cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crystal growth, transport, and magnetic properties of Ln3Co4Sn13 (Ln=La, Ce) with a perovskite-like structure

Abstract Ln3Co4Sn13 (Ln=La, Ce) have been synthesized by flux growth and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. These compounds adopt the Yb3Rh4Sn13-type structure and crystallize in the cubic space group Pm 3 ¯ n (No. 223) with Z = 2 . Lattice parameters at 298 K are a = 9.6430 ( 6 ) A , V = 896.68 ( 10 ) A 3 , and a = 9.6022 ( 5 ) A , V = 885.34 ( 8 ) A 3 for the La and Ce analogues, respectively. The crystal structure consists of an Sn-centered icosahedron at the origin of the unit cell, which shares faces with eight Co trigonal prisms and 12 Ln-centered cuboctahedra. Magnetization data at 0.1 T show paramagnetic behavior down to 1.8 K for Ce3Co4Sn13, with μ eff = 2.56 μ B per Ce3+, while conventional type II superconductivity appears below 2.85 K in the La compound. Electrical resistivity and specific heat data for the La compound show a corresponding sharp superconducting transition at Tc∼2.85 K. The entropy and resistivity data for Ce3Co4Sn13 show the existence of the Kondo effect with a complicated semiconducting-like behavior in the resistivity data. In addition, a large enhanced specific heat coefficient at low T with a low magnetic transition temperature suggests a heavy-fermionic character for the Ce compound. Herein, the structure and physical properties of Ln3Co4Sn13 (Ln=La, Ce) are discussed.
Ab Initio Structure Determination and Photoluminescent Properties of an Efficient, Thermally Stable Blue Phosphor, Ba2Y5B5O17:Ce3+

The crystal structure of a novel barium yttrium borate, Ba2Y5B5O17, was determined using a combination of ab initio global optimization algorithms and density functional theory calculations along with Rietveld refinement of high-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data. Synthesized using a high-temperature solid-state route, the structure consists of edge- and corner-sharing Y- and Ba-centered polyhedra along with BO3 trigonal planes. Ba and Y occupy four crystallographically independent sites with two fully occupied by Y and two having a statistical mixture of Y and Ba. Substituting Ce3+ into the structure for Y3+ yields blue photoluminescence (λem = 443 nm) upon excitation with UV (λem = 365 nm) light. The emission of this new compound is efficient with an external quantum yield of 70% and is stable as a function of temperature with a quenching temperature of ≈400 K.
A New Estimator for Multivariate Binary Data

This study proposes a new estimator for multivariate binary response data. This study considers binary responses as being generated from a truncated multivariate discrete distribution. Specifically the discrete normal probability mass function, which has support on all integers, is extended to a multivariate form. Truncating this point probability mass function below zero and above one results the multivariate binary discrete normal distribution. This distribution has a number of attractive properties. Monte Carlo simulation and empirical applications are performed to show the properties of this new estimator; comparisons are made to the traditional multivariate probit model.
Exploring the Existing Drug Space for Novel pTyr Mimetic and SHP2 Inhibitors

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are potential therapeutic targets for many diseases. Unfortunately, despite considerable drug discovery efforts devoted to PTPs, obtaining selective and cell permeable PTP inhibitors remains highly challenging. We describe a strategy to explore the existing drug space for previously unknown PTP inhibitory activities. This led to the discovery of cefsulodin as an inhibitor of SHP2, an oncogenic phosphatase in the PTP family. Crystal structure analysis of SHP2 interaction with cefsulodin identified sulfophenyl acetic amide (SPAA) as a novel phosphotyrosine (pTyr) mimetic. A structure-guided and SPAA fragment-based focused library approach produced several potent and selective SHP2 inhibitors. Notably, these inhibitors blocked SHP2-mediated signaling events and proliferation in several cancer cell lines. Thus, SPAA may serve as a new platform for developing chemical probes for other PTPs.
The ENIAC

The eniac is the only electronic large-scale general-purpose digital computing device now in operation. Its speed of operation compares favorably with other electric and mechanical computers. Developed under wartime pressure, it has been of value not only in producing results but in pointing the way toward improvements for future designs.
Kernel density estimation with Berkson error

