cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experiments and Models for the Time Dependent Mechanics of Nanoscale Polymeric Structures and Nanocrystalline Metal Films

To date, micro and nanoscale experiments have been mostly focused on the length scale dependent mechanical behavior of nanostructures and nanostructured thin films but have not been able to address their time and rate dependence. This inefficiency stems from the use of high resolution electron microscopes which are slow imaging tools, and quite often are of detrimental effect to the integrity of polymeric materials. Optical methods have been revisited in the recent years and were modified to accommodate micro and nanoscale specimens in order to obtain high resolution deformations and their time evolution at time scales varying from microseconds to days [1-4]. This research, conducted at the University of Illinois, has developed new approaches to investigate the time-dependent mechanical behavior of metallic thin films for MEMS and polymeric nanostructures in an effort to understand the important deformation processes at small scales. The extended (internal) surfaces in nanocrystalline metal films and the large surface-to-volume ratios in polymeric nanostructures favor material transport mechanisms that are not important in bulk or large grain materials because they do not result in appreciable strains. On the contrary, in nanoscale polymeric fibers for instance such processes result in large material deformations and sustained ductilities in a large range of loading rates. This presentation will summarize experimental work conducted with polymeric nanofibers and nanocrystalline metals and some early modeling efforts to rationalize the measured time- and ratedependent mechanical behavior.
Number of inhomogeneities at which the effective moduli of a heterogeneous material stabilize

When the effective elastic moduli of heterogeneous materials containing inhomogeneities are numerically calculated, one of the issues is the number of inhomogeneities at which the effective moduli stabilize. This number may depend on the shape and distribution of the inhomogeneities. In this study, circular holes of the same size are considered. Two distributions of holes, equilateral triangular and random ones are analyzed. It is found that the effective moduli associated with the two distributions stabilize for the samples with seven and nineteen holes, respectively.
Cell cycle: A snip separates sisters

During cell division, each chromosome replicates to form a pair of sister chromosomes that move apart to opposite poles of the cell. It's important that these sisters are linked during the early stages of division, and that this linkage is dissolved later on. The events responsible for dissolving the sister-chromosome linkage have now been worked out, and they revolve around cleavage of a protein called Scc1.
Using the Rapid A-C i Response (RACiR) in the Li-Cor 6400 to Measure Developmental Gradients of Photosynthetic Capacity in Poplar

The rapid A-Ci response (RACiR) technique alleviates limitations of measuring photosynthetic capacity by reducing the time needed to determine the maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax ) and electron transport rate (Jmax ) in leaves. Photosynthetic capacity and its relationships with leaf development are important for understanding ecological and agricultural productivity; however, our current understanding is incomplete. Here, we show that RACiR can be used in previous generation gas exchange systems (i.e., the LI-6400) and apply this method to rapidly investigate developmental gradients of photosynthetic capacity in poplar. We compared RACiR-determined Vcmax and Jmax as well as respiration and stomatal conductance (gs ) across four stages of leaf expansion in Populus deltoides and the poplar hybrid 717-1B4 (Populus tremula × Populus alba). These physiological data were paired with leaf traits including nitrogen concentration, chlorophyll concentrations, and specific leaf area. Several traits displayed developmental trends that differed between the poplar species, demonstrating the utility of RACiR approaches to rapidly generate accurate measures of photosynthetic capacity. By using both new and old machines, we have shown how more investigators will be able to incorporate measurements of important photosynthetic traits in future studies and further our understanding of relationships between development and leaf-level physiology.
Preemptive pain-management program is associated with reduction of opioid prescriptions after benign minimally invasive foregut surgery.

Abstract Objective The opioid crisis is partly due to opioids prescribed after elective surgery. We sought to determine if a preemptive pain-management program would be associated with opioid-free discharge after benign foregut surgery. Methods A retrospective case-control study of prospectively collected data was conducted at a single institution of patients who underwent elective minimally invasive benign foregut surgery. We compared the outcomes among patients who were managed with standard care (control), enhanced recovery after surgery alone, or a preemptive pain-management program with enhanced recovery after surgery. Results Among 414 patients, there were significantly fewer opioid medication prescriptions at discharge (9.6% vs 85.2% vs 87%, P Conclusions The preemptive pain-management program was associated with opioid-free discharge after minimally invasive foregut surgery. This study provides a strategy to reduce opioid prescriptions after foregut surgery and, if implemented nationally, could decrease the amount of opioids used in the community.
Numerical Investigation into Effects of Fuel Physical Properties on GCI Engine Performance and Emissions

