cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fertility and Hatchability as Affected by Meat and Blood Spots

Abstract THERE is a wide range in the incidence of egg inclusions in various commercial lines as shown by the report of the Fourth Wisconsin Random Sample Test (1959). It was felt that differences in fertility and hatchability may be due, in part at least, to the presence of egg inclusions in hatching eggs. Data were collected over a number of years on the University of Wisconsin flock in such a manner as to check this possible relationship. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Data to be reported here was obtained during a five-year period (1954 through 1958) for five different breeds of dual-purpose chickens and during a four-year period (1955 through 1958) for four different non-inbred White Leghorn lines and twelve different inbred White Leghorn lines. All eggs set during this period were candled by one of us (W.H.M.) with a “Shadowlite Candler” using a 32 candlepower bulb. All eggs were pedigreed and those…
EPR Linewidth (T2) Method to Measure Oxygen Permeability of Phospholipid Bilayers and Its Use to Study the Effect of Low Ethanol Concentrations

It is well known that continuous-wave EPR spectra of nitroxide probes (labels) introduced into phospholipid bilayers are sensitive to molecular oxygen. However, accurate determination of oxygen broadening from these experiments is complicated by the complex shapes of EPR spectra, which are strongly influenced by anisotropic restricted motion of the probe molecules. An accurate method is presented to extract the oxygen broadening from the spectra measured with and without oxygen and at the same temperature. The method is based on a fast convolution algorithm with Levenberg–Marquardt optimization. This method was previously applied to EPR oximetry with nitroxides exhibiting rotational motion in the fast limit. It is shown that for several membrane spin probes, the oxygen broadening can be described as homogeneous; thus, a one-linewidth-parameter fitting model is appropriate. The method is applied to measure permeability profiles of model membranes composed from 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine above and below the main phase transition. For both membrane phases, the broadening of doxyl- and sterol-type labels is found to be homogeneous, a finding consistent with the model of Heisenberg exchange between molecular oxygen and spin probes. As an example, the method is applied to study the ethanol effect on local oxygen permeability of a phospholipid bilayer. It is shown that ethanol concentrations as low as 1% (v/v) increase oxygen permeability of the bilayer. The effect is larger at the surface of the membrane than at its center, indicating that ethanol molecules interact primarily within the polar head region of the bilayer.
Action selection and refinement in subcortical loops through basal ganglia and cerebellum

Subcortical loops through the basal ganglia and the cerebellum form computationally powerful distributed processing modules (DPMs). This paper relates the computational features of a DPM’s loop through the basal ganglia to experimental results for two kinds of natural action selection. First, functional imaging during a serial order recall task was used to study human brain activity during the selection of sequential actions from working memory. Second, microelectrode recordings from monkeys trained in a step-tracking task were used to study the natural selection of corrective submovements. Our DPM-based model assisted in the interpretation of puzzling data from both of these experiments. We come to posit that the many loops through the basal ganglia each regulate the embodiment of pattern formation in a given area of cerebral cortex. This operation serves to instantiate different kinds of action (or thought) mediated by different areas of cerebral cortex. We then use our findings to formulate a model of the aetiology of schizophrenia.
The preparation and characterization of the cobalt skutterudites CoP3, CoAs3 and CoSb3

Abstract Single crystals of the cobalt skutterudites CoP 3 , CoAs 3 and CoSb 3 have been prepared by the chemical vapor transport technique using chlorine as the transport agent. Chemical analysis and density measurements were used to determine accurately the stoichiometry of these crystals. Physical properties of chemically pure single crystals were obtained by X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility and electrical measurements. CoP 3 is a diamagnetic semiconductor with an optical band gap of 0.45 eV. CoAs 3 and CoSb 3 are also diamagnetic and show an increase in their resistivity as a function of increasing temperature. In addition, they do not give any measurable absorption edge but absorb radiation at all frequencies from 0.4 to 4.3 eV.
Quantitative study of parathyroid hormone (1-34) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 on spinal fusion outcomes in a rabbit model of lumbar dorsolateral intertransverse process arthrodesis.

