cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrology of meteoric diagenesis: Residence time of meteoric ground water in island fresh-water lenses with application to aragonite-calcite stabilization rate in Bermuda

The average age of ground water that discharges at the shoreline from an island fresh-water lens is equal to the volume of ground water in the lens divided by the total recharge to the island. This island average residence time, τ 0 is easily calculated by Dupuit-Ghyben-Herzberg analysis (DGH). From estimates of the controlling variables (recharge, hydraulic conductivity, and porosity), it is estimated that τ 0 is usually on the order of 1 to a few tens of years in fresh-water lenses of small (width on the order of 100 to a few thousand meters), strip islands where calcarenite is undergoing early diagenesis. Lateral variation in interstitial velocity and distribution of ground-water age within the lens can be calculated from an approximate theory using DGH potentials and an assumption that discharge is uniformly distributed with depth. Results are within a few percent of those from rigorous flow-net construction. Velocities range laterally through two orders of magnitude. Contours of ground-water age are nearly horizontal over most of the lens; at a depth of about 40% of the depth to the interface, the ground-water age is τ 0 /2, and it equals τ 0 at about 60% of the depth to the interface. Flow-net construction shows that velocities are greatest at the water table and decrease rapidly downward to the value given by DGH. Representative velocities halfway between the ground-water flow divide and the shoreline are 10 to 100 m/yr in these islands. Application of these calculation procedures to Bermuda leads to a revised estimate of ground-water age for water samples that have been used to estimate the rate of aragonite-to-calcite transformation in the fresh-water lenses of that island. This rate is an order of magnitude less than that in lenses in Holocene oolitic cays of the Bahamas. The ratio of stabilization rate to amount of aragonite appears to be about the same in the two settings. The value of the ratio implies a half-life of 6,000-7,000 yr for aragonite-to-calcite transformation in these lenses.
Empirical corn yield loss estimation from common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) and giant foxtail (Setaria faberi) in mixed communities

Abstract Corn yield loss associated with common lambsquarters and giant foxtail in mixed-weed species communities was estimated from empirical equations based on early-season weed density, weed relative leaf area, or weed relative shoot volume in 1998 and 1999. The estimated maximum corn yield loss ranged up to 20% in 1998 but was 50% or more in 1999. Competition coefficients estimated from weed density (I values) or weed relative shoot volume (qV values) indicated that the weed species were equally competitive in 1998 but that common lambsquarters was more competitive than giant foxtail in 1999. In contrast, the relative leaf area–based competition coefficients (qL values) indicated that common lambsquarters and giant foxtail were equally competitive in both years. Weed species emerged at the same time as corn in 1998, whereas in 1999, common lambsquarters emerged 3 d earlier than corn and 1 d earlier than did giant foxtail. Earlier emergence of common lambsquarters was associated with greater cumulative...
Whither flowcharting

During the past few years, a growing number of authors have begun to take exception to the previously unquestioned use of flowcharts as a program development tool. These criticisms of the traditional flowcharting methodology center around the claim that flowcharts, like goto's, belong to the class of objects that are detrimental to good programming. Suggested alternatives range from developing programs entirely in well-structured high level languages to replacing conventional flowcharts by some form of “structured” flowcharts.We are particularly concerned with questions that have been raised regarding the value of flowcharting in introductory programming classes.The teaching of flowcharting as a developmental tool is extremely widespread indeed.While the various methods of indicating data flow, document flow, etc., are certainly an important part of program development and documentation, we consider here only conventional “flow of control” flowcharts.
Optimal approach for electronic grooming, routing and spectrum allocation in elastic optical networks

This work proposes a new Integer Linear Programming (ILP) formulation for traffic grooming, routing and spectrum allocation (GRSA) to be used in translucent elastic networks. In order to compare our method with classic routing and spectrum allocation (RSA), it was presented an ILP model for RSA problem, allowing the evaluation of the benefits of traffic grooming in translucent elastic networks. Numerical experiments were accomplished for 6-, 10-, and 14-node topologies. In addition, it was made 4 simulations for each topology: for each model (with and without traffic grooming) two objective functions were tested (minimizing global frequency slots utilization and minimizing the congested physical link). Results exposed the benefits of traffic grooming in elastic networks, achieving until 60% of frequency slots reduction, when compared with a network design without traffic grooming in a 14-node network. Moreover, it was presented the relation between network configuration characteristics and the objective function used.
Globalization practices within the U.S. Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions industry

