cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Rule of Law in the Real World: Parliament, Crown, and the rule of law in Britain

The North Atlantic rule of law tradition claims deep roots in the British common law as well as in the constraints on royal power expressed in the Magna Carta. At the same time, when we think of the concrete practices associated with rule of law in the modern world, we often think not of parliamentary supremacy and constitutional custom (indeed, as Chapter 5 showed us, the Athenian equivalents to both have been viewed as threats to the rule of law), but of something like American constitutional institutions: entrenched primary law, life-tenured judges with the power of judicial review, specific guarantees against bills of attainder, and the like. For that reason, a close look at the British rule of law is essential to a nonparochial understanding of the concept in general, particularly for scholarship produced in the United States. Accordingly, this chapter aims to shed light on two key questions. First, does the United Kingdom actually satisfy, to a reasonable degree, the demands of the rule of law? In the first section, I argue that the question cannot be conclusively answered absent empirical research, but offer an informal model demonstrating that – notwithstanding the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty and the absence of binding judicial review – British officials could be sufficiently constrained to comport with the rule of law. Second, have egalitarian ideas similar to those I developed in Chapter 1 been available within the British rule of law tradition? In the second section, I argue in the affirmative. Both sections are motivated by promissory notes issued in previous chapters. In Chapter 1, I argued that the concept of the rule of law should be treated separately from the practices of particular rule of law states. The institutional principles of the rule of law are functional generalizations from those observed practices, but they can be instantiated in different ways in different states. In support of that institutional independence claim , I pointed out that we usually see Britain as a rule of law state, despite its absence of judicial review and its adherence to the doctrine of parliamentary supremacy, because constitutional customs, rather than the formal written constitutional constraints of the United States, sufficiently constrain British officials.
Cohesion and Structural Organization in High School Texts.

Recent research in reading comprehension supports the hypothesis that readers are aided by textual cohesion. Traditional readability formulas are not able to effectively assess levels of textual cohesion, nor do they account for potential comprehension obstacles caused by differences in genre. This research employs the computational tool, CohMetrix, to assess distributions of both cohesion and difficulty within chapters of expository and narrative texts. We sampled representative sections from the beginning, the middle, and the end of each chapter in three science textbooks, four history textbooks, and six narrative texts. The results suggest that the three domains differ significantly in terms of structural organization and levels of difficulty and cohesion. Differences between these results
An Exploration of Proxy- and Self-Reported Adolescent Health in Low-Resource Settings

Proxy reports in survey research are widely used when the index individual is unavailable or somehow incapacitated by age or disability. Proxy reports are plagued by concerns about accuracy, however, and self-reports are generally preferred when objective measurement is not possible. This paper uses the Young Lives Study of International Child Poverty to assess the validity and utility of adolescent self-reported health (SRH) and the conventional parent's proxy report. Using multivariate regression models and the framework of convergent validity, I find evidence for the validity of both proxy and self-reports, although proxy reports appear to be slightly more robustly associated with available physical health information. Exploratory multiple imputation simulations suggest that researchers should request both proxy and self-reports in household surveys; having both substantially improves the imputation of one if it is missing or implausible. Along with a moderate correlation between the two reports, these results suggest that proxy and self-reports of adolescent's general health status are not interchangeable and may complement one another.
Power Flow Management of a Grid Tied PV-Battery System for Electric Vehicles Charging

The prospective spread of electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid EV raises the need for fast charging rates. High required charging rates lead to high power demands, which may not be supported by the grid. In this paper, an optimal power flow technique of a PV-battery powered fast EV charging station is presented to continuously minimize the operation cost. The objective is to help the penetration of PV-battery systems into the grid and to support the growing need of fast EV charging. An optimization problem is formulated along with the required constraints and the operating cost function is chosen as a combination of electricity grid prices and the battery degradation cost. In the first stage of the proposed optimization procedure, an offline particle swarm optimization (PSO) is performed as a prediction layer. In the second stage, dynamic programming (DP) is performed as an online reactive management layer. Forecasted system data is utilized in both stages to find the optimal power management solution. In the reactive management layer, the outputs of the PSO are used to limit the available state trajectories used in the DP and, accordingly, improve the system computation time and efficiency. Online error compensation is implemented into the DP and fed back to the prediction layer for necessary prediction adjustments. Simulation and 1 kW prototype experimental results are successfully implemented to validate the system effectiveness and to demonstrate the benefits of using a hybrid grid tied system of PV-battery for fast EVs charging stations.
Hormonal Control of Body Fuels

The name “hormone,” derived from the Greek root meaning to excite, arouse, or set in motion, was proposed by Starling to describe chemical agents which are released from one group of cells, travel by the blood stream, and affect other cell populations. Huxley placed less emphasis on the mode of travel of these substances and suggested that the prime role of hormones is to transfer information from one set of cells to another, to evoke a response beneficial for the cell population as a whole.
Numerical experiments in the estimation of frequency-wavenumber spectra of seismic events using linear arrays

