cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
All ceramic cathode composite design and manufacturing towards low interfacial resistance for garnet-based solid-state lithium batteries

The critical factors that determine the performance and lifetime of solid-state batteries (SSBs) are driven by the electrode–electrolyte interfaces. The main challenge in fabricating all-oxide cathode composites for garnet-based SSBs has been lowering the thermal processing window in which both good contact and low interfacial resistance can be achieved. Here, we report an alternative ceramic processing strategy that enables the fabrication of all-oxide composite cathodes at an unusually low processing temperature without the use of extra sintering additives or a fluid electrolyte (polymer-gel or liquid electrolyte). We present specific examples of the most common LiFePO4 and LiCoO2 cathodes with a Li-garnet (Li7La3Zr2O12, LLZO) solid-electrolyte. We demonstrate an infiltration step to directly synthesize the LiCoO2 cathode from metal salts in a porous LLZO scaffold, resulting in the formation of a composite cathode such as LiCoO2–LLZO on top of a dense LLZO solid electrolyte at a low processing temperature of 700 °C. A promising discharge capacity of 118 mA h g−1 (3–4.05 V) with a low interfacial resistance of 62 Ohm cm2 is realized for LiCoO2 with a lithium anode, whereas critical phase instabilities for LiFePO4 are uncovered. Our findings encourage a move away from synthesis techniques that employ particle mixing and sintering to fabricate composites. We provide a blueprint for circumventing adverse interphase reactions according to chemistry and ceramic thermal processing budgets in the preparation of these ceramic interfaces as well as for increasing the number of reaction sites for high-performing composite cathodes for Li-garnet SSBs. In addition, the ceramic methods presented are scalable and mass manufacturable for the large-scale production of such composite cathodes for future industry.
Portal dosimetry scripting application programming interface (PDSAPI) for Winston-Lutz test employing ceramic balls.

Purpose Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) treatments require a high degree of accuracy. Mechanical, imaging, and radiation isocenter coincidence is especially important. As a common method, the Winston-Lutz (WL) test plays an important role. However, weekly or daily WL test can be very time consuming. We developed novel methods using Portal Dosimetry Scripting Application Programming Interface (PDSAPI) to facilitate the test as well as documentation. Methods Winston-Lutz PDSAPI was developed and tested on our routine weekly WL imaging. The results were compared against two commercially available software RIT (Radiological Imaging Technology, Colorado Springs, CO) and DoseLab (Varian Medical Systems, Inc. Palo Alto, CA). Two manual methods that served as ground truth were used to verify PDSAPI results. Twenty WL test image data sets (10 fields per tests, and 200 images in total) were analyzed by these five methods in this report. Results More than 99.5% of WL PDSAPI 1D shifts agreed with each of four other methods within ±0.33 mm, which is roughly the pixel width of a-Si 1200 portal imager when source to imager distance (SID) is at 100 cm. 1D shifts agreement for ±0.22 mm and 0.11 mm were 96% and 63%, respectively. Same trend was observed for 2D displacement. Conclusions Winston-Lutz PDSAPI delivers similar accuracy as two commercial applications for WL test. This new application can save time spent transferring data and has the potential to implement daily WL test with reasonable test time. It also provides the data storage capability, and enables easy access to imaging and shift data.
MG53 as a Novel Therapeutic Protein to Treat Acute Lung Injury.

Introduction Lung injury has several inciting etiologies ranging from trauma (contusion and hemorrhage) to ischemia reperfusion injury. Reflective of the injury, tissue and cellular injury increases proportionally with the injury stress and is an area of potential intervention to mitigate the injury. This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic benefits of recombinant human MG53 (rhMG53) protein in porcine models of acute lung injury (ALI). Materials and methods We utilized live cell imaging to monitor the movement of MG53 in cultured human bronchial epithelial cells following mechanical injury. The in vivo efficacy of rhMG53 was evaluated in a porcine model of hemorrhagic shock/contusive lung injury. Varying doses of rhMG53 (0, 0.2, or 1 mg/kg) were administered intravenously to pigs after induction of hemorrhagic shock/contusive induced ALI. Ex vivo lung perfusion system enabled assessment of the isolated porcine lung after a warm ischemic induced injury with rhMG53 supplementation in the perfusate (1 mg/mL). Results MG53-mediated cell membrane repair is preserved in human bronchial epithelial cells. rhMG53 mitigates lung injury in the porcine model of combined hemorrhagic shock/contusive lung injury. Ex vivo lung perfusion administration of rhMG53 reduces warm ischemia-induced injury to the isolated porcine lung. Conclusions MG53 is an endogenous protein that circulates in the bloodstream. Therapeutic treatment with exogenous rhMG53 may be part of a strategy to restore (partially or completely) structural morphology and/or functional lung integrity. Systemic administration of rhMG53 constitutes a potential effective therapeutic means to combat ALI.
Product Market Competition and Management Forecast: Evidence from the XBRL Adoption

This paper provides a new set of tests on the relationship between product market competition, information processing cost, and production of information by managers. The recent regulation regarding the mandatory adoption of XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) is a natural experiment that allows us to investigate a number of interesting questions on management disclosure and product market competition. Using the adoption of XBRL as an exogenous shock to information acquisition and processing costs, in a difference-in-differences framework, we find that the accuracy of management’s disclosure is higher in a less competitive industry due to the relatively small disclosure-related costs. We also find that stock returns of the firms in a less competitive industry contain more firm-specific information. Overall, our results suggest that a less competitive industry leads to more disclosure and thus a better information environment. These results may help to reconcile conflicting views of previous theoretical and empirical research.
Ion-Selective Membrane-Coated Graphene-Hexagonal Boron Nitride Heterostructures for Field-Effect Ion Sensing.

