cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Direct observation of particle interactions and clustering in charged granular streams

By eliminating the effects of gravity with a free-falling camera, high-resolution imaging of charged grains reveals Keplerian orbits and electrostatically stable clusters—with implications for astrophysical and industrial cluster formation.
The αBB Approach in Molecular Structure Prediction

In this chapter, we discuss the application of the αBB approach to the structure prediction of small molecules in which the bond lengths and the bond angles are assumed to be fixed at their equilibrium values. Section 15.1 presents an introduction and background to this class of problems. Section 15.2 defines the problem in Cartesian coordinates. Section 15.3 presents the reformulation of the problem in the internal coordinate system. Section 15.4 discusses the lower bounding function which forms the basis for the application of the αBB to box constrained nonlinear optimization problems, as discussed in Chapter 11. Finally, section 15.5 discusses the application of the αBB to the structure prediction of propanal. The material presented in this chapter is based on the work of Maranas and Floudas (1994a), (1994b).
Quantitative analysis of iontophoretic drug delivery from micropipettes

Microiontophoresis is a drug delivery method in which an electric current is used to eject molecular species from a micropipette. It has been primarily utilized for neurochemical investigations, but is limited due to difficulty controlling and determining the ejected quantity. Consequently the concentration of an ejected species and the extent of the affected region are relegated to various methods of approximation. To address this, we investigated the principles underlying ejection rates and examined the concentration distribution in microiontophoresis using a combination of electrochemical, chromatographic, and fluorescence-based approaches. This involved a principal focus on how the iontophoretic barrel solution affects ejection characteristics. The ion ejection rate displayed a direct correspondence to the ionic mole fraction, regardless of the ejection current polarity. In contrast, neutral molecules are ejected by electroosmotic flow (EOF) at a rate proportional to the barrel solution concentration. Furthermore, the presence of EOF was observed from barrels containing high ionic strength solutions. In practice, use of a retaining current draws extracellular ions into the barrel and will alter the barrel solution composition. Even in the absence of a retaining current, diffusional exchange at the barrel tip will occur. Thus behavior of successive ejections may slightly differ. To account for this, electrochemical or fluorescence markers can be incorporated into the barrel solution in order to compare ejection quantities. These may also be used to provide an estimate of the ejected amount and distribution provided accurate use of calibration procedures.
Keynote I

This paper discusses about new approaches for protein function identification and ligand screening. To find a robust computational method it develops a ligand homology modeling approach and show that remotely related proteins identified by threading often share a common binding site occupied by chemically similar ligands. Itapply FINDSITELHM to the human kinome and construct structure models that are subsequently subjected to virtual screening against a library of more than 2 million compounds ranked by a hierarchical approach that combines ligand- and structure-based filters.
Scanner baseliner monitoring and control in high volume manufacturing

We analyze performance of different customized models on baseliner overlay data and demonstrate the reduction in overlay residuals by ~10%. Smart Sampling sets were assessed and compared with the full wafer measurements. We found that performance of the grid can still be maintained by going to one-third of total sampling points, while reducing metrology time by 60%. We also demonstrate the feasibility of achieving time to time matching using scanner fleet manager and thus identify the tool drifts even when the tool monitoring controls are within spec limits. We also explore the scanner feedback constant variation with illumination sources.
Abstract 3293: Co-administration of lapatinib increases exposure to docetaxel but not doxorubicin in the small intestine of mice.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Combination therapy is increasingly utilized for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. However, co-administration of drugs, particularly agents that are substrates for or inhibitors of p-glycoprotein, can result in increased tissue toxicity. Unfortunately, determining levels of chemotherapeutics in human tissues is challenging and plasma drug concentrations are not always indicative of tissue toxicokinetics or toxicodynamics, especially when tissue penetration is altered. The aim of the work presented herein was to determine if concomitant administration of compounds currently being combined in clinical trials for metastatic breast cancer treatment alters plasma and tissue pharmacokinetics in mice if both agents are p-glycoprotein substrates and/or inhibitors. Accordingly, we investigated the pharmacokinetic interactions of the classic cytotoxics and p-glycoprotein substrates docetaxel and doxorubicin when given concurrently with the targeted agent and p-glycoprotein inhibitor lapatinib. Our time course plasma and tissue distribution studies showed that co-administration of lapatinib with doxorubicin did not appreciably alter the pharmacokinetics of this anthracycline in the plasma or six tissues evaluated in mice, presumably because, at doses relevant to human exposure, lapatinib inhibition of p-glycoprotein did not significantly alter doxorubicin transport out of these tissue compartments. However, combining lapatinib with docetaxel dramatically increased intestinal exposure to this chemotherapeutic, which has clinical implications for enhancing gastrointestinal toxicity. The significant lapatinib-docetaxel interaction is likely CYP3A4-mediated and thus, our study suggests that caution should be taken when this combination is administered, particularly to patients with compromised CYP3A activity, and recipients should be closely monitored for enhanced toxicity, particularly for adverse effects on the intestine. Citation Format: Susan F. Hudachek, Daniel Gustafson. Co-administration of lapatinib increases exposure to docetaxel but not doxorubicin in the small intestine of mice. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3293. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3293
Optimizing of preparation technology for Compound lidocaine cream

