cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polydesigns and causal inference

In an increasingly common class of studies, the goal is to evaluate causal effects of treatments that are only partially controlled by the investigator. In such studies there are two conflicting features: (1) a model on the full cohort design and data can identify the causal effects of interest, but can be sensitive to extreme regions of that design's data, where model specification can have more impact; and (2) models on a reduced design (i.e., a subset of the full data), for example, conditional likelihood on matched subsets of data, can avoid such sensitivity, but do not generally identify the causal effects. We propose a framework to assess how inference is sensitive to designs by exploring combinations of both the full and reduced designs. We show that using such a "polydesign" framework generates a rich class of methods that can identify causal effects and that can also be more robust to model specification than methods using only the full design. We discuss implementation of polydesign methods, and provide an illustration in the evaluation of a needle exchange program.
Robust Image Matching under Partial Occlusion and Spatially Varying Illumination Change

Image matching is one of the most important tasks in computer vision. Most existing methods cannot achieve precise pattern matching under spatially varying illumination variations and partial occlusions. In this paper, we explicitly model spatial illumination variations as low-order polynomial functions in an energy minimization framework. Data constraints for the alignment and illumination parameters are derived from the first-order Taylor series approximation of the generalized brightness assumption with low-order polynomials used for modeling spatial illumination variations. We formulate the parameter estimation problem in a weighted least-squares framework by incorporating the influence function from robust estimation to derive an iterative reweighted least-squares algorithm. A dynamic weighting scheme, which combines the factors from the influence function, a measure of consistency between image gradients, and nonlinear image intensity sensing characteristics is used to improve the robustness of the image matching. In addition, a selective constraint sampling and an estimation-warping alternating strategy are used in the proposed algorithm to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the estimation. We have successfully applied the proposed algorithm to estimate affine transformations under partial occlusion and spatially varying illumination change for various industrial inspection tasks. Experimental results are shown to demonstrate the robustness, efficiency, and accuracy of the algorithm.
Real-time confocal microscopy of keratocyte activity in wound healing after cryoablation in rabbit corneas

A modified tandem scanning confocal microscope was used for real-time in vivo examination of the rabbit cornea following a cryogenic injury. The corneas of New Zealand white rabbits were frozen with a probe that had been cooled by immersion in liquid nitrogen, effectively destroying keratocytes in a central 5 mm diameter zone throughout the total thickness of the cornea. In these eyes, keratocyte repopulation and corneal stromal wound healing proceeded similarly to that which occurs after epikeratophakia, a refractive surgical procedure designed to change the curvature and optical power of the cornea. In epikeratophakia, a cryolathed donor corneal stroma lenticule is sutured onto the bare stroma of the recipient cornea. The collagen tissue lenticule is repopulated by keratocytes (corneal fibroblasts) that migrate in from the host cornea. In our study, the confocal microscope permitted sequential, noninvasive examination of the corneal stroma in the treated animals. Necrosis of the keratocytes, followed by activation of the remaining viable cells in the corneal periphery, was observed in the first 2 to 3 days after cryo injury. A fine stromal fibrous network was seen to develop; in three eyes, this network progressed to the development of a retrocorneal fibrous membrane and dense stromal fibrosis, both of which resulted in significant loss of corneal clarity. Our results suggest that the confocal microscope may be a valuable tool to provide much needed information on wound healing processes at the cellular level after corneal surgery and injury.
Learning Expressivity in Music Performance: An Exploratory Study:

Forty-six college musicians were questioned regarding how they had previously learned and continue to develop expressivity in their musical performance. The results showed that the instruction provided in private lessons, as compared to that of ensembles or music classes, were considered more consequential in learning expressive music performance. Although virtually all subjects reported that some teacher modeling was used in their college private lessons, a majority of subjects (61%) indicated that their lessons consisted mostly of verbal-based instruction regarding expressivity. Students with model-oriented private instructors reported spending a significantly greater proportion of practice time working on their felt emotions during performance. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for music education. Specific consideration is given to the use of an emotion-centered pedagogy in music instruction, and the relationship between performer felt emotion and the physical sound properties...
Predicting Capacities of Runways Serving New Large Aircraft

Abstract This paper presents a simplified approach for predicting the allowable load repetitions of New Large Aircraft (NLA) loading for airfield runways based on Non‐Destructive Test (NDT) data. Full‐scale traffic test results from the Federal Aviation Administration's National Airport Pavement Test Facility (NAPTF) were used to develop the NDT‐based evaluation methodology. Four flexible test pavement sections with variable (unbound layer) thicknesses were trafficked using six‐wheel and four‐wheel NLA test gears until the test pavements were deemed failed. Non‐destructive tests using a Heavy Weight Deflectometer (HWD) were conducted prior to the initiation of traffic testing to measure the pavement surface deflections. In the past, pavement surface deflections have been successfully used as an indicator of airport pavement life. In this study, the HWD surface deflections and the derived Deflection Basin Parameters (DBPs) were related to functional performance of NAPTF flexible pavements through simple re...
Frontiers in electronic structure theory