AbstractGlobalization has been debated and written about extensively; nevertheless, the hospitality and tourism literature regarding this phenomenon is scant at best. This study explores globalization practices within the U.S. meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions industry and presents examples of such activity among convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), third-party service providers, and associations. Findings indicate that the U.S. meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions industry's adoption of globalization strategies varies in scope and length of practice. This research contributes to the body of literature by reporting several cases of successful globalization within the U.S. meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions industry. Identification of such best practices may assist practitioners employing this growth strategy.
Ion Transport in Single Crystals of the Clay-Like Aluminosilicate, Vermiculite

We have made an investigation of the ion transport properties of single crystals of the naturally occurring clay vermiculite in order to elucidate the mechanism of conductivity including the predominant charge carrier. Measurements of the ion conductivity, magnetic susceptibility and x-ray lattice parameters of ion-exchanged samples strongly suggest that the native cations and not protons are the major current carriers. We have synthesized the hydrogen form and found that it is a much preferred precursor for ion-exchange by other cations allowing the time necessary for ion-exchange to be reduced from several months to around a week.
Weakly Ionized Gas Characterization and Application in Shear Flow Control by Microwave

Researchers have been convinced that both hot and cold plasmas have significant potential on fluid flow drag reduction even though there is no unified opinion in the literature yet on the physical mechanism for such an effect. In this research work, the plasma in air generated through weakly ionizing air molecules in a sealed chamber, in which the pressure is controllable by a vacuum pump, by microwave from a microwave generata is explored and the plasma in such a vacuum chamber is characterized in terms of the emitted light intensity. In additim, the interactions of microwave generated plasma and flat plate surface in low speed airflow is also experimentally interested in this work. The experimental results show that the intensity of the plasma under study is a strmg function of the chamber pressure, as well as the power of the microwave generator.
Making History Matter: Teaching Comparative African American and Latina/o Histories in an Age of Neoliberal Crisis

This article critically evaluates a comparative ethnic studies course that I have taught at three different universities during the past fifteen years, called “African American and Latina/o Histories.” I am especially interested in the impact this form of education has on participants, many of whom are first-generation college students of color, as well as the ways that course alumni have taken what they have learned in the classroom into their work as community organizers, teachers, prison educators, art workers, parents, and other roles. An overarching concern here is how we can design courses that address the challenges that working-class students face in an era of mass incarceration, anti-immigrant hysteria, and anti-Black racism. As one of my students notes, “The agents of law and order encourage us to live in the shadows and their bulky flashlights keep us hiding.” In the current climate of fear, and in the shadow of family incarceration and deportations that so many of our students live under, how can educators create spaces where students are encouraged to critically examine the world they (we) live in? Equally important, how can students move from rigorous analysis to effective action and civic engagement?
Interfaces, Transitions, and Moires

We can classify new studies of Gravity's Rainbow by their quotations a do they focus on the juicy set pieces--the colonies as the outhouses of European souls, the vampirish lament of Technologies for their funding, the stout rainbow cock-or do they regale us with felicities we had passed over? Both approaches have virtues, but the latter is decidedly more refreshing, and to this group belongs The Style of Connectedness. Thomas Moore by no means ignores major Issues, but his focus on connectedness directs attention to the interfaces, transitions, and "moires" formed by the superimposition of systems and patterns. Being reminded of forgotten details is one of the pleasures this book offers the reader.
Effects of an Educational Intervention on Ratings of Criminality, Violence, and Trustworthiness based on Facial Expressions

Previous research has demonstrated that facial expressions ( e . g . angry, neutral, or happy expressions) influence our perceptions and judgments of people. Previous research is lacking awareness-raising education and the influence this may have on perceptions and judgments of others based on facial expressions. The current study examined the effects of an educational intervention on ratings of criminality, violence, and trustworthiness of faces portraying happy, neutral, or angry facial expressions. Five hundred and sixty nine college students randomly assigned to an intervention reading or irrelevant reading completed online ratings of faces. While the intervention had no effect on ratings of angry or happy facial expressions, there was an unexpected effect of the intervention reading on ratings of neutral expressions. Among photographs displaying neutral facial expressions, the intervention group rated these faces as more criminal, more violent, and less trustworthy. These results suggest that facial expressions may influence our perception of others, regardless of an intervention.
Design of CFAR radars using compressive sensing

In this work we propose the GLRT-MP algorithm which combines compressed sensing techniques and classical detection theory and explores its application to sparse arrays. Sparse arrays are large undersample arrays with nonuniform spacing that provides high resolution at the cost of high sidelobes. Compressed sensing techniques are able to minimize the undesired effects of the large array, while classical detection theory provides a way to perform detection while maintaining a desired false alarm probability. We provide analysis of the GLRT when the noise power is known and unknown, the latter which will allow one to design a CFAR radar. We provide numerical results to verify our results.
Currarino Syndrome and the Effect of a Large Anterior Sacral Meningocele on Distal Colostogram in an Anorectal Malformation

