cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two-color HgCdTe infrared staring focal plane arrays

Raytheon Vision Systems (RVS) in collaboration with HRL Laboratories is contributing to the maturation and manufacturing readiness of third-generation two-color HgCdTe infrared staring focal plane arrays (FPAs). This paper will highlight data from the routine growth and fabrication of 256x256 30μm unit-cell staring FPAs that provide dual-color detection in the mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) spectral regions. FPAs configured for MWIR/MWIR, MWIR/LWIR and LWIR/LWIR detection are used for target identification, signature recognition and clutter rejection in a wide variety of space and ground-based applications. Optimized triple-layer-heterojunction (TLHJ) device designs and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth using in-situ controls has contributed to individual bands in all two-color FPA configurations exhibiting high operability (>99%) and both performance and FPA functionality comparable to state-of-the-art single-color technology. The measured spectral cross talk from out-of-band radiation for either band is also typically less than 10%. An FPA architecture based on a single mesa, single indium bump, and sequential mode operation leverages current single-color processes in production while also providing compatibility with existing second-generation technologies.
Development of fast two-dimensional standing wave microscopy using acousto-optic deflectors

A novel scheme for two-dimensional (2D) standing wave fluorescence microscopy (SWFM) using acousto-optic deflectors (AODs) is proposed. Two laser beams were coupled into an inverted microscope and focused at the back focal plane of the objective lens. The position of each of two beams at the back focal plane was controlled by a pair of AODs. This resulted in two collimated beams that interfered in the focal plane, creating a lateral periodic excitation pattern with variable spacing and orientation. The phase of the standing wave pattern was controlled by phase delay between two RF sinusoidal signals driving the AODs. Nine SW patterns of three different orientations about the optical axis and three different phases were generated. The excitation of the specimen using these patterns will result in a SWFM image with enhanced 2D lateral resolution with a nearly isotropic effective point-spread function. Rotation of the SW pattern relative to specimen and varying the SW phase do not involve any mechanical movements and are only limited by the time required for the acoustic wave to fill the aperture of AOD. The resulting total acquisition time can be as short as 100 µs and is only further limited by speed and sensitivity of the employed CCD camera. Therefore, this 2D SWFM can provide a real time imaging of subresolution processes such as docking and fusion of synaptic vesicles. In addition, the combination of 2D SWFM with variable angle total internal reflection (TIR) can extend this scheme to fast microscopy with enhanced three-dimensional (3D) resolution.
Differential spheroid formation by oral cancer cells

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) make up 96% of all oral cancers. Most laboratory SCC studies grow cells as a monolayer, which does not accurately represent the disease in vivo. We used a more relevant multicellular spheroid (MCS) model to study this disease. The SCC9β6KDFyn cell line, which expresses full-length β6 and a kinase dead Fyn formed the largest MCS. Cell adhesive properties are dynamic and N-cadherin was increased in the largest MCS. c-Raf mediates the survival of tumor cells and was consistently expressed both in monolayers and in the MCS by SCC9β6D1 cells which lack the β6 cytoplasmic tail and, do not activate Fyn. SCC9β6KDFyn cells also express high levels of c-Raf when grown as spheroids in which Fyn suppression stimulates MCS formation. Tumor microenvironment and growth patterns modulate cell behavior and suppression of Fyn kinase may promote MCS growth.
New therapeutics in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disorder characterized predominately by a chronic inflammatory polyarthritis, with frequent progression to joint destruction and disability. Radiographic joint damage develops in as many as 75% of patients within the first 2 years of disease. For this reason, current RA treatment approaches have focused on early intensive therapy with multiple disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. The approval of new drugs for this indication has expanded the number of therapeutic options that can potentially allow for tight control of the inflammatory process.
Factors influencing trace metal, sulfate and hydrogen ion concentrations in rain

Abstract Precipitation collected as wetfall-only and primarily on an event basis at a site in the Tennessee Valley is a dilute sulfuric acid solution containing trace metals whose concentrations exhibit log normal distributions. The concentrations of H+, SO42−, Pb, Mn and Zn exhibit maxima in the warmer months in response to synoptic meteorologic conditions. These conditions result in elevated air concentrations during air stagnation and in generally lower rainfall amounts per event and hence less dilution of the scavenged material. Dilution is indicated by significant negative correlation coefficients between concentrations and rainfall amount, the rainfall parameter exerting the strongest influence on concentrations. Concentrations are negatively correlated with rainfall duration and intensity to a lesser extent. The relationship between concentration and rainfall amount can be described by a negative exponential, while that between wet deposition and rainfall amount is approximately a 0.6-power relationship. Calculated scavenging ratios generally increase with increasing atmospheric particle mass-median diameter of each element and are on the order of 100 for Pb, 1000 for SO42− and Zn, and 5000 for Cd and Mn.
A memory model for scientific algorithms on graphics processors

