgical treatment for male stress urinary incontinence. Although urethral erosions are a known complication, their temporal distribution and optimal management have not been well characterized. We seek to evaluate the timing, etiologies, and management of urethral erosions in primary AUS implantations. Materials and Methods: 1802 male patients underwent AUS procedure at Mayo Clinic (Rochester) from 1983 to 2011, including 1082 primary placements. Of primary placements, 63 had a urethral erosion of their device requiring explanation and were included in our analysis. All cases of urethral erosion were confirmed at the time of explantation through cystoscopy and direct visualization. At our institution, explantation is typically performed without primary urethral repair. Results: There were 63 cases (5.8%) of urethral erosions of primary AUS devices during the study time frame. The median age at AUS implantation was 74 years (interquartile range [IQR] 68–77 years) and median time to explantation was 21 months (IQR 5–59 months). The temporal trend of AUS erosions demonstrates a peak in the 1st year, with a gradual tapering of cases thereafter, persisting beyond 10 years. Three of 36 (8.3%) patients with follow-up developed a urethral stricture. Overall, 32/63 patients (51%) underwent salvage AUS reimplantation at a median of 7.1 months (IQR 3.1–12.9 months). Conclusions: Urethral erosions tend to occur early (within 1–2 years), with gradual tapering over time. However, continued vigilance is needed after AUS placement to decrease late erosions. These data can be used for counseling and to help guide follow-up care of patients with AUS.
Cognitive Research: Knowledge Representation and Learning

Publisher Summary This chapter provides a brief overview of knowledge representation and reasoning paradigms. Understanding the different representation mechanisms is an important prerequisite to discussing learning algorithms because the algorithm may be inextricably tied to the underlying representation and reasoning mechanism. The chapter presents several approaches to machine learning and their application within a cognitive radio system. It also presents some of the issues and trade-offs related to the implementation aspects of the learning systems. The chapter provides a representative cross section of machine learning with an emphasis on application within the radio communications domain. There is no single approach to knowledge representation and reasoning or learning that will address all aspects of cognitive radio systems. The level of intelligence exhibited by a cognitive radio system will be dynamic and varied, depending on the implementation platform, the computational resources available, and the specific mission of the system. The type of knowledge representation and reasoning system employed as well as the type of knowledge may “prefer” a particular learning method.
Application of Digital Enterprise Technology (DET) for Green Made-to-Measure in Korean Luxury Fashion Industry

Due to the significant market size and growth rate of the luxury fashion industry, environmental impacts of the luxury products become more and more serious. Currently, many luxury companies continuously adopt Information Technologies, especially Digital Enterprise Systems (DET) that support strategically designing product life cycle in environmentally sustainable approaches. Made-to-Measure (M2M), customized luxury products that is one of impactful product differentiation strategies of global luxury companies, has some issues of M2M related to limited business scalability and environmental impact. To overcome these issues, some Korean luxury fashion companies use DET technology systems in M2M product life cycle management, since the DET systems assist to reduce waste materials as well as to protect the environment. This study will help the product designers and executives, in charge of M2M in the luxury fashion industry, recognize that the use of innovative technologies such as the DET systems, is essential for luxury companies’ green M2M capability enhancement and for longevity of the firms in the luxury fashion industry.
Abstract A31: Biological effects of lutein and kale on the prevention of colonic inflammation and carcinogenesis

