cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phase equilibria and thermophysical properties of carbon dioxide-expanded fluorinated solvents

Abstract The volume expansion behavior and liquid molar compositions of several fluorinated solvents (methoxynonafluorobutane, C4F9OCH3; ethoxynonafluorobutane, C4F9OC2H5; 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,5-decafluoropentane, C5F10H2; and perfluorohexane, C6F14) expanded by pressurized carbon dioxide were measured at temperatures of 298 and 308 K and pressures up to 72 bar. The densities and viscosities of the expanded liquid phases were also determined. Fluorinated solvents undergo greater solvent-dependent volume expansion (as defined by de la Fuente Badilla et al. [J. Supercrit. Fluids 17 (2000) 13]) relative to traditional organic solvents. The Peng–Robinson equation of state (PR-EOS) satisfactorily described the liquid phase composition of the expanded fluorinated solvents. The viscosity reduction of the expanded fluorinated solvents was modeled by extending the method of Orbey and Sandler [Can. J. Chem. Eng. 71 (1993) 437] to fluorinated solvents. The model predicted the viscosities of the CO2-expanded solvents with an absolute average relative deviation (%AARD) of 6–12%.
Identification of linear multivariable systems from a single set of data by identification of observers with assigned real eigenvalues

A formulation is presented for identification of linear multivariable from a single set of input-output data. The identification method is formulated with the mathematical framework of learning identifications, by extension of the repetition domain concept to include shifting time intervals. This method contrasts with existing learning approaches that require data from multiple experiments. In this method, the system input-output relationship is expressed in terms of an observer, which is made asymptotically stable by an embedded real eigenvalue assignment procedure. Through this relationship, the Markov parameters of the observer are identified. The Markov parameters of the actual system are recovered from those of the observer, and then used to obtain a state space model of the system by standard realization techniques. The basic mathematical formulation is derived, and numerical examples presented to illustrate.
The Dilemma of Grades: Reconciling Disappointing Grades With Feelings of Personal Success

This study examines how students reconcile disappointing grades with feelings of personal success. Findings from 8 focus group interviews at 2 universities illustrate that this reconciliation is a communicative dilemma in which students regularly engage. To reconcile this dilemma, students draw on positive discourses of personal growth and genuine learning to describe their success. Findings suggest that, despite the conflict that arises in teacher–student communication about grades, such conversations can be engaged in a positive and constructive manner.
Glucose phosphorylation is required for Mycobacterium tuberculosis persistence in mice.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is thought to preferentially rely on fatty acid metabolism to both establish and maintain chronic infections. Its metabolic network, however, allows efficient co-catabolism of multiple carbon substrates. To gain insight into the importance of carbohydrate substrates for Mtb pathogenesis we evaluated the role of glucose phosphorylation, the first reaction in glycolysis. We discovered that Mtb expresses two functional glucokinases. Mtb required the polyphosphate glucokinase PPGK for normal growth on glucose, while its second glucokinase GLKA was dispensable. 13C-based metabolomic profiling revealed that both enzymes are capable of incorporating glucose into Mtb's central carbon metabolism, with PPGK serving as dominant glucokinase in wild type (wt) Mtb. When both glucokinase genes, ppgK and glkA, were deleted from its genome, Mtb was unable to use external glucose as substrate for growth or metabolism. Characterization of the glucokinase mutants in mouse infections demonstrated that glucose phosphorylation is dispensable for establishing infection in mice. Surprisingly, however, the glucokinase double mutant failed to persist normally in lungs, which suggests that Mtb has access to glucose in vivo and relies on glucose phosphorylation to survive during chronic mouse infections.
Comments on: A model of the inheritance of handedness and cerebral dominance

Abstract The concept of heterozygosity was examined within the context of Annett's model. New data were presented which lend additional support for her examination on shifts in manual and cerebral speech laterality after brain trauma, and broadens her interpretation to encompass lateral shifts in normal heterozygotic individuals. The heterozygote, in the absense of brain trauma, may also be susceptible, because of an unstable genotype, to incomplete lateralization with consequent disturbances in motor and language development.
The calcium-dependent and calcium-independent membrane binding of synaptotagmin 1: two modes of C2B binding.

