cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stem Diameter in Relation to Plant Water Status

An instrument containing a linear variable differential transformer was constructed to obtain continuous, nondestructive measurements of both short term changes in stem diameter and long term growth. In cotton plants, stem diameter, leaf water potential, and leaf relative water content are all closely related to net radiation at the top of the canopy. Leaves from the east and west sides of a plant show slight, but consistent differences in diurnal water potential patterns.Stem diameter and leaf water potential are not related by a single-valued function, since there is a diurnal hysteresis between the two, and growth causes an increase in diameter each night. However, the instrument can be used to monitor long term stem diameter growth.
Toasting Transformation I

This symposium pays tribute to the silver anniversary of the publication of Morton Horwitz's The Transformation of American Law, 1789-1860, which I will refer to as Transformation I so as not to confuse it with its equally celebrated and less excoriated sequel, The Transformation of American Law, 1879-1960: The Crisis of Legal Orthodoxy (Horwitz 1992). Twentyfive years out, most books are long forgotten, but Transformation I generated an astonishing impulse to commemorate this particular anniversary. I think this says something significant about the book's relationship to its audience, both at the time of its publication in 1977 and, even more interestingly, today. The three essays in this symposium originated as a session honoring the book and its author at the 2001 annual meeting of the American Society for Legal History. We also include here a response from Horwitz himself, who confined his participation in the session to a few self-effacing remarks (Horwitz 2003). Readers looking for the conventional academic review essay may profitably turn elsewhere (Tulsa Law Review 2002). But skipping the symposium is not recommended for those seeking enlightenment in the ways of the academy. Most publications bom in conference sessions undergo the kind of editing that strips them of the qualities that made them effective as oral presentations. These essays, which decisively succeeded in both entertaining and enlightening the large audience in attendance at the conference, possess a certain stylistic flair. Each one makes a substantive point about the book and links that point to the book's original reception while also charting the
Sensitivity and behavior of muscle spindles to systemic arterial hypoxia.

SummaryThe effects of systemic arterial hypoxia on the afferent discharge of muscle spindles has been studied. In 48 primary spindle afferents, reductions of arterial oxygen tensions to approximately 80 mm Hg had no effect. Reduction of O2 tensions to approximately 45 mm Hg had no depressing effect in 41 of 48 spindle afferents whereas oxygen tensions of approximately 23 mm Hg abolished activity in all spindle afferents. High-frequency discharge from primary afferents known to be gastrocnemius-soleus spindles were not observed at the oxygen levels used.
Negotiation planning: An AI approach

Abstract This paper develops a general approach for structuring and modeling negotiations, based on integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques with decision theoretic methods. Reasoning from past cases similar to the current negotiation, case-based reasoning, is combined with multi-attribute utility theory. The model also includes reasoning to accomodate departures from rationality in the behavior of the agents, and mechanisms to support dynamic problem restructuring. The model has been implemented in a computer program, the Persuader , that functions as a mediator in simulated labor negotiations. The main emphasis of the paper is in presenting the case-based reasoning aspect of the model.
Effect of Optical Coherence Tomography Scan Pattern and Density on the Detection of Full-Thickness Macular Holes

Purpose To evaluate the impact of different scan patterns and scan densities on small full-thickness macular hole (MH) detection. Design Retrospective cross-sectional analysis. Methods Analysis was performed on 25 eyes from 24 patients with full-thickness MHs imaged with the Heidelberg Spectralis HRA+OCT. Included eyes underwent concurrent imaging with a standard (61-line) raster volume and a 24-line radial pattern. A 6-line radial scan pattern was extrapolated from the higher-density radial pattern. Comparisons of the missed hole rate as well as the proportion of individual B-scans demonstrating a full-thickness defect (termed "full-thickness detection index") were carried out for the 3 scan patterns. Additionally, qualitative and quantitative hole parameters were evaluated to identify factors associated with "missed" holes. Results Full-thickness defects were missed at substantially higher rates using both standard raster volume (20.0%, 90% confidence interval [CI] 8.2%–37.5%) and 6-line radial scanning (12.0%, 90% CI 3.7%–30.4%) when compared to 24-line radial scanning (0% for both comparisons). Full-thickness detection indices were significantly higher for both radial scan patterns when compared to raster scanning ( P Conclusion High-density radial scanning demonstrated superior detection rates of small full-thickness MHs compared to standard raster volume scanning. This finding may be attributable to the greater foveolar scan density attained with radial scan patterns. Failure to utilize radial scanning in the setting of suspected macular holes may lead to a delay in surgical treatment, with attendant worse anatomic and visual outcomes.
The role of carbon deposition on precious metal catalyst activity during dry reforming of biogas