Ulcerative colitis is a risk factor for colon cancer. Dietary lutein, a nutrient rich in kale, is inversely associated with the risk of developing colon cancer in human observational epidemiologic studies. Besides lutein, kale also contains abundant amounts of other bioactive components with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties. As a whole food approach, kale may provide more favorable biologic effects on colonic inflammation and neoplasia than lutein alone. Additionally, it is unclear if lutein prevents colon neoplasia via the inhibition of colonic inflammation. Using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and neoplasia mouse model, we evaluated the effects of dietary lutein supplementation and kale on the DSS-induced colorectal inflammation, ulceration, hyperplasia, dysplasia and cancer. Two hundred sixty four 8-week old Swiss-Webster (CFW) mice were assigned to one of ten groups (n = 26 to 27 in each group [13 males and 13 to 14 females]) for 21 weeks as follows: 1) 0.0005% of lutein plus DSS; 2) 0.001% of lutein plus DSS; 3) 0.002% of lutein plus DSS; 4) 0.005% of lutein plus DSS; 5) kale equivalent to 0.0005% of lutein plus DSS; 6) kale equivalent to 0.001% of lutein plus DSS; 7) kale equivalent to 0.002% of lutein plus DSS; 8) kale equivalent to 0.005% of lutein plus DSS; 9) DSS only; and 10) control with no treatment. During the 21-week experimental period, mouse body weights were recorded weekly. At week 7, the mice in groups 1-9 were given DSS for 4 cycles (1 cycle = 1 week 3% of DSS in drinking water followed by 2-week water) to induce colitis and colorectal neoplasia. This report described the findings on the presence of clinical signs of colitis (hemoccult and loose stools, which were evaluated at the end of each week throughout the experiments), and the findings from histopathological evaluations (inflammation, ulceration, hyperplasia, dysplasia, and neoplasia). Dietary lutein and kale, particularly two higher doses (0.002% and 0.005%), reduced the DSS-induced hemoccult and loose stools, as well as the DSS-induced inflammation, ulceration, hyperplasia, dysplasia, and neoplasia. These data suggest that dietary lutein and kale may prevent the DSS-induced colorectal inflammation and associated preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions. Grant Funding Sources: This project was supported by Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no. 2014-67017-21754 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and by USDA/ARS grant 1950-51000-074S. Citation Format: Chun Liu, Roderick T. Bronson, Xiang-Dong Wang. Biological effects of lutein and kale on the prevention of colonic inflammation and carcinogenesis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Colorectal Cancer: From Initiation to Outcomes; 2016 Sep 17-20; Tampa, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A31.
Breakdown of weather, intersection and recurrent congestion impacts on urban delay in New York City

Abstract: A vehicle traveling in an urban network exhibits a fluctuating speed profile, affected by signals, congestion and other factors. Therefore, it is very difficult to determine the volume, speed for multiple intersections without extensive instrumentation. Moreover, urban networks do not show relatively homogeneous sections like freeways where delay calculations can be more complex due to local bottlenecks and multiple queueing patterns. Along the same lines, isolating the impacts of various factors also become problematic. In this paper, an ad-hoc delay calculation approach is employed using the green and yellow taxi GPS dataset (augmented with weather information) in New York City (NYC), which has the aforementioned dense urban street network with controlled intersections –signalized or stop-signs. Using this approach, delay patterns associated with both NYC green and yellow taxi trips are investigated using their fare structure rather than conventional data sets such as volume, speed and signal timings. Results indicate that the intersection delay patterns differ spatially between different boroughs of NYC. Major delays in the lower Manhattan during the day especially seem to be critical since these delays not only affect the overall traffic flow but also have explicit adverse effects such as elevated air pollution and noise, which is a critical problem in NYC.
Reflections on Telemedicine, circa 2014

This commentary reflects upon the status of telemedicine in 2014. The environment is complex, with challenges that include: inadequate reimbursement, the need to assure privacy and security, and restrictions on inter-state US practice. While technological advancements are fueling a burgeoning global telemedicine market, these continue to outpace the development of tele-ethics, regulatory policies, and training programs. Most importantly, consumers have yet to become fully engaged as partners in shaping the future of value-driven telemedicine.
Mechanical durability of liquid repellent coatings

Abstract Liquid repellent surfaces with mechanical durability are critical for many commercial applications that involve liquid contact, human handling, or environmental exposure. In this study, the response of a range of coating types to different mechanical impact tests on flat and structured surfaces was investigated. The surface tension and chemistry of the coating material, the mechanical properties of the substrate and coating thickness were varied to determine their respective effects on durability of the coated surface. The mechanical durability tests included tape peeling, bending, rotary abrasion, and dynamic impact. The surface durability was evaluated by changes in wetting performance (contact angle measurements), surface morphology (SEM) and surface chemistry (FTIR, XPS). The insight gained facilitates selection of substrate preparation, coating material and coating method for specific applications depending on mechanical durability requirements. General comments and recommendations on the appropriateness of standard methods to evaluate mechanical durability are also provided to guide future studies.
Influence of Bile Acids on Colorectal Cancer Risk: Potential Mechanisms Mediated by Diet - Gut Microbiota Interactions

