cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Convergence-Preserving Switching for Topology-Dependent Decentralized Systems

Stability analysis of decentralized control mechanisms for networked coordinating systems has generally focused on specific controller implementations, such as nearest-neighbor and other types of proximity graph control laws. This approach often misses the need for the addition of other control structures to improve global characteristics of the network. An example of such a situation is the use of a Gabriel graph, which is essentially a nearest-neighbor rule modified to ensure global connectivity of the network if the agents are pairwise connected through their sensor inputs. We present a method of ensuring provable stability of decentralized switching systems by employing a hysteresis rule that uses a zero-sum consensus algorithm. We demonstrate the application of this result to several special cases, including nearest-neighbor control laws, Gabriel graph rules, diffuse target tracking, and hierarchical heterogeneous systems.
A SEQUENTIAL SIGNALING MODEL OF CONVERTIBLE DEBT ISSUE AND CALL POLICIES

This paper offers a new explanation for why some risk-averse firms may prefer to issue callable convertible debt. Here, the convertible debt issue and call policies are integrated into a unified financing policy. It is then shown that for firms with relatively low unsystematic risk, convertible debt issuance followed by an appropriate in-the-money signaling call policy reduces more unsystematic equity risk than equity, callable straight debt, or their combination. The model is modified to incorporate asymmetric information at the issue stage to explain the stock price behavior at announcements of convertible debt sales.
Exploring Dialectical Tensions for Institutional Maintenance: A Case of Google and Its Censored Chinese Search Engine

Organizations can adapt to the institutional environment by exploiting the equivocality within the existing institutional discourses to strategically position themselves within their institutional environments. This process is illustrated through a case study of Google’s discussion of the institution of corporate social responsibility. Google reframes the dialectical tensions of business and ethics, global standards and local compliance, and corporate control and state control, defending and then denouncing its censored search engine in China.
Human performance modeling in system of systems analytics

The Department of Defense has identified that integrating the human element into large scale System of Systems (SoS) models is a significant challenge that remains unaddressed. Failure in doing so leads to significant limitations in our SoS analytical capabilities as human performance is a large contributor to the performance of a SoS. The primary challenge is that, in most SoS domains, the problems being analyzed are large in scale. Conversely, most Human Performance Modeling (HPM) initiatives look at integrating detailed cognitive models that capture fine grained details of human perception, decision making, and response with detailed systems models and simulations (e.g., Lebiere et al., 2003). It is not feasible to integrate such fine grained cognitive models with systems models and perform SoS scale analysis. This paper documents a capability that integrates HPM into a large scale SoS simulation toolset and demonstrates the utility of the toolset.
Computationally Efficient Particle Release Map Determination for Direct Tumor-Targeting in a Representative Hepatic Artery System

Implementation of a novel direct tumor-targeting technique requires a computer modeling stage to generate particle release maps (PRMs) which allow for optimal catheter positioning and selection of best injection intervals for drug-particles. This simulation task for a patient-specific PRM may require excessive computational resources and a relatively long turn-around time for a fully transient analysis. Hence, steady-state conditions were sought which generates PRMs equivalent to the pulsatile arterial flow environment. Fluid-particle transport in a representative hepatic artery system was simulated under fully transient and steady-state flow conditions and their corresponding PRMs were analyzed and compared. Comparisons of the transient PRMs from ten equal intervals of the cardiac pulse revealed that the diastolic phase produced relatively constant PRMs due to its semisteady flow conditions. Furthermore, steady-state PRMs, which best matched the transient particle release maps, were found for each interval and over the entire cardiac pulse. From these comparisons, the flow rate and outlet pressure differences proved to be important parameters for estimating the PRMs. The computational times of the fully transient and steady simulations differed greatly, i.e., about 10 days versus 0.5 to 1 h, respectively. The time-averaged scenario may provide the best steady conditions for estimating the transient particle release maps. However, given the considerable changes in the PRMs due to the accelerating and decelerating phases of the cardiac cycle, it may be better to model several steady scenarios, which encompass the wide range of flows and pressures experienced by the arterial system in order to observe how the PRMs may change throughout the pulse. While adding more computation time, this method is still significantly faster than running the full transient case. Finally, while the best steady PRMs provide a qualitative guide for best catheter placement, the final injection position could be adjusted in vivo using biodegradable mock-spheres to ensure that patient-specific optimal tumor-targeting is achieved. In general, the methodology described could generate computationally very efficient and sufficiently accurate solutions for the transient fluid-particle dynamics problem. However, future work should test this methodology in patient-specific geometries subject to various flow waveforms.
What is an adequate margin for breast-conserving surgery? Surgeon attitudes and correlates.

