cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Surface and Subsurface Point Defects for Chemical Model Studies on TiO2: A First-Principles Theoretical Study of Formaldehyde Bonding on Rutile TiO2(110)

We report a systematic investigation of the effects of different surface and subsurface point defects on the adsorption of formaldehyde on rutile TiO2(110) surfaces using density functional theory (DFT). All point defects investigated—including surface bridging oxygen vacancies, titanium interstitials, and subsurface oxygen vacancies—stabilize the adsorption significantly by up to 56 kJ mol−1 at a coverage of 0.1 monolayer (ML). The stabilization is due to a decrease of the coordination (covalent saturation) of the surface Ti adsorption sites adjacent to the defects, which leads to a stronger molecule–surface interaction. This change in the Ti is caused by the removal of a neighboring atom (oxygen vacancies) or substantial lattice relaxations induced by the subsurface defects. On the stoichiometric reference surface, the most stable adsorption geometry of formaldehyde is a tilted η2-dioxymethylene (with an adsorption energy Eads=−125 kJ mol−1), in which a bond forms to a nearby bridging O atom and the carbonyl-O atom in the formaldehyde binds to a Ti atom in the adjacent fivefold coordinated lattice site. The η1-top configuration on five-coordinate Ti4+ is much less favorable (Eads=−69 kJ mol−1). The largest stabilization is exerted by subsurface Ti interstitials between the first and second layers. These defects stabilize the η2-dioxymethylene structure by nearly 40 kJ mol−1 to an adsorption energy of −164 kJ mol−1. Contrary to popular belief, adsorption in a bridging oxygen vacancy (Eads=−86 kJ mol−1) is much less favorable for formaldehyde compared to the η2- dioxymethylene structures. From these results we conclude that formaldehyde will bind in the η2-dioxymethylene structure on the stoichiometric surface as well as in the presence of Ti interstitials and bridging oxygen vacancies. In the light of these substantial effects, we conclude that it is essential to include all the types of point defects present in typical, reduced rutile samples used for model studies, at realistic concentrations to obtain correct adsorption sites, structures, energetic, and chemi-physical properties.
Role of surface salt complexes in alkali-catalysed carbon gasification☆

Abstract The authors have previously demonstrated the existence of surface salt complexes on alkali-catalysed carbon surfaces under gasification conditions (770–1000 K). Chemical characterization of these complexes coupled with kinetic measurements provide insight into their role in catalytic gasification.
The LSST Moving Object Processing Pipeline

ABSTRACT We describe a proposed architecture for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) moving object processing pipelinebased on a similar system under development for the Pan-STARRS project. This pipeline is responsible for identifyingand discoveringfast movingobjects such as asteroids, updatinginformationaboutthem, generatingappropriatealerts, andsupportingqueries about movingobjects. Of particular interest are potentially hazardousasteroids (PHAs).We consider the system as being composed of two interacting components. First, candidate linkages correspondingto moving objects are found by tracking detections (tracklets). To achieve this in reasonable time we have developedspecialized data structures and algorithms that ef ciently evaluate the possibilities using quadratic ts of the detections ona modest time scale.For the second component we take a Bayesian approach to validating, re ning, and merging linkages over time. Thusnew detections increase our belief that an orbit is correct and contribute to better orbital parameters. Conversely, missedexpected detections reduce the probability that the orbit exists. Finally, new candidate linkages are con rmed or refutedbased on previousimages.In order to assign new detections to existing orbits we propose bipartite graph matching to nd a maximum likelihoodassignment subject to the constraint that detections match at most one orbit and vice versa. We describe how to constructthis matchingprocess to properlydeal with false detections and missed detections.Keywords: Asteroids, movingobject detection, graphmatching
FRACTIONATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS OF HEN'S EGG YOLK.

Abstract The LDF of hen's egg yolk prepared by a modified method was found to be soluble in water. In this low-density solvent it was possible to separate LDF by flotation into fractions (LDF1 and LDF2) owing in part to the maximum effect of the difference in their partial specific volumes. About one-fifth of LDF was estimated to consist of LDF1, the remainder being LDF2. Both fractions were polydisperse with molecular weights ranging from 0.5 · 106 to 34 · 106 (mol. wt. 10.3 · 106) for LDF1 and 0.5 · 106 to 14 · 106 (mol. wt. 3.3 · 106) for LDF2. Since LDF1 contained 86.8% and LDF2 83.2% lipid, the mean size of their protein moieties was about 1.4 · 106, respectively.
Effects of oxidative stress induced by redox-enzyme modulation on the progression stage of rat hepatocarcinogenesis.

