cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epics in the everyday: photography, architecture, and the problem of realism: Jesús Vassallo Zurich: Park Books, 2019 ISBN: 9783038601623 €48, Hb, pp. 328, Illus. (108 colour, 67 b/w)

Architecture now is unthinkable without images. This is not only owing to the pervasive representation of buildings through photographs, renderings, or some hybrid of both. Perhaps more critically,...
Highly sensitive plasmonic sensor fabricated with multilayer Ag/Si3N4/Au nanostructure for the detection of glucose in glucose/water solutions

Abstract The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors are well-known for their high sensitivity and resolution, for example in the detection of a change in the refractive index of materials due to variations in the physical conditions (e. g., temperature, relative concentration) and/or impurities. In the majority of the cases, SPR sensors are made by using a thin film of a single metal, like gold. Here, we introduce a new type of SPR sensor fabricated by using a multi-layer nanostructure Ag/Si3N4/Au. This sensor has shown excellent performance in monitoring relative concentration of glucose in glucose/water solutions. The results presented in this work show that the sensor can resolve relative concentrations of glucose in glucose/water solutions down to a limit of about a percent. The performance of the sensor is enhanced significantly by high strength of the evanescent electric fields associated with the surface plasmon resonance. Computer simulations show that the electric field at the surface of this multilayer sensor is stronger by as much as 50 % compared to the field at the surface of a gold film sensor. Additionally, the evanescent electric fields persist above the sensor surface to much longer distances with decay lengths of as large as approximately 300 nms. Strong evanescent fields with long decay lengths add to the performance of the sensor and facilitate detection of the changes in the optical properties of materials up to large distances from the sensor.
Increasing Screening for Intimate Partner Violence and Reproductive Coercion: Understanding Provider Motivations:

Current estimates indicate that as few as 2% of health providers may be universally screening patients or clients for intimate partner violence and reproductive coercion. Barriers to screening have been well-described in the literature; however, little attention has been paid to the factors that motivate providers to carry out screenings. This study explored data from a sample of providers who had received specific screening and intervention training to ascertain what factors motivated them to complete screenings in practice. Patient-related, provider-related, and work setting factors were identified. Findings may support improved provider training and, ultimately, screening rates.
How are nurse educators prepared to teach interprofessional practice

Abstract Background When healthcare professionals collaborate and communicate well, patients have better health outcomes. Nursing students need to learn interprofessional team skills before they graduate to succeed. Nurse educators are responsible for preparing students to function in interprofessional teams. However, many nursing programs, especially ones with fewer resources, struggle to teach interprofessional collaboration. Experts agree that the first step in implementing interprofessional education is to provide educators with faculty development. Despite this, little is known about if and how nurse educators are prepared to teach interprofessional concepts. Objectives The purpose of this study was to explore nurse educator experiences regarding their preparation to teach interprofessional education and to explore how their preparation influenced their teaching. Design A qualitative multiple case study approach was used to gather information regarding nurse educators' preparation to teach interprofessional education. Data were gathered from interviews and educational documents. Settings This study involved three different undergraduate RN programs located in the Western United States. Participants Data was gathered from three educators from each of the three different undergraduate nursing programs, for a total of nine participants. Methods Interview transcripts and educational documents were thematically analyzed using the Interprofessional Education Collaborative's core competencies as a framework. Results None of the educators had participated in any type of formal faculty development to prepare them to teach interprofessional collaboration. Most had an incomplete understanding of interprofessional collaborative practice. Few were aware of the resources available to help them incorporate interprofessional collaboration into their curriculum. Although there were isolated instances where participants taught students communication or teamwork concepts, none of the programs explored had any formal interprofessional education in their curricula. Conclusions This study's findings support the need for faculty development if leaders expect nursing educators to teach interprofessional collaboration to students.
An Optical Preamplifier for FIR Receiver Systems

An optically pumped amplifier suitable for use in a far infrared receiver system has been constructed and evaluated. Relevant parameters, including gain and noise characteristics, have been studied and are reported.
Towards a Framework for Characterizing the Behavior of AI-Enabled Cyber-Physical and IoT Systems

While Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning provide a pathway of new and exciting possibilities for AI-Enabled Cyber-Physical and Internet of Things systems, these technology solutions are not without challenges that may hinder adoption. We do not always understand why AI components behave in the way they do, nor can we always predict what they will do under new circumstances. In this paper, we discuss possible approaches for extending the NIST CPS Framework in a way that provides designers, operators and other stakeholders with a shared vocabulary and a collaborative framework allowing them to discuss, identify, express, and verify requirements on the behavior of AI-enabled Cyber-Physical and Internet of Things Systems.
A paradigm shift: Adoption of disruptive learning innovations in an ODL environment: The case of the University of South Africa

