cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurement and interpretation of the stress dependence of creep at low stresses

Abstract The significance of the log creep rate versus log stress plot is examined in detail for results on a Cr-Mo steel. It is shown how errors may readily arise in measurement of creep rates at very low stresses. In certain cases, failure to measure creep rates at comparable strains may lead to an apparent stress sensitivity of unity. It is suggested that this is responsible for the reports in the literature of Newtonian viscous creep at low stresses in the intermediate temperature range. When the creep rate is sensitive to both the stress and stress history, the apparent stress sensitivity is history dependent. To obtain a value which characterizes the deformation process only, measurements must be made at constant structure. This value is then the reciprocal of the strain rate sensitivity at constant structure and is shown to correlate with creep ductility.
Who bears the cost of a change in the exchange rate? Pass-through accounting for the case of beer

Abstract Nominal exchange rates are remarkably volatile. They ordinarily appear disconnected from the fundamentals of the economies whose currencies they price. These facts make up a classic puzzle about the international economy. If prices do not respond fully to changes in the nominal exchange rate, who bears the cost of such large and unpredictable changes: foreign firms, domestic firms, or domestic consumers? This study presents a new analysis of the sources of incomplete pass-through and then uses this analysis to re-examine its implications for social welfare. I develop and estimate a structural model that analyzes the sources of local-currency price stability for a particular industry. The model enables counterfactual simulations that quantify the relative importance of firms' local-cost components and markup adjustments in the incomplete transmission of exchange-rate shocks to prices and the effect of the exchange-rate shock on domestic and foreign firms' profits and on consumer surplus. The model is applied to a panel dataset of one industry with retail and wholesale prices for UPC-level products. I find that markup adjustments by manufacturers and the retailer explain roughly half of the incomplete transmission and local-cost components account for the other half. Foreign manufacturers generally bear a greater cost (or reap a greater benefit) following an exchange-rate-induced marginal-cost shock than do domestic consumers, domestic manufacturers, or the domestic retailer.
Low-Normal or Excessive Body Mass Index: Newly Identified and Powerful Risk Factors for Death and Other Complications With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Recognized risk factors account for only a small portion of the variance in the 4% to 10% incidence of major ischemic events associated with percutaneous coronary intervention. Body mass index (BMI) (body weight in kg/[height in m]2) is a clinically useful estimate of body fat and has been shown to correlate with mortality from several causes. We sought to evaluate the effect of BMI as a potential risk factor for the complications of percutaneous coronary intervention in 3,571 consecutive percutaneous coronary intervention patients treated at a single referral center. Patients were prospectively divided into the nonobese (BMI 35), based on accepted definitions. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to determine the correlates of major complications from 25 candidate variables, including BMI 35 (n = 275 patients), recorded prospectively in a relational database. Death occurred in 2.8% of the BMI 35 group, and in 0.9% of the BMI 26-34 group (p 35% group (p = 0.003). Multivariate analysis, after adjustment for other significant correlates, demonstrated that both BMI 35 (OR = 7.4, p < 0.001) were independent correlates of death. Low-normal or high BMI is a newly described and powerful risk factor for in-hospital death after percutaneous coronary intervention.
The effect of contrast polarity on letter identification

To determine the effect of contrast polarity on the spatial characteristics of letter identification, we measured contrast sensitivity for individual Sloan letters that were presented either as luminance increments or luminance decrements relative to a continuously presented adapting field. The temporal mode of presentation consisted of either a rapid onset with a Gaussian offset, or the reverse. When contrast was specified in terms of Rayleigh (Michelson) units, the contrast sensitivity function for letters of positive contrast extended to smaller letter sizes than the function for letters of negative contrast. However, when contrast was defined in Weber terms, letter contrast sensitivity functions were identical for letters of positive and negative contrast, indicating that letter identification was equivalent for luminance increments and decrements that had equal absolute magnitude. Onset-offset characteristics had no differential effect on letter contrast sensitivity by either contrast definition. These findings provide a basis for predicting the effect of contrast polarity on tasks that involve letter identification.
Use of Visual Training for Reading Disabilities: A Review

Visual training continues to be used as a remediation technique for reading disabilities despite consistent evidence that it does not provide effective treatment. A review of the ophthalmologic, optometric, and psychological literature relating to the assumption that a relationship exists between reading failure and perceptual ability has found no evidence to support this assumption.
EFFECT OF GERONTOLOGY EDUCATION: A 21‐YEAR REPORT