In this study, the effects of eight physical fuel properties on gasoline compression ignition (GCI) combustion and emissions are computationally investigated. The examined properties are density, h...
Kidnap and ransom insurance: A strategically useful, often undiscussed, marketplace tool for international operations

With kidnaping rates rising, the disruptive forces of kidnaping threaten the stability and success of corporate investment projects and put stress on appropriate corporate governance response methodologies. While kidnaping targets vary considerably among countries where it frequently occurs, most often the goal of kidnapers is money from ransom payments. Financial consequences of a kidnap ransom payment can be severe for companies, and psychological damage can be lasting to employees and their families. Given the increasingly global nature of business and increasing expansion into less politically and legally stable emerging markets, kidnap, ransom, and extortion pose a problem for management of corporations wishing to take advantage of emerging market opportunities. Kidnap and Ransom (K&R) Insurance is a risk control technique used by about 75% of Fortune 500 companies, nongovernmental organizations, and an increasing percentage of small to medium sized companies. It is a bundled package policy that includes the purchase of an insurance policy to indemnify the company for the costs of kidnap, ransom, and extortion. Such policies can also provide protective consulting beforehand, provide crisis response and negotiation assistance, as well as psychological support services after the fact. In this paper, we describe the K&R policy, its history, other nonfinancial corporate benefits provided by K&R policies, and discuss its use by corporate managers for the benefit of corporate, financial, and personnel stability. It can also be used in course on managing international risk.
Saliency detection analysis of collective physiological responses of pedestrians to evaluate neighborhood built environments

Abstract Crowdsourcing pedestrians’ physiological responses (e.g., electrodermal activity (EDA), gait patterns, and blood volume pulse) offers a unique opportunity for assessing and maintaining built environments in a neighborhood. However, raw physiological signals acquired from naturalistic ambulatory settings cannot effectively capture prominent local patterns in the data stream, since diverse technical challenges (e.g., electrode contact noise and motion artifacts) and confounding factors (e.g., heightened physiology due to the movement) make it difficult to detect significant fine-grain signal fluctuations. Motivated by this issue, this paper proposes a method to identify physical disorders that cause pedestrians physical discomfort and/or emotional distress, by using saliency detection analysis on physiological responses. A bottom-up segmentation approach was used as an unsupervised way to divide each physiological signal into homogeneous segments. A physiological saliency cue (PSC) is proposed to calculate the distinctiveness of physiological responses over each segment in contrast to the remaining segments, and the collective PSC of a physical point of interest is computed across participants. The results, obtained from physiological signals collected from wearable devices, indicate that the suggested saliency detection analysis is effectual in capturing prominent local patterns. Our statistical analysis further indicates that the proposed PSC features can be indicative of physical disorders. The outcome of this research will provide a foundation towards using physiological signals to evaluate built environments, and towards promoting neighborhood walkability, increasing feelings of safety in the urban space, and augmenting residents’ well-being.
Extent of diagnostic inquiry among a population-based cohort of patients with cancer of unknown primary.

Purpose Current cancer registry data cannot distinguish a justified cancer of unknown primary (CUP) diagnosis, where the patient received a complete diagnostic evaluation that was unable to identify the primary tumor, from potentially misclassified patients, documented as CUP but not based on a complete diagnostic evaluation. This misclassification may skew population-based cancer registry surveillance research used to frame and guide translational CUP research. We identified characteristics of patients who received justified vs. potentially misclassified CUP diagnoses in cancer registry data. Methods We developed a conceptual definition of a complete diagnostic evaluation from professional society-recommended guidelines. We translated this definition into procedure codes in the Medicare encounter data. We assessed age, gender, comorbidities, urban or rural residence, income, race, and tumor pathology by receipt of a complete diagnostic evaluation and palliative therapy among 10,575 elderly CUP patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare dataset. We calculated odds ratios and adjusted probabilities using marginal standardization. Results Only 35% of elderly CUP patients identified in the cancer registry received a complete diagnostic evaluation. After adjustment for age and comorbidities, socioeconomic barriers to a complete diagnostic evaluation persisted: adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (AOR) for rural vs. urban 0.8(0.8,0.9) and for highest income vs. lowest income 1.2(1.1,1.4). Patients with vague or undocumented tumor pathology in SEER had 80% lower odds of receiving a complete diagnostic evaluation AOR(95%CI)=0.2(0.2,0.2). Although patients with a complete diagnostic evaluation were twice as likely to receive palliative therapy than those without a complete evaluation, AOR(95%CI)=2.0(1.7,2.3), they only had a 46.7% probability of receiving therapy, 95%CI=(44.4,49.1). Conclusion Patients without a complete diagnostic evaluation are not limited to the frail and underserved. For accurate assessment of the CUP burden and disparities in utilization of diagnostic care, we recommend that the SEER definition of CUP include the extent of diagnostic inquiry.
An Erroneous Shift in Perspective: How Cross-examinations Forsake Constitutional Jurisprudence and the Purpose of Title IX