Studies in the measurement of frequency-wavenumber spectra of transient events have been conducted using theoretical and analog model data recorded along a 21-element, inline array. Straightforward numerical transformation, assuming space stationarity, gives good definition of the dominant (Rayleigh) mode, but little information concerning higher modes. The presence of spatial non-stationarity due primarily to cross correlation between modes complicates the fine structure of the spectral estimate. Averaging over redundant space lags is necessary to remove this. Additional difficulties arise from side lobes due to use of the finite length array. The amplitude of the side lobes can be reduced by using a space lag window. In the present case this gives indications of the higher modes, but these indications are so ill-defined as to be useless for determining dispersion. The effects of amplitude deviations between channels are also studied.
Is fine needle aspiration thyroid cytology (THY status) a good prognostic indicator of definitive histological diagnosis

Although recently published research has focused on the addition of ultrasound scan findings to the evaluation of the thyroid gland, FNAC has long been the corner stone of thyroid lesion decision making. In our study population of 100 thyroidectomies we found out of those who had a cytological diagnosis of Thy 2 and underwent thyroidectomy due other compounding factors 8.57% of the had malignancy reported in their final histology report. We also found that a Right-sided solidarity thyroid nodule in a male may be an increased risk factor for malignancy. We highly recommend addition of USS staging to be included in decision making especially in benign lesions as there is still a significant risk of malignancy.
Varieties of Contingent Pacifism in War

The destruction wrought by even just wars lends undeniable appeal to radical pacifism, according to which all wars are unjust. Yet radical pacifism is fundamentally flawed. In the past decade, a moderate and more defensible form of pacifism has emerged. According to what has been called ‘contingent pacifism’, it is very unlikely that it is morally permissible to wage any given war. This chapter develops the doctrine of contingent pacifism by distinguishing and developing various versions of it, and by assessing the merits and drawbacks of each. According to ‘proportionality-based’ contingent pacifism, almost all wars with just causes are unjust ‘tout court’ because the in bello harms such wars impose on the innocent are too great relative to the relevant evils averted by achieving the war’s aims. After arguing against this view, the chapter introduces a novel, more defensible form of contingent pacifism, called ‘epistemic-based’ contingent pacifism, according to which the prevalence of mistaken judgments regarding the justness of wars, combined with the devastating harmfulness of unjust wars, requires imposing prohibitions against waging war, where the strength of the prohibition varies according to whether the government has a history of mistakes or deception regarding the justness of wars.
Silica Membranes Application for Carbon Dioxide Separation

Abstract Global warming and greenhouse gases, mainly CO2, have become serious global concerns. Carbon capture using different techniques as absorption, adsorption, cryogenics, and membrane separations has been extensively studied to tackle this problem. Specifically, membrane technology showed great potential for CO2 capture due to its ease of applicability, efficiency, flexibility, and ability to perform separations with low energy penalties. In this chapter, a comprehensive review has been done on this technology with reference to various aspects such as characterization, performance analysis and application of various silica membranes in pre- and postcombustion capture. The prospects and future challenges of the silica membrane technology are also highlighted.
Deuterium charge exchange recombination spectroscopy from the top of the pedestal to the scrape off layer in H-mode plasmas

Recent completion of the thirty two channel main-ion (deuterium) charge exchange recombination spectroscopy (CER) diagnostic on DIII-D [J.L. Luxon, Nucl. Fusion 42 (2002) 614] enables detailed comparisons between impurity and main-ion temperature, density, and toroidal rotation. Sixteen sightlines cover the core of the plasma and another sixteen are densely packed towards the edge, providing high resolution measurements of the pedestal and steep gradient edge region of H-mode plasmas. The complexities of the Dα spectrum require fitting with a comprehensive model, as well as using iterative collisional radiative modeling to determine the underlying thermal deuterium ion properties. Large differences in the structure and magnitude of impurity (C6+) and main-ion (D+) toroidal rotation profiles are seen in the H-mode pedestal. Additionally the D+ temperature can be half the value of the C6+ temperature at the separatrix and shows more of a pedestal structure. Typically only the impurity properties are measured and the main-ion properties are either assumed to be the same, or inferred using neoclassical models, which require validation in the steep gradient region. These measured differences have implications for transport model validation, intrinsic rotation studies, pedestal stability, and the boundary conditions for scrape off layer and plasma material interactions studies.
Fully ceramic microencapsulated fuel in prismatic high temperature gas-cooled reactors: Analysis of reactor performance and safety characteristics

