cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Comonomer on the Microstructure of Butadiene Copolymers

Abstract The microstructure of butadiene-styrene copolymers having a wide range of styrene contents has been determined by infrared absorption. The results demonstrate that the percentage of trans-1,4-addition increases, the 1,2-addition decreases, and the cis-1,4-addition decreases as the styrene content is increased. Similar measurements of five other butadiene copolymer systems indicate that all these vinyl monomers, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, methylvinyl ketone, vinylpyridine, and α-methylstyrene, change the microstructure in the same direction as styrene, differing only in the magnitude of their effect. A theoretical explanation, consistent with the experimental results obtained, is given for the change in microstructure with comonomer content.
The cation channel TRPA1 tunes mosquito thermotaxis to host temperatures

While most animals thermotax only to regulate their temperature, female mosquitoes are attracted to human body heat during pursuit of a blood meal. Here we elucidate the basic rules of Aedes aegypti thermotaxis and test the function of candidate thermoreceptors in this important behavior. We show that host-seeking mosquitoes are maximally attracted to thermal stimuli approximating host body temperatures, seeking relative warmth while avoiding both relative cool and stimuli exceeding host body temperature. We found that the cation channel TRPA1, in addition to playing a conserved role in thermoregulation and chemosensation, is required for this specialized host-selective thermotaxis in mosquitoes. During host-seeking, AaegTRPA1(-/-) mutants failed to avoid stimuli exceeding host temperature, and were unable to discriminate between host-temperature and high-temperature stimuli. TRPA1-dependent tuning of thermotaxis is likely critical for mosquitoes host-seeking in a complex thermal environment in which humans are warmer than ambient air, but cooler than surrounding sun-warmed surfaces.
Formal Support for Standardizing Protocols with State

Many cryptographic protocols are designed to achieve their goals using only messages passed over an open network. Numerous tools, based on well-understood foundations, exist for the design and analysis of protocols that rely purely on message passing. However, these tools encounter difficulties when faced with protocols that rely on non-local, mutable state to coordinate several local sessions. We adapt one of these tools, cpsa, to provide automated support for reasoning about state. We use Ryan's Envelope Protocol as an example to demonstrate how the message-passing reasoning can be integrated with state reasoning to yield interesting and powerful results.
Emergency Room Nurses Transitioning from Curative to End-of-Life Care: The Rural Influence

Rural nurses typically fill several roles as needed from acute and extended care settings and to the emergency room. The nurse’s role with aggressive curative efforts involves an intense clinical focus; while end-of-life care entails an intense psychosocial focus. Emergency room (ER) nurses commonly experience these two intense foci of care in succession. Purpose: With the limited resources in rural hospitals, it was necessary to explore the rural influence on rural ER nurses transitioning from curative to end-of-life care. The goal was to capture areas of need to best support rural nurses caring for dying patients and their families in the rural communities. Method: A secondary analysis using deductive content analysis incorporated Rural Nursing Theory to identify rural influences with rural ER nurses transitioning from curative to end-of-life care. In a primary study, Grounded Theory was used to explore ER nurses’ personal transitioning when the focus of patient care changes from curative to end-of-life. Registered nurses (N=10; rural n=6, urban n=4) from four hospitals (2 rural and 2 urban) in four different counties in Upstate New York participated in semi-structured interviews. Analysis yielded 29 concepts and producing five categories: preparing caring, immersion, making sense, changing gears, and reflecting. Three sub-processes, focus, feelings, and conflict were identified as common threads with conflict as a moderating factor influencing nurses transitioning from curative to end of life care. Findings: The concepts of distance, resources, and familiarity had the greatest influence on rural ER nurses transitioning from curative to end-of-life care. The strongest characteristic of rural nurses was self-reliance. For this reason, adequate support and resources are essential to care for dying patients and their families in rural communities. Conclusions: Implications for rural ER nursing include strategies to improve staff resources, access to education, and mentoring. Keywords : Rural, End-of-life, Transition, Emergency, Nurse DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v16i2.396
Sequential selection of a monotone subsequence from a random permutation

We find a two term asymptotic expansion for the optimal expected value of a sequentially selected monotone subsequence from a random permutation of length n. A striking feature of this expansion is that tells us that the expected value of optimal selection from a random permutation is quantifiably larger than optimal sequential selection from an independent sequences of uniformly distributed random variables; specifically, it is larger by at least (1/6) logn+O(1).
Some Legal Implications of the Precautionary Principle: Improving Information-Generation and Legal Protections

