cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulated Annealing-Genetic Algorithm for Transit Network Optimization

This paper presents a mathematical stochastic methodology for transit route network optimization. The goal is to provide an effective computational tool for the optimization of a large-scale transit route network to minimize transfers with reasonable route directness while maximizing service coverage. The methodology includes representation of transit route network solution search spaces, representation of transit route and network constraints, and a stochastic search scheme based on an integrated simulated annealing and genetic algorithm solution search method. The methodology has been implemented as a computer program, tested using previously published results, and applied to a large-scale realistic network optimization problem.
Gabor feature based classification using the enhanced fisher linear discriminant model for face recognition

This paper introduces a novel Gabor-Fisher (1936) classifier (GFC) for face recognition. The GFC method, which is robust to changes in illumination and facial expression, applies the enhanced Fisher linear discriminant model (EFM) to an augmented Gabor feature vector derived from the Gabor wavelet representation of face images. The novelty of this paper comes from (1) the derivation of an augmented Gabor feature vector, whose dimensionality is further reduced using the EFM by considering both data compression and recognition (generalization) performance; (2) the development of a Gabor-Fisher classifier for multi-class problems; and (3) extensive performance evaluation studies. In particular, we performed comparative studies of different similarity measures applied to various classifiers. We also performed comparative experimental studies of various face recognition schemes, including our novel GFC method, the Gabor wavelet method, the eigenfaces method, the Fisherfaces method, the EFM method, the combination of Gabor and the eigenfaces method, and the combination of Gabor and the Fisherfaces method. The feasibility of the new GFC method has been successfully tested on face recognition using 600 FERET frontal face images corresponding to 200 subjects, which were acquired under variable illumination and facial expressions. The novel GFC method achieves 100% accuracy on face recognition using only 62 features.
Adaptive critic based design of a fuzzy motor speed controller

We show the applicability of the dual heuristic programming (DHP) method of approximate dynamic programming to the design of a fuzzy control system. The DHP and related techniques have been developed in the neurocontrol context but can be equally productive when used with fuzzy controllers or neuro-fuzzy hybrids. We demonstrate this technique on a speed controller for a brushless motor. In our example, we take advantage of the Takagi-Sugeno model framework to initialize the tunable parameters of our plant model with reasonable problem specific values, a practice difficult to perform when applying DHP to neurocontrol.
Self-consolidating hybrid fiber reinforced concrete: Development, properties and composite behavior

Abstract The workability of an existing Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (HyFRC) composite is improved though the incorporation of concepts from the field of Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC). The resulting composite, achieved through a described parametric study, allows for easier placement within areas of high reinforcement congestion while maintaining the desired mechanical performance benefits inherent to high performance hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete composites. Retention of the strengthening and ductility enhancement, characteristic of the original HyFRC, is gauged by material response to direct tension and four point bending tests. The designated goal of the SC-HyFRC mix is to provide an optimal structural material for construction in which concrete might be expected to face tension, compression and bending as part of a common service load and must be designed to withstand high levels of deformation under maximum credible earthquake or similar design scenarios. The ductility response of Self Consolidating Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SC-HyFRC) to severe loading is then investigated through a comparison with conventional concrete by conducting reinforced compression and tensile tests. In both scenarios the presence of hybrid fiber reinforcement is shown to provide an improvement to the phenomena of internal confinement and tension stiffening, for compression and tension loading respectively, which allow for a significantly improved post cracking response.
History of Human Cytomegalovirus

The history of cytomegalovirus (CMV) may be divided into two periods. During the first period, the characteristic cytopathology caused by this virus was recognized and described. It may be called the “period of cytopathology.” The second period was initiated by the isolation of the virus and may be called the “virological period.”
Mechanism for the Enhanced Excited-State Lewis Acidity of Methyl Viologen

Aqueous solutions of methyl viologen (MV2+) exhibit anomalous fluorescence behavior. Although it has long fluorescence lifetimes in polar solvents such as acetonitrile, MV2+ has a short fluorescence lifetime in water. Recent experiments by Kohler and co-workers (Henrich et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2015, 119, 2737–2748) have implicated an excited-state acid/base reaction as the source of the nonradiative decay pathway. While many chemical species exhibit enhanced Bronsted acidity in their excited state, MV2+ is the first example of a species with enhanced Lewis acidity. Using a complete active space configuration interaction (CASCI) approach, excited-state molecular dynamics simulations of aqueous MV2+ are performed in order to test the hypothesis that MV2+ acts as a Lewis photoacid and to elucidate a mechanism for this behavior. These simulations show that the Lewis acidity of MV2+ is indeed enhanced by photoexcitation. On its S1 excited state, MV2+ reacts with water to generate a hydronium ion approximately ...
Revenue Maximization for Cloud Computing Services