With the aging of members of society has come rapid growth in gerontology education in the United States. However, evaluation of gerontology educational programs has not kept pace. After completing 20 years of instruction, the University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology conducted a survey of its graduates to evaluate the success of both the graduates and the program itself. To assess the success of the graduates, the variables of employment status, salary level, and job satisfaction were used, and for the success of the program, graduates’ perceived usefulness of the program, willingness to enroll the program again if the choice could be made a second time, and willingness to recommend the program to others were assessed. The variables of the program level (bachelor/master's), program type (single/dual degree), employment in aging before and during enrollment, and cohort differences also were examined to investigate how these variables influenced the success of the graduates and ...
Public health, populations, and lethal ingestion

Abstract Background In 2008 the American Public Health Association endorsed lethal ingestion as a public health policy as part of “Patients' Rights to Self-Determination at the End of Life.” Although rhetoric framing physician-assisted suicide (PAS) invokes individual autonomy, public health's focus is populations. Even regarding treatment refusal, its logic and coercive power (e.g., quarantine) subordinate autonomy to population interests. Research indicates health practitioners and disciplines that are closer to persons with terminal conditions oppose more PAS than those having little contact: specifically, public health associations are more willing to authorize life-ending means than disciplines directly caring for the dying. Why is that the case and with what consequences for populations and public health? Methods Contextual analysis of semantics; policy submissions; standards; statutory and regulatory documents; related economic, equity, and demographic discourses is employed; and, finally, scenarios offered of the future. Results Notwithstanding rhetoric invoking autonomy, public health's population orientation is reflected in population health measures (e.g., aggregated DALYs, QALYs) that intimate why public health might endorse availing life-ending means. Current associated statutes, regulations, terminology, and data practices compromise public health and semantic integrity (e.g., the falsification of death certificates) and inadequately address population vulnerabilities. In recent policy processes, evidence of patient and system vulnerabilities has not been given due weight while future-oriented scenarios suggest autonomy-based rationales will increasingly yield to population-driven rationales, increasing risk of private and public forms of domination and vulnerabilities at life's end. Conclusion Public health should address institutionalized violations of data integrity and patient vulnerabilities, while rescinding policy supporting the institutionalization of lethal means.
Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in octogenarians.

Objectives To assess the safety and technical feasibility of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in patients aged ≥80 years at our institution to determine whether this treatment modality may be justifiable in select octogenarians. As the US population ages, an increasing number of elderly patients with renal masses are considered for partial nephrectomy. We present our experience with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in octogenarians to determine the safety and technical feasibility of this procedure in an elderly population. Methods Between 1999 and 2007, we reviewed 832 patients who underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal tumors at our institution. Demographics, perioperative data, and renal function of patients aged ≥80 years were compared with younger patients. Results A total of 791 patients aged Conclusions Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy can be performed safely in appropriately selected patients aged ≥80 years, with rates of perioperative morbidity similar to those observed in younger patients. On the basis of our data, age alone should not be a contraindication to laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.
Research Validation: Challenges and Opportunities in the Construction Domain

Validation of the research methodology and its results is a fundamental element of the process of scholarly endeavor. Approaches used for construction engineering and management research have included experiments, surveys and observational studies, modeling and simulation, theory building, case studies, and various subtypes thereof. Some studies use more than one approach. A particular contribution of this paper is that it reviews different types of validation using examples of studies, analyzes the specific challenges that were found to be significant, and presents how they were successfully overcome in each case. Another contribution is that it describes new opportunities for research validation that are emerging at the horizon as well as ongoing collaborative efforts to enhance the access of construction researchers to validation tools. This paper increases the awareness of the paramount role that validation techniques play in scholarly work by providing readers with recommendations to properly validate their own research efforts.
Growth patterns and nuclear distribution in white muscle fibers from black sea bass, Centropristis striata: evidence for the influence of diffusion

SUMMARY This study investigated the influence of fiber size on the distribution of nuclei and fiber growth patterns in white muscle of black sea bass, Centropristis striata, ranging in body mass from 0.45 to 4840 g. Nuclei were counted in 1 μm optical sections using confocal microscopy of DAPIand Acridine-Orange-stained muscle fibers. Mean fiber diameter increased from 36±0.87 μm in the 0.45 g fish to 280±5.47 μm in the 1885 g fish. Growth beyond 2000 g triggered the recruitment of smaller fibers, thus significantly reducing mean fiber diameter. Nuclei in the smaller fibers were exclusively subsarcolemmal (SS), whereas in larger fibers nuclei were more numerous and included intermyofibrillar (IM) nuclei. There was a significant effect of body mass on nuclear domain size ( F =118.71, d.f.=3, P 2000 g). Although an increase in the number of nuclei during fiber growth can help preserve the myonuclear domain, the appearance of IM nuclei during hypertrophic growth seems to be aimed at maintaining short effective diffusion distances for nuclear substrates and products. If only SS nuclei were present throughout growth, the diffusion distance would increase in proportion to the radius of the fibers. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that changes in nuclear distribution and fiber growth patterns are mechanisms for avoiding diffusion limitation during animal growth.
Immunoglobulin concentrations in serum in response to injectable immunoglobulin in neonatal dairy calves.

