cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mo-enhanced chemical stability of TiC nanoparticles in molten Al

Abstract TiC nanoparticle is an effective reinforcement for Al alloys. However, the inevitable reaction between Al and TiC below 780 °C is problematic. Successful solidification processing of the Al-TiC system under industrially benign temperatures is needed. To achieve this, given the lower surface reaction diffusivity of Mo in Al, the effect of Mo addition (0.5 wt%) on the chemical stability of Al-TiC at 750 °C is studied. The microstructures and phase compositions after adding Mo have been compared to the Mo-free material. It shows a clear difference in mechanical properties (i.e., microhardness and compression strength) and electrical conductivity between Al-TiC and Al-Mo-TiC during the reaction. Moreover, in situ XRD scanning was used to determine the reaction rate between molten Al and TiC. The results support the positive effects of Mo addition in suppressing Al-TiC reaction and Al3Ti generation at 750 °C. This finding would be of significance to developing Al-TiC nanocomposites with higher chemical stability under a wider processing temperature.
Hypoxia promotes erythroid differentiation through the development of progenitors and proerythroblasts

Oxygen is a critical noncellular component of the bone marrow microenvironment that plays an important role in the development of hematopoietic cell lineages. In this study, we investigated the impact of low oxygen (hypoxia) on ex vivo myeloerythroid differentiation of human cord blood-derived CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. We characterized the culture conditions to demonstrate that low oxygen inhibits cell proliferation and causes a metabolic shift in the stem and progenitor populations. We found that hypoxia promotes erythroid differentiation by supporting the development of progenitor populations. Hypoxia also increases the megakaryoerythroid potential of the common myeloid progenitors and the erythroid potential of megakaryoerythroid progenitors and significantly accelerates maturation of erythroid cells. Specifically, we determined that hypoxia promotes the loss of CD71 and the appearance of the erythroid markers CD235a and CD239. Further, evaluation of erythroid populations revealed a hypoxia-induced increase in proerythroblasts and in enucleation of CD235a+ cells. These results reveal the extensive role of hypoxia at multiple steps during erythroid development. Overall, our work establishes a valuable model for further investigations into the relationship between erythroid progenitors and/or erythroblast populations and their hypoxic microenvironment.
Development of parametric reduced-order model for consequence estimation of rare events

Abstract Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models have been widely used in the chemical process industry to analyze various aspects of high-consequence rare events. However, CFD models are computationally intensive in nature, and therefore, several developments have been made in building computationally efficient models. The existing computationally efficient models in the field of high-consequence rare events are temporally static in nature and do not represent system evolution with time, which is crucial for consequence modeling of rare events. Further, the consequences depend on various parameters in addition to inputs. Since it is not affordable to construct a new model for every parameter value, incorporation of inputs and parameters is an additional challenge in developing a consequence model. Hence, to address these challenges, this work proposes a k-nearest neighbor (kNN)-based parametric reduced-order model (PROM) for consequence estimation of rare events to enhance numerical robustness with respect to parameter change. Specifically, local (with respect to parameters) ROMs are constructed based on multivariable output-error state space (MOESP) algorithm for a range of parameters, and they are linearly interpolated to estimate consequences at a new parameter value. The effectiveness of the proposed model is demonstrated through a case study of supercritical carbon dioxide release rare event.
Protecting the Family Home by Reunderstanding United States v. Bajakajian

The Supreme Court’s 1998 holding in United States v. Bajakajian, was the high court’s seminal attempt to establish a framework for evaluating when a criminal or civil forfeiture constitutes an excessive fine in violation of the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment. The Court articulated this framework as the process of determining whether the value of the property forfeited is grossly disproportionate to the gravity of the underlying offense. Unfortunately, in the aftermath of Bajakajian, lower courts have failed to utilize this framework to implement the protections offered by the oft-ignored Excessive Fines Clause. This Note addresses the rigidity with which lower federal courts have applied Bajakajian’s excessiveness standard and their failure to develop the requisite vocabulary to interface with the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment as it applies to the forfeiture of facilitating property, specifically family homes. After a comprehensive review of federal courts' application of Bajakajian, It concludes that Bajakajian should be read as providing a standard by which to judge whether the gravity of the offense outweighs the value of the forfeiture, and that both of these competing considerations should be determined based on factors that best fit the facts of a particular case, but not necessarily those factors that in 1998 best facilitated the analysis of the facts of Bajakajian. Significantly, this approach would enable a probing excessiveness inquiry, distinguishable from the static and ineffective one applied by courts today, in the context of the forfeiture of the family home.
SigUnder: a stealthy 5G low power attack and defenses

