cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Introduction to Energy Development in the West

The story of North American “progress” is best characterized by the wave of human influence that originated in the East and spread westward. We first cleared eastern forests for European settlement and subsequently plowed midcontinent grasslands to produce food and fiber. Now the heavy footprint of energy development threatens to destroy the last of our large and intact western landscapes. People in the West are beginning to realize the social and economic tradeoffs associated with burgeoning development. Canadians enjoy the economic gains from exporting energy to U.S. markets but worry that declines in air and water quality accompanying extraction may be too high. Americans happily consume Canadian imports because buying oil from countries unfriendly to the United States poses a threat to national security. Energy development is a key to domestic prosperity in both countries, but poorly planned and largely unregulated, it comes at a high cost to nature.
Management of Urolithiasis: Guidelines in the USA

The surgical management of urinary calculi is often varied. Factors such as patient characteristics and the availability of treatment modalities are influential in determining a course of action. In the United States, the approach has been more invasive than in other countries owing to economic and patient factors. Distal ureteral stones are usually treated ureteroscopically, and smaller renal and upper ureteral stones are treated by extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL). Percutaneous lithotripsy is also frequently used for larger renal stones or those which are deemed to have failed ESWL. The practitioner’s proficiency in stone extraction techniques also determines the method of treatment. Ultimately, most urinary stones can be treated with minimally invasive techniques.
A Variational Approach to Deriving Smeared-Interface Surface Tension Models

Smeared-interface surface tension models can be derived variationally. The advantage of the variational approach is that the resulting models, both continuum and discrete, conserve total energy. This paper explains the variational approach and shows how to apply it to derive energetically consistent CSF (Brackbill et al., 1992) and distributed force (Unverdi & Tryggvason, 1992) surface tension models.
A Definition and Approach to Helping the Patient with a Return-To-Work Predicament

There is little evidence that traditional medical treatment alone turns the tide to decrease disability. There are major differnces between the presence of symptoms and disability.
A Mitochondrial Checkpoint in Autoimmune Disease.

Cell-fate decisions in innate and adaptive immune cells are metabolically regulated and modified by tissue-derived signals, thereby balancing protective and pathogenic immunity. Reporting in Science, Ling et al. (2018) have identified C1q as a mitochondrial activator that suppresses exuberant anti-self and anti-viral CD8 T cell effector responses to prevent autoimmune disease.
The Political Representation of Women over Time

Hughes and Paxton map trends in women’s political representation from 1945 to 2015. While an upward trajectory is clear, there is significant variation across countries. In some countries, such as Sweden, South Africa, and Rwanda, women have made remarkable progress in their political representation. In other countries, the struggle for equal representation proceeds slowly. Within and between countries, some populations, religions, and governments remain openly hostile to the notion of women in politics. Based on these differences, Hughes and Paxton identify and describe four basic paths to women’s increased representation over time: (1) No Change, (2) Incremental Gains, (3) Fast-Track Growth, and (4) Plateau.
Scalable PCB cooling method for SiPM-ASIC PET detector modules

We are developing an MR-compatiblepositron emission tomography (PET) detector system comprising silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), and application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) mounted in the same printed circuit board (PCB). Since the heat generated from the ASICs can affect the performance of temperature-dependent SiPMs, a scalable PCB cooling method for stable and uniform SiPM performance was designed, developed and investigated.To cool the SiPM surface within the PCB, a thermal layer is added below the SiPM layer, which is then connected to the bottom layer through thermal vias for efficient heat conduction. Then, either a “cooling plate” or “square tubes” is attached to the bottom layers of multiple detector modules. A proof-of-concept thermal experiment was performed to test the feasibility of the PCB cooling method for SiPM-ASIC PET detector modules, then a 3D transient heat transfer simulations was performed to analyze the temperature profile on the SiPM surface of the more realistic PCB. The thermal experiments were performed using a prototype PCB with a 6 W heater strip mimicking the ASICs and 15° water flowing through the cooling structure; the plate which has more contact to the PCB resulted in 18.0° average temperature and 0.8° maximum temperature difference across the 5 cm width SiPM layer, while square tubes showed slightly worse results of 18.7° and 1.3°, respectively. In realistic thermal simulations, the square tubes with thermal vias showed deviation from the experimental results with 21° average temperature and 6.5° maximum temperature difference. In addition, the thermal gradient was significantly worse without the thermal vias. Considering the compact and simple geometry of the square tubes compared to the plate configuration, the former with thermal vias are an attractive choice to cool the SiPM-ASIC PET detector modules; ASICs can further optimize the minor non-uniform SiPM performance using digital calibrations.
Executive Insights: Managing the Transnational Value Chain—Strategies for Firms from Emerging Markets:

To compete successfully in world markets, firms from emerging market and newly industrialized economies need to develop strategies to participate more broadly in the transnational value chain. More...
The Effects of Procedural Justice on Cooperation and Compliance among Inmates in a Work Release Program

