cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thinking about Delay, Disruption, and the Cumulative Impact of Multiple Changes

Change is any addition, deletion, or revision to a contract (Ibbs and Allen 1995). This may be a design or construction contract, and it may affect the scope or administration of that contract. Such change often causes an adjustment to the price of the contract, its duration, or both, and regularly occurs on projects. These cost and time dislocations may stem from the impact change has on labor productivity, which, when lowered, will require more labor hours to perform a task. With that increase in labor hours comes an increase in the costs and time required to complete the work. In turn, this may reduce or eliminate the contractor’s profitability and impair the owner’s return on investment and the utility of the project. This may lead to friction, acrimony, and even litigation between the owner and contractor. The problem gets even worse if many changes occur on a project because a special condition called cumulative impact may result. Cumulative impact may result from changes that delay the critical path or disrupt the work to such an extent that their sequences or means and methods are changed. Disruption may not impact the critical path of a project, but may still damage productivity. Delays and disruption may occur in any phase of a project (e.g., an owner’s acquisition of property, permitting, design, or procurement) and ripple through to hurt the productivity of a later stage of the project (e.g., construction). Cumulative impact has gained popularity (or, in the minds of some people, notoriety) in recent years, but it is often poorly understood, poorly explained, poorly demonstrated, and poorly quantified. The subject has become so important that the American Association of Cost Engineers (AACE) has even seen fit to address it in one of their recommended practice guides. There is a clear need to better understand cumulative impact.
Radiation Heat Transfer from Plate-Fin Heat Sinks

The exact analytical correlations to calculate radiation heat transfer rate from a diffuse and gray plate-fin heat sink are presented. These correlations involve a view factor that can be exactly calculated using a rather complex set of equations. A very simple approximate correlation for this view factor is proposed that results in radiation heat transfer rates that are accurate with a maximum error of about 11%.
Correlation between Poynting flux and soft electron precipitation in the dayside polar cap boundary regions

Observations have revealed large Poynting flux and soft electron precipitation around the cusp region, which have strong impacts on the polar ionosphere/thermosphere. Simulations also confirmed that Poynting flux and soft electron precipitation significantly change the neutral density and dynamics around the dayside polar cap boundary regions. However, no detailed study has been conducted to show if they should coincide with each other or not. Our analysis of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellite data reveals a complex correlation between them. Poynting flux and soft particle precipitation are coincident in some cases (match cases), but a clear displacement between them can also be identified in others (nonmatch cases). In the 29 cusp crossings from F13 we investigated, the ratio between nonmatch and match cases is close to 1:4. In nonmatch cases, the displacement between the Poynting flux enhancement and soft particle precipitation enhancement can be as large as 1° in geomagnetic latitude.
The Effect of Delayed-Dormant Chemical Treatments on Demethylation Inhibitor (DMI) Sensitivity in a DMI-resistant Population of Venturia inaequalis

Demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides are an effective means to manage apple scab caused by Venturia inaequalis. Unfortunately, practical resistance to DMI fungicide chemistries is prevalent in populations in New York and the New England states. Management practices that delay the development of DMI resistance in V. inaequalis populations are highly desired by regional apple producers. Trials were conducted in a New York apple orchard during the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons to determine the impact of delayed-dormant (after bud break, but prior to green tissue) chemical treatments on the DMI sensitivity of a V. inaequalis population with stable resistance to DMI fungicides. Delayed-dormant treatment programs consisted of either an application of a copper fungicide, a manganese sanitation product, a DMI fungicide (myclobutanil), or no fungicide. Sensitivity to the DMI fungicide myclobutanil was evaluated for a minimum of 25 V. inaequalis single lesion conidial isolates from each of four replicated treatment blocks. In both years, mean percent relative growth on myclobutanil amended media for V. inaequalis isolates from the copper treatment program were significantly (P 0.05) different in myclobutanil sensitivity from isolates collected from the blocks that did not receive a delayed dormant fungicide treatment. Overall, the results suggest that delayed dormant treatments of copper may favorably impact the myclobutanil sensitivity for a population of V. inaequalis with resistance to DMI fungicides, and should be considered as a standard management practice in apple production.
Intelligent Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy Tip and Substrate Control Utilizing Fuzzy Logic

