cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Microcalorimeter Gamma Detectors for High-Precision Non-Destructive Analysis

Cryogenic gamma (γ) detectors with operating temperatures of ~0.1 K offer 10× better energy resolution than conventional high-purity germanium detectors that are currently used for non-destructive analysis (NDA) of nuclear materials. This can greatly increase the accuracy of NDA, especially at low-energies where gamma rays often have similar energies and cannot be resolved by Ge detectors. Among the different cryogenic detector types, Magnetic Micro-Calorimeters (MMCs) have the potential of faster count rates and better linearity. High linearity is essential to add spectra from different pixels in detector arrays that are needed for high sensitivity. MMC gamma detectors measure the energy of absorbed gamma rays form the resulting change in magnetization of an erbium-doped gold (Au:Er) sensor. The signal is read out with a SQUID preamplifier and processed digitally with room temperature electronics (see inset figure 2). The objective of this project is to develop ultra-high energy resolution γ-detectors based on magnetic micro-calorimeters (MMCs) for accurate non-destructive isotope analysis (NDA). Since MMCs, like other cryogenic γ-detector technologies with operating temperatures <0.1 K, are intrinsically slow and have to be small for high resolution, special emphasis will be placed on questions that determine sensitivity and the potential for scaling to arrays. Objectivesmore » for FY14 were therefore to fabricate an improved version of MMC γ-detectors and test their energy resolution, maximum count rate, readout noise, crosstalk between pixels and linearity.« less
Survey on Smart Pipe and Its Application in Electric Communication Network

As an effective way for operators to optimize network resources, enable refined operation and management, the smart pipe technology is put on more and more attentions. From several aspects of background, definition, characteristics, critical techniques of smart pipe and its applications in public operator network, this paper summarizes the research situations of smart pipes. Further, combining with the characteristics of power communication network, this paper looks forward the application prospect of the smart pipe technology in power communication network and provides a research reference for future applications of the smart pipe technology.
Regional myocardial perfusion: studies with 133xenon and a multiple-crystal scintillation camera.

Because it is impossible to measure the balance between coronary blood flow and the metabolic needs of the myocardium for oxygen by exclusively radiographic means, investigators in this laboratory developed a technique to make quantitative estimates of capillary blood flow in multiple areas of the human myocardium using 133xenon and a multiple-crystal scintillation camera (1–3). The purpose of this report is to present preliminary results of studies of 175 patients who were studied at Columbia University. The regional myocardial perfusion rates obtained with the method were correlated with radiographic assessments of the degree and the extent of the coronary disease in each patient.
Normocalcemic blood or crystalloid cardioplegia provides better neonatal myocardial protection than does low-calcium cardioplegia

Although standard blood cardioplegia provides good myocardial protection for cardiac operations in adults, protection of the cyanotic, immature myocardium remains suboptimal. Calcium, which has been implicated in reperfusion injury and in the development of “stone heart” in mature myocardium, is routinely lowered in standard cardioplegic solutions. Immature, neonatal myocardium has lower intracellular calcium stores and is more reliant on extracellular calcium for contraction. To determine if normocalcemic cardioplegia would result in improved cardiac function in the neonatal heart, we conducted a series of experiments using an isolated, blood-perfused working heart model. Thirty-two neonatal piglet hearts (24 to 48 hours) were excised without intervening ischemia and were placed directly on a blood-perfused circuit. Baseline stroke work index was assessed. Hearts were then arrested with cold cardioplegic solution delivered at 45 mm Hg for 2 minutes: group I, low-calcium blood cardioplegic solution (Ca = 0.6 mmol/L); group II, normal-calcium blood cardioplegic solution (Ca = 1.1 mmol/L); group III, University of Wisconsin solution; and group IV, University of Wisconsin solution with added calcium (Ca = 1.0 mmol/L). Cardioplegic solution was administered every 20 minutes for 2 hours and topical hypothermia was used. Hearts were then reperfused with warm whole blood. Functional recovery, expressed as a percentage of control stroke work index, was determined minutes after reperfusion. Hearts preserved with normocalcemic cardioplegic solution (groups II and IV) had complete functional recovery at 60 minutes, whereas hearts preserved with low-calcium cardioplegic solution (groups I and III) achieved functional recoveries of only 80 % and 65 %, respectively, at a left atrial pressure of 9 mm Hg. Electron micrographs taken 1 hour after reperfusion showed minimal edema and only mild myofibrillar changes. They were identical in both the low-calcium and normocalcemic groups. Complete functional recovery is possible in immature myocardium when calcium is added to either blood or an intracellular crystalloid cardioplegic solution. The addition of calcium does not result in ultrastructural damage and does result in good functional recovery.
Technology challenges and trade-offs in application of multiple-beam antennas to NASA's Personal Access Satellite System

