cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Policy Learning for Continuous Space Security Games Using Neural Networks

A wealth of algorithms centered around (integer) linear programming have been proposed to compute equilibrium strategies in security games with discrete states and actions. However, in practice many domains possess continuous state and action spaces. In this paper, we consider a continuous space security game model with infinite-size action sets for players and present a novel deep learning based approach to extend the existing toolkit for solving security games. Specifically, we present (i) OptGradFP, a novel and general algorithm that searches for the optimal defender strategy in a parameterized continuous search space, and can also be used to learn policies over multiple game states simultaneously; (ii) OptGradFP-NN, a convolutional neural network based implementation of OptGradFP for continuous space security games. We demonstrate the potential to predict good defender strategies via experiments and analysis of OptGradFP and OptGradFP-NN on discrete and continuous game settings.
Lead in Household Products

Humans have used lead for various purposes for thousands of years. Despite awareness of the dangers associated with lead, this element continues to appear in a wide range of household products and poses hazards through different exposure pathways. Sources of household lead exposure discussed in this chapter include: paint dust, drinking water, solder, candle wicks, wood finishes and brass fittings, ceramics, shot and bullets, food and spices, toys and jewelry, lead as a stabilizer in vinyl and polyvinyl chloride-based plastics and wiring, cosmetics, electronic equipment and electronic waste, contaminated soil, and lead batteries. Despite awareness of the dangers of lead exposure, lead in consumer products continues to be the reason for recalls, and the majority of those recalled products originate in China. Consumer education on this topic is ongoing, but should be expanded. Targeted audiences should include new parents, medical professionals, teachers, and others. Important messages should stress that any exposure to lead, especially by children, is harmful.
Developing the Process for Transferring Care from Pediatric to Adult Providers

The timing and process of transfer from pediatric to adult care must take into account both patient and healthcare system factors. Transfer should ideally occur when there is (1) control of active medical conditions, (2) patient and family readiness for the adult model of care, and (3) access to adult care. Practices should systematically identify patients who are approaching the age of transfer and determine the amount of support each patient is likely to need to transfer successfully. In order to set expectations and maximize the likelihood of a successful transfer, patients and families should be oriented to the adult approach to care, including differences between pediatric and adult care. Whenever possible, practices should help patients to identify adult providers, as well as provide insurance resources, self-management information, and culturally appropriate community supports. The pediatric provider must create transfer documentation, including a medical summary and plan of care, and ensure that this information is received by adult providers prior to the first patient visit. Finally, in order to prevent loss to follow-up, the pediatric practice should take steps to confirm successful transfer following the last pediatric appointment.
From Biological Diversity to Structure-Function Analysis: Protein Engineering in Aspartate Transcarbamoylase

Aspartate transcarbamoylase (ATCase, EC 2.1.3.2) is a common enzyme which catalyzes the first unique step in pyrimidine biosynthesis in divergent biological systems; however, it possesses tremendous architectural variety from one organism to another. For example, the E. coli ATCase holoenzyme is comprised of two catalytic trimers and three regulatory dimers, while the mammalian enzyme is part of a multifunctional protein aggregate encoding the preceding and subsequent enzymes in pyrimidine biosynthesis. Despite extreme differences in quaternary architecture and enzymatic organization, protein engineering studies have demonstrated the existence of highly conserved units of protein structure that impart specific functional characteristics. 1 The largest of these units are discrete polypeptides or superdomains within multifunctional proteins which have been shown to be uniquely involved in specific catalytic steps within the CAD or CA complexes of eukaryotic pyrimidine biosynthesis. 2 The catalytic polypeptides of various ATCases are organized into two discrete and separable binding domains for its substrates, carbamoyl phosphate and aspartate. 3 The regulatory polypeptides of the enteric bacterial enzymes also contain two discrete tertiary domains, the Allosteric Binding Domain and Cys 4 coordinated Zinc Domain involved in the protein:protein interface between the regulatory and catalytic polypeptides of the holoenzyme. 4 There are sub-domain structural units within the various polypeptides which have a coordinated impact on specific catalytic and regulatory functions in the enzyme. 5 Finally, it has been possible to ascribe some individual function to specific amino acids relative to ligand binding, zinc coordination, protein:protein interactions, and the structural reorganizations in the T-R transition of the enteric holoenzymes.
Constructible Functions on Varieties Attached to Quivers

Let U be the enveloping algebra of a simple Lie algebra and let E, E’ be two simple finite-dimensional U-modules. (The ground field is the complex numbers.) We give a geometric realization of the tensor product of E and E’ in terms of constructible functions and we define a semicanonical basis of this tensor product.
Bodily Integrity in the Biotech Era

