cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quanti cation of movement regularity during internally generated and externally cued repetitive movements in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Clinical tests used to rate the severity of bradykinesia in patients with Parkinson's disease generally involve self-initiated and self-maintained repetitive movements (e.g. finger-tapping). This is based on evidence that movement impairment is exacerbated by the removal of external timing cues or performance feedback (i.e. internally generated movements). Typically performance is rated subjectively by a clinician and is based on observation. Currently no clear means of quantifying the performance of these types of repetitive movements exist. Here we evaluate candidate measures that assess the amount and structure of the variability in the movements respectively. These measures are the sample entropy, which quantifies the degree of irregularity in a signal and the standard deviation which quantifies the spread or variability in the signal. This was tested under three different conditions: (1) slow versus fast repetitive movements; (2) externally cued versus internally cued movements; and (3) movements performed before and after the administration of antiparkinsonian medications. Entropy and variability were calculated for both acceleration and EMG signals. The results suggest that internally cued movements are more irregular than externally cued movements and that both regularity and variability in amplitude increase with antiparkinsonian medications. We conclude that the sample entropy is an effective means of objectively quantifying the performance of repetitive movements
Decision support system for resource allocation in disaster management

Natural and man-made disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, plane crashes, high-rise building collapses, major nuclear facility malfunctions, pose an ever-present challenge to public emergency services. Disasters may result in a large volume of responders arriving on-scene to provide assistance to victims. Coordination of responding resources is a major problem in disasters. In this paper we introduce a decision support framework built on rapid information collection and resource tracking functionalities. Based on this information collected from emergency response service agencies, operation research techniques are used to find an optimal solution for resource deployment and dispatching.
Materials design and development of fluoropolymers for use as pellicles in 157-nm photolithography

The introduction of 157 nm as the next optical lithography wavelength has created a need for new soft (polymeric) or hard (quartz) pellicle materials optimized for this wavelength. Materials design and development of ultra transparent fluoropolymers suitable for 157 nm soft pellicle applications has produced a number of promising candidate materials with absorbances below 0.03/micrometer as is necessary to achieve pellicle transmissions above 95%. We have developed 12 families of experimental TeflonAF R (TAFx) materials which have sufficient transparency to produce transmissions above 95%. For the successful fabrication of 157 nm pellicles from these materials, the fluoropolymers must have appropriate physical properties to permit the spin coating of thin polymer films and their lifting and adhesive mounting to pellicle frames, the processes which produce free standing pellicle membranes of micron scale thickness. Relevant physical properties include molecular weight, glass transition temperature, and mechanical strength and toughness. We have successfully developed various of the ultra transparent TAFx polymer families with these physical properties. Upon irradiation these 157 nm pellicle polymers undergo photochemical darkening, which reduces the 157 nm transmission of the material. Measurements of the photochemical darkening rate allow the estimation of the pellicle lifetime corresponding to a 10% drop in 157 nm transmission. Increasing the 157 nm lifetime of fluoropolymers involves simultaneous optimization of the materials, the pellicle and the end use. Similar optimization was essential to achieve the desired radiation durability lifetimes for pellicles successfully developed for use with KrF (248 nm) and ArF (193 nm) lithography.
DENTATE HILAR CELLS WITH DENDRITES IN THE MOLECULAR LAYER HAVE LOWER THRESHOLDS FOR SYNAPTIC ACTIVATION BY PERFORANT PATH THAN GRANULE CELLS

Neurons in the dentate hilus or area CA3c of rat hippocampal slices were recorded intracellularly with electrodes containing the fluorescent dye Lucifer yellow. Stimulation of perforant path fibers in the molecular layer of the fascia dentata strongly excited most hilar neurons, with a much lower threshold for action potential generation than granule cells and area CA3c pyramidal cells that were recorded in the same area of the slice. Examination of dye-filled hilar neurons with a confocal microscope showed that hilar cells with a low threshold were morphologically heterogeneous: some were spiny “mossy” cells, and others were aspiny interneurons. However, all hilar cells with low thresholds possessed dendrites that penetrated the granule cell layer and passed into the molecular layer, often reaching the outer molecular layer. The few hilar cells that had a threshold similar to, or greater than, granule cells did not possess visible dendrites in the molecular layer. The results suggest that the circuitry of the dentate region allows for (1) excitation of both granule cells and hilar cells by perforant path stimuli, and (2) strong excitation of most hilar cells when most granule cells are subthreshold for action potential generation. Given that hilar neurons project to many different sites in the ipsilateral and contralateral fascia dentata (Blackstad, 1956; Zimmer, 1971; Swanson et al., 1978; Laurberg and Sorensen, 1981), it is quite likely that hilar neurons are involved in the processing of information passing from entorhinal cortex to hippocampus.
Bow-echo mesovortices: A review

