cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Impact of the Durbin Amendment on Banks, Merchants, and Consumers

After the Great Recession, new regulatory interventions were introduced to protect consumers and reduce the costs of financial products. Some voiced concern that direct price regulation was unlikely to help consumers, because banks offset losses in one domain by increasing the prices that they charge consumers for other products. This paper studies this issue using the Durbin Amendment, which decreased the interchange fees that banks are allowed to charge merchants for processing debit transactions. Merchant interchange fees, previously averaging 2 percent of transaction value, were capped at $0.22, decreasing bank revenue by $6.5 billion annually. The objective of Durbin was to increase consumer welfare. For consumers to benefit, banks needed to not offset Durbin losses and merchants needed to pass through savings to consumers. Instead, we find causal evidence that banks fully offset losses by charging higher fees for their products: For example, following Durbin, the provision of free checking accounts decreases by 40 percentage points. On the merchant side, we find that retailers pass-through savings most when debit usage is common and when competitive pressures are highest. However, we find little evidence of across-the-board consumer savings. Our analysis suggests that consumers are not helped by this interchange regulation.
Proficiency vs. Performance: What Do the Tests Show?

Research has shown consistently that after two semesters of instruction, students in post-secondary institutions show only Novice levels of proficiency as measured by the ACTFL scale. Even after four semesters, proficiency does not always reach the Intermediate level, especially in listening. These findings are troubling both for students and for practitioners. Although pedagogical or curricular weaknesses could explain these results, this chapter explores an alternative explanation that revolves around the nature of the tests used. We argue that the nature of the existing proficiency tests makes them inadequate for Novice learners since they measure a type of linguistic competence that is inconsistent with what language learners at the lower levels are able to do. We also argue that the lackluster results observed in listening may be due to a problem of test validity. The existing tests of listening proficiency may not be the right tools to measure the multi-modal processes involved in real-life listening comprehension.
Technology-Mediated Education in Global Radiology: Opportunities and Challenges

This review explores opportunities and challenges in utilizing technology-mediated educational strategies for radiology education in parts of the world where attending radiologist support is limited. In efforts to increase the number of radiologists globally, radiology residencies have been established in regions where radiologists are scarce, several of which have partnerships with programs in other parts of the world. Technology-mediated educational strategies could leverage these partnerships to provide critical infrastructure to these recently established residencies. The efficacies of strategies such as teleradiology and teleconferencing in global radiology have been evaluated, as have the effectiveness of technology-mediated educational tools in radiology. The topic of technology-mediated instruction for the newly established radiology residencies in other parts of the world has not yet been described or assessed, however. Technology-mediated education has potential in the expanding realm of global radiology resident education, but there are some important constraints in the execution of these programs.
Complications in Total Temporomandibular Joint Reconstruction

Total joint reconstruction (TJR) is a challenging surgery that tests the surgical team. A successful outcome depends on the surgeon who is prepared to anticipate complications and has the knowledge to manage problems when they arise. In this chapter, TMJ-specific complications are discussed, and strategies are recommended to diagnose and handle them. More importantly, emphasis is placed on prevention, so that surgery proceeds more smoothly. The information also helps the surgical team in the preoperative informed consent discussion with the patient.
Cell-Size Pleomorphism Drives Aberrant Clone Dispersal in Proliferating Epithelia.

Summary As epithelial tissues develop, groups of cells related by descent tend to associate in clonal populations rather than dispersing within the cell layer. While this is frequently assumed to be a result of differential adhesion, precise mechanisms controlling clonal cohesiveness remain unknown. Here we employ computational simulations to modulate epithelial cell size in silico and show that junctions between small cells frequently collapse, resulting in clone-cell dispersal among larger neighbors. Consistent with similar dynamics in vivo, we further demonstrate that mosaic disruption of Drosophila Tor generates small cells and results in aberrant clone dispersal in developing wing disc epithelia. We propose a geometric basis for this phenomenon, supported in part by the observation that soap-foam cells exhibit similar size-dependent junctional rearrangements. Combined, these results establish a link between cell-size pleomorphism and the control of epithelial cell packing, with potential implications for understanding tumor cell dispersal in human disease.
Post-structuralism: The End of the Book and the Beginning of Writing

The Course in General Linguistics had a significant legacy within post-structuralism, notably in Derrida’s deconstruction. Even though post-structuralism did not share the scientific aspirations of its predecessor, and did not seek to establish a new school of thought on the foundation of a Great Book, the Course continued to exercise an ideological function as “Saussure’s work” all the same. This chapter focuses especially on Derrida’s influential reception in Of Grammatology. It highlights a tension between Derrida’s general critique of the civilization of the book and his exclusive reference to the volume of the Course in a deconstructive reading of Saussure’s linguistics. Saussure’s unpublished writing may better illustrate Derrida’s call for open-ended textuality and his intellectual biography may serve as a testimony to the end of the book.
An Evaluation of 504 and Individualized Education Programs for High School Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

When adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) demonstrate impairment in academic performance, school professionals have the option of using strategies that reduce expectatio...
A study of heat transfer and entropy generation in von Kármán flow of Reiner-Rivlin fluid due to a stretchable disk

Abstract Present paper concentrates on viscous heating effects in fluid flow along a stretchable rotating surface in a Reiner-Rivlin fluid. Heating process of the disk is based on a quadratic surface temperature distribution. After invoking boundary layer assumptions, a self-similarity solution is assumed resulting in a coupled non-linear system. This system is evaluated numerically by a collocation method based MATLAB package bvp4c. Computational results reveal a marked formation of boundary layer provided that cross-viscosity coefficient is sufficiently large. Asymptotic solutions (for large axial distance) are derived by computing eigenvalues of the system at an equilibrium point. Some associated concepts such as moment coefficient (measuring the resisting torque), radial wall shear, disk pumping efficiency and heat transfer rate are critically scrutinized in the light of new physical attributes namely cross-viscosity coefficient and radial stretching in this research. Furthermore, second law of thermodynamics is utilized to investigate entropy production rate in the boundary layer. A noteworthy finding is that moment coefficient in von Karman flow is substantially lowered when fluid exhibits non-Newtonian effects. Entrained flow is predicted to accelerate whenever radial stretching is considered.
Endoscopic management of laryngotracheal and pharyngoesophageal trauma

Laryngotracheal and pharyngoesophageal injuries are a relatively rare component of head and neck trauma; however, if not managed correctly, the consequences of these injuries can be life threatening. The early management of these injuries involves bedside endoscopic evaluation, often followed by formal endoscopy in the operating room. While many of these patients may require open surgical procedures, some of these injuries, and especially the long-term complications they cause, can be managed endoscopically. In this article, we will review various forms of endoscopic management of laryngotracheal and pharyngoesophageal injuries.
Left ventricular mass index and ventricular contractility improvement in patients with severe obesity following rapid weight loss after bariatric surgery

Abstract Background Obesity is a well-known risk factor for heart disease, resulting in a broad spectrum of cardiovascular changes. Left ventricular mass (LVM) and contractility are recognized markers of cardiac function. Objectives To determine the changes of LVM and contractility after bariatric surgery (BaS). Setting University hospital, United States Methods To determine the cardiac changes in ventricular mass, ventricular contractility, and left ventricular shortening fraction (LVSF), we retrospectively reviewed the 2-dimensional echocardiographic parameters of patients with obesity who underwent BaS at our institution. We compared these results before and after BaS. Results A total of 40 patients met the inclusion criteria. The majority were females (57.5%; n = 23), with an average age of 63.5 ± 12.1. The excess body mass index (BMI) lost at 12 months was 48.9 ± 28.9%. The percent total weight loss after BaS was 16.46 ± 9.9%. The left ventricular mass was 234.9 ± 88.1 grams before and 181.5 ± 52.7 grams after BaS (P = .002). The LVM index was 101.3 ± 38.3 g/m2 before versus 86.7 ± 26.6 g/m2 after BaS (P = .005). The LVSF was 31% ± 8.8% before and 36.3% ± 8.2% after BaS (P = .007). We found a good correlation between the decrease in LVM index and the BMI after BaS (P = .03). Conclusion Rapid weight loss results in a decrease of the LVM index, as well as improvement in the left ventricular muscle contractility. Our results suggest that there is left ventricular remodeling and an improvement of heart dynamics following bariatric surgery. Further studies are needed to better assess these findings.
Edge-Propagation Discharge Mechanism in CFx Batteries—A First-Principles and Experimental Study

Graphite fluoride (CFx) cathodes coupled with lithium anodes yield one of the highest theoretical specific capacities (>860 mAh/g) among primary batteries. In practice, the observed discharge volta...
Role of Constitutive STAR in Leydig Cells.

Leydig cells contain significant amounts of constitutively produced steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR; STARD1). Hormone-induced STAR plays an essential role in inducing the transfer of cholesterol into the mitochondria for hormone-dependent steroidogenesis. STAR acts at the outer mitochondrial membrane, where it interacts with a protein complex, which includes the translocator protein (TSPO). Mutations in STAR cause lipoid congenital adrenal hyperplasia (lipoid CAH), a disorder characterized by severe defects in adrenal and gonadal steroid production; in Leydig cells, the defects are seen mainly after the onset of hormone-dependent androgen formation. The function of constitutive STAR in Leydig cells is unknown. We generated STAR knockout (KO) MA-10 mouse tumor Leydig cells and showed that STAR KO cells failed to form progesterone in response to dibutyryl-cAMP and to TSPO drug ligands, but not to 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol, which is a membrane-permeable intermediate of the CYP11A1 reaction. Electron microscopy of STAR KO cells revealed that the number and size of lipid droplets were similar to those in wild-type (WT) MA-10 cells. However, the density of lipid droplets in STAR KO cells was drastically different than that seen in WT cells. We isolated the lipid droplets and analyzed their content by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. There was a significant increase in cholesteryl ester and phosphatidylcholine content in STAR KO cell lipid droplets, but the most abundant increase was in the amount of diacylglycerol (DAG); DAG 38:1 was the predominantly affected species. Lastly, we identified genes involved in DAG signaling and lipid metabolism which were differentially expressed between WT MA-10 and STAR KO cells. These results suggest that constitutive STAR in Leydig cells is involved in DAG accumulation in lipid droplets, in addition to cholesterol transport. The former event may affect cell functions mediated by DAG signaling.
Closed String Field Theory