Current and emerging research areas in electronic structure theory promise to greatly extend the scope and quality of quantum chemical computations. Two particularly challenging problems are the accurate description of electronic near-degeneracies (as occur in bond-breaking reactions, first-row transition elements, etc.) and the description of long-range dispersion interactions in density functional theory. Additionally, even with the emergence of reduced-scaling electronic structure methods and basis set extrapolation techniques, quantum chemical computations remain very time-consuming for large molecules or large basis sets. A variety of techniques, including density fitting and explicit correlation methods, are making rapid progress toward solving these challenges.
Rovibrational Spectroscopic Constants and Fundamental Vibrational Frequencies for Isotopologues of Cyclic and Bent Singlet HC2N Isomers

Through established, highly-accurate ab initio quartic force fields (QFFs), a complete set of fundamental vibrational frequencies, rotational constants, and rovibrational coupling and centrifugal distortion constants have been determined for both the cyclic 1(sup 1) 1A' and bent 2(sup 1)A' DCCN, H(C13)CCN, HC(C-13)N, and HCC(N-15) isotopologues of HCCN. Spectroscopic constants are computed for all isotopologues using second-order vibrational perturbation theory (VPT2), and the fundamental vibrational frequencies are computed with VPT2 and vibrational configuration interaction (VCI) theory. Agreement between VPT2 and VCI results is quite good with the fundamental vibrational frequencies of the bent isomer isotopologues in accord to within a 0.1 to 3.2 / cm range. Similar accuracies are present for the cyclic isomer isotopologues. The data generated here serve as a reference for astronomical observations of these closed-shell, highly-dipolar molecules using new, high-resolution telescopes and as reference for laboratory studies where isotopic labeling may lead to elucidation of the formation mechanism for the known interstellar molecule: X 3A0 HCCN.
A Study of Electrospray Ionization Emitters with Differing Geometries with Respect to Flow Rate and Electrospray Voltage

The performance of several electrospray ionization emitters with different orifice inside diameters (i.d.s), geometries, and materials are compared. The sample solution is delivered by pressure driven flow, and the electrospray ionization voltage and flow rate are varied systematically for each emitter investigated, while the signal intensity of a standard is measured. The emitters investigated include a series of emitters with a tapered outside diameters (o.d.) and unaltered i.d.s, a series of emitters with tapered o.d.s and i.d.s, an emitter with a monolithic frit and a tapered o.d., and an emitter fabricated from polypropylene. The results show that for the externally etched emitters, signal was nearly independent of i.d. and better ion utilization was achieved at lower flow rates. Furthermore, emitters with a 50 μm i.d. and an etched o.d. produced about 1.5 times more signal than etched emitters with smaller i.d.s and about 3.5 times more signal than emitters with tapered inner and outer dimensions. Additionally, the work presented here has important implications for applications in which maximizing signal intensity and reducing frictional resistance to flow are necessary. Overall, the work provides an initial assessment of the critical parameters that contribute to maximizing the signal for electrospray ionization sources interfaced with pressure driven flows.
Multiple scattering of electromagnetic waves by rain

As the operating frequencies of communications systems move higher into the millimeter wave region, the effects of multiple scattering in precipitation media become more significant. In this paper, general formulations are presented for single, first-order multiple, and complete multiple scattering. Included specifically are distributions of particle size, shape, and orientation angle, as well as variation in the medium density along the direction of wave propagation. Calculations are performed for rain. It is shown that the effects of higher-order scattering are not noticeable in either attenuation or channel isolation on a dual-polarized system until frequencies of about 30 GHz are reached. The complete multiple-scattering formulation presented gives accurate results at high millimeter wave frequencies as well as including realistic medium parameter distributions. Furthermore, it is numerically efficient.
A molecular sequence metric and evolutionary trees

Abstract A precisely stated algorithm is given for reconstructing phylogenetic relationships from protein amino acid sequence data under the restriction that all distance measures be proper metrics. In conjunction with a general sequence metric, the algorithm is applied to the cytochrome c data used in earlier studies. This application demonstrates the importance of the metric triangle inequality property, results in an ancestral discrimination criterion and suggests that the chemical distance between proteins is linear with genetic coding distance.
Correlates of financial satisfaction

The objectives of this study are to 1) assess the effects of major correlates of global subjective well-being on financial satisfaction, and 2) use empirical data to present the consequences of violating basic regression assumptions. Analyzing data from the General Social Surveys, 1972-1996 (Davis & Smith, 1996a) this study found that among Americans age forty-five and above, most of the major correlates of global subjective well-being show similar effects on financial satisfaction. The study's findings confirm a nonlinear effect of income on financial satisfaction. Comparing results from different analytical methods, this study also alerts researchers to the importance of taking into account the level of measurements of study variables, which have tended to be overlooked by previous subjective well-being research.
Intraoral effects of a fluoride-releasing device on acid-softened enamel

