cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maria Hack (1777–1844): Contrivance and Conversation

The books of Maria Barton Hack (1777–1844) were widely read, but there is limited information concerning her life. She was born at Carlisle on November 10, 1777, to a merchant father Stephen Barton (1755–1789) and his wife Maria/Mary Done (1752–1784), both members of the Society of Friends (Quakers), although her father had converted as a young man and was not, like his first wife, born into the religion (Fell-Smith 1892). Stephen Barton had professed an interest in literature and perhaps even tried his hand at writing, and her paternal grandfather, Bernard Barton, had received a medal from the Royal Society in recognition of a machine he had invented that was used in calico printing. Maria’s half-brother, John Barton, was also a writer, producing pamphlets on philanthropic topics including the plight of the poor (Fell-Smith 1892).
Digital Humanities and the Common Good. The case of Entiendelo

Entiendelo . An App Helping Latin@s and their Advocates Navigate Stressful Linguistic and Cultural Situations is based on the idea that language should not be the last frontier to a good quality of life. The app contains three essential parts, all of them connected: 1) a glossary that aims to collect all Hispanic-American and US Latino variants of keywords associated with violence and healing, along with an urban dictionary that contains literary excerpts and authentic street sentences; 2) an interactive bilingual collection of inspirational quotes; 3) an interactive bilingual game, based on the model of Spent , where players are faced with the dilemmas of being a monolingual speaker in situations where their lack of diglossic dominance becomes a hindrance.
Prospective ESL/EFL Teachers’ Perceptions towards Writing Poetry in a Second Language: Difficulty, Value, Emotion, and Attitude

The study aims to explore how 18 M.A. TESOL students, who are prospective or experienced ESL/EFL teachers, perceive poetry writing in a second language. A qualitative interview-based design was utilized. Following Iida’s (2012a) analytical framework in examining EFL students’ perceptions toward writing haiku in English, this current study investigates 18 prospective ESL/EFL teachers’ perspectives through the lens of difficulty, value, emotion, and attitude. In order to validate the coding of the interviews, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) test was computed among three interview coders including the primary researcher, which yields a great agreement rate at .86. The results indicate that while these prospective ESL/EFL teachers understand writing poetry in a second language involves various difficulties, they acknowledge the values of utilizing poetry writing in second language classrooms. The results also show that writing poetry in a second language contains both positive and negative emotions, but positive ones are more frequently addressed. Most importantly, the data suggests that writing poetry in a second language is considered as an applicable practice in ESL/EFL language classrooms.
Structural Degradation Modeling Framework for Sparse Data Sets With an Application on Alzheimer’s Disease

The rapid development of information technologies provided unprecedented big data environments for condition monitoring and degradation analyses. However, the available big data sets are often sparse with a limited number of observations per recorded unit. For example, in many healthcare systems, data are collected from a large number of patients, but the available observations from each patient are quite limited. Unfortunately, most of the existing approaches for data-driven degradation modeling may not work well in this scenario as they either pool the information from the population or require rich historical observations in each unit. To address the challenges in “sparse data environments,” this paper proposes a structural degradation modeling framework (SDM). The SDM is inspired by the recommender system, which provides recommendations about specific items for the user. In addition, it is also tailored to the needs of degradation modeling. In particular, the framework takes into consideration: 1) the available data from the unit of interest; 2) the population characteristics; 3) the relationship between the available units; and 4) the precision of the available units. Simulation studies and a case study that involves the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) neuroimaging initiative data set are conducted, which shows satisfactory performance of the proposed method. Note to Practitioners —This paper proposes a framework for modeling and predicting the degradation level and/or condition of units with time. Our framework is particularly useful where many units have missing and/or limited degradation observations. Essentially, our proposed method integrates two important ideas: 1) leveraging the available data from the unit of interest to improve the modeling fitting of the individual unit over the observed time domain and 2) considering the relationship between the available units to extract proper and accurate population characteristics to address the challenge of limited observations. The proposed approach is validated via simulation studies as well as a healthcare case study based on AD. In the future research, we will further explore the extension of the proposed method such as considering more generic degradation models and optimal parameter tunings.
Sustained Release of Poorly Water-Soluble Drug from Hydrophilic Polymeric Film Sandwiched Between Hydrophobic Layers

