cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carbon-carbon bond cleavage reactions of 1,2-diamines initiated by photoinduced electron transfer

The oxidative photofragmentations of a series of 1,2-diamines have been studied in reaction with photoexcited electron acceptors under a variety of conditions. All the diamines were found to undergo a clean two electron redox reaction (in the presence of trace amounts of water) to produce after cleavage, two free amines, two aldehydes, and the reduced acceptor. Investigation of the role of variables (solvent, acceptor, temperature, isotope effects, etc.) on the quantum yields for diamine fragmentation leads to a mechanistic picture in which the critical step in the reaction is an unassisted fragmentation. Although formally similar to the photoreactions of previously studied aminoalcohols, the photoinduced electron transfer fragmentation reaction of 1,2-diamines shows key mechanistic differences and is apparently both a more general reaction and significantly more rapid in several cases.
Two proteases from the latex of Elaeophorbia drupifera

Abstract Two serine-centred proteolytic enzymes containing catalytically essential histidine residues have been purified to homogeneity from the latex of Elaeophorbia drupifera. The high (117 K) Mr, form, euphorbain d1, and the low Mr, (65 K) form, euphorbain d2, are each composed of subunits of weight 30 000. The subunits differ slightly, as is seen by tryptic mapping and in the amino acid compositions reported for the proteases. Both enzymes have five isoelectric forms, and both display two pH maxima for proteolytic activity. Large molar excesses of sulphydryl-blocking reagents produce some activation of euphorbains d1 and d2.
Simple vortex states in films of type-I Ginzburg-Landau superconductor

Sufficiently thin films of type-I superconductor in a perpendicular magnetic field exhibit a triangular vortex lattice while thick films develop an intermediate state. To elucidate what happens between these two regimes, precise numerical calculations have been made within Ginzburg-Landau theory at $\ensuremath{\kappa}=0.5$ and 0.25 for a variety of vortex lattice structures with one flux quantum per unit cell. The phase diagram in the space of mean induction and film thickness includes a narrow wedge in which a square lattice is stable, surrounded by the domain of stability of the triangular lattice at thinner films/lower fields and, on the other side, rectangular lattices with continuously varying aspect ratio. The vortex lattice has an anomalously small shear modulus within and close to the square lattice phase. Solutions of the Ginzburg-Landau equations have been obtained by similar calculations for bulk systems and thin films with one vortex but two flux quanta per square or triangular unit cell. Primitive lattices of double-fluxoid vortices are thermodynamically unstable in bulk in both type-I and type-II superconductors, as expected. In type-I films these double-fluxoid lattices do not pre-empt the single-fluxoid lattice structures.
Characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis patients: who participates in long-term research and who drops out?

Objective A 10-year study of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients was conducted to identify characteristics associated with continued participation in a long-term research project. Methods Nine hundred eighty-eight RA patients were recruited from 56 private rheumatology practices. Over the course of the study, 45 patients died and were eliminated from the analysis. Patients were interviewed by phone each year for 10 years, and their physicians provided clinical data. Variables measured included demographic characteristics, perceived health status, employment status, family responsibilities, social support, and clinical health status. Results Forty-six percent of patients remained in the study after 10 years. Survival analysis using Cox regression techniques assessed baseline factors that significantly predicted characteristics of patients who remained in the study. The multivariate analysis found that more educated patients, female patients, those with moderate to high levels of social support, patients having fewer joint groups with flares, and employed patients were more likely to remain in the study. Disease characteristics of stage of disease, level of pain, self-reported level of physical disability, and duration of RA were not significantly associated with continued study participation. Conclusion The results suggest that psychosocial and socioeconomic factors are more important determinants of continued participation in long-term research studies than are most clinical disease characteristics. Among clinical variables, only the active disease characteristic of joint flares predicted continued study participation. Overall disease characteristics such as disease stage or duration did not predict subject attrition.
Basal and stress-induced Hsp70 are modulated by ataxin-3

Regulation of basal and induced levels of hsp70 is critical for cellular homeostasis. Ataxin-3 is a deubiquitinase with several cellular functions including transcriptional regulation and maintenance of protein homeostasis. While investigating potential roles of ataxin-3 in response to cellular stress, it appeared that ataxin-3 regulated hsp70. Basal levels of hsp70 were lower in ataxin-3 knockout (KO) mouse brain from 2 to 63 weeks of age and hsp70 was also lower in fibroblasts from ataxin-3 KO mice. Transfecting KO cells with ataxin-3 rescued basal levels of hsp70 protein. Western blots of representative chaperones including hsp110, hsp90, hsp70, hsc70, hsp60, hsp40/hdj2, and hsp25 indicated that only hsp70 was appreciably altered in KO fibroblasts and KO mouse brain. Turnover of hsp70 protein was similar in wild-type (WT) and KO cells; however, basal hsp70 promoter reporter activity was decreased in ataxin-3 KO cells. Transfecting ataxin-3 restored hsp70 basal promoter activity in KO fibroblasts to levels of promoter activity in WT cells; however, mutations that inactivated deubiquitinase activity or the ubiquitin interacting motifs did not restore full activity to hsp70 basal promoter activity. Hsp70 protein and promoter activity were higher in WT compared to KO cells exposed to heat shock and azetidine-2-carboxylic acid, but WT and KO cells had similar levels in response to cadmium. Heat shock factor-1 had decreased levels and increased turnover in ataxin-3 KO fibroblasts. Data in this study are consistent with ataxin-3 regulating basal level of hsp70 as well as modulating hsp70 in response to a subset of cellular stresses.
A multi-channel approach for segmentation of solar corona in images from the solar dynamics observatory

