cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Point and planar-junction p-i-n silicon solar cells for concentration applications. Fabrication, performance and stability

Several designs of silicon concentrator cells having a front metal grid are evaluated and compared in terms of performance, fabrication complexity, and stability under concentrated sunlight. The highest beginning-of-life performance corresponds to a front-gridded point-junction cell that has achieved a 26% efficiency at 90 suns. This performance relies on the quality of the interface between the undoped silicon and the silicon dioxide that covers most of the surface, and it degrades upon exposure to concentrated light. A good compromise between stability and performance has been achieved with a modified point-junction design that incorporates a phosphorus diffusion at the front surface; the p/sup +/ points are imbedded in this planar n/sup +/ region. Some experimental results for simplified p-i-n designed with planar dopant diffusions are also presented. A modeling comparison between front-gridded p-i-n and back-junction cells that points out the superiority of the latter is established. >
Current practice for determining pulmonary capillary wedge pressure predisposes to serious errors in the classification of patients with pulmonary hypertension

Background: Accurate measurement of left ventricular filling pressure (LVEDP) is important to distinguish between Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and Group 2 pulmonary hypertension from diastolic heart failure (PH-HFpEF). Methods: We prospectively performed cardiac catheterization on 62 patients referred for evaluation of PH and compared the LVEDP at end-expiration to: a) the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure manually determined at end-expiration (PCWP-EXP) and b) the PCWP determined electronically (PCWP-digital). Results: The PCWP-EXP was a more reliable measure of the LVEDP (mean 13mmHg vs 12.4mmHg, p=NS) than the PCWP-digital (mean 8mmHg vs 12.4mmHg, p Conclusions: The common practice of using PCWP-digital measurements instead of PCWP-EXP measurements results in significant underestimation of the LVEDP. In our study, this translated to almost 20% of patients being misclassified as having PAH rather than PH-HFpEF. Thus, reliance on PCWP-digital measurements should be avoided as this may lead to the inappropriate use of pulmonary vasodilators.
High-order entropy stable finite difference schemes for nonlinear conservation laws

Nonlinear entropy stability is used to derive provably stable high-order finite difference operators including boundary closure stencils, for the compressible Navier-Stokes equations. A comparison technique is used to derive a new Entropy Stable Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory (SSWENO) finite difference method, appropriate for simulations of problems with shocks. Viscous terms are approximated using conservative, entropy stable, narrow-stencil finite difference operators. The efficacy of the new discrete operators is demonstrated using both smooth and discontinuous test cases.
Distributed hidden Markov model training on loosely-coupled multiprocessor networks

An explicit-duration hidden Markov model (HMM) algorithm for speech recognition has been proposed that potentially provides a more precise and versatile duration model than the implicit models ordinarily used, but at the cost of increased computation. The authors address the computational issues involved in conventional and explicit-duration HMM training by providing an analysis of the algorithm, suggesting serial enhancements and two efficient parallel implementations, and presenting experimental results on both common network workstations as well as a parallel system. >
Production of Chinese cabbage in relation to nitrogen source, rate, and leaf nutrient concentration

Abstract Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. Chinensis group) production is expanding in the U. S., and guidelines regarding its production under Western cultural practices are needed. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of N source and rate on Chinese cabbage yield, marketability, and wrapper leaf nutrient concentrations, and to estimate the critical wrapper leaf‐N concentration associated with maximum yield and marketability. Chinese cabbage was grown in five sequential plantings using raised‐bed, polyethylene mulch culture with subsurface irrigation on a sandy soil. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied at rates of 0, 67,112, and 157 kg/ha using the following sources: 1) ammonium nitrate. 2) calcium nitrate, 3) urea‐ammonium nitrate solution (Uram, 32% N), 4) urea, and 5) a urea‐calcium solution (18% N). Mature Chinese cabbage wrapper leaf concentrations of P, Ca, and Mg increased with increasing N rate, while leaf‐K concentration decreased. Leaf‐N concentration increased in response t...
Development and Implementation of Advanced Science Training Modules for Elementary Teachers

To assist GK-12 teachers in their effort to improve science and math instruction, the STARS (Students, Teachers and Resources in the Sciences) program from the University of South Florida has developed a science training plan for teachers in the 3-5 band. STARS is a National Science Foundation project, which aims to promote systemic change in primary grade levels by enriching the math and science courses and by encouraging long-term professional development for the teachers. This paper discusses the tools employed to facilitate the integration of advanced concepts, such as materials science and nanotechnology, into the teacher curriculum through training modules. The modules were designed to target a population of lead science and math teachers. The main objective of the training program is to form and mature lead teachers that will disseminate to other elementary science educators the advanced science modules, and will provide the necessary in-class support during the implementation phase.
Control of curvature in microemulsions: The AOT/Krypotofix couple