This proof-of-concept study explores the feasibility of using a drug-loaded hydrophilic polymeric layer sandwiched between two hydrophobic layers for improving film drug load while achieving sustained release of poorly water-soluble drug. Such films having total thickness in range ~ 146–250 μm were prepared by slurry-based casting using hydrophilic hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as matrix layer containing fenofibrate (FNB) as the model drug, encased between two very thin rate-limiting layers of 10 μm each of hydrophobic poly-ɛ-caprolactone (PCL). Film precursor slurry consisted of HPMC with plasticizer and water along with micronized FNB powders, which were dry-coated with hydrophilic silica. Characterization techniques demonstrated the presence of homogeneously dispersed crystalline FNB in films. The films are very thin and hence two-dimensional; hence, average drug load per unit area in range ~ 5 to ~ 9 mg/cm2 could be achieved by altering the thickness of the drug matrix layer. Drug amount and drug content uniformity were measured through assay of ten circular samples ~ 0.712 cm2 in area punched out using a circular-shaped punch tool. Drug release rate was investigated using USP IV flow-through cell and surface dissolution imaging system. Thinner films followed Fickian diffusion, and thicker films followed non-Fickian anomalous diffusion. Overall, the application of middle layer thickness could be used as a tool to manipulate drug load without the need for altering its formulation or precursor preparation by changing its thickness, hence achieving relatively high drug loading yet having sustained release of drug.
Synthesis and Densification of Nanomaterials by Mechanical and Field Activation

The use of mechanical and electric field activation to simultaneously synthesize and densify nanomaterials was investigated. Dense nanostructured MoSi2 and TiN-TiB2 nanocomposites were made by this method. The role of the parameters of mechanical activation (milling) and those of field activation on the process of formation of dense nanomaterials was studied. For the TiN–TiB2 system, up to 97.2% dense nanocomposites were synthesized with microhardness and fracture toughness values of 21.8 GPa and 5.13 MPa•m1/2, respectively.
Entstehung, Entwicklung und heutiger Stand des Dieselmotors in der Elektrizitätswirtschaft

In Augsburg liegt bekanntlich die Geburtsstatte des Dieselmotors. Von 1893–1897 gelang es dem Munehener Ingenieur Rudolf Diesel im Zusammenarbeiten mit der damaligen Maschinenfabrik Augsburg (jetzt Werk Augsburg der MAN), die dabei keine Muhe und Kosten gescheut hat, die theoretische und ausfuhrungsunreife Erfindung eines „rationellen Warmemotors“ zu einer betriebsfahigen Kraftmaschine zu entwickeln. Die ersten praktisch verwendeten Dieselmotoren datieren aus den Jahren 1897/98; aber erst nach 1900 konnte der Dieselmotor nach muhevollen und kostspieligen Verbesserungen wirklich als betriebssichere und marktfahige Warmekraftmaschine angesprochen werden. Dieser Erfolg ist das alleinige Verdienst der Maschinenfabrik Augsburg; auser dieser Firma haben zwar auch noch andere Firmen nach den offiziellen Abnahmeversuchen des Prof. Schroter, Munchen, an dem ersten Augsburger Dieselmotor am 17. Febr. 1897 versucht, Dieselmotoren zu bauen; auser Einzelausfuhrungen zu Versuchs- und Ausstellungszwecken hat aber damals keine dieser Firmen einen betriebs-brauchbaren Dieselmotor zum Verkauf herausgebracht, sondern alle haben die Arbeit bald wieder ergebnislos aufgegeben.
Senescence of Natural/Innate Resistance to Infection

It has been realized for decades that in humans and higher vertebrates there are, in addition to the adaptive immune system, accessory mechanisms and systems that contribute to overall immune defense against infectious organisms. They have been grouped under the heading “natural” or “innate” immunity. They include the reticuloendothelial system comprising “fixed” and “mobile” (circulating) monocytes (Mo’s) and macrophages (MPs), polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells (especially neutrophils and eosinophils that can discharge antimicrobial peptides such as defensins), natural killer (NK) and other “naturally cytotoxic” (NC) cells, and the complement (C) system; all of which have been preserved and handed down during the evolution of higher vertebrates from primitive vertebrates and invertebrates.
Specificity of persistence of antibody to the streptococcal group A carbohydrate in rheumatic valvular heart disease.

Abstract The specificity of the persistence of antibody to the streptococcal group A carbohydrate for mitral valve disease induced by rheumatic fever was examined. Levels of the antibody were determined in serum samples of 30 patients with rheumatic mitral insufficiency, 30 patients with mttral valve prolapse, and an equal number of normal indivlduals and patients with congenital heart dlsease. Antistreptolysin titers and anti-deoxyribonuclease B titers were also assayed in all sera. There were no differences in the incidence of elevated antibody titers or in the geometric means of the antibody titers for the normal individuals, the patients with congenital heart disease, and the patients with mitral valve prolapse. In contrast, the frequency of elevated antl-streptococcal group A carbohydrate titers and the geometric means of these titers were significantly higher in the patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease than in patients with mitral valve prolapse. This confirms the specificity of the persistent elevation of anti-streptococcal group A carbohydrate to patients with mitral valve disease induced by rheumatic fever and also suggests that the persistence of this antibody in patients with rheumatic valvular disease is not a result of a functional abnormality of the mitral valve.
Direct beam hazard analysis of large beam diameters for laser power beaming

