cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Particle filter for target localization and tracking leveraging lack of measurement

In this paper a sequential Monte Carlo approach is used to track targets using multiple agents, where lack of measurements by individual agents aide in the estimation procedure. The proposed agents are equipped with cameras or sensors, where the fields of view or dynamic ranges are limited in the measurement model. In current approaches, measurements that are not available due to saturation, occlusion, truncation, etc., provide no net positive in the information gain of the system. However, therein lies a fundamental problem in which these approaches are not using all of the information available. The argument is made that the lack of measurement in this scenario will provide useful information to the state estimator, of which, a particle filter will be employed. Raw measurements will be sent to a fusion center to be processed, where the full likelihood function will be calculated. Simulations of the algorithm will be presented, which show the usefulness of the algorithm in the application of target tracking over a large 2D area.
No Results? No Problem! Why We Are Publishing Methods of a Landmark Study With Results Still Pending

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women in the United States, and screening for CRC is a national health-care priority. In this issue, investigators from the CONFIRM study group report on the aims and study design of a large, multicenter, randomized prospective study of whether screening colonoscopy is superior to an annual fecal immunochemical test (FIT). CONFRIM hopes to enroll 50,000 individuals, aged 50-75 years, from 46 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and monitor them for 10 years. This article is unique in that no results are presented as the study is not yet complete. We have taken this unusual step as we believe the topic of CRC screening is critically important for our readers and that the results of this massive study have the potential to change clinical practice throughout all fields of medicine.
Clinical translation of handheld optical coherence tomography: practical considerations and recent advancements

Since the inception of optical coherence tomography (OCT), advancements in imaging system design and handheld probes have allowed for numerous advancements in disease diagnostics and characterization of the structural and optical properties of tissue. OCT system developers continue to reduce form factor and cost, while improving imaging performance (speed, resolution, etc.) and flexibility for applicability in a broad range of fields, and nearly every clinical specialty. An extensive array of components to construct customized systems has also become available, with a range of commercial entities that produce high-quality products, from single components to full systems, for clinical and research use. Many advancements in the development of these miniaturized and portable systems can be linked back to a specific challenge in academic research, or a clinical need in medicine or surgery. Handheld OCT systems are discussed and explored for various applications. Handheld systems are discussed in terms of their relative level of portability and form factor, with mention of the supporting technologies and surrounding ecosystem that bolstered their development. Additional insight from our efforts to implement systems in several clinical environments is provided. The trend toward well-designed, efficient, and compact handheld systems paves the way for more widespread adoption of OCT into point-of-care or point-of-procedure applications in both clinical and commercial settings.
Glutathione mercaptides as transport forms of metals.

Publisher Summary This chapter illustrates that among the many cellular functions of glutathione (GSH), the roles of this tripeptide in metal transport, storage, and metabolism have recently received considerable attention. Although these roles had often been overlooked, they are critical for normal cellular metabolism and for protection from xenobiotics. Indeed, a number of the protective and regulatory functions of GSH are related to its ability to chelate reactive metals. GSH functions in the mobilization and delivery of metals among ligands, in the transport of metals across cell membranes, as a source of cysteine for metal binding, and as a reductant or cofactor in redox reactions involving metals. However, the interaction between GSH and metals can also produce or exacerbate cell injury. For example, GSH appears to be involved in the renal accumulation and toxicity of a number of metals, and in the carcinogenicity of chromium. Additional work is clearly needed to identify the mechanisms involved, and to better define the roles of GSH in metal homeostasis.
Should Psychiatrists Teach the Physical Examination to Medical Students? A Case Report and National Survey

In the first-year course at UHS/The Chicago Medical School, the teaching of the physical examination by a senior psychiatrist was rated highly compared to teaching by internists and surgeons. A national survey identified seventy-one psychiatrists at thirteen schools teaching the basic physical examination. These schools had more graduates that chose residencies in psychiatry than did those schools where such teaching did not occur. For several reasons, including better working relationships with medical colleagues and role modelling for future psychiatrists, we recommend that some psychiatrists at all schools teach the physical examination to neophyte students.
Conclusions, Status of Science, and Lessons for Our Time

Our successful scientists were all skeptical and independent thinkers, but even they could not always master their personal ambitions and biases. Each one thought deeply about the problems he or she wished to solve and acted energetically to solve them. In some respects, the scientific method has enough generality to even be applied to modern political controversies.
California’s Cap-and-Trade Program

