cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hermite interpolants and biorthogonal multiwavelets with arbitrary order of vanishing moments

Biorthogonal multiwavelets are generated from refinable function vectors by using multiresolution analyses. To obtain a biorthogonal multiwavelet, we need to construct a pair of primal and dual masks, from which two refinable function vectors are obtained so that a multiresolution analysis is formed to derive a biorthogonal multiwavelet. It is well known that the order of vanishing moments of a biorthogonal multiwavelet is one of the most desirable properties of a biorthogonal multiwavelet in various applications. To design a biorthogonal multiwavelet with high order of vanishing moments, we have to design a pair of primal and dual masks with high order of sum rules. In this paper, we shall study an important family of primal masks-- Hermite interpolatory masks. A general way for constructing Hermite interpolatory masks with increasing order of sum rules is presented. Such family of Hermite interpolants from the Hermite interpolatory masks includes the piecewise Hermite cubics as a special case. In particular, a C3 Hermite interpolant is constructed with support [-3,3] and multiplicity 2. Next, we shall present a construction by cosets (CBC) algorithm to construct biorthogonal multiwavelets with arbitrary order of vanishing moments. By employing the CBC algorithm, several examples of biorthogonal multiwavelets are provided to illustrate the general theory. In particular, a C1 dual function vector of the well-known piecewise Hermite cubics is given.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The influence of an interface in the promotion of melting

The effect of the presence of a solid/liquid interface in preventing the superheating and supercooling found in previous surfaceless systems is investigated using isothermal (constant-NVT) molecular dynamics. The particles interact via a Lennard-Jones potential cut at c = 2·5. Computer simulations are performed at temperatures around the expected melting point for three different pressures, close to P* = 0·0, 0·67 and 9·0. The results show that there is no evidence of any superheating of the lattice or supercooling of the liquid. This points to the significant importance of the presence of an interface in melting and freezing phenomena. Since only thermodynamically stable points are produced, the method can be used to determine the melting point of the system. It is shown that the melting point thus produced is more accurate than that obtained using the hysteresis loop found in surfaceless systems. This is particularly apparent at higher pressures.
Ocean chemistry during glacial time—a comment

Abstract The detection and measurement of CO 2 in air bubbles entrapped in ice originated with Per F. Scholander in 1954, predating the studies referred to in Broecker (1982), Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 46, 1689–1706.
Coupling tandem affinity purification and quantitative tyrosine iodination to determine subunit stoichiometry of protein complexes.

Abstract Rapid protein purification methodologies, such as strategies involving the tandem affinity purification module, have resulted in the identification of a tremendous number of multisubunit protein complexes. Furthermore, in this modern genomic age, mass spectrometry methods are often coupled with affinity purification to identify the genes that encode each protein subunit. However, simple methodologies to determine the stoichiometry of individual subunits within a multisubunit complex have not received much attention. In this article we describe a procedure to rapidly and efficiently determine the stoichiometry of subunits within multisubunit complexes using a combination of tandem affinity purification and quantitative 125 I labeling of subunit tyrosines.
Conceptual Design of Unpressurized Shelters on Lunar Surface

Three concepts for the shelters on the moon are presented here. It is envisaged that the first robots will land on the moon and start preparing sites for advanced bases and also for future human presence. These robots will encounter severe radiation and micrometeor hits when they are exposed to the lunar atmosphere. During the period of intense solar radiation these robots have to be temporarily sheltered, since shielding on the robots may not be adequate to protect the instruments. The construction of these shelters has to be performed with very little equipment support. This paper presents concepts and their feasibility analysis for the fabrication of shelters under such stringent constraints.
The pituitary gland secretes in bursts: appraising the nature of glandular secretory impulses by simultaneous multiple-parameter deconvolution of plasma hormone concentrations

To investigate patterns of endogenous hormone release, we have proposed a biophysical model in which measured hormone concentrations at any given instant reflect the operation of a suitable cumulation function (secretory input) convolved with an appropriate elimination mechanism (metabolic clearance). The cumulation function underlying a macroscopic hormone secretory burst can be represented by a random (Gaussian) distribution of instantaneous molecular secretory rates, which are centered with some finite and determinable standard deviation about a particular moment in time. The hormone elimination mechanism is described by a mono- or biexponential clearance function. The resultant convolution integral is solved by iterative nonlinear least-squares parameter estimation, in which all plasma hormone concentrations and their variances are considered simultaneously. Experiments with human endocrine time series revealed that the spontaneous secretory patterns of any of multiple distinct anterior pituitary hormones (luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, growth hormone, prolactin, thyrotropin, and adrenocorticotropic hormone) can be described effectively by this parsimonious model. In addition, endogenous hormone disappearance rates determined by deconvolution agreed well with those reported earlier that were determined after exogenous hormone injections. Moreover, this model predicted that durations of underlying secretory impulses are extremely brief; i.e., the standard deviations of the Gaussian distributions of instantaneous secretory rates range from 4.5 min (luteinizing hormone) to 16 min (growth hormone) compared to plasma hormone concentration peaks of 90-140 min in duration. Accordingly, we conclude that observed physiological patterns of fluctuating plasma hormone concentrations can be accounted for by distinct, highly delimited, random bursts of hormone release separated by intervals of secretory quiescence.
Fabrication of a Robotic Hand Using Rapid Prototyping