In creating a legal agenda in service of the Precautionary Principle, the idea of precaution requires more inventories and better monitoring of the condition of public and workforce health than at present. Rectifying problems of the past to better serve the aims of precaution will require more affirmative pre-market and much more post-market knowledge-generation by those who create and use potentially toxic substances, improved pre-market review of substances, better responses to early warnings, and quicker protective post-market responses to evidence of toxicity. This paper conceptualizes a model pre-market screening law to highlight the need for primary prevention measures and to provide philosophic ideas for improving post-market laws and addressing a large universe of existing substances that have been poorly characterized. Although retrospective personal injury law does not have good mechanisms for precaution, even this can be more protective than it is at present by enhancing causes of action for reasonable fear of disease and medical monitoring, and moving to create new causes of action for failure to develop and disseminate information needed to assess the toxicity of substances.
Reduced complexity multi-scale path-planning on probabilistic maps

We present several modifications to the previously proposed MSPP algorithm that can speed-up its execution considerably. The MSPP algorithm leverages a multi-scale representation of the environment in n dimensions encoded in tree structure constructed by recursive dyadic partitioning of the search space. We first present a new method to compute the graph neighbors in order to reduce the complexity of each iteration, from O(|V|2) to O(|V| log |V|). We then show how to delay expensive intermediate computations until we know that new information will be required, hence saving time by not operating on information that is never used during the search. Finally, we present a way to remove the very expensive need to calculate a full multi-scale map with the use of sampling and derive an upper bound on the probability of failure as a function of the number of samples.
Spin-Directed Momentum Transfers in SIDIS Baryon Production

The measurement of transverse single-spin asymmetries for baryon production in the target fragmentation region of semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering (SIDIS), can produce important insight into those nonperturbative aspects of QCD directly associated with confinement and with the dynamical breaking of chiral symmetry. We discuss here, in terms of spin-directed momentum transfers, the powerful quantum field- theoretical constraints on the spin-orbit dynamics underlying these transverse spin observables. The Aτ -odd spin-directed momentum shifts, originating either in the target nucleon (δkTN ) or in the QCD jets (δ pTN ) produced in the deep inelastic scattering process, represent significant quantum entanglement effects connecting information from current fragmentation with observables in target fragmentation.
Design of a Clutchless Hybrid Transmission for a High-Performance Vehicle

There exists the potential for major simplifications to current hybrid transmission architectures, which can lead to advances in powertrain performance. This paper assesses the technical merits of various hybrid powertrains in the context of high-performance vehicles and introduces a new transmission concept targeted at high performance hybrid applications. While many hybrid transmission configurations have been developed and implemented in mainstream and even luxury vehicles, ultra high performance sports cars have only recently begun to hybridize. The unique performance requirements of such vehicles place novel constraints on their transmissions designs. The goals become less about improved efficiency and smoothness and more centered on weight reduction, complexity reduction, and performance improvement. To identify the most critical aspects of a high performance transmission, a wide range of existing technologies is studied in concert with basic physical performance analysis of electrical motors and an internal combustion engine. The new transmission concepts presented here emphasize a reduction in inertial, frictional, and mechanical losses. A series of conceptual powertrain designs are evaluated against the goals of reducing mechanical complexity and maintaining functionality. The major innovation in these concepts is the elimination of a friction clutch to engage and disengage gears. Instead, the design proposes that the inclusion of a large electric motor enables the gears to be speed-matched and torque-zeroed without the inherent losses associated with a friction clutch. Additionally, these transmission concepts explore the merits of multiple electric motors and their placement as well as the reduction in synchronization interfaces. Ultimately, two strategies for speed-matched gear sets are considered, and a speed-matching prototype of the chosen methodology is presented to validate the feasibility of the proposed concept. The power flow and operational modes of both transmission architectures are studied to ensure required functionality and identify further areas of optimization. While there are still many unanswered questions about this concept, this paper introduces the base analysis and proof of concept for a technology that has great potential to advance hybrid vehicles at all levels.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Zika Virus and Global Implications for Reproductive Health Reforms

The rapid global spread of Zika virus, especially in developing countries in Latin America, presents new and significant risks to the public’s health, notably among pregnant women and their infants. Zika virus is predominantly spread via the Aedes species of mosquitos, but sexual transmission between infected males and their female partners has also been shown. While related morbidity of Zika virus remains uncertain, credible evidence is growing of the link between infection of women and potentially disabling mental and physical impairments of their fetuses. Public health scientists are virtually sure that increased rates of microcephaly (abnormally small skulls and brains) among thousands of Brazilian infants over the past several months are tied to Zika infection. New evidence of vision, hearing, and long-term mental health disabilities among Zika-affected babies is also mounting.
CYTOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF FERRITIN H IN RENAL ISCHEMIA REPERFUSION INJURY

