cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automatic Wiper System Based on the Adjacent Capacitive Edge Effect

An automatic wiper control system based on the adjacent capacitive used in automotive industry. Three types of capacitance sensor in different shapes (round-arrays, flower-shaped and single-ring) are designed, and their performances are simulated by using COMSOL and MATLAB under the same conditions. The results indicate the performance of the single-ring sensor is the best, and its sensitivity reaches 192.17fF/mm, which overcomes the problem of weak output. The data acquisition and conversion circuit based on digital chip AD7142 is designed to enhance the anti-interference and reduce the system cost. The experimental results prove the feasibility of the automatic wiper control system used on automatic car.
The integration of social interactions between cebus and spider monkeys in captivity

Abstract A mixed population of cebus and spider monkeys were observed in order to study ongoing social interactions between members of the two species. Frequencies of various behaviors revealed individual, age, and species differences. Cebus infants and juveniles were carried by the spider monkeys, suggesting a strong potential for the maternal-like behavior. Throughout the study, strong interspecies social bonds were expressed in a variety of ways, while little aggression occurred. In general, the behavior of these two species together resembles that of an integrated troop of conspecifics.
An investigation of catalyst/cocatalyst/support interactions in silica-supported olefin polymerization catalysts based on Cp*TiMe3

Some of the interactions in an organometallic catalyst/cocatalyst/support material have been studied quantitatively (by analysis of volatiles and surface organometallic fragments) and spectroscopically (by IR, 13C and 29Si solid state CP/MAS NMR). The initial product of grafting Cp*TiMe3 onto an Aerosil silica is the supported organometallic complex ≡SiOTiCp*Me2, 1, which is thermally unstable. Mild heating generates the supported tetramethylfulvene complex ≡ SiOTiFv*(Me), 3, via an intramolecular C–H activation process. Grafting of AlMe3 onto either 1 or 3 yields a methylene-bridged heterobinuclear complex, (≡SiO)2Cp*TiCH2AlMe2, 5, and is accompanied by extensive methylation of the silica surface. The direct reaction of AlMe3 with the unmodified silica leads predominantly to the supported organometallic fragment ≡ SiOAl2(CH3)3(CH2), 6, whose proposed structure includes a bridging methylene and a bridging siloxide ligand. Its reaction with Cp*TiMe3 generates methane and ≡ SiOAl2(CH2)2TiCp*Me4, 7.
Evolutionary variants of simian virus 40: Replication and encapsidation of variant DNA☆

Abstract The genomes of evolutionary variants of simian virus 40 (SV40) contain reiterations of DNA sequences derived from the origin of replication of viral DNA. To determine the role of such reiterated DNA segments in the evolution of variants, the relative rates of replication and the encapsidation efficiencies were determined for cloned variants with three, five, six, or nine copies of the SV40 origin sequence. The rate of variant DNA replication relative to that of the helper virus in the variant stock was an exponential function of the number of origin segments per genome. In contrast, encapsidation efficiency was not correlated with the number of origin sequences in the variant genome. We conclude that a major factor in the evolution of SV40 variants is the replicative advantage conferred by the reiteration of the origin of DNA replication.
Androgen levels in the Spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta: the influence of social factors

The Spotted hyaena is characterized by a suite of unique morphological and behavioural adaptations in the female: the external genitalia are nearly indistinguishable from those of the male, and females dominate males in most behavioural interactions. In a previous study of southern African hyaenas, males and females were found to have similar levels of circulating androgen, and it was suggested that relatively high foetal and adult levels are associated with female genital masculinization and dominance over males, respectively. This study shows that females from an East African population have androgen levels significantly lower than males, and that these levels in both sexes are strongly affected by individual social status; alpha animals had the highest androgen levels in each sex. These data cast doubt on the earlier hypothesis that aspects of sexual monomorphism in the Spotted hyaena are related solely to elevated female androgen titres.
Selective reductions in prefrontal glucose metabolism in murderers

This study tests the hypothesis that seriously violent offenders pleading not guilty by reason of insanity or incompetent to stand trial are characterized by prefrontal dysfunction. This hypothesis was tested in a group of 22 subjects accused of murder and 22 age-matched and gender-matched controls by measuring local cerebral uptake of glucose using positron emission tomography during the continuous performance task. Murderers had significantly lower glucose metabolism in both lateral and medial prefrontal cortex relative to controls. No group differences were observed for posterior frontal, temporal, and parietal glucose metabolism, indicating regional specificity for the prefrontal deficit. Group differences were not found to be a function of raised levels of left-handedness, schizophrenia, ethnic minority status, head injury, or motivation deficits in the murder group. These preliminary results suggest that deficits localized to the prefrontal cortex may be related to violence in a selected group of offenders, although further studies are needed to establish the generalizability of these findings to violent offenders in the community.
Indonesia: The battle of the ‘old’ and the ‘new order’