In this paper, the application of Rapid Prototyping in the fabrication of a robotic hand is presented. Using the Selective Laser Sintering Sinterstation 2000 of DTM Corporation of Austin, TX, prototypes of mechanical joints were fabricated experimentally. The designs of these component joints were then used to fabricate the articulated structure of one four degree of freedom finger of a five-fingered robotic hand. This robotic finger and joints have been fabricated in one step, without requiring assembly while maintaining their desired mobility.
Muscle Impairments in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

Context:Muscle impairments associated with knee osteoarthritis (OA) are the primary underlying cause of functional limitations. Understanding the extent of muscle impairments, its relationship with...
Experiences documenting and preserving software constraints using aspects

Software systems are increasingly being built as compositions of reusable artifacts (components, frameworks, toolkits, plug-ins, APIs, etc) that have non-trivial usage constraints in the form of interface contracts, underlying assumptions and design composition rules. Satisfying these constraints is challenging: they are often not well documented; or they are difficult to integrate into the software development process in ways that allow their identification by developers; or they may not be enforced by existing tools and development environments. Aspect-Oriented Programming has been advocated as an approach to represent and enforce software constraints in code artifacts. Aspects can be used to detect constraint violations, or more pro-actively, to ensure that the constraints are satisfied without requiring the developer's attention. This paper discusses our experience using aspects to document and enforce software constraints in an industrial application, specifically TDE/UML, a model-driven software testing tool developed at SIEMENS. We present an analysis of common constraints found in our case study, a set of primitive aspects developed to help the enforcement of software constraints, and show how AOP has been incorporated into existing software development and governance approaches in the TDE/UML project. We conclude with a discussion of strengths and limitations of AspectJ in supporting these constraints.
Compact combination of MPEG-7 color and texture descriptors for image retrieval

Multimedia databases are meaningfully indexed and retrieved with content based image retrieval (CBIR) systems. MPEG-7 standard describes visual descriptors and performance metrics for CBIR systems. Amongst all image features, color and texture are more visually expressive and hence are attractive for image retrieval descriptors enhances image retrieval and efficiency of a multimedia database. Further, combination of features makes image retrieval more relevant and robust. This paper proposes efficient methods for compactly representing color and texture features and combining them for image retrieval. The proposed methods use MPEG-7 visual descriptors namely, scalable color descriptor (SCD) for color and, homogeneous texture descriptor (HTD) for texture representation respectively. This paper investigates how compactly a descriptor could be defined and yet be used as a metric for image retrieval. If the descriptor is compact and yet performs meaningful image retrieval, then it is computationally efficient. Image classification, clustering and hierarchical modeling of image databases will benefit with such a representation. The performance of retrieval based on compact descriptors obtained by proposed techniques is analyzed with MPEG-7 metrics.
Orally Administered Green Tea Polyphenols Prevent Ultraviolet Radiation-Induced Skin Cancer in Mice through Activation of Cytotoxic T Cells and Inhibition of Angiogenesis in Tumors

Green tea polyphenols (GTPs) show promise as anticarcinogenic agents and may prevent the development of solar UV radiation-induced skin cancer. Here we investigated the mechanisms by which GTPs prevent UVB-induced skin cancer in mice. Two groups of 6- to 7-wk-old female SKH-1 hairless mice were UVB irradiated (180 mJ/cm(2)) 3 times each week for 24 wk. One group consumed water and the other, water containing 2 g/L GTPs. A control group drank water and was not exposed to UVB radiation. UVB-induced tumors and skin biopsies from the control group were analyzed using immunostaining, Western blotting, and gelatinolytic zymography. Oral administration of GTPs reduced UVB-induced tumor incidence (35%), tumor multiplicity (63%), and tumor growth (55%). The GTPs+UVB group had reduced expression of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, which have crucial roles in tumor growth and metastasis, and enhanced expression of tissue inhibitor of MMP in the tumors compared with mice that were treated with UVB alone. The GTPs+UVB group also had reduced expressions of CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor, which are essential for angiogenesis, and inhibited expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the tumors compared with the UVB group. Additionally, there were more cytotoxic CD8(+) T cells in the tumors of the GTPs+UVB group than in the UVB group and their tumor cells exhibited greater activation of caspase-3, indicating the apoptotic death of the tumor cells. Taken together, these data suggest that in mice, administration of GTPs affects several biomarkers that are involved in UV-carcinogenesis, including inhibition of angiogenic factors and recruitment of cytotoxic T cells in the tumor microenvironment.
The effect of personal relevance on learning stroke symptoms/response.