Oxidative stress is a major contributor to kidney injury following ischemia reperfusion. Ferritin, a highly conserved iron-binding protein, is a key protein in the maintenance of cellular iron homeostasis and protection from oxidative stress. Ferritin mitigates oxidative stress by sequestering iron and preventing its participation in reactions that generate reactive oxygen species. Ferritin is composed of two subunit types, termed ferritin H and ferritin L. Using an in vivo model that enables conditional tissue-specific doxycycline inducible expression of ferritin H in the mouse kidney, we tested the hypothesis that an increased level of H-rich ferritin is renoprotective in ischemic acute renal failure. Histopathologic examination following ischemia reperfusion revealed that ferritin H overexpression increased intact nulei in renal tubules, reducted the frequency of tubular profiles with luminal cast materials, and reduced activated caspase 3 in the kidney. 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal protein adducts, a measure of oxidant stress, were decreased in ischemia reperfused kidneys of ferritin H overexpressors. These studies demonstrate that ferritin H can inhibit apoptotic cell death, enhance tubular epithelial viability, and preserve renal function by limiting oxidative stress following ischemia reperfusion injury.
Catalytic Oxidative Cyclization of 2′-Arylbenzaldehyde Oxime Ethers under Photoinduced Electron Transfer Conditions

A series of 2′-arylbenzaldehyde oxime ethers were synthesized and shown to generate the corresponding phenanthridines upon irradiation in the presence of 9,10-dicyanoanthracene in acetonitrile. Mechanistic studies suggest that the oxidative cyclization reaction sequence is initiated by an electron transfer step followed by nucleophilic attack of the aryl ring onto the nitrogen of the oxime ether. A concave downward Hammett plot is presumably the result of a change in charge distribution in the radical cation species with strongly electron-donating substituents that yields a less electrophilic nitrogen atom and a decreased amount of cyclized product. The reaction is selective (no nitrile byproduct is formed unlike other photochemical reactions involving aldoxime ethers) as well as regiospecific when using 2′-aryl groups with meta-substituents, making this reaction a useful alternative for preparing substituted phenanthridines.
Evaluating Topological Models of Neuromodulation in Polyworld

Neuromodulation or the modification of neural activity can enhance the biological capabilities of organisms for learning and adaptation (Doya, 2002). Computational models of neuromodulation have demonstrated an advantage for specific tasks (McHale and Husbands, 2003; Parussel, 2006; Soltoggio et al., 2008). In this paper we introduce simple, topological models of neuromodulation and provide a preliminary evaluation of their performance in a foraging task implemented in Polyworld. This work is novel in its evaluation of neuromodulatory models on tasks involving multiple agents competing in an ecologically demanding environment. Polyworld abstracts away the complexity of basic locomotion and digestion, but is biologically consistent in energy conservation, and simulations routinely involve populations of hundreds of neurally controlled agents. The work is also novel in its evaluation of a diverse mixture of models, employing two distinct neural growth models and two distinct models of neuromodulation to draw distinctions otherwise difficult to ascertain. The models developed in Polyworld are explained, evaluated and compared with other computational models of neuromodulation. In particular we find that neuromodulation may be able to enhance or diminish foraging performance in a competitive, dynamic environment, depending upon the nature of the action of neuromodulation and the distribution of neuromodulatory sources.
Cold-Induced Spreading of Water Drops on Hydrophobic Surfaces

Superhydrophobic surfaces are characterized by their peculiarities, such as water-repellent, anti-icing, and freezing-delay properties. Wetting dynamics of deposited water drops on cooling hydrophobic surfaces, which directly affects the aforementioned properties, has not been studied thoroughly. Here, water drops are cooled on different hydrophobic surfaces in a controlled environment. During the cooling process, a significant increase in the drop footprint and decrease in the apparent contact angle are observed because of premature and capillary condensation, followed by thin water film formation adjacent to the solid–liquid–gas line. The water thin film propagates on the hydrophobic substrates radially away from the trijunction, followed by spreading of the drop on the film, which was experimentally validated through high-speed visualization. In addition, the roles of physical variables, such as the substrate temperature, humidity of surrounding air, types of hydrophobic surfaces, surface roughness, an...
Pre-clinical Training for New Notes Procedures: From Ex-vivo Models to Virtual Reality Simulators

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a newer field of endoscopic surgery that allows for scarless treatment of pathologic entities, using novel transluminal approaches. There has been a shift of focus from a clinical and research standpoint from the development and dissemination of "first-generation" NOTES procedures to "new NOTES" procedures that traverse the mucosa of luminal structures, yet do not stray far into the peritoneal cavity. It has been a challenge to find appropriate and effective ways to train gastroenterologists and surgeons in these novel approaches. We review the importance of simulation in training and discuss available simulation options.
Enantioselective approach to quinolizidines: total synthesis of cermizine D and formal syntheses of senepodine G and cermizine C.

