cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of online marketing techniques on food and beverage companies' websites in six countries.

Food and beverage marketing contributes to poor dietary choices among adults and children. As consumers spend more time on the Internet, food and beverage companies have increased their online marketing efforts. Studies have shown food companies’ online promotions use a variety of marketing techniques to promote mostly energy-dense, nutrient-poor products, but no studies have compared the online marketing techniques and nutritional quality of products promoted on food companies’ international websites. For this descriptive study, we developed a qualitative codebook to catalogue the marketing themes used on 18 international corporate websites associated with the world’s three largest fast food and beverage companies (i.e. Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken). Nutritional quality of foods featured on those websites was evaluated based on quantitative Nutrient Profile Index scores and food category (e.g. fried, fresh). Beverages were sorted into categories based on added sugar content. We report descriptive statistics to compare the marketing techniques and nutritional quality of products featured on the company websites for the food and beverage company websites in two high-income countries (HICs), Germany and the United States, two upper-middle-income countries (UMICs), China and Mexico, and two lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), India and the Philippines. Of the 406 screenshots captured from company websites, 67·8% depicted a food or beverage product. HICs’ websites promoted diet food or beverage products/healthier alternatives (e.g. baked chicken sandwich) significantly more often on their pages (25%), compared to LMICs (14·5%). Coca-Cola featured diet products significantly more frequently on HIC websites compared to LMIC websites. Charities were featured more often on webpages in LMICs (15·4%) compared to UMICs (2·6%) and HICs (2·3%). This study demonstrates that companies showcase healthier products in wealthier countries and advertise their philanthropic activities in lower income countries, which is concerning given the negative effect of nutrition transition (double burden of overnutrition and undernutrition) on burden of non-communicable diseases and obesity in lower income countries.
An Update to the Diagnosis and Key to the Species of Ocyolinus Sharp (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae: Staphylinini), with the Inclusion of Torobus principalis (Bernhauer)

Torobus principalis (Bernhauer) is transferred to the genus Ocyolinus Sharp as Ocyolinus principalis (Bernhauer), new combination. An updated diagnosis and key to the species are provided for Ocyolinus along with illustrations and a redescription of O. principalis.
A Tiny Toolbox

A recent article by Matthias Rief, Filipp Oesterhelt. Berthold Heymann, and Hermann Gaub concluded with this sentence: "Single molecule force spectroscopy by AFM has proven to be a powerful addition to the nanoscopic piconewton toolbox," Everything about that conclusion is tiny. Clearly, the atomic force microscope (AFM) has given us a tool to examine structure at or near the atomic level. Earlier work from Gaub's laboratory, reviewed in this column, demonstrated that the AFM could directly measure the binding force between single molecules of biotin and avidin. This established that the AFM could be used as a tool to measure forces, not just observe structure. Their most recent experiments has added to this tiny toolbox.
Enhancing the sensitivity of slow light MZI biosensors through multi-hole defects

We demonstrate enhanced detection sensitivity of a slow light Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) sensor by incorporating multi-hole defects (MHDs). Slow light MZI biosensors with a one-dimensional photonic crystal in one arm have been previously shown to improve the performance of traditional MZI sensors based on the increased lightmatter interaction that takes place in the photonic crystal region of the structure. Introducing MHDs in the photonic crystal region increases the available surface area for molecular attachment and further increases the enhanced lightmatter interaction capability of slow light MZIs. The MHDs allow analyte to interact with a greater fraction of the guided wave in the MZI. For a slow light MHD MZI sensor with a 16 μm long sensing arm, a bulk sensitivity of 151,000 rad/RIU-cm is demonstrated experimentally, which is approximately two-fold higher than our previously reported slow light MZI sensors and thirteen-fold higher than traditional MZI biosensors with millimeter length sensing regions. For the label-free detection of nucleic acids, the slow light MZI with MHDs also exhibits a two-fold sensitivity improvement in experiment compared to the slow light MZI without MHDs. Because the detection sensitivity of slow light MHD MZIs scales with the length of the sensing arm, the tradeoff between detection limit and device size can be appropriately mitigated for different applications. All experimental results presented in this work are in good agreement with finite difference-time domain-calculations. Overall, the slow light MZI biosensors with MHDs are a promising platform for highly sensitive and multiplexed lab-on-chip systems.
Design and Synthesis of Self-Healing Memristive Circuits for Timing Resilient Processor Design

Modern microprocessors suffer from significant on-chip variation at the advanced technology nodes. The development of CMOS-compatible memristive devices has brought nonvolatile capability into silicon technology. This paper explores new applications for memristive devices to resolve performance degradations that result from process variation. Novel self-healing flip-flop and clock buffers are developed to automatically detect timing violation and to perform timing recovery by tuning the resistance values of memristor devices. To incorporate the circuit techniques into VLSI circuits design, novel device placement and tuning algorithms have been developed. The proposed design methodology is demonstrated in a 45-nm fast Fourier transform processor design. Our test results show that performance gains of up to 20% can be achieved using the proposed self-healing circuits, with only 1% area
Thermoelastic modeling of lithospheric uplift: a finite-difference numerical solution