An intrinsic ion sensitivity exceeding the Nernst-Boltzmann limit and an sp 2 -hybridized carbon structure make graphene a promising channel material for realizing ion-sensitive field-effect transistors with a stable solid-liquid interface under biased conditions in buffered salt solutions. Here, we examine the performance of graphene field-effect transistors coated with ion-selective membranes as a tool to selectively detect changes in concentrations of Ca2+, K+, and Na+ in individual salt solutions as well as in buffered Locke's solution. Both the shift in the Dirac point and transconductance could be measured as a function of ion concentration with repeatability exceeding 99.5% and reproducibility exceeding 98% over 60 days. However, an enhancement of selectivity, by about an order magnitude or more, was observed using transconductance as the indicator when compared to Dirac voltage, which is the only factor reported to date. Fabricating a hexagonal boron nitride multilayer between graphene and oxide further increased the ion sensitivity and selectivity of transconductance. These findings incite investigating ion sensitivity of transconductance in alternative architectures as well as urge the exploration of graphene transistor arrays for biomedical applications.
First Results with a Fourier Transform Holographic Microscope

We recorded Fourier transform holograms of gold test objects with 3.4 nm x-rays using a CCD camera. Numerical hologram reconstructions demonstrated better than 100 nm resolution.
Chapter 2 Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) of Group III Nitrides

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) of group III nitrides. In the past few years, MOCVD has evolved into a leading technique for the production of III–V compound semiconductor optoelectronic and electronic devices. For commercial GaN device applications, MOCVD has emerged as the leading candidate because of the achievement of super-bright blue light emitting diodes (LEDs) and the large scale manufacturing potential of the MOCVD technique. The majority of all GaN-based p–n junction LEDs typically employ an impurity-related transition for blue and green emission. MOCVD is a nonequilibrium growth technique, which relies on vapor transport of the precursors and subsequent reactions of group III alkyls and group V hydrides in a heated zone. The optimization of MOCVD growth is typically done by empirical studies of external parameters, such as growth temperature, V/III ratio, substrate tilt, and mass flow rates.
Levels of Multi-Robot Coordination for Dynamic Environments

RoboCup, the international robot soccer competition, poses a set of extremely difficult challenges for multi-robot systems. To be competitive in RoboCup’s rapidly-changing, dynamic, adversarial environment, teams need to make use of effective coordination strategies. We describe some of our experiences with effective coordination of robots teams and introduce several levels of strategies which encapsulate coordination from the level of individual robots to synchronized coordination of the entire team.
Abstract 18320: Bedside Ultrasound Evaluation of Right Atrial Pressure to Predict Acute Decompensated Heart Failure 30-Day Readmission

Heart failure is one of the most costly diagnosis-related groups (DRG) in the U.S. with hospitalizations accounting for 60% of the total DRG cost. A large part of the morbidity and cost of heart failure are hospital readmissions. Due to this and recent health care laws penalizing hospitals for high readmission rates, there is a strong need for intervention. Objective assessment of volume status to ensure optimization prior to hospital discharge could significantly reduce readmissions. We have previously demonstrated a bedside ultrasound (US) method quantifying percent cross sectional area (CSA) change of the right internal jugular vein (RIJV) with Valsalva that reliably estimates central venous pressure. We hypothesize that bedside US measurement of the RIJV in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients at discharge is predictive of 30-day readmission. Patients admitted with ADHF to the heart failure service were enrolled. A portable US machine (Sonosite iLook25) equipped with a standard broadband linear array (10-5MHz) transducer was used to image the RIJV at end-expiration and during the strain phase of Valsalva. Valsalva was standardized by a manometric pressure of at least 40 mmHg during expiration against a closed glottis. Images were obtained at admission and discharge (n=157). A subgroup of patients underwent RHC with accompanying US measurements of the RIJV (n=76) demonstrating that a percent cross sectional area (CSA) change of
Ordered neural maps and their applications to data compression

