cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electronic, optical, and thermoelectric properties of sodium pnictogen chalcogenides: A first principles study

Abstract Ternary chalcogenides have been of recent investigation for applications in photovoltaic and thermoelectric devices. We study the structural, electronic, optical, and thermoelectric properties of nine ternary chalcogenides, NaAX2, where A represents pnictogens (As, Sb, and Te) and X represents chalcogens (S, Se, and Te). Calculations based on density functional theory yield the following results: (i) phonon dispersion curves predict three of the compounds, NaAsS2, NaSbS2, and NaSbSe2, to be dynamically stable in the monoclinic, C2/c, structure, (ii) the layered atomistic configuration causes the corresponding electronic and optical properties to display a high degree of anisotropy, (iii) A-X electronic bonding features vary significantly with structural distortions arising from atomic size mismatch, therefore directly influencing stability, (iv) strong absorption is observed in the stable compounds, with coefficients ranging from 10 4 to 10 5 cm−1 in the visible-UV range, and (v) remarkably high Seebeck coefficients exceeding 500 µV/K, at carrier concentrations commonly achieved in such materials, are found. From these results, we conclude that NaAsS2, NaSbS2, and NaSbSe2 are suitable candidates for both photovoltaic, particularly in tandem solar cells, and thermoelectric applications. Experimental synthesis and verification are suggested.
EL DERECHO ADMINISTRATIVO EN TIEMPOS DE TRANSFORMACIONES

Con ocasion de la exposicion del planteamiento que afirma que el Derecho administrativo debe operar como ciencia que aspira a dirigir con eficacia los procesos sociales, el autor analiza tres temas especificos: 1) el procedimiento administrativo y la pluralidad de valores e intereses; 2) los retos que los progresos cientifico-tecnologicos le imponen al Derecho; y, 3) la construccion del Estado garante y regulador.
A Sequence-Pair-Classification-Based Method for Detecting and Correcting Under-Clustered Gene Families

Gene families are groups of genes that have descended from a common ancestral gene present in the species under study. Current, widely used gene family building algorithms can produce family clusters that may be fragmented or missing true family sequences (under-clustering). Here we present a classification method based on sequence pairs that, first, inspects given families for under-clustering and then predicts the missing sequences for the families using family-specific alignment score cutoffs. We have tested this method on a set of curated, gold-standard ("true") families from the Yeast Gene Order Browser (YGOB) database, including 20 yeast species, as well as a test set of intentionally under-clustered ("deficient") families derived from the YGOB families. For 83% of the modified yeast families, our pair-classification method was able to reliably detect under-clustering in "deficient" families that were missing 20% of sequences relative to the full/"true" families. We also attempted to predict back the missing sequences using the family-specific alignment score cutoffs obtained during the detection phase. In the case of "pure" under-clustered families (under-clustered families with no "wrong"/unrelated sequences), for 78% of families the prediction precision and recall was ≥0.75, with mean precision = 0.928 and mean recall = 0.859. For "impure" under-clustered families, (under-clustered families containing closest sequences from outside the family, in addition to missing true family sequences), the prediction precision and recall was ≥0.75 for 63% of families with mean precision = 0.790 and mean recall = 0.869. To check if our method can detect and correct incomplete families obtained using existing family building methods, we attempted to correct 374 under-clustered yeast families produced using the OrthoFinder tool. We were able to predict missing sequences for at least 19 yeast families with mean precision of 0.9 and mean recall of 0.65. We also analyzed 14,663 legume families built using the OrthoFinder program, with 14 legume species. We were able to identify 1,665 OrthoFinder families that were missing one or more sequences - sequences which were previously un-clustered or clustered into unusually small families. Further, using a simple merging strategy, we were able to merge 2,216 small families into 933 under-clustered families using the predicted missing sequences. Out of the 933 merged families, we could confirm correct mergings in at least 534 families using the maximum-likelihood phylogenies of the merged families. We also provide recommendations on different types of family-specific alignment score cutoffs that can be used for predicting the missing sequences based on the "purity" of under-clustered families and the chosen precision and recall for prediction. Finally, we provide the containerized version of the pair-classification method that can be applied on any given set of gene families.
Making Good Choices: Social Interaction in Mice Mitigates Chronic Stress-Induced Adaptive Changes in Decision Making