Given a sample from we construct kernel density estimators for , the convolution of with a known error density . This problem is known as density estimation with Berkson error and has applications in epidemiology and astronomy. Little is understood about bandwidth selection for Berkson density estimation. We compare three approaches to selecting the bandwidth both asymptotically, using large-sample approximations to the , and at finite samples, using simulations. Our results highlight the relationship between the structure of the error and the optimal bandwidth. In particular the results demonstrate the importance of smoothing when the error term is concentrated near 0. We propose a data-driven bandwidth estimator and test its performance on NO exposure data. The Canadian Journal of Statistics xx: 1–19; 2016 © 2016 Statistical Society of Canada Resume Etant donne un echantilon de loi , les auteurs construisent des estimateurs du noyau pour , la convolution de avec une distribution d'erreur connue . Ce probleme d'estimation de la densite avec erreur de Berkson presente des applications en epidemiologie et en astronomie. Le choix de fenetre pour l'estimation de la densite de Berkson merite d’etre mieux compris. Les auteurs comparent trois approches pour la selection de la fenetre, autant au niveau asymptotique a l'aide d'approximations de l'erreur quadratique moyenne integree qu’a l’echelle d’echantillons finis a l'aide de simulations. Les resultats mettent en evidence le lien entre la structure de l'erreur et la fenetre optimale, demontrant notamment l'importance du lissage lorsque le terme d'erreur est concentre pres de 0. Les auteurs proposent un estimateur de la fenetre base sur les donnees et ils evaluent sa performance a l'aide de donnees sur l'exposition au NO. La revue canadienne de statistique xx: 1–19; 2016 © 2016 Societe statistique du Canada
Circadian variability of body temperature responses to methamphetamine

Vital parameters of living organisms exhibit circadian rhythmicity. Although rats are nocturnal animals, most of the studies involving rats are performed during the day. The objective of this study was to examine the circadian variability of the body temperature responses to methamphetamine. Body temperature was recorded in male Sprague-Dawley rats that received intraperitoneal injections of methamphetamine (Meth, 1 or 5 mg/kg) or saline at 10 AM or at 10 PM. The baseline body temperature at night was 0.8°C higher than during the day. Both during the day and at night, 1 mg/kg of Meth induced monophasic hyperthermia. However, the maximal temperature increase at night was 50% smaller than during the daytime. Injection of 5 mg/kg of Meth during the daytime caused a delayed hyperthermic response. In contrast, the same dose at night produced responses with a tendency toward a decrease of body temperature. Using mathematical modeling, we previously showed that the complex dose dependence of the daytime temperature responses to Meth results from an interplay between inhibitory and excitatory drives. In this study, using our model, we explain the suppression of the hyperthermia in response to Meth at night. First, we found that the baseline activity of the excitatory drive is greater at night. It appears partially saturated and thus is additionally activated by Meth to a lesser extent. Therefore, the excitatory component causes less hyperthermia or becomes overpowered by the inhibitory drive in response to the higher dose. Second, at night the injection of Meth results in reduction of the equilibrium body temperature, leading to gradual cooling counteracting hyperthermia.
Versatile, mild, and selective reduction of various carbonyl groups using an electron-deficient boron catalyst

A mild and selective new method was discovered to reduce acetanilides and other carbonyl compounds. Unlike sodium borohydride, which is selective in reducing aldehydes and ketones, this new protocol is uniquely selective in reducing acetanilides and nitriles over other carbonyl containing functional groups. Additionally, β-ketoamides were shown to be reduced at the ketone preferentially over the amide.
Jet shapes in dijet events at the LHC in SCET

We consider the class of jet shapes known as angularities in dijet production at hadron colliders. These angularities are modified from the original definitions in e + e − collisions to be boost invariant along the beam axis. These shapes apply to the constituents of jets defined with respect to either k T -type (anti-k T , C/A, and k T ) algorithms and cone-type algorithms. We present an SCET factorization formula and calculate the ingredients needed to achieve next-to-leading-log (NLL) accuracy in kinematic regions where non-global logarithms are not large. The factorization formula involves previously unstudied “unmeasured beam functions,” which are present for finite rapidity cuts around the beams. We derive relations between the jet functions and the shape-dependent part of the soft function that appear in the factorized cross section and those previously calculated for e + e − collisions, and present the calculation of the non-trivial, color-connected part of the soft-function to $$ \mathcal{O}\left({\alpha}_s\right) $$ . This latter part of the soft function is universal in the sense that it applies to any experimental setup with an out-of-jet p T veto and rapidity cuts together with two identified jets and it is independent of the choice of jet (sub-)structure measurement. In addition, we implement the recently introduced soft-collinear refactorization to resum logarithms of the jet size, valid in the region of non-enhanced non-global logarithm effects. While our results are valid for all 2 → 2 channels, we compute explicitly for the qq′ → qq′ channel the color-flow matrices and plot the NLL resummed differential dijet cross section as an explicit example, which shows that the normalization and scale uncertainty is reduced when the soft function is refactorized. For this channel, we also plot the jet size R dependence, the p cut dependence, and the dependence on the angularity parameter a.
Acylammonium Salts as Dienophiles in Diels–Alder/Lactonization Organocascades

α,β-Unsaturated acylammonium salts, generated in situ from commodity acid chlorides and a chiral isothiourea organocatalyst, comprise a new and versatile family of chiral dienophiles for the venerable Diels–Alder (DA) cycloaddition. Their reactivity is unveiled through a highly diastereo- and enantioselective Diels–Alder/lactonization organocascade that generates cis- and trans-fused bicyclic γ- and δ-lactones bearing up to four contiguous stereocenters. Moreover, the first examples of DA-initiated, stereodivergent organocascades are described delivering complex scaffolds found in bioactive compounds. The origins of stereoselectivity are rationalized through computational studies. In addition, the utility of this methodology is demonstrated through a concise approach to the core structure of glaciolide and formal syntheses of fraxinellone, trisporic acids, and trisporols.
Synthesis of α-diketones from alkylaryl- and diarylalkynes using mercuric salts.

