cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Energy Efficient EdgeAI Autoencoder Accelerator for Reinforcement Learning

In EdgeAI embedded devices that exploit reinforcement learning (RL), it is essential to reduce the number of actions taken by the agent in the real world and minimize the compute-intensive policies learning process. Convolutional autoencoders (AEs) has demonstrated great improvement for speeding up the policy learning time when attached to the RL agent, by compressing the high dimensional input data into a small latent representation for feeding the RL agent. Despite reducing the policy learning time, AE adds a significant computational and memory complexity to the model which contributes to the increase in the total computation and the model size. In this article, we propose a model for speeding up the policy learning process of RL agent with the use of AE neural networks, which engages binary and ternary precision to address the high complexity overhead without deteriorating the policy that an RL agent learns. Binary Neural Networks (BNNs) and Ternary Neural Networks (TNNs) compress weights into 1 and 2 bits representations, which result in significant compression of the model size and memory as well as simplifying multiply-accumulate (MAC) operations. We evaluate the performance of our model in three RL environments including DonkeyCar, Miniworld sidewalk, and Miniworld Object Pickup, which emulate various real-world applications with different levels of complexity. With proper hyperparameter optimization and architecture exploration, TNN models achieve near the same average reward, Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Mean Squared Error (MSE) performance as the full-precision model while reducing the model size by $10\times $ compared to full-precision and $3\times $ compared to BNNs. However, in BNN models the average reward drops up to 12% – 25% compared to the full-precision even after increasing its model size by $4\times $ . We designed and implemented a scalable hardware accelerator which is configurable in terms of the number of processing elements (PEs) and memory data width to achieve the best power, performance, and energy efficiency trade-off for EdgeAI embedded devices. The proposed hardware implemented on Artix-7 FPGA dissipates $250~\mu \text{J}$ energy while meeting 30 frames per second (FPS) throughput requirements. The hardware is configurable to reach an efficiency of over 1 TOP/J on FPGA implementation. The proposed hardware accelerator is synthesized and placed-and-routed in 14 nm FinFET ASIC technology which brings down the power dissipation to $3.9~\mu \text{J}$ and maximum throughput of 1,250 FPS. Compared to the state of the art TNN implementations on the same target platform, our hardware is $5\times $ and $4.4\times $ ( $2.2\times $ if technology scaled) more energy efficient on FPGA and ASIC, respectively.
It’s Official, Light is Not Just for Vision

CIE recently introduced a revised and updated International Lighting Vocabulary (CIE 2020). Within the 1,347 terms defined, there is one change that stands above the rest. The word “light” itself h...
Energy use of residential safety, security, and health devices

Abstract Miscellaneous electrical loads (MELs) are responsible for a significant fraction of energy consumption in buildings. This paper addresses one category of MELs: Safety, Security, and Health Devices (SSHDs). Common SSHDs include: electrical life safety equipment, smoke alarms, radon mitigation fans, and home oxygen concentrators. The installation or use of these devices is dictated by building codes, health providers, insurance companies, and other entities—none of which would ordinarily consider energy efficiency a priority. For this project, the most important residential devices were explored in terms of their governing regulations, functions, technologies, and energy use. The power consumption of 41 life safety SSHDs were measured. Individual power consumption of life safety devices is very small but many are typically required in every home. Devices performing the same functions have wide ranges in power use. Opportunities for reducing SSHD energy use were investigated, the results are summarized, and recommendations are made for further actions that could be taken to reduce SSHD energy use. SSHDs identified in this paper are responsible for at least one percent of current U.S. residential electricity consumption, but that number will climb steadily as existing buildings are upgraded and new types of SSHDs appear.
Simulations with the Marine Biogeochemistry Library (MARBL)

The Marine Biogeochemistry Library (MARBL) is a prognostic ocean biogeochemistry model that simulates marine ecosystem dynamics and the coupled cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, silicon...
The Effect of COVID-19 Illness on Pregnant Patients With Rheumatic Disease: Early Reassuring Data.

As of September 20, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 228,206,384 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with over 4.5 million deaths worldwide.1 International responses by healthcare providers (HCPs), medical and pharmacologic researchers, and public health workers identified risk factors for serious illness and developed novel therapies and vaccines in real time, even as new variants emerge.
Microstructural Characterization and Failure Analysis of a Wear-Resistant, High Molybdenum and Chromium White Iron Used for Metal-to-Metal Wear Systems

An Fe-15Mo-18Cr-3.3C-1.65V white iron has been widely used in industries for many years due to its excellent wear performance, but never been reported to academic circle. This paper studied its phase constituents in as-cast condition and its wear performance for metal-to-metal contact wear applications. Microstructural analyses were performed using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with phase identification performed using a transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD) technique. A solidification sequence was proposed by correlating thermodynamic equilibrium calculations with the distribution and size of the phase constituents. Field-returned components were analyzed after approximately 10,000 service hours. Micro-galling defects exhibited regions of material flow, white layer formation, subsurface cracking, and material loss. For the first time, white layer was found in a highly alloyed white iron, which was determined to be nanocrystalline with an average grain size less than 15 nm and a phase constitution similar to the base metal. Material loss contributed to abrasive wear scars and eventual leakage of the lubricant protecting the wear components.
Wireless Ad Hoc and Sensor Networks: Theory and Applications