This article investigates the effects of a controlled fluoride-releasing device on demineralized enamel using microhardness and acid-resistance testing plus the evaluation of fluoride uptake for 7- and 30-day treatments. The in vivo effects of an intraoral fluoride-releasing device on acid-softened enamel are investigated. Microhardness, acid-resistance, and fluoride uptake test values were significantly higher for treated specimens than for respective control specimens, and the values for specimens treated for 30 days were significantly higher than were the values for specimens treated for 7 days. The results suggest that the fluoride-releasing device provides an effective in vivo method of remineralizing enamel.
An Improved Optical Lock-In Detection Method for Contrast-Enhanced Imaging in Living Cells

Synthetic and genetically encoded optical switch probes and lock-in detection methods provide a means to modulate and isolate fluorescence signals from the optical switch and protein complexes of interest against un-modulated background sources. In this paper we propose an improved method for optical lock-in detection (OLID) fluorescence microscopy that can significantly enhance image contrast of optical switch probes within living cells. In particular, we introduce a method for automatic and optimal determination of the reference waveform, which is consequently used for the correlation analysis and construction of the contrast-enhanced image. The method involves computing the average scope of each pixel in the image over several switching cycles and then selecting the pixel with maximum scope as a reference point. The correlation between the fluorescence emission of each pixel over the switching cycles and the reference waveform is then computed. Finally a new contrast-enhanced image is constructed based on the scope-weighted correlation value. Our results of analysis show that this method and algorithm can remarkably improve contrast enhancement and noise reduction compared to the original method.
Controllable states of rigid heat conductors

Es werden stationare Temperaturfelder bestimmt, welche in allen isotropen homogenen starren Korpern ohne aussere Warmezufuhr moglich sind. Wenn der Warmestrom nur von der Temperatur und vom Temperaturgradienten abhangt, muss das Temperaturfeld gleichformig sein. Hangt der Warmestrom nur vom Temperaturgradienten ab, dann muss das Temperaturfeld schraubenformig sein. Fur den letzten Fall werden Beispiele gegeben.
Bradykinin elevates tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine β-hydroxylase mRNA levels in PC12 cells

Bradykinin is known to rapidly elevate intracellular calcium leading to secretion of neurotransmitters and short term activation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). In this study we examined the effect of bradykinin on mRNA levels of two catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes. Treatment of PC12 cells with 1 microM bradykinin for 3 h markedly elevated both TH and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) mRNA levels.
Yttrium-90 radioembolization for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: safety, response, and survival analysis.

Abstract Purpose To present data on safety, antitumoral response, and survival following yttrium-90 ( 90 Y) radioembolization for patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Materials and Methods The present study expands on the cohort of 24 patients with ICC described in a pilot study, and includes 46 patients treated with 90 Y radioembolization at a single institution during an 8-year period. Via retrospective review of a prospectively collected database, patients were stratified by performance status, tumor distribution (solitary or multifocal), tumor morphology (infiltrative or peripheral), and presence/absence of portal vein thrombosis. Primary endpoints included biochemical and clinical toxicities, and secondary endpoints included imaging response (World Health Organization [WHO] and European Association for the Study of Liver Disease [EASL] criteria) and survival. Uni-/multivariate analyses were performed. Results Ninety-two treatments were performed, with a mean of two per patient. Fatigue and transient abdominal pain occurred in 25 patients (54%) and 13 patients (28%), respectively. Treatment-related gastroduodenal ulcer developed in one patient (2%). WHO imaging findings included partial response (n = 11; 25%), stable disease (n = 33; 73%), and progressive disease (n = 1; 2%). EASL imaging findings included partial/complete response (n = 33; 73%) and stable disease (n = 12; 27%). Survival varied based on presence of multifocal (5.7 mo vs 14.6 mo), infiltrative (6.1 mo vs 15.6 mo), and bilobar disease (10.9 mo vs 11.7 mo). Disease was converted to resectable status in five patients, who successfully underwent curative (ie, R0) resection. Conclusions Radioembolization with 90 Y is safe and demonstrates antitumoral response and survival benefit in select patients with ICC. Results are most pronounced in patients with solitary tumors, for whom conversion to curative resection is possible.
Geographic variation in polyphenolic levels of Northeastern Pacific kelps and rockweeds

