cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lattice Expansion of Highly Oriented 2D Phthalocyanine Covalent Organic Framework Films

Expanding into application: covalent organic framework (COF) films are ideally suited for vertical charge transport and serve as precursors of ordered heterojunctions. Their pores, however, were previously too small to accommodate continuous networks of complementary electron acceptors. Four phthalocyanine COFs with increased pore size well into the mesoporous regime are now described.
Phosphorylation-dependent inhibition by synapsin I of organelle movement in squid axoplasm

Synapsin I, a neuron-specific, synaptic vesicle-associated phosphoprotein, is thought to play an important role in synaptic vesicle function. Recent microinjection studies have shown that synapsin I inhibits neurotransmitter release at the squid giant synapse and that the inhibitory effect is abolished by phosphorylation of the synapsin I molecule (Llinas et al., 1985). We have considered the possibility that synapsin I might modulate release by regulating the ability of synaptic vesicles to move to, or fuse with, the plasma membrane. Since it is not yet possible to examine these mechanisms in the intact nerve terminal, we have used video-enhanced microscopy to study synaptic vesicle mobility in axoplasm extruded from the squid giant axon. We report here that the dephosphorylated form of synapsin I inhibits organelle movement along microtubules within the interior of extruded axoplasm and that phosphorylation of synapsin I on sites 2 and 3 by calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II removes this inhibitory effect. Phosphorylation of synapsin I on site 1 by the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase only partially reduces the inhibitory effect. In contrast to the inhibition of movement along microtubules seen within the interior of the axoplasm, movement along isolated microtubules protruding from the edges of the axoplasm is unaffected by dephospho-synapsin I, despite the fact that the synapsin I concentration is higher there. Thus, synapsin I does not appear to inhibit the fast axonal transport mechanism itself. Rather, these results are consistent with the possibility that dephospho- synapsin I acts by a crosslinking mechanism involving some component(s) of the cytoskeleton, such as F-actin, to create a dense network that restricts organelle movement. The relevance of the present observations to regulation of neurotransmitter release is discussed.
Helium in Hugoton Gas Field: ABSTRACT

The chronologic development of the Hugoton field of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, and the related Panhandle field of Texas has been reviewed as background for a study of the problems of origin, migration, and accumulation of the helium, nitrogen, and natural gas in these areas. Within the past decade, the release and publication of analyses from the Hugoton field and other areas have been commonplace. In addition, in-depth studies concerning helium, resulting from the past few years of litigation, have provided abundant data on the occurrence of helium, which may shed light on, and give impetus to the study of problems of origin, migration, and accumulation in general. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1687------------
Asymmetric response of early warning indicators of phytoplankton transition to and from cycles

Phytoplankton populations often exhibit cycles associated with nuisance blooms of cyanobacteria and other algae that cause toxicity, odor problems, oxygen depletion, and fish kills. Models of phytoplankton blooms used for management and basic research often contain critical transitions from stable points to cycles, or vice-versa. It would be useful to know whether aquatic systems, especially water supplies, are close to a critical threshold for cycling blooms. Recent studies of resilience indicators have focused on alternate stable points, although theory suggests that indicators such as variance and autocorrelation should also rise prior to a transition from stable point to stable cycle. We investigated changes in variance and autocorrelation associated with transitions involving cycles using two models. Variance rose prior to the transition from a small-radius cycle (or point) to a larger radius cycle in all cases. In many but not all cases, autocorrelation increased prior to the transition. However, the transition from large-radius to small-radius cycles was not associated with discernible increases in variance or autocorrelation. Thus, indicators of changing resilience can be measured prior to the transition from stable to cyclic plankton dynamics. Such indicators are potentially useful in management. However, these same indicators do not provide useful signals of the reverse transition, which is often a goal of aquatic ecosystem restoration. Thus, the availability of resilience indicators for phytoplankton cycles is asymmetric: the indicators are seen for the transition to bloom–bust cycles but not for the reverse transition to a phytoplankton stable point.
Belief in and Experience with the Paranormal: Relations between Personality Boundaries, Executive Functioning, Gender Role, and Academic Variables:

The present study examined individual differences in beliefs in the paranormal. One hundred and ninety-three college students were given a questionnaire measuring executive functioning, boundaries of personality, masculinity and femininity, and college major. Overall, 75 percent of participants reported belief in at least one of four types of paranormal activity and 42 percent reported experiencing at least one of four types of paranormal activity. Thinness of personality boundaries was related to belief in, as well as experience with, the paranormal. There was also a relationship between belief and experience and gender role. There was no evidence for a relationship between belief in the paranormal and year in college or college major.
Metaphor, frame, and nonverbal communication: an ethnographic study of a technical writing classroom

