cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stalking the Secure Second Strike: Intelligence, Counterforce, and Nuclear Strategy

AbstractSecure second strike nuclear forces are frequently held to be easy to procure. Analysts have long argued that targeting intelligence against relocatable targets like submarine launched and land mobile ballistic missiles is difficult to obtain. However, the scholarly consensus on intelligence for counterforce operations is seriously overdrawn. Both during and after the Cold War, the United States developed substantial intelligence capabilities to track and target submarines and mobile missiles. These efforts achieved important and under-appreciated success. Second strike forces have been far more vulnerable than most analysts are willing to credit.
Proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma of the maxilla with metastasis to the scalp: Cytologic findings of an unusual malignant tumor

Epithelioid sarcoma of proximal type (ESPT), a subtype of epithelioid sarcoma, is an uncommon malignant neoplasm of the soft tissue with histo- and cytologic features similar to epithelioid sarcoma, classic type and to the more commonly encountered extra-renal malignant rhabdoid tumor (EMRT). Unlike classic epithelioid sarcoma, ESPT usually involves pelvic, perineal, and genital regions and has an aggressive clinical course. Like EMRT, ESPT can have aberrations of the INI1 gene on chromosome 22q, which results in the loss of INI1 protein expression. We describe here the cytological findings of an ESPT metastatic to the scalp in a 14-year-old boy. Cytological preparations showed a discohesive population of pleomorphic ovoid to polygonal cells with large irregular nuclei and prominent nucleoli. Isolated cells with rhabdoid features were noted. These cells had abundant cytoplasm and occasional intracytoplasmic hyaline inclusions. In the light of the patient's clinical history of a known primary ESPT of the maxilla, the cytologic features were distinct enough to render a diagnosis of a metastatic lesion to the skull. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010;38:744–747. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Comparing Hierarchical and Nonhierarchical Weighting Methods for Eliciting Multiattribute Value Models

A value tree relating general values and concerns to specific value relevant attributes was constructed to compare three energy options: nuclear, coal, and a combined geothermal and conservation package. Thirty-seven nonexpert subjects provided judgments of the relative importance of attributes in the tree using both hierarchical and nonhierarchical weighting procedures, and they rated the energy options on all attributes and all levels of the tree. From these importance weights and ratings several additive multiattribute value models were constructed and compared with holistic rankings and ratings of the three options. The experiment had three basic findings: First, hierarchical weights were steeper higher weight ratios than nonhierarchical weights. Second, groups that differed in their holistic first choice nevertheless showed substantial agreement in their assessment of attribute weights. Third, attribute level ratings of the relative desirability of energy options also agreed rather well across groups, although there was a tendency for each group to favor their holistic first choice. This convergence of multiattribute value model parameters resulted in a "common model" that was most consistent with holistic evaluations of the pro-conservation group, and generally inconsistent with those of the pro-nuclear group. This third finding of differential consistency between model composites and holistic evaluations is interpreted as a result of weight parameter distortions due to social desirability and/or a neglect to consider attribute value ranges when making weight judgments.
Progress of Gravity surveys in the western United States

A symposium on the Progress of Gravity Surveys in the western United States was held at the University of Colorado, Boulder, on December 27 and 28, 1963, as part of the Western National Meeting of the AGU. The object of the symposium was to provide an up to date picture of surveys completed and in progress with the purpose of stimulating cooperation between the various organizations engaged in gravity surveying in the area, thereby reducing duplication of surveys and encouraging the use of a common series of base stations and gravity values.
Pathogenesis of osteoarthritis

This article reviews the etiology and pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, particularly one of several current concepts concerning the possible central mechanisms regulating degradation of cartilage. According to this theory, degradation involves diffuse or focal exposure of the extracellular matrix to active neutral metalloproteinases, which then results in injury as well as initiation of repair processes. Diffuse matrix exposure is probably not a physiologic aberrancy but rather a pathologic result of either physical injury to local chondrocytes or inflammatory mediators.
The giant monopole state: Isospin mixing in nuclear ground states

Abstract The Coulomb-induced ΔT = 1 admixture in nuclear ground states is evaluated by assuming that the mixing is entirely through the giant monopole state |Φ〉∝( ∑ p r 2 p − ∑ n r 2 n ) | g.s. 〉 .
The Absorption Spectrum of UF6, from 2000 to 4200 Å

Abstract The absorption spectrum of UF6 between 3400 and 4200 A, is well-documented,(1–3) but the region below 3400 A has not been studied in any detail. We present here a spectrum of UF6 between 2000 and 4200 A that shows significant structure below 3400 A. The absorption in this region must be observed at very low pressures and relatively short path lengths.
Capillary Electrophoresis Separation Techniques and Mechanisms in Dilute Polymer Matrices