Brown algal polyphenolic compounds are secondary metabolites whose functions may include protecting plants from pathogens or damage by UV radiation, and deterring feeding by herbivores. We present here the first analysis of spatial variation (at scales from tens of meters to hundreds of kilometers) in concentration of these compounds in two orders of brown algae from the northeastern Pacific Ocean. In kelps (order Laminariales), variation among sites was significant in only 25% of species examined and was consistent within families (high in the Alariaceae and low in the Laminariaceae and Lessoniaceae). In rockweeds (order Fucales, family Fucaceae), site variation was high in three of four species examined. Both the proportion of high polyphenolic kelp species and the magnitude of spatial variation within species from both kelps and rockweeds were much higher than would have been predicted from previous studies in other regions. In one kelp (Laminaria groenlandica), significant differences between sites occurred at scales of only tens of meters. No latitudinal clines were observed. Differences in phenolic concentrations of kelps spanned nearly an order of magnitude in one species, Hedophyllum sessile. Phenolic levels were significantly higher in members of the Fucales than the Laminariales, but showed no significant differences between intertidal and subtidal species.
Microwave-Frequency Effects on Microplasma

Capacitively coupled microplasma generation becomes more efficient at microwave frequencies. Helium and argon microplasmas are characterized using excitation frequencies of 450 MHz, 900 MHz, and 1.8 GHz. These microplasmas are tested at both atmospheric pressure and 0.4 torr. We have experimentally determined the microplasma's electrical impedance, which consists of bulk plasma resistance and capacitive sheath reactance. These two parameters were measured by fitting theoretical power reflection coefficients to experimental forward and reflected microwave power as a function of frequency. Microplasma resistance decreases with increasing frequency, showing that the generation of free electrons depends on the driving frequency. In addition, the reactive sheath impedance and the microwave electrode voltage also decrease with an increase of frequency. A 3-D microplasma simulation shows that a narrower sheath width exists for higher frequency microplasma, and this is responsible for reducing the reactive impedance and the peak-to-peak electrode voltage. At higher microwave frequency, the decreased electrode voltage reduces both the plasma potential and the ion kinetic energy losses, thus increasing the electron density.
A fuzzy logic supervisor for PID control of unknown systems

The design of a fuzzy logic supervisor for proportional plus integral plus derivative control of unknown systems is carried out in this paper. The PID controllers are designed using Ziegler-Nichols tuning rules. Since the Ziegler-Nichols method provides nominal parameter values for the PID controller, the desired system response is not realized without additional tuning. A fuzzy supervisor is proposed to reduce the amount of additional tuning. The objective of the fuzzy supervisor is to gradually increase the derivative gain of the controller as the system error approaches zero. When the error and change in error are in the zero membership regions, the proportional gain is increased to improve the settling time of the system and an integral gain, if required, is added to eliminate steady-state error. Simulation results, demonstrating improvements in the response of the systems with fuzzy supervisor, are presented. >
Pseudocyst of the pancreas: Unusual radiographic presentations

Two patients with pancreatic pseudocysts in unusual locations are described. In one case the pseudocyst was first noted as a mass impinging on the lower pole of the left kidney, while the other person had a presacral mass which was found to be a pseudocyst. This entity should be included in the differential diagnosis when mass lesions are noted in these locations.
Strength prediction of multi-layer plain weave textile composites using the direct micromechanics method

Previously developed micromechanical methods for stiffness and strength prediction are adapted for analysis of multi-layer plain weave textile composites. Utilizing the direct micromechanics method (DMM) via finite element modeling, three methods are presented: (a) direct simulation of a multi-layer plain weave textile composite; (b) micromechanical analysis of a single layer of interest from the force and moment resultants acting on that layer; and (c) application of the previously developed quadratic stress-gradient failure theory to the layer of interest. In comparison to direct modeling, the other two techniques show only 5% difference over a number of random test cases. Several practical design examples of strength prediction are included to illustrate the importance and accuracy of method implementation.
Multivariate Distributions at a Cross Road

A selective survey of developments in the area of continuous multivariate statistical distributions during the twentieth century is presented with emphasis on non-normal models. Discrete multivariate distributions are not discussed. An extension of a useful bivariate family is indicated.
Logic characterization vehicle to determine process variation impact on yield and performance of digital circuits

Manufacturing of integrated circuits relies on the sequence of many hundred process steps. Each of these steps will have more or less variation, which has to be within a,certain limit to guarantee the chips functionality at a target speed. But, not every chip layout is susceptive to process variation the same way, which requires a link between process,capabilities and product design. This paper will present a novel Logic Characterization Vehicle (LCV) to investigate the yield and performance impact of process variation on high volume product chips. The LCV combines and manipulates new or already documented circuits like memory cells and combinatorial logic circuits within a JIG interface that allows fast and easy testability. Beside the functionality of such circuits, also path delay as well as cross talk issues can be determined. A standard digital functional tester can be used, since all timing critical measurements will be performed within the JIG. The described method allows early implementation of existing circuits for future technology nodes (shrinks). A Design Of Experiments (DOE) based implementation of possible layout manipulations will determine their impact on yield and performance of a target design as well as its sensitivity to process variation. The described approach can be used at a much earlier stage of product and process development, which will significantly shorten yield ramp.
Redefinition of transient ischemic attack improves prognosis of transient ischemic attack and ischemic stroke: an example of the will rogers phenomenon.

