cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reaction of Thiourea with Hydrogen Peroxide: 13C NMR Studies of an Oxidative/Reductive Bleaching Process:

Thiourea’s reaction with hydrogen peroxide in solution under bleaching conditions at three different pH values has been investigated using 13C NMR spectroscopy. Since this reaction is fast and exothermic, it is essential that short total acquisition times be used to accumulate sufficient data to detect different species formed during the reaction. As the abundance of I3C in the reactants in the concentration range studied is very low, I3C-labeled thiourea was used as the starting material. Sufficient data were accumulated in short acquisition times (2-4 minutes) to identify different species formed during the reaction. The results showed that different intermediate products are formed during the reactions, depending on the pH of the medium and the molar ratio of the reactants. The reaction goes through a thiourea dioxide intermediate; this then hydrolyzes under heat and neutral or alkaline conditions to yield sulfinate anion and urea if the initial reaction of thiourea with hydrogen peroxide is allowed to take place in acidic/neutral medium (pH = 4.0-7.0). Because thiourea dioxide hydrolyzes in solution, there is a rapid change in redox potential from a positive value to a high negative value. The species causing the negative redox potential, and hence the species responsible for reductive bleaching, is believed to be the sulfinate anion. The reaction of thiourea with hydrogen peroxide in hydrochloric acid at pH < 1 results in the formation of formamidine disulfide dihydrochloride, which decomposes at pH values greater than 1.
Time Evolution of Superradiance

The superradiant behaviour of the Dicke model is examined using the Yudson representation. This is achieved by computing the time evolution of the mean photon current density and photon number. Extensions of this model including energy splitting and spatial separation are then investigated using this technique.
Ring-reinforced Sano right ventricular to pulmonary artery conduit at Norwood stage I.

Reinterventions for proximal conduit obstruction or on the pulmonary arteries are frequent after Sano-modified stage I Norwood palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome. We report our experience with a modified Sano stage I, in which the right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery (PA) conduit used is reinforced by external rings to avoid collapse, and the conduit is inserted into the right ventricle through a limited ventriculotomy and 'dunked' into the ventricular cavity. In our experience, this modification was associated with fewer reinterventions or complications with the proximal anastomosis (P = 0.046 and 0.004), improved PA pulse pressure (9.1 ± 4.1 vs 4.8 ± 3.8 mmHg in controls, P < 0.001) and Nakata index (213 ± 76 vs 134 ± 68 mm(2)/m(2) in controls, P < 0.0001), although overall survival to a median of 20 months was not significantly different from controls. Right ventricular function at stage II-bidirectional Glen was marginally better in patients with the modified Sano conduit, however not to a significant level. Further evaluation of late ventricular function is currently ongoing.
Physical Characterization of Pivalolactone-Grafted Elastomers. I. General Morphology

Abstract The pivalolactone graft copolymers represent a new type of thermoplastic elastomer, and their morphology appears to be unique. A comparison of some of the properties of the three principal types of thermoplastic elastomer is given in Table III. Over a fairly wide composition range (10–40% polyPVL), the general morphology of the polyPVL graft copolymers remains the same: discrete crystallites in a continuous elastomeric phase. The poly(ethyl acrylate)-based grafts, having much higher values of HSL and SSL, tend to form spherulitic structures. These spherulites are composed, however, of discrete polyPVL crystallites. Clean phase separation, as indicated by invariance of Tg with composition, is partly due to the relative compatibility of the backbone and grafted side-chain polymers. Nevertheless, the extent of phase separation between hard and soft phases should always be greater for ABA block and polyPVL graft copolymers than for segmented copolymers because of the free end possessed by each hard s...
Asymmetric Salt Profiles Expand Reaction Conditions for Nanopore Sequencing with MspA

MspA is a biological porin that has demonstrated use in nanopore DNA sequencing. In this technique, an electric field is applied across a lipid bilayer containing MspA, and the flow of ions through the pore produces a measurable current. Negatively charged single stranded DNA molecules are driven through MspA according to the electric field. A polymerase or helicase bound to the DNA molecule controls the polymers’ translocation. The different DNA nucleotides uniquely modulate the flow of ions as the DNA translocates, allowing a sequence to be interpreted from the changes in current. As the observed current is due to the flow of positive and negative ions within MspA, varying the buffer salt concentration can have dramatic effects on the signal. With salt concentrations below 100 mM on both sides of the membrane, signal is reduced making sequencing challenging. In this study, we varied the concentrations on either side of the membrane (cis and trans) independently, creating asymmetric salt profiles. We observed the effects of these asymmetries on open pore current, DNA interaction rate, and DNA blockage currents during controlled translocation by phi29 DNA polymerase. MspA is highly cation selective during DNA translocation with the majority of current produced by the flow of K+ ions from trans to cis. Varying trans [K+] has dramatic effects on the signal magnitude, whereas changing cis [Cl−] produces only small effects. This means that useful signals can be gained with negligible cis [KCl], if the concentration of [KCl] on the trans side is kept high. Many DNA motor enzymes, whose properties may be ideal for sequencing, loose function at appreciable salt concentrations, and these results reveal that such enzymes could still be used in nanopore DNA sequencing with MspA.
Cryptographic methods in multimedia identification and authentication