We present a memory model to analyze and improve the performance of scientific algorithms on graphics processing units (GPUs). Our memory model is based on texturing hardware, which uses a 2D block-based array representation to perform the underlying computations. We incorporate many characteristics of GPU architectures including smaller cache sizes, 2D block representations, and use the 3C's model to analyze the cache misses. Moreover. we present techniques to improve the performance of nested loops on GPUs. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of our model, we highlight its performance on three memory-intensive scientific applications - sorting, fast Fourier transform and dense matrix-multiplication. In practice, our cache-efficient algorithms for these applications are able to achieve memory throughput of 30-50 GB/s on a NVIDIA 7900 GTX GPU. We also compare our results with prior GPU-based and CPU-based implementations on high-end processors. In practice, we are able to achieve 2-5 x performance improvement.
NEOSPORA CANINUM ANTIGENS DEFINED BY ANTIGEN-DEPENDENT BOVINE CD4+ T CELLS

Neosporosis is an important cause of pregnancy loss in cattle worldwide. The objective of the present study was to identify Neospora caninum antigens as vaccine candidates using antigen-specific, short-term CD4+ T cells established from N. caninum–immunized and –challenged cows. Whole N. caninum tachyzoite lysate was separated into 6 fractions by DEAE anion-exchange chromatography using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The CD4+ T-cell proliferation assay results indicated that antigenic activity was associated with proteins from HPLC fractions 4–6, with fraction 5 exhibiting the highest antigenic activity. Also, SDS-PAGE analysis revealed a 16-kDa protein in fractions 4–6 that was recognized by anti–N. caninum antibodies. This 16-kDa protein was absent in other fractions, and it may be a target of a T-cell response in cattle. Further identification of immunogenic proteins of N. caninum may facilitate development of subunit vaccines against neosporosis.
Subtidal inner‐shelf circulation near Point Conception, California

[1] We discuss connections between inner-shelf and mid-shelf circulation near Point Conception, California, as well as the wind forcing of inner-shelf circulation. Point Conception marks the southern edge of a major upwelling zone that extends from Oregon to central California. The coastline makes a sharp eastward turn at Point Conception, and the Santa Barbara Channel to the east is generally assumed to be an upwelling shadow. Consistent with this regional division, inner-shelf currents are strongly correlated with wind north of Point Conception, but not in the Santa Barbara Channel. One exception to this generalization is a location in the Santa Barbara Channel, near a pass that cuts through the coastal mountains, where local winds have a dominant cross-shore component and directly drive cross-shore currents over the inner shelf. Inner-shelf currents in the Santa Barbara Channel, when compared with mid-shelf currents in that area, are weaker, but strongly correlated. By contrast, inner-shelf currents north of Point Conception show a far greater incidence of poleward flow than is seen over the mid-shelf in that area. Poleward flow events, lasting 1–5 days, transport warm water from the Santa Barbara Channel around Point Conception to the central California coast. These events are associated with relaxation of the generally equatorward wind, but not always with mid-shelf flow reversals.
The evolution of bacterial LuxI and LuxR quorum sensing regulators.

Quorum sensing is a widespread form of bacterial communication in which individual cells produce and respond to specific N-acyl homoserine lactone signal metabolites. The different autoinducer synthases that generate these signals and the receptor/activator proteins that mediate the cell’s response to them constitute evolutionarily conserved families of regulatory proteins known as the LuxI and LuxR families, respectively. We have performed a phylogenetic analysis of 76 individual LuxI and LuxR homologues present in diverse members of the Gram-negative Proteobacteria. The results were consistent with an early origin for these regulators during the evolution of the Proteobacteria, with functional pairs of luxI and luxR genes possibly coevolving as regulatory cassettes. In many cases, specific LuxI and LuxR family members appeared to have been inherited horizontally. In particular, those species containing multiple LuxI and/or LuxR homologues usually appeared to have obtained each individual homologue or functional pair of homologues from an independent source. Because multiple homologues interact to form regulatory cascades, this finding suggests that hierarchical signalling pathways can potentially evolve by the sequential integration of pre-existing regulatory circuits acquired from diverse sources.
Modes to Facilitate Ventilator Weaning

Weaning comprises 40 percent of the duration of mechanical ventilation. Protocols to reduce weaning time and to identify candidates at the earliest possible moment have been introduced to reduce complications and costs. Increased demand for mechanical ventilation, an increase in the number of patients requiring prolonged ventilation, and resource/staffing issues have created an environment where automated weaning may play a role. A number of closed loop techniques have been introduced since the early 1990s, with increasing sophistication. Preliminary research has demonstrated mixed results. Current systems continue to be evaluated in different patient populations and environments. Automated weaning is part of the ICU armamentarium, and identification of the patient populations most likely to benefit needs to be further defined.
Synthesis of 4‐fluoro‐2, 3‐dimethyl‐1‐phenyl‐3‐pyrazoline‐5‐one (4‐fluoroantipyrine) and 18f‐labeled analog by direct fluorination of antipyrine with molecular fluorine

A facile procedure for preparing 4-fluoroantipyrine is reported. Treatment of antipyrine with molecular fluorine gives 4-fluoroantipyrine (3) and 4,4-difluoro-3-hydroxy-2,3-dimethyl-1-phenylpyrazolidin-5-one (2). The product distribution depends on the ratio of antipyrine and molecular fluorine. The same procedure is used to prepare [18F]-4-fluoroantipyrine with high specific activity.
The Scholarship of Engagement: A Taxonomy of Five Emerging Practices.

