cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Issues In Conducting Empirical Research In The Peoples Republic Of China: A Case Study Of Primary Research On Purchasing Practices In Chinese Small Businesses

This paper addresses the issues involved in conducting empirical research in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). Major hurdles that researchers have to overcome when conducting empirical research in the PRC, include language, cultural issues, cost of the research, obtaining local contacts, and government restrictions. The challenges faced in an actual research effort in China will be compared and contrasted to research issues discussed in the academic literature. Finally, recommendations for conducting empirical research in the PRC are presented.
Chromatin targeting of nuclear pore proteins induces chromatin decondensation

Nuclear pore complexes have emerged in recent years as chromatin-binding nuclear scaffolds, able to influence target gene expression. However, how nucleoporins (Nups) exert this control remains poorly understood. Here we show that ectopically tethering Drosophila Nups, especially Sec13, to chromatin is sufficient to induce chromatin decondensation. This decondensation is mediated through chromatin-remodeling complex PBAP, as PBAP is both robustly recruited by Sec13 and required for Sec13-induced decondensation. This phenomenon is not correlated with localization of the target locus to the nuclear periphery, but is correlated with robust recruitment of Nup Elys. Furthermore, we identified a biochemical interaction between endogenous Sec13 and Elys with PBAP, and a role for endogenous Elys in global as well as gene-specific chromatin decompaction. Together, these findings reveal a functional role and mechanism for specific nuclear pore components in promoting an open chromatin state.
Design of A Medium Voltage Solid-State Transformer based on Modular AC-AC Resonant Converter and an Input-Series-Output-Parallel Architecture

As an eventual replacement of the century-old line frequency transformer (LFT), the Solid-State Transformer (SST) has been investigated intensively in the past decade due to its ability to offer many smart functionalities such as voltage regulation and power flow control in the distribution power grid. For the medium voltage and high voltage SSTs, the availability and cost of high voltage power devices are the major limitations. One possible solution is to use modular SST architecture in an Input-Series-Output-Parallel (ISOP) configuration to reach high input voltage and high-power capacity. However, modular SST introduces additional challenges in control due to the need for many voltage and current sensors, multiple control loops to achieve cell to cell level voltage and power balancing. To address these problems, this paper introduces a novel modular SST solution utilizing single stage AC-AC resonant converter as the modular cell with distributed open loop control. The proposed modular SST is therefore capable of reaching medium and high voltages easily with simple and robust control. The proposed architecture eliminates the DC-DC stage hence the associated bulky DC link capacitors. Higher power density can therefore be achieved. 10 kW modular LLC converter prototype is developed based on 1.2kV SiC MOSFETs. Peak AC-AC efficiency up to 97.3% is achieved and demonstrated. Voltage and power balancing among modular cells are analyzed against cell to cell variations, including resonant frequency, switching frequency and losses. Simulation results show that the proposed modular SST has no performance degradation even considering those variations in a practical system. An ISOP architecture using two LLC converters is also demonstrated with preliminary experimental results, showing that with LLC converters working close to resonant frequency, the input voltage balancing can be achieved.
Trans-endocytosis of intact IL-15Rα–IL-15 complex from presenting cells into NK cells favors signaling for proliferation

Interleukin 15 (IL-15) is an essential cytokine for the survival and proliferation of natural killer (NK) cells. IL-15 activates signaling by the β and common γ (γc) chain heterodimer of the IL-2 receptor through trans-presentation by cells expressing IL-15 bound to the α chain of the IL-15 receptor (IL-15Rα). We show here that membrane-associated IL-15Rα-IL-15 complexes are transferred from presenting cells to NK cells through trans-endocytosis and contribute to the phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 and NK cell proliferation. NK cell interaction with soluble or surface-bound IL-15Rα-IL-15 complex resulted in Stat5 phosphorylation and NK cell survival at a concentration or density of the complex much lower than required to stimulate S6 phosphorylation. Despite this efficient response, Stat5 phosphorylation was reduced after inhibition of metalloprotease-induced IL-15Rα-IL-15 shedding from trans-presenting cells, whereas S6 phosphorylation was unaffected. Conversely, inhibition of trans-endocytosis by silencing of the small GTPase TC21 or expression of a dominant-negative TC21 reduced S6 phosphorylation but not Stat5 phosphorylation. Thus, trans-endocytosis of membrane-associated IL-15Rα-IL-15 provides a mode of regulating NK cells that is not afforded to IL-2 and is distinct from activation by soluble IL-15. These results may explain the strict IL-15 dependence of NK cells and illustrate how the cellular compartment in which receptor-ligand interaction occurs can influence functional outcome.
Ibrutinib for Pure Red Cell Aplasia after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant with Major ABO Incompatibility