The authors discuss the trade-offs and technology challenges that exist in developing the multiple-beam satellite antennas for Personal Access Satellite System (PASS), and address the different techniques that can be used to meet some of these challenges. More specifically, they look at different types of multiple-beam antenna systems that can provide full coverage of the contiguous United States such as fixed beam, switched beam, or scanned beam systems. They also discuss some techniques for inter-beam power management for efficient use of satellite power and reliable operation. In this area, two different adaptive schemes are discussed. One is the multiple-port hybrid transponder, where each beam is generated by separate feed array elements of the satellite reflector antenna. The other is a full array beam-forming network, where each beam is generated by all the feed array elements. Other major challenges that need to be addressed for the successful development of PASS are discussed briefly. >
An Impedance Transfer Function Formulation for Reduced-Order Macromodels of Subgridded Regions in FDTD

Recently, model order reduction was applied to the macromodel of a subgridded region in the method of finite-difference time domain (FDTD), where an admittance transfer function formulation was used to model materials with electric conductivity. In this communication, we develop an impedance transfer function formulation for the reduced-order macromodel of a subgridded region; this formulation may be used to model materials exhibiting magnetic conductivity. The two macromodel types may be used together, in a complementary fashion, to model fine-featured subgridded regions in FDTD that contain materials exhibiting both electric and magnetic conductivity. Additionally, this communication greatly extends the range of both the deterministic and the stochastic macromodeling techniques recently developed in FDTD, thus enabling the solution of a much wider range of problems in computational electromagnetics.
Oligomerization of Ethylene Using a Diphosphine Palladium Catalyst

The palladium diphosphine complex 4 converts ethylene to hyperbranched unsaturated oligomers (Mn ≈ 330 g/mol) at 22 °C. In addition to the high stability of this catalyst observed at temperatures up to 75 °C, an increase of the reaction temperature leads to a decrease in branching densities of the oligomers, in sharp contrast to the palladium and nickel diimine catalyst systems. One-pot oligomerizations/hydrogenations were carried out to form hyperbranched saturated oligomers.
Bone Marrow Mixed Chimerism Is a Risk Factor for Relapse After T-Cell Depleted Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant

Abstract Abstract 4145 Background: Full donor chimerism following non myeloablative unmodified stem cell transplants (SCTs) is important for disease control and SCT outcome. The impact of mixed chimerism (MC) after myeloablative unmodified SCT remains controversial, and there are limited reports about its prognostic significance after T-cell depleted (TCD) SCT. Treatment of MC, including reduction of immunosuppression or infusion of donor leucocytes (DLI), can lead to the development of graft versus host disease (GVHD). In order to optimize the graft vs leukemia (GVL) effect of a TCD allograft while minimizing GVHD risk, we sought to determine the significance of MC on TCD SCT outcomes and to identify a subgroup that would benefit from intervention. Methods: From 2000–2010, 447 adult patients with acute myeloid and lymphocytic leukemia (AML, ALL) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) underwent bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) TCD SCT. Conditioning regimens were total body irradiation (TBI)/Thiotepa with Cyclophosphamide or Fludarabine, Clofarabine/Melphalan/Thiotepa or Busulfan/Melphalan/Fludarabine. Like-gender donor-recipient chimerism was analyzed using semi-quantitative PCR for polymorphisms; PCR and/or cytogenetics were used for unlike gender pairings. Relapse was cytogenetic or hematologic evidence of disease. BM chimerism and disease status were evaluated at approimately 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. BM chimerism and outcome data were reviewed to determine whether 6 month BM MC (defined as Results: 300 of the 447 patients survived, were disease free, and had BM chimerism data at 6 months. Median age was 50.6 years. Most patients received PBSC grafts (89%). 131 (44%) and 9 (3%) related, and 86 (29%) and 74 (24%) unrelated donors, were matched and mismatched, respectively. Only patients in remission or with low level disease (BM blasts Figure 1 ). Diagnosis had no impact on relapse among patients with MC. Conclusions: 25% of TCD SCT recipients had MC in the BM. Although the incidence of relapse was low for patients who survived to 6 months in the full and MC groups (10% and 18%, respectively), the difference was statistically significant. There was also a significant difference in incidence of MC based on conditioning regimen and donor-recipient gender pairings. The low percentage of relapse in the MC group precluded subset analyses to identify a group who would benefit from the GVL effect of DLI. Lineage-specific PB chimerism analysis is ongoing and may provide information about subgroups that would benefit from intervention for MC. Analyses of outcomes, i.e., GVHD, in recipients of DLI or TCD stem cell boost for MC may help to determine the risk-benefit ratio of such interventions. Download : Download high-res image (26KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures: Goldberg: SOBI Biovitrum: Research Funding. Perales: SOBI Biovitrum: Research Funding.
The effect of androgen deprivation therapy on prostate cancer-specific mortality in high-risk prostate cancer: Patients treated with low dose-rate brachytherapy without supplementary external beam radiotherapy.