If you have to understand and optimize the performance of wireless ad hoc and sensor networks, this explanation provides you with the information and insights you need. It delivers an understanding of the underlying problems, and the techniques to develop efficient solutions and maximize network performance. Taking an algorithmic and theoretical approach, Li dissects key layers of a wireless network, from the physical and MAC layers (covering the IEEE 802.11 and 802.16 protocols, and protocols for wireless sensor networks and Bluetooth) through to the network routing layer. In doing so he reviews the practical protocols, formulates problem mathematically, solve them algorithmically and then analyses the performance. Graduate students, researchers and practitioners needing an overview of the various algorithmic, graph theoretical, computational geometric and probabilistic approach to solving problems in designing these networks will find this an invaluable resource. Additional resources for this title are available online at www.cambridge.org/9780521865234.
Protein S deficiency in men with long-term human immunodeficiency virus infection [see comments]

Decreases in protein S levels have recently been reported in some human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. To examine predisposing factors, 25 men randomly selected from a long-term study of HIV- infected patients were studied. The minimum mean duration of HIV seropositivity in this group was 106.6 months (range 15 to 143 months). No patients were anticoagulated at the time of the study. Three of the 25 randomly selected patients gave a history of thrombosis, in each instance occurring after the onset of HIV positivity. Two of the 3 patients with thrombosis had more than one episode. Coagulation studies showed that 3 of 3 (100%) of the patients with thrombosis and 16 of 22 (72.7%) of those without previous thrombosis had decreased free protein S. Mean-free and total protein S levels were statistically lower for HIV-infected patients with and without previous thrombosis compared with healthy male controls. C4b-binding protein was not increased in study patients with decreased protein S levels. Decreases in protein S levels did not correlate with CD4+ cell levels, CDC class, p24 antigen positivity, zidovudine (AZT) use, or Pneumocystis carinii prophylaxis. The duration of disease statistically correlated with decreases in protein S levels (r = .37, P < .05). A linear correlation existed between increasing IgG anticardiolipin antibody levels and decreasing free protein S antigen (r = .67, P < .005). This study shows that protein S deficiency is common in long-term HIV-infected patients and is caused by a decrease in the free protein, rather than by changes in the bound complex. The data suggest that protein S deficiency is not correlated with HIV disease severity but may predispose patients to thromboembolic complications.
Comparison of Track XI fluorometric immunoassay with Bio-EnzaBead enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of serum antibody to mouse hepatitis virus.

The Track XI system (Microbiological Associates, Bethesda, Md.) was compared with the Bio-EnzaBead assay (Organon Teknika, Durham, N.C.) for the detection of antibody to mouse hepatitis virus (MHV). Strain A/J mice were inoculated intranasally with MHV type 3. Sera were collected at 1, 2, 4, and 9 weeks postinoculation and tested. Individual serum samples were retested twice by each method. The results suggested that the Track XI system was more sensitive and reliable than the Bio-EnzaBead assay in detecting antibody to MHV type 3 in individual serum samples from A/J mice.
Higher-Order Deflation for Polynomial Systems With Isolated Singular Solutions

Given an approximation to a multiple isolated solution of a system of polynomial equations, we provided a symbolic-numeric deflation algorithm to restore the quadratic convergence of Newton’s method. Using first-order derivatives of the polynomials in the system, our first-order deflation method creates an augmented system that has the multiple isolated solution of the original system as a regular solution.
CVD in Optoelectronic and Ferroelectric Applications

This chapter discusses the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in optoelectronic and ferroelectric applications. Optoelectronics combines optics and electronics. It deals with optical wavelengths from 0.20 μm (ultraviolet) to 3 μm (near infrared). Thin-film processes, such as reactive sputtering, molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE), and particularly MOCVD, play a major part in their production. The critical properties for optoelectronic materials are bandgap (operating range), carrier lifetime (efficiency), and resistivity (response time). The III–V and II–VI semiconductor compounds have excellent optical properties and are the most important group of optoelectronic materials, all being produced by CVD. One of them being mercury cadmium telluride, which is used extensively in military night sights, which detects in the 8–13 μm spectral band. The major applications of CVD II–VI compounds are found in photovoltaic and electroluminescent displays. The optoelectronic devices are found in various consumer products such as: television, compact-disk players, laser communications, cellular telephones, and direct-broadcast television. Some of the optoelectronic components produced by CVD include: semiconductor lasers, light-emitting diodes (LED), photodetectors, photovoltaic cells, and photocathodes. This chapter discusses each of these components in detail.
What is Artificial Intelligence