Abstract Advanced nuclear reactor technologies have the potential to expand the missions of nuclear energy while reducing carbon emissions. This paper presents scoping reactor physics and thermal hydraulics analysis of a high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) using the fully ceramic microencapsulated (FCM) fuel form, and demonstrates the feasibility of FCM fueled HTGRs. FCM fuel consists of tr istructural iso tropic (TRISO) coated fuel particles embedded in a matrix of silicon carbide (SiC). The potential advantages of FCM fuel, which uses a monolithic SiC matrix, over conventional HTGR fuels with a carbon-based matrix include: a long refueling interval; high stability of the SiC matrix under irradiation with limited swelling; high fission product retention of the fuel form, with the SiC matrix acting as an additional barrier to fission product release; and enhanced oxidation resistance during normal operation and air ingress accidents. In addition, the literature shows that the effective thermal conductivity of SiC fuel compacts and conventional HTGR compacts are expected to be similar. The key finding of this study is that FCM fuel, within the form factor of a typical General Atomics prismatic graphite block, exhibits similar fuel cycle performance to conventional HTGR fuel. The reactor cycle length, discharge burnup, and natural resource utilization are similar. However, the reduced moderation in the FCM designs considered here does marginally reduce the discharge burnup, and therefore natural resource utilization, versus the reference HTGR design. The hardened neutron flux spectrum resulting from the SiC matrix, which displaces carbon from the core, requires a slightly higher packing fraction of conventional uranium oxy-carbide (UCO) fuel kernels or the use of higher density uranium mononitride (UN)-based fuel kernels. These options will marginally increase the decay power, because they harden the neutron flux energy spectrum and increase the density of 238 U in the fuel. In one case considered, this will increase the absorption of neutrons in 238 U, and the resultant impact of 239 Np isotope on the decay power. The Doppler coefficients normalized per total fuel heat capacity are weaker in the FCM-fueled designs than in the reference HTGR design. This impacts the energy deposition in a control rod ejection accident, and hence the design of potential transient tests of these fuel forms. In addition, analyses of loss-of-forced cooling accidents indicate that the fuel temperature during these design basis accidents are up to ∼30 °C higher with FCM fuel than with conventional HTGR fuels due to the increased decay power.
Race According to Biological Science

Modern biologists and anthropologists invented ideas of scientific race as a universal system of human typing that began with geography and description but by the nineteenth century relied on essences and assessment. When racial categories were seen to be arbitrary and culture viewed as the result of history, ideas of populations were substituted for race. But populations are more numerous than races and can only work as races if social races are assumed to be real and used to identify populations. Also, there are more differences within populations of physical racial traits, than between populations. By the twenty-first century, the idea of race was abandoned in biological science, although in the “race debates” some philosophers, try to retain it.
Giant anisotropy detected

The finding that the quasi-1D crystal BaTiS3 features a large optical anisotropy and a broadband birefringence spanning the infrared is likely to reignite interest in quasi-1D optical materials.
German Measles (Rubella)

German measles (Rubella) is a contagious, viral, exanthematous disease of childhood. Serious malformations of the fetus may result if a rubella infection occurs in a non-immune pregnant woman before 17 weeks of gestation. Rubella virus (RV) infects cells by binding to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). This virus is associated with congenital rubella syndrome, diabetes, and possibly implicated in the development of multiple sclerosis.
Cerebral dominance for pitch contrasts in tone language speakers and in musically untrained and trained English speakers

Abstract Speakers of a tone language, Thai, recognize pitch contrasts which are linguistically significant in their language better at the right ear in a dichotic listening task, but show no ear advantage for the same pitch contrasts occurring in a nonlinguistic context. American English speakers, divided into musically untrained and trained groups, show no ear advantage for those same pitch contrasts. The only effect of musical training is an enhancement of left ear accuracy for pitch contrast recognition.
Deferred adaptive compute shading

A primary advantage of deferred shading is eliminating wasted shading operations due to overdraw. We present a new algorithm that we call Deferred Adaptive Compute Shading, for providing further reduction in shading computations. Our method hierarchically shades the image while reducing the number of required shading operations to below one shading computation per pixel on average. We determine whether to shade a pixel or approximate it using previously shaded pixels around it, based on an estimate of the image variance at the pixel location. The algorithm is designed to dynamically reconfigure itself to achieve optimal warp coherence and measurable performance gain. We extensively evaluate our algorithm, demonstrating that it produces high-quality results and is robust and highly scalable while providing significant performance improvements in complex scenes.
The primate model of Parkinson's disease: its usefulness, limitations, and importance in directing future studies.

Publisher Summary The primate model of Parkinson's disease (PD) has been crucial for the evaluation of central nervous system transplantation techniques and therapeutic efforts. This chapter discusses the primate model of PD and its advantages over the rodent models. The use of primates to understand the mechanisms of host–graft interaction is applicable not only for PD, but for other neurological disorders as well. A major goal of transplantation for PD is to provide a tonic source of dopamine to the dopamine-deprived striatum. The primate model provides insight into the mechanisms by which therapies work, such as mechanisms that underlie functional recovery. The behavioral repertoire that the primate possesses provides a useful means for having meaningful comparisons between the parkinsonian model and the treated parkinsonian model. Correlation with positron emission tomography (PET) scanning needs to be studied in transplanted primates to gain more insights without the need for autopsy.
A dual-purpose vibration isolator energy harvester: Experiment and model

