cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ionosonde-based indices for improved representation of solar cycle variation in the International Reference Ionosphere model

Abstract A new monthly ionospheric index, IG NS , is presented to improve the representation of the solar cycle variation of the ionospheric F2 peak plasma frequency, foF2. IG NS is calculated using a methodology similar to the construction of the ”global effective sunspot number”, IG, given by Liu et al. (1983) but selects ionosonde observations based on hemispheres. We incorporated the updated index into the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model and compared the foF2 model predictions with global ionospheric observations. We also investigated the influence of the underlying foF2 model on the IG index. IRI has two options for foF2 specification, the CCIR-66 and URSI-88 foF2 models. For the first time, we have calculated IG using URSI-88 and assessed the impact on model predictions. Through a retrospective model-data comparison, results show that the inclusion of the new monthly IG NS index in place of the current 12-month smoothed IG index reduce the foF2 model prediction errors by nearly a factor of two. These results apply to both day-time and nightime predictions. This is due to an overall improved prediction of foF2 seasonal and solar cycle variations in the different hemispheres.
Non-contact Full Field Vibration Measurement Based on Phase-Shifting

Vibration measurement systems are widely used in the industry. A variety of vibration measurement techniques are proposed, including methods using an acceleration sensor, a laser displacement meter, and tracking a marker using a camera. However, these methods have limitations that allow only one point to be measured and require markers. We present a novel, non-contact full field joint measurement technique both of vibrations and shape based on phase-shifting. Our key idea is to acquire the frequency of vibrating objects using FFT to analyze the phase-shift error of vibrating objects. Our proposed algorithm estimates the phase-shift error by iterating frame-to-frame optimization and pixel-to-pixel optimization. A feature of our approach is to measure the surface of vibrating at different frequencies without markers or texture in full fields. Our developed system is a low cost system, which is composed of a digital-light-processing (DLP) projector and camera (100 frames per second). The results of our experiments show that low frequency vibration of objects can be measured with high accuracy in non-contact. Also, reconstruction of the vibrating object surface can be performed with high accuracy.
Chlorophyll-Inspired Red-Region Fluorophores: Building Block Synthesis and Studies in Aqueous Media

Fluorophores that absorb and emit in the red spectral region (600–700 nm) are of great interest in photochemistry and photomedicine. Eight new target chlorins (and 19 new chlorins altogether)—analogues of chlorophyll—of different polarities have been designed and synthesized for various applications; seven of the chlorins are equipped with a bioconjugatable tether. Hydrophobic or amphiphilic chlorins in a non-polar organic solvent (toluene), polar organic solvent (DMF), and aqueous or aqueous micellar media show a sharp emission band in the red region and modest fluorescence quantum yield (Φf = 0.2–0.3). A Poisson analysis implies most micelles are empty and few contain >1 chlorin. Water-soluble chlorins each bearing three PEG (oligoethyleneglycol) groups exhibit narrow emission bands (full-width-at-half maximum <25 nm). The lifetime of the lowest singlet excited state and the corresponding yields and rate constants for depopulation pathways (fluorescence, intersystem crossing, internal conversion) are generally little affected by the PEG groups or dissolution in aqueous or organic media. A set of chlorin–avidin conjugates revealed a 2-fold increase in Φf with increased average chlorin/avidin ratio (2.3–12). In summary, the chlorins of various polarities described herein are well suited as red-emitting fluorophores for applications in aqueous or organic media.
Highly Indistinguishable Room Temperature Single Photon Sources with Quantum Emitters in Bad Cavity Regime

We propose room temperature indistinguishable single photon sources based on quantum emitters in solid and nanophotonic cavities. Our approach does not require ultrafast pumping as plasmonic approaches and ultra-high quality factor cavity as funneling regime.
Anesthetic Exposure and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in the Neonate

With ongoing advances in cardiorespiratory monitoring and improved anesthetic techniques, preterm and full-term infants routinely undergo successful surgical procedures under general anesthesia to repair congenital defects that were considered lethal in the past. Recent studies in immature animals exposed to anesthetics and sedative agents, however, have demonstrated clear evidence of neurotoxicity and deficits in learning that do not occur in older animals with the same exposure. Initial epidemiologic studies in humans also raised concern when it was found that children exposed to multiple anesthetics before age 4 years were more likely to demonstrate subsequent behavioral and learning deficits. Moreover, several recent case reports have highlighted concerns about the potential negative effects of intraoperative hypotension and hypocapnia on neonates undergoing anesthesia. Since 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration has been working collaboratively with the International Anesthesia Research Society in a public-private partnership called SmartTots to design and fund research to investigate these concerns. This review outlines the most recent evidence from both animal and human studies about the effects of anesthetic and sedative drugs and anesthetic-related hemodynamic changes on the developing newborn brain.
Authentication and Usability in mHealth Apps

