cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Equation-Based Optimization for Inductive Power Transfer to a Miniature CMOS Rectenna

This work presents an analytical approach for optimizing the single-ended (SE) and differential (DF) reader coils and miniature rectenna designs in near-field inductive power transfer (IPT) systems. In this design context, the appropriate operation frequency is in the gigahertz range, and the nonuniform current distribution on the reader coil and the radiation resistance must be considered and are included in this paper. Utilizing the rectenna miniaturization, the reader coil and the rectenna designs can be decoupled and their figure of merits (FOMs) are identified. The equation-based approach optimizes the IPT design rapidly, and the optimized reader-coil FOM and the optimized rectenna FOM, both plotted versus the IPT frequency, co-decide the optimal IPT frequency and the coil geometries for the highest RF-dc power transfer efficiency. The analytical method is verified by EM-simulation and measurement, and the DF reader coil topology is demonstrated to be more efficient than the commonly used SE coils. An optimized 2.2-mm IPT with a DF coil is realized at 4.8 GHz and significantly outperforms the previous works. Under a total RF power of 33.1 dBm, the CMOS rectenna, with a coil size of only 0.01 mm2, harvests the designed dc conditions of 1 V/0.1 mA.
Direct visualization transversus abdominis plane blocks offer superior pain control compared to ultrasound guided blocks following open posterior component separation hernia repairs

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blockade with long-acting anesthetic can be used during open ventral hernia repair (VHR) with posterior component separation (PCS). TAP block can be performed under ultrasound guidance (US-TAP) or under direct visualization (DV-TAP). We hypothesized that US-TAP and DV-TAP provide equivalent postoperative analgesia following open VHR. A retrospective review of patients undergoing open VHR with PCS who received TAP blocks with 266 mg of liposomal bupivacaine was performed. Data included demographics, comorbidities, length of stay (LOS), average postoperative day (POD) pain scores, and narcotic requirements (normalized to mg oral morphine). Statistical analysis utilized Student’s t test and Fisher’s exact test. Thirty-nine patients were identified (22 DV-TAP). There were no differences between the groups with respect to demographics, comorbidities, pre-operative pain medication usage (narcotic and non-narcotic) or herniorrhaphy-related data. The average POD0 pain score was lower for the DV-TAP group (2.35 vs 4.18; p = 0.019). Narcotic requirements on POD0 (48.0 vs 103.76 mg; p = 0.02), POD1 (128.45 vs 273.82 mg; p = 0.03), POD4 (54.29 vs 160.75 mg; p = 0.042), and during the complete hospitalization (408.52 vs 860.92 mg; p = 0.013) were lower in the DV-TAP group. There were no differences between initiation of diet or LOS. During the study, no changes were made to the VHR enhanced recovery pathway. DV-TAP blocks appear to provide superior analgesia in the immediate postoperative period. To achieve similar post-operative pain scores, patients in the US-TAP group required significantly more narcotic administration during their hospitalization. The study highlights DV-TAP as a valuable addition to VHR recovery pathways.
A Learning Framework for Project Management

The contribution of this paper is a framework for understanding and practicing learning in a project environment. The framework includes the goals, processes, and tools for learning. The project ma...
Use of Quantum Trajectories for Time-Dependent Problems

Ehrenfest’s principle states the correspondence between a classical trajectory and the expectation values of the corresponding quantum operator. In most cases the equations of motion for the average values of momentum, position, etc. are not closed and, therefore, cannot be solved without further assumptions. It is then useful to rewrite the Schrodinger equation as a time-dependent eigenvalue equation. In the following we shall outlines (1) how to solve the eigenvalue problem within variational perturbation theory, (2) how to calculate quantum trajectories, and (3) how to determine transition probabilities from trajectories. The method presented here will be illustrated by two examples from scattering theory.
Recovery from Head Trauma: A Curvilinear Process?

Literally millions of Americans suffer from head injury annually (Caveness, 1977), and nearly one half million of these injuries are severe and require medical treatment and possible rehabilitation (Kolb, 1989). Head injuries occur at the highest frequency between the ages of 2 and 6 and again between 15 and 18 years of age (Gordon, 1989). An analysis of trauma victims from two trauma centers indicates that head injury is the most expensive and time-consuming form of medical emergency for the American public (MacKenzie, Siegel, Shapiro, Moody, & Smith, 1988). While advancing medical technology has significantly decreased the number of deaths resulting from these accidents (Levin, Grossman, Rose, & Teasdale, 1979), progress in the areas of outcome prediction and rehabilitation has been slow to follow (Long & Gouvier, 1982). One possible reason for the paucity of progress in these areas is the lack of a well-defined conceptualization of the course of recovery.
Knowledge Gaps about Stress and Coping in a Multicultural Context