One of the fascinating aspects of the field of artificial intelligence (AI) is that the precise nature of its subject matter turns out to be surprisingly difficult to define. The problem, of course, has two parts, since securing an adequate grasp of the nature of the artificial would do only as long as we were already in possession of a suitable understanding of the idea of intelligence. What is supposed to be “artificial” about artificial intelligence, no doubt, has to do with its origins and mode of creation in arising as a product of human contrivance and ingenuity rather than as a result of natural (especially biological or evolutionary) influence. Things that are artificially intelligent, in other words, differ from those that are naturally intelligent as artifacts that possess special properties ordinarily possessed by non-artifacts. So these are things that have a certain property (intelligence) as a result of a certain process (because they were created, designed, or manufactured in this way).
Radiation chemistry of fullerenes

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the radiation chemical studies that are concerned with the radical-induced redox, excitation, and alkylation reaction of fullerenes. In particular, the reactivity of fullerenes and functionalized fullerene derivatives are compared in homogeneous as well as heterogeneous systems, including micelles, vesicles, and guest-host complexes. The combination of a high degree of electron delocalization within the fullerene's π-system and their effective sizes prompts to the application of this carbon material as new electron accepting moieties. More importantly, the total reorganization energy upon reduction has been shown to be relative small. Hence, fullerenes became very appealing spheres for inter and intramolecular electron transfer processes under the aspect of energy conversion and energy storage. The chapter discusses two examples to demonstrate the participation of fullerenes in reductive and oxidative electron transfer reactions with a variety of electron donor (one-electron reduced metalloporhyrins) and electron acceptor moieties (one electron oxidized arenes), respectively.
Translational ecology for hydrogeology.

Translational ecology—a special discipline aimed to improve the accessibility of science to policy makers—will help hydrogeologists contribute to the solution of pressing environmental problems. Patterned after translational medicine, translational ecology is a partnership to ensure that the right science gets done in a timely fashion, so that it can be communicated to those who need it.
Operating Experience with the Michigan State University Superconducting Cyclotron Cryogenic System

The MSU superconducting cyclotron cryogenic system has been operating for about one year and many cryogenic parameters have been measured. Data for cryostat cooldown, liquid helium consumption, liquid nitrogen consumption, cryostat warmup, and vacuum jacket pressure as a function of temperature have been taken. In addition, methods have been developed for handling of contaminants in the helium system (air), for filling liquid helium in the cryostat, and for various cryogenic failure modes. Finally, a leak detection method was developed that is applicable at liquid helium temperature and has been used to find ultra-small leaks in the cryostat. This method utilizes the density and viscosity variations of cold helium gas as a function of temperature and may ultimately provide three orders of magnitude sensitivity improvement beyond presently achieved room temperature leak rates.
TRENDS AND TOPICS IN THE APPLICATION OF STATISTICAL TECHNIQUES IN FOODSERVICE SYSTEMS RESEARCH

As the concern for controlling costs and improving productivity infoodsenices continues to increase, foodservice directors may look to existing research in foodservice systems for answers. As directors review existing research, they will find that the body of literature is limited with regard to alternative foodsevice systems. The purpose of this paper is to review the foodservice systems literature from 1950 to 1990 and to demonstrate the relatively untapped potential of statistical methodologies in the study of foodservice systems. Only 35% of authors of reviewed articles (n = 32) used descriptive or inferential statistical methods. The authors of the present study present examples of possible research studies along with appropriate statistical techniques that may be used to analyze the data.
Real-space imaging of the molecular organization of naphthalene on Pt(111)

The first application of the scanning tunneling microscope to determine a previously unknown adsorbate orientation is presented for naphthalene adsorbed on Pt(111). Measurements in ultrahigh vacuum explore the details of molecular organization for both ordered and disordered systems and allow tentative assignment of the molecular binding site. Statistical analysis of the molecular packing within close-packed domains is inconsistent with the expected ordered structure for this system. Real-space imaging at submonolayer coverage reveals discrete molecular rotation among allowed orientations and translation between adjacent binding sites at room temperature.
Interactive Internet artistry

The paper describes painting on the World Wide Web with the PumaPaint project. The project is a web site allowing any user with a Java-compatible web browser to control a PUMA 760 robot. The site allows users to perform the single task of painting on an easel with real brushes and paint. We see the contribution of the project deriving mainly from the chosen task of painting. Rather than providing the user a general ability to move and observe a robot, our interface is focused on a specific task. The interface provides the opportunity to achieve remarkable subtlety, greatly affecting the resulting visual impression. The real interest in the project for the authors, and the motivation for developing it, is the artwork produced.
Cumulus dynamics: Local compensating subsidence and its implications for cumulus parameterization

Observations of air flow in and around convective clouds are summarized and discussed in light of the requirements for parameterization of midlatitude convection. Both theory and observation indicate that a substantial portion of the compensating subsidence occurs as dry downdrafts in the immediate vicinity of convective clouds, which suggests that an additional physical mechanism is necessary in linking convection to the large scale. A conceptual three-dimensional model of midlatitude organized convection along with its implications for parameterization, particularly in mesoscale modeling, is presented. The effects of moist downdrafts are also considered and some differences between midlatitude and tropical convection are discussed.
Palmitoleic (16:1 cis-9) and cis-vaccenic (18:1 cis-11) acid alter lipogenesis in bovine adipocyte cultures.