A market-based mechanism to incentivize investment in cleaner and more efficient technologies is recognized by most economists as an important tool to reduce GHG emissions. While economists frequently disagree about which market-based mechanism should be used, a cap-and-trade program or a carbon tax, CARB has chosen the former because of its firm limit on emissions, flexibility for businesses, and political feasibility. In California, such a mechanism is only one component of the overall effort to mitigate climate change under AB 32, with direct regulations accounting for a much greater reduction in GHG emissions. California has long been an international leader in policies to improve air quality and in recent years has added climate change policy to its leadership role. The design and implementation of the California cap-and-trade program have presented many challenges, but CARB is committed to the eventual success of the program.
Renal arterial hypertension. Incidence, diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract Renovascular hypertension due to occlusive renal arterial disease is a potentially reversible form of diastolic hypertension. Although renal angiography provides the most definitive technic available for establishing the anatomic diagnosis, split renal function studies are required to establish whether the stenotic arterial lesion is responsible for the patient's hypertension. Either antihypertensive drug therapy or surgery may be employed in the successful management of renal arterial hypertension.
Nucleotide Sequence and Expression of a cDNA Clone Encoding a Fetal Rat Binding Protein for Insulin-like Growth Factors

Abstract The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), IGF-I and IGF-II, occur in plasma and tissue fluids complexed to specific binding proteins. Although the role of the binding proteins is not completely defined, they are capable of modulating the biological activity of the IGFs. In order to better understand the function of these proteins, we have isolated a clone from the BRL-3A rat liver cell line that encodes a protein corresponding to the IGF binding protein in fetal rat serum. The cDNA clone encodes a precursor protein of 304 amino acids (32,886 daltons), comprised of a 34-residue hydrophobic prepeptide and a 270-residue mature protein (29,564 daltons). The deduced amino acid sequence agrees with the sequence of 173 amino acid residues determined by Edman degradation. The mature protein contains 18 cysteines and no N-glycosylation sites. It contains an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence near the carboxyl terminus. A similar sequence is present on many extracellular matrix proteins and contributes to their recognition by cellular adhesion receptors. The cloned cDNA has been transcribed in vitro and the resulting RNA expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Injected oocytes secrete a 33-kDa protein that is immunoprecipitated by polyclonal antibodies to the BRL-3A binding protein and binds IGF-I and IGF-II with the same affinity and specificity as does purified BRL-3A binding protein. The binding protein cDNA probe hybridizes to an approximately 2-kilobase mRNA in BRL-3A cells and in multiple fetal rat tissues including liver, kidney, intestine, and lung. Levels of this mRNA are greatly reduced in the corresponding adult tissues. The rat IGF binding protein is closely related to the partial amino acid sequences reported for a bovine IGF binding protein and more distantly related to a human IGF binding protein that recently has been cloned. No significant homologies were identified to other proteins. Thus, the rat IGF binding protein that we have cloned appears to be a distinct member of a family of related IGF binding proteins. We postulate that the structurally distinct IGF binding proteins may have different biological functions.
IEEE 802.15.4 Technologies for Smart Grids

In recent years, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have received growing attention owing to their remarkable advantages, and they are widely being utilized in various metering and monitoring application areas such as Internet of things (IoT), smart grids, smart cities, smart homes, cloud computing, healthcare monitoring, military investigation, environmental surveillance systems. The most widely utilized standard in the WSN applications is IEEE 802.15.4 that is developed to enable short-range applications with low data rates and low power consumption features. This chapter aims to provide comprehensive information concerning of the WSNs, general specifications of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, recently developed new technologies based on this standard, and several practical WSN applications performed for smart grid concept. This chapter firstly introduces the fundamentals, application areas, and advantages of the WSNs in a detail. Later, the chapter continues by explaining technical backgrounds of the WSNs where IEEE 802.15.4 standard is examined in terms of layer stacks. The physical (PHY) and media access control (MAC) layers of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard are comprehensively analyzed since these layers are the basis of new technologies such as ZigBee, WirelessHART, ISA100.11a, 6LoWPAN, and 6TiSCH. Afterward, these novel technologies are introduced and analyzed by considering open systems interconnection (OSI) reference model. Finally, practical examples of the WSNs regarding metering and monitoring applications of smart grids are presented at the end of this chapter.
Long-Stroke Rolling Diaphragm Actuators For Haptic Display of Forces in Teleoperation

We present a new rolling diaphragm actuator for transmitting forces in a teleoperated system. The initial application is for MR-guided biopsy procedures, providing accurate transmission of motions and forces between the fingertips of a physician and a biopsy needle being inserted into tissue. Desirable actuator qualities include low hysteresis, high axial stiffness, and long travel. The actuator uses an anisotropic laser-patterned fabric embedded in a soft silicone sleeve for a combination of low stretch in the axial direction and sufficient stretch in the radial direction so that a taper is not required; hence the actuator can have almost any length. We present results for a prototype input/output system with 6 cm stroke, 1 cm diameter, and a minimum force of 0.3 N to initiate motion. We compare its performance to a system using commercial rolling diaphragm actuators and show that the new system provides an improved combination of long stroke, high stiffness, and accurate transmission of fingertip forces.
Mindfulness Strategies: Supporting Military Parents During Reintegration

