cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Satellite-based water use dynamics using historical Landsat data (1984-2014) in the southwestern United States

Abstract Remote sensing-based field-scale evapotranspiration (ET) maps are useful for characterizing water use patterns and assessing crop performance. The relative impact of climate variability and water management decisions are better studied and quantified using historical data that are derived using a set of consistent datasets and methodology. Historical (1984–2014) Landsat-based ET maps were generated for major irrigation districts in California, i.e., Palo Verde and eight other sub-basins in parts of the middle and lower Central Valley. A total of 3396 Landsat images were processed using the Operational Simplified Surface Energy Balance (SSEBop) model that integrates weather and remotely sensed images to estimate monthly and annual ET within the study sites over the 31 years. Model output evaluation and validation using gridded-flux data and water balance ET approaches indicated relatively good correspondence (R2 up to 0.88, root mean square error as low as 14 mm/month) between SSEBop ET and validation datasets. In a pairwise comparison, annual variability of agro-hydrologic parameters of actual evapotranspiration (ETa), land surface temperature (Ts), and runoff (Q) were found to be more variable than their corresponding climatic counterparts of atmospheric water demand (ETo), air temperature (Ta), and precipitation (P), revealing process differences between regional climatic drivers and localized agro-hydrologic responses. However, only Ta showed a consistent increase (up to 1.2 K) over study sites during the 31 years, whereas other climate variables such as ETo and P showed a generally neutral trend. This study demonstrates a useful application of “Big Data” science where large volumes of historical Landsat and weather datasets were used to quantify and understand the relative importance of water management and climate variability in crop water use dynamics in regards to the linkages among water management decisions, hydrologic processes and economic transactions. Irrigation district-wide ETa estimates were used to compute historical crop water use volumes and monetary equivalents of water savings for the Palo Verde Irrigation District (PVID). During the peak crop fallowing year in PVID, the water saved reached a maximum of ~ 107,200 acre-feet in 2011 with an estimated monetary payout value of $20.5 million. A significant decreasing trend in actual ET despite an increasing atmospheric demand in PVID highlights the role of management decisions in affecting local hydrologic processes. This study has importance for planning water resource allocation, managing water rights, sustaining agricultural production, and quantifying impacts of climate and land use/land cover changes on water resources. With increased computational efficiency, similar studies can be conducted in other parts of the world to help policy and decision makers understand and quantify various aspects of water resources management.
Towards a viable grand unified model with MG ∼ Mstring and MI ∼ 1012 GeV☆

Abstract We present a model based on the gauge group SU(2) L ×SU(2) R ×SU(4) C with gauge couplings that are found to be unified at a scale M G near the string unification scale. The model breaks to the minimal supersymmetric standard model at a scale M I ∼ 10 12 GeV, which is instrumental in producing a neutrino in a mass range that can serve as hot dark matter and this scale can also solve the strong CP problem via the Peccei-Quinn (PQ) mechanism with an invisible harmless axion. We show how this model can accommodate low and high values of tan β and “exotic” representations that often occur in string derived models. We show that this model has lepton flavor violation which can lead to processes which are one or two orders of magnitude below the current experimental limits.
Low Temperature, Selective Atomic Layer Deposition of Cobalt Metal Films Using Bis(1,4-di-tert-butyl-1,3-diazadienyl)cobalt and Alkylamine Precursors

The atomic layer deposition (ALD) of cobalt metal films is described using the precursor bis(1,4-di-tert-butyl-1,3-diazadienyl)cobalt and tert-butylamine or diethylamine. Platinum, copper, ruthenium, Si(100) with native oxide, thermal SiO2, hydrogen-terminated silicon, and carbon-doped oxide substrates were used with growth temperatures between 160 and 220 °C. Plots of growth rate versus pulse lengths showed saturative, self-limited behavior at ≥3.0 s for bis(1,4-di-tert-butyl-1,3-diazadienyl)cobalt and ≥0.1 s for tert-butylamine. An ALD window was observed between 170 and 200 °C, with a growth rate of 0.98 A/cycle on platinum substrates. A plot of thickness versus the number of cycles at 200 °C on platinum substrates was linear between 25 and 1000 cycles, with a growth rate of 0.98 A/cycle. A 98 nm thick film grown at 200 °C showed crystalline cobalt metal by X-ray diffraction. Atomic force microscopy of 10 and 98 nm thick cobalt metal films grown on platinum substrates at 200 °C showed rms roughness val...
Multi-Core Fibre with Concaved Double-D Shape Cross Section

We developed a multi-core fibre with a concaved double-D shape cladding for passive fibre alignment. The cladding dimensions were well controlled in longitudinal and transverse directions, with 150-m/min drawing speed which is the highest ever reported for the rectangular-like fibre.
Exploring the climatic response to wide variations in ocean heat transport on an aquaplanet

AbstractThe climatic impact of ocean heat transport (OHT) is studied in a series of idealized aquaplanet climate model experiments. OHT is prescribed through a simple geometrical formula spanning a...
Sequencing HNC: Emergence of notch signaling