Abstract In this paper, we present a technique to intelligently control the motion of Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) tip electrodes and automatically align SECM tip electrodes to the substrate with no user interaction. This intelligent method utilizes a custom fuzzy logic algorithm to control the motion of the tip electrode and automate tip/substrate alignment. The fuzzy logic control algorithm rapidly obtains SECM approach curves via a variable speed approach and automatically stops the tip electrode at a preprogrammed tip/substrate distance without “crashing” the tip electrode into the substrate. The fuzzy logic algorithm automatically adjusts the speed of the electrode based on the tip size, the enhancement of the tip current, and the distance that the tip electrode is from a user defined setpoint. We validated that both positive feedback and negative feedback approach curves obtained using the fuzzy logic algorithm matched well with simulated approach curves for both large microelectrodes (sometimes used for Surface-Interrogation SECM, a = 175 μm) and for conventional SECM ultramicroelectrodes (a = 4.2 μm). The ability to automatically stop the tip electrode is crucial for the automated sample tilt adjustment protocol. This ability allows us to automate the interactive process of (1) approaching the tip to the substrate, (2) scanning the tip across the substrate to measure the tip/substrate tilt, (3) correcting for the tip/substrate tilt. We demonstrated that this tip/substrate alignment protocol allows us to obtain highly resolved constant-height SECM images over large areas with ease.
Alternative conduit for infrageniculate bypass in patients with critical limb ischemia.

Background Autologous great saphenous vein (GSV) has always been considered the gold standard conduit for infrainguinal revascularization. When GSV is inadequate or unavailable, alternative conduits have been used. In this study, we compared modern outcomes of different conduit types used in lower extremity bypass (LEB) for patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). Methods The Vascular Study Group of New England database (2003-2014) was queried for patients who underwent infrageniculate bypass originating from the femoral arteries. Conduit types were categorized as single-segment GSV, alternative autologous conduit (AAC), and nonautologous conduit (NAC). Primary outcomes were 1-year freedom from major adverse limb event (MALE), MALE-free survival, and primary graft patency. Multivariable Cox regression was used to adjust for demographics and comorbidities. Results LEB was performed in 2148 patients, of which 1125 were to below-knee popliteal (BK-Pop) and 1023 to infrapopliteal artery (IPA) targets. The baseline characteristics differed among the conduit groups: Patients in the GSV group were younger and had fewer comorbidities than in the AAC groups. Patients undergoing BK-Pop bypass with NAC had higher rates of postoperative myocardial infarction (7.1%) and postoperative (5.8%) and 1-year death (40.8%) than in those with GSV (3.1%, 2%, and 31.7%, respectively) and AAC (0%, 0%, and 25%, respectively). In multivariable analysis, conduit type did not make a difference in 1-year MALE, MALE-free survival, or primary graft patency for BK-Pop bypasses. For IPA bypasses, NAC use was associated with higher rates of postoperative (6.4%) and in-hospital death (4.5%) compared with GSV (2.5% and 1.4%, respectively) and AAC (2.9% and 1.9%, respectively). In adjusted analysis, NAC was associated with higher risk of MALE (hazard ratio [HR], 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-2.20; P = .036) and primary patency loss (HR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.91-1.89), and lower MALE-free survival (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.03-2.09; P = .035) compared with GSV. There was no difference between the NAC and AAC groups. Conclusions Conduit type does not affect outcomes in BK-Pop bypass. In the absence of single-segment GSV, the use of AAC for IPA bypass does not appear to confer any additional benefit of MALE, MALE-free survival, or graft patency compared with prosthetic grafts at 1-year follow-up.
Greg Barnhisel, Cold War Modernists: Art, Literature, and American Cultural Diplomacy. New York: Columbia University Press, 2015. 322 pp. $40.00

A term like “modernism” exudes the sort of elasticity that is bound to attract scholars eager to parse its various meanings, no matter how elusive. An entire journal now exists that is devoted to the classification of modernism and to studies in relevant works of literature in particular. Because the standard experimentalist works emerged at roughly the same time as the rise of fascism and Nazism, modernism ought to be a good candidate to set off against the despotisms of the right. The key episode in this regard was the notorious exhibition of Entartete Kunst (degenerate art) that the Nazis mounted in Munich in 1937. And yet Ezra Pound, a supremely modernist poet (“Make it new!”) who championed T. S. Eliot and James Joyce, broadcast so many dreadful speeches from Fascist Italy that only a clinical diagnosis of his madness spared him from a postwar conviction for treason. That a tyranny of the left, in the Stalinist USSR, also impugned and outlawed modernism, and exalted the style of socialist realism instead, suggests how tempting it is to define modernism—at least in part—by its incompatibility with totalitarianism. Yet, in 1947, when Harry Truman came across Circus Girl Resting, a painting by the Japanese-American Yasuo Kuniyoshi, the president exclaimed: “If this is art, I’m a Hottentot” (p. 55). Perhaps no artistic movement ever provoked so varied a spectrum of political resistance. But in the United States, hostile Fair Dealers like Truman tended to be outnumbered by conservatives, who were typically members of Congress of conventional aesthetic taste, insofar as they thought about the sublimity of painting or music at all. In the name of commonplace opinion and the thrift that taxpayers expected, such foes snapped at a visionary effort in public diplomacy that helped win the Cold War in the art galleries and in the little magazines. Calculations of the throw-weight of missiles were not enough; Abstract Expressionism could be enlisted to defeat Communism as well. What Greg Barnhisel crisply labels “Cold War modernism” constituted a claim that American culture could trump its Soviet counterpart, because the United States promoted individuality of expression and the freedom to be as creative as one’s talent might permit. America meant the right to paint a model who has three eyes and a body that could be blocked out into cubes, or to compose a piece of music that may reveal a beginning and middle and end—but not necessarily in that order. Such works demonstrated the autonomy of art in a democratic society at a time when the exemplars of the avant-garde elsewhere were imprisoned and even executed. Ideas are weapons,
Black Gold: The End of Bretton Woods and the Oil Price Shocks of the 1970s

