cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of organoboronates in metathesis polymerization

Molybdenum and ruthenium catalysis has been used to synthesize main-chain boronate ADMET polymers under bulk conditions; however, the long-term stability and solution characterization of these polymers are dramatically influenced by ligand-exchange reactions within the boronate moiety. Placing the boronate pendent to the main chain obviates this phenomenon as demonstrated in the ROMP polymerization of norbornene monomers with boronates both in exo and endo positions. The stereochemistry of the monomer influences both the rate of polymerization and the microstructure of the resulting polymer; these effects are more pronounced in the case of ruthenium catalysis. The thermal stability of these polymers also is dependent upon monomer stereochemistry.
Continuous measurement of the DCMU-induced fluorescence response of natural phytoplankton populations

The effect of 3x10-6 M DCMU [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea] on in vivo chlorophyll a fluorescence was observed in nearshore waters of the Southern California Bight. We compared fluorescence readings in the presence and absence of this inhibitor using parallel flow-through fluorometers. The increase in fluorescence induced by DCMU is expressed as the FRI (fluorescence response index). Theory and laboratory studies on batch cultures of phytoplankton suggest that the FRI is correlated with photosynthetic efficiency and/or physiological state, but other studies have produced results in apparent conflict with this interpretation. Although sufficient information does not exist to justify the use of fluorescence response as a precise physiological indicator in the field, we suggest that very low FRI values are a manifestation of photosynthetic debility in a sample. Vertical profiles showed a wide range of the fluorescence response index. At a station close to shore, low FRI values were observed well below the 1% light level, but the fluorescence response of the phytoplankton throughout the euphotic zone was similar to that of growing cultures. Farther offshore, the FRI was depressed near the surface, but increased in the enhanced nutrient conditions of the lower euphotic zone. The patterns observed were strong, and consistent with hypotheses which relate low values of the FRI to diminished photosynthetic capacity.
An Experimental Study of Machine Recognition of Hand-Printed Numerals

The recognition of hand-printed numerals is studied on a broad experimental basis within the constraints imposed by a raster scanner generating binary video patterns, a mixed measurement set, and a statistical decision function. A computer-controlled scanner is used to acquire the characters, to adjust the raster resolution and registration, and to monitor the black-white threshold of the quantizer. The dimensionality of the decision problem is reduced by a hybrid system of measurements. In the measurement design, three types of measurements are generated: a set of "topological" measurements, a set of logical "n-tuples," both designed by hand, and a large set of n-tuples machine generated at random under special constraints. The final set of 100 measurements is selected automatically by a programmed algorithm that attempts to minimize the maximum expected error rate between every character pair. Computer simulation experiments show the effectiveness of the selection procedure, the contribution of the different types of measurements, the effect of the number of measurements selected on recognition, and the desirability of size and shear normalization. The final system is tested on four data sets printed under different degrees of control on the writers. Each data set consists of approximately 10 000 characters. For this comparison, a first-order maximum likelihood function with weights quantized to 100 levels is used. Error versus reject curves are given on several combinations of training and test sets.
Movement and Deposition of Fibers in an Airway with Steady Viscous Flow

Deposition of fibrous particles in lung airways is drastically different from deposition of spherical particles because of aerodynamic differences. In the past, assessment of fibrous particle deposition in airways used appropriate modifications of the analytical expressions for deposition efficiency for spherical particles. Recently, Chen and Yu (1991a) presented an analysis of fiber deposition by sedimentation for a parabolic flow through a circular tube. Fiber orientation in the flow was obtained from Jeffery's equations (1922) adapted to the case of parabolic flow. Deposition efficiency was then found from the solution of equations of motion for fibers. A more general approach has been taken in this study, in which the flow field is arbitrary but at a low Reynolds number. Inertial effects on both rotation and translation of the fiber are neglected. Equations for fiber orientation are derived in terms of Euler angles π and θ, and flow variables. The behavior of fiber orientation is found to be a functio...
MASS SPECTROMETRIC STUDY OF THE EVAPORATION OF BaMoO4 AND BaWO4 (1).

Abstract Mass Spectrometric Studies indicate that barium molybdate and barium tungstate salts evaporate mainly molecular BaMoO4(g) and BaWO4(g), respectively. The importance of ion fragmentation processes occuring in the mass spectrometer were established from appearance potential measurements and the variations in relative ion intensities with condensed phase composition. Third-law calculations give for the dissociation reactions: BaMoO 4 (g)⇄ BaO (g)+ MoO 3 (g),Δ 0 0 =129.7±4.0 BaMoO 3 (g)⇄ BaO (g)+ MoO 2 (g),Δ 0 0 =132.2±6.0 BaWO 4 (g)⇄ BaO (g)+ WO 3 (g),Δ 0 0 =148.3±4 kcal The heats of vaporization of BaMoO4(l) and BaWO4(l) at 2000°K are 83.5 and 93.7 ± 4 kcal/mole, respectively.
Short-term effects of kainic acid on rat cerebellar cells in monolayer cultures.