The survey of research on stress and coping across cultures helps identify both what we already know and what we do not yet know. These knowledge gaps were classified into seven categories including culture shock controversies, defining culture, achieving a healthy balance, measurement problems, religious and spiritual resources, the multicultural family context and defining the self. Each of these knowledge gap categories are mentioned by one or more chapters of this volume.
Effect of the Transylvania fracture zone on evolution of the western margin of the Central Appalachian basin

A major crustal fracture zone in concealed Precambrian gneisses of the Grenville Province, transects — at a large angle — the western flank of the Appalachian Paleozoic depositional basin and superimposed Mesozoic rift basin. This zone, which has an extended deformational history, may be traced intermittently more than 400 km from the Mesozoic Gettysburg rift-basin westward toward Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Reactivation of the zone during the Cambrian to Pennsylvanian is well established on the Appalachian Plateau. Thickness variations of such economic units as Silurian salt, Pennsylvanian coals, and high-alumina clays are partially a result of syndepositional fracture-zone movement. In the Valley and Ridge Province of central Pennsylvania, reactivation of the zone is evident at least during Devonian sedimentation. In southeastern Pennsylvania during the Ordovician Taconic orogeny, the basin north of the fracture zone was deep and was the site of emplacement of Taconic allochthons. During the Permian Alleghanian orogeny, Blue Ridge structures were rotated 25° across the zone. Where the zone intersects the major Jurassic-age normal fault that bounds the Gettysburg half-graben basin, local wrenching interrupted the regional extensional fabric. The structurally deepest part of the extensional basin is adjacent to the fracture zone.
Physical effort exertion and pain: Links with trait-based risk for psychopathology

Abstract People with serious mental illness (SMI) are at an increased risk for physical health complications, such as cardiovascular disease and obesity. Low levels of physical activity is a major contributor to these health complications. One factor associated with limited physical activity in the broader sedentary population is pain. While preliminary findings suggest an association between lack of physical activity and pain in SMI, conclusions are still unclear. Thus, the goal of this correlational study was to examine associations between trait-based risk for psychopathology (hypomanic personality, schizotypy, and anhedonic depression) and the experience of pain following a physical endurance/effort task. Healthy participants (N = 43; 18 females) completed self-report measures of trait-based risk for psychopathology. They also reported on the experience of pain before and after the Time To Exhaustion (TTE) test. Findings revealed that risk for psychosis and anhedonic depression were associated with increases in pain following the TTE test, accounting for other key variables, such as age and self-reported physical exercise. Risk for mania was unrelated to changes in pain. These results suggest that the experience of pain in relation to physical endurance/effort may contribute to diminished physical activity among people at risk for SMI.
Acquisition of Dynamic Function in Human Stem Cell-Derived β Cells

Summary Recent advances in human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) differentiation protocols have generated insulin-producing cells resembling pancreatic β cells. While these stem cell-derived β (SC-β) cells are capable of undergoing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), insulin secretion per cell remains low compared with islets and cells lack dynamic insulin release. Herein, we report a differentiation strategy focused on modulating transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling, controlling cellular cluster size, and using an enriched serum-free media to generate SC-β cells that express β cell markers and undergo GSIS with first- and second-phase dynamic insulin secretion. Transplantation of these cells into mice greatly improves glucose tolerance. These results reveal that specific time frames for inhibiting and permitting TGF-β signaling are required during SC-β cell differentiation to achieve dynamic function. The capacity of these cells to undergo GSIS with dynamic insulin release makes them a promising cell source for diabetes cellular therapy.
ARMA(p,q) Processes

A long-standing dream of economists was to build a massive model of the economy. One with hundreds of supply and demand equations. A supply and demand system for each input, intermediate good, and final product. One would only need to estimate the relevant elasticities and a few simple parameters to construct an economic crystal ball. It would be able to make accurate forecasts and useful policy prescriptions. Most economists wished this at one point. Slowly, though, the era of optimism in structural macroeconomic forecasting during the 1950s and 1960s became an era of doubt during the 1970s and 1980s.
Electron-Phonon Coupling from Ab Initio Linear-Response Theory within the G W Method: Correlation-Enhanced Interactions and Superconductivity in Ba 1 − x K x BiO 3

We present a new first-principles linear-response theory of changes due to perturbations in the quasiparticle self-energy operator within the GW method. This approach, named GW perturbation theory (GWPT), is applied to calculate the electron-phonon (e-ph) interactions with the full inclusion of the GW nonlocal, energy-dependent self-energy effects, going beyond density-functional perturbation theory. Avoiding limitations of the frozen-phonon technique, GWPT gives access to e-ph matrix elements at the GW level for all phonons and scattering processes, and the computational cost scales linearly with the number of phonon modes (wave vectors and branches) investigated. We demonstrate the capabilities of GWPT by studying the e-ph coupling and superconductivity in Ba_{0.6}K_{0.4}BiO_{3}. We show that many-electron correlations significantly enhance the e-ph interactions for states near the Fermi surface, and explain the observed high superconductivity transition temperature of Ba_{0.6}K_{0.4}BiO_{3} as well as its doping dependence.
Posttraumatic stress and hazardous alcohol use in trauma-exposed young adults: indirect effects of self-disgust.

