cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
JUpiter magnetospheric boundary ExploreR (JUMPER)

We present the JUpiter MagnetosPheric boundary ExploreR, JUMPER, a Jupiter orbiting SmallSat mission concept to explore the planet's upstream solar wind environment and magnetospheric boundaries and measure the energetic neutral atom (ENA) emissions from its space environment. JUMPER's instrument payload consists of a plasma sensor, a magnetometer, and a neutral atom imager. Measurements from these instruments will complement simultaneous observations of Jupiter's magnetosphere, radio emissions, and/or aurora from a Jupiter orbiting spacecraft (e.g. Europa Clipper, Io Observer, JOLT) and/or Earth-based observatories, providing simultaneous, multi-point observations to study the dynamics of this system. JUMPER's science objectives drive several top-level requirements on mission design. The most important is an orbit that extends beyond Jupiter's bow shock and magnetopause on the planet's dayside. Mission design is also constrained by the necessity to ride share on a primary vehicle, preferably until after Jupiter orbit insertion. The JUMPER spacecraft design derives heritage from SmallSats developed for Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)-led missions such as those on the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) mission. The spacecraft design consists of a frame supporting four triple-deployed solar array panels, a propulsion system, and three science instruments positioned to accommodate their field-of-views (FOVs). Embedded within the frame is an radiation vault that will house a majority of the electronics for the spacecraft avionics and payload subsystems. The spacecraft consists of 5 systems: 1) Mechanical, Structural and Thermal (MST) 2) Flight Avionics System (FAS), 3) Electrical Power System (EPS), 4) Communication and Data System (CDS), and 5) Hydrazine Propulsion System (OPS). JUMPER was funded for full mission concept development through NASA's Planetary Science Deep Space SmallSat Studies (PSDS3) program. This paper describes some of the concept study results.
Graphene Oxide: Some New Insights into an Old Material

Abstract Graphite oxide sheets, now called graphene oxide (GO), can be made from chemical exfoliation of graphite by reactions that have been known for more than 150 years with the first instance carried out by B.C. Brodie in 1859. With oxygenated functional groups attached to its basal plane and edges, GO is insulating but can be readily dispersed in water. GO is commonly “reduced” by thermal annealing or chemical reducing agents to partially restore some of the favourable electrical, mechanical and thermal properties of the pristine graphitic sheets. Therefore, following the landmark discovery of graphene in 2004, there has been resurgent interest in this old material as a promising precursor for the large-scale chemical production of graphene. However, apart from making graphene, GO itself has many intriguing properties. For example, GO can be viewed as an unconventional soft material such as a two-dimensional (2D) polymer, anisotropic colloid, membrane, liquid crystal or amphiphile. In this chapter, some new insights into this old material will be discussed. (1) To start, GO has been reported as a flammable material in old literature decades ago, but as a flame retardant in recent studies. Therefore, is GO a flame retardant or fuel for combustion? This conflict is reconciled by examining the synthesis and purification of GO in conjunction with the thermal instability of GO, which also inspired a new facile photothermal technique for reducing and patterning GO, and an improved purification method that can speed up post-synthetic material processing. (2) A new imaging technique named fluorescence quenching microscopy (FQM) is introduced that allows high throughput, high contrast visualization of GO and graphene-based single atomic sheets on arbitrary substrates and even in solution. (3) Unlike commonly described as hydrophilic in literature, GO is actually amphiphilic and can act as surfactant to disperse oil and insoluble solid materials in water. This unveils intriguing pH and size dependent solution properties of GO, and inspires various interfacial assembly techniques for creating GO and graphene superstructures, including some all-carbon composites useful for photovoltaic devices. Effort towards solution processed all-carbon solar cells is introduced. (4) GO sheets can be squeezed into a crumpled paper-ball structure by the isotropic compression field generated by evaporating aerosol droplets. The crumpled GO or graphene balls have unprecedented morphology and properties for ultrafine particles, such as resistance to further compression and aggregation. (5) GO sheets can be viewed as negatively charged walls for constructing massive arrays of nanofluidic ion channels by simply stacking up to a lamellar membrane through filtration. This provides a simple material solution to solve the lithographical challenges for making nanofluidic systems and devices.
Nano-sized biosensors for medical applications

Abstract: Nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, metal nanoparticles, and hybrid carbon/metal nanoparticle structures display remarkable properties. In particular, the chemical, electrical, and electrochemical properties of these nanomaterials have significantly improved biosensor performance. Perhaps the greatest advances in nano-sized biosensors have been achieved in electrochemical biosensing. Nanomaterials incorporated into electrochemical biosensors have greatly enhanced their sensitivity, linear sensing range, and detection limit. Diverse ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’ fabrication techniques have been utilized to incorporate nanomaterials into biosensor construction. Herein, we present the latest advances in the field of nano-sized biosensors, explore their remarkable properties, present their distinct fabrication protocols, and discuss their performance.
ESDIAD Studies of the Structure of Species Chemisorbed on Ni(110). The Surface Bonding of NH3, NH2, and CO