We study a stylized revenue maximization problem for a provider of cloud computing services, where the service provider (SP) operates an infinite capacity system in a market with heterogeneous customers with respect to their valuation and congestion sensitivity. The SP offers two service options: one with guaranteed service availability, and one where users bid for resource availability and only the “winning” bids at any point in time get access to the service. We show that even though capacity is unlimited, in several settings, depending on the relation between valuation and congestion sensitivity, the revenue maximizing service provider will choose to make the spot service option stochastically unavailable. This form of intentional service degradation is optimal in settings where user valuation per unit time increases sub-linearly with respect to their congestion sensitivity (i.e., their disutility per unit time when the service is unavailable) – this is a form of “damaged goods.” We provide some data evidence based on the analysis of price traces from the biggest cloud service provider, Amazon Web Services.
A Dynamic Trust Model Enforcing Security Policies

Security policies are placed to control and prevent unauthorized or accidental access to data. Furthermore, building a proper user interface that reflects one's privileges is a cumbersome task. Each modification of a security policy causes many potential and unpredictable side effects which results in rule conflicts or security breaches that affect the corresponding user interfaces as well. On the other hand, nowadays there has been more attention towards trust in user behavior. This work, presents an improved dynamic model that adjusts users' security policies based on the level of trust that they hold. In this model, the trust manager can revoke/reduce the access level of users based on their unnecessary access to data items. The model demonstrates the effect of changes in the level of trust in users to security administrators.
PCO Keynote

Computing a matching in a graph is one of "the hardest simple problems" in discrete mathematics and computer science. It is simple since most variants of matching can be solved in polynomial time, yet hard because the running times are high and the algorithms are complex. It is even more challenging to design parallel algorithms for matching, since many algorithms rely on searching for long paths in a graph, or implicitly communicate information along long paths, and thus have little concurrency. However, in the last fifteen years there has been much work in developing parallel matching algorithms via approximation: we do not find optimal matchings, but look for matchings that are guaranteed to be within a constant factor of being optimal. There has been a flurry of activity in designing and implementing such algorithms, and now we have efficient algorithms for computing matchings on multicore shared memory computers. This talk will survey this body of work in matching algorithms.
Fluorinated methacrylamide chitosan hydrogels enhance collagen synthesis in wound healing through increased oxygen availability.

Abstract In this study, methacrylamide chitosan modified with perfluorocarbon chains (MACF) is used as the base material to construct hydrogel dressings for treating dermal wounds. MACF hydrogels saturated with oxygen (+O2) are examined for their ability to deliver and sustain oxygen, degrade in a biological environment, and promote wound healing in an animal model. The emerging technique of metabolomics is used to understand how MACF + O2 hydrogel dressings improve wound healing. Results indicate that MACF treatment facilitates oxygen transport rate that is two orders of magnitude greater than base MAC hydrogels. MACF hydrogel dressings are next tested in an in vivo splinted rat excisional wound healing model. Histological analysis reveals that MACF + O2 dressings improve re-epithelialization (p Statement of Significance This work presents the first application of a novel class of oxygen delivering biomaterials (methacrylamide chitosan modified with perfluorocarbon chains (MACF)) as a hydrogel wound dressing. This manuscript also contains strong focus on the biochemical benefits of MACF dressings on underlying mechanisms vital to successful wound healing. In this vein, this manuscript presents the application of applied metabolomics (tandem mass spectroscopy) to uncover biomaterial interactions with wound healing mechanisms. We believe the approaches described in this manuscript will be of great interest to biomedical scientists and particularly to researchers studying wound healing, metabolomics, applied biomaterials and regenerative medicine.
Doping Profile Recognition Applied to Silicon Photovoltaic Cells Using Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy

Here we demonstrate for the first time that terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) can be used to monitor doping profiles in standard industry silicon wafers and commercial multi-crystalline silicon (mc-Si) solar cells. The proof-of-concept results presented here demonstrate the suitability of the technique for in-line, or close to real-time, process and quality control applications in the photovoltaic (PV) industry. The experimental results show that THz pulses can detect changes in implant dosage in both the time and frequency domains. It is also shown that the spectral content of THz pulses can be used to distinguish between doping profiles with identical implant dosages but different profile shapes (resulting from different diffusion times). The reliability and repeatability of these measurements is demonstrated. It is found that the average change in THz spectrum (12.3%) corresponding to the smallest doping profile difference detected is an order of magnitude bigger than the average day-to-day measurement error (1.1%). The THz measurement approach is shown to be fully compatible with the surface morphology (texturing) of commercial mc-Si solar cells.
A comparison of robust principal component analysis techniques for buried object detection in downward looking GPR sensor data

