cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defining the Place of Direct Primary Care in a Value-Based Care System.

Introduction Direct primary care, one of several retainer-based practice models, is a niche practice type that offers an alternative to the traditional fee-for-service and insurance-based practices most prevalent in US health care. In Wisconsin, the prevalence of direct primary care practices is higher than in most other states. The market for direct primary care practice may be growing along with the industry shift to value-based care and an increase in physicians' desire to reduce the increasing administrative work and regulations that detract from patient care and increase burnout. Many physicians are seeking ways to reduce these burdens so they have more time with patients. Some are transitioning their practice to a retainer-based model, such as direct primary care, in which they collect a retainer from patients in exchange for more time, freer communication, and less paperwork. Objective The objective of this review is to provide information about the direct primary care practice model, possible drivers to this model of care, and its advantages and drawbacks for physicians and patients. This discussion also aims to evaluate the care model's place in the shift to value-based care, and key positions and policy from leading organizations. Methods A literature review was conducted to collect and analyze current evidence about the prevalence of retainer-based practices, the average fees associated with such models, the contributors to physician burnout that may lead to a transition to the direct primary care model, and the relevant ethical and policy considerations associated with direct primary care. Discussion Eighty-two percent of Wisconsin physicians report some level of burnout. Estimates demonstrate an increase in the number of direct primary care practices, and that Wisconsin is among the top 3 states with the highest number of direct primary care practices. The literature suggests that since the early stages of modern retainer-based models, patient fees have decreased and the patient base for these practices has expanded. The practice model is relatively rare, although there are indicators that its presence has increased in recent years. Conclusions Physicians seeking strategies to reduce administrative burden, spend more time with patients, or simply streamline their practice may experience benefits in transitioning to a retainer practice such as direct primary care. There are foundational concepts about direct primary care, including advantages, drawbacks, and ethical considerations, to heed when transitioning to this model. There is a need for further research to quantify key data about direct primary care and its effects on patient outcomes and physician burnout and satisfaction.
Clinical impact of celiac ganglia metastasis upon pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Abstract Background Pre-operative staging of pancreatic adenocarcinoma guides clinical decision making. Limited data indicate that metastasis to celiac ganglia (CG) correlates with poor prognosis. We investigated feasibility and safety of endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) detection of CG metastasis and its impact upon tumor stage, resectability, and survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Patients We reviewed our prospectively maintained EUS and cytopathology databases to identify patients with FNA proven CG metastasis in patients with PDAC from 2004 to 2017. Clinical demographics, EUS, CT, MRI, cytopathology, cancer stage, and resectability data were analyzed. Survival of PDAC patients with CG metastasis was compared to the expected survival of PDAC patients of similar stage as reported by the United States National Cancer Database. Results Twenty-one patients with PDAC [median age 73 (IQR63-78); 14 (67%) female)], had CG metastasis confirmed by cytopathologic assessment. CG metastasis resulted in tumor upstaging relative to other EUS findings and cross sectional imaging findings in 12 (57%) and 15 (71%) patients, and converted cancers from resectable to unresectable relative to EUS and cross sectional imaging in 7 (37%) and 7 (37%) patients, respectively. In patients with PDAC, the survival of patients with CG metastasis was not significantly different from the overall survival (hazard ratio 0.71; 95% confidence interval 0.44, 1.13; p = 0.15). Conclusions EUS-FNA may safely identify CG metastases. While CG metastasis upstaged and altered the resectability status among this cohort of patients with PDAC, the survival data with regard to PDAC suggest that this may be misguided.
A hybrid catalytic hydrogenation/membrane distillation process for nitrogen resource recovery from nitrate-contaminated waste ion exchange brine

Abstract Ion exchange is widely used to treat nitrate-contaminated groundwater, but high salt usage for resin regeneration and management of waste brine residuals increase treatment costs and add environmental burdens. Development of palladium-based catalytic nitrate treatment systems for brine treatment and reuse has showed promising activity for nitrate reduction and selectivity towards the N2 over the alternative product ammonia, but this strategy overlooks the potential value of nitrogen resources. Here, we evaluated a hybrid catalytic hydrogenation/membrane distillation process for nitrogen resource recovery during treatment and reuse of nitrate-contaminated waste ion exchange brines. In the first step of the hybrid process, a Ru/C catalyst with high selectivity towards ammonia was found to be effective for nitrate hydrogenation under conditions representative of waste brines, including expected salt buildup that would occur with repeated brine reuse cycles. The apparent rate constants normalized to metal mass (0.30 ± 0.03 mM min−1 gRu−1 under baseline condition) were comparable to the state-of-the-art bimetallic Pd catalyst. In the second stage of the hybrid process, membrane distillation was applied to recover the ammonia product from the brine matrix, capturing nitrogen as ammonium sulfate, a commercial fertilizer product. Solution pH significantly influenced the rate of ammonia mass transfer through the gas-permeable membrane by controlling the fraction of free ammonia species (NH3) present in the solution. The rate of ammonia recovery was not affected by increasing salt levels in the brine, indicating the feasibility of membrane distillation for recovering ammonia over repeated reuse cycles. Finally, high rates of nitrate hydrogenation (apparent rate constant 1.80 ± 0.04 mM min−1 gRu−1) and ammonia recovery (overall mass transfer coefficient 0.20 m h−1) with the hybrid treatment process were demonstrated when treating a real waste ion exchange brine obtained from a drinking water utility. These findings introduce an innovative strategy for recycling waste ion exchange brine while simultaneously recovering potentially valuable nitrogen resources when treating contaminated groundwater.
Acquiring environmental flows: ecological economics of policy development in western U.S.