Professional educational philosophers C.A. Bowers and D.J. Flinders (1990) describe the classroom as an ecology comprising interrelated linguistic and cultural patterns that determine how information is communicated in the classroom. their classroom ecology model centers on the observation of three interconnected areas: the metaphors that the teacher and the textbook use to introduce students to the formal and informal curriculum, the manner in which the teacher frames student expertise and classroom relationships, and the nonverbal communication between teacher and students. Using Bowers and Flinders' model, a technical writing class taught by a teacher who emphasizes relationships, understanding and acceptance, and collaboration was studied. The teacher's metaphorical language, framing of instruction and student relationships, and nonverbal language are shown to reflect a rhetorical approach to technical writing, a caring approach to teaching, and a supportive, community environment for learning. This ethnographic study provides a snapshot of how one teacher defines technical writing and how he answers the question of how is should be taught. >
Preparing students for after‐college life: The context

This chapter addresses the context in which student affairs professionals, faculty, and other mentors prepare students for after-college life.
The Genetic Basis of the Birchen Pattern of the Domestic Fowl

Abstract The primary plumage pattern of the gold-barred Fayoumi fowl is determined in part by the birchen (ER) allele at the E pigment locus. The ER allele is similar to E in its effect on the chick and adult female patterns. The chick down is black and the adult plumage is black with dark brown pigment in the lateral margin of feathers in the mid-hackle region. The adult male is wild type with black secondaries, similar to the birchen phenotype. The birchen allele (ER) is dominant to eWhe+ and eb, and interacts wit h the columbian-like factor, Db, in a manner distinct from the more dominant allele, E.
Contracts: A Holistic Perspective

In a lengthy editorial in ASCE News (2004) Patricia Galloway, P.E. calls for engineers to “lead the way” in the development of engineering and construction contracts. She notes that a significant portion of the problems that occur in projects today relate to management issues that result from “a failure to understand the basic tool that governs all projects…. the contract.” In discussing these issues, engagement with the legal profession is seen as a critical step towards this leadership position. This paper argues that indeed the contract is a key component of all projects, however the understanding required goes beyond that which is encompassed in a legalistic perspectives. Contracts define the playing field upon which the project evolves bringing economic and social-psychological issues into play. Understanding contracts require an understanding of these forces.
Measuring the Quality of E-Service: Scale Development and Initial Validation

The primary objective of this article is twofold: (i) constructing a scale for measuring e-service quality, and (ii) examining the effects of the dimensions of e-service quality on the various types of customer loyalty. By conducting exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, we found that e-service quality is measured on six dimensions: information quality, website usability, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and personalization. Furthermore, the study identifies the influence of the individual dimension of e-service quality on the different types of service loyalty. Structural analysis reveals that assurance is the most important factor affecting „price tolerance‟, while reliability is the factor with the greatest influence on „preference loyalty‟. The dimension of responsiveness is the only one having significant negative impact on „complaining behavior‟. Online retailers are provided with tactical strategies on how to immunize online shoppers‟ loyalty against switching behavior and price sensitivity. Limitations and directions for future research are offered.
A new RTD-FET logic family

We describe a new family of clocked logic gates based on the resonant-tunneling diode (RTD). Pairs of RTDs form storage latches, and these are connected by networks consisting of field-effect transistors (FETs), saturated resistors, and RTDs. The design, operation, and expected performance of both a shift register and a matched filter using this logic are discussed. Simulations show that the RTD circuits can achieve higher performance in terms of speed and power in many signal processing applications. Compared to circuits using III-V FETs alone, the RTD circuits are expected to run nearly twice as fast at the same power or at the same speed with reduced power. Compared to circuits using Lincoln Laboratory's fully depleted silicon-on-insulator CMOS, implementation using state-of-the-art RTDs should operate five times faster when both technologies follow the CMOS design rules.
Measurement error in network data: A re-classification

Research on measurement error in network data has typically focused on missing data. We embed missing data, which we term false negative nodes and edges, in a broader classification of error scenarios. This includes false positive nodes and edges and falsely aggregated and disaggregated nodes. We simulate these six measurement errors using an online social network and a publication citation network, reporting their effects on four node-level measures – degree centrality, clustering coefficient, network constraint, and eigenvector centrality. Our results suggest that in networks with more positively-skewed degree distributions and higher average clustering, these measures tend to be less resistant to most forms of measurement error. In addition, we argue that the sensitivity of a given measure to an error scenario depends on the idiosyncracies of the measure's calculation, thus revising the general claim from past research that the more ‘global’ a measure, the less resistant it is to measurement error. Finally, we anchor our discussion to commonly-used networks in past research that suffer from these different forms of measurement error and make recommendations for correction strategies.
Modern fluorescent proteins and imaging technologies to study gene expression, nuclear localization, and dynamics

Recent developments in reagent design can address problems in single cells that were not previously approachable. We have attempted to foresee what will become possible, and the sorts of biological problems that become tractable with these novel reagents. We have focused on the novel fluorescent proteins that allow convenient multiplexing, and provide for a time-dependent analysis of events in single cells. Methods for fluorescently labeling specific molecules, including endogenously expressed proteins and mRNA have progressed and are now commonly used in a variety of organisms. Finally, sensitive microscopic methods have become more routine practice. This article emphasizes that the time is right to coordinate these approaches for a new initiative on single cell imaging of biological molecules.
Demand-scalable geographic multicasting in wireless sensor networks