STUDY DESIGN A posterolateral rabbit spinal fusion model was used to evaluate the effects of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and teriparatide (PTH [1-34]) used individually and in combination on spinal fusion outcomes. OBJECTIVE To test the efficacy of parathyroid hormone on improving spinal fusion outcomes when used with BMP-2. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Of the more than 250,000 spinal fusion surgical procedures performed each year, 5% to 35% of these will result in pseudarthrosis. Growing controversy on the efficacy and cost of rhBMP-2 for improving spinal fusion outcomes has presented a challenge for clinicians. Research into PTH as an adjunct therapy to rhBMP-2 for spinal fusion has not yet been investigated. METHODS Forty-eight male New Zealand white rabbits underwent bilateral posterolateral intertransverse process arthrodesis surgery at the L5-L6 level. Animals were divided into 6 groups. Two groups were treated with autograft alone or autograft and PTH (1-34), whereas the other 4 groups were treated with low-dose rhBMP-2 alone, high-dose rhBMP-2 alone, or either dose combined with PTH (1-34). All animals were euthanized 6 weeks after surgery. The L4-L7 spinal segment was removed and assessed using manual palpation, computed tomography (CT), and biomechanical testing. RESULTS CT assessments revealed fusion in 50% of autograft controls, 75% of autograft PTH (1-34) animals, 87.5% in the 2 groups treated with low-dose rhBMP-2, and 100% in the 2 groups treated with high-dose rhBMP-2. CT volumetric analysis demonstrated that all groups treated with biologics had fusion masses that were on average significantly larger than those observed in the control group (P < 0.0001). Biomechanical data demonstrated no statistical difference between controls, PTH (1-34), and low-dose rhBMP-2 in any testing orientation. PTH (1-34) did not increase bending stiffness when used adjunctively with either low-dose or high-dose rhBMP-2. CONCLUSION Although intermittent teriparatide administration results in increased fusion mass volume, it does not improve biomechnical stiffness over use of autograft alone. When delivered concurrently with high- and low-dose rhBMP-2, teriparatide provided no statistically significant improvement in biomechanical stiffness. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE N/A.
An Edge-Constrained Localized Delaunay Graph for Geographic Routing in Mobile Ad Hoc and Sensor Networks

In mobile ad hoc and sensor networks, since all nodes are mobile and there is no fixed infrastructure, the design of routing protocols becomes one of the most challenging issues. In recent years, geographic routing protocols have been widely used. Most of them, e.g., greedy-face-greedy routing protocols, need nodes to construct planar graphs as the underlying graphs. In this paper, we propose an edge constrained localized Delaunay graph, denoted by ECLDel, as the underlying graph for geographic routing. We prove that the ECLDel is a planar t-spanner of the unit-disk graph. Geographic routing on ECLDel is as efficient as on the previous work of PLDel in terms of path length (hop count). However, the construction of ECLDel graph is far more simple and it converges faster. This is due to the following two reasons: First, we significantly reduce the number of messages broadcast by each node from five rounds (each round may contain several messages) to only two messages; second, we define two new types of edges, the intersecting Gabriel (IG) edges and the unaware intersection (UI) edges, which are constrained in the ECLDel graph. These edges help significantly reduce the size of messages broadcast by each node. The decrease of both the number and the size of messages broadcast by each node reduces the communication cost, and saves the network bandwidth and node power, which are desirable for mobile ad hoc and sensor networks. Our simulation results show that the average number of messages and the average size of messages broadcast by each node are, respectively, 65 and 42 percent less in the construction of ECLDel than that in PLDel.
Computer-Assisted Map Analysis of Marine Ecosystem Information

