cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preparation, crystal structure and chelate substitution reactions of [Mn4O2(O2CPh)6(dpm)2] (dpm=the anion of dipivaloylmethane)

Abstract The reaction of [NnBu4][Mn4O2(O2CPh)9(H2O)] with 2 equiv. of Na(dpm) (dpm− is the anion of dipivaloylmethane) gives [NnBu4][Mn4O2(O2CPh)7(dpm)2] (1), which undergoes chelate substitution with picolinic acid (picH) or dibenzoylmethane (dbmH) to give the corresponding pic− and dbm− complexes, 2 and 3, respectively. Reaction of 1 with 1 equiv. of Me3SiCl converts it to [Mn4O2(O2CPh)6(dpm)2] (4), whose crystal structure shows a butterfly-like [Mn4O2]8+ core but with two five-coordinate MnIII ions. Compound 4 also undergoes chelate substitution with picH, dbmH, 2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine and hexafluoroacetylacetone to give the corresponding complexes. With trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe), a bridged compound [Mn4O2(O2CPh)6(dpm)2(bpe)]2 is obtained, analogous to the dbm− compound previously characterized crystallographically. Magnetic susceptibility studies of 4 in the 5.00–300 K range give Jbb=−27.5 cm−1, Jwb=−0.4 cm−1 ( H =−2J S i S j convention), and g=1.87, indicating 4 to have a quintuply degenerate (n, 0, n) ground state (n=4, 3, 2, 1, 0) as a result of the large Jbb/Jwb ratio.
Hypertension: Pathways to Success

The field of hypertension has enjoyed some remarkable successes in recent years. Better blood pressure management has been an important contributor to the recent rapid decline in the age-adjusted death rates for coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke.1 Yet, there is yet so much more that could be accomplished through better blood pressure management. CHD and stroke remain the first and third leading causes of death in the United States.2 And only slightly more than a third of those with hypertension in the United States achieve recommended treatment goal blood pressure levels.3 Control rates are even worse in most other countries.4 Better blood pressure management can save many lives. Here, some pathways to success are considered. Few measurements in medicine are done as poorly and inconsistently as blood pressure measurement. Methods used today in clinical practice and in clinical trials are little changed from the earliest days of measurement.5 Though there is a clear recognition of biological variability, we continue to make decisions largely on measurements taken at random times under poorly controlled conditions. The measurement process is less regulated than measurement of most other major risk factors. Just compare the quality control process for glucose or cholesterol measurement with that for blood pressure measurement in your own local setting. There are not readily available solutions for this issue. Substantial investments in research in this area should be made by government and commercial entities. We must have reliable, reproducible, convenient, and precise measurement tools for blood pressure. These tools should allow for measurement of the important components of blood pressure and mechanisms for integrating and interpreting influence of time of day, activity, …
Effect of Alveolar Ridge Preservation after Tooth Extraction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Alveolar ridge preservation strategies are indicated to minimize the loss of ridge volume that typically follows tooth extraction. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the effect that socket filling with a bone grafting material has on the prevention of postextraction alveolar ridge volume loss as compared with tooth extraction alone in nonmolar teeth. Five electronic databases were searched to identify randomized clinical trials that fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Literature screening and article selection were conducted by 3 independent reviewers, while data extraction was performed by 2 independent reviewers. Outcome measures were mean horizontal ridge changes (buccolingual) and vertical ridge changes (midbuccal, midlingual, mesial, and distal). The influence of several variables of interest (i.e., flap elevation, membrane usage, and type of bone substitute employed) on the outcomes of ridge preservation therapy was explored via subgroup analyses. We found that alveolar ridge preservation is effective in limiting physiologic ridge reduction as compared with tooth extraction alone. The clinical magnitude of the effect was 1.89 mm (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.41, 2.36; p < .001) in terms of buccolingual width, 2.07 mm (95% CI: 1.03, 3.12; p < .001) for midbuccal height, 1.18 mm (95% CI: 0.17, 2.19; p = .022) for midlingual height, 0.48 mm (95% CI: 0.18, 0.79; p = .002) for mesial height, and 0.24 mm (95% CI: -0.05, 0.53; p = .102) for distal height changes. Subgroup analyses revealed that flap elevation, the usage of a membrane, and the application of a xenograft or an allograft are associated with superior outcomes, particularly on midbuccal and midlingual height preservation.
The Rop-Dimer: A Folded Protein Living Between Two Alternate Structures

A central assumption in protein folding is that a protein's native state is unique and stable. The Rop-dimer (Repressor Of Primer) shows strong changes in its folding kinetics and binding ability to RNA upon mutation of its hydrophobic core. Computer simulations investigated the possibility of two competing conformations to explain these results. Given an equivalent energetic bias, both conformations show different kinetic accessibilities in these simulations. Thus Rop's mutational behavior was explained by a preference of the kinetically less favored Wild-Type conformation for slow (un)folding mutants. Faster (un)folding mutants should prefer the kinetically favored conformation. For specific mutants it was suggested that the protein's native state is constituted by two competing conformations. Inspired by these simulations, single-molecule FRET-measurements verified the suggestion of two competing conformations constituting the native ensemble. Despite the need of a large-scale conformational change to get from the one conformation to the other, it shows that for a specific mutant the same dimer can adopt both conformations over time without disassociation of its monomers or changes in environmental conditions.
The Effect of Alkali Metal Cations on The Structure of Dissolved Silicate Oligomers

