cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improvement of airworthiness certification audits of software-centric avionics systems using a cross-discipline application lifecycle management system methodology

The use of an Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) system to promote cross-discipline data capture, tracking and traceability has shown to provide a dramatic improvement during airworthiness audits of software-centric avionics systems by reducing both the time to locate relevant information and rework associated with errors in captured data and their traceability. When configured correctly, an ALM system enables the capture of all data associated with the development of a software-centric avionics system from customer specifications through system-level requirements and design data to the lowest level of data including software source code and system and software test results. The comprehensive nature of the data capture and the integrated traceability facilitates quick and efficient retrieval of pertinent data when performing airworthiness audits and is significantly superior to more manual methods and methods that rely upon disparate tools and data sources. This paper will describe a data model that allows for the capture and tracing of cross-discipline data in an ALM system and will present data to exhibit improvements over the use of legacy systems and methods. Analysis at UTC Aerospace Systems has shown that a significant reduction in preparation and audit time, which includes activities such as creating a document and records catalog, completing a pre-audit review and summarizing traceability architectures before an audit; and locating documents and records, assessing traceability across disciplines, itemizing open problem reports and determining the current status of development and verification activities during an audit. A summary of these improvements is shown in Table 1. Organization of the data in the ALM system is a critical factor in achieving reduced search times and preventing rework associated with traceability and lost or missing records. A data model diagram is established to allow for simpler organization of the life cycle data to support product development and verification, which is used by all disciplines including Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Test Engineering, Software Test Engineering, and associated disciplines including Configuration Management, Project Management and Quality Assurance.
Growth and flowering of 'Alice du Pont' mandevilla in response to Sumagic

Abstract Vegetative growth of ‘Alice du Pont’ mandevilla can be controlled by selection of an appropriate foliar application rate of Sumagic (uniconazole) and application interval. A single applica...
America's Middlemen: Power at the Edge of Empire

Throughout American political history, the US government has formed alliances with militias, tribes, and rebels. Sometimes, these alliances have been successful, dramatically reshaping the battlefield. But these alliances have also risked creating larger wars in regions where the United States had no real interest. Understanding these alliances - and much of American political history - requires moving beyond our normal focus on traditional diplomats or social elites. Traders, missionaries, former slaves, and low-level government employees drove these alliances. These intermediaries used their relationships across borders to shape security politics, affecting American and thereby world history. Skillfully integrating political science with history and sociology, Eric Grynaviski provides a novel account of who matters and why in international politics. By developing broader views about political agency - how people come to make a difference in world politics - he brings into focus new histories of world politics and how they matter for scholars and the public.
Role of chemotherapy in improving survival in stage IV colon cancer patients without surgery: An NCDB analysis.

e15058Background: Approximately 20% of patients with colorectal cancer have metastases at the time of presentation. Use of systemic chemotherapy for stage IV colon cancer has greatly increased over past several years with newer advancements. With advancements in chemotherapy annual rate of Primary tumor resection dropped from 74.5 percent in 1988 to 57.4 percent in 2010 with improved survival rates. Methods: A total of 39,428 patients with stage IV colon cancer were analyzed from the national cancer data base (NCDB). Differences in demographic and clinical co-variates were compared using Fisher’s exact test, where as survival differences were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and associated log-rank test; p < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results: The log-rank tests indicated statistically significant difference in survival (p < 0.001), such that patients receiving chemotherapy survived significantly longer (median survival = 12.0 months, 95% CI = 11.8 to 12.2 months) compared to patients no...
Pressure and temperature dependence of soot in highly controlled counterflow ethylene diffusion flames

Abstract Soot volume fraction and dispersion index were measured by pyrometry in a series of highly controlled counterflow diffusion flames, with peak temperatures, Tmax, spanning a few hundred degrees and pressure covering the 0.1–0.8 MPa range. An unprecedented level of control was implemented by selecting flames with a self-similar structure to ensure that the normalized temperature-time history experienced by the reactants was the same, regardless of pressure. The self-similarity was verified by suitably rescaling the transverse coordinate with respect to a characteristic diffusion length. At constant Tmax, the soot volume fraction increases approximately by two orders of magnitude as the pressure is raised from 1 atm to 4 atm, and by one to two additional orders of magnitude with an additional doubling of the pressure to 8 atm. At constant pressure, the soot load spans two to three orders of magnitude and soot formation exhibits increased sensitivity to temperature as the pressure is raised. Soot inception occurs near the flame, with an increase in soot concentration that becomes steeper at higher Tmax. The increase is accompanied by a decrease in the dispersion exponent that is suggestive of dehydrogenation and aging of the particles and is sharper at higher Tmax. Soot experiences continuous growth in a monotonically decreasing temperature field until it is convected away radially at the stagnation plane, with essentially no opportunity for oxidation. Evidence of two distinct mechanisms for soot formation was found: the classic high temperature, high activation energy process affecting soot formed in the vicinity of the flame and followed by dehydrogenation; and a relatively low-temperature, zero activation energy process, associated with the increase in volume fraction at low-temperatures in proximity of the stagnation plane. The latter is tentatively attributed to dimerization of aromatics, as revealed by the concurrent increase in the dispersion index corresponding to an increase in the particle hydrogen content.
The Effect of Combined C-Peptide and Zinc on Cellular Function