Computer-assisted map analysis techniques represent a useful means for comparing and evaluating spatial and temporal distribution patterns of populations and their environments in marine ecosystems. This paper describes considerations in the preparation and analysis of zooplankton data. A cartographic data base of the continental shelf off the northeastern United States was developed and used to demonstrate computer-assisted map analysis techniques for investigating spatial patterns in very large ecosystems. All mapped data were spatially registered by conversion of latitude and longitude coordinates to rotated Lambert conic conformal rectilinear coordinates and stored in grid format of approximately one hundred square kilometers per cell. Continuous spatial distributions of the ship survey data were created by a weighted distance interpolation technique. The analysis of these data included the generations of statistical summaries and maps describing the distributions of three zooplankton species and the gradients of their abundances.
Programmed Photodegradation of Polymeric/Oligomeric Materials Derived from Renewable Bioresources

Renewable polymeric materials derived from biomass with built-in phototriggers were synthesized and evaluated for degradation under irradiation of UV light. Complete decomposition of the polymeric materials was observed with recovery of the monomer that was used to resynthesize the polymers.
Implementation of a General-Purpose Dataflow Multiprocessor

Dataflow is one of the major models of parallel computation. Implementation of a General Purpose Dataflow Multiprocessor extends work in this area by introducing an unusually simple model of dynamic dataflow execution, called the Explicit Token Store (ETS) architecture, and its realization in Monsoon, a large-scale dataflow multiprocessor. Monsoon is currently under construction at the Motorola Microcomputer Division. Papadopoulos argues that the underlying sequential architecture of contemporary multiprocessors has not been able to support the synchronization demands of parallel execution and that these systems have largely failed to meet expectations for programmability and performance. He points out that processors must be fundamentally changed to execute a parallel machine language that coordinates parallel activities efficiently as instructions are scheduled. Although dataflow architectures have met this challenge by radically reformulating the basic specification of a machine program, they have suffered from substantial implementation shortcomings, notable the need for large associative memories. The ETS architecture Papadopoulos introduces here achieves the power of previous tagged-token dataflow architectures, but with a much leaner cycle and much less complexity. Gregory Papadopoulos is an Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the Laboratory for Computer Science at MIT. Contents: General Purpose Multiprocessing. The TaggedToken Dataflow Architecture. The Explicit Token Store. Compiling for an ETS Dataflow Processor. Compiling Imperative Languages for an ETS. Monsoon: An ETS Multiprocessor. A Monsoon Instruction Decoding.
Effect of viscosity on neurite outgrowth and fractal dimension

The growth mechanism by which neurons achieve their characteristic ramified morphology has long been of interest, but determining whether physical parameters, such as viscosity, are important has been difficult due to a lack of useful hypotheses and standard reproducible techniques. We have recently shown that neurons exhibit fractal behavior and that their fractal dimension (df) is consistent with a physical process called diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA). We suggested that this DLA behavior might stem from viscosity differences, chemical gradients or electrical fields (Caserta et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 64 (1990) 95-98). DLA is a model for a large family of growth processes. In order for a process to fit the DLA model, the growth rate must be proportional to the gradient of a field at a point on the growing structure (Feder, Plenum, New York, 1988, Ch. 4). Chemical, electrical, or fluid pressure fields can fit the model depending on the particular physical system under study. Here, we studied growth of retinal neurons from chick embryos in culture media of various fluid viscosities. Thus, we test whether DLA in this system was based on a fluid pressure field. As viscosity was increased from 1 to 4.3 cps, the number of neurite branches decreased 98%. However, there was no effect on df. Over this range of viscosities, total cellular protein synthesis decreased only 17%. The results indicate that, while differences in viscosity between the interior and exterior of the cell affect neurite outgrowth, they do not affect the fractal behavior of neurons. Thus, viscosity differences are not the basis for the DLA pattern of neuronal arborization.
Neo-Darwinism and Evo-Devo: An Argument for Theoretical Pluralism in Evolutionary Biology