This paper describes HEATFLEX.FOR, a FORTRAN computer program designed to model the thermoelastic uplift of lithospheric regions. The program was written using a finite-difference approximation to the heat-transfer and elastic-flexure equations in a two-layer cylindrical plate. The amount of uplift is determined by the mechanical and thermal properties of the lithosphere, the heat flux at the base and lower sides of the lithosphere, and the duration of the applied heating. The program outputs the temperature and thermal anomaly fields within the model, the heat flow and thermoelastic uplift of the surface, the Bouguer gravity anomaly amplitude, and the elastic and thermal lithospheric thicknesses. These values can then be compared to known values to determine if a thermoelastic model is suitable for the tectonic environment being modeled. The program is demonstrated by modeling a portion of the uplift of the Colorado Plateau in the western United States.
Glomerular, Vascular, and Tubulo-Interstitial Diseases

The mother of a three-year old Asian boy with steroid-sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome seeks advice regarding future therapy for her son. He has had four relapses of the nephrotic syndrome in the last year, each time responding rapidly to oral prednisone. Relapses have occurred when prednisone was tapered to <20 mg every other day. He now has reduced stature for his age and developed a behavioral disorder believed to be due to excess glucocorticoids. Another physician has advised the mother that a 10-week course of oral cyclophosphamide is essential to control her son’s disease and to prevent further relapses. The mother, however, is very fearful of the adverse side effects of cyclophosphamide.
A waiting list model for residential care for the mentally disabled in The Netherlands.

We present a model of the waiting list for residential care for the mentally disabled in the Netherlands. The model is a linear stock-flow model and distributes the mentally disabled over different living situations. It includes institutional and semi-institutional care explicitly and ambulatory and other types of care implicitly. Four scenarios are simulated, exploring possible future developments. Scenarios differ in the mortality rate of mentally disabled, the supply and use of ambulatory care and the possible effect of uncertainty in the data. Results show that unless continuous efforts are made to decrease the inflow in the waiting list and to supply extra care as well as extra alternative care, the waiting list for residential care will continue to grow.
Viral, Nonviral, and Physical Methods for Gene Delivery

Gene transfer is an emerging therapeutic modality for a wide spectrum of diseases. Its clinical adoption is, however, limited by the lack of safe and efficient gene delivery methods. Three classes of methods are currently under evaluation. The first class consists of genetically modified viruses, which include retroviruses, adenoviruses, adeno-associated viruses, and several others. These vectors are relatively efficient. However, their clinical application is associated with significant safety concerns, such as oncogenesis and acute inflammatory response. The second class is nonviral vectors, which are composed of synthetic components. These include complexes of DNA with lipids, polymers, or their combination. Many nonviral vector formulations, which incorporate functional components to facilitate nuclease protection, cellular/tissue targeting, endosomal release, and nuclear localization, have been investigated, mostly in vitro. These efforts have resulted in incremental advances in gene transfer efficiency, requiring further improvements for clinical applications. The third class of methods is based on the use of physical energy or force. Examples are gene gun, electroporation, and magnetofection. These methods are suitable for locoregional gene delivery. In this chapter, we will provide an overview of the state-of-the-art gene transfer methods, their strengths and weaknesses, and challenges and opportunities in this critical area of research, which will, to a large extent, determine the future prospect of gene therapy in the clinic.
Abstract 6122: Impact of Temporal Heterogeneity in Regional Cardiac Mechanics on Dyssynchrony Assessment by Tissue Velocity Versus Strain Echocardiography: Lessons from an Experimental Model of Heart Failure

Background: We evaluated the relative usefulness of tissue Doppler (TDE) and strain (SE) echocardiography in depicting mechanical synchrony in a well-validated dog model of tachypacing induced heart failure with left bundle branch ablation. Methods: Twelve dogs underwent sequential left bundle branch ablation, 3-week atrial and 3-week biventricular pacing at 200 bpm inducing dyssynchronous heart failure (DHF) and resynchronization (CRT) respectively. Conventional, TDE and SE was performed at DHF, immediately after (acute CRT) and at 3 weeks of biventricular pacing (chronic CRT). Mechanical dyssynchrony (MD, longitudinal) was determined by 4 indices: time delay between basal segments of 2 opposing walls (septal-lateral and anteroseptal-posterior) by peak systolic velocity during ejection phase (TD SV-Ejection ), peak positive systolic velocity (TD SV ), peak strain (TD STRAIN ) and 12-segment standard deviation of time to peak strain (Dyssynchrony index or DI). Results: All indices of dyssynchrony except TD SV-Ejection improved substantially with acute CRT (Figure A) compared to DHF and all remained significantly better at 3 weeks CRT. TD SV-Ejection underestimated MD at DHF stage consequent to misidentification of septal systolic peaks in DHF that tended to generally precede aortic valve opening (Figure B). Conclusion: Acute improvements in dyssynchrony with CRT are sustained with chronic CRT. Regional temporal heterogeneity of septal and lateral wall mechanics in DHF results in misidentification of systolic tissue velocity peaks during the ejection phase. Strain derived indices are less susceptible to these changes and may more accurately reflect dyssynchrony.
Suicide in the Second Half of Life: Cognition and Decision Processes