Re-excision is common in breast-conserving surgery (BCS), partly due to lack of consensus on margin definitions. A population-based surgeon sample was used to determine current attitudes toward margin width and identify characteristics associated with margin choice. Breast cancer patients treated from 2005 to 2007 were identified from Los Angeles and Detroit Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries. Pathology reports were used to identify their surgeons, who were surveyed (n = 418). Response rate was 74.6% (n = 312). Mean surgeon age was 51.9 years, 17.8% were female, and mean number of years in practice was 18.5. Wide variation in margin selection was noted among surgeons, and did not differ for invasive cancer and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). In a scenario of T1 invasive cancer, 11% of surgeons endorsed margins of tumor not touching ink (TNTI), 42% of 1–2 mm, 28% of ≥5 mm, and 19% >1 cm as precluding need for re-excision before radiotherapy. On multivariate analysis, having 50% or more of practice devoted to breast cancer independently predicted smaller margin choice (p = 0.03). For a patient with a 1.4-cm grade 2 estrogen receptor (ER)-positive DCIS without radiotherapy (RT) planned, 3% of surgeons chose TNTI, 12% 1–2 mm, 25% ≥5 mm, and 61% >1 cm as sufficient without re-excision. In the scenario of DCIS without RT, breast specialization independently predicted larger margin choice (p = 0.03). Gender and years in practice were not predictive of margin choice. Wide variation in BCS margin definition exists. Variation is similar for invasive cancer and DCIS with RT, with more specialized surgeons choosing smaller margins. In DCIS without RT, more specialized surgeons favored larger margins. A standardized margin definition may significantly affect re-excision rates.
An analysis of variations in isentropic melt productivity

The amount of melt generated per unit pressure drop during adiabatic upwelling, the isentropic melt productivity, cannot be determined directly from experiments and is commonly assumed to be constant or to decrease as melting progresses. From analysis of one– and two–component systems and from calculations based on a thermodynamic model of peridotite partial melting, we show that productivity for reversible adiabatic (i.e. isentropic) depressurization melting is never constant; rather, productivity tends to increase as melting proceeds. Even in a one–component system with a univariant solid–liquid boundary, the 1/T dependence of (∂S/∂T)_P and the downward curvature of the solidus (due to greater compressibility of liquids relative to minerals) lead to increased productivity with increasing melt fraction during batch fusion (and even for fractional fusion in some cases). Similarly, for multicomponent systems, downward curvature of contours of equal melt fraction between the solidus and the liquidus contributes to an increase in productivity as melting proceeds. In multicomponent systems, there is also a lever–rule relationship between productivity and the compositions of coexisting liquid and residue such that productivity is inversely related to the compositional distance between coexisting bulk solid and liquid. For most geologically relevant cases, this quantity decreases during progressive melting, again contributing to an increase in productivity with increasing melting. These results all suggest that the increases in productivity with increasing melt fraction (punctuated by drops in productivity upon exhaustion of each phase from the residue) predicted by thermodynamic modelling of melting of typical mantle peridotites using MELTS are neither artifacts nor unique properties of the model, but rather general consequences of adiabatic melting of upwelling mantle.
A placebo-controlled, double-blind study of fluoxetine in severe alcohol dependence : Adjunctive pharmacotherapy during and after inpatient treatment

Twenty-eight male patients with severe alcohol dependence (mean pretreatment consumption of 18.6 standard drinks per day) completed a placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of fluoxetine (60 mg/day). They were assigned to medication group in the second of 4 weeks on a voluntary inpatient chemical dependency ward and continued medication during a 12-week follow-up phase. Fluoxetine did not reduce clinically significant relapse rates; only 8 of 15 (53%) of fluoxetine subjects remained sober at 12 weeks, compared with 9 of 13 (69%) of the placebo group (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.46). Subjects with comorbid cocaine dependence relapsed more than twice as often (3 of 4, 75%) as those with alcohol dependence alone (8 of 24, 33%), although this trend did not reach statistical significance because of the small number of dually dependent subjects (Mann Whitney U test = 68, p = 0.13). Supportive living arrangements after hospital discharge did reduce relapse rates: 8 of 9 subjects (89%) discharged to a Veterans Affairs domiciliary were sober at 12 weeks, compared with 9 of 19 (47%) subjects discharged back to the community (Mann-Whitney U test = 125, p = 0.02). Fluoxetine-treated subjects who remained sober at 12 weeks reported a significant decrease in mean subjective alcohol craving scores from 2.9 to 0.7 on a 10-point scale (t = 2.828, p = 0.02). In summary, fluoxetine did not reduce clinical relapse rates in this sample of male severe alcoholics without other axis I disorders who completed 4 weeks of inpatient alcoholism treatment.
Definition of the esophagogastric junction: a critical mini review

Abstract Context.—Accurate diagnosis of diseases involving the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) is challenging because of difficulty in defining the EGJ endoscopically and histologically. Recent rese...
Observations of ULF electric field fluctuations in the dayside auroral oval

