cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of polymers in organosilicate nanocomposites

Dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry (DSIMS) measurements were performed to measure the effects of functionlized organosilicate clay (Cloisite 6A) on the tracer diffusion coefficient, D, in polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrices. The results indicate that D is unaffected by the addition of 5% (by volume) of PS and is reduced by a factor of 3 with the addition of the same volume fraction in a PMMA matrix. The same ratio was also obtained for the extrapolated zero shear rate viscosity of PS and PMMA melt-mixed composites with the same volume fraction of clay. DSIMS was also used to measure the mobility of the clay platelets, which was found to be much lower than the polymer chains in both matrices. Examination of the sample morphology with scanning force and transmission electron microscopy indicated that in contrast to melt mixing, spin casting produced a large degree of exfoliation in both PS and PMMA matrices. Hence the difference in the dynamics in the presence of clay was asc...
Agricultural impacts: Big data insights into pest spread

Pests and diseases reduce agricultural yields and are an important wildcard in the evaluation of future climate impacts. A unique global record of pests and diseases provides evidence for poleward expansions of their distributions.
The relationship between ratings of voice quality and quality of life measures

In the past several years, a number of scales have been developed that elicit a patient's self-assessment of the severity of his or her voice problem. The Voice Related Quality of Life Measure (V-RQOL) assesses a patient's perception of the impact of the voice problem on quality of life. Although this tool assesses the patient's perception of the voice disorder, it may not reflect the severity of dysphonia as perceived by a clinician. The GRBAS is an auditory-perceptual scale developed in Japan and used by clinicians to categorize the voice using five descriptive perceptual parameters: overall grade or severity (G), roughness of the voice (R), breathiness (B), asthenia (A), and strain (S). The purpose of this research is to determine the relationship between the patient's perception of voice related quality of life using the V-RQOL and the clinician's perception of voice severity using the GRBAS scale. Fifty patients with a complaint of a voice disorder completed the V-RQOL prior to their examination. In addition, 45 patients without voice complaints (controls) also completed the V-RQOL. All patients and control subjects were assessed by one of the voice clinicians using the GRBAS. For 25 of the subjects, both clinicians provided GRBAS perceptual ratings. Each of the two groups, were subsequently divided into subgroups consisting of those age 66 years and under and those over 66 years of age. The results indicate that the two clinicians were highly reliable in rating severity in the normal and voice disordered groups using the GRBAS scale. The results also indicate that perceived voice severity and voice-related quality of life are related; however, the relationship is a moderate one, which suggests that factors other than those directly related to voice quality may contribute to responses on voice assessment scales completed by patients. The relationship was stronger for the subgroup under 66 years old compared with the subgroup 66 years and older.
What would it be like for me and for you? Judged impact of chronic health conditions on happiness.

Background . People overestimate the impact of health conditions on happiness, putatively because they focus excessively on resulting negative consequences while disregarding the impact of other un...
Determination of Solubility Parmeter Values for Pure Solvents and Binary Mixtures

AbstractThe estimation of the solubility parameter (δ) values for pure liquids and binary mixtures of pharmaceutical interest are considered. It is. initially assused that a previously reported relationship between solubility parameter and dielectric constant for pure polar solvents can be extended to liquid mixtures. If this expression is operative for pure liquids and binary blends, there remains a need to correlate derived values from an independent theoretical or experimental approach. Thus, it is submitted that the molal boiling point elevation as a colligative property might be useful in this regard. It is seen that a good correlation exists for the estimation of solubility parameters from both methods. Several simplifying and limiting aseumptions are made for the second method and arc considered.
DEMSIM: a discrete event based mechanistic simulation platform for gene expression and regulation dynamics

In this paper, a discrete event based mechanistic simulation platform DEMSIM is developed for testing and validating putative regulatory interactions. The proposed framework models the main processes in gene expression, which are transcription, translation and decay processes, as stand-alone modules while superimposing the regulatory circuitry to obtain an accurate time evolution of the system. The stochasticity inherent to gene expression and regulation processes is captured using Monte Carlo based sampling. The proposed framework is applied to the extensively studied lac operon system, the SOS response system and the araBAD operon system of Escherichia coli. The results for the lac gene system demonstrate the simulation framework's ability to capture the dynamics of gene regulation, whereas the results for the SOS response system indicate that the framework is able to make accurate predictions about system behavior in response to perturbations. Finally, simulation studies for the araBAD system suggest that the developed framework is able to distinguish between different plausible regulatory mechanisms postulated to explain observed gene expression profiles. Overall, the obtained results highlight the effectiveness of DEMSIM at describing the underlying biological processes involved in gene regulation for querying alternative regulatory hypotheses.
Response to From a hard place to a rock: Questioning the energy security of a coal-based economy