Abstract Non-supercellular damaging winds from convective storms are overwhelmingly associated with quasi-linear convective systems. A review of early studies of these systems suggested that wind damage/speed was not continuous and instead was enhanced over many small areas. More recent research has revealed a close association between damaging winds, tornadoes, and low-level meso-γ-scale vortices (mesovortices) that develop within the convective portion of QLCSs. Observational and numerical studies are reviewed to explain the relationship between mesovortices, damaging winds, and tornadoes. Substantial disagreement exists with regard to the processes responsible for the genesis of these mesovortices. Nonetheless, case study simulations of real events have been successful in simulating mesovortices in both a deterministic and probabilistic framework. Implications and recommendations for future work in a warn-on-forecast context are provided.
Incidence of Venereal Warts in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected and Uninfected Women

A cohort of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected (n = 253) and uninfected (n = 658) women was prospectively studied to assess the relationship between venereal warts and HIV status, adjusting for self-reported and biologic measures of sexual risk behavior. Participants were assessed every 6 months for venereal warts and other sexually transmitted diseases, self-reported sexual behavior, and CD4 cell counts. The incidence of venereal warts was significantly increased in HIV-infected women (8.2 vs. 0.8/100 person-years of follow-up). This difference remained after adjusting for measures of high-risk sexual behavior and was observed in women at all levels of immune function, including those with > or = 500/mm3 CD4 cells. The increased risk of venereal warts in HIV infection can occur relatively early in HIV disease and appears chiefly attributable to a higher risk of progression from subclinical to clinical human papillomavirus (HPV) disease rather than to a higher risk of HPV acquisition.
Molecular cloning of the E-cadherin cDNAs from rabbit corneal epithelium

Cadherins are glycoproteins that are members of the super-family of Ca2+-dependent cell adhesion molecules. They are located in the adherens junctions and play an important role in cell-cell interactions that influence cell polarity, cell migration, cell sorting, and morphogenesis. To gain a better understanding of the molecules that mediate cell-cell interactions in corneal epithelium, we wished to characterize the E-cadherin from rabbit corneal epithelium. Using degenerate primers designed against an extracellular region that is highly conserved between the E-cadherin cDNA sequences of mouse and human, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed on RNA isolated from rabbit corneal epithelial cell cultures. A 381 bp rabbit E-cadherin cDNA fragment that was amplified, was cloned and sequenced. This rabbit E-cadherin cDNA fragment was used as a probe for northern blot analysis of rabbit corneal epithelial cell cultures and subsequently, to isolate rabbit E-cadherin cDNA clones fr...
The Parieto-Frontal Integration Theory (P-FIT) of intelligence: converging neuroimaging evidence.

Is there a biology of intelligence which is characteristic of the normal human nervous system?" Here we review 37 modern neuroimaging studies in an attempt to address this question posed by Halstead (1947) as he and other icons of the last century endeavored to understand how brain and behavior are linked through the expression of intelligence and reason. Reviewing studies from functional (i.e., functional magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography) and structural (i.e., magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging, voxel-based morphometry) neuroimaging paradigms, we report a striking consensus suggesting that variations in a distributed network predict individual differences found on intelligence and reasoning tasks. We describe this network as the Parieto-Frontal Integration Theory (P-FIT). The P-FIT model includes, by Brodmann areas (BAs): the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (BAs 6, 9, 10, 45, 46, 47), the inferior (BAs 39, 40) and superior (BA 7) parietal lobule, the anterior cingulate (BA 32), and regions within the temporal (BAs 21, 37) and occipital (BAs 18, 19) lobes. White matter regions (i.e., arcuate fasciculus) are also implicated. The P-FIT is examined in light of findings from human lesion studies, including missile wounds, frontal lobotomy/leukotomy, temporal lobectomy, and lesions resulting in damage to the language network (e.g., aphasia), as well as findings from imaging research identifying brain regions under significant genetic control. Overall, we conclude that modern neuroimaging techniques are beginning to articulate a biology of intelligence. We propose that the P-FIT provides a parsimonious account for many of the empirical observations, to date, which relate individual differences in intelligence test scores to variations in brain structure and function. Moreover, the model provides a framework for testing new hypotheses in future experimental designs.
Appearances of the Risen Jesus in Cultural Context: Experiences of Alternate Reality

This cross-cultural study of appearances of the Risen Jesus builds on previous research (Pilch 1993; 1995a; 1996) in anthropological psychology about human experiences of alternate reality, also termed "altered states of consciousness." There is a high degree of cultural plausibility in the Mediterranean world that those persons in the Second Testament reported to have "seen" Jesus, the risen Galilean hasid or saddiq, could be interpreted as claiming that in an alternate state of consciousness they experienced Jesus' "real self." This would be like the human experience of similarly real other-than-human persons, such as angels, demons, gods, or God.
Working in Partnership with Faculty to Transform Undergraduate Curricula