Abstract A new dual-purpose vibration isolator energy harvester device suitable for low frequency operation is presented in this work. The device features a combination of elastic and magnetic components to facilitate its dual functionality. The main purpose of the dual-purpose device is preventing vibrations from traveling through the isolated mass using magnetic and viscous dampers and elastic and magnetic springs. A secondary task is converting some of the kinetic energy contained in these oscillations into useful electric energy. Numerical and analytical models are developed and used to simulate the behavior of the device. The models are validated against measured data. Experiments demonstrate the ability of the device to, simultaneously, isolate the desired mass and harvest energy from unwanted free vibrations. The dual-purpose device attenuates oscillations higher than 12.5 [Hz] while, simultaneously, recovers 0.115 [mW] at 9.81 m.s−2. The power produced by the dual-purpose device is significantly higher than the power recovered by its rival regenerative devices reported in literature. Moreover, results from model parametric study and experimental data show that the combined positive and negative stiffness elements in this device hold the promise for lower operating frequencies and higher output power. Initial results suggest that lowering the linear stiffness of the device can potentially lower the cut-off frequency to approximately 9 [Hz] while generating 1 [mW] electric power.
A moving target defense and network forensics framework for ISP networks using SDN and NFV

Abstract With the increasing diversity of network attacks, there is a trend towards building more agile networks that can defend themselves or prevent attackers to easily launch attacks. To this end, moving target defense (MTD) mechanisms have started to be pursued to dynamically change the structure and configuration of the networks not only during an attack but also before an attack so that conducting network reconnaissance will become much more difficult. Furthermore, various network forensics mechanisms are introduced to help locating the source and types of attacks as a reactive defense mechanism. Emerging Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) provide excellent opportunities to implement these mechanisms efficiently. This paper considers MTD in the context of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network and proposes an architectural framework that will enable it even at the reconnaissance phase while facilitating forensics investigations. We propose various virtual shadow networks through NFV to be used when implementing MTD mechanisms via route mutation. The idea is to dynamically change the routes for specific reconnaissance packets so that attackers will not be able to easily identify the actual network topologies for potential distributed denial of service attacks (DDoS) such as Crossfire while enabling the defender to store potential attacker’s information through a forensics feature. We present an integrated framework that encompasses these features. The proposed framework is implemented in Mininet to test its effectiveness and overheads. The results demonstrated the effectiveness in terms of failing the attackers at the expense of slightly increased path lengths, end-to-end delay and storage for forensic purposes.
Sexual Orientation Development of Heterosexual, Bisexual, Lesbian, and Gay Individuals: Questions and Hypotheses Based on Kaestle's (2019) Research.

Christine Kaestle’s work assessed the three major dimensions of sexual orientation: sexual attractions, behaviors, and identity. She tracked the unfolding of sexual orientation over time, from adol...
Dual Adversarial Autoencoder for Dermoscopic image Generative Modeling

Skin cancer is a severe public health issue in the United States and worldwide. While Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) of dermoscopic images shows potential in accelerating diagnosis and improving accuracy, numerous issues remain that may be addressed by generative modeling. Major challenges in automated skin lesion classification include manual efforts required to label new training data and a relatively limited amount of data compared to more generalized computer vision tasks. We propose a novel generative model based on a dual discrimination training algorithm for autoencoders. At each training iteration, the encoder and decoder undergo two stages of adversarial training by two individual discriminator networks. The algorithm is end-to-end trainable with standard back-propagation. In contrast with traditional autoencoders, our method incorporates extra constraints via adversarial training, which results in visually realistic synthetic data. We demonstrate the versatility of the proposed method and applications on numerous tasks including latent space visualization, data augmentation, and image denoising.
OPTIMO: A 65-nm 279-GOPS/W 16-b Programmable Spatial-Array Processor with On-Chip Network for Solving Distributed Optimizations via the Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers

This article presents OPTIMO, a 65-nm, 16-b, fully programmable, spatial-array processor with 49 cores and a hierarchical multi-cast network for solving distributed optimizations via the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). ADMM is a projection-based method for solving generic-constrained optimizations’ problems. In essence, it relies upon decomposing the decision vector into subvectors, updating sequentially by minimizing an augmented Lagrangian function, and eventually updating the Lagrange multiplier. The ADMM algorithm has typically been used for solving problems in which the decision variable is decomposed into two or multiple subvectors. We demonstrate six template algorithms and their applications and measure a peak energy efficiency of 279 GOPS/W.
Experimental Evaluation of a Two-Entry Gate-Road Yield Pillar: Convergence Monitoring and Physical Properties

