cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Y-Branch Surface-Etched Distributed Bragg Reflector Lasers at 850 nm for Optical Heterodyning

This letter presents a monolithically integrated dual-wavelength source at 850 nm suitable for use in optical heterodyning. The device consists of two surface-etched distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) lasers, a Y-branch coupler, and a curved waveguide outcoupler. The Y-branch coupler and curved outcoupler are fabricated with the same epitaxial material as the DBR lasers, enabling operation as a semiconductor optical amplifier. The spectral characteristics and frequency stability of the two wavelength lasers are reported.
Altering surface energy of nanocrystalline diamond to control osteoblast responses

The use of wear-resistant nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) for orthopedic and other medical device applications has received increasing interest as of late. This has led to the exploration of NCD surface modification methods to both resist and promote tissue-forming cell functions, and to further mechanistically understand such biological responses. This study represents one in a series of studies aimed to elucidate a facile and efficient method to alter NCD surface chemistry and surface free energy, and to further understand the correlation between osteoblast functions and these surface properties. Here, direct plasma treatment was used to modify NCD films with H2, O2 and NH3 gases. Surface functionalization of NCD films after the various plasma treatments were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and the NCD surface free energy generated by such chemical terminations were calculated by contact angle measurements. Results indicated that the plasma treatments effectively altered NCD surface chemistry and surface free energy, and a monotonic correlation between surface free energy and the hydrophilicity of the NCD films was established. Most importantly, osteoblast (bone forming cell) responses (including short-term attachment and long-term differentiation from non-calcium depositing to calcium depositing cells) on NCD of various surface free energies were evaluated, and a strong correlation between all osteoblast responses and the surface free energy of NCD was discovered for the first time. In particular, NCD which was treated with NH3 plasma had the highest free energy and exhibited the best osteoblast responses, whereas the worst osteoblast responses was found on the lowest surface free energy NCD surface which was treated by H2 plasma. A competitive mechanism of cell aggregate cohesivity and cell-substrate adhesivity is discussed to explain the surface free energy-dependent osteoblast functions on NCD. The results of this study provide an important understanding of osteoblast functions as mediated by NCD surface free energy which could be controlled by various chemical terminations. Eventually, this understanding can guide the design and fabrication of NCD for numerous biomedical applications.
An XML-Based Approach to Publishing and Querying the History of Databases

There is much current interest in publishing and viewing databases as XML documents. The general benefits of this approach follow from the popularity of XML and the tool set available for visualizing and processing information encoded in this universal standard. In this paper, we explore the additional and unique benefits achieved by this approach on temporal database applications. We show that XML with XQuery can provide surprisingly effective solutions to the problem of supporting historical queries on past content of database relations and their evolution. Indeed, using XML, the histories of database relations can be naturally represented by temporally grouped data models. Thus, we identify mappings from relations to XML that are most conducive to modeling and querying database histories, and show that temporal queries that would be difficult to express in SQL can be easily expressed in standard XQuery. This approach is very general, insofar as it can be used to store the version history of arbitrary documents and, for relational databases, it also supports queries on the evolution of their schema. Then, we turn to the problem of supporting efficiently the storage and the querying of relational table histories. We present an experimental study of the pros and cons of using native XML databases, versus using traditional databases, where the XML-represented histories are supported as views on the historical tables.
A 2.8–3.2-GHz Fractional- $N$ Digital PLL With ADC-Assisted TDC and Inductively Coupled Fine-Tuning DCO

A 2.8-3.2-GHz fractional-N digital PLL, implemented in 0.18- μm CMOS, is presented. The PLL architecture has the form of a classic delta-sigma fractional-N PLL. A PFD generates up and down pulses from the reference and divided-down digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) clock. The time-to-digital converter (TDC) converts the width of up pulses to digital words. The quantization noise introduced by a third-order delta-sigma modulator through the multi-modulus divider is canceled at the TDC output. A resistively interpolated ADC is employed to boost TDC resolution by a factor of five. A dither-less DCO with an inductively coupled fine-tuned varactor bank improves tuning step-size by a factor of 16.6, to 20 kHz. With a 52-MHz reference clock, a 3.2-GHz output clock, and a loop-bandwidth of 950 kHz, this prototype achieves 230-fs rms jitter, integrated from a 1-kHz to 40-MHz offset, while drawing 17 mW from a 1.8-V supply. The in-band phase noise floor is -111.6 dBc/Hz at a 500-kHz offset. The reference spur is -75 dBc and the worst-case fractional-N spur, by sweeping the multiplication ratio near 61, is -55 dBc. An FOM of -240.4 dB is achieved, and this design occupies a core area of 0.62 mm2 .
Vasopressin and oxytocin release evoked by NaCl loads are selectively blunted by area postrema lesions.