Specific issues involved in defining and embedding competencies across courses and other learning experiences in order to enhance student performance are examined. Strategies are offered for faculty and institutional researchers who want to work together to improve student learning.
Monte Carlo Radiative Transfer Modeling of Lightning Observed in Galileo Images of Jupiter

We study lightning on Jupiter and the clouds illuminated by the lightning using images taken by the Galileo orbiter. The Galileo images have a resolution of ∼25 km/pixel and are able to resolve the shape of single lightning spots, which have half widths (radii) at half the maximum intensity in the range 45–80 km. We compare the shape and width of lightning flashes in the images with simulated flashes produced by our 3D Monte Carlo light-scattering model. The model calculates Monte Carlo scattering of photons in a 3D opacity distribution. During each scattering event, light is partially absorbed. The new direction of the photon after scattering is chosen according to a Henyey–Greenstein phase function. An image from each direction is produced by accumulating photons emerging from the cloud in a small range (bins) of emission angles. The light source is modeled either as a point or a vertical line. A plane-parallel cloud layer does not always fit the data. In some cases the cloud over the light source appears to resemble cumulus clouds on Earth. Lightning is estimated to occur at least as deep as the bottom of the expected water cloud. For the six flashes studied, we find that the clouds above the lightning are optically thick (τ>5). Jovian flashes are more regular and circular than the largest terrestrial flashes observed from space. On Jupiter there is nothing equivalent to the 30–40-km horizontal flashes that are seen on Earth.
Bitmask-based control word compression for NISC architectures

Implementing a custom hardware is not always feasible due to cost and time considerations. No instruction set computer (NISC) architecture is one of the promising direction to design a custom datapath for each application using its execution characteristics. A major challenge with NISC control word is that they tend to be at least 4 to 5 times larger than regular instruction size, thereby imposing higher memory requirement. A promising approach is to compress these control words to reduce the code size of the application. This article proposes an efficient bitmask-based compression technique to drastically reduce the control word size while keeping the decompression overhead minimal. The main contributions of our approach are: i) efficient don't care resolution for maximum bitmask coverage using limited dictionary entries, ii) run length encoding to significantly reduce repetitive control words, and iii) smart encoding of constant and less frequently changing bits. Our experimental results demonstrate that our approach improves compression efficiency by an average of 20% over the best known control word compression, giving a compression ratio of 25% to 35%.
The effect of discounting failures and weighting data on the accuracy of some reliability growth models

The effect of two parametric failure discounting methods on the accuracy of three discrete and two continuous reliability growth models is analyzed. Similar comparisons are made for two data-weighting methods. Graphs are used to make comparisons on the accuracy of these models without discounting or weighting, with discounting only, and with weighting only. The accuracy comparisons are made using Monte Carlo methods. The results show that cumulative growth models such as the AMSAA and maximum likelihood models have greater bias than the noncumulative regression models for the cases simulated. The results also show that the cumulative models appear to be more sensitive to failure discounting and thus more susceptible to yielding optimistic estimates of reliability than the regression-type models when failure discounting is employed. Failure discounting applied too frequently (e.g. after each successful test) can adversely affect the accuracy of any of the models analyzed. >
Are Judicial Elections Democracy-Enhancing?

In her contribution to this volume and in a recent book, Melinda Gann Hall charges the opponents of judicial elections with being "antidemocratic" (Hall 2010, 1). Blinded by their "very unflattering view of voters" (ibid., 2) and in thrall to the Article III model of life-tenured executive appointment, these naysayers have, in her telling, ignored the empirical evidence. Hall's own work has shown that campaigns for state high court judgeships now feature significant amounts of spending and competition, as well as fairly robust forms of political speech and participation (e.g., Hall 2001). Yet at the same time as judicial elections have been going up and up on these standard legitimacy-conferring dimensions, the opposition has only doubled down, launching "a full-scale war" against the institution (Bonneau and Hall 2009, 1, 128). The legal community's advocacy in this regard, Hall says, "falls just short of zealotry in its condemnation of democratic politics" (2010, 3).By framing the debate over state judicial selection as one between those who would privilege democratic values and those who would privilege other (unnamed) values in the method they favor, Hall reprises a classic dichotomy that has defined this literature. On the one hand, it is assumed, choosing judges by election facilitates self-government by empowering the people to hold accountable these important officials. Whatever else they might be, elections are "democracy-enhancing institutions" (Bonneau and Hall 2009, 2). On the other hand, it is argued, choosing judges by election undermines their independence and therefore threatens values such as professionalism, legality, and impartiality. There is posited an inescapable tradeoff between the democratic benefits that judicial elections offer and the extrinsic costs they impose. Whether one supports or rejects their usage depends upon how one weighs this tradeoff.But is it so clear that judicial elections are, or could realistically ever be, democracy-enhancing institutions? As far as I can tell, none of the many fine scholars to have participated in the debate has taken care to explicate this presupposition or to subject it to critical scrutiny. This omission looks particularly odd in light of the prodigious body of work that seeks to reconcile judicial review by the unelected federal courts with democratic imperatives.Responding to Hall's charge, this essay aims, first, to put the conventional wisdom on firmer conceptual ground, and then to show how it might be upended. Even an efficacious, abuse-free system of judicial elections, I will argue, does not necessarily advance the cause of self-government -- at least, not unless one takes a highly controversial view of the judicial function and of democracy itself. The opponents of judicial elections need not cede the democratic high ground. Beyond any of the specific arguments that I make in the space I have here, my larger aim is to suggest how the "endless" debate over judicial selection (Geyh 2008) might be shifted onto more productive terrain.
Convergence of Algebraic Multigrid Based on Smoothed Aggregation