The mission lifetime for unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) might potentially be increased by transmitting electrical power wirelessly, using a laser source and a photovoltaic array receiver, but such laser power beaming (LPB) requires lasers that present potentially serious dangers to the operators of LPB systems. The analysis in this paper seeks to optimize the wavelength range and corresponding enlarged beam diameters needed to eliminate or reduce direct beam laser hazards while appropriately powering group 1 unmanned aerial systems such as the DJI Phantom 4 or UGVs such as the iRobot 510 Packbot during their operation. A 125-W infrared laser with continuous wavelengths ranging from 800 nm to greater than 1400 nm, operated under the guidelines of The American Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers, is considered. This analysis concludes that for a wavelength of 1297 nm an eye safe minimum expanded beam diameter is 43 cm and that for wavelengths between 1050 and 1400 nm a skin safe minimum beam diameter is 28 cm.
Assessing Illinois Residents’ Support for Natural Recolonization of Apex Predators

Understanding sources of difference in public attitudes toward wildlife is critical for the design of effective policy instruments. In this article we explored the role of wildlife value orientations and stakeholder group membership (general public versus agricultural producers) in shaping residents support for the natural recolonization of apex predators (black bear, cougar, gray wolf), in Illinois, USA. Results demonstrate differences in attitudes toward recolonization as a function of residents’ basic beliefs about the human-wildlife relationship and stakeholder group membership. Results revealed varying degrees of opposition and/or antipathy toward recolonization of apex predators across wildlife values types and stakeholder groups. Individuals that were identified to hold utilitarian beliefs about wildlife (traditionalist orientation) and agricultural producers were found to exhibit the most negative attitudes toward natural recolonization, compared to individuals that believe wildlife have intrinsic rights (mutualist orientation) or members of the general public. Individuals’ attitudes toward the recolonization of black bears were found to differ according to their wildlife value orientations, stakeholder group membership, and the combination of the two factors.
Imaging of the Nonlinear Acoustic Parameter B/A

The nonlinear acoustic interaction between a single frequency sinusoid and a broadband pump waveform propagating in the opposite direction produces phase changes in the probe proportional to the nonlinear parameter B/A in the spatial region of interaction. The instantaneous phase change along the received probe can be expressed as the convolution of the pump waveform with the spatial distribution of B/A along the propagation path over which the pump and reflected probe interact. In theory, the phase modulated sinusoidal probe can be processed (phase detection and deconvolution) to produce an “A-mode” representation of B/A. If the pump is an intense impulse and the probe a swept-frequency sinusoid, then the pump interacts with the probe at each spatial position along the propagation path at a unique frequency. Thus, the phase modulation, proportional to \([\frac{B}{A}\left( x \right)\) along the propagation path, can be extracted directly from the phase spectrum obtained from the Fourier transform of the swept-frequency probe. This is somewhat analogous to the mapping of space to frequency which forms the basis for magnetic resonance imaging.
Disordered eating and military populations: understanding the role of adverse childhood experiences

Introduction: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and disordered eating are both common in military populations, yet research on their connection is limited. This systematic review aimed to analyz...
Barriers to Establishing and Maintaining Therapeutic Anticoagulation in Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device Support: Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network Initiative

Purpose Establishing and maintaining target anticoagulation (AC) levels is perceived as a way to mitigate the risk of bleeding and thrombotic complications in pediatric ventricular assist device (VAD) support. To better understand potential reasons of having monitoring labs outside institutionally-set goal ranges, we surveyed centers to understand perceived barriers. Methods As part of the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION), a 37-center collaborative, we surveyed participating VAD centers across North America. The survey was comprised of multiple choice questions addressing reasons for out of range coagulation labs. Specifically, asking centers to rate the frequency of occurrences; low, happens rarely, medium, happens often, high, happens almost daily and not applicable, meaning this barrier does not exists. We then weighted the average responses. Results Of the 49 responses received from the pediatric VAD-ACTION centers that responded to a 4-question multiple choice survey, the most commonly reported barrier was contamination of lab samples by sampling from a line infusing an anticoagulant through it in over 65% of respondents. This was followed by multiple providers involved in managing AC and micro-managing lab results as the second and third chosen as barriers reported in just under 50%. Interestingly, lack of documentation and obscure guidelines were not perceived as frequent causes of out of range values. Conclusion While achieving and maintaining stable anticoagulation is the goal of therapy, understanding perceived obstacles is vital to targeted intervention. Targeted interventions to decrease the most common barriers, such as contaminated labs, will guide future ACTION quality improvement initiatives.
Prior-Apprised Unsupervised Learning of Subpixel Curvilinear Features in Low Signal/Noise Images