Introduction Since Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and ABO blood group system are inherited independently and with up to 50% of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantations (HCT) are performed with donor-recipient ABO incompatibility, recipients are at increased risk for acute and delayed hemolytic reaction and delayed RBC precursors engraftment; i.e. pure RBC aplasia (PRCA). PRCA is a sever consequence of major and bi-directional ABO mismatch after alloHCT, leading to frequent transfusions, iron overload and secondary complications. Risk factors for PRCA after Major ABO incompatibility include; stem cell source, conditioning intensity, and titer of iso-agglutinins. Treatment is mostly supportive with transfusions and growth factors as well as withdrawing immunosuppressive therapy (IS). Targeting recipient immune system with high-dose steroids, DLI, and rituximab have been reported with variable results. Here we report a case series of a novel method of targeting recipient iso-agglutinins-producing B cells by Ibrutinib. Methods We report 3 cases of PRCA refractory to conventional therapy who responded to ibrutinib, a BTK inhibitor targeting recipient B cells to allow engraftment of donor RBCs. Patient, transplant and disease characteristic including prior therapies, time to transfusion independence, and switch of blood group (BG) are summarized in Table 1. First patient's day 30 post-transplant bone marrow biopsy (BMBx) showed complete remission (CR) with full donor chimera, but BG remained O. He developed severe anemia requiring transfusions and Day 100 BMBx showed CR with markedly decreased number of erythroid progenitors. He did not respond to IS withdrawal, prednisone, rituximab or bortezomib. But BMBx 4 weeks after starting ibrutinib showed trilineage hematopoiesis. Second patient remained RBC transfusion dependent post-HCT with Day 100 biopsy showing PRCA and full donor chimera. BG remained O. He developed severe GVHD of skin and eyes after DLI and His PRCA was refractory to multiple lines of therapies but responded to ibrutinib. Third patient underwent HCT for refractory AML with MDS; Anti-A isoagglutinin level pre-HCT was high and patient underwent plasma exchange. Day 30 BMBx showed CR and full donor chimera. Day +73 BMBx showed CR with near absent erythropoiesis. PRCA was refractory to rituximab and responded to ibrutinib. Conclusion All three patients with PRCA refractory to multiple lines of therapy responded to ibrutinib with median time to transfusion independence of 4 weeks and median time to BG switch of 6 weeks. All patients tolerated therapy well. Our experience at City of Hope shows that ibrutinib could offer a safe and efficacious treatment option for cases of refractory PRCA. Prospective studies are needed to assess if early therapy with ibrutinib could reduce the morbidity resulting from frequent transfusions, and GVHD complications.
Preoperative lumbar epidural steroid injections administered within 6 weeks of microdiscectomy are associated with increased rates of reoperation

Lumbar epidural steroid injections (LESIs) are widely utilized for back pain. However, as studies report adverse effects from these injections, defining a safe interval for their use preoperatively is necessary. We investigated the effects of preoperative LESI timing on the rates of recurrent microdiscectomy. This study utilized the PearlDiver national insurance claims database. Microdiscectomy patients were stratified by the timing of their most recent LESI prior to surgery into bimonthly cohorts (0–2 months, 2–4 months, 4–6 months). This first cohort was further stratified into biweekly cohorts (0–2 weeks, 2–4 weeks, 4–6 weeks, 6–8 weeks). The 6-month reoperation rate was assessed and compared between each injection cohort and a control group of patients with no injections within 6 months before surgery. Univariate analyses of reoperation were conducted followed by multivariate analyses controlling for risk factors where appropriate. A total of 12,786 microdiscectomy patients were identified; 1090 (8.52%) received injections within 6 months before surgery. We observed a significant increase in the 6-month reoperation rates in patients who received injections within 6 weeks prior to surgery (odds ratio [OR] 1.900, 1.218–2.963; p = 0.005) compared to control. No other significant differences were observed. In this study, microdiscectomy performed within 6 weeks following LESIs was associated with a higher risk of reoperation, while microdiscectomy performed more than 6 weeks from the most recent LESI demonstrated no such association with increased risk. Further research into the interaction between LESIs and recurrent disk herniation is necessary.
Quantitative assessment of nutritive sucking patterns in preterm infants.

Abstract Objective To assess patterns of nutritive sucking in very preterm infants ≤32 weeks of gestation. Study design Very preterm infants who attained independent oral feeding were prospectively assessed with an instrumented feeding bottle that measures nutritive sucking. The primary outcome measure was nutritive sucking performance at independent oral feeding. Result We assessed nutritive sucking patterns in 33 very preterm infants. We recorded 63 feeding sessions. The median number of sucks was 784 (IQR: 550–1053), the median sucking rate was 36/min (IQR: 27–55), and the median number of sucking bursts during the first 5 min of oral feeding was 14 (IQR: 12–16). Maximum sucking strength correlated with the number of sucks (r = 0.62; p Conclusion The quantitative analysis of nutritive sucking patterns with a newly developed instrumented bottle in stable, very preterm infants is safe and feasible. More research is needed to develop and refine the instrument further.
THE YOUTUBE SEO PROJECT: TEACHING SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION THROUGH VIDEO

The YouTube SEO Project directs students to research a target market’s needs using consumer search demand, create an engaging mobile video that responds to this demand, and use search engine optimi...
Reseña de Gonzalo Lamana, «How “Indians” Think. Colonial Indigenous Intellectuals and the Question of Critical Race Theory», Tucson, The University of Arizona Press, 2019, 238 pp. ISBN 978-0-8165-3966-6

Resena de Gonzalo Lamana, How “Indians” Think. Colonial Indigenous Intellectuals and the Question of Critical Race Theory , Tucson, The University of Arizona Press, 2019, 238 pp. ISBN 978-0-8165-3966-6
Emerging drugs for the treatment of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.