In this paper, we focus on the challenge of demand-scalable multicast routing in wireless sensor networks. Due to the ad-hoc nature of the placement of the sensor nodes as well as the variations in the available power of the nodes, centralized or stateful routing schemes are not applicable. Thus, in this paper, we first introduce a Geographic Multicast routing Protocol (GMP) for wireless sensor networks. The protocol is fully distributed and stateless. Given a set of the destinations, the transmitting node first constructs a virtual Euclidean Steiner tree rooted at itself and including the destinations, using a novel and highly efficient reduction ratio heuristic (called rrSTR). The simulation results on NS2 show that GMP requires 25% less hops and energy than the existing Position Based Multicasting, PBM, Location-Guided Steiner trees, LGS, approaches. The GMP algorithm as well as LGS and PBM all assume that each recipient receives the same copy of the multicast message. In reality, however, especially when the transmission includes streamed media, different recipients have different demands (in terms of the frequency of packets or the quality of media). Thus, in this paper, we investigate the suitability of the geographic multicasting schemes for situations where scalable transmission paths can save power. In particular, we propose intuitive mechanisms to extend the three schemes to cases where the data transmission can scale based on the demand. This leads to three new weighted multicast routing algorithms: wGMP, wLGS, and wPBM. The results show that the wGMP algorithm provides the best opportunities for scalability due to its flexible self-correcting decision making process, while other schemes, such as wLGS and wPBM are not directly suitable for scalable multicasting, due to their naively greedy structures.
The Use of Dietary Supplements in Pediatrics: A Study of Echinacea

Alternative medical therapies are commonly used and have increased in popularity. Although patients may not always disclose the use of alternative therapies, they may seek advice regarding their use, especially for children. Regulation and standardization of these modalities, especially botanicals, is incomplete. The University of Arizona has initiated a study of the use of echinacea in the prevention of recurrent otitis media. A review of echinacea preparations was undertaken, and this report discusses the complexities surrounding the use of this dietary supplement. The number and diversity of echinacea preparations are detailed; the role of the physician as “botanical” advisor to patients and families is examined.
Dynamic Spectrum Access Enabled DoD Net-centric Spectrum Management

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is transforming its legacy spectrum management processes and capabilities to more effectively support mission-critical tactical communications and future net-centric military operations. This transformation envisions assured spectrum access by Warfighters anytime and anywhere, a prerequisite for the un-tethered, reliable, and ubiquitous wireless networking component of net-centric operations. Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) has emerged in recent years as a capability with the potential to effectively address spectrum access challenges by allowing more dynamic, flexible, and autonomous spectrum access. DSA is attained through wireless networking architectures and technologies that enable wireless devices to dynamically adapt their spectrum access according to criteria such as policy constraints, spectrum availability, propagation environment, and application performance requirements. The basic concept of DSA is that by exploiting the multiple dimensions of the spectrum resource and by enhancing distribution of spectrum data, systems will dynamically access and share in near-real time the spectrum resource among a large number of users, thus improving the utilization of spectrum. This paper will provide an overview of the DSA technologies, and present a DSA-enabled DoD spectrum management framework. The paper also will address critical issues related to technology maturity, regulatory and policy constraints, as well as industry standardization to support this framework.
Abstract 2722: Anti-hypertensive Treatment Prolongs tPA Door-to-treatment Time: Secondary Analysis Of The Increasing Stroke Treatment Through Interventional Behavior Change Tactics (INSTINCT) Trial.

Background/Purpose: Increased time to tPA treatment is associated with worse outcomes. Thus, identifying modifiable treatment delays may improve stroke outcomes. We hypothesized that pre-thrombolyt...
Radiative lifetime of the A 2 Δ state of CH

The lifetime of various rotational levels of the v′ = 0 and 1 vibrational states of the A2Δ state of CH are reported. The lifetimes for the various levels were nearly constant with the rotational quantum number N′. For the v′ = 0 level it was 508 ± 25 ns and for the v′ = 1 level, it was 514 ± 33 ns. The bandhead lifetime was 500 ns and these lifetimes are very close to the bandhead lifetime.
Absorption of glucose, galactose, and xylose in the dog.