Abstract A preliminary investigation into the dry reforming (synthesis gas production) of landfill gas (LFG) was performed using precious metal catalysts. Thermogravimetric analysis work was performed on the dry reforming reaction over 0.5% Pt/γ-Al2O3 catalysts. Variables such as reforming temperature, CO2 concentration, and the effect of pre-reduction have been studied. It was found that reforming at 900 °C with pre-reduction gave the most H2 production for reactant gas concentrations similar to LFG. However, at this high temperature there was significant weight gain measured. EDX analysis and follow up oxidation tests confirmed that it was due to carbon deposition on the catalyst surface. Yet, this weight gain, up to 24% in some cases, did not coincide with a decrease in catalyst activity as was the case for the lower temperature tests. One possible mechanism for this is the onset of the carbon gasification (Boudouard) reaction at high temperatures. For increased CO2 concentrations, the activity of the catalyst at high temperatures was maintained (high production of syngas) despite significant carbon deposition.
Lyapunov stability of periodically modulated cosine drivers for resonance tuning of harmonic oscillators

Resonance tracking control of harmonic oscillators whose natural frequency is unknown is investigated from a Lyapunov stability perspective. In particular, a periodically-modulated cosine driver (PMCD) is investigated for this purpose. The proposed resonance tuner is time-synchronized with periodic sampling of the harmonic oscillator's output to ensure that an analytical relationship exists between the drive frequency and the tracking error. This relation defines a class of discrete time nonlinear systems whose origin, is shown to be asymptotically stable.
Numerical algorithms and mesh dependence in the disturbed state concept

The disturbed state concept (DSC) provides a unified approach for constitutive modelling of engineering materials including such factors as elastic, plastic and creep strains, microcracking, damage and softening, and sti⁄ening responses. The interacting mechanisms in the material mixture composed of the relative intact and fully adjusted states provide implicitly for various factors such as microcrack interaction and character- istic dimension. The DSC model can allow for well-posedness, reduction or elimination of spurious mesh dependence and localization. A number of problems are solved to illustrate convergence and uniqueness of the finite element procedures, localization, spurious mesh dependence, and validation with respect to observed behavior of simulated and practical problems. ( 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
B.G. Prusak’s “An Analysis of Augustine’s Argument in Confessions That Evil Does Not Exist”: A Response

In these comments on Bernard G. Prusak's analysis of Augustine's argument against the existence of evil, I attempt to show that neither Prusak’s analysis nor his conclusion is thorough enough to compel us to follow him in what I take to be his major assertion, viz. that Augustine’s conceptions regarding the nature of creation and the nature of evil are both something less than fully compelling.
Roman decorum as a new praxis for existential communication

This article begins with a review of what existentialists recommend regarding responsible uses of communication. It then examines the notion of decorum as defined in the Roman rhetorical system. These systems are then integrated to overcome practical deficiencies in existential communication. The study concludes with two illustrations. The first demonstrates the importance of decorum to existential dialogues. The second demonstrates that decorum can help convey existential messages to mass audiences.
New compounds: Some 3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl analogs of analgesics

Starting from 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid, the syntheses of the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl analogs of meperidine hydrochloride and ketobemidone hydrochloride are described.
Relative Humidity and Temperature Influences on Cirrus Formation and Evolution: Observations from Wave Clouds and FIRE II

Abstract Measurements in orographic wave clouds. and in cirrus sampled during FIRE II, are used to investigate ice nucleation in the upper troposphere. The dynamically and microphysically simpler quasi-steady-state wave clouds provide relatively ideal conditions for observing characteristics of ice nucleation. Conclusions from the wave cloud study are applied to help understand the formation and evolution of ice in the cirrus clouds observed during FIRE II. The wave cloud study extends analyses reported by Heymsfield and Miloshevich down to −56°C, in part by using an improved droplet size spectrometer with a detection threshold of 0.4 µm am a Video Ice Particle Sampler with a detection threshold of 5–10 µm. The measurements show a rapid transition from solution droplets to ice crystals characteristic of homogeneous ice nucleation throughout the temperature range from −35° to −56°C. The temperature dependence of the relative humidity and the droplet sizes when ice nucleation occurs is consistent with theor...
Understanding the cause of IV kink in GaAs MESFETs with two-dimensional numerical simulations

High performance GaAs MESFETs have been observed to exhibit kinks in their IV characteristics, particularly when high drain-source voltages are applied, Such characteristics make the design of circuits with high operating voltages difficult since this type of IV anomaly is typically not modeled by circuit simulators. This work has identified the cause of these kinks through the use of two-dimensional numerical device simulation with impact ionization. These simulations have also identified a potential device solution to IV kink. Furthermore, the results of this simulation work were verified by comparison with fabricated devices.
The role of likelihood and entropy in incomplete-data problems: Applications to estimating point-process intensities and toeplitz constrained covariances