The authors explore the connection between the 1971 - 1973 breakdown of the Bretton Woods Agreement and the rapid run-up in the (US) dollar price of oil in 1973 and 1974. Although both episodes are usually discussed in textbook presentations, they are not linked, either coincidentally or causally. In this paper, the authors argue that gold-buying and oil-selling countries, with price-setting power, would respond to changes in the dollar price of gold in a predictable and rational fashion. In times of rapidly increasing (decreasing) dollar prices of gold, we would expect rapidly increasing (decreasing) dollar prices of oil. This is, in fact, what was observed after the collapse of the Bretton Woods Agreement.
Lagos, Mobility, Artistic Representations

The international circulation of artworks that represent African cities offers an opportunity to reflect on varying notions of mobility: the networks that provide wide and varied audiences for artists as well as the movements (transnational, rural-urban, within a city) that are integral to urban environments (the subject of these artistic expressions). Moreover, the portability of cameras makes lens-based media ideal for exploring these various flows. This paper takes up these concepts of mobility with regard to Lagos. Specifically, I argue that photographic works by Akinbode Akinbiyi and video and sound pieces by Emeka Ogboh employ aesthetic tensions that produce richly layered representations enabling audiences to engage meaningfully with the myriad mobilities that intersect in the artwork. These mobilities include the subject matter of the art work, the artists’ own geographic mobility, their artistic practices, and the contexts in which viewers encounter their works.
Optimizing Connective Tissue Integration on Laser‐Ablated Implant Abutments

Focused Clinical Question: The integration of connective tissue (CT) to a laser-ablated abutment with a microgrooved surface at the apical millimeter (LL) has been documented in both animal and human studies. How should the healing be influenced to optimize the CT integration on abutment surfaces?Summary: When smooth machined titanium (ST) abutments were placed, epithelial attachment was found on abutments, but no CT integration was noted. On LL abutments, a zone of epithelial attachment and CT integration was noted. When an ST abutment was switched for an LL abutment, the soft tissue was inconsistent; however, when an LL abutment was placed after the removal of a prior LL abutment, CT integration was observed.Conclusions: Consistent CT integration was observed on LL abutment surfaces after implant placement. Switching LL abutments with new LL abutments consistently led to CT integration. This was not consistent when an ST abutment was switched for an LL abutment. Plaque and gingival indices were comparab...
Optical vortex diffractive optical element-scattering application

An optical vortex diffractive element was constructed by etching a plate of glass in a spiral staircase shape, such that the thickness of the glass increased in the azimuthal direction of the glass plate. The phase mask was then used to detect the light forward scattered through a colloidal solution. In the center of the optical vortex, the bright coherent laser beam was darkened owing to destructive interference allowing the detection of the incoherent scattered light.
Selecting the normal population with the smallest coefficient of variation

SYNOPTIC ABSTRACTWe consider the problem of selecting the normal population with the smallest coefficient of variation, which is a natural goal when the means as well as the variances of the populations are unknown and unequal. The indifference-zone approach (Bechhofer 1954) to this problem has been previously considered by Choi, Jeon and Kim (1982). We review their selection procedure and provide tables of sample sizes for it. Next we consider the subset selection approach of Gupta (1956, 1965). We propose a natural selection procedure, derive its least favorable configuration and provide tables of critical constants. An example is given to illustrate the two procedures.
Two-parameter scaling theory of transport near a spectral node

We investigate the finite-size scaling behavior of the conductivity in a two-dimensional Dirac electron gas within a chiral sigma model. Based on the fact that the conductivity is a function of system size times scattering rate, we obtain a two-parameter scaling flow toward a finite fixed point. The latter is the minimal conductivity of the infinite system. Depending on boundary conditions, we also observe unstable fixed points with conductivities much larger than the experimentally observed values, which may account for results found in some numerical simulations. By including a spectral gap we extend our scaling approach to describe a metal-insulator transition.
Non-Collinear Maker Fringes for the Determination of Third-order Susceptibilities

The use of non-collinear THG allows to obtain Maker fringes that are not affected by air and allow for a simpler determination of third order susceptibilities.
Effect of streptozotocin diabetes on selected enzymatic activities in rat urine.