Order is critical to the safe and efficient management of correctional institutions. Procedural justice theory suggests that the fair and rightful exercise of authority by correctional staff can pr...
Uniaxial Extension of Ultrathin Freestanding Polymer Films

The mechanical properties of ultrathin polystyrene (PS) films have been shown to change as the thickness approaches the average size of a polymer molecule. Previous measurements of the uniaxial stress–strain relationship for ultrathin polymer films have required the use of liquid-support layers. However, the influence of the liquid support layer, specifically water, on the mechanical properties of PS films has remained an open question. Here, we introduce a method for directly measuring the complete stress–strain response of ultrathin freestanding polymer films. For freestanding PS thin films, we observe a constant elastic modulus and maximum stress with decreasing thickness for film thicknesses as thin as 30 nm, consistent with the liquid supported measurement. From the freestanding measurements, we identify that the liquid supporting layer leads to enhanced craze stability for ultrathin PS films. We compare these results to the previous liquid-supported measurements and provide insights into how the liq...
Synthesis of Approximate Logic on Memristive Crossbars

The realization of extremely low power compact devices is critical for ubiquitous computing. In that context, approximate computing is one approach towards improving computing efficiency in error-tolerant applications that may endure a small loss in accuracy in exchange for better efficiency. In this paper, we present a framework for automated synthesis of crossbar designs that implement approximate versions of compute kernels using flow-based computing. We propose Approximate Free Binary Decision Diagrams (AFBDDs) using a relaxed function equality criterion in node merging. We create AFBDD representations of kernels which are then mapped onto crossbars. These crossbars can compute an approximation of the original compute kernel. Our framework allows us to easily tune the accuracy-efficiency trade-off for an approximate design. We generate designs for RevLib and MCNC benchmarks, and basic image processing kernels. Our designs are up to 80% more compact than exact designs while retaining ≈ 90% accuracy.
Vancomycin-Nonsusceptible Enterococci Mediated by vanC at a Large Children’s Hospital: Prevalence, Susceptibility, and Impact on Care of Enterococcal Bacteremia

Enterococcus gallinarum and casseliflavus have inherent vancomycin resistance and, though known as pathogens, have not been well characterized in pediatric patients. We identified a significant prevalence of these enterococcal species among immunocompromised patients at a large pediatric institution and describe the impact on patient care, antibiotic stewardship, and infection control.
Iterative residual tuning for system identification and sim-to-real robot learning

Robots are increasingly learning complex skills in simulation, increasing the need for realistic simulation environments. Existing techniques for approximating real-world physics with a simulation require extensive observation data and/or thousands of simulation samples. This paper presents iterative residual tuning (IRT), a deep learning system identification technique that modifies a simulator’s parameters to better match reality using minimal real-world observations. IRT learns to estimate the parameter difference between two parameterized models, allowing repeated iterations to converge on the true parameters similarly to gradient descent. In this paper, we develop and analyze IRT in depth, including its similarities and differences with gradient descent. Our IRT implementation, TuneNet, is pre-trained via supervised learning over an auto-generated simulated dataset. We show that TuneNet can perform rapid, efficient system identification even when the true parameter values lie well outside those in the network’s training data, and can also learn real-world parameter values from visual data. We apply TuneNet to a sim-to-real task transfer experiment, allowing a robot to perform a dynamic manipulation task with a new object after a single observation.
Immune-Related Neuromuscular Complications of Checkpoint Inhibitors

Immune checkpoint inhibition for treatment of metastatic cancers is recognized to cause diverse immune-mediated neurological syndromes. This review will discuss current knowledge about the frequency and varied presentation of these syndromes affecting the peripheral nervous system as well as detail important diagnostic and management considerations. Immune-related adverse events affect the peripheral nervous system more often than the central nervous system, and rates are likely underestimated. Most data regarding neurological immune–related adverse events are retrospective, and prospective studies are needed. These immune-mediated peripheral nervous system syndromes can be severe and contribute to mortality. Discontinuation of ICI therapy combined with aggressive medical management can improve outcomes. Data to inform evidence-based treatment approaches, particularly in moderate to severe events, are needed. It is important to recognize the association between immune-mediated peripheral nervous system syndromes and immune checkpoint therapy. These syndromes can be phenotypically diverse, but conditions such as acquired demyelinating neuropathy, myositis, and myasthenia gravis predominate. It is important for neurologists to recognize and promptly diagnose these conditions and manage these patients in a multidisciplinary setting to improve outcomes.
Using a Semi-Markov Model to Estimate Medicaid Cost Savings due to Minnesota's Return to Community Initiative.

