cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carbon Nanotubes and Their Assemblies: Applications in Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

Abstract Modern electronics and communication systems are subject to high levels of electromagnetic interference (EMI). Due to the increasing demands for miniaturized devices with reduced weight, lightweight and flexible EMI shielding materials with high performance have driven the requirements for developing conductive polymers and other conductive composites. Carbon nanotube (CNT)-filled polymeric matrix composites and sandwiched CNT film/polymer hybrid composites have shown great potentials to achieve these goals. This chapter summarizes the importance of developing CNT-based nanocomposites for EMI shielding applications and how to tune the properties of materials to meet various requirements by varying the filler contents and structure of nanocomposites. Other nanocarbon-based materials such as graphene and carbon black nanocomposites are also discussed.
Optimal Estimation of Neural Recruitment Curves Using Fisher Information: Application to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

This paper presents a novel method for fast and optimal determination of recruitment (input–output, IO) curve parameters in neural stimulation. A sequential parameter estimation (SPE) method was developed based on the Fisher information matrix (FIM), with a stopping rule based on successively satisfying a specified estimation tolerance. Simulated motor responses evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) were used as a test bed. Performance of FIM-SPE was characterized in 10 177 simulation runs for various IO parameter values corresponding to different virtual subjects, compared with uniform sampling. Unlike uniform sampling, FIM-SPE identifies and samples the areas of the IO curve that contain maximum information about the curve parameters. For the most relaxed stopping rule, the median number of samples required for convergence was only 17 for FIM-SPE versus 294 for uniform sampling. For the highest reliability stopping rule, more than 92% of the FIM-SPE runs converged, with a median of 88 samples, whereas all uniform sampling runs reached 1000 samples without converging. Compared to uniform sampling, FIM-SPE reduced estimation errors up to two-fold and required ten times fewer stimuli. FIM-SPE could improve the speed and accuracy of determination of IO curves for neural stimulation. A software implementation of the algorithm is provided online.
Anti-drug Antibody Assay Conditions Significantly Impact Assay Screen and Confirmatory Cut-Points

Assays for the detection and confirmation of anti-drug antibodies (ADA) are commonly used tools for assessing the immunogenicity of drug candidates in both clinical and nonclinical studies. During the development of such assays, it is typical to optimize the assay conditions based on factors such as sensitivity or signal/noise ratio (S/N) and is commonly done using an assay positive control (PC). However, even carefully optimized methods often suffer with problems due to low cut-point factors and failure to distinguish assay “noise” from a true biological response. In this paper, we describe an approach to assay development in which the impacts of assay conditions on the response and variability, both analytical and biological, of drug-naive samples are tested by way of PC-independent assay condition optimization. Using two ADA methods as model systems, we examine the impact of minimum required dilution, assay reagent (labeled drug) concentrations, incubation time, assay, and wash buffer composition. We find that the choice of assay conditions, particularly the labeled drug concentration, can greatly affect the distribution of naive sample responses and thus impact screening and confirmatory assay cut-points. In two case studies presented, screening assay cut-point (SCP) varied from 1.38 to 2.20 and 1.04 to 1.20 while the confirmatory assay cut-point (CCP) varied from 58.5 to 95.6% and 26.2 to 16.2% depending on the conditions tested. Some of the conditions produced unacceptably high CCP values. It is proposed that the degree of the observed impact of the assay conditions on SCP and CCP values depends on the compound nature and assay matrix composition and is likely connected with the diversity of interactions between drug protein and matrix components. Because it was also observed that higher assay SCP can associate with a loss of the PC-based assay sensitivity, additional assessment of the assay conditions would be required to determine an overall assay performance acceptability, including assay PC-based sensitivity, drug, and target tolerance characteristics. In conclusion, it is suggested that by assessing performance of treatment-naive samples at various assay conditions, one can identify potential assay protocols that allow to avoid undesirably low screening (e.g., < 1.2) and confirmatory (e.g., < 25%) cut-points.
Canopy spray deposition and related mortality impacts of commonly used insecticides on Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae) populations in blueberry.

BACKGROUND: Insecticide applications in blueberry production systems play a crucial role in the control of Drosophila suzukii populations. Here, quantitative spray deposition patterns were obtained under replicated field experiments in blueberry during two field seasons with three sprayers, i.e. cannon, electrostatic, and air‐blast. Seven insecticides were tested (at 6 hours using a Potter spray tower) to determine the mortality data for adult D. suzukii. Spray deposition and mortality data for adult D. suzukii were used to create model simulations for insect populations. Model simulations included field deposition rates of sprayers and insecticide mortality as factors. Simulations were applied in different combinations with five applications over a 6‐week period. RESULTS: Relative deposition rates for the cannon sprayer were elevated in the upper zones of the canopy, whereas for the air‐blast sprayer, deposition was greater in the bottom zones. Electrostatic spray deposition was relatively uniform within the six canopy zones. Clear trends in D. suzukii laboratory mortality were found with lowest to highest mortality recorded for phosmet, spinetoram, spinosad, malathion, cyantraniliprole, zeta‐cypermethrin, and methomyl respectively. Maximum D. suzukii population impacts, as shown by model outputs, were observed with air‐blast sprayers together with zeta‐cypermethrin. CONCLUSION: The electrostatic sprayer had the least variable canopy deposition among the three types of spray equipment, and the air‐blast sprayer had the highest overall deposition rates. This study provides new hypotheses that can be used for field verification with these spray technologies and insecticides as key factors. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Teaching culturally competent healthcare in neonatal-perinatal medicine