The implicit ordering in scalar quantization is used to substantiate the need for explicit ordering in vector quantization and the ordering of Kohonen's neural net vector quantizer is shown to provide a multidimensional analog to this scalar quantization ordering. Ordered vector quantization, using Kohonen's neural net, was successfully applied to image coding and was then shown to be advantageous for progressive transmission. In particular, the intermediate images had a signal-to-noise ratio that was quite close to a standard tree-structured vector quantizer, while the final full-fidelity image from the neural net vector quantizer was superior to the tree-structured vector quantizer. Subsidiary results include a new definition of index of disorder which was empirically found to correlate strongly with the progressive reduction of image signal-to-noise ratio and a hybrid neural net-generalized Lloyd training algorithm which has a high final image signal-to-noise ratio while still maintaining ordering. >
EMC2: Delivering Customer Centricity (TN)

This case introduces the concept of customer centricity and traces its development at EMC, the world's leading data storage hardware and information management software company. EMC's customers had historically relied on EMC salespeople to guide them through the complex, consultative buying process. However, with the rise of social media, prospective customers are getting more of the information they require earlier in the purchase process online. As they do so, their physical interactions with EMC salespeople are decreasing, while their digital interactions are increasing. Given the changing business environment, BJ Jenkins, senior vice president of Global Marketing, faces significant challenges as he tries to maintain EMC's culture of customer centricity. These include 1) translating EMC's platinum service levels, designed to appeal to the world's largest companies, to small businesses and B2C customers, 2) understanding how the replacement of physical interaction with digital interaction in the consultative selling process affects EMC's business, and 3) managing a VAR sales model that distances EMC from its customers.Learning Objective: The case allows students to grapple with the strategic and tactical decisions that accompany sales management and customer management strategy in a B2B technology setting. It also allows them to understand the shifting landscape of social media and how it enables and constrains customer relationship management and the practice of customer centricity.
INLAND/OCEAN WATERBORNE TRANSPORTATION INNOVATIONS AND PORT CHARGES

The study reports the results of a transshipment linear programming analysis applied to export shipments of dry peas via the Columbia/Snake navigation system in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Similar analyses have been applied to bluegrass seed and lentil exports, but for the sake of brevity only the results for dry peas are reported here (Bahn and Jones, Belcher). The analysis identified least-cost modes and alternative routes encompassing combined inland and ocean movements under several alternative transportation conditions. It also identified inland origins of shipments and optimal port transshipment points. The primary objective of our study was to examine intermodal transportation systems, specifically container-on-barge, barge-carrying vessel, and minibridge, by comparing them with traditional transportation systems. A secondary objective was to introduce two factors potentially affecting the rate structure--waterway users' fees and higher container handling charges--to assess the sensitivity of the model results to changes in rates or charges. Another important aspect of the model was that it permitted the inclusion of port charges in the analysis of export movements by specifying shipments from interior land points to overseas destinations.
Stroke After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: Outcomes in the Continuous-Flow Era

Background Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly used in patients with heart failure. To study the impact of stroke on clinical outcomes after continuous-flow (CF-) LVAD implantation, we evaluated our single-center experience. Methods From 2006 to 2013, we implanted the HeartMate II CF-LVAD in 230 patients. We used standard statistical methods to evaluate our results. Results Of our study group, 185 patients (80.4%) received the CF-LVAD as a bridge to transplantation. Strokes occurred in a total of 39 patients (17%), an incidence rate of 0.064 strokes per person-year: 19 (48.7%) were embolic, and 20 (51.3%) were hemorrhagic. The stroke-free rate at 6 months after HeartMate II implantation was 92.6%, at 12 months, 89.6%, and at 24 months, 86.1%. Baseline demographic characteristics did not differ significantly, except that stroke patients had a lower incidence of coronary artery disease ( p = 0.004) and prior cardiac surgery ( p = 0.001). We noted a trend toward an increased risk of stroke in patients with CF-LVAD–related infections ( p = 0.053). The survival rate in stroke (versus stroke-free) patients at 6 months was 84.6% (versus 84.2%); at 12 months, 71.8% (versus 81.6%); and at 24 months, 53.9% (versus 74.7%; p = 0.0019). During a median follow-up time of 761 days, mortality risk in stroke patients was 2.01 times that of stroke-free patients (hazard ratio = 2.01; p = 0.004). Conclusions Stroke while on CF-LVAD support was associated with significant mortality. To reduce the risk of stroke, it is essential to further elucidate risk factors, to optimize anticoagulation, and to further understand the impact of LVAD-related infections.
Data Learning Techniques for Functional/System Fmax Prediction

In this talk, we will present a data learning methodology for building a Fmax predictor based on structural test measurements. Given Fmax and structural test measurements on a set of sample chips, we will show that correlation between the two frequency variations can be greatly improved if “noisy” samples are removed. We develop a method to identify such noisy samples. We explain the data learning methodology and study various learning techniques using data collected on a recent high-performance microprocessor design.
Reduced glucocorticoid responsiveness and receptor concentration in splenic leukocytes of senescent rats.