e550Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a mainstay accompaniment of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for treating high-risk prostate cancer (HPCaP). Both low dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR) as the sole method of radiotherapy and the need for ADT in conjunction with it are relatively unexplored with HRCaP. We present an inception cohort study of HRCaP patients treated with LDR alone with or without ADT. Methods: The study includes 515 patients with HRCaP according to NCCN guidelines. They were treated with I-125 LDR alone to a dose of 144 Gy with lateral, superior, and inferior margins of at least 5 mm (medin D90 = 149.39 Gy). The association of prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM) with pre-treatment variables was assessed with Fine and Gray regression with non-PCSM mortality treated as a competing event. PCSM rates were calculated using the cumulative incidence method. Results: The median age is 70 years. The median f/u is 48.9 months. Fifty-four percent were Gleason 7, 28% were Gleason ...
Nickel-Catalyzed β,γ-Dicarbofunctionalization of Alkenyl Carbonyl Compounds via Conjunctive Cross-Coupling

A nickel-catalyzed conjunctive cross-coupling between non-conjugated alkenes, aryl iodides, and alkylzinc reagents is reported. Excellent regiocontrol is achieved utilizing an 8-aminoquinoline directing group that can be readily cleaved to unmask net β,γ-dicarbofunctionalized carboxylic acid products. Under optimized conditions, both terminal and internal alkene substrates provided the corresponding alkyl/aryl difunctionalized products in moderate to excellent yields. The methodology developed herein represents the first three-component 1,2-dicarbofunctionalization of non-conjugated alkenes involving a C(sp3)–C(sp3) reductive elimination step.
Challenges in Defining Tsunami Wave Heights

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and co-located World Data Service for Geophysics maintain the global tsunami archive consisting of the historical tsunami database, imagery, and raw and processed water level data. The historical tsunami database incorporates, where available, maximum wave heights for each coastal tide gauge and deep-ocean buoy that recorded a tsunami signal. These data are important because they are used for tsunami hazard assessment, model calibration, validation, and forecast and warning. There have been ongoing discussions in the tsunami community about the correct way to measure and report these wave heights. It is important to understand how these measurements might vary depending on how the data were processed and the definition of maximum wave height. On September 16, 2015, an 8.3 M w earthquake located 48 km west of Illapel, Chile generated a tsunami that was observed all over the Pacific region. We processed the time-series water level data for 57 coastal tide gauges that recorded this tsunami and compared the maximum wave heights determined from different definitions. We also compared the maximum wave heights from the NCEI-processed data with the heights reported by the NOAA Tsunami Warning Centers. We found that in the near field different methods of determining the maximum tsunami wave heights could result in large differences due to possible instrumental clipping. We also found that the maximum peak is usually larger than the maximum amplitude (½ peak-to-trough), but the differences for the majority of the stations were <20 cm. For this event, the maximum tsunami wave heights determined by either definition (maximum peak or amplitude) would have validated the forecasts issued by the NOAA Tsunami Warning Centers. Since there is currently only one field in the NCEI historical tsunami database to store the maximum tsunami wave height for each tide gauge and deep-ocean buoy, NCEI will consider adding an additional field for the maximum peak measurement.
Systematic assessment of decision analytic models for the cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery for morbid obesity.

Abstract Bariatric surgery among patients with morbid obesity is very effective for providing long-term weight loss and remission of obesity-related co-morbidities. However, it is very expensive and its cost effectiveness is commonly argued. Long-term cost-effectiveness evaluations of bariatric surgery have often relied on decision models. A systematic review was performed on the methodologic approaches and their quality, evaluated the quality of reporting, and summarized findings and conclusions in published cost-effectiveness models of bariatric surgery for morbid obesity. A search from different databases with an end date of October 15, 2017 was completed. The initial search for title and abstract screening resulted in 741 articles. A total of 50 articles were included for full-text review and 23 economic evaluation studies were included in the systematic review. The reporting quality scores of most articles were rated as acceptable between 61% and 100%. Most studies (89%) were modeled for adult patients with age range between 25 and 75 years old. Sixty-one percent of studies defined their health states by the existence or absence of different obesity-related co-morbidities. Eleven percent of studies took the societal perspective. Most studies (61%) used a lifetime horizon. Thirty-nine percent of studies identified the extent of weight loss as the most sensitive and influential parameter. Seventeen (74%) did not report a formal model validation. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was reported as the most cost-effective strategy most often when it compared with no treatment or medical management. While most had acceptable quality of reporting levels, several gaps in the quality of reporting and quality of methods emerged, which led to recommendations for how to improve quality in future studies.
A Corpus of Non-Native Written English Annotated for Metaphor

We present a corpus of 240 argumentative essays written by non-native speakers of English annotated for metaphor. The corpus is made publicly available. We provide benchmark performance of state-of-the-art systems on this new corpus, and explore the relationship between writing proficiency and metaphor use.
Premeditated versus “passionate”: patterns of homicide related to intimate partner violence