We present a multi-channel segmentation scheme to identify different features of the solar corona, such as coronal holes, active regions and the quiet sun (especially in the ultraviolet and extreme ultraviolet images). In contrast to common techniques, we use an approach that uses image intensity and relative contribution of each of the wavelengths. This approach is illustrated by using the images taken by the AIA telescopes onboard of the SDO mission. This technique incorporates a nearest-neighbor based classifier followed by Moore-neighbor tracing algorithm to find the boundaries and track the regions of interest. This method requires less computation time as compared to the commonly used fuzzy logic methods and is robust in the sense it performs equally well in both the central and limb regions of the solar disc.
Estimation of a Stratified Error-Components Model*

This article shows that the presence of incidental parameters in Baltagi and Griffin's (International Economic Review 29 (1988), 745–53) generalized error-components model implies there is no guarantee feasible and true GLS estimators have the same asymptotic distribution. The article then considers a related stratified error-components model that has no incidental parameters. In this model, unobserved heterogeneity occurs through variances changing across strata. The article provides an EM algorithm for calculating estimates of the model's parameters without assuming observations can be classified into strata, derives a bootstrap test for identifying the number of strata, and applies the new methods in an example.
Soluble Carbohydrates in the Bark of Italian Prune (Prunus domestica) Trees

Bark samples were removed from 1-year-old stems of Italian prune trees at intervals throughout the growing season (June–August). Glucose, fructose, sucrose, traces of raffinose and a polyol were detected in ethanolic extracts of the bark. The polyol was isolated and shown to be d-glucitol. The use of insoluble polyvinylpyrrolidone proved to be the best method for decolorizing bark extracts prior to quantitative analysis of ethanol-soluble carbohydrates by paper chromato-graphic methods. Glucitol was the major carbohydrate in the bark throughout the season. Sucrose was the major sugar, decreasing gradually as the season advanced. Fructose and glucose were found in lesser and about equal amounts. The amount of glucitol, glucose and fructose was high in June, decreased to a minimum in mid-July, increased sharply in late July and early August and decreased later in the season.
Hardware acceleration for spatial selections and joins

Spatial database operations are typically performed in two steps. In the filtering step, indexes and the minimum bounding rectangles (MBRs) of the objects are used to quickly determine a set of candidate objects, and in the refinement step, the actual geometries of the objects are retrieved and compared to the query geometry or each other. Because of the complexity of the computational geometry algorithms involved, the CPU cost of the refinement step is usually the dominant cost of the operation for complex geometries such as polygons. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to address this problem using efficient rendering and searching capabilities of modern graphics hardware. This approach does not require expensive pre-processing of the data or changes to existing storage and index structures, and it applies to both intersection and distance predicates. Our experiments with real world datasets show that by combining hardware and software methods, the overall computational cost can be reduced substantially for both spatial selections and joins.
Nonparametric Combinatorial Regression for Shape Constrained Modeling

We introduce a unified approach for calculating nonparametric shape constrained regression. Enforcement of the shape constraint often accounts for the impact of a physical phenomenon or a specific property. It also improves the model's predicability and facilitates subsequent optimizations. The regression models are built by transforming the problem into the combinatorial domain where the shape constraints are imposed by bounding the combinatorial search space. We start by addressing isotonicity shape constraint using a dynamic programming algorithm and demonstrate how the problem can be mapped to the graph combinatorics domain. Next we show how a number of other important shape constraints including unimodality, convexity, limited level set, and limited slope can be addressed using the same framework. The flexibility of proposed framework enables solving the shape constrained regression problem with an arbitrary user-defined error metric. This flexibility is exploited to add robustness against outliers to the model. The algorithms are described in detail and their computational complexity is established. The performance and effectiveness of the shape constrained regression is evaluated on traces of temperature and humidity measurements from a deployed sensor network where a high degree of accuracy and robustness is demonstrated.
KQ MON and the nature of the UX Ursa Majoris Nova-like variables

