cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Water dimer absorption of visible light

Abstract. Laboratory measurements of water vapor absorption using cavity ring-down spectroscopy revealed a broad absorption at 405 nm with a quadratic dependence on water monomer concentration, a similar absorption with a linear component at 532 nm, and only linear absorption at 570 nm in the vicinity of water monomer peaks. D 2 O absorption is weaker and linear at 405 nm. Van't Hoff plots constructed at 405.26 nm suggest that for dimerization, K eq =0.056±0.02 atm −1 , ΔH° 301 K =−16.6±2 kJ mol −1 and ΔS° 301 K =−80±10 J mol −1 K −1 . This transition peaks at 409.5 nm, could be attributed to the 8th overtone of water dimer and the 532 nm absorption to the 6th overtone. It is possible that some lower overtones previously searched for are less enhanced. These absorptions could increase water vapor feed back calculations leading to higher global temperature projections with currently projected greenhouse gas levels or greater cooling from greenhouse gas reductions.
Electrocardiographic observations in clinically isolated, pure, chronic, severe aortic regurgitation: Analysis of 30 necropsy patients aged 19 to 65 years

Abstract Certain electrocardiographic findings are described in 30 necropsy patients with clinically isolated pure, chronic, severe aortic regurgitation. They were 19 to 65 years old (mean 45). The hearts of the 22 men ranged in weight from 430 to 1,110 g (mean 717) and of the 8 women, from 375 to 950 g (mean 638). Four had grossly visible left ventricular (LV) scars. All but 1 patient was in sinus rhythm. The PR interval was >0.20 second in 8 patients (28%) and the QRS duration was >0.12 second in 6 patients (20%). Only 5 patients (17%) had 1 or more ventricular premature complexes recorded on the resting electrocardiogram analyzed. The mean QRS amplitude for each of the 12 leads averaged 23 mm. The highest mean QRS voltage occurred in leads V 2 and V 3 (each 38 mm), and the lowest in lead aVR (11 mm). The mean QRS voltage in V 5 was higher than in V 6 (33 vs 28 mm) and in 22 patients (73%) the QRS voltage in V 5 was higher than in V 6 . The sum of the S wave in V 1 plus the larger of the R wave in V 5 or V 6 (Sokolow-Lyon index) averaged 51 mm and in only 22 patients (73%) was it >35 mm. The Romhilt-Estes voltage criteria for LV hypertrophy was fulfilled even less frequently, despite the severe degrees of LV hypertrophy in the patients studied. The total 12-lead QRS amplitude in the 30 patients ranged from 109 to 428 mm (mean 272) (10 mm = 1 mV) and in 27 patients (90%) it was >175 mm. The ratio of total 12-lead QRS voltage to heart weight in the 30 patients with aortic regurgitation was 0.42, only slightly higher than that in previously studied adults with severe aortic stenosis (0.39), an observation indicating that cavity dilatation does not magnify the QRS voltage generated by a given mass of myocardium.
Life cycle water use for photovoltaic electricity generation: A review and harmonization of literature estimates

This work provides consolidated estimates of water withdrawal and water consumption requirements for the full life cycle of photovoltaic (PV) systems, including component manufacturing, power plant construction, system operation, and decommissioning. Life cycle data were also collected for other types of electricity generating technologies for comparison purposes. Published estimates were gathered through a broad search of publicly available sources, screened for quality and relevance, and harmonized for methodological differences, when possible. Compared with other electricity generating technologies, the total life cycle water use for PV systems are lower than all other technologies except for wind technologies.
A High Frequency Fiber Optic Hydrophone

Recently there has been interest in fiber optic hydrophones for high frequency applications. A fiber optic hydrophone with flat frequency response to 50 kHz has been designed and built at NRL and demonstrated at the USRD calibration facility.
An evaluation of the use of seizure prone rats when investigating intermediate stage sleep.

Abstract A body of literature is developing which identifies an additional stage of sleep in rats, cats and mice. Intermediate stage (IS) sleep is a measurable sleep stage that is maintained by the hyperpolarization of GABAA containing thalamocortical neurons. The present study attempts to clarify inconsistencies within the sleep spindle literature. Most notably, inconsistencies between those that study sleep spindles in the rat outside and within the context of IS sleep. Ten male taiep rats weighing from 400 g to 600 g, and 9–12 months of age, were used in this study. The animals were given a one-time, .9 mg/kg dose of the benzodiazepine clonazepam. The control group had more seizure activity (mean = 13.4) than the treatment group (mean = 5.2, t(1–18) = 8.859, p
Biodynamic modeling of human articulating joints.