Aerosol OT (AOT) exhibits a pronounced tendency towards reverse curvature, forming w/o droplets in the L 2 region of the phase diagram in the three-component water/cyclohexane/AOT system. The net curvature of the interfacial layer can be tuned by complexing AOT’s sodium ion with the cryptand Kryptofix 222 (Kr 222). With increasing Kryptofix, a structural evolution occurs from w/o droplets through a bicontinuous system to o/w droplets. This contribution focuses on the structural changes which occur in the L 2 phase upon addition of 0.25 equivalent of Kr 222. Results from PGSE 1H-FTNMR and static SANS measurements lead to the conclusion that the AOT droplets decrease in size and exhibit a significant increase in the droplet-droplet interaction when the Kr 222 is added.
Reducing Energy Consumption through the Union of Disjoint Set Forests Algorithm in Sensor Networks

Recently, wireless sensor networks have improved for many applications aimed at collecting information. However wireless sensor networks have many challenges to be solved. One of the most critical problems is the energy restriction. Therefore in order to extend the lifetime of sensor nodes, we need to minimize the amount of energy consumption. In many cases, sensor networks use routing schemes based on the tree routing structure. But when we collect information from a restricted area within the sensor field using the tree routing structure, the information is often assembled by sensor nodes located on different tree branches. In this case unnecessary energy consumption happens in ancestor nodes located out of the target area. In this paper, we propose the Sensor Network Subtree Merge algorithm, called SNSM, which uses the union of disjoint set forest algorithm for preventing unnecessary energy consumption in ancestor nodes for routing. SNSM algorithm has 3-phases: first finding the disjoint set of the subtree in the sensor field; second connecting each disjoint subtree with the closest node; and third virtually disconnect the subtree connected to new tree branch from previous tree structure. In the simulation, we apply SNSM algorithm to a minimum spanning tree structure. Simulation results show that SNSM algorithm reduces the energy consumption. Especially, SNSM is more efficient as number of sensor nodes in a sensor field increases.
The Initial Behavioral Sequences and Strategies of Various Ant Species During Individual Interactions with Solenopsis invicta

The flexibility in behavior and strategies used by ants is both individual and collective. Here, we studied the behavior of individual ants during one-on-one interactions to gain insight into how resident ant species behave when they encounter incipient red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) colonies. The one-on-one interactions revealed that the red imported fire ant and Pheidole dentata (Mayr) were more “aggressive” compared with Solenopsis molesta (Say), Forelius pruinosus (Roger), Tetramorium bicarinatum (Nylander), Monomorium minimum (Buckley), and Monomorium pharonis (L.), which were more “defensive.” All of the species displayed “disturbed” behaviors such as excessive grooming, paralysis, and restlessness after being in contact with red imported fire ant. The apparent disparity in one-on-one interactions between a particular species and red imported fire ant illustrates how variation in these behavioral strategies can influence their success in defending themselves against red imported fire ant. The ant species tested also displayed a sequential behavior during the interaction, in which, certain subsequent behaviors were dependent on the preceding behaviors.
Perspectives on CalCOFI

CalCOFI has a legacy in the people who collect the samples, analyze the data, and interpret the results. There are many colorful characters in the history of CalCOFI. In this chapter, I gather some of their stories as recollections and photographs. While there are many others who are not included here, the present contributions add depth to the CalCOFI story by exposing a more personal dimension. This chapter contains biographical accounts from George Hemingway, John McGowan, Carl Boyd, Roger Hewitt, Dave Griffith, Ron Dotson, James Wilkinson, John Butler, Geoff Moser, Bill Watson, Andrew Thompson, Paul, Smith, Tony Koslow, Gail Theilacker, John Hunter, Nancy Lo, Steve Bograd, Ralf Goericke, Bertha Lavaniegos, Dan Rudnick, Amanda Netburn, Noelle Bowlin, and Rebecca Asch.
The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Movement on Parameters of Stress

The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program (MBSR) of Kabat-Zinn includes a combination of sitting meditation, yoga, and walking; thus, movement is not emphasized primarily to induce a state of awareness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a Mindfulness-Based Movement Program (MBM) in women on parameters of stress and coping; that is, in contrast to MBSR, MBM primarily emphasized yoga to cultivate awareness. This study investigated: (a) an objective measure of stress (the cortisol response to a laboratory stressor) following an 8-week MBM in year 1 participants only (n = 17; MBM group = 9; Control group = 8); (b) subjective measures of stress following an 8-week MBM in years 1 and 2 (n = 32; MBM = 16; C = 16); and (c) changes in coping style following an 8- week MBM in years 1 and 2 (n = 32; MBM = 16; C = 16). A mixed plot 2 (Group: TC or MBM) by 5 (Trial: Baseline, Stressor, Recovery 1, Recovery 2, and Recovery 3) repeated measures ANOVA was run for cortisol. Preliminary results indicated a strong trend towards a lowered cortisol response for the MBM group compared to the control group. A mixed plot 2 (Group: TC or MBM) by 2 (Time: Pretest, Post-test) repeated measures ANOVA was run for Spielberg's State Anxiety, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Problem Focused Style of Coping Scale for the Suppressive, Reflective, and the Reactive Coping Style. There were significant main effects for time, group, and an interaction of time and group for Spielberg's State Anxiety and the Perceived Stress Scale. Significant differences were also found for time and the interaction of time and group for the Problem Focused Style of Coping for the Reflective Coping Style (p < 0.05). In conclusion, results indicate positive effects of the MBM program on perceived measures of stress and coping style in women.
Sensing Religion in Alfonso Cuarón’s “Children of Men”

