cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Primary Elections in the United States

The direct primary stands as one of the most significant and distinctive political reforms of the Progressive era in American history. In this book, the authors provide the most comprehensive treatment available on the topic and utilize new data on election outcomes, candidate backgrounds, incumbent performance and behavior, newspaper endorsements, and voters' preferences. They begin by studying whether primary elections have achieved the goals set by progressive reformers when they were first introduced over a century ago. They then evaluate the key roles these elections have played in the US electoral systems, such as injecting electoral competition into the regions that are dominated by one of the two major parties, helping select relatively qualified candidates for office, and, in some cases, holding incumbents accountable for their performance. They conclude with studying the degree to which primaries are responsible for the current, highly polarized environment. Anyone interested in US primary elections, US political history, or electoral institutions more generally should read this book.
Modeling the Comparative Impact of Individual Quarantine vs. Active Monitoring of Contacts for the Mitigation of COVID-19

Background Voluntary individual quarantine and voluntary active monitoring of contacts are core disease control strategies for emerging infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. Given the impact of quarantine on resources and individual liberty, it is vital to assess under what conditions individual quarantine can more effectively control COVID-19 than active monitoring. As an epidemic grows, it is also important to consider when these interventions are no longer feasible, and broader mitigation measures must be implemented. Methods To estimate the comparative efficacy of these case-based interventions to control COVID-19, we fit a stochastic branching model to reported parameters for the dynamics of the disease. Specifically, we fit to the incubation period distribution and each of two sets of the serial interval distribution: a shorter one with a mean serial interval of 4.8 days and a longer one with a mean of 7.5 days. To assess variable resource settings, we consider two feasibility settings: a high feasibility setting with 90% of contacts traced, a half-day average delay in tracing and symptom recognition, and 90% effective isolation; and low feasibility setting with 50% of contacts traced, a two-day average delay, and 50% effective isolation. Findings Our results suggest that individual quarantine in high feasibility settings where at least three-quarters of infected contacts are individually quarantined contains an outbreak of COVID-19 with a short serial interval (4.8 days) 84% of the time. However, in settings where this performance is unrealistically high and the outbreak continues to grow, so too will the burden of the number of contacts traced for active monitoring or quarantine. When resources are prioritized for scalable interventions such as social distancing, we show active monitoring or individual quarantine of high-risk contacts can contribute synergistically to mitigation efforts. Interpretation Our model highlights the urgent need for more data on the serial interval and the extent of presymptomatic transmission in order to make data-driven policy decisions regarding the cost-benefit comparisons of individual quarantine vs. active monitoring of contacts. To the extent these interventions can be implemented they can help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Cooperative Object Detection and Parameter Estimation Using Visible Light Communications

Visible light communication (VLC) systems are promising candidates for future indoor access and peer-to-peer networks. The performance of these systems, however, is vulnerable to the line of sight (LOS) link blockage due to objects inside the room. In this paper, we develop a probabilistic object detection method that takes advantage of the blockage status of the LOS links between the user devices and transceivers on the ceiling to locate those objects. The target objects are modeled as cylinders with random radii. The location and size of an object can be estimated by using a quadratic programming approach. Simulation results show that the root-mean-squared error can be less than $1$ cm and $8$ cm for estimating the center and the radius of the object, respectively.
Bacterial Black Spot (BBS) of Mango in Florida

Bacterial black spot, caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas citri pv. mangiferaeindicae, is a relatively new (~2015) bacterial disease in Florida that has the potential to limit mango production of some cultivars. This new 6-page fact sheet provides the current knowledge and status of the disease potential on various cultivars. Written by Jonathan Crane and Romina Gazis, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1369
Poincaré constraints on celestial amplitudes

The functional structure of celestial amplitudes as constrained by Poincare symmetry is investigated in 2, 3, and 4-point cases for massless external particles of various spin, as well as massive external scalars. Functional constraints and recurrence relations are found (akin to the findings in [24]) that must be obeyed by the respective permissible correlator structures and function coefficients. In specific three-point cases involving massive scalars the resulting recurrence relations can be solved, e.g., reproducing purely from symmetry a three-point function coefficient known in the literature. Additionally, as a byproduct of the analysis, the three-point function coefficient for gluons in Minkowski signature is obtained from an amplitude map to the celestial sphere.
How Should Risk Managers Respond to Cases for Which No Risk Profile Exists

Rapid innovation makes some devices available for patient implantation prior to extensive preclinical trials. This article reviews information that risk managers can utilize to help patient-subjects and clinician-researchers make informed decisions about new device implantation in the absence of preclinical trial data. Novel devices should be regarded by risk managers as sources of unknowns with potential for procedural complications and other harms. Risk-benefit analyses during informed consent should include patient-subjects' preferences, experience of the implanting surgical team, disclosure of conflicts of interest, and postprocedure follow-up planning. Checklists can help risk managers facilitate critical conversations and decision making about whether to implant devices with no extant risk profile.
Moral Hazard with Bounded Payments