The present study investigated the effect of area postrema lesions (APX) on stimulated neurohypophysial secretion of vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) in conscious rats. Blunted increases in plasm...
Cell-Based Therapy for Degenerative Retinal Disease

Stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptors (PRs) have restored vision in preclinical models of human retinal degenerative disease. This review discusses characteristics of stem cell therapy in the eye and the challenges to clinical implementation that are being confronted today. Based on encouraging results from Phase I/II trials, the first Phase II clinical trials of stem cell-derived RPE transplantation are underway. PR transplant experiments have demonstrated restoration of visual function in preclinical models of retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration, but also indicate that no single approach is likely to succeed in overcoming PR loss in all cases. A greater understanding of the mechanisms controlling synapse formation as well as the immunoreactivity of transplanted retinal cells is urgently needed.
Continuous communications for the lunar farside: How do we get there? A differentially corrected halo transfer orbit

Although a substantial amount of research has been accomplished in defining the existence and character of halo orbits, very little has been done to analyze and develop techniques for getting spacecraft to them. This study has focused on computing dual impulse transfers from low Earth parking orbit to a halo orbit located near the L2 libration point beyond the orbit of the Moon. The equations of motion for a spacecraft on such a transfer are typically approximated by the three-body problem where no closed form solutions exist. In order to calculate such a transfer, numerical methods must be employed. Once an initial state, time of flight and target point are established, a fifth-order Runge-Kutta integration algorithm can then be used to propagate the transfer. Since the initial state vector is based on a two-body estimation, the transfer will "miss" the target point. A differential correction technique is then employed to correct the initial state hi an iterative process until an accurate transfer is found. The overall goal is to find a transfer requiring as little fuel as possible. The initial launch point, the time of flight and the target point can then be varied to reduce fuel cost. Nomenclature A nxn linearization matrix CR3BP Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem EOM Equation Of Motion F force vector acting upon M3, the spacecraft G universal gravitational constant MI mass of the Earth M2 mass of the Moon M3 mass of the spacecraft R lunar orbital radius r, position vector of the spacecraft wrt the Earth r, position vector of the spacecraft wrt the Moon TOP Time Of Flight u CR3BP "pseudo-potential" P transfer injection angle AV change in velocity Sx change in state vector state transition matrix ]5 position vector of the spacecraft wrt the barycenter \a Earth/Moon mass ratio
See You at the Movies: The Autobiography of Melvyn Douglas: By Melvyn Douglas and Tom Arthur. University Press of America, 1986, 268 pp. $25.75,Cioth; $10.25, Paper

(1990). See You at the Movies: The Autobiography of Melvyn Douglas. American Journalism: Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 187-189.
A methodology to extract the component size distributions in interground composite (limestone) cements

Abstract This paper compares the performance of commercial interground Portland-limestone cements (PLC) to those of blended limestone systems. Limestone of four different median sizes is mixed with ordinary portland cement (OPC) to create blends in an attempt to match the particle size distribution of the PLCs. The interground systems are found to outperform the blended systems, plausibly because of the difference in size distributions of the clinker and limestone fractions between the PLCs and the blended systems. A novel methodology to extract the particle size distributions of the components in the interground systems is reported. This method, applicable for several types of multi-component powder systems, considers Rosin-Rammler size distributions for the ground clinker and limestone, and optimizes the parameters of the distribution to obtain a composite distribution of the same fineness as the interground system. The model is verified using a cement hydration and microstructure model.
Functional polymorphism for intellectual property protection

Polymorphic gates and circuits have been used in the past to design evolutionary components that can sense the environment. In general, polymorphic gates can change their function based on environmental properties such as temperature and power. In the modern digital logic threat landscape, adversarial reverse engineering and illegal cloning pose two risks for hardware-based applications with embedded intellectual property (IP). In this paper, we implement the concept of functional polymorphism at the design level using realized polygates and consider its application for IP protection in specific digital supply chain settings. We introduce a transformation algorithm for general circuits that utilize polygates to produce variants of a target circuit or component. We provide results of a case study analysis on traditional combinational benchmark circuits and components that illustrates efficacy of the approach for circuit watermarking and the ability to defeat adversarial reverse engineering as part of the supply chain lifecycle.
“Ene” Reactions of Singlet Oxygen at the Air–Water Interface

Prenylsurfactants [(CH3)2C═CH(CH2)nSO3– Na+ (n = 4, 6, or 8)] were designed to probe the “ene” reaction mechanism of singlet oxygen at the air–water interface. Increasing the number of carbon atoms in the hydrophobic chain caused an increase in the regioselectivity for a secondary rather than tertiary surfactant hydroperoxide, arguing for an orthogonal alkene on water. The use of water, deuterium oxide, and H2O/D2O mixtures helped to distinguish mechanistic alternatives to homogeneous solution conditions that include dewetting of the π bond and an unsymmetrical perepoxide transition state in the hydroperoxide-forming step. The prenylsurfactants and a photoreactor technique allowed a certain degree of interfacial control of the hydroperoxidation reaction on a liquid support, where the oxidant (airborne 1O2) is delivered as a gas.
Some Aspects of the Role of Games, Sports, and Recreational Activities in the Culture of Modern Primitive Peoples