Currarino syndrome is a congenital disorder, consisting of a triad of anomalies including an anorectal malformation, sacral anomaly, and a presacral mass. Anterior sacral meningoceles are the most common presacral mass. A young child presented to our institution with an unrepaired anorectal malformation and a large anterior sacral meningocele. We describe how the anterior meningocele affected the imaging work-up.
Programming Models of Interregional Efficiency and Land Use in Agriculture

Though it has not yet been applied widely for these uses, activity analysis is a promising aid for applications in agricultural policy and developmental planning. Programming models are especially well adapted to agriculture because of its spatial characteristics and its spread over the whole of nations. Also, the differential production and price functions which define comparative advantage of agriculture in various regions distinctly require empirical techniques which allow the consideration of many producing sectors, if attempt is made to define optimal allocations of production among regions, to specify preferred land-use patterns, or to express quantitative aspects of interregional competition. For policy and planning purposes, programming models are favoured because the goal ordinarily is one requiring changes in the regional origin of production and the general interregional mix of commodities produced. Regression and input-output models are hardly satisfactory in these analyses, as they can only suggest production patterns and commodity mixes which are tied closely to the past.
While models are good, simple explanations are better

Abstract We have all heard the phrase “Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS).” Even so, we have been reminded about it time and again because “simple” varies with contexts. Here is an encounter with an incarnation of KISS while using data mining to enable software testing—tell me what I need and not all that you know.
A hybrid DG-Monte Carlo FDF simulator

Abstract A new computational scheme is developed for large eddy simulation (LES) of turbulent reacting flows via the filtered density function (FDF) subgrid scale closure. This is a hybrid scheme, combining the discontinuous Galerkin (DG) Eulerian solver with a Lagrangian Monte Carlo FDF simulator. The methodology is shown to be suitable for LES, as a larger portion of the resolved energy is captured as the order of spectral approximation increases. The consistency and the overall performance of the DG-FDF solver and the realization of the simulated results are demonstrated via LES of a temporally developing mixing layer under both non-reacting and reacting conditions.
A Comprehensive Accountability Framework for Public Administrators

In their current state in the public administration literature, the various accountability frameworks build upon another, but are not in a comprehensive form so that practitioners may make use of them. The Comprehensive Accountability Framework (CAF) synthesizes the major components of prominent accountability frameworks in the literature by linking them together to create an actionable system of accountabilities. Doing so creates a more in depth understanding of accountability that acknowledges the respective values of those within an accountability network while at the same time work to create agreed upon accountability system(s) for their interorganizational relationship.
Crystal Structure of the CLOCK Transactivation Domain Exon19 in Complex with a Repressor.

Summary In the canonical clock model, CLOCK:BMAL1-mediated transcriptional activation is feedback regulated by its repressors CRY and PER and, in association with other coregulators, ultimately generates oscillatory gene expression patterns. How CLOCK:BMAL1 interacts with coregulator(s) is not well understood. Here we report the crystal structures of the mouse CLOCK transactivating domain Exon19 in complex with CIPC, a potent circadian repressor that functions independently of CRY and PER. The Exon19:CIPC complex adopts a three-helical coiled-coil bundle conformation containing two Exon19 helices and one CIPC. Unique to Exon19:CIPC, three highly conserved polar residues, Asn341 of CIPC and Gln544 of the two Exon19 helices, are located at the mid-section of the coiled-coil bundle interior and form hydrogen bonds with each other. Combining results from protein database search, sequence analysis, and mutagenesis studies, we discovered for the first time that CLOCK Exon19:CIPC interaction is a conserved transcription regulatory mechanism among mammals, fish, flies, and other invertebrates.
Cultured fish epithelial cells are a source of alarm substance.

Abstract In various species of fishes, the importance of visual cues in the determination of environmental threat and subsequent predator avoidance is clear. Chemical cues also play an essential role facilitating predator avoidance. Among fish in the superorder Ostariophysi, club cells in the epidermis produce an alarm substance. Damage to the skin during a predation event releases an alarm substance (AS), which diffuses through the water column and binds to olfactory receptors of conspecifics. Fish then engage in a number of anti-predator behaviors that may include darting, schooling, or hiding. Behavioral responses to AS and physiological mechanisms that underlie those responses is an active area of study. However, because the precise chemical composition of the alarm substance is unknown, AS is not commercially available. Thus, when fish are challenged alarm substance in various experiments and assays it is obtained from skin extracts or via perfusion of shallow cuts in the epidermis. Both procedures are effective but require the animal to be sacrificed. In this manuscript, we report: • A non-invasive primary cell culture protocol to obtain alarm substance and does not require the model organism to be killed. • The demonstration of anti-predatory behaviors in fish exposed to alarm substance collected by this method.
Software-hardware cosystem brain interface desig