Our objectives were to: (1) confirm elongation products of palmitoleic acid (16:1 cis-9) elongation in vitro using stable isotopes and (2) evaluate if exogenous supplementation of palmitoleic acid, elongation products, or both are responsible for decreased desaturation and lipogenesis rates observed with palmitoleic acid supplementation in bovine adipocytes. Stromal vascular cultures were isolated from adipose tissue of two beef carcasses, allowed to reach confluence, held for 2 days, and differentiated with a standard hormone cocktail (day 0). On day 2, secondary differentiation media containing 1 of 4 fatty acid treatments [0 μM fatty acid (control), or 150 μM palmitic (16:0), palmitoleic, or cis-vaccenic (18:1 cis-11)] was added for 4 days. On day 6, cells were incubated with [13C] 16:1, [13C] 2, or [13C] 18:0 to estimate elongation, lipogenic, and desaturation rates using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Enrichment of [13C] 18:1 cis-11 confirmed 18:1 cis-11 is an elongation product of 16:1. Additionally, [13C] label was seen in 20:1 cis-13 and cis-9, cis-11 CLA. Synthesis of [13C] 16:0 from [13C] 2 was reduced (P < 0.05) in palmitoleic acid and cis-vaccenic acid-treated compared with control cells following 36 h incubation. By 12 h of [13C] 18:0 incubation, cells supplemented with palmitoleic acid had reduced (P < 0.05) [13C] 18:1 cis-9 compared with all other treatments. Gene expression and fatty acid results support isotopic data for lipogenesis and desaturation. Therefore, palmitoleic acid is actively elongated in vitro and its elongation product, cis-vaccenic acid, can also reduce lipogenesis. However, inhibition of desaturation can be directly attributed to palmitoleic acid and not its elongation products, 18:1 cis-11 or 20:1 cis-13.
Behavioural and chemical investigation of trail pheromone from the termite Reticulitermes hesperus Banks (Isopt., Rhinotermitidae)

A single active fraction, eliciting both induction of trail-following and trail orientation, was isolated by HPLC from dichloromethane extracts of excised fourth and fifth sternites of Reticulitermes hesperus workers. GC separation of the active high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fraction and subsequent bioassays indicated that a single major component is responsible both for induction of trail-following and for orientation of termites on the trail. Solvent extracts of intact termite bodies and excised sternites elicited greater trail-following activity than extracts of excised abdomens or thoraxes not separated from heads. Workers from two geographically separate colonies responded similarily to dichloromethane extracts of intact bodies and excised sternites from members of either colony, providing no evidence of extractable colony-recognition compounds, although the results suggest that different colonies may produce different quantities of trail pheromone.
Deposition of ethanol and acetone vapors in the upper respiratory tract of the rat

The deposition of nonreactive gases in the lungs is well studied and is dependent on the ventilation-perfusion relationships of that organ. The current investigation was undertaken to determine if pulmonary ventilation-perfusion models could be successfully applied to quantitatively describe upper respiratory tract (URT) deposition of acetone and ethanol vapors. Toward this end, the deposition of these vapors was measured in the surgically isolated URT of the anesthetized rat at selected inspiratory flow rates (ranging from 70 to 500 ml/min) and exposure times (ranging from 3.3 to 13.3 min). The deposition of acetone in the URT followed apparent quasi-steady-state conditions, suggestive of a ventilation-perfusion relationship. Pulmonary ventilation-perfusion models predict the ratio of the amount deposited to the amount not deposited should be linearly related to the inverse of the inspiratory flow rate. Such a relationship was observed for URT acetone (r = 0.988, N = 16,p less than 0.0001) and ethanol (r = 0.963, N = 20, p less than 0.0001) deposition. From the deposition-flow relationships estimates of 0.31 and 0.33 ml/min were obtained for nasal blood flow in the ethanol and acetone studies, respectively. The 95% confidence limits for these estimates overlapped. The successful application of a ventilation-perfusion model to describe URT deposition suggests that acetone and ethanol vapors equilibrate between the inspired airstream and the capillary blood of the URT and that their deposition is dependent on both the URT ventilation and perfusion rates.
Near independence of OLED operating voltage on transport layer thickness