Mobile health (mHealth) apps have been adopted in healthcare areas such as the management of diabetes, the monitoring of physical activities and the treatment of HIV. The users of mHealth may be patients with handicaps such as motor impairments, difficulties to remember and psychiatric conditions. Hence, assumptions normally made on other types of apps, like the user’s ability to type or remember a password, might not hold in the mHealth area. This paper evaluates how different authentication approaches impact mHealth apps usability. Second, we present new metrics to evaluate ease-of-use and third, we evaluate the usability of two common authentication approaches for mHealth apps via several key process aspects and their impact on users. Based on these results, we propose a QR-Code based authentication approach for mHealth apps, which helps overcome common impediments faced by mHealth apps users.
Combustion of a rapidly initiated fully dense nanocomposite Al–CuO thermite powder

Very short burn times of nanocomposite, fully dense, stoichiometric 2Al·3CuO thermite particles ignited by electro-static discharge (ESD) observed in earlier experiments are interpreted assuming th...
Updates of Recent Aortic Aneurysm Research

Aortic aneurysms in both abdominal and thoracic aortic regions have complex pathophysiological features. In recent years, a considerable increase in research on aneurysm pathogenesis has resulted in the discovery of novel mechanisms and implementation of clinical trials that seek to assess strategies for preventing aneurysm expansion. Despite progress on our understanding of aortic aneurysms, there are still many unanswered questions and conflicting findings requiring clarification. This uncertainty highlights the importance of continual cooperation between preclinical and clinical researchers in validating findings from preclinical studies to the human disease, in order to discover medical treatments that prevent or halt the progression of aortic aneurysmal disease. We hope that this brief review prompts interest in reading these highlighted articles and spurs further investigation into this complex and devastating disease.
Race as a Carceral Terrain: Black Lives Matter Meets Reentry

In the United States, racialized people are disproportionately selected for punishment. Examining punishment discourses intersectionally unearths profound, unequal distinctions when controlling for...
Effects of long-time DC bias on D2O- and D2/N2-annealed BST thin films

Effects of long time dc bias on both D2O- and D2-annealed BST thin films were investigated by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) analysis and electrical measurements before and after bias stressing. Bias conditions were sufficient to cause the degradation of (1) subsequently-measured current density-voltage characteristics and (2) a significant positive shift of the capacitance-voltage curve along the voltage axis. This latter effect may be attributed to the asymmetric space charge distribution in the BST thin film after bias stressing or, possibly, to changes in the interface state density. No significant deuterium motion was observed in D2O-annealed capacitors biased at an elevated temperature or in D2/N2-annealed capacitors biased at room temperature in high electric fields (∼3.5 × 107 V/m) for more than 8 hours. The small values of the Di• mobility which were inferred from the SIMS results are consistent with recent data on the kinetics of deuterium incorporation in and removal from similar BST thin films.
Clinically Meaningful Use of Mental Health Apps and its Effects on Depression: Mixed Methods Study.

Background: User engagement is key to the effectiveness of digital mental health interventions. Considerable research has examined the clinical outcomes of overall engagement with mental health apps (eg, frequency and duration of app use). However, few studies have examined how specific app use behaviors can drive change in outcomes. Understanding the clinical outcomes of more nuanced app use could inform the design of mental health apps that are more clinically effective to users. Objective: This study aimed to classify user behaviors in a suite of mental health apps and examine how different types of app use are related to depression and anxiety outcomes. We also compare the clinical outcomes of specific types of app use with those of generic app use (ie, intensity and duration of app use) to understand what aspects of app use may drive symptom improvement. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of system use data from an 8-week randomized trial of a suite of 13 mental health apps. We categorized app use behaviors through a mixed methods analysis combining qualitative content analysis and principal component analysis. Regression analyses were used to assess the association between app use and levels of depression and anxiety at the end of treatment. Results: A total of 3 distinct clusters of app use behaviors were identified: learning, goal setting, and self-tracking. Each specific behavior had varied effects on outcomes. Participants who engaged in self-tracking experienced reduced depression symptoms, and those who engaged with learning and goal setting at a moderate level (ie, not too much or not too little) also had an improvement in depression. Notably, the combination of these 3 types of behaviors, what we termed “clinically meaningful use,” accounted for roughly the same amount of variance as explained by the overall intensity of app use (ie, total number of app use sessions). This suggests that our categorization of app use behaviors succeeded in capturing app use associated with better outcomes. However, anxiety outcomes were neither associated with specific behaviors nor generic app use. Conclusions: This study presents the first granular examination of user interactions with mental health apps and their effects on mental health outcomes. It has important implications for the design of mobile health interventions that aim to achieve greater user engagement and improved clinical efficacy.
Decay of Xe 137