The aim of this article is to shed some light on patterns of and major motives for the adoption of different types of disruptive learning innovations by Unisa academics. To realise the aim of the study, the following questions were addressed: What are the reasons for adopting disruptive learning innovations? What is the level of interaction with disruptive innovations? What training do Unisa academics require on disruptive innovations? A qualitative approach was adopted by conducting focus group interviews with 76 Unisa academics. The data was analysed using open and axial coding, where dominant themes from the discussions were identified and discussed in detail. The findings show that the interaction of Unisa lecturers with different technologies varied from technology to technology. The study also found that disruptive innovations play a pivotal role in opening avenues and collapsing the transactional distance in an ODL institution. Some lecturers lack skill in using some technology, which is a cause for concern. Therefore, lecturers need to be trained in using technology and develop a good understanding of it to improve teaching and learning.
Crimen productivo y nación en El año del laberinto

El articulo analiza las relaciones entre distintos protagonistas sociales y politicos y la nocion de crimen en la novela de Tatiana Lobo, El ano del laberinto. Muestra que el texto de Lobo hace una critica al proyecto de estado nacional liberal costarricense, en el sentido de que este ha estado permeado por el crimen desde sus origenes en el siglo XIX. Para tal efecto, se estudian los actos criminales que aparecen en la novela, asi como su impacto en personajes que representan a distintos grupos sociales.
Polarization as a driving force in accelerated retention measurements on ferroelectric thin films

There has been an increase in the number of papers and research related to the study of retention measurement and interpretation of results in ferroelectric thin films as applied to non-volatile memory devices. Because it is impractical to measure the retention time directly, temperature is employed to accelerate the failure mechanisms. The magnitude of the polarization vector is the driving force for charge re-distribution in ferroelectric thin films but is itself, temperature dependent. Characterization results suggest that there is an optimum temperature at which maximum polarization compensation occurs. The experimental results introduced in this paper is meant to add to the growing knowledge base of retention characterization.
Poleward Flow Near the Northern and Southern Boundaries of the U. S. West Coast

Poleward flow over the shelf and slope is a common feature of west coast circulation. This paper describes the present state of knowledge of poleward flow near the end points of the U.S. West Coast, Washington State, and southern California, and compares the occurrence of poleward flow in the two regions. Attention is given to the occurrence of equatorward flow, which is now becoming the anomaly rather than the norm in west coast current observations. In particular, the occurrence of equatorward flow over the shelf during winter in relation to the Columbia River plume, and an equatorward undercurrent over the slope during winter off the Washington coast are described.
The Paulson Report Reconsidered: How to Fix Securities Litigation by Converting Class Actions into Issuer Actions

This short essay considers the findings and recommendations of the Paulson Report relating to securities fraud class actions under the 1934 Act and Rule 10b-5. While the report exposes numerous problems with securities litigation in the United States, it understates the problems inherent in stock-drop actions. As a result, the report fails to propose an effective fix. As the report recognizes, diversified investors gain nothing from stock-drop actions: Because the corporation pays, holders effectively reimburse buyers and sellers keep their gains. In other words, the system suffers from circularity akin to a game of musical chairs in that stock-drop actions ultimately do no more than transfer wealth among investors. Indeed, diversified investors are net losers to the extent of attorney fees and other costs of litigation. But the report fails to note that issuers who are targets of such actions see their stock drop in price by more than it otherwise would because of the prospect of litigation and a feedback effect: When the issuer pays to settle the case, the payment further reduces the value of the company, which leads to a further decrease in stock price and a further increase in the potential for damages. In the end, a target company faces a higher cost of capital than it would in a world without securities fraud class actions. And in some cases it may face financial ruin. The report also fails to note that diversified investors may suffer genuine financial loss when insiders take advantage of nonpublic information for personal gain or when they damage the reputation of the company by failure to be candid with the market. In such cases, stockholders have a real gripe and should have a remedy. The simple solution is for the courts to deem stock-drop actions under the 1934 Act and Rule 10b-5 to be derivative actions rather than direct (class) actions. It is well settled that it is up to the court to decide whether an action is direct or derivative. The fact that the parties style the action as a direct (class) action rather than as a derivative action does not make it so. By recasting stock-drop actions as derivative actions, the courts could in one stroke eliminate the glaring market inefficiency of circular recovery, lower the cost of capital for issuers, emphasize individual responsibility, induce boards of directors and gatekeepers to become more vigilant, and reduce the need for criminal prosecution.
Damage Assessment Technologies for Prognostics and Proactive Management of Materials Degradation