The average adult human has approximately 5 L of blood, of which, nearly 40–45% is comprised of the red blood cell (RBC). The physiological significance of the RBC, its ability to carry and deliver oxygen to organs and tissues that may be hypoxic, is without question. Indeed, the idea of the RBC playing a role in such an important and complex mechanism may seem difficult to understand given that this cell has no nucleus or mitochondria. In fact, to some, this 7 or 8 μm-sized cell, whose life span in a healthy human is about 110–120 days, is nothing more than a simple cell with minimal machinery whose function is solely that of oxygen delivery. However, since the early 1990s, there has been a significant increase in the number of reports providing strong evidence that the RBC, in addition to its role as a deliverer of oxygen, is also a participant in overall blood flow itself [1, 2].
Correlation-Based Uncertainty in Loaded Reverberation Chambers

When reverberation chambers are loaded to increase the coherence bandwidth for modulated-signal measurements, a secondary effect is decreased spatial uniformity. We show that an appropriate choice of stirring sequence, consisting of a combination of mode-stirring mechanisms such as paddle and antenna-platform stirring, can mitigate the potential for increased uncertainty. We develop a new mode-stirring sample correlation model for uncertainty due to the stirring sequence. In a comparison with an empirical uncertainty analysis, the model is found to have an agreement within 2.5%. Our analysis is demonstrated for four loading cases in each of three reverberation chambers. The model is used to determine an optimal stirring sequence for a given chamber setup directly from correlations associated with each stirring mechanism. The model can also be understood in terms of the entropy of a measurement and it is shown that maximizing the entropy corresponds to a minimized uncertainty. The method presented here not only provides insight into sources of uncertainty but also allows users to determine an optimal mode-stirring sequence with minimized uncertainty for a given chamber setup.
“I’m Not a Doctor. I’m a Nurse”: Reparative Boundary-Work in Nurse Practitioner Education:

Boundary-work is constitutive of both jurisdiction and professional identities. For groups attempting domain expansion, changed boundaries present risks for group cohesion. In this article, I exami...
Brand afterlife: Transference to alternate brands following corporate failure

Abstract When companies fail and withdraw their brands from the marketplace, consumers may retain positive affect and abiding loyalty to discontinued brands. This research, anchored in the extant brand relationship literature, introduces the concept of transference from psychiatry to explore the ways in which consumers' continuing relationships with a defunct brand impact the relational trajectories with competing and substitute brands in the marketplace. A unique study was conducted in New Zealand. The Georgie Pie brand was purchased and killed by McDonald's, leaving distraught consumers and room for a new competitor, Burger King, to enter the marketplace. The ways in which competitors replaced Georgie Pie differed by geographic region, and an analysis by region revealed that, under the right market conditions, transference of allegiance from the dead brand to competitor alternatives is possible, even toward the corporation deemed guilty for the failure of the beloved brand.
The Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) tumor suppressor gene is silenced by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in medulloblastoma

1142 Medulloblastoma is a highly malignant embryonal tumor of the cerebellum that accounts for 20% to 25% of all primary brain tumors in children. Despite aggressive multimodal therapy, including surgery, irradiation, and chemotherapy, the 5-year survival rate is only 50% to 60%. The underlying genetic and epigenetic events that give rise to the majority of medulloblastomas are not known. As part of a larger study to define genetic abnormalities in medulloblastoma, we identified in a single, primary medulloblastoma a discrete area of homozygous deletion on 9q31, a locus that shows frequent loss of heterozygosity in medulloblastoma. This 2.03 Mb deletion encompasses 8 known genes: ZNF462, RAD23B, KLF4, ACTL7B, ACTL7A, IKBKAP, C9orf6, and CTNNAL1. Exon re-sequencing of RAD23B (DNA repair)and KLF4 (known tumor suppressor gene) in a series of medulloblastomas with loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 9q did not reveal any mutations. However, treatment of medulloblastoma cell lines with 5-aza-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-C) resulted in greatly increased expression of KLF4 in 7/9 cell lines, suggesting that KLF4 is silenced by promotor methylation, and may be acting as a tumour suppressor gene. KLF4 is a zinc-finger transcription factor that is expressed primarily in post-mitotic, terminally differentiated epithelial cells of the skin, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. KLF4, a known tumor suppressor gene regulates the expression of many genes, including those involved in differentiation and cell-cycle arrest. Recently, KLF4 has been shown to be epigenetically inactivated by promoter methylation in gastrointestinal cancer. The transcription level of KLF4 was restored in 7/9 medulloblastoma cell lines after treatment with 5-Aza-C, as shown by real time RT-PCR. Bisulfite sequencing of multiple clones for each cell line demonstrated methylation of CpGs in the promoter region of KLF4, including 25 CpG sites (at -2168 to -1712) in those cell lines whose expression rose with 5-Aza-C; but no methylation was detected in cell lines where 5-Aza-C had no effect. Bisulfite sequencing of normal fetal and adult human cerebellum did not demonstrate any methylation of the KLF4 promotor, highly suggesting that methylation of KLF4 seen in medulloblastoma is abnormal. We examined the DNA methylation status of KLF4 in 45 primary pediatric medulloblastomas using methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and determined that 18% of primary medulloblastomas (7 of 45) are methylated at the KLF4 promoter region. Our data suggest that the KLF4 tumour suppressor gene is inactivated by either genetic or epigenetic mechanisms in a significant subset of medulloblastoma. KLF4 may represent a novel target for the therapy of medulloblastoma.
Constraints on organic chemistry students’ reasoning during IR and 1H NMR spectral interpretation