Congress enacted Title IX for the purpose of curving and preventing sexual discrimination in public educational institutions. In promoting those goals and not risk federal funding, public universities must cure hostile environments according to guidance the Department of Education provides. However, focus shifts depending on the administration currently setting guidelines. These inconsistencies in Title IX compliance has brought about the issue of what process is due in public university sexual misconduct proceedings. Schools are caught in the fragile position of having to protect the victims from continued harassment while, at the same time, providing adequate Due Process to the accused. The executive branch, however, is not alone in the struggle to determine what process is due in public university sexual misconduct proceedings. In 2016, the Sixth Circuit in Doe v. Baum held that were the credibility of the student is at issue, the university must provide the accused student an opportunity to cross-examine the accuser through an agent of choice. Most recently, the First Circuit decision in Haidak v. University of Massachusetts-Amherst declined to follow Baum’s categorical rule and instead focused on whether there was adequate notice and an opportunity to be heard. This article argues that cross-examinations, although reasonable in the criminal justice system, should not be required in public universities based on the factors outlined in Mathews v. Eldridge and the lessons learned in Goss v. Lopez. It also takes the position that the Court should follow the First Circuit’s decision in Haidak because it provides a constitutionally consistent framework that also protects the victims. Moreover, cross-examinations are not required as a matter of public policy when taking into account the adversarial nature of cross-examinations, their impact on the victims, and the potential increase of liability to schools.
The Influence of Tattoo Content on Perceptions of Employment Suitability across the Generational Divide

Abstract. The present study extends research on tattoos and employment suitability by examining the extent to which the effects of tattoos on perceived competence and hiring recommendations are con...
Augmented communications: spectral efficiency and security enhanced visible light communications by design

A plethora of physical-layer techniques aim to enhance the performance of communication systems in several ways. Spectral efficiency and security are on the top of the list of enhancements; however, both are isolated and antagonistic islands of research. Augmented communication (ACom) is introduced in this Letter as the first technique that aims to combine these two enhancements in visible light communications (VLCs). The dividends of the proposed concept are demonstrated via simulations and the performance is experimentally validated. Results show that ACom can simultaneously provide the high spectral efficiency and the resistance to eavesdropping, while introducing minimal signal-to-noise ratio penalties.
Evolution of An Empire

By the time of the sixteenth century invasion from Europe the Inca Empire had grown to span the Andes and coastal regions from Argentina and Chile through Bolivia and Peru to Ecuador and into southern Columbia (Fig. 2.2). The reign of the imperial Incas was relatively short, but they were preceded by many civilizations that traced back thousands of years, and the roots of Andean astronomy can largely be attributed to those ancient cultures. Celestial myths, beliefs, and knowledge developed through observations made over the centuries, passed on from one generation to the next and from one tribe to another. The Incas inherited this celestial knowledge and adapted it to their own needs. They created a strong state religion of the Sun founded upon astronomy assimilated through their conquests. Temples and shrines were built that publicly displayed many of these astronomical concepts.
Image segmentation via Cellular Automata.

In this paper, we propose a new approach for building cellular automata to solve real-world segmentation problems. We design and train a cellular automaton that can successfully segment high-resolution images. We consider a colony that densely inhabits the pixel grid, and all cells are governed by a randomized update that uses the current state, the color, and the state of the $3\times 3$ neighborhood. The space of possible rules is defined by a small neural network. The update rule is applied repeatedly in parallel to a large random subset of cells and after convergence is used to produce segmentation masks that are then back-propagated to learn the optimal update rules using standard gradient descent methods. We demonstrate that such models can be learned efficiently with only limited trajectory length and that they show remarkable ability to organize the information to produce a globally consistent segmentation result, using only local information exchange. From a practical perspective, our approach allows us to build very efficient models -- our smallest automaton uses less than 10,000 parameters to solve complex segmentation tasks.
Hand-written Character Recognition Using Layered Abduction

-Even though automated hand-written character recognition can be highly accurate, most of these systems are unable to apply context to improve results, unlike human readers. This paper describes an approach to automated hand-written character recognition that seeks explicit features amongst the input data, and applies layered abduction to derive an explanation to account for the input in terms of English characters. Layered abduction is used because it can provide top-down guidance is used because it can provide top-down guidance to improve accuracy. Such an approach has been taken here resulting in more than 96% accuracy for hand-written printed character recognition in a limited domain.
Interface modification of POSS-polymer nanocomposites