We study the moral hazard problem when there are general constraints (modelled as continuous nondecreasing functions) on how little or much the agent can be paid as a function of output. We provide a characterization and existence result using only very simple methods. We show that in the dual problem of minimizing costs for a given effort level, a constraint that harms the principal will always result in a contract that pays according to the constraint on some range of outcomes. For the case of a simple fixed minimum feasible payment, the resultant contract will be option-like. We show how the “strike price” and intensity of incentives once the strike price is exceeded vary in the minimum payment and the outside option of the agent. When the principal can also choose the effort to induce, then, even if the constraint harms the principal, he may optimally choose a contract that never pays the minimum (or maximum). We show that this can only occur if the problem without the payment constraints fails a form of concavity.
Mechanical benchmarking of additively manufactured continuous and short carbon fiber reinforced nylon

Mechanical properties of fiber reinforced additive manufacturing (FRAM) parts are affected by the fiber size and orientation. Oriented fiber composite is most likely to produce better properties. T...
Solvent Dynamic Control of Co {111/11} Heterogeneous Kinetics Over a 1011 Range

A Summary Report to The Electrochemical Society for the 1997 Department of Energy Summer Research Fellowship.
A hybrid approach to near-optimal launch vehicle guidance

This paper evaluates a proposed hybrid analytical/numerical approach to launch-vehicle guidance for ascent to orbit injection. The feedback-guidance approach is based on a piecewise nearly analytic zero-order solution evaluated using a collocation method. The zero-order solution is then improved through a regular perturbation analysis, wherein the neglected dynamics are corrected in the first-order term. For real-time implementation, the guidance approach requires solving a set of small dimension nonlinear algebraic equations and performing quadrature. Assessment of performance and reliability are carried out through closed-loop simulation for a vertically launched 2-stage heavy-lift capacity vehicle to a low earth orbit. The solutions are compared with optimal solutions generated from a multiple shooting code. In the example the guidance approach delivers over 99.9 percent of optimal performance and terminal constraint accuracy.
Sociodemographic factors affecting perceived stress during pregnancy and the association with immune-mediator concentrations.

OBJECTIVES Determine which sociodemographic factors are most associated with increased maternal perceived stress during pregnancy. Evaluate the association between maternal stress and plasma immune-mediator concentrations (IMCs). METHODS As part of a prospective, randomized clinical trial, 247 participants completed a Perceived Stress Scale survey (PSS-10) during each trimester of pregnancy. Blood samples were collected from participants and were analyzed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration and for several IMCs: interferon-gamma, interleukins (IL-) IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, vascular endothelial growth factor, c-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (R&D Elisa). The potential associations between PSS-10 scores, sociodemographic factors, and IMCs were assessed. RESULTS In bivariate analysis, participants who were not married and/or had high risk pregnancies were more likely to have increased PSS-10 scores (p<0.05). Increased PSS-10 scores were associated with higher serum concentrations of IL-2 and TNF-α, and decreased concentrations of IL-10 and 25(OH)D. In linear regression analysis, single marital status, high-risk pregnancy, IL-2, and TNF-α were independent predictors of PSS-10 scores. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies specific sociodemographic factors that are associated with increased perceived stress during pregnancy. This study also provides evidence that increased perceived stress is associated with physiological changes as measured by changes in circulating IL-2, TNF-α, IL-10, and 25(OH)D concentrations.
A Preliminary Checklist of Epiphytic and Benthic Marine Diatoms of Louisiana

A checklist of diatoms collected from the various habitats in coastal salt marshes, estuaries, and nearshore Gulf waters of Louisiana has been compiled for the first time. The checklist includes 193 taxa (species and their varieties) in 38 genera. The largest numberof taxaarespeciesof,A/aulculaand,Nitzschiawith46and36,respectively. Futurestudies ofthe varied habitats along the Louisiana coast shouid result in many new additions to this preliminary checklist. author were not included in Kalinsky's (1983) checklist. An up-to-date list of diatoms in Louisiana's coastal environments was thought to be needed. In light of the reports of Wood (1963) and Medlin (1983) for Texas, and Sullivan (1981) for Mississippi, the present checklist contributes to our knowledge of the geographic distribution of marine
Testing for Nonlinearity and Deterministic Chaos in Monthly Japanese Stock Market Data

It has been widely recognised that the randomness of a stock market may actually be an indicator of an underlying strange attractor which has a fractal structure and supports chaotic motion. The application of non-linear methods to such financial data may indicate the presence of nonlinearities and low-dimensional chaos. These methods include rescaled range (R/S) analysis, correlation dimension calculation and estimation of Lyapunov exponents. This study presents a preliminary analysis of these tests when applied to the monthly TOPIX data of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Although there are a number of limitations for applied non-linear methods such as the presence of noise and limited data size, the results indicate the presence of nonlinearities and the long memory effect in the observed data set. In order to complement these methods, neural networks are used for non-linear modelling and the prediction of the TOPIX data. The results can serve as an additional evidence of a deterministic system by givig accuracy estimates for short-term prediction.
A PARAMETRIC APPROACH FOR INITIAL HULL FORM MODELING USING NURBS REPRESENTATION.