KQ Mon, a new UX UMa type nova-like variable discovered by H.E. Bond, exhibits optical spectra, UBV and high speed pnotometric characteristics strongly similar to other members of the UX Ursa Majoris subset. However its ultraviolet spectra when compared with other UX UMa stars shed considerable light on the nature of these objects. Its spectrum is dominated by strong broad highly ionized absorption lines including the NV, Si IV and CIV UV resonance doublets. No emission lines or P Cygni type features are evident and the velocity displacements are smaller suggesting the absence of a hot high velocity wind characterizing other UX UMa stars. A physical interpretation of the UV absorption spectra and optical spectra and their observed temporal variations is presented. Based upon (1) high mass accretion rates derived by fitting the observations with theoretical continuum fluxes from steady accretion disk models by R.E. Williams, (2) the presence of outflowing winds with the determination of corresponding mass loss rates and properties of the theoretical wind models by Cassinelli, Olson and Stalio, and (3) new time independent steady state disk structure computations, a model is suggested to explain the observed properties of the UX UMa stars and their lack of major outbursts.
Marketing cultural and heritage tourism: the Marshall Islands

Purpose – This paper aims to focus on evaluating what cultural, heritage, and historical resources exist in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and how these resources can advance tourism development and marketing.Design/methodology/approach – This study bases its approach on tourism development field research conducted in the RMI, first in 1989‐1990 for the entire nation and in 2002 for Bikini and Rongelap Atolls. Current literature sources provide an expansion of the previous studies.Findings – Tourism in the RMI sees only a few thousand visitors annually, with many participating in diving and sport‐fishing. Significant potential exists to attract cultural heritage visitors, but to date few such efforts exist. Construction and sailing of traditional outrigger canoes and rediscovery of ancient Micronesian way‐finding techniques represent two important culture resources for potential tourism marketing.Research limitations/implications – Field research includes only the atolls of Majuro (the nationa...
An analysis of young people's use of and attitudes toward cell phones

Cell phones are a pervasive new communication technology, especially among college students. This paper examines college students' cell phone usage from a behavioral and psychological perspective. Utilizing both qualitative (focus groups) and quantitative (survey) approaches, the study suggests these individuals use the devices for a variety of purposes: to help them feel safe, for financial benefits, to manage time efficiently, to keep in touch with friends and family members, et al. The degree to which the individuals are dependent on the cell phones and what they view as the negatives of their utilization are also examined. The findings suggest people have various feelings and attitudes toward cell phone usage. This study serves as a foundation on which future studies will be built.
Paediatric ventilatory support

Over the past decade, inspired gas delivery has become more physiologically appropriate. This development arose from a deeper understanding of the physiological limits of the alveolus, and the mechanical changes that the pathophysiology of acute lung injury produces. At the same time a number of technological advances and adjuncts to ventilation have been described, some of which have established a place in clinical practice. The aim of this article is to review these developments and provide insight into the currently available modes of ventilation and adjuncts when dealing with acute lung injury and ARDS, rather than pathologies typified by gas trapping.
Effects of fish size and temperature on weakfish disturbance calls: implications for the mechanism of sound generation.

To categorize variation in disturbance calls of the weakfish Cynoscion regalis and to understand their generation, we recorded sounds produced by differentsized fish, and by similar-sized fish at different temperatures, as well as muscle electromyograms. Single, simultaneous twitches of the bilateral sonic muscles produce a single sound pulse consisting of a two- to threecycle acoustic waveform. Typical disturbance calls at 18 °C consist of trains of 2‐15 pulses with a sound pressure level (SPL) of 74 dB re 20 μPa at 10 cm, a peak frequency of 540 Hz, a repetition rate of 20 Hz and a pulse duration of 3.5 ms. The pulse duration suggests an incredibly short twitch time. Sound pressure level (SPL) and pulse duration increase and dominant frequency decreases in larger fish, whereas SPL, repetition rate and dominant frequency increase and pulse duration decreases with increasing temperature. The dominant frequency is inversely related to pulse duration and appears to be determined by the duration of muscle contraction. We suggest that the lower dominant frequency of larger fish is caused by a longer pulse (=longer muscle twitch) and not by the lower resonant frequency of a larger swimbladder.
STUDIES CONCERNING THE NATURE OF THE SECRETORY ACTIVITY OF THE ISOLATED RINGER-PERFUSED FROG LIVER : II. THE INHIBITORY AND THE PROMOTING INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC ELECTROLYTES AND NON-ELECTROLYTES UPON THE SECRETION OF DYESTUFFS.

