cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous wrinkling in azlactone-based functional polymer thin films in 2D and 3D geometries for guided nanopatterning

We report a simple, one step process for developing wrinkling patterns in azlactone-based polymer thin films and brushes in 2D and 3D surfaces. The polymer used in this work wrinkles spontaneously upon deposition and solidification on a substrate without applying any external strain to the substrate, with the mode of deposition defining the direction of the wrinkles. Wrinkle formation is shown to occur on a variety of substrates over large areas. We also find that a very thin brush-like layer of an azlactone-containing block copolymer also exhibits wrinkled topology. Given the spontaneity and versatility of wrinkle formation, we further demonstrate two proofs-of-concept, (i) that these periodic wrinkled structures are not limited to planar surfaces, but are also developed in complex geometries including tubes, cones and other 3D structures; and (ii) that this one step wrinkling process can be used to guide the deposition of metal nanoparticles and quantum dots, creating a periodic, nanopatterned film.
Extraction of the multifragmentation time scale in intermediate energy heavy-ion reactions.

The spatial and temporal extent of a system decaying by multifragment emission is deduced. Two-particle intermediate mass fragment correlation functions measured for central $^{36}\mathrm{Ar}$${+}^{197}$Au collisions at E/A=50--110 MeV indicate a rapid decay, 75 fm/c, of the highly excited system. Furthermore, the behavior of the correlation function at large relative velocities suggests that considerable charge loss occurs prior to fragment emission.
Towards a non-perturbative study of the strongly coupled standard model

Abstract The strongly coupled standard model of Abbott and Farhi can be a good alternative to the standard model if it has a phase where chiral symmetry is not broken, the SU (2) sector confines and the scalar field is in the symmetric regime. To look for such a phase we did a numerical analysis in the context of lattice gauge theory. To simplify the model we studied a U (1) gauge theory with Higgs fields and four species of dynamical fermions. In this toy model we did not find a phase with the correct properties required by the strongly coupled standard model. We also speculate about a possible solution to this problem using a new phase of the SU (2) gauge theory with a large number of flavors.
The "gaseous" environment in sealed BRIC-100VC canisters flown on 'Mir' with embryogenic daylily cell cultures.

As part of the “Cellular Mechanisms of Spaceflight-Specific Stress to Plants” experiment, nine BRIC (Biological Research in Canisters) 100VC canisters, each containing four 100 mm dia polycarbonate petri dishes with embryogenic daylily (Hemerocallis sp.) cultures, were launched on 12 Jan 97 (STS-81), transferred to ‘Mir’ and returned on 24 May 97 (STS-84). Pre-flight, flight and ground control data for temperature, relative humidity, CO2 and ethylene in the BRIC canisters are presented.
Variability of interalveolar septal remodeling after bleomycin treatment in mice.

Although bleomycin-induced cellular injury in the lung parenchyma is followed by the development of patchy fibrosis, the authors hypothesized that remodeling of the interalveolar septum (IAS) following bleomycin is a diffuse process not limited to the formation of discrete fibrotic areas. To determine the spectrum of changes in the IAS induced by bleomycin treatment, lungs were harvested from mice at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks following intratracheal administration of 0.04, 0.06, or 0.08 units of bleomycin. Light microscopy with quantitative morphometric techniques and electron microscopy were used to evaluate the IAS alterations. At 4 weeks after treatment, there was evidence of diffuse IAS remodeling. By morphological analysis, two types of structural remodeling of the IAS were observed. One type showed thickening with extracellular matrix deposition and hyperplasia of lining epithelial cells. The other type showed localized thinning of the interstitium with capillary loss and reduction in number and in size ...
Continuous Data Collection Capacity of Wireless Sensor Networks under Physical Interference Model

Data collection is a common operation of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). The performance of data collection can be measured by its achievable \emph{network capacity}. However, most existing works focus on the network capacity of \emph{unicast}, \emph{multicast} or/and \emph{broadcast}, which are different communication modes from data collection, especially continuous data collection. In this paper, we study the \emph{Snapshot/Continuous Data Collection} (SDC/CDC) problem under the Physical Interference Model (PhIM) for randomly deployed dense WSNs. For SDC, we propose a \emph{Cell-Based Path Scheduling} (CBPS) algorithm based on network partitioning. Theoretical analysis shows that its achievable network capacity is $\Omega(W)$ ($W$ is the data transmitting rate, \emph{i.e.} bandwidth, over a channel), which is order-optimal. For CDC, we propose a novel \emph{Segment-Based Pipeline Scheduling} (SBPS) algorithm that significantly speeds up the CDC process, and achieves a surprising network capacity, which is at least $\sqrt{\frac{n}{\log n}}$ or $\frac{n}{\log n}$ times better than the current best result.
Microbial Growth Estimation in Liquid Media Exposed to Temperature Fluctuations