Explosive hazards are a deadly threat in modern conflicts; hence, detecting them before they cause injury or death is of paramount importance. One method of buried explosive hazard discovery relies on data collected from ground penetrating radar (GPR) sensors. Threat detection with downward looking GPR is challenging due to large returns from non-target objects and clutter. This leads to a large number of false alarms (FAs), and since the responses of clutter and targets can form very similar signatures, classifier design is not trivial. One approach to combat these issues uses robust principal component analysis (RPCA) to enhance target signatures while suppressing clutter and background responses, though there are many versions of RPCA. This work applies some of these RPCA techniques to GPR sensor data and evaluates their merit using the peak signal-to-clutter ratio (SCR) of the RPCA-processed B-scans. Experimental results on government furnished data show that while some of the RPCA methods yield similar results, there are indeed some methods that outperform others. Furthermore, we show that the computation time required by the different RPCA methods varies widely, and the selection of tuning parameters in the RPCA algorithms has a major effect on the peak SCR.
Transformative Encounters in Conflict Processes

Beyond resolutions and agreements, there is a deeper level of internal and relational transformation which some conflict processes seek to bring forth. The purpose of this paper is to examine three models of transformation, how it occurs, and how to facilitate it; and to seek common themes and patterns between these models. With these themes identified and illuminated by insights from psychology, philosophy, and interpersonal neurobiology, I offer a synthesized hypothesis of transformation and recommendations for facilitation. Finally, I address future directions for study, particularly in the intersection of trauma, interpersonal neurobiology, contemplative psychology, and conflict transformation. TRASFORMATIVE ENCOUNTERS IN CONFLICT PROCESSES EVANS 3 Table of
Experiences of Danish Business Expatriates in Russia: Power Distance in Organizational Communication

AbstractRapid globalization of business processes stimulates many companies to dispatch their employees – business expatriates – on overseas assignments. Russia differs markedly from many other cultures in terms of specific communication norms and rules. Understanding such differences in organizational life is crucial for the success of business expatriates working there. This study employs in-depth interviews with eight Danish business expatriates who worked in Russia and examines the differences between the Danes and the Russians in terms of communication characteristics related to Hofstede’s cultural dimension power distance. This work enhances scholars’ empirical knowledge of power distance, which has rarely been investigated qualitatively.
Riemannian Manifolds and Two of Hopf’s Theorems

A Riemannian metric g on a manifold M is a family of inner products {g x}x∈M such that the quantities $${g_{ij}}(x): = g\left( {\frac{\partial }{{\partial {x^i}}},\frac{\partial }{{\partial {x^i}}}} \right)$$ are smooth in local coordinates. The Finsler function F(x, y) of a Riemannian manifold has the characteristic structure $$F(x,y) = \sqrt {{g_{ij(x)}}{y^i}{y^j}} $$ .
Sustainability: Opportunities for Teaching Old Concepts via New Problems

The theoretical and methodological foundations of the sciences and technologies are essential to the removal of barriers to achieving sustainable systems. The teachings of these concepts still lie in traditional academic disciplines such as engineering, science, and mathematics. This structure can often manifest significant barriers to progress in tackling challenging sustainability issues due to an absence of a multi-faceted, interdisciplinary, systems approach. This work will explore approaches for using current sustainability issues and problems to introduce both systems thinking and traditional discipline specific learning objectives to the classroom. Specific examples will be illustrated for a diverse set of courses and curriculum. Assessment shows an improved rate of achieving teaching outcomes compared to traditional curricular techniques.
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ADEQUACY OF THE SOLAR RADIATION DATA NETWORK FOR THE CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES

Relationships between the coefficient of variability and the logarithm of extrapolation distance are established by an assessment of the spatial coherence of solar radiation. Equations for differen...
Main Renal Artery Clamping With or Without Renal Vein Clamping During Robotic Partial Nephrectomy for Clinical T1 Renal Masses: Perioperative and Long-term Functional Outcomes.

Objective To compare renal function outcome between a contemporary cohort of propensity score-matched patients undergoing main renal artery clamping (MAC) alone and those undergoing main renal artery clamping with renal vein clamping (MVAC) during robotic partial nephrectomy. Materials and Methods Patients with a solitary T1 renal mass undergoing robotic partial nephrectomy were propensity score-matched on American Society of Anesthesiologists score, RENAL Nephrometry score, tumor size, tumor laterality, and operating surgeon to provide 66 patients undergoing MAC and 66 patients undergoing MVAC for analysis. Demographic and tumor-specific characteristics in addition to perioperative and renal function outcomes at discharge and 9 months were compared. Results No differences in any baseline characteristics including age ( P = .847), baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ( P = .358), RENAL Nephrometry score ( P = .617), and tumor size ( P = .551) were identified. Warm ischemia time was longer in patients undergoing MVAC than in patients undergoing MAC (21.0 minutes vs 15.0, P P = .413), length of hospitalization ( P = .112), and postoperative complications (overall [ P = .251], by Clavien-Dindo classification [ P = .119]). No differences in the percent change in eGFR ( P = .866) or acute kidney injury ( P = .493) at discharge and no differences in the percent change in eGFR ( P = .401) or progression to chronic kidney disease ( P = .594) at 9 months were identified. Conclusion Compared with MAC, clamping of the renal vein in addition to the main renal artery does not appear to adversely affect postoperative renal function. Future studies comparing MAC with MVAC partial nephrectomy in patients with baseline chronic kidney disease, a solitary kidney and complex tumors with prolonged warm ischemia time are necessary.
Synthesis and Characterization of MgB2 Bulk Superconductors With Enhanced Properties by Means of Silver Doping