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has undertaken a program to lay the groundwork for defining proactive actions to manage degradation of materials in light water reactors (LWRs). This paper discusses the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Proactive Management of Materials Degradation (PMMD) program and its application to nuclear power plant structures, systems and components. The PMMD program is examining LWR component materials and the degradation phenomena that affect them. Of particular interest is how such phenomena can be monitored to predict degradation and prevent component failure. Some forms of degradation, including some modes of stress corrosion cracking, are characterized by a long initiation time followed by a rapid growth phase. Monitoring such long-term degradation will require new non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methods and measurement procedures. A critical analysis of all reactor components is required to determine if new inspection strategies are required to effectively manage slow degradation mechanisms that may lead to component failure. As reactor lifetimes are extended, degradation mechanisms previously considered too long-term to be of consequence (such as concrete and wiring insulation degradation) may become more important. This paper includes a review of techniques with potential for sensing and monitoring degradation in its early stages and will concisely explain themore » basic principles of PMMD and its relationship to in-service inspection, condition based maintenance, and advanced diagnostics and prognostics.« less
Group creativity and collaborative technologies: understanding the role of visual anonymity

This study expands on the current body of research examining technology-supported teams, individual creativity, and group diversity. By incorporating each of these elements into the experimental design, our objective was to determine how technology can best be leveraged to promote creativity in virtual teams.A lab experiment was conducted using 80 student teams by manipulating anonymity and capturing diversity characteristics. Preliminary results are presented which suggest that homogeneous teams generated more ideas; however, diverse teams were more satisfied with their output. Coding of the creativity of the ideas is on going.
Fgf-dependent otic induction requires competence provided by Foxi1 and Dlx3b

The inner ear arises from a specialized set of cells, the otic placode, that forms at the lateral edge of the neural plate adjacent to the hindbrain. Previous studies indicated that fibroblast growth factors (Fgfs) are required for otic induction; in zebrafish, loss of both Fgf3 and Fgf8 results in total ablation of otic tissue. Furthermore, gain-of-function studies suggested that Fgf signaling is not only necessary but also sufficient for otic induction, although the amount of induced ectopic otic tissue reported after misexpression of fgf3 or fgf8 varies among different studies. We previously suggested that Foxi1 and Dlx3b may provide competence to form the ear because loss of both foxi1 and dlx3b results in ablation of all otic tissue even in the presence of a fully functional Fgf signaling pathway. Using a transgenic line that allows us to misexpress fgf8 under the control of the zebrafish temperature-inducible hsp70 promoter, we readdressed the role of Fgf signaling and otic competence during placode induction. We find that misexpression of fgf8 fails to induce formation of ectopic otic vesicles outside of the endogenous ear field and has different consequences depending upon the developmental stage. Overexpression of fgf8 from 1-cell to midgastrula stages leads to formation of no or small otic vesicles, respectively. Overexpression of fgf8 at these stages never leads to ectopic expression of foxi1 or dlx3b, contrary to previous studies that indicated that foxi1 is activated by Fgf signaling. Consistent with our results we find that pharmacological inhibition of Fgf signaling has no effect on foxi1 or dlx3b expression, but instead, Bmp signaling activates foxi1, directly and dlx3b, indirectly. In contrast to early activation of fgf8, fgf8 overexpression at the end of gastrulation, when otic induction begins, leads to much larger otic vesicles. We further show that application of a low dose of retinoic acid that does not perturb patterning of the anterior neural plate leads to expansion of foxi1 and to a massive Fgf-dependent otic induction. These results provide further support for the hypothesis that Foxi1 and Dlx3b provide competence for cells to respond to Fgf and form an otic placode.
Towards facial feature extraction and verification for omni-face detection in video/images

Face detection is important in video/image content analysis and organization since the most important object in those media is often a human being. We propose a facial feature based omni-face detection algorithm. While utilizing the skin color model for face cue detection, a pairwise skin region refinement strategy is applied to eliminate the errors incurred by the skin model. Then, a region based adaptive threshold selection scheme is employed for facial feature segmentation. After the facial feature filtering, an orientation, pose and scale invariant face verification strategy is utilized to verify the detected face candidate regions. Experimental results demonstrate successful detection over a wide variety of facial variation in background, scale, view and orientation from different types of video collections.
The Autoimmune Diabetes Locus Idd9 Regulates Development of Type 1 Diabetes by Affecting the Homing of Islet-Specific T Cells