This essay attends closely to the affective excess of Children of Men, arguing that this excess generates two modalities of religion—nostalgic and emergent—primarily through a sensitive use of color and music. These affective religious modalities are justly termed “religion” not only because they are sutured to overtly Christian names, images, and thematics, but also because they signal the sacred and transcendence, respectively. The essay reads the protagonist, Theo Faron (Clive Owen), as navigating these two modalities of religion, not as a hero but as what Giorgio Agamben terms “whatever-being.” Noting Theo’s religious function draws attention to transformations of political being and human hope.
Considering Reparations for the Dred Scott Case

"Considering Reparations for the Dred Scott Case," which was prepared for a volume reassessing Dred Scott on its 150th anniversary, asks how the case might fit into discussion of reparations for slavery. Is some reparative action advisable for that case standing by itself? Or might Dred Scott be used as part of a larger discussion? The essay begins with a brief assessment of where the movement for reparations for slavery is right now; then it turns to the case and asks what the Supreme Court's culpability might be and what, if any, harm the opinion causes today. The paper then turns to what reparations models might fit Dred Scott today, including a truth commission, apology, or reconstructed doctrine surrounding the Reconstruction Amendments.
Inhibition of RTX Toxin Activity by the Nuclear Stain, Draq5

The repeats-in-toxin (RTX) family of proteins includes numerous toxins produced by Gram negative bacteria, including Bordetella pertussis (adenylate cyclase toxin), Escherichia coli (a-hemolysin), and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (leukotoxin, LtxA). The mechanism by which LtxA recognizes and kills target cells involves multiple steps, including recognition of a b2 integrin receptor (LFA-1), binding to cholesterol/lipid rafts, and membrane bilayer destabilization. In a confocal imaging experiment, we found that LtxA rapidly becomes internalized in Jn.9 cells, and colocalizes with lysosomes. However, when the cells were pretreated with Draq5, a common nuclear stain, LtxA was found to be associated with the membrane, but not inside the cell. This inhibition of internalization was correlated with a decrease in the activity of the toxin. We hypothesized that upon crossing the plasma membrane, Draq5 alters the packing of the bilayer in a manner that inhibits the interaction of LtxA with the membrane, thus decreasing its activity. We therefore conducted a series of membrane biophysical experiments to determine what changes this dye induces in the membrane structure and their effects on LtxA activity. Using the water-sensitive dye, laurdan, we determined that Draq5 decreases the fluidity of both gel- and liquid-phase membranes; however, differential scanning calorimetry indicated that the dye does not alter the transition temperature of the lipid. Draq5 does not inhibit LtxA association with membranes, but does inhibit the ability of LtxA to disrupt the bilayer, a process we have shown previously to be required for activity. Together, these results suggest that the Draq5-mediated decrease in membrane fluidity inhibits LtxA penetration of (but not binding to) the plasma cell membrane. This work will guide us as we seek less toxic molecules that have a similar effect on membrane structure and toxin activity for the treatment of bacterial infections.
Institutions and Economic Theory

Editor’s IntroductionOriginally published in Volume 36, Number 1, Spring 1992, pages 3-6. Omicron Delta Epsilon presented Douglass North (1920-2015) with the John R. Commons award in 1992 for his contributions to the economics profession. The following year he shared the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences with Robert Fogel. The Nobel honored their work in applying economic theory and quantitative methods to the study of economic history and institutional change. As a pioneer in what has become known as cliometrics (named for the classical muse of history, Clio), Professor North’s scholarship focused on how human institutions and their organizational structures influence economic and societal outcomes. He is widely recognized as one of the founders of the New Institutional Economics school of thought. In this paper, his Commons Award lecture, Professor North describes and discusses his views on the limitations of neoclassical economics that are rooted in the assumption of instrumental rationality. H...
Conclusion Women and Neoliberal Globalization Inequities and Resistance

The articles in this special issue demonstrate that neoliberal globalization has a detrimental impact on most women and their families in the global South or Third World. These essays reveal that not only does globalization exacerbate their already subordinate position in the global political economy but also that women are fighting back. They have devised various ways to resist the negative consequences of neoliberal policies and corporate globalization on their everyday lives and on their nation states. Their politics of resistance offers strategies insights and practical ideas about how a better more just world can be achieved. This concluding article focuses on the common themes that appear throughout the articles in this issue and it gives particular attention to the contradictions of neoliberal globalization and how these contradictions create resistance to it as well as the search for equitable and empowering alternatives. (excerpt)
Variation of Properties during a Vessel Discharge

This paper explicates a study of a pressurized flow when a closed tank is suddenly opened and the flow passes through an orifice until the tank is at equilibrium with the surroundings. The research analyzes the evolution of this adiabatic flow over time considering its three most important regimes: a choked condition, an unchoked condition, and an incompressible condition. In order to fully characterize the flow, the study analyzes the pressure, the temperature, the density, and the mass flow rate during the discharge of the vessel. All of these properties are studied using their own equations in their dimensionless form and later plotted using the math software program MATLAB. Given some inputs such as the initial and final dimensionless pressures and the specific heat ratio, it is possible to determine the dimensionless time until the tank is drained and the evolutions of the properties.
Sensitivity of computed tomography in detection of perirectal abscess.