We bring together the elements from the previous chapters in order to write the closed string field action. We first study the gauge fixed theory before reintroducing the gauge invariance. We then prove that the action satisfies the BV master equation meaning that closed SFT is completely consistent at the quantum level. Finally, we describe the 1PI effective action.
Drought, Flood, Fire: How Climate Change Contributes to Catastrophes

Every year, droughts, floods, and fires impact hundreds of millions of people and cause massive economic losses. Climate change is making these catastrophes more dangerous. Now. Not in the future: NOW. This book describes how and why climate change is already fomenting dire consequences, and will certainly make climate disasters worse in the near future. Chris C. Funk combines the latest science with compelling stories, providing a timely, accessible, and beautifully-written synopsis of this critical topic. The book describes our unique and fragile Earth system, and the negative impacts humans are having on our support systems. It then examines recent disasters, including heat waves, extreme precipitation, hurricanes, fires, El Ninos and La Ninas, and their human consequences. By clearly describing the dangerous impacts that are already occurring, Funk provides a clarion call for social change, yet also conveys the beauty and wonder of our planet, and hope for our collective future.
Cost-Effectiveness of Open vs. Endoscopic Repair of Zenker's Diverticulum.

Objective To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of open versus endoscopic surgical repair of Zenker's diverticulum. Methods In this study, an economic decision tree was utilized to compare the cost-effectiveness of open surgery compared to endoscopic surgery. The primary outcome in this analysis was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) that was calculated based on the economic decision tree. The probability of post-operative esophageal perforation complications, revision rates, and effectiveness of each procedure along with associated costs were extracted to construct the decision tree. Univariate sensitivity analysis was then utilized to determine how changes in esophageal perforation rate affect the cost-effectiveness of each surgical approach. Results The ICER of open surgery for Zenker's diverticulum was $67 877, above most acceptable willingness to pay (WTP) thresholds. Additionally, if the probability of esophageal perforation with endoscopic surgery is above 5%, then open surgery becomes a more cost-effective option. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis using Monte Carlo simulations also showed that at the WTP thresholds of $30 000 and $50 000, endoscopic surgery is the most cost-effective method with 83.9% and 67.6% certainty, respectively. Conclusion Open surgery and endoscopic surgery are 2 treatment strategies for Zenker's diverticulum that each have their own advantages and disadvantages that can complicate the decision-making process. With no previous cost-effectiveness analysis of open versus endoscopic surgery for Zenker's diverticulum, our results support the endoscopic approach at most common WTP thresholds. Particularly with the current focus on rising healthcare costs, our results can serve as an important adjunct to medical decision-making for patients undergoing treatment for Zenker's diverticulum.
Efficiency/Fairness Tradeoffs in Networks with Wireless Components and Transient Congestion

Our work explores the impact of aggressive/conservative congestion control strategies on the fairness and efficiency of reliable transport protocols, in a wired/wireless environment. Based on experiments, we study the behavior of congestion control mechanisms in response to wireless errors, and transient congestion caused by a small number of competing flows. We show that: (i) the traditional TCP algorithm proves to be inadequate in terms of efficiency and fairness when random wireless errors occur in the network and, (ii) an aggressive strategy does not necessarily yield better performance. On the contrary, in the combined presence of transmission errors and transient congestion a conservative strategy appears superior.
Validation of nighttime UV measurements of the F region ionosphere made by the low resolution airglow and aurora spectrograph (LORAAS) instrument

[1] We present electron density profiles derived by inversion of ultraviolet limb radiances observed during November 2000 through April 2001 by the low resolution airglow and aurora spectrograph (LORAAS) instrument on the Advanced Research and Global Observing Satellite (ARGOS). The O+ density profile, which is approximately equal to the electron density profile in the F region ionosphere, was determined by inverting the limb radiance profile of O I 1356 A emission of atomic oxygen; the 1356 A emission is produced purely by radiative recombination of O+ ions and electrons at night and has been shown to be a viable means of globally sensing the ionospheric state. Dymond et al. (2001b) showed a preliminary validation of this technique covering a single day of observations. We have performed a more extended validation of the retrieved peak electron density and peak height determined by inversion of nighttime observations of the 1356 A altitude profiles with coincident ionosonde measurements and climatology.
Seasonal acclimatization determined by non-invasive measurements of coat insulation.