Several genetic insulin-dependent diabetes (Idd) intervals that confer resistance to autoimmune diabetes have been identified in mice and humans, but the mechanisms by which they protect against development of diabetes have not been elucidated. To determine the effect of Idd9 on the function of islet-specific T cells, we established novel BDC-Idd9 mice that harbor BDC2.5 TCR transgenic T cells containing the Idd9 of diabetes-resistant B10 mice. We show that the development and functional responses of islet-specific T cells from BDC-Idd9 mice are not defective compared with those from BDC mice, which contain the Idd9 of diabetes-susceptible NOD mice. Upon transfer, BDC T cells rapidly induced severe insulitis and diabetes in NOD.scid mice, whereas those from BDC-Idd9 mice mediated a milder insulitis and induced diabetes with a significantly delayed onset. BDC and BDC-Idd9 T cells expanded comparably in recipient mice. However, BDC-Idd9 T cells accumulated in splenic periarteriolar lymphatic sheaths, whereas BDC T cells were mainly found in pancreatic lymph nodes and pancreata of recipients, indicating that the transferred T cells differed in their homing. We provide evidence that the migration pattern of transferred BDC and BDC-Idd9 T cells at least partly depends on their differential chemotaxis toward the CCR7 ligand CCL19. Taken together, our data show that the Idd9 locus regulates development of type 1 diabetes by affecting the homing of islet-specific T cells.
Short-term memory effects on the representation of two-dimensional space in the rhesus monkey.

Human subjects represent the location of a point in 2D space using two independent dimensions (x–y in Euclidean or radius-angle in polar space), and encode location in memory along these dimensions using two levels of representation: a fine-grain value and a category. Here we determined whether monkeys possessed the ability to represent location with these two levels of coding. A rhesus monkey was trained to reproduce the location of a dot in a circle by pointing, after a delay period, on the location where a dot was presented. Five different delay periods (0.5–5 s) were used. The results showed that the monkey used a polar coordinate system to represent the fine-grain spatial coding, where the radius and angle of the dots were encoded independently. The variability of the spatial response and reaction time increased with longer delays. Furthermore, the animal was able to form a categorical representation of space that was delay-dependent. The responses avoided the circumference and the center of the circle, defining a categorical radial prototype around one third of the total radial length. This radial category was observed only at delay durations of 3–5 s. Finally, the monkey also formed angular categories with prototypes at the obliques of the quadrants of the circle, avoiding the horizontal and vertical axes. However, these prototypes were only observed at the 5-s delay and on dots lying on the circumference. These results indicate that monkeys may possess spatial cognitive abilities similar to humans.
Classification and effects of thermal wakes on heat transfer in multilouvered fins

Abstract The study classifies and isolates the effects of thermal wake interference that occurs in multilouvered fins. Inter-fin interference occurs between adjacent rows of louvers and is dominant at high flow efficiencies when the flow is louver directed. Intra-fin interference occurs on subsequent louvers of the same row or fin and is dominant at low flow efficiencies or when the flow is predominantly duct directed. It is established that thermal wake effects can be expressed quantitatively as functions of the flow efficiency and the fin pitch to louver pitch ratio. While the heat transfer capacity of multilouvered fins increases unconditionally when thermal wakes are eliminated, the heat transfer coefficient either increases or decreases depending on the relative location of thermal wakes in the vicinity of louvers. Experimental procedures, which neglect thermal wake effects in determining the heat transfer coefficient, while not introducing large errors at high flow efficiencies, can introduce errors as high as 100% at low flow efficiencies.
Physical processes in photon-starved nonthermal pair plasmas

Compton spectra produced by relativistic, unmagnetized, nonthermal electron-positron pairs injected into 'photon-starved' plasmas, where the luminosity in soft photons is much less than the power in the nonthermal pair injection, are studied. The overall form of the spectra consists of a rising spectrum at low energies, a single or double peak in the 0.1-1 MeV energy range, a cutoff above the peak, and a gamma-ray tail with a varying slope depending on the plasma parameters. The low-energy power law is mostly due to the primary soft photons being repeatedly upscattered by the hot thermal electrons. Comparisons are made with observations of compact objects.
Lateral suboccipital approach for vertebral and vertebrobasilar artery lesions

A modification of the unilateral suboccipital approach is elaborated and illustrated. This modification is useful for aneurysms of the vertebral artery, the vertebrobasilar junction, and the proximal basilar trunk, and for arteriovenous malformations of the inferolateral cerebellum. It entails extreme lateral removal of the rim of the foramen magnum toward the condylar fossa and posterolateral removal of the arch of the atlas toward the exposed vertebral artery. This extra bone removal allows an approach to the front of the brain stem from inferolaterally, after gentle upward and medial retraction of the tonsil, with minimal or no retraction of the medulla.
A logistic model of periodic chemotherapy with drug resistance

Abstract A logistic model of periodic chemotherapy is developed that includes drug resistance. Criteria are developed to describe the acceptable number of doses before tumor regrowth due to drug resistance occurs. The model is then compared with some clinical results, and it is shown that they qualitatively match well.
Constructing lower-bounds for CTL escape rates in early SIV infection