We would like to thank Sovacool et al. for engaging our recent work, however, we feel their criticisms are primarily directed at the claims of carbon capture and storage technology, which was not addressed in our analysis. The intent of our original analysis was to provide a systematic approach to judge the most efficient use of coal resources as a method for addressing the problem of foreign oil dependence. We have attempted to separate this discussion involving the most effective use of a resource from a discussion of the desirability of using the resource at all, which we feel is a separate issue.
COPATH—a spreadsheet model for the estimation of carbon flows associated with the use of forest resources

Abstract The forest sector plays a key role in the global climate change process. A significant amount of net greenhouse gas emissions emanate from landuse changes, and the sector offers a unique opportunity to sequester carbon in vegetation, detritus, soils and forest products. However, the estimates of carbon flows associated with the use of forest resources have been quite imprecise. This paper describes a methodological framework—COPATH—which is a spreadsheet model for estimating carbon emissions and sequestration from deforestation and harvesting of forests. The model has two parts, the first estimates carbon stocks, emissions and uptake in the base year, while the second part forecasts future emissions and the uptake under various scenarios. The forecast module is structured after the main modes of forest conversion, i.e. agriculture, pasture, forest harvesting and other land uses. The model can be used by countries which may not possess an abundance of pertinent data, and allows for the use of forest inventory data to estimate carbon stocks. The choice of the most likely scenario procides the country with a carbon flux profile necessary to formulate GHG mitigation strategies.
The ANSI/NIST-ITL standard update for 2011 (data format for the interchange of fingerprint, facial and other biometric information)

This article describes the ANSI/NIST-ITL standard: its origin, contents, and how it is used and updated. It is the principal standard used for the formatting and encoding of biometric data and related textual information for law enforcement, homeland security, and military applications throughout the world. The first version of the standard appeared in 1986, and it has been updated several times since then. The most recent update was a major revision, with final publication in November 2011. This version is titled ANSI/NIST-ITL 1-2011, NIST Special Publication 500-290.
Exciton polaritons in monoclinic zinc diphosphide

Abstract A classical theory based on excitons is insufficient to explain the reflectivity spectra of βZnP2. Instead an exciton polariton picture is invoked and the polariton parameters are determined. Photoluminescence spectra are consistent with the polariton interpretation. Higher energy states of the exciton have been observed and from these the band gap and exciton binding energy in βZnP2 have been deduced.
Co‐purification of Mac‐2 binding protein with galectin‐3 and association with prostasomes in human semen

BACKGROUND Prostasomes are exosome-like vesicles that are secreted by the prostate and incorporated into semen during ejaculation. Human prostasomes are proposed to function in regulation of sperm function, immunosuppression, and prostate cancer progression. Previously, we identified galectin-3 on the surface of prostasomes. Galectin-3 is a β-galactoside binding protein involved in immunomodulation, cell interactions, and cancer progression, including prostate cancer. Functional characterization of galectin-3 in a given biological environment includes identification of its target glycoprotein ligands. METHODS Candidate galectin-3 ligands in prostasomes were identified by tandem mass spectrometry of proteins that co-purified with galectin-3 during lactose affinity chromatography. Immunochemical and biochemical methods were used to investigate the association of Mac-2 binding protein (M2BP) with prostasomes. RESULTS Proteins identified by tandem mass spectrometry included M2BP, CD26/dipeptidyl peptidase IV, prolactin-inducible protein (PIP), olfactomedin-4 (OLFM4), and semenogelins I and II (SgI and SgII). M2BP is a known galectin-3 ligand that was not previously described in prostasomes. M2BP protein bands were detected in the testis, epididymis, vas deferens, prostate, seminal vesicle, and sperm extracts. In seminal plasma, M2BP was identified in the soluble fraction and in purified prostasomes. Surface biotinylation and immunofluorescence studies indicated that M2BP is present on the prostasome surface and on sperm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS M2BP, CD26, PIP, OLFM4, and SgI and SgII are candidate glycoprotein ligands for galectin-3 in prostasomes. Given their overlap in functional significance with prostasomes and galectin-3, the identification of these glycoproteins as galectin-3 ligands in prostasomes lays the groundwork for future studies of prostasomes in reproduction and prostate cancer. Prostate 71:711–721, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Location and ion-binding of membrane-associated valinomycin, a proton nuclear magnetic resonance study

Valinomycin, incorporated in small unilamellar vesicles of perdeuterated dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine, reveals several well-resolved 1H-NMR resonances. These resonances were used to examine the location, orientation and ion-binding of membrane-bound valinomycin. The order of affinity of membrane-bound valinomycin for cations is Rb+ > K+ > Cs+ > Ba2+, and binding is sensitive to surface charge. The exchange between bound and free forms is fast on the NMR time scale. The intrinsic binding constants, extrapolated to zero anion concentration, are similar to those determined in aqueous solution Rb+ and K+ show 1:1 binding to valinomycin, whereas the stoichiometry of Cs+ and Ba2+ is not certain. Paramagnetic chemical shift reagents and nitroxide spin label relaxation probes were used to study the location and orientation of valinomycin in the membrane. Despite relatively fast exchange of bound cations, the time average location of the cation-free form of valinomycin is deep within the bilayer under the conditions of these experiments. Upon complexation to K+, valinomycin moves closer to the interfacial region.
Diet and the duration of thiopental hypnosis in rabbits.