We prove aconvergence estimate for the Algebraic Multigrid Method with prolongations defined by aggregation using zero energy modes, followed by a smoothing. The method input is the problem matrix and a matrix of the zero energy modes. The estimate depends only polylogarithmically on the mesh size, and requires only a weak approximation property for the aggregates, which can be a-priori verified computationally. Construction of the prolongator in the case of a general second order system is described, and the assumptions of the theorem are verified for a scalar problem discretized by linear conforming finite elements.
Cultural (in)visibility and identity dissonance: Queer Iranian-American women and their negotiation of existence

ABSTRACTThis qualitative study explores the narratives of 12, first-generation, queer, Iranian-American women to understand (a) how Iranian cultural, familial, and relational discourses influence feelings of “belonging” for queer Iranian-American women, and (b) how queer Iranian-American women cope with the challenges of being both LGBTQ and Iranian-American. Online interviews were analyzed using grounded theory analysis, revealing that queer Iranian-American women experience feelings of cultural isolation as a result of the homosexual identity delegitimization that is often perpetuated within the Iranian community. Participants cope by creating cultural distance between themselves and the Iranian community when they experience this isolation.
Electron-Transfer Dynamics for a Donor-Bridge-Acceptor Complex in Ionic Liquids.

Intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer from an N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine donor bridged by a diproline spacer to a coumarin 343 acceptor was studied using time-resolved fluorescence measurements in three ionic liquids and in acetonitrile. The three ionic liquids have the bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]amide anion paired with the tributylmethylammonium, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium, and 1-decyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium cations. The dynamics in the two-proline donor–bridge–acceptor complex are compared to those observed for the same donor and acceptor connected by a single proline bridge, studied previously by Lee et al. (J. Phys. Chem. C 2012, 116, 5197). The increased conformational freedom afforded by the second bridging proline resulted in multiple energetically accessible conformations. The multiple conformations have significant variations in donor–acceptor electronic coupling, leading to dynamics that include both adiabatic and nonadiabatic contributions. In common with the single-proline br...
THE EVOLUTION OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOR IN PRIMITIVELY SOCIAL BEES: A MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS.

In the study of the evolution of social behavior, it is of interest to isolate the features which are important in progressing from the primitive (solitary) to an advanced (highly eusocial) state. Individual attributes may evolve independently so that any species has a mixture of primitive and derived characteristics. Some characters, however, will almost always evolve together; evidently in the development of social behavior they must co-evolve. The purpose of this paper is to examine, for closely related bee species of the subgenus Dialictus (Halictidae) a number of attributes of social importance in order to determine which characteristics are most closely related to social evolution. Another goal in the comparative study of social behavior is to array the taxa in an order which reflects their overall level of sociality and perhaps to group the taxa into various social levels. Previous authors have defined levels of sociality on a large scale (Michener, 1969, 1974; Wilson, 1971). Eusocial bees are ones which have a matrifial colony organization with division of labor between castes and usually only one queen. They can be divided into two broad categories; the primitively eusocial bees and the highly eusocial bees (Michener, 1969). Primitively eusocial bees have castes which more or less intergrade in structure and function; highly eusocial bees have well established structural (not merely size) caste differentiation. A number of other traits have evolved along with increasing caste
0075 Leveraging Multiple Data Sources to Assist OSHA in Enforcement: Examining Illinois Workers’ Compensation Data on Amputations