(1967). Indonesia: The battle of the ‘old’ and the ‘new order’. Australian Outlook: Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 18-43.
Hubble space telescope advanced camera for surveys coronagraphic observations of the dust surrounding HD 100546

We present HST ACS coronagraphic observations of HD 100546, a B9.5 star, 103 pc away from the Sun, taken in the F435W, F606W, and F814W bands. Scattered light is detected up to 14" from the star. The observations are consistent with the presence of an extended flattened nebula with the same inclination as the inner disk. The well-known "spiral arms" are clearly observed and trail the rotating disk material. Weaker arms never before reported are also seen. The interarm space becomes brighter, but the structures become more neutral in color at longer wavelengths, which is not consistent with models that assume that they are due to the effects of a warped disk. Along the major disk axis, the colors of the scattered light relative to the star are Δ(F435W - F606W) ≈ 0.0-0.2 mag and Δ(F435W - F814W) ≈ 0.5-1 mag. To explain these colors, we explore the role of asymmetric scattering, reddening, and large minimum sizes on ISM-like grains. We conclude that each of these hypotheses by itself cannot explain the colors. The disk colors are similar to those derived for Kuiper Belt objects, suggesting that the same processes responsible for their colors may be at work here. We argue that we are observing only the geometrically thick, optically thin envelope of the disk, while the optically thick disk responsible for the far-IR emission is undetected. The observed spiral arms are then structures on this envelope. The colors indicate that the extended nebulosity is not a remnant of the infalling envelope but reprocessed disk material.
The architecture of managerial leadership: Stimulation and channeling of organizational emergence

Abstract This conceptual manuscript emphasizes the indirect influence of senior managers who occupy positions between the strategic apex of the organization and its middle management. It combines a traditional organization behavior/theory perspective with that of a complex adaptive theory approach to examine why and how leaders should and can stimulate “emergence” and channel “emergence.” In technical terms, we emphasize the level VI managerial leadership (ala Elliott Jaques) level just below the level VII strategic apex. We argue that these managerial leaders should use the complexity theory “order for free” notions to traverse the narrow path between order and disorder to simultaneously improve the fitness of the organization and benefit its members. We emphasize alterations in the character of the system, its processes, its procedures and its informal structure to help the organization stimulate bottom up order for free activities and also combine these initiatives into viable adaptations. Thus, it emphasizes the architecture established by these leaders. A number of propositions are also provided.
Economic Sanctions and Political Repression: Assessing the Impact of Coercive Diplomacy on Political Freedoms

This article offers a thorough analysis of the unintended impact economic sanctions have on political repression—referred to in this study as the level of the government respect for democratic freedoms and human rights. We argue that economic coercion is a counterproductive policy tool that reduces the level of political freedoms in sanctioned countries. Instead of coercing the sanctioned regime into reforming itself, sanctions inadvertently enhance the regime’s coercive capacity and create incentives for the regime’s leadership to commit political repression. Cross-national time series data support our argument, confirming that the continued use of economic sanctions (even when aimed at promoting political liberalization and respect for human rights) will increase the level of political repression. These findings suggest that both scholars and policy makers should pay more attention to the externalities caused by economic coercion.
EcoDAQ: A Case Study of a Densely Distributed Real-Time System for High Data Rate Wireless Data Acquisition

Densely distributed wireless real-time system must perform communication scheduling and protocols in addition to task scheduling to achieve schedulability and reliable communication. While many wireless sensor networks are densely distributed, they assume low duty cycling and trivial data packet rates, and they cannot handle many real-world applications. To highlight these design issues, this paper presents a case study with EcoDAQ, a wireless data acquisition system with 50 sensor nodes streaming real-time data over the same frequency channel. To achieve reliable communication, we define a pulling protocol that minimizes node complexity while guaranteeing collision freedom on a given frequency channel. Our case study illustrates the impact of communication requirements on the rest of the systems including bus and processing speeds. Experimental results show that our monitoring station can sustain gathering accelerometer data from up to 50 nodes in one square meter area at up to 15,000 samples per second with minimal latency and show very high expandability, flexibility and reliability.
The Interview as Legacy: A Social Scientist Confronts AIDS

This research was designed to examine how the lives of people with AIDS are affected beyond changes in their health and how they think about what is happening to them. Underlying this research is the assumption that peoples perceptions and experiences significantly affect their behavior. The study consists of in-depth semistructured interviews with Arizonans who have AIDS. The interviews focus on such issues as: How do individuals 1st suspect they have a problem and how do they respond to these suspicions? How are they informed about and affected by their diagnosis? What experiences have they had with medical treatment research and prevention programs and which factors increase or decrease their willingness and ability to cooperate with such programs? How has AIDS affected their relationships with family friends employers lovers and colleagues? How has it affected their sexual behavior? Under what circumstances do they reveal or conceal the fact that they have AIDS? These data are augmented by information on sociodemographic characteristics and health status. This research has generated an unusually burdensome sense of responsibility in the author. Ironically the chief worry has been protecting the signed "informed consent forms." The possibility of informed consent becomes even more dubious if the respondents feel they cannot afford to refuse. The legal dilemmas posed by this research have presented the fewest difficulties. Undoubtedly many other researchers have coped with similar problems over the years. In the long run the unusual stresses of AIDS research may have at least 1 serendipitous effect if they pressure scholars to begin tackling these issues openly.
Contention control: A game-theoretic approach