The formal syntheses of C5-epi-senepodine G and C5-epi-cermizine C have been accomplished through a novel diastereoselective, intramolecular amide Michael addition process. The total synthesis of cermizine D has been achieved through use of an organocatalyzed, heteroatom Michael addition to access a common intermediate. Additional key steps of this sequence include a matched, diastereoselective alkylation with an iodomethylphenyl sulfide and sulfone-aldehyde coupling/reductive desulfurization sequence to combine the major subunits. The utility of a Hartwig-style C–N coupling has been explored on functionally dense coupling partners. Diastereoselective conjugate additions to α,β-unsaturated sulfones have been investigated, which provided the key sulfone intermediate in just six steps from commercially available starting materials. The formal syntheses of senepodine G and cermizine C have been accomplished through an intramolecular cyclization process of a N-Boc-protected piperidine sulfone.
Adaptive-optics optical coherence tomography processing using a graphics processing unit

Graphics processing units are increasingly being used for scientific computing for their powerful parallel processing abilities, and moderate price compared to super computers and computing grids. In this paper we have used a general purpose graphics processing unit to process adaptive-optics optical coherence tomography (AOOCT) images in real time. Increasing the processing speed of AOOCT is an essential step in moving the super high resolution technology closer to clinical viability.
Investigation of the flow-field of two parallel round jets impinging normal to a flat surface

The flow-field features of dual jet impingement were investigated through sub-scale model experiments. The experiments were designed to simulate the environment of a Short Takeoff, and Vertical Landing, STOVL, aircraft performing a hover over the ground, at different heights. A dual impinging jet model was designed, fabricated, and tested. The scale model consisted of two stainless-steel nozzles, in a tandem configuration, each with an exit diameter of approximately 12.7 mm. The front convergent nozzle was operated at the sonic Mach number of 1.0, while the rear C-D nozzle was generally operated supersonically. The nozzles were embedded in a rectangular flat plate, referred to as the lift plate, which represents a generic lifting surface. The lift plate was instrumented with 36 surface pressure taps, which were used to examine the flow entrainment and recirculation patterns caused by varying the stand-off distance from the nozzle exits to a flat ground surface. The stand-off distance was adjusted with a sliding rail frame that the ground plane was mounted to. Typical dimensionless stand-off distances (ground plane separation) were H/DR = 2 to 24. A series of measurements were performed with the scale model, in the Penn State High Speed Jet Aeroacoustics Laboratory, to characterize the basic flow phenomena associated with dual jet impingement. The regions of interest in the flow-field included the vertical jet plume(s), near impingement/turning region, and wall jet outwash. Other aspects of interest included the loss of lift (suckdown) that occurs as the ground plane separation distance becomes small, and azimuthal variation of the acoustic noise radiation. Various experimental methods and techniques were used to characterize the flow-field, including flow-visualization, pressure rake surveys, surface mounted pressure taps, laser Doppler velocimetry, and acoustic microphone arrays.
Vasospasm Risk in Surgical ICU Patients With Grade I Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with high mortality. The initial hemorrhage causes death in approximately 25% of patients, with most subsequent mortality being attributable to delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Delayed cerebral ischemia generally occurs on post-bleed days 4 through 20, with the incidence peaking at day 8. Because of the risks of DCI, patients with SAH are usually monitored in an intensive care unit (ICU) for 14 to 21 days. Unfortunately, prolonged ICU admissions are expensive and are associated with well-documented risks to patients. We hypothesized that a subset of patients who are at low risk of DCI should be safe to transfer out of the ICU early. All patients admitted to Montefiore Medical Center from 2008 to 2013 with grade I SAH who had their aneurysms successfully protected, had an uncomplicated postoperative course, and had no clinical or ultrasonographic evidence of DCI after day 8 were retrospectively studied. The primary outcome was clinical or ultrasonographic evidence of the development of DCI after day 8. Secondary outcomes included length of ICU and hospital stay and hospital mortality. Forty patients who met the above-mentioned criteria were identified. Of these, only 1 (2.5%) developed ultrasonographic evidence of DCI after day 8 but required no intervention. The mean length of stay in the ICU was until post-bleed day 13, and the mean hospital length of stay was until post-bleed day 14. The in-hospital mortality was 0 of 40. Thus, we identified a low-risk subset of patients with grade I SAH who may be candidates for early transfer out of the ICU.
Adult attachment as a moderator of treatment outcome for generalized anxiety disorder: Comparison between cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) plus supportive listening and CBT plus interpersonal and emotional processing therapy.

