cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diminished survival of mesencephalic dopamine neurons grafted into aged hosts occurs during the immediate postgrafting interval.

Abstract The survival rate of dopamine (DA) neurons in mesencephalic grafts to young adult rats is poor, estimated at 5–20%, and even poorer in grafts to the aged striatum. Grafted cells die in young adult rats during the first 4 days after implantation. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the decreased survival of DA neurons in grafts to aged rats is (1) due to additional cell death during the immediate postgrafting interval or (2) due to protracted cell loss during longer postgrafting intervals. We compared survival rates of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (THir) neurons in cell suspension grafts to young adult (3 months) and aged (24 months) male Fischer 344 rats at 4 days and 2 weeks after transplantation. At 4 days after grafting, mesencephalic grafts within the aged rat striatum contain approximately 25% of the number of THir neurons in the same mesencephalic cell suspension grafted to young adult rats. This corroborates the decreased survival of grafted DA neurons we have demonstrated previously at 10 weeks postgrafting. THir neurons in grafts to the intact striatum possessed a significantly shorter “long axis” than their counterparts on the lesioned side. No significant differences in the number of apoptotic nuclear profiles or total alkaline phosphatase staining between mesencephalic grafts to young and aged rats were detectable at 4 days postgrafting. In summary, the present study indicates that the exaggerated cell death of grafted DA neurons that occurs following implantation to the aged striatum occurs during the immediate postgrafting interval, timing identical to that documented for young adult hosts.
THE CHEMISTRY OF THE LIVER IN ACUTE YELLOW ATROPHY

From the liver of a young man who died of typical, " idiopathic" acute yellow atrophy of the liver, after an illness of six weeks, there were isolated and identified the following amino acids: Histidin, lysin, tyrosin, leucin, glycocoll, alanin, prolin, glutaminic acid, aspartic acid. These were found free in extracts of the liver, and presumably represent products of the autolysis of liver cells, although the amount of soluble non-protein nitrogen present in the extracts was so large as to suggest that there must be some other source for these substances. Small quantities of free proteoses and peptones, and of xanthin and hypoxanthin, were also found in the extracts. In the insoluble proteins of the liver the proportion of diamino acids was decreased slightly as compared with normal livers. The proportion of protein phosphorus was increased, probably because of active regenerative proliferation, while the sulphur was normal in amount. Iron was increased because of the large quantity of blood in the liver and the hematogenous pigmentation of the liver cells. Gelatigenous material was increased both absolutely and relatively, because of the loss of parenchyma and the proliferation of the stroma. The proportion of water to solids was much increased, there having been a loss of over two-thirds of the entire parenchymatous elements of the liver. The amount of fat, lecithin and cholesterin was not far from that normal for the liver.
Variation in Developmental Time for Geographically Distinct Populations of the Common Green Bottle Fly, Lucilia sericata (Meigen)

Time between death and discovery of remains, or postmortem interval (PMI), can be assessed using blow fly maggot age. Forensic entomologists rely on published, often nonlocal, species-specific developmental tables to determine maggot age. In a series of common garden experiments, we investigated the developmental rate variation between populations of Lucilia sericata collected from Sacramento, CA, San Diego, CA, and Easton, MA at 16 degrees C, 26 degrees C, and 36 degrees C. For the 16 degrees C trial the time measurement started at egg hatch, while for the higher temperatures the experiment began at oviposition; the wandering stage signified the endpoint for all experiments. The distribution of developmental times differed significantly (ANOVA, p < 0.001) between the three populations within each temperature treatment. We discovered that regional variation of developmental times within a blow fly species exists. This study demonstrates the importance of assembling local population-specific developmental tables when estimating larval age to determine PMI.
Estrogen Regulation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α: A Missing Link Between Menopause and Cardiovascular Risk in Women?

Over the past decade, inflammation has been gaining widespread attention among scientists because of accumulating evidence implicating inflammation as an important mediator in the progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Clinical and experimental studies have shown strong associations between the risk for CVD and several inflammatory markers. In the majority of conditions that are high risk factors for CVD (eg, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and diabetes), the vascular system or, more specifically, the vascular endothelium, elicits an inflammatory response that could lead to increased oxidative stress as well as to other processes that contribute to vascular damage.1 This theory has also been supported by the fact that the most common drugs used for the treatment of CVD—statins, aspirin, angiotensin II inhibitors, and PPARγ agonists—all have anti-inflammatory effects. Among the proinflammatory molecules, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) has been identified as an important mediator of vascular dysfunction through its ability to decrease the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)2 and, concomitantly, to induce NAD(P)H oxidase activity.3 Moreover, high levels of TNF-α in the systemic circulation have been detected in conditions that present significant risk for CVD such as hypertension and diabetes.4 In this issue, Arenas et al5 demonstrate a new role of TNF-α in the development of vascular dysfunction in what can be considered another risk factor for CVD, ie, estrogen deficiency. Although heated controversy exists over the value of estrogen replacement therapy in protecting against cardiovascular disease, many animal and clinical studies have shown that estrogen has direct beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Estrogen exhibits favorable effects on endothelial function. Estrogen deficiency, as a consequence of menopause or ovariectomy, …
Hidden Markov modeling and fuzzy controllers in FPGAs