OBJECTIVE To optimize the preparation technology of Compound lidocaine cream( CLC). METHODS Orthogonal design method was used. Stirring method,oil phase-water phase ratio,emulsifying temperature and stirring speed were used as observing factors. Appearance character of the cream and stability were used as evaluating index,and the best preparation technology was selected according to the comprehensive scores. RESULTS The stirring method and emulsifying temperature had significant impact on the preparation process. The optimal oil phase-water phase ratio was 25 ∶75,the best preparation technology was the intermittent transmission stirring method with emulsifying temperature of 80 ℃,and the stirring time of 30 min. CONCLUSION The optimized preparation technology of CLC is reasonable and feasible,and the product quality is stable.
Anatomic and physiologic bases of posterior tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials.

Somatosensory evoked potentials following posterior tibial nerve stimulation reflect the activation of both white and gray matter structures in the large-fiber afferent sensory system. This article briefly reviews the mechanisms of generation of body surface recordable evoked potentials and then discusses specific generators of spinal, subcortical, and cortical short-latency responses to posterior tibial nerve stimuation.
Empowerment and Communication: Lessons Learned From Organizing for Social Change

Empowerment is the process through which individuals perceive that they control situations. Such perceived agency is a fundamental behavior change, which often leads to many other behavior changes. The present chapter synthesizes research on empowerment and communication in the developing nations of Latin American, Africa, and Asia. Several investigations into the empowerment of underdogs in society are examined, including (a) women dairy farmers in India, (b) women members of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, (c) community-based radio listening groups in the villages of Lutsaan and Abirpur in India, and (d) people living with AIDS in Thailand. Essentially, the process of empowerment occurs in small groups at the local level when individuals organize for social change in order to accomplish goals that they cannot achieve as separate individuals. By exploring the relationship between individual and collective empowerment, we seek to draw a series of lessons learned about the empowerment process and apply the...
Ablation Techniques for Barrett’s Esophagus and Dysplasia

The availability of safe and effective endoscopic techniques has caused a major shift in the management of Barrett’s associated dysplasia and early cancer from primarily surgical to endoscopic therapy. Prior to contemplating endoscopic therapy, careful selection of patients is essential and best served by evaluation with multidisciplinary team at specialized centers. This requires detailed examination of Barrett’s segment with removal of nodules or suspicious areas with endoscopic mucosal resection and expert confirmation of dysplasia by at least two gastrointestinal pathologists. This should be followed by eradication of remaining Barrett’s segment with ablation and ongoing vigilant surveillance as recurrences have been reported. Endoscopic therapy is considered in Barrett’s associated intramucosal cancer, Barrett’s esophagus with high-grade dysplasia, confirmed cases of low-grade dysplasia, and rare instances of non-dysplastic Barrett’s such as those with long segment and family history as complete eradication of Barrett’s esophagus is associated with marked reduction in cancer risk. Palliative therapy with photodynamic therapy or cryotherapy can be considered in selected cases of inoperable cancer.
The influence of welfare on leisure experiences: ‘As long as me and mine eat, I’m all right’

ABSTRACTWelfare recipients in the U.S.A. are primarily women and their children. Welfare programmes operate as a form of social control, conditioning women into displaying desired behaviours and offering food and shelter as the reward for following the rules. Drawing from critical and feminist frameworks, this study used focus group interviews to learn more about the impact of welfare on the leisure experience. Common conceptualizations of leisure are simply not applicable to those who receive welfare and leisure is, therefore, reconsidered with a focus on classism throughout this study. The composite character of Sharise was created through the data and her story demonstrates how leisure is used as a tool to maintain the status quo for welfare recipients. Sharise describes how she struggles to follow government rules, while at the same time feed and educate her children, and provide them with recreational opportunities.
Personal and Perceived Depression Stigma among Arab Adolescents: Associations with Depression Severity and Personal Characteristics.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND In Arab communities, the selection, utilization, and attitudes towards mental health services are substantially affected by existing mental illness stigma. However, little is known about how the stigma of depression manifests among Arab adolescents, which makes it difficult to design, implement, and disseminate effective anti-stigma interventions for this vulnerable population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine levels of depression stigma among Arab adolescents. The specific aims were to (1) describe the severity of personal and perceived depression stigma among Arab adolescents and its relationship to severity of depression, and (2) determine characteristics associated with severity of depression stigma among Arab adolescents. METHODS This study was conducted in Jordan, a Middle Eastern Arab country. A nationally representative, school-based survey was utilized. A total of 2349 Jordanian adolescents aged 12–17 completed and returned the survey packets, which included measures on individual characteristics, depression severity, and depression stigma. RESULTS The majority of the adolescents (88%) reported scores indicating moderate to high depression stigma. Adolescents reported higher rates of perceived stigma than personal stigma. Depression stigma was not significantly associated with severity of depression, but with adolescent's sex, age, region of residence, parents' education, and history of mental health problem. CONCLUSIONS This is the first Arab study to isolate the influence of adolescent depression and personal characteristics on personal and perceived depression stigmas, and highlight the presence of these distinctions early in adolescence. Such distinction can inform the design and implementation of policies and interventions to reduce both personal and perceived stigma. The study provides important recommendations on when, how, and why to utilize school settings for anti-depression stigma interventions.
Race: a Biological or Social Concept

