cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wavelength tuning in strained layer InGaAs-GaAs-AlGaAs quantum well lasers by selective-area MOCVD

Selective-area growth and regrowth using conventional atmospheric pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition is investigated for wavelength tuning in strained layer InxGa1-xAsGaAs-Aly Ga1-yAs quantum well lasers. Growth inhibition from a silicon dioxide mask is the mechanism used for the selective-area growth rate enhancement. By varying the width of the oxide stripe opening, differences in the growth rate yield different quantum well thicknesses, and hence different lasing wavelengths for devices on the same wafer. Both two-and three-step growth processes are utilized for selective-area epitaxy of strained layer InxGa1-xAs-GaAs quantum well active regions, with lasers successfully fabricated from the three-step growth. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy indicate that the absence of an oxide mask during AlyGa1-yAs growth is essential for successful device operation. A wide wavelength tuning range of over 630A is achieved for lasers grown on the same substrate.
An inexpensive video signal multiplexer for multicamera machine vision in automated analytical laboratory systems

A computer-controlled multiplexer that selects one of up to eight video signal sources is described. The unit is used in conjunction with inexpensive charge-coupled-device video cameras, a frame grabber and computer interface, and commercially available image analysis software to detect events in an automated laboratory setup. The image processing software and the event-driven multiplexer software run under the Windows 3.1 operating system. The configuration presented here is an inexpensive alternative to systems that require more than one frame grabber in combination with multiple cameras or that use commercially available multiplexing frame grabbers. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. This article is a U.S. Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America. Lab Robotics and Automation 10: 131–141, 1998
FDA's preferred MPN methods for standard, large or unusual tests, with a spreadsheet

Abstract The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) presents its preferred methods for statistical interpretation of serial dilution tests for microbes in the Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) of the FDA and the AOAC. This article explains why the particular methods in the manual were selected and describes the adjustments chosen to create a new, flexible method for calculating most probable numbers (MPNs), confidence intervals, and measures of improbability for up to 18 dilutions and up to 1020 tubes per dilution. The methods have been put into a spreadsheet for easy use, and are offered free in the interest of promoting the microbial safety of food and water. The FDA prefers the MPN, not adjusted for bias, for its point estimate of concentration, with the improbability standards and confidence intervals of De Man for standard three-dilution tables with up to 10 tubes per dilution. For large or unusual test designs, the FDA also prefers the MPN but with a new improbability index and the confidence intervals of Haldane. Some other methods in recent literature are discussed briefly, and reasons are given why they are not preferred.
Imparting wisdom: Magda Arnold's contribution to research on emotion and motivation

To highlight the wisdom that Magda Arnold's grand theory can still impart on the field of emotion and motivation, we consider how her writings on wanting, thinking, knowing, and doing resonate in current research on mood and information processing, emotion regulation, emotional intelligence, and intrinsic motivation. In the wanting section, we examine Arnold's hypothesis that emotion alters action by shaping what people want. In the thinking section, we discuss how thought might regulate emotional impulses and when it might attenuate and accentuate them. In the knowing section, we examine whether people always have partial, conscious knowledge about their emotions and motives and if this knowledge contributes to psychological adjustment. In the doing section, we examine how to promote action and to conceptualise the positive affect that accompanies action. In each section, we highlight Arnold's contribution and propose ways in which researchers can profit from her ideas.
Theory of work-function changes induced by submonolayer alkali adsorption

Abstract The behavior of the work-function vs. coverage curve for alkali adsorption onto high-work-function substrates is reproduced by treating self-consistently a very simple (‘jellium’) model of the metallic substrate-adsorbate system.
Heptanuclear and decanuclear manganese complexes with the anion of 2-hydroxymethylpyridine.

The synthesis and magnetic properties are reported of two new clusters [Mn10O4(OH)2(O2CMe)8(hmp)8](ClO4)4 (1) and [Mn7(OH)3(hmp)9Cl3](Cl)(ClO4) (2). Complex 1 was prepared by treatment of [Mn3O(O2CMe)6(py)3](ClO4) with 2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine (hmpH) in CH2Cl2, whereas 2 was obtained from the reaction of MnCl2·4H2O, hmpH, and NBun4MnO4 in MeCN followed by recrystallization in the presence of NBun4ClO4. Complex 1·2py·10CH2Cl2·2H2O crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1. The cation consists of 10 MnIII ions, 8 μ3-O2- ions, 2 μ3-OH- ions, 8 bridging acetates, and 8 bridging and chelating hmp- ligands. The hmp- ligands bridge through their O atoms in two ways: two with μ3-O atoms and six with μ2-O atoms. Complex 2·3CH2Cl2·H2O crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1. The cation consists of four MnII and three MnIII ions, arranged as a Mn6 hexagon of alternating MnII and MnIII ions surrounding a central MnII ion. The remaining ligation is by three μ3-OH- ions, three terminal chloride ions, and ni...
The role of the urban/non-urban cost-of-living difference in measured intergenerational earnings mobility

Abstract In light of a substantial compensating urban/non-urban wage gap, a documented strong intergenerational persistence of urbanicity could produce a higher intergenerational association in nominal than in real earnings. Controlling interarea cost-of-living differences, I find that the estimated elasticity for real earnings is less to a statistically significant degree.
Monosynaptic functional connectivity in cerebral cortex during wakefulness and under graded levels of anesthesia.