Abstract The Ca2+-independent membrane interactions of the soluble C2 domains from synaptotagmin 1 (syt1) were characterized using a combination of site-directed spin labeling and vesicle sedimentation. The second C2 domain of syt1, C2B, binds to membranes containing phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine in a Ca2+-independent manner with a lipid partition coefficient of approximately 3.0 × 102 M− 1. A soluble fragment containing the first and second C2 domains of syt1, C2A and C2B, has a similar affinity, but C2A alone has no detectable affinity to phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylserine bilayers in the absence of Ca2+. Although the Ca2+-independent membrane affinity of C2B is modest, it indicates that this domain will never be free in solution within the cell. Site-directed spin labeling was used to obtain bilayer depth restraints, and a simulated annealing routine was used to generate a model for the membrane docking of C2B in the absence of Ca2+. In this model, the polybasic strand of C2B forms the membrane binding surface for the domain; however, this face of C2B does not penetrate the bilayer but is localized within the aqueous double layer when C2B is bound. This double-layer location indicates that C2B interacts in a purely electrostatic manner with the bilayer interface. In the presence of Ca2+, the membrane affinity of C2B is increased approximately 20-fold, and the domain rotates so that the Ca2+-binding loops of C2B insert into the bilayer. This Ca2+-triggered conformational change may act as a switch to modulate the accessibility of the polybasic face of C2B and control interactions of syt1 with other components of the fusion machinery.
Localization and analysis of functional failures in deep submicron advanced ASIC products

This paper proposes a complete methodology of localizing functional scan failures on complex custom ASIC designs without the need for special test development or use of specialized design debug equipment. The effectiveness of the methodology was proven in the foundry on several ASIC products from two different companies. The results of this work provided necessary information for the FAB manufacturing teams to understand the nature of the problem and resulted in process enhancements, which enabled the FAB to achieve significant yield improvement in record time.
Institutional Change in Latin America: External Models and their Unintended Consequences

Influential theories claim that institutions shape actor behavior but are sustained by these actors’ behavior. How do scholars escape from this trap of endogeneity? This article highlights a partially exogenous factor: institutional models and blueprints. Since these ideational schemes do not emerge from actor preferences, they play an independent, irreducible role in institutional creation. In fact, Latin America has borrowed many blueprints from the “First World.” But transferred to a different setting, these imported models often fail to command firm, reliable compliance and do not operate well. Therefore, informal mechanisms arise and guide behavior. External borrowing thus produces persistent disjunctures in institutional development.
Quantum theory of coherent transverse optical magnetism: erratum

Several corrections of detail are made to an earlier paper. The main results and conclusions are unchanged.
The Biopolitical Economy of Time

This article considers the political limitations of Hardt and Negri’s treatment of time in Empire and offers the concepts of “The Biopolitical Economy of Time” and “Recalibration” as a means to enliven the possibility to demand a social wage for all.
Solid-state NMR characterization of switchgrass cellulose after dilute acid pretreatment

Background: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is being considered as a potential feedstock for bioethanol production and extensive research is ongoing to establish the optimum pretreatment conditions for switchgrass. Cellulose comprises the most abundant biopolymer in the biosphere and its crystalline/ultrastructure is considered to be related to biomass recalcitrance. This study investigates the effects of dilute acid pretreatment on ultrastructural features of switchgrass cellulose. Results: In this study, switchgrass was pretreated in a pilot-scale reactor at 190°C (0.05 g sulfuric acid per gram of dry switchgrass) with 25% total solid loading and a reactor residence of 1 min. Cellulose was isolated from the pretreated and untreated switchgrass. The impact of pretreatment on the ultrastructure of cellulose was determined by solid-state cross polarization/magic angle spinning 13C NMR spectroscopy. Switchgrass demonstrated a preferable degradation of amorphous cellulose regions during dilute acid pretrea...
2,2,3,3‐Tetramethyliodocyclopropane

2,2,3,3-Tetramethyliodocyclopropane product: 1-Iodo-cis,trans-2,3-dimethylcyclopropane product: 2,2,3,3-tetramethyliodocyclopropane Keywords: annulation, carbocyclic-[3]; cyclization, free radical-carbenoid/nitrenoid; photochemical reactions; photochemical apparatus; photochemical apparatus, immersion well, quartz
Performance analysis of task migration in a portable parallel environment

The performance of a preemptive task migration algorithm implemented in a portable parallel programming environment is reported. The experiments were conducted using the ELMO system which extends languages like C with migratable parallel tasks. Preemptive task migration support has been provided for checkpointing of tasks during debugging and replay in the Intrepid environment, as well as for transparent checkpointing and recovery support for dynamic reconfiguration upon failure. However its implementation is general, and can be used transparently by the system for other purposes like load redistribution and adaptive scheduling on workstation networks. The performance of task migration on a variety of application programs on the nCUBE/2 is reported.
Integrative Strategy Instruction: A Potential Model for Teaching Content Area Subjects to Adolescents with Learning Disabilities