This dissertation addresses several multimedia identification and authentication problems with concepts inspired by cryptography. Digital watermarking systems are used to authenticate ownership of and embed data in multimedia signals. Generally, it is assumed that the watermark embedding system and the watermark detection system share the same secret watermarking key and operate in a trusted environment. In real-world applications, however, this is often not the case. Watermark embedders operate in a trusted environment, but watermark detectors, such as DVD players, are usually run in a hostile environment. It is necessary, therefore, to ensure that the secret watermarking key does not become compromised in the hostile environment of the watermark detector. Our Secure Watermarking system solves this problem with the help of a secure module, for example a smartcard. We also consider the problem of robust image identification. Generally, images are assumed to be corrupted by natural processes such as noise. More sophisticated methods consider that an attacker may be behind these processes, usually assuming that the same attacks are involved but are calibrated more intelligently. We inject cryptographic concepts into this problem with the randlet transform. We randomly choose basis functions so an attacker can not take advantage the basis functions in mounting attacks, as it could, for example, with the wavelet transform. The randlet transform proves to be very successful at identifying images which have been attacked, and is especially successful against rotation and cropping attacks, two attacks which have generally been very difficult to overcome. Next, we apply the randlet transform to image watermarking, using a variation of the QIM watermarking system with non-orthogonal basis functions which are resistant to attacks. Again, the randlet transform makes it more difficult for an adversary to attack the system. Finally, we consider plagiarism detection. The problem of finding duplicate documents in a large database of documents is well-studied, but very little attention has been paid to intelligent plagiarists. We show that previous systems can easily be circumvented by certain attacks, and present a system that is robust to such attacks. Again, our solution relies on cryptographic concepts to achieve its success.
Effects of load-lightening and delayed extrapair benefits on the fitness consequences of helping behavior

In most cooperative breeders, helping is directed at close kin, allowing helpers to gain indirect fitness benefits by increasing the reproductive success of close relatives, usually their parents. Extrapair paternity (EPP) occurs at high rates in some cooperative breeders, reducing the relatedness of helpers to the young they help raise. Even so, a son that helps is related to the brood by at least 0.25 through his mother and to within-pair young by 0.5, whereas a potential helper that has EPP in his own nest is related only to the offspring he sires and unrelated to any extrapair offspring. In birds, EPP often favors older males, which in the extreme case can result in sons being more closely related to young in their parents' nest than to young in their own nests. The fitness benefit of helping will thus be enhanced if helping lightens the workload and increases survival of helpers and their fathers, enabling them to become old, hyper-successful extrapair sires. Here, we develop and analyze a proof-of-concept model, grounded in the western bluebird (Sialia mexicana) system, demonstrating the conditions under which high population levels of EPP can generate inclusive fitness benefits of helping behavior that outweigh the costs. This model provides a new perspective on the relationship between EPP and helping behavior in cooperative breeders and suggests a strong need for empirical work to gather unprecedented data on paternity over the lifetime of helpers and their parents.
Thermal Distortion Testing of a 4-meter Microwave Reflector

Large microwave reflectors are needed for Space and Earth Science space applications such as NASA’s proposed Global Atmospheric Composition Mission (GACM). The Scanning Microwave Limb Sounder (SMLS), a proposed instrument on GACM, has a 4 m x 1.8 m toric Cassegrain primary reflector that must maintain a stable shape on orbit (12 micron RMS) under a wide variety of thermal loads. To advance the technology required for large composite microwave reflectors, two test articles were designed and fabricated. The first test reflector is a full-length and 1/3-width demonstration unit of mold-based replication. The second reflector is a full-scale flightlike demonstration reflector. Surface deformations for both reflectors were measured at JPL under a variety of induced thermal loads, and the results used to validate service environment models. Temperature profiles were measured using thermal cameras covering both the front and back surface of the reflector. Surface deformations of the front surface were measured with a speckle laser holographic interferometer system capable of measuring 20 nm RMS displacements. Test results were consistent with the analysis predictions of single-micron peak-valley deformations, based on estimates of in-plane −1 × 10−7 CTE for the reflector face sheets and 2 PPM CTE for the rib structure. This report documents the thermal distortion measurement campaign for the SMLS primary reflector.
Measuring the Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Academic Achievement of Business Students