Comparisons of linear, square root and Arrhenius specific growth rate-temperature models showed no clear overall preference. At low a(w) and refrigeration temperature, the linear model was satisfactory for Brochothrix thermosphacta and Pseudomonas fluorescens. A linear relationship between (specific growth rate)-1 and lag phase was observed for these two psychrotrophs. The R2 for B. thermosphacta in 3% (a(w) = 0.968), 6% (a(w) = 0.950), and 9% NaCl (a(w) = 0.943) media was 0.865, 0.946 and 0.994, respectively. In 8% (a(w) = 0.973) and 20% (a(w) = 0.948) glycerol media, the R2 was 0.998 and 0.999, respectively. R2 for P. fluorescens growth in NaCl (3 or 4%) or glycerol (10 or 20%) media was > 0.99. A cumulative growth adaptation function successfully estimated microbial growth at fluctuating temperatures.
The Informational Role of the Media in Private Lending

We investigate whether a borrower’s media coverage influences the syndicated loan origination and participation decisions of informationally disadvantaged lenders, loan syndicate structures and interest spreads. In syndicated loan deals, information asymmetries can exist between lenders that have a relationship with a borrower and less informed, non-relationship lenders competing to serve as lead arranger on a syndicated loan, and also between lead arrangers and less informed syndicate participants. Theory suggests that the aggressiveness with which less informed lenders compete for a loan deal increases in the sentiment of public information signals about a borrower. We extend this theory to syndicated loans and hypothesize that the likelihood of less informed lenders serving as the lead arranger or joining a loan syndicate is increasing in the sentiment of media-initiated, borrower-specific articles published prior to loan origination. We find that as media sentiment increases (1) outside, non-relationship lenders have a higher probability of originating loans; (2) syndicate participants are less likely to have a previous relationship with the borrower or lead bank; (3) lead banks retain a lower percentage of loans and (4) loan spreads decrease.
Can cultural differences lead to accidents? Team cultural differences and sociotechnical system operations.

Objective: I discuss cultural factors and how they may influence sociotechnical system operations. Background: Investigations of several major transportation accidents suggest that cultural factors may have played a role in the causes of the accidents. However, research has not fully addressed how cultural factors can influence sociotechnical systems. Method: I review literature on cultural differences in general and cultural factors in sociotechnical systems and discuss how these differences can affect team performance in sociotechnical systems. Results: Cultural differences have been observed in social and interpersonal dimensions and in cognitive and perceptual styles; these differences can affect multioperator team performance. Conclusion: Cultural factors may account for team errors in sociotechnical systems, most likely during high-workload, high-stress operational phases. However, much of the research on cultural factors has methodological and interpretive shortcomings that limit their applicability to sociotechnical systems. Application: Although some research has been conducted on the role of cultural differences on team performance in sociotechnical system operations, considerable work remains to be done before the effects of these differences can be fully understood. I propose a model that illustrates how culture can interact with sociotechnical system operations and suggest avenues of future research. Given methodological challenges in measuring cultural differences and team performance in sociotechnical system operations, research in these systems should use a variety of methodologies to better understand how culture can affect multioperator team performance in these systems.
Demonstration of a SiGe RF LNA design using IBM design kits in 0.18 /spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS technology

A 1.5 GHz-2.0 GHz low noise amplifier (LNA) is designed in IBM 0.18 um BiCMOS technology using IBM design kits in cadence design flow. The fabricated LNA chip is packaged and tested. The measured results (gain, noise figure, and IIP3) correlate with the simulation very well. The results demonstrate that IBM SiGe technology, modeling, design kits and the cadence design flow are solid and accurate for RFIC design.
The ectopic kidney in the emergency department

Renal ectopia can present as abdominal pain and be a predisposing factor to several pathologies seen in the genitourinary system. We present the case of a 21-year-old man with intermittent right lower quadrant abdominal pain who was found to have a non functioning pelvic kidney and underwent nephrectomy. Although specific findings on renal ectopia are often absent, associated congenital defects above the pelvic organs raise the suspicion for renal ectopia. Early detection and recognition of the ectopic kidney can prevent long-term complications.
Artificial Neural Networks for Analyzing Concrete Airfield Pavements Serving the Boeing B-777 Aircraft

An artificial neural network (ANN) model has been trained with the results of the ILLI-SLAB finite element program and has been used to predict stresses and deflections in jointed concrete airfield pavements serving the Boeing B-777 aircraft. The trained ANN model produces stresses and deflections with average errors of less than 0.5 percent of those obtained directly from the finite element analyses. Use of the ANN model has been found to be very effective for correctly predicting ILLI-SLAB stresses and deflections, in less than 1 s, with no requirements of complicated finite element inputs. On the other hand, elastic layered programs (ELPs) currently are being used in mechanistic-based pavement design procedures for the analysis of jointed concrete pavements. Corrections are required to such ELP solutions to account for the effects of finite slab size, load location on the slab, and load transfer efficiencies of the joints. This can be accomplished by using the ANN model, which is being expanded to hand...
Blind spatio-temporal equalization and impulse response estimation for MIMO channels using a Godard cost function