Race was once thought to be a real biological concept when anthropologists used study of the human skull as a way to justify racial differences and social inequality. Scientists no longer believe there is a biological basis to distinguish racial groups, rather, race is a social, cultural, and/or political construct wherein racial segregation has real consequences on health and health disparities. The biological basis of differential prevalence of disease susceptibility or resistance is due to genetic variations that exist in various racial and ethnic groups. Thus, race as a social concept can be used to categorize populations or groups based on disease susceptibility or resistance, and this offers promise for personalized/precision medicine as it applies to human health.
Improved technique for preparation of deuterated-polyethylene targets

Abstract An improved method for preparation of self-supporting deuterated polyethylene targets using solvent casting technique is described. The improved method provides recommendations for solvent heating, solvent casting of the thin film, and subsequent heating treatment which is shown to greatly enhance the overall target strength and durability as needed for accelerator experiments. A detailed characterization using both optical and electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrates the improvements using the post-casting heating treatment. The effects of heavy ion-induced target degradation and recommendations for use under these conditions is also discussed.
The extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 triggers angiogenesis in human ectopic endometrial implants by inducing angioblast differentiation and proliferation.

Problem The role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2-mediated angiogenesis during endometriotic nidation is unknown. We posit that ERK1/2-induced angioblast differentiation and proliferation promotes ectopic endometrial angiogenesis. Methods of study Human eutopic and ectopic endometria were immunostained for total- (T-) or phosphorylated- (P-) ERK1/2 or double-immunostained for P-ERK1/2-CD34 and PCNA-CD34. Estradiol (E2 ), cytokines, normal peritoneal fluid (NPF) or endometriotic peritoneal fluid (EPF) ±PD98059, an ERK1/2 inhibitor, treaded primary human endometrial endothelial cells (HEECs) were evaluated by T-/P-ERK1/2 immunoblotting, MTT viability and tube formation assays. Results HEECs exhibited higher endothelial P-ERK1/2 immunoreactivity in ectopic vs eutopic endometria. Double-immunostained ectopic endometria displayed abundant CD34-positive angioblasts exhibiting strong P-ERK1/2 and PCNA immunoreactivity. EPF and vascular growth factor (VEGF)-A significantly increased HEEC proliferation and P-ERK1/2 levels. PD98059 reduced basal, EPF, and VEGF-induced HEEC proliferation and promoted vascular stabilization following tube formation. Conclusion Enhanced ERK1/2 activity in angioblasts by such peritoneal factors as VEGF, E2 induces proliferation to trigger ectopic endometrial angiogenesis.
In silico binding of 4,4'-bisphenols predicts in vitro estrogenic and antiandrogenic activity.

Bisphenols, anthropogenic pollutants, leach from consumer products and have potential to be ingested and are excreted in waste. The endocrine disrupting effects of highly manufactured bisphenols (BPA, BPS, and BPF) are known, however the activities of others are not. Here, the estrogenic and androgenic activities of a series of 4,4'-bisphenols that vary at the inter-connecting bisphenol bridge were determined (BPA, BPB, BPBP, BPC2, BPE, BPF, BPS, and BPZ) and compared to in silico binding to estrogen receptor-alpha and the androgen receptor. Bioassay results showed the order of estrogenicity (BPC2 (strongest) > BPBP > BPB > BPZ > BPE > BPF > BPA > BPS, r2 = 0.995) and anti-androgenicity (BPC2 (strongest) > BPE, BPB, BPA, BPF, and BPS, r2 = 0.996) correlated to nuclear receptor binding affinities. Like testosterone and the anti-androgen hydroxyflutamide, bisphenol fit in the ligand-binding domain through hydrogen-bonding at residues Thr877 and Asn705, but also interacted at either Cys784/Ser778 or Gln711 through the other phenol ring. This suggests the 4,4'-bisphenols, like hydroxyflutamide, are androgen receptor antagonists. Hydrogen-bond trends between ERα and the 4,4'-bisphenols were limited to residue Glu353, which interacted with the -OH of one phenol and the -OH of the A ring of 17β-estradiol; hydrogen-bonding varied at the -OH of ring D of 17β-estradiol and the second phenol -OH group. While both estrogen and androgen bioassays correlated to in silico results, conservation of hydrogen-bonding residues in the androgen receptor provides a convincing picture of direct antagonist binding by 4,4'-bisphenols.
T Cell Defects