Disparities in maternal and infant health care and outcomes exist despite advances in prenatal, perinatal, and neonatal care. In this article, the graduate medical educational goals to ensure that trainees in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for practicing culturally competent care are described. A framework for curriculum development, teaching, and learner evaluation for cultural competence will also be discussed. Included in this discussion are the educational objectives of preparing specialists in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine to provide appropriate medical management to neonates, identify existing disparities in perinatal and neonatal care, and develop quality improvement initiatives to achieve equity in delivery of care.
A surgeon-scientist's perspective and review of cognitive-linguistic contributions to adult cochlear implant outcomes.

Objectives Enormous variability in speech recognition outcomes persists in adults who receive cochlear implants (CIs), which leads to a barrier to progress in predicting outcomes before surgery, explaining "poor" outcomes, and determining how to provide tailored rehabilitation therapy for individual CI users. The primary goal of my research program over the past 9 years has been to extend our understanding of the contributions of "top-down" cognitive-linguistic skills to CI outcomes in adults, acknowledging that "bottom-up" sensory processes also contribute substantially. The main objective of this invited narrative review is to provide an overview of this work. A secondary objective is to provide career "guidance points" to budding surgeon-scientists in Otolaryngology. Methods A narrative, chronological review covers work done by our group to explore top-down and bottom-up processing in adult CI outcomes. A set of ten guidance points is also provided to assist junior Otolaryngology surgeon-scientists. Results Work in our lab has identified substantial contributions of cognitive skills (working memory, inhibition-concentration, speed of lexical access, nonverbal reasoning, verbal learning and memory) as well as linguistic abilities (acoustic cue-weighting, phonological sensitivity) to speech recognition outcomes in adults with CIs. These top-down skills interact with the quality of the bottom-up input. Conclusion Although progress has been made in understanding speech recognition variability in adult CI users, future work is needed to predict CI outcomes before surgery, to identify particular patients' strengths and weaknesses, and to tailor rehabilitation approaches for individual CI users. Level of evidence 4.
How diverse are the samples used to study intimate relationships? A systematic review:

The social and behavioral sciences have long suffered from a lack of diversity in the samples used to study a broad array of phenomena. In an attempt to move toward a more contextually-informed app...
3 Myths About China’s IP Regime

Is China’s intellectual property (IP) regime really all that bad? It has become generally accepted that the ongoing U.S.-China trade war is at least partially in response to Communist China’s practice of forcing technology transfers and its extremely poor protection of IP. But China’s IP regime is not as bad as the ongoing trade war narrative suggests. Instead, I see a paradox in China’s IP regime: while certainly risky in a number of ways, it is often less risky than many Western executives assume. Three myths about China’s IP regime hold back executives considering investments in the country – and the ability to see through these offers much needed nuance when strategizing for the Chinese market.
Robert C. Bishop, Larry L. Funck, Raymond J. Lewis, Stephen O. Moshier, and John H. Walton, Understanding Scientilc Theories of Origins: Cosmology, Geology, and Biology in Christian Perspective

Robert C. Bishop, Larry L. Funck, Raymond J. Lewis, Stephen O. Moshier, and John H. Walton, Understanding Scientilc Theories of Origins: Cosmology, Geology, and Biology in Christian Perspective (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2018), xxiv + 659pp., $75.00 (hbk), ISBN: 978-0-8308-5291-8.
Virus reactivation in a non-cirrhotic HBV patient requiring liver transplantation after cessation of nucleoside analogue therapy:

Nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) are a mainstay of therapy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infections and have a profound effect on hepatitis B virus (HBV) suppression. We report a rare case of HBV reac...
Using Fear Appeals for A.I.D.S. Prevention: An Analysis of Arousal and ad Response