By means of 29Si spectroscopy, it is established that the distribution of silicate anions in alkaline silicate solutions is a moderate function of base composition. At a fixed SiO2. concentration and silicate ratio, the proportion of Si present in oligomeric and cage-like structures increases in progressing from Li to Cs hydroxide. Interactions between alkali metal cations and silicate anions are investigated using NMR spectroscopy of the cations; in this way the concentration of ion pairs is measured as a function of cation size. As a result the silicate redistribution is ascribed to cation-silicate anion pairing and to a higher selectivity for ion pairing by large silicate anions as cation size increases.
Intercomparison of the Principal Modes of Interannual and Intraseasonal Variability of the North American Monsoon System

Abstract Time series of seasonal-, monthly, and pentad-mean precipitation are subjected to empirical orthogonal function analysis, regression analysis, and compositing techniques to study the principal modes of interannual and intraseasonal variability of the North American Monsoon System (NAMS). The leading principal component (PC) from the summertime seasonal-mean data is associated with El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability while the leading PC from the pentad-mean data is associated with 30–60-day intraseasonal (Madden–Julian) oscillations (MJOs). The leading PC from the monthly mean data is a hybrid of the two above-mentioned modes, capturing aspects of both. The leading PCs are used as reference time series for regressions and composites that reveal the structure of the principal modes and their manifestation in the NAMS. The leading PCs are also used to estimate the fraction of the variance of summer precipitation that is explained by ENSO and by interannual variations of MJO activity. EN...
Reoperation rates for symptomatic nonunions in posterior cervical (subaxial) fusions with and without bone morphogenetic protein in a cohort of 1158 patients

OBJECTIVE Fusions across the cervicothoracic junction have been challenging because of the large biomechanical forces exerted resulting in frequent reoperations for nonunions. The objective of this study was to investigate a retrospective cohort using chart review of posterior cervicothoracic spine fusions with and without bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and to determine the reoperation rates for symptomatic nonunions in both groups. METHODS Between January 2009 and September 2013, posterior cervicothoracic spine fusion cases were identified from a large spine registry (Kaiser Permanente). Demographics, diagnoses, operative times, lengths of stay, and reoperations were extracted from the registry. Reoperations for symptomatic nonunions were adjudicated via chart review. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Kaplan-Meier curves for the non-BMP and BMP groups were generated and compared using the log-rank test. RESULTS In this cohort there were 450 patients (32.7% with BMP) with a median follow-up of 1.4 years (interquartile range [IQR] 0.5-2.7 years). Kaplan-Meier curves showed no significant difference in reoperation rates for nonunions using the log-rank test (p = 0.088). In a subset of patients with more than 1 year of follow-up, 260 patients were identified (43.1% with BMP) with a median follow-up duration of 2.4 years (IQR 1.6-3.3 years). There was no statistically significant difference in the symptomatic operative nonunion rates for posterior cervicothoracic fusions with and without BMP (0.0% vs 2.7%, respectively; p = 0.137) for more than 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS This study presents the largest series of patients using BMP in posterior cervicothoracic spine fusions. Reoperation rates for symptomatic nonunions with more than 1 year of follow-up were 0% with BMP and 2.7% without BMP. No statistically significant difference in the reoperation rates for symptomatic nonunions with or without BMP was found.
Structure of Momolayers of Silicotungstate Anions on Ag(111) and Au(111) Electrode Surfaces

α-Dodecatungstosilicate (α-SiW12O404−) anions form ordered monolayers on Ag(111) and Au(111) surfaces. In-situ STM images reveal that the silicotungstate ion forms a square adlattice with an intermolecule spacing of 10.2 ± 0.5 A on both Ag and Au surfaces. Additional structures exhibiting either row or rhombic motifs are observed on Au electrodes. The structure of the adlattices can be modeled using a simple model which maximizes the coordination of the silicotungstate ion to the electrode while maintaining van der Waals contacts between terminal oxygens of adjacent silicotungstates.
Life and Death on the Wessel Islands: The Case of Australia's Mysterious African Coin Cache