Thirty Holstein bull calves were used to investigate the use of an injectable solution of purified Ig to increase Ig in serum of neonatal calves. The Ig were from abbatoir blood purified by column chromatography. Calves were blocked by date of birth and assigned randomly to treatment within block. Treatments were s.c. injections of Ig solution (30 or 60 mg of Ig/ml) or .9% NaCl with or without colostrum (41.1 g of IgG/L) feeding. Calves were injected by 24 h of age. The mass of Ig injected was 1.05 g/kg of BW. Calves received 2 L of pooled colostrum or commercial milk replacer at 0, 12, 24, and 36 h. Blood was sampled at 0 and 48 h postinjection and at 28 d of age, and serum was analyzed for IgG and IgM by radial immunodiffusion. Mean IgG and IgM in serum of calves injected with Ig were 4.2 and .7 g/L, respectively, and were higher than in calves receiving no Ig. Mean IgG (14.6 g/L) and IgM (1.0 g/L) concentrations in serum of calves fed colostrum were higher than in other calves. Subcutaneous Ig provided moderate amounts Ig in serum.
Validating structural properties of nested objects

Frameworks are widely used to facilitate software reuse and accelerate development time. However, there are currently no systematic mechanisms to enforce the explicit and implicit rules of these frameworks. This paper focuses on a class of framework rules that place restrictions on the properties of data structures in framework applications. We present a mechanism to enforce these rules by the use of a generic "bad store template" which can be customized for different rule instances. We demonstrate the use of this template to validate specific bad store rules within J2EE framework applications. Violations of these rules cause subtle defects which manifest themselves at runtime as data loss, data corruption, or race conditions. Our algorithm to detect "bad stores" is implemented in the Smart Analysis-Based Error Reduction (SABER) validation tool, where we pay special attention to facilitating problem understanding and remediation, by providing detailed problem explanations. We present experimental results on four commercially deployed e-commerce applications that show over 200 "bad stores".
Initial Designs and Simulated Performance of Coated Nano-Particle Lasers

The optical properties of coated nanometer-sized spherical particles comprised of a gain medium core covered with a concentric plasmonic shell are investigated. Numerically predicted super-resonant radiative scattering suggests the possibility of realizing highly sub-wavelength lasers.
Statistical fuzzy PID controller design

Neural-fuzzy control techniques have been employed in semiconductor equipment and manufacturing control applications. Many successful case studies have been reported to deal with nonlinear, time-varying systems. However, the problem of excessive control actions due to random disturbances or controller over-reactions to random noise has caused undesirable system responses which result in "under-and/or-over" the set-point. In this study, based on the statistical process control (SPC) idea, we introduce a SPC-fuzzy PID (proportional-integral-derivative) controller to cope with the random disturbances and to eliminate this problem. The SPC technique is being utilized as a supervisor to monitor the random disturbances and to identify the need of a control action against the random noise. This technique is applied to a IR (infra-red) heater component control which is one of the applications in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. The theoretical formulation of the IR heater, and the design of the SPC fuzzy PID controller is given in this study. The test results based on computer simulations are provided, which demonstrate the significant improvement over stand-alone fuzzy PID control.
The development of elaborative propensity in adolescence

Abstract A series of three experiments was conducted to verify the hypothesis that age differences in paired-associate learning proficiency across adolescence stem from the development of increasing elaborative propensity. An auxiliary aim was to determine whether previous study-to-study discrepancies in the pertinent age functions should be attributed to corresponding variations in learning materials or in characteristics of the populations sampled. Taken together, the results of the experiments provided support for the hypothesis. They also indicated, however, that students in late adolescence vary markedly in elaborative propensity, to the point that a substantial proportion of them are hardly distinguishable from preadolescents.
The Need for Verifiable Visualization

Visualization is often employed as part of the simulation science pipeline, it's the window through which scientists examine their data for deriving new science, and the lens used to view modeling and discretization interactions within their simulations. We advocate that as a component of the simulation science pipeline, visualization must be explicitly considered as part of the validation and verification (V&V) process. In this article, the authors define V&V in the context of computational science, discuss the role of V&V in the scientific process, and present arguments for the need for verifiable visualization.
Corrections to published curves for atmospheric attenuation in the 10 to 1000 GHz region