Abstract Monolayer cultures of postnatal day 5 rat cerebellar cells were grown for three weeks in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium, supplemented with either 10% horse serum or a defined hormone mixture. Sensitivity to kainic acid (10 −4 M) was monitored both morphologically and by uptake of [ 3 H]GABA (with and without the glial uptake inhibitor β-alanine). Morphological changes could be detected after only 30 min of exposure to the kainic acid. After 4 h, granule cells appeared intact, while specific neuronal GABA uptake was about half that of untreated controls.
Nitrogen fractions in selected feedstuffs

Abstract Nitrogen in selected feedstuffs was fractionated based on solubility in mineral solvents and detergent solutions. Six solvents with either a continuous mixing procedure at constant temperature or an intermittent mixing procedure at room temperature were compared for nitrogen solubility. Nitrogen solubility varied with type of solvent. Borate-phosphate buffer was more stable than other solvents. Borate-phosphate buffer had a correlation coefficient of .92 with insoluble nitrogen obtained with autoclaved rumen fluid. Insoluble nitrogens obtained by continuous or intermittent mixing techniques were not significantly different. The latter procedure is simple and avoids the need for special extraction equipment for estimation of nitrogen solubility. In most feedstuffs, a large fraction of soluble nitrogen was in the form of nonprotein nitrogen. Oats and peanut meal contained a significant amount of soluble true protein (43.3 and 24.3% of total nitrogen). Neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen content of feed samples varied among feedstuffs and were not a constant proportion of neutral detergent or acid detergent fiber.
A class of admissible estimators of a finite population total

In order to estimate the total value of an attribute of a finite population, Brewer [2] proposed an estimator which is asymptotically design-unbiased and which is optimal with respect to a certain superpopulation model. In this note, it is shown that a class of estimators which includes Brewer's estimator, as well as the usual ratio estimator, is admissible for any fixed population size. The proof of the result follows that of Joshi [4], [5].
Vibration reduction for flexible spacecraft attitude control using PWPF modulator and smart structures

This paper presents a new approach to vibration reduction of flexible spacecraft during attitude control by using pulse width pulse frequency (PWPF) modulator for thruster firing and smart materials for active vibration suppression. The experiment was conducted on the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS)'s Flexible Spacecraft Simulator (FSS), which consists of a central rigid body and an L-shape flexible appendage. A pair of on-off thrusters are used to reorient the FSS. To actively suppress vibrations introduced to the flexible appendage, embedded piezoelectric ceramic patches are used as both sensors and actuators to detect and counter react to the induced vibration. For active vibration suppression using the piezoelectric ceramic patches, Positive Position Feedback (PPF) control targeting at the first two flexible modes of the FSS system is used. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the control strategy of PWPF modulation for attitude control and PPF for active vibration suppression.
Requirements for discrete actuator and segmented wavefront correctors for aberration compensation in two large populations of human eyes.

Numerous types of wavefront correctors have been employed in adaptive optics (AO) systems for correcting the ocular wavefront aberration. While all have improved image quality, none have yielded diffraction-limited imaging for large pupils (≥6 mm), where the aberrations are most severe and the benefit of AO the greatest. To this end, we modeled the performance of discrete actuator, segmented piston-only, and segmented piston/tip/tilt wavefront correctors in conjunction with wavefront aberrations measured on normal human eyes in two large populations. The wavefront error was found to be as large as 53 μm, depending heavily on the pupil diameter (2–7.5 mm) and the particular refractive state. The required actuator number for diffraction-limited imaging was determined for three pupil sizes (4.5, 6, and 7.5 mm), three second-order aberration states, and four imaging wavelengths (0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 μm). The number across the pupil varied from only a few actuators in the discrete case to greater than 100 for the piston-only corrector. The results presented will help guide the development of wavefront correctors for the next generation of ophthalmic instrumentation.
An exploratory data analysis method to reveal modular latent structures in high-throughput data

Background Modular structures are ubiquitous across various types of biological networks. The study of network modularity can help reveal regulatory mechanisms in systems biology, evolutionary biology and developmental biology. Identifying putative modular latent structures from high-throughput data using exploratory analysis can help better interpret the data and generate new hypotheses. Unsupervised learning methods designed for global dimension reduction or clustering fall short of identifying modules with factors acting in linear combinations.
Single-walled carbon nanotube-based field-effect transistors (non-reviewed)