(1947). Some Aspects of the Role of Games, Sports, and Recreational Activities in the Culture of Modern Primitive Peoples. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 198-218.
Effect of fish oil on lateral mobility of prostaglandin F2α (FP) receptors and spatial distribution of lipid microdomains in bovine luteal cell plasma membrane in vitro

Lipid microdomains are ordered regions on the plasma membrane of cells, rich in cholesterol and sphingolipids, ranging in size from 10 to 200 nm in diameter. These lipid-ordered domains may serve as platforms to facilitate colocalization of intracellular signaling proteins during agonist-induced signal transduction. It is hypothesized that fish oil will disrupt the lipid microdomains, increasing spatial distribution of these lipid-ordered domains and lateral mobility of the prostaglandin (PG) F2α (FP) receptors in bovine luteal cells. The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of fish oil on (1) the spatial distribution of lipid microdomains, (2) lateral mobility of FP receptors, and (3) lateral mobility of FP receptors in the presence of PGF2α on the plasma membrane of bovine luteal cells in vitro. Bovine ovaries were obtained from a local abattoir and corpora lutea were digested using collagenase. In experiment 1, lipid microdomains were labeled using cholera toxin subunit B Alexa Fluor 555. Domains were detected as distinct patches on the plasma membrane of mixed luteal cells. Fish oil treatment decreased fluorescent intensity in a dose-dependent manner (P 0.10). The data presented provide strong evidence that fish oil causes a disruption in lipid microdomains and affects lateral mobility of FP receptors in the absence and presence of PGF2α.
Revising Failed Double Bundle ACL Reconstruction

The goals of revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction are identical to the goals of primary reconstruction, i.e., to restore the native ACL dimensions, collagen orientation, and insertion sites, although a careful evaluation is required to identify contributing causes to graft failure that may require additional surgical consideration or management.
The effect of thermal conditioning on high frequency ceramic dielectric insulation

One of the objectives of the Signal Corps sponsored research program on ceramic dielectrics is to improve the impact resistance of high frequency ceramic dielectric insulation. The fundamentals involved indicated that increasing physical strength and decreasing modulus of elasticity should increase impact resistance, however, an analysis of the available data for these properties indicated that both vary directly. A consideration of the effect of tempering on the strength of glass, and the work of Hummel and Lowery(1) in which they realized an appreciable increase in transverse strength by thermally conditioning a ceramic containing 75% glass and 25% alumina, indicated the possibility that highly crystalline bodies might be effected by thermal conditioning.
Microbiological Evaluation of Shrimp ( Pandalus borealis ) Processing.

Line samples from three different shrimp processing plants (brine-cooked shell-on, hand-peeled raw, and machine-peeled cooked) in Maine were examined for microbiological quality. Aerobic plate count (APC) of freshly caught shrimp ( Pandalus borealis ) was found to be about 530/g (Plate Count Agar at 35 C) while salt-requiring (SR) organisms were at significantly higher concentration (1.11 ×105/g; Salt Water Medium at 21 C). Some increase in psychrotrophic-mesophilic flora of shrimp delivered to the plant was observed. Cooking in-plant or on board the boat drastically reduced the SR flora, which was subsequently observed to increase after culling and inspection in the brine-cooked shell-on process. No such significant fluctuation due to processing was detected in APC. Shrimp sampled from steel barrels before a hand-peeled raw operation exhibited relatively high APC (7.2 × 104/g) and SR microflora (2.78 × 106/g). Heading and hand-peeling reduced the APC and SR bacterial loads by 71 and 95%, respectively. Subsequent processing and holding at room temperature resulted in a product with an APC and SR load of about 4 × 104/g. Similarly, high APC (1.66 × 105/g) and SR bacterial loads (1.84 × 105/g) were detected in samples obtained from a storage hopper of the machine-peeled cooking process. Although significant reduction in bacterial load was detected on line samples of this process (fluming, preheating, and cooking), the total bacterial load reached about 4 × 104/g before the canning step. Low levels of contamination with coliform and/or coagulase-positive staphylococci were detected in the three processes studied.
Using 40Ar/39Ar ages of intercalated silicic tuffs to date flood basalts: Precise ages for Steens Basalt Member of the Columbia River Basalt Group

Abstract To establish causality between flood basalt eruptions and extinction events and global environmental effects recorded by isotopic excursions in marine sediments, highly accurate and precise ages for the flood basalts are required. But flood basalts are intrinsically difficult to date. We illustrate how 40Ar/39Ar feldspar ages for silicic tuffs intercalated with and overlying sections of Steens Basalt, the earliest lavas of the Middle Miocene Columbia River Basalt Group in the northwestern United States, provide high-precision ages that, for the first time, make it possible to resolve age differences with stratigraphic position within a section of these flood lavas. The stratigraphically lowest rhyolitic tuff, a fall deposit, yielded an age of 16.592 ± ± 0.028 Ma (FCs = 28.02 Ma), and the uppermost, the alkali rhyolite ignimbrite Tuff of Oregon Canyon, is 16.468 ± ± 0.014 Ma . The argon and stratigraphic data indicate that Steens Basalt eruptions occurred from ∼16.64 to 16.43 Ma in the southern end of its distribution. We estimate that the Steens Mountain geomagnetic reversal occurred at 16.496 ± ± 0.028 Ma (±0.18 Ma total error). Our estimates of the timing for initiation of volcanism and volumetric eruptive rates do not seem to support volcanic forcing by the initial stages of Columbia River Basalt Group eruptions as an explanation for the abrupt warming and carbonate dissolution at the beginning of the Miocene Climatic Optimum.
Management of Lipid Metabolism