The persistent high elderly suicide rates remain an understudied public health problem despite their importance. Suicide, in old age, is often viewed as a rational decision, triggered by loss, illness, disability, and depression. Neither the traditional medical model, which emphasizes the role of psychopathology (especially depression, psychosis, and alcohol and drug abuse), nor the psychosocial models that emphasize the role of social isolation and burdensomeness adequately explains the age-related increase in suicide rates. The importance of different vulnerability factors and certain life-events relative to suicidal behavior may change across the life span. Decision-making deficits due to cognitive decline, and in particular poor cognitive control, are more common in old age. Suicide follows a decision process, and recent studies have shown that suicidal individuals often make disadvantageous decisions in other situations. There is accumulating evidence that impaired cognitive control, deficits in social processing, and impulsivity—expressed in poor decisions both in experimental paradigms and in the context of real-world decision-making—may contribute to the decision to take one’s life.
An Innovative Approach for Familiarizing Surgeons with Malpractice Litigation

Objective Familiarize surgery residents with medicolegal knowledge and skills required when facing the prospect of being sued through a simulation session. Design The general surgery residency, hospital risk management, and malpractice attorneys collaboratively organized an educational intervention, consisting of an introductory lecture followed by a mock lawsuit. Two medical malpractice attorneys acted as defense and plaintiff attorneys while an attending surgeon experienced in litigation acted as defendant. Experience, attitudes, and preintervention/postintervention competency were evaluated via retrospective self-assessment. Setting Weekly departmental educational conference. Participants Forty residents and attending surgeons. Results Among the participants, 27.5% had been named in a law suit before. Most surgeons (70.0%) are worried about malpractice. Physicians who had been sued were no more likely to worry about malpractice (18.6 vs 25.0%, p = 0.82) than their colleagues who had never been sued. Results from the retrospective preintervention/postintervention competency assessment s demonstrated significant improvement in all measured competencies after the mock lawsuit. In comparison with attending faculty, residents obtained greater improvements in understanding the essential elements of a medical claim (1.9 vs 1.1, p = 0.03), gaining confidence doing a deposition for medical litigation (1.9 vs 0.9, p Conclusions The novel educational format effectively familiarized surgery faculty and residents with the process of litigation and improved their confidence and mental preparedness when facing the prospect of a lawsuit. It is a valuable educational tool that can be incorporated in residency training and faculty development curricula.
Of Metaphors and Molecules: Figurative Language Bridging STEM and the Arts in Education

STEM education in the United States is often described as being in a downward spiral, when assessed by competency test scores and lack of student motivation for engaging STEM disciplines. The autho...
Liquid-liquid phase separation of tau protein: The crucial role of electrostatic interactions

Recent studies have indicated that tau, a protein involved in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, has a propensity to undergo liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS). However, the mechanism of this process remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that tau LLPS is largely driven by intermolecular electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged N-terminal and positively charged middle/C-terminal regions, whereas hydrophobic interactions play a surprisingly small role. Furthermore, our results reveal that, in contrast to previous suggestions, phosphorylation is not required for tau LLPS. These findings provide a foundation for understanding the mechanism by which phosphorylation and other posttranslational modifications could modulate tau LLPS in the context of specific physiological functions as well as pathological interactions.
Risk Analysis and Risk Management

In the Tigris-Euphrates valley about 3200 B.C. there lived a group called the Ashipu. One of their primary functions was to serve as consultants for risky, uncertain, or difficult decisions. If a decision needed to be made concerning a forthcoming risky venture, a proposed marriage arrangement, or a suitable building site, one could consult with a member of the Ashipu. The Ashipu would (1) identify the important dimensions of the problem, (2) identify alternative actions, and (3) collect data on the likely outcomes (e.g., profit or loss, success or failure) of each alternative. The best available data from their perspective were signs from the gods, which the priestlike Ashipu were especially qualified to divine. The Ashipu would then create a ledger. For each alternative, if the signs were favorable, they would enter a plus; if not, they would enter a minus. After the analysis was completed, the Ashipu would recommend the most favorable alternative. The last step was to issue a final report, etched upon a clay tablet (Oppenheim, 1977).
Using principal component analysis to characterize eye movement fixation patterns during face viewing