Abstract Objectives To provide an estimate and level of uncertainty for Medicaid cost savings due to Minnesota's Return to Community Initiative (RTCI). Design Medicaid cost savings are estimated using a semi-Markov model and simulation approach. Setting and Participants RTCI is a statewide program that assists private paying nursing home residents with discharge to the community. When originally proposed, it was expected that the program would reduce state Medicaid expenditures, primarily through the shifting of residents from nursing homes to a less costly community setting. In prior analysis, we estimated that approximately 1 in 9 residents targeted for transition by the program would not have returned to the community without the RTCI. Accurate cost savings estimates require consideration of complex resident care trajectories, that is, nursing home readmissions, use of assisted living and community-based services, and mortality. Measures Data were from 30,234 private pay nursing home residents admitted during 2011, primarily for post-acute stays, to 378 facilities in Minnesota, and followed for 4 years postadmission for outcomes and time to event. Resident characteristics were taken from the Minimum Data Set (MDS) admission assessment. We modeled variability in care trajectories with a semi-Markov formulation. Transition probabilities were estimated using Multinomial regression. Time to event was modeled using the best-fitting, positive, right-skewed distribution for each path. The simulation was run (1000 times) with and without the RTCI impact to estimate change in Medicaid days in various settings. Results Program savings was estimated at $4.1 million per year of effort over a 4-year accumulation period. Conclusions and Implications The RTCI produced a modest Medicaid cost savings in excess of the annual program budget of $3.5 million. Findings from the semi-Markov model and simulation increase our understanding of care transitions between nursing home, community, Medicaid status, and mortality.
Quantifying the Impact of Acute Stroke System of Care Transfer Protocols on Patient Outcomes.

BackgroundWe quantify the impact of implementing a stroke system of care requiring transport of individuals believed to have stroke to a primary stroke center, in rural and urban settings, based on...
Pandemic Politics within a System of Entangled Political Economy

This essay uses entangled political economy to explore how concerns over Covid-19 have influenced conduct within the public square. Entangled political economy represents a merging of ideas that Frank Knight (1933) and Harold Lasswell (1936) set forth to indicate that politics and economics dealt with the same societal material. We explore the relationship between entanglement and public reason within a context of Michael Polanyi’s (1962) conceptualization of a Republic of Science. The point of our paper is not to offer some critique of particular policy measures but to advance our understanding of how democratic societies operate in stressful times.
Paper as a substrate and smart material for electronics, packaging, and robotics

As a material, cellulose/paper has attracted significant attention for its fibrous and bendable properties. Paper is a renewable resource with the most common forms coming from trees. This brief article describes efforts to create electronics "on" and "in" paper. Examples of electronics on paper include touch sensors and cold plasma-based sanitizers. The skin-like touch sensors use capacitance and patterned resistive networks for passive, scalable sensing with a reduced number of interconnects. When touched or wetted with water, the interdigitated electrodes in the resistive networks detect significant changes in electrical impedance. The plasma generators with layered and patterned sheets of paper use a simple and flexible format for dielectric barrier discharge to create atmospheric plasma without an applied vacuum. Examples of electronics in paper include sheets with tunable electrical conductivity and piezoresistive force sensors, along with functionalized paper-based electrodes capable of detecting small proteins and clinically relevant biomarkers. These papertronic devices have the potential to supply multi-functionality to new forms of smart bandages, skin-like sensing, food packaging, and robotic sensing and actuation.
Clinical Detection of Primary Pulmonary Angiosarcoma.

Pulmonary angiosarcomas (PAS) are rare malignant vascular tumors that due to their aggressive and metastatic nature, are often diagnosed at a late stage, resulting in a poorer prognosis. Here we present a 53-year-old male who was initially found to have recurring episodes of dyspnea and syncope, with initial workup showing bilateral saddle pulmonary embolisms on computerized tomography, presumed secondary to newly discovered atrial fibrillation with sinus node dysfunction. Further investigation over subsequent months and subsequent biopsy of a potential lung mass ultimately revealed pulmonary angiosarcoma of the spindle cell line. This case emphasizes findings in the current literature, which reveal the time between the onset of symptoms and definitive diagnosis ranges from two to six months, with a median survival time of seven months or two months, with solitary lesions or multiple lesions at the time of diagnosis, respectively. With the limited incidence of PAS, this case suggests benefits in the development of screening and detection criteria for earlier detection and treatment.
Zero-nonzero tree patterns that allow

For n≥2, let Sn∗={(0,n,0),(0,n−1,1),(1,n−1,0),(n,0,0),(n−1,0,1),(n−1,1,0)}. A zero-nonzero pattern A of order n allows Sn∗ if Sn∗⊆i(A), the inertia set of A, and requires Sn∗ if Sn∗=i(A). The study...
Unclouding Clostridiodes difficile virulence with systems biology

Systems biology studies how complex dynamics emerge from many elements interacting with each other in biological systems. This definition might sound abstract, but the applications are concrete. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, two studies apply systems biology to study Clostridioides difficile, a major cause of hospital-acquired infections.
Elucidation of double bond positions of polyunsaturated alkenes through GC-MS analysis of mono-dimethyl disulfide derivatives