Head and neck cancer is driven by the accumulation of genomic abnormalities. Classically these were characterized by chromosomal alterations and TP53 mutations, but recent sequencing studies have improved our understanding of the full spectrum of mutations in this disease. While a few oncogenes are found to be altered (PIK3CA, HRAS, CCND1), the most frequent events inactivate tumor suppressor genes (TP53, CDKN2A). A surprising new finding was the identification of mutations in the gene NOTCH1. These mutations demonstrate that NOTCH1 is an important tumor suppressor gene in head and neck and other squamous tumors. This has shed new light on the Notch pathway in head and neck cancer progression, and clarified our need to learn more about this pathway in the progression and biology of head and neck cancer.
The Idea and Practices of Citizenship in South Korea

This essay examines a history of the idea of citizenship and its practices in Korea from the late nineteenth to the early twenty-first centuries. Based on this historical survey, it argues that the prototype of citizenship constructed from the nationalist discourse on building a modern nation is simultaneously collectivist and elitist. This prototype shows that individualistic assumptions implied in the liberal notion of citizenship were selectively modified and reinvented in the Korean context. This prototype became more authoritarian in the discourse of kungmin, and was at times challenged by a populist view among some leftist thinkers and activists. But such challenges were usually unsuccessful in the face of power politics during Japanese colonial rule, US Army Military Government rule, and the authoritarian rule imposed by Korean civilian and military regimes. A significant change in this persistent pattern has emerged since the establishment of procedural democracy.
Phase 2 study of ruxolitinib in combination with 5-azacitidine in patients with myelofibrosis.

7063Background: Ruxolitinib (RUX) is effective in controlling symptoms and organomegaly in patients with myelofibrosis (MF). Combination with azacitidine (AZA) may further improve its efficacy. Met...
Changes Over Time in the Oregon Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Registry: A Study of Two Decedent Cohorts.

Background: The Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) began in Oregon in 1993 and has since spread nationally and internationally. Objectives: Describe and compare demographics and POLST orders in two decedent cohorts: deaths in 2010-2011 (Cohort 1) and in 2015-2016 (Cohort 2). Design: Descriptive retrospective study. Setting/Subjects: Oregon decedents with an active form in the Oregon POLST Registry. Measurements: Oregon death records were matched with POLST orders. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression models assess differences between the cohorts. Results: The proportion of Oregon decedents with a registered POLST increased by 46.6% from 30.9% (17,902/58,000) in Cohort 1 to 45.3% (29,694/65,458) in Cohort 2. The largest increase (83.3%) was seen in decedents 95 years or older with a corresponding 78.7% increase in those with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, while the interval between POLST form completion and death in these decedents increased from a median of 9-52 weeks. Although orders for do not resuscitate and other orders to limit treatment remained the most prevalent in both cohorts, logistic regression models confirm a nearly twofold increase in odds for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and full treatment orders in Cohort 2 when controlling for age, sex, race, education, and cause of death. Conclusion: Compared with Cohort 1, Cohort 2 reflected several trends: a 46.6% increase in POLST Registry utilization most marked in the oldest old, substantial increases in time from POLST completion to death, and disproportionate increases in orders for more aggressive life-sustaining treatment. Based on these findings, we recommend testing new criteria for POLST completion in frail elders.
Genetic Loci Associated with Salt Tolerance in Advanced Breeding Populations of Tetraploid Alfalfa Using Genome-Wide Association Studies

Many agricultural lands in the western United States consist of soil with high concentrations of salt, which is detrimental to alfalfa ( L.) growth and production, especially in the region where water resource is limited. Developing alfalfa varieties with salt tolerance is imperative for sustainable production under increasing soil salinity. In the present study, we used advanced alfalfa breeding populations and evaluated five traits related to salt tolerance including biomass dry weight (DW) and fresh weight (FW), plant height (PH), leaf relative water content (RWC), and stomatal conductance (SC) under control and salt stress. Stress susceptibility index (SSI) of each trait and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers generated by genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) were used for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify loci associated with salt tolerance. A total of 53 significant SNPs associated with salt tolerance were identified and they were located at 49 loci through eight chromosomes. A Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) search of the regions surrounding the SNPs revealed 21 putative candidate genes associated with salt tolerance. The genetic architecture for traits related to salt tolerance characterized in this report could help in understanding the genetic mechanism by which salt stress affects plant growth and production in alfalfa. The markers and candidate genes identified in the present study would be useful for marker-assisted selection (MAS) in breeding salt-tolerant alfalfa after validation of the markers.
Adverse Selection or Moral Hazard, An Empirical Study

Markets prone to asymmetric information employ reputation mechanisms to address adverse selection and moral hazard. In this paper, we use a change in such a reputation mechanism to examine its effect on improving adverse selection and moral hazard. In May, 2008, eBay changed its reputation mechanism to prevent sellers from giving negative feedback to buyers. This change was intended to prevent sellers from retaliating against buyers who gave them negative feedback. We observe an improvement in the overall quality of the marketplace as a result of this change. We attribute 49%–77% of this improvement to reduced adverse selection as low‐quality sellers exit the market or their market share drops, and the rest to a reduction in moral hazard as sellers improve the quality of their service.
A Competency-Guided Veterinary Curriculum Review Process.