An approach to initial hull form modeling using the concept of parametric generation and manipulation is introduced. The parametric approach is to directly control geometric features or to describe hydrostatic performance of a hull by utilizing naval architecture parameters that uniquely and unambiguously define a hull form. The Non Uniform Rational B-spline (NURBS) representation, which is the most common type of a hull form modeling in use, is combined with the parametric approach to represent a hull form. From a planar net of control points of a NURBS surface, a hull form satisfying the given requirements is automatically generated. The generation of the hull form is accomplished by subdividing the hull into five zones: stem, entrance, midbody, run, and stern, maintaining the continuity between adjacent zones. A library of pre-defined stems and sterns is provided to help a rapid and efficient design. Modification of the initial hull form can be accomplished by manipulating the set of NURBS control points that influences the designated part of the hull form. Refinement for precise hull form and variation to similar hull forms are easily carried out within any hull form distortion system. This proposed modeling approach is useful for an initial hull form design from scratch with minimal user requirements; therefore, it can be an effective tool for the initial design of a hull form when a suitable parent model is unavailable.
CHILD SUPPORT AND MOTHERS‘ EMPLOYMENT

Previous research has found that child support receipts deter mothers' labor supply less than does other non-wage income. This paper argues that because child support is a variable income source, actual receipts may differ from unobservable permanent receipts on which hours worked are based. This introduces an errors-in-variables bias causing the estimated income effect of child support on hours worked to be biased toward zero. When one replaces actual receipts with predicted permanent receipts, such income effect is found to be statistically indistinguishable from that of other non-wage income.
Indirect Adjustment-Costs in Firms and Markets

The paper is a study of barriers to communication in terms of agents' incentives to search for and communicate complementary information. In particular, I look at the value of commitment by comparing game forms in which a contract is negotiated prior to, versus after, search and communication. I will use the names "firms" and "markets", respectively, for these two game forms. The comparison depends on three effects. (1) The bargaining power effect: Since the decision to communicate reveals information about preferences, it implies a loss of bargaining power when the players negotiate ex post. This hurts the incentives to communicate and therefore the incentives to search. (2) The incentive transfer effect: If the gains from adjustment accrue unevenly, ex ante negotiation may leave one of the players without incentives to communicate and search. With ex post negotiation, that player can bargain for a share of the gains. (3) The bargaining efficiency effect: The negotiation process itself may be more efficient ex post because more information has been revealed. The net effect depends on the magnitude of the gains and their accrual. If negotiation normally leads to agreement, it is better done ex ante in cases where adjustments yield smaller, more evenly accruing gains. When gains are larger and accrue less evenly, ex post negotiation implements more communication and search.
A novel optical layer-based restoration approach for IP-over-WDM networks

The optical layer can restore the disrupted traffic on a percall basis in the case of link/router failures. Thus, the optical layer can provide different levels of restoration for different classes of service.
Mirror Panel Edge Sensors for the Schwarzschild-­Couder Telescope

Gamma-ray Astrophysics and Motivation: Gamma-ray astrophysics is an exciting field of high-energy particle physics that has expanded dramatically in the past decade. The science of gamma-ray cosmology presents a way of looking at the most interesting parts of the universe. Very high energetic particles in space indicate the existence of exotic and extreme physical conditions. Looking for gammaray emissions allows us to map the universe, discovering high magnetic/electric fields, shock waves, and cataclysmic explosions. These emissions offer the only direct probe of the extreme conditions in these exciting phenomena [2].
Different leadership skills for different innovation strategies

Purpose – CEOs facing the challenge of stimulating innovation must select one or more champions to entrust with that critical mission. Selecting the right manager who will have the leadership skills, charisma and determination to lead a major innovation initiative is one of the most important decisions a CEO has to make. But innovation comes in many different varieties – new product category, new business model, improved customer solution, improved product, process or service offering. So it's appropriate to also ask, “Is a different leadership profile needed for each particular type of innovation?” And also, “How do we choose the best person to lead a particular innovation effort?”Design/methodology/approach – The question, “What qualities does our innovation initiative leader need?” can be addressed in four steps: define innovation leadership and offer a simple classification of innovation leaders based on the focus of their contribution; suggest a broad typology of innovation that reflects both the str...
Determinants of equality and equity for special populations served by public mental health systems.

Within the publicly funded mental health service delivery system, debate continues over what constitutes a fair and just system for special populations. To determine a system's fairness, the author...
Reduced beta-adrenergic receptor concentrations in ageing man.