There is an ongoing debate over the relationship between so-called neo-Darwinism and evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo) that is motivated in part by the possibility of a theoretical synthesis of the two (e.g., Amundson 2005; Brigandt and Love 2010; Laubichler 2010; Minelli 2010; Pigliucci and Muller 2010). Through analysis of the terms and arguments employed in this debate, I argue that an alternative line of argument has been missed. Specifically, I use the terms of this debate to argue that a relative significance issue (Beatty 1995, 1997) exists and reflects a theoretical pluralism that is likely to remain.
Class-based dynamic buffer allocation for optical burst switching networks

Optical burst switching (OBS) is a promising technology to facilitate IP-over-WDM. In order to improve the quality of services (QoS) in OBS transmission networks, an adaptive method based on linear predictive filtering is proposed to dynamically allocate the limited optical buffers to different classes of traffic. Optical buffers are allocated on a per-class and per-label basis, according to the incoming traffic intensity and priority. This buffer management strategy decreases traffic loss caused by resource contention, and gives the loss-sensitive traffic precedence to access buffers over the loss-tolerant traffic. A new system model is introduced, and simulations show that our proposed adaptive-filter-based dynamic buffer allocation method provides better QoS compliance to traffic with higher priority, and achieves a lower system weighted loss than a fixed-sized buffer system does.
Engineered porous and coated Silica particulates for CMP applications

The aim of this study has been to synthesize the microporous silica spheres and to coat as-synthesized SiO2 with CeO2 for CMP applications. First, spherical microporous silica powders with a narrow size distribution have been prepared by a precipitation technique involving the hydrolysis reaction of a silicon alkoxide in ethanol. The interparticle microporosity has been created by adsorption of an organic compound (glycerol) as the porogen. The presence of glycerol during the synthesis affects considerably the precipitation mechanism and its effect on the particle size will be discussed. The synthesis of silica microporous spheres of narrow size distribution yielded the preparation, by varying particle size and porosity, of a wide range of aqueous silica slurries. The influence of particle size, particle size distribution, porosity and particle concentration will be discussed in chemical mechanical polishing applications. Although silica particles show large plastic deformation than the bulk material, very good glass polishing rates are obtained due to the plastic deformation of the silica layer during CMP. Silica particles are suitable candidates for application in CMP because silica can be directly precipitated as monodispersed spheres, their narrow size distribution being an important requirement in CMP applications. Secondly, as-synthesized silica particles were coated with the cerium dioxide particles having hexagonal shape, which were precipitated by decomposition from the cerium precursors. For this study, three coating processes were introduced to investigate the best coating parameters. Improvements in CMP of glass were also obtained by coating silica particles with cerium oxide nanoparticles.
Application of Bhattacharyya kernel-based Centroid Neural Network to the classification of audio signals

A novel approach for the classification of audio signals using Centroid Neural Network with Bhattacharyya kernel (CNN/BK) is evaluated and reported in this paper. The classifier is based on Centroid Neural Network (CNN) and also exploits advantages of the kernel method for mapping input data into a higher dimensional feature space. Extensive experiments and results on a set of audio data demonstrate that the classification scheme based on CNN/BK outperforms CNN and Self-Organizing Map(SOM) that utilize Euclidean distance for their distance measure in terms of classification accuracy.
A Critical Elements Approach to Developing Checklists for a Clinical Performance Examination

A two-stage process was used to develop checklists for cases on a clinical performance examination for a clerkship in family medicine. Items generated for each checklist were reviewed by faculty members to determine which of them might be deemed "critical" to the case; those which were so important that less than mastery would result in failure of the exam. For each case, a score was determined based on completion of the items which judges rated as "critical," and weights for each of the items on the checklists were generated. This method yielded a scoring protocol for each case. The protocol is outlined and applied to a hypothetical student. The perceived advantages of the approach are discussed and suggestions made for further work. The protocol is being used to develop similar checklists for additional cases as they are written for the clinical performance examination.
Wallop: designing social software for co-located social networks