This paper outlines biotechnology developments that impinge on human rights. I show that the failure of the biotechnology revolution to yield greater human rights protections and instead to consolidate preexisting institutionalized abuses is due in part to the entrance of these abuses into the mainstream prior to the advent and implementation of civil tights and ethical and legal protections. To remedy this situation, the paper suggests strategies for reform so that the right to bodily integrity receives broader social and political support.
Ecology of Lyme Disease

Abstract The ecology of Lyme disease is discussed in this case study, starting with its history and discovery first in Lyme, CT, and then on Long Island, NY. The emergence of the disease is followed by hot pursuit of the species responsible, which allows scientists to produce a sketch of ecological sources of risk. This case study looks strongly at the ecosystem approach as an indispensable part of the pursuit.
Adaptive pattern-oriented chess

Psychological evidence indicates that human chess players base their assessments of chess positions on structural/perceptual patterns learned through experience. Morph is a computer chess program that has been developed to be more consistent with the cognitive models. The learning mechanism used by Morph combines weight-updating, genetic, explanation-based and temporal-difference learning to create, delete, generalize and evaluate chess positions. An associative pattern retrieval system organizes the database for efficient processing. The main objectives of the project are to demonstrate capacity of the system to learn, to deepen our understanding of the interaction of knowledge and search, and to build bridges in this area between AI and cognitive science. To strengthen connections with the cognitive literature limitations have been place on the system, such as restrictions to 1-ply search, to little domain knowledge, and to no supervised training.
Si3N4 whisker synthesis and effect of gas phase composition on Si2N2O formation

Single crystal Si 3 N 4 whisker was synthesized by the carbothermal reduction of SiO 2 under N 2 gas flow. The Si 3 N 4 whisker was formed through the VS mechanism. Si 3 N 4 was first formed as a granule, typically a polycrystalline, and then grown as a single crystal whisker from the {100} plane of the granule along the direction. Lattice parameters measurements and microanalysis of Si/Al ratio both identified the Si 3 N 4 whisker as β'- Sialon with Z value ranging from 0.8 to 1.1. Increasing N 2 gas flow rates increased yield of Si 3 N 4 whisker, but Si 2 N 2 O was also formed during the Si 3 N 4 whisker synthesis. The Si 2 N 2 O formation was limited to a bottom area of the charged powders. The formation of Si 2 N 2 O phase is closely related to the [PSiO/PN 2 ] ratio and PO 2 in the gas Phase. Stability of phases among Si 3 N 4 /Si 2 N 2 O/SiC is calculated as a guideline to control the Si 2 N 2 O formation. To suppress Si 2 N 2 O, the [PSiO/PN 2 ] ratio must be lower than that of the phase boundary in the Si 3 N 4 /Si 2 N 2 O equilibrium, whereas it must be higher than that of the phase boundary in the SiC/Si 2 N 2 O equilibrium. The formation of Si 2 N 2 O was caused most likely due to a fluctuation in the [PSiO/PN 2 ] ratio in the gas phase surrounding the lower area of the charged materials.
Cultured human trabecular meshwork cells express functional alpha 2A adrenergic receptors.

PURPOSE For the treatment of glaucoma, alpha-2 adrenergic receptor (alpha 2-AR) agonists are thought to lower intraocular pressure primarily by decreasing aqueous humor production. Effects on the outflow pathways, however, also may occur. To begin to examine this possibility, the authors characterized the alpha 2-AR subtypes present in cultures of human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells using both immunofluorescence microscopy and functional measures of alpha 2-AR activation. METHODS For immunofluorescence microscopy, subtype-specific polyclonal antibodies that recognize each of the human alpha 2-AR subtypes (alpha 2A, alpha 2B, alpha 2C) were used. Functional studies involved the inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production, the stimulation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity, and the stimulation of mitotic activity as reflected by the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). RESULTS From the immunofluorescence microscopy, there was evidence for the presence of the alpha 2A subtype, but not alpha 2B or alpha 2C subtype, on HTM cells. The administration of the alpha 2-agonist, dexmedetomidine, to HTM cells resulted in a 90% inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation, a twofold stimulation of MAP kinase activity, and a threefold increase in the expression of PCNA. Additionally, preincubation of cells with either of the alpha 2-AR-selective antagonists, rauwolscine or atipamezole, reversed the functional effects of dexmedetomidine. CONCLUSIONS Functional alpha 2A-ARs are present on HTM cells where they may affect the outflow pathway during the treatment of glaucoma with alpha 2-AR agonists.
Nerve Growth Factor-β production in the bull: Gene expression, immunolocalization, seminal plasma constitution, and association with sire conception rates