A holistic model reveals the impact of A.I.D.S. prevention advertising on dimensions of arousal and subsequent impressions of the advertisement. These exploratory results indicate that levels of arousal and impressions of the advertisement vary according to emphasis upon the deadly consequences of A.I.D.S. These findings have substantial strategic implications.
Escasez, explotación y pobreza en México: conclusiones

d Acaso la sobrepoblaci6n tiene su origen en la pobreza, como lo afirniaba Malthus? 0 tiene su raiz en, la explotacion capitalista de la mano de obra, como lo sostenia Marx? Un examnen cuidadoso de los puntos basicos en cuestion, entre estas perspectivas teoricas opuestas, condujo a un enfoque critico basado en once preguntas. Al planteamiento de estas interrogantes siguio un esfuerzo por darles respuesta dentro de un marco apropiado, historicamente especifico. Se selecciono a Mexco como caso de estudio debido a la fuerte polarizacion que se encontro, en la situacion mexicana, de las variables clave que se discuten en este estudio: escasez y explotacion. Para Malthus, la sobrepoblacion genera escasez, que a su vez da cuenta de la pobreza. Para Marx, la propiedad privada sobre los medios de producci6n permite la explotacion de la mano de obra, mediante la expropiacion de la plusvalia producida por el trabajo, y dicha explotacion es, a su vez, el origen de la pobreza. Mexico era conocido como uno de los paises con mas rapido ritmo de crecimiento demografico del mundo, y con mas desigual esquema de distribucion del ingreso. La fiialidad del presente ensayo es tratar de resumir las conclusiones que pueden ser inferidas con base en este estudio.
New Isotope of Helium: He 7

Energy spectra have been measured at 15 scattering angles for $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ ions arising from the triton bombardment of $^{7}\mathrm{Li}$. A peak which appeared in the spectra at all scattering angles is attributed to the ground state of $^{7}\mathrm{He}$. The $Q$ value of the reaction $^{7}\mathrm{Li}(t, ^{3}\mathrm{He})^{7}\mathrm{He}$ corresponds to $^{7}\mathrm{He}$ being unbound to neutron decay by 0.42\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06 MeV. The width of the state was determined to be 0.17\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04 MeV.
Ballistic labeling with fluorescent dyes and indicators.

Neuronal cell labeling is fundamental to investigations of the nervous system. Labeling of cells in live or fixed tissue with dyes or ion indicators using ballistic approaches has recently been developed for the study of neuronal architecture and function. In this approach, dye-coated particles are propelled into cells by a pulse of pressurized helium. This unit provides step-by-step protocols for coating tungsten particles with fluorescent or indicator dyes and for delivering these particles into cells and tissue. The major advantage of the ballistic method of dye delivery is that large populations of neurons can be rapidly labeled within a piece of live or fixed tissue. Advantages and limitations of the approach are discussed and technical advice is provided. Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 43:2.11.1-2.11.10. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: ballistic cell-labeling; Gene Gun; particle-mediated dye delivery; fluorescent dyes
Ring Nebulae Around PN Nuclei and Massive Stars

Planetary nebulae (PNe) and ring nebulae around massive stars are not just superficially similar in morphologies. For massive stars that evolve through red supergiant phase, the final fast wind would sweep up the slow red supergiant wind and form a bubble of stellar material, reminiscing the two-wind formation of a PN. Sometimes it can be really difficult to determine whether the central star of a ring nebula is a PN nucleus or a Pop I massive star. Parallel studies of PNe and ring nebulae around massive stars can greatly benefit each other.
Comparison of the Life Cycles of Genetically Distant Species C and Species D Human Adenoviruses Ad6 and Ad26 in Human Cells

UNLABELLED Our understanding of adenovirus (Ad) biology is largely extrapolated from human species C Ad5. Most humans are immune to Ad5, so lower-seroprevalence viruses like human Ad6 and Ad26 are being tested as therapeutic vectors. Ad6 and Ad26 differ at the DNA level by 34%. To better understand how this might impact their biology, we examined the life cycle of the two viruses in human lung cells in vitro. Both viruses infected A549 cells with similar efficiencies, executed DNA replication with identical kinetics within 12 h, and began killing cells within 72 h. While Ad6-infected cells remained adherent until death, Ad26-infected cells detached within 12 h of infection but remained viable. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of mRNA from infected cells demonstrated that viral transcripts constituted 1% of cellular mRNAs within 6 h and 8 to 16% within 12 h. Quantitative PCR and NGS revealed the activation of key early genes at 6 h and transition to late gene activation by 12 h by both viruses. There were marked differences in the balance of E1A and E1B activation by the two viruses and in the expression of E3 immune evasion mRNAs. Ad6 was markedly more effective at suppressing major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) display on the cell surface and in evading TRAIL-mediated apoptosis than was Ad26. These data demonstrate shared as well as divergent life cycles in these genetically distant human adenoviruses. An understanding of these differences expands the knowledge of alternative Ad species and may inform the selection of related Ads for therapeutic development. IMPORTANCE A burgeoning number of adenoviruses (Ads) are being harnessed as therapeutics, yet the biology of these viruses is generally extrapolated from Ad2 and Ad5. Here, we are the first to compare the transcriptional programs of two genetically distant Ads by mRNA next-generation sequencing (NGS). Species C Ad6 and Ad26 are being pursued as lower-seroprevalence Ad vectors but differ at the DNA level by 34%. Head-to-head comparison in human lung cells by NGS revealed that the two viruses generally conform to our general understanding of the Ad transcriptional program. However, fine mapping revealed subtle and strong differences in how these two viruses execute these programs, including differences in the balance of E1A and E1B mRNAs and in E3 immune evasion genes. This suggests that not all adenoviruses behave like Ad2 and Ad5 and that they may have unique strategies to infect cells and evade the immune system.
The exchange of phospholipids between cultured chick embryo fibroblasts and their growth medium.