Abstract We report organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) with weak drive voltage dependence on the thickness of the hole transport layer (HTL) for thicknesses up to 1150 A using the N,N ′-Bis(naphthalen-1-yl)- N,N ′-bis(phenyl)-benzidine (α-NPD) and N,N ′-bis(3-methyl phenyl)- N,N ′-diphenyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′diamine (TPD), both of which have hole mobilities in the range of 2 × 10 −3 cm 2 V −1 s −1 . Lower mobility HTL materials show larger operating voltage dependence on thickness. The near independence of the operating voltage for high mobility transport material thickness was only observed when the energy barrier for charge injection into the transport material was minimized. To ensure low injection barriers, a thin film of 2-(3-(adamantan-1-yl)propyl)-3,5,6-trifluorotetracyanoquinodimethane (F3TCNQ-Adl) was cast from solution onto the ITO surface. These results indicate that thick transport layers can be integrated into OLED stacks without the need for bulk conductivity doping, potentially reducing device and material complexity and lowering overall cost.
From Research to Policy and Back

Although science policy and social policy have distinct cultures, there are overlapping influences on both. Science policy decisions across the spectrum of basic and applied research are influenced by perceived social utility and the potential for solving current social problems. With the advent of evidence-based policy requirements, social policymakers increasingly use scientific information, although it constitutes only 1 factor in a mix of ideology, interests, and institutional constraints. The spread of early childhood intervention programs in the United States and elsewhere is one example in which strong, cumulative evidence has contributed to a policy consensus. Developmental scientists can contribute to better science policy and better social policy by strengthening the scientific quality of their evidence and communicating research-based knowledge more effectively.
Education in computer science and computer engineering starts with computer architecture

At The University of Michigan, the first required course in both the Computer Science curriculum and the Computer Engineering curriculum starts with the basics of computer architecture. This change in the curriculum started in Fall semester, 1995, after years of frustration with the results of the first course, which conventional wisdom dictates ought to be a high level language programming course. This paper describes the contents of this first course, The paper also includes some observations, having taught the course twice (Fall, 1995, Winter, 1996).
Congenital arteriovenous fistula of the cervical vertebral vessels with heart failure in an infant.

Summary A case of arteriovenous fistula involving the cervical portion of the left vertebral vessels and producing or contributing to acute reversible heart failure in a 6-month-old male infant is reported. No comparable case has been found in the available medical literature. Ligation and excision of the fistula resulted in prompt return to a normal status of the decompensated heart. A short review of the interesting basic facts relating to the general subject of arteriovenous fistula is presented.
Recombineering in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Genetic dissection of M. tuberculosis is complicated by its slow growth and its high rate of illegitimate recombination relative to homologous DNA exchange. We report here the development of a facile allelic exchange system by identification and expression of mycobacteriophage-encoded recombination proteins, adapting a strategy developed previously for recombineering in Escherichia coli. Identifiable recombination proteins are rare in mycobacteriophages, and only 1 of 30 genomically characterized mycobacteriophages (Che9c) encodes homologs of both RecE and RecT. Expression and biochemical characterization show that Che9c gp60 and gp61 encode exonuclease and DNA-binding activities, respectively, and expression of these proteins substantially elevates recombination facilitating allelic exchange in both M. smegmatis and M. tuberculosis. Mycobacterial recombineering thus provides a simple approach for the construction of gene replacement mutants in both slow- and fast-growing mycobacteria.
Analyzing network traffic to detect self-decrypting exploit code

Remotely-launched software exploits are a common way for attackers to intrude into vulnerable computer systems. As detection techniques improve, remote exploitation techniques are also evolving. Recent techniques for evasion of exploit detection include polymorphism (code encryption) and meta-morphism (code obfuscation). This paper addresses the problem of detecting in network traffic polymorphic remote exploits that are encrypted, and that self-decrypt before launching the intrusion. Such exploits pose a great challenge to existing malware detection techniques, partly due to the non-obvious starting location of the exploit code in the network payload.We describe a new method for detecting self-decrypting exploit codes. This method scans network traffic for the presence of a decryption routine, which is characteristic of such exploits. The proposed method uses static analysis and emulated instruction execution techniques. This improves the accuracy of determining the starting location and instructions of the decryption routine, even if self-modifying code is used. The method outperforms approaches that have been previously proposed, both in terms of detection capabilities, and in detection accuracy.The proposed method has been implemented and tested on current polymorphic exploits, including ones generated by state-of-the-art polymorphic engines. All exploits have been detected (i.e., a 100% detection rate), including those for which the decryption routine is dynamically coded, or self-modifying. The false positive rate is close to 0%. Running time is approximately linear in the size of the network payload being analyzed.
Librarians as innovators

Une nouvelle approche du reseau des bibliotheques comme consortium multitype: l'exemple du TALK (Tulsa Area Library Cooperative) (Michigan). Dans cette approche de type strategique de la cooperation, les decisions pour l'inovation sont gerees en tenant compte de l'environnement (facteurs de risques et facteurs opportuns)
Nearly trivial homotopy classes between finite complexes