Abstract Chronic stress can impact decision-making and lead to a preference for immediate rewards rather than long-term payoffs. Factors that may mitigate these effects of chronic stress on decision-making are under-explored. Here we used a mouse model to investigate the changes in decision-making caused by the experience of chronic stress and the role of social interaction in attenuating these changes. To test decision-making, mice were trained to perform a Cost-Benefit Conflict (CBC) task on a T-maze, in which they could choose between a high-reward, high-risk alternative and a low-reward, low-risk alternative. Mice were either housed in groups or alone throughout the experiment. Both groups of mice underwent a seven-day period of repeated immobilisation to induce chronic stress. Stress levels were confirmed using behavioural (open field test) and physiological (urine corticosterone ELISA) measures. We found a significant increase in frequency of high-risk decisions after exposure to chronic stress among both socially- and individually-housed mice. Crucially, socially-housed mice showed a significantly smaller increase in high-risk decision-making compared to singly-housed mice. These findings suggest that although chronic stress leads to an increase in high-risk decision-making in mice, access to social interaction may mitigate this stress effect.
Sensitivity Analysis in Multiple Objective Linear Programming: Changes in the Objective Function Matrix

Changes or probable errors in input data in a Multiple Objective Linear Program raise the following question: What are the limits within which parameters can be varied without affecting the solution?
Enterprise Mobile Ad-Hoc Implementation

Threat intrusions have led to a formulation of guarded enterprise systems. The approach was to build an impenetrable fortress to prevent hostile entities from entering the enterprise domain. However, this defense and its many re-enforcements have repeatedly been found to be inadequate. The current complexity level has made the fortress approach to security, which is implemented throughout the defense, banking, and other high-trust industries unworkable. An alternative security approach, called Enterprise Level Security (ELS), is the result of a concerted multi-year program of pilots and research. The primary identity credential for ELS is the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificate, issued to the individual who is provided with a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card with a hardware chip for storing the private key. All sessions are preceded by a PKI mutual authentication (secondary authentication may be employed when necessary), within Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.2, and a secure communication pipeline is established. This process was deemed to provide a high enough identity assurance to proceed. However, mobile ad hoc networking allows entities to dynamically connect and reconfigure connections to make use of available networking resources in a changing environment. These networks range from tiny sensors setting up communications based on a random or unknown configuration to aircraft communicating with each other, the ground, and satellites. Scenarios have differing requirements in terms of setup, reconfiguration, power, speed, and range. This paper presents an adaptation of the ELS principles to the mobile ad hoc scenario.
Targeting isocitrate dehydrogenase mutations in cancer: emerging evidence and diverging strategies

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) active-site mutations cause a neomorphic enzyme activity that results in the formation of supraphysiologic concentrations of D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2HG). D-2HG is thought to be an oncometabolite that drives the formation of cancers in a variety of tissue types by altering the epigenetic state of progenitor cells by inhibiting enzymes involved in histone and DNA demethylation. This model has led to the development of pharmacologic inhibitors of mutant IDH activity for anticancer therapy, which are now being tested in several clinical trials. Emerging evidence in preclinical glioma models suggests that the epigenetic changes induced by D-2HG may persist even after mutant IDH activity is inhibited and D-2HG has returned to basal levels. Therefore, these results have raised questions as to whether the exploitation of downstream synthetic lethal vulnerabilities, rather than direct inhibition of mutant IDH1, will prove to be a superior therapeutic strategy. In this review, we summarize the preclinical evidence in gliomas and other models on the induction and persistence of D-2HG-induced hypermethylation of DNA and histones, and we examine emerging lines of evidence related to altered DNA repair mechanisms in mutant IDH tumors and their potential for therapeutic exploitation.
A Phase II Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Chloroquine in Combination With Taxanes in the Treatment of Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Anthracycline-refractory Breast Cancer.

Abstract Introduction Chemotherapy eliminates most of the cancer cells except those with potential for self-renewal and tumor initiation, called cancer stem cells (CSCs). Chloroquine, through bioinformatics, was found to be a potential agent to target CSCs. We designed a phase II trial to test the efficacy and safety of chloroquine in combination with taxane or taxane-like chemotherapy agents in patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer who are refractory to anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Patients and Methods Female patients ≥ 18 years of age who had received prior anthracycline chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. Chloroquine 250 mg was given daily orally with either docetaxel or paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel or ixabepilone every 3 weeks. The maximum number of 3-week cycles allowed was 6. The primary efficacy endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR). The secondary efficacy endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and safety analysis. Results Thirty-eight patients were enrolled in the study, and 31 patients were evaluated for response. The median age was 54.1 years (range, 31.7-78.1 years). The ORR was 45.16% (95% confidence interval [CI], 29.2%-62.2%), which was higher than the expected ORR of 30% (P = .03). Patients were followed for a median of 25.4 months and experienced a median PFS of 12.4 months (95% CI, 4.9-24.6 months) and a median OS of 25.4 months (95% CI, 13.7-83.5 months). The combination was well-tolerated, with only 13.15% of patients experiencing grade ≥ 3 adverse events. Conclusion A combination of chloroquine with taxane or taxane-like chemotherapy was efficacious in patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer with prior anthracycline-based chemotherapy.
Horseshoe Crabs and Stingrays