Background and Purpose—The recent redefinition of transient ischemic attack (TIA) reclassifies patients with acute infarction on magnetic resonance imaging as ischemic stroke. Redefinition will improve the prognosis of both TIA and ischemic stroke, an epidemiological paradox known as the Will Rogers phenomenon. We sought to quantify the impact of this phenomenon. Methods—Incidence of TIA, risk of death/disability after stroke, rate of acute infarction on magnetic resonance imaging after TIA, and 90-day stroke risk after TIA with and without infarction on magnetic resonance imaging were determined based on published data. The impact on poststroke disability in the redefined cohort of patients with ischemic stroke was computed. A sensitivity analysis was performed to account for uncertainty in input variables. Results—Using the new TIA definition, the 90-day risk of stroke following TIA is 1%. In the United States, redefinition will increase annual ischemic stroke incidence from 691 650 to 747 755 and resul...
Novel Reversible Integer Fourier Transform With Control Bits

This paper presents a novel concept of the reversible integer discrete Fourier transform (RiDFT) of order 2r, r > 2, when the transform is split by the paired representation into a minimum set of short transforms, i.e., transforms of orders 2k, k < r. By means of the paired transform the signal is represented as a set of short signals which carry the spectral information of the signal at specific and disjoint sets of frequencies. The paired transform-based fast Fourier transform (FFT) involves a few operations of multiplication that can be approximated by integer transforms. Examples of 1-point transforms with one control bit are described. Control bits allow us to invert such approximations. Two control bits are required to perform the 8-point RiDFT, and 12 (or even 8) bits for the 16-point RiDFT of real inputs. The proposed forward and inverse RiDFTs are fast, and the computational complexity of these transforms is comparative with the complexity of the FFT. The 8-point direct and inverse RiDFTs are described in detail.
XLIX. On the preparation of aluminium from kryolite

(1855). XLIX. On the preparation of aluminium from kryolite. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 10, No. 67, pp. 364-365.
STANDARDS USAGE LANGUAGE (SUL)

One of the major objectives in computer-aided engineering has been to develop computer-aided support for using standards in design systems. To eliminate most of the problems that occur when the knowledge present in standards is embedded in design systems, generalized standards processors have been proposed and prototyped by many researchers. In order for these generalized standards processors to be independent of the design systems that use them, yet allow for communication between them, a general and standardized communication protocol between them is required. This paper describes such a communication protocol in the form of a communication language we call the Standards Usage Language (SUL). SUL has been designed primarily to allow a design system to describe design information, ask for an evaluation of the conformance of a design to a standard, request the description of the feasible design space, browse the logical content of a standard, and request details of an evaluation. SUL provides this information in a form independent of the knowledge representation and reasoning method used to model the provisions of the standard. In this sense, SUL can be viewed as an application programming interface between design systems and generalized standards processing programs that check the conformance of a design against design standards.
Comparison between pure-water- and seawater-soluble nutrient concentrations of aerosols from the Gulf of Aqaba

Abstract Seawater-soluble nutrient fractions of aerosols better represent the contribution of aerosol dry deposition to the nutrient load from this source to the ocean than any estimates based on aerosol nutrients leached in pure water or acidic solutions. To understand the solubility difference between seawater and pure water, 31 pairs of aerosol samples collected from the Gulf of Aqaba were extracted in Sargasso seawater and pure water under consistent experimental conditions and procedures. Major inorganic N species (NO3− and NH4+) in the aerosols show similar solubilities in Sargasso seawater (average 44 and 23 nmol m− 3) and pure water (average 41 and 23 nmol m− 3). Seawater-soluble PO43− concentrations (average 0.4 nmol m− 3) are slightly lower than the purewater concentrations (average 0.5 nmol m− 3). Total soluble N and P, which include dissolved organic compounds, extracted from the aerosols into the seawater (average 65 and 0.4 nmol m− 3) are significantly lower than those extracted by pure water (average 75 and 0.7 nmol m− 3). It was found that the dissolution of crustal-dominated trace metals (e.g. Fe and Al) strongly decrease in the seawater compared to that in pure water, while similar amounts of aerosol Zn are leached in both seawater and pure water. The percentage solubilities of non-crustal trace metals (Cu, Ni and Zn) are about one or two orders of magnitude higher than those of Fe and Al in the seawater. Our comparison experiments suggest that some previous reports may have overestimated the dry deposition inputs of aerosol P, Fe, Al, Cu, and Ni to the ocean as a result of the use of solubility estimates obtained from pure water extractions. The estimated dry deposition fluxes of soluble nutrients showed that the atmospheric nutrient input could increase the possibility of P limitation in the Gulf of Aqaba and also contribute a significant fraction of dissolved nutrients to the euphotic zone during stratification period (April to October).
A proposed mechanism for turbulent enhancement of broadcast spawning efficiency

