cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On-chip millimeter wave Rat-race Hybrid and Marchand Balun in IBM 0.13um BiCMOS technology

On-chip millimeter wave circuit designs at 60GHz and 77GHz offer huge potentials for various wireless communication and radar applications. This paper investigates the implementation of on-chip balun, which is one of the important components in millimeter wave design. Particularly, we are interested in two types of passive structure: rat-race hybrid and Marchand balun. In the following sections, we are going to present an on-chip Rat-race Hybrid design and a Marchand Balun design in 0.13um BiCMOS technologies. Simulation results using 3D electromagnetic simulator will be shown and verified with hardware measurements.
Silicon paper and a visual interface for neural networks

An interface technology that is represented by an LCD device equipped with a transparent tablet and a pen-like pixel selector, called silicon paper, is described. The technology is advocated as a possible replacement of the current mouse-based interface. Handwritten character recognition by a neural net is an essential component of the silicon paper interface. In order to facilitate an efficient experimental environment for neural net design, a visual interface for a neural net simulator was designed and implemented. The design was used as a testbed for a new paradigm of user interface suitable for the silicon paper technology. >
The subjective well-being political paradox: : Happy welfare states and unhappy liberals

Political scientists traditionally have analyzed the effect of politics on subjective well-being (SWB) at the collective level, finding that more liberal countries report greater SWB. Conversely, psychologists have focused primarily on SWB at the individual level and shown that being more conservative corresponds in greater SWB. We integrate the theoretical foundations of these 2 literatures (e.g., livability and system justification theories) to compare and contrast the effects of country- and individual-level political orientation on SWB simultaneously. Using a panel of 16 West European countries representative of 1,134,384 individuals from 1970 to 2002, we demonstrated this SWB political paradox: More liberal countries and more conservative individuals had higher levels of SWB. More important, we explored measurement as a moderator of the political orientation–SWB relationship to shed some light on why this paradox exists. When orientation is measured in terms of enacted values (i.e., what the government actually does), liberalism corresponds in higher SWB, but when politics is measured in terms of espoused values (i.e., what individuals believe), greater conservatism coincided in higher SWB.
An investigation of the electrochemical etching of

Results from an investigation of the electrochemical etching of silicon in KOH:H/sub 2/O and CsOH:H/sub 2/O solutions are presented. Current versus voltage (I-V) scans were performed on both n- and p-type silicon as a function of etchant concentration (20-60% by weight KOH and 25-70% by weight CsOH) and temperature (25-80 degrees C). Voltage scans were swept from potentials cathodic of the open-circuit potential (OCP) to potentials anodic of the passivation potential. The purpose of the I-V scans was to investigate systematically how varying etchant concentration and temperature affected the passivation potential and final passivation current density of n- and p-type silicon. The results of the I-V scans are used to help investigate conditions for optimizing the performance of three-electrode electrochemical etch stop on n/sup +/-p junction samples. A model is presented to describe the effect of reverse diode leakage on etch-stop performance which uses the previously measured electrochemical etching parameters. Experimental measurements of the etch stop are used to confirm the model. >
Expression of P450 Side-Chain Cleavage (CYP11A1) and P450 17α-Hydroxylase-17/20 Lyase (CYP17) Messenger Ribonucleic Acid in Hamster Primary Interstitial Cells In Vitro: Differential Regulation of Steroidogenesis by Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate

Interstitial cells in the neonatal hamster do not respond to LH in vitro; however, side-chain cleavage (CYP11A1) and 17alpha-hydroxylase (CYP17) enzyme proteins are expressed in these cells. The objective of the study was to evaluate whether the cAMP second messenger system was active in these cells and if cAMP upregulates the levels of CYP11A1 and CYP17 mRNA. Interstitial cells (ICs) were cultured for 96 h in the presence of 5% fetal bovine serum and then cultured in serum-free medium in the presence of LH, forskolin, or 8-Br-cAMP for 24 h. The accumulation of cAMP, progesterone, and androstenedione was measured by radioimmunoassay, whereas CYP11A1 and CYP17 mRNA levels were determined by a semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Southern hybridization analysis. LH failed to induce either progesterone or androstenedione production; however, forskolin stimulated cAMP production by interstitial cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, both forskolin and 8-Br-cAMP significantly elevated the levels of CYP11A1 and CYP17 mRNA and induced progesterone synthesis by the interstitial cell monolayer. Despite the increase in CYP17 mRNA levels by 8-Br-cAMP, no appreciable change was noted in androstenedione production. These results suggest that, in vitro, a fully functional adenylate cyclase system is present in cultured interstitial cells of the neonatal hamster and that cAMP can influence the expression of CYP11A1 and CYP17 genes; however, cultured cells do not appear to express LH receptors that are functionally linked to the adenylate cyclase system. Moreover, the translation of CYP17 mRNA may require additional factors, which may originate from maturing granulosa cells.
Should Patients with Venous Thromboembolism Be Screened for Thrombophilia

