cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Annealing on High-resistivity and Semi-insulating 4H-SiC

We have examined specimens of high-resistivity, and semi-insulating, 4H-SiC before and after thermal annealing at 1600 oC, using Optical Admittance Spectroscopy. We have found enhanced ultraviolet response in most specimens. Enhanced activation of previously undetected V impurities has also been observed. Peaks believed to be attributable to complex V-related defects were greatly reduced by annealing. The annealing was in addition to a thermal oxidation at 1150 oC for 4 hours. The purpose of the oxidation was to remove surface-related deep levels known to be present in polished SiC. Transition metal impurities in these bulk specimens were quantified by SIMS. In specimens where Ti was not detected by SIMS, no further activation of Ti centers was detected by Optical Admittance Spectroscopy.
The analysis of natural textures using run length features

A family of texture features is presented that have the ability to discriminate different textures in a 3-D scene as well as the ability to recover the range and orientation of the surfaces of the scene. These texture features are derived from the gray-level run-length matrices (GLRLMs) of an image. The GLRLMs are first normalized so that they all have equal average gray-level run length. Features extracted from the normalized GLRLMs are independent of the surface geometry. These features can be used in three-dimensional scene analysis where textures need to be identified according to their differences. Based on the average-run-length information and the classification results, surface range as well as surface orientation of a textured surface can be recovered. >
Molecular analysis of the metabolic rates of discrete subsurface populations of sulfate reducers

Elucidating the in situ metabolic activity of phylogenetically diverse populations of sulfate-reducing microorganisms that populate anoxic sedimentary environments is key to understanding subsurface ecology. Previous pure culture studies have demonstrated that the transcript abundance of dissimilatory (bi)sulfite reductase genes is correlated with the sulfate-reducing activity of individual cells. To evaluate whether expression of these genes was diagnostic for subsurface communities, dissimilatory (bi)sulfite reductase gene transcript abundance in phylogenetically distinct sulfate-reducing populations was quantified during a field experiment in which acetate was added to uranium-contaminated groundwater. Analysis of dsrAB sequences prior to the addition of acetate indicated that Desulfobacteraceae, Desulfobulbaceae, and Syntrophaceae-related sulfate reducers were the most abundant. Quantifying dsrB transcripts of the individual populations suggested that Desulfobacteraceae initially had higher dsrB transcripts per cell than Desulfobulbaceae or Syntrophaceae populations and that the activity of Desulfobacteraceae increased further when the metabolism of dissimilatory metal reducers competing for the added acetate declined. In contrast, dsrB transcript abundance in Desulfobulbaceae and Syntrophaceae remained relatively constant, suggesting a lack of stimulation by added acetate. The indication of higher sulfate-reducing activity in the Desulfobacteraceae was consistent with the finding that Desulfobacteraceae became the predominant component of the sulfate-reducing community. Discontinuing acetate additions resulted in a decline in dsrB transcript abundance in the Desulfobacteraceae. These results suggest that monitoring transcripts of dissimilatory (bi)sulfite reductase genes in distinct populations of sulfate reducers can provide insight into the relative rates of metabolism of different components of the sulfate-reducing community and their ability to respond to environmental perturbations.
Measurement of the Force Produced by an Intact Bull Sperm Flagellum in Isometric Arrest and Estimation of the Dynein Stall Force

The force generated by a detergent-extracted reactivated bull sperm flagellum during an isometric stall was measured with a force-calibrated glass microprobe. The average isometric stall force from 48 individual measurements was 2.5 +/- 0.7 x 10(-5) dyne (2.5 +/- 0.7 x 10(-10) N). The force measurements were obtained by positioning a calibrated microprobe in the beat path of sperm cells that were stuck by their heads to a glass microscope slide. The average position of the contact point of the flagellum with the probe was 15 microm from the head-tail junction. This average lever arm length multiplied by the measured force yields an estimate of the active bending moment (torque) of 3.9 x 10(-8) dyne x cm (3.9 x 10(-15) N x m). The force was sustained and was for the most part uniform, despite the fact that the flagellum beyond the point of contact with the probe usually continued beating. It appears that the dynein motors in the basal portion of the flagellum continue to pull in an isometric stall for as long as the motion of the flagellum is blocked. If dynein motors in the flagellum distal to the contact point with the probe were contributing force to the displacement of the probe, then the flagellar segment immediately past the point of contact would have to show a net curvature in the direction of the probe displacement. No such curvature bias was observed in the R-bend arrests, and only a small positive curvature bias was measured in the P-bend arrests. Our analysis of the data suggests that more than 90% of the sustained force component is generated by the part of the flagellum between the probe and the flagellar base. Based on this premise, the isometric stall force per dynein head is estimated to be 5.0 x 10(-7) dyne (5 pN). This equals approximately 1.0 x 10(-6) dyne (10 pN) per intact dynein arm. These values are close to the isometric stall force of isolated dynein. This suggests that all of the dynein heads between the base and the probe, on the active side of the axoneme, are contributing to the force exerted against the probe.
Multiple-antenna channels from a combined physical and networking perspective