Abstract We construct examples of essential maps of finite complexes f :X→Y which are trivial of order ⩾n. This latter condition implies that for any space K with cone length ⩽n, the induced map f ∗ =0 :[K,X]→[K,Y] . The main result establishes a connection between the skeleta of the infinite dimensional domains of essential phantom maps and the finite dimensional domains of maps which are trivial of order ⩾n. In particular, there are essential maps f :Σ 2i ( C P t /S 2 )→M( Z /p s ,2l+3) which are trivial of order ⩾n.
High-resolution FTIR study of the para-terphenyl phase transition at high pressure

Abstract High-resolution infrared (IR) spectroscopy has been used to investigate the pressure-induced (0–11 kbar) polymorphic phase transition of crystalline para-terphenyl at low temperature (25 K). A number of doublet bands observed in low-pressure triclinic p-terphenyl were observed to coalesce in the high-pressure monoclinic phase. The coalescing of doublet bands was attributed to changes in factor group (Davydov) splittings associated with the transition from a low-pressure triclinic phase to a high-pressure monoclinic phase. The bands that ‘disappear’ also do not correlate with frequency changes associated with changes in molecular symmetry. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations at low temperature (20 K) yield a non-planar average molecular structure for the high-pressure monoclinic phase, in contrast to the high-temperature monoclinic phase. The MD simulations also reveal a broadening of the distribution of ring torsion angles near the triclinic–monoclinic phase transition pressure.
Asymptotic stability of systems operating on a closed hypercube

Abstract Sufficient conditions for the global asymptotic stability of the equilibrium x e = 0 of dynamical systems which are characterized by linear ordinary differential equations with saturation nonlinearities are established. The class of systems considered herein arises in the modeling of control systems and neural networks.
Effect of pressure on three catalytic partial oxidation reactions at millisecond contact times

The effects of pressure on reactant conversion and product selectivities in three catalytic oxidation systems have been examined at pressures between 1 and > 5 atm. Reaction was sustained autothermally near adiabatic operating conditions at temperatures of ∼1000°C with residence times over the noble metal catalysts between 10−4 and 10−2 s. The three systems investigated were (1) HCN synthesis over Pt-10% Rh gauze catalysts, (2) methane oxidation to synthesis gas (CO and H2) over rhodium-coated monoliths, and (3) ethane conversion to ethylene over platinum-coated monoliths. We find that selectivities in all three reactions do not change dramatically with approximately a five-fold increase in pressure. This strongly suggests that free radical homogeneous chain reactions are not significant in these processes and that they can be operated reliably above atmospheric pressure. For the synthesis of HCN over Pt-10% Rh gauzes, the selectivity to HCN can be maintained above 0.75 at pressures up to 5.5 atm. Selectivities to synthesis gas (CO and H2) from a methane-air mixture over a Rh-coated foam monolith at pressures up to 5.5 atm were maintained above 0.90. Over a Pt-coated foam monolith, the selectivity to ethylene from ethane-air and ethane-O2 mixtures was independent of pressure up to 6.5 atm and conversion rose slightly although it was necessary to maintain constant velocity and residence time over the catalyst to avoid carbon formation.
Phase and transmission error study for the alternating-element (Levenson) phase-shifting mask

Despite the potential of phase shifting masks to extend projection optical imaging to higher resolution or lower ki, several issues remain to be investigated before the technology can be fully used. This paper addresses the effects of phase and transmission errors on the alternating-element phase shifting method, otherwise known as the Levenson technique, for printing closely packed lines and spaces. Aerial image simulation is used to generate exposure-defocus trees and the normalized depth of focus k2 is used as the criteria based on given assumptions of linewidth tolerance and exposure allowance. Response surfaces are generated to define the tolerance limit for the phase and the transmission errors which affect both the depth of focus and the center focus. The dependency of these errors on ki, A, and NA are discussed.
Brazilian Stone Meteorites

Why are Brazilian stone meteorites interesting and worthy of their own volume? Before the investigations reported in this volume, many had been poorly described, but, more significantly, several are unique and their proper description is important for the development of ideas on the origin and evolution of all meteorites. Twenty-one meteorites are described. The most significant and important are the achondrites Angra dos Reis, Governador Valadares, Ibitira, and Serra de Mage. These four require 31 pages of text compared with 62 pages for 17 ordinary chondrites. Descriptions for the ordinary chondrites include mineralogic, petrographic, electron microprobe, and bulk chemical studies. In the case of the achondrites age dating, trace element geochemistry and other data are included. These data are from the authors and other investigators. The location of available material in museums and collections is recorded for each meteorite.
Summarizing developer work history using time series segmentation: challenge report