The purpose of this study is to review the evidence for the tumorigenic effects of food-stimulated bile acids on the colon and interaction with the gut microbiota. High-fat diets promote the hepatic synthesis of bile acids and increase their delivery to the colonic lumen. Here, they stimulate the growth and activity of 7α-dehydroxylating bacteria, which convert primary into secondary bile acids that show tumorigenic activity, especially deoxycholic acid (DCA). Fecal levels of secondary bile acids correlate with mucosal and metabolic markers of colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in high- and low-risk adult individuals and can be modified within a few weeks by dietary change. While gut bacteria regulate the bile acid pool via complex microbial biotransformation, bile acids alter the gut microbiota composition due to their antimicrobial properties. This mutual reaction induces altered bile acid pools and dysbiotic compositions of the gut microbiota that may show tumor-promoting activity of bile acids beyond their conversion to DCA. Bile acids act as tumor promoters in the colon. Diet and the gut microbiota are most likely the key drivers that mediate and confer bile acid-associated tumorigenic activity. Bacterial conversion of bile acids in the colon has a significant impact on their tumorigenic activity, substantiating the hypothesis that diet affects CRC risk through its effects on colonic microbial metabolism.
Convergence Domains for Some Iterative Processes in Banach Spaces Using Outer or Generalized Inverses

We provide a semilocal Ptak–Kantorovich-type analysis for inexact Newton-like methods using outer and generalized inverses to approximate a locally unique solution of an equation in a Banach space containing a nondifferentiable term. We use Banach-type lemmas and perturbation bounds for outer as well as generalized inverses to achieve our goal. In particular we determine a domain Ω such that starting from any point of Ω our method converges to a solution of the equation. Our results can be used to solve undetermined systems, nonlinear least-squares problems, and ill-posed nonlinear operator equations in Banach spaces. Finally, we provide two examples to show that our results compare favorably with earlier ones.
ASK Family Kinases Are Required for Optimal NLRP3 Inflammasome Priming.

Activation of the multimeric inflammasome complex leads to inflammatory responses to biotic and abiotic triggers. The inflammasome sensor, Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), is activated by a range of stimuli and is tightly regulated to restrict excessive inflammation. Because NLRP3 responds broadly to cellular insults and regulates cell death similar to the stress-activated apoptosis signal-regulating kinases 1 and 2 (ASK1/2), we hypothesized that ASK1/2 may regulate NLRP3 activity. Although essential for mediating NLRP3 inflammasome activation, ASK1/2 were not required for NLRC4 or absent in melanoma 2 inflammasome activation. ASK1/2 was required for NLRP3 up-regulation after lipopolysaccharide treatment in primary bone marrow–derived macrophages and lung fibroblasts as well as during infection with Burkholderia thailandensis and influenza virus. Consistent with reduced NLRP3 expression in response to B. thailandensis , caspase-1 cleavage and cell death were reduced in infected bone marrow–derived macrophages, and mice lacking ASK1/2 were resistant to Burkholderia intranasal infection. Single knockouts of either ASK1 or ASK2 showed a partial role for both ASK1 and ASK2 in NLRP3 up-regulation in response to lipopolysaccharide or B. thailandensis , but ASK2 was required primarily to mediate lethal pathology during intranasal infection in vivo . Our findings identify the ASK1/2 complex as a regulator of NLRP3 activation and highlight a larger role for ASK2 in lung infection during B. thailandensis infection.
Interactive effects of thermal environment and dietary lysine and fat levels on rate, efficiency, and composition of growth of weanling pigs.

Two trials involving 96 weanling pigs were conducted in which pigs were maintained in constant thermal environments of 20 degrees (cool) or 32 degrees C (hot) and self-fed fortified corn-soybean meal-whey diets that contained three amino acid regimens (.7, 1.0, or 1.3% lysine; approximately 13.6, 17.8, and 22.0% CP) without and with 5% added fat (choice white grease) for 42 d. The pigs were weaned between 28 and 32 d of age (8.07 +/- .58 kg) and penned in groups of two. Pigs in the cool environment consumed more (P < .01) feed and ME, gained more (P < .01) weight, and retained more (P < .01) body protein, fat, and water than those housed in the hot environment. As dietary lysine level increased, daily BW gain and body protein and water accretion increased linearly (P < .01) from d 0 to 21 and quadratically (P < .01) from d 21 to 42 in both environments. However, the magnitude of these responses was less (P < .05) in the cool than in the hot environment. Dietary fat addition decreased (P < .05) gain:ME ratios and body protein and water accretion from d 0 to 21 in both environments, but the magnitude of the reduction was greatest in pigs fed the low lysine diets in the hot environment. Based on these data, the growth response of weanling pigs to dietary lysine and fat levels is dependent on the thermal environment in which the animals are housed.
Treatment of Edentulism Using Astra Tech Implants and Ball Abutments to Retain Mandibular Overdentures