SummaryThe effect of 2 injections, 1 hour apart, of 25 mg/kg thiopental was studied in rabbits on 3 diets. Animals on a diet of oats slept much longer than those fed rabbit chow or oats and alfalfa. A diet of oats rendered the urine acid while the other diets were accompanied by excretion of an alkaline urine. NaHCO3 fed orally to rabbits maintained on a diet of oats appeared to reduce the duration of hypnosis.
Oxygen consumption by tissues from rats injected with L- or D-thyroxine.

It has been shown by a number of investigators that L-thyroxine is more active in vivo than is D-thyroxine1. In most in vitro systems, however, the D-and L-isomers are equally effective. The equal activity of D- and L-thyroxine in altering the morphology of mitochondria and in ‘uncoupling’ oxidative phosphorylation are examples of this2,3. Previous experiments4 in this laboratory have compared the distribution and excretion of labelled D- and L-thyroxine labelled with iodine-131 following a single injection of a tracer quantity of each compound into the tail vein of the rat. Initially, D-thyroxine was concentrated to a greater extent in the liver and kidney than was L-thyroxine, but after 24 hr. the concentrations were approximately equal. However, the concentration of D-thyroxine in tissues such as muscle, brain and skin was much less than the concentration of L-thyroxine. This difference in distribution to the peripheral tissues was of such magnitude as to suggest a possible basis for the different activities of the two isomers in vivo. Others have shown5,6 that the oxygen consumption of certain tissues (for example, liver, kidney and muscle) from animals injected with DL-thyroxine is significantly greater than normal, whereas that of other tissues (for example, brain) is not increased. The current investigation was undertaken to determine whether the differences demonstrated in the distribution of the two isomers could be correlated with a difference in their ability to stimulate the oxygen consumption of the several tissues.
Temporal changes in the sediment geochemistry of two southeast Alaskan fjords

Abstract Monthly variations in trace metal and nutrient distributions in interstitial water were examined in Smeaton Bay and Boca de Quadra, two deep fjords where bottom water temperatures vary less than 1°C. In Smeaton Bay, episodic sediment mixing and seasonal changes in the supply of reactive organic matter were responsible for the temporal variations observed. Mixing incidents were most frequent in the autumn and winter, leading to oxidation of the pore waters. Interstitial waters became more reducing following the spring deposition of autochthonous carbon, leading to increased concentrations of Mn 2+ . In contrast, in sediments from the main basin of Boca de Quadra, reducing conditions persisted throughout the year, and the seasonal availability of organic material to the sediment resulted in highest concentrations of Mn 2+ and Fe 2+ in the late summer. Thermodynamic calculations indicate that surface interstitial waters from Boca de Quadra may have been saturated with respect to rhodochrosite or a similar Mn carbonate. The interstitial waters from Smeaton Bay may have approached saturation with respect to siderite, the Fe carbonate in April 1980, but were considerably undersaturated by October 1980.
Concurrent Validity of the Boehm Test of Basic Concepts.

The concurrent validity of the Boehm Test of Basic Concepts (BTBC) was investigated by comparing it to two tests of linguistic abilities (TACL and CELI) and five tests of cognitive abilities (Piagetian tasks). Sixty kindergarten children were tested. The strongest correlation of the BTBC was with the test of receptive language. Correlations with Piagetian tests were moderate. Findings were interpreted to mean that the BTBC can be used as a general estimate of cognitive ability. Canonical analysis of all variables revealed the presence of one common factor, language comprehension.
Developing an unpaved road assessment system for practical deployment with high-resolution optical data collection using a helicopter UAV

The need of local governments and transportation agencies to periodically asses the condition of unpaved roads in a cost-effective manner with rapid response times has lead to interest in the use of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and remote sensing technologies. Currently these assessments are done through visual inspections with agency staff making occasional spot measurements. An unpaved road assessment system was developed to address these issues while at the same time providing a more accurate means of characterizing distresses and determining the roads condition for inspectors. This system uses a single-rotor UAV with a Digital Single-lens Reflex (DSLR) camera to capture overlapping imagery of unpaved roads. The UAV is equipped with a full combination GPS plus IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) that allows it to fly predetermined waypoints with great stability while at the same time allowing the pilot the ability to take over at any time. Collected imagery is analyzed to locate road distresses. The imagery is run through a Structure From Motion (SfM) algorithm that generates a 3D model of the road surface from which additional condition information can be characterized. This system is easily transported and rapidly deployable to sections of unpaved roads for assessment.
Character analogues of the poisson and Euler-MacLaurin summation formulas with applications