Human faces contain dozens of visual features, but viewers preferentially fixate just two of them: the eyes and the mouth. Face-viewing behavior is usually studied by manually drawing regions of interest (ROIs) on the eyes, mouth, and other facial features. ROI analyses are problematic as they require arbitrary experimenter decisions about the location and number of ROIs, and they discard data because all fixations within each ROI are treated identically and fixations outside of any ROI are ignored. We introduce a data-driven method that uses principal component analysis (PCA) to characterize human face-viewing behavior. All fixations are entered into a PCA, and the resulting eigenimages provide a quantitative measure of variability in face-viewing behavior. In fixation data from 41 participants viewing four face exemplars under three stimulus and task conditions, the first principal component (PC1) separated the eye and mouth regions of the face. PC1 scores varied widely across participants, revealing large individual differences in preference for eye or mouth fixation, and PC1 scores varied by condition, revealing the importance of behavioral task in determining fixation location. Linear mixed effects modeling of the PC1 scores demonstrated that task condition accounted for 41% of the variance, individual differences accounted for 28% of the variance, and stimulus exemplar for less than 1% of the variance. Fixation eigenimages provide a useful tool for investigating the relative importance of the different factors that drive human face-viewing behavior.
Removal of Oxyanion Forming Elements from Contaminated Soils through Combined Sorption onto Zero-Valent Iron (ZVI) and Magnetic Separation: Arsenic and Chromium as Case Studies

Mining techniques and waste disposal methods have improved significantly in terms of environment pollution, and this is noticeable primarily in developed countries, where several historic anthropog...
The potential underlying mechanism of the leukemia caused by MLL-fusion and potential treatments

A majority of infant and pediatric leukemias are caused by the mixed-lineage leukemia gene (MLL) fused with a variety of candidates. Several underlying mechanisms have been proposed. One currently popular view is that truncated MLL1 fusion and its associated complex constitutively hijacks super elongation complex, including positive transcription elongation factor b, CDK9, and cyclin T1 complex and DOT1L, to enhance the expression of transcription factors that maintain or restore stemness of leukocytes, as well as prevent the differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. An alternative emerging view proposes that MLL1-fusion promotes the recruitment of TATA binding protein and RNA polymerase II (Pol II) initiation complex, so as to increase the expression levels of target genes. The fundamental mechanism of both theories are gain of function for truncated MLL1 fusions, either through Pol II elongation or initiation. Our recent progress in transcription regulation of paused Pol II through JMJD5, JMJD6, and JMJD7, combined with the repressive role of H3K4me3 revealed by others, prompted us to introduce a contrarian hypothesis: the failure to shut down transcribing units by MLL-fusions triggers the transformation: loss of function of truncated MLL1 fusions coupled with the loss of conversion of H3K4me1 to H3K4me3, leading to the constitutive expression of transcription factors that are in charge of maintenance of hematopoietic progenitor cells, may trigger the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells. Following this track, a potential treatment to eliminate these fusion proteins, which may ultimately cure the disease, is proposed.
Evaluating outcomes of children's asthma self-management education through sustainable community-university partnerships.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the outcomes of a children's asthma management education program delivered through a community-university partnership. DESIGN Quasi-experimental pretest/posttest. SAMPLE Convenience sample of 50 children with asthma, grades 2-5, and their parent/caregiver from nine elementary schools in New York State. MEASUREMENTS Child Asthma Management Self-Efficacy Survey, Child Asthma Control Test© , Parent Asthma Knowledge Test. INTERVENTION Nursing students certified as Open Airways for Schools facilitators administered the program once weekly for 5 weeks. Parent handouts were sent home after each session. Pre/posttests for all measures were completed prior to Open Airways and at completion. RESULTS Improved asthma management self-efficacy (p < .001) and improved asthma control (p = .013) for children with asthma were noted. Parent asthma knowledge was high pre- and posttest with no significant change. Parental knowledge regarding inhaled corticosteroids was consistently low. CONCLUSIONS Collaboration between universities and local school systems allows for mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources to address the need for asthma self-management for children with asthma. Nursing students trained in asthma management develop expertise and provide sustainable resources for this education.
Utilization of Resnet in RGB-D Facial Recognition Problems.

Resnet, from its emergence, has always been a state-of-the-art model for facial recognition problems. The 2019 Bench Council posted several challenges, including an International 3D Face Recognition Algorithm Challenge, which aims at soliciting new approaches to advance the state-of-the-art in face recognition. We focus on utilizing a 4-channeled Resnet on this new problem and achieve 90% validation set accuracy resulting in second prize on the Bench-19 International Artificial Intelligence System Challenges.
An In-Depth Understanding of Salient Features of Antenna Near-Field Measurements Through Full Wave Simulations : (Invited Paper)

Full wave solvers today are capable of solving very complex electromagnetic problems and enable the design of complex antennas. They also allow engineers to confidently assess the antenna performance in a real-time environment prior to its fabrication and physical integration with the desired system. In this work, we use the power of full-wave simulators to understand several salient aspects of near-field antenna measurements so as to facilitate the measurement of advanced antennas for emerging technologies. The modeling of the measurement process in a full-wave solver is elaborated in detail, followed by an investigation of two representative aspects of near-field measurements, which are assessing the impact of non-ideal probe and improving the efficiency of phase retrieval algorithms.
Study for material analogs of FeSb 2 : Material design for thermoelectric materials