The goal of this study was to provide evidence to support simplified treatment of mandibular edentulism using denture fabrication and implant placement to circumvent the need for second-stage surgeries or prosthodontic superstructures. A 5-year prospective clinical trial is reported, which involved treatment of mandibular edentulism using the single-stage surgical placement of a TiOblast microthreaded titanium screw implant with immediate replacement of a relieved mandibular overdenture and eventual retention of the overdenture with reduced ball abutments. Fifty-eight patients were treated; 116 implants were placed using a single-stage surgical approach, with a duplicate mandibular denture as the tomographic/surgical template. Mandibular dentures were relieved and relined with a tissue conditioning material and placed immediately after implant surgery. After 3 months, Conical Seal Design ball abutments were placed and attachments were secured in the overdentures by heat-polymerizing laboratory reline methods. Five of the 116 consecutively placed implants failed at 2 to 4 months, providing an immediate implant survival rate of 95.69% at the time of attachment connection. Pain and inflammation were not common to all failures, and infection was not reported in any of the 5 failures. The immediate placement of implants by a single-stage surgical procedure in the parasymphyseal region of the mandible, followed by placement of a relined mandibular denture, results in predictable and asymptomatic healing of implants that display the clinical and radiographic features of osseointegration. Encouraging results at the immediate observation period (attachment connection) must be tempered by the need for prudent and detailed clinical and radiologic evaluation over the 5-year trial period.
Primary central nervous system and retinal lymphoma

Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system (CNS) is considered a variant of extra-nodal non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), a high-grade B-cell malignancy associated with a median survival ranging from one to 8 years depending on factors such as age and Karnofsky performance status [1]. Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) originates in the brain parenchyma, spinal cord, leptomeninges, and eyes [2]. Formerly used descriptors such as “reticulum cell sarcoma” and “microgliomatosis” are no longer preferred as both misleadingly imply that the lymphoma arises from transformed reticulum or microglial cells. Primary intraocular lymphoma (PCNSL-O) is a variant of PCNSL with predominantly ophthalmic involvement. As vitreoretinal manifestations are the dominant feature, the term primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) is commonly used. In contrast, other forms of ocular lymphoma typically affect the adnexal structures or uveal tract. The distinction is important as uveal and ocular adnexal lymphoma are usually low-grade, indolent, B-cell lymphomas that behave similarly to extra-nodal marginal zone lymphoma(EMZL) found elsewhere in the body [3].
Dangling Bond Defects in a-Si,Ge Alloys: A Theoretical Study Using the Tight-Binding Method

This paper presents a theoretical study of Si and Ge atom dangling bond defects in a-Si,Ge alloys. We use a tight-binding Hamiltonian, and a structural model based on a cluster Bethe Lattice. The central cluster contains the Si or Ge atom with the dangling bond and all of the possible configurations of nearest neighbor Si and Ge atoms. These clusters are terminated by a Bethe Lattice consisting of virtual atoms having the average properties at the particular alloy composition. We employ self energies and interaction parameters previously used for calculations of the band structures of crystalline Si and Ge and formulated using an sp3s* basis set. We find that for a given set of Si and/or Ge nearest neighbors at each alloy composition, the Ge atom dangling bond state lies deeper in the gap than the corresponding Si atom dangling bond state. However, the spread in defect energies for a Si or Ge atom dangling bond with different nearest neighbors is greater than the separation between the statistically averaged Si and Ge dangling bond state energies. This makes it difficult to compare the results directly with experimental data. Nevertheless, the calculation suggests that the explanation for a difference in dark conductivity activation energies from about 0.8 eV to 0.65 eV in alloys with approximately equal Si and Ge atom concentrations, but grown by different deposition techniques, is related to a shift in Fermi level pinning from Ge to Si atom dangling bond states. The calculated spread in dangling bond energies and overlap between the manifold of Si and Ge states also explains the simultaneous occurrence of Si and Ge atom dangling bonds in a-Si,Ge:H alloys with Ge concentrations ranging to about sixty atomic percent.
Rheological and Water Transport Properties of Cement Pastes Modified with Diutan Gum and Attapulgite/Palygorskite Nanoclays for 3D Concrete Printing

