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Currently, most organic semiconducting materials (OSMs) are π-conjugated structures in one or two dimension (2D), where the lack of layer-layer π-conjugation connection greatly blocks their electron delocalization and transport. The 3D fully conjugated materials could solve this issue because they can provide efficient charge-transport pathways throughout the whole 3D skeleton, in which the suitable 3D building block is the key to the development of fully conjugated 3D OSMs. Cyclooctatetraene (COT) and its derivatives are good candidates due to their π-conjugation with 3D saddle-shaped architecture. In this Concept, we discuss the key features of saddle-shaped COT-based derivatives and their synthetic strategy, then we present the current development of using the COT derivatives as building blocks to construct the 3D fully conjugated organic small compound- and polymer-based OSMs. The properties and perspectives of these OSMs in photovoltaics, electro-catalysis and electrical conductivities are also discussed. These recent advances in the developing 3D fully conjugated materials could potentially open up a new frontier in the design of OSMs.

Interleaving is a technique which involves modifying the order of practice tasks or examples such that items of different types appear together, rather than in 'blocks' of similar items. For example, interleaved examples of artworks might feature the work of several different artists mixed together, in contrast to a 'block' of several paintings by the same artist. The latter example formed the basis of a research study by Kornell and Bjork (2008) which suggested that not only is interleaving highly beneficial for learning, learners tend to lack insight into its benefits and are therefore unlikely to adopt the technique spontaneously.

Background Since its inception, the erector spinae plane block has been used for a variety of truncal surgeries with success in both adults and children. However, the anatomical features, route of spread, and dermatomal coverage are still not fully understood in a pediatric population. Objectives To identify the anatomical features of the erector spinae fascial plane space by replicating an erector spinae plane block in a fresh neonatal cadaveric sample. The primary aim was to determine the spread of the dye within the fascial plane, while the secondary aims were to determine whether the needle direction or entry site affected the spread. Methods The block was replicated bilaterally using 0.1 mL/kg of iodinated contrast dye in nine fresh unembalmed preterm neonatal cadavers. The dye was introduced under ultrasound guidance at vertebral level T5 and T8. Additionally, the needle was oriented cranial-caudal vs caudal-cranial to determine if the needle orientation influenced the spread of dye. The block was also replicated midway between the adjacent transverse processes as opposed to the lateral tip of the transverse process to determine the spread. Results From the total sample size, 14 "blocks" were successfully replicated, while 4 "blocks" were either incomplete or failed blocks. Contrast dye was found in the paravertebral, intercostal, and epidural spaces, including posteriorly over the neural foramina. Results revealed that the needle direction or entry site did not influence the spread within the fascial plane. Conclusion Contrast material was found in the paravertebral, epidural, and intercostal spaces over an average of 5 vertebral levels when using 0.1 mL/kg.

This study aimed to clarify the degree of difference in radiopacity between sixteen CAD/CAM composite resin blocks, one ceramic block, and teeth of the same thickness on radiographs. The radiographic density of CAD/CAM composite resin blocks was measured and the results were compared with the corresponding values for enamel and dentin. Additionally, the study analyzed the constituent elements of each type of CAD/CAM composite resin block and conducted an examination to identify those elements exerting an influence on radiopacity. Compared to the enamel, there were five blocks with significantly higher radiopacity, two blocks with the same level in radiopacity, and ten blocks with notably lower radiopacity. Compared to the dentin, there were ten blocks with significantly higher radiopacity, one block with the same level in radiopacity, and six blocks with notably lower radiopacity. All of the CAD/CAM composite resin blocks for molars contained barium and strontium. This result suggests that the addition of heavy metals, for example, barium, strontium, and zirconium, would be effective in providing CAD/CAM composite resin blocks with radiopacity.

Hierarchical structures are important for transferring and amplifying molecular functions to macroscopic properties of materials. In this regard, rodlike molecules have emerged as one of the most promising molecular building blocks to construct functional materials. Although the self-assembly of conventional molecules containing rodlike components generally results in nematic or layered smectic phases, due to the preferred parallel arrangements of rodlike components, extensive efforts have revealed that rational molecular design provides a versatile platform to engineer rich self-assembled structures. Herein, first successes achieved in polyphilic liquid crystals and rod-coil block systems are summarized. Special attention is paid to recent progress in the conjugation of rodlike building blocks with other molecular building blocks through the molecular Lego approach. Rod-based giant surfactants, sphere-rod conjugates, and dendritic rodlike molecules are covered. Future perspectives of the self-assembly of molecules containing rodlike components are also provided.

Although there is wide rhetoric that programming should be learnt by all as an element of computational thinking (CT), in practice, it is mostly implemented narrowly as an end in itself consisting of routine practice and traditional testing of the ability to code. This paper discusses a way in which programming could be seen through a wider integrated pedagogical approach as jointly cultivating meaning making of computational concepts in conjunction with the adoption of practices and strategies in a relevant meaningful context for learners. We elaborate on a case of learning to code through digital game modding where programming and other computational concepts coexist. Our design frame includes the principles of black and white box designs, of students as de-buggers of engineered half-baked games and of games embedding both concepts and values in simulations involving wider contested complex issues. We use our analysis of the meaning making of students as they debug a choice-driven simulation game specially designed to bring this integrated kind of learning to the fore. We show elements of context-aware integrated CT connecting otherwise fragmented areas such as databases, block-based programming, Geographical Information Systems design.