Abstract Character versions of the Poisson and Euler-Maclaurin summation formulas are derived. Instead of Bernoulli numbers and polynomials which appear in the classical Euler-Maclaurin formula, generalized Bernoulli numbers and polynomials now appear. Many applications of the results are given. In particular, applications are made to the evaluation of L -functions, the derivation of a character analogue of the Lipschitz summation formula, and the examination of a new character version of the classical gamma function.
Retinoic Acid Upregulates Human Langerhans Cell Antigen Presentation and Surface Expression of HLA-DR and CD11c, a β2 Integrin Critically Involved in T-Cell Activation

Immunomodulatory effects of retinoids may be part of their anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. We studied the in vivo effects of retinoic acid (RA) on antigen-presenting activity of human epidermal Langerhans cells and on accessory cell activity of keratinocytes. Two skin sites from each volunteer were treated in vivo with 0.1% RA or vehicle, respectively, once a day for 4 d. RA-treated epidermal cell (RA-EC) alloantigen presentation to CD4+ T cells in each volunteer tested was consistently greater than that induced by vehicle EC. However, this increased antigen-presenting activity did not lead to autoreactive CD4+ T-lymphocyte proliferation. Elevated unfractionated epidermal antigen-presenting activity of RA-EC was not due to increased keratinocyte major histocompatibility complex (MHC) or intercellular adhesion molecule expression or to other keratinocyte accessory signaling, because incubation of CD1a-fluoroscence-activated cell sorter (FACS)-purified RA-EC inhibited alloantigen presentation, presumably through increased keratinocyte transforming growth factor-beta. By contrast, Langerhans cell function was upregulated; FACS-purified CD1a+ Langerhans cells derived from RA-EC displayed a markedly increased ability, relative to Langerhans cells from vehicle EC, to present alloantigen to T cells. Triple color flow-cytometric analysis of RA-EC and vehicle EC suspensions revealed that RA treatment did not modify the number of DR+ and CD1a+DR+EC, but did result in statistically significant increases in Langerhans cells expression of HLA-DR, CD11c, and CD1c. Another novel finding was that HLA-DR-dependent Langerhans cells antigen-presenting activity in both normal and RA-treated skin was completely blocked by anti-CD11c antibody. Thus, retinoid upregulation of antigen-presenting activity may be due to upregulation of Langerhans cell CD11c, as well as class II MHC. Upregulation of cutaneous immune responsiveness in human skin without autoreactivity has not (to our knowledge) been reported previously, and the Langerhans cell phenotypic and functional state achieved is distinct from previously reported states of Langerhans cell activation.
Glass inclusions and melt volatile contents at Parícutin Volcano, Mexico

Olivine-hosted glass inclusions were investigated from tephra samples erupted at Paricutin volcano on four different dates: May 26 and August 1, 1943; January 23, 1945; and March 31, 1948. These dates span the first two thirds of the 9 year eruption, during which time the tephra/lava mass-eruption rate fell dramatically. They also span the strong whole-rock compositional shift of 1947, attributed to the increased importance of crustal contamination. Nine of the 26 analyzed glass inclusions have lower SiO2 contents than any previously analyzed Paricutin lava sample, ranging to below 53 wt%. These silica-poor glasses are found in olivines erupted in 1943 and 1945, and provide evidence for melts that are parental to the main Paricutin lava suite. Total water contents in the glass inclusions measured by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy vary considerably in all individual samples, with a total range of 1.8–4.0 wt%. Total water contents are not correlated with SiO2 of the glass, Mg# of the adjacent host olivine, or eruption date. Only two glass inclusions have carbonate contents (248 and 296 ppm CO2) above the FTIR detection limit of ~50 ppm CO2; importantly, these inclusions also have the highest total water contents and among the highest SO3t values. These two inclusions were trapped at minimum depths of 9.0–9.6 km beneath the volcano. Thus, early degassing likely stripped most carbon from Paricutin melts at mid-crustal levels. Other glass inclusions yield minimum entrapment depths of 1.3–5.1 km based on water solubility limits. Total sulfur (0.30 to 0.01 wt% SO3) declines as SiO2 contents increase from 52.7 to 60.5 wt%. This trend and the wide range of glass inclusion total water contents are interpreted to reflect degassing accompanied by fractional crystallization and assimilation at upper crustal levels.
Ethanol-mediated relaxation of guinea pig urinary bladder smooth muscle: involvement of BK and L-type Ca2+ channels

Mechanisms underlying ethanol (EtOH)-induced detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) relaxation and increased urinary bladder capacity remain unknown. We investigated whether the large conductance Ca2+-activa...
Physicochemical Properties of Hydrophobic Ionic Liquids Containing 1-Octylpyridinium, 1-Octyl-2-methylpyridinium, or 1-Octyl-4-methylpyridinium Cations