Capillary electrophoresis in ultradilute derivatized solutions is used to separate nucleic acid fragment mixtures. Pulsed field techniques are used to improve resolution. Protocols in which pulse parameters are varied during the course of the separation are used to increase the range of fragment sizes separated. Fluorescence microscopy is used to study the separation mechanism in ultradilute solution.
Dynamic allocation of nodes on a large space-shared cluster

In this paper we present the results of analyzing different approaches to implementing dynamic allocation on a large space-shared Linux cluster using an actual historical workload. We take the approach that dynamic allocation of nodes to processes can be initiated by the application as opposed to the more commonly studied approach in which the operating system requests an application to change the number of nodes it is allocated. We take the stance that jobs requesting dynamic allocation should have a minimized impact on the rest of the system. We conclude that this occurs when dynamic allocation is implemented in a non-blocking, non-priority fashion. We give a proposal for an implementation of dynamic allocation under MPI-2 which is non-priority and gives the user the choice of blocking and non-blocking while waiting for additional nodes.
The impact of supplier downsizing on performance, satisfaction over time, and repurchase intentions

Purpose – The purpose of this study is first to investigate how well downsized suppliers, as compared to non‐downsized suppliers, are able to satisfy their business customers over time; and second whether these same business customers having stronger or weaker repurchase intentions toward downsized suppliers, as compared to non‐downsized suppliers.Design/methodology/approach – A random sample of 560 purchasing professionals from a wide range of industries and firms provide responses on the performance of, their satisfaction with, and their repurchase intentions toward downsized and non‐downsized industrial suppliers.Findings – The results of the study indicate that downsized suppliers, as compared to non‐downsized suppliers, overall are doing a significantly poorer job of satisfying their business customers, leading to significantly lower ratings of loyalty and repurchase intentions. However, some surprising results emerge regarding the non‐linear pattern of low, medium and high levels of downsizing on pe...
Predictors of Attrition From a Clinical Pediatric Obesity Treatment Program

Objective. To assess the predictors of attrition from a clinical pediatric obesity treatment program. Methods. We evaluated 2- through 20-year-old patients first seen at the Duke University Healthy Lifestyles Program between October 2006 and December 2008. We assessed the predictors of early dropout (not returning for any follow-up visits within 1 year) and of noncompletion (not attending at least 6 visits within 1 year after entry). Results. The sample included 983 patients. In adjusted analyses, non-white non-Hispanic children were more likely to be early dropouts than white non-Hispanic children (odds ratio [OR] = 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-2.07). Non-white non-Hispanic children were more likely to be noncompleters than white non-Hispanic (OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.03-2.36) and Hispanic children (OR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.34-4.90). Conclusions. Race/ethnicity predicted patient attrition. Investigation into this association and program modification are needed to reduce attrition in certain racial...
Optimal Duration of Therapy for Catheter-Related Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia: A Study of 55 Cases and Review

Over the last two decades, the optimal duration of therapy for catheter-related Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia has become the subject of controversy. A review of the literature revealed an occasional association between relapse of the infection and a short course of therapy (less than 10 days of iv antibiotic therapy). From records kept between 1983 and 1989 at the University of Florida's affiliated hospitals, we identified 55 patients with catheter-related S. aureus bacteremia. Nine patients (16%) developed acute early complications (e.g., endocarditis or osteomyelitis) while receiving antibiotics. The results of multivariate analysis showed that an early complicated course was characterized by fever and/or bacteremia that persisted for greater than 3 days after catheter removal (P = .02). The remaining 46 patients were followed up for at least 3 months. During follow-up, three of the 18 patients treated for less than 10 days with iv antibiotics developed relapsing septicemia, whereas none of the 28 patients treated for a longer period developed this condition (P = .05). Fever and/or bacteremia that persists for greater than 3 days after catheter removal and initiation of antibiotic therapy suggests an acutely complicated course requiring prolonged treatment. The duration of iv antibiotic therapy in uncomplicated cases should not be less than 10 days but need not be greater than 2 weeks.
A Comparison of Chronic Versus Casual Marijuana Users on Personal Values and Behavioral Orientations

Fifty-one chronic (daily) long-term marijuana smokers and 32 casual (1 to 3 times per week) users were interviewed and given a Rokeach Value Survey, a Personal Orientation Inventory (POI), and a Zuckerman Multiple Affect Adjective Check List. Value survey results showed that the two groups had the same general value structure. The POI showed no differences between the groups, and the adjective self-ratings were similar. The groups were significantly different on a number of social variables; number of user friends, longest period without drugs, perceived risks, etc., which indicated “drug subculture involvement.” Results are discussed from a sociological point of view.
PID controller tuning in a DC-DC converter: A geometric approach for minimum transient recovery time

A high performance proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller in a dc-dc converter requires a time optimal tuning rule. A suitable auto-tuning rule needs to perform large-signal minimum-time transient recovery, while maintaining a sufficient small-signal stability margin and closed-loop bandwidth. This paper applies a geometric approach to analytically formulate a time optimal PID controller tuning rule for a buck converter. It is shown that the proposed method achieves approximate minimum-time transient recovery in the large-signal sense. The controller gains during a small-signal transient can be shown to be representative of those obtained using a standard tuning rule. The proposed formulation closely follows the desired minimum-transient-time trajectory. This geometric representation ensures large-signal stability in a sense similar to that of sliding mode control. A buck converter prototype is tested, and the proposed scheme is implemented using the ALTERA FPGA Cyclone-II.
Health departments' implementation of public health's core functions: an assessment of health impacts.

