cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of text filtering on authentication performance of keystroke biometrics

Free text keystroke dynamics is a behavioral biometric that has the strong potential to offer unobtrusive and continuous user authentication. In free-text keystroke biometrics, users are free to type whatever they want to while still being authenticated. However, not all keystrokes from a user exhibit the same quality of stable patterns that can be used to differentiate them from others. The “unstable” keystrokes may originate from such activities as when the user is playing a computer game, or other sources of noisy or “gibberish” text. Our hypothesis is that some forms of text negatively impact keystroke dynamics-based user authentication, and thus, should be filtered out. This study investigates the impact of gibberish text on authentication performance through locating and removing gibberish text, and comparing the difference in authentication performance before and after the removal. We confirm the positive effect of text filtering on authentication performance, especially on the reduction of the false reject rate.
Cooperative polymerization of α-helices induced by macromolecular architecture

Catalysis observed in enzymatic processes and protein polymerizations often relies on the use of supramolecular interactions and the organization of functional elements in order to gain control over the spatial and temporal elements of fundamental cellular processes. Harnessing these cooperative interactions to catalyse reactions in synthetic systems, however, remains challenging due to the difficulty in creating structurally controlled macromolecules. Here, we report a polypeptide-based macromolecule with spatially organized α-helices that can catalyse its own formation. The system consists of a linear polymeric scaffold containing a high density of initiating groups from which polypeptides are grown, forming a brush polymer. The folding of polypeptide side chains into α-helices dramatically enhances the polymerization rate due to cooperative interactions of macrodipoles between neighbouring α-helices. The parameters that affect the rate are elucidated by a two-stage kinetic model using principles from nucleation-controlled protein polymerizations; the key difference being the irreversible nature of this polymerization.
Economics of hybrid maize cultivation in Sarguja district of Chhattisgarh

The present study was emphasized to study cost and return of cultivation, the trend in area yield potential and resource use efficiency of hybrid maize of different categories of farm holdings in Sarguja district of Chhattisgarh. A sample of eighty farmers was surveyed (fourty five marginal, twenty five small and ten large) by three stage stratified random sampling method. The result indicated that cost of labour constituted largest component in total variable cost accounted about( 46.89%) followed by manure and fertilizer cost (37.00 %), followed by seed cost (11.60%). Of all the components of fixed cost, rental value of owned land and depreciation cost constituted maximum share about (81.90%) and (16.50%) respectively. The total cost increased with the increase in size of holdings. The total costs of production of maize per hectare was highest for large farmer of Rs. 32079.54/ha followed by small farmer of Rs. 28794.74/ha followed by small farmers of Rs. 27334/ha. There is excess use of labour by marginal farms. The excess labour may be diverted for cultivation of other crops. Large farmers received higher income due to optimal application of fertilizer. Improvement of farm level efficiency relies on technical knowledge of crop as well as income diversification, institutional capacity building that can enhance assets ownership, extension and credit facility.
Unsteady particle motion in an acoustic standing wave field

The acoustic-based separation has attracted considerable attention in biomedical research, such as sorting of cells and particles. Current design principles used for acoustic systems are based on the steady Stokes theory, equating the Stokes drag with the primary radiation force. However, this approach is not valid for large cells/particles or in the presence of particle–particle interaction. In this work, we analytically examine unsteady inertial affects and particle–particle hydrodynamic interaction on the particle motion in a viscous fluid in the presence of an acoustic standing wave field. Comparing our results to the steady Stokes theory, we find that the unsteady inertial force decreases the particle’s velocity, while particle–particle interaction enhances it. For a particular acoustic-based separation approach ‘tilted-angle standing surface acoustic waves (taSSAW)’, we find that both effects of unsteady inertial force and particle–particle interaction are evident and should be considered for m) par...
Screening Cerebrospinal Fluid Prior to Herpes Simplex Virus PCR Testing Might Miss Cases of Herpes Simplex Encephalitis.

Hauser et al. make a compelling financial argument for their cost-saving approach to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) herpes simplex virus (HSV) PCR testing using the CSF white blood cell (WBC) count and CSF total protein as a screen for the appropriate use of PCR ([1][1]). The authors do not report any
A 62-to-68GHz linear 6Gb/s 64QAM CMOS doherty radiator with 27.5%/20.1% PAE at peak/6dB-back-off output power leveraging high-efficiency multi-feed antenna-based active load modulation

Extreme throughput requirements on future mm-wave systems, e.g., 5G links, necessitates the use of spectrum-efficient modulations that often come with high peak-to-average power ratios (PAPRs). Therefore, there is an increasing need for mm-wave power amplifiers (PAs) with high power back-off (PBO) efficiency, so that wideband large-PAPR signals can be transmitted with high energy efficiency. Among various PA PBO efficiency-enhancement techniques, Doherty PAs feature wideband modulations and low baseband DSP overhead, making them particularly promising candidates for high-speed mm-wave systems.
Surface structure analysis of Eu Zintl template on Ge(001)