This paper reports synthesis of some ionic liquids based on cations 1-octylpyridinium, 1-octyl-2-methylpyridinium or 1-octyl-4-methylpyridinium and anions dicyanamide [N(CN)2]-, bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [Tf2N]-, bis(pentafluoroethylsulfonyl)imide [BETI]-, trifluoromethyl sulfonate [TfO]-, nonafluorobutyl sulfonate [NfO]-, tetrafluoroborate [BF4]-, trifluorophenylborate [BF3Ph]- or hexafluoroarsenate [AsF6]-. Melting points, decomposition temperatures, densities, mutual solubilities with water, and viscosities have been measured. Unlike similar ionic liquids containing imidazolium cations, pyridinium ionic liquids studied here are nearly immiscible in water. Viscosities are similar and water content is slightly lower than those for ionic liquids containing imidazolium cations.
Zero-energy bound or quasibound states and their implications for diatomic systems with an asymptotic van der Waals interaction

Using an l-insensitive quantum defect theory, we derive a set of universal properties, both spectral and scattering, that are shared by diatomic systems with an asymptotic van der Waals interaction and having a zero-energy bound or a quasibound state of angular momentum ${l}_{b}.$ The ${}^{133}\mathrm{Cs}$ dimer is studied as an example. Systems that are close to having a bound or a quasibound state at the threshold are also discussed.
Validation of Doppler FloWire for measurement of coronary flow reserve in humans.

Previous studies have validated the 133Xenon (133Xe) method to assess regional myocardial blood flow and coronary flow reserve (CFR). Doppler FloWire (DFW) has been used recently for measuring CFR to assess the physiological significance of coronary stenosis. Data obtained by DFW has never been correlated to 133Xe. Our study compared data from DFW measurement of CFR to that obtained by 133Xe in 31 consecutive patients with variable coronary stenosis. Regional myocardial blood flow was measured by assessing the rate constants of 133Xe washout using multicrystal gamma camera after injection (20 millicuries) in the right or left coronary artery. CFR was assessed by measuring resting and hyperemic coronary blood flow by 133Xe and DFW using IV adenosine (140 mcg/k/min × 3 min). CFR was also measured by DFW giving intracoronary (IC) adenosine (12 μg in the right coronary, 18 μg in the left). In both methods—133Xe and DFW—coronary flow reserve was defined as the ratio of maximal hyperemic-to-baseline flow. DFW and 133Xe assessment of CFR correlated highly, whether adenosine was used IC(r = 0.87; P = 0.0001) or IV(r = 0.78; P = 0.0001). CFR obtained by DFW following IC and IV adenosine correlated well (r = 0.79; P = 0.0001). IC adenosine has fewer side effects. Both DFW and 133Xe are comparable in measuring CFR in humans. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 45:382–385, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Treating Malocclusion After TMJ Surgery for Internal Derangement

Statement of the Problem: TMJ internal derangement includes an aberrant relationship between the articular disc and the condyle that when symptomatic and unresponsive to conservative therapy can be corrected surgically. Arthrocentesis, arthoscopy or disc repositioning open procedures are some of the surgical techniques advocated to treat this condition; however, one of the disadvantages of TMJ disc repositioning is postoperative malocclusion. The aim of this study is to utilize class III guiding elastic postoperatively to treat malocclusion seen after disc repositioning surgery and to discuss the different options and rationale for success. Materials and Methods: This study included 42 paients (72 joints) who presented with a Wilkes class III or V internal derangement that had failed conservative herapy and were proposed surgical correction. All paients underwent the same surgical technique for repoitioning of the TMJ disc using a Mitek mini anchor. All urgeries were performed by the same surgeon. Thirtyve patients were placed in class III guiding elastic mmediately postoperatively for 2 weeks. Seven patients id not receive class III guiding elastics. The patient’s cclusion was recorded before and after surgery. All atients completed a preand post-operative visual anaogue scale assessing their symptoms and occlusion. ostoperative MRIs in a small subset of these patients ere also obtained to corroborate surgical success and isc position. Results of Investigation: All 35 patients who received lass III guiding elastic did not experience any maloccluion postoperatively. All 7 patients that did not receive uiding elastics experienced malocclusion. Four of hose patients’ malocclusion did not resolve over time and re currently awaiting corrective jaw surgery. Three of the even patients who did not receive the guiding elastic had alocclusion that resolved after 3 to 4 months of heavy hysical therapy. All patients had improvement of their ain and resolution of their chief TMJ complaint at longest ollow up. Conclusion: The use of class III guiding elastic is a imple and noninvasive technique to treat malocclusion fter TMJ disc repositioning surgery.
The political role of corporate human resource management in strategic global leadership development

The main purpose of this paper is to examine how firm reputation and competitiveness are influenced by the political skill of the corporate human resource management (HRM). Various venues of influence of corporate HRM on strategic global leadership development are analyzed to develop a model explaining how the level of HRM political skill affects the extent to which leadership development capital is mapped onto the intellectual capital base and reputation of the organization. We discuss how social effectiveness in the use of influence by corporate HRM might add value to the global organization by enabling the formation and deployment of global leadership capital. We further delve into the political component of leadership development capital architecture to outline the research and practical implications of the proposed model and suggest future research directions.
What Can we Learn from Magnetization Experiments on HIGH-TC Superconductors? an Overview

Magnetization studies provide a facile and convenient means for investigating high temperature superconductors. This work provides an overview and some specific examples of the types of information attainable through magnetic experiments. Regimes to be discussed include the Meissner region with low applied magnetic fields; the mixed state in higher fields at high temperatures, where equilibrium superconductive properties are accessible; and the magnetically irreversible mixed state at lower temperatures, often with large critical current densities Jc. Generally, the critical currents in the last region are metastable. The associated flux creep phenomenon also provides insight into the materials problem of optimizing the pinning of vortices, in order to maximize Jc.
Indium triflate catalyzed peracetylation of carbohydrates.