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorders are highly co-occurring. Several explanatory models of the relation between PTSD and hazardous alcohol use have been ident...
113 Impact of the HOP-STEP program in improving provider knowledge and skills for lupus pregnancy planning and management

Background The HOP-STEP Program (Healthy Outcomes in Pregnancy with SLE through Education of Providers) is designed to optimize lupus pregnancy outcomes through providing physicians with the necessary knowledge, skills and resources to guide pregnancy planning and management. The goal of this analysis was to measure the impact of the HOP-STEP program. Methods The in-person component of HOP-STEP was presented at the Association of Women in Rheumatology (AWIR) Conference in August 2018. The workshop included a presentation, peer roll-playing workshop, patient simulation, and distribution of Preparing for Pregnancy Checklist and Birth Control for Women with Lupus handouts. A survey was emailed to 149 individuals before and after workshop completion. Results The analysis included 68 pre-surveys (response rate 46%, 93% women, 66% attending-level rheumatologists) and 55 post-surveys (response rate 37%, 95% women, 62% attending-level rheumatologists). Systematic approach: After the program, more providers had a systematic approach to preparing a woman with lupus for pregnancy (45.6% to 94.6%; p Contraception: There was an increase in correct responses regarding emergency contraception (47% to 91%, p Teratogenicity: After the program, fewer providers identified pregnancy-compatible medications (azathioprine and tacrolimus) as teratogenic (60% to 9%; p Birth Defects: Participants were asked to put medications in order from most to least likely to cause birth defects, the correct order being mycophenolate or cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, then leflunomide. No difference was observed in correctly ordered medications (16.2% to 16.4%; p=1.0). However, there was an increase in providers who correctly identified mycophenolate as the most or second-most teratogenic (13% to 44%; p=0.02). Provider Confidence: Participants were asked to rank their confidence on a scale of 0 (not confident) to 100 (very confident). Median provider confidence increased for helping women with lupus choose appropriate contraception (59 to 89; p Conclusions After participation in the in-person HOP-STEP program, providers had increased knowledge and confidence in pregnancy planning and management in lupus patients. The program emphasized skills over knowledge, as is reflected in the survey results. The handouts used in the program provide all of the necessary information, which can overcome existing and ongoing gaps in rheumatologists knowledge. Funding Source(s): GlaxoSmithKline
Air-medical transport experience in emergency medicine residencies: then and now.

OBJECTIVE The appropriate activation and effective utilization of air-medical transport (AMT) services is an important skill for emergency medicine physicians in the United States. Previous studies have demonstrated variability with regards to emergency medical services (EMS) experience during residency training. This study was designed to evaluate the nature and extent of AMT training of the emergency medicine residency programs in the United States. METHODS An identity-unlinked survey of the program directors of all Accreditation Committee for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approved emergency medicine residency programs was conducted. The survey focused on EMS and AMT resident training opportunities and was conducted in two phases (1999 and 2006) using near-identical methodologies. RESULTS Response rates of 82% and 84% were achieved in 1999 and 2006, respectively. Percentages of programs offering AMT experiences were similar between the two study phases (76% in 1999 and 65% in 2006). The roles of residents during AMT experiences ranged widely between observer-only, active team member, and medical director/team leader in both 1999 and 2006. Compared to those in 1999, programs in 2006 demonstrated a greater frequency of EMS rotations being provided earlier, by year of training during emergency medicine residency. Residencies located in non-metropolitan centers only were slightly more likely to offer AMT training than were those in metropolitan locations. CONCLUSIONS A majority of emergency medicine residency programs offer AMT experience that includes both scene responses and inter-facility transports. The role of residents during AMT training varies widely, as does the timing of their experiences during residency. The geographical locations of programs do not appear to impact the availability of AMT training.
Constitutive modeling of ultra-fine-grained titanium flow stress for machining temperature prediction

This work investigates the machining temperatures of ultra-fine-grained titanium (UFG Ti), prepared by equal channel angular extrusion, through analytical modeling. UFG Ti has great usefulness in biomedical applications because of its high mechanical strength, sufficient manufacturability, and high biocompatibility. The temperatures were predicted using a physics-based predictive model based on material constitutive relation and mechanics of the orthogonal cutting process. The minimization between the stress calculated using Johnson–Cook constitutive model and the same stress calculated using mechanics model yields the estimation of machining temperatures at two deformation zones. Good agreements are observed upon validation to the values reported in the literature. The machinability of UFG Ti is investigated by comparing its machining temperature to that of Ti–6Al–4V alloy under the same cutting conditions. Significantly lower temperatures are observed in machining UFG Ti. The computational efficiency of the presented model is investigated by comparing its average computational time (~ 0.5 s) to that of a widely used modified chip formation model (8900 s) with comparable prediction accuracy. This work extends the applicability of the presented temperature model to a broader class of materials, specifically ultra-fine-grained metals. The high computational efficiency allows the in situ temperature prediction and optimization of temperature condition with process parameters planning.
Orthographic texture effects during spelling are due to variations in representational strength