Effects of oxidative stress induced by redox-enzyme modulation on the progression stage of hepatocarcinogenesis were examined by monitoring both hepatocyte injury and hepatocellular carcinoma development in F344 rats bearing preneoplastic liver nodules induced by the Cayama-Farber procedure. Redox-enzyme modulation, which included increased cytochrome P450 reductase activity induced by phenobarbital-Na (100 mg/kg, i.p. for 3 days), inhibition of DT-diaphorase by dicumarol (25 mg/kg, i.p.), depletion of glutathione by phorone (200 mg/kg, i.p.), supplementation with the Fe(III) sodium salt of EDTA (50 mg/kg, i.p.) and redox-cycling activation by menadione (50 mg/kg, i.g.), exerted no prominent hepatocyte injury within nodules but did cause slight injury in the surrounding hepatocytes in nodule-bearing rats. The same treatments induced severe hepatocyte injury in non-treated normal rats. Redox-enzyme modulation performed every other week for 33 weeks significantly reduced the number of hepatocellular carcinomas developing in nodule-bearing rats. These results indicate that preneoplastic nodules are resistant to the oxidative stress induction caused by redox-enzyme modulation treatment and that, despite toxic effects in surrounding hepatocytes, no progression pressure is exerted. Indeed, the treatment rather demonstrates an inhibitory effect of the evolution of the nodules into hepatocellular carcinomas.
Quantitative Approaches to Team Communication and Performance: A Harmony of Systems Analysis Tools

Effective team performance in dynamic, high-consequence environments requires an interdisciplinary integration of human interactions with technological systems components. Several systems analysis approaches have substantial applications to the study of team communication and performance. This paper examines cybernetics and sociotechnical approaches to information exchange and coordination in human-technology systems. One component of cybernetics, based on quantitative feedback control engineering tools, can be effectively integrated with group communication and coordination principles from sociotechnical research. The author suggests ways in which these systems frameworks can be utilized and consolidated to support a more harmonious and quantitatively grounded examination of human performance in complex systems.
Opportunities to Improve Adaptability and Yield in Grasses

Population trends predict increasing food needs while progress in developmental and genomic plant sciences offer new opportunities for crop improvements. The grass-based grain crops have a high degree of synteny in their genomes, thus raising the possibility of using specific information more broadly. Studies of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench are beginning to link physiological behavior to specific genes and hormone-based regulatory systems in ways that suggest specific strategies for improvement. Findings from several other grasses are adding to the pool of information being derived from Sorghum. This information relates to flowering and floral development, maturity and senescence, temperature effects via the biological clock, shade avoidance behavior, apical dominance, shoot elongation, and root development including constitutive aerenchyma formation. These studies, along with others, offer a number of options for conventional plant breeding and genetic transformations to improve grass-based crops and satisfy part of the projected human food needs of coming decades.
Using Hypermedia to Improve the Mathematics Problem-Solving Skills of Students with Learning Disabilities

This article discusses current knowledge about teaching problem solving to students with learning disabilities (LD), using computers for teaching math to students with LD, and using computers for teaching problem solving to students with learning problems. Building upon identified effective learning strategies, direct instruction procedures, and principles of effective instructional design, the case is presented for the use of hypermedia in helping students with learning disabilities to improve their mathematics problem-solving abilities. Specific ideas and suggestions for applying hypermedia to cognitive strategy instruction and the graduated word problem sequence are given. Several cautions regarding hypermedia use are presented.
Decentralized transmission zeros of descriptor systems

The concepts of finite decentralized transmission zeros and impulsive decentralized transmission zeros are introduced for descriptor systems. Some necessary and sufficient conditions for the systems to have these zeros are obtained. They are used to describe the generalized decentralised fixed modes and impulsive decentralized fixed modes for descriptor systems. It is pointed out that this represents a more precise description for the relation between transmission zeros and fixed modes. >
Viability of resource theories in explaining time-sharing performance

Abstract The primary objective of the present research was to test for performance tradeoff induced by priority instructions with the purportedly unbiased optimum-maximum method. In Experiment 1, performance tradeoff was observed when the tracking task was optimized but not when the Sternberg memory task was optimized. It was hypothesized that the tracking task was protected by peripheral vision when subjects focused on the optimized memory task. The second experiment tested the generality of the results with additional variations of the task pairs selected to represent different degrees of shared resources. The extent of performance tradeoff and time-sharing efficiency varied systematically with the extent of predicted resource overlap between the time-shared tasks. The observed performance tradeoff was strongly indicative of subjects' voluntary allocation control. Further, subjective ratings suggested that such control was effortful. These results were supportive of multiple resource theories and the viability of resource explanation of task interference.
Effect of Reflow Parameters on Solder Wetting

Reflow parameters during assembly are ramp rate, soak time, soak temperature, peak temperature, time above liquidus, and cooling rate. These reflow parameters constructs the temperature profile of reflow process and determine the quality of interconnects in the electronics products. To investigate the effect of reflow parameters on solder interconnect wetting, the wetting rate of a single liquid solder sphere on a metal substrate with variation of reflow parameters were experimentally measured and the constitutive model for the dynamics of solder wetting was suggested.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
A Body Current Activated Circuit Breaker