Brain Machine Interface (BMI) is a spike sorting provide a connection between the external behavior and neural behavior of animals. Moreover, the spike sorting is significant for stability of the advanced application. To detect neuronal activity, multichannel recording is one of major methods. This paper proposed a software-hardware co-design framework with a 16- channel neural recording. Two-stage spike detection usually included a threshold method and a nonlinear energy operator (NEO). The spike clustering used the feature extraction. This multichannel spike sorting system algorithm were verified by simulations data and experiments results. The results presented a significant improvement on feature space during spike separation, due to the discrete derivative method.
Avascular necrosis: a growing concern for the HIV population

A 33-year-old woman with history of HIV presented with 4 months of gradually progressing right hip pain and was found to have avascular necrosis (AVN) of both femoral heads. She had no other risk factors for AVN including sickle cell disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, prolonged steroid used or trauma. She initially failed conservative management and ultimately had bilateral hip core decompressions. After decompression therapy, the left femoral head collapsed and patient underwent a left total hip arthroplasty. Her postsurgical course was complicated by the left sciatic nerve neuropathy for which she is currently being managed with duloxetine. She has yet to follow-up with her orthopaedic surgeon for further evaluation.
Migration, Settler Mentality & (Hu)Man Transformation of African Landscapes

In this paper I will juxtapose archival documents by British settlers with two novels from Kenya: The Promised Land (Grace Ogot, 1966) and The River and the Source (Margaret Ogola, 1994). My analysis establishes that memorabilia created by colonial pioneers betray an ideology that ignored indigenous land rights while simultaneously molding the environment into an idyllic segment of the British Empire. My reading of Ogots novella dissects settler mentality and exposes its connection to violence. The emotional and physical abuses that characterize Nyapols marriage are the domestic variant of expansive conflict, and oppressive labor relations, between Luo pioneers and the neighboring community. In my critique of Ogolas novel, I demonstrate how the misogyny inherent in colonial encounters exacerbated an already vexed relationship between African women and property. The River and the Source depicts European settlement that disenfranchised women and disturbed indigenous land practices. Fifty years into the advent of independent African states, questions of ethnicity, origin, and belonging to land continue to generate vexed reactions. My project adopts a critical transnational approach to questions of roots and routes for a comprehensive understanding of representations of land from the early twentieth century, through Franz Fanons announcement of its centrality to anti-colonial politics, and on to our contemporary moment.
Computer modeling of a hot filament diamond deposition reactor

A commercial fluid mechanics program, FLUENT, has been applied to the modeling of a hot-filament diamond deposition reactor. Streamlines and contours of constant temperature and species concentrations are obtained for practical reactor geometries and conditions. The modeling is presently restricted to two-dimensional simulations and to a chemical mechanism of ten independent homogeneous and surface reactions. Comparisons are made between predicted power consumption, substrate temperature, and concentrations of atomic hydrogen and methyl-radical with values taken from the literature. The results to date indicate that the modeling can aid in the rational design and analysis of practical reactor configurations.
Extracolonic Causes of Constipation

has shown that women who had approximately 20 g daily of fiber had a threefold lower prevalence of constipation compare to women who had about 7 g daily of fiber. In light of the conflicting evidence regarding the benefit associated with higher fiber intake and its efficacy in the management of constipation, the current recommendation is that since increasing dietary fiber and hydration is safe and can be prescribed as placebo, it is an important therapeutic modality in the empiric management of constipation.
Computer Crime Law, 2018 Summer Supplement

This document is the 2018 Summer Supplement for Kerr's Computer Crime Law (4th Edition 2018). It covers legal developments from December 2017 through July 2018. New materials include a critical new Fourth Amendment case, Carpenter v. United States; an explanation of the new CLOUD Act on cross-border data requests and challenges on foreign conflicts grounds; new circuit court decisions diverging on how the Fourth Amendment's border search exception applies to computer searches; new cases and notes interpreting the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act; and new decisions construing the Stored Communications Act.
Cadence Tracking for Switched FES Cycling Combined with Voluntary Pedaling and Motor Resistance