In part because learning strategies are often taught in isolated resource settings outside of the contexts in which students with learning disabilities are expected to apply this knowledge, generalization has been a significant challenge to educators. To address this problem, an instructional model is proposed for integrating cognitive strategy instruction and content area instruction when teaching students in content area classes. Teacher-directed instructional procedures, cooperative learning, and direct explanation and dialectical strategy instruction are integrated into four key instructional processes: orienting, framing, applying, and extending. In this model, teacher-mediated instructional devices and routines used to teach content area subjects serve as a basis for teaching students to self-mediate parallel cognitive strategies and processes. The model is discussed in terms of its theoretical and philosophical orientations as manifested in its knowledge and instructional bases. A scenario is provi...
Carotid Stents: Unleashed, Unproven

Primarily on the basis of data derived from the Stenting and Angioplasty With Protection in Patients at High Risk for Endarterectomy (SAPPHIRE) trial,1 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of carotid stents (CASs) in high-risk patients. The SAPPHIRE trial was published and much heralded as a randomized trial demonstrating that CASs were not inferior to carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Yet, the more recent Endarterectomy Versus Angioplasty in Patients with Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis randomized trial of CASs compared with CEA had to be stopped because the stroke rate with stents was so high that it triggered the safety guidelines of the study design.2 How can we explain the striking difference in outcome between these 2 studies, and how did it happen that the FDA was so convinced of the quality and validity of the SAPPHIRE trial that it granted approval for CASs? An examination of the SAPPHIRE trial—its conduct, data collection and analysis, the circumstances of publication, the presentation to the FDA Advisory Panel, and its consequent approval—is the primary focus of this article. This is a case study of the flaws in our system for the evaluation and approval of medical devices that warrant serious reflection on our ability to properly create and act on accurate information and live up to our commitment to evidence-based decision making. Response by Samuelson et al p 1601 As it now stands, existing studies leave us with the unfortunate but not unreasonable conclusion that no scientific basis exists for the use of CASs as approved by the FDA, and in the absence of change, there is every reason to doubt the capability of our current system to protect the public from unnecessary risk in the future. Although this article focuses on just 1 example of how our systems …
Don't care-based BDD minimization for embedded software

This paper explores the use of don't cares in software synthesis for embedded systems. Embedded systems have extremely tight real-time and code/data size constraints, that make expensive optimizations desirable. We propose applying BDD minimization techniques in the presence of a don't care set to synthesize code for extended Finite State Machines from a BDD-based representation of the FSM transition function. The don't care set can be derived from local analysis (such as unused state codes or don't care inputs) as well as from external information (such as impossible input patterns). We show experimental results, discuss their implications, the interaction between BDD-based minimization and dynamic variable reordering, and propose directions for future work.
Aortic smooth muscle cells respond to soluble proteins released by aortic endothelial cells after fluid flow exposure

Vascular functioning is affected by blood flow, as well as the behavior of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. For example, many studies have shown that endothelial cell morphology and gene expression are dependent on the presence of laminar fluid flow within the blood vessel. It is also reasonable to hypothesize that smooth muscle cell behavior is affected by chemical mediators (such as growth factors) released by these flow-exposed endothelial cells. Using a parallel plate flow chamber, this study confirmed up-regulation of COX-2, ecNOS, and PDGF in endothelial cells exposed to laminar flow (shear stress = 10.44 dyne/cm/sup 2/) for either 6 or 24 hours. For the first time, smooth muscle cells grown in a static environment were exposed to "conditioned" media, or supernatant media containing any soluble factors released by endothelial cells under such flow conditions. Our results have provided the first evidence of altered smooth muscle cell proliferation and gene expression in response to this conditioned medium. Understanding the release of these mediators by vascular endothelial cells and their effects on neighboring smooth muscle cell function will aid in elucidating the mechanism behind atherosclerosis development.
Replacement of the aortic valve with cryopreserved aortic allograft

Replacement of the aortic valve with cryopreserved aortic allograft was performed in 88 patients during the period from July 1985 until January 1993. Age of patients ranged from 15 to 75 years (mean, 44 years). The cause of aortic valve disease was congenital in 39 (44%), rheumatic in 9 (10%), degenerative in 14 (16%), endocarditis in 11 (13%), and failed prosthesis in 15 (17%). The operation was performed by freehand allograft technique in 71 patients (81%). There were no perioperative deaths. Two patients died later at 4 months and 5 years after operation (actuarial survival = 94% at 7.5 years). Follow-up extending to 7.5 years shows 87% of patients are in New York Heart Association functional class I. No thromboembolism has been detected in any patient. Infection was cured in all patients with endocarditis. Mild aortic valve incompetence was detected by diastolic murmur in 45% of patients. Only three valves have been removed at reoperation: one was removed early for technical reasons, and two valves were removed for structural degeneration at 33 and 55 months; the latter was infected. Actuarial freedom from reoperation for any reason was 89%; for structural deterioration it was 93% at 7.5 years. Aortic valve replacement with cryopreserved aortic allograft can be safely performed in adult patients. Medium-term results show excellent freedom from thromboembolism and cure of bacterial endocarditis. Mild aortic valve incompetence is often present, but reoperation for progressive incompetence is unusual.
Utility of percutaneous joint aspiration and synovial biopsy in identifying culture-positive infected hip arthroplasty