The body current activated circuit breaker (BAB), provides a new means of protection from accidental electric shock. It senses the current flowing in the body and reacts to, a dangerous situation by interrupting the power source. An experimental model using a toroidal coil sensor was built and tested successfully.
Cracks and dislocations in face-centered cubic metallic multilayers

In this paper, we have demonstrated that very perfect thin multilayers of the Cu/Ni system can be prepared with coherent interfaces if the layer modulation wavelength is in the 10 nm range. At modulation thicknesses above about 60 nm, the interfaces become incoherent. We have injected a crack into a coherent interface in the 10 nm case which has generated dislocations into the interface forming the crack plane, as well as into the layers adjacent to the crack plane. The dislocations injected into the crack plane presumably form misfit dislocations on that interface, and are grouped so close to the crack tip that individual dislocations are not completely imaged. The dislocations injected into the adjacent layers are distributed rather widely. We have analyzed the dislocation emission from a crack in the fcc geometry appropriate to the multilayers using a simplified elastic theory developed for cracks in homogeneous materials. The mixed mode loading which the misfit stresses are expected to produce lead one to expect these materials to be ductile and to have high toughness. Very high dislocation densities on the crack plane near the crack, however, may lead to a brittle mode of failure, which is beyond the purview of the elastic theory. The dislocations are observed to have strong interactions with alternating interfaces in the multilayers, and this effect could be due to elastic bunching of the dislocations at alternating interfaces caused by the misfit stress.
Restraint of animals required for nose-only inhalation toxicologic studies suppresses pulmonary antibacterial defenses

AbstractThis study was designed to determine whether immobilization of animals in restraint holders, commonly used for nose-only inhalation toxicologic studies, alters the antibacterial defenses of the lungs. A second objective was to investigate if the stress-induced impairment of lung defenses could be reduced or eliminated either by allowing a suitable time to elapse (recovery) after restraint or by conditioning (training). Restraint of animals for 4 h before bacterial challenge suppressed the bactericidal activity of murine lungs for at least 12 h; by 20 h the antibacterial defenses were restored to normal. Training the animals in the restraint holders for 4 h/day for 2 days eliminated the bactericidal dysfunction. Restraining the animals after bacterial challenge also suppressed the bactericidal activity of the lungs, which took 4 days of training to abrogate. These data demonstrate that immobilization of animals impairs pulmonary antibacterial defenses and raises questions whether other pulmonary bi...
Structure and cytochemistry of the silk glands of the mygalomorph spider Antrodiaetus unicolor (araneae, antrodiaetidae).

Dissection and a variety of absorption and fluorescent cytochemical methods have demonstrated that Antrodiaetus unicolor females have only one type of silk gland and spigot and, consequently, the simplest silk production system of any spider yet investigated histochemically. The small spherical to pear-shaped glands are grouped into four clusters, each cluster serving one of the four spinnerets. The spigots are long, slender, and slightly bent distally. Although all gland cells are structurally similar, each gland simultaneously produces two different secretory products, the secretion of the distal hemisphere being rich in basic protein and sulfhydryl groups, and the proximal hemisphere secretion being an acidic protein containing a high concentration of histochemically demonstrable C-terminal carboxyl groups. The two products remain segregated as they pass through the duct, where the acidic protein forms a thin outer layer around a core of basic protein. It is suggested that this segregation may persist in the silk strand after it exits from the spigot and that the outer acidic protein may be an adhesive agent.
On the Chord Length Sampling in 1-D Binary Stochastic Media

When the chord length sampling method is applied to solve radiation transport problems in random media where inclusions are randomly distributed in a background region, inaccuracy occurs due to two major factors: memory effect and boundary effect. In this article, by applying chord length sampling to solve fixed source and eigenvalue problems in 1-D binary stochastic media, an investigation on how and why these two effects give rise to the inaccuracy in the final solutions is performed. The investigation is based on a series of radiation transport simulations for the calculation of reflection rate, flux distribution, and effective multiplication factor.
Improved Detection of Differential Space-Time Block Codes

In this paper, the authors derive an improved sub-optimal differential detector for space-time block codes based on the maximum-likelihood detection when neither the transmitter nor the receiver has the knowledge of the channel. The proposed detection method is general enough to be applied to orthogonal space-time block codes, quasi-orthogonal space-time block codes and quasi-orthogonal space-time block codes with minimum decoding complexity. Compared with the existing sub-optimal schemes, the improved scheme can provide better error performance with acceptably increased decoding complexity. Simulation results show that the performance of the proposed detector is close to that of the maximum-likelihood detector without the knowledge of the received SNR. In addition, the performance improvement over the existing schemes becomes more significant as the transmission rate increases.
Work in progress - students' misconceptions about state in digital systems