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to measure the relationship between Emotional Intelligence and academic achievement of Final year Business students studying in various streams. And the study compared the business students based on gender, year of study and streams (Airline Business, Hotel & Tourism, International Business and Logistics) The paper was carried out with critical review and detailed analysis with focus to link EI with academic perspective.Design/Methodology/Approach: This research critically reviewed the relevant literature in emotional intelligence and its relationship with academic achievement. The sample size of the study was 349 Business students and simple random sampling has been adopted for the study. The survey instrument Thai Emotional Intelligence Screening test was developed and tested for reliability by Department of Mental Health. The same TEIST was adopted for the study. The statistical tools like Descriptive Statistics, One-Way ANOVA, Chi-Square test, and Multiple Regression was used in this study.Findings: The results of the study revealed that majority of the respondents were female; fall in the age group of 18-20 and they are studying in year 3 and year 2. Most of the respondents belong to Buddhism and their GPA in previous semester was good and very good. The mean scores of emotional intelligence (Virtue, Competence and Happiness) secured good results. And One-Way ANOVA was performed to identify the significant difference among gender, year of study and different streams of study towards EI. The results indicated that significant difference exists in year of study. The results of regression analysis confirmed that there is a significant relationship between emotional intelligence and academic achievement. Further chi-square findings indicated that there is a significant difference between EI level and GPA scores.Practical Implications: The emotional intelligence and academic performance study is already exists in literature. But still the researcher would like to apply the TEIST scale in the context of academics. The study would be restricted only to Business students of the Institution. In future, the study could be conducted with students from various disciplines & Year (I,II,III,IV) to compare and yield better results. As EI is a psychology field, in future TEIST could be revised with 7-point likert scale and positive coded questions to achieve accurate results.Originality/Value: This research would be novel in its discipline as it links Emotional Intelligence and Academic Performance in the context of Thailand. Definitely this research would add value to the literature.
Thermal IR imaging auto-measurement system technique

To improve test accuracy,an auto-control software was worked out relevant to working of AGEMA900 thermal imaging based on the analyzed thermal image and measurement environment.It realized auto-search target and auto right focus of thermal imaging by controlling running of flat roof and circumvolving time of lens electric machinery and definition of edge-detection and had good test accuracy and repeatability.This auto-measurement system suits testing of different time of multi-targets on different views and can be applied widely. Meanwhile it provides foundation for image merging of multi-sensors.
Isomerization Intermediates in the Photochemistry of Stilbenes

A series of experiments were carried out to spectroscopically identify intermediates in the trans-to-cis isomerization of stilbenes. The molecule used in these investigations is a fused ring analog of stilbene (1), trans-1,1’-biindanylidene (2). The photophysical properties of this “stiff” stil-bene are very similar to those of stilbene [1] with the difference accounted for by a smaller barrier (1.5 kcal/mol) to isomerization than in t-stilbene. This low barrier results in an extremely fast (3 ps in hexane) isomerization [2], thus providing an ideal system for investigations of twisted intermediates since it would cause an increased population of short-lived intermediates compared with molecules with slower isomerization rates.
SU-F-P-12: Leveraging a Communication Tool to Assess IMRT Planning Process Efficiency and Identify Improvement Opportunities

Purpose: To utilize an existing patient-specific IMRT QA communication tool to quantify our department's compliance with existing IMRT planning policies and to identify opportunities for improvement. Methods: A centralized network-based spreadsheet is utilized by our dosimetrists to communicate to the physics team when an IMRT plan is ready for patient-specific QA measurement. Since Feb. 2014, the dosimetrists and physicists track additional date information for each case including treatment start, contour approval, plan approval, and QA measurement. Since Jan. 2015, our team also tracks if, and why, a patient plan requires more than one QA measurement. Two time periods were analyzed: Feb. 2014 to Dec. 2014 and Jan. 2015 to Dec. 2015. The Excel “networkdays” function was used to calculate the number of days between process steps for each case. Histogram analysis was used to quantify environmental hazards created by compressed timelines for QA. The rate of and the reasons for QA re-measurement was also quantified. Results: In 2014, 27.3% of QA measurements were performed the day before treatment start. From this, we modified our QA policies and staffing. In 2015, this day before start QA rate was reduced to 20%, but is ultimately limited by physician plan approval. In 2014, 29% of cases were approved by the physician within 2 or fewer days of treatment start. In 2015, this rate increased to 38% of cases. In 2015, 16.4% of QA measurements were a re-measurement. The 2 most common themes for a re-measurement were clinical reasons (re-sim, re-plan, contours modified) or a measurement setup error, e.g. the MatrixX ion chamber plane being left in a high dose gradient region. Conclusion: Leveraging an existing communication tool has allowed us to quantify our IMRT process performance, identify bottlenecks for improvement, and quantify improvement following policy changes.
Sustainability Protocols and Certification Criteria for Switchgrass-Based Bioenergy