The decay of ${\mathrm{Xe}}^{137}$ was studied by means of scintillation techniques. The radioactive samples were produced by means of neutron irradiation of natural xenon, which contains 8.87% ${\mathrm{Xe}}^{136}$. The half-life of ${\mathrm{Xe}}^{137}$ was found to be 3.95\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.11 min. One gamma ray of 0.455\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003 MeV was attributed to ${\mathrm{Xe}}^{137}$. An upper limit of 0.03 of the intensity of this gamma ray is placed on any other gamma ray due to the decay of ${\mathrm{Xe}}^{137}$. The end-point energy of the beta spectrum was found to be 4.06\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06 MeV using ${\mathrm{K}}^{42}$ as a calibration check. A beta ray was found to be in coincidence with the 0.46-MeV gamma ray. A Kurie plot of the beta-gamma coincidence spectrum as well as a subtraction method of the singles Kurie plot were both in agreement with 3.60\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06 MeV for the lower-energy beta group. In order to get the intensity of the two beta transitions, two independent methods were utilized. These indicated a relative intensity of about 0.33\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03 for the 3.60-MeV beta-ray group and 0.67\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03 for the 4.06-MeV beta-ray group. $\mathrm{Log}\mathrm{ft}$ values indicate first-forbidden beta-ray selection rules for both transitions. This is found to be in accord with shell-model predictions. A decay scheme is proposed on the basis of these results.
Visualizing the relationship between geographic and social media network space

This research explores the relationship between geographic and social media network space. The purpose of this paper is twofold: to perform a geo-enhanced network analysis and to create an example social media network using a select location identified in the study area as important in the results of the geo-enhanced network analysis. A straightforward, non-technical example is provided to the readers on how location data and social media network data can be overlaid to visualize potential local firm to firm and firm to customer connections in geographic and social media network space. An example of how to identify these potential connections locally through social media networks using Twitter is demonstrated. By considering the geographic location in network structures, it is possible to convey the role distance plays in discerning prospective local social media marketing partners, and also track the spread of information flow through social media networks.
Democratic youth in counter-attitudinal election climates: A test of the conflict-seeking hypothesis

Abstract A panel study of high school seniors during the 2006 midterm elections (N = 567) shows a striking pattern of Democratic youth thriving when exposed to counter-attitudinal climates. Democratic adolescents were more likely to disagree and listen to opponents if they lived in conservative counties compared with Democratic youth living in liberal counties. We infer that Democratic identity is distinguished from Republican identity as outwardly agonistic during adolescence. This pattern was partially replicated during the 2012 presidential election with emerging adults (N = 186). Compared with Republicans, Democrats appeared more motivated to shore up their attention to news and acquire knowledge in support of informed voting when exposed to dissonant climates in battleground states. Looking to the 2020 presidential election and beyond, we advocate for study designs that account for multiple opinion climates salient to conflict-seeking youth. The paper concludes with recommendations for civics education that promotes spirited albeit civil expression in interpersonal and mediated contexts.
The effects of controllability and explainability in a social recommender system

In recent years, researchers in the field of recommender systems have explored a range of advanced interfaces to improve user interactions with recommender systems. Some of the major research ideas explored in this new area include the explainability and controllability of recommendations. Controllability enables end users to participate in the recommendation process by providing various kinds of input. Explainability focuses on making the recommendation process and the reasons behind specific recommendation more clear to the users. While each of these approaches contributes to making traditional “black-box” recommendation more attractive and acceptable to end users, little is known about how these approaches work together. In this paper, we investigate the effects of adding user control and visual explanations in a specific context of an interactive hybrid social recommender system. We present Relevance Tuner+, a hybrid recommender system that allows the users to control the fusion of multiple recommender sources while also offering explanations of both the fusion process and each of the source recommendations. We also report the results of a controlled study (N = 50) that explores the impact of controllability and explainability in this context.
The Design and Performance of the MINERνA Detector

The MINERνA experiment is designed to make precision measurements of various neutrino cross sections in the low energy regime. We describe the detector and give the performance of some of the measured quantities.
A Comparative Analysis of Secondary School STEM Research Programs in a Chinese School and an American School