In introductory undergraduate courses on digital systems, students have difficulty understanding the state concept. We expect that students have subtle, persistent misconceptions about state because it is an abstract concept and has nuanced meanings in different disciplines as well as colloquial English. To learn how students conceive of state in digital logic, we interviewed undergraduates in computer engineering or computer science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who had just completed a first course in digital logic. In the one-hour interviews, students talked about their thoughts as they solved digital logic problems. These interviews were then transcribed and analyzed using qualitative methods.
Periodically nonuniform bandpass sampling as a tapped-delay-line filtering problem

We consider systems for demodulation/modulation which use periodically nonuniform sampling (of arbitrary order) of the bandpass signal to circumvent the carrier-frequency restrictions of uniform sampling. The design of a particular tapped-delay-line (demodulation) or piecewise-constant-impulse-response (modulation) equivalent filter determines both the actual implementation filters and system performance. The tap spacing of the former and the transition times of the latter are periodically nonuniform. Following a characterization of the equivalent filter response, the special case of second-order sampling is examined for insight into the choice of sampling offset. A set of example designs demonstrates that, while nonuniform sampling permits carrier frequencies not allowed with uniform sampling, the resulting system performance is limited by the choice of carrier frequency.
Acute physical dependence: Time course and relation to human plasma morphine concentrations

Objectives To characterize the postmorphine time course of precipitated withdrawal responses in comparison with the time course of opioid agonist effects and of plasma morphine concentrations. Background The study provides a more detailed and comprehensive assessment of the postagonist time course of acute dependence effects in humans than previously available. Design Opioid agonist effects, morphine plasma levels, and withdrawal effects precipitated by naloxone (10 mg/70 kg, administered intramuscularly) were examined at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, and 42 hours after a single dose of morphine (18 mg/70 kg, administered intramuscularly) in 10 nondependent opioid-experienced subjects. Results The intensity of subjectively reported precipitated withdrawal effects was greatest when testing was conducted at 6 hours after morphine administration, whereas peak intensity of agonist effects (pupil constriction and subjective ratings) and highest plasma morphine concentrations (57.3 ng/ml) were observed at the shortest test interval (1 hour) after morphine. Offset time course of naloxone-precipitated effects differed across specific measures, with hot and cold feelings elevated for the longest time after morphine (36 hrs), but significant effects were generally apparent for up to 24 hours after morphine pretreatment. Agonist effects lasted through only 12 hours; trace amounts of morphine were detected in plasma for up to 30 hours after administration. Conclusions Results show that acute physical dependence engendered by a single dose of morphine peaks later and persists over a longer duration after morphine administration than do other agonist effects. This suggests that neuronal adaptations underlying physical dependence develop and decay gradually over time during a single episode of receptor occupancy. The presence of detectable morphine in plasma is consistent with a competitive displacement mechanism of precipitated effects, although noncompetitive actions of morphine or its metabolites are not ruled out. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1995) 57, 270–280; doi:
Signal transduction and nuclear responses in Staphylococcus aureus-induced expression of human β-defensin 3 in skin keratinocytes

The human β-defensin 3 (hBD-3) is an inducible epithelial peptide antibiotic that has potent antistaphylococcal activity. Infection of skin epithelial cells with viable Staphylococcus aureus, a common skin pathogen, induces increased gene expression of hBD-3 and other antimicrobial peptides. The aim of this study was to identify signaling pathways and nuclear responses that contribute to the gene expression of hBD-3 in primary human keratinocytes upon contact with S. aureus. Increased hBD-3 peptide was observed by immunofluorescence microscopy in keratinocytes exposed to S. aureus and to lipoteichoic acid (LTA). Both are ligands for the cell surface Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), and thus the contribution of TLR2 signaling in hBD-3 expression was examined. Functional inhibition of TLR2 prior to S. aureus stimulation significantly decreased hBD-3 mRNA levels by 37%, attesting to the involvement of this surface receptor in the initial recognition and downstream signaling for hBD-3 expression. Treatment of keratinocytes with a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor prior to either S. aureus or LTA stimulation was associated with reduced hBD-3 mRNA transcripts and peptide. We also propose a role for the MAPK-regulated transcriptional activating protein 1 in S. aureus-induced hBD-3 gene expression. Combined, these studies indicate a role for TLR2 signaling and MAPK activation in the upregulation of hBD-3 and demonstrate the innate immune capacity of skin keratinocytes under conditions of S. aureus challenge to enhance the local expression of this antistaphylococcal peptide antibiotic.
The effect of groundwater advection on salinity in pore waters of permeable sediments

Measurements of the upward advection and pore-water profiles of salinity were made at three coastal settings (the Venice Lagoon, Italy; Jamaica Bay, New York; and Mattituck, New York). Coincident measurements of seepage rates using vented benthic chambers and profiles of salinity in pore water collected with a piezometer are used to quantify the coefficient of dispersive mixing. Three mathematical methods were used to quantify this coefficient: a simple, linearized salt balance and two analytical solutions to the steady-state, one-dimensional, advection-diffusion equation in either a slab or a semi-infinite medium. The majority of dispersive mixing coefficients in fine- to medium-grained silty sand were calculated to be between 0.04 and 0.8 m2 d21. In some cases, the dispersive mixing seemed to involve small-scale preferred pathways for vertical transport, such as would be the case for bioirrigation, gravitational convection, or salt fingering.
Subgaleal coiling of the proximal and distal components of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt

Migration is a rare complication of venticuloperitoneal shunts and is thought to be associated with the "memory" of the plastic tubing and the windlass effect of neck flexion and extension. The purpose of this case report is to detail a very rare case of complete distal to proximal shunt migration.
Development of a low-carbon indicator system for China

E RNEST O RLANDO L AWRENCE B ERKELEY N ATIONAL L ABORATORY Development of a Low-Carbon Indicator System for China Lynn Price, Nan Zhou, David Fridley, Stephanie Ohshita, Hongyou Lu, Nina Zheng, Cecilia Fino-Chen China Energy Group Energy Analysis Department Environmental Energy Technologies Division Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory November 2011 This work was supported by the China Sustainable Energy Program of the Energy Foundation through the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231.
Genetic Perspectives on Marine Biological Invasions

The extent to which the geographic distributions of marine organisms have been reshaped by human activities remains underappreciated, and so does, consequently, the impact of invasive species on marine ecosystems. The application of molecular genetic data in fields such as population genetics, phylogeography, and evolutionary biology have improved our ability to make inferences regarding invasion histories. Genetic methods have helped to resolve longstanding questions regarding the cryptogenic status of marine species, facilitated recognition of cryptic marine biodiversity, and provided means to determine the sources of introduced marine populations and to begin to recover the patterns of anthropogenic reshuffling of the ocean's biota. These approaches stand to aid materially in the development of effective management strategies and sustainable science-based policies. Continued advancements in the statistical analysis of genetic data promise to overcome some existing limitations of current approaches. Sti...
Oxidant generation capacity of source-apportioned PM2.5

While many studies found associations between ambient particulate matter (PM) and morbidity or mortality outcomes, it is unclear whether these associations were dependent on the composition of PM, which varies with the source of that PM. We address this knowledge gap by conducting a time-series PM-health effects assessment that specifically investigates the role of source-apportioned fine PM (PM2.5) on the oxidant generation capacity that might be responsible for respiratory and cardiovascular health outcomes. Daily PM2.5 composition speciation and black carbon (BC) measurements, conducted in rural New York for 303 days between March 2003 and January 2005, were analyzed using factor analysis source-apportionment model, and five source categories (transported aerosol/secondary sulfate, resuspended soil, metals, residual oil combustion, and industrial/incineration) were identified. After the exposure of human epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) to these PM2.5 samples, cellular nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation showed a relatively significant association Ni (concentration averaging 38 ng/m(3)), and weaker but still significant correlations with Ba (13 ng/m(3)), Mn (9 ng/m(3)), and Fe (500 ng/m(3)). The single-source regression analysis of NF-κB signal showed significant association with metal source only. Our results showed that metals in PM2.5 were the important source for cellular oxidant generation and may be responsible for subsequent health effects associate with particle air pollution.
Absolute Calibration of the Magnetic Field Generated by a Small Coil

A technique is discussed which provides the coil constant, i.e., generated field per increment of applied current, for small-coil systems or solenoids in terms of absolute units traceable to the National Bureau of Standards. Essentially, the procedure involves the use of the coil system under test to cancel the geomagnetic field vector and measurement of the applied current. Under proper conditions, an absolute accuracy to within 0.02 percent or better is obtainable.
Einstein-Hermitian Bundles over Complex Surfaces

The notion of an Einstein-Hermitian bundle over a complex manifold has proved to be extremely useful both in algebraic geometry and in superstring theory. In algebraic geometry it has provided a means by which the set of all holomorphic vector bundles on a complex manifold can be studied. In superstring theory it has yielded a way to generalize the Yang-Mills fields to high dimensional complex manifolds.
Could Pronatalist Policies Discourage Childbearing

This article builds on research in psychology, economics, and other fields, suggesting that, under certain conditions, extrinsic incentives could undermine intrinsic motivation, producing results opposite to those originally intended. It explores the relevance of these findings for population policies and particularly for pronatalist measures, and argues that reproductive behavior is intrinsically motivated, thus potentially subject to having the intrinsic motivation for childbearing adversely affected by policy interventions. Specifically, it examines whether, when, and how the contingency, universe, adequacy, and other aspects of pronatalist incentives could affect childbearing motivation. For example, parity-targeted incentives seeking to compel higher fertility could be perceived as controlling and undermine that motivation. Conversely, policies seeking to facilitate combining work and family responsibilities could strengthen the intrinsic motivation for childbearing.
Effect of a wedge on coannular jet noise