A substantial difficulty in theoretical modeling of human joints arises from the fact that the number of unknowns are usually far greater than the number of available equilibrium or dynamic equations. Thus, the problem is an indeterminate one. To deal with this indeterminate situation, optimization techniques have been employed in the past1,2. Another technique dealing with the indeterminate nature of joint modeling considers the anatomical and physiological constraint conditions together with the equilibrium or dynamic equations. The different techniques used by various researchers mainly vary as to the method of applying these conditions. At one extreme, all unknowns are included in the equilibrium or dynamic equations. A number of unknown forces are then assumed to be zero to make the system determinate so that the reduced set of equations can be solved. This process is repeated for all possible combinations of the unknowns, and the values of the joint forces are obtained after discarding the inadmissible solutions3.
Criminological Displacements: A Sociological Deconstruction

This text re-presents a deconstructive sociological reading of Michel Foucault's several investigations of the genealogy of the human sciences. We take the sociological history of criminology as an exemplar of the relation between the form and content of Western social science theorizing and the historically material pleasures associated with the production of a certain knowledge of “Other”ness within the intellectual marketplace of modern Western society. In analyzing the epistemological pleasures of human scientific knowledge in terms of sadism, surveillance, and the realization of a normal subject in discourse, we make connections between the structures of social scientific knowledge and the hierarchical organization of capitalist, racist, heterosexist, and imperialist power. We conclude with an outline of the methodological and political implications of a critical, post-structuralist intervention into social science theorizing.
A TRANSFORMAÇÃO DAS TREVAS NA LITERATURA PRÉ-MODERNISTA

Resumo: Este artigo aborda como a ideia de progresso enquanto eliminacao das trevas emerge continuamente na renovacao urbana e na literatura do Rio de Janeiro do inicio da decada de 1900, particularmente no projeto de “bota-abaixo” do Prefeito Pereira Passos e na eletrificacao da iluminacao das ruas da cidade. Escritores recorrem a sugestiva tensao entre trevas e luz para explorar componentes simbolicos, morais, sociais e esteticos dos esforcos de modernizacao do Rio de Janeiro. Retratos jornalisticos e ficcionais das transformacoes urbanas dessa cidade utilizam recursos literarios tais como o antropomorfismo, hiperbole, ironia e fantasia para celebrar, questionar e desmistificar os projetos de iluminar melhor a capital. Por um lado, a iluminacao eletrica das ruas tinha uma finalidade pratica: tornar a locomocao noturna mais segura e facil. Por outro, tinha uma finalidade estetica: iluminar magnificentemente a cidade. Uma vez que representava tanto os ideais praticos quanto esteticos da reforma, a iluminacao das ruas tornou-se uma sinedoque do esforco de modernizacao. Palavras-chave: Lima Barreto. Joao do Rio. Olavo Bilac. Rio de Janeiro. Abstract: This article focuses on how the idea of progress as the elimination of darkness continually arises in Rio de Janeiro‟s urban renewal and literature of the early 1900s, particularly with regard to Mayor Pereira Passos‟s bota-abaixo project and the electrification of the city‟s streetlights. Writers draw on the suggestive tension between darkness and light to explore symbolic, moral, social and aesthetic components of Rio de Janeiro‟s modernization efforts. Journalistic and fictional portrayals of Rio de Janeiro‟s urban transformations use literary devices such as anthropomorphism, hyperbole, irony and fantasy to celebrate, question and demystify efforts to better light the capital. On one hand, electric streetlight had a practical purpose: to make nighttime travel safer and easier. On the other, it had an aesthetic purpose: to dazzlingly illuminate the city. Since it represented both the practical and aesthetic ideals of the reform, streetlight became a synecdoche of the modernization effort. Keywords: Lima Barreto. Joao do Rio. Olavo Bilac. Rio de Janeiro.
Giant atypical carcinoid of the liver with vascular metastases and local sinusoidal invasion: a case report

We present the case of a 46 year old woman with a giant, 23-centimeter, atypical carcinoid of the liver. A primary site for this neoplasm could not be identified despite multiple radiographic imaging studies, including a somatostatin scan, and a thorough inspection of the bowel during surgical resection of the lesion. Histologically, the tumor displayed mild cytologic atypia, abundant necrosis, and intravascular metastases, the last feature of which was identified by immunohistochemical markers for chromogranin and synaptophysin. Also described is the unusual sinusoidal infiltration, or "spillage," of tumor cells into the surrounding liver parenchyma, a feature that has not been described as far as we are aware but may suggest an aggressive clinical course. Even though an exact definition of atypia for these lesions apparently does not exist at this point, the multiple atypical features in this case strongly suggest the diagnosis of atypical carcinoid of the liver, thus far an altogether rare and vaguely reported entity. As more cases arise in the medical literature, it may be worthwhile to establish a set of guidelines to define atypical hepatic carcinoids and other gastrointestinal carcinoids, although survivorship data thus far indicates no significant difference in the prognosis between typical versus atypical variants.
Fan-in tree analysis: a new fault isolation tool