Most patients with anorectal abscess are diagnosed clinically based on pain, erythema, warmth, and fluctuance. Some patients, however, present with subtle or atypical signs. CT is easily accessible...
Public education and misinformation on brain death in mainstream media.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to evaluate the caliber of education mainstream media provides the public about brain death. METHODS: We reviewed articles published prior to July 31, 2015 on the most shared/heavily trafficked mainstream media websites of 2014 using the names of patients from two highly publicized brain death cases, "Jahi McMath" and "Marlise Munoz." RESULTS: We reviewed 208 unique articles. The subject was referred to as being "alive" or on "life support" in 72% (149) of the articles, 97% (144) of which also described the subject as being brain dead. A definition of brain death was provided in 4% (9) of the articles. Only 7% (14) of the articles noted that organ support should be discontinued after brain death declaration unless a family has agreed to organ donation. Reference was made to well-known cases of patients in persistent vegetative states in 16% (34) of articles and 47% (16) of these implied both patients were in the same clinical state. CONCLUSIONS: Mainstream media provides poor education to the public on brain death. Because public understanding of brain death impacts organ and tissue donation, it is important for physicians, organ procurement organizations, and transplant coordinators to improve public education on this topic. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Language: en
Effects of calcitonin, calcitonin analogues, and calcitonin gene-related peptide on basal in vitro renin secretion.

We investigated the relation of calcitonin as a calcium-active hormone to its more recently described effects on peripheral vascular tone. Basal renal renin secretion in vitro in rat kidney slices was studied in the presence of salmon calcitonin (SCT, 4400 U/mg), amino acid substituted analogues of SCT, 16-alanine SCT (6200 U/mg) and 12,16,19 tri-alanine SCT (350 U/mg), and of rat calcitonin gene-related peptide (rCGRP). All calcitonin species at the same hypocalcemic activity (1 U/mL) modestly but significantly suppressed renin secretion from control levels (9.79 +/- 0.44 to 7.51 +/- 0.53, 7.70 +/- 0.72, and 7.78 +/- 0.90 Goldblatt units/g/h for SCT, 16-ala SCT, and tri-ala SCT, P less than .05 for all calcitonins v control), whereas rCGRP had no effect. Thus, on a molar basis, the renin suppressing effects of the various calcitonin species paralleled their bioassay-defined calcium sequestering activity, 16-ala SCT greater than SCT much greater than tri-ala SCT. Lower concentrations of SCT (10(-2) U/mL and 10(-4) U/mL, approximately 6 X 10(-10) and 6 X 10(-12) mol/L, respectively) had virtually identical effects. Moreover, verapamil (5 X 10(-6) mol/L) blocked the SCT-induced suppression of renin secretion (9.79 +/- 0.44 v 9.36 +/- 1.05 GU/g/h, P = NS). We conclude that the juxtaglomerular apparatus is a calcitonin-responsive system, in which calcitonin and its analogues act to suppress basal renin secretion in vitro. This effect seems to depend on and may be mediated by modulating cellular calcium uptake, and suggests a wider, calcium-related role for calcitonin than had previously been suspected.
The nucleoside triphosphate-ribonucleic acid nucleotidyltransferase (EC 2.7.7.6) of Agrobacterium tumefaciens (Smith and Townsend) Conn. Purification and properties of the enzyme from the tumorigenic strain B6806.

The RNA nucleotidyltransferase (RNA polymerase) of the plant-tumorigenic bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens was purified. The method involves the disruption of the bacterial cells with glass beads in a Waring Blendor, treatment with DEAE-cellulose, fractionation with (NH4)2SO4, protamine sulphate precipitation, DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and either glycerol-gradient centrifugation or phosphocellulose chromatography. The subunit structure of the highly purified enzyme is similar to, although not identical with, the RNA nucleotidyltransferase of Escherichia coli. It can be described as β′, β, χ1 and α (mol.wts. 160000, 150000, 98000, and 41000±10% respectively). χ1 is the temporary designation for a protein subunit, which might have the same functions as the σ subunit in E. coli. The enzyme of A. tumefaciens is rifampicin-sensitive, has a temperature optimum in vitro of 41±1°C and a pH optimum of 8.2±0.1. Mg2+ and Mn2+ are activators. The enzyme transcribes with different efficiencies artificial, viral, bacterial, plant and animal templates.
Benzothiadiazole building units in solution-processable small molecules for organic photovoltaics