Countries around the world are committed to cultivating outstanding talent through STEM education. It is widely acknowledged that authentic STEM research programs are one of the most effective ways to achieve the goals of STEM education. In this paper, we present survey results in the 2018-2019 school year from school-based research programs at Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science (PRISMS) in the US and the High School Affiliated to Renmin University (commonly abbreviated as RDFZ) in China. A factorial MANOVA and a General Linear Model Univariate Analysis were used to test for similarities and differences between students’ gains in dimensions of gains in thinking and working like a scientist (WIS), personal gains related to research work (PG), gains in skills (SKILL), attitudes or behaviors as a researcher (ATT), and career and graduate education aspirations (INF). Across both programs, we find significant gains on all variables as students’ progress through their research experience. Scores from PRISMS students on WIS, PG, and ATT are significantly higher than those from RDFZ students. SKILL and INF showed significant correlations and thus were analyzed together; PRISMS students also scored higher on these variables. PRISMS 12th graders scored the highest of all school/grade level combinations. The results of this comparison speak to the efficacy of both programs in achieving the pedagogical goals of STEM research experiences. Variables that may have influenced the difference in outcomes between PRISMS and RDFZ are discussed, with particular attention given to the differences in the student population and school in general, number of students per project, and length of the research experience.
Nonsampling error in vegetation surveys: understanding error types and recommendations for reducing their occurrence

Observer error is ubiquitous in vegetation sampling. Observer error, along with other types of related nonsampling error, may result in species richness being artificially underestimated (i.e., false-negative errors) or artificially overestimated (i.e., false-positive errors). Because of the manner in which observer error is usually quantified, there exists a strong bias against the discovery of false positives. At least seven different types of nonsampling errors can occur when surveying vegetation species composition: overlooking, misidentification, cautious, mythical, anecdotal, transcription, and relocation. Six of these error types can result in false negatives and five can result in false positives. Another type of observer error that can occur in plant surveys is estimation error, which occurs when abundances are not accurately estimated. There are many potential underlying causes of nonsampling error. Humans observers, even when highly trained and experienced, are prone to commit errors through slips, lapses, and mistakes. A number of contributing factors of observer error have been identified, including characteristics associated with the vegetation, the environment, and the observers themselves; design-based flaws may also occur. Although it may not be possible to eliminate all sources of nonsampling error, most can be reduced through understanding the mechanisms underlying the various types of error, followed by training exercises and the consistent use of appropriate operating procedures.
Live Imaging Reveals the Cellular Events Downstream of SARM1 Activation

SARM1 is an inducible NAD+ hydrolase that triggers axon loss and neuronal cell death in the injured and diseased nervous system. While SARM1 activation and enzyme function are well defined, the cellular events downstream of SARM1 activity but prior to axonal demise are much less well understood. Defects in calcium, mitochondria, ATP, and membrane homeostasis occur in injured axons, but the relationships among these events have been difficult to disentangle because prior studies analyzed large collections of axons in which cellular events occur asynchronously. Here we used live imaging with single axon resolution to investigate the cellular events downstream of SARM1 activity. Our studies support a model in which SARM1 NADase activity leads to an ordered sequence of events from loss of cellular ATP, to defects in mitochondrial movement and depolarization, followed by calcium influx, externalization of phosphatidylserine, and loss of membrane permeability prior to catastrophic axonal self destruction.
Parental Facilitation of Young Children's Technology-based Learning Experiences from Nondominant Groups During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically shifted family life across home, work, and education, especially families from nondominant groups. As schools and other educational programs moved online, parents became the primary facilitators for their children's learning. In this work, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 22 parents from nondominant groups. Insights from interviews highlight the technology-based learning experiences of young children during the pandemic, how parents facilitated these learning experiences, and the challenges parents and children encountered in these learning experiences. We summarize four parental facilitation patterns for children's learning (i.e., designing learning, finding resources, managing, and teaching) and highlight equity issues in distance learning, such as unequal access to learning resources and quality education. Finally, we further reflect on potential solutions to address the challenges parents have reported and share implications for designing technologies that better address children's and parents' needs during a crisis.
Effects of a clinical feedback system on client and therapist outcomes in a rural community mental health center

This study was undertaken following the advent of managed care. Clinicians have been critical of managed care's use of utilization review and arbitrary session limits, claiming these restrictions have not allowed them to provide needed care to some clients. The study evaluated the Outcomes Questionnaire (OQ), a monitoring system that measures mental health symptoms and functioning (Lambert et al., 1996). Using this system, clients are assessed at multiple time points over the course of psychotherapy and compared to community samples; when clients are not improving or are deteriorating, adjustments in the treatment regimen can be made. The study was conducted in a community mental health center in a rural midwestem state with 127 clients measured at the initial time point, 77 at time 2, and 59 at time 3. Clinicians were randomly assigned to two conditions; 1) a feedback condition, where clients were assessed at each therapy session, the results graphed, and feedback given to the therapist; 2) a no feedback condition, where clients were assessed at each session, but no feedback given; and 3) a control condition, where clients received treatment as usual. All participating clients were assessed with multiple instruments at the initial session, after two months of therapy, and after four months of therapy. The results demonstrated the efficacy of providing mental health services by showing positive results on several measures of quality of life, including mental health symptoms, physical health symptoms, self-esteem, perceived stress, service utilization and work-related measures. The study sample was generally satisfied with the services, although level of
Comparison of compound with plasmalemmal exocytosis in Limulus amebocytes.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the sequence of membrane relationships underlying exocytosis at the surface of Limulus amebocytes. The scheme is used for peripheral granule exocytosis as a basis of comparison with the compound exocytosis of more internal granules reported in this chapter. One striking difference between exocytosis at the surface of amebocytes and internal, compound exocytosis is in the formation of an apposition among the fusing membranes. Appositions of secretory granules with the plasmalemma are rare in unstimulated cells but common among secretory granules in the cell interior. An array of filaments connects the plasmalemma with some peripheral granules and may be responsible for pulling the plasmalemma in contact with the underlying granule. The intramembrane particles are laterally displaced from appositions among secretory granules and from contacts among isolated secretory granules forced together by centrifugation. Limulus amebocytes offer the necessary synchronous secretion and rapid freezing offers the necessary time resolution to determine the role of osmotic forces in initiating compound exocytosis.
SegSlice: towards a new class of secure programming primitives for trustworthy platforms