This paper compares software and FPGA-based hardware implementations of two applications. The first application uses hidden Markov models, and the second application is a fuzzy controller. Hidden Markov modeling is used for temporal pattern recognition and speech recognition in particular. Both applications are accelerated when implemented in FPGA-based hardware, but this acceleration is obtained by using different algorithms than those used in software implementations. These different algorithms produce slightly different outputs; therefore both solution quality and performance must be evaluated to compare hardware and software implementations. The experience of designing these applications has implications for hardware/software codesign tools and for the migration of existing software applications to FPGA-based hardware.
A Three Component Cancer Attitude Scale.

ABSTRACT: A scale was developed to measure college students' attitudes toward cancer and cancer prevention. The three components of attitude are Feeling (affective). Belief (cognitive), and Intention to Act (conative). Following pilot testing and preliminary scale construction, the final scale was administered to a representative sample of 1,040 college students at five major U.S. universities. The data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate statistical techniques to evaluate scale performance and validity. Findings indicated that both internal and external criteria were met at statistically significant levels. Results of item analysis and discriminant function analysis demonstrated the discriminating power of the scale. Reliability coefficients of the scale and the three subscales (components) were established. Coefficients of reliability for the total scale was .94 (Cronbach's alpha). The three subscales ranged from .78 to .93. The scale was found to be valid and reliable for use in the study of college students' attitudes toward cancer and cancer prevention.
Strong Duality in Conic Linear Programming: Facial Reduction and Extended Duals

The facial reduction algorithm (FRA) of Borwein and Wolkowicz and the extended dual of Ramana provide a strong dual for the conic linear program $$\displaystyle{ \sup \,\{\,\langle c,x\rangle \,\vert \,Ax \leq _{K}b\,\} }$$ (P) in the absence of any constraint qualification. The FRA solves a sequence of auxiliary optimization problems to obtain such a dual. Ramana’s dual is applicable when (P) is a semidefinite program (SDP) and is an explicit SDP itself. Ramana, Tuncel, and Wolkowicz showed that these approaches are closely related; in particular, they proved the correctness of Ramana’s dual using certificates from a facial reduction algorithm. Here we give a simple and self-contained exposition of facial reduction, of extended duals, and generalize Ramana’s dual: We state a simple FRA and prove its correctness. Building on this algorithm we construct a family of extended duals when K is a nice cone. This class of cones includes the semidefinite cone and other important cones.
Implementation of a deep space receiver on 350 K gate GaAs gate arrays

A set of three GaAs ASICs has been designed. Together they form part of the Block V Digital Receiver. Each ASIC contains approximately 150 K-170 K used gates. The authors describe the design methodology for the GaAs ASICs, which ensures successful timing, testability, and functionality. >
Breadth-last technical electives: integrating the CS core via computer games and mobile robotics

In this paper, we introduce the concept of breadth-last technical elective courses, which are designed to assist undergraduate CS students in integrating their entire core curriculum into a coherent whole at the end of their degree programs. Specific breadth-last courses in intelligent mobile robotics and computer game development have been implemented and are presented here to demonstrate the pedagogical concepts being discussed.
Abstract 381: Femoral Artery Access Safety and Outcomes Across Multiple Specialties on a Novel Interventional Platform

Background: The Rush University Medical Center interventional platform is a novel hospital design concept created to facilitate multidisciplinary collaboration and centralize common resources in effort to improve safety and outcomes. Currently, there are no outcomes studies that evaluate the utility of an interventional platform. Multiple specialties on our platform utilize femoral artery access in a heterogeneous fashion. While complications are uncommon, they may affect morbidity, mortality, cost and length of hospital stay. We instituted a standardized femoral artery access workflow across the subspecialties on our interventional platform to evaluate techniques and outcomes. Methods: A prospective cohort of patients undergoing femoral artery access procedures on our interventional platform performed by interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, interventional radiology, and neurointerventional services was studied. Arterial access and hemostasis technique as well as periprocedural medications were a...
Capitalization of Major Markets and the Progress of Adoption of the International Accounting Standards

The international effort toward adopting the International Accounting Standards (IAS) has taken a fast turn, with European companies starting to report based on the new standards in 2005. Many countries that are aligned with Europe have followed suit including Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong. Countries that are considered major markets as defined by the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) based on their market size such as European markets, Canada, and Japan benefit from adopting IAS. The adoption opens up their markets to international companies desiring to list their stock on major exchanges. The US, currently the biggest single major market, has taken a cautious and a slower track to the adoption of IAS. This paper explores the effect of the US approach on its dominance in world markets.
Linkage of Efficiency and Stability of a-Si Solar cells

By combining the steady-state and transient behaviors of a recently generalized analysis of the kinetics of metastable defects in good amorphous Si:H, it is shown that no treatment can remove all metastable defects. There is always a significant remnant that is proposed to be the observed built-in defects, which are then not a separate species, distinct from the metastable defects. This remnant is due to vibrational breaking of weak bonds in latent defect centers, and cannot be due to recombination of thermally excited carriers. If the stability can be improved by reducing the number of these latent defect centers, this will also reduce the density of built-in defects that control the initial efficiency. Furthermore, there are good reasons to believe that the source of these defects is extrinsic to a-Si:H, so that improvement in both properties may be achievable.
How we treat pruritus ani.