The balance between excitation and inhibition is considered to be of significant importance for neural computation and cognitive function. Excitatory and inhibitory functional connectivity in intact cortical neuronal networks in wakefulness and graded levels of anesthesia has not been systematically investigated. We compared monosynaptic excitatory and inhibitory spike transmission probabilities using pairwise cross-correlogram (CCG) analysis. Spikes were measured at 64 sites in the visual cortex of rats with chronically implanted microelectrode arrays during wakefulness and three levels of anesthesia produced by desflurane. Anesthesia decreased the number of active units, the number of functional connections, and the strength of excitatory connections. Connection probability (number of connections per number of active unit pairs) was unaffected until the deepest anesthesia level, at which a significant increase in the excitatory to inhibitory ratio of connection probabilities was observed. The results suggest that the excitatory–inhibitory balance is altered at an anesthetic depth associated with unconsciousness.
U.S. Firms: Still Too Much Cash?

U.S. firms have been accumulating cash fairly steadily since the 1980s. Has this changed four years after the “official” end of the recession? And are both large and small firms continuing to retain cash? © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Aircraft, Spacecraft, Satellite and Radar Observations of Hurricane Gladys, 1968

Abstract Hurricane Gladys, 17 October 1968, is studied with data collected by Aollo 7 manned spacecraft, ESSA's especially instrumented aircraft, weather search radar, the ATS-III and ESSA 7 satellites, and conventional weather networks. This is the feast time data from all of these observing tools have been used to study the structure and dynamics of a hurricane. Techniques used in computing and integrating the various types of data are described and illustrated. A dominant feature of this immature hurricane was a large cloud which provided a major link between the low- and high-level circulations of the storm. Evidence is presented to suggest this type of cloud and its attendant circulation are features representative of tropical cyclones passing from the tropical storm to the hurricane stage.
Structural studies of complex systems using small-angle scattering: a unified Guinier/power-law approach☆

A unified analysis method for small-angle scattering data is demonstrated by surveying complex systems that display multiple size-scale structures. Using this approach the relationship between micro- and nano-structures can be ascertained. The method uses a function that is general enough to adequately describe systems ranging from particulates with fractally rough interfaces to mass fractals such as polymer coils. Additionally multiple Guinier and power-law regimes can be treated. The unified method can distinguish Guinier regimes buried between two power-law regimes. Data from particulate filled systems, low crystallinity polymers and low density polymer foams are analyzed.
Characterization of porcine serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgM and IgA and the preparation of monospecific anti-chain sera

Abstract The three known classes of immunoglobulins from Minnesota miniature swine have been isolated from sow serum. Whole immunoglobulin molecules and their constituent chains have been characterized physically, and monospecific anti-chain sera have been prepared to γ-chains, μ-chains, α-chain and light chains. The average concentration of each immunoglobulin class in sow serum has also been determined. Theimmunochemistry of porcine immunoglobulins and chain specific antisera provide a basis for further investigations on the ontogeny of the immune response in germfree piglets.
Modeling of SiO2 deposition in porous Vycor: Effects of pore network connectivity

A mathematical model developed for SiO_2 deposition in porous Vycor glass using SiCl_4 hydrolysis describes reaction, diffusion and evolution of the pore structure due to accumulation of the solid product. The deposition reaction is described by transient heterogeneous kinetics in terms of the concentrations of silanol and chloride groups in the product layer as well as those of the gaseous reactants. For typical deposition conditions the pseudo steady-state approximation for surface species could lead to erroneous predictions. Pore structure evolution is modeled by incorporating results of percolation theory. For this purpose the porous glass is represented by a Bethe lattice with coordination number 3 and alternatively by a decorated Bethe lattice in which each bond is replaced by a composite bond consisting of two bonds in series. The second network can capture the effect of pore radius variation along a single pore. For the decorated lattice, pore connectivity interruption at a higher void fraction leads to thinner deposits and shorter deposition times for pore plugging compared to the corresponding ones for the simple lattice.
Per-Connection Return Routability Test in Mobile IPv6

Abstract – As a mobile node switches from one subnet to another, Mobile IPv6 requires that it authenticate the new Care of Address of the new subnet with the corresponding node. The authentication process, called Return Routability (RR) Test, is required in every handoff and can delay the handoff process by a round trip delay between mobile and corresponding nodes. In this paper, two mechanisms are proposed to reduce the latency involved in RR tests and binding association. They eliminates triangular routing delay in RR tests by using multiple authentication tokens or easily regenerative tokes, so that the round trip delay in performing RR tests can be eliminated.
Cancer—an ayurvedic perspective