Abstract The surface reconstructions and surface core level shifts of 0.25 monolayer (ML), 0.5 ML and 1.0 ML of europium (Eu) on the Ge(001) surface are investigated experimentally and theoretically, using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and density functional theory (DFT). Starting with a clean Ge(001) surface we find that the surface reconstruction changes from the initial (2 × 1) to a (3 × 2), (8 × 1) and a final (3 × 1) pattern with increasing Eu coverage of 0.25 ML, 0.5 ML and 1.0 ML, respectively. XPS scans demonstrate that the Ge 3d core level shifts to higher binding energies with increasing Eu coverage. We find that Eu is in the 2+ oxidation state, transferring its charge to the Ge surface, resulting in the disappearance of the asymmetry of the dimer tilt at a coverage of 0.5 ML of Eu. From density functional calculations we find that the Ge dimers flatten out at 0.5 ML Eu coverage and partially break apart at 1.0 ML Eu.
Properties of glutamate dehydrogenase from Bacillus subtilis.

Abstract Bacillus subtilis strain 168 possesses an NAD-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase. The level of this enzyme is influenced by the stage of growth, the source of nitrogen, and a high rate of tryptophan biosynthesis. The enzyme appears to serve an anabolic function and, therefore, must be considered as a possible route for the incorporation of inorganic nitrogen into an organic form.
Amicus Brief of Kristin Hickman in Cohen, et al. v. United States, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

This amicus brief provides context for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit concerning two issues: (1) the justiciability of procedural challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act against Internal Revenue Service guidance documents, and (2) the interrelationship between the Internal Revenue Code's Anti-Injunction Act provision, 26 U.S.C. s. 7421, the tax exception from the Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. s. 2201, and the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. ss. 501 et seq. The brief summarizes issues raised and arguments made in some of my previous scholarship, documents ongoing litigation regarding Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service compliance with Administrative Procedure Act rulemaking requirements, and expands upon my previous analysis concerning how the courts ought to interpret the Anti-Injunction Act and the Declaratory Judgment Act tax exception.
Analysis of Calculus Problems.

THE student preparing for science or engineering should enter college with the technical skills needed in calculus. Par ticularly, he must know how to set up and solve problems and get accurate answers. Now the typical realistic calculus problem involves only a little of the ideas of calculus per se but a lot of high school algebra and geometry. A useful way to assess the students' needs in calculus is carefully to dissect the solutions of good calculus problems into what is calculus and what is pre calculus?that is, high school?mathe matics. I present two such problems here, with detailed analyses of their solutions.
Efficacy and unintended consequences of hard-stop alerts in electronic health record systems: a systematic review.

Objective Clinical decision support (CDS) hard-stop alerts-those in which the user is either prevented from taking an action altogether or allowed to proceed only with the external override of a third party-are increasingly common but can be problematic. To understand their appropriate application, we asked 3 key questions: (1) To what extent are hard-stop alerts effective in improving patient health and healthcare delivery outcomes? (2) What are the adverse events and unintended consequences of hard-stop alerts? (3) How do hard-stop alerts compare to soft-stop alerts? Methods and materials Studies evaluating computerized hard-stop alerts in healthcare settings were identified from biomedical and computer science databases, gray literature sites, reference lists, and reviews. Articles were extracted for process outcomes, health outcomes, unintended consequences, user experience, and technical details. Results Of 32 studies, 15 evaluated health outcomes, 16 process outcomes only, 10 user experience, and 4 compared hard and soft stops. Seventy-nine percent showed improvement in health outcomes and 88% in process outcomes. Studies reporting good user experience cited heavy user involvement and iterative design. Eleven studies reported on unintended consequences including avoidance of hard-stopped workflow, increased alert frequency, and delay to care. Hard stops were superior to soft stops in 3 of 4 studies. Conclusions Hard stops can be effective and powerful tools in the CDS armamentarium, but they must be implemented judiciously with continuous user feedback informing rapid, iterative design. Investigators must report on associated health outcomes and unintended consequences when implementing IT solutions to clinical problems.
Retrospective assessment of the effectiveness of the Milan system for reporting salivary gland cytology: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of published literature