The ability of the isolated Ringer-perfused frog liver, to concentrate dyestuffs in its secretion several hundred times, can be abolished entirely and reversibly by replacing in the Ringer solution about 1/8 of the NaCl by the isosmotic amount of a surface-inactive non-electrolyte (disaccharide, hexose, pentose, polyhydric alcohol, amino acid, acid amide) or electrolyte (salts of lower fatty acids, hydroxyl carboxylic, and dicarboxylic acids). This effect is not dependent upon changes in the perfusion rate. The opposite effect, promotion of secretory activity, can be brought about by polar-non-polar electrolytes (salts of higher fatty acids, bile acids, and other aromatic carboxylic acids, aromatic sulfonic acids) and surface-active non-electrolytes (anesthetics, alkaloids, digitonin). However, reversibility of this effect cannot be regularly observed, since cytolysis is frequently the end result. Suitable concentrations of inhibitory and promoting substances, simultaneously applied, counteract each other. Inhibitory and promoting substances, in general, exhibit opposite effects upon the dispersion of colloids (starch, lecithin, gelatin). The correlation between the physicochemical and the physiological action of the organic compounds is discussed.
Use of ultrasonic sensors in the development of an Electronic Travel Aid

Ultrasonic sensors present one of the most cost-effective digital distance measurement systems available for mobile applications. Their effectiveness is limited, however, in applications involving complex environments and when information on sensor position is unavailable. This paper focuses on the implementation and limitations of ultrasonic sensors and system design considerations during development of an Electronic Travel Aid [ETA] for the visually impaired utilizing ultrasonic sensors and vibrotactile feedback. Our work with sensors included signal filtering and triangulation to improve performance characteristics of ultrasonic-based measurements. Additionally, we describe the use of computer modeling to aid in the design of ultrasonic sensor systems.
Mean performance optimization of analog integrated circuits via expectation-based stochastic programming

In this paper we propose to formulate the mean performance optimization of analog ICs as an expectation-based stochastic program, which can be further approximated as a more tractable optimization problem that interior-point methods can efficiently solve. Using such stochastic optimization approach, we can obtain statistical analog circuit designs with optimized mean performance. A ring oscillator design is given to demonstrate the method.
Surface Mesoscale Processes during the 1994 Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak

The tornadic storms that developed in the 27 March 1994 Palm Sunday outbreak were confined to a narrow zone extending from central and northern Alabama to western North Carolina. Analysis of surface observations and soundings is used to examine the mesoscale environment of the region starting 14 h prior to storm development. The evolution of a shallow front that formed the northern boundary of the outbreak region is tied to several diabatic processes including evaporation of precipitation and differential solar heating. The resulting front was found to both limit severe convection and focus supercell development later in the day. During the night before the outbreak, as copious widespread precipitation fell into dry air, evaporation maintained a cold air pool north of the front. By contrast, moderate southerly flow provided warm, moist conditions to the south. Precipitation-enhanced cold air damming along the eastern slopes of the Appalachians also may have provided a source of cold air for subsequent frontogenesis over areas farther west. During the daylight hours, differential solar heating across the front further enhanced frontogenesis. Intensification of convection just prior to the first tornadoes was found to be associated with areas of breaks in the overcast near and upstream of tornadogenesis. Similarly, cells that intensified were moving over a surface that had been thoroughly moistened by previous rainfall. Supercells that intersected and moved along the frontal boundary maintained their tornadic strength for many hours, whereas storms that crossed the boundary disintegrated. Blockage of inflow by upstream storm cells may also have contributed to the rapid reduction of intensity of one of the tornadic cells.
Extratropical Transition of Southwest Pacific Tropical Cyclones. Part II: Midlatitude Circulation Characteristics

Abstract This second of two papers on extratropical transition (ET) over the southwest Pacific Ocean focuses on the variability of ET. A climatology of ET onset based on a previously described objective technique shows that ET commences 15° of latitude nearer the equator on average than similar cases from the Northern Hemisphere. Characteristic midlatitude circulation patterns accompanying ET near 30°S are identified by means of empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of 50 storms. The first eigenvector pattern, explaining nearly half the circulation variability, expresses relaxed and enhanced pressure gradients south of the storm that define composites similar to “cradled” and “captured” classifications previously described for the southeast Indian Ocean. The second EOF distinguishes redeveloping from weakening storms. Reintensifying storms were located beneath strong cyclonic vorticity advection (CVA) near the equatorward entrance region of an upper jet whereas the upper jet was well to the west of...
Restriction of developmental potential during divergence of the enteric and sympathetic neuronal lineages

In the peripheral nervous system, enteric and sympathetic neurons develop from multipotent neural crest cells. While local environmental signals in the gut and in the region of the sympathetic ganglia play a role in the choice of cell fate, little is known about the mechanisms that underlie restriction to specific neuronal phenotypes. We investigated the divergence and restriction of the enteric and sympathetic neuronal lineages using immuno-isolated neural crest-derived cells from the gut and sympathetic ganglia. Analysis of neuronal and lineage-specific mRNAs and proteins indicated that neural crest-derived cells from the gut and sympathetic ganglia had initiated neuronal differentiation and phenotypic divergence by E14.5 in the rat. We investigated the developmental potential of these cells using expression of tyrosine hydroxylase as a marker for a sympathetic phenotype. Tyrosine hydroxylase expression was examined in neurons that developed from sympathetic and enteric neuroblasts under the following culture conditions: culture alone; coculture with gut monolayers to promote enteric differentiation; or coculture with dorsal aorta monolayers to promote noradrenergic differentiation. Both enteric and sympathetic neuroblasts displayed developmental plasticity at E14.5. Sympathetic neuroblasts downregulated tyrosine hydroxylase in response to signals from the gut environment and enteric neuroblasts increased expression of tyrosine hydroxylase when grown on dorsal aorta or in the absence of other cell types. Tracking of individual sympathetic cells displaying a neuronal morphology at the time of plating indicated that neuroblasts retained phenotypic plasticity even after initial neuronal differentiation had occurred. By E19.5 both enteric and sympathetic neuroblasts had undergone a significant loss of their developmental potential, with most neuroblasts retaining their lineage-specific phenotype in all environments tested. Together our data indicate that the developmental potential of enteric and sympathetic neuroblasts becomes restricted over time and that this restriction takes place not as a consequence of initial neuronal differentiation but during the period of neuronal maturation. Further, we have characterized a default pathway of adrenergic differentiation in the enteric nervous system and have defined a transient requirement for gut-derived factors in the maintenance of the enteric neuronal phenotype.
Chemokines and Bone