Promoting students’ ability to engage in discipline-specific practices is a central goal of chemistry education. Yet if instruction is to meaningfully foster such ability, we must first understand students’ reasoning during these practices. By characterizing constraints on chemistry students’ reasoning, we can design instruction that targets this constrained reasoning and ultimately promotes more sophisticated ways of thinking. For this study, we investigated reasoning used by 18 organic chemistry students at a large university in the United States as they evaluated the success of chemical syntheses through IR and 1H NMR spectral interpretation, a common task of practicing chemists. Students completed a series of interpretation tasks while having their eye movements tracked and then participated in semi-structured, cued retrospective think-aloud (RTA) interviews about their reasoning during spectral interpretation. RTA interviews were analyzed qualitatively to characterize invalid chemical assumptions and heuristic reasoning strategies used by participants, both of which science education literature identifies as fundamental constraints to learning. The most problematic assumptions and heuristics, i.e., those used more frequently by unsuccessful participants, were then identified through statistical analysis. Findings suggest that the most problematic constraints on students’ reasoning during spectral interpretation constitute a combination of particular invalid chemical assumptions and heuristic reasoning strategies.
Organized behavior/networks

Abstract Biological function in complex cellular networks is linked to functional relationships and the overall organizational structure, with the requirement that modeling encompass both. Graph theory is used to depict platforms, language, and points of departure from typical modeling approaches. Vertices, sometimes colored, and edges can distinguish group members in heterogeneous networks, with bipartite graphs used to match members of different types or prevent their interaction. Edges can be undirected, directed or mixed (multigraphs), and weighted. Graphs, with their quantitative underpinnings, can be manipulated to create subgraphs. Walks—vertices and edges manipulated to connect two vertices—can be applied to elucidate cellular pathways and reliability of a model. Connection patterns may be depicted using trees—rooted and spanning. Flow networks are models of forward, backward, or lateral flow, optimizable using computer algorithms. Qualitative models allow for greater understanding of kinetic modeling. Petri nets relate component activity to overall organizational structure, dealing with concurrent processes and feasibility, represented by firing that transfers tokens, the carriers of change. Boolean network models describe system dynamics. Motifs can be identified within larger networks based on network graph structure and experimental process dynamics.
Fixed confidence ranking and selection under input uncertainty

In stochastic simulation, input uncertainty (IU) is caused by the error in estimating input distributions using finite real-world data. When it comes to simulation-based Ranking and Selection (R&S), ignoring IU can lead to the failure of many existing procedures. In this paper, we study a new version of the fixed confidence R&S problem, where sequential input data can be acquired to reduce IU over time. To solve the problem, we first propose a moving average estimator for online estimation with sequential data. Then, a new procedure is designed by extending a Sequential Elimination framework. As is shown numerically, our procedure can effectively achieve the desired probability of correct selection, but there is plenty of room for improving its efficiency.
CHAPTER IX – General Principles

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses general principles of oxidizing enzymes. All living things either oxidize or ferment. Oxidation requires oxygen from the outside and is synonymous with respiration, while fermentation does not require outside oxygen and can be defined as anaerobic respiration. Fermentation is diminished by aeration. This is known as the Pasteur effect. Unless oxidation or fermentation continues, life ceases, and the cells undergo autolysis and disintegration. Oxidation can be defined as: (1) addition of oxygen, or a hydroxyl, (2) loss of hydrogen, and (3) loss of electrons. The oxidizing enzymes can be divided into two categories, namely, oxidases and dehydrogenases. The oxidases can be further subdivided according to whether they contain iron or copper. The dehydrogenases can be subdivided into dehydrogenases that contain riboflavin and that are called yellow enzymes, and dehydrogenases that contain coenzyme I or coenzyme II.
An integrated dynamic failure assessment model for offshore components under microbiologically influenced corrosion