T cells play the central role in adaptive immunity and deficiencies affecting this key component of the immune system result in the most severe forms of primary immunodeficiency. The classic example within this group of immunodeficiencies is severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). The infectious complications include a wide spectrum of organisms, but viral infections and opportunistic infections are commonly found in infants with SCID who are not identified by newborn screening (NBS). With NBS for SCID through quantification of T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs), the prognosis associated with this condition has improved considerably, with the vast majority of these infants in the USA found early and often without infectious complications. Conditions of T cell immunity not as severe as SCID are broad, and, in addition to infection, noninfectious complications can develop including lymphoproliferation, inflammation, and autoimmunity, notably inflammatory bowel disease. The relatively poor prognosis of T cell immune deficiencies requires those affected to initiate extensive antimicrobial prophylaxis often combined with immunosuppressive treatments to control inflammatory complications. Definitive therapy often includes hematopoietic cell transplant. There are nearly 90 primary immunodeficiency conditions that are considered predominantly T cell and combined T cell and B cell conditions, not all of which can be covered in the scope of this chapter (Picard et al., J Clin Immunol. 35(8):696–726, 2015). Instead we will focus on severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) in its various forms as well as highlight specific immune defects that illustrate unique aspects of aberrant T cell immunity and resultant clinical manifestations.
Compiling stream applications for heterogeneous architectures

Heterogeneous processing systems have become the industry standard in almost every segment of the computing market from servers to mobile systems. In addition to employing shared/distributed memory processors, the current trend is to use hardware components such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), single instruction multiple data (SIMD) engines and graphics processing units (GPUs) in heterogeneous systems. As a result of this trend, extracting maximum performance requires compilation to highly heterogeneous architectures that include parts with different memory and computation models. Although there has been significant amount of research on programing each of these architectures individually, targeting a heterogeneous system without specializing an application to each component separately is still an open problem. Besides performance, the portability of an application between different pieces of a system and retargetability to various heterogeneous architectures is a significant challenge for programmers. To efficiently exploit the heterogeneity, it is necessary to have a programming model that provides a higher-level of abstraction to the programmer and the related compilation framework. In this thesis, we first focus on enabling a write-once programming paradigm in the context of the stream programming model for various components of heterogeneous systems. We mainly focus on FPGAs, SIMD engines and GPUs as these architectures will play an important role in accelerating various parts of applications on heterogeneous systems. We introduce several compiler optimizations that facilitate portability and retargetability while achieving high performance. As a result of our compilation system, programmers can write a program once and efficiently run it on different components of a system. Second, we focus on an important challenge that arises in heterogeneous systems when there are dynamic resource changes. The ability to dynamically adapt a running application to a target architecture in the face of changes in resource availability (e.g., number of cores, available memory or bandwidth) is crucial to a wider adoption of heterogeneous architectures. In this work, we introduce a hybrid flexible compilation framework that facilitates dynamic adaption of applications to the changing characteristics of the underlying architecture.
FUEL CELLS – PROTON-EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELLS | Water Management

Liquid water distribution, storage, and transport in hydrogen-fueled proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are critical processes affecting real-time performance, transient dynamics, and long-term performance degradation via complex physicochemical pathways. This article summarizes the state-of-the-art understanding in multiphase transport and water management in hydrogen-fueled PEMFCs. Recent findings of experimental and computational simulation work are synthesized to provide a global perspective of the present view of water storage and transport in the membrane and porous media, including thermo-osmosis and phase-change-related motion. Unresolved fundamental areas and future diagnostic requirements to achieve the needed understanding are discussed.
Adult Prostate Epithelium Renewal, Stem Cells and Cancer

Cancer is thought to develop from the neoplastic transformation of either stem cells that maintain the ability to self-renew or committed progenitor cells that undergo dedifferentiation and acquire stem cell characteristics. Thus, understanding prostate cell differentiation lineage during development as well as prostate epithelium renewal in adulthood represents a critical step in unraveling the mechanisms involved in prostate carcinogenesis. Recent advances in the field have started to clarify the hierarchical relationship between epithelial prostate cells. In addition, prostate cell populations with characteristics of stem cells have been identified. Further clarification of the processes that regulate normal prostate homeostasis is likely to shed additional light on the multistep process of prostate tumorigenesis.
Crack paths in additive manufactured metallic materials subjected to multiaxial cyclic loads including surface roughness, HIP, and notch effects

Abstract Additive Manufacturing (AM) has recently gained much attention due to its many advantages. Nevertheless, design of critical load carrying parts via AM is still at its infancy because the damage mechanism and evolution of AM metals under cyclic loading are not yet understood, particularly under complex multiaxial loading conditions. This work investigates fatigue cracking behavior of two AM metals including Ti-6Al-4V and 17-4 PH Stainless Steel and their wrought counterparts using both unnotched and notched tubular specimens. Cracking mechanisms and paths under a variety of conditions including annealing and HIPing processes, surface roughness, and build orientation are evaluated.
Language, culture and preventable readmissions: pragmatic, intervention studies needed.