Objectives The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) relies on survey data to target high risk employers for safety inspections and enforcement. However, OSHA has limited resources and randomly targeting employers for safety inspections as a general strategy is inefficient. In this study, we explore the use of an alternative data source to assist OSHA with a more targeted inspection program. Method We summarised Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) court filings for amputations from 2007 through 2012 and identified the industries and companies that are the top offenders for amputations in Illinois within this dataset. Results In total, there were 1260 amputations, of which 27.1% were severe amputations (not restricted to digits). The industrial sectors with the highest proportion of severe amputations were the mining (50.0%), government (40.6%), and personnel/employment services (temp employment) (40.0%) sectors. The analysis identified a short list of companies and their corresponding worksites, comprising nearly 20% of the amputation claims filed through the court system. Conclusions Using alternative datasets that provide a specific list of the worst offenders in a region can guide a more efficient use of OSHA resources and create a system that targets the companies with a poor safety record. Random inspections using industry level data from the US Bureau of Labour Statistics does not differentiate between companies that invest in safety within high risk industries from the poor actors. Workers’ compensation data is only one resource among many that can be utilised to assist OSHA with targeted inspections of high risk companies.
A rapid method for the simultaneous equilibration of large numbers of specimens of serum with carbon dioxide.

One of the problems of automation of the procedure for determining carbon dioxidecombining power of serum is the difficulty in the rapid equilibration of large numbers of specimens of serum with carbon dioxide. By means of using the classic separately funnel-aeration method, the equilibration of each sample requires approximately 3 to 4 min. plus additional time for cleaning the separatory funnels. This method is laborious and often technically difficult. As an alternative, some laboratories use a cylinder of 95 per cent nitrogen and 5 per cent carbon dioxide, bubbling a stream of this mixture through each individual specimen of serum for 3 min. prior to performing the determination. This latter method, although having significant advantages over the classic separatory funnel-aeration method, still requires manual equilibration of each specimen for approximately 3 min. In order to overcome these difficulties, it was necessary to devise a rapid, simple operation in which up to 30 serums for CO2 determinations could be simultaneously equilibrated within a few minutes.
Effect of intrinsic factor concentrates on vitamin B12 receptor protein of tissues.

SummaryData have been presented which show that intrinsic factor containing materials will stimulate receptor proteins to combine Vit. B12 of tissues as well as serum. Further, the receptor proteins of tissues are located intracellularly in the microsome and soluble protein fraction of liver homogenates. The evidence suggests that intrinsic factor aids in absorption of Vit. B12 by stimulating the intracellular receptor proteins to combine with Vit. B12.
Single-crystal plagioclase feldspar dissolution rates measured by vertical scanning interferometry

Here we introduce a technique for simultaneous measurement of surface normal retreat rates of specific cleavage faces by vertical scanning interferometry and the bulk dissolution rate of a mineral powder. A hydrothermal reactor is used to contain both a well-characterized powder and oriented single crystals with a masked reference surface at elevated temperatures. We show examples using both anorthite and albite reacted at temperatures between 150 and 200 °C. In the case of albite, dissolution rates of fine-grained powders are substantially enhanced compared to those prevailing on large single-crystal cleavage surfaces. Rates developed on the (010) albite cleavage surface are also substantially faster than those on the (001) face, where etch-pit development was relatively modest and surface normal retreat was not detectable within the time frame of the experiment. The reasons for this difference are not immediately clear, but may be related to anisotropy in the distribution of Al-O-Si vs. Si-O-Si bonds in the albite structure, (010) twinning expressed on the (001) surface, and possible disruption of kink propagation across the twin plane.
Experiment research of high repetition rate acousto-optic Q-switched fiber laser under air cooling

In order to obtain the air cooling high repetition fiber laser with stable power,an acoustic-optical Q-switched allfiber laser with master oscillator power amplifier structure was studied. The oscillator used the scheme of acousto-optic Q-switched with a pair of fiber Bragg grating as laser cavity mirrors. Pumped by 915 nm laser diodes,1064 nm laser pulse output was acquired with adjustable repetition rates from 10 k Hz to 130 k Hz. Through two-stage double clad large mode area fiber amplifier,101 W output power was obtained with 328. 1ns pulse width. The 3d B optical spectrum width of fiber laser was 0. 6nm. Optical-optical efficiency of the second amplifier stage was 69%. The total optical-optical efficiency of laser was 62. 7%. The distortion cause of long width seed pulse created by acousto-optic Q-switched through the amplification was studied. The experimental results show that pumped by 915 nm laser diodes,the long-term stability of output power is proved to less than 2% under air cooling.
Global Lessons for Watershed Management in the United States