Directional noise attenuation for a coannular jet, caused by a wedge in the fan stream, is studied with data from three different facilities. The effect, first observed with small -scale convergent nozzles at UCI , involves noise attenuation on the side away from the wedge. The trend is confirmed with data from a lar ge facility. However, several anomalies are noted. In particular, the wedge is found to be ineffective with nozzles having parallel flow lines near the exit. In the latter case, the wedge simply causes a lateral spreading of the flow. In the convergent cas e, the wedge also diverts the flow downward forming the thicker annular layer underneath that is key to the noise attenuation seen on the ground.
A stepwise multi-assignment spreadsheet model to select student teams

Student projects play a big role in engineering and management education. Most projects require students to work in teams, which allow students to practice their technical knowledge, foster the development of personal leadership skills, and teach the value of team accomplishments. One of the challenges of administering team projects is to create the best team compositions that give all teams the equal chance of success while maximizing interaction between students. The instructor should strive to balance each team so the team capabilities are as even as possible. Instructors also should take into account the performance of each student throughout the semester, when recreating teams for upcoming assignments. This paper presents a stepwise optimization that continues throughout the semester as the teams evolve from one assignment to another. Results show that this method can expose students to approximately 50% of their classmates within four team assignments and reasonable team grade variance.
Ten Years of Response to Intervention: Implications for General Education Teacher Preparation Programs.

Despite the almost universal adoption of Response to Intervention (RTI) in school districts across the United States, recent research report feelings of inadequacy on the part of general education (GE) teachers. In this study, the authors conducted a systematic review of the literature to examine research focusing on the teaching, learning, implementation, and evaluation of RTI in GE teacher preparation during the last decade (2003–2013). A total of 10 publications were identified through electronic and hand searches. Results reveal a longstanding gap in the literature on how GE preservice teachers can understand and apply RTI in their classrooms. More studies and recommendations are needed to help GE preservice and in-service teachers use RTI effectively with struggling students.
Prioritization of skeletal muscle growth for emergence from hibernation

Mammalian hibernators provide an extreme example of naturally occurring challenges to muscle homeostasis. The annual hibernation cycle is characterized by shifts between summer euthermy with tissue anabolism and accumulation of body fat reserves, and winter heterothermy with fasting and tissue catabolism. The circannual patterns of skeletal muscle remodelling must accommodate extended inactivity during winter torpor, the motor requirements of transient winter active periods, and sustained activity following spring emergence. Muscle volume in thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) calculated from MRI upper hindlimb images (n=6 squirrels, n=10 serial scans) declined from hibernation onset, reaching a nadir in early February. Paradoxically, mean muscle volume rose sharply after February despite ongoing hibernation, and continued total body mass decline until April. Correspondingly, the ratio of muscle volume to body mass was steady during winter atrophy (October–February) but increased (+70%) from February to May, which significantly outpaced changes in liver or kidney examined by the same method. Generally stable myocyte cross-sectional area and density indicated that muscle remodelling is well regulated in this hibernator, despite vastly altered seasonal fuel and activity levels. Body composition analysis by echo MRI showed lean tissue preservation throughout hibernation amid declining fat mass by the end of winter. Muscle protein synthesis was 66% depressed in early but not late winter compared with a summer fasted baseline, while no significant changes were observed in the heart, liver or intestine, providing evidence that could support a transition in skeletal muscle regulation between early and late winter, prior to spring emergence and re-feeding.
On the normal-mode expansion technique for radiative transfer in a scattering, absorbing and emitting slab with specularly reflecting boundaries

Abstract The normal-mode expansion technique has been used to solve the uncoupled radiative heat transfer problem for an absorbing, emitting, isotropically scattering, nonisothermal, gray medium confined between specularly reflecting, gray parallel boundaries held at uniform but different temperatures. Solutions are given for the intensity of radiation, the incident radiation and the net radiation heat flux for a prescribed inhomogeneous source term, represented by a polynomial expansion, in the medium. In addition the solution due to an arbitrary inhomogeneous source term is available from the Green's function developed for the considered problem.
THE EVOLUTION OF EMBRYO SIZE IN ANGIOSPERMS AND OTHER SEED PLANTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE EVOLUTION OF SEED DORMANCY

Seed dormancy plays an important role in germination ecology and seed plant evolution. Morphological seed dormancy is caused by an underdeveloped embryo that must mature prior to germination. It has been suggested that the presence of an underdeveloped embryo is plesiomorphic among seed plants and that parallel directional change in embryo morphology has occurred separately in gymnosperms and in angiosperms. We test these hypotheses using original data on embryo morphology of key basal taxa, a published dataset, and the generalized least squares (GLS) method of ancestral character state reconstruction. Reconstructions for embryo to seed ratio (E:S) using family means for 179 families showed that E:S has increased between the ancestral angiosperm and almost all extant angiosperm taxa. Species in the rosid clade have particularly large embryos relative to the angiosperm ancestor. Results for the gymnosperms show a similar but smaller increase. There were no statistically significant differences in E:S between basal taxa and any derived group due to extremely large standard errors produced by GLS models. However, differences between reconstructed values for the angiosperm ancestor and more highly nested nodes are large and these results are robust to topological and branch-length manipulations. Our analysis supports the idea that the underdeveloped embryo is primitive among seed plants and that there has been a directional change in E:S within both angiosperms and gymnosperms. Our analysis suggests that dormancy enforced by an underdeveloped embryo is plesiomorphic among angiosperms and that nondormancy and other dormancy types probably evolved within the angiosperms. The shift in E:S was likely a heterochronic change, and has important implications for the life history of seed plants.
Modified Self Organizing Neural Network Algorithm for Solving the Vehicle Routing Problem