SummaryJejunal fistulas of conscious dogs were perfused with mixtures containing NaCl, and a test sugar at concentrations up to ISO mM and an inhibitor sugar at concentrations between 0 and 75 mM. The absorption rates of glucose, galactose, and xylose increased with increasing bowel lumen concentrations of each sugar, and increased with increasing net rates of fluid absorption. Glucose reduced the absorption rates of galactose and of xylose, and galactose reduced glucose absorption. Xylose did not have a consistent effect on glucose absorption.
Abstract 5327: In vivo fluorescence imaging of solid tumor-bisphosphonate interaction

Bisphosphonates are used for the osteoporosis and in palliative cancer related bone pain management. A role in the cancer cell proliferation and metastases prevention has been proposed. Here, we determined the possibility of utilizing NIR dye conjugated bisphosphonate drug as a potential theragnostic agent. Alendronate was conjugated to water soluble, near-infrared tricarbocyanine, cyclic enamine-functionalized dye, and the imaging probe was used for the purpose. Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging of both LNCaP cells in cell culture and grown orthotopically in nude mice indicate NIR-bisphosphonate binding. Both in vivo and ex vivo NIRF image analysis of 4 nmol of NIR conjugate delivery show substantial tumor residence time and routine biodistribution to areas of high metabolic bone activity. We present here early evidence of NIR-bisphosphonate analog as a potential diagnostic tool. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5327. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5327
Stem Cell Transplantation for AML

Bone marrow transplantation is the treatment of choice for some patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Patients with high-risk disease such as those with MDS, in second (or subsequent) complete remission, or those with poor risk cytogenetics will benefit the most with this approach. With current transplant techniques, outcomes have improved over recent years. Even when relapse and graft-vs-host disease still are important problems faced by these patients, novel approaches have been developed to decrease the risk of complications. In this chapter, the current state of the art on transplantation for AML will be discussed.
Strategic Intent 25 Years Later: Still the Essence of Winning?

The primary purpose of this article is to revisit the construct of strategic intent, clarify its nature, link it to firm performance, and propose a contingency framework to allow for further investigation of the relationship between strategic intent and firm performance. We integrate 25 years of strategy research in goal setting/strategy formation, resources and competencies, and flexibility in order to determine that the concept of strategic intent as conceptualized by Hamel and Prahalad (1989) is a relevant predictor and explainer of performance. In doing so, we present a construct that is theoretically relevant, measurable and possesses face validity for the explanation of firm performance.
Cardiac transplantation after prolonged graft preservation with the University of Wisconsin solution.

We tested the ability of University of Wisconsin solution to extend hypothermic preservation of the nonperfused heart during orthotopic baboon allotransplantation. Seven baboons received hearts after cardioplegia and storage (4° C) with University of Wisconsin solution, with a preservation time of 14.2 ± 1.6 hours. One animal died as a result of a technical error. Six survivors were immunosuppressed for 45 days and then put to death. Preservation did not alter heart weight or histologic features according to light and electron microscopy. Animals were weaned from bypass and returned to their cages without intravenous support within 3.9 ± 0.8 hours. Weekly biopsies, electrocardiograms, enzyme analyses, echocardiograms, and right heart catheterizations demonstrated excellent cardiac function. University of Wisconsin solution can extend hypothermic cardiac preservation and has no deleterious effects on long-term myocardial function (up to 45 days). This study validates the rationale for human trials with preservation and storage in University of Wisconsin solution toward the goal of improving and prolonging donor heart preservation. (J T horac C ardiovasc S urg 1992;104:224-8)
Pathways of risk and resilience between neighborhood socioeconomic conditions and parenting

Abstract This study examined pathways between neighborhood socioeconomic conditions (concentrated affluence and poverty), neighborhood resources and collective efficacy, and three parenting behaviors: warmth, harshness, and physical aggression. Data were drawn from the 3-year-old cohort of the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods, a neighborhood-based study (N = 999). Multilevel path models revealed that greater neighborhood affluence was indirectly associated with mothers' lower reports of physical aggression with their children via more neighborhood services for children, as reported by an independent sample of neighborhood residents. However, analyses using propensity score weights suggest the association between neighborhood affluence and parental aggression may be due to selection. Results are discussed with respect to implications for preventing child maltreatment.
Sensor-agnostic photogrammetric image registration with applications to population modeling

While wide area motion imagery provides short-timescale temporal information, e.g., individual vehicle tracking, it lacks broader contextual information on the ambient distribution of populations within that area. We present a fusion approach to augment Iris video with broader-scale population data. Spectral, geometric, and geospatial limitations of the Iris video preclude the use of Iris video directly; this is overcome by photogrammetric registration of robust Deimos-2 imagery and ancillary processed products using a high performance sensoragnostic, multi-temporal registration workflow. We assess the accuracy and precision of the proposed workflow (∼15 m; Euclidean) and demonstrate the potential to leverage the fusion of these data towards rapid, global-scale population distribution modeling. This has important implications to effective response to emergencies, especially in urban environments, where population density is driven largely by building heights, and a complementary, multi-scale understanding of the distribution and dynamics of people within that geographic area is required.
Treatment Options in Oligometastatic Disease: Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy - Focus on Colorectal Cancer

Background: Improvements in systemic therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) have markedly extended survival, rendering local control of metastases to crit
In-hospital use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with heart failure in academic centers in the United States