An integrated approach is needed to manage cancer using the growing body of knowledge gained through scientific developments. Thousands of herbal and traditional compounds are being screened worldwide to validate their use as anti-cancerous drugs. The science of Ayurveda is supposed to add a step on to the curative aspects of cancers that have resemblance with clinical entities of arbuda and granthi mentioned in Sushrutha samhita. Hence, an attempt is made in this review to discuss about the pathology and therapeutic management of various cancers described in Ayurveda. Review of literature on anticancer drugs of plant origin revealed identification of newer ayurvedic drugs that are not mentioned in the ancient texts. These new findings add up to ayurvedic science that has been developed through ages. In addition, details of experimental and clinical studies conducted on single and compound ayurvedic preparations for their anticancer efficacy strongly emphasize ayurvedic therapy as a scientifically driven one and not simply unconventional.
Using pen-based computing in technology for health

Advanced technologies open more possibilities to interact with computers in various different ways. Especially, pen-based computing provides people with an intuitive way to use a computer. In this paper, we present our research on developing pen-based neuropsychological assessment tools for older adults with cognitive impairment. First, we explain the background information and motivation to design technology for the aging population. Then, we describe our two applications: ClockReader and TrailMaker. We then discuss technological affordances to support medical assessment tasks and conclude that pen-based computing could contribute to increase the efficacy of a computer-based assessment tool.
High-density optical recording using a solid immersion lens

A solid immersion lens attached to a conventional objective increases the effective numerical aperture (NA(eff)) of an optical pickup and yields an areal recording density proportional to (NA(eff))(2). One version of this device, with an effective (NA(eff)) of 1.7, should be capable of very high density storage but would probably need a sealed system. Another simple configuration enables the use of this method for optical data storage in an unsealed environment and extends the spatial cutoff frequency 1.5 times. Experiments with these devices are compared with the full vector field theory of this type of imaging system.
The Relationship Between Antenna Loss and Superdirectivity in MIMO Systems

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems can theoretically use array superdirectivity to optimally exploit the propagation channel. This superdirectivity leads to very large capacity bounds, particularly when the antennas are closely spaced. However, because superdirective behavior is difficult to achieve in practice, new capacity bounds have been formulated for the case where the level of array superdirectivity is constrained. Existing capacity analyses limit the superdirectivity in a suboptimal way. In this paper, the impact of superdirectivity in the capacity solution is limited by introducing finite ohmic loss in the transmit and receive antenna elements. Computational results reveal that even a small amount of ohmic loss significantly decreases the achievable system capacity
EUV mask patterning approaches

In the last two years, we have developed tow Extreme UV (EUV) mask fabrication process flows, namely the substractive metal and the damascene process flows, utilizing silicon wafer process tools. Both types of EUV mask have been tested in a 10X reduction EUV exposure system. Dense lines less than 100 nm in width have been printed using both 0.6 micrometers thick top surface imaging resists and ultra-thin DUV resist. The EUV masks used in EUV lithography development work have been routinely made by using the current wafer process tools. The two EUV mask processes that we have developed both have some advantages and disadvantages. The simpler subtractive metal process is compatible with the current reticle defect repair methodologies. On the other hand, the more complex damascene process facilitates mask cleaning and particle inspection.
Automatic prototype extraction for adaptive OCR

A Bayesian method of isolating character bitmaps from paragraph-length samples of heavily degraded text images is demonstrated. The method requires a transcript of the text, but it is sufficiently robust to tolerate errors in transcripts obtained from multifont commercial OCR software. The resulting prototypes (labeled character images) are used to recognize additional text an the same document.
Administration of a vaccine composed of dendritic cells pulsed with premalignant oral lesion lysate to mice bearing carcinogen-induced premalignant oral lesions stimulates a protective immune response

The use of dendritic cell (DC) vaccines as treatment for malignancy is complicated by immune evasion tactics often employed by carcinomas such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The present study aims to determine if an immune response can be elicited by administering a DC vaccine during the premalignant stages of HNSCC, prior to development of immune escape. Mice treated with the carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO) in drinking water develop premalignant oral lesions that progress to HNSCC. As previous studies demonstrated that premalignant lesions and HNSCC overexpress common tumor antigens, bone marrow-derived DCs were pulsed with premalignant lesion lysate (DCpm) and administered to 4NQO-treated mice exhibiting premalignant lesions. Lesion progression was tracked through endoscopy, which revealed that DCpm vaccination and control vaccination with dendritic cells pulsed with normal tongue epithelium lysate (DCnt) significantly decreased lesion burden at 8 weeks. Analysis of lymph node cells revealed that while DCnt vaccination resulted in a rapid increase in total lymphocyte count, levels of activated conventional CD4+ T cells and Th1, Tc1, Th17, Tc17, and Th2 cells, DCpm vaccination results in a delayed, yet substantial, increase in these immune effector mechanisms. This suggests that dendritic cell vaccination may have a beneficial effect on clinical outcome regardless of type of antigenic stimulation. Also, pulsing DCs with premalignant lysate rather than normal tongue epithelium lysate affects the dendritic cells in a way that delays the immune effector response upon vaccination of premalignant lesion-bearing mice.
Mitochondrial Hydrogen Peroxide and Defective Cholesterol Efflux Prevent In Vitro Fertilization by Cryopreserved Inbred Mouse Sperm