Technology is increasingly being incorporated into people's day-to-day social relationships, particularly for people whose friendships occupy the center of their social lives. In the following paper we discuss a co-located social group's tendency to integrate planning and re-experiencing around social events with tools for persistent conversations. Through a questionnaire study we found that emails and mailing lists were used as much as phone conversations to plan social activities, and that said usage was positively correlated with measures of friendship satisfaction, sense of community, and percentage of time spent socializing. In response to our observations, we designed a sharing and communication application, Wallop, to enrich the co-located social group's planning and sharing around social events. Wallop provides both communication and social awareness tools, enabling users to build conversations in the context of shared content and browse their implicit social networks. Initial responses to Wallop from a focus group and limited deployment to test users have been positive.
Air-gap transmission lines for multiprocessor interconnects on FR-4 and BT substrates

The fabrication and characterization of low loss parallel plate and microstrip lines with an air dielectric layer is described. The lines are characterized by capacitance and loss tangent at 10 kHz and 100 kHz and by S-parameters up to 10 GHz. The inclusion of the air-gap significantly reduced the loss tangent and lowered the dielectric constant to between 1.5 and 1.8. More complicated transmission line structures could be fabricated using the described techniques.
Marketing and Cultivation of GMOs in the EU: An Uncertain Balance between Centrifugal and Centripetal Forces

Due to the astounding revolution sparked off by genetic engineering, the artificial modification of the genome through targeted alterations of DNA and RNA is now competing with the traditional phenotype use of living organisms (selective plant and animal breeding, consumption, manufacturing of products, energy production, etc.). Although until recently these were insurmountable obstacles, interspecies barriers to reproduction are fading away, and it is now possible to transfer genes from one species to the genome of another. In short, the artificial genetic engineering is replacing selective breeding. Furthermore, a new age is dawning – that of synthetic biology – in which man will no longer content himself with modifying existing organisms but, thanks to the radical modification of the genome, will be able to create new cells and new organisms.
Inflammatory Processes — Anti-Inflammatory Therapy

Histopathologic studies suggest that inflammatory processes are active at sites of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (see Aisen and Davis, 1994). Acute phase proteins such as a-1 antichymotrypsin (ACT), a-2 macroglobulin and C-reactive protein (CRP) are components of plaques. Interleukins 1 and 6, inflammatory cytokines with the capacity to stimulate expression of acute phase proteins, are present in increased amounts. In addition, early components of the complement cascade are found in the region of neuritic plaques. The cellular component of the inflammatory reaction in the AD brain appears to be the activated microglial cell. These cells bear HLA surface markers, and appear to be closely related to, perhaps derived from, blood-borne mononuclear phagocytes. Activated microglia seem to be involved in the maturation of neuritic plaques.
Design and Fabrication of LTCC Catalyst Chambers.

The reduction in satellite size and mass presents the need to develop a proportionally smaller propulsion system for orbital station keeping. A liquid, monopropellant micropropulsion device made from Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramics (LTCC) has been developed at Boise State University. This robust, simple design uses an embedded silver catalyst chamber to decompose a rocket-grade hydrogen peroxide monopropellant into a hot gas, which is then expelled out through a nozzle to generate thrust. Using LTCC eliminates the planar geometry fabrication constraint commonly found in silicon MEMS processing. This report presents the design and fabrication, and optimization of the hydrogen peroxide catalyst chamber used in these monopropellant microthrusters. Using the standard fabrication process for LTCC an initial prototype was developed. The design of this initial device was developed to measure the efficiency of the catalyst chamber by evaluating the ability of the device to decompose hydrogen peroxide. Catastrop...
Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient with neurofibromatosis I