If intolerable itching around the anus has a specific cause, it should be corrected by surgical or medical means. In nonspecific pruritus ani, which often occurs in patients with psychologic problems, other approaches such as compresses and tranquilizers may help.
Influence of fenofibrate on expression of nephrin in primary cultured rat podocytes under high glucose

Objective To explore the influence of fenofibrate on glomerular podocytes cultured under high glucose to study the mechanism of chronic kidney disease in diabetes in the early stage. Methods The rat glomeruli were isolated and gathered for primary culture.The cells were randomized into normal glucose(NG)group,high glucose(HG)group,fenofibrate 50μmol/L(F50)group,fenofibrate 100(F100)group,and fenofibrate 200(F200)group.The culture was continued for 48h.The morphological changes of podocytes were observed.The expression of nephrin was determined with Western blot method. Results Compared with the NG group,the podocytic-process retraction and partial effacement and intercellular junction losing appeared in the HG group,the expression of nephrin was lowered(P0.05).Compared with the HG group,there was a recovery of podocytic-process and upregulation of expression of nephrin in the F50and F100groups(P0.05).In the F200group,there was a severe damage of the podocytes,including the podocytic-process decrease,even disappearance,and inhibited expression of nephrin,with a statistically significant difference from that of the F50and F100groups(P0.05). Conclusion Damage of podocytes caused by high-glucose may be the mechanism of chronic kidney disease in diabetes in the early stage.Fenofibrate protects podocytes by activating PPAR-α.
Fire-Danger Rating and Wildfire Occurrence in the Northeastern United States

Etude de la capacite de systemes d'estimation des risques d'incendie a prevoir l'apparition des feux dans le Nord-Est des Etats-Unis
In God’s country

If anyone ever doubted that America was God’s chosen country, the events of the 1980s should have been reassuring. Electing Ronald Reagan, a onetime movie star, to lead them, to determine their future in a world of extraordinary complexity, with nuclear holocaust a hair’s breadth away, was the ultimate act of faith by the American people. Their faith did not go unrewarded. Reagan was a man of unusual charm, with an appealing self-deprecating sense of humor. He was a likeable man, who shared the nostalgia many Americans felt for the days of American hegemony. He offered himself as their leader at a time when their economy was a shambles, when they were still heartsick from defeat in Vietnam and from the humiliation of the Iranian hostage crisis. Once in the White House, he restored the nation’s confidence in itself and its future. He was the charismatic leader his people wanted. His impact was reminiscent of that of his early idol, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who had assured hungry Americans, frightened by the grinding misery of the Great Depression, that they had “nothing to fear, but fear itself,” that they had “a rendezvous with destiny.” Unlike Roosevelt, Reagan knew little about the world in which the United States had long been the dominant power. He was uninformed – and not terribly interested. Details, such as the political orientation of various governments, bored and eluded him. Efforts by foreign policy specialists to explain were often futile. He ignored briefing books and dozed while the intricacies of military strategy were presented to him.
Contextual, flow-based access control with scalable host-based SDN techniques

Network operators can better understand their networks when armed with a detailed understanding of the network traffic and host activities. Software-defined networking (SDN) techniques have the potential to improve enterprise security, but the current techniques have well-known data plane scalability concerns and limited visibility into the host's operating context. In this work, we provide both detailed host-based context and fine-grained control of network flows by shifting the SDN agent functionality from the network infrastructure into the end-hosts. We allow network operators to write detailed network policy that can discriminate based on user and program information associated with network flows. In doing so, we find our approach scales far beyond the capabilities of OpenFlow switching hardware, allowing each host to create over 25 new flows per second with no practical bound on the number of established flows in the network.
Residual Confounding Lurking in Big Data: A Source of Error

Big Data is defined by its vastness, often with large highly granular datasets, which when combined with advanced analytical and statistical approaches, can power very convincing conclusions (Bourne in Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association 21(2):194–194, 2014). Herein perhaps lies the greatest challenge with using big data appropriately: understanding what is not available. In order to avoid false inferences of causality, it is critical to recognize the influences that might affect the outcome of interest, yet are not readily measurable.
Predictors of Adult E-Cigarette Users Vaporizing Cannabis Using E-Cigarettes and Vape-Pens