Within medical school curricula, anatomy education has faced a reduction in the course contact hours for gross anatomy, noticeably within the laboratory. The Indiana University School of Medicine to combat this have implemented peer teaching with alternate dissections since 2012. Historically this course is an entire semester in duration, however to due COVID-19, the course was truncated into a 10-week course. This resulted in a rapid turn around for dissections and peer-teaching by the next day. Empirically, peer teaching within the gross anatomy laboratory is beneficial to medical students learning anatomical content. Largely, the pedagogy of peer-teaching is assessed as a whole upon completion of the course and through medical students? perceptions. However, explicit episodes of peer teaching that occur within this pedagogy have not been examined thoroughly, which is the aim of this study. Participants were first-year medical students enrolled in a gross anatomy course at Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington campus (IUSM-BL). Participants (n=35) were assigned at the beginning of the course into seven groups by the course director that ranged from (5-6) students each. For a given lab two students from each group were dissectors, with one student being responsible for peer-teaching the dissected structures to their group peers at the beginning of their next lab. Peer-teaching episodes were allotted 15 minutes at the start of each lab. Each episode of peer-teaching across all three blocks of content were recorded via iPad by the course instructors. Videos were scored for structures taught per dissection based on the course provided dissection structures to know list per lab. Thematic analysis will be used to better understand the types of structures taught compared to those not taught across the course. Block one comprised upper limb and thorax (labs = 7, total structures = 565), block two covered lower limbs, abdomen, and pelvis (labs = 7, total structures = 373), and block three covered head and neck (labs = 7, total structures = 331). Peer-teaching times per block averaged (6:21, 10:06, and 8:03 minutes and seconds) for blocks 1,2, and 3 respectively. The average number of structures taught during peer-teaching sessions were (22, 32, and 26) for blocks 1,2, and 3 respectively. The average relative percent of structures taught per lab per block were (57, 58, and 64 percent) for blocks 1,2, and 3 respectively. Across the three blocks the lowest taught labs for completeness were brachial plexus (13 structures taught, 42% completeness), anterior lower limb (24 structures taught, 44% completeness), and the pharynx and larynx (26 structures taught, 51% completeness) for blocks 1,2, and 3 respectively. Across all recorded peer teaching episodes, only 59% of the expected gross anatomy structures to know were peer taught by the peer teachers to their group members. This study will provide demonstrable evidence for the impact of the completeness of peer teaching anatomical structures during peer-teaching on student lab exam performance. Additionally, the types of structures that are neglected or troublesome for students during peer teaching can help better inform us as instructors about how to direct our attention to student learning and understanding in the gross anatomy laboratory.

At Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, our curriculum begins with rigorous and fast-paced basic science blocks followed by clinical clerkships. During the first semester of the first year, medical students take a combined Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Histology block (called BCT) after successfully finishing an anatomy block. Historically, the medical students have had difficulties in both assimilating the amount of content presented and in appreciating how the topics covered in BCT help them better understand the pathophysiology and treatment of diseases. Further, because the COVID-19 environment prompted a change from a categorical to a Pass/Fail grading system and shifted the delivery of didactic material from in-person to remote learning, retention of student engagement became a priority. It has been demonstrated by others that using clinical correlations to teach basic science concepts is an effective way to enhance student engagement and retention of basic science knowledge. The primary hypothesis for this study was that student engagement and interest in basic science knowledge would be enhanced by the incorporation of a clinically oriented, case-based exercise. A second hypothesis was that students would be able to apply information provided during lectures to successfully complete it. The BCT block is 8 weeks long and consists of 3 units primarily focused on medical biochemistry (unit 1), cell biology (unit 2) and histology (unit 3). The case study, focused on diabetes, was designed to run as a ?thread? through all of the units and build in complexity with each unit in order to better understand the pathophysiology of this disease. The case was revealed progressively in three units, each of which consisted of a portion of an hypothetical scenario and a matched, five-question quiz that was offered both at the beginning and the end of each unit. The correct answers were given to the students after completion of each post-quiz. To enhance student participation, 2% was added to their grade after successful completion of at least 3 quizzes. Comparison of the pre- and post-quiz data revealed that for units 1 and 3, students scored significantly higher on post-quizzes as compared to pre-quizzes (unit 1- 86% vs 48%, a 78% change, and unit 3- 66% vs 61%, an 8.9% change). For unit 2, there was a trend toward significance;however, the average post-quiz score (87% vs 83%, a 4.5% change) was not significantly different from the pre-quiz score (p=0.07). Students responded favorably to the exercise (as reported in an end-of-block survey), wherein it was ranked higher as a learning resource than any of the recommended textbooks or atlases. Collectively, these data reveal that addition of a case study effectively enhances students' learning of the didactic material as well as their ability to apply basic science knowledge to a clinical case-based scenario.

Student-led learning has often shown to be beneficial to the learner. These self-directed experiences are more often aimed at an activity/assignment level of instruction, allowing students to explore topics personally through inquiry. With the shift to online instruction caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, I decided to take student-led instruction to the curricular level. This fall semester, I employed a ?Choose your own adventure? approach to instruction, giving students the ability to tackle subjects in the order they chose to rather than the order determined by the instructor or the book. In preparing for the fall semester, I focused on redeveloping my undergraduate non-major physiology course in a way that allowed students the most flexibility- fully asynchronous presentation. The move to an asynchronous teaching model required the creation of activities and presentations that students could attend to on their own schedule. While creating these resources, I decided to make the class even more asynchronous by allowing students to choose the path of learning that they took through the course. Following a short introduction and review module, students were allowed to choose the order that they would cover material in the course during three ?blocks? of information;each with its own quizzes, activities and an exam. Following each block, I asked students why they chose that section, whether they would alter their study habits for the next block of material and a series of Likert-scale questions addressing aspects of their comfort, motivation and learning. At the end of the course, I asked students if they had approached the class differently than traditional courses, whether they would rearrange the material within each block and whether they would like to have additional courses taught in this method.