The 3GPP 5G cellular system is hailed as a major step towards more ubiquitous and pervasive communications infrastructure (including for V2X, Smart Grid, and Healthcare). We disclose and evaluate SigUnder, an attack that enables an adversary to overshadow the Signal Synchronization Block (SSB) with an injected signal at 3.4dB below the legitimate signal (prior work required 3dB above). The attack exploits the polar coding mechanism of 5G and the physical layer OFDM structure. It can be used to make previous DoS and over-shadowing attacks lower-power and stealthy, but also enables new attacks unique to 5G such as setting the cellBarred field in the 5G MIB (and blocking access to a cell). We develop techniques (e.g., phase prediction) to make the attack feasible in a practical setup, and evaluate its performance both in simulations and over the air experiments. We also introduce SICUnder, an extension of Successive Interference Cancellation (SIC) to be able to address the unique challenges that SigUnder poses and demonstrate it effectiveness relatively to standard SIC.
Strength and deformability of fibrin clots: Biomechanics, thermodynamics, and mechanisms of rupture

Fibrin is the major determinant of the mechanical stability and integrity of blood clots and thrombi. To explore the rupture of blood clots, emulating thrombus breakage, we stretched fibrin gels with single-edge cracks of varying size. Ultrastructural alterations of the fibrin network correlated with three regimes of stress vs. strain profiles: the weakly non-linear regime due to alignment of fibrin fibers; linear regime owing to further alignment and stretching of fibers; and the rupture regime for large deformations reaching the critical strain and stress, at which irreversible breakage of fibers ahead of the crack tip occurs. To interpret the stress-strain curves, we developed a new Fluctuating Spring model, which maps the fibrin alignment at the characteristic strain, network stretching with the Young modulus, and simultaneous cooperative rupture of coupled fibrin fibers into a theoretical framework to obtain the closed-form expressions for the strain-dependent stress profiles. Cracks render network rupture stochastic, and the free energy change for fiber deformation and rupture decreases with the crack length, making network rupture more spontaneous. By contrast, mechanical cooperativity due to the presence of inter-fiber contacts strengthens fibrin networks. The results obtained provide a fundamental understanding of blood clot breakage that underlies thrombotic embolization. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Fibrin, a naturally occurring biomaterial, is the major determinant of mechanical stability and integrity of blood clots and obstructive thrombi. We tested mechanically fibrin gels with single-edge cracks and followed ultrastructural alterations of the fibrin network. Rupture of fibrin gel involves initial alignment and elastic stretching of fibers followed by their eventual rupture for deformations reaching the critical level. To interpret the stress-strain curves, we developed Fluctuating Spring model, which showed that cracks render rupture of fibrin networks more spontaneous; yet, coupled fibrin fibers reinforce cracked fibrin networks. The results obtained provide fundamental understanding of blood clot breakage that underlies thrombotic embolization. Fluctuating Spring model can be applied to other protein networks with cracks and to interpret the stress-strain profiles.
Published models that predict hospital readmission: a critical appraisal.

Introduction The number of readmission risk prediction models available has increased rapidly, and these models are used extensively for health decision-making. Unfortunately, readmission models can be subject to flaws in their development and validation, as well as limitations in their clinical usefulness. Objective To critically appraise readmission models in the published literature using Delphi-based recommendations for their development and validation. Methods We used the modified Delphi process to create Critical Appraisal of Models that Predict Readmission (CAMPR), which lists expert recommendations focused on development and validation of readmission models. Guided by CAMPR, two researchers independently appraised published readmission models in two recent systematic reviews and concurrently extracted data to generate reference lists of eligibility criteria and risk factors. Results We found that published models (n=81) followed 6.8 recommendations (45%) on average. Many models had weaknesses in their development, including failure to internally validate (12%), failure to account for readmission at other institutions (93%), failure to account for missing data (68%), failure to discuss data preprocessing (67%) and failure to state the model’s eligibility criteria (33%). Conclusions The high prevalence of weaknesses in model development identified in the published literature is concerning, as these weaknesses are known to compromise predictive validity. CAMPR may support researchers, clinicians and administrators to identify and prevent future weaknesses in model development.
Examining the resiliency of intertwined supply networks: a jury-rigging perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the salience of different supply networks merging together to provide critical products in short supply. The automotive supply network and the medical device s...
Cross-species screening platforms identify EPS-8 as a critical link for mitochondrial stress and actin stabilization

The dysfunction of mitochondria is associated with the physiological consequences of aging and many age-related diseases. Therefore, critical quality control mechanisms exist to protect mitochondri...
CHIANTI—AN ATOMIC DATABASE FOR EMISSION LINES. XI. EXTREME-ULTRAVIOLET EMISSION LINES OF Fe VII, Fe VIII, AND Fe IX OBSERVED BY HINODE/EIS

