cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Controlled growth and electrical characterization of bent single-walled carbon nanotubes.

The frequency of appearance and curvature of zigzag shaped single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are tailored by adjusting the gas flow rate, and changing the gas flow direction with respect to the step-edges on a single-crystal quartz substrate. The electrical resistance of SWNTs is found to increase with the number of bends. The resistance in SWNT segments with sharp curvature is observed to be 10?880?k???m?1 higher than that in segments with smooth curvature. The increment in resistance may be attributed to the introduction of topological defects and heterojunctions at the curved part. Our results suggest the possibility of growing SWNTs with multiple-bend geometry in a simple one-step process and modulating the conductance of SWNTs by controlling the number of bends and the curvature of bends.
Design lessons about participatory self-directed online learning in a graduate-level instructional technology course

This article reports on a case of participatory self-directed online learning within the context of a graduate-level instructional technology course. The course was about online learning environments and relied on both asynchronous and synchronous technologies. In this case, the instructor and students engaged in collaborative course design through one of the assignments where student teams and the instructor led one week’s worth of course activities and discussions. This article begins with a discussion of the literature on participatory self-directed online learning. Then, the article presents an overview of the course design, detailed discussion of the assignment that framed student participatory self-directed learning and two examples of student assignments. The framing question for organising this case was as follows: What lessons can a team of graduate students and the instructor learn about self-directed participatory online learning from a collaborative design project? The article ends with the ov...
When and How (If at All) Does Law Constrain Official Action? (The Sibley Lecture)

Debates about the obligation to obey the law have been around for literally thousands of years, but the empirical side has received much less attention. Moreover, most of the existing empirical work has focused on citizens and not officials, and consequently we know little about the extent to which law qua law motivates official action. This paper, presented as the John A. Sibley Lecture at the University of Georgia School of Law, draws on the jurisprudential and philosophical literature to frame the question of obedience to law, and then seeks to encourage empirical inquiry into the particular question of whether officials obey the law as law, independent of the content of the law and independent of the possibility of sanctions for non-compliance. It offers the hypothesis that although there is much talk about official obligation to the law, in fact officials rarely obey the law just because it is the law, and are rarely politically punished for engaging in sanction-free illegal actions when their constituents approve their first-order substantive decisions. For official behavior, therefore, there may be considerably less internalization of law than is commonly supposed. And if this hypothesis turns out to be true, the implications for public law may be considerable. Moreover, if sanction-free internalization of law is less common than many commentators believe, it would be appropriate to give renewed attention to the role of sanctions and coercion not only in securing compliance with law, but also in understanding the nature of law itself.
Signature and lexicon pruning techniques

Handwritten word recognition and signature identification are important areas in machine vision that require extensive exploration for improved results. The performance of such systems tend to degrade when the number of choices to be dealt with increase. In case of a lexicon-driven handwritten word recognizer, the performance degrades when the lexicon size increases [H. Xue and V. Govindaraju, 2002]. Similarly, the matching process is tedious when the number of reference templates increase in case of online signature identification. For better performance, both in terms of recognition rates and response time, interactive models are suggested, which involve feedback process to further enhance the systems. Interactivity is attained by choice pruning, which filter out useless entries, thus providing the system with a smaller set for further detailed investigation. The paper mainly identifies the necessity for choice pruning and deals with two specific cases - signature pruning and lexicon pruning.
Study of Planar Ice Crystal Orientations in Ice Clouds from Scanning Polarization Lidar Observations

This paper presents a study of the orientation of ice crystals in cirrus and midlevel clouds, based on the analysis of several cases of scanning polarization lidar observations. The maximum angle that crystals deviate from the horizontal plane is inferred at consecutive altitude levels by fitting angle-dependent measurements of the linear depolarization ratio and backscattered intensities to a theoretical model with a Gaussian distribution of tilt angles. The average deviation angle is linked to the angular variation of backscatter. A rare observation of so-called Parry-oriented columns is also given to highlight the different backscattering behavior with lidar angle. For planar crystals, two orientation modes are found that depend on cloud temperature. High-level cold (30°C) clouds show a maximum deviation angle of 1.0°, whereas for warmer (20°C) midlevel clouds this angle averages 2.0°. This difference is caused by variations in particle shape and fall attitude that depend on temperature, likely involving a transition from simple plates to more widely fluttering dendrites at the warmer temperatures. Polarization lidar scans are clearly uniquely suited for the study of ice crystal orientations in clouds.
Interactive effects of light and temperature on iron limitation in a marine diatom: Implications for marine productivity and carbon cycling

