cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low Temperature CO2 Capture for Near-term Applications

Abstract Carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and storage (CCS) is an important option aimed at stabilizing the long term atmospheric levels of anthropogenic emissions of CO2, which is one of several greenhouse gases contributing to the global warming of our planet. However, the weak policies and economic drivers for CCS have slowed down the commercialization of CO2 capture technologies needed for large scale removal. At the same time CO2 for the food and beverage industry is an existing and currently growing market for which the monoethanolamine (MEA)-based approach to provide CO2 is very energy intensive and in many cases not economical. Finding existing applications for next generation CO2 capture technologies at the small to medium-scale provides an important intermediate step for demonstrating and gaining the necessary knowledge required for further scaling up of novel CCS technologies. Low temperature CO2 capture represents a novel alternative to state-of-the-art MEA post-combustion technology. The separation process aims at reducing the flue gas temperature from ambient to a low temperature range at which the CO2 freezes to be able to be removed from the main gas stream in a solid phase. This study presents the results of the assessment of integrating a novel low temperature CO2 capture technology into a Jenbacher reciprocating gas engine by investigating two different configurations of the low temperature CO2 capture process and comparing their performance with a state- of-the-art MEA absorption process. Results indicate that both configurations of the low temperature CO2 removal processes enable reduction of the specific energy requirement to capture CO2 by approximately 35% compared to the state-of-the-art MEA process.
Electrospun SnO2 and TiO2 Composite Nanofibers for Lithium Ion Batteries

Abstract Three types of SnO 2 /TiO 2 composite nanofibers (homogeneous SnO 2 /TiO 2 , heterogeneous SnO 2 /TiO 2 and SnO 2 NPs/TiO 2 ) have been prepared via a facile electrospinning method combined with a sol-gel chemistry, whose electrochemical performance as anode materials in lithium-ion battery was evaluated and compared to that of pure TiO 2 and SnO 2 electrospunnanofibers (NFs). Rutile phase TiO 2 nanofibers demonstrated an extremely stable but relatively low gravimetric specific capacity of ∼80 mAh g −1 when discharged at 100 mA g −1 . In contrast, rutile phase SnO 2 nanofibers showed a much more unstable but higher specific capacity, which dropped from initial 800 to ∼35 mAh g −1 after 50 cycles. The incorporation of structurally unstable SnO 2 into stable TiO 2 matrix can significantly improve both the cycling performance and specific capacity. These composite nanofibers possess a much higher initial gravimetric specific capacity (>500 mAh g −1 ) than rutile phase TiO 2 nanofibers and maintain superior capacity retention to pure SnO 2 NFs. The enhanced cycling stability is attributed to the space confinement provided by the structurally stable TiO 2 , which finding can provide a beneficial guidance for future lithium ion battery electrode development.
The Szegö Kernel and Proper Holomorphic Mappings to a Half Plane

We prove that all proper holomorphic mappings from a finitely connected domain in the plane to the right half plane can be expressed simply in terms of the Szego kernel associated to the domain. Our decomposition also reveals the linear structure of the semi-group of all such maps and it offers a method to construct proper holomorphic maps of arbitrary mapping degree.
The molecular clockwork of a protein‐based circadian oscillator

The circadian clock of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 is governed by a core oscillator consisting of the proteins KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC. Remarkably, circadian oscillations in the phosphorylation state of KaiC can be reconstituted in a test tube by mixing the three Kai proteins and adenosine triphosphate. The in vitro oscillator provides a well-defined system in which experiments can be combined with mathematical analysis to understand the mechanism of a highly robust biological oscillator. In this Review, we summarize the biochemistry of the Kai proteins and examine models that have been proposed to explain how oscillations emerge from the properties of the oscillator's constituents.
Modified flap design for symmetric reconstruction of the apical triangle of the upper lip.

Background The apical triangle is the superior portion of the cutaneous upper lip lying between the medial cheek and alar margin. Defects involving this subunit are often repaired without taking into consideration the aesthetic implications of its potential loss or reduction. We present a simple option for repair of apical triangle defects to address this concern. Methods We collected a series of 69 patients with apical triangle defects treated from 2002 to 2008 with Mohs micrographic surgery. Their defects were reconstructed using various flaps (advancement, rotation, island pedicle, or M-plasty). A subset of 27 patients was identified who had undergone a standard cheek advancement flap or a modified flap. The modified design introduces an incision extending from the alar crease onto the nasal sill along the cutaneous upper lip, creating a second sliding flap to assist in recreating the apical triangle. Results A modified flap design introduced the ability to transfer adjacent tissue of the cutaneous upper lip to reconstruct the apical triangle subunit. Conclusion This flap modification is a simple and efficient method of repairing peri-alar defects that restores the apical subunit, preserving facial symmetry.
Congenital Penile Curvature: Update and Management