Abstract Many biophysical problems involve molecular and nanoscale targets moving next to a curvilinear track, e.g., a cytosolic cargo transported by motor proteins moving along a microtubule. For this type of problem, fluorescence imaging is usually the primary tool of choice. There is, however, an ∼20-fold mismatch between target-localization precision and track-imaging resolution such that questions requiring high-fidelity definition of the target’s track remain inaccessible. On the other hand, if the contextual image of the tracks can be refined to a level comparable to that of the target, many intuitive yet mechanistically important issues can begin to be addressed. This work demonstrates that it is possible to statistically infer, to subpixel precision, curvilinear features in a low signal/noise image. This is achieved by a framework that consists of three stages: the Hessian-based feature enhancement, the subimage feature sampling and registration, and the statistical learning of the underlying curvilinear structure using a new, to our knowledge, method developed here for inferring the principal curves. In each stage, the descriptive prior information that the features come from curvilinear elements is explicitly taken into account. It is fully automated without user supervision, which is distinctly different from approaches that require user seeding or well-defined training data sets. Computer simulations of realistic images are used to investigate the performance of the framework and its implementation. The characterization results suggest that curvilinear features are refined to the same order of precision as that of the target and that the bootstrap confidence intervals from the analysis allow an estimate for the statistical bounds of the simulated “true” curve. Also shown are analyses of experimental images from three different microscopy modalities: two-photon laser-scanning microscopy, epifluorescence microscopy, and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. The practical application of this prior-apprised unsupervised learning framework as well as its potential outlook are discussed.
Visible-light-driven organic transformations integrated with H2 production on semiconductors

Due to its clean and sustainable nature, solar energy has been widely recognized as a green energy source in driving a variety of reactions, ranging from small molecule activation and organic transformation to biomass valorization. Within this context, organic reactions coupled with H2 evolution via semiconductor-based photocatalytic systems under visible light irradiation have gained increasing attention in recent years, which utilize both excited electrons and holes generated on semiconductors and produce two types of value-added products, organics and H2, simultaneously. Based on the nature of the organic reactions, in this review article we classify semiconductor-based photocatalytic organic transformations and H2 evolution into three categories: (i) photocatalytic organic oxidation reactions coupled with H2 production, including oxidative upgrading of alcohols and biomass-derived intermediate compounds; (ii) photocatalytic oxidative coupling reactions integrated with H2 generation, such as C–C, C–N, and S–S coupling reactions; and (iii) photo-reforming reactions together with H2 formation using organic plastics, pollutants, and biomass as the substrates. Representative heterogeneous photocatalytic systems will be highlighted. Specific emphasis will be placed on their synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic mechanism, as well as the organic reaction scope and practical application.
Religion in Children’s Visual Media: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Preschool Holiday Specials

Children adopt lifelong attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs from media messages, yet little is known about what messages visual media send to children on religion. This study addresses this literatur...
Emulsion-based isothermal nucleic acid amplification for rapid SARS-CoV-2 detection via angle-dependent light scatter analysis.

Abstract The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, an ongoing global health crisis, has revealed the need for new technologies that integrate the sensitivity and specificity of RT-PCR tests with a faster time-to-detection. Here, an emulsion loop-mediated isothermal amplification (eLAMP) platform was developed to allow for the compartmentalization of LAMP reactions, leading to faster changes in emulsion characteristics, and thus lowering time-to-detection. Within these droplets, ongoing LAMP reactions lead to adsorption of amplicons to the water-oil interface, causing a decrease in interfacial tension, resulting in smaller emulsion diameters. Changes in emulsion diameter allow for the monitoring of the reaction by use of angle-dependent light scatter (based off Mie scatter theory). Mie scatter simulations confirmed that light scatter intensity is diameter-dependent and smaller colloids have lower intensity values compared to larger colloids. Via spectrophotometers and fiber optic cables placed at 30° and 60°, light scatter intensity was monitored. Scatter intensities collected at 5 min, 30° could statistically differentiate 10, 103, and 105 copies/μL initial concentrations compared to NTC. Similarly, 5 min scatter intensities collected at 60° could statistically differentiate 105 copies/μL initial concentrations in comparison to NTC. The use of both angles during the eLAMP assay allows for distinction between high and low initial target concentrations. The efficacy of a smartphone-based platform was also tested and had a similar limit of detection and assay time of less than 10 min. Furthermore, fluorescence-labeled primers were used to validate target nucleic acid amplification. Compared to existing LAMP assays for SARS-CoV-2 detection, these times-to-detections are very rapid.
Real-time Approximate Routing for Smart Transit Systems