We examined effects of light intensity, photoperiod, and temperature on iron uptake rates, cellular iron : carbon (Fe : C) ratios, chlorophyll a, and specific growth rate in the coastal diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana. Decreasing any of these variables decreased growth and increased the cellular Fe : C ratio needed to support a given growth rate. However, because iron-limited growth rates (μ) and iron-sufficient growth rates (μmax) decreased by similar relative amounts, relationships between the relative degree of iron limitation (μ/μmax) and the mean daily concentration of biologically available dissolved inorganic iron species (mean [Fe′]) varied little, as we had observed previously in three other algal species with varying light intensity. Thus, one might expect changes in light and temperature to have only a minimal effect on iron limitation in the ocean. However, because increasing light can increase [Fe′] via photolysis of ferric chelates and resulting iron redox cycling, light increases can decrease iron limitation of algal growth rate, an effect we observed here for diatom growth in media containing Fe chelates with ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA). This photochemical effect is enhanced at low temperatures, which should increase algal growth rates in cold water regions of the ocean, where growth is often limited by an insufficient supply of iron. This effect could increase the ocean's biological carbon pump and thereby decrease CO2-linked greenhouse warming. But this cold water enhancement of iron availability may be countered by ongoing global warming, generating a potential positive feedback that further increases atmospheric CO2 and global temperatures.
Comparative survival analysis of breast cancer microarray studies identifies important prognostic genetic pathways

An estimated 12% of females in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Although, there are advances in treatment options including surgery and chemotherapy, breast cancer is still the second most lethal cancer in women. Thus, there is a clear need for better methods to predict prognosis for each breast cancer patient. With the advent of large genetic databases and the reduction in cost for the experiments, researchers are faced with choosing from a large pool of potential prognostic markers from numerous breast cancer gene expression profile studies. Five microarray datasets related to breast cancer were examined using gene set analysis and the cancers were categorized into different subtypes using a scoring system based on genetic pathway activity. We have observed that significant genes in the individual studies show little reproducibility across the datasets. From our comparative analysis, using gene pathways with clinical variables is more reliable across studies and shows promise in assessing a patient's prognosis. This study concludes that, in light of clinical variables, there are significant gene pathways in common across the datasets. Specifically, several pathways can further significantly stratify patients for survival. These candidate pathways should help to develop a panel of significant biomarkers for the prognosis of breast cancer patients in a clinical setting.
Not to say is better than to say: how rhetorical structure reflects cultural context in Japanese-English technical writing

Technical writing in English by Japanese authors is examined. It is pointed out that Japanese rhetorical structure addresses an underlying communication goal that is very different from the goal of Aristotle's persuasive discourse; Japanese technical writers also consider elements such as beauty, surprise, and easy flow as desirable measures of good writing. This fundamental difference in approaching the problem of writing often produces confusing results. >
Communication and sampling rate limitations in IMRT delivery with a dynamic multileaf collimator system

The delivery of an intensity modulated radiation field with a dynamic multileaf collimator (MLC) requires precise correlation between MLC positions and cumulative monitor units (MUs). The purpose of this study is to investigate the precision of this correlation as a function of delivered MUs and dose rate. A semi-Gaussian shaped intensity profile and a simple geometric intensity pattern consisting of four square segments were designed to deliver a total of 1, 4, 16, 64, and 100 MUs at three different dose rates of 100, 400, and 600 MU/min. The semi-Gaussian intensity pattern was delivered using both sliding window and step and shoot techniques. The dose profiles of this intensity pattern were measured with films. The four square intensity pattern was delivered using step and shoot and conventional delivery techniques for comparison. Because of geometrical symmetry, the dose to each segment in this intensity pattern is expected to be the same when the same MU is assigned to each segment. An ionization chamber was used to measure the dose in the center of each of the four square segments. For the semi-Gaussian shaped profile, significant artifacts were observed when the profile was delivered with small MUs and/or at a high dose rate. For the four square intensity pattern, the dose measured in each segment presented a large variation when delivered with small MUs and a high dose rate. The variation increases as the MU/segment decreases and as the dose rate increases. These MU and dose rate dependencies were not observed when the intensity pattern was delivered using a conventional delivery technique. The observed distortion of the semi-Gaussian profile and dose variations among the segments of the four square intensity pattern are explained by considering the sampling rate and the communication time lag between the control systems. Finally, clinical significance is discussed.
Hominids, Pebble-tools and the African Villafranchian