The broadcast spawning reproductive strategy relies on turbulent-stirring processes in the flow to bring together gametes previously released by adult males and females. The subsequent fertilization rate depends on the product of co-occurring concentrations of egg and sperm. Turbulent mixing produces a strong average dilution in these concentrations, suggesting that an increase in turbulence would reduce the average local fertilization rate. However, turbulent dilution occurs at time scales that may be long compared to those associated with fertilization. Therefore, the instantaneous structure of egg and sperm filaments at shorter time scales must be considered. In this paper, a mechanism is proposed whereby coherent turbulent structures in the velocity field cause coalescence between high-concentration filaments of egg and sperm, significantly enhancing the average fertilization rate. Simple analytical and numerical models are used to demonstrate how the mechanism works, and to make qualitative estimates of its effect on the resulting fertilization rate. The results suggest that the efficiency of broadcast spawning is a consequence of features in the instantaneous turbulent field, and that this efficiency is not captured by models that consider only time-averaged features of the flow.
Staple fitness: a concept to understand and predict the structures of thiolated gold nanoclusters.

A profound connection has been found between the structures of thiolated gold clusters and the combinatorial problem of pairing up dots on a surface. The bridge is the concept of staple fitness: the fittest combination corresponds to the experimental structure. This connection has been demonstrated for both Au{sub 25}(SR){sub 18} and Au{sub 38}(SR){sub 24} (-SR being a thiolate group) and applied to predict a promising structure for the recently synthesized Au{sub 19}(SR){sub 13}.
The IBM wireless sensor networking testbed

This paper describes the wireless sensor networking testbed built at the IBM Zurich Research Laboratory. The testbed has been used to address a wealth of exciting research challenges. Performance evaluations have been carried out with short-range wireless communication technologies, which are highly relevant for sensor networking such as IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee networks, Bluetooth WPANs, and IEEE 802.11b WLANs. With the testbed, the merits of wireless mesh networking for range extension and reliability enhancement have been explored. New light-weight messaging protocols for communication between sensors and an application server have been tested which allow to bring messaging-oriented middleware down to very low-end sensors and actuators. In addition, the testbed has been used to develop sensor applications for remote metering and location-sensing.
Material Characterizations for Rational Pavement Design

This paper describes a basis framework which is composed of an assemblage of mathematical models to form a structural subsystem intended to be used in the structural analysis of flexible pavements. Emphasis is placed upondescribing the newer type laboratory tests which provide the necessary inputs for the operation of the structural subsystem computer program package referred to in this paper as VESYS II. A method is presented whereby variations of the material properties which might be expected to occur in the field can be determined from the results of the laboratory tests. Several examples of computer output are given as well as those significant limitations which should be imposed on its use.
Uncertainty Importance Measure of Individual Components in Multi-State Systems

Traditional reliability importance measures have been successfully extended from binary-state models to multi-state models. The calculation of these measures typically relies on the true reliabilities of components. In reality, however, the true values of component reliabilities are usually unknown, and they are generally approximated by their estimates generated from testing or field failure data. The accuracy of the estimates is limited by the available data. Research on uncertainty importance measures (UIMs) has emerged on this account to rank components based on their potentials to reduce the uncertainty about the estimated system reliability. The UIMs of components for binary-state models are well studied, but there is a lack of studies dedicated to multi-state models. In this paper, the reliability estimator and the corresponding uncertainty (characterized by the variance estimator) are derived for multi-state systems with structures such as serial, parallel, bridge, and their more complex combinations. The derivation process utilizes multinomial reliability testing and the universal generating function method. With the help of the derived estimators, we extend uncertainty importance research to multi-state models through a newly defined variance-based measure. Examples are provided to demonstrate the proposed ideas.
A Simple Technique for Capsular Repair After Hip Arthroscopy

Capsulotomy is typically performed during arthroscopic treatment for femoroacetabular impingement. As the frequency of hip arthroscopy continues to expand rapidly, increased attention is being paid to the implications of interportal capsulotomy and the need for repair. To minimize the risk of postoperative instability, capsular closure has been recommended to restore the anatomy and biomechanical function of the capsule. We present a reliable, efficient, and effective method for arthroscopic closure of the interportal capsulotomy after hip arthroscopy.
An Experimental Investigation of the Free Jet Flow from a Radially Lobed Nozzle Using Hot-Wire Anemometry