In this paper it will be shown that ESDIAD (Electron Stimulated Desorption Ion Angular Distribution) can give detailed information about both the structural and the dynamic behavior of surface species. There are at present few physical measurement techniques in surface science which give such detailed information about surface bonding in polyatomic adsorbates.
The Need for Multicultural Education in South Korea

South Korea is commonly understood by the world to be a racially and ethnically homogenous society—even Koreans consider themselves as belonging to the same ethnic group and sharing the same language and heritage (Cumings, 2005). Schooling in South Korea has helped circulate this belief, adding to the sense of patriotism and national pride. However, because of rapid economic advancements and urbanization since the 1980s, South Korea has witnessed high growth rates of immigration from the influx of migrant workers and foreign brides.
Survival of Listeria monocytogenes on the surface of basil, cilantro, dill, and parsley plants

Abstract Fresh herbs are popular commodities that generally undergo minimal processing. Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7 survival has been observed on herbs; however, little data exists on the survival of Listeria monocytogenes on herbs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival of L. monocytogenes on the surface of basil, cilantro, dill, and parsley plants grown in a greenhouse. Greenhouse production continues to increase worldwide due to a year-round growing season and controllable conditions. Herb plants were grown in a greenhouse with average temperature of 21 ± 5 °C and relative humidity of 62 ± 10%. Each herb plant was inoculated with a five-strain nalidixic acid-resistant cocktail of L. monocytogenes. Samples were enumerated using standard methods at time-points: 0, 0.21, 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 d. Population levels in log CFU/g of each herb plant were calculated. The initial inoculum was approximately 4–5 log CFU/g for each herb plant. Overall, L. monocytogenes populations did not grow on the studied herb plants; however, L. monocytogenes was able to survive on the surface of the studied herb plants for up to 28 d, except parsley plants, which fell below the limit of detection 7 d post-inoculation. L. monocytogenes populations demonstrated a similar biphasic survival curve on each of the four different herb plants. L. monocytogenes population decline was most evident within the day post-inoculation for all herb plants. Between 0 and 1 d, L. monocytogenes populations significantly decreased by 3.3, 2.4, 2.6, and 3.2 log CFU/g for basil, cilantro, dill, and parsley plants, respectively. Additionally, within that first 24 h, L. monocytogenes populations significantly decreased on the surface of all herb plants at 5 h post-inoculation (approximately 2.4, 1.6, 2.7, and 2.0 log CFU/g for basil, cilantro, dill, and parsley plants, respectively). No significant difference was observed in L. monocytogenes populations between each of the four herb plants after 7 d post-inoculation. Since L. monocytogenes exhibited survival on the herb plants studied, the adoption of pre-harvest best practices (e.g., sanitation, Good Agricultural Practices) is fundamental to limiting the introduction of contamination, especially in greenhouse environments.
Framing Blame in Sexual Assault: An Analysis of Attribution in News Stories About Sexual Assault on College Campuses:

This article examines media coverage of sexual assault cases on college campuses using content analysis methodology. Utilizing Attribution Theory and Media Framing, this article analyzes the methods and frequency in which the language in sexual assault news stories assigns or minimizes attribution. Key variables include references to alcohol consumption, clothing, Greek systems, and case management by school administrators. Key discoveries were made, including the journalists' use of language showing support or doubt of victims. This study has implications for scholars, journalists, educational administrators, and society in general as we consider the ongoing framing of sexual assault.
Neural Entrainment to Speech Envelope in response to Perceived Sound Quality

The extent, to which people listen to and perceive the speech content at different noise levels varies from individual to individual. In past research projects, the speech intelligibility was determined by rating assessment, which suffered from variation of subjects’ physical features. The purpose of this study is to investigate electroencephalography (EEG) by implementing multi-variate Temporal Response Function (mTRF) to examine neural responses to speech stimuli at different sound and noise levels. The result of this study shows that the front-central area of the brain clearly shows the envelope entrainment to speech stimuli.
Data-driven smart manufacturing: Tool wear monitoring with audio signals and machine learning

Abstract Tool wear in machining could result in poor surface finish, excessive vibration and energy consumption. Monitoring tool wear in real-time is crucial to improve manufacturing productivity and quality. While numerous sensor-based tool wear monitoring techniques have been demonstrated in laboratory environments, few tool wear monitoring systems have been deployed in factories because it is not realistic to install some of the important sensors such as dynamometers on manufacturing machines. To address this issue, a novel audio signal processing approach is introduced. This technique does not require expensive sensors but audio sensors only. A blind source separation method is used to separate source signals from noise. An extended principal component analysis is used for dimensionality reduction. Real-time multi-channel audio signals are collected during a set of milling tests under varying cutting conditions. The experimental data are used to develop and validate a predictive model. Experimental results have shown that the predictive model is capable of classifying tool wear conditions with high accuracy.
Studies of the V94M-substituted human UDPgalactose-4-epimerase enzyme associated with generalized epimerase-deficiency galactosaemia

