cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characteristic Size for Onset of Coffee-Ring Effect in Evaporating Lysozyme-Water Solution Droplets

Liquid droplets containing suspended particles deposited on a solid surface often form a ring-like structure due to the redistribution of solute during evaporation, a phenomenon known as the "coffee ring effect". The complex patterns left on the substrate after evaporation are characteristic of the nature of the solute and the particle transport mechanisms. In this study, the morphological evolution and conditions for coffee ring formation for simplified model biological solutions of DI water and lysozyme are examined by AFM and optical microscopy. Lysozyme is a globular protein found in high concentration, for example, in human tears and saliva. The drop diameters studied are very small, ranging from 1 to 50 μm. In this size range, protein motion and the resulting dried residue morphology are highly influenced by the decreased evaporation time of the drop. In this work, we consider the effect of droplet size and concentration on the morphology of the deposited drop as well as the minimal conditions for coffee ring formation in this system. Two distinct deposit types are observed: a simple cap-shaped deposit for drops with small diameters and a ring-like deposit at larger diameters. Ring formation occurs at a critical diameter, which depends systematically on initial lysozyme concentration.
A Daily Process Approach to Depict Satisfaction with Life during the Menopausal Transition: Physical (In)activity, Symptoms, and Neuroticism

The main objectives of the present study were (1) to examine the between- and within-person association of physical (in)activity and satisfaction with life (SWL), and (2) to identify relevant top-down and bottom-up influences associated with daily well-being in menopausal women using a daily process approach. As part of a 21-day diary study, community-dwelling middle-aged women (N = 103; age range 40–60 years) wore an accelerometer for the objective assessment of physical activity and completed daily Internet surveys at the end of their day. Multilevel analyses indicated the between-person effects of physical activity on SWL were negligent but that on days when a woman was more physically active than her usual, she reported greater SWL (B = 12.01, p < .05). Sedentary behavior did not demonstrate a between- or within-person association with SWL. Women also experienced reduced SWL on days when greater symptom burden was reported (B = −2.47, p < .05). Neuroticism also emerged as a top-down personality trait with a negative relation to SWL (B = −1.47, p < .05). Higher levels of neuroticism predicted reduced daily life satisfaction particularly on days characterized by heightened symptom burden (B = −0.26, p < .05). In this sample of midlife women, daily physical activity had a positive influence on SWL, whereas daily symptom burden and the personality trait of neuroticism had detrimental consequences on a woman’s daily well-being.
High-Performance Pipelined ADCs for Wireless Infrastructure Systems

This chapter provides an overview of design techniques and system aspects relevant to the application of high-speed pipelined ADCs in wireless base transceiver stations (BTS). The discussion begins with a derivation of typical ADC specifications for the receive path of a multi-carrier BTS system. Next, we investigate issues pertaining to the interface between the ADC and its driving circuitry, including complications that arise with sample-and-hold-amplifier-less (SHA-less) ADC frontends. Lastly, we summarize recent research results that look into the digital linearization of dynamic nonlinearities at the ADC’s frontend.
Makers from Hobbyists to professionals

This article consists of a collection of slides from the author's conference presentation. He introduces the tutorial agenda: Maker Trends: The Path of Least Resistance Peter Dokter, SparkFun; IoT Device Development Challenges and Solutions Venkat Mattela and Sailaja Dharani, Redpine Signals; lmplementing Software Defined Radio on the Parallella Andreas Olofsson, Adapteva; Current Trends for Hardware & Software Developers Vrajesh Bhavsar, ARM.
The unique psychostimulant profile of (±)-modafinil: investigation of behavioral and neurochemical effects in mice.

Blockade of dopamine (DA) reuptake via the dopamine transporter (DAT) is a primary mechanism identified as underlying the therapeutic actions of (±)-modafinil (modafinil) and its R-enantiomer, armodafinil. Herein, we explored the neurochemical and behavioral actions of modafinil to better characterize its psychostimulant profile. Swiss-Webster mice were implanted with microdialysis probes in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAS) or core (NAC) to evaluate changes in DA levels related to acute reinforcing actions of drugs of abuse. Additionally, subjective effects were studied in mice trained to discriminate 10 mg/kg cocaine (i.p.) from saline. Modafinil (17-300 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly increased NAS and NAC DA levels that at the highest doses reached ~300% at 1 h, and lasted > 6 h in duration. These elevated DA levels did not show statistically significant regional differences between the NAS and NAC. Modafinil produced cocaine-like subjective effects at 56-100 mg/kg when administered at 5 and 60 min before the start of the session, and enhanced cocaine effects when the two were administered in combination. Despite sharing subjective effects with cocaine, modafinil's psychostimulant profile was unique compared to that of cocaine and like compounds. Modafinil had lower potency and efficacy than cocaine in stimulating NAS DA. In addition, the cocaine-like subjective effects of modafinil were obtained at lower doses and earlier onset times than expected based on its dopaminergic effects. These studies suggest that although inhibition of DA reuptake may be a primary mechanism underlying modafinil's therapeutic actions, non DA-dependent actions may be playing a role in its psychostimulant profile.
Baby birds do not always tell the truth.