In the mid-19th century, Virchow identified hypercoagulability as part of the triad leading to venous thrombosis, but the specific causes of hypercoagulability remained a mystery for another century. The first specific cause to be identified was antithrombin III deficiency. Many other causes of thrombophilia, both genetic and acquired, have been discovered since then. The 2 most common genetic causes of thrombophilia are the Leiden mutation of factor V and the G20210A mutation of prothrombin. The most common acquired cause is antiphospholipid syndrome. These factors increase the relative risk of an initial episode of venous thromboembolism (VTE) by a factor of 2 to 10, but the actual risk remains relatively modest. Therefore, thrombophilia screening to prevent initial episodes of VTE is not indicated, except possibly in women with a family history of idiopathic VTE who are considering oral contraceptive therapy. Some physicians screen for thrombophilia to aid decision making concerning the duration of anticoagulant therapy. However, several studies have demonstrated that, with the exception of antiphospholipid syndrome, thrombophilia does not significantly increase the risk of recurrent VTE. On the other hand, idiopathic VTE significantly increases the risk of recurrence in patients with or without thrombophilia.
Four SEI endemic models with periodicity and separatrices.

Abstract Periodic solutions have been found for some infectious disease models of the SI and SEI types. Here four SEI models with either disease-reduced or uniform reproduction are examined to determine the model features that do and do not lead to periodic solutions. The two SEI models with the simple mass action incidence βXY can have periodic solutions for some parameter values, but the two SEI models with the standard mass action incidence λXY N do not have periodic solutions. For some intermediate values of λ in the SEI model with incidence λXY N and uniform reproduction, the interior equilibrium is a saddle whose stable manifold separates the attractive regions for the disease-free equilibrium and the susceptible-free equilibrium.
Single-Cell Western Blotting after Whole-Cell Imaging to Assess Cancer Chemotherapeutic Response

Intratumor heterogeneity remains a major obstacle to effective cancer therapy and personalized medicine. Current understanding points to differential therapeutic response among subpopulations of tumor cells as a key challenge to successful treatment. To advance our understanding of how this heterogeneity is reflected in cell-to-cell variations in chemosensitivity and expression of drug-resistance proteins, we optimize and apply a new targeted proteomics modality, single-cell western blotting (scWestern), to a human glioblastoma cell line. To acquire both phenotypic and proteomic data on the same, single glioblastoma cells, we integrate high-content imaging prior to the scWestern assays. The scWestern technique supports thousands of concurrent single-cell western blots, with each assay comprised of chemical lysis of single cells seated in microwells, protein electrophoresis from those microwells into a supporting polyacrylamide (PA) gel layer, and in-gel antibody probing. We systematically optimize chemica...
A Low-Noise Biopotential Amplifier with an Optimized Noise Efficiency Factor

Implantable wireless neural recording microsystems have demonstrated their efficacies in neuroscience studies in the past decades. However, with the advances of neurobiology, higher sensitivity and higher precision neural recording microsystems are becoming the critical need. A biopotential amplifier is the first stage of a neural recording microsystem, the performance of which decides the signal-to-noise ratio and the power dissipation of each recording-channel. In this paper, we present a low-noise biopotential amplifier with a noise efficiency factor (NEF) optimized closer to the theoretical limit of a folded cascode structure. A high transconductance input nMOSFET pair is designed to guarantee a low input-referred noise. A self-biased scheme comprising a weak positive feedback and a strong negative feedback is employed to further enhance the transconductance. By optimizing the noise performance while maintaining the NEF value close to the theoretical limit, a very low input-referred noise and a higher power-noise efficiency are achieved in our design. Using a standard 0.13-μm CMOS process, the proposed amplifier achieves an input-referred noise of 1.98 μVrms at the expense of 7.5 μW power, corresponding to a NEF of 2.31. The gain of the proposed amplifier is 40.84 dB at a -3 dB bandwidth from 6.65 Hz to 9.38 kHz.
Hyperfine structure and isotope shift of 52-h 203 Pb in the 6p 2 3 P 0 -6p7s 3 P 1 283.3-nm transition

The hyperfine structure and isotope shift in the 283.3-nm resonance line of cyclotron-produced 203Pb was measured by absorption spectroscopy with use of a 9.1-m focal-length Czerny–Turner spectrometer. The measured hyperfine interaction constants in the 6p7s3P1 state are A = 67.1(12) × 10−3 cm−1 and B = 2(5) × 10−3 cm−1. The resulting nuclear magnetic moment, μ = 0.672 (12)μN, is in reasonable accord with the value predicted by the shell model with core excitation. The measured isotope shift is IS = −195(4) × 10−3 cm−1, relative to 208Pb. The resulting odd–even staggering parameter, γ = 0.39(14), lends support to recent calculations of Talmi [ Nucl. Phys. A423, 189 ( 1984)].
The Role of Renal Function in Outcome-Prediction Models