Impairment of the human enzyme UDPgalactose 4-epimerase (hGALE) results in epimerase-deficiency galactosaemia, an inborn error of metabolism with variable biochemical presentation and clinical outcomes reported to range from benign to severe. Molecular studies of the hGALE loci from patients with epimerase deficiency reveal significant allelic heterogeneity, raising the possibility that variable genotypes may constitute at least one factor contributing to the biochemical and clinical heterogeneity observed. Previously we have identified a single substitution mutation, V94M, present in the homozygous state in all patients genotyped with the severe, generalized form of epimerase-deficiency galactosaemia. We report here further studies of the V94M-hGALE enzyme, overexpressed and purified from a null-background yeast expression system. Our results demonstrate that the mutant protein is impaired relative to the wild-type enzyme predominantly at the level of Vmax rather than of Km. Studies using UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine as a competitor of UDPgalactose further demonstrate that the Km values for these two substrates vary by less than a factor of 3 for both the wild-type and mutant proteins. Finally, we have explored the impact of the V94M substitution on susceptibility of yeast expressing human GALE to galactose toxicity, including changes in the levels of galactose 1-phosphate (gal-1-P) accumulated in these cells at different times following exposure to galactose. We have observed an inverse correlation between the level of GALE activity expressed in a given culture and the degree of galactose toxicity observed. We have further observed an inverse correlation between the level of GALE activity expressed in a culture and the concentration of gal-1-P accumulated in the cells. These data support the hypothesis that elevated levels of gal-1-P may underlie the observed toxicity. They further raise the intriguing possibility that yeast may provide a valuable model not only for assessing the impact of given patient mutations on hGALE function, but also for exploring the metabolic imbalance resulting from impaired activity of GALE in living cells.
Spin-1 Weyl point and surface arc state in a chiral phononic crystal

The $\mathrm{spin}\ensuremath{-}1$ Weyl point is formed by three bands touching at a single point in three-dimensional (3D) momentum space, with two of the bands showing conelike dispersion while the third band is flat. Such a triply degenerate point carries a higher topological charge $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2$ and can be described by a three-band Hamiltonian. We first propose a tight-binding model of a 3D Lieb lattice with chiral interlayer coupling to form the spin-1 Weyl point. Then we design a chiral phononic crystal that carries these $\mathrm{spin}\ensuremath{-}1$ Weyl points and special straight-type acoustic Fermi arcs. We also demonstrate computationally the robust propagation of topologically protected surface states that can travel around a corner or defect without reflection. Our results pave the way to the manipulation of acoustic waves in 3D structures, and they provide a platform for exploring energy transport properties in 3D $\mathrm{spin}\ensuremath{-}1$ Weyl systems.
Acquiring Higher Levels of Education as an Adult Learner: Implications for Active Ageing

‘Active ageing’ has emerged as an important response to the ageing of many societies, in part because it is thought to lead to positive outcomes such as increased employment, productivity, health and well-being into older ages. Education for adults in mid and later life can play a key role in fostering active ageing and positive outcomes. This chapter presents results of an analysis of the relationship between gaining a qualification as a mature learner (36 or over) and active ageing in later life, and examines the probability of being employed and continuing to learn in later life. The analysis is based on data made available by the 2012 Survey of Adult Skills (also known as the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies – PIAAC). Results show that adults who attain higher levels of qualifications in mid and later life are associated with an increased probability of being employed, and of participating in employer supported adult education, when they are older. The most substantial results are associated with higher education qualifications attained in mid to later life. In terms of implications for higher education systems and policy, open and flexible formal education structures at all levels may help facilitate employment of adults and continuing engagement in job-related types of informal and non-formal learning into older ages.
Widespread Hypertrophic Lichen Planus following Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 Blockade

Hypertrophic lichen planus (HLP) may not have the typical histological findings of lichen planus and often mimics squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Distinguishing between the two can pose a diagnostic challenge. Here, we present a case of eruptive HLP mimicking SCC in the context of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint inhibition. A 73-year-old woman recently treated with durvalumab, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, presented to our clinic with diffuse hyperkeratotic papules and plaques previously thought to be eruptive SCC. The lesions did not respond to topical fluorouracil and continued to appear despite discontinuation of immunotherapy. Further histological analysis revealed intraepidermal epithelial proliferation with lichenoid inflammation. Subsequent treatment with topical corticosteroids significantly improved the size and number of lesions. The diagnosis of HLP was made based on histological features and response to topical steroids in the context of recent immunotherapy. This case reveals HLP as a potential adverse effect of PD-L1 inhibition and highlights the need for additional diagnostic assessment in patients presenting with eruptive hyperkeratotic lesions, especially on the lower extremities.
Investigation of heat transfer across a nanoscale air gap between a flying head and a rotating disk