Equalization and estimation of the matrix impulse response function of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) digital communications channels in the absence of any training sequences is considered. An iterative, Godard (1980) cost-based approach is considered for spatio-temporal equalization and MIMO impulse response estimation. Stationary points of the cost function are investigated with particular attention to the case when finite-length equalizers exist. Sufficient conditions are derived under which all stable local minima correspond to desirable minima. The inputs are extracted and cancelled one by one. The matrix impulse response is then obtained by cross-correlating the extracted inputs with the observed outputs. Identifiability conditions are analyzed.
Formal Specification and Verification of a Secure Micropayment Protocol

As online businesses keep growing and Web services become pervasive, there is an increasing demand for micro-payment protocols that facilitate microcommerce, namely selling content and services for small amounts of money (possibly less than one cent per transaction), which cannot be handled efficiently by credit cards due to substantial per transaction fee and delay. In this paper, we investigate the security of micro-payment protocols that support low-value transactions. We focus on one type of such protocols that are based on hash chains. We present a formal specification of a typical hash chain based micro-payment protocol using Abstract Protocol notation, and discuss how an adversary can attack this protocol using message loss, modification, and replay. We use convergence theory to show that this protocol is secure against these attacks. The specification and verification techniques used in this paper can be applied to other micro-payment protocols as well.
Wavelength Filter with Integrated Thermal Control used as an Intracavity DWDM Laser Tuning Element

A thermally tuned silicon wavelength filter with integrated thermal isolation and control elements is described. Placed within the laser cavity of an external cavity semiconductor laser, this filter enables full-band tuning that meets all requirements for deployment in DWDM telecommunication systems
Direct numerical simulation of a supersonic turbulent boundary layer at Mach 2.5

A direct numerical simulation of a supersonic turbulent boundary layer has been performed. We take advantage of a technique developed by Spalart for incompressible flow. In this technique, it is assumed that the boundary layer grows so slowly in the streamwise direction that the turbulence can be treated as approximately homogeneous in this direction. The slow growth is accounted for by a coordinate transformation and a multiple-scale analysis. The result is a modified system of equations, in which the flow is homogeneous in both the streamwise and spanwise directions, and which represents the state of the boundary layer at a given streamwise location. The equations are solved using a mixed Fourier and B-spline Galerkin method.Results are presented for a case having an adiabatic wall, a Mach number of M = 2.5, and a Reynolds number, based on momentum integral thickness and wall viscosity, of Reθ′ = 849. The Reynolds number based on momentum integral thickness and free-stream viscosity is Reθ = 1577. The results indicate that the Van Driest transformed velocity satisfies the incompressible scalings and a small logarithmic region is obtained. Both turbulence intensities and the Reynolds shear stress compare well with the incompressible simulations of Spalart when scaled by mean density. Pressure fluctuations are higher than in incompressible flow. Morkovin's prediction that streamwise velocity and temperature fluctuations should be anti-correlated, which happens to be supported by compressible experiments, does not hold in the simulation. Instead, a relationship is found between the rates of turbulent heat and momentum transfer. The turbulent kinetic energy budget is computed and compared with the budgets from Spalart's incompressible simulations.
Circulating Activators of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors Are Reduced in Preeclamptic Pregnancy

We previously described activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) in the serum of pregnant women. We have also characterized this activating component by using a hexane-extracted serum fraction to examine PPAR activator levels in normal and preeclamptic (PE) pregnancies. In this study we report that the pregnancy PPAR activator is present in similar concentrations in serum and plasma. We also found that the activating fractions from pregnancy sera stimulate not only PPAR gamma, but also PPAR alpha, and are capable of inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines, consistent with known PPAR ligands. In experiments comparing extracts from normal and PE patients, we found that extracts from women with severe PE showed a reduced level of PPAR activation compared with extracts from normal pregnant women. This reduction was more pronounced for PPAR gamma than PPAR alpha activation. Finally, this reduction in circulating PPAR activator was observed weeks and sometimes months before the clinical diagnosis of PE. Based on these results, we conclude that PPAR activation is reduced in preeclamptic pregnancy before the onset of maternal symptoms. We speculate that endogenous regulators of PPAR play a role in maternal metabolism and immune function in normal and pathological pregnancies.
Assessing the Clinical Impact of Approximations in Analytical Dose Calculations for Proton Therapy