Major errors have appeared in several published curves showing atmospheric attenuation at frequency intervals between 10 and 1000 GHz. Three cases are discussed, two for clear-air conditions and one for fog. In one example, the attenuation at 4 km elevation has been mislabeled as 9150 km (or 30,000 feet) for the 10 to 400 GHz range. This error has appeared in several journal articles, vendors' catalogs, short-course notes, and in a book. In the second case the attenuation peak near 22.3 GHz (due to water vapor absorption) has been plotted at 20 GHz. The third case deals with an error pertaining to attenuation in fog for frequencies between 10 and 1000 GHz. Specific information and corrections are given for all three cases. The net result of these errors is that the development of sensor and communications applications has been impeded because the errors usually make atmospheric losses appear to be greater than they really are.
Chemical ionization and electron impact mass spectra of symmetrical S-alkyl alkanesulfonothioates (thiosulfonates)

The chemical ionization (CI) and electron impact (EI) mass spectra of eight symmetrical S-alkyl alkanesulfonothioates (thiosulfonates) are reported.
Multi-product quantity-dependent prices and profitability constraints

Focuses on a study which developed a formulae of optimal quantity-dependent pricing schemes for several products. Description of the single product model; Details on the Pareto optimality; Information on the multi-product pricing. (Из Ebsco)
A PHYLOGENETIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE EVOLUTION OF CHROMATIC ULTRAVIOLET PLUMAGE COLORATION IN GRACKLES AND ALLIES (ICTERIDAE)

Abstract Plumage traits have been studied intensely for more than a century, especially bright and exaggerated plumage. A large body of evidence across a range of avian taxa supports sexual selection as a major evolutionary force acting on plumage colors. The discovery of ultraviolet (UV) coloration in avian plumage resulted in the extension of sexual selection hypotheses to explain the evolution of potential UV plumage traits. However, there have been no comparative evolutionary studies elucidating the origin of UV signals in birds. Here, I used a comparative phylogenetic approach to investigate the evolution of chromatic UV plumage colors in the grackles-and-allies clade of the New World blackbirds (Icteridae). On the basis of reflectance data collected from museum study skins, I have determined that UV plumage signals have evolved multiple times from an ancestral condition that lacked UV plumage signals, with very few unambiguous reversals. Although UV plumage has evolved in both males and females, the...
Academic affairs and global health: how global health electives can accelerate progress towards ACGME milestones

Global health electives (GHEs) have become a standard offering in many residency programs. Residency electives should aid residents in achieving outcomes in the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) competency domains. In this paper, the authors review existing literature and provide expert opinion to highlight how global health electives can complement traditional training programs to assist residents in achieving ACGME milestones, using emergency medicine residency as an example. Recommendations are provided for identifying exemplary global health electives and for the development of institutional global health elective curricula in order to facilitate milestone achievement. Global health electives can advance progress towards ACGME milestones; however, they may vary greatly in terms of potential for learner advancement. Electives should thus be rigorously vetted to ensure they meet standards that will facilitate this process. Given that milestones are a newly introduced tool for assessing resident educational achievement, very little research is available currently to directly determine impacts, and further study will be needed.
Using GIS to Teach Economics Education: Evidence of Increasing Returns to Scale

This paper presents compelling anecdotal evidence from two cohorts of graduate students introduced to spatial reasoning through the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Outcomes of a case-study assigned in prior cohorts showed marked improvement in depth of understanding of three key economic concepts. Given the minimal time involved in equipping students with basic spatial analysis tools, the results suggest there are increasing returns to scale from employing GIS in economics education. Two specific directions for future research are recommended based on the results from the initial student experiences.
National Inventory of Clinical Laboratory Testing Services (NICLTS)

Abstract Context.—A statistically valid inventory of the distribution, both geographic and by laboratory type, of clinical and anatomical laboratory testing in the United States is needed to assess the impact of the Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments of 1988 and to provide information for other health care and public health policy decisions. Objective.—To present initial US laboratory testing volume data compiled by the National Inventory of Clinical Laboratory Testing Services. Design.—Stratified random sample of laboratories performing testing in 1996 with data on the number of laboratory tests performed, identified by method and analyte. Data were collected by field tabulators (moderate- or high-complexity laboratories) or through a mail/telephone survey (waived or provider-performed microscopy laboratories) for each site. Participants.—Laboratories that were enrolled in the 1996 Online Certification Survey and Reporting System, maintained by the US Health Care Finance Administration, and that...
PSEUDACTEON DECAPITATING FLIES: POTENTIAL VECTORS OF A FIRE ANT VIRUS?