Congenital penile curvature results from disproportionate development of the tunica albuginea of the corporal bodies and is not associated with urethral malformation. Patients usually present after reaching puberty as the curvature becomes more apparent with erections, and severe curvature can make intercourse difficult or impossible, at which point surgical repair is recommended. Excellent outcomes can be expected with surgical intervention. The three most commonly used repair techniques are the original Nesbit procedure, modified Nesbit procedure, and plication. Nesbit and modified Nesbit techniques require that an incision is made in the tunica albuginea while plication techniques utilize plicating sutures without an incision. While Nesbit and modified Nesbit techniques are more complex operations, these generally result in less recurrences and more satisfactory outcomes as opposed to the quicker and simpler plication technique.
The effect of mercaptoethanol on flagellar morphogenesis in the amoeboflagellate Naegleria gruberi (Schardinger)

Abstract β-Mercaptoethanol added to cultures of Naegleria gruberi at any time after the induction of flagellation by washing, leveled the flagellation curve at a time 20 min later than the time of addition of the drug. When the mercaptoethanol was removed from blocked amoebae, there was subsequent recovery. Treatment with mercaptoethanol for 20–60 min caused excess delay in recovery such that the cells were setback to the time of induction ( t 0 ). Comparison of the time of sensitivity to mercaptoethanol vs. actinomycin D indicated that the primary effect of mercaptoethanol occurs at a later point in flagella morphogenesis than RNA synthesis. Sensitivity to actinomycin D characteristic of newly induced amoebae was not restored to such cells setback to t 0 provided only a short time (
Acute lipoid pneumonitis due to aspiration of pressurized paint droplets.

Lipoid pneumonitis is a well recognized disease entity with characteristic clinical and pathologic findings. Its etiology and pathogenesis, particularly with reference to the aspiration of certain lipid emollients, has been proved and documented.2’ The disease was first observed in man by Laughlin,4 who, in 1925, called attention to this distinctive pneumonic process which he attributed to the aspiration of liquid petrolatum hydrocarbons. The pulmonary lesions in these cases were similar to those he produced by the intratracheal injection of oily substances into the lungs of rabbits. The disease process produced by inhalation of reactive aerosol oil mists or of nebulized industrial oil dispersed by pressure sprays can be included in the sanle category with the lipoid pneumonitis produced by petrolatum aspiration. A case of lipoid pneumonia with abscess formation resulting from the aspiration of a highly reactive drying oil contained in a commercial enamel paint is discussed in this report. The short duration of symptoms, the fulminating clinical course, and the histochemical findings in this case established the presence of another form of lipoid pneumonitis.
AlInGaAs-AlGaAs strained single-quantum-well diode lasers

Diode lasers with a strained AlInGaAs active layer and AlGaAs confining and cladding layers are reported. Broad-stripe devices were fabricated in graded-index separate-confinement heterostructures grown by organometallic vapor-phase epitaxy on GaAs substrates and containing a single Al/sub y/In/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x-y/As quantum well with 0.12 >
Fecundity, longevity and establishment of Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Fabricius) and Otiorhynchus ovatus (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from the Pacific North‐west of the United States of America on selected host plants

1 The fecundity, longevity and establishment of Otiorhynchus sulcatus and Otiorhynchus ovatus from the Pacific North-west U.S.A. was studied on five selected host plants: Picea abies‘Nidiformis’, Picea glauca‘Conica’, Taxus baccata, Rhododendron catawbiense‘Boursault’ and Fragaria×ananassa‘Totem’. 2 Teneral adults were used to study adult longevity and reproductive success. Leaves of these host plants were used for sustenance for 9 months. Larval establishment was studied by infesting potted host plants with eggs. 3 Fragaria×ananassa‘Totem’ produced the longest survival, shortest preoviposition time, the greatest number of eggs, and the highest fertility for adults of both species. Picea spp. were not good adult hosts for O. sulcatus. Taxus was a good adult host for O. sulcatus, but was a nonhost for adults and larvae of O. ovatus. 4 Adult hosts did not affect preoviposition time or egg viability with O. ovatus adults. With O. sulcatus, preoviposition time was greatly increased and egg viability was < 50% on Picea spp. 5 The best larval host was F.×ananassa‘Totem’ for O. sulcatus and P. glauca‘Conica’ for O. ovatus. Rhododendron was a poor larval host for both species. 6 When all of the studies on these two pests are considered, O. sulcatus appears to have varying host preferences from among its many geographical areas of occurrence whereas O. ovatus has a more universal host selection.
Pregnancy outcomes in very advanced maternal age pregnancies: the impact of assisted reproductive technology