Introduction: Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a clonal hematologic disorder with heterogenous prognosis, but with no curative therapies with exception of allogeneic transplant. Therapeuti...
A Systematic Review on Re-irradiation with Charged Particle Beam Therapy in the Management of Locally Recurrent Skull Base and Head and Neck Tumors.

Purpose To evaluate the clinical outcomes and treatment related toxicities of charged particle-based re-irradiation (reRT; protons and carbon ions) for the definitive management of recurrent or second primary skull base and head and neck tumors. Materials and Methods The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were applied for the conduct of this systematic review. Published work in English language evaluating the role of definitive charged particle therapies in the clinical setting of reRT for recurrent or second primary skull base and head and neck tumors were eligible for this analysis. Results A total of 26 original studies (15 protons, 10 carbon ions, and 1 helium/neon studies) involving a total of 1,118 patients (437 with protons, 670 with carbon ions, and 11 with helium/neon) treated with curative-intent charged particle reRT were included in this systematic review. All studies were retrospective in nature, and the majority of them (n=23, 88 %) were reported as single institution experiences (87% for protons, and 90% for carbon ion-based studies). The median proton therapy reRT dose was 64.5 Gy (RBE 1.1) (range, 50.0 - 75.6 Gy ), while the median carbon ion reRT dose was 53.8 Gy (RBE 2.5 - 3.0) (range, 44.8 - 60 Gy ). Induction and/or concurrent chemotherapy was administered to 232 (53%) of the patients that received a course of proton reRT, and 122 (18%) for carbon ion reRT patients. ReRT with protons achieved 2-year local control rates ranging from 50% to 86%, and 41% to 92% for carbon ion reRT. The 2-year overall survival rates for proton and carbon ion reRT ranged from 33% to 80%, and 50% to 86% respectively. Late ≥ G3 toxicities ranged from 0% to 37%, with brain necrosis, ototoxicity, visual deficits, and bleeding as the most common complications. Grade 5 toxicities for all treated patients occurred in 1.4% (n= 16/1118) with fatal bleeding as the leading cause. Conclusions Based on current data, curative intent skull base and head and neck reRT with charged particle radiotherapy is feasible and safe in well-selected cases, associated with comparable or potentially improved local control and toxicity rates compared to historical reRT studies using photon radiotherapy. Prospective multi-institutional studies reporting oncologic outcomes, toxicity, and dosimetric treatment planning data are warranted to further validate these findings and to improve the understanding of the clinical benefits of charged particle radiotherapy in the reRT setting.
The Unified Medical Language System at 30 Years and How It Is Used and Published: Systematic Review and Content Analysis

Background: The Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) has been a critical tool in biomedical and health informatics, and the year 2021 marks its 30th anniversary. The UMLS brings together many broadly used vocabularies and standards in the biomedical field to facilitate interoperability among different computer systems and applications. Objective: Despite its longevity, there is no comprehensive publication analysis of the use of the UMLS. Thus, this review and analysis is conducted to provide an overview of the UMLS and its use in English-language peer-reviewed publications, with the objective of providing a comprehensive understanding of how the UMLS has been used in English-language peer-reviewed publications over the last 30 years. Methods: PubMed, ACM Digital Library, and the Nursing & Allied Health Database were used to search for studies. The primary search strategy was as follows: UMLS was used as a Medical Subject Headings term or a keyword or appeared in the title or abstract. Only English-language publications were considered. The publications were screened first, then coded and categorized iteratively, following the grounded theory. The review process followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Results: A total of 943 publications were included in the final analysis. Moreover, 32 publications were categorized into 2 categories; hence the total number of publications before duplicates are removed is 975. After analysis and categorization of the publications, UMLS was found to be used in the following emerging themes or areas (the number of publications and their respective percentages are given in parentheses): natural language processing (230/975, 23.6%), information retrieval (125/975, 12.8%), terminology study (90/975, 9.2%), ontology and modeling (80/975, 8.2%), medical subdomains (76/975, 7.8%), other language studies (53/975, 5.4%), artificial intelligence tools and applications (46/975, 4.7%), patient care (35/975, 3.6%), data mining and knowledge discovery (25/975, 2.6%), medical education (20/975, 2.1%), degree-related theses (13/975, 1.3%), digital library (5/975, 0.5%), and the UMLS itself (150/975, 15.4%), as well as the UMLS for other purposes (27/975, 2.8%). Conclusions: The UMLS has been used successfully in patient care, medical education, digital libraries, and software development, as originally planned, as well as in degree-related theses, the building of artificial intelligence tools, data mining and knowledge discovery, foundational work in methodology, and middle layers that may lead to advanced products. Natural language processing, the UMLS itself, and information retrieval are the 3 most common themes that emerged among the included publications. The results, although largely related to academia, demonstrate that UMLS achieves its intended uses successfully, in addition to achieving uses broadly beyond its original intentions. Trial Registration:
Information May Want to Be Free, but Information Products Do Not: Protecting & Facilitating Transactions in Information Products (reprint)