Percutaneous synovial biopsy has recently been reported to have a high diagnostic value in the preoperative identification of periprosthetic infection of the hip. We report our experience with this technique in the evaluation of patients undergoing revision hip arthroplasty, comparing results of preoperative synovial biopsy with joint aspiration in identifying an infected hip arthroplasty by bacteriological analysis. We retrospectively reviewed the results of the 110 most recent revision hip arthroplasties in which preoperative synovial biopsy and joint aspiration were both performed. Revision surgery for these patients occurred during the period from September 2005 to March 2012. Using this study group, results from preoperative cultures were compared with preoperative laboratory studies and the results of intraoperative cultures. Synovial aspiration was done using an 18- or 20-gauge spinal needle. Synovial biopsy was done coaxially following aspiration using a 22-gauge Chiba needle or 21-gauge Sure-Cut needle. Standard microbiological analysis was performed on preoperative synovial fluid aspirate and synovial biopsy. Intraoperative tissue biopsy bacteriological analysis results at surgical revision were accepted as the “gold standard” for the presence or absence of infection. Seventeen of 110 (15 %) of patients had intraoperative culture-positive periprosthetic infection. Of these 17 cases, there were ten cases where either the synovial fluid aspiration and/or the synovial biopsy were true positive (sensitivity of 59 %, specificity of 100 %, positive predictive value of 100 % and accuracy of 94 %). There were seven cases where aspiration and biopsy results were both falsely negative, but no false-positive results. Similar results were found for synovial fluid aspiration alone. The results of synovial biopsy alone resulted in the identification of seven infected joints with no false-positive result (sensitivity of 41 %, specificity of 100 %, positive predictive value of 100 %, and accuracy of 91 %). Standard microbiological analyses performed on percutaneous synovial biopsy specimen during the preoperative evaluation of patients undergoing revision hip arthroplasty did not improve detection of culture-positive periprosthetic infection as compared to synovial fluid aspiration alone.
Vacuum Energy as Spectral Geometry

Quantum vacuum energy (Casimir energy) is reviewed for a mathematical audience as a topic in spectral theory. Then some one-dimensional systems are solved exactly, in terms of closed classical paths and periodic orbits. The relations among local spectral densities, energy densities, global eigenvalue densities, and total energies are demonstrated. This material provides background and motivation for the treatment of higher-dimensional systems (self-adjoint second-order partial differential operators) by semiclassical approxi- mation and other methods.
Phonological Features Exhibited by Children Speaking African American English at Three Grade Levels

This study compared phonological features of African American English speakers at 3 grade levels: preschool, elementary school, and middle school. The phonological features exhibited at all 3 grade levels were quite similar. The frequency of usage, determined by the percentage of speakers exhibiting the feature and by the mean number of occurrences of the feature, varied. The frequency of occurrence of some features decreased as grade level increased, the frequency of others remained the same, and the frequency of others was quite variable at the different grade levels. We noted 1 unusual feature (bazin for bathing ) among several younger speakers.
Aerated vibrofluidization of silica nanoparticles

Vigorous homogeneous fluidization of 12-nm silica particles was easily achieved by coupling aeration with vibration. Vibration (with frequency in the range of 30 to 200 Hz, and vibrational acceleration in the range of 0 to 5 g) was found to be necessary to achieve smooth fluidization. The minimum fluidization velocity, defined as the lowest gas velocity at which the pressure drop across the bed reaches a plateau, was approximately 0.3‐0.4 cm/s, and essentially independent of the vibrational acceleration. However, the bed expanded almost immediately after the air was turned on, reaching bed expansions of three times the initial bed height or higher. Thus the bed appeared to exhibit a fluidlike behavior at velocities much lower than the minimum fluidization velocity. Fluidization of nanoparticles was achieved as a result of the formation of stable, relatively large, and very porous agglomerates. Practically no bubbles or elutriation of particles was observed. A fractal analysis combined with a modified Richardson‐Zaki approach is proposed for prediction of agglomerate size and voidage. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 1776 –1785, 2004
Museum Literacies of a Second‐Grade Classroom