A detailed study of emission lines from Fe VII, Fe VIII, and Fe IX observed by the EUV Imaging Spectrometer on board the Hinode satellite is presented. Spectra in the ranges 170-212 A and 246-292 A show strongly enhanced lines from the upper solar transition region (temperatures 5.4 <= log T <= 5.9) allowing a number of new line identifications to be made. Comparisons of Fe VII lines with predictions from a new atomic model reveal new plasma diagnostics, however there are a number of disagreements between theory and observation for emission line ratios insensitive to density and temperature, suggesting improved atomic data are required. Line ratios for Fe VIII also show discrepancies with theory, with the strong lambda185.21 and lambda186.60 lines underestimated by 60%-80% compared to lines between 192 and 198 A. A newly identified multiplet between 253.9 and 255.8 A offers excellent temperature diagnostic opportunities relative to the lines between 185 and 198 A, however the atomic model underestimates the strength of these lines by factors of 3-6. Two new line identifications are made for Fe IX at wavelengths 176.959 A and 177.594 A, while seven other lines between 186 and 200 A are suggested to be duemore » to Fe IX but for which transition identifications cannot be made. The new atomic data for Fe VII and Fe IX are demonstrated to significantly modify models for the response function of the Transition Region And Coronal Explorer 195 A imaging channel, affecting temperature determinations from this channel. The data will also affect the response functions for other solar EUV imaging instruments such as SOHO/EIT, STEREO/EUVI, and the upcoming AIA instrument on the Solar Dynamics Observatory.« less
An International, Multidisciplinary, Service-Learning Program: An Option in the Dental School Curriculum

Introduction: Many health professions students who treat Spanish-speaking patients in the United States have little concept of their culture and health related traditions. The lack of understanding of these concepts may constitute major barriers to healthcare for these patients. International service-learning experiences allow students to work directly in communities from which patients immigrate and, as a result, students gain a better understanding of these barriers. Objective: This article describes the implementation of an international, multidisciplinary, service-learning program in a dental school in the United States. Program Description: The Indiana University International Service-Learning program in Hidalgo, Mexico began in 1999 as an alternative spring break travel and clinical experience for medical students, focusing on the treatment of acute health problems. Travel-related preparatory sessions were offered, and no learning or service objectives had been developed. The program has evolved to include a multidisciplinary team of dental, medical, nursing, public health and social work students and faculty. The experience is now integrated into a curriculum based on the service-learning model that allows students to use their clinical skills in real-life situations and provides structured time for reflection. The program aims to enhance teaching and foster civic responsibility in explicit partnership with the community. Preparatory sessions have evolved into a multidisciplinary graduate level course with defined learning and service objectives. Program Evaluation Methods: In order to assess the program's operation as perceived by students and faculty and to evaluate student's perceptions of learning outcomes, evaluation tools were developed. These tools included student and faculty evaluation questionnaires, experiential learning journals, and a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis. Findings: Evaluation data show that after program participation, students perceived an increase in their cultural awareness, crosscultural communication skills and understanding of barriers and disparities faced by Latinos in the United States. Faculty evaluations offer insights into the lessons learned through the implementation process. Conclusion: The development of a service-learning based curriculum has posed challenges but has enriched international service experiences.
Granule cell migration in developing rat cerebellum. Influence of neonatal hypo- and hyperthyroidism.

Abstract The rate of cerebellar granule cell migration is altered by neonatal hypo- and hyperthyroidism in a manner similar to previously reported effects on the growth of granule cell axons, the parallel fibers, suggesting that the two processes may be intimately linked. Altered rates of granule cell acquisition in these experimental animals reflect changes in germinal cell proliferation in the external granular layer (EGL), movement of postmitotic cells within the EGL, as well as the rate and time course of granule cell migration. Results of this study support the hypothesis that granule cells migrate to the internal granular layer by translocation of the cell body through the descending portion of the growing parallel fiber, rather than by amoeboid-like migration of the perikaryon trailing the elongating parallel fiber behind.
Epigenetic analysis of microRNA genes in tumors from surgically resected lung cancer patients and association with survival.

Aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expression is involved in tumorigenesis of several cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Furthermore, expression of some miRNAs has been shown to be under epigenetic regulation. However, less is known regarding the role of miRNA methylation in NSCLC development or clinical outcomes. Therefore, we tested miRNA methylation patterns by quantitative real-time methylation specific PCR for a panel of candidate miRNAs in 19 NSCLC paired tumor and adjacent normal tissues. For assessment of survival, methylation was measured in a total of 97 tumor tissues with complete clinical and follow-up data. Analysis was also performed for correlation with age at diagnosis, gender, smoking, and stage. Significant differences in methylation patterns were observed for nine of the 12 miRNAs, all due to hypermethlyation in the tumor tissue. Individuals with the highest levels of methylated miR-127 were at a significantly increased risk of dying with a hazard ratio of 1.93 (95% CI, 1.17–3.19; P=0.010), in univariate analysis and remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, and stage (HR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.15–3.40; P=0.014). This increase in risk due to increased methylation were accompanied by significant, dramatic difference in survival duration of 17 months (P=0.0089). Six of the 12 miRNAs were significantly positively correlated with age at diagnosis. Additionally, methylation of miR-127 significantly greater in higher stage tumors compared to lower stage tumors (P=0.0039). However, no significant associations between smoking and gender with miRNA methylation were observed. Our results demonstrate that miRNA methylation plays a role in NSCLC tumorigenesis and prognosis.
Macroinsurance for microenterprises : a randomized experiment in post-revolution Egypt