Objective To determine whether there are differences in adverse pregnancy outcomes in very advanced maternal age (vAMA) women who conceived with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) compared with spontaneous conceptions. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Academic tertiary care medical center. Patient(s) A total of 472 women aged ≥45 years who delivered at one institution. Intervention(s) Mode of conception. Main Outcome Measure(s) Maternal and neonatal outcomes. Result(s) For singleton pregnancies, vAMA women who conceived with ART were significantly older (47.0 ± 2.3 vs. 45.6 ± 0.1 years), more likely to be white (88.1% vs. 75.6%), and less parous (0.4 ± 0.9 vs. 1.2 ± 1.8) than vAMA women who conceived spontaneously. They were at significantly increased risk for cesarean delivery (CD) (75.1% vs. 49.7%) and were more likely to undergo elective primary CD without labor (25.4% vs. 9.4%). Risk of retained placenta was also significantly higher (2.7% vs. 0%). Rates of other maternal complications and neonatal outcomes were similar. Subgroup analysis of ART singleton pregnancies did not demonstrate differences in women using autologous oocytes versus donor oocytes. Conclusion(s) Very advanced maternal age women who conceive after ART are more likely to be white, older, primiparous, and are more likely to proceed with an elective CD compared with vAMA women who conceive spontaneously. The increased risk of retained placenta in women who conceive with ART may indicate an underlying risk for placentation defects.
Hypertension in end-stage renal disease.

Hypertension in end-stage renal disease. Patients with moderate to severe renal disease have a very high incidence of hypertension. In end-stage renal disease (ESRD) this is true regardless of the nature of the underlying renal disease. Nevertheless, patients with glomerular diseases and autosomal dominant polycyctic kidney disease are particularly vulnerable. Evidence is presented that ESRD hypertension is the result of extracellular volume expansion, increased or inappropriate response of the renin-angiotensin system and overactivity of the sympathetic system. In addition, the role of endothelin-1, nitiric oxide and other vasodilators, and abnormal ion channels in generating high blood pressure, is considered.
T Cell Costimulation through CD28 Depends on Induction of the Bcl-xγ Isoform: Analysis of Bcl-xγ–deficient Mice

The molecular basis of CD28-dependent costimulation of T cells is poorly understood. Bcl-xγ is a member of the Bcl-x family whose expression is restricted to activated T cells and requires CD28-dependent ligation for full expression. We report that Bcl-xγ–deficient (Bcl-xγ−/−) T cells display defective proliferative and cytokine responses to CD28-dependent costimulatory signals, impaired memory responses to proteolipid protein peptide (PLP), and do not develop PLP-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In contrast, enforced expression of Bcl-xγ largely replaces the requirement for B7-dependent ligation of CD28. These findings identify the Bcl-xγ cytosolic protein as an essential downstream link in the CD28-dependent signaling pathway that underlies T cell costimulation.
Agreement of Time-Domain and Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography with Fluorescein Leakage from Choroidal Neovascularization

Purpose To compare fluorescein leakage from choroidal neovascularization (CNV) with signs of intraretinal or subretinal fluid on time-domain optical coherence tomography (TD-OCT) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy for CNV caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Design Retrospective, consecutive case series. Participants Fifty-nine eyes of 56 patients with neovascular AMD receiving anti-VEGF therapy. Methods All patients were imaged with fluorescein angiography (FA), TD-OCT (Stratus, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, CA), and SD-OCT (Cirrus, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc). All images were analyzed by an experienced reading center grader masked to all clinical data. Fluorescein leakage from CNV and OCT abnormalities (presence of interstitial fluid, retinal cystoid abnormalities, and subretinal fluid) were documented for each visit. Main Outcome Measures Agreement of OCT findings with presence or absence of fluorescein leakage from CNV. Results For TD-OCT, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predicative value (and 95% confidence intervals) for OCT abnormalities were 59% (46–72), 63% (50–75%), 61% (49–73), and 61% (48–74), respectively. For SD-OCT, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (and 95% confidence intervals) for OCT abnormalities were 90% (82–98), 47% (34–60), 62% (49–75), and 82% (72–92), respectively. Conclusions Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography seems more likely than TD-OCT to detect abnormalities when fluorescein leakage from CNV is detected after anti-VEGF therapy. However, SD-OCT also seems to detect abnormalities frequently in the absence of fluorescein leakage from CNV. Whether treatment decisions based on any of these modalities result in visual acuity outcomes that are similar or superior to monthly treatments without such evaluations is unknown, but this study provides information that may assist in the design of studies to evaluate the role of OCT and FA in the management of CNV. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
Responses of Potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) to Green Manure Cover Crops and Nitrogen Fertilization Rates

This study compared the effects of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.; control) cover crop green manures in combination with four rates of nitrogen (N) on tuber yield and quality of three potato varieties (Marfona, Hermes and Agria) during 2-years (2004–2005). Results over years were combined for final analysis. Above-ground dry matter for common vetch and faba bean green manure crops were 2,300 and 2,587 kg ha−1, respectively. Mean root dry matter yield of faba bean (285 kg ha−1) was higher than common vetch (120 kg ha−1). Nitrogen (N) yields of common vetch and faba bean green manure crops were 49 and 58 kg N ha−1 for above-ground and 2.0 and 5.0 kg N ha−1 for root dry matter, respectively. Averaged over all nitrogen fertilizer rates, potato plants grown in plots following common vetch and faba bean green manure cover crops produced 12.7% and 15.0% more tuber yield ha−1, respectively, compared with plants in the winter wheat plots. Potatoes following green manure legume cover crops produced approximately 36 to 38% higher tuber yields compared with potatoes grown following winter wheat when no nitrogen fertilizer was applied. Differences between tubers yields following cover crops decreased as N rates increased. Results over combined 2-years indicated that the economically optimum N rate (EONR) was an average of 30 kg N ha−1 lower for potato following green manure legume cover crops compared with potato following winter wheat cover crop.
Analysis of dielectric guides by vector transverse magnetic field finite elements