Neurofibromatosis, otherwise known as von Recklinghausen disease, is a congenital hereditary disorder involving tissues of neuroectodermal or mesodermal origin. Involvement of the coronary arteries is, however, extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first report of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using the bilateral internal mammary arteries for coronary arterial vasculopathy in a patient with neurofibromatosis and of the longest reported follow-up of such a case after bypass surgery.
Inflorescence development in an Ornithogalum dubium hybrid as influenced by bulb temperature treatments

SummaryOrnithogalum dubium hybrid 327 clone 2 (‘327-2’) bulbs were stored dry at 10°, 16°, 22°, 28°, and 35°C for six weeks after harvest. After storage, bulbs were evaluated by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to obtain the spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) profile across the transverse section of intact bulbs, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to observe inflorescence development, and by forcing in a 18.5°/18°C greenhouse to observe growth and flowering responses. Bulbs treated at 10°C had the shortest T1 (0.33 ms) through the bulb which is largely composed of scales. Leaf emergence from bulbs treated at 10°C was delayed, and plants failed to flower. This indicated that bulbs were dormant and dormancy was not broken, thus delaying initiation of floral organs. Bulbs treated at 22°C and 28°C formed the primary inflorescence with several florets. At the base of the primary scape of bulbs treated at 22°C, a vegetative apex was observed by both MRI and SEM. In the centre of bulbs where both leave...
Analysis of Silicon Photonic Microring-based Multistage Switches

The power penalty due to insertion loss and intra-channel cross talk of multistage silicon photonic microring switches is calculated using the transfer matrix method. The results indicate the feasibility of high-radix switches.
Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite by an Oxidative Decomposition Method of Calcium Chelate

Preparation of hydroxyapatite (Hap) was investigated by a homogeneous precipitation technique. The precipitates were obtained by mixing solutions of Ca (NO3)2, (NH4)2HPO4, EDTA-Na and H2O2 at 90°C. The products were identified as carbonate-containing hydroxyapatite by the X-ray diffraction and IR spectrometry. When pH value of the reacting solution was higher than 10, Ca/P molar ratio of the precipitate was 1.67. Synthesized Hap powders by this method had specific surface area of 5-35m2/g, and the Hap particles showed clear hexagonal pyramidal ideomorphic shapes.
The postoperative complication and analysis of huge facial neurofibromaectomy

Objective To explore the postoperative complication-related factors and prevention methods of huge facial neurofibromaectomy.Methods A retrospective analysis was done among 8 cases of huge facial neurofibromaectomy,from 2006 to 2011.Results One case of wound infection,3 cases of delayed wound healing,2 cases of secondary hemorrhage/hematoma formation,1 case of necrosis of the flap,1 case of facial nerve injury were observed perspectively.Patients were followed for 6 months to 4 years,in 2 cases(25% of 8 cases)tumor recurrent.Conclusions Huge facial neurofibromaectomy frequently caused postoperative complications,and fine intraoperative operation,strengthening treatment of postoperative complications is the key to ensuring surgical outcomes.
Refractory period response of cardiac Purkinje tissue to alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic influences.

Our purpose was to characterize Purkinje responses in vivo to alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic stimulation in sinoaortically denervated and vagotomized dogs pretreated with metoprolol (1 mg/kg). We measured Purkinje relative refractory period (PRRP) responses to norepinephrine (NE) and phenylephrine (PE) with prazosin and/or yohimbine, WB-4101, and chloralethylclonidine (CEC) in varying doses. Results were as follows: PE infusion (25 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) prolonged PRRP (9.6 +/- 1.4 ms; a 4.1 +/- 0.4% change). Prazosin blocked PRRP prolongation with PE at 7 x 10(-8) M/kg (P < 0.05). Yohimbine did not attenuate PRRP prolongation with PE either alone or in combination with prazosin. NE infusion (0.8 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) also prolonged PRRP (9.2 +/- 2.3 ms; a 4.8 +/- 1.0% change). In contrast neither prazosin nor yohimbine at any dose (up to 10(-6) M/kg) totally blocked the prolongation with NE infusion. However, with prazosin (2 x 10(-7) M/kg) pretreatment, yohimbine blocked PRRP prolongation, significant at 7 x 10(-8) M/kg (P < 0.05). In separate experiments with yohimbine pretreatment at 7 x 10(-8) M/kg, PRRP prolongation with either PE or NE infusion was blocked equipotently with WB-4101 and CEC at 7 x 10(-8) M/kg. However, CEC did not block mean arterial pressure (MAP) responses to PE or NE infusion unlike WB-4101. We concluded that both subclasses of alpha 1-adrenergic antagonists equipotently block PRRP prolongation by alpha-agonists despite different effects on MAP. Purkinje refractoriness is also prolonged by alpha 2-adrenergic stimulation acting at the cell membrane.
The Effects of DACAmentation: The Impact of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals on Unauthorized Immigrants *