Abstract Nerve Growth Factor-β (NGF) is a seminal plasma protein that regulates sperm physiology in bulls, yet its production and association with fertility remain unclear. The objective of this study was to describe NGF distribution in bull accessory sex glands, quantify its seminal plasma concentrations, and determine its association with sire conception rates. Accessory sex glands were collected post-mortem from mature bulls (n = 3). Quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed in tissue samples. Pre-ejaculate and sperm-rich fraction of seminal plasma from Angus (n = 42) and sperm-rich fraction from Holstein (n = 10) bulls were collected by electroejaculation. Holstein (n = 76) and Jersey (n = 14) bulls were collected by artificial vagina, and those with available sire conception rate scores were allocated to: (1) negative/0 (n = 15); or (2) positive (n = 45). Seminal plasma NGF concentrations were measured using ELISA. Relative abundance of NGF mRNA was greatest in the vesicular, intermediate in ampulla, and lowest in prostate and bulbourethral glands (P ≤ 0.03). The most intense NGF staining was detected in the ampulla and vesicular glands (P
A novel approach for exposing and sharing clinical data: the Translator Integrated Clinical and Environmental Exposures Service.

Objective This study aimed to develop a novel, regulatory-compliant approach for openly exposing integrated clinical and environmental exposures data: the Integrated Clinical and Environmental Exposures Service (ICEES). Materials and methods The driving clinical use case for research and development of ICEES was asthma, which is a common disease influenced by hundreds of genes and a plethora of environmental exposures, including exposures to airborne pollutants. We developed a pipeline for integrating clinical data on patients with asthma-like conditions with data on environmental exposures derived from multiple public data sources. The data were integrated at the patient and visit level and used to create de-identified, binned, "integrated feature tables," which were then placed behind an OpenAPI. Results Our preliminary evaluation results demonstrate a relationship between exposure to high levels of particulate matter ≤2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5) and the frequency of emergency department or inpatient visits for respiratory issues. For example, 16.73% of patients with average daily exposure to PM2.5 >9.62 µg/m3 experienced 2 or more emergency department or inpatient visits for respiratory issues in year 2010 compared with 7.93% of patients with lower exposures (n = 23 093). Discussion The results validated our overall approach for openly exposing and sharing integrated clinical and environmental exposures data. We plan to iteratively refine and expand ICEES by including additional years of data, feature variables, and disease cohorts. Conclusions We believe that ICEES will serve as a regulatory-compliant model and approach for promoting open access to and sharing of integrated clinical and environmental exposures data.
Self-supported branched poly(ethyleneimine) materials for CO2 adsorption from simulated flue gas

Self-supported, branched poly(ethyleneimine) materials for CO2 adsorption are prepared via an ice templating method. Crosslinking with poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether during the ice formation enables construction of a highly porous structure without utilization of freeze-drying. Depending on the amount of the crosslinker in the adsorbent, the sorbent family's CO2 adsorption capacities and kinetics can be tuned, with sorbent materials offering optimum temperatures in the range of 25–75 °C. Different crosslinking temperatures used during preparation of adsorbents affect the physical structures of the adsorbents, which directly impact the sorption capacities and kinetics. An adsorbent prepared using liquid nitrogen is effective at 25 °C and offers an extremely high amine efficiency of 0.32 and capacity of 2.81 mol CO2 per kg sorbent, reaching 80% of its maximum capacity in only 18 min (10% CO2 at 1 bar total pressure). This material's uptake rose to 5.5 mol CO2 per kg sorbent when the gas was at 65% relative humidity. The prepared adsorbent also presents stable recyclability over 50 dry adsorption–desorption cycles with only a minor loss of CO2 capacity (4%). The CO2 capacity over increasing cycles is estimated to converge at 95% of its initial capacity according to a fitted exponential decay equation, making this material a promising new material for post-combustion CO2 capture.
Big data in finance: Evidence and challenges

Abstract I review the literature on the use of big data sets in finance. While big data and machine learning are exciting fields, there is a danger that we get carried away by the novelty of the topics but pay less attention to the reliability of the academic evidence. Following my review, I argue that big data-based evidence should be held to the same academic standards as the rest of the finance academic literature if we are to provide useful advice to finance practitioners.
A Geospatial Analysis of Access to Ethnic Food Retailers in Two Michigan Cities: Investigating the Importance of Outlet Type within Active Travel Neighborhoods

To date, the research that examines food accessibility has tended to ignore ethnic food outlets. This void leaves us with a limited understanding of how such food stores may, or may not, impact food security. The study discussed herein addressed this by conducting a geospatial assessment of ethnic food outlet accessibility in two U.S. cities: Flint and Grand Rapids, Michigan. We used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools to create a revealed accessibility index for each food outlet, and used the index to determine access within active travel service areas. We utilized an ordinary least squares regression (OLS), and two local models: spatial autoregression (SAR) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) to enhance our understanding of global and localized relationships between outlet accessibility and type (while controlling for known covariates). The results show that the local models outperformed (R2 max = 0.938) the OLS model. The study found that there was reduced access to ethnic restaurants in all service areas of Grand Rapids. However, in Flint, we observed this association in the bicycling areas only. Also notable were the influences that demographic characteristics had on access in each city. Ultimately, the findings tell us that nuanced planning and policy approaches are needed in order to promote greater access to ethnic food outlets and reduce overall food insecurity.
The safety of foot and ankle procedures at an ambulatory surgery center.