Abstract The microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a serious issue that should be considered for effective risk-based integrity management of offshore systems under MIC. This paper presents a proper methodology by using a hybrid Bayesian network (BN) and Markov process to predict the MIC rate, failure probability, and critical failure year of an internally corroded subsea pipeline. The BN model is developed to probabilistically obtain the MIC rate, considering the dynamic non-linearity and interdependency among vital input factors. The effects of the nonlinear interactions of various prominent factors are evaluated, and their degree of influence is explored. The Markov process is employed to predict the failure probability, critical failure year, and the time evolution MIC pit depth distribution using the predicted MIC rate as a transition intensity. The developed model is adaptive and captures the evolving impact of MIC. The proposed integrated methodology is tested on a case study, and the most critical parameters that influence the MIC rate and system failure are identified. The proposed approach would provide an early warning guide for a timely intervention to prevent total failure of corroded subsea pipelines and associated consequences.
Orbital angular momentum microlaser: from the first demonstration to tunability

Orbital angular momentum (OAM) light holds a promise for multi-dimensional high capacity optical communication. By harnessing spin-orbit interaction and non-Hermitian symmetry, we demonstrate an OAM-tunable vortex microlaser, providing chiral light states of variable topological charges for the development of OAM-spin-wavelength division multiplexing technology.
Highly sensitive and rapid detection of citrus Huanglongbing pathogen (Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus) using Cas12a-based methods

Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) or greening is one of the most devastating diseases of citrus worldwide. Sensitive detection of its causal agent, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), is critical for early diagnosis and successful management of HLB. However, current nucleic acid-based detection methods are often insufficient for the early detection of CLas from asymptomatic tissue, and unsuitable for high-throughput and field-deployable diagnosis of HLB. Here we report the development of the Cas12a-based DETECTR (DNA endonuclease-targeted CRISPR trans reporter) assay for highly specific and sensitive detection of CLas nucleic acids from infected samples. The DETECTR assay, which targets the five-copy nrdB gene specific to CLas, couples isothermal amplification with Cas12a trans-cleavage of fluorescent reporter oligos and enables detection of CLas nucleic acids at the attomolar level. The DETECTR assay was capable of specifically detecting the presence of CLas across different infected citrus, periwinkle and psyllid samples, and shown to be compatible with lateral flow assay technology for potential field-deployable diagnosis. The improvements in detection sensitivity and flexibility of the DETECTR technology position the assay as a potentially suitable tool for early detection of CLas in infected regions.
An energy-based discontinuous Galerkin method for dynamic Euler-Bernoulli beam equations.

In this paper, an energy-based discontinuous Galerkin method for dynamic Euler-Bernoulli beam equations is developed. The resulting method is energy-dissipating or energy-conserving depending on the simple, mesh-independent choice of numerical fluxes. By introducing a velocity field, the original problem is transformed into a first-order in time system. In our formulation, the discontinuous Galerkin approximations for the original displacement field and the auxiliary velocity field are not restricted to be in the same space. In particular, a given accuracy can be achieved with the fewest degrees of freedom when the degree for the approximation space of the velocity field is two orders lower than the degree of approximation space for the displacement field. In addition, we establish the error estimates in an energy norm and demonstrate the corresponding optimal convergence in numerical experiments.
HIGH ALTITUDE SIMULATION TESTING IN PATIENTS WITH CONGENITAL DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA

ABSTRACT Aim of Study Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) is associated with lung hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension. Many patients receive care in specialty centers requiring air travel upon discharge and for subsequent follow-up care. Premature infants can experience significant hypoxia in flight, but this has not been studied in the CDH population. This report describes our center's experience with simulated altitude testing among CDH patients. Methods In a single center retrospective cohort study, CDH patients who underwent a High Altitude Simulation Test (HAST) from 2006-2019 were analyzed. HAST simulates increased altitude by reducing oxygen tension to an FIO2 of 0.15. Patients were tested only when flight was anticipated. Patients requiring oxygen were challenged on their baseline requirement. To pass, patients had to maintain oxygen saturation >90%, and 94% if diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. Supplemental oxygen was titrated as needed to achieve this goal. Results Of twenty patients tested, only six (30%) passed on their first attempt. Ten (50%) eventually passed, after an average of 3.2 additional attempts over 1.8 years. No patient passed initially who utilized ECMO support, diaphragmatic agenesis, or had elevated right ventricular pressure on echocardiogram. All patients achieved the targeted spO2 with supplemental oxygen. Conclusion CDH patients experience hypoxia when exposed to the simulated hypobaric nature of air travel and therefore may become hypoxic in flight, requiring oxygen supplementation. Disease severity seems to correlate with risk of in-flight hypoxia. This data suggests that CDH patients should be screened to assess their need for supplemental oxygen to ensure safe air travel.
Multi-head Attention Based Transformers for Vegetation Encroachment Over Powerline Corriders using UAV