The principle of maximum entropy has played an important role in the solution of problems in which the measurements correspond to moment constraints on some many-to-one mapping h(x). In this paper we explore its role in estimation problems in which the measured data are statistical observations and moment constraints on the observation function h(x) do not exist. We conclude that: 1) For the class of likelihood problems arising in a complete-incomplete data context in which the complete data x are nonuniquely determined by the measured incomplete data y via the many-to-one mapping y = h(x), the density maximizing entropy is identical to the conditional density of the complete data given the incomplete data. This equivalence results by viewing the measurements as specifying the domain over which the density is defined, rather than as a moment constraint on h(x). 2) The identity between the maximum entropy and the conditional density results in the fact that maximum-likelihood estimates may be obtained via a joint maximization (minimization) of the entropy function (Kullback-Liebler divergence). This provides the basis for the iterative algorithm of Dempster, Laird, and Rubin [1] for the maximization of likelihood functions. 3) This iterative method is used for maximum-likelihood estimation of image parameters in emission tomography and gammaray astronomy. We demonstrate that unconstrained likelihood estimation of image intensities from finite data sets yields unstable estimates. We show how Grenander's method of sieves can be used with the iterative algorithm to remove the instability. A bandwidth sieve is introduced resulting in an estimator which is smoothed via exponential splines. 4) We also derive a recursive algorithm for the generation of Toeplitz constrained maximum-likelihood estimators which at each iteration evaluates conditional mean estimates of the lag products based on the previous estimate of the covariance, from which the updated Toeplitz covariance is generated. We prove that the sequence of Toeplitz estimators has the property that they increase in likelihood, remain in the set of positive-definite Toeplitz covariances, and has all of its limit points stable and satisfying the necessary conditions for maximizing the likelihood.
Dynamic restitution of action potential duration during electrical alternans and ventricular fibrillation

The restitution kinetics of action potential duration (APD) were investigated in paced canine Purkinje fibers (P;n = 9) and endocardial muscle (M; n = 9), in isolated, perfused canine left ventricl...
A short-pulse, laser-driven photoelectron diode

We report a laser-driven photoelectxon diode which is capable of producing an electron beam pulse whose shape is determined by the shape of the laser pulse. A tungsten dispenser cathode impregnated with Ba and Sc is used as the photoemitter. Space-charge limited photoelectron current of just under 1 A with 10 ns duration has been achieved with modest laser driver power. Performance of the photoelectron diode is classified into three regimes based on the characteristics of the generated electron beam and the input laser-driver power. The photoelection dominated regime (PDR), the transition regime (TR), and the diode closure regime (DCR) are qualitatively discussed based on the electron current data. Compliance of the peak photoelectron current with the Child-Langmuir law is also shown.
Binding of agonists, antagonists and inverse agonists to the human δ-opioid receptor produces distinctly different conformational states distinguishable by plasmon-waveguide resonance spectroscopy

Structural changes induced by the binding of agonists, antagonists and inverse agonists to the cloned delta-opioid receptor from human brain immobilized in a solid-supported lipid bilayer were monitored using plasmon-waveguide resonance (PWR) spectroscopy. Agonist (e.g. deltorphin II) binding causes an increase in membrane thickness because of receptor elongation, a mass density increase due to an influx of lipid molecules into the bilayer, and an increase in refractive index anisotropy due to transmembrane helix and fatty acyl chain ordering. In contrast, antagonist (e.g. TIPPpsi) binding produces no measurable change in either membrane thickness or mass density, and a significantly larger increase in refractive index anisotropy, the latter thought to be due to a greater extent of helix and acyl chain ordering within the membrane interior. These results are closely similar to those reported earlier for another agonist (DPDPE) and antagonist (naltrindol) [Salamon et al. (2000) Biophys. J.79, 2463-2474]. In addition, we now find that an inverse agonist (TMT-Tic) produces membrane thickness, mass density and refractive index anisotropy increases which are similar to, but considerably smaller than, those generated by agonists. Thus, a third conformational state is produced by this ligand, different from those formed by agonists and antagonists. These results shed new light on the mechanisms of ligand-induced G-protein-coupled receptor functioning. The potential utilization of this new biophysical method to examine structural changes both parallel and perpendicular to the membrane normal for GPCRs is emphasized.
Error resilient distributed estimation in wireless sensor networks

We consider distributed parameter estimation using quantized observations in wireless sensor networks (WSN) operating in a noisy channel environment. Due to bandwidth constraints, each sensor quantizes its local observation into one bit of information. Previously, adaptive quantization(AQ) schemes were developed under the assumption of perfect communication links between the sensors and the fusion center (FC). In this paper we propose an adaptive quantization scheme for a WSN with channel links modeled as binary erasure channels. A first-order Hidden Markov Model (HMM) framework is introduced to model the adaptive quantization scheme. The introduction of a HMM framework aids in the systematic design of an estimator. To address the significant problem of bit erasures, we propose an Expectation-Maximization (EM) based estimator. Theoretical closed form solutions for the Cramer-Rao lower bounds are developed for the proposed estimation problem under certain assumptions. We analyze the performance of the proposed quantization scheme and estimator under different criteria. Numerical simulation results are shown for the proposed adaptive quantization and EM parameter estimation scheme under different scenarios. The simulation results indicate that the proposed quantization scheme and estimator are robust and can provide superior performance for erasure rates up to 10 %.
Comparison between geochemical and biological estimates of subsurface microbial activities.