A wide variation in muscle strength and range of motion exists in the movement disorder rehabilitation community. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) can be used to induce muscle contractions to assist a person who can contribute volitional coordinated torques. A motor can be used to both assist and resist a person's volitional and/or FES-induced pedaling. In this paper, a multi-level switched system is applied to a two-sided control objective to maintain a desired range of cadence using FES, motor assistance, motor resistance, and volitional pedaling. A system with assistive, passive, and resistive modes are developed based on cadence, each with a different combination of actuators. Lyapunov-based methods for switched systems are used to prove global exponential tracking to the desired cadence range for the combined FES-motor control system. Preliminary experiments show the feasibility and stability of the multi-level switched control system.
A system-level approach for designing multi-family sustainable and energy-efficient housing communities

Abstract This study introduces a system-level methodology for designing multi-family sustainable housing communities. This methodology is flexible and user-friendly, and can be implemented by both researchers and design practitioners. It can be applied in assessment of various energy efficiency measures and energy delivery options that can be considered during the early stages of design and development. The overall goal of such a system-level process is to provide a quick and efficient approach for identifying various design trade-offs early in the design process, which leads to an acceptable final design. The authors have utilized a sustainable housing community that is under development in Bloomington, IN, U.S. as the case study to illustrate this methodology in the design process. Ten building variables that were deemed to have a significant influence on energy consumption and/or construction cost were considered for potential inclusion in the final design. During the process, a baseline building model was carefully defined according to applicable energy standards, available reference building models in the U.S., and community and developer preferences. All energy saving measures are considered relative to this baseline building model. The results of a sensitivity analysis show that advanced energy delivery options (such as geothermal heat pumps, energy recovery ventilators and heat pump water heaters) can significantly reduce the Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of the building as compared with adjustments to the envelope. In the final scenario, more than 45% of the annual baseline energy consumption is reduced from the initial design.
Examining the interplay between Streptococcus agalactiae, the biopolymer chitin and its derivative.

Streptococcus agalactiae is a highly pathogenic bacterium of aquatic species and terrestrial animals worldwide, whereas chitin and its derivative chitosan are among the most abundant biopolymers found in nature, including the aquatic milieu. The present investigation focused on the capability of S. agalactiae to degrade and utilize these polymers. Growth of S. agalactiae in the presence of colloid chitin, chitosan, or N-acetyl-glucosamine (GlcNAc) was evaluated. Chitosanase production was measured daily over 7 days of growth period and degraded products were evaluated with thin later chorography. Chitin had no effect on the growth of S. agalactiae. Degraded chitin, however, stimulated the growth of S. agalactiae. S. agalactiae cells did not produce chitinase to degrade chitin; however, they readily utilize GlcNAc (product of degraded chitin) as sole source of carbon and nitrogen for growth. Chitosan at high concentrations had antibacterial activities against S. agalactiae, while in the presence of lower than the inhibitory level of chitosan in the medium, S. agalactiae secrets chitosanase to degrade chitosan, and utilizes it to a limited extent to benefit growth. The interaction of S. agalactiae with chitin hydrolytes and chitosan could play a role in the diverse habitat distribution and pathogenicity of S. agalactiae worldwide.
Range and Height Measurement of X-Band EM Propagation in the Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer

An X-band vertical array system is developed for measuring and characterizing electromagnetic (EM) propagation in the marine atmospheric boundary layer. In particular, the evaporation duct that commonly forms over water is investigated as part of the Coupled Air-Sea Processes and Electromagnetic ducting Research (CASPER) at-sea experimental campaign conducted off the coast of Duck, NC, USA, during October–November of 2015. Monte Carlo simulations are first used to develop an optimal array of four vertically spaced receiving antennas. In the experiment, the antennas are mounted on the stern A-frame of a research vessel and measure EM signals transmitted from beacons mounted on another research vessel and on the pier at the Army Field Research Facility. While the propagation loss versus range provides a data set similar to previous work, the vertical array can provide sampling of modes in the leaky waveguide formed in the duct. Combining both the range and height sampling results in a robust inversion method for evaporation duct estimation. In this paper, the efficacy of the four-element array is demonstrated by estimation of the evaporation duct height through comparison with a library of precomputed propagation curves generated using the parabolic wave equation. Low model error gives confidence in the estimates, which are consistent with the concurrent environmental measurements performed by the CASPER team. It is found that the evaporation duct can vary significantly with range and time over the duration of a data collection run.
Forests of Alabama, 2016

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Alabama based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Southern Research Station in cooperation with the Alabama Forestry Commission. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly. The estimates presented in this update are for the measurement year 2016 and are compared to data reported in 2015. The sample plot population in Alabama consists of 5,657 plots, collected across a period of about 8 years (approximately 707 plots, or 12.5 percent of the data per year).
A review of energy harvesting using piezoelectric materials: state-of-the-art a decade later (2008–2018)