This paper explores the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for Vegetation Encroachment Detection using multi-head attention based Transformers (VE-DETR) network. With the enormous rise in the use of powerlines in complex terrains, vegetation encroachment of overhead powerlines has become an important issue that causes severe powerline failures. Some of the possibilities include falling of trees on or growing into the transmission lines that causes power outages or starting a fire in surrounding areas is a significant concern. This causes a significant threat to the security and stability of the power grids. Thus, it is significant to detect vegetation encroachment for ensuring the security and reliability in operating the power systems. As regular overhead inspections of powerlines are expensive and require a systematic inspection to overcome power outages. UAVs combined with deep learning methods are a viable option for addressing the vegetation encroachment problem that poses a significant risk of powerline failures.
Word Meaning Acquisition in Young Children: A Review of Theory and Research

Publisher Summary Words are tools for expressing and interpreting meanings. They both signify external objects or events and symbolize interior meanings or concepts. Words are arbitrary and conventional. Their meanings are strictly determined by social agreement, not by any similarity between a word and what it represents. To study how children learn words, then, is to study how arbitrary vocal forms become associated with external referents and with related concepts in the course of social exchange. This chapter defines the concepts as mental representations that specify how one should group objects or events. It describes the process of concept formation and to describe when and how words are attached to concepts. Verbal concepts, or word meanings, are those concepts which are symbolized by words. However, one's set of word meanings is not necessarily equivalent to one's set of concepts.
Maternal or Paternal Exposure to Cannabinoids Affects Central Neurotransmitter Levels and Reproductive Function in Male Offspring

A single prenatal exposure to cannabinol or cannabidiol reduced brain norepinephrine and dopamine and hypothalamic NE concentrations, but increased brain levels of serotonin and its metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. In addition, testicular testosterone concentrations and seminal vesicles weights were reduced in animals exposed to CBN. In contrast, seminal vesicles weights were increased in CBD-exposed males. Prenatal exposure to the major psychoactive component of marihuana, δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol on one of the last four days of gestation did not affect these parameters.
Impact of obesity on intraepithelial lymphocyte homeostasis (INC6P.350)

According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of the U.S. adult population is obese. Obesity is caused by overnutrition and accumulation of excess body fat leading to a state of chronic inflammation that impacts the function of epithelial tissues such as the intestine. The intestine consists of villi that increase the overall surface area to digest food and absorb nutrients. The epithelial layer of the villi contains immune cells such as intraepithelial intestinal lymphocytes that are important in maintaining epithelial homeostasis and repairing damaged intestinal tissue. Mice were placed on a high fat diet to define the mechanism by which obesity impacts intestinal epithelia and barrier function. Our data show that obese mice exhibit an increase in the severity of DSS-induced colitis. Using immunofluorescent microscopy we observe an increase in intestinal villi length with a simultaneous reduction in IEL number. The lamina proprial macrophages become skewed toward M1 CD11b+ CD11c+ proinflammatory type macrophages. Short-term diet reduces the severity of colitis for obese mice suggesting that dieting improves intestinal homeostasis in obesity. These data show the detrimental effects of obesity in the small intestine and future studies should focus on finding therapeutic treatments to fully restore IEL number and function to promote optimal intestinal homeostasis and barrier function.
Interaction of pH and NaCl on Enumeration of Heat-Stressed Staphylococcus aureus

The effect of pH level and NaCl concentrations, alone and in combination, on the enumeration of unstressed and heat-stressed cells of three strains of Staphylococcus aureus was determined. A definite narrowing of the optimum pH range for enumeration of both unstressed and heat-stressed cells was observed as the NaCl concentration was increased from 0.0 to 7.5%. Counts of unstressed cells diminished only slightly with increases in NaCl, whereas heat-stressed cells showed a marked sensitivity to NaCl concentrations of 4% and above, regardless of the pH level. Because of this sensitivity to NaCl, recoveries were far poorer than with unstressed cells at NaCl concentrations of 4% and above.
Comparison of a 12V, 10A, 3MHz buck converter and a series capacitor buck converter

This paper presents a theoretical and experimental comparison of a two-phase buck converter and a two-phase, series capacitor buck converter. The challenges of a conventional buck converter in high current (10 A or more), high frequency (3–30 MHz) point-of-load voltage regulators with large voltage conversion ratios (10-to-1) are discussed. The series capacitor buck converter exhibits characteristics such as lower switching loss, less inductor current ripple, inherit current balancing, duty ratio extension, and soft charging of the series capacitor. Drawbacks include a maximum output voltage limit and the impracticality of phase shedding. Analysis of the topologies indicates that switching loss and inductor core loss can dominate at high frequency. Results from side-by-side 12 V input, 1.2 V output hardware prototypes demonstrate that the series capacitor buck converter has up to 12 percentage points higher efficiency at 3 MHz and reduces power loss by up to 33% at full load (10 A).
Neutron Capture Cross Sections of Rhenium from 3 to 1900 keV