Abstract The western U.S. faces trade-offs between providing water for urban, agricultural and industrial uses and allocating water to environmental needs. These competing uses have been the subject of many conflicts addressed by courts, legislatures and voluntary water trading arrangements. This paper draws upon Social Ecological Economics of Water (SEEW) and Punctuated Equilibrium Theory (PET) to evaluate the interdependent roles of voluntary transactions and mandates to provide environmental water. The article presents stages of maturation in water trading, and applies these to two evolving markets in the western U.S. Case studies of the Edwards Aquifer in Texas and the Colorado River Delta illustrate the interplay of voluntary water trading and compulsory reallocation. The cases highlight interdependencies among policy instruments and pathways of water policy innovation. The SEEW and PET frameworks shed light on persistent difficulties faced with developing markets to acquire water for environmental needs. The case studies demonstrate SEEW concepts of patrimony and power dynamics in considering why objections to voluntary water trading endure, even though water transactions are a valuable policy instrument. The case studies illustrate PET principles on the role of economic impetus in propelling policy innovation and on pivotal contributions by academics and NGOs.
Evaluation of the potential use of a systemic insecticide and girdled trees in area wide management of the emerald ash borer

Abstract Emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire , has become the most destructive forest insect to invade North America. Unfortunately, tactics to manage A. planipennis are limited and difficult to evaluate, primarily because of the difficulty of detecting and delineating new infestations. Here we use data from a unique resource, the SL.ow A.sh M.ortality (SLAM) pilot project, to assess whether treating a small proportion of trees with a highly effective systemic insecticide or girdling ash ( Fraxinus spp.) trees to serve as A. planipennis population sinks can result in discernable effects on A. planipennis population growth or ash mortality. Components of the SLAM pilot project included an extensive inventory of ash abundance across a heterogenous area encompassing >390 km 2 , treatment of 587 ash trees with a highly effective systemic insecticide, and girdling 2658 ash trees from 2009 to 2012. Fixed radius plots were established to monitor the condition of >1000 untreated ash trees throughout the area from 2010 to 2012. While only a very small proportion of ash trees in the project area were either treated with insecticide or girdled, both tactics led to detectable reductions of A. planipennis densities and protected ash trees in areas surrounding the treatments. The number of trees treated with the systemic insecticide reduced larval abundance in subsequent years. In contrast, the area of phloem in the insecticide-treated trees had no discernable effect on A. planipennis population growth, indicating that the number of treated trees was more important than the size of treated trees. Significant interactions among girdled trees, larval density, and the local abundance of ash phloem indicate girdling trees has a positive, but complex potential as a management tactic.
Moral distress perspectives among interprofessional intensive care unit team members.

Aim:To examine interprofessional healthcare professionals’ perceptions of triggers and root causes of moral distress.Design:Qualitative description of open-text comments written on the Moral Distre...
Social determinants of health affect unplanned readmissions following acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Low socioeconomic status predicts inferior clinical outcomes in many patient populations. The effects of patient insurance status and hospital safety-net status on readmission rates following acute myocardial infarction are unclear. Materials & methods: A retrospective review of State Inpatient Databases for New York, California, Florida and Maryland, 2007-2014. Results: A total of 1,055,162 patients were included. Medicaid status was associated with 37.7 and 44.0% increases in risk-adjusted readmission odds at 30 and 90 days (p < 0.0001). Uninsured status was associated with reduced odds of readmission at both time points. High-burden safety-net status was associated with 9.6 and 9.5% increased odds of readmission at 30 and 90 days (p < 0.0003). Conclusion: Insurance status and hospital safety-net burden affect readmission odds following acute myocardial infarction.
Abstract P28: Stroke Treatment With Tenecteplase Improves Door-To-Needle Time

Introduction: Intravenous tenecteplase (TNK) may be as effective as alteplase (TPA) in treatment of stroke. Due to ease of administration, we hypothesized that TNK would reduce treatment times when...
Gaussian Process Dynamics Models for Soft Robots with Shape Memory Actuators