Ag-doped MgB2 bulk superconductors have been prepared using a standard solid state processing. The addition of Ag to MgB2 powders during the sintering process has been found to result in an important advantage, namely, the prevention/reduction of loss of Mg, a problem most commonly observed in the sintering of MgB2 bulk samples at elevated temperature and ambient pressures. The Ag-doped MgB2 sample has a distinct superconducting transition temperature around 39 K, while the undoped MgB2 undergoes only a very feeble transition to a diamagnetic superconducting state at around 39 K. The normal conducting silver regions in the MgB2 matrix acts as pinning centers resulting in the realization of high critical currents in the presence of magnetic fields.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Upper extremity post-stroke motion quality estimation with decision trees and bagging forests

Stroke is one of the leading causes of long-term disability. Approximately two thirds of stroke survivors require long-term rehabilitation, which suggests the importance of understanding movement quality in real-world settings. To address this need, we have developed an approach that quantifies physical activity and also evaluates performance quality. Accelerometer and gyroscope sensor data are used to measure upper extremity movements and to develop a mathematical framework to relate objective sensor data to clinical performance metrics. In this article we employ two approaches to extract clinically meaningful quality measures from individuals post-stroke; we then compare the resulting predictive ability of the two approaches. Our findings indicate that Bootstrap Aggregating forest approaches may be superior to the computationally simpler decision trees for unstable data sets including those derived from individuals post-stroke.
Depression but Not Symptom Severity is Associated With Work and School Absenteeism in Refractory Chronic Constipation

GOALS We sought to determine the patient characteristics associated with increased absenteeism and Emergency Department (ED) utilization among patients with constipation. BACKGROUND Chronic constipation is associated with significant direct and indirect economic costs. There has been limited study of the predictors of direct and indirect costs in a population with refractory constipation. STUDY We conducted a cross-sectional cohort study of patients with chronic constipation who presented to a tertiary care center for anorectal manometry. We used standardized instruments to assess disease severity, quality of life, somatization, and psychiatric comorbidities. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine the predictors of work and school absenteeism as well as ED visits for constipation. RESULTS There were 148 consecutive patients enrolled (87% female, mean age 43) of whom 32 (21.6%) had high absenteeism and 36 (24.3%) visited the ED for constipation in the past year. Patients with high absenteeism and ED visits were more likely to be depressed (56.3% vs. 18.5%, P<0.0001 for high absenteeism; 47.2% vs. 19.6%, P<0.01 for ED visits). After multivariable adjustment and sensitivity analyses, only depression (OR, 4.41; P<0.01) was associated with increased absenteeism while there was a trend toward an association between depression and ED visits (OR, 2.57; P=0.067). Symptom severity was not associated with high absenteeism or ED utilization. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with chronic constipation, depression is a stronger predictor of absenteeism than symptom severity. Depression may drive a portion of the indirect costs of chronic constipation.
The Internationalization of African Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): A South-North Pattern

Despite the growing internationalization of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from Africa, related research remains limited. Adopting a qualitative approach, this study investigates three SMEs in the African coffee subsector that internationalized rapidly beyond the continent. The case studies, based on interview and secondary information, shed light on the antecedents, timing, strategies, modes and consequences of the SMEs’ South-North internationalization. The cases also generate understanding of how various elements of SMEs’ foreign expansion compare with those of previously studied firms. Our analysis reveals that an understanding of SME internationalization is attainable by integrating multiple theoretical foundations (i.e., the Uppsala model, Linkage-Leverage-Learning framework, and Network theory). We develop testable propositions and conclude by providing managerial and policy implications, highlighting limitations, and suggesting directions for future research.
From Music Cataloging to the Organization of Knowledge: An Interview with Richard P. Smiraglia

ABSTRACTRichard P. Smiraglia shares his personal evolution from early studies in music, to music cataloging, instantiation theory, and knowledge organization. People who have impacted his career and research direction are featured, as well as his work editing such publications as Library Resources & Technical Services, The Soldier Creek Music Series, and his continuing editorship of the journal Knowledge Organization. His contributions to the fields of cataloging, especially music cataloging, and his research in instantiation, domain analysis, and knowledge organization serve to advance Patrick Wilson's notion of exploitative power within a connected universe of knowledge.
Rare case of inferior myocardial infarction from left main coronary artery spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Abstract The natural history and etiology of SCAD remain unclear. This was a young female with chest pain and inferior ST elevations. Cardiac catheterization revealed type 1 angiographic SCAD of the LMCA. This case was unusual in that the injury pattern of inferior posterior MI was from a LMCA SCAD.
Minimum Distance Estimation and Collision Prediction Under Uncertainty for On-line Robotic Motion Planning