General clinical scoring systems are relatively recently developed statistical tools available to clinicians for purposes including comparison of outcome data, evaluation of new therapies, quality assurance, and evaluation of resource utilization. As statistical devices, they are valid when applied to patient groups, not individual prognostication. The most well known general systems are the APACHE (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation), SAPS (Simplified Acute Physiology System), and MPM (Mortality Prediction Model). Each of these systems has considered renal dysfunction as a contributor to mortality and, as the systems have matured, have given increasing importance to the presence of renal failure as a predictor of mortality. Cardiac surgery patients make up a large part of many critical-care physicians' practice, but are not presently considered in any of the general scoring systems. In addition, the outcome for these patients is well known to be significantly affected by the presence of renal failure. Specific scoring systems have been developed that evaluate cardiac surgery patients in much the same fashion as do the general scoring systems.
Microbial Control of Schistocerca americana (Orthoptera: Acrididae) by Metarhizium flavoviride (Deuteromycotina): Instar Dependent Mortality and Efficacy of Ultra Low Volume Application Under Greenhouse Conditions

The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium flavoviride Gams & Rozsypal has been widely tested for the suppression of African grasshoppers, but there has been no research on Nearctic species. We examined the potential of M. flavoviride for the control of the American grasshopper, Schistocerca americana (Drury). When tested under conidial dosages of 1.2 x 10 3 , 1.2 x 10 4 , and 1.2 x 10 5 , 4th-instar S. americana were significantly more susceptible to M. flavoviride than 6th-instar and adult S. americana. At the conidial dosage of 1.2 x 10 5 , M. flavoviride produced 89.7, 12.8, and 17.6% mean mortality 7 d after treatment in 4th-instar, 6th-instar, and adult S. americana, respectively. By the 14th d after treatment, the M. flavoviride conidial dosage of 1.2 x 10 5 produced 99.4, 86.1, and 80.8% mean mortality in 4th-instar, 6th-instar, and adult S. americana, respectively. The LD 50 estimates for M. flavoviride of 1.7 x 10 4 conidia for the 4th-instar, 1.3 x 10 4 conidia for the 6th-instar, and 3.1 x 10 4 conidia for the adult S. americana are generally greater than those used for other acridids. Furthermore, mortality in M. flavoviride-treated S. americana was positively dosage dependent, as described by mean percentage of cumulative mortality and LT 50 estimates. Greenhouse trials evaluating ultra low volume application to grasshoppers, foliage, or grasshoppers and foliage produced from 78.1 to 92.0% mean mortality 14 d after treatment. In this simulated field trial, grasshoppers and M. flavoviride were exposed to temperatures ranging from 10 to 40°C, which demonstrated the potential of M. flavoviride to be effective under large temperature fluctuations, as may occur in the field.
Quantification of steady-state ion transport through single conical nanopores and a nonuniform distribution of surface charges.

Electrostatic interactions of mobile charges in solution with the fixed surface charges are known to strongly affect stochastic sensing and electrochemical energy conversion processes at nanodevices or devices with nanostructured interfaces. The key parameter to describe this interaction, surface charge density (SCD), is not directly accessible at nanometer scale and often extrapolated from ensemble values. In this report, the steady-state current–voltage (i–V) curves measured using single conical glass nanopores in different electrolyte solutions are fitted by solving Poisson and Nernst–Planck equations through finite element approach. Both high and low conductivity state currents of the rectified i–V curve are quantitatively fitted in simulation at less than 5% error. The overestimation of low conductivity state current using existing models is overcome by the introduction of an exponential SCD distribution inside the conical nanopore. A maximum SCD value at the pore orifice is determined from the fitti...
Probability tracking of a linear periodic reinforcement schedule

The prediction of Estes’ generalized statistical learning theory was verified in a condition in which probability of reinforcement was a noncontingent, linear, periodic function of trials. A strong “probability tracking” effect in which the mean response function approximated the reinforcing event function with a constant tracking “lag” was obtained as expected. An estimate of the stimulus sampling ratio, a parameter of theoretical importance, was obtained from the data.
Systematics of the Acorn-Infesting Weevils Conotrachelus naso, C. carinifer, and C. posticatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The descriptions of all forms from eggs to adults of Conotrachelus naso LeConte, C. carinifer Casey, C. posticatus Boheman, as well as keys for mature larvae, pupae, and adults, are presented.
Interactions of eosinophils with nerves.

Eosinophils affect nerve structure and function in organs such as lungs and skin, which contributes to disease pathogenesis. We have developed methods for culturing primary sensory and parasympathetic neurons in multiple species and have refined these techniques for coculture with eosinophils. Eosinophil-nerve coculture has been an essential tool for testing interactions between these cell types. Here we describe methods for coculturing primary parasympathetic ganglia, vagal sensory nerves, and dorsal root sensory nerves with eosinophils.
New approaches to assessing the risks of hyperbilirubinemia.