Using the ab initio evolutionary algorithm (implemented in uspex) and electronic structure calculations we investigate the properties of a new thermoelectric material FeSbAs, which is a material analog of the enigmatic thermoelectric ${\mathrm{FeSb}}_{2}$. We utilize the density functional theory and the Gutzwiller method to check the energetics. We find that FeSbAs can be made thermodynamically stable above $\ensuremath{\sim}30$ GPa. We investigate the electronic structure and thermoelectric properties of FeSbAs based on the density functional theory and compare with those of ${\mathrm{FeSb}}_{2}$. Above 50 K, FeSbAs has higher Seebeck coefficients than ${\mathrm{FeSb}}_{2}$. Upon doping, the figure of merit becomes larger for FeSbAs than for ${\mathrm{FeSb}}_{2}$. Another material analog FeSbP, was also investigated, and found thermodynamically unstable even at very high pressure. Regarding ${\mathrm{FeSb}}_{2}$ as a member of a family of compounds $({\mathrm{FeSb}}_{2}$, FeSbAs, and FeSbP) we elucidate what are the chemical handles that control the gaps in this series. We also investigate solubility (As or P for Sb in ${\mathrm{FeSb}}_{2})$ we found As to be more soluble. Finally, we study a two-band model for thermoelectric properties and find that the temperature dependent chemical potential and the presence of the ionized impurities are important to explain the extremum in the Seebeck coefficient exhibited in experiments for ${\mathrm{FeSb}}_{2}$.
Measuring the Dynamics Gains from Trade

This article investigates the links between trade policy and economic growth in a panel of 57 countries between 1970 and 1989. It develops a new measure of trade policy openness based on the policy component of trade shares, using it in a simultaneous equations system to identify the effect of trade policy on several determinants of growth. The result suggests a positive impact of openness on economic growth, with the accelerated accumulation of physical capital accounting for more than half the total effect; for smaller effects. This decomposition is robust with respect to alternative specifications and time periods. The article also successfully tests whether the model exhaustively captures the effects of trade policy on growth.
Heegaard distance of the link complements in S3

We show that, for any integers, g ≥ 3 and n ≥ 2, there exists a link in S3 such that its complement has a genus g Heegaard splitting with distance n.
A complementary method of assessing clay stabilisers used in hydraulic fracturing applications

Reservoirs with clays that swell or migrate can potentially impair production (Johnson 1952; Nasr-El-Din et al. 1999). When these clays are present, it is advantageous to use clay stabilisers to mitigate this damage potential (Fink 2011). The oil and gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing industry has adopted several clay assessment methods including analytical procedures such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and performance testing methods such as capillary suction test (CST) and the roller oven test. This paper describes a new performance test method for inhibitors used in shale reservoirs that complements the existing methods such as XRD and CST. A modified core flow method has been developed using unconsolidated core material that mimics a fracture network and indirectly measures the clay swelling and migration potential. In this procedure, a packed column composed of tightly sized shale material is used to simulate an infinite fracture network. Treatment fluids are then pumped through the column at constant rate while measuring pressure drop. The relative pressure change, together with the turbidity of the effluent, allows easy assessment of the clay stabiliser.
Applying a Social-Ecological Approach to Institutionalise C4D Curriculum and Research

With the goal of preparing development professionals with C4D skills for a growing number of social change initiatives in Bangladesh, UNICEF launched a university capacity building programme in 2017 in partnership with University Grants Commission of Bangladesh and with technical support from Ohio University, USA. Because capacity building in higher education depends on the roles of stakeholders at multiple levels – individual faculty, department, university and the development sector – this case study explores how the UNICEF programme utilised or reflected the Social Ecological Model (SEM). Additionally, utilising mixed methods, this study seeks to understand the outcomes in terms of curriculum, research and partnership/collaboration between universities and development programmes. The application of the SEM was reflected in the creation of an enabling environment for faculty teaching and creating curriculum on C4D, the launching of new C4D curricula in 10 universities, faculty interest in C4D-related research, and the development of a research fellowship programme.
Anti-Angiogenic Versus Anti-Vascular Approaches to Cancer Therapy

This conference has brought together clinicians and scientists from very diverse areas of pathophysiology in which abnormal vascular proliferation is a problem. The adult body is finely adjusted to have an adequate vasculature in all normal tissues, to provide the nutritional requirements both at rest and in response to stress. That stress may be transient, e.g. exercise, when collateral vessels open up and/or the main vessels vasodilate. Alternatively it may require the production of additional vessels by a process of cell proliferation, e.g. in granulation tissue in a wound or in placenta. A precise balance between the tissues’ need for nutrients and the development of new vessels is maintained under normal conditions, but a deviation from that balance towards hyper-vascularisation or hypovascularisation is a characteristic of many disease states. Much of the emphasis, e.g. in diabetes and arthritis, is on preventing abnormal neovasculature developing.
Molecular mechanisms of inter-organelle ER-PM contact sites