Purpose To assess the impact of approximations in current analytical dose calculation methods (ADCs) on tumor control probability (TCP) in proton therapy. Methods Dose distributions planned with ADC were compared with delivered dose distributions as determined by Monte Carlo simulations. A total of 50 patients were investigated in this analysis with 10 patients per site for 5 treatment sites (head and neck, lung, breast, prostate, liver). Differences were evaluated using dosimetric indices based on a dose-volume histogram analysis, a γ-index analysis, and estimations of TCP. Results We found that ADC overestimated the target doses on average by 1% to 2% for all patients considered. The mean dose, D95, D50, and D02 (the dose value covering 95%, 50% and 2% of the target volume, respectively) were predicted within 5% of the delivered dose. The γ-index passing rate for target volumes was above 96% for a 3%/3 mm criterion. Differences in TCP were up to 2%, 2.5%, 6%, 6.5%, and 11% for liver and breast, prostate, head and neck, and lung patients, respectively. Differences in normal tissue complication probabilities for bladder and anterior rectum of prostate patients were less than 3%. Conclusion Our results indicate that current dose calculation algorithms lead to underdosage of the target by as much as 5%, resulting in differences in TCP of up to 11%. To ensure full target coverage, advanced dose calculation methods like Monte Carlo simulations may be necessary in proton therapy. Monte Carlo simulations may also be required to avoid biases resulting from systematic discrepancies in calculated dose distributions for clinical trials comparing proton therapy with conventional radiation therapy.
Resampling estimation when observations are m–dependent

For m–dependent, identically distributed random observation, the bootstrap method provides inconsistent estimators of the distribution and variance of the sample mean. This paper proposes an alternative resampling procedure. For estimating the distribution and variance of a function of the sample mean, the proposed resampling estimators are shown to be strongly consistent.
Transmit pre-emphasis for high-speed time-division-multiplexed serial-link transceiver

Time division multiplexing (TDM) must be employed in multi-Gb/s transceivers in order to overcome onchip clock frequency limitations. This paper describes a transmit pre-emphasis filter for a multi-level transceiver making use of TDM. The possible applications of such a transceiver include serial links and chip-to-chip communication. The requirement of very low probability of error in the absence of coding, and the need for an adaptive solution impose a peak transmit power constraint. The TDM system is mapped to a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) system, and the noise sources are analyzed. The design of the pre-emphasis filter is shown to be a non-convex optimization problem, whose optimal solution is very difficult to obtain. Still, sub-optimal solutions are derived in closed form and adaptive implementations are described. Simulation results using parameters obtained from an experimental testbed indicate that these sub-optimal solutions actually achieve very good performance.
Can We Meet Standards and Encourage Teachers to Differentiate for the Highly Able

Differentiation is one way to meet the standards while maintaining rigor and challenge in our curriculum for highly able learners that may also have positive effects on the curriculum for all learners into the next decade.
Defective MHC Class II Presentation by Dendritic Cells Limits CD4 T Cell Help for Antitumor CD8 T Cell Responses

Cancer immunosurveillance failure is largely attributed to insufficient activation signals and dominant inhibitory stimuli for tumor Ag (TAg)-specific CD8 T cells. CD4 T cells have been shown to license dendritic cells (DC), thereby having the potential for converting CD8 T cell responses from tolerance to activation. To understand the potential cooperation of TAg-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells, we have characterized the responses of naive TCR transgenic CD8 and CD4 T cells to poorly immunogenic murine tumors. We found that whereas CD8 T cells sensed TAg and were tolerized, the CD4 T cells remained ignorant throughout tumor growth and did not provide help. This disparity in responses was due to normal TAg MHC class I cross-presentation by immature CD8α + DC in the draining lymph node, but poor MHC class II presentation on all DC subsets due to selective inhibition by the tumor microenvironment. Thus, these results reveal a novel mechanism of cancer immunosubversion, in which inhibition of MHC-II TAg presentation on DC prevents CD4 T cell priming, thereby blocking any potential for licensing CD8α + DC and helping tolerized CD8 T cells.
Omniscience and maximal power

This essay examines a conflict between God's omnipotence and His omniscience. I discuss our intuitions regarding omnipotence and omniscience and describe a method by which we can decide whether a being is omnipotent. I consider the most promising versions of omnipotence and argue that they produce a genuine conflict with omniscience. Finally, I suggest that we can take the example of omniscience and generalize it to several of God's essential properties and thereby reveal incompatibilities that result even from sophisticated conceptions of divine attributes.
A novel combination therapy approach for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia: the multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib and the HDM2 inhibitor nutlin-3

Like other aggressive malignancies, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is commonly associated with genomic instability, resulting in drug resistance and disease progression. The current goal is to identify therapies that inhibit cancer growth as well as providing a long-lasting clinical response. Growth
Tension-sensitive kinetochore phosphorylation in vitro

Many cells have a checkpoint that detects a single misattached chromosome and delays anaphase, allowing time for error correction. Detection probably depends on tension-sensitive kinetochore protein phosphorylation. Somehow, mechanical tension, or some consequence of tension, produces a chemical change, dephosphorylation. The mechanism of tension-mediated dephosphorylation can be approached using an in vitro system. Earlier work showed that the kinetochores of washed chromosomes from a mammalian cell line can be phosphorylated in vitro simply by incubation with ATP and a phosphatase inhibitor. We confirm this for chromosomes from insect meiotic cells. Thus, kinetochores of washed chromosomes from diverse sources contain a complete phosphorylation system: a kinase, a phosphatase and the substrate protein(s). We show that phosphorylation in vitro is sensitive to tension, as it is in living cells. This makes the conditions required for phosphorylation in vitro relevant to the process in living cells. The phosphatase is ruled out as the tension-sensitive component in vitro, leaving either the kinase or the substrate as the sensitive component. We show that a kinase extracted from mammalian cells in mitosis phosphorylates the kinetochores of insect meiotic chromosomes very effectively. The mammalian kinase under-phosphorylates the kinetochore of the insect's X-chromosome, just as the native insect kinase does. This provides a clue to the evolution of a chromosome that is not detected by the checkpoint. The mammalian kinase is not tightly bound to the chromosome and thus functions primarily in solution. This suggests that the substrate's phosphorylatable groups are freely available to outside constituents, e.g. regulators, as well as to the kinetochore's own kinase and phosphatase.
Tree range expansion may be enhanced by escape from negative plant–soil feedbacks