INTRODUCTION Fine needle aspiration (FNA) has been widely utilized in establishing the nature of salivary gland lesions and guiding the clinical management. This study aimed to determine the accuracy of FNA in detecting salivary gland neoplasms and malignancies, employing the "Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology" (MSRSGC). METHOD A systematic search was conducted. The data on FNA and histologic diagnosis were extracted and categorized based on the MSRSGC and risk of malignancy (ROM) was calculated. The risk of publication bias and level of heterogeneity were evaluated. A mixed-effects model was used to estimate FNA accuracy. Meta-regression was conducted to assess the potential effect of different variables on FNA accuracy. RESULTS Ninety-two studies with a total of 16 456 FNA with surgical follow-up were included. ROM was estimated as 17%, 8%, 34%, 4%, 42%, 58%, and 91%, in nondiagnostic, nonneoplastic, atypia of undetermined significance, benign neoplasm, salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential, suspicious for malignancy, and malignant groups, respectively. High level of heterogeneity was detected (P-value <.001). Including cases with definite FNA diagnosis of neoplasm or malignancy, summary estimates of FNA sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, and positive and negative likelihood ratio in detecting neoplasms and malignancies were 96.9%, 95.3%, 636.8, 20.5, and 0.03, and 80.5%, 97.9%, 189.5, 37.8, and 0.2, respectively. Meta-regression showed several variables significantly impacting FNA accuracy; however, subgroup analysis did not reduce the level of heterogeneity. CONCLUSION FNA can be used as a reliable diagnostic tool in the preoperative evaluation and management of salivary glands lesions. Concise of abstract is using Milan system for reporting salivary gland FNA could increase FNA reliability, facilitate communication, and improve patient care.
American Community Colleges: The International Student's Guide

As a former international student, I never thought of an American Community College as being a choice to start undergraduate education in the United States. This is also true for many prospective international students who explore study opportunities in the United States. American community colleges (also called 2-year colleges) offer diverse higher education opportunities with comparatively lower tuition costs. Moreover, unlike in many other foreign countries, American community colleges are often the best pathway to a bachelor’s degree through transfer agreements that exist between community colleges and 4-year institutions.
Two-Level Games and the Policy Process: Assessing Domestic–Foreign Policy Linkage Theory:

International relations scholars have struggled to adequately link domestic and international levels in theoretical models and causal analyses of foreign policy, despite widespread acknowledgment o...
PROTEASE-MEDIATED MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES INDUCED BY TREATMENT OF TRANSFORMED CHICK FIBROBLASTS WITH A TUMOR PROMOTER: EVIDENCE FOR DIRECT CATALYTIC INVOLVEMENT OF PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the protease-mediated morphological changes induced by treatment of transformed chick fibroblast with a tumor promoter. The tumor promoter phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) induces the production of the serine protease plasminogen activator (PA) in cultures of normal chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF) and synergistically enhances PA production in Rous sarcoma virus transformed chick embryo fibroblasts (RSVCEF). Concomitant with the PA induction, distinct morphological changes occur in serum-free RSVCEF cultures upon PMA treatment. The morphological changes include enhanced cell clustering and the formation of colonial aggregates of cells. These alterations in the morphology of the PMA-treated transformed cells are inhibited by a number of protease inhibitors including DFP, leupeptin, NPGB, and benzamidine. In a study described in the chapter, a number of protease inhibitors were ineffective in preventing the PMA-induced morphological changes and these included inhibitors of trypsin, chymotrypsin, thrombin, and most importantly, plasmin. The use of a fluorescent substrate to assay PA directly and the use of DFP to label and characterize serine enzymes in the culture fluid from PMA-treated cells indicate that PA is the serine enzyme responsible for the morphological changes.
Intramyocardial Bone Marrow Stem Cells in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgical Revascularization.

Background Bone marrow stromal or stem cells (BMSCs) remain a promising potential therapy for ischemic cardiomyopathy. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of direct intramyocardial injection of autologous BMSCs in patients undergoing transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Methods A phase I trial was conducted on adult patients who had ischemic heart disease with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction and who were scheduled to undergo TMR or CABG. Autologous BMSCs were expanded for 3 weeks before the scheduled surgery. After completion of surgical revascularization, BMSCs were directly injected into ischemic myocardium. Safety and feasibility of therapy were assessed. Cardiac functional status and changes in quality of life were evaluated at 1 year. Results A total of 14 patients underwent simultaneous BMSC and surgical revascularization therapy (TMR+BMSCs = 10; CABG+BMSCs = 4). BMSCs were successfully expanded, and no significant complications occurred as a result of the procedure. Regional contractility in the cell-treated areas demonstrated improvement at 12 months compared with baseline (TMR+BMSCs Δ strain: −4.6% ± 2.1%; P = .02; CABG+MSCs Δ strain: −4.2% ± 6.0%; P = .30). Quality of life was enhanced, with substantial reduction in angina scores at 1 year after treatment (TMR+BMSCs: 1.3 ± 1.2; CABG+MSCs: 1.0 ± 1.4). Conclusions In this phase I trial, direct intramyocardial injection of autologous BMSCs in conjunction with TMR or CABG was technically feasible and could be performed safely. Preliminary results demonstrate improved cardiac function and quality of life in patients at 1 year after treatment.
RECRUITING OLDER ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA FOR NEUROIMAGING RESEARCH: BARRIERS AND SOLUTIONS