Objectives. The purpose of this article was to investigate the relationship between state health agencies’ adherence to the recommendations of the United State’s Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) report, ‘The Future of Public Health’, and changes in their populations’ health. Study design. Data were abstracted from agencies’ plans, budgets, annual reports, etc. spanning a 5-year period. A comprehensive change in population health measure over the same period was drawn from the UnitedHealth Group’s annual survey. Methods. Configurations, based on public health core functions, were established using linear regression and qualitative comparative analysis. The dependent variable was a holistic measure of change in a state population’s health status. Results. State agencies that most completely adopted a public health model emphasizing assessment, assurance and policy development also experienced significant improvements in their population health measures. Conclusions. State agencies that more completely adopted the IOM’s public health core functions had a concomitant improvement in their populations’ health statuses. Further research to explore if there is a causal link between adoption of the core functions and positive health impacts is warranted.
Protein phosphatase 2A-SUR-6/B55 regulates centriole duplication in C. elegans by controlling the levels of centriole assembly factors.

Summary Centrioles play a crucial role in mitotic spindle assembly and duplicate precisely once per cell cycle. In worms, flies, and humans, centriole assembly is dependent upon a key regulatory kinase (ZYG-1/Sak/Plk4) and its downstream effectors SAS-5 and SAS-6. Here we report a role for protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in centriole duplication. We find that the PP2A catalytic subunit LET-92, the scaffolding subunit PAA-1, and the B55 regulatory subunit SUR-6 function together to positively regulate centriole assembly. In PP2A-SUR-6-depleted embryos, the levels of ZYG-1 and SAS-5 are reduced and the ZYG-1- and SAS-5-dependent recruitment of SAS-6 to the nascent centriole fails. We show that PP2A physically associates with SAS-5 in vivo and that inhibiting proteolysis can rescue SAS-5 levels and the centriole duplication defect of PP2A-depleted embryos. Together, our findings indicate that PP2A-SUR-6 promotes centriole assembly by protecting ZYG-1 and SAS-5 from degradation.
Kinesin-14 Family Proteins HSET/XCTK2 Control Spindle Length by Cross-Linking and Sliding Microtubules

Kinesin-14 family proteins are minus-end directed motors that cross-link microtubules and play key roles during spindle assembly. We showed previously that the Xenopus Kinesin-14 XCTK2 is regulated by Ran via the association of a bipartite NLS in the tail of XCTK2 with importin alpha/beta, which regulates its ability to cross-link microtubules during spindle formation. Here we show that mutation of the nuclear localization signal (NLS) of human Kinesin-14 HSET caused an accumulation of HSET in the cytoplasm, which resulted in strong microtubule bundling. HSET overexpression in HeLa cells resulted in longer spindles, similar to what was seen with NLS mutants of XCTK2 in extracts, suggesting that Kinesin-14 proteins play similar roles in extracts and in somatic cells. Conversely, HSET knockdown by RNAi resulted in shorter spindles but did not affect pole formation. The change in spindle length was not dependent on K-fibers, as elimination of the K-fiber by Nuf2 RNAi resulted in an increase in spindle length that was partially rescued by co-RNAi of HSET. However, these changes in spindle length did require microtubule sliding, as overexpression of an HSET mutant that had its sliding activity uncoupled from its ATPase activity resulted in cells with spindle lengths shorter than cells overexpressing wild-type HSET. Our results are consistent with a model in which Ran regulates the association of Kinesin-14s with importin alpha/beta to prevent aberrant cross-linking and bundling of microtubules by sequestering Kinesin-14s in the nucleus during interphase. Kinesin-14s act during mitosis to cross-link and slide between parallel microtubules to regulate spindle length.
High-quality video view interpolation using a layered representation

The ability to interactively control viewpoint while watching a video is an exciting application of image-based rendering. The goal of our work is to render dynamic scenes with interactive viewpoint control using a relatively small number of video cameras. In this paper, we show how high-quality video-based rendering of dynamic scenes can be accomplished using multiple synchronized video streams combined with novel image-based modeling and rendering algorithms. Once these video streams have been processed, we can synthesize any intermediate view between cameras at any time, with the potential for space-time manipulation.In our approach, we first use a novel color segmentation-based stereo algorithm to generate high-quality photoconsistent correspondences across all camera views. Mattes for areas near depth discontinuities are then automatically extracted to reduce artifacts during view synthesis. Finally, a novel temporal two-layer compressed representation that handles matting is developed for rendering at interactive rates.
Enhancing the student project team experience with blended learning techniques