This chapter focuses on the management of lipid metabolism in the body. Multiple studies have demonstrated that elevations in serum lipoprotein (a) levels and intermediate-density lipoproteins concurrent with decreased high-density lipoprotein levels even in subjects with normal cholesterol and triglyceride levels are major risk factors for ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Hypertension, history of tobacco use, blood lipids, alcohol consumption, and history of cardiac disease present the greatest opportunity for intervention to prevent brain ischemia due to cerebral atherosclerosis. Risk factor modification is the most effective and cost-efficient method of treating cerebrovascular atherosclerosis. Individuals at high risk for ischemic cerebrovascular events are well served by modifications in lifestyle such as termination of smoking, moderating alcohol intake, and assuming a health conscious diet. The initial treatment of elevated cholesterol and LDL levels should begin with dietary therapy. The results of dietary modification have been much more consistent when a professional dietitian has been involved in the counseling. Effective dietary modification not only lowers LDL intake but can also help to reduce obesity which is associated with other risk factors for atherosclerosis such as hypertension and diabetes.
Corticolous Lichens of Meeman Biological Station, Shelby County, Tennessee

Abstract. An inventory of the corticolous lichen flora of the Edward J. Meeman Biological Station of the University of Memphis was conducted to determine the biodiversity of this protected site. In total, 43 species representing 28 genera and 15 families were identified. This preliminary list provides baseline data for future studies of the lichen flora of the area.
Development and application of a compartmental model of 3-methylhistidine metabolism in humans and domestic animals.

Measurement of urinary 3-methylhistidine (3MH) excretion is the primary in vivo method to measure skeletal muscle (myofibrillar) protein breakdown. This method requires quantitative collection of urine and is based on the assumption that no metabolism of 3MH occurs once it is released from actin and myosin. This is true in most species, but in sheep and swine a proportion is retained in muscle as a dipeptide, balenine. In neither of these species does urine 3MH yield any data on the metabolism of 3MH. We have conducted studies that propose that 3MH metabolism in humans, cattle, dogs, swine, and sheep can be defined from a single bolus infusion of a stable isotope 3-[methyl-2H3]-methylhistidine. Following the bolus dose of the stable isotope tracer, serial blood samples and/or urine was collected over three to five days.
Mechanism of the Methylamine Dehydrogenase Reductive Half Reaction

Bacterial W3A1 methyl ami ne dehydrogenase (MADH) catalyzes the reductive deamination of primary amines. With no electron acceptor present, the amine reduces the enzyme bound methoxatin (PQQ) to a “hydroquinone” species, and product aldehyde, but no ammonia, is released. In stopped flow experiments, we observe 2 kinetically significant intermediates before and 1 after the functionally irreversible PQQ reduction, a reduction that displays an exceptionally large H/D kie. We observe no other substantial H/D kie in the reductive half-reaction. The reaction that follows PQQ reduction, the release of aldehyde from the enzyme, is either fully or partially rate limiting in the catalytic turnover of methylamine and propylamine with phenazine methosulfate as the 1-electron acceptor. Finally, we have been able to reconstruct visible absorption spectra of two proposed catalytic intermediates. Our data suggest that the MADH reductive half reaction may have a mechanism similar to that proposed by Eckert and Bruice (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 105 4431, 1983) for amine reduction of model o-quinones.
Evaluation of the AMPS Boundary Layer Simulations on the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica, with Unmanned Aircraft Observations

AbstractAccurately predicting moisture and stability in the Antarctic planetary boundary layer (PBL) is essential for low-cloud forecasts, especially when Antarctic forecasters often use relative humidity as a proxy for cloud cover. These forecasters typically rely on the Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS) Polar Weather Research and Forecasting (Polar WRF) Model for high-resolution forecasts. To complement the PBL observations from the 30-m Alexander Tall Tower! (ATT) on the Ross Ice Shelf as discussed in a recent paper by Wille and coworkers, a field campaign was conducted at the ATT site from 13 to 26 January 2014 using Small Unmanned Meteorological Observer (SUMO) aerial systems to collect PBL data. The 3-km-resolution AMPS forecast output is combined with the global European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts interim reanalysis (ERAI), SUMO flights, and ATT data to describe atmospheric conditions on the Ross Ice Shelf. The SUMO comparison showed that AMPS had an average 2–3 m s−1 high...
Diamond windows for the infrared: fact and fallacy