Competencies can guide outcomes assessment in veterinary medical education by providing a core set of specific abilities expected of new veterinary graduates. A competency-guided evaluation of Colo...
Cancer-Targeting Nanoparticles for Combinatorial Nucleic Acid Delivery

Nucleic acids are a promising type of therapeutic for the treatment of a wide range of conditions, including cancer, but they also pose many delivery challenges. For efficient and safe delivery to cancer cells, nucleic acids must generally be packaged into a vehicle, such as a nanoparticle, that will allow them to be taken up by the target cells and then released in the appropriate cellular compartment to function. As with other types of therapeutics, delivery vehicles for nucleic acids must also be designed to avoid unwanted side effects; thus, the ability of such carriers to target their cargo to cancer cells is crucial. This review will discuss classes of nucleic acids, hurdles that must be overcome for effective intracellular delivery, types of non-viral nanomaterials used as delivery vehicles, and the different strategies that can be employed to target nucleic acid delivery specifically to tumor cells. Moreover, nanoparticle designs that facilitate multiplexed delivery of combinations of nucleic acids will be reviewed.
Origins of International Factor Structures

We show that exchange rate and international consumption comovements can be decomposed into components driven by trade network linkages, supply shocks, and demand shocks. Exchange rate correlations tend to be explained by trade network linkages, while consumption correlations tend to be explained by supply shock correlations. We explain this disconnect using an international network model where demand shocks are driven by market segmentation. We then show that the trade network generates common factors that align with the common factors in exchange rates. Our findings offer a trade-based account for the origins of comovements and factor structures in international asset prices and shed light on the nature of frictions in international financial markets.
Identification of Anonymous MRI Research Participants with Face-Recognition Software.

Facial Identification from Cranial MRI With the use of publicly available software, reconstructed facial images from deidentified cranial MRI scans were matched to photographs of individual study p...
Human-derived Acellular Dermal Matrix Grafts for Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background Treating diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) requires thorough understanding of available surgical tools. Objective This meta-analysis compares human-derived acellular dermal matrices (H-ADMs) with standard of care (SOC) to evaluate the number of healed ulcers at 12 and 16 weeks and number of days to complete healing. As a secondary outcome, the efficacy of 3 H-ADM subtypes are studied. Methods Two researchers searched PubMed, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for relevant titles from inception through July 2018. Inclusion criteria indicated articles be randomized controlled trials investigating the effects on neuropathic, nonischemic DFUs. Results Data from 312 DFUs in total were included in the meta-analysis. The results show H-ADMs are more effective in healing patients within a 12-week (3.14; range, 2.04-4.83) and 16-week period (2.35; range, 1.25-4.43) in comparison with SOC. Further, the mean time to complete healing was shorter in the H-ADM group (-2.31 days; range, -2.67 to -1.95 days) in comparison with SOC. Within the subgroups, 2 H-ADMs were associated with a higher likelihood of complete healing within 12 weeks when compared with SOC. The third H-ADM had a point estimate, which suggested superiority over SOC. Conclusions This study shows H-ADMs are associated with a higher likelihood of complete healing and fewer days to complete healing within a 12-week and 16-week periods when compared with SOC. Also, the commercial products performed similarly.
Enhanced Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis Rates by the Combined Presence of Aqueous and Organic Media in Biphasic Systems

We report that when the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalyzed by Ru particles supported on multiwall carbon nanotubes (Ru/CNT) is conducted in a biphasic decalin/water solvent mixture, the obse...
Measurement of radon concentration and dose assessment of miners for non-uranium mines in Shandong Province

Objective To measure 222Rn and 220Rn concentrations in the underground non-uranium mines in Shandong Province,and to estimate the annual effective dose to the miners.Methods Concentrations of 222Rn and 220Rn in selected gold,iron,coal and clay mines were determined by passive time-integrating detectors with CR-39.Activity concentrations of 226Ra,232Th and 40K were determined using gamma spectrometry equipped with HPGe detector.Results The average concentrations of 220Rn in the gold,iron,coal and clay mines were estimated to be 1200,280,120 and 40 Bq/m3,respectively.The activity concentrations of 226Ra,232Th,40K in the ores for gold,iron,coal and clay mines ranged the same as the soil in China.The annual effective dose due to radon exposure in gold and iron mine was 7.70 mSv and 1.74 mSv,respectively.The annual doses received by miners in the coal and clay mines were lower than 1 mSv.Conclusions Underground miners in some gold and iron mines should be treated as workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation.The measurement such as increasing ventilation should be implemented to reduce underground radon concentration in these mines. Key words: Non-uranium mines; Radon; Time-integrating measurement; Annual effective dose
England Re-Oriented: How Central and South Asian Travelers Imagined the West, 1750–1857