Intrahost human and simian immunodeficiency virus (HIV and SIV) evolution is marked by repeated viral escape from cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response. Typically, the first such CTL escape starts around the time of peak viral load and completes within one or two weeks. Many authors have developed methods to quantify CTL escape rates, but existing methods depend on sampling at two or more timepoints. Since many datasets capture the dynamics of the first CTL escape at a single timepoint, we develop inference methods applicable to single timepoint datasets. To account for model uncertainty, we construct estimators which serve as lower bounds for the escape rate. These lower-bound estimators allow for statistically meaningful comparison of escape rates across different times and different compartments. We apply our methods to two SIV datasets, showing that escape rates are relatively high during the initial days of the first CTL escape and drop to lower levels as the escape proceeds.
The Effects of Group Discussion on Eyewitness Accuracy

Previous research on group performance in judgmental tasks reveals that groups are rarely inferior, and often superior, to the average individual. The present study examined whether this pattern of results extends to the accuracy of eyewitness reports of a crime. It was found that group discussion led to accounts that were significantly more accurate than the average individual. A requirement to reach a unanimous decision did not alter any of the effects of group discussion. Group superiority was especially clear in terms of the completeness of the reports and in estimations of the duration of the incident. The discussion considered the implications of the present results for the current practice of prohibiting group discussion as an aid to the preparation of testimony.
π-Deficiency parameters of heteroaromatic N-oxides

Abstract The 13ϱ parameters, originally developed for the parent heterocyclic ring systems, and representing a quantitative measure of π-deficiency and π-excessiveness, have been extended to their N -oxides, and some of the N -alkylated quaternary salts. These parameters, obtained from 13 C chemical shift data, have been correlated with the ν NO (cm −1 ) frequencies of the N -oxides.
Smooth and rough phases of quantized gravity

Abstract I summarize recent results obtained in a four-dimensional model of simplicial quantum gravity based on Regge's discretization, with a higher derivative regulator term. A non-trivial critical point is found at some finite value of the bar Newton's constant, separating the smooth (G >Gc, small negative curvature) from the rough (G
Support vector clustering combined with spectral graph partitioning

We propose a new support vector clustering (SVC) strategy by combining (SVC) with spectral graph partitioning (SGP). SVC has two main steps: support vector computation and cluster labeling using adjacency matrix. Spectral graph partitioning (SGP) method is applied to the adjacency matrix to determine the cluster labels. It is feasible to combine multiple adjacency matrices computed using different parameters. A novel multi-resolution combination method is proposed for cluster labeling using the SGP for the purpose of boosting the clustering performance.
Muslim selves and the American body politic: placing major Nidal Malik Hasan's case in a broader socio-historical context

In the past two decades, US wars in Muslim-majority countries along with Muslim militants' attacks on the United States have raised questions about the place of Muslims in America's multicultural society. Attempts to configure the place of Muslim selves in American body politic have focused primarily on the nature of Islam and its relation to American interests rather than on an analysis of the political policies that have shaped our times. This privileging of religio-cultural explanations of US relations with the Muslim world has engendered the presumption that all Muslims are suspect unless they prove themselves otherwise. Major Nidal Malik Hasan's case, whatever his personal psychological condition, is an example of the way in which attempts at providing a religio-cultural solution to a political problem has placed the burden of bridging the gap between American multicultural ideals and American policies that view Muslims as suspect on the back of individual American Muslim selves. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shared Antigens of Parasitic Nematodes and Host Plants

ANTIGENS which metazoan parasites share with their warm blooded hosts have been known for many years. Examples of other “common antigens” can also be found among the viruses, protozoa, bacteria and their respective hosts. The occurrence and significance of this phenomenon has been the subject of a comprehensive review1.
Speaker-independent name retrieval from spellings using a database of 50000 names

A system that recognizes names spelled with pauses between letters using high quality speech is described. The system uses neural network classifiers to locate and classify letters, then searches a database of names to find the best match to the letter scores. The directory name retrieval system was evaluated on 1020 names provided by 34 speakers who were not used to train the system. Using a database of 50000 names, 972, or 95.3%, were correctly identified as the first choice. Of the remaining 48 names, all but 10 were in the top three choices. 99% of letters were correctly located, although speakers failed to pause completely about 10% of the time. Classification of individual spoken letters that were correctly located was 93%. >
Histopathologic examination of conjunctival tophi in gouty arthritis.