Abstract Background This study evaluates the safety of foot and ankle outpatient surgeries at a freestanding ambulatory surgery centers. Methods A total of 1352 cases were evaluated for adverse events in a retrospective review of all foot and ankle cases performed over a 5-year period at a single center. Results The rate of adverse events was 2.3%, with 31 identified over the 5-year period (23 infections, 5 symptomatic thromboembolisms, 3 postoperative hospital transfers). Discussion The rate of postoperative adverse events in outpatient foot and ankle procedures is low. These surgeries can be performed safely in an outpatient setting at an ASC. Level of evidence Level IV, Case Series.
Reliable and Secure Transmission for Future Networks

This paper introduces a novel physical layer encryption method called randomized reciprocal channel modulation (RRCM) for reliable and secure transmission of information against eavesdropper (Eve) with any number of antennas and any noise level. RRCM makes it computationally complex for Eve to estimate the user’s channel state information (CSI) that is used to scramble the information symbols transmitted between users. Subject to Eve’s failure to overcome the physical-layer computational complexity, users can apply RRCM to achieve a virtually constant (significant) rate in bits/s/Hz of unconditional secrecy - unconditional on Eve’s number of antennas, Eve’s noise level and the CSI coherence time.
Stability of Gradient Learning Dynamics in Continuous Games: Vector Action Spaces

Learning processes in games explain how players grapple with one another in seeking an equilibrium. We study a natural model of learning based on individual gradients in two-player continuous games. In such games, the arguably natural notion of a local equilibrium is a differential Nash equilibrium. However, the set of locally exponentially stable equilibria of the learning dynamics do not necessarily coincide with the set of differential Nash equilibria of the corresponding game. To characterize this gap, we provide formal guarantees for the stability or instability of such fixed points by leveraging the spectrum of the linearized game dynamics. We provide a comprehensive understanding of scalar games and find that equilibria that are both stable and Nash are robust to variations in learning rates.
Origins of the Highly Ionized Gas along the Line of Sight towards HD 116852

We present Hubble Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (HST/STIS) and Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) observations of high ion interstellar absorption along the sight line to HD 116852. At a distance of 4.8 kpc, HD 116852 is an O9 III star lying in the low Galactic halo, -1.3 kpc from the plane of the Galaxy in the direction l = 304.9, b = -16.1. The STIS E140H grating observations provide high-resolution (FWHM = 2.7 km/s) spectra of the resonance doublets of Si IV, C IV, and N V. These data are complemented by medium-resolution (FWHM = 20 km/s) FUSE spectra of O VI. We find evidence for three distinct types of highly ionized gas present in the data. First, two narrow absorption components are resolved in the Si IV and C IV profiles, at approximate LSR velocities of -36 and -10 km/s. These narrow components appear to be produced in gas associated with the Norma and Sagittarius spiral arms, at approximate z-distances of -1.0 and -0.5 kpc, respectively. Second, we detect an intermediate-width component in C IV and Si IV, at 17 km/s, which we propose could arise at the conductive interface at the boundary between a low column density neutral or weakly ionized cloud and the surrounding hot medium. Finally, a broad collisionally ionized component of gas responsible for producing the smooth N V and O VI profiles is observed; such absorption is also present to a lesser degree in the profiles of Si IV and C IV. The broad O VI absorption is observed at a velocity displaced from the broad C IV component by almost 20 km/s, an amount large enough to suggest that the two ions may not co-exist in the same physical location.
Optical synchronization between a 300 GHz frequency comb and a 10 GHz chip-scale MLL

A mmWave optical frequency comb with a repetition rate of ~300GHz is synchronized to a MLL with a repetition rate of ~10GHz via harmonic injection locking using <70µW of locking power. The master laser is locked to a 30k Finesse etalon via PDH frequency stabilization.
Diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis by nontraditional activation methods: Ultrasonic, microwave, electro-, photo- and mechanochemically activated reactions

Abstract Due to the importance of chiral pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, asymmetric synthesis is a dynamically growing field. This account summarizes the developments in the application of nontraditional activation methods for the synthesis of chiral compounds. The work includes several examples by microwave-assisted organic synthesis, sonochemistry, electrochemical activation, photochemistry, and mechanochemical synthesis. The applications of these nontraditional activation methods appear to enhance the environmentally benign character of these synthetic protocols, suggesting the continued importance of these methods in green synthesis development.
The Anatomy Training Program: Mentoring the trainee through engagement in virtual curriculum and resource review