Energy harvesting technologies have been explored by researchers for more than two decades as an alternative to conventional power sources (e.g. batteries) for small-sized and low-power electronic devices. The limited life-time and necessity for periodic recharging or replacement of batteries has been a consistent issue in portable, remote, and implantable devices. Ambient energy can usually be found in the form of solar energy, thermal energy, and vibration energy. Amongst these energy sources, vibration energy presents a persistent presence in nature and manmade structures. Various materials and transduction mechanisms have the ability to convert vibratory energy to useful electrical energy, such as piezoelectric, electromagnetic, and electrostatic generators. Piezoelectric transducers, with their inherent electromechanical coupling and high power density compared to electromagnetic and electrostatic transducers, have been widely explored to generate power from vibration energy sources. A topical review of piezoelectric energy harvesting methods was carried out and published in this journal by the authors in 2007. Since 2007, countless researchers have introduced novel materials, transduction mechanisms, electrical circuits, and analytical models to improve various aspects of piezoelectric energy harvesting devices. Additionally, many researchers have also reported novel applications of piezoelectric energy harvesting technology in the past decade. While the body of literature in the field of piezoelectric energy harvesting has grown significantly since 2007, this paper presents an update to the authors' previous review paper by summarizing the notable developments in the field of piezoelectric energy harvesting through the past decade.
Computational Design of the Compacted Wire Strand Model and Its Behavior Under Axial Elongation

Compacted wire strand is produced by applying compression to the readymade classical wire strand. Therefore, parametric mathematical curves that can create geometric cross-sectional shape of the center and outer wires are not available. The center and outer wires of compacted wire strand are formed with the help of the real cross-sectional compacted wire rope by using the developed computer code. Due to the compaction process cross-sections of the core wire and the outer single helical wires of the circular wire strand becomes to hexagonal and isosceles trapezoidal shapes respectively. The amount of gap in the cross-sectional area is decreased and the contact surfaces of the wires are increased by compaction process. As a result, the diameter of the compacted wire strand is decreased at the end of this process. After the modeling process, a finite element analysis is conducted by applying strain boundary condition to the compacted wire strand. The obtained results are compared with the analytical, test and the finite element analysis results obtained for the classical wire strand model and the good agreement between them is recognized. Meanwhile the analysis results showed that the contact forces are decreased due to the increased contact area between the outer wires of the compacted wire strand. This also proves that the compaction process increases the strength and life span of wire strands.
Ultra Low Resistivity and High Electrical Stability Silo-Ag ECAs Produced from Curing Chemistry Optimization for Flexible Electronics

Highly conductive and both mechanically and electrically stable polymer-based adhesive composites are now more extensively used in die attachment, flip-chip interconnections, surface mount interconnections, and are especially important to flexible and wearable electronics. To enhance conductivity, most researches devoted to filler surface engineering and largely neglected network development of polymer matrix. While ultra low resistivity has been achieved, most of these electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs) display poor electrical stability under reversed mechanical deformation. For practical implications to wearable electronic applications, the performance stability of ECA under reversed deformation under relatively small strains of human movement is of critical significance. We investigate the effect of polymer matrix stoichiometry during curing on the conductivity and electrical stability of silver-poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) ECA composites. Characterization of crosslinking density reveals a competition between crosslinking reaction and surfactant reduction with silver flake sintering during curing, leading to a tradeoff relationship between stretchability and electrical conductivity. By tuning the crosslinking functional group ratio, the best combination of ultra-low resistivity of 1.33×10^-4 Ω·cm and high stability of 22.2% increase in resistivity after 100 cycles of tensile 0-25% tensile straining is achieved at an intermediate hydride-to-vinyl group ratio of 1:2.
Paulo Freire on Pedagogy and Revolution

The work of Freire provides a valuable vantage point to reflect on pedagogy as a practice of freedom that undermines the authority, hierarchy and knowledge nexus. Via dialogic praxis, the reinvention of power and permanent revolution, Freire overcomes the “iron law of oligarchy” and charts a path for the future of democracy. He exposes the fundamentalism of the Right and the Left and opens a new future for the emancipatory project. He is thus a central figure who shatters the authority, hierarchy and knowledge nexus and opens the prospect of radical political theory pedagogy as the practice of equality.
Cannabis and Alcohol Co-Use in a Smoking Cessation Pharmacotherapy Trial for Adolescents and Emerging Adults