Seasonal acclimatization in terrestrial mammals in the Northern Hemisphere involves changes in coat insulation. It is more economical to provide increased insulation than increased heat production for protection against the cold. This study was done to test a technique for the non-invasive measurement of mammal coat insulation and to measure coat insulation over several seasons on captive exotics. The working hypothesis was that species that have no coat or have a coat that does not change seasonally do not acclimatize seasonally. Three surface temperature readings were measured from the torso area. The insulation was calculated using measured metabolic rates and body temperature when possible. The African elephants, giraffe and okapi did not acclimatize with average maximum insulation values of 0.256°Cm2 W−1. The Amur tigers and mountain goats acclimatized to seasonal ambient conditions by increasing the insulation values of the hair coats in the cold with an average maximum insulation values of 0.811°Cm2 W−1. The cold adapted species are more than three times more insulated in the cold than the equatorial species. The husbandry implications of exotics that have no ability to acclimatize to Northern Hemisphere seasonal ambient changes are profound. Giraffe, African elephants, and okapi when exposed to cold conditions with ambient air temperatures below 21°C will use body energy reserves to maintain a heat balance and will require housing that provides ambient conditions of 21°C. Zoo Biol. 34:368–373, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Use and Spending for Biologic Disease‐Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis Among US Medicare Beneficiaries

Author(s): Yazdany, Jinoos; Tonner, Chris; Schmajuk, Gabriela | Abstract: OBJECTIVE:Biologic therapies have assumed an important role in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We sought to investigate use, spending, and patient cost-sharing for Medicare beneficiaries using biologic drugs for RA, comparing patients exposed to minimal cost-sharing because of a Part D low-income subsidy (LIS) to those facing substantial out-of-pocket costs (OOP). METHODS:We performed a retrospective, nationwide study using 2009 Medicare claims for a 5% random sample of beneficiaries with RA who had at least 1 RA drug dispensed. We analyzed biologic drug utilization and costs across the Part B (medical benefit) and Part D (pharmacy benefit) programs by LIS status using multinomial regression. We also projected OOP costs as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates closure of the Part D coverage gap by 2020. RESULTS:Among 6,932 beneficiaries, 1,812 (26.1%) received a biologic drug. LIS beneficiaries were significantly more likely to obtain Part D home-administered biologics (relative risk ratio [RRR] 2.98, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.50-3.56), while non-LIS beneficiaries were less likely to receive Part D biologic agents (RRR 0.58, 95% CI 0.48-0.69). OOP costs in Part D were lower, as expected, for LIS beneficiaries ($72 versus $3,751 per year for non-LIS). Non-LIS beneficiaries had lower costs for Part B facility-administered biologic agents (range $0-$2,584) than for Part D home-administered biologic agents. ACA reforms will narrow OOP differences between Part D and B for non-LIS beneficiaries. CONCLUSION:In contrast to LIS beneficiaries who receive mostly Part D home-administered biologic DMARDs, nonsubsidized beneficiaries have significant cost-based incentives to obtain facility-administered biologic DMARDs through Part B. The ACA will result in only slightly lower costs for Part D biologic drugs for these beneficiaries.
Serum antibody response to recombinant major inner capsid protein following human infection with group B rotavirus.

Abstract Recombinant major inner capsid protein (VP6) of the IDIR strain of group B rotavirus (GBR) was incorporated in a solid-phase immunoassay to access antibody response to infection in humans. Expression of VP6 in insect cells permitted design of a highly sensitive assay that avoided the contaminants present in GBR antigens obtained from fecal specimens. Among patients infected with the ADRV strain of GBR in China, increased reactivity with recombinant VP6 was observed in convalescent-phase sera in comparison with sera obtained shortly after infection (P = 0.0084). Anti-VP6 antibodies were detectable as soon as 7 days after onset of gastrointestinal symptoms, and serum reactivity persisted in specimens drawn more than 1 year after infection. Solid-phase immunoassay with recombinant VP6 was next employed in order to assess anti-GBR antibody in 513 serum specimens obtained from 423 Maryland residents (ages, 7 months to 96 years; median age, 42 years). Four individuals (< 1%) exhibited serum antibodies directed against the recombinant VP6 (ages, 54 to 95 years; mean age, 77 years). Examination of 129 additional serum specimens including some from other geographic regions of the United States failed to reveal the presence of anti-GBR antibody. Anti-GBR antibody was also not detected in any of 131 serum specimens from 60 staff and residents of a nursing home in Switzerland. While infection of humans with GBR has been uncommon in these locations outside of China, the detection of serum antibodies in older individuals in the United States either indicated an unknown, age-related risk factor or may have indicated infection in the more distant past. The availability of these reagents should allow surveys for GBR infection among additional populations that have not previously been investigated.
Specification of interface behavior for the automatic generation of bus-interface models

This paper describes SpecIT, a tool that captures a high-level specification of bus-interface behavior and automatically generates VHDL and Verilog models. SpecIT users need not be familiar with either VHDL or Verilog, instead interface behavior is specified graphically using familiar hardware constructs such as state diagrams, timing diagrams, and truth tables. SpecIT substantially reduces the time required to create bus-interface models. >
Experiments with Kemeny ranking: What works when?