Nearly 2.5 million service members have served on a deployment with a child at home since 2001. While deployment and reintegration (i.e., when the service member returns home) can negatively impact parenting practices, mindfulness strategies offer a new approach for coping with the stress and uncertainty associated with the deployment cycle. The objective of this paper is to further expand professionals’ understanding of how mindfulness can assist military parents. This paper explores the link between mindfulness practices and positive parenting outcomes, and uses the military reintegration period as a context for suggestions as to how professionals can incorporate mindfulness in their work with military families. This comprehensive literature review outlines the research supporting the effectiveness of mindfulness techniques as they apply to parenting. This literature review offered key practices of mindful parenting (i.e., listening with full attention, nonjudgmental acceptance of self and child, compassion for self and others, self-regulation in the parenting relationship, and emotional awareness of self and child). This information was then applied within the context of three challenges military parents’ encounter during reintegration: renegotiating family roles and responsibilities, reconnecting with children, and managing changes in mental health. Military families live both on and off bases throughout the USA and internationally. It is critical that those professionals who work with these families understand the unique contexts that these families encounter and continue to incorporate new tools and resources (e.g., mindfulness) that best serve each of these families.
Standardizing Unstructured Interaction Data in Adaptive Instructional Systems.

Standardization of unstructured information such as freely generated verbal responses in adaptive instructional systems poses many challenges. For instance, free responses have no clear delimitation of knowledge components, i.e., basic learning units (BLU), and therefore identifying the BLUs in such responses automatically is a challenge. We will review and exemplify major challenges and solutions and make recommendations for standardization of such unstructured information. Our work will inform student models that rely on student free responses, domain models that are derived from textual sources such as textbooks or general resources such as Wikipedia, the interoperability of adaptive instructional systems with free text inputs, and learning record stores.
Where mobile groups settle: Spatial patterns and correlates of Maasai pastoralist sedentarization in Northern Tanzania

Abstract In the last century, mobile pastoralists around the world have transitioned to more sedentary lifestyles. Traditionally mobile people can be both pushed to settle by environmental or political forces, and pulled by new economic activities. While researchers have examined the causes and consequences of growing sedentarization, few contemporary studies have focused on the spatial patterns of settlement. This study examines settlement site selection using GIS and remote sensing techniques to quantify patterns and correlates of settlement location in four Maasai communities in northern Tanzania. We identify landscape scale factors that shape settlement locations and test the competing hypotheses that settlement is associated with: (1) resource access; (2) environmental constraints; and (3) infrastructural amenities. Spatial models offer support for each hypothesis, with slight variations. However, a combined model offers the greatest predictive power suggesting significant heterogeneity in site selection and/or a transition in selection criteria over time. These findings characterize a poorly understood aspect of the settlement of mobile groups, and point to new questions regarding the spatial drivers and consequences of sedentarization.
Guideline Adherence and Antibiotic Utilization by Community Pediatricians, Private Urgent Care Centers, and a Pediatric Emergency Department:

Pediatric antibiotic prescriptions originate from an increasingly broad range of ambulatory settings. In this retrospective study, pharyngitis, otitis media, sinusitis, pneumonia, and upper respiratory infection cases, at 11 primary care offices, 2 independent urgent care centers (UCCs), and a pediatric emergency department in Western New York, were analyzed relative to medical society practice guidelines and antibiotic utilization. Of 2358 eligible visits across all sites, 25% were for study diagnoses, with 38% at UCC (P < .01). Across all sites, 26% of pharyngitis cases given antibiotics did not have diagnostic evidence of bacterial infection. At primary care offices and UCCs, guideline recommended first-line agents for pharyngitis and otitis media were used in only 58% and 63% of treated cases, respectively. Overall, an estimated 9855 to 12 045 avoidable antibiotic and 8030 non-guideline antibiotic courses annually are represented by the 14 sites studied. These and other study findings highlight numerous opportunities for outpatient pediatric antibiotic stewardship.
Development and field assessment of transgenic hybrid switchgrass for improved biofuel traits