Diamond exhibits an unusually favorable combination of properties in terms of mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, and optical transmission, which makes this material highly attractive for infrared (IR) applications that involve severe environmental conditions. Until recently, diamond has been available only in the form of relatively small crystals, but this situation is evolving rapidly as a result of major advances in the art of growing diamond by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (CVDI techniques. Success in producing large, free-standing deposits with properties that match those of natural diamond has stimulated enormous interest and has given rise to much speculation about CVD diamond as an "ideal" optical material for a wide range of engineering uses in the IR: there are. however, limiting factors that must be taken into consideration. The objective of this Critical Review is to provide an initial assessment of some of the issues that arise in connection with the use of diamond artifacts for two highly demanding tasks: domes for high-speed missiles and windows for high-power lasers. Monolithic diamond deposits lack the degree of transparency required for operation as transmissive optics elements in the mid-IR: at longer wavelengths (LWIR), it can be reasonably expected that singlephonon absorptions will be tolerable in the sense that self-emission phenomena at elevated temperatures should not be catastrophic. Besides surface hardness, the features that confer diamond its advantage are the high thermal conductivity and the low thermal expansion, which indicate that diamond has orders of magnitude more thermal shock resistance than some of the best competing materials. There is little doubt that the "new diamond" technology will provide a credible, if not outstanding LWIR dome material for tactical missiles operating at speeds up to but not beyond Mach 4 in the atmosphere. Defect-free, single-crystal diamond also emerges as a promising candidate material for high-average-power laser window applications in the near-IR. The power-handling capability (<1 MW independently of the window size! will be limited by la) thermally induced optical distortion, which can only be eliminated if absorption-free anti-reflection coatings become available, and (b) the edge heat-transfer coefficient, which must be greatly enhanced to take advantage of the exceptional thermal conductivity of diamond at low temperatures. Pressure-induced and thermally-induced stresses are of no consequence, but peak laser intensities in excess of, say 1 GW/cm2 should be avoided because of unfavorable non-linear refractive index characteristics.
Their loss is our gain: regressive evolution in vertebrates provides genomic models for uncovering human disease loci

Throughout Earth's history, evolution's numerous natural 'experiments' have resulted in a diverse range of phenotypes. Though de novo phenotypes receive widespread attention, degeneration of traits inherited from an ancestor is a very common, yet frequently neglected, evolutionary path. The latter phenomenon, known as regressive evolution, often results in vertebrates with phenotypes that mimic inherited disease states in humans. Regressive evolution of anatomical and/or physiological traits is typically accompanied by inactivating mutations underlying these traits, which frequently occur at loci identical to those implicated in human diseases. Here we discuss the potential utility of examining the genomes of vertebrates that have experienced regressive evolution to inform human medical genetics. This approach is low cost and high throughput, giving it the potential to rapidly improve knowledge of disease genetics. We discuss two well-described examples, rod monochromacy (congenital achromatopsia) and amelogenesis imperfecta, to demonstrate the utility of this approach, and then suggest methods to equip non-experts with the ability to corroborate candidate genes and uncover new disease loci.
Are patients comprehending? A critical assessment of online patient educational materials.

AbstractPurpose: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the readability, understandability, suitability and actionability of online psoriasis patient educational materials. A secondary aim was to identify areas for improvement.Materials and methods: We conducted an evaluation study to assess online psoriasis patient educational materials from the American Academy of Dermatology and National Psoriasis Foundation available in July 2017. We used two validated assessment tools specific to online healthcare materials. Outcomes were expressed as percentages, where higher percentages corresponded to higher quality materials.Results: Overall, the educational materials had a mean understandability score (72.7%) that was understandable; a suitability score (58.8%) that was adequate; a reading grade level (10.5) that was not readable; and an actionability score (54.7%) that was not actionable. Areas of improvement include reading grade level, visual aids, word choice, specific steps for actions and cultural a...
How bicycle level of traffic stress correlate with reported cyclist accidents injury severities: A geospatial and mixed logit analysis

Transportation agencies need efficient methods to determine how to reduce bicycle accidents while promoting cycling activities and prioritizing safety improvement investments. Many studies have used standalone methods, such as level of traffic stress (LTS) and bicycle level of service (BLOS), to better understand bicycle mode share and network connectivity for a region. However, in most cases, other studies rely on crash severity models to explain what variables contribute to the severity of bicycle related crashes. This research uniquely correlates bicycle LTS with reported bicycle crash locations for four cities in New Hampshire through geospatial mapping. LTS measurements and crash locations are compared visually using a GIS framework. Next, a bicycle injury severity model, that incorporates LTS measurements, is created through a mixed logit modeling framework. Results of the visual analysis show some geospatial correlation between higher LTS roads and "Injury" type bicycle crashes. It was determined, statistically, that LTS has an effect on the severity level of bicycle crashes and high LTS can have varying effects on severity outcome. However, it is recommended that further analyses be conducted to better understand the statistical significance and effect of LTS on injury severity. As such, this research will validate the use of LTS as a proxy for safety risk regardless of the recorded bicycle crash history. This research will help identify the clustering patterns of bicycle crashes on high-risk corridors and, therefore, assist with bicycle route planning and policy making. This paper also suggests low-cost countermeasures or treatments that can be implemented to address high-risk areas. Specifically, with the goal of providing safer routes for cyclists, such countermeasures or treatments have the potential to substantially reduce the number of fatalities and severe injuries.
Unmanned Aircraft Design: A Review of Fundamentals