SummaryThe 24-hr urine collected from streptozotocin-diabetic rats contained activities of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, α-L-fu-cosidase, β-D-galactosidase, glutamate-oxal-oacetate transaminase, and α-D-mannosi-dase that were significantly greater than control values. Lactate dehydrogenase activity was similar in urines from diabetic and from control animals. Results were similar with rats injected with streptozotocin from 3 to 30 days prior to use. The levels of urinary acid hydrolase activities present in diabetic rats returned to control values upon treatment with insulin and became elevated above control values once again upon cessation of insulin treatment. The levels of enzymatic activity measured in diabetic rat urine, except for LDH, were directly proportional to the volume of urine produced. However, normal animals with induced polyuria did not produce urines with enzymatic activities above control values.This study was supported by USPHS Grant 5685-12, the...
Water Quality detection of Rural Drinking Water Safety Project at Kangding County,2011-2012

Objective To examine the water hygienic quality in "Rural Drinking Water Safety Project"of Kangding and to provide scientific references for formulating improved measures on water safety.Methods According to "Hygienic Standard for Drinking Water"(GB/T 5750-2006),113 water samples in Kangding were examined with 20 indexes.Results For the 113 samples that collected in source water and tip water during wet season and dry season,the qualified rate was 44.2 % in 2011-2012.The qualified rates in wet season and dry season presented difference(P 0.05).Among all the indexes,turbidity,iron,manganese,fluoride,total bacteria,total coliforms and heat-proof coliforms were generally below proof.Conclusion The"Rural Drinking Water Safety Project"in Kangding has solved water supply for people and livestock,yet the hygienic quality is not completely guaranteed,with bacterial pollution as the major pollution source.
The role of Iron on breast cancer stem-like cells

Iron is a fundamental nutrient that enables the functions of vital enzymes involved in cell replication, metabolism and growth. Cancer cells contain higher systemic iron levels relative to normal cells. In breast cancer cells, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed more than 30% of normal and its poorly prognosis results in elevated the proportion of cancer stem cells (CSCs) which are the main drivers in cancer recurrence. Finding a relation between increases of iron levels, HER2 expression and CSC population may provide new tools for breast cancer therapy. In this study, therefore, iron dependency in HER2 overexpression and CSC survival is examined in breast cancer cell line, MCF7. It has shown that cells overexpressing HER2 require iron more than their vector counterparts and HER2-increased CSCs are vulnerable to iron chelation. Additionally, this sensitivity of CSCs to iron reduction is obviously indicated in various breast cancer cell lines; HCC1954, MDA-MB-435 and Hs578T. Finally, the concept is also shown in neoplastically transformed breast cancer cell line, HMLER. Altogether, this study demonstrates that iron depletion causes toxicity for CSCs.
Freud's concept of working through.

(1983). Freud’s Concept of Working Through. The Psychoanalytic Quarterly: Vol. 52, No. 1, pp. 73-98.
OP152: Minor salivary gland tumors: A retrospective series of 28 adenoid cystic carcinoma cases

Purpose Minor salivary gland tumours of the oral cavity represent 9–23% of all salivary gland tumours within the head and neck. Approximately 50% of minor salivary gland tumours are malignant, of which, Adenoid cystic carcinoma represents 14.8% of this subgroup in our series. It is an uncommon tumor characterized by slow growth and a high potential for recurrence. Treatment is primarily surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. We reviewed 28 consecutive patients in our department to discuss clinicopathologic features, management, and survival outcome. Materials and methods Between 1989 and 2012, 28 patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the minor salivary glands were treated at the University of Maryland Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Data reviewed include demographics, tumor location, grade, stage, local/regional/distant recurrence, treatment and overall survival. Results Of 248 minor salivary gland tumours reviewed over a period of 23 years, 189 (76%) cases were malignant and 28 (14.8%) of adenoid cystic carcinoma were encountered. The mean age was 61.8 years (range 16–89 yrs), with no gender predilection. The majority occurred in the palate/maxilla (63%) and initial presentation was mostly Stage IV, based on involvement of adjacent structures. Mean follow up was 42.6 months. Recurrence rate was 22% over the observation period (two local, two loco-regional and two distant). Post operative radiation was administered to 11 patients (41%). Conclusion The palate/maxilla is the preferred location for occurrence and initial presentation at Stage IV is common. Inherent to ACC, a tendency for late recurrence is likely, despite a mean follow up of 42.6 months in this study. Postoperative radiation therapy appears to reduce the incidence of recurrence in comparison to patients who refused post operative radiation therapy.
Cerebrospinal fluid flow waveforms: effect of altered cranial venous outflow. A phase-contrast MR flow imaging study.

