cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparisons of experimental data to indices of adhesion derived from dielectric models

A perspective of adhesion is offered using average property indices such as dielectric constant, dipole moment, and thermal conductivity. These indices have been derived by comparisons of dielectric theories of adhesion and cohesion with comparisons to experimental data found in the literature. For example, it was found that adhesion generally increases with increased dielectric constant, or with the inverse of the thermal conductivity, for metal substrates. It was also found that ranges in the experimental data found were primarily caused by changes in surface roughness, which meant that interaction densities were not predictable.
First records of Asperoteuthis acanthoderma (Lu, 1977) (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida: Chiroteuthidae), from the North Atlantic Ocean, Straits of Florida

Abstract The first observation in the North Atlantic Ocean of the deep sea squid Asperoteuthis acanthoderma (family Chiroteuthidae) is reported here from off the coast of Key West, Florida in the Straits of Florida. We describe the morphology of the two nearly complete, but damaged, specimens. A third record is based on photographs of a specimen from off Grand Cayman Island; this specimen was not available for examination. The multiple occurrences of this species, heretofore unknown in the North Atlantic Ocean, within a 10-month period are so unusual that we attempt to hypothesize an explanation for these events. All previously known records are recorded from a few specimens scattered from Hawaii to the Philippines. The present specimens were identified by the following characteristics unique to the species: Y-shaped funnel locking apparatus, sucker ring form and dentition, beak morphology, photophore patch configuration on ventral surface of eyeballs, and numerous small cartilaginous tubercles that cover...
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles and Strain Type Diversity of Campylobacter jejuni Isolates from Turkeys in Eastern North Carolina

Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most common bacterial causes of human gastroenteritis, and recent findings suggest that turkeys are an important reservoir for this organism. In this study, 80 C. jejuni isolates from eastern North Carolina were characterized for resistance to nine antimicrobials, and strain types were determined by fla typing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with SmaI and KpnI, and (for 41 isolates) multilocus sequence typing (MLST). PFGE analysis suggested that many of the isolates (37/40 [ca. 93%]) in a major genomic cluster had DNA that was partially methylated at SmaI sites. Furthermore, 12/40 (30%) of the isolates in this cluster were completely resistant to digestion by KpnI, suggesting methylation at KpnI sites. MLST of 41 isolates identified 10 sequence types (STs), of which 4 were new. Three STs (ST-1839, ST-2132 and the new ST-2934) were predominant and were detected among isolates from different farms. The majority of the isolates (74%) were resistant to three or more antimicrobials, and resistance to ciprofloxacin was common (64%), whereas resistance to the other drug of choice for treatment of human campylobacteriosis, erythromycin, was never encountered. Most (33/34) of the kanamycin-resistant isolates were also resistant to tetracycline; however, only ca. 50% of the tetracycline-resistant isolates were also kanamycin resistant. Isolates with certain antimicrobial resistance profiles had identical or closely related strain types. Overall, the findings suggest dissemination of certain clonal groups of C. jejuni isolates in the turkey production industry of this region.
Strategic flexibility in product competition

This paper investigates competition in dynamic product markets from combined resource base and strategic flexibility perspectives. A concept of strategic flexibility in product competition is developed in which flexibility depends jointly on (1) the resource flexibility of the product creation resources avaialble to a firm and (2) the coordination flexibility of the firm in using its available resources in product markets. Two recent technological innovations affecting product creation processes—CADD/CIM systems and modular product design—are argued to have greatly increased the potential flexibilities of key product creation resources. Managerial innovations in the use of these technologies have also led to important new coordination flexibilities. The combination of recently achievable resource and coordination flexibilities is argued to have transformed the competitive environments of many product markets, leading to new kinds of product strategies, new organizational forms, and a new dominant logic for competing in dynamic product markets.
Toric duality is Seiberg duality

We study four N = 1 SU(N) 6 gauge theories, with bi-fundamental chiral matter and a superpotential. In the infrared, these gauge theories all realize the low-energy world-volume description of N coincident D3-branes transverse to the complex cone over a del Pezzo surface dP3 which is the blowup of P 2 at three generic points. Therefore, the four gauge theories are expected to fall into the same universality class | an example of a phenomenon that has been termed \toric duality". However, little independent evidence has been given that such theories are infrared-equivalent. In fact, we show that the four gauge theories are related by the N = 1 duality of Seiberg, vindicating this expectation. We also study holographic aspects of these gauge theories. In particular we relate the spectrum of chiral operators in the gauge theories to wrapped D3-brane states in the AdS dual description. We flnally demonstrate that the other known examples of toric duality are related by N = 1 duality, a fact which we conjecture holds generally.
Level crossing statistics for optical beam wander in a turbulent atmosphere with applications to ground-to-space laser communications