Abstract Nanoparticle-containing polymeric composite materials exhibit superior structural and functional features. Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanoparticles, also known as nano-silica, are a good candidate as a nano-filler. Incorporation of POSS in polymeric matrices improves several properties of polymeric composites such as mechanical strength, membrane performance, and fire retardancy. Moreover, POSS are commercially available with various surface functional groups. The desired functional properties of POSS-containing polymer nanocomposites can be achieved by developing a good polymer-POSS process. The functional properties of the composite are dictated by POSS-polymer interfacial interactions. This chapter discusses the role of interface on structure, property, and processing of POSS-containing polymeric composites. A general strategy to modify and control POSS-polymer interfacial interaction is also discussed using real-life examples.
Load Following Capability for Hybrid Nuclear and Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants with an Energy Storage System

Motivated by the future of clean energy sources and storage systems, the purpose of this research is to evaluate the ability to combine nuclear and solar photovoltaic generation systems as well as an energy storage system in order to meet the demand of an electric power system load. While nuclear power generation has been around for decades, renewable energy is becoming more popular as technologies begin to become more affordable. In addition, energy storage is still the most expensive component of this equation. A case study was conducted by using an example load pattern for various time periods in a year that is gathered from a North Carolina electric utility. A scalable nuclear power source (such as NuScale) was assumed to supply a constant and continuous power level. A range for solar farm size was selected, and the solar output was calculated by gathering the solar irradiance data from Oak Ridge National Laboratories. The energy storage system capacity for a select nuclear and solar farm size was later determined. These calculations were executed in a MATLAB environment. By comparing energy storage system capacities for a range of nuclear and solar farm sizes, one can determine that renewable resources alone, will not be able to provide enough flexibility to meet the demand of large-scale loads. Our calculations specifically showed that solar PV operation alone results in 9560 MWh energy storage capacity. However, an optimized solar PV and nuclear hybrid generation scheme reduced the energy capacity requirement significantly (by approximately a factor of 13). Utilities are using energy storage systems comprised of batteries like lithium-ion due to their ideal and decreasing price range. Optimizing the size of generation plants and reducing the battery capacity eases the economic impact of variable load demands.
Nondiffractive beam shaping for enhanced optothermal control in metal additive manufacturing.

High thermal gradients and complex melt pool instabilities involved in powder bed fusion–based metal additive manufacturing using focused Gaussian-shaped beams often lead to high porosity, poor mor...
Wealth Redistribution and the Income Tax

Part I of this article presents evidence of the increasing trend towards inequality in both income and wealth that has occurred since the Reagan administration (1981-1989). Part II discusses whether social welfare payments lighten this otherwise growing income and wealth inequality. Part II also discusses the view, expressed by Adam Smith (the father of capitalism), that social welfare programs are created and maintained in order to protect social inequality rather than to redistribute wealth. In Parts III and IV, the article discusses two ways the present federal tax system is meant to redistribute wealth: progressive rates and the Earned Income Tax Credit. These two Parts conclude that progressive rates essentially deliver greater public relations than true wealth redistribution and that the Earned Income Tax Credit is an inappropriate way of providing cash assistance to the working poor. In Parts V and VI, the article discusses a wealth tax as an alternative wealth redistribution device. Part V discusses the general redistribution influences of a wealth tax given the large gaps in wealth within the United States and the constitutional issues with a federal wealth tax. Part VI looks at a wealth tax through the lens of black reparations.
A verification framework for hybrid systems

Combining discrete state transitions with differential equations, Hybrid system models provide an expressive formalism for describing software systems that interact with a physical environment. Automatically checking properties, such as invariance and stability, is extremely hard for general hybrid models, and therefore current research focuses on models with restricted expressive power. In this thesis we take a complementary approach by developing proof techniques that are not necessarily automatic, but are applicable to a general class of hybrid systems. Three components of this thesis, namely, (i) semantics for ordinary and probabilistic hybrid models, (ii) methods for proving invariance, stability, and abstraction, and (iii) software tools supporting (i) and (ii), are integrated within a common mathematical framework. (i) For specifying nonprobabilistic hybrid models, we present Structured Hybrid I/O Automata (SHIOAs) which adds control theory-inspired structures, namely state models, to the existing Hybrid I/O Automata, thereby facilitating description of continuous behavior. We introduce a generalization of SHIOAs which allows both nondeterministic and stochastic transitions and develop the trace-based semantics for this framework. (ii) We present two techniques for establishing lower-bounds on average dwell time (ADT) for SHIOA models. This provides a sufficient condition of establishing stability for SHIOAs with stable state models. A new simulation-based technique which is sound for proving ADT-equivalence of SHIOAs is proposed. We develop notions of approximate implementation and corresponding proof techniques for Probabilistic I/O Automata. Specifically, a PIOA A is an e-approximate implementation of B , if every trace distribution of A is e-close to some trace distribution of B —closeness being measured by a metric on the space of trace distributions. We present a new class of real-valued simulation fund ions for proving e-approximate implementations, and demonstrate their utility in quantitatively reasoning about, probabilistic safety and termination. (iii) We introduce a specification language for SHIOAs and a theorem prover interface for this language. The latter consists of a translator to typed high order logic and a set of PVS-strategies that partially automate the above verification techniques within the INS theorem prover. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Alienation Among Vietnamese Refugees in the United States