Abstract An efficient method for computing the minimum distance and predicting collisions between moving objects is presented. This problem is incorporated in the framework of an in-line motion planning algorithm to satisfy collision avoidance between a robot and moving objects modeled as convex polyhedra. In the beginning the deterministic problem, where the information about the objects is assumed to be certain is examined. If instead of the Euclidean norm, L1 or L∞ norms are used to represent distance, the problem becomes a linear programming problem. The stochastic problem is formulated, where the uncertainty is induced by the visual feedback and the unknown dynamics of the moving obstacles. Two problems are considered: First, an optimal filtering of the minimum distance between the robot and the moving object, at the present time. Second, an optimal prediction of the minimum distance in the future, in order to predict possible collisions with the moving obstacles and estimate the collision time.
Statistics of Internal Tide Bores and Internal Solitary Waves Observed on the Inner Continental Shelf off Point Sal, California

AbstractMoored observations of temperature and current were collected on the inner continental shelf off Point Sal, California, between 9 June and 8 August 2015. The measurements consist of 10 moorings in total: 4 moorings each on the 50- and 30-m isobaths covering a 10-km along-shelf distance and an across-shelf section of moorings on the 50-, 40-, 30-, and 20-m isobaths covering a 5-km distance. Energetic, highly variable, and strongly dissipating transient wave events termed internal tide bores and internal solitary waves (ISWs) dominate the records. Simple models of the bore and ISW space–time behavior are implemented as a temperature match filter to detect events and estimate wave packet parameters as a function of time and mooring position. Wave-derived quantities include 1) group speed and direction; 2) time of arrival, time duration, vertical displacement amplitude, and waves per day; and 3) energy density, energy flux, and propagation loss. In total, over 1000 bore events and over 9000 ISW events...
Sparse fulleryne structures enhance potential hydrogen storage and mobility

Carbon-based platforms for hydrogen storage are attractive due to the stability of carbon allotropes, as well as the energetically efficient physisorption mechanisms of hydrogen to carbon surfaces. Hydrogen adsorption on fullerenes, graphene, and carbon nanotubes have been well studied, and it is known that the hydrogen storage is limited by the accessible surface area. Here, we propose a novel fullerene-like molecule—a so-called fulleryne—to increase potential hydrogen storage capacity of carbon-based systems. Fullerynes are spherical molecules characterized by acetylenic substitution in the aromatic bond structure of fullerenes. The result is a less dense, more porous structure. Here, via full atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, we characterize the energetic stability and properties of fullerynes (single acetylenic link) and fullerdiynes (a double acetylenic link), including self-adhesion and bulk modulus, and compare to fullerenes. We then quantify hydrogen (H2) adsorption energy, and assess the storage capacity (via accessible surface area) and mobility (via hydrogen diffusivity). We find that the sparse, lightweight fullerdiyne systems has relatively high specific hydrogen accessible surface area, near equivalent adsorption energy as graphene/fullerene, and facilitates hydrogen diffusion by enabling motion through the interior of the spherical structure.
Victorian radicals and Italian democrats

Among the several ideological currents present in the Italian unification movement, the one chosen for close-up study by Marcella Pellegrino Sutcliffe stands out for having invigorated British demo...
Effect of a hospital-associated urinary tract infection reduction policy on general surgery patients.

Abstract Background Hospital-associated UTI rates in surgery patients have not improved despite recommendations for reducing indwelling catheter days. Methods We performed a retrospective review of institutional NSQIP general surgery patient data, 2006–2015. During this time, a UTI-reduction policy was implemented. Demographics, HA-UTI incidence, CA-UTI incidence, indwelling catheter days, straight catheterization rates, and mortality were examined. Results Females had significantly higher risk of HA-UTI. There was no significant change in HA-UTI (X12 = 0.02, p = .878) or indwelling catheter days (5.18 ± 1.12 days v 3.73 ± 0.39 days, p = .23). Straight catheterizations among those with HA-UTI increased (0.04 ± 0.04 v 0.32 ± 0.12, p = .029). There was no change in CA-UTI (1.38 v 1.11 CAUTI/1000 patient hospital-days P = .555) or in initial indwelling catheter days of patients with CA-UTI (7.2 SD 8.89 v 47.0 SD 7.04 days P = .961) after policy implementation. Conclusions The reduction policy increased the number of straight catheterizations for patients developing HA-UTI, but did not reduce the number of initial indwelling catheter days, HA-UTI rates, or CA-UTI rates.
Analyzing Political Information Network of the U.S. Partisan Public on Twitter

