cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Future directions in fusion research: Super high-field tokamaks

Recent experimental results and advances in magnet engineering suggest that super high-field, high-aspect ratio tokamak devices could be a very efficient way to achieve burning plasma conditions and could open up a new area of research. Copper magnet devices with fields of 13 to 25 T at the plasma are considered. The super high-field approach could also provide advantages for ETR and demonstration/commercial reactor concepts (magnetic fields at the plasma in the 8–13 T range).
Fatigue threshold R-curves for predicting reliability of ceramics under cyclic loading

Abstract For monolithic, grain-bridging ceramics, the crack-size dependence of the fatigue threshold during bridging zone development presents a difficulty in its application in design. This paper demonstrates how a fatigue threshold R -curve may express this crack-size dependence, analogous to the traditional fracture toughness R -curve, and may be used to predict the endurance limit and retained strength under cyclic loading conditions. Furthermore, the fatigue threshold R -curve may be deduced from the behavior of millimeter-scale, through-thickness, fatigue cracks via an accurately measured crack bridging stress profile. Both an alumina ceramic with large steady-state bridging zones (∼2 mm), where the predicted and experimentally measured fatigue threshold R -curves agree well over a range of crack sizes from 0.06 to 7 mm, and a (Y 2 O 3 -MgO)-doped Si 3 N 4 ceramic, where bridging zones are much shorter (∼100 μm), are investigated. The approach provides a useful alternative to performing difficult short-crack fatigue experiments, particularly for materials with small bridging zones.
Effects of particle arrangement on stress concentrations in composites

The effects of particle arrangement on stress concentrations within particle-reinforced composites are investigated. Both periodic and random particle arrangement models are employed to calculate stress concentration factors for a composite with a filler volume fraction of 0.3. A self-consistent scheme is used to minimize boundary effects on stress concentrations. It is found that a random particle arrangement predicts significantly greater stress concentrations than periodic particle arrangements because of particle clustering. The stress concentration factor does not have a direct relationship with filler volume fraction, and the stress concentration surrounding a particle is dominated by the nearest-neighbor particle.
Distinctions between general and personal courage

How courageous is an action? Perhaps it depends on the comparison group, with crucial differences between general courage, or actions that would be courageous for anyone, and personal courage, or actions that are courageous only for the particular actor. To explore these possible distinctions, 250 undergraduates (151 female) wrote about a time they acted courageously, then made multiple ratings of the action including personal and general courageousness. Actions high in general courage were taken with more confidence, less fear, and fewer personal limitations: actions high in personal courage were taken with more fear, despite greater difficulty. Both ratings and narrative data support this fundamental distinction, which may increase the precision of future courage research and have implications for treatment.
Detection and analysis of RF emission generated by laser-matter interactions

Plasmas produced by laser-matter interactions are a known source of electromagnetic radiation. However, little has been done to systematically study the electromagnetic radiation emitted from laser produced plasmas. It is our intent to provide detailed time and frequency domain measurements of such emitted radiation. An ultra-fast femtosecond high intensity laser and a superheterodyne receiver are employed to study laser-matter interactions for various materials in the frequency range 1-40GHz.
Hardware architectural support for control systems and sensor processing

The field of modern control theory and the systems used to implement these controls have shown rapid development over the last 50 years. It was often the case that those developing control algorithms could assume the computing medium was solely dedicated to the task of controlling a plant, for example, the control algorithm being implemented in software on a dedicated Digital Signal Processor (DSP), or implemented in hardware using a simple dedicated Programmable Logic Device (PLD). As time progressed, the drive to place more system functionality in a single component (reducing power, cost, and increasing reliability) has made this assumption less often true. Thus, it has been pointed out by some experts in the field of control theory (e.g., Astrom) that those developing control algorithms must take into account the effects of running their algorithms on systems that will be shared with other tasks. One aspect of the work presented in this article is a hardware architecture that allows control developers to maintain this simplifying assumption. We focus specifically on the Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller. An on-chip coprocessor has been implemented that can scale to support servicing hundreds of plants, while maintaining microsecond-level response times, tight deterministic control loop timing, and allowing the main processor to service noncontrol tasks.In order to control a plant, the controller needs information about the plant's state. Typically this information is obtained from sensors with which the plant has been instrumented. There are a number of common computations that may be performed on this sensor data before being presented to the controller (e.g., averaging and thresholding). Thus in addition to supporting PID algorithms, we have developed a Sensor Processing Unit (SPU) that off-loads these common sensor processing tasks from the main processor.We have prototyped our ideas using Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology. Through our experimental results, we show our PID execution unit gives orders of magnitude improvement in response time when servicing many plants, as compared to a standard general software implementation. We also show that the SPU scales much better than a general software implementation. In addition, these execution units allow the simplifying assumption of dedicated computing medium to hold for control algorithm development.
Androgen Supplementation in Older Women: Too Much Hype, Not Enough Data