We present a game-theoretic approach to contention control. We define a game-theoretic model, called random access game, to capture the contention/interaction among wireless nodes in wireless networks with contention-based medium access. We characterize Nash equilibria of random access games, study their dynamics and propose distributed algorithms (strategy evolutions) to achieve the Nash equilibria. This provides a general analytical framework that is capable of modelling a large class of systemwide quality of service models via the specification of per-node utility functions, in which systemwide fairness or service differentiation can be achieved in a distributed manner as long as each node executes a contention resolution algorithm that is designed to achieve the Nash equilibrium. We thus design medium access method according to distributed strategy update mechanism achieving the Nash equilibrium of random access game. In addition to guiding medium access control design, the random access game model also provides an analytical framework to understand equilibrium and dynamic properties of different medium access protocols and their interactions.
Capital Market Development, International Integration, Legal Systems, and the Value of Corporate Diversification: A Cross-Country Analysis

Using a database of more than 8,000 companies from 35 countries, we find that the value of corporate diversification is related to the level of capital market development, international integration, and legal systems. Our results suggest that the financial, legal, and regulatory environments each have an important influence on the value of diversification. Moreover, the optimal organizational structure and corporate governance may be very different for firms operating in emerging markets than they are for firms operating in more developed and internationally integrated countries.
Empirical Mode Decomposition and some operators to estimate Instantaneous Frequency: A comparative study

The aim of the present work is to illustrate how the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) can be associated with demodulation methods to estimate the instantaneous frequency (IF) of multicomponent non stationary signals. The IF estimation of three methods, namely, Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) [10], EMD-DESA (Discrete Energy Separation Algorithm)also known as Teager-Huang transform (THT) [2] [5], and B-spline version of the EMD-DESA called EMD-ESA-BS [1] are compared on AM-FM signal corrupted with an additive white Gaussian noise of varying signal to noise ratio (SNR). The obtained results show that for very low SNR the EMD-ESA-BS with regularization performs better than the HHT, the THT and the EMD-ESA- BS without regularization. For high SNR values all the methods globally have the same behavior, but the EMD-ESA-BS without regularization gives the best estimation.
Single-Molecule Protein Conformational Dynamics in Enzymatic Reactions

Enzymes involve many critical biological processes, and for some extends, the biological clock of a living cell is often regulated by enzymatic reactions. An enzymatic reaction involves active substrate–enzyme complex formation, chemical transformation, and product releasing, as we know of the Mechalis–Menten mechanism. Enzymes can change the biological reaction pathways and accelerate the reaction rate by thousands and even millions of times. It is the enzyme–substrate interaction and complex formation that play a critical role in defining the enzymatic reaction landscape, including reaction potential surface, transition states of chemical transformation, and oscillatory reaction pathways. Subtle conformational changes play a crucial role in enzyme functions, and these protein conformations are highly dynamic rather than being static. Using only a static structural characterization, from an ensemble-averaged measurement at equilibrium is often inadequate in predicting dynamic conformations and understanding correlated enzyme functions in real time involving in nonequilibrium, multiple-step, multiple-conformation complex chemical interactions and transformations.
Stochastic Programming Approach for Unit Availability Consideration in Multi-Area Generation Expansion Planning

This paper proposes a solution approach for the optimal capacity planning problem in multi-area power systems in the presence of randomness in the availability of additional units. The problem is formulated as a two-stage recourse model in the mixed-integer stochastic programming framework. The uncertainties in area generation, transmission lines, and load are incorporated in the model and characterized by their discrete probability distributions. Reliability index used in this analysis is expected unserved energy as this index integrates duration and magnitude of load loss. The objective function is to minimize expansion cost in the first stage and, at the same time, to minimize operation and expected unserved energy costs in the second stage. The first stage decision variables on the number of additional units are represented by binary variables to allow individual unit availability considerations. The solution algorithm utilizes the L-shaped method.
Acquisition of direct-sequence ultra-wideband signals

Very high rate packet data systems, such as those based on ultra-wideband (UWB) signaling, face an increasingly important challenge - achieving fast timing acquisition and synchronization (which must be done typically on an individual packet basis) to minimize preamble overhead and optimize (packet) throughput. Impulse based UWB modulation schemes use short (nano-second) time-duration pulses that are appropriately shaped - the resulting high resolution in time implies that the acquisition algorithm must employ sub-pulse duration steps, thereby leading to a large search space if a serial timing acquisition approach is used. Moreover, owing to the strict average transmit power limitations on UWB transmissions resulting from the Part 15 limits imposed by the FCC, a large number of pulses need to be integrated for reliable acquisition decisions, which consequently leads to large mean acquisition times (MAT). We investigate the performance of the conventional serial search and random search schemes applied to the acquisition of UWB signals in multipath environments. It is shown that over typical UWB multipath channels, a random search scheme may yield lower MAT than serial search.
Naloxone challenge as a biological predictor of treatment outcome in opiate addicts.