Our purpose was to assess the effect of alterations in the cranial venous outflow on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow waveforms using phase-contrast MRI. Thirteen healthy subjects were assessed for CSF flow and cerebral vascular flow at the C2–3 level, both before and after jugular venous compression (JVC). The flow waveforms were assessed both as an aggregate, and after dividing subjects in two groups based on percent jugular venous flow (PJVF) i. e. jugular outflow expressed as percent of cerebral arterial inflow. Group 1: 7 subjects with PJVF more than and including median (predominantly jugular outflow); Group 2: 6 subjects with PJVF less than median (predominantly extra-jugular outflow). CSF waveforms: JVC produced rounding of contours and flattening of dicrotic waves, with the effect being greater in group 1 than group 2. In group 1, systolic upslopes of the waveforms increased. No significant aggregate amplitude changes were noted; amplidutes increased in group 1 (P = 0.001), and decreased in group 2 (P = 0.03). Temporal interval to the maximum CSF systolic flow significantly increased in group 1. Vascular flow: Arterial flow significantly decreased in group 1. Jugular flow significantly decreased in both groups. The results suggest that CSF flow waveforms are sensitive to alterations in the cranial venous outflow. Changes in group 1 are most likely because of an elevation in intracranial pressure. Analysis of CSF flow waveforms appears a promising noninvasive tool for assessment of cranial compartment.
Is Educational Policy Alleviating or Perpetuating the Racialization of Disabilities? An Examination of “Big-P” and “Little-p” Policies:

To understand the challenges associated with the enactment of educational policies that aim to improve equity and opportunity for students of color with disabilities, this article focuses on two se...
Energy drinks and alcohol-related risk among young adults.

ABSTRACTBackground: Energy drink consumption, with or without concurrent alcohol use, is common among young adults. This study sought to clarify risk for negative alcohol outcomes related to the timing of energy drink use. Methods: The authors interviewed a community sample of 481 young adults, aged 18–25, who drank alcohol in the last month. Past-30-day energy drink use was operationalized as no-use, use without concurrent alcohol, and concurrent use of energy drinks with alcohol (“within a couple of hours”). Negative alcohol outcomes included past-30-day binge drinking, past-30-day alcohol use disorder, and drinking-related consequences. Results: Just over half (50.5%) reported no use of energy drinks,18.3% reported using energy drinks without concurrent alcohol use, and 31.2% reported concurrent use of energy drinks and alcohol. Relative to those who reported concurrent use of energy drinks with alcohol, and controlling for background characteristics and frequency of alcohol consumption, those who didn...
Abstract 5365: Combining enzymatic DNA fragmentation with NGS library construction results in high quality, high yield libraries

The use of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) data has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of human genetics, identifying the molecular events that contribute to human disease, and supporting drug development targeted towards precision medicine. Continued advancement relies on overcoming the limitations and bottlenecks associated with NGS. In this work, we have focused on NGS library preparation, where the requirement for expensive equipment and numerous steps can lead to sample loss, errors, and limited throughput. Specifically, we have developed a library construction method that integrates enzymatic DNA fragmentation into the workflow and combines fragmentation with end repair and dA-tailing in a single step. Integrating these reactions eliminates the need for costly equipment to shear DNA and reduces the number of sample transfers and losses. Adaptor ligation is also carried out in the same tube, after which a single cleanup step is performed. For low input samples, PCR amplification is performed prior to sequencing. This method is compatible with a broad range of DNA inputs and insert sizes. Libraries generated using this streamlined method with inputs ranging from 500 pg to 500 ng of intact DNA show no significant difference in coverage uniformity or sequence quality metrics, compared to libraries generated with mechanically sheared DNA. Similarly, libraries generated to contain insert sizes that range from 150bp to 1kb display no significant difference in sequence quality from each other or from those generated with mechanically sheared DNA. Finally, this streamlined method generates libraries of substantially higher yields than those generated using mechanically fragmented DNA, allowing the use of lower DNA inputs and fewer PCR cycles. The ability to generate high quality NGS libraries from intact DNA without the need for costly equipment and numerous cleanup or liquid transfer steps substantially reduces the time, cost and errors associated with library construction. In addition, these advances will enable greater use and adoption of NGS technologies in clinical and diagnostic settings. Citation Format: Fiona Stewart, Lynne Apone, Vaishnavi Panchapakesa, Karen Duggan, Timur Shtatland, Bradley Langhorst, John Murdoch, Christine Sumner, Christine Rozzi, Pingfang Liu, Keerthana Krishnan, Deyra Rodriguez, Joanna Bybee, Danielle Rivizzigno, Laurie Mazzola, Eileen Dimalanta, Theodore Davis. Combining enzymatic DNA fragmentation with NGS library construction results in high quality, high yield libraries [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5365. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5365
Measuring the Accuracy of Distributed Algorithms on Multi-robot Systems with Dynamic Network Topologies