A parent bird carries prey to its nest and is met by chicks opening their colorful mouths, stretching their necks and bodies upward, and vocalizing enthusiastically (Fig. 1). At first glance, these active and noisy displays seem remarkably inconsistent with expectations that dependent nestlings ought to divert their energy to growth and do their best to avoid the attention of would-be predators (1). What, then, is all this fuss about? One possibility is that offspring solicitations (collectively termed “begging”) contain information that parents use to decide when and how much to feed their offspring (1⇓–3). How accurate this information might be, however, has been a matter of some debate (1⇓–3). As is the case in any sexually reproducing organism, there is only a coin flip’s chance that a nestling and its parent share any particular gene. This incomplete overlap in relatedness results in an incomplete overlap in desired food allocation, setting the stage for a selfish nestling to benefit from deception (4). In PNAS, Caro et al. (5) shed light on several factors that shape how honest offspring signals are.
Recovering from Job Loss: The Role of Unemployment Insurance

In this report JPMorgan Chase Institute assembled a de-identified sample of 160,000 regular Chase customers who received unemployment insurance (UI) between 2014 and 2016 across 18 states to evaluate the role that UI plays in mitigating the financial impacts of job loss. Our results show that UI is remarkably effective at preventing large spending drops among the short-term unemployed. First, UI softens the drop in family income due to job loss from roughly $1,826 a month — a 46 percent drop in monthly income — to just $617 a month — a 16 percent drop. Second, spending drops by just 5 percent upon job loss because UI benefits boost spending dramatically, averting 74 percent of the drop. Third, spending declines coincide with income losses. Income and spending recover within 18 months for the short-term unemployed but remain depressed for the long-term unemployed. When UI benefits are less generous, the long-term unemployed experience more economic hardship but also go back to work sooner. Fourth, among all UI recipients, job loss causes a drop in discretionary spending and student loan payments, but the long-term unemployed cut nearly every category of spending when UI runs out. And finally, families with high liquid assets reduce their spending upon job loss by roughly half as much as families with low liquid assets. With just 27 percent of the unemployed receiving UI — a record low recipiency rate — this report provides a critical fact base to inform efforts to reform UI.
Does the association between early life growth and later obesity differ by race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status? A systematic review.

Abstract Purpose Rapid growth during infancy predicts higher risk of obesity later in childhood. The association between patterns of early life growth and later obesity may differ by race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status (SES), but prior evidence syntheses do not consider vulnerable subpopulations. Methods We systemically reviewed published studies that explored patterns of early life growth (0–24 months of age) as predictors of later obesity (>24 months) that were either conducted in racial/ethnic minority or low-SES study populations or assessed effect modification of this association by race/ethnicity or SES. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed and SocINDEX. Results Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Faster growth during the first 2 years of life was consistently associated with later obesity irrespective of definition and timing of exposure and outcome measures. Associations were strongest in populations composed of greater proportions of racial/ethnic minority and/or low-SES children. For example, ORs ranged from 1.17 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.24) in a heterogeneous population to 9.24 (95% CI: 3.73, 22.9) in an entirely low-SES nonwhite population. Conclusions The impact of rapid growth in infancy on later obesity may differ by social stratification factors such as race/ethnicity and family income. More robust and inclusive studies examining these associations are needed.
Creating an integrated behavioral/developmental care partnership: financing and measuring effective change

A new template for improved behavioral healthcare delivery for children in areas with limited resources will be presented. The Center for Advancement of Youth (CAY) was created at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in partnership with the Division of Medicaid (a jointly funded state-federal health insurance program for the needy) in response to the overwhelming need for services for children with developmental and behavioral disorders in our region. Mississippi has more than 30,000 children with developmental and behavioral disorders and has traditionally been a desert for behavioral healthcare, with limited services and qualified providers. Increasing numbers of children have been placed on medication for developmental/behavioral difficulties without adequate monitoring or behavioral intervention services. As developmental and behavioral disorders are on the rise, the resources for parents and children in many areas remain insufficient. The lack of resources ultimately puts pressure on the primary care provider to manage and treat intricate disorders with pharmaceutical interventions. In our state, rate of diagnosis for conditions such as ADHD is very high (http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/prevalence.html), as well as the rate of medication use (http://www.pharmacytimes.com/news/State-ADHD-Medication-Rates-Vary-Widely). Medicaid provided funding to help remake behavioral care for children in our state in order achieve better, more efficient care while improving patient and caregiver satisfaction. The CAY model provides integrative child and adolescent behavioral health services across the state of Mississippi, a geographically large and predominately rural state, through a centralized location. Children referred by their medical home enter into an intensive triage and screening protocol with case management designed for efficiency. Telehealth and onsite visits are used. The majority of children receive services near their home town. Results have shown a diminished wait time, robust behavioral improvement and fewer medications dispensed. The goal of the CAY Center is to give children in our region access to appropriate services quickly, while avoiding redundant or unnecessary services through coordinated care and continuing to encourage the medical home concept. In this session, we will discuss the problem of providing ease of access into the behavioral care system for children and their families. We will also discuss the building process that is required, by describing the partnerships that lead to better results. Finally, we will discuss the positive outcomes that can be achieved by examining and restructuring healthcare delivery to these children. The learner will be provided a template for improved behavioral healthcare delivery in areas with limited resources.
On hertz and the speed of light