The aim of this study was to test the effect of increasing the personal relevance of stroke symptom information on learning stroke symptoms/emergency response. A randomized pretest—posttest double-...
THE PLACENTA AND PROTEIN METABOLISM : TRANSFER STUDIES USING CARBON14-LABELED PROTEINS IN DOGS

Plasma proteins tagged in vivo by feeding D-L-lysine-epsilon-C(14) to donor dogs have been administered to pregnant dogs by both oral and intravenous routes. A relatively small percentage of the C(14) activity originally incorporated in these proteins is found to pass from mother to fetus after intravenous injection. The amount transferred tends to increase with the length of gestation period and total number of fetuses. Plasma protein labeled with I(131) does not cross the placenta in the dog, but does in the rabbit. Evans blue dye does not cross the placenta of the dog. After oral administration of labeled plasma protein or lysine, C(14) is transferred promptly and in considerable quantity to the fetus. Labeled plasma proteins disappear more rapidly from the circulation of pregnant than of normal dogs. This increased metabolic turnover occurs without excretion of any excess waste metabolites. The chorionic epithelium, gram for gram, is probably 2 to 3 times as active as the hepatic epithelium in protein metabolism. These findings indicate an important placental function related to maternal and fetal protein metabolism. While the placenta utilizes maternal plasma proteins and amino acids, in a quantitative sense the latter appear to supply the major nitrogen needs of the growing fetus.
Hypoalgesia associated with elevated resting blood pressure: evidence for endogenous opioid involvement

This study used a placebo-controlled, between-subjects opioid blockade design to evaluate endogenous opioid involvement in the hypoalgesia associated with elevated resting blood pressure (BP) in 163 healthy individuals. Participants were randomly assigned to Drug condition (placebo, naltrexone) and Task Order (computerized maze task with harassment followed by an ischemic pain task or vice versa). Resting BP was assessed, followed by drug administration, and then the pain and maze tasks. A significant Drug × Systolic BP (SBP) interaction was observed on McGill Pain Questionnaire-Affective pain ratings (P < .01), indicating that BP-related hypoalgesia observed under placebo was absent under opioid blockade. A significant Gender × Drug × SBP × Task Order interaction was observed for VAS pain intensity (P < .02). Examination of simple effects comprising this interaction suggested that BP-related hypoalgesia occurred only in male participants who experienced the pain task in the absence of emotional arousal, and indicated that this hypoalgesia occurred under placebo but not under opioid-blockade. Results suggest that under some circumstance, BP-related hypoalgesia may have an endogenous opioid-mediated component in healthy individuals, particularly men.
Embedded Virtual Machines for Robust Wireless Control Systems

Embedded wireless networks have largely focused on open loop sensing and monitoring. To address actuation in closed loop wireless control systems there is a strong need to re-think the communication architectures and protocols for reliability, coordination and control. As the links, nodes and topology of wireless systems are inherently unreliable, such time-critical and safety-critical applications require programming abstractions where the tasks are assigned to the sensors, actuators and controllers as a single component rather than statically mapping a set of tasks to a specific physical node at design time. To this end, we introduce the Embedded Virtual Machine (EVM), a powerful and flexible programming abstraction where virtual components and their properties are maintained across node boundaries. In the context of process and discrete control, an EVM is the distributed runtime system that dynamically selects primary-backup sets of controllers to guarantee QoS given spatial and temporal constraints of the underlying wireless network. The EVM architecture defines explicit mechanisms for control, data and fault communication within the virtual component. EVM-based algorithms introduce new capabilities such as predictable outcomes and provably minimal graceful degradation during sensor/actuator failure, adaptation to mode changes and runtime optimization of resource consumption. Through the design of a natural gas process plant hardware-in-loop simulation we aim to demonstrate the preliminary capabilities of EVM-based wireless networks.
Generalizability Theory: Basics

Generalizability (G) theory can be thought of as a comprehensive extension of classical test theory (CTT). The focus of G theory is on isolating and estimating the relative magnitude of specific sources of measurement error. This information can be used to optimize the sampling of measurement conditions in future studies. The major concepts underlying G theory, including the relevant terminology and nomenclature, are presented in this entry. The use of G theory is illustrated through data obtained from an assessment of the clinical skills of physicians. On the basis of these data, variance components are estimated, interpreted, and used to calculate reliability-like coefficients. In addition, various Decision (D) studies are undertaken to provide a basic understanding of how a simple generalizability scenario can be extended to more complex designs, including those in which some sources of unwanted variation in the observations may be considered to be random, fixed, or nested. These studies demonstrate how an investigator can concentrate on targeting and minimizing measurement conditions that contribute the largest amounts of error, thereby increasing generalizability. Generalizability theory provides models and methods that allow an investigator to disentangle multiple sources of error. As a result, it is an important tool for producing reliable, valid, and comparable assessments. Keywords: generalizability theory; reliability analysis; variance components
Effect of a Teaching Consultation Process Upon Personal Development in Faculty