Solenopsis invicta virus (SINV-1) is a positive-stranded RNA virus recently found to infect all stages of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Valles et al. 2004; Valles and Strong 2005). SINV-1 and a second genotype have been tentatively assigned to the Dicistroviridae (Mayo 2002). Infected individuals or colonies did not exhibit any immediate, discernible symptoms in the field. However, under stress from introduction into the laboratory, brood death was often observed among infected colonies, ultimately leading to the death of the entire colony (Valles et al. 2004). These characteristics are consistent with other insect-infecting positive-stranded RNA viruses. They often persist as inapparent, asymptomatic infections that, under certain conditions, induce replication within the host, resulting in observable symptoms and often death (Christian and Scotti 1998; Fernandez et al. 2002). The SINV infection rate among colonies was reported to be around 25% in Gainesville, Florida (Valles et al. 2004; Valles and Strong 2005). SINV vertical and horizontal transmission were inferred based on RT-PCR detection of virus genome in eggs and successful colony to colony transfer under lab conditions (Valles et al. 2004). However, the exact mechanisms by which the virus is spread from nest to nest in the field are unknown.more » Our results indicate that SINV does not replicate within Pseudacteon decapitating flies that parasitize S. invicta. Flies appeared to develop normally from SINV-infected S. invicta workers. Mechanical transmission of SINV to uninfected ants by oviposition appears unlikely.« less
Micro-Computed Tomography of Tooth Volume Changes Following Post Removal.

Purpose To measure tooth volume change before and after post removal using micro-CT and to compare the difference among various combinations of prefabricated post and cement systems. Materials and Methods Forty-eight extracted maxillary anterior teeth and mandibular canines were sectioned 13 mm from the apex. Root canals were properly instrumented. Preparations were filled with gutta percha using lateral condensation. Post space was prepared with a touch and heat device, leaving 5 mm of gutta percha from the apex. Specimens were scanned with micro-CT to establish objective baseline volume and divided into two groups of post systems: stainless steel (SS) ParaPost and glass-fiber reinforced composite (FRC) post. Half the posts for each group were cemented with Ketac Cem radiopaque glass-ionomer cement, and the other half with SpeedCEM dual-curing resin cement. The posts and residual cement were removed by the same operator, using the ultrasonic vibration technique under an endodontic operating microscope. The remaining tooth root structure was scanned again using micro-CT with volume reported (mm3). The statistical difference between the combination of posts and cements was measured using the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test (α = 0.001). The independent variables were evaluated separately using post hoc Tukey examination to determine which groups resulted in a statistically significant difference. Results There was a statistical difference of tooth root volume change among the groups. Post hoc exam revealed a statistically significant difference in tooth root volume change between group 1 (SS + GI) and the other groups (α = 0.0002). Conclusion Compared to other post and cement combinations, serrated parallel-sided SS posts cemented with GI cement had the most tooth root structure loss upon post removal using the ultrasonic vibration technique.
EPID-10GROSS TOTAL RESECTION IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROVED OVERALL SURVIVAL RELATIVE TO SUBTOTAL RESECTION IN PATIENTS WITH OLIGODENDROGLIOMAS, ANAPLASTIC OLIGODENDROGLIOMAS, AND OLIGOASTROCYTOMAS

INTRODUCTION: Surgical decisions guiding the resection of primary brain tumors need to be grounded on evidence of benefit. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database, we previously demonstrated robust survival difference between patients who underwent gross total resection (GTR) and subtotal resection (STR). Here we provide an analysis of the patient population afflicted with oligodendrogliomas, anaplastic oligodendrogliomas, and oligoastrocytomas. METHODS: In the SEER database (1999-2010), we identified 2,378 low-grade oligodendrogliomas, 1,028 anaplastic oligodendrogliomas (WHO grade III), and 1,505 oligoastrocytomas (all grades). Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression were used to assess the pattern of surgical practice and overall survival. RESULTS: In contrast to findings reported for anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastomas, there is little overall survival benefit between low-grade oligodendrogliomas, anaplastic oligodendrogliomas, and oligoastrocytomas patients who underwent GTR relative to STR. The hazard ratio of dying from low-grade oligodendroglioma in patients who underwent GTR relative to STR was 0.948, (CI: 0.709-1.269; p = 0.720). The hazard ratio of dying from anaplastic oligodendroglioma in patients who underwent GTR relative to STR was 0.866, (CI: 0.654-1.148; p = 0.317). The hazard ratio of dying from low-grade oligoastrocytoma in patients who underwent GTR relative to STR was 1.113, (CI: 0.862-1.437; p = 0.413). CONCLUSION: In contrast to patients with anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma, we observed no significant survival benefit of GTR relative to STR in patients afflicted with glial tumors with an oligodendro-component. Surgical consideration should be undertaken in this context.
Brain metastases: Presentation, evaluation, and management

Brain metastases are a common and devastating consequence of cancer and carry a poor prognosis. Nevertheless, physicians can serve their patients well by suspecting, detecting, and treating them appropriately.
On Two Classical Theorems of Algebraic Topology