A transverse magnetic field formulation of the finite-element method for solving lightwave propagation in optical guides has been implemented. The method requires that the interface boundary conditions for E/sub Z/ and H/sub Z/ be imposed, and this is performed by solving the vector wave equation in the null space of the boundary operator. Results for a three-layer ridge waveguide, even with a very coarse mesh, compare well with published values. In addition, results for a lossless MQW (multiple-quantum-well) ridge guide; again using a coarse mesh, show excellent agreement with results from a variable mesh semi-vectorial finite-difference program. >
Noncommunicable disease mortality in the Russian Federation: from legislation to policy

Political, social and economic transitions that occurred as a result of the regime change in Eastern Europe and the Russian Federation from the late 1980s to the early 1990s led to a sudden increase in mortality across the region, with more than 80% of deaths being attributable to preventable causes, such as cardiovascular disease, lifestyle factors and injuries. The Russian Federation has experienced some of the most dramatic population declines in the world. Countrywide health reforms have been implemented, although they continue to ignore the impact of the epidemic of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the Russian Federation. Improvements in mortality patterns in the Russian Federation are possible only with the broader engagement of organized nongovernmental groups within the civil society that is strongly supported by Federal legislation to address NCDs. We discuss the Russian Federal legislation germane to the prevention and control of NCDs in the light of the current mortality crisis and suggest possible policy responses to this crisis.
Medical and sociodemographic factors associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination adherence among female survivors of childhood cancer.

Background Among those 9–26 years of age, vaccination can prevent specific types of genital human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection and cause of cervical and other cancers. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with HPV vaccine initiation and completion among females surviving childhood cancer. Procedure One-hundred fourteen young adults and 230 mothers with daughters surviving childhood cancer completed surveys querying HPV vaccination history along with medical and sociodemographic factors potentially associated with vaccination outcomes. Vaccination rate differences by age necessitated analysis of outcomes by age group: 9–13 years (preadolescents), 14–17 years (adolescents), and 18–26 years (young adults). Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to identify factors associated with HPV vaccination outcomes. Results Overall, 34.6% (119/344) of survivors initiated and 20.9% (72/344) completed HPV vaccination. Preadolescents were least likely to have initiated vaccination (P < 0.001). Physician recommendation was associated with initiation across age groups (OR = 6.81–11.96, Ps < 0.001–.01), whereas older age at diagnosis (≥12 years of age) was associated with lower vaccination initiation among young adults only (OR = 0.28; 95%CI, 0.10–0.76, P = 0.012). Physician recommendation (OR = 7.54; 95%CI, 1.19–47.69, P = 0.032; adolescent group) and greater treatment intensity (OR = 5.25; 95%CI, 1.00–27.61, P = 0.050; young adult group) were associated with vaccine completion, whereas being non-White was associated with decreased vaccination completion (OR = 0.17; 95%CI, 0.05–0.66, P = 0.010; adolescent group). Conclusions A minority of youths surviving childhood cancer have initiated or completed HPV vaccination. Strategies to increase vaccination among survivors are discussed. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1630–1636. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Targeting cyclooxygenase 2 and HER-2/neu pathways inhibits colorectal carcinoma growth.

Abstract Background & Aims: The cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and ErbB/HER pathways are important modulators of cancer cell growth. We sought to determine the effects of treatment with a specific COX-2 inhibitor and/or a monoclonal antibody against the ErbB receptor subtype HER-2/ neu on carcinoma cell growth. Methods: A cell-proliferation assay was used to determine the response of HCA-7 cells to the HER-3/HER-4 ligand heregulin β-1 (HRGβ-1). Both in vitro and in vivo assays were used to determine the effects of the selective COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, and/or an anti–HER-2/ neu monoclonal antibody (either Herceptin [Genetech Inc., S. San Francisco, CA] or 2C4) on cell growth. Results: HCA-7 cells express HER-2/ neu messenger RNA and protein, and exposure of these cells to HRGβ-1 results in a significant stimulation of cell growth. Celecoxib or Herceptin inhibits HCA-7 cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Combination therapy with celecoxib plus Herceptin or celecoxib plus 2C4 resulted in additive effects that resulted in almost complete inhibition of tumor growth. Conclusions: Combined treatment with COX-2 and HER-2/ neu inhibitors more effectively reduces colorectal carcinoma growth than either agent alone. Therefore, targeting of both the COX-2 and ErbB signaling pathways may represent a novel approach for the treatment and/or prevention of colorectal cancer in humans. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2001;120:1713-1719
Parent–Child Conflict, Acculturation Gap, Acculturative Stress, and Behavior Problems in Arab American Adolescents