Electric field oscillations at frequencies centered below 10 Hz were measured by a payload equipped with double-probe electric field detectors which was launched into the dayside auroral oval during the Greenland rocket campaign on January 11, 1975. These oscillations exceeded an amplitude of 3 mV/m broadband and occurred over a period of about 90 s. These oscillations occurred during a proton injection event when the quasi-static electric field was less than 20 mV/m on the average. However, during a brief 2-s interval the electric field exceeded 50 mV/m. Analysis of the amplitude as a function of the spin frequency showed that the electric field was confined to a plane perpendicular to the magnetic field. The power spectrum was of the form f to the -6.5 + or - 1.5 power, where f is the frequency over the range from 8 to 18 Hz. The existence of a large electric field fluctuation in a spatially or temporally confined region of low-amplitude turbulence suggests that this may be an observation of the low-altitude projection of a turbulent region associated with electrostatic shocks which have recently been observed at higher altitudes.
Multichannel multiuser detection of space-time turbo codes: experimental performance results

Wireless communication using multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems enables increased spectral efficiency and improved reliability for a given total transmit power. We discuss channel phenomenology and space-time turbo coding. Space-time turbo codes combine the advantages of turbo codes with MIMO systems. The performance of receiver options is investigated, including multichannel multiuser detectors (MCMUD) that iteratively employ space-time-frequency adaptive processing, multiuser detection, and joint channel-data estimation. MIMO capacity is a strong function of channel phenomenology, motivating experimental performance evaluation. Results from outdoor experimental data using a 2 bits/s/Hz, 4/spl times/4 space-time turbo code are presented.
Network Effects in the Governance of Strategic Alliances

We argue that the stock of prior alliances between participants in the biotechnology sector forms a network that serves as a governance mechanism in interfirm transactions. To test how this network substitutes for other governance mechanisms, we examine how equity participation and pledged funding in strategic alliances vary with two features of the way alliance participants are positioned in the network of past deals: proximity, or how close two firms are to one another in the network; and centrality, or how deeply a firm is embedded in the network. As centrality and proximity increase, equity participation (measured by size and propensity) diminishes, whereas pledged funding increases.
Role of EDHF in conduction of vasodilation along hamster cheek pouch arterioles in vivo.

We tested whether local and conducted responses to ACh depend on factors released from endothelial cells (EC) in cheek pouch arterioles of anesthetized hamsters. ACh was delivered from a micropipette (1 s, 500 nA), while arteriolar diameter (rest, ∼40 μm) was monitored at the site of application (local) and at 520 and 1,040 μm upstream (conducted). Under control conditions, ACh elicited local (22–65 μm) and conducted (14–44 μm) vasodilation. Indomethacin (10 μM) had no effect, whereasN ω-nitro-l-arginine (100 μM) reduced local and conducted vasodilation by 5–8% (P < 0.05). Miconazole (10 μM) or 17-octadecynoic acid (17-ODYA; 10 μM) diminished local vasodilation by 15–20% and conducted responses by 50–70% (P < 0.05), suggesting a role for cytochromeP-450 (CYP) metabolites in arteriolar responses to ACh. Membrane potential (E m) was recorded in smooth muscle cells (SMC) and in EC identified with dye labeling. At rest (control E m, typically −30 mV), ACh evoked local (15–32 mV) and conducted (6–31 mV) hyperp...
Static Electrification of Solids

Publisher Summary The structure of solids is known far better than the structure of liquids; but the nature of the contact between two solids is much more imperfectly understood than that between a solid and a liquid. In any event, in those cases where solid-liquid electrolytic processes have been taken as the point of departure in explaining static electricity, the extension to solid-solid phenomenon has not been generally successful. Hence, no contraindication exists that the study of solid-solid contacts will not constitute an avenue to fundamental understanding of static electrification. Structure of solids is known far better than the structure of liquids; but the nature of the contact between two solids is much more imperfectly understood than that between a solid and a liquid. In any event, in those cases where solid-liquid electrolytic processes have been taken as the point of departure in explaining static electricity, the extension to solid-solid phenomenon has not been generally successful. Hence, no contraindication exists that the study of solid-solid contacts may not constitute an avenue to fundamental understanding of static electrification.
The MARC Formats: An Overview

The USMARC Archival and Manuscripts Control (AMC) format provides archivists with the means to communicate and exchange information about holdings in machine-readable form. This article gives a brief history of the USMARC formats developed by the Library of Congress for bibliographic data and authority records and outlines the basic structure of a MARC record. It explains the role USMARC formats have played in the creation of national and international standards for the exchange of bibliographic information and in the growth of bibliographic utilities. The review process for proposed changes to the formats is described.
Three-dimensional printed prototypes refine the anatomy of post-modified Norwood-1 complex aortic arch obstruction and allow presurgical simulation of the repair