Hominids, Pebble Tools and the African Villafranchian l F. CLARK HOWELL Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis) T HE greatly accelerated pace of prehistoric research in the postwar years has made it necessary to reexamine certain problems in paleoanthropol­ ogy. This is especially true for Africa where primitive hominids and pebble tools have been discovered in deposits of recognized Villafranchian age. These discoveries raise the question of the relationship, if any, between these earliest stone implements and the Villafranchian hominids. A related problem is the place of the Pliocene-Pleistocene boundary and the age of the Villafranchian stage in Africa \\ ith reference to the Pleistocene sequence in other parts of the Old World. A review of the evidence for Pleistocene man south of the Sahara will be presented at another time, but it is worth while here to clarify certain points about the Villafranchian stage in Africa in view of some misconcep­ tions present in the literature. The first evidence of tool-making is found in deposits of the first pluvial (Kageran) stage in equatorial and southern Africa. Pebble tools of this age have been found on the eastern shores of Victoria basin at Kanam (Leakey 1936a, 1936b), and in the Kagera and Kafu river valleys west of the basin in Uganda (Wayland 1934; Lowe 1952); artifacts of comparable age have recently been found sealed in situ in ancient gravel deposits in the Vaal river basin (Lowe 1953). These implements, referred to the Kafuan stage of the Pre-Chelles­ Acheul industry, were manufactured from waterworn pebbles of quartz or quartzite with stone percussion flaking in one direction, and on only one side, to produce a single, adze-like cutting edge. Although artifacts of Kafuan type are found rolled and abraded in deposits of post-Kageran age at various locali· ties south of the Sahara, the industry may well be restricted to the first pluvial stage. The Oldowan, a derivative stage of the African Pre-Chelles-Acheul, is found in deposits of the early part of the second pluvial (Kamasian) stage. Some Oldowan implement types are found in the final phases of the Kafuan (Lowe 1952), however, so it is possible that this industry had its beginnings in the later part of the first pluvial stage. This problem may be clarified by future field work in northwestern and central Africa. Pebble tools of first end­ pluvial age (Kageran-Kamasian interpluvial) have been found recently in southern Morocco (Mortelmans, Choubert and Hollard 1952) and also in the vicinity of Casablanca (Biberson 1953). An industry termed the Kafilian, more advanced than the Kafuan, is known from the Congo and is of the same ap­ proximate age (Mortelmans 1947, 1949). These assemblages may well fill the gap between the Kafuan and the Oldowan.
Antiviral Prophylaxis and Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Following Liver Transplantation in Patients With Hepatitis B

Abstract Background Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is a viable treatment option for patients with hepatitis B (HBV) and concomitant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, cancer recurrence following transplantation approaches 20%. This study sought to identify the clinical and pathological factors associated with post-OLT survival. Methods Univariate and multivariate analyses considered the following variables: combination viral prophylaxis, HBV recurrence, tumor stage, vascular invasion, distribution, nodularity, pre- and post-OLT tumor size, pre-OLT alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), Milan and UCSF criteria, and Asian race. Results Cumulatively, HCC recurrence-free survival was 77%, 62%, and 53% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively, and was significantly better in patients who were free of viral recurrence post-OLT. Similarly, patients treated with combination prophylaxis had a significantly lower mortality than those who were not. Conclusions Multivariate analysis revealed that AFP > 500 ng/mL, presence of vascular invasion by explant, HBV recurrence, and combination prophylaxis were independent predictors of HCC recurrence-free survival.
An adaptive N-variant software architecture for multi-core platforms: models and performance analysis

This paper discusses the models and performance analysis for an adaptive software architecture, which supports multiple levels of fault detection, masking, and recovery through reconfiguration. The architecture starts with a formal requirement model defining multiple levels of functional capability and information assurance. The architecture includes a multi-layer design to implement the requirements using Nvariant techniques. It also integrates a reconfiguration mechanism that uses lower layers to monitor higher layers, and if a fault is detected, it reconfigures a system to maintain essential services. We first provide a general reliability model (based on generalized stochastic Petri nets) for such a system with cross-monitoring for reconfiguration. Next, we define a probabilistic automaton-based model for behavioral modeling of the system. This model is especially suitable for modeling security problems induced by value faults. Whereas the Petri net allows for reliability modeling and reconfiguration, the performance analysis of the system is given via probabilistic model checking. The models are experimentally evaluated and compared. With the current widespread deployment of multi-core processors, one question in software engineering is how to effectively harness the parallel computing power provided by these processors. The architecture presented here allows us to explore the parallel computing power that otherwise may be wasted, and uses it to improve the dependability and survivability of a system, which is validated by our performance analysis.
Scan Detection on Very Large Networks Using Logistic Regression Modeling

Scanning activity is a common activity on the Internet today, representing malicious activity such as information gathering by a motivated adversary or automated tools searching for vulnerable hosts (e.g., worms). Many scan detection techniques have been developed; however, their focus has been on smaller networks where packet-level information is available, or where internal characteristics of the network are known. For large networks, such as those of ISPs, large corporations or government organizations, this information might not be available. This paper presents a model of scans that can be used given only unidirectional flow data. The model uses a Bayesian logistic regression, which was developed using a combination of expert opinion and manually-classified training data. It is shown to have a detection rate of 95.5% with a false positive rate of 0.4% overall when tested against a set of 300 TCP events.
Effectiveness of Secondary Pregnancy Prevention Programs: A Meta-Analysis