Abstract This book provides fundamental principles, design procedures, and design tools for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with three sections focusing on vehicle design, autopilot design, and ground system design. The design of manned aircraft and the design of UAVs have some similarities and some differences. They include the design process, constraints (e.g., g-load, pressurization), and UAV main components (autopilot, ground station, communication, sensors, and payload). A UAV designer must be aware of the latest UAV developments; current technologies; know lessons learned from past failures; and they should appreciate the breadth of UAV design options. The contribution of unmanned aircraft continues to expand every day and over 20 countries are developing and employing UAVs for both military and scientific purposes. A UAV system is much more than a reusable air vehicle or vehicles. UAVs are air vehicles, they fly like airplanes and operate in an airplane environment. They are designed like air vehic...
From Student to Professional: Thoughts on Roadblocks and Keys to Success

A few years back, I received my master’s degree in clinical psychology and decided somewhere along the way that my ultimate career goal was to become a professor and conduct my own research in the field. I thought the best way to build my resume for such a position would be to acquire direct experience and more formal education, but the formal education piece would have to wait until later. For now, I wanted to focus on understanding what it meant to actually be a professor. As such, I sought out an adjunct professor of psychology position at my university to increase my repertoire. I accepted the title gracefully after interviewing. Initially, I thought that holding this position would be quite easy. All I had to do was talk about topics I already understood, make activities, discuss current events, and grade papers, right? Soon after, I found this was not the case and teaching others held quite a responsibility.
Layer-by-Layer Degradation of Methylammonium Lead Tri-iodide Perovskite Microplates

The methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) perovskite has attracted considerable interest for its high-efficiency, low-cost solar cells, but is currently plagued by its poor environmental and thermal stability. To aid the development of robust devices, we investigate here the microscopic degradation pathways of MAPbI3 microplates. Using in situ transmission electron microscopy to follow the thermal degradation process, we find that under moderate heating at 85°C the crystalline structure shows a gradual evolution from tetragonal MAPbI3 to trigonal lead iodide layered crystals with a fixed crystallographic direction. Our solid-state nudged elastic band calculations confirm that the surface-initiated layer-by-layer degradation path exhibits the lowest energy barrier for crystal transition. We further show experimentally and theoretically that encapsulation of the perovskites with boron nitride flakes suppresses the surface degradation, greatly improving its thermal stability. These studies provide mechanistic insight into the thermal stability of perovskites that suggests new designs for improved stability.
An Aqueous Territory: Sailor Geographies and New Granada's Transimperial Greater Caribbean World by Ernesto Bassi

Bassi, Ernesto. An Aqueous Territory: Sailor Geographies and New Granada's Transimperial Greater Caribbean World . Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2016. Review by John Hickman.
Microfluidic diafiltration-on-chip using an integrated magnetic peristaltic micropump.

Diafiltration is a membrane filtration technique that rapidly removes permeable molecules from a solution by controlling the tangential and orthogonal flows over a membrane and by replenishing the permeate with an equivalent amount of replacement buffer. However, its application to the purification of many key biomaterials and nanomaterials has been limited by the large dead volume (>10 mL) that is required to automate the process. To address this challenge, we have developed a diafiltration-on-a-chip device that can process low-volume samples (50 μL). The key innovation of this device is a magnetically-driven on-chip peristaltic pump that is able to continuously drive fluid flow at rates as high as 50 mL h-1 with minimal external instrumentation and a dead volume of 99% purity and >96% retention within two hours. We additionally showed that cells could be purified from microbeads with >97% purity and >97% retention in two hours. Because our approach requires minimal instrumentation, it is well suited for on-chip parallelization, which was demonstrated by incorporating four complete diafiltration systems onto a single credit card-sized chip.
Two-Factor Cross-Classification Designs

Chapter 2 introduced one-factor designs – experiments designed to determine whether the level of a factor, the (one) independent variable, affects the value of some quantity of interest, the dependent variable. By way of example, we considered whether device/usage influences battery life. We expanded on this initial analysis by introducing multiple-comparison testing and orthogonal breakdowns of sums of squares.
Portrait of a Female on Television: Some Possible Effects on Children

This chapter is primarily concerned with how females, adult and child, are portrayed on television and the effects of this portrayal on children. How are females characterized on television? Is the portrayal realistic and multidimensional or stereotypic and unidimensional? Are the effects of this portrayal on the perception of females short-range or pervasive? More importantly, does television influence sex-role development in children, and how is this influence mediated? What can parents, educators, other professionals, and even children themselves do to help mitigate the possible effects of such stereotypes?
Prey remains of the Jamaican Owl ( Pseudoscops grammicus )