With the ever increasing complexity in IC design and with the introduction of flip chip technology, the pressing need for computer aided fault isolation (FI) is sensed. Fan-in tree is a collection of subsequent fan-in signals with respect to a given node. As such, possible failing locations can be narrowed down to nodes that reside within the fan-in tree only. Multiple fan-in trees from multiple known failing nodes can also be intersected to locate common driving nodes. This paper presents an application program that was developed for Intel standard (.sch) netlist format. The result is FTREE; a fan-in tree tool that is independent of product. This tool enhances the performance of other FA tools. For its optimum usage, proper scan node selection is required during design stage. Selection of these nodes is also presented.
Signal Transduction from Leukocyte Integrins

The activation of leukocytes at sites of inflamation is a topic of great meidcal importance. Leukocytes normally exist in the circulation unactivated. In response to specific inflammatory signals, they can migrate out of the bloodstream, into the site of inflammation. At the inflammatory site, they express a different phenotype than in the bloos. Neutrophils and monocytes are easily stimulated to release reactive oxygen metabolites which act both as cytocidal agents and as metabolic intermediates (Durum and Oppenheim, 1989); monocytes and macrophages are more highly phagocytic or more competent for antigen presentation (Silverstein, et al., 1989; Unanue and Allen, 1987); lymphocytes are activated to proliferate, synthesize cytokines, or perform effector functions (Durum and Oppenheim, 1989). Inhibition of leukocyte migration into, or activation at, sites of inflammation can dramatically reduce tissue damage and alter survival (Ferguson et al., 1991; Rosen, 1989; Vedder et al., 1988; Vercellotti et al., 1983). Thus, understanding the mechanisms of leukocyte exit from the bloodstream and activation at inflammatory sites is presently a subject of intense effort in several laboratories.
Semiconductor Quantum Dots for Multicolor Fluorescence Imaging and Spectroscopy of Single Cancer Cells

Luminescent quantum dots (QDs) are emerging as a new class of biological labels with unique properties and applications that are not available from traditional organic dyes and fluorescent proteins. Here we report new developments in using semiconductor quantum dots for quantitative imaging and spectroscopy of single cancer cells. We show that both live and fixed cells can be labeled with multicolor QDs, and that single cells can be analyzed by fluorescence imaging and wavelength-resolved spectroscopy. These results raise new possibilities in cancer imaging, molecular profiling, and disease staging.
A Review of “A Different Kind of Web: New Connections Between Archives and Our Users”

The need for archivists to take a look at how they work in light of ever-changing technologies is not a new concept. In fact, the editor of A Different Kind of Web: New Connections Between Archives...
Time-Resolved Imaging of Ca2+-Dependent Aequorin Luminescence of Microdomains and QEDs in Synaptic Preterminals

Localized elevation of intracellular free calcium [Ca2+]i concentration serves as the trigger for a wide variety of physiological processes, e.g., neurotransmitter release at most chemical synapses (1-3). The details of the mechanisms that regulate these processes are still unresolved (3-6), but they must involve precise temporal sequences of molecular events initiated by a transient localized elevation of Ca2+ concentration (i.e., a Ca2+ microdomain [3,7-15]). A microdomain is defined as an autonomous compartment of minimal spatio-temporal volume within which a signaled process can occur (8, 10, 12). A quantum emission domain (QED) is a quantal signal element (3, 16, 17). The concept of a QED was first applied to Ca2+ signaling at the synaptic preterminal (3, 4) and for large-diameter mitotic cells (16, 17). The concept of Ca2+ microdomains was tested by labeling preterminals of squid giant synapses with low-sensitivity aequorin (a photoprotein that emits a photon upon binding Ca2+ [18, 19]). That work confirmed earlier modeling efforts (10, 16) and showed that, upon depolarization, the [Ca2+]i profile reaches 200-300 microM within the microdomains, and that these [Ca2+]i profiles are composed of groups of short-lived 0.5 microns diameter QEDs. In those records, obtained with 2:1 interlacing devices operating at the RS-170 standard, QEDs appeared as striped dots or chevrons rather than as solid dots, indicating that a QED lasted less than 16.6 ms (one video field), and thus establishing the need for higher sampling rates to better characterize the QED.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Casuistry, care, compassion, and ethics data analysis.

Traditional approaches to descriptive ethics data analysis do not explicate the nature of ethical dilemmas in critical care and emergency nursing. Using sensitizing concepts of causes of nurse compassion, 168 stories of ethical dilemmas were categorized. They were analyzed from the theoretical persp
Studies on the binding of ascorbic acid in animal tissues.