The purpose of this study was to develop and test a causal model of alienation among a probability sample of Vietnamese refugees. Path analysis was used to test the causal model. The findings indicated that marital status, social support, social interaction anxiety, self-identity, and length of time in the United States directly predict feelings of alienation. The social support variable, however, was the most important predictor. An interesting finding was that background variables, for the most part, had no notable direct effects on alienation.
The modification of lipid composition in L-M cultured cells supplemented with elaidate. Increased formation of fatty alcohols.

Abstract Supplementation of culture medium with elaidic acid (40 μg/ml) resulted in the incorporation of this acid into 50% of the acyi groups of phospholipids in L-M cells; elaidate was esterified at both the sn-1 and the sn-2 positions of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. In addition, elaidate supplementation of L-M cells induces the accumulation of free fatty alcohols, alkyldiacylglycerols and wax esters/cholesterol esters. The concentration of intracellular free fatty alcohols increased as a function of the concentration of elaidic acid in the growth medium and the duration of exposure. However, the concentration of alcohol-containing lipids, total alkyi and alk-1-enyl lipids, was only slightly decreased. This decrease was much less than the increase in the level of free fatty alcohols. Therefore, we conclude that when elaidic acid is supplemented to L-M cells in culture, a net increase in the production of free fatty alcohols occurs.
Reconstructing the phytoplankton community of the Cariaco Basin during the Younger Dryas cold event using chlorin steryl esters

[1] A record of the downcore distribution of chlorin steryl esters (CSEs) through the Younger Dryas was produced from Cariaco Basin sediments in order to assess the potential use of CSEs as recorders of the structure of phytoplankton communities through time. Using an improved high-performance liquid chromatography method for the separation of CSEs, we find significant changes in the distribution of CSEs during the Younger Dryas in the Cariaco Basin. During the Younger Dryas, enhanced upwelling in the Cariaco Basin caused an increase in the diatom population and therefore an increase in the relative abundance of CSEs derived from diatoms. In contrast, the dinoflagellate population, and therefore CSEs derived from dinoflagellates, decreased in response to the climate change during the Younger Dryas. These community shifts agree well with the shifts observed in the present day on a seasonal basis that result from the north-south migration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone over the Cariaco Basin. We also identify changes in the abundance of several CSEs that seem to reflect rapid warming and cooling events. This study suggests that CSEs are useful proxies for reconstructing phytoplankton communities and paleoenvironments. INDEX TERMS: 1055 Geochemistry: Organic geochemistry; 4267 Oceanography: General: Paleoceanography; 4855 Oceanography: Biological and Chemical: Plankton; KEYWORDS: Younger Dryas, Cariaco Basin, chlorin steryl esters
Far-infrared absorption of CO/sub 2/ clathrate hydrate

CO/sub 2/ clathrate hydrate is believed to form in the polar regions of Mars in winter. In order to verify its presence in a remote sensing experiment, its dielectric properties must be known and must be sufficiently different from those of water ice, CO/sub 2/ ice, and CO/sub 2/ gas to give a distinct signature. The authors present their measurement of the far-infrared spectra of CO/sub 2/ clathrate hydrate. The spectrum exhibits a broad absorption that is probably due to a rattling mode of the CO/sub 2/ molecules in their water ice cages. They discuss the feasibility of using this absorption in a remote sensing experiment. >
The Design of Approximation Algorithms

Discrete optimization problems are everywhere, from traditional operations research planning problems, such as scheduling, facility location, and network design; to computer science problems in databases; to advertising issues in viral marketing. Yet most such problems are NP-hard. Thus unless P = NP, there are no efficient algorithms to find optimal solutions to such problems. This book shows how to design approximation algorithms: efficient algorithms that find provably near-optimal solutions. The book is organized around central algorithmic techniques for designing approximation algorithms, including greedy and local search algorithms, dynamic programming, linear and semidefinite programming, and randomization. Each chapter in the first part of the book is devoted to a single algorithmic technique, which is then applied to several different problems. The second part revisits the techniques but offers more sophisticated treatments of them. The book also covers methods for proving that optimization problems are hard to approximate. Designed as a textbook for graduate-level algorithms courses, the book will also serve as a reference for researchers interested in the heuristic solution of discrete optimization problems.
Grain-Boundary Enthalpies of Cubic Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia

The change in enthalpy with grain size of dense nanograined yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was measured by oxide melt solution calorimetry of cubic 10 YSZ and 15 YSZ dense nanograined ceramic samples prepared by spark plasma sintering of nanopowders. The derived grain-boundary enthalpies are 0.68 J/m 2 for 10 YSZ and 0.64 J/m 2 for 15YSZ, with an estimated uncertainty of about10.13 J/m 2 , arising mostly from the roughly 120% uncertainty in interface area calculated from the particle size distribution. These values are similar to a previous value of 0.7370.19 J/m 2 for 8 YSZ, suggesting a possible weak concentration dependence (decrease of grain-boundary energy with increasing dopant concentration) that may not be outside experimental error. Previously published interface enthalpies of 0.6–1.0 J/m 2 for partially agglomerated nanopowders of 8, 10, and 12 YSZ, are in general agreement with the present data on densified nanoceramics. These data, taken together, suggest the ratio of surface to interface energy increases slightly with doping level, providing a slightly higher driving force for densification and pore elimination as the yttria content is increased.
Reply to Georgiev: No-Go for Georgiev’s No-Go Theorem

Danko Georgiev has published a series of papers that claim that the Quantum Zeno Effect that I employ in my explanation of how our minds are able to influence our actions is nullifies by environmental decoherence effects. I give here a simple proof that environmental decoherence does not nullify the quantum Zeno effect.
Taxation and Landownership in the Westernization of Japan

Japan's transformation into a modern state began shortly after the middle of the nineteenth century when she was forcibly opened to international trade. In the ensuing years, the old social, economic, and political structure was overhauled to the end that Japan might become a powerful nation able to stand on an equal footing with the more advanced Western nations. Early attention was given to land reform and peasant emancipation since the country was predominantly agricultural, with about four fifths of the population engaged in cultivating the soil. In the early 1870's the prevailing system of servile land tenure was swept away and replaced by a system of private ownership of land. Henceforth, the peasants, who had formerly held land from feudal nobles in return for certain dues and services, were given title to land on which they, as owners, paid a land tax.
Experimental studies on the biaxial extensional viscosity of polypropylene

For fabrication processes such as blow molding, vacuum forming, film blowing and fiber spinning, extensional flow is the dominate mode of melt deformation. Under these conditions, extensional viscosity is a significant rheological property. Thus, the biaxial extensional viscosity was measured for several samples of polypropylene. A technique based on the bubble inflation method of Denson and Gallo was used. Experimental values of biaxial extensional viscosities ranging from 1014 to 1010 poise as a function of strain rate, 10−5 to 10−2 reciprocal seconds, were obtained at 25°C. The technique used was critiqued and found to be useful in characterizing unoriented and biaxially oriented films, Uniaxially oriented films gave unsatisfactory results. It may be possible to use this testing method to assist in materials selection decisions.
Monolithically integrated microfluidic nanoporous gold disk (NPGD) surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor for rapid and label-free biomolecular detection

We present a novel microfluidic surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor for rapid and label-free biomolecular detection. Our sensor design mitigates a common limiting factor in microfluidic SERS sensors that utilize integrated nanostructures: low-efficiency transport of biomolecules to nanostructured surface which adversely impacts sensitivity. Our strategy is to increase the total usable nanostructured surface area, which provides more adsorption sites for biomolecules. Specifically, nanoporous gold disk (NPGD) array, a highly effective SERS substrate, has been monolithically integrated inside a microfluidic chip. Individual NPGD is known to feature an order of magnitude larger surface area than its projected disk area. The increased surface area arises from nanoscale pores and ligaments 3- dimensionally distributed in the NPGD, which manifest themselves as high-density SERS hot-spots. High-density NPGD arrays further guarantee large coverage of these hot-spots on the microchannel floor. The SERS-active NPGD arrays enable highly-reproducible SERS measurements with relative intensity variations from 8% to -8%. R6G solutions in the concentrations ranging from 1 μM to 1 mM have been detected and quantitatively evaluated, and the performance of the sensor in continuous-flow condition has been assessed. Moreover, the sensor’s capabilities have been studied by detecting and identifying a physiological metabolite (urea), and the results show lower detection limit compared to best results from most recent work using integrated nanostructured surface inside microchannels. We expect that the sensor would be applicable for detecting, identifying and quantifying molecules for some point-of-care applications, i.e. urine screening.
Fractionation of a Whey Growth Factor for Steptococcus agalactiae into Two Active Components Containing Proteins