The benefits of multiple-antenna systems in a wireless network are threefold - increased data rate, improved reliability against channel fading, and interference management All these benefits can be realized simultaneously; however, there is a limit. This limit depends on physical parameters, including the size of the wireless device, scattering characteristics of the channel and the operating frequency. In this paper, we propose an indoor channel model that captures this set of physical parameters and the physical distribution of nearby users. Based on this model, we show how the impact of the physical environment can be abstracted in a high level study of the performance tradeoff of multiple-antenna systems in a wireless network.
Posttraumatic stress symptoms in mothers of preterm infants

Abstract PTS symptoms are a common negative emotional response of mothers of preterm infants. PTS symptoms are one of the least explored emotional responses in postpartum period and in mothers of preterm infants. Malawi has the highest preterm birth in the world, but little is known about PTS symptoms following preterm birth in Malawi. The purpose of this paper is to review evidence on the incidence, prevalence, and impact of PTS symptoms following preterm birth, predictors of PTS symptoms, screening and management, and to identify the gaps and the applicability of the evidence to developing countries such as Malawi. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, PsychINFO, CINAHL, and ERIC databases. Articles were limited to PTS symptoms in mothers after preterm birth and up to 24 months. A total of 23 articles were included in the analysis. Findings showed that most literature was from developed countries. Fifteen instruments were identified and the PPQ was the most commonly used instrument. Time points for measurement varied. Mothers of preterm infants presented with at least one PTS symptom and they had higher PTS symptoms than mothers of healthy full-term infants, but no significant differences were seen with mothers of sick full term infants. Maternal, infant, and external factors predicted the onsets of PTS symptoms. Psychoeducation and counseling significantly reduced PTS symptoms, although mothers were only referred if symptoms were severe. Research in developing or low-income countries like Malawi is needed and researchers need to engage more in longitudinal approaches.
Transform domain features for ion-channel signal classification

Abstract The study of the behavior of ion-channels can provide significant information to detect metal ions and small organic molecules in solution. Discrimination of different ion-channels can be performed by extracting appropriate features from their signals and using them for classification. In this paper, we consider features extracted from the Fourier, wavelet and Walsh power spectra of the ion-channel signals. We compare the performance of all the three sets of features using support vector machines. We perform classification of signals from simulated and real ion-channels and present the results. Results obtained show that the transform domain features achieve high classification rates in addition to high sensitivity and specificity rates.
Identification and Analysis of Mot3, a Zinc Finger Protein That Binds to the Retrotransposon Ty Long Terminal Repeat (δ) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Spt3 and Mot1 are two transcription factors of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that are thought to act in a related fashion to control the function of TATA-binding protein (TBP). Current models suggest that while Spt3 and Mot1 do not directly interact, they do function in a related fashion to stabilize the TBP-TATA interaction at particular promoters. Consistent with this model, certain combinations of spt3 and mot1 mutations are inviable. To identify additional proteins related to Spt3 and Mot1 functions, we screened for high-copy-number suppressors of the mot1 spt3 inviability. This screen identified a previously unstudied gene, MOT3, that encodes a zinc finger protein. We show that Mot3 binds in vitro to three sites within the retrotransposon Ty long terminal repeat (d) sequence. One of these sites is immediately 5* of the d TATA region. Although a mot3 null mutation causes no strong phenotypes, it does cause some mild phenotypes, including a very modest increase in Ty mRNA levels, partial suppression of transcriptional defects caused by a mot1 mutation, and partial suppression of an spt3 mutation. These results, in conjunction with those of an independent study of Mot3 (A. Grishin, M. Rothenberg, M. A. Downs, and K. J. Blumer, Genetics, in press), suggest that this protein plays a varied role in gene expression that may be largely redundant with other factors. RNA polymerase II (pol II) transcription involves a balance of positive and negative regulators to properly control gene expression. The study of pol II transcription has identified several general factors that are required to initiate and transcribe mRNA from most promoters (77). Other studies have
Phaseolus vulgaris — The common bean integration of RFLP and RAPD-based linkage maps

Gregor Mendel (1866) conducted the first genetic analysis of common beans. Mendel studied the inheritance of growth habit, and pod color and shape in a progeny between P. vulgaris and P. nanus (= P. vulgaris, bush type) in order to confirm his findings with peas. Unfortunately, further studies on the inheritance of flower and seed coat color were hampered by his use of interspecific hybrids between P. nanus and P. multiflorus (= P. coccineus), which are now known to yield aberrant ratios. Later, Shaw and Norton (1918) used intraspecific crosses and determined that pigmentation and pigmentation patterns of the seed coat are controlled by multiple independent factors. A few years later Sax (1923) began to identify the multiple components that determine the inheritance of these traits. A single factor was identified as responsible for pigmentation, while two linked factors were identified to control mottling; this appears to be the first report of linkage in beans. Furthermore, Sax (1923) was the first to report linkage between a Mendelian character (seed coat pigmentation) and a QTL (for seed size). Although the common bean was used as experimental material at the inception of genetics, its genetic characterization has lagged behind that of many other crop species.
Speculative Execution of Parallel Programs with Precise Exception Semantics on GPUs