Abstract. Collaborative/Therapeutic Assessment (CTA; Finn, 2007) offers a person-centered approach to understanding clients’ problems through mutual engagement with the client’s experience of the d...
Perverse supply response in the Liberian mining sector

Under neoclassical assumptions, and the usual ceteris paribus stipulations, a profit maximizing firm is expected to increase production in response to rising prices. These situations normally produce the rather well-known upward sloping supply curve for the firm which can usually be generalized to the industry. This paper examines whether these situations held for firms in the iron ore mining sector in Liberia between 1951 and 1985 under a system where royalties were levied on the per unit level of production and on the basis of the price of the ore. It investigates whether iron ore mining companies have an incentive to increase ore production when prices are low to attract lower total royalty payments under conditions where: (a) base-mining operations are vertically integrated and firms employ transfer pricing between mining and upstream processing entities and (b) large quantities of ore can be shipped at relatively low prices and held in inventory either as ore or added-value products, such as steel, to take advantage of higher prices in the future. The paper specifies and estimates two simple linear supply models of the Liberian iron ore industry. It uses data for 1951-1985, the period for which the most consistent and reliable data exist prior to the start of the 14-year conflict in 1989. The analysis finds that the price coefficient estimates from both models are robust but negative and suggest that a perverse response in the supply behavior of mining companies in Liberia over the period 1951-1985 cannot be ruled out.
Loss of TCF-1 regulates the production of noncanonical Tregs in a prion-like manner

Abstract Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are suppressive immune cells used for a variety of clinical and therapeutic applications. Canonical Tregs express CD4, FOXP3, and CD25, which are considered definitive markers of Treg status when used together. However, a subset of noncanonical Tregs expressing only CD4 and FOXP3 have recently been described in some infection contexts. The transcriptional regulation of these cells is still unclear. We found that loss of TCF-1 in all T cells in mice leads to expansion of these cells in multiple tissues in a cell-intrinsic fashion. This effect was not due to aberrant expression of FOXP3, as other functional Treg markers were also expressed. In addition, presence of TCF-1-deficient cells in a chimeric mouse induced increased production of noncanonical Tregs from WT donor cells. Therefore, targeting of TCF-1 may remove suppression on this Treg lineage, increasing the yield of these cells for use in the clinic. Summary sentence Loss of TCF-1 causes expansion of CD25- FOXP3+ noncanonical Tregs, and TCF-1-deficient T cells induce increased production of CD25- Tregs from WT cells.
Quantitative determination and characterization of polyphenols from Cissus quadrangularis L. and dietary supplements using UHPLC-PDA-MS, LC-QToF and HPTLC

Stem and leaf of Cissus quadrangularis L. (Vitaceae), indigenous to Asia and Africa, were used for medicinal and dietary purposes with limited information about the plant's phytochemistry. Stem and leaf samples were assessed for the simultaneous determination of polyphenolic compounds (catechin, epicatechin, quercetin-3-O-β-glucopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-β-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-β-rhamnoside, leachianol F, amurensin A, pallidol, resveratrol, and quadrangularin A), using UHPLC-PDA-MS. The validation data showed that the method is precise, specific, accurate, and linear over the range of 0.5-100 μg/mL. Reversed-phase ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) fingerprints of the crude methanolic stem and leaf extracts of C. quadrangularis were obtained at different wavelengths based on their λmax. Polyphenolics were characterized using both UHPLC-PDA-MS and LC-QToF analysis. From liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-QToF) spectra, over 40 components were structurally correlated, and confirmation was based on the fragmentation characteristics and also from the information available in the literature. In addition to the LC-QToF method, a simple, fast HPTLC method was developed as a visual aid for the rapid qualitative analytical tool to help establish the quality assessment of botanical raw materials and dietary supplements claiming to contain Cissus.
When TV Becomes a Stream: Content Decisions of a Video On Demand Service

Entertainment television today is being increasingly consumed via online video on demand (VOD) services. A VOD service is less constrained compared to the traditional (linear) TV in terms of the number of programs it can simultaneously offer, allowing its viewers to watch a program at a time of their choice. On the one hand, offering more programs can dilute the quality of the offered programs; while on the other, the service benefits from the time flexibility that viewers now have on their side. In this paper, we theoretically study how the ‘on-demand’ feature affects the number of programs and the investment in their qualities (by a monopolist) when viewers are heterogeneous in their keenness to watch television programs, their preferred genre (taste preference) and, importantly, their preferred time to watch the programs (time preference). We first show that, when offering the same number of programs, while the linear TV service offers them at the same quality, the VOD service can offer them at different qualities. When the VOD service offers more programs---utilizing its capacity advantage to better cater to viewer tastes---the offering can comprise both higher and lower quality programs compared to the linear TV. While a shift to VOD increases consumer welfare, it is not always Pareto-improving when the VOD service make asymmetric investments in programs. Results on quality are driven by the heterogeneity in viewer time preferences, and are in line with real world observations about the content of popular VOD platforms.
Overparameterization of deep ResNet: zero loss and mean-field analysis.