Abstract Previously three factors (F−1, F−2, F−3) that stimulated in vitro growth of Streptococcus agalactiae were separated from wheys of milk and colostrum by chromatographic procedures. Now F−1 was separated further into two active components, F−1a and F−1b, when rechromatographed on an anion exchange resin with distilled water as eluent. The stimulatory activity was associated with two protein peaks whereas a third protein peak that was eluted in those fractions containing lactose was not stimulatory. Most of the stimulatory activity (76 to 80%) and protein (90 to 93%) were retained by a filter with retention of > 1,000 MW. Two stimulatory factors were confirmed by separation of F−1 fractions by step-gradient elution on a column of octadecylsilica; one protein peak was found for each of the three solvents. Samples with protein eluted with .1 N formic acid and formic acid: methanol (1:1) had stimulatory activity, whereas the sample with protein eluted with 100% methanol was inactive. Results were similar when F−1 fractions were applied to Sep-Pak (μBondapack C 18 ) cartridges and eluted with water, 50% methanol, and 100% methanol. Proteins in the Sep-Pak eluates with stimulatory activity (water and 50% methanol) were heterogeneous and different when separated by high-voltage paper electrophoresis. Proteose-peptone preparations with added lactose were chromatographed on columns of anion exchange resin, with distilled water as eluent, and produced two peaks of protein with elution volumes comparable to peaks 1 and 3. Lactose appeared to be a major factor in eluting the second protein peak. The F−1a and F−1b might be peptide fragments of one or more of the proteose-peptones in whey.
HgBaCaCuO superconductors: Processing, properties and potential

Abstract HgBaCaCuO superconductors exhibit superior superconducting properties especially at temperatures above 77K. Irradiation studies have proven that there is a great potential even for further enhancements. Progress in the synthesis of Hg-based superconductors has been achieved by the development of a two-zone technique, which has opened the window for applying a variety of materials processing techniques successfully used in other high temperature superconductors. HgBaCuO—silver composites have been prepared by the powder in tube method and reacted in the two-zone assembly. Silver, which has successfully been used as sheath material for most other high- T c superconductors, appears to be compatible with superconductors of the HgBaCaCuO family.
Paternal Psychiatric Symptoms and Maladaptive Paternal Behavior in the Home During the Child Rearing Years

Data from the Children in the Community Study, a community-based longitudinal study were used to investigate associations between paternal psychiatric disorders and child-rearing behaviors. Paternal psychiatric symptoms and behavior in the home were assessed among 782 families during the childhood and adolescence of the offspring. Paternal anxiety, disruptive, mood, personality, and substance use disorders were independently associated with specific types of maladaptive paternal behavior in the home during the child-rearing years after paternal age, education, income, co-occurring paternal psychiatric symptoms, offspring age, sex, intelligence, temperament, and psychiatric symptoms were controlled statistically. Paternal psychiatric disorders that were present by mean offspring age 14 were associated with elevated risk for maladaptive paternal behavior in the home at mean age offspring 16, after prior maladaptive paternal behavior was controlled statistically. These findings suggest that paternal psychiatric disorder may be an important determinant of maladaptive paternal behavior in the home during the child-rearing years. Improved recognition and treatment of paternal psychiatric disorders may help to reduce the amount of maladaptive parenting behavior that many children and adolescents might otherwise be likely to experience.
Electric- and magnetic-energy storage in passive nonreciprocal networks

An examination of the relationship of electric- and magnetic-energy storage to the terminal behaviour of linear passive networks shows both similarities and important differences between wholly reciprocal systems and systems containing gyrators as elements. The presence of a dispersive medium necessitates further modification. As a result, the conventional lower bound on energy storage is removed for gyrator networks.
An empirical study on e-government readiness: the roles of institutional efficiency and interpersonal trust

The use of information technology and communications to advance the interaction between a government and its citizens is expanding at an increasing rate. Governments around the world are looking for avenues to exploit interactive tools to enhance public awareness and reduce operating costs. A primary obstacle to successful implementation of e-government is trust. In this preliminary study, we investigated the dimensions of institutional efficiency and trust and their effect on the deployment of e-government and found preliminary evidence that these indicators play a significant role in e-government readiness.
On the preferential concentration of solid particles in turbulent channel flow