Summary1. The procedure of Sumerwell and Sealock, which yields evidence in favor of the exsitence of ascorbic acid in liver tissue in a bound form, was repeated. Results were in essential agreement with the work of these authors. 2. A study of the behavior of ascorbic acid in an aqueous liver homogenate under ultracentrifugation was made. At a centrifugal force of 100,000 × g a significant density gradient of ascorbic acid was formed. 3. Addition of urea in 3 N and 6 N concentrations had no influence upon the density gradients of ascorbic acid formed in aqueous liver extracts submitted to high speed centrifugation. 4. The results obtained are interpreted as evidence in favor of the assumption that ascorbic acid exists in tissues in a bound form.
Challenge and response in the Indus Basin

The authors examine the complex history of the development of the Indus Basin and the challenges faced by Pakistan during the evolution of the Indus Basin Irrigation System and the country9s responses to date. The Indus river system must meet the multiple needs of agriculture, energy and flood security. Pakistan9s constitutional structure, in which the federation shares overall responsibility for the operation of the Indus with the provinces, poses unique management and implementation challenges. What are the institutional arrangements Pakistan needs to address the challenges to the Indus Waters Treaty it signed with India in 1960? How is the country going to regulate the use of over-abstraction in the basin with the increased reliance on groundwater to maintain agricultural productivity? What are the institutional mechanisms in place to manage increased river flow variations from glacial melt as a result of climate change and for coping with devastating floods? At the same time, is the country maintaining adequate environmental flows to its delta? Provincial mistrust and a lack of institutional capacity underpins the history of the Indus in Pakistan with the Interprovincial Water Accord 1991 serving as a ray of hope on which to build a new institutional architecture of cooperation.
Aeroacoustics of Turbulent Boundary-Layer Flow over Small Steps

The aeroacoustics of low-Mach-number boundary-layer flow over small steps is investigated using large-eddy simulation and Lighthill’s theory. Step heights range from 0.83% to 53% of turbulent boundary layer thickness with Re� = 4, 100, and both backward and forward steps are considered. Sound predictions using Lighthill’s equation with an acoustically compact Green’s function show that forward step is noisier than backward step as observed in previous experiments, but the difference is significantly reduced as the step size decreases. The underlying reason is analyzed in terms of source and Green’s function distributions. The backward steps generate sound primarily through diffraction of the unsteady hydrodynamic pressure in the boundary layer, whereas the generation and modification of acoustic sources by forward steps play a major role in the forward-step sound generation. The effect of steps on the space-time characteristics is investigated. The forward steps induce significantly larger pressure fluctuations than backward steps, and the maximum occurs near the reattachment location when there is flow separation. Reattachment is shown to decorrelate wall pressure fluctuations. The frequency spectra of wall pressure fluctuations are used to study the flow recovery downstream of the step. It is found that the forward step flow recovers faster than the backward step flow.
Statistical Downscaling versus Dynamic Downscaling: An Assessment Based upon a Sample Study

In this study the precipitation variability between a statistical downscaling method (BCSD) and a dynamical downscaling method (MM5) that is based on the CCSM3 GCM control run for a historical period and on the CCSM3 GCM A1B emission scenario simulations for a projection period, is investigated by means of the normalized standard deviation and the precipitation change over Northern California region. From this study, it is found that the precipitation estimated by BCSD method shows only the interpolated patterns from the CCSM3 GCM coarse grid points and does not show the spatial variability of the precipitation field as it is influenced by the heterogeneity in land characteristics and the spatial variability in the regional atmospheric processes. Meanwhile PRISM and MM5simulated precipitation have similar spatial structures, and show the complicated spatial characteristics of precipitation variability due to the heterogeneity in Northern California study region’s land characteristics. As such the spatial precipitation trends by BCSD method cannot show the locally diverse trends caused by the regional land and climate heterogeneity over the study region and show the opposite spatial patterns compared to the precipitation trends by MM5 in many places over the study region. In conclusion, it is found that the BCSD method has limitations in projecting future precipitation values because BCSD method does not consider the interactions between GCM outputs and local geomorphological characteristics such as orographic effects and land use/cover patterns.
Using water bills to reinforce price signals: evidence from the USA

In areas subject to drought and/or high population growth, measures to encourage conservation have become an important part of water management and planning. Residential consumers' low sensitivity to prices reduces the effectiveness and desirability of using price signals as a conservation tool. We hypothesize that consumers' sluggish response to prices is partly due to the fact that price information is not conveniently available to them. If the hypothesis is true, including clear price information on water bills should reinforce consumers' sensitivity to price and therefore increase the power of price-based policies in demand management strategies. A standard aggregate water demand model is augmented with qualitative variables describing the informational content of bills and estimated using a cross section of US utilities. Our results indicate that a utility that spells out unit prices on the water bill can achieve the same level of conservation as others with a thirty to forty percent lower rate increase. We find no evidence that non-price information such as history of use or conservation messages has a significant effect on demand.
Association between barriers and facilitators to meeting the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and body weight status of caregiver–child dyads: the Healthy Eating and Lifestyle for Total Health Study