Abstract The exchange of phospholipids between chick embryo fibroblasts and their growth medium was studied. It was found that the phospholipids of secondary chick fibroblasts, labeled with 32 PO 4 or 14 C-choline, were continuously released into the growth medium. The release was dependent on the serum concentration of the medium; the greater the serum concentration, the greater was the rate of release. At 4 °C, there was very little release of phospholipid even in the presence of serum. Measurement of the appearance of DNA in the medium indicated that there was little death or disintegration of cells and, therefore, that phospholipids were released from living cells. The released phospholipids appeared to be associated with proteins, and these lipid-protein complexes could be fractionated by gel filtration into two fractions, having estimated molecular weights of 250,000 Daltons and greater than 5,000,000 Daltons. It is suggested that some of the released phospholipids become associated with serum proteins through an exchange process, but also that there is a release and exchange of phospholipids which are associated with cellular proteins. When medium containing released, labeled phospholipids was added to unlabeled cells, the labeled phospholipids were taken up by the cells and an equilibrium between cells and medium was established.
Endocannabinoids and Their Implications for Epilepsy

This review covers the main features of a newly discovered intercellular signaling system in which endogenous ligands of the brain's cannabinoid receptors, or endocannabinoids, serve as retrograde messengers that enable a cell to control the strength of its own synaptic inputs. Endocannabinoids are released by bursts of action potentials, including events resembling interictal spikes, and probably by seizures as well. Activation of cannabinoid receptors has been implicated in neuroprotection against excitotoxicity and can help explain the anticonvulsant properties of cannabinoids that have been known since antiquity.
The Effect of Flyash Disposal on a Shallow Ground-Water System

At a flyash landfill in southeastern Wisconsin, dry ash has been placed directly in contact with a shallow sand and gravel aquifer. Substantial modification of ground-water quality has occurred primarily by sulfates, calcium and magnesium. However, after eight years, the contamination has spread less than 200 meters from the site in a permeable aquifer. In addition, toxic metals contained in the ash have proven quite immobile in the ground water. Fortuitous location of the disposal site in alkaline sediment upflow from ground-water discharge in a marsh appears to have limited the extent of contamination.
SSR (spatially resolved refractometer): a null-seeking aberrometer

The spatially resolved refractometer is an aberrometer used to measure the wave-front aberrations of the human eye. In its original form and the new configuration that we report, it uses the patient's perception in a psychophysical task to evaluate the wave-front errors at a variable number of loci (typically 40 or 160) across the cornea. This configuration includes pupil tracking and the ability to choose the measurement loci in software. An automated configuration that does not require patient input is also described.
A Study of the Dynamics of Pd Oxidation and PdO Reduction by H2and CH4

Abstract Palladium is one of the most active catalysts for the catalytic combustion of methane. Since Pd is oxidized during methane combustion to PdO and PdO is required for high activity, it is of interest to understand the dynamics of Pd oxidation and the structure of the oxide formed as well as the dynamics of PdO reduction by H 2 and CH 4 . In the present study isothermal and temperature-programmed oxidation and reduction were used to probe the dynamics of the oxidation and reduction of zirconia-supported Pd. During uptake in oxygen, a monolayer of oxide is generated immediately, and upon further oxidation, the oxide forms a shell around a core of metal with thicknesses that increase with the oxidation temperature. The initial oxide is amorphous and subsequently transforms to crystalline PdO. The dynamics of Pd oxidation suggest that oxidation follows the Cabrera–Mott theory. Reduction of PdO by H 2 occurs in a shellwise manner, consistent with a shrinking core mechanism, while reduction in CH 4 occurs via an autocatalytic, nucleation mechanism. In the latter case, small particles of Pd must first be formed on which CH 4 can dissociate. The fragments (H and CH x (x=3–1)) diffuse to the metal–oxide boundary where reduction of the oxide occurs. Consistent with this picture, the kinetics of PdO reduction are first order in Pd initially, but then they become zero order in Pd.
On the Disintegration of Nitrogen by Fast Neutrons

The cross sections of the $N(n,p)C$ and $N(n,\ensuremath{\alpha})B$ reactions were measured for neutrons of energies between 0.2 and 1.7 Mev. Resonances were observed for neutron energies of 0.55, 0.70, and 1.45 Mev.
RFID‐Enabled Visibility and Retail Inventory Record Inaccuracy: Experiments in the Field