Recruiting participants with dementia for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research is prone to inherent barriers including caregiver schedules, mistrust, transportation, expertise of MRI technologists, claustrophobia, and MRI safety requirements. This pilot study aimed to identify barriers and develop strategies for increasing recruitment and retention of persons with dementia in neuroimaging studies and to gauge improvements in recruitment outcomes associated with dedicated recruitment staff. Over a period of five years of active recruitment, a dedicated recruitment specialist and a full-time research assistant screened and enrolled an average of eight participants with dementia per month (8.16), of which, approximately two participants (1.97) successfully completed the MRI testing. The most common barrier was difficulty obtaining surgical records for MRI safety clearance. The most common solutions were thorough prescreening and maintaining a positive rapport with MRI technologists. Our study findings will assist others with engaging persons with dementia and their caregivers in MRI research.
Prevalence of hearing loss among noise-exposed workers within the services sector, 2006-2015.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of hearing loss among noise-exposed U.S. workers within the Services sector.Methods: Audiograms for 1.9 million workers (158,436 w...
Investigating and Understanding S-shape Curves in PEDOT:PSS Based Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells

Heterojunction silicon solar cells with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) were fabricated and the formation of S-shape curves was investigated. The S-shape curves are synonymous to degradation observed in these cells. The cells degrade over the period of several weeks, and through a series of electrical and spectroscopic measurements, the source of the S-shape curves and degradation was narrowed to two possible sources: 1.) the junction between the PEDOT:PSS and the Si substrate, or 2.) the electrical conductivity of the PEDOT:PSS. The composition, defects of the SiO 2 and any electrical present at the interface between the crystalline silicon substrate and the PEDOT:PSS was studied using laboratory Xray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), destructively, and synchrotron-based hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES), non-destructively.
Single-Employer and Multiemployer Pension Plans: Problems and Prognosis:

This article examines the state of single-employer and multiemployer pension plans for the period 1980s to 2020 with particular attention to funding, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation benefit gu...
Do Models of Discretionary Accruals Detect Actual Cases of Fraudulent and Restated Earnings? An Empirical Analysis*

We examine the association between the existence and the magnitude of a fraudulent event, nonfraudulent restatements of financial statements, and nine competing models of discretionary accruals, accrual estimation errors (Dechow and Dichev 2002 and McNichols 2002), and the Beneish (1999) M-score. We use the size of the downward earnings restatement following the discovery of the fraud to proxy for the degree of discretion exercised to perpetrate the fraud. We find that while total accruals are associated with the existence of fraud, discretionary accruals derived from the Jones model, the modified Jones model, and performance-matched models are not associated with fraud. Accrual estimation errors and M-score have explanatory power for fraud beyond total accruals. We also find that commonly used measures of discretionary accruals, accrual estimation errors, and the M-score are associated with the magnitude of the fraud. Only the accrual estimation errors are associated with non-fraud restatements.
Synthesis, Identification, and Biological Study for Some Complexes of Azo Dye Having Theophylline.

This article includes the synthesis of heterocyclic azo dye of theophylline by coupling diazonium salt of 4-chloroaniline with theophylline which is, namely, 8-(1-(4-chlorophenyl)azo)theophylline (CPAT). The complexes of cobalt and nickel were prepared by reacting their ions with CPAT ligand in ethanol under 1 : 2 ratio metal-ligand. The CPAT ligand and its complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectrometry, electronic absorption spectroscopy, molar conductivity, and magnetic moment. The cobalt and nickel complexes show octahedral geometry having general formula [M(CPAT)2Cl2]. This article addresses the properties of CPAT dye such as photochromic properties. The CPAT dye exhibited obvious and desired changes under irradiation with visible light (405 nm), high sensitive for pH changes which refer to its ability to be analysis indicator. CPAT dye exhibited solvatochromic properties presenting red shift with polar solvent. The CPAT and its complexes show interesting antibiological activities towards Staph. aureus and E. coli bacteria and Aspergillus fungi.
Understanding the association between date labels and consumer-level food waste

Abstract Waste resulting from consumers’ confusion about foods’ date labels is a multi-billion-dollar problem in the United States. The present study examines the mechanisms underlying such labels’ influence on people’s willingness to consume, and whether exposure to additional information regarding sensory assessment of food products or storage practices could help to reduce food waste. We conducted a mixed-design experiment in which the between-subjects variable comprised five commonly used food date labels (i.e., “Best if Used By”, “Use By”, “Sell By”, “Enjoy By”, and a date without any explanatory phrase), and the within-subjects variable consisted of three information conditions (i.e., basic information, sensory information, and food-storage information). Our data indicate that date labels affected consumers’ willingness to eat yogurt through two mediators, quality concerns and safety concerns. The direct effects on willingness to consume of variation in date-label wording were non-significant after controlling for the two mediators. Additionally, when the participants were told that the yogurt had a normal color and odor, or that it had been stored in accordance with best practices, their intention to eat it rose significantly. These findings enhance our understanding of how food date labels affect consumer-level food waste, and provide insights that can aid the development of educational campaigns to reduce it.
Guidelines for nucleic acid template design for optimal cell-free protein synthesis using an Escherichia coli reconstituted system or a lysate-based system.