Abstract Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent but underrecognized; at least 25% of United States women experience IPV within their lifetime. We examined the most severe consequence of IPV by exploring the patterns of death from IPV in a statewide database of homicide victims. Materials and methods This is a retrospective review of the Colorado Violent Death Reporting System from 2004 to 2015. Deaths were coded as IPV if the primary relationship between the suspect and victim fell into the following categories: spouse, ex-spouse, girlfriend/boyfriend, and ex-girlfriend/ex-boyfriend. Results We identified a total of 2279 homicide victims, with 295 cases of IPV homicide (12.9%). The majority was female victims of a male partner (n = 240, 81.4%). In nearly half of these (n = 108, 45%), the male suspect subsequently died by suicide as part of the same incident. These homicide-suicide incidents were more likely than homicide alone to involve a spousal relationship, more likely to involve firearms and less likely to involve intoxication or preceding arguments. They had a distinct demographic profile from other victims of IPV, mirroring suicide victims in terms of race and estimated income. Conclusions These results indicate that there are two distinct groups of female IPV homicides, and recognizing this distinction may allow for the development of more effective trauma prevention strategies. Homicide-suicides showed a more premeditated pattern while homicide alone suggested a crime of passion, with a smaller proportion of firearm deaths and higher rates of positive toxicology findings and preceding conflict in the latter group.
Characterization of Mechanical Damage in Gas Transmission Pipelines

Natural gas is one of the cheapest forms of energy and is the source of more than 30% of the energy produced in the USA [1]. 280,000 miles of gas transmission lines, 90,000 miles of gathering lines and 835,000 miles of distribution lines form a vast network across the country. It is imperative to assure the integrity of this vast network, for safe and economical transport of gas.
Effect of interatomic potential on the energetics of hydrogen and helium-vacancy complexes in bulk, or near surfaces of tungsten

Abstract Hydrogen (H) trapping by helium-vacancy (He V) complexes in bulk and the near surface region of tungsten (W) have been investigated by molecular statics calculations that evaluate two different W H interatomic potentials, which use the same W He, He He and He H potentials. One of the W H potentials is a bond-order potential (BOP) developed by Juslin et al., while the other is an embedding atom method (EAM) potential developed by Wang et al.. Both potentials overestimate the H binding energies to He clusters in bulk W, as compared to DFT calculations, but properly predict the functional form of the H binding energies to He clusters with increasing number of He and H. The BOP simulations reveal that H binding energies to HexV complexes generally increase with increasing number of He. However, the EAM results indicate that the H binding energy as a function of number of He depends on the number of H, and the H binding energies change slightly at high He content. Compared with available DFT data, both BOP and EAM underestimate the H binding energies to HexV2Hm complexes. The BOP reproduces the He formation energy below a W surface, while the EAM potential better reproduces the H formation energy and the interactions between H and He V complexes. Based on these comparisons, we determine that the EAM potential is more accurate than BOP for large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of W He H interactions. The EAM potential predicts that the difference in the average binding energies of H to stable He V complexes near the W surface is less than 0.2 eV and the difference decreases with increasing He content. Thus, the EAM potential indicates that the effect of surfaces on H binding energies to large He V complexes below the W surfaces can be ignored.
Byssinosis and tuberculosis amongst “home-based” powerloom workers in Madhya Pradesh State, India

Abstract Background Byssinosis is an occupational lung disease observed among workers exposed to cotton, flax, and hemp dust. The severity and extent of Byssinosis are well recognised in the high-income countries and control measures have been implemented to prevent the disease. In India, there are conflicting evidence on burden estimation of the disease, followed by inadequate prevention and control of Byssinosis. Design/methods We did a cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of Byssinosis in “home-based” power-loom workers in Mominpura, an administrative ward of Burhanpur Municipality with 2800 population in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. 290 adults working from “home-based” power loom units were randomly selected, profiled and screened for Byssinosis like symptoms with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and simple hand-held peak expiratory flow monitor. For epidemiological purposes the symptoms were classified based on Schilling's classification. Chest x-rays were done for selected subjects. Sputum smear microscopy for detecting TB was done for those who had Byssinosis like symptoms. Results Prevalence of Byssinosis among “home based” powerloom workers was found to be 98% [n = 283, 95 CI (95.65–98.96)]. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was reduced in 44% (n = 124), of which 81 (29%) had more than 50% PEFR reduction, and of these, 69 (29%) were in early stage of Byssinosis (Grade 0.5). 11% of study participants who had Byssinosis like symptoms, also had TB. Conclusions Byssinosis is highly prevalent in “home-based” power loom units in Madhya Pradesh. Adequate advocacy on awareness and prevention; prompt diagnosis and linkages to treatment services in “home-based” power loom units are urgently required to address Byssinosis at an early disease stage.
OCT Circle Scans Can Be Used to Study Many Eyes with Advanced Glaucoma.