Significant progress has been made in the field of organic photovoltaics in the last decade and the rapid development of innovative organic semiconductor materials is one of the main driving forces. This review attempts to summarize recent advances with respect to solution-processable molecular semiconductors having 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole or its fluorine substituted derivatives as electron-accepting units published in the last few years. Semiconducting polymers containing BT units have shown attractive photovoltaic performance while the molecular ones still lag behind. The relationship between the structures, optoelectronic properties, and photovoltaic performance of these molecular semiconductors is discussed within this review.
From COTS to space grade electronics-improving reliability for Harsh environments

After a brief overview of the aerospace radiation environment and how chronic accumulated radiation exposure (total ionizing dose and neutron/proton dose) and single-event effects (SEEs) plague electronics, we will consider the unintentional improvements in radiation hardness that have evolved as a natural consequence of technology scaling. This "natural" hardening is one of the reasons for the growing use of consumer-off-the-shelf (COTS) parts in aerospace systems that once used exclusively military and space-grade hardware. We then focus on the various screening, lot-control, and custom packaging methods used by manufacturers to offer higher reliability over extended temperature ranges for components used in intermediate aerospace applications. Finally we conclude with an overview of the process technology, design, and architectural approaches to mitigate radiation effects in commercial rad-hard electronics that are qualified for use in mission-critical aerospace applications.
1.12 – Lateral Line Systems (Including Electroreception)

The mechanosensory lateral line system is one component of a multisensory array derived from the embryonic dorsolateral placode series. This chapter describes the evolutionary history of the lateral line system, including the associated electroreceptive systems. The major morphological and physiological characteristics and the behavioral significance are described for each system. The arrangement of both systems in each group of vertebrates is described systematically. Neuromasts, the sensory unit of the lateral line system, arose with the origin of vertebrates, and multiple types are found in all gnathostome lineages. Electroreceptors arose at the same time or slightly later, but have been lost and reevolved multiple times. Several descendent taxa also evolved electrogenic organs and an active electrosensory system.
Interdependent component framework for simulating indoor internet-of-things systems (intercom): poster abstract

In this paper, we present Intercom, a simulator framework that provides separate components to address the interdependent aspects of IoT systems, such as sensing, physical interaction, wireless communication, and computation. We initially evaluate a scalable sensing and communication model, which simulates wireless signal strength measurements with an average error of 6.1dBm.
Prevention of information mis-translation by a malicious gateway in connected vehicles

As connectivity is becoming a norm for modern vehicles, data exchange between in-vehicle components and external entities is becoming common. However, car makers is concerned about a third-party's extraction of their proprietary vehicle data. To address this concern, an intermediate ECU (or a gateway) is introduced in between internal and external networks to translate proprietary in-vehicle data to rich type data, thus preventing the exposure of raw in-vehicle data. However, the translation relies solely on the gateway which can be a direct target of cyber attacks, making it difficult to trust the data passed through the gateway. This, in turn, requires authentication of the translated data. We present a new, effective protocol that provides secure communications between the vehicle's internal components and external entities against a compromised gateway.
Investigation of residual stress relaxation in cold expanded holes by the slitting method

Abstract Slitting residual stress measurements were made in aluminum 7075-T651 plates with cold expanded holes to investigate residual stress relaxation during cyclic loading. A two-step cutting procedure released large internal moments adjacent the holes to minimize plasticity errors in residual stress measurement. Residual stresses are represented by symmetric Legendre polynomials on opposite sides of the hole and compliance functions found by finite element analysis. Residual stress convergence with Legendre polynomial order is demonstrated, and residual stress measurement uncertainty is estimated. Measured residual stresses were smaller than predicted by finite element analysis. Residual stress relaxation due to cyclic loading was not observed.
"Casting Call: The Expansion of Actorhood in U.S. Firms, 1960-2010"

Organizational scholars today routinely refer to firms as "actors." In contemporary uses, the term conveys identity, sovereignty and the capacity for purposive action. Understood in this way, the c...
Emerging Capabilities and Firm Performance in the Cloud Computing Environment

New capabilities required to succeed in the new Cloud environment represent a radical change for software companies, which have to transition from selling on-the-premises software products to providing subscription-based cloud services (aka Software-as-a-Service or SaaS). While emerging SaaS vendors have led the exponential growth of the market, the traditional software industry has been disrupted. The purpose of this research paper is to analyze which capabilities are driving the performance of software firms in today’s cloud-computing environment by leveraging the resource based view (RBV) of the firm. What is the optimum spending among the various capabilities (e.g., service delivery, R&D, marketing and sales) to maximize financial performance? This study focuses initially on publicly-traded SaaS companies using publicly-available information from financial databases, corporate investor relations materials, and industry research. The study contributes to RBV theory and provides useful insights to help assess the quality of execution of SaaS growth strategies and improve financial planning and performance in the software industry. Although our results come from firms in the SaaS industry, we propose that the findings from this study could cautiously generalize to firms in other emerging technology industries.
Interoperability in Information Systems in the Furtherance of Trade