Firms in many developing countries cite macroeconomic instability and political uncertainty as major constraints to their growth. Economic theory suggests uncertainty can cause firms to delay investments until uncertainty is resolved. A randomized experiment was conducted in post-revolution Egypt to measure the impact of insuring microenterprises against macroeconomic and political uncertainty. Demand for macroeconomic shock insurance was high; 36.7 percent of microentrepreneurs in the treatment group purchased insurance. However, purchasing insurance does not change the likelihood that a business takes a new loan, the size of the loan, or how the loan is invested. This lack of effect is attributed to microenterprises largely investing in inventories and raw materials rather than irreversible investments like equipment. These results suggest that, contrary to what some firms profess, macroeconomic and political risk is not inhibiting the investment behavior of microenterprises. However, insurance may still be of value to help firms cope with shocks when they do occur, but the paper is unable to examine this dimension, because the insurance product did not pay out over the course of the pilot.
Difference equation technique for determining the evolution of radially symmetric ultrasonic fields

A simplified difference equation technique has been developed to calculate the three-dimensional evolution of radially symmetric, complex ultrasonic fields. The parabolic approximation to the Helmholtz equation is obtained by assuming that localized changes in the magnitude of the field with respect to distance along the axis of propagation are small compared to those with respect to radial displacement. The Helmholtz equation in cylindrical coordinates may then be approximated, after separating variables, using truncated series expansions. The resulting difference equation determines complex field values at discrete locations in a plane using corresponding adjacent locations in the preceding plane. Stability criteria which determine acceptable values for various parameters are discussed. The technique has been applied to the propagation of ultrasonic fields generated by two-dimensional focusing and non-focusing, uniform and Gaussian profile, piezoelectric transducers in both profiled and non-profiled media.
Throwing Away the Key: Has the Adam Walsh Act Lowered the Threshold for Sexually Violent Predator Commitment Too Far?

The Adam Walsh Act allows a person to be committed indefinitely as a sexually violent predator (SVP) who has never been convicted of, or even charged with, a sex crime. The government need only convince a judge by clear and convincing evidence that the person committed, or attempted, certain offenses. I consider the question US v. Comstock explicitly left open: Does the Act violate due process? I ask whether persons subject to SVP commitment deserve procedural protection. Contrary to belief, the rate of sex offender recidivism is quite small, which makes a robust due process regime necessary. I then contrast the due process rights of SVPs with those of other individuals whose mental state is at issue and demonstrate that SVPs have fewer protections. I discuss the Supreme Court’s justification for reduced SVP due process. I next compare state SVP protections with the constitutional minima afforded by the Court. This data provide a map to SVP legislation that should prove of practical importance to judges and practitioners. One might suspect that states would have afforded only the minimum, but most have provided more. Finally, I evaluate the Act from a public policy and constitutional perspective and conclude that it violates common sense and due process.
On the first exterior p-harmonic Steklov eigenvalue

Abstract In this short paper we study the Sobolev function property of the Rayleigh 's quotient δ ( q ) = inf u ∈ E 1 , p ( U ) ⁡ ‖ u ‖ ∇ p ‖ u ‖ q , ∂ U p as a function of q ∈ [ 1 , p ⁎ ] for p ⁎ = p ( N − 1 ) N − p when p ∈ ( 1 , N ) , as well as the asymptotic behavior of positive solutions with minimal energy of the following problem − Δ p u = 0 in U , subject to | ∇ u | p − 2 ∂ u ∂ ν = λ | u | q − 2 u on ∂ U to the first p -harmonic Steklov eigenpair on an exterior region U ⊊ R N when N ≥ 3 .
Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection

Over the past few decades, epidemiology and natural history studies have led to improved understanding of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and to promising prevention strategies. HPV infection is the cause of anogenital warts and cervical cancer, as well as a proportion of other anogenital and head and neck cancers. Data from clinical trials have resulted in recommendations that support the use of an HPV test in the context of cervical cancer screening and management. Prophylactic HPV vaccine trials have demonstrated high efficacy, and an HPV vaccine that prevents cervical cancer precursors, cervical cancer, and anogenital warts caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 was licensed for use in girls and women aged 9-26 years by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2006. In this article, we review genital HPV for the clinician, with a primary focus on the prevalence of HPV infection in the United States.
Atheist Geographies and Geographies of Atheism

Although there is a rich geographical literature concerning religion, the spatialities of non-believers have received little notice. This void is particularly notable in light of the recent surge of interest in and works on atheism. This chapter opens with an historical account of secularization, including debates over Weberian perspectives. Second, I offer a critique of religion, focusing on its destructive social dimensions and anti-intellectualism. Next it delves into the historical geography of atheism, including state-imposed secularism in communist regimes as well as the diversity found among non-believers. The fourth part summarizes geographies of atheism in the contemporary world, noting that secularism is primarily found in economically developed countries. Fifth, it explores the question of European secularism and the degree to which its experience may be universalized. Finally, I discuss thee exceptional case of the United States, the only advanced country with high degrees of religiosity, including the geography of American atheists and their long-standing social and political marginalization.
Vacuum packaging of microresonators by rapid thermal processing