Efficient and tractable dynamics models of soft robots are needed for many purposes. For soft robots powered by shape memory actuators, models must simultaneously capture actuator dynamics alongside material deformations. This article examines one possible modeling framework using Gaussian Process (GP) regression, applied in two settings. First, we attempt predictions of bending deformation in a low-dimensional hardware task of a single limb with one shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator, where the SMA temperature is estimated in open loop. Second, we consider locomotion in a simulation of a rolling robot, where the actuator state is known perfectly but the state space is high-dimensional and hybrid. Our locomotion tests examine the applicability of standard model selection choices for a GP, particularly the commonly-used squared exponential (SE) kernel, by studying the hyperparameter optimization problem. We cross-validate one-step-ahead dynamics predictions for both robots. All results have significant noise, but for the single limb in bending, the GP predictions are sufficient to simulate motions over a time horizon of 30 seconds. With further work to address issues with data quality, underfitting, and other sources of error, these dynamics models have the potential to assist in trajectory generation and control for soft robots.
Research Methods in Computational Fluid Dynamics

This chapter reviews innovations in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation modeling and its emergent applications in building design and material science research. CFD simulation allows for the visual simulation of the dynamic, viscous, and bifurcating world of fluid media interactions. CFD applications in building design and performance analysis are still emerging but are increasing in popularity as CFD simulation tools are becoming more widely available, easy-to-use, and better integrated with other areas of building performance simulation. Applications of CFD simulation in the built environment include simulating air flow in and around buildings, indoor and outdoor air quality, predicting occupant comfort conditions, and designing HVAC system outlets. This chapter offers an overview of the development of CFD applications in the built environment, as well as a summary of the more widely used CFD simulation tools in the AEC industry. The chapter then provides two case studies for the use of CFD in building design and performance assessment. The first case study explores the use of the Phoenics CFD software in performing a classic wind load analysis on a simple building geometry located in a high wind prone area with varying topographic conditions. While the second describes the use of CFD in designing storm shutter panel prototypes.
The evolution of antagonistic and mutualistic traits in the yucca-yucca moth obligate pollination mutualism.

Species interactions shape the evolution of traits, life histories, and the pattern of speciation. What is less clear is whether certain types of species interaction are more or less likely to lead to phenotypic divergence among species. We used the brood pollination mutualism between yuccas and yucca moths to test how mutualistic (pollination) and antagonistic (oviposition) traits differ in the propensity to increase phenotypic divergence among pollinator moths. We measured traits of the tentacular mouthparts, structures used by females to actively pollinate flowers, as well as ovipositor traits to examine differences in the rate of evolution of these two suites of traits among pollinator species. Morphological analyses revealed two distinct groups of moths based on ovipositor morphology, but no such groupings were identified for tentacle morphology, even for moths that pollinated distantly related yuccas. In addition, ovipositor traits evolved at significantly faster rates than tentacular traits. These results support theoretical work suggesting that antagonism is more likely than mutualism to lead to phenotypic divergence.
Reoperative Retroperitoneal Surgery: Etiology and Clinical Outcome

Retroperitoneal recurrences following retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) are rare events and, with few exceptions, should be regarded as either surgical or technical failures, or a result of inappropriate modifications to the original RPLND template. Although not a substitute for an adequate initial RPLND, reoperative retroperitoneal surgery is a viable option for properly selected patients. In the hands of experienced surgeons at tertiary care centers, reoperative retroperitoneal surgery is associated with long-term survival in a significant proportion of patients, with an acceptable degree of morbidity.
Advantageous power factor anomaly in Mn/sub 1.68-X/Cu/sub 0.6+X+Y+Z/Co/sub 0/./sub 24-Y/Ni/sub 0.48-z/O/sub 4/ thin films

Thermopower and electrical conductivity are measured on compositional variations of a reference composition, Mn/sub 1.68-X/Cu/sub .6+X+Y+Z/Co/sub .24-Y/Ni/sub .48$/ -/sub Z/O/sub 4/, and the changes in the power factor terms are examined. Thin films obtained through Metal Organic Decomposition, MOD, are used for the compositional profiling. MOD is a low-temperature fabrication route allowing for the retention of meta-stable Mn/sup 4+/ and Cu/sup 1+/ ions essential to these n-type materials' properties. Conduction occurs via polaron hopping between those Mn having different oxidation states. Compositional variations modify the oxidation states of Mn and Cu, and in turn, the conductivity and thermopower values. The data indicates that replacing portions of Co with Cu raises both the conductivity and thermopower magnitude, and exchanging small amounts of Ni with Cu reduces these thermoelectric, TE, factors. Surprisingly, the effects of doping show parallel rises or declines in conductivity and thermopower magnitude.
A new class of nonlinearly constrained linear estimator

The problem of model parameter estimation subject to a simple class of nonlinear constraints in the time domain is addressed. The model parameters correspond to tap-delay filter weights and are used to approximate, within the constraints, a desired signal in the mean-square sense. The class of nonlinear constraints consists of convex quadratic functions with one-dimensional null space. This class, which includes the variance of the weight vector, allows the constrained optimization problem to be carried out by two successive unconstrained optimization algorithms implemented in multidimensional and unidimensional spaces. When the least-mean-squares (LMS) technique is used in both spaces, it is shown that the overall convergence time is not influenced by the constraint, i.e. it is primarily determined by the constraint-free LMS algorithm in the multidimensional space. >
Cockpit Automation: In Need of a Philosophy