Soil-living microbes are an important resource for the discovery of new natural products featuring great structural diversity that are reflective of the underlying biosynthetic pathways as well as incorporating a wide range of intriguing small-molecule building blocks. We report here the full structural elucidation, total synthesis, and biosynthesis of chloromyxamides, a new class of tetrapeptides that display an unprecedented 6-chloromethyl-5-methoxypipecolic acid (CMPA) substructure. Chemical synthesis-including an approach to access the CMPA unit-was pursued to confirm the structure of the chloromyxamides and enabled determination of the absolute configuration in the CMPA ring. A model for the nonribosomal assembly of chloromyxamides was devised on the basis of the combined evaluation of the biosynthetic gene cluster sequence and the feeding of stable isotope-labeled precursors. This provided insight into the formation of the various chloromyxamide derivatives and the biogenesis of the CMPA unit.

This paper focuses upon some mohallas in Varanasi's old urban area. The mohalla is a traditional neighborhood unit common in North Indian cities. Mohallas were elemental components of the city in the Mughal period as administrative tax units as well as autonomous organizations. Currently, however, they have lost their administrative meaning, and their geographical extent and boundaries are becoming unclear. Based on field surveys, this paper reveals features of the spatial formation of mohallas such as size, boundary form, distribution of facilities, and street pattern, and links them to the historical urbanization process of the city. Mohallas in Varanasi can be broadly classified into two types. One has a linear or tree shape along streets, and the other has a broad territorial shape. The spatial features of those two types are different in various aspects and reflect the degree of urbanization at the time when the mohallas were established., The Japanese version of this paper was published in Volume 73, Number 623, pages 153‐160, https://doi.org/10.3130/aija.73.153 of the Journal of Architecture and Planning (Transactions of AIJ) . The authors have obtained permission for secondary publication of the English version in another journal from the editor of the Journal of Architecture and Planning (Transactions of AIJ) . This paper is based on the translation of the Japanese version, with some slight modifications. Correction following the first Japanese version publication: In order to clarify the argument, Figure 9 has been added and the section discussing block formation has been omitted.

Granular debris flows are composed of coarse solid particles, which may be from disaggregated landslides or well-weathered rocks on a hill surface. The estimation of agitation and the flow process of granular debris flows are of great importance in the prevention of disasters. In this work, we conduct physical experiments of sandpile collapse, impacting 3 packed wooden blocks. The flow profile, run-out distance, and rotation of blocks are measured. To simulate the process, we adopt a material point method (MPM) to model granular flows and a deformable discrete element method (DEM) to model blocks. Each block is treated as comprising 9 material points to couple the MPM and DEM, and the acceleration of grid nodes arising from the contacts between granular material and blocks is projected to the discrete element nodes working as body forces. The contacts between blocks are detected using the shrunken point method. The simulation results agree well with the experimental results. Thus, the coupling method of MPM and DEM developed in this work would be helpful in the damage analysis of buildings under impact from the debris flows.

When a lineage originates from hybridization genomic blocks of contiguous ancestry from different ancestors are fragmented through genetic recombination. The resulting blocks are delineated by so called junctions, which accumulate with every generation that passes. Modeling the accumulation of ancestry block junctions can elucidate processes and timeframes of genomic admixture. Previous models have not addressed ancestry block dynamics for chromosomes that consist of a finite number of recombination sites. However, genomic data typically consist of informative markers that are interspersed with fragments for which no ancestry information is available. Hence, repeated recombination events may occur between markers, effectively removing existing junctions. Here, we present an analytical treatment of the dynamics of the mean number of junctions over time, taking into account the number of recombination sites per chromosome, population size, genetic map length, and the frequency of the ancestral species in the founding hybrid swarm. We describe the expected number of junctions using equidistant molecular markers and estimate the number of junctions using random markers. This extended theory of junctions thus reflects properties of empirical data and can serve to study the genomic patterns following admixture.

Building chemical structures of complexity and functionality approaching the level of biological systems is an ongoing challenge. A general synthetic strategy is proposed by which progressive levels of complexity are achieved through the building block approach whereby molecularly defined constructs at one level serve as constituent units of the next level, all being linked through strong bonds-"augmented reticular chemistry". Specifically, current knowledge of linking metal complexes and organic molecules into reticular frameworks is applied here to linking the crystals of these frameworks into supercrystals (superframeworks). This strategy allows for the molecular control exercised on the molecular regime to be translated into higher augmentation levels to produce systems capable of dynamics and complex functionality far exceeding current materials.

We call a partial Steiner triple system C (configuration) t-Ramsey if for large enough n (in terms of C,t), in every t-coloring of the blocks of any Steiner triple system STS(n) there is a monochromatic copy of C. We prove that configuration C is t-Ramsey for every t in three cases: C is acyclic every block of C has a point of degree one C has a triangle with blocks 123, 345, 561 with some further blocks attached at points 1 and 4 This implies that we can decide for all but one configurations with at most four blocks whether they are t-Ramsey. The one in doubt is the sail with blocks 123, 345, 561, 147.