Introduction The Anatomy Training Program (ATP), co-sponsored by the Anatomical Society and American Association of Anatomy, is a program designed to train faculty and postdoctoral students in a structured, mentored experience with the goal of reaching proficiency to teach Gross Anatomy. The ATP has outlined specific training objectives;however, there is minimal guidance on the specific implementation of the objectives presumably to allow for differences in training environments. Mentorship requires a significant time investment, therefore designing an experience that is mutually beneficial for the mentor and trainee is critical to ensuring engagement and success. Additionally, in consideration of the unanticipated shift in education to a virtual format due to COVID-19, a critical review of virtual didactic content is essential to ensuring student learners are given the same, high-quality curricular content. Therefore, we suggest three areas of anatomy curriculum review, 1) appraisal of course design, 2) resource optimization, and 3) assessment development, that if appropriately aligned with ATP learning objectives, can enhance the experience of the trainee, align with quality improvement of anatomy pedagogy for the mentor, and result in an improved student engagement within a hybrid course model. Methods In consideration of the ATP objectives, we engaged in structured learning events performing an appraisal of course materials, critically assessing student learning resources and developing learning assessments, in a mentor-guided approach, that included the integration of Bloom's Taxonomy. Results Prior to starting the ATP, we created an intentional plan for curriculum review informed by the trainee's perspective and needs of the mentor in the following three areas: Appraisal of course design The trainee engaged in a critical review of pre-recorded didactic lectures and assessed for the saliency of information and resources. Resource optimization There has been an exponential increase in the availability of resources for learning and teaching anatomy, however, all resources are not equally suited for teaching anatomy for medical professionals. The mentor and trainee worked together to optimize the dissection guide for a 10-week Doctor of Physical Therapy program. This allowed for better alignment of dissection content and addition of virtual learning resources to improve the clinical context of dissection for students. Assessment The trainee created assessment questions, using Bloom's taxonomy, in order to ensure that the exam questions aligned with the rigor of the curriculum and expected outcomes. Conclusion & Significance The ATP does not state course design, resource optimization, and assessment development as the explicit goals of the program. However, in the context of the objectives, it does appear that a ?hidden curriculum? within the program can be mutually beneficial if the Mentor-Trainee partnership makes an intentional effort to align the goals of the ATP with mentor needs for course quality improvement.
Robust, hydrophobic anti-corrosion coating prepared by PDMS modified epoxy composite with graphite nanoplatelets/nano-silica hybrid nanofillers

Abstract Despite the significant efforts researchers made, the existing hydrophobic coating systems are still facing challenges such as low durability and weak mechanical robustness. In this study, a nanocomposite coating was fabricated with the hybrid nanofiller reinforcement and modified polymeric resin. The combination of these two reinforcements significantly improved the overall performance of the neat epoxy, with a chemical and mechanical stable hydrophobic property. Compared with the neat epoxy coating, the developed coating was shown by resistance to exposure to corrosive environment and physical abrasion, not reducing the coating's corrosion resistance or hydrophobicity. The addition of graphite nanoplatelets/nano-silica hybrid nanofillers significantly enhanced the anti-corrosion and mechanical properties, such as barrier performance, abrasion resistance, and tensile properties. Meanwhile, polydimethylsiloxane was introduced to modify epoxy resin to improve the hydrophobicity, and the contact angle was increased from 50° to 110°. Results revealed that the integration of these reinforcements had improved the overall performance of the coating, as the coating consisted of outstanding anti-corrosion performance, wear resistance, mechanical strength, water-repellency property, and damage tolerance. Moreover, the facile fabrication method and simple application procedure exhibited its potential toward large-scale commercialization for metallic infrastructures.
Gluteal compartment syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Introduction Gluteal compartment syndrome is a rare but devastating condition with limited characterization in the literature. The purpose of our systematic review, case series, and meta-analysis is to synthesize the current literature and provide recommendations on how to prevent gluteal compartment syndrome, identify at-risk patients, and avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment. Methods International Classification of Disease codes were used to identify patients at our institution. PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify case reports between 1972 and March 1st, 2018. Cases were analyzed based on demographics, etiology, presentation, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Results 139 cases – 13 from our institution and 126 previously published – were included. The most common etiologies were postoperative (41%), prolonged immobilization secondary to substance abuse or loss of consciousness (35%) and trauma (19%). 89% were male, mean age was 45 years (range, 16-74), and mean body mass index was 41 kg/m2. Rhabdomyolysis and sciatic neuropathy were identified in 94% and 74% of patients, respectively. Fasciotomy was performed in 80% of patients. Overall, 93% of patients survived. However, 41% of patients suffered prolonged neurologic dysfunction. In patients with an initial neurologic deficit, there was a higher rate of permanent neurological deficit in patients treated medically than those treated surgically (12/14 vs 29/61, p=0.0153), but no statistical difference in mortality (0/14 vs 4/61, p=1). In patients without initial neurologic deficit, there were no statistical differences in rates of permanent neurological deficit (0/7 vs 2/20, p=1) or mortality (0/7 vs 3/20, p=0.545) between those receiving medical or surgical treatment. Discussion Gluteal compartment syndrome is an orthopaedic emergency that may be more prevalent and associated with higher morbidity and mortality than previously recognized. Risk factors may include prolonged surgical duration, immobilization secondary to substance abuse, and pelvic trauma. Intraoperative precautions and postoperative surveillance are recommended in obese patients undergoing prolonged procedures. Fasciotomies improve neurologic outcomes in patients presenting with an initial neurologic deficit. In patients who are neurologically intact on presentation, medical management with neurologic function surveillance may be the optimal initial treatment. Fasciotomies do not impact mortality. Additionally, a treatment algorithm is provided.
Public sector entrepreneurship, politics, and innovation