Temporal segmentation partitions time series data with the intent of producing more homogeneous segments. It is a technique used to preprocess data so that subsequent time series analysis on individual segments can detect trends that may not be evident when performing time series analysis on the entire dataset.This technique allows data miners to partition a large dataset without making any assumption of periodicity or any other a priori knowledge of the dataset's features.We investigate the insights that can be gained from the application of time series segmentation to software version repositories. Software version repositories from large projects contain on the order of hundreds of thousands of timestamped entries or more. It is a continuing challenge to aggregate such data so that noise is reduced and important characteristics are brought out.In this paper, we present a way to summarize developer work history in terms of the files they have modified over time by segmenting the CVS change data of individual Eclipse developers. We show that the files they modify tends to change significantly over time though most of them tend to work within the same directories.
Role of voltage-sensitive calcium channels in [Ca2+]i and secretory responses to activators of protein kinase C in pituitary gonadotrophs

Abstract The gonadotropin secretory response of anterior pituitary cells to phorbol esters includes both extracellular Ca2+-dependent and -independent components ( Stojilkovicet al, 1988; J. Biol. Chem. 263, 17301–17306, 1988 ). In cultured pituitary cells, measurements of [Ca2+]i using Fura-2 and of LH release during cell perifusion studies revealed that the initial effects of phorbols and permeant diacylglycerols on these responses are extracellular Ca2+-dependent and are mediated through activation of voltage- and dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels. On the other hand, pretreatment with phorbol esters for 30 to 60 min inhibited subsequent [Ca2+]i responses to diacylglycerols and phorbols and significantly reduced agonist-induced biphasic [Ca2+]i responses, with no change in the number of GnRH receptors. These findings demonstrate that protein kinase C exerts both positive and negative control of [Ca2+]i, and indicate that the calcium, phospholipid dependent enzyme participates in the activation of voltage-sensitive calcium channels and hormone secretion in pituitary gonadotrophs.
Amorphous carbon encapsulation of metal aerosol nanoparticles for improved collection and prevention of oxidation

A technique to encapsulate silver nanoparticles in an amorphous carbon matrix to facilitate nanoparticle collection and limit nanoparticle oxidation is presented. A carbon source added to the metal salt precursor solution decomposes to generate amorphous carbon, which forms large aggregates that are efficiently collected by filtration. The carbon matrix can be removed by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide without damaging the silver nanoparticles within it. X-ray diffraction showed no evidence of oxidation of encapsulated particles over a two-week period, whereas bare particles showed oxidation after 1 day. Slight oxidation was observed following carbon removal, but no further oxidation was detected over a subsequent two-week period. Carbon encapsulation improves nanoparticle collection efficiency, relative to direct collection of unagglomerated silver nanoparticles with membrane filters. The yield of metal nanoparticles is increased by a factor 1.5 to 3 using this approach. The encapsulating carbon itself forms dendritic nanostructures that may also be of interest. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 4116–4123, 2013
Lichen planus pemphigoides: Clinical and immunofluorescent findings in four cases

During the last 5 years we examined four black male patients who had features of both lichen planus (LP) and bullous pemphigoid (BP). The clinical disorder included classical lesions of LP along with bullae that developed subsequently and arose on both lesional and nonlesional skin. Histologic findings correlated well with the type of lesion on which biopsy was done, as did the immunofluorescent findings. All patients had features of both LP and BP by direct immunofluorescence and of BP by indirect immunofluorescence of serum and blister fluid.
Extracting design information from natural language specifications

Natural language specifications are the first concrete behavioral description which is the basis for any manually generated formal behavioral model. Natural language is preferred as the initial description method mainly because it is much simpler for a designer to use than existing hardware description languages. The focus of this project is the extraction of behavioral information from a natural language specification to generate a formal behavioral description with clear and unambiguous semantics. In the initial effort presented here, we employ semantic parsing to identify key information describing bus transactions in the natural language specification. The identified information is used to generate Verilog tasks which embody bus transactions. To our knowledge, the work presented here is the first attempt to generate simulatable Verilog from natural language descriptions.
Range Distributions of Low Energy Ions in Silver and Copper

Range distributions of 1-5 keV Nitrogen ions in polycrystalline copper and silver substrates are measured and compared with available theories. The distribution consists of a surface localized peak, a shoulder/second peak and a long tail. The shoulder/ second peak and tail are well explained by theories, however, the surface localized peak is a new feature for which several mechanisms have been investigated.
Differentiated perceptions of exertion and energy cost of young women while carrying loads.

Differentiated local ratings of perceived exertion from the legs and central ratings from the chest, and oxygen consumption, were determined during load carriage in seven young women. Subjects walked for 6 min at 3.22, 4.83, 6.44, or 8.05 km·h−1 carrying (1) no load, (2) a load equal to 7.5% of body weight (mean: 4.66 kg) or (3) a load equal to 15% of body weight (mean: 9.32 kg). Thus, each subject underwent 12 separate tests. The external loads were in the form of lead pellets carried in a plastic scuba belt worn around the waist. A differentiation threshold was found at 6.44 km·h−1 for the 0% and 7.5% loads and at 4.83 km·h−1 for the 15% load. At speeds below the threshold, the perception of exertion was similar in the legs, chest and overall. At higher speeds, exertion was perceived to be more intense in the legs than overall and less intense in the chest than overall, suggesting that the local legs signal was the dominant factor in shaping the overall sensation of exertion. The oxygen uptake was greater for the 15% load than for either the 0% or 7.5% loads, but was similar for the 0% and 7.5% loads. Findings suggested a critical weight limit for external loads that could be transported without increasing the metabolic cost beyond that required to move the body weight alone. This limit fell between 7.5% and 15% of the body weight. When oxygen uptake was expressed per kg of total weight transported, there was no loss of metabolic efficiency while carrying loads up to 15% of the body weight.
Counter-injection: a new technique for the analysis of drinking.