General purpose computing on GPUs (GPGPU) can enable significant performance and energy improvements for certain classes of applications. However, current GPGPU programming models, such as CUDA and OpenCL, are only accessible by systems experts through low-level C/C++ APIs. In contrast, large numbers of programmers use high-level languages, such as Java, due to their productivity advantages of type safety, managed runtimes and precise exception semantics. Current approaches to enabling GPGPU computing in Java and other managed languages involve low-level interfaces to native code that compromise the semantic guarantees of managed languages, and are not readily accessible to mainstream programmers.
Spermagglutinating activity in man and guinea pig.

A new immunological technique employing capillary tubes and immotile sperm as antigens was evaluated in humans and guinea pigs. The method has shown positive results in tests of guinea pig sperm with both rabbit heteroantibodies and guinea pig autoantibodies. Positive results have also been obtained with human samples employing rabbit heteroantibodies though real sensitivity for human antibodies to human sperm cells has not been established. When the Franklin-Dukes and Kibrick methods are u sed it is important to examine both male and female partners and to perform both tests repeatedly. It is also recommended that minimal values for the interpretation of positive results be established.
Hidden Gains: Effects of Early U.S. Compulsory Schooling Laws on Attendance and Attainment by Social Background.

Research on early compulsory schooling laws finds minimal effects on attendance but fails to investigate heterogeneous effects. Similarly, research proposes limited contexts in which expansion poli...
Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Prostate in Patients Undergoing Radical Cystoprostatectomy

AbstractTo assess the impact of prostatic involvement with transitional cell carcinoma we reviewed the clinical outcome of 49 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the prostate. In addition, 115 step-sectioned cystoprostatectomy specimens removed for bladder transitional cell carcinoma were studied to determine the true incidence of secondary prostatic involvement by transitional cell carcinoma. Specimens from 300 prostates removed for prostatic adenocarcinoma also were reviewed to investigate the presence of incidental transitional cell carcinoma arising within the prostate. Transitional cell carcinoma was found in 29% of the step-sectioned specimens and in none of the radical prostatectomy specimens. The presence of prostatic invasion either into the stroma or involving prostatic ducts and acini only had no adverse effect on outcome. Lymph node status and bladder stage, and not prostatic invasion were the determining factors of survival. The presence of seminal vesicle involvement or prostatic st...
The Endosome-associated Deubiquitinating Enzyme USP8 Regulates BACE1 Enzyme Ubiquitination and Degradation *

The β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme (BACE1) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of amyloid-β, the toxic peptide that accumulates in the brain of subjects affected by Alzheimer disease. Our previous studies have shown that BACE1 is degraded via the lysosomal pathway and that that depletion of the trafficking molecule Golgi-localized γ-ear-containing ARF-binding protein 3 (GGA3) results in increased BACE1 levels and activity because of impaired lysosomal degradation. We also determined that GGA3 regulation of BACE1 levels requires its ability to bind ubiquitin. Accordingly, we reported that BACE1 is ubiquitinated at lysine 501 and that lack of ubiquitination at lysine 501 produces BACE1 stabilization. Ubiquitin conjugation is a reversible process mediated by deubiquitinating enzymes. The ubiquitin-specific peptidase 8 (USP8), an endosome-associated deubiquitinating enzyme, regulates the ubiquitination, trafficking, and lysosomal degradation of several plasma membrane proteins. Here, we report that RNAi-mediated depletion of USP8 reduced levels of both ectopically expressed and endogenous BACE1 in H4 human neuroglioma cells. Moreover, USP8 depletion increased BACE1 ubiquitination, promoted BACE1 accumulation in the early endosomes and late endosomes/lysosomes, and decreased levels of BACE1 in the recycling endosomes. We also found that decreased BACE1 protein levels were accompanied by a decrease in BACE1-mediated amyloid precursor protein cleavage and amyloid-β levels. Our findings demonstrate that USP8 plays a key role in the trafficking and degradation of BACE1 by deubiquitinating lysine 501. These studies suggest that therapies able to accelerate BACE1 degradation (e.g. by increasing BACE1 ubiquitination) may represent a potential treatment for Alzheimer disease.
Microstructure of colloid-polymer mixtures containing charged colloidal disks and weakly-adsorbing polymers