Finding parameters in a deep neural network (NN) that fit training data is a nonconvex optimization problem, but a basic first-order optimization method (gradient descent) finds a global solution with perfect fit in many practical situations. We examine this phenomenon for the case of Residual Neural Networks (ResNet) with smooth activation functions in a limiting regime in which both the number of layers (depth) and the number of neurons in each layer (width) go to infinity. First, we use a mean-field-limit argument to prove that the gradient descent for parameter training becomes a partial differential equation (PDE) that characterizes gradient flow for a probability distribution in the large-NN limit. Next, we show that the solution to the PDE converges in the training time to a zero-loss solution. Together, these results imply that training of the ResNet also gives a near-zero loss if the Resnet is large enough. We give estimates of the depth and width needed to reduce the loss below a given threshold, with high probability.
Communication Practices in the Production of Syrian Refugee Belonging

This study examines how belonging is negotiated and enacted once refugees have been resettled in new homelands. It does so by focusing on communication practices within the context of the refugee’s interactions with members of the local community . Interviews were carried out with resettled refugees, volunteers, and nonprofit and governmental representatives in greater Vancouver, finding two key forms of belonging: emergent belonging, an incremental form of belonging that is nascent and incomplete; and scripted belonging, which consists of predetermined expectations for behavior.
A Method for Obtaining the Nonlinear Aerodynamic Stability Characteristics of Bodies of Revolution from Free-Flight Tests

A method is presented for obtaining the nonlinear aerodynamic stability characteristics of bodies of revolution from free-flight test.s The necessary conditions for the application of this method are: (1) that the roll rate and damping encountered in a single cycle of oscillation be small, and (2) that the resulting motion be reasonably planar. Four approximations to the nonlinear restoring moment are considered and solutions are obtained in closed form: 1. A single-term polynomial in an arbitrary power of the angle of attack. 2. A two-term polynomial having linear and cubic terms. 3. A three-term polynomial having linear, quadratic, and cubic terms. 4. A three-term polynomial having linear, quadratic, and cubic terms. An iteration procedure is formulated to allow the use of each of these approximations for obtaining the aerodynamic coefficients of bodies of revolution from free-flight test data. It is found that although the equations that are solved pertain strictly to planar motion, the solutions are applicable to motions that deviate to a fairly large degree from planar motion.
A review of 190 cases of heart disease complicating pregnancy

Abstract 1. 1. A large series, with very low incidence of organic heart disease is reported. We believe that this is due to the small amount of rheumatic fever seen in Southern California. 2. 2. Of these 190 cases, 65 were organic hearts, of which number we were able to get complete records on 53, or 81 per cent. 3. 3. Of these 53 cases of organic heart disease, spontaneous delivery occurred in 68 per cent; forceps delivery in 5.6 per cent; version extraction in 5.6 per cent; cesarean section in 18 per cent. One patient died undelivered. There were two other deaths in this group, making a mortality rate of 5.6 per cent. 4. 4. We believe that careful supervision is of great value in heart disease complicating pregnancy, and with such supervision it does not constitute a serious complication. 5. 5. Abortion was not advised on any cardiac case seen in the Maternity Clinic during this time.
A global machine learning based scoring function for protein structure prediction

We present a knowledge-based function to score protein decoys based on their similarity to native structure. A set of features is constructed to describe the structure and sequence of the entire protein chain. Furthermore, a qualitative relationship is established between the calculated features and the underlying electromagnetic interaction that dominates this scale. The features we use are associated with residue-residue distances, residue-solvent distances, pairwise knowledge-based potentials and a four-body potential. In addition, we introduce a new target to be predicted, the fitness score, which measures the similarity of a model to the native structure. This new approach enables us to obtain information both from decoys and from native structures. It is also devoid of previous problems associated with knowledge-based potentials. These features were obtained for a large set of native and decoy structures and a back-propagating neural network was trained to predict the fitness score. Overall this new scoring potential proved to be superior to the knowledge-based scoring functions used as its inputs. In particular, in the latest CASP (CASP10) experiment our method was ranked third for all targets, and second for freely modeled hard targets among about 200 groups for top model prediction. Ours was the only method ranked in the top three for all targets and for hard targets. This shows that initial results from the novel approach are able to capture details that were missed by a broad spectrum of protein structure prediction approaches. Source codes and executable from this work are freely available at http://mathmed.org/#Software and http://mamiris.com/.
Gender Role Differences in College Students from One- and Two-Parent Families.