The growing significance of social media among potential voters has been recognized by politicians because social media provides a direct method for political actors to connect with their citizens and organize them into online clusters through their use of hashtags. However, with few exclusions, most of the former studies stressed on the identification of personal tweets or cumulative properties of a mass of tweets and political fondness of discrete users, not on partisan public in the U.S. Thus, there is a lack of complete understanding about online social network of politically conflicting public and the public discourse in the network. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate how people adopt political information on Twitter via hashtag as a networked public and how people facilitate political communication among users with similar or disparate political orientations. This study confirmed the theory of homophily in adopting political hashtags on Twitter network. The referred media and highly mentioned domains for each network also support the concept of homophily. The manually examined users with top betweenness centralities were identified as opinion leaders and their tweeting patterns provide evidences that they play key roles in disseminating information through eWOM by occupying an important relational spot in the network.
ON SOME SEMILINEAR PROBLEMS WITHOUT COMPACTNESS

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews a few semilinear problems without compactness. It highlights semilinear operator equations, where the linear part does not have a compact inverse but where this fails only on a closed subspace of a Hilbert space, upon which the operator is bounded below. This situation is frequently encountered in practice, as in the vibrating string equation, the biharmonic equation, and the equation for the hydrogen atom in quantum mechanics. The chapter discusses the way in which under suitably broad hypotheses, it is possible to reduce such problems to alternative problems, in which the linear operator does have a compact right inverse. Then, all the standard theorems which have been proved for coercive elliptic semilinear problems via degree theory can be generalized to this setting. The chapter describes the role of monotonicity in the reduction of the original problem to an alternative one on a subspace (infinite-dimensional) that possesses a few desirable properties that do not hold on the entire space.
Browning Index of Anthocyanin‐Rich Fruit Juice Depends on pH and Anthocyanin Loss More Than the Gain of Soluble Polymeric Pigments

Browning index (BI, ABS520 nm /ABS420 nm ) is a measure of anthocyanin-rich fruit juice pigmentation quality. This study sought to determine the extent to which BI describes anthocyanin quality and degradation in fruit juices. Commercial fruit juices were assayed for monomeric anthocyanin (MA) content, percent polymeric color (%PC), pH, and BI. BI varied, 0.29 to 1.72, among cranberry, cherry, grape, aronia, and pomegranate juices. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that BI was strongly inversely associated with %PC, and positively correlated with MAs to a lesser extent. The BI of grape and cherry juices varied linearly with pH from 2.0 to 4.0 in pH-adjusted juices. Cherry and grape juices at pH approximately 2.0 to 4.0 were incubated at 50 °C to induce juice browning. BI and MA decreased, and %PC increased, but the amount of MA degradation was not explained by %PC. In the aged juices, BI and MA were strongly correlated using PCA. In aged grape juice, chromatographic analysis was used characterize anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanin scission products. Anthocyanin loss and a gain of unresolved components absorbing at 420 nm decreased BI. Proanthocyanidins and co-eluting pigments with varying BI decreased during aging. Scission products did not account for anthocyanin loss. Thus, MA loss more so than the gain in pigments associated with juice proanthocyanidins contribute to the increase in %PC and decline of the BI during accelerated aging of grape juice. Thus, BI is a useful marker of fruit juice quality within juices of the same pH and anthocyanin composition. Practical application Fruit juice pigmentation depends on anthocyanins, pH, and other matrix components. Spectrophotometric methods to determine pigmentation include the browning index (ABS520 nm /ABS420 nm ), pH differential method for monomeric anthocyanin (MA) content, and bisulfite bleaching to determine percent polymeric color (%PC). In this study, anthocyanin-rich fruit juice browning index was strongly dependent on pH and MA content. MA loss, and to a lesser extent, a gain in newly-formed pigments at 420 nm contributed to the browning index change during aging. Therefore, browning index is strongly associated with MA content and is useful for assessing fruit juice quality.
The role of texturing in x-ray diffraction tomography

Concealed threat detection is a challenging task that requires a high degree of material specificity. X-ray diffraction tomography (XRDT) offers a solution to the problem, but may at times be too sensitive to the details and history of a given sample. One example of this effect arises in the dependence of the measured scatter signal to the orientation of the sample relative to the beam, which we refer to generally as texturing. To better understand texturing in real world materials and imaging scenarios, we develop two experimental systems for measuring scatter and create databases of the resulting scatter form factors over a range of energies and angles. We then use this data to develop a simulation tool to model XRDT systems in the presence of textured materials and analyze the results. While texturing introduces complications to accurate imaging of an object, we find that choices in the measurement strategy can mitigate these effects and improve performance.
Frequency-domain versus time-domain analysis of slow-light mesophotonic waveguides: Theoretical insights for practically realizable devices