Thirty seven consecutive applicants to methadone maintenance were assessed for depression and for level of opiate dependence using a 0.8-mg naloxone challenge. Nineteen of the applicants met DSM-III-R criteria for current major depression. At 3-month follow-up, high naloxone challenge test (NCT) scores at intake (high levels of opiate addiction) were found to predict poor program retention and elevated symptoms of depression at follow-up. Reports of heavy current drug use at intake were also associated with poor program retention and with high frequencies of positive urine screens for illicit substances during treatment. Level of addiction and reported amount of drug use at intake independently predicted program retention with a multiple correlation of 0.46 (P less than .01). Although NCT predicted depression at follow-up, depression at intake did not significantly predict treatment outcome, and NCT score predicted outcome independently of psychopathology.
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcal Bacteremia Pharmacotherapy:

Objective: To review the literature on the pharmacotherapy of bloodstream infections (BSI) caused by vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Data Sources: A MEDLINE literature search was performed for the period 1946 to May 2014 using the search terms Enterococcus, enterococci, vancomycin-resistant, VRE, bacteremia, and bloodstream infection. References were also identified from selected review articles. Study Selection and Data Extraction: English-language case series, cohort studies, and meta-analyses assessing the options in the pharmacotherapy of VRE BSIs in adult patients were evaluated. Data Synthesis: Studies were identified that utilized linezolid, quinupristin/dalfopristin (Q/D), and daptomycin. In all, 8 comparative retrospective cohort studies, 2 meta-analyses of daptomycin and linezolid, and 3 retrospective comparisons of linezolid and Q/D were included for review. Mortality associated with VRE BSIs was high across studies, and the ability to determine differences in outcomes between agents wa...
Structural dynamics and energetics underlying allosteric inactivation of the cannabinoid receptor CB1.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are surprisingly flexible molecules that can do much more than simply turn on G proteins. Some even exhibit biased signaling, wherein the same receptor preferentially activates different G-protein or arrestin signaling pathways depending on the type of ligand bound. Why this behavior occurs is still unclear, but it can happen with both traditional ligands and ligands that bind allosterically outside the orthosteric receptor binding pocket. Here, we looked for structural mechanisms underlying these phenomena in the marijuana receptor CB1. Our work focused on the allosteric ligand Org 27569, which has an unusual effect on CB1—it simultaneously increases agonist binding, decreases G-protein activation, and induces biased signaling. Using classical pharmacological binding studies, we find that Org 27569 binds to a unique allosteric site on CB1 and show that it can act alone (without need for agonist cobinding). Through mutagenesis studies, we find that the ability of Org 27569 to bind is related to how much receptor is in an active conformation that can couple with G protein. Using these data, we estimated the energy differences between the inactive and active states. Finally, site-directed fluorescence labeling studies show the CB1 structure stabilized by Org 27569 is different and unique from that stabilized by antagonist or agonist. Specifically, transmembrane helix 6 (TM6) movements associated with G-protein activation are blocked, but at the same time, helix 8/TM7 movements are enhanced, suggesting a possible mechanism for the ability of Org 27569 to induce biased signaling.
Genetic Networks in Osseointegration

Osseointegration-based dental implants have become a well-accepted treatment modality for complete and partial edentulism. The success of this treatment largely depends on the stable integration and maintenance of implant fixtures in alveolar bone; however, the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating this unique tissue reaction have not yet been fully uncovered. Radiographic and histologic observations suggest the sustained retention of peri-implant bone without an apparent susceptibility to catabolic bone remodeling; therefore, implant-induced bone formation continues to be intensively investigated. Increasing numbers of whole-genome transcriptome studies suggest complex molecular pathways that may play putative roles in osseointegration. This review highlights genetic networks related to bone quality, the transient chondrogenic phase, the vitamin D axis, and the peripheral circadian rhythm to elute the regulatory mechanisms underlying the establishment and maintenance of osseointegration.
Water-like solvation thermodynamics in a spherically symmetric solvent model with two characteristic lengths