Chemokines comprise several subfamilies of small proteins with conserved cysteine residues and common structural features. Chemokines interact with signaling receptors to elicit effects on cell migration, proliferation, and survival. Both CXC and CC subfamily chemokines promote bone formation developmentally and in response to hormonal and mechanical stimuli. Effects on homing of progenitor cells may be involved in effects on osteoblastogenesis. CXC and CC chemokines are also implicated in processes leading to osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption, with promotion of the migration of mononuclear osteoclast precursor cells being an important action. Chemokines contribute to the bone loss resulting from arthritis, both through promoting inflammation and osteoclastogenesis and attenuating cartilage repair. Both the positive effects of chemokines on bone formation and the bone loss resulting from inflammatory reactions to wear particles are factors in the success or failure of implants. In primary tumors of bone as well as cancers metastasizing to bone, chemokines facilitate interactions between tumor cells and the bone microenvironment through effects on angiogenesis, tumor growth, and invasion. Development of therapeutic agents that could target deleterious effects of chemokines, including effects on bone, has been slow, although a number of compounds for various disease indications are currently being evaluated.
Neural-Behavioral Interrelationships in Taste

Direct relations between the nervous system and behavior have long been assumed. When careful anatomical dissection was permitted, the accumulated data on “normal specimens” were compared to the anatomical lesions of humans who exhibited aberrant behavior. The advent of electrical recording provided a powerful additional tool. It became possible to measure the electrical signs of neural activity while observing or controlling the stimulating conditions. The same stimuli could then be presented to an intact, unanesthetized subject, and the subject’s behavior observed.
Worst Case Housing Needs of People with Disabilities: Supplemental Findings of the Worst Case Housing Needs 2009: Report to Congress

This study presents national estimates of the number of households that include people with disabilities who have worst case housing needs and presents their characteristics. It provides a supplement to the Worst Case Housing Needs 2009: Report to Congress, released in February 2011.People with disabilities face additional burdens to finding safe and affordable housing for several reasons, such as being subjected to housing discrimination and encountering limited availability of accessible housing units. This supplement responds to the need to improve the estimation of the number of people with disabilities with severe housing needs and address the known undercount of past estimations. This supplement also analyzes the extent to which new direct questions on disabilities, added to the 2009 American Housing Survey (AHS), improve the estimation of people with disabilities and it discusses remaining limitations toward identifying people with disabilities with severe housing needs using this survey.
HIV Drug Resistance Mutations (DRMs) Detected by Deep Sequencing in Virologic Failure Subjects on Therapy from Hunan Province, China

Objective Determine HIV drug resistance mutations (DRMs) prevalence at low and high levels in ART-experienced patients experiencing virologic failure (VF). Methods 29 subjects from 18 counties in Hunan Province that experienced VF were evaluated for the prevalence of DRMs (Stanford DRMs with an algorithm value ≥15, include low-, intermediate and high-level resistance) by both Sanger sequencing (SS) and deep sequencing (DS) to 1% frequency levels. Results DS was performed on samples from 29 ART-experienced subjects; the median viral load 4.95×104 c/ml; 82.76% subtype CRF01_AE. 58 DRMs were detected by DS. 18 DRMs were detected by SS. Of the 58 mutations detected by DS, 40 were at levels <20% frequency (26 NNRTI, 12 NRTI and 2 PI) and the majority of these 95.00% (38/40) were not detected by standard genotyping. Of these 40 low-level DRMs, 16 (40%) were detected at frequency levels of 1–4% and 24 (60%) at levels of 5–19%. SS detected 15 of 17 (88.24%) DRMs at levels ≥ 20% that were detected by DS. The only variable associated with the detection of DRMs by DS was ART adherence (missed doses in the prior 7 days); all patients that reported missing a dose in the last 7 days had DRMs detected by DS. Conclusions DS of VF samples from treatment experienced subjects infected with primarily AE subtype frequently identified Stanford HIVdb NRTI and NNRTI resistance mutations with an algorithm value 15. Low frequency level resistant variants detected by DS were frequently missed by standard genotyping in VF specimens from antiretroviral-experienced subjects.
Conformational Control of Thymine Photodimerization in Purine-Containing Trinucleotides