Summary form only given. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been considered as a promising nanostructured material for the realization of future nanoelectronic devices because of their unique electrical properties such as the ballistic transportation of electrons or holes in SWCNTs. In this paper, we report the fabrication of single-walled carbon nanotube field- effect transistors (CNTFETs) with metal and semiconductor materials as the source and drain materials. Ultra-purified HiPCO-grown single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) from Carbon Nanotechnologies, Inc. (CNI) were used for the fabrication of CNTFETs. N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethyl formamide (DMF), toluene and trifluoroacetic acid were used to disperse SWCNTs in solutions. The dispersion of SWCNTs in the solvents were ultrasonically assisted, and then centrifuged at 14000 rpm. The solubility of SWCNTs in the solvents was finally compared, and the degree of dispersion was examined by SEM. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) method was used to deposit, align, and assemble carbon nanotubes (CNTs) across the source and drain of CNTFETs to form the channel. Microfabrication techniques such as UV lithography and e-beam lithography were used to fabricate the CNTFETs. The gap between the source and drain varied from 800 nm to 3 um. Both metals such as gold and semiconductors such as bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) were used as the source and drain materials for the CNTFETs. The fabricated CNTFET has a backside gate with the substrate as the gate contact. Silicon dioxide was used as the gate oxide. Electron-beam evaporation and sputtering deposition were used for the deposition of the thin film layers in this research.The drain-source current (IDS) versus drain-source voltage (VDS) and gate voltage (VG) was characterized for the fabricated CNTFETs. It was found that the I-V behavior of metal electrode-based CNTFETs is dependent on the type (metallic or semiconducting) of aligned carbon nanotubes across the electrodes and the I-V behavior of semiconductor electrode-based CNTFETs is independent of the type of carbon nanotubes. This property makes the semiconductor electrode-based CNTFETs more promising than the metal electrode-based CNTFETs. The developed carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNTFETs) can be a good candidate for the application of nanoelectronics and integrated circuits with a high mobility and fast switching.
THE PALMER DROUGHT SEVERITY INDEX AS A MEASURE OF HYDROLOGIC DROUGHT

ABSTRACT: The Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) is perhaps the most widely used regional drought index. However, there is considerable ambiguity about its value as a measure of hydrologic drought. In this paper the PDSI for climatic divisions in New Jersey is compared to the occurrence within each climatic division of streamflows in their lower quartile for the month (streamflow index), and ground-water levels in their lower quartile for the month (ground-water index). These indices are found to have distinct properties. It is not uncommon for PDSI values to indicate “severe” or “extreme” drought at times when the streamflow or groundwater index is above its lower quartile at many stations within the climatic division. The PDSI values and groundwater index indicate more persistent subnormal conditions than the streamflow index for truncation levels yielding the same total duration of drought over a period. The ground-water index tends to indicate a later beginning to droughts and of the three indices is the most conservative indicator of a drought's end. Drought timing and duration properties for the ground-water index are found to be highly influenced by the average depth to water in the well. Overall, the three indices of drought can provide three very different characterizations of drought. In particular, the results indicate that considerable caution should be exercised in drawing conclusions about hydrologic drought from the PDSI.
Incorporation of the Green Fluorescent Protein into the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Capsid

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) UL35 open reading frame (ORF) encodes a 12-kDa capsid protein designated VP26. VP26 is located on the outer surface of the capsid specifically on the tips of the hexons that constitute the capsid shell. The bioluminescent jellyfish (Aequorea victoria) green fluorescent protein (GFP) was fused in frame with the UL35 ORF to generate a VP26-GFP fusion protein. This fusion protein was fluorescent and localized to distinct regions within the nuclei of transfected cells following infection with wild-type virus. The VP26-GFP marker was introduced into the HSV-1 (KOS) genome resulting in recombinant plaques that were fluorescent. A virus, designated K26GFP, was isolated and purified and was shown to grow as well as the wild-type virus in cell culture. An analysis of the intranuclear capsids formed in K26GFP-infected cells revealed that the fusion protein was incorporated into A, B, and C capsids. Furthermore, the fusion protein incorporated into the virion particle was fluorescent as judged by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis of infected cells in the absence of de novo protein synthesis. Cells infected with K26GFP exhibited a punctate nuclear fluorescence at early times in the replication cycle. At later times during infection a generalized cytoplasmic and nuclear fluorescence, including fluorescence at the cell membranes, was observed, confirming visually that the fusion protein was incorporated into intranuclear capsids and mature virions.
The panel management questionnaire: a tool to measure panel management capability.

Context: To meet demands for evidence-based chronic and preventive services and to improve performance, primary care practices are turning toward team-based strategies such as panel management, in which nonclinicians address routine preventive and chronic disease care tasks for a group of patients. No known validated instruments have been published for measuring panel management implementation. Objective: To describe development and evaluation of the Panel Management Questionnaire (PMQ), a self-report tool measuring panel management capability in primary care. Design: Cross-sectional study for questionnaire validation. Main Outcome Measures: We developed the 12-item PMQ from a conceptual framework to measure 4 domains of panel management and tested the questionnaire for internal and external validity. Data were assembled from self-administered cross-sectional surveys that included the PMQ instrument sent from February 2012 through May 2012. We surveyed 136 staff and 204 clinicians in 9 county and 5 university adult primary care clinics. Additional data came from clinic quality measures routinely collected the quarter before the survey. Results: The PMQ scale demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.92 and 0.84 for staff and clinicians, respectively). Staff and clinician PMQ scores in each clinic were correlated (Kendall τ = 0.45, p < 0.05). The cliniclevel median PMQ score was positively associated with a composite clinic quality measure (Kendall τ = 0.42 for staff, 0.28 for clinicians). Conclusions: The PMQ measures self-reported panel management capability and may be a useful assessment and research tool for panel management implementation in primary care practice.
The price of emergency contraception in the United States: what is the cost-effectiveness of ulipristal acetate versus single-dose levonorgestrel?