Abstract • Glucocorticoids are 63% less effective in inhibiting [5- 3 H] uridine uptake by splenic leukocytes of senescent rats (24–26 months) than by those of mature adult animals (12–14 months). Scatchard analyses reveal 57% fewer specific glucocorticoid binding sites in cytosols of the senescent group. Reduced binding of cortisol by cytosol macromolecules of intact viable leukocytes at 37°C is also apparent in the older rats. • Specific binding of glucocorticoids to cytoplasmic macromolecules appears to be closely linked, if not required, for inhibition of [5- 3 H] uridine uptake. This is evidenced by the fact that both inhibition and specific binding are simultaneously blocked by progesterone administration. In addition, the amount of specific binding as well as the degree of inhibition of [5- 3 H] uridine uptake is concentration dependent up to 2 · 10 −6 M cortisol. Thus, decreased glucocorticoid responsiveness in the cells from senescent rats appears to be due primarily to decreased concentrations of specific glucocorticoid receptors.
Distribution and variability of accelerated electrons at Mars

Abstract We investigate accelerated electrons observed by Mars Global Surveyor (MGS), using data from the Electron Reflectometer (ER) instrument. We find three different types of accelerated electron events. Current sheet events occur over regions with weak or no crustal fields, have the highest electron energy fluxes, and are likely located on draped magnetotail fields. Extended events occur over regions with moderate crustal magnetic fields, and are most often observed on closed magnetic field lines. Localized events have the lowest energy fluxes, occur in strong magnetic cusp regions, and are the most likely kind of event to be found on open magnetic field lines. Some localized events have clear signatures of field-aligned currents; these events have much higher electron fluxes, and are preferentially observed on radially oriented open magnetic field lines. Electron acceleration events, especially localized events, are similar in many ways to events observed in the terrestrial auroral zone. However, physical processes related to those found in the terrestrial cusp and/or plasmasheet could also be responsible for accelerating electrons at Mars.
Bilateral adrenal hemorrhage : An overlooked cause of hypotension

Bilateral adrenal hemorrhage resulting in acute adrenal insufficiency is a rare complication of anticoagulant therapy. We present the case of a patient who came to the Emergency Department with unsuspected adrenal insufficiency, followed by a second visit within 1 month with shock, to demonstrate the importance of early detection and treatment.
Pressure-induced structural changes of the tetragonal Bi2CuO4

Abstract The tetragonal compound Bi 2 CuO 4 was investigated at high pressures by using in situ Raman scattering and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. A pressure-induced structural transition started at 20 GPa and completed at ∼37 GPa was found. The high pressure phase is in orthorhombic symmetry. Raman and XRD measurements revealed that the above phase transition is reversible.
Determination of Dihedral Angles in Peptides through Experimental and Theoretical Studies of α-Carbon Chemical Shielding Tensors

A simple method for the determination of backbone dihedral angles in peptides and proteins is presented. The chemical-shift anisotropies (CSA) of the central alanine α-carbon in powdered crystalline tripeptides, whose structures have been determined previously by X-ray crystallography, were measured by cross-polarization magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance. The experimental CSA values were correlated with ab initio chemical-shielding calculations over Ramanchandran φ/ψ space on an N-formyl-l-alanine amide fragment. Using this correlation, φ/ψ probability surfaces for one of the tripeptides were calculated based only on the α-carbon CSA, allowing a prediction of backbone angles. Dihedral angles predicted by these calculations fall within ±12° of the values determined by crystallography. This approach should be useful in the determination of solid-state protein structure.
DEMONS AND THE ISOLATION ARGUMENT

Justifying a belief gives reason to think that the belief is true. So our concept of justification contains a ‘truth connection’. I canvass a number of proposals for analysing this. In the end, two competing conceptions of the truth connection remain: the first, that justifying a belief makes the belief objectively probable, the second, that justifying a belief makes the belief probable in a world which would make true our other beliefs. I discuss reasons for embracing and rejecting these two versions of the truth connection. Ultimately, the two versions appear to represent distinct but equally plausible conceptions of justification. I conclude by rejecting the proposal that these truth connections respectively capture internalist and externalist conceptions of justification.
Computing Devices for All: Creating and Selling the Low-Cost Computer

In the past decade, several projects have explored the possibility of enabling human development for economically underserved populations by giving people direct access to modern computing technology. The main economic and distributional hurdle in the access of such provision has been the prohibitive cost of computing devices. The quest for lowering this bar has resulted in research into solutions aimed at modifying existing technology to reduce the cost through innovation with the software, hardware, and distribution processes. Some common threads are manifested across such projects, both in terms of the approaches to building new technologies, and the subsequent outcomes. Using two important case studies we generate some hypotheses about the possibilities and barriers to new technology development for poor populations.
Wear of synthetic diamond when grinding ferrous metals

IT is well established that diamond is an inefficient abrasive for grinding ferrous materials especially the low carbon variety. The widely held view is that as ordinary carbon has a strong affinity for iron forming iron carbide (Fe3C) this should also be the case with diamond (cubic carbon) when grinding steel. The high rate at which diamond grinding wheels wear down when grinding low carbon steel is said to be a consequence of this action. We suggest here another mechanism evidence of which is provided by scanning electron micrographic (SEM) data.
Age-related differences in diagnosis and morbidity of intestinal malrotation.