Three-dimensional (3D) printed prototypes of malformed hearts have been used for education, communication, presurgical planning and simulation. We present a case of a 5-month old infant with complex obstruction at the neoaortic to transverse arch and descending aortic junction following the neonatal modified Norwood-1 procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Digital 3D models were created from a routine 64-slice CT dataset; then life-size solid and magnified hollow models were printed with a 3D printer. The solid model provided further insights into details of the anatomy, whereas the surgical approach and steps of the operation were simulated on the hollow model. Intraoperative assessment confirmed the anatomical accuracy of the 3D models. The operation was performed in accordance with preoperative simulation: sliding autologous flaps achieved relief of the obstruction without additional patching. Knowledge gained from the models fundamentally contributed to successful outcome and improved patient safety. This case study presents an effective use of 3D models in exploring complex spatial relationship at the aortic arch and in simulation-based planning of the operative procedure.
Sturcture-Function Relationships in Essential Regions for Plasmid Replication

The development of recombinant DNA techniques has made possible the isolation of segments of a plasmid DNA molecule that are essential for plasmid replication and stable maintenance in a bacterial host. The discovery of rapid methods for the determination of the nucleotide sequence of DNA fragments and the development of in vitro systems for plasmid DNA replication permit a detailed analysis of the structure-function relationships of these various DNA segments. Such an analysis has been carried out on the essential region for plasmid R6K DNA replication. In addition segments of the replication regions of Plasmids R6K and F that are involved in plasmid incompatibility have been isolated and analyzed. A striking feature of the essential region of replication of Plasmids R6K, F and the broad host range plasmid RK2 [also studied in our laboratory1–5] is the presence of direct repeats of nucleotide sequences. The important role of these direct repeats in both plasmid replication and incompatibility and the major structural features of the essential region for plasmid R6K replication will be considered in this article.
PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR PERICARDIAL EFFUSION REQUIRING READMISSION AFTER PEDIATRIC CARDIAC SURGERY

Pericardial effusion (PE) requiring readmission after pediatric cardiac surgery is an important source of morbidity for which risk factors have been poorly defined. We sought to identify the prevalence and risk factors for postoperative PE requiring readmission. A retrospective analysis of the
Zika as still another argument for a new path to vaccine development.

As if the Ebola outbreak was not enough to convince the biomedical, public health and pharmaceutical communities to prepare vaccines in advance of epidemics, we now have the Zika virus. The media have raised justifiable concern about the spread of this mosquito-borne virus throughout much of the western hemisphere. The virus originated in Africa and like many other agents of disease, has migrated from one continent to distant parts of the world. As is now well known, Zika is associated with severe abnormalities in babies born to mothers infected by the virus early in pregnancy, notably microcephaly. In this regard it resembles rubella and cytomegalovirus, and although Zika is unrelated to those viruses some evidence suggests that like them Zika crosses the placenta to infect the fetus. And as with Ebola at the start of the West Africa epidemic we have no vaccine. The problem is that commercial vaccine companies are not going to spend the millions of dollars necessary to bring a vaccine to use in humans unless there is a market for them. Previous experience shows that at least half a billion dollars are spent to license a single vaccine. As the size of a market for emerging infections is likely to be small in the absence of an epidemic, vaccine development is usually confined to animal studies. Fortunately scientists almost always embark on vaccine development as soon as a pathogen is identified. The objective of those early studies of experimental vaccines is to demonstrate protection in animals. But success in animals cannot be transposed immediately to allow use in humans when an epidemic strikes. The path from an experimental vaccine that is successful in animals to one shown to work in humans is long, expensive, and has a high failure rate [1,2]. The candidate vaccine must be produced in a safe and reproducible manner involving detailed process development. Then it must be progressively tested in increasing numbers of humans to show safety and efficacy, usually referred to as phases I, II and III. This path is reliably estimated to be 3–5 years long after coming
Gibbs energies of formation for hydrocerussite [Pb(OH)2 · (PbCO3)2(s)] and hydrozincite {[Zn(OH)2]3 · (ZnCO3)2(s)} at 298 K and 1 bar from electrochemical cell measurements

New values are reported for the Gibbs energies of formation from the elements for hydrocerussite Pb(OH){sub 2}{center_dot}(PbCO{sub 3}){sub 2} and hydrozincite [Zn(OH){sub 2}]{sub 3}{center_dot}(ZnCO{sub 3}){sub 2}. These {Delta}G{sub f}{sup 0} values were obtained from electrochemical cells without liquid junction. The authors determined {Delta}G{sub f}{sup 0} [Pb(OH){sub 2}{center_dot}(PbCO{sub 3}){sub 2}(s)] = {minus}1,699.8 {+-} 1.6 kJ/mol for hydrocerussite and {Delta}G{sub f}{sup 0} {l_brace}[Zn(OH){sub 2}]{sub 3}{center_dot}(ZnCO{sub 3}){sub 2}{r_brace} = {minus}3,163.3 {+-} 4 kJ/mol for hydrozincite. These results allow future electrochemical cell experiments to be performed to determine the {Delta}G{sub f}{sup 0} values of other hydroxycarbonate minerals using either the Pb amalgam-hydrocerussite or the Zn amalgam-hydrozincite as reference electrodes. These reference electrodes provide a strategy for establishing Gibbs energies for phases with two different anions, which are geochemically interesting but difficult to study experimentally.
Flow property and displacement efficiency of SJT-B surfactant/polymer compound system