Many plant species are expected to shift their distributional ranges in response to global warming. As they arrive at new sites, migrant plant species may be released from their natural soil pathogens and/or deprived of key symbiotic organisms. Under such scenarios plant-soil feedbacks (PSF) will likely have an impact on plant species' ability to establish in new areas. In this study we evaluated the role that PSF may play on the migratory potential of dominant temperate tree species at the northern limit of their distributional range in the Great Lakes region of North America. To test their ability to expand their current range, we assessed seedling establishment, i.e., survival, of local and potential migrant tree species in a field transplant experiment. To test for the presence and strength of PSF, we also assessed seedling survival during establishment in a greenhouse experiment, where the potential migrant species were grown in soils collected within and beyond their distributional ranges. The combination of experiments provided us with a comprehensive understanding of the role of PSF in seedling establishment in new areas. In the field, we found that survival for most migrant species was similar to those of the local community, ensuring that these species could establish in areas beyond their current range. In the greenhouse, we found that the majority of species experienced strong negative conspecific feedbacks mediated by soil biota, but these responses occurred for most species only in low light conditions. Lastly, our combined results indicate that migrant tree species can colonize and may even have enhanced short-term recruitment beyond their ranges due to a lack of conspecific adults (and the resulting negative PSF from these adults).
Introduction to the special issue on genes, environment, and reading

This introduction to the special issue on Genes, Environment, and Reading presents an overview of the background for behavior- and molecular-genetic research on dyslexia and individual differences across the normal range. The general methods, questions addressed, and selected results are summarized for each of the papers in the order of their presentation in the special issue. Concluding comments reflect on the influence of environmental range on estimates of genetic and environmental influences, and the future of behavior- and molecular-genetic research on reading.
Time for authors of paper to write to health secretary over misuse of weekend mortality data

Surely the answer to this difference in interpretation of Freemantle and colleagues’ paper is to ask Freemantle and colleagues to respond to Jeremy Hunt in a letter to The BMJ .1 2 It is easy for lay people, such as the health secretary, to misinterpret data in scientific papers, but part of the blame lies with the authors for not making their findings clearer …
Mechanisms for maintenance of dominance in a nonclonal desert shrub

Blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima: Rosaceae) is a slow-growing, non-clonal shrub that is regionally dominant on xeric, shallow soils in the North American Mojave Desert-Great Basin transition zone and southern Colorado Plateau. Blackbrush seed production is concentrated in mast years, and most seeds are cached and later consumed by heteromyid rodents. Vegetation histories show that blackbrush stands can persist apparently unchanged for over a century. We used dendrochronological techniques to examine plant age distributions, recruitment patterns and growth rates, to ascertain how blackbrush achieves this long-term population stability. Our study addressed the following questions: (1) What is the role of within-clump recruitment in long-term patterns of clump persistence? Do blackbrush clumps accrue new cohorts through time? (2) How does recruitment vary temporally, specifically in relation to years of mast seed production and climate variability? (3) What impact does intra-specific competition have on plant growth rates? To address these questions, we aged stems from 208 clumps in five Mojave Desert and four Colorado Plateau populations. Individual plant age estimates ranged from 3 to 122 years. Clumps comprised of multiple-aged cohorts were ubiquitous. Within clumps, plant and cohort number increased with clump age, suggesting a steady accumulation of new cohorts over time. Clumps in Colorado Plateau populations accumulated cohorts at a significantly faster rate than clumps in Mojave Desert populations. Recruitment occurred in relatively frequent pulses. It was only partially synchronized with mast years, with some seedling establishment following years of low seed production. Individuals that recruited into established clumps averaged half the radial growth rate of individuals that recruited into openings. Blackbrush recruitment is bimodal, with initial colonization of open spaces from rodent caches but with long-term clump persistence a product of periodic, within-clump recruitment of new plants. This dual recruitment strategy provides a mechanism for continued community dominance in an abiotically stressful environment under low levels of disturbance.
Dairy Manure as a Potential Feedstock for Cost-Effective Cellulosic Bioethanol