Gate-road yield pillars are subject to increases in stress as the longwall face advances toward the pillars. Increases in pillar stress can be inferred by measuring roof/floor convergence surrounding the pillar. This paper presents a case study of convergence measurements surrounding a two-entry gate-road yield pillar in the head gate of a coal mine. Convergence was measured over a six-month period, as the longwall face approached and passed the pillar. Measurements were collected at eight locations surrounding the pillar: four locations in the travelway and four locations in the beltway. In addition to convergence stations, the pillar was instrumented with an array of seismometers. In future analysis, convergence measurements will be compared to seismic interpretations. This study reports on the geology and geometry of the longwall panel, the roof and rib support, the change in convergence over time, and the physical properties of coal and parting. Additionally, the convergence measurements are compared to pillar safety factor distributions derived from a finite element model. The convergence measurements contribute to the knowledge of when yield pillar abutment loading, caused by the encroaching longwall, is first detected. Knowing when abutment loading begins to yield the pillars can help define when standing secondary roof supports are required for head gate entry support.
Native and Endemic Flora

Inventories of the vascular flora of the Juan Fernandez Archipelago began with reports by Bertero, Philippi and Hemsley in the nineteenth century and have continued to the present day. The recent totals are 135 endemics, 73 natives, and 267 introduced taxa. Blechnum cycadifolium and Dicksonia berteroana are prominent tree ferns in the vegetation of Robinson Crusoe Island, and D. externa occurs in abundance on Alejandro Selkirk Island. Another tree fern, Thyrsopteris elegans, is confined to Robinson Crusoe Island. Juania australis is an endemic genus of palms that has been harvested historically for the edible shoot apex with a cabbage-like flavor (hence “cabbage tree”). The dominant forest tree on Robinson Crusoe Island is Nothomyrcia fernandeziana. Rosette-trees occur in the archipelago, such as the endemic genera Dendroseris and Robinsonia (both Asteraceae) with 11 and 8 species, respectively. A most interesting endemic genus is Lactoris, placed in its own family Lactoridaceae. Relationships of Lactoris to other families of flowering plants, based on DNA and other data, suggest ties to Aristolochiaceae within Piperales. The conservation status of the flora shows that 82% of the endemic flora is vulnerable to critically endangered.
Welfare Analysis Meets Causal Inference

We describe a framework for empirical welfare analysis that uses the causal estimates of a policy’s impact on net government spending. This framework provides guidance for which causal effects are (and are not) needed for empirical welfare analysis of public policies.The key ingredient is the construction of each policy’s marginal value of public funds (MVPF). The MVPF is the ratio of beneficiaries’ willingness to pay for the policy to the net cost to the government. We discuss how the MVPF relates to “traditional” welfare analysis tools such as the marginal excess burden and marginal cost of public funds. We show how the MVPF can be used in practice by applying it to several canonical empirical applications from public finance, labor, development, trade, and industrial organization.
Chemical Characterization of a Legacy Aqueous Film-Forming Foam Sample and Developmental Toxicity in Zebrafish ( Danio rerio)

Background: Drinking water contamination related to the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) has been documented at hundreds of military bases, airports, and firefighter training facilities. AFF...
Impact of User-Centric Advertisement Appeals on Consumers’ Emotional Responses and Sustainable Apparel Purchase Intentions

Conducting a between-subjects online experiment with a national sample of female millennials of the U.S. (n = 344) we found that user-centric advertisement appeal (UCAA) evokes favorable affective response (ARSA) toward sustainable apparel and decrease unfavorable ARSA which in turn, evokes purchase intention for sustainable apparel (PI). Irrespective of the involvement with environmental issues (InvEnv) and the advertisement modalities, UCAAs are primarily processed centrally. Therefore, if consumers are convinced that sustainable apparel are able to meet their concerns (e.g., for buying affordably, styling, self-expressing) their PI for sustainable apparel could be enhanced because the advertisement appeal is not asking consumers to sacrifice their needs to protect environment, thereby compelling them to get engaged with the advertisement message and evaluate it extensively. Therefore, we strongly recommend the sustainable apparel brands to design UCAAs to encourage PI for sustainable apparel, rather than focussing on the appeals for protecting environment.
Conversion reactions in atomic layer processing with emphasis on ZnO conversion to Al2O3 by trimethylaluminum