Distributed algorithms running on multi-robot systems rely on ad-hoc networks to relay messages throughout the group. The propagation speed of these messages is large, but not infinite, and problems in algorithm execution can arise when the robot speed is a large fraction of the message propagation speed. This defines a robot “speed limit”, as any robot moving away from a message source faster than the message speed will never receive new information, and cannot properly execute any algorithm. In this work, we focus on measuring the accuracy of multi-robot distributed algorithms. We define the Robot Speed Ratio (RSR) as the ratio of robot speed to message speed. We express the RSR in a form that is platform-independent and captures the relationship between communications usage, robot mobility, and algorithm accuracy, allowing for trade-offs between these quantities at design time. Finally, we present results from experiments with 30 robots that characterize the accuracy of preexisting distributed algorithms. In all cases, accuracy degrades as the RSR increases. In our experiments, a RSR of 0.005 allows good accuracy in all algorithms, a RSR of 0.02 allows reasonable accuracy in simple algorithms, and all algorithms tested are essentially useless at a RSR of 0.10 or higher.
An algorithm for finding hamiltonian circuits in certain graphs

A direct algorithmic procedure is described for computing Hamiltonian circuits in graphs which satisfy a condition due to Chvatal. For a graph with p vertices this procedure works in O(p 3) operations. It is suggested how this procedure might be used heuristically to compute long paths in general graphs.
Update on UCO development of improved astronomical coatings (Conference Presentation)

University of California Observatories has undertaken an effort to develop improved coatings for optical astronomy, both reflective and anti-reflective. We report of the latest developments in this program. This effort includes new interface materials between silver and protective over-layers, one of which (nickel oxide) shows great promise for enhanced durability and works well to λ~340nm, as shown by aggressive environmental stressing. In addition, we have been exploring atomic layer deposition (ALD) for building protective metal-oxide layers for silver-based coatings, using a new facility capable of coating optics up to 0.9-m in size. This new facility has just been delivered, but we have already obtained excellent uniformity with Al2O3 coatings across the full diameter. We are exploring different deposition parameters with the goal of achieving excellent thin films at lower temperature than typically used in ALD by employing both remote plasma enhancement and/or alternate oxidizing agents. We plan to explore nitride and fluorides also. Finally, we report on continued development and deposition of broad-band anti-reflection coatings based on silica sol-gel. These developments are particularly important with regards to the next generation telescopes and instruments, but of course could be applied to existing telescopes and instruments.
Online Done Right: The importance of human interaction for student success

Though more connected than any previous generation, many online learners report feeling something is missing from their educational experience. A quality online course provides the scheduling flexibility of distance learning, but does so with a reasonable student-professor ratio that makes interaction and connection possible. Boyers opines on why engagement matters.
Colloquium : Physical constraints for the evolution of life on exoplanets

Since the 1990s over 4000 exoplanets have been discovered: which of them could also develop and harbor life? It is posited that the planet must have liquid water, a surrounding atmosphere, and must be both biocompatible and possess the bioessential elements to be habitable. This Colloquium explores what features of the central star are conducive to these requirements with an eye toward optimizing our search for extraterrestrial life.
Chapter 18 - A Coupled GCM Pilgrimage: From Climate Catastrophe to ENSO Simulations

This chapter describes the coupled general circulation model (GCM) journeys in a “pilgrimage” from climate catastrophe to ENSO simulations. The transition from the climate catastrophe obtained in first coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model (CGCM) runs to a simulation was realistic, but suffered from a cold sea surface temperature (SST) bias and weak interannual variability at the equator. The examination of the systematic errors of the CGCM, the model revisions made for improvement, and the results are analyzed. The influence of marine stratocumulus on the tropical climate is also discussed. The chapter also explains a simulation with the revised model that succeeds in producing a realistic interannual variability at the equator. The structure of the simulated ENSO mode is in several physical quantities such as SST, surface wind stress, and mean temperature in the upper ocean. The chapter further describes a current strategy for research on assessing the importance of errors and alleviating their impact . Several physical aspects crucial to the behavior of the coupled atmosphere-ocean system are identified.
Improvements to an Explicit Algebraic Stress Model for Turbulent Jet Mixing Predictions

Modifications to key coefficients in a k − E based explicit algebraic stress model (EASM) are examined with the objective of improving the prediction of turbulent jet flows. The pressure strain coefficient, C2 and the turbulent diffusion coefficients, σk and σE were investigated. For a series of benchmark subsonic jets at heated and unheated conditions, lowering C2 from the default value of 0.36 to 0.10 resulted in a significant improvement in the jet mixing, when compared to experimental data. Changing σk and σE from default values of 1.00 and 1.4489, respectively, to 0.50 and 0.7244, respectively, improved the initial mixing rate, while reducing the farfield mixing rate and the peak turbulent kinetic energy along the centerline. A high-speed mixing layer was also investigated for performance of baseline and modified EASM coefficients, with similar results as for the jet cases. A flat plate boundary layer was briefly examined to determine the effects of changing the coefficients on the turbulent skin friction coefficient. The change to the pressure strain coefficient, C2 = 0.10 is recommended for future EASM calculation of jets flow; however, it is also recommended that the diffusion coefficients remain at their default values.
BOHM'S 1951 THEORY

