cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of elastic properties of reduced NiO-8YSZ anode-supported bi-layer SOFC structures at elevated temperatures in ambient air and reducing environments

Elastic properties of Ni-8YSZ anode-supported bi-layer SOFC structures were studied at elevated temperatures up to 1,000 °C in both ambient air and H2 environments. The anode samples with desired porosity and microstructure were fabricated by reducing a NiO-8YSZ anode precursor structure in a gas mixture of 5% H2–95% Ar at 800 °C for selected time periods up to 8 h. The development of the essential porous microstructure in forming the Ni-8YSZ cermet phase was analyzed with SEM. It was observed that the room temperature elastic moduli and hardness of the anode samples decrease significantly with increasing fraction of reduced NiO. Since the elastic properties of fully dense Ni, NiO, and 8YSZ are comparable to each other, the decrease in the magnitude in elastic moduli and hardness is evidently due to the colossal increase in porosity in the reduced Ni-8YSZ cermet anodes because of the reduction of NiO to Ni. At elevated temperatures, the Ni-8YSZ anodes show a complex profile of Young’s modulus as a function of temperature, which is significantly different from the unreduced NiO-8YSZ samples. When studied in ambient air, the Young’s modulus of the Ni-8YSZ samples decrease slowly up to ~250 °C, then more rapidly from 250 to 550 °C, and finally it increases monotonically with the increase in temperature. However, in reducing environment, the Young’s moduli values decrease continuously throughout the temperature range. Two sets of samples of different thicknesses were studied simultaneously to highlight the effects of the sample thickness on the elastic properties of the anodes.
Supercomputer Chemistry Structure, Dynamics, and Biochemical Applications

AbstractRecent applications of supercomputers in chemistry have shown that this tool allows computational methodologies to make unique contributions to advancing the state of our knowledge in ways that experimentation alone cannot do. We discuss some current and promising supercomputer contributions to chemistry with examples taken from structural studies of large carbon and metal clusters, dynamics calculations on small-molecule energy transfer processes and chemical reactions, and simulations involving atmospheric chemistry and biological molecules.
Depth of origin of ions in desorption induced by electronic transitions (DIET): ion transmission through ultrathin films

Measurements to address a fundamental issue in transport of low energy (< 10 eV) ions through the surface layers of a solid are described. Our goal is to identify the dominant energy-transfer and charge-transfer processes that limit the survival probability of ions excited below the surface. Our approach is to study the interaction of low energy positive and negative ions (O+, F+, F−) with ultrathin films of condensed gases (Ar, Kr, Xe, H2O, NH3) ranging from fractional monolayer to six monolayers in thickness. The ions are produced by electron stimulated desorption from an appropriate substrate (e.g., oxidized W(100) for O+, PF3 on Ru(0001) for F+, F−). The ions desorb from the surface with well defined energy (< 10 eV) and angular distributions, and their yield, mass/energy and desorption angle are measured using a digital, time-of-flight ESDIAD detector (electron stimulated desorption ion angular distribution). The gases are condensed at < 25 K onto the crystal substrate, and their film thickness is determined by means of thermal desorption spectroscopy. We find that 10% of the O+ ESD signal can be transmitted through 1.6 atomic monolayers (ML) of Ar, 2.9 ML of Kr and 4.0 ML of Xe. In contrast, the O+ signal is attenuated to < 1% by 0.5 ML of H2O. We attribute the attenuation of O+ in rare gas films mainly to elastic backscattering, whereas the attenuation of O+ by H2O and NH3 films is dominated by charge transfer neutralization. F+ ions are almost completely attenuated by 1 monolayer of Xe, while F− ions experience a four-fold increase in yield when the substrate is covered by 1 monolayer of Xe. We discuss these results in terms of charge and energy transfer models, and draw conclusions about the depth of origin of ions produced in DIET (desorption induced by electronic transitions) processes.
Magnetostatic wave ring resonator with a rotating thin film

A magnetostatic-wave ring resonator with a rotating thin film has been constructed, and its use as a rotation rate sensor has been investigated. Measurements were made between 1.0 and 1.5 GHz. Large orientation-dependent phase and amplitude variations were observed that masked velocity-dependent effects. The variations are attributed to magnetocrystalline anisotropy and preclude the use of the device as a rotation rate sensor. However, the phase shift through the device was found to vary with temperature at a rate of -9.8 degrees/ degrees C, suggesting that it could be used as a noncontacting temperature sensor for rotating bodies. >
Wind Deflection Compensated, Zero-Coma Telescope Truss Geometries

Six telescope truss geometries are evaluated for both wind and gravity deflection stiffness. The existence of simultaneous solutions for gravity and wind deflections is demonstrated. A baseline design for the Texas 7.6-meter telescope with an F/1.4 Angel lightweight borosilicate primary mirror is shown.
An Industry-University Collaboration Experience on a Senior Project