Slow-light mesophotonic waveguides have gained increasing interest in the recent years owing to their potential for time-delay control of optical signals, crucial for all-optical circuitry, as well as EM energy storage and field enhancement which is important for driving a stronger light-matter interaction. Yet, the design of such systems has hitherto been predominantly directed by modal-type of analyses in frequency domain. We discuss here why frequency domain analysis fails for real systems, leading to mistaken predictions for the effective propagation speed of the EM signal. In particular, by utilizing a time-domain analysis we demonstrate a slow-light paradigm waveguide system which contradicts the widespread notion that the group-index is generally a good measure of the light's speed effective slow-down factor within the waveguide. In particular, our counterexample shows that it is entirely possible when two modes are compared that it would be the one with the lower group index to yield effectively the larger light slow-down factor. We analyze the salient characteristics of the modes with the higher light slow-down-factor merit to understand how to enable slow light in practical platforms. Our results suggest that in order for a large group index to practically effect a large slowdown factor it should be accompanied by a large modal index bandwidth. This can occur when both the group velocity and the group-velocity dispersion are simultaneously near-zero.
European Academic Libraries Offer or Plan to Offer Research Data Services

A Review of: Tenopir, C., Talja, S., Horstmann, W., Late, E., Hughes, D., Pollock, D., … Allard, S. (2017). Research data services in European academic research libraries. LIBER Quarterly, 27(1), 23-44. https://doi.org/10.18352/lq.10180 Abstract Objective – To investigate the current state of research data services (RDS) in European academic libraries by determining the types of RDS being currently implemented and planned by these institutions. Design – Email survey. Setting – European academic research libraries. Subjects – 333 directors of the Association of European Research Libraries (LIBER) academic member libraries. Methods – The researchers revised a survey instrument previously used for the DataONE survey of North American research libraries and conducted pilot testing with European academic library directors. The survey instrument was created using the Qualtrics software. The revised survey was distributed by email to LIBER institutions identified as academic libraries by the researchers and remained open for 6 weeks. Question topics included demographics, RDS currently offered, RDS planned, staffing considerations, and the director’s opinions on RDS. Libraries from 22 countries participated and libraries were grouped into 4 regions in order to compare regional differences. Data analysis was conducted using Excel, SPSS or R software University of Tennessee, University of Tampere, and University of Gottingen. Main Results – 119 library directors responded to more than one question beyond basic demographics, for a response rate of 35.7%. Among the libraries surveyed, more libraries offer consultative services than offered technical support for RDS, although a majority planned to offer technical services in the future. Geographically, libraries in western Europe offer more RDS compared with other regions. More libraries have reassigned or plan to reassign current staff to support RDS services, rather than hire new staff for these roles. Regardless of whether or not they currently offer RDS, library directors surveyed strongly agree that libraries need to offer RDS to remain relevant. Conclusion – The authors determine that a majority of library directors recognize that data management is increasingly important and many libraries are responding to this by implementing RDS and collaborating across their institutions and beyond to help meet these needs. Future research is suggested to track how these services develop over time, how libraries respond to the staffing challenges of RDS, and whether consultative rather than technical services continue to be primary forms of RDS offered.
Triplet State Excitation Phenomena

The nature of spin-orbital interaction in molecules permits the study of triplet-state properties as a means of orbital characterization of the excited state. Electronic transitions in aza-N-heteroaromatics, in pyrrolo-heteroaromatics, and in hydrocarbon aromatics, e.g., can thus be classified into three separate groups according to the nature of spin-orbital interaction. The application of these results to diverse excitation phenomena of photochemical and photobiological interest was outlined in this lecture.
Forensic identification of opium by computerized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Opium, the dried exudate of unripe capsules of the opium ,poppy (Papaver somniferum L.), is a complex mixture containing up to 25 different alkaloids in varying amounts [1]; yet it is a mixture whose identification is frequently demanded in forensic laboratories, Of the 25 alkaloids, only five are generally present in significant quantities in crude opium: morphine (Ia; about 10 percent); codeine (Ib),thebaine (II), papaverine (III), and narcotine (IV)—each present in amounts varying from 0.5 to 5 percent. At present forensic identification of suspected opium relies heavily upon general characteristics of the mixture, such as chemical spot tests, thin-layer chromatography, and gas chromatography. Obtaining good spectral data on the major alkaloids present in these mixtures has been precluded, however, due to the difficulty of isolating any of these compounds in reasonably pure form [2]. This difficulty can be overcome with combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), whose ability to produce spectral data from the constituents of small quantities of complex mixtures already has led to significant advances in the area of drug identification [3–7]. This paper describes a method using computerized GC/MS for the identification of suspected opium samples.
PD-L1 expression, tumor mutation burden and response to immune checkpoint blockade in patients with HER2-mutant lung cancers.