Recent advances in the cryopreservation of mouse sperm have resulted in dramatically improved in vitro fertilization (IVF) rates, but the biological mechanisms underlying the techniques remain unclear. Two different classes of compounds have been widely utilized to improve the IVF rates of cryopreserved mouse sperm: antioxidants and cyclodextrins. To determine how cryopreservation reduces mouse sperm IVF and how antioxidants and cyclodextrins mitigate this effect, we examined sperm function and oxidative damage after cryopreservation, with and without treatments, in mouse strains important for biomedical research. Our investigation revealed mouse strain-specific effects on IVF by modulation of oxidative stress and cholesterol efflux of cryopreserved sperm. Antioxidants improved IVF rates of C57Bl6/J cryopreserved mouse sperm by reducing hydrogen peroxide produced by sperm mitochondria and ameliorating peroxidative damage to the sperm acrosome. Enhancing cholesterol efflux with cyclodextrin restored capacitation-dependent sperm function and IVF after cryopreservation of C57Bl/6J, C57Bl/6N, and 129X1 mouse sperm. Our results highlight two accessible pathways for continued development of IVF techniques for mouse sperm and provide novel endpoints prognostic of IVF success. These insights may improve sperm cryopreservation methods of other mouse strains and species.
ON THE SEROLOGICAL SPECIFICITY OF PEPTIDES

In continuation of previous studies immune sera for azoproteins made from aminobenzoyl dipeptides and tripeptides were tested with various peptide azoproteins by precipitin tests and with nitrobenzoyl derivatives of peptides by means of inhibition reactions. When examined with the latter method, the immune sera exhibited a high degree of specificity and permitted the recognition of distinctions among peptides of similar structure.
Studies With SMA Actuated Needle for Steering Within Tissue

Flexible needles that can be steered within soft tissues are a promising approach to precisely reach target locations, thereby can significantly benefit needle based surgical procedures such as brachytherapy and biopsy. Several design approaches have been suggested to increase needle flexibility that include bevel-tip needles, kinked needles and flexure-based needles. These needles when inserted into a soft materials takes a curved path. This curved path can be controlled while inserting by rotating the needle at its base. In this work another approach to control the curved path was explored. Here the needle body was attached with a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator close the needle tip that when actuated bends the needle and thereby leads to a curved path inside soft tissue. A prototype of the SMA actuated needle was developed and the working principle was demonstrated in air, tissue-mimicking gel, and pig liver. Moreover, the effect of actuator wire diameter on the needle behavior were studied.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Step-edge fluctuations on crystal surfaces

The fluctuations of steps on crystal surfaces, driven by edge diffusion and by attachment, are treated exactly for the linear regime by considering the mobility of the representative point in the configuration space of the Fourier components. Langevin kinetics are avoided. An accurate treatment of terrace diffusion shows that relaxation modes remain Gaussian with fluctuation amplitudes determined almost entirely by step stiffness, modified by step-step energetic interactions, but not by surface defect mechanisms or diffusion. The attachment model is examined in detail for linear diffusion models, and a straightforward extension of the results is identified for arbitrarily complex diffusion in linear regimes near equilibrium. Relaxation modes, their amplitudes, and characteristic decay times are treated for steps near sinks, including other steps, and a connection is made to results for step arrays. An analysis of correlated step motions suitable for the interpretation of experimental observations is given. The fast (square root) limit of fluctuation dissipation at which terrace diffusion can no longer compete with edge diffusion is treated self-consistently.
The importance of one-stage median sternotomy and retroperitoneal node dissection in disseminated testicular cancer.

Abstract More than 350 patients with testicular germ cell cancer have been treated with cisplatin combination chemotherapy. Seventy-two with metastases to the thorax who had operation are discussed here. In a subgroup of 24 patients with additional retroperitoneal disease, a one-stage median sternotomy was performed in 18 patients, and a thoracotomy in 6, with retroperitoneal node dissection. Seventeen patients had similar pathological lesions in the thorax and retroperitoneum; in 7, the lesions differed. There was no operative mortality in the entire group. Overall, chemotherapy altered the metastases to mature teratoma in 28 patients, and 27 are long-term survivors. Among 22 patients with fibrotic, necrotic masses, 19 are long-term survivors; 6 of the 22 with persistent carcinoma had chemotherapy postoperatively and are long-term survivors. The overall cure rate for patients with disseminated testicular cancer is approximately 80%. Among those who had a one-stage thoracoretro-peritoneal procedure, long-term survival is 83%; for the entire thoracic surgical group, it is 74%.
Discussion: Economic Opportunities in Rural Communities