Purpose To examine the usefulness of OCT for studying eyes with advanced glaucoma (i.e., eyes with a 24-2 visual field [VF] mean deviation [MD] worse than –15 dB], we tested the hypothesis that if these eyes had a 10-2 total deviation (TD) map with points better than –8 dB, then the topographically corresponding regions on the circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) should show a preserved region. Design Evaluation of technology study. Participants Thirty-nine eyes from 33 patients (mean age, 68.8±9.2 years) with a diagnosis of glaucoma showed a 24-2 VF with an MD of –15 dB or less (mean, –18.94±2.95 dB). All eyes additionally had a 10-2 VF and an averaged OCT circle scan. Methods Each scan was inspected, and preserved cpRNFL regions of the disc associated with the macula (central ±8°) were delineated. Main Outcome Measures The number of eyes with preserved cpRNFL regions and their association with preserved VF locations (i.e., better than –8 dB) shown in the 10-2 VF TD map. Results Thirty-eight of the 39 eyes showed 1 or more points on the 10-2 VF with TD values that were better than –8 dB (mean, 25.7±12.6 points). For all 39 eyes, there was a preserved portion of the cpRNFL on the circle scan within the disc region associated with the macula. However for 3 of these eyes, this region was hypodense and could be a challenge for the clinician to identify. Conclusions OCT scans can be used to assess and potentially follow up the preserved regions of cpRNFL associated with the macula in eyes with advanced glaucoma if there is a preserved region on the 10-2 VF better than –8 dB.
Characterizing sediment sources by non-negative matrix factorization of detrital geochronological data

Abstract This paper explores an inverse approach to the problem of characterizing sediment sources' (“source” samples) age distributions based on samples from a particular depocenter (“sink” samples) using non-negative matrix factorization (NMF). It also outlines a method to determine the optimal number of sources to factorize from a set of sink samples (i.e., the optimum factorization rank). We demonstrate the power of this method by generating sink samples as random mixtures of known sources, factorizing them, and recovering the number of known sources, their age distributions, and the weighting functions used to generate the sink samples. Sensitivity testing indicates that similarity between factorized and known sources is positively correlated to 1) the number of sink samples, 2) the dissimilarity among sink samples, and 3) sink sample size. Specifically, the algorithm yields consistent, close similarity between factorized and known sources when the number of sink samples is more than ∼3 times the number of source samples, sink data sets are internally dissimilar (cross-correlation coefficient range >0.3, Kuiper V value range >0.35), and sink samples are well-characterized (>150–225 data points). However, similarity between known and factorized sources can be maintained while decreasing some of these variables if other variables are increased. Factorization of three empirical detrital zircon U–Pb data sets from the Book Cliffs, the Grand Canyon, and the Gulf of Mexico yields plausible source age distributions and weights. Factorization of the Book Cliffs data set yields five sources very similar to those recently independently proposed as the primary sources for Book Cliffs strata; confirming the utility of the NMF approach. The Grand Canyon data set exemplifies two general considerations when applying the NMF algorithm. First, although the NMF algorithm is able to identify source age distribution, additional geological details are required to discriminate between primary or recycled sources. Second, the NMF algorithm will identify the most basic elements of the mixed sink samples and so may subdivide sources that are themselves heterogeneous mixtures of more basic elements into those basic elements. Finally, application to a large Gulf of Mexico data set highlights the increased contribution from Appalachian sources during Cretaceous and Holocene time, potentially attributable to drainage reorganization. Although the algorithm reproduces known sources and yields reasonable sources for empirical data sets, inversions are inherently non-unique. Consequently, the results of NMF and their interpretations should be evaluated in light of independent geological evidence. The NMF algorithm is provided both as MATLAB code and a stand-alone graphical user interface for Windows and macOS (.exe and .app) along with all data sets discussed in this contribution.
Copper‐Catalyzed Aerobic Intramolecular Dehydrogenative Cyclization of N,N‐Disubstituted Hydrazones Through C(sp3)—H Functionalization.

A convenient oxidation/cyclization/aromatization sequence is presented for the conversion of a broad spectrum of hydrazones into pyrazole derivatives.
Medical Perspectives: Bioethics/Ethics and the Duties of Medical Professionals and the Nature, Advantages, and Limits of Public Health Approaches

Mandatory reporting of child maltreatment highlights the challenges of balancing the individual and the common good. Clinicians suspecting abuse must weigh professional obligations to preserve the confidentiality and trust of individual patients against their legal duty to report and their ethical responsibility to society. The complementary roles and responsibilities of clinical practice and public health with regard to identifying and preventing maltreatment are outlined, and the bioethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice are discussed in the context of mandatory reporting. It is concluded that society is ethically justified in imposing limits on the confidential relationship between provider and patient, that reporting laws are an ethical and appropriate exercise of public health power to prevent maltreatment, and that clinicians may ethically honor reporting laws to advance the public good.
Development of Fe-based oxygen carrier using spent FCC catalyst as support for high temperature chemical looping combustion