Abstract Cell-free protein synthesis is an attractive method for generating enzyme/protein variants for simplified functional analysis as both in vitro protein expression and analysis may often be performed in a single vial or well. Today, researchers may choose from multiple commercial cell lysate products or reconstituted systems which are compatible with either mRNA, linear DNA or plasmid DNA templates. Here we provide guidance for optimal design of the genetic elements within linear and plasmid DNA templates which are required to reliably practice cell-free protein synthesis. Protocols are presented for generating linear DNA templates, and data are presented to show that linear DNA templates may in many cases provide robust protein yields even when employing an Escherichia coli lysate for protein synthesis. Finally, the use of linear DNA templates makes it possible to bypass all cell cultivation steps and proceed from PCR amplification of synthetic DNA to generation of target protein in a matter of hours.
An aluminum hydroxide:CpG adjuvant enhances protection elicited by a SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain vaccine in aged mice

Global deployment of vaccines that can provide protection across several age groups is still urgently needed to end the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Although v...
Distributed and Scalable OWL EL Reasoning

OWL 2 EL is one of the tractable profiles of the Web Ontology Language OWL which is a W3C-recommended standard. OWL 2 EL provides sufficient expressivity to model large biomedical ontologies as well as streaming data such as traffic, while at the same time allows for efficient reasoning services. Existing reasoners for OWL 2 EL, however, use only a single machine and are thus constrained by memory and computational power. At the same time, the automated generation of ontological information from streaming data and text can lead to very large ontologies which can exceed the capacities of these reasoners. We thus describe a distributed reasoning system that scales well using a cluster of commodity machines. We also apply our system to a use case on city traffic data and show that it can handle volumes which cannot be handled by current single machine reasoners.
Chapter 4 Camptothecin

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an introduction, describes the Total Synthesis, biogenesis, and medicinal chemistry of camptothecin. Camptotheca acuminata Decne (Nyssaceae) is a tree distributed widely and abundantly in the southern part of China, and the crude alcoholic extract of C. acuminata show antitumor activity in animal tests. Camptothecin has two notable chemical properties: (1) its lack of significant alkalinity causes it to behave as a neutral molecule, and (2) the presence of the C-20 tertiary alcohol imparts an unusual electrophilicity to the lactone carbonyl group, perhaps via a strong intramolecular H bond. All the oxygenated camptothecin analogs showed antitumor activity in animal tests, and may be produced as a result of further metabolism in the plant. The principal effect of camptothecin on cultured mammalian cells is the potent inhibition of polynucleic acid biosynthesis. The drug affects the biosynthesis of ribosomal RNA more than other types of cellular RNA. It does not inhibit significantly protein biosynthesis. Camptothecin induces single-strand breaks in cellular DNA in intact HeLa cells as viewed by alkaline sucrose density gradient analysis; this effect is reversible. At present, camptothecin and 10-hydroxycamptothecin are used clinically only in the People's Republic of China.
A Stochastic Structure Model for Liquid-Electrolyte Fuel Cell Electrodes, with Special Application to MCFCs I. Electrode Structure Generation and Characterization

Electrolyte distribution plays a crucial role in the performance of the molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs), and especially affects their dynamic performance because the electrolyte is redistributed as a function of load. Transients due to load changes depend strongly on the dynamics of this redistribution, which has not been investigated for lack of a realistic model. For future use in studying dynamic MCFC performance due to electrolyte redistribution, a stochastic electrolyte distribution model is developed. It offers the possibility to visualize the electrolyte distribution within the porous electrode and to generate the structural parameters for the performance model as a function of electrolyte filling level.
Bacterial Spores Survive Treatment with Commercial Sterilants and Disinfectants

This study compared the activity of commercial liquid sterilants and disinfectants on Bacillus subtilis spores deposited on three types of devices made of noncorrodible, corrodible, or polymeric material. Products like Renalin, Exspor, Wavicide-01, Cidexplus, and cupric ascorbate were tested under conditions specified for liquid sterilization. These products, at the shorter times indicated for disinfection, and popular disinfectants, like Clorox, Cavicide, and Lysol were also studied. Data obtained with a sensitive and quantitative test suggest that commercial liquid sterilants and disinfectants are less effective on contaminated surfaces than generally acknowledged.
China and the United States: A Comparison of Green Energy Programs and Policies

This report looks at the laws, programs, and policies encouraging development of wind, solar, and biomass power in the China and the United States. While hydropower is the most developed source of renewable electricity in both China and the United States, additional development of conventional hydropower is not currently a major focus of energy policy in the United States.
The Origin and Evolution of Viruses as Molecular Organisms