Level crossing statistics is applied to the complex problem of atmospheric turbulence-induced beam wander for laser propagation from ground to space. A comprehensive estimate of the single-axis wander angle temporal autocorrelation function and the corresponding power spectrum is used to develop, for the first time to our knowledge, analytic expressions for the mean angular level crossing rate and the mean duration of such crossings. These results are based on an extension and generalization of a previous seminal analysis of the beam wander variance by Klyatskin and Kon. In the geometrical optics limit, we obtain an expression for the beam wander variance that is valid for both an arbitrarily shaped initial beam profile and transmitting aperture. It is shown that beam wander can disrupt bidirectional ground-to-space laser communication systems whose small apertures do not require adaptive optics to deliver uniform beams at their intended target receivers in space. The magnitude and rate of beam wander is estimated for turbulence profiles enveloping some practical laser communication deployment options and suggesting what level of beam wander effects must be mitigated to demonstrate effective bidirectional laser communication systems.
Predicting liquid filled transformer loading capability

The IEEE Transformer Loading Guide equations use the top oil temperature rise over ambient to determine the winding hottest spot temperature during an overload. Recent investigations by the author and others have shown that during overloads there is a time lag between the top oil temperature rise and the oil temperature rise in the winding cooling ducts. This phenomena results in winding hottest spot temperatures greater than predicted by the current (1981) IEEE Loading Guide equations. Accurate predictions of the winding hottest spot temperature requires the use of the temperature of the oil entering and exiting the winding cooling ducts. Low flammability liquids such as silicone or high temperature hydrocarbons are not covered in the present Loading Guide. Resistance change with temperature and liquid viscosity are not considered in current Loading Guide equations. Loading Guide equations also assume a constant ambient air temperature during a load cycle. Improved loading equations based on analysis and testing are presented in this paper. The improved equations consider type of liquid, cooling mode, winding duct oil temperature rise, resistance and viscosity changes, and ambient temperature and load changes during a load cycle. A PC BASIC computer program to perform the calculations was developed and will be included in the next edition of the IEEE Loading Guide for Mineral Oil Immersed Transformers. >
The congruence of nursing diagnoses and supporting clinical evidence

In this secondary analysis, 890 patients 40 years of age and older were assessed within 24 hours of transfer from intensive care to medical/surgical units. Nursing diagnoses documented in the hospital record were compared to supporting clinical evidence obtained from subjects, the hospital record, and interviews with subjects and nurse caregivers. The congruence, based on the kappa statistic, between the nursing diagnosis and clinical evidence ranged from 0.1% for altered thought processes to 10% for impaired gas exchange, impaired physical mobility, and potential for injury, while no diagnoses were made for self-care deficits or sensory alterations, visual, when clinical evidence for them was available.
Superior semicircular canal dehiscence: congenital or acquired condition?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It remains unclear whether SSCD syndrome, characterized by onset of vestibular symptoms in the setting of loud noises, is a congenital or acquired condition. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the prevalence of SSCD on imaging among multiple age groups to determine whether this condition is more likely to be congenital or acquired. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following approval of the institutional review board, 306 consecutive temporal bone CT examinations performed between July 2005 and March 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 2 patients were eliminated due to destructive processes in the inner ear. Patients ranged in age from 7 months to 89 years. Images were independently evaluated by 2 neuroradiologists, and the superior semicircular canal was characterized as normal, thin, or frankly dehiscent in each temporal bone. Any discrepancies were resolved by consensus. The patient list was then subcategorized into 5 age groups, and the prevalence of SSCD was calculated for each group. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were identified with SSCD, of which 6 demonstrated dehiscence bilaterally. One hundred thirty-seven subjects were identified with thinning, of which 50 demonstrated thinning bilaterally. Each successively older age category experienced a 93% increase (95% CI, 30%–187%) in the prevalence of SSCD ( P = .001) and a 9% increase (95% CI, −5%–25%) in the prevalence of thinning ( P = .21). Neither crude nor age-adjusted models demonstrated a significant association between thinning and contralateral dehiscence or vice versa. CONCLUSIONS: The increased radiologic prevalence of SSCD among older age groups suggests that this is more commonly an acquired rather than congenital condition.
A novel digital control technique for brushless DC motor drives: conduction-angle control

Brushless DC (BLDC) motor drives are continually gaining popularity in motion control applications. Therefore, it is necessary to have a low cost, but effective BLDC motor speed/torque regulator. This paper introduces a novel concept for digital control of trapezoidal BLDC motors: conduction-angle control. The controller is very simple to implement in a cost effective application-specific-integrated-circuit (ASIC). The controller design equations are derived from Newton's 2nd law. The novel controller is verified via computer simulations and an experimental demonstration is carried out with the rapid prototyping and real-time interface system, dSPACE
Clinical experience with Matrix2 360° coils in the treatment of 100 intracranial aneurysms