We examine by molecular dynamics simulation the solubility of small apolar solutes in a solvent whose particles interact via the Jagla potential, a spherically symmetric ramp potential with two characteristic lengths: an impenetrable hard core and a penetrable soft core. The Jagla fluid has been recently shown to possess water-like structural, dynamic, and thermodynamic anomalies. We find that the solubility exhibits a minimum with respect to temperature at fixed pressure and thereby show that the Jagla fluid also displays water-like solvation thermodynamics. We further find low-temperature swelling of a hard-sphere chain dissolved in the Jagla fluid and relate this phenomenon to cold unfolding of globular proteins. Our results are consistent with the possibility that the presence of two characteristic lengths in the Jagla potential is a key feature of water-like solvation thermodynamics. The penetrable core becomes increasingly important at low temperatures, which favors the formation of low-density, open structures in the Jagla solvent.
A hybrid FEM-DDM-PO method for electrically large objects

This paper has an emphasis on the HF part; we use physical-optics (PO) method [1] with large-dimension curvilinear elements [2]. On the LF side, the hybrid method proposed here employs the FEM domain decomposition method (DDM) [3-4]. In addition, an iterative Multi-Region procedure is developed to make the information between sub-regions fully exchanged.
Alternative decompositions and distributed algorithms for network utility maximization

Network utility maximization problems provide an important approach to conduct network resource management such as power and rate allocation. In the existing literature, distributed implementations are typically achieved by the means of the so-called dual decomposition technique. However, the span of decomposition possibilities includes many other elements which thus far have not been fully exploited, such as the use of the primal decomposition technique, the versatile introduction of auxiliary variables, and the potential of multilevel decompositions. This paper presents in a systematic way how to apply these decomposition techniques to network utility maximization problems. The presentation is based on a general network optimization model that unifies existing works, and then is particularized to two concrete examples of recent interest: generalized water-filling algorithms and wireless cellular downlink power control. We can thus obtain a variety of distributed algorithms with different characteristics to suit the needs of specific applications. Both primal and dual decomposition techniques are considered at many different hierarchy levels, leading to a range of choices of hybrid, multi-level, primal/dual decomposition schemes. Each particular combination provides a different distributed algorithm for resource allocation. The choice of decomposition method and distributed algorithm for a particular problem depends on factors such as the amount of signalling required for proper coordination, asymmetry of computational load, and speed of convergence
Recreation visitor attitudes towards management-ignited prescribed fires in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, Montana.

Research at the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex in Montana explored differences in recreation visitors' attitudes towards the use of management-ignited prescribed fires in the wilderness. A mail-ba...
The Demand for Commercial Fishing in California

From the late 1940s to the late 1070s, the chemicals DDT and PCB were deposited off the coast of Los Angeles. The DDT came to be located in the sediments as a result of manufacturing activities when DDT was directly discharged into the Los Angeles County sewer system. The manufacturing waste passed through a sewage treatment facility but was eventually discharged into the ocean through outfall pipes. PCB’s were released by other sources and also entered the marine environment. These chemicals are alleged to have adversely affected various animals that live along the South Coast and in the area of the Los Angeles basin (Draft Injury Determination Plan, 1991). At present, all but four species have completely recovered from the effects of the dumping while the four are expected to fully recover over the next fifty years. In an attempt to recover compensation for the damage, the state of California has brought forward a suit against the companies who were responsible for the dumping. The state, under the law, must restrict its claim for compensation to the lost use and non-use of the harbor.
Learning Disabilities Subtypes

In a relatively young industrial society such as ours, only about 100 years have elapsed since an inability to learn, retain, and use a symbolic means of communication fluently has been viewed as a learning disability. Prior to the end of the 19th century, the acquisition of reading, arithmetical, and other more demanding cognitive skills was not viewed as essential for a productive life. These abilities are clearly essential today.
In-depth analysis of clotting dynamics in burn patients

Abstract Background Studies associating coagulopathic changes with burn injury have relied on limited tests such as partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and international normalized ratio (INR). Understanding the clotting dynamics and associated risk factors after burn injury could influence management. This work aimed to identify real-time changes in coagulation after burn injury not indicated by PTT or INR alone. Materials and methods Nine burn-injured patients at a regional burn center were enrolled for blood collection at admission and set intervals over 96 h. Patient demographics, management, and laboratory data (PTT and INR) were collected. Plasma assays determined factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, antithrombin, and protein C functional activity as well as PAP, D-Dimer, fibrin monomer, TFPI, IL-1b, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p.70, and TNF-α concentrations. Results Overall, five patients died. These patients had higher mortality scores and were more acidotic. All patients had normal coagulation studies (INR Conclusions Extensive changes not identified by PTT or INR were seen after burn injury that may explain perturbed coagulation in these patients. This approach further characterizes the impact thermal injury has on coagulation.
Prescription for Disaster: The Problem of "Hidden Harms" and Hazing