Viruses are the most abundant life forms and the repertoire of viral genes is greater than that of cellular genes. It is also evident that viruses have played a major role in driving cellular evolution, and yet, viruses are not part of mainstream biology, nor are they included in the Tree of Life. A reason for this major paradox in biology is the misleading dogma of viruses as viral particles and their enigmatic evolutionary origin. This article presents an alternative view about the nature of viruses based on their properties during the intracellular stage of their life cycle, when viruses express features comparable to those of many parasitic cellular species. Supporting this view about the nature of viruses is a novel hypothetical evolutionary model for their origin from parasitic cellular species that fused with their host cells. By losing their membrane and cellular structure within the host cell, these new types of parasitic species gained full access to precursors for the synthesis of their specific molecules and to the host’s information processing machineries, such as translation, which created unique parasitic and evolutionary opportunities. To identify viruses during their intracellular stage of their life cycle, in which their specific molecules are free or dispersed within the host cell, this paper introduces the concept of “molecular structure” and labels viruses as “molecular organisms.” Among the extant viruses, the life cycle of poxviruses and other complex viruses that fuse with their host cells provides compelling evidence for the fusion model. One of the most remarkable implications of fusion model is that new viral lineages originated from parasitic cellular species throughout the history of life, and that this process might still be active. Surprisingly, it appears that several parasitic cellular species are currently evolving into molecular organisms. More remarkably though, according to this model, several parasites that are currently classified as cellular organisms are in fact genuine molecular organisms. The current evidence for the fusion hypothesis is strong and it is fully testable using both experimental and phylogenetic approaches. The academic and research implications of this model, which supports the inclusion of viruses in the Tree of Life, are highly significant. Some of these implications are discussed in more detail in two other articles of this series, which presents a unifying model for the origin and evolution of cellular and viral domains, including the origin of life.
Refinement and reliability of macromolecular models based on X-ray diffraction data.

Publisher Summary The matter of mistakes in macromolecular models is a serious concern. High atomic mobilities not only limit the resolution of the data that can be collected but also decrease the peak densities in the Fourier maps to such an extent that some regions of maps based on experimental phases may be extremely difficult to fit, and serious errors in the initial model are troublesome to correct in refinement. This chapter discusses the process of refinement, the detecting and correcting of errors in macromolecular models, the matter of the solvent, atomic mobilities, and disorder, and the reliability of macromolecular models. Despite the fact that X-ray diffraction data sets from crystals of large biomolecules are limited and the models have been simplified accordingly, X-ray crystallographic methods have been extraordinarily successful in establishing the structures of these intricate molecules. However, at the cost of only a modest effort, the solvent continuum could be added at the electron density of the bulk solution from which the crystals were grown. This would improve the interpretability of the electron density near the macromolecular surface and at the same time reduces the correlation between the scale factor and the mobility parameters.
MOLLY GOLDBERG: A 1950s Icon

Gertrude Berg invents the character Molly Goldberg and forever after people think of Berg as Molly Goldberg. “Gertrude Berg, who created Molly, wrote all her lines, played her for two decades on radio and another five years on television.” (Hinckley, 2002) Who was Gertrude Berg/Molly Goldberg and how did she so effectively represent the hegemonic ideologies of the l950s? First, she glorifies one of the values so pervasive in America: motherhood. This buxom and benevolent meddler who can solve problems by mixing good common sense, a considerable dab of compassion, but most of all wisdom becomes an archetype for motherhood during this era. Along with motherhood she celebrates the family unit and the need for family to work together to protect each other. She also embodies a sense of hope and goodness that Americans believe about themselves, that this land is generous enough to accept and embrace “the other” without restrictions.
Brunner’s Gland Hyperplasia: A Rare Cause Of Gastric Outlet Obstruction and a Review of Treatment Strategies

Brunner’s gland hyperplasia, sometimes referred to as Brunneroma or Brunner’s hamartoma, is a benign lesion arising from the duodenum. We report an unusual case of Brunner’s gland hyperplasia leading to severe gastric outlet obstruction requiring surgical intervention. A literature review of previous Brunnner’s gland hyperplasia cases leading to gastric outlet obstruction and the treatment strategies pursued in such cases suggest that size and pedunculation were important characteristics in determining amenability for endoscopic treatment.
The Incorporation of Task Analysis Into AP1000 Control Rooms Design