Abstract Background Ulipristal acetate (UPA) is a novel form of emergency contraception (EC) that appears to be more effective than the prevailing method, single-dose levonorgestrel (LNG). This study examines the cost-efficacy of UPA compared with LNG. Study Design A decision-analytic model was developed to compare the cost-effectiveness of UPA versus LNG in preventing unintended pregnancy when taken within 120 h of unprotected intercourse. Univariate and bivariate sensitivity analyses, as well as Monte Carlo simulation and threshold analyses, were performed. Results Utilizing UPA instead of LNG would result in 37,589 fewer unintended pregnancies per 4,176,572 estimated US annual EC uses (UPA 54,295 pregnancies; LNG 91,884 pregnancies) and a societal savings of $116.3 million annually. Cost-effectiveness acceptability curve analyses suggest a 96% probability that UPA is more cost-effective at a willingness to pay $100,000 per quality-adjusted life year. Conclusions UPA is cost-effective in preventing unintended pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. Efforts should be promoted to increase access to UPA.
Isolation and characterization of 18 novel polymorphic microsatellite markers from the Mayan cichlid ( Cichlasoma urophthalmus )

We isolated and characterized 18 microsatellite loci from the Mayan cichlid, Cichlasoma urophthalmus. Loci were screened for 24 specimens from a total of seven sites in south Florida, Mexico, Belize and Honduras. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 21, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.208 to 0.875, and the probability of identity values ranged from 0.012 to 0.203. These new loci will provide tools for identifying the source population(s) for the introduction of Mayan cichlids in south Florida and for comparing population genetic structure of Mayan cichlids within and among subpopulations in its native (Central America) and introduced ranges (south Florida). Mayan cichlids are an invasive species in south Florida so identifying source populations may reveal pathways that can be managed to prevent further introductions. Mayan cichlids may also be useful as a model system in which to examine the relationship between introduction history, population genetic diversity, and invasibility.
Automatic segmentation algorithm for brain MRA images

In this work, we have developed an automatic segmentation algorithm for brain Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) images to extract the vascular structure based on region-growing method. Intensity information is used as a criterion of homogeneity. MRA was introduced into clinical practice about two decades ago and it provides a variety of significant advantages over competitive methods in vascular imaging. The value of MRA is widely accepted for head and brain imaging. Automatic image segmentation is a prominent process that partitions a digital image into disjoint connected sets of pixels, each of which corresponds to structural units, objects of interest or region of interests (ROI) region in image analysis. The proposed algorithm contains two major stages: (a) Image enhancement and (b) Image segmentation. It provides a parameter-free environment to allow no user intervention. Image denoising and vessel enhancement are useful for improving the display and the segmentation. In order to improve the performance of the region-growing method, we applied contrast enhancement by power-law transformation by the gamma correction technique. Conventional low-pass filter is used as a noise reduction method.
Circulating thyrotropin receptor messenger RNA for evaluation of thyroid nodules and surveillance of thyroid cancer in children

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the role of thyrotropin receptor messenger RNA as a novel blood test for evaluation of thyroid nodules and cancer in children. Methods We reviewed thyroid disease management of patients younger than 18 years with thyrotropin receptor messenger RNA measurements identified from a prospective, institutional review board-approved registry during 2008 to 2010. Results Thirty-nine thyrotropin receptor messenger RNA measurements were made in 21 female patients (12-17 years old; median, 16 years). Four patients with fine-needle aspiration only had benign thyroid cytology, and 3 of 4 had undetectable thyrotropin receptor messenger RNA. Seventeen patients underwent 22 thyroid operations. Preoperative thyrotropin receptor messenger RNA was measured in 9 patients: 3 of 4 with thyroid cancer had elevated levels and 3 of 5 with goiters undetectable. Postthyroidectomy surveillance (median, 16 months; range, 6-24) of 11 thyroid cancer patients (8 papillary, 3 follicular) showed that thyrotropin receptor messenger RNA was concordant with thyroglobulin in 14 (73%) of 19 measurements. In 3 (16%) of 19 measurements, thyrotropin receptor messenger RNA was the only blood test useful for disease assessment because of elevated antithyroglobulin antibodies. Overall, to predict thyroid cancer, thyrotropin receptor messenger RNA demonstrated 73% sensitivity, 82% specificity, 62% positive predictive value, 88% negative predictive value, and 79% accuracy. Conclusion Thyrotropin receptor messenger RNA provides complementary evaluation to thyroglobulin and fine-needle aspiration for pediatric thyroid nodule management.
The impact of a palliative care unit on mortality rate and length of stay for medical intensive care unit patients