Accurate inventory records are key to effective store execution, affecting forecasting, ordering, and replenishment. Prior empirical research, however, shows that retailer inventory records are inherently inaccurate. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) enables visibility into the movement of inventories in the supply chain. Using two different field experiments, the current research investigates the effectiveness of this visibility in reducing retail store inventory record inaccuracy (IRI). Study 1 used an interrupted time-series design and involved daily physical counts of all products in one category in 13 stores (8 treatments and 5 controls) of a major global retailer over 23 weeks. Results indicate a significant decrease in IRI of approximately 26% due to RFID-enabled visibility. Using an untreated control group design with pre-test and post-test, Study 2 expands the number of categories to five and the number of stores to 62 (31 treatment and 31 control stores). Results show that the effectiveness of RFID in reducing IRI varies by category (ranging from no statistically significant improvement to 81%). Results also suggest that RFID ameliorates the effects of known determinants of IRI and provide the key insight that the technology is most effective for product categories characterized by these determinants.
Unmet need for mental health care among veterans receiving palliative care: assessment is not enough.

Objective To determine whether inpatient palliative care teams' assessments of psychological distress affect receipt of in-hospital mental health care (psychotherapy, psychological support, and health and behavior interventions) for seriously ill veterans. Methods Retrospective review of medical records from 287 seriously ill veterans who received inpatient palliative care consults between 2008 and 2010 in the NY/NJ Veterans Healthcare Network. Results Of the veterans who were cognitively or physically able to answer questions on the Condensed Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, 44% reported psychological distress. Of those with distress, 38% accessed mental health care. In logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and health characteristics, there was no evidence that psychological distress reported during the palliative care consult was associated with subsequent mental health care receipt from any type of provider. Conclusions Efforts to increase mental health care to psychologically distressed palliative care patients need to convert assessments into receipt of needed care.
Extension of saphenous thrombus into the femoral vein: A potential complication of new endovenous ablation techniques

Endovenous techniques such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and endovenous laser therapy (ELT) have emerged as percutaneous minimally invasive procedures for ablation of incompetent great saphenous veins in patients with varicosity and venous insufficiency. Early reports showed safety and efficacy of both techniques, with excellent technical success rates and few major complications, such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. During our initial experience with ELT in 56 limbs of 41 patients, 39 underwent postoperative duplex scanning. We encountered three cases (7.7%) with thrombus extension into the common femoral vein. All three patients were anticoagulated, and a temporary inferior vena cava filter was placed in one. All remained asymptomatic. The thrombus resolved by 1 month in all three patients. Review of the literature revealed that the incidence of thrombus extension into the common femoral vein or deep vein thrombosis in published clinical series is 0.3% after ELT and 2.1% after RFA. This possibility warrants routine postoperative duplex scanning, more alertness during these procedures, and patient education on this possible complication.
Simultaneous Transcatheter Closure of Two Secundum Atrial Septal Defects Using the Amplatzer™ Septal Occluder

Transcatheter closure of a single secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) is performed routinely using various investigational devices. A 37-year-old patient with two large secundum ASDs underwent successful simultaneous transcatheter closure using an 18-mm and 20-mm Amplatzer™ septal occluder device. At 3-month follow-up, transesophageal color Doppler echocardiography revealed one defect to be completely closed, and the other had trivial residual shunt with significant improvement in symptoms.
Defense, dreams and rationality

Are some mental activities rational but unconscious? Psychopathological symptoms, it is said, have a sense — they are seen as “compromise-formations” which express the “intentions” of agents even though the agents are totally unaware of “bringing about” such symptoms. Philosophers, who often claim that such a conception is simply contradictory or incoherent, have shed little light on the puzzles and apparent paradoxes that surround the issue. It is argued here that Freud's two models of explanation — the mechanistic and the intentionalistic — each fail to provide a basis for an explanatory account of the phenomenon of unconscious defense. An examination of the problem of dream “composition” helps explain why Freud's dependence upon “rational homunculi” is inappropriate and misleading. Finally, an alternative model which depends neither upon Freud's version of mechanism nor upon his lavish anthropormorphism is suggested.
Reflex activity of regenerating frog spinal motoneurons.

Abstract The reflex activity of frog spinal motoneurons whose axons had been sectioned 7 days to 10 months previously was examined. Before the severed axons reinnervated muscle, reflex latency was prolonged, and reflex amplitude was depressed. Examination of input-output relations revealed the presence of a subset of axotomized motoneurons having supranormal excitability. This subset was not present in normal preparations or in preparations tested after reinnervation took place. Following reinnervation of muscle, reflex latency returned to preoperative levels, while amplituded recovery was typically more variable. Decreased conduction velocity of the severed ventral root fibers accounted for the alterations in reflex latency. These and other data form the basis for concluding that motoneurons, even within a particular preparation, show a wide range of responses to section of their axons and will provide a framework for interpretation of more selective intracellular experiments.
Heterozygosity and effective size in laboratory populations ofAphidius ervi [Hym.: Aphidiidae]