Concern has been expressed over the rapid development and deployment of automatic devices in transport aircraft, due mainly to the human interface and particularly the role of automation in inducing human error. The paper discusses the need for coherent philosophies of automation, and proposes several approaches: (1) flight management by exception, which states that as long as a crew stays within the bounds of regulations, air traffic control and flight safety, it may fly as it sees fit; (2) exceptions by forecasting, where the use of forecasting models would predict boundary penetration, rather than waiting for it to happen; (3) goal-sharing, where a computer is informed of overall goals, and subsequently has the capability of checking inputs and aircraft position for consistency with the overall goal or intentions; and (4) artificial intelligence and expert systems, where intelligent machines could mimic human reason.
A Critical Reflection on Social Construction Drawing from an Analysis of the Life-World of Economically Disadvantaged Teenagers

Concepts of system, structure, process, inter-subjectivity, and temporality are often used to help clarify the ways by which people relate to their environments and build knowledge. This phenomenological study examined the sense of belonging within a specific teenage culture as lived and described by economically disadvantaged teenagers. Six essential constituents were uncovered relating to in-group/out-group dynamics, social identity formation, and the effects of neighborhood structural limitations on the transfer of knowledge between groups. Drawing from certain ideas in phenomenological theory regarding the centrality of what is represented by the concept life-world, the results of this study were discussed in relation to certain social constructionist renderings of culture and society. It is suggested herein that a general understanding of the role of the life-world from the perspective of participants within any qualitative psychological research study is a necessary starting point in order to avoid ...
Measurement of Strain Gradients Using Digital Image Correlation by Applying Printed-Speckle Patterns

Digital image correlation (DIC) measurements were obtained using speckle patterns produced using two different methods. In the first case, speckles were produced on the surface of a test specimen using white and black spray paint, which is probably the most common approach. In the second case, a computer code was written that creates a random-speckle pattern digitally. The digital-speckle pattern was then printed on white paper using a standard laser printer. The speckled paper was subsequently bonded to the surface of a test specimen using a commercial strain gage adhesive. Strains were measured using both types of speckle patterns for a thin plate with hole and for a U-shaped beam loaded in tension. Strain fields measured using the painted and digital-speckle patterns are essentially identical and are well predicted by the corresponding elasticity solutions.
Questioning urban sustainability: social sufficiency, ecological efficiency and ecosystems compatibility

In 1987, the Brundtland Report was published to define the meaning of sustainable development as an approach to development that meets the present needs without compromising the ability of future g...
14 W peak power grating surface-emitting laser array

A two dimensional grating-surface-emitting laser array containing 140 elements produced up to 14 W peak power with a differential quantum efficiency of about 25 % from one surface. The array structure included a strained layer quantum well and the 0.95 μm emission was emitted through the substrate
Dynamics of Human Myocardial Progenitor Cell Populations in the Neonatal Period

Background Pluripotent cardiac progenitor cells resident in myocardium offer a potentially promising role in promoting recovery from injury. In pediatric congenital heart disease (CHD) patients, manipulation of resident progenitor cells may provide important new approaches to improving outcomes. Our study goals were to identify and quantitate populations of progenitor cells in human neonatal myocardium during the early postnatal period and determine the proliferative capacity of differentiated cardiac myocytes. Methods Immunologic markers of cell lineage (stage-specific embryonic antigen 4 [SSEA-4], islet cell antigen 1 [Isl1], c-kit, Nkx2.5, sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium-regulated ATPase type 2 [SERCA2]) and proliferation (Ki67) were localized in right ventricular biopsies from 32 CHD patients aged 2 to 93 days. Results Neonatal myocardium contains progenitor cells and transitional cells expressing progenitor and differentiated myocyte marker proteins. Some cells expressed the pluripotent cell marker c-kit and also coexpressed the myocyte marker SERCA2. Multipotent progenitor cells, identified by the expression of Isl1, were found. Ki67 was expressed in some myocytes and in nonmyocyte cells. A few cells expressing SSEA-4 and Isl1 were observed during the early postnatal period. Cells expressing c-kit, the premyocyte marker Nkx2.5, and Ki67 were found throughout the first postnatal month. A progressive decline in cell density during the first postnatal month was observed for c-kit+ cells ( p = 0.0013) and Nkx2.5+ cells ( p = 0.0001). The percentage of cells expressing Ki67 declined during the first 3 postnatal months ( p = 0.0030). Conclusions Cells in an incomplete state of cardiomyocyte differentiation continue to reside in the infant heart. However, the relative density of progenitor cells declines during the first postnatal month.
Using video life reviews with older adults