A new form of scholarship, the scholarship of engagement, is emerging as a distinct set of practices within the general movement toward civic renewal in American higher education. This essay defines the core aspects of the scholarship of engagement and creates a taxonomy of five forms of engaged scholarship. Using a problem-driven, pluralistic approach, this essay concludes that the new forms of engaged scholarship each make important contributions to the civic renewal of American higher education and collectively constitute an exciting and growing movement.
Joint coding for flash memory storage

Flash memory is an electronic non-volatile memory with wide applications. Due to the substantial impact of block erasure operations on the speed, reliability and longevity of flash memories, writing schemes that enable data to be modified numerous times without incurring the block erasure is desirable. This requirement is addressed by floating codes, a coding scheme that jointly stores and rewrites data and maximizes the rewriting capability of flash memories. In this paper, we present several new floating code constructions. They include both codes with specific parameters and general code constructions that are asymptotically optimal. We also present bounds to the performance of floating codes.
Physiology in Perspective: The Air We Breathe: Providing O2 for Survival.

As early as the 2nd century BCE, experiments showed that a component of air was necessary for combustion. Later, it was shown that this same component of air was also necessary for life in vertebrate organisms. In the mid 1770s, oxygen was discovered independently by two scientists: the Swedish
Issues in user authentication using security questions

Security questions are a human-authentication method leveraging unique private knowledge that only the valid user has and provide a reliable means for supplementary authentication. Security questions offer a low-cost alternative for password-resets and provide an additional layer of security beyond the traditional username-and-password protection method. In this survey paper, we review current literature on security questions, examine the issues on their use and identify the areas that need further research. The results of our review indicate that the current literature has acknowledged and discussed how security questions are susceptible to predominantly three types of attacks: blind guess, focused guess and observation. We found gaps in the literature in areas of using automated systems to provide real-time evaluation of responses and providing feedback to users to improve security. Finally, we outline potential directions for future research in using security questions more effectively.
Awareness of Domestic Violence Within the Evangelical Community: Romania and Moldova

Domestic violence is a serious problem worldwide and is often perpetuated by complex social and cultural factors. The former post-communist countries of Romania and Moldova are no exception despite recent social attention. Many evangelical churches have not addressed this problem. The purpose of this project was to begin to assess the understanding of clergy and congregation members from evangelical churches in Romania and Moldova about domestic violence. Findings indicate that domestic violence occurs within the evangelical church in both Romania and Moldova, and that cultural and religious factors influence its prevalence. Suggestions for further research and training are included.
Software merge: semantics of combining changes to programs

We present a language-independent semantic model of the process of combining changes to programs. This model extends the domains used in denotational semantics (complete partial orders) to Boolean algebras, and represents incompatible modifications as well as compatible extensions. The model is used to define the intended semantics of change-merging operations on programs and to establish some general properties of software merging. We determine conditions under which changes to subprograms of a software system can be merged independently and illustrate cases where this is not possible.
Subdural empyema of otorhinological origin.

The UCLA experience with subdural empyema (SDE) of otorhinological origin was reviewed. All cases of SDE with additional intracranial complications were excluded. Thirteen cases of SDE were identified with the prediposing factors being sinusitis (ten), mastoiditis (two), and otitis media (one). Based on data obtained from this review and from studies previously published in the literature, the keys to optimal outcome are rapid diagnosis, craniotomy with complete evacuation of the purulent collection followed by immediate surgical management of the otorhinological source of the SDE, and appropriate antibiotic therapy. Computed tomography is nearly always diagnostic but can be equivocal and magnetic resonance imaging may become the diagnostic study of choice. Of the five patients initially treated with craniotomy, 100 per cent improved as compared to 50 per cent of the eight patients initially treated with burr holes. None of the patients initially managed with craniotomy were worse or died, whereas of the four patients initially managed with burr holes, two were worse (25 per cent) and two died (25 per cent). Antibiotic therapy is guided by the organisms found in the empyema and the site of origin of the infection. The otolaryngologist must remain aware of the clinical features and management of SDE and work closely with his neurosurgical colleagues to provide early, decisive surgical treatment.
Capacity of broadcast fading channels with variable rate and power