Purpose To report a case of conjunctival tophi in a 59-year-old woman with gouty arthritis. Design Observational case report. Methods A 59-year-old woman with a 25-year history of severe gouty arthritis presented with bilateral chalky white conjunctival deposits. Conjunctival biopsies were obtained, and light and electron microscopy studies were performed. Results Light microscopy confirmed multiple gouty tophi. Transmission electron microscopy revealed intracytoplasmic crystalline deposits within histiocytes. Extracellular aggregates of the crystalline deposits were enclosed by membranous material. Conclusions Conjunctival crystals may aid in identifying undiagnosed patients. In addition to conjunctival tophi, patients may also have uveitis, corneal crystals, and band keratopathy.
Support Your Science: Donate to Sections and Focus Groups

AGU's 23 sections and focus groups allow scientists in the same disciplines to engage and collaborate. They are essential to the Union—they help identify emerging issues central to their field of science, provide member input, and nominate scientists for honors and recognition.
mTORC1 Targets the Translational Repressor 4E-BP2, but Not S6 Kinase 1/2, to Regulate Neural Stem Cell Self-Renewal In Vivo

The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) integrates signals important for cell growth, and its dysregulation in neural stem cells (NSCs) is implicated in several neurological disorders associated with abnormal neurogenesis and brain size. However, the function of mTORC1 on NSC self-renewal and the downstream regulatory mechanisms are ill defined. Here, we found that genetically decreasing mTORC1 activity in neonatal NSCs prevented their differentiation, resulting in reduced lineage expansion and aborted neuron production. Constitutive activation of the translational repressor 4E-BP1, which blocked cap-dependent translation, had similar effects and prevented hyperactive mTORC1 induction of NSC differentiation and promoted self-renewal. Although 4E-BP2 knockdown promoted NSC differentiation, p70 S6 kinase 1 and 2 (S6K1/S6K2) knockdown did not affect NSC differentiation but reduced NSC soma size and prevented hyperactive mTORC1-induced increase in soma size. These data demonstrate a crucial role of mTORC1 and 4E-BP for switching on and off cap-dependent translation in NSC differentiation.
Gas transport in poly(n-alkyl acrylate)/poly(m-alkyl acrylate) blends

Abstract Poly(n-alkyl acrylate)s can have side chains that crystallize independently of the main chain; side-chain length can thus be used as a tunable parameter to control the gas permeability of membranes. The gas permeation response of poly(n-alkyl acrylate) and poly(m-alkyl acrylate) blends as a function of temperature is reported for varying side-chain lengths, n and m, and blend composition in the semi-crystalline and molten states. Macroscopic homogeneity is observed for a small range of n and m where |n − m| ≤ 2–4 methylene units. Thermal analysis indicates that the blend components crystallize independently of one another; however, crystallization is hindered by the presence of the other component. Permeation responses of the blends investigated in some cases exhibited two distinct permeation jumps or increases at the melting temperature of each component. Blends with continuous permeation responses but higher effective activation energies of permeation (i.e., more thermally responsive) were observed for some blends over the temperature of interest for membranes to be used for modified atmosphere packaging.
Self-employment of older Americans: do recessions matter?

As high unemployment rates linger following the latest recession, job opportunities can be sparse, especially for older workers. This might prompt older Americans to seek out opportunities in self-employment. Alternatively, recession-related decreases in economic activity might make self-employment less attractive. Using the Health and Retirement Study, we find that unemployed respondents are more likely to enter self-employment and that these decisions are clearly affected by recessions, although the effects differ by recession and gender. Unlike men, women’s self-employment decisions are very sensitive to other sources of household income, and women are less likely to become self-employed the deeper the recession.
Syntheses and Properties of Low-Level Melamine-Modified Urea-Melamine-Formaldehyde Resins

Syntheses of urea–melamine–formaldehyde (UMF) resins were studied using 2–12% melamine levels and UF base resins that were preadvanced to various different extents. The melamine reaction was carried out at pH 6.3 with F/(U + M) mole ratio of 2.1 until a target viscosity of V was reached (Gardener–Holdt) and then the second urea added at pH 8.0 to give a final F/(U + M) mole ratio of 1.15. Analyses with 13C-NMR and viscosity measurements showed that MF components react fast and the UF components very slowly in the melamine reaction. Therefore, as the extent of preadvancement of UF base resin was decreased, the reaction time to reach the target viscosity became longer and the MF resin components showed high degrees of polymerization. The overpolymerization of MF components resulted in increasingly more opaque resins, with viscosity remaining stable for more than a month. As the preadvancement of UF base resin was increased, the extent of advancement of MF components decreased, to give clearer resins, with viscosity slowly increasing at room temperature. Overall, preadvancing the UF base resin components to an appropriate extent was found to be a key to synthesizing various low-level melamine-modified UMF resins. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 2559–2569, 2004
Occurrence, stability and decomposition of β-n[γ-l( + )-glutamyl]-4-hydroxymethylphenylhydrazine (agaritine) from the mushroom Agaricus bisporus

A Chromatographic technique was developed that could clearly separate β-N[γ-l(+)-glutamyl]-4-hydroxymethylphenylhydrazine (agaritine) from all other components in 10–500-μl samples of mushroom extracts. Locally purchased mushrooms were found to contain mean levels of 0.4–0.7 mg agaritine/g. The agaritine content of the mushrooms had decreased by 2–47% after I wk of storage in a domestic refrigerator and by 36–76% after 2 wk of such storage. Canned mushroom soup and canned mushrooms did not contain detectable agaritine; a sample of frozen mushrooms contained a mean level of 0.33 mg/g and a batch of fresh mushrooms lost about 32% of their agaritine content on cooking. In mice given 3 mg agaritine by gavage, agaritine was detected in all parts of the gastro-intestinal tract 15 min after dosing, but none was detectable in the gut after 3 hr. The enzyme γ-glutamyltranspeptidase derived from pig's kidney was found to be capable of decomposing agaritine to glutamic acid and 4-(hydroxymethyl)phenylhydrazine, and to have nine times such activity as an enzyme isolated from mushrooms.
Progressive fatigue damage simulation method for composites

Abstract The main objective of this work is to show the ability of solid finite element-based techniques to accurately predict the onset and progression of matrix cracks and delaminations in composites under fatigue loading. The specific objectives are: (a) to develop fatigue failure simulation method for multi-directional carbon/epoxy laminate articles in a finite element code; and (b) to correlate the failure predictions with test data. The failure prediction models presented in this work use stress-based fatigue failure criteria combined with fatigue damage accumulation and are not based on initial flaw assumptions. The verification test articles include 88-ply IM7/8552 carbon/epoxy composite laminate coupons with wavy plies, and 16-ply IM7/8552 carbon/epoxy open-hole tensile coupons. Available stress–strain relations and failure progression algorithm are built in finite element models; and fatigue material properties are used to predict fatigue damage onset and progression. The fatigue model predictions and subsequent test correlations are presented.
System Configuration and Performance Studies of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell -Gas Turbine Hybrid Cycle

Fuel Cell is widely regarded as a potential alternative in the electric utility due to its distinct advantages of high energy conversion efficiency, low environmental impact and flexible uses of fuel types. In this paper we demonstrate the enhancement of thermal efficiency and power density of the power plant system by incorporating a hybrid cycle of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) and gas turbine with appropriate configurations. In this paper, a hybrid system composed of SOFC, gas turbine, compressor and high temperature heat exchanger is developed and simulated in the Virtual Test Bed (VTB) computational environment. The one-dimensional tubular SOFC model is based on the electrochemical and thermal modeling, accounting for the voltage losses and temperature dynamics. The single cell is discretized using a finite volume method where all the governing equations are solved for each finite volume. Simulation results show that the SOFC-GT hybrid system could achieve a 70% total electrical efficiency (LHV) and an electrical power output of 853KW, around 30% of which is produced by the power turbine. Two conventional power plant systems, i.e. gas turbine recuperative cycle and pure Fuel Cell power cycle, are also simulated for the performance comparison to validate the improved performance of Fuel Cell/Gas Turbine hybrid system. Finally, the dynamic behavior of the hybrid system is presented and analyzed based on the system simulation.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser perforation as skin pretreatment to improve sugar infusion process of frozen blueberries.

Abstract: Sugar infusion is a widely used osmotic treatment for fruit preservation, but the process is inherently slow and the waxy skins of some fruits hinder mass transfer during the process. This work examined the utility of perforation by a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser as a novel skin treatment to improve the infusion process. In 2 experiments, individually quick frozen (IQF) blueberries were subjected to varying degrees of laser perforation (3 levels of perforation density × 3 levels of perforation depth), and then infused stepwise with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) to a final °Brix of 70 using varying solution concentration increment (5, 10, 20, and 30 °Brix/d). At each concentration, increasing perforation density and depth promoted solute migration into the fruit with increased fruit weight (P < 0.05; up to 24.15%, 37.23%, 52.89%, 65.34% wt. increase at 5, 10, 20, and 30 °Brix/d compared to the controls). Laser-treated blueberries maintained the original shape without excessive shrinkage and texture hardening due to enhanced solute incorporation, while the controls and mechanically treated samples were ruptured and wrinkled at the end of the process. Increasing solution concentrations shortened the process duration but decreased final fruit weight due to greater osmotic gradients. However, negative effects of using higher solution concentrations on final fruit weight were significantly alleviated with moderate-to-high doses of laser perforation (P < 0.001). Overall, the results demonstrate that laser perforation can be a viable skin pretreatment technique, offering marked improvement on final process yield, process efficiency, and product quality. Practical Application: CO2 laser perforation as a novel skin pretreatment for sugar infusion of individually quick frozen (IQF) blueberries is presented. The technique markedly improves the product yield and quality. Although further investigation is needed, the method may potentially be used for other waxy skin fruits such as cranberries and cherries.
Routine perioperative chemotherapy instillation with initial bladder tumor resection: a reconsideration of economic benefits.