Both alkylarylalkynes and diarylalkynes 1 are converted into the α-diketones 2 in good yield by the use of mercuric salts, e.g., mercuric nitrate hydrate or mercuric triflate, in the presence of water. Other mercuric salts, e.g., sulfate, chloride, acetate, or trifluoroacetate, do not provide the diketone product. A possible mechanism is proposed.
Learning in Hybrid-Project Systems: The Effects of Project Performance on Repeated Collaboration

This study advances contingency theories of performance-outcome learning in hybrid-project systems, in which both project participants and superordinate organizations influence the formation of project ventures. We propose that performance-outcome learning depends on the perceived relevance of prior performance and on organizational control over project participants. We examine this framework using data on 239 U.S. movie projects from the years 1931-40. In keeping with our theory, higher project performance led to future collaborations with the same partners, contingent on prior collaborations, project similarity, and organizational control. Our findings imply distinct patterns of network evolution and unfolding adaptation of hybrid-project systems through slow-moving, local adjustments.
The ins and outs of molecular encapsulation.

Molecular capsules can act as hosts for appropriate guests, and bring them into well-defined nanoenvironments. Various spectroscopic methods have been used to deduce the mechanism of guest exchange in such systems. Generally, the guests get in and out of capsules through the opening and closing of host “flaps” but smaller capsules can exchange simply by dissociation of the host subunits.
Diet, folate, and colon cancer.

Evidence emerging from many different types of experimental designs continues to support the concept that dietary habits and nutritional status play important roles in determining the risk of colorectal cancer. This field of investigation is nevertheless very confusing, particularly because longstan
Optical Response of Fluorescent Molecules Studied by Synthetic Femtosecond Laser Pulses

The optical response of the fluorescent molecule IR144 in solution is probed by pairs of collinear pulses with intensity just above the linear dependence using two different pulse shaping methods. The first approach mimics a Michelson interferometer, while the second approach, known as multiple independent comb shaping (MICS), eliminates spectral interference. The comparison of interfering and non-interfering pulses reveals that linear interference between the pulses leads to the loss of experimental information at early delay times. In both cases, the delay between the pulses is controlled with attosecond resolution and the sample fluorescence and stimulated emission are monitored simultaneously. An out-of-phase behavior is observed for fluorescence and stimulated emission, with the fluorescence signal having a minimum at zero time delay. Experimental findings are modeled using a two-level system with relaxation that closely matches the phase difference between fluorescence and stimulated emission and the relative intensities of the measured effects.
Computer Simulations of Cluster-Solid Interactions: Energetic Clusters and Soft Landings

The interaction of small energetic clusters of Cu atoms with Cu surfaces has been investigated by molecular dynamics computer simulations. The simulations are fully dynamical and three dimensional; they employ embedded atom method potentials. The simulations described here are an extension of our past work on cluster solid interactions [1]. In this work, the effects of the angle of incidence, energy, size and temperature of the cluster are examined. In addition, soft landings of Cu clusters on Cu are simulated.
Angiotensin II Binding Sites in the Superior Cervical Ganglia of Spontaneously Hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto Rats After Preganglionic Denervation

In the superior cervical ganglia (SCG) binding site density of angiotensin II (ANG II) was higher in adult spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) (571 +/- 29 fmol/mg protein) compared to that in the adult Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY) (375 +/- 9 fmol/mg protein, P less than 0.05). The ANG II binding density was significantly decreased in the SCG of SHR (-59%, P less than 0.01) and of WKY (-39%, P less than 0.05) after unilateral preganglionic denervation (operated v sham-operated ganglia). Part of the binding sites in the superior cervical ganglia may be present in or be associated to preganglionic nerves, and the number of these sites is higher in SHR.
Synthetic non-peptide mimetics of α-helices

Proteins in nature fold into native conformations in which combinations of peripherally projected aliphatic, aromatic and ionic functionalities direct a wide range of properties. α-Helices, one of the most common protein secondary structures, serve as important recognition regions on protein surfaces for numerous protein–protein, protein–DNA and protein–RNA interactions. These interactions are characterized by conserved structural features within the α-helical domain. Rational design of structural mimetics of these domains with synthetic small molecules has proven an effective means to modulate such protein functions. In this tutorial review we discuss strategies that utilize synthetic small-molecule antagonists to selectively target essential protein–protein interactions involved in certain diseases. We also evaluate some of the protein–protein interactions that have been or are potential targets for α-helix mimetics.
The Ties that Bind: An Analysis of the Concept of Obligation