Preventable hospital readmissions are considered a marker of care quality. Readmissions burden patients and their families and are a significant driver of healthcare costs.1 2 In the USA (where we are based), readmission penalties have resulted in an array of interventions, ranging from the relatively simple (eg, ensuring a timely follow-up appointment) to bundled interventions with multiple components (eg, medication reconciliation plus phone follow-up plus structured handoff to outpatient clinicians).3 Evaluation results, however, have been mixed and progress in reducing readmissions difficult. Studies generally have provided limited details about interventions and the patient groups involved, making it impossible to know what worked for whom.3 4 Complicating the practical implications of this research is that bundled interventions, which tend to be more successful, require greater investment of clinical and financial resources and at times result in net financial loss, significantly dampening health system enthusiasm for implementation of programmes to reduce admissions.5 Importantly, despite well-documented racial/ethnic disparities in readmission rates,6 many studies in the USA have taken a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach by designing interventions that do not attempt to address the specific needs or circumstances of diverse populations. The study by lead author and colleagues in this issue of BMJ Quality & Safety 7 differs from much of the readmission literature in two important ways. First, the study focused on discharge practices and activities adapted for diverse populations. Working with a patient population in Israel that included a diverse groups of patients—Russian-speaking immigrants from the former Soviet Union, Arabic-speakers from several ethnic groups and Hebrew-speakers—the authors examined the association of what they termed cultural factors (eg, …
Temporary left ventricular assist devices as a bridge to heart transplantation.

Background To create equitable access to donor organs for the highest mortality patients, the cardiac transplant allocation system now prioritizes patients with surgically implanted temporary left ventricular assist devices (T-LVADs). The outcomes following a direct bridge from a T-LVAD to orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) are not well delineated. Aim This study investigates the T-LVAD waitlist outcomes and compares the posttransplant outcomes in patients bridged to OHT with surgically implanted T-LVADs to patients bridged with durable continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs). Methods Adults recorded in the United Network for Organ Sharing registry bridged to OHT with a durable CF-LVAD and T-LVADs, with or without temporary right ventricular assist devices (T-RVADs), between 2010 and 2018 were included. Propensity matching and multivariable Cox regression were utilized to compare outcomes. Results Of 504 patients waitlisted with T-LVADs, the majority were transplanted (50%), bridged to CF-LVAD (17%), or recovered (9%). A total of 9047 recipients were bridged to OHT during the study period with 8875 CF-LVADs and 172 T-LVADs. Early survival in propensity-matched T-LVAD ± T-RVAD patients was similar to CF-LVAD ± T-RVAD patients but reduced at a 1-year follow-up. This difference in survival at 1-year follow-up was attributable to significantly reduced survival in patients with combined T-LVAD + T-RVAD support when compared with CF-LVAD, isolated T-LVAD and combined CF-LVAD + T-RVAD support (80% vs 90% vs 90% vs 91%; P = .005). Conclusions This study demonstrates that most patients waitlisted with a T-LVAD are successfully bridged to durable therapy or recover, and those bridged to OHT have acceptable posttransplant outcomes, particularly when T-RVADs are not required.
Insights into grain boundary energy structure-property relationships by examining computed [1 0 0] disorientation axis grain boundaries in Nickel

Abstract A study of 346 computed [1 0 0] disorientation axis grain boundaries provides insight into grain boundary energy structure-property relationships. The grain boundaries come from 6 coincidence site lattice misorientations at regularly spaced disorientation angles, and cover the full range of boundary plane orientations. The computed energy has clear trends in disorientation angle and boundary plane orientation. The data are used to reexamine the ‘special’ attribute frequently applied to low Σ coincidence site lattice misorientations and low-angle boundaries and to assess the accuracy of a face-centered cubic grain boundary energy function developed by Bulatov, Reed, and Kumar (Acta Mater. 65 (2014) 161-175).
Social Choice Optimization.