Experiments carried out in 1888 by Heinrich Hertz are generally considered to have validated Maxwell's theory. In this paper we present measurements made with replicas of the antennas used by Hertz when he attempted to measure the wavelength of the fields radiated by his spark-excited dipole. Hertz determined the dominant frequency f of these waves from the static capacitance and inductance. Here we show that the experiment Hertz designed to determine the wavelength X would have succeeded in establishing that these waves travel at the speed of light, as Maxwell predicted, had he properly understood the distribution of the transient standing wave involved with reflection. If, for example, he had used the first minimum in his measured distribution of the H-field as a quarter-wavelength and had he corrected an error made in computing the capacitance, he would have concluded that the wave velocity was fλ ≍ 3.4 × 108 m/s, close enough to the speed of light to be persuasive. As it was at the time, however, he could only feel sure that the wave velocity was finite.
Decoupling Mechanical and Conductive Dynamics of Polymeric Ionic Liquids via a Trivalent Anion Additive

The mechanical and conductive properties of a polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) are decoupled through the addition of a fraction of trivalent anions to a chloride single-ion conductor. Trivalent phosphate ions strongly coordinate with polymer-bound imidazoliums, producing an increase in both the ionic conductivity and the polymer viscosity. Both the viscosity and the ionic conductivity increase with phosphate content, and the conductivity is superior to that of the neat PIL at larger trivalent anion concentrations. The interaggregate spacing (determined by X-ray scattering), glass transition temperature (measured by calorimetry), and free volume (estimated by rheology) are each sensitive to the presence of trivalent ions but not to changes in the phosphate concentration. Thus, the presence of a fraction of trivalent anions qualitatively changes the structure and interaction of ions, resulting in modified macroscopic properties of the PIL. We hypothesize that this step change in properties upon introducing phos...
"Work is Love Made Visible": Purpose and Community in Clubhouses

What does work mean to people socially defined by their inability to work? This article explores "work" in Psychosocial Clubhouses, strengths-based programs for people experiencing psychiatric disability, where members – not clients or patients – work at operating their clubhouse alongside staff. I draw upon three years of experience in a Michigan clubhouse, as a volunteer, social work intern, and ethnographer. I explore the meaning of work – defined as "purposeful activity that builds community," challenging the narrow neoliberal definition of work as "paid employment" – from the perspective of clubhouse members. In the clubhouse, "dis-ability" becomes a misnomer, as members demonstrate remarkable "ability" within the clubhouse's work environment. Interestingly, this work environment demands close, authentic relationships between members and staff, which dismantle conventional hierarchies between professionals and clients in mental health programs. In this work environment, members come to feel needed and valued, countering common feelings associated with psychiatric disability such as dependence and a lack of self-efficacy. Through developing a sense of purpose and community – arguably human needs – many members are able to live self-defined meaningful lives, in spite of their marginalized social position.
Design and evaluation of computer-based behavioural/social system simulations

ABSTRACT Theoretical concepts, educational objectives and realistic situations are integrated in two behavioural/social system simulations. The POPULATION BOMB SIMULATION concerns population control, where attitudes, reliability/validity of information, and ethics are involved when judging others with stereotypes, labels, and obedience to authority as factors. The FUTURE SCHOOL SIMULATION applies attitude change theory in a structure encouraging “counter-attitudinal role-playing”, where participants attempt to persuade others to adopt innovative proposals for improving their future school. Relationships among theory, simulation, and reality, are discussed in the context of designing and applying simulation technology to theoretical and practical issues in behavioural and social systems. Phases and procedures for the design and evaluation of computer-based simulations are presented. We conclude with a summary discussion of the current use of simulation in higher education, and the possible convergence of relevance, problem solving, hybrid human-computer interaction, modelling, and dynamic interrelationships in simulation applications that can advance theory, improve simulation design, and solve real problems.
Parent–Adolescent Communication Via Mobile Devices: Influences on Relational Closeness:

Previous studies have shown mixed results regarding families’ cell phone use and family outcomes. Some research has shown that mobile devices might isolate family members, but families in other stu...
Vector-Resolved Magnetooptic Kerr Effect Measurements of Spin–Orbit Torque

We demonstrate simultaneous detection of current-driven dampinglike and fieldlike spin–orbit torques in heavy metal/ferromagnetic metal bilayers by measuring all three magnetization components $m_{x},m_{y}$ , and $m_{z} $ using a vector-resolved magnetooptic Kerr effect (MOKE) technique based on quadrant detection. We investigate the magnitude and direction of spin–orbit torques in a series of platinum/permalloy samples, finding good agreement with results obtained via polar and quadratic MOKE measurements without quadrant detection.
Satisfaction With Specific and Nonspecific Diagnoses.