This study explores three aspects of gender roles: the person's perceptions of their own gender role, the person's perceptions of socially idealized gender roles, and the fit between an individual's gender role and their perception of the ideal person's gender role. Because parent–child relationships and gender models and attitudes in one- and two-parent families may differ, the gender roles of college students raised in one- versus two-parent families may differ. Participants in one- and two-parent families were paired based on gender, age, race, and family of origin's current income. Forty-five pairs resulted (30 Caucasian, 12 African-American, and 3 Asian-American pairs). Twenty-one of the pairs were lower middle class, 11 were middle class, and 13 were upper middle class. Differences in gender roles were found. Males and females raised in mother-headed one-parent families were more likely than males and females raised in intact two-parent families to view their own gender role in terms of traditionally masculine characteristics (independence, assertiveness, self-reliance, self-sufficiency, etc.) and to report a low level of traditionally feminine characteristics. In contrast, females in intact two-parent families were more likely than females in mother-headed one-parent families to view themselves as androgenous. No differences in idealized gender roles were found between students raised in one- versus two-parent families; students from both types of families perceived the ideal person as androgenous.
Exercise induced asthma in children with intrinsic and extrinsic asthma

The significance of intrinsic asthma as a diagnosis has been questioned since, except for the lack of evidence of allergy, there is no pathophysiologic distinction from extrinsic asthma. Following a standardized exercise stress, allergic (extrinsic) asthmatics respond with more severe asthma than do nonallergic (intrinsic) asthmatics. The incidence of significant exercise-induced asthma is greater in a group of extrinsic asthmatics than in intrinsic asthmatics. Extrinsic asthmatics show increased airway sensitivity during a significant pollen season.
Paul Verkuil and Pragmatic Adjustment in Government

Written for a Festschrift in honor of Paul Verkuil, this essay focuses on three defining aspects of Verkuil’s scholarship and how they relate to the increasing failure of government to fulfill the legislative goals that Congress has established. Verkuil’s scholarship over the years has insisted that efficiency must be balanced with accountability and fairness in the design of administrative institutions. He has emphasized that managerial approaches may better achieve this goal than administrative procedures, and he has insisted reform should be driven by actual experience, rather than theory. The article ends by discussing three reforms that meet these objectives: civil service reform, replacing counterproductive White House efforts to control bureaucracy with internal managerial controls, and the refunding of regulatory agencies hard hit by budget cuts.
Characterization of a Breast Cancer Cell Line Derived from a Germ-Line BRCA1 Mutation Carrier

A tumor cell line, HCC1937, was established from a primary breast carcinoma from a 24-year-old patient with a germ-line BRCA1 mutation. A corresponding B-lymphoblastoid cell line was established from the patient's peripheral blood lymphocytes. BRCA1 analysis revealed that the tumor cell line is homozygous for the BRCA1 5382insC mutation, whereas the patient's lymphocyte DNA is heterozygous for the same mutation, as are at least two other family members' lymphocyte DNA. The tumor cell line is marked by multiple additional genetic changes including a high degree of aneuploidy, an acquired mutation of TP53 with wild-type allele loss, an acquired homozygous deletion of the PTEN gene, and loss of heterozygosity at multiple loci known to be involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Comparison of the primary tumor with the cell line revealed the same BRCA1 mutation and an identical pattern of allele loss at multiple loci, indicating that the cell line had maintained many of the properties of the original tumor. This breast tumor-derived cell line may provide a useful model system for the study of familial breast cancer pathogenesis and for elucidating BRCA1 function and localization.
Sodium and Sodium Alloys

Of all the alkali metals, sodium has had perhaps the greatest commercial success, owing to its relative ease of manufacture and its important role worldwide in the manufacture of organolead compounds for use as gasoline octane enhancers. The decline of organoleads in North America has greatly affected U.S. production. Other sodium uses exist, but none requiring the massive quantities needed for lead antiknock compounds. Most sodium is made electrolytically. Various electrochemical cells are described. Sodium continues to have an important role in the manufacture of many organic chemicals as a reducing agent. Newer uses include sodium batteries, flue-gas cleanup, and alloy surface modification.
Phenotypic Diversity as a Mechanism to Exit Cellular Dormancy