The issue of what is a critical threshold of bilirubin for the neonate in terms of long-term morbidity, however, remains unanswered. The recent large prospective study carried out in the Netherlands by Van de Bor et al. to evaluate the effect of bilirubin on 2-year neurodevelopmental outcome of premature infants with a birthweight less than 1500 gm identified a consistent increase in handicap rate for each 2.9 mg/dl (50 microns mol/L) increase in maximum bilirubin concentration. The percentage of children with both minor and major handicaps increased consistently with increased bilirubin concentration. Logistic regression analysis with the maximum serum bilirubin concentration as the continuous variable and controlling for seven other risk factors identified an odds ratio for handicap of 1.3 with a 95% confidence interval between 1.03 and 1.62, (P less than 0.02). These data suggest that a relationship exists between mild and moderate levels of bilirubin and neurodevelopmental handicap at 2 years of age in premature infants. Van de Bor's study is important because it suggests that we must continue to investigate the risk of low to moderate levels of bilirubin in both premature and full-term infants. The study of neonatal alterations of behavior, BAER conduction time, and cry characteristics in infants with hyperbilirubinemia lends support to the hypothesis that low levels of bilirubin result in neonatal neurobehavioral changes that can be easily measured and recorded by these techniques. BAER changes are mediated by the eighth cranial nerve pathway, and cry characteristics are mediated by the vagal complex cranial nerves. The nuclei of these cranial nerves are located in close proximity to one another in the brainstem, and therefore the insult imposed by bilirubin is reflected not only in changes of these two parameters but by behavioral manifestations (i.e., specifically orientation). Finally, however, evidence exists that reversals of these measured changes do occur after treatment modalities such as exchange transfusion or phototherapy are used. The question of a safe level of bilirubin concentration, and safe duration of exposure relative to long-term minor or soft neurodevelopmental handicaps remains unanswered. Large, controlled, prospective, epidemiologic studies are needed to provide these answers.
On the Theoretical Foundations of Current Outsourcing Research

Outsourcing research has flourished since the nineties and with this has come an increasing variety of theoretical perspectives that inform current outsourcing research. However, no satisfactory coherent theory is currently proposed and the selection of theoretical bases (reference theories and methods) for outsourcing research still appears to be more ad-hoc than systematic. This paper analyzes the theoretical and methodological foundations of a convenience sample of recent conference papers. The purpose of this analysis is to identify strength and weaknesses of current outsourcing research with a view of discovering fruitful directions for strengthening its theoretical foundations for future research.
A Site-Specific Sampling System for EEZ Hard Mineral Deposits

Accurate evaluation of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) hard mineral deposits requires survey and sampling techniques more advanced than those currently in use. In response to this need, a tethered, multiple coring system for the recovery of site-specific samples of manganese crust has been designed, fabricated, and tested at sea. This system consists of an array of thirty core guns, bottom triggering and sequencing electronics, an acoustic telemetry system, and a 35 mm camera system. It can be operated to depths up to 5000 m from typical oceanographic research vessels using a standard mechanical deep sea wire.
Oltre l'ambivalenza: la nuova sfida del femminismo

This essay, translated here in Italian and preceded by the Author's inedited preface, reconstructs the trajectory of second wave feminism since the 60s, exploring its ambivalences. Shifting from an analysis focused on economic redistribution to one founded on recognition of differences, feminism has sacrificed the critique of neoliberalism on the altar of women's emancipation. In order to break the tie with neoliberalism, Fraser proposes a new conception of social justice that links the principle of non-domination with those of social protection and solidarity.
Mucus and Mucin-Secreting Cells

Publisher Summary Airway mucus is a complex mixture of proteins, lipids, and the sol phase composed of water and electrolytes. In humans, the secretion of a thin layer of mucus spreads as a gel on the luminal surface of the airways and helps in the hydration of the airway epithelium and the mucociliary clearance of foreign materials such as particles and microorganisms. However, excessive mucous production—known as “mucus hypersecretion”—can be deleterious and contribute to the pathophysiology of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Mucins are the protein contained in mucus, and these are highly glycosylated proteins, which are synthesized in airways by goblet cells and gland mucous cells. Mucin secretion is a regulated process involving the exocytosis of preformed mucus granules in response to extracellular stimuli. One of the most successful means of controlling airway mucous secretion is avoidance of inhaled irritants. Mucus hypersecretion could also be prevented by blocking secretory cell differentiation or degranulation. Because epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors have been shown to prevent goblet cell differentiation in various animal models, inhibition of EGFR provides a promising approach for the treatment of hypersecretory diseases.
Diving into the abyss of undiscovered kidney function–related factors

Meta-analyses and reintroduction of biological knowledge are 2 classic strategies to increase genomewide association study statistical power and overcome the burden of multiple testing. These strategies have empowered the nephrology community to discover new signals associated with kidney function and nephropathies. Here we discuss the current genomewide association study limitations and strategies to dive further into the abyss of yet-to-be discovered kidney function–related factors.
Complex resistivity spectra and pore geometry for predictions of reservoir properties in carbonate rocks