Writing up session notes is essential to therapists’ practice, yet the literature on psychotherapeutic writing focuses almost exclusively on more complex tasks, such as preparing case studies or pieces for publication. Nonetheless, problems with writing up seem widespread: this article finds that 85% of trainees report difficulty. Such ‘session block’ has not before been defined. Given the absence of well-accepted psychotherapeutic tools to overcome such block, and given that writing sessions is a challenge of representation – a phenomenon well described in the world of art – this article appropriates methods from aesthetic theory to address the problem. Applying first the Classical aesthetic metaphor of art-as-mirror, the pressure on therapists to produce a clear likeness of the session is explored, and the mirror metaphor is found to be as oppressive as it is widely accepted. By contrast, a revolutionary metaphor from the Romantic era, namely art-as-lamp, wherein the poet casts an inner creative light over the world, holds promise in overcoming countertransferential blocks and permitting an imaginative write-up. This too, though, has drawbacks, and the article concludes by proposing a method which, by integrating metaphors, permits a free-flowing write-up of the session, both creatively rich and clinically accurate.

Biodegradable supramolecular polymers (SMPs) are synthesized by the end-functionalization of poly(lactide)-block-poly(δ-valerolactone)-block-poly(lactide) (PLA-PVL-PLA) triblock copolymers with 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy) self-complementary quadruple hydrogen-bonding unites. The end-functionalized PLA-PVL-PLA copolymers exhibit the typical characteristics of thermoplastic elastomers. Thermal, crystallization behavior, crystalline structure and properties of SMPs can be adjusted by changing the length and stereostructure of PLA blocks. The UPy groups retard the crystallization of PLA and PVL blocks, the crystallization of PVL blocks is also depressed by the increasing PLA blocks. Tensile test reveals that the prepared SMPs presents excellent mechanical properties, DMA results indicate that the heat resistance of L-SMPs is better than that of DL-SMPs. Shape memory property of SMPs was also studied, found that recovery ratio of SMPs with PDLLA blocks can reach 100%. The recovery ratio of L-SMPs was depressed as the crystallizable PLLA blocks increase. This study has systemically investigated that effect of the composition, stereostructure, and crystallizability of PLA blocks on the properties of supramolecular polymers, which would provide potential approaches to synthesize the biodegradable supramolecular polymers with tunable properties.

BACKGROUND The ability to produce adequate cell blocks profoundly impacts the diagnostic usefulness of cytology specimens. Cell blocks are routinely processed from fine-needle aspiration specimens or concentrated fluid samples. Obtaining directed passes for the sole purpose of producing a cell block is common practice, particularly when the cytopathologist anticipates the need for ancillary immunocytochemical stains and/or molecular studies. METHODS The authors developed an effective and inexpensive process for producing cell blocks that consistently yields abundant cellular material, which they have termed the Cell-Gel method. This method can be simplified into 3 main steps: 1) preparing the sample; 2) constructing the cell block; and 3) processing the cell block. Highlights of the protocol include using a hemolytic fixative for sample preparation and disposable base molds for cell block construction. RESULTS The cell block failure rate in the current study decreased from 18% with the HistoGel Tube method (January 2014-December 2014) to 6% with the Cell-Gel method (January 2015-December 2016). The authors evaluated 110 cell blocks processed with the HistoGel Tube method and 110 cell blocks processed with the Cell-Gel method, for a total evaluation of 220 cell blocks. CONCLUSIONS The authors have developed an effective and inexpensive protocol for producing cell blocks that consistently yields abundant cellular material. The Cell-Gel method uses a hemolytic fixative and disposable base molds to produce adequate cell blocks. When the method was implemented, the cell block failure rate of the study laboratory decreased by approximately 67%. Cancer Cytopathol 2017;125:267–276. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

The human telomerase inhibitor γ-rubromycin belongs to a class of natural products, which features a rare [5,6]-bisbenzannulated spiroketal core as its central structural motif. Also termed “aromatic spiroketals”, these scaffolds pose great challenges to total synthesis. The ideal approach through an acid-mediated spiroketalization event is demanding, since this transformation is susceptible to even slight electronic alterations on the polyaromatic ring system. Herein, we report our strategy towards this class of natural products, that led to the identification of an electronically well-balanced spiroketalization precursor and eventually culminated in the preparation of an unnatural 4′-silyl-substituted γ-rubromycin derivative in racemic form. In the course of this study, we additionally introduced a new type of γ-silylated allylic phosphonate reagents that served as valuable C3 building blocks to forge the spiroketalization precursor in a convergent manner.