This is a story of the most unlikely. In the year 1944, a soldier on Australia's most remote northern coastline at Jensen Bay finds a handful of coins, which he later learns are dated 900-1200 AD, and had come from a Portuguese base on the east coast of Africa. The whole tale provides a window onto the Yolngu history of the coast of Arnhem Land, and relate to events in the mid-1800s. This is a detective story par excellence but one, alas, with very few clues. The setting is Australia's remote northern coastline. The year is 1944, and the war in the Pacific is in full swing. A soldier stationed at Jensen Bay on the Wessel Islands finds a handful of coins, some of which he later learns originate from the medieval Sultanate of Kilwa founded by a Persian Prince in the 10th Century on the east coast of Africa in what is now Tanzania, These Kilwa coins dated from the 900s to the 1300s AD. Was an Arab dhow or a Portuguese shipwreck implicated? There was no immediate evidence of this, though Aboriginal folklore certainly suggests that the possibility was real. Aborigines from this region, known as the Yolngu, even today speak of a hidden cave in the long abandoned Wessel Islands that is filled with boundless treasure; doubloons and weaponry of ancient era. Sadly, the African copper coins in question, and four Dutch 'doits' found in the same locality, have no bullion value. In the 12th century, Kilwa was the most powerful port on the East African coast and the coins bear the names of Sultans who ruled over Kilwa, and also Pemba, the Mafia Islands, Comoros, and Zanzibar, before its sacking by the Portuguese in 1505. One coin, for example, bears the inscription Sulaiman ibn al-Hasan ('May he be happy') Trusting with the Master of Bounties ('He is glorious'). As curiosity items, therefore, the coins have few parallels in Australian history, and in archaeological terms, they are priceless.
Technological improvements with the Alcon LADAR 6000 excimer laser platform.

PURPOSE: To outline the technological improvements seen in the new Alcon LADAR 6000 laser. METHODS: New LADAR 6000 features can be categorized into three areas: automation, speed, and control. RESULTS: Automation features include auto-registration, specialized illumination, scleral vessel registration, and automated prompting. Speed features include a faster ablation rate and less intensive maintenance. Control features include autoregistration, a better graphic user interface, and an improved workspace. CONCLUSIONS: The technological improvements of the LADAR 6000 help eliminate the variability of measurement, alignment, and delivery needed to optimize custom laser vision correction outcomes.
Mutual Influence of Mannitol and Trehalose on Crystallization Behavior in Frozen Solutions.

Phase separation of trehalose during freeze-drying could render it ineffective as a lyoprotectant. The bulking agent, mannitol, on the other hand, should crystallize readily upon freezing. It is therefore imperative to understand the mutual interaction of these sugars during freezing to ensure preservation of the API during freeze-drying. We investigated the effect of mannitol to trehalose ratio (R) on the crystallization behavior of both solutes using Differential Scanning Calorimetry, X-Ray Crystallography and FTIR Spectrosopy during controlled freezing and annealing. When R = 1, crystallization of both mannitol (as hemihydrate) and trehalose (as α-anhydrate) were observed. When R ≥ 1, extent of mannitol crystallization was directly proportional to the value of R. When R 1, the freeze concentrate was heterogeneous and characterized by two glass transitions – the lower temperature transition (Tg”) attributed to systems containing “extra” unfrozen water. When heated above Tg”, crystallization of mannitol and the associated unfrozen water resulted in Tg’ (glass transition temperature of the freeze-concentrate). R and not the total solute concentration, dictates the composition of the freeze concentrate as well as the physical stability of the excipients
Creating graphene p-n junctions using self-assembled monolayers.

3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (PFES) were used to modify the interface between transferred CVD graphene films and its supporting dielectric to create n-type and p-type graphene, respectively. A graphene p–n junction was obtained by patterning both modifiers on the same dielectric and verified through the creation of a field effect transistor (FET). Characteristic I–V curves indicate the presence of two separate Dirac points which confirms an energy separation of neutrality points within the complementary regions. This method minimizes doping-induced defects and results in thermally stable graphene p–n junctions for temperatures up to 200 °C.
An Improve Method of the Backoff Mechanism in IEEE802.11 DCF

The problem that service quality declines as the number of workstation increased under DCF mechanism was improved by changing the value of Control Window(CW) in which work stations competed to send their data frame,and the backoff exponent when competitions happen.It optimizes the performances of WLAN under DCF mechanism.OPNET simulation shows that the throughput is raised and the delay is reduced.
Heterogeneity Within Domestic Violence Exposure: Young Adults' Retrospective Experiences.

Using Holden’s taxonomy of domestic violence (DV) exposure as a guiding framework, the current study examined young adults’ diverse DV exposure experiences. Twenty-five young adults (ages 19-25) exposed to father-perpetrated DV during their childhood and adolescence were interviewed using a qualitative descriptive design. Data analyses focused on coercive control exposure through reports of non-physical abuse tactics, types of exposure (e.g., direct, indirect), physical violence exposure (e.g., severity, frequency), and child abuse and harsh parenting practices. DV-exposed young adults were directly and indirectly exposed to physical violence and an array of non-physical abuse tactics toward their mothers. Young adults categorized as having been exposed to coercive controlling violence reported exposure to ongoing, non-physical abuse tactics and more frequent and severe physical violence. These young adults were also more likely to intervene and become victimized during physical violence and reported repe...
Synthesis and reactivity of η6-arene ruthenium anilide complexes