Despite university policies prohibiting hazing, student groups continue to subject new members to harmful rituals. These rituals often include physical and psychological abuse, and forced alcohol consumption. Today, with more students who suffer from mental disorders and/or who use or abuse prescription drugs, hazing activities are a prescription for disaster, wrought with both human and legal consequences. To address the problem of "hidden harm" - students hazing other students with special challenges - college administrators should continue to send strong and regular anti-hazing messages. This article provides guidance and advice on this topic.
Caffeine Knowledge and the Young Adult

This paper reports the results of a survey testing the knowledge that 747 young adults have regarding the highly domesticated drug—caffeine. The average correct score on the twenty-five item Caffeine Knowledge Test (CKT) was 13. Respondents were aware that caffeine is a widely used addictive drug which is a central nervous system stimulant, causing rapid heartbeat and anxiety. Only a small percentage of the respondents were cognizant of the specific amounts of caffeine contained in colas and over-the-counter medications, or of such recent scientific findings as the association of caffeine with fibrocystic disease of the breast. Several differences by sex were discerned. Respondents demonstrated a keen interest in the CKT. It was concluded that the apparent contradiction between the significant amounts of caffeine ingested by young adults and their knowledge of its biological action as a drug has stimulated much concern with its potentially harmful consequences.
An Integrated Computer-Aided Data Acquisition and Control System

PC-based data acquisition systems are used in a wide variety of applications. In laboratories, in field services and in manufacturing facilities, these systems act as general-purpose measurement and control tools well suited for measuring voltage signals. Teaching and learning experiences may be enhanced by integrating new-technologies in the engineering curriculum, particularly in experimental-type courses. By installing plug-in data acquisition boards and signal-conditioning hardware, and appropriate software, the general-purpose computers become enormously flexible virtual-instruments with data acquisition and analysis capability. This paper describes a Computer-Aided Testing System which uses a commercially available A/D board to offer users a wide array of measurement and control capabilities. It can be used for making repeated high speed measurement, controlling motors or teaching data acquisition.© 2002 ASME
Application of channeling techniques and high resolution transmission electron microscopy to ion-beam damaged zircon

Zircon (ZrSiO{sub 4}) samples were irradiated at 100K with 400 keV Ar{sup +} and Xe{sup +} ion beams to fluences ranging from 5 {times} 10{sup 13} to 5 {times} 10{sup 15} ions/cm{sup 2}. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) experiments were completed to study the dechanneling of He ions in the irradiated zircons. Cross-sections of some irradiated samples were prepared, and the zircon microstructure was examined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). At doses greater than 8 {times} 10{sup 14} ions/cm{sup 1} or 0.8 dpa (displacements per atom), RBS channeling experiments showed the presence of a disordered or amorphous layer. The electron microscopy confirmed the presence of an amorphous layer extending over a depth of 300 to 350 nm (Ar{sup +} irradiation) and 200 nm (Xe{sup +} irradiation) in agreement with the damage layer depth calculated by TRIM. At depths extending beyond the damage peak, TEM reveals an amorphous layer with ``islands`` of crystalline material of {approximately} 30 nm in size. These experiments show that RBS and TEM are complementary techniques in investigation radiation effects in irradiations of bulk ceramic.
Social Communication Interventions

Initiations of social communication skills, including prelinguistic and spoken behavior to share and to request, are a core challenge for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Prelinguistic behaviors including eye contact and gestures to request and to share (joint attention) are strongly associated with later language growth and, therefore, are a critical focus for children who are pre- or minimally verbal. Forty-one studies including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and single-case designs (SCDs) examining social communication skills are reviewed in this chapter. On average, both RCTs and SCDs were of “moderate” methodological quality using published metrics for rating internal validity. Additional criteria to examine the external validity of the studies were also applied. Advances in external validity included specific recruitment of populations less frequently examined in research, delivery of intervention in community settings, and emergence of long-term follow-up studies. The studies were limited by assessment and reporting of composite social communication outcomes. Collapsing outcomes across behavioral form and function occludes understanding of which specific behaviors are changing over time. In studies in which outcomes are collapsed, lower level or simpler skills (e.g., responding to joint attention, eye contact to request) may drive change in overall outcome scores. Detailed examination of changes in specific social communication behaviors will promote better understanding of the influence of different interventions on child outcomes.
Monoamine transporter contributions to l-DOPA effects in hemi-parkinsonian rats