The current study examined how acculturation gap, acculturative stress, parent–child conflict, and behavior problems are related in a sample of Arab American adolescents. Seventy-six parent–child dyads completed questionnaires assessing acculturation, parent–child conflict, and behavior problems. Parents and adolescents reported similar levels of acculturation on American mainstream orientation as well as on Arab heritage orientation. Regression analyses showed that the acculturation gap between parents and children in heritage cultural orientation significantly predicted adolescent behavior problems. Mediation analyses revealed that adolescent-reported parent–child conflict partially mediated the relation between acculturative stress and behavior problems. Parent-reported parent–child conflict partially mediated the relation between the acculturation gap and behavior problems. Current findings highlight the importance of examining adolescents’ and parents’ acculturation as well as the underpinnings of pa...
Proper clamping sequences in the fixturing of prismatic workpieces

The purpose of this research is to demonstrate the importance of clamping sequences in fixturing processes. We analyze the stability of fixturing prismatic workpieces during different stages of clamping. Sequences of clamping described in this research assure the stability of the workpiece during clamping processes and relax the stringent requirement on the positioning accuracy of placing the clamps.
A NEW 1212-TYPE PHASE: Cr-SUBSTITUTED TlSr2CaCu2O7 WITH Tc UP TO ABOUT 110 K

Superconductivity up to about 110 K in the CrTlSrCaCuO system was observed by resistance and ac susceptibility measurements. Powder X-ray diffraction analyses showed that a 1212-type phase, Cr-substituted TlSr2CaCu2O7, is responsible for the observed superconductivity. This is the first time that single-element substitution for TlSr2CaCu2O7 increases Tc of the 1212 phase to above 100 K. The Cr-substituted TlSr2CaCu2O7 is easily prepared and has very good quality suitable for practical applications.
Spectral-Domain Approach for Calculating the Dispersion Characteristics of Microstrip Lines (Short Papers)

The boundary value problem associated with the open microstrip line structure is formulated in terms of a rigorous, hybird-mode representation. The resulting equations are subsequently transformed, via the application of Galerkin's method in the spectral domain, to yield a characteristic equation for the dispersion properties of the open microstrip line. Numerical results are included for several different structural parameters. These are compared with other available data and with some experimental measurements.
Disaster risk reduction in developing countries: costs, benefits and institutions

Some 60,000 people worldwide die annually in natural disasters, mostly due to the collapse of buildings in earthquakes, and primarily in the developing world. This is despite the fact that engineering solutions exist that can eliminate almost completely the risk of such deaths. Why is this? The solutions are expensive and technically demanding, so their cost-benefit ratio often is unfavourable as compared to other interventions. Nonetheless, there are various public disaster risk reduction interventions that are highly cost-effective. That such interventions frequently remain unimplemented or ineffectively executed points to a role for issues of political economy. Building regulations in developing countries appear to have limited impact in many cases, perhaps because of inadequate capacity and corruption. Public construction often is of low quality, perhaps for similar reasons. This suggests the need for approaches that emphasise simple and limited disaster risk regulation covering only the most at-risk structures-and that, preferably, non-experts can monitor-as well as numerous transparency and oversight mechanisms for public construction projects. Language: en
Clinicopathologic characterization of intradiverticular carcinoma of urinary bladder - a study of 22 cases from a single cancer center

Background To examine histopathologic features and clinical outcomes of intradiverticular bladder carcinomas.
Effects of lithosphere on the long-wavelength gravity anomalies and their implications for the formation of the Tharsis rise on Mars

[1] The Tharsis rise represents the most significant long-wavelength gravity and topography anomalies on Mars. Two competing models have been proposed to explain the origin of these anomalies. In the first model the Tharsis rise is attributed to loading of volcanic construction on the lithosphere, while in the second model these anomalies are explained as dynamic effects of a one-plume thermal structure below the Tharsis rise. In this study we seek to distinguish between these two models by formulating a generalized viscoelastic loading model that determines responses to loads at different depths. With this new formulation we found that the instantaneous viscous flow loading formulation used to compute responses from a plume may significantly overestimate the geoid anomalies if the elastic thickness of the Tharsis lithosphere is ∼150 km as inferred from gravity and topography data. We suggest that the one-plume structure if currently existing below the Tharsis rise may be responsible for only a small fraction (<10%) of the Tharsis geoid anomalies and that other processes, including surface loading of volcanic construction, may be the primary cause of the geoid anomalies. The plume structure is inefficient in producing geoid anomalies because the long-wavelength components of the plume structure are confined to a ∼300 km layer below the lithosphere in which the geoid response is minimal. Future studies on gravity and topography at different wavelengths may put constraints on possible contribution of a plume to the elevated Tharsis topography.
Land‐use legacies regulate decomposition dynamics following bioenergy crop conversion