Atomic layer processing such as atomic layer deposition (ALD) and thermal atomic layer etching (ALE) is usually described in terms of sequential, self-limiting surface reactions. This picture for ALD and thermal ALE leaves out the possibility that the metal precursor in ALD and thermal ALE can also convert the surface material to another new material. This perspective introduces the previous evidence for conversion reactions in atomic layer processing based on a variety of studies, including Al2O3 ALD on ZnO, growth of Zn(O,S) alloys, “self-cleaning” of III-V semiconductor surfaces, and thermal ALE of ZnO and SiO2. The paper then focuses on the reaction of Al(CH3)3 [trimethylaluminum (TMA)] on ZnO as a model conversion system. A variety of techniques are utilized to monitor ZnO conversion to Al2O3 using TMA at 150 °C. These techniques include FTIR spectroscopy, quadrupole mass spectrometry (QMS), x-ray reflectivity (XRR), gravimetric analysis, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurements. The various studies focus on ZnO conversion to Al2O3 for both hydroxyl-terminated and ethyl-terminated ZnO substrates. FTIR studies observed the conversion of ZnO to Al2O3 and provided evidence that the conversion is self-limiting at higher TMA exposures. QMS studies identified the volatile reaction products during the TMA reaction with ZnO as CH4, C2H4, C2H6, and Zn(CH3)2. The CH4 reaction product preceded the appearance of the Zn(CH3)2 reaction product. XRR investigations determined that the thickness of the Al2O3 conversion layer on ZnO limits at ∼1.0 nm at 150 °C after larger TMA exposures. A gravimetric analysis of the conversion reaction on ZnO nanoparticles with a diameter of 10 nm displayed a percent mass loss of ∼49%. This mass loss is consistent with an Al2O3 shell of ∼1 nm on a ZnO core with a diameter of ∼6 nm. XPS studies revealed that ZnO ALD films with a thickness of 2 nm were almost completely converted to Al2O3 by large TMA exposures at 150 °C. QCM investigations then measured the mass changes for lower TMA exposures on hydroxyl-terminated and ethyl-terminated ZnO films. More mass loss was observed on ethyl-terminated ZnO films compared with hydroxyl-terminated films, because TMA does not have the possibility of reacting with hydroxyl groups on ethyl-terminated ZnO films. The mass losses also increased progressively with temperatures ranging from 100 to 225 °C on both hydroxyl-terminated and ethyl-terminated ZnO films. The perspective concludes with a discussion of the generality of conversion reactions in atomic layer processing.
Stimulating Students' Learning in Analytical Chemistry through an Environmental-Based CURE Project

This article reports on the implementation of a CURE project in an upper-level analytical chemistry course to engage a larger number of students in research at a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI). The lab course syllabus was modified to provide students with an opportunity to experience the process of conducting research through a project that was relevant to them personally and the community at large. Students carried out research using microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MPAES) to correlate lead levels in soil with home location, source, and age. Students’ self-assessment and surveys suggest that implementing a research project that students can relate to leads to an increased level of mastering analytical skills and demonstration of a higher level of critical-thinking skills. Participation in the CURE project increased a desire and a commitment to engage in independent research and in communicating science through presentations.
Russia's Regions: Income Volatility, Labour Mobility and Fiscal Policy

Russia's regions are heavily exposed to regional income shocks because of an uneven distribution of natural resources and a Soviet legacy of heavily skewed regional specialization. Also, Russia has a limited mobility of labour and lacks fiscal instruments to deal with regional shocks. We assess how these features influence the magnitude and persistence of regional income shocks, through a panel vector auto-regression, drawing on extensive and unique regional data covering the last decade. We find that labour mobility associated with regional shocks is far lower than in the US yet higher than in the EU-15, and that regional expenditures tend to expand in booms and contract in recessions. We discuss institutional factors behind these outcomes and policy implications.
Free From Falls education and exercise program for reducing falls in people with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial.

Background:People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) fall frequently. Community-delivered exercise and education reduce falls in older adults, but their efficacy in multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown.O...
Null-DNA: A Theory of the Elastic Instability and Spontaneous Kinking of DNA with Charge-Neutralized Phosphates

DNA aggregates when its phosphate charge is extensively neutralized by multivalent cations like polyamines or cobalt hexachloride.1–3 The phenomenon is interesting as an example of in vitro DNA packaging. The form of the aggregated structure is striking. It is toroidal — a doughnut shape with a hole in the middle. The long axis of the double helix is circumferentially wound, like a stored garden hose, throughout the volume of the torus. Each torus may contain one or perhaps several high molecular-weight DNA molecules, but hundreds of 400 bp DNA fragments also pack into a curved torus structure. The curvature of the aggregated structure is all the more impressive when it is remembered that DNA stands out among polymers for its unusually high degree of stiffness. Under ordinary solution conditions the duplex axis tends, over distances long compared to other polymers, to be straight.
Shape Memory Effect in Cast Versus Deformation-Processed NiTiNb Alloys

The shape memory effect (SME) response of a deformation-processed NiTiNb shape memory alloy is benchmarked against the response of a cast alloy. The insoluble Nb element ternary addition is known to widen the hysteresis with respect to the binary NiTi alloy. Cast microstructures naturally consist of a cellular arrangement of characteristic eutectic microconstituents surrounding primary matrix regions. Deformation processing typically aligns the microconstituents such that the microstructure resembles discontinuous fiber-reinforced composites. Processed alloys are typically characterized for heat-to-recover applications and thus deformed at constant temperature and subsequently heated for SME recovery, and the critical stress levels are expected to facilitate plastic deformation of the microconstituents. The current work employs thermal cycling under constant bias stresses below those critical levels. This comparative study of cast versus deformation-processed NiTiNb alloys contrasts the strain–temperature responses in terms of forward ΔT F = M s − M f and reverse ΔT R = A f − A s temperature intervals, the thermal hysteresis, and the recovery ratio. The results underscore that the deformation-processed microstructure inherently promotes irreversibility and differential forward and reverse transformation pathways.
Elimination of [14C]heptachlor from body stores of lactating ewes treated with ovine growth hormone.