Integrating student team projects into the engineering and computing curriculum presents a variety of challenges. At the Rochester Institute of Technology, the undergraduate introductory software engineering course has been redesigned from a traditional lecture-lab format to a project-centric studio format. The student team focus has allowed us to better incorporate active learning by promoting collaboration among students and instructors in the development of a term long software project. In order to make the studio format more effective we have adopted a blended learning approach. Blended learning aims to join the best of face-to-face classroom learning with the best of online teaching and learning to promote active independent learning and reduce class seat time. Student satisfaction in courses requiring a collaborative effort among their peers is heavily influenced by their project team experience. The use of blended learning techniques helps to make the experience a more satisfying one by increasing the effectiveness of collaboration in team activities and interaction with the instructor through the application of distance learning and social computing technologies. The challenges faced and the techniques and strategies utilized in the planning and delivery of the course was discussed, including the utilization of online learning support infrastructure. This paper presents instructor experiences, analysis of student feedback, lessons learned and recommendations for other educators considering the application of blended learning techniques for their courses
Measures and technologies to enhance the insulation condition monitoring of large electrical machines

The utility of condition monitoring of the stator insulation structure of large machines has been enhanced substantially by the use of computer-based analysis of partial discharge signatures. A number of indices are examined through tests in a multistress aging facility to assess their promise in describing insulation degradation in machine insulation. In transitioning such tests to the field environment, an operational test is also described which offers some promise in identifying degradation without prior baseline data for a machine. On the basis that most electrical failures have mechanical precursors, acoustic methods are described for assessing stator bar mechanical integrity. This includes both using the conductors as waveguides and also employing acoustic emission for the location of large discharges.
Green Niche Market Development

Supplementary material is available on the JIE Web site Summary This article introduces a multiagent simulation framework for investigating the emergence of niche markets for environmentally innovative products. It clarifies how consumer preferences, business strategy, and government policy interact during market development. The framework allows investigation of the effects of uncertainty and agents’ corresponding coping strategies. We describe the model, illustrate how it works when applied to the case of hybrid cars, and analyze results spanning several policy cases and a range of scenarios that make different assumptions about the heterogeneity of agents. Heterogeneity within each agent class strongly influences aggregate outcomes. Innovative firms can create green products in response to or in anticipation of government regulation, but true green niche markets do not emerge unless there are also green consumers. Niche markets do not go mainstream unless scale economies drive costs down to parity with conventional products. Preferred environmental innovation policies change with heterogeneity assumptions.
Visual search in continuous, naturalistic stimuli

Abstract In standard visual search experiments, subjects look for a target item among distractor items. Targets and distractors are generally presented as isolated entities on a blank background. Do theories based on results of such experiments have any application to the real world of spatially continuous stimuli where “items” are not so conveniently delineated? Experiment 1 examines search for conjunctions of color with form and with orientation in novel stimuli designed to resemble aerial views. As with artificially isolated items, conjunction search with these complex stimuli is highly efficient, holding out the promise that models of visual search based on laboratory data can be extended to real-world situations. Experiment 2 shows that some “serial” searches are made significantly less efficient when items are embedded in these specific naturalistic backgrounds. This suggests that even classic serial searches rely on some parallel processing—the processing required to locate the “items” to be serially searched.
Effect of Oxygen Partial Pressure on the Creep of Polycrystalline Al2O3 Doped with Cr, Fe, or Ti

Steady-state creep was studied in hot-forged polycrystalline Al2O3 (3 to 42 μm) of nearly theoretical density doped with≤1 cation % of Fe, Ti, or Cr. Tests were conducted at stresses between 10 and 550 kg/cm2 at 1375° to 1525°C under O2 partial pressures of 0.88 to 10−10 atm. Except in the 10-μm Fe-doped material tested at very small stresses, slightly nonviscous creep behavior was generally observed. The effects of Po2 on the creep rate indicated that increased concentration of a divalent (Fe2+) or quadrivalent (Ti4+) impurity in solid solution enhances the creep rate of polycrystalline Al2O3. The activation energies for the creep of Fe- and Ti-doped Al2O3 samples (148 and 145 kcal/mol, respectively) were significantly higher than that for Cr-doped material (114 kcal/mol). Taking into account the effects of Po2, temperature, and grain size, it was concluded that the steady-state creep of transition-metal-doped Al2O3 is controlled by cation lattice diffusion.
A computational study of complex three-dimensional compressible turbulent flowfields

Solutions of the time dependent, Reynolds-averaged, Navier-Stokes equations are presented and are compared with a family of experimental results for the three-dimensional interaction of a shock wave with a turbulent boundary layer. The solutions correctly predict the major features of the flow field independent of the shock strength and the extent of separation when using a two-equation turbulence model with wall functions. The experimentally observed boundary between cylindrical and conical flow regimes is also predicted. However, for the flow fields with large separated zones, the details of the measured pressure distributions are not accurately computed, which indicates a need for improved turbulence modeling and/or grid resolution.
The nitrogen and phosphorus dependence of algal biomass in lakes: An empirical and theoretical analysis1