This study investigated sulfite pretreatment to overcome recalcitrance of lignocelluloses (SPORL) pretreatment and subsequent enzymatic digestibility of undigested dairy manure to preliminarily assess its potential use as an inexpensive feedstock for cellulosic bioethanol production. The sulfite pretreatment was carried out in a factorial analysis using 163 to 197 °C for 3 to 37 min with 0.8% to 4.2% sulfuric acid combined with 2.6% to 9.4% sodium sulfite. These treatments were compared with other standard pretreatments of dilute acid, and hot and cold alkali pretreatments. This comparative study showed that the sulfite pretreatment, through its combined effects of hemicellulose and lignin removal and lignin sulfonation, is more effective than the diluted acid and alkali pretreatments to improve the enzymatic digestibility of dairy manure.
Performance comparison framework for energy disaggregation systems

Energy disaggregation algorithms decompose building-level energy data into device-level information. We conduct a head-to-head comparison of energy disaggregation techniques across multiple metrics and data sets. Our framework for analyzing the performance of a complete energy disaggregation system includes event detection, classification, and power assignment. We use receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) to evaluate event detection performance, and we introduce a technique to evaluate device-level event detection. We use confusion matrices to compare classification performance across several classifiers, and evaluate the resulting power assignments using several assignment metrics that are commonly used in the literature to demonstrate the varying strengths of the techniques that were considered. We apply this framework to several publicly available datasets and demonstrate how system performance varies with sampling frequency and the inclusion of reactive power. Our results suggest that (1) disaggregation performance varies considerably across data sets (2) increased data sampling rate improves disaggregation performance, and (3) additional features such as reactive power yields disaggregation performance improvements.
Abdominal- versus thigh-based reconstruction of perineal defects in patients with cancer.

BACKGROUND: An abdominoperineal resection is an invasive procedure that leaves the patient with vast pelvic dead space. Traditionally, the vertical rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap is used to reconstruct these defects. Oftentimes, this flap cannot be used because of multiple ostomy placements or previous abdominal surgery. The anterolateral thigh flap can be used; however, the efficacy of this flap has been questioned. OBJECTIVE: We report a single surgeon’s experience with perineal reconstruction in patients with cancer with the use of either the vertical rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap or the anterolateral thigh flap to demonstrate acceptable outcomes with either repair modality. DESIGN: From 2010 to 2012, 19 consecutive patients with perineal defects secondary to cancer underwent flap reconstruction. A retrospective chart review of prospectively entered data was conducted to determine the frequency of short-term and long-term complications. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at an academic, tertiary-care cancer center. PATIENTS: Patients in the study were patients with cancer who were receiving perineal reconstruction. INTERVENTIONS: Interventions were surgical and included either abdomen- or thigh-based reconstruction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures included infection, flap failure, length of stay, and time to radiotherapy. RESULTS: Of the 19 patients included in our study, 10 underwent anterolateral thigh flaps and 9 underwent vertical rectus abdominus myocutaneous flaps for reconstruction. There were no significant differences in demographics between groups (p > 0.05). Surgical outcomes and complications demonstrated no significant differences in the rate of infection, hematoma, bleeding, or necrosis. The mean length of stay after reconstruction was 9.7 ± 3.4 days (± SD) in the anterolateral thigh flap group and 13.4 ± 7.7 days in the vertical rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap group (p > 0.05). LIMITATIONS: The limitations of this study include a relatively small sample size and retrospective evaluation. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the anterolateral thigh flap is an acceptable alternative to the vertical rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap for perineal reconstruction (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/DCR/A134).
Comparison of microbial DNA enrichment tools for metagenomic whole genome sequencing

Metagenomic whole genome sequencing for detection of pathogens in clinical samples is an exciting new area for discovery and clinical testing. A major barrier to this approach is the overwhelming ratio of human to pathogen DNA in samples with low pathogen abundance, which is typical of most clinical specimens. Microbial DNA enrichment methods offer the potential to relieve this limitation by improving this ratio. Two commercially available enrichment kits, the NEBNext Microbiome DNA Enrichment Kit and the Molzym MolYsis Basic kit, were tested for their ability to enrich for microbial DNA from resected arthroplasty component sonicate fluids from prosthetic joint infections or uninfected sonicate fluids spiked with Staphylococcus aureus. Using spiked uninfected sonicate fluid there was a 6-fold enrichment of bacterial DNA with the NEBNext kit and 76-fold enrichment with the MolYsis kit. Metagenomic whole genome sequencing of sonicate fluid revealed 13- to 85-fold enrichment of bacterial DNA using the NEBNext enrichment kit. The MolYsis approach achieved 481- to 9580-fold enrichment, resulting in 7 to 59% of sequencing reads being from the pathogens known to be present in the samples. These results demonstrate the usefulness of these tools when testing clinical samples with low microbial burden using next generation sequencing.
White striping and woody breast myopathies in the modern poultry industry: a review