Understanding nanoscale heat transfer at the head–disk interface (HDI) is necessary for thermal management of hard disk drives (HDDs), especially for heat-assisted magnetic recording and microwave-assisted magnetic recording. To accurately model the head temperature profile in HDDs, it is imperative to employ a spacing-dependent heat transfer coefficient due to the combined effects of pressurized air conduction and wave-based phonon conduction. Moreover, while flying at near-contact, the fly height and heat transfer are affected by adhesion/contact forces in the HDI. In this study, we develop a numerical model to predict the temperature profile and the fly height for a flying slider over a rotating disk. We compare our simulations with touchdown experiments performed with a flying Thermal Fly-Height Control (TFC) slider with a near-surface Embedded Contact Sensor (ECS), which helps us to detect the temperature change. We incorporate the effects of disk temperature rise, adhesion/contact forces, air and phonon conduction heat transfer, and friction heating in our model. As the head approaches the disk with increasing TFC power, enhanced nanoscale heat transfer leads to a drop in the ECS temperature change vs TFC power curve. We find that the exclusion of the disk temperature rise causes the simulation to overestimate the ECS cooling drop. The incorporation of adhesion force results in a steeper ECS cooling drop. The addition of phonon conduction in the model causes a larger ECS cooling drop. The simulation with friction heating predicts a larger ECS temperature slope beyond contact. The simulation with these features agrees with the experiment.
Characterization of High-frequency Ultrasound Transducers Made of Alternating Current Poled $Pb (\text{Mg}_{1/3}\text{Nb}_{2/3})\mathrm{O}_{3}-x\text{PbTiO}_{3}$ Single Crystals

In order to evaluate the performances of alternating current poled (ACP) devices, high-frequency ultrasound transducers with central frequency at 10 MHz were designed and fabricated using ACP and direct current poled (DCP) PMN-0.29PT single crystals. The prototyped transducers were characterized by both KLM simulation and experimental methods. Compared with DCP transducers, ACP transducers showed higher sensitivity (26% higher), broader bandwidth (4% broader at −6 dB), but lower electrical impedance (6% lower) according to experimental tests. This work demonstrated the promising perspective of ACP single crystal applications.
Towards a history of courtly emotions in early medieval India, c. 300–700 CE

The birth of courtly emotions in early India was intimately linked to the proliferation of royal households across the subcontinent between the fourth and seventh centuries CE. Though earlier polit...
Credibility of Human-Animal Relational Theory

This study investigated if and how HART constructs manifested in animal-assisted therapy in counseling (AAT-C). Using a constructivist, grounded-theory approach the following HART constructs were e...
DermIA: Machine Learning to Improve Skin Cancer Screening.

This manuscript reviews DermIA, an online platform geared towards improving skin cancer surveillance. This mobile application allows users to capture images of suspicious lesions and have them evaluated using artificial intelligence technology on their mobile device. Users simply snap a picture of their skin lesion, which then allows the DermIA technology to analyze the image. The system operates using neural network technology, which enables the program to adapt and analyze a user’s lesion. Per the application, the analysis can reach an accuracy of 95% on their free version and an accuracy of up to 98.2% on their premium version. As artificial intelligence and machine learning become a more integral part of our society, this mobile application has the potential to revolutionize skin cancer surveillance. Application Specs Application name: DermIA Analyze Skin Cancer with your camera AI Application developer: GeniaLabs Application developer website: N/A Application price: There is a free version of the application on the Google Play Store for Android devices. The application is $5.99 for the premium version. Category: Health and Fitness Installs: 10,000 + Launch Date: May 2019 Tags: N/A Works offline: N/A FDA approval: N/A Quick Review (1 star, lowest; 5 stars, highest) Overall Rating (1–5): 5 Content (1–5): 4 Usability (1–5): 5
Multiplayer Kinect Serious Games: A Review

Single and multiplayer serious Kinect games have been used in many different areas, including education. Due to its relative newness as a technology, a dearth of literature exists concerning the requirements for the use of Kinect games in educational settings. A comprehensive review was conducted to include various perspectives in order to provide background information on the existing research base that upholds the educational uses of these games. The review was built on empirical and theoretical studies conducted in the area of multiplayer Kinect games. A total of 748 articles were screened and 71 coded. While an abundance of convergent evidence from closely related domains has been produced on the subject, providing a set of recommendations for its proper usage; few studies have focused specifically on the role, development and effects of multiplayer Kinect games in educational settings. The potential for Kinect games to enhance learning experiences within educational contexts is promising; however, care must be taken to account for physical safety, emotional safety, and activity structure. Specific recommendations for addressing these important aspects of the use of multiplayer Kinect games are described in detail in the body of this manuscript.
Component Process Latencies in Reaction Times of Children and Adults