This is one of three in-depth exploratory studies, which aim to gain a deeper understanding of the role that interoperability plays as an enabler of innovation and creativity in international trade. Each study explores the various institutions, policies and approaches that shape the interoperability landscape and investigates the effects of these factors and drivers on trade in the globalized economy. In this series, we examine: (i) to what extent and how interoperability has contributed to the promotion of international trade; (ii) what respective roles international organizations have played in concert with other stakeholders with regard to interoperability and international trade; (iii) what policies and approaches to supporting interoperability have been used, and with what results; and (iv) what can be learned from these experiences with regard to emerging interoperability issues in the context of international trade. The three studies address this set of questions from different angles, acknowledging the multi-faceted character of the concept of interoperability (Gasser & Palfrey, Basic Books 2012). Two of them – “Fostering innovation and trade in the global information society: The different facets and roles of interoperability”, and “Mapping Cloud Interoperability in the Globalized Economy: Theory and Observations from Practice” – focus specifically on cloud computing, an emerging technical paradigm through which to analyze the policy relevance of interoperability in a globalized economy. This example also facilitates exploration of some of the key issues and practical challenges that arise as various stakeholders engage with cloud services, infrastructure, and data across the world, as well as the implications for trade, policy, and different actors, especially, governments. The third study, “Interoperability in Information and Information Systems in the Furtherance of Trade” is focused on the role, current debates, and associated benefits and challenges in establishing a system of interoperability for information and information systems in the service of trade in a global economy over time.
Cost-effectiveness of increasing vaccination in high-risk adults aged 18-64 Years: a model-based decision analysis.

Adults aged 18–64 years with comorbid conditions are at high risk for complications of certain vaccine-preventable diseases, including influenza and pneumococcal disease. The 4 Pillars™ Practice Transformation Program (4 Pillars Program) increases uptake of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, influenza vaccine and tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine by 5–10% among adults with high-risk medical conditions, but its cost-effectiveness is unknown. A decision tree model estimated the cost-effectiveness of implementing the 4 Pillars Program in primary care practices compared to no program for a population of adults 18–64 years of age at high risk of illness complications over a 10 year time horizon. Vaccination rates and intervention costs were derived from a randomized controlled cluster trial in diverse practices in 2 U.S. cities. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted. From a third-party payer perspective, which considers direct medical costs, the 4 Pillars Program cost $28,301 per quality-adjusted life year gained; from a societal perspective, which adds direct nonmedical and indirect costs, the program was cost saving and more effective than no intervention. Cost effectiveness results favoring the program were robust in sensitivity analyses. From a public health standpoint, the model predicted that the intervention reduced influenza cases by 1.4%, with smaller decreases in pertussis and pneumococcal disease cases. The 4 Pillars Practice Transformation Program is an economically reasonable, and perhaps cost saving, strategy for protecting the health of adults aged < 65 years with high-risk medical conditions
AN UNUSUAL FINDING IN A 61 YEAR OLD MALE WITH ATYPICAL CHEST PAIN

Cor Triatriatum Dextrum (CTD) accounts for 0.1-0.4% of congenital cardiac malformations, it consists of the separation of the atria, left (Sinestrum) or right (Dextrum), by a fibromuscular diaphragm, forming a tri-atrial heart. A 61year old male with past medical history of hypertension, hepatic
Systematic Review of Caregiver and Dyad Interventions After Adult Traumatic Brain Injury.

Abstract Objective To describe and synthesize the literature on adult traumatic brain injury (TBI) family caregiver and dyad intervention. TBI is a common injury that has a significant long-term impact, and is sometimes even characterized as a chronic condition. Informal (ie, unpaid) family caregivers of adults with TBI experience high rates of burnout, depression, fatigue, anxiety, lower subjective well-being, and poorer levels of physical health compared to noncaregivers. This study addresses the critical gap in the understanding of interventions designed to address the impact of TBI on adult patients and their family caregivers. Data Sources PubMed and MEDLINE. Study Selection Studies selected for review had to be written in English and be quasi-experimental or experimental in design, report on TBI caregivers, survivors with heavy involvement of caregivers, or caregiver dyads, involve moderate and severe TBI, and describe an intervention implemented during some portion of the TBI care continuum. Data Extraction The search identified 2171 articles, of which 14 met our criteria for inclusion. Of the identified studies, 10 were randomized clinical trials and 4 were nonrandomized quasi-experimental studies. A secondary search to describe studies that included individuals with other forms of acquired brain injury in addition to TBI resulted in 852 additional titles, of which 5 met our inclusion criteria. Data Synthesis Interventions that targeted the caregiver primarily were more likely to provide benefit than those that targeted caregiver/survivor dyad or the survivor only. Many of the studies were limited by poor fidelity, low sample sizes, and high risk for bias based on randomization techniques. Conclusions Future studies of TBI caregivers should enroll a more generalizable number of participants and ensure adequate fidelity to properly compare interventions.
The State of American Federalism 2017–2018: Unilateral Executive Action, Regulatory Rollback, and State Resistance