l-DOPA is the standard treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD), but chronic treatment typically leads to abnormal involuntary movement or dyskinesia (LID) development. Although poorly understood, dyskinetic mechanisms involve a complex interaction between the remaining dopamine system and the semi-homologous serotonin and norepinephrine systems. Serotonin and norepinephrine transporters (SERT and NET, respectively) have affinity for dopamine uptake especially when dopamine transporters (DAT) are scant. Monoamine reuptake inhibitors have been reported to modulate l-DOPA's anti-parkinsonian effects, but DAT, SERT, and NET's contribution to dyskinesia has not been well delineated. The current investigation sought to uncover the differential expression and function of DAT, SERT, and NET in the l-DOPA-treated hemi-parkinsonian rat. Protein analysis of striatal monoamine transporters in unilateral sham or 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats treated with l-DOPA (0 or 6 mg/kg) showed lesion-induced DAT loss and l-DOPA-induced gain in SERT:DAT and NET:DAT ratios in lesioned rats which positively correlated with dyskinesia expression, suggesting functional shifts among monoamine transporters in the dyskinetic state. SERT blockade with citalopram (3, 5 mg/kg) reduced LID while DAT and NET blockade with GBR-12909 (5, 10 mg/kg) and nisoxetine (5, 10 mg/kg), respectively, mildly exacerbated dyskinesia expression. Transporter inhibition did not significantly alter l-DOPA's ability to reverse motor deficit. Overall, DA and DAT loss with l-DOPA treatment appear to precipitate gain in SERT and NET function. Strong correlations with LID and direct behavioral comparisons of selective transporter blockade reveal novel implications for SERT, DAT, and NET as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the hemi-parkinsonian model and dyskinetic PD patients.
Strong and Weak Electrolytes

Abstract: The pK’s of the major buffer systems cover a wide pH range. The “isohydric principle” indicates that all buffer systems of the body are normally in equilibrium with each other. Bicarbonate is normally the major extracellular buffer of an acid load. An acid is a substance, charged or uncharged, that liberates protons (H+) in solution. Buffer action in physiologic systems is exhibited by ions of weak acids or bases. Proteins are important plasma and intracellular buffers. In chronic acidosis, buffering by bone results in demineralization. The pK’ for a weak acid or base is the pH at which the protonated and unprotonated species are present at equal concentrations
Dynamic differential data protection for high-performance and pervasive applications

Modern distributed applications are long-lived, are expected to provide flexible and adaptive data services, and must meet the functionality and scalability challenges posed by dynamically changing user communities in heterogeneous execution environments. The practical implications of these requirements are that reconfiguration and upgrades are increasingly necessary, but opportunities to perform such tasks offline are greatly reduced. Developers are responding to this situation by dynamically extending or adjusting application functionality and by tuning application performance, a typical method being the incorporation of client- or context-specific code into applications' execution loops. Our work addresses a basic roadblock in deploying such solutions: the protection of key application components and sensitive data in distributed applications. Our approach, termed Dynamic Differential Data Protection (D3P), provides fine-grain methods for providing component-based protection in distributed applications. Context-sensitive, application-specific security methods are deployed at runtime to enforce restrictions in data access and manipulation. D3P is suitable for low- or zero-downtime environments, since deployments are performed while applications run. D3P is appropriate for high performance environments and for highly scalable applications like publish/subscribe, because it creates native codes via dynamic binary code generation. Finally, due to its integration into middleware, D3P can run across a wide variety of operating system and machine platforms. This dissertation introduces D3P, using sample applications from the high performance and pervasive computing domains to illustrate the problems addressed by our D3P solution. It also describes how D3P can be integrated into modern middleware. We present experimental evaluations which demonstrate the fine-grain nature of D3P, that is, its ability to capture individual end users' or components' needs for data protection, and also describe the performance implications of using D3P in data-intensive applications.
Genetics of Pancreatic Cancer and Its Implications on Therapy

Over the past decade, emerging technologies have provided new insights into the genomic landscape of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). In addition to the commonly recognized genetic drivers of pancreatic carcinogenesis (KRAS, CDKN2A, TP53, SMAD4), new genes and pathways have been implicated. However, these efforts have not identified any new high-frequency actionable mutations, limiting the success of mutation-targeted therapy in PDA. This article provides a report on the current landscape of pancreas cancer genetics and targeted therapeutics.
Parametric study of protein-encapsulated microcapsule formation and effect on self-healing efficiency of ‘green’ soy protein resin

Soy protein isolate-loaded poly (d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (SPI-PLGA) microcapsules were prepared using a water-in-oil-in-water emulsification solvent evaporation technique. Effects of microencapsulation formulation parameters such as homogenization speed (1000 or 10,000 rpm) and PLGA and poly(vinyl alcohol) concentrations (1 or 5%) were investigated on size, size distribution, protein loading, encapsulation efficiency, and morphology of the microcapsules as well as their self-healing efficiency. SPI-PLGA microcapsules produced using homogenization speed of 10,000 rpm had an average diameter of 0.76 µm and contained smaller size of subcapsules within themselves, whereas microcapsules produced using homogenization speed of 1000 rpm were larger with an average diameter of 9.1 µm and contained diverse size of subcapsules inside. The PVA concentration did not show any significant effect on the SPI-PLGA microcapsule size. However, at higher PVA concentration of 5%, the SPI-PLGA aggregation of microcapsules resulted because of the excess residual PVA outside the microcapsules. Higher PVA also resulted in better bonding of microcapsules with the SPI resin, resulting in higher self-healing efficiency. The self-healing efficiency for various formulations studied varied between 29 and 53%. The SPI-PLGA microcapsules prepared using 1% PLGA, 5% PVA, and homogenization speed of 10,000 rpm resulted in the highest self-healing efficiency of 53%.
The extension of the theory of person-organization fit toward hospitality migrant worker