Legal positivism lacks a comprehensive theory of legal obligation. Hart's account of legal obligation, if successful, would explain only how the rule of recognition obligates officials. There is nothing in Hart's account of social obligation and social norms that would explain how the legal norms that govern citizen behavior give rise to legal obligations. However, we cannot give a theoretical explanation of the concept of legal obligation without a theoretical explanation of the concept of obligation. If legal, social and moral obligations are three instances of the kind defined by “obligation,” then we cannot successfully explicate the nature of legal, social or moral obligations without a successful general conceptual theory of obligation. In what follows, I attempt to develop what I take to be the central elements of the general concept of obligation. I argue that obligations are (1) associated with mandatory prescriptions; (2) reasons for action; (3) exclusionary in the sense that certain reasons are excluded as an excuse of justification for non-performance; and (4) “binding” in the sense that they have a special normative force. At the end of the paper, I briefly argue that our shared concept of obligation is indeterminate with respect to one theoretically important case, the issue of whether the rules of a crime gang that includes some sort of rule-defining procedures for making rules governing members obligate gang members if accepted as legitimate by the members.
High-Speed Electric Machines: Challenges and Design Considerations

High-speed electric machines (HSEMs) have been widely used in many of today’s applications and are gaining more attention in the automotive industry. However, many special design challenges exist for HSEMs. This paper aims to summarize and discuss major challenges and design considerations for HSEMs. Solutions to overcome these challenges are also offered in this paper. Four major loss components of HSEMs are discussed and the methods to reduce each loss component are further explained. Bearing options for HSEMs are also compared. In addition, the rotor dynamics and structural challenges are discussed in detail, followed by some design suggestions and considerations. Thermal and cooling challenges are presented as an overview. At the end, the challenges for power electronics circuitry are also demonstrated and are followed by some proposed solutions. Thus, this paper offers a guideline for proper technique selection and the design of HSEMs and associated accessories.
Partially coherent electron transport in terahertz quantum cascade lasers based on a Markovian master equation for the density matrix

We derive a Markovian master equation for the single-electron density matrix, applicable to quantum cascade lasers (QCLs). The equation conserves the positivity of the density matrix, includes off-diagonal elements (coherences) as well as in-plane dynamics, and accounts for electron scattering with phonons and impurities. We use the model to simulate a terahertz-frequency QCL, and compare the results with both experiment and simulation via nonequilibrium Green's functions (NEGF). We obtain very good agreement with both experiment and NEGF when the QCL is biased for optimal lasing. For the considered device, we show that the magnitude of coherences can be a significant fraction of the diagonal matrix elements, which demonstrates their importance when describing THz QCLs. We show that the in-plane energy distribution can deviate far from a heated Maxwellian distribution, which suggests that the assumption of thermalized subbands in simplified density-matrix models is inadequate. We also show that the current density and subband occupations relax toward their steady-state values on very different time scales.
IP Fast Rerouting for Multi-Link Failures

IP fast reroute methods are used to recover packets in the data plane upon link failures. Previous work provided methods that guarantee failure recovery from at most two-link failures. We develop an IP fast reroute method that employs rooted arc-disjoint spanning trees to guarantee recovery from up to $(k-1)$ link failures in a $k$ -edge-connected network. As arc-disjoint spanning trees may be constructed in sub-quadratic time in the size of the network, our approach offers excellent scalability. Through experimental results, we show that employing arc-disjoint spanning trees to recover from multiple failures reduces path stretch in comparison with previously known techniques.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Spinal Cord and Canal: Potentials and Limitations

Preliminary experience with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spinal cord and canal in 17 patients indicates considerable promise in the diagnosis of neoplastic, degenerative, and congenital lesions. The ability to image the cord directly rather than indirectly as in myelography, the absence of bone artifact as in computed tomography, and the multiplanar capabilities indicate that MRI will be the procedure of choice in the examination of the spinal cord. Current limitations include partial-volume effects due to slice thickness and the inability to perform contiguous sections when using multiplanar techniques. The relative increase in signal from cerebrospinal fluid with long TR and TE sequences in spin-echo imaging may result in less sensitivity than in the brain for detection of cord edema and/or infarction.
Contrast Enhancement in CT Differentiation between Recurrent Disk Herniation and Postoperative Scar: Prospective Study

Recurrent disk herniation and postoperative scarring are among the major causes of recurrent symptoms after surgery for lumbar disk disease. The myelographic differentiation between these two etiologies is, at best, difficult. To evaluate the role of intravenous contrast enhancement and its impact on making this differentiation using computed tomography (CT), 98 postoperative symptomatic patients were studied prospectively with this technique. Twenty-two patients had subsequent reexploration (23 disk spaces). The unenhanced and enhanced studies of these patients were interpreted independently without surgical information. With contrast enhancement, only three CT studies were considered indeterminate, whereas 10 studies without contrast enhancement were indeterminate. The overall correct diagnosis with contrast enhancement was 17 (74%) of 23, while only 43% of the unenhanced studies yielded the correct diagnosis. Therefore, intravenous contrast enhancement significantly increased the diagnostic accuracy and level of confidence in making the differentiation between recurrent herniated disk and scar.
Will digital technologies transform agriculture in developing countries