We suggest that a political leader or a political administration can be described in terms of a public sector entrepreneurship framework. To illustrate, we define the actions of US President Donald Trump’s Administration to refocus the emphasis of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an innovative public policy initiative. And, we explore empirically the social consequences of those actions in terms of changes in the number of STEM employees at the EPA and the number of attendant innovative scientific publications. We find that declining experienced STEM employees at the EPA during President Trump’s Administration is associated with declining innovative environmental scientific publications. Declining experienced STEM employees at the EPA during President Donald Trump’s Administration is associated with declining innovative environmental scientific publications. A public sector entrepreneur is an individual who champions an innovative public policy. In this paper we propose that President Trump’s Administration’s policies toward the EPA during his administration were innovative, although different from that of previous administrations. These policies sought to reorient the EPA toward industrial and industry-friendly interests which was contrary to the agency’s health and environmental missions. One response to the administration’s new policies was that experienced STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) employees left the EPA. A social consequence of the departure of experienced STEM employees is that the number of environmentally related scientific publications—one indicator of an agency’s innovative activity—from EPA scientists declined. An implication from our empirical findings is that not all public sector entrepreneurial actions are socially desirable; some have potentially detrimental short-run and possible long-run effects on society as a whole.
The interaction of closed circular DNA with intercalative dyes. 3. Dependence of the buoyant density upon superhelix density and base composition.

The binding isotherms for the binding of ethidium bromide to closed circular DNA have been calculated for various values of the superhelix density of the dye-free molecule. These calculations are based upon the binding equation for closed DNA, which was derived previously (Bauer & Vinograd, 1970) and which takes into account the free energy associated with superhelix formation. The difference in the binding of dye by the closed and open forms gives rise to a difference in the buoyant densities of these molecules in the presence of dye. The buoyant density difference is shown to be linearly related to the initial superhelix density. This relation forms the basis for a convenient method for determining the superhelix density of an unknown closed DNA in the preparative ultraeentrifuge, to be described by Gray, Upholt & Vinograd (manuscript in preparation). The buoyant densities of the open DNA's,Micrococcus lysodeikticus, Clostridium, perfringens, crab d(A-T), viral φX, and SV40 II, were measured as a function of dye concentration. These data are helpful in the identification of the various DNA's in a mixture, as observed in many applications of the cesium chlorideethidium bromide buoyant density separation procedure (Radioff, Bauer & Vinograd, 1967). The data also make possible the use of any DNA of known base composition as a marker in buoyant density experiments in the presence of dye.
Random scheduling medium access for wireless ad hoc networks

We introduce a novel random scheduling strategy for distributed medium access in spread-spectrum (SS) and multipacket reception networks. The proposed random scheduling (RASC) protocol uses a special method of seed exchange in which the seeds are used for pseudo-random generation. The RASC utilizes the seeds for randomly decomposing the network into independent clusters containing a single receiver. After the decomposition, the network resembles to the up-link of cellular networks whose medium access techniques are well developed. The application of RASC in spread-spectrum networks avoids collisions and provides quality-of-service guarantee at the MAC layer. The throughput performance of the protocol is analyzed in fully connected and Manhattan networks using analysis and simulations. While still being a distributed random access protocol. the RASC offers throughput which is much closer to the network capacity compared to the pure random access protocols like slotted ALOHA.
The CIPP Model for Evaluation