Androgen supplementation in women has received enormous attention in the scientific and lay communities. That it enhances some aspects of cognitive function, sexual function, muscle mass, strength, and sense of well-being is not in question. What is not known is whether physiological testosterone replacement can improve health-related outcome in older women without its virilizing side effects. Although it is assumed that the testosterone dose-response relationship is different in women than in men and that clinically relevant outcomes on the above-mentioned effects can be achieved at lower testosterone doses, these assumptions have not been tested rigorously. Androgen deficiency has no clear-cut definition. Clinical features may include impaired sexual function, low energy, depression, and a total testosterone level of less than 15 ng/dL, the lower end of the normal range. Measurement of free testosterone is ideal, because it provides a better estimate of the biologically relevant fraction. It is not widely used in clinical practice, because some methods of measuring free testosterone assay are hampered by methodological difficulties. In marked contrast to the abrupt decline in estrogen and progesterone production at menopause, serum testosterone is lower in older women than in menstruating women, with the decline becoming apparent a decade before menopause. This article reviews testosterone's effects on sexual function, cognitive function, muscle mass, body composition, and immune function in postmenopausal women.
A 0.13-µm CMOS local oscillator for 60-GHz applications based on push-push characteristic of capacitive degeneration

A 60-GHz 10mW CMOS VCO is implemented together with a high-speed prescaler in a 130nm CMOS process. Compared to other push-push topologies, capacitive degeneration technique does not impact the resonator and switching transistors are re-used as buffers minimizing noise due to following amplifiers. The measured phase noise at 1MHz offset is −89dBc/Hz and FoM is −174dBc/Hz.
A new sensor structure for the measurement of an electromagnetic pulse

Harry Diamond Laboratories (HDL), Woodbridge, VA, currently uses groundplane version electric- and magnetic-field sensors to measure the electric and magnetic fields produced during a simulated high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP). These sensors are also used for the measurement of such pulsed fields in the vicinity of metallic enclosures. A new sensor structure has been developed to measure the electric and magnetic fields accurately. The authors have recently fabricated and mounted a hollow metallic cylinder behind the sensor's 0.218-m (8 1/2 in) ground plane to house a fiber-optic transmitter, amplifiers, and other equipment necessary for data collection. The presence of this metallic cylinder increases (“enhances”) the amplitude of a signal when measured with this new sensor structure geometry (“sensor/cylinder”). The electric- and magnetic-field enhancements caused by the presence of this metallic cylinder were measured in both the frequency and time domains. The enhancement was also calculated numerically using a three-dimensional finite-difference code. To eliminate unwanted field coupling to the sensor's coaxial signal cable, the output of the sensor is transmitted through fiber-optic cables to remotely located recording equipment. In the frequency domain, the enhancements for both the electric and magnetic field were determined using a large transverse electromagnetic (TEM) cell. In the time domain, the enhancements were determined by comparing simulated HEMP fields measured with this sensor/cylinder to those measured with miniature electric- and magnetic-field sensors. The degree of enhancement of this sensor/cylinder will vary as a function of distance when the sensor/cylinder is placed next to a conducting object, such as a metallic shelter. These enhancements were also determined using miniature electric- and magnetic-field sensors.
Reheating closed string inflation

Protecting the inflationary potential from quantum corrections typically requires symmetries that constrain the form of couplings of the inflaton to other sectors. We will explore how these restrictions affect reheating in models with UV completions. In particular, we look at how reheating occurs when inflation is governed by closed strings, using N-flation as an example. We find that coupling the inflaton preferentially to the standard modelis difficult, and hidden sectors are typically reheated. Observational constraints are only met by a fraction of the models. In some working models, relativistic relics in the hidden sector provide dark matter candidates with masses that range from keV to PeV, with lighter masses being preferred.
On shock waves in a special class of thermoelastic solids

This paper describes a thermoelastic model for shock waves in uniaxial strain based on a subclass of the so-called materials of Mie–Gruneisen type. We compare the Hugoniot curve with the isotherms and isentropes for this model, and we construct the shock-wave solution to a simple impact problem.
Investigating the adoption of local online communities

While Internet researchers have largely investigated worldwide information sharing, less attention has been paid to the effect of the Internet on how place-based communities share locally relevant information. My PhD work aims to provide a deeper understanding of the interplay of communities' characteristics and systems' design decisions that affects the adoption, sustainability and impact of local online information systems. My research combines analysis of neighborhoods' publicly available data, user surveys and interviews, content analysis of archival online data, and field experiments. In my dissertation, I will investigate e-Democracy.org, which is one of the oldest and most sustainable attempts to provide virtual spaces for neighborhoods.
How Voltage Drops Are Manifested by Lithium Ion Configurations at Interfaces and in Thin Films on Battery Electrodes

