cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of MBE deposition conditions on InAs/GaInSb superlattices for very long wavelength infrared detection

The objective of this work is to establish molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth processes that can produce high quality InAs/GaInSb superlattice (SL) materials specifically tailored for very long wavelength infrared (VLWIR) detection. To accomplish this goal, several series of MBE growth optimization studies, using a SL structure of 47.0 A InAs/21.5 A Ga 0.75 In 0.25 Sb, were performed to refine the MBE growth process and optimize growth parameters. Experimental results demonstrated that our “slow” MBE growth process can consistently produce an energy gap near 50 meV. This is an important factor in narrow band gap SLs. However, there are other growth factors that also impact the electrical and optical properties of the SL materials. The SL layers are particularly sensitive to the anion incorporation condition formed during the surface reconstruction process. Since antisite defects are potentially responsible for the inherent residual carrier concentrations and short carrier lifetimes, the optimization of anion incorporation conditions, by manipulating anion fluxes, anion species, and deposition temperature, was systematically studied. Optimization results are reported in the context of comparative studies on the influence of the growth temperature on the crystal structural quality and surface roughness performed under a designed set of deposition conditions. The optimized SL samples produced an overall strong photoresponse signal with a relatively sharp band edge that is essential for developing VLWIR detectors. A quantitative analysis of the lattice strain, performed at the atomic scale by aberration corrected transmission electron microscopy, provided valuable information about the strain distribution at the GaInSb-on-InAs interface and in the InAs layers, which was important for optimizing the anion conditions.
Who's greener? Comparing urban and suburban residents' environmental behaviour and concern

While various studies have compared metropolitan and rural residents' displays of environmentalism, recent shifts in the housing and energy markets make intra-metropolitan differences in urban and suburban attitudes and actions more interesting. The housing market crash and accompanying rise in fuel costs are prompting a return of centralisation to many communities and, it is believed, are drawing environmentally conscious residents downtown closer to work and play. Past research has found that this trend – demonstrated by a re-centralising housing market – was already underway, pre-crash, in Louisville, Kentucky over the “boom” period from 2000 to 2006. Drawing on original 2006 survey data for Louisville, this study regresses two components of environmentalism (behaviour and concern) on socio-demographics and residence. Findings show urbanites in Louisville are indeed significantly more environmentally friendly in their behaviour but not in their concern. Countering some claims, residents of single-famil...
Petroleum displacement potential of next generation biofuels approaching commercialization

Several thermochemical and biochemical biofuel production processes will be operated commercially or at the demonstration scale over the next 5 years. The Department of Energy has estimated the annual availability of 1.3 billion tons of biomass that can sustainably be used as raw material to produce next generation biofuels, which are defined as those that rely on biomass, rather than corn, or vegetable oils and animal fats, as the main feedstock. Energy efficiency calculations of biomass preparation and conversion processes indicate petroleum displacements ranging from 3% to 40%, depending on the specific biofuel production process. Consideration of other energy consuming processes during fuel delivery could result in petroleum consumption instead of displacement for some of the proposed next generation biofuel production processes.
Tuning Selectivity in Propylene Epoxidation by Plasmon Mediated Photo-Switching of Cu Oxidation State

Oxidation of functioning copper has restricted its applicability as a catalyst for commercially important epoxidation of propylene to form propylene oxide. Here, we report that steady-state selectivity in propylene epoxidation on copper (Cu) nanoparticles increases sharply when the catalyst is illuminated with visible light. The selectivity increase is accompanied by light-induced reduction of the surface Cu atoms, which is brought about by photoexcitation of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of Cu. We discuss multiple mechanisms by which Cu LSPR weakens the Cu-O bonds, reducing Cu2O.
Heterobimetallic bismuth(III)/molybdenum(VI) and antimony(III)/molybdenum(VI) calix[5]arene complexes. Progress toward modeling the SOHIO catalyst.

The treatment of the monometallic bismuth or antimony complexes [M{tBuC5(H)2}] (M = Bi, Sb) with 1.5 equiv of MoO2(OtBu)2 in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) produced soluble BiIII/MoVI and SbIII/MoVI heterometallic calix[5]arene complexes [Bi2Mo4O11{tBuC5(H)}2] 1 and [Sb2Mo4O11{tBuC5(H)}2] 2 in 55 and 45% yields, respectively. In solution the 1H NMR patterns for 1 and 2 are characteristic of a Cs symmetry with three pairs of doublets for the methylene protons and three singlets in a 1:2:2 ratio for the tert-butyl groups. Complex 1 crystallizes in the P1 space group and consists of a dimeric heterometallic Bi/Mo (1:2 ratio) complex featuring an overall Mo4Bi2O21 oxo cluster. The remarkable oxo-rich core structure of 1 contains Bi(μ-O)Mo, Mo(μ-O)Mo, Mo═O···Mo, and Bi−O−Bi interactions that resemble aspects of the proposed SOHIO catalyst active site and the crystal structure of the Bi2Mo2O9 oxide phase.
Declining Employment among Young Black Less-Educated Men: The Role of Incarceration and Child Support

In this paper, we explore the continuing decline in employment and labor force participation of nonenrolled Black men between the ages of 16 and 34 who have a high school education or less in the 1980s and 1990s. We focus on two fairly new developments: (1) the dramatic growth in the number of young Black men who have been incarcerated and (2) strengthened enforcement of child support policies. We analyze micro-level data from the Current Population Survey Outgoing Rotation Groups (CPS-ORG), into which state-level data over time on incarceration rates and child support enforcement have been merged. Our results indicate that previous incarceration and child support enforcement can account for half or more of the decline in employment activity among Black men aged 25–34. Previous incarceration also contributes to the decline among those aged 16–24. © 2005 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
Technology and High Reliability Organizations in Railroad Operations Safety: A Case Study of Metrolink / SCRRA and Positive Train Control (PTC) Implementation

High-risk organizations operate technologies such as in rail transportation, aviation, or nuclear power, where failure/breakdown can initiate low-probability, high consequence events. The concept of High-Reliability Organizations (HROs) was developed to avoid or mitigate such events through proper management despite the inherent risk. The September 12, 2008, Chatsworth accident is an example of such events that HROs are designed to prevent. In that case a Metrolink commuter train and Union Pacific freight train collided when the Metrolink engineer failed to recognize and react to a stop signal as a result of texting, causing 25 deaths and 135 injuries. This incident directly resulted in the Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which mandated Positive Train Control (PTC) implementation on all Class 1 rail carriers, as well as intercity / commuter rail passenger transporters. Over the past 2 years, the USC team has observed PTC implementation at the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) / Metrolink. This paper examines how PTC can be an integral part in developing and promoting HRO principles within the rail industry based on those observations.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Evolution of shock wave surfaces and amplitudes in piezoelectric materials

The general problems of the evolution of wave surfaces and amplitudes associated with mechanical and electrical discontinuities in piezoelectric materials are dealt with in this paper. The results presented are relevant to shock waves propagating in all materials obeying the classical constitutive relations of piezoelectricity, including as a special case linear anisotropic elasticity. A specific example concerning BaTiO3 single crystal is considered. The example illustrates the intricate quantitative results which may be obtained as a consequence of the analyses.
Kinetic Analysis of Hydroxide-Catalyzed, Aerobic Oxidation of 2-Mercaptoethanol

Experiments and mechanistic kinetic analyses are conducted for the hydroxide-catalyzed, aerobic oxidation of the thiol 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) to water and the corresponding disulfide at 22°C and 1 atm total pressure in tetrahydrofuran. The experiments are performed in an isothermal, bench-scale reactor with a maintained O2 partial pressure. The 2-ME concentrations are measured using gas chromatograph/flame ionization detector (GC/FID). The mixture includes a small amount of aqueous NaOH required to activate the thiol (RSH) to thiolate (RS−). The observed 2-ME conversion is first order in 2-ME concentration. A multistep mechanism is proposed consistent with the observed kinetics. The rate-determining step is the coupling of RS− to dissolved O2, with an estimated rate constant k = 1.93 × 10−6 liter/mmol h.
Characterization of lanthanide complexation with magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy, factor analysis and Kalman filtering

Abstract Two data analysis methods, factor analysis and Kalman filtering, were used in an attempt to determine the chemical environment of an erbium complex added to a polyimide film. Magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy provides a sensitive probe of the complexation environment of this lanthanide. In the course of developing appropriate spectral models for this study, it was found that solutions containing the erbium complexes of N-phenylphthalamic acid and dibenzoylmethane did not form simple two-component mixtures. Factor analysis was then used, in conjunction with the solution of the appropriate combination of mass balance and equilibrium expressions, to determine the spectral characteristics of the mixed complexes assumed to be present. This spectrum was then used in an attempt to describe the characteristics observed for erbium in the polyimide film. The results indicated that an erbium dibenzoylmethane complex added to a polyimide matrix remains partially coordinated with the dibenzoylmethane, but also interacts to some extent with the residual amic acid sites along the polyimide backbone.
Motion detection in spatio-temporal space☆

Abstract We present an analysis of existing motion detectors for determining desirable characteristics of a motion detector. A spatio-temporal surface type inseparable model is then proposed for motion detection. Based on this model, we analyzed mathematically how the geometry of the intensity hypersurface gives information about motion in image. The local motion information, obtained from the parameters of the Monge patch approximating the intensity hypersurface in the spatio-temporal space, may be used for segmentation of dynamic scenes. Motion detection results for real sequences show the robustness of this detector.
Linking snake habitat use to nest predation risk in grassland birds: the dangers of shrub cover

Extremes in rangeland management, varying from too-frequent fire and intensive grazing to the suppression of both, threaten rangeland ecosystems worldwide. Intensive fire and grazing denude and homogenize vegetation whereas their suppression increases woody cover. Although habitat loss is implicated in grassland bird declines, degradation through intensive management or neglect also decreases breeding habitat and may reduce nesting success through increased rates of nest predation. Snakes are important nest predators, but little is known about how habitat use in snakes relates to predation risk for grassland birds nesting within tallgrass prairie subjected to different grazing and fire frequencies. We evaluated nest survival in the context of habitat used by nesting songbirds and two bird-eating snakes, the eastern yellowbelly racer Coluber constrictor flaviventris and Great Plains ratsnake Pantherophis emoryi. Daily nest survival rates decreased with increasing shrub cover and decreasing vegetation height, which characterize grasslands that have been neglected or intensively managed, respectively. Discriminant function analysis revealed that snake habitats were characterized by higher shrub cover, whereas successful nests were more likely to occur in areas with tall grass and forbs but reduced shrub cover. Because snakes often use shrub habitat, birds nesting in areas with increased shrub cover may be at higher risk of nest predation by snakes in addition to other predators known to use shrub habitat (e.g., mid-sized carnivores and avian predators). Depredated nests also occurred outside the discriminant space of the snakes, indicating that other predators (e.g., ground squirrels Spermophilus spp. and bullsnakes Pituophis catenifer) may be important in areas with denuded cover. Targeted removal of shrubs may increase nest success by minimizing the activity of nest predators attracted to shrub cover.
Combining feature descriptors for efficient classification and recognition of images

This work proposes an efficient method for classification and recognition in images based on combination of local feature descriptors and shape descriptors. This method outperforms the existing methods which are based on using only local feature matching or shape descriptors for classification and recognition in images. The proposed method makes use of matching detected local features in images as well as the shape feature within the image.
Formation of C 4 –C 7 hydrocarbons from bacterial degradation of naturally occurring terpenoids

We have recently found many light hydrocarbons, both alkanes and alkenes, in trace amounts (ng compound per g sediment) in Recent marine sediments1–4. These hydrocarbons are believed to originate from both biological and low-temperature reactions in the sediments. Understanding their mechanism of formation may allow use of these compounds to decipher the past biological and thermal history of the sediments4. To investigate biological origins, we have cultivated mixed populations of bacteria on natural terpenoids and found, as degradation products, both alkanes and alkenes in the C1–C7 range; this is the first report of C4–C7 hydrocarbons being formed from microbial activities. Aerobic followed by anaerobic degradation yielded mainly small amounts of straight-chain alkenes. No such products resulted from blanks or controls. The results are consistent with products observed in natural environments.
Tracheostomy is not a risk factor for deep sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery.

Background Previous studies on predictors of deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) have identified either respiratory failure or tracheostomy as a risk factor for the occurrence of this complication. This study was conducted to analyze the interaction between these two variables. We hypothesize that respiratory failure and not tracheostomy per se is associated with an increased risk of DSWI. Methods We analyzed 2823 patients who underwent cardiac operations through median sternotomy between January 2002 and September 2006. Patients were divided into three groups: respiratory failure with or without tracheostomy (tracheostomy versus nontracheostomy) and patients without respiratory failure. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of DSWI in each group and its predictors. Results Postoperative respiratory failure was observed in 252 patients (9%): 144 without tracheostomy (57%) and 108 with tracheostomy (43%). The mean duration of intubation in nontracheostomy patients was 19 ± 12 days. The mean duration to tracheostomy was 13 ± 6 days. DSWI occurred in 38 patients (1.3%): patients with no respiratory failure, 1%; patients with respiratory failure, 5.1% ( p p = 0.5). The mean time to diagnosis of DSWI was 25 ± 14 days and was similar for all groups. The mean number of days to tracheostomy was 12 ± 3 days in DSWI patients and 13 ± 6 in patients without DSWI ( p = 0.7). In multivariate analysis, respiratory failure was the strongest predictor of DSWI (odds ratio, 5.2). Tracheostomy was not identified as a predictor of DSWI or hospital mortality. Conclusions The incidence of DSWI remains high in patients with respiratory failure. Tracheostomy is not a risk factor for DSWI and serves as a surrogate for respiratory failure. Therefore, considering that early tracheostomy may be beneficial in patients with respiratory insufficiency, a more liberal approach to early tracheostomy may be warranted.
Acute hydrogen sulfide poisoning in a dairy farmer

Introduction. Hydrogen sulfide is a lipid-soluble gas produced in occupational settings and from decaying organic matter. We present a 36-year-old man who developed acute respiratory arrest from hydrogen sulfide poisoning while performing work as a dairy farmer. Case report. The subject entered a poorly ventilated tank containing degrading eggs and, within seconds, collapsed. Coworkers were able to extract him within minutes but he was apneic. He was intubated by emergency medical services and subsequently managed with supportive care in the intensive care unit. Upon admission, a powerful rotten egg scent was noted and a hydrogen sulfide poisoning was suspected. Serum analysis for the presence of thiosulfate confirmed the diagnosis. Nitrite therapy was not administered as the subject arrived outside of the therapeutic window of effectiveness and showed evidence of excellent oxygenation. His examinations following arrival were consistent with an anoxic brain injury which slowly improved several months afte...
Morphological and convective instabilities during solidifiation

Linear stability theory is employed in the present analysis of flow stability between two vertical, infinite, rigid coaxial cylinders at different temperatures. These calculations have been prompted by, and are found to be in general agreement with, experiments on succinonitrile. A long, vertical cylinder sample of this material was heated so that a vertical melt annulus formed between the coaxial heater and the surrounding crystal/melt interface. Above a critical Grashof number of about 200, a helical crystal/melt interface formed which steadily rotated about the cylinder axis and whose wave speed was several orders of magnitude lower than the base flow velocity.
Field measurements of turbulence at an unstable interface between current and wave bottom boundary layers

[1] In situ particle image velocimetry measurements, at a resolution of 3.5 Kolmogorov scales, have been performed in the inner part of the coastal bottom boundary layer. The spatial details enable us to directly determine the vertical distributions of mean velocity, Reynolds shear stress, shear production and dissipation rates, energy spectra, and abundance of eddies. Focusing on cases with wave velocity of similar magnitude as the mean current, velocity profiles have logarithmic distributions in the upper half of the sample area. Below the log layer, but well above the bottom ripples, an inflection point appears, indicating a region of flow instability. Based on data interpretation, which includes variations in wave phase with height, this inflection occurs near the interface between current and thinner wave boundary layer (WBL) below it. Scaling of mean velocity profiles with shear velocity and characteristic roughness is effective only above the inflection point, while turbulence parameters scale reasonably well at all elevations. Instabilities associated with the inflection are manifested by a peak in turbulent shear production rate and a rapid increase in small-scale turbulence, as is evident from trends of the dissipation rate, energy spectra, and distribution of eddies with elevation. Therefore, the presence of a WBL generates a shear production peak and rapid increase in the dissipation rate at higher elevations than those found in rough-wall steady boundary layers. Transition between current and wave boundary layers is also characterized by broad Reynolds stress peaks and shear production exceeding the dissipation rate.
Exchange Rate Policy and Disinflation: The Spanish Experience in the ERM

PAIN is certainly one of the Western European countries that has experienced the most dramatic changes in the past 20 years. In addition to a political shift from dictatorship to democracy in the mid-1970s, the economic structure has been deeply reformed. These changes, including the process of European integration, have been generally beneficial to the nation. However, they have also posed important policy challenges. This has been particularly the case for monetary policy. The Spanish central bank, the Banco de Espana, has been concerned with two major objectives associated with European monetary integration. The first and most important goal is nominal convergence, i.e. a reduction of inflation to reach German standards. The second objective is exchange rate stabilisation with respect to other currencies in the European Union (EU). The challenge has been to reconcile these aims with a rapidly changing economy affected in particular by trade, financial and capital account liberalisations. A specific problem has been the presence of significant capital inflows in the late 1980s. These inflows were caused by two main factors: first, the various reforms and especially EU membership in 1986; second, a tight monetary policy with high interest rates. Overall, the monetary policy challenge has been met only with mixed results. A strategy of exchange rate stabilisation was followed between 1987 and 1992, including membership in the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) of the European Monetary System (EMS) after June 1989. This strategy appeared successful in the
Inelastic π--p Interactions in the Energy Region of 310 to 454 MeV

Differential cross sections for positive pions, protons, and neutrons resulting from inelastic π--p collisions have been measured from 310- to 454-MeV incident-pion kinetic energy. The data were obtained with electronic counter systems, which measured the energy distribution of the final-state particle of interest at a series of fixed angles. The results have been interpreted in terms of the final states π+π-n, π0π0n, and π-π0p. The total cross sections for these three modes as a function of incident pion energy are in qualitative agreement with the predictions by Schnitzer. A preference is shown for his set of π-π scattering lengths; a0=0.65, a1=0.07, and a2=-0.14μ-1. The observed neutron distributions correspond to a strong preference for low c.m.-system neutron energies in both the π+π-n and π0π0n final states. The effect is not present in the observed proton distributions from the π-π0p reaction, which suggests that it is due to a I=0, π-π interaction. The π+ data show the formation of the (3,3) isobar combination of the π--n system in the π+π-n final state. Analysis in terms of an isobar model indicates the predominance of I=1/2 incident state.
On the formalism of relativistic many body theory

The thermodynamic potential is constructed as an effective action functional of the various n point amplitudes (n less than or equal to 4). One of the functionals is used to obtain the equations of state as simple, convergent expressions involving the conventionally renormalized charges and masses. (auth)
Peer Status in Boys With and Without Attention‐Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Predictions from Overt and Covert Antisocial Behavior, Social Isolation, and Authoritative Parenting Beliefs

Because of the centrality of peer relationship difficulties for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), we investigated behavioral (overt and covert antisocial activity), internalizing (self-reports and observed social isolation), and familial (authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive parenting beliefs) predictors of peer sociometric nominations among previously unfamiliar, ethnically diverse ADHD (N = 73) and comparison (N = 60) boys, aged 6-12 years. Authoritative maternal parenting beliefs and negatively weighted social isolation explained significant variance in positive peer regard; aggression, covert behavior, and authoritative parenting beliefs were the independent predictors of both negative peer status and peer social preference. We extended such predictions with statistical control of (1) child cognitive variables, (2) maternal psychopathology, and (3) ADHD versus comparison status. It is important to note that aggression predicted peer rejection more strongly for comparison than for ADHD boys, but authoritative parenting beliefs were stronger predictors in ADHD than in comparison youth. We discuss family-peer linkages regarding peer competence.
Asymmetry patterns of plasma-broadened isolated lines (Cr)

We have measured detailed profiles of plasma-broadened neutral-carbon lines, utilizing a wall-stabilized arc source and a specially designed data acquisition and processing system. We analyzed the lines in terms of symmetric Lorentzian profiles in order to isolate the deviations due to asymmetries and found regular patterns of an antisymmetric nature around the line centers. The asymmetry patterns have a common shape with a minimum, maximum, and zero crossing at the same points on a reduced wavelength scale, but they vary widely in their amplitudes. These findings are in excellent qualitative agreement with the quasistatic theory of ion broadening due to the quadratic Stark effect. A comparison and match of experimental and theoretical amplitudes has thus been used to determine the ion broadening parameters of these lines, which are in satisfactory agreement with directly calculated values.
Computer integrated materials processing (CIMP) — A generic application of CAD/CAM technology

Abstract The paper features the development and application of CAD/CAM technology to materials forming processes. A research programme focusing on materials behaviour during the design, tooling and production phases is examined. Discussion of the generic concept for establishing a fully integrated system shows how technology crosslinking can be achieved. The benefits of a combined analytical-experimental research are emphasised. Typical applications to injection moulding, die casting and other forming processes are presented.
Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy and Paleoenvironments of Eastover Formation (Late Miocene), Virginia: ABSTRACT

Foraminifera from 50 samples taken from the Eastover Formation (Miocene) in Virginia are used in a study of biostratigraphy and paleoecology. The Eastover Formation contains two members: the lower Claremont Manor Member, a clayey, silty, poorly sorted, fine-grained sand which contains abundant foraminifera; and the upper Cobham Bay Member, a well-sorted, shelly, fine-grained sand that contains less abundant foraminifera. Planktonic species are used to establish a biochronology of the Eastover, while benthic species are used to interpret paleoecology, using the distribution of modern foraminifera as a basis. Evidence of changes in environments through time and varying sea margins is searched for by examination of samples taken from vertical sections and samples taken from different geographic locations within the study area. Additional evidence of paleoenvironments is gained by a grain size analysis of sediments from the formation. Synthesis of this information allows for reconstruction of the geologic history of the Eastover Formation in terms of environments changing through time and space. Cluster analysis and canonical variate analysis are used to clarify differences in foraminiferal content between and within the two members and to identify the taxa which cause such differences. Analysis of this type is helpful in revealing any foraminiferal assemblage zones present as well as quantifying data derived from the study. End_of_Article - Last_Page 481------------
Influence of physiologic hyperglucagonemia on urinary glucose, nitrogen, and electrolyte excretion in diabetes

To evaluate the effect of physiologic hyperglucagonemia on nitrogen and glucose metabolism and on urinary electrolyte excretion, pancreatic glucagon was administered as a continuous 3-day infusion to three adult-onset non-insulin-dependent diabetics and two insulin-treated juvenile diabetics while on a constant dietary intake. The glucagon infusion resulted in increases in plasma glucagon which were 4-6 fold greater than control values. Despite prolonged hyperglucagonemia, urinary glucose excretion was unchanged. Similarly, urinary urea nitrogen and total nitrogen excretion were not altered by glucagon administration. Urinary sodium tended to rise, albeit not significantly (p less than .01), on the first infusion day, but later declined to control values despite increasing plasma glucagon concentrations. Urinary chloride, potassium, calcium, phosphorus excretion remained unchanged. We conclude that continuous physiologic increments in plasma glucagon do not enhance glycosuria or increase protein catabolism and ureagenesis in diabetes when insulin is available. The augmented protein catabolism and glucogenesis that accompany diabetic ketoacidosis cannot be explained primarily on the basis of hyperglucagonemia.
Augmented cognition foundations and future directions: enabling anyone, anytime, anywhere applications

Augmented Cognition is distinct from other disciplines due to its focus on using modern neuroscientific tools to determine the 'in real time' cognitive state of an individual and then adapting the human-system interaction to meet a user's information processing needs based on this real-time assessment [1], [7], [14]. Augmented Cognition systems employ the use of physiologicaland neurophysiological-driven adaptive automation techniques to mitigate the effects of bottlenecks (e.g., attention, working memory, executive function) and biases in cognition. Being able to non-invasively measure and assess a humansystem computing operator's cognitive state in real time and use adaptive automation (mitigation) techniques to modify and enhance their IP capabilities in any application context is a goal that could substantially improve human performance and the way people interact with 21st Century technology [9]. This paper highlights developments in the field of Augmented Cognition most relevant to future Universal Access (UA) applications.
Nest site selection in the European wool-carder bee, Anthidium manicatum, with methods for an emerging model species*

For many organisms, choosing an appropriate nest site is a critical component of reproductive fitness. Here we examine nest site selection in the solitary, resource defense polygynous bee, Anthidium manicatum. Using a wood-framed screen enclosure outfitted with food sources, nesting materials, and bamboo trap nests, we show that female bees prefer to initiate nests in sites located high above the ground. We also show that nest sites located at higher levels are less likely to contain spiderwebs, suggesting an adaptive explanation for nest site height preferences. We report size differences between this study’s source populations in Boston, Massachusetts and Brooklyn, New York; male bees collected in Boston have smaller mean head widths than males collected in Brooklyn. Finally, we argue that methods for studying captive populations of A. manicatum hold great promise for research into sexual selection, alternative phenotypes, recognition systems, and the evolution of nesting behavior.
C^4: Exploring Multiple Solutions in Graphical Models by Cluster Sampling

This paper presents a novel Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) inference algorithm called C4-Clustering with Cooperative and Competitive Constraints-for computing multiple solutions from posterior probabilities defined on graphical models, including Markov random fields (MRF), conditional random fields (CRF), and hierarchical models. The graphs may have both positive and negative edges for cooperative and competitive constraints. C4 is a probabilistic clustering algorithm in the spirit of Swendsen-Wang [34]. By turning the positive edges on/off probabilistically, C4 partitions the graph into a number of connected components (ccps) and each ccp is a coupled subsolution with nodes connected by positive edges. Then, by turning the negative edges on/off probabilistically, C4 obtains composite ccps (called cccps) with competing ccps connected by negative edges. At each step, C4 flips the labels of all nodes in a cccp so that nodes in each ccp keep the same label while different ccps are assigned different labels to observe both positive and negative constraints. Thus, the algorithm can jump between multiple competing solutions (or modes of the posterior probability) in a single or a few steps. It computes multiple distinct solutions to preserve the intrinsic ambiguities and avoids premature commitments to a single solution that may not be valid given later context. C4 achieves a mixing rate faster than existing MCMC methods, such as various Gibbs samplers [15], [26] and Swendsen-Wang cuts [2], [34]. It is also more “dynamic” than common optimization methods such as ICM [3], LBP [21], [37], and graph cuts [4], [20]. We demonstrate the C4 algorithm in line drawing interpretation, scene labeling, and object recognition.
Magneto-resistance oscillations and zero-resistance states induced by photo-excitation in the quasi two-dimensional GaAs/AlGaAs system

Photo-excitation of high quality two dimensional electron systems induces "1/4 cycle shifted" inverse- B-periodic magnetoresistance oscillations with nodes in the resistance at Bf / j for the fundamental series, where j is a positive integer or half integer, Bf is the characteristic magnetic field that increases with the radiation frequency, f, as Bf = 2pi f m*/e, m* is an electron effective mass, and e is the electron charge. At the lowest temperatures and modest magnetic fields, vanishing diagonal resistance is observed at the resistance minima as in the quantum Hall situation, without concomitant plateaus in the Hall effect. Here, we describe and review the remarkable features of these novel effects.
Structure of form III crystals of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor.

The structure of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor has been solved in a new crystal form III. The crystals belong to space group P21212 with a = 55.2 A, b = 38.2 A, c = 24.05 A. The structure was solved on the basis of co-ordinates of forms I and II of the inhibitor by molecular replacement, and the X-ray data extending to 1.7 A were used in a restrained least-squares refinement. The final R factor was 0.16, and the deviation of bonded distances from ideality was 0.020 A. Root-mean-square discrepancy between Cα co-ordinates of forms III and I are 0.47 A, whilst between forms II and III the discrepancy is 0.39 A. These deviations are about a factor of 3 larger than the expected experimental errors, showing that true differences exist between the three crystal forms. Two residues (Arg39 and Asp50) were modeled with two positions for their side-chains. The final model includes 73 water molecules and one phosphate group bound to the protein. Sixteen water molecules occupy approximately the same positions in all three crystal forms studied to date, indicating their close association with the protein molecule. Temperature factors also show a high degree of correlation between the three crystal forms.
Syngeneic Murine Ovarian Cancer Model Reveals That Ascites Enriches for Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells Expressing Membrane GRP78

Patients with ovarian cancer are generally diagnosed at FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage III/IV, when ascites is common. The volume of ascites correlates positively with the extent of metastasis and negatively with prognosis. Membrane GRP78, a stress-inducible endoplasmic reticulum chaperone that is also expressed on the plasma membrane ((mem)GRP78) of aggressive cancer cells, plays a crucial role in the embryonic stem cell maintenance. We studied the effects of ascites on ovarian cancer stem-like cells using a syngeneic mouse model. Our study demonstrates that ascites-derived tumor cells from mice injected intraperitoneally with murine ovarian cancer cells (ID8) express increased (mem)GRP78 levels compared with ID8 cells from normal culture. We hypothesized that these ascites-associated (mem)GRP78(+) cells are cancer stem-like cells (CSC). Supporting this hypothesis, we show that (mem)GRP78(+) cells isolated from murine ascites exhibit increased sphere forming and tumor initiating abilities compared with (mem)GRP78(-) cells. When the tumor microenvironment is recapitulated by adding ascites fluid to cell culture, ID8 cells express more (mem)GRP78 and increased self-renewing ability compared with those cultured in medium alone. Moreover, compared with their counterparts cultured in normal medium, ID8 cells cultured in ascites, or isolated from ascites, show increased stem cell marker expression. Antibodies directed against the carboxy-terminal domain of GRP78: (i) reduce self-renewing ability of murine and human ovarian cancer cells preincubated with ascites and (ii) suppress a GSK3α-AKT/SNAI1 signaling axis in these cells. Based on these data, we suggest that (mem)GRP78 is a logical therapeutic target for late-stage ovarian cancer.
Upper Devonian First Bradford Formation of Southwestern Pennsylvania: Environment of Deposition and Factors Affecting Gas Production: ABSTRACT

Core descriptions and thin-section analyses from five wells in southwestern Pennsylvania, in addition to regional cross sections and subsurface maps, provide the basis for subdividing the Upper Devonian First Bradford formation into three distinct members. These include upper, middle, and lower sandstones. Although individual members vary in geometry and areal distribution, similar characteristics in sedimentation persisted over a distance of 125 km (78 mi) along strike and 25 km (16 mi) along dip. The sandstones are generally very fine to fine grained, exhibit upward coarsening, and are calcite cemented. Depositional structures range from planar bedding to cross-laminations, which include flaser, wavy, and lenticular stratification. Bioturbation and disseminated organic ebris are common. Isopach maps show the sandstones to be strike-oriented linear ridges and/or pods 1-3 km (0.6-1.9 mi) wide and 3-20 km (1.9-12.4 mi) long. Thicknesses rarely exceed 10 m (33 ft). Regionally, sand percentage for the overall interval (approximately 46 m or 151 ft) decreases west and southwest of Clearfield County where only the lower sandstone is preserved in parts of Armstrong and Westmoreland Counties. The postulated depositional environment is a shallow marine, inner to mid-shelf bar facies. The sediments accumulated as a result of current reworking; in places, deposition was controlled by shelf topography. Sediments were probably derived from a deltaic complex in the vicinity of Clearfield County. Gas production is confined to the stratigraphic limits of the clean sandstones and is locally enhanced by a high structural position. This "combination trapping" permits the segregation of gas and water and is evidenced by production in Westmoreland and Fayette Counties. Core porosities average 6.7%; permeabilities, with an effective overburden pressure of 1,000 psi (6,895 kPa), average 0.04 md. Production capabilities are ultimately affected by various diagenetic influences, which include compaction, cementation, authigenesis, replacement, and leaching. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1925------------
A Parent-Focused Pilot Intervention to Increase Parent Health Literacy and Healthy Lifestyle Choices for Young Children and Families

Health literacy affects caregivers' ability to engage in preventive health care behaviors for themselves and their children. Studies suggest that health literacy among low-income families needs improvement, and this possibly contributes to disparities in preventive health care rates. Additionally, parents and caregivers may not be able to provide or seek preventive health care for their children because of lack of knowledge and skills to do so effectively. This study designed and piloted an intervention that delivered to parents of young children (1) health literacy information in an experiential manner and (2) practical skills to engage their families in healthy lifestyle choices. Specifically, the intervention focused on diet/nutrition, physical activity, sleep hygiene, parenting, and mental wellness. Postintervention improvements were noted for factual knowledge for diet/nutrition, physical activity, and sleep, beliefs about diet/nutrition, and the relationship between mental health and stress. Additionally, postintervention improvements were noted for general knowledge and beliefs about sleep, knowledge about the relationship between sleep and health, knowledge about common childhood sleep problems, and parents' bedtime interactions with children. The efficacy of the intervention should be evaluated on a larger, more diverse sample in the future with considerations for multiple health behavior change in the evaluation.
A memory- and time-efficient on-chip TCAM minimizer for IP lookup

Ternary content addressable memories (TCAMs) are becoming very popular due to the simple-to-design IP lookup units included in high-speed routers; they are fast and simple to manage, and they provide a one-clock lookup solution. However, a major drawback of TCAM-based IP lookup schemes lies in their high power consumption. Thus, the rapid increase of routing tables inevitably deteriorates TCAM power efficiency. Although on-chip TCAM minimizers aim for the TCAM power efficiency in a fast time and at a small memory amount, the minimizers are not efficient in a large scale prefix table. In this paper, we present a hash-based on-chip TCAM minimization for a power-and throughput-efficient IP lookup. In a hash-based TCAM minimization (HTM), we convert prefixes into keys and merge keys with a fast hash lookup in an O(nW) complexity, where n is the number of prefixes and W is the number of IP bits. Additionally, by building a forest of merging trees and choosing a subset among them, we can achieve a higher minimization ratio. The simulation with two routing tables shows that our HPM scheme uses 8.6 and 4.0 times fewer computation time and memory, compared to a contemporary on-chip minimizer.
Amphetamine and Dopamine-Induced Immediate Early Gene Expression in Striatal Neurons Depends on Postsynaptic NMDA Receptors and Calcium

Amphetamine and cocaine induce the expression of both immediate early genes (IEGs) and neuropeptide genes in rat striatum. Despite the demonstrated dependence of these effects on D1 dopamine receptors, which activate the cyclic AMP pathway, there are several reports that amphetamine and cocaine-induced IEG expression can be inhibited in striatum in vivo by NMDA receptor antagonists. We find that in vivo, the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 inhibits amphetamine induction of c-fos acutely and also prevents downregulation of IEG expression with chronic amphetamine administration. Such observations raise the question of whether dopamine/glutamate interactions occur at the level of corticostriatal and mesostriatal circuitry or within striatal neurons. Therefore, we studied dissociated striatal cultures in which midbrain and cortical presynaptic inputs are removed. In these cultures, we find that dopamine- or forskolin-mediated IEG induction requires Ca2+ entry via NMDA receptors but not via L-type Ca2+ channels. Moreover, blockade of NMDA receptors diminishes the ability of dopamine to induce phosphorylation of the cyclic AMP responsive element binding protein CREB. Although these results do not rule out a role for circuit-level dopamine/glutamate interactions, they demonstrate a requirement at the cellular level for interactions between the cyclic AMP and NMDA receptor pathways in dopamine-regulated gene expression in striatal neurons.
Effects of an Acute Increase in Epinephrine and Cortisol on Carbohydrate Metabolism During Insulin Deficiency

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of an acute increase in the plasma epinephrine level, with or without an accompanying increase in the plasma cortisol level, during selective insulin deficiency on glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in conscious overnight-fasted dogs. Experiments consisted of an 80-min tracer and dye equilibration period, a 40-min basal period, and a 180-min experimental period. In all protocols, selective insulin deficiency was created during the experimental period by infusing somatostatin peripherally (0.8 μg · kg −1 · min −1 ) with basal replacement of glucagon intraportally (0.65 ng · kg −1 · min −1 ). In EPI+SAL ( n = 6), an additional infusion of epinephrine (0.04 μg · kg −1 · min −1 ) was infused during the experimental period along with saline. In EPI+CORT ( n = 6), hydrocortisone (3.0 μg · kg −1 · min −1 ) was infused in addition to epinephrine during the experimental period. In SAL+CORT ( n = 5), hydrocortisone was infused during the experimental period. In SALINE ( n = 5), neither epinephrine nor cortisol was infused. [3- 3 H]glucose, [U- 14 C]alanine, and indocyanine green dye were used to assess glucose production (rate of appearance [R a ]) and gluconeogenesis using tracer and arteriovenous difference techniques. During selective insulin deficiency in SALINE, the arterial plasma glucose level increased from 6.0 ± 0.1 to 15.8 ± 1.1 mmol/l; R a increased from 14.7 ± 0.7 to 24.9 ± 1.7 μmol· kg −1 · min −1 . Gluconeogenic efficiency and the conversion of alanine and lactate to glucose increased to 300 ± 55 and 355 ± 67% of basal. In EPI+SAL and EPI+CORT, plasma glucose increased from 6.2 ± 0.1 to 19.8 ± 0.9 mmol/l and from 6.3 ± 0.1 to 19.5 ± 0.9 mmol/l. In EPI+SAL and EPI+CORT, R a increased from 16.5 ± 1.1 to 29.3 ± 3.2 μmol · kg −1 · min −1 and from 15.4 ± 1.3 to 28.3 ± 2.5 μmol.kg −1 · min −1 . The rise in gluconeogenic efficiency was similar to the rise that occurred in SALINE, but gluconeogenic conversion increased 17-fold in each of the two epinephrine groups. During the epinephrine infusion, gluconeogenesis accounted for a maximum of 55% of total glucose production as opposed to 31% during insulin deficiency alone. An increase in cortisol alone during insulin deficiency (SAL+CORT) had no effect on glucose level, glucose production, or gluconeogenesis. These results suggest that small increases in the plasma epinephrine level during insulin deficiency can significantly worsen the resulting hyperglycemia through stimulation of both glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. The addition of an acute rise in plasma cortisol does not affect glycogenolysis or gluconeogenesis or further worsen the hyperglycemia during insulin deficiency.
Mining and analysing scale-free protein protein interaction network

Protein protein interaction network is essential to understand the fundamental processes that govern cell biology. In this paper, we integrate information extraction and data mining techniques to extract and mine the scale-free protein protein interaction network from biomedical literature. The experiments on around 1,600 chromatin proteins indicate that our system is very promising for mining and analysing protein protein interaction network.
Thesis I: Human Systems-Qualitative

This proposal is an example of a qualitative research design. Additionally, the proposal demonstrates that a thesis proposal is just that—a proposal. Whereas some thesis proposals may appear to be nearly completed works, this proposal is an example of a common—but effective—research proposal. The proposal identifies the key issues, methods, and study area and sketches the core theoretical framework that informs the study.