The TPM is a fairly passive entity. As a result, it can be difficult to involve the TPM in measurements of software trustworthiness beyond simple load-time hashing of static program code. We suggest an approach to dynamic, runtime measurement of software trustworthiness properties as they relate to code-data owernship relationships. We outline a system, SegSlice, that actively involves the TPM in fine-grained labeling and measurement of code slices and the data that these slices operate on. SegSlice requires no changes to x86 hardware, and it relies on the relatively underused x86 segmentation mechanism to mediate access to data events.
Scale-Free Refined Element Technique

Scale-free finite elements are elements whose stiffness properties depend only on relative dimensions and material constants. These elements are used in conjunction with standard finite-element techniques to formulate refined elements that are applicable to problems of different dimensions. This generalization of the refinedelement method is illustrated with the case of a square shear panel containing a circular hole. Eigenvalue techniques are employed to show that the stiffness properties of this refined element are improved when it is modeled with a larger number of elements while retaining the same number of edge nodes. The accuracy of the resulting stress concentration factor remains essentially constant as the hole is located at different positions in a stress field. Nomenclature E = Young's modulus of elasticity t = uniform thickness v = Poisson's ratio x,y = element coordinate system xityf = nodal location of the /th node a = ratio of lengths (alb for a rectangle, (x2-x3)/x2 for a triangle) |8 = ratio of lengths ((x2 —x3) /y3 for a triangle)
Afshin Akhtarkhavari: Global governance and the environment: environmental principles and change in international law and politics

The title of this book is somewhat deceiving. It sounds quite general, although its topic is actually very specific. The main topic of the book is the role of social learning in the use of environmental principles to form international environmental law. Yet the term ‘‘social learning’’ did not find its way into the title of the book, or even the back cover, despite its central role within the text of the book. The subtitle of the book would make a more appropriate main title, perhaps with a subtitle about social learning. While the purpose and premise of the book concern macro-level theories of international relations, the bulk of the text concerns a rather narrow slice of the wide topic addressed by the book’s title. Decidedly socially constructivist in its approach to international relations, this book addresses the social context in which international environmental laws are crafted. It does not address principles or their historical origins so much as it focuses on the ‘‘constructed nature of their function in international law and politics’’ (p. 22). Clearly adapted from a PhD dissertation, this book begins with literature reviews, moves on to defining and discussing the concept of an environmental principle and the role of social learning, and then looks at three case studies before the conclusion, in which numerous observations are made about the roles of environmental principles and social learning in the three case studies. The book does not focus on environmental principles themselves, but rather on their roles and functions in influencing governance and change more generally. There are a few sample listings of environmental principles from other works, and some of these principles are discussed briefly as they come up in the case studies, but this is done for the purpose of drawing out how and why these principles were used more than an examination of the principles themselves or their merits. There is more discussion of social learning than discussion of principles. The chapter on ‘‘function and role of environmental principles’’ is only 15 pages, while the chapters and sections on social learning span over 50 pages of the book. The chapter on ‘‘environmental principles as abstract or open-textured norms’’ has to do with the nature and definition of a principle and is sandwiched by chapters on ‘‘social learning at the international level’’ and ‘‘abstract and open-textured norms and social learning.’’
It's Not the Breach, it's the Cover-Up: Using Digital Forensics to Mitigate Losses and Comply with Florida's Data Breach Notification Statut

Everyone knows a story about a lost laptop or personal digital assistant (PDA) - the one that was left on the airplane or in the hotel room, or stolen out of a car. When employees lose equipment, it is an annoyance. But as of July 1, 2005, when Florida’s data breach statute went into effect, if that lost laptop or PDA contains unencrypted personal information about Florida employees, customers, or business associates, the company may have to notify every Florida resident whose data was compromised. Moreover, most companies have customers or advertise in more than one state. If they have an online presence, they could have customers or contacts in every state. Thus, it is incumbent on attorneys and their clients to become familiar with the data breach statutes not just in Florida, but in the other 36 states and the District of Columbia where data breach laws have been enacted - each potentially subjecting companies to financial penalties.
Delta-sigma algorithmic analog-to-digital conversion