Abstract Chemical looping combustion is based on the transfer of oxygen from air to fuel by means of an oxygen carrier using a metal oxide. This study investigated the development of an oxygen carrier by adding iron to a spent commercial fluid catalytic cracking catalyst (Fe/FCC) and comparing to Fe/Al2O3, and Fe/SiO2 oxygen carriers that may be suitable for the high-temperature (1100 °C) process. The FCC material was chosen as a low-cost oxygen carrier. The FCC support strongly modified the reduction behavior of the Fe-based carrier as compared to the Fe/Al2O3 and Fe/SiO2 carriers. Multicycle studies with CH4 revealed the FCC support impacted the CO2 selectivity (13.5%) at 1100 °C to produce more gaseous CO as compared to the 900 °C (89.7%) due to the formation of FeAl2O4 and Fe2SiO4 phases when the Fe2O3 was reduced at 1100 °C. The FeAl2O4 and Fe2SiO4 phases also considerably slowed the CO2 formation rate on the Fe/FCC oxygen carrier at 1100 °C as compared to the 900 °C reaction tests. The higher-temperature (1100 °C) decreased the oxygen transfer capacity of the Fe/FCC carrier, did not significantly increase the capacity of either the Fe/SiO2 and Fe/Al2O3 carriers. These results suggest that high-temperatures (1100 °C) may lead to carrier transformations through sintering and agglomeration that significantly reduce the kinetics and performance of the oxygen carrier. This research suggests at higher temperatures, shorter reduction times may be necessary to prevent the formation of these phases and the subsequent deactivation of the carrier for total oxidation.
Immediate signaling flexibility in the model system Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli

Background noise can interfere with acoustic communication and subsequently influence signaling behavior. Immediate signaling flexibility (ISF) is a context-dependent form of behavioral plasticity that allows animals to temporarily change their acoustic behavior in response to noise fluctuations and potentially improve the chances of successful communication in noisy environments. However, the adaptive value of ISF is ultimately contingent on the response of the intended receiver, and there are differential effects on receiver response depending on which signal component is modified. Here, we describe ISF in the model system Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli using results from a noise broadcast experiment conducted in urban and rural locations. Three types of noise broadcasts were incorporated into the experimental design to test whether plasticity of song behavior, if observed, was dependent on the spectral qualities of the experimental noise. We predicted that all birds would exhibit ISF, but vocal plasticity would be greater in noisier territories. Instead, we found that only urban males displayed ISF by decreasing song bandwidth in response to experimental noise. Song modification did not change with type of noise broadcast or territory background noise, nor did it involve the temporary adjustment of trill structure traits used by receivers to assess vocal performance.Background noise can interfere with acoustic communication and subsequently influence signaling behavior. Immediate signaling flexibility (ISF) is a context-dependent form of behavioral plasticity that allows animals to temporarily change their acoustic behavior in response to noise fluctuations and potentially improve the chances of successful communication in noisy environments. However, the adaptive value of ISF is ultimately contingent on the response of the intended receiver, and there are differential effects on receiver response depending on which signal component is modified. Here, we describe ISF in the model system Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli using results from a noise broadcast experiment conducted in urban and rural locations. Three types of noise broadcasts were incorporated into the experimental design to test whether plasticity of song behavior, if observed, was dependent on the spectral qualities of the experimental noise. We predicted that all birds would exhibit ISF, but vocal plasti...
Graph regularized low-rank representation for submodule clustering

Abstract In this paper, a new submodule clustering method for imaging (2-D) data is proposed. Unlike most existing clustering methods that first convert such data into vectors as preprocessing, the proposed method arranges the data samples as lateral slices of a third-order tensor. Our algorithm is based on the union-of-free-submodules model and the samples are represented using t-product in the third-order tensor space. First, we impose a low-rank constraint on the representation tensor to capture the principle information of data. By incorporating manifold regularization into the tensor factorization, the proposed method explicitly exploits the local manifold structure of data. Meanwhile, a segmentation dependent term is employed to integrate the two pipeline steps of affinity learning and spectral clustering into a unified optimization framework. The proposed method can be efficiently solved based on the alternating direction method of multipliers and spectral clustering. Finally, a nonlinear extension is proposed to handle data drawn from a mixture of nonlinear manifolds. Extensive experimental results on five real-world image datasets confirm the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Trust and general risk-taking in externalizing adolescent inpatients versus non-externalizing psychiatric controls.