Purpose Nonspecific upper extremity illnesses (eg,. wrist pain, forearm pain)—where no objectively verifiable pathology is detectable—are common and usually self-limiting. For some patients, a nonspecific diagnosis can contribute to mistrust and disappointment. Methods This study tested the primary null hypothesis that there is no difference in mean overall satisfaction between patients given a specific compared with a nonspecific diagnosis. Second, we assessed factors associated with satisfaction and with nonspecific upper extremity diagnosis. Results There was no significant difference between mean satisfaction with nonspecific and specific diagnoses in bivariate analysis. However, when treated as a categorical variable, 22% of the patients with a nonspecific diagnosis had a satisfaction score of 8 or lower compared with 11% of the patients given a specific diagnosis. First visit and greater pain intensity were significantly associated with a nonspecific diagnosis in bivariate analysis. In the multivariable models, no factors were independently associated with satisfaction or with nonspecific diagnoses. Conclusions Although nonspecific diagnoses can sometimes be frustrating for both physician and patient, in this small study using a satisfaction measure with a strong ceiling effect, they were no less satisfying to patients on average and corresponded with slightly greater pain intensity than specific diagnoses. Clinical relevance The degree to which nonspecific diagnoses (perhaps in combination with compassionate care and incremental monitoring) can be part of a satisfying treatment experience merits additional investigation.
Management of Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage is clinically significant to surgeons and requires a coordinated team approach with a step-wise progression. The typical presentation is usually hematemesis, melena, and occasionally hematochezia in rapid bleeds. The first priority is to provide the patient with close hemodynamic monitoring and adequate resuscitation. Once the patient has been resuscitated, the next step is upper endoscopy. If a source is identified, it is treated as appropriate. Rebleeding requires repeat endoscopy, followed by surgery for failures. If no source is identified, red blood cell (RBC) scan and angiography can be used for additional workup. Surgery is reserved for unstable patients with bleeding not controlled with any other modality.
High resolution photoelectron imaging of boron-bismuth binary clusters: Bi2Bn− (n = 2–4)

Bismuth boride is a heavy member of the III-V semiconductors. Although there have been some theoretical interests in this material, it has not been synthesized experimentally. Here, we report a high-resolution photoelectron imaging study on a series of boron-bismuth binary clusters, Bi2Bn− (n = 2–4), produced by laser vaporization of a B/Bi mixed target. Vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectra are obtained for all three clusters, and the measured vibrational and electronic information is used to compare with theoretical calculations to understand their structures and bonding. Bi2B2− is found to be linear (D∞h, 2Πg) with a B2 unit and two terminal Bi atoms, while Bi2B3− is found to be planar (C2v, 1A1), consisting of a B3 triangle with two bridging Bi atoms. Interestingly, the spectra of Bi2B4− reveal two co-existing isomers; both are found to be planar and contain a rhombus B4 unit with two bridging Bi atoms in a trans (C2h, 2Au) and cis (C2v, 2B1) fashion separated only by 0.03 eV in energy. The interactions between the two Bi atoms and the Bn motifs are understood using chemical bonding analyses. This study shows that the Bi–B bonding is weak enough so that the Bn units maintain their structural integrity with the Bi atoms bonded to the cluster periphery only.
Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infections: New Data, Old Conundrum.

* Abbreviations: HSV — : herpes simplex virus PCR — : polymerase chain reaction Infections with herpes simplex virus (HSV) in the neonatal period represent an ongoing challenge for practicing clinicians. Neonatal HSV has a high risk of mortality and significant neurologic disability among survivors, and timely initiation of treatment with acyclovir is needed to impact outcomes.1 Treatment delays of even 1 day have been associated with a greater than twofold increase in odds of mortality, yet these infections can be subtle on presentation and therefore difficult to identify expeditiously.2–4 Furthermore, there is an added layer of complexity, which stems from increasing evidence that strategies of excessive testing and empirical treatment among infants without HSV are costly and increase the risk of adverse events, including medication error, intravenous line complications and/or infiltration, and disruption of breastfeeding (acyclovir itself is generally safe in neonates).5–8 In this issue of Pediatrics , Mahant et al9 provide a retrospective assessment of the epidemiology of neonatal HSV in a large Medicaid population and demonstrate an increase in incidence over a 7-year period. They further demonstrate a high financial burden in these patients, including … Address correspondence to James Gaensbauer, MD, MScPH, Department of Pediatrics, Denver Health Medical Center, 777 Bannock St Pavilion C, MC 0590, Denver, CO 80204. E-mail: james.gaensbauer{at}childrenscolorado.org
Cutting edge microfluidics: Xurography and a microwave