Objective To determine whether baseline dimensions of adult insecure attachment (avoidant and anxious) moderated outcome in a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) plus supportive listening (CBT + SL) versus CBT plus interpersonal and emotional processing therapy (CBT + I/EP). Method Eighty-three participants diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) were recruited from the community and assigned randomly to CBT + SL (n = 40) or to CBT + I/EP (n = 43) within a study using an additive design. PhD-level psychologists treated participants. Blind assessors evaluated participants at pretreatment, posttreatment, 6-month, 12-month, and 2-year follow-up with a composite of self-report and assessor-rated GAD symptom measures (Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Clinician's Severity Rating). Avoidant and anxious attachment were assessed using self-reported dismissing and angry states of mind, respectively, on the Perceptions of Adult Attachment Questionnaire. Results Consistent with our prediction, at all assessments higher levels of dismissing styles in those who received CBT + I/EP predicted greater change in GAD symptoms compared with those who received CBT + SL for whom dismissiveness was unrelated to the change. At postassessment, higher angry attachment was associated with less change in GAD symptoms for those receiving CBT + I/EP, compared with CBT + SL, for whom anger was unrelated to change in GAD symptoms. Pretreatment attachment-related anger failed to moderate outcome at other time points and therefore, these moderation effects were more short-lived than the ones for dismissing attachment. Conclusions When compared with CBT + SL, CBT + I/EP may be better for individuals with GAD who have relatively higher dismissing styles of attachment.
B-2'-isoprenyldiisopinocampheylborane : an efficient reagent for the chiral isoprenylation of aldehydes. A convenient route to both enantiomers of ipsenol and ipsdienol

Abstract B-2′-Isoprenyldiisopinocampheylborane is prepared by metallation of isoprene with potassium 2,2,5,5-tetramethylpiperidide followed by sequential treatment with B-methoxydiisopinocampheylborane and boron trifluoride-etherate. Condensation of this reagent with aldehydes provides isoprenylated chiral alcohols. This methodology is utilized for an efficient one-pot synthesis of both enantiomers of the pheromones of the bark beetle Ips paraconfusus Lanier, ipsenol and ipsdienol in 96% ee and 65% isolated yields.
Design of Materials for Solar-Driven Fuel Production by Metal-Oxide Thermochemical Cycles

Development of carbon-neutral routes to liquid fuels is essential if the impacts of climate change are to be mitigated and ultimately reversed. Accounting for thermochemical collection and processing efficiencies, solar thermochemical fuel production (STFP) could achieve average annual solar-to-fuel efficiencies (AASFE) in excess of 25% using a dish solar collector, assuming the development of an advanced working metal oxide substrate. A large number of diverse metal oxides have been proposed for STFP, the most actively investigated materials currently are the non-volatile oxides ferrites and ceria. This article provides insights into the design of materials for solar-driven fuel production using thermochemical cycles.
Recent credit surge in historical context

Benign financing conditions since the global financial crisis and, more recently, rising financing needs have fueled a rapid increase in credit to the nonfinancial private sector, especially to the corporate sector, in emerging markets and developing economies. Credit growth has been most pronounced, and nearing the pace associated with past credit booms, in commodity exporting countries. In contrast, in commodity importers, credit-to-gross domestic product ratios are elevated but have been stable or shrinking over the past few years. That said, in a few, mostly energy exporting, emerging and developing countries, credit to the private sector is now near levels that have been associated with past episodes of financial stress.
Kazhdan-Lusztig Polynomials for 321-Hexagon-Avoiding Permutations

In (Deodhar, i>Geom. Dedicata, 36(1) (1990), 95–119), Deodhar proposes a combinatorial framework for determining the Kazhdan-Lusztig polynomials i>Px,w in the case where i>W is any Coxeter group. We explicitly describe the combinatorics in the case where W=\hbox{\ca}_n (the symmetric group on i>n letters) and the permutation i>w is 321-hexagon-avoiding. Our formula can be expressed in terms of a simple statistic on all subexpressions of any fixed reduced expression for i>w. As a consequence of our results on Kazhdan-Lusztig polynomials, we show that the Poincare polynomial of the intersection cohomology of the Schubert variety corresponding to i>w is (1+q)^{l(w)} if and only if i>w is 321-hexagon-avoiding. We also give a sufficient condition for the Schubert variety i>Xw to have a small resolution. We conclude with a simple method for completely determining the singular locus of i>Xw when i>w is 321-hexagon-avoiding. The results extend easily to those Weyl groups whose Coxeter graphs have no branch points (i>Bn, i>F4, i>G2).
Convergent Synthesis of Diverse Nitrogen Heterocycles via Rh(III)-Catalyzed C-H Conjugate Addition/Cyclization Reactions.