RATIONALE Derivatization with dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) followed by GC-MS analysis is a well-established method for locating double bond position on the alkyl chain of mono-unsaturated compounds such as alkenes. For alkenes containing more than one double bond, however, the conventional DMDS derivatization approach forms poly- or cyclized DMDS adducts whose mass spectra are difficult to interpret in terms of double bond positions. In this study, we report an efficient experimental procedure to produce mono-DMDS adducts for polyunsaturated alkenes with two to six double bonds. GC-MS analyses of these mono-DMDS adducts yield highly characteristic mass fragments, allowing unambiguous assignments of double bond positions on the alkyl chain. We also apply our new approach (i.e., preferential formation of mono-DMDS adducts during derivatization with DMDS) to determine the double bond positions of unsaturated alkenes produced by laboratory cultured Isochrysis litoralis, a haptophyte algal species. METHODS Alkenes from different sources were derivatized with DMDS at 25 °C for 20 to 160 minutes. The mass spectra of mono-DMDS adducts were obtained by GC-EI-MS analysis of reaction products which contain chromatographically resolved mono-DMDS adducts. RESULTS Mass spectra of corresponding mono-DMDS adducts contain prominent diagnostic ions that allow a conclusive elucidation of double bond positions. In culture samples of Isochrysis litoralis, a series of novel mono- to tri-unsaturated C31 alkenes (9-C31:1 , 6, 9-C31:2 , 6, 22-C31:2 , 6, 25-C31:2 , 9, 22-C31:2 , 6, 9, 25-C31:3 ) were discovered for the first time. CONCLUSIONS A highly efficient DMDS derivatization approach is developed to yield abundant mono-DMDS adducts of polyunsaturated alkyl alkenes for elucidating double bond positions using GC-MS.
Organizing to Amend Antidiscrimination Statutes in Maryland

SUMMARY Federal law and statutes in most of the 50 states prohibit discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations on the basis of race, creed, sex, and national origin. However, only 12 states and the District of Columbia have statutes which include prohibitions of discrimination based on sexual orientation. Maryland became the twelfth state with such a provision when the State Legislature passed the Antidiscrimination Act of 2001. The road to passage of this legislation was long and winding, beginning in 1976. This article describes one of the organizations involved in the effort, Free State Justice, and the strategies that led to eventual legislative success; the article also discusses how the dynamics and processes involved in initiating such efforts can be generalized to other settings.
Primitive Juggling Sequences

(2008). Primitive Juggling Sequences. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 115, No. 3, pp. 185-194.
Development of an Expert System as a User Interface for an RFID Application

The paper presents developing an expert system as a user interface program to decode radio frequency identification codes for simulation and modeling of natural disasters. The entire developed environment for the expert system is intended to integrate all subtasks as a common user interface program to simulate and report the damages due to the catastrophic disasters. To perform the simulation as a part of the entire system, the proposed expert system reads in RFID codes in order to provide the desired information about the damages due to the catastrophic disasters based upon the available fields.
The foot in diabetes

Introduction: The Diabetic Foot--The Good News, The Bad News (J. Ward).The Size of the Problem: Epidemiological and Economic Aspects of Foot Problems in Diabetes (R. Williams & M. Airey).The Pathway to Ulceration: Aetiopathogenesis (A. Boulton).What the Practising Physician Should Know about Diabetic Foot Biomechanics (P. Cavanagh, et al.).Classification of Ulcers and Its Relevance to Management (M. Young).Providing a Diabetes Foot Care Service (M. Burden, et al.).The Diabetic Foot in Primary Care: A UK Perspective (R. Gadsby).Podiatry and the Diabetic Foot: An American Perspective (L. Harkless & D. Armstrong).Education--Can It Prevent Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Amputations? (M. Spraul).Psychological and Behavioural Issues in Diabetic Neuropathic Foot Ulceration (L. Vileikyte).Footwear for the High--risk Patient (E. Chantelau).The Rational use of Antimicrobial Agents in Diabetic Foot Infection (G. Caputo).Use of Dressings: Is There an Evidence Base? (N. Cullum, et al.).New Treatments for Diabetic Foot Ulcers (V. Falanga, et al.).The Role of Radiology in the Assessment and Treatment of the Diabetic Foot (J. Dyet, et al.).Peripheral Vascular Disease and Vascular Reconstruction (K. Mercer & D. Berridge).Charcot Foot: An Update on Pathogenesis and Management (R. Frykberg).Prophylactic Orthopaedic Surgery--Is There A Role? (P. Laing).Amputations in Diabetes Mellitus: Toes to Above Knee (J. Bowker & T. San Giovanni).Rehabilitation after Amputation (E. Van Ross & S. Larner).The International Consensus and Practical Guidelines on the Diabetic Foot (K. Bakker).The Foot in Leprosy--Lessons for Diabetes (G. Warren).Conclusions (H. Connor, et al.).Index.
Arbitration Clauses Should Be Enforced According to Their Terms-Except When They Shouldn't Be: The Ninth Circuit Limits Parties' Ability to Contract for Standards of Review of Arbitration Awards