Although a significant amount of research has focused on the use of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) for solving the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP), there is considerably less attention on the application of ANNs to the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP). This paper proposes an updated Self Organizing Map approach to solving the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem (CVRP). The proposed algorithm extends existing research by strengthening the bias term and introducing a restricted mechanism in order to encourage the network to explore a greater number of feasible solutions. Numerical results from benchmark problems demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is superior to two other well-known construction heuristics, the Sweep algorithm and the Clarke and Wright algorithm, and the proposed algorithm's results surpass the existing SOM approaches on nearly all benchmark problems.
Lymphoid Tissue Architecture. III. Germinal Centers, T Cells, and Thymus-Dependent vs Thymus-Independent Antigens

Although the genesis and constituents of lymphoid tissue germinal centers are not clearly defined, there is evidence that they are induced by antigen, and may play a role in T-B cell cooperation (1–3), generation of immunological memory (4), and differentiation of antibody-forming cells (5–6). Since we had previously demonstrated T antigen positive cells as constituents of germinal centers, we wished to test their induction in “oligosynthetic” lymph nodes with defined antigens. We chose three classes of antigen — thymus dependent antigens, thymus-independent antigens which induce antibodies limited to the IgM class, and a newly-described thymus-independent antigen, DNP32- Ficoll, which induces both IgM and IgG antibodies.
Computed Transmission Spectra for 27-Micron H 2 O Band

The spectral line positions, strengths, and half-widths of the ν1, 2ν2, and ν3 bands of the 2.7 μ region of absorption for water vapor have been computed and checked against laboratory spectra for the range 2857 to 4444 cm−1. From a knowledge of these lines theoretical transmission spectra at infinite spectral resolution at a given pressure, temperature, and water vapor concentration have been determined. From the theoretical transmission spectra certain degraded spectra for finite slit-width are computed, and a comparison is made with a high-altitude atmospheric absorption spectrum of solar radiation.
Length of Haul and Farm Commodity Prices

N INCURRING freight charges for the movement of agricultural products the shipper is interested in: (1) the basic rate on which the goods move as compared with rates on other commodities; (2) the length of the haul necessary to move the products to market. If freight rates are made on a distance basis, length of the haul determines the total charge.' When rates are made on some basis other than distance, the length of haul still strongly influences the amount of the charge. Because many farm commodities are low in value relative to their weight and bulk, the distance to market is extremely important. Considerable attention has been given to revision of basic freight rates for agricultural products. Notable among the efforts to obtain lowered rates for farm products is the Hoch-Smith Resolution of 1925.2 This resolution directed the Interstate Commerce Commis-
Dysphagia Following Airway Reconstruction in Adults

Importance Patients who undergo open airway reconstruction procedures are likely to experience some degree of postoperative dysphagia symptoms and delayed return to oral intake. Objective To review the duration of postoperative dysphagia symptoms and outcomes in a group of adult patients. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective review of the medical records of adult patients undergoing laryngotracheoplasty, posterior cricoid split laryngoplasty, tracheal resection, and cricotracheal resection in a tertiary hospital between July 2009 and September 2014. Exposures Laryngotracheoplasty, posterior cricoid split laryngoplasty, tracheal resection, and cricotracheal resection. Main Outcomes and Measures Demographic characteristics, etiology of airway stenosis, surgical procedure, stent type, and duration of dysphagia symptoms. Results Thirty-eight patients (14 men, 24 women; mean [SD; range] age, 48 [14.4; 20-80] years) fitting the inclusion criteria were identified. Twenty-four (63%) patients had laryngotracheal stenosis secondary to prolonged intubation, with 3 (8%), 5 (13%), and 6 (16%) cases being due to autoimmune, idiopathic, or other etiology, respectively. Twenty-five (66%) patients underwent tracheal or cricotracheal resection, and 13 (34%) underwent laryngotracheoplasty or posterior cricoid split laryngoplasty. Of the 17 patients with stents placed, 6 (35%) patients had a suprastomal stent sewn at the top with a polypropylene suture using a horizontal mattress technique, 6 (35%) patients had a suprastomal stent capped with an extended Silastic thoracic T-tube segment, and 5 (29%) patients had either a T-tube or hood bronchial stent. Eight of 17 patients used a nasogastric feeding tube while the stent was in place (up to 5 weeks). All patients returned to their preoperative diet. The mean (SD) duration of dysphagia symptoms in all patients (both those without a stent and following stent removal) was 8 (27.2) days (median, 1.5 days). The mean (SD) duration of dysphagia symptoms in patients who did not have a stent placed was 4.8 (5.3) days (median, 4 days). Conclusions and Relevance In this study of adults who underwent open airway reconstruction, all returned to their preoperative diet, but those without stents had a shorter duration of dysphagia symptoms than those with stents. Approximately half as many patients with a stent had a prolonged course with dysphagia symptoms compared with those without a stent.
Reduced T Cell Reactivity in Vasectomized Rhesus Monkeys: Association with Histocompatibility Type *