What does the love between British imperialists and their Asian male partners reveal about orientalism's social origins? To answer this question, Humberto Garcia focuses on westward-bound Central and South Asian travel writers who have long been forgotten or dismissed by scholars. This bias has obscured how Joseph Emin, Sake Dean Mahomet, Shaykh I'tesamuddin, Abu Talib Khan, Abul Hassan Khan, Yusuf Khan Kambalposh, and Lutfullah Khan found in their conviviality with Englishwomen and men a strategy for inhabiting a critical agency that appropriated various media to make Europe commensurate with Asia. Drama, dance, masquerades, visual art, museum exhibits, music, postal letters, and newsprint inspired these genteel men to recalibrate Persianate ways of behaving and knowing. Their cosmopolitanisms offer a unique window on an enchanted third space between empires in which Europe was peripheral to Islamic Indo-Eurasia. Encrypted in their mediated homosocial intimacies is a queer history of orientalist mimic men under the spell of a powerful Persian manhood.
Positive valence bias is associated with inverse frontoamygdalar connectivity and less depressive symptoms in developmentally mature children

Abstract Negativity bias is a core feature of depression and anxiety that is associated with dysfunctional frontoamygdalar connectivity, a pathway associated with emotion regulation. We used a valence bias task (ratings of emotional ambiguity) as a potential early indicator of depression risk and differences in frontoamygdalar connectivity. Previous work using this task has demonstrated that children have a more negative bias than adolescents/adults. We propose that this negativity bias in childhood is normative, but its persistence in adulthood may result from differences in the development of emotion regulation mechanisms, and may be associated with increased depressive symptoms. In this limited age range (6-13 years), we tested the moderating role of puberty on relationships between valence bias, depressive symptoms, and frontoamygdalar connectivity. Only in later puberty, a negative bias was associated with increased depressive symptoms and more positive (immature) frontoamygdalar connectivity, whereas a more positive bias was associated with more inverse (adult-like) connectivity suggestive of emotion regulation. These data suggest that with maturation, individual differences in emotion regulation circuitry support a positive valence bias and possibly a reduced risk for depression. Longitudinal work is necessary to determine the directionality of these effects and explore the influence of early life events. Research Highlights A more negative valence bias was associated with depression symptoms for children in later stages of puberty. For children in later stages of puberty, more inverse mPFC-amygdala connectivity was associated with a more positive valence bias. A negative valence bias may be a healthy part of emotional functioning at early developmental stages, but maintaining this negativity is associated with dysfunction. Development of frontoamygdala connections may be critical for the development of healthy emotional functioning
Characteristics and control of linear astigmatism aberration in a nonaxially symmetric optical system

We examine the characteristics of linear astigmatism in a nonaxially symmetric optical system. The conventional view of interpreting linear astigmatism aberration using P and N focal surfaces is revisited. A perspective to explain and visualize the behavior of linear astigmatism is provided using the concept of field curves. Methods of controlling linear astigmatism are discussed, including a ray-tracing method using pupil imaging. Confocal mirror designs free from linear astigmatism are also discussed.
THE ECONOMIC PAMPHLETEER: Local Food: Another Food Fad or Food of the Future?

First paragraph: When anticipating the future, many experts simply examine trends of the past and project them into the future—as if trends continue indefinitely. However, one of the most fundamental principles of science is that everything on earth tends to cycle—whether physically, ecologically, economically, or socially (Culotta, 1991; Pool, 1991). All trends eventually stall out and reverse direction. Some apparent aberrations or blips in trends turn out to be harbingers of impending reversals. Some see the reemergence of farmers markets and popularity of locally grown foods as a passing fad or a blip in a continuing trend toward the globalization of the food system. Others see the local food movement as a harbinger of fundamental change. . . .
Nonlinear Control using Coordinate-free and Euler Formulations: An Empirical Evaluation on a 3D Pendulum

Abstract Pendulum dynamics are widely utilized in robotics control literature to test and evaluate novel control design techniques. They exhibit many interesting features commonly seen in real-world nonlinear systems and yet they are simple enough for quick prototyping, further analysis, and benchmarking. In this work, we study the impact of a 3D pendulum’s orientation parametrization on stabilization performance. Mainly, we show that using a global or coordinate-free formulation for dynamics and control is not only singularity-free but also more input-efficient. We validate this empirically by running over 700 stabilization simulations across the full configuration space of a 3D pendulum and compare the performance of a geometric and a Euler-parametrized controller. We show that the geometric controller is able to leverage the inherent manifold curvature and flow along geodesics for efficient stabilization.
Sponsored Content in 2020: Back to the Future?