Mobile phones and the internet have significantly affected practically all sectors of the economy and agriculture is no exception. Building on a recent World Bank flagship report, this article introduces a concise framework for describing the main benefits from new information and communication technologies. They promote greater inclusion in the broader economy, raise efficiency by complementing other production factors, and foster innovation by dramatically reducing transaction costs. The article reviews the recent literature on corresponding technology impacts in the rural sector in developing countries. Digital technologies overcome information problems that hinder market access for many small-scale farmers, increase knowledge through new ways of providing extension services, and they provide novel ways for improving agricultural supply chain management. While there are many promising examples of positive impacts on rural livelihoods—or “digital dividends”—these have often not scaled up to the extent expected. The main reason is that technology can always only address some, but not all of the barriers faced by farmers in poorer countries.
Functional development of mechanosensitive hair cells in stem cell-derived organoids parallels native vestibular hair cells

Inner ear sensory epithelia contain mechanosensitive hair cells that transmit information to the brain through innervation with bipolar neurons. Mammalian hair cells do not regenerate and are limited in number. Here we investigate the potential to generate mechanosensitive hair cells from mouse embryonic stem cells in a three-dimensional (3D) culture system. The system faithfully recapitulates mouse inner ear induction followed by self-guided development into organoids that morphologically resemble inner ear vestibular organs. We find that organoid hair cells acquire mechanosensitivity equivalent to functionally mature hair cells in postnatal mice. The organoid hair cells also progress through a similar dynamic developmental pattern of ion channel expression, reminiscent of two subtypes of native vestibular hair cells. We conclude that our 3D culture system can generate large numbers of fully functional sensory cells which could be used to investigate mechanisms of inner ear development and disease as well as regenerative mechanisms for inner ear repair.
Summary statement from a workshop on asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism: a perspective for the 21st century.

Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (J.P.B., S.J.S.), New York, New York 10032; Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School (J.T.P., R.N.), Boston, Massachusetts 02114; American University of Beirut Medical Center (G.E.-H.F.), Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine (M.K.), Detroit, Michigan 48201; Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine (M.P.), Indianapolis, Indiana 46202; Department of Surgery, University Hospital (J.R.), Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Surgery, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine (R.U.), New Haven, Connecticut 06520; and Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center (S.A.W.), Durham, North Carolina 27710
The impact of multidecadal Atlantic meridional overturning circulation variations on the Southern Ocean

The impact of multidecadal variations of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) on the Southern Ocean (SO) is investigated in the current paper using a coupled ocean–atmosphere model. We find that the AMOC can influence the SO via fast atmosphere teleconnections and subsequent ocean adjustments. A stronger than normal AMOC induces an anomalous warm SST over the North Atlantic, which leads to a warming of the Northern Hemisphere troposphere extending into the tropics. This induces an increased equator-to-pole temperature gradient in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) upper troposphere and lower stratosphere due to an amplified tropical upper tropospheric warming as a result of increased latent heat release. This altered gradients leads to a poleward displacement of the SH westerly jet. The wind change over the SO then cools the SST at high latitudes by anomalous northward Ekman transports. The wind change also weakens the Antarctic bottom water (AABW) cell through changes in surface heat flux forcing. The poleward shifted westerly wind decreases the long term mean easterly winds over the Weddell Sea, thereby reducing the turbulent heat flux loss, decreasing surface density and therefore leading to a weakening of the AABW cell. The weakened AABW cell produces a temperature dipole in the SO, with a warm anomaly in the subsurface and a cold anomaly in the surface that corresponds to an increase of Antarctic sea ice. Opposite conditions occur for a weaker than normal AMOC. Our study here suggests that efforts to attribute the recent observed SO variability to various factors should take into consideration not only local process but also remote forcing from the North Atlantic.
Ligand-Enabled Stereoselective β-C(sp3)–H Fluorination: Synthesis of Unnatural Enantiopure anti-β-Fluoro-α-amino Acids

A quinoline-based ligand was shown to promote palladium-catalyzed β-C(sp3)–H fluorination for the first time. A range of unnatural enantiopure fluorinated α-amino acids were obtained through sequential β-C(sp3)–H arylation and subsequent stereoselective fluorination from readily available l-alanine.
The Incidental Fertility Effects of School Condom Distribution Programs