We obtain the broadcast (downlink) channel capacity region in fading and AWGN for time-division, frequency-division, and code-division. For all of these techniques, the maximum capacity region is achieved when the transmitter varies the data rate sent to each user as their channels vary. This optimal scheme requires channel estimates at the transmitter, dynamic allocation of timeslots, bandwidth, or codes, and variable-rate and power transmission. For both AWGN and fading channels, nonorthogonal code-division with successive decoding has the largest capacity region, while time-division, frequency-division, and orthogonal code-division have the same smaller region. However, when all users have the same average SNR, the capacity regions for all these techniques are the same. We also examine the capacity region of nonorthogonal code-division without successive decoding, and of orthogonal code-division when multipath corrupts the code orthogonality.
Preliminary Design of Wastewater Treatment Systems

A digital computer program for preliminary design of a nine process conventional system for treatment of domestic sewage is described. Volume flow, concentrations of 11 water contaminants present in the feed stream, and decision parameters for each process are supplied to the program as input. Computed output includes volume flow and concentration of each contaminant at all 20 stations within the system, capital and operating and maintenance cost for each process, and total cost for the system.
Globalisasi, Netwar, dan Isu-Isu Strategis di Asia Pasifik

Nowadays, globalization gives impact to security, either national or International because of developments of science, technology, and human movement. There are five main issue in International society as consequences of globalization, which are drugs dealer, small arms trafficking, infringement of intellectual property rights, people smuggling, and money laundering. Furthermore, there is new terminology, called netwar, which is occured because of the development of information technology and being used to break up the nationaland International security. Basically, a non-traditional security matter is not a new issue. It is just a local issue, which does not get public awareness but globalization has pushed it to come out and sometimes it is believed that it has become a new resource of global threat.
Downshifting: Regaining the Essence of Leisure

(2000). Downshifting: Regaining the Essence of Leisure. Journal of Leisure Research: Vol. 32, No. 1, pp. 69-73.
The mobility of growth twins synthesized by sputtering: Tailoring the twin thickness

Abstract The current work presents a protean twin thickness contour zone map that illustrates how the nucleation and the mobility of twin boundaries affects the twin thickness of sputtered films. The twin thickness contour zone map can be used as a versatile guide to synthesize fully nanotwinned films with tailored twin thicknesses in materials with a wide range of stacking fault energies. The nucleation and mobility of twin boundaries was studied in four Cu alloys of different compositions (Cu-6wt.%Al, Cu-4wt.%Al, Cu-2wt.%Al, and Cu-10wt.%Ni), having stacking fault energies ranging from 6 mJ/m2 to 60 mJ/m2. The films were synthesized by magnetron sputtering and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, where the twin thickness varied from 2 nm to 35 nm. Our experimental results show that it is possible to control the twin thickness. Three main mechanisms are explained to describe twin nucleation and twin boundary mobility, which are correlated to the interplay of specific sputtering conditions and the deposition temperature.
Product formation by the promiscuous lanthipeptide synthetase ProcM is under kinetic control

Lanthipeptides are natural products that belong to the family of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). They contain characteristic lanthionine (Lan) or methyllanthionine (MeLan) structures that contribute to their diverse biological activities. Despite its structurally diverse set of 30 substrates, the highly substrate-tolerant lanthipeptide synthetase ProcM is shown to display high selectivity for formation of a single product from selected substrates. Mutation of the active site zinc ligands to alanine or the unique zinc ligand Cys971 to histidine resulted in a decrease of the cyclization rate, especially for the second cyclization of the substrates ProcA1.1, ProcA2.8, and ProcA3.3. Surprisingly, for ProcA3.3 these mutations also altered the regioselectivity of cyclization resulting in a new major product. ProcM was not able to correct the ring topology of incorrectly cyclized intermediates and products, suggesting that thermodynamic control is not operational. Collectively, the data in this study suggest that the high regioselectivity of product formation is governed by the selectivity of the initially formed ring.
Athermal Fracture of Covalent Bonds

Most fracture is athermal. Either because it occurs at low temperatures; or because it occurs too fast for thermal activation to be effective. Thus it must be directly activated by applied stresses. This can occur via quantum tunneling when the chemical bonding of a solid resides in localized (covalent) bonds. Then applied stresses can cause the bonding electrons to become delocalized (anti-bonded) through quantum tunneling. That is, the bonds become broken. The process is related to the Zener tunneling process that is thought to be responsible for dielectric breakdown in semiconductors. Under a driving force, bonding electrons tunnel at constant energy from their bonding states into anti-bonding states through the forbidden gap in the bonding energy spectrum.
Molecular probes in studies of the relationship of viruses to human neoplasia.