Information products—products that are used to organize, provide context, and distribute information—have gone largely unprotected by intellectual property regimes. As a result, producers of information products, such as databases and software, have resorted to alternative mechanisms to protect their investments. These mechanisms have resulted in both over-protection and under-protection of the information products. Further, the uncertainty in the boundaries of coverage, coupled with the resort to self-help mechanisms, may well inhibit, rather than facilitate, information flow. What is needed is a sui generis protection scheme for information products that clearly defines the boundaries and protection requirements for these works and that provides an appropriate level of protection, based in part on a liabilitytype regime, to both promote creation of information products and encourage transactions in these works. By protecting the investments of information product creators, while still allowing or even facilitating the free flow of information, it is possible to take a nuanced approach that capitalizes on the best of both intellectual property and alternative regimes. Information may want to be free, but information products do not. * Associate Professor, University of Richmond School of Law. I would like to specifically thank Justin Hughes, Tom Cotter, Jay Kesan, Jim Gibson, and Corinna Lain for their thoughtful and detailed comments on this paper. I am also grateful to the participants at the George Washington/Software & Information Industry Association conference “Feist, Facts, and Function: IP Protection for Works Beyond Entertainment;” the Intellectual Property Scholars Conference at DePaul University College of Law; the Intellectual Property & Communications Law and Policy Scholars Roundtable at Michigan State University College of Law; the Southeastern Association of Law Schools annual meeting; and Faculty Colloquia at the University of Emory School of Law and the University of Richmond School of Law for their comments at the earlier stages of this Article. Finally, I appreciate the excellent research assistance provided by Jennifer Jones. Comments are welcome at kosenga@richmond.edu. 2100 CARDOZO LAW REVIEW [Vol. 30:5
Dimensionality Reduction and Linear Discriminant Analysis for Hyperspectral Image Classification

In this paper, we investigate the application of Fisher's linear discriminant analysis (FLDA) to hyperspectral remote sensing image classification. The basic idea of FLDA is to design an optimal transform so that the classes can be well separated in the low-dimensional space. The practical difficulty of applying FLDA to hyperspectral images includes the unavailability of enough training samples and unknown information for all the classes present. So the original FLDA is modified to avoid the requirements of complete class knowledge, such as the number of actual classes present. We also investigate the performance of the class of principal component analysis (PCA) techniques prior to FLDA and find that the interference and noise adjusted PCA (INAPCA) can provide the improvement in the final classification.
A model curriculum in modeling and simulation: do we need it? Can we do it?

An international debate on the need for a model curriculum for graduate programs in modeling and simulation (M&S) continues to grow. As the use of M&S continues to expand to new application areas, and its importance as a key enabling technology in the 21/sup st/ century continues to be recognized, many questions are being asked by both universities and corporations concerning the proper basis and content for advanced studies in M&S. Corporations and government bodies are experiencing rising demands for new recruits with broad exposure to the concepts and methodologies of M&S and who are capable of contributing to the increasingly important M&S activities within the organization. Many recruiters are, however, frustrated in their efforts to define productive sources in US universities that meet these needs.
Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Associations Between Objectively Measured Sedentary Time and Metabolic Disease: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

OBJECTIVE Prolonged sedentary time (ST) might be contributing to the diabetes epidemic, but most studies have been cross-sectional and few have objectively measured ST. The purpose of this study was to evaluate cross-sectional and 5-year longitudinal relationships between ST and metabolic parameters and outcomes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This was an analysis of 2,027 Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study participants (aged 38–50 years, 57% female, and mean BMI of 29.0 ± 7.0 kg/m 2 ) with accelerometry data (≥4 days with ≥10 h/day) measured at the year 20 follow-up exam (2005–2006). Metabolic variables (fasting glucose, fasting insulin, 2-h postchallenge glucose, HOMA of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR], and HbA 1c ) and outcomes (impaired fasting glucose [IFG], impaired glucose tolerance [IGT], prediabetes by HbA 1c , and diabetes) were assessed concurrently and 5 years later. RESULTS Average ST was 8.1 ± 1.7 h/day or 55 ± 10% of wear time. Each additional hour per day of ST was cross-sectionally associated with a 3% higher fasting insulin and HOMA-IR (both P 1c , or 5-year incidence of any metabolic outcomes (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS ST was independently related to insulin, HOMA-IR, and prevalent diabetes and IGT but did not predict 5-year changes in metabolic parameters or incidence of metabolic outcomes. These results suggest that higher ST may not be a risk factor for future metabolic outcomes, but more research with repeated ST measurement and longer follow-up is needed.
Second order expansion of t-statistic in autoregressive models