Abstract Peracetylation is a very common protection strategy that is widely implemented in carbohydrate synthesis. Here, a method for the peracetylation of carbohydrates using catalytic In(OTf) 3 in neat acetic anhydride is reported. In(OTf) 3 has low toxicity and is mild and water tolerant, and the reactions are high yielding and efficient. Details regarding the scope and mechanism of the reaction are briefly discussed.
’Aesthetic’ and ‘rapport’ in Toni Morrison's Sula

(1993). ’Aesthetic’ and ‘rapport’ in Toni Morrison's Sula. Textual Practice: Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 165-172.
The radiolysis and radioracemization of amino acids on silica surfaces.

Results are presented of experiments on the radioracemization of amino acids in the presence of silica surfaces such as may have been found on the prebiotic earth. L-leucine and a DL-leucine mixture deposited on samples of 1-quartz and an amorphous silica preparation (Syloid 63) was subjected to Co-60 gamma-ray irradiation, then analyzed by gas chromatography to determine the radiolysis and racemization rates. The quartz surface is found to have a marginal efficacy in enhancing radiolysis when compared with a crystalline L-leucine control, although enhancing radioracemization symmetrically by a factor of two. Both the radiolysis and radioracemization of L-leucine and DL-leucine on a Syloid-63 silica surface are observed to increase with increasing radiation dose, and to be substantially greater than in the crystalline controls. Additional experiments with the nonprotein amino acid isovaline deposited on Syloid 63 confirm the greater radiolysis susceptibility of amino acids deposited on silica with respect to the crystalline state, although racemization is not observed. The observations suggest that the presence of a silica surface would have a deleterious effect on any mechanism for the origin of molecular chirality relying on stereoselective beta-radiolysis.
A “linear” high-contrast gratings hollow-core waveguide and its system level performance

The high-contrast gratings assisted hollow-core waveguide demonstrates an ultra-low nonlinearity (<6×10-13 /W/m). Digital and analog system-level simulations further show that the waveguide does not introduce any observable nonlinearity-induced penalty.
Acute Spermatic Cord Torsion Alters the Microcirculation of the Contralateral Testis

AbstractPurpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize the hemodynamic changes in the contralateral testis during acute spermatic cord torsion in anesthetized rats.Materials and Methods: We used videomicroscopy to examine the microcirculation of the contralateral testis following acute torsion. Specifically, we examined the effect on vasomotion, a rhythmic dilation and constriction of the arterioles that is involved in fluid and nutrient exchange and modulation of local vascular resistance. In a separate set of experiments, blood flow in the contralateral internal spermatic artery was measured with an ultrasonic flow probe during acute torsion.Results: Following 720 degrees torsion, the amplitude of vasomotion in the contralateral testis increased 121 percent (29.0 plus/minus 3.9 percent versus 13.0 plus/minus 1.7 percent) compared with controls. Blood flow in the contralateral internal spermatic artery decreased 43 percent after 2 hours' torsion.Conclusions: Acute spermatic cord torsion altered t...
Transient and Steady-State Dynamic Stresses Under Antiplane Deformation of Bodies with Cracks

We propose an algorithm for the investigation of transient and steady-state stresses near a system of cracks in the space under the conditions of longitudinal shear formed in the process of wave propagation. The algorithm is based on the integral Laplace transform, the modified Prudnikov inversion formula, and the method of boundary integral equations. The characteristic features of changes in the stress intensity factors for a single crack and a system of cracks in the stage of output vibrations in the steadystate mode are established.
Directional solidification and mechanical properties of nialnialta alloys

Directional solidification of eutectic alloys is a promising technique for producing in-situ composite materials exhibiting a balance of properties. Consequently, the microstructure, creep strength and fracture toughness of directionally solidified NiAl-NiAlTa alloys were investigated. Directional solidification was performed by containerless processing techniques to minimize alloy contamination. The eutectic composition was found to be NiAl-15.5 at% Ta and well-aligned microstructures were produced at this composition. A near-eutectic alloy of NiAl-14.5Ta was also investigated. Directional solidification of the near-eutectic composition resulted in microstructures consisting of NiAl dendrites surrounded by aligned eutectic regions. The off-eutectic alloy exhibited promising compressive creep strengths compared to other NiAl-based intermetallics, while preliminary testing indicated that the eutectic alloy was competitive with Ni-base single crystal superalloys. The room temperature toughness of these two-phase alloys was similar to that of polycrystalline NiAl even with the presence of the brittle Laves phase NiAlTa.
TH‐C‐T‐6E‐02: An Independent Dose Verification Method for Dynamic Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