Microorganisms can facilitate their survival in stressful environments by entering a state of metabolic inactivity or dormancy. However, this state impairs the function of the very sensory systems necessary to detect favorable growth conditions. Thus, how can a metabolically quiescent cell accurately monitor environmental conditions in order to best decide when to exit dormancy? One strategy employed by microbes to deal with changing environments is the generation of phenotypes that may be less well adapted to a current condition but might confer an advantage in the future. This bet-hedging depends on phenotypic diversity in the population, which itself can derive from naturally occurring stochastic differences in gene expression. In the case of metabolic dormancy, a bet-hedging strategy that has been proposed is the "scout model" where cells comprising a fraction of the dormant population reinitiate growth stochastically, independent of environmental cues. Here, we provide experimental evidence that such a mechanism exists in dormant spores produced by the ubiquitous soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis. We observe that these spores reinitiate growth at a low but measureable frequency even in the absence of an inducing signal. This phenomenon is the result of phenotypic variation in the propensity of individual spores to reinitiate growth spontaneously. Since this bet-hedging mechanism produces individuals that will either grow under favorable conditions or die under unfavorable conditions, a population can properly respond to environmental changes despite the impaired sensory ability of individual cells.
The moral career of genetic engineering.

D uring the first ten years of The Hastings Center, one cluster of issues symbolically dominated all others-that of "genetic engineering." The term has never had a strict technical meaning; indeed, many scientists dislike it intensely. Loosely speaking, it has been used to refer to a wide range of possible and actual scientific breakthroughs-to in vitro fertilization and cloning (which belong to the domain of reproductive biology), to genetic manipulation and recombinant DNA (where the term "engineering" is more appropriate), and to the development of new forms of human life (which is genetic engineering carried to the extreme of science fiction). On occasion, prenatal diagnosis is also included on the roster. Despite the broadness of the term, however, it does serve well enough to describe that aspect of the "biological revolution" which has elicited the most severe chills (for some) and thrills (for others): a direct intervention into either the processes of procreation and reproduction or into the human genetic makeup. While it may be too early to pass a full historical judgment on the debate about genetic engineering, two conclusions seem so far to be almost inescapable. The first is that both the scientific community and the general public are more than ever prepared to go ahead with it. If there ever was a technological backlash in this country, it has been a fitful and essentially literary movement, having little impact on the mainstream of scientific and tech-
What is double patterning lithography and its impact on nanometer design

Deep sub-wavelength lithography, i.e., using the 193nm lithography to print feature sizes/densities (e.g., for 45nm, 32nm, 22nm nodes) much smaller than the wavelength (193nm), is one of the most fundamental challenges for the nanometer CMOS scaling. Many intriguing techniques have been developed to push the limit of the 193nm lithography, from immersion lithography to computational lithography. However, even with these exotic techniques, the single patterning 193nm lithography is approaching its ultimate limit around the 22nm node. On the other hand, the so-called next generation lithography (NGL), including extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, nano- imprint lithography (NIL), multiple e-beam direct-write (MEBDW) is still "next-generation" (i.e., not ready for primetime in 22nm or perhaps even the 16nm node) due to many technology challenges (not to mention the economical barriers to adopt them).
How nucleotide excision repair protects against cancer

Eukaryotic cells can repair many types of DNA damage. Among the known DNA repair processes in humans, one type — nucleotide excision repair (NER) — specifically protects against mutations caused indirectly by environmental carcinogens. Humans with a hereditary defect in NER suffer from xeroderma pigmentosum and have a marked predisposition to skin cancer caused by sunlight exposure. How does NER protect against skin cancer and possibly other types of environmentally induced cancer in humans?
The preparation, polymerization and copolymerization of (η5-vinylcyclopentadienyl)dicarbonylnitrosylchromium, (η5-C5H4CHCH2)Cr(CO)2NO

Abstract The first report on the preparation, polymerization, and copolymerization of a nitrosyl-containing vinylcyclopentadienylmetal monomer, (η5-C5H4CHCH2)-Cr(CO)2NO, is described. (η5-Vinylcyclopentadienyl)-dicarbonylnitrosylchromium (A) was prepared in good yield by the acylation of η5-cyclopentadienyl-carbonylnitrosylchromium followed by sodium borohydride reduction of the keto function and acid-catalyzed dehydration. Monomer A homopolymerizes and copolymerizes with styrene, N-vinylpyrrolidone, and vinyl cymantrene in the presence of azo initiators. Reactivity ratios in the copolymerization of A with styrene were r1 = 0.30 and r2 = 0.82 from which the value of e for A was found to be −1.98. Thus, A is an exceptionally electron-rich monomer.
Controversies in nutritional support for critically ill children