Delta-sigma modulation for analog-to-digital conversion resolves a number of bits logarithmic in the number of modulation cycles, and linear in modulation order. As an alternative to higher-order noise shaping, we present an algorithmic scheme that iteratively resamples the modulation residue, by feeding the integrator output back to the input. This yields a bit resolution linear in the number of cycles, similar to an algorithmic analog-to-digital converter. The scheme simplifies the design of the digital decimator to a single shifting counter, and avoids interstage gain errors in conventional algorithmic analog-to-digital converters. Experimental results from an integrated CMOS array of 128 converters show the utility of the design for large-scale parallel quantization in digital imaging and hybrid analog-digital computing.
Asymptotic Analysis of Rate Adaptive Multimedia Streams

We investigate dynamic adaptation policies for rate adaptive multimedia streams in a network where each route traverses at most one bottleneck link. Dynamic adaptation allows clients to dynamically adapt the stream subscription level, i.e., time-average stream rate, in response to changes in available link capacity, and allows the system to maintain a lower blocking probability than is possible with non-adaptive streams. We define the quality of service for rate adaptive streams using the metrics of time-average subscription level, rate of adaptation, i.e., change in subscription level, and blocking probability. We investigate two baseline policies, namely, fair share adaptation and two rate randomized adaptation, and show that each suffers from significant implementation drawbacks. We then show that the adaptation policy which maximizes the mean subscription level overcomes these drawbacks, although streams with a duration near a critical threshold may experience unacceptably high rates of adaptation. This motivates the investigation of admission policies for rate adaptive streams where a stream is given a static subscription level at the time of admission which it maintains throughout its lifetime. We identify the asymptotically optimal admission policy for rate adaptive streams and show that it achieves an expected subscription level equal to that under the optimal dynamic adaptation policy. We also show that it maintains the asymptotic zero blocking property achievable using dynamic rate adaptation but does not incur the implementation overhead and QoS drawbacks of dynamic rate adaptation. The conclusion is that near optimal QoS can be obtained using a simple admission policy which gives the maximum subscription level to short duration streams and the minimum subscription level to long duration streams.
Impedance detected abnormal bolus transit in patients with normal esophageal manometry. Sensitive indicator of esophageal functional abnormality

SUMMARY. When used in combination with manometry, multichannel intraluminal impedance better characterizes the established manometric abnormalities into those with and without associated transit defects. However, the significance of the finding of normal manometry and abnormal impedance is not known. The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical relevance of abnormal impedance associated with normal manometry during esophageal function testing in patients with a variety of esophageal symptoms. All patients referred for esophageal function testing during a 27-month period underwent combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and esophageal manometry studies including 10 liquid and 10 viscous swallows in supine position. From 576 patients with normal esophageal body manometry we identified 158 patients (27%) with abnormal impedance. The primary symptom in these 158 patients was compared to that in 146 consecutive patients with normal manometry and normal impedance selected from the original 576 patients. Abnormal bolus transit was found with viscous, liquid and both type swallows in 60%, 19% and 21% of the patients respectively. Of patients with abnormal bolus transit, 23% presented with dysphagia compared to 10% of normal transit patients (p = 0.0035). In conclusion, abnormal impedance even in patients with normal manometry may be a sensitive indicator of esophageal functional abnormality as represented by the symptom of dysphagia in these patients. Abnormal transit was more frequently identified with viscous than liquid swallows. Prospective studies to further clarify impedance detected transit defects in patients with normal manometry and the role of viscous swallows in diagnostic testing are warranted.
Contribution of indole-3-acetic acid production to the epiphytic fitness of Erwinia herbicola

Erwinia herbicola 299R produces large quantities of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in culture media supplemented with L-tryptophan. To assess the contribution of IAA production to epiphytic fitness, the population dynamics of the wild-type strain and an IAA-deficient mutant of this strain on leaves were studied. Strain 299XYLE, an isogenic IAA-deficient mutant of strain 299R, was constructed by insertional interruption of the indolepyruvate decarboxylase gene of strain 299R with the xylE gene, which encodes a 2,3-catechol dioxygenase from Pseudomonas putida mt-2. The xylE gene provided a useful marker for monitoring populations of the IAA-deficient mutant strain in mixed populations with the parental strain in ecological studies. A root bioassay for IAA, in which strain 299XYLE inhibited significantly less root elongation than strain 299R, provided evidence that E. herbicola produces IAA on plant surfaces in amounts sufficient to affect the physiology of its host and that IAA production in strain 299R is not solely an in vitro phenomenon. The epiphytic fitness of strains 299R and 299XYLE was evaluated in greenhouse and field studies by analysis of changes in the ratio of the population sizes of these two strains after inoculation as mixtures onto plants. Populations of the parental strain increased to approximately twice those of the IAA-deficient mutant strain after coinoculation in a proportion of 1:1 onto bean plants in the greenhouse and onto pear flowers in field studies. In all experiments, the ratio of the population sizes of strain 299R and 299XYLE increased during periods of active growth on plant tissue but not when population sizes were not increasing with time.
Reconceptualizing Present-Value Analysis in Consumer Bankruptcy