An analysis of mean growing season concentrations of chlorophyll, total phosphorus (TP), and total nitrogen (TN) in 228 north latitude lakes confirms previous observations that chlorophyll yield is dependent both on the phosphorus concentration and on the TN:TP ratio. Of two modified chlorophyll models which depend explicitly on both nitrogen and phosphorus developed and tested, one, a multiple regression model, appears to greatly reduce the error of chlorophyll prediction in lakes. A theoretical framework is presented which provides an explanation for the observed effects of N:P ratios.
Work-Conserving Fair-Aggregation with Rate-Independent Delay

Flow aggregation has been proposed as a technique to improve the scalability of QoS scheduling in the core of the Internet, by reducing the amount of per-flow state necessary at a router. This is accomplished by aggregating into a single flow multiple flows that share part of the same path to the destination. In its simplest form, flow aggregation is inherently non-work- conserving, that is, it may temporarily leave the output channel idle even though there are still packets to be forwarded. Work-conserving variations of flow aggregation are more desirable, because they allow flows to temporarily exceed their reserved rate and take advantage of bandwidth unused by other flows. This, however, requires a per-hop delay proportional to the rate reserved for the aggregate flow. Thus, if a lower delay is desired, the aggregate flow must reserve from the network a data rate that is greater than its true rate. In this paper, we explore the conditions under which work- conserving flow aggregation can be performed with rate- independent delay. That is, the aggregate flow is able to choose a per-hop delay that is independent of the data rate it reserved from the network. The price to be paid for this flexibility, however, is a restriction in the choice of packet size and data rates of its constituent flows.
Coccidial Infections and Manganese Absorption

Four-week-old Single Comb White Leghorn male chicks were infected with 1,000,000 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria acervulina, or with 50,000 sporulated oocysts of E. necatrix, or with 50,000 sporulated oocysts of E. brunetti, or with 50,000 sporulated oocysts of E. tenella, or were left uninfected as the controls. On Days 1, 3, 6, 10, 14, 21, and 28 following the infection, 5 birds from each group were randomly selected and administered 2.0 microCi of 54Mn orally. At 1, 2, and 4 hr after administration of the radiotracer, the amount of radioactivity appearing in the bloodstream was measured. The absorption of manganese 6 days after the beginning of the E. acervulina infections was decreased to 23 to 34% of that in the uninfected birds, whereas E. necatrix infections resulted in a smaller and more variable decrease in manganese absorption. The other coccidial infections did not decrease manganese absorption significantly. On the 14th day of the infections, all four coccidial infections increased manganese absorption two- to fourfold that found in the controls in one trial but not in the second trial. At other times during the coccidial cycle, no effects were seen on manganese absorption.
Surface science and the atomic-scale origins of friction: what once was old is new again

Long neglected by physicists, the study of friction’s atomic-level origins, or nanotribology, indicates that sliding friction stems from various unexpected sources, including sound energy, and static friction may arise from physisorbed molecules. Progress in this field will be discussed, with an emphasis on how the field of surface science has influenced our understanding of friction. 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Storyboard authoring of plan-based interactive dramas

The creation of high quality interactive dramas requires both expertise in authoring (compelling plot arcs, dialog, character conflicts, etc.) and technical expertise in computational and generative story representations. Currently, authors, or more typically author teams, must have competence in programming, a background in artificial intelligence, competence in interaction and game design, and skill in story authoring, including the creation of compelling plot spaces (potential plots), rich characters, and believable dialog. Even for experts, the necessity of bringing all these skills to bear can make the authoring of complete interactive drama experiences a heroic undertaking; for novices, the creation of such experiences is out of the question. The interactive drama Facade [7], for example, uses over 200,000 lines of behavior code to represent a 30-minute dynamic player experience. In addition to relegating interactive drama authoring to a small group of experts, these requirements limit the exploration of the potential design space of interactive dramas and slow the adoption of these technologies in the game industry, which stands to benefit from meaningful social interactions and dynamic story spaces that are much larger than any that could be realistically hand-authored.
Lorente de Nó and the Hippocampus: Neural Modeling in the 1930s

Lorente de No’s substantial contributions to our understanding of the structure and function of the hippocampus are largely contained in a single, extensive paper that was published in 1934 in the Journal fu r Psychologie und Neurologie (Lorente de No,’ 34) while he was working at the Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), although most of the drawings in the paper were dated 1927 or 1928, during a period when he was in Spain. The experimental work underlying this paper dealt with the cellular organization (cytoarchitecture) and connections of the hippocampus in the mouse, monkey, and human brain, and contributions emerging from this analysis may be divided in factual and theoretical components. As we shall see, Lorente de No advanced our knowledge of hippocampal circuitry in several important ways. However, his real genius emerged from theoretical considerations of the physiology of individual neurons and then of interconnected groups of neurons. From this he made the remarkable prediction that conduction in axons and dendrites must be fundamentally different: while conduction in axons is by way of all-or-none impulses that are followed by a refractory period, conduction at dendrites was predicted to be subthreshold, additive, and nonrefractory. In short, he proposed that the neuron is a summation apparatus that generates a pattern of impulses in the axon. And this was only the highlight of the paper; many other profound issues were raised and dealt with in a more or less complete way.
Local smoothing properties of a Schrödinger equation with nonconstant principal part