The detailed design of the AP1000 power plant control rooms and human system interface (HSI) is ongoing. Task analysis (TA) is conducted and incorporated into the design of the control rooms and HSI for AP1000 to ensure that the indications and controls provided by the HSI resources enable the operator to perform the tasks required to control, monitor and maintain the AP1000 plant safely and efficiently. The major focus of the AP1000 TA is the main control room (MCR). However, TA is also conducted for the technical support center (TSC), the emergency operations facility (EOF) and maintenance, test, inspection and surveillance (MTIS) tasks. The human factors team has applied various TA methods in their analyses, including function-based task analysis (FBTA), operational sequence analysis (OSA) and hierarchical task analysis (HTA). The FBTA is based on an existing and established functional decomposition (goal-means analysis) for normal and emergency operations of the AP1000. At the top of the FBTA are two goals: 1) generate electricity and 2) prevent radiation release. These goals are decomposed to increasing levels of detail showing sub-goals or functions that satisfy the goal in the level above. The OSA is conducted for a representative set of operational and maintenance tasks. Tasks are selected to represent the full range of operating modes and the full range of activities in the AP1000 emergency response guidelines. Operator and MTIS tasks that are identified as risk-important or are associated with risk-significant systems, structures, components (SSCs) are also selected. The OSA focuses on operational requirements or task demands in terms of operator and maintainer actions or processes necessary to complete the tasks. In addition, HTA is conducted for tasks in which the data and displays available in the MCR may be utilized in the TSC and/or EOF. Four tasks were identified and analyzed in support of TSC/EOF design. The results of the HTA for the TSC/EOF are arranged by goals, tasks, and sub-tasks, and identify the information requirements to support decision making. The results of the TAs and generated recommendations are incorporated into the AP1000 HSI design as inputs at an early stage in the design process in a timely manner. The results of TAs also provide inputs to the development of procedures, staffing, training, and communication requirements.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Alzheimer's Disease and the Disablement Process: Directions for Future Research

The purpose of this theoretical paper is fourfold. First, the evolution of disability models is reviewed. Second, critique of current models and the need for an age-specific model is discussed. Third, the clinical symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) including the physical disabilities that accompany the disease are addressed. Fourth, future directions in disability research in regards to AD are proposed. Disability models that are specific to persons with progressive cognitive disorders will aid in increasing researchers and clinicians understanding of the multifaceted and complex relationship between cognitive and physical impairments that characterize the disease trajectory of AD.
A key to the mites associated with flying Ips typographus in South Germany

A key identifies 32 species of mites associated with flying Ips typographus collected from nondestructive pheromone traps in South Germany. Fifteen species were judged phoretic because they were attached to the beetles. The biologies of most of the 32 species are unknown, but three are potential predators. Zusammenfassung Ein Schlussel zur Bestimmung der mit fliegenden Ips typographus in Suddeutschland assoziierten Milbenarten Es wird ein Bestimmungsschlussel mit 32 Arten Milben aufgestellt, die in Suddeutschland an Ips typographus aus Pheromonfallen gefunden wurden. Alle Arten werden abgebildet. 15 Arten sind als phoretisch zu betrachten, 3 bilden potentielle Pradatoren.
Limits on thunderstorm-induced radioactive chlorine from gamma ray observations

[1] We present analysis of thunderstorm data collected with a liquid nitrogen–cooled germanium spectrometer with energies between 13 keV–2.6 MeV that was deployed at Langmuir Lab on South Baldy Peak in New Mexico for June through August 2005. The motivation was to search for gamma ray emissions from radioactive chlorine-39 and chlorine-38, as suggested by Greenfield et al. (2003). Based on the observations, we place an upper limit on the rate of chlorine production through such a process (6.8 × 10−17 chlorine atoms per argon atom). This rate is sufficiently low to suggest that the anomalous gamma ray count increases observed by Greenfield et al. (2003) were not caused by radioactive chlorine.
Pituitary response to LHRH stimulation in women on oral contraceptives.

Abstract Gonadotropic response to an LHRH bolus was tested on 12 patients who were taking two different contraceptive agents. Half of the subjects were on a short-term therapy, 2–3 months, and the other half were taking oral contraceptives for over three consecutive years. Six women who had a normal menstrual history and who had not taken any oral contraceptives for at least one year, served as controls. 150 ug LHRH was given intravenously during cycle day 20–25. Serum samples were obtained prior to bolus injection and at 20-minute intervals for two hours. Ovulation in control patients was confirmed by elevated serum progesterone. LH response in treated subjects was significantly lower than that of the controls. There were no differences between the long- and short-term groups. FSH response was not significantly altered in the treated groups. The suppression of LH response was greater in patients taking ethinyl estradiol preparation (Ovral) than in the patients taking mestranol preparation ( Norinyl 1 50 ). No statistically significant differences were found in FSH response to LHRH in the two oral contraceptive groups.
Remembering Democratic Time: Specters of Mexico's Past and Democracy's Future

This article examines the politics of memory at work in both Mexico's dirty war against political dissidents and the failed attempts to prosecute political leaders responsible for the atrocities. Utilizing information recently made available by the National Security Archive's Mexico Project, it explores how power relations influence public memory, and how this memory shapes democratic futures. A critical engagement with Jacques Derrida's Specters of Marx informs an analysis of how the past lives on in ways that challenge political attempts to achieve closure. Through this encounter, the article advances a line of questioning about what constitutes a democratic relationship to time capable of resisting a politics of amnesia. I argue that a more democratic conception of time departs from the conventional metaphors of understanding temporality by seeking an ideal where multiple experiences of time can be present concurrently.
Liking The Pieces, Not The Package: Contradictions In Public Opinion During Health Reform