Concepts of museum literacies are introduced in this report. Information is presented for how museum literacies were initiated, designed, and produced in a second-grade classroom. Findings show how participants took up museum literacies differently, including their uses of printed texts and other communicative forms. Two short case studies are presented that suggest how museum literacies can be engaging and transforming for students. Suggestions of how to use museum literacies are provided for educators, online museum resources are included. These practices suggest creative possibilities to teach literacies while covering subject area content and addressing school curricular standards.
Re-imagining United States Antarctic research as a defining endeavor of a deserving world leader: 1957-1991

Touching on the modern politics of Antarctica and the shifting interests that the USA and people of other nations had in that continent, this paper examines the imprint of politics and culture on US public discourse about the US Antarctic research program. It argues that US government officials, scientists, and mass media responded to one another, evolving cultural values, and these dynamic politics and interests by changing the way they depicted scientific exploration in Antarctica. Initially treating this exploration as a manly attempt to know the world and conquer its last uninhabited continent, these pundits came to regard Antarctic science as a means of protecting an endangered continental wilderness, while using it to study humanity’s most pressing env ronmental crises. In doing so, however, they clung to an unchanging discourse celebrating US Antarctic research as proof of the benevolent world leadership by the USA, of its unstinting desire to advance peace, security, and prosperity for all humanity.
Reusing Translated Terms to Expand a Multilingual Thesaurus

Multilingual thesauri play a key role in multilingual text retrieval. At present, only a small number of on-line thesauri contain translations of terms in languages other than English. This is the case of the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) Metathesaurus that includes the same term in different languages (e.g., English and Spanish). However, only a subset of terms in English have a corresponding translation in Spanish. In this work, I present an approach and some experimental results for reusing translated terms to expand the Metathesaurus. The approach includes two main tasks: finding patterns and formulating rules to automate the translation of English terms into Spanish terms. The approach is based on pattern matching, morphological rules, and word order inversion.
A Study of the Attitudes, Motives, and Strategies of University Foreign Language Students and Their Disposition to Authentic Oral and Written Input

A MAJOR AREA OF SECOND LANGUAGE (SL) acquisition research is the role played by learner variables in the process of learning a second language.' The focus of interest is on the complex relationship between learner characteristics, their specific language learning behaviors or strategies, and, of course, the ultimate success of these strategies in language learning. Learner characteristics in the social and affective domains in particular are widely regarded as profoundly influencing outcome by virtue of their association with language acquisition behavior. The pioneering work of Gardner and Lambert (13, 14) brought motivation and other attitudinal/affective variables to the forefront of research. Krashen's Monitor
The Whole PIE: A roadmap to comprehensive excellence

Responding to the alarming numbers of dissatisfied members of the U.S. workforce, this article introduces a workable plan of action titled “The Whole PIE,” which is useful for members of the workforce at all levels, to enhance their internal locus of control and enhance the quality of life at work for themselves and others. Starting with actions geared toward personal (“P”) performance enhancement, and subsequently graduating to actions at the interactive (“I”) and external (“E”) level, the text leads the reader toward a comprehensive perspective (The Whole “PIE”) in which short-term and long-term actors and factors are considered in one's workplace performance.
Behavior-driven development: conference tutorial

Behavior-driven development is a software development technique in which system behaviors are determined and made into test cases before the software itself is written. Benefits can include a richer and deeper understanding of system requirements in addition to making these requirements executable. Moreover, this technique helps guide software developers in knowing what to test as well as knowing how much to test. In this tutorial, we introduce the fundamentals of this approach, a language for expressing system behaviors, and explain how to use this technique effectively in the undergraduate computer science curriculum.
Careful Thinking about Counterterrorism Policy

Philip Heymann's most recent contribution to the post-9/11 policy debate, Terrorism, Freedom, and Security: Winning without War, endorses a nuanced approach to counterterrorism policy emphasizing the use of cost-benefit analysis with respect to both the short-term and long-term impacts of particular policy choices. Arguing from this perspective, Heymann concludes that certain aspects of current policy (particularly the use of military detention) place undue emphasis on military methods at the expense of legal, diplomatic, economic, and intelligence community alternatives. This review essay provides an overview of Heymann's argument, locating it along the spectrum of criticisms of current counterterrorism laws and policies. Reflecting the fact that Heymann's argument critiques the emphasis on "war" in the "war on terrorism," the essay also provides a short history of the manner in which that familiar phrase has been used since at least the early 1980s as a marshaling and signaling device, usually in connection with policies that were decidedly non-military in emphasis.
Atomistic Description of the Folding of a Dimeric Protein

Equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations are increasingly being used to describe the folding of individual proteins and protein domains at an atomic level of detail. Isolated protein domains, however, are rarely observed in vivo, where multidomain proteins and multimeric assemblies are far more common. It is clear that the folding of such proteins is often inextricably coupled with the process of dimerization; indeed, many protein monomers and protein domains are not stable in isolation, and fold to their native structures only when stabilized by interactions with other members of a protein complex. Here, we use equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations with an aggregate simulation length of 4 ms to elucidate key aspects of the folding mechanism, and of the associated free-energy surface, of the Top7-CFr dimer, a 114-amino-acid protein homodimer with a mixed α/β structure. In these simulations, we observed a number of folding and unfolding events. Each folding event was characterized by the assembly of...
Stereoscopic PIV Measurements of Swirl Distortion on a Full-Scale Turbofan Engine Inlet

There is a present need for simulating and measuring the inlet swirl distortion generated by airframe/engine system interactions to identify potential degradation in fan performance and operability in a full-scale, ground testing environment. Efforts are described to address this need by developing and characterizing methods for complex, prescribed distortion patterns. A relevent inlet swirl distortion profile was generated by a novel new method, dubbed the StreamVane method, and measured in a small scale tunnel using stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (PIV) as a precursor for swirl distortion generation and characterization in an operating turbofan research engine. The StreamVane prototype tested was made of ABS plastic using additive manufacturing and was used to generate swirl distortion patterns that mimick boundary layer ingesting engine inlets with a pair of tightly wound vortices and swirl angle magnitudes up to 15°. Diagnostic development efforts for distortion measurements within the research engine paralleled the StreamVane characterization. The system used for research engine PIV measurements is described along with data obtained in the wake of a total pressure distortion screen for engine conditions at idle and 80% corrected fan speed engine power settings. Data reduction algorithms are put forth to reduce spurious velocity vectors and uncertainty estimations specific to the inlet distortion test rig are made. Results indicate that the methods developed may be used to both generate and characterize complex distortion profiles at the aerodynamic interface plane, providing new information about airframe/engine integration.
Effect of relaxin upon decidual reactions in the rat.

SummaryPreparations of relaxin from the ovaries of pregnant sows and from the blood of pregnant rabbits inhibit the development of a decidual reaction in the uterus of the castrate-pseudopregnant rat following traumatization and treatment with progesterone. Partially purified relaxin samples also contain a heat-labile factor which synergizes with progesterone in the production of deciduomata. On the basis of experiments with relaxin preparations covering a wide range of specific activities, and the effects of a variety of chemical reagents, it is concluded that the inhibitory property of such preparations is a specific response to relaxin.
Artificial Diet and Rearing Procedures for the Omnivorous Looper

An artificial diet and rearing procedures are described for Sabulodes aegrotata Guenee. The normal developmental period for larvae reared from egg to pupa on the described diet was 38 to 41 days. The mean adult female life span was 15.5 days, and average fecundity was 233 eggs. A colony of S. aegrotata has been maintained for over 2 years and has completed more than ten successive generations with the described diet and rearing procedures.
Evaluating Performance of High Efficiency Mist Eliminators

Processing liquid wastes frequently generates off gas streams with high humidity and liquid aerosols. Droplet laden air streams can be produced from tank mixing or sparging and processes such as reforming or evaporative volume reduction. Unfortunately these wet air streams represent a genuine threat to HEPA filters. High efficiency mist eliminators (HEME) are one option for removal of liquid aerosols with high dissolved or suspended solids content.HEMEs have been used extensively in industrial applications, however they have not seen widespread use in the nuclear industry. Filtering efficiency data along with loading curves are not readily available for these units and data that exist are not easily translated to operational parameters in liquid waste treatment plants.A specialized test stand has been developed to evaluate the performance of HEME elements under use conditions of a US DOE facility. HEME elements were tested at three volumetric flow rates using aerosols produced from an iron-rich waste surrogate. The challenge aerosol included submicron particles produced from Laskin nozzles and super micron particles produced from a hollow cone spray nozzle. Test conditions included ambient temperature and relative humidities greater than 95%.Data collected during testing HEME elements from three different manufacturers included volumetric flow rate, differential temperature across the filter housing, downstream relative humidity, and differential pressure (dP) across the filter element. Filter challenge was discontinued at three intermediate dPs and the filter to allow determining filter efficiency using dioctyl phthalate and then with dry surrogate aerosols. Filtering efficiencies of the clean HEME, the clean HEME loaded with water, and the HEME at maximum dP were also collected using the two test aerosols.Results of the testing included differential pressure vs. time loading curves for the nine elements tested along with the mass of moisture and solid material on each element at final dP. Plots of overall filtering efficiencies for DOP (spherical aerosol) and dry surrogate (aspherical aerosols) at specified dPs were computed for each filter. Filtering efficiencies were determined as a function of particle size. Curves were also generated showing the most penetrating particle size as a function of dP.A preliminary set of tests was conducted to evaluate spray location, duration, pressure, and wash volume for in-place cleaning the interior surface (reducing dP) of the HEME element. A variety of nozzle designs were evaluated and test results demonstrated the potential to overload the HEME (saturate filter medium) resulting in very high dPs and extensive drain times. At least one combination of spray nozzle design, spray location on the surface of the element, and spray time/pressure was successful in achieving extension of operational life.© 2013 ASME
A Geometric Windowing Algorithm in Network Data-Plane Verification