Because subsequent pregnancy in teen parents often worsens the impact of adolescent parenting; therefore, a common goal of teenage parent programs has been to reduce repeat pregnancy. To examine the impact of this goal, a meta-analysis was conducted on 16 control-comparison group studies that evaluated the effect of teenage pregnancy and parenting programs on pregnancy rates. At the first follow-up period at which programs assessed outcome (average 19.13 months), interventions produced a 50% reduction in the odds of pregnancy compared to comparison-control conditions, but by second follow-up (average 31 mos.), the effect had dissipated. Moderator analyses were also performed. Implications are that secondary pregnancy prevention programs are effective in reducing teenage pregnancy—at least at 19 months following the intervention—although there is little to recommend “comprehensive” approaches to programming over others.
First-principles investigation of the magnetic structures and pressure-induced magnetic phase transition in magnetocaloric MnRhAs

Abstract Density functional theory was applied to investigate the magnetic orderings and pressure-induced magnetic phase transition of hexagonal, Fe2P-type MnRhAs. Effective exchange parameters were evaluated to measure the strength of pair-wise metal–metal magnetic couplings. Results indicate that indirect Mn⋅⋅⋅Mn exchange couplings dominate in MnRhAs. Weak direct exchange couplings for near-neighbor Rh–Rh and Rh–Mn contacts are caused by small moments on the Rh atoms. In addition, RKKY and superexchange mechanisms were used to analyze indirect Mn⋅⋅⋅Mn exchange couplings in MnRhAs. The relationship between inter-layer Mn–Mn magnetic couplings and volume changes in MnRhAs was examined to understand the pressure-induced magnetic phase transition.
Histone acetyltransferase 1: More than just an enzyme?

Histone acetyltransferase 1 (HAT1) is an enzyme that is likely to be responsible for the acetylation that occurs on lysines 5 and 12 of the NH2-terminal tail of newly synthesized histone H4. Initial studies suggested that, despite its evolutionary conservation, this modification of new histone H4 played only a minor role in chromatin assembly. However, a number of recent studies have brought into focus the important role of both this modification and HAT1 in histone dynamics. Surprisingly, the function of HAT1 in chromatin assembly may extend beyond just its catalytic activity to include its role as a major histone binding protein. These results are incorporated into a model for the function of HAT1 in histone deposition and chromatin assembly. This article is part of a Special issue entitled: Histone chaperones and Chromatin assembly.
Three-dimensional impact kinetics with foot-strike manipulations during running.

Background Lack of an observable vertical impact peak in fore/mid-foot running has been suggested as a means of reducing lower extremity impact forces, although it is unclear if impact characteristics exist in other axes. The purpose of the investigation was to compare three-dimensional (3D) impact kinetics among foot-strike conditions in over-ground running using instantaneous loading rate–time profiles.
Reciprocal Critiques: Feminist Theory's Legacy to Food Politics, and Vice Versa

We have seen an exciting cultural that political theory is poised to take account of: a growing concern with the origins, global and ecological implications, and production and distribution of food; and a rise in popularity of local alternatives to the industrial food complex. I offer a critique, in the positive and exploratory sense, of this emerging constellation of local movements. I consider the feminist underpinnings of and political parallels with its literary lodestars. Of immense import are feminist theory's imperative to change our relationship to power and its emphasis on pleasure, relational networks, and interdependence. I engage the thematics of the conference by considering the generative conditions of urban food politics from the perspective of political economy. I address calls for corporate solutions to hunger crises partly caused by capitalism, and for technological innovations to mitigate ecological and nutrition problems such technology exacerbated. I theorize the urban character of food movements, their blend of convention and innovation, and their ethical concerns for local food security and global justice. Their promotion of a return to natural pleasures is premised on a keen awareness of modern processes. I posit food politics as an urgent matter for political theory, as an avenue down which the discipline might advance its concerns for human flourishing and its legacy of cultural critique. (Cites include Brown, Harvey, Foucault, Pollan, and Sandoval.)
The Effects of Unemployment Insurance and Recall Expectations on the Timing of Job Search Among Workers Who Receive Advance Notice of Layoff

This paper explores how advance notice of layoffs, recall (rehiring) expectations, and unemployment insurance (UI) benefits affected on-the-job search among a random sample of Arizona UI recipients in 1975-76. The analysis indicates that pre-unemployment search had a strong positive association with the length of notice; a strong negative association with expected recall, notwithstanding controls for worker and job characteristics; and, among workers not expecting recall, a strong negative association with the level of UI benefits after layoff. The authors argue that improved experience rating would encourage firms to give employees advance notice when layoffs are imminent, and re-employment bonuses for workers with zero or short unemployment spells would encourage early search.
Reform of the Estate and Gift Tax System