ABSTRACTBackground: Given limited extant research, we assessed the use of portable, battery-powered cannabis vaporizers by adult e-cigarette users. Methods: 522 adult vapers completed an online survey. Demographics; lifetime and past-month cannabis vaporization via e-cigarettes/vape-pens; preferences for hash oil, D-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) wax, or dried buds; and cannabis vaporization beliefs and motives were examined. Demographics, age of e-cigarette onset, e-cigarette use frequency, state-level legal status of cannabis, cannabis vaping beliefs/motives, and impulsivity were examined as predictors of lifetime cannabis vaporization, past-month cannabis vaporization, and cannabis vaping frequency. Results: E-cigarette users reported lifetime (17.8%) and past-month (11.5%) cannabis vaporization. Vapers preferred hash oil (LT/PM 45.5/47.5%), THC wax (15.2/32.2%), and dried buds (39.4/35.6%). Motivations to vape cannabis included: it tastes better (39.3/37.9%), is healthier (42.9/39.7%), is easier to conc...
THETO - A Fast and High-Quality Partitioning Driven Global Placer

Abstract : Partitioning driven placement approaches are often preferred for fast and scalable solutions to large placement problems. However, due to the inaccuracy of representing wirelength objective by cut objective the quality of such placements often trails the quality of placements produced by pure wirelength driven placements. In this paper we present THETO, a new partitioning driven global placement algorithm that retains the speed associated with traditional partitioning driven placement algorithms but incorporates a number of novel ideas that allows it to produce solutions whose quality is better than those produced by more sophisticated and computationally expensive algorithms. The keys to THETO's success are a new terminal propagation method that allows the partitioner to better capture the characteristics of the various cut nets and a new post-bisectioning refinement step that enhances the effectiveness of the new terminal propagation. Experiments on the ISPD98 benchmarks shows that THETO produces global placement solutions that are 6% better in terms of the half perimeter wirelength than Dragon while requiring significantly less time.
Donor immunization with Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIB)-conjugate vaccine in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Bone marrow transplant patients are at increased risk for infections with polysaccharide encapsulated organisms and respond poorly to polysaccharide vaccines. We evaluated the effect of donor immunization with Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIB) polysaccharide-conjugate vaccine on recipient antibody responses following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Thirty-two allogeneic transplant patients and their donors were immunized before transplantation with HIB-conjugate, tetanus toxoid and 23-valent pneumococcal vaccines. Following transplantation, patients received HIB-conjugate and tetanus toxoid vaccines at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months and 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine at 12 and 24 months. Thirty-three patients with unimmunized donors were immunized following transplantation in an identical manner. Patients whose donors were immunized had significantly higher total anti-HIB antibody concentrations at 3 months (P = .0001), 6 months (P = .0001), 12 months (P = .0001), and 24 months (P = .002) after transplant compared with patients whose donors were unimmunized. Higher antitetanus toxoid antibody concentrations were also noted in patients with immunized donors, whereas donor immunization with pneumococcal vaccine had no effect on antibody concentrations following transplantation. Donor immunization with HIB-conjugate vaccine resulted in higher antibody concentrations in patients as early as 3 months after allogeneic transplantation and may be an effective strategy to prevent HIB infections.
Required civics courses, civics exams, and voter turnout

Abstract Despite attempts at using civic education to increase the civic engagement of young people, education policy is slow to adopt the recommendations of research and great variation exists within the United States in how schools deliver civics instruction. We hypothesize that when states make civics requirements more uniform and demanding, statewide civic participation among young people increases. Using state-level data about civic education requirements and voter registration and turnout from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), we find no evidence that a mandated civics course increases registration or turnout, but we do find a positive relationship between having a state-mandated civics exam and both registration and turnout among young people. We conclude that accountability policies could make a difference in the delivery of civic education at the state level.
Sex composition and its impact on future childbearing: a longitudinal study from urban Uttar Pradesh.

The sex composition of existing children has been shown to influence childbearing decision-making and behaviors of women and couples. One aspect of this influence is the preference for sons. In India, where son preference is deeply entrenched, research has normally focused on rural areas using cross-sectional data. However, urban areas in India are rapidly changing, with profound implications for childbearing patterns. Yet, evidence on the effect of the sex composition of current children on subsequent childbearing intentions and behavior in urban areas is scant. In this study, we analyze the impact of sex composition of children on subsequent (1) parity progression, (2) contraceptive use, and (3) desire for another child. We analyze prospective data from women over a four year period in urban Uttar Pradesh using discrete-time event history logistic regression models to analyze parity progression from the first to second parity, second to third parity, and third to fourth parity. We also use logistic regression models to analyze contraceptive use and desire for another child. Relative to women with no daughters, women with no sons had significantly higher odds of progressing to the next birth (parity 1 – aOR: 1.31; CI: 1.04–1.66; parity 2 – aOR: 4.65; CI: 3.11–6.93; parity 3 – aOR:3.45; CI: 1.83–6.52), as well as reduced odds of using contraception (parity 2 – aOR:.58; CI: .44–.76; parity 3 – aOR: .58; CI: .35–.98). Relative to women with two or more sons, women with two or more daughters had significantly higher odds of wanting to have another child (parity 1 – aOR: 1.33; CI: 1.06–1.67; parity 2 – aOR: 3.96; CI: 2.45–6.41; parity 3–4.89; CI: 2.22–10.77). Our study demonstrates the pervasiveness of son preference in urban areas of Uttar Pradesh. We discuss these findings for future programmatic strategies to mitigate son preference in urban settings.
On model-based clustering of skewed matrix data