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews a number of reaction time (RT) studies using child Ss and suggests that development of the reactive process might be better understood if more information were available on the underlying processes producing variations in RT. Three approaches are described, each directed toward identifying and determining the latencies of some of the various processes intervening between the stimulus and response in an RT situation: (1) variation of the task of S such that different numbers of hypothetical component processes are involved, then comparing mean RTs under the different task conditions; (2) direct measurement of portions of total RTs; and (3) inferring component latencies from statistical distributions of total RTs. A specific distribution function is proposed to describe RT distributions, derived from the assumption that observed RTs can be represented as sums of two random variables, one having an exponential distribution, the other a normal distribution. A method of estimating the parameters of this function is described and the degree of correspondence examined between fitted theoretical functions and 240 obtained distributions of RTs, taken from four different studies. While this correspondence is not completely satisfactory under all conditions, it seemed sufficiently close generally to warrant examination of the relations of the distribution parameters to several experimental variables.
From the Oppressed to the Terrorist: Muslim American Women Caught in the Crosshairs of Intersectionality

In the post-9/11 era, Muslim women donning a headscarf in America find themselves trapped at the intersection of bias against Islam, the racialized Muslim, and women. In contrast to their male counterparts, Muslim women face unique forms of discrimination not adequately addressed by Muslim civil rights advocacy organizations, women’s rights organizations, or civil liberties advocates. The paper argues that the Muslim woman is a casualty of the post-9/11 “war on terror” in ways different from Muslim men. Not only are her religious freedoms under attack in ways different from men because the headscarf is unique to women, but she is objectified in ideological and corporal domestic conflicts that profoundly affect her life. Perhaps worse than the gender rights debates of the 1990s when Muslim women were talked about rather than talked to, their experiences post-9/11 are completely neglected by Western feminists or used by Muslim male spokespersons to implement a civil rights agenda tailored to the Muslim male experience. Consequently, Muslim women are trapped in the crosshairs of national security conflicts that profoundly affect their lives but not yet adequately addressed by advocacy groups focused solely on defending Muslims, women’s rights, or civil liberties post-9/11. Section I of this paper prefaces the paper’s thesis by highlighting Islam’s transition from obscurity to notoriety in the American public’s psyche as a result of the September 11th attacks. Section II highlights how the recasting of Islam from a bona fide religion to a political ideology is a necessary precursor for accepting otherwise discriminatory acts as legitimate national security practices. The reclassification is most glaring in the nationwide campaigns opposing mosque constructions because of the public’s fixation on mosques as hotbeds of extremism. Likewise, as Islam becomes defined as an expression of politics instead of religion, demands for religious accommodation by Muslims are deemed stealth Islamic imperialism not protected by law. Against this backdrop, Section III demonstrates how the meaning of the Muslim headscarf has transformed from a symbol of female subjugation to a symbol of terror(ism). Through an analysis of employment discrimination, racial violence, political marginalization, and exclusion from the courthouse, this article demonstrates how the transition in meaning of the headscarf has resulted in palpable and widespread discrimination against Muslim women donning the headscarf. Yet, discourse on civil liberties in the national security context are woefully lacking due to the glaring absence of the Muslim woman’s voice. Section IV calls for a prescriptive rethinking of strategies aimed at redressing anti-Muslim bias and civil liberties infringements that take into account the gender component of post-9/11 discrimination. By developing a more accurate and in-depth analysis of their complicated circumstances post-9/11, this article aims to include “headscarved Muslim women” in the relevant debates among legal theorists.
Methods of Applied Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists

Based on course notes from over twenty years of teaching engineering and physical sciences at Michigan Technological University, Tomas Co's engineering mathematics textbook is rich with examples, applications, and exercises. Professor Co uses analytical approaches to solve smaller problems to provide mathematical insight and understanding, and numerical methods for large and complex problems. The book emphasizes applying matrices with strong attention to matrix structure and computational issues such as sparsity and efficiency. Chapters on vector calculus and integral theorems are used to build coordinate-free physical models with special emphasis on orthogonal coordinates. Chapters on ODEs and PDEs cover both analytical and numerical approaches. Topics on analytical solutions include similarity transform methods, direct formulas for series solutions, bifurcation analysis, Lagrange-Charpit formulas, shocks/rarefaction and others. Topics on numerical methods include stability analysis, DAEs, high-order finite-difference formulas, Delaunay meshes, and others. MATLAB implementations of the methods and concepts are fully integrated.
Urban mesopredator distribution: examining the relative effects of landscape and socioeconomic factors