The advent of ride-hailing platforms such as Lyft and Uber has revolutionized urban mobility in the past decade. Given their increasingly important role in today's society, recent years have seen growing interest in integrating these services with mass transit options, in order to leverage the on-demand and flexible nature of the former, with the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of the latter. Our work explores a set of operational questions that are critical to the success of any such integrated marketplace: Given a set of trip requests, and the ability to utilize ride-hailing services, which mass-transit routes should the transit agency operate? How frequently should it operate each route? And how can ride-hailing trips be used to both help connect passengers to these routes, and also cover trips which are not efficiently served by mass transit? We study these under a model in which a Mobility-on-Demand provider (the platform ) has control of a vehicle fleet comprising both single-occupancy and high-capacity vehicles (e.g., cars and buses, respectively). The platform is faced with a number of trip requests to fill during a short time window, and can service these trip requests via different trip options : it can dispatch a car to transport the passenger from source to destination; it can use a car for the first and last legs of the trip, and have the passenger travel by bus in between; or it can use more complicated trips comprising of multiple car and bus legs. Given a set of rewards for matching passengers to trip options, and costs for operating each line (i.e., a bus route and associated frequency), the goal of the platform is to determine the optimal set of lines to operate (given a fixed budget for opening lines), as well as the assignment of passengers to trip options utilizing these lines, in order to maximize the total reward. We refer to this as the Real-Time Line Planning Problem (RLpp). We first demonstrate the computational limits of RLpp by showing that no constant-factor approximation is possible if we relax either one of two assumptions: (i) access to a pre-specified set of feasible lines, and (ii) no bus-to-bus transfers. These assumptions are practically motivated and common in the literature, but our work is the first to formally demonstrate their necessity.
Real-Time In Vitro Assessment of Aerosol Delivery During Mechanical Ventilation.

Background: A new real-time method for assessing factors determining aerosol delivery is described. Methods: A breath-enhanced jet nebulizer operated in a ventilator/heated humidifier system was te...
Challenges and AI-Based Solutions for Smart Energy Consumption in Smart Cities

In the smart cities of the future artificial intelligence is expected to play an important role in facilitating residents’ lives while widening the variety of services offered to them. This role will focus on collecting, analyzing data, and making projections of the needs and availability of resources of the city in short terms. In a broader view, the term “smart city” encompasses the coupling of the current infrastructure with information networks and the dissipation of information to people within the city limits in real-time. The information provided by the city infrastructure to the residents via several communication channels will allow them to make optimal decisions concerning their energy consumption. The optimal management of energy systems via information and data utilization is known with the term “smart energy”. AI-driven solutions can accommodate the realization of smart energy systems by optimizing consumption at the level of a single resident, of a neighborhood, or a cluster of residents. This chapter will discuss challenges and AI-driven technological solutions pertained to smart energy services within the context of a smart city.
Cyanide Formation by Chromobacterium violaceum

Michaels, Ruth (Columbia University, New York, N.Y.), and W. A. Corpe. Cyanide formation by Chromobacterium violaceum. J. Bacteriol. 89:106–112. 1965.—The formation of cyanide by a Chromobacterium violaceum strain was studied with growing cultures and with nonproliferating cells grown in complex and chemically defined media. Most of the cyanide was produced during the log-phase growth of the organism, and accumulated in the culture supernatant fluid. A synergistic effect of glycine and methionine on cyanide formation in a chemically defined medium was observed, and the amount of cyanide formed was found to be dependent on the concentrations of the two substances. Cyanide formation by nonproliferating cells was stimulated by preincubation with glycine and methionine. Cyanide formation by adapted cells in the presence of glycine and methionine was stimulated by succinate, malate, or fumarate, and depressed by azide and 2,4-dinitrophenol. Methionine could be replaced by betaine, dimethylglycine, and choline.
El léxico hispanoamericano ante la explosión tecnológica mundial

Dans la seconde moitie du 20 e siecle, le lexique hispanoamericain s'est developpe de maniere considerable. L'histoire du monde n'a jamais connu de changement socio-economique aussi profond que celui du a la revolution technologique actuelle. Cette technologie s'accompagne d'une terminologie dont le principal caractere est d'etre internationale et facile a assimiler. L'A. analyse le devenir du morpheme tele dans l'histoire linguistico-culturelle de l'espagnol. Aucune apparition de ce morpheme avant le 18 e siecle avec l'invention du telescope. L'A. repertorie les mots comportant ce morpheme au 19 e siecle, puis dans la premiere moitie du 20 e siecle et enfin dans la deuxieme moitie du 20 e siecle
Distributing Digital Products in Peer-to-Peer Networks