In this study, we investigated the source of the orthographic texture effect during familiar word spelling. Orthographic texture refers to the differential strength that individual letters in a word may be activated for output. Prior work indicates that strongly activated letters are more accurately produced than weakly activated ones (Jones, Folk, & Rapp, 2009, All Letters are not Equal: Sub-Graphemic Texture in Orthographic Working Memory. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 35, 1389-1402. DOI: 10.1037/a0017042). According to an orthographic lexical strength account, differences in activation of individual letters within words are the result of learning; more easily learned letters are more strongly represented and, thus, activated for output. However, an online-competition hypothesis indicates that the contribution of sublexical assembly processes during familiar word spelling may account for the effect. Current results support the orthographic lexical strength account; the lexical orthographic representations used for spelling are themselves textured.
Thinking about the microbiome as a causal factor in human health and disease: philosophical and experimental considerations

Relationships between hosts and host-associated microbial communities are complex, intimate, and associated with a wide variety of health and disease states. For these reasons, these relationships have raised many difficult questions and claims about microbiome causation. While philosophers and scientists alike have pondered the challenges of causal inference and offered postulates and rules, there are no simple solutions, especially with poorly characterized, putative causal factors such as microbiomes, ill-defined host effects, and inadequate experimental models. Recommendations are provided here for conceptual and experimental approaches regarding microbiome causal inference, and for a research agenda.
Phase contrast CT enabled three-material decomposition in spectral CT imaging

Three-material decomposition is crucial for material quantification when more than two elemental materials, including a K-edge material, are presented in an image object. In principle, three-material decomposition requires a triple energy scan which cannot be directly accomplished using a conventional dual energy CT system. In this work, a new scheme to enable three-material decomposition by employing phase contrast CT was presented. When a grating interferometer is added, a conventional absorption dual energy CT system can be upgraded to a phase contrast dual energy CT system which provides an additional phase signal related to the real part of the refractive index of an image object, along with the absorption signal under two different x-ray spectra. In this work, a three-material decomposition method was proposed for the aforementioned dual energy phase contrast CT system. Physical experimental studies were performed on a benchtop x-ray Talbot-Lau interferometer system to validate the proposed method. A physical phantom, containing calcium and iodine inserts of known concentrations, was used as the image object. A rotation-rotation dual energy phase contrast CT scan was performed under 40 and 80 kVp tube potentials. For each view angle, a phase stepping procedure with five phase steps was performed. After the phase retrieval procedure and image reconstruction using the standard filtered-back projection, the solutions were decomposed into the calcium, iodine and water bases based on the proposed decomposition method. For all the solutions, the relative quantification errors of the concentrations were within 10%.
Blockchain Technologies: Hyperledger Fabric in BIM Work Processes

Blockchain Technology (BCT) is defined as a decentralized data ledger that registers each transaction processed in an encrypted data format. The implementation of such a concept brings about several benefits to the built environment, specifically, Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflow. These include, for instance, security, reliability, accountability, and could potentially accelerate a shift in the work environment dynamics from the current centralized data processing to a decentralized, cooperative chain of transactions by encouraging trust and transparency. Hyperledger Fabric (HLF) is a BCT implementation that generates distributed ledger systems, supported by a modular design, offering a flexible and extensible digital framework, that delivers high levels of confidentiality, and scalability. It has a modular subsystem designed so that different employments can be plugged in and implemented over time. This paper reviews the BCT platforms and describes the details of the various components/modules and their interactions and functions. Furthermore, the study proposes a new work process based on HLF that aims to address some of the current BIM workflow shortcomings. The paper discusses how the HLF system enhances the BIM work process and presents a use case of automated code compliance checking mechanisms and future research directions.
Investigation of Low-Pressure Condition Impact on Partial Discharge in Micro-Voids using Finite-Element Analysis