The state of American federalism in 2017–2018 is characterized by federal policy reversals, as the Trump administration and congressional Republicans continue to undo many of the Obama administration’s policies. Two themes are highlighted in this essay. First, major policy changes continue to be undertaken primarily through unilateral executive action, even with Republicans holding the presidency and both the House and Senate. Ideological divisions within the Republican Party prevented Congress from enacting major legislation, save for a tax reform measure, and resulted in policy changes on health care, immigration, and the environment being made through executive and administrative action. Another prominent feature of governance in the early part of the Trump administration has been state resistance to federal directives, taking the form primarily but not exclusively of state attorney general (AG) lawsuits. Democratic AGs filed lawsuits challenging Trump administration actions on immigration and clean energy in particular. Democratic governors and state legislators also took a variety of other actions to resist Trump administration policies. The federal courts also continue to play an active role in shaping and adjudicating controversies impacting federalism.
Containing Sotomayor: Rhetorics of personal restraint, judicial prudence, and diabetes management

This essay explores how rhetorics of diabetes management informed Sonia Sotomayor’s judicial persona during her ascent to the Supreme Court. Sotomayor’s confirmation hearings were clouded famously ...
Transformations of Partial Differential Equations

This chapter focuses on transformations of partial differential equations. It discusses “Kirchoff” transformation. Given the elliptic partial differential equation div [ K ( ψ )grad ψ ] = Δ [ K ( ψ ) Δ ψ ] = 0 for ψ = ψ( x ) , the “Kirchoff” transformation introduces the new dependent variable, Ф( x ) , defined by Ф = ∫ K ( t ) dt . This transforms div [ K ( ψ )grad ψ ] = Δ [ K ( ψ ) Δ ψ ] = 0 into Laplace's equation Δ 2 Ф = 0. The chapter also analyzes transformations of parabolic differential equations. It highlights that the parabolic partial differential equation u t = α 2 u xx − δu x + єu, where { α , δ , є } are constants, may be transformed into the simple diffusion equation фt = α 2 ф xx, by means of a specific transformation. Linear elliptic equations and hyperbolic equations of second order, all of whose coefficients of the derivative terms are constants, can be transformed so that the first derivative terms no longer appear.
Uncovering alternate reaction pathways to access uranium(IV) mixed-ligand aryloxide–chloride and alkoxide–chloride metallocene complexes: Synthesis and molecular structures of (C5Me5)2U(O-2,6-iPr2C6H3)(Cl) and (C5Me5)2U(O–tBu)(Cl)

Abstract Reaction of the trivalent uranium complex (C5Me5)2U(O-2,6-iPr2C6H3)(THF) (1) with copper(I) chloride affords the corresponding tetravalent mixed-ligand aryloxide–chloride complex (C5Me5)2U(O-2,6-iPr2C6H3)(Cl) (2). The oxidative functionalization protocol cannot be extended to the synthesis of (C5Me5)2U(O–tBu)(Cl) (3) since the corresponding trivalent precursor is not stable. Salt metathesis between (C5Me5)2UCl2 and KOtBu is the method of choice for the preparation of the tetravalent alkoxide–chloride derivative (C5Me5)2U(O–tBu)(Cl) (3). The X-ray crystal structures of (C5Me5)2U(O-2,6-iPr2C6H3)(Cl) (2) and (C5Me5)2U(O–tBu)(Cl) (3) are reported and represent the first structurally characterized uranium(IV) metallocene aryloxide–chloride and alkoxide–chloride complexes, respectively. Both complexes adopt a pseudo-tetrahedral geometry, with a chloride and aryloxide/alkoxide ligand occupying the plane bisecting the metallocene unit.
〈 111 〉 -Oriented F Cl − , F Br − , and F I − Centers in Mixed Alkali Halides

$〈111〉$-oriented F${\mathrm{Cl}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ molecule ions occupying one negative ion vacancy are produced in ${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$-doped KCl by x or $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ irradiation at 77\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. At temperatures above 150\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K these F${\mathrm{Cl}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ centers decay by dissociating into a substitutional ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ion and a F\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} atom which can migrate interstitially. If the crystal also contains substitutional ${\mathrm{Br}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ or ${\mathrm{I}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ions, the F\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} atoms can be retrapped to form $〈111〉$-oriented F${\mathrm{Br}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and F${\mathrm{I}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$. The ESR spectra of these centers have also been found and analyzed in the other alkali chlorides together with a $〈111〉$-oriented F${\mathrm{Br}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ in ${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$-doped KBr. This analysis and comparison with the ${{X}_{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ centers indicates that for the fluorine hyperfine components in ${\mathrm{F}}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and $\mathrm{F}{X}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${A}_{\mathrm{II}}(\mathrm{F})g0$ and ${A}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}(\mathrm{F})l0$, while for ${{X}_{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and $\mathrm{F}{X}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${A}_{\mathrm{II}}(X)g0$ and ${A}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}(X)g0$ ($X=\mathrm{C}\mathrm{l},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{B}\mathrm{r},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{I}$). The main optical absorption band of F${\mathrm{Cl}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ is situated at 300 m\ensuremath{\mu}, while the approximate positions for the F${\mathrm{Br}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and F${\mathrm{I}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ transitions are at 294 m\ensuremath{\mu} and 275 m\ensuremath{\mu}, respectively.
Substituent and Structural Effects in 2-Norbornyl