Abstract This paper performs a comparison of several methods for Kemeny rank aggregation (104 algorithms and combinations thereof in total) originating in social choice theory, machine learning, and theoretical computer science, with the goal of establishing the best trade-offs between search time and performance. We find that, for this theoretically NP-hard task, in practice the problems span three regimes: strong consensus, weak consensus, and no consensus. We make specific recommendations for each, and propose a computationally fast test to distinguish between the regimes. In spite of the great variety of algorithms, there are few classes that are consistently Pareto optimal. In the most interesting regime, the integer program exact formulation, local search algorithms and the approximate version of a theoretically exact branch and bound algorithm arise as strong contenders.
Theoretical estimations of the efficiency of thermophotovoltaic systems using high-intensity silicon solar cells

Efficiencies have been calculated for (a) heat-mirror filter and (b) rear-mirror thermophotovoltaic systems using actual materials values for source emissivity (ϵ(λ)), mirror-filter transmissivity (τM(λ)) and intensity-dependent cell parameters Voc and FF. The ratios of heat-mirror and rear-mirror efficiencies to direct sunlight impingement efficiency are estimated to be 1.6 and 1.9, respectively (2500°K thermal source), if mirror and other extraneous absorption are taken to be zero in both cases. The more realistic inclusion, for the first case, of 2 per cent light absorption in the filter/mirror and, in the second case, of 2 per cent absorption of low energy light in the cell and 8 per cent absorption at the rear mirror, plus a 2 per cent thermal loss directly from the hot source (for both), reduces the advantage of both to about a factor of 1.2.
Munc-18-2 regulates exocytosis of H+-ATPase in rat inner medullary collecting duct cells

Exocytic insertion of H+-ATPase into the apical membrane of inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells is dependent on a soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein target ...
Neighborhood size in a beetle pollinated tropical aroid: effects of low density and asynchronous flowering.

Genetic neighborhood size and area were estimated from pollinator movements over 3 years in a scarab beetle-pollinated clonal herb, Dieffenbachia longispatha (Araceae) at the La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. This species was characterized by low densities of reproductive individuals and asynchronous flowering within the population. The pollinator flight distributions were characterized by relatively long mean distances between consecutive visits to inflorescences (83 m) and movements to the nearest neighboring inflorescence in the appropriate phase of flowering. Pollinator movement distributions between consecutive visits to inflorescences were significantly leptokurtic in 2 of the 3 years. I calculated neighborhood sizes incorporating the levels of kurtosis and found minimal estimates of N e to be 227-611 ramets and neighborhood area to be 88 000-180 000 m2. The three beetle species that made 94% of the visits (Cyclocephala gravis, C. amblyopsis, and Erioscelis columbica) varied in their flight distributions and in their contributions to the estimates of neighborhood size. Cyclocephala amblyopsis exhibited the greatest degree of kurtosis in its movement patterns, and neighborhood size based on its movement was large relative to N e calculated from movement distributions of the other two beetle species. Long-distance movements of C. amblyopsis (>300 m) accounted for 68% of the neighborhood size.
AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF NONLINEAR DYNAMICS AND CHAOS IN A NONAUTONOMOUS ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT

In this work we investigate experimentally the dynamics of a piecewise-linear nonautonomous electronic circuit proposed by Lacy [1996]. In particular, we examine the effect of a dc offset in the in...
μB-driven electroweak symmetry breaking

Abstract We consider a scenario in which the dominant quartic coupling for the Higgs doublets arises from the F -term potential, rather than the conventional SU ( 2 ) L × U ( 1 ) Y D -term potential, in supersymmetric theories. The quartic coupling arises from a superpotential interaction between the two Higgs doublets and a singlet field, but unlike the case in the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model the singlet field is not responsible for the generation of the supersymmetric or holomorphic supersymmetry-breaking masses for the Higgs doublets. We find that this naturally leads to a deviation from the conventional picture of top–Yukawa driven electroweak symmetry breaking—electroweak symmetry breaking is triggered by the holomorphic supersymmetry breaking mass for the Higgs doublets (the μB term). This allows a significant improvement for fine-tuning in electroweak symmetry breaking, since the top squarks do not play a major role in raising the Higgs boson mass or in triggering electroweak symmetry breaking and thus can be light. The amount of fine-tuning is given by the squared ratio of the lightest Higgs boson mass to the charged Higgs boson mass, which can be made better than 20%. Solid implications of the scenario include a small value for tan β , tan β ≲ 3 , and relatively light top squarks.
Interfacial Force Microscopy and its Application in Metal Matrix Composites