In order to further evaluate the property of SJT-B surfactant/polymer combination system,with the modern physical simulation method,we studied the flow property,transmitting ability and displacement effect of SJT-B surfactant/polymer system,ASP system and polymer solution.The results show that the resistance factor and residual resistance factor of SJT-B surfactant/polymer system is higher,transmitting ability in porous media is poor,ability of profile modification is better and increasing degree of recovery is higher compared with polymer solution under the condition of same polymer concentration.
Effect of polyamines and cystic fibrosis serum on glucose transport

The effect of plasma or serum from homozygotes and heterozygotes for the cystic fibrosis (CF) gene on the active uptake of 3-0-14C-methyl-D-glucose (3-0-14C-MDG) by rat jejunal epithelium was studied. Furthermore, the role of the polyamine, spermidine, and its products of metabolic degradation on glucose transport were investigated, and a relationship to the pathogenesis of membrane dysfunction in cystic fibrosis was postulated. Glucose transport in everted rat jejunal rings was used in the study. Results were expressed as 3-0-14C-MDG concentration ratio between the intracellular (ICF) and the extracellular fluid spaces (ECF) of the jejunal rings at the end of a 60 min incubation period. The mean ratio obtained from incubations of the rat jejunal rings in medium consisting of Krebs-Ringer-bicarbonate buffer and the labeled sugar was considered as 100% uptake. When plasma or serum, with or without spermidine, was mixed with the medium in a volume ratio of 1:3, a decrease in the active uptake of 3-0-14C-MDG was observed, expressed as percent inhibition. Percent inhibition of 3-0-14C-MDG uptake obtained when the rat jejunal rings were incubated in normal plasma was compared to that obtained with plasma from cystic fibrosis genotypes. It was found that: 1) plasma from 25 homozygous children had greater inhibitory effect on glucose uptake than plasma from 26 normal children; 2) plasma from 9 heterozygous women had greater inhibitory effect than that from 6 normal women; 3) the inhibitory effect of plasma from 3 homozygous children was not influenced by dialysis; 4) the inhibitory effects of paired plasma and serum samples from 9 homozygotes were comparable; 5) spermidine added to the incubating electrolyte solution did not affect glucose transport; 6) the addition of spermidine to reaction mixtures containing normal plasma potentiated the inhibitory effect; and 7) mixing and incubation of fresh bovine serum with reaction mixtures containing plasma from homozygotes decreased the inhibitory effect. The predominant inhibitory effect of plasma or serum from homozygotes and heterozygotes for the CF gene appears to be related to a nondialyzeable molecule(s). It does not seem to reflect the presence of high plasma glucose levels in cystic fibrosis nor to be the result of competitive inhibition between sugars. It does not seem to be the result of sodium or other electrolyte differences. A similar inhibitory effect is acquired by normal plasma after the addition of spermidine. On the other hand, plasma from CF homozygotes loses its inhibitory effect after incubation with fresh bovine serum. These findings may indicate that products of metabolic degradation of spermidine are responsible for the inhibitory effect of glucose transport and suggest the possibility of a role in abnormal polyamine metabolism in the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis.
Maternal victimization and child trauma: The mediating role of mothers' affect

Abstract This study examined the effects of maternal childhood and adult victimization on child trauma symptomatology both directly and indirectly via three types of maternal affective problems as mediators (depression, anxiety, and hostility). A high proportion of mothers in the sample reported a history of childhood or adulthood physical and sexual abuse and findings showed that these experiences impacted how victimized women may function as parents. Mothers' adult victimization had a stronger effect on children compared to maternal childhood victimization. The relationship between maternal adult victimization and child trauma symptoms was mediated by maternal depression. Maternal anxiety mediated the relationship between both maternal childhood and adulthood victimization and child trauma symptoms, but anxiety played a buffering role. Maternal hostility was associated with both childhood and adulthood victimization, but did not serve as a mediator. Implications for practice with victimized mothers and their children are discussed.
Heart rate variability during sleep in children with autism spectrum disorder