With more and more parties submitting disputes to arbitration, the issue of whether parties can contractually expand the standard of review has become extremely unclear, with complex divisions even among individual circuits. This Note addresses the effects of allowing parties to contract for standards of review beyond those established in the Federal Arbitration Act, and the Ninth Circuit's self-reversing decision in Kyocera prohibiting such agreements.
THE CHIEF OR THE COURT: ARTICLE II AND THE APPOINTMENT OF INFERIOR JUDICIAL OFFICERS

Each year, the Chief Justice of the United States makes a number of appointments to offices within the Article III judicial establishment. On its face, such a Chief-based appointment practice seems hard to square with the text of Article II, which provides for the appointment of inferior officers by the “courts of law.” Scholars have noted the switch from a court-based to a Chief-based appointment system, but generally regard the Chief’s authority as constitutionally benign. This Essay explores the origins of the Constitution’s choice of the “courts” as the repository of appointment power. The decision was made against the backdrop of an eighteenth century English and colonial judicial practice in which the perquisites of office for chief judges included fees collected from litigants and proceeds from the sale of inferior offices. By switching to salary-paid judges and a court-based appointment system, the framers may have intended to end the corrupting influence of fees and office sales and to create a more transparent, meritocratic process. Certainly when Congress established the first federal court system, it was careful to assign the appointment power to the courts themselves. And when Chief Justice John Jay presided over the Court’s first session in February 1790, he refused to make any appointments himself, insisting instead that the task was one for the Court to undertake after consultation with all the Justices. This Essay argues that the Court should reclaim its role as the designated recipient of the power to appoint inferior officers within the Article III bureaucracy. Article III creates a single supreme court, places it atop the federal judicial hierarchy, and requires all other courts and tribunals to remain inferior to that court. Article II underscores the Court’s special role by providing for the assignment of appointment power to “courts of law.” While the Chief might play a role as the Court’s designee, the Court itself has a constitutional duty to oversee the appointment of inferior officers.
Panel session on microcomputers in information storage and retrieval

The current rapid development of scientific knowledge makes it increasingly difficult for scientific research workers to obtain information relevant to their work. Eventhough libraries and similar institutions storing scientific information are making strong efforts to make information easier to access it is doubtful if these efforts are at this time large enough to match the growing difficulties of obtaining information caused by the rapid growth of scientific knowledge.
Relationship between the concentration of bacteria in saliva and the colonization of teeth in humans.

The relationship between the salivary concentration of bacteria and their number that can be recovered from tooth surfaces has been studied in 12 human subjects. The mean salivary concentration of naturally occurring Steptococcus mutans and lactobacilli, determined on selective media, was 3.7 × 105 and 3.8 × 105 colony-forming units (CFU) per ml, respectively. In subjects with salivary concentrations of S. mutans of about 104 CFU/ml or less or about 105 CFU/ml or less of lactobacilli, these organisms could not be isolated from cleaned teeth after 2 to 3 h of oral exposure. In experiments with streptomycin-labeled S. sanguis cells held in the mouth for 15 min, the minimal salivary concentration required for their recovery from the teeth was about 103 CFU/ml. Both S. mutans and lactobacilli were found to be highly localized on teeth. This evidence suggests that the concentrations of S. mutans and lactobacilli generally present in saliva are insufficient for the initiation of their firm attachment to relatively nonretentive tooth surfaces. The low efficiency of their intraoral spread, as suggested by their highly localized distribution on teeth, or of their transmission between subjects may be essentially due to the interrelated factors bacterial affinity and number of colony-forming units available for attachment.
Electrically-injected, spin-polarized, quantum well vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

In summary, the authors have demonstrated controlled switching between left- and right- elliptically polarized modes in a VCSEL using a ferromagnetic semiconductor to align hole spins. The experiment proves that the concept of spin injection applies equally well for semiconductor lasers as it does for LEDs. Spin transport occurs across a distance of -0.25 mum for temperatures ranging from 80 to 105 K. Future work will concentrate on increasing IICP by designing spin-VCSELs with In(Ga)As/GaAs quantum dot active regions and incorporating spin-aligner layers that will allow operation at higher temperatures
As we bring demethylating drugs to the clinic, we better know the DICE being cast

In this issue, Weber and coworkers report that DNA-demethylating drugs alter the transcriptional expression of the cMet proto-oncogene. Abnormal transcription is driven by the antisense promoter of a Line-1 repetitive element present within an intron. The element is a recent addition to the genome and is absent in animal models of cancer.
Wavefront control for extreme adaptive optics