BACKGROUND Few Americans meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), yet a large percentage are overweight. OBJECTIVE The goal of this research was to examine the association between barriers and facilitators to meeting the DGA and weight in a multisite study. DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study in which 836 caregiver-child dyads among 3 race/ethnic groups completed the questionnaire across 6 sites participating in the HEALTH (Healthy Eating and Lifestyle for Total Health) Study. Barriers and facilitators to meeting the DGA were assessed by using a validated questionnaire developed specifically for the HEALTH Study. Heights and weights were measured. A series of bivariate regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between caregiver body mass index (BMI) or child BMI z score and the barriers and facilitators to meeting the DGA, adjusting for appropriate covariates in the models. Path analysis was used to examine the relation of caregiver and child barriers and facilitators to their relative BMIs. RESULTS In children, the BMI z score was associated positively (P < 0.001) with total barriers and negatively (P < 0.001) with total facilitators. In caregivers, BMI was associated positively only with total barriers (P < 0.0001). For each of the 8 MyPyramid components, barriers consistently were associated positively (P < 0.0001) and facilitators were associated negatively (P < 0.001) with BMI z score in children (with the exception of the fruit and physical activity components). For caregivers, most of the barriers to meeting recommendations for meats and beans; solid fats, alcohol, and added sugars; and physical activity components were associated positively (P < 0.01) with BMI. Path analyses show that caregiver facilitators were significantly related to children's facilitators to meeting DGA recommendations (standardized β: 0.12; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION To our knowledge, our findings are among the first to show associations between weight and barriers and/or facilitators to meeting the DGA in a national, large sample of caregiver-child dyads. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02725970.
0135 Using ‘in situ simulation’ to identify latent errors in general practice: A pilot study

Background General practice is under pressure as a front line service and is expected to deal with a wide range of cases. It is inevitable that medical emergencies will occur, although less frequently than in hospital.1 High risk, low frequency emergencies may lead to difficulty in maintaining expertise and local policies and systems remain untested. In situ simulation is well placed to identify latent errors in order to improve patient safety, team knowledge and confidence.2 The objective of this pilot study was to assess the role and impact of this within a general practice surgery. Methodology Using a wireless medium fidelity adult mannequin (HAL® S3201, Gaumard, Florida, US) the following scenarios were undertaken: Anaphylaxis, acute exacerbation of asthma and acute coronary syndrome. Participants including doctors, nurses, health care assistants and receptionists were informed of the learning objectives and scenarios to be undertaken. A video assisted human factors focused debrief occurred immediately after each scenario. A pre and post course questionnaire regarding confidence was completed by participants. Results Individual confidence in dealing with emergencies was seen to increase most (average 2.52/5.0 to 4.24/5.0 on the Likert scale3). The ability of the practice to effectively deal with emergencies was initially rated as moderate on average (3.53/5.0). This improved to very effective (average 4.80/5.0). Several key latent errors were identified with simple recommendations for improvement made. Potential impact This pilot study identified key latent errors, which could negatively impact on patient care in the case of an emergency. Participants found the experience educational, with improvements in confidence and knowledge seen. There is a plan to commission this project for further practices within the Merseyside area as part of an ongoing educational programme. References Bury G, Headon M, Egan M, et al. Cardiac arrest management in general practice in Ireland: a 5-year cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2013;3:e002563. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002563 Wheeler DS, Geis G, Mack EH, et al. High-reliability emergency response teams in the hospital: improving quality and safety using in situ simulation training. BMJ Qual Saf. 2013;22:507–514 Likert R. A technique for the measurement of attitudes. Arch Psychol.1932;140:1–55
Military science: Among the warriors

Sharon Weinberger finds much to amuse and disturb in Mary Roach's tour of conflict's wilder shores.
Further Exploring the Link Between Religion and Existential Health: The Effects of Religiosity and Trait Differences in Mentalizing on Indicators of Meaning in Life

Religiosity contributes to perceptions of meaning. One of the cognitive foundations for religious belief is the capacity to mentalize the thoughts, emotions, and intentions of others (Theory of Mind). We examined how religiosity and trait differences in mentalizing interact to influence meaning. We hypothesized that people who are most cognitively inclined toward religion (high mentalizers) receive the greatest existential benefits (i.e., high and secure meaning) from religiosity. We assessed individual differences in mentalizing and religiosity, and measured indicators of meaning. Results confirmed that the combination of high mentalizing and high religiosity corresponded to the highest levels of existential health.
Less is more: prolonged intermittent access cocaine self-administration produces incentive-sensitization and addiction-like behavior