ABSTRACT Myopathies are gaining the attention of poultry meat producers globally. White Striping (WS) is a condition characterized by the occurrence of white striations parallel to muscle fibers on breast, thigh, and tender muscles of broilers, while Woody Breast (WB) imparts tougher consistency to raw breast fillets. Histologically, both conditions have been characterized with myodegeneration and necrosis, fibrosis, lipidosis, and regenerative changes. The occurrence of these modern myopathies has been associated with increased growth rate in birds. The severity of the myopathies can adversely affect consumer acceptance of raw cut up parts and/or quality of further processed poultry meat products, resulting in huge economic loss to the industry. Even though gross and/or histologic characteristics of modern myopathies are similar to some of the known conditions, such as hereditary muscular dystrophy, nutritional myopathy, toxic myopathies, and marbling, WS and WB could have a different etiology. As a result, there is a need for future studies to identify markers for WS and WB in live birds and genetic, nutritional, and/or management strategies to alleviate the condition.
Macroeconomic Reform and Employment: an Investment-Led Strategy of Structural Adjustment in Sub-Saharan Africa

There are 50 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.1 These countries, containing over 600 million people, are among the poorest in the world. Indeed the World Bank classifies 74 per cent of the countries of sub-Saharan Africa as ‘Iowincome economies’ and the United Nations Development Programme classifies 79 per cent as being ‘low human development’ countries. In most cases low income and low human development coincide, but in Angola, Cameroon and Senegal medium incomes are none the less associated with low human development whereas in Zimbabwe and Congo medium human development has been achieved despite their low incomes. (See Table 7.1.)
Cornea lymphatics drive the CD8(+) T-cell response to herpes simplex virus-1.

Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection of the cornea induces vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A)-dependent lymphangiogenesis. However, the extent to which HSV-1-induced corneal lymphangiogenesis impacts the adaptive immune response has not been characterized. Here, we used floxed VEGF-A mice to study the importance of newly created corneal lymphatic vessels in the host adaptive immune response to infection. Whereas the mice infected with the parental virus (strain SC16) exhibited robust corneal lymphangiogenesis, mice that received the recombinant virus (SC16 ICP0-Cre) that expresses Cre recombinase under the control of infected cell protein 0 (ICP0), an HSV-1 immediate-early gene, showed a significant reduction in lymphangiogenesis. There was no difference in virus recovered from the cornea of mice infected with SC16 vs SC16 ICP0-Cre. However, viral loads were significantly elevated in the trigeminal ganglia (TG) of mice with reduced corneal lymphangiogenesis. The increase in viral titer correlated with a significant loss of HSV-1-specific CD8+ T cells that traffic to the TG of mice infected with the recombinant virus. Intrastromal delivery of size-exclusion dye (fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran) revealed a time-dependent defect in the ability of the lymphatic vessels in SC16 ICP0-Cre-infected mice to transport soluble antigen from the cornea to the draining lymph nodes. We interpret these results to suggest that the newly created lymphatic vessels in the cornea driven by HSV-1 infection are critical in the delivery of soluble viral antigen to the draining lymph node and subsequent development of the CD8+ T-cell response to HSV-1.
Introduction: The Use of Student Growth Measures for Educator Accountability at the Intersection of Policy and Practice

Student growth measures (SGMs) involve the quantification of student progress over time, using student test scores and other student assessment and demographic data aggregated at the teacher level to determine effectiveness, or more descriptively, teacher effects. SGMs come in numerous varieties, including value-added models, student growth percentiles, and student learning objectives. The authors discuss the growing interest in teacher evaluation as a lever for reform and articulate the theory of action underpinning contemporary teacher evaluation policies that incorporate SGMs. The authors conclude with an overview of the rest of the volume as well as an overview of their perspectives as the volume’s editors.
SANITATION STUDIES OF A REVERSE OSMOSIS UNIT USED FOR CONCENTRATION OF MAPLE SAP

Sanitation studies of an industrial-scale reverse osmosis unit used for the concentration of maple sap are discussed. Bacterial plate counts of the concentrate and permeate effluent streams declined steadily during the initial 10–12 hr of operation, followed by respective increases in count from 2.8 × 104 per ml (12 hr) to 2.0 × 105 per ml (36 hr) and from 3.3 × 103 per ml (12 hr) to 2.4 × 104 per ml (36 hr). Membrane modules were maintained in good sanitary condition in the reverse osmosis unit pressure vessels for as long as one month when the modules were kept in contact with an acidified chlorine dioxide sanitizer.
Modeling nonequilibrium dynamics of phase transitions at the nanoscale: Application to spin-crossover

In this article, we present a continuum mechanics based approach for modeling thermally induced single-nanoparticle phase transitions studied in ultrafast electron microscopy. By using coupled differential equations describing heat transfer and the kinetics of the phase transition, we determine the major factors governing the time scales and efficiencies of thermal switching in individual spin-crossover nanoparticles, such as the thermal properties of the (graphite) substrate, the particle thickness, and the interfacial thermal contact conductance between the substrate and the nanoparticle. By comparing the simulated dynamics with the experimental single-particle diffraction time profiles, we demonstrate that the proposed non-equilibrium phase transition model can fully account for the observed switching dynamics.
Dietary lipid effects on platelet metabolism