Vacuum packaging of micro resonators using TRP aluminum-to- nitride bonding has been demonstrated. Polysilicon micro resonators are fabricated with integrated sealing rings using surface micromachining technology. The top most layer on the sealing ring is silicon nitride. Aluminum sealing rings are patterned on the Pyrex glass cap wafers. The bonding and sealing of device wafer to cap wafer is done by heating the wafers in the RTP chamber at 750 degrees C for 10 seconds in vacuum. The quality factor of a vacuum- packaged micro resonator is measured as 400 +/- 50.
The Development of the Qatar Healthcare System: A Review of the Literature

Background: Qatar, one of the smallest and wealthiest countries in the world, is a newly emerging healthcare system. Medical leadership in Qatar has had to create an infrastructure for medical care over the past twenty years. The purpose of this paper is to review the challenges and achievements of the newly emerging Qatar healthcare system. Methods: PubMed was searched using MESH terms: Qatar, healthcare, medical development, medical insurance and medical history. Websites of the World Bank, CIA fact book, Qatar Ministry of Health, Hamad Medical Corporation, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the US State department were searched for information about Qatar’s healthcare system and its history. Results: Qatar is a rapidly growing, multicultural country with over 80 nationalities represented. Qatar has developed a healthcare system with universal coverage. Up until 2014, the government has subsidized all care. There are plans to develop a medical insurance system. Conclusions: Qatar has experienced the rapid development of a healthcare system over the past twenty years. The government has centrally controlled growth and development. An examination of the unique challenges to building a Qatari healthcare system will be useful in considering how to develop medical infrastructure in other countries.
Analyzing and visualizing multiagent rewards in dynamic and stochastic domains

The ability to analyze the effectiveness of agent reward structures is critical to the successful design of multiagent learning algorithms. Though final system performance is the best indicator of the suitability of a given reward structure, it is often preferable to analyze the reward properties that lead to good system behavior (i.e., properties promoting coordination among the agents and providing agents with strong signal to noise ratios). This step is particularly helpful in continuous, dynamic, stochastic domains ill-suited to simple table backup schemes commonly used in TD(?)/Q-learning where the effectiveness of the reward structure is difficult to distinguish from the effectiveness of the chosen learning algorithm. In this paper, we present a new reward evaluation method that provides a visualization of the tradeoff between the level of coordination among the agents and the difficulty of the learning problem each agent faces. This method is independent of the learning algorithm and is only a function of the problem domain and the agents' reward structure. We use this reward property visualization method to determine an effective reward without performing extensive simulations. We then test this method in both a static and a dynamic multi-rover learning domain where the agents have continuous state spaces and take noisy actions (e.g., the agents' movement decisions are not always carried out properly). Our results show that in the more difficult dynamic domain, the reward efficiency visualization method provides a two order of magnitude speedup in selecting good rewards, compared to running a full simulation. In addition, this method facilitates the design and analysis of new rewards tailored to the observational limitations of the domain, providing rewards that combine the best properties of traditional rewards.
Some engineering properties of peanut and kernel

Abstract Some physical properties of peanut fruit and kernel were evaluated as functions of moisture content. At the moisture content of 4.85% d.b. the average length, thickness, width, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, unit mass and volume of peanut fruits were 44.53 mm, 15.71 mm, 16.68 mm, 23.00 mm, 51.60%, 2.16 g and 5.17 cm3, respectively. Corresponding values for kernel at the moisture content of 6.00% d.b. were 20.95 mm, 8.80 mm, 10.44 mm, 12.60 mm, 57.05%, 1.063 g and 1.14 cm3, respectively. Studies on re-wetted peanuts showed that the bulk density decreased from 243 to 184 kg/m3, the true density, projected area, and terminal velocity increased from 424 to 545 kg/m3, 4.88 to 6.85 cm2 and 7.25 to 7.93 m/s, respectively as the moisture content increased from 4.85% to 32.00% d.b.; for the kernel, the corresponding values changed from 581 to 539 kg/m3, 989 to 1088 kg/m3, 1.53 to 2.09 cm2 and 7.48 to 8.06 m/s, respectively as the moisture content increased. The rupture strength of peanut and kernel decreased as moisture content increased. The dynamic coefficient of friction varied from 0.30 to 0.73 for peanut, and from 0.22 to 0.63 for kernel over different structural surface as the moisture content increased from 4.85% to 32.00% d.b.
Quasi-steady growth of twins under stress