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) combine the properties of metal and ceramic or intermetallic materials. Common examples of metal matrix composites are Cu-Al 2 O 3 , SiCw-Al, Al-Al 2 O 3 , Al-B 4 C, and Ni-NiAl 3 . Mechanical or thermal properties, such as strain-stress behavior, or thermal expansion coefficient can be tailored by changing the content of the reinforcing phase. The most common techniques of measuring mechanical properties of composite materials rely on macroscopic approach. During the past fifteen years, a significant effort has been made to develop various techniques of measuring mechanical properties on a microscopic level. These techniques include atomic force microscope (AFM) and depth sensing indentation techniques, based on Hertzian contact mechanics. However, it is still a challenge to measure reliably and quantitatively the Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of individual phases as well as properties at the interfaces. This presentation will focus on fundamental aspects of measuring of mechanical properties of metal matrix composites at nano-scale using Interfacial Force Microscopy (IFM). The IFM is a scanning probe microscope, which utilizes a unique self-balancing capacitance force sensor. Force-displacement curves obtained with the IFM are analyzed using Hertzian contact mechanics to extract the Young's moduli of the individual phases and interface region with high spatial resolution. The properties of Cu-Al 2 O 3 , Al-SiCp composites will be discussed in detail. Furthermore, a comparison of experimental data with mechanical properties calculated from first principles will be discussed.
A Light-Gated STOP−GO Molecular Shuttle

Degenerate [2]rotaxanes, with their two identical binding sites, generally exhibit equilibrium dynamics with free energies of activation (ΔG‡) for the shuttling process starting as low as 10 kcal·mol−1. This ΔG‡ value can be raised quite dramatically by inserting “speed bumps” in the form of steric and/or electrostatic barriers into the linkers between the two identical binding sites. In our more recent research targeted toward the exploitation of the 4,4′-azobiphenyloxy unit (ABP) as a light-operated gate, we decided to introduce (i) four methyl groups on the one hand and (ii) four fluorine atoms on the other, at the 3,5,3′,5′-positions of the ABP units to curtail binding by the CBPQT4+ ring if not sterically in the case of i, then electronically in the case of ii. The first approach led to a gate (ABP-Me4) that remains closed all the time, whereas the second approach affords a gate (ABP-F4) that we can close with UV light and open with visible light. Herein, we show how light can be used, in conjunction...
Robust video transmission using adaptive bit allocation

A jointly designed source-channel coding technique that protects video signals against transmission errors is proposed in this work. We develop a low-complexity source model which can estimate the bitrate and the quantization error for each packet. Also, the channel distortion is estimated based on the packet importance and the packet loss rate. The packet importance is measured as the mean square error between the error-free reconstruction and the concealed reconstruction, and the packet loss rate is determined by channel conditions. According to the informed channel condition, the encoder adaptively assigns the quantization parameter and the channel code rate to each packet so that the expected mean square error due to source and channel distortions is minimized subject to a constraint on the overall bitrate. Simulation results show that the proposed adaptive system provides acceptable image quality even in a high bit error rate environment.
A Method for Measuring Surface Temperature Between Rolling/Sliding Steel Cylinders

A special bisignal transducer has been developed which allows pressure and temperature measurements to be made (essentially) simultaneously. With this technique, it is possible to locate the contact zone temperature relative to pressure and evaluate the relationship between heat generation and pressure. Temperature and pressure data obtained using a synthetic mineral oil as the lubricant have been obtained for rolling and rolling-sliding contact in a disk apparatus. The temperature rise through the contact zone has been shown to be on the order of 20-40 C.
Rapid Co-Optimization of Processing and Circuit Design to Overcome Carbon Nanotube Variations

Carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNFETs) are promising candidates for building energy-efficient digital systems at highly scaled technology nodes. However, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are inherently subject to variations that reduce circuit yield, increase susceptibility to noise, and severely degrade their anticipated energy and speed benefits. Joint exploration and optimization of CNT processing options and CNFET circuit design are required to overcome this outstanding challenge. Unfortunately, existing approaches for such exploration and optimization are computationally expensive, and mostly rely on trial-and-error-based ad hoc techniques. In this paper, we present a framework that quickly evaluates the impact of CNT variations on circuit delay and noise margin, and systematically explores the large space of CNT processing options to derive optimized CNT processing and CNFET circuit design guidelines. We demonstrate that our framework: 1) runs over $100\boldsymbol {\times }$ faster than existing approaches and 2) accurately identifies the most important CNT processing parameters, together with CNFET circuit design parameters (e.g., for CNFET sizing and standard cell layouts), to minimize the impact of CNT variations on CNFET circuit speed with ≤5% energy cost, while simultaneously meeting circuit-level noise margin and yield constraints.
Pulfrich stereo-illusion phenomenon in serous sensory retinal detachment of the macula

Four patients (three men, 68, 35, and 33 years old, and one woman, 46 years old) had central serous elevation of the macula with abnormal latency of the visual-evoked potential and spontaneous Pulfrich phenomenon. In three instances both the electrophysiologic test and the clinical Pulfrich test reverted to normal on resolution of the retinopathy. This correlated with normalization of visual-evoked potential latency in the affected eye.
A two-step chemical mechanism for ribosome-catalysed peptide bond formation