A Schrodinger equation with continuous, nonconstant coefficients appearing in the principal part of the differential operator is considered. Through the use of Littman and Taylor’s general technique for proving boundary controllability of evolution equations, a simple proof of exact boundary controllability for the Schrodinger equation is obtained. Proof of the necessary regularity for the solution relies on an approximation argument and the spectral results for elliptic operators of Birman and Solomyak.
What No One Knows Cannot Hurt You: The Limits of Informed Consent in the Emerging World of Biobanking

In thinking about the ethics of biobanking many argue that the core protection of individual dignity and privacy is informed consent. But this doctrine will not and cannot be made to handle the ethical load it is being asked to bear in the realm of biobanking. It is time to shift ethical emphasis to general, broad consent to linked-anonymization through trusted third parties as the best way to ensure the ethical practice of biobanking.
Online Optimization Under Adversarial Perturbations

We investigate the problem of online optimization under adversarial perturbations. In each round of this repeated game, a player selects an action from a decision set using a randomized strategy, and then Nature reveals a loss function for this action, for which the player incurs a loss. The game then repeats for a total of $T$ rounds, over which the player seeks to minimize the total incurred loss, or more specifically, the excess incurred loss with respect to a fixed comparison class. The added challenge over traditional online optimization, is that for $k$ of the $T$ rounds, after the player selects an action, an adversarial agent perturbs this action arbitrarily. Through a worst case adversary framework to model the perturbations, we introduce a randomized algorithm that is provably robust against such adversarial attacks. In particular, we show that this algorithm is Hannan consistent with respect to a rich class of randomized strategies under mild regularity conditions.
Impact of Bulk Aggregation on the Electronic Structure of Streptocyanines: Implications for the Solid-State Nonlinear Optical Properties and All-Optical Switching Applications

Polymethine dyes in dilute solutions show many of the electronic and optical properties required for all-optical switching applications. However, in the form of thin films, their aggregation and interactions with counterions do generally strongly limit their utility. Here, we present a theoretical approach combining molecular-dynamics simulations and quantum-chemical calculations to describe the bulk molecular packing of streptocyanines (taken as representative of simple polymethines) with counterions of different hardness (Cl– and BPh4–) and understand the impact on the optical properties. The accuracy of the force field we use is verified by reproducing experimental crystal parameters as well as the configurations of polymethine/counterion complexes obtained from electronic-structure calculations. The aggregation characteristics can be understood in terms of both polymethine–counterion and polymethine–polymethine interactions. The counterions are found to localize near one end of the streptocyanine back...
The A-B, B-Cr, A-C mediation paradigm: Recall of A-B following varying numbers of trials of A-C learning

Mediated interference in the A-B, B-Cr, A-C paradigm was investigated, using materials and procedures similar to those known to produce reliable mediated facilitation. In addition, recall of A-B was measured following either 0, 3, 7, or 15 trials of A-C learning. No evidence for mediated interference, in either the A-C acquisition or the A-B recall data, was found. It was concluded that the mediating processes in interference and facilitation paradigms may be quite different.
Quantifying Attachment and Antibiotic Resistance of Escherichia coli from Conventional and Organic Swine Manure

Broad-spectrum antibiotics are often administered to swine, contributing to the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in their manure. During land application, the bacteria in swine manure preferentially attach to particles in the soil, affecting their transport in overland flow. However, a quantitative understanding of these attachment mechanisms is lacking, and their relationship to antibiotic resistance is unknown. The objective of this study is to examine the relationships between antibiotic resistance and attachment to very fine silica sand in collected from swine manure. A total of 556 isolates were collected from six farms, two organic and four conventional (antibiotics fed prophylactically). Antibiotic resistance was quantified using 13 antibiotics at three minimum inhibitory concentrations: resistant, intermediate, and susceptible. Of the 556 isolates used in the antibiotic resistance assays, 491 were subjected to an attachment assay. Results show that isolates from conventional systems were significantly more resistant to amoxicillin, ampicillin, chlortetracycline, erythromycin, kanamycin, neomycin, streptomycin, tetracycline, and tylosin ( < 0.001). Results also indicate that isolated from conventional systems attached to very fine silica sand at significantly higher levels than those from organic systems ( < 0.001). Statistical analysis showed that a significant relationship did not exist between antibiotic resistance levels and attachment in from conventional systems but did for organic systems ( < 0.001). Better quantification of these relationships is critical to understanding the behavior of in the environment and preventing exposure of human populations to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Network Structure and Strong Microphase Separation for High Ion Conductivity in Polymerized Ionic Liquid Block Copolymers