Abstract Measurements of complex resistivity spectra (CRS) are performed on core plugs from a wide variety of carbonates in a log sweep from 0.1 to 100,000 Hz inside a pressurized chamber at varying effective pressures up to 20 MPa. We quantify the CRS curves by extracting the slope of both real and imaginary part of complex resistivity in the 10,000–100,000 Hz range. Pore geometries are quantified with thin-section digital image analysis (DIA) from optical light microscopy. The dataset includes 330 carbonate core plug samples from twelve different study areas and hence includes a highly diverse range of carbonate rock types. This should make our results applicable to most carbonate rocks. Pore geometry parameters derived from DIA, such as Dominant Pore Size (DOMsize) and Perimeter over Area (PoA), correlate well with petrophysical properties such as cementation factor and permeability. However, when modeling those properties, higher correlation coefficients are achieved with CRS than with DIA parameters. Using CRS and model constants tuned to the sub-datasets, cementation exponents are predicted with R 2 =0.91 and permeability with R 2 =0.84. The correlation coefficient of a universal equation for all 330 samples is still high for cementation factors with R 2 =0.80, but less for permeability with R 2 =0.48. The results show that CRS in carbonates are directly related to permeability and formation factors, and greatly improve reservoir property estimates. This study also highlights the usability of low-frequency CRS data as a measure of flow and storage properties in carbonate rocks. The transfer of this methodology to wireline applications would result in more accurate and continuous permeability and cementation factor predictions from well logs.
Social networking -- technology, tools, and applications: a hands-on tutorial to make the most of the conference

Types and applications for social networking have exploded. This tutorial will give participants a working knowledge of the technology, tools and applications with examples of how they are being used by governments and in support of the dg.o 2009 conference itself.
Renal Pseudoaneurysm Mimicking Local Cancer Recurrence After Partial Nephrectomy

The development of an iatrogenic vascular lesion, such a renal pseudoaneurysm or arteriovenous fistula, is a rare complication of partial nephrectomy. These lesions should be considered in patients presenting with an enhancing mass in the resection bed shortly following partial nephrectomy. Early timing following surgery, large relative size, and the presence of recurrent hematuria suggest the diagnosis of an iatrogenic vascular lesion. Duplex ultrasound is a useful non-invasive imaging modality for differentiating these lesions from a local tumor recurrence.
Chlamydia and Chlamydophila Infections

Chlamydiaceae is a unique family of bacteria which consists of small Gram-negative coccobacilli that are obligate intracytoplasmic organisms, typically causing infection in warm-blooded animals (1). The genus name Chlamydia first appeared in the literature in 1945 but was not fully recognized until 1956 (1, 2). The family had only one genus until 1999 when the genus Chlamydophila was added. However, the name Chlamydophila has not become widely adopted in the medical community, and Chlamydophila spp. are still commonly referred to as Chlamydia spp.
Should we impute or should we weight? Examining the performance of two CART-based techniques for addressing missing data in small sample research with nonnormal variables

Abstract Recently, researchers have proposed a variety of new methods for employing exploratory data mining algorithms to address missing data. Two promising classes of missing data methods take advantage of classification and regression trees and random forests. A first method uses the predicted probabilities of response (vs. non-response) generated by a CART analysis to create inverse probability weights. This method has been shown to perform well in prior simulations when nonresponse was generated by tree-based structures, even under low sample sizes. A second method uses the values falling in terminal nodes of CART trees to generate multiple imputations. In prior studies, these methods performed well at estimating main effects and interactions in regression models when sample sizes were large ( N = 1000 ), but their performance was not evaluated under small sample conditions. In the present research, we assess the performance of CART-based weights and CART-based imputations under low sample sizes ( N = 125 or 250) and nonnormality when missing data are generated by smooth functions (linear, quadratic, cubic, interactive). Results suggest that random forest weights excel under low sample sizes, regardless of nonnormality, whereas CART multiple imputation is more efficient with larger samples ( N = 500 or 1000).
The Enigma of Regional Lymph Nodes in Melanoma

Because of an incomplete understanding of regional lymph nodes, they have been characterized either as active filters or barriers to the distant spread of disease1 or as passive indicators of the risk of distant spread.2 The truth almost certainly resides in a hybrid model that embraces aspects of both theories. This lack of understanding has frequently led to a “more is better” philosophy in the surgical management of regional lymph nodes. Yet in melanoma, as in so many other cancers, the elective removal of clinically negative nodes has rarely, if ever, been shown to increase disease-specific survival. The findings of . . .
The 1985 siting of a Toyota manufacturing plant in rural Kentucky, USA: The ensuing land use change and implications for planning

Abstract Siting of large-scale industries not only generates huge economic benefits for rural communities but also instigates inevitable land use changes with conversion of rural lands to industrial, commercial, residential and other uses. Despite its environmental and ecological consequences, study of land use change impacts of large-scale industries is rare. Our research assesses the spatio-temporal patterns of land use changes instigated by the siting of the Toyota plant in Georgetown, Kentucky. We develop Cellular Automata and Markov Chain Analysis-based spatial models to estimate the type, acreage, location and time-lags of land use changes spurred by the auto-industry at a regional scale. Our findings suggest the plant induced significant physical transformation of the regional landscape; however, such transformations were not uniform for industrial, commercial and residential developments and were visible only after a time-lag of about 5–10 years.
Investigation of Hofmeister effects in ultra-dilute solutions at the water/silica interface using electrokinetic current generation