The data for the stabilized 2-p-anisyl-2-norbornyl and related tertiary derivatives (Chapter 7) reveal high exo : endo rate and product ratios comparable to those revealed by the parent secondary system, 2-norbornyl itself. This is made evident by a comparison of the Goering-Schewene diagram for the solvolysis of 1,2-dimethyl-2-norbornyl p-nitrobenzoate (Figure 11.1) with that for 2-norbornyl acetate (Figure 11.2).
Abstract 3026: Prediction of Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus and Severity of Left Atrium Blood Stasis by CHADS-VASc and CHADS2

BACKGROUND. Nearly half of strokes in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) are due to non-cardioembolic mechanisms including carotid disease, lacune, watershed, venous sinus thrombosis, or hemorrhage. Tools capable of identifying those AF patients most likely to suffer a cardioembolic complication of AF would be very helpful for deciding which patients to treat with anticoagulants compared to aspirin. CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc has been advocated as an improved stroke risk assessment tool for NVAF patients. METHODS. CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc was compared to CHADS 2 for the prediction of left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT), and association (Spearman correlation) with spontaneous echo contrast (SEC), left atrium appendage emptying velocity (LAAEV), left atrium volume index (LAVI) in consecutive NVAF patients undergoing echocardiographic study (10/1/2007 - 9/30/2009). RESULTS. 525 NVAF patients (age 62±13 years; 25% women; 28% persistent AF and 17% permanent AF) were parsed by extent of atrial blood stasis/LAAT (Table). CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc and CHADS 2 were similar for the prediction of LAAT (Figure). Measures of SEC intensity (0.416 vs 0.414;), LAAEV (-0.393 vs -0.344), and LAVI (0.322 vs 0.303) carried similarly associations with CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc and CHADS 2 scores. CONCLUSION. The challenge of stroke prevention in NVAF is balancing the risk and benefit of anticoagulant therapy. CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc does not improve the identification of patients with LAAT or low atrial mechanical function compared to CHADS 2 . Moreover CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc appears to overestimate the score of low risk patients for whom antiplatelet therapy would be sufficient and is more cumbersome compared to the original CHADS 2 .
FA Future Requirements

Failure analysis, like any facet of the semiconductor industry, is challenged to continuously improve to remain viable. Consider a microprocessor in the year 2006, operating at only 3 GHz, a full 500 mHz below its specified clock frequency of 3.5 gHz. Somewhere in its 200,000,000 transistors, each with a gate dielectric 1.5–2 nm thick (about 3 silicon atom spacings), buried in 7 levels and 5000 meters of metal wiring and 4000 area-array solder balls, is a single defect, perhaps an area of chemical contamination in the air-filled dielectric. It causes a slight increase in capacitance between two conductors and a circuit delay of just 2–3 ps. The contamination is invisible in an optical or electron microscope and below the detection limits of current scanning probe techniques. It is easily removed during deprocessing of the dielectric film. The IC is flip-chip mounted directly to a printed circuit board and must be exercised in-place to recreate the failure. The use of built-in diagnosability is limited and the design is highly synthesized, restricting understanding of circuit operation.
Sequences in ℝ

In this chapter we investigate the most basic concept of analysis, the limit of a sequence. The concepts of convergence and divergence will be the main focus of our discussion but we will also touch again on the notions of completeness and set structures in \(\mathbb{R}\).
A Two Layer Pairwise Framework to Approximate Superpixel-Based Higher-Order Conditional Random Field for Semantic Segmentation

Superpixel-based Higher-order Conditional random fields (SP-HO-CRFs) are known for their effectiveness in enforcing both short and long spatial contiguity for pixelwise labelling in computer vision. However, their higher-order potentials are usually too complex to learn and often incur a high computational cost in performing inference. We propose an new approximation approach to SP-HO-CRFs that resolves these problems. Our approach is a two-layer CRF framework that inherits the simplicity from pairwise CRFs by formulating both the higher-order and pairwise cues into the same pairwise potentials in the first layer. Essentially, this approach provides accuracy enhancement on the basis of pairwise CRFs without training by reusing their pre-trained parameters and/or weights. The proposed two-layer approach performs especially well in delineating the boundary details (boarders) of object categories such as “trees” and “bushes”. Multiple sets of experiments conducted on dataset MSRC-21 and PASCAL VOC 2012 validate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed methods.