A series of strongly microphase-separated polymerized ionic liquid (PIL) diblock copolymers, poly(styrene-b-1-((2-acryloyloxy)ethyl)-3-butylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide) (poly(S-b-AEBIm-TFSI)), were synthesized to explore relationships between morphology and ionic conductivity. Using small-angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy, a variety of self-assembled nanostructures including hexagonally packed cylinders, lamellae, and coexisting lamellae and network morphologies were observed by varying PIL composition (6.6–23.6 PIL mol %). At comparable PIL composition, this acrylate-based PIL block copolymer with strong microphase separation exhibited ∼1.5–2 orders of magnitude higher ionic conductivity than a methacrylate-based PIL block copolymer with weak microphase separation. Remarkably, we achieved high ionic conductivity (0.88 mS cm–1 at 150 °C) and a morphology factor (normalized ionic conductivity, f) of ∼1 through the morphological transition from lamellar to a coex...
The Microanatomy of the Eye of Amblyomma Americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) and Resultant Implications of its Structure,

The transmission electron microscope was used to detail the microanatomy of the eye of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americauum (L.). The eye of the lone star tick consists of cuticular lens and 30–40 underlying photoreceptor neurons. The lens contains bundles of specialized lenticular pore canals that appear to function as light or wave guides. The photoreceptor neurons possess the microanatomical structures common to all rhabdomeric photoreceptors. The simplicity of the tick eye is believed to be a primitive condition and this eye is the first arhabdomate eye described for the phylum Arthropoda. The photoreceptor neurons of Amblyomma show affinities with the arhabdomate eyes of the flatworms and snails.
The Excitement of Clinical Microbiology: A nostalgia-prompted visit to a diagnostic lab brings insights into the disparate challenges clinical microbiologists face on a daily basis

Clinical microbiology, one of the major branches of microbiology, goes largely unnoticed by academic microbiology researchers, in part perhaps because diagnostic activities are done in other places such as hospital and commercial labs. I suspect that many researchers have never set foot in one of these diagnostic labs. They are missing out on an exciting and rewarding experience.
The Indian Massacre of the Capuchins in Trinidad in 1699: A Factor in Trinidad’s Economic Stagnation

Recognising the failure to assimilate the Trinidad Indians to Spanish culture, the king of Spain in 1686 asked the Capuchin Order to undertake a mission to Trinidad so that the “Indians may learn to live a quiet and civilized life.” Eight Capuchin priests under Fr. Thomas de Barcelona arrived in 1687 and founded four missions; two in Naparima, one in San Fernando, and one in Savana Grande. They built their villages following a uniform plan: “A perfect square is traced on the ground and all the Indian ajoupas are built on three sides, north, south, and west of the streets … the eastern side of the mission is taken up by the church, the mission house and other buildings for the use of the priests.”
Arthritis in Rats Caused by Pleuropneumonia-Like Micro-Organisms and the Relationship of Similar Organisms to Human Rheumatism

The etiology of rheumatoid arthritis has remained obscure in spite of considerable investigation. The difficulty of its elucidation is increased by the fact that no experimental animal has yet been found in which it is possible to reproduce the disease or in which a strictly comparable disease has occurred spontaneously. Until comparatively recent, all attempts to produce arthritis in animals by the injection of microorganisms, either directly into joints, into the blood stream or by the establishment of foci elsewhere, have led to the development of joint disease which bears only slight resemblance to the typical changes of rheumatoid arthritis. The animal arthritis produced by bacteria is an acute process, usually markedly purulent, which may go on to a chronic state in which the late stages of the inflammatory process suggest, to a certain extent, the pathological changes found in rheumatoid arthritis, but the animal disease lacks many of the outstanding features of the human, particularly the phenomenon of recurrences, and also destruction of cartilage under a granulation tissue pannus. Recently there have appeared reports of spontaneous arthritis occurring in rats and mice, which have given new impetus to attempts to find an animal disease which resembles more closely rheumatoid arthritis and also to investi-
AIDS in Yiliang County From 2002 to 2010

Objective To analyze HIV/AIDS epidemic trend in Yiliang county from 2002 to 2010,so as to provide scientific evidence for HIV/AIDS prevention and control strategy.Methods An epidemiological analysis of HIV/AIDS was conducted on data from epidemic situation reports of Yiliang county in 2002-2010.Results Totally 48 HIV/AIDS cases in Yiliang county were reported from 2002 to 2010: 33 of HIV cases,15 of AIDS cases and 3 of dead cases.In the 48 cases,the males were 29(60.42%) and females were 19(39.58%).Sexual intercourse was the major transmission route.Conclusion Measures including epidemic surveillance,infectious sources control and health education on HIV/AIDS should be taken and strengthened timely.
Research on the Shell Flight-time Fit of Anti-aircraft Gun by using Fractional Exponential