The capacity of peripheral lymphocytes from rhesus monkeys which had been vasectomized for 7 or 11 years to stimulate and respond to normal rhesus lymphocytes in mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC) was tested to determine whether vasectomy affects immunologic reactivity. The ability to respond in MLC, a T cell function, was significantly reduced in the 11-year vasectomized animals and in two 7-year vasectomized animals. The ability to stimulate in MLC, a B cell function, was significantly increased in the 11-year vasectomized group. MLC reactivity of normal lymphocytes cultured in plasma from vasectomized animals and lymphocytes from vasectomized animals cultured in normal plasma was not altered, ruling out serum effects in the reduction of MLC responsiveness in these vasectomized animals. Seventy-five per cent of the vasectomized animals with markedly reduced MLC reactivity had the RhL-A determinates 19 and 24, indicating an association between the tendency toward reduced MLC reactivity after vasectomy and histocompatibility type.
Using Optimal Control to Model Trajectory Formation and Perturbation Response in a Prehension Task

Our goal is to create a principled account of a body of behavioral kinematic data on reaching and grasping. We show how to transform an optimality principle for overall hand transport into a feedback control Iaw and then incorporate look-ahead modules in the controller to compensate for delays in sensory feedback. This model describes the kinematics of hand transport under a variety of circumstances explaining both the speedlaccuracy tradeoff and the effects of target perturbations. We then develop a model for the temporal coordination of reach and grasp. We provide an optimization principle for hand preshaping which trades off the costs of maintaining the hand in an open position and the cost of accelerating the change in grip size.
Trends in Utilization of Surrogate Endpoints in Contemporary Cardiovascular Clinical Trials

Surrogate endpoints facilitate trial efficiency but are variably linked to clinical outcomes, and limited data are available exploring their utilization in cardiovascular clinical trials over time. We abstracted data regarding primary clinical, intermediate, and surrogate endpoints from all phase II to IV cardiovascular clinical trials from 2001 to 2012 published in the 8 highest Web of Science impact factor journals. Two investigators independently classified the type of primary endpoint. Of the 1,224 trials evaluated, 677 (55.3%) primary endpoints were clinical, 165 (13.5%) intermediate, and 382 (31.2%) surrogate. The relative proportions of these endpoints remained constant over time (p = 0.98). Trials using surrogate endpoints were smaller (187 vs 1,028 patients) and enrolled patients more expeditiously (1.4 vs 0.9 patients per site per month) compared with trials using clinical endpoints (p <0.001 for both comparisons). Surrogate endpoint trials were independently more likely to meet their primary endpoint compared to trials with clinical endpoints (adjusted odds ratio 1.56, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.34; p = 0.03). Rates of positive results in clinical endpoint trials have decreased over time from 66.1% in 2001 to 2003 to 47.2% in 2010 to 2012 (p = 0.001), whereas these rates have remained stable over the same period for surrogate (72.0% to 69.3%, p = 0.27) and intermediate endpoints (74.4% to 71.4%, p = 0.98). In conclusion, approximately a third of contemporary cardiovascular trials use surrogate endpoints. These trials are completed more expeditiously and are more likely to meet their primary outcomes. The overall scientific contribution of these surrogate endpoint trials requires further attention given their variable association with definitive outcomes.
Contact lens-related polymicrobial keratitis from Pantoea agglomerans and Escherichia vulneris

Abstract Purpose To report a case of polymicrobial keratitis caused by Panotea agglomerans , Escherichia vulneris and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in a patient who cleaned their extended wear contact lenses with only tap water for 2 weeks. Methods Case report. Results An adult presented with a painful red eye after wearing the same contact lenses for two weeks. The patient admitted to taking the contacts out in the evening and cleaning them with tap water before reapplying them in the morning. Exam revealed a 2.5 mm paracentral corneal ulcer in the left eye. Culture results from corneal scrapings were positive for P. agglomerans , E. vulneris and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus . Conclusions This is the first report of P. agglomerans and E. vulneris keratitis in association with contact lens wear. Both strains of P. agglomerans and E. vulneris were pansensitive to all tested antibiotics.