Abstract Microjet-based electrokinetic streaming current experiments were used to track changes at the surface of fused silica in the presence of ultra-dilute (≤ 100 nM) acid and base solutions. These concentrations allow isolated study of the individual ions with minimal counter-ion interference. The observed changes in the streaming current upon exposure to these solutions demonstrate the first observed Hofmeister relationships at sub-micromolar concentrations, with a direct series observed relating to the absorption of cations and anions. Behavior of the divalent cations and chloride differ from the rest of the ions studied, which is attributed to multiple mechanisms of chemical interaction with the surface beyond adsorption. The presence of these Hofmeister trends at such dilute concentrations supports other work indicating changes in interfacial properties for mobile vs. stagnant liquid/solid interfaces.
Productivity Apps Supporting Higher Order Writing Skills for Secondary Students with Learning Disabilities.

Students with learning disabilities tend to focus on lower-level elements of writing, leading them to compose poorly organized paragraphs comprised of strings of linear ideas. Deficits in language ...
Dynamic Propagation Rates: New Dimension to Viral Marketing in Online Social Networks

Online Social Networks (OSNs) are effective platforms for viral marketing. Due to their importance, viral marketing related problems in OSNs have been extensively studied in the past decade. However, none of the existing works can cope with the situation that the propagation rate dynamically increases for popular topics, as they all assume known propagation rates. In this paper, to better describe realistic information propagation in OSNs, we propose a novel model, Dynamic Influence Propagation (DIP), that allows propagation rate to change during the diffusion. We then define a new research problem: Threshold Activation Problem under DIP (TAP-DIP) to study the impact of DIP. TAP-DIP adds extra complexity on the already #P-hard TAP problem. Despite it hardness, we are able to approximate TAP-DIP with O(log|V|) ratio. Sitting in the core of our algorithm are the Lipschitz optimization technique and a novel solution to the general version of TAP, the Multi-TAP problem. Using various real OSN datasets, we experimentally demonstrate the impact of DIP and that our solution not only generates high-quality seed sets when being aware of the rate increase, but also is scalable.
Fortune, Risk, and the Microeconomics of Migration

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the fortune, the risk, and the microeconomics of migration. Fortune is the opportunity present in risk. Hence, howsoever men would comport themselves in the company of risk, their actions must in some part betray fortune's influence. By risk, it refers to the casual element of men's experience, the unreasoning and unforetold ways of the world, the irremovable dispersion in the imaginable assortments of events attending actions taken in ignorance. By fortune, it means the scope left for human judgment and volition where fate does not rule and outcomes are not all predetermined. Fortune represents the element of disorder essential to opportunity, the uncharted paths that afford men the freedom to learn and profit from the mutability of the world. It is fortune that furnishes occasions for the trials and training that are the substance of the human adventure. This usage reflects a thoroughly Renaissance view of the function of the casual element in the universal design, a merging of the traditions of Boethius, St. Thomas, and Dante. The chapter also discusses a model to describe the choice of an optimal single-period strategy of wealth accumulation for a von Neumann–Morgenstern utility-maximizing household, which may allocate as much as a fixed proportion s of its initial wealth to investments in migration and local job search.
Cooperation, Altruism, and Human Evolution: Introduction Part I

There can be no doubt that Homo sapiens is an unusually cooperative species—in both senses of the adjective, because while all primates are social and thus at least minimally cooperative, H. sapiens is social in a very particular manner. Human beings will patiently endure long, uncomfortable back-of-the-cabin flights in hideously cramped aircraft or stand meekly in long, slow lines at soup kitchens: conditions that would undoubtedly provoke unbridled aggression in any other higher primate. This odd proclivity provokes the question of just what it is about us humans that permits or even obliges us to cooperate (most of the time) in this way, subjugating ourselves to the necessities of public order. Furthermore, whatever that factor may be, when did we acquire it? Answering questions such as these is vital in developing any comprehensive understanding of our species as a biological and social entity; despite the elusiveness not only of the answers but also of the very questions themselves the contributions to this book constitute an important if necessarily preliminary step in the direction of developing such an understanding.
Is 'Congruence' a Peculiar Predicate?