Decline of allozyme variability in 7 laboratory populations ofAphidius ervi Haliday demonstrates that the effective population size is approximately one half the number of individuals used to renew the cultures each generation. Unequal reproductive contribution by individual females to subsequent generations is the most likely cause for this phenomenon.
Power analysis of strained-Si devices/circuits

Abstract The feasibility of nano-scale strained-Si technologies for low-power applications is studied. Static and dynamic power for strained-Si device is analyzed and compared with conventional bulk-Si technology. Optimum device design points are suggested, and strained-Si CMOS circuits are studied, showing substantially reduced power consumptions. The trade-offs for power and performance in strained-Si devices/circuits are discussed. Further, analysis and low-power design points are applied and extended to strained Si on SOI substrate (SSOI) CMOS technology.
Autobiography, (re-)enactment and the performative self-portrait in Varda's Les Plages d'Agnès/The Beaches of Agnès (2008)

ABSTRACTAgnes Varda's last feature-length film, Les Plages d'Agnes (2008), is not only her first genuinely autobiographical film, but also one of the very few autobiographies in cinema embracing the story of a whole life. Beyond narrating episodes of her fascinating life, Varda's (re-)enactments of the past are in fine installations whose distinctive feature consists in representing not only the bygone events but to underscore the emotional significance of these happy or difficult moments as Varda remembers them for us. In this regard, they present a remarkable affinity with the self-portrait in the sense that the settings, the props, the poses, the executed gestures and the overall mood of these installations convey all at the same time the past and her present vision of these times. Thus I would like to credit Varda for having created with Les Plages d'Agnes a new cinematic genre of life writing that combines autobiographical narrative with performative self-portraits.
Patients' Shame and Attitudes Toward Discussing the Results of Literacy Screening

We investigated patients' willingness to have their reading ability documented in their medical records and the degree of shame and embarrassment associated with such disclosure. Structured interviews were conducted among a consecutive sample of 283 primary care patients at an urban public hospital. Patients' literacy was measured using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM). Self-report of degree of shame and embarrassment related to literacy skills was measured using an orally administered questionnaire. Fifty-one percent of patients had low literacy skills (≤sixth grade) and 27.9% were assessed as having marginal literacy (seventh–eighth grade). Half (47.6%) of patients reading at or below the third-grade level admitted feeling ashamed or embarrassed about their difficulties reading, compared with 19.2% of those reading at the fourth–sixth-grade level and 6.5% of those reading at the seventh–eighth-grade level (p < 0.001). More than 90% of patients with low or marginal literacy report...
Gay Bathhouse HIV Prevention: the Use of Staff Monitoring of Patron Sexual Behavior

Many HIV prevention interventions have been launched in gay bathhouses and sex clubs since the onset of the AIDS epidemic, such as condom distribution and HIV testing. Perhaps none of these are as intrusive to the venue's environment as what is called “monitoring,” which involves staff, during every shift, repeatedly walking throughout the public areas of a bathhouse to check on patrons’ sexual behavior. Yet, monitoring has received little evaluation. Between 2002 and 2004, we conducted qualitative interviews with venue managers, staff, and patrons in New York City, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area. An analysis found that monitoring was influenced by the kinds of space available for sex, suggesting three approaches to monitoring: (1) monitoring all sex in clubs that only had public areas where men had sex, (2) monitoring some sex in clubs with private rooms for sex, and (3) no monitoring of sex, regardless of the kinds of space for sex.
Performance analysis of ZigBee-based body sensor networks

Recent advances in Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) have facilitated the realization of pervasive health monitoring for both homecare and hospital environments. IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee sensor network support small power consumption and node expansion compared to other network standards for WSN. Body sensor networks (BSN) require a large number of sensors for sensing the medical information from human body, and low power consumption for monitoring a patient's status for long time. Unfortunately, ZigBee has limited bandwidth and hard to support real time data transmission because of the adoption of CSMA-CA as its medium access control (MAC) protocol. Depending on the varying traffic loads, there are different back-off times for packet transmission. This affects the data loss rate and latency for data packets generated by a network node. Proper configuration is important in the successful operation of a ZigBee network. This paper analyzes the effect of different back-off parameters on the performance of beaconless operation of ZegBee MAC protocol.
A study of Λ parameters and crossover phenomena in SU(N)×SU(N) sigma models in two dimensions