We present results from a direct numerical simulation of the passive transport of solid particles by a fully developed turbulent channel flow with a Reynolds number of 180 based on the friction velocity and the channel half-width. Three particle sets are studied, ranging in diameter from 0.5 to 1.4 viscous wall units and in aerodynamic time constant from 0.6 to 56 centreline Kolmogorov time scales. We use particle number density histograms and fractal dimensions to show that the level of order in the particle spatial distribution peaks near a Stokes number of unity based on the Kolmogorov time scale. We then quantify the relationship between this spatial distribution and the instantaneous flow topology. The results indicate that the previously reported preferential concentration of particles in low-speed streaks leads to a suppression of particle velocities in the viscous sublayer and buffer region even in the presence of streamwise gravitational acceleration. In other regions of the flow, the particles' non-random spatial distribution is shown to be uncorrelated with the local flow topology. We compare our results with the experimental data of Kulick et al. (1994) and Fessler et al. (1994) and confirm that the latter authors' results were not influenced by turbulence modification.
Radiation risk of lung cancer screening

Lung cancer screening with low dose computed tomography (CT) is the only method ever proven to reduce lung cancer–specific mortality in high-risk current and former cigarette smokers. Radiation exposure from annual screening CT examinations and subsequent CT and nuclear medicine testing to further evaluate positive screening CTs is sometimes raised as a reason to avoid screening and is often misunderstood. With all testing, there are potential benefits and risks. As we sit on the brink of widespread adoption of lung cancer screening CT, we aim to explain why the risks associated with radiation exposure from lung cancer screening are very low and should not be used to avoid screening or dissuade individuals who qualify for screening CT to participate in a lung cancer screening program.
The consistency index in reciprocal matrices: Comparison of deterministic and statistical approaches

Abstract When checking the inconsistency level of a positive reciprocal matrix Saaty uses a deterministic criterion based on two parameters, a benchmark (the average), and a consistency level, usually 10%. Using results from a simulation experiment with 100,000 positive random reciprocal matrices of size varying from 3 to 15, we developed a probabilistic criterion and compare it to Saaty’s index. We found that if a positive reciprocal matrix is consistent according to the deterministic criterion is also consistent according to the probabilistic criterion only if we accept a higher than usual probability of Type I error. Reducing this error implies that the benchmark must be a small percentile of the probability distribution of the consistency index.
Reflections on interdisciplinary sustainability research with undergraduate students

Purpose – The purpose of the article was to convey experiences with pioneering interdisciplinary sustainability research by involving undergraduate students. Experiences with initiating and conducting multiple research projects spanning engineering and sustainability are described, and recommendations for programs and faculty in other institutions of higher education that plan to implement or support similar endeavors are discussed. Design/methodology/approach – The article and presented conclusions are based on three separate research projects, where specific examples as to how those projects were developed as well as challenges and rewards faced during the project are described. Findings – It is concluded that faculty should not refrain from working with students from different backgrounds and disciplines. Bringing different backgrounds and perspectives to a project enables a big picture view of problems at hand and leads to better solutions that are more in line with the three pillars of sustainability...
Praseodymium-small rare earth gallium garnets with rare earths on two crystallographic sites☆

Abstract Garnets of the type {Pr3−yRy}[RxGa2−x](Ga3)O12, in which R is Lu, Yb, Tm, or Er, have been synthesized and studied. They are analogous to materials reported earlier with Nd in place of Pr, but the minimum y values which result in compliance with Vegard's law are higher. This is the case because the larger Pr3+ ion requires a greater amount than does Nd3+ of a given small rare earth ion, R3+, to reduce the average dodecahedral site radius to a value which satisfies the R3+ on the octahedral site. Magnetic susceptibility measurements over the temperature range 78–300°K show the materials to be paramagnetic with Curie-Weiss behavior but with Curie constants somewhat lower than expected.
Conditional Monte Carlo method for dynamic systems with random properties

Abstract A method is developed for calculating moments and other properties of states X ( t ) of dynamic systems with random coefficients depending on semi-Markov processes ξ ( t ) and subjected to Gaussian white noise. Random vibration theory is used to find probability laws of conditional processes X ( t )∣ ξ (·). Unconditional properties of X ( t ) are estimated by averaging conditional statistics of this process corresponding to samples of ξ ( t ). The method is particularly efficient for linear systems since X ( t )∣ ξ (·) is Gaussian during periods of constant values of ξ ( t ), so that and its probability law is completely defined by the process mean and covariance functions that can be obtained simply from equations of linear random vibration. The method is applied to find statistics of an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process X ( t ) whose decay parameter is a semi-Markov process ξ ( t ). Numerical results show that X ( t ) is not Gaussian and that the law of this process depends essentially on features of ξ ( t ). A version of the method is used to calculate the failure probability for an oscillator with degrading stiffness subjected to Gaussian white noise.