Current plans for Extreme Adaptive Optics systems place challenging requirements on wave-front control. This paper focuses on control system dynamics, wave-front sensing and wave-front correction device characteristics. It may be necessary to run an ExAO system after a slower, low-order AO system. Running two independent systems can result in very good temporal performance, provided specific design constraints are followed. The spatially-filtered wave-front sensor, which prevents aliasing and improves PSF sensitivity, is summarized. Different models of continuous and segmented deformable mirrors are studied. In a noise-free case, a piston-tip-tilt segmented MEMS device can achieve nearly equivalent performance to a continuous-sheet DM in compensating for a static phase aberration with use of spatial filtering.
Implementation of a polarization modulation technique in a photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation measurement setup

We describe a polarization modulation technique employing a photoelastic modulator and present its implementation in the experimental setup of a photoluminescence (PL) and a photoluminescence excitation (PLE) experiment. In the PL experiment the technique is used to analyze the emitted light with respect to its polarization, whereas for the PLE the polarization of the exciting light is modulated, probing the polarization dependence of the absorption of the light. Since the modulation of the light is restricted to the polarization, the polarization dependence can be measured simultaneously with the PL or PLE intensity. The versatility and the sensitivity of the technique is exemplified by presenting results of polarized PL and PLE obtained on quantum wire samples grown on the vicinal (100) surface of GaAs by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) that show a considerable anisotropy in the linear polarization for both the PL and PLE at low temperatures.
Electron paramagnetic resonance studies of the dilute europous alloys EuxYb1−x(NH3)6☆

Abstract Electron paramagnetic resonance was observed as a function of composition and temperature in Eu x Yb 1− x (NH 3 ) 6 alloys. The only detectable paramagnetic center in these alloys in Eu 2+ . The observation of exchange-narrowed linewidths as well as the onset of critical broadening below 10 K in Eu(NH 3 ) 6 provides qualitative evidence of magnetic exchange interactions between the Eu 2+ moments. However, the experimental exchange field is very small and in reasonable agreement with that using the RKKY theory of magnetic interactions, with an estimated ordering temperature of about 0.2 K. A lineshape transition occurs near 160 K in Eu(NH 3 ) 6 , and this transition diminishes with decreasing x and disappears for x ≲ 0.1. It is proposed that this transition arises from a crystallographic distortion at the Eu site and that its disappearance is associated with rapid NH 3 diffusion above about 100 K in these alloys. Characteristic Eu 2+ hyperfine structure is observed for x ≲ 0.01, which further supports the view that magnetic exchange interactions are very weak. The origin of the weak exchange interactions in Eu(NH 3 ) 6 is discussed in the light of recent theoretical calculations on the electronic structure of electron and metal-NH 3 complexes.
A panacea for Latino and Black voters? Elevated turnout in vote by mail elections

Abstract This study analyzes U.S. Census data from citywide elections in Denver, Colorado from 2004 to 2007 in order to determine if a vote by mail format facilitated participation by Latino and Black voters. The multivariate results suggest that both Latino and Black voters participated more often in vote by mail elections, although the Black turnout increase was also affected by the recent change in Colorado's registration policies.
Teaching Controversial Issues in the Social Studies: A Research Study of High School Teachers.

Building on research conducted over the past twenty years, this study examines teachers' attitudes toward teaching controversial issues in the classroom. Teachers' perceptions, previous research, and this survey indicated that social studies teachers do find value in discussing controversial issues, but perceived consequences may limit teachers in developing and teaching controversial issues.
The Scientific Community’s Quest to Identify Optimal Targets for Anticoagulant Pharmacotherapy

The scientific community’s quest to identify optimal targets for anticoagulant pharmacotherapy must be soundly based on fundamental constructs of vascular biology and coagulation. Although this tenet, which has served as a platform for drug development during the past 50 years, is incontrovertible, one should also ask, “What experimental model of coagulation is most applicable and directly translatable to mammalian coagulation in general and to human thrombotic disorders in particular?” Is it the “waterfall-cascade” or “autoprothrombin model” of blood coagulation first described by Macfarlane1 and Davie and Ratnoff2 that so elegantly described inactive precursors being converted to active proteases in a sequential series of bioamplification steps? Or is it a cell-based model of coagulation3,4 that portrays an integrated and functional representation of complex biochemical events occurring on cellular surfaces in lieu of functionally independent cascades that principally reflect clot formation in static fluid systems rather than the dynamic interplay of tissue factor (TF)-bearing cells, platelets, and their respective protein intermediaries? Or is it a cumulative 4-component model based on numerical approximations of TF-mediated thrombin generation, TF activation of the blood coagulation proteome, TF-activated and contact pathway–inhibited whole blood in vitro, and blood shed from standardized microvascular wounds in vivo as an interactive paradigm of real-time events?5 Clearly, each model honestly represents, with increasing biochemical rigor, authenticity, and translatable convergence, blood coagulation under normal and pathological conditions. The remaining step, which provides a personalized stamp toward translating experimental models to human biology with concerted effort and safe, effective, and patient- and disease-specific care, is applied genomics, wherein gene expression profiles and pharmacogenomics identify, through predictive models, individuals at risk for thrombosis and those likely to experience treatment failure and/or complications from anticoagulant pharmacotherapy.6 On the basis of a contemporary understanding of vascular biology and hemostasis as they …
Reaction dynamics on bifurcating potential energy surfaces