Network verification is attracting attention as a key technology to detect configuration errors before deploying the network. In verification, a set of packets to be inspected is usually specified by a window -- a multi-dimensional rectangle defined by packet header fields (e.g., address prefixes and port ranges). Network operators have to know the forwarding behaviors of packets inside the window, this can be regarded as the windowing query problem in computation geometry. This paper proposes a novel windowing algorithm for network verification. Unlike existing windowing algorithms, our algorithm runs on a compressed data structure, because the search space has to be represented in a compressed form due to the space complexity.
Space-Time Coding and Beamforming Using Noisy Rate-Limited Feedback

We combine space-time coding and transmit beamforming forming over quasi-static block fading MISO channels, using quantized channel feedback. Our goal is to preserve diversity and besides, to provide additional array gain (SNR gain) compared to conventional space-time codes. In practice, the transmitter channel state information is degraded by bandwidth limitation and noise in the feedback link. The imperfect and impaired feedback leads to drastic performance degradation unless the system is robustly designed against low-resolution and erroneous feedback information. Therefore, combining coding and beamforming forming must be optimized for low-rate and erroneous feedback conditions. In this work, the combining is performed using a class of constellation sets inspired from orthogonal designs and precoded STBCs which is called partly precoded orthogonal designs (PPODs). PPODs provide full-diversity with any feedback rate, any number of transmit antennas, and any amount of feedback error. The attractive property of our scheme is that it converges to conventional space-time coding with low-rate and highly erroneous feedback and to pure beamforming with high rate and error-free feedback. Moreover, our scheme shows desirable robustness against design mismatch with respect to feedback channel specifications.
Relationship between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and severity of lower extremity peripheral artery disease

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to determine the association between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and severity of lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD). Methods A retrospective chart review identified 928 patients referred for peripheral angiography. NLR was assessed from routine pre-procedural hemograms with automated differentials and available in 733 patients. Outcomes of interest were extent of disease on peripheral angiography and target vessel revascularization. Median follow-up was 10.4months. Odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence intervals] was assessed using a logistic regression model. Results There was a significant association between elevated NLR and presence of severe multi-level PAD versus isolated suprapopliteal or isolated infrapopliteal disease (OR 1.11 [1.03–1.19], p =0.007). This association remained significant even after adjustment for age (OR 1.09 [1.01–1.17], p =0.02); age, sex, race, and body mass index (OR 1.08 [1.00–1.16], p =0.046); and age, sex, race, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and creatinine (OR 1.07 [1.00–1.15], p =0.049). After additional adjustment for clinical presentation, there was a trend towards association between NLR and severe multi-level PAD (OR 1.07 [1.00–1.15], p =0.056), likely limited by sample size. In patients who underwent endovascular intervention (n=523), there was no significant difference in rate of target vessel revascularization across tertiles of NLR (1st tertile 14.8%, 2nd tertile 14.1%, 3rd tertile 20.1%; p =0.32). Conclusion In a contemporary cohort of patients undergoing peripheral angiography with possible endovascular intervention, elevated NLR was independently associated with severe multi-level PAD. Larger studies evaluating the association between this inexpensive biomarker and clinical outcomes are warranted.
Low-Income Urban Mothers’ Experiences with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Abstract Background Food insecurity remains a public health concern in the United States, particularly among low-income urban ethnically diverse families, even with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Limited phenomenologic data exist to capture how programmatic changes to SNAP address the needs of users and why a gap in SNAP use may exist. Objective The primary aim of this study was to examine the experiences of low-income, Baltimore, MD, mothers in applying for and maintaining access to SNAP. Secondary aims included understanding participants' perspectives on the influence of changes in SNAP over a 3-year period and how SNAP fits into the overall system of social services for families. Design In this qualitative, phenomenologic study, in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 mothers and three focus groups with 20 mothers, for a total sample of 33 mothers receiving SNAP benefits. Ten mothers participated in the first round of data collection (January to May 2010), and 23 in the second round (February to May 2013). Participants/setting Participants were 33 mothers receiving SNAP benefits in Baltimore City, MD. Main outcome measures Baltimore SNAP users' experiences with applying for and maintaining access to SNAP, as well as with program changes to the SNAP program. Data analysis Data were analyzed using an iterative emergent design and phenomenologic approach. A constructivist perspective was implemented throughout the coding process. Results SNAP functioned as a valuable support system within the broader social safety net for mothers living in poverty, yet participants expressed frustration about the processes of applying for and maintaining benefits due to communication problems and poor integration of services. In applying for and accessing SNAP, positive interactions with caseworkers and previous knowledge of the SNAP program were important for maintaining benefits. Interviews and focus group discussions revealed the need for additional outreach and education about the implemented program changes to build trust and improve access to SNAP among participants. Conclusions Improving communication and supporting participants' ability to maintain relationships with the same caseworkers, as well as developing better integration with other aid programs, could improve the SNAP program.
Explaining the Gap: Visualizing One's Predictions Improves Recall and Comprehension of Data