We study the growth of a curved twin boundary involving a twinning step in two dimensions under applied stress. The twinning deformation is described as an anti-plane shear deformation with discontinuous strains. The material is assumed to be hyperelastic with a nonconvex, multi-well stored-energy function. Twin boundary evolution is governed by an orientation-dependent kinetic relation whose form is derived from a dislocation model of the twin boundary. Since steady-state evolution is precluded by this model, we study quasi-steady growth, which allows for transient effects and twin boundary shape changes that are slow compared to the average growth speed. Twin boundary evolution is then governed by a nonlinear integro-differential equation. A particular analytical solution is found and shown to be globally asymptotically stable. It describes the long-time behavior of twinning steps with arbitrary initial shape.
A comprehensive analytical solution of macromolecular transport within an artery

Abstract Macromolecule transport within an artery is investigated and a comprehensive analytical solution is presented. The transport within the lumen and the arterial wall are coupled. Arterial wall is modeled as a four-layer porous wall. The layers are all treated as macroscopically homogeneous porous media. The volume-averaged porous media equations are employed to solve for transport through the porous arterial layers. Staverman filtration coefficient is incorporated to account for selective permeability of each porous layer to macromolecules. The problem encompasses complex interfacial transport phenomena involving various porous–porous as well as porous–fluid interfaces. The method of matched asymptotic expansions is employed to solve for the fluid flow field and species concentration distributions. For comparison purposes, the physiological and transport parameters associated with each porous layer are obtained from the literature. The analytical results are in excellent agreement with previous numerical studies. The results presented in this work provide the first comprehensive analytical solution representing arterial transport phenomena.
A thromboxane A2 system in the Atlantic stingray, Dasyatis sabina

Thromboxane B(2)(TXB(2)) is the stable metabolite of thromboxane A(2)(TXA(2)) and thromboxane B(2)-like immunoreactivity (iTXB(2)) has been identified in the plasma of the Atlantic stingray, Dasyatis sabina (0.57+/-0.03 ng/ml). Plasma levels of iTXB(2) increase if the blood is allowed to clot (3.0+/-0.27 ng/ml). When clotting occurs in the presence of indomethacin, this increase is partially inhibited (1.5+/-0.17 ng/ml), indicating the presence of a cyclooxygenase activity. Radioligand binding analysis using the TXA(2) analog [125I]BOP in isolated kidney membranes revealed a receptor of K(d)=2.88+/-0.51 nM and B(max)=25.6+/-5.9 fmol/mg protein. [125I]BOP binding was displaced by the TXA(2) receptor (TP receptor) agonists U46619 (IC(50)=106.4+/-15.7 nM) and U44069 (IC(50)=88.7+/-13.0 nM), and the antagonist SQ29548 (IC(50)=51.0+/-12.9 nM). Binding was also displaced stereoselectively by the antagonists (-)L657925 (IC(50)=18.9+/-3.8 nM) and (+)L657926 (IC(50)=2025+/-280 nM). Tissue bath studies revealed that U46619, a stable TXA(2) mimetic, elicited concentration-dependent contractions in the ventral aorta which were inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the TP receptor antagonist SQ29548. Using a human TP receptor riboprobe, Northern blotting of mRNA isolated from the stingray kidney identified transcripts of 2.8 and 6kb. The 2.8kb transcript is similar to a 2.8kb transcript found in human cells or tissues, but the 6kb transcript may be unique. These data indicate the presence of a TXB(2)-like substance in the blood, a TP receptor in the kidney, TXA(2) biological activity in the ventral aorta, and expression of a TP receptor-like gene.
Flame‐retardant finishing of cotton fleece fabric: part I. The use of a hydroxy‐functional organophosphorus oligomer and dimethyloldihydroxylethyleneurea

Cotton fleece has become a popular fashion in recent years. However, most of the 100% cotton fleece fabric is not able to meet the federal flammability standard (‘16 CFR Part 1610: Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles’) without chemical treatment. In this research, we investigated the use of the combination of a hydroxy-functional organophosphorus oligomer (HFPO) as the flame-retarding agent and dimethyloldihydroxylethyleneurea (DMDHEU) as the binder to reduce the flammability of cotton fleece. We found that HFPO is effective in reducing the flammability of the cotton fleece whereas DMDHEU enhances the effectiveness of HFPO due to phosphorus–nitrogen synergism. The flammability as well as other properties of the treated cotton fleece is affected by both the concentration of HFPO and that of DMDHEU. The cotton fleece treated with HFPO/DMDHEU passes the federal flammability standard and shows high strength retention with little change in fabric whiteness and hand. We also found that the flame-retardant finishing system is durable to multiple home launderings. The combination of HFPO and DMDHEU has the potential to become a practical flame-retardant finishing system to reduce the flammability of cotton fleeces. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A CATALOG OF VERY ISOLATED GALAXIES FROM THE SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY DATA RELEASE 1