Classical trajectories were run on a local fit to the bifurcating transition region of the Valtazanos and Ruedenberg ab initio potential energy surface for the cyclopropylidene to allene reaction, and also on several variations of this local surface. The trajectory results were analyzed to determine the outcome as a function of initial conditions, and several plots of these are presented.
COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF LIGHT AND ETHEPHON ON THE RIPENING OF DETACHED TOMATOES

Detached mature green tomatoes were subjected to illumination from Gro-lux light source (max 675 nm) and/or ethephon treatments and ripened under controlled conditions. The color, texture and flavor parameters of the fruits from the mature green to the senescent stage of maturation were analyzed. The most striking effect of the treatment was on the color development of the fruit. Light treated samples reached lower reflectance (L), higher a/b values and a twofold increase in total carotenoids compared to fruits ripened in the dark. Ethephon advanced the color development of the fruit but had little effect on the final level of pigment concentration and L or a/b values. The final percent lycopene level of ripe tomatoes was not appreciably affected by either treatment. Senescent fruits, which continued to received light treatment, exhibited reductions in both a/b values and carotenoid levels. Decreases in firmness of the fruits were observed as a result of either light or ethephon treatment with the combined treatment giving the most noticeable effect. Other ripening characteristics including total solids, soluble solids, titratable acidity and pH of the puree were not significantly affected by either treatment.
Intelligence and family size: a paradox resolved.

Abstract IQ data was studied for over a thousand families for both parents and offspring, and also for the non‐reproducing siblings of parents. The inclusion of these siblings allowed the authors to resolve the paradox presented by the failure of the general intelligence level to decline in accord with the large negative correlation (‐0.30) between intelligence and number of children in the family. When the non‐reproducing siblings of the parents are included, the negative correlation disappears. The higher reproductive rate of individuals in the lower IQ groups who are parents is offset by the larger proportion of their siblings who never marry or who fail to reproduce when married. Thus, the IQ level of the whole population should remain relatively static from one generation to the next, or at least not drop rapidly.
Hybrid image/model-based gaze-contingent rendering

A nonisotropic hybrid image/model-based gaze-contingent rendering technique utilizing ray casting on a GPU is discussed. Empirical evidence derived from human subject experiments indicates an inverse relationship between a peripherally degraded scene's high-resolution inset size and mean search time, a trend consistent with existing image-based and model-based techniques. In addition, the data suggest that maintaining a target's silhouette edges decreases search times when compared to targets with degraded edges. However, analysis suggests a point of diminishing returns with an inset larger than 15° when target discrimination is a component of visual search. Benefits of the hybrid technique include simplicity of design and parallelizability, both conducive to GPU implementation.
Assessing flight information and traffic data services uplinked to flight test aircraft

This report describes the analysis of uplinked data received on board specially configured test aircraft as part of the Implementation System Test (IST) program for the Surveillance and Broadcast Services System (SBSS).
Simultaneous thermodynamic and transport measurements of the field-induced spin-density-wave transitions in (TMTSF)2ClO4.

The standard model for the field-induced spin-density-wave (FISDW) transitions in the Bechgaard salts (TMTSF${)}_{2}$X, where TMTSF is tetramethyltetraselenafulvalene, explains a cascade of phase trasitions with each phase associated with the quantum Hall effect. The ${\mathrm{ClO}}_{4}$ salt is sufficiently different that it has inspired a series of theoretical modifications from the standard model. To test these models we have performed simultaneous ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}_{\mathit{x}\mathit{x}}$, ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}_{\mathit{x}\mathit{y}}$, specific-heat, magnetocaloric effect, and magnetization measurements in the field range from 0--9 T. We find that all of the transport transitions, specifically the Hall resistance jumps, are associated with thermodynamic transitions. We observe the emergence of a new FISDW state characterized by a distinct Hall plateau. It arises from what was originally believed to be a tetracritical point in the phase diagram. We find no evidence for an arborescent phase diagram, but rather the signature of a single pairwise splitting of the phase boundaries. The higher-field transitions are decidedly first order, hysteretic, and ``lossy.'' Anion disorder decreases the number of observed phases and shifts the transition fields.
Whole animal transepithelial potential (TEP) of coho salmon during the parr-smolt transformation and effects of thyroxine, prolactin and hypophysectomy.