Abstract The existing finite mixture modeling and model-based clustering literature focuses primarily on the analysis of multivariate data observed in the form of vectors, with each element representing a specific feature. In this setting, multivariate Gaussian mixture models have been the most commonly used. Due to severe modeling issues observed when normal components cannot provide adequate fit to groups, much attention has been paid to developing models capable of accounting for skewness in data. In our work, we target the problem of mixture modeling with components that can handle skewness in matrix-valued data. The proposed developments open a wide range of possible modeling capabilities, with numerous applications, as illustrated in this paper. A novel matrix mixture model is proposed. Its skewness parameters enjoy appealing interpretability. The corresponding estimation procedure and various ways of parameterization are discussed. Comprehensive simulation studies and applications to real-life datasets illustrate the efficiency of the proposed developments, supported by good results.
Language as a disruptive technology: Abstract concepts, embodiment and the flexible mind

A growing body of evidence suggests that cognition is embodied and grounded. Abstract concepts, though, remain a significant theoretical challenge. A number of researchers have proposed that language makes an important contribution to our capacity to acquire and employ concepts, particularly abstract ones. In this essay, I critically examine this suggestion and ultimately defend a version of it. I argue that a successful account of how language augments cognition should emphasize its symbolic properties and incorporate a view of embodiment that recognizes the flexible, multimodal and task-related nature of action, emotion and perception systems. On this view, language is an ontogenetically disruptive cognitive technology that expands our conceptual reach.This article is part of the theme issue 'Varieties of abstract concepts: development, use and representation in the brain'.
Abnormal Trading Around Common Factor Pricing Models

I find that firms which are predicted to transfer among the factor portfolios of Fama and French (1993) exhibit strong and statistically significant short-term variation in stock price and volume. Short-term returns around the cutoff values comprising SMB and HML tend to be temporarily high if the firm is predicted to move into a long component of a factor-mimicking portfolio, and temporarily low if moving into a short component. Similar results are apparent when examining movement in and out of the 25 size and book-to-market sorted test asset portfolios. Using the investor classifications provided by Bushee (2001), I find that return and volume effects are strongest when highly active institutional investors are in consensus about newly entering into an equity position in the firm. The results raise interesting methodological questions about the pricing implications arising from common methodologies themselves.
NEUTRON ABSORPTION BY CONTROL RODS OF VARYING TRANSPARENCY

Neutron fluxes and currents in the vicinity of control rods inside reactors are calculated in age-diffusion theory, using a control rod in the form of an infinite plane slab and approximating its transparency by a simple analytical expression. The results are compared with a two-group calculation for the same geometry and indicate the degree of accuracy of the latter method. The comparison is made for epithermal neutron energies only, and shows that in this region, two-group theory is applicable for a calculation of the number of neutrons absorbed by the control rod with a fair accuracy. (auth)
Effectiveness of Prefabricated Drains on Laboratory Consolidation of Remolded Soils

The Soil Mechanics Bureau of the New York State Department of Transportation has carried out an extensive testing program over the past two years to determine the relative effectiveness of several types of prefabricated "wick" drains in the laboratory and field environments. The test program and results, along with discussions, and the relationship of the test results to theoretical field performance are presented in this paper.
Standardizing the Use of Albumin in Large Volume Paracentesis

BackgroundAlbumin after large volume paracentesis (LVP) reduces paracentesis-induced circulatory dysfunction (PICD). The most efficacious dose of albumin for LVP is unclear.ObjectiveTo evaluate the...
Effects of Alternative Nutrition Label Formats and Nutrition Reference Information on Consumer Perceptions, Comprehension, and Product Evaluations:

The authors examine some potential effects of changes in nutrition labels associated with the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990. They report a study in which effects of basic label forma...
A Pilot Intervention Using Gamification to Enhance Student Participation in Classroom Activity Breaks.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of adding game design elements (goal setting, feedback, and external rewards) to an evidence-based physical activity intervention to increase in-class physical activity participation (intensity of activity breaks performed). Nine third- through sixth-grade classrooms (n = 292 students) in one elementary-middle school in Detroit, Michigan (49% female, 95% nonwhite; 80% qualified for free/reduced lunch) participated in this 20-week intervention where teachers implemented 5 × 4 min moderate-to-vigorous activity breaks per day. Gamification of activity breaks occurred during weeks 13–20 of the intervention and included the use of game design elements and classroom goals for activity break intensity. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during activity breaks was measured via direct observation. There was a significant effect of intervention with a 27% increase in student MVPA participation during the gamified intervention weeks compared with the standard intervention weeks (p = 0.03). Gamification of activity breaks resulted in 55% (compared with 25% during the standard intervention) of students accumulating approximately 20 min of health-enhancing physical activity per day in their classroom. These findings provide preliminary evidence that gamifying activity breaks may be an important strategy for increasing student participation in classroom activity breaks.
Absorption by extremal D3-branes