Geochemical and biological estimates of in situ microbial activities were compared from the aerobic and microaerophilic sediments of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Radioisotope time-course experiments suggested oxidation rates greater than millimolar quantities per year for acetate and glucose. Geochemical analyses assessing oxygen consumption, soluble organic carbon utilization, sulfate reduction, and carbon dioxide production suggested organic oxidation rates of nano- to micromolar quantities per year. Radiotracer timecourse experiments appeared to overestimate rates of organic carbon oxidation, sulfate reduction, and biomass production by a factor of 103–106 greater than estimates calculated from groundwater analyses. Based on the geochemical evidence, in situ microbial metabolism was estimated to be in the nano- to micromolar range per year, and the average doubling time for the microbial community was estimated to be centuries.
ISWI remodeling complexes in Xenopus egg extracts: Identification as major chromosomal components that are regulated by INCENP-aurora B

We previously characterized major components of mitotic chromosomes assembled in Xenopus laevis egg extracts and collectively referred to them as Xenopus chromosome–associated polypeptides (XCAPs). They included five subunits of the condensin complex essential for chromosome condensation. In an effort to identify novel proteins involved in this process, we have isolated XCAP-F and found it to be the Xenopus ortholog of ISWI, a chromatin remodeling ATPase. ISWI exists in two major complexes in Xenopus egg extracts. The first complex contains ACF1 and two low-molecular-weight subunits, most likely corresponding to Xenopus CHRAC. The second complex is a novel one that contains the Xenopus ortholog of the human Williams syndrome transcription factor (WSTF). In the absence of the ISWI complexes, the deposition of histones onto DNA is apparently normal, but the spacing of nucleosomes is greatly disturbed. Despite the poor spacing of nucleosomes, ISWI depletion has little effect on DNA replication, chromosome condensation or sister chromatid cohesion in the cell-free extracts. The association of ISWI with chromatin is cell cycle regulated and is under the control of the INCENP-aurora B kinase complex that phosphorylates histone H3 during mitosis. Apparently contradictory to the generally accepted model, we find that neither chromosome condensation nor chromosomal targeting of condensin is compromised when H3 phosphorylation is drastically reduced by depletion of INCENP-aurora B.
Quantitative and qualitative assessment of bone perfusion and arterial contributions in a patellar fracture model using gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: a cadaveric study.

Background: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the anatomy and contribution of the patellar vascular supply and to quantify the effect of a transverse fracture on patellar perfusion. Methods: In twenty matched pairs of fresh-frozen cadaveric knees, the superficial femoral artery, anterior tibialis artery, and posterior tibialis artery were cannulated. One side of each matched pair was randomly selected to undergo one of two osteotomies: (1) midpatellar osteotomy or (2) distal-pole osteotomy. For volumetric analysis, comparisons were performed between contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance images and precontrast magnetic resonance images as well as between osteotomized patellar bone fragments and the corresponding intact areas on the control side. We then injected a urethane polymer compound and dissected all specimens to examine extraosseous vascularity. Results: Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated that the largest arterial contribution to the patella entered at the inferior pole in 100% of the specimens; in 80% of these specimens, the artery entered inferomedially. It also revealed an overall decrease in contrast enhancement in both transverse osteotomy groups, with an average reduction in enhancement in the proximal fragment of 36%. Conclusions: If possible, surgical interventions about the knee should be carefully planned to preserve the peripatellar ring (the source of the entire patellar blood supply), especially the inferior patellar network. Distal-pole patellectomy should be avoided to retain vascularized bone at the reduced fracture site.
Wet Chemical Digital Etching of GaAs at Room Temperature

A new room temperature wet chemical digital etching technique for GaAs is presented which uses hydrogen peroxide and an acid in a two‐step etching process to remove GaAs in approximately 15 A increments. In the first step, GaAs is oxidized by 30% hydrogen peroxide to form an oxide layer that is diffusion limited to a thickness of 14 to 17 A for time periods from 15 to 120 s. The second step removes this oxide layer with an acid that does not attack unoxidized GaAs. These steps are repeated in succession until the desired etch depth is obtained. Experimental results are presented for this digital etching technique demonstrating the etch rate and process invariability with respect to hydrogen peroxide and acid exposure times.
Validation of blackboard architecture for dynamic intent inferencing

The authors propose the concept of an operator's associate to serve as an intelligent aid to the human operator. They note that a necessary prerequisite for a useful and effective 'intelligent' automated aid is the ability to understand, or infer the intentions of, the human operator. This ability in turn relies on a sound model of operator performance goals in the control of the system. A good model of operator performance defines the structure of operator intentions or goals with respect to current system state. In the authors' system, this intentional structure is implemented as a blackboard architecture called ACTIN (Action Interpreter). Beyond implementation, however, the intent inferencing process must be validated. The authors describe two studies that experimentally evaluated the system's ability to infer operator intentions involving (1) post hoc analysis by a human domain expert and (2) concurrent verbal protocols by the actual human operator. Finally, the authors offer suggestions toward a general validation methodology. >
Induction of porcine uterine estrogen sulfotransferase activity by progesterone.