The spin system analogues of recent studies of the string tension and ..lambda.. parameters of SU(N) gauge theories in 4 dimensions are carried out for the SU(N) x SU(N) and O(N) models in 2 dimensions. The relations between the ..lambda.. parameters of both the Euclidean and Hamiltonian formulation of the lattice models and the ..lambda.. parameter of the continuum models are obtained. The one loop finite renormalization of the speed of light in the lattice Hamiltonian formulations of the O(N) and SU(N) x SU(N) models is calculated. Strong coupling calculations of the mass gaps of these spin models are done for all N and the constants of proportionality between the gap and the ..lambda.. parameter of the continuum models are obtained. These results are contrasted with similar calculations for the SU(N) gauge models in 3+1 dimensions. Identifying suitable coupling constants for discussing the N ..-->.. infinity limits, the numerical results suggest that the crossover from weak to strong coupling in the lattice O(N) models becomes less abrupt as N increases while the crossover for the SU(N) x SU(N) models becomes more abrupt. The crossover in SU(N) gauge theories also becomes more abrupt with increasing N, however, at an even greatermore » rate than in the SU(N) x SU(N) spin models.« less
Adsorbate effects on a mixed-valence compound: Carbon monoxide chemisorption on CeIr 2

We have studied the effects of stoichiometry change and CO chemisorption on the surface electronic structure of the mixed-valence compound ${\mathrm{CeIr}}_{2}$. We show that the surface iridium to cerium ratio can be varied by changing sample temperature while sputtering. Carbon monoxide is found to adsorb 80% molecularly on the surface and cause a mild surface oxidation which induces a shift of electron density into available cerium f orbitals. Peaks due to the 4\ensuremath{\sigma}, 1\ensuremath{\pi}, and 5\ensuremath{\sigma} CO molecular orbitals appear at different binding energies than those due to molecular CO on the pure iridium surface. This binding-energy shift as well as the high percentage of molecular CO on the surface (CO adsorption on pure cerium is completely dissociative) points toward a surface which has lost much of the elemental character of its two constituents upon compound formation.
Damage evolution of angle-ply SCS-6/Ti composites under static and fatigue loading

The effect of fibre orientation and laminate stacking sequence on the tensile and fatigue behaviour of SCS-6/Ti 15-3 composites were investigated. The laminates used in this study were: (90)6, (0/ ± 45)s, (0/90)s, and (90/ +-45)s. The initiation and progression of microstructural damage at various stress levels was thoroughly characterized. It was found that fatigue life at high applied stresses were controlled by fibre fracture; progressive damage involving fibre fracture, interfacial debonding and matrix cracking became dominant at low applied stresses. Observation of the damage mechanisms in the angle-ply laminates under cyclic loading suggests that increasing the fibre-matrix bonding strength may improve the load carrying capability and fatigue life of laminates containing off-axis plies.
Ultrastructural study of the pericardial organ-anterior ramifications complex neurosecretory terminals.

The pericardial organ-anterior ramifications complexes of Uca pugilator and Callinectus sapidus were studied by transmission electron microscopy. Five morphologically distinguishable groups of granules and two groups of vesicles were identified. These granules and vesicles are present in approximately the same proportions in the pericardial organs and anterior ramifications of both species. Two of the granule groups are never mixed in the same axon terminals and are believed to represent different hormone-protein complexes. The remaining granule and vesicle groups are believed to be products of neurosecretory hormone release. Evidence that at least some of these granules and vesicles arise from intraaxonal release of neurosecretory material is presented.
Equability, continentality, and Tertiary climate: The crocodilian perspective

The distributions of fossil crocodilians are used to examine North American continental paleoclimates for four time periods in the Cenozoic. Control groups provide a qualitative means of examining the completeness of the record and thus the validity of crocodilian patterns. By analogy with the range of the extant American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis , the patterns imply that mid- to high-latitude continental interiors during the Eocene and Miocene did not undergo seasonal temperature extremes as great as those observed in such areas today. This is compatible with the paleobotanical data. During both the late Oligocene and the Pleistocene (times of major glaciation), crocodilians were restricted to more maritime localities.
Computer-1—a modern simple computer to introduce computer organization and assembler language programming

COMPUTER-1 is an interactive editor/assembler simulator-debugger and program evaluator to be used as an instructional tool for an introductory course in computer organization and assembler language programming. COMPUTER-1's organization, assembler language and interactive facilities are designed to introduce basic concepts of computer architecture and assembly language programming while minimizing the amount of computer system dependent details present during this learning period. COMPUTER-1 is a decimal machine with a small modern single address instruction repertoire. A run-time view into COMPUTER-1's memory and registers is provided to help in program understanding and debugging. COMPUTER-1 provides a flexible instructor-oriented method for specifying and evaluating programming assignments and a way for students to determine whether and how well their programs have worked. COMPUTER-1 runs under UNIX and presumes the availability of a CRT with full-screen cursor addressability. COMPUTER-1 is a modern descendent of BASIC1 [1] in that it simulates a more contemporary architecture and possesses interactive features which are not tied to the capabilities of hard copy terminals or card readers.
Variability of the ionosphere