Observed for decades by electron microscopy but mostly ignored, inter-organelle membrane contact sites (MCSs) are now emerging as major sites for the exchange of cellular components in eukaryotic cells. Although new MCSs are continually characterized, those formed between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the plasma membrane (PM) are currently the best defined. Here, we focus on ER–PM contact sites as a model system for understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern inter-organelle junctions. Through tight inter-organelle tethering, ER–PM proteins generate a unique microenvironment optimized for processes like lipid and ion transport. Several MCS proteins also boast potential membrane remodeling domains, which may promote curvature and lipid transfer between juxtaposed bilayers. Finally, we discuss challenges and future directions for the MCS field.
The historical uniqueness of the Clinton welfare reforms : A new level of social misery?

This essay argues that the 1996 reforms to the American welfare state have no historical precedent. They are not a return to the poorhouse era and are radically distinct from Great Britain's new poor law of 1834, to which they are often compared. America is the first advanced capitalist country to jettison a significant element of its welfare state and, as such, is moving into waters that are uncharted and dangerous.
Data integration in the biomedical informatics research network (BIRN)

A goal of the Biomedical Informatics Research Network (BIRN) project sponsored by NCRR/NIH is to develop a multi- institution information management system for Neurosciences, where each participating institution produces a database of their experimental or computationally derived data, and a mediator module performs semantic integration over the databases to enable neuroscientists to perform analyses that could not be executed from any single institution's data. This demonstration paper briefly describes the current capabilities of Metropolis-II, the information integration system for BIRN.
Creative Strategies in Highly Creative Domestic and International Television Advertising

This paper reports the results of a content analysis that utilized Simon's classification scheme of generalized creative strategies to determine whether there are differences in the creative strategies that are employed in highly creative domestic and international television commercials. A sample of 331 Clio-winning commercials was obtained for the analysis. Clio-winners were selected because they set the standard by which creative achievement is measured in both domestic and international advertising. The results offer limited support for the notion that there are cross-cultural differences in the creative strategy of domestic and international television advertising.
Beyond Remorse: True Acceptance of Responsibility and a Proposal for the Reform of Section 3E1.1 of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines

The Federal Sentencing Guidelines, introduced in 1987, are a valuable tool for some prosecutors but an albatross around the necks of others. While some commentators laud the guidelines for their transparency and horizontal equity in sentencing, others feel they inhibit justice by limiting prosecutorial discretion in sentencing. Most people who study or have contact with the Guidelines have a strong opinion about their effects on criminals, justice, and society. However, one of the more powerful aspects of the guidelines remains mainly under the radar of academics and the public alike. Section 3E1.1 grants downward adjustments in sentencing when the defendant accepts responsibility for his or her crimes. But what does it mean to accept responsibility, and when should this downward adjustment be granted? While Section 3E1.1 could be used as a powerful tool to reform the defendant, it is generally treated as an automatic benefit, given to almost all defendants who plead guilty in the federal system.
Learning Algorithms and Formal Verification (Invited Tutorial)

This tutorial is on applications of computational learning theory to verification of systems. Computational learning theory deals with algorithmic models for learning formally representable concepts using either positive and negative samples or by access to an oracle that can answer certain queries about the concept.
Facile Synthesis of Rhodium Icosahedra with Controlled Sizes up to 12 nm

We report a facile synthesis of Rh icosahedra with average sizes up to 12.0±0.8 nm through the use of a relatively slow reduction process. By using Rh(acac)3 as a precursor to Rh and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) as a reducing agent, the reduction kinetics can be manipulated such to promote the formation of twin defects in the Rh nanocrystals. When Rh(acac)3 is replaced by other precursors containing mono-dentate ligands, single-crystal Rh nanocrystals are obtained due to the acceleration of reduction rate. By increasing the molecular weight of PVP from 10 000 to 1 300 000, the resulting Rh nanocrystals are transformed from single-crystal octahedra to multiply twinned icosahedra and stacking-fault-lined plates. These results suggest that the successful preparation of Rh icosahedra could be facilitated by varying the binding strength of a ligand to Rh in the precursor and/or the molecular weight of PVP to optimize the reduction kinetics.
Periodically nonuniform sampling of a new class of bandpass signals

It is known that a continuous time signal x(t) with Fourier transform X(/spl nu/) band-limited to |/spl nu/|</spl Theta//2 can be reconstructed from its samples x(T/sub 0/n) with T/sub 0/=2/spl pi///spl Theta/. In the case that X(/spl nu/) consists of two bands and is band-limited to /spl nu//sub 0/<|/spl nu/|</spl nu//sub 0/+/spl Theta//2, successful reconstruction of x(t) from x(T/sub 0/n) requires that these two bands be located properly. When the two bands are not located properly, Kohlenberg (1953) showed that we can use a periodically nonuniform sampling (PNS) scheme to recover x(t). In this paper, we show that PNS scheme can be generalized and applied to a wider class. Further generalizations will be made to two-dimensional case and discrete-time case.
Luminescence Quenching and Decay Processes in Multicomponent Systems: n‐Nonane+p‐Xylene+CCl4