Background Interpersonal trust is an important target for the conceptualization, identification, and treatment of psychiatric disorders marked by interpersonal difficulties. A core feature of adolescent externalising disorders is interpersonal impairment. However, research investigating trust is scarce. A relatively novel approach for studying trust in psychopathology is through examination of social decision making using behavioural economic games. Objective To employ a modified trust game in order to determine whether externalising adolescents exhibit perturbed decision making in social and/or nonsocial contexts. Methods Externalising inpatient adolescents (n = 141) and non-externalising psychiatric controls (n = 122) completed self-report measures of psychopathology and invested in an iterative trust game played under two conditions: social (trust) and nonsocial (lottery condition), each consisting of five consecutive trials. Results Externalising adolescents showed a limited increase in trust investments, compared to a significant increase in lottery investments, across early game trials relative to psychiatric controls. This significant three-way interaction between experimental group, game condition, and trials became most evident at the second trial of games. Between-group differences on trust investments were non-significant. However, externalising adolescents invested significantly less in the trust relative to lottery condition, an effect unobserved in psychiatric controls. Conclusions This study tentatively suggests that adolescent externalising disorders may be associated with an insensitivity to normative social exchange which may arise, in part, from a lack of anticipated co-player reciprocity. It is not the level of trust that may distinguish externalising adolescents but perhaps the form of which the trust exchange takes shape. Conclusions are tempered by the fact that the employed trust game did not include feedback in the form of co-player repayments.
Beyond accessibility: exploring the representation of people with disabilities in tourism promotional materials

Globally, over one billion people experience some form of disability. The number of people with disabilities (PWDs) continues to rise due to an ageing population, the spread of chronic diseases, an...
One-year outcomes of patients undergoing complex percutaneous coronary intervention with three contemporary drug-eluting stents.

Objectives We aimed to evaluate the 1-year outcomes of three everolimus-eluting stents (EES) for complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Background It is controversial whether contemporary bioresorbable-polymer drug-eluting stents (BP-DES) are associated with better outcomes compared with durable-polymer DES (DP-DES). Methods Patients undergoing PCI with cobalt-chromium (CoCr)-DP-EES (Xience), platinum-chromium (PtCr)-DP-EES (Promus), or PtCr-BP-EES (Synergy) at one high-volume institution between 2015 and 2017 were included. The primary endpoint was 1-year major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of death, myocardial infarction, and target-vessel revascularization. Associations were also examined in patients undergoing complex PCI. Multivariable analysis was conducted to adjust for baseline differences across groups. Results We included n = 5,446 patients (CoCr-DP-EES, n = 3,177; PtCr-DP-EES, n = 1,555; PtCr-BP-EES, n = 714). Patients treated with PtCr-BP-EES had higher comorbidity burden and procedural complexity. At 1 year, MACE rates were 8.9% for CoCr-DP-EES versus 8.9% for PtCr-DP-EES versus 8.6% for PtCr-BP-EES (p = .97). The incidence of definite/probable stent thrombosis (ST) was also similar (0.6 vs. 0.4 vs. 0.3%, p = .69). Complex PCI was performed in n = 2,894/5,446 (53.1%). At 1 year, MACE rates were 11.5 versus 10.7 versus 10.3%, respectively (p = .83). The incidence of definite/probable ST was also similar (0.9 vs. 0.3 vs. 0.3%, p = .22). On multivariable analysis, stent type was not an independent predictor of MACE either in the overall or in the complex PCI population. Conclusions We observed comparable 1-year rates of MACE and definite/probable ST in patients undergoing PCI with CoCr-DP-EES, PtCr-DP-EES, and PtCr-BP-EES. Results were unchanged among patients undergoing complex PCI. Future multicenter randomized studies should confirm and extend our findings.
Surrogate Reaction Method for Neutron Capture and Other Reactions on Unstable Isotopes

Recently, it was demonstrated that the surrogate reaction method is a viable indirect approach for determining neutron capture cross sections for unstable isotopes. Key to the successful application of the method is a proper theoretical description of the compound nucleus in the surrogate reaction. We review recent progress in this area and discuss the procedure for obtaining the cross sections of interest, with particular emphasis on the (p,d) surrogate reaction. The approach makes no use of auxiliary constraining quantities, such as neutron resonance data, or average radiative widths, which are not available for short-lived isotopes; hence, it can be applied to isotopes away from stability.
Biodiversity has a positive but saturating effect on imperiled coral reefs.