Abstract As the largest immigration policy in 25 years, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) made deportation relief and work authorization available to 1.7 million unauthorized immigrants. This paper looks at how DACA affects DACA-eligible immigrants' labor market outcomes. I use a difference-in-differences design for unauthorized immigrants near the criteria cutoffs for DACA eligibility. I find DACA increases the likelihood of working by increasing labor force participation and decreasing the unemployment rate for DACA-eligible immigrants. I also find DACA increases the income of unauthorized immigrants in the bottom of the income distribution. I find little evidence that DACA affects the likelihood of attending school. Using these estimates, DACA moved 50,000 to 75,000 unauthorized immigrants into employment. If the effects of Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) are similar to DACA, then DAPA could potentially move over 250,000 unauthorized immigrants into employment.
A computational study of ballistic silicon nanowire transistors

Using a rigorous 3D quantum simulator, we report a computational study of ballistic silicon nanowire transistors with arbitrary cross sections (i.e., triangular, rectangular or cylindrical). In comparison with the planar double-gate MOSFET, the silicon nanowire transistor shows promise (e.g., better electrostatic scaling for a given Si body thickness) and may provide a manufacturable opportunity to scale silicon transistors down below the scaling limit of planar MOSFETs.
Shenzhen Development Bank

Weijian Shan, Managing Partner of Newbridge Capital, faces a tough call in regard to his firm's investment in Shenzhen Development Bank, China's fifteenth largest commercial bank listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Due to the aggressive lobby of the existing management at the bank, the Shenzhen government didn't receive central government's support on Newbridge's investment, and had to back out of the deal with Newbridge. Weijian Shan has to make a choice between two alternatives: 1) Give up pursuing the deal given huge political risk out of his control; 2) Work out an action plan and re-negotiate the deal.
Position of O-Acetylation within the Capsular Repeat Unit Impacts the Biological Properties of Pneumococcal Serotypes 33A and 33F

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) produces many capsule types that differ in their abilities to evade host immune recognition. To explain these serotype-dependent protective capacities, many studies have investigated capsular thickness or the interaction of the capsule with complement proteins, but the effects of small chemical modifications of the capsule on its function have not been studied. One small chemical modification found frequently among pneumococcal capsules is O-acetylation. Pneumococcal serotype 33A has two membrane-bound O-acetyltransferase genes, wciG and wcjE A 33A wcjE-deficient variant, 33F, occurs naturally and is increasing in prevalence in the wake of widespread conjugate vaccine use, but no wciG-deficient variants have been reported. To study the biological consequence of the loss of O-acetylation, we created wciG-deficient variants in both serotypes 33A and 33F, which we named 33X1 (ΔwciG) and 33X2 (ΔwciG ΔwcjE). Serotypes 33X1 and 33X2 express novel capsule types based on serological and biochemical analyses. We found that loss of WcjE-mediated O-acetylation appears not to affect cell wall shielding, since serotypes 33A and 33F exhibit comparable nonspecific opsonophagocytic killing, biofilm production, and adhesion to nasopharyngeal cells, though serotype 33F survived short-term drying better than serotype 33A. Loss of WciG-mediated O-acetylation in serotypes 33X1 and 33X2, however, resulted in a phenotype resembling that of nonencapsulated strains: increased cell wall accessibility, increased nonspecific opsonophagocytic killing, enhanced biofilm formation, and increased adhesion to nasopharyngeal cells. We conclude that WciG-mediated, but not WcjE-mediated, O-acetylation is important for producing protective capsules in 33A and that small chemical changes to the capsule can drastically affect its biological properties.
Highly active catalyst derived from a 3D foam of Fe(PO3)2/Ni2P for extremely efficient water oxidation