Extensive studies in a number of laboratories have established the role of ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses in the origin of animal neoplasms of diverse types. Recent studies have characterized the viruses biochemically and have developed biochemical tools for study of human tumors. These technics have been applied to an analysis of the role of viruses in human solid tumors and leukemia. In a series of studies based on the animal leukemia–sarcoma virus model system, cultures derived from human fibrosarcoma desmoides and from giant cell tumor of bone were inoculated with fresh bone marrow aspirates from patients with acute, lymphocytic leukemia. Foci of morphologically altered cells appeared in these cultures several tissue culture passages after inoculation. Cell lines were derived from the altered cells and were characterized biologically and biochemically. The cells exhibited growth properties and tumorigenicity characteristic of malignant cells in immunosuppressed mice. The cells were also found to release particles (buoyant density 1.15 to 1.17 Gm. per ml.) containing reverse transcriptase and high molecular weight RNA. The data obtained suggest that genetic information similar to that of animal RNA tumor viruses was present in the cells and was activated during transformation. The results add further evidence implicating RNA tumor viruses in the etiology of some types of human neoplasia, such as leukemia, giant cell tumor, and fibrosarcoma desmoides.
Compensation of Chromatic Dispersion and Nonlinearity Using Simplified Digital Backpropagation

We study digital backpropagation for compensating linear and nonlinear impairments in single-mode fiber. We reduce computational complexity by increasing the spatial step size. We evaluate the effects of sampling rate and dispersion map on performance.
Thomas Aquinas and Meister Eckhart on Exodus 3:14: Exegesis or Eisegesis?

Modern criticisms of medieval Biblical exegesis often accuse it of being little more than ‘eisegesis’: that is, a reading into Biblical texts metaphysical concepts — usually of pagan Greek origin — that are foreign to the concerns and intentions of the Biblical authors. Aquinas's interpretation of Exodus 3:14, where God identifies himself to Moses as ‘He Who Is’ and which Aquinas identifies with the self-subsistent act of existence (esse ipsum subsistens) is often mentioned as an example of this sort of ‘eisegesis’.This dichotomy between exegesis and eisegesis, however, completely misunderstands how medieval theologians, Thomas Aquinas and Meister Eckhart in particular, themselves read and understood Scripture. Implicit in Aquinas, and quite explicit in his Dominican successor, Eckhart, is the insight that to uncover the true meaning of Scripture is to uncover the self-subsistent Word, Christ, in and through whom all things were created. This Word is, therefore, the inner truth of both Scripture and all t...
Impact of shade on outdoor thermal comfort-a seasonal field study in Tempe, Arizona.

Shade plays an important role in designing pedestrian-friendly outdoor spaces in hot desert cities. This study investigates the impact of photovoltaic canopy shade and tree shade on thermal comfort through meteorological observations and field surveys at a pedestrian mall on Arizona State University's Tempe campus. During the course of 1 year, on selected clear calm days representative of each season, we conducted hourly meteorological transects from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and surveyed 1284 people about their thermal perception, comfort, and preferences. Shade lowered thermal sensation votes by approximately 1 point on a semantic differential 9-point scale, increasing thermal comfort in all seasons except winter. Shade type (tree or solar canopy) did not significantly impact perceived comfort, suggesting that artificial and natural shades are equally efficient in hot dry climates. Globe temperature explained 51 % of the variance in thermal sensation votes and was the only statistically significant meteorological predictor. Important non-meteorological factors included adaptation, thermal comfort vote, thermal preference, gender, season, and time of day. A regression of subjective thermal sensation on physiological equivalent temperature yielded a neutral temperature of 28.6 °C. The acceptable comfort range was 19.1 °C-38.1 °C with a preferred temperature of 20.8 °C. Respondents exposed to above neutral temperature felt more comfortable if they had been in air-conditioning 5 min prior to the survey, indicating a lagged response to outdoor conditions. Our study highlights the importance of active solar access management in hot urban areas to reduce thermal stress.
Essential Genes Predicted in the Genome of Rubrivivax gelatinosus

ABSTRACT Rubrivivax gelatinosus is a betaproteobacterium with impressive metabolic diversity. It is capable of phototrophy, chemotrophy, two different mechanisms of sugar metabolism, fermentation, and H2 gas production. To identify core essential genes, R. gelatinosus was subjected to saturating transposon mutagenesis and high-throughput sequencing (TnSeq) analysis using nutrient-rich, aerobic conditions. Results revealed that virtually no primary metabolic genes are essential to the organism and that genomic redundancy only explains a portion of the nonessentiality, but some biosynthetic pathways are still essential under nutrient-rich conditions. Different essentialities of different portions of the Pho regulatory pathway suggest that overexpression of the regulon is toxic and hint at a larger connection between phosphate regulation and cellular health. Lastly, various essentialities of different tRNAs hint at a more complex situation than would be expected for such a core process. These results expand upon research regarding cross-organism gene essentiality and further enrich the study of purple nonsulfur bacteria. IMPORTANCE Microbial genomic data are increasing at a tremendous rate, but physiological characterization of those data lags far behind. One mechanism of high-throughput physiological characterization is TnSeq, which uses high-volume transposon mutagenesis and high-throughput sequencing to identify all of the essential genes in a given organism9s genome. Here TnSeq was used to identify essential genes in the metabolically versatile betaproteobacterium Rubrivivax gelatinosus. The results presented here add to the growing TnSeq field and also reveal important aspects of R. gelatinosus physiology, which are applicable to researchers working on metabolically flexible organisms.
Optimal structuring of collateralized debt obligation contracts: an optimization approach