Elimination of [14C]heptachlor from body burdens of sheep was measured using mature ewes nursing single offspring, and the influence of exogenous ovine growth hormone (oGH) on elimination was studied. Six ewes (62 +/- 2.5 kg BW) were dosed (i.p.) once with [14C]heptachlor (2.04 mg/kg Bw; .88 microCi/mg heptachlor) and three were treated additionally with oGH (oGH; 5 mg/d) for 21 d. Three additional ewes served as controls. Excreta were collected each day for 21 d. Milk and blood were collected every 3rd d until ewes were euthanized at d 21. 14C activity was measured in excreta, milk, blood and tissues. Total cumulative activity of [14C]heptachlor and(or) metabolites in excreta (21 d) did not differ (P greater than .20) in ewes given oGH (25 +/- 2%) vs none (23 +/- 2%). Milk yield and protein content were unaffected (P greater than .10) by oGH. Ewes given oGH eliminated 2.2 +/- 2% of total 14C dosage into milk during 21 d, whereas ewes untreated with oGH eliminated 1.3 +/- .2% (P less than .10); total 14C activity eliminated into milk plus excreta was similar for ewes given oGH or none (P greater than .10). For all six ewes, half-times (T1/2) for distribution and elimination of 14C activity (heptachlor and metabolites) were 1.5 d and 11.7 d, respectively. Blood concentrations of 14C activity during 21 d yielded elimination half-time as 23 d. Unlike bovines, which eliminate heptachlor slowly (T1/2 approximately 70 to 80 d) and mainly into milk fat, lactating ovines eliminated heptachlor and(or) metabolites mainly into excreta and about sixfold faster than bovines.
Bmi-1 regulates self-renewal of normal and malignant human mammary stem cells

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 3984 The epithelial components of the mammary gland are thought to arise from stem cells with the capacity for self-renewal and multilineage differentiation. These cells and/or their immediate progeny may be targets for transformation, generating tumors which are driven by cells retaining stem cell properties. We have previously shown that normal mammary stem cell self-renewal is regulated by bi-directional interactions between Hedgehog and Notch pathways with subsequent regulation of the polycomb gene Bmi-1. We have now utilized in vitro suspension based culture systems as well as NOD-SCID mouse models to examine the role of Bmi-1 in regulating human mammary stem cell self-renewal. qRT-PCR demonstrates that Bmi-1 is highly expressed in primitive human mammary cells cultured in mammospheres compared to differentiated cells cultured on collagen substrata. Overexpression of Bmi-1 with a lentivirus vector increases mammosphere initiating cells by 77% and mammosphere size by 61%. In contrast, down regulation of Bmi-1 expression with siRNA lentiviruses reduces mammosphere formation by 80% and mammosphere size by 60%. Inhibiting Bmi-1 expression also abrogates the stimulatory effects of Hedgehog and Notch signaling on mammosphere formation. Modulation of Bmi-1 expression in mammosphere initiating cells altered their mammary gland outgrowth in humanized fat pads of NOD-SCID mice. Interestingly, “tumor stem cells” characterized as CD44+CD24-/lowLin- displayed an 8-fold increase in Bmi-1 expression compared to non-tumorigenic CD44+CD24+Lin- cells isolated from the same human mammary tumor. These studies support a “tumor stem cell model” in which Bmi-1 plays an important role in the self-renewal of both normal and tumorigenic mammary stem cells with disregulation of Bmi-1 promoting carcinogenesis. Since tumor stem cells may drive tumor formation, targeting components of Bmi-1 regulated pathways represents a rationale strategy to eliminate this important cancer cell population.
Mechanism of Poly (A) Synthesis by Vaccinia Virus

Abstract Data are presented which indicate that vaccinia DNA does not contain poly(dT) sequences the size of poly(A) sequences (50 to 200 nucleotides in length) found in vaccinia RNA. A hybridization experiment and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and DEAE-Sephadex chromatography of pyrimidine tracts show that poly(dT) sequences can account for no more than 0.1% of vaccinia DNA. Ultraviolet irradiation (which causes thymine dimer formation) and phleomycin (which binds to thymidine) both inhibit RNA synthesis but not poly(A) synthesis by vaccinia cores. These data are consistent with a nontranscriptive mechanism for vaccinia poly(A) synthesis. Both trypsin and 50 C heat treatment inhibit RNA synthesis more than poly(A) synthesis by cores, suggesting that separate enzymes may be involved in these syntheses. When the rate of core RNA synthesis is reduced by lowering the UTP and GTP concentrations, the size of the poly(A) sequences increase. These and other data suggest that transcription is involved in the termination of poly(A) synthesis in cores. This might be due to the displacement of growing poly(A) chains by recently completed RNA 3′ termini which have not yet acquired poly(A) sequences.
Phased Array Antennas