This article revisits predictions I made in 2018 regarding the future of newsroom content studios in my book Native Advertising: Advertorial Disruptions in the 21st Century News Feed. As that book ...
Investigating reverse butterfly fractures: An experimental approach and application of fractography

Abstract Butterfly fractures are expected to form with the transverse portion on the tension side and the wedge portion on the compression side of a bent bone, however wedges have also been observed in the reverse orientation and are reported to be frequent in concentrated 4-point bending. To investigate how these fractures form, concentrated 4-point bending experiments were performed on nine human femora and documented using high-speed video. Videos showed the wedge portion formed as fracture initiated in tension, branched obliquely, then curved to terminate on the tension face. The transverse portion formed as a crack traveled between the curved fracture branch and the compression face. Fractography was also applied to evaluate fracture surfaces. At least one fractography feature was present in all femora and 32/35 bone fragments examined. Fracture propagation sequences interpreted using fractography matched those observed on video, demonstrating the utility of this method for evaluating complex fracture patterns.
Fluidity of Plasmid DNA Fragments Involved in Biodegradation of Aromatic Hydrocarbons by pseudomonas putida Strain R5-3

Pseudomonas putida strain R5-3 isolated from sewage sludge contained two plasmids 100 and 80 kb in size after growth on media containing 4-methylbenzoate (4-MB) as sole carbon source. When transferred to toluene (Tol) or 3-xylene (3-Xyl) as the sole carbon source, the plasmid profile changed with loss of the 80-kb plasmid and the appearance of two plasmids 50 and 60 kb in size. When R5-3 was transferred back to 4-MB from either Tol or 3-Xyl, the original 100- and 80-kb plasmids were present and the 50- and 60-kb plasmids were lost. Restriction enzyme analysis of total plasmid DNA indicated rearrangements and loss of DNA restriction fragments in the strains maintained on Tol and 3-Xyl when compared to the original R5-3 maintained on 4-MB. In the isolate which “retrieved” the original plasmid profile, the restriction enzyme fragment pattern was identical to the original R5-3, in that the fragments which were missing after prolonged growth on Tol or 3-Xyl were again present. The possibility that selected fragments are sequestered in the chromosome is presently under investigation.
Mexico: Evolution of earnings inequality and rates of returns to education (1988-2002)

This paper reviews the factors and mechanisms that have been driving inequality in Mexico and finds that educational inequality accounts for by far the largest share of Mexico?s variation in earnings inequality. The contribution of inequality of education to inequality of earnings in Mexico is the second highest in Latin America after Brazil. The increase in earnings inequality, however, does not appear to be the result of a worsening in the distribution of education, although the income profile, which is related to the returns to schooling, has become much steeper.
The role of exchange rates in a popular model of international trade

Abstract This paper examines the empirical relationship between the real effective exchange rate and the aggregate real trade balance for five major OECD countries in the post-Bretton Woods era. A variety of parametric and non-parametric techniques are used. There is little evidence that the exchange rate significantly affects the trade balance.
IL-15 enhances the anti-tumor effect of human tumor antigen-specific T cells by cellular senescence delay (TUM2P.880)

Optimal expansion protocol for adoptive T-cell therapy often include interleukin (IL)-15, however, the mechanism by which IL-15 improves the in vivo anti-tumor effect of T cells remains to be elucidated. Using T cells generated from HLA-A2+ normal donors against novel T-cell epitopes derived from the U266 myeloma Ig light chain V-region (idiotype) as a model, we confirmed that T cells cultured with IL-15 provide more potent anti-tumor effects than IL-2-cultured T cells, after adoptive transfer in vivo into immunodeficient hosts. This effect was associated with delayed/reversed senescence in IL-15 expanded idiotype-specific memory CD8 T cells. In vitro experiments revealed IL-15 mediated senescence delay/reversal through JAK3-STAT5 and IL-2 receptor βγ signaling pathway. Specifically, we found DNA damage molecules MDC1, 53BP1, and ATM are the direct targets of IL-15 signaling and STAT5 represses the promoter activity of these genes through the competition with STAT3 to bind to the STATs sites. Thus, our study provides the first evidence for IL-15-inducing the repression of transcription of DNA damage molecules and senescence delay in human memory CD8 T cells.
Sodium and Potassium Concentration and Transmembrane Fluxes in Leukocytes

Reported values for the potassium to sodium ratio in white blood cells range from less than 1 to about 4. This marked variability might be explained by in vitro cation shifts induced by extraordinarily high cation permeability. To test this hypothesis, human leukocytes from 5 ml of blood were maintained in plasma at 37°C and separated by differential centrifugation in specially devised microtubes, within less than 30 min after sampling. Intracellular water content was determined with tritiated water, and trapped plasma with 14C-sucrose. Under these conditions the intracellular concentration of potassium in human leukocytes was 120 SD ± 7 meq/liter cell water and of sodium 16 SD ± 5 meq/liter cell water, and the resultant ratio was higher than 7. Values in the same range were obtained in rabbit leukocytes and in polymorphonuclear granulocytes isolated from peritoneal exudate in guinea pigs. To determine the cation permeability of these white cells, unidirectional fluxes of potassium and sodium were measured with 42K and 22Na. All of these fluxes were in a range from 1.2 to 2.7 meq/liter/min, values more than 50 times faster than those observed in erythrocytes. When active fluxes were inhibited by ouabain, potassium loss and sodium gain occurred at an initial rate of about 0.7 meq/liter/ min. Marked changes also occurred upon incubation at low temperature. These very rapid fluxes demand rigid control of environmental conditions for accurate measurement of intracellular cations in leukocytes.
A Model of Portal Competition in the Presence of Privacy Concerns: Strategic and Welfare Implications