Public opinion played a prominent role during the recent health care reform debate. Critics of reform pointed to poll results as evidence that a majority of Americans opposed sweeping changes. Supporters cited polls showing that people favored many specific aspects of the legislation. A closer examination of past and present polling shows that opinion tracked with historic patterns and was relatively stable, even if the contentious public debate suggested a volatile public mood in 2009 and 2010. Going forward, the public will begin reacting to reform implementation, primarily by judging it in terms of their perceptions of and experiences with what the new law does and does not do for people. These opinions could in turn influence implementation or future legislation.
Atomic branching ratio data for carbon-like ions

Abstract The branching-ratio technique for radiometric calibrations in the vacuum ultraviolet is briefly reviewed. A list of transitions suitable for use of the technique is given for boron-like ions, along with pertinent data for their application.
Salivary sodium correlates with salt recognition threshold

Abstract Salt recognition thresholds are lower when the tongue is inserted into the solution than when the solution is dropped onto the tongue. Thresholds are lower when tested with ascending than with descending concentrations of saline. Salt recognition threshold correlates with salivary sodium.
MORBIDITY AND FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES OF SALVAGE RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY FOR LOCALLY RECURRENT PROSTATE CANCER AFTER RADIATION THERAPY

ABSTRACTPurpose: Few patients with locally recurrent prostate cancer after external beam (EB) or interstitial (I) radiotherapy (RT) are considered candidates for salvage radical prostatectomy (RP) due to high reported rates of major complications and urinary incontinence. We report the morbidity associated with salvage RP in 100 consecutive patients.Materials and Methods: From 1984 to 2003 salvage RP was performed for recurrent prostate cancer following EBRT in 58 cases, and IRT in 42 (28 retropubic) and (14 transperineal). Clinical information was obtained from a prospective database.Results: Since 1993, the major complication rate has decreased significantly (13% vs 33%, p = 0.02), including the rectal injury rate (2% vs 15%, p = 0.01). Compared with retropubic IRT and/or pre-radiotherapy pelvic lymph node dissection the risk of major complications following EBRT or transperineal IRT was significantly less (OR 0.2, p = 0.006). At 5 years an estimated 39% of patients were dry and 68% required 1 pad daily...
Flow Control of a Retreating Airfoil via NS-DBD Actuators Using Large Eddy Simulations

The capability of Large Eddy Simulations (LES) to accurately model Nano-Second Pulsed Dielectric-Barrier Discharge (NS-DBD) plasma actuators for use as a flow control devise is demonstrated by comparing the newly-developed volumetric heating model to experimental results as well as a previously established surface heating model. The purpose of these models and corresponding experiments is to show that use of NS-DBD actuators can mitigate the presence of stall on a NACA0015 airfoil at a Reynolds number of 100,000 and 15° angle of attack in reversed-flow conditions. Actuators are placed at both the aerodynamic leading and trailing edge — the effects of which are analyzed separately — and forced at several Strouhal numbers Display FormulaStF=fc′U∞. The model validation is carried out by comparing the actuator pulse structure, mean value contours of various parameters, static pressure distribution (Cp) along the airfoil surface, and FFT plots of sound pressure level (SPL). The model results are then compared to the no-control simulations to provide evidence that actuation delays the onset of stall. This process is explored for both unsteady and steady quantities, including FFT plots, intantaneous flow field response, static pressure recovery, and mean quanitites, including a boundary layer analysis. It is concluded that at low Reynolds numbers reattachment occurs through enhanced turbulence of a separated, laminar shear layer; the reattachment processes is shown to take place over approximately 8 characteristic times for both actuator locations, although leading edge actuation only results in reattachment in the mean sense. Under similar situations, the volumetric and surfaec heating models showed similar recovery characteristics; however, since the volumetric model is less empirical than surface heating, it is recommended that volumetric heating be used in the future. Both heating models indicate that actuation at the aerodynamic leading edge has the greatest affect on the flow due to the laminar nature of the corresponding shear layer, as opposed to the turbulent shear layer on the trailing edge. It addition, a change in duty cycle was shown to have little effect on the results whereas an incerase in StF had a large negative effect on reattachment.© 2014 ASME
A pollution theory of value

Abstract Environmental policies in effect add polluting emissions to the list of society's limited resources. As a consequence, they necessitate the estimation of a new system of values that will relate social ends and economic activities in a regime of optimum resource allocation. The purpose for formulating the theory presented in this paper is to illuminate the nature and assist the determination of these values when emissions are regulated. In discussing the theory's contributions, I place emphasis not on the normative properties of the theory but rather on the potentials it offers for an integrated environmental policy evaluation within a social context. The theory is founded on the concept of productive efficiency and the related concept of accounting prices for resources and for the products of resource utilization.