Abstract Studies have been carried out which were designed to examine the hormonal requirement for the appearance of estrogen sulfotransferase activity in porcine uteri. Mature, ovariectomized (OVX) gilts were housed for 3 weeks before being treated with various regimens of estradiol-17 beta (E2) and progesterone (P). Uteri were then removed, minced, incubated for 2 h with [3H] E2 (10(-8) M) and Na2 35SO4 (10(-4) M) and the labeled metabolic products were extracted and analyzed. Endometrial samples were also taken for the determination of E2 and P cytoplasmic and nuclear receptors (R). It was found that 4 daily injections of 250 micrograms of E2 was sufficient to bring plasma E2 concentrations to that representative of a normal estrous cycle (approx. 30 pg/ml) and to induce cytoplasmic PR to high levels (7000--19000 fmol/mg DNA). Estrogen sulfotransferase activity, which was negligible in OVX and E2-treated pigs, increased to near normal secretory levels (4 pmol product/h per 0.4 g tissue) only in pigs primed with E2 and subsequently treated with E2 and P (25--250 mg/day, 3 days). This treatment also brought about the translocation of PR to the nuclear compartment. The steroid alcohol sulfotransferase activity in these tissues decreased upon ovariectomy and remained unaffected by the hormone treatments. Endometria from treated and untreated pigs were cultured for a period up to 7 days. During this time E2 (10(-8) M) induced and/or maintained PR and P (10(-6) M) was shown to stimulate estrogen sulfurylation concomitant with the translocation of PR to the nucleus. These studies have demonstrated that, in OVX pigs and endometrial cultures, P stimulated uterine estrogen sulfotransferase activity to a level normally found in secretory uteri. In order for P to bring about elevated levels of estrogen sulfurylation it was necessary that the endometrium contain adequate concentrations of cytoplasmic PR (which required E2 priming of the system) and the P receptor complex must display nuclear translocation.
Single-film Broadband Photonic Crystal Micro-mirror with Large Angular Range and Low Polarization Dependence

We experimentally demonstrate a photonic crystal (PC) slab dielectric mirror with reflectivity higher than 90% at optical communication wavelengths. The mirror shows low sensitivity to polarization and incident angle of the input beam.
Episodic tremors and slip in Cascadia in the framework of the Frenkel‐Kontorova model

Received 27 August 2010; revised 20 October 2010; accepted 28 October 2010; published 13 January 2011. [1] The seismic moment for regular earthquakes is proportional to the cube of rupture time. A second class of phenomena, collectively called slow earthquakes, has very different scaling. We propose a model, inspired from the phenomenology of dislocation dynamics in crystals, that is consistent with the scaling relations observed in the Cascadia episodic tremor and slip (ETS) events. Two fundamental features of ETS are periodicity and migration. In the northern Cascadia subduction zone, ETS events appear every 14.5 months or so. During these events, tremors migrate along‐strike with a velocity of 10 km/day and simultaneously zip back and forth in the relative plate‐ motion direction with at ypical velocity of 50 km/h. Our model predicts the formation of a sequence of slip pulses on the boundary of the plates, which describes the major features of fault dynamics, including periodicity and the migration pattern of tremors. Citation: Gershenzon, N. I., G. Bambakidis, E. Hauser, A. Ghosh, and K. C. Creager (2011), Episodic tremors and slip in Cascadia in the framework of the Frenkel‐Kontorova model, Geophys. Res. Lett., 38, L01309,
Sarcopenia as a risk factor for falls in elderly individuals: Results from the ilSIRENTE study

Summary Background & aims Sarcopenia has been indicated as a reliable marker of frailty and poor prognosis among the oldest individuals. We evaluated the relationship between sarcopenia and 2-year risk of falls in a population of persons aged 80 years or older. Methods Data are from the baseline and follow-up evaluations of the Aging and Longevity Study in the Sirente Geographic Area (ilSIRENTE Study) ( n = 260). According to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), sarcopenia was diagnosed in presence of low muscle mass (mid-arm muscle circumference) plus either low muscle strength (hand grip) or low physical performance (4-m walking speed). The primary outcome measure was the incident falls during the follow-up period of 2 years. The relationship between sarcopenia and incident falls was estimated by deriving hazard ratios (HRs) from multiple logistic regression models considering the dependent variable of interest at least one fall during the follow-up period. Results Sixty-six participants (25.4%) were identified as affected by sarcopenia. Eighteen out of 66 (27.3%) participants with sarcopenia and 19 out of 194 (9.8%) without sarcopenia reported incident falls during the two-year follow-up of the study ( p Conclusions The present study suggests that sarcopenia – assessed using the EWGSOP algorithm – is highly prevalent among elderly persons without gender differences (25%). Sarcopenic participants were over three times more likely to fall during a follow-up period of 2 years relative to non sarcopenic individuals, regardless of age, gender and other confounding factors.
Do regulatory T cells play a role in the control of homeostatic proliferation