The catalytic centre of the ribosome is composed solely of RNA. This means that it lacks the varied side groups found in proteins that can assist in catalysis, so it was thought that its functions were merely to bring messenger RNA and charged transfer RNAs into close proximity. Not so. Analysis of the kinetic isotope effect at five positions within the reaction centre of a peptidyl-transfer RNA mimic shows that the ribosome also enhances catalysis of peptide-bond formation by modifying the rate-limiting transition state. This finding has implications for work on the origin of life and the transition from an RNA world. The chemical step of natural protein synthesis, peptide bond formation, is catalysed by the large subunit of the ribosome. Crystal structures have shown that the active site for peptide bond formation is composed entirely of RNA1. Recent work has focused on how an RNA active site is able to catalyse this fundamental biological reaction at a suitable rate for protein synthesis. On the basis of the absence of important ribosomal functional groups2 , lack of a dependence on pH3, and the dominant contribution of entropy to catalysis4, it has been suggested that the role of the ribosome is limited to bringing the substrates into close proximity. Alternatively, the importance of the 2′-hydroxyl of the peptidyl-transfer RNA5 and a Bronsted coefficient near zero6 have been taken as evidence that the ribosome coordinates a proton-transfer network. Here we report the transition state of peptide bond formation, based on analysis of the kinetic isotope effect at five positions within the reaction centre of a peptidyl-transfer RNA mimic. Our results indicate that in contrast to the uncatalysed reaction, formation of the tetrahedral intermediate and proton transfer from the nucleophilic nitrogen both occur in the rate-limiting step. Unlike in previous proposals, the reaction is not fully concerted; instead, breakdown of the tetrahedral intermediate occurs in a separate fast step. This suggests that in addition to substrate positioning, the ribosome is contributing to chemical catalysis by changing the rate-limiting transition state.
Modeling and estimating recall processing capacity: Sensitivity and diagnostic utility in application to mild cognitive impairment

Abstract We investigate the potential for using latency-based measures of retrieval processing capacity to assess changes in performance specific to individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a reliable precursor state to Alzheimer’s Disease. Use of these capacity measures is motivated in part by exploration of the effects of atrophy on a computational model of a basic hippocampal circuit. We use this model to suggest that capacity may be a more sensitive indicator of the underlying atrophy than speed of processing, and test this hypothesis by adapting a standard behavioral measure of memory (the free and cued selective reminding test, FCSRT) to allow for the collection of cued recall latencies. Participants were drawn from five groups: college-aged, middle-aged, healthy elderly, those with a diagnosis of MCI, and a sample of MCI control participants. The measure of capacity is shown to offer increased classificatory sensitivity relative to the standard behavioral measures, and is also shown to be the behavioral measure that correlated most strongly with hippocampal volume.
Rocket observations of the extreme ultraviolet dayglow

The ultraviolet dayglow in the wavelength region 750-1050 A was investigated over the altitude range 100-800 km using a thin film filter photometer. From the airglow spectrum obtained by Carruthers and Page, one of the dominant features in this wavelength range is OII 834 A. It is pointed out that the major excitation mechanism for this transition is photoionization excitation of atomic oxygen. Solution of the radiative transfer problem for this excitation process shows good agreement with the observed dayglow in the 300-800 km region. At lower altitudes additional componets are present and are interpreted as the N2, OI and possibly HI emissions observed by Carruthers and Page.
A modification of the pisano method for vanilmandelic acid using high pressure liquid chromatography

Abstract A method for the measurement of urinary vanilmandelic acid (VMA) is described based on a modification of the colorimetric procedure of Pisano. VMA is oxidized to vanillin with subsequent measurement of the vanillin by high pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (LCEC). The technique has been successfully applied to a number of human and animal urine samples. Urinary VMA values obtained by the LCEC method are in good agreement with those determined by the method of Pisano. The new method is both more selective and more sensitive than the colorimetric procedure.
Mean distance in a graph

Abstract The average or mean of the distances between vertices in a connected graph Γ, μ(Γ), is a natural measure of the compactness of the graph. In this paper we compute bounds for μ(Γ) in terms of the number of vertices in Γ and the diameter of Γ. We prove a formula for computing μ(Γ) when Γ is a tree which is particularly useful when Γ has a high degree of symmetry. Finally, we present algorithms for μ(Γ) which are amenable to computer implementation.
Storytelling with Big Multimedia Data: Keynote Talk