Abstract Microfluidic technologies enable precise fluidic manipulation at the microscale, with applications ranging from inexpensive medical diagnostics to automaton devices for extraterrestrial in situ analysis. However, development of microfluidic tools typically requires high-maintenance infrastructure and resource-intensive development processes, limiting their broad adoption. Furthermore, the development of effective microfluidic tools requires iterative design processes, multiplicatively increasing development time and cost. Rapid prototyping techniques minimize these expenses, accelerating development time and reducing manufacturing cost of microfluidic devices. Here, we use the print-and-peel (PAP) technique of xurography to fabricate master molds in conjunction with microwave thermal processing of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to rapidly fabricate PDMS-based microfluidics. Three types of tape (3M Blue Platinum, PVC and Kapton Tape) and three types of backing substrates (Soda lime glass, Silicon, Ceramic glass) were employed, enabling fabrication of microfluidic devices from design to device in as little as five minutes. Minimum feature widths of ˜200 μm and feature heights of ˜60 μm were determined. Proof-of-concept devices made using these methods were employed for electrophoretic flow focusing applications. To the best of our knowledge, this process represents the most rapid method for fabrication of PDMS microfluidics to date due to microwave thermal processing, enabling curing of PDMS in as little as 90 s. This work can significantly minimize device fabrication time and the start-up cost of fabrication infrastructure, enhancing efficiency and making microfluidics accessible to a broader user base.
Agricultural Cooperation in The Kyrgyz Republic: Potential, Problems and Prospects

The article has been written in order to disclose the development potential of agricultural cooperation in the Kyrgyz Republic in the conditions of its integration into the unified food market of Eurasian Economic Union member states. Cooperation is considered an efficient economic mechanism of integration of small agricultural producers into national and global food value chains. Upon examination of works revealing the potential of cooperation in the development of value chains, analysis of the agrarian structure and evaluation of the potential held by member states for cooperation, the authors of the article have proposed measures for comprehensive development of agricultural cooperation in the Kyrgyz Republic. The article is based on the materials by international organizations, the National Committee of Statistics of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Eurasian Economic Commission and results of research conducted by separate authors. The article’s materials can be used to generalize the international practice of studying the role of cooperation in the development of food value chains and to improve institutional conditions and government policy of supporting cooperation in the Kyrgyz Republic. They are also of interest for a broad group of researchers in the field of agricultural cooperation.
Gaming roles versus gender roles in online gameplay

The research presented here examines gender roles and differential experiences of men and women associated with gaming, a multi-billion-dollar industry (Entertainment Software Association, 2016). U...
Recurrent ocular syphilis in a patient living with HIV

A 26-year-old male living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and who had previously been treated for ocular syphilis presented to the Emergency Department with progressive vision loss and uveitis. The efficacy of standard management for neurosyphilis in HIV and recurrence was examined.
Proteomics Reveals Distinct Changes Associated with Increased Gamma Radiation Resistance in the Black Yeast Exophiala dermatitidis

The yeast Exophiala dermatitidis exhibits high resistance to γ-radiation in comparison to many other fungi. Several aspects of this phenotype have been characterized, including its dependence on homologous recombination for the repair of radiation-induced DNA damage, and the transcriptomic response invoked by acute γ-radiation exposure in this organism. However, these findings have yet to identify unique γ-radiation exposure survival strategies—many genes that are induced by γ-radiation exposure do not appear to be important for recovery, and the homologous recombination machinery of this organism is not unique compared to more sensitive species. To identify features associated with γ-radiation resistance, here we characterized the proteomes of two E. dermatitidis strains—the wild type and a hyper-resistant strain developed through adaptive laboratory evolution—before and after γ-radiation exposure. The results demonstrate that protein intensities do not change substantially in response to this stress. Rather, the increased resistance exhibited by the evolved strain may be due in part to increased basal levels of single-stranded binding proteins and a large increase in ribosomal content, possibly allowing for a more robust, induced response during recovery. This experiment provides evidence enabling us to focus on DNA replication, protein production, and ribosome levels for further studies into the mechanism of γ-radiation resistance in E. dermatitidis and other fungi.
Recent Analytical Results on Miniload Performance

We describe a basic model of miniload order picking systems. We also review selected analytical results on miniload performance.
Reconfigurable Soft Flexure Hinges via Pinched Tubes