This report identifies the most promising watershed planning and management approaches from around the world; evaluates how they operate, their benefits and limitations; and assesses the degree to which these approaches could be successfully adapted to the US context. Drawing on this international experience the report is intended to inform policy makers and practitioners and to promote the implementation of integrated watershed management approaches that are most likely to succeed. This title belongs to WERF Research Report Series ISBN: 9781780404325 (eBook) ISBN: 9781843397120 (Print)
Research on relationship between surface height and buried depth increase of excavated foundation in slope terrain

Based on the equivalent principle of ultimate uplift bearing capacity to excavated foundation in transmission lines and the computation method of ultimate uplift bearing capacity for sloped foundation in slope terrain,the relationship between foundation surface height and buried depth increase are derived.A computation formula between slope reduction and buried depth increase is proposed.Also the minimum slope distance to tower foundation in slope terrain is summarized by the code and experience.The research results provide an evaluation criterion among the relationship of surface height,slope reduction and buried depth increase for engineers.
An historical glimpse of the evolution of rhytidectomy

Much of the progress in aesthetic surgery in this century is driven by the popularization of the facelift operation, which traditionally has been the most common cosmetic procedure associated with the plastic surgeon. The evolution of this operation has been expanding dramatically during the last two decades—primarily fueled by clinical and, to a lesser degree, cadaveric and histologic studies of the facial tissues. By means of an historical narrative, this article provides a foundation for orientation of the literature on this subject.
The Wintering of the Italian Spring: From Neorealism to Film Noir via Verdi

After the war, in Italy, as in Britain, there was a moment of opportunity where the country could have effected major reforms and moved more broadly toward equality the moment called ‘The Italian Spring.’ The forces of the left pushing for major change, both in the society as a whole and in the film industry in particular, were stronger than in Britain and less aligned with the traditional power structure, producing both a government with strong socialist and communist participation and, in the cinematic realm, ‘Neorealism’. The failure of this moment can be seen in the society as a whole in the 1948 election victory of the party of the landlords and industrialists, the Christian Democrats (CD), and, in the film industry, in the passing of the Andreotti Law the next year which rationalized production and curbed the ‘excesses’ of filmmakers bent on social reform.
Study of the Effects of Annealing on the Morphology of Platinum Cluster size on Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Abstract The effects of annealing on the morphological transformation of platinum clusters supported on graphite was investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy. Without annealing, the as-deposited platinum consists of an aggregation of smaller clusters. These clusters become more uniform and spherical after annealed for 4 hours. Further annealing shows a transformation from spherical to elongated shape.
Recent advances on Software Defined Wireless Networking

Software Defined Networking (SDN) is an emerging technology that is replacing traditional networks in many advanced applications such as network virtualization and cloud computing. Recently, SDN has been proposed for wireless networks to add flexibility to incorporate exponentially increasing wireless traffic and to adapt network configurations on the fly, and it is known as Software Defined Wireless Networking or SDWN. There have been several methods proposed for SDWN because of the benefits it offers such as flexibility, manageability and having greater control over the network. In this paper, we present a comprehensive study of different approaches for SDWN along with its challenges and benefits. We also outline current state of the research and future perspectives. With this paper, readers can have a more thorough understanding of SDWN and the research trends in this area.
The Biochemistry of Ciliates in Pure Culture

Publisher Summary During the past years, the field of microbiology has taken its place as an important branch of investigation contributing to the knowledge of biochemistry. It seems clear that Tetrahymena and ciliates, in general, possess the enzyme systems that are somewhat comparable to those of higher animals. From a consideration of the requirements of Tetrahymena, it can be seen that successful assay procedures should be possible for the amino acids, such as, histidine, leucine, lysine, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, and tryptophan. Tetrahymena is singularly suited for investigations of many phases of cellular metabolism. Much valuable information can be attained in a short time regarding animal nutrition by the use of Tetrahymena. Applications to higher animals, of information gained in this way, regarding interactions of basic materials and proportional relations of constituents of foods should prove useful. The response of Tetrahymena to many compounds of potential value in connection with chemotherapy makes it possible to use this organism as a tool.
Stabilization by a Measurable Output and Estimation of the Level of Attenuation for Perturbations in Control Systems

We establish new criteria for the output stabilization in linear control systems with the help of static and dynamic regulators. It is shown that the stabilization algorithms derived from these criteria can be applied to a certain class of nonlinear control systems. We propose some algorithms for the construction of the regularities of control guaranteeing the required estimates of the weighted level of attenuation of input signals. The obtained results are illustrated by an example of a system stabilizing a one-link robot-manipulator.
Reactor prospects and present status of field-reversed configurations

Field-Reversed Configurations (FRC) have an ideal geometry for a reactor, combining high beta toroidal confinement, with a linear external geometry. Present small diameter FRCs are thought to be stabilized by kinetic effects, but recent experiments in the Large s Experiment (LSX) have demonstrated stability as well into the MHD regime. Present empirical transport coefficients are already sufficient for a small pulsed reactor, but small steady state reactors will require about an order of magnitude reduction in plasma diffusivity. 13 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.
Primary debulking surgery (PDS) for stage IIIc ovarian cancer: Quo vadis?

e15568 Background: The efficacy of PDS for advanced ovarian cancer has recently been challenged by data suggesting equivalent clinical outcomes for neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and interval debu...
Influence of prefast feed intake on recovery from feed and water deprivation by beef steers.