The aviation industry, as one of the major CO2 producers, anticipates a reduction in its carbon emission. While big manufacturers and governmental agencies are betting on the more- (and soon all-) electrified aircraft to reduce the dependency of this industry on fossil fuels, there are major milestones to be reached in the next three decades. Among those, enhancing the specific power of systems, that are expected to substitute the fuel-based engines, is one of the primary targets. An enabling technology to achieve this goal is the wide bandgap (WBG)-based power converting, a promising technology toward increasing the efficiency of electrical systems. However, not only the partial discharges (PDs) -induced by the high voltage, high-frequency, fast-rise square voltages generated by these systems- endanger the insulation system, but also the operation at higher altitudes can be another game-changing factor in the design of power converters. This study puts forth the investigation of the pressure impact in tandem with the impact of short rise-times on various PD characteristics including but not limited to PD true charge magnitude and duration. The results show how the incorporation of harsh environmental conditions and short rise times lead to more intense and prolonged discharges. Moreover, it shows that micro-voids that have negligible PD activities at sea level can turn into serious threats at higher altitudes. In this project, COMSOL Multiphysics interfaced with MATLAB is used to simulate the PD identification process based on the experimental data found in the literature.
Characterization of PyC/SiC Interfaces with FIB-SEM Tomography

Abstract Tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) fuel is being considered for multiple reactor designs due to its exceptional performance. This work studies pyrocarbon (PyC) and silicon carbide (SiC) substrates that are near-representative of the inner pyrocarbon (IPyC) and SiC in TRISO fuel. Focused ion beam (FIB)-scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tomography was used to understand the influence of different processing routes on the PyC/SiC interface structure. Additionally, this work outlines a methodology for characterizing the IPyC/SiC interface when considering fission product accommodation and retention in TRISO fuel design. The high-fidelity images collected with FIB-SEM tomography can be used to achieve a more in-depth interpretation of microstructural parameters and pore-shape analysis that can inform simulations and processing.
SM2N2: A Stacked Architecture for Multimodal Data and Its Application to Myocardial Infarction Detection

This work introduces a novel Stacked Multimodal (SM2N2) architecture and assess its performance in classifying whether a patient have or not Myocardial Infarction. Central to this SM2N2 architecture is the use of images and clinical data as input. Comparison studies of Multimodal Neural Network (M2N2) component of SM2N2 with AlexNet3D model demonstrated that on small size dataset, M2N2 is faster, has less trainable parameters and results higher accuracy in this binary classification. In addition to M2N2 we also identify clinical features that are sufficient to classify normal vs pathological cases. We also train statistical models on identified clinical features and use stacking to combine outputs from statistical models and M2N2. Stacking generalizes the results and the new model learns how to best combine the results of the individual base models. One of the potential application of the M2N2 is that because of less parameters the network can be deployed on mobile devices for inference.
Socio-Cultural Subgroups of Latina/o Immigrants: A Latent Profile Analysis.

Abstract Socio-cultural factors, such as familismo, social support, machismo, and multigroup ethnic identity, are strongly associated with Latina/o immigrants’ alcohol misuse and depressive symptoms. However, research has rarely explored whether unobserved groups of Latina/o immigrants with similar socio-cultural factors exist. Latent Profile analysis can illuminate which subgroups to target, or which socio-cultural factors need to be supported, to have an impact on the prevention and treatment of alcohol use and/or depression in the Latina/o immigrant population. Cross sectional data from on ongoing longitudinal investigation was utilized (N = 518 Latina/o adults living in Miami-Dade County, Florida and have immigrated to the US within one year prior to assessment). Latent Profile Analyses (LPA) were conducted utilizing validated measures of familismo, social support, neighborhood collective efficacy, ethnic identity, machismo, caballerismo, and marianismo. The LPA revealed three, significantly different profiles: (1) low socio-cultural protection (n = 155, 29.98 %), (2) high socio-cultural protection (n = 21, 4.06 %), and (3) high socio-, low-cultural protection (n = 341, 65.96 %). Profile membership was associated significantly with immigrant documentation status, education level, and past family history of substance use. Results indicate that Latina/o immigrants in the low socio-cultural protection group had significantly higher alcohol use compared to high socio-, low cultural protection group. No significant differences were found for depressive symptoms. We discuss implications of our findings and encourage researchers to continue to unpack the complexities associated with socio-cultural factors and Latina/o mental and behavioral health. Specifically, research should focus on socio-cultural factors can provide protection from negative health outcomes and increase resiliency among this population.
Identifying androgen receptor (AR) and genomic characteristics that define populations of patients with mHSPC who benefit from early PARP inhibition therapy with talazoparib.

TPS5097Background: A minority of men with mCRPC, those with DNA repair mutations, can benefit from PARP inhibitor therapy. In addition to DNA repair, PARP is used by cancer cells to interact with o...
Female Genital Alteration