Reminiscence by elderly people, known as life review (Butler, 1963), has been widely used as a therapeutic technique. This paper discusses a study with fifteen ageing families in which a therapist assisted the ageing member in producing a videotaped vignette from the life review. The resulting video life reviews were found to be an effective tool in helping the ageing family in ‘re-storying’ the past events with new narrative and meaning. Three predominant themes were identified: (1) historical and evaluative reviews, (2) transition reviews, and (3) reviews dealing with emotional pain. Also discussed are the reactions of the ageing families to the video life reviews, the therapeutic uses of the technique, and format suggestions for therapists.
Swan song: Transnational advocacy networks and environmental policy in Chile |[ndash]| The case of the Cisnes de Cuello Negro

Transnational advocacy networks (TANs) are receiving increased attention in the international relations literature. One central interest has addressed the efforts of local activists to circumvent hostile domestic governments by appealing abroad (the ‘boomerang hypothesis’). When success in the domestic policy process is denied to civil society actors, they reach out to international partners who in turn pressure the local government. In the parlance of the policy making literature, they ‘venue shop’. These outsiders may be foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations or international non-governmental organizations. Previous studies indicate that international actors can be powerful advocates for local causes who make success of the TAN more likely. This article assesses the boomerang hypothesis by focussing on the network that arose in response to the near-extermination of black-necked swans in the Carlos Anwandter Natural Sanctuary (Chile) after the opening of a pulp mill. Specifically, it explores the complicated relationship of local ‘boomerang throwers’ and international ‘boomerang recipients’. We argue that securing international participants does not guarantee TAN success. In particular, we find that involvement of governmental actors in a TAN lend power to the cause, but at the same time may dilute the mission of the TAN, leading to less-than-optimal outcomes from the perspective of the local campaign initiators. Additionally, we consider how the content of network interactions may influence its structure, which in turn affects the outcome of transnational campaigns. Finally, our research points to the difficulty of assessing success. In the present case, many local Chilean activists were disappointed that the pulp mill they held responsible for environmental damages was not shut down. At the same time, the company in question has become more responsive to demands of environmental sustainability, and the campaign raised environmental awareness in Chile. This exploratory research has important implications for academic research of TANs, as well as for practitioners working on transnational campaigns. Our data suggest caution in employing the ‘boomerang’ mechanism, especially when the international actors are governments. What returns with the boomerang may prove unsatisfying to those throwing it. Relatedly, we find that potential TAN participants must weigh existing relationships with TAN targets against the benefits of joining the TAN. More generally, these findings support the constraints on venue shopping that arise from limited information and venue stickiness. Taken together, these findings suggest a caution for those examining the density of network interactions to measure strength. The content of interactions in a network may be as important as their frequency.
The Unique Ethical Challenges of the Bogus Pipeline Methodology: Let the Data Speak

Sigall (1997) asserted that the bogus pipeline (BPL) methodology is not a uniquely deceptive technique and, therefore, does not pose unique ethical challenges for social psychology researchers. We argue that empirical research is needed to clarify the controversial issue of the ethics of using the BPL. Results of such a research program will provide guidance for researchers as well as institutional review boards regarding conditions under which the use of the BPL may or may not be ethically justified.
Traveling wave solutions for finite scale equations

Abstract Finite scale equations are coarse-grained PDEs that describe the evolution of density, momentum and energy fields averaged over finite intervals of space and time. These analytic equations have been found to be a useful model for analyzing and verifying discrete algorithms employed in numerical simulation. In this paper, we derive traveling wave solutions for finite scale shocks and compare the results with averaged solutions of Navier–Stokes. We find that the finite scale equations accurately predict the shock speed and width and the jump conditions relating the pre and post shock states.
Epizootiology of Ostertagia ostertagi in cow-calf production systems in the American Midwest

The most common gastrointestinal nematodes found in cattle in the Midwest are Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora. Other parasites include Haemonchus placei, Bunostomum phlebotomum and Nematodirus helvetianus. Parasite numbers are generally low in this region, as indicated by fecal egg counts and tracer calf worm recoveries, and the numbers of parasites decrease as one travels farther north. This decrease in parasite numbers also corresponds to a similar reduction in the prevalence of clinical disease. The dynamics of fecal egg shedding are similar throughout the Midwest. Cow fecal egg counts begin to increase just prior to calving in the spring, continue to rise, reaching a peak in July and August, and return to low numbers (2 or less eggs per gram of feces (epg)) in October. Calves born in the spring (March-May) show increasing numbers of eggs in their feces throughout the grazing season, with peak recoveries in October and November, after which the numbers decline as the calves develop an immunological response. Tracer calf worm recoveries demonstrate pasture contamination for the period grazed. These recoveries show adult O. ostertagi increasing throughout the grazing season then falling to low levels over the winter. Larval inhibition of O. ostertagi, as shown by recovery of inhibited fourth stage larvae (L4) occurs throughout the year, with increasing numbers of larvae recovered in the fall. The production robbing effects of these parasites has been demonstrated by the use of a controlled strategic deworming program. Weaning weight advantages of 14 to more than 20 kg have been reported in this region of the country when compared with an untreated group.2+ !%"
Semiconducting polymer LEDs