We present a new catalog of isolated galaxies obtained through an automated systematic search. These 2980 isolated galaxies were found in ≈2099 deg2 of sky in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 1 (SDSS DR1) photometry. The selection algorithm, implementing a variation on the criteria developed by Karachentseva in 1973, proved to be very efficient and fast. This catalog will be useful for studies of the general galaxy characteristics. Here we report on our results.
Impacts of Risk and Service Type on Nearshore and Offshore Investment Location Decisions An Empirical Approach

Offshoring of services has gained considerable attention in management circles. However, little empirical research has explored the emerging sourcing alternative of nearshoring, despite the fact that firms situate about one out of five projects abroad in a nearshore location as opposed to an offshore location. We empirically assess the impact of economic and risk factors regarding firms’ services location choices between offshoring and nearshoring. We find these factors influence firm decision-making regarding services offshoring location choices, and that these factors are more or less important to firms depending on whether the firm offshores relatively higher versus relatively lower skill services. Offshoring firms appear willing to trade off some gains in one area (lower wages) to mitigate costs in others (higher risk), and that the factors that drive nearshoring are qualitatively different than those that influence offshoring.
Detection and Characterization of an Oxomanganese(V) Porphyrin Complex by Rapid-Mixing Stopped-Flow Spectrophotometry

The first detection and characterization of oxomanganese(V) porphyrin complexes under ambient catalytic conditions is described. The reaction of (tetra-(N-methylpyridyl)porphyrinato)manganese(III) [Mn(III)TMPyP] with a variety of oxidants such as m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA), HSO5-, and ClO- has been shown to produce the same, short-lived intermediate (1) by stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The Soret maximum of 1 was found at 443 nm, intermediate between that of oxomanganese(IV) (428 nm) and Mn(III)TMPyP (462 nm), thus facilitating its detection. The rate of formation of 1 from Mn(III)TMPyP followed second-order kinetics, first order in Mn(III) porphyrin and first order in oxidant. The rate constants have the following order: m-CPBA (2.7 × 107 M-1 s-1) > HSO5- (6.9 × 105 M-1 s-1) ≈ ClO- (6.3 × 105 M-1 s-1). Once formed, the intermediate species 1 was rapidly converted to oxoMn(IV) (2) by one-electron reduction with a first-order rate constant of 5.7 s-1. The oxoMn(IV) species 2 was relatively stabl...
TU-A-BRC-01: Tumor Perfusion Topography Pattern Correlated with Primary Failure in Cervical Cancer Radiotherapy

Purpose: Tumor perfusion assessments with dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI have been focused on the overall degree of low DCE in tumors, without considering the characteristic geographic distribution of the perfusion pattern within the tumor. This study was to investigate the topographic and temporal perfusion patterns of cervical cancer and correlate them with treatment failure. Methods: 101 cervical cancer patients were treated with external beam radiation therapy (RT), concurrent chemotherapy, and brachytherapy. The patients underwent serial DCE‐MRI prior to RT start, in early‐RT (at 20–25 Gy), and in mid‐RT (at 45–50 Gy). The center slice of the tumor ROI was selected to find the number of pixels with signal intensity (SI) local maximum within the ROI (Num_max). After further separation of the ROI into central zone and peripheral zone, Num_max was divided into two terms Num_max_C (for central zone) and Num_max_P (for peripheral zone). The 3 parameters for tumor pixel SI local maximum (Num_max, Num_max_C, Num_max_P) were compared, and correlated with local control and patient survival. Results: More pixels with SI local maximum dwell in the peripheral zone of the tumor ROI than in the central zone (Num_max_P > Num_max_C). At pre‐RT, both Num_max and Num_max_P correlate with local tumor control (p= 0.029, 0.005 respectively), and with disease‐specific survival (p= 0.012, 0.007 respectively). But the central zone Num_max_C does not correlate with local control or survival. Similar results remain in early‐RT and mid‐RT DCE‐MRI study of tumor SI local maximum patterns. Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that tumor perfusion micro topography features revealed by DCE‐MRI influences tumor primary dose response, on which the tumor peripheral region is more relevant than the central region. This could potentially impact on the treatment plan design. And the predictive micro topography features can be detected even before the treatment starts.
Electronic structure and proton spin-lattice relaxation in PdH

We report a detailed augmented-plane-wave energy-band study and wave-function analysis of stoichiometric PdH which shows that, even though the Fermi surface of PdH is qualitatively similar to that of silver, the simple "proton model" is not valid. Instead, the screening of the proton in PdH is found to be larger than in an isolated H atom due, in part, to the formation of a H-Pd bonding band below the bottom of the $d$-band complex. This result, which is in qualitative agreement with Switendick's earlier calculation, is confirmed by ultraviolet photoemission experiments. A partial density-of-states (DOS) analysis in the energy range spanned by the six valence and conduction bands reveals the quantitative details of the bonding mechanism between the Pd and H constituents. At the Fermi energy, the high $\mathrm{Pd} d$ to $\mathrm{H} s$ DOS ratio \ensuremath{\sim} 10.3 is found to be far higher than expected in silver, despite the fact that the Fermi-surface geometry is similar. The field-induced conduction-electron spin density at the proton site is evaluated from the wave functions at the Fermi energy. The calculated value of the spin-lattice relaxation rate arising from the contact term in the hyperfine interaction is found to be in good agreement with the experimental value of Wiley et al.
Odysseus and Aeneas: A classical perspective on leadership