On the basis of fitting the shell flight-time of anti-aircraft gun by integral exponential,this paper researches into the problem on changing the exponents of the parameter.By analyzing the compute results of the integral-exponentfunction and the fractional-exponent-function,conclusion is obtained that the second will improve the precise for its superiority in avoiding "Romberg" phenomenon.The paper shows the method how to use the fractional-exponent-function on fitting,and gives a progress of getting the exponent's value.The conclusion can also be applied to fit the shell flight-time of other caliber anti-aircraft guns on the whole.
Thiocyanato Metal Carbonyls

The first known simple thiocyanato metal carbonyl, Mn(CO)5SCN, was prepared by the reaction of NaMn(CO)5 with ClSCN in tetrahydrofuran (1). This golden yellow compound, soluble in chloroform, acetone and methanol, is diamagnetic and a nonelectrolyte in nitromethane. Its IR spectrum in the 1900 – 2200 cm-1 region is consistent with a distorted C4v symmetry. The distortion probably arises from nonlinearity of the Mn — S- CN moiety and suggests a sulfur-bonded structure (2). This mode of attachment is supported by the CS stretching frequency, which occurs at 676 cm-1 and is diagnostic of an S -bonded thiocyanate (3).
Uncovering edge states and electrical inhomogeneity in MoS2 field-effect transistors

The understanding of various types of disorders in atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), including dangling bonds at the edges, chalcogen deficiencies in the bulk, and charges in the substrate, is of fundamental importance for TMD applications in electronics and photonics. Because of the imperfections, electrons moving on these 2D crystals experience a spatially nonuniform Coulomb environment, whose effect on the charge transport has not been microscopically studied. Here, we report the mesoscopic conductance mapping in monolayer and few-layer MoS2 field-effect transistors by microwave impedance microscopy (MIM). The spatial evolution of the insulator-to-metal transition is clearly resolved. Interestingly, as the transistors are gradually turned on, electrical conduction emerges initially at the edges before appearing in the bulk of MoS2 flakes, which can be explained by our first-principles calculations. The results unambiguously confirm that the contribution of edge states to the channel conductance is significant under the threshold voltage but negligible once the bulk of the TMD device becomes conductive. Strong conductance inhomogeneity, which is associated with the fluctuations of disorder potential in the 2D sheets, is also observed in the MIM images, providing a guideline for future improvement of the device performance.
On-chip fluorescent labeling using reversed-phase monoliths and microchip electrophoretic separations of selected preterm birth biomarkers

On-chip preconcentration, purification, and fluorescent labeling are desirable sample preparation steps to achieve complete automation in integrated microfluidic systems. In this work, we developed electrokinetically operated microfluidic devices for solid-phase extraction and fluorescent labeling of preterm birth (PTB) biomarkers. Reversed-phase monoliths based on different acrylate monomers were photopolymerized in cyclic olefin copolymer microdevices and studied for the selective retention and elution of a fluorescent dye and PTB biomarkers. Octyl methacrylate-based monoliths with desirable retention and elution characteristics were chosen and used for on-chip fluorescent labeling of three PTB biomarkers. Purification of on-chip labeled samples was done by selective elution of unreacted dye prior to sample. Automated and rapid on-chip fluorescent labeling was achieved with similar efficiency to that obtained for samples labeled off chip. Additionally, protocols for microchip electrophoresis of several off-chip-labeled PTB biomarkers were demonstrated in poly(methyl methacrylate) microfluidic devices. This study is an important step toward the development of integrated on-chip labeling and separation microfluidic devices for PTB biomarkers.
Correcting Chimeric Crosstalk in Single Cell RNA-seq Experiments

As part of the process of preparing scRNA-seq libraries, a diverse template is typically amplified by PCR. During amplification, spurious chimeric molecules can be formed between molecules originating in different cells. While several computational and experimental strategies have been suggested to mitigate the impact of chimeric molecules, they have not been addressed in the context of scRNA-seq experiments. We demonstrate that chimeras become increasingly problematic as samples are sequenced deeply and propose two computational solutions. The first is unsupervised and relies only on cell barcode and UMI information. The second is a supervised approach built on labeled data and a set of molecule specific features. The classifier can accurately identify most of the contaminating molecules in a deeply sequenced species mixing scRNA-seq dataset. Code is publicly available at https://github.com/asncd/schimera.
Economics and Business Coursework by Undergraduate Students: Findings from Baccalaureate and Beyond Transcripts.

ABSTRACTThe Baccalaureate and Beyond study from the National Center for Education Statistics at the U.S. Department of Education contains a nationally representative set of transcript data from colleges and university graduates in the 2007–2008 academic year, the latest year for which such data are available. The authors use the transcript data to analyze undergraduate coursework in economics, business, and a few related subjects (statistics and calculus). The coursework results are presented for economics, business, and a wide range of other majors in the undergraduate curriculum.