This study was developed as a volunteer effort by the Estate Tax Repeal Task Force of the Trust, Estate, and Gift Tax Technical Resource Panel (TRP) and approved by the Tax Executive Committee of the Tax Division of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The study first summarizes the current transfer tax system, next gives an overview of the arguments others have made both for and against the transfer tax, and finally describes a variety of possible modifications and alternatives. With respect to each modification or alternative, the AICPA analyzes the probable impacts on taxpayer behavior, complexity and compliance, liquidity, redistribution of wealth, tax and succession planning, revenue and transition issues, and discusses advantages, concerns, suggestions, and conclusions. Modifications to the current transfer tax system that are analyzed in the study include: - Increasing the applicable exclusion amount and changing its structure; - Altering tax rates and the tax rate structure; - Increasing targeted relief aimed at small businesses and farms; and - Extending and modifying liquidity relief provisions. In addition, the study evaluates four possible alternatives to the current transfer tax system including: - An immediate or phased-in repeal of the transfer tax, with or without a step-up in income tax basis to fair market value at the date of death; - A tax on appreciation at death; - A comprehensive income tax; and - An accessions tax. An appendix to the AICPA study on the results of their estate and gift tax survey is not included here, but can be obtained from the AICPA's Web site, AICPA.org.
A Systems Approach to Occupational Environmental and Health Problems

General living systems theory is a conceptual integration of biological and social approaches to the study of living systems. It emphasizes hypotheses about such systems that can be supported or disconfirmed by scientific research.
Using a Crisis to Redefine School Culture

This case involves a small town in the southwestern United States. Background descriptions of the community and school are provided, including historical and demographic information. As the community and school transition from a small ranching town into a bedroom community for the large city nearby, tensions related to race and wealth erupt in a confrontation on school grounds between students from the high school and a local doctor. School employees, in particular the principal, must address how to repair and transform their school culture following this crisis.
Further Validation of a New Measure of Machismo

90 male undergraduates responded to the Macho scale, Attitudes toward Women Scale, and a measure of disapproval of cross-sex behavior in children. Scores on the Macho scale were inversely correlate...
Evaluation of rifampicin resistance as the screening indicator for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis

Objective To study the feasibility of using rifampicin resistance( Rif-resistance) as the screening indicators of multi-drug resistance tuberculosis( MDR-TB). Methods The drug sensitivity of clinical mycobacterium tuberculosis strains were tested by BACTEC MGIT 960 system. The results were analyzed by statistics. The evaluation indicators of diagnostic test were used to assess the scientificity of rifampicin as screening indicator of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. Results There were 312 rifampicin-resistant strains in 2603 strains of mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates,267 of which were isoniazid-resistant at least at the same time. The multi-drug resistance rate of these strains was 10. 3%. If taking resistance to both INH and RFP as the standard of MDR-TB diagnosis,the accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value,positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio of Rif-resistance as multi-drug resistance tuberculosis diagnosis were 98. 3%,100%,98. 1%,85. 6%,100%,5. 9 and 0 respectively. Conclusion Rif-resistance can be used as preliminary screening indicator for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.
Half and total body radiation for carcinoma of the prostate.

AbstractDespite recent advances in the treatment of stage D carcinoma of the prostate many patients become refractory to all therapeutic modalities. Progressive and incapacitating pain is one of the most difficult symptoms to manage. Ten patients with severely symptomatic metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate have been treated with either single or sequential doses of half body radiation using 800 rad delivered by a Linac 10mV linear accelerator. There were 15 courses of half body radiation delivered and a good to excellent response was noted in 11 instances. Results often were immediate and the duration of the response was variable. Treatment was well tolerated with no fatal complications. Half and total body radiation appears to offer significant palliation and its use with other forms of therapy warrants further investigation.
The advantages of transthoracic placement of permanent cardiac pacemaker electrodes.

To determine the effect of stimulation site on cardiac pacing thresholds, identical, small-surface area, cathodal, Elgiloy electrodes were placed intramyocardially on the left and right ventricular apices and transvenously into the right ventricular apex of 20 dogs in complete heart block. At seven stimulus durations, threshold voltage and current were measured directly with an oscilloscope and current probe. Left ventricular intramyocardial pacing required less threshold stimulus energy than right ventricular intramyocardial or right ventricular endocardial pacing. Previous studies that determined lower thresholds with transvenous right ventricular endocardial leads than with directly placed myocardial leads used stimulating electrodes of differing configuration, surface area, and materials at the different sites and/or used epicardial rather than intramyocardial electrodes. These factors biased the results in favor of the endocardial site. When all clinical and electrophysiological factors are considered, direct intramyocardial placement of electrodes deserves a much wider acceptance and application than it now enjoys.
Introduction to The Pragmatism Reader

This is the Introduction to The Pragmatism Reader, edited by Robert B. Talisse and Scott F. Aikin, forthcoming from Princeton University Press in 2010. The Introduction is authored by Talisse and Aikin, and include a Table of Contents for the volume.
The classical parafermion algebra, its generalization and its quantization☆

Abstract The Poisson bracket algebra of the classical parafermions derived earlier from the lagrangian description of conformal coset models is generalized. It is also shown how to quantize models with commutative monodromy matrices, and progress is made in quantizing the non-commutative case.
Estimating Standardized Effect Sizes for Two- and Three-Level Partially Nested Data.