Abstract Background The M2-360° is a recent class of aneurysm coil. This device combines the second generation of bioactive copolymer coating, which is intended to promote aneurysm fibrosis, with the “360°” design, which is meant to improve uniformity and density of packing. This study evaluates the safety and angiographic stability of these devices. Methods This was a retrospective review of 86 consecutive patients with 100 intracranial aneurysms that were treated using M2-360°s. Follow-up was done at 6 and 12 months. Results Seventy-eight aneurysms were coiled solely with M2-360°s, and 22 aneurysms were treated with a combination of coils. In mixed-coil cases, the average percentage of coil volume consisting of M2-360° coils was 78%. Procedure-related neurologic complications occurred in 6 patients (7%). Initial complete occlusion was obtained in 80 aneurysms. Of 76 aneurysms with 6-month angiographic follow-up, 4 (5.3%) revealed further occlusion, 54 (71.1%) were unchanged, and 18 (23.7%) showed recanalization. Of 38 aneurysms with 12-month follow-up, 1 (2.6%) revealed further occlusion, 23 (60.5%) were unchanged, and 14 (36.8%) showed recanalization. Six- and 12-month angiograms showed major recanalization (requiring further coiling) in 3.9% and 15.8% of cases, respectively. Conclusions The risk of complications with M2-360°–treated aneurysms is comparable with reports of other coils, indicating that M2-360°s are relatively safe. Although the initial occlusion rate is higher than that in other coiling series, recanalization rates were similar to those obtained with other coil designs. This study does not demonstrate an advantage with M2-360°s.
Uncontrolled destinies: improving opportunity for low-income students in American higher education

Recognizing the current administration’s focus on improving postsecondary access, this study examines resource allocation patterns and the predictive power of these resources in increasing the likelihood of 2- and 4-year college enrollment among low-income students. Using data from the Educational Longitudinal Study, college choice decision-making is conceptualized in relation to an individual’s habitus and capital deficiency theory. The results reveal significant differences in the availability and predictive power of various forms of capital across enrollment classifications. The study concludes with implications for administrators and policymakers interested in improving access for low-income students.
The minimally invasive approach is associated with reduced surgical site infections in obese patients undergoing proctectomy

While laparoscopic colorectal resection may be underused in technically challenging circumstances, the minimally invasive approach may in fact maximally benefit patients at the greatest risk of complications. Obesity and proctectomy pose particular technical challenges during laparoscopic resection and are also associated with the greatest risks of complications, especially surgical site infections (SSIs). We evaluated the role of laparoscopy in minimizing SSI in such patients. From the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, outcomes for obese [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2] and non-obese (BMI < 30 kg/m2) patients undergoing colectomy or proctectomy between 2006 and 2011 by the laparoscopic (laparoscopic colectomy, laparoscopic proctectomy) or open (open colectomy, open proctectomy) approaches were compared. A univariate analysis was used to determine the influence of laparoscopic surgery within each group on SSI, and a multivariate analysis evaluated the influence of laparoscopy on SSI for obese patients undergoing proctectomy. OC patients were more likely than OP, LC, and LP, respectively, to undergo emergency operation and have an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of 3–5. Overall SSI rates after OC, OP, LC, and LP were 15.2, 17.6, 8.6, and 10.1 %, respectively (p < 0.001), and for obese patients, the rates were 18.7, 22.3, 10.7, and 13.3 % (p < 0.001). On univariate analysis, open surgery, obesity, proctectomy, younger age, race, steroid use, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, prior wound infection, transfusion history, previous operation within 30 days, coronary artery or vascular disease, ASA class 3–5, tobacco use, resident involvement, male gender, albumin <3.5 g/dL, and emergent operation were associated with a higher risk of SSI. Laparoscopy reduced the risk of SSI by at least 35 % across all BMI classes and procedures, an effect that persisted on multivariate analysis even in obese patients undergoing proctectomy. In colorectal surgery, an already high-risk outlier for SSI, obesity and proctectomy are associated with the highest risk of SSI. Despite the particular technical challenges of laparoscopy in these circumstances, the minimally invasive approach attenuates the risk of SSI in these high-risk patients and thus should be strongly considered during treatment planning.
Dynamics of a Scalar Parabolic Equation