9060Background: HER2 mutations are present in 3% of lung cancers. Response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in this subset of lung cancers is unknown. We evaluate the landscape of PD-L1 and tumo...
Multi-Frequency Tomography Radar Observations of Snow Stratigraphy at Fraser During SnowEx

SnowEx is a multi-year airborne snow campaign led by NASA. The purpose of SnowEx is to figure out how much water is stored in Earth's terrestrial snow-covered regions. As part of the 2017 NASA SnowEx campaign, we deployed a portable triple-frequency (9.6GHz, 13.5GHz and 17.2GHz) and fully polarimetric frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar at Fraser, Colorado. The radar was installed on a 60cmx60cm frame to enable a full reconstruction of the three-dimensional variability per each radar channel. The tomography technique uses the radar echo from the multiple viewing positions and provides a unique access to the vertical structure of the snow layer. With current setup, the range resolution is 30cm. In this paper, we will review the radar design and signalprocessing algorithm - time domain back projection. The generated vertical images show the snow stratigraphy, which is consistent with ground snow pit measurement. The continuous operation demonstrates diurnal thawing and refreezing process. The snow density is retrieved by comparing to the snow free image.
Considering Gender Complexity in Music Teacher Education

Gender is one of the many social constructs that can influence teaching and learning. As trans(gender) people “come out” at earlier ages, an increasing number of teachers will have openly identifyi...
Ethylene adduct of conjugated octadecadienoic acids: III. Aromatization of C20 cyclohexene methyl esters

A procedure is described for the catalytic aromatization of the ethylene adduct of conjugated isomers of methyl octadecadieonate. When the C20 cyclohexene fatty methyl esters were heated at 290–300 C with palladium and 1-octadecene as hydrogen acceptor, C20 aromatic cyclic esters were obtained in 90–95% yield.
Self-perceived preparedness and competence among ophthalmology residents for open globe repair.

Purpose To assess which surgical training resources residents find most useful for open globe repair. Methods A nationwide, survey-based, cross-sectional analysis of ophthalmology residents enrolled in accredited training programs in the United States was performed to determine the association of surgical training methods with self-perceived resident preparedness and competence for open globe repair. The survey was developed at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital. Results The individual response rate in our study was 38.6% (118/306 participant responses from 24 programs). Pre-operative surgical planning, in the form of review of patient charts and case discussion with senior faculty, was associated with higher self-perceived levels of both preparedness and competence for several different steps of globe repair. Both supervised and independent lab practice on animal or synthetic eyes were also found to be significantly associated with increased levels of self-perceived competence, especially for steps that involved scleral and limbal reapproximation. Conclusion Open globe repair is an important skill that all ophthalmologists must learn to master. To improve surgical training, residency programs must focus on developing a structured surgical curriculum that incorporates training for managing ocular trauma and open globes. Possible components can include implementation of pre-operative briefings and case discussion with faculty as well as, encouraging regular utilization of practice labs in a distributed pattern to consolidate learning among residents.
Save the Space Elevator: An Escape Room Scenario Involving Passive Haptics in Mixed Reality

This paper presents our solution to the 2019 3DUI Contest challenge, which focuses on passive haptics. We aimed to provide a compelling user experience in virtual reality while overcoming the limitations of physical space and current tracking devices. To meet these goals, we designed a time travel scenario that incorporates several novel features. A time machine increases efficiency in the use of physical space. A passive haptic camera prop provides a help system that is integrated into the storyline. Finally, the concept of a “temporal stabilizer” provides a plausible way to reuse a single tracking device to track multiple passive haptic props.
Friend or foe—IDH1 mutations in glioma 10 years on

The identification of recurrent point mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene, albeit in only a small percentage of glioblastomas a decade ago, has transformed our understanding of glioma biology, genomics and metabolism. More than 1000 scientific papers have been published since, propelling bench-to-bedside investigations that have led to drug development and clinical trials. The rapid biomedical advancement has been driven primarily by the realization of a neomorphic activity of IDH1 mutation that produces high levels of (d)-2-hydroxyglutarate, a metabolite believed to promote glioma initiation and progression through epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming. Thus, novel inhibitors of mutant IDH1 have been developed for therapeutic targeting. However, numerous clinical and experimental findings are at odds with this simple concept. By taking into consideration a large body of findings in the literature, this article analyzes how different approaches have led to opposing conclusions and proffers a counterintuitive hypothesis that IDH1 mutation is intrinsically tumor suppressive in glioma but functionally undermined by the glutamate-rich cerebral environment, inactivation of tumor-suppressor genes and IDH1 copy-number alterations. This theory also provides an explanation for some of the most perplexing observations, including the scarcity of proper model systems and the prevalence of IDH1 mutation in glioma.