The control of peripheral lymphocyte numbers is a fundamental aspect of the immune system. Regulatory T cells are involved in the suppression of autoimmune, antitumor, allergic, and other inflammatory responses, as well as in facilitating graft acceptance. In this paper, we discuss whether the control of homeostatic proliferation is another facet of the immune system that is controlled by regulatory T cells. A review of the published data connecting regulatory T cells with the control of homeostatic proliferation indicates that several key questions remain open. One of these relates to the stage at which regulatory T cells could play a role (i.e., T-cell proliferation vs. survival).
Purpose and Meaning in Career Development Applications

Purpose and meaning in career development is a rapidly growing, cross-disciplinary area of research and practice in which counseling and vocational psychology aligns with positive psychology to yield promising applications to career counseling. We provide a brief overview of theory related to purpose and meaning in work, then review six specific areas of application: strengths, positive emotions and flow, gratitude, work hope, job crafting, and perceiving and living a calling. The links of these applications to theory and research are emphasized, and recommendations are offered for how counseling and vocational psychologists might leverage these applications in their work with clients engaged in the career development process.
Normal stiffness and damping at lightly loaded rough planar contacts

Abstract Two features of contact between rough surfaces are localized interactions between asperities and the presence of air in the gap. This gives rise to a contact compliance, a static and local property and, when contacts vibrate, mechanical damping due to squeeze films of air. We examine the stiffness characteristics of clean surfaces in primarily elastic contact and both new worn surfaces in elasto-plastic contact. The squeeze-film damping can be related to the average gap between the surfaces. Experimental results are compared with analytical models. Qualitative and quantitative insight into both the stiffness and the gap can be obtained from the Greenwood–Williamson (1996) [1] paper that we are honoring at this symposium.
Transmutable nanoparticles with reconfigurable surface ligands

Unlike conventional inorganic materials, biological systems are exquisitely adapted to respond to their surroundings. Proteins and other biological molecules can process a complex set of chemical binding events as informational inputs and respond accordingly via a change in structure and function. We applied this principle to the design and synthesis of inorganic materials by preparing nanoparticles with reconfigurable surface ligands, where interparticle bonding can be programmed in response to specific chemical cues in a dynamic manner. As a result, a nascent set of “transmutable nanoparticles” can be driven to crystallize along multiple thermodynamic trajectories, resulting in rational control over the phase and time evolution of nanoparticle-based matter.
Love of the World: Civic Skills for Jobs, Work, and Action

This chapter looks at civic learning and democratic engagement from the perspective of political philosophy to suggest the essential cognitive, affective, and political skills needed for careers of fulfilling public work and for civic action.
A Portfolio of Scientific Ideas

You are about to read a unique publication. The Journal of Student Science and Technology presents information and ideas in a way not found in any other collection of printed words. It is a portfolio of creativity flowing from young minds. But it packages these ideas within the framework of established standards. Vous etes sur le point de lire une publication unique. La Revue pour les etudiants en technologie et sciences presente des renseignements et des idees d’une facon tout a fait originale. Il s’agit d’un recueil de la creativite des jeunes talents qui regroupe leurs idees dans un cadre de normes etablies.
Molecular Simulation of Olefin Oligomer Blend Phase Behavior

Configurational-bias Monte Carlo simulations in the Gibbs ensemble are used to study the thermodynamic and structural properties associated with the miscibility of binary olefin oligomer mixtures representing poly(ethylene-alt-propylene), polypropylene, and head-to-head polypropylene. Single-component simulations are performed to compute the cohesive energy densities, ΠCED, of different oligomers that are often utilized in estimating the miscibilities of compounds in the liquid phase but are not measurable for high-boiling compounds, such as polymers. Extrapolating simulation data for C5 to C36 oligomers allows for determination of the infinite-chain-length ΠCED values of three polyolefins. The results agree remarkably well with values deduced from small-angle neutron scattering experiments on high-molecular-weight polymers. In addition, the Flory–Huggins χ parameters based on the free energy of mixing for pairs of olefins are calculated directly from simulations of binary mixtures. The binary propylene a...
Im Spannungsfeld zwischen Migration, Staat und Politik

Die Wanderung von Menschen und Familien, die ihre Heimat verlas sen und in ein anderes Land ziehen, und die damit verbundenen Fragen und Probleme werden in vielen Landern Europas, auch in klassischen Ein wanderungslandern wie in den USA oder in Australien kontrovers dis kutiert. Haufig werden sie zum Zundstoff fur jenen „Clash of Civili zation“ (Huntington 1997), den wir heute in verschiedenen Regionen der Erde beobachten konnen.
Genetic Diversity and Evidence for Transmission of Streptococcus mutans by DiversiLab rep-PCR.