Abstract The compounds, (η6-C6Me6)Ru(PMe3)(R)(NR′R′'); (RPh, R′H, R′'Ph, 3; RMe, R′H, R′'Ph, 4; RPh, R′H, R′'p-tol, 5; RMe, R′Me, R′'Ph, 6) are synthesized through the interaction of (η6-C6Me6)Ru(PMe3)(R)(I) and the corresponding anilide salt, KNR′R′' in THF at low temperature. The reactions between these complexes and the unsaturated electrophilic reagents. CO2 and dimethylacetylene dicarboxylate (DMAD) have been described. The typical reaction involves net insertion of the electrophile into the Ru anilide bond. Complex 6 reacts with H2O giving the hydroxide complex, 11, which reacts with CO2 giving the bicarbonato complex, 12. The X-ray crystal structure of 3 is reported. Compound 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group, P21/n, a = 12.013(2) A , b = 16.700(3) A , c = 12.414(1) A , β = 97.35(2), V = 2470.0(7) A 3 and Z = 4 .
New Phases of D ≥ 2 Current and Diffeomorphism Algebras in Particle Physics

As one who thought deeply about all aspects of symmetries Hermann Weyl [1] had traced their origin in nature to the mathematical character of physical laws. In the last thirty years, the developments in particle physics have been dominated by one single theme, the exploitation of symmetries. They can be either exact or approximate, ultimately fundamental or effective[2]. With its unqualified successes the use of symmetries has become synonymous with that of Lie algebras and groups. In the early seventies the mathematician, Jean Dieudonne [3] wrote: “ Les groupes de Lie sont devenus le centre des mathematiques; on ne peut rien faire de serieux sans eux”. In this era of gauge and string theories, we may, without much exaggeration, assert the preeminent role at the frontiers of physics of infinite dimensional Lie group theory by replacing the words “des mathematiques” above by “ de la physique theorique”.
Teaching Faculty Collaborating With Academic Librarians: Developing Partnerships to Embed Information Literacy

Abstract Collaboration between librarians and teaching faculty is essential for developing effective foundations for information literacy education. Such partnerships make it possible for students to become lifelong learners. This chapter reports results from a study in which teaching faculty were interviewed at a California community college to determine their motivations for collaborating with librarians. The goal was to determine why faculty collaborate with librarians in order to come up with strategies to encourage noncollaborating faculty to start collaborating. The study identified explanations for why faculty do not collaborate with librarians. It also identified the need for increased teaching skills on the part of librarians. This chapter will also discuss ways in which librarians can become more important parts of faculty teaching networks.
Early diagnosis of Ehrlichia ewingii infection in a lung transplant recipient by peripheral blood smear.

Ehrlichiosis in lung transplant (LT) recipients is associated with severe outcomes. Ehrlichia ewingii is a less frequent cause of symptomatic ehrlichiosis, characterized by cytoplasmic inclusions (morulae) within circulating neutrophils. We report a case of E. ewingii infection in an LT recipient diagnosed promptly by blood smear exam and confirmed with molecular studies.
Plain Meaning or Pragmatics? Differing Interpretations of the Clean Water Act’s Jurisdictional Provisions

There is significant discord among circuit courts over whether a broad or narrow construction of the Clean Water Act’s jurisdictional provisions is appropriate in determining when circuit courts should have direct jurisdiction to review petitions challenging regulations. The broad interpretation of these provisions emphasizes the practicality of direct circuit court review of a wider range of regulations, whereas the narrow interpretation uses the plain language. In Friends of the Everglades v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit addressed this issue as applied to petitions for review of the “water transfer rule.” Adopting the plain language approach, the court held it did not have jurisdiction to review the petition because the challenged regulation was not within the jurisdictional provisions. The Supreme Court denied certiorari. This Comment notes that both approaches can benefit the environment but argues that the long-term implications of the plain language approach could be detrimental due to judicial inefficiency and a lack of consistent application of the law across districts.
A Numerical Wave Tank For Nonlinear Irregular Waves By 3-D Higher Order Boundary Element Method

A nonlinear numerical wave tank has been developed using a three-dimensional higher order boundary element method (HODEM). For this, simple (Rankine) sources are distributed on the free surface and other boundaries. The resulting boundary integral equation is repeatedly solved at each time step using a predictor-corrector time integration scheme. The instantaneous free surface points are calculated by the Eulerian scheme assuming that the free surface is single-valued. For the corners and edges of the wave tank, discontinuous boundary elements are employed, and at the open boundary a special form of Sommerfeld/Orlanski open boundary condition is used. Numerous numerically simulated linear and nonlinear waves are compared with theoretical input waves. In particular, very steep Stokes 3rd-order-like long-crested irregular waves are successfully simulated using our nonlinear numerical wave tank.
Cervical Stenosis and Central Cord Syndrome

Suspected cervical stenosis or central cord syndrome requires systematic evaluation of the patient’s neurologic status, etiology of stenosis, progression of deficits, specific location of stenosis, and duration of deficits.
Design and evaluation of an aerodynamic focusing micro-well aerosol collector