In these notes, we consider a scalar parabolic equation which is either autonomous or time dependent. We give a survey of some of the results that deal with the qualitative properties of the dynamics dened by general equations as well as specic results for particular equations. Many of the ideas for a scalar equation have served as a guide to the study of interesting phenomena in systems. We make some remarks about systems, but space limits a detailed discussion of this case. The table of contents describes well the essential plan of the notes. 1. Fundamental concepts If we consider an evolutionary equation in a Banach space X and assume that the vector eld does not depend upon time, then the solution through a point x2 X at time 0 may be represented as T (t)x. If each solution is dened for all t 0 and there a unique solution through each point, then the family of operators T (t);t 0;satises the following properties:
Transition-State Energy and Geometry, Exothermicity, and van der Waals Wells on the F + H2 → FH + H Ground-State Surface Calculated at the r12-ACPF-2 Level†

In an earlier paper, 1 we detailed the current status of the comparison between experimentally observed reaction crosssections and product HF(v,J) vibration-rotation state populations and corresponding results obtained using quantum scattering theory on current state-of-the-art potential energy surfaces (PESs) for the title reaction. More recently, a paper from the Skodje group has appeared 2 that offers an even more up-todate evaluation and an excellent overview. The latter paper points out that remaining experimental-theoretical differences are unlikely to arise from the treatment of the quantum dynamics or through contributions of the 2 P1/2 excited state of fluorine, which is in line with what we said in ref 1. Reference 2 also emphasizes that differences in the HF product vibrational populations likely arise from an incorrect exothermicity of the theoretical PES and that there seem to be errors in this PES in the region of the product-channel FH‚‚‚H van der Waals well. The main emphasis of ref 2 was to introduce corrections to the Stark and Werner 3 PES, which is the best global threedimensional (3D) PES presently available, and to improve its descriptions of the exothermicity and of the FH‚‚‚H van der Waals well. Although great progress has been made on both the experimental and theoretical (PES and reaction dynamics) fronts in the past 20 years, there remain differences between the theoretical and experimental findings suggesting that small errors (ca. 0.5-1.0 kcal mol -1 ) remain in even the very best current
Microsporum nanum infection in hog farmers

Microsportim nanum is a dermatophyte that can cause disease in both man and animals and is most frequently associated with ringworm infection in pigs. Human infections are rare in the literature. Three new cases of human M. nanum infection are reported here. Two patients had inflammatory tinea faciei and one had tinea cruris. The patients were successfully treated with clotrimazole or miconazole cream, sometimes combined with griseofulvin. All three patients were hog farmers and lived in the same small rural area. Occupational exposure is suggested as the cause of infection.
Immunocytochemical localization of a calcium-binding phosphoprotein in hemocytes of heterodont bivalves.

Calcium-binding phosphoprotein particles are the most abundant extracellular proteins in the hemolymph of heterodont bivalves, and granular hemocytes are the most abundant cells in the same fluid. In this study, the hemocytes of Rangia cuneata were examined ultrastruc-turally and probed with anti-phosphoprotein IgG to demonstrate that the granulocytes are a probable source of the hemolymph phosphoprotein. The granulocyte cytoplasm is laden with large vesicles containing an amorphous homogeneous matrix and variable numbers of electron-dense particles; the latter are ultrastructurally similar to the extracellular phosphoprotein. The vesicle particles and matrix are related forms of the hemolymph phosphoprotein as evidenced by heavy gold labeling when Lowicryl sections were sequentially treated with rabbit-anti-phosphoprotein IgG and colloidal gold-anti-rabbit IgG. The vesicles may be the loci for posttranslational phosphory-lation and eventual secretion of the calcium-binding phosphoprotein, or alternatively the vesicles may be digestive structures which degrade internalized phosphoprotein.
Generalized minimum distance decoding

We introduce a new distance measure which permits likelihood information to be used in algebraic minimum distance decoding techniques. We give an efficient decoding algorithm, and develop exponential bounds on the probability of not decoding correctly. In one application, this technique yields the same probability of error as maximum likelihood decoding.
Disruption of an internal membrane-spanning region in Shiga toxin 1 reduces cytotoxicity