During the three decades following the enactment of the Bankruptcy Code, courts and commentators have been vexed by the problem of determining the present value of future payments to creditors proposed in a debtor’s repayment plan. The central issue to this problem has been the discount rate to be applied when conducting present-value analysis. While the Code unmistakably requires the discounting of future payments as part of the process for confirming a repayment plan, the Code does not explicitly specify the rate itself or the manner in which the rate should be calculated. No uniform rule of decision has emerged on this issue. Instead, a multitude of approaches has proliferated within and across circuits. Not even the Supreme Court has been able to bring uniformity to bear on the issue. When given the opportunity to do so in 2004, the Court in Till v. SCS Credit Corp. could only muster a plurality opinion. In the wake of Till, disarray over the discount-rate calculus continues to abound. The main goal of this Article is to reconceptualize present-value analysis in consumer bankruptcy. It argues that, as a positive matter, the Bankruptcy Code compels use of a discount rate that solely accounts for expected inflation, but that does not take into account opportunity cost or the risk of nonpayment. The Article also examines whether the doctrinal prescription for the application of an inflationary discount rate is normatively desirable. The Article concludes that, not only does an inflationary rate comport with generally held theory of bankruptcy law’s procedural and substantive goals, it also optimizes the statutory design of the Bankruptcy Code and the institutional design of the bankruptcy courts.
Kinetic and Structural Investigations of the Allosteric Site in Human Epithelial 15-Lipoxygenase-2

Allosteric regulation of human lipoxygenase (hLO) activity has recently been implicated in the cellular biology of prostate cancer. In the current work, we present isotope effect, pH, and substrate inhibitor data of epithelial 15-hLO-2, which probe the allosteric effects on its mechanistic behavior. The Dkcat/KM for 15-hLO-2, with AA and LA as substrate, is large indicating hydrogen atom abstraction is the principle rate-determining step, involving a tunneling mechanism for both substrates. For AA, there are multiple rate determining steps (RDS) at both high and low temperatures, with both diffusion and hydrogen bonding rearrangements contributing at high temperature, but only hydrogen bonding rearrangements contributing at low temperature. The observed kinetic dependency on the hydrogen bonding rearrangement is eliminated upon addition of the allosteric effector, 13-(S)-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HODE), and no allosteric effects were seen on diffusion or hydrogen atom abstraction. The (kcat/KM)AA/(k...
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF ROCKBURST AS SURFACE INSTABILITY

This paper assesses the applicability of finite element methods in detecting the surface instability of bulky solid masses. It provides a numerical technique to analyze rockburst as surface buckling. The proposed approach, which is general enough to be applied to most boundary value problems encountered in engineering practice, is calibrated for a particular boundary value problem - the wedge test.
M-ideal structure in Banach algebras

Abstract It is shown that M -ideals in a Banach algebra with identity are subalgebras, and that they are ideals if the algebra is commutative. Counterexamples demonstrate that these are the strongest results available. The theory is then applied to familiar classes of Banach spaces.
The complexation of `dissolved' Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb by soluble and colloidal organic matter in Narragansett Bay, RI

It is widely accepted that the speciation of most bioactive metals in seawater is regulated by natural organic ligands, but the nature of these molecules has remained a mystery. We used a combination of physical and chemical separation schemes to better characterize organic molecules complexing Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in Narragansett Bay, RI. Conventionally filtered ( 1 kDa), with the bulk of it found in the 1–8 kDa colloidal size range. Of the three Cu-binding ligand classes measured, the strongest class occurred mainly in the soluble fraction while the weaker Cu-binding ligand classes were predominantly colloidal (>1 kDa). Approximately 40% of chelated Pb was colloidal but, in contrast to Cu, the bulk of these ligands resided in the larger colloidal size range (8 kDa–0.2 μm). Thus, a continuum of metal complexing ligand size exists, spanning from truly soluble to colloidal, the nature of which differs for individual bioactive metals. These findings support the hypothesis that metal complexation in seawater is dominated by distinct, metal-specific ligand molecules. A central question that now emerges is whether these ligand molecules function predominantly to buffer metal ion activities in seawater, thereby decreasing metal sorption to particulates, or to facilitate metal removal by sweeping organically bound metals into particulate phases via colloid aggregation.
Structures of multiple soliton solutions of the generalized, asymmetric and modified Nizhnik–Novikov–Veselov equations

Abstract The generalized, asymmetric and the modified Nizhnik–Novikov–Veselov equations, (gNNV), (aNNV) and (mNNV) are studied in this work. Multiple soliton solutions for these equations are obtained with the help of a simplified form of the Hirota’s bilinear method. Two distinct approaches are used for these distinct systems.
Pretransplant hyperthermia promotes permanent survival of murine thyroid allografts.