Battery electrode surfaces are generally coated with electronically insulating solid films of thickness 1–50 nm. Both electrons and Li+ can move at the electrode–surface film interface in response to the voltage, which adds complexity to the “electric double layer” (EDL). We apply Density Functional Theory (DFT) to investigate how the applied voltage is manifested as changes in the EDL at atomic length scales, including charge separation and interfacial dipole moments. Illustrating examples include Li3PO4, Li2CO3, and LixMn2O4 thin films on Au(111) surfaces under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. Adsorbed organic solvent molecules can strongly reduce voltages predicted in vacuum. We propose that manipulating surface dipoles, seldom discussed in battery studies, may be a viable strategy to improve electrode passivation. We also distinguish the computed potential governing electrons, which is the actual or instantaneous voltage, and the “lithium cohesive energy”-based voltage governing Li content widely reported...
Influence of phasic volume feedback on abdominal expiratory nerve activity

Abstract Our purpose was to examine the influence of phasic lung volume feedbackon the activities of motor nerves innervating the dia[phragm and transversus abdominis muscles during hypercapnia and hypoxia. We studied seventeen decerebrate cats that were paralyzed and ventilated with a servo-respirator controlled by the integrated phrenic neurogram. The effects of phasic lung volume feedback were assessed by withholding pulmonary inflation during the central inspiratory period. Withholding lung inflation for a single respiratory cycle under hyperoxic, normocapnic conditions consistently prolonged the durations of the inspiratory and expiratory periods, and caused marked increases in the peak electrical activities of both phrenic and abdominal nerves. Hyperoxic hypercapnia (PACO2 50–80 mmHg) and isocapnic hypoxia (PaO2 60-35 mmHg) increased peak phrenic and abdominal neural activities, and withholding pulmonary inflation under these conditions caused even greater augmentations of inspiratory and expiratory motor output. The augmentation of expiratory activity by withholding lung inflation was proportionately greater than the concomitant prolongation of the central expiratory period. All responses to non-inflation maneuvers were abolished following bilateral cervical vagotomy. The results indicate that vagally mediated volume feedback during inspiration can attenuate the output of abdominal motoneurons in the subsequent expratory period. Moreover, hypoxia, which attenuates abdominal motor activity in vagotomized animals, enhances this activity when the vagi are intact.
Time-resolved energy-dispersive XAS studies of photoinduced electron transfer intermediates in electron donor-acceptor complexes

The structure around the Fe atom of a photoinduced electron transfer intermediate in a di-porphyrin electron donor/acceptor complex is studied with time-resolved energy dispersive X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Photoinduced electron transfer from the lowest excited triplet state ofa Zn porphyrin attached at a fixed 25 D distance by means of a long spacer molecule to an Fe(III) porphyrin occurs with a 6 ms time constant at 77 K. Time domain X-ray absorption measurements show that Fe(III) is transiently photoreduced to Fe(II) and that the bond between the Fe atom and a pyridine molecule ligated to it weakens substantially upon reduction of the Fe. Coupling of ligand loss to reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) provides a mean of stabilizing the reduced intermediate.
Readiness to change alcohol drinking habits after traumatic brain injury

Abstract Objective: To describe how motivated are persons with recent traumatic brain injury (TBI) to change their alcohol drinking habits and what factors affect their motivation. Design: Survey. Setting: Acute inpatient rehabilitation program. Patients: Subjects were 50 patients with recent TBI during inpatient rehabilitation. Main Outcome Measures: Readiness to Change (RTC) questionnaire, Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), and alcohol use questions. Results: Subjects were 36 years old; 86% were men. Eight-four percent fell in the contemplation or action phases. Comparisons with a separate medical patient sample suggested that TBI may be associated with greater contemplation of change and greater readiness to take action to change alcohol use. Multivariate analyses indicated that within the TBI sample a positive history of alcoholism, alcohol involved in the accident, and higher daily consumption were associated with greater readiness to change (especially contemplation scores). Conclusions: Soon after TBI, drinkers frequently contemplate changing their alcohol use. This situation may represent an underutilized window of opportunity to reduce postinjury alcohol use and abuse. Motivational interviewing techniques seem well suited to facilitate change during this period.
Human Fibrinogen Occurs as Over 1 Million Non-Identical Molecules

Traditionally, proteins have been regarded as well-defined, uniform molecules, where one molecule is virtually identical to the next. This notion has been supported by the fact that the highly efficient protein primary structure analysis by prediction from the DNA sequence will result in a well-defined, unique amino acid sequence, containing no direct indication of any kind of modification or processing. However, information is accumulating about protein heterogeneity, co- or post-translational modification and processing as well as about the functional implications of the structural variation (Krishna and Wold, 1993; Graves et al., 1994). Human fibrinogen may serve as an extreme example of a protein existing in a multitude of structural forms, many of which have been demonstrated to differ in functional properties (Henschen and McDonagh, 1986; Henschen, 1993). In the following, the various, so far recognized structural variations and their possible function effects, together with some relevant identification procedures will be described.
Anisotropic Delamination Energy of Bonded Rippled Silicon Surfaces Created by Ar + Bombardment