BACKGROUND: Level-1 evidence has demonstrated decreased recurrence of low-grade bladder tumors when initial transurethral resection (TUR) is followed by perioperative instillation (PI) of chemotherapy. A meta-analysis determined that the number needed to treat (NNT) was 8.5 patients to prevent 1 recurrence. No benefit was demonstrated for tumors classified as T0, tumor in situ, or T2; thus, patients with those tumors were excluded from the analysis, which potentially may have resulted in underestimating the true NNT. Economic benefits were suggested, but cost calculations were not presented. The objectives of the current analysis were to recalculate the NNT considering patients who previously were excluded and to examine the economic implications based on various management alternatives for tumor recurrence. METHODS: For each study that was included in the current meta-analysis, the number of patients excluded because of ‘inappropriate’ pathology results was determined. A potentially more accurate NNT was calculated, and pertinent Medicare reimbursements were obtained to estimate costs. RESULTS: The added cost for 8.5 patients who underwent inpatient TUR to receive PI was $1711. Inpatient TUR ($7025) was extremely costly compared with hospital outpatient TUR ($2666), ambulatory surgery center TUR ($2113), and physician office fulguration ($1167). Although the inclusion of patients who previously were excluded resulted in a recalculated NNT of 9.6 patients, the authors used a more conservative NNT if 8.5 patients to estimate the economic impact of the ‘best-case scenario.’ CONCLUSIONS: Routine PI significantly lowered the overall cost if recurrences were managed in the inpatient setting, but these benefits were offset mostly or completely by outpatient management in the United States. Thus, the authors concluded that the decision to use routine PI of chemotherapy should be based on clinical effects and not on presumed economic benefits. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Continuous cell culture and product recovery from wild Vaccinium pahalae germplasm

Summary The productivity of Vaccinium pahalae (ohelo) cell cultures as a resource for natural food colorants and bioactive phytochemicals was examined. Ohelo callus and suspension cultures, established from leaf expiants, produced vivid anthocyanin pigments, identified as cyanidin-3-galactoside, cyanidin-3-arabino-side, and peonidin-3-galactoside. Ohelo plant foliage produced a comparable anthocyanin composition. Both pigment yield and cell biomass continued to increase over a 30 d cell-culture cycle. Pigment yield was enhanced by increasing sucrose concentration in the liquid suspension medium (up to 70 g · L −1 ) and by manipulating the initial inoculum density. A hexane extract from the pigmented ohelo cells demonstrated a strong quinone reductase-inducing activity in vitro , indicating that compounds effective in inhibiting the initiation stages of chemically-induced carcinogenesis were also accumulated in the cell cultures.
Thermal performance of microencapsulated phase change material slurry in turbulent flow under constant heat flux

Abstract Current cooling and heating distribution systems that use water as secondary fluid exhibit limited thermal capacity which can only be overcome by high flow rates and large (volume) capacity. A successful way to enhance the thermal capacity of secondary fluid systems is by incorporating microencapsulated phase change material (MPCM) slurry. However, a full understanding of the physical properties and heat transfer characteristics of MPCM slurry in the 2–8 °C range (35.5–46.5 °F) still is lacking. In the paper, latent heat of fusion, melting and freezing points, and temperature- and concentration-dependent viscosity data, are presented. Results indicate that selection of nucleating agent type and concentration is required to prevent the supercooling phenomenon. Pressure drop and convective heat transfer data were measured using a heat transfer loop operated at different flow rates and heat flux values. Results indicate that the phase change process and slurry mass fraction affect the heat transfer process. The paper also examines the impact of using enhanced surface tubing in combination with MPCM slurry under constant heat flux and turbulent conditions.
Invisible Voices: Factors Associated with the Subjective Well-Being of Aging African American Men

Little is known about the African American male's experience in later life, specifically what variables act as predictors of perceived well-being. This study explored the subjective well-being and life satisfaction of African American men aged 55 and above. A cross sectional, exploratory-descriptive survey explored the quality of life and overall well-being based on self-perceptions of social support, stress, health, and life satisfaction in a sample of 149 African American males. The Social Support Appraisals Scale, Elder Stress Inventory, Life Satisfaction Index-Z, and a global health question were used to measure the major variables. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that social support and health may be predictors of life satisfaction and overall well-being, and social support may act as the strongest predictor. A significant relationship was also found between the demographic variable of marital status and life satisfaction. The other significant relationship was found between the demographi...
Protein refolding in predominantly organic media markedly enhanced by common salts

The refolding/reoxidation of unfolded/reduced hen egg-white lysozyme was investigated in a variety of predominantly nonaqueous media consisting of protein-dissolving organic solvents and water. It was discovered that LiCI and other common salts dramatically (up to more than 100-fold) increased the refolding yield of lysozyme in such nonaqueous systems, while reducing it in water. The mechanism of this surprising phenomenon appears to involve salt-induced suppression of nonspecific lysozyme aggregation during refolding due to an enhanced protein solubility.