Social choice is the theory about collective decision towards social welfare starting from individual opinions, preferences, interests or welfare. The field of Computational Social Welfare is somewhat recent and it is gaining impact in the Artificial Intelligence Community. Classical literature makes the assumption of single-peaked preferences, i.e. there exist a order in the preferences and there is a global maximum in this order. This year some theoretical results were published about Two-stage Approval Voting Systems (TAVs), Multi-winner Selection Rules (MWSR) and Incomplete (IPs) and Circular Preferences (CPs). The purpose of this paper is three-fold: Firstly, I want to introduced Social Choice Optimisation as a generalisation of TAVs where there is a max stage and a min stage implementing thus a Minimax, well-known Artificial Intelligence decision-making rule to minimize hindering towards a (Social) Goal. Secondly, I want to introduce, following my Open Standardization and Open Integration Theory (in refinement process) put in practice in my dissertation, the Open Standardization of Social Inclusion, as a global social goal of Social Choice Optimization.
Jordi Puntí’s Els castellans: Reshaping Catalan narratives of immigration and integration

Acclaimed Catalan writer Jordi Punti’s fictional memoir Els castellans (2011) offers an important contribution to contemporary debates on immigration and national identity in Catalonia. Set in the ...
Mechanism of Type IA Topoisomerases.

Topoisomerases in the type IA subfamily can catalyze change in topology for both DNA and RNA substrates. A type IA topoisomerase may have been present in a last universal common ancestor (LUCA) with an RNA genome. Type IA topoisomerases have since evolved to catalyze the resolution of topological barriers encountered by genomes that require the passing of nucleic acid strand(s) through a break on a single DNA or RNA strand. Here, based on available structural and biochemical data, we discuss how a type IA topoisomerase may recognize and bind single-stranded DNA or RNA to initiate its required catalytic function. Active site residues assist in the nucleophilic attack of a phosphodiester bond between two nucleotides to form a covalent intermediate with a 5′-phosphotyrosine linkage to the cleaved nucleic acid. A divalent ion interaction helps to position the 3′-hydroxyl group at the precise location required for the cleaved phosphodiester bond to be rejoined following the passage of another nucleic acid strand through the break. In addition to type IA topoisomerase structures observed by X-ray crystallography, we now have evidence from biophysical studies for the dynamic conformations that are required for type IA topoisomerases to catalyze the change in the topology of the nucleic acid substrates.
Electro-optic combs generated via direct digital synthesis for spectroscopy and physical metrology

Electro-optic frequency combs were generated via chip-based direct digital synthesis and utilized to interrogate cavity optomechanical sensors. This approach offers a combination of high dynamic range, frequency agility, sensitivity, and accuracy.
Imaging ring-current wave packets in the helium atom

We study the reconstruction of a wave packet and the corresponding electron dynamics in an atom via photoelectron angular distributions (PADs) in a pump-probe scheme as a function of time delay. The method is applied to the superposition of ground and one or two excited states in helium atom representing field-free charge migrations on the attosecond timescale in form of ring currents around the core. It is based on the interference between one- and two-photon transitions from ground and excited states into the continuum. In the reconstruction predictions of first- and second-order perturbation theory are used to determine the unknown phases and amplitudes from the PADs, which we simulate via solutions of the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation in single-active-electron approximation. Results of calculations show that the reconstruction technique works well for peak laser intensities less than ${10}^{13}$ $\mathrm{W}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. Knowledge of the electric field of the probe pulse is required with shot-to-shot variations of carrier-to-envelope phase and peak intensity of up to 10% and 20%, respectively. The relevance of different one- and two-photon pathways for the reconstruction as a function of peak intensity and pulse duration is analyzed---specifically their role for ultrashort probe pulses with broad bandwidths.
Nanogenerators for smart cities in the era of 5G and Internet of Things

Summary 5G has taken off at a brisk speed over the years, bringing significant benefits to the Internet of Things (IoT) devices and wireless sensor nodes. The launching of 5G technology provides an excellent opportunity for the faster development of smart cities. Nanogenerators (NGs) have been widely demonstrated as sustainable power sources and self-powered active sensors. The last 15 years of research on NGs have revealed that it can contribute to the digitalization of smart city services, such as localized renewable energy supplies, intelligent transportation, smart vehicles, and digital healthcare applications. The integration of novel NG technology in smart cities will solve problems pertinent to sustainable power sources for decentralized IoT devices and provide pathways for realizing self-powered active sensing systems. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive review of current research on NGs’ applications in different sectors of a smart city. More importantly, we will show how NGs can be a game changer in the development of smart cities under 5G services and how the usage of NGs can boost the convenience of city dwellers. Our aim is to draw more attention to NG applications in the digitalization of smart cities and provide a guideline for applying smart concepts in future urban planning.
Sensitivity of Tropical Insectivorous Birds to the Anthropocene: A Review of Multiple Mechanisms and Conservation Implications