Abstract This two-part study investigated the genetic diversity and transmission of Streptococcus mutans using the DiversiLab repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR (rep-PCR) approach. For children with S. mutans and participating household members, analysis for evidence of unrelated child-to-child as well as intra-familial transmission was evaluated based on commonality of genotypes. A total of 169 index children and 425 household family members from Uniontown, Alabama were evaluated for genetic diversity using rep-PCR. Thirty-four unique rep-PCR genotypes were observed for 13,906 S. mutans isolates. For transmission, 117 child and household isolates were evaluated for shared genotype (by child and by genotype cases, multiple matches possible for each child). Overall, children had 1–9 genotypes and those with multiple genotypes were 2.3 times more likely to have caries experience (decayed, missing and filled teeth/surfaces > 0). Only 28% of children shared all genotypes within the household, while 72% had at least 1 genotype not shared with anyone in the household. Children had genotype(s) not shared with any household members in 157 cases. In 158 cases children and household members shared a genotype in which 55% (87/158 cases) were shared with more than one family member. Children most frequently shared genotypes with their mothers (54%; 85/158), siblings (46%; 72/158) and cousins (23%; 37/158). A reference library for S. mutans for epidemiological surveillance using the DiversiLab rep-PCR approach is detailed. The genetic diversity of S. mutans in this population demonstrated frequent commonality of genotypes. Evidence for both child-to-child and intra-familial transmission of S. mutans was observed by rep-PCR.
Probability density function of Hermite–Gaussian beam intensity in the presence of spatial error

The probability density function of the intensity of a Hermite–Gaussian (HG) beam is studied. It is assumed that the beam is used in a free-space optics communication link or laser ranging system. In particular, it is assumed that the captured optical radiation pattern assumes an HG beam intensity profile and that the beam is impaired by the residual pointing error cause by the spatial tracking loop responsible for tracking the atmospheric beam wander and platform sway. The mean and variance of the beam profile are also obtained to underscore the impact of spatial jitter on the overall beam profile.
Plato’s Protagoras, Writing, and the Comedy of Aporia

Plato’s Protagoras plays off the genre of Greek comedy in its expression of its philosophical meaning. This dialogue at points invites us to re-envision Socrates against the backdrop of Aristophanes’ criticisms of Socrates and the sophists. The Protagoras follows some of the conventions of Greek comedy but interrupts its form with moments of lengthier rational discussion absent in Greek comedy. The dialogue’s logos and antilogos lead to aporia, but this aporia shows a limit to reason that recognizes human incompleteness without leading to misology. In contrast to performed drama, the written form of the dialogue both engages its audience’s emotions while allowing the reader to return to the text and to continue their rational assessment of the arguments.
Fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy for brain metastases: a systematic review with tumour control probability modelling.

Objective:Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) is a relatively new option for the treatment of brain metastases. We performed a quantitative systematic review to determine if local control (LC) following is affected by FSRT dosing regimen.Methods:We reviewed articles describing LC following FSRT for brain metastases. LC data from each study were extracted from actuarial survival curves and aggregated to form a single data set. LC curves were generated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Log-rank testing and Cox proportional hazards modelling were utilized to test for associations between the biologically effective dose (BED) and LC. Tumour control probability modelling was performed to illustrate the relationship between the BED and the likelihood of LC after FSRT.Results:10 studies (720 metastases) met inclusion criteria. Prescription doses ranged from 18 to 42 Gy, delivered in 3–12 fractions (BED range: 29–100 Gy10). 1- and 2-year actuarial LC rates were 80% and 69%, respectively. Increasing BED was...
Analysis of Efficient Recurrence Quantum Entanglement Distillation

Quantum entanglement serves as a valuable resource for many important quantum operations. To address challenge brought by the noise in the quantum channel, various quantum entanglement distillation (QED) algorithms have been developed. Among them, recurrence algorithms have advantages in terms of implementability and robustness. However, the efficiency of recurrence QED algorithms has not been investigated thoroughly in the literature. To enable efficient QED algorithms, it is essential to increase the fidelity of the qubit pairs obtained in each rounds of distillation, so as to reduce the rounds of distillation required. This paper considers two-Kraus-operator (TKO) channels, a class that covers several typical quantum channels, characterizes the optimal fidelity achievable by QED operations in each round, and designs recurrence algorithms which achieve the optimal fidelity.
Evaluation of a Video-Based Seminar to Raise Health Care Professionals' Awareness of Culturally Sensitive End-of-Life Care

