cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computer-assisted selection of coplanar beam orientations in intensity-modulated radiation therapy

In intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), the incident beam orientations are often determined by a trial and error search. The conventional beam's-eye view (BEV) tool becomes less helpful in IMRT because it is frequently required that beams go through organs at risk (OARs) in order to achieve a compromise between the dosimetric objectives of the planning target volume (PTV) and the OARs. In this paper, we report a beam's-eye view dosimetrics (BEVD) technique to assist in the selection of beam orientations in IMRT. In our method, each beam portal is divided into a grid of beamlets. A score function is introduced to measure the `goodness' of each beamlet at a given gantry angle. The score is determined by the maximum PTV dose deliverable by the beamlet without exceeding the tolerance doses of the OARs and normal tissue located in the path of the beamlet. The overall score of the gantry angle is given by a sum of the scores of all beamlets. For a given patient, the score function is evaluated for each possible beam orientation. The directions with the highest scores are then selected as the candidates for beam placement. This procedure is similar to the BEV approach used in conventional radiation therapy, except that the evaluation by a human is replaced by a score function to take into account the intensity modulation. This technique allows one to select beam orientations without the excessive computing overhead of computer optimization of beam orientation. It also provides useful insight into the problem of selection of beam orientation and is especially valuable for complicated cases where the PTV is surrounded by several sensitive structures and where it is difficult to select a set of `good' beam orientations. Several two-dimensional (2D) model cases were used to test the proposed technique. The plans obtained using the BEVD-selected beam orientations were compared with the plans obtained using equiangular spaced beams. For all the model cases investigated, the use of BEVD-selected beam orientations improved the dose distributions significantly. These examples indicate that the technique has considerable potential for simplifying the IMRT treatment planning process and allows for better utilization of the technical capacity of IMRT.
Taxation with Representation. Visual narrative and the political field of the Kariye Camii

A visually prominent lunette mosaic at the fourteenth-century Byzantine church of the Chora, also known as the Kariye Camii, is studied in relation to the large narrative programme of the church and to the economic and political contexts of its creation. The mural depicts Mary and Joseph registering to pay their taxes before the local governor in Bethlehem. Among the questions posed are the following: what and how did the scene represent; what did it mean to devote great resources to the church in a period of political decline and economic deprivation; in what contexts did viewers encounter the image, and what were the consequences of identifying with its messages? In sum, how did the creation and reception of this mural constitute a socially and politically symbolic act?
An improved method to detect ethyl glucuronide in urine using reversed-phase liquid chromatography and pulsed electrochemical detection.

Abstract Pulsed electrochemical detection (PED) following reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) has been applied recently to the detection of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in the urine of live and deceased individuals. In this paper, several key improvements to the method are made to enhance sensitivity, reproducibility, and accuracy. These improvements include (i) further optimization of the sample preparation procedure that has increased the recovery from ca. 50% to 84 ± 3% in synthetic urine matrix; (ii) changing the internal standard from methyl glucuronide (MetG) to propyl glucuronide (ProG), which does not elute within the interference of the matrix; and (iii) altering the mobile phase of the separation from acetonitrile to t-butanol to virtually eliminate signal suppression in PED. As a consequence, detection limits have been reduced to 0.01 μg mL−1, reproducibility has been improved by a factor of two, and sample size has been reduced five-fold. Blind studies in synthetic urine showed no significant difference between the amount recovered and the true value determined at the 95% confidence level for all samples. Importantly, PED requires no derivatization, and it can detect virtually all glucuronides.
Synthesis of closo- and nido-biscarboranes with rigid unsaturated linkers as precursors to linear metallacarborane-based molecular rods

Several biscarborane-type derivatives of 8-iodo-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane (1), suitable as the precursors of linear metallacarborane-based molecular rods, were prepared. The synthesized closo-compounds contained two carborane moieties connected through a rigid linear unsaturated linker. The linkers were based on ethynylene and para-phenylene fragments and their combinations. The deboronation of all reported closo-compounds was selective and afforded nido-products with open pentagonal faces on opposite sides of the molecule, parallel to each other and perpendicular to the main molecular axis. All of the closo and nido products were characterized by a variety of physical methods (NMR, HRMS, IR). The structures of closo-carboranes 3, 6, 9, and 14 and nido-carboranes 15 and 17 were established by X-ray diffraction.
Sub-20 nm design technology co-optimization for standard cell logic

Efficiency and manufacturability of standard cell logic is critical for an IC, as standard cells are at the heart of the nexus between technology definition, circuit design and physical synthesis. Conventional standard cell design techniques are increasingly ineffective as we scale to patterning restricted sub-20 nm CMOS nodes. To meet the constraints and leverage the features of future technology offerings, we propose a holistic design technology co-optimization (DTCO) for standard cell logic. In our holistic DTCO we co-optimize the standard cell architecture to balance manufacturability and efficiency at the cell level while taking into account block level considerations such as pin accessibility and power rail robustness. Our DTCO in a foundry 14 nm CMOS resulted in two standard cell architectures, namely, 10T_BiDir and 10T_UniDir. We evaluated these cell libraries with physically synthesized blocks and ring oscillator test structures in IBM 14SOI process. We observed that 10T_BiDir emerges as the preferred alternative at 14 nm CMOS, with 10T_UniDir promising better scalability to future nodes.
«Une chute antérieure de plume»: Mallarmé's «Le Démon de l'analogie»

Sur l'identite de l'enigmatique Penultieme dans le Demon de l'analogie : mort de la muse et tradition perdue de la poesie orphique.
Algebraic turbulent energy flux models for hypersonic shear flows: Invited presentation

Algebraic truncation models were derived for the turbulent energy flux for high-speed shear flows with and without thermal and mechanical non-equilibrium effects. The equilibrium model was developed for high-temperature gases with caloric imperfections. Fluctuating dilatation moments were modeled via conservation of mass truncations. The model provided significant improvements, up to 20 percent, in the temperature predictions over the gradient diffusion model for a Mach number range of 0.02 to 11.8. Analyses also showed that the near wall dependence of the algebraic model agreed with expected scaling, where the constant Prandtl number model did not. This led to a simple modification of the turbulent Prandtl number model. A thermal non-equilibrium energy flux model was derived, where our experiments show that relaxation of an internal energy mode alters the basic transport of turbulence. Compressibility led to an explicit pressure gradient dependency with the present model. Analyses of a governing parameter indicated that these terms are negligibly small for low speeds. However, they may be important for high-speed flow. Comments towards extending the models to include pressure gradient flows are provided. Nomenclature a Speed of sound a1 Bradshaw-Townsend constant
Longitudinal Changes of Brain-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Preterm Neonates

OBJECTIVE. To determine age-related concentrations of brain-type natriuretic peptide in preterm infants using bedside Triage brain-type natriuretic peptide test and correlate it to the presence or absence of the patent ductus arteriosus and ventilatory support. METHODS. Serum brain-type natriuretic peptide levels were measured in infants who were born at <32 weeks’ gestation from birth to 2 months of age. Serial echocardiograms were performed, until closure of the patent ductus arteriosus, or until discharge. Brain-type natriuretic peptide levels were correlated to the day of life, gestational age, presence or absence of the patent ductus arteriosus, and the degree of ventilatory support. Nineteen preterm infants (gestational age: 24–31 weeks; birth weight: 645–1670 g) were enrolled prospectively during the first 2 weeks of life. Serum brain-type natriuretic peptide levels (pg/mL) were determined in 177 blood samples, and 87 paired echocardiograms were performed. RESULTS. Significant negative correlation was found between brain-type natriuretic peptide levels and the day of life and remained significant when the patients were stratified by gestational age (≤28 weeks and >28 weeks). Higher brain-type natriuretic peptide levels correlated with increasing grade of the patent ductus arteriosus. Significant differences in brain-type natriuretic peptide levels were seen with increasing ventilatory support. Comparisons between the size of patent ductus arteriosus and the degree of ventilatory support to brain-type natriuretic peptide levels revealed that the size of the patent ductus arteriosus was the major determinant of both brain-type natriuretic peptide levels and the degree of ventilatory support. CONCLUSIONS. Similar to term infants, brain-type natriuretic peptide levels of preterm infants are related to the chronological age and decline during the first month of life. Rapid bedside Triage brain-type natriuretic peptide is a potentially valuable and practical assay in determining the hemodynamic changes in preterm infants.
Mean-shift blob tracking through scale space

The mean-shift algorithm is an efficient technique for tracking 2D blobs through an image. Although the scale of the mean-shift kernel is a crucial parameter, there is presently no clean mechanism for choosing or updating scale while tracking blobs that are changing in size. We adapt Lindeberg's (1998) theory of feature scale selection based on local maxima of differential scale-space filters to the problem of selecting kernel scale for mean-shift blob tracking. We show that a difference of Gaussian (DOG) mean-shift kernel enables efficient tracking of blobs through scale space. Using this kernel requires generalizing the mean-shift algorithm to handle images that contain negative sample weights.
Genetic variability in the pistachio late blight fungus, Alternaria alternata

Genetic variation in the pistachio late blight fungus, Alternaria alternata , was investigated by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in the rDNA region. Southern hybridization of Eco RI, Hin dIII, and Xbal digested fungal DNA with a RNA probe derived from Alt1, an rDNA clone isolated from a genomic library of the Japanese pear pathotype of A. alternata , revealed 34 different rDNA haplotypes among 56 isolates collected from four central valley locations in California. Analysis of molecular variation revealed a significant amount of genetic diversity within populations (85.8%), with only marginal variation accounting for differentiation among populations (14.2%, φ ST = 0.142). All isolates examined were highly pathogenic. The identity of the four geographic populations sampled was not evident in both cluster and principal component analyses, probably indicating either the selectively neutral nature of rDNA variation or prevalence of widespread gene flow among populations combined with uniform host-selection.
wq: a modular framework for collecting, storing, and utilizing experiential VGI

We present "wq", an open-source framework for developing robust applications allowing volunteers to collect geographic information (VGI) in the field. Successful VGI applications been deployed in various contexts, but much of the effort that is put into common programming tasks cannot be re-used, often because the application code is too closely tied to the problem domain. User-friendly campaign authoring tools are being explored as ways to facilitate the rapid deployment of VGI applications, but many of these tools necessarily enforce a restricted vocabulary of interface elements and database models, limiting their usefulness for more complex VGI project workflows. In contrast, we propose a highly modular, open-source approach that enables reuse of general-purpose components created to facilitate common design patterns -- without enforcing any hard limitations on the database model or interface. The framework builds off of and extends numerous existing open-source projects and leverages open standards (e.g. HTML5), which means it will work across all popular mobile devices as well as desktop browsers. The ideas behind wq arose from our ongoing efforts to generalize an existing data collection application initially created for community-based stream quality monitoring. In this paper we justify the design decisions made in creating wq and suggest general principles that should be taken into consideration when designing systems for collecting, storing, and utilizing VGI.
Asymmetry of the planum temporale : methodological considerations and clinical associations

Asymmetry of the planum temporale, a region on the posterosuperior surface of the temporal lobe involved in the production and comprehension of language, is a notable feature of the normal human brain. Several attempts have been made to measure it using both post-mortem and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods, but previous approaches made inadequate allowance for the convoluted nature of the structure. The current study used rigorous criteria to define the planum and examined three separate approaches for its measurement on MRI scans. A method involving triangulation of the surface consistently gave larger values for the surface area of the planum, suggesting that this method takes account of the convoluted nature of the structure.
Numerical experiments on vortex ring formation

Numerical simulations are used to study the formation of vortex rings that are generated by applying a non-conservative force of long duration, simulating experimental vortex ring generation with large stroke ratio. For sufficiently long-duration forces, we investigate the extent to which properties of the leading vortex ring are invariant to the force distribution. The results confirm the existence of a universal ‘formation number’ defined by Gharib, Rambod & Shariff (1998), beyond which the leading vortex ring is separated from a trailing jet. We find that the formation process is governed by two non-dimensional parameters that are formed with three integrals of the motion (energy, circulation, and impulse) and the translation velocity of the leading vortex ring. Limiting values of the normalized energy and circulation of the leading vortex ring are found to be around 0.3 and 2.0, respectively, in agreement with the predictions of Mohseni & Gharib (1998). It is shown that under this normalization smaller variations in the circulation of the leading vortex ring are obtained than by scaling the circulation with parameters associated with the forcing. We show that by varying the spatial extent of the forcing or the forcing amplitude during the formation process, thicker rings with larger normalized circulation can be generated. Finally, the normalized energy and circulation of the leading vortex rings compare well with the same properties for vortices in the Norbury family with the same mean core radius.
Sonochemical synthesis of highly fluorescent ag nanoclusters.

Highly fluorescent, stable, water-soluble Ag nanoclusters have been successfully prepared via a convenient sonochemical approach using a simple polyelectrolyte, polymethylacrylic acid (PMAA), as a capping agent. The optical and fluorescence properties of the Ag nanoclusters can be easily controlled by varying the synthetic conditions, such as sonication time, stoichiometry of the carboxylate groups to Ag+, and polymer molecular weight.
Mechanical beam isolator

Back-reflections from a target, lenses, etc. can gain energy passing backwards through a laser just like the main beam gains energy passing forwards. Unless something blocks these back-reflections early in their path, they can seriously damage the laser. A Mechanical Beam Isolator is a device that blocks back-reflections early, relatively inexpensively, and without introducing aberrations to the laser beam.
Influence of Slope Morphology on the Stability of Earthen Slopes

Slope morphology or surface topography greatly affects the stability of slopes with regard to both surficial erosion and mass wasting. Topographic para- meters normally considered in estimating soil erosion losses and calculating short- term mass stability include inclination and length of slope. Most engineered or man- made slopes are planar in form with an unvarying, down-slope gradient and little, if any, plan-form curvature. Natural slopes do not typically exhibit planar slope faces with uniform, un-varying gradients. Instead natural slopes manifest a variety of complex slope forms and profiles. Slopes that start out with planar topography also tend to evolve over time into equilibrium shapes that seldom are entirely planar. This paper describes conceptual and mathematical models, as well as the results of laboratory tests and field observations, that can be used to determine the effect of slope shape on both mass stability and resistance to rainfall erosion. The results of these analyses and observations show that concave slope profiles appear to be more stable and generate less sediment than uniform, planar slopes. These findings are consistent with conceptual models and they also accord with results of computer modeling of soil erosion on slopes with irregular shapes
The Fall of Detroit: A Financial Economist’s Point of View

In this study, we offer a financial economist’s view on the largest municipal bankruptcy in the U.S. history. While the city of Detroit’s financial insolvency has been examined by researchers from various fields and several factors are considered attributable to the event, we believe the center of all issues is merely the city’s lack of diversification strategy. This is evidenced by the deteriorating market share of the Big three, the dropping share of auto vehicles & parts manufacturing employment in Detroit, and the city’s long-term trend of declining population. While the auto industry did deliver Detroit a period of prosperity, this over-reliance on one industry inevitably brought financial difficulties on the city as the industry matures along with increased competitions. This unfortunate outcome derived from a non-diversifying strategy is well predicted by the Portfolio theory. We believe with proper strategy of diversification, the city of Detroit could largely avoid its financial insolvency. The future of Detroit may well still cling to its determination to identify supporting industries and a well-developed economic plan.
Gigapixel fluorescence microscopy with a water immersion microlens array

We demonstrate high throughput gigapixel fluorescence microscopy with a microlens array. We show, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, the use of a parallelized microscopy system to image samples in micro well plates. We image centimeter-scale regions of 384-well micro well plates at 1.72 μm resolution at a raw pixel throughput of 25.4 Mpx/s. Taking into account the fact that about half the well plate area consists of the plastic support region between wells, this corresponds to a sample pixel throughput of 13.2 Mpx/s, more than double that of the commercial state-of-the-art at the time of writing. Fluorescent imaging of tissue samples through coverslips is also demonstrated.
Alternatives to the standard Fleming, Harrington, and O’Brien futility boundary:

Background Phase III clinical trials comparing a standard treatment to a new therapy are often monitored for futility, that is, convincing evidence that the outcome of the new treatment is not as g...
Teacher collaboration in the context of the Responsive Classroom approach

This mixed‐method study examined characteristics and predictors of teacher collaboration. Limited research exists that describes the characteristics of teacher collaboration, and surprisingly little work explains the ways in which teaching experience and teachers’ perceptions of the school environment influence teacher collaboration. Questionnaire data were collected from a sample of 118 elementary school teachers in six schools in a northeast urban school district, and interviews were conducted with administrators in each school. Three schools were in their second year implementing the Responsive Classroom ® (RC) approach, and three schools were comparison schools. Teachers reported collaborating approximately once or twice per month, generally with fellow grade‐level teachers about student‐centered topics. Teachers in RC schools reported more frequent formal collaboration than comparison school teachers. In regards to predicting teacher collaboration, teachers who used more RC practices and/or resources...
Reaction dynamics of the phenyl radical with 1,2-butadiene

Abstract The crossed beams reaction of the phenyl radical (C 6 H 5 ) with 1,2-butadiene (CH 3 HCCCH 2 ) was studied under single collision at two collision energies. The crossed beams data were combined with electronic structure calculations on the C 10 H 11 potential energy surface. The reaction was found to follow indirect scattering dynamics via an addition of the phenyl radical with its radical center to the sterically favorable C1 atom of the 1,2-butadiene reactant. The initial reaction intermediate decomposed via atomic hydrogen loss to form two C 10 H 10 isomers, 1-phenyl-3-methylallene ( p1 ) and 1-phenyl-butyne-2 ( p2 ), via tight exit transition states. The results are compared with the crossed beams study of phenyl radicals with a second C 4 H 6 isomer, 1,3-butadiene.
Thiazolidinediones enhance insulin-mediated suppression of fatty acid flux in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin-resistant glucose and lipid metabolism. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) enhance insulin-mediated glucose disposal, but their effects on lipid kinetics are unknown. We evaluated the effect of the TZD troglitazone on insulin-mediated suppression of fatty acid and glycerol kinetics. Eight obese men and women (body mass index [BMI], 34.1 +/- 2.3 kg/m(2)) with insulin-requiring type 2 diabetes were studied before and after 12 weeks of troglitazone therapy (400 mg/d). Whole-body and abdominal fat masses were determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. Palmitate and glycerol rates of appearance (R(a)) into plasma were evaluated during a 3-stage hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp, which spanned the physiologic range of plasma insulin concentrations that regulate lipolysis. Troglitazone therapy did not alter body composition. Palmitate and glycerol R(a) decreased progressively during each stage of hyperinsulinemia (P <.001). Suppression of palmitate R(a) by insulin was greater after than before troglitazone therapy (P <.001), whereas glycerol R(a) was unchanged. These results demonstrate that TZDs increase insulin-mediated suppression of fatty acid release into plasma in obese subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which may contribute to their metabolic benefits. However, TZD therapy did not affect whole-body glycerol R(a), possibly because of upregulation of lipoprotein lipase action on plasma triglycerides.
Synthesis and self-assembly of triphenylene-containing conjugated macrocycles

Two imine-based shape-persistent macrocycles containing triphenylene building blocks, along with their noncyclic model compounds, have been synthesized. Their stable conformations are predicted by quantum mechanical calculations and confirmed by 2D NOESY NMR measurements. Compared to the noncyclic model compounds, the macrocycles (3 and 6) show a higher propensity for solution self-assembly due to their stronger π–π stacking interactions, and form micro-objects which exhibit an enhanced conductivity after doping. While both macrocycles have identical molecular geometries and very similar structures, their solution self-assembly leads to micro-objects with very different shapes. The two macrocycles also show different pH-dependent optical properties.
Correlation of clinical performance with 'in vitro tests' of restorative dental materials that use polymer-based matrices.

Abstract Objective Review correlations of in vivo clinical performance with in vitro laboratory tests of restorative dental materials involving polymer-based matrices. Identify those factors interfering with the process. Materials and methods An evidence-based dentistry approach was used to identify clinical trials, critical reviews, and meta-analyses involving correlations. Factors impacting meaningful correlations were reviewed. The limited bona fide correlations were reviewed. Results In vitro tests include physical, chemical, mechanical, and biological properties. Clinical research measurements routinely include 10–15 categories of clinical observations of performance such as color match, caries resistance, marginal integrity, surface texture, and others, but do not correspond well with laboratory properties. Clinical trials of restorative dental materials represent a small fraction of the total research in this arena (typically Conclusions/recommendations New studies should be focused on recovering restorations from service and characterizing them with the same tests as normally conducted in the laboratory. Many more long-term clinical trials that involve 10–20 years of observations are needed. Those trials should include planned restoration recovery to assess changes in laboratory properties of interest.
A close look at valences in hexahedral element meshes

This paper discusses using valences in objective functions for topological modification of 3D hexahedral meshes. For topological optimization of 2D quadrilateral meshes, node valence (i.e. number of element edges attached to each node) is used to maximize the number of regular nodes (i.e. nodes with four attached edges). Difficulties in developing 3D hexahedral local topology modifications have limited the success of hexahedral topology optimization, although published literature suggests using an object function based on node valence. However, in this paper, we show that node valence is not a consistent measure of good hexahedral element topology, and objective functions based on node valence can lead to element topology, which will only admit concave element shapes. Instead, we propose that objective functions based on edge valence (i.e. number of quadrilateral faces attached to each element edge) will provide a consistent measure of element topology. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Defects in Low—Temperature—Grown MBE GaAs

Defect concentrations in molecular beam epitaxial (MBE) GaAs range from 1012 to 1020 cm-3 as the growth temperature is lowered from 600 to 200 °C; however, very high quality layers can be grown over this whole range. The dominant defect is the As antisite, but there is also good evidence for As interstitials and gallium vacancies. The particular form of the As antisite center in low—temperature (LT) MBE GaAs is not known at this time, but it is definitely not EL2, because both the thermal activation energy and the electron capture cross section differ significantly. However, other features, such as the EPR spectrum and metastable—to—normal recovery kinetics are identical to those of EL2. The donor (As antisite) to acceptor ratio seems to hold at about one order of magnitude as growth temperature is varied from 200 — 400 °C; thus, the Fermi level stays near mid—gap over this whole range. However, hopping conduction among the As antisite centers is strong for samples grown between 200 and 300 °C and keeps the material from being semi—insulating, while for those grown between 350 — 480 °C, the resistivity is greater than 107 Ω cm. The annealing dynamics are particularly interesting and include such features as the mobility going through a sharp maximum at an annealing temperature of 400 °C for a layer grown at 200 °C. The donor and acceptor concentrations can be determined both by Hall effect and absorption measurements as the layer is annealed up to 600 °C. Above 550 °C, large precipitates are formed. The relative roles of the precipitates and point defects in influencing compensation, lifetime, and device characteristics are a source of much controversy and will be discussed.
Frequency Dependent Electrical Conductivity of Mixed (Na+, Ba2+)β″-alumina

Publisher Summary The electrical conductivity of mixed (Na + , Ba 2+ ) β” -alumina single crystals exhibits unusual characteristics. The extrapolated dc conductivity shows activated behavior, with activation energies Δ increasing rapidly away from the pure Na + and Ba 2+ values upon exchange with Ba 2+ and Na + ions, respectively. These larger values of Δ are independent of the minority Na + or Ba 2+ concentration, crossing over from one plateau value to the other between 40% and 50% Ba 2+ exchange. This behavior is attributed to screening of the majority carrier interionic Coulomb repulsion by the minority species, leading to movement to on-site positions by the majority species from their off-site positions in the pure compounds. The ac conductivity of mixed (Na + , Ba 2+ ) β” -alumina is markedly different from that of pure Na + or Ba 2+ - β” -alumina. In the plateau regions of the activation energy, one finds that σ ( ω ), Cole-Cole plots in the complex impedance plane and the imaginary part of the electric modulus plotted vs frequency are all indicative of uncorrected single-particle hopping, with a single (or small spread in the) effective hopping time. On the other hand, for the pure compounds, one finds behavior indicative of a correlated state, arising from an interplay between the single ion potential and the interionic Coulomb repulsive potential. This manifests itself in a power-law dependence for σ ( ω ) and a large spread in hopping times as evidenced by Cole-Cole plots and the frequency dependence of the electric modulus.
Proton-gamma angular correlation measurements for C13(d, pγ)C14

Abstract Proton-gamma angular correlation measurements have been made for the C 13 (d, p)C 14 reaction through the 6.09, 6.72, and 7.34 MeV states of C 14 at a deuteron bombarding energy of 3.7 MeV. The angular correlations were measured in the reaction plane with the proton counter on the stripping peak. Plane wave stripping theory was used in the analysis. The 6.09 MeV state angular correlation is isotropic, consistent with a pure l n = 0 stripping process. The results for the 6.72 and 7.34 MeV states confirm the spin and parity assignments 3 − and 2 − , respectively, preferred on the basis of other experiments. All three angular correlations are symmetric about the recoil axis, and the correlation coefficients for the 6.72 MeV state are within 25% of the plane wave predictions. A 1.25 MeV gamma transition between the 7.34 and 6.09 MeV states was observed in the coincidence measurements. Branching ratios for the gamma rays associated with the de-excitation of the 7.34 MeV state were determined to be Γ 7.34 / Γ 6.72 ≦ 0.22±0.07 and Γ 1.25 / Γ 6.72 = 0.5±0.2.
Speeding up Planning in Multiagent Settings Using CPU-GPU Architectures

Planning under uncertainty in multiagent settings is highly intractable because of history and plan space complexities. Probabilistic graphical models exploit the structure of the problem domain to mitigate the computational burden. In this article, we introduce the first parallelization of planning in multiagent settings on a CPU-GPU heterogeneous system. In particular, we focus on the algorithm for exactly solving interactive dynamic influence diagrams, which is a recognized graphical models for multiagent planning. Beyond parallelizing the standard Bayesian inference and the computation of decisions’ expected utilities, we also solve the other agents behavioral models in a parallel manner. The GPU-based approach provides significant speedup on two benchmark problems.
Introduction and Survival of Susceptible and Pyrethroid-Resistant Strains of Amblyseius fallacis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in a Michigan Apple Orchard

The survival of a susceptible and two synthetic pyrethroid-resistant strains of the predatory mite, Amblyseius fallacis Garman, were compared with an indigenous predatory mite population after the applications of two synthetic pyrethroids, permethrin and fenvalerate. Susceptible and indigenous predatory mites were reduced to almost undetectable numbers after two permethrin and one fenvalerate application. The two resistant strains survived permethrin applications equally well, but only one strain survived the fenvalerate spray at measurable levels. Overwintering survival of resistant strains was confirmed by using microelectrophoresis and LC50, studies.
Reevaluation of the Scab Gnat as a Causative Agent of Deep-pitted Scab of Potatoes

Biological and ecological studies showed that the potato scab gnat, Pnyxia scabiei (Hopkins), long considered the causative agent of deep-pitted scab, is primarily a fungus-feeding gnat. It does not feed on healthy tissue of potato tubers and is not the causative agent of deep-pitted scab.
Bioenergetic strategies of the cotton rat, Sigmodon hispidus.

Bioenergetic strategies of hispid cotton rats on a relict grassland in west-central Kansas were assessed for the period December 1967 through November 1968. Less than 1.0 per cent of the yearly net primary production of the grassland was ingested by cotton rats. Of the energy assimilated throughout the year, all but 2.2 per cent was utilized in maintenance. Energy flow channeled into secondary production ranged from a low of −2.4 kilocalories per hectare per day in January to a high of 22.6 in September. Accordingly, population density was at a low of 8.8 rats per hectare in April but increased to 19.4 by September. Seasonal fluctuations in relative amounts of energy utilized in secondary production probably reflect physiological adaptations to withstand adversities of climatic seasonality.
Photochemical Patterning of Cellular Microenvironments

Advances in photochemistry have profoundly impacted biological research by enabling researchers to both observe and direct cellular signaling processes. Recently, a number of innovations have been made toward the goal of using light-mediated reactions to manipulate the chemical and physical nature of hydrogel-based cellular microenvironments with spatiotemporal control. For example, using photoaddition and photocleavage reactions it is possible to both add and remove biochemical cues from cellular microenvironments. Matrix stiffness can also be dynamically modulated by using light to induce secondary cross-links, thereby stiffening the microenvironment, or by using photocleavage reactions to reduce the cross-link density and decrease the microenvironmental stiffness. Collectively, these approaches provide researchers with a diverse toolkit for probing the effects of matrix-derived signals, guiding cellular organization, and influencing cell-fate decisions. In this chapter, a summary of the state of the art in the field, a description of the photochemical reactions that are available, and a discussion of some practical considerations for patterning cellular microenvironments are provided. Challenges facing the field are also highlighted in a prospectus for future work.
Experimental Study on Compressive Bearing Capacity of Precast Pile

Through site experimental study on the first-stage construction of State Grid Minquan Power Plant,the results of high strain test and static load test are compared and the evaluation method of pile quality and vertical bearing capacity is studied.It is shown that during hammering construction of precast pile,hamming force,hamming energy and pile integrity may be monitored through high strain method to provide basis for piling process parameters and pile length.The ultimate bearing capacity of precast pile can be estimated by multiplying bearing capacity obtained from piling monitoring and time effect coefficient.Thus piling quality and bearing capacity can be evaluated combined with high strain testing after construction.
Reaktionen auf der Spur

Eine neue Methode aus dem Bereich der Massenspektrometrie, Desorptions-Elektrospray-Ionisation gekoppelt mit Massenspektrometrie (DESI-MS), wurde angewendet, um kurzlebige Zwischenprodukte und Abbaumechanismen von Katalysatoren in chemischen Reaktionen zu identifizieren. Die Methode bietet den Vorteil, dass die ersten Millisekunden einer Reaktion analysiert werden konnen. Ein Zeitfenster, das mit bisherigen analytischen Methoden nicht einsehbar ist. Anhand zweier Beispiele wird dargestellt, wie Wissen, das durch DESI-MS uber den Ablauf einer Reaktion generiert wird, die Grundlage zur Optimierung der jeweiligen Reaktion schafft. A new technique, desorption electrospray ionization coupled to mass spectrometry (DESI-MS), has been used as a tool for reaction analysis. Charged droplets of a reagent are sprayed onto the catalyst, which has previously been deposited on a surface in front of a mass analyzer. The reaction starts as the droplets impact the catalyst on the surface and continues inside secondary microdroplets that are desorbed from the surface. These are directed toward the mass spec inlet. Using this technique, the very first milliseconds of a reaction can be observed. The first example describes the discovery of an extremely short-lived intermediate in a C-H amination reaction cycle. Another example describes how DESI-MS has been used to identify catalyst arrest mechanisms in ruthenium catalyzed C-H hydroxylation.
Neurological Complications of Infections and Vaccinations

Postinfectious and postvaccinal encephalomyelitis occur much more frequently than suspected as complications of many viral infections and all kinds of vaccinations. Their pathology and pathogenesis are well known due to the fact that exact experimental models exist. These conditions involve mostly but not exclusively the white matter of the brain and spinal cord but characteristically also often attack cranial nerves, spinal roots and peripheral nerves. Classically they have their onset 1 -3 weeks after the infection or the vaccination but in some instances they may start coincidentally with the triggering infection, or as long as 4 or 5 months after a vaccination
Case 4: Worsening Abdominal Distention in a 2-year-old Boy

1. Sean Indra, MD* 2. Shazia Maqbool, MD* 1. *Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI A previously healthy 2-year-old boy presents to the emergency department with a history of abdominal distention that began 1 week ago and has since been worsening. He is toilet-trained and his family mentions that he has been having intermittently decreased urination for the past month. Some days he only urinates once or twice. He has had no fever, emesis, joint pain, anorexia, weight loss, or decreased activity. The boy’s medical history and family history are unremarkable. On physical examination, he has normal vital signs. He appears well and has normal physical examination findings, with the exception of his gastrointestinal evaluation. His abdomen is soft but with prominent swelling in the right upper quadrant and epigastric regions. In the area of swelling, there is a smooth, nontender, palpable mass without overlying erythema. A liver edge is not palpable because the mass is overlying that area, but a spleen tip is noted at the left costal margin. Initial laboratory results include:
Examining the Sustained Effects of Reading Recovery

ABSTRACTThough the immediate effect of Reading Recovery (RR) is both strong and well established, the longer term or sustained effect has been less studied and the evidence regarding it has been less conclusive. Michigan Reading Recovery students (n = 328) were compared to control students (n = 264) while in first (2009–2010), third (2011), and fourth grades (2012), using propensity score matching to generate 3 levels of eligibility. Although the immediate effect measured at mid-year of first grade on the Observation Survey was large (1.17), the effect by the end of first grade on the same measure was .51, and by third grade, the effect was .16 on the state reading test. The overall effect completely diminished by fourth grade, but it was significant (.35) for the most eligible students in reading, and for moderately eligible (.34) and most eligible students (.35) in writing. The sustained effect overall was present but diminished by third grade, and was sustained into fourth grade for those students at g...
Getting out of the rankings game: a better way to evaluate higher education institutions for best fit

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this paper is to propose an alternative model to conventional higher education institution (HEI) rankings that can better communicate meaningful differentiation to prospective students. A five-step approach is followed to form clusters and classify HEIs. Cluster analysis is performed on two separate datasets containing (1) public HEIs and (2) private HEIs. For the final model, 42 variables were incorporated to group 761 private HEIs and, separately, 414 public HEIs. A five-cluster solution for each dataset is presented and described. Each cluster contains a description and a managerial recommendation. The application cluster analysis to group HEIs differs from the more popular but more problematic approach of ranking HEIs. Grouping resolves the problems that stem from ranking and provides possibly more useful information.
Thermoplastic and Thermosetting Polymers

Thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers are introduced and their differences explained. A description is given of the first commercially successful fully synthetic class of polymers, phenol/formaldehyde resins, which were discovered by Leo Baekeland. The term ‘functionality’ is introduced as meaning the number of reactive points in a monomeric material - a concept which dominates the technology of thermosetting polymers. The importance of controlling the heat of polymerization is emphasized. Next, the reaction between phenol and formaldehyde is described in some detail. Finally the position of elastomers in the family of polymers is briefly stated.
Small-scale rearing of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) for research purposes

AbstractWe report a methodology refined over 20 years to culture and maintain a small colony of Sepia officinalis for research year-round. Wild-caught eggs were obtained annually from England and reared in semi-closed natural seawater systems of large volume. Constant temperature (15 °C) and day length (12L/12D) delayed sexual maturation and reproductive behavior. This extended life cycle by roughly 50%, thus providing small research animals for about 18 months from every annual batch of eggs. A novel live food – gammarid crustaceans collected from washed up seagrass– was provided to hatchlings and juveniles. Juveniles were then trained to take thawed shrimp thereafter, thus reducing the expense of live foods. Typical survival to one year was >65%. With these methods, healthy sexually immature cuttlefish were available year-round for behavioral and physiological studies without the confounding influences of hormonally-induced fighting, mating, and egg laying that typically occur within six months.
"Scaling-out" evidence-based interventions to new populations or new health care delivery systems.

Implementing treatments and interventions with demonstrated effectiveness is critical for improving patient health outcomes at a reduced cost. When an evidence-based intervention (EBI) is implemented with fidelity in a setting that is very similar to the setting wherein it was previously found to be effective, it is reasonable to anticipate similar benefits of that EBI. However, one goal of implementation science is to expand the use of EBIs as broadly as is feasible and appropriate in order to foster the greatest public health impact. When implementing an EBI in a novel setting, or targeting novel populations, one must consider whether there is sufficient justification that the EBI would have similar benefits to those found in earlier trials. In this paper, we introduce a new concept for implementation called “scaling-out” when EBIs are adapted either to new populations or new delivery systems, or both. Using existing external validity theories and multilevel mediation modeling, we provide a logical framework for determining what new empirical evidence is required for an intervention to retain its evidence-based standard in this new context. The motivating questions are whether scale-out can reasonably be expected to produce population-level effectiveness as found in previous studies, and what additional empirical evaluations would be necessary to test for this short of an entirely new effectiveness trial. We present evaluation options for assessing whether scaling-out results in the ultimate health outcome of interest. In scaling to health or service delivery systems or population/community contexts that are different from the setting where the EBI was originally tested, there are situations where a shorter timeframe of translation is possible. We argue that implementation of an EBI in a moderately different setting or with a different population can sometimes “borrow strength” from evidence of impact in a prior effectiveness trial. The collection of additional empirical data is deemed necessary by the nature and degree of adaptations to the EBI and the context. Our argument in this paper is conceptual, and we propose formal empirical tests of mediational equivalence in a follow-up paper.
Russell’s Road to Logicism

This paper explains the intellectual route that Russell followed in moving from the Kantian philosophy of geometry defended in his 1897 An Essay on the Foundations of Geometry [EFG] to his view in Principles of Mathematics [POM] (1903) that all mathematics is formal logic. I argue that Russell was already committed to a kind of “logicism” in EFG. For this reason, Russell’s road to logicism was much shorter than Russell himself often suggests, and the number of substantive philosophical changes that Russell made to get from EFG to logicism was surprisingly small. In particular, I show that Russell was committed to logicism even before his encounter with Peano’s logic in August 1900.
High performance 500–750 GHz RF MEMS switch

In this work, a 500–750 GHz (WM-380) RF micro-electromechanical DC contact switch is realized and reported. This switch is integrated with a 50-Ω coplanar waveguide. The structure is fabricated on high resistivity silicon with top isolation silicon dioxide layer of 100 nm. The switch is electrostatically actuated with a threshold voltage of 60 V. The switch design and calibration are discussed. On-wafer measurements demonstrate that the insertion loss to be 0.7–2.7 dB in “ON” state with return loss greater than 12 dB. In the “OFF” state, isolation is better than 17 dB across the band.
Colonic epithelium rejuvenation through YAP/TAZ

Stem cells are critical for normal tissue homeostasis and injury‐induced regeneration, but how wounding affects tissue regeneration at the cellular and molecular levels is not yet fully understood. A new study by Yui et al (2017) demonstrates that the extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling modulates intestinal stem cells in tissue repair and regeneration via activation of the Hippo pathway effectors YAP/TAZ.