A trial was conducted with 60 steers (257 kg) to determine the influence of prefast feed intake on recovery from feed and water deprivation. For 3 d, steers were fed a 35% roughage diet at 1 (LI) or 1.75% (MI) of body weight or ad libitum (AL). Steers were then deprived of feed and water for 24 h, limit-fed and watered for 24 h, deprived of feed and water for 48 h and then allowed ad libitum feed and water consumption for 2 wk. A fourth group of control steers was fed at 1.75% of body weight during the alimentation period and was not fasted. Realimentation feed intake was positively related to prefast feed intake, with the order of realimentation feed intake being AL greater than MI greater than LI (P less than .05). During deprivation, rumen volume declined (P less than .05) in AL-fed steers, but was not affected in LI and MI steers. Blood hemoglobin and serum urea-N increased during deprivation in all fasted groups. Prefast serum cholesterol levels were inversely related to prefast energy intake. During deprivation, rumen fluid total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations and propionate and butyrate molar proportions declined (P less than .05) and acetate, isobutyrate and valerate + isovalerate molar proportions increased (P less than .05). Results of this study indicate that an increased prefast feed intake will provide a greater reserve of energy, water and electrolytes to the steer during deprivation and result in a shorter postfast adaptation period.
Depression and Medication Adherence in Patients on Hemodialysis

Background Depression is highly prevalent in End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and is the most common psychiatric disorder in this population. Depression is associated with a lack of adherence to hemodialysis (HD) treatment regimens and increased morbidity and mortality. Methods A descriptive secondary correlational analysis of 118 patients on chronic HD was conducted to determine the prevalence of depression and its relationship to adherence to blood pressure (BP) regimens (fluid adherence, HD and BP medication adherence). Results Approximately 80% of the sample was found to have moderate depression. Depression was found to be significantly related to BP medication nonadherence at baseline (r = .239, p = .01 and at 12 weeks (r = .20, p = .027). Conclusion Given the high prevalence of depression and its association with BP medication nonadherence, patients on chronic HD should be routinely assessed for depression and offered validated treatment regimens. Depression is a modifiable risk factor, and interventions that address depression in conjunction with adherence to BP regimens need to be tested in the HD population.
Early Fox Talbot Photographs and Restoration by Neutron Irradiation

AbstractIn January 1839, W. H. F. Talbot of England displayed examples of his photographic-negative-and-paper-positive process. Talbot’s earliest image “permanentizers” were stabilizing or fixing solutions of either sodium chloride, potassium bromide or potassium iodide. These approaches proved unsuitable for longterm image stability. Even when he later adopted the use of hypo, his washing procedures did not necessarily ensure image permanency.When it was observed that the image was fading on Talbot items in the Smithsonian collection, an investigation was undertaken to find a method of restoring them. Because Talbot modified his procedures constantly, it is almost impossible to restore the images chemically without first subjecting prints or negatives to chemical analysis. To avoid this problem a “non-destructive” method of image restoration was attempted Faded pictures were irradiated with neutrons, thus forming radioactive isotopes of some of the image An unexposed sheet of X-ray film was placed in con...
The Psychological Consequences of Judicially Imposed Closets in Child Custody and Visitation Cases Involving Gay or Lesbian Parents

This article examines child custody and visitation cases that operate under the assumption that parents, who live openly as sexual minorities, will harm their children. Based on this assumption, courts frequently impose restrictions on parents, requiring them to live closeted lives in order to have access to their children. The purpose of the article is to explore the emotional consequences of these judicially-imposed closets, which require parents to keep parts of their lives secret, by reviewing research concerning the psychological impact of family secrets on parents and children. In addition, the article reviews social science research on sexual minority parenting, which does not support the custody and visitation courts' assumption that it is harmful to children when their parents live openly as sexual minorities. The article points out that in the majority of other cases involving sexual minority parenting, such as same-gender marriage, foster care and adoption, the underlying assumption is that sexual minority parents, who are open about their sexual orientation, are raising happy, healthy, and well-adjusted children. The article argues that if courts were to treat sexual orientation as a neutral factor, as is done in most of the adoption cases involving sexual minority parents, then the courts could properly focus on assessing each parent's child-raising abilities, investigating the nature of the parent-child relationship, and preserving the emotional attachment of the children to their parents. It is these factors, not a parent's sexual orientation, that are relevant to determining the true best interests of the children in custody and visitation disputes.
Measurements of Developing Turbulent Flow in a Square Duct