BACKGROUND Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are considered potentially harmful for patients with heart failure. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of in-hospital NSAID use, their type, associated diagnosis and impact in clinical outcomes among patients with a diagnosis of heart failure. METHODS The University Health System Consortium Database was used to identify all first hospitalizations with an International Classification of Diseases-9 discharge diagnosis code of systolic heart failure as the primary diagnosis between January 1, 2011, and December 31st 2014. RESULTS Among 65,902 patients admitted for a primary diagnosis of SHF, 2675 (4.1%) were exposed to NSAID. The most frequent NSAID used was ibuprofen (51.63%), followed by ketorolac (29.38%) naproxen (8.07%) celecoxib (5.61%), and others. On multivariable analyses, the length of stay of patients exposed to NSAID was longer compared to non-exposed (OR: 4.67, p < 0.001, 95% CI 4.10-5.25), but differences in mortality were not statistically different (OR: 0.90, p = 0.476, 95% CI 0.69-1.19). CONCLUSION The use of NSAID in patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of systolic heart failure was low but was associated with longer length of stay. Further studies are needed to understand the impact of NSAID use in this patient population.
Effect of Steel Multi-collector Bars on Current Density and Magnetohydrodynamic Stability in an Aluminum Reduction Cell

The horizontal current (HC) plays an important role on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instability and energy consumption. The steel multi-collector bars were proposed to reduce HC. Nonetheless, the mechanism was not fully understood. A transient three-dimensional mathematical model was developed to investigate the effect of the structure on current density and MHD stability. The solution of momentum equation was implemented by coupling of Lorentz force through solving the electrical potential equation. The volume of fluid (VOF) approach was used to track the electrolyte (bath)-molten aluminum (metal) interface. The results show that the steel multi-collector bars decrease the HC effectively by increasing the current path. Compared with the steel double-collector bars, the steel multi-collector bars cause a decrease in cathode voltage drop (CVD). The maximum bath-metal interface fluctuation can also be reduced, which is contributed to the MHD stability.
Sustainable Bioelectrosynthesis of the Bioplastic Polyhydroxybutyrate: Overcoming Substrate Requirement for NADH Regeneration

One of the main limitations to achieve sustainable synthesis of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is the cost of NADH regeneration, as it requires a side enzymatic reaction usually including a NAD-dependent dehydrogenase enzyme with its substrate or other photo- and electrochemical approaches that create unwanted byproducts and the enzymatically inactive dimer NAD2. Herein, a bioelectrocatalytic method combining both enzymatic and electrochemical approaches was used to regenerate enzymatically active NADH. The method employed a modified glassy carbon electrode that possesses both NADH regeneration and acetoacetyl-CoA (AcAcCoA) reduction features. The modified electrode exhibited an apparent Michaelis constant (KM) value of 814 ± 11 μM and a maximum current density (jmax) of 27.9 ± 1.3 μA cm–2 for NAD+ reduction and a KM value of 47 ± 2 μM and jmax of 0.97 ± 0.03 μA cm–2 for AcAcCoA reduction. The modified electrode was subsequently employed in the bioelectrosynthesis of the bioplastic PHB and yielded 1.6 mg in a ...
Umweltethik: „Donʼt Frack our Mother“ oder die Zerstörung unserer Lebensgrundlagen – „Promised Land“

Die Umweltethik ist eine noch junge Bereichsethik. In systematischer Hinsicht konnen als ihre Beschaftigungsfelder die naturphilosophische Grundlagendiskussion und konkrete Anwendungsfragen unterschieden werden. Die Grundlagendiskussion dreht sich um die Frage, wer oder was alles zur „moral community“ gezahlt bzw. wem ein moralischer Wert zugesprochen werden kann. Die wichtigsten Positionen zu dieser Frage sind die Anthropozentrik, die nur Menschen einen moralischen Wert beimisst; die Pathozentrik, die einen moralischen Wert fur alle leidensfahigen Wesen annimmt; die Biozentrik, die die „moral community“ auf alles Lebendige ausweitet, und die radikale Physiozentrik, fur die in ihrer holistischen Form die ganze Natur Tragerin moralischer Werte ist. Die konkreten Anwendungsfragen betreffen Themen, wie sie zum Beispiel in der umweltethischen Bewertung von Hydraulic Fracturing, kurz Fracking, zum Ausdruck kommen. Dabei gilt es zu untersuchen, ob die wirtschaftlichen Gewinnchancen die massiven Umweltgefahren rechtfertigen konnen. Aus der Analyse des Films „Promised Land“ (USA 2012, R: Gus Van Sant) kann eine eher kritische umweltethische Position zu diesem Thema abgeleitet werden.
Swimming performance, resonance and shape evolution in heaving flexible panels