Insectivorous birds are declining widely, and for diverse reasons. Tropical insectivorous birds, more than 60% of all tropical birds, are particularly sensitive to human disturbances including habitat loss and fragmentation, intensive agriculture and pesticide use, and climate change; and the mechanisms are incompletely understood. This review addresses multiple, complementary and sometimes synergistic explanations for tropical insectivore declines, by categorizing explanations into ultimate versus proximate, and direct versus indirect. Ultimate explanations are diverse human Anthropocene activities and the evolutionary history of these birds. This evolutionary history, synthesized by the Biotic Challenge Hypothesis (BCH), explains tropical insectivorous birds’ vulnerabilities to many proximate threats as a function of both these birds’ evolutionary feeding specialization and poor dispersal capacity. These traits were favored evolutionarily by both the diversity of insectivorous clades competing intensely for prey and co-evolution with arthropods over long evolutionary time periods. More proximate, ecological threats include bottom-up forces like declining insect populations, top-down forces like meso-predator increases, plus the Anthropocene activities underlying these factors, especially habitat loss and fragmentation, agricultural intensification, and climate change. All these conditions peak in the lowland, mainland Neotropics, where insectivorous bird declines have been repeatedly documented, but also occur in other tropical locales and continents. This multiplicity of interacting evolutionary and ecological factors informs conservation implications and recommendations for tropical insectivorous birds: (1) Why they are so sensitive to global change phenomena is no longer enigmatic, (2) distinguishing ultimate versus proximate stressors matters, (3) evolutionary life-histories predispose these birds to be particularly sensitive to the Anthropocene, (4) tropical regions and continents vary with respect to these birds’ ecological sensitivity, (5) biodiversity concepts need stronger incorporation of species’ evolutionary histories, (6) protecting these birds will require more, larger reserves for multiple reasons, and (7) these birds have greater value than generally recognized.
Adverse Childhood Experiences as Predictors of Differences in Intimate Justice, Conflict, Control, and Power in Intimate Relationships

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) predict a higher likelihood of victimization and perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV). Yet, less is known for the role of ACE in development of intimate partner power and control dynamics such as the types of violence/violence severity experienced or attitudes about equality, fairness, and caring in an intimate relationship. In the current study, we analyzed data from 332 adults enrolled in a community-based relationship education program (52.7% Hispanic, 80.7% female, and 44.3% unemployed). We conducted a mediation analysis to examine differences by indicators of power, control, and equity in respondent’s current or most recent intimate relationship by ACE score. We found psychological distress fully mediated the relationship between ACE and physical and reactive aggression, and partially mediated the relationship between ACE, psychological and controlling aggression, relationship conflict, responsible caring, and ethical power. Implications for practice include: recommendations for screening and risk assessment and more understanding for the role of ACE as a predictor of victimization/perpetration among an understudied demographic – predominately Hispanic women with moderate to low income.
Stepwise inversion of a groundwater flow model with multi-scale observation data

Based on the regional hydrogeology and the stratigraphy beneath the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) site, New Mexico (USA), a site-scale groundwater model has been built with more than 20 stratified hydrofacies. A stepwise inverse method was developed to estimate permeabilities for these hydrofacies by coupling observation data from different sources and at various spatial scales including single-well test, multiple-well pumping test and regional aquifer monitoring data. Statistical analyses of outcrop permeability measurements and single-well test results were used to define the prior distributions of the parameters. These distributions were used to define the parameter initial values and the lower and upper bounds for inverse modeling. A number of inverse modeling steps were performed including the use of drawdown data from the pump tests at two wells (PM-2 and PM-4) separately, and a joint inversion coupling PM-2 and PM-4 pump test data and head data from regional aquifer monitoring. Parameter sensitivity coefficients for different data sets were computed to analyze if the model parameters can be estimated accurately with the data provided at different steps. The joint inversion offers a reasonable fit to all data sets. The uncertainty of estimated parameters for the hydrofacies is addressed with the parameter confidence intervals.
Laudato si', Interest, and Engagement: An Account via Catholic Public Theology and Authority

On May 24, 2015, Pope Francis released Laudato si', an encyclical letter on the “care for our common home.” While the statement received much attention in the media, the question remains: what impa...
Touch screen user interfaces for older adults: button size and spacing

This study investigated the optimal button size and spacing for touch screen user interfaces intended for use by older adults. Current recommendations in the literature are aimed at general audiences and fail to consider the specific needs of older adults. Three independent variables, button size, button spacing, and manual dexterity were studied in two experiments that measured reaction time, accuracy and user preferences. Design recommendations for touch screen button size and spacing for older adults are stated based on these experiments. The paper also discusses the role of manual dexterity in designing appropriate touch screen interfaces for older adults.
Farmer Demand for Corn Rootworm Bt Corn: Do Insect Resistance Management Guidelines Really Matter?