This paper identifies and addresses two challenges in extrusion-based 3D concrete printing from a materials perspective. The first is the effect of self-weight and the weight of subsequent layers on structural build-up. And the second is the excessive water loss of printed materials due to the absence of formwork. Viscosity modifying admixtures (VMAs) are extensively used in cement-based 3D printing projects to achieve sufficient print quality, shape stability, and printability window. This study aims to evaluate VMAs’ effects on the two aforementioned challenges through investigating the evolution of static yield stress under sustained stress at rest and water retention capacity of cement pastes modified with nanoclay and diutan gum.
Highly crystalline synthesis of tellurene sheets on two-dimensional surfaces: Control over helical chain direction of tellurene

Recent results have identified two-dimensional (2D) tellurene as a potential van der Waals (vdW) material for thermoelectric and optoelectronics applications owing to their pseudo-one-dimensional (anisotropic) behavior and structure. While hydrothermal synthesis is suitable for yielding potentially crystalline materials, it is well known for its incompatibility with manufacturing and scaling. There is an urgent need for synthesis of tellurene sheets in vdW layered form with the desired crystallinity as well as controlled crystalline anisotropy using more conventional and scalable processes. Here, we report on the synthesis of tellurene sheets onto a variety of surfaces of vdW-bonded 2D layered crystals in their trigonal layered form with controlled tellurene chain (anisotropy) direction using horizontal physical vapor deposition method. Our systematic tellurene growth studies on six different vdW surfaces show that GaS and GaSe surfaces enable highly crystalline and self-oriented tellurene sheets. Detailed cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM), angle-resolved Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy measurements provide fundamental insights into the growth dynamics and characteristics of tellurene. First-principles calculations and cross-sectional TEM measurements suggest that tellurene chains are well-oriented along the GaSe armchair lattice direction owing to the much-reduced total energy of the system and a stronger degree of coupling across adjacent layers. Synthesized tellurene sheets exhibit remarkable structural anisotropy, as evidenced by angle-resolved Raman measurements, and the overall results open a clear pathway for layer-by-layer growth of tellurene sheets with controlled crystalline anisotropy using conventional synthesis techniques.
Nevada's experience with the Renewable Portfolio Standard

Abstract The Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) is widely considered the most important state-level renewable energy policy in the U.S. RPS policies are designed to move the state's electric sector toward renewables while minimizing electricity cost increases for customers but the specific design elements vary widely from state to state. And yet, the impacts of specific policy design features on outcomes has received relatively little attention in scholarly research. This study employs an in-depth case study approach to examine stakeholder perceptions of how and why particular policy design features of Nevada's RPS have changed as the result of social and political dynamics of Nevada's electric sector and the perceived impacts of these changes on policy outcomes. Although most expert stakeholders perceived Nevada's early RPS as critical to spurring growth in renewables, addition of a credit multiplier and allowance of existing and out-of-state resources, the long-term banking of RECs, credits for energy used to operate geothermal facilities, and energy efficiency measures were viewed as undermining policy objectives and delocalizing important economic and environmental benefits. Stakeholders perceived these changes as the result of an electric-sector culture that is resistant to change and a single, powerful electric utility that has significant sway over its regulator.
Partial discharge detection and diagnosis in gas insulated switchgear: State of the art

Power utilities are struggling to reduce power failure incidents in substations and their components to operate more reliably and economically [1]. Many power failures are produced directly or indirectly because of the insulation system of utility components [2], [3]. The selection of the insulation should ensure power plant operational continuity along with completely resolving or significantly limiting the actual power system's failures [4]. Gas insulated substations (GIS) have the best insulation performance which ensures achieving minimum failure incidents, although at high installation cost. The most common insulating gas used in GIS is Sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ) gas, which is widely used as an effective electrical insulation as well as an arc-quenching medium [5]. Basic GIS and gas insulated transmission lines (GITL or GIL) consist of a conductor supported by solid insulators inside an enclosure filled with SF 6 gas or its mixture [6].