Production of bioenergy from cellulosic sources is likely to increase due to mandates, tax incentives, and subsidies. However, unchecked growth in the bioenergy industry has the potential to adversely influence land use, biodiversity, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and water resources. It may have unintended environmental and socioeconomic consequences. Against this backdrop, it is important to develop standards and protocols that ensure sustainable bioenergy production, promote the benefits of biofuels, and avoid or minimize potential adverse outcomes. This paper highlights agronomic information on switchgrass, a high-potential bioenergy feedstock, and the role of specialized certification programs. The existing sustainability standards and protocols were reviewed in order to identify key gaps that justify a certification program specifically for switchgrass-based bioenergy. The criteria and indicators that should be considered for such a certification program are outlined.
An Investigation of the ITPA Performance of Children with Functional Defects of Articulation

The development of the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities has created a new tool for investigations of the characteristics of speech problems. Forty intellectually and physically normal children with functional defects of articulation were tested with the ITPA. Performance of the group was compared with normative data reported for the test. The subjects scored lower than the norms on all subtests at the two levels of the test. Subtests most affected were in the auditory vocal channel.
Radioiodine therapy for benign hyperthyroidism: More treatment failures in men

1568 Objectives Although radioiodine therapy is a first-line treatment for intractable hyperthyroidism related to benign thyroid diseases such as Graves’ Disease, the goals of treatment are debated. Efforts to achieve a euthyroid outcome using calculated dosing have largely failed to demonstrate significant benefit, and standard dosing regimens have yet to be established. Moreover, residual hyperthyroidism requiring retreatment remains problematic. Accordingly, ablative therapy using a fixed high dose of radioiodine has been widely adopted, with life-long thyroid hormone replacement an accepted outcome. Prior studies however, have not identified the clinical factors influencing outcome from calculated, variable dosing. Methods Retrospective review of the medical records from consecutive patients receiving I-131 treatment between 1/1/2000 until 12/31/2005. A total of 215 patients were included in the analysis, with 131 women and 48 men. The mean age was 45 years. The Marinelli-Quimby formula was used for dose calculation to deliver 10,000 cGy. Results Logistic regression analysis shows a statistically significant effect of gender on treatment outcome following radioiodine therapy. Specifically, men were 2.7 times more likely to have persistent hyperthyroidism requiring retreatment (p = 0.02, odds ratio = 2.7). No other variables were significantly associated with failure (ie, need to retreat). Conclusions The results of our series indicate that men have a greater likelihood of treatment failure following radioiodine therapy. This suggests that male patients may benefit from higher radioiodine doses. Further studies are warranted, but we postulate that targeted dosing regimens that account for this difference in gender will yield better treatment success rates
Oral administration of a recombinant cholera toxin B subunit promotes mucosal healing in the colon

Cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) is a component of a licensed oral cholera vaccine. However, CTB has pleiotropic immunomodulatory effects whose impacts on the gut are not fully understood. Here, we found that oral administration in mice of a plant-made recombinant CTB (CTBp) significantly increased several immune cell populations in the colon lamina propria. Global gene expression analysis revealed that CTBp had more pronounced impacts on the colon than the small intestine, with significant activation of TGFβ-mediated pathways in the colon epithelium. The clinical relevance of CTBp-induced impacts on colonic mucosa was examined. In a human colon epithelial model using Caco2 cells, CTBp, but not the non-GM1-binding mutant G33D-CTBp, induced TGFβ-mediated wound healing. In a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) acute colitis mouse model, oral administration of CTBp protected against colon mucosal damage as manifested by mitigated body weight loss, decreased histopathological scores, and blunted escalation of inflammatory cytokine levels while inducing wound healing-related genes. Furthermore, biweekly oral administration of CTBp significantly reduced disease severity and tumorigenesis in the azoxymethane/DSS model of ulcerative colitis and colon cancer. Altogether, these results demonstrate CTBp's ability to enhance mucosal healing in the colon, highlighting its potential application in ulcerative colitis therapy besides cholera vaccination.
Identification and Whole Genome Sequencing of the First Case of Kosakonia radicincitans Causing a Human Bloodstream Infection