Background Intestinal malrotation in adulthood may present with a variety of chronic symptoms. Surgical intervention frequently leads to other complications in these patients. We hypothesized that the chronic nature of malrotation in adults could cause a delay in diagnosis and increased perioperative complications. Study Design All patients diagnosed with intestinal malrotation from July 2002 through July 2006 were included. IRB approval was obtained. Outcomes in patients less than 16 years of age were compared with outcomes from those older than 16. Presenting symptoms, initial diagnosis, results of imaging data, and time to diagnosis were evaluated. Surgical management, resulting complications, and rate of reoperation were analyzed. Results Twenty-four patients with intestinal malrotation were identified (age range, 10 days to 89 years old; 10 adults, 14 children). Seventy percent of adults experienced chronic symptoms for 6 months or more before the diagnosis of malrotation was made (children, 14%, p=0.017). No patients in the adult group were initially diagnosed with malrotation, although 57% of children were correctly diagnosed at the time of presentation of symptoms (p=0.006). Postoperative complications occurred in 60% of adults, but in only 29% of children, though this did not reach significance (p=0.211). Forty percent of adult patients required reoperation (p=0.020). Conclusions Intestinal malrotation in adults is often associated with a delay in diagnosis and increased morbidity. Enhanced awareness of this entity in adults may enhance patient counseling and improve therapeutic outcomes in these patients.
Generation and Propagation of a Picosecond Acoustic Pulse at a Buried Interface: Time-Resolved X-Ray Diffraction Measurements

We report on the propagation of coherent acoustic wave packets in (001) surface oriented Al0.3Ga0.7As/GaAs heterostructure, generated through localized femtosecond photoexcitation of the GaAs. Transient structural changes in both the substrate and film are measured with picosecond time-resolved x-ray diffraction. The data indicate an elastic response consisting of unipolar compression pulses of a few hundred picosecond duration traveling along [001] and [001] directions that are produced by predominately impulsive stress. The transmission and reflection of the strain pulses are in agreement with an acoustic mismatch model of the heterostructure and free-space interfaces.
Identification of Amino Acid Residues Essential for von Willebrand Factor Binding to Platelet Glycoprotein Ib. CHARGED-TO-ALANINE SCANNING MUTAGENESIS OF THE A1 DOMAIN OF HUMAN VON WILLEBRAND FACTOR

At sites of vascular injury, von Willebrand factor (VWF) mediates platelet adhesion through binding to platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb). The VWF-GPIb interaction was investigated by clustered charged-to-alanine scanning mutagenesis of VWF domain A1 between His-473 and Gly-716. Recombinant variants of VWF were assayed for binding to conformation-dependent monoclonal antibody NMC-4, for ristocetin-induced and botrocetin-induced binding to platelets, and for direct binding to botrocetin. Substitutions at 32 amino acids had no effect on VWF function. The epitope of NMC-4 depended on charged residues between Asp-514 and Arg-632 and not on segments previously implicated by peptide inhibition studies, Cys-474-Pro-488 and Leu-694-Pro-708. Substitutions at Glu-626 and in the segment Asp-520-Lys-534 abolished ristocetin-induced binding of VWF to GPIb but did not affect botrocetin-induced binding, suggesting that these regions are required for modulation by ristocetin but not for binding of VWF to GPIb. Mutations at Glu-596 and Lys-599 decreased binding of VWF to GPIb without affecting its binding to botrocetin, suggesting that this segment interacts directly with GPIb. Alanine substitutions at Arg-545 and in the segments Glu-497-Arg-511 and Arg-687-Glu-689 caused increased binding of VWF to GPIb. These results, and the locations of von Willebrand disease type 2B mutations, suggest that two acidic regions containing the Cys-509-Cys-695 disulfide (Glu-497-Arg-511, Arg-687-Val-698) and one predominantly basic region (Met-540-Arg-578) cooperate to inhibit a distinct GPIb binding site in the VWF A1 domain. This inhibition is relieved by specific mutations, by the modulators ristocetin and botrocetin, or by binding to subendothelial connective tissue.
On multi-parameter bifurcation in diffusion models

Abstract The problem of bifurcation of periodic orbits from equilibrium when several parameters are present is discussed. The theory is developed from the viewpoint of differential equations on function spaces using the center manifold theory and the method of averaging. Theoretical and numerical analysis of a reaction-diffusion model is included.
The ‘Developmental State’ and the Newly Industrialised Economies of Asia:

The renewed interest in the role of the state in economic growth and development has been focused on the four newly industrialised economies (NIEs) of Asia—Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. Much of the recent literature tends to crowd these states into an undifferentiated model of the ‘developmental state’. A closer examination reveals significant differences among them in terms of the state's relations to capital, labour, and the external economy that not only defy reduction to a single model but also show that options for moving away from labour-intensive segments of production for world markets vary considerably. Furthermore, as democratisation movements gain voice, and as the transnationalisation of capital from within these economies proceeds, the high degree of autonomy associated with the developmental state is eroding, and its authoritarian uses of power are increasingly being challenged.
CP Violation in the Minimal N=1 Supergravity Theory