Objective: This study evaluates the impact of a 10-bed inpatient palliative care unit (PCU) on medical intensive care unit (MICU) mortality and length of stay (LOS) for terminally ill patients following the opening of an inpatient PCU. We hypothesized that MICU mortality and LOS would be reduced through the creation of a more appropriate location of care for critically ill MICU patients who were dying.Method: We performed a retrospective electronic database review of all MICU discharges from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2009 (5,035 cases). Data collected included MICU mortality, MICU LOS, and mean age. The PCU opened on January 1, 2008. We compared location of death for MICU patients during the 2-year period before and the 2-year period after the opening of the PCU.Results: Our data showed that the mean MICU mortality and MICU LOS both significantly decreased following the opening of the PCU, from 21 to 15.8% (p = 0.003), and from 4.6 to 4.0 days (p = 0.014), respectively.Significance of results: The creation of an inpatient PCU resulted in a statistically significant reduction in both MICU mortality rate and MICU LOS, as terminally ill patients were transitioned out of the MICU to the PCU for end-of-life care. Our data support the hypothesis that a dedicated inpatient PCU, capable of providing care to patients requiring mechanical ventilation or vasoactive agents, can protect terminally ill patients from an ICU death, while providing more appropriate care to dying patients and their loved ones.
L1 recombination-associated deletions generate human genomic variation

Mobile elements have created structural variation in the human genome through their de novo insertions and post-insertional genomic rearrangements. L1 elements are a type of long interspersed element (LINE) that is dispersed at high copy numbers within most mammalian genomes. To determine the magnitude of L1 recombination-associated deletions (L1RADs), we computationally extracted L1RAD candidates by comparing the human and chimpanzee genomes and verified each of the L1RAD events by using wet-bench analyses. Through these analyses, we identified 73 human-specific L1RAD events that occurred subsequent to the divergence of the human and chimpanzee lineages. Despite their low frequency, the L1RAD events deleted ≈450 kb of the human genome. One L1RAD event generated a large deletion of ≈64 kb. Multiple alignments of prerecombination and postrecombination L1 elements suggested that two different deletion mechanisms generated the L1RADs: nonallelic homologous recombination (55 events) and nonhomologous end joining between two L1s (18 events). In addition, the position of L1RADs throughout the genome does not correlate with local chromosomal recombination rates. This process may be implicated in the partial regulation of L1 copy numbers by the finding that ≈60% of the DNA sequences deleted by the L1RADs consist of L1 sequences that were either directly involved in the recombination events or located in the intervening sequence between recombining L1s. Overall, there is increasing evidence that L1RADs have played an important role in creating structural variation.
DFT guidance through RTL test justification and propagation analysis

We introduce a formal mechanism for capturing test justification and propagation related behavior of blocks. Based on the identified test translation behavior, an RTL testability analysis methodology for hierarchical designs is derived. An algorithm for pinpointing the local-to-global test translation controllability and observability bottlenecks is presented. The analysis results are validated through an ATPG-based experimental flow and the applicability of the scheme for addressing test challenges in large designs by guiding DFT decisions is discussed.
The Harmonic Constant Datum Method: Options for Overcoming Datum Discontinuities at Mixed–Diurnal Tidal Transitions*

Abstract The harmonic constant datum (HCD) method is a computationally efficient way of estimating tidal datums relative to mean sea level, without the need to compute long time series. However, datum discontinuities can occur between mixed and diurnal tidal regimes using this method. Solutions to this problem are investigated, with a hypothetical strait that contains a semidiurnal node, using three different procedures: algorithms specifically designed for diurnal tides (DTA), mixed tidal algorithms (MTA) throughout, and cubic polynomial interpolation (CPI) across the diurnal region. DTA creates small discontinuities (≤11% for the strait) in mean higher high water and mean lower low water but does not provide estimates of mean high water or mean low water. MTA gives continuous datums but creates artificial structures in the middle of the diurnal region. CPI provides smooth, continuous datums but does not use the tidal information within the diurnal regions. Which procedure works best depends on the size ...
How constant is the Fermi coupling constant

We discuss various astrophysical limits on the spatial and time variation of the Fermi coupling constant ${G}_{F}$. We consider two cases: (a) ${G}_{F}$ and the fermion masses vary through a change in the vacuum expectation value of the Higgs field; (b) ${G}_{F}$ varies while the fermion masses are held constant. In the former case, redshift measurements probe both the spatial and time variation of ${G}_{F}$ through changes in the electron mass: the agreement between measurements of hyperfine and optical lines in distant galaxies and quasars indicates that ${G}_{F}$ varies by less than 0.04% on cosmological length scales. Such measurements also show that ${G}_{F}$ varies by less than 0.2% back to a redshift of $z=3.4$. If ${G}_{F}$ varies without any change in the fermion masses, the best constraints on spatial variations in ${G}_{F}$ come from supernova light curves, whose slopes depend upon the lifetime of $^{56}\mathrm{Co}$. The similarities between light curves argue that the Fermi coupling constant ${G}_{F}$ varies by less than 5% on cosmological scales. Big bang nucleosynthesis indicates that the Fermi coupling constant at $t\ensuremath{\sim}1$ sec differed by less than \ensuremath{\sim} 10-20% from the contemporary terrestrial value, with the exact limits depending on which model we choose for the variation in ${G}_{F}$. Variation in ${G}_{F}$ would allow big bang nucleosynthesis to produce a lower $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ abundance without changing significantly any of the other element abundances.
A Review of: “If You Build It: Business, Government and Ontario's Electronic Toll Highway, by Chandran Myvaganam and Sanford Borins”