Abstract Among the standards by which leaders may be assessed are their willingness to elevate public responsibility over personal preferences, the attention they pay to the need to cultivate leadership among subordinates, and their reflectiveness about leadership. In this essay, Odysseus, as portrayed in the Iliad and Odyssey, and Aeneas, as portrayed in the Iliad and the Aeneid, are compared according to how well they performed, measured by these standards, as leaders. Each was charged, after the Trojan War ended, to take hundreds of people home. Aeneas performed well, Odysseus poorly.
Mixing Enhancement in Simple Geometry Microchannels

Many microfluidic applications require the mixing of reagents, but efficient mixing in these laminar (i.e., low Reynolds number) systems is typically difficult. Instead of using complex geometries and/or relatively long channels, we demonstrate the merits of flow rate time dependency through periodic forcing. We illustrate the technique by studying mixing in three different simple channel intersection geometries (“⊢”, “Y”, and “T”) by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) as well as physically mixing two aqueous reagents. In these geometries, both inlet channel segments (upstream of the confluence) and the outlet channel segment (downstream from the confluence) are 200 μm wide by 120 μm deep, a practical scale for mass-produced disposable devices. The flow rate and average velocity after the confluence of the two reagents are 48 nl s−1 and 2 mm s−1 respectively, which, for aqueous solutions at room temperature, corresponds to a Reynolds number of 0.3. We use a mass diffusion constant of 10−10 m2 s−1 , typical of many BioMEMS applications, and vary the flow rates of the reagents such that the inlet time-averaged flow rate remains unchanged but the instantaneous flow rate is sinusoidal (with a DC bias) with respect to time. We analyze the effect of pulsing the flow rate in both inlets at 90 and 180 degrees out of phase in all three geometries. While mixing is good in all six cases, we demonstrate that the best results occur when both inlets are pulsed 90 degrees out of phase in the “T” geometry. In all six cases, the interface is shown to stretch, retain two folds, and sweep through the confluence zone, leading to good mixing within 2 mm downstream of the confluence, i.e. about 1 s of contact. From a practical viewpoint, the case where the inlet pulsing is 180 degrees out of phase is of particular interest as the outflow is constant.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Molecular Dipole Moments and Stark Effects. II. Stark Effects in OCS

The dipole moments of OCS for several isotopic species and vibrational states have been determined from the Stark splitting of the $J=1\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2$ rotational transition. The value of the ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$${\mathrm{S}}^{32}$ moment is 0.7085\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.004 debye units. The ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$${\mathrm{S}}^{34}$ and ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$${\mathrm{C}}^{13}$${\mathrm{S}}^{32}$ moments differ from this by less than 0.2 percent. The ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$${\mathrm{S}}^{32}$ molecule in the excited bending mode (${v}_{2}=1$) is treated formally as a slightly asymmetric top which produces a doublet. Measurement of Stark effect for these lines gives a dipole moment of 0.700\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.004 debye. Upon introduction of a Stark voltage, two weak lines appear on either side of the doublet ${v}_{2}=1$. They are explained as transitions involving the doublet levels which are forbidden in zero field, but allowed upon the introduction of a perturbing field.
Language Use and Influence Among Minority, Majority, and Homogeneous Group Members

This article tests conversion theory through linguistic analysis of group discussions and also tests the effects of linguistic mimicry in homogeneous groups and minority/majority groups. Supporting conversion theory, majorities had a more interpersonal, outward focus as tested through use of more third person plural pronouns (“they”). Supporting conversion theory’s validation process, minority members who used a higher percentage of causation words were more influential. Majority members who used more second person pronouns (“you”) had less influence in the group, in support of previous research that found that “you” words were counterproductive with conflict. It was hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship between linguistic mimicry and discussion of information shared by all group members, but this was only found in homogeneous groups.
Surface bonding and dynamical behavior of the CH3SH molecule on Au(111).

The chemisorption of the undissociated CH3SH molecule on the Au(111) surface has been studied at 5 K using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The molecule was found to adsorb on atop Au sites on the defect-free surface. CH3SH undergoes hindered rotation about the Au−S bond on the defect-free surface which is seen in STM as a time-averaged 6-fold pattern. The pattern suggests that the potential minima directions occur for the rotating molecule at the six hollow sites surrounding the atop adsorption site. The barrier for rotation, obtained by DFT calculations, is ∼0.1 kcal·mol-1. At low coverages, preferential adsorption occurs at defect sites in the surface, namely, the herringbone “elbows” and random atomic step sites. Molecules adsorbed on these sites do not exhibit rotational freedom.