Whole animal transepithelial potentials (TEP) of yearling coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in fresh water and after transfer to seawater were recorded throughout parr-smolt transformation (smoltification) from February to August 1984, along with plasma Na+ and Cl− concentrations and osmolality. Based on plasma ion regulation in seawater, the yearling coho in this study completed smoltification and attained sea-water adaptability in April. TEP in freshwater fish decreased (became inside-negative) after smoltification, and the TEP increased significantly (P < 0.01) after seawater transfer. When fish were transferred into seawater, thyroxine increased TEP of the transferred smolts by approximately 30% over the control level (P < 0.01) in April, but this did not occur when freshwater postsmolts were transferred in July and August. Hypophysectomy increased TEP (P < 0.01) in fresh water; it did not affect the TEP of the fish after seawater transfer. Ovine prolactin (3 μg/g body weight) implanted into seawater-adapted fish caused a reduction in TEP (P < 0.01) when fish were exposed to fresh water. Whole-animal TEP appears to provide a valuable index of the completion of smoltification (April–May) and a useful tool for investigating the endocrine control of salmonid osmoregulation.
Fast High-Energy Switch Development for Plasma Focus Research

With the dense plasma focus it is important to maximize the delivered current. Through impedance matching considerations, it is evident that this requires higher voltage operation instead of increased capacitance for higher energy systems. Graded vacuum switches have been used with dc charged 50-kV, 10-kJ capacitor modules and with pulsed charged 50-kV, 17.5-kJ swinging Marx capacitor modules with good operation. For higher voltage operation a field distortion pressure switch has been developed and tested with a 60-kV, 26-kJ capacitor module. This switch should be useful at voltages up to 100 kV.
Aligning theory with practice: Understanding school–family partnerships at an inner-city high school

Abstract Ideally, theoretical constructs and real world practice should be closely related. The aim of this study was to examine the ways in which ecological principles (i.e., cycling of resources, adaptation, interdependence, and succession) were reflected in school–family partnerships. Parents (n = 15) and school personnel (n = 10) at a predominantly African American inner-city high school participated in in-depth interviews regarding their conceptualizations of parental involvement, home–school interactions and strengths and weaknesses of home–school communication. Four major themes emerged to highlight the connection between the theoretical principles of ecology and the practice of parental involvement: effective communication, initiation of contact, provide and protect, and contextual conditions. Although theory and practice overlap, study findings suggest ways in which the ecological principals might expand to better align with the practice of school–family partnerships in inner-city high schools. Future directions for theory and practice are discussed.
Monitoring the uptake of glycosphingolipids in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes using both fluorescence microscopy and capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

The metabolism of glycosphingolipids by the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium falciparum plays an important role in the progression of the disease. We report a new and highly sensitive method to monitor the uptake of glycosphingolipids in infected red blood cells (iRBCs). A tetramethylrhodamine-labeled glycosphingolipid (GM1-TMR) was used as a substrate. Uptake was demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy. The iRBCs were lysed with a 15% solution of saponin and washed with phosphate buffered saline to release intact parasites. The parasites were further lysed and the resulting homogenates were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection. The lysate from erythrocytes infected at 1% parasitemia generated a signal 20 standard deviations larger than uninfected erythrocytes, which suggests that relatively low infection levels can be studied with this technique.
Boundary Element Prediction of Sound Propagation in Ducts Containing Bulk Absorbing Materials

In this paper the sound propagation in a rectangular duct containing a bulk absorbing foam liner is investigated. The foam is characterized by the complex characteristic impedance and propagation constant which are measured using an improved two-cavity method. These quantities are used to predict the normal incidence impedance and absorption coefficient of the foam which is compared to measured data obtained using the ASTM E-1050 test method. The complex characteristic impedance and propagation constant are also used to predict the attenuation through a layer of foam in a plane-wave tube for which measured results are also available. Finally, the boundary element method is used to predict the attenuation of sound in a rectangular duct where one surface is replaced by a foam-filled cavity. Comparison with experiment is shown for several frequencies.
Sugar-sweetened and diet beverage consumption is associated with cardiovascular risk factor profile in youth with type 1 diabetes.

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among youth with type 1 diabetes is high and associated with age, gender, and race/ethnicity. It has also been shown that youth with type 1 diabetes often do not follow dietary recommendations. The objective of this cross-sectional observational study was to explore the association of sugar-sweetened and diet beverage intake with A1c, plasma lipids, adiponectin, leptin, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure in youth with type 1 diabetes. We examined data from 1,806 youth age 10–22 years with type 1 diabetes, of which 22% were minority (10% Hispanic, 8% African Americans, 4% other races) and 48% were female. Sugar-sweetened beverage, diet beverage, and mineral water intake was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. After adjustment for socio-demographic and clinical covariates, physical activity and total energy intake, high sugar-sweetened beverage intake (at least one serving per day vs. none), was associated with higher levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and plasma triglycerides, but not with A1c. High diet beverage intake was associated with higher A1c, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. These associations were partially confounded by body mass index, saturated fat and total fiber intake. High sugar-sweetened beverage intake may have an adverse effect on CVD risk in youth with type 1 diabetes. Diet beverage intake may be a marker of unhealthy lifestyle which, in turn, is associated with worse metabolic control and CVD risk profile in these youth. Youth with diabetes should be encouraged to minimize sugar-sweetened beverage intake.