Abstract Structural arrest in an aging colloid-polymer mixture of charged colloidal disks and weakly interacting polymers is primarily governed by the spatial arrangement of microstructural domains in the system. Here we present a detailed ultra-small angle x-ray scattering (USAXS) study of the polymer induced microstructural changes occurring in systems containing laponite ® and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). Laponite ® suspensions are known to transition from a homogeneous fluid to an arrested phase as a function of time. USAXS results show that when polymer chains are added to this colloidal system, the microstructural changes are found to depend on (i) polymer-colloid size ratio, (ii) particle and polymer concentration. Large length scale structures (300–1000 nm) of non-uniformly varying size appear with increasing concentration of high molecular weight PEO ( R g / R ∼ 2.4). However with shorter PEO chains ( R g / R ∼ 0.5), we observe the formation of intermediary structures with a characteristic length scale of 50–60 nm. With increasing particle concentration, we observe a more compact structure for the high molecular weight PEO and no signature of a percolating network in the case of the low molecular PEO. We believe that these results add to our understanding of the complex aging behavior of clay-polymer systems.
/sup 161/Dy hyperfine parameters for C/sub 2/ and C/sub 3//sub i/ site symmetries in Dy/sub 2/O/sub 3/

Low-temperature Moessbauer spectra of /sup 161/Dy in Dy/sub 2/O/sub 3/ reveal for the first time a resolved magnetic hyperfine structure (hfs) associated with Dy/sup 3 +/ at sites with C/sub 3//sub i/(S/sub 6/) point symmetry. The magnetic hfs parameter is near that expected for a pure vertical-bar J/sub xi/ = +- 15/2 > Kramers doublet and is about 10% higher than for Dy/sup 3 +/ ions at sites with C/sub 2/ point symmetry in Dy/sub 2/O/sub 3/. A crystal-field parameter B/sub 2//sup 0/ is deduced from the lattice part of the C/sub 3//sub i/ quadrupole splitting. Both the sign of this parameter and the almost pure vertical-bar J/sub xi/ = +- 15/2 > character of the ground state are shown to be inconsistent with earlier Moessbauer results and crystal-field calculations. (AIP)
A genetic switch controls the production of flagella and toxins in Clostridium difficile.

In the human intestinal pathogen Clostridium difficile, flagella promote adherence to intestinal epithelial cells. Flagellar gene expression also indirectly impacts production of the glucosylating toxins, which are essential to diarrheal disease development. Thus, factors that regulate the expression of the flgB operon will likely impact toxin production in addition to flagellar motility. Here, we report the identification a “flagellar switch” that controls the phase variable production of flagella and glucosylating toxins. The flagellar switch, located upstream of the flgB operon containing the early stage flagellar genes, is a 154 bp invertible sequence flanked by 21 bp inverted repeats. Bacteria with the sequence in one orientation expressed flagellum and toxin genes, produced flagella, and secreted the toxins (“flg phase ON”). Bacteria with the sequence in the inverse orientation were attenuated for flagellar and toxin gene expression, were aflagellate, and showed decreased toxin secretion (“flg phase OFF”). The orientation of the flagellar switch is reversible during growth in vitro. We provide evidence that gene regulation via the flagellar switch occurs post-transcription initiation and requires a C. difficile-specific regulatory factor to destabilize or degrade the early flagellar gene mRNA when the flagellar switch is in the OFF orientation. Lastly, through mutagenesis and characterization of flagellar phase locked isolates, we determined that the tyrosine recombinase RecV, which catalyzes inversion at the cwpV switch, is also responsible for inversion at the flagellar switch in both directions. Phase variable flagellar motility and toxin production suggests that these important virulence factors have both advantageous and detrimental effects during the course of infection.
Effects of various factors on Doppler flow ultrasonic radial and coccygeal artery systolic blood pressure measurements in privately-owned, conscious dogs

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of age, body condition score (BCS) and muscle condition score (MCS) on indirect radial and coccygeal Doppler systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP) measurements in dogs. METHODS Sixty-two privately-owned dogs were enrolled between June and July 2016. The BCS and MCS were determined by two investigators. Blood pressure was measured per published guidelines and using headphones, and the order of measurement site was randomized. Dogs were positioned in right lateral recumbency for radial measurements and sternal recumbency or standing for coccygeal measurements. Associations between SAP and other variables were assessed by correlation coefficients and analysis of covariance. RESULTS Radial and coccygeal SAP measurements were moderately correlated (r = 0.45, P < 0.01). Radial SAP measurements were higher than coccygeal SAP measurements (mean difference 9 mmHg, P < 0.01), but discordance occurred in both directions. No difference was observed between the first measurement taken, the average of measurements 2-6, or the average of all 6 measurements for either the radial (128, 129, and 129 mmHg; P = 0.36) or coccygeal (121, 122, and 122 mmHg; P = 0.82) site. Associations were not found between SAP measurements for either site and age, weight, BCS, MCS, anxiety score, or cuff size. Heart rate decreased significantly from the start of acclimation to the end of the first data collection series regardless of site (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Initial measurement site can be based on patient and operator preference given lack of associations with patient variables, but the same site should be used for serial SAP measurements given discordant results between sites.
Prism Adaptation in Decompensated Monofixation Syndrome

Prism adaptation has been used to predict the angle of surgery to be operated on in patients with partially accommodative esotropia, and esotropia with a distance-near disparity. We describe its us...
Species of the Maera-clade collected from Japan. Part 1: genera Maeropsis Chevreux, 1919 and Orientomaera gen. nov. (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Maeridae).