Purpose:Dosimetry verification is particularly important especially for intensity modulated radiotherapy where the dosedelivery technique is complex.. The dosimetry verification is usually conducted with measurements and independent dose calculations. However, currently available independent dose calculation methods were developed for step and shoot beam delivery method, and their uses for dynamic MLCdelivery method are not clear. In this study, a dose calculation method was developed to perform independent dose verifications for dynamic MLC‐based IMRT technique. Method and Materials: This method extracts the machine delivery parameters from the dynamic MLC(dMLC) files generated by the IMRTtreatment planning system. Based on the machine delivery parameters, a monitor unit (MU) matrix, including both primary and leakage contributions, was generated. The MU matrix was used to compute the primary dose matrix and scattered dose matrix. The scattered dose was derived based on the Modified Clarkson technique. Results: The doses computed using this method were compared with both measurement (14) and treatment plans ( 25). The doses calculated using this method, on average, agreed with the measured doses to within 1% with a standard deviation of 1.9%. The computed and planned doses agreed to within 2% with a standard deviation of 1.5%. Conclusions: An independent dose calculation algorithm has been developed to perform independent dose verifications for dynamic IMRT plans. The algorithm independently computed doses that were in excellent agreement with the doses from from commercial treatment planning system. This independent dose calculation method may potentially be used for routine IMRT plan verifications.
Scalable architecture for context-aware activity-detecting mobile recommendation systems

One of the main challenges in building multi-user mobile information systems for real-world deployment lies in the development of scalable systems. Recent work on scaling infrastructure for conventional web services using distributed approaches can be applied to the mobile space, but limitations inherent to mobile devices (computational power, battery life) and their communication infrastructure (availability and quality of network connectivity) challenge system designers to carefully design and optimize their software architectures. Additionally, notions of mobility and position in space, unique to mobile systems, provide interesting directions for the segmentation and scalability of mobile information systems. In this paper we describe the implementation of a mobile recommender system for leisure activities, codenamed Magitti, which was built for commercial deployment under stringent scalability requirements. We present concrete solutions addressing these scalability challenges, with the goal of informing the design of future mobile multi-user systems.
Hydroxylamine production: will a QRA help you decide?

Abstract The recent publication by the US Chemical Safety Board (CSB) concerning its findings on the Concept Sciences Inc. (CSI) incident involving hydroxylamine (HA) has raised issues with regard to safe production of HA. This CSI incident was followed by another incident that destroyed the Nissin Chemical HA plant in Japan, and today BASF is the sole commercial producer of HA. HA is an important solvent in the pharmaceutical industry and is used as an etching agent in the semi-conductor industry. This paper discusses a Quantitative Risk Assessment of a generic HA production plant, which integrates the findings of the CSB report and the knowledge of potential HA reactivity hazards based on research at the Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center. The intent is to highlight safety concerns and major risk factors in the production and handling of HA and to provide risk assessment guidelines for potential manufacturers. These guidelines are also applicable to the production strategies for other hazardous chemicals.
Finding a feature on a 3D object through single-digit haptic exploration

Humans use tactile and kinesthetic cues to easily identify the location of an object feature without vision. This preliminary work quantitatively examined the behaviors of 15 individuals locating a target on an object with a single digit (index or thumb). Search methods could be categorized into one of three search strategies, termed “scanning,” “landmark,” and “direct.” The scanning strategy consisted of (1)back and forth scanning and (2)confirmation of the target, and was always utilized in trials in which the target location was unknown. The landmark strategy consisted of (1)contour following, (2)ballistic movement from an edge toward the target, and (3)error correction and confirmation of the target. The direct strategy consisted of (1)ballistic movement from the start position directly to the target, and (2)error correction and confirmation of the target. Follow-up relocalization trials were executed with the landmark strategy 42% and the direct strategy 58% of the time. The landmark strategy was utilized significantly more often by the index finger than by the thumb. Future work to understand how strategy selection depends on the strength of an individual's internal model of the 3D object and the uncertainty of finger location with respect to the object will inform the development of a computational model of human object exploration.
The Effects of Bed Friction on Wave Simulation: Implementation of an Unstructured Third-Generation Wave Model, SWAN

Abstract Parallel implementation of an unstructured Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN) model with the Wave Model (WAM) cycle 4 formulation was used to evaluate the performance of a third-generation wave model over large spatial scales. Data from a network of National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) buoys and the Wave Current Information System (WAVCIS) stations were used to assess the skill of the input and output of the wave model. The simulation results reveal that the underestimation of energy in the low-frequency band (0.12–0.17 Hz) can be ameliorated if the model is calibrated using site specific in situ measurements instead of the Pierson-Moskowitz spectra. This process led to more than a 25% decrease in the root mean square error between simulated significant wave height and in situ observations. Use of the verified model for the Gulf of Mexico, with bed friction computed from grain-size distribution, as opposed to a default constant bed-friction formulation, showed that the wave height difference can excee...
Design of a model reference adaptive stabilizer for the exciter and governor loops of power generators