The taxonomy of Enterobacter species is rapidly changing. Herein we report a bloodstream infection isolate originally identified as Enterobacter cloacae by Vitek2 methodology that we found to be Kosakonia radicincitans using genetic means. Comparative whole genome sequencing of our isolate and other published Kosakonia genomes revealed these organisms lack the AmpC β-lactamase present on the chromosome of Enterobacter sp. A fimbriae operon primarily found in Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolates was present in our organism and other available K. radicincitans genomes. This is the first report of a Kosakonia species, which are typically associated with plants, causing a human infection.
Methodological Artifacts in Subception Research

While making a distinction between subception as a theoretical concept for “discrimination without awareness” and as an empirical fact demonstrable by specifiable operations, an examination of the subception research methodology unveiled two methodological and logical inadequacies. The two errors are identified and an alternative set of analytical procedures presented. The first has to do with the neglected distinction between the measures of pre-verbal-GSR and Verbal-GSR: the Verbal-GSR measure being a function of the S’s cognitive decision and its verbalization and the Preverbal-GSR being relatively uninfluenced by such covert decision and overt response process. The second issue is related to the construction of the subception index. Experimental data are presented to support our proposals. A review and analysis of representative subception studies in the light of our proposed alternative indicates that the claimed positive subception effects are largely, if not exclusively, the result of employing an inappropriate subception index in combination with a response-contaminated GSR measure.
Seasonal Changes in Night-Length and Impact on Human Sleep

Seasonal changes in sleep are related to seasonal changes in environmental stimuli including sunlight, temperature, humidity, noise, and exposure to antigens, as well as to seasonal changes in behavior such as physical activity and schedule-induced requirements. Many environmental stimuli acutely disrupt sleep because the sensory systems of the brain remain active during sleep. Sleep following exposure to allergens and pathogens is altered because immune proteins that are secreted as part of the immune response alter sleep regulatory processes. Seasonal changes in photoperiod alter the timing of the internal circadian clock, which in turn alters sleep timing. Some individuals appear to be very sensitive to seasonal changes and develop winter depression.
Race Influences the Recovery from Acute Stroke Interventions (P03.150)

OBJECTIVE: Our hypothesis was that race would influence the response to acute stroke interventions with regards to recovery and access to post stroke rehabilitation. BACKGROUND: Racial disparities exist in various aspects of stroke epidemiology and access to health care. Social and biological differences between the races put African Americans (AA) at a relative disadvantage. DESIGN/METHODS: A retrospective chart review of adult ischemic stroke patients receiving endovascular interventions at an urban medical center was conducted. Demographics, risk factors, pre-treatment NIHSS, baseline functional status and time to treatment were abstracted. Patients received chemical interventions (intra-arterial tPA or intravenous and intra-arterial tPA); mechanical interventions (MERCI clot retrieval, Penumbra aspiration, Solitaire stentrieval), or multimodal intervention (chemical and mechanical methods). Outcomes included death, hemorrhagic conversion, modified rankin score (mRS) at discharge and discharge destination. 128 patients (35.2% Caucasian; 64.8% AA) were included. RESULTS: AA had more hypertension (87.9% vs 71.1%;p=0.02) and less hypercholesterolemia (62.7% vs 80%;p=0.04) than Caucasians. There were no differences among other risk factors. The median age and NIHSS were not significantly different. There were no statistically significant differences in the variety of chemical, mechanical or multimodal interventions offered to AA and Caucasians. Time to treatment was similar between races. In a univariate analysis, AA race predicted discharge to a subacute rehabilitation facility or nursing home (45.9% vs 25% among Caucasians; p=0.04). There were no racial differences in in-hospital death and mRS at discharge. In a multivariate regression model with backward selection, AA strongly predicted discharge to a subacute rehabilitation facility or nursing home, while Caucasians were more likely to be discharged home or to acute rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: Race is a strong predictor of home and rehabilitation discharge favoring Caucasians. Biological and social mechanisms underlying racial disparities in stroke care and access to interventions may also extend to stroke recovery and post-stroke rehabilitation care. Disclosure: Dr. Dhakar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rajamani has nothing to disclose. Dr. Madhavan has received research support from Genentech. Dr. Norris has nothing to disclose. Dr. Narayanan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tsappidi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Xavier has received personal compensation for activities with Concentric as a consultant. Dr. Chaturvedi has received personal compensation for activities with Genentech, Inc., Abbott Vascular, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Thornhill Research. Dr. Bhattacharya has nothing to disclose.
Pedagogies of Curiosity