For theorems which have stimulated so much further research, beginning with the work of H. Hopf and continuing to the present, and whose content is so clear and easy to state, they are surprisingly difficult to prove, even in the simplest cases-the unit disk and the ordinary 2-sphere. Proofs are customarily given in standard courses in algebraic topology, but only after a fairly extensive theory is developed. In a brief, but very readable and elegant book [3 ], J. Milnor gave relatively simple proofs, based in part on a very original approach due to M. Hirsch [4]. Since this book goes into many generalizations of these theorems, it introduces and uses some techniques of differential topology which we wish to avoid, for example Sard's theorem. In this paper it is our purpose to make use of the fact that several advanced calculus texts discuss both manifolds and exterior differential forms in the presentation of multiple integrals and Stokes' theorem, and thus to rewrite the standard classical proofs using these techniques to avoid overt use of algebraic topology. In fact the present treatment goes very little beyond material to be found in the texts of either Fleming [6] or Devinatz [7] or in the more specialized book of Flanders [5], and the proofs of these theorems become, then, a somewhat delicate exercise in advanced calculus.
The Effect of Reynolds Number on Shock Interaction with a Rigid, Porous Barrier

This work investigates the pressure amplification experienced behind a rigid, porous barrier when exposed to a planar shock. Numerical simulations are performed in two dimensions using the full Navier-Stokes equations and a M = 1.3 incoming shock wave. An array of cylinders is positioned at some distance from a solid wall and a shock wave is allowed to propagate past the barrier and reflect o the wall. Pressure at the wall is recorded and the flowfield is examined using numerical schlieren images. Simulations are run for various Reynolds numbers (Re = 500 2000) and porosities to determine if they contribute to the pressure amplification. It is found that porosity has a marked eect on the flowfield structure and the endwall pressure, with pressure increasing as porosity decreases until a maximum pressure is reached.
Optimization of Order-Admission Policies

A mass-customization enterprise offers personalized manufacturing services. Once an order is submitted to the enterprise by a client, the EIS needs to make a real-time decision on whether to accept or refuse this order. Based on the enterprise current capacity, and the order’s properties and requirements, an order is refused if its acceptance is not profitable for the enterprise. The order is accepted with the most appropriate due date in order to maximize the profit that can result from this order. We have developed an intelligent order-admission framework that provides admission decisions in real-time for new orders using machine-learning and decision-integration techniques. The framework consists of three classifiers: Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree (DT), and Bayesian Probabilistic Model (BPM). The classifiers are trained by history orders and used to predict completion status for new orders. A decision integration technique is implemented to combine the results of the classifiers and predict due dates. Experimental results derived using real factory data from a leading print-service provider and Weka open source software show that the order completion-status prediction accuracy is significantly improved by the decision-integration strategy. The proposed multi-classifier model also outperforms a stand-alone regression model.
Effects of Solvation and Hydrogen Bond Formation on Singlet and Triplet Alkyl or Aryl Carbenes

Formation of hydrogen-bonded complexes involving singlet and triplet alkyl or aryl carbenes and the impacts of solvation and hydrogen bonding upon the carbene singlet–triplet gaps have been investigated using computational methods. Single-point CCSD(T)-F12 and MRCI+Q methodologies have been employed with aug-cc-pVDZ and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets to determine accurate singlet–triplet gaps of carbenes and hydrogen-bonded complexes involving carbenes, with geometries and vibrational frequencies obtained at the B3LYP-D3/aug-cc-pVTZ level. Using the PCM continuum solvent method and density functional theory (B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ), the singlet–triplet gaps of the carbenes are found to exhibit significant solvent effects; due its higher polarity, the singlet carbene is stabilized to a greater degree than the corresponding triplet carbene, impacting the singlet–triplet gap by as much as 4.4 kcal/mol. In addition, water and methanol, acting as hydrogen bond donors, form hydrogen bonds with all the singlet and triplet ca...
ISIS’s Will to Apocalypse

ABSTRACTClose observers of ISIS have recognized the group’s apocalyptic ideology, but this apocalyptic dimension has not been treated with sufficient theoretical depth or historical understanding. Theoretically, analysts have not penetrated to the deeper experiences that make the ideology attractive to the group’s adherents. Historically, analysis has suffered from two deficiencies: first, the ideology has not been considered in the larger context of apocalyptic speculation as it developed in Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions, understanding each of which is essential for making ISIS’s apocalypticism intelligible. Nor has ISIS’s ideology been put in context of what may be called secular apocalyptic movements that emerged in the twentieth century, elements of which had an important shaping influence on assumptions of contemporary jihadism. This paper is an attempt to rectify these analytical deficiencies by identifying the existential dynamics and related theological or ideological constructions driv...
Security Standards for Embedded Devices and Systems

Designing a secure SoC starts with the collation of product or system security requirements as dictated by the market(s) where the chip will be deployed. In many of these markets, there are generic and specific security standards that drive a combination of cryptographic and non-cryptographic solutions to achieve the system security goals. Understanding these standards is key for chip architects and designers so that the right hardware-software implementation choices are made for a product. In this chapter, the authors leverage their experience from secure chip development cycles to introduce common security standards that are used by chip and system vendors in the embedded space.
Pleasure of Art and Pleasure of Nature: A response to Matthen