The neutron capture cross section of elemental rhenium was measured to neutron energies between 3 and 1900 keV at the Oak Ridge Electron Linear Accelerator time-of-flight facility. A deformed optical model was used to analyze published neutron total cross sections for rhenium and low-energy average resonance parameters for /sup 185/Re and /sup 187/Re. The optical model results were used with reaction theory to calculate radiative capture cross sections for comparison with the present experimental data.
Numerical simulation of laminar mixing surfaces in converging microchannel flows

In this work, we report on the impact of flow pulsatility on the laminar mixing surface/interface formed between two converging microchannel flows. The motivation behind the study is to assess the potential for pulsatility as a possible MEMS-mixing strategy. A 3-D computational model of the converging flow at a 90° junction is developed using the Fluent6 CFD software and the volume-of-fluid algorithm is used to track time-dependent behavior of the interface downstream of the junction. Results thus far have shown that for certain parametric regimes a complex, evolving interfacial distortion can form which propagates and persists downstream of the junction. Time-series for the total interfacial area and the interfacial motion have been extracted from numerical data and spectral analyses have been performed; some interesting nonlinear behavior has been observed. Of particular importance, the results also show that the complexity of the interfacial structure is only significant at higher frequencies (order of kHz) which is appropriate for MEMS-based pumping devices.
Degradable, antibiotic releasing poly(propylene fumarate)‐based constructs for craniofacial space maintenance applications

Space maintainers (SMs) used for craniofacial reconstruction function to preserve the void space created upon bone loss and promote soft tissue healing over the defect. Polymethylmethacrylate-based SMs present several drawbacks including implant exposure, secondary removal surgeries, and potential bacterial contamination during implantation. To address these issues, a novel composite material comprising poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) with N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) as the crosslinking agent, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) hydrogel as a porogen, and antibiotic loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles as antibiotic carriers and porogen was fabricated. CMC was incorporated at 40 wt % to impart rapid porosity while PLGA microparticles were incorporated at 30 or 40 wt % to release either clindamycin or colistin. This study was designed to examine the effects of PPF:NVP ratio, PLGA wt %, and the drug dose on the mass loss, temporal porosity change and drug release kinetics of the composite construct. Mass loss decreased significantly in constructs containing 3:2 PPF:NVP ratio with 30 wt % PLGA (63.2 ± 0.8%) compared to the 2:3 PPF:NVP ratio (80.3 ± 1.0% and 85.3 ± 1.3% for 30 and 40 wt % PLGA content, respectively) at 8 weeks. In formulations with 3:2 PPF:NVP ratio, incorporation of 40 versus 30 wt % PLGA significantly increased the porosity at 8 weeks under accelerated degradation conditions. Constructs released clindamycin or colistin at concentrations above the minimum inhibitory concentration for target pathogens for 45 and 77 days, respectively. This study demonstrates that the composition of PPF/CMC/PLGA constructs can be modulated to achieve properties suitable for craniofacial degradable space maintenance applications.
Effects of clofibrate and of an estrogen-progestin combination on fasting biliary lipids and cholic acid kinetics in man.

The influence of clofibrate and of an estrogen-progestin combination on fasting biliary lipids and on cholic acid kinetics was studied in 10 recently cholecystectomized patients, 2 of whom had hyperlipidemia. Uninfected hepatic bile was collected periodically for as long as 41/2 months through a closed indwelling cystic duct catheter; thus, the integrity of the enterohepatic circulation was preserved throughout the studies. Clofibrate (7 patients) and female sex hormones (3 patients) caused rises in concentrations of biliary cholesterol and reductions in bile acid levels but no consistent changes in phospholipid concentrations. Studies of cholic acid kinetics in 3 patients showed diminutions of daily synthesis rates and pool sizes with both drugs. These changes in biliary lipids resulted in increased lithogenicity of bile, that is, bile supersaturated with cholesterol. Since an increased incidence of cholesterol gallstones would be predicted in patients habitually taking clofibrate and in women using oral contraceptives, it may be indicated to carry out cholecystography prior to institution of long term use of these drugs; gastrointestinal symptoms developing in such patients should be evaluated in the light of the increased risk of cholelithiasis.
Excitation-Wavelength Dependent and Time-Resolved Photoluminescence Studies of Europium Doped GaN Grown by Interrupted Growth Epitaxy (IGE)