CONCENTRATIONS of certain hormone receptors are known to be reduced during ageing in several animal species1–4. Most relevant work, however, has been limited to intracellular hormone receptors such as those for steroids, and less is known about changes in cell surface receptors, including those for catecholamines. We have measured the concentration of β-adrenergic receptors in crude membrane fractions of mononuclear cells from human subjects of various ages. Receptor affinities for (—)3H-dihydroal-prenolol were esentially the same for all subjects. But a significant decrease in receptor concentration was observed in cells from older individuals.
Relationship of dietary fat content to food preferences in young rats.

Abstract Weanling rats were fed either a high-fat (30% of calories) or a low-fat (10% of calories) diet four weeks, after which fat preference was assessed using a choice paradigm. Fat preference was measured during 2-hour intake tests in which three peanut butter/peanut oil mixtures containing 0.50, 0.61, and 0.71 grams fat/gram were offered to each animal. Rats fed the high-fat (HF) diet preferred the highest-fat mixture and consumed more total fat during intake tests than animals fed the low-fat (LF) diet. Intake of NaCl and sucrose solutions was measured during separate intake tests. LF-fed rats drank more NaCl solution than HF-fed rats. Following these tests a subgroup of the LF-fed animals was fed the HF diet, and a subgroup of the HF-fed group was fed the LF diet for a further four weeks. Upon repetition of the intake tests, rats that had been fed the HF diet during the intitial four weeks still preferred the highest-fat mixture.
Spin and quasifree proton-proton scattering on He 3 and He 4

Theoretical expressions for the differential cross section of symmetric, coplanar ($p,2p$) quasifree scattering on $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ and $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ are derived in the plane-wave impulse approximation with full account given to the spin effects of the nucleon-nucleon interaction and the nuclear bound states. The phenomenological ${M}_{12}$ matrix is utilized as are correlated functions and Eckart parametrizations of the distribution functions for the light nuclei. Shape fits to experimental data for the Eckart parametrizations are found to be extremely good although theory overpredicts the magnitudes of the cross sections. It is shown that an intuitive extension of the attenuation model of Rogers and Saylor is able to remove this latter discrepancy in $^{3}\mathrm{He}(p,2p)^{2}\mathrm{H}$. We also indicate the possible usefulness of our matrix elements in polarization studies.[NUCLEAR REACTIONS $^{2}\mathrm{H},^{3,4}\mathrm{He}(p,2p)$, $E=20\ensuremath{-}160$ MeV; calculated $\ensuremath{\sigma}$.]
International Comovement of Economic Fluctuations: A Spatial Analysis

Summary We consider the comovement of economic volatility across multiple countries. Using spatial models with data from 187 countries over the period of 1960–2007, we find a strong spatial comovement of economic volatility. More interestingly, the effect of geographical proximity on economic volatility comovement is strongest during the period of international shocks (1973–86), but almost disappears over the globalization era (1987–2007). By way of contrast, the influence of trade relations in determining the comovement of economic volatility is significant over 1987–2007.
Further Studies on the Synthesis of meso-Tetraarylazuliporphyrins under Lindsey−Rothemund Reaction Conditions and Their Conversion into Benzocarbaporphyrins

Azulene has been shown to react with pyrrole and a series of aromatic aldehydes in the presence of boron trifluoride etherate to give meso-tetraarylazuliporphyrins 6. Good yields of azuliporphyrins were obtained for benzaldehyde, 4-chlorobenzaldehyde, 4-bromobenzaldehyde, and 4-iodobenzaldehyde, and under dilute conditions p-tolualdehyde gave respectable yields. In each case, substantial amounts of meso-tetraarylporphyrins were also formed and a minor fraction of carbaporphyrin by-products could be detected, but otherwise no other macrocyclic products could be identified. 4-Nitrobenzaldehyde gave relatively poor yields of the corresponding azuliporphyrin, while p-anisaldehyde only gave trace amounts of product. Pentafluorobenzaldehyde gave variable results, although in this case a large number of additional by-products were identified including N-fused pentaphyrin, hexaphyrin, and higher order porphyrinoids, but no expanded azulene-containing macrocycles could be detected. Azuliporphyrins undergo reversible nucleophilic substitution on the seven-membered ring with pyrrolidine, benzenethiol, hydrazine, or benzylamine to give carbaporphyrin adducts. This property appears to facilitate an oxidative ring contraction of azuliporphyrins 6 with tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence of potassium hydroxide to produce mixtures of benzocarbaporphyrins 19 and 20. Tetraaryl-benzocarbaporphyrins exhibit slightly reduced diatropic ring currents compared to their meso-unsubstituted counterparts, although their UV/Vis spectra are very porphyrin-like and exhibit strong Soret bands near 450 nm. The benzocarbaporphyrins undergo reversible protonation to give monocationic and dicationic species. The latter involves C-protonation to generate an internal CH2 within the macrocyclic cavity. X-ray crystallography of tetraphenylbenzocarbaporphyrin 19a confirms that the preferred tautomer has the two NHs on either side of the indene subunit, in agreement with previous theoretical and spectroscopic studies. In addition, the presence of phenyl substituents at the 5,20-positions was found to tilt the indene moiety substantially by 27.4(1)° relative to the [18]annulene substructure. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003)
Preparation of cyclopentadienyl tricarbonyl technetium-94m complexes