Tuning the stiffness of soft robots is essential in order to extend usability and control the maneuverability of soft robots. In this paper, we propose a novel mechanism that can reconfigure the stiffness of tubular structures, using pinching to induce highly directional changes in stiffness. When pinched, these tubes can be then utilized as flexure hinges to create virtual joints on demand; the orientation of the hinge axis can additionally be selected via control of the distribution of pinch forces on the surface of the tube. Through proper material and geometry selection, passive shape recovery is observed when pinching forces are removed; a proposed active shape recovery technique can further assist the tube to recover its initial shape in order to re-configure the hinge in a new orientation. The proposed mechanism has been validated in FEA as well as experimentally, looking specifically at the relation between pinching force and curvature change, as well as comparing tube stiffness between pinched and unpinched configurations. The experimental prototype detailed in this paper – and demonstrated in the associated video – is capable of controlling the generation and recovery of flexure hinges at multiple orientations around the radial axis of tubes on demand.
Sinophone meets Siamophone: audio-visual intersubjectivity and pirated ethnicity in Midi Z’s Poor Folk and The Road to Mandalay

Since 2010, the Sino-Burmese director Midi Z has established himself as a compelling Southeast Asian independent auteur. The films Poor Folk (2012) and The Road to Mandalay (2016) are distinct in h...
Brain Mechanisms of Conscious Awareness: Detect, Pulse, Switch, and Wave.

Consciousness is a fascinating field of neuroscience research where questions often outnumber the answers. We advocate an open and optimistic approach where converging mechanisms in neuroscience ma...
The TCI Clinical Encounter Program for PhD Students in Cancer Biology: a Feasibility Pilot.

Clinical rotations are often not included in graduate-level cancer biology curricula; however, basic insight into clinical oncology is often crucial for developing translational research that addresses unmet needs with the potential to benefit cancer patients. We describe a needs assessment, design, implementation, and descriptive evaluation of an oncology-specific pilot clinical encounter program developed for PhD students in the Cancer Biology Training Area (CAB) in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) and Tisch Cancer Institute (TCI) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS). Prior to the development of this pilot program, CAB students, in years 2–5 + , were surveyed to determine their interest in a structured clinical experience. Seventeen out of thirty-one students responded (55%) to the survey. Of those seventeen respondents, fifteen (88.2%) expressed that exposure to cancer patients in the clinical setting would be useful for their pre-doctoral biomedical science and cancer biology training and indicated an interest in participating in the clinical encounter program. Based on these responses, a three-session clinical encounter pilot program was designed. Two separate cohorts of 5 students participated in this pilot program. During a formal debrief, following the clinical experience, students commented on the resilience of patients and the importance of research on clinical decision making, and reported that they found the experience motivational. Five out of 10 students responded (50%) to a post-program assessment survey; all five respondents answered that they would recommend the clinical encounter program to their peers. While limited in size and scope, this pilot TCI Clinical Encounter Program proved feasible and has the potential to enrich and inform the experience of PhD students pursing advanced degrees in a cancer biology.
Regional Stratification and Shear of the Various Streams Feeding the Philippine Straits

Abstract : LONG-TERM GOALS. To determine the impact of the regional oceanographic and atmospheric mean and variable conditions on Philippine Archipelago. OBJECTIVES. To quantify the oceanographic stratification and shear and the corresponding intraseasonal, monsoonal, and ENSO variability controlling the boundary conditions of the Philippine Archipelago strait dynamics. APPROACH. Regional CTD and Lowered ADCP [CTD/LADCP] surveys in coordination with Amy Ffield [Earth and Space Science]. WORK COMPLETED. Analysis of archival in situ and satellite observational data of the Philippine Archipelago region in preparation for the field research in 2007 and 2008.
High-performance SiGe power HBTs with wide emitter stripes

Common-emitter and common-base SiGe power heterojunction bipolar transistors (PHBTs) with 2/spl mu/m and 3/spl mu/m emitter stripe widths have been fabricated and compared. The reduced base pinch resistance resulting from using a heavily doped base region has enabled excellent and equivalent RF performance from SiGe PHBTs of different emitter stripe widths. However, the total device area is saved by using wider emitter stripes. The current device design approach can help reduce the fabrication cost of SiGe PHBTs and make them more competitive than other existing technologies for microwave and RF power applications.
Scientific Applications of Nuclear Explosions: Nuclear explosions are uniquely necessary for a number of interesting experiments in basic research

Proposals are reviewed for the application of nuclear explosions in basic scientific research. Nuclear explosions are of interest as intense sources of neutrons, neutrinos, plasmas, high temperatures, gamma rays, x rays, light, shock, and radioactive isotopes. Experiments which use one or more of these properties are reviewed. (C.H.)
PD Control Performance of Robotic Mechanisms

This paper presents the development of system performance measures for robotic mechanisms operating under model-based PD control. These performance measures are determined based on the so-called "system performance ellipsoids" which are defined using control parameters, the manipulator Jacobian, and the inertia matrix. Thus, they depend not only on the kinematics or dynamics of the manipulator, but also on the control algorithm. The performance measures are used as a tool for analysing and evaluating the correlation between trajectory tracking errors and workspace location. As an example, all results are derived for the two-link planar manipulator models.
Testing single phase IGBT H-bridge switch plates for the high voltage converter modulator at the Spallation Neutron Source