The revenue model of online portals is based on access to consumers and their preference information through offerings of “free” personalized services. Extant research has characterized consumer behavior in this context by a personalization for privacy (p4p) ratio, which represents consumer’s tradeoff between value for personalized services and nonmonetary privacy costs incurred in sharing their preference information. In determining the optimal level of services, two factors affect a portal’s personalization strategy: its marginal value for preference information (MVI) and its ability to enforce consumers’ usage of services. Counter to intuition, our results show that a monopolist is indifferent to enforcement abilities, even if social welfare is strictly higher in the absence of enforcement. Our duopoly model reveals that when portals do not enforce services usage, a symmetric equilibrium exists if and only if the MVI of both portals is high and no equilibrium is found otherwise. On the other hand, when portals enforce services usage there are two possible outcomes: (1) an asymmetric equilibrium exists if one portal has high marginal value for information and the other has sufficiently lesser MVI, and (2) a symmetric equilibrium exists if and only if both portals have high MVI. We discuss our results in light of portals’ usage enforcement and from the perspective of a regulator who is interested in social welfare in the presence of privacy concerns.
Fabs specific for 8-oxoguanine: control of DNA binding.

Free radicals produce a broad spectrum of DNA base modifications including 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG). Since free radicals have been implicated in many pathologies and in aging, 8-oxoG has become a benchmark for factors that influence free radical production. Fab g37 is a monoclonal antibody that was isolated by phage display in an effort to create a reagent for detecting 8-oxoG in DNA. Although this antibody exhibited a high degree of specificity for the 8-oxoG base, it did not appear to recognize 8-oxoG when present in DNA. Fab g37 was modified using HCDR1 and HCDR2 segment shuffling and light chain shuffling. Fab 166 and Fab 366 which bound to 8-oxoG in single-stranded DNA were isolated. Fab 166 binds more selectively to single-stranded oligonucleotides containing 8-oxoG versus control oligonucleotides than does Fab 366 which binds DNA with reduced dependency on 8-oxoG. Numerous other clones were also isolated and characterized that contained a spectrum of specificities for 8-oxoG and for DNA. Analysis of the primary sequences of these clones and comparison with their binding properties suggested the importance of different complementarity determining regions and residues in determining the observed binding phenotypes. Subsequent chain shuffling experiments demonstrated that mutation of SerH53 to ArgH53 in the Fab g37 heavy chain slightly decreased the Fab's affinity for 8-oxoG but significantly improved its binding to DNA in an 8-oxoG-dependent manner. The light chain shuffling experiments also demonstrated that numerous promiscuous light chains could enhance DNA binding when paired with either the Fab g37 or Fab 166 heavy chains; however, only the Fab 166 light chain did so in an additive manner when combined with the Fab 166 heavy chain that contains ArgH53. A three-point model for Fab 166 binding to oligonucleotides containing 8-oxoG is proposed. We describe a successful attempt to generate a desired antibody specificity, which was not present in the animal's original immune response.
Process Features in Writing: Internal Structure and Incremental Value Over Product Features

In educational measurement contexts, essays have been evaluated and formative feedback has been given based on the end product. In this study, we used a large sample collected from middle school students in the United States to investigate the factor structure of the writing process features gathered from keystroke logs and the association of that latent structure with the quality of the final product (i.e., the essay text). The extent to which those process factors had incremental value over product features was also examined. We extracted 29 process features using the keystroke logging engine developed at Educational Testing Service (ETS). We identified 4 factors that represent the extent of writing fluency, local word-level editing, phrasal/chunk-level editing, and planning and deliberation during writing. We found that 2 of the 4 factors—writing fluency, and planning and deliberation—significantly related to the quality of the final text, whereas the 4 factors altogether accounted for limited variance in human scores. In 1 of the 2 samples studied, the keystroke-logging fluency factor added incrementally, but only marginally, to the prediction of human ratings of text-production skills beyond product features. The limited power of the writing process features for predicting human scores and the lack of clear additional predictive value over product features are not surprising given that the human raters have no knowledge of the writing process leading to the final text and that the product features measure the basic text quality specified in the human scoring rubric. Study limitations and recommendation for future research are also provided.
Studies of bulk and surface states of cubic II–VI semiconductors using synchrotron radiation

ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe and CdTe have been studied by means of angle-integrated and angle-resolved photoemission and partial-photoyield spectroscopy. The presence of an occupied surface state band lying at the top of the valence band has been shown as well as the presence of empty surface states.
Navigating the thin-ideal in an athletic world: influence of coach communication on female athletes’ body image and health choices

This study sought to investigate how interpersonal communication between coaches and female athletes influences the female athletes' perceptions of body image and health choices. Much of the current literature has focused on the fact that female athletes are at risk for disordered eating and a distorted body image due to susceptibility to the feminine "thin-ideal" while maintaining the fitness levels necessary to compete in their sport. However, very little research has examined how interpersonal interaction plays a role in female athletes' body image perceptions and health behaviors. Utilizing the Communication Theory of Identity (CTI) as a lens to examine communication between female athletes and their coaches, the researchers analyzed transcripts from in-depth interviews with 28 female athletes and identified themes within the personal, relational, enacted, and communal layers of identity. Coach communication with their female athletes was found to be influential to the athletes' body images and health choices.
De la mano de Dios. El nacionalismo católico chileno y la Guerra del Pacífico, 1879-1881

Los circulos intelectuales de la Iglesia catolica jugaron un papel fundamental en la elaboracion de un discurso nacionalista, funcional a los intereses del Estado chileno. Mediante tal discurso, el conflicto belico fue librado de sus impurezas materiales y asumio una justificacion eterna y sagrada. El apoyo de la Divina Providencia hacia la causa de Chile fue una de las ideas-fuerza cuyos productores culturales desarrollaron ante la opinion publica a traves de un habil manejo de los medios de comunicacion. Con su participacion en el debate ideologico y en la movilizacion de la sociedad civil, que ocurrio como consecuencia de la guerra, la Iglesia chilena habria intentado defender su preeminencia como referente cultural ante la amenaza de otros actores sociales que, por esos anos, le estaban disputando su hegemonia
COMPLEMENTATION AND NONCOMPLEMENTATION AMONG NONALLELIC MUTATIONS ALTERING DEVELOPMENT IN SCHIZOPHYLLUM COMMUNE

Mutations resistant to compounds that alter the development of Schizophyllum commune (cyclic adenosine monophosphate, caffeine and imidazole) were selected. These mutations defined four genes, car (cAMP resistance), caf-1 and caf-2 (caffeine resistance) and imr (imidazole resistance). The mutations were found to be noncomplementing in certain pairs when tested against each other and against two previously isolated developmental mutations, B-con and sep (septateless), in fully compatible, forced heterokaryons. The pattern of complementation in fully compatible diploids showed noncomplementation only between allelic mutations, except for one case, imr vs. car.
A model of absolute autonomy and power: Toward group effects

A model of absolute autonomy and power in agent systems is presented. This absolute sense of autonomy captures the agent's liberty over an agent's preferences. The model characterizes an affinity between autonomy and power. It is argued that agents with similar individual autonomy and power experience an adjusted level of autonomy and power due to being in a group of like agents. The model is then illustrated on the problem of task allocation.
Electrochemical Water Splitting at Bipolar Interfaces of Ion Exchange Membranes and Soils

Under the influence of a direct current, the dissociation rate of water in contact with bipolar ion exchange membranes (BPMs) is 106 to 10 7 times faster than in free solution. This phenomenon, termed accelerated water splitting, is well known in industry where BPMs are designed for electrosynthesis of acids and bases. In this work, it is hypothesized that (i) accelerated water splitting can also take place at the bipolar interface between ion exchange membranes (IEMs) and the ion exchange surfaces of soils, and (ii) electroosmosis plays a key role. If the IEM has an electrostatic charge opposite in sign to the predominant charge on the soil colloidal particles, the interface is, in effect, bipolar. If an external electric field is then applied, conditions can give rise to accelerated water splitting. Laboratory experiments performed on various mixtures of Ottawa sand, bentonite, talc, and anion exchange resin indicate that accelerated water splitting occurs when the free pore solution in the low permeable soil moves away from the bipolar interfaces due to electroosmosis, thus causing an unsaturated zone at these interfaces. Accelerated water splitting then initiates at these interfaces since there are not enough counterions in contact with the IEMs to maintain an ionic current. Very little cation exchange capacity (CEC), anion exchange capacity (AEC), or clay is needed for water splitting to occur at a bipolar IEM and soil interface.
Serial permeability barriers to water transport in human placental vesicles