Abstract Hourly foF2 data from over 100 ionosonde stations during 1967–89 are examined to quantify F-region ionospheric variability, and to assess to what degree the observed variability may be attributed to various sources, i.e., solar ionizing flux, meteorological influences, and changing solar wind conditions. Our findings are as follows. Under quiet geomagnetic conditions (Kp 4), the average 1-σ variability of Nmax about the mean ranges from approx. ±35% (equator) to approx. ±45% (anomaly peak) to approx. ±55% (high-latitudes) for high frequencies, and from approx. ±25% (equator) to approx. ±45% (high-latitudes) at low frequencies. Some estimates are also provided on Nmax variability connected with annual, semiannual and 11-year solar cycle variations.
Chebyshev approximation constants related to entire functions of perfectly regular growth

Abstract Certain entire functions are studied for Chebyshev rational approximations on the positive real axis. It is shown that each function of this class has a geometric convergence property.
Sliding wear of self-mated Al2O3-SiC whisker-reinforced composites at 23-1200 C

Microstructural changes occurring during sliding wear of self-mated Al2O3 SiC whisker-reinforced composites were studied using optical, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Pin-on-disc specimens were slid in air at 2.7 m/s sliding velocity under a 26.5 N load for 1 h. Wear tests were conducted at 23, 600, 800 and 1200 C. Mild wear with a wear factor of 2.4 x 10 exp -7 - 1.5 x 10 exp -6 cu mm /N per m was experienced at all test temperatures. The composite showed evidence of wear by fatigue mechanisms at 800 C and below. Tribochemical reaction (SiC oxidation and reaction of SiO2 and Al2O3) leads to intergranular failure at 1200 C. Distinct microstructural differences existing at each test temperature are reported.
Pliocene dispersal of the horse Equus and late Cenozoic mammalian dispersal events

The Cenozoic history of land mammals is marked by brief periods of intercontinental dispersal, termed dispersal events1,2. One of these dispersal events includes the horse Equus, that evolved in North America, dispersed to the Old World in the Pliocene, and became a prominent member of Old World Pleistocene communities. Equus was derived from a species of the single-toed horse Pliohippus, known only from North America3. Timing for the Pliocene dispersal of Equus into Europe was questioned4 following resolution for the appearance of Equus into the Siwalik sequence of Pakistan5. It seems that there were at least three major dispersal events of large mammals during the Pliocene (at 1.9, 2.6 and 3.7 Myr). We now report new data that limit the time of Equus' dispersal and into Europe to the 2.6 Myr dispersal event.
GraphCrunch: A tool for large network analyses

The recent explosion in biological and other real-world network data has created the need for improved tools for large network analyses. In addition to well established global network properties, several new mathematical techniques for analyzing local structural properties of large networks have been developed. Small over-represented subgraphs, called network motifs, have been introduced to identify simple building blocks of complex networks. Small induced subgraphs, called graphlets, have been used to develop "network signatures" that summarize network topologies. Based on these network signatures, two new highly sensitive measures of network local structural similarities were designed: the relative graphlet frequency distance (RGF-distance) and the graphlet degree distribution agreement (GDD-agreement). Finding adequate null-models for biological networks is important in many research domains. Network properties are used to assess the fit of network models to the data. Various network models have been proposed. To date, there does not exist a software tool that measures the above mentioned local network properties. Moreover, none of the existing tools compare real-world networks against a series of network models with respect to these local as well as a multitude of global network properties. Thus, we introduce GraphCrunch, a software tool that finds well-fitting network models by comparing large real-world networks against random graph models according to various network structural similarity measures. It has unique capabilities of finding computationally expensive RGF-distance and GDD-agreement measures. In addition, it computes several standard global network measures and thus supports the largest variety of network measures thus far. Also, it is the first software tool that compares real-world networks against a series of network models and that has built-in parallel computing capabilities allowing for a user specified list of machines on which to perform compute intensive searches for local network properties. Furthermore, GraphCrunch is easily extendible to include additional network measures and models. GraphCrunch is a software tool that implements the latest research on biological network models and properties: it compares real-world networks against a series of random graph models with respect to a multitude of local and global network properties. We present GraphCrunch as a comprehensive, parallelizable, and easily extendible software tool for analyzing and modeling large biological networks. The software is open-source and freely available at http://www.ics.uci.edu/~bio-nets/graphcrunch/ . It runs under Linux, MacOS, and Windows Cygwin. In addition, it has an easy to use on-line web user interface that is available from the above web page.
Conformational snapshots of Tec kinases during signaling

The control of cellular signaling cascades is of utmost importance in regulating the immune response. Exquisitely precise protein-protein interactions and chemical modification of substrates by enzymatic catalysis are the fundamental components of the signals that alert immune cells to the presence of a foreign antigen. In particular, the phosphorylation events induced by protein kinase activity must be spatially and temporally regulated by specific interactions to maintain a normal and effective immune response. High resolution structures of many protein kinases along with supporting biochemical data are providing significant insight into the intricate regulatory mechanisms responsible for controlling cellular signaling. The Tec family kinases are immunologically important kinases for which regulatory details are beginning to emerge. This review focuses on bringing together structural insights gained over the years to develop an understanding of how domain interactions both within the Tec kinases and between the Tec kinases and other signaling molecules control immune cell function.