The objective of this paper is to help a bank originator of a collateralized debt obligation (CDO) to build a maximally profitable CDO. We consider an optimization framework for structuring CDOs. The objective is to select attachment/ detachment points and underlying instruments in the CDO pool. In addition to “standard” CDOs we study so-called “step-up” CDOs. In a standard CDO contract the attachment/detachment points are constant over the life of a CDO. In a step-up CDO the attachment/detachment points may change over time. We show that step-up CDOs can save about 25–35% of tranche spread payments (ie, profitability of CDOs can be boosted by about 25–35%). Several optimization models are developed from the bank originator perspective. We consider a synthetic CDO where the goal is to minimize payments for the credit risk protection (premium leg), while maintaining a specific credit rating (assuring the credit spread) of each tranche and maintaining the total incoming credit default swap spread payments. The case study is based on the time-to-default scenarios for obligors (instruments) generated by the Standard & Poor’s CDO Evaluator. The Portfolio Safeguard package by AORDA was used to optimize the performance of several CDOs based on example data.
Computing, Communications and Other Open Issues in Vehicular CPS

As discussed in the previous chapters, traffic accidents and jams continue to worsen worldwide. Transportation sector is significantly stressed as number of vehicles manufactured and sold every year is increasing. This leads to more accidents and fatalities, and adverse environmental and economic impact. This chapter provides communication and computing aspects for transportation CPS.
Robust Adaptive Dynamic Programming

This chapter introduces a new concept of robust adaptive dynamic programming (RADP), a natural extension of ADP to uncertain dynamic systems. It presents an online learning strategy for the design of robust adaptive suboptimal controllers that globally asymptotically stabilize the system. The chapter introduces the robust redesign technique to achieve RADP for nonlinear systems. To begin with, it considers the nonlinear system with dynamic uncertainties. The RADP methodologies can be viewed as natural extensions of ADP to dynamically perturbed uncertain systems. The RADP framework decomposes the uncertain environment into two parts: the reduced‐order system (ideal environment) with known system order and fully accessible state, and the dynamic uncertainties, with unknown system order and dynamics, interacting with the ideal environment. The presence of dynamic uncertainty gives rise to interconnected systems for which the controller design and robustness analysis become technically challenging.
Longitudinal Effects of Technology Integration and Teacher Professional Development on Students’ Mathematics Achievement

Background:MathForward is a program that provides teacher professional development and integrates the use of technology as a tool in the classroom.Material and methods:The present study examined all students’ mathematics growth from 2012 to 2013 and observed how students’ mathematics scores changed after their school implemented the MathForward program. The sample consisted of two years of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test data for a total of 563 students. The participants took the first STAAR examination in 2012 at the end of 7th grade and took the second examination in 2013 at the end of 8th grade.Results:In general, regardless of background or student characteristic, pupils increased their mathematics STAAR test scores statistically significantly (p < .05) with the Cohen’s d effect size of 0.26.Conclusions:Properly implemented, MathForward could be useful in raising the mathematics achievement of students.
Experimental validation of the pseudo-rigid-body model of the MRI-actuated catheter

An MRI-actuated catheter is a novel robotic catheter system that utilizes the MRI for both remote steering and visualization for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. Planning and control of the catheter requires a sufficiently fast yet accurate model of the catheter. The pseudo-rigid-body (PRB) model offers a reasonable trade-off between speed and accuracy by approximating the continuum catheter as rigid links connected by flexible joints, thus reducing the infinite degrees of freedom of the continuum mechanism to a finite one. In this paper, a PRB model of the MRI-actuated catheter is validated experimentally by comparing the deflections of the PRB model with the deflections of the catheter prototype.
Lightning NOx Emissions: Reconciling Measured and Modeled Estimates With Updated NOx Chemistry

Lightning is one of the most important sources of upper tropospheric NO_x; however, there is a large spread in estimates of the global emission rates (2–8 Tg N yr^(−1)). We combine upper tropospheric in situ observations from the Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry (DC3) experiment and global satellite-retrieved NO_2 tropospheric column densities to constrain mean lightning NO_x (LNO_x) emissions per flash. Insights from DC3 indicate that the NO_x lifetime is ~3 h in the region of outflow of thunderstorms, mainly due to production of methyl peroxy nitrate and alkyl and multifunctional nitrates. The lifetime then increases farther downwind from the region of outflow. Reinterpreting previous analyses using the 3 h lifetime reduces the spread among various methods that have been used to calculate mean LNO_x emissions per flash and indicates a global LNO_x emission rate of ~9 Tg N yr^(−1), a flux larger than the high end of recent estimates.
Intraoperative monitoring of spinal cord blood flow