Female genital alteration (FGA) encompasses a wide range of procedures. Minimal FGA consists of a simple nick with a sharp instrument, leaving no residua. Most Malay and Indonesian girls probably undergo such a vulvar nick. The other extreme of FGA is to remove the entire external genitalia and to surgically narrow the vaginal orifice to render penile penetration difficult or impossible. This procedure, called infibulation, has been prevalent in the Horn of Africa. FGA performance in various places by poorly trained operators under unhygienic conditions increases the risk of all variants of FGA. The frequent absence of analgesia augments likely psychological trauma, though these procedures have become increasing medicalized. All forms of ritual FGA in children are illegal in Western nations, so that outcomes have not been well studied. States in which FGA is indigenous must deal with FGA in the context of their own cultural and legal environment. Where it is tolerated, it is hoped that objective evidence of its effects will be forthcoming, so that policies can be informed by data. In the West, some ritual FGA procedures have acceptable comparable secular procedures. Aesthetic labia minora reduction and clitoral hood retraction (in physically mature women), for example, are legal. Application of the State Intervention Test shows no acceptable application of FGA in physically immature girls except, in some cases, for a vulvar nick. More extensive procedures, performed in physically mature and mentally maturing minors, should be evaluated for acceptability on the basis of individual procedures, in the context of mainstream practices.
Hydrolysis of Cellulose by Acids

The central role of cellulose in biomass utilization is assured by virtue of its position as the structural polysaccharide which comprises approximately half of all plant material. This abundance coupled with the knowledge that it can be converted back into its glucose precursor by hydrolysis has provided the incentive for research and development efforts on cellulose hydrolysis for over a hundred years. Obviously the production of glucose for use as food or further conversion to liquid fuels or chemicals from inexpensive, renewable and abundant biomass is an attractive goal. Processes for the conversion of cellulose to glucose by acid hydrolysis have reached commercial production, but only under special circumstances. Under free market conditions they have not as yet been able to compete with sugars from specific crops (cane and beets) or from hydrolysis of starch.
Are ferroelectric multilayers capacitors in series

We show that ferroelectric multilayers are not simple capacitors in series (CIS) and treating these as CIS may lead to misinterpretation of experimental results and to erroneous conclusions. Here, we present a theoretical model of ferroelectric bilayers using basic thermodynamics taking into account the appropriate electrical boundary conditions and electrostatic fields. The spontaneous polarization mismatch in ferroelectric/ferroelectric (FE/FE), FE/paraelectric (FE/PE), and FE/dielectric (FE/DE) bilayers results in a non-linear electrostatic coupling which produces significant deviations in the overall dielectric response if it is computed using the simple capacitor-in-series (CIS) model. Our results show that the CIS approach is a good approximation only for DE/DE multilayers and for FE heterostructures if the individual layers are electrostatically screened from each other.
A Novel Approach to Target Motoneurons Using Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

Diseases of the central nervous system commonly affect motoneurons. In particular, spinal cord injury, aging and neurological disorders can cause motoneuron dysfunction or loss. There are no effect...
Aggregation behavior of the grey reef shark, Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos, at Johnston Atoll, Central Pacific Ocean

Free-ranging female grey reef sharks, Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos, were observed forming daily aggregations offshore Sand Island, Johnston Atoll between March and late May from 1992 to 1995. Daily water temperatures were recorded at the aggregation area from 1993 to 1995. The annual aggregation cycle did not coincide with maximum or minimum annual water temperatures. During the 1994 aggregation, temperatures were recorded at least every hour at 7 sites in the Atoll. The sharks aggregated most frequently and in highest numbers at the largest and shallowest site, which also contained the fewest underwater structures. The water temperature at this site was 1–2 °C warmer than at neighboring sites and at a reef channel between the lagoon and the open ocean. The pattern of movement of sharks to and from the aggregation area was correlated with daily fluctuations of water temperature (r=0.38; p < 0.001), tide (r=0.30; p < 0.001) and light level (r=0.21; p < 0.001) after adjustment for autocorrelated errors. The daily maximum number of aggregating sharks coincided with the daily maximum water temperature. However, the number of aggregating sharks did not necessarily increase during days of higher water temperature. During the 1994 aggregation period, four sharks were fed ultrasonic telemetry tags, and telemetry stations were deployed at three sites within the aggregation area. Individual sharks were tracked returning to the aggregation area for durations of one to five days. The end of detection of tagged sharks is thought to be due to the regurgitation of the indigestible tags, rather than the sharks permanent departure from the aggregating area. Sharks aggregated only during the day; none of the tagged sharks were recorded and no sharks were ever seen at the aggregation area during night time.
A fast two-dimensional quasi-Newton adaptive filter

Two-dimensional adaptive filters are useful in a wide variety of image and video processing applications. Several different two-dimensional structures and algorithms have been developed, the most recent of which is a fast 2-D FIR quasi-Newton adaptive filter. Quasi-Newton search algorithms can compensate for the eigenvalue disparity of the autocorrelation matrix in colored signal environments. Learning curves show dramatic improvement in the rate of convergence of 2D adaptive filters with colored noise. >
The dynamic behaviour of a multipass steam-heated exchanger—I: Response to steam temperature and steam flow perturbations