Abstract Technologies based on organic semiconductors may answer the increasing demands that consumers make in the areas of large-area electronics, lightweight displays, and portable computing. Advances in scientific understanding, technology, and device performance have occurred particularly rapidly in the area of polymer light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Material properties and economic considerations suggest that polymer LEDs are the devices most likely to win the race to applications that produce light on inorganic substrates such as glass and silicon, as well as plastic substrates. The field of semiconducting polymers has its root in the 1977 discovery of the semiconducting properties of polyacetylene 1 . This breakthrough earned Alan Heeger, Alan MacDiarmid, and Hideki Shirakawa the 2000 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for ‘the discovery and development of conductive polymers’ 2–5 . Other review articles capture how more than two decades of developments in the physical and chemical understanding of these novel materials has led to new device applications as active and passive electronic and optoelectronic devices ranging from diodes and transistors to polymer LEDs, photodiodes, lasers, and solar cells 6–11 . Much interest in plastic devices derives from the opportunities to use clever control of polymer structure combined with relatively economical polymer synthesis and processing techniques to obtain simultaneous control over electronic, optical, chemical, and mechanical features 5 . This article focuses on the advances leading to polymer LEDs 12–14 .
Evolution of the hemoglobin S and C genes in world populations

A polymorphic HpaI endonuclease recognition site on the 3' side of the beta-globin gene was used to analyze the evolution of the beta-globin gene mutants S and C. Study of the world wide distribution of the normal and variant HpaI sites showed that the mutation which resulted in the variant 13.0-kilobase fragment arose in a localized region in West Africa. It predated the hemoglobin S and C mutations, both of which arose separately from a chromosome with the variant 13.0-kilobase HpaI site. In contrast, the sickle genes in other parts of Africa and in Asia are associated with the normal 7.6-kilobase HpaI fragment, indicating that the sickle mutations in these other areas arose separately from that in West Africa.
Boron Slurry-Fueled Jet Engine Exhaust Plume Infrared Signatures

Infrared radiation emitted from jet engine exhaust plumes plays a significant role in the detection of aircraft. Expected use of high-energy boron slurry fuels in advanced engines will produce gaseous and particulate B2O3 in their exhaust plumes. Infrared emission from B2O3 gas and the emission and scattering from the B2O3 particles must be included in the exhaust plume infrared signature calculations. This paper presents B2O3 particle scattering and emission properties (scattering cross sections, albedo, and scattering phase functions) generated from spectral radiative reflection and transmission data obtained from the literature. Kramers-Kronig analysis is used to convert the radiative data to index of refraction values. Radiation scattering parameters that are needed for the JANNAF Standardized Infrared Radiation Model code are generated from the index of refraction values using Mie scattering analysis for wavelengths from 2 to 25 /zm. The Standardized Infrared Radiation Model is used to calculate the broadside infrared radiation emitted from isothermal and homogeneous models of turbojet and ramjet exhaust plumes. The calculations show that B2O3 influences the radiant emission and that the emission increases with increasing particle size and particle mass loading. The plume signature in spectral regions between the gas bands is very sensitive to the B2O3 particle size and concentration. Infrared signatures were also calculated using an isotropic scattering phase function. These signatures were up to 3°7o greater than the predicted signatures using the correct anisotropic phase function.
Theory of second-harmonic-generated radiation from chiral sculptured thin films for bio-sensing

The theory of second-harmonic-generated radiation (SHGR) from a chiral sculptured thin film (STF) for bio-sensing is presented. Linear emission (LE) is supposedly due to luminescence-producing bio-reactions occurring in the void regions of the chiral STF platform. The associated linear electromagnetic fields generate a nonlinear source polarization field in the material that the platform is made of, provided the material has significant nonlinear properties in an appropriate wavelength-regime. Information contained in the polarization state of SHGR could either supplement information gleaned from LE or be useful just by itself.
Hydrodynamic Analysis of Flapping Foils for Propulsion of Shallow-Water and Near-Surface Underwater Vehicles

Hydrodynamic performance of flapping foils for the propulsion or station keeping of near-surface underwater vehicles is examined numerically. The objective of the project is to determine effects of momentum fluxes associated with the vortex wake, radiating waves and their interactions on the thrust and efficiency of the flapping foils. The fully nonlinear viscous flow problem is solved using a finite difference method based on boundary-fitted coordinates. Various flapping foil mechanisms, such as of a single foil, twin foil and hinge-connected double foil, are considered. Results are obtained for a range of key variables such as the Strouhal and Froude numbers, unsteady parameter, and the depth of foil submergence. New results obtained in this work reveal complex interactions between the flap-motion generated waves and vortices, in particular, how the deforming free surface above the vehicle and radiating surface waves could affect the generation and evolution of shed vortices and the thrust-generating capacity of flapping foils. Necessary conditions for high propulsive efficiency are found to be (i) Strouhal number between 0.25 and 0.35 and (ii) oscillation at supercritical frequency, i.e., τ > 0.25. At the critical frequency τ = 0.25 the efficiency is found to be low particularly when the body is very to the free surface. Upstream wave propagation at sub-critical frequency τ < 0.25 results in the loss of propulsive efficiency. Mechanisms affecting the efficiency are amplified by the foil proximity to the surface. In the case of flapping hinged double foil, in-phase oscillation of the foils results in high thrust while out-of phase flapping produces nearly null mean thrust. Flapping of twin foil in the “clapping mode” results in a pulsating wake jet yielding a large thrust but requiring large torque and hence at low efficiency. Efficiencies upto 80% are found in the simulations with single foil.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
The mathematical structure of the bardeen-cooper-schrieffer model