The development of Rh(III)-catalyzed C–H conjugate addition/cyclization reactions that provide access to synthetically useful fused bi- and tricyclic nitrogen heterocycles is reported. A broad scope of C–H functionalization substrates and electrophilic olefin coupling partners is effective, and depending on the nature of the directing group, cyclic imide, amide, or heteroaromatic products are obtained. An efficient synthesis of a pyrrolophenanthridine alkaloid natural product, oxoassoanine, highlights the utility of this method.
Using peer assisted strategies to teach early writing: results of a pilot study to examine feasibility and promise

Despite the poor outcomes for U.S. students on national writing tests, overall research on how to teach writing is sparse, and this scarcity is more pronounced in the early years of beginning to write. In this study 81,200 we present preliminary findings from Year 1 of a 3-year Institute of Education Sciences-funded Goal 2 project aimed at improving the writing performance of kindergarten children. We designed peer assisted writing strategies (PAWS) and tested its feasibility and promise. Participants for this study were 86 kindergartners ranging in age from 62 to 76 months, recruited from five classes in two different schools. It was feasible for research staff to deliver PAWS, which combined the need to focus early writing instruction on critical transcription skills with an effective learning pedagogy (i.e., peer-assisted learning). Lessons that targeted writing letters focused on formation and fluency, and lessons that targeted spelling focused on teaching letter sound correspondence for spelling decodable words and recognition and spelling practice for sight words. Results indicated that there were statistically significant differences between the PAWS participants and the control children on the alphabet fluency and essay post-test measures. Thus preliminary results indicate that PAWS instruction helped children, on average, improve early writing skills. Directions for future research are discussed.
Non-invasive photo acoustic approach for human bone diagnosis.

Abstract The existing modalities of bone diagnosis including X-ray and ultrasound may cite drawback in some cases related to health issues and penetration depth, while the ultrasound modality may lack image quality. Photo acoustic approach however, provides light energy to the acoustic wave, enabling it to activate and respond according to the propagating media (which is type of bones in this case). At the same time, a differential temperature change may result in the bio heat response, resulting from the heat absorbed across the multiple materials under study. In this work, we have demonstrated the features of using photo acoustic modality in order to non-invasively diagnose the type of human bones based on their electrical, thermal, and acoustic properties that differentiate the output response of each type. COMSOL software was utilized to combine both acoustic equations and bio heat equations, in order to study both the thermal and acoustic responses through which the differential diagnosis can be obtained. In this study, we solved both the acoustic equation and bio heat equations for four types of bones, bone (cancellous), bone (cortical), bone marrow (red), and bone marrow (yellow). 1 MHz acoustic source frequency was chosen and 10 5 W/m 2 power source was used in the simulation. The simulation tested the dynamic response of the wave over a distance of 5 cm from each side for the source. Near 2.4 cm was detected from simulation from each side of the source with a temperature change of within 0.5 K for various types of bones, citing a promising technique for a practical model to detect the type of bones via the differential temperature as well as the acoustic was response via the multiple materials associated with the human bones (skin and blood). The simulation results suggest that the PA technique may be applied to non-invasive diagnosis for the different types of bones, including cancerous bones. A practical model for detecting both the temperature change via IR sensors, and acoustic wave signals may be detected via sensitive pressure transducer, which is reserved for future realization.
On random pm 1 matrices: singularity and determinant

We proved several results concerning the determinant of a random pm 1 matrix. In particular, we show that with high probability, the determinant has absolute value very close to √n!.
Methane mitigation timelines to inform energy technology evaluation

Energy technologies emitting differing proportions of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) vary significantly in their relative climate impacts over time, due to the distinct atmospheric lifetimes and radiative efficiencies of the two gases. Standard technology comparisons using the global warming potential (GWP) with a fixed time horizon do not account for the timing of emissions in relation to climate policy goals. Here we develop a portfolio optimization model that incorporates changes in technology impacts based on the temporal proximity of emissions to a radiative forcing (RF) stabilization target. An optimal portfolio, maximizing allowed energy consumption while meeting the RF target, is obtained by year-wise minimization of the marginal RF impact in an intended stabilization year. The optimal portfolio calls for using certain higher-CH4-emitting technologies prior to an optimal switching year, followed by CH4-light technologies as the stabilization year approaches. We apply the model to evaluate transportation technology pairs and find that accounting for dynamic emissions impacts, in place of using the static GWP, can result in CH4 mitigation timelines and technology transitions that allow for significantly greater energy consumption while meeting a climate policy target. The results can inform the forward-looking evaluation of energy technologies by engineers, private investors, and policy makers.
Fonts of potential: Areas for typographic research in political communication

As the prevalence of digital technologies has increased, so too has the prevalence of graphically designed content. In particular, typography has emerged as an increasingly important tool for visual communication. In recent years, political actors have seized upon the expressive potential of typography to communicate their messages, to support their campaign efforts, and to establish viable brand identities. However, researchers have been slow to address the new role typography plays in the processes of political communication. Therefore, this article both synthesizes and proposes key areas for research on typography in political communication. Drawing on extant literature across the fields of design, communication, and political science, this article identifies the ways in which typography contributes to the communicative and organizational aims of political actors, demonstrates these contributions with examples from recent political campaigns, and concludes by pointing toward unanswered questions for future studies to address.
Understanding elite commitment to social protection: Rwanda’s Vision 2020 Umurenge Programme