The surface topography of Si(100) modified by low energy Ar + bombardment was characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). AFM images show that ripples can be formed by 500eV Ar+ at incidence angle 40°. The spacing wavelength of ripples is around 70nm with wave vector parallel to the projected direction of ion beam. Direct bonding and mechanical delamination of Si wafer pairs with ripples are investigated. Delamination energy measured by crack-opening method along the direction perpendicular to the wave vector,γ⊥, is always smaller than that along the wave vector direction,γ„; Both γ⊥ and γ„ are found to decrease with sputtering time. The AFM images after delamination indicate that the bonding and delamination process do not eliminate the ripples on the wafer surface.
Descriptions of personal experiences: Effects on students' learning and behavioral intentions toward peers with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

High-school students were shown an educational video designed to dispel 12 common myths regarding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by describing each myth and then presenting accurate information. The experimental group viewed a video that was supplemented by the speaker acknowledging that he had ADHD and providing descriptions of personal experiences (DPE) designed to highlight the injury caused by 6 of the 12 common myths. Findings suggest that including the DPE may have enhanced learning of the information that was highlighted by these descriptions, but interfered with learning the other six facts. Providing DPE did not alter behavioral intentions, and this analysis did not appear to be confounded by differential learning. Our discussion focuses on personalizing disability information, seductive details effects, and the role that correcting myths with accurate information may have on students with respect to their interactions with classmates with disabilities. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SPONTANEOUSLY OCCURRING PHEOCHROMOCYTOMAS IN THE AGING MOUSE

Pheochromocytomas in mice are rare tumors, and their expression of functional markers has not previously been assessed. In this study, 29 spontaneously occurring mouse pheochromocytomas were characterized morphologically and immunohistochemically to determine whether there are functional correlates to previously described morphological features and to provide a database for comparison with tumors that arise in genetically engineered animals. The tumors were derived from 28 mice 828-1,489 days old, of three genotypes. Considerable cytological and architectural polymorphism was observed both within and between tumors. Most of the tumor cells were comparable in size to normal chromaffin cells or were larger. Small basophilic cells, which are the predominant cell type in rat pheochromocytomas, were usually in the minority. All of the tumors and most of the cells within individual tumors expressed immunoreactive tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). The tumors were variably positive for phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) and chromogranin A (CGA). There did not appear to be a global association of specific cytological features with expression of TH, PNMT, or CGA, although cells of similar appearance often shared similar immunoreactivities within individual tumors. Small basophilic cells could be either PNMT-positive or PNMT-negative. The frequency, morphology, and immunophenotype of mouse pheochromocytomas suggest that the mouse may be more appropriate than the rat as a model for human adrenal medullary pathology. In addition, the expression of immunoreactive PNMT by mouse pheochromocytomas suggests that these tumors are a potential source of epinephrine-producing cell lines, for which adequate models currently do not exist.
Emergency cardiopulmonary bypass for resuscitation from prolonged cardiac arrest.

Abstract After cardiac arrest (no flow) of more than approximately 5 minutes' duration, standard external cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) basic, advanced, and prolonged life support (BLS, ALS, PLS) do not reliably produce cerebral and coronary perfusion pressures to maintain viability and achieve stable spontaneous normotension; nor do they provide prolonged control over pressure, flow, composition, and temperature of blood. Since these capabilities are often needed to achieve conscious survival, emergency closed-chest cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) by veno-arterial pumping via oxygenator is presented in this review as a potential addition to ALS-PLS for selected cases. In six dog studies by the Pittsburgh group (n = 211; 1982 through 1988), all 179 dogs that received CPB after prolonged cardiac arrest (no flow) or after CPR (low flow) states had restoration of stable spontaneous circulation. The use of CPB enhanced survival and neurological recovery over those achieved with CPR-ALS attempts only. With CPB and standard intensive care, it was possible to reverse normothermic ventricular fibrillation (VF) cardiac arrest (no flow) of up to 15 minutes and to achieve survival without neurologic deficit; VF of 20 minutes to achieve survival but with neurologic deficit; and VF of 30 minutes to achieve transient restoration of spontaneous circulation followed by secondary cardiac death. CPB could restore stable spontaneous circulation after ice water submersion of up to 90 minutes. Other groups' laboratory and clinical results agree with these findings in general. Clinical feasibility trials are needed to work out logistic problems and to meet clinical challenges. Future possibilities for emergency CPB require further research and development.
A Retrospective Study on Antimicrobial Resistance in Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica, Escherichia coli, Salmonella Species, and Bordetella avium from Chickens in Minnesota