Three economic opportunities are presented for rural areas in this invited paper session: selfemployment, investments in broadband infrastructure, and agritourism. Self-employment has shown growth in rural regions at the expense of wage and salary employment in the longterm. Production agriculture interests by themselves are unlikely to provide sufficient funding to expand infrastructure for broadband in rural areas. Agritourism approaches appear to be very wide ranging with many educational demands needing to be met to maximize its diversification possibilities. Research and extension faculty should be careful to focus on explaining the tradeoffs of these opportunities so that rural stakeholders do not fall victim to the latest academic economic development fad.
Anaplasmosis in Uganda. I. Use of Dried Blood on Filter Paper and Serum Samples for Serodiagnosis of Anaplasmosis—a Comparative Study

The suitability of blood collected on filter papers in comparison with corresponding conventional serum samples in the diagnosis of bovine anaplasmosis was studied using the Complement Fixation Test (CFT), DOT-ELISA, Western immunoblot and Rapid Card Agglutination Test (RCAT). Dried blood on Whatman filter paper no. 1 was eluted in 1.8 ml of PBS 0.05% Tween 20 given an initial dilution of 1:100. The reactivity in both DOT-ELISA and Western immunoblotting was similar to that obtained with the sera diluted 1:100. Filter paper samples gave lower reactivity in all the tests as compared with corresponding serum samples. There was no significant difference in the reactivity between the eluates from filter papers stored at room temperature and those stored at 4 degrees C. Storage at room temperature did not significantly affect reactivity for up to 6 months. Eluates from filter papers stored for 6 months at room temperature continued to give similar reactivity to those from freshly prepared filter papers in both DOT-ELISA and Western blot, and in the Rapid Card Agglutination Test. It is concluded that collecting blood on filter papers is a suitable technique for large-scale screening and for seroepidemiological studies on anaplasmosis, and offers many advantages especially in developing countries where transport and cold chain facilities are a major constraint.
Role of Pneumococcal Surface Protein C in Nasopharyngeal Carriage and Pneumonia and Its Ability To Elicit Protection against Carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Previous studies suggested that PspC is important in adherence and colonization within the nasopharynx. In this study, we conducted mutational studies to further identify the role PspC plays in the pathogenesis of pneumococci. pspC and/or pspA was insertionally inactivated in a serotype 2 Streptococcus pneumoniae strain and in a serotype 19 S. pneumoniae strain. In the mouse colonization model, pneumococcal strains with mutations in pspC were significantly attenuated in their abilities to colonize. In a mouse pneumonia model, strains with mutations in pspC were unable to infect or multiply within the lung. Using reverse transcriptase PCR we were able to demonstrate that pspC is actively transcribed in vivo, when the bacteria are growing in the nasal cavity and in the lungs. In the bacteremia model, a strain mutated for pspC alone behaved like the wild type, but the absence of both pspC and pspA caused accelerated clearance of the bacteria. Intranasal immunization with PspC with cholera toxin subunit B as an adjuvant protected against intranasal challenge. Evidence was also obtained that revertants that spontaneously acquired PspC expression could multiply and colonize the nasal tissue. This latter finding strongly indicates that pneumococci are actively metabolizing and growing while in the nasopharynx.
Plasma estrogens, progesterone and chorionic gonadotropin in pregnant rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) after ovariectomy.

Abstract Maternal peripheral plasma concentrations of estrone (E 1 ), estradiol-17β (E 2 ), and progesterone (P) were determined in 4 rhesus monkey ovariectomized in early pregnancy (22–24 days). After ovariectomy, plasma concentrations of E 1 and E 2 were basal for 1 to 2 weeks. In contrast, slightly higher estrogen levels, which may be attributed to the ovaries, were found in intact pregnant monkeys. E 2 levels increased rapidly after this and exceeded those of E 1 until the 5th month of gestation. From that time until parturition, E 1 levels equaled or exceed those of E 2 in most instances. The pattern of P concentrations was similar to that observed in intact monkeys. Urinary chorionic gonadotropin (MCG) levels in ovariectomized monkeys were not significantly differen from those found in normal pregnancies. Thus, the patterns for circulating E l , E 2 and P, as well as for the excretion of MCG,. after ovari-ectomy were remarkably similar to those found in intact, pregnant rhesus monkeys, indicating minimal ovarian influence.
Sugars: hedonic aspects, neuroregulation, and energy balance