This paper examines the political economy of Rwanda.s Vision 2020 Umurenge Programme, concluding that strong government commitment to the programme has been shaped by the specific characteristics of the political settlement that was established around 2000. For the Rwandan government, the programme has never been just about social transfer, but a key part of the development strategy that aims to promote social stability and the legitimacy of the ruling coalition through rapid socioeconomic development. In particular, the programme originated in an emerging distributional crisis in the mid-2000s in which rapid economic growth alongside low rates of poverty reduction threatened the government narrative of inclusive development. While donor social protection ideas have also been influential, these are purposefully adapted by government with a view to meeting its developmental and political goals.
Measuring Effects of SNAP on Obesity at the Intensive Margin

The effects of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on obesity have been the focus of much debate. However, causal interpretation of estimates from previous studies, comparing participants to non-participants, is complicated by endogeneity and possible misreporting of participation in SNAP. In this paper, we take a novel approach to examine quasi-experimental variation in SNAP benefit amount on adult obesity. Children of SNAP households qualify for free in-school meals, thus freeing some additional benefits for the household. A greater proportion of school-age children eligible for free in-school meals proxies for an exogenous increase in the amount of SNAP benefits available per adult. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-1979 we show that school meals represent a non-trivial part of the food budget for SNAP households. We find that increases in SNAP benefits have no effect on obesity levels for the full sample of those who report SNAP participation. To better isolate the effects of additional benefits from other potential changes we restrict our analysis to adults living in households with at least one child under 5 years of age. In this setting, we find that additional SNAP benefits reduce BMI and the probability of being obese for SNAP adults. Specifically, when one child in a household of four becomes school-aged, adult BMI is expected to decrease by 0.23 units and the probability of being obese decreases by 2.58 percentage points or by about 10%.
Understanding student behavioral engagement: Importance of student interaction with peers and teachers

ABSTRACTRecent theoretical conceptualizations of student engagement have raised questions about how to measure student engagement and how engagement varies not only across schools, but also within school and within classrooms. The authors build on existing research on student behavioral engagement and extend this research to emphasize a continuum of disengagement, active engagement, and passive engagement. They review common approaches to measuring engagement and highlight areas where new theoretical conceptualizations of engagement require new approaches to measurement. The authors analyze how student behavioral engagement changed depending on the context and demonstrate the need of a finer scale of engagement. They find there was not a uniform association of higher behavioral engagement and student interaction with peers, but it was the interaction with other students and the teacher that was predictive of increased engagement. Their work suggests that disaggregating behavioral engagement into disengage...
A Binary-Analog Correlator

The design and evaluation of a dual 128b binary-analog correlator based on charge transfer technology will be described. Correlator operates from -55° -125° C; dissipates less than 0.5W. Performance is not degraded by charge transfer losses.
SPARSE-A subgrid particle averaged Reynolds stress equivalent model: testing with a priori closure.

A Lagrangian particle cloud model is proposed that accounts for the effects of Reynolds-averaged particle and turbulent stresses and the averaged carrier-phase velocity of the subparticle cloud scale on the averaged motion and velocity of the cloud. The SPARSE (subgrid particle averaged Reynolds stress equivalent) model is based on a combination of a truncated Taylor expansion of a drag correction function and Reynolds averaging. It reduces the required number of computational parcels to trace a cloud of particles in Eulerian–Lagrangian methods for the simulation of particle-laden flow. Closure is performed in an a priori manner using a reference simulation where all particles in the cloud are traced individually with a point-particle model. Comparison of a first-order model and SPARSE with the reference simulation in one dimension shows that both the stress and the averaging of the carrier-phase velocity on the cloud subscale affect the averaged motion of the particle. A three-dimensional isotropic turbulence computation shows that only one computational parcel is sufficient to accurately trace a cloud of tens of thousands of particles.
PCAOB International Inspections and Audit Quality

ABSTRACT: We investigate the impact of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board's (PCAOB) first-time inspections of foreign accounting firms by examining abnormal accruals around the inspectio...
Forward Guidance without Common Knowledge

Abstract How does the economy respond to news about future policies or future fundamentals? Standard practice assumes that agents have common knowledge of such news and face no uncertainty about how others will respond. Relaxing this assumption attenuates the general equilibrium effects of news and rationalizes a form of myopia at the aggregate level. We establish these insights within a class of games which nests, but is not limited to, the New Keynesian model. Our results help resolve the forward-guidance puzzle, offer a rationale for the front-loading of fiscal stimuli, and illustrate more broadly the fragility of predictions that rest on long series of forward-looking feedback loops. (JEL D82, D83, D84, E12, E23, E52, E62)
PATIENT-SPECIFIC SHOULDER INSTRUMENTS: ARE THEY FOR EVERYONE?