Three IGBT H-bridge switching networks are used in each High Voltage Converter Modulator (HVCM) system at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) to generate drive currents to three boost transformer primaries switching between positive and negative bus voltages at 20 kHz. Every switch plate assembly is tested before installing it into an operational HVCM. A Single Phase Test Stand has been built for this purpose, and it is used for adjustment, measurement and testing of different configurations of switch plates. This paper will present a description of the Test Stand configuration and discuss the results of testing switch plates with two different types of IGBT gate drivers currently in use on the HVCM systems. Comparison of timing characteristics of the original and new drivers and the resulting performance reinforces the necessity to replace the original H-bridge network drivers with the upgraded units.
Old Ethics for New Sciences—What Confronts Justice

The primary question confronting humanity in 1976 is: What is justice? What is most important to understand is that justice must contain and control all aspects of human society, including ethics and science. Ethics and science do not contain and control justice, because justice is ultimately the process by which human beings try to adjust, to accommodate, and to harmonize the relationships between and among themselves: relationships including politics, economics, race, sex, religion, and certainly morals, ethics, and science. Justice, in short, dominates any issue which confronts humanity or creates human conflicts.
WHY ETHNOGRAPHY MATTERS: On Anthropology and Its Publics

Based on the experience of researching and writing a book on urban policing in France and its reception by the media and various audiences, this essay discusses the challenges facing a public ethnography—distinguished from public sociology or anthropology. First, I differentiate two tasks (popularizing and politicizing) and multiple publics (imagined or encountered). Second, I plead for the exploration of understudied objects and terrains (black holes) and the attention to the ordinary as a way to transform the perspective on the world (critical potentialities). Third, I evoke the risks related to the appropriation of the work by the media (popular translation) and the loyalties toward the diverse and sometimes opposed subjects of the research (public debt). My conclusion underlines why rendering public the works of critical ethnography matters for contemporary societies.
Universally Composable Secure Mobile Agent Computation

We study the security challenges faced by the mobile agent paradigm, where code travels and performs computations on remote hosts in an autonomous manner. We define universally composable security for mobile agent computation that is geared toward a complex networking environment where arbitrary protocol instances may be executing concurrently. Our definition provides security for all the participants in the mobile agent system: the originator as well as the hosts. Finally, under the assumption of a universally composable threshold cryptosystem, we present universally composable, multi-agent protocols with provable security against either static, semi-honest or static, malicious adversaries, according to our definition, where in the latter case we need to provide access to a common reference string.
A novel calcium-dependent mechanism of acquired resistance to IGF-1 receptor inhibition in prostate cancer cells.

// Cale D Fahrenholtz 1 , Ann M Greene 1 , Pedro J Beltran 2 , Kerry L Burnstein 1 1 Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. 2 Oncology Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA. Correspondence to: Dr. Kerry L Burnstein, e-mail: kburnstein@med.miami.edu Key words: insulin-like growth factor receptor 1, ganitumab, AMG 479, phospho-proteomics, VCaP, castration resistance Received: February 27, 2014 Accepted: August 11, 2014 Published: August 19, 2014 ABSTRACT Inhibition of the mitogenic insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 (IGF-1R) signaling axis is a compelling treatment strategy for prostate cancer. Combining the IGF-1R inhibitor ganitumab (formerly AMG 479) with standard of care androgen-deprivation therapy greatly delays prostate cancer recurrence in xenograft models; however, a significant proportion of these tumors ultimately acquire resistance to ganitumab. Here we describe the development of a stable and reproducible ganitumab-resistant VCaP human prostate cancer cell derivative termed VCaP/GanR to investigate the mechanism of acquired resistance to IGF-1R inhibition. Unlike parental VCaP, VCaP/GanR did not undergo apoptosis following ganitumab treatment. VCaP/GanR did not express increased levels of IGF-1R, insulin receptor, or phospho-AKT compared to parental VCaP. VCaP/GanR exhibited increased levels of phospho-S6 indicative of increased mTOR activity. However, acquired resistance to ganitumab was not dependent on increased mTOR activity in VCaP/GanR. Phospho-proteomic arrays revealed alterations in several calcium-regulated signaling components in VCaP/GanR compared to VCaP. Reduction of intracellular calcium using cell-permeable calcium-specific chelators restored ganitumab sensitivity to VCaP/GanR through inhibition of cell-cycle progression. These data suggest a new mechanism of resistance to IGF-1R inhibition involving calcium-mediated proliferation effects. Such pathways should be considered in future clinical studies of IGF-1R inhibitors in prostate cancer.
Study of the phase separation and glass transition temperatures of poly(propylene oxide)-thiocyanate salt complexes