Dietary information for the Jamaican Owl ( Pseudoscops grammicus ) is limited to several brief reports beginning with the account of Philip Henry Gosse in The Birds of Jamaica (1847). Regurgitated pellets recently recovered near a roost in Kingston contained the remains of Black Rat ( Rattus rattus ) and Greater Antillean Grackle ( Quiscalus niger ). This is the first conclusive evidence that the Jamaican Owl preys on passerine birds. Collectively, data from stomach contents and pellets suggest that the owl is a generalist predator of large invertebrates, frogs, lizards, introduced murid rodents, and passerine birds. La informacion sobre la dieta del Buho Jamaicano ( Pseudoscops grammicus ) esta limitada a varios registros breves que comienzan con el de Philip Henry Gosse en The Birds of Jamaica (1847). Los bolos regurgitados recien recobrados cerca de una percha en Kingston contienen restos de Rattus rattus y de Quiscalus niger . Esta es la primera evidencia conclusiva sobre el uso de aves paseriformes como presas en el Buho Jamaicano. En conjunto, los datos de los contenidos estomacales y de los bolos sugieren que el buho es un depredador generalista de invertebrados de gran tamano, ranas, lagartos, roedores muridos introducidos y aves paseriformes. Les informations sur le regime alimentaire du Hibou de la Jamaique ( Pseudoscops grammicus ) se resument a quelques brefs rapports debutant avec l’apport de Philip Henry Gosse dans The Birds of Jamaica (1847). Les pelotes de rejection trouvees recemment pres d’un reposoir a Kingston contenaient des restes de Rat noir ( Rattus rattus ) et le Quiscale noir ( Quiscalus niger ). C’est la premiere confirmation que le Hibou de la Jamaique se nourrit de passereaux. Globalement, les donnees des contenus stomacaux et des pelotes suggerent sue le Hibou de la Jamaique est un predateur generaliste de grands invertebres, de grenouilles, de lezards, de rongeurs introduits et de passereaux.
Comparison of inflammatory response during on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

Purpose: On-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery has been traditionally associated with a higher magnitude of inflammatory response than off pump CABG. However, with the development of polymer-coated biocompatible extracorporeal circuits, we wanted to see if cardiopulmonary bypass still played an important role in triggering this inflammatory response. Methods: In this prospective observational study, 33 patients undergoing CABG surgeries (25 on-pump and 8 off-pump patients) were studied. Serial plasma cytokine (TNF, IL-6, IL-10) and procalcitonin concentrations were measured at different time-points during and after the surgery. Demographic and baseline clinical data, intra-operative management details and post-operative complications were also collected from the patients' charts. Results: Plasma levels of all 4 mediators increased during surgery and returned towards normal postoperatively. There were no differences between groups for any mediator at any time-point. Conclusions: We conclude that with the use of recent polymer-coated biocompatible extracorporeal circuits, the inflammatory response triggered by on-pump CABG becomes very similar in magnitude and pattern to that triggered by off pump CABG. Thus, the surgical procedure contributes to most of the inflammatory response, with the extra-corporeal circuit having minimal to no effect on this response.
Where is my mind? Examining mind-wandering and vigilance performance

Vigilance is the ability to sustain attention to information for prolonged periods of time, particularly in environments where critical signals may be rare. Recent research in the domain of mind-wandering has suggested that processes associated with mind-wandering may underpin the typical decline in vigilance task performance. Current methods for measuring mind-wandering either disrupt vigils by asking probe questions throughout the task, or, require observers to reflect on how much mind-wandering occurred during the task upon conclusion of the vigil. Across three experimental studies, we treat mind-wandering as an individual difference, which was measured pre- and post-vigil. We argue this technique is a more holistic representation of mind-wandering and is less intrusive than probe measures, which serve to disrupt the vigil. The results of our first experiment challenge previous results in the literature: higher rates of mind-wandering were associated with improved correct detection performance. Interestingly, the second experiment suggests that increases in mind-wandering were not linked to vigilance performance deficits. However, significant differences in global workload emerged in the second experiment, implying individuals low in mind-wandering report greater workload. In a third experiment, wherein we manipulated event rate, mind-wandering typology had no significant effect on vigilance performance. We conclude with a discussion of the relevance of individual differences in mind-wandering in vigilance research considering the present findings.
Clinical Outcomes Data for Instantaneous Wave-Free Ratio-Guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) is a vasodilator-free index of coronary blood flow used for revascularization decision-making. iFR-based revascularization also had a decreased rate of adverse effects from vasodilators, shorter procedure times, and lower revascularization rates. iFR-pullback predicts post-percutaneous coronary intervention physiologic outcomes in tandem and diffuse coronary lesions. iFR may be particularly useful in patients with potential adenosine resistance, contraindications to adenosine, and multivessel or serial lesions. iFR is a useful tool both with and without fractional-flow reserve for revascularization planning.
Utilization of Cyclic Amides as Masked Aldehyde Equivalents in Reductive Amination Reactions