Turbulence is a ubiquitous and important phenomenon in fluid mechanics and is also seen as a challenging topic of study in graduate education. In order for students to truly understand the physics of fluid flow and to use this knowledge to evaluate flow conditions, learning about the different measurement techniques employed for this purpose is essential. With this in mind, a graduate-level course in turbulence measurement techniques was introduced at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University around 20 years ago. The idea was to expand undergraduate students' knowledge of instrumentation and merge it with concepts in fluid mechanics, to ensure that students have a chance to follow the theoretical and practical aspects of flow measurement. The course was recently revamped to incorporate a project that allows students to work with one of the measurement methods discussed in class – hot-wire anemometry (HWA). Different post-processing techniques and turbulence analysis methods are disc...
Physisorption of Three Calix[4]arenes on Alkyl-Functionalized Mesoporous Silica for Biomimetic Ligand Development

Calixarene physisorption onto alkyl-functionalized silica support is presented as an alternative to tethering to reduce synthetic complexity. Three versions of calix[4]arene were synthesized with differing upper rim functional groups: aromatic amine, tert-butyl, and unfunctionalized. Calixarene molecules physisorbed throughout the alkyl layer on the silica following a linear isotherm with a maximum observed loading of 300 μmol g–1. Large exothermic adsorption enthalpies (−60 to −260 kJ mol–1), attributed to van der Waals interactions, were measured for the calixarene physisorption using flow microcalorimetry; large negative entropies were calculated (−140 to −780 J mol–1 K–1). Amine-calix[4]arene was physisorbed onto C18-silica (NCS) through solvent evaporation. The myoglobin uptake on NCS (47 μmol g–1) was twice that on C18-silica; additionally, a greater heat of adsorption (−16.9 ± 2.9 kJ mol–1) was observed on NCS than on C18-support (−12.7 ± 2.2 kJ mol–1).
Morphological and genetic discrepancies in populations of Oreocarya paradoxa and O. revealii: the impact of edaphic selection on recent diversification in the Colorado Plateau.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Investigations of recently derived and edaphically (soil) defined plant systems have provided insight into important mechanisms of ecological divergence. We investigated the impact of edaphic adaptation on recent divergence between two Colorado Plateau endemics: the gypsum facultative Oreocarya revealii (Boraginaceae) and its more generalist sister species O. paradoxa. We assessed morphological stability, genetic identity, and soil chemistry to determine whether O. revealii is a distinct lineage edaphically adapted from O. paradoxa, as has been described in the literature. METHODS We genotyped 21 populations throughout the ranges of both species using 11 microsatellite markers and three plastid regions (trnL-F, trnT-L, trnQ-rps16) for haplotype analysis. We compared these data with soil chemistry (Ca and S concentrations, indicating gypsum levels), location, and morphological identity of populations. KEY RESULTS Soil chemistry failed to explain genetic or morphological identity in either taxon. Haplotype analysis suggests ancestral variation in the more geographically restricted O. revealii, along with regional geographic isolation. A discontinuity was identified between the morphological and genetic identity in several populations, suggesting incomplete lineage sorting and the nonfixation of identifying morphological traits. CONCLUSIONS Oreocarya revealii is unlikely to have arisen via edaphic selection, because soil chemistry of population sites, morphology of individuals, and genetic identity are not strongly correlated. The nonfixation of identifying traits is likely a result of recent divergence in this system, and the potentiality of such discrepancies should be considered when investigating recently diversified gypsum-associated groups.
Cilazapril treatment depresses ventricular function in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The purpose of this study was to characterize the effect of chronic treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor on left ventricular function in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Cilazapril (5 mg/kg) was administered in the drinking water continuously for 11 wk, beginning at 4 wk of age. Systolic arterial pressure (SAP) was monitored weekly. At the end of the 11-wk period, left ventricular function was quantified using the perfused working heart preparation. Cilazapril exerted a rapid, complete, and persistent antihypertensive effect in the SHR in vivo but had no effect on SAP in the normotensive Sprague-Dawley (S-D) group. Nevertheless, the drug reduced left ventricular weight to the same extent in both strains. Function of untreated SHR hearts was not different from that of the untreated S-D hearts. Cilazapril treatment depressed heart performance (28-35%) in SHR but had no effect in the S-D group. The decline in pump performance in SHR hearts was associated with diminished tension development and velocity of shortening of papillary muscles. These results demonstrate that an ACE inhibitor, administered to young SHR, produces a reduction in left ventricular contractile function, which may be due to a decline in muscle contractility and which cannot be explained exclusively by the reduction in left ventricular mass.
Adaptive error concealment for temporal-spatial multiple description video coding