The Maera -clade is a group of maerid amphipod genera which has neither a falcate mandibular palp nor medially setose inner plates of maxillae 1 and 2. Two species of Maeropsis Chevreux, 1919 and four species of Orientomaera gen. nov. included in the clade, are described from Japan. Maeropsis okinawensis sp. nov. is described, based on collections from Okinawa Prefecture. It resembles M. cobia Krapp-Schickel, 2009, M. paphavasitae Wongkamhaeng, Coleman & Pholpunthin, 2013, and M. serratipalma (Nagata, 1965). This new species differs from the latter three species in the long uropod 3. Maeropsis serratipalma is redescribed and newly recorded from Kanagawa, Osaka and Wakayama Prefectures. The new genus, Orientomaera , is described and is characterized by the mandibular palp article 1 without a distal tooth and the oblique palm of the gnathopod 2 with many robust setae. Orientomaera comprises four species: O. brevispina (Kim & Kim, 1991) comb. nov. from Iwate, Fukui, Kyoto and Wakayama Prefectures and Ariake Sea; O. decipiens sp. nov. from Osaka and Wakayama Prefectures; O. obliquua sp. nov. from Osaka and Wakayama Prefectures; O. rotundicoxa sp. nov. from Kanagawa and Wakayama Prefectures. These species can be distinguished from one another by the coxa 1, the gnathopod 2 propodus, the pereopod 6 basis and the telson. Keys to species of Maeropsis and Orientomaera in the world are provided.
Privacy, Security and Trust Issues Raised by the Personal Server Concept

This paper is a survey of user risks associated with the Personal Server concept. The Personal Server concept is used as a surrogate for future mobile devices. The risks are threats involving security, privacy and trust. An overview of the concept is provided, followed by descriptions of three usage models: mobile storage, application server, and beacon receiver. Each usage model description includes a discussion of risks that result from that usage. No solutions are provided.
Identity development and mentoring in doctoral education.

In this essay, Leigh Hall and Leslie Burns use theories of identity to understand mentoring relationships between faculty members and doctoral students who are being prepared as educational researchers. They suggest that becoming a professional researcher requires students to negotiate new identities and reconceptualize themselves both as people and professionals in addition to learning specific skills; however, the success or marginalization that students experience may depend on the extent to which they attempt to enact identities that are valued by their mentors. For this reason, Hall and Burns argue that faculty mentors must learn about and consider identity formation in order to successfully socialize more diverse groups of researchers, and they believe that formal curriculum designs can be used more intentionally to help students and faculty understand the roles identity plays in professional development and to make doctoral education more equitable.
Cyclic Amp Regulates the Dimorphic Switch in Ustilago Hordei

Ustilago hordei,a heterothallic basidiomycete, is the causal pathogen of the covered smut disease of barley [1]. It is a dimorphic fungus whose haploid cells are yeast-like and nonpathogenic, while dikaryons produced upon mating of compatible haploid strains are filamentous and pathogenic [2]. This dimorphic switch is believed to be controlled primarily by the b genes [3]. However, little is known about the signals regulating the switching process from nonpathogenic sporidia to filamentous, infectious hyphae in U. hordei. We report here genetic and biochemical properties of a filamentous, haploid mutant that was obtained by heat shock treatment. Cells expressing the mutant phenotype can be readily reverted to wild type sporidial cells in the presence of cyclic AMP (cAMP). These results indicate an important role for cAMP in the regulation of dimorphic growth of U. hordei, and molecular characterization of this mutation should provide a better understanding of the intracellular mechanisms and signal transduction pathways that control filamentous morphology and pathogenicity in U. hordei.
Cyclic and noncyclic phonological effects in a declarative grammar

A proper theory of the phonology-morphology interface must account for cyclic as well as noncyclic phonological effects. Cyclic effects are those in which a morphological subconstituent of a word is an exclusive domain for some phonological rule or constraint (Mascaro 1976, Kiparsky 1982). A disyllabic minimal size condition that some speakers of Istanbul Turkish impose on suffixed forms (Ito and Hankamer 1989, Inkelas and Orgun 1995) provides an example. The examples in (lb) show that suffixed monosyllabic forms are ungrammatical for these speakers (unsuffixed monosyllabic forms are accepted (la), as are semantically similar polysyllabic suffixed forms (2b)).1
[3 + 2] and [5 + 2] Arene–Alkene Photocycloadditions

Arene-alkene cycloadditions (Scheme 1) are among the most theoretically intriguing and synthetically promising recent discoveries in organic chemistry, providing particularly efficient synthetic access to a range of natural and non-natural compounds from simple, readily available precursors.1 Reflecting their enormous versatility and their consequent designation in this series as higher order cycloadditions, these reactions have the unique capability of producing from three- to nine-membered rings through [2C + 2C], [3C + 2C], [4C + 2C], [5C + 2C], [6C + 2C], [4C + 3C], [4C + 4C] and [5C + 4C] conjunctions of arenes with various π-systems. In this chapter, an overview of this fascinating class of reactions will be presented. In accord with the goals and focus of this series, emphasis will be placed on developments of the last decade and on the unique role of these reactions in organic synthesis. Primary attention will be given to the meta cycloaddition reaction due to its more extensive development and use in synthesis. As a consequence of the inexorable relationship between synthesis and mechanism, this treatment will start with a brief historical perspective and mechanistic analysis.
Limitations of Emulating Realistic Network Environments for Correctness Testing of Internet Applications