While the fertility effects of improving teenagers' access to contraception are theoretically ambiguous, most empirical work has shown that access decreases teen fertility. In this paper, we consider the fertility effects of access to condoms--a method of contraception not considered in prior work. We exploit variation across counties and across time in teenagers’ exposure to condom distribution programs in schools. We find that access to condoms in schools increases teen fertility by about 12 percent. The results suggest that the effects of condom access varied significantly across different programs; the positive fertility estimates are driven by communities where condoms are provided without mandated counseling. Programs that mandated counseling have zero or negative fertility effects, but estimates on these counties are less robust across specifications.
Particle-directed assembly of semiflexible polymer chains

We use Langevin dynamics simulations to study aggregation of semiflexible polymers driven by attractions between polymers and spherical particles. We consider a simple model with purely repulsive polymer/polymer and particle/particle interactions but attractive polymer/particle interactions. We find a rich “phase diagram” that contains several different types of globular and rod-like aggregates with either liquid-like or crystalline structure for the particle positions. Systems that exhibit rod-like aggregates with crystalline internal order exhibit a discontinuous rod-globule transition, while systems with liquid-like internal order exhibit a smooth crossover between isotropic and elongated aggregates with increasing chain stiffness. Polymers in elongated liquid-like aggregates often adopt helical configurations that wind around the axis of the aggregate.
An LNA laser for helium experiments

We designed, built, and operated an LNA laser end pumped by a diode laser array for the purpose of exciting the He transition 23S → 23P near λ = 1.083 μm.
Quarantine and Liability in the Context of Ebola.

This article explores the legal standards that apply to isolation and quarantine orders issued by a state health department, using the context of quarantines in the US during the 2014 Ebola outbreak. Ebola presented a unique situation because the disease takes up to three weeks to develop after exposure, thus requiring lengthy quarantine of people who may have been exposed but who were not sick or ever developed the disease. Courts have only rarely evaluated quarantine orders, giving added relevance to this article's overview of litigation between Kaci Hickox and Governor Chris Christie as well as a lawsuit filed on behalf of quarantined Connecticut residents.
Maternal choline supplementation in a sheep model of first trimester binge alcohol fails to protect against brain volume reductions in peripubertal lambs.

Abstract Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a leading potentially preventable birth defect. Poor nutrition may contribute to adverse developmental outcomes of prenatal alcohol exposure, and supplementation of essential micronutrients such as choline has shown benefit in rodent models. The sheep model of first-trimester binge alcohol exposure was used in this study to model the dose of maternal choline supplementation used in an ongoing prospective clinical trial involving pregnancies at risk for FASD. Primary outcome measures including volumetrics of the whole brain, cerebellum, and pituitary derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 6-month-old lambs, testing the hypothesis that alcohol-exposed lambs would have brain volume reductions that would be ameliorated by maternal choline supplementation. Pregnant sheep were randomly assigned to one of five groups – heavy binge alcohol (HBA; 2.5 g/kg/treatment ethanol), heavy binge alcohol plus choline supplementation (HBC; 2.5 g/kg/treatment ethanol and 10 mg/kg/day choline), saline control (SC), saline control plus choline supplementation (SCC; 10 mg/kg/day choline), and normal control (NC). Ewes were given intravenous alcohol (HBA, HBC; mean peak BACs of ∼280 mg/dL) or saline (SC, SCC) on three consecutive days per week from gestation day (GD) 4–41; choline was administered on GD 4–148. MRI scans of lamb brains were performed postnatally on day 182. Lambs from both alcohol groups (with or without choline) showed significant reductions in total brain volume; cerebellar and pituitary volumes were not significantly affected. This is the first report of MRI-derived volumetric brain reductions in a sheep model of FASD following binge-like alcohol exposure during the first trimester. These results also indicate that maternal choline supplementation comparable to doses in human studies fails to prevent brain volume reductions typically induced by first-trimester binge alcohol exposure. Future analyses will assess behavioral outcomes along with regional brain and neurohistological measures.
Capacity of Coherent Frequency-Hop Spread-Spectrum Communications

The capacity of a coherent frequency-hopped (C-FH) spread-spectrum system is investigated, The channel comprises an M-ary phase-shift keying (M-PSK) modulator, a frequency hopper with phase-continuous carrier, the transmission medium, a nonideal phase-coherent frequency dehopper, an M-PSK demodulator, and a carrier tracking system. Additive white Gaussian noise is considered. The analysis focuses on the effect of imperfect recovery of the carrier phase on the demodulation process. The carrier tracking system includes a maximum likelihood estimator of the phase error and a first-order digital phase-lock loop. The phase error is modeled as a Markov process. An expression for the state transition probabilities of the phase error process is given. Using bounds on the entropy of a function of a Markov process, lower bounds to the capacity of C-FH channels are derived. The input symbols are assumed uniformly distributed and the encoding process independent of the frequency slot selected to send each symbol. Numerical results obtained for various values of M and of the number of frequency slots are presented.
Analysis, Modeling, and Applications of the Straintronics Devices for the Future Spin-Based Integrated Circuits