Students working toward a baccalaureate degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering Technology at the University of Cincinnati are required to complete a “Design, Build, and Test” senior capstone design project. Some of these capstone design projects are done in collaboration with industries to meet their needs. One of the projects during 2009–2010 academic year is to meet the needs of the packaging industry. The student team will design and recommend a specialized End of Arm Tool for palletizing applications. They will build a scaled model and the industrial sponsor may build the full product at the later date. A team of three students from Mechanical Engineering Technology at the University of Cincinnati are working on this project, which gives them an opportunity to showcase the knowledge and skills learned in their coursework and during the co-op (cooperative) experience, as well as to develop the additional skills needed to be successful in a team oriented business world. This team is working on a technically complex project from concept-to-design, build, test, and then to have the possibility of their product being used in commercial applications. This paper will give a description of the MET senior capstone design course sequence at University of Cincinnati and the list of pre-requisites for the capstone design sequence. It will also describe the design of 2009–2010 End of Arm Tool (EOAT) project and the plans for building a scaled model. Included too, is a description of how Industry-University Collaboration can improve student learning.© 2010 ASME
Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type: diagnostic considerations.

Context Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type, may show features that overlap with other lymphomas. However, timely recognition of this entity can have important clinical and therapeutic implications. Objective To review the clinical, morphologic, and immunophenotypic characteristics of primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type, and juxtapose these features with other diagnostic considerations. In particular, other variants of primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, as well as primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma, will be reviewed. Additionally, systemic/extracutaneous lymphomas will be discussed, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified, Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the elderly, and lymphomatoid granulomatosis. Data sources Relevant literature will be reviewed and key differentiating findings will be highlighted. Conclusions Although primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type, may show aspects that overlap with other lymphomas, it can be distinguished from other entities in the differential diagnosis.
Regulatory deficits after surgical transections of three components of the MFB: Correlation with regional amine depletions ☆

Abstract Parasagittal knife cuts along the lateral border of the diencephalon (PS), coronal cuts accross the lateral (LMFB) or medial (MMFB) components of the medial forebrain bundle reproduce most of the persisting deficits in responding to glucoprivic and hydrational challenges that characterize rats with lateral hypothalamic lesions or intracranial injections of 6-hydroxydopamine (60HDA). Each of these cuts produced a different pattern of regulatory deficits, suggesting that individual components of the LH syndrome may be mediated by different neural substrates. This interpretation is supported by the results of our correlational analysis of the relationships between specific behavioral and biochemical effects of our cuts. For example, feeding responses to insulin were reliably correlated with striatal DA concentrations but feeding responses to 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2DG) were not. Water intake during periods of food deprivation was reliably correlated with striatal DA but water intake after an experimental osmotic challenge was not. Only one of the common persisting deficits (impaired feeding response to peripheral injections of insulin) was positively correlated with the duration of aphagia and adipsia.
Does Social Capital Make You Generous

Objectives. This article tests the hypothesis that social capital—measured in terms of civic group involvement, social and racial trust, and political engagement—leads to charitable behavior by individuals. Methods. I introduce measures of the “social capital elasticity of giving,” which facilitate comparisons between the effects on charity of different social capital types. Using data from the 2000 Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey, I estimate these elasticities with tobit regression models. Results. I find strong links between changes in social capital stocks and changes in giving levels. Furthermore, I find that different social capital types have differing levels of impact on giving. Conclusions. Charitable giving appears to be a beneficial consequence of some types of social capital.
Synaptic loss in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus correlates with sensorineural hearing loss in the C57BL/6 mouse model of presbycusis

Between 3 and 25 months of age, light and electron microscopic features of principal neurons in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus of the C57BL/6 mouse were quantitated. This mouse strain has a genetic defect producing progressive sensorineural hearing loss which starts during young adulthood (2 months of age) with high-frequency sounds. During the second year of life, hearing is severely impaired, progressively involving all frequencies. The hearing loss was documented in the present study by auditory brainstem recordings of the mice at various ages. The cochleas from many of the same animals showed massive loss of both inner and outer hair cells beginning at the base (high-frequency region) and progressing with age along the entire length to the apex (low-frequency region). In the inferior colliculi, there was a significant decrease in the size of principal neurons in the central nucleus. There was a dramatic decrease in the number of synapses of all morphologic types on principal neuronal somas. The percentage of somatic membrane covered by synapses decreased by 67%. A ventral (high frequency) to dorsal (low frequency) gradient of synaptic loss could not be identified within the central nucleus. These synaptic changes may be related to the equally dramatic physiologic changes which have been noted in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus, in which response properties of neurons normally sensitive to high-frequency sounds become more sensitive to low-frequency sounds. The synaptic loss noted in this study may be due to more than the loss of primary afferent pathways. It may represent alterations of the complex synaptic circuitry related to the central deficits of presbycusis.
Case Report: Immune Thrombocytopenia: Effects of Maternal Gamma Globulin Infusion on Maternal and Fetal Serum, Platelet, and Monocyte IgG