The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically in recent years in the United States, with similar patterns seen in several other countries. Although there are several potential explanations for this dramatic increase in obesity, dietary influences are a contributing factor. An inverse correlation between dietary sugar intake and body mass index has been reported, suggesting beneficial effects of carbohydrate intake on body mass index. In this review we discuss how sugars interact with regulatory neurochemicals in the brain to affect both energy intake and energy expenditure. These neurochemicals appear to be involved in dietary selection, and sugars and palatable substances affect neurochemical changes in the brain. For example, rats that drink sucrose solutions for 3 wk have major changes in neuronal activity in the limbic area of the brain, a region involved in pleasure and other emotions. We also investigate the relations between sucrose (and other sweet substances), drugs of abuse, and the mesolimbic dopaminergic system. The presence of sucrose in an animal's cage can affect the animals desire to self-administer drugs of abuse. Also, an animal's level of sucrose preference can predict its desire to self-administer cocaine. Such data suggest a relation between sweet taste and drug reward, although the relevance to humans is unclear. Finally, we address the influence of sugar on body weight control. For example, sucrose feeding for 2 wk decreases the efficiency of energy utilization and increases gene expression of uncoupling protein 3 in muscle, suggesting that sucrose may influence uncoupling protein 3 activity and contribute to changes in metabolic efficiency and thus regulation of body weight.
Topologically protected elastic waves in phononic metamaterials

Surface waves in topological states of quantum matter exhibit unique protection from backscattering induced by disorders, making them ideal carriers for both classical and quantum information. Topological matters for electrons and photons are largely limited by the range of bulk properties, and the associated performance trade-offs. In contrast, phononic metamaterials provide access to a much wider range of material properties. Here we demonstrate numerically a phononic topological metamaterial in an elastic-wave analogue of the quantum spin Hall effect. A dual-scale phononic crystal slab is used to support two effective spins for phonons over a broad bandwidth, and strong spin-orbit coupling is realized by breaking spatial mirror symmetry. By preserving the spin polarization with an external load or spatial symmetry, phononic edge states are shown to be robust against scattering from discrete defects as well as disorders in the continuum, demonstrating topological protection for phonons in both static and time-dependent regimes.
A tutorial overview of filter banks, wavelets and interrelations

Two channel filter banks (FBs) were developed for subband speech coding. Since then, FB theory has grown to include FBs with more than two channels and tree-structured FBs. A rich theory for the design and implementation of FBs exists. Wavelets were originally developed as an alternative to the STFT for non-stationary signal analysis. Since then it has been realized that this is one of several techniques for decomposition of non-stationary signals into time-frequency (TF) atoms. FBs and these TF decompositions (one discrete-time and the other continuous-time) are closely related theoretically and practically. This relationship is explored. >
Bridging the Gap between Advantaged and Disadvantaged Children: Why Should We Be Concerned with Executive Functions in the South African Context?.

Reducing the economic and social burden associated with poor academic achievement represents an urgent concern in South Africa. Increasingly research suggests that child characteristics in kindergarten play an important role in charting courses towards academic success and educational attainment by early adulthood. Although math and reading skills are important predictors of later achievement, executive function skills which underlie children’s ability to focus attention and become autonomous, selfdirected learners also play a key role in later adjustment to school. Disadvantaged children perform more poorly on tests of achievement and executive functions. Furthermore, executive functions have been found to partially account for the relationship between socioeconomic status and later achievement. It is possible to target executive functions in at-risk children using specific interventions. These programs are generally costeffective. It is proposed that increasing efforts towards promoting executive functions in preschool-aged children represents a promising strategy for reducing economically based disparities in the education and eventual life chances of individuals.
Efficient order recursive algorithms for multichannel LS filtering

Efficient algorithms for multivariable system identification and multichannel FIR (finite impulse response) filtering are developed under the assumption that the predictor depends linearly on the unknown parameter. The proposed methods have a block adaptive format because they derive from efficient linear system solvers. >
Monotone paths in line arrangements

We show that for any n there is an arrangement of n lines which contains an x-monotone path of length Ω(n7/4).
Home Inspections and the Real Estate Licensee

The use of home inspectors by home buyers to evaluate both new and existing homes has become more prevalent in the United States in recent years. However, since home inspectors are not licensed in ...
Molecular genetics of childhood, adolescent and young adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Molecular genetic abnormalities are ubiquitous in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), but genetic changes are not yet used to define specific lymphoma subtypes. Certain recurrent molecular genetic abnormalities in NHL underlie molecular pathogenesis and/or are associated with prognosis or represent potential therapeutic targets. Most molecular genetic studies of B- and T-NHL have been performed on adult patient samples, and the relevance of many of these findings for childhood, adolescent and young adult NHL remains to be demonstrated. In this review, we focus on NHL subtypes that are most common in young patients and emphasize features actually studied in younger NHL patients. This approach highlights what is known about NHL genetics in young patients but also points to gaps that remain, which will require cooperative efforts to collect and share biological specimens for genomic and genetic analyses in order to help predict outcomes and guide therapy in the future.
Return to Work and Job Retention Strategies for People with Multiple Sclerosis

This chapter focuses on return to work and job retention strategies for people with multiple sclerosis. Medical and psychosocial aspects of the disease, including causes and risk factors, diagnosis, incidence and prevalence, symptoms, courses, and treatment, are described. Existing research regarding the employment outcomes and concerns of people with multiple sclerosis, especially the factors associated with labor force participation, is reviewed. Proven interventions to assist people with multiple sclerosis and other disabling conditions in returning to work are presented. Emphasis is placed throughout the chapter on interdisciplinary collaboration, consultation with employers, and self-advocacy strategies that empower people with multiple sclerosis to take control of their careers. The chapter culminates with a list of best practices to aid professionals in delivering effective return to work services for people with multiple sclerosis.
High Pressure Mass Spectrometry: The Generation of Mass Spectra at Operating Pressures Exceeding 1 Torr in a Microscale Cylindrical Ion Trap