Contemporary animal models of cocaine addiction focus on increasing the amount of drug consumption to produce addiction-like behavior. However, another critical factor is the temporal pattern of consumption, which in humans is characterized by intermittency, both within and between bouts of use. To model this, we combined prolonged access to cocaine (∼70 days in total) with an intermittent access (IntA) self-administration procedure and used behavioral economic indicators to quantify changes in motivation for cocaine. IntA produced escalation of intake, a progressive increase in cocaine demand (incentive-sensitization), and robust drug- and cue-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior. We also asked whether rats that vary in their propensity to attribute incentive salience to reward cues (sign-trackers [STs] vs. goal-trackers [GTs]) vary in the development of addiction-like behavior. Although STs were more motivated to take cocaine after limited drug experience, after IntA, STs and GTs no longer differed on any measure of addiction-like behavior. Exposure to large quantities of cocaine is not necessary for escalation of intake, incentive-sensitization, or other addiction-like behaviors (IntA results in far less total cocaine consumption than ‘long access’ procedures). Also, the ST phenotype may increase susceptibility to addiction, not because STs are inherently susceptible to incentive-sensitization (perhaps all individuals are at risk), but because this phenotype promotes continued drug use, subjecting them to incentive-sensitization. Thus, the pharmacokinetics associated with the IntA procedure are especially effective in producing a number of addiction-like behaviors and may be valuable for studying associated neuroadaptations and for assessing individual variation in vulnerability.
Thermal annealing effects on copper microstructure in Through-Silicon-Vias

In this paper, we have studied the microstructure evolution of one-year room-temperature-aged Through-Silicon Via (TSV) copper after annealing the TSV samples at 300 °C, 400 °C and 500 °C for 180 minutes. Hardness and elastic modulus values are obtained by using nano-indentation technique. The hardness and elastic modulus values decrease as annealing temperature increases. The microstructure of copper (Cu) is examined to obtain grain size and texture, using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Copper grain growth, if any, is studied under different annealing temperatures. There was no observable grain growth for the annealing temperatures studied in this work. Moreover, microstructure variation at different locations within a Cu TSV is also studied.
The temporally controlled expression of Drongo, the fruit fly homolog of AGFG1, is achieved in female germline cells via P-bodies and its localization requires functional Rab11

To achieve proper RNA transport and localization, RNA viruses exploit cellular vesicular trafficking pathways. AGFG1, a host protein essential for HIV-1 and Influenza A replication, has been shown to mediate release of intron-containing viral RNAs from the perinuclear region. It is still unknown what its precise role in this release is, or whether AGFG1 also participates in cytoplasmic transport. We report for the first time the expression patterns during oogenesis for Drongo, the fruit fly homolog of AGFG1. We find that temporally controlled Drongo expression is achieved by translational repression of drongo mRNA within P-bodies. Here we show a first link between the recycling endosome pathway and Drongo, and find that proper Drongo localization at the oocyte's cortex during mid-oogenesis requires functional Rab11.
Considering Roads Taken and Not Taken: How Psychological Distance Impacts the Framing of Choice Events

After people make choices, they can frame the choice event in terms of what they chose, or in terms of what they did not choose. The current research proposes psychological distance as one factor i...
The Presence of New Psychoactive Substances in a Tor Network Marketplace Environment.

ABSTRACTPrior research has documented the availability of drugs on many Tor Network websites, with the Internet playing a particularly vital role in the global new psychoactive substances (NPS) market. The primary objective of this research was to document types of NPS for sale on the largest operating Tor site (Agora) over a period of four months. Secondary objectives were to analyze countries and vendors sourcing NPS on Agora. Data from Agora were collected in February and June 2015. The number of total advertisements on Agora increased from 20,742 to 27,431 over the four months, while the number of NPS advertisements increased from 2,205 to 2,271 and the number of vendors increased from 157 to 288. The composition of NPS listings and source countries for NPS advertised on Agora diversified over time. Advertisements for ketamine and unclassified NPS experienced substantial growth, while the availability of phenethylamines decreased. However, phenethylamines remained the most frequently advertised NPS ty...
Chapter 17 – Executive Compensation and Incentives

Abstract Since the seminal contribution of Jensen and Murphy (1990), our understanding of executive compensation and incentives has greatly improved. Through time, the strength of incentives has increased. In the 1990s, this was accomplished primarily through the use of stock options. The two most important sources of aggregate incentives are holdings of stock and holdings of stock options—these align managers’ interests with those of shareholders. Firm size, firm risk, executive aversion to risk, executive productivity, the extent to which executives like or dislike taking certain actions that matter for shareholders, and characteristics of the industry all determine how strong or weak incentives should be. We know that, because shareholders have limited information about what managers do and limited ability to monitor managers, managers need to be provided with some incentives. The key limitation on the provision of incentives is the need to share risk between managers and other shareholders. Actual compensation practices reflect this trade-off. We also know now that boards and shareholders do not have the complete ability to set managerial compensation. Either because of CEO power or a limited supply of managerial talent, at least some CEOs have the ability to extract more compensation than what is dictated by straightforward pay for performance. At this stage, we have a reasonably strong understanding of the determinants of incentives, and incentives seem to work well. We still do not fully understand the level of compensation. A number of well-documented examples are consistent with the rent extraction view of the level of compensation. Instances of excessive compensation and rent extraction seem to be correlated with corporate governance failure, accounting fraud, and poor corporate outcomes.
Replayconfusion: detecting cache-based covert channel attacks using record and replay