ABSTRACT A 24-year-old woman with lupuslike serologic abnormalities had immune thrombocytopenia that resolved after splenectomy, but increased quantities of platelet surface IgG persisted. Three years later, during the 36th week of her first pregnancy, gamma globulin (400 mg/kg daily for 5 days) was administered intravenously to decrease the risk and/or severity of immune thrombocytopenia in her infant. The infusion produced marked but transient elevations of maternal concentrations of serum IgG and quantities of monocyte surface IgG, but no significant changes in Fc receptor-mediated rosetting of peripheral blood monocytes with antibody-sensitized platelets occurred. Modest increases in quantities of platelets and plasma platelet-specific IgG were demonstrated. The infant, delivered by cesarean section 2 days after the end of the infusion, had a normal platelet count; cord blood had a normal concentration of serum IgG, but an elevated quantity of platelet surface IgG (by comparison with values for normal adults). Infant values of plasma platelet-specificIgG, monocyte surface IgG, and monocyte/platelet rosettes also were within the range of normal for adults. Anticytomegalovirus antibody was present in large amounts in the gamma globulin infused, first appeared in maternal serum after therapy, and was detected in cord serum. The significance of these observations to the management of immune neonatal thrombocytopenia is discussed.
Ventricular tachycardia following procaine amide hydrochloride (pronestyl) and quinidine.

Abstract 1. 1. Treatment of auricular fibrillation with quinidine raises the problem of aberrant ventricular rhythms which occur with appreciable frequency. 2. 2. The pharmacologic similarities of procaine, quinidine, and atropine are noted. 3. 3. A case is described in which ventricular tachycardia followed on two accasions the administration of Pronestyl or of quinidine. 4. 4. This is the first known report of ventricular tachycardia following Pronestyl.
Evoluton of Polygonal Fracture Patterns in Lava Flows

Cooling-induced fractures, also known as columnar joints, divide basaltic lava flows into prismatic columns with polygonal cross sections. The regularity and symmetry of the fracture patterns have long fascinated naturalists. In view of the recent selection of two candidate nuclear waste sites in areas where polygonally fractured volcanic rocks are located, a better understanding of the fracture patterns is required. Field data indicate that the tetragonal networks at flow surfaces evolve systematically to hexagonal networks as the joints grow inward during solidification of lava. This evolution occurs by the gradual change of most orthogonal intersections to nonorthogonal intersections of about 120 degrees. The surface features and intersection geometries of columnar joints show that joint segments at any given level form sequentially yet harmoniously.
Airline fleet composition and deregulation

Airline responses to deregulation have been analyzed using a variety of models. This paper presents and empirically tests a model of airline behavior which explicitly treats hub-and-spoke route structures which emerged after deregulation. The change to hub-and-spoke route structure implies an alteration of airline fleet use and acquisition of aircraft after deregulation. The empirical section of this paper investigates the nature of these changes using a data panel for airlines from 1970 to 1989. The changes observed in airline fleet use and composition indicate that the primary distortion of regulation on aircraft was inhibiting their use over efficient networks.
An improved analysis of reaction rate controlled systems

Abstract Refinements concerning dissociation effects and temperature dependence of specific heats have been introduced to improve the traditional theoretical analysis of homogeneous two-stage combustors in which the maximum heat release is limited by chemical kinetics. The use of the traditional ‘fuel availability factor’ was abandoned and attention was centred on improving the determination of the ‘fraction of a specie converted to combustion products’. These refinements lead to results which are different from those published previously. The improved analysis presented yields significant new findings. Among these are: (1) specific heat release can be increased by a factor of almost two over that of an equi-volume combustor by allotting the total available volume to the high temperature reaction, and adding excess air only as the products leave the reaction zone, and (2) secondary stage operating conditions are determined by the volume of the two stages and the total molar flow rate. Thus, the multiple operating points indicated by other authors do not, in fact, occur.
Portable Fiber Sensors Based on Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)

A portable molecular sensing system based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering is experimentally demonstrated using both a tip-coated multimode fiber and a liquid core photonic crystal fiber to achieve the high sensitivity.
Characterization of the cytochrome b (cyt b) gene from Monilinia species causing brown rot of stone and pome fruit and its significance in the development of QoI resistance.

BACKGROUND: Quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) resistance as a consequence of point mutations in the cytochrome b (cyt b) gene has been reported in numerous plant pathogenic fungi. To examine the potential for QoI resistance development in those Monilinia species causing brown rot of stone and pome fruits [Monilinia fructicola (G Winter) Honey, M. laxa (Aderhold & Ruhland) Honey and M. fructigena (Aderhold & Ruhland) Honey], an examination was made of the sequence and exon/intron structure of their cyt b genes for the presence of any point mutations and/or introns commonly associated with resistance to QoIs in fungal plant pathogens. RESULTS: None of the point mutations typically linked to QoI resistance was present in any of the Monilinia isolates examined. Furthermore, the cyt b genes from M. fructicola and M. laxa, but not M. fructigena, possessed a group-I-like intron directly after codon 143. Based on the results obtained, a simple PCR assay using a single primer pair was developed, allowing discrimination between the three Monilinia species without the need for culturing. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that resistance to QoI fungicides based on the G143A mutation is not likely to occur in M. fructicola or M. laxa. Conversely, M. fructigena may be at higher risk for developing QoI resistance owing to the absence of a G143-associated intron. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Inhibition of rabbit reticulocyte protein kinases by hemin.