Cyclopentadienyltricarbonyl complexes with technetium-94m have been prepared by two methods and were characterized by comparison to rhenium analogues.
EXPLAINING THE PERFORMANCE GAP BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Labor Market Experience for Youth are used to estimate the private school test score advantage. Regression results indicate that those who attend private schools score higher on the Armed Forces Qualifications Test. However, this advantage loses statistical significance with controls for family and school background. Decomposition of the private-public test score difference indicates that 78 percent of the gap can be explained by differences in average characteristics. Broken down further, 45 percent of the gap is due to differences in family background and 26 percent is due to differences in school quality.
Sinus node deceleration during dobutamine perfusion scintigraphy as a marker of inferior ischemia

Abstract Traditional electrocardiographic markers of exerciseinduced ischemia include ST-segment depression or elevation, U-wave inversion, ventricular ectopy, and chronotropic incompetence. Miller et al1 recently described sinus node deceleration, defined as an initial increase and subsequent decrease in heart rate with progressive exercise, as a marker of atherosclerotic narrowing of the right coronary artery. For patients unable to perform treadmill exercise, dobutamine thallium imaging has emerged as an alternative stress method for the detection of coronary artery disease.2,3 The purpose of this study was to determine if sinus node deceleration occurs during dobutamine perfusion scintigraphy and whether it is a marker of inferior wall ischemia.
Kombinatorische Synthese und mehrdimensionale NMR-Spektroskopie: ein Beitrag zum Verständnis von Protein-Ligand-Wechselwirkungen

Durch kombinatorische Chemie konnen naturliche Rekombinations- und Selektionsprozesse im Labor nachgebildet werden. Die Strategie dieser sich rasch entwickelnden Disziplin besteht in der Herstellung von Verbindungsbibliotheken aus unterschiedlichen Molekulen durch kombinatorische Synthese und in der Selektion von Verbindungen mit einer gewunschten Eigenschaft. So konnen Liganden, die an biologische Rezeptoren binden, leichter identifiziert werden, wodurch unser Wissen um die chemischen Mechanismen zellularer Prozesse erweitert wird. In diesem Artikel wollen wir zeigen, wie die Zusammenfuhrung von kombinatorischer Synthese, mehrdimensionaler NMR-Spektroskopie und biochemischen Methoden unser Verstandnis uber einen Proteinrezeptor erweitert hat, der ublicherweise eine Rolle bei der Signalubertragung spielt: die Src-Homologie-3(SH 3)-Domane. Dieser neue Ansatz zur Untersuchung der molekularen Erkennung hat fur die Wechselwirkungen zwischen SH-Domanen und ihren Liganden zu einigen Regeln gefuhrt, nach denen Modelle von Rezeptor-Ligand-Komplexen lediglich aufgrund der Kenntnis der Polypeptidsequenzen konstruiert werden konnen. Die Verbindung von kombinatorischer Synthese und Methoden zur Strukturaufklarung eroffnet einen neuen leistungsfahigen Zugang zu einem allgemeinen Verstandnis der Protein-Ligand-Bindung.
From isotopes to the stars

Creating more exotic isotopes will reveal the stellar formation of atoms — a fitting tribute to Ernest Rutherford, say Michael Thoennessen and Bradley Sherrill.
Amorphic Diamond Films Grown With A Laser-Ion Source

Amorphic diamond films grown with a laser -ion sourceC. B. Collins, F. Davanloo, E. M. Juengerman,D. R. Jander and T. J. LeeThe University of Texas at Dallas, Center for Quantum Electronics,Mail Stop NB 11, P. 0. Box 830688, Richardson, Texas 75083 -0688ABSTRACTAn amorphic diamond -like film can be deposited from the plasma ablated by alaser from pure carbon feedstock. In this technique the output from Nd -YAGlaser is focused on a graphite target placed in a UHV environment. The grosseffect of the laser beam is to eject a plume of carbon vapor and then toionize it. The resulting plasma traverses a drift space to the substrate tobe coated.The deposited material generally appears smooth and transparent having anindex of refraction of 2.2 to 2.5 and displays bright interference colors.Unrecognized variation of process variables sometimes produces a brownishcoloration to the film. On Si(100), Ge, quartz, and glass electrical resis-tivity is high and the materials seem to fall into the same class of "dehydro-genated" materials as are traditionally produced by the ion beam methods.However, growth rates are much higher with this laser plasma source, routinelyreaching 0.5 pm/hr. No seeding or heating of the substrate is needed andsubstrate temperatures seem to remain at ambient room values during process-
Structure factor of low-energy spin excitations in a S=(1)/(2) kagome antiferromagnet