The purpose of this paper is to receive a second order expansion of the t-statistic in AR(1) model in local to unity asymptotic approach. I show that Hansen's (1998) method for confidence set construction achieves a second order improvement in local to unity asymptotic approach compared with Stock's (1991) and Andrews' (1993) methods.
The Implications of Polyploidy for the Evolution of Signalling in Rhizobial Nodulation Symbiosis

Abstract Nodulation is a symbiotic interaction between soil bacteria and plant hosts, most notably between rhizobia and legumes. This interaction is important for plant hosts, since it enables them to access atmospheric nitrogen made available by the bacteria. The establishment of this symbiosis requires several levels of communication and signalling between the plant host and the bacterial symbiont. The evolution of nodulation, and of the signalling mechanisms involved, appears to have involved recruitment of genes from pre-existing processes. Polyploidy, or whole genome duplication, has the capacity to provide duplicate genes that can be recruited for novel functions, and genomic analyses have recently given rise to speculation that polyploidy has played an important role in the evolution of nodulation. Assessing the implications of polyploidy for nodulation enables predictions about possible outcomes and, while several challenges exist for studying the effects of polyploidy on nodulation signalling, testing of these predictions in a variety of study systems will yield insights into the evolutionary consequences of polyploidy for nodulation symbioses.
Dinosaur Physiology: Were Dinosaurs Warm‐blooded?

To evaluate the possible physiology of dinosaurs, comparisons must be made with their closest living relatives: birds and crocodilians. Although crocodilians maintain ectothermic metabolic rates and have anatomy reflective of this, modern birds achieve high, endothermic metabolic rates through specialised soft tissues supported by unique skeletal attributes. Finding similar shared characters in dinosaurs that are functionally linked to metabolic rates in birds or crocodilians allows plausible reconstruction of dinosaur physiology. Examinations of dinosaur remains reveal no structures with clear functional association with bird-like respiratory or metabolic physiology, and in some cases indicate crocodilian-like anatomy. Consequently, dinosaurs were most likely ectothermic, with resting and maximal metabolic rates that were lower than those of modern mammals or birds. However, given the favourable Mesozoic climatic conditions, most dinosaurs were probably able to maintain high, constant body temperatures through behavioural or inertial thermoregulation. Key Concepts: Reconstructing the biology of extinct forms relies on comparison with living taxa that share the same specialised features linked to specific function. Stable body temperature can be achieved through behavioural mechanisms or through virtue of large mass, and need not rely on a particular metabolic strategy. The closest living relatives of dinosaurs are birds and crocodilians, which have widely different metabolic rates supported by different respiratory and skeletal anatomy. Some dinosaur remains preserve evidence, such as postcranial pneumaticity, that may be superficially suggestive of modern bird-like respiratory anatomy, but they lack other features critical for the ability to ventilate bird-like lungs or achieve bird-like aerobic capacity. No dinosaur remains show evidence of respiratory turbinates, a skeletal character functionally associated with modern endothermy. Endothermy was not likely achieved in dinosaurs, but was first present in mid-Cretaceous birds. Some dinosaurs may have increased aerobic capacity using a crocodilian-like ventilatory mechanism. Keywords: archosaur; aerobic capacity; birds; dinosaurs; endothermy; ectothermy; respiratory system evolution; Mesozoic; thermoregulation
Using the Communication in Science Inquiry Project professional development model to facilitate learning middle school genetics concepts

This study describes the effect of embedding content in the Communication in Inquiry Science Project professional development model for science and language arts teachers. The model uses four components of successful professional development (content focus, active learning, extended duration, participation by teams of teachers from the same school or grade level) and instructional strategies for inquiry, academic language development, written and oral discourse, and learning principles as components of science activities. Teachers were given a pre/post‐institute genetics assessment. There was a statistically significant increase in scores for the entire sample and a statistically significant difference between science and language arts pre and post scores, with science teachers scoring higher in both cases.
Causal mechanisms of evolution and the capacity for niche construction

Ernst Mayr proposed a distinction between “proximate”, mechanistic, and “ultimate”, evolutionary, causes of biological phenomena. This dichotomy has influenced the thinking of many biologists, but it is increasingly perceived as impeding modern studies of evolutionary processes, including study of “niche construction” in which organisms alter their environments in ways supportive of their evolutionary success. Some still find value for this dichotomy in its separation of answers to “how?” versus “why?”questions about evolution. But “why is A?” questions about evolution necessarily take the form “how does A occur?”, so this separation is illusory. Moreover, the dichotomy distorts our view of evolutionary causality, in that, contra Mayr, the action of natural selection, driven by genotype-phenotype-environment interactions which constitute adaptations, is no less “proximate” than the biological mechanisms which are altered by naturally selected genetic variants. Mayr’s dichotomy thus needs replacement by more realistic, mechanistic views of evolution. From a mechanistic viewpoint, there is a continuum of adaptations from those evolving as responses to unchanging environmental pressures to those evolving as the capacity for niche construction, and intermediate stages of this can be identified. Some biologists postulate an association of “phenotypic plasticity” (phenotype-environment covariation with genotype held constant) with capacity for niche construction. Both “plasticity” and niche construction comprise wide ranges of adaptive mechanisms, often fully heritable and resulting from case-specific evolution. Association of “plasticity” with niche construction is most likely to arise in systems wherein capacity for complex learning and behavioral flexibility have already evolved.
Pushing the limits of nuclear stability