Spinal cord ischemia is commonly associated with both trauma and surgery. We demonstrate a catheter-based optical tool to continuously monitor spinal cord blood flow intraoperatively in a ovine model of spinal surgery.
The Practice of Trust

Why Trust? In order to participate in fulfilling friendships and love relationships one must trust. If trust is a form of association of the second order, then its construction is an essential element for the existence of intimate relationships. Close relationships bring with them their share of tragedy, but they also bring with them a happiness and love that can only emerge from intimate ties to another. These benefits of the interpersonal trust relationship make trust worth the risk of self-mortification, a risk that one hopes is never actualized.
Atrimmec Suppresses Shoot Length and Promotes Branching of Lonicera x heckrottii ‘Goldflame’ (Goldflame Honeysuckle)

Abstract Studies were conducted in 1999 and 2000 to determine effects of Atrimmec (dikegulac-sodium) applied at 0, 2340 or 4680 ppm and pruning just prior to Atrimmec application (1999 only) on shoot length and shoot number of Lonicera × heckrottii ‘Goldflame’ (Goldflame honeysuckle). When Atrimmec was applied in June 1999, shoot lengths were suppressed in non-pruned plants 21–24% 2 weeks after treatment (WAT), 16–19% 4 WAT, 16–17% 8 WAT, and 15–16% 10 WAT compared to control plants. Shoot length was suppressed 933% in pruned plants from 2 through 10 WAT, with increased suppression from concurrent pruning evident in control plants 2 WAT, and for plants treated with the higher Atrimmec rate 2 through 10 WAT. Following 10 WAT, increasing Atrimmec rate suppressed shoot length linearly and independent of pruning, 15–21% 12 WAT and 14–21% 14 WAT. When Atrimmec was applied in April 2000, shoot length of non-pruned plants was suppressed quadratically by increasing Atrimmec rate with suppression at the highest ra...
Towards the high-throughput synthesis of bulk materials: thermoelectric PbTe–PbSe–SnTe–SnSe alloys

The experimental realization of new functional materials is a complex optimization problem that would vastly benefit from the application of high-throughput methodologies. In this work, we adapt bulk ceramic processing for high-throughput integration, with a focus on producing high-quality thermoelectric materials. We also monitor the time and effort cost per sample, providing insight for where additional engineering can further increase throughput. Through parallelization and automation, we achieve a 5–10× increase in synthetic speed, allowing the generation of a 121 sample alloy map within the PbTe–PbSe–SnTe–SnSe system. Despite heavy investment from the thermoelectric community, prior literature exclusively focuses on intuitive pseudobinary combinations within the PbTe–PbSe–SnTe–SnSe alloys. Our intuition–agnostic mapping, however, has enabled us to identify compositions with anomalous, non-monotonic changes in the thermoelectric transport. The newly discovered trends (e.g. high mobility alloys, extended band-inversion region) do not lie on the intuitive pseudobinary combinations – exemplifying the value of unbiased high-throughput methods. Additionally, as our methods were chosen explicitly to preserve sample quality, our solubility limits and room-temperature thermoelectric transport are also in excellent agreement with available literature. Ultimately, this work demonstrates that high-throughput methods are a potent tool for the accelerated optimization and realization of new functional materials.
Building Connections Across Difference: Faculty Mentoring as Institutional Change

Academia is a gendered (raced and classed) institution and, as such, is not always welcoming to women and members of other historically marginalized groups. Academia must become more diverse if it is to become more equal, but diversity, as measured only by increased representation, does not assure real change. Faculty committed to institutional change must successfully navigate the structure as it currently exists to work for transformation from within. One such group of faculty is feminist outsiders-within. I suggest that feminist outsiders-within can mindfully engage in mentoring schemes to address privileges embedded in the structure of the institution in order to bring diverse faculty together, foster understanding of different positionalities, and inspire unlikely allies to demand change.
Efficient sample-based approach for effective seismic risk mitigation of transportation networks

Identifying optimal seismic mitigation strategies (i.e., groups of bridges to retrofit) for effective risk mitigation of transportation networks entails significant computational challenges due to ...
New Directions for Libraries, Scholars, and Partnerships: North American librarians’ symposium in Europe provide forums to share, collaborate, and learn

One hundred twenty librarians and information professionals from ten countries descended on Frankfurt am Main, Germany, on October 13, 2017, for a day of networking and information exchange covering librarianship and scholarship in the 21st century. “New Directions for Libraries, Scholars, and Partnerships: An International Symposium” grew out of a need to have a forum for North American librarians who specialize in European Studies to share insights with and learn from librarians and archivists from Europe and elsewhere.
A Bone Marrow Stromal-Derived Growth Factor, Interleukin-11, Stimulates Recovery of Small Intestinal Mucosal Cells After Cytoablative Therapy