Increasing the energy efficiency of magnetic memories has been the focus of many research labs in the past decades. Spin polarized current-based switching, although demonstrating promising results, is still far from the fundamental energy limits of the magnetic logic. In order to take a leap towards the inherent energy advantages of the magnetic logic, the principle of straintronics has been proposed as an efficient alternative approach to switch the state of a nanomagnet. This paper shows that the straintronics magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) can be incorporated into the integrated circuits in order to reduce the switching energy of the magnetic tunneling junction compared to the spin polarized approaches. The energy barrier and the critical switching voltage of the device, as measures of noise tolerance, are investigated in detail. A micro spin model of the device is developed using the Verilog-A language to interface and simulate the device with CMOS circuitry. To assist the fast simulation of the device in large systems, a liberal model of the device's dynamics is developed. The use of straintronics-MTJ in CMOS systems is highlighted by discussing the straintronics-MTJ in memory design and artificial neural networks.
Low-complexity diversity combining algorithms and circuit architectures for co-channel interference cancellation and frequency-selective fading mitigation

Low-complexity diversity combining algorithms and circuit architectures for co-channel interference cancellation and frequency-selective fading mitigation, which do not require training sequences, are introduced in this paper. Results obtained from computer simulation of hardware show that two-antenna diversity combining gives wireless communication systems a signal to interference ratio improvement of at least 3 dB over conventional two-antenna selection diversity. The technique is also effective in mitigating frequency selective fading without using conventional equalization-an average irreducible word error rate (WER) of 2.4% is obtained in computer simulation of hardware for radio channels with normalized delay spread of 0.3. In contrast, for the same WER, selection diversity and single antenna without diversity can sustain normalized delay spread up to about 0.16 and 0.06 respectively.
Nanoporous fabrics could keep you cool.

From early days when animal skins were the season's fashion until modern times, clothes have been typically engineered for comfort in cold environments by tailoring their thermal conduction. Air pockets in feathers, furs, and woolen fabrics help reduce thermal conduction and keep warmth inside. Cooling, however, is much harder to achieve without the use of external active devices such as fans, air conditioners, or wearable thermoelectric coolers. The wicking technology used in modern athletic apparel to enhance convective cooling is not ideal for everyday clothes because it only works once perspiration begins. On page 1019 of this issue, Hsu et al. ( 1 ) report passive cooling of an object by a few Celsius degrees by simply allowing thermal radiation to pass efficiently through a nanoporous fabric. This demonstration may make possible wearable technologies for personalized cooling and paves the way for energy savings by reduced use of air conditioning.
Combination Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy for Small-Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus: A Case Report of Long-Term Survival and Review of the Literature

Small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus is a rare tumor and has received little attention until recent years. It should be differentiated from the far more common poorly differentiated squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus, because treatment by surgical resection alone or by radiation therapy results in limited survival of a few months. It is now recognized that esophageal small-cell carcinoma presents with early widespread dissemination and is chemosensitive, similar to primary small-cell carcinoma of the lung. We report on a patient with small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus treated with combination chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and VP-16 followed by local radiation therapy. Pathologic complete remission was achieved. The patient is currently in remission 22 months after diagnosis, the longest survival reported thus far.
Application of heterocyclic aldehydes as components in Ugi-Smiles couplings.

Efficient one-pot Ugi–Smiles couplings are reported for the use of furyl-substituted aldehyde components. In the presence of these heterocyclic aldehydes, reactions tolerated variations in amine components and led to either isolated N-arylamide Ugi–Smiles adducts or N-arylepoxyisoindolines, products of tandem Ugi–Smiles Diels–Alder cyclizations, in moderate yields. A thienyl-substituted aldehyde was also a competent component for Ugi–Smiles adduct formation.
Tree based machine learning framework for predicting ground state energies of molecules

We present an application of the boosted regression tree algorithm for predicting ground state energies of molecules made up of C, H, N, O, P, and S (CHNOPS). The PubChem chemical compound database has been incorporated to construct a dataset of 16 242 molecules, whose electronic ground state energies have been computed using density functional theory. This dataset is used to train the boosted regression tree algorithm, which allows a computationally efficient and accurate prediction of molecular ground state energies. Predictions from boosted regression trees are compared with neural network regression, a widely used method in the literature, and shown to be more accurate with significantly reduced computational cost. The performance of the regression model trained using the CHNOPS set is also tested on a set of distinct molecules that contain additional Cl and Si atoms. It is shown that the learning algorithms lead to a rich and diverse possibility of applications in molecular discovery and materials informatics.
Can Technology Help Promote Equality of Educational Opportunities

This chapter assesses the potential for several prominent technological innovations to promote equality of educational opportunities. We review the history of technological innovations in education and describe several prominent innovations, including intelligent tutoring, blended learning, and virtual schooling.
From Political Liberalism to Para-Liberalism: Epistemological Pluralism, Cognitive Liberalism & Authentic Choice