Chandran Myvaganam and Sanford Borins' chronicle of the development of Ontario's Highway 407 is a piece of richly detailed analysis. The book tells the story of the creation of a leading-edge toll ...
Full-Order Distributed Fault Diagnosis for Large-Scale Nonlinear Stochastic Systems

This paper deals with the problem of designing a distributed fault detection and isolation algorithm for nonlinear large-scale systems that are subjected to multiple fault modes. To solve this problem, a network of detection nodes is deployed to monitor the monolithic system. Each node consists of an estimator with partial observation of the system’s state. The local estimator executes a distributed variation of the particle filtering algorithm; that process the local sensor measurements and the fault progression model of the system. In addition, each node communicates with its neighbors by sharing pre-processed information. The communication topology is defined using graph theoretic tools. The information fusion between the neighboring nodes is performed by a distributed average consensus algorithm to ensure the agreement on the value of the local estimates. The simulation results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
INTERACTION-INDEPENDENT SEXUAL SELECTION AND THE MECHANISMS OF SEXUAL SELECTION.

Darwin identified explicitly two types of sexual selection, male contests (combat and displays) and female choice, and he devoted the overwhelming majority of his examples to traits that influence the outcome of these interactions. Subsequent treatments of sexual selection have emphasized the importance of intra- and intersexual interactions as sources of sexual selection. However, many traits that are important determinants of mating success influence mating success without necessarily affecting the outcome of intra- and intersexual interactions. Here, I argue that traits can be subject to sexual selection even if they do not affect the outcome of intra- and intersexual interactions. I distinguish two types of sexual selection, interaction-independent and interaction-dependent selection, based on whether variance in mating success is the result of trait-dependent outcomes of interactions between conspecifics. I then use this distinction to construct a framework for classifying types of sexual selection that unifies and expands previously proposed frameworks. Finally, I outline several implications that the concept of interaction-independent sexual selection has for the general theory of sexual selection.
Wrestling Play in Adult River Otters, Lutra canadensis

Seasonal changes in frequencies of wrestling among 16 adult river otters ( Lutra canadensis ) in six different captive groups (two groups of four animals and four groups of two) were investigated. Initiators of wrestling and choice of wrestling partners were identified. All otters wrestled, some as often as 15–20 bouts/h. They wrestled significantly less often during the breeding season than in months preceding the breeding season. Females and males wrestled at similar rates, but mixed-sex wrestling bouts were initiated by females almost twice as often as by males. In same-sex bouts, dominant otters initiated wrestling nearly 5 times as often as subordinates.
Hydration and Proton Transfer in 3M™ PEM Ionomers: An Ab Initio Study

Electronic structure calculations were performed to study the effects local hydration, neighboring side chain connectivity, and protogenic group separation have in facilitating proton dissociation and transfer in fragments of 3M ionomers under conditions of low hydration. Two different types of ionomers, each consisting of a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) backbone, were considered: (1) perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomeric fragments containing two pendant side chains (–O(CF2)4SO3H) of distinct separation along the PTFE backbone to model different equivalent weight ionomers and (2) single side chain fragments of three bis(sulfonyl imide)-based fragments with multiple and distinct acid groups per side chain having structural and chemical differences mediating protogenic group separation (side chains:–O(CF2)4SO2(NH)-SO2C6H4SO3H) with the sulfonic acid group located in either the meta or the ortho position on the phenyl ring and–O(CF2)4SO2(NH)SO2(CF2)3SO3H). Fully optimized structures of these fragments with and without the addition of water molecules at the B3LYP/6-311G** level revealed that both side chain connectivity and protogenic group separation, along with local hydration, are key contributors to proton dissociation and the energetics of proton transfer in these materials. Specifically, cooperative interaction between protogenic groups through hydrogen bonding and electron withdrawing–CF2–groups are critical for first proton dissociation and the state of the dissociated proton at low levels of hydration. However, the close proximity of protogenic groups in the ortho bis acid precluded second proton dissociation at low hydration as the relatively fixed protogenic group separation promoted interactions between water molecules, while the labile side chains in the PFSA ionomers allowed for greater freedom in the hydrogen bond network formed. Potential energy profiles for proton transfer were determined at the B3LYP/6-31G** level. The energetic penalty associated with proton transfer was found to be strongly dependent on the surrounding hydrogen bond network and the state of the dissociated proton(s), as well as, the separation between protogenic groups.
Simulation Study of Influence of Transformer Bushing Fault on Frequency Response Curves