Cities harbor biodiversity, which has complex outcomes, both for humans and other animals. The situation is particularly complicated with carnivorous species such as mesopredators, which elicit strong positive and negative responses from urban residents. As cities are dominated by anthropogenic forces, socioeconomic factors likely play a major ecological role that has gone mostly unexplored for mammalian species. We used a large database of motion-triggered camera imagery to investigate relationships between landscape and socioeconomic features and the distribution of three mammalian mesopredator species in Chicago, IL. Coyotes and raccoons were most likely to colonize less urban sites, and coyotes were least likely to go extinct within sites with a high average per capita income. Opossum showed somewhat different dynamics, with added availability of habitat and increased housing density decreasing odds of new colonization. In general the socioeconomic variables performed at least as well as the habitat factors tested, indicating that there is a significant role of both biotic and abiotic features in driving species distribution in this area. We suggest that new ecological frameworks incorporating both socioeconomic and ecological factors will be needed for the long-term management and conservation of wildlife in urban regions.
Free Riders and Collective Action Revisited

The free rider problem associated with public goods was recognized by David Hume, even before the time of Adam Smith’s writings. Each citizen who can enjoy the benefit of a public good has the incentive to try to lay the whole burden of provision on others, whenever the exclusion of non-payers is costly or impossible. Hume recommended in 1739 that government could provide the goods in question, such as bridges (Musgrave [1985] 729). Two and a half centuries later, economists typically recommend a similar solution (Arrow [1970], Atkinson and Stiglitz [1980], Auerbach and Feldstein [1985], Cornes and Sandler [1986], Nicholson [1989], and Samuelson [1954]).
Alteration of gene expression for glycolytic enzymes in aerobic and ischemic myocardium.

The purpose of this report was to describe mRNA abundance for the glycolytic enzymes glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), pyruvate kinase, and pyruvate dehydrogenase in ischemic and adjacent aerobic myocardium. Mechanical, metabolic, and mRNA data were acquired in a pig model of regulated coronary flow using extracorporeal perfusion. Trials of coronary hypoperfusion included sustained and intermittent exposures of acute ischemia with or without reperfusion. These were compared with a chronic 4-day model of partial coronary stenosis. In ischemic tissues, levels of mRNA, normalized by mRNA for β-actin, were increased over control values for GAPDH (range 2.7- to 4.6-fold), pyruvate kinase (2.9-fold), and pyruvate dehydrogenase (2.1-fold). It is of interest that increases in mRNA levels over control values were also observed in adjacent aerobic heart muscle from intervention hearts, including 3.6- to 4.5-fold elevations in message for GAPDH and a 2.1-fold increase in signal for pyruvate dehydrogenase. Augmentation in mRNA abundance occurred in as short a time as 40 min of ischemia and was maintained for as long as 4 days in partial coronary stenosis. Whether the former time was of an interval sufficient to affect protein production is problematic, but the latter time was ample to influence enzyme concentration, which may in turn have regulated glycolysis in this condition.
The advising system: An alternative model related to the evaluation of self-directed learning

The proposed advising model focuses on creative learning. To operationalize such a model, there must be not only structural but behavioral changes in the existing system. This requires that professional educators have special concern for the quality of relationships between faculty and students. In a program which focuses on creative learning, most students need assistance in developing the understanding and skill necessary for creative learning. An alternative advising model is proposed, therefore, which enhances the behavioral requirements. The alternative model views the “advising” function as a teaching-consulting function with a priority goal of helping the student learn the art of self-evaluation as a prerequisite to life-long learning.
Horseradish Peroxidase Adsorption on Silica Surfaces as an Oscillatory Dynamical Behavior

Oxidation of Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) to Compound I (CpI) induces release of the protein from adsorbing silica surfaces. Adsorption and desorption can be modulated by changes in concentration of hydrogen peroxide in solution in contact with the adsorber. Coupling of the HRP adsorption−desorption cycles to the chemistry of the peroxidase in bulk solution by oscillations in concentration of hydrogen peroxide is postulated as a plausible explanation for a qualitative change in the dynamics of the peroxidase oscillator at low concentrations of the enzyme. We hypothesize that the relative change in the HRP concentration in solution will be most pronounced at low concentrations of the enzyme and high reactor surface-to-volume ratio.
Difference spectral method for determination of native G-actin concentration.

Abstract A relatively fast quantitative determination of the native G-actin content of purified G-actin preparations is described, based on difference spectral measurements of EDTA-denatured actin vs native G-actin. The changes at 291, 281, and 255 nm are linear with native G-actin concentrations and give absorbancy changes of −0.05, −0.06, and 0.10, respectively, for a 1 mg G-actin/ml solution in a 1 cm light path.
Effects of vitamin C on androgen receptor mediated actions in human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line LAPC-4