Introduction The co-use of cannabis and alcohol among tobacco-using youth is common. Alcohol co-use is associated with worse tobacco cessation outcomes, but results are mixed regarding the impact of cannabis on tobacco outcomes and if co-use leads to increased use of non-treated substances. This secondary analysis from a youth smoking cessation trial aimed to (1) evaluate the impact of cannabis or alcohol co-use on smoking cessation, (2) examine changes in co-use during the trial, and (3) explore secondary effects of varenicline on co-use. Methods The parent study was a 12-week, randomized clinical trial of varenicline for smoking cessation among youth (ages 14-21, N = 157; Mage = 19, 40% female; 76% White). Daily cigarette, cannabis, and alcohol use data were collected via daily diaries during treatment and Timeline Follow-back for 14 weeks post-treatment. Results Baseline cannabis co-users (68%) had double the odds of continued cigarette smoking throughout the trial compared with noncannabis users, which was pronounced in males and frequent cannabis users. Continued smoking during treatment was associated with higher probability of concurrent cannabis use. Baseline alcohol co-users (80%) did not have worse smoking outcomes compared with nonalcohol users, but continued smoking was associated with higher probability of concurrent drinking. Varenicline did not affect co-use. Conclusions Inconsistent with prior literature, results showed that alcohol co-users did not differ in smoking cessation, whereas cannabis co-users had poorer cessation outcomes. Youth tobacco treatment would benefit from added focus on substance co-use, particularly cannabis, but may need to be tailored appropriately to promote cessation. Implications Among youth cigarette smokers enrolled in a pharmacotherapy evaluation clinical trial, alcohol and/or cannabis co-use was prevalent. The co-use of cannabis affected smoking cessation outcomes, but more so for males and frequent cannabis users, whereas alcohol co-use did not affect smoking cessation. Reductions in smoking were accompanied by concurrent reductions in alcohol or cannabis use. Substance co-use does not appear to affect all youth smokers in the same manner and treatment strategies may need to be tailored appropriately for those with lower odds of smoking cessation.
A Four-Pillared Holistic Model for Improving Performance in Engineering Virtual Project Teams

The adoption of virtual teams across engineering organizations continues to rise, given the added benefits compared with co-located teams. However, virtual teams face additional challenges related ...
Small RNA Mcr11 requires the transcription factor AbmR for stable expression and regulates genes involved in the central metabolism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the etiologic agent of tuberculosis, must adapt to host-associated environments during infection by modulating gene expression. Small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) are key regulators of bacterial gene expression, but their roles in Mtb are not well understood. Here, we address the expression and function of the Mtb sRNA Mcr11, which is associated with slow bacterial growth and chronic infections in mice. We found that stable expression of Mcr11 requires multiple factors specific to TB-complex bacteria, including the AbmR transcription factor. Bioinformatic analyses used to predict regulatory targets of Mcr11 identified 7-11 nucleotide regions with potential for direct base-pairing with Mcr11 immediately upstream of Rv3282, fadA3, and lipB. mcr11-dependent regulation of these genes was demonstrated using qRT-PCR and found to be responsive to the presence of fatty acids. Mutation of the putative Mcr11 base-pairing site upstream of lipB in a promoter reporter strain resulted in significant de-repression of lipB expression, similar to that observed in mcr11-deleted Mtb. These studies establish Mcr11's roles in regulating growth and central metabolism in Mtb. Our finding that multiple TB-complex-specific factors are required for production of stable Mcr11 also emphasizes the need to better understand mechanisms of sRNA expression and stability in TB.
Superior Capsular Reconstruction for the Operatively Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tear: Clinical Outcomes Are Maintained 2 Years After Surgery

Purpose To evaluate the results of arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) after 2-year minimum follow-up and to compare the results with those seen in a previously studied group of patients at 1 year postoperatively. Methods The retrospective study period was October 2014 through September 2016. Inclusion criteria were arthroscopic dermal allograft SCR performed for operatively irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tear with intact or repairable subscapularis tendon, failure of nonoperative treatment, and clinical follow-up at 1 and minimum 2 years postoperatively. Patients lost to follow-up or undergoing revision of the SCR were excluded from the analysis. The primary outcome measure was American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score (mean, [95% confidence interval], P value). Secondary outcomes included visual analog pain rating (0-10), subjective shoulder value, and active forward elevation and external rotation (degrees). Radiographic analysis included acromiohumeral interval (millimeters) and graft integrity 1-year postoperation. Complications and reoperations were reviewed from the medical record. Results Forty-one patients met inclusion criteria at mean 34 months postoperatively, and 8 were excluded. ASES score improved from 52 (46-57) preoperative to 90 (87-92; P Conclusions Arthroscopic joint preservation surgery for massive, operatively irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears with dermal allograft SCR and associated procedures results in improved clinical outcomes that are durable between 1 and minimum 2-year follow-up. Level of Evidence IV retrospective case series.
Early signatures of and developmental change in brain regions for theory of mind