ABSTRACTI argue that by limiting the objects of genuine or purely aesthetic pleasure to the products of human artifice, Matthen wrongly excludes aesthetic pleasure in natural items. Cases of aesthetic reflection that yield the ‘facilitating pleasure’ he takes to be definitive of our experience of art regularly occur also in our aesthetic experience of nature. That is, many kinds of aesthetic appreciation of nature meet his criteria of ‘learned’ engagements that are ‘difficult’ and ‘costly’. Aesthetic appreciation of nature thus represents a kind of facilitating pleasure that enlarges our conception of ourselves and our connection to the world in ways that are at least as sophisticated as art appreciation.
Effects of Inert Placement (Zst) on Soot and Radiative Heat Flux in Turbulent Diffusion Flames

Oxy-fuel combustion is one of the major strategies for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from combustion sources, as well as in applications requiring high temperature and stable flames. Currently in oxy-combustion, a large amount of flue gas (∼70%) is recycled to control the heat flux by reducing the flame temperature. This reduces the efficiency of the process and is unsuitable for processes requiring high temperature gases at the outlet of the combustor, such as gas turbines and industrial furnaces. Controlling the soot formation and growth at high temperatures could offer another means of controlling the heat flux without reducing the temperature. The separation of the inert from oxygen, in oxy-combustion, offers a unique advantage for burner design. Shifting the inert from the oxidizer to the fuel side in appropriate stoichiometric proportions increases the stoichiometric mixture fraction (Zst) while maintaining the same adiabatic flame temperature. In this work, the impact of Zst on the characterist...
Thrombocytosis in 715 Dogs (2011-2015).

Background Thrombocytosis is a hematologic abnormality in dogs that has been associated with various neoplastic, metabolic, and inflammatory conditions. Objective To classify thrombocytosis in dogs based on severity and evaluate whether there are associations between severity and underlying disease processes. Animals Seven hundred and fifteen dogs with thrombocytosis and 1,430 dogs with normal numbers of platelets. Methods Retrospective study. Medical records of dogs with increased (>500 × 103/μL; thrombocytosis group) and normal (300–500 × 103/μL; control group) platelet counts between 2011 and 2015 were reviewed. Dogs were characterized by severity of platelet increase and diagnosis. Diagnostic categories included neoplasia, endocrine disease, inflammatory disease, or miscellaneous. Results A total of 1,254 complete blood counts with thrombocytosis from 715 dogs were included in the study. Median platelet count in this population was 582 × 103/μL (500–1,810 × 103/μL). No correlation between severity of thrombocytosis and diagnosis was identified. Causes of secondary thrombocytosis included neoplasia (55.7%), endocrine disease (12.0%), and inflammatory disease (46.6%). Immune-mediated disease was common (22.2%), associated with frequent glucocorticoid administration, and had a significantly higher median platelet count (636 × 103/μL [500–1,262 × 103/μL] versus 565 × 103/μL [500–1,810 × 103/μL]) when compared to the other inflammatory processes (P < 0.001). The diagnoses in the thrombocytosis dogs differed significantly from the control population (P < 0.001). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Thrombocytosis is commonly associated with carcinoma and immune-mediated disease in dogs.
Let's Go in for a Closer Look: Observing Passwords in Their Natural Habitat

Text passwords---a frequent vector for account compromise, yet still ubiquitous---have been studied for decades by researchers attempting to determine how to coerce users to create passwords that are hard for attackers to guess but still easy for users to type and memorize. Most studies examine one password or a small number of passwords per user, and studies often rely on passwords created solely for the purpose of the study or on passwords protecting low-value accounts. These limitations severely constrain our understanding of password security in practice, including the extent and nature of password reuse, password behaviors specific to categories of accounts (e.g., financial websites), and the effect of password managers and other privacy tools. In this paper we report on an in situ study of 154 participants over an average of 147 days each. Participants' computers were instrumented---with careful attention to privacy---to record detailed information about password characteristics and usage, as well as man other computing behaviors such as use of security and privacy web browser extensions. This data allows a more accurate analysis of password characteristics and behaviors across the full range of participants' web-based accounts. Examples of our findings are that the use of symbols and digits in passwords predicts increased likelihood of reuse, while increased password strength predicts decreased likelihood of reuse; that password reuse is more prevalent than previously believed, especially when partial reuse is taken into account; and that password managers may have no impact on password reuse or strength. We also observe that users can be grouped into a handful of behavioral clusters, representative of various password management strategies. Our findings suggest that once a user needs to manage a larger number of passwords, they cope by partially and exactly reusing passwords across most of their accounts.
A novel 3D printed Vivaldi antenna utilizing a substrate integrated waveguide transition