Development of commercially relevant bioenergy switchgrass cultivars requires reducing recalcitrance for bioprocessing without compromising biomass yield. Low-lignin transgenic switchgrass has been produced via down-regulation of caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT), a lignin biosynthetic enzyme, or by over-expression of the MYB4 transcription factor, a repressor of the lignin biosynthetic pathway. The aim of this study was to evaluate parents and selected hybrids obtained from COMT and MYB4 hybrid families under field conditions for agronomic performance and biomass quality. Plant height, width, number of tillers, dry weight, cell wall composition including lignin content, and sugar release were measured after the establishment year (2014) and the second growing season (2015). For COMT hybrids, biomass yield of the transgenic hybrids was similar to or greater than the wild-type parents selected for high biomass. Lignin content of COMT transgenic hybrids was reduced by 10%, S/G ratio decreased by 27%, and sugar release increased between 20% and 44% compared to their wild-type parents. These results indicate that hybridization of COMT with a high-yielding locally selected genotype resulted in both improved agronomic performance and enhanced biomass quality in the offspring. On the other hand, the MYB transgenic hybrid showed a 10% reduction in biomass yield compared with its wild-type parent in year 1, but not in year 2. The lignin S/G ratio was not reduced in MYB transgenic hybrids, nor was sugar release increased. These data indicate that the MYB transgene may not be suitable for an agronomic setting. More testing is needed of transgenic and wild-type, high-biomass selections for use as breeding parents. These results show that combining low-lignin transgenic switchgrass with a breeding and selection program for biomass yield will allow for the deployment of effective transgenes in high-yielding genetic backgrounds.
Does Time Compression Decrease Intelligibility for Female Talkers More Than for Male Talkers

Purpose This preliminary investigation compared effects of time compression on intelligibility for male versus female talkers. We hypothesized that time compression would have a greater effect for female talkers. Method Sentence materials from four talkers (two males) were time compressed, and original-speed and time-compressed speech materials were presented in a background of 12-talker babble to young adult listeners with normal hearing. Each talker/processing condition was heard by eight listeners (total N = 64). Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to determine the effects of and interaction between processing condition and talker sex on keyword intelligibility. Additional post hoc analyses examined whether processing condition effects were related to talker vowel space and word frequency. Results For original-speed sentences, female and male talkers were essentially equally intelligible. Time compression reduced intelligibility for all talkers, but the effect was significantly greater for the female talkers. Supplementary analyses revealed that the effect of time compression depended on both talker vowel space and word frequency: The detrimental effect decreased significantly as word frequency and vowel space increased. Word frequency effects were also greater overall for talkers with larger vowel spaces. Conclusions While the small talker sample limits conclusions about the effects of talker sex, the secondary analyses suggest that intelligibility of talkers with larger vowel spaces is less susceptible to the negative effect of time compression, especially for high-frequency words.
Diffuse Cerebral Vasospasm After Removal of a Posterior Fossa Hemangioblastoma in a 62-Year-Old Woman.

Background The development of diffuse cerebral vasospasm after the removal of a brain tumor is extremely rare. We report a case of cerebral vasospasm after the removal of a posterior fossa hemangioblastoma. Case Description A 62-year-old woman presented with a 1-month history of vertigo and nausea. Neurologic examination revealed that she was alert, with no paresis, and a mild left-sided cerebellar ataxia. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed a cystic lesion with a strongly enhancing nodule, measuring 20 × 26 mm in diameter, in the cerebellar dorsal vermis. Angiography revealed that the lesion had feeding arteries from the left posterior inferior cerebellar artery. A diagnosis of hemangioblastoma was suspected and surgery was performed. On the first postoperative day, paresis of the right-sided extremities occurred. Diffusion-weighted imaging showed a high-intensity area in the medial side of the left frontal lobe. Magnetic resonance angiography indicated diffuse cerebrovascular stenosis. Considering these findings to be caused by vasospasm, we started the treatment used for vasospasm secondary to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance angiography on the 13th postoperative day revealed an improvement in the cerebrovascular stenosis. In this case, it appears that the cause of vasospasm was intraoperative spillage of the contents of the cyst. Conclusions Although the occurrence of diffuse cerebral vasospasm after the removal of brain tumors in the posterior fossa is rare, this complication should be noted as a potential postoperative complication after tumor removal; this should lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment and a potentially better prognosis.
Attached and Apart: Attachment Styles and Self-Disclosure in Long-Distance Romantic Relationships

The primary goal of this study was to examine attachment style effects on self-disclosure, trust, satisfaction, and uncertainty levels of individuals in long-distance romantic relationships (LDRRs) who utilise technologically mediated communication channels as a primary means of daily interaction with their romantic partners. Participants (N = 211) from 27 countries who maintained committed romantic relationships (M = 3 years) with geographical separation (M = 1042 miles, Mdn = 160 miles) were surveyed. Using structural equation modelling (SEM), 7 of the 8 hypotheses were supported, showing that attachment style and self-disclosure predict relational uncertainty, trust, and relational satisfaction. In examining the distinctions between attachment styles (i.e., secure, preoccupied, fearful-avoidant, and dismissive) three models were developed and confirmed with good fit. The implications of the study suggest how both attachment style and self-disclosure influence the overall success of LDRRs.
Non-perturbative renormalization scheme for the C P -odd three-gluon operator