This chapter presents the CIPP Evaluation Model, a comprehensive framework for guiding evaluations of programs, projects, personnel, products, institutions, and evaluation systems. This model was developed in the late 1960s to help improve and achieve accountability for U.S. school programs, especially those keyed to improving teaching and learning in urban, inner city school districts. Over the years, the model has been further developed and applied to educational programs both inside and outside the U.S. Also, the model has been adapted and employed in philanthropy, social programs, health professions, business, construction, and the military. It has been employed internally by schools, school districts, universities, charitable foundations, businesses, government agencies, and other organizations; by contracted external evaluators; and by individual teachers, educational administrators, and other professionals desiring to assess and improve their services.1 This chapter is designed to help educators around the world grasp the model’s main concepts, appreciate its wide-ranging applicability, and particularly consider how they can apply it in schools and systems of schools. The model’s underlying theme is that evaluation’s most important purpose is not to prove, but to improve.
The Hau of Theory: The Kept‐Gift of Theory Itself in American Anthropology

Summary In this essay, I deploy anthropological theories of exchange to trace contemporary practices of theory exchange in the academy, most specifically in anthropology. I examine participation in various sites of theory exchange from classroom to conference, from citer to cited, and from writer to reader and back again. By explicitly deploying the theoretical toolkit of anthropology that we have at our disposal, we can and should simultaneously examine our own knowledge production practices with more deliberateness even as we seek to understand our subjects' varied worldviews.
Retrofitting unit tests for parameterized unit testing

Recent advances in software testing introduced parameterized unit tests (PUT), which accept parameters, unlike conventional unit tests (CUT), which do not accept parameters. PUTs are more beneficial than CUTs with regards to fault-detection capability, since PUTs help describe the behaviors of methods under test for all test arguments. In general, existing applications often include manually written CUTs. With the existence of these CUTs, natural questions that arise are whether these CUTs can be retrofitted as PUTs to leverage the benefits of PUTs, and what are the cost and benefits involved in retrofitting CUTs as PUTs. To address these questions, in this paper, we conduct an empirical study to investigate whether existing CUTs can be retrofitted as PUTs with feasible effort and achieve the benefits of PUTs in terms of additional fault-detection capability and code coverage. We also propose a methodology, called test generalization, that helps in systematically retrofitting existing CUTs as PUTs. Our results on three real-world open-source applications (≈ 4.6 KLOC) show that the retrofitted PUTs detect 19 new defects that are not detected by existing CUTs, and also increase branch coverage by 4% on average (with maximum increase of 52% for one class under test and 10% for one application under analysis) with feasible effort.
The political economy of labor subsidies

We explore a political economy model of labor subsidies, extending Meltzer and Richard's median voter model to a dynamic setting. We explore only one source of heterogeneity: initial wealth. As a consequence, given an operative wealth effect, poorer agents work harder, and if the agent with median wealth is poorer than average, a politico-economic equilibrium will feature a subsidy to labor. The dynamic model does not have capital, but it has perfect markets for borrowing and lending. Because tax rates influence interest rates, another channel for redistribution appears, since a decrease in current interest rates favors agents with a negative (below-average) asset position.By the same token — and as is typically the case in dynamic politico-economic models with rational agents — the setting features time-inconsistency: the median voter would like to commit to not manipulating interest rates in the future. Under commitment, and under the assumption that preferences admit aggregation, we show that labor subsidies subsist only for one period; after that, subsidies are zero. That is, under commitment, the median voter takes advantage of the voting power once and for all. His wealth moves closer to that of the mean (which is zero), but afterwards he refrains voluntarily from further subsidization. Under lack of commitment, which we analyze formally by looking at the Markov-perfect (time-consistent) equilibrium in a game between successive median voters in the same environment. Instead, subsidies persist — they are constant over time — and are more distortionary than under commitment. Moreover, in the situation without commitment, the median voter does not manage to reduce asset inequality, unlike in the commitment case.
Chapter 9. Potassium Channel Openers

Publisher Summary The science of potassium channels is in a very exciting phase. Potassium (K+) channels play a central role in the regulation of cellular excitability. They are involved in setting the membrane potential, in addition to controlling the frequency and shape of action potentials. New K+ channels are being cloned and knowledge of structure–function of K+ channels is rapidly increasing. Structurally diverse series of potassium channel openers/activators (PCOs) continue to be discovered. Activation or opening of potassium channels by organic molecules have been largely confined to the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive (KATP) and large conductance calcium (Ca2+)-activated (BKca) potassium channels. The cellular pharmacology of PCOs in vascular smooth muscle, their mechanism of action, and their clinical potential are well studied. PCOs are also being studied as novel therapeutics for the treatment of pain. The PCOs diazoxide, minoxidil, and levcromakalim produced anti-nociception in the rat tail flick model. This effect is antagonized by glyburide supporting KATP opening as the mode of action. The anti-nociception induced by morphine (a popioid agonist) is markedly potentiated by cromakalim. These findings suggest that the activation of central KATP channels may play an important role in the modulation of the anti-nociception induced by μ agonists.
A new addition to the aerogel community: unsupported CdS aerogels with tunable optical properties