For both online and offline detection of transformers winding deformation using the frequency response analysis(FRA) method, the influence of bushing condition on frequency response curves is generally ignored, which may mislead the fault diagnosis or even cause accidents. Thus, we developed an equivalent circuit model of transformer based on the FRA method. The distribution parameters of the model were obtained by combining simulation in ANSYS and some mathematical methods. Moreover, we researched the variation of the online and offline frequency response curves of the transformer under capacitive, resistive, and resistance-capacitive bushing faults, respectively. The simulation results show that, within 1 kHz~1 MHz, offline detection is not sensitive to the bushing faults, that is to say, the bushing faults barely changes frequency response curves or causes misjudgment of winding deformation. Meanwhile, for online detection, both capacitive and resistance-capacitive bushing faults change the amplitudes of online frequency response curves: the amplitude of frequency response curve is positively related to the equivalent capacitance of the bushing, and this relation is more obvious in 10~40 kHz which leads to misjudgment of winding deformation detection using the correlation coefficients of transfer functions.Since the shape of online frequency response curve is not affected by resistive bushing faults, it is concluded that the capacitive factor of bushing is the main reason of the curves' change.
Retrospective analysis of changing characteristics of treatment-seeking smokers: implications for further reducing smoking prevalence.

Objective The goal of the current study was to empirically compare successive cohorts of treatment-seeking smokers who enrolled in randomised clinical trials in a region of the USA characterised by strong tobacco control policies and low smoking prevalence, over the past three decades. Design Retrospective treatment cohort comparison. Setting Data were collected from 9 randomised clinical trials conducted at Stanford University and the University of California, San Francisco, between 1990 and 2013. Participants Data from a total of 2083 participants were included (Stanford, n=1356; University of California San Francisco, n=727). Primary and secondary outcomes One-way analysis of variance and covariance, χ2 and logistic regression analyses were used to examine relations between nicotine dependence, cigarettes per day, depressive symptoms and demographic characteristics among study cohorts. Results Similar trends were observed at both settings. When compared to earlier trials, participants in more recent trials smoked fewer cigarettes, were less nicotine-dependent, reported more depressive symptoms, were more likely to be male and more likely to be from a minority ethnic/racial group, than those enrolled in initial trials (all p9s Conclusions Our findings suggest that more recent smoking cessation treatment-seeking cohorts in a low prevalence region were characterised by less smoking severity, more severe symptoms of depression and were more likely to be male and from a minority racial/ethnic group.
AlGalnP solar cells with high internal quantum efficiency grown by molecular beam epitaxy

A systematic study on the effect of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth parameters on lattice-matched AlGalnP solar cells on GaAs is presented. MBE has been used to grow the highest efficiency, lattice-matched triple-junction (3J) solar cells to date, and expanding the range of available bandgap energies for the top cell will be an important step towards future 5–6J devices. In this work, we describe ∼2.0 eV AlGaInP cells with internal quantum efficiency values of ∼80% and bandgap-voltage offset values of ∼600 mV. While these values significantly exceed prior reports of MBE-grown AlGaInP, more work is needed to match the performance of AlGaInP cells grown by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy.
Lower Rates of Promotion of Generalists in Academic Medicine: A Follow-up to the National Faculty Survey.

Background Prior cross-sectional research has found that generalists have lower rates of academic advancement than specialists and basic science faculty.
Editorial : Low-Dose Tricyclics for Esophageal Hypersensitivity: Is It All Placebo Effect?

Abstract:Limsrivilaiet al.report on a randomized control trial (RCT) testing the efficacy of imipramine for treating esophageal hypersensitivity and functional heartburn, the first RCT to test this therapy in this indication. Among 43 functional heartburn and esophageal hypersensitivity patients ran
Housing Market in Russia in 2016

According to the data released by the Bank of Russia, as of July 1, 2016, the number of credit institutions issuing residential loans (RL) and housing mortgage loans (HNL) fell to 680 and constituted 85.3% of their number as of July 1, 2015 (Table 16). Herewith, the number of credit institutions issuing RL came to 522 and those extending HML – 499, and those attracting refinancing on the HML secondary market – 34. Moreover, the number of credit institutions extending housing mortgage loans secured by the right of foreclosure on agreements of participation in shared construction came to 212 as of July 1, 2016.
Opportunistic Screening for Osteoporosis Using Body CT Scans Obtained for Other Indications: the UW Experience

Low bone mineral density (osteoporosis and osteopenia) leading to fragility fractures is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in our aging population. This condition is grossly underdiagnosed due to both insufficient screening and its silent nature prior to complicating fragility fractures. Body CT scans are commonly obtained among older adults for a wide variety of indications and contain rich data regarding bone health that are often ignored. At the University of Wisconsin, we have sought to harness this CT information for “opportunistic” osteoporosis screening. In this article, we review the various CT-based approaches we have taken to date, including routine assessment of the spine for both vertebral fractures and trabecular density, as well as assessment of the hip, deriving femoral neck T-scores that are essentially equivalent to dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Future directions of research and clinical implementation are also discussed.
Smart Arrival Notification System for Americans with Disabilities Act Passenger Paratransit Service with a Consumer Mobile Device