The ground state of the $S=\frac{1}{2}$ Heisenberg antiferromagnet on kagome can be viewed as a collection of fermionic spinons bound into small, heavy singlet pairs. Low-energy magnetic excitations in this system correspond to breaking the pairs into individual spinons. We calculate the structure factor for inelastic neutron scattering from independent spinon pairs.
Self-control of chaos in neural circuits with plastic electrical synapses

Two kinds of connections are known to exist in neural circuits: electrical (also called gap junctions) and chemical. Whereas chemical synapses are known to be plastic (i. e., modifiable), but slow, electrical transmission through gap junctions is not modifiable, but is very fast. We suggest the new artificial synapse that combines the best properties of both: the fast reaction of a gap junction and the plasticity of a chemical synapse. Such a plastic electrical synapse can be used in hybrid neural circuits and for the development of neural prosthetics, i.e., implanted devices that can interact with the real nervous system. Based on the computer modelling we show that such a plastic electrical synapse regularizes chaos in the minimal neural circuit consisting of two chaotic bursting neurons.
Evaluation of the association of proximal coronary culprit artery lesion location with clinical outcomes in acute myocardial infarction

Impaired coronary artery blood flow and left anterior descending (LAD) artery culprit location are angiographic variables that have been associated with poorer outcomes after fibrinolytic administration in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We hypothesized that culprit lesion location in the proximal portion of the culprit artery would also be associated with poorer clinical outcomes compared with a mid or distal location. Lesion location and clinical outcomes were evaluated in 2,488 patients from the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 4, 10A, 10B, and 14 trials. Proximal lesions were located before or at the first major branch of the parent artery, mid lesions were between the first and the second major branches, and all other lesions were classified as distal. Proximal lesions were associated with a higher incidence of in-hospital death or recurrent AMI compared with mid or distal lesions (10.5% [n = 478] vs 6.1% [n = 1,498] vs 3.7% [n = 511], p <0.001), and they were associated with a higher rate of in-hospital death (6.7% [n = 478] vs 3.2% [n = 1,498] vs 2.5% [n = 511], p = 0.001). In a multiple logistic regression model adjusting for TIMI flow grade, age, gender, and pulse, the planimetered distance from the ostium to the LAD culprit lesion was associated with 30-day death or recurrent AMI (odds ratio 0.79 per centimeter increase in distance down the artery, p = 0.01). Proximal culprit lesion location is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes after fibrinolytic administration, which is likely due to a larger area of subtended myocardium. In patients with a LAD culprit lesion, proximal lesion location is a multivariate correlate of adverse outcomes even after adjustment for coronary blood flow and other covariates.
Me and we: Metacognition and performance evaluation of joint actions

Recent evidence suggests the existence of we-mode processing, but little is still known about how such processing influences the sense of control during intentional joint actions. To examine this issue, dyads performed a video game in which they moved a dot to the target of their choice out of a set of targets. By having each participant control the dot movements in only one dimension (orthogonal to their partner) and by varying the target locations, participants took on different roles. By chance, they also could have congruent or incongruent intentions prior to the movements. In a decider-follower scenario, where one actor decided on the target, judgments of control and judgments of performance depended on whether a prior intention was instantiated, but not on actor role. This finding is consistent with we-mode processing. When participants had conflicting intentions that needed to be resolved online, both the dominant and the nondominant participant showed a marked reduction in the perceived quality of the performance. Thus, dynamic intention negotiation reduced we-mode processing and shifted it toward I-mode processing. The nondominant actor also reported a strongly reduced sense of control. Implications for theories on the sense of agency and for applied settings are discussed.
Adult differentiation from partial Drosophila embryos after egg ligation during stages of nuclear multiplication and cellular blastoderm

When embryos are ligated during different stages of nuclear multiplication and cellular blastoderm they develop into partial larvae which never hatch. The partial larvae were injected into adult females for further development. During this in vivo culture the imaginal disk cells divide and achieve competence to differentiate into adult structures. We find that independent of the fragment size anterior embryonic tissues give rise to cranial adult structures and posterior fragments to adult caudal structures. This indicates that during the first nuclear divisions cranial versus caudal development is already determined. The two complementary fragments do not add up to a total embryo when separated very early; however, if separation of the two parts occurs at cellular blastoderm stage all adult structures of the fly can be found.
A soft X‐ray spectrometer for the study of plutonium and plutonium‐based materials