Autonomic dysfunction has been reported in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Less is known about autonomic function during sleep in ASD. The objective of this study is to provide insight into the autonomic cardiovascular control during different sleep stages in ASD. We hypothesized that patients with ASD have lower vagal and higher sympathetic modulation with elevated heart rate, as compared to typical developing children (TD). We studied 21 children with ASD and 23 TD children during overnight polysomnography. Heart rate and spectral parameters were calculated for each vigilance stage during sleep. Data from the first four sleep cycles were used to avoid possible effects of different individual sleep lengths and sleep cycle structures. Linear regression models were applied to study the effects of age and diagnosis (ASD and TD). In both groups, HR decreased during non-REM sleep and increased during REM sleep. However, HR was significantly higher in stages N2, N3 and REM sleep in the ASD group. Children with ASD showed less high frequency (HF) modulation during N3 and REM sleep. LF/HF ratio was higher during REM. Heart rate decreases with age at the same level in ASD and in TD. We found an age effect in LF in REM different in ASD and TD. Our findings suggest possible deficits in vagal influence to the heart during sleep, especially during REM sleep. Children with ASD may have higher sympathetic dominance during sleep but rather due to decreased vagal influence.
Validation of spatiodemographic estimates produced through data fusion of small area census records and household microdata

Abstract Despite the increasing availability of current national censuses, these datasets are limited by their lack of small area demographic depth. At the same time, spatial microdata that include detailed demographic information are only available for limited geographies, thus limiting the complex analysis of population subgroups within and between small areas. Techniques such as Iterative Proportional Fitting have been previously suggested as a means to generate new data with the demographic granularity of individual surveys and the spatial granularity of small area tabulations of censuses and surveys. This article explores internal and external validation approaches for synthetic, small area, household- and individual-level microdata using a case study for Bangladesh. Using data from the Bangladesh Census 2011 and the Demographic and Health Survey, we produce estimates of infant mortality rate and other household attributes for small areas using a variation of an iterative proportional fitting method called P-MEDM. We conduct an internal validation to determine: whether the model accurately recreates the spatial variation of the input data, how each of the variables performed overall, and how the estimates compare to the published population totals. We conduct an external validation by comparing the estimates with indicators from the 2009 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) for Bangladesh to benchmark how well the estimates compared to a known dataset which was not used in the original model. The results indicate that the estimation process is viable for regions that are better represented in the microdata sample, but also revealed the possibility of strong overfitting in sparsely sampled sub-populations.
Theoretical Investigation of Water Oxidation Catalysis by a Model Manganese Cubane Complex

Manganese is selected by nature for the water oxidation process. In this study, we use an in silico approach to study a manganese cubane complex Mn4O4(H2O)x(OH)y x = 4–8, y = 8–4 with water-derived ligands. We investigate oxidation state configurations ranging from all Mn(IV) to all Mn(III) states. Understanding these simplest architectures for water splitting is essential for the bottom up design of commercially viable electrocatalysts. Both μ3-oxo and μ3-hydroxo versions of the catalysts were examined; μ3-hydroxo versions are generally higher in energy in all the oxidation state configurations except for the Mn4(III III III III) state (this rearranges to a Mn4(II III III IV) state) and the Mn4(III III III IV) state (this rearranges to a Mn4(II III IV IV) state). Out of all the oxidation state configurations we studied, we observed that Mn4(IV IV IV IV), Mn4(III IV IV IV), and Mn4(III III IV V) configurations are thermodynamically viable for water oxidation. All three reaction pathways proceed via nucleo...
Super-Resolving the Distance-Dependent Plasmon-Enhanced Fluorescence of Single Dye and Fluorescent Protein Molecules

Coupling to metal nanoparticles can increase the fluorescence intensity and photostability of fluorescent probes, and this plasmon-enhanced fluorescence is particularly promising for the dimmer fluorescent proteins common in biological imaging. Here, we measure the intensity distribution of single Cy3.5 dye molecules and mCherry fluorescent proteins one at a time as they adsorb on a conformal surface 4.8–61.0 nm thick over a gold nanorod (NR). The emission intensities for both types of fluorophores depend nonmonotonically on the spacer thickness, and an optimal spacer thickness of ∼10 nm is observed for both fluorophores using two different spacer layer materials. Emission from fluorophores coupled to metal nanoparticles is affected by two competing processes: an enhanced spontaneous decay rate and quenching via nonradiative antenna modes. After averaging over a conformal surface, the product of the simulated enhanced local electric field intensity and the quantum efficiency modification reproduces the ex...
Hubble’s Pioneering Study

In 1924 Edwin Hubble published his first paper demonstrating the extragalactic nature of a “nebula”, the dwarf irregular galaxy NGC 6822 (Hubble 1925). A year later he presented a long and exacting paper on M33 that clearly demonstrated that it is also a distant stellar system (Hubble 1926).
Nonthermal plasmas around black holes, relevant collective modes, new configurations, and magnetic field amplification