A METHOD of regulating separately the sensory and osmotic or other physiological factors in ingestion is of importance in the analysis of satiation and reward. Oesophageal fistulation has frequently been used for this purpose; but it removes many of the sensory consequences of ingestion in the upper intestinal tract along with the elimination of absorption factors. Further, the animal after the operation, which is difficult in small animals, cannot feed normally and is not easy to maintain in a good state of health. Preloading has also been reported; but one of the disadvantages of this method is that it introduces critical delays between the preload and actual drinking.
Effects of processing on microstructure and mechanical properties of a titanium alloy (Ti–6Al–4V) fabricated using electron beam melting (EBM), Part 2: Energy input, orientation, and location

Abstract Selective electron beam melting (EBM) is a layer-by-layer additive manufacturing technique that shows great promise for fabrication of medical devices and aerospace components. Before its potential can be fully realized, however, a comprehensive understanding of processing-microstructure-properties relationships is necessary. Titanium alloy (Ti–6Al–4V) parts were built in a newly developed, unique geometry to allow accurate investigation of the following intra-build processing parameters: energy input, orientation, and location. Microstructure evaluation (qualitative prior-β grain size, quantitative α lath thickness), tensile testing, and Vickers microhardness were performed for each specimen. For a wide range of energy input (speed factor 30–40), small differences in mechanical properties (2% change in ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and 3% change in yield strength (YS)) were measured. Vertically built parts were found to have no difference in UTS or YS compared to horizontally built parts, but the percent elongation at break (% EL) was 30% lower. The difference in % EL was attributed to a different orientation of the tensile axis for horizontal and vertical parts compared to the elongated prior-β grain and microstructural texture direction in EBM Ti–6Al–4V. Orientation within the x – y plane as well as location were found to have less than 3% effect on mechanical properties, and it is possible a second order effect of thermal mass contributed to these results.
Surgical Excision of Acoustic Neuroma: Patient Outcome and Provider Caseload

Objectives/Hypothesis For many complex surgical procedures, larger hospital or surgeon caseload is associated with better patient outcome. We examined the volume–outcome relationship for surgical excision of acoustic neuromas. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (1996 to 2000) was used. Multivariate regression analyses were adjusted for age, sex, race, payer, geographic region, procedure timing, admission type and source, medical comorbidities, and neurofibromatosis status. Results At 265 hospitals, 2643 operations were performed by 352 identified primary surgeons. Outcome was measured on a four-level scale at hospital discharge: death (0.5%) and discharge to long-term care (1.2%), to short-term rehabilitation (4.4%), and directly to home (94%). Outcomes were significantly better after surgery at higher-volume hospitals (OR 0.47 for fivefold-larger caseload, P <.001) or by higher-volume surgeons (OR 0.46, P <.001). Of patients who had surgery at lowest-volume-quartile hospitals, 12.3% were not discharged directly home, compared with 4.1% at highest-volume-quartile hospitals. There was a trend toward lower mortality for higher-volume hospitals (P = .1) and surgeons (P = .06). Of patients who had surgery at lowest-caseload-quartile hospitals, 1.1% died, compared with 0.6% at highest-volume-quartile hospitals. Postoperative complications (including neurological complications, mechanical ventilation, facial palsy, and transfusion) were less likely with high-volume hospitals and surgeons. Length of stay was significantly shorter with high-volume hospitals (P = .01) and surgeons (P = .009). Hospital charges were lower for high-volume hospitals (by 6% [P = .006]) and surgeons (by 6% [P = .09]). Conclusion For acoustic neuroma excision, higher-volume hospitals and surgeons provided superior short-term outcomes with shorter lengths of stay and lower charges.
Further contributions to the mathematical biophysics of automobile driving

The discussions of a previous paper (Bull. Math. Biophysics,21, 299–308, 1959) are generalized by considering that the angular direction error made by the driver, as well as the driver's reaction time are not constant but are randomly distributed. Instead of a critical speed, at which the car will jump off the road, we now find that for every speed there is a probability of the car to jump off the road but that this probability is vanishingly small for sufficiently low speeds, yet increases rapidly for high speeds. Thus a more realistic picture of the process of driving is obtained. When the standard deviation of the distribution functions for the angle and the reaction time are very small, the expression obtained here reduces to the expression obtained previously.
The public speaker as a word‐artist

(1916). The public speaker as a word‐artist. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 123-129.