We present the first demonstration of high pressure mass spectrometry (HPMS), which we define as mass spectrometry performed at pressures greater than 100 mTorr. Mass analysis is shown at operational pressures exceeding 1 Torr of helium buffer gas. A differentially pumped MS system was constructed for HPMS development consisting of two chambers. The first chamber (mass analysis chamber) was operated at pressures up to 1.2 Torr and contained the ionization source and a microscale cylindrical ion trap (CIT) mass analyzer. The CIT had critical dimensions of r0 = 500 μm and z0 = 650 μm. The second chamber was held at a lower pressure (≤10 mTorr) and contained an electron multiplier for detection. Mass spectra for xenon, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), and octane were acquired with helium buffer gas pressures ranging from 0.04 to 1.2 Torr in the mass analysis chamber. Full-width at half-maximum of mass spectral peaks was found to increase 143% for xenon, 40% for CEES, and 77% for octane over this pressure ...
Relationship between Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Chronic Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Children

Objective To investigate the relationship between chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura(cITP)and helicobacter pylori(Hp)infection in children.Methods The prevalence of Hp infection in 21 children with cITP and 30 children of control group was detected by Hp stool antigens (HpSA).The Hp-positive children with cITP received eradication treatment using amoxicillin [50 mg/(kg·d),tid],clarithromycin [15 mg/(kg·d),bid] and omeprazole [0.8 mg/(kg·d),qd] for 1 week.Eradication was assessed by HpSA after 4 weeks and platelet counts were monitored up to 4,8 and 12 weeks after therapy.Results Hp infection was found in only 4 of the 21 children with cITP by HpSA.The rate of Hp infection was similar in children of cITP group and control group (19.05% vs 16.67% P0.05).The Hp eradication was obtained in four of the 4 Hp-positive patients.Three of the 4 Hp-eradicated patients showed a significant increase in platelet count.Conclusions The infection rate of Hp in children with cITP is not high.Hp infection may be not one of the causes of children with cITP.The efficacy of Hp eradication leads to platelet recovery in the Hp-infected children with cITP.It is suggested that the eradication treatment of Hp infection will be a new option of nonimmue depressive therapy in part of the Hp-positive children with cITP.
Division of the hybrid rice parent group using the Indica-Japonica specific markers to study the pattern of heterosis

With 80 hybrid indica cultivars and some new breeding strains as the experimental materials,using 24indica-japonica specific molecular markers between the genetic polymorphisms of the division and calculating the genetic distance among different materials,clustering analysis by UPGMA method was carried out on this basis.The results showed that the genetic distance(GD)of the size of the test materials can be divided into five main groups of twelve subgroup,and twenty-eight groups,the large group mainly used in the production of more than 80%of the parents(maintainer line,restorer)gathered at the firstⅠ group.The classification results and the pedigree analysis were similar.And the heterosis between the group was generally greater than that in the same group based on breeding practice,which indicated that use of indica-japonicaspecific molecular markers in a certain extent to distinguish the heterosis of parent group was feasible.
Pubertal development shapes perception of complex facial expressions.

We previously hypothesized that pubertal development shapes the emergence of new components of face processing (Scherf et al., 2012; Garcia & Scherf, 2015). Here, we evaluate this hypothesis by investigating emerging perceptual sensitivity to complex versus basic facial expressions across pubertal development. We tested pre-pubescent children (6–8 years), age- and sex-matched adolescents in early and later stages of pubertal development (11–14 years), and sexually mature adults (18–24 years). Using a perceptual staircase procedure, participants made visual discriminations of both socially complex expressions (sexual interest, contempt) that are arguably relevant to emerging peer-oriented relationships of adolescence, and basic (happy, anger) expressions that are important even in early infancy. Only sensitivity to detect complex expressions improved as a function of pubertal development. The ability to perceive these expressions is adult-like by late puberty when adolescents become sexually mature. This pattern of results provides the first evidence that pubertal development specifically influences emerging affective components of face perception in adolescence.
From Riot to Revolt: Asbury Park in July 1970

This paper investigates the civil unrest that rocked the New Jersey resort city of Asbury Park for four days in July 1970. It focuses particularly on how various participants and the media represented the violent events in the West Side of the city. These representations, which were publicized in the Asbury Park Press, the New York Times, and elsewhere, demonstrate two interrelated dynamics. First, that in attempting to characterize the events in Asbury Park as either as a criminal riot or justifiable revolt participants on all sides resorted to well-worn stereotypes, and second, that these stereotypes, once publicized in the media, began to shape events in the city in consequential ways. This study also demonstrates that the civil unrest moved through several phases from a teenage "rock and bottle festival" to a true revolt against discrimination, segregation, and the general conditions of the ghetto.
A novel calcium-dependent kinase inhibitor, bumped kinase inhibitor 1517, cures cryptosporidiosis in immunosuppressed mice