This study explores a proposition that individuals with dyslexia develop enhanced peripheral vision to process visual-spatial information holistically. Participants included 18 individuals diagnosed with dyslexia and 18 who were not. The experiment used a comparative visual search design consisting of two blocks of 72 trials. Each trial presented two halves of the display each comprising three kinds of shapes in three colours to be compared side-by-side. Participants performed a conjunctive search to ascertain whether the two halves were identical. In the first block, participants were provided no instruction regarding the visual-spatial processing strategy they were to employ. In the second block, participants were instructed to use a holistic processing strategy-to defocus their attention and perform the comparison by examining the whole screen at once. The results did not support the hypothesis associating dyslexia with talents for holistic visual processing. Using holistic processing strategy, both groups scored lower in accuracy and reacted faster, compared to the first block. Impaired readers consistently reacted more slowly and did not exhibit enhanced accuracy. Given the extant evidence of strengths for holistic visual processing in impaired readers, these findings are important because they suggest such strengths may be task dependent. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article provides insight into how “Blockchains” work. A block chain or Blockchain is a distributed database that maintains a continuously growing list of data records that are hardened against tampering and revision, even by operators of the data store's nodes. One can view a Blockchain as a public ledger of all transactions that have ever been executed. It is constantly growing as completed blocks are added to previous blocks forming a chain. Importantly, blocks are added to the Blockchain in a linear, chronological order. Each miner gets a copy of the Blockchain when joining the Bitcoin network. The Blockchain they receive has complete and accurate information about the addresses and their balances right from the genesis block to the most recently completed block. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

From atoms to molecules and bio-macromolecules, from organelles to cells, tissues, to the whole living system, nature shows us that the formation of complex systems with emergent properties originates from the hierarchical self-assembly of single components in guided bottom-up processes. By using DNA as a fundamental building block with well-known self-recognition properties, scientists have developed design rules and physical-chemical approaches for the fully programmable construction of highly organized structures with nanosized features. This review highlights the basic principles of hierarchical self-assembly in terms of type and number of distinguishable components and their interaction energies. Such general concepts are then applied to DNA-based systems. After a brief overview of the strategies used until now for the construction of individual DNA units, such as DNA tile motifs and origami structures, their self-association into assemblies of higher order is discussed. Particular emphasis is given to the forces involved in the self-assembly process, understanding and rational combination of which might help to coordinate the single elements of hierarchical structures both in space and time, thus advancing our efforts towards the creation of devices that mimic the complexity and functionality of natural systems.

Towards the synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical β,β-diarylacroleins for assembling diarylmethine fragments present in biologically important molecules, we have developed a new Weinreb amide (WA) based building block, derived from propiolic acid. The WA functionality present in this compound allowed the sequential addition of various arylmagnesium bromide reagents in a controlled manner. The developed methodology for the access to β,β-diarylacroleins has been utilised for the synthesis of biologically important 3-arylindanone molecules.

A complete structure and composition evolution of a pillared-paddlewheel metal-organic framework was achieved using a combination of solvent-assisted linker exchange (SALE) and node transmetalation. In this example, each building unit – the di-topic carboxylate strut, the di-topic nitrogen-based pillar, and the di-zinc node – of the original metal-organic framework is replaced in sequential fashion to produce a nickel-based daughter metal-organic framework with entirely different components.

The Block Research Group (BRG) at the Institute of Technology in Architecture, ETH Zurich, led by Philippe Block and Tom Van Mele, focuses on research in equilibrium analysis, computational form-finding and the fabrication of curved-surface structures. Here, Philippe Block describes how Parametricism's preoccupation with expressive surface structures enables architecture ‘to learn from the past’ and draw on the rich seam of historical knowledge that has informed the complex curved structures of the Gothic cathedral builders and modern masters.

Recently, Hou and others introduced a (2, n) block-based progressive visual cryptographic scheme (BPVCS) in which image blocks can be gradually recovered step by step. In Hou and others' (2, n)-BPVCS, a secret image is subdivided into n non-overlapping image blocks. When t () participants stack their shadow images, all the image blocks associated with these t participants will be recovered. However, Hou and others' scheme is only a simple 2-out-of-n case. In this paper, we discuss a general (k, n)-BPVCS for any k and n. Our main contribution is to give two constructions (Construction 1 and Construction 2) of this general (k, n)-BPVCS. Also, we theoretically prove that both constructions satisfy a threshold property and progressive recovery of the proposed (k, n)-BPVCS. For k = 2, Construction 1 is reduced to Hou and others' (2, n)-BPVCS.

Much of our architectural heritage today is built out of unreinforced masonry. It is often unclear why historic masonry structures still stand when conventional analysis tools have predicted their failure. In order to ensure the safety of these existing structures, there is an acute need for innovative tools that can accurately analyse their stability. Associate Professor Philippe Block, Tom Van Mele and Matthias Rippmann of the Block Research Group, part of the Institute of Technology in Architecture at ETH Zurich demonstrate how computational form-finding methods and design tools for masonry structures that stand in pure compression, such as arches and vaults, make it possible to design expressive and efficient surface structures that can be built with very little or low-quality material. By studying the techniques of medieval master builders, the Block Research Group has also developed new ways of building with masonry, enhanced by current construction and fabrication technologies. These new tools and reinvented construction methods can be applied in different contexts: for instance, by studying the structure of Gothic cathedrals, they manage to dramatically reduce the use of materials in office construction.

Spam and wildly varying documents make searching in Twitter challenging. Most Twitter search systems generally treat a Tweet as a plain text when modeling relevance. However, a series of conventions allows users to Tweet in structural ways using a combination of different blocks of texts. These blocks include plain texts, hashtags, links, mentions, etc. Each block encodes a variety of communicative intent and the sequence of these blocks captures changing discourse. Previous work shows that exploiting the structural information can improve the structured documents e.g., web pages retrieval. In this study we utilize the structure of Tweets, induced by these blocks, for Twitter retrieval and Twitter opinion retrieval. For Twitter retrieval, a set of features, derived from the blocks of text and their combinations, is used into a learning-to-rank scenario. We show that structuring Tweets can achieve state-of-the-art performance. Our approach does not rely on social media features, but when we do add this additional information, performance improves significantly. For Twitter opinion retrieval, we explore the question of whether structural information derived from the body of Tweets and opinionatedness ratings of Tweets can improve performance. Experimental results show that retrieval using a novel unsupervised opinionatedness feature based on structuring Tweets achieves comparable performance with a supervised method using manually tagged Tweets. Topic-related specific structured Tweet sets are shown to help with query-dependent opinion retrieval.