Microvillous vesicles were prepared from term human placenta by shearing, differential centrifugation and Mg2+ precipitation. Vesicles were purified further on a sucrose density gradient producing two bands with densities of 1.16 to 1.18 g/ml (C1) and 1.13 to 1.15 g/ml (C2). The C2 fraction, which had a 24-fold enrichment of alkaline phosphatase and a three-fold reduction in Na+, K+-ATPase activity compared to homogenates, was used to measure osmotic water (Pf) permeability. Pf was measured from the time course of scattered light intensity following exposure of vesicles to specified gradients of impermeant solutes. Pf decreased from 3.0 X 10(-3) to 0.6 X 10(-3) cm/sec with increasing gradient size (65 to 730 mM; 23 degrees C). Four possible causes of this behavior were examined theoretically and experimentally: an unstirred layer, saturation of water transport, large changes in the vesicle surface area with changes in volume and a structural restriction to vesicle volume change. The measured dependence of Pf on gradient size and the effect of the channel-forming ionophore gramicidin on Pf fit best to the theoretical dependences predicted by a structural restriction mechanism. This finding was supported by experiments involving the effects on Pf of increased solution viscosity, initial vesicle volume, the magnitude of transmembrane volume flow, and the effects of gradient size on activation energy (Ea) for Pf. The decreased Pf resulting from a structural restriction limiting vesicle volume change was modeled mathematically as a second barrier in series with the vesicle membrane. Ea measured using a 250-mM inwardly directed sucrose gradient was 5.4 +/- 0.6 kcal/mol (T greater than 27 degrees C) and 10.0 +/- 0.6 kcal/mol (T less than 27 degrees C). Ea above 27 degrees C is in the range normally associated with transmembrane passage of water via aqueous channels. Water transport was not inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonate.
The Relationship of Radiocontrast, Iodine, and Seafood Allergies: A Medical Myth Exposed

Abstract Background: Radiocontrast agents are some of the most commonly used medications in the emergency department. However, both physicians and patients misunderstand the role that allergies play in reactions to radiocontrast media, especially with regards to shellfish and iodine. Objectives: We sought to review the literature describing rates of contrast reactions and risk of contrast administration to patients with iodine allergy, shellfish or seafood allergies, or prior reactions to intravenous iodinated contrast. Method: Both authors independently performed literature reviews, including position statements of stakeholder organizations, to gain perspective on important issues. They subsequently performed a systematic search for articles that estimated the risk of administration of iodinated contrast to those with a prior history of contrast reaction, “iodine allergy,” or reaction to seafood or shellfish. Results: The risk of reactions to contrast ranges from 0.2–17%, depending on the type of contrast used, the severity of reaction considered, and the prior history of any allergy. The risk of reaction in patients with a seafood allergy is similar to that in patients with other food allergies or asthma. A history of prior reaction to contrast increases the risk of mild reactions to as high as 7–17%, but has not been shown to increase the rate of severe reactions. Severe reactions occur in 0.02–0.5% and deaths in 0.0006–0.006%; neither have been related to “iodine allergy,” seafood allergy, or prior contrast reaction. Low-osmolality contrast media became available in 1988, and many of the higher risk estimates were from the era before it was widely available. Conclusions: Iodine is not an allergen. Atopy, in general, confers an increased risk of reaction to contrast administration, but the risk of contrast administration is low, even in patients with a history of “iodine allergy,” seafood allergy, or prior contrast reaction. Allergies to shellfish, in particular, do not increase the risk of reaction to intravenous contrast any more that of other allergies.
Correlation between structure and thermal stability of epoxy resins

A number of polycarboxylic acids, anhydrides, phenols, amines and catalysts, were evaluated as curing agents for epoxy resins and the resulting resins screened for thermal stability. As the basic resin molecule, Bisphenol A was also replaced by other diphenols. The thermal behaviour of these resins was related to their structure. In spite of a certain instability of the ester bond, the anhydride-cured resins gave the highest heat distortion and the best ageing stability. The BF3-amine complex is effective as a catalyst, especially with resins having more than two epoxy groups. Phenols and amines as curing agents gave low heat distortion values. Of the anhydrides investigated pyromellitic dianhydride is best, followed by maleic anhydride. Chlorendic anhydride, which gives fast curing and high heat distortion, has low ageing stability. Replacement of Bisphenol A as-the basic resin by naphthalene, diphenyl or diphenylsulphone derivatives might raise the heat distortion. However, structures like Resin B seem to be more promising.
Predictors of intracranial hemorrhage during neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Abstract Objective: To identify independent predictors of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) during neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Study design: This retrospective cohort consisted of all neonates who did not have an ICH before treatment with ECMO identified in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry from 1992 to 1995 (n = 4550). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors independently correlated with ICH and to develop a model that could be used to predict the risk of ICH in neonates treated with ECMO. Results: ICH was identified in 9.9% of patients. The factors associated with ICH remaining after adjusting for other significant variables ( P Conclusions: Gestational age, acidosis, sepsis, coagulopathy, and treatment with epinephrine are major independent factors associated with ICH in neonates treated with ECMO. In particular, GA
The induction of ribosomal DNA changes in flax

Abstract The ribosomal DNA amount of the flax variety ‘Stormont Cirrus’ was determined during its growth under inducing conditions. Under one set of conditions the rDNA amount increased while under a different set of conditions there was a decrease in this amount. The change in the rDNA content occurred during a short period of the growth under inducing conditions. The plants in which decreased rDNA amounts had been induced transmitted this reduced level to their progeny.