Nutritional support for critically ill infants and children is of paramount importance and can greatly affect the outcome of these patients. The energy requirement of children is unique to their size, gestational age, and physiologic stress, and the treatment algorithms developed in adult intensive care units cannot easily be applied to pediatric patients. This article reviews some of the ongoing controversial topics of fluid, electrolyte, and nutritional support for critically ill pediatric patients focusing on glycemic control and dysnatremia. The use of enteral and parenteral nutrition as well as parenteral nutritional-associated cholestasis will also be discussed.
Fragrance material review on 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-norbornanyl acetate

A toxicologic and dermatologic review of 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-norbornanyl acetate when used as a fragrance ingredient is presented.
Investigation of serotonin-related genes in antidepressant response

In this study, we sought out to test the hypothesis that genetic factors may influence antidepressant response to fluoxetine. The investigation focused on seven candidate genes in the serotonergic pathway involved in the synthesis, transport, recognition, and degradation of serotonin. Our clinical sample consisted of 96 subjects with unipolar major depression treated with fluoxetine with response variables assessed after a 12-week trial. Patient data were also collected to investigate the pattern of drug response. Using a high-throughput single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping platform and capillary electrophoresis, we genotyped patients at 110 SNPs and four repeat polymorphisms located in seven candidate genes (HTR1A, HTR2A, HTR2C, MAOA, SLC6A4, TPH1, and TPH2). Statistical tests performed included single-locus and haplotype association tests, and linkage disequilibrium (LD) estimation. Little evidence of population stratification was observed in the sample with 20 random SNPs using a genomic control procedure. Our most intriguing result involved three SNPs in the TPH1 gene and one SNP in the SLC6A4 gene, which show significant single-locus association when response to fluoxetine is compared to nonresponse (P=0.02–0.04). All odds ratios indicated an increased risk of not responding to fluoxetine. In the specific response vs nonspecific and nonresponse comparison, three SNPs in the TPH2 gene (P=0.02–0.04) were positively associated and one SNP in the HTR2A gene (P=0.02) was negatively associated. When comparing specific response to nonspecific response, we found significant negative associations in three SNPs in the HTR2A gene (P=0.001–0.03) and two SNPs in the MAOA gene (P=0.03–0.05). We observed variable, although strong LD, in each gene and unexpectedly low numbers of estimated haplotypes, formed from tagged SNPs. Significant haplotype associations were found in all but the HTR1A and HTR2C genes. Although these data should be interpreted cautiously due to the small sample size, these results implicate TPH1 and SLC6A4 in general response, and HTR2A, TPH2, and MAOA in the specificity of response to fluoxetine. Intriguingly, we observe that a number of the less frequent alleles of many of the SNP markers were associated with the nonresponse and nonspecific phenotypes.
Impact of Extracellular Nuclease Production on the Biofilm Phenotype of Staphylococcus aureus under In Vitro and In Vivo Conditions

Recent studies suggest that extracellular DNA promotes biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus and, conversely, that extracellular nucleases limit the ability to form a biofilm. S. aureus produces at least two extracellular nucleases, and in the study described in this report, we examined the impact of each of these nucleases on biofilm formation under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Our results demonstrate that both nucleases impact biofilm formation in the clinical isolate UAMS-1. Under certain in vitro conditions, this impact is negative, with mutation of either or both of the nuclease genes (nuc1 and nuc2) resulting in an enhanced capacity to form a biofilm. However, this effect was not apparent in vivo in a murine model of catheter-associated biofilm formation. Rather, mutation of either or both nuclease genes appeared to limit biofilm formation to a degree that could be correlated with increased susceptibility to daptomycin.
New high charge density polymers for printable electronics, sensors, batteries, and fuel cells

Bulk and solution polymerization of reactive ionic liquid surfactants (RILSs) yield easily engineered advanced polymers that can be tailored for diverse applications. Introductory results based upon an RILS composed of an amphiphilic imidazolium acrylate (IL) and a 2-acrylo-amido-2-methyl-propylsulfonate (AMPS) are illustrated for humidity sensitive preparations suitable for chemFETs, for proton conducting polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM) suitable for fuel cell fabrication, for lithium ion and silver ion conducting membranes suitable for fast ionic conducting batteries, and for high-k dielectrics based on in situ reduction of incorporated ionic silver.
Shot-to-shot correlation of residual energy and optical absorptance in femtosecond laser ablation

In this paper, we perform a shot-to-shot detailed study of how residual thermal energy correlates to the optical absorptance change due to laser-induced surface structural modifications in multi-shot femtosecond laser ablation. We observe an overall enhancement for residual thermal coupling and absorptance in air. Surprisingly, residual thermal coupling in air shows a non-monotonic dependence on pulse number and reaches a minimum value after a certain number of pulses, while these behaviors are not seen in absorptance. In vacuum, however, both suppression and enhancement are seen in residual energy coupling although absorptance is always enhanced. To explain these observations, we suggest that air plasma plays a dominant role in thermal coupling at a relatively low number of applied pulses, while the formation of a cavity plays a dominant role at a high number of pulses.
The congruence lattice of a regular semigroup