We define a regularization-independent momentum-subtraction scheme for the C P -odd three-gluon operator at dimension six. This operator appears in effective field theories for heavy physics beyond the Standard Model, describing the indirect effect of new sources of C P-violation at low energies. In a hadronic context, it induces permanent electric dipole moments. The hadronic matrix elements of the three-gluon operator are non-perturbative objects that should ideally be evaluated with lattice QCD. We define a non-perturbative renormalization scheme that can be implemented on the lattice and we compute the scheme transformation to $$ \overline{\mathrm{MS}} $$ at one loop. Our calculation can be used as an interface to future lattice-QCD calculations of the matrix elements of the three-gluon operator, in order to obtain theoretically robust constraints on physics beyond the Standard Model from measurements of the neutron electric dipole moment.
Water Conservation and Resource Efficiency in Agriculture

The contribution of underutilized water sources, particularly wastewater, to crop irrigation allows to save freshwater resources, reduce the input of fertilizers, and at the same time prevent the contamination of water bodies produced by uncontrolled discharge. Wastewater reuse for fertigation of crops, feasible by means of frugal technologies, can lead to multiple social, economic, environmental, and climatic advantages, more pronounced in arid and semiarid areas. Controlled hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) processes are recommended for integration in wastewater treatment systems aimed at fertigation applications, due to their combined capabilities for effective and efficient removal of harmful organic micropollutants, including organic contaminants of emerging concern such as antibiotics, and disinfection of wastewater, while preserving organic matter and nutrients content, as required for fertigation purposes.
Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

Background: Prior small scale studies have reported similar outcomes of left atrial appendage occlusion among diabetics and non-diabetics. Objectives: Using a large nationally representative database, we aimed at examining the impact of diabetes mellitus on outcomes among patients undergoing left atrial appendage occlusion with Watchman device. Methods: We queried the Nationwide Readmission Database to identify left atrial appendage occlusion procedures performed from 2016 to 2017. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were used to identify the outcomes we sought to explore. The primary outcome of interest was in-patient mortality. Results - Of the 32,679 patients who underwent LAAO during the study period, 11219 (34.3%) had a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Comorbidities such as hypertension, COPD, valvular heart disease, heart failure and end stage renal disease were significantly more prevalent among the diabetic group. There was no significant difference in the primary outcome of in-hospital mortality between the 2 groups (adjusted odds ratio, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.32-1.39). There was increased risk of post procedural pericardial effusion/tamponade among the diabetics (adjusted odds ratio, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.38-0.89). The commonest causes of 30 day readmission were similar in both groups. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the primary outcome among diabetics versus non diabetics undergoing left atrial appendage occlusion with Watchman device.
Do Gut Microbes Taste

Gut microbiota has emerged as a major metabolically active organ with critical functions in both health and disease. The trillions of microorganisms hosted by the gastrointestinal tract are involved in numerous physiological and metabolic processes including modulation of appetite and regulation of energy in the host spanning from periphery to the brain. Indeed, bacteria and their metabolic byproducts are working in concert with the host chemosensory signaling pathways to affect both short- and long-term ingestive behavior. Sensing of nutrients and taste by specialized G protein-coupled receptor cells is important in transmitting food-related signals, optimizing nutrition as well as in prevention and treatment of several diseases, notably obesity, diabetes and associated metabolic disorders. Further, bacteria metabolites interact with specialized receptors cells expressed by gut epithelium leading to taste and appetite response changes to nutrients. This review describes recent advances on the role of gut bacteria in taste perception and functions. It further discusses how intestinal dysbiosis characteristic of several pathological conditions may alter and modulate taste preference and food consumption via changes in taste receptor expression.
A different look at the optimal control of the Brockett integrator

We propose a method to analyze the three-dimensional nonholonomic system known as the Brockett integrator and to derive the (energy) optimal trajectories between two given points. For systems with ...
Symmetric and Asymmetric Rolling Pure Copper Foil: Crystal Plasticity Finite Element Simulation and Experiments

A systematic study has been conducted aiming to attain an insight into the influence of coefficient of roll speed asymmetry, crystal orientation and structure on the deformation behavior, and crystallographic orientation development during foil rolling. Simulations were successfully carried out by using crystal plasticity finite element method (CPFEM), and a novel computational framework is presented for the representation of virtual polycrystalline grain structures. It has been found that asymmetric rolling (ASR) is more efficient in producing plastic deformation since it develops additional shear strain and activity of slip system compared with symmetric rolling (SR). For ASR, increase in the length of the shear zone, and decrease in the amount of the pressure and roll force would lead to further reduction. The shear strain path in SR and ASR is strictly influenced by the misorientation of neighbor grains, and corresponding {1 1 1} pole figures offer direct evidence of the spread of crystallographic orientation around the normal direction. The activity of slip systems was examined in detail and found that the predicted results are consistent with the surface layer model. The accuracy of the developed CPFEM model is verified by the fact that the simulated results of roll force coincide well with the experimental results.
Fatigue behavior of sylramic-iBN/BN/CVI SiC ceramic matrix composite in combustion environment