Abstract Objectives To examine the effects of vitamin C (VC) on androgen receptor (AR)-mediated functions in a human prostate cancer cell line, Los Angeles prostate cancer (LAPC-4). VC is an essential dietary substance in the maintenance and preservation of vital functions in humans. However, the role of VC in prostate cancer remains to be elucidated. Methods Cell proliferation and the expression of two well-known androgen regulated proteins, prostate-specific antigen and human glandular kallikrein-2, were studied in the presence of VC. Results In the presence of androgen and VC, both cell growth and the expression of prostate-specific antigen and human glandular kallikrein-2 proteins were decreased. Moreover, AR-mediated transcription activity of the prostate-specific antigen gene was suppressed with VC, similar to the phenomenon observed when cells were treated with hydrogen peroxide. These effects were reversed with catalase. However, additional studies did not reveal changes in the expression level of AR protein or its androgen-binding activity with the addition of VC. Conclusions The results of our study suggest that the pro-oxidant property of VC might be one of the mechanisms by which it modulates AR-mediated function in LAPC-4 cells.
A Decentralized Network Coordinate System for Robust Internet Distance

Network distance, measured as round-trip latency between hosts, is important for the performance of many Internet applications. For example, nearest server selection and proximity routing in peer-to-peer networks rely on the ability to select nodes based on inter-host latencies. This paper presents PCoord, a decentralized network coordinate system for Internet distance prediction. In PCoord, the network is modeled as a D-dimensional geometric space; each host computes its coordinates in this geometric space to characterize its network location based on a small number of peer-to-peer network measurements. The goal is to embed hosts in the geometric space so that the Euclidean distance between two hosts coordinates accurately predicts their actual inter-host network latency. PCoord constructs network coordinates in a fully decentralized fashion. We present several mechanisms in PCoord to stabilize the system convergence. Our simulation results using real Internet measurements suggest that, even under an extremely challenging flash-crowd scenario where 1740 hosts simultaneously join the system, PCoord with a 5-dimensional Euclidean model is able to converge to 11% median prediction error in 10 coordinate updates per host on average.
Action Spectra for Photoperiodic Response in a Diapausing Mosquito

While 540 nanometers is the most effective wavelength in provoking development, larvae are far more responsive to 540-nanometer light if it is provided immediately preceding rather than followng a white-light photophase which otherwise serves to maintain diapause. This difference in sensitivity is probably due to bleaching and implies that the larvae experience an asymmetric day.
Controls on the temporal and spatial variability of soil moisture in a mountainous landscape: the signature of snow and complex terrain

Abstract. The controls on the spatial distribution of soil moisture include static and dynamic variables. The superposition of static and dynamic controls can lead to different soil moisture patterns for a given catchment during wetting, draining, and drying periods. These relationships can be further complicated in snow-dominated mountain regions where soil water input by precipitation is largely dictated by the spatial variability of snow accumulation and melt. In this study, we assess controls on spatial and temporal soil moisture variability in a small (0.02 km2), snow-dominated, semi-arid catchment by evaluating spatial correlations between soil moisture and site characteristics through different hydrologic seasons. We assess the relative importance of snow with respect to other catchment properties on the spatial variability of soil moisture and track the temporal persistence of those controls. Spatial distribution of snow, distance from divide, soil texture, and soil depth exerted significant control on the spatial variability of moisture content throughout most of the hydrologic year. These relationships were strongest during the wettest period and degraded during the dry period. As the catchment cycled through wet and dry periods, the relative spatial variability of soil moisture tended to remain unchanged. We suggest that the static properties in complex terrain (slope, aspect, soils) impose first order controls on the spatial variability of snow and resulting soil moisture patterns, and that the interaction of dynamic (timing of water input) and static influences propagate that relative constant spatial variability through most of the hydrologic year. The results demonstrate that snow exerts significant influence on how water is retained within mid-elevation semi-arid catchments and suggest that reductions in annual snowpacks associated with changing climate regimes may strongly influence spatial and temporal soil moisture patterns and catchment physical and biological processes.
Morning report for students in the internal medicine clerkship

Morning report is a common internal medicine resident educational exercise and can be adapted for clerkship student education. This study describes a student morning report for internal medicine clerkship students developed and implemented at the University of Vermont. Held three mornings each week, it was led by the clerkship director or other general internal medicine faculty. In 1991, 73 of 75 students (97%) completed a questionnaire evaluating departmental teaching, including student morning report. This exercise was highly rated for both quality and relevance at 4.25 and 4.34, respectively, on a 5‐point scale. In rank‐ordering teaching quality, it was the highest ranked structured teaching activity of the department, significantly (p < .05) greater than other programs and equal to informal resident teaching. In rank‐ordering clinical importance, it was again the highest ranked structured teaching activity (p < .05), ranking just below patient interaction and informal resident teaching. We conclude th...
A powerful score test to detect positive selection in genome-wide scans