This chapter discusses the nonrelativistic theory, originated in 1951 by Bohm that had its starting point in some considerations which were proposed already by Madelung. Bohm's theory in its original form is an incomplete theory. For the particle's spin, Bohm's original theory has no prescription at all. Arguments by von Neumann against hidden-variables theories do not apply to Bohm's theory. Bohm readily agrees that in his theory one set of hidden variables of a system cannot assign precise values to two noncommuting observables Q and P simultaneously. Because of the finite size of the incident wave packet, the interference phenomena causing wild motion of the scattered particle do not last forever but quiet down as the different wave packets separate from each other. An amusing part of Bohm's theory is that, in principle, it can tell through which slit a particle came as it hits a screen in one of the constructive-interference fringes behind a system of slits.
The Politics of Decolonial Interpretation: Tradition and Method in Contemporary Arab Thought

What is the relationship between interpretive methods and decolonizing projects? Decolonial thinkers often invoke pre-colonial traditions in their efforts to fashion “national cultures”— modes of being, understanding, and self-expression specific to a de-colonizing collectivity’s experience. While the substantive contributions of precolonial traditions to decolonial thought have received well-deserved attention in postcolonial and comparative political theory, this paper focuses on the role that interpretive methods play in generating the emancipatory sensibilities envisioned by decolonial thinkers. It draws on the contemporary Moroccan philosopher Mohammed ‘Abed Al-Jabri’s interpretive method to show that its decolonial potential lies in its “reader-centric” approach. This approach is concerned with transforming its postcolonial reader’s relationship to precolonial traditions, and not only with establishing the truth of historical texts or making use of their insights in the present as is more common in political-theoretical modes of interpretation. It does so through a tripartite process of disconnection, reconnection, and praxis.
Assessing consonant production in children with cochlear implants

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the development of consonant inventory and accuracy in pediatric cochlear implant (CI) recipients and compare their performance to typical hearing (TH) children. Methods One hundred and twenty nine children with CIs, implanted between 6–38 months of age, and 30 age-matched children with TH participated in this study. Spontaneous speech samples were collected at 3.5 and 4.5 years chronological age and the first 100 different words spoken by each participant were transcribed. Two consonant production measures were subsequently calculated to assess consonant acquisition and mastery. The percentage of Consonants Correct (CC) was used for measuring accuracy and Consonant Diversity (CD), an inventory measure, was used to identify the number of different consonants spoken by each participant. Repeated measures analyses of variance were conducted to examine the differences in consonant production scores based on presence of CI (participants with CI versus typical hearing (TH) participants), and chronological age at data collection (3.5 years versus 4.5 years). Results CI recipients displayed lower consonant production scores compared to TH children. Children with the most device experience (32–38 months at 3.5 years) performed on par with their TH peers. Conclusions The two measures used in this study together appear capable of comprehensively describing the changes in consonant production skills of children. Results from this study indicate that while most CI participants display lower scores compared to TH children, many of the CI users are able to produce speech sounds on par with TH children.
Engineering Laser Coherence and its Applications

We have developed random lasers and wave-chaotic microcavity lasers with low spatial coherence to achieve speckle-free full-field imaging. We have also invented a fast and efficient method of switching the spatial coherence of a degenerate cavity laser for bimodal microscopy.
Hand-guided qualitative deflectometry with a mobile device.

We introduce a system that exploits the screen and front-facing camera of a mobile device to perform three-dimensional deflectometry-based surface measurements. In contrast to current mobile deflectometry systems, our method can capture surfaces with large normal variation and wide field of view (FoV). We achieve this by applying automated multi-view panoramic stitching algorithms to produce a large FoV normal map from a hand-guided capture process without the need for external tracking systems, like robot arms or fiducials. The presented work enables 3D surface measurements of specular objects ’in the wild’ with a system accessible to users with little to no technical imaging experience. We demonstrate high-quality 3D surface measurements without the need for a calibration procedure. We provide experimental results with our prototype Deflectometry system and discuss applications for computer vision tasks such as object detection and recognition.
A Desirable Combination for Undergraduate Chemistry Laboratories: Face-to-Face Teaching with Computer-Aided, Modifiable Program for Grading and Assessment

The COVID-19 outbreak has altered chemistry laboratory instruction and forced us to reconsider the balance between face-to-face and online teaching. Our students preferred face-to-face teaching (sc...
Distribution of Spectral Characteristics and the Cosmological Evolution of Gamma-Ray Bursts