ABSTRACTAlthough previous research has discussed an effect size estimator for partially nested cluster randomized designs, the existing estimator (a) is not efficient when used with primary data, (b) can be biased when the homogeneity of variance assumption is violated, and (c) has not yet been empirically evaluated for its finite sample properties. The present paper addresses these limitations by proposing an alternative maximum likelihood estimator for obtaining standardized mean difference effect size and the corresponding sampling variance for partially nested data, as well as the variants that do not make an assumption of homogeneity of variance. The typical estimator, denoted as d (dW with pooled SD and dC with control arm SD), requires input of summary statistics such as observed means, variances, and the intraclass correlation, and is useful for meta-analyses and secondary data analyses; the newly proposed estimator ( and ) takes parameter estimates from a correctly specified multilevel model as i...
Exploring AAPI Identity Online: Political Ideology as a Factor Affecting Identity Work on Reddit

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are often perceived as a monolithic group, despite their distinct composition of ethnic cultures, political ideologies, and socioeconomic backgrounds. AAPIs increasingly engage in online forums to disclose their experiences and opinions, and in doing so, take part in lengthy discussions that shape the views of their community. We retrieved over 72,000 Reddit comments posted between January to July 2016 for a mixed-methods study of AAPI identity work, analyzing discursive patterns of user-deleted and banned comments. We found that while conservative AAPIs tend to comment anonymously more frequently, progressive AAPIs are less likely to ban comments that did not fit the behavior and norms of their community. AAPI redditors engage differently between conservative and progressive online communities through a process of what we conceptualize as identity work as deliberation.
Cysteine Biosynthesis Controls Serratia marcescens Phospholipase Activity.

Serratia marcescens causes health care-associated opportunistic infections that can be difficult to treat due to a high incidence of antibiotic resistance. One of the many secreted proteins of S. marcescens is the PhlA phospholipase enzyme. Genes involved in the production and secretion of PhlA were identified by screening a transposon insertion library for phospholipase-deficient mutants on phosphatidylcholine-containing medium. Mutations were identified in four genes (cyaA, crp, fliJ, and fliP) that are involved in the flagellum-dependent PhlA secretion pathway. An additional phospholipase-deficient isolate harbored a transposon insertion in the cysE gene encoding a predicted serine O-acetyltransferase required for cysteine biosynthesis. The cysE requirement for extracellular phospholipase activity was confirmed using a fluorogenic phospholipase substrate. Phospholipase activity was restored to the cysE mutant by the addition of exogenous l-cysteine or O-acetylserine to the culture medium and by genetic complementation. Additionally, phlA transcript levels were decreased 6-fold in bacteria lacking cysE and were restored with added cysteine, indicating a role for cysteine-dependent transcriptional regulation of S. marcescens phospholipase activity. S. marcescens cysE mutants also exhibited a defect in swarming motility that was correlated with reduced levels of flhD and fliA flagellar regulator gene transcription. Together, these findings suggest a model in which cysteine is required for the regulation of both extracellular phospholipase activity and surface motility in S. marcescens. IMPORTANCE Serratia marcescens is known to secrete multiple extracellular enzymes, but PhlA is unusual in that this protein is thought to be exported by the flagellar transport apparatus. In this study, we demonstrate that both extracellular phospholipase activity and flagellar function are dependent on the cysteine biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, a disruption of cysteine biosynthesis results in decreased phlA and flagellar gene transcription, which can be restored by supplying bacteria with exogenous cysteine. These results identify a previously unrecognized role for CysE and cysteine in the secretion of S. marcescens phospholipase and in bacterial motility.
Risk factors of colorectal adenoma recurrence among individuals under 50 years of age compared to those 50 years of age or older.