Cryptosporidium is recognized as one of the main causes of childhood diarrhea worldwide. However, the current treatment for cryptosporidiosis is suboptimal. Calcium flux is essential for entry in apicomplexan parasites. Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are distinct from protein kinases of mammals, and the CDPK1 of the apicomplexan Cryptosporidium lack side chains that typically block a hydrophobic pocket in protein kinases. We exploited this to develop bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs) that selectively target CDPK1. We have shown that several BKIs of Cryptosporidium CDPK1 potently reduce enzymatic activity and decrease parasite numbers when tested in vitro. In the present work, we studied the anticryptosporidial activity of BKI-1517, a novel BKI. The half maximal effective concentration for Cryptosporidium parvum in HCT-8 cells was determined to be approximately 50 nM. Silencing experiments of CDPK1 suggest that BKI-1517 acts on CDPK1 as its primary target. In a mouse model of chronic infection, 5 of 6 SCID/beige mice (83.3%) were cured after treatment with a single daily dose of 120 mg/kg BKI-1517. No side effects were observed. These data support advancing BKI-1517 as a lead compound for drug development for cryptosporidiosis.
Foreign Language Writing Fellows Programs: A Model for Improving Advanced Writing Skills.

Within the growing field of scholarly literature on foreign language (FL) writing pedagogy, few studies have addressed pedagogical questions regarding the teaching of writing to advanced language learners. Writing fellows peer tutoring programs, although typically associated with first language writing instruction, likely can benefit and support advanced language students learning to write in FL contexts. Using a mixed-methods approach, the authors compared two sections of an upper-division Portuguese literature class that employed writing fellows tutors with two sections that did not. Data suggest that incorporating writing fellows into FL contexts affected how students learned to write: (1) the papers of students who worked with writing fellows exhibited more developed thought, (2) students who worked with writing fellows employed more successful writing strategies, and (3) students who worked with writing fellows exhibited changes in their writing processes for future writing assignments. These conclusions suggest that the inclusion of peer tutors such as writing fellows may be an effective pedagogical practice for teaching writing to advanced FL learners.
Unexpected Skeletal Rearrangement in the Gold(I)/Silver(I)-Catalyzed Conversion of 7-Aryl-1,6-enynes to Bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-6-enes via Hidden Brønsted Acid Catalysis

Cycloaddition of an isotopically labeled 7-phenyl-1,6-enyne catalyzed by a mixture of LAuCl [L = P(t-Bu)2o-biphenyl)] and AgSbF6 forms the corresponding 6-phenylbicyclo[3.2.0]hept-6-ene with concomitant scrambling of the olefinic CPh (C6) and CH (C7) groups of the product. The extent of C6/C7 scrambling was sensitive to the nature of the silver salt and was likewise observed in the cycloaddition of the 7-phenyl-1,6-enyne catalyzed by mixtures of [LAuNCMe]+SbF6– and Bronsted acids such as HOTf. These observations and low-temperature NMR analysis of organic and organometallic intermediates in the cycloaddition process were in accord with a mechanism for C6/C7 scrambling initiated by protonation of free bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-7-ene to generate a bicyclo[3.2.0]heptyl cation that undergoes reversible alkyl migration, presumably involving bicyclo[4.1.0]- and bicyclo[3.1.1]heptyl cations prior to elimination of the C7 proton.
Struggling for Democracy: Paulo Freire and Transforming Society through Education.

An exploration is presented of how education policy and practice may be used to transform society. Specifically, connections are made between Paulo Freire's teaching strategies and radically democr...
Embedding Hands-on Mini Laboratory Experiences in a Core Undergraduate Fluid Mechanics Course: A Pilot Study

Three self-contained mini-labs were integrated into a core undergraduate fluid mechanics course, with the goal of delivering hands-on content in a manner scalable to large class sizes. These mini-labs supported learning objectives involving friction loss in pipes, flow measurement, and centrifugal pump analysis. The hands-on experiments were designed to be completed in 50-minute time blocks, and companion assignments involving data analysis were structured with a workload comparable to regular homework problems. Students booked time on the experiment apparatus using an online signup tool. In addition to improved performance in the course, a post-assessment yielded positive feedback indicating that students gained confidence in solving engineering problems and identifying connections between theory and practice. The mini-lab model also eliminates the time delay between fundamental instruction in theory courses and subsequent application in dedicated unit operations laboratory classes.
Perversion of the Tax Policymaking Process

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act can be criticized on many substantive grounds, and for its effect on deficits. But the legislative process also revealed important shortcomings beyond its haste. Traditional tax policy metrics -- conventional revenue estimates, dynamic estimates and distributional analyses -- yield misleading results in a tax framework that loses over one trillion dollars. The result is that the legislation has even more deleterious welfare implications than these standard metrics suggest.