The absorption in the extremal D3-brane background is studied for a class of massless fields whose linear perturbations leave the ten-dimensional background metric unperturbed, as well as the minimally-coupled massive scalar. We find that various fields have the same absorption probability as that of the dilaton-axion system, which is given exactly via the Mathieu equation. We analyze the features of the absorption cross-sections in terms of effective Schrodinger potentials, conjecture a general form of the dual effective potentials, and provide explicit numerical results for the whole energy range. As expected, all partial-wave absorption probabilities tend to zero (one) at low (large) energies, and exhibit an oscillatory pattern as a function of energy. The equivalence of absorption probabilities for various modes has implications for the correlation functions on the field, including subleading contributions on the field-theory side. In particular, certain half-integer and integer spin fields have identical absorption probabilities, thus providing evidence that the corresponding operator pairs on the field theory side belong to the same supermultiplets.
Decay dynamics of matter-wave quantum emitters in a band structure

We present experiments on radiative decay of quantum emitters in a band structure. Our waveguide-QED simulation, which explored variable vacuum couplings and the interplay of bound states, was performed with ultracold atomic matter waves in an optical lattice.
The Mass Transfer Index (MTI): A semi-empirical approach for quantifying transport of solutes in variably saturated porous media.

The processes impacting solute transport through unsaturated porous media have been receiving renewed attention due to their relevance to the transport of emerging contaminants. A set of well-monitored and highly controlled experiments in sand columns were conducted to determine the effect of partial saturation on conservative solute breakthrough in porous media. The results suggest traditional transport parameter estimation methods inadequately account for the pore-scale processes of mass transfer to the immobile zones and the effects of partial saturation on advective transport, even for conservative tracers. Accurate estimation of these basic transport parameters is critical to evaluate the multi-phase partitioning of nonconservative solutes, as any errors in these parameters would bias the estimates of multi-phase partitioning parameters. Herein, we introduced the Mass Transfer Index (MTI), a semi-empirical approach for quantifying the impact of non-Fickian elements of pore-scale unsaturated solute transport (i.e. immobile water, tortuous flow paths, and non-uniform solute distribution), which become increasingly important as the wetting fluid saturation decreases. Importantly, this MTI was determined independently of chemically driven phase partitioning and is supported by experimental data. Based on this conceptualization, the 1-D equilibrium advection dispersion equation was modified to incorporate the MTI as a lumped parameter which quantifies resistance to (MTI > 1) or promotion of (MTI < 1) of advective solute flux. Analytical solutions to the modified advection-dispersion-reaction equation for pulse and step inputs were developed. Conservative tracer experiments were conducted in variably saturated sand columns to validate both the MTI conceptualization and the inversion method used to estimate the MTI. These experiments involved the use of X-ray absorption spectroscopy integrated with sensor-based measurements of soil moisture, temperature, and electrical conductivity for tracer breakthrough. The mathematical model developed herein adapts traditional macroscopic models of solute transport to account for the non-Fickian pore-scale transport behaviors observed in unsaturated porous media with significant advective flux.
A Large Air-Gap Multi-MHz Capacitive Wireless Power Transfer System Using Compact Charging Pads

This paper presents a large air-gap multi-MHz capacitive WPT system utilizing innovatively designed compact charging pads. This charging pad comprises a pair of coupling plates that are used for power transfer, a metal sheet at its base that minimizes the impact of surrounding dissipative materials and a dielectric layer in-between. The effect of the dimensions of these structural components on the system’s performance is studied and the tradeoffs between different choices are discussed. The design is supported by theoretical analysis and simulations, and is experimentally validated by a prototype 13.56-MHz 12-cm air-gap 500-W capacitive WPT system that utilizes these charging pads for power transfer. The prototype system achieves 88% efficiency while transferring 500 W power. The impact of foreign objects (including metal, wood, plastic, rubber, water, and snow) on the performance of this prototype system is also studied. The system’s performance is found to be significantly impacted only for some of the objects in very close proximity to the coupling plates. Furthermore, to study the effectiveness of the charging pads in practical electric vehicle (EV) charging scenarios, the charging pad is embedded in materials used for roadway construction and the system performance is compared.
Temperature-dependent local conformations and conformational distributions of cyanine dimer labeled single-stranded -- double-stranded DNA junctions by 2D fluorescence spectroscopy