Some teaching centers flounder while others flourish. One of the authors [“Teresa”] was placed in charge of a floundering center. Dramatic changes transformed it from a “forgotten unit” to a flourishing center. The other author [“Sandra”] launched a new center, which is well on its way to playing a central role in university life. This paper provides concrete suggestions for successfully launching or revitalizing a teaching center, drawn both from our experience and from principles in the literature.
A Signal Correlation Guided Circuit-SAT Solver

We propose two heuristics, implicit learning and explicit learning, that utilize circuit topological information and signal correlations to derive conflict clauses that could efficiently prune the search space for solving circuit-based SAT problem instances. We implemented a circuit-SAT solver SC-C-SAT based on the proposed heuristics and the concepts used in other state-of-the-art SAT solvers. For solving unsatisfiable circuit examples and for solving difficult circuit-based problems at Intel, our solver is able to achieve speedup of one order of magnitude over other state-of-the-art SAT solvers that do not use the heuristics.
A note on the complexity of scheduling problems with linear job deterioration

Jafari and Moslehi (J Glob Optim 54:389---404, 2012) state that certain single-machine scheduling problems with linear job deterioration are NP-hard. We show that this is not the case for the maximum lateness minimization problem and point out the issues in the analysis of Jafari and Moslehi (J Glob Optim 54:389---404, 2012).
Prevalence of hearing loss in Rett syndrome

This study examined the auditory status of females with Rett syndrome (RS) using auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing and measures of acoustic admittance. Prevalence of hearing impairment in 81 female patients (age range 1 year 3 months to 39 years 8 months; mean age 8 years 7 months, SD 6 years 4 months) was evaluated with ABR measurements. If the ABR latencies at 20dB nHL exceeded those of the normative group, a slight hearing loss was diagnosed. For ABR thresholds in the range 30 to 40dB nHL, a mild hearing loss was determined; moderate hearing loss was diagnosed for ABR thresholds in the range 50 to 60dB nHL. Bilateral hearing loss was found in 16 (19.3%) patients and unilateral hearing loss in 13 (16%) patients. Bilateral hearing loss of moderate degree was found in one patient. No patient was found with severe hearing loss (ABR threshold of 70dB nHL and above) in either ear. Slight hearing loss was found in 10.5% of ears (17 of 162), mild hearing loss in 14.2% of ears(23 of 162), and moderate hearing loss in 3.1% of ears (5 of 162). In 72.2% of ears (117 of 162), findings indicated the presence of normal peripheral auditory sensitivity. Prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss was 17.3% (28 of 162). Evidence of conductive involvement (conductive and mixed hearing loss) was observed in 9.9% of ears (16 of 162). In this cross-sectional study, the prevalence of hearing loss was increased in older RS participants and in those with seizures requiring the use of anticonvulsants. Neither the type of hearing loss nor the presence of preserved speech seemed to be correlated with the type of mutation in methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) gene that is associated with RS.
Heart Rate and Extracellular Sodium and Potassium Modulation of Gap Junction Mediated Conduction in Guinea Pigs.

Background: Recent studies suggested that cardiac conduction in murine hearts with narrow perinexi and 50% reduced connexin43 (Cx43) expression is more sensitive to relatively physiological changes of extracellular potassium ([K+]o) and sodium ([Na+]o). Purpose: Determine whether similar [K+]o and [Na+]o changes alter conduction velocity (CV) sensitivity to pharmacologic gap junction (GJ) uncoupling in guinea pigs. Methods: [K+]o and [Na+]o were varied in Langendorff perfused guinea pig ventricles (Solution A: [K+]o=4.56 and [Na+]o=153.3 mM. Solution B: [K+]o=6.95 and [Na+]o=145.5 mM). Gap junctions were inhibited with carbenoxolone (CBX) (15 and 30 μM). Epicardial CV was quantified by optical mapping. Perinexal width was measured with transmission electron microscopy. Total and phosphorylated Cx43 were evaluated by western blotting. Results: Solution composition did not alter CV under control conditions or with 15M CBX. Decreasing the basic cycle length (BCL) of pacing from 300 to 160ms decreased CV uniformly with both solutions. At 30 M CBX, a change in solution did not alter CV either longitudinally or transversely at BCL=300ms. However, reducing BCL to 160ms caused CV to decrease more in hearts perfused with Solution B than A. Solution composition did not alter perinexal width, nor did it change total or phosphorylated serine 368 Cx43 expression. These data suggest that the solution dependent CV changes were independent of altered perinexal width or GJ coupling. Action potential duration was always shorter in hearts perfused with Solution B than A, independent of pacing rate and/or CBX concentration. Conclusions: Increased heart rate and GJ uncoupling can unmask small CV differences caused by changing [K+]o and [Na+]o. These data suggest that modulating extracellular ionic composition may be a novel anti-arrhythmic target in diseases with abnormal GJ coupling, particularly when heart rate cannot be controlled.
The Impact of Electronic Auctions and Auction Types on the Market for Municipal Bonds