Summary Although readers typically believe that comic page layouts should be read following the left to right and down ‘Z-path’ inherited from written language, several spatial arrangements can push readers to deviate from this order. These manipulations include separating panels from each other, overlapping one panel onto another, and using a long vertical panel to the right of a vertical column to ‘block’ a horizontal row. We asked participants to order empty panels in comic page layouts that manipulated these factors. All manipulations caused participants to deviate from the conventional Z-path, and this departure was modulated by incremental changes to spatial arrangements: The more layouts deviated from a grid, the less likely participants were to use the Z-path. Overall, these results reinforce that various constraints push comic readers to engage with panels in predictable ways, even when deviating from the traditional Z-path of written language. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Guido Kickelbick at Saarland University, Saarbrucken, Germany. The cover image shows the molecular building block that plays the major role in the self-healing processes of modern hybrid materials through crosslinking and de-crosslinking reactions.

Stan Allen and Rafi Segal are both independent New York-based practitioners and educators: Allen is Professor of Architecture at Princeton University, and Segal is Associate Professor of Architecture and Urbanism at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Here they collaborate on a high-density and flexible design strategy for Midtown Manhattan that is driven by ecological, social and spatial concerns rather than the usual commercial drivers of speculative development.

For most architects, the effective design of three-dimensional space in two-dimensional media remains an ongoing conundrum. Kazuhiro Kojima, the founding partner of the C+A Tokyo (CAt) office, describes how he set out to tackle this through his creation of the pioneering Space Block system at the Kojima Laboratory in the Tokyo University of Science in 1994, a design tool that could capture and extract space. He describes its application and refinement in the development of two ensuing systems: Existing Space Blocks (ESBs) and Basic Space Blocks (BSBs).

Structured polymers offer a means to tailor transport pathways within mechanically stable manifolds. Here we examine the building block of such a membrane, namely a single large pentablock co-polymer that consist of a center block of a randomly sulfonated polystyrene, designed for transport, tethered to poly-ethylene-r-propylene and end-capped by poly-t-butyl styrene, for mechanical stability,using molecular dynamics simulations. The polymer structure in a cyclohexane-heptane mixture, a technologically viable solvent, and in water, a poor solvent for all segments and a ubiquitous substance is extracted. In all solvents the pentablock collapsed into nearly spherical aggregates where the ionic block is segregated. In hydrophobic solvents, the ionic block resides in the center, surrounded by swollen intermix of flexible and end blocks. In water all blocks are collapsed with the sulfonated block residing on the surface. Our results demonstrate that solvents drive different local nano-segregation, providing a gateway to assemble membranes with controlled topology.

1,4-Cyclohexadiene derivatives are easily accessed via transition-metal cycloadditions of 1,3-dienes with alkynes. The mild reaction conditions of several transition-metal-catalysed reactions allows the incorporation of various functional groups to access functionalised 1,4-cyclohexadienes. The control of the regiochemistry in the intermolecular cobalt-catalysed Diels-Alder reaction is realised utilising different ligand designs. The functionalised 1,4-cyclohexadiene derivatives are valuable building blocks in follow-up transformations. Finally, the oxidation of the 1,4-cyclohexadienes can be accomplished under mild conditions to generate the corresponding arene derivatives.

For the seed-assisted casting process for silicon ingots, different partition blocks were designed in the directional solidification (DS) furnaces to preserve the seed crystals and optimize the thermal field in the hot-zone. A transient global model was established to investigate the effects of different partition blocks during the solidification process. The simulation results showed that the partition blocks can significantly influence the temperature distributions and the melt flow fields. From the designed partition blocks, the movable partition block was more favorable for the seed-assisted DS process. A suitable temperature gradient and a flat seed-melt (s-m) interface were obtained, which facilitated the preservation of seed crystals effectively, and an optimized crystal-melt (c-m) interface was achieved as well. One of the designs of the movable partition blocks was implemented in quasi-mono crystalline silicon casting experiments and it has been confirmed that the designed movable partition block was helpful for the improvement of the single crystal area.

The general aim of the article is to teach the reader how to transform conceptual models of change, development, and learning into mathematical expressions and how to use these equations to build dynamic models by means of the widely used spreadsheet program Excel. The explanation is supported by a number of Excel files, which the reader can download at www.paulvangeert.nl/articles_appendices.htm. The article begins with a discussion of how to define variables in the context of modeling and the difference with the context of measurement. It proceeds with a simple dynamic model to give the reader a general idea, and continues with an explanation of the extended logistic model, which can be conceived of as a building block of more complex growth models pertaining to learning and development. The final section discusses the building of a concrete developmental model, answering the question of why girls like pink.