A monophoton technique to measure fast luminescence decay and utilizing pulsed uv excitation has been employed to determine specific rates of excitation quenching in systems containing n‐nonane+p‐xylene+CCl4, with n‐nonane serving as an optically inert solvent, p‐xylene as scintillator, and CCl4 as quencher. The decay‐time data are employed to evaluate the characteristic rate parameters kq for quenching of p‐xylene luminescence by CCl4. Values so obtained are in good agreement with values obtained from steady‐state studies. The variation in kq with p‐xylene concentration is consistent with the view that energy migration as such via p‐xylene molecules occurs in addition to material diffusion of excited molecules. Dynamic and steady‐state measurements of self‐quenching in p‐xylene+n‐nonane systems indicate that, if excimer formation in p‐xylene occurs, it is followed by a very rapid nonradiative deactivation of the excimer. Furthermore, differences in the self‐quenching behavior as determined with steady‐st...
On the convergence of spectral methods for semilinear hyperbolic equations

The usual spectral method is considered for the semilinear hyperbolic equation The method is shown to converge in L2 when f is locally Lipschitz. As a step to treating the locally Lipschitz case, uniform convergence is shown so that the approximate solution will remain in a “tube” around the true solution.
Characterization and properties of macromolecules. VIII. A study of experimental variables in preparative-scale gel permeation chromatography

Three preparative-scale gel permeation chromatography columns were constructed and filled with Corning porous-glass packing materials. Each column was packed with a different pore-size materials, CPG 10–2000, CPG 10–350, CPG 10–120, all of which had been treated with hexamethyldisilazane. An additional preparative-scale column packed with Styragel, nominal porosity 5 × 104 A, was added to complete the column bank. Polystyrene standards were used to investigate the effects of molecular weight and sample concentration upon elution volume. A commerical polystyrene sample was fractionated using this system to study the effects of sample concentration and flow rate on fractionation efficiency. These fractions were analyzed by high-resolution analyticalscale gel permeation chromatography. Where possible, the results have been compared with similar studies that used Porasil (Spherosil) and Styragel columns.
Insights into the nature of northwest‐to‐southeast aligned ionospheric wavefronts from contemporaneous Very Large Array and ionosonde observations

[1] The results of contemporaneous summer nighttime observations of midlatitude medium scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) with the Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico and nearby ionosondes in Texas and Colorado are presented. Using 132, 20-minute observations, several instances of MSTIDs were detected, all having wavefronts aligned northwest to southeast and mostly propagating toward the southwest, consistent with previous studies of MSTIDs. However, some were also found to move toward the northeast. It was found that both classes of MSTIDs were only found when sporadic-E (Es) layers of moderate peak density (1.5​ ​3 MHz that was not present when 1.5​ < foEs < ​3 MHz. No MSTIDs were observed either before midnight or when the F-region height was increasing at a relatively high rate, even when these Es layers were observed. Combining this result with AE indices which were relatively high at the time (an average of about 300 nT and maximum of nearly 700 nT), it is inferred that both the lack of MSTIDs and the increase in F-region height are due to substorm-induced electric fields. The northeastward-directed MSTIDs were strongest post-midnight during times when the F-region was observed to be collapsing relatively quickly. This implies that these two occurrences are related and likely both caused by rare shifts in F-region neutral wind direction from southwest to northwest.
Assessing statistical accuracy in ability estimation: A bootstrap approach

Given known item parameters, the bootstrap method can be used to determine the statistical accuracy of ability estimates in item response theory. Through a Monte Carlo study, the method is evaluated as a way of approximating the standard error and confidence limits for the maximum likelihood estimate of the ability parameter, and compared to the use of the theoretical standard error and confidence limits developed by Lord. At least for short tests, the bootstrap method yielded better estimates than the corresponding theoretical values.
Seasonal effects on offspring reproductive traits through maternal oviposition behavior

Offspring phenotypes are often influenced by natal habitats, and these locations are commonly determined by mothers. The location where mothers leave their offspring may have different implications for offspring at different times of the year due to seasonal changes in the quality of resources available. Such dynamic effects of maternal behaviors for offspring are only beginning to be explored. I examined the changing effects of oviposition sites for adult offspring mating behaviors and fecundity in the heliconia bug, Leptoscelis tricolor (Hemiptera: Coreidae). Female heliconia bugs lay eggs on multiple heliconia plant species, and offspring grow and develop on the plant where they hatch. I found that the host plant species where offspring are raised influenced mating probability, expression of copulatory courtship behaviors, and fecundity. Moreover, the effects of the different plant species on daughter reproductive traits shifted and even reversed over time, and the changes parallel seasonal changes in plant resources. These results demonstrate that seasonal changes can affect the implications of maternal behaviors for offspring phenotypes. Key words: copulatory courtship, Coreidae, fecundity, habitat selection, maternal effects, oviposition, phenology. [Behav Ecol]
Charge redistribution in oxidized and semiquinone E. coli DNA photolyase upon photoexcitation: stark spectroscopy reveals a rationale for the position of Trp382.