DNA replication, and the related processes of genome expression, require binding, assembly, and function of protein complexes at and near single-stranded (ss) -- double-stranded (ds) DNA junctions. These central protein-DNA interactions are likely influenced by thermally induced conformational fluctuations of the DNA scaffold across an unknown distribution of functionally relevant states to provide regulatory proteins access to properly conformed DNA binding sites. Thus, characterizing the nature of conformational fluctuations and the associated structural disorder at ss-dsDNA junctions is likely critical for understanding the molecular mechanisms of these central biological processes. Here we describe spectroscopic studies of model ss-dsDNA fork constructs that contain dimers of "internally labeled" cyanine (iCy3) chromophore probes that have been rigidly inserted within the sugar-phosphate backbones of the DNA strands. Our combined analyses of absorbance, circular dichroism (CD) and two-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy (2DFS) permit us to characterize the local conformational parameters and conformational distributions. We find that the DNA sugar-phosphate backbones undergo abrupt successive changes in their local conformations -- initially from a right-handed and ordered DNA state to a disordered splayed-open structure and then to a disordered left-handed conformation -- as the dimer probes are moved across the ss-dsDNA junction. Our results suggest that the sugar-phosphate backbones at and near ss-dsDNA junctions adopt specific position-dependent local conformations and exhibit varying extents of conformational disorder that deviate widely from the Watson-Crick structure. We suggest that some of these conformations are likely to function as secondary-structure motifs for interaction with protein complexes that bind to and assemble at these sites.
Bruhat-Tits-Räume

Serge Lang wurde 1927 in Paris geboren, wo er auch seine ersten Schuljahre ab- solvierte. Die weitere Ausbildung erhielt er dann allerdings in den Vereinigten Staa- ten, wo er das California Institute of Technology (Caltech) und die University of Princeton besuchte. Hier erhielt er das Doktorat in Mathematik im Jahre 1951. Nach Aufenthalten am Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton und an der Univer- sity of Chicago war er von 1955 bis 1970 Professor an der Columbia University in New York. Gastprofessuren in Princeton und Harvard folgten, und 1972 wurde er Professor an der Yale University. Seine Interessen sind weitgespannt, aber sein Hauptinteresse gehorte immer der Mathematik, besonders der Zahlentheorie. Bis an- hin hat er 37 Bucher, mathematische und andere, und u ¨ber 70 Forschungsartikel veroffentlicht. . Mit einem gewissen Recht konnte man sagen, der Ausgangspunkt des vorliegenden Beitrages von Serge Lang sei der folgende Satz: Auf einer Riemannschen Mannig- faltigkeit mit semi-negativer Krummung besitzt eine kompakte Gruppe von Isometrien einen Fixpunkt. Aber dieser Satz, der von recht komplizierten Begriffen handelt, wird erst in den historischen Bemerkungen ganz am Schluss des Beitrages kurz zitiert (Ab- schnitt 4). Denn Serge Lang geht es hier um etwas anderes, namlich um ein ganz elementares, erstaunlich allgemeines, aber dennoch weittragendes Resultat, das auf dem Umweg u ¨ber den oben erwahnten abstrakten Satz entdeckt worden ist, den Fix- punktsatz von Bruhat-Tits (Theorem 1.2). Die Entdeckung dieses Fixpunktsatzes lag nicht auf der Hand, sie ergab sich erst nach einer langeren und gewundenen Entwick- lung. Eine der dafur notwendigen Voraussetzungen war die Erkenntnis, dass zwischen dem komplizierten Begriff der semi-negativen Krummung und dem einfachen Semi- Parallelogrammgesetz eine enge Beziehung besteht. Das Semi-Parallelogrammgesetz (Abschnitt 1), dessen Gultigkeit die definierende Eigenschaft der im Titel genannten Bruhat-Tits-Raume ist, verallgemeinert eine wohlbekannte Identitat, die in der elemen- taren Vektoralgebra an einem Parallelogramm hergeleitet werden kann (siehe Figur 1). Serge Lang geht in den weiteren Teilen (Abschnitte 2 und 3) seines Beitrages auf ein explizites Beispiel eines Bruhat-Tits-Raumes ein. Diese beiden Abschnitte illustrieren auf attraktive Weise die Differentialrechnung in Vektorraumen, wie sie Mathematikstu- dierende in ihrem ersten Studienjahr erarbeiten. ust
Meso- and Micro-Scale Frontiers of Compact Heat Exchangers

By their very nature, compact heat exchangers allow an efficient use of material, volume and energy in thermal systems. These benefits have driven heat exchanger design toward higher compactness, and the trend toward ultra-compact designs will continue. Highly compact surfaces can be manufactured using micromachining and other modern technologies. In this paper, unresolved thermalhydraulic issues related to ultra-compact designs will be discussed and the status of the technologies required for the production of ultra-compact structured surfaces will be summarized.
Artificial Life Needs a Real Epistemology