Abstract Aerogels composed of interconnected networks of CdS building blocks have been prepared from controlled aggregation of discrete nanoparticles followed by supercritical fluid extraction. The resultant materials have surface areas up to 242 m 2 /g and average pore diameters in the range of 15–25 nm. Powder X-ray diffraction indicates that the average crystallite size is on the order of 2 nm in 100 °C heated aerogels, but increases to nearly 16 nm upon heating at 500 °C. This increase in size is accompanied by a phase change from the cubic to the hexagonal structure. The optical bandgap (measured by absorption onset) is also tunable with heat treatment, and was found to range from 2.2–2.8 eV. The photoluminescence excitation spectrum ( λ ex = 400 nm) of a 100 °C-heated CdS aerogel is similar to that of the nanoparticulate starting materials, exhibiting both a sharp excitonic peak near 450 nm corresponding to band edge emission, and a broad feature in the region 500–700 nm, attributed to electron–hole recombination at trap states.
Toxicologic studies on biperiden (akineton) (1-bicycloheptenyl-1-phenyl-3-piperidinopropanol-1).

Abstract 1. 1. The oral LD50's of biperiden in rats and dogs are 750 and 340 mg/kg, respectively. In lethal doses only slight central nervous system stimulation is seen, followed by slight depression. 2. 2. Biperiden was added to the diet of rats for fifteen months so that the daily diet was 300 mg/kg in the highest dose level. Signs of toxicity at this and at the 95-mg/kg level were a decrease in growth rate and an increase in mortality. Dogs given doses up to 20 mg/kg per day of this drug for six months were without signs of toxicity. Doses of 200 mg/kg per day of biperiden were not tolerated by the dog for longer than 6 weeks, and doses of 63 mg/kg per day interfered with the growth rate. 3. 3. Biperiden is well tolerated in the animals in view of the recommended dosage for man of 2–8 mg per day.
The RN-BSN distance education experience: from educational limbo to more than an elusive degree.

This study describes a qualitative study designed to gain an understanding of professional growth as experienced by RN–BSN students taking their program by distance delivery. A convenience sample of senior students enrolled in an RN–BSN program, taking their classes either by live televised broadcast or by online instruction, volunteered to participate in the study. Data were collected through the use of online student discussions that took place over a 2-week period. The discussion was guided by the use of a semistructured interview schedule and facilitated by one member of the research team. Interview questions were posted every 2 to 3 days; additional questions were posted as threads as discussion board comments warranted. RN–BSN students described their pursuit of a BSN as a journey of being and becoming a professional. Although students already felt “professional,” the impetus for the journey could be traced to the overriding theme of “falling short as a professional.” RN–BSN students described their beginning journey toward the baccalaureate degree as an “educational limbo,” out of which they moved with discovery of the RN–BSN distance program. What began as pursuit of an elusive degree that was expected to produce minimal change became more as RN–BSN students evolved as professionals along many dimensions. The implications of these findings for the development and design of curricular and pedagogical approaches to better serve the needs of this unique group of learners will be addressed.
Theory of electronic states in narrow-band materials: Applications to solids, argon, CuCl, and CdS

Initially the Hartree-Fock approach to solids containing narrow occupied bands is reviewed. The presence of local states and hopping conductivity is considered in the single determinant limit. The consequences of such considerations are discussed for CuCl, CdS, and solid Ar and also for impurity states of O2− in CuCl and Si4− in CdS. Speculations as to the origin of anomalous diamagnetism in CuCl and both diamagnetism and ferromagnetism in CdS are made. Finally, it is seen that if one considers a particular limit of the Hartree (or Coulombic) potential in such systems, similar considerations apply to a local density model, and it is shown for solid Ar that a local density model exists which produces energy bands which are similar to those of previous Hartree-Fock plus correlation correction band studies.
Response of turfgrass to urea-based fertilizers formulated to reduce ammonia volatilization and nitrate conversion

Stabilized urea fertilizers are currently being marketed for use in turfgrass, as a more efficient alternative to standard urea that minimizes adverse impacts on the environment. These fertilizers have been evaluated for reducing N losses and increasing grain yield in crop plants, but their effects in turf are not well characterized. The efficacy of two stabilized urea fertilizers containing urease and nitrification inhibitors, N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide and dicyandiamide or butenedioc-methylenesuccinic acid copolymer, in reducing N losses was studied for a 56-day period in a mixed stand of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) using 15 N-enriched fertilizers. Turf responded to a 49-kg ha−1 N input with increased color, quality, and biomass production. No benefit of nitrification and urease inhibitors compared to urea was observed for clipping production, N use efficiency, or turfgrass color and quality. Though the efficacy of urease and nitrification inhibitors has been demonstrated both in the laboratory and for row crops, inhibitors appear to be of limited value for enhancing N use efficiency in turf.