A low-energy spectrometer for the X-ray analysis of plutonium and plutonium-containing materials has been built. We use ultra-thin window to maintain different pressures and contamination level in the spectrometers's sample and crystal chambers. Ultra-thin windows are also used on the X-ray tube and detector. Methods have been developed by which the spectrometer can analyze both metal and loose-powder samples. Representative calibration spectra are presented for the fluorine band in polyfluoroethylene, the oxygen band in α-Al2 O3, and the carbon band in graphite. Experimental spectra are presented for the fluorine band in PuF3 and for the oxygen ban in PuO2.
Efficient multipole expansion: Choice of order and density partitioning techniques

Two approaches to improve the convergence of the multipole series were considered: 1) an increase in the order of the expansion; 2) decomposition of the molecular charge density into smaller distributions. New decompositions of the molecular electronic density and a computational procedure to generate high-order moments are presented. The accuracy and timing of test calculations on the H2O ... H2O system are given and suggestions are made for optimizing the choice of an expansion for more general systems.
Comparative study of intraocular pressure change after cataract surgery: phacoemulsification and extracapsular cataract extraction

A randomized prospective study was performed to evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) change after extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) or phacoemulsification and aspiration (PEA) with implantation of posterior chamber intraocular lens in otherwise normal cataract patients. IOP was measured preoperatively and postoperatively at up to 6 months. There was a mean fall in pressure of 1.1mmHg (5.72%) in the ECCE group (15 eyes) and of 0.6mmHg (4.16%) in the PEA group (24 eyes) after 6 months. The decrease in mean IOP was significant at 2 months in the PEA group and at 4 to 6 months in the ECCE group, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups during the follow-up periods (p < 0.05). The present study shows that there was some postoperative IOP reduction in both the ECCE and PEA group, but the amount of reduction was not significantly different between the two groups.
The formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by combustion

While individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons must be considered trace componentsin most combustion systems (the order of 10 −6 -10 −7 of the fuel), they are of importance from the practical viewpoint of potential adverse health effects and because of their relationship to the formation of soot which has its own environmental problems. Understanding of the mechanism of formation and destruction of PAH is in a primitive state, and the future work leading to quantitative understanding of these processes will alsollead to a higher level of understanding and control of combustion systems. Study of PAH formation needs to be expanded to include the non-combustion processes and escape of unburned fuel molecules which can also contribute significantly to PAH emissions in practical combustion systems. Recognition that the absence of soot does not indicate an absence of PAH is important in control of PAH emissions since techniques for control of soot can, in some cases, increase PAH emissions.
Odontometric variation within and between taxonomic levels of cercopithecidae: Implications for interpetations of fossil samples

This study examines metric variation of the post-canine permanent dentition of four monkey groups (savannah and forest baboons, savannah and forest guenons) represented by 1,840 individuals.Papio, Mandrillus, Cercopithecus aethiops, andC. mitis each display marked within-group variation in tooth size. Taxonomic status and/or sexual composition of a sample does not correspond to a particular magnitude of variation. Therefore, the use of the coefficient of variation to assess either the specific or sexual composition of fossil samples is untenable.
Structures of telomerase subunits provide functional insights.

Abstract Background: Telomerase continues to generate substantial attention both because of its pivotal roles in cellular proliferation and aging and because of its unusual structure and mechanism. By replenishing telomeric DNA lost during the cell cycle, telomerase overcomes one of the many hurdles facing cellular immortalization. Functionally, telomerase is a reverse transcriptase, and it shares structural and mechanistic features with this class of nucleotide polymerases. Telomerase is a very unusual reverse transcriptase because it remains stably associated with its template and because it reverse transcribes multiple copies of its template onto a single primer in one reaction cycle. Scope of review: Here, we review recent findings that illuminate our understanding of telomerase. Even though the specific emphasis is on structure and mechanism, we also highlight new insights into the roles of telomerase in human biology. General significance: Recent advances in the structural biology of telomerase, including high resolution structures of the catalytic subunit of a beetle telomerase and two domains of a ciliate telomerase catalytic subunit, provide new perspectives into telomerase biochemistry and reveal new puzzles.
Human colonic microvascular endothelial cells is a model of inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract Background The pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease remains elusive primarily because of the limitations of the models available for study in the basic science laboratories. We propose a new model for the study of inflammatory bowel disease. Data Sources Research and review articles published in the English literature. Conclusions The human colonic microvascular endothelial cell in culture is a legitimate model for the study of the human colon in the normal and diseased states.
Une modélisation de la part de marché des produits de haute technologie intégrant les attentes des clients