The proliferation of epithelial cells lining the small intestinal mucosa may be regulated by microenvironmental signals leading to differentiation of precursor cells in the small intestinal crypts. Proliferation of hematopoietic cells within the hematopoietic microenvironment is known to be regulated by a growing number of glycoprotein growth factors in a hierarchial fashion. We studied the effects of administration of the microenvironment-derived hematopoietic growth factor interleukin-11 (IL-11) on mice given combination radiation/chemotherapy. Treatment of such mice with IL-11 led to significantly increased survival and evidence of rapid recovery of the small intestinal mucosa, which is severely damaged by these cytoxic agents. This recovery was associated with an increase in the mitotic index of crypt cells and an increased frequency of staining of these cells with a monoclonal antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a member of the cyclin family of nuclear antigens.
Cavity electro-optic circuit for microwave-to-optical frequency conversion

We report on the realization of coherent transduction between superconducting and photonic circuits based on triple-resonance electro-optics principle, with integrated devices incorporating both superconducting and χ2 optical cavities on the same chip. Electromagnetically induced transparency is observed, indicating the coherent interaction between microwave and optical photons.
Assessment of a quality improvement intervention to improve the consistency of total body surface area burn estimates between referring facilities and a pediatric burn center

Abstract Background Burns are a significant source of pediatric morbidity and frequently result in transfer of care to a pediatric burn center. Data suggest that referring facilities often overestimate the total body surface area (%TBSA) of burns in comparison to the subsequent assessment at the pediatric burn center. Such discrepancies may trigger inappropriately aggressive interventions with potential for patient harm. Our baseline assessment of data from 106 patients transferred to our pediatric burn center over a one-year period showed that 59/106 (56%) patients had a %TBSA recorded at the time of transfer and 18/59 (31%) had clinically significant differences (>5% difference) in estimates between the referring facility and the pediatric burn center. Methods Informed by this clinical audit and a root cause analysis, we implemented practices to enhance consistency of clinical assessments between referring facilities and our pediatric burn center. These practices included the use of a common clinical assessment instrument (a standardized Lund and Browder form) that was integrated into the interfacility transfer process as well as educational outreach at referring facilities for providers who treat children with burns, prioritizing facilities with the highest number of discrepancies. Results Follow up data was reviewed 16–23 months after initiating the intervention. Cumulatively, we found significant improvement in the proportion of patients with %TBSA recorded (94% vs 56%, p Conclusions Referring facilities often overestimate the %TBSA in comparison to the subsequent assessment at the pediatric burn center. The consistency of the %TBSA estimates can be improved by interventions that utilize the sharing of a common clinical assessment instrument and standardization of the transfer intake process.
Online Course Design: A Review of the Canvas Course Evaluation Checklist

The evaluation of online courses is an important step in providing quality online courses. There are a variety of national and statewide evaluation tools used to help guide instructors and course designers of online courses (e.g., Quality Matters, OSCQR). This paper discusses a newly released course evaluation instrument from Canvas, the second largest learning management system (LMS) used by higher education institutions in the United States. The characteristics and unique features of the Canvas Course Evaluation Checklist (CCEC) are discussed. The CCEC is also compared to established national and statewide evaluation instruments. This review is helpful for those interested in online course design and developments in the field of online education.
Responding to disruptive behaviors in nursing: One-year follow-up of quasi-experimental research measuring links to turnover, intent to leave, and patient care quality

Background and objectives : Disruptive behaviors among nurses are a prevalent problem in health care, contributing to nursing staff turnover and compromising patient care. Newly licensed nurses may be unprepared to respond to disruptive behaviors effectively, negatively impacting them, patients, and organizations. Cognitive rehearsal can increase self-efficacy to respond effectively to disruptive behaviors. The purpose of this study was to determine the longitudinal impact of a cognitive rehearsal intervention delivered to nursing students during the final semester of their pre-licensure program on self-efficacy to respond to disruptive behaviors, turnover and intent to stay in a job, frequency of disruptive behaviors, and perceived impact on patient care. Methods : Design: This study was the second phase in a quasi-experimental, longitudinal project. Participants and Setting: In Phase 1, 129 participants were recruited from three pre-licensure nursing programs in the Midwestern United States. All participants received the intervention. In Phase 2, one year after graduating, 95 remained enrolled. Methods: An electronic survey was used to collect data. Paired t -tests were used to detect changes in self-efficacy; bi-variate correlations were utilized to determine relationships between outcome variables. Results : Multiple measures of self-efficacy to respond remained statistically significantly increased one year after graduating ( p < .05). Experiencing (r = .489; p < .000) and witnessing (r = .432; p < .000) disruptive behaviors was significantly linked to patient care. Conclusions : Cognitive rehearsal had a sustained, positive impact on self-efficacy to respond to disruptive behaviors and should be included in pre-licensure curricula.