CT-based three-dimensional (3D) pre-operative imaging along with 2D orthogonal sections defined by the plane of the scapula (axial, sagittal and coronal planes) has been demonstrated by many research groups to be a very accurate way to define the bone pathology and alignment/subluxation of the humeral head in relationship to the center line of the scapula or the center of the glenoid fossa. When 3D CT imaging is combined with 3D implant templating the surgeon is best able to define the optimal implant and its location for the desired correction of the bone abnormalities. The use and value of 3D imaging is best when the there is more severe bone pathology and deformity. Transferring the computer-based information of implant location to the surgical site can involve multiple methods. The three methods discussed in the literature to date including use of standard instrumentation in a manner specified by the pre-operative planning, use of single-use patient specific instrumentation and use of reusable patient specific instrumentation. Several cadaver and sawbone studies have demonstrated significant improvement in placement of the glenoid implant with both single use and reusable patient specific instrumentation when compared to use of 2D imaging and standard instrumentation. Randomised clinical trials have also shown that 3D planning and implant templating is very effective in accurate placement of the implant in the desired location using all three types of instrumentation. The optimal use of this technology is dependent upon the severity of the pathology and the experience and preference of the surgeon. With more severe pathology and less surgeon experience 3D pre-operative imaging and templating and use of some level of patient specific instrumentation provides more accurate placement of the glenoid implant.
DETECTION OF VIABLE LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN MILK USING AN ELECTROCHEMICAL METHOD

Growth of Listeria monocytogenes in a Listeria enrichment broth (LEB) was automatically monitored by electrochemical cyclic voltammetric scan using a gold working electrode. Changes in cyclic voltammograms were observed during growth of L. monocytogenes in LEB. The reduction peak at −0.4 V (vs Ag/AgCl) corresponding to the reduction of oxygen dissolved in LEB on cyclic voltammograms was decreasing with proliferation of L. monocytogenes, and disappeared eventually. A pair of reversible redox peaks appeared during growth of L. monocytogenes in LEB. These cyclic voltammetric characteristics can be used to detect L. monocytogenes in various samples. Threshold values (detection time) obtained from the oxygen consumption curves were inversely related to the concentrations of L. monocytogenes in the broth. A calibration curve was obtained by plotting initial cell concentrations (CFU/mL) determined by conventional plate counting, as a function of the detection time. A linear response was found on the calibration curve for L. monocytogenes between 1 ∼ 9 times 100 and 1 ∼ 9 times 105 cells/mL. The detection time was approximately 17 and 6 h for 1 ∼ 9 times 100 and 1 ∼ 9 × 105 cells/mL of viable L. monocytogenes in the broth, respectively. The method was evaluated in detection of L. monocytogenes in milk samples.
Macroeconomics with Endogenous Markups and Optimal Taxation

I augment a flexible price dynamic general equilibrium model with any symmetric intratemporal preferences over a variety of goods supplied under monopolistic, Bertrand, or Cournot competition to derive implications for business cycle and market inefficiencies. Endogenous markups can magnify the impact of shocks on consumption and labor supply through intertemporal substitution mechanisms, and the optimal fiscal policy requires a variable labor income subsidy and a capital income tax that converges to zero in the long run. With an endogenous number of goods and strategic interactions, entry also affects markups and the optimal fiscal policy requires also a tax on profits. I characterize equilibrium and efficient market structures and derive optimal tax rules for a variety of preferences, including a new type of general additive preferences that nest direct, indirect, implicit, and homothetic additivity.
A Different Frame of Reference: Entrepreneurship and Gender Differences in the Perception of Danger

Through a mixed-methods approach, we explore how the perceived dangers involved in starting a business in a dangerous region of the world differ by gender. We also explore the ways that women’s bus...
Brand Attitudes and Search Engine Queries

Abstract Search engines record the queries that users submit, including a large number of queries that include brand names. This data holds promise for assessing brand health. However, before adopting brand search volume as a brand metric, marketers should understand how brand search relates to traditional survey-based measures of brand attitudes, which have been shown to be predictive of sales. We investigate the relationship between brand attitudes and search engine queries using a unique micro-level data set collected from a panel of Google users who agreed to allow us to track their individual brand search behavior over eight weeks and link this search history to their responses to a brand attitude survey. Focusing on the smartphone and automotive markets, we find that users who are actively shopping in a category are more likely to search for any brand. Further, as users move from being aware of a brand to intending to purchase a brand, they are increasingly more likely to search for that brand, with the greatest gains as customers go from recognition to familiarity and from familiarity to consideration. Additionally, users that own and use a particular automotive or smartphone brand are much more likely to search for that brand, even when they are not in market suggesting that a substantial volume of brand search in these categories is not related to shopping or product search. We discuss the implications of these findings for assessing brand health from search data.