Shiga toxin type 1 (Stx1) belongs to the Shiga family of bipartite AB toxins that inactivate eukaryotic 60S ribosomes. The A subunit of Stxs are N-glycosidases that share structural and functional features in their catalytic center and in an internal hydrophobic region that shows strong transmembrane propensity. Both features are conserved in ricin and other ribosomal inactivating proteins. During eukaryotic cell intoxication, holotoxin likely moves retrograde from the Golgi apparatus to the endoplasmic reticulum. The hydrophobic region, spanning residues I224 through N241 in the Stx1 A subunit (Stx1A), was hypothesized to participate in toxin translocation across internal target cell membranes. The TMpred computer program was used to design a series of site-specific mutations in this hydrophobic region that disrupt transmembrane propensity to various degrees. Mutations were synthesized by PCR overlap extension and confirmed by DNA sequencing. Mutants StxAF226Y, A231D, G234E, and A231D-G234E and wild-type Stx1A were expressed in Escherichia coli SY327 and purified by dye-ligand affinity chromatography. All of the mutant toxins were similar to wild-type Stx1A in enzymatic activity, as determined by inhibition of cell-free protein synthesis, and in susceptibility to trypsin digestion. Purified mutant or wild-type Stx1A combined with Stx1B subunits in vitro to form a holotoxin, as determined by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis immunoblotting. StxA mutant A231D-G234E, predicted to abolish transmembrane propensity, was 225-fold less cytotoxic to cultured Vero cells than were the wild-type toxin and the other mutant toxins which retained some transmembrane potential. Furthermore, compared to wild-type Stx1A, A231D-G234E Stx1A was less able to interact with synthetic lipid vesicles, as determined by analysis of tryptophan fluorescence for each toxin in the presence of increasing concentrations of lipid membrane vesicles. These results provide evidence that this conserved internal hydrophobic motif contributes to Stx1 translocation in eukaryotic cells.
Characterizing the Performance of Parallel Applications on Multi-socket Virtual Machines

In this paper we characterize the behavior with respect to memory locality management of scientific computing applications running in virtualized environments. NUMA locality on current solutions (KVM and Xen) is enforced by pinning virtual machines to CPUs and providing NUMA aware allocation in hyper visors. Our analysis shows that due to two-level memory management and lack of integration with page reclamation mechanisms, applications running on warm VMs suffer from a ``leakage'' of page locality. Our results using MPI, UPC and Open MP implementations of the NAS Parallel Benchmarks, running on Intel and AMD NUMA systems, indicate that applications observe an overall average performance degradation of 55\% when compared to native. Runs on ``cold'' VMs suffer an average performance degradation of 27\%, while subsequent runs are roughly 30\% slower than the cold runs. We quantify the impact of locality improvement techniques designed for full virtualization environments: hyper visor level page remapping and partitioning the NUMA domains between multiple virtual machines. Our analysis shows that hyper visor only schemes have little or no potential for performance improvement. When the programming model allows it, system partitioning with proper VM and runtime support is able to re-produce native performance: in a partitioned system with one virtual machine per socket the average workload performance is 5\% better than native.
Predictive Energy-Efficient Multicast for Large-Scale Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

Energy-efficient multicast routing is of primary concern for mobile ad hoc networks (MANET). However, none of existing energy-efficient multicast algorithms is applicable to large-scale MANETs, either due to their complexity (which is either NP-hard or polynomial with respect to the network size), or due to the huge overhead caused by frequent exchanges of location information. To solve the scalability and overhead issues, we propose the Predictive .Energy-efficient Multicast Algorithm (PEMA) which exploits statistical properties of the network, as opposed to relying on route details or network topology. The running time of PEMA depends on the multicast group size, not network size; this makes PEMA fast enough even for MANETs consisting of 1000 or more nodes. Simulation results show that PEMA not only results in significant energy savings compared to other existing algorithms, but also attains good packet delivery ratio in mobile environments.
A Long Term Field Emissions Study of Natural Gas Fueled Refuse Haulers in New York City

New York City Department of Sanitation has operated natural gas fueled refuse haulers in a pilot study: a major goal of this study was to compare the emissions from these natural gas vehicles with their diesel counterparts. The vehicles were tandem axle trucks with GVW (gross vehicle weight) rating of 69,897 pounds. The primary use of these was for street collection and transporting the refuse to a landfill. West Virginia University Transportable Heavy Duty Emissions Testing Laboratories have been engaged in monitoring the tailpipe emissions from these trucks for seven-years. In the later years of testing the hydrocarbons were speciated for non-methane and methane components. Six of these vehicles employed the older technology (mechanical mixer) Cummins L-10 lean burn natural gas engines. Five trucks were equipped with electronically controlled Detroit Diesel Series 50 lean burn engines, while another five were powered by Caterpillar stoichiometric burn 3306 natural gas engines, The Ca terpillar engines employed an exhaust oxygen sensor feedback and three way catalysts. Since the refuse haulers had automatic Allison transmissions, and since they were employed in stop-and-go city service, initial emissions measurements were made using the Central Business Cycle (SAE Jl376) for buses at 42,000 pound test weight. Some additional measurements were made using an ad hoc cycle that has been designed to be more representative of the real refuse hauler use that included several compaction cycles. The Cummins powered natural gas vehicles showed oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide emission variations typically associated with variable fuel mixer performance. In the first Year of testing, the stoichiometric Caterpillar engines yielded low emission levels, but in later years two of these refuse haulers had high carbon monoxide attributed to failure of the feedback system. For example, carbon monoxide on these two vehicles rose from 1.4 g/mile and 10 g/mile in 1995 to 144.9 g/mile and 57.8 g/mile in 1996. These stoichiometric engines were also less fuel efficient than their lean burn counterparts. The Detroit Diesel Series 50 powered refuse haulers produced high levels of oxides of nitrogen. However, it was found that changing the shifting patterns of the transmission lowered the oxides of nitrogen. All three engine types showed the potential for low emissions operation and the particulate matter reduction advantage offered by natural gas was evident from the results.
Rheooptical Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of the deformation behavior in quenched and slow-cooled isotactic polypropylene films†