The radiation emission from Shining Black Holes is most frequently observed to have nonthermal features. It is therefore appropriate to consider relevant collective processes in plasmas surrounding black holes that contain high energy particles with nonthermal distributions in momentum space. A fluid description with significant temperature anisotropies is the simplest relevant approach. These anisotropies are shown to have a critical influence on: (a) the existence and characteristics of stationary plasma and field ring configurations, (b) the excitation of “thermo-gravitational modes” driven by temperature anisotropies and gradients that involve gravity and rotation, (c) the generation of magnetic fields over macroscopic scale distances, and (d) the transport of angular momentum.
UAV remote sensing for phenotyping drought tolerance in peanuts

Farmers can benefit from growing drought tolerant peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars with improved yield when rainfall is sporadic. In the Virginia-Carolina (VC) region, drought is magnified by hot summers and usually occurs in July and Aug when pod and seed growth are intense. At these growth stages, weekly supply of 50 to 75 mm of water is needed to ensure profitability. Irrigation can supplement crop water needs, but only 10% of the peanut farms are irrigated. In this frame, drought tolerant varieties can be profitable, but breeding for cultivars with improved drought tolerance requires fast yet accurate phenotyping. Our objective was to evaluate the potential of UAV remote sensing technologies for drought tolerance selection in peanut. In this study, we examined the effect of drought on leaf wilting, pod yield, grading characteristics, and crop value of 23 peanut cultivars (Virginia, Runner, and Valencia type). These varieties were arranged in a factorial design, with four replications drought stressed and two replications well-watered. Drought was imposed by covering the drought stressed plots with rainout shelters on July 19; they remained covered until August 29 and only received 38 mm irrigation in mid Aug. The well-watered plots continued to receive rain and supplemental irrigation as needed. During this time, Canopy Temperature Depression (CT) and Normalized Differential Vegetative Index (NDVI) were collected from the ground on all plots at weekly intervals. After the shelters were removed, these measurements were collected daily for approximately 2 weeks. At the same time, Red-Green-Blue (RGB), near-infrared (NIR), and infrared (IR) images taken from an UAV platform were also collected. Vegetation indices derived from the ground and aerial data were compared with leaf wilting, pod yield and crop value. Wilting, which is a common water stress symptom, was best estimated by NDVI and RGB, and least by CT; but CT was best in estimating yield, SMK and crop value in particular when taken on the ground at 15 days water stress imposition. Interestingly, CT predicted well plant wilting even before it occurred, i.e., correlation coefficients were negative and over 0.750 when CT was measured on July 19 and 20 even though wilting was visible only after two weeks. The data, yet preliminary, show promising potential for remote sensing technologies, at the ground and aerial, for peanut variety selection for improved drought tolerance.
Conceptual Design of the Parallel Electric-Gas Architecture with Synergistic Utilization Scheme (PEGASUS) Concept

In this paper, a novel hybrid electric regional aircraft is presented that strategically locates multiple electric and hybrid electric propulsors to obtain aerodynamic benefits. This concept is called the Parallel Electric-Gas Architecture with Synergistic Utilization Scheme (PEGASUS) aircraft. The use of the alternative propulsive systems coupled with their potential aerodynamic benefits presents modeling challenges for conventional aircraft analysis tools. These challenges are addressed by two methods that quantify the potential benefits of the PEGASUS concept. The results of both methods suggest that when com-pared to other hybrid electric regional aircraft, the PEGASUS concept has the potential to decrease the total energy required to complete a mission while also reducing the vehicle gross weight
Microwave implementation of two-source energy balance approach for estimating evapotranspiration

A newly developed microwave (MW) land surface temperature (LST) product is used to substitute thermal infrared (TIR) based LST in the Atmosphere Land Exchange Inverse (ALEXI) modelling framework for estimating ET from space. ALEXI implements a two-source energy balance (TSEB) land surface scheme in a time-differential approach, designed to minimize sensitivity to absolute biases in input records of LST through the analysis of the rate of temperature change in the morning. Thermal infrared (TIR) retrievals of the diurnal LST curve, traditionally from geostationary platforms, are hindered by cloud cover, reducing model coverage on any given day. This study tests the utility of diurnal temperature information retrieved from a constellation of satellites with microwave radiometers that together provide 6-8 observations of Ka-band brightness temperature per location per day. This represents the first ever attempt at a global implementation of ALEXI with MW-based LST and is intended as the first step towards providing all-weather capability to the ALEXI framework. The analysis is based on 9-year long, global records of ALEXI ET generated using both MW and TIR based diurnal LST information as input. In this study, the MW-LST sampling is restricted to the same clear sky days as in the IR-based implementation to be able to analyse the impact of changing the LST dataset separately from the impact of sampling all-sky conditions. The results show that long-term bulk ET estimates from both LST sources agree well, with a spatial correlation of 92% for total ET in the Europe/Africa domain and agreement in seasonal (3-month) totals of 83-97 % depending on the time of year. Most importantly, the ALEXI-MW also matches ALEXI-IR very closely in terms of 3-month inter-annual anomalies, demonstrating its ability to capture the development and extent of drought conditions. Weekly ET output from the two parallel ALEXI implementations is further compared to a common ground measured reference provided by the FLUXNET consortium. Overall, the two model implementations generate similar performance metrics (correlation and RMSE) for all but the most challenging sites in terms of spatial heterogeneity and level of aridity. It is concluded that a constellation of MW satellites can effectively be used to provide LST for estimating ET through ALEXI, which is an important step towards all-sky satellite-based retrieval of ET using an energy balance framework.
Imaging the Native Covalent State of Thylakoid Proteins by Electrospray-Ionization Mass Spectrometry