Abstract The frequency response of a five-pass, steam-heated exchanger to perturbations in steam temperature and steam flow is studied. Predicted and experimental data are in favourable agreement. A mathematical model which includes individual passes and reversal chambers and which can be adapted to any number of tube passes is discussed. It is shown, however, that a simplified one-pass model can be used with sufficient accuracy to predict the dynamic behaviour of a multipass heat exchanger. The problem of different mean process fluid velocities in tubes of the same pass caused by exchanger configuration is also considered.
Introduction to Fourier analysis and wavelets

This book provides a concrete introduction to a number of topics in harmonic analysis, accessible at the early graduate level or, in some cases, at an upper undergraduate level. Necessary prerequisites to using the text are rudiments of the Lebesgue measure and integration on the real line. It begins with a thorough treatment of Fourier series on the circle and their applications to approximation theory, probability, and plane geometry (the isoperimetric theorem). Frequently, more than one proof is offered for a given theorem to illustrate the multiplicity of approaches. The second chapter treats the Fourier transform on Euclidean spaces, especially the author's results in the three-dimensional piecewise smooth case, which is distinct from the classical Gibbs - Wilbraham phenomenon of one-dimensional Fourier analysis. The Poisson summation formula treated in Chapter 3 provides an elegant connection between Fourier series on the circle and Fourier transforms on the real line, culminating in Landau's asymptotic formulas for lattice points on a large sphere. Much of modern harmonic analysis is concerned with the behavior of various linear operators on the Lebesgue spaces Lp (Rn). Chapter 4 gives a gentle introduction to these results, using the Riesz - Thorin theorem and the Marcinkiewicz interpolation formula. One of the long-time users of Fourier analysis is probability theory. In Chapter 5 the central limit theorem, iterated log theorem, and Berry - Esseen theorems are developed using the suitable Fourier-analytic tools. The final chapter furnishes a gentle introduction to wavelet theory, depending only on the L2 theory of the Fourier transform (the Plancherel theorem). The basic notions of scale and location parameters demonstrate the flexibility of the wavelet approach to harmonic analysis. The text contains numerous examples and more than 200 exercises, each located in close proximity to the related theoretical material.
The age structure of Soviet population: preliminary analysis of unpublished data.

This article presents and analyzes hitherto unpublished data on the age structure of the population of the USSR and four of its republics. Analysis of the patterns revealed by these newly available data provides a basis for understanding why they had not been published in the USSR in the six years since the census date. The implications of the data for the analysis of Soviet society, its economic potential, and military draft pools are discussed. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: 052, 124, 800.
Dynamo action in the ionosphere and motions of the magnetospheric plasma: II. Deformation of the radiation belts due to the electrostatic field produced by ionospheric winds

Abstract The distribution of the dynamo-induced electrostatic field obtained by Maeda and Kato is discussed in terms of ionospheric winds, and the motion of the magnetospheric plasma resulting from the field is further discussed. It is suggested that the ionospheric electrostatic field can affect the configuration of radiation belts and that a certain similarity exists between the flow patterns of the magnetospheric plasma and the observed day-night asymmetry of radiation belts. A possible significance of this regarding auroral phenomena is suggested.
Policies First, Institutions Second: Lessons from Estonia's Economic Reforms

AbstractIt has become convention in recent years to treat the building of institutions as the centerpiece of successful economic reform. The case of Estonia challenges this view. Although effective economic institutions eventually arose, Estonia began its transition bereft of the institutions that supposedly serve as the requisites of robust achievement. The institutions only emerged after an ideologically driven core of leaders implemented policies that laid the groundwork. In particular, the imposition of hard budget constraints sidelined political capitalists opposed to the rule of law by severing them from the state subsidies, soft loans, and other privileges on which they thrive. In the absence of a powerful class of political capitalists, Estonian governments were free to forge and continually improve a collection of institutions that sets the country apart among its postcommunist peers. Good institutions are desirable but not necessary for policy reform, and they are better seen as auspicious knock...
Why Moscow Has Escalated Its Territorial Dispute with Tokyo

Four reasons likely explain why President Dmitry Medvedev and other Russian officials have decided to escalate their 65-year-old dispute with Japan over the Southern Kurils/ Northern Territories. First, Tokyo's relations with China, North Korea, and other countries are poor. Furthermore, Russia is eager to raise its profile in East Asia more generally. In addition, the Japanese have become increasingly open to expanding economic ties with Russia despite the dispute. Finally, Medvedev himself has domestic political reasons to adopt a more aggressive posture toward Japan regarding the disputed islands. Russia has succeeded during the past few months in solidifying Moscow's hold over the islands. In the long term, the Japanese will probably prove more amenable to making the most concessions because China's continuing rise is presenting a greater threat to Tokyo's interests.
Piecewise monotone spline interpolation

Abstract Let ( x i , y i ), i = 0, 1,…, k , be a set of points, with x 0 x 1 x k . We prove the existence of a spline function of specified deficiency, f ( x ), which satisfies f ( x i ) = y i , i = 0, 1,…, k , and which is monotone on each of the intervals [ x i − 1 , x i ], i = 1, 2,…, k .
The contribution of spinal cord neurokinin-1 receptor signaling to pain.