This paper presents the design, fabrication and measurement of an ultra-wideband (10–30 GHz) Vivaldi antenna that uses the low loss characteristics of a 3D printed substrate integrated waveguide like structure. It was fabricated using a polyjet 3D printer which allows for fabrication of complex 3D structures. The fabricated structure was sputter coated with copper (Cu) followed by electroplating of a thick Cu layer. This design helps overcome the high material losses associated with 3D printed materials, and also allows for better transition between a microstrip line and the antenna structure. Measured and simulated results match closely. Results show that the antenna has a 20 GHz bandwidth with a maximum gain of 10.3 dB.
Designing Personal Sustainability into Organizational Culture: The Case of Burning Man

Efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of organizations has been ongoing for over a century, starting with the “scientific management” approach of Frederick Taylor and the “functions and principles” approach of Henri Fayol that gained popularity in the first two decades of the 1900s. More recently, the notion of sustainability—that is, the efficient use of energy and resources at both the personal and organizational levels—has been recognized as a contributor to developing competitive advantage. Personal sustainability contributes to organizational sustainability by raising awareness about sustainability at the organizational level, promoting engagement among members of an organization, and ensuring that individuals have the energy and resources to contribute to the overall mission of the organization. For this interplay to occur though, sustainability must be part of the organization’s core values. In this case study, we examine the culture of the annual Burning Man event in the Black Rock Desert of northwestern Nevada and explore how personal sustainability impacts the success of the event, while helping to create a strong cultural identity among participants known as “Burners.”
Kelvin Effect, Mean Curvatures and Load Impedance in Surface Induction Hardening: An Analytical Approach including Magnetic Losses

Kelvin effect (Skin effect) is used in surface hardening produced by induction heating of gears, cam forms, camshafts and other work pieces of fairly complex geometries. The induction heating equipment for surface hardening of metals and alloys using LF (medium frequencies in the jargon of induction heating) is composed by a coil or coil assembly and a power semiconductor driving system up to 50 kHz. The load seen by the driving system is equivalent to a transformer. The primary corresponds to the excitation coil or coil assembly, and the work piece corresponds to a short-circuited secondary. In these and others technical applications of Kelvin effect it is often necessary to be able to relate local skin depths with local curvatures of the surface of electrically conductive bodies. It was proposed recently a closed form analytical formula that relates the local skin depth with the local mean curvature and the well known skin depth for a flat conductive but non ferromagnetic body. The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, improve and give a critical discussion of the derivation of the aforementioned analytical formula. Second, generalize it to bodies with magnetic hysteresis losses. Third, apply the above mentioned generalized formula to describe the electrical load seen by the driving system in the conditions used for surface hardening. The formulae given here could be applied to asses some characteristics of the load that may be of interest in the choice or design of the driving system, including the planning of digital simulations using complex computer codes. Index Terms Induction heating, Load impedance modeling, Skin effect, Mean curvature, Hysteresis losses.
Physiological Roles Of The Ca2+/Cam-Dependent Protein kinase Cascade In Health and Disease

Numerous hormones, growth factors and physiological processes cause a rise in cytosolic Ca2+, which is translated into meaningful cellular responses by interacting with a large number of Ca2+-binding proteins. The Ca2+-binding protein that is most pervasive in mediating these responses is calmodulin (CaM), which acts as a primary receptor for Ca2+ in all eukaryotic cells. In turn, Ca2+/CaM functions as an allosteric activator of a host of enzymatic proteins including a considerable number of protein kinases. The topic of this review is to discuss the physiological roles of a sub-set of these protein kinases which can function in cells as a Ca2+/CaM-dependent kinase signaling cascade. The cascade was originally believed to consist of a CaM kinase kinase that phosphorylates and activates one of two CaM kinases, CaMKI or CaMKIV. The unusual aspect of this cascade is that both the kinase kinase and the kinase require the binding of Ca2+/CaM for activation. More recently, one of the CaM kinase kinases has been found to activate another important enzyme, the AMP-dependent protein kinase so the concept of the CaM kinase cascade must be expanded. A CaM kinase cascade is important for many normal physiological processes that when misregulated can lead to a variety of disease states. These processes include: cell proliferation and apoptosis that may conspire in the genesis of cancer; neuronal growth and function related to brain development, synaptic plasticity as well as memory formation and maintenance; proper function of the immune system including the inflammatory response, activation of T lymphocytes and hematopoietic stem cell maintenance; and the central control of energy balance that, when altered, can lead to obesity and diabetes. Although the study of the CaM-dependent kinase cascades is still in its infancy continued analysis of the pathways regulated by these Ca2+-initiated signaling cascades holds considerable promise for the future of disease-related research