The effects of a flanking purine base on the thymine-thymine photodimerization efficiencies and product distributions have been determined for the trinucleotides 5′-ATT, TTA, GTT, and TTG and the results compared to those for the dinucleotide TT. The highest quantum yield and selectivity for formation of the major cis–syn (2 + 2) dimer was observed for ATT. The relative yields of (2 + 2) and (6 – 4) adduct formation from the four trinucleotides are well-correlated with ground-state conformational populations using the single-parameter model developed in our previous studies of TT dimerization. The effect of the flanking purine base is determined mainly by its influence on the extent of TT ground-state stacking, which is more extensive for A versus G. The low probability of stacking of all three nucleotides and the fast decay times of the nucleotide excited states can account for the apparent absence of electronic interactions between thymines and the flanking purine base.
The Impact of Pilot Expertise and Action Planning on Future State Projection Ability

The following research examined the impact of pilot expertise and action planning on the ability to project forward a future state of an aircraft. Seventy-seven novice and expert pilots were asked in multiple trials to choose control actions that would change a current flight state depicted by cockpit instruments into a goal flight state, and then to judge whether a subsequent display of cockpit instruments showed the future state of the aircraft relative to the stated goal. Control movement selection, a measure of action planning accuracy, and future state judgment accuracy were recorded. The results suggest that expert action planning is directly linked to an ability to project forward a future state. In contrast, novice ability to project forward is independent of action planning accuracy. The results are discussed in terms of the separability of Endsley's levels of situation awareness.
High-Power Short-Length Microstructured Phosphate Fiber Lasers With Large Mode Areas

We report short-length high-power microstructured phosphate fiber lasers. The heavily Er-Yb-codoped core area is ~500 μm2 and ~8 W CW output at 1.5 μm is demonstrated from a 10-cm cladding-pumped fiber laser.
On the Ninth Circuit's New Definition of Piracy: Japanese Whalers v. the Sea Shepherd-Who are the Real "Pirates" (i.e. Plunderers)?

The word piracy conjures up images that have terrorized mankind throughout history. A pirate was a robber, a murderer, and a plunderer who attacked merchant vessels and towns by the coast. To call the anti-whaling Sea Shepard group “pirates” is simply beyond the pale.This article will review the Ninth Circuit’s decision to see if it was correct in holding that these interventionists were “pirates,” rather than considering their acts of violence as maritime torts. In order to discuss the proper use of the terms, it is necessary to look at the legislative history of the definition of piracy found in UNCLOS. Even though the Ninth Circuit has used a “plain meaning” rule to define “private ends,” this article will demonstrate that the Sea Shepard participants and the Sea Shepard Corporation have not actually committed acts of “piracy.”
Monitoring on antibody Level of measles in healthy population in Wuxi City from 2010-2011

[Objective]To detect high-risk population of measles timely through monitoring the antibody levels of healthy population in WuXi City,and provide evidence for developing measures of measles elimination.[Methods]The healthy population was divided into 8 different age groups( at least 50 people for each group). ELISA was adopted to determine the measles IgG antibody. The results were analyzed by Excel database.[Results]Totally 1794 qualified samples were tested,the measles antibody positive rate was 66. 78%,the GMT was 1∶ 258. 69,protection effective rate was 31. 94%. Antibody levels had significant difference between various age groups( F = 4. 343,P 0. 01). Antibody levels had no significant difference between genders and people with different immunization history.[Conclusion]The immunization level against measles virus is relatively low among healthy population in Wuxi City. It is difficult to form immune barrier.
PROPAGATION OF FATIGUE SHORT CRACKS IN STEEL 16Mn

Small bar specimens of steel 16Mn with 4 blind-holes were fatigued under constant amplit■de loading on rotating bending fatigue machine. Short crack propagation emanating from ■e blind-holes was obtained. Based on the experimental results, an expression of average opagation rate of short cracks was proposed. Statistical behaviour of short crack propagatien was also discussed and evoluation of surface sizes of short cracks with fatigue cycle number was given.
Identification of Messenger RNAs and MicroRNAs Associated With Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein

Fragile X syndrome, a common form of inherited mental retardation, is caused by the loss of the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). FMRP, which may regulate translation in neurons, not only associates with specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and with microRNAs (miRNAs), but also associates with the components of the miRNA pathway, including the Dicer and Argonaute proteins. It has been proposed that FMRP regulates the translation of its mRNA targets through miRNAs. In this chapter, we describe the protocol to identify the mRNAs and miRNAs associated with FMRP in vivo. The same method could also be applied to other RNA-binding proteins interacting with specific mRNAs or miRNAs.
Performance Outcome of CSR Behavior: Moderating Role of Motivations to Engage