The electronic structure of the two lowest excited electronic states of FAD and FADHin folate- depleted E. coli DNA photolyase (PLOX and PLSQ, respectively) was measured using absorption Stark spectroscopy. The experimental analysis was supported by TDDFT calculations of both the charge redistribution and the difference dipole moments for the transitions of both oxidation states using lumiflavin as a model. The difference dipole moments and polarizabilities for PLOX are similar to those obtained in our previous work for flavins in simple solvents and in an FMN-containing flavoprotein. No such comparison can be made for PLSQ, as we believe this to be the first experimental report of the direction and magnitude of excited-state charge redistribution in any flavosemiquinone. The picture that emerges from these studies is discussed in the context of electron transfer in photolyase, particularly for the semiquinone photoreduction process, which involves nearby tryptophan residues as electron donors. The direction of charge displacement derived from an analysis of the Stark spectra rationalizes the positioning of the critical Trp382 residue relative to the flavin for efficient vectorial electron transfer leading to photoreduction. The ramifications of vectorial charge redistribution are discussed in the context of the wider class of flavoprotein blue light photoreceptors.
Neutral vs ego-orienting instructions: Effects on judgments of magnitude estimation

Three experiments were performed to examine the relative constancy of the exponent in the psychophysical power law under varying motivating conditions. The method of magnitude estimation was used to obtain judgments of apparent tactual roughness or of apparent area size of squares. Patterns of the qualitative observations of the three Es and of the various exponents for the six groups of Ss indicated that neutral instructions and “ego-orienting” instructions, which were perceived as unbelievable coming from an equal fellow student, both yielded exponents identical to those reported in the literature. Believable ego-orienting instructions given by an E of clearly perceived higher social status produced a statistically significantly lower exponent than neutral. Intermediate conditions, wherein Ss apparently disbelieved both types of instructions, but assumed that the superior-status E was “analyzing” them, yielded exponents of intermediate size. Results and supplementary trend analyses are discussed as possible, highly sensitive indicators of motivational impacts on sensory judgments.
Recent CLEO results on charmed baryon spectroscopy

Using data recorded with the CLEO-II detector, we report on our studies of charmed baryon spectroscopy. Preliminary evidence is presented for the Ξ + ' c and Ξ o ' c states which are observed in the decay Ξ c ′ → Ξ c γ . Last summer we observed the Ξ c1 + charmed baryon and at this conference we presented the observation of its isospin partner, the Ξ c1 0 . The Ξ c1 are seen via the decay Ξ c1 → Ξ c * π , with Ξ c * → Ξ c π .
A CMOS High-Power Broadband 260-GHz Radiator Array for Spectroscopy

A high-power broadband 260-GHz radiation source using 65-nm bulk CMOS technology is reported. The source is an array of eight harmonic oscillators with mutual coupling through four 130-GHz quadrature oscillators. Based on a novel self-feeding structure, the harmonic oscillator simultaneously achieves the optimum conditions for the fundamental oscillation and the 2nd-harmonic generation. The signals at 260 GHz radiate through eight on-chip slot antennas, and are in-phase combined inside a hemispheric silicon lens attached at the backside of the chip. Similar to the laser pulse-driven photoconductive emitter in many THz spectrometers, the radiation of this source can also be modulated by narrow pulses generated on chip, which achieves broad radiation bandwidth. Without modulation, the chip achieves a measured continuous-wave radiated power of 1.1 mW, and an EIRP of 15.7 dBm. Under modulation, the measured bandwidth of the source is 24.7 GHz. This radiator array consumes 0.8-W DC power from a 1.2-V supply.
Livestock Protection Dogs for Deterring Deer From Cattle and Feed

Abstract Disease transmission between wildlife and livestock is a worldwide issue. Society needs better methods to prevent interspecies transmission to reduce disease risks. Producers have successfully used livestock protection dogs (LPDs) for thousands of years to reduce predation. We theorized that LPDs raised and bonded with cattle could be used to also reduce risk of bovine tuberculosis (Myobacterium bovis; TB) transmission between white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and cattle by minimizing contact between the 2 species and use of cattle feed by deer. We evaluated 4 LPDs over 5 months, utilizing 2 data collection methods (direct observation and motion-activated video) on deer farms that supported higher densities than wild populations. Dogs were highly effective in preventing deer from using concentrated cattle feed (hay bales), likely the greatest risk factor of TB transmission on farms. Dogs also prevented deer from approaching cattle in core areas of pastures (near hay bales) and were very ...