As Peer-to-Peer (P2P) quickly gains popularity for its nearly unlimited scalability, the amount of copyright infringing incidents surges even more rapidly. While record industry pleads for prohibiting P2P by lawmakers, academicians and practitioners turn to look for more constructive ways: using P2P as a profitable and legitimate distribution channel. By offering rebate to those who share content with others, incentive can be provided for hosting copyrighted material as well as motivating product diffusion process. As several business models are already in practice, rigorous studies of this novel distribution mechanism are still largely absent. This dissertation represents one of the first analytical studies of P2P content distribution. Conceptually, it can be divided into three essays. The diffusion models developed in essay 1 builds up the analytical foundations for further optimization. Comprehensive analysis is conducted to reveal the impact of different parameters on the diffusion process, including the rebate, network topology, and searching mechanism. Based on them, essay 2 studies the optimal distribution process under different scenarios. Both static and dynamic rebating strategies are explored to find the optimal rebate amount such that the content distributor’s total profit/utility is maximized. Finally, essay 3 studies the economics of P2P distribution. Compared with traditional centralized content distribution schemes, gains and losses of P2P distribution are evaluated in terms of different metrics. The conditions under which P2P distribution is preferred are derived and discussed.
An approximation of action theories of AL and its application to conformant planning

In this paper we generalize the notion of approximation of action theories introduced in [13,26]. We introduce a logic programming based method for constructing approximation of action theories of and prove its soundness. We describe an approximation based conformant planner and compare its performance with other state-of-the-art conformant planners.
Effects of asymmetry on the strength of the chelonian shell: A comparison of three species

A major focus of the field of organismal biology is to understand how morphology impacts performance. Although the functional implications of certain aspects of shape have been widely examined, the functional implications of a related parameter, symmetry, remain mostly unknown. We used finite-element models to examine the effects of turtle shell asymmetry on shell strength across three morphologically distinct emydid species. The goals of this study were to: 1) test the hypothesis that increased asymmetry (independent of differences in shape) is associated with increased stress levels for a given load, and thus with weaker shells, 2) ascertain how asymmetry and the position of load application interact to influence shell strength, and 3) determine how interspecific differences in shape influence the effect of asymmetry. We found that increased asymmetry does produce higher stresses for both midline and non-midline loads. Non-midline loads produce slightly larger and more variable stresses. Species-specific shell shape can mitigate the effects of asymmetry; stronger shapes are potentially more resistant to the negative effects of asymmetry. Our findings indicate that changes in asymmetry associated with relatively small changes in shape can have as much of an effect on stress incurred by the shell as the changes in shape themselves. J. Morphol. 274:901–908, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Can Explanatory Reasons Be Good Reasons for Action

What kind of thing is a reason for action? Are reasons for action subjective states of the agent, such as desires and/or beliefs? Or are they, rather, objective features of situations that favor certain actions? The suggestion offered in this article is that neither strategy satisfies. What is needed is a third category for classifying reasons which makes them out to be neither purely subjective nor purely objective. In brief: a reason for action is a feature of the situation that matters to the agent. On this proposal, subjective states of the agent are indeed indispensable in characterizing reasons for action. Precisely which set of situational features matter to an agent—precisely what shape the agent experiences the situation as having—depends on the agent's psychological makeup. Those features themselves are not psychological states, however, and it is precisely those features that constitute the agent's reasons for action.
Temporal fluctuations of a semilinear photorefractive oscillator

We report the observation of intensity fluctuations in a semilinear photorefractive oscillator, consisting of a BaTiO3 crystal as the gain medium, and a multimode helium-neon laser as its pump source. Depending on the beam geometry and intensity, the periodical fluctuations range on a timescale from a few seconds to several minutes. The behavior is suspected to be caused by a competition of gratings due to the external cavity, crystal-ordinary mirror assembly, the self-pumped phase conjugate mirror due to total internal reflection.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Decentralized governance of distributed systems via interaction control

This paper introduces an abstract reference model, called interaction control (IC), for the governance of large and heterogeneous distributed systems. This model goes well beyond conventional access control, along a number of dimensions. In particular, the IC model has the following characteristics: (1) it is inherently decentralized, and thus scalable even for a wide range of stateful policies; (2) it is very general, and not biased toward any particular type of policies; thus providing a significant realization of the age-old principle of separation of policy from mechanism ; and (3) it enables flexible, composition-free, interoperability between different policies. The IC model, which is an abstraction of a mechanism called law-governed interaction (LGI), has been designed as a minimalist reference model that can be reified into a whole family of potential control mechanisms that may support different types of communication, with different performance requirements and for different application domains.
Epistatic interactions of radiation-sensitive (rad) mutants of Caenorhabditis elegans.