The new trend in the CSR practices reflects a shift from quantity (degree) of CSR actions to quality of such efforts. Instead of maximizing the number of CSR issues addressed, firms are identifying key strategic issues that also align with their business actions. For example, Coca-Cola invests in several African and Southeast Asian countries with an intention to increase brand penetration in the region and develop future consumers of their product in these countries (Sohn 2014). Similarly, Cargill Inc., one of the world leaders in processed food market, closely works with farmers in Ghana to improve their living conditions and provide education. Ghana is a huge cocoa production base for Cargill. By investing there, Cargill protects its own supply base for future (Sohn 2014). A report by As You Sow, a nonprofit organization, stated that retailers like GAP Inc., Timberland, Nike, and Nordstrom use internal organizational strategies to streamline CSR efforts. They are increasingly adopting responsible purchasing practices and have made changes in five areas of corporate culture: designing and buying, forecasting, production management, and pricing. These efforts have resulted in improved working conditions along with cost reductions (CSR Wire 2010).
The Cyber-Goddess: Women and Technology

AbstractMany women of today are searching for their idenuites in vur technologically-oriented society. I7w following is one woman's story of her personal SO year journey through cyberspace. She shares tint only her awakening to the issues surrounding feminism and technology but pays homage to those who have lead the way. Also included are references to several women who are making a difference not only for today but alto for our children's tomorrows. Women related topics presented include gender myths, words and images, current day social issues, and the cyber presence of women. Suggested websites are included as well as URLs developedfor young girts. To make it easy for you to assess the visually-rich World Wide Web environment, a version of this article with linked hypertext is available at: http://members.aol.com/ananiu/cyber/home.htm
Societies of Wolves and Free-ranging Dogs

Wolves are charismatic emblems of wilderness. Dogs, which descended from wolves, are models of urbanity. Do free-ranging dogs revert to pack living or are their societies only reminiscent of a wolfish heritage? Focusing on behavioral ecology, this is the first book to assess societies of both gray wolves and domestic dogs living as urban strays and in the feral state. It provides a comprehensive review of wolf genetics, particularly of New World wolves and their mixture of wolf, coyote and dog genomes. Spotte draws on the latest scientific findings across the specialized fields of genetics, sensory biology, reproductive physiology, space use, foraging ecology and socialization. This interdisciplinary approach provides a solid foundation for a startling and original comparison of the social lives of wolves and free-ranging dogs. Supplementary material, including a full glossary of terms, is available online at www.cambridge.org/9781107015197.
THE EFFECTS OF PRESSURE ON THE CHARGE DENSITY WAVE IN LOW DIMENSIONAL SOLIDS: A RAMAN STUDY

The Raman spectroscopy of bromide- and chloride-bridged platinum linear chains under isotropic pressure reveals an initial hardening and subsequent softening of the symmetric halide stretching mode as pressure is increased. These results reflect an initial increase in the extent of the metal sublattice charge disproportionation (charge density wave, CDW) followed by CDW weakening and are consistent with previous absorption studies of the band gap. Phase changes that are independent of the CDW strength occur for both materials near 2.5 and 4.5 GPa and, at least for the lower pressure transition, may be due to an indirect effect that leads to interchain ordering.
Sequence-Specific Covalent Capture Coupled with High-Contrast Nanopore Detection of a Disease-Derived Nucleic Acid Sequence

Hybridization-based methods for the detection of nucleic acid sequences are important in research and medicine. Short probes provide sequence specificity, but may not provide a durable signal. Sequence-specific covalent cross-link formation can anchor probes to target DNA and also may provide an additional layer of target selectivity. Here we develop a new cross-linking reaction for the covalent capture of specific nucleic acid sequences. This process involves reaction of an abasic site in a probe strand with an adenine residue in the target strand and was used for the detection of a disease-relevant T→A mutation at position 1799 of the human BRAF kinase gene sequence. Ap-containing probes are easily prepared and display exquisite specificity for the mutant sequence under isothermal assay conditions. DNA duplexes generated in these studies were quantitatively measured using both denaturing gel electrophoresis and a protein nanopore.
Prevalence of Anemia, Overweight/Obesity, and Undiagnosed Hypertension and Diabetes among Residents of Selected Communities in Ghana.

The increasing numbers of lifestyle related chronic diseases in developing countries call for awareness, early detection, and effective management. The objective of this paper is to report the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension, diabetes, overweight/obesity, and anemia among residents of selected communities in Ghana. The data comes from a community screening conducted in Ghana as part of the University of Georgia Summer Service Learning Program. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data while chi-square and independent -test compared groups. A total of 976 participants (37.9% males and 62.1% females), 18 years and older, were screened. Mean age was years, BMI was kgm−2, and hemoglobin was g/dL. 3.1% and 12.6% reported existing diagnosis for diabetes and hypertension, respectively. Almost half (47.8%) were overweight/obese; 27.0% were hypertensive while 34.0% had diabetes. Also, 28.8% males compared to 37.8% females had diabetes (), while 28.2% males compared to 26.2% females were hypertensive (). There were differences in BMI (), anemia (), and undiagnosed diabetes () and hypertension () by community (Takoradi versus Cape Coast) where the screening took place. Findings from the screening exercise call for improved public health education with a focus on lifestyle habits and health seeking behaviors among Ghanaians.
The MESA Study.