1554Background: Colorectal cancer incidence and mortality are increasing among individuals < 50 years of age. Data are limited regarding the epidemiology of colorectal adenomas in this younger age group. This study investigated and compared risk factors associated with recurrence of adenomas in individuals under and over 50 years of age. Methods: Pooled analyses from the Wheat Bran Fiber and Ursodeoxycholic Acid phase III, randomized, controlled clinical trials included 1,623 participants, aged 40-80 years. Each completed baseline questionnaires related to family history and lifestyle habits, had one or more colorectal adenomas removed at baseline, and had a follow-up colonoscopy during the trial (mean follow up 36 months). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression modeling estimated the association between age and colorectal adenoma recurrence, and evaluate multiple risk factors, while controlling for confounding factors. Results: A statistically significant increased trend was found for colorectal...
Clearing the Fog of War: public versus official sources and geopolitical storylines in the Russia-Ukraine conflict

AbstractMilitary action undertaken by the Russian Federation against Ukraine in 2014 has had enormous geopolitical ramifications. This resulted in what is almost certainly a permanent change in sovereign territory, with the former gaining and the latter losing the strategic Crimean peninsula. But Russia’s moves also set in motion a violent conflict in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Although the United States and the NATO alliance have advocated a geopolitical storyline that attributes blame for this to Russia, close scrutiny of the evidence they have adduced in this regard fails to establish this culpability conclusively. However, by utilizing data collected and analyzed in the public realm, it is possible to determine with more certainty that, in certain places and at given times, Russia was indeed the aggressor. The rapidly increasing amount of public-sourced information globally and the growing sophistication of analytical methods by non-governmental groups presages more complete understanding o...
FROM IMPERIAL TO INTERNATIONAL LAW: PROTECTING FOREIGN EXPECTATIONS IN THE EARLY UNITED STATES

This Essay argues that several principles associated with modern international investment law and dispute resolution arose in the wake of the American Revolution, as the revolutionaries and Britons sought to restructure trade relations, previously regulated by imperial law, under new treaties and the law of nations. They negotiated such problems as the currency in which international debts would be paid; the ability of foreign creditors pursue domestic collection remedies; whether creditors had to exhaust those remedies before their nation could resort to international arbitration; and the form of state-state arbitration of private disputes. The specific setting of these negotiations — the aftermath of a colonial settler revolution — narrowed the compass of disagreement, compared to many later postcolonial negotiations. In addition, the negotiations assumed that the exhaustion of national remedies remained the standard method of resolving private debt disputes. Notwithstanding these important differences, the principles and institutions developed after an imperial civil war influenced the development of international investment law.
2025: Reverse-Payment Settlements Unleashed

The year is 2025. For the past two decades, brand-name drug companies have settled infringement lawsuits with generic firms by paying them to drop their patent challenges. Early in the 21st century, courts had explained that this was the natural state of affairs. By 2025, this is true many times over.This short article offers three predictions for drug patent settlements in the next 15 years:1. The Eastern District of Pennsylvania court will deny summary judgment in the Cephalon case.2. The Supreme Court will grant certiorari, and affirm, in the 2nd Circuit Cipro case.3. Congress will pass reverse-payments legislation.Going even further out on a limb, the first two predictions will occur in 2011 and the third will happen in 2017.
Deregulation of Mitochondrial Function: A Potential Common Theme for Cardiovascular Disease Development

The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis has been intensively studied and described; yet, despite these advances, the underlying events that initiate athero-genesis are not yet fully understood. Consequently, cardiovascular disease remains the major cause of death and morbidity in the western world. Although studies are in general agreement that atherosclerosis is a chronic, inflammatory disease, and additionally, that increased oxidative stress plays a key factor in the early stages of disease development, the impact of such changes on the subcellular or organellar components and their functions that are relevant to cardiovascular disease inception are less appreciated. In this regard, studies are beginning to show that mitochondria are common targets of oxidative stress and that they may play significant roles in the regulation of cardiovascular cell function. A common theme among cardiovascular disease risk factors is that they can mediate mitochondrial damage and dysfunction, and moreover, that mitochondrial damage can significantly increase the risk for disease onset. Moreover, it has been recently suggested that the balance between mitochondrial energy efficiency, oxidant production, and thermogenesis that developed during human prehistory has long-term implications for human disease development, susceptibility, and evolution of disease. Hence, the emphasis of this review is discussion of the unique features of mitochondrial functional biology that potentially make it a central focal point in terms of the mechanistic basis of cardiovascular disease.
Ascension: Iran’s Non-State Foreign Policy in 1963–68

Iran’s non-state foreign policy became more active in this period. The Iraqi coup of 1963 was a temporary victory for Iran. Despite its anti-communist nature, the Baath-Arif regime of Iraq overemphasized its pan-Arab tone, revived negotiations with Nasser over the Arab unity, and declared a territorial claim on the eastern bank of Arvand Rud and the Iranian province of Khuzestan. With the Iraqi invasion of Kurdistan in Summer 1963, Tehran intensified its support for the Kurds. Despite the U.S.’ clear objection, under both the Kennedy and the Johnson presidencies, Iran sided with the Kurds to prevent pan-Arab Iraq from posing a threat to Khuzestan and the Persian Gulf.
Quantifying and comparing bacterial growth dynamics in multiple metagenomic samples.

