cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surface configuration of sorbed hexadecyltrimethylammonium on kaolinite as indicated by surfactant and counterion sorption, cation desorption, and FTIR

Abstract Sorption of cationic surfactants on clay minerals was studied extensively in the past 15 years, but most was focused on smectite clays because of their larger surface area and higher cation exchange capacity. For smectite, due to its swelling property and surfactant intercalation, it is difficult to differentiate amount of surfactant sorbed on mineral surfaces from that in interlayer spaces. Kaolinite is a 1:1 layered clay mineral showing no swelling in the presence of quaternary ammonium compounds, thus, making it ideal for the study of surfactant sorption on external mineral surfaces. Sorption of hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) bromide on two reference kaolinites (KGa-1b and KGa-2) was studied as a function of initial HDTMA concentration, contact time, accumulative cation desorption, co-adsorption of counterion, and FTIR. When the equilibrium HDTMA concentration is below its critical micelle concentration, sorbed surfactant molecules primarily form monolayer formation. At the HDTMA sorption maximum, the ratios of HDTMA sorbed to counterion sorbed, HDTMA sorbed to cation desorbed, and counterion sorbed to cation desorbed all indicated an overbalanced admicelle sorption on kaolinite contrast to a bilayer HDTMA formation. A consistent shift of C–C symmetric and asymmetric vibration from high to low frequencies further supported a transition from adsorbed monomers to admicelles as the HDTMA surface coverage increased. The ratio of HDTMA sorbed via hydrophobic interaction to total HDTMA sorbed on kaolinite was 0.64 determined from HDTMA sorption and bromide co-adsorption data and 0.7–0.8 determined from the HDTMA sorption and cation desorption data. Compared to cation exchange, hydrophobic interaction played a more important role in HDTMA sorption.
Neural computing and production systems

The application of neural computing to the problem of matching in production systems is addressed. The computation time required by this problem can be significantly reduced by using the massive parallelism and pattern recognition capabilities available through neural computing. A novel neural computing model, called the ProNet, is introduced and explained in detail. The ProNet is applied to the match phase of the production system interpreter in an attempt to yield a reduction in time and space requirements by matching all of the productions to all of the working memory elements simultaneously. Simulation results are presented. It is shown that, using neural computing via the ProNet, the time required by the match phase can be considerably reduced, and thus the overall time required by the production interpreter can be decreased. >
Greater Disruption Due to Failure of Inhibitory Control on an Ambiguous Distractor

Considerable evidence indicates that a stimulus that is subthreshold, and thus consciously invisible, influences brain activity and behavioral performance. However, it is not clear how subthreshold stimuli are processed in the brain. We found that a task-irrelevant subthreshold coherent motion led to a stronger disturbance in task performance than did suprathreshold motion. With the subthreshold motion, activity in the visual cortex measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging was higher, but activity in the lateral prefrontal cortex was lower, than with suprathreshold motion. These results suggest that subthreshold irrelevant signals are not subject to effective inhibitory control.
Moving average processes and maximum entropy

A characterization of the stochastic process that has maximum entropy among all moving average processes of order q, subject to the condition that the autocovariances gamma (k) satisfy gamma (k)=c/sub k/, for k=0,1,. . ., p, is provided by exploiting properties of the inverse autocovariance sequence. >
Preliminary Fault Map of the Lake Tahoe Basin, California and Nevada

INTRODUCTION The Lake Tahoe basin of California and Nevada lies within a seismically active region along the boundary between the Sierra Nevada and the Basin and Range Province. Geodetic, VLBI, and trilateration studies indicate that much of the modern motion between the Sierra Nevada block and stable North America to the east is being taken up in this boundary zone (Argus and Gordon, 1990, 1991; Dixon et al., 1995; Savage et al., 1995). For example, Savage et al. (1995) concluded that as much as 6—8 mm/yr of northwest displacement may be occurring in the region between Carson City and the west side of Lake Tahoe. Together with patterns of historic seismicity (dePolo et al., 1997), these data suggest that a significant seismic hazard may exist in the Lake Tahoe basin. At 9:53 GMT October 30, 1998, an M 4.9 earthquake occurred a few kilometers north of Incline Village, Nevada (Ichinose...
The Effectiveness of the Recent Army Captain Retention Program

The United States Army recently implemented a policy aimed at quelling a large-scale exodus of captains. This policy included the provision of a Menu of Incentives Program targeting officers in year groups 1999—2005. This study details the captain attrition problem, evaluates literature regarding retention options, analyzes the efficacy of the Army’s interventions by branch and by year group, and draws conclusions regarding future incentives. Methods used include chi-square and odds ratios analysis. Results reflect high acceptance rates for year groups 1999—2003; however, officers in these year groups may have remained in the service without any additional incentives because they were logically beyond the initial decision point. Findings suggest that seniority, skill, and adequate incentive pay are important considerations for future incentive programs.
The Impact of Social Structure on Economic Outcomes

This chapter begins by reviewing some of the principles. Building on these, the chapter then discusses how social structures and social networks can affect economic outcomes like hiring, price, productivity, and innovation. It focuses on Sociologists have developed core principles about the interactions of social structure, information, ability to punish or reward, and trust that frequently recur in their analyses of political, economic, and other institutions. Thus, network structure can be partially endogenized in labor market analysis. However, there are also a range of alternatives, not commonly included in economic analysis, that work through social groups and create compliance in less intrusive ways. Many studies, comprehensively reviewed in Roger Myersons, show the powerful impact of social structure and networks on the extent and source of innovation and its diffusion. When people trade with others they know, the impact of knowing each other on the price varies with their relationship, the cost of shifting to different partners, and the market situation.
Selective Attention and Multisensory Integration: Multiple Phases of Effects on the Evoked Brain Activity

We used event-related potentials (ERPs) to evaluate the role of attention in the integration of visual and auditory features of multisensory objects. This was done by contrasting the ERPs to multisensory stimuli (AV) to the sum of the ERPs to the corresponding auditory-only (A) and visual-only (V) stimuli [i.e., AV vs. (A + V)]. V, A, and VA stimuli were presented in random order to the left and right hemispaces. Subjects attended to a designated side to detect infrequent target stimuli in either modality there. The focus of this report is on the ERPs to the standard (i.e., nontarget) stimuli. We used rapid variable stimulus onset asynchronies (350–650 msec) to mitigate anticipatory activity and included "no-stim" trials to estimate and remove ERP overlap from residual anticipatory processes and from adjacent stimuli in the sequence. Spatial attention effects on the processing of the unisensory stimuli consisted of a modulation of visual P1 and N1 components (at 90–130 msec and 160–200 msec, respectively) and of the auditory N1 and processing negativity (100–200 msec). Attended versus unattended multisensory ERPs elicited a combination of these effects. Multisensory integration effects consisted of an initial frontal positivity around 100 msec that was larger for attended stimuli. This was followed by three phases of centro-medially distributed effects of integration and/or attention beginning at around 160 msec, and peaking at 190 (scalp positivity), 250 (negativity), and 300–500 msec (positivity) after stimulus onset. These integration effects were larger in amplitude for attended than for unattended stimuli, providing neural evidence that attention can modulate multisensory-integration processes at multiple stages.
Recovery of an HMWP/hmwBP (pUL48/pUL47) Complex from Virions of Human Cytomegalovirus: Subunit Interactions, Oligomer Composition, and Deubiquitylase Activity

We report that the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) high-molecular-weight tegument protein (HMWP, pUL48; 253 kDa) and the HMWP-binding protein (hmwBP, pUL47; 110 kDa) can be recovered as a complex from virions disrupted by treatment with 50 mM Tris (pH 7.5), 0.5 M NaCl, 0.5% NP-40, and 10 mM dithiothreitol [DTT]. The subunit ratio of the complex approximates 1:1, with a shape and structure consistent with an elongated heterodimer. The HMWP/hmwBP complex was corroborated by reciprocal coimmunoprecipitation experiments using antipeptide antibodies and lysates from both infected cells and disrupted virus particles. An interaction of the amino end of pUL48 (amino acids [aa] 322 to 754) with the carboxyl end of pUL47 (aa 693 to 982) was identified by fragment coimmunoprecipitation experiments, and a head-to-tail self-interaction of hmwBP was also observed. The deubiquitylating activity of pUL48 is retained in the isolated complex, which cleaves K11, K48, and K63 ubiquitin isopeptide linkages. IMPORTANCE Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV, or human herpesvirus 5 [HHV-5]) is a large DNA-containing virus that belongs to the betaherpesvirus subfamily and is a clinically important pathogen. Defining the constituent elements of its mature form, their organization within the particle, and the assembly process by which it is produced are fundamental to understanding the mechanisms of herpesvirus infection and developing drugs and vaccines against them. In this study, we report isolating a complex of two large proteins encoded by HCMV open reading frames (ORFs) UL47 and UL48 and identifying the binding domains responsible for their interaction with each other and of pUL47 with itself. Our calculations indicate that the complex is a rod-shaped heterodimer. Additionally, we determined that the ubiquitin-specific protease activity of the ORF UL48 protein was functional in the complex, cleaving K11-, K48-, and K63-linked ubiquitin dimers. This information builds on and extends our understanding of the HCMV tegument protein network that is required to interface the HCMV envelope and capsid.
CLASS SIZE AND INTERACTION IN ONLINE COURSES

This article presents findings of a study conducted to determine instructors’ perceptions of optimal class sizes for online courses with different levels of interaction. Implications for research and practice are also presented. A Web-based survey method was employed. Online courses studied were those taught sometime in the last 5 years by a single instructor in undergraduate or graduate programs from U.S. higher education institutions. Instructors described the level of interactive qualities in their most recently taught online course using a Web version of Roblyer and Wiencke’s (2004) Rubric for Assessing Interactive Qualities in Distance Courses, and they indicated optimal class sizes according to such qualities. Responses from 131 instructors were analyzed. On average (a) instructors described their online courses as highly interactive, (b) the actual class size of the online courses was 22.8, (c) a class size of 18.9 was perceived as optimal to better achieve the course’s actual level of interaction, and (d) a class size of 15.9 was perceived as optimal to achieve the highest level of interaction. No relationship was found between online courses’ actual class sizes and their actual level of interaction.
The optimal order of processing sensor information in sequential multisensor fusion algorithms

We examine the order of sensor processing in the sequential multisensor probabilistic data association (MSPDA) filter for target tracking applications. If two sensors of different qualities are used in the sequential MSPDA filter, the r.m.s. position error is generally smaller when the worse sensor is processed first. This finding regarding the order of sensor processing is supported by simulations of a target tracking system, and by analysis of firstthrough sixth-order target process models using the modified Riccati equation.
On the irregularity strength of trees

For any graph G, let ni be the number of vertices of degree i, and $\lambda (G)={max} _{i\le j}\{ {n_i+\cdots +n_j+i-1\over j}\}$. This is a general lower bound on the irregularity strength of graph G. All known facts suggest that for connected graphs, this is the actual irregularity strength up to an additive constant. In fact, this was conjectured to be the truth for regular graphs and for trees. Here we find an infinite sequence of trees with λ(T) = n1 but strength converging to ${11-\sqrt 5\over 8} n_1$. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 45: 241–254, 2004
Aerothermodynamic Environment for a Generic Missile

There are a variety of computer codes of varying degrees of rigor that can be used by the designers of highspeed missile systems to dee ne the aerothermodynamic environment at e ight conditions. It is assumed that the e ow models and the numerical algorithms used in these codes have been validated by their developers. However, the users of such codes must exercise them against a quality database, gaining knowledge of the intricacies in the use of such codes and calibrating the range of conditions over which the code can be used to predict specie c parameters that are important to the design objectives without necessarily verifying that all of the features of the e ow are correctly modeled. Forces and moments, surface pressures, surface temperatures, and e ow-visualization photographs have been obtained in theTri-Sonic Wind Tunnel at the U.S. Air Force Academy at Mach 4.28. When comparing the e owe eld parameters computed using state-of-the-art codes with the corresponding experimental parameters, streamwise oscillations were observed in thecomputed pressure distribution on the windward surface of the missile at angle of attack. These anomalous results were eliminated by modifying the grid to cluster points for capturing the bow shock wave. Nomenclature A = axial force CA = axial-force coefe cient, A=.q1S/ CM = pitching-moment coefe cient referenced to the apex of the model, M=.q1SD/ CN = normal-force coefe cient, N=.q1S/ D = diameter of the cylindrical portion of the model, 1.25 in. L = model length, 10.00 in. M = pitching moment referenced to the apex of the model N = normal force P = static pressure Pt1 = total pressure in the tunnel reservoir Rn = nose radius Re1;L = Reynolds number based on the freestream conditions and on the model length ReL = Reynolds number based on the freestream conditions and on the model length in millions, i.e., Re1;L £10 i6
Plasmonic-magnetic bifunctional nanoparticles.

An amorphous seed-mediated strategy has been developed for the synthesis of hybrid nanoparticles that are composed of silver (yellow) and iron oxide (blue) nanodomains and exhibit unique optical properties. These properties originate from both the strong surface plasmon resonance of the silver and the strong superparamagnetic responses of the iron oxide nanodomains.
Use of postoperative radiotherapy for node-positive non-small-cell lung cancer.

Abstract The appropriate patient selection for adjuvant radiotherapy after primary surgical therapy of non—small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear. Four thousand thirteen patients diagnosed from 1988-1995 in 9 registry areas of the Survival, Epidemiology, and End Results program who received primary surgical therapy for pathologic stage T1-3 N1/2 M0 NSCLC were identified. County-level and patient-specific variables associated with the use of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) were studied by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Prognostic factors for cause-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were determined by Cox multivariate analysis. Overall, 58% of node-positive patients received PORT. Use of PORT was independently associated with younger age, more advanced nodal disease, no prior cancer, less extensive surgery than pneumonectomy, and patient residence close to a radiotherapy facility. In multivariate analysis of the entire node-positive population, there were no differences in OS or CSS with the use of PORT. In the patients with N2 disease, PORT was associated with improved OS (5-year OS: 16% without PORT, 22% with PORT; P = 0.001) and CSS (5-year CSS: 25% without PORT, 30% with PORT; P = 0.02). Additionally, patients with ≥ 4 nodes involved also had an improved survival in association with PORT (5-year OS: 11% without PORT, 18% with PORT; P = 0.001; 5-year CSS: 17% without PORT, 25% with PORT; P = 0.009). Therefore, recognizing the inherent limitations of a retrospective, registry-based analysis, patients with more advanced nodal disease appear to have an improved survival with the use of PORT.
Automated particle collection and analysis. Near-real time measurement of aerosol cerium (III)

Abstract Growth of particles by supersaturated vapor condensation followed by impaction-based collection allows efficient collection of atmospheric particles in the micron and submicron range and results in a liquid output stream in which the collected particles are dissolved or suspended. The original apparatus ( Anal. Chem. , 67, 1995, 71–78) has been substantially improved by obviating the need for a thermoelectrically cooled flow through the maze. The instrument is investigated for its potential to collect and measure metallic constituents in submicron size aerosols. Sodium sulfate aerosols containing traces of Ce (III) sulfate were used as the test aerosol. A fluorometric method was used to measure Ce (III). Excellent collection efficiencies and a limit of detection of 200 fmol m −3 air were observed.
Signaling Models and Product Market Games in Finance: Do We Know What We Know?

Important results in a large class of financial models of signaling and product market games hinge on assumptions about the second order complementarities or substitutabilities between arguments in the maximand. Such second order relationships are determined by the technology of the firm in signaling models, and market structure in product market games. To the extent that the underlying economics (in theoretical specifications) or the data (in empirical tests) cannot distinguish between such complementarities and substitutabilities, the theoretical robustness and the empirical tests of many models are rendered questionable. Based on three well-known models from finance literature, we discuss the role that these assumptions play in theory development and provide empirical evidence that is consistent with the arguments advanced here.
Reinforcement Mechanisms in Nanofilled Polymer Melts and Elastomers

Mechanical reinforcement in nanofilled polymer melts and elastomers was investigated with emphasis on low filler concentrations ranging from zero to 12.5 vol. %. Composite samples were prepared using a poly(vinyl acetate) matrix with each of three different filler types. Two fumed-silica fillers with different surface chemistry were used. One had an untreated (not-treated) surface (NT) containing hydroxyl groups that can form hydrogen bonds with the matrix polymer, and one had a surface treatment (ST) that prevents such bonds from forming. In addition, a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) filler was used in order to provide no appreciable filler-matrix bonding. Dynamic mechanical data were obtained within the linear viscoelastic region using symmetric, simple shear specimens. Data are presented in the form of superposition master curves of storage shear modulus versus reduced frequency. The increase in storage modulus with filler addition is strongly dependent on the frequency of observation. At higher reduced frequencies, that is, the glassy end of the master curve, reinforcement R (defined as the storage modulus of the composite divided by that of the neat polymer, at a given reduced frequency) is low and has values typically predicted by micromechanics theory, ca. 1.5 at 12.5% filler. Conversely, at lower reduced frequencies in the rubbery plateau region, reinforcement is many times larger than what current theory predicts, ca. 50 or more. In addition, the long relaxation times of the matrix polymer are extended by filler addition, for example, by more than 2 decades for the 12.5% NT filler composite. The relaxation time distribution of the matrix polymer depends on the filler type and concentration, and the master curves themselves cannot be superposed. Of major importance, it is found that the reinforcement increases exponentially with a reduced filler volume fraction defined as the actual volume fraction φ divided by a scale factor ψ, that is, R = exp(φ/ψ). This scale factor, or "scaling volume fraction", is specific to the filler―matrix composite system. The initial slope of the reinforcement versus filler volume fraction curve at zero filler is given by 1/ψ, which varies from 28.6 for NT filler to 3.57 for PTFE filler. These values should be compared to the 2.5 found in the Einstein and Guth-Gold theories, both of which fail to describe the physics of reinforcement in polymeric melts. The implications of these findings to the root mechanism of reinforcement and the origin of the Payne effect are discussed in terms of a postulated filler-induced conformational restriction model based on the physics of the polymeric matrix in the presence of filler.
Why Users Come to the Library: A Case Study of Library and Non-Library Units

Abstract This case study explores use patterns of an academic library following the addition of several non-library units. Of specific interest were the initial destinations of patrons, the number of destinations visited, and the primary purpose for coming to the library. We observed all destinations of patrons as they entered the building and administered an exit survey to gain additional insight into patrons' use of the library, including all first floor destinations visited and their primary purpose for visiting the library. We used selected statistics to further explore library use. Findings indicate that non-library units are a popular destination for library patrons but do not eclipse the overall use of library units; that the majority of patrons only visit one destination per trip to the library; and that the primary purposes for which patrons come to the library are studying and the use of library materials.
MSM photodiodes

Metal-semiconductor-metal photodiodes (MSM) are new class of photodetectors that offer an attractive alternative to conventional photodiodes. The advantage and disadvantages of MSM are discussed. MSM allow very large area detectors to facilitate coupling to optical fibres without degrading the bandwidth.
Recent advances of injectable radiopharmaceuticals for nuclear imaging and therapy: a new era in nuclear medicine

This article provides a brief overview of the use and recent developments of injectable radiopharmaceuticals for nuclear imaging and therapy. Some up-to-date advances in the field of nuclear medici...
Reliability of Monte Carlo simulations in modeling neutron yields from a shielded fission source

Abstract Using the combination of a neutron-sensitive 6Li glass scintillator detector with a neutron-insensitive 7Li glass scintillator detector, we are able to make an accurate measurement of the capture rate of fission neutrons on 6Li. We used this detector with a 252Cf neutron source to measure the effects of both non-borated polyethylene and 5% borated polyethylene shielding on detection rates over a range of shielding thicknesses. Both of these measurements were compared with MCNP calculations to determine how well the calculations reproduced the measurements. When the source is highly shielded, the number of interactions experienced by each neutron prior to arriving at the detector is large, so it is important to compare Monte Carlo modeling with actual experimental measurements. MCNP reproduces the data fairly well, but it does generally underestimate detector efficiency both with and without polyethylene shielding. For non-borated polyethylene it underestimates the measured value by an average of 8%. This increases to an average of 11% for borated polyethylene.
Sustaining Innovation in the Midst of Success

It seems strange to claim that it is dangerous for organizations to achieve the success they seek; however, there are numerous cases of successful organizations facing decline soon after achieving success. This often occurs because these organizations fall into the trap of focusing too much on execution once they achieve success, which causes them to neglect the innovative approach that enabled achieving success in the first place. To avoid this trap, leaders must ensure that their organizations have a clearly identified and transformative purpose that guides organizational member work and inspires them to improve. The leader must also ensure that there is a well-established and understood process for improvement that facilitates learning and innovation. Finally, the leader must model, and organizational policies must reflect, the proper balance between execution and innovation.
INCREASING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND REGIONAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY IN NEW ENGLAND: PERSPECTIVES ON THE OCCASION OF THE THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS COMPREHENSIVE PERMIT LAW: A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Review & Student Publications at Digital Commons @ Western New England University School of Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in Western New England Law Review by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Western New England University School of Law. For more information, please contact pnewcombe@law.wne.edu. Recommended Citation
Auditing in Cloud Computing Solutions with OpenStack

This presentation will walk through how auditing works in a Cloud environment. We will touch upon things like Cloud Auditing Data standard (CADF), the auditing challenges in a distributed cloud platform like OpenStack and how they are overcome using pyCADF.
The effects of HIV and smoking on aortic and splenic inflammation.

Objective To determine the association of smoking and HIV status with tissue-specific inflammation measured by flurodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET). Design A cross-sectional study. Methods We prospectively enrolled 55 HIV study participants on stable antiretroviral therapy and 19 age-matched HIV-uninfected controls without known cardiovascular disease. We measured aortic target-to-background ratio (TBR) and spleen standardized uptake values (SUV) 3-h post-FDG, and used regression models to examine the independent association of HIV and smoking status with PET variables. Results Overall, median (interquartile range) age was 50 (42-55) years; 81% were men and 54% were current smokers (median 0.5 packs/day, 25 pack-years]. Median CD4 of HIV study participants was 690 cells/ml and 88% had HIV-1 RNA less than 20 c/ml; 43% were on a protease inhibitor. In fully adjusted models, HIV was associated with 0.16 (95% confidence interval 0.04-0.27; P = 0.009) higher aortic TBR, whereas current smoking was marginally associated with a lower TBR [-0.11 (95% confidence interval -0.23 to 0.01); P = 0.07]. Spleen SUVmean was not associated with HIV or smoking, and there was no evidence for an HIVsmoking interaction for aortic or spleen models (all P > 0.1). Spleen SUVmean was positively associated with biomarkers of inflammation and coronary artery calcium, but adjustment for traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors attenuated these relationships. Conclusion The FDG-PET study of HIV study participants suggests that HIV is associated with increased aortic inflammation independent of traditional risk factors, but smoking is not. Future studies should continue to explore the mechanistic roles of smoking and inflammation at various stages of clinical and subclinical atherosclerotic vascular disease in HIV.
Stochastic pumping of non-equilibrium steady-states: how molecules adapt to a fluctuating environment

In the absence of input energy, a chemical reaction in a closed system ineluctably relaxes toward an equilibrium state governed by a Boltzmann distribution. The addition of a catalyst to the system provides a way for more rapid equilibration toward this distribution, but the catalyst can never, in and of itself, drive the system away from equilibrium. In the presence of external fluctuations, however, a macromolecular catalyst (e.g., an enzyme) can absorb energy and drive the formation of a steady state between reactant and product that is not determined solely by their relative energies. Due to the ubiquity of non-equilibrium steady states in living systems, the development of a theory for the effects of external fluctuations on chemical systems has been a longstanding focus of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. The theory of stochastic pumping has provided insight into how a non-equilibrium steady-state can be formed and maintained in the presence of dissipation and kinetic asymmetry. This effort has been greatly enhanced by a confluence of experimental and theoretical work on synthetic molecular machines designed explicitly to harness external energy to drive non-equilibrium transport and self-assembly.
High Fidelity Modeling of SRP and Its Effect on the Relative Motion of Starshade and WFIRST

In this paper we perform a detailed analysis of how Solar Radiation Pressure (SRP) affects the relative motion of two spacecrafts, the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) and Starshade, orbiting in the vicinity of the Sun-Earth L2. While WFIRST orbits about its own Libration Point Orbit (LPO), Starshade will fly a specific trajectory to align with WFIRST and observe a Design Reference Mission of pre-determined target stars. In this analysis, we focus on the transfer orbit for Starshade from one observation to the other. We will describe how SRP affects the dynamics of the Starshade relative to WFIRSTand how relevant this effect is in order to get an accurate estimate of the total difference in velocity (delta v).
West African Goat Breeds

African countries, particularly those West African ones, present a high diversity of goat breeds exploited in traditional production systems. Characterization studies particularly focused on zootechnical and morphological descriptions have been conducted on some goat breeds based on their role in the rural or regional economy. This chapter presents a review of the characterization studies (phenotypic) that have been carried on some goat breeds and on production systems, rearing conditions, and breeds’ distribution in their natural environments. West African zones present different types of goat: long-legged goat represented by the Sahel and Touareg goats and the dwarf type, represented by the Djallonke goat. The local goat breeds are exploited in agropastoral or pastoral systems with low input. The local goat breeds are mainly raised for meat production, although some other breeds or varieties (e.g., Sahel and Touareg goats) in Sahelian or Saharian areas are also raised for milk production. However, very few studies have been carried out on their genetic characteristics. All these breeds are well adapted to their environment and play an important role in the small farmers’ subsistence.
A Review of Localized Office and Home Devices in the Treatment of Psoriasis

ImportanceTargeted phototherapy for treatment of localized psoriasis has advantages over non-targeted phototherapy. It delivers high ultraviolet doses to only the diseased skin, sparing irradiation...
Multiple Goals as Reference Points: One Failure Makes Everything Else Feel Worse

It is well known that goals serve as reference points, and their influence on pleasure can be understood with prospect theory’s value function. We examine how people feel about their progress on tw...
Comparative effectiveness of dimethyl fumarate versus fingolimod and teriflunomide among MS patients switching from first-generation platform therapies in the US.

Abstract Background Previous real-world comparative research of MS disease modifying therapies (DMTs) in the overall population has suggested dimethyl fumarate (DMF) to be comparable to fingolimod (FTY) and more efficacious than teriflunomide (TERI) in reducing relapses. However, there is limited comparative evidence in patients switching from platform DMTs in the US. The objective of the study was to compare the annualized relapse rate (ARR) and risk of relapse in MS patients who have switched from a platform therapy to DMF, FTY, or TERI. Methods MS patients (18–65 years old) initiating an oral DMT from June 2013 to March 2015 were identified from the Truven MarketScan® Commercial Claims Database. The index date was the date of first oral DMT fill. Patients were required to have: continuous enrollment in the database for 12 months pre-index date and ≥3 months post-index date; ≥1 MS diagnosis over the pre-index period; discontinuation of a platform DMT with no evidence of oral or infusion DMTs over the pre-index period; and adherence to the index drug for ≥90 days. DMF patients were propensity-score matched (PSM) 3:1 to FTY and to TERI based on age, gender, region, a claims-based MS severity measure, ARR, and number of hospitalizations over the pre-index period. Patients were censored when they dropped out of the database or at the end of the study period (March 31, 2016). Post-index relapses were annualized. Results The database included 20,311 oral DMT users. After applying the study criteria, the PSM yielded 1602:534 switch patients for the DMF–FTY matched cohort. DMF–FTY patients were well-matched on all covariates: age (mean = 44 for both), gender (28% vs. 26% male, respectively), MS severity measure (0.99 vs. 1.08), and baseline ARR (0.40 vs. 0.44). PSM yielded 833:279 switch patients for the DMF–TERI match. DMF–TERI patients were well-matched on all covariates: age (mean = 50), gender (24% vs. 25% male), MS severity measure (0.86 vs. 0.99), and baseline ARR (0.23 vs. 0.30). The standardized differences confirmed balance across all covariates for matched cohorts. The matched DMF–FTY cohorts had comparable post-index ARR (Rate Ratio [RR] = 1.07 [95% Cl: 0.861, 1.328]) and risk of relapse (Hazard Ratio [HR ]= 0.996 [95% CI: 0.803, 1.236]). Post-index ARR was significantly lower with DMF in comparison to TERI (RR = 0.667 [0.486, 0.914]). The risk of relapse was also significantly lower when switching to DMF than TERI (HR = 0.679 [0.503, 0.917]). Conclusion In this analysis, the effectiveness profiles for those oral DMT users specifically switching from platform therapies are consistent with findings from previous research conducted among all oral DMT users, regardless of prior therapy.
Modified Radau Collocation Method for Solving Optimal Control Problems with Nonsmooth Solutions Part II: Costate Estimation and the Transformed Adjoint System

A modified Legendre-Gauss-Radau collocation method is developed for solving optimal control problems whose solutions contain a nonsmooth optimal control. The method includes an additional variable that defines the location of nonsmoothness. In addition, collocation constraints are added at the end of a mesh interval that defines the location of nonsmoothness in the solution on each differential equation that is a function of control along with a control constraint at the endpoint of this same mesh interval. The transformed adjoint system for the modified Legendre-Gauss-Radau collocation method along with a relationship between the Lagrange multipliers of the nonlinear programming problem and a discrete approximation of the costate of the optimal control problem is then derived. Finally, it is shown via example that the new method provides an accurate approximation of the costate.
RARE ASSOCIATION OF CHURG-STRAUSS SYNDROME WITH AORTITIS AND AORTIC REGURGITATION: UTILITY OF MULTI-MODALITY CARDIAC IMAGING

Churg-Strauss Syndrome (CSS) is a small-sized vessel necrotizing vasculitis that has only a handful of reported cases associated with aortitis. A 62 year old male presented with progressive dyspnea, and subsequently found to have severe aortic regurgitation (AR). Transesophageal echocardiogram
Beryllium Standard Update

The updated Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) beryllium standard for general industry, construction, and shipyards reduced exposure limits for this known human carcinogen and became effective in 2018. Occupational and environmental health nurses need to monitor updates recently proposed for general industry to clarify implementation of the standard.
Retention of word pairs as a function of level of processing, instruction to remember, and delay

ABSTRACTModern research on the efficacy of levels of processing (LoP) tasks on memory has focused on less than 1-day retention delays, while assuming that the observed benefits of deep tasks will c...
Accuracy and Techniques in the Preparation of Mathematics Worksheets for Tactile Learners.

Data were gathered from 166 participants regarding their qualifications for and training in preparing mathematics materials for tactile learners. The participants shared information about the cours...
Dynamic covalent bonds in self-healing, shape memory, and controllable stiffness hydrogels

Emerging technologies are increasingly reliant on materials that deliver multiple functionality. For example, hydrogels using dynamic covalent crosslinks have proven well-suited for the preparation of functional systems with properties including self-healing, shape memory, and stimuli-induced stiffness changes. These covalent bonds are capable of exchanging, dissociating or switching in response to various stimuli. In this review stimuli responsive dynamic covalent hydrogels are discussed on the basis of their chemistry and how the gels are increasingly used in novel applications. Challenges and potential future developments of dynamic covalent hydrogels are also discussed.
Predictive testing for neurodegenerative diseases in the age of next‐generation sequencing

The availability and cost of next-generation sequencing (NSG) now allow testing large numbers of genes simultaneously. However, the gold standard for predictive testing has been to test only for a known family mutation or confirmed family disease. The goal of this study was to investigate the psychological impact of predictive testing for autosomal dominant neurodegenerative diseases without a known family mutation using next-generation sequencing panels compared to single-gene testing of a known family mutation. Fourteen individuals from families with a known mutation and 10 individuals with unknown family mutations participated. Participants completed questionnaires on demographics, genetic knowledge, and psychological measures of anxiety, depression, perceived personal control, rumination, and intolerance to uncertainty at baseline and 1 and 6 months after receiving results. Decision regret was measured 1 and 6 months after receiving results. Participants completed a modified Huntington disease genetic testing protocol with genetic counseling and neurological and psychological evaluation. Genetic testing of either the known family mutation or an NGS panel of neurodegenerative disease genes was performed. Semi-structured interviews were performed at 6 months post-results about their experience. Two-sample t tests were performed on data collected at each time point to identify significant between-group differences in demographic variables, baseline psychological scores, and baseline genetic knowledge scores. Within-group change over time was assessed by a mixed-effects model. Results of this study indicate that NGS panels for predictive testing for neurodegenerative disease are safe and beneficial to participants when performed within a modified HD protocol. Though significant differences in psychological outcomes were found, these differences may have been driven by genetic results and baseline psychological differences between individuals within the groups. Participants did not regret their decision to test and were largely pleased with the testing protocol.
Impurity states on the honeycomb and the triangular lattices using the Green's function method

Using the Green's function (GF) method, we study the effect of an impurity potential on the electronic structure of the honeycomb lattice in the one-band tight-binding model that contains both the nearest-neighbor (NN) (t) and the second-neighbor (t′) interactions. If t = 0, the honeycomb lattice goes over to the triangular lattice, a case we also discuss. The model is relevant to the case of the substitutional vacancy in graphene. If the second-neighbor interaction is large enough (t′ > t/3), then the linear Dirac bands no longer occur at the Fermi energy and the electronic structure is therefore fundamentally changed. With only the NN interactions present, there is particle–hole symmetry, as a result of which the vacancy induces a “zero-mode” state at the band center with its wave function entirely on the majority sublattice, i.e., on the sublattice not containing the vacancy. With the introduction of the second-neighbor interaction, the zero-mode state broadens into a resonance peak and its wave function spreads into both sublattices, as may be argued from the Lippmann–Schwinger equation. The zero-mode state disappears entirely for the triangular lattice and for the honeycomb lattice as well if t′ is large. In case of graphene, t′ is relatively small, so that a well-defined zero-mode state occurs in the vicinity of the band center.
Toward simple, generalizable neural networks with universal training for low-SWaP hybrid vision

Speed, generalizability, and robustness are fundamental issues for building lightweight computational cameras. Here we demonstrate generalizable image reconstruction with the simplest of hybrid machine vision systems: linear optical preprocessors combined with no-hidden-layer, “small-brain” neural networks. Surprisingly, such simple neural networks are capable of learning the image reconstruction from a range of coded diffraction patterns using two masks. We investigate the possibility of generalized or “universal training” with these small brains. Neural networks trained with sinusoidal or random patterns uniformly distribute errors around a reconstructed image, whereas models trained with a combination of sharp and curved shapes (the phase pattern of optical vortices) reconstruct edges more boldly. We illustrate variable convergence of these simple neural networks and relate learnability of an image to its singular value decomposition entropy of the image. We also provide heuristic experimental results. With thresholding, we achieve robust reconstruction of various disjoint datasets. Our work is favorable for future real-time low size, weight, and power hybrid vision: we reconstruct images on a 15 W laptop CPU with 15,000 frames per second: faster by a factor of 3 than previously reported results and 3 orders of magnitude faster than convolutional neural networks.
Cubic Nonlinear Discrete Systems

In this Chapter, the stability and stability switching of fixed-points in cubic polynomial discrete systems are discussed. As in Luo (2019), the monotonic upper-saddle-node and lower-saddle-node appearing and switching bifurcations are discussed and the third-order monotonic sink and source switching bifurcations are discussed as well. The third-order monotonic sink and source flower-bundle switching bifurcations for simple fixed-points are presented. The third-order monotonic sink and source switching bifurcations for monotonic saddle and nodes are discovered. Graphical illustrations of global stability and bifurcations are presented. The bifurcation trees for cubic nonlinear discrete systems are discussed through period-doublization and monotonic saddle-node bifurcations.
Le contrat salam Droit et formation du capital dans l'Empire abbasside (XI^e-XII^e siecle)

Depuis le IX e siecle, un nombre grandissant d'investisseurs prives et publics de l'Empire abbasside participent a un mouvement de commercialisation de produits manufactures aupres d'artisans et de paysans. Le fiqh, systeme de normes juridiques et ethiques qui, a partir du VIII e siecle, se repand dans tout l'empire musulman, reagit a cette intensification de l'echange commercial par une interpretation plus sophistiquee du droit des contrats. Cet article traite de la maniere par laquelle, au cours des XI e et XII e siecles, les juristes transoxaniens de l'ecole hanefite du droit musulman utilisent le salam comme un contrat d'investissement. Les investisseurs, grâce a l'avance d'un capital, acquierent de leurs partenaires l'obligation personnelle de livrer, a une date ulterieure, determinee par contrat, une quantite de biens fongibles. Cet echange transforme le partenaire en debiteur et permet a l'investisseur d'utiliser le temps entre le paiement du capital et la livraison des biens comme justification pour baisser les prix en dessous du niveau du marche. Il lie, en meme temps, la production standardisee des biens et leur commercialisation au concept d'obligation personnelle en tant qu'objet d'investissement. Les formes du salam discutees par les juristes etaient etroitement liees a la diffusion, dans l'empire, de nouvelles techniques dans la manufacture des biens, et leur raisonnement designait la connaissance des modeles et methodes de leur production comme condition sine qua non pour toute description acceptable des biens, objets de l'obligation personnelle. La construction hanefite du salam a constitue un pas important vers la rationalisation des contrats synallagmatiques et vers l'elargissement, dans l'espace et le temps, de leur influence sur la production et l'echange des biens. Comme d'autres processus de rationalisation, l'elaboration du salam s'est faite au prix d'une inegalite accrue entre les acteurs, formellement independants, mais lies les uns aux autres dans la production et l'echange des biens par le lien de la creance et de la dette.
The Traffic Management Advisor

The Traffic Management Advisor (TMA) comprises algorithms, a graphical interface and interactive tools for controlling the flow of air traffic into the terminal area. The primary algorithm incorporated in it is a real-time scheduler which generates efficient landing sequences and landing times for arrivals within about 200 n.m. from touchdown. A unique feature of the TMA is its graphical interface that allows the traffic manager to modify the computer generated schedules for specific aircraft while allowing the automatic scheduler to continue generating schedules for all other aircraft. The graphical interface also provides convenient methods for monitoring the traffic flow and changing scheduling parameters during real-time operation.
Extraction and Quantification of Cyclic Di-GMP from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) has emerged as an important intracellular signaling molecule, controlling the transitions between planktonic (free-living) and sessile lifestyles, biofilm formation, and virulence in a wide variety of microorganisms. The following protocol describes the extraction and quantification of c-di-GMP from Pseudomonas aeruginosa samples. We have made every effort to keep the protocol as general as possible to enable the procedure to be applicable for the analysis of c-di-GMP levels in various bacterial species. However, some modifications may be required for the analysis of c-di-GMP levels in other bacterial species.