Advocates of political liberalism hold it as a superior alternative to perfectionism on the grounds that it avoids superfluous and/or controversial claims in favor of a maximally-inclusive approach undergirded by a "free-standing" justification for the ideology. These assertions prove difficult to defend: political interpretations of liberalism tend to be implicitly ethnocentric; they often rely upon a number of controversial, and even empirically falsified, assumptions about rationality -- and in many ways prove more parochial than their perfectionist cousins. It is possible to reform political liberalism to address these challenges, but generally at the expense of the supposed normative force and universality of the liberal project. However, this para-liberal approach is much better in keeping with contemporary findings in sociology, psychology and cognitive science -- and can much more effectively accommodate the illiberal challenge.
A selection rule for transitions in PT-symmetric quantum theory

Carl Bender and collaborators have developed a quantum theory governed by Hamiltonians that are PT-symmetric rather than Hermitian. To implement this theory, the inner product was redefined to guarantee positive norms of eigenstates of the Hamiltonian. In the general case, which includes arbitrary time-dependence in the Hamiltonian, a modification of the Schrodinger equation is necessary as shown by Gong and Wang to conserve probability. In this paper, we derive the following selection rule: transitions induced by time dependence in a PT-symmetric Hamiltonian cannot occur between normalized states of differing PT-norm. We show three examples of this selection rule in action: two matrix models and one in the continuum.
HIGHLY POROUS SHELLS AND AUGMENTS: BIG HOPES FOR BIG HOLES

Major bone loss involving the acetabulum can be seen during revision THA due to component loosening, migration or osteolysis and can also occur as a sequela of infected THA. Uncemented porous ingrowth components can be used for reconstruction of the vast majority of revision cases, where smaller segmental or cavitary defects are typically present. But when stable structural support on host bone is lacking, highly porous metal acetabular augments have been described as an alternative to large structural allograft, avoiding the potential for later graft resorption and the resulting loss of mechanical support that can follow. The fundamental concept behind these acetabular augments is the provision of critical additional fixation, structural support and increased contact area against host bone over the weeks following surgery while the desired ingrowth into porous implant surfaces is occurring. Three separate patterns of augment placement have been utilised in our practice since the development of these implants a decade ago: Type 1 – augment screwed onto the superolateral acetabular rim in a “flying buttress” configuration for treatment of a segmental rim defect, Type 2 – augment placed superiorly against host and then fixed (with cement) to the acetabular component adjacent to the cup to fill a mainly elliptical cavitary defect, and Type 3 – augment(s) placed medial to the cup to fill a protrusio type cavitary or combined cavitary segmental defect of the superomedial or medial wall, and allow peripheral cup placement against the still intact acetabular rim. In all cases the acetabular component and augment interface is fixed together with cement, with care to prevent any cement extrusion between any implant and the bone. When possible, we now prefer to place the acetabular component first and fix it provisionally with 2 or more screws, and then place the augments second as this is technically quicker and easier. This order of insertion is only possible though in type 1 and a few select type 2 cases. Type 3 cases always require placement of one or more augments first, before cup insertion. Supplemental cancellous bone graft is used routinely, but the need for structural bone is avoided. Highly porous metal acetabular augments are an infrequently needed, but extremely valuable, versatile and reliable adjunctive fixation method for use with uncemented acetabular components during complex revision THA associated with major bone deficiency. Smaller (often female) patients are more likely to require this approach as reaming away defects to allow insertion of a jumbo cup is more difficult in small patients with a smaller AP dimension to the acetabular columns and less local bone for implant support. Intermediate term durability and apparent radiographic incorporation has been very good despite the complex reconstructions originally required. This technique can allow the avoidance of structural bone grafting for even the most massive of bone defect problems, but additional followup is needed to see how durable these encouraging results are over the longer term.
Multiround Private Information Retrieval: Capacity and Storage Overhead

Private information retrieval (PIR) is the problem of retrieving one message out of $K$ messages from $N$ non-communicating replicated databases, where each database stores all $K$ messages, in such a way that each database learns no information about which message is being retrieved. The capacity of PIR is the maximum number of bits of desired information per bit of downloaded information among all PIR schemes. The capacity has recently been characterized for PIR as well as several of its variants. In every case it is assumed that all the queries are generated by the user simultaneously. Here we consider multiround PIR, where the queries in each round are allowed to depend on the answers received in previous rounds. We show that the capacity of multiround PIR is the same as the capacity of single-round PIR. The result is generalized to also include $T$ -privacy constraints. Combined with previous results, this shows that there is no capacity advantage from multiround over single-round schemes, non-linear over linear schemes or from $\epsilon $ -error over zero-error schemes. However, we show through an example that there is an advantage in terms of storage overhead. We provide an example of a multiround, non-linear, $\epsilon $ -error PIR scheme that requires a strictly smaller storage overhead than the best possible with single-round, linear, zero-error PIR schemes.