Information visualizations use interactivity to enable user-driven querying of visualized data. However, users' interactions with their internal representations, including their expectations about data, are also critical for a visualization to support learning. We present multiple graphically-based techniques for eliciting and incorporating a user's prior knowledge about data into visualization interaction. We use controlled experiments to evaluate how graphically eliciting forms of prior knowledge and presenting feedback on the gap between prior knowledge and the observed data impacts a user's ability to recall and understand the data. We find that participants who are prompted to reflect on their prior knowledge by predicting and self-explaining data outperform a control group in recall and comprehension. These effects persist when participants have moderate or little prior knowledge on the datasets. We discuss how the effects differ based on text versus visual presentations of data. We characterize the design space of graphical prediction and feedback techniques and describe design recommendations.
Dantzig-Selector Radial Basis Function Learning with Nonconvex Refinement

This paper addresses the problem of constructing nonlinear relationships in complex time-dependent data. We present an approach for learning nonlinear mappings that combines convex optimization for the model order selection problem followed by non-convex optimization for model refinement. This approach exploits the linear system that arises with radial basis function approximations. The first phase of the learning employs the Dantzig-Selector convex optimization problem to determine the number and candidate locations of the RBFs. At this preliminary stage maintaining the supervised learning relationships is not part of the objective function but acts as a constraint in the optimization problem. The model refinement phase is a non-convex optimization problem the goal of which is to optimize the shape and location parameters of the skew RBFs. We demonstrate the algorithm on on the Mackey-Glass chaotic time-series where we explore time-delay embedding models in both three and four dimensions. We observe that the initial centers obtained by the Dantzig-Selector provide favorable initial conditions for the non-convex refinement problem.
Diversity in the US Infectious Diseases Workforce: Challenges for Women and Underrepresented Minorities

Research documents significant gender-based salary inequities among physicians and ongoing inadequacies in recruitment and promotion of physicians from underrepresented minority groups. Given the complexity of the social forces that promote these disparities, their elimination will likely require quantitative and qualitative research to understand the pathways that lead to them and to develop effective solutions. Interventions to combat implicit bias will be required, and structural interventions that hold medical school leadership accountable are needed to achieve and maintain salary equity and racial and gender diversity at all levels.
Mastics and Mortars

The focus of this chapter is to discuss the properties and relevance of the mastic and mortar, also referred to as the fine aggregate matrix or FAM for short. Asphalt mastics and mortars can be regarded as the matrix in an asphalt mixture composite at an intermediate millimeter length scale. In practice, although mastics and mortars are almost never produced or used by themselves, they provide a convenient way to evaluate the influence of different types of binders, additives, modifiers, and mineral aggregates on the relative performance of different mixes. Mastics and mortars are also used to understand potential chemical and physicochemical interactions between the various component materials and the influence of factors such as aging and moisture. This chapter discusses the role of fillers in mastics from a mechanical and physicochemical perspective. This chapter also briefly presents typical approaches to use mortars as a means to evaluate the relative performance of various materials.
Early Opportunities to Strengthen Academic Readiness: Effects of Summer Learning on Mathematics Achievement:

Students who come from low-income backgrounds tend to be underidentified and underserved in gifted education. Early interventions with learners of high potential from underserved groups, including ...
Person-Centred Health Care: Balancing the Welfare of Clinicians and Patients by Stephen Buetow

Buetow, S. (2016). Person-centred health care: Balancing the welfare of clinicians and patients. New York, NY: Routledge. $160.00 (hardback), ISBN: 978-1138-81977-1.
Secondary Photoreceptor Degenerations: Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes loss of central vision mediated by the macula, a portion of the retina specialized for fine acuity vision. AMD is the most common cause of blindness in elderly individuals. Drusen, extracellular deposits between Bruch's membrane and the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), are a hallmark of the disease. Compromise of RPE cells overlying drusen leads to dysfunction and death of the photoreceptor cells in the neural retina. Age, heredity, and smoking are the most significant risk factors for AMD. Polymorphisms in complement-related and other genes also contribute to the risk of AMD.