The BCS-model for an infinitely extended superconductor is analysed mathematically. The reason why the model is solvable becomes evident in the present formulation. It is shown that the ground states with unsharp particle number belong to irreducible representations, those with sharp particle number to reducible representations of the basic operator algebra. The connection between uniqueness of the ground state, irreducibility and linked cluster decomposition is reviewed.
Restoration of Laramide right-lateral strike slip in northern New Mexico by using Proterozoic piercing points: Tectonic implications from the Proterozoic to the Cenozoic

Early Proterozoic rocks in northern New Mexico can be used to document 100-170 km of right-lateral slip along a network of north-striking Laramide (Late Cretaceous-early Tertiary) faults that formed the precursor of the Rio Grande rift. Piercing lines are defined by the intersection of a subborizontal 4 kbar isobaric surface with steeply dipping stratigraphic markers and regional structures. Restoration of slip provides new insight into the nature of Proterozoic orogenic and crustal province boundaries. The Yavapai crustal province (1.75-1.72 Ga juvenile volcanogenic rocks) is imbricated with overlying Hondo Group sedimentary cover in an originally east-trending ductile thrust belt that formed near the southern margin of the Yavapai province. A series of offset magnetic anomalies (Jemez lineament) is interpreted to mark the thrust-buried boundary between older (Yavapai province) and younger (Mazatzal province) crust. Our microplate tectonic model suggests that Laramide strike-slip movement (New Mexico) was kinematically linked with coeval extensional collapse (Arizona) and foreland shortening (Wyoming) during decoupling and northward movement of the rigid Colorado Plateau relative to the undeformed midcontinent. Crustal-scale strike-slip faults in New Mexico were reactivated during later Tertiary extension and continue to localize high heat flow in the Rio Grande rift and northward into Colorado.
The fluorescence quenching of aromatic amino acid and flavin portions of flavinyl peptides.

Abstract The fluorescence of both flavin and aromatic amino acid portions of synthetic flavinyl peptides is mutually quenched. The extent of quenching is greatest for the tryptophanyl peptides, which are intramolecularly most tightly complexed, and is least for the phenylalanyl peptides.
NF‐κB activation by a signaling complex containing TRAF2, TANK and TBK1, a novel IKK‐related kinase

The activation of NF‐κB by receptors in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor and Toll/interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) receptor families requires the TRAF family of adaptor proteins. Receptor oligomerization causes the recruitment of TRAFs to the receptor complex, followed by the activation of a kinase cascade that results in the phosphorylation of IκB. TANK is a TRAF‐binding protein that can inhibit the binding of TRAFs to receptor tails and can also inhibit NF‐κB activation by these receptors. However, TANK also displays the ability to stimulate TRAF‐mediated NF‐κB activation. In this report, we investigate the mechanism of the stimulatory activity of TANK. We find that TANK interacts with TBK1 (TANK‐binding kinase 1), a novel IKK‐related kinase that can activate NF‐κB in a kinase‐dependent manner. TBK1, TANK and TRAF2 can form a ternary complex, and complex formation appears to be required for TBK1 activity. Kinase‐inactive TBK1 inhibits TANK‐mediated NF‐κB activation but does not block the activation mediated by TNF‐α, IL‐1 or CD40. The TBK1–TANK–TRAF2 signaling complex functions upstream of NIK and the IKK complex and represents an alternative to the receptor signaling complex for TRAF‐mediated activation of NF‐κB.
Modelling nutrient transport and transformation by pool-breeding amphibians in forested landscapes using a 21-year dataset