Aerosol sampling and identification is vital for the assessment and control of particulate matter pollution, airborne pathogens, allergens, and toxins and their effect on air quality, human health, and climate change. In-situ analysis of chemical and biological airborne components of aerosols on a conventional filter is challenging due to dilute samples in a large collection region. We present the design and evaluation of a micro-well (µ-well) aerosol collector for the assessment of airborne particulate matter (PM) in the 0.5-3 micron size range. The design minimizes particle collection areas allowing for in-situ optical analysis and provides an increased limit of detection for liquid-based assays due to the high concentrations of analytes in the elution/analysis volume. The design of the collector is guided by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling; it combines an aerodynamic concentrator inlet that focuses the aspirated aerosol into a narrow beam and a µ-well collector that limits the particle collection area to the µ-well volume. The optimization of the collector geometry and the operational conditions result in high concentrations of collected PM in the submillimeter region inside the µ-well. Collection efficiency experiments are performed in the aerosol chamber using fluorescent polystyrene microspheres to determine the performance of the collector as a function of particle size and sampling flow rate. The collector has the maximum collection efficiency of about 75% for 1 micron particles for the flow rate of 1 slpm. Particles bigger than 1 micron have lower collection efficiencies because of particle bounce and particle loss in the aerodynamic focusing inlet. Collected samples can be eluted from the device using standard pipettes, with an elution volume of 10-20 microliters. The transparent collection substrate and the distinct collection region, independent of particle size, allows for in-situ optical analysis of the collected PM.
Noninvasive Neuromodulation Goes Deep

Modulating deep regions of the brain with noninvasive technology has challenged researchers for decades. In a new study, Grossman et al. leverage the emergence of a slowly oscillating "beat" from intersecting high-frequency electric fields to stimulate deep brain regions, opening a frontier in the biophysics and technology of brain stimulation.
Phase transformations upon doping in WO 3

High levels of doping in WO3 have been experimentally observed to lead to structural transformation towards higher symmetry phases. We explore the structural phase diagram with charge doping through first-principles methods based on hybrid density functional theory, as a function of doping the room-temperature monoclinic phase transitions to the orthorhombic, tetragonal, and finally cubic phase. Based on a decomposition of energies into electronic and strain contributions, we attribute the transformation to a gain in energy resulting from a lowering of the conduction band on an absolute energy scale.
Fundamentals of Arthroscopic Surgery Training Program Improves Knee Arthroscopy Simulator Performance in Arthroscopic Trainees

Purpose To determine the effectiveness of a nonanatomic simulator in developing basic arthroscopy motor skills transferable to an anatomic model. Methods Forty-three arthroscopy novice individuals currently enrolled in medical school were recruited to perform a diagnostic knee arthroscopy using a high-fidelity virtual reality arthroscopic simulator providing haptic feedback after viewing a video of an expert performing an identical procedure. Students were then randomized into an experimental or control group. The experimental group then completed a series of self-guided training modules using the fundamentals of arthroscopy simulator training nonanatomic modules including camera centering, tracking, periscoping, palpation, and collecting stars in a three-dimensional space. Both groups completed another diagnostic knee arthroscopy between 1 and 2 weeks later. Camera path length, time, tibia and femur cartilage damage, as well as a composite score were recorded by the simulator on each attempt. Results The experimental group (n = 22) showed superior performance in composite score (30.09 vs 24, P = .046) and camera path length (71.51 cm vs 109.07 cm, P = .0274) at the time of the second diagnostic knee arthroscope compared with the control group (n = 21). The experimental group also showed significantly greater improvement in composite score between the first and second arthroscopes compared with the control group (14.27 vs 4.95, P P = .40) and (−1.10 vs −1.27%, P = .83), respectively. Conclusions The virtual reality-based fundamentals of arthroscopy simulator training nonanatomic simulator is beneficial in developing basic motor skills in arthroscopy novice individuals resulting in significantly greater composite performance in an anatomic knee model. Based on the results of this study, it appears that there may be benefit from nonanatomic simulators in general as part of an arthroscopy training program. Level of Evidence Level II, randomized trial.
Real Science Education: Replacing “PCB” with S(cience) through STS throughout All Levels of K-12 “Materials” as One Approach

I write from the perspective of a chemist—materials researcher who has spent 50 years on the faculty of Pennsylvania State University. I founded its most recognized research unit, the Materials Research Laboratory, and directed it for a quarter century. I have published nearly 700 papers; over 40 were done in the last two years. I cite this to establish my credentials as a card-carrying, active research scientist.
Comments on “Solubility and Dissolution Thermodynamic Data of Cefpiramide in Pure Solvents and Binary Solvents”

Errors are found in the mathematical correlation based on the combined Jouyban–Acree and Modified Apelblat models for describing the variation in the mole fraction solubility of cefpiramide with temperature and solvent composition for the binary aqueous–ethanol solvent system. The equation coefficients given by Tang and coworkers, when substituted into the model equation, do not yield the authors’ calculated mole fraction solubilities of cefpiramide.
Examining the Role Visual Graph Structures Play in Collective Awareness and Cooperative Decisions