Abstract : The emission properties of Eu doped GaN thin films prepared by interrupted growth epitaxy (IGE) were investigated through excitation-wavelength dependent and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) studies. Under above-gap excitation (333-363 nm) large differences were observed in the Eu3(+) PL intensity and spectral features as a function of Ga shutter cycling time. The overall strongest red Eu(3+) PL intensity was obtained from a sample grown with a Ga-shutter cycling time of 20 minutes. The main Eu(3+) emission line originating from (5)D(sub 0) -> (7)F(sub 2) transition was composed of two peaks located at 620 nm and 622 nm, which varied in relative intensity depending on the growth conditions. The room-temperature emission lifetimes of the samples were non-exponential and varied from ~50 s to ~200 s (1/e lifetimes). Under resonant excitation at 471 nm [(7)F(sub 0) -> (5)D(sub 2)] all samples exhibited nearly identical PL spectra independent of Ga shutter cycling time. Moreover, the Eu(3+) PL intensities and lifetimes varied significantly less compared to above-gap excitation. The excitation wavelengths dependent PL results indicate the existence of different Eu(3+) centers in GaN: Eu, which can be controlled by the Ga shutter cycling time.
Unbiased fitting of B335 dust continuum observations: approach and evidence for variation of grain properties with position

We present the first published unbiased, automated approach to fitting infrared observations of interstellar dust clouds for the purposes of constraining their underlying physical properties. The dust radiative transfer problem is solved self-consistently for a given set of physical inputs. Spherical geometry is chosen to minimize the run time, given the large number (∼ millions) of models necessary. The model output is convolved with appropriate beams to produce simulated observations, which are then compared with observational data. A best fit is achieved using the Levenberg-Marquardt DNLS 1 routine from the SLATEC library, to minimize the chi-squared deviation. The speed of the model allows a large number of initial starting conditions to be considered. While any number of parameters can be fitted, we concentrate on the dust density and grain property distribution. We apply the model to the well-studied source B335. While much of the envelope is well modelled by a power-law exponent ∼1.5-1.9, we find potential evidence for a different inner structure for r 120 arcsec. We also find evidence of a variation in grain properties with radial position. The interior and exterior have larger concentrations of both thick ice mantles and bare grains. The properties in the interior would be consistent with a non-spherical structure seen by Harvey et al. (2003b) and Stutz et al. (2008), and the exterior would be consistent with incomplete refreezing of ice on to mantles after an evaporative event, such as a shock, in the last ∼ 10 5 yr.
ON THE STRUCTURE OF GENE CONTROL REGIONS

A model emphasizing the possible genetic role of tandem duplications of reverse repeats has been developed as an extension of Crick's (1971) general model for the chromosomes of higher organisms. Although developed initially (1) to explain why random differences in the control regions of individual gene loci might confer a selective advantage on heterozygous individuals as well as (2) to offer the species a means by which such differences might be effected without mutational harm, it seems that control regions built on a foundation of tandemly duplicated reverse repeats would exhibit many properties previously observed in studies on mutable loci in various organisms.
Photochemical Changes in Major Whey Proteins of Cow's Milk

Abstract Catalytic photoaggregation and photodegradation of purified α -lactalbumin, β -lactoglobulin, and acid whey proteins isolated from homogenized milk were studied. Disc gel electrophoresis of fluorescent light- and sunlight-exposed α -lactalbumin resulted in the formation of high molecular weight protein fractions with a corresponding decrease in the major protein band. When β -lactoglobulin was treated and analyzed similarly, high molecular weight proteins appeared with a concurrent decrease in the major band. Light-exposed whey had diminished intensities in all the bands. Riboflavin was necessary to catalyze the photochemical changes in the proteins. Gel filtration chromatography with Sephadex G-75 of purified protein samples and acid whey demonstrated an increase in a high molecular fraction indicating aggregation of protein following exposure. Lowry assay of exposed protein fractions confirmed photoaggregation, and N-group analysis provided supporting evidence of peptide bond hydrolysis.
Acquisition and retention of consistent associative responses with varied meaningfulness and similarity of stimuli

This study investigated learning and retention with the Method of Generated Responses (MGR), in which S produced the responses he was to associate to stimuli. Control S s learned the lists generated in MGR by conventional paired-associate learning (PAL). Four eighttrigram lists represented two levels of meaningfulness (M) and of formal similarity. Speed of reaching criterion was retarded at high similarity and low M. Learning method did not affect overall rate of learning, nor did it interact with other variables. However, while the criterion was reached more slowly in MGR, performance following the first correct trial was better than in PAL. High final levels of performance precluded firm conclusions concerning forgetting rates.
The odd couple : The compatibility of social construction and evolutionary psychology

Evolutionary psychology and social constructionism are widely regarded as fundamentally irreconcilable approaches to the social sciences. Focusing on the study of the emotions, we argue that this appearance is mistaken. Much of what appears to be an empirical disagreement between evolutionary psychologists and social constructionists over the universality or locality of emotional phenomena is actually generated by an implicit philosophical dispute resulting from the adoption of different theories of meaning and reference. We argue that once this philosophical dispute is recognized, it can be set aside. When this is done, it becomes clear that the two approaches to the emotions complement, rather than compete with, one another.
A new hypothesis concerning children’s fractional knowledge ☆