The authors present a decentralized model reference adaptive control (DMRAC) scheme for the design of power system stabilizers (PSS) and a means for coordinating the generating unit excitation and governor control loops. In the excitation and governor control loops. In the proposed scheme, the state variables of the generating unit (GU) are to track those of an explicitly specified reference system which is designed to have desirable performance characteristics. The adaptive control law for coordinating the exciter-governor stabilizer signals is derived from a Lyapunov energy function, and thus assures system stability. Decentralized regulation and tracking tests on simulated one-machine infinite bus system show significant improvement in system performance. >
Impacts of Lythrum salicaria invasion on plant community and soil properties in two wetlands in central New York, USA

While the spread of the exotic Lythrum salicaria L. across wetlands in North America is thought to negatively affect the performance and diversity of native species, the actual impacts of L. salicaria invasion on community dynamics and ecosystem properties are not well understood. To determine whether L. salicaria affects community aboveground biomass, native species biomass, or soil properties, we studied two common situations in central New York State where L. salicaria invaded (i) an abandoned agricultural field and (ii) a relatively pristine wetland with low species diversity. In the agricultural site, nearly monospecific stands of L. salicaria and Phalaris arundinacea L. had nearly identical shoot mass (approx. 850 g·m–2) but divergent soil characteristics. Inorganic nitrogen was significantly higher under L. salicaria than under P. arundinacea. The low-diversity site is dominated by Carex lacustris Willd., with distinct areas codominated by either L. salicaria or Typha latifolia L. In this site, we ...
The Political Costs of Crisis Bargaining: Presidential Rhetoric and the Role of Party

Weanalyzethefirstlarge-scale,randomizedexperimenttomeasurepresidentialapprovallevelsatalloutcomesofacanonical international crisis-bargaining model, thereby avoiding problems of strategic selection in evaluating presidential incentives. We find support for several assumptions made in the crisis-bargaining literature, including that a concession from a foreign state leads to higher approval levels than other outcomes, that the magnitudes of audience costs are under presidential control prior to the initiation of hostilities, and that these costs can be made so large that presidents have incentive to fight wars they will not win. Thus, the credibility of democratic threats can be made extremely high. We also find, however, that partisan cues strongly condition presidential incentives. Party elites have incentives to behave according to type in Congress and contrary to type in the Oval Office, and Democratic presidents sometimes have incentives to fight wars they will not win.
Near-complete suppression of quantum dot blinking in ambient conditions.

Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots are attractive fluorophores for multicolor imaging because of broad absorption and narrow emission spectra, and they are brighter and far more photostable than organic dyes. However, severe intermittence in emission (also known as blinking) has been universally observed from single dots and has been considered an intrinsic limitation difficult to overcome. This is unfortunate because growing applications in spectroscopy of single biological molecules and quantum information processing using single photon sources could greatly benefit from long-lasting and nonblinking single-molecule emitters. For instance, in a recent application of single-dot imaging, the tracking of membrane receptors was interrupted frequently due to the stroboscopic nature of recording. Blinking can also reduce the brightness in ensemble imaging via signal saturation. Here we show that the quantum dot blinking can be suppressed with the emission duty cycle approaching 100% while maintaining biocomp...
Sudden Death and Tetralogy of Fallot Risks, Markers, and Causes

Tetralogy of Fallot has been treated with palliative surgery for more than 50 years, and operative correction has been available for more than 30 years. Although surgical repair is now done with low mortality and excellent quality of survival, late sudden cardiac death remains a problem.1 2 Understanding of the causes and of the factors that predict risk for sudden death remains incomplete. Observations by astute clinicians in the first half of this century suggested possible causes of coronary artery disease. White3 thought that tobacco was probably without influence on the development of coronary disease. It was believed that overworked business or professional men were more likely to have coronary symptoms3 and that environmental noise as well as a stressful environment might contribute to the risk of developing coronary artery disease.4 The term “cohors” referred to 1/10 of a Roman legion. Each cohort in the legion included 300 to 600 soldiers who would march together in defense of the empire. Initially, the use of this term in epidemiology referred to a birth cohort (eg, all children with heart disease born in 1950). Now, the term cohort often refers to any group of individuals followed longitudinally and who are “marching through time” together. Beginning in the 1940s, several large cohorts at risk for development of symptomatic coronary artery disease were carefully observed in a systematic manner.5 Multivariate analysis of numerous candidate variables for development of coronary artery disease in these cohorts led to our current understanding of coronary risk factors. A variable related to the development of a specific outcome may ultimately prove to be a covariable, a confounding variable, or an independent predictor of risk. For example, at …