Modernizing the energy grid to a stable sustainable multi-directional energy generation, consumption and storage in the automated smart home context requires new forms of civic engagement. An interdisciplinary corpus of eco-feedback scholars have highlighted the potential for technologically mediated feedback to make people more aware and cognizant of their energy usage. But most commercial energy monitors draw on economic behavioral models that render residents as rational decision makers who seek to save money on their next energy bill. The more recent research in academia is grounded in social psychology suggesting that prospective energy conservationists are driven by social norms. These individualist perspectives have failed to address the potential of leveraging social behavioral theories to design technologically mediated feedback that enhances individuals' awareness of and willingness to cooperate with the wider digitally interconnected social collective. This research addresses this gap by testing how particular visual structures of feedback graphs increase collective awareness and cooperation in the home energy-monitoring context. Integrating socio-cognitive theories that explain how information cues affect motivations and goal-oriented behaviors with existing work in information visualization, this dissertation theoretically derives and empirically examines a set of visual design patterns for eco-feedback that may make individuals more collective and cooperative.
Tridimensional (3D) Acculturation: Culture and Adaptation of Black Caribbean Immigrants in the USA

Depending on the immigrant population, different lenses of acculturation are required to capture the acculturation experience appropriately. Black Caribbean immigrants in the USA experience tridimensional (3D) acculturation owing to three relevant cultural dimensions: Mainstream European-American culture (as presumed by the bidimensional [2D] model in psychology), African-American culture (as held by the segmented assimilation model in sociology), and their heritage Caribbean culture (both models). This chapter describes 3D acculturation among Jamaican immigrant adolescents and parents in the USA using empirical findings from variable-centered and person-centered analyses. Tricultural integration is the most common acculturation status, and youth are generally well-adjusted compared to their non-immigrant US and Jamaican peers. However, triculturalism is more advantageous than is biculturalism for some immigrant youth (girls) and in some domains (behavioral), where assimilation is disadvantageous. A 3D lens exposes a new dimension and adds depth to our perspective on acculturation for some immigrants, particularly minority immigrants settled in multicultural societies. Researchers and practitioners should carefully consider the best acculturation lens (e.g., 2D or 3D) to use in their work with immigrants within and across societies.
Beam-Beam Effect and Luminosity in SPEAR

Many measurements on the beam-beam limit in SPEAR have been performed over the past years. The goal for these measurements was to find the proper parameterization of the beam-beam effect. All measurements in this report were done with both beams equally blown up by control of the flip-flop phenomenon1).
Materials by Design for Stiff and Tough Hairy Nanoparticle Assemblies.

Matrix-free polymer-grafted nanocrystals, called assembled hairy nanoparticles (aHNPs), can significantly enhance the thermomechanical performance of nanocomposites by overcoming nanoparticle dispersion challenges and achieving stronger interfacial interactions through grafted polymer chains. However, effective strategies to improve both the mechanical stiffness and toughness of aHNPs are lacking given the general conflicting nature of these two properties and the large number of molecular parameters involved in the design of aHNPs. Here, we propose a computational framework that combines multiresponse Gaussian process metamodeling and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to establish design strategies for achieving optimal mechanical properties of aHNPs within a parametric space. Taking poly(methyl methacrylate) grafted to high-aspect-ratio cellulose nanocrystals as a model nanocomposite, our multiobjective design optimization framework reveals that the polymer chain length and grafting density ...
Research issues in vision and control

The past decade has seen an increasing interest in the areas of real-time vision, visual tracking, active focus of attention in vision, and vision-based control of motion. Although these topics encompass a diverse set of problems spanning the fields of vision, control, robotics, and artificial intelligence, they all share a common focus: the application or processing of visual information in a way which entails the design and analysis of algorithms incorporating concepts studied in the field of control, namely feedback, estimation, and dynamics.
Thin Films of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-Oxide High Temperature Superconductors

The thin film work on the high-Tc superconducting Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-oxide system is surveyed. The formation of the individual (2212) and (2223) polytypoids depends sensitively on the preparation processes and the choice of substrate material. Recent results on the effect due to substrate and the corresponding critical current measurements will be presented.
Rigidity and a mesoscopic central limit theorem for Dyson Brownian motion for general $$\beta $$ β and potentials

We study Dyson Brownian motion with general potential V and for general $$\beta \ge 1$$ . For short times $$t = o (1)$$ and under suitable conditions on V we obtain a local law and corresponding rigidity estimates on the particle locations; that is, with overwhelming probability, the particles are close to their classical locations with an almost-optimal error estimate. Under the condition that the density of states of the initial data is bounded below and above down to the scale $$\eta _* \ll t \ll 1$$ , we prove a mesoscopic central limit theorem for linear statistics at all scales $$\eta $$ with $$N^{-1}\ll \eta \ll t$$ .
Housing Options for Individuals Experiencing Chronic Homelessness: Subsidized and Non-Subsidized Housing Outcomes among Pathways to Independence Participants