This article examines the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program and investigates its impact on underrepresented student populations. MESA was started in California during the 1970s to provide pathways to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers for underrepresented students and represents an exemplar model of informal learning environments. Using a mixed-method research design of investigation, this exploratory study looks at the relationship between MESA activities and underrepresented students’ self-efficacy, interests, and perceptions related to engineering. Evidences for this study includes data from focus-group interviews conducted and results from quantitative data collected using the Engineering, Self-Efficacy, Interests, and Perceptions Survey (ESIPS) instrument. Results from this study suggest that participation in MESA’s activities has a positive influence on underrepresented students’ self-efficacy, interests, and perceptions related to engineering.
Combination transarterial chemoembolization and microwave ablation improves local tumor control for 3- to 5-cm hepatocellular carcinoma when compared with transarterial chemoembolization alone

To compare transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) monotherapy to combination TACE and microwave ablation (MWA) for local control of 3- to 5-cm hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients with HCC between 3 and 5 cm treated with TACE monotherapy or combination TACE + MWA at a single institution between 2007 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-four HCCs (median diameter 3.8 cm) in 16 patients (13 males; median age 64 years) were treated using TACE monotherapy. Combination TACE + MWA was used to treat 23 HCCs (median diameter 4.2 cm) in 22 patients (18 males; median age 61 years). Microwave ablation was performed at a target time of two weeks following TACE. Individual tumors were followed by serial contrast-enhanced CT or MR. Response to treatment was evaluated on a tumor-by-tumor basis using mRECIST criteria with the primary outcome being local tumor progression (LTP). Data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables and Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables. Time to LTP was estimated with the Kaplan–Meier method. Relative to TACE monotherapy, TACE + MWA provided a trend toward both a lower rate of LTP (34.8% vs. 62.5%, p = 0.11) and a higher complete response rate (65.2% vs. 37.5%; p = 0.12). Time to LTP (22.3 months vs. 4.2 months; p = 0.001) was significantly longer in the TACE + MWA group compared to TACE monotherapy. Combination therapy with TACE and microwave ablation improves local control and increases time to LTP for 3–5 cm HCC.
Muscularis macrophage development in the absence of an enteric nervous system.

The nervous system of the bowel regulates the inflammatory phenotype of tissue resident muscularis macrophages (MM), and in adult mice, enteric neurons are the main local source of colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1), a protein required for MM survival. Surprisingly, we find that during development MM colonize the bowel before enteric neurons. This calls into question the requirement for neuron-derived CSF1 for MM colonization of the bowel. To determine if intestinal innervation is required for MM development, we analyzed MM of neonatal Ret−/− (Ret KO) mice that have no enteric nervous system in small bowel or colon. We found normal numbers of well-patterned MM in Ret KO bowel. Similarly, the abundance and distribution of MM in aganglionic human colon obtained from Hirschsprung disease patients was normal. We also identify endothelial cells and interstitial cells of Cajal as the main sources of CSF1 in the developing bowel. Additionally, MM from neonatal Ret KOs do not differ from controls in baseline activation status or cytokine-production in response to lipopolysaccharide. Unexpectedly, these data demonstrate that the enteric nervous system is dispensable for MM colonization and patterning in the bowel, and suggest that modulatory interactions between MM and the bowel nervous system are established postnatally.
Twitter: More than 140 Characters

This chapter provides a comprehensive review of Twitter and a reflection on its contemporary significance for journalism, politics, and culture. In addition to summarizing the nuts and bolts of Twitter as a social network, this chapter offers a brief history of Twitter as a media company. It considers the enduring question, “What is Twitter for?” This double entendre emphasizes the significance of the company’s operating principles as well as the platform’s technological affordances. These issues are further examined through recent controversies, including the uses of the platform to market products, spark activist campaigns, engage in bullying, as well as to spread hatred and “fake news.” After laying this important groundwork, the chapter concludes with a brief discussion of Twitter’s significance within the field of American journalism.
Auditory Discrimination: Evaluation and Intervention

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the effectiveness of auditory discrimination training as a component of intervention with individuals who have functional misarticulations. An issue that confronts clinicians when working with persons who have defective articulation is whether or not auditory discrimination training is necessary for any given client. To identify those clients for whom auditory discrimination training will be effective, clinicians need to consider factors such as the client's phase of articulatory learning, his age, and the severity of his misarticulations. The chapter also presents the guidelines for evaluation and intervention programs that involve auditory discrimination testing. There are two major aspects of discrimination performance: (1) the ability to discriminate among acoustic differences in auditory stimuli and (2) the ability to discriminate among phonemes