Supersymmetric theories allow a variety of sources for CP violation. Radiative contributions to ϵ, ϵ′, p and the neutron electric dipole moment are considered in two versions of the minimal N = 1 supergravity theory. If the top quark is heavy, the superbox may dominate ϵ and limit s2s3sδ, thus suppressing contributions of sδ to ϵ′. Possibly large contributions to ϵ′ are considered which are independent of δ. An additional large contribution to the electric dipole moment of the neutron is pointed out. A proposal is put forward that may lead to a solution to the strong CP problem.
Potentials of engineered nanoparticles as fertilizers for increasing agronomic productions

Development and application of new types of fertilizers using innovative nanotechnology are one of the potentially effective options of significantly enhancing the global agricultural productions needed to meet the future demands of the growing population. Indeed, the review of available literature indicates that some engineered nanomaterials can enhance plant-growth in certain concentration ranges and could be used as nanofertilizers in agriculture to increase agronomic yields of crops and/or minimize environmental pollution. This article summarizes this type of nanomaterials under four categories: macronutrient nanofertilizers, micronutrient nanofertilizers, nutrient-loaded nanofertilizers, and plant-growth-enhancing nanomaterials. Each category is discussed respectively with reference to nanomaterials' chemical composition, particle size, concentrations applied, benefited plant species, plant incubation methods, and plant-growth enhancement aspects and the rates. The importance, research directions, and research requirements of each nanofertilizer category for achieving sustainable agriculture are also specifically examined. Finally, this review suggests that development of N and P macronutrient nanofertilizers is a high research and development priority both for food production and environmental protection.
Scalable parallel methods for monolithic coupling in fluid-structure interaction with application to blood flow modeling

We introduce and study numerically a scalable parallel finite element solver for the simulation of blood flow in compliant arteries. The incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are used to model the fluid and coupled to an incompressible linear elastic model for the blood vessel walls. Our method features an unstructured dynamic mesh capable of modeling complicated geometries, an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian framework that allows for large displacements of the moving fluid domain, monolithic coupling between the fluid and structure equations, and fully implicit time discretization. Simulations based on blood vessel geometries derived from patient-specific clinical data are performed on large supercomputers using scalable Newton-Krylov algorithms preconditioned with an overlapping restricted additive Schwarz method that preconditions the entire fluid-structure system together. The algorithm is shown to be robust and scalable for a variety of physical parameters, scaling to hundreds of processors and millions of unknowns.
Different clinical electrodes achieve similar electrical nerve conduction block.

Objective. We aim to evaluate the suitability of four electrodes previously used in clinical experiments for peripheral nerve electrical block applications. Approach. We evaluated peripheral nerve electrical block using three such clinical nerve cuff electrodes (the Huntington helix, the Case self-sizing Spiral and the flat interface nerve electrode) and one clinical intramuscular electrode (the Memberg electrode) in five cats. Amplitude thresholds for the block using 12 or 25?kHz voltage-controlled stimulation, onset response, and stimulation thresholds before and after block testing were determined. Main results. Complete nerve block was achieved reliably and the onset response to blocking stimulation was similar for all electrodes. Amplitude thresholds for the block were lowest for the Case Spiral electrode (4 ? 1 Vpp) and lower for the nerve cuff electrodes (7 ? 3 Vpp) than for the intramuscular electrode (26 ? 10 Vpp). A minor elevation in stimulation threshold and reduction in stimulus-evoked urethral pressure was observed during testing, but the effect was temporary and did not vary between electrodes. Significance. Multiple clinical electrodes appear suitable for neuroprostheses using peripheral nerve electrical block. The freedom to choose electrodes based on secondary criteria such as ease of implantation or cost should ease translation of electrical nerve block to clinical practice.
Different patterns of cerebral activation in genuine and malingered cognitive effort during performance on the Word Memory Test.

Primary objective: The Word Memory Test (WMT) is a popular symptom validity test in which individuals are required to remember and recall semantically-related word pairs. Research shows successful WMT completion employs a wide neural network which is involved in tasks requiring high cognitive effort. The primary purpose of this study was to replicate earlier fMRI findings using a larger sample and extend previous findings by including male and female subjects. The second purpose was to investigate the neural networks involved during intentional malingering on the WMT.Research design: For all trials, a time-series ANCOVA design was implemented using SPM5 software.Methods and procedures: Ten subjects (five male and five female) underwent fMRI imaging while completing the WMT in full-effort and simulated poor effort conditions.Main outcome and results: Full-effort trials found activation peaks in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, superior parietal lobe, anterior cingulate, bilateral lingual cortices and anteri...
Minimizing the cost of availability of coverage from a constellation of satellites: Evaluation of optimization methods