Research on housing interventions for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness has largely focused on permanent supportive housing (PSH); however, an array of housing options to support the di...
Individual and county-level variation in outcomes following non-fatal opioid-involved overdose

Background A lack of large-scale, individually linked data often has impeded efforts to disentangle individual-level variability in outcomes from area-level variability in studies of many diseases and conditions. This study investigated individual and county-level variability in outcomes following non-fatal overdose in a state-wide cohort of opioid overdose patients. Methods Participants were 24 031 patients treated by emergency medical services or an emergency department for opioid-involved overdose in Indiana between 2014 and 2017. Outcomes included repeat non-fatal overdose, fatal overdose and death. County-level predictors included sociodemographic, socioeconomic and treatment availability indicators. Individual-level predictors included age, race, sex and repeat non-fatal opioid-involved overdose. Multilevel models examined outcomes following non-fatal overdose as a function of patient and county characteristics. Results 10.9% (n=2612) of patients had a repeat non-fatal overdose, 2.4% (n=580) died of drug overdose and 9.2% (n=2217) died overall. Patients with a repeat overdose were over three times more likely to die of drug-related causes (OR=3.68, 99.9% CI 2.62 to 5.17, p Conclusion Although patient-level differences account for most variability in opioid-related outcomes, treatment availability may contribute to county-level differences, necessitating multifaceted approaches for the treatment and prevention of opioid abuse.
The geometry of arteriovenous fistulas using endothelial nitric oxide synthase mouse models.

Background Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation failure is a significant clinical problem in the hemodialysis population. Geometric parameters of human AVFs were associated with AVF development, but causative studies are lacking. We characterized mouse AVF geometry using endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) mouse models. Methods Carotid-jugular AVFs were created in NOS3 overexpression (OE), knockout (KO), and wild type (WT) mice. At 7 and 21 days postcreation, black-blood magnetic resonance images of AVFs were acquired and used to build three-dimensional reconstructions of AVF lumens. We used these reconstructions to calculate the lumen area, lumen centerline, and centerline-derived parameters: anastomosis angle, tortuosity, nonplanarity angle, and location of maximal distance between the feeding artery and AVF vein. Inter- and intrauser variabilities were also determined. Results When all mice were considered, increased minimum AVF venous lumen area was accompanied by increased venous tortuosity and increased distance between the artery and vein, with both remaining in-plane with the anastomosis. At day 7, the lumen area of AVFs from all strains was 1.5- to 2.5-fold larger than native veins. Furthermore, at day 21, AVF lumen in NOS3 OE (4.04±1.43 mm2) was significantly larger than KO (2.74±1.34 mm2) (P<0.001) and WT (2.94±1.30 mm2) mice (p<0.001). At day 21, the location of maximal artery-vein distance on the vein was further away from the anastomosis in OE (4.49±0.66 mm) than KO (2.87±0.38 mm) (p=0.001). Other geometric parameters were not significantly different between mouse strains or time points. Inter- and intrauser variabilities were small, indicating the reliability and reproducibility of our protocol. Conclusions Our study presents a detailed characterization of mouse AVF geometry, and a robust protocol for future mechanistic studies to investigate the role of molecular pathways in AVF geometry. Identifying a geometry related to desired AVF remodeling can help inform surgery to enhance AVF maturation.
bZIP Proteins Regulating Gene Expression in Maize Endosperm

A major focus of the research in my laboratory has been directed towards understanding the regulation of seed storage protein gene expression in maize. More specifically, we have concentrated our efforts on elucidating the mechanism by which one particular regulatory protein, Opaque-2 (02), affects expression of specific members of the zein family of seed storage protein genes. What has made this system of gene regulation approachable is the many years of genetic and biochemical studies that preceded the molecular analysis (reviewed in Motto et al. 1989, and Schmidt 1992). This earlier work had already suggested that O2 was a transcriptional activator and had identified likely target genes under O2 control. Due to this pioneering research, rapid progress towards understanding the basic interactions between O2 and its target genes was possible once the O2 gene was cloned.
Student Perceptions of Semester-Long In-Class Virtual Reality: Effectively Using “Google Earth VR” in a Higher Education Classroom

Virtual reality (VR) usage is increasing in higher education, yet VR retains significant financial, technological, and time costs. Given these challenges, understanding student perceptions of the l...
A Generative Model for Raw Audio Using Transformer Architectures.