This chapter continues the historical appreciation of theoretical curiosity within the North American cultural context. Theoretical curiosity is presented as a process that poses challenges and opportunities for critical interventions. A peculiarly utilitarian and instrumental management of the potentials of theoretical practice is described as a tradition instituted through the institutional structures of what I identify as “pedagogies of curiosity.” The social sciences, especially experimental psychology and the influence of drive-based psychoanalysis, are singled out as forces for the containment of the affective and intellectual depths of desire and the pursuit of knowledge. This chapter extends the notion of a critical curiosity to questions of pedagogy and socialization in modern life. It begins with a historical sketch of early and eighteenth-century American cultural politics. Aspects of pragmatism and the thought of William James, C. S. Peirce, John Dewey, and T. Veblen situate the philosophical values placed on the development of theory and inquiry. Reviewing twentieth-century experimental studies of curiosity it considers psychological reductions of curiosity in the social and behavioral science tradition. I claim that the social sciences, including experimental psychology and psychoanalysis, have served to contain the potentials of inquiry. Their pervasive effect of a therapeutic culture continues the taming of the passions reviewed in the previous chapter. Their influence has been a disciplining of desire. This chapter surveys Freirean critical pedagogical approaches and their invocation of a sustained “epistemological” curiosity. Freirean critical and epistemological curiosity accent a resistance to all closure and abstraction from the material conditions of everyday existences and the potential for pedagogical communities to act in the interest of its transformation. The ambivalent values associated with curiosity are scrutinized as aspects of its institutionalization in public education. Curiosity and a theoretical interest in the nature of the actual conditions of everyday life are hostage to an actuarial surveillance of the working class. I argue for considering theoretical curiosity as a desire for knowledge emerging within situated contexts of activity that call into question the nature and democratic legitimacy of existing social relations.
Uses of saw palmetto (Serenoa repens, Arecaceae) in Florida

Saw palmetto [Serenoa repens (Bartr.) Small] is the most common native palm in the U.S. and, possibly, the most useful. Cattle and wildlife, especially black bears and white-tailed deer, consume the fruits. The flowers are a favorite nectar source for honey bees, and the sprawling, shrubby palm provides excellent cover for birds, reptiles, and small animals. Saw palmetto's edible fruits were a staple in the diet of Florida's pre-contact inhabitants. Vegetative parts of the plant supply fiber, wax, and roof thatch. Current interest in saw palmetto stems from its use in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. An estimated 6 800 000 kg of the fruit are shipped to Europe each year. Preliminary data suggest that the economic value of saw palmetto harvesting may exceed that of cattle grazing, the common use of much saw palmetto habitat.
In-lieu Fee Mitigation: Money for Nothing?

In theory, mitigation bankers could hardly complain about competition. Mitigation banking, after all, was pitched as a market-based approach, and the market assumes competition. And they believed they delivered a quality product. If mitigation bankers were not providing advance mitigation, they were at a minimum providing more timely mitigation and were subjected to the MBRT interagency review process. What really concerned the mitigation bankers was not competition per se, but what they perceived as unfair competition. They believed that other mitigation providers, such as those operating in-lieu fee programs, were getting a relatively free pass from regulating agencies. In their view, in-lieu fee programs were not being held to the same standards and were undercutting the market for wetland credits (Urban and Ryan, 1999).
Sensing in ferroelectric memories and flip-flops

Ferroelectric (FE) materials, by virtue of their polarization retention in the absence of the electric field, offer a unique method to introduce non-volatility in memories and logic. The exploration of FE materials in context of their application in compute and storage has been carried out in two forms: (1) as capacitors, in which the FE material is sandwiched between two metal layers and (2) in ferroelectric transistors (FEFETs), in which, FE is integrated into the gate stack of FETs. Both the devices have been explored to design non-volatile memories and flip-flops. The commonality between the two technologies is that they use remnant polarization in the FE to define the binary logic states. However, the sensing as well as the switching of the polarization requires considerably different techniques for FE capacitors and transistors. Moreover, the requirements of the application (memory, flip-flop, etc.) also dictate the methodology for reading or writing the logic state. This chapter discusses the device–circuit aspects of FE capacitors and FEFETs in the context of non-volatile memory and logic design, with a focus on the sensing techniques. We present a comparative description of the two technologies, highlighting the pros and cons of each and how different device structures yield significantly different sensing strategy.
Automated Building Information Models Reconstruction Using 2D Mechanical Drawings

One of the potential benefits of using Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Facility Management (FM) targets enhanced tradespeople performance, facilitated by efficient document management, equipment localization and visualization, and integration of building asset data. However, a major bottleneck towards achieving such a benefit is the lack of BIM. In addition, the owners or the facility managers do not want to invest in generating BIM because manually creating BIM for existing buildings is costly, time-consuming, and requires additional labors with specific skills to maintain. Therefore, the authors aim to build an automated Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) BIM reconstruction framework that uses 2D building mechanical drawings. In this paper, the authors proposed a new method of generating 3D mechanical objects based on all available information in drawings, such as equipment schedules, symbols and spatial and topological relations amongst objects. The results have shown that the proposed approach could reconstruct more than 70% of the mechanical components among duct, VAV, AHU, FCU, BCU, diffuser, register, and sensor. Even though the authors were not able to achieve 100% success, it was shown that the proposed method reduced the time for generating the mechanical components and it is a major step towards the development of a BIM to support FM tasks associated with MEP components.
Do Vaccines Cause Meningitis or Encephalitis/Encephalopathy?