Dans une categorie de produits fondee sur une dynamique technologique, les nouveaux produits entrent successivement sur le marche de maniere rapide, et la situation concurrentielle change presque quotidiennement. Parce que les caracteristiques technologiques des produits disponibles vont en s'ameliorant alors que les prix tendent a baisser, les clients developpent des attentes qui peuvent influencer leurs decisions d'achat. Nous modelisons l'impact que les attentes des clients envers le prix et la technologie provoquent sur la part de marche du produit dans l'industrie des ordinateurs personnels, et decouvrons des effets non lineaires significatifs de chacune des attentes. Ces effets sont constates lorsque le prix reel du produit et/ou la technologie differe(nt) des attentes a partir d'un montant limite (seuil d'ecart). Nos resultats suggerent des implications pratiques susceptibles d'etre mises en oeuvre a l'intention des responsables de produits de haute technologie: le prix et la technologie devraient ...
Laser direct-write optical grating lenses and lenslet arrays on glass for optical interconnect applications

We present herein a technique of fabricating grating lenses and lenslet arrays on glass by laser direct writing. Computer generated grating patterns with precision of two microns can be written directly on an ion-exchanged glass plate using a visible low-power semiconductor diode laser. The grating lens components produced by this technique have the advantages of compactness and planar integratability with other optoelectronic components. The comparison of theoretical design and experimental results of grating lenses is given. The limitation of this technique is also discussed. Good lens focusing performance is demonstrated. High efficiency gratings lenses and lenslet arrays can find applications in optical interconnection, printing, and computing systems.
Measurement of material uniformity using 3-D position sensitive CdZnTe gamma-ray spectrometers

Abstract We present results from two 1 cm 3 CdZnTe gamma-ray spectrometers with full 3-D position sensitivity. To our knowledge, these are the first reported semiconductor spectrometers that provide independent spectral data for each of over 2000 volume elements. Energy resolutions of 1.5–1.6% FWHM and position resolutions of 0.7×0.7×0.5 mm were obtained at 662 keV gamma-ray energy from the central region of both detectors for single-pixel events. With the 3-D position sensing capability, variations in spectral response over the detector volume were recorded using a 137Cs source. These measurements allow a study of full-energy peak efficiency, mean ionization energy and electron trapping as a function of 3-D position. The effects of material non-uniformity on detector spectroscopic performance are discussed.
Renal artery compromise treated percutaneously in a patient with chronic aortic dissection: a case report.

Organ malperfusion most commonly occurs in the acute stage of aortic dissection and is associated with a high mortality, but can occur with chronic dissection. We describe a case of a type 3 aortic dissection, which had a stenosed left renal artery originating from the false lumen and causing resistant hypertension. The left renal artery was successfully dilated and stented, with prompt resolution of the patient's hypertension. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2004;61:445–449. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A metabolic prosurvival role for PML in breast cancer

Cancer cells exhibit an aberrant metabolism that facilitates more efficient production of biomass and hence tumor growth and progression. However, the genetic cues modulating this metabolic switch remain largely undetermined. We identified a metabolic function for the promyelocytic leukemia (PML) gene, uncovering an unexpected role for this bona fide tumor suppressor in breast cancer cell survival. We found that PML acted as both a negative regulator of PPARγ coactivator 1A (PGC1A) acetylation and a potent activator of PPAR signaling and fatty acid oxidation. We further showed that PML promoted ATP production and inhibited anoikis. Importantly, PML expression allowed luminal filling in 3D basement membrane breast culture models, an effect that was reverted by the pharmacological inhibition of fatty acid oxidation. Additionally, immunohistochemical analysis of breast cancer biopsies revealed that PML was overexpressed in a subset of breast cancers and enriched in triple-negative cases. Indeed, PML expression in breast cancer correlated strikingly with reduced time to recurrence, a gene signature of poor prognosis, and activated PPAR signaling. These findings have important therapeutic implications, as PML and its key role in fatty acid oxidation metabolism are amenable to pharmacological suppression, a potential future mode of cancer prevention and treatment.
Effects of a visible author in statistical texts.

The effects of a visible author (one who reveals aspects of him- or herself) on women's experience reading statistical texts were examined among 47 female college students who read texts that differed in the extent to which the author revealed attitudes and personality. Data included «think-and-feel-aloud» protocols, measures of concentration, mood, level of perceived challenge, and readers' images of the author. Women reading the visible author text interacted with the author while reading; this relationship appeared to influence the relations among comprehension, motivation, and affective response. For these women, author image and initial self-efficacy for statistics were related to cognitive engagement, feelings of accomplishment, and intrinsic motivation. Implications for text construction and methodology in research on the interaction of cognition and affect during learning tasks are discussed
Impact of self-scheduling order on performance on multiprocessor systems

Processor self-scheduling is an efficient dynamic scheduling for multiprocessors. This paper discusses the impact of the self-scheduling order on the performance of multiply-nested parallel loops.It is shown that, due to data synchronization for cross-iteration data dependencies, the completion time of a multiply-nested loop is reduced when the nesting parallel loops with smaller delays are moved to the inside. The best performance is achieved when a shortest-delay scheduling order is used. The performance of the shortest-delay self-scheduling is compared to other self-scheduling orders and to compile-time static scheduling order proposed elsewhere. Program transformation needed to implement shortest-delay self-scheduling is also included.