One of the surest signatures of recent positive selection is a local elevation of advantageous allele frequency and linkage disequilibrium (LD). We proposed to detect such hitchhiking effects by using extended stretches of homozygosity as a surrogate indicator of recent positive selection. An extended haplotype-based homozygosity score test (EHHST) was developed to detect excess homozygosity. The EHHST conditioned on existing LD and it tested the haplotype version of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Compared with existing popular tests, which usually lack clear distribution, the EHHST is asymptotically normal, which makes analysis and applications easier. In particular, the EHHST facilitates the computation of an asymptotic P-value instead of an empirical P-value, using simulations. We evaluated by simulation that the EHHST led to appropriate false-positive rates, and it had higher or similar power as the existing popular methods. The method was applied to HapMap Phase II data. We were able to replicate previous findings of strong positive selection in 17 autosome genomic regions out of 20 reported candidates. On the basis of high EHHST values and population differentiations, we identified 15 new candidate regions that could undergo recent selection.
A study on the synthesis of nanostructured WC–10 wt% Co particles from WO3, Co3O4, and graphite

The formation of the nanostructured WC–10 wt% Co powder from WO3, Co3O4, and graphite is studied. The effects of the processing parameters of high-energy ball milling, reduction in H2 atmosphere, and carburization in Ar/CO atmosphere are investigated. The crystallite size of the as-synthesized WC is 30–40 and 40–50 nm for 900 and 1000 °C carburized powders, respectively. The powder is agglomerated with the size of the primary particles ranging from 50 to 700 nm. High-energy ball milling of WO3–Co3O4–C powder mixtures leads to finer particle and crystallite sizes with larger surface area. Such milled powders can be reduced to nanostructured W at 570 °C and carburized to form WC at temperatures as low as 900 °C. Crystal growth has taken place during carburization, particularly at 1000 °C, which results in the formation of truncated triangular prisms and nanoplates of WC at 1000 °C.
Large Scale CVD Synthesis of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

The synthesis of bulk amounts of high quality single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is accomplished by optimizing the chemical compositions and textural properties of the catalyst material used in the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of methane. A series of catalysts are derived by systematically varying the catalytic metal compounds and support materials. The optimized catalysts consist of Fe/Mo bimetallic species supported on a novel silica−alumina multicomponent material. The high SWNT yielding catalyst exhibits high surface-area and large mesopore volume at elevated temperatures. Gram quantities of SWNT materials have been synthesized in ∼0.5 h using the optimized catalyst material. The nanotube material consists of individual and bundled SWNTs that are free of defects and amorphous carbon coating. This work represents a step forward toward obtaining kilogram scale perfect SWNT materials via simple CVD routes.
A comparative analysis of multiple outlier detection procedures in the linear regression model

Abstract We evaluate several published techniques to detect multiple outliers in linear regression using an extensive Monte Carlo simulation. These procedures include both direct methods from algorithms and indirect methods from robust regression estimators. We evaluate the impact of outlier density and geometry, regressor variable dimension, and outlying distance in both leverage and residual on detection capability and false alarm (swamping) probability. The simulation scenarios focus on outlier configurations likely to be encountered in practice and use a designed experiment approach. The results for each scenario provide insight and limitations to performance for each technique. Finally, we summarize each procedure's performance and make recommendations.
Thyroid remnant 131I ablation for papillary and follicular thyroid carcinoma.

Outcome was compared in 1004 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) who underwent thyroid remnant ablation with 131I (n = 151) or were either treated with thyroid hormone alone (755) ...
Blood Group A antigen expression on cardiac endothelium is highly individualized: possible implications for transplantation

Abstract Background Outcomes in cases of adult accidental ABO incompatible cardiac transplantation are highly variable, with some patients suffering nearly immediate catastrophic antibody-mediated rejection while others (~37%–45%) survive. We hypothesize that these disparate outcomes could be influenced by variations in blood group antigen expression on allograft endothelium. Methodology Immunohistochemical stains for blood Group A antigen were performed on cardiac tissue from 18 blood Type A cadavers. Staining was evaluated by two distinct modalities: semiquantitative light microscopy, which measured the intensity of antigen expression on endothelium, and quantitative digital analysis, which determined the percentage of the total tissue section area staining positive for blood Group A antigen. These data were used to compute a Comprehensive Expression Index (CEI) of blood Group A antigen expression for each specimen. Results Semiquantitative light microscopic examination determined that endothelium was stained with low intensity in four (22%) myocardial samples, intermediate intensity in five (28%) samples, and high intensity in nine (50%) samples. Quantitative digital analysis revealed a range in the percentage of total cross sectional area composed of blood Group A-positive signal (median, 2.69%; interquartile range, 1.68%–2.94%). Increased percentage of total cross sectional area composed of blood Group A-positive signal was positively associated with patient age (P=.0037). The CEI showed a broad range, with a median of 5.27 and an interquartile range of 2.92–8.22. Conclusions There are little data available regarding interindividual differences in blood Group A antigen expression in cardiac endothelium. Here, we report interindividual variation in endothelial expression of blood Group A antigen in 18 specimens. These variations may help to explain disparate outcomes in cases of accidental ABO incompatible cardiac transplantation in adults.