Abstract Hemin, at concentrations optimal for globin synthesis, produces inhibition of a specific cytoplasmic protein kinase and a ribosome-associated protein kinase isolated from rabbit reticulocytes. Both enzymes are cyclic AMP-dependent. This inhibition is noncompetitive and greater when ribosomal proteins are used as the phosphate acceptors. The inhibition of these protein kinases by hemin and its partial reversal by globin suggests that hemin regulates protein kinase activity in reticulocytes.
Differential Secretion of O-Glycosylated Gonadotropin α-Subunit and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in the Presence of LH-Releasing Hormone

The pituitary hormones LH, FSH, and TSH are secreted as dimers of two subunits, α and β. The a-subunit, identical in all three hormones, is produced by the pituitary in excess of β and secreted as free subunit. Bovine free α does not combine with purified β-subunit and contains an extra O-linked oligosaccharide not found on dimer α. We have developed an assay to quantitate this modified form of a in the medium of incubated steer pituitary slices. The assay, based on reverse phase HPLC analysis of radiolabeled α-subunit tryptic peptides, shows that under basal conditions, 75% of secreted free α is 0-glycosylated. When the secretagogue LHRH is added to the slices, a 14-fold increase in LH dimer release is observed, but secretion of the modified α is increased by only 2-fold. Our results indicate that the majority of free α-subunit secreted by the pituitary contains O-linked oligosaccharide, and that secretion of this form of α differs from that of LH dimer. (Endocrinology 117: 1699–1706, 1985)
LFTB: An Efficient Algorithm to Bound Linear Fractional Transformations

This work presents an efficient algorithm to solve a structured semidefinite program (SDP) with important applications in the analysis of uncertain linear systems. The solution to this particular SDP gives an upper bound for the maximum singular value of a multidimensional rational matrix function, or linear fractional transformation, over a box of n real parameters. The proposed algorithm is based on a known method for solving semidefinite programs. The key features of the algorithm are low memory requirements, low cost per iteration, and efficient adaptive rules to update algorithm parameters. Proper utilization of the structure of the semidefinite program under consideration leads to an algorithm that reduced the cost per iteration and memory requirements of existing general-purpose SDP solvers by a factor of O(n). Thus, the algorithm in this paper achieves substantial savings in computing resources for problems with a large number of parameters. Additional savings are obtained when the problem data includes block-circulant matrices as is the case in the analysis of uncertain mechanical structures with spatial symmetry.
Processing and Characterization of High-conductance Bismuth Wire Array Composites

We fabricated Bi nanowire array composites with wire diameters from 30 to 200 nm by high-pressure injection (HPI) of Bi melt into porous anodic alumina templates. The composites were dense, with Bi volume fraction in excess of 50%. The parallel Bi nanowires, whose length appeared to be limited only by the thickness of the host template (up to 55 μm), terminated at both sides of the composite in the Bi bulk. The individual Bi nanowire crystal structure was rhombohedral, with the same lattice parameters as that of bulk Bi; the wires in the array were predominantly oriented with the trigonal axis along the wire length. Low contact resistance was achieved by bonding the composite to copper electrodes.
Gas phase absorption spectra and decay of triplet benzene, benzene-d6, and toluene

Abstract Transients formed when benzene and toluene are excited by energy transfer from Hg( 3 P 0 ) atoms were investigated by a modulation type kinetic spectroscopy method. Broad transient absorption bands were observed with maxima at 231.5 nm for benzene and 240.0 nm for toluene. Their oscillator strength was estimated to be 0.06. These absorptions were attributed to the hydrocarbon triplet state and assigned to the 3 E + 2g - 3 B − 1u electronic transition of benzene. Kinetic measurements indicated that the decay of the triplet state is not determined by a unimolecular process. Liftimes as long as 0.5 msec were observed and could be explained as due to impurity quenching. Lifetime shortening at higher triplet formation rates occurred in a way consistent with an extremely rapid triplet-triplet bimolecular process. Secondary transients were observed in each hydrocarbon, and identified as triplet biphenyl in the case of benzene.
Solar and geomagnetic disturbances during the declining phase of recent solar cycles

Abstract On average, the distribution of geomagnetic disturbances over the solar activity cycle exhibits two peaks. It is commonly thought that these peaks represent two components of geomagnetic activity that have very different solar and heliospheric sources. A peak near solar maximum is associated with transient solar activity and a later peak during the declining phase is attributed to recurrent high speed streams from coronal holes. Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are now considered to be the most important phenomenon associated with the first peak. However, the influence of such transient disturbances may also extend into the declining phase. It is becoming apparent that the coronal streamer belt and its extension as the heliospheric current sheet plays a major role in both kinds of geoactivity. For example, streamers are the source of many, if not most CMEs. During the declining phase, corotating stream interaction regions (CIRs) cause the strongest recurrent geomagnetic activity, often because CMEs cluster there. CIRs arise from interactions at the boundaries between streamers (slow wind) and coronal holes (fast wind). These aspects of geomagnetic disturbances during the declining phases of cycles are reviewed with emphasis on comparison of the present solar cycle with the previous two cycles.
Fast statistical process variation analysis using universal Kriging metamodeling: A PLL example