The logical status of spatial and temporal congruence has been much debated. Recently the topic of debate has shifted from the alleged conventionality of congruence to the alleged eccentricity of congruence predicates. For example, espousing a point of view suggested to him by Nuel Belnap, Adolf Grunbaum has recently remarked that the predicate ‘x is (spatially) congruent to y’ deviates from the ‘classical account’ of the interrelations between the intensional and extensional components of the meaning of a predicate. By the classical account (hereafter CA), Grunbaum means the rather common view that the extension of a predicate is completely determined by its intension. Contrary to CA, Grunbaum maintains that “the fact that ‘being spatially congruent’ means sustaining the relation of spatial equality does not suffice at all to determine its extension uniquely in the class of spatial intervals.”1 Rather, he states, the “term ‘spatially congruent’ has the same (nonclassical) intension and only a different extension in the context of alternative space metrics.”2 (The parenthetical ‘nonclassical’ is meant only to underscore the allegation that ‘x is congruent to y’ deviates from CA.)
Design Cognition in 3D Modeling Wearable Product: Exploring Challenges and Transitions for Apparel Designers

With recent expansion and advancement of 3D printing (3DP) technology, the textile and apparel industry is taking notice of its vast potential in developing an efficient and sustainable manufacturing process for customized products. Currently, many traditional apparel designers are facing challenges in digital 3D modeling wearable product. The obstacles lie in understanding the human-computer interaction (HCI) and the cognitive process for an apparel designer in 3D CAD product development. Based on research through design methodology, this case study explores ways the traditional apparel designer transfers tacit knowledge gained in the physical world to the virtual environment in 3D modeling a wearable product. Findings suggest that the designer's haptic and visual memory from traditional practice in a physical studio impact how spatial visualization skills are applied and how CAD tools are utilized in the 3D modeling process.
Intergenerational educational pathways and instrumental crime, violent crime, and illegal drug use across the life course

ABSTRACTIn light of the growing enrollment among first-generation college students, as well as the rising concern of downward educational mobility in the U.S., increased attention has been given to the relationship between intergenerational educational pathways (i.e., a comparison of one’s attained education to their parents’ attainments) and crime. The few studies in existence, however, have only examined general involvement in crime, and with mixed findings. Drawing on data from The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, this study examines the associations between intergenerational educational mobility and instrumental crime, violent crime, and illegal drug use. It also tests whether the relationships operate indirectly through familial transitions, occupational status, economic hardship, and social-psychological well-being in young adulthood. Results broadly suggest that upward educational mobility is associated with decreases in crime, particularly for instrumental crime and illeg...
Forensic Engineering Standards Seminars and Legal Seminars Focusing on Forensic Engineering

Abstract This chapter is (1) a discussion of the fundamentals of teaching forensic engineers engineering standards in evidence and (2) a discussion of the fundamentals of teaching attorneys overviews of forensic engineering topics. These two activities are, in our view, mutually exclusive.
Current-Fed Quasi Z-Source Inverter Based PV Distributed Generation Controller

Recently, the renewable photovoltaic distributed generation (PV-DG) enjoys a rapid growth globally due to the advancement in solar systems and power electronics technologies. However, the intermittent nature of solar radiation and performance of the attached power converters, inevitably poses some challenges to the power grids integrated large-scale solar-farms (SF). These challenges include frequency oscillations, voltage variation and power quality issues. To overcome these problems, this study proposes a Current-Fed quasi Z-source Inverter (CF-qZSI) as an alternative converter for distribution generation controllers to facilitate the integration of a PV energy source into a weak power system. The detailed model of the CF-qZSI-based distribution controller (CqZDC) and its control system are developed. The dynamic performance of the CqZDC device is evaluated to validate different objectives using an actual field data and RTDS simulation platform.
Detecting underground metallic objects of different sizes using synthetic aperture radar

Detecting underground/subsurface metallic objects such as landmines and IEDs (improvised explosive devices) using efficient and effective inspection techniques is crucial in demining and mine clearance missions. The use of microwave/radar sensors in remote sensing represents a new approach to reduce demining risks and to improve efficiency. To achieve the goal, electromagnetic signatures of underground metallic objects must be thoroughly studied. The objective of this paper is to use synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging to investigate the size effect of an underground metallic object buried in SAR images at three ranges (15 cm, 30 cm, and 60 cm). Three different sizes (diameters = 7.6 cm, 15.2 cm, and 20.3 cm) were used and buried inside a container (sandbox) filled up with dry sand. A 10-GHz SAR imaging radar sensor was applied to generate all SAR images inside an anechoic chamber. It was found that SAR amplitude decreases with the increase of radar range. In addition, reconstructed distribution of SAR amplitudes depended on the size of underground steel disk specimens. SAR amplitudes (maximum and integrated) were related to the range and modeled by empirical equations.
Policy field and policy discourse: The American Federation for Children Network

This article presents findings from an analysis of the AFC policy network using tools from network ethnography and qualitative content analysis. Specifically, we examined tax forms and carried out extensive web searches to spatialize and map the AFC network, mined text from policy-actors in the AFC network, and analyzed the policy discourse promoted by these network actors to achieve their political goals. The task for this study was to use AFC as a heuristic device to explore the complexity of the education policy field and to understand how network policy-actors work to achieve their policy goals through advocacy and marketing. Findings from the study indicate that the AFC network demonstrates a hierarchical ordering, this hierarchical ordering is reflective of the elite planning and social engineering associated with neoliberal reforms, and that the policy-actors in the AFC network employ discursive strategies to frame an elite political project to advance school choice policies as an anti-elite movement oriented toward political empowerment and educational justice.
Harmonisation in Africa