Emerging technological applications for complex polymers require insight into the dynamics of these materials from a molecular and nanostructural viewpoint. To characterize the orientational response at these length scales, we developed a versatile rheooptical Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer by combining rheometry, polarimetry, and FTIR spectroscopy. This instrument is capable of measuring linear infrared dichroism spectra during both small-strain dynamic deformation and large-strain irreversible deformation over a wide temperature range. The deformation response of quenched and slow-cooled isotactic polypropylene (iPP) is investigated. In quenched iPP, under dynamic oscillatory strain at an amplitude of ∼0.1%, the dichroism from the orientation of the amorphous chains is appreciably less than that from the crystalline region. At large irreversible strains, we measured the dichroic response for 12 different peaks simultaneously and quantitatively. The dichroism from the crystalline peaks is strong as compared to amorphous peaks. In the quenched sample, the dichroism from the crystalline region saturates at 50% strain, followed by a significant increase in the amorphous region dichroism. This is consistent with the notion that the crystalline regions respond strongly before the yield point, whereas the majority of postyielding orientation occurs in the amorphous region. Our results also suggest that the 841 cm−1 peak may be especially sensitive to the ‘smectic’ region orientation in the quenched sample. The response of the slow-cooled sample at 70 °C is qualitatively similar but characterized by a stronger crystalline region dichroism and a weaker amorphous region dichroism, consistent with the higher crystallinity of this sample, and faster chain relaxation at 70 °C. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2539–2551, 2002
Leveraging Noisy Lists for Social Feed Ranking

Active users of social networks are subjected to extreme information overload, as they tend to follow hundreds (or even thousands of other users). Aggregated social feeds on sites like Twitter are insufficient, showing superfluous content and not allowing users to separate their topics of interest or place a priority on the content being pushed to them by their “friends.” The major social network platforms have begun to implement various features to help users organize their feeds, but these solutions require significant human effort to function properly. In practice, the burden is so high that most users do not adopt these features. We propose a system that seeks to help users find more relevant content on their feeds, but does not require explicit user input. Our system, BUTTERWORTH, automatically generates a set of “rankers” by identifying sub-communities of the user’s social network and the common content they produce. These rankers are presented using human-readable keywords and allow users to rank their feed by specific topics. We achieve an average top-10 precision of 78%, as compared to a baseline of 45%, for automatically generated topics.
Boundary detection and containment of local worm infections

We propose a system for detecting scanning-worm infected machines in a local network. Infected machines are detected after a few unsuccesful connection attempts, and in cooperation with the border router, their traffic is redirected to a honeypot for worm identification and capture. We discuss the architecture of the system and present a sample implementation based on a Linux router. We discuss future improvements for increasing the detection abilities and coverage of the sensor. While the system was developed based on the Billy Goat worm-detection system, it can easily be used with other honeypot systems.
Sea surface salinity variability in the Agulhas Current region inferred from SMOS and Aquarius

Abstract Understanding of the Agulhas Current's unique retroflection and ring shedding has been greatly improved by satellite altimetry data over the last several decades, but salinity remote sensing technology has not been available to conduct similar studies with respect to regional sea surface salinity (SSS) variability. ESA's Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) and NASA's Aquarius/SAC-D salinity missions can provide such data, but it remains unclear if the accuracy of these sensors is high enough to properly study this dynamic region. To address this issue, this study validates both SMOS and Aquarius against monthly in situ data from Argo floats. All available, corresponding data points over a three year period have root mean square differences less than 0.2 pss and correlation coefficients greater than 0.9. Additionally, over 80% of differences between the products fall between ± 0.5 pss. Surface salt transports were calculated to see how well the satellite products estimate SSS advection in the Agulhas region. Zonal and meridional surface salt transports have annual maxima in austral winter and minima in austral summer, although the seasonal range is small. Using Argo, SMOS, and Aquarius SSS for this calculation produces statistically identical results, suggesting the utility of using the satellites to monitor regional salinity advection at higher frequencies and horizontal resolutions than previously possible using only sparse in situ data. SSS gradients along the subtropical front reveal that SMOS and Aquarius are much more effective tools for observing small-scale structure prevalent in the meandering of the Agulhas Return Current. Finally, we conclude that when compared to Argo floats in situ observations SMOS and Aquarius are statistically accurate and may yet prove powerful tools for observing Agulhas salinity processes on smaller time and spatial scales.
Periodogram analysis of menstrual cycles

Periodogram analysis of long‐term menstrual calendars of women shows that there is an individual dominant frequency of the onsets of menstrual bleeding. In the cases under study, corresponding domi...
ENVIRONMENTAL AND GENETIC DETERMINANTS OF PLANT SIZE IN VIOLA SORORIA.