Many animals that swim or fly use their body to accelerate the fluid around them, transferring momentum from their flexible bodies and appendages to the surrounding fluid. The kinematics that emerge from this transfer result from the coupling between the fluid and the active and passive material properties of the flexible body or appendages. To elucidate the fundamental features of the elastohydrodynamics of flexible appendages, recent physical experiments have quantified the propulsive performance of flexible panels that are actuated on their leading edge. Here we present a complementary computational study of a three-dimensional flexible panel that is heaved sinusoidally at its leading edge in an incompressible, viscous fluid. These high-fidelity numerical simulations enable us to examine how propulsive performance depends on mechanical resonance, fluid forces, and the emergent panel deformations. Moreover, the computational model does not require the tethering of the panel. We therefore compare the thrust production of tethered panels to the forward swimming speed of the same panels that can move forward freely. Varying both the passive material properties and the heaving frequency of the panel, we find that local peaks in trailing edge amplitude and forward swimming speed coincide and that they are determined by a non-dimensional quantity, the effective flexibility, that arises naturally in the Euler–Bernoulli beam equation. Modal decompositions of panel deflections reveal that the amplitude of each mode is related to the effective flexibility. Panels of different material properties that are actuated so that their effective flexibilities are closely matched have modal contributions that evolve similarly over the phase of the heaving cycle, leading to similar vortex structures in their wakes and comparable thrust forces and swimming speeds. Moreover, local peaks in the swimming speed and trailing edge amplitude correspond to peaks in the contributions of the different modes. This computational study of freely swimming flexible panels gives further insight into the role of resonance in swimming performance that is important in the engineering and design of robotic propulsors. Moreover, we view this reduced model and its comparison to laboratory experiments as a building block and validation for a more comprehensive three-dimensional computational model of an undulatory swimmer that will couple neural activation, muscle mechanics and body elasticity with the surrounding viscous, incompressible fluid.
FADU: A Feature Counting Tool for Prokaryotic RNA-Seq Analysis

Motivation: The major algorithms for quantifying transcriptomics data for differential gene expression analysis were designed for analyzing data from human or human-like genomes, specifically those with single gene transcripts and distinct transcriptional boundaries that extend beyond the coding sequence (CDS) as identified through expressed sequence tags (ESTs) or EST-like sequence data. Some eukaryotic genomes and all, or nearly all, bacterial genomes require alternate methods of quantification since they lack annotation of transcriptional boundaries with EST or EST-like data, have overlapping transcriptional boundaries, and/or have polycistronic transcripts. Results: An algorithm was developed and tested that better quantifies transcriptomics data for differential gene expression analysis in organisms with overlapping transcriptional units and polycistronic transcripts. Using data from standard libraries originating from Escherichia coli and Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and strand-specific libraries from the Wolbachia endosymbiont wBm, FADU can derive counts for genes that are missed by HTSeq and featureCounts. Using the default parameters with the E. coli data, FADU can detect transcription of 51 more genes than HTSeq in union mode and 21 genes more than featureCounts, with 42 and 18 of these features being ≤ 300 bp, respectively. Due to its ability to derive counts for otherwise unrepresented genes without overstating their abundance, we believe FADU to be an improved tool for quantifying transcripts in prokaryotic systems for RNA-Seq analyses. Availability and implementation: FADU is available at https://github.com/adkinsrs/FADU. FADU was implemented using Python3 and requires the PySAM module (version 0.12.0.1 or later).
Monte Carlo-Simulation korrelierter Zufallsvariablen

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird ein Verfahren zur Monte Carlo-Simulation zweier korrelierter Zufallsvariablen vorgestellt. Hierbei werden Linearkombinationen stochastisch unabhangiger und auf dem Intervall (0,1) gleichverteilter Zufallsvariablen (“Zufallszahlen”) und deren Verteilung untersucht. Die anschliesende Transformation liefert bei geeigneter Wahl der Koeffizientenmatrix Zufallsvariablen mit den gewunschten Verteilungseigenschaften und der vorgegebenen Kovarianz. Am Beispiel zweier exponentialverteilter Zufallsvariablen wird das Verfahren fur eine Reihe von Kovarianzen durchgefuhrt. This paper describes a method for the Monte Carlo simulation of two correlated random variables. The author analyses linear combinations of stochastically independent random variables that are equally distributed over the interval (0, 1) (“random numbers”) and also examines their distribution. If a suitable matrix of coefficients is chosen, the subsequent transformation results in random variables with the desired distribution properties and the given covariance. The method is carried out for a series of covariances using two exponentially distributed random variables.
Structure and properties of N-phenylmaleimide derivatives