The accurate quantification of microbial growth dynamics for species without complete genome sequences is biologically important, but computationally challenging in metagenomics. Here we present dynamic estimator of microbial communities (DEMIC; https://sourceforge.net/projects/demic/ ), a multi-sample algorithm based on contigs and coverage values, to infer the relative distances of contigs from the replication origin and to accurately compare bacterial growth rates between samples. We demonstrate robust performances of DEMIC for various sample sizes and assembly qualities using multiple synthetic and real datasets. DEMIC uses contigs and coverage data to compare growth rates between bacterial samples.
Guard Band Minimization via Impedance Reduction and Dynamic Voltage Scheduling Schemes

Voltage guard bands required to safeguard against load transient induced voltage undershoots result in power and performance penalties for high performance CPUs. This paper presents design techniques for impedance minimization and framework to dynamically alter sense and reference voltages based on information about distributed impedance, silicon speed, and scheduled load activity. Studies show guard band reduction by several tens of mV.
Detecting Developmental Delay and Autism Through Machine Learning Models Using Home Videos of Bangladeshi Children: Development and Validation Study.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is currently diagnosed using qualitative methods that measure between 20-100 behaviors, can span multiple appointments with trained clinicians, and take several hours to complete. In our previous work, we demonstrated the efficacy of machine learning classifiers to accelerate the process by collecting home videos of US-based children, identifying a reduced subset of behavioral features that are scored by untrained raters using a machine learning classifier to determine children’s “risk scores” for autism. We achieved an accuracy of 92% (95% CI 88%-97%) on US videos using a classifier built on five features. Objective: Using videos of Bangladeshi children collected from Dhaka Shishu Children’s Hospital, we aim to scale our pipeline to another culture and other developmental delays, including speech and language conditions. Methods: Although our previously published and validated pipeline and set of classifiers perform reasonably well on Bangladeshi videos (75% accuracy, 95% CI 71%-78%), this work improves on that accuracy through the development and application of a powerful new technique for adaptive aggregation of crowdsourced labels. We enhance both the utility and performance of our model by building two classification layers: The first layer distinguishes between typical and atypical behavior, and the second layer distinguishes between ASD and non-ASD. In each of the layers, we use a unique rater weighting scheme to aggregate classification scores from different raters based on their expertise. We also determine Shapley values for the most important features in the classifier to understand how the classifiers’ process aligns with clinical intuition. Results: Using these techniques, we achieved an accuracy (area under the curve [AUC]) of 76% (SD 3%) and sensitivity of 76% (SD 4%) for identifying atypical children from among developmentally delayed children, and an accuracy (AUC) of 85% (SD 5%) and sensitivity of 76% (SD 6%) for identifying children with ASD from those predicted to have other developmental delays. Conclusions: These results show promise for using a mobile video-based and machine learning–directed approach for early and remote detection of autism in Bangladeshi children. This strategy could provide important resources for developmental health in developing countries with few clinical resources for diagnosis, helping children get access to care at an early age. Future research aimed at extending the application of this approach to identify a range of other conditions and determine the population-level burden of developmental disabilities and impairments will be of high value.
Tuning from frustrated magnetism to superconductivity in quasi-one-dimensional KCr 3 As 3 through hydrogen doping

We report the charge doping of ${\mathrm{KCr}}_{3}{\mathrm{As}}_{3}$ via H intercalation. We show that the previously reported ethanol bath deintercalation of ${\mathrm{K}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{3}{\mathrm{As}}_{3}$ to ${\mathrm{KCr}}_{3}{\mathrm{As}}_{3}$ has a secondary effect whereby H from the bath enters the quasi-one-dimensional ${\mathrm{Cr}}_{6}{\mathrm{As}}_{6}$ chains. Furthermore, we find that---contrary to previous interpretations---the difference between nonsuperconducting as-grown ${\mathrm{KCr}}_{3}{\mathrm{As}}_{3}$ samples and superconducting hydrothermally annealed samples is not a change in crystallinity but due to charge doping, with the latter treatment increasing the H concentration in the CrAs tubes, effectively electron doping the 133 compound. These results suggest another stoichiometry ${\mathrm{KH}}_{x}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{3}{\mathrm{As}}_{3}$, that superconductivity arises from a suppressed magnetic order via a tunable parameter and paves the way for a charge-doped phase diagram in these materials.
Enhancing the Accuracy of Glaucoma Detection from OCT Probability Maps using Convolutional Neural Networks

We describe and assess convolutional neural network (CNN) models for detection of glaucoma based upon optical coherence tomography (OCT) retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) probability maps. CNNs pretrained on natural images performed comparably to CNNs trained solely on OCT data, and all models showed high accuracy in detecting glaucoma, with receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC) scores ranging from 0.930 to 0.989. Attention-based heat maps of CNN regions of interest suggest that these models could be improved by incorporation of blood vessel location information. Such CNN models have the potential to work in tandem with human experts to maintain overall eye health and expedite detection of blindness-causing eye disease.