ABSTRACT Six double mutants and a quadruple mutant were derived from four UV radiation-hypersensitive single mutants ( rad-1, rad-2, rad-3 and rad-7 ). Sensitivities of the 11 strains to UV, γ-radiation and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) were compared. Of the six double mutants, only the rad-1;rad-2 and rad-3;rad-7 doubles were no more hypersensitive than the most sensitive single mutant to UV-radiation. Thus, rad-1 and rad-2 define one epistasis group, whereas rad-3 and rad-7 define another. Consistent with this model was the observation that rad-1 and rad-2 , but not rad-3 and rad-7 , were hypersensitive to γ-radiation. In addition, none of the multiple mutants was more hypersensitive to γ-radiation than the most sensitive single rad mutant. No synergistic interactions of the rad mutations with respect to MMS sensitivities were observed.
Are men really that bad as fathers? The role of men's investments

Abstract Human pair‐bonding and paternal involvement have long been attributed to the need for biparental rearing of altricial offspring with extended periods of dependency. More recently, researchers have focused on the fertility benefits that pair‐bonding offers men and have re‐conceptualized paternal care as a stratagem designed to curry favor with the recipient children's mother. These models, however, fail to explain a number of puzzling empirical findings, namely the lack of a significant and robust effect of father‐presence cross‐culturally, despite what appears to be true paternal involvement. I argue that the record is better explained by conceptualizing reproduction within unions as a joint venture, in which men's contributions are not simply lumped onto women's invariant levels of parental investment, but one in which men's involvement allows wives to reduce their own allocations to parental investment and increase those to fertility (fertility model), thereby maximizing the production of the u...
Role of PEP carboxylase during seed development in Pisum sativum

Pisum sativum has been put forward as a practical alternative to soybean (Glycine max) as a protein source that can be grown in temperate climates. In contrast to the cereals little attention has been paid to the contribution of the reproductive parts of Pisum sativum in the carbon economy of the developing seed. This information would be important in subsequent breeding programmes designed to exploit knowledge of the physiological components of yield.
The association of intra- and extra-thoracic tuberculosis*

Summary The association of intra- and extra-thoracic tuberculosis lesions has long been common knowledge, but unfortunatcly at times is neglected. Tuberculous laryngitis and enteritis, frequently included in discussions of pulmonary tuberculosis, occur with about the same frequency as skeletal lesions. With increasing specialization in medicine and surgery, there is a tendency to neglect the generalness of tuberculosis and consider it as a discase of a particular structure, disregarding the rest of the patient. There is no definite relationship between the multiplicity of extra-thoracic foci and the extent of pulmonary pathology. Every patient showing orthopedic or genito-urinary tuberculosis should have the benefit of chest X-rays because 60 per cent of our bone and joint cases and 48 per cent of our renal cases show pulmonary pathology. Similary every patient with bone and joint tuberculosis should have carcful genito-urinary examination, for 10 per cent of our group were found to have renal involvement.
Alterations in lactoperoxidase-catalyzed radio-iodination of membrane proteins associated with vasopressin-induced changes in tissue permeability to water.

Abstract Lactoperoxidase-catalyzed radio-iodination was used to study the effects of vasopressin upon the luminal membrane of the toad's urinary bladder. Iodination of several proteins of this membrane, which represents the primary barrier to the flux of water, was increased by exposing the tissue to vasopressin and cyclic AMP. This effect was inhibited by colchicine, which reduces the effects of vasopressin upon water but not sodium flux; aldosterone, which stimulates sodium transport but not water flux, had no effect on tissue labeling under these conditions. The results provide evidence of hormone-induced alterations in the molecular conformation of membrane proteins related to hormone-regulated membrane permability to water and indicate this technique may be used to identify and isolate those proteins mediating the hormone response.
PAULI INTERFERENCE EFFECT, K− LIFETIME AND ∆I=1/2 RULE IN K→2π DECAYS

We estimate the interference effect on K− nonleptonic decay rate in terms of nonrelativistic quark model and the relativistic bag model. The calculation shows that the interference effect is very important. But both models mentioned above fail to describe it correctly. This seems to show that the relativistic effect and the final state interaction between quarks are crucial.
SELF-CONTROL, GANG MEMBERSHIP, AND VICTIMIZATION: AN INTEGRATED APPROACH

ABSTRACT This study integrates one of the most empirically tested individual characteristics (self-control) with situational factors (risky lifestyle) in an attempt to explain violent victimization. Data came from a diverse sample of 3,907 middle school students who participated in the G.R.E.A.T. program during the 1993-94 school year. Gang membership is used as a proxy variable to measure risky lifestyle. It is hypothesized that (1) gang membership mediates the effect of self-control on violent victimization and (2) self-control and gang membership interact to amplify the risk of violent victimization. Logistic regression was used to analyze the prevalence of violent victimization and negative binomial regression was used to analyze frequency of violent victimization. When other extraneous factors were controlled, evidence was found to support these hypotheses. A discussion of the findings, as well as theoretical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Special Education Integration: The Arezzo Approach

Abstract Interviews were conducted in three schools in Arezzo, Italy to determine progress in the integration of students with a disability in regular class settings. Thirteen parents, seven teachers and three school administrators were interviewed. Findings indicated strong teacher and administrative support for integration, a good collaborative relationship between regular and special education teachers, and a focus on social development in the elementary grades. Concerns were expressed about insufficient supportive services at the middle and secondary school levels as well as less tolerance for students with a disability. Arezzo has made significant progress toward integration but program development is needed at the secondary level.
Making an effective switch at the kinetochore by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation

The kinetochore, the proteinaceous structure on the mitotic centromere, functions as a mechanical latch that hooks onto microtubules to support directional movement of chromosomes. The structure also brings in a number of signaling molecules, such as kinases and phosphatases, which regulate microtubule dynamics and cell cycle progression. Erroneous microtubule attachment is destabilized by Aurora B-mediated phosphorylation of multiple microtubule-binding protein complexes at the kinetochore, such as the KMN network proteins and the Ska/Dam1 complex, while Plk-dependent phosphorylation of BubR1 stabilizes kinetochore–microtubule attachment by recruiting PP2A-B56. Spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) signaling, which is activated by unattached kinetochores and inhibits the metaphase-to-anaphase transition, depends on kinetochore recruitment of the kinase Bub1 through Mps1-mediated phosphorylation of the kinetochore protein KNL1 (also known as Blinkin in mammals, Spc105 in budding yeast, and Spc7 in fission yeast). Recruitment of protein phosphatase 1 to KNL1 is necessary to silence the SAC upon bioriented microtubule attachment. One of the key unsolved questions in the mitosis field is how a mechanical change at the kinetochore upon microtubule attachment is converted to these and other chemical signals that control microtubule attachment and the SAC. Rapid progress in the field is revealing the existence of an intricate signaling network created right on the kinetochore. Here we review the current understanding of phosphorylation-mediated regulation of kinetochore functions and discuss how this signaling network generates an accurate switch that turns on and off the signaling output in response to kinetochore–microtubule attachment.
Confucius or Mozart? Community Cultural Wealth and Upward Mobility Among Children of Chinese Immigrants

Most studies of Chinese upward mobility focus on how immigrant community institutions sustain ethnic culture to foster educational success. In contrast, I analyze how community-based music schools develop a cultural strategy to guide immigrants to pursue enrollment in prestigious colleges by utilizing high cultural capital in classical music. Chinese immigrant families take advantage of information networks in these schools to develop a bonding form of social capital that allows not only middle-class families but also working-class families to redefine the meaning of ethnicity. This is theoretically surprising, because some theory predicts that middle class status is needed to benefit from such cultural capital. Through competence in Western classical music, Asian students signify their well roundedness, an achievement that goes beyond rote learning. Chinese families pursue this musical cultural strategy to incorporate themselves into mainstream educational institutions. Research on the strategic use of nonoppositional musical culture for educational mobility suggests the limitation of segmented assimilation theory.
The management of extensive penile fibrosis: a new technique of ‘minimal scar‐tissue excision’

Objective To evaluate the results of excising minimal scar tissue in patients undergoing insertion of a penile prosthesis for extensive corporal fibrosis. Patients and methods Twelve patients (mean age 58 years, range 44–73) with extensive corporal fibrosis who underwent the insertion of a penile prosthesis were evaluated. Eleven patients had a defect of varying extent after the insertion of the penile prosthesis, and a polytetrafluoroethylene graft was used to cover the area. Results All 12 patients tolerated the procedure well and currently have a functioning penile implant. Conclusions Minimal excision of scar tissue provided better results and fewer complications when compared to other studies which used extensive excision.
Stabilization policy under flexible exchange rates and liquidity

A two country model under flexible exchange rates is developed. The model shows that changes in the interest rate resulting from monetary or fiscal expansion has indeterminant effects on prices, output, capital flows and liquidity demand for money under conditions of a less than full employment equilibrium. Stabilization policy recommendations previously respected in this context fall under suspicion.
Branched-chain amino acids in metabolic signalling and insulin resistance

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are important nutrient signals that have direct and indirect effects. Frequently, BCAAs have been reported to mediate antiobesity effects, especially in rodent models. However, circulating levels of BCAAs tend to be increased in individuals with obesity and are associated with worse metabolic health and future insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A hypothesized mechanism linking increased levels of BCAAs and T2DM involves leucine-mediated activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), which results in uncoupling of insulin signalling at an early stage. A BCAA dysmetabolism model proposes that the accumulation of mitotoxic metabolites (and not BCAAs per se) promotes β-cell mitochondrial dysfunction, stress signalling and apoptosis associated with T2DM. Alternatively, insulin resistance might promote aminoacidaemia by increasing the protein degradation that insulin normally suppresses, and/or by eliciting an impairment of efficient BCAA oxidative metabolism in some tissues. Whether and how impaired BCAA metabolism might occur in obesity is discussed in this Review. Research on the role of individual and model-dependent differences in BCAA metabolism is needed, as several genes (BCKDHA, PPM1K, IVD and KLF15) have been designated as candidate genes for obesity and/or T2DM in humans, and distinct phenotypes of tissue-specific branched chain ketoacid dehydrogenase complex activity have been detected in animal models of obesity and T2DM.