Big data is becoming increasingly multimedia data. Storytelling is one of the oldest and the most popular activity for humans. Historically, since the early days of human existence, storytelling has been used as a means of simple communication as well as medium of entertainment, education of people, cultural preservation, and instilling moral values through examples. A story is presentation of experiences related to events. Events and their experiences are selected to communicate the intent of a story compellingly. The art of storytelling always had close relationship to technology of the time. A good story considers the message and the audience and then selects appropriate events and proper related experiential media and information to weave a compelling and engaging account of the events.There is a virtuous cycle between storytelling and the technology that is intertwined and synergistic. Historically, both have evolved together and are likely to continue evolving together in the near future. Most events of interest occur in physical world and must be captured using different sensors. Usually a single sensor is inadequate to capture diverse aspects of the event and hence the use of multiple sensors or media to capture an event and also to present event experiences for re-experiencing the events. Now we have diverse sensors to capture an event in all its details and use what will be compelling in storytelling.A good story is the result of many activities: collection of data, analysis of data, selection of events and experiences that are relevant to the message, and a compelling presentation using this material. All of these activities are active research areas in multimedia big data. We discuss different forms of storytelling as they evolved and the role of technology in different stages of storytelling. We believe that now we have powerful tools and technologies to make the art of storytelling really effective. In this presentation we will show challenges for multimedia researchers that could make storytelling very effective and very compelling.
Active Star Formation toward the Ultracompact H II Regions G45.12+0.13 and G45.07+0.13

A multiwavelength study of the molecular cores containing the ultracompact (UC) H II regions G45.12+0.13 and G45.07+0.13 reveals a series of phenomenological differences that distinguish the age of these cores in terms of their development of high-mass star formation. First, we report the discovery of massive, bipolar molecular outflows from both UC H II regions. The G45.12+0.13 UC H II region lies centered on a spatially extended, 6 km s-1 outflow that we have mapped in the CO J = 2 ? 1, 3 ? 2, 6 ? 5,13CO 2 ? 1, and C18O 2 ? 1 transitions at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO). The broad bipolar structure is optically thick in the 12CO line. The 13CO measurements imply a large outflow mass of 4800 M? (12% of the total cloud mass). Interferometric observations with the Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO) millimeter array in the 13CO 1 ? 0 line resolve the gas into at least two outflows, one of which emanates from the 4.0 Jy, 110 GHz source identified with the UC H II region. An additional outflow is driven by an adjacent young, embedded object that contributes to the extended submillimeter continuum emission imaged with the CSO bolometer array camera. Lying in a separate core a few arcminutes away, the G45.07+0.13 UC H II region contains H2O masers and presents higher velocity (11 km s-1) yet more compact CO emission. An outflow has been detected in the CO 6 ? 5 transition, along with a compact submillimeter continuum source. OVRO observations in the CS J = 2 ? 1 transition confirm a compact outflow centered on the 98 GHz continuum source toward which infall is also seen in the form of redshifted absorption. The multiple outflows, higher CO antenna temperatures, more extended submillimeter and radio continuum emission, and lack of H2O masers all distinguish the core containing G45.12+0.13 as a more advanced site of massive star formation than the neighboring core containing G45.07+0.13.
CBPOP: A Domain‐Independent Multi‐Case Reuse Planner

The reuse of multiple cases to solve a single planning problem presents a promise of better utilization of past experience over single-reuse planning, which can lead to better planning performance. In this paper, we present the theory and implementation of CBPOP, and show how it addresses the multi-reuse planning problems. In particular, we present novel approaches to retrieval and refitting. We also explore the difficult issue of when to retrieve in multi-reuse scenarios, and we empirically compare the results of several solutions we propose. Results from our experiments show that the best ranking function for pure generative planning is not necessarily the best ranking function for multi-reuse planning. The surprising result in the reuse scenarios is that the single-goal case library performed better than larger case libraries consisting of solutions to multi-goal problems.
Infrared Absorption of Three-Layer Films*

The infrared absorption of three-layer films as presented here is a generalization of Hilsum’s solution to the problem. This infrared absorption is dependent on the optical parameters of the film, which in Hilsum’s calculation were the same for the entrance and exit film. The present calculation considers different optical parameters for the entrance and exit film; an absorption of over 95% is obtainable.
Hyperthermal effluent Effects on heleoplanktonic Cladocera and the influence of submerged macrophytes

In July and August, 1974, measurements were made of the standing crops of Cladocera in the littoral zone of Par Pond (Savannah River Plant, Aiken, South Carolina, U.S.A.), which receives hyperthermal effluent from a nuclear reactor. Crops of Ceriodaphnia spp. and Diaphanosoma brachyurum were greater in the heated than in the ambient area, while Bosmina longirostris maintained higher standing crops in the ambient area than in the area receiving hyperthermal effluent. In August, 1974, exclosures were placed in the effluent-affected area to test the hypothesis that the high density of rooted aquatic macrophytes in the effluent-affected area influences the standing crop of these Cladocera. The effects of changes in reactor effluent temperature were also determined in the exclosure experiments. The results of the exclosure study support two generalizations: 1) the presence of dense rooted vegetation allows higher standing crops of Ceriodaphnia spp. and D. brachyurum; and 2) lower temperatures than those usually found at the heated station would favor B. longirostris standing crops, while the higher effluent temperatures favor Ceriodaphnia spp. and D. brachyurum.