Abstract Let S be a regular semigroup and Con S the congruence lattice of S. If C is an isomorphism class of semigroups and ϱϵCon S, then we say that ϱ is over C if the idempotent ϱ-class belong to C . On Con S we can introduce the relations U, V, Tl, Tr and T as follows: if ϱ, θ, ϵConS, then we say that ϱ and θ are U− [V−, Tl−, Tr−, T−] related if both ϱ/ϱ∩θ and θ/ϱ∩gq over completely simple semigroups [rectangular band, left groups, right groups, groups]. It is shown that U, V, Tl, Tr and T are complete congruences on Con S.Various other characterizations of these congruences on Con S are obtained. Some of the congruences are studied for completely regular semigroups, orthodox semigroups and bands of groups. Further, since for any regular semigroup S, V∩Tl∩Tr is the identity relation, we obtain a subdirect decomposition of Con S.
Two-dimensional linkage analyses of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multifactorial disease with complex genetic etiology, about which little is known. Here, we apply a two-stage procedure in which a quick first-stage analysis was used to narrow down targets for a more thorough and detailed testing for gene × gene interaction. Potentially interesting regions were first identified by testing for major gene effects using non-parametric linkage methods. To select regions of interest, we first tested for linkage to three different RA-related traits one at a time: RA affection status and the quantitative phenotypes rheumatoid factor IgM and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide levels. These linkage analyses identified regions on chromosomes 3, 5, 6, 8, 16, 18, 19, and 20. We subsequently analyzed the selected regions in a pairwise manner to detect gene × gene interactions influencing RA using a recently developed two-dimensional linkage method. We found evidence of interacting loci on chromosomes 5, 6, and 18.
Channel incentives in sharing new product demand information and robust contracts

Abstract Demand for a new product is often highly uncertain. As the developer of a new product, the manufacturer may reduce the uncertainty of the product’s demand through observing progress in his product development process or receiving demand signals directly from customers. This paper first shows that a centralized channel always benefits from improved demand information. Yet, to realize this benefit in a decentralized manufacturer–retailer channel, the manufacturer needs to disclose his private demand information to the retailer. We show that the manufacturer’s incentive to share his improved demand information depends on the supply contract signed with the retailer. Furthermore, mandating the manufacturer to disclose his improved demand information can actually reduce the total channel profit. We provide managerial insights by analyzing three widely used contract forms. We investigate whether these contracts are robust under an unanticipated demand information update observed by the manufacturer. We show that the quantity flexibility contract with a high return rate is not robust. The buyback contract, however, is robust and always achieves information sharing while preserving channel performance.
Time series prediction using belief network models

Abstract We address the problem of generating normative forecasts efficiently from a Bayesian belief network. Forecasts are predictions of future values of domain variables conditioned on current and past values of domain variables. To address the forecasting problem, we have developed a probability forecasting methodology, Dynamic Network Models (DNMs), through a synthesis of belief network models and classical time-series models. The DNM methodology is based on the integration of fundamental methods of Bayesian time-series analysis, with recent additive generalizations of belief network representation and inference techniques. We apply DNMs to the problem of forecasting episodes of apnea, that is, regular intervals of breathing cessation in patients afflicted with sleep apnea. We compare the one-step-ahead forecasts of chest volume, an indicator of apnea, made by autoregressive models, belief networks, and DNMs. We also construct a DNM to analyse the multivariate time series of chest volume, heart rate and oxygen saturation data.
Development and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to human type III procollagen

Abstract Hybridomas which secrete monoclonal antibodies against human type III procollagen have been developed. By an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, three of the monoclonal antibodies have been determined to be against non-helical extensions of the molecules while two of the antibodies are against helical portion of the molecules which is sensitive to bacterial collagenase action. These findings have been further confirmed by carrying out immuno-reaction of the pro α-chains transferred on nitrocellulose paper from sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels. These monoclonal antibodies have been found to be suitable reagents for immunohistochemical studies as well as for immunoassays of type III procollagen and collagen.
Power, Moral Clarity, and Punishment in the Workplace

We propose that power increases how severely people punish transgressors. Further, we argue that this greater severity stems from an increased sense of moral clarity instilled by the psychological experience of power. We investigate the linkages among power, moral clarity, and punishment across multiple studies. Individuals with an increased sense of power advocated more severe punishments for transgressors than did those with a diminished sense of power. Further, moral clarity mediated the link between power and severity of punishment. We discuss the implications of these findings for managers in organizations and researchers interested in punitive reactions to moral transgressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]