Cache-based covert channel attacks use highly-tuned shared-cache conflict misses to pass information from a trojan to a spy process. Detecting such attacks is very challenging. State of the art detection mechanisms do not consider the general characteristics of such attacks and, instead, focus on specific communication protocols. As a result, they fail to detect attacks using different protocols and, hence, have limited coverage. In this paper, we make the following observation about these attacks: not only are the malicious accesses highly tuned to the mapping of addresses to the caches; they also follow a distinctive cadence as bits are being received. Changing the mapping of addresses to the caches substantially disrupts the conflict miss patterns, but retains the cadence. This is in contrast to benign programs. Based on this observation, we propose a novel, high-coverage approach to detect cache-based covert channel attacks. It is called ReplayConfusion, and is based on Record and deterministic Replay (RnR). After a program's execution is recorded, it is deterministically replayed using a different mapping of addresses to the caches. We then analyze the difference between the cache miss rate timelines of the two runs. If the difference function is both sizable and exhibits a periodic pattern, it indicates that there is an attack. This paper also introduces a new taxonomy of cache-based covert channel attacks, and shows that ReplayConfusion uncovers examples from all the categories. Finally, ReplayConfusion only needs simple hardware.
Mutual beliefs of multiple conversants: a computational model of collaboration in air traffic control

This work develops a computational model for representing and reasoning about dialogue in terms of the mutuality of belief of the conversants. We simulated cooperative dialogues at the speech act level and compared the simulations with actual dialogues between pilots and air traffic controllers engaged in real tasks. In the simulations, addressees and overhearers formed beliefs and took actions appropriate to their individual roles and contexts. The result is a computational model capable of representing the evolving context of complete real-world multiparty task-oriented conversations in the air traffic control domain.
Dynamic T-wave inversions in the setting of left bundle branch block

We illustrate the case a patient with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and electrocardiogram (ECG) changes consistent with those described in Wellens' syndrome. The characteristic ECG findings of Wellens' syndrome identify patients who have a particularly high rate of important coronary events in the near future, however these findings have previously been described only in the setting of normal conduction. A review of Wellens' syndrome, its criteria and pathophysiology, and its proposed appearance in the setting of LBBB is presented.
Rhetorical Chain-Link Construction and the Relationship between Romans 7.1-6 and 7.7–8.39: Additional Evidence for Assessing the Argument of Romans 7–8 and the Identity of the Infamous ‘I’

Scholars often ﬁnd structural and/or logical deﬁciencies in Rom. 7.1-6 and 7.7–8.39. Such ﬁndings often lead to confusion regarding the argument of Rom. 7–8. Bruce Longenecker’s identiﬁcation of chain-link construction in 7.7–8.39 convincingly resolves many problems, but 7.1-6 remains in the lurch. A similar examination of 7.1-6, however, clariﬁes the structure and argument of that passage, its relationship to 7.7–8.39, and the argument of Rom. 7–8 as a whole. Indeed, 7.1-6 anticipates the structure and content of 7.7–8.39 through its own miniature chain-link construction. This provides not only additional but signiﬁcant evidence for the rhetorical function of 7.1-6, the argument of Rom. 7–8 and the identity of the infamous ‘I’ in Rom. 7.7-25.
Biomaterials and Cells for Revascularization

Cell therapy is often hailed for its potential to revolutionize modern medicine and to treat a wide variety of diseases. The growing enthusiasm surrounding cell-based therapies has resulted in more than 14,560 clinical trials recorded by the NIH over the last decade; however, these trials have not resulted in consistent clinical benefit. These disappointing results could stem from both biological and engineering challenges. While supporting the safety of these cells, these trials have indicated several difficulties hampering clinical/translational potential, including the appropriate cell type, the optimal cell dose, the route of cell administration, the efficiency of cell engraftment at the target tissue, and the frequency of treatment required. Biomaterial systems have been used to bypass some of the limitations arising from cell-based therapies. The biomaterials’ microenvironment protects and increases cell functionality and viability. This chapter will focus on the utility of both naturally occurring and synthetic biomaterial systems to bypass some of the current limitations of cell-based approaches for revascularization therapies. Distinctively, this chapter will cover both the blood and lymphatic vessel systems as critically important targets to resolve vascular problems. The introductory chapter provides an overview of the current clinical outlook that will then be reviewed, followed by a critical evaluation of the current barriers and challenges for clinical success. Then various cell types and sources available for use in vascularization and an overview of different biomaterials currently used for cell transplantation and their applications for revascularization will be examined. Finally, future directions for successful cell-based approaches will be discussed.
Calculation of θ barr