Survivorship and fecundity in the forest herb, Viola sororia, are size-dependent. The basis of size variation among individuals of Viola sororia was investigated with a uniform environment experiment. Plants collected from natural populations were vegetatively reproduced and grown under two light regimes in a greenhouse. Analysis of quantitative variation showed: 1) significant differences between light treatments for characters related to plant shape and relative growth rate; 2) significant among-genet variation for plant size, plant shape and relative growth rate but none for physiological characters; and 3) a size threshold for cleistogamous seed production and rhizome production. Heritability estimates for the characters associated with plant size and shape ranged from 0.09 to 0.39, indicating significant genetic determination for these traits. In addition, among-genet differences in relative growth rate were substantial. The results of this study suggest that the size variation found in natural populations is not solely a function of environmental heterogeneity but is significantly influenced by the genotypes composing the population.
The Transtheoretical Model, Physical Activity, and Falls Risks Among Diverse Older Adults

Given the negative health-related consequences of falls risks and the high inactivity levels among older adults, the study’s purpose was to examine the relations among motivational aspects derived from the transtheoretical model (TTM), physical activity (PA), and falls risks for 170 diverse older adults (Mage = 72.24 years). Based on MANOVA, the TTM constructs differed in the expected direction across the SOC. Based on two ANOVAs, PA increased and falls risks decreased across the SOC. According to two stepwise multiple regressions, self-efficacy was the only predictor of PA (R2 = 13.5%). The most important predictors of falls risks were PA (R2Δ = 18.4%), behavioral processes (R2Δ = 4.8%), and self-efficacy (R2Δ = 2%). Falls risk prevention can be enhanced by PA, behavioral processes, and confidence.
Model-Based Closed-Loop Control of the Hydraulic Fracturing Process

Hydraulic fracturing is a technique for enhancing the extraction of oil and gas from deep underground sources. Two important goals during this process are to achieve a final fracture with a predefined geometry and to have a proper distribution of proppant material within the fracture to keep the fracture walls open and allow oil and gas to flow to the surface. The hydraulic fracturing system contains limited real-time measurements of the actual fracture conditions largely due to the remote subterranean location where the fracture propagates. The fracturing process is characterized by multiphase transport, proppant settling, and coupling of fluid and fracture growth mechanics, all occurring within a time-varying spatial domain. These features present a challenge for the implementation of online feedback control of the fracture growth and proppant placement, and there are very few accounts of attempting this goal in the open literature. To address these issues, the current work proposes a control strategy t...
DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT EFFECTS OF EXTENDED-RELEASE NIACIN AND PLACEBO ON BASELINE AND ONE-YEAR LIPOPROTEIN SUBFRACTIONS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO CARDIOVASCULAR OUTCOMES: POST HOC SUBSET ANALYSIS OF AIM-HIGH TRIAL PATIENTS WITH HIGH TRIGLYCERIDE AND LOW HDL-C

The AIM-HIGH trial failed to show incremental clinical benefit for the combination of extended-release niacin (ERN) vs. placebo (PBO) with simvastatin in 3,414 patients with established cardiovascular (CV) disease and low baseline HDL-C. A post hoc analysis showed CV event reduction in the high-risk
Reconstruction for All: The Case for Pediatric Hand Transplantation

The advent of vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) has ushered in a new era of reconstructive surgery. Lower rungs on the reconstructive ladder rely on autologous tissue, alloplastic materials and pretreated biologics to reconstruct and mimic the functional and aesthetic components of human anatomy. VCA, however, uniquely provides the exact functional components in the appropriate anatomic configuration to restore both form and function together in a single unit. Following the first successful hand transplant in 1998, the medical community has progressively adopted VCA as a viable restorative option for a multitude of functional defects. Reconstructive Hand Transplantation (RHT) remains the most commonly practiced form of VCA and to date, 72 patients in 16 countries have undergone transplantation of 107 upper extremities over the past 17 y. As this field continues to gain traction and enjoy advances in transplant medicine, it is time we consider pediatric recipients who may have more to gain f...
Attorney-client privilege -- Ten important cases handed down in roughly the past year