Abstract The hospitality and tourism industry is suffering from a labor shortage, and migrant workers are supplying a large portion of labor in the contemporary economic market. This study extends the theory of person-organization fit in the context of hospitality migrant workers. This study also examines the effect of person-organization fit on migrant workers’ turnover intentions via job satisfaction and work adjustment. The results reveal that all three levels of fit, person-supervisor, person-group, and person-job, have a significant influence on work adjustment and job satisfaction, which in turn influence migrant employees’ turnover intentions. Among the three types of fit, person-group fit was the only one to have a direct effect on predicting turnover intentions. The findings imply that HR managers should make good hiring decisions for migrant employees based on the perceived three levels of fit between the applicant and the organization.
Gene Expression Profiling of Adenosine Signaling in the Human Monocytic THP-1 Cells.

Inflammation, a host response to infection or injury, is usually beneficial to the host. However, uncontrolled or prolonged inflammation can cause tissue and organ damage, and possibly lead to diseases like atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and cancers. Much attention has focused on pro-inflammatory signaling but little is known about the mechanisms that resolve inflammation (anti-inflammation). Adenosine, released from leukocytes and endothelial cells, is an endogenous anti-inflammatory mediator that down-regulates acute inflammation in part by modulating macrophage cytokine production. LPS (lipopolysaccharide) is a potent pro-inflammatory reagent of macrophages that acts primarily through Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Studies using murine cells have showed that co-stimulation of both adenosine receptors and TLRs greatly increases the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The mechanisms for this synergistic interaction are currently not known. It is also unknown whether the adenosine-LPS interaction occurs in human macrophages. To gain insights and to generate new hypotheses, we have utilized oligonucleotide microarrays to examine how adenosine alters global gene expression in the human monocytic THP-1 cell line. We analyzed differentially expressed genes induced by adenosine alone, by LPS alone, and by adenosine in the presence of LPS. The genes activated by adenosine are enriched in processes transcription, RNA modification and cellular defense response, but are lacking processes involved in lipid biosynthesis and protein catabolism. Our result shows that at the mRNA level adenosine alone induces a nine-fold increase of VEGF, and adenosine in the presence of LPS elevates VEGF expression three fold when compared to controls. Many genes with the greatest induction by adenosine in the presence of LPS have unknown functions in macrophages. The genes with known functions include transcription regulation (EGR1, HEY1, and CTBP1), nuclear receptors (NR4A2), immune response modulators (IL1A, STAT4, and INHBA), apoptosis facilitator (BCL2L11), signal transducers (PRPF4B, LNK, and ARHGEF7), and glutamate transporter (SLC1A2). These results suggest that the mechanisms by which adenosine mediates its anti-inflammatory signals are far more complex than simply regulating cytokine production. In addition, we found that three TLR signaling genes are uniquely suppressed by adenosine in the presence of LPS: CREB1, TLR1, and IRF2. CREB1 modulates transcription of cAMP signaling; TLR1 is part of the TLR2/TLR1 complex and can regulate TLR2 mediated pathways; IRF2 is a mediator of interferon signaling. We are in the process of verifying these observations using real-time PCR and independent RNA samples.
Certain Associative Algebras Similar toU(sl2) and Zhu's AlgebraA(VL)

Abstract It is proved that Zhu's algebra for the vertex operator algebra associated to a positive-definite even lattice of rank one is a finite-dimensional semiprimitive quotient algebra of a certain associative algebra introduced by Smith. Zhu's algebra for the vertex operator algebra associated to any positive-definite even lattice is also calculated and is related to a generalization of Smith's algebra.
The relationships between community context and entry into a homeless shelter system

ABSTRACTThis study seeks to understand the likelihood of entering the homeless shelter system as reflected in differential levels of community capital, human service support features, and levels of criminal activity. This study used a sample of adults entering the City of Philadelphia-funded Emergency Housing System between February 2008 and January 2010. We linked former addresses to census block groups and constructed a rate of homeless system entrants per 1,000 residents in each block group. After regressing this measure on a series of demographic, socioeconomic, and other salient community characteristics, our preliminary results indicate that basic demographic characteristics of communities and the capacity of drug treatment centers provide predictive value regarding variations in rates of homelessness. We also conclude that both property and violent crime rates at the block group level are shown to be significantly associated with entrance into the homeless shelter system.