With the development of 3G/4G and WiFi networks, there has been a growing demand for video delivery over wireless channels. This increase of video traffic creates a significant challenge for efficient, reliable and adaptable video coding techniques. Multiple description coding (MDC) is an error resilient video coding method that has been proposed for streaming applications when retransmission is unacceptable. In this paper, we present error concealment approaches for two different four-description MDC architectures. In our first architecture, four descriptions are generated by temporal-spatial subsampling and encoded independently. To improve the error robustness, several adaptive error concealment methods are described. One of them is a frame-level method based on error tracking. It takes into account the distortion due to error concealment and error propagation. The other methods are macroblock-level methods based on foreground-background mapping and distortion mapping respectively. Our second MDC partition architecture aims at better coding efficiency and improved error robustness. Here spatial partitioning is done after prediction so that each of the two descriptions shares the same prediction loop. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of our proposed methods. HighlightsA new MDC is proposed for better coding efficiency and error robustness.A four-description MDC based on temporal and spatial splitting is described.Adaptive error concealment methods are used to combat packet loss.Experimental results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed MDC methods.
Structure/function studies of arsenite oxidoreductase and xanthine oxidase

The recently so lved X-ray crystal structure of th e molybdenum-containing arsenite ox id oredu cta se from Alcaligenes fa ecalis, is discu ssed, keeping in view the known mechanistic and spectroscop ic information regarding th e protein in a structural context. In addi tion, recent mec han istic studies of );,jant hin e oxidase are covered , with th e conclusion that the reaction meclianism is initiated by nuclcophilic attack of a Mo-OH group on substrate. Molybdenum is present in the enzyme nitrogenase as part of a multinuclear cluster with seven iron atoms. In all other molybdoenzymes, it is found in a mononuclear center l . 3 • In these mononuclear enzymes the metal ion of the active site is coordinated by one or two equivalents of a unique pyranopterin cofactor
Zirconium-Catalyzed Amine Borane Dehydrocoupling and Transfer Hydrogenation

κ5-(Me3SiNCH2CH2)2N(CH2CH2NSiMe2CH2)Zr (1) has been found to dehydrocouple amine borane substrates, RR′NHBH3 (R = R′ = Me; R = tBu, R′ = H; R = R′ = H), at low to moderate catalyst loadings (0.5–5 mol %) and good to excellent conversions, forming mainly borazine and borazane products. Other zirconium catalysts, (N3N)ZrX [(N3N) = N(CH2CH2NSiMe2CH2)3, X = NMe2 (2), Cl (3), and OtBu (4)], were found to exhibit comparable activities to that of 1. Compound 1 reacts with Me2NHBH3 to give (N3N)Zr(NMe2BH3) (5), which was structurally characterized and features an η2 B–H σ-bond amido borane ligand. Because 5 is unstable with respect to borane loss to form 2, rather than β-hydrogen elimination, and 2–4 do not exhibit X ligand loss during catalysis, dehydrogenation is hypothesized to proceed via an outer-sphere-type mechanism. This proposal is supported by the catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes by 2 using amine boranes as the sacrificial source of hydrogen.
Harnessing protein kinase A activation to induce mesenchymal-epithelial programs to eliminate chemoresistant, tumor-initiating breast cancer cells

Metastatic dissemination of primary tumors remains the most significant predictor of clinical outcomes of cancer patients, as well as the most lethal characteristic of human malignancies, including those that arise in the breast (1,2). Breast tumors are highly heterogeneous and comprised of numerous subclones that emanate from an array of genetic and epigenetic variants that coalesce in enhancing the fitness of disseminated cells upon their colonization of distant vital organs (3). Moreover, disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) are typically the culprits underlying clinical relapse in breast cancer patients, a process that transpires through the ability of DTCs to acquire tumor-initiating/stem-like and chemoresistant phenotypes, traits that cement DTCs as one of the foremost barriers to eradicating metastatic disease. The molecular mechanisms responsible for metastatic relapse and chemoresistance are multipartite and remain to be fully elucidated; however, recent findings implicate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) programs as a major driver that (I) induces metastatic cells to detach and egress from the primary tumor; and (II) enables DTCs to surmount the cellular and genotoxic stressors imposed by foreign microenvironments and cytotoxic therapies (4-7). In the most general sense, EMT programs reflect an organized transdifferentiation process whereby polarized epithelial cells shed their immotile behaviors in favor of newly acquired fibroblastoid-like phenotypes characterized by increased invasive and migratory capabilities that compel indolent carcinoma in situ lesions to become highly aggressive invasive lesions (4,7-9).
Toward personalized and context-aware prompting for smartphone-based intervention

Intervention strategies can help individuals with cognitive impairment to increase adherence to instructions, independence, and activity engagement and reduce errors on everyday instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and caregiver burden. However, to be effective, intervention prompts should be given at a time that does not interrupt other important user activities and is more convenient. In this paper, we propose an intelligent personalized intervention system for smartphones. In our approach, we use context and activity awareness to time prompts when they will most likely be viewed and used. Our result based on real data collected using smartphone motion sensors demonstrate that the proposed approach can detect the time-frame of a user response with an average accuracy of 65% and reduce the inefficiency by 39%, on average, compared to different static time interventions which shows the possibilities and advantages of the proposed system to increase user satisfaction and response rate.