Fatigue behavior of Sylramic-iBN/BN/CVI SiC CMC was investigated under tension–tension fatigue using a test facility which simulated simultaneously both loading and combustion conditions of hot-section components of gas turbine engines. Combustion environment was created using a high-velocity oxygen fuel gun to impinge combustion flame on one side of specimen subjected to fatigue to simulate the real situation. The flame-impinged surface of specimen was heated to average temperature of 1250, 1350, or 1480 °C. Ultimate tensile strength of CMC was about 270 MPa at 1480 °C under combustion environment. Fatigue life diagram was established at stress ratio of 0.1 and frequency of 1 Hz. The CMC survived up to 25 h at 46 and 33 % of ultimate tensile strength under combustion at 1250 and 1350 °C, respectively. However, it could not survive 25 h at 1480 °C under combustion fatigue environment even with no stress on the specimen due to degradation/erosion of the material. Microscopic analysis of fracture surface showed oxidation of BN interface, which was more on flame side than other side. Fracture surfaces showed oxide formation over matrix, fibers, and/or fiber/matrix interphase causing embrittlement and thereafter failure of CMC.
Limitations of Ultra-thin Transparent Conducting Oxides for Integration into Plasmonic-enhanced Thin-film Solar Photovoltaic Devices

The Author(s) 2015. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract This study investigates ultra-thin transparent conducting oxides (TCO) of indium tin oxide (ITO), alu- minum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) to determine their viability as candidate materials for use in plasmonic-enhanced thin-film amorphous silicon solar photovoltaic (PV) devices. First a sensitivity analysis of the optical absorption for the intrinsic layer of a nano-disk patterned thin-film amorphous silicon-based solar cell as a function of TCO thickness (10-50 nm) was performed by simulation. These simulation results were then used to guide the design of the experimental work which investi- gated both optical and electrical properties of ultra-thin (10 nm on average) films simultaneously deposited on both glass and silicon substrates using conventional rf sputter- ing. The effects of deposition and post-processing param- eters on material properties of ITO, AZO and ZnO ultra- thin TCOs were probed and the suitability of TCOs for integration into plasmonic-enhanced thin-film solar PV devices was assessed. The results show that ultra-thin TCOs present a number of challenges for use as thin top contacts on plasmonic-enhanced PV devices: (1) optical and electrical parameters differ greatly from those of thicker (bulk) films deposited under the same conditions, (2) the films are delicate due to their thickness, requiring very long annealing times to prevent cracking, and (3) reactive gases require careful monitoring to maintain sto- ichiometry. The results presented here found a trade-off between conductivity and transparency of the deposited films. Although the sub 50 nm TCO films investigated exhibited desirable optical properties (transmittance greater than 80 %), their resistivity was too high to be considered as materials for the top contact of conventional PV devices. Future work is necessary to improve thin TCO properties, or alternative materials, and geometries are needed in plasmonic-based amorphous silicon solar cells. The sta- bility of ultra-thin TCO films also needs to be experi- mentally investigated under normal device operating conditions.
Trade Agreements, Competition and the Environment: Gridlock at the Crossroads: Discussion

The southern perspective provided in the Scale and Fairchild paper makes this paper especially interesting as an overview of concerns related to the use of trade policies to advance environmental objectives on a global scale. With the exception of their “World Environmental Bank” idea, it is easy for me to agree with most of their points and their underlying premise that the development of trade policies based on environmental priorities represents an effort to link the inaccurate with the unstable. Scale’s and Fairchild’s focus on the inefficiency of trade intervention as a means of redressing negative agricultural production externalities is well founded. Direct tax and subsidy systems that provide the “right” price signals to both producers and consumers, though often defective in practice, are a theoretically more efficient means of correcting environmental problems. The use of trade policy to achieve environmental goals is a “third-best” solution and as such is an inaccurate tool,
Sets and Mappings

Let S, T, T’ be sets. Show that $$S \cap \left( {T \cup T'} \right) = \left( {S \cap T} \right) \cup \left( {S \cap T'} \right).$$
Suspension of Sic Powders in Allylhydridopolycarbosilane (Ahpcs): Control of Rheology