Reaching the limits of nuclear stability offers unique opportunities to understand basic nuclear properties. New shell structures close to the driplines can change the existence of neutron-rich nuclei. A new search for 16Be confirmed the previous limit for particle stable Be isotopes at A=14. Single proton knock-out reactions offer the potential for more sensitive searches of very weakly bound nuclei. In order to extend the knowledge of the neutron dripline beyond Z=8 requires new accelerator developments. The proposed new rare isotope accelerator has the potential to push the limit of the neutron dripline to at least Z=25.
The cholinergic system of the primitive streak chick embryo

The presence of neurotransmitters at stages of embryonic development prior to neurulation has been demonstrated in several systems. Although the functions of these molecules at early stages of embryogenesis have not been ascertained, it is possible that they are involved in aspects of cell migration, regulation of the synthesis of macromolecules, intercellular communication, and in the transmission of positional information during gastrulation. As an initial approach to the resolution of questions concerning the function of transmitters during early development, we have begun a study of the cholinergic system in the primitive streak chick embryo (Hamburger-Hamilton stages 3 + to 5). We have found that the chick embryo: (1) can use exogenously applied choline for the synthesis of acetylcholine; (2) possesses a true acetylcholinesterase, which is predominantly in the form of the 4-6s monomer; and (3) can take up exogenous choline through a sodium-dependent, high-affinity choline transport system. To date we do not have any evidence for the presence of nicotinic or muscarinic receptors at the primitive streak stage.
The Rotating Tautochrone

In a recent paper by Flores and Osier, the authors investigated tautochrone curves in the xy-plane under an arbitrary potential V(y). In this paper we imagine that the xy-plane of the tautochrone curve is rotating about the y-axis with constant angular momentum. We find the differential equation of the tautochrone curves. While this differential equation is difficult to solve analytically, several exact solutions (in terms of elementary functions) are obtained in an indirect manner. Intuitive motivation for tautochrone motion is given.
CRYOGLOBULINS AND COLD INSOLUBLE IMMUNE COMPLEXES

Prior studies in our laboratory have established that a sub-population of circulating immune complexes is cold insoluble and can be isolated from serum as a cryoprecipitate. Thin study was done to develop criteria which would differentiate non-specific trapping of proteins in a cryoprecipitate (NSC) from cold insoluble immune complexes (CIC). Acute serum sickness was produced in 12 rabbits using 125 I bovine serum albumin (BSA). Serial measurements of antigen concentration, cold insoluble protein, cold insoluble antigen and serum protein were performed. NSC occurred before immune catabolism of antigen. Total cryoprotein was 31μgm/ml serum. Cold insoluble antigen was 0.13μgm.ml serum or 0.4% of the cryoprotein. Only 0.028% of the antigen in serum was cold insoluble. Adding extra antigen to the serum in vitro before cold incubation increased the amount of cold insoluble antigen, suggesting non-specific trapping. CIC occurred during immune catabolism of antigen in 77% of animals. Total cryoprotein was 143μgm/ml serum. Cold insoluble BSA was 12.2μgm/ml serum or 9.8% of the cryoprotein. This was 139 times greater than the BSA concentration in serum (per milligram of protein). 43% of the antigen in the serum was cold insoluble. Addition of extra antigen in vitro before cold incubation decreased the amount of cold insoluble antigen by 50%. CIC occur at a critical antigen-antibody ratio in serum and can be differentiated from NSC.
Predicting and Preventing Shootings among At-Risk Youth

Each year, more than 250 students in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) are shot. The authors of this paper worked with the leadership of CPS to build a predictive model of shootings that helped determine which students would be included in a highly targeted and resource intensive mentorship program. This paper describes our predictive model and offers a preliminary evaluation of the mentoring intervention performed by Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP). We find little evidence that the intervention reduces school misconducts or improves educational outcomes. The scale of intervention was too small to generate meaningful findings on shootings.
Controllability and stabilization of one-dimensional systems near bifurcation points

Abstract Bifurcation theory deals with the change of qualitative behavior in a parameter dependent family of differential equations. For one-dimensional equations the possible bifurcation scenarios are well understood. If the family of differential equations can be controlled by admissible controls with compact range, the question arises, whether the systems are controllable near a bifurcation point and whether stabilization around unstable bifurcation branches via bounded feedback is possible. In this paper we show that controllability for parametrized families of one-dimensional control systems can be characterized in terms of two parameters, the original bifurcation parameter and the size of the control range. These results are used to construct (nonsmooth) stabilizing feedbacks and to describe the set of initial values, from which stabilization is possible. Furthermore, robustness properties of the stabilizing feedback are discussed.
Sire Breed Effect on Beef Longissimus Mineral Concentrations and Their Relationships with Carcass and Palatability Traits