The ideal analysis of any protein includes a mass spectrum of the intact molecule to define the native covalent state and its heterogeneity. A versatile procedure for effective electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) of intact intrinsic membrane proteins purified using reverse-phase chromatography in aqueous formic acid/isopropanol has been developed (1). The spectra of spinach DI and D2 as well as bacteriorhodopsin achieved mass measurements that were within 0.01% of calculated theoretical values, setting a benchmark standard for analysis of such molecules (1). Typically, genome data needs manipulation before agreement with calculated masses is achieved. DNA sequencing errors, post-transcriptional, post-translational modifications as well as protein damage must all be considered. Spectra frequently reveal lesser quantities of other molecular species that can usually be equated with covalently modified sub-populations of the dominant proteins. Here we present spectra of the larger Photosystem 2 (PS2) subunits from pea illustrating the accuracy and resolution afforded by ESI-MS.
Jail-to-community treatment continuum for adults with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Adults with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders (CODs) are overrepresented in jails. In-custody barriers to treatment, including a lack of evidence-based treatment options and the often short periods of incarceration, and limited communication between jails and community-based treatment agencies that can hinder immediate enrollment into community care once released have contributed to a cycle of limited treatment engagement, unaddressed criminogenic risks, and (re)arrest among this vulnerable and high-risk population. This paper describes a study that will develop research and communication protocols and adapt two evidence-based treatments, dual-diagnosis motivational interviewing (DDMI) and integrated group therapy (IGT), for delivery to adults with CODs across a jail-to-community treatment continuum. Adaptations to DDMI and IGT were guided by the Risk-Need-Responsivity model and the National Institute of Corrections’ implementation competencies; the development of the implementation framework and communication protocols were guided by the Evidence-Based Interagency Implementation Model for community corrections and the Inter-organizational Relationship model, respectively. Implementation and evaluation of the protocols and adapted interventions will occur via an open trial and a pilot randomized trial. The clinical intervention consists of two in-jail DDMI sessions and 12 in-community IGT sessions. Twelve adults with CODs and four clinicians will participate in the open trial to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of, and fidelity to, the interventions and research and communication protocols. The pilot controlled trial will be conducted with 60 inmates who will be randomized to either DDMI-IGT or treatment as usual. A baseline assessment will be conducted in jail, and four community-based assessments will be conducted during a 6-month follow-up period. Implementation, clinical, public health, and treatment preference outcomes will be evaluated. Findings have the potential to improve both jail- and community-based treatment services for adults with CODs as well as inform methods for conducting rigorous pilot implementation and evaluation research in correctional settings and as inmates re-enter the community. Findings will contribute to a growing area of work focused on interrupting the cycle of limited treatment engagement, unaddressed criminogenic risks, and (re)arrest among adults with CODs. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02214667 . Registered on 10 August 2014.
A preliminary study to identify a neurophysiological correlate of electroacoustic pitch matching in cochlear implant users

One challenge facing postlingually-deafened cochlear implant (CI) users is the frequency mismatch between the incoming acoustic signal and the characteristic frequency of the electrically stimulated neurons. Current CI is an open-loop system and it requires extensive fine-tuning to help users to adapt to this mismatch over time. Electric-acoustic pitch matching in unilateral cochlear implant (CI) participants who has residual hearing in the non-implanted ear had been shown to serve as a useful metric to monitor adaptation process. The goal of this study was to identify a potential neurophysiological correlate to this electroacoustic pitch matching for a possible metric to track the adaptation process of CI users over time and a possible feedback for a closed-loop CI system design. This study utilized a method of presenting electrical and acoustic stimuli that were continuously alternating across ears. The stimuli were either matched or mismatched in pitch. Auditory Evoked Potentials (AEP) were recorded from 10 CI users and 10 normal hearing (NH) participants. For NH participants, an acoustic tone at a fixed frequency was presented in place of electrical stimulation. Results with CI participants indicated that N1 latency decreases when the acoustic frequency of the tone presented in the non-implanted ear increases. More importantly, there was an additional shortening of N1 latency in the pitch matched condition. These two patterns were repeated with NH participants. These results indicate the potential utility of N1 latency as an index of pitch matching in both normal hearing listeners and cochlear implant user.