SUMMARY 1. Migrations of animals can transfer energy and nutrients through and among terrestrial and aquatichabitats. Pool-breeding amphibians, such as the wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus), make annual breed-ing migrations to ephemeral wetlands in forest habitats in the eastern and midwestern United Statesand Canada.2. To model the inﬂuence of wood frogs on nutrient transport and transformation through time, wecoupled long-term population monitoring data (1985–2005) from a wood frog population with esti-mates of the elemental composition of wood frog egg masses and emerging juveniles.3. Over the 21-year study period, 8.8 kg carbon (C), 2.0 kg nitrogen (N) and 0.20 kg phosphorus (P)were transported from the terrestrial to the aquatic habitat and approximately 21 kg C, 5.5 kg N and1.2 kg P were exported to the surrounding terrestrial habitat by wood frogs.4. During the study period, the average net ﬂux of C, N and P was from aquatic to terrestrial habi-tats, but the magnitude and direction of the net ﬂux was element dependent. Thus, the net ﬂux of C,N and P did not always ﬂow in the same direction.5. Predicting long-term trends in nutrient and energy ﬂux by organisms with biphasic life cyclesshould rely on long-term population data to account for temporal variability. This is especially truefor organisms that are sensitive to long-term shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns, such asamphibians that breed in ephemeral pools.Keywords: animal migrations, nutrient dynamics, resource subsidies, vernal pool, wood frog
Repeated interactions with females elevate metabolic capacity in the limbic system of male rats.

The effect of heterosexual social experience on brain metabolic capacity was investigated by measuring the activity of cytochrome oxidase, a rate-limiting enzyme in oxidative metabolism. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were kept naive or allowed to copulate with receptive females three (3 F males) or 16 times (16 F males). Throughout the vomeronasal system and other limbic areas, 16 F males had elevated metabolic capacity relative to naive and 3 F males, whereas no significant differences in brain metabolism were found between 3 F and naive males. Behavioral differences were also found between 3 F and 16 F males. In a second experiment, we assessed differences in brain metabolism between sexually active and inactive males given only one opportunity to copulate and found no significant difference in neural metabolism between these males. This suggests that the differences found in the first experiment were primarily driven by differences in repeated experience rather than by sexual performance between 16 F and 3 F males. We speculate that these changes in brain metabolic capacity could be related to immediate early gene expression during copulation and could underlie the long-term behavioral changes accompanying heterosexual social experience.
Reproductive toxicology of inhaled styrene oxide in rats and rabbits.

Experiments were performed to evalute reproductive and developmental toxicology in rats and rabbits exposed to styrene oxide by inhalation. Female rats were exposed to 100 or 300 ppm styrene oxide or to filtered air for 7 h/day, 5 days/week for 3 weeks. Extensive mortality occurred in rats that received prolonged exposure to 100 ppm styrene oxide while 300 ppm was rapidly lethal. As a result exposures were terminated in this latter group and the group was eliminated from further study. The rats of the 0 and 100 ppm groups were then mated and exposed to 0 or 100 ppm styrene oxide daily through 18 days of gestation (dg). Female rabbits were artificially inseminated and exposed for 7 h daily to 0, 15, or 50 ppm styrene oxide through 24 dg. Both of these lower concentrations used for exposure of the rabbits produced mortality of does. The rats were killed at 20 dg and the rabbits at 30 dg. Pregnant animals were examined for toxic changes including altered tissue weights and histopathologic effects. Litters were evaluated using several measures of embryotoxicity, and live fetuses were examined for external, visceral, and skeletal malformations. Exposure during gestatation appeared to increase preimplantation loss in rats, and tended to increase the incidence of resorptions in rabbits. In both species, fetal weights and crown-rump lengths were reduced by gestational exposure. The incidences of ossification defects of the sternebrae aned occipital bones were increased by gestational exposure of rats to styrene oxide. These results indicate that inhalation exposures at these concentrations produce reproductive and development toxicity, as well as maternal toxicity.
Competitive dominance of wild and domestic Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract The objective was to determine differences in the relative dominance of wild and domestic Norway rats ( Rattus norvegicus ) when competing for food in inter-stock, round-robin pairings. Each day, after food-deprivation, wild and domestic rats were individually placed in a testing arena containing a slice of apple. On day 20 and every fourth day thereafter, eight wild-domestic pairs were allowed to compete for the apple. Domestic subjects spent more time eating than did wild rats and were more often dominant. Competition tended to wane over test days in response to defeat in earlier trials. The outcome of competition trials was not changed by increasing the extent of food deprivation together with continuous pairing. A reduction in social inhibitions accompanying the domestication process provides the best explanation for the enhanced competitive potential of the domestic rat.
Use of cationic aerosol photopolymerization to form silicone microbeads in the presence of molecular templates

A new methodology for template-directed polymerization is described which is suitable for easy microbead formation. Cationic polymerization of a bis-epoxy silicone monomer by a diaryliodonium salt photoinitiator was found to occur fast enough to polymerize the droplets of an aerosol spray of the monomer, photoinitiator, and template in flight. Symmetric microbeads averaging 31 μm in diameter were produced and captured by electrostatic precipitation. The effect of numerous functional groups on the rate of polymerization is discussed. Nitrogenous bases were found to be detrimental to polymer bead formation, as were certain carboxylic acids. Beads imprinted with morphine analogue thebaine displayed stronger molecular recognition properties for thebaine than did nonimprinted beads. However, both thebaine-templated and nonimprinted beads retained similar amounts of the thebaine derivative 17,18-bis(methoxycarbonyl)-6,14-ethenocodeine methyl ether.