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate sire breed effect on mineral concentration in beef longissimus thoracis (LT) and investigate the correlations between beef mineral concentrations and carcass and palatability traits. Steer progeny ( N = 246) from the Germplasm Evaluation project—Cycle VIII were used in this study. In addition to carcass traits, LT was evaluated for mineral concentrations, Warner–Bratzler shear force, and palatability traits. A mixed linear model estimated breed effects on mineral concentrations. No significant sire breed ( P ≥ 0.43) or dam breed ( P ≥ 0.20) effects were identified for mineral concentrations. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated among mineral concentrations, carcass, and sensory traits. Zinc concentration was positively correlated ( P ≤ 0.05) with total iron ( r = 0.14), heme iron ( r = 0.13), and magnesium ( r = 0.19). Significant ( P
Robobuilder: a computational thinking game (abstract only)

RoboBuilder is a blocks-based, program-to-play game designed to introduce students to core aspects of computational thinking in a fun and engaging environment. The game employs a constructionist design to challenge players to invent and implement strategies to control an on-screen robot using a specially designed visual programming language. During the game, players' robots compete against a series of progressively more challenging opponents in one-on-one battles. Through playing the game, players construct working programs, providing learners with the experience of reifying their own ideas using a computational medium, a practice central to our notion of computational thinking. This poster presents the design rationale for RoboBuilder and discusses key aspects of the game that contribute to giving learners a positive, hands-on introduction to core computational thinking skills including computationally expressing ideas, algorithmic thinking, and debugging.
Climatic limitations to growth in loblolly and shortleaf pine (Pinus taeda and P. echinata): A dendroclimatological approach

Abstract Dendroclimatological techniques were used to assess the limitations of climate to the tree-ring growth of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and shortleaf pine (P. echinata Mill.) at two sites in central North Carolina. The climatic influence on tree-ring growth was determined from regression analysis of mean monthly climate and standardized tree-ring widths. Climate accounted for 20–40% of the variation in the standardized tree-ring widths of the two species. The results suggested that climate of the early and late growing seasons provided the most consistent influences to cambial growth in this region. Radial growth was most strongly related to 3 parameters of annual climate: (1) days-with-rain in September through November of previous growth-year (negative influence on growth); (2) cumulative mean monthly air temperature in March through May (positive); and (3) estimated September soil water content (positive). A preliminary examination of potential mean climatic limitations to growth successfully predicted two growth-sensitive climatic variables (2 and 3 above). However, not all ‘normal’ annual climatic limitations were sensitive predictors of growth. This indicated that (a) climatic variations which influence year-to-year variations in growth are not always the most severe seasonal stresses, and (b) indirect and time-delayed effects (1 above) are important considerations in predicting the effects of climate on growth.
High-resolution solid-state NMR of quadrupolar nuclei

Quadrupolar nuclei are the most abundant nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-receptive nuclei in the Earth's crust, and in many amorphous materials of technological interest (such as zeolite catalysts, ceramics and alloys), and have thus been intensively studied1–7. Of particular interest is the ability to resolve and quantitate the various types of sites present in a given material. Here we present a very simple, yet we believe powerful, approach towards the resolution of chemically non-equivalent sites in solids, which combines a conventional high-field spin-echo NMR method with the resolution enhancement of the ‘quadrupole shift’ approach4,7. We demonstrate its application to the complete resol-ution of both the (1/2, 3/2) and (3/2, 5/2) transitions of the 27Al nuclei in a mixture of potassium and ammonium alums (KAl(SO4)2·12H2O and NH4Al(SO4)2·12H2O).
Using Small-Volume Resuscitation in Sweden: Observations From Initial Experiences

SUMMARY One of the most striking features of infusing hypertonic solutions is the rapid onset of plasma volume expansion. Following a renewed interest raised by Brazilian researchers in 1980, various hyperosmotic solutions - hypertonic saline alone or in combination with dextran or hetastarch - have been developed for prehospital resuscitation of severe hemorrhagic shock. They have also been used in burns, sepsis, nontraumatic hemorrhages, and vascular and cerebral injuries. While clinical trials have not provided definitive data as to their efficacy, the available studies show that they might be beneficial in improving survival in patients with hypotension associated with traumatic injury. Furthermore, there is much clinical evidence that hypertonic solutions alone or in combination with colloids are the fluid of choice for head-trauma patients. Numerous studies have already established their safety.
Testing inequality constraints in linear econometric models

Abstract This paper develops three asymptotically equivalent tests for examining the validity of imposing linear inequality restrictions on the parameters of linear econometric models. First we consider the model y = Xβ + e, where e is N(0, Σ), and the hypothesis test H: Rβ≥r versus K: β ϵ RK. Later we generalize this testing framework to the linear simultaneous equations model. We show that the joint asymptotic distribution of these test statistics and the test statistics from the hypothesis test H: Rβ = r versus K: Rβ ≥ r is a weighted sum of two sets of independent χ2-distributions. We also derive a useful duality relation between the multivariate inequality constraints test developed here and the multivariate one-sided hypothesis test. In small samples, these three test statistics satisfy inequalities similar to those derived by Berndt and Savin (1977) for the case of equality constraints. The paper also contains an illustrative application of this testing technique.
Inner and outer sphere complexation between europium(III) and glycine in aqueous methanol