Land-use conversion into bioenergy crop production can alter litter decomposition processes tightly coupled to soil carbon and nutrient dynamics. Yet, litter decomposition has been poorly described in bioenergy production systems, especially following land-use conversion. Predicting decomposition dynamics in postconversion bioenergy production systems is challenging because of the combined influence of land-use legacies with current management and litter quality. To evaluate how land-use legacies interact with current bioenergy crop management to influence litter decomposition in different litter types, we conducted a landscape-scale litterbag decomposition experiment. We proposed land-use legacies regulate decomposition, but their effects are weakened under higher quality litter and when current land use intensifies ecosystem disturbance relative to prior land use. We compared sites left in historical land uses of either agriculture (AG) or Conservation Reserve Program grassland (CRP) to those that were converted to corn or switchgrass bioenergy crop production. Enzyme activities, mass loss, microbial biomass, and changes in litter chemistry were monitored in corn stover and switchgrass litter over 485 days, accompanied by similar soil measurements. Across all measured variables, legacy had the strongest effect (P < 0.05) relative to litter type and current management, where CRP sites maintained higher soil and litter enzyme activities and microbial biomass relative to AG sites. Decomposition responses to conversion depended on legacy but also current management and litter type. Within the CRP sites, conversion into corn increased litter enzymes, microbial biomass, and litter protein and lipid abundances, especially on decomposing corn litter, relative to nonconverted CRP. However, conversion into switchgrass from CRP, a moderate disturbance, often had no effect on switchgrass litter decomposition parameters. Thus, legacies shape the direction and magnitude of decomposition responses to bioenergy crop conversion and therefore should be considered a key influence on litter and soil C cycling under bioenergy crop management.
Performance and energy models for memristor-based 1T1R RRAM cell

Sustaining the trend of lowering energy dissipation and read/write access time and increasing density in CMOS-based memory arrays is becoming extremely challenging with each new technology generation. Hence, alternate technologies that can supplant CMOS technology need to be explored. Memristor-based resistive memory with its scaling potential and endurance is one of the viable replacements to CMOS. This paper presents accurate analytical models for the performance and the energy dissipation of a 1-transistor 1-memristor (1T1R) resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell structure. We have verified our models against detailed HSPICE simulations and our models show that the time required to write logic one into the cell is typically 30% larger than the time required to write logic zero and is in the order of ns. Unlike the access time, the energy dissipation of the cell is the same for writing logic one and logic zero (less than 350 fJ/bit). The energy dissipated while reading is roughly 120 fJ/bit which is 65% less than the energy of writing.
Blind Modulation Classification over Fading Channels Using Expectation-Maximization

We propose a blind modulation classification algorithm when the channel coefficient, the noise power and the energy of the transmitted signal are unknown at the receiver. First, under each candidate modulation scheme, we evaluate the unknown parameters using the iterative expectation maximization algorithm. Modulation classification is then accomplished by minimizing the distance between the log-likelihood of the received data and the expected log-likelihood under each candidate modulation scheme. Results are presented from simulations in terms of detection probability vs. SNR for the class of BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM and 64QAM modulation schemes. The results show a significant improvement over QHLRT and are very close to the upper bound ALRT-UB [1].
Using Computer Networks (Intranet and Internet) to Enhance Your Students' Marketing Skills

Marketing educators are encouraged to consider using computer networks (intranet and Internet) to enhance their students' communication, decision-making, and information search and retrieval skills. This article explores ways that intranets and the Internet can be used interactively to accomplish these goals and discusses the benefits and drawbacks to computer network assignments.
Relationships Among Recent Models for Insect Population Dynamics with Variable Rates of Development

A classification scheme for those population models which allow variation in development rates is proposed, based on two ways of modifying standard age-structured models. The resulting classes of models are termed development index models and sojourn time models. General formulations for the two classes of models are developed from two basic balance equations, and numerous specific models from the literature are shown to fit into the scheme. Concepts from competing risks theory are shown to be important in understanding the interplay between mortality and maturation. Relationships among the classes are investigated both for the most general forms of the models and for the simpler forms often used. The scheme can provide guidance in developing appropriate insect population models for specific modelling situations.
Modular high-throughput and low-latency sorting units for FPGAs in the Large Hadron Collider

This paper presents efficient techniques for designing high-throughput, low-latency sorting units for FPGA implementation. Our sorting units use modular design techniques that hierarchically construct large sorting units from smaller building blocks. They are optimized for situations in which only the M largest numbers from N inputs are needed; this situation commonly occurs in high-energy physics experiments and other forms of digital signal processing. Based on these techniques, we design parameterized, pipelined sorting units. A detailed analysis indicates that their resource requirements scale linearly with the number of inputs, latencies scale logarithmically with the number of inputs, and frequencies remain fairly constant. Synthesis results indicate that a single pipelined 256-to-4 sorting unit with 19 stages can perform 200 million sorts per second with a latency of about 95 ns per sort on a Virtex-5 FPGA.
Pustules and bacteraemia

him better. After a week, we added prednisolone, 45 mg/day, on the assumption that pyoderma gangrenosum was the cause of his abscess. His fever subsided the following morning; cutaneous ulcers and scalp pustules gradually resolved. The wound continued to ooze pus. Colchicine, 1·0 mg/day, was added. 1 week later, a sterile bloody discharge replaced the turbid pus. Prednisolone was reduced to 30 mg/day. When last seen in July, 1997, he still had a few skin pustules and was taking 20 mg of prednisolone a day with 200 mg of azathioprine.
Star Formation in the Multiverse