The design of video game environments, or levels, aims to control gameplay by steering the player through a sequence of designer-controlled steps, while simultaneously providing a visually engaging experience. Traditionally these levels are painstakingly designed by hand, often from pre-existing building blocks, or space templates. In this paper, we propose an algorithmic approach for automatically laying out game levels from user-specified blocks. Our method allows designers to retain control of the gameplay flow via user-specified level connectivity graphs, while relieving them from the tedious task of manually assembling the building blocks into a valid, plausible layout. Our method produces sequences of diverse layouts for the same input connectivity, allowing for repeated replay of a given level within a visually different, new environment. We support complex graph connectivities and various building block shapes, and are able to compute complex layouts in seconds. The two key components of our algorithm are the use of configuration spaces defining feasible relative positions of building blocks within a layout and a graph-decomposition based layout strategy that leverages graph connectivity to speed up convergence and avoid local minima. Together these two tools quickly steer the solution toward feasible layouts. We demonstrate our method on a variety of real-life inputs, and generate appealing layouts conforming to user specifications.

Recently, it has been observed that the usual type-theoretic restrictions are not enough to block certain paradoxes involving two or more predicates. In particular, when we have a self-referential language containing modal predicates, new paradoxes might appear even if there are type restrictions for the principles governing those predicates. In this article we consider two type-theoretic solutions to multimodal paradoxes. The first one adds types for each of the modal predicates. We argue that there are a number of problems with most versions of this approach. The second one, which we favour, represents modal notions by using the truth predicate together with the corresponding modal operator. This way of doing things is not only useful because it avoids multimodal paradoxes, but also because it preserves the expressive capacity of the language. As an example of the sort of theory we have in mind, we provide a type-theoretic axiomatization that combines truth with necessity and knowledge.

Purpose In this study, the basic properties and requirements of time-encoded pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling (te-pCASL) are investigated. Also, the extra degree of freedom delivered by changing block durations is explored. Methods First, the minimal duration of encoding blocks, the influence of cardiac triggering, and the effect of dividing the labeling period into blocks are evaluated. Two new strategies for timing the encoding blocks in te-pCASL are introduced: variable block duration to compensate for T1-decay and the free lunch approach that uses the postlabeling delay time that is idle in standard pCASL to acquire arterial transit time (ATT) information. Simulations are used to probe possible signal losses. Results No signal loss was found when dividing the labeling period into blocks with duration >50 ms. In time-encoded perfusion imaging, no cardiac triggering is required. Summation of results for individual blocks in te-pCASL postprocessing causes severe loss of temporal SNR. Quality of cerebral blood flow (CBF) maps was not affected by the encoding line order. Conclusion Adjusting the timing of encoding blocks in te-pCASL allows for tailoring the acquisition to specific applications. With the free lunch setup, te-pCASL delivers CBF and high resolution ATT maps within a single scan, with a small penalty in tSNR. Magn Reson Med 72:1712–1722, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Four new layered pentaborates Rb4Ba2.5B20O34Br, Rb2Ba4B20O34Br2, Rb4Ba2.5B20O34Cl, and KBaB5O9 have been successfully synthesized via a high-temperature solution method; the former three are the first series of compounds reported in the Rb-Ba-B-O-X (X = halogen) system. Interestingly, the structures of the above compounds are composed of the same [B5O11]7– fundamental building block (FBB), which could be further linked to form 2∞[B10O17]4– double layers for the former three compounds and 2∞[B5O9]3– single layers for the last one. The structure comparisons among all the available anhydrous pentaborates reveal that the structures of the anionic framework are affected by the relationship between the orientation of [B5O11]7– FBB axes and the layer plane (parallel or perpendicular), which will produce the different number of terminal O atoms in the initial pentaborate blocks. The viewpoints give us a feasible way to investigate the layered structures and expand the structural diversity of borates. Furthermore,...

Postgraduate students are at the forefront of geographical research, forging their career in a rapidly changing landscape. The ideology of geography as a single discipline is being erased, enabling complex geographical questions spanning both natural and social sciences to be properly addressed. A postgraduate event organised in a thematic manner, rather than by discipline, reveals that postgraduate students still associate with ‘human’ or ‘physical’ geography, rather than with interdisciplinary work. However, students who overcome time constraints and have exposure to, or engage with, interdisciplinary research gain valuable transferable skills, enhancing research outputs and employability. Therefore, postgraduate perceptions of interdisciplinary research are important for geography to advance.

The trend towards regional anesthesia began in the late 1800s when William Halsted and Richard Hall experimented with cocaine as a local anesthetic for upper and lower limb procedures. Regional anesthesia of the upper limb can be achieved by blocking the brachial plexus at varying stages along the course of the trunks, divisions, cords and terminal branches. The four most common techniques used in the clinical setting are the interscalene block, the supraclavicular block, the infraclavicular block, and the axillary block. Each approach has its own unique set of advantages and indications for use. The supraclavicular block is most effective for anesthesia of the mid-humerus and below. Infraclavicular blocks are useful for procedures requiring continuous anesthesia. Axillary blocks provide effective anesthesia distal to the elbow, and interscalene blocks are best suited for the shoulder and proximal upper limb. The two most common methods for localizing the appropriate nerves for brachial plexus blocks are nerve stimulation and ultrasound guidance. Recent literature on brachial plexus blocks has largely focused on these two techniques to determine which method has greater efficacy. Ultrasound guidance has allowed the operator to visualize the needle position within the musculature and has proven especially useful in patients with anatomical variations. The aim of this study is to provide a review of the literature on the different approaches to brachial plexus blocks, including the indications, techniques, and relevant anatomical variations associated with the nerves involved.