SUMMARY A 5-yr retrospective study (1998 to 2002) was conducted to determine the rate of isolation of 4 different bacterial pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance from chickens submitted to the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, St. Paul, Minnesota. The in vitro antimicrobial resistance was evaluated using the disc diffusion method. A total of 218 bacteria were isolated with the frequency of isolation beingMannheimia (Pasteurella)haemolytica 92 (42.2%) >Escherichia coli 80 (36.7%) > Salmonella spp., 42 (19.3%) >Bordetella avium 4 (1.8%). All isolates were resistant to macrolides and tetracycline antimicrobials but showed varied resistance to aminoglycoside and beta-lactam antibiotics. A majority of the isolates showed high resistance to spectinomycin, sarafloxacin, tetracycline, sulfadimethoxine, and sulfachloropyridiazine. These results emphasize the need for continued surveillance of chicken pathogens to monitor their resistance patterns with a view to control the infections caused by these pathogens.
MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION WITHIN AND BETWEEN NATURAL POPULATIONS OF NON‐TIDE POOL FUCUS DISTICHUS (PHAEOPHYTA) IN NEW ENGLAND1,2

The sources of morphological variation in natural populations of Fucus distichus L. ssp. edentatus (De la Pyiaie) Powell and F. distichus L. ssp, evanescens (C. Agardh) Powell from New England were evaluated. Individuals from different populations were morphologically distinct as judged by population means and analysis of variance. A correlation between the plant's form and its habitat was established by field observation. The broadest material grows in calm estuarine habitats, while the narrowest plants occur in exposed, open coastal areas. Major differences in morphology also appear seasonally. In addition, microhabitat factors such as exposure to wave action and elevation explain some morphological variation. Cultured germlings from distinct populations of “evanescens” and “edentatus” type plants were outplanted to an experimental garden in order to ascertain whether the variation was heritable or environmentally induced. The latter experiments indicate that major differences in morphology are genetically determined.
Stability of Piperacillin and Ticarcillin in AutoDose Infusion System Bags

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the physical and chemical stability of piperacillin sodium 3 and 4 g/100 mL and ticarcillin disodium 3 g/100 mL each admixed in NaCl 0.9% injection packaged in AutoDose Infusion System bags.DESIGN:Triplicate test samples of the penicillin antibiotics in NaCl 0.9% injection were packaged in ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) plastic containers, AutoDose bags, designed for use in the AutoDose Infusion System. Samples were stored protected from light and evaluated at appropriate intervals for up to seven days at 23 °C and up to 30 days at 4 °C. Physical stability was assessed using turbidimetric and particulate measurement as well as visual inspection. Chemical stability was assessed by HPLC.RESULTS:All of the penicillin admixtures initially were clear when viewed in normal fluorescent room light and with a Tyndall beam. Measured turbidity and particulate content were low initially and exhibited little change in the ticarcillin disodium samples throughout the study. The piperacillin sodium sa...
Recent Advances in the SPIRIT (Self-organized Plasma with Induction, Reconnection, and Injection Techniques) Concept

Since its inception at the 1997 Innovative Confinement Concept meeting, the Self-organized Plasma with Induction, Reconnection, and Injection Techniques (SPIRIT) concept has been continuously advanced both theoretically and experimentally. The main features of this concept are: (1) formation of large-flux Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) plasmas by merging two spheromaks with opposite helicities; (2) flexibility to assess FRC stability by varying the plasma shape and kinetic parameter, by using passive stabilizers, and by injecting energetic ions; (3) sustainment of the FRC for a time significantly longer than the energy confinement time using an ohmic transformer and/or neutral beam injection. Experiments carried out in TS-3/4 and SSX and more recently in Magnetic Reconnection Experiment (MRX) have further verified the effectiveness of this formation scheme for large-flux FRCs. An improved understanding of FRC stability over plasma shape and kinetic parameter has been obtained in MRX. New numerical simulations showed that FRC plasmas can be globally stabilized by injecting energetic ions. Many of these aspects of the SPIRIT concept can be further studied in the current MRX device.
Evaluation of gatekeeper proxies for firewall traversal in secure videoconferencing systems

It is common today to have H.323 and SIP videoconferencing equipment deployed behind firewalls/NATs in campus and enterprise networks. A major challenge faced by network planners is to configure firewalls and gatekeeper proxies to allow voice-and-video traffic in-and-out of the internal-network's ports while limiting malicious access of internal-network data by intruders through the same open ports. In this paper, we first describe the strategies used with gatekeeper proxies to solve the firewall traversal challenges in securing distributed videoconferencing systems. Next, we empirically evaluate the load-handling of gatekeeper proxies for firewall traversal under low, medium and high cross-traffic loads using subjective and objective measurements. Following this, we describe the signalling-and-multimedia flow architectures and identify caveats that arise due to heterogeneous adoption of these strategies. Lastly, based on our empirical results, caveats identification and vast operations experience, we list best-practices for deploying gatekeeper proxies in small-to-large scale secure videoconferencing systems.
Multiscale image decomposition using statistical pattern recognition and eigenanalysis