We develop a simple semianalytic model of the star formation rate as a function of time. We estimate the star formation rate for a wide range of values of the cosmological constant, spatial curvature, and primordial density contrast. Our model can predict such parameters in the multiverse, if the underlying theory landscape and the cosmological measure are known.
How Grants are Awarded—the Postapplication Phase

The Postapplication Phase should be the easiest part of the application process but in reality it is the most difficult of all for some applicants; it is the phase during which the initiative is entirely in the hands of the funding organization, and all the applicant can do is stand and wait. The urge to “do something” during this period is irresistible for some and they rush about telephoning friends who might be influential, checking on date, time, and place of review committee meetings, or bombarding the program officer with questions about the status of the application and the possibilities of its being approved. No one knows for certain whether this does or does not help because no study has been done—at least no well-publicized one—to indicate that such activities affect the outcome of a proposal one way or another. Not that it matters very much; individuals who are disposed to take action during a waiting period will not be deterred by statistical evidence that it doesn’t help, because it helps them. They are constitutionally unable to await the results of any pending decision in which they have a stake. But it is useful to understand exactly what the process is and especially to know the estimated time lag between the date a proposal is submitted and the date an announcement of awards can be expected.
Impact of gravity on hydrate saturation in gas‐rich environments

We extend a one-dimensional analytical solution by including buoyancy-driven flow to explore the impact of gravity on hydrate formation from gas injection into brine-saturated sediments within the hydrate stability zone. This solution includes the fully coupled gas and liquid phase flow and the associated advective transport in a homogeneous system. We obtain the saturations assuming Darcy flow under combined pressure and gravity gradients; capillary forces are neglected. At a high gas supply rate, the overpressure gradient (gradient of water pressure deviation from the hydrostatic pressure) dominates the gas flow, and the hydrate saturation is independent of the flow rate and flow direction. At a low gas supply rate, the buoyancy (the drive for gas flow induced by the density difference between gas and liquid) dominates the gas flow, and the hydrate saturation depends on the flow rate and flow direction. Hydrate saturation is highest for upward flow, and lowest for downward flow. Hydrate saturation decreases with flow rate for upward flow, and increases with flow rate for downward flow. In all cases, hydrate saturation is constant behind the hydrate solidification front. Gas saturation is homogeneous and close to the residual value for upward flow at a low rate; gas flows at the rate it is supplied. Gas saturation is much greater than the residual value, and decreases from the gas inlet to the hydrate solidification front for downward flow at a very low rate. The effect of gravity is usually negligible in laboratory experiments, yet is significant in natural hydrate systems.
Leadership Plan Addendum – Finance

The United States is known for its efficient commerce infrastructure. The historical relevance of the U.S. railroads, in relation to the nation’s growth, is a fundamental reason why the country has rapidly developed. Although the contemporary view of the railroad is that freight is the reason for such a vast railroad system, the original reason for the railroads was to move people.
Feasibility of a worksheet for facilitating self-management in children with asthma.

AbstractBackground: Few tools exist to facilitate recommended self-management support for children with asthma. We sought to examine the feasibility, acceptance and preliminary results of a novel worksheet designed to provide such support for children and their caregivers presenting for asthma care. Methods: A 12-topic asthma worksheet was modeled on currently available self-management tools and based on the behavior change theory and motivational interviewing techniques. Children 1–18 years old with asthma and their caregivers were recruited from an allergy clinic and an inpatient ward to pilot test the worksheet by choosing three topics, generating self-management goals for each topic and assessing their self-efficacy for behavior change. Physician documentation of the visit was reviewed for comparison. Telephone follow up of self-management goals occurred 1 week after the visit. Results: Forty-one of 46 eligible subjects agreed to participate (89%). Average completion time was 5:47 min (range 3:30–13:0...
Bandwidth Enhancement of Platform-Mounted HF Antennas Using the Characteristic Mode Theory

Many high-frequency (HF) antennas have significantly smaller dimensions than the wavelength at which they operate and thus suffer from narrow bandwidths. In many military applications, such HF antennas are mounted on relatively large metallic platforms. In this paper, we examine how a platform-mounted antenna can be used to excite the characteristic modes (CMs) of the platform itself to increase the overall bandwidth of the system. In this case, the platform will act as the main radiator and the mounted antennas act primarily as the coupling mechanism between the antenna and the external circuit. We use the theory of CMs to identify the appropriate platform modes and determine the practical means of exciting them. This allows for significantly increasing the bandwidth of the antenna system compared to the bandwidth of the antenna system in isolation. This approach is employed to enhance the bandwidth of a horizontally polarized HF loop antenna system by as much as 10 times compared to that of a stand-alone full-loop antenna. Scaled models of the proposed antennas were fabricated and experimentally characterized. Measurement results are in good agreement with the theoretically predicted results and demonstrate the feasibility of using the proposed approach in designing bandwidth-enhanced platform-mounted HF antennas.
Development of mRuby2-Transfected C3H10T1/2 Fibroblasts for Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering

Mouse C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts are multipotent, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-like progenitor cells that are widely used in musculoskeletal research. In this study, we have established a clonal population of C3H10T1/2 cells stably-transfected with mRuby2, an orange-red fluorescence reporter gene. Flow cytometry analysis and fluorescence imaging confirmed successful transfection of these cells. Cell counting studies showed that untransfected C3H10T1/2 cells and mRuby2-transfected C3H10T1/2 cells proliferated at similar rates. Adipogenic differentiation experiments demonstrated that untransfected C3H10T1/2 cells and mRuby2-transfected C3H10T1/2 cells stained positive for Oil Red O and showed increased expression of adipogenic genes including adiponectin and lipoprotein lipase. Chondrogenic differentiation experiments demonstrated that untransfected C3H10T1/2 cells and mRuby2-transfected C3H10T1/2 cells stained positive for Alcian Blue and showed increased expression of chondrogenic genes including aggrecan. Osteogenic differentiation experiments demonstrated that untransfected C3H10T1/2 cells and mRuby2-transfected C3H10T1/2 cells stained positive for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as well as Alizarin Red and showed increased expression of osteogenic genes including alp, ocn and osf-1. When seeded on calcium phosphate-based ceramic scaffolds, mRuby2-transfected C3H10T1/2 cells maintained even fluorescence labeling and osteogenic differentiation. In summary, mRuby2-transfected C3H10T1/2 cells exhibit mRuby2 fluorescence and showed little-to-no difference in terms of cell proliferation and differentiation as untransfected C3H10T1/2 cells. These cells will be available from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC; CRL-3268™) and may be a valuable tool for preclinical studies.
Epidemic Characteristics of AIDS and its Prevention and Control Strategy in Kunshan City

Objective To analyze the epidemic characteristics and risk factors of HIV/A1DS in Kunshan City,and to develop the strategy for HIV/AIDS prevention. Method Data from routine surveillance in Kunshan from 1994 to 2011 were collected and evaluated. Results The cumulative number of the reported HIV/AIDS cases was 172,including 33 AIDS cases and 11 death cases.HIV/AIDS cases increased rapidly since 2006,the ratios of the cases aged between 20 to 49 years and aged between 15 to 19 years occupied 85.47% and 5.81%,respectively.The ratio of male to female was 3.9:1.The cases were reported in each district or county of Kunshan,and the cases reported by Yushan Town accounted for 55.81%.The main route of transmission was through sex,occupying 78.49%.In recent years,MSM population has been increasing significantly. Conclusions The number of HIV/AIDS has increased rapidly in Kunshan in recent years.Effective strategies should be focused on the high-risk groups and the vulnerable ones such as MSM,floating workers and teenagers.
Pricing Strategy of Third-Party Electronic Market

Based on the characteristics of third-party electronic market in China,a two-sided market competition pricing model was builded to analyze and explain the pricing problems faced by the market.The results imply the complementary relationships between the optimal lump-sum fee and per-transaction fee paid by users of one side in a platform,and also between the total fees paid by users of two sides in the same platform.For different platforms,the total user fees are positive correlated each other.The optimal lump-sum fee is declining and the optimal per-transaction fee is increasing as the total fee charged by competitive platform is increasing.Platform will set a higher per-transaction fee and a lower lump-sum fee if the matching technology is advanced or the consumers expected transaction frequency is declined,and vice versa.Based on the equilibrium analysis,the pricing problems of Chinas C2C(Customer-to-Customer) and online P2P(Peer-to-Peer) market are analyzed and explained.
Current status of liver transplantation.

Liver transplantation has become a practical therapeutic option for thousands of children and adults with irreversible liver damage. Development of a highly effective immunosuppressive agent, cyclosporine, and improvements in surgical technique and postoperative care have so reduced morbidity and mortality that 85% of adults who survive the surgery are able to resume normal activity.
Angels in the (Theatrical) House: Pregnancy, Rhetorical Access, and the London Stage

This essay examines actresses on the London stage between 1660 and 1890, focusing on the investigative topoi of pregnancy and rhetorical access and charting the starts and stops that characterize women9s entry into public forums. The performance schedules of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century London actresses reveal that both married and unmarried women routinely performed while “big with child.” With the ascent of new constructs of sex and gender, however, women9s recourse to and options on stage narrowed considerably. Victorian actresses developed new career patterns and rhetorical strategies to accommodate pregnancy9s increasing relegation to the private sphere, their delivery thus reflecting and responding to a changed social context.