Hyperthermic treatment of skin has been shown to abolish stimulation of allogeneic lymphocytes in a mixed skin-lymphocyte reaction. These experiments test the hypothesis that hyperthermic pretreatment of endocrine tissue can promote its permanent survival in allogeneic recipients. Murine thyroid tissues were treated at 37, 43, or 45°C for 0.5-4.0 hr and transplanted to the left renal capsule of recipient mice. Graft survival was determined after 100 days by the ratio of counts between the left and right kidneys 24 hr after administration of 0.5 μCi 125I. Balb/c recipients of C57BL/6 thyroids treated at 43°C for 2 or 4 hr had viable grafts in 47 (P = 0.032) and 45 (P = 0.015) cases, respectively, compared to controls (010). C57BL/6 recipients of Balb/c thyroid treated at 43°C for 4 hr had viable grafts in 6/10 cases (P = 0.009) compared to control (010). Treatment at 45°C was lethal, evidenced by failure of all isografts. Pretransplant treatment at 43°C promotes permanent thyroid allograft survival without immunosuppression.
An Overview of NASA's Subsonic Research Aircraft Testbed (SCRAT)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Dryden Flight Research Center acquired a Gulfstream III (GIII) aircraft to serve as a testbed for aeronautics flight research experiments. The aircraft is referred to as SCRAT, which stands for SubsoniC Research Aircraft Testbed. The aircraft's mission is to perform aeronautics research; more specifically raising the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of advanced technologies through flight demonstrations and gathering high-quality research data suitable for verifying the technologies, and validating design and analysis tools. The SCRAT has the ability to conduct a range of flight research experiments throughout a transport class aircraft's flight envelope. Experiments ranging from flight-testing of a new aircraft system or sensor to those requiring structural and aerodynamic modifications to the aircraft can be accomplished. The aircraft has been modified to include an instrumentation system and sensors necessary to conduct flight research experiments along with a telemetry capability. An instrumentation power distribution system was installed to accommodate the instrumentation system and future experiments. An engineering simulation of the SCRAT has been developed to aid in integrating research experiments. A series of baseline aircraft characterization flights has been flown that gathered flight data to aid in developing and integrating future research experiments. This paper describes the SCRAT's research systems and capabilities.
Nitric-oxide Synthase (NOS) Reductase Domain Models Suggest a New Control Element in Endothelial NOS That Attenuates Calmodulin-dependent Activity

Inducible (iNOS) and constitutive (eNOS, nNOS) nitric-oxide synthases differ in their Ca2+-calmodulin (CaM) dependence. iNOS binds CaM irreversibly but eNOS and nNOS, which bind CaM reversibly, have inserts in their reductase domains that regulate electron transfer. These include the 43–45-amino acid autoinhibitory element (AI) that attenuates electron transfer in the absence of CaM, and the C-terminal 20–40-amino acid tail that attenuates electron transfer in a CaM-independent manner. We constructed models of the reductase domains of the three NOS isoforms to predict the structural basis for CaM-dependent regulation. We have identified and characterized a loop (CD2A) within the NOS connecting domain that is highly conserved by isoform and that, like the AI element, is within direct interaction distance of the CaM binding region. The eNOS CD2A loop (eCD2A) has the sequence 834KGSPGGPPPG843, and is truncated to 809ESGSY813 (iCD2A) in iNOS. The eCD2A contributes to the Ca2+ dependence of CaM-bound activity to a level similar to that of the AI element. The eCD2A plays an autoinhibitory role in the control of NO, and CaM-dependent and -independent reductase activity, but this autoinhibitory function is masked by the dominant AI element. Finally, the iCD2A is involved in determining the salt dependence of NO activity at a post-flavin reduction level. Electrostatic interactions between the CD2A loop and the CaM-binding region, and CaM itself, provide a structural means for the CD2A to mediate CaM regulation of intra-subunit electron transfer within the active NOS complex.
The Determination of Social Identity in the Story of Ruth

This study focuses on the formation of social identity in ancient Israel. In particular, the issue raised here is the manner in which displaced individuals are able to integrate or reintegrate them...