Abstract The complexation between Eu(III) and glycine in water and aqueous methanol was studied by UV-visible spectroscopy. Substantial increases in the extent of complexation occur with increasing methanol mole fraction. Changes in the signs of the complexation enthalpy and entropy with increasing organic solvent character were interpreted in terms of increasing inner sphere complexation, coupled to the formation of outer sphere complexes, which were not present to a measurable extent in aqueous solutions. Only 1:1 complexes were found above 10% water composition, whereas a bis(glycinato) complex forms at lower water percentages.
MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF A GENETIC AND ANTIGENIC VARIANT IN THE SAPPORO GENOGROUP OF HUMAN CALICIVIRUSES. † 1031

MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF A GENETIC AND ANTIGENIC VARIANT IN THE SAPPORO GENOGROUP OF HUMAN CALICIVIRUSES. † 1031
Sigma bond activation by cooperative interaction with s2 atoms: B++nCH4, n= 1, 2

Ab initio investigations at the MP2 and CCSD(T) level with augmented double and triple zeta basis sets have identified various stationary points on the B+/nCH4, n = 1, 2 hypersurfaces. The electrostatic complexes show a strong variation in the sequential binding energy with De for the loss of one CH4 molecule calculated to be 16.5 and 6.8 kcal mol-1 for the n = 1 and n = 2 complexes, respectively. The covalent molecular ion, CH3BH+, is found to have the expected C3 nu geometry and to be strongly bound by 84.0 kcal mol-1 with respect to B+ + CH4. The interaction of CH4 with CH3BH+ is qualitatively very similar to the interaction of CH4 with HBH+, however, the binding is only about 50% as strong due to the electron donating characteristic of the methyl group. Of particular interest are the insertion transition states which adopt geometries allowing the B+ ion to interact with multiple sigma bonds. In the n = 1 case, the interaction with two CH bonds lowers the insertion activation energy by about 25 kcal mol-1 from that expected for a mechanism involving only one sigma bond. For n = 2, B+ interacts with two CH sigma bonds from one CH4 and one CH sigma bond from the other CH4 leading to an additional activation energy decrease of about 15.7 kcal mol-1 relative to B+ + nCH4.
Sporulation timing in Myxococcus xanthus is controlled by the espAB locus

The fruiting body development of Myxococcus xanthus consists of two separate but interacting pathways: one for aggregation of many cells to form raised mounds and the other for sporulation of individual cells into myxospores. Sporulation of individual cells normally occurs after mound formation, and is delayed at least 30 h after starvation under our laboratory conditions. This suggests that M. xanthus has a mechanism that monitors progress towards aggregation prior to triggering sporulation. A null mutation in a newly identified gene, espA (early sporulation), causes sporulation to occur much earlier compared with the wild type (16 h earlier). In contrast, a null mutation in an adjacent gene, espB, delays sporulation by about 16 h compared with the wild type. Interestingly, it appears that the espA mutant does not require raised mounds for sporulation. Many mutant cells sporulate outside the fruiting bodies. In addition, the mutant can sporulate, without aggregation into raised mounds, under some conditions in which cells normally do not form fruiting bodies. Based on these observations, it is hypothesized that EspA functions as an inhibitor of sporulation during early fruiting body development while cells are aggregating into raised mounds. The aggregation-independent sporulation of the espA mutant still requires starvation and high cell density. The espA and espB genes are expressed as an operon and their translations appear to be coupled. Expression occurs only under developmental conditions and does not occur during vegetative growth or during glycerol-induced sporulation. Sequence analysis of EspA indicates that it is a histidine protein kinase with a fork head-associated (FHA) domain at the N-terminus and a receiver domain at the C-terminus. This suggests that EspA is part of a two-component signal transduction system that regulates the timing of sporulation initiation.
A fluidized bed membrane bioelectrochemical reactor for energy-efficient wastewater treatment

A fluidized bed membrane bioelectrochemical reactor (MBER) was investigated using fluidized granular activated carbon (GAC) as a mean of membrane fouling control. During the 150-day operation, the MBER generated electricity with contaminant removal from either synthetic solution or actual wastewater, as a standalone or a coupled system. It was found that fluidized GAC could significantly reduce transmembrane pressure (TMP), although its function as a part of the anode electrode was minor. When the MBER was linked to a regular microbial fuel cell (MFC) for treating a wastewater from a cheese factory, the MFC acted as a major process for energy recovery and contaminant removal, and the coupled system removed more than 90% of chemical oxygen demand and >80% of suspended solids. The analysis showed that the ratio of energy recovery and consumption was slightly larger than one, indicating that the coupled system could be theoretically energy neutral.