Species loss threatens ecosystems worldwide, but the ecological processes and thresholds that underpin positive biodiversity effects among critically important foundation species, such as corals on...
Streamers Teaching Programming, Art, and Gaming: Cognitive Apprenticeship, Serendipitous Teachable Moments, and Tacit Expert Knowledge

Livestreaming is now a popular way for programmers, artists, and gamers to teach their craft online. In this paper we propose the idea that streaming can enable cognitive apprenticeship, a form of teaching where an expert works on authentic tasks while thinking aloud to explain their creative process. To understand how streamers teach in this naturalistic way, we performed a content analysis of 20 stream videos across four popular categories: web development, data science, digital art, and gaming. We discovered four kinds of serendipitous teachable moments that are reminiscent of cognitive apprenticeship: 1) creators encountered unexpected errors that led to improvised problem solving, 2) they generated improvised examples on-the-fly, 3) they sometimes went on insightful tangents, 4) they paused to give high-level advice that was contextualized within the work they were currently performing. We also found missed opportunities for additional teachable moments due to creators not being able to express their tacit (unspoken) expert knowledge because of pattern irreducibility, context dependence, and routinization.
Power Comparisons of Some Nonparametric Tests for Lattice Ordered Alternatives in Two-Factor Experiments

In biological or medical situations the expectations of response variables may be ordered by a rectangular grid partial ordering. For example, serum glucose as a function of body mass index and age would typically be assumed to be nondecreasing in each predictive variable. An order-restricted least squares approach to hypothesis testing may be implemented, but the practical implementation of estimation techniques and sampling theory tend to be complicated. However, advances in computer processing have now made computer intensive methods for such inference more practical.
Aligning Short Sequencing Reads with Bowtie

This unit shows how to use the Bowtie package to align short sequencing reads, such as those output by second-generation sequencing instruments. It also includes protocols for building a genome index and calling consensus sequences from Bowtie alignments using SAMtools.
The Origin of the Network Positions of New Organizations: How Entrepreneurs Raise Funds

This dissertation examines the mechanisms by which entrepreneurs successfully raise venture capital. Although there has been substantial research on the benefits of having venture capital, how entrepreneurs successfully raise venture capital has received scant attention. I address this gap using two complementary methodologies. First, I develop hypotheses from two competing theoretical logics, one based on founder network ties and status and the other based on accomplishments, that I statistically test in a study of venture capitalists and corporations investing in 92 Internet security ventures. Second, building on a number of detailed interviews with the entrepreneurs at and investors in nine of these ventures, I induct a theoretical framework describing the actions that entrepreneurs used to successfully raise venture capital. In both portions of the dissertation, I find that there are strategies which allow even relatively unknown and poorly-connected entrepreneurs to successfully raise venture capital. (Note: This is a summary of the dissertation intended for a general audience. Please contact the author for the described working papers.)
Deficits, debt and destabilization: The perversity of high interest rates

Abstract In this paper we explore the dimensions of the dynamic instability inherent in the combination of a large public debt and the persistence of high real interest rates, a situation characteristic of many Latin American countries at the present time. We show how it may be impossible simultaneously to attain growth and inflation objectives following orthodox stabilization strategies. Dynamic instability constrains increasingly the feasible policy space with continuing high real interest rates.
The Gendered Production–Consumption Relation: Accounting for Employment and Socioeconomic Hierarchies in the Colombian Cut Flower Global Commodity Chain

Scholarly analyses of the transnationalisation of economic activity have placed women workers as active agents in the production of agro-export commodities for world markets. Less explored, however, are the roles that women and men play according to specific employment and socioeconomic hierarchies in the production, circulation and consump
Human mononuclear phagocyte-associated antigens: II. Lymphokine-inducible antigens on the macrophage cell line, U937

Abstract We have utilized the U937 macrophage cell line as a model system for analysis of human mononuclear phagocyte (MNP) differentiation. In addition to expressing membrane antigens shared with other MNP, U937 possesses an intrinsic ability to become “activated” upon exposure to lymphokines. A heteroantiserum produced against lymphokine-stimulated U937 (anti-U937L) was utilized to detect acquired or inducible membrane antigens expressed on “activated” U937. Absorption of this antiserum to remove antibodies to nonstimulated U937 (U937N) did not remove the reactivity of anti-U937L/U937N to lymphokine-stimulated U937 as determined by an 125 I-protein A radioimmunoassay. The lymphokine-inducible antigens were not detectable on resident, human peritoneal macrophages. In addition to expression of lymphokine-inducible antigens, treated U937 cells displayed alterations in both morphology and functional activity (antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity). Kinetic analysis of lymphokine-stimulated U937 indicated that antigen expression occurred as early as 1–2 hr after lymphokine exposure, plateauing at 16–18 hr of stimulation. The inducible antigens were susceptible to proteolytic degradation and expression was blocked by inhibitors of protein synthesis. Inducible antigens detectable by anti-U937L/U937N did not result from the expression of cryptic or buried membrane antigens. Thus, the U937 cell line can be utilized for production of antibodies useful in analysis of membrane antigen expression during differentiation within the MNP system.
Using a High-Performance, Programmable Secure Coprocessor

Unsecure computational environments threaten many financial cryptography implementations, and other sensitive computation. High-performance secure coprocessors can address these threats. However, using this technology for practical security solutions requires overcoming numerous technical and business obstacles. These obstacles motivate building a high-performance secure coprocessor that balances security with easy third-party programmability—but these obstacles also provide many design challenges. This paper discusses some of issues we faced when attempting to build such a device.