We explore the potential for using the contingent valuation method to characterize the sensitivity of farmer demand for corn rootworm Bt corn for alternative insect resistance management (IRM) requirements. With a better understanding of farmer sensitivity to IRM, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may be able to refine its IRM policy to improve farmer compliance, while reducing its regulatory burden and the likelihood of Bt resistance. We find that farmer demand is sensitive to IRM requirements, but not always in the anticipated direction and magnitude.
Transitions between Major Classes: Vertebrates

The advent of cladistic analyses of relationships between organisms has provided more rigorous means of defining lineages, although fossil records suggest that boundaries between vertebrate clades are not always distinct. At the beginning of the transition from water to land, the earliest tetrapods retain many fish-like features, and at the end of this continuum numerous terrestrial adaptations may be seen in groups not traditionally classified as amniotes. Characters of the jaw and middle ear, classically associated with Mammalia, differentiated as a functional complex that developed across the therapsid–mammal transition. Feathers and features associated with lightening the skeleton are also found in terrestrial dromaeosaurid dinosaurs, and are not exclusive to birds. That each of these transitions took place through a series of graded steps suggests that they should be considered more as a process than as a point in time or geologic history. Key Concepts: The transitions between what are considered major taxonomic groups of vertebrates are not distinct, but rather are ‘blurry’ as they reflect processes and the gradual accumulation of suites functional anatomical and physiological complexes. The water-to-land transition is not a single event. It is a continuum ranging across nearly 50 My from the first tetrapods to the first amniotes. With new information including the details of transitional forms such as Tiktaalik and Ventastega, understanding of the changes in the limb skeleton from sarcopterygian fishes to the earliest tetrapods has been refined significantly. The Late Carboniferous to Early Permian Diadectomorpha have emerged as the closest relatives of crown-group amniotes, sharing numerous anatomical features with them. Dromaeosaurid dinosaurs demonstrate a variety of experiments in feather distribution and potential flight adaptations as the group from which Aves evolved. The lineage leading to extant mammals began the process of transformation of the feeding apparatus, associated modifications of the middle ear and (probable) soft tissue associations in groups generally considered to be closely related but outside of traditionally defined mammals. Keywords: evolution; palaeontology; vertebrata; tetrapoda; amniota; mammalia; aves
Multi-institutional phase I/II trial of paclitaxel, cisplatin, and etoposide with concurrent radiation for limited-stage small-cell lung carcinoma

PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility of adding paclitaxel to standard cisplatin/etoposide (EP) and thoracic radiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients were enrolled onto this study. During the phase I section of this study, the dose of paclitaxel was escalated in groups of three or more patients. Cycles were repeated every 21 days. For cycles 1 and 2, paclitaxel was administered according to the dose-escalation schema at doses of 100, 135, or 170 mg/m2 intravenously over 3 hours on day 1. Once the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of paclitaxel (for cycles 1 and 2, concurrent with radiation) was determined, that dose was used in all subsequent patients entered onto the phase II section of this study. For cycles 3 and 4, the paclitaxel dose was fixed at 170 mg/m2 in all patients. On day 2, cisplatin 60 mg/m2 was administered for all cycles. On days 1, 2, and 3, etoposide 60 mg/m2/d (cycles 1 and 2) or 80 mg/m2/d (cycles 3 and 4) was administered. Chest radiation was given at 9 Gy/wk in five fracti...
Aperture coupled patch antenna chip performance on lossy silicon substrates

A 15 GHz aperture coupled patch antenna with its feed line on porous silicon is demonstrated. The measured and simulated return loss results show a resonant frequency of 14.7 and 14.8 GHz respectively and bandwidths of 0.7 and 1 GHz. Simulated radiation patterns show an antenna with a high front to back ratio
I/O Characteristics of Smartphone Applications and Their Implications for eMMC Design

A vast majority of smart phones use eMMC (embedded multimedia card) devices as their storage subsystems. Recent studies reveal that storage subsystem is a significant contributor to the performance of smart phone applications. Nevertheless, smart phone applications' block-level I/O characteristics and their implications on eMMC design are still poorly understood. In this research, we collect and analyze block-level I/O traces from18 common applications (e.g., Email and Twitter) on a Nexus5 smart phone. We observe some I/O characteristics from which several implications for eMMC design are derived. For example, we find that in 15 out of the 18 traces majority requests (44.9%-57.4%) are small single-page (4KB) requests. The implication is that small requests should be served rapidly so that the overall performance of an eMMC device can be boosted. Next, we conduct a case study to demonstrate how to apply the implications to optimize eMMC design. Inspired by two implications, we propose a hybrid-page-size (HPS) eMMC. Experimental results show that the HPS scheme can reduce mean response time by up to 86% while improving space utilization by up to 24.2%.
Comparative Symbology: A Reexamination?

Victor Turner Blazing the Trail: Way Marks in the Exploration of Symbols. Tucson: The University of Arizona Press,1992. xxi. 181 pp.
The hydrolysis of dibromofluoromethyltriphenylphosphonium bromide

Abstract Hydrolysis of [Ph3 P + PCFBr2]Br− afforded a high yield of dibromofluoromethane and triphenylphosphine oxide. Hydrolysis in the presence of a radioactive isotope of bromine gave evidence that the mechanism of this reaction proceeds via the dibromofluoromethide ion and not via a bromofluorocarbene intermediate.