A new class of C3-symmetrical fullerene building blocks with a well-defined spatial arrangement of addends has been developed. They comprise compounds with a e,e,e-trisaddition pattern and a mixed octahedral hexakisaddition pattern. Fullerenophosphates with a e,e,e-addition pattern were used for the spatial preorganization of the addends. After deprotection seven different trisbromides (12–16, 15a, 16a) with varying chain lengths and orientation of the functional groups were obtained. Acetylenes could be coupled to these compounds by click chemistry through an intermediate trisazide. For the synthesis of mixed hexakisadducts 19–21 a template system based on a central benzyl moiety was attached to the free hemisphere of the trisadduct fullerenophosphates. It was shown that the phosphate and the benzyl template can be removed independently. Fully deprotected building block 24 bearing both terminal bromide and hydroxy moieties was prepared. In addition, rather complex hybrid architecture 29 bearing three porphyrin units in the polar addend zone was successfully synthesized.

A method for the sequential fullerenylation of bis-malonates with parent C60 and C2v-symmetric pentakis-adducts is reported. This approach relies on the finding that (a) chloromalonates can be used for the nucleophilic cyclopropanation of [6,6] double bonds of C60, and (b) chloromalonates, in contrast to bromomalonates, do not undergo base-catalyzed halogen exchange reactions. For the proof of concept, we synthesized a heptafullerene by using a divergent approach based on a fullerene hexakis-adduct with six bis-malonate addends in octahedral positions, each of which is suitable for an additional cyclopropanation of a fullerene building block.

Presentism, eternalism, and growing-blockism are theories or models of what the temporal and ontic structure of the world is, or could be. i shall set aside the question of whether whichever theory is true is necessarily true or only contingently true. since defenders of each of these views at the very least think that they are competing views about the way our world is in fact, i focus discussion on this aspect of the dialectic. Presentism, eternalism, and growing-blockism are, in part, theories about what exists. “Exists” is used in ordinary English in a number of ways. To understand what is at issue between these three views we need to understand what each view intends when it makes claims about what exists. suppose i stand in my kitchen and utter the following three claims

(–)-Isosteviol is a unique ex-chiral-pool building block that is readily available. Both functional groups are aligned in a concave manner. The methyl moiety on the backbone also points in this direction, creating a strong asymmetric environment close to these functional groups. The slightly divergent orientation of the keto and carboxy functions limits its use in the construction of supramolecular architectures as optically pure divalent building blocks. By selective transformations, ring D of (–)-isosteviol can be expanded and equipped with oxygen-containing functionalities, providing a variety of useful and rigid building blocks with defined stereochemistry.

This article describes a technique for path unfolding for conditional branches in parallel programs executed on clusters. Unfolding paths following control structures makes it possible to break the control dependencies existing in the code and consequently to obtain a high degree of parallelism through the use of idle CPUs. The main challenge of this technique is to deal with sequences of control statements. When a control statement appears in a path after a branch, a new conditional block needs to be opened, creating a new code split before the previous one is resolved. Such subsequent code splits increase the cost of speculation management, resulting in reduced profits. Several decision techniques have been developed for improving code splitting and speculation efficiency in single machine architecture. The main contribution of this paper is to apply such techniques to a cluster of single processor systems and evaluate them in such an environment. Our results demonstrate that code splitting in conjunction with branch speculation and the use of statistical information improves the performance measured by the number of processes executed in a time unit. This improvement is particularly significant when the parallelized programs contain iterative structures in which conditions are repeatedly executed.

An important objective in materials design is to develop a systematic methodology for replacing unavailable or expensive material building blocks by simpler and abundant ones, while maintaining or improving the functionality of the material. The mathematical field of category theory provides a formal specification language which lies at the heart of such a methodology. In this paper, we apply material ologs, category-theoretic descriptions of hierarchical materials, to rigorously define a process by which material building blocks can be replaced by others while maintaining large-scale properties, to the extent possible. We demonstrate the implementation of this approach by using algebraic techniques to predict concrete conditions needed for building block replacement. As an example, we specify structure–function relationships in two systems: a laminated composite and a structure–function analogue, a fruit salad. In both systems we illustrate how ologs provide us with a mathematical tool that allows us to replace one building block with others to achieve approximately the same functionality, and how to use them to model and design seemingly distinct physical systems with a consistent mathematical framework.

Among the construction waste that could be recycled, we can mention the aggregates resulting from crushed concrete. While the acquired knowledge about the use of recycled aggregates in new concrete mixes is fairly large, the use of such aggregates in the production of concrete blocks is very limited. This research aims to study the influence of the use of recycled aggregates in precast concrete hollow blocks on their compressive strength. Tests were carried out to determine the rate of recycled aggregates content to be used in the manufacture of concrete blocks in order to obtain blocks having suitable compressive strength. Tests were executed on several series of blocks whose composition includes recycled aggregates and on one series of reference blocks whose composition consisted exclusively of natural aggregates. Tests results have provided the maximum percentage of recycled aggregates that can be included in new concrete block mixes without affecting blocks compressive strength. Tests have shown that the use of recycled aggregates in concrete blocks could give a compressive strength similar to that of blocks manufactured without any recycled aggregates. It has been shown also that using recycled aggregates in the manufacture of concrete blocks without any natural aggregates is not economical at all because of the need to add a relatively high quantity of cement necessary to obtain the required compressive strength.