Platelet activity is controlled, in part, by cytosolic free ionized calcium concentration ([Ca++]i). Regulation of platelet thromboxane (TX) synthesis may be by regulation of [Ca++]i, which may be affected by the fatty acid (FA) composition of the membranes in which ion transporters reside. Male non-obese Zucker rats were fed diets supplying 30 en% fat, Dietary fat was composed of corn oil and beef tallow to provide 3.0, 4,5, 6,0, or 7,5 enSK linoleic acid, with cholesterol added to provide equal cholesterol in all diets. Rats were fed for 30 days with 6 rats/diet. Isolated rat platelets were assayed for FA composition. Resting and thrombin-stimulated platelet [Ca++]i and thrombin-stimulated platelet TX synthesis were measured in the presence or absence of extracellular calcium and aspirin, ouabain, or nifedipine. The percentage linoleic acid in platelet FA rose linearly with increasing dietary linoleate. No measure of [Ca++]i or TX synthesis was changed by dietary linoleate; indicating that platelet [Ca++]i is not modified by platelet FA composition changed by differing
There is more to examples than meets the eye: Thinking with and through mathematical examples in different settings

Abstract The paper provides an overview of the broad field of research on the roles and use of examples in mathematical learning and thinking, specifically in concept learning and proving, and offers a way to organize and categorize selected research in this field. The main contribution of the paper is the distinction between three settings of example-use: spontaneous example-use, evoked example-use , and responsive example-use to a provided example . In the first two – the main source of examples comes from the student/learner, while in the third setting the main source is the teacher/researcher. The illustrations that accompany the description of each setting by research-based cases convey the affordances and challenges of each one. While these three settings are applicable to various kinds of learning, I highlight their affordances mainly for concept formation, and point to papers in this issue that provide a rich collection of cases that convey the place of these settings for conjecturing and proving.
Even-Odd Multicentric Intermolecular Reactions

An interesting area of chemical research where there has not been much theoretical guidance is the study of the reactions of radical ions which can be formed chemically or generated in a spectrometer, e.g., the mass spectrometer. In this chapter, we consider the stereoselectivity and toposelectivity aspects of such reactions.
PARAMETERS OF LYMPHOCYTE ACTIVATION

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a few dissociations found among the parameters of activation and present models, which may be useful in understanding the meaning of lymphocyte activation. It also highlights several metabolic processes that have been reported to change following the stimulation of lymphocytes. The cyclic AMP levels change dramatically over very short periods of time, making it difficult to interpret the meaning of any given quantitative measure at a given point in time. In a study described in the chapter, the mitogenic lectins, concanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen induced the later gradual increase in cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity, whereas the nonmitogenic mushroom lectin (AbL) and wheat germ agglutinin induced no change in protein kinase activity. DNA synthesis is not a complete measure of lymphocyte activation.
Partial purification of a chloroplast DNA polymerase from Euglena gracilis.

Abstract A single DNA polymerase has been purified 965 fold from isolated chloroplasts of Euglena gracilis with a yield of 53%. The isolation methods include solubilization of the enzyme with 1M NaCl, ammonium sulfate precipitation, DNA affinity and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The enzyme requires all four deoxynucleotide triphosphates, magnesium and denatured DNA for maximal activity. The chloroplast DNA polymerase is free of contaminating nucleases and phosphatases, has a sharp pH optimum at pH 7.2 and magnesium optimum of 6mM.
Nanomechanical Function Arising from the Complex Architecture of Dendronized Helical Polymers

Dendronized polymers that have a cylindrical shape and a helical polymer backbone at the core of the cylinder are able to undergo reversible stretching and contraction of the helix. As the helix expands, the cylindrical macromolecule elongates like a molecular mechanical actuator. When the polymers are self-organized in a columnar lattice, the cylinders can be aligned and the extension of the individual molecules is amplified to macroscopic dimensions and can be employed to perform work. Relationships between the complex architecture of these polymers, their organization in bulk, and emergent function are discussed as an example of the remarkable opportunities that remain to be explored as we commemorate the 60th anniversary of Hermann Staudinger receiving the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.
EFFECTS OF PHOSPHOLIPIDS ON THE SPIN-STATE TRANSITION OF CYTOCHROME P-450

Publisher Summary The chapter describes the effects of phospholipids on the spin-state transition of cytochrome P-450. It discusses temperature-jump kinetic measurements and other studies performed by methods used in previous studies. In a study described in the chapter, kinetics of the temperature-induced spectral change were studied with a suspension of sonicated microsomes. The relaxation process was similar to that observed with purified P-450 samples but much faster. The process had a half-time (t1/2) of approximately 1.8 ms as compared to t1/2 of 45 ms for purified P-450. The results suggest that the lipid environment is an important factor in affecting the rate of the spin-state transition. Hydrophobic membrane proteins are known to form protein micelles in the absence of membrane lipids or detergents. Gel-filtration experiments indicate that the purified P-450 exist in a micelle (aggregate) with a molecular weight of 520,000, and phospholipids do not have a significant effect on the size of the micelle.