This paper presents and analyzes a comprehensive set of mean flow and turbulence data taken in the entrance region of a square duct. At the location where peaking of the axial centerline velocity occurs, the results show that certain Reynolds stress components and mean rates of strain are elevated above their counterparts for fully developed flow. Analysis of the data indicates that two recently proposed pressure-strain models can be used to model local pressure-strain behavior in both the two-dimensional and three-dimensional regions of the flow. Further analysis shows that the dissipation rate can be modeled in terms of a suitably defined length scale and either the resultant primary shear stress or the turbulence kinetic energy.
Theoretical study and experimental identification of elastic-magnetic vibration isolation system:

A vibration isolation system featuring a combination of elastic and magnetic springs and viscous and magnetic damping is presented. A mechanical flat spring houses a permanent magnet that is levita...
Addressing the challenge of soil metaproteome complexity by improving metaproteome depth of coverage through two-dimensional liquid chromatography

Abstract Metaproteomics conducted on soil is challenged by a low depth of protein coverage that can potentially result in an underrepresentation of the functional underpinnings of important biological processes and interactions. Typically, the utilization of an on-line two-dimensional chromatographic separation approach (2D LC-MS/MS) can significantly improve depth of coverage. Herein, we evaluate different fractionation modalities to determine the optimal approach for LC MS based soil metaproteomics. The first approach fractionates the digested soil proteome in 2 dimensions while coupled directly to the MS instrument (“online” approach). The second approach performs the first dimension of fractionation “offline” prior to injection to the MS (“offline” approach). While both approaches are commonly utilized for proteomic research, they have not been directly compared for soils. We rigorously compared these approaches applied to: 1) a mock community consisting of 47 different microorganisms, and 2) to natural soil. The results provide insight into protein dynamic range, the presence of mass spectrometry interfering substances, and other factors that may contribute to an observed low metaproteome depth of coverage from complex and highly diverse samples, such as soil. We observed that the “offline” approach generally resulted in the highest metaproteome coverage; however, there are advantages to using the “online” approach when dealing with limited biomass. Both approaches resulted in a larger number of protein identifications from the synthetic metaproteome rather than from the soil metaproteome, although the soil metaproteome had a significantly larger number of predicted proteins. A large dynamic range in abundances of proteins resulting from metabolically active and inactive populations within the soil metaproteome explains this observation.
Outcomes of patients (pts) with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) and sarcomatoid dedifferentiation (sRCC) after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI): A single-institution retrospective study.

4583Background: Pts with mRCC and sarcomatoid dedifferentiation (sRCC) have a poor prognosis with approved targeted therapies (Keskin et al. JU 2017). The response to ICIs in mRCC pts with sRCC is ...
Husbandry of Dairy Animals | Sheep: Replacement Management

Production and management of replacement dairy ewes can be divided into six stages: (1) selection, (2) prepartum, (3) nursing, (4) prepubertal, (5) first breeding, and (6) first lactation. Selection of parents, primarily sires, of high genetic value for dairy traits results in replacement ewe lambs of high genetic potential. Dams of potential replacements must be adequately fed during pregnancy to ensure maximum development of fetal udder tissue and high milk production in their progeny. An adequate intake of colostrum is very important for the health of the newborn lamb. Lambs raised on milk replacer need to receive a replacer specifically formulated for them and also fed a high-protein and high-energy dry diet in order to transition completely to a dry diet within 3–4 weeks of age. It is generally recommended that replacement ewe lambs should be fed for moderate, not maximum, body weight gains during the prepubertal period in order to maximize subsequent milk production. Ewe lambs mated at 8–9 months of age to have their first lactation at a little over 1 year of age need increased nutrition to meet the demands of growth, pregnancy, and lactation as compared to ewe lambs that are mated to have their first lactation at approximately 2 years of age.
Weather limited short-range in-band full-duplex free-space optical transceiver

Free-space optical (FSO) communication has gained popularity for wireless applications over legacy radiofrequency for advantages like unlicensed band, spatial reuse, and security. Even though FSO can achieve high bit-rate, range limitation due to attenuation and weather dependency has always restricted its practical applications. Building-to-building communication, smart cars, and air-subsea links are potential futuristic applications for mobile and secure ad-hoc FSO networks, where in-band full-duplex FSO (IBFD-FSO) transceivers will potentially increase network capacity significantly to improve performance and reliability. In this work, we model an IBFD-FSO transceiver consisting of a VCSEL and a photodiode to determine the range and weather dependent performance of the link.