Satellite systems to provide terrestrial surface coverage are currently optimized by independently optimizing parts of the system or by locally starting at a “baseline” configuration and making small changes. Even when using a “baseline,” the various components such as constellation configuration, satellite design, and acquisition have generally been optimized separately. A model was developed to minimize the life-cycle cost of the system as a whole with the appropriate linkages between the major parts of the system in both cost and performance. The model consists of a cost model, and a performance model. The cost model includes the cost of purchasing and maintaining an inventory of satellites and launch vehicles, launch operations, and orbit operations. The performance model evaluates the availability over geographic grid averaging areas over a given period of time. The performance of local optimization techniques (Simplex and Complex) was evaluated against global optimization techniques (Simulated Annealing and Genetic Algorithms) for providing availability of coverage. The global optimization techniques performed much better with Genetic Algorithms performing slightly better than Simulated Annealing. The quality of the solutions found was benchmarked against a trade study and local optimization methods, and our proposed global systems approach provided significant cost savings over the existing techniques. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 7: 113–122, 2004
A multi-stream adaptation framework for tele-immersion

The tele-immersive environments are emerging as the next generation technique for the tele-communication allowing geographically distributed users more effective collaboration in joint full-body activities than the traditional 2D video conferencing systems. The strength of tele-immersion lies in its resources of a shared virtual space and the free-viewpoint stereo videos, which greatly enhance the immersive experience of each participant. However, one of the most critical challenges of tele-immersion systems lies in the transmission of multi-stream video over current Internet infrastructure. Unlike 2D systems, a tele-immersive environment employs multiple cameras for wide field of view (FOV) and 3D reconstruction. Even for a moderate setting, the bandwidth requirements and demands on bandwidth management are tremendous. For example, the basic rate of one 3D stream may reach up to 100 Mbps and if considering 10 or more 3D cameras in a room the overall bandwidth could easily exceed Gbps level. To reduce the data rate, real-time 3D video compression schemes are proposed [3, 5] to exploit the spatial and temporal data redundancy of 3D streams. In this paper, we explore the multi-stream adaptation and bandwidth management for 3D tele-immersion. Although our work is majorly motivated by the data rate issue, the idea of multi-stream adaptation is forged to address the concerns and challenges that are neglected by previous research
Adenosine increases lactate release and delays onset of contracture during global low flow ischaemia.

Objective: Adenosine reduces myocardial ischaemic injury and enhances postischaemic recovery of function following zero flow global and regional ischaemia. The purpose of this study was to determine the functional and metabolic effects of endogenous and exogenous adenosine during low flow ischaemia. Methods: Isolated perfused rat hearts (n=80), paced at 300 beats·min−1, were subjected to 45 min of low flow ischaemia (0.6 ml·min−1). The time to onset of ischaemic contracture (TOIC) was used as a marker of myocardial ischaemic injury. Coronary venous effluent samples were collected prior to and throughout ischaemia to measure lactate and purine release. Untreated hearts were compared to hearts treated with either adenosine (100 μM), adenosine plus EHNA (erythro-9-[2-hydroxy-3-nonyl]adenine HCI), an adenosine deaminase inhibitor (50 μM), or BW A1433U, an adenosine receptor blocker (5 μM). Results: Adenosine and adenosine+EHNA prolonged TOIC from 11.6 (SEM 0.5) min to 13.6(0.5) and 13.5(0.3) min, respectively, and increased lactate release from 1.67(0.19) μmol·min−1·g−1 to 2.20(0.09) and 2.35(0.31) μmol·min−1·g−1, respectively, after 20 min ischaemia. Treatment with BW A1433U reduced TOIC [8.7(0.2) min] and markedly reduced lactate release. When glucose was omitted from the perfusate, adenosine+EHNA treatment had no effect on TOIC. Lactate release during glucose free perfusion was similar to that in hearts treated with the adenosine receptor blocker. Conclusions: Endogenous and exogenous adenosine may enhance myocardial tolerance to ischaemia in part via the modulation of glucose metabolism. Cardiovascular Research 1993; 27 :96-101
Acute vascular compromise after avulsion of the distal phalanx with the flexor digitorum profundus tendon

An unusual case of avulsion fracture of the insertion of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon is presented. In most such avulsion fractures a small amount of fractured bone may remain with the tendon. In this case almost the entire distal phalanx was avulsed, and vascular compromise of the digit then occurred. Prompt reduction restored vascularity.
Extent of Aortic Coverage and Incidence of Spinal Cord Ischemia After Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