Realistic network environments are commonly emulated by Internet application developers to test both the performance and the correctness of their applications. In this paper, we argue that emulating just realistic network environments may be inadequate for detecting hard-to-detect faults that have very low occurrence probabilities but potentially high impact if exposed in the real world. Specifically, we conduct extensive experiments to study the correctness testing capabilities of realistic and unlikely network environments. Our results show that small investments in emulating unlikely network environments may help in quickly detecting otherwise hard-to-detect faults.
Experimental validation of a nuclear forensics methodology for source reactor-type discrimination of chemically separated plutonium

Abstract An experimental validation of a nuclear forensics methodology for the source reactor-type discrimination of separated weapons-useable plutonium is presented. The methodology uses measured values of intra-element isotope ratios of plutonium and fission product contaminants. MCNP radiation transport codes were used for various reactor core modeling and fuel burnup simulations. A reactor-dependent library of intra-element isotope ratio values as a function of burnup and time since irradiation was created from the simulation results. The experimental validation of the methodology was achieved by performing two low-burnup experimental irradiations, resulting in distinct fuel samples containing sub-milligram quantities of weapons-useable plutonium. The irradiated samples were subjected to gamma and mass spectrometry to measure several intra-element isotope ratios. For each reactor in the library, a maximum likelihood calculation was utilized to compare the measured and simulated intra-element isotope ratio values, producing a likelihood value which is proportional to the probability of observing the measured ratio values, given a particular reactor in the library. The measured intra-element isotope ratio values of both irradiated samples and its comparison with the simulation predictions using maximum likelihood analyses are presented. The analyses validate the nuclear forensics methodology developed.
Ethnic boundaries in Turkish politics: the secular kurdish movement and Islam

According to the author, ‘this study analyzes the shifting attitude of the secular, leftist Kurdish movement [Kurdistan Workers Party or PKK] toward Islam and Islamic actors in the past decades thr...
Exploring Alteration of Near-Wellbore Geothermal Gradient during Fluid Circulation and Production

Abstract The constant undisturbed formation temperature profile controlling heat transfer into the wellbore appears counterintuitive in light of transient cooling of the formation that occurs upon fluid circulation in drilling and also heating during fluid production. This study presents a mathematical model that shows that the heat transfer occurs from the wellbore/formation interface, not from some distance away from the wellbore wherein the initial formation temperature profile remains undisturbed. This new model allows investigation of heat transfer behavior from the formation into the wellbore during drilling or fluid circulation, and from the wellbore into the reservoir in the production mode. Application of the line-source solution for the temperature diffusivity equation for a steady-state system provides the necessary ingredients for computing the temperature behaviors at different times and radii. This line-source solution can be used throughout the wellbore to determine the undisturbed formation temperature, which may be used to obtain the geothermal gradient dependent on the radius and fluid circulation time. Therefore, the initial geothermal gradient works as a time-dependent variable, and the resultant second-order polynomial relationships can describe the undisturbed formation temperature. This study provides the required tools to assess the wellbore heat-transfer behavior and their effect on the wellbore temperature profiles. Also, the new mathematical model illuminates the impact of heat transfer by comparing its performance with the original formulations. Besides, this paper presents a complete derivation of the line-source solution of the temperature diffusivity equation to justify the proposed approach.
Social media marketing and behavioural change: a showcase from Tunisia's Jasmine Revolution

Social media is a driving force that has a powerful marketing impact on the political and social lives of citizens throughout the world. Limited research studies have been published on the impact of social media marketing on political and behavioural change in the Muslim world. This research proposes a framework to exemplify the impact of social media marketing on behavioural change as a showcase from the Tunisian Jasmine Revolution. This research demonstrates the facilitating role of social media marketing in impacting the political and actual behaviour of Tunisians during and after the revolution to facilitate the disposing of one of the prominent dictators in the Arab and Muslim world and transforming Tunisia toward a democratic society. This case study provides an in-depth analysis of the consequence variables of the Jasmine Revolution and sheds light on several marketing and political implications.
Navigating Occupational Paradox through Managing Compatibility

While scholarship details how to address organizational-level paradox, how employees navigate occupational-level paradox remains little understood. Drawing from an analysis of 40 interviews with co...
Datasets associated with investigating the potential for beneficial reuse of produced water from oil and gas extraction outside of the energy sector

Abstract The data in this report are associated with https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137085 [4] and include data on water volumes and water quality related to the major unconventional oil and gas plays in the U.S. The data include volumes of water co-produced with oil and gas production, county-level estimates of annual water use volumes by various sectors, including hydraulic fracturing water use, and the quality of produced water. The data on volumes of produced water and hydraulic fracturing water volumes were obtained from the IHS Enerdeq and FracFocus databases. Water use in other sectors was obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey water use database. Data on produced water quality were obtained from the USGS produced waters database.
Barriers to inclusive education in Tanzania’s policy environment: national policy actors’ perspectives

While limited research on inclusive education in sub-Saharan Africa and Tanzania focuses on the perspectives of preservice and practicing teachers, this case study features those of governmental an...
Astrocyte responses to experimental glaucoma in mouse optic nerve head.