Abstract Theory of Mind (ToM)—the intuitive theory by which people understand others’ actions in terms of their beliefs, desires, and emotions—undergoes dramatic change in childhood. Among adults, utilizing this intuitive theory recruits a specific network of brain regions, including the temporoparietal junction. In this chapter, we summarize recent neuroimaging evidence about the developmental origins of these functional brain regions, and the developmental changes in these regions that support ongoing ToM development in childhood. We additionally highlight several future avenues for developmental cognitive neuroscientists, which would provide insight into how the brain supports different aspects of ToM development, and how experience shapes ToM development, neurally and behaviorally.
Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery: A History in the Making

The subspecialty of ophthalmic plastic surgery was born in the mid-twentieth century in the United States at the conclusion of World War II. The art of oculoplastic surgery, however, is centuries old, bearing its roots in antiquity in India, the Far East, and Europe. The principles and basic techniques that have been improved upon and refined over the years are inherent in the disciplines of ophthalmology and plastic surgery. Thus, a history of ophthalmic plastic surgery is inevitably a history of the development of both fields. The various procedures that have evolved over centuries can be divided into several general categories: reconstructive, restorative, and cosmetic. Each of these categories deals with restoring or enhancing structure as well function to damaged or malfunctioning adnexal structures. Numerous adnexal structures make up the periorbita, and throughout time, oculoplastic surgeons have perfected, refined, and pioneered new techniques of lacrimal surgery, ptosis repair and blepharoplasty, orbital surgery, lid malpositions, and flaps and grafts. Oculoplastic surgery became recognized as a unique subspecialty of ophthalmology at the end of World War II. Numerous orbital and periocular injuries were treated by general ophthalmologists without prior training or exposure to ophthalmic plastic surgery. For these surgeons, review of the existing literature, exchange of experiences with colleagues and across disciplines, and, more often than not, trial and error were keys in developing these procedures. After the war, interest in the subfield of ophthalmic surgery grew, and eventually, an organized association dedicated solely to the field of ophthalmic plastic surgery was formed. This chapter is a testament to those great minds that weaved the broad array of ophthalmic techniques into a quilt of a distinct subspecialty.
A non-linear elastic approach to study the effect of ambient humidity on sandstone

We demonstrate that strong elastic pump wave pulses soften sandstone more in humidified conditions than they do in dry conditions and that this effect is repeatable and reversible. We assess these changes via the non-linear interactions of a strong pump wave with a weaker probe wave. We find that there is an exponential time constant ( τ ≈ 13 days) associated with this process that is independent of the amplitudes of the pump and the probe, the phase delay between the two waves (the time between transmission of the pump and probe waves), the sampling rate, and whether the sample is being dried or humidified. We demonstrate that the humidity-dependent differences in the amount of softening are induced by only a very small amount of absorbed water vapor and argue that this water is intercalated within clay particles. We also show that our pump–probe experiments detect these humidity-dependent differences in the amount of softening easily and repeatably using an experimental design that does not rely on resonance conditions. This means that, in principle, our experiments could be more easily generalized to other experimental geometries to investigate non-linear elastic properties in complex or irregular sample geometries. Our method and findings have potential relevance in oil and gas exploration, civil engineering, and understanding of the mechanism of earthquakes.
Nancy Cunard And the afterlives of decadent desire

While Nancy Cunard is often understood in relation to the modernist and surrealist circles in which she moved in the early-twentieth century, as Jane Marcus’s recent work on Cunard indicates, her c...
Enacting Number Talks in a Simulated Classroom Environment: What Do Preservice Teachers Notice About Students?

Number talks are short mathematical discussions offering sensemaking opportunities for students. Aside from bolstering students’ mathematical learning, this instructional routine may also support preservice teachers (PSTs) in investigating how to facilitate discussion-focused instruction. In this study, PSTs engage in a learning cycle to explore, plan and rehearse two separate number talks during human-in-the-loop simulations, and then reflect on these experiences. During the first simulation, PSTs focus on understanding the routine’s components while positioning avatar-students as sensemakers as they elicit their participation. In the second simulation, PSTs build their instructional skills as they record representations of students’ mathematical thinking, probe students’ thinking in order to make mathematics visible, as well as notice missed opportunities to support students’ mathematical reasoning during reflections of their experiences. Implications of this study suggest that simulations, when embedded within a cycle of enactment and reflection, support PSTs in developing professional noticing skills.