Considerable theoretical literature exists concerning auctions and auction mechanisms. Empirical tests of theory while growing are still relatively limited. In this paper, we utilize a unique and large data set of municipal bonds sold in the primary market through electronic auctions and other methods to empirically explore and test some predictions from auction theory. Our results show that electronic auction mechanisms overall result in lower borrowing costs to issuers than conventional competitive or negotiated methods of sale. We also find that both open and closed auction mechanisms appear to be equally effective in reducing borrowing costs relative to conventional methods of sale and that electronic auctions are more likely to result in smaller underwriting firms winning the bids. Further analysis examining secondary market effects shows that underwriter gross spreads are lower for bonds sold through electronic auctions suggesting that the decrease in borrowing costs through electronic auctions is at least partially at the expense of winning underwriting firms.
A Molecular Genetic Approach to Improved Animal Health: The Effect of Interferon Genotype on the Severity of Experimental Bovine Herpesvirus-1 Infection

In the past decade, biotechnology has brought veterinary medicine an increased understanding of the effects of genetic background on disease resistance and production traits. Specific point mutations have been identified for a number of genetic diseases and genetic testing; selective breeding programs can eliminate these diseases from the population. Complex traits such as disease resistance and production traits are thought to be under the control of multiple genes, making their manipulation more difficult. Because of their antiviral and immune modulating properties, interferons may be a role in the host defense against viral infection. The Type I interferon gene family has been detailed in cattle and consists of approximately 32 genes clustered together on bovine chromosome 8. These genes are very polymorphic in the population, enabling studies on the association between alleles at specific interferon loci and the severity of clinical diseases following experimental Bovine Herpesvirus-l infection. Associations were observed between specific IFN genotypes and increased severity of clinical disease in a population of unrelated cattle. With a better understanding of IFNs at the genetic level, it may eventually be possible to manipulate the IFN response for the therapeutic benefit of cattle, and lessen the economic impact of specific diseases on cattle producers.
Effect of ursodeoxycholic acid use on the risk of colorectal neoplasia in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis and inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) may modify the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated colorectal cancer. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies evaluating the effect of UDCA on the risk of IBD-associated colorectal neoplasia (CRN) (defined as colorectal cancer and/or dysplasia) in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis with concomitant IBD (PSC-IBD). Methods We conducted a systematic search of Medline, Embase, and Web of Science and manually reviewed the literature. Studies were included if they: (1) evaluated exposure to UDCA in patients with PSC-IBD, (2) reported IBD-associated CRN as outcome, and (3) reported relative risks or odds ratios (ORs) or provided data for their calculation. Summary OR estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random-effects model. Results Eight studies (5 observational, 3 randomized controlled trials) reporting 177 cases of CRN in 763 patients with PSC-IBD were included in the analysis. Overall, meta-analysis showed no significant protective association between UDCA use and CRN (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.41-1.61). However, there was a significant chemopreventive effect on the risk of advanced CRN (colorectal cancer and/or high-grade dysplasia) (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.17-0.73). In a subgroup analysis, low-dose UDCA use (8-15 mg/kg/d) was associated with significant risk reduction of CRN (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.08-0.49). Conclusions UDCA, particularly at low doses, may reduce the risk of advanced CRN in patients with PSC-IBD. However, results should be interpreted with caution, given limited reporting of cancer-related outcomes, primarily from tertiary care centers.
Problem analysis of residual solvents control in drug evaluation

Some problems were often found in the residual solvents control in drug evaluation,including the determination of the organic solvents for residual solvents study,the conduction of the residual solvents control of finished products,the determination of the experimental condition of headspace gas chromatography,and the establishment of the specification.These aspects were analysed with actual cases in drug evaluation process to provide some references for the pharmaceutical researchers.
Display of 3D Multimodality Cardiac Images With 2D Polar Maps: Simplicity Can Be a Virtue

From painters to cartographers to medical imagers, humans have faced the challenge of depicting the 3-dimensional (3D) world using 2-dimensional (2D) displays. The transition from planar to tomographic imaging engendered various approaches to display the physiologic information contained in 3D
Effect of dextran on blood typing and crossmatching.

Partially hydrolyzed dextran used for the expansion of plasma volume has been shown to have no effect on typing, crossmatching, or Rh determination of blood from normal patients or patients in shock.
Nutritional Challenges in Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease

Provision of adequate nutrition is a cornerstone in the optimal management of and improving outcomes in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Major challenges in the nutritional management of children with CKD remain as most guidelines are based on opinion rather than evidence. Important considerations include energy, macronutrients, fluids and electrolytes, micronutrients, and calcium/phosphorus/vitamin D. Extremes of body mass index, representing under-nutrition and over-nutrition are associated with poor outcomes and should be avoided when designing nutritional strategies for children with CKD. Successful nutritional management requires a multidisciplinary team that includes not only physicians but also skilled dietitians and nurses.
Effects of neutron irradiation of Ti3SiC2 and Ti3AlC2 in the 121–1085 °C temperature range

Abstract Herein we report on the formation of defects in response to neutron irradiation of polycrystalline Ti3SiC2 and Ti3AlC2 samples exposed to total fluences of ≈6 × 1020 n/m2, 5 × 1021 n/m2 and 1.7 × 1022 n/m2 at irradiation temperatures of 121(12), 735(6) and 1085(68)°C. These fluences correspond to 0.14, 1.6 and 3.4 dpa, respectively. After irradiation to 0.14 dpa at 121 °C and 735 °C, black spots are observed via transmission electron microscopy in both Ti3SiC2 and Ti3AlC2. After irradiation to 1.6 and 3.4 dpa at 735 °C, basal dislocation loops, with a Burgers vector of b = ½ [0001] are observed in Ti3SiC2, with loop diameters of 21(6) and 30(8) nm after 1.6 dpa and 3.4 dpa, respectively. In Ti3AlC2, larger dislocation loops, 75(34) nm in diameter are observed after 3.4 dpa at 735 °C, in addition to stacking faults. Impurity particles of TiC, as well as stacking fault TiC platelets in the MAX phases, are seen to form extensive dislocation loops under all conditions. Cavities were observed at grain boundaries and within stacking faults after 3.4 dpa irradiation, with extensive cavity formation in the TiC regions at 1085 °C. Remarkably, denuded zones on the order of 1 μm are observed in Ti3SiC2 after irradiation to 3.4 dpa at 735 °C. Small grains, 3–5 μm in diameter, are damage free after irradiation at 1085 °C at this dose. The results shown herein confirm once again that the presence of the A-layers in the MAX phases considerably enhance their irradiation tolerance. Based on these results, and up to 3.4 dpa, Ti3SiC2 remains a promising candidate for high temperature nuclear applications as long as the temperature remains >700 °C.
Optimizing ocean-wave energy extraction of a dual coaxial-cylinder WEC using nonlinear model predictive control

Abstract Active control based on nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) methodology is applied to a candidate but realistic dual coaxial-cylinder wave-energy extractor system with the objective of maximizing energy capture over a range of incident ocean-wave conditions. The extractor consists of an outer cylinder (floater) moving relative to a tension-tethered inner cylinder, driving a permanent-magnet linear generator (PMLG) to acquire power take-off (PTO). The floater dynamics is solved in the time domain with the NMPC to constrain maximum floater motion and simultaneously incorporating the PMLG damping capability. The numerical model of the coupled floater and PTO dynamics is formulated in the state-space representation. The mechanical to electrical conversion efficiency of the PMLG, which was experimentally determined as a function of its power-extraction damping, is considered in the numerical simulation. The NMPC process yields a time-varying profile for the generator damping as the control strategy. Simulation results indicate strongly time-dependent and discontinuous generator-damping requirements for both regular and irregular incident-wave scenarios. However, the NMPC-controlled system significantly outperforms a passive-control, constant-damping system by exhibiting higher peak values of energy-extraction and a broader capturing bandwidth, thus confirming the feasibility and success of the control strategy.
Functional evolution of a morphogenetic gradient

Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) pattern the dorsal-ventral axis of bilaterian embryos; however, their roles in the evolution of body plan are largely unknown. We examined their functional evolution in fly embryos. BMP signaling specifies two extraembryonic tissues, the serosa and amnion, in basal-branching flies such as Megaselia abdita, but only one, the amnioserosa, in Drosophila melanogaster. The BMP signaling dynamics are similar in both species until the beginning of gastrulation, when BMP signaling broadens and intensifies at the edge of the germ rudiment in Megaselia, while remaining static in Drosophila. Here we show that the differences in gradient dynamics and tissue specification result from evolutionary changes in the gene regulatory network that controls the activity of a positive feedback circuit on BMP signaling, involving the tumor necrosis factor alpha homolog eiger. These data illustrate an evolutionary mechanism by which spatiotemporal changes in morphogen gradients can guide tissue complexity.
Battery charge and health state monitoring via ultrasonic-guided-wave-based methods using built-in piezoelectric transducers

This work presents a novel scalable and field-deployable framework for monitoring lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery state of charge (SoC) and state of health (SoH), based on ultrasonic guided waves using low-profile built-in piezoelectric transducers. The feasibility of this technique is demonstrated through experiments using surface-mounted piezoelectric disc transducers on commercial Li-ion pouch batteries. Pitch-catch guided-wave propagation is performed in synchronization with electrical charge and discharge cycling, and cycle life testing. Simple time-domain analysis shows strong and repeatable correlation between waveform signal parameters, and battery SoC and SoH. The correlation thus provides a building block for constructing a technique for accurate real-time monitoring of battery charge and health states using ultrasonic guided-wave signals. Moreover, capacity-differential signal analysis reveals the underlying physical changes associated with cyclic electrochemical activities and phase transitioning. This finding allows accurate pinpointing of the root cause of capacity fade and mechanical degradation. The results of this study indicate that the use of guided waves can potentially offer a new avenue for in-situ characterization of Li-ion batteries, providing insight on the complex coupling between electrochemistry and mechanics, heretofore not fully understood within the scientific community.
Assessment of Behavioral Disruption in Rats with Abdominal Inflammation Using Visual Cue Titration and the Five-choice Serial-reaction Time Task.