An operationally simple protocol has been discovered that couples primary or secondary amines with N-aryl-substituted lactams to deliver differentiated diamines in moderate to high yields. The process allows for the partial reduction of a lactam in the presence of Cp2ZrHCl (Schwartz's reagent), followed by a reductive amination between the resulting hemiaminal and primary or secondary amine. These reactions can be telescoped in a one-pot fashion to significantly simplify the operation. The scope of amines and substituted lactams of various ring sizes was demonstrated through the formation of a range of differentiated diamine products. Furthermore, this methodology was expanded to include N-aryl pyrrolidinone substrates with an enantiopure ester group at the 5-position, and α-amino piperidinones were prepared with complete retention of stereochemical information. The development of this chemistry has enabled the consideration of lactams as useful synthons.
Generation of octave bandwidth solitons with compact semiconductor lasers at ultralow powers

We report octave-spanning, single-soliton frequency combs at both 1550 nm and 1064 nm with less than 40 mW of on-chip power. We also demonstrate soliton generation at 1064 nm with a standard DBR laser.
Resolving time-space histories of Late Cenozoic bedrock incision along the Upper Colorado River, USA

Abstract The upper Colorado River basin drains the western slope of the Rocky Mountains province of North America and hosts a rich record of fluvial terraces and volcanic deposits that provide an archive of bedrock river incision since the Late Miocene. Here we present new geochronology from fluvial deposits and associated volcanic units using multiple methods (luminescence, cosmogenic-burial, 40Ar/39Ar basalt and detrital sanidine, and U/Pb detrital zircon) to reconstruct a detailed record of bedrock incision in the upper Colorado River over timescales ranging from Miocene to Late Pleistocene. Late Miocene (ca. 11–8 Ma) basalt flows perched 800–1700 m above the Colorado River, and the oldest known ancestral Colorado River deposits preserved beneath basalt flows on Grand Mesa, provide the basis for average, long-term (∼107 yr) incision rates. Rates range from ∼110–160 m/Ma between Grand Junction (downstream) and Glenwood Canyon (upstream), with rates decreasing upvalley. Intermediate-scale (∼105–106 yr) incision rates are ∼200–320 m/m.y. over the past 1–3 Ma, and these rates are faster than the average over the past 8–11 Ma. Short-term (
Deconstructing Cyber Attribution: A Proposed Framework and Lexicon

I propose a new co nceptualization of cyber attribution to provide a reference point for debate about the means and ends of attribution, appropriate evidentiary standards for attribution claim types, and the advisability of various proposals for encouraging more and better attribution.
A Science of Design for Software-Intensive Systems

Future complex software-intensive systems (SIS) will be vastly different from the software systems that run today’s world. Revolutionary advances in hardware, networking, information, and human interface technologies will require entirely new ways of thinking about how software-intensive systems are conceptualized, built, and evaluated. As we envision the future of tera1-computing and even peta2-computing environments, new science of design principles are needed to provide the foundations for managing issues of complexity, composition, quality, cost, and control of software-intensive systems.
Adversity, social capital, and mental distress among mothers of small children: A cross-sectional study in three low and middle-income countries.

Background Maternal mental health is becoming recognized as a global health priority. Mental distress among mothers of young children may be exacerbated by exposure to adversity. Social capital may buffer the impact of adversity on mental distress during the postnatal period and beyond. This paper examines the relationship between adversity, cognitive social capital and mental distress among mothers of young children in three low and middle-income countries. Methods This study uses data from the Young Lives study on 5,485 women from Ethiopia, India, and Vietnam. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between exposure to stressful life events (SLEs) and mental distress in women between 6 months and 1.5 years post-partum. Logistic and linear regression was used to examine the potential for effect modification by social capital. Results The proportion of women with mental distress during the period between 6–18 months following the birth of a child in the sample was 32.6% in Ethiopia, 30.5% in India and 21.1% in Vietnam. For each additional SLE to which a woman was exposed, the odds of MMD increased by 1.28 (95% CI: 1.22, 1.36; p<0.001) in Ethiopia, 1.17 (1.11, 1.25; p<0.001) in India, and 1.98 (1.75, 2.25; p<0.001) in Vietnam. Exposure to family SLEs was significantly associated with MMD in all three countries with odds ratios of 1.76 (95% CI: 1.30, 2.38; p<0.001), 1.62 (95% CI: 1.12, 2.33; p<0.01 in India), 1.93 (95% CI: 1.27, 2.92; p<0.01), respectively. In Ethiopia and India, economic SLEs were also significantly associated with MMD after adjustment (Ethiopia OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.52; p<0.01 and India OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.05; p<0.05), while in India, crime SLEs (OR: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.27, 2.92; p<0.01) were associated with MMD. Cognitive social capital was found to modify the association between SLEs and symptomology of mental distress in Ethiopia, India and Vietnam. Conclusions This study suggests that adversity may increase the risk of maternal mental distress in three LMICs, while social capital may buffer its effect.