Purpose To delineate responses of optic nerve head astrocytes to sustained intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation in mice. Methods We elevated IOP for 1 day to 6 weeks by intracameral microbead injection in 4 strains of mice. Astrocyte alterations were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) including immunogold molecular localization, and by laser scanning microscopy (LSM) with immunofluorescence for integrin β1, α-dystroglycan, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Astrocyte proliferation and apoptosis were quantified by Ki67 and TUNEL labeling, respectively. Results Astrocytes in normal optic nerve head expressed integrin β1 and α-dystroglycan by LSM and TEM immunogold labeling at electron dense junctional complexes that were found only on cell membrane zones bordering their basement membranes (BM) at the peripapillary sclera (PPS) and optic nerve head capillaries. At 1-3 days after IOP elevation, abnormal extracellular spaces appeared between astrocytes near PPS, and axonal vesical and mitochondrial accumulation indicated axonal transport blockade. By 1 week, abnormal spaces increased, new collagen formation occurred, and astrocytes separated from their BM, leaving cell membrane fragments. Electron dense junctional complexes separated or were absent at the BM. Astrocyte proliferation was modest during the first week, while only occasional apoptotic astrocytes were observed by TEM and TUNEL. Conclusions Astrocytes normally exhibit junctions with their BM which are disrupted by extended IOP elevation. Responses include reorientation of cell processes, new collagen formation, and cell proliferation.
Performance and development of a thin stock market: the Stockholm Stock Exchange 1912–2017

We estimate historical stock returns for Swedish listed companies in a newly constructed data set of daily stock prices that spans more than 100 years. Stock returns exhibit all the familiar characteristics. The growth of the public sector depressed the stock market, and the process of globalization revitalized it. Banks played an important role in the early development of the stock market. There was little trading in the past, and we examine the effects on return measurement from missing data. Stock selection and the replacement of missing transaction prices through search back procedures or limit orders make little difference to a value-weighted stock price index, while ignoring the price effects of capital operations makes a big difference.
Energy Source Selection for Inflatable Occupant Restraint System

ENGINEERING DESIGN FEATURES OF THREE TYPES OF ENERGY SOURCES FOR THE INFLATABLE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM (IORS) ARE REVIEWED. THESE SYSTEMS USE: COMPRESSED GAS, PROPELLANT, AND A COMBINATION OF COMPRESSED GAS AND PROPELLANT AS A POWER SOURCE FOR THE INFLATION OF THE RESTRAINT CUSHION. AN ANALYSIS IS PRESENTED OF EACH SYSTEM WITH ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES RELATED TO SPECIFIC DESIGN PARAMETERS. THE ANALYSIS IS RESTRICTED TO PRESENT STATE-OF-THE-ART SYSTEMS AND BASED ON STRICTLY ENGINEERING DESIGN FEATURES RECOGNIZING THAT PRODUCT COST, PATENT POSITION, AND OTHER INTANGIBLES ARE FACTORS IN FINAL ENERGY SOURCE SELECTION. THE ANALYSIS INDICATES ADVANTAGES OF THE COMBINED PROPELLANT-AIR (HYBRID) SYSTEM: (1) ABILITY TO OBTAIN NONTOXIC GASES WITH CURRENTLY DEVELOPED PROPELLANTS. (2) MORE FLEXIBILITY IN CONTROL OF GAS THERMODYNAMICS. (3) THE SMALL PROPELLANT WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS. /HSL/
Inhibition of glycolysis modulates prednisolone resistance in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells in vitro