We investigate the cosmological evolution of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) using the total gamma-ray fluence as a measure of the burst strength. This involves an understanding of the distributions of the spectral parameters of GRBs, as well as the total fluence distribution—both of which are subject to detector selection effects. We present new nonparametric statistical techniques to account for these effects, and we use these methods to estimate the true distribution of the peak of the νFν spectrum—Ep—from the raw distribution. The distributions are obtained from four-channel data, and therefore are rough estimates; hence we emphasize the methods and present qualitative results. Given its spectral parameters, we then calculate the total fluence for each burst and compute its cumulative and differential distributions. We use these distributions to estimate the cosmological rate evolution of GRBs for three cosmological models. Our two main conclusions are the following: (1) given our estimates of the spectral parameters, we find that there may exist a significant number of high-Ep bursts that are not detected by BATSE; and (2) we find a GRB comoving rate density quite different from that of other extragalactic objects—in particular, it is different from the recently determined star formation rate.
Vitamin E catabolism in women, as modulated by food and by fat, studied using 2 deuterium-labeled α-tocopherols in a 3-phase, nonrandomized crossover study.

BACKGROUND Human vitamin E (α-tocopherol) catabolism is a mechanism for regulating whole-body α-tocopherol. OBJECTIVES To determine the roles of the intestine and liver on α-tocopherol catabolism as affected by fat or fasting, 2 deuterium-labeled (intravenous d6- and oral d3-) forms of α-tocopherol were used. METHODS Healthy women received intravenous d6-α-tocopherol and consumed d3-α-tocopherol with a 600-kcal defined liquid meal (DLM; 40% or 0% fat, n = 10) followed by controlled meals; or the 0% fat DLM (n = 7) followed by a 12-h fast (0% fat-fast), then controlled meals ≤72 h. The order of the 3-phase crossover design was not randomized and there was no blinding. Samples were analyzed by LC/MS to determine the α-tocopherol catabolites and α-carboxyethyl hydroxychromanol (α-CEHC) in urine, feces, and plasma that were catabolized from administered oral d3- and intravenous d6-α-tocopherols. RESULTS Urinary and plasma d3- and d6-α-CEHC concentrations varied differently with the interventions. Mean ± SEM cumulative urinary d6-α-CEHC derived from the intravenous dose excreted over 72 h during the 40% fat (2.50 ± 0.37 μmol/g creatinine) and 0% fat (2.37 ± 0.37 μmol/g creatinine) interventions were similar, but a ∼50% decrease was observed during the 0% fat-fast (1.05 ± 0.39 μmol/g creatinine) intervention (compared with 0% fat, P = 0.0005). Cumulative urinary d3-α-CEHC excretion was not significantly changed by any intervention. Total urinary and fecal excretion of catabolites accounted for 90% of urinary d3-α-CEHC excretion was estimated to be liver-derived, whereas during fasting <50% was from the liver with the remainder from the intestine, suggesting that there was increased intestinal α-tocopherol catabolism while d3-α-tocopherol was retained in the intestine in the absence of adequate fat/food for α-tocopherol absorption.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00862433.
Firm Characteristics and Stock Price

This study examines the stock price reaction to the internal control reporting required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for three distinct groups of firms. After controlling for general stock price movements, we find that stock returns are most negative for firms that delay filing of their internal control reports, continue to be negative for firms with ineffective internal controls, and are positive for firms with effective internal controls. The decrease in stock prices of the first two groups is more pronounced for those with a lower return on assets, higher growth rate in sales, and no prior disclosure of their internal controls weaknesses. Our results indicate that market participants value the reliability of financial information ensuing from Section 404 compliance, irrespective of firm size and debt proportion. Thus, regulators and policymakers worldwide should consider mandating comparable SOX 404 compliance for all publicly held companies to improve the accuracy and reliability of financial reports.
A colored Khovanov spectrum and its tail for B–adequate links

We define a Khovanov spectrum for sl2(ℂ)–colored links and quantum spin networks and derive some of its basic properties. In the case of n–colored B–adequate links, we show a stabilization of the spectra as the coloring n→∞, generalizing the tail behavior of the colored Jones polynomial. Finally, we also provide an alternative, simpler stabilization in the case of the colored unknot.
AI and Business

AI solves problems and improves the state of the art. It does so within an organizational context. Goals may include improvement of existing products and services or creation of altogether new ones. It may be just streamlining of current business operations by removing inefficiencies. Organizations can be in either the public or private sector, and the same principles of effective use of AI will apply to both.
A REFLECTION ON QUEERCRIP CHILD AND YOUTH CARE PRACTICE: DREAMS OF CARE AND FUTURITY

This paper engages with a reflection on the author’s embodied queercrip youth care praxis. The author uses queercrip theory to examine child and youth care practices and the relationships they hold to structures of power and domination. In so doing, he uses the terms eliminatory logics, survival dreaming, and crip constellations to understand the dynamics that undergird care and liberatory futures. Exploration of the (re)emerging queercrip paradigms that are the foundation of this work finds that these practices of care require moving beyond current imaginaries in youth care spaces. The paper concludes with recommendations for practice.