The objective of this article is to illustrate the principles of digital beamforming, which can process multiple targets in the main lobe in contrast to conventional phased arrays where the resolution is limited by the conventional Fourier processing. In addition, it is illustrated how to combine the electromagnetic processing related to the mutual coupling between the antennas and the effects of the ground in the adaptive signal processing-based methodology. A direct data domain least-squares method is presented to illustrate that statistical considerations, which are often unknown, need to enter into the processing. Finally, it is shown how to simultaneously use the same array to adaptive process signals arriving at two different frequencies impinging on the same array in the presence of interferers. Keywords: Phased arrays; digital beamforming; single snapshot processing; adaptive antennas
The organization of cerebellar cortical circuitry revisited: Implications for function

: For more than 35 years there has been experimental evidence that parallel fiber activity does not generate the beams of activated Purkinje cells hypothesized on the basis of cortical anatomy and assumed by most theories of cerebellar cortical function. This paper first reviews the evidence for and against the parallel fiber beam hypothesis, and then discusses the findings of our recent experimental and model-based investigations intended to better understand parallel fiber effects on Purkinje cells. A principal conclusion of these studies is that the excitatory effects of parallel fibers on Purkinje cell dendrites are modulating and must be considered in the context of a balancing inhibitory influence provided by molecular layer interneurons to these same dendrites. It is proposed that this association of excitation and inhibition can account for the lack of beam-like effects on Purkinje cells. The paper concludes by considering the consequences of this new interpretation of cerebellar cortical circuitry for current theories of cerebellar function.
Breastfeeding preterm infants: an educational program to support mothers of preterm infants in Cairo, Egypt.

Methods: An experimental design was used with a convenience sample of 60 mothers and their preterm infants who were born before 37 weeks of gestation. They were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Data collection instruments included breastfeeding knowledge questionnaire, observational checklist of mother’s breastfeeding practices, breastfeeding diary, infant’s and mother’s profile form, and demographic information. A five-session breastfeeding educational program based on Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory was implemented with the intervention group during the infant’s hospitalization and after discharge. Both groups were followed up to 3 months after discharge. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Chisquare, and regression were used to analyze the data. Findings: Mother’s knowledge significantly increased for the intervention group but not the control group (p = 0.041). The intervention group showed gradual improvement in breastfeeding practices, i.e., started breast milk expression earlier and had more breast milk expression frequency than the control group. Of the intervention group, 80% were discharged on exclusive breastfeeding compared to 40% among the control group, and breastfeeding problems were less among the intervention group.
Intestinal Inflammation Modulates Expression of the Iron-Regulating Hormone Hepcidin Depending on Erythropoietic Activity and the Commensal Microbiota

States of chronic inflammation such as inflammatory bowel disease are often associated with dysregulated iron metabolism and the consequent development of an anemia that is caused by maldistribution of iron. Abnormally elevated expression of the hormone hepcidin, the central regulator of systemic iron homeostasis, has been implicated in these abnormalities. However, the mechanisms that regulate hepcidin expression in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease are not completely understood. To clarify this issue, we studied hepcidin expression in mouse models of colitis. We found that dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis inhibited hepcidin expression in wild-type mice but upregulated it in IL-10-deficient animals. We identified two mechanisms contributing to this difference. Firstly, erythropoietic activity, as indicated by serum erythropoietin concentrations and splenic erythropoiesis, was higher in the wild-type mice, and pharmacologic inhibition of erythropoiesis prevented colitis-associated hepcidin downregulation in these animals. Secondly, the IL-10 knockout mice had higher expression of multiple inflammatory genes in the liver, including several controlled by STAT3, a key regulator of hepcidin. The results of cohousing and fecal transplantation experiments indicated that the microbiota was involved in modulating the expression of hepcidin and other STAT3-dependent hepatic genes in the context of intestinal inflammation. Our observations thus demonstrate the importance of erythropoietic activity and the microbiota in influencing hepcidin expression during colitis and provide insight into the dysregulated iron homeostasis seen in inflammatory diseases.
Analysis of Fatigue of Paving Mixtures From the Fracture Mechanics Viewpoint

THE PAPER DISCUSSES APPLICATION OF FRACTURE MECHANICS TO THE ANALYSIS OF FATIGUE CHARACTERISTICS OF PAVING MIXTURES. A METHOD OF DETERMINATION OF CRACK GROWTH PARAMETERS FOR ASPHALTIC BEAMS RESTING ON ELASTIC FOUNDATION IS PRESENTED. THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD OF ANALYSIS IS USED FOR THE DETERMINATION OF STRESS INTENSITY FACTORS FOR VARIOUS CRACK SIZES. THE EFFECT OF MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS, FOUNDATION MODULUS, AND MODE OF LOADING ON THE CRACK GROWTH PROCESS OF ASPHALTIC MIXTURES, IS DISCUSSED. THE EFFECT OF ASPHALT PENETRATION ON THE PARIS CRACK GROWTH LAW IS SHOWN. IT IS ALSO SHOWN THAT FRACTURE MECHANICS PRINCIPLES CAN BE USED TO PREDICT FATIGUE LIFE OF PAVEMENT MATERIAL. /ASTM/