Background Risk factors for spinal cord ischemia (SCI) after thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) remain unclear. Aortic coverage was examined as a risk factor for SCI using quantitative three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (CTA) analysis. Methods The medical records, radiographic imaging studies, and a prospectively maintained database of all TEVAR procedures performed during a 7-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative anatomic dimensions and postoperative graft path lengths were measured from CTAs using curved planar and orthogonal multiplanar reformations along centerline paths. SCI was defined as transient or permanent lower extremity neurologic deficit without associated intracerebral hemispheric events. Results Of 326 TEVAR cases, 241 patients (74%) had satisfactory imaging. Thirty-three (10%) had SCI. These patients were older (72.7 ± 10.6 vs 64.7 ± 15.8 years, p = 0.005) and had longer intraoperative procedure times (137 ± 65 vs 113 ± 68 minutes, p = 0.05). Despite similar total lengths of native thoracic aorta (295.0 ± 36.3 vs 283.1 ± 39.8 mm, p = 0.17), patients with permanent SCI had a greater absolute (260.5 ± 40.9 vs 195.8 ± 81.6 mm, p = 0.002) and proportionate (88.8% ± 12.1% vs 67.6% ± 24.0%, p = 0.001) length of aortic coverage. The average length of uncovered aorta proximal to the celiac artery in patients with SCI was 17.3 ± 21.8 mm vs 63.1 ± 62.9 mm in patients without SCI ( p = 0.0006). Neither the patency of the hypogastric arteries nor left subclavian artery was associated with SCI. Conclusions The extent and distal location (relative to the celiac artery) of aortic coverage were associated with an increased risk of SCI. Prophylactic measures for spinal cord protection should be considered in patients whose thoracic aortas require extensive coverage.
A multiagent system using associate rule mining (ARM), a Collaborative filtering approach

Agent Oriented Programming (AOP) is a recent promising software paradigm that brings concepts from the theories of artificial intelligence into the mainstream realm of distributed systems, and yet it is rather difficult to find a successful application of agent oriented system (specifically) when large-scale systems are considered. When adopting an agent-oriented approach to solve a problem, there are a number of domain independent issues that must always be solved, such as how to model agent behavior to predict future action and how to allow agents to communicate rather than expecting developers to develop this core infrastructure themselves. In our paper, we address several problems that exist in a socialized e-learning environment and provide solutions to these problems through smart and collaborative agent behavior modeling which learn and adapt themselves through prior experiences, thereby assisting in successful implementation of this large scale e-learning system. In this paper, the author (s) proposes an implementation of a complete distributed e-learning system based on Collaborative filtering (CF) method. The system has intelligent collaborative filtering based tutoring system (ICFTS) capabilities that allow contents, presentation and navigation to be adapted according to the learner's requirements. In order to achieve that development, two concepts were put together: multi-agent systems and data mining techniques (specifically, the ARM algorithm). All the implementation code is developed using MATLAB GUI environment. To our best knowledge, very few literatures discusses a portion of e-learning environment using adaptive software agents, but none of the current literatures addresses a complete implementation of their learning system in detail. The goal of the paper is to implement one such multi-agent based e-learning system which learns from its prior user experiences on top of an agent-oriented middleware that provides the domain-independent infrastructure, allowing the developers to focus on building the key logic behind it. In this system, the agents follow an adaptive cognitive learning approach, where the agent learns through user behaviors via a collaborative filtering technique, or experiencing and then processing and remembering the information in an e-learning environment. The paper will utilize agent (a piece of code) based environment in our e-learning system using ARM [1][2]. The paper follows a learning approach based cognitive domain of Bloom's Taxonomy such as Analyze, Evaluate, Create, Apply, understand and remember.
Alkali carbide fragmentation. A new path to doubly-charged negative ions

Abstract C 9 2− ions have been observed as products in the collision of 48 keV CsC 9 − ions with hydrogen and helium.
Emergence of face-localization abilities following extended congenital blindness

Testing schedule: Pre-surgery 360 days after surgery Could early performance impairment be due to the reduced acuity of Prakash children? We tested 40 controls with blur foils. Controls with artificially reduced acuity perform much better than just-treated Prakash children with similar acuity levels. • Subjects experiencing sight onset late in childhood can learn to localize faces in natural scenes. • Improvements in face localization ability cannot be attributed entirely to changes in visual acuity following sight onset. • The observed improvements over time provide evidence for the role of experience1 in the acquisition of face localization skills.
Better Together: Expanding Rural Partnerships to Support Families

Chronic shortages of health, social service, and mental health professionals in rural areas necessitate creative partnerships in support of families. Cooperative extension professionals in Family and Consumer Sciences and community health nurses, who can bring critical skills to human services teams, are introduced as trusted professionals in rural communities. Multidisciplinary prevention programs offer particularly good contexts for county extension educators and community health nurses to work in collaboration with social workers. The case of grandparents raising grandchildren illustrates the critical roles that can be filled by professionals in these two fields to extend the reach of family support programs.
Graphical analysis of item response theory residuals

A graphical comparison of empirical versus simu lated residual variation is presented as one way to as sess the goodness of fit of an item response theory model. The two forms of residual variation were gen erated through the separate calibration of empirical data and data "tailored" to fit the model, given the empirical parameter estimates. A variety of techniques illustrate the utility of using tailored residuals as a specific baseline against which empirical residuals may be understood.
ALERT: semantic event-driven collaborative platform for software development

In this paper we present the ALERT system that improves free/libre open source software (FLOSS) coordination by maintaining awareness of community activities through real-time, personalized, context-aware notification. The ALERT system is an active collaboration platform, i. e. a virtual actor that interacts with the developers, processes and recognizes various kinds of interactions and suggests actions on the basis of these, thus enabling developers to work better together.