Addresses the problem of segmentation in medical images using multiscale geometric statistical pattern recognition (MGSPR) and applies the method to three images. An artificial visual system (AVS) is proposed which uses multiscale Gaussians and their derivatives to define a feature set that captures the multiscale geometric structure of the image. There are three phases to our method based on MGSPR: training, segmentation and eigenanalysis. The training phase projects manually labeled pixels into a feature space by convolving the training pixels with a set of spatial filters. The distribution of each pixel class is modelled with a Gaussian. The segmentation phase classifies unlabeled pixels based on the models generated by the training phase. In the eigenanalysis phase, optimal filters that are linear combinations of the original filters are calculated. The segmentation procedure is applied to two simulated, but illustrative images, and one medical image of a nerve fiber. >
Synthesis and characterization of 4-vinylimidazole ABA triblock copolymers utilizing a difunctional RAFT chain transfer agent

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization strategies enabled the unprecedented synthesis of 4-vinylimidazole (4VIM)-containing ABA triblock copolymers in glacial acetic acid. The synthesis of a novel, difunctional trithiocarbonate RAFT chain transfer agent (CTA) controlled the divergent RAFT polymerization of methacrylic and 4VIM monomers with controlled molecular weights and narrow polydispersity indices (PDIs). The triblock copolymers consisted of a low-Tg di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (DEGMEMA) center block (Mn = 26 000 g mol−1) and an amphoteric 4VIM external, mechanically reinforcing block (Mn = 6500–16 500 g mol−1). Varying the 4VIM content probed the influence of the triblock copolymer composition on the macromolecular thermomechanical and morphological properties. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of the triblock copolymers exhibited a rubbery plateau region over a wide temperature range (∼200 °C), which confirmed the establishment of microphase-separated morphologies with flow temperatures above 200 °C. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) collectively probed the solid state morphologies of the triblock copolymers; all techniques revealed phase separation at nanoscale dimensions. The triblock copolymers with 40 wt% 4VIM formed lamellar morphologies. Well-defined, amphoteric, 4VIM ABA triblock copolymers (PDIs < 1.10) with microphase-separated morphologies now permit imidazole-containing macromolecules of controlled architectures for emerging applications.
Adaptive retina-like preprocessing for imaging detector arrays

Retina-like processing techniques to perform nonuniformity correction of infrared focal plane arrays (IRFPAs) are discussed. The objective is to design and test electronic structures based on early vision processes in the vertebrate retina. Two adaptive techniques are successfully developed. Both are stable and convergent and are used to process existing infrared images in nonreal time on the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Connection Machine. They are implemented on a real-time image array processor interfaced to an IRFPA in the laboratory. Conceptual designs for an analog chip are prepared and partially simulated. >
Continuous Femoral Nerve Blocks: The Impact of Catheter Tip Location Relative to the Femoral Nerve (Anterior Versus Posterior) on Quadriceps Weakness and Cutaneous Sensory Block

BACKGROUND: During a continuous femoral nerve block, the influence of catheter tip position relative to the femoral nerve on infusion characteristics remains unknown. METHODS: We inserted bilateral femoral perineural catheters in volunteers (ultrasound-guided, needle in-plane). Subjects’ dominant side was randomized to have the catheter tip placed either anterior or posterior to the femoral nerve. The contralateral limb received the alternative position. Ropivacaine 0.1% was administered through both catheters concurrently for 6 hours (4 mL/h). Outcome measures included the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the quadriceps femoris muscle and tolerance to cutaneous electrical current over to the distal quadriceps tendon. Measurements were performed at hour 0 (baseline), and on the hour until hour 9, as well as hour 22. The primary end point was the MVIC of the quadriceps at hour 6. RESULTS: As a percentage of the baseline measurement, quadriceps MVIC for limbs with anterior (n 16) and posterior (n 16) catheter tip placement did not differ to a statistically significant degree at hour 6 (mean [SD] 29% [26] vs 30% [28], respectively; 95% confidence interval: 22% to 20%; P 0.931), or at any other time point. However, the maximum tolerance to cutaneous electrical current was higher in limbs with anterior compared with posterior catheter tip placement at hour 6 (20 [23] mA vs 6 [4] mA, respectively; 95% confidence interval: 1–27 mA; P 0.035), as well as at hours 1, 7, 8, and 9 (P 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: This study documents the significant (70%–80%) quadriceps femoris weakness induced by a continuous femoral nerve block infusion at a relatively low dose of ropivacaine (4 mg/h) delivered through a perineural catheter located both anterior and posterior to the femoral nerve. In contrast, an anterior placement increases cutaneous sensory block compared with a posterior insertion, without a concurrent relative increase in motor block. (Anesth Analg 2012; 115:721–7)
RELIABILITY DESIGN PROCEDURES FOR FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS

A procedure is developed to analyze layered elastic flexible pavement systems in terms of reliability. Rosenblueth's method is used to estimate the expected value and variance of the strains (dependent parameters), based on the input mean values of independent parameters, i.e., aircraft load, layer thicknesses, and material moduli. Relationships between reliability level and allowable strain repetition of the designed system provide a decision‐making tool for engineers to design pavements at a desired reliability level. The design can be optimized by selecting thicknesses of bituminous concrete and base layers so that the pavement fails in fatigue cracking of the bituminous concrete and subgrade at nearly the same traffic level for a given reliability level. The performance of conventional flexible pavement is sensitive, in descending order, to variations of gear load P, thickness of the granular base h2, subgrade modulus E3, and thickness and modulus of the bituminous‐concrete surface course h1 and E1, r...
Fast cosmological parameter estimation from microwave background temperature and polarization power spectra

We improve the algorithm of Kosowsky, Milosavljevic, and Jimenez for computing power spectra of the cosmic microwave background. The present algorithm computes not only the temperature power spectrum but also the E- and B-mode polarization and the temperature-polarization cross power spectra, providing the accuracy required for current cosmological parameter estimation. Both unlensed and lensed (with non-linear evolution) power spectra are provided up to $\mathcal{l}=3000$ for temperature and polarization signals. We refine the optimum set of cosmological parameters for computing the power spectra as perturbations around a fiducial model, leading to an accuracy better than 0.5% for the temperature power spectrum throughout the region of parameter space within the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropic Probe's first-year $3\ensuremath{\sigma}$ confidence region. This accuracy is comparable to the difference between the widely used CMBFAST code of Seljak and Zaldarriaga and Boltzmann codes. Our algorithm (CMBWARP) makes possible a full exploration of the likelihood region for eight cosmological parameters in about one hour on a laptop computer. We provide the code to compute power spectra as well as the Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm for cosmological parameters estimation at http://www.physics.upenn.edu/\ensuremath{\sim}raulj/CMBwarp.
Mutational Analysis of the Helicobacter pylori Vacuolating Toxin Amino Terminus: Identification of Amino Acids Essential for Cellular Vacuolation

The functional importance of the amino terminus of the Helicobacter pylori vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA) was investigated by analyzing the relative levels of vacuolation of HeLa cells transfected with plasmids encoding wild-type and mutant forms of the toxin. Notably, VacA's intracellular activity was found to be sensitive to small truncations and internal deletions at the toxin's amino terminus. Moreover, alanine-scanning mutagenesis revealed the first VacA point mutations (at proline 9 or glycine 14) that completely abolish the toxin's intracellular activity.
Patterns for Tactical VoIPoW Architectures

In a tactical environment, the rapid, secure, and reliable transmission of data can mean the difference between life and death. Tactical networking technology is useful not only to the military, but also to law enforcement and emergency services. Voice over Internet protocol over wireless (VoIPoW) has had a strong effect on tactical internetworking by allowing human voice and video to travel over existing packet data networks along with traditional data packets. Wi-Fi and WiMax (worldwide interoperability of microwave access), also known as the IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.16 respectively, are the two standard protocols used today for providing wireless access in VoIPoW. In order to provide complete end-to-end connectivity, interworking between these standards is necessary since the WiMax purpose is to expand the range of wireless systems access. Presented here are the VoIP over Wi-Fi network architecture pattern, which describes the structural and dynamic aspects of the wireless network which are relevant for security; followed by a hybrid voice over Wi-Fi/WiMax network architecture pattern that combines Wi-Fi and WiMax standards. The objective is to develop an architectural pattern-based methodology that can be used to guide the design of wireless VoIP systems and products as well as to simulate these systems.
Intra-Individual Discrepancy in Diagnosing Specific Learning Disabilities

The relationship between intra-individual discrepancy and exceptionality is studied in 248 children from grades one through six. Categories of exceptionality include children classified as: gifted/...
Photocatalytic generation of hydrogen from water using a cobalt pentapyridine complex in combination with molecular and semiconductor nanowire photosensitizers