The crystal structures of 2-chloro-N-phenyl-triphenylphosphoranaminomaleimide 1, N-phenyl-di(triphenylphosphoranamino)maleimide 2a, a nitromethane solvate 2b, N-phenyl-2,3-dithiomaleimide 3, and N-phenyl-2,3-di(thiophenyl)maleimide have been determined. 1 crystallizes in space group P-1 with cell dimensions a = 10.432(6), b = 14.661(5), c = 9.376(4) A, α = 93.13(4), β = 92.09(5), and γ = 79.08(4)°, 2a crystallizes in space group P21/c with cell dimensions a = 11.272(2), b = 28.910(7), c = 12.702(2) A, and β = 115.31(2)°, 2b crystallizes in space group P-1 with cell dimensions a = 13.140(2), b = 13.796(3), c = 11.755(3) A, α = 99.62(2), β = 100.23(2), and γ = 102.74(2)°, 3 crystallizes in space group C2/c with cell dimensions a = 42.926(5), b = 5.757(6), c = 8.259(3) A, and β = 99.71(3)°, and 4 crystallizes in space group C2/c with cell dimensions a = 20.055(4), b = 10.370(6), c = 18.690(7) A, and β = 100.32(2)°. Vicinal diazides of five-membered rings undergo the normal Staudinger reaction to form triphenylphosphoranamino derivatives. Compounds 1 and 2 fluoresce strongly, but nitromethane quenches the fluorescence of 2.
A Mach 6 external nozzle experiment with Argon-Freon exhaust simulation

A scramjet exhaust simulation technique for hypersonic wind tunnel testing has been developed. Mixtures of Argon and Freon correctly match the inviscid simulation parameters of Mach number, static-pressure ratio, and the ratio of specific heats at the combustor exit location; this simulation is accomplished at significantly reduced temperatures and without combustion. An investigation of nozzle parametrics in a Mach 6 freestream showed that the external nozzle ramp angle, the cowl trailing-edge angle, an external nozzle flow fence and the nozzle static-pressure ratio significantly affected the external nozzle thrust and pitching moment as measured by the integration of surface-pressure data. A comparison of Argon-Freon and air exhaust simulation showed that the external nozzle thrust and pitching moment were in error by roughly a factor of 2 using air due to the incorrect match of the ratio of specific heats. An assessment of two-dimensional Euler and Navier-Stokes codes for predicting external nozzle aerodynamic characteristics was made by comparing computed and experimental results.
Adipokines in health and disease

Obesity has become a major public health problem [1]. It is currently estimated that more than 1.6 billion adults worldwide are overweight [body mass index (BMI) >25] and 400 million are obese (BMI >30). The incidence of obesity in children is also very high [1]. The obesity epidemic is attributed mainly to excessive intake of foods rich in fat and sugar, and lack of exercise [1]. Obesity increases the risk of diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, sleep apnea, cancer, and various diseases; therefore, there is enormous interest in understanding the pathogenesis of obesity [1, 2].
College Education on Dietary Supplements May Promote Responsible Use In Young Adults

Dietary supplement (DS) use is increasing among college students. Early adulthood is a critical developmental stage when behavioral trends are established with potential health implications. Many studies have suggested a proper college education on DSs is needed, but no follow-up reports exist in the literature. The purpose of the study was to compare DS use in college students with and without a formal education on DSs. An anonymous survey was sent over electronic mailing lists of different social and professional student groups, including students in the health and wellness studies (HWS) minor (HM) at Binghamton University. A total of 308 students completed the study. A statistical framework using multivariate analyses was designed to assess pattern of use and identify variables of interest. Principal component analysis recognized five patterns collectively contributing to 66.75% of the variance. PC 1 characterized as tobacco use, PC 2 labeled as body weight, PC 3 categorized as exercise, PC 4 labeled as educated use, and PC 5 is considered Greek-life lifestyle. Participants were then partitioned into HM versus HWS nonminor (NM). Common factor analysis was performed to extract significant variables pertaining to each pattern. Results reflected driving forces common to both groups. However, new trends surfaced in HM. A regression analysis suggests that DS use in HM is based on knowledge, whereas NM use is specifically targeted toward certain lifestyles. In addition, HM are more likely to discontinue a DS with formal knowledge. Therefore, college education on DS may be promoting a healthy pattern of supplement use.
Election Day Breakdowns in the Twenty-First Century: Voting Landscape and Integrity vs. Access

This chapter details the American voting landscape since the year 2000 and the political conditions that continue to shape conversations about integrity versus access and guide election reform. In this chapter, I review key legislative and executive actions that have significantly impacted election administration, as well as the perennial challenges that arise. Importantly, a policy that can be implemented in ostensibly neutral ways nevertheless has partisan impacts. While progress has been made on some of the election issues, other challenges stubbornly persist despite intervention. In this chapter, I also discuss the important, not yet realized, contribution of President Obama’s Presidential Commission on Election Administration (PCEA). I use the reform areas outlined in the PCEA Commission report to frame the subsequent substantive chapters on specific election reforms.
Evaluate driver response to active warning system in level-2 automated vehicles