Abstract We compute θ to the two-loop order in a class of models with spontaneously broken CP. We find θ is naturally small in these models, which are simple to construct. Two loop graphs give contributions to θ in an experimentally interesting range. These models have the standard model as their low energy limit, with CP violation in the weak interactions due to the Kobayashi-Maskawa mechanism.
Morocco at the Crossroads

For centuries, Morocco has been a country of emigration and transit. Its proximity to the European Union and to the Spanish territories of Ceuta and Melilla on the northern border of Morocco has led migrants to attempt transit through Morocco to gain access to the European Union. Despite its history as a country of transit, Morocco now faces unprecedented challenges regarding increased immigration and its corresponding international obligations to protect the human rights of migrants within its borders. The issues Morocco faces as a new destination country, attempting to apply the Convention in a non-discriminatory manner, evinces the contemporary reality that countries in the Global South have become destinations for greater numbers of forced migrants than ever seen in recorded history. The goal of this chapter is to critically analyze the vulnerable situation of refugees and asylum seekers at the intersection of race and gender in Morocco. The chapter contains four major parts. In the first part, I give background information on the 1951 Refugee Convention, the obligations of nation-states that are signatories to the Convention, and how nation-states make legal determinations to distinguish between migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. In the second part, I review the historical and legal context behind Moroccan migration and refugee laws. In the third part, I highlight the historical and legal context in which the Convention is being applied in Morocco. Finally, I analyze the contemporary problematic of the application of the Convention in Morocco focusing on how individuals with gender based reasons for fleeing persecution and asylum seekers of African descent may be precluded from presenting their cases to obtain refugee status under existing legal frameworks. Sources of data for this inquiry included: UNHCR statistics, existing immigration laws related to refugees and migrants in Morocco, social science research on mixed migration in Morocco, policy briefs, and data on global migration flows as well as current trends in litigating and processing refugees across the globe. After using these data to approach Morocco as a legal case study, I found support for the conclusion that international actors must rethink collaboration to ensure refugees protections under the Refugee Convention - especially given that countries of the Global South are becoming new destinations for migrants.
An Integrated Loop Model of Corrective Feedback and Oral English Learning: A Case of International Students in the United States.

The author in this study introduces an integrated corrective feedback (CF) loop to schematize the interplay between CF and independent practice in L2 oral English learning among advanced-level adult ESL students. The CF loop integrates insights from the Interaction, Output, and Noticing Hypotheses to show how CF can help or harm L2 learners’ English practice routines. This study used a mixed method design, and the data for the CF loop were collected via qualitative open-ended survey questions and a set of forty student interviews. In the aggregate, interviewees describe a similar practice pattern and learning process and learning trajectory using their teachers’ oral CF, and cite common themes and reasons for whether teachers’ oral CF works or not.
Object-Centric Scene Understanding for Image Memorability Prediction

Computational image memorability prediction has made significant progress in recent years. It is reported that we can robustly estimate the memorability of images with many different object and scene classes. However, the large scale data-based method including deep Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) showed a room for improvement when it was applied to smaller benchmark dataset. In this work, we investigate the missing link that causes such performance gap via in-depth qualitative analysis, and then provide suggestions to bridge the gap. Specifically, we study the relationship between the image memorability and the object spatial composition within the scene depicted by an image. Our hypothesis is that the image memorability is closely related to the composition of the scene, that is beyond mere location and existence. Experimental results show that the recent advances in scene parsing methods, which extracts contextual information of the image, may not only help better understanding of the image memorability and the object composition, but also show promising potential in improving computational memorability prediction.
Catching the Next Wave: Patterning of the Drosophila Eye by the Morphogenetic Furrow

In 1864, August Weismann published the first drawing of the insect eye–antennal disc complex. In this image, he drew a line within the eye and described it as the border between the eye and antennal portions of the disc complex. One hundred and twelve years later, Donald Ready, Thomas Hanson, and Seymour Benzer demonstrated that this line, which they called the morphogenetic furrow, is actually the leading edge of a differentiating wave that traverses the eye disc of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, and transforms a field of undifferentiated and nonpatterned cells into an ordered array of periodically spaced ommatidia or unit eyes. In the 36 years since this seminal discovery, dozens of papers have focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms that underlie the initiation and progression of the furrow as well as the many cellular changes that cells undergo as they enter, temporarily reside, and then exit the furrow. This review will summarize what is currently known about the cellular architecture of the furrow and the mechanisms that control its birth and propagation across the eye primordium. This chapter will also discuss the means by which the initiation of the furrow is restricted to a single point along the posterior margin.
The Virtual Universe, the Open Large Group, and Maturational Processes in the Future

The technology of the future will bring a new, world-wide, interactive but virtual social experience to our parlors and desktops in place of face-to-face relationships. Governments will stand or fall on the basis of electronically mediated communication with masses of people. Adventures in this new open large group context in the outer world, and the maturation of our inner selves may mirror as well as contribute to each other. Small group experience and group therapy, in particular, may play a vital role.