Recently, a family of cobalt pentapyridine complexes of the type [(R-PY5Me2)Co(H2O)])(CF3SO3)2, (R = CF3, H, or NMe2; PY5Me2 = 2,6-bis(1,1-di(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyridine) were shown to catalyze the electrochemical generation of hydrogen from neutral aqueous solutions using a mercury electrode. We now report that the CF3 derivative of this series, [(CF3PY5Me2)Co(H2O)](CF3SO3)2 (1), can also operate in neutral water as an electrocatalyst for hydrogen generation under soluble, diffusion-limited conditions on a glassy carbon electrode, as well as a photocatalyst for hydrogen production using either molecular or semiconductor nanowire photosensitizers. Owing to its relatively low overpotential compared to other members of the PY5 family, complex 1 exhibits multiple redox features on glassy carbon, including a one-proton, one-electron coupled oxidative wave. Further, rotating disk electrode voltammetry measurements reveal the efficacy of 1 as a competent hydrogen evolution catalyst under soluble, diffusion-limited conditions. In addition, we establish that 1 can also generate hydrogen from neutral water under photocatalytic conditions with visible light irradiation (λirr ≥ 455 nm), using [Ru(bpy)3]2+ as a molecular inorganic chromophore and ascorbic acid as a sacrificial donor. Dynamic light scattering measurements show no evidence for nanoparticle formation for the duration of the photolytic hydrogen evolution experiments. Finally, we demonstrate that 1 is also able to enhance the hydrogen photolysis yield of GaP nanowires in water, showing that this catalyst is compatible with solid-state photosensitizers. Taken together, these data establish that the well-defined cobalt pentapyridine complex [(CF3PY5Me2)Co(H2O)]2+ is a versatile catalyst for hydrogen production from pure aqueous solutions using either solar or electrical input, providing a starting point for integrating molecular systems into sustainable energy generation devices.
Second order change and evidence-based practice

Since its inception, family therapy (FT) has been distinguished by its explicit theoretical and practical focus on families and relationships as systems, with an emphasis on second order rather than first order change. As a result of these conceptual underpinnings we suggest that FT needs to look for manifestations of change which differ from individually focused disciplines such as clinical psychology. Studies of second order change have most commonly appeared in the form of conceptual papers and doctoral dissertations. We begin by revisiting the conceptual underpinnings of second order change. Building on this framework, we develop these aspects of change within the framework of recent developments in the empirical study of change. Finally, we point towards some promising directions for further evaluative work of FT as well as ways to incorporate some of these principles into training of FT students.
Developing a Psychometrically Sound Assessment of School Leadership: The VAL-ED as a Case Study

Research has consistently shown that principal leadership matters for successful schools. Evaluating principals on the behaviors shown to improve student learning should be an important leverage point for raising leadership quality. Yet principals are often evaluated with the use of instruments with no theoretical background and little, if any, documented psychometric properties. To address this need, a team of researchers in principal leadership, assessment development, and psychometrics developed the Vanderbilt Assessment of Leadership in Education (VAL-ED). The purpose here is to report on iterative development work where the instrument was tested and revised across several cycles. Future work to investigate the instrument’s psychometric properties is identified. After an extensive item writing and instrument
Head‐of‐tide bottleneck of particulate material transport from watersheds to estuaries

We measured rates of sediment, C, N, and P accumulation at four floodplain sites spanning the nontidal through oligohaline Choptank and Pocomoke Rivers, Maryland, USA. Ceramic tiles were used to collect sediment for a year and sediment cores were collected to derive decadal sedimentation rates using 137Cs. The results showed highest rates of short- and long-term sediment, C, N, and P accumulation occurred in tidal freshwater forests at the head of tide on the Choptank and the oligohaline marsh of the Pocomoke River, and lowest rates occurred in the downstream tidal freshwater forests in both rivers. Presumably, watershed material was mostly trapped at the head of tide, and estuarine material was trapped in oligohaline marshes. This hydrologic transport bottleneck at the head of tide stores most available watershed sediment, C, N, and P creating a sediment shadow in lower tidal freshwater forests potentially limiting their resilience to sea level rise.
Dimensions of Transformational Process Quality

Consumers normally evaluate a product or service quality during the pre-purchase, purchase, and post-purchase phases. The overall impression that they gain about an item’s quality hinges on how well the firm manages the design and development of the product or service through its organizational processes, as well as how well it manages its transformational (also known as either production or manufacturing) processes. These transformational processes physically change raw inputs, such as materials, purchased components, knowledge, and labor, by either changing their physical characteristics or by assembling them into finished products or services. While the consumer might be unaware of the transformational process itself, the firm should be monitoring all of the dimensions of quality for the processes that are essential to ensuring the conformity of the product or service to specifications and customer expectations.
DEVELOPMENT AND ARCHAEOLOGY

This article discusses how development and archaeology are invested in providing support, empowering and enabling forgotten communities, either within the current political structure or in the historical record. The intersection of both disciplinary interests belies a much broader structural apparatus that secures the reproduction of old neo-colonial interest but in slightly different ways. It is, of course, contained within those slightly differing manner of political identification and distribution of resources that hope for a more democratic future is embedded, one in which all native communities, not only oppressed ones will be more able to espouse and live their cultural values without genocidal fears and exclusion.