Foundational controversies in artificial life and artificial intelligence arise from lack of decidable criteria for defining the epistemic cuts that separate knowledge of reality from reality itself, e.g., description from construction, simulation from realization, mind from brain. Selective evolution began with a description-construction cut, i.e., the genetically coded synthesis of proteins. The highly evolved cognitive epistemology of physics requires an epistemic cut between reversible dynamic laws and the irreversible process of measuring initial conditions. This is also known as the measurement problem. Good physics can be done without addressing this epistemic problem, but not good biology and artificial life, because open-ended evolution requires the physical implementation of genetic descriptions. The course of evolution depends on the speed and reliability of this implementation, or how efficiently the real or artificial physical dynamics can be harnessed by non-dynamic genetic symbols.
Repeated exposure to sleep restriction followed by recovery sleep – Effects on IL-6 expression and glucocorticoid (GC) sensitivity of monocytes

Restricting sleep on week days and catching up on sleep on weekend days is a highly prevalent pattern in work and school populations. We hypothesized that the repeated exposure to such patterns progressively increases the inflammatory response, due to reduced GC sensitivity of monocytes. Fourteen participants (age 25 ± 1 yrs) completed two 25-day-in-hospital periods; sleep-restriction and control-sleep in randomized order. The sleep-restriction condition consisted of three weekly cycles of 5 days with 4 h of sleep/night followed by 2 days with 8 h of sleep/night. Blood draws were taken at 11:30 h on the baseline day and the end of each sleep-restriction and recovery-sleep period. The inflammatory response was assessed by interleukin (IL)-6 positive monocytes (determined by flow cytometry); GC sensitivity of monocytes was determined by measuring the ability of dexamethasone to suppress lipopolysaccharide-stimulated IL-6 expression. IL-6 positive monocytes increased in the second and third week of sleep-restriction over control-sleep by 15% and 20%, respectively (both p 0.05), and did not return to baseline levels during intermittent recovery-sleep. GC sensitivity of monocytes was increased across all 3 weeks of sleep-restriction when compared to control-sleep, and did not normalize during intermittent recovery-sleep periods (all p 0.05). In conclusion, despite an increase in the sensitivity of monocytes to the counter-inflammatory GC signal, monocytes still express more IL-6 in response to repeated exposure of sleep-restriction. Importantly, recovery-sleep does not normalize these changes.
Analytic Proof of the Prime Number Theorem

The prime number theorem is equivalent to the statement $$\psi (x) \sim xasx \to \infty ,$$ (1) where ψ(x) is Chebyshev’s function, $$\psi (x) = \sum\limits_{n \leqslant x} {\Lambda (n)} .$$
Analysis of developmentally homogeneous neural crest cell populations in vitro: II. A tumor-promoter (TPA) delays differentiation and promotes cell proliferation

Abstract The tumor-promoting agent 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) delayed pigmentation in developmentally homogeneous quail neural crest cell populations in vitro . Doses below 5 × 10 −8 M resulted only in a delay in pigmentation for up to 2 days without changing the rate of pigmentation, whereas intermediate doses (5 × 10 −8 –10 −7 M ) delayed the initiation and decreased the rate of pigmentation but had no effect on the ultimate fate. Doses of TPA above 2 × 10 −7 M irreversibly prevented pigmentation in some of the cells. TPA did not influence growth of the undifferentiated cell population. Since TPA delayed the decline in the cell proliferation rate that normally occurred with pigmentation, however, the final number of pigmented cells could be increased up to 10-fold in TPA-treated cultures without changing the homogeneity of the cultures. A part from the effects on cell differentiation, TPA caused an immediate change in cellular association within the clusters.
Stranger than Fiction: A Review of 'Midnight Assassin' by Patricia L. Bryan and Thomas Wolf

Midnight Assassin is a historical study of the murder of John Hossack, a homicide that took place in Iowa at the turn of the twentieth century, and its legal aftermath. Mr. Hossack was killed in his bed as he slept; Mrs. Hossack, who claimed that she was asleep beside him at the time of the attack, was charged with his murder. The book is fascinating in its own right: an analysis of a complex and socially fraught murder case, told through extensive review of original historical documents. But the Hossack murder has already played an interesting and pivotal role in legal education, through a fictional vehicle: writer Susan Glaspell's short story, "A Jury of Her Peers," and her play, "Trifles." Glaspell, a journalist, covered the Hossack murder; subsequently she made a career as an author, co-founded the Provincetown Players, and discovered Eugene O'Neill. Her works based on the Hossack case explore the limits of the legal system in addressing the psychological abuse of a woman by her spouse, and raise complex issues, from the need for gender-based perspectives on factual investigation, to the appropriateness of responding outside the law when the law is unjust. These materials, and the feminist perspective they raise, have been widely used in law school courses and facilitate exploration of a wide range of concerns, from the legal treatment of the battered spouse to issues of nullification, access, and community responsibility. Given the extensive use that has been made of Glaspell's fictional renderings of the Hossack case, my review explores the utility of the "true story" of the Hossack murder. It concludes that, as told from the distinctive editorial perspective of Bryan and Wolf, both the factual and fictional accounts of the murder have distinct value for legal study.