Commercial hydrogen production by electrocatalytic water splitting will benefit from the realization of more efficient and less expensive catalysts compared with noble metal catalysts, especially for the oxygen evolution reaction, which requires a current density of 500 mA/cm 2 at an overpotential below 300 mV with long-term stability. Here we report a robust oxygen-evolving electrocatalyst consisting of ferrous metaphosphate on self-supported conductive nickel foam that is commercially available in large scale. We find that this catalyst, which may be associated with the in situ generated nickel–iron oxide/hydroxide and iron oxyhydroxide catalysts at the surface, yields current densities of 10 mA/cm 2 at an overpotential of 177 mV, 500 mA/cm 2 at only 265 mV, and 1,705 mA/cm 2 at 300 mV, with high durability in alkaline electrolyte of 1 M KOH even after 10,000 cycles, representing activity enhancement by a factor of 49 in boosting water oxidation at 300 mV relative to the state-of-the-art IrO 2 catalyst.
Rate of Complications Following Spinal Cord Stimulation Paddle Electrode Removal.

Objective Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a safe, reversible surgical treatment for complex regional pain syndrome and failed back surgery syndrome refractory to conventional medical management. Paddle electrodes are routinely used for the permanent implant because of the reduced risk of migration, lower energy requirements, and expanded coverage options. The risks associated with paddle lead removal are not well defined in the literature. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of all patients at the Cleveland Clinic who underwent removal of SCS paddle electrodes between 2009 and 2016. Results We identified 68 patients during this interval who had a paddle electrode removed. The most common reason for removal was loss of coverage or effect (75%), followed by infection (13.24%), and the need for magnetic resonance imaging for diagnostic purposes (8.82%). Postoperative complications occurred in eight patients (11.75%), two of which were classified as major (2.94%). One of these patients developed a postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak, and another suffered a large suprafascial hematoma. Both patients underwent reoperation. Minor complications were reported in six patients (8.82%) and included wound dehiscence, infection, and prolonged ileus in one case. On average, patients who developed complications lost 20 mL more blood during surgery than those who did not develop complications (p = 0.006). Conclusion One of the benefits of SCS therapy is the reversibility of the procedure. However, removal is not without some risk though the overall risk of minor or major complication is low. Patients who are considering removal should be counseled appropriately. Prophylactic removal is not recommended. However, when removal is needed, surgeons and pain specialists must be familiar with these complications and their management.
Discovery of a new class of selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor that covalently modifies the isozyme.

Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (PGHS) catalyzes the first two steps of the arachidonic acid cascade leading to prostaglandin and thromboxane biosynthesis.1 Two distinct PGHS isozymes exist in mammals.2 PGHS-1 is constitutively expressed and involved in the synthesis of cytoprotective prostaglandins in the stomach and thromboxanes in platelets, whereas PGHS-2 is inducible and is a major contributor to prostaglandin biosynthesis in inflammatory cells and in the brain.3 The differential tissue distribution of the isozymes provides a basis for the development of selective PGHS-2 or COX-2 inhibitors as antiinflammatory and analgesic agents without the gastrointestinal and vascular liabilities that plague all currently available NSAIDs. Most COX-2 inhibitors developed to date, including the diarylheterocycles4 and the acidic sulfonamides5, inhