cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Bulk Titania Crystal Structure on the Adsorption and Reaction of Aliphatic Alcohols

Previous studies on TiO2 (rutile) single-crystal surfaces have suggested that product distributions in the reactions of primary alcohols and carboxylic acids are governed primarily by the coordination environment of individual surface cations. Since the cation coordination environment is the same in both the anatase and rutile bulk structures, this model would suggest that the reactivity of adsorbed alcohols should be insensitive to bulk structure. In order to test this hypothesis, methanol, ethanol, and 2-propanol were adsorbed at room temperature on TiO2 anatase and rutile powders. Temperature-programmed desorption spectra were obtained in a high-vacuum microbalance system. On rutile, the molecular coverage was equal for methanol and ethanol but decreased for 2-propanol, most likely due to steric effects observed in previous comparisons of the saturation coverages of primary and secondary alcohols on anatase. The alcohols were dissociatively adsorbed to form alkoxides and surface hydroxyls. The alkoxide species were removed via two channels, recombination with surface hydroxyls at approximately 400 K and decomposition at higher temperatures. The high-temperature decomposition products were identical on both powders, with some differences in the product selectivity. Dehydration and dehydrogenation pathways were observed for all of the alcohols, with only the primary alcohols yielding bimolecular reaction products. The similarities in product distribution and peak temperatures from the aliphatic alcohols on anatase and rutile, particularly with regard to the selectivity for diethyl ether formation from ethanol, indicate that the bulk crystal structure of the oxide does not have a significant influence on the reactions of these molecules. The small differences in selectivity observed between anatase and rutile may be attributed to different populations of coordinatively unsaturated Ti cations on the surfaces of the two powders. However, the reactivity of both high-surface-area anatase and rutile can be understood in terms of the surface site requirements deduced from experiments on rutile single crystals.
Topological Order at Nonzero Temperature

We propose a definition for topological order at nonzero temperature in analogy to the usual zero temperature definition that a state is topologically ordered, or ``nontrivial'', if it cannot be transformed into a product state (or a state close to a product state) using a local (or approximately local) quantum circuit. We prove that any two-dimensional Hamiltonian which is a sum of commuting local terms is not topologically ordered at $Tg0$. We show that such trivial states cannot be used to store quantum information using certain stringlike operators. This definition is not too restrictive, however, as the four dimensional toric code does have a nontrivial phase at nonzero temperature.
Dynamics of the inward rectifier K+ current during the action potential of guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

The potassium selective, inward rectifier current (IK1) is known to be responsible for maintaining the resting membrane potential of quiescent ventricular myocytes. However, the contribution of this current to the different phases of the cardiac action potential has not been adequately established. In the present study, we have used the action potential clamp (APC) technique to characterize the dynamic changes of a cesium-sensitive (i.e., Ik1) current which occur during the action potential. Our results show that (a) Ik1 is present during depolarization, as well as in the final phase of repolarization of the cardiac action potential. (b) The current reaches the zone of inward-going rectification before the regenerative action potential ensues. (c) The maximal outward current amplitude during repolarization is significantly lower than during depolarization, which supports the hypothesis that in adult guinea pig ventricular myocytes, Ik1 rectification is accentuated during the action potential plateau. Our results stress the importance of Ik1 in the modulation of cell excitability in the ventricular myocyte.
Levinson-Seaton theorem for potentials with an attractive Coulomb tail

The zero-energy scattering in a particular partial wave by a potential V=${\mathit{V}}_{\mathit{s}}$+${\mathit{V}}_{\mathit{c}}$ that is a superposition of short range and attractive Coulomb components is characterized by the additional phase shift ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}_{\mathit{s}}$(0), due to ${\mathit{V}}_{\mathit{s}}$. It has been known for many years that ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}_{\mathit{s}}$(0)(mod\ensuremath{\pi})=\ensuremath{\mu}(\ensuremath{\infty})\ensuremath{\pi}, where \ensuremath{\mu}(n) is the quantum defect of the nth energy level. In analogy with Levinson's theorem for short-range potentials, one might expect that a more precise statement, based on an absolute definition of the phase shift, would be ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}_{\mathit{s}}$(0)=\ensuremath{\mu}(\ensuremath{\infty})\ensuremath{\pi}, with the value of the largest integer contained in \ensuremath{\mu}(\ensuremath{\infty}) representing the number of additional bound states due to ${\mathit{V}}_{\mathit{s}}$. A simple derivation of this relation is presented here, based on variational principles for the binding energies and phase shifts, and on the property (fundamental to quantum-defect theory) that appropriately normalized bound-state wave functions for n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty} merge smoothly into the energy-normalized regular continuum solutions at the continuum threshold.
High-performance liquid chromatographic measurement of exogenous thiosulfate in urine and plasma

A simple technique using reverse-phase ion-pair liquid chromatography for measurement of exogenous thiosulfate is described. Accurate measurement of thiosulfate in plasma and urine was permitted by precolumn derivatization with monobromobimane, a substance that readily yields fluorescent compounds upon reaction with a variety of biologically important nucleophiles including glutathione, cysteine, and sulfite. Using an injection volume of 50 microliters, as little as 0.16 nmol of thiosulfate was reliably measured. The interassay precision of the method was reflected by a coefficient of variation of 7.7% while the coefficient of variation for interassay analysis was 2.6%. Recovery of thiosulfate from plasma was 96.9 +/- 3.2% and greater than 98% from urine. The simplicity, sensitivity, and precision of the method make it ideal for the study of thiosulfate and other important nucleophiles in body fluids.
A Method to Estimate the Rheological Properties of Aged Asphalt Binders without Actually aging them

ABSTRACT Asphalt binder stiffens due to aging during the mixing and lay down operations as well as during the service life of the pavement. The aging processes in the field have been simulated in the laboratory through the use of accelerated test procedures and tracked through rheological characterization of the aged asphalts. However, the laboratory aging procedures along with the rheological characterization of the aged samples are time-consuming processes. Some researchers have been seeking methods to shorten the time involved in generating this information, while others have been suggesting improvements in the test procedures to get reproducible and reliable data, and still others are attempting to find the procedures that would give information in the laboratory that is closer to the reality in the field. In all cases, it is the rheological properties of the aged binders that are used for characterizing the extent of aging. The present work is a step in the same direction but chooses a different appr...
Discrete, continuous, and diffuse auroras

Abstract It is pointed out that there are a number of important differences between discrete auroras and diffuse auroras in the midnight sector. The differences are listed in a tabular form. The identification of the corresponding regions in the magnetotail is an urgent future task.
A linearized 3D hybrid code for stability studies of field-reversed ion rings

Abstract A linearized 3D hybrid code, RINGHYBRID, for the study of the low-frequency stability of high-beta equilibria is described. In particular, this code is suitable for application to field-reversed ion rings and mirror plasmas. The code models the development in time of perturbations having a specified azimuthal mode number, 1, about an axisymmetric equilibrium state. The equilibrium current is purely azimuthal and is carried entirely by the energetic ion component, which is modeled by discrete simulation particles. This current is consistent with the equilibrium magnetic field and hot-component charge density. In addition to the hot-ion component, a cold uniform density background of ions and a complement of missies electrons are described by fluid equations which incorporate a scalar resistivity. Also presented are verifications of code performance, including tests of cold-plasma normal modes and of plasma return currents arising in response to an azimuthal “drive” current rising linearly with time.
Semantic as opposed to acoustic encoding in STM

The Ss were given triads of consonants or words in the Peterson and Peterson situation. After PI had been built up for the CCCs the Experimental group was given a word trigram such as Pea, Kay, Bee and the Control group received the homophonic triad P, K, B. A significant improvement in performance was shown for the Experimental group and none for the Control It is concluded that semantic factors override any acoustic factors which might operate in this type of STM situation.
SEARCHing for an Answer: The Critical Role of New Literacies While Reading on the Internet

It is increasingly clear that the Internet will be the defining technology for reading, writing, and communication in the 21st century. But without the ability to locate information in an efficient and effective manner, students' access to information on the Internet is limited. This article introduces SEARCH, a strategy classroom teachers can use to assist students in becoming better searchers. SEARCH includes setting a purpose, employing effective search strategies, analyzing search engine results, reading critically and synthesizing information, citing sources, and a reflective component in which students ask “How successful was the search?” in order to review the success of the techniques implemented. Additional resources that provide practice in searching for information on the Internet are also presented.
Design of functionally graded composite structures in the presence of stress constraints

In this work new homogenization results are used to introduce a methodology for the design of structural components made from composite materials in the presence of stress constraints. A numerical method is developed for finding functionally graded materials that provide the maximum torsional rigidity while keeping the mean square stress inside the composite structure below a prescribed level.
Recovery of organics from tailings pond sludge using coke for agglomeration

The effect of various process variables on the recovery of organics from sludge using an agglomeration technique was studied. Factorial design procedures were used to determine the important variables and their interactions on recovery of organics. It was observed that higher amounts and smaller particles of coke produced higher recoveries. A reasonable correlation between the surface area of coke and recovery of organics was observed. Furthermore, significant improvements in recoveries were obtained by using inexpensive additives during agglomeration.
Getting out the vote: Social structure and the mobilization of partisanship in the 1989 European elections

: Why do European elections look more like national elections in retrospect than in prospect? One possibility is that during the run-up to a European election party leaders appeal for the votes of their ‘normal’ supporters, and their success in these appeals gives rise to the ‘normal’ outcome of the campaign. To test this hypothesis two definitions of ‘normal supporters’ are evaluated and the outcome is to discredit the use of party identification as a means of identifying supporters. Instead, social structure is employed to identify the groups that might respond to party appeals, and the basic finding of the article is that supporters defined in this fashion do increase their support for appropriate parties during the run-up to a European election, as though they were responding to appeals of the hypothesized kind.
An exploratory study of unsupervised mobile learning in rural India

Cellphones have the potential to improve education for the millions of underprivileged users in the developing world. However, mobile learning in developing countries remains under-studied. In this paper, we argue that cellphones are a perfect vehicle for making educational opportunities accessible to rural children in places and times that are more convenient than formal schooling. We carried out participant observations to identify the opportunities in their everyday lives for mobile learning. We next conducted a 26-week study to investigate the extent to which rural children will voluntarily make use of cellphones to access educational content. Our results show a reasonable level of academic learning and motivation. We also report on the social context around these results. Our goal is to examine the feasibility of mobile learning in out-of-school settings in rural, underdeveloped areas, and to help more researchers learn how to undertake similarly difficult studies around mobile computing in the developing world.
A county-level analysis of persons living with HIV in the southern United States

ABSTRACTThis study uses county-level surveillance data to systematically analyze geographic variation and clustering of persons living with diagnosed HIV (PLWH) in the southern United States in 2011. Clusters corresponding to large metropolitan areas – including Miami, Atlanta, and Baltimore – had HIV prevalence rates higher (p < .001) than the regional rate. Regression analysis within the counties included in these clusters determined that race was a significant indicator for PLWH. These results provide a general picture of the distribution of PLWH in the southern United States at the county level and provide insights for identifying local geographic areas with a high number of PLWH, as well as subpopulations that may have an increased risk of infection.
Efficacy of screen recording in the other-revision of translations: episodic memory and event models

In a 2011 study, Angelone compared the self-revision results of graduate German translation students. Participants documented their original translations using Integrated Problem and Decision Reporting (IPDR) logs (Gile 2004), think-aloud protocols and screen recordings. They then used this documentation to assist self-revision of their translations. Angelone found a significant improvement in error detection overall and in each of six discrete error categories when participants used screen recordings to assist their self-revision. We sought to partially replicate Angelone’s findings concerning the efficacy of screen recording in translation revision. Instead of focusing on self-revision, we studied other-revision and broadened our scope to examine the behavior of graduate students in both Spanish and German translation. We hypothesized that error analysis overall would show that screen recording would again prove to be a more efficacious process protocol in support of revision than IPDR logs, as was the case in Angelone’s study. We also hypothesized that we would replicate his findings for each of the six error categories. The results partially confirmed Angelone’s results: screen recordings were significantly more efficacious than IPDR logs in overall error mitigation.
Thin film thermocouple sensors for measurement of contact temperatures during slider asperity interaction on magnetic recording disks

Thin-film thermocouple sensors have been fabricated on a magnetic recording slider. Both the sensors and the reference junctions are located on the air bearing surface of the slider. The effective size of the junctions is 4 mu m, and response time is faster than 0.5 mu s. The sensitivity of these thermocouples is measured to be 7 mu V/ degrees C. The thermocouple signals obtained at the slider asperity contacts show a temperature rise of 1-5 degrees C. Incorporating the sensor dimensions and assuming asperities of 0.5 mu m width, the actual temperatures are estimated to be in the range of 90-450 degrees C. >
Improved Temperature Stability of Atomic Layer Deposition Coated Cellulose Nanocrystal Aerogels

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) was used to coat cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) aerogel scaffolds with a thin conformal layer of Al2O3. Electron probe microanalysis indicates that the penetration of Al2O3 into the aerogel was greater than 50 μm. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that Al2O3 coated CNC aerogel composites have improved temperature and oxidation resistance.
The Janus kinase family and signaling through members of the cytokine receptor superfamily

Many cytokines initiate cellular responses through their interaction with members of the cytokine receptor superfamily which contain no catalytic domains in their cytoplasmic domains. Irrespective, ligand binding induces tyrosine phosphorylation, which requires a membrane proximal region of the cytoplasmic domain. Recent studies have shown that members of the Janus kinase (JAK) family of protein tyrosine kinases associate with the membrane proximal region, are rapidly tyrosine phosphorylated following ligand binding and their in vitro kinase activity is activated. The JAKs are 130-kDa proteins which lack SH2/SH3 domains and contain two kinase domains, an active domain and a second kinase-like domain. Individual receptors associate with, or require, one or more of the three known family members including JAK1, JAK2, and tyk2. Substrates of the JAKs include the 91-kDa and 113-kDa proteins of the interferon-stimulated transcription complex ISGF3. These proteins, when tyrosine phosphorylated, migrate to the nucleus and participate in the activation of gene transcription. Recent evidence suggests that the 91- and 113-kDa proteins are members of a large family of genes that are potential substrates of JAK family members and may regulate a variety of genes involved in cell growth, differentiation or function. 42 refs.
Electron Capture Gas Chromatography Determination of Benzodiazepines and Metabolites

A method for the rapid qualitative and quantitative determination of five major benzodlazepine drugs In one milliliter of human plasma is described. These drugs are analyzed as the underivatized compounds by electron capture gas chromategraphy on a 1 meter 3% OV-17 column. By virtue of the addition of N-methyl clonazepam to the plasma prior to extraction, quantitative evaluations can be made for the individual drugs from previously prepared standard curves. The data given includes the recovery responses for the Internal standard, the various drugs and their metabolites after extraction and gas chromatographic analysis. Chromatograms are illustrated for patients who had Ingested the various drugs.
Sporadic groups, code loops and nonvanishing cohomology

I intend to discuss a number of interesting 2-locals in sporadic groups and show how code loops, which are certain Moufang loops, may be used to describe the subgroups abstractly. Existence proofs of parabolic subgroups of sporadics which are independent of the existence proofs of the sporadics have not existed in every case. When available, some such demonstrations of existence have been ad hoc. This paper partially alleviates that problem. It is, I believe, the first systematic attempt to describe some of the more complicated parabolics by a unified theme. I was moved to attempt this by Conway’s use of a loop invented by Parker to describe a parabolic of shape 22+ l1 +22 (S, xM~~) in the monster [8]. The first direct construction of this parabolic is due to J. Tits, whose notes (see [35], especially III and IV, and preprint of [37]) were circulated months before Conway’s work was publicized. They may well have influenced Conway’s construction of the monster, though they do not contain the loop concept.
Parents as Direct Facilitators of Children's Peer Relationships: Effects of Age of Child and Sex of Parent

The goal of the study was to examine the impact of parental facilitation on children's play with an unfamiliar peer. Pairs of preschoolers and their parents (mothers and fathers on separate occasions) were videotaped under two conditions in an ABABA design. In one condition, (A) parents were instructed to remain passive, while in a second condition, (B) parents were asked to `help the children play together'. Children were rated as higher in social competence with their peers under conditions of parental facilitation than under conditions where parents were passive. Younger preschoolers benefited from parental assistance more than older preschoolers; younger children were less able to maintain peer interaction without parental assistance. There was little evidence that parental supervision facilitated peer interaction among older preschoolers. Fathers and mothers were equally competent facilitators in the lab. Interview data suggest that mothers are more likely to perform this direct facilitatory role in ...
Semen Quality Remains Stable During the Chronic Phase of Spinal Cord Injury: A Longitudinal Study

Purpose: In a longitudinal study we examined changes in semen quality with time during the chronic phase of spinal cord injury.Materials and Methods: Included in this study were 87 men with spinal cord injury who underwent 2 or more semen retrieval procedures with a minimum of 3 years between the first and last procedures. Patients were selected from our database of 500 with spinal cord injury who were volunteers enrolled in the Male Fertility Research Program of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis from January 1, 1991 through April 31, 2009. Semen was collected by masturbation, penile vibratory stimulation or electroejaculation. Semen analysis was done according to WHO criteria. We used a statistical generalized linear mixed model to analyze changes in sperm concentration, total sperm count, total motile sperm count and sperm motility with time.Results: Mean patient age was 30.1 years (range 16 to 48) and mean time after injury at the initial sperm retrieval procedure was 7.1 years (range 1 to 26). Sperm...
The Broad-Line Region in Active Galactic Nuclei

We review the basic observed and inferred properties of the broad emission-line region in AGNs, as well as the basics of the reverberation-mapping technique that can be used to determine the size and structure of the region. We argue that the current best evidence points to a multi-component line-emitting re- gion, with a disk-like structure, possibly an extension of the accretion disk itself, and a disk wind being strong candidates for the origin of the broad-line emission. Some 40 years after the discovery of quasars and 60 years after the publication of C.K. Seyfert's initial observations of high central surface brightness galax- ies, we are finally quite certain that active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are powered by accretion onto supermassive collapsed objects. While many important de- tails remain poorly understood, the black-hole/accretion-disk paradigm is now reasonably secure. In contrast, however, we still have no self-consistent models of the nuclear regions that produce (a) the broad emission lines that are so prominent in the UV/optical spectra of AGNs and (b) the strong ab- sorption features seen in the X-ray/UV spectra. Given the proximity of these regions to the central engine, it seems likely that these are some manifes- tation of the accretion process and related outflow; there is a good deal of empirical evidence that connects these spectral features to disk-related out- flows. Unfortunately, solid information about the broad-line region (BLR) is hard to come by: the BLR is spatially unresolved in even the nearest AGNs and the information in line profiles, sampling only one of six dimensions in phase space, is highly ambiguous. In this review, we will concentrate on a few things that we can infer about the nature of the BLR, and reverberation mapping, arguably the most promising technique for exploring the nature of the BLR. The scope of this review is limited to a few basic topics and represents, of course, the author's own highly biased personal view.
The Feeding Value of Weather-Damaged Grain Sorghum for Poultry

Abstract Diets containing varying levels of weather-damaged milo were fed to broilers, turkeys and laying hens. Diets in which 0, 10, 25, 50, and 100% weathered milo from two sources (both moldy and sprouted) replaced No. 2 Milo produced no significant adverse effects on body wt. or feed conversions of broilers in two experiments. Turkey poults fed diets in which 0, 33, 67 and 100% elevator run weathered grain sorghum was used to replace No. 2 Milo performed equally well, indicating that weathered milo had substantially the same feeding value as No. 2 grade grain sorghum. Egg production, albumin height, shell thickness, and mortality were not significantly affected during five 28-day feeding periods when laying diets were fed in which 33, 67 and 100% of the milo was replaced with elevator run weather-damaged milo. Slight improvements were noted for albumen height and shell thickness. No differences were noted in relation to mortality. Weathered milo, which was severely sprouted and field damaged, had approximately the same feeding value for poultry as undamaged milo.
Combined circuit and microarchitecture techniques for effective soft error robustness in SMT processors

As semiconductor technology scales, reliability is becoming an increasingly crucial challenge in microprocessor design. The rSRAM and voltage scaling are two promising circuit-level radiation hardening techniques to increase soft error robustness of a SRAM-based storage cell. However, applying circuit-level radiation hardening techniques to all on-chip transistors will result in significant overhead in performance and power consumption. In this paper, we propose microarchitecture support that allows cost-effective implementation of radiation hardened key microarchitecture structures (e.g. issue queue and reorder buffer) in SMT processors using soft error robust circuit techniques. Our study shows that the combined circuit and microarchitecture techniques achieve attractive tradeoffs between reliability, performance and power.
Progression and disruption of advanced atherosclerotic plaques in murine models

The innominate artery is a predilection site for atherosclerotic lesion formation in hyperlipidemic mice. The lesions at this site in chow-fed apo E-/- mice progress from fatty streaks through stages that include atheroma with large necrotic areas, fibro-fatty nodules containing chondrocyte-like cells and highly calcified, acellular plaques. The advanced lesions in the innominate arteries of the apo E-/- mice exhibit a reproducible frequency of intra-plaque hemorrhage that occurs primarily as a result of fissures through lateral fatty streaks that form adjacent to or on top of the established plaques. However, this plaque disruption is not equivalent to plaque rupture in human lesions where there is rupture of well formed fibrous caps. The plaque disruption in the lesions of the chow-fed apo E-/- mice also do not lead to formation of occlusive thrombi, the predominant marker of plaque rupture in humans. Thus, although the lesions in the innominate arteries of hyperlipidemic mice progress to very advanced stages of the disease, they are not, in our opinion a model in which to study the mechanisms of plaque rupture in humans. The advanced lesions in the innominate arteries of the apo E-/- mice may however be adequate models for studying vascular fibrosis and calcification.
Metformin before and during pregnancy and lactation in polycystic ovary syndrome

Metformin improves the endocrinopathy of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), facilitates conception, appears to reduce first trimester miscarriage and gestational diabetes and does not appear to be teratogenic. The concentrations of metformin in breast milk are generally low and the mean infant exposure to metformin has been reported in the range 0.28-1.08% of the weight-normalized maternal dose, well below the level of concern for breastfeeding. No adverse effects on blood glucose of nursing infants have been reported. Metformin during lactation versus formula feeding appears to have no adverse effects on infants' growth, motor-social development and intercurrent illness during the first 6 months of life. Systematic studies have not yet been done assessing how hyperinsulinemia, polycystic ovary syndrome and metformin may affect lactation.
On basic price model and volatility in multiple frequencies

This paper revisits volatility and emphasizes interrelationships of risk metrics at various time horizons expressed in multiple frequencies. The basic price model defined by Black-Scholes equation and its extensions for varying variance scenarios are presented, i.e. Heston and GARCH models. Moreover, we highlight the significance of abrupt changes in the price of an asset on price modeling and volatility estimation. We extend basic price model where price jumps are taken into account as well. The proposed approach is validated by simulations, and shown that it improves volatility estimation.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, part 1: fundamental imaging and clinical features.

SUMMARY: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a neurotoxic state coupled with a unique CT or MR imaging appearance. Recognized in the setting of a number of complex conditions (preeclampsia/eclampsia, allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, organ transplantation, autoimmune disease and high dose chemotherapy) the imaging, clinical and laboratory features of this toxic state are becoming better elucidated. This review summarizes the basic and advanced imaging features of PRES, along with pertinent features of the clinical and laboratory presentation and available histopathology. Many common imaging/clinical/laboratory observations are present among these patients, despite the perception of widely different associated clinical conditions.
Analysis of tubal patency after essure placement.

Abstract Study Objective To evaluate tubal patency after hysteroscopic sterilization using the Essure microinsert (Conceptus Inc, San Carlos, CA). Design A retrospective longitudinal cohort study. Design Classification II-3. Setting Patients undergoing hysteroscopic sterilization in the outpatient clinic of a university-based hospital in Southeast Texas from July 2009 to November 2011. Patients Two hundred twenty-nine women (ages 21–44 yrs, 71% Hispanic) desiring sterilization with a history of regular menses, demonstrated prior fertility (≥1 live birth), and the ability to use an alternative contraceptive method for at least 90 days after coil placement were included. Twenty six patients in this cohort were excluded because of failure to perform a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), tubal perforation, severe dyspareunia, a history of ectopic pregnancy, tubal surgery, or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Interventions Not applicable. Measurements and Main Results HSGs were assessed for microinsert location and tubal occlusion. Two hundred three patients were included for analysis. After the successful bilateral hysteroscopic placement of Essure microinserts in fallopian tubes, all patients returned for the first follow-up HSG a mean of 103 ± 38 days after the procedure. Patients with fallopian tube patency at the initial HSG returned for second and/or third HSGs as needed at 192 ± 45 and 291 ± 97 days, respectively. Correct device placement was confirmed in 100% of cases at the first HSG. The tubal patency rates at the 90-day and 180-day HSGs were 16.1% (95% confidence interval, 7.4%–31.7%) and 5.8% (95% CI, 1.2%–24.4%), respectively. These rates were estimated by the accelerated failure time model with log normal distribution and interval censored time to event. The 16.1% 90-day tubal patency rate is significantly different from the 8% rate reported by Cooper et al in the 2003 multicenter phase III pivotal trial (p Conclusion Our data indicate that hysteroscopic sterilization with Essure results in a higher initial tubal patency rate than previously reported. Multivariate analyses are needed to identify factors associated with an increased risk of postprocedure tubal patency.
Influence of substrate curvature on osteoblast orientation and extracellular matrix deposition

The effects of microchannel diameter in hydroxyapatite (HAp) substrates on osteoblast behavior were investigated in this study. Microchannels of 100, 250 and 500 μm diameter were created on hydroxyapatite disks. The changes in osteoblast precursor growth, differentiation, extra cellular matrix (ECM) secretion and cell attachment/orientation were investigated as a function of microchannel diameter. Curvature did not impact cellular differentiation, however organized cellular orientation was achieved within the 100 and 250 μm microchannels (mc) after 6 days compared to the 12 days it took for the 500mc group, while the flat substrate remained disorganized. Moreover, the 100, 250 and 500mc groups expressed a specific shift in orientation of 17.45°, 9.05°, and 22.86° respectively in 24 days. The secreted/mineralized ECM showed the 100 and 250mc groups to have higher modulus (E) and hardness (h) (E = 42.6GPa; h = 1.6GPa) than human bone (E = 13.4-25.7GPa; h = 0.47-0.74GPa), which was significantly greater than the 500mc and control groups (p < 0.05). It was determined that substrate curvature affects the cell orientation, the time required for initial response, and the shift in orientation with time. These findings demonstrate the ability of osteoblasts to organize and mineralize differentially in microchannels similar to those found in the osteons of compact bone. These investigations could lead to the development of osteon-like scaffolds to support the regeneration of organized bone.
Cueing Patriotism, Prejudice, and Partisanship in the Age of Obama: Experimental Tests of U.S. Flag Imagery Effects in Presidential Elections

The American flag is a powerful symbol that campaigns seek to harness for electoral gain. But the flag's benefits may be more elusive than they appear. We begin by presenting content analysis of the flag's prevalence in 2012 U.S. presidential campaign ads, which suggests both candidates saw flags as advantageous. Then, in two experiments set during the 2012 campaign and a later study with prospective 2016 candidates, we find flag exposure provides modest but consistent benefits for Republican candidates among voters high in symbolic patriotism, racial prejudice, and Republican identification. These effects arise regardless of which candidate appears with the flag. Taken together, our results speak to both the power and limitations of the American flag in electioneering. Beyond practical implications for campaigns, these studies emphasize the heterogeneity of citizens’ reactions to visual political symbols and highlight potent links between symbolic attitudes and a nation's flag.
A framework for integration model of resource-constrained scheduling using genetic algorithms

The objective of this paper is to present an optimal algorithm for a resource allocation model, which would be implemented into a framework for the development of an integration model. Unlike present heuristic-based resource allocation models, the model does not depend solely on a set of heuristic rules, but adopts the concept of future float to set the order of priority when activities compete for resources. The model determines the shortest duration by allocating available resources to a set of activities simultaneously. Genetic algorithms (GAs) are adopted to search optimal solutions. The results obtained from a case example indicate that the model is capable of producing optimal scheduling alternatives, compared to a single solution that is produced by either the total float model or the least impact model.
A GIS-based Energy Balance Modeling System for Urban Solar Buildings☆

Abstract Solar buildings as one type of decentralized renewable energy systems have been widely adopted to reduce carbon emissions. Related policy making faces two questions: how much total solar energy can be produced in a city and what proportion of building energy use can be supplied by the solar power? These questions remain hard to answer because of the lack of appropriate modeling systems, due to the data inconsistency and the limitation of current building energy and solar potential modeling methods in accounting for the urban context influences. This study tries to fill this gap by developing a GIS-based energy balance modeling system for urban solar buildings. This modeling system extends the system boundary from a single building to the urban building system, uses urban-scale data instead of costly survey, adopts widely used GIS-platform, and makes reasonable trade-offs between speed and accuracy. It consists of four major models: the Data Integration model, Urban Building Energy model, Urban Roof Solar Energy model and Energy Balance model. This modeling system is applied to Manhattan as a case study. The results show the spatial and temporal variations of building energy uses, the solar power potentials in the usable roof areas, and the self-supply and surplus ratio of buildings in Manhattan in 2012.
Is Core-Periphery Network Good for Knowledge Sharing? A Structural Model of Endogenous Network Formation on a Crowdsourced Customer Support Forum

Many companies have adopted technology driven social learning platforms such as social CRM (crowdsourcing customer support from customers) to support knowledge sharing among customers. A number of these self-evolving online customer support communities have reported the emergence of a core-periphery knowledge sharing network structure. In this study, we investigate why such a structure emerges and its implications for knowledge sharing within the community. We propose a dynamic structural model with endogenized knowledge-sharing and network formation. Our model recognizes the dynamic and interdependent nature of knowledge-seeking-and-sharing decisions and allows them to be driven by knowledge increments and social status building in anticipation of future reciprocal rewards from peers. Applying this model to a fine grained panel data set from a social customer support forum for a telecom firm, we illustrate that a user in this community values being connected to other well connected individuals. As a result, a user is more inclined to answer questions of those who are in the core (well connected) than the ones who are in the periphery (not well connected). We find that users are taking into account the expected likelihood of their questions receiving a solution before asking a question. With the emergence of core-periphery network structure, the peripheral individuals are discouraged from asking questions as their expectation of receiving a solution to their question is very low. Thus, the core-periphery structure has created a barrier to knowledge flow to new customers who need the knowledge the most. Our counterfactuals show that hiding the identity of the knowledge seeker or making the individual contributions obsolete faster helps break the core-periphery structure and improves knowledge sharing in the community.
Note on relativistic thermodynamics

It is shown by detailed calculation that the usual Lorentz-transformation formula for thermodynamic work isnot incorrect as recently claimed by Arzelies. The defects of Arzelies’ calculations are corrected and explained.
A Square Peg in a Round Hole

Stage A 51-year-old woman had had blurring of vision, polyuria, and anorexia for approximately six weeks. She had lost 9 kg (20 lb) in weight over the previous three months without the use of diet or exercise. Other symptoms included vaginal discharge and gum irritation. Her physician made a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (on the basis of a random glucose measurement of 317 mg per deciliter [17.6 mmol per liter]) and candidal vaginitis. Other laboratory studies done at that time revealed a hematocrit of 41 percent, with a mean corpuscular volume of 74 fl. Response This sounds like a case . . .
Microstructure Evolution of Cast Mg AZ31B Alloy at Low Superheat

It is well known that casting at low superheat has a strong influence on the solidification morphology and macrostructures and microstructures of the cast alloy. This paper shows the microstructure of cast Mg AZ31B alloy at superheat of 5C (41F) and describes a stochastic mesoscopic solidification model for predicting the grain structure of the cast alloy. Casting experiments were carried out using the Magnetic Suspension Melting (MSM) process, which is an integrated containerless induction melting and casting process. Casting at this low superheat was found to produce castings with a fine globular grain structure with an average grain size of about 80 μm, which is much smaller than that obtained by conventional casting techniques. The stochastic model was found to reasonably predict the observed grain structure. This makes the model a useful tool for controlling the structure of cast magnesium alloys.
Epidemiological features of Anisakis larva in marine fish on Shantou markets

Objective To understand the current infection status of Anisakis larva in marine fish on Shantou markets,and to explore their health hazard. Methods Marine fish were collected randomly from markets and dissected in the same day.The Anisakis larva were identified and separated from the viscera and muscle under anatomical lens and were further classified under optical microscope.Chi-square test was used for data statistical analysis. Results A total of 326fish from 57species were collected and studied during Feb.to Sep.2013with the overall larva positive rate of 52.45%(171/326),which was close to the national positive rate of 47.10%(χ2=3.46,P0.05).Out of 57fish species,42were found positive with the positive rate of 73.68%,which was lower than the national average rate of 86.46%(χ2=4.03,P0.05).The average number of larva in each fish was 12.8(2181/171)with the viability of 86.24%(1881/2181).The highest infection rate of 100.00% was found in 19fish species,including Scomber australasicus,Decapterus maruadsi,Trachurus japonicus,Mene maculate and Nemipterus bathybius,followed by 90%in Pneumatophorus japonicus,77.27%in Pelates quadrilineatus,75%in both Priacanthus macracanthus and Pristigenys niphonia.The infection rates were low in Lutjanus argentimaculatus(9.09%),Lutjanus russellii(14.29%),Lutjanus erythropterus(20%),Scomberomorus commerson(20%),and no larvae was found in 15fish species as Acanthopagrus australis,llisha elongate,Psenopsis anomala,and Scatophagus argus.The highest number of larva was found in Mulloidichthys vanicolensis(63.7per fish),followed by that in Trachinocephalus myops(52.3per fish),Argyrosomus argentatus(35.8per fish),Saurida filamentosa(32per fish),Trachurus japonicus(27.6per fish)and Decapterus maruadsi(26.8per fish).Only one larva was found in each fish of Scomberomorus commerson,Lutjanus russellii,Lutjanus argentimaculatus,Branchiostegus albus and Plectorhinchus cinctus.Majority of Anisakis larva were found in liver,genitals,mesentery and other viscera organs,but none was found in muscle. Conclusions Many species of marine fish sold on market are infected with Anisakis larva which are still highly viable.Therefore,it is dangerous to eat raw or undercooked marine fish and their related products.
The fusion of the private and public sectors

ABSTRACTMuch of contemporary analysis treats the public and private sectors as two rather separate and fundamentally different realms. Many see one of the two sectors as inherently virtuous and the other as corrupt. The paper shows, in considerable detail, that the two sectors are deeply intertwined. It follows that we need a rather different framework to study state and society.
A passive multi-channel synchronization solution for IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) promises to allow everyday objects to connect to the Internet and interact with users and other machines ubiquitously. Regional networks such as LoRa and Sigfox have been deployed to provide connectivity to end devices, where multiple channels are used to increase network capacity. However, channel synchronization can induce significant overhead as devices join and leave the network. In this paper, we present a passive and fault-tolerant multi-channel synchronization solution, Mc-Sync, that requires no communication with the base station while achieving low join latency.
Antibiotic-loaded phosphatidylcholine inhibits staphylococcal bone infection.

AIM To test antibiotic-loaded coating for efficacy in reducing bacterial biofilm and development of osteomyelitis in an orthopaedic model of implant infection.
Of Rings and Rods: Regulating Cohesin Entrapment of DNA to Generate Intra- and Intermolecular Tethers

The clinical relevance of cohesin in DNA repair, tumorigenesis, and severe birth defects continues to fuel efforts in understanding cohesin structure, regulation, and enzymology. Early models depicting huge cohesin rings that entrap two DNA segments within a single lumen are fading into obscurity based on contradictory findings, but elucidating cohesin structure amid a myriad of functions remains challenging. Due in large part to integrated uses of a wide range of methodologies, recent advances are beginning to cast light into the depths that previously cloaked cohesin structure. Additional efforts similarly provide new insights into cohesin enzymology: specifically, the discoveries of ATP-dependent transitions that promote cohesin binding and release from DNA. In combination, these efforts posit a new model that cohesin exists primarily as a relatively flattened structure that entraps only a single DNA molecule and that subsequent ATP hydrolysis, acetylation, and oligomeric assembly tether together individual DNA segments.
Privacy and the Statistician: What Do We Need to Know to Certify Nondisclosure?

Statisticians are being asked to determine what methods must be applied to protect the privacy of research subjects. Careless, venal, or malicious release of condential data can be harmful to research subjects and to the entire research enterprise. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), statisticians may be asked to certify the adequacy of nondisclosure methods for condential health data used in research. Yet despite extensive methodological
Analysis of Stage-Specific Protein Expression during Babesia Bovis Development within Female Rhipicephalus Microplus

Arthropod-borne protozoan pathogens have a complex life cycle that includes asexual reproduction of haploid stages in mammalian hosts and the development of diploid stages in invertebrate hosts. The ability of pathogens to invade, survive, and replicate within distinct cell types is required to maintain their life cycle. In this study, we describe a comparative proteomic analysis of a cattle pathogen, Babesia bovis, during its development within the mammalian and tick hosts with the goal of identifying cell-surface proteins expressed by B. bovis kinetes as potential targets for the development of a transmission blocking vaccine. To determine parasite tick-stage-specific cell-surface proteins, CyDye labeling was performed with B. bovis blood stages from the bovine host and kinetes from the tick vector. Cell-surface kinete-stage-specific proteins were identified using 2D difference in gel electrophoresis and analyzed by mass spectrometry. Ten proteins were identified as kinete-stage-specific, with orthologs...