Globalisation, regionalisation and increasing integration of trade are some major characteristics of the current world order. There is evidence to link enhanced economic growth to increased trade integration in advanced economies like the European Union. Africa has regionalised and is integrating its economies to take advantage of improved trade opportunities, both within and with the rest of the world. Just like the EU, this requires that Africa harmonises its standards and regulatory environments with international standards, not only to participate in international markets but also to direct trade into the continent. Several harmonisation efforts have therefore been initiated and carried out through the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in Africa. These efforts require coordination to achieve scale and to surmount the challenges related to Africa’s regulatory ‘institutions’, its joint ‘interventions’ with other bilateral development agencies, and their collective ‘initiatives’. The challenges continue to stifle harmonisation efforts and need to be addressed. There is a need to strengthen regulatory institutions, develop infrastructure and technical capacity, and coordinate the several harmonisation initiatives, for uniformity and effectiveness. The prospects of harmonisation to bolster trade and improve food security, economic growth and development on the continent, are a much higher imperative to pursue, than to allow the historical challenges of the colonial era that stifle harmonisation to persist.
Multi-body dynamic modelling of ultra-large dump truck-haul road interactions towards haul road design integrity

Haul roads are designed to bear dynamic truckloads generated during haulage. Current road design methods consider static truckloads, which are lower than dynamic loads. They are also unreliable for...
Modeling human epigenetic disorders in mice: Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and Silver-Russell syndrome

Genomic imprinting, a phenomenon in which the two parental alleles are regulated differently, is observed in mammals, marsupials and a few other species, including seed-bearing plants. Dysregulation of genomic imprinting can cause developmental disorders such as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) and Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS). In this Review, we discuss (1) how various (epi)genetic lesions lead to the dysregulation of clinically relevant imprinted loci, and (2) how such perturbations may contribute to the developmental defects in BWS and SRS. Given that the regulatory mechanisms of most imprinted clusters are well conserved between mice and humans, numerous mouse models of BWS and SRS have been generated. These mouse models are key to understanding how mutations at imprinted loci result in pathological phenotypes in humans, although there are some limitations. This Review focuses on how the biological findings obtained from innovative mouse models explain the clinical features of BWS and SRS.
Optical Properties and Band Structure of SrTi O 3 and BaTi O 3

The normal-incidence reflectance spectra of SrTi${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ and BaTi${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ and the optical constants derived by the Kramers-Kronig method are reported. These spectra are very similar to those of rutile. The strongest optical transitions ($A$) occur at about 4.4 eV: They are responsible for the dispersion observed below the fundamental absorption edge (3.2 eV). A tentative interpretation of these spectra in terms of the energy band structure of the materials is offered. The $A$ peak seems due to transitions between $2p$ levels of oxygen and $3s$ levels of titanium at the $X$ point of the Brillouin zone. The splitting of the $A$ peak is assigned to the splitting of the $2p$ levels of the oxygen in the cubic field. Transitions between $2p$ oxygen and $4s$ titanium levels, between $2s$ oxygen and $3d$ titanium levels, and between $2s$ oxygen and $5s$ titanium or $6s$ barium levels are also observed. Plasma oscillations are seen around 21 eV.
At the Heart of Safe and Successful Pregnancies in Cancer Survivors.

OBJECTIVE To examine the influence of the glycemic index (GI) of foods consumed after evening exercise on postprandial glycemia, metabolic and inflammatory markers, and nocturnal glycemic control in type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS On two evenings (∼1700 h), 10 male patients (27 ± 5 years of age, HbA1c 6.7 ± 0.7% [49.9 ± 8.1 mmol/mol]) were administered a 25% rapid-acting insulin dose with a carbohydrate bolus 60 min before 45 min of treadmill running. At 60 min postexercise, patients were administered a 50% rapid-acting insulin dose with one of two isoenergetic meals (1.0 g carbohdyrate/kg body mass [BM]) matched for macronutrient content but of either low GI (LGI) or high GI (HGI). At 180 min postmeal, the LGI group ingested an LGI snack and the HGI group an HGI snack (0.4 g carbohdyrate/kg BM) before returning home (∼2300 h). Interval samples were analyzed for blood glucose and lactate; plasma glucagon, epinephrine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); and serum insulin, cortisol, nonesterified fatty acid, and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations. Interstitial glucose was recorded for 20 h postlaboratory attendance through continuous glucose monitoring. RESULTS Following the postexercise meal, an HGI snack induced hyperglycemia in all patients (mean ± SD glucose 13.5 ± 3.3 mmol/L) and marked increases in TNF-α and IL-6, whereas relative euglycemia was maintained with an LGI snack (7.7 ± 2.5 mmol/L, P CONCLUSIONS Consuming LGI food with a reduced rapid-acting insulin dose following evening exercise prevents postprandial hyperglycemia and inflammation and provides hypoglycemia protection for ∼8 h postexercise; however, the risk of late nocturnal hypoglycemia remains.