The basic hypothesis that guides our work is that children’s fraction schemes can emerge as accommodations in their numerical counting schemes. This hypothesis is referred to as the reorganization hypothesis because if a new scheme is constructed by using another scheme in a novel way, the new scheme can be regarded as a reorganization of the prior scheme. There are two basic ways of understanding the reorganization of a prior scheme. The first is that the child constructs the new scheme by operating on the preceding scheme using operations that can be, but may not be, a part of the operations of that scheme. In this case, the new scheme is of the same type as the preceding scheme. But it solves problems and serves purposes that the preceding scheme did not solve or did not serve. It also solves all of the problems the preceding scheme solved, but it solves them better. It is in this sense that the new scheme supersedes the preceding, more primitive, scheme.
Quasi-Rights: Participatory Citizenship and Negative Liberties in Democratic Athens

The relationship between participatory democracy (the rule of and by a socially diverse citizenry) and constitutional liberalism (a regime predicated on the protection of individual liberties and the rule of law) is a famously troubled one. The purpose of this essay is to suggest that, at least under certain historical conditions, participatory democracy will indeed support the establishment of constitutional liberalism. That is to say, the development of institutions, behavioral habits, and social values centered on the active participation of free and equal citizens in democratic politics can lead to the extension of legally enforced immunities from coercion to citizens and noncitizens alike. Such immunities, here called “quasi-rights,” are at least preconditions for the personal autonomy and liberty in respect to choice-making that are enshrined as the “rights of the moderns.” This essay, which centers on one ancient society, does not seek to develop a formal model proving that democracy will necessarily promote liberal constitutionalism. However, by explaining why a premodern democratic citizenry of free, adult, native males—who sought to defend their own interests and were unaffected by Enlightenment or post-Enlightenment ideals of inherent human worth—chose to extend certain formal protections to slaves, women, and children, it may point toward the development of a model for deriving liberalism from democratic participation. Development of such a model could have considerable bearing on current policy debates.
What is an epileptic seizure? Unifying definitions in clinical practice and animal research to develop novel treatments.

After the great successes of the mid-20th century in the development of drug treatments for epilepsy, subsequent attempts to identify more efficacious therapies have led to incremental improvements but have not had an impact on the problem of medically intractable epilepsy. Indeed, one-third of epilepsy patients still continue to have uncontrolled seizures (1,2), and no method has been found to prevent the development of epilepsy in those at risk (3). Many investigators have proposed that further progress in creating new epilepsy treatments might be made using models with chronic recurrent spontaneous seizures (epilepsy), as opposed to acute evoked seizures. In addition, seizure semiologies and etiologies that approximate those of human epilepsy syndromes better than models currently used for drug discovery, are more likely to involve mechanisms of ictogenesis and epileptogenesis that are relevant to the corresponding human syndrome (4–8). Therefore, substantial efforts have recently been made to introduce into basic and translational research epilepsy models with realistic etiologies that more closely mimic human syndromes, such as stroke (9,10), head injury (11,12), early-life febrile seizures (13), and hypoxia–ischemia (14,15). These new models have a variety of types of spontaneous seizures, including short nonconvulsive partial seizures. Because these seizures differ from the typical motor seizures currently employed in drug development, there could be controversy among investigators as to their significance and whether they are truly seizures. Although there is general agreement that epileptic seizures consists of occasional, sudden, hypersynchronous discharges of gray matter (16), the operational definitions of seizures and the endpoints used to assess treatment results still vary widely in clinical practice and experimental research. Thus, a clarification of the definitions of seizures is needed, because this determines the preclinical endpoints used to test novel therapies for seizure control and epilepsy prevention. This review will first discuss the differences among clinical and experimental definitions of seizures and the detrimental consequences of this disparity to the understanding of mechanisms of epilepsies and the development of better treatments. It will then propose an operational definition of seizures that apply equally well to both humans and animals. Adoption of these definitions could facilitate comparisons of data across laboratories and the translation of new therapies to the bedside.
An Integrated Security-Constrained Model-Based Dynamic Power Management Approach for Isolated Microgrids in All-Electric Ships

Isolated microgrid power systems are prone to large frequency and voltage deviations, since they have limited generation and finite inertia and may include pulse power loads and large proportion of dynamic loads. Thus, they require effective power management methods to operate optimally, while satisfying operating and security constraints. In this paper, a novel integrated security-constrained model-based power management approach is proposed for isolated microgrids in all-electric ships during the normal/alert operating state. The new power management method was formulated as a multi-objective optimal control problem. A method based on the Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II was developed to solve the problem. The developed integrated security-constrained power management approach was applied to a notional all-electric ship computer model. The simulation results, conducted in PSCAD, showed the effectiveness of the new power management method.