Background Both acute and chronic pain result in a number of behavioral symptoms in patients, including cognitive effects such as decreased attention and working memory. Intraperitoneal administration of dilute lactic acid in rodents has been used to induce abdominal inflammation and produce effects in behavioral assays of both sensory-discriminative and affective pain modalities. Methods Intraperitoneal injection of dilute lactic acid was used to study the impact of abdominal inflammation on an operant task requiring sustained visual attention in rats (N = 7 to 15/group) that adapts dynamically to performance ability. The effects of ketoprofen and morphine on lactic acid-induced impairment were compared with those on the disruptive effects of scopolamine. Results Lactic acid impaired performance in a concentration-dependent manner, increasing the duration of cue presentation required to maintain optimal performance from 0.5 ± 0.2 s (mean ± SD) to 17.2 ± 11.4 s after the administration of 1.8% (v/v) (N = 13). The latency to emit correct responses and to retrieve the food reward were both increased by lactic acid. All effects of lactic acid injection were reversed by both ketoprofen and morphine in a dose-dependent manner. Scopolamine, however, produced dose-dependent, nonpain-related disruption in sustained attention that was not altered by either ketoprofen or morphine. Conclusions These data demonstrate that abdominal inflammation induced by lactic acid produces robust disruption in a visual attention-based operant task and that this disruption is reversed by analgesics. Future studies will focus on pain-related circuitry and its impact on both limbic forebrain and frontal cortical mechanisms.
Math Reading Comprehension: Comparing Effectiveness of Various Conversation Frameworks in an ITS

Conversation based intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) are highly effective at promoting learning across a wide range of domains. This is in part because these systems allow for the implementation of pedagogical strategies used by expert human tutors (e.g., self-reflection and deep-level reasoning questions). However, the various conversation frameworks used by these ITSs affect high domain knowledge students and low domain knowledge students differently. The experiment proposed in this paper will explore and test the added effectiveness of interactive dialogues and trialogues in learning Algebra I, utilized in a conversation based ITS. The experiment will compare learning across five conditions: (1) a static reading control condition, (2) a vicarious control dialogue condition with animated agents, (3) an interactive dialogue condition (i.e., human learner and tutor agent), (4) an interactive trialogue condition (i.e., human learner, tutor agent, and tutee agent) and (5) a vicarious monologue condition. This research will seek to answer questions concerning the effectiveness of dialogue and trialogue conversation environments in an Algebra 1 domain compared to vicarious learning, and whether trialogues provide an added benefit over dialogues within this domain.
Variations in farm consumption and their relationship to income: an empirical investigation of Illinois farm households

Empirical tests of household consumption have yielded mixed results regarding the validity of the life cycle/permanent income (LCPI) hypothesis. A significant problem with such studies is the diffi...
Emotion regulation, harsh parenting, and teacher sensitivity among socioeconomically disadvantaged toddlers in child care

ABSTRACTResearch Findings: This study examined the transactional nature of harsh parenting and emotion regulation across toddlerhood, including the moderating role of teacher sensitivity in child care. Secondary data analyses were conducted with a subsample of families from the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project who participated in center-based child care. Autoregressive cross-lagged path models were used to examine stability and transactional associations between observations of mothers’ harsh parenting behaviors and observers’ ratings of toddler emotion regulation at 14, 24, and 36 months. Teacher sensitivity was observed in children’s child care classrooms and was hypothesized to attenuate the negative impact of harsh parenting on subsequent emotion regulation. Results suggested that poorer emotion regulation and increased harsh parenting at 14 months were particularly salient in setting the stage for worse parent and toddler outcomes at 36 months. Teacher sensitivity was not a significan...
Landscape movements by two species of migratory nectar-feeding bats ( Leptonycteris ) in a northern area of seasonal sympatry

Animals often migrate to exploit seasonally ephemeral food. Three species of nectar-feeding phyllostomid bats migrate north from Mexico into deserts of the United States each spring and summer to feed on blooms of columnar cactus and century plants (Agave spp.). However, the habitat needs of these important desert pollinators are poorly understood. We followed the nighttime movements of 2 species of long-nosed bats (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae and L. nivalis) in an area of late-summer sympatry at the northern edges of their migratory ranges. We radio-tracked bats in extreme southwestern New Mexico during 22 nights over 2 summers and acquired location estimates for 31 individuals. Both species cohabitated 2 major day roosts that were 30 km apart and in different mountain ranges, and individual bats sometimes moved between the roosts. Sampling was opportunistic and limited, but there were no obvious qualitative differences in observed patterns of movement between species or years, or among sex, age, and reproductive groups. Both species were observed foraging most often in the mountain range that had a relatively higher observed density of presumed food plants (Agave palmeri); when roosting in an adjacent mountain range, bats sometimes commuted >20 km one way to forage. Contrary to evidence indicating these species partition resources farther south in Mexico, our findings suggest that L. yerbabuenae and L. nivalis seasonally share common roost and food resources during late summer in this northern area of sympatry.
Equiaxial Strain Modulates Adipose-derived Stem Cell Differentiation within 3D Biphasic Scaffolds towards Annulus Fibrosus