1628 Treatment failure in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) can be caused by cellular resistance to some important classes of drugs used in therapy, such as glucocorticoids (e.g. prednisolone), L-asparaginase, Vinca alkaloids (e.g. vincristine) and anthracyclines (e.g. daunorubicin). However, the exact mechanisms that cause cellular resistance to these agents are still unknown. In order to obtain insight into the signal transduction routes that are involved in drug resistance in children with ALL, a microarray study was previously performed in our lab on precursor B-lineage leukemic patients [Holleman et al., N Engl J Med 2004]. Analysis of the gene expression profiles of 20 prednisolone resistant and 54 -sensitive precursor B-ALL cases revealed significant differences in the expression of genes associated with glucose metabolism (p≤0.0005). Expression levels of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphatedehydrogenase (GAPDH), carbonic anhydrase 4 (CA4) and glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3/SLC2A3) were higher in prednisolone resistant cells when compared to prednisolone sensitive leukemia cells (fold change = 1.26, 1.56 and 2.08 respectively). Therefore, several drugs that have been reported to affect glycolysis were tested for their ability to reverse resistance to glucocorticoids, using the in vitro MTT cytotoxicity assay. Treatment of the prednisolone-resistant cell lines Jurkat and Molt4 with 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG), lonidamine or 3-bromopyruvate increased the sensitivity to prednisolone and dexamethasone about ten-fold, while treatment of the prednisolone sensitive cell lines Tom-1 and RS4-11 had little or no effect. Importantly, the sensitizing effect of 2-DG on glucocorticoid resistance was not limited to cell lines, but was also observed in isolated primary leukemia cells from 7 of 11 patients tested. Interestingly, the synergistic effect of the glycolysis inhibitors was not found with other classes of antileukemic drugs (i.e., vincristine and daunorubicin). Together, these findings indicate the importance of the glycolysis pathway in steroid resistance in leukemia, and suggest that targeting this pathway is a viable strategy for modulating steroid-resistance in ALL.
Comparative performance of bio-based coatings formulated with cellulose, chitin, and chitosan nanomaterials suitable for fruit preservation.

Abstract Sustainable nanomaterials (SNMs) from wood, sugarcane and crab shell were prepared and used to coat selected fruits. The properties of SNMs and selected fruits were characterized and strawberry was used as an example to test antifungal activity and freshness preservation of the SNMs. The SNMs with their nano-structured morphology form strong shear-thinning dispersions for easy spraying on fruit surfaces. The fruit surface free energy was influenced by its surface morphology, predominant surface wax components, and cutin monomers. The antifungal activity of SNMs was influenced by their surface functional groups and particle size (crystals vs fibers). The coblend of wood nanocrystals (WCNCs) and chitosan nanofiber (CSNFs) exhibited the best antifungal property, which was comparable with the performance of the fungicide thiabendazole (80 mg L−1). The weight loss and color change of the WCNC/CSNF coated strawberries decreased by nearly half compared with the control samples, showing coating effectiveness on preserving fruit freshness.
The Evidentiary Bases of Alpha Male Discourse

This chapter introduces the three corpora forming the basis of linguistic and discursive description, interpretation, and analysis in subsequent chapters, each containing a unique manifestation of the Alpha male. These include an online, sociocommercial group targeting younger males, self-published gay erotica, and a pop psychology volume instructing men as to what women supposedly want from their relationships with Alpha male partners. The chapter discusses methodologies of corpus selection and delimitation, as well as the exclusion of other, potentially interesting, sources and provides a general orientation to each textual archive.
Fat mass loss correlates with faster disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: Exploring the utility of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in a prospective study.

Background/objective Weight loss is a predictor of shorter survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We performed serial measures of body composition using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) in ALS patients to explore its utility as a biomarker of disease progression. Methods DEXA data were obtained from participants with ALS (enrollment, at 6- and 12- months follow ups) and Parkinson’s disease (enrollment and at 4-month follow up) as a comparator group. Body mass index, total lean mass index, appendicular lean mass index, total fat mass index, and percentage body fat at enrollment were compared between the ALS and PD cohorts and age-matched normative data obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database. Estimated monthly changes of body composition measures in the ALS cohort were compared to those of the PD cohort and were correlated with disease progression measured by the Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R). Results The ALS cohort (N = 20) had lower baseline total and appendicular lean mass indices compared to the PD cohort (N = 20) and general population. Loss in total and appendicular lean masses were found to be significantly associated with follow-up time. Low baseline percentage body fat (r = 0.72, p = 0.04), loss of percentage body fat (r = 0.81, p = 0.01), and total fat mass index (r = 0.73, p = 0.04) during follow up correlated significantly with monthly decline of ALSFRS-R scores in ALS cohort who had 2 or more follow-ups (N = 8). Conclusion Measurement of body composition with DEXA might serve as a biomarker for rapid disease progression in ALS.
Financial Accounting and Auditing Experiments in the Journal of Accounting Research: Historical Background and Recent Advances

This virtual issue traces the evolution of financial accounting and auditing experiments in the Journal of Accounting Research from early efforts in the midst of prevailing beliefs in informational market efficiency to contemporary advances from 2010 to date.
Citizen-Centric E-Strategies Toward More Successful E-Governance

E-Government and E-Governance are intrinsically related, however, practice shows that successful e-government and e-governance are not synonymous, but complementary. Based on the first-hand data and findings from the United Nations e-Government Survey of 2010, this paper demonstrates that three e-strategy clusters can connect e-government and e-governance: Static+Supply-based (SS); Dynamic+Demand-driven (DD); and Interactive+Integration (II). In addition, the data shows that although high-income countries fare better in building robust e-government systems, less well-off countries can make considerable strides in advancing successful e-governance by adopting a combination of these e-strategies. Indeed, the survey findings inform us that strong and healthy e-government can scarcely be sustained without strengthening e-governance. Finally, some of the winning initiatives from the United Nations Public Service Awards, which support these findings and illustrate commendable progress being made by middle-income countries, are included here.