The design of Analog Mixed-Signal Systems-on-Chip (AMS-SoCs) presents difficult challenges given the number of design specifications that must be met. This situation is more aggravating in the presence of process variation effects for nanoscale technologies. Existing statistical techniques heavily rely on Monte-Carlo analysis for design parameters in an effort to mitigate the effects of process variation. Such methods, while accurate are often expensive and require extensive amount of simulations. In this paper we present a geostatistical based metamodeling technique that can accurately take into account process variation and considerably reduces the amount of time for simulation. An illustration of the proposed technique is shown using a 180nm PLL design. The proposed technique achieves an accuracy of 0.7 % and 0.33% for power consumption and locking time, respectively, and improves the run time by about 10 times.
EFFECT OF AMINO ACIDS AND GLUCOSE (TPN) ON RECOVERY FROM ACUTE RENAL ISCHEMIA

TPN increases survival of adults with acute renal failure and may result in faster recovery of renal function (Abel et al., NEJM, 288:695, 1973). To study the latter possibility, a model of transient unilateral renal ischemia was used to measure reparative growth in the ischemic kidney (IK) and compensatory growth in the contralateral kidney (CK). 60 hours after ischemia, weight (wt), protein (Pr) and DNA were determined in both kidneys of 170-182 gm rsts receiving either TPN (318 Cal/kd/d; n=6), or isocaloric amounts of glucose IV (n=6). Controls (n=13) were chow-fed unoperated rats. The data reveal that the mass of CK is maintained with TPN while a loss occurs with glucose alone. Reparative growth of IK of animals given TPN is also greater; both Pr content and Pr concentration are significantly greater with TPN (p<.001). Lack of significant differences in DNA suggests that the reparative growth is hypertrophic. These findings support the suggestion that TPN may result in faster recovery of renal function. If so, a regimen containing amino acids should be more beneficial in treating patients with acute renal failure than glucose alone.
Salinity accelerates endodermal development and induces an exodermis in cotton seedling roots

The development of the endodermis was studied in 5- to 48-day-old cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L., cv. Acala SJ-2) seedling roots grown in vermiculite at different NaCl salinity levels. Sensitive fluorochromes (berberine-aniline blue for Casparian bands, and fluorol yellow-aniline blue for suberin lamellae) were used to detect cell wall modifications. Endodermal cells progressed through several developmental stages. In the primary stage, endodermal Casparian bands appeared synchronously in the radial walls. Then, suberin lamellae were laid down asynchronously in all cell walls, but always first in endodermal cells in the phloem sectors. Passage cells without suberin lamellae were usually present in the endodermal layer opposite protoxylem poles. The positions relative to the root tip at which Casparian bands and suberin lamellae developed were dependent on plant age and primary root length for control and salt-stressed seedlings. Salinity induced those structures to mature closer to the root tip for plants up to 10 days old, whereas in older plants no differences between treatments were observed. Exposure to high salinity (200 mM NaCl) induced the formation of an exodermis with Casparian bands and suberin lamellae close to the root base and in the transition zone to the hypocotyl. The exodermis, which never developed in control roots, may play a role in protecting the root from water loss and/or leakage of solutes important for osmotic adjustment. An exodermis was detected in 5- to 28-day-old seedlings. Older plants (48 days), with advanced secondary growth in the root stele, did not differentiate an exodermis.
Cell-permeable peptides improve cellular uptake and therapeutic gene delivery of replication-deficient viruses in cells and in vivo

Small polybasic peptides derived from the transduction domains of certain proteins, such as the third alpha-helix of the Antennapedia (Antp) homeodomain, can cross the cell membrane through a receptor-independent mechanism. These cell-permeable molecules have been used as 'Trojan horses' to introduce biologically active cargo molecules such as DNA, peptides or proteins into cells. Using these cell-permeable peptides, we have developed an efficient and simple method to increase virally mediated gene delivery and protein expression in vitro and in vivo. Here, we show that cell-permeable peptides increase viral cell entry, improve gene expression at reduced titers of virus and improve efficacy of therapeutically relevant genes in vivo.
Dechlorination of trichloroethylene formed from 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane by dehydrochlorination in Portland cement slurry including Fe(II)

Transformation of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (1,1,2,2-TeCA) by Fe(II) in 10% cement slurries was characterized using a batch reactor system. 1,1,2,2-TeCA was completely converted to trichloroethylene (TCE) within 1h in all experiments, even in controls with cement that did not include Fe(II). Therefore, complete degradation of 1,1,2,2-TeCA depends on the behavior of TCE. The half-life of TCE was observed to be 15d when concentrations of Fe(II) and 1,1,2,2-TeCA were 98mM and 0.245mM, respectively. The kinetics of TCE removal was observed to be dependent on Fe(II) dose, pH and initial substrate concentration. Pseudo-first-order rate constants linearly increased with Fe(II) dose up to 198mM when initial target concentration was 0.245mM. Pseudo-first-order kinetics generally described the degradation reactions of TCE at a specific initial concentration, but a modified Langmuir-Hinshelwood model was necessary to describe the degradation kinetics of TCE over a wide range of initial concentrations. A surface reaction of TCE on active solids, which were formed from Fe(II) and products of cement hydration appears to control observed TCE degradation kinetics.
Inactivation of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (prion) agents by environ LpH.