Recurrence of intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation is the most important factor leading to chronic low back pain and subsequent disability after discectomy. Efficacious annulus fibrosus (AF) repair strategy that delivers cells and biologics to IVD injury site is needed to limit the progression of disc degeneration and promote disc self-regeneration capacities after discectomy procedures. In this study, a biphasic mechanically-conditioned scaffold encapsulated with human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) is studied as a potential treatment strategy for AF defects. Equiaxial strains and frequencies were applied to ASCs-encapsulated scaffolds to identify the optimal loading modality to induce AF differentiation. Equiaxial loading resulted in 2–4 folds increase in secretion of extracellular matrix proteins and the reorganization of the matrix fibers and elongations of the cells along the load direction. Further, the equiaxial load induced region-specific differentiation of ASCs within the inner and outer regions of the biphasic scaffolds. Gene expression of AF markers was upregulated with 5–30 folds within the equiaxially loaded biphasic scaffolds compared to unstrained samples. The results suggest that there is a specific value of equiaxial strain favorable to differentiate ASCs towards AF lineage and that ASCs-embedded biphasic scaffold can potentially be utilized to repair the AF defects.
Micellization Thermodynamics of Pluronic P123 (EO20PO70EO20) Amphiphilic Block Copolymer in Aqueous Ethylammonium Nitrate (EAN) Solutions

Poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) block copolymers (commercially available as Pluronics or Poloxamers) can self-assemble into various nanostructures in water and its mixtures with polar organic solvents. Ethylammonium nitrate (EAN) is a well-known protic ionic liquid that is expected to affect amphiphile self-assembly due to its ionic nature and hydrogen bonding ability. By proper design of isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments, we determined the enthalpy and other thermodynamic parameters of Pluronic P123 (EO20PO70EO20) micellization in aqueous solution at varied EAN concentration. Addition of EAN promoted micellization in a manner similar to increasing temperature, e.g., the addition of 1.75 M EAN lowered the critical micelle concentration (CMC) to the same extent as a temperature increase from 20 to 24 °C. The presence of EAN disrupts the water solvation around the PEO-PPO-PEO molecules through electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding, which dehydrate PEO and promote micellization. At EAN concentrations lower than 1 M, the PEO-PPO-PEO micellization enthalpy and entropy increase with EAN concentration, while both decrease above 1 M EAN. Such a change can be attributed to the formation by EAN of semi-ordered nano-domains with water at higher EAN concentrations. Pyrene fluorescence suggests that the polarity of the mixed solvent decreased linearly with EAN addition, whereas the polarity of the micelle core remained unaltered. This work contributes to assessing intermolecular interactions in ionic liquid + polymer solutions, which are relevant to a number of applications, e.g., drug delivery, membrane separations, polymer electrolytes, biomass processing and nanomaterial synthesis.
Jim McCroskey: Instructional Scholar

This essay is the third in a series recognizing the contributions of James C. McCroskey to the communication discipline. Instructional communication was a passion of McCroskey’s, and much of his professional life was devoted to nurturing this area of scholarship. McCroskey’s approach to graduate education and his mentoring of students is credited with being central to the development of instructional communication. His research was both developmental and transformative and will influence instructional communication scholarship for years to come.
The role of gonadal steroids in sexual differentiation.

Publisher Summary The embryos of both sexes develop in an identical fashion for the first two months of gestation. Only thereafter does anatomical and physiological development diverge to result in the formation of the male and female phenotypes. Gonadal steroids play an important role in sexual differentiation. This chapter discusses this particular role. Male development is induced in the embryo only in the presence of specific hormonal signals arising from the fetal testis. According to the Jost formulation, sexual differentiation is a sequential, ordered, and relatively simple process. Chromosomal sex, established at the time of conception, directs the development of either ovaries or testes. If testes develop, their hormonal secretions elicit the development of the male secondary sex characteristics, collectively known as the male phenotype. If an ovary develops—or if no gonad is present—anatomical development is female in character. Thus, it is the action of the gonads as endocrine organs that is responsible for the development of the sexual phenotypes. The chapter describes current concepts of the processes by which the fetal gonads acquire the capacity to function as endocrine organs and of the mechanisms by which the endocrine secretions of the fetal testis modulate male development. It also gives an overview of the anatomical events involved in the formation of the sexual phenotypes and the factors that mediate this development.