Abstract Discovery of the occurrence of neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor internalization in response to agonist activation has provided researchers with a new tool for studying tachykinin actions. Using the readily observable end point of NK-1 receptor internalization as an activity marker, this observation has allowed for more detailed study of tachykinin systems in vivo and in vitro. What has this technique taught us about tachykinin function and activity in the spinal cord? Here we discuss recent findings, which shed light on the functional relevance of receptor internalization, the regulation of neuropeptide release from primary afferent nociceptors, and the signaling produced by tachykinins during noci-ception and injury. The potential consequences of these discoveries for the treatment of pain and understanding of the role of tachykinins in nociception are discussed.
Thyroid dysfunction in phobic patients

Of 295 patients treated for phobic disorders, 27 (9.2%) reported having had some form of thyroid dysfunction (14 cases of hyperthyroidism, 13 of hypothyroidism). This far exceeds the expectation of thyroid problems in the general population. No relationship was detected between the kind of thyroid disorder or the time of its onset and the kind of phobia diagnosed (agoraphobia, mixed phobia, simple phobia). In a slight majority of cases, the reported onset of thyroid disorder preceded the diagnosis of phobia.
Alterations in serum proteins of rats after immunization with Freund's adjuvant and Bordetella pertussis vaccine.

Immunization is known to modify the level of certain circulating serum proteins. In this study we describe changes in the electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins after immunization with two different antigens: RaTE and BSA incorporated with three different adjuvants: complete Freund's adjuvant, incomplete Freund's adjuvant, andBordetella pertussis vaccine. Serum albumin andγ globulins were decreased whileα1, α2, andΒ globulins had a tendency to increase. The serum protein modifications were observed as early as 24 h after immunization and were not reversed by histamine or serotonin antagonists. Some physiopathological hypotheses of their possible effects in immunization are discussed.
Coupled model boosts reproduction of inner magnetosphere ring current

The inner magnetosphere ring current, which circles the Earth a few Earth radii above the surface, consists of energetic ions and electrons and plays an important role in the space environment. During geomagnetic storms the flow in the ring current rises dramatically. The behavior of the ring current and other features of the inner magnetosphere depend strongly on conditions in other regions of the magnetosphere. The small scale of the particle dynamics that drive the ring current, compared to the vast spatial scale of the entire magnetosphere, makes it difficult to represent both the nuance of the inner magnetosphere and the full scope of the magnetospheric system.
Recruitment of marine species: Is the bandwagon rolling in the right direction?

A highly variable rate of recruitment from pelagic larval to demersal or sessile juvenile and adult stage is characteristic of marine organisms. At present it is a major subject of attention by ecologists interested in population or community processes. Several factors conspire to ensure this variability, but in studying them it will be important to focus on the behavioral capabilities of marine larvae, and on the very small proportion of (perhaps lucky) larvae destined to be successful.
New subclass of negative-impedance convertors with improved gain-product sensitivities

A mathematical model which defines a new subclass of voltage-inversion negative-impedance convertors is presented. Functionally, the model is a dual of that from which Larky realised his well known current-inversion n.i.c. Three realisations of convertors in the new subclass are given, together with two new realisations of Larky's model. Each convertor in the new subclass exhibits an improvement in gain-product sensitivity by a factor of two compared with its Larky-type dual.
Relative Stereochemistry Determination and Synthesis of the Major Chlorosulfolipid from Ochromonas danica

The relative stereochemistry of the major chlorosulfolipid of the chrysophyte alga Ochromonas danica, to which we have given the name "danicalipin A", is reported. The first synthesis of this lipid, via several stereospecific electrophilic additions to alkenes, serves to corroborate the stereochemical assignment made by NMR spectroscopy. The synthesis strategy described should be applicable to other chlorosulfolipids and should provide access to sufficient material for studies of the lipid's properties and function in membranes.
TEM study of the recovery process of cyclically deformed MgO single crystals

Single crystals of MgO were subjected to plastic strain-controlled push-pull cyclic deformation at elevated temperatures. Below 400° C the crystals were very brittle and failed with a few fatigue cycles. At 470° C a large number of cycles could be obtained before failure, and the cyclic stress-strain response showed a period of rapid hardening followed by a period of decreasing hardening rate. TEM investigations of the lower temperature samples show structures of isolated dislocation dipoles, multipoles and debris. At 470° C dense bundles of dislocations were observed aligned perpendicular to the Burgers vector direction. The regions between the bundles were relatively dislocation free, but they contained a high density of debris. Bowed out screw dislocations are observed between the edge dislocation bundles, suggesting that screw dislocations were largely mobile. Comparisons are made with the cyclic deformation and structure of fcc metals and other NaCl structure single crystals.