This piece is about ten important attorney-client privilege cases from roughly the past year. The cases involve the following: (1) client’s communications made in the presence of a documentary filmmaker’s camera crew; (2) client’s chat-room discussion of her attorney’s strategy; (3) client’s e-communications with her attorney using her company-issued computer; (4) counsel’s sending privileged material to a court-appointed expert; (5) erroneous denial of the privilege regarding evidence relevant only to a count regarding which the accused was found not guilty and not relevant to counts regarding which he was found guilty; (6) attorney’s representation of two clients in a matter of common interest; (7) corporate communications to in-house counsel who, it was discovered, was not licensed to practice law; (8) client’s action for alleged tortious invasion of the attorney-client privilege; (9) an Indian Tribe’s failure to file a privilege report pending resolution of its claim of sovereign immunity; and, (10) a decision from the European Court of Justice regarding communications between a corporation and in-house counsel in the E.U. (and the ramifications of this decision for American lawyers who practice in the E.U., represent American companies with offices in the E.U., represent American companies that end up in litigation in the E.U., and represent E.U. companies that end up in court in the United States).
Lifestyle Segmentation Based on Energy Consumption Data

After deploying a large number of smart meters, utilities are challenged with managing a massive set of interval energy consumption data and decoding the information into meaningful measures that can help them. These new tasks need a more detailed understanding of customers than was previously sought because customers vary widely in their usage, needs, and suitability for different programs and pricing packages. Defining and describing different customer segments will equip decision makers with information to advance not only in pricing and program marketing but also resource allocation and program development. Therefore, among many applications, customer lifestyle segmentation can unlock potential energy-savings and can help utilities understand operating requirements and better coordinate energy resources for grid management. This paper focuses on how to segment customers’ lifestyles based on their electricity consumption data and provides suggestions on which lifestyle groups can be good candidates for certain energy programs based on the segmentation result.
Additions to the Sphagna of Northwestern Pennsylvania: Noteworthy Collections

Abstract. Several new Sphagnum species occurrences are reported for each of Butler, Crawford, Mercer, and Venango Counties in northwestern Pennsylvania. Five new county records are reported from Butler County: S. centrale, S. cuspidatum, S. flexuosum, S. girgensohnii, and S. subtile. Sphagnum contortum and S. palustre are new to Crawford and Mercer Counties, respectively. Seven new county records are reported to Venango County, namely, S. cuspidatum, S. girgenshonii, S. magellanicum, S. majus, S. palustre, S. subsecundum, and S. warnstorfii. Additionally, we report the continued occurrences of S. girgensohnii from Allegheny County and S. capillifolium from Butler County that were previously known only from historical records of collections made 70 and 80 years ago, respectively.
The Political Process Argument for the Supreme Court to Overrule Quill

Should the U.S. Supreme Court overrule Quill Corporation v. North Dakota? In Quill, the Court held that, under the dormant Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, the states cannot impose the obligation to collect sales taxes on out-of-state vendors which lack physical presence in the taxing state. As internet commerce has grown, Quill’s physical presence test has severely hampered the states’ ability to enforce their sales taxes. Much of the Supreme Court’s case law suggests that, under the banner of stare decisis, the Court should not overturn Quill. This case law indicates that it is Congress’s job to modify or reject the physical presence test established in Quill. Quill was decided under the dormant Commerce Clause and thus can be overturned by Congress.However, a careful assessment of the federal political process suggests a contrary conclusion, namely, that the Supreme Court itself should overturn Quill in the Court’s role as guardian of the states against federal commandeering. A combination of factors underlay this conclusion: the tactical advantage which Quill bestows in the political process upon the internet and mail order industries, the importance of the states in the structure of federalism, the centrality of sales taxes to the financing of state government, the severe impediment which Quill and its physical presence test impose upon the collection of these taxes, and the unique disadvantages of the states in the federal legislative process. In our system of federalism as it exists today, the states are structurally important but politically disadvantaged. Federal legislators receive no political benefits from helping the states. This contrasts with the political support – votes and campaign contributions – private groups bestow for legislative backing. Quill effectively commandeers the states to subsidize internet commerce by not taxing it. Quill also hands great political advantage to the defenders of the status quo, the internet and mail order sales industries which effectively sell their goods sales tax-free because of Quill’s physical presence test. In the federal lawmaking process, defenders of current law have the politically easier task of blocking change in a process which affords them many opportunities to obstruct change. Quill gives that advantage to the internet and mail order industries which need merely impede legislation to preserve the status quo – as they have done successfully for over two decades.Hence, in the final analysis, the Court itself should, despite the force of stare decisis, overturn Quill rather than rely on Congress to abolish the physical presence test which severely hampers the states’ collection of their sales taxes in the face of the growth of internet commerce.