Inert particulate fillers can be blended with preceramic polymers prior to infiltration of composite preforms to increase pyrolysis yield and decrease shrinkage, thus reducing the number of infiltration/ pyrolysis cycles required for densification. However, particulate filler loadings and concentration of added dispersants necessary to maintain low viscosity (< 0.50 N.s/sq m) slurries vary with the characteristics of the particular AHPCS polymer batch. These batch to batch variations occur with alterations in the synthesis process and method of allyl substitution, which in turn alter polymer structure and molecular weight distribution. A number of different polymer batches were characterized by NMR, GPC and thermal analysis, and the influence of polymer structure on rheology of filled systems determined. When the high molecular weight fraction increased to too great a level, suitably fluid slurries could no longer be attained.
The Paradox of Corrupt Networks: An Analysis of Organizational Crime at Enron

Despite the prevalence of organizational crime and renewed academic interest in corruption, the coordination of corrupt activities remains undertheorized. This study uses longitudinal data based on the email communication from Enron Corporation prior to its demise and couples qualitative coding techniques with social network analysis to understand the effects of corruption on communication behavior. By contrasting the evolution of corrupt and noncorrupt projects at Enron, I examine how corruption influences the way individuals attempt to remain undetected while sharing information. Although transitive communications were not different at the projects' onsets, the members of corrupt projects communicate less and have fewer reciprocal relations than the noncorrupt project members. But as the corrupt project members' tenure on a project increases, their behavior tends to become more similar to the behavior of the noncorrupt project members. Potential mechanisms are explored to explain this finding. This study provides insight into how corruption is coordinated within firms over time and highlights the role of information in understanding the emergent properties of social networks.
Enzyme Evolution in the Enterobacteriaceae

An immunological approach has been used for the study of alkaline phosphatase evolution in bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Antisera were prepared against alkaline phosphatase from Escherichia coli and Klebsiella aerogenes and tested against the unpurified alkaline phosphatases of 32 strains of enterobacteria by double diffusion and quantitative micro-complement fixation. The immunological relationships detected among the alkaline phosphatases of enterobacteria agree approximately with those reported for five other enzymes, as well as with the tryptic peptide pattern similarities found for two other enzymes, and with the relationships detected by interspecific deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization tests.
A study of the effects of machine winding space harmonics and advanced phase current switching on torque and performance quality in brushless DC motors using PSpice modeling

The effects of space harmonics arising from the topological geometries of the magnetic circuits and winding layouts of permanent magnet brushless dc motors (BDCMs) on their performance are studied here. This includes the synergisms between the space harmonies and the time harmonics generated by the BDCM controller switching. This was accomplished through the development of a PSpice-based model that is presented here. This model fully includes the impact of the space harmonics through the profile variations of all the motor winding's self and mutual inductances with the rotor angular position. These inductances are introduced to the model in a Fourier series form. The simulations, which include all the controller (drive) circuit electronic switching effects reveal the impact of these time and space harmonic synergisms on time-domain motor torque profiles, torque-speed characteristics, line-to-line voltage waveforms, current waveforms, and other performance aspects of the motor and drive. Comparison between simulations, with and without the effects of space harmonics, and test results are presented. In the paper, two 1.2-hp and 15-hp case studies of BDCMs are investigated.
Modular self-assembling biomaterials for directing cellular responses

Self-assembling biomaterials are promising as cell-interactive matrices because they can be constructed in a modular fashion, which enables the independent and simultaneous tuning of several of their physicochemical and biological properties. Such modularity facilitates the optimization of multi-component matrices for use in complex biological environments such as 3-D cell culture or scaffolds for regenerative medicine. This Highlight will discuss recent strategies for producing modular self-assembling biomaterials, with a particular focus on how ligand presentation and matrix mechanics can be controlled in modular ways. In addition, it will discuss key hurdles that remain for employing these materials as cell-interactive scaffolds in biomedical applications, particularly those that relate to how they may interface with the immune system.
Successive approximation algorithms for stochastic games-Numerical comparisons

In this paper we treat algorithmic methods for solution of stochastic games. A value iteration method incorporating bounds in a test for suboptimality is compared with policy iteration for three types of transition probability matrices. Numerical experiments demonstrate the superiority of the value iteration technique for problems with special structure.
Superconducting Order-Parameter Fluctuations below T c

Measurements of the frequency- and wave-vector-dependent pair-field susceptibility have been carried out below the transition temperature of a superconductor using a tunneling technique. The results suggest that the dynamical equation of the order parameter below ${T}_{c}$ is something other than a diffusive time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equation.
Astrocytes in aged nonhuman primate brain gray matter synthesize excess hyaluronan

The glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan (HA) accumulates in central nervous system lesions where it limits astrogliosis but also inhibits oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) maturation. The role of hyaluronan in normative brain aging has not been previously investigated. Here, we tested the hypothesis that HA accumulates in the aging nonhuman primate brain. We found that HA levels significantly increase with age in the gray matter of rhesus macaques. HA accumulation was linked to age-related increases in the transcription of HA synthase-1 (HAS1) expressed by reactive astrocytes but not changes in the expression of other HAS genes or hyaluronidases. HA accumulation was accompanied by increased expression of CD44, a transmembrane HA receptor. Areas of gray matter with elevated HA in older animals demonstrated increased numbers of olig2(+) OPCs, consistent with the notion that HA may influence OPC expansion or maturation. Collectively, these data indicate that HAS1 and CD44 are transcriptionally upregulated in astrocytes during normative aging and are linked to HA accumulation in gray matter.
Inhaled vs. oral alprazolam: subjective, behavioral and cognitive effects, and modestly increased abuse potential

Rationale Infrahuman and human studies suggest that a determinant of the abuse potential of a drug is rate of onset of subjective effects.
Existence and stability of solitons for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation on hyperbolic space

We study the existence and stability of ground state solutions or solitons to a nonlinear stationary equation on hyperbolic space. The method of concentration compactness applies and shows that the results correlate strongly to those of Euclidean space.
The effect of lysosomotropic amines on beige mouse cells

The beige mutant in the mouse is characterized by enlarged lysosomes in many cell types due to increased fluidity of cellular membranes and organelle fusion. In this study, mutant fibroblasts derived from C57BL/ 6J;bgJ/bgJ animals were compared with control fibroblasts (C57BL/6J;+/+) for vacuolation when treated with lysosomotropic weak bases including ammonium chloride, trimethylamine, and methylamine. These amines produce vacuolation by their accumulation in cellular acidic compartments, which causes osmotic swelling and fusion of organelles due to the increase in pH. Beige cells exhibited greater vacuolation than control cells for all treatments, which was indicative of the mutant's effect on organelle fusion and membrane fluidity. Trimethylamine caused the most pronounced difference in vacuolation between mutant and control cells. This method allows for a simple morphological distinction between beige and control cells that also utilizes a physiological difference in the expression of the beige gene.
Proximal femoral fractures: a biomechanical study to compare intramedullary and extramedullary fixation.

Abstract This study assesses the rigidity and strength of fixation provided by intramedullary and extramedullary devices for proximal femoral fractures. Stable and unstable intertrochanteric fractures were studied in paired femora after internal fixation with the Gamma nail and Richards 135 ° classic hip-screw implants; in subtrochanteric fractures, the 95 ° Richards condylar screw was studied in addition. Subsidence of the sliding screw within the plate and nail constructs was measured. Fixation of subtrochanteric fractures with the intramedullary Gamma nail was significantly stronger and more rigid than that with the extramedullary screw plate devices. Under conditions of simulated protected weight bearing, the 95 ° condylar screw plate provided more rigid fixation than did the 135 ° hip screw. There was no significant difference in the strength of fixation of stable and unstable intertrochanteric fractures between the Gamma nail and the hip screw, although the Gamma nail provided more rigid fixation.
New Technique for Combined Pixel and Frequency Domain Image Sequence Coding

This paper describes a technique for producing an optimal set of linear basis function coefficients given a priori information about the image to be transmitted. In particular, when certain pixel domain data is known, the transmitted frequency coefficients can be adjusted to make use of this information. The algorithm utilizes successive projections onto two non-intersecting sets in order to determine the optimal frequency domain coefficients. This technique is best suited to fixed blocksize transform coders and builds on the techniques used in previous work (refs.2,4).
Spectroelectrochemical Sensing Based on Multimode Selectivity Simultaneously Achievable in a Single Device. 11. Design and Evaluation of a Small Portable Sensor for the Determination of Ferrocyanide in Hanford Waste Samples.

A portable spectroelectrochemical sensor has been designed, evaluated, and demonstrated on a complex sample of radioactive waste. The sensor consisted of a black delrin sample compartment with a total internal sample volume of 800 ?L, attached to an indium tin oxide coated glass multiple internal reflection optical element. Detection was by total internal reflection of light from a blue light emitting diode source. After a 10 min uptake for each standard, the sensor showed a linear response in absorbance change for 5 x 10-5 to 5 x 10-3 M ferrocyanide with electrochemical modulation by scanning at 25 mV/s from ? 0.30 V to + 0.55 V vs. a Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Due to the complex nature of Hanford radioactive tank waste samples containing ferrocyanide, a standard addition method was developed for analysis. The spectroelectrochemical sensor determined a concentration of 9.2 mM ferrocyanide for U-Plant-2 simulant solution containing 9.38 mM ferrocyanide that was prepared according to Hanford process flowsheets. A radioactive tank waste sample from Hanford Tank 241-C-112 was determined to be 1.0 mM in ferrocyanide using the spectroelectrochemical sensor. The accepted value for ferrocyanide concentration in the sample is 0.61 mM as determined by IR spectroscopy.