Abstract As vehicles with automated functions become more prevalent on U.S. roadways, maintaining driver attention while the vehicle is engaged in automation will be an important consideration for safe operation of these vehicles. The objective of this paper is to evaluate how drivers respond and adapt to active safety warning signals in a Level 2 automatic vehicle. Specifically, statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate whether the amount of inattention prompts that drivers received changed over time, possibly indicating a change in the amount of inattention that drivers exhibited. The driving performance data was collected from sixteen participants who drove a Level 2 vehicle in an experimental setting, as part of the study Human Factors Evaluation of Level 2 and Level 3 Driving Concepts. A proprietary driver inattention warning system was installed on the experiment vehicles. The system would send a warning signal if the driver’s attention was not on the primary driving task for a pre-specified duration. This study focuses on driver’s response when experiencing prompts after two seconds of inattention while operating a Level 2 vehicle in automated mode. The results show that on average, the frequency of prompts the participants received decreased over the course of the experiment from 29.9 in the first ten minutes to 18.1/10 min after 110 min. The decrease levelled off after about two hours. The fact that participants received fewer prompts over time suggests that they had fewer instances of inattention lasting at least two seconds as the experiment progressed. This suggests that drivers would adapt to the alert and adjust their behavior to avoid triggering the inattention alert. The results of this study provide evidence for a potential benefit of incorporating a prompting system in vehicles with automated functions.
A Sustainable Route To Synthesize the Xanthommatin Biochrome via an Electro-catalyzed Oxidation of Tryptophan Metabolites

Xanthommatin (Xa) is a naturally occurring broad-spectrum dye present in arthropods and cephalopods. In these animals, Xa is enzymatically produced via the oxidative cyclization of 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-OHK), a metabolite of tryptophan, but it can also be synthesized in vitro using an iron-based oxidizing agent. While the optoelectronic properties (e.g., high refractive index, redox-sensitive color) of both natural and synthetic forms of Xa have inspired its use in materials, its synthesis faces challenges, in terms of both scalability and purity. We describe a procedure to synthesize Xa via electrochemical oxidation of 3-OHK, which offers both economic and ecological advantages over the traditional method. We used density functional theory calculations to describe the kinetics and thermodynamics of the cyclization of Xa based on the loss of eight electrons and protons from 2 molar equiv of 3-OHK. Our results provide insight into the production of this biochrome in a process that can be scaled up for fut...
Designing Firm Integrating Processes from the Knowledge-Based View—Graduate Student Best Paper Award, CASOS 2002 Conference

The knowledge-based view provides a powerful perspective for analyzing and understanding the firm. However, some of its assumptions have proven difficult to operationalize, making hypothesis testing difficult. One strategically important assumption is that firm competitive advantage depends on effective integrating processes. This paper develops a more precise specification of “effective” integrating processes. Then, two integrating processes are modeled using an agent-based simulation approach to test a set of factors believed to influence knowledge transfer and application. Results support several hypotheses generated by the knowledge-based view including: (1) greater levels of tacit knowledge transfer enhance the performance benefits gained from integrating processes, and (2) integrating processes with greater task uncertainty benefit from more formal information communication. The results also suggest that the design and management of firm integrating processes is a complex undertaking that requires a clear understanding of (1) the primary performance measure(s) used to evaluate the process, (2) the nature of the process tasks (e.g., routine vs. idiosyncratic), and (3) the knowledge required to perform those tasks (e.g., explicit vs. tacit).
Stereochemical Relay through a Cationic Intermediate: Helical Preorganization Dictates Direction of Conrotation in the halo-Nazarov Cyclization.

A stereocontrolled halo-Prins/halo-Nazarov cyclization protocol is reported, where chiral information from a secondary alcohol is relayed through several intermediates yielding halocyclopentene pro...
The Calpain Gene is Correlated With Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Failures.

Abstract Background Metal-on-metal (MOM) total hip arthroplasty is associated with unacceptable failure rates secondary to metal ion reactions. Efforts to identify which patients will go on to failure have been limited; recently, there has been a suggestion for a potential genetic basis for the increased risk of revision in MOM hip replacements (MOMHRs). The purpose of this study is to determine whether certain immunologic genotypes are predictive of the need for revision in patients with MOM total hip implants. Methods This is a case-control study of all patients undergoing primary MOMHR between September 2002 and January 2012 with a minimum of 5-year follow-up. Our investigational “case” cohort was comprised of patients who underwent revision for MOMHR for a reason other than infection. A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis was performed to identify a potential genetic basis for failure. Results Thirty-two patients (15 case and 17 control) were included in our analysis. All patients in the revision group had a chief complain of pain; revision patients were more likely to have a posterior approach (P = .01) and larger head size (P = .04) than nonrevision patients. No patient or implant characteristics were independently associated with revision in a multivariate analysis. Patients with SNP kgp9316441 were identified as having an increased odds of revision for MOM failure (P Conclusion This study identified an SNP, kgp9316441, encoding proteins associated with inflammation and macrophage activation. This SNP was associated with significantly increased odds of revision for MOMHR. Future studies are warranted to validate this gene target both in vitro and in vivo. Level of Evidence III.