This research presents an arrival notification system for paratransit passengers with disabilities. Almost all curb-to-curb paratransit services have a significantly large pickup time window, ranging from 20 to 40 min from the scheduled time and producing substantial passenger waiting times. The arrival notification system presented in this study delivers an automated voice call to a registered user once the paratransit vehicle is in proximity to the pickup location. The system utilizes the Google Traffic application programming interface (API) for the vehicle arrival estimation. Unlike other vehicle arrival notification systems in the state of the practice, the proposed system is compact and does not require additional equipment such as radio transmitting and positioning devices. The proposed system, which uses consumer mobile devices with the Android or iOS platform, is designed to exploit commercial cellular network service (i.e., 3G and 4G-LTE). In addition to the passenger notification, the proposed ...
A new polymorph of 2,6-diaminopyridine.

2,6-Di­amino­pyridine (26-DAP, C5H7N3) is a common inter­mediate in the synthesis of aromatic azo chromophores, which are widespread in the dyes and pigments industry. Sublimation of commercial 26-DAP powder yielded a new polymorph, denoted Form II, which grew as colorless ortho­rhom­bic needles. Recrystallization from acetone or toluene also yielded Form II as the major phase. Thermal analysis shows that Form II is a less stable polymorph and it converts upon heating at 335 K to the previously reported Form I.
MicroED: a versatile cryoEM method for structure determination

Micro-electron diffraction, or MicroED, is a structure determination method that uses a cryo-transmission electron microscope to collect electron diffraction data from nanocrystals. This technique has been successfully used to determine the high-resolution structures of many targets from crystals orders of magnitude smaller than what is needed for X-ray diffraction experiments. In this review, we will describe the MicroED method and recent structures that have been determined. Additionally, applications of electron diffraction to the fields of small molecule crystallography and materials science will be discussed.
Measuring sleep quality

Sleep problems are very common in patients with chronic pain. Studies indicate that 50–80% of patients with chronic pain report significant sleep difficulties [29–31], and sleep problems are more severe among those with chronic pain relative to those without chronic pain [32]. There is also preliminary evidence that sleep problems may contribute to increased pain [33], and that effective sleep treatment results in decreased pain [34,35]. It is therefore important that sleep problems be assessed in persons with chronic pain, and treated if indicated. The Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Problem Index is a validated measure of sleep quality that is also very easy to administer.
Adventures in Data Analysis: The TAO Array and the 1997–1998 El Niño

Traditional undergraduate education in earth sciences does not emphasize data acquisition, analysis, or assessment. However, arrival of the information age dictates that earth sciences graduates be imbued with fundamental skills to organize, evaluate and process large data sets. Fortunately, the proliferation of remotely sensed data and its availability via the Internet provides many opportunities for earth science educators to meet these needs. Exercises to introduce students to data analysis have been designed utilizing data from the Tropical Atmosphere–Ocean (TAO) Array and the 1997–1998 El Nino episode in the tropical Pacific Ocean. The TAO Array is a grid of 69 buoys moored across the equatorial Pacific Ocean (8°N to 8°S and 95°W to 143°E) recording environmental data relevant to El Nino—Southern Oscillation (ENSO) processes. Data from the TAO Array is available in near-real-time (http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/toga-tao/realtime.html) or as archived ASCII files (http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/toga-tao/data-delivery.html) providing daily (sometimes hourly) records of environmental parameters for each buoy in the grid. Student exercises in data analysis begin with downloading data from buoy locations, parsing the data into spreadsheets, and organizing data by environmental parameter into yearly and monthly data sets. Analyses of reconstructed data include calculations of long-term averages of environmental parameters, seasonal climatologies, monthly climatologies and calculation of long-term, seasonal, and monthly anomalies. Finally, monthly anomaly maps produced by students are loaded sequentially into GIF-animation software to create time-series images illustrating the progress and development of the 1997–1998 El Nino event.
Monte Carlo Simulation for American Options

This paper reviews the basic properties of American options and the difficulties of applying Monte Carlo valuation to American options. Asymptotic results by Keller and co-workers are described for the singularity in the early exercise boundary for time t near the final time T. Recent progress on application of Monte Carlo to American options is described including the following: Branching processes have been constructed to obtain upper and lower bounds on the American option price. A Martingale optimization formulation for the American option price can be used to obtain an upper bound on the price, which is complementary to the trivial lower bound. The Least Squares Monte Carlo (LSM) provides a direct method for pricing American options. Quasi-random sequences have been used to improve performance of LSM; a brief introduction to quasi-random sequences is presented. Conclusions and prospects for future research are discussed. In particular, we expect that the asymptotic results of Keller and co-workers could be useful for improving Monte Carlo methods.