Abstract Context Health care workers serve diverse communities and face challenges in delivering culturally responsive EOL care, especially when caring for Latino elders. Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a newly developed telenovela, or video soap opera, on health care professionals (HCPs)' awareness of caregivers' stress and patients' cultural approaches to end-of-life (EOL) care decisions. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study among three communities in New York, Miami, and Missouri. Participants from a convenience sample of multidisciplinary HCPs were randomly assigned to view power point presentation with either a control video or an intervention-telenovela about caregiving as part of a one-hour audiovisual seminar and completed a pre- and post-test questionnaire to evaluate reaction and learning. Results Participants (N = 142) were mostly female (80%) nurses (54%) with a mean age of 44.5 ± 12.4 years and from non-Hispanic white (41%) or Hispanics (37%) ethnicity. In both control and intervention groups, post-test responses demonstrated a high level (87%) of satisfaction with seminar and an increase in openness to discuss EOL issues with culturally diverse patients (P Conclusion The telenovela was effective in increasing health care workers' awareness of caregivers stress and cultural approach to EOL decisions. There is need for ongoing efforts to educate HCPs on cultural sensitivity to help ethnically diverse caregivers and their patients benefit from EOL care.
Hume: An Intellectual Biography

James A. Harris’s intellectual biography of David Hume is a remarkable work of scholarship. As difficult as it is to believe, given the consensus view of Hume as one of the most important authors t...
Representation, Embodiment, and Subpersonal States

In the literature on psychosemantics, fully externalist views hold that nomological brain-environment relations exhaustively determine the representational properties of internal states; computational role has no bearing. Fully internalist views reverse both claims. I argue that there is no overwhelming reason to adopt either view, and that the most promising alternative is functional-role semantics (FRS). Next, I show that the main arguments against FRS fail at the subpersonal level of description—a fact obscured by the “psychofunctionalist” tradition’s persistent conflation of personal with subpersonal. I survey six interrelated differences between them. Unlike personal-level states, subpersonal states are not inferentially integrated, never conscious, never expressed in speech, lack mental attitude, are not composed of concepts, and do not resist computational treatment. I then go on to distinguish between representing a rule, embodying it, and conforming to it, providing rough-and-ready characterizations of each phenomenon. Crucially, embodiment is an intermediate notion, distinguishable from the others by conceivable empirical tests. Finally, I discuss the distinction between occurrent and dispositional personal-level states—propositional attitudes such as datable judgments and standing beliefs. I argue that an analogous distinction operates at the subpersonal level, between mental phrase markers and mental syntactic principles, respectively.
In iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis, steroid therapy today could keep the surgical knife at bay.

BACKGROUND Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) type 2, characterized as a destructive thyroiditis, is well described in the medical literature; however, iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis (IIT) is not, though the latter has similar features and can be managed similarly. CASE PRESENTATION We present a 17-year-old female who presented with a history of an intermittent goiter with thyroid function tests (TFTs): thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)<0.015 (0.4-4 μU/mL), free thyroxine (T4)≥6 (0.7-2.1 ng/dL) and total triiodothyronine (T3) 651 (50-200 mg/dL). Thyroid antibodies were all negative. Despite methimazole therapy for 6 weeks, hyperthyroidism proved refractory to medical management. 123I scan uptake was suppressed. With hyperthyroidism being recalcitrant to therapy, a nutritional history revealed consumption of an iodine supplement containing at least 7 times the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for 5 years, contributing to the Jod-Basedow phenomenon. Urinary spot and 24-hour urinary iodine were both elevated. Though a surgical consult was obtained, surgery was cancelled once TFTs improved and then normalized with steroid therapy. The TFTs and urinary iodine levels remained normal post steroid therapy. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that in addition to the need for a thorough nutritional history, a trial of corticosteroids should be utilized in the management of IIT which can present with findings similar to AIT type 2 which is recalcitrant to thionamide therapy. If successful, corticosteroids may delay or prevent surgical management thus avoiding possible complications with the latter approach.
Variation in perceived providers of ambulatory physical therapy in the United States, 2009–2012: An analysis using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey

Introduction: Little is known about public perception of physical therapy (PT) delivery by type of provider in the United States (US). Purpose: This study aimed to describe differences in ambulator...
FALSE CLAIMS ACT: Greater DOJ Scrutiny of Frivolous Qui Tam Actions?

This short piece discusses recent (internal) Justice Department guidance for attorneys handling False Claims (FCA) Act cases. In a dramatic policy and practice shift, the memorandum recommends that “when evaluating a recommendation to decline intervention in a qui tam action, attorneys should also consider whether the government’s interests are served... by seeking dismissal pursuant to 31 U.S.C. § 3730(c)(2)(A).” The essay applauds DOJ's apparent acknowledgement that its attorneys have more than a pro forma duty to consider moving to dismiss frivolous qui tam suits. The essay discusses DOJ's new rubric or menu of factors for deciding whether to dismiss cases. The essay expresses hope that the new policy might reduce longstanding concerns that there are too many qui tam suits that find their way into the federal court system even after the DOJ has determined that the cases lack merit. Ultimately, the essay concludes that, if the DOJ pulls the plug on any appreciable number of frivolous qui tam matters, that would offer a welcome respite for government contractors and the health care industry.