This paper proposes a novel way of doing audio synthesis at the waveform level using Transformer architectures. We propose a deep neural network for generating waveforms, similar to wavenet. This is fully probabilistic, auto-regressive, and causal, i.e. each sample generated depends only on the previously observed samples. Our approach outperforms a widely used wavenet architecture by up to 9% on a similar dataset for predicting the next step. Using the attention mechanism, we enable the architecture to learn which audio samples are important for the prediction of the future sample. We show how causal transformer generative models can be used for raw waveform synthesis. We also show that this performance can be improved by another 2% by conditioning samples over a wider context. The flexibility of the current model to synthesize audio from latent representations suggests a large number of potential applications. The novel approach of using generative transformer architectures for raw audio synthesis is, however, still far away from generating any meaningful music, without using latent codes/meta-data to aid the generation process.
Are actions bodily movements

The view that actions are bodily movements, also known as corporealism, was much discussed in the latter half of the twentieth century, but now commands fewer adherents. The present paper argues th...
Joint Direct Parametric Reconstruction for Pet Receptor Occupancy Mapping

Positron emission tomography (PET) receptor occupancy imaging plays an increasingly important role in the development of central nervous system (CNS) drugs, providing critical information on drug brain penetration, target engagement and dosing. The conventional approach to measure occupancy of a CNS drug is to scan a subject twice, at baseline and after drug administration, independently apply reconstruction and kinetic modeling to the dynamic data of each scan, and compute occupancy by measuring fractional reductions in tracer binding between the scans. This approach, however, yields occupancy values with low precision. We propose and evaluate an iterative Bayesian reconstruction framework estimating receptor occupancy directly and jointly from baseline and post-drug dynamic projections. The proposed method relies on variable splitting techniques to transform the complete optimization problem into manageable reconstruction, fitting and MR-assisted denoising problems. Results on simulated data suggest that the proposed method substantially improves the estimation of receptor occupancy with the potential to enable more robust evaluation of dose-occupancy relationships, to improve statistical power, and/or to reduce subject radiation exposure.
Automatic thoughts: Understanding the precursors of self-concealment within the psychological flexibility framework

Abstract Within the framework of psychological flexibility, self-concealment is a maladaptive emotion regulation strategy that functions to attenuate negative thoughts and feelings. While research in this area has linked self-concealment to poor physical and psychological health, the antecedents of concealment behavior remain poorly understood. Using a cross-sectional design, this study tested whether negative automatic thoughts mediated the relationship between psychological maltreatment in childhood and self-concealment. It was hypothesized that psychological maltreatment would predict more negative automatic thoughts, which in turn would predict more self-concealment. Results showed psychological maltreatment was positively associated with negative automatic thoughts. Moreover, negative automatic thoughts were positively correlated with self-concealment, indicating that negative automatic thoughts statistically mediated the relationship between psychological maltreatment and self-concealment. This study provides preliminary evidence suggesting negative automatic thoughts may explain the relationship between psychological maltreatment and self-concealment.
Normal Forces on Flat Plates in Low-Density Supersonic Flow

Normal forces on rectangular flat plates in supersonic, rarefied flow were measured over the range 200 < Re < 2,400 and 3.7 < M < 4.1 at angles of attack up to eight degrees. In addition, the effect of aspect ratio on normal forces was determined with a series of models having an aspect ratio range from 1.0 to 2.0. The results were compared to linearized inviscid theory and indicated normal forces which were 33 per cent to 77 per cent greater than values predicted by theory, the experimental normal forces decreasing with increasing Reynolds Number. The decrease in normal force with decreasing aspect ratios was found to be from 3 to 7 per cent greater in magnitude than predicted by inviscid theory and substantially independent of Reynolds Number over the range tested. Weak interaction theory was used to derive a simple expression for the normal force and was found to predict the order of magnitude of the increased normal force as well as the trend of the normal force with Reynolds Number.
The AR-15 … the M-16

Most readers of newspapers during the 1960s will remember how a faceless bureaucracy mismanaged the United States Army’s adoption of the M-16 rifle as standard issue. They will remember how defective ammunition for the M-16 cost American lives in Vietnam, and how in the end a Congressional investigation concluded that the failure on the part of officials with authority in the Army to cause action to be taken to correct the deficiencies of the 5.56-mm. ammunition borders on criminal negligence.
An increase in microRNA-23 prevents muscle wasting in mice with chronic kidney disease in resistance exercise (731.8)

In our previous studies we found that exercise partially prevents chronic kidney disease (CKD)-induced muscle atrophy. We also saw that microRNA-23 (miR-23) is decreased in muscles of CKD mice. In ...
Josephson Weak Link Devices

Abstract : Superconducting weak links in various forms have the common feature that the supercurrent through the link is a periodic function of the gauge invariant quantum mechanical phase difference across the link (the Josephson Effect). A convenient form of the relation is (i sub s) = (i sub c) sin theta. The main qualitative features of devices derived from such weak links are derived according to analytically convenient relations. The total current through a weak link consists of three terms, the supercurrent (i sub s) = (i sub c) sin theta, a normal current i sub n = GV characterized by a conductance G and a displacement current (i sub D) - C(dV/dt) characterized by the shunt capacitance C of the weak link. The interaction of these three terms with each other and with any external circuit elements leads to a rich variety of experimentally observable and useful phenomena. Various forms of these effects are described and explained. This phenomenon provides the basis of a fundamental voltage standard, and heterodyne and video detectors of high frequency radiation. (Author)