Abstract Differential scanning calorimetry, DSC, has been used to study poly(propylene oxide), PPO, complexed with varying amounts of KSCN and NaSCN. A 3000 molecular weight PPO was investigated in its uncross-linked form and as a cross-linked elastomer. Phase separation into PPO and crystalline thiocyanate salt was observed at elevated temperatures. Changes in the glass transition temperatures of the polymers with respect to ion concentration were also investigated and analyzed using the Gordon-Taylor-Wood equation which is commonly used for copolymer systems. This work indicated that at least 10 ether oxygens per potassium ion or ion pair are necessary for stable complex formation.
Double points and the proper transform in symplectic geometry

Abstract In his book, Partial Differential Relations, Gromov introduced the symplectic analogue of the complex analytic operations of blowing up and blowing down. Gromov proposed, in Sect. 3.4.4(D) of Partial Differential Relations, a program for resolving the singularities of symplectic immersions with symplectic crossings via blowing up, in exact analogue with the well known complex analytic technique. The purpose of this note is to show that this program cannot work. We show that there are symplectically immersed surfaces in symplectic 4-manifolds which do not have a symplectically embedded proper transform in any blow up of the four manifold.
Income Level and the Value of Non-Wage Employee Benefits

With continuing increases in the cost of medical insurance and other “fringe” benefits, payroll cost for monetary and non-monetary aspects of compensation is a significant factor for most organizations. While this is not a new phenomenon, relatively few studies in the empirical literature have examined the role of fringe benefits in employee compensation plans. Especially in under researched areas, it is imperative that researchers utilize ideas and theories from other disciplines to further our knowledge. Accordingly, this paper borrows the concept of elasticity from the economic literature to help explain and understand employee perceptions of two of the most common, costly, and important benefits—medical insurance and retirement plans. Specifically, the relationship between the current income of employees is analyzed in relation to employee perceptions of the value and importance of benefits. Results suggest that employees do not value medical insurance and retirement plans in the same manner. This result is interpreted in terms of the change in the marginal utility of the specific benefit.
The Cultural Images of Public Schooling and the Emergence of Plurality in Research

In this experimental article, the author initiates a methodological move toward the aesthetic in educational research. In doing so, he uncovers the hidden dynamics of power in the politics of knowledge. By treating the current commonsense images of public schooling as part of an emerging pluralism, he argues for a conception of aesthetics that is anchored in everyday cultural practices. Viewing public schooling as both a site of theoretical/methodological inquiry and intervention, the article begins to move away from an epistemological perspective that is rooted in “problem solving” to one that Willis captures as the “relations of creativity.”
Hoxb1 Controls Anteroposterior Identity of Vestibular Projection Neurons

The vestibular nuclear complex (VNC) consists of a collection of sensory relay nuclei that integrates and relays information essential for coordination of eye movements, balance, and posture. Spanning the majority of the hindbrain alar plate, the rhombomere (r) origin and projection pattern of the VNC have been characterized in descriptive works using neuroanatomical tracing. However, neither the molecular identity nor developmental regulation of individual nucleus of the VNC has been determined. To begin to address this issue, we found that Hoxb1 is required for the anterior-posterior (AP) identity of precursors that contribute to the lateral vestibular nucleus (LVN). Using a gene-targeted Hoxb1-GFP reporter in the mouse, we show that the LVN precursors originate exclusively from r4 and project to the spinal cord in the stereotypic pattern of the lateral vestibulospinal tract that provides input into spinal motoneurons driving extensor muscles of the limb. The r4-derived LVN precursors express the transcription factors Phox2a and Lbx1, and the glutamatergic marker Vglut2, which together defines them as dB2 neurons. Loss of Hoxb1 function does not alter the glutamatergic phenotype of dB2 neurons, but alters their stereotyped spinal cord projection. Moreover, at the expense of Phox2a, the glutamatergic determinants Lmx1b and Tlx3 were ectopically expressed by dB2 neurons. Our study suggests that the Hox genes determine the AP identity and diversity of vestibular precursors, including their output target, by coordinating the expression of neurotransmitter determinant and target selection properties along the AP axis.
The energy program in the built environment is interwoven with today's political, social, and economic problems

Abstract In October 1981, the third International Conference on Energy Use Management (ICEUM—III) was held in Berlin, Germany. Providentially, Germany's first building and energy conference (BAUTEC), slated to be held at the same time, was combined with ICEUM—III offering an excellent opportunity for international comparisons, particularly European/North American comparisons in: federal, state and local policies as they affect energy use in the built environment; integrated technical developments (such as cogeneration, district heating, infra-structure development); urban, suburban, and rural design/growth decision-making and energy implications; building design, construction, retrofit, and evaluation for significant gains in energy efficiency, while protecting occupant's well being; material and component development for major energy savings (such as glazing materials and assemblies, insulation, heat exchangers); and building energy management. Forty-one papers are contained in the ICEUM proceedings, and approximately 30 more are anticipated in the BAUTEC proceedings. The arguments and results presented in these papers on the topical areas above are summarized here.