Varicella vaccine in routine use in the United States can very rarely cause viral meningitis. Measles-containing vaccines can very rarely cause measles inclusion body encephalitis (MIBE). Mumps vaccines used in other countries have caused meningitis and encephalitis. However, the mumps vaccine in routine use in the United States is made from a different strain of vaccine virus and has not been shown to cause meningitis or encephalitis. The benefit of vaccination in preventing neurologic diseases such as meningitis and encephalitis greatly outweighs the minimal risk of vaccine complications. Natural infections with measles, mumps, rubella and varicella viruses can cause encephalitis and meningitis. Thus, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccines protect against encephalitis and meningitis caused by these agents. These vaccines are made from attenuated versions of the wild-type viruses, and do not cause central nervous system infections in normal hosts. However, these attenuated vaccine viruses can cause disease in persons with certain immune deficiencies, and are therefore contraindicated in these populations. For instance, varicella vaccine virus can persist and cause reactivation zoster, which has been very rarely associated with viral meningitis, although affected patients without immune deficiencies recover fully without any lasting effects. In addition, very rare cases of measles inclusion body encephalitis (MIBE) have occurred following administration of measles-containing vaccines. Natural infections with Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus), Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) can cause severe bacterial meningitis. Pneumococcal, Hib, and meningococcal vaccines protect against meningitis caused by these agents. The vaccines that protect against these infections do not cause meningitis; the vaccines are made from only the outer capsule and/or bacterial proteins so they cannot cause infections like the naturally occurring bacteria.
Relationships between development policy, SMEs and total factor productivity in Thailand

The paper aims to investigate relationships between development policy, SMEs, total factor productivity, and total output in Thailand. By comparing the trends in total factor productivity growth of...
A 152μW −99dBm BPSK/16-QAM OFDM Receiver for LPWAN Applications

This paper presents a 152μW BPSK/16-QAM OFDM receiver operating in the 151MHz Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) frequency band for low power and long-range IoT applications. Sub-harmonic passive mixers and an injection locked ring oscillator are used, together with a dual-IF architecture for power efficiency and blocker rejection. As a solution for LPWAN applications, the receiver is designed to operate in two modes of single-carrier and multi-carrier transmission schemes, and is implemented in a 40nm CMOS process consuming 152μW of power while achieving a sensitivity of −99dBm for BPSK modulation at 5kb/s and −77dBm for 16-QAM OFDM modulation at 384kb/s. Under only 0.9V of supply, it achieves a phase noise of −128dBc/Hz at 1MHz offset, a blocker rejection of 63dB, and is fully integrated except for the reference crystal and the balun.
Evolution of the Miocene Tejeda magmatic system, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

This paper is a companion to Clark (1988; hereafter Part I) which described the evolution of the Tejeda Magmatic System (TMS), a Miocene caldera complex, Gran Canaria, Spain, based on geochronologic, paleomagnetic and field data. In this study, petrochemical data are used to corroborate the history out-lined in Part I. Geochemical discriminant analysis shows that whereas the Extra-Caldera (EC) Mogan/Fataga volcanics are separated by a composition gap, no composition gap exists within the Intra-Caldera (IC) sequence. IC ignimbrites change rapidly but progressively from pantellerites and comendites to comenditic trachytes and finally to trachytes in a 0.47 Ma time interval. Significantly, the lower pantelleritic part of the IC series is similar to the EC pantellerites (units B, C and D) as expected based on results from Part I. The appearance of a compositional gap in the EC sequence is the result of flows having been trapped within the caldera during the 0.47 Ma Mogan-Fataga transition interval. The transitional IC sequence may be geochemically modelled by mixing of Mogan comendites and Fataga trachytes. The mixing was most probably induced by the high discharge of magma from the compositionally-zoned Tejeda magma body. The rate of change in erupted composition is best explained by imagining a continuous influx of Fataga or parental Fataga magma into a chamber whose previous silicic component (Mogan composition) was no longer being replenished and that the two magmas did not convectively mix prior to eruption. Repose times between successive eruptions in the lower to middle Mogan (from P1/T1 to A) were of order 30 000 a; the upper Mogan pantellerites and comendites/comenditic trachytes (B to F?) erupted once every 125 000 years or so. The longer repose time for the upper units is consistent with their more differentiated character.
Using LASSO to Assist Imputation and Predict Child Well-being:

This article documents an approach to predicting children’s well-being using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, which are representative of births in large U.S. cities. The a...
Readmissions After Lobectomy in an Era of Increasing Minimally Invasive Surgery: A Statewide Analysis

ObjectiveUtilization of minimally invasive surgical modalities for lobectomy is increasing. Lobectomy can be associated with notable rates of readmission. As use of these modalities increases, eval...
Diffraction gratings alter the surface friction of iridescent beetle cuticle against fibrous surfaces

Abstract Background Iridescence caused by physical diffraction gratings is observed on various species of beetles. Because the diffraction arises from microsculpturing on the exterior cuticle, we hypothesize that in addition to optical properties, these surface features also modify the surface friction and wettability when sliding against a nature-mimicking countersurface. Methods The surface friction differences between five contrasting pairs of closely related species (10 species total from 3 different beetle families) sliding against a fibrous countersurface were measured using microtribometry in both wet and dry configurations. Goniometry and cuticle geometry were used as inputs to a friction model. Finally, scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize the surface features for contextualizing the friction and fit to the model. Results Coefficients of friction for all species increased by a factor of at least two in the wet configuration versus the dry configuration. No consistent increase or decrease in friction or wettability was due to the diffraction gratings, but trends were consistent within beetle families: in both pairs of scarabs, the high-aspect protrusions on the iridescent beetles decreased wettability and modified friction. Results were less distinct in the carabids and staphylinids. Discussion The morphology of the beetle surfaces rather than the presence of a physical diffraction grating determines their wettability and friction behavior when sliding against a wet, fibrous surface. The roughness and orientation of features controls the area in contact, and dynamic changes in the contact give rise to friction.
Estate Stock Redemptions: Proactive Steps to Achieve Sales Treatment

Estate planners undertake various strategies to minimize estate taxes and income taxes of the estate and beneficiaries with respect to property received from the estate. A tax planning strategy that can significantly reduce income taxes of the estate and/or its beneficiaries is to structure the redemption of an estate’s corporate stock to qualify for sales treatment as opposed to dividend treatment. More specifically, when a taxpayer’s stock redemption is treated as a dividend, the amount included in income generally equals the entire amount received by the taxpayer. On the other hand, when a taxpayer’s stock redemption is treated as a sale, the amount is treated in part as a tax-free return of the taxpayer’s basis in the stock and in part as a capital gain or loss. Sales treatment is generally even more advantageous for estates and beneficiaries of estates as the basis in the redeemed shares will have been stepped up to their date-of-death value or the value on the alternate valuation date, and as a result of the step-up in basis the estate will generally have minimal or no capital gain as a result of its stock redemption. In order to obtain sale or exchange treatment, the requirements of Secs. 303 and/or 302(b)(1), (2) , (3) or (4) must be met. In addition, the constructive ownership rules of Sec. 318 have to be taken into account in applying the Sec. 302 tests. This article concentrates on the Sec. 302(b) provisions and avoiding the application of the Sec. 318 constructive ownership and attribution rules as a means of assuring sales or exchange treatment. The Estate of Weiskopf case is presented as an example of steps an estate planner can take to avoid the Sec. 318 attribution rules.
A Common Social Distance Scale for Robots and Humans

From keeping robots as in-home helpers to banning their presence or functions, a person’s willingness to engage in variably intimate interactions are signals of social distance: the degree of felt understanding of and intimacy with an individual or group that characterizes pre-social and social connections. To date, social distance has been examined through surrogate metrics not actually representing the construct (e.g., self-disclosure or physical proximity). To address this gap between operations and measurement, this project details a four-stage social distance scale development project, inclusive of systematic item pool-generation, candidate item ratings for laypersons thinking about social distance, testing of candidate items via scalogram and initial validity analyses, and final testing for cumulative structure and predictive validity. The final metric yields a 15-item (18, counting applications with a ‘none’ option), three-dimension scale for physical distance, relational distance, and conversational distance.
Tocqueville on the Mixed Blessing of Liberal Learning: Higher Education as Subversive Antidote

Since Plato, political philosophers have worried that the democratic soul is not teachable. Tocqueville shares this concern, and he speaks of political leadership in tutelary terms. Throughout Democracy in America, Tocqueville’s effort is to save democracy from itself by infusing aristocratic institutions into an egalitarian society. Thus, we might expect him to praise liberal arts education. But his actual discussion of universities is surprisingly negative, giving them a relatively minor aesthetic role. This paper examines Tocquevillian teaching on higher education, arguing that Tocqueville fears its capacity to instill longing for a grand yet cruel ancient politics that is no longer appropriate in the modern age. It also considers how liberal learning might play a positive role within a Tocquevillian framework.