Agents causing transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) diseases are resistant to inactivation by several conventional decontamination methods. Using an animal bioassay, we compared the TSE agent disinfectant efficacy of a commercially available product referred to alternatively as LpH-SE, LpH-AG, or LpH-st to that of a similarly named but differently formulated product, Environ LpH, which was found to be an effective TSE agent disinfectant in a previous study. Here, we found LpH-SE to be at least 104-fold to 105-fold less effective than Environ LpH.
Regulation of diverse ion transport pathways by WNK4 kinase: a novel molecular switch

Key components of complex physiological regulatory pathways can be uncovered through the molecular-genetic study of rare, inherited diseases. WNK kinases are a recently discovered class of serine–threonine kinases that are distinctive because of the substitution of cysteine for lysine in subdomain II of the catalytic domain. Mutations in PRKWNK1 and PRKWNK4 , which encode WNK1 and WNK4, result in an inherited syndrome of hypertension and hyperkalemia. Recent physiological work has revealed that WNK4 alters the balance of NaCl reabsorption and K + secretion in the distal nephron by actions on both transcellular and paracellular ion-flux pathways. Additionally, WNK4 is expressed in extra-renal epithelia with prominent roles in Cl − handling, and it regulates transporters that are responsible for Cl − flux across apical and basolateral membranes. WNK kinases are components of a novel signaling pathway that is important for the control of blood pressure and electrolyte homeostasis.
Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: current understanding of pathophysiology, in-utero therapy and impact for future development

Whereas monochorionic twins account for only 30% of twin gestations, they contribute to a disproportionate extent to the overall twin perinatal morbidity and mortality. Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome can occur at any point in a monochorionic gestation but is associated with significant increases in both morbidity and mortality when it develops before 26 weeks of gestation. It is still not possible to predict accurately those pregnancies that will be affected. This has resulted in the practice of routine ultrasound surveillance beginning at the end of the first trimester. Our understanding of the physiology still has many gaps but there is an increased recognition of the heterogeneity that exists especially in the early stages of the disease. The role of the cardiovascular response of the recipient twin offers the potential for further refining the application of our current treatment modalities and may offer insight into future therapies. The optimal therapy at this point in time resides clearly with selective laser photocoagulation, and further refinements of techniques and patient selection may continue to improve outcomes. Finally, the in-utero responses generated by the fetuses to the physiologic stress of twin-to-twin transfusion may influence their response or ability to respond to cardiovascular stress in later life. If there is in-utero programming, then the detection and timely treatment of conditions such as twin-twin transfusion syndrome may have lifelong implications for both members of the twin pair.
Thorium abundances on the Aristarchus plateau: Insights into the composition of the Aristarchus pyroclastic glass deposits

[1] Thorium (Th) data from the Lunar Prospector gamma ray spectrometer (LP-GRS) are used to constrain the composition of lunar pyroclastic glass deposits on top of the Aristarchus plateau. Our goal is to use forward modeling of LP-GRS Th data to measure the Th abundances on the plateau and then to determine if the elevated Th abundances on the plateau are associated with the pyroclastic deposits or with thorium-rich ejecta from Aristarchus crater. We use a variety of remote sensing data to show that there is a large, homogenous portion of the pyroclastics on the plateau that has seen little or no contamination from the Th-rich ejecta of Aristarchus crater. Our results show that the uncontaminated pyroclastic glasses on Aristarchus plateau have an average Th content of 6.7 ppm and ∼7 wt % TiO2. These Th and Ti values are consistent with Th-rich, intermediate-Ti yellow glasses from the lunar sample suite. On the basis of this information, we use petrologic equations and interelement correlations for the Moon to estimate the composition of the source region from which the Aristarchus glasses were derived. We find that the source region for the Aristarchus glasses contained high abundances of heat-producing elements, which most likely served as a thermal driver for the prolonged volcanic activity in this region of the Moon.
Manifestations of illiberalism in philosophy

Over the centuries, philosophy has been seen in many ways: as a midwife to the birth of ideas, as queen of the sciences, as an owl flying at dusk, as a ladder to be kicked away upon reaching enlightenment, and as a large-scale map relating the small-scale maps of the sciences. The image suggested by philosophy's role in recent changes in the academy is Typhoid Mary-one who infects others while avoiding serious illness herself. Many ideas that underlie the politicization of the university had their origin in philosophy. Yet philosophy has largely managed to escape politicization.
Does transverse chromatic aberration limit performance of AO-OCT retinal imaging?

The combination of adaptive optics (AO) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been successfully applied to in vivo retinal imaging, motivated by the potential of unprecedented 3D resolution. The eye, however, not only suffers from monochromatic aberrations, which are corrected by AO, but also substantial chromatic aberrations, which are not. To correct chromatic aberrations, achromatizing lenses have been recently employed in ultrahigh resolution AO-OCT instruments. These lenses, like their earlier predecessors for vision improvement, effectively correct the eye's longitudinal chromatic aberration (LCA), but make no attempt at the complementary transverse chromatic aberration (TCA). This raises an important concern as to the degrading impact of TCA on the 3D resolution of AO-OCT and OCT retina cameras. To address this, we undertook a theoretical analysis of TCA for high-resolution retinal imaging. The theoretical analysis included the two primary contributors of TCA for retinal imaging: (1) errors in the lateral positioning of the eye and (2) off-axis imaging. The analysis predicted the extent to which TCA impacts retinal imaging and the conditions under which it can be held at acceptable levels for AO-OCT and OCT. Several near-infrared bands were chosen that correspond to common OCT light sources.
High-frequency backscatter from terrain with cement-block walls

The measurements of high-frequency (HF) radar cross sections (RCSs) \sigma of trees on a large flat field were reported a few years ago by Steele. This work used a special adaptation of the standing-wave method to 26 MHz. Shortly afterward, the present author used the same apparatus to measure the (RCSs) of cement walls erected on the same terrain. Wall sizes ranged from 5 ft high by 10 ft wide to 20 by 20 ft. Angles of elevation \psi ranged from 2.5 to 22.5\deg . Using vertical polarization ( E field in the plane of incidence), cross sections increased with wall size. When a wall was thoroughly dampened, \sigma increased by 3 to 13 dB, depending on \psi , and wall size over \sigma was obtained when the wall was dry or partly damp. Chicken wire covering increased the 10- by 10-ft wall's cross section by 10 dB. Using horizontal polarization, cross sections were immeasurable for the smaller walls. For the 20- by 20-ft wall, \sigma was a smoothly increasing function with \psi . When this wall was wet, its cross section increased by 4 dB. The wall-ground combination was treated as a corner reflector, using a theory based on physical optics. The theory compares fairly well to experimental cross sections for the 20- by 20-ft wall. Extrapolation of the theory suggests that a 150-ft high by 100-ft wide building could have a cross section approaching 10^{4} m2at 26 MHz.
Cloning, Expression and Site-Directed Mutagenesis of the cDNA for Human Placental NAD+-Dependent 15-Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenase

NAD+-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH, EC 1.1.1.141) catalyzes the reversible oxidation of the C-15 hydroxyl group of a number of the prostaglandins, especially of the E and F series (1–3). The resulting 15-keto metabolites usually show greatly reduced biological activities. In addition to prostaglandins, 15-PGDH has recently been shown to catalyze the oxidation of omega-6-hydroxylated fatty acids including 12-HHT (4), 15-HETE, 5,15-diHETE and 8,15-diHETE (5). 15-PGDH is a cytosolic enzyme composed of two identical subunits each with a molecular weight of 29,000 daltons. 15-PGDH has widespread distribution in the body with most tissues possessing some activity although usually at low levels (6,7). Tissues with the highest activities include the lung, liver, kidney and human placenta and these are the organs most commonly used for purification of the enzyme. The highest degrees of purification have recently been reported by Bergholte and Okita (8) from pregnant rabbit lung, Krook et al (9) from human placenta, and Mak et al (10) from porcine kidney.
Applicability of the Third-Generation, Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Assay in Pregnancy

Use of the third-generation, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) assay in gravid patients has not been validated. We obtained serum from 93 healthy women with a singleton gestation and measured TSH using a two-site immunochemiluminescent ("sandwich") assay. Standard immunoassays were employed for total T4, free T4, and T3 levels. Reference ranges (RR) established by the kit manufacturer were used for comparison. Although the mean TSH level for our population was within the RR, 12/93 women (13%) had a TSH value below the lower limit of normal. None, however, had clinical hyperthyroidism or an elevated free T4. Established RR for the third-generation TSH assay may not apply to pregnant women, and isolated TSH measurements during pregnancy should be interpreted with caution.
Easy-to-build Arbiter Physical Unclonable Function with enhanced challenge/response set

Physical Unclonable Functions (PUF) are novel chip identifiers with an extensive array of uses in security applications. In this paper, we propose a novel PUF that has a very large Challenge/Response (C/R) space in a given area, while being resistant to modeling attacks at the same time. We name this design S-ArbRO PUF. We study the variability of the proposed PUF and its reliability to temperature variations. In addition, we perform a modeling attack on the PUF to get an insight into its resistance to modeling. For an S-ArbRO PUF with 24 ring oscillators (ROs), we observe a variability of 46%, which is equivalent to the variability of a traditional RO PUF built out of the same ring oscillators. The proposed design is highly stable to temperature variations with a maximum of 4% bit flips at 65C. For an RO count of 24, the total number of C/R pairs in the design is over 63K, compared to 276 for a traditional RO PUF with the same number of ROs. S-ArbRO PUF is more secure as a logistic regression (LR)-based modeling attack requires a training set of over 47K C/R pairs to model with a 96% correct prediction, while an equivalent sized Arbiter PUF breaks at only 240 C/R pairs.
Shortcomings with using edge encodings to represent graph structures

There are various representations for encoding graph structures, such as artificial neural networks (ANNs) and circuits, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here we analyze edge encodings and show that they produce graphs with a node creation order connectivity bias (NCOCB). Additionally, depending on how input/output (I/O) nodes are handled, it can be difficult to generate ANNs with the correct number of I/O nodes. We compare two edge encoding languages, one which explicitly creates I/O nodes and one which connects to pre-existing I/O nodes with parameterized connection operators. Results from experiments show that these parameterized operators greatly improve the probability of creating and maintaining networks with the correct number of I/O nodes, remove the connectivity bias with I/O nodes and produce better ANNs. These results suggest that evolution with a representation which does not have the NCOCB will produce better performing ANNs. Finally we close with a discussion on which directions hold the most promise for future work in developing better representations for graph structures.
Evaluation of brief screens for gambling disorder in the substance use treatment setting

Background and Objectives The goal of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of brief screens for Gambling Disorder within a sample of people receiving outpatient treatment for substance use disorders. Methods Individuals (n = 300) recruited from intensive outpatient substance use treatment (23.67%) or methadone maintenance programs (76.34%) participated in the study. Four brief screens for Gambling Disorder were administered and compared to DSM-5 criteria. Receiver operator curves were created and an Area Under the Curve (AUC) analysis (an overall summary of the utility of the scale to correctly identify Gambling Disorder) was assessed for each. Results On average participants were aged 46.4 years (SD = 10.2), African American/Black (70.7%), with an income less than $20,000/year (89.5%). Half the participants were female. Approximately 40% of participants (40.5%; n = 121) met DSM-5 criteria for Gambling Disorder. Accuracy of the brief screens as measured by hit rate were .88 for the BBGS, .77 for the Lie/Bet, .75 for NODS-PERC, and .73 for the NODS-CLiP. AUC analysis revealed that the NODS-PERC (AUC: .93 (95% CI: .91–.96)) and NODS-CLiP (AUC: .90 (95% CI: .86–.93)) had excellent accuracy. Discussion and Conclusions The NODS-PERC and NODS-CLiP had excellent accuracy at all cut-off points. However, the BBGS appeared to have the best accuracy at its specified cut-off point. Scientific Significance Commonly used brief screens for Gambling Disorder appear to be associated with good diagnostic accuracy when used in substance use treatment settings. The choice of which brief screen to use may best be decided by the needs of the clinical setting. (Am J Addict 2015;24:460 –466)
Effects of sampling effort, assemblage similarity, and habitat heterogeneity on estimates of species richness and relative abundance of stream fishes

We estimated the sampling effort required to accurately estimate species richness and to detect changes in catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) in four Great Plains, USA, streams. The number of sampled reaches (i.e., 1% of total catch) with b = 0.80 ranged from 7 to 630 (mean = 99) and de- creased with longer sampled reaches. A greater number of sampled reaches were needed to detect 90% of species richness and 25% changes in CPUE when Jaccard's similarity of samples of stream fish assemblages and habitat heterogeneity was lower within streams. Our results suggest that homogeneous stream segments require more sampled reaches to characterize fish assemblages and monitor trends in fish abundance.
Effects of Race and Dialect of Examier on Language Samples Elicited from Southern African American Preschoolers

Language samples were elicited from 17 African American preschoolers by three examiners; a White female using Standard English, an African American female using Standard English, and an African Ame...
Circuit challenges for future computing systems

Future computing systems from application processors in mobile devices to high-end supercomputers face fundamental challenges of power, bandwidth, and synchronization. The power dissipation of these systems will be dominated by communication and clocking. Bandwidth, both on-chip, and off-chip will be a major limit to system performance. Conventional synchronous systems will become increasingly costly in terms of both cycle-time overhead and energy. A combination of novel architecture and efficient circuits can help meet these challenges. This talk will discuss the challenges of power, bandwidth, and synchronization in more detail and present some potential solutions for each challenge.
The role of plasma instabilities in the origin of solar flares

Role of magnetohydrodynamics, magnetic fields, and conductive plasma instabilities in solar flare origin
RF-interconnect for multi-Gb/s digital interface based on 10 GHz RF-modulation in 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS

Presents an RF-interconnect (RFI) for multi-Gb/s digital interface based on capacitive coupling and RF-modulation over an impedance-matched transmission line. The RFI can reduce the switching noise coupling greatly and eliminate the dc current dissipation completely over the channel. The improved signal-to-noise ratio enables data transmission with reduced signal swing (as low as 0.2 V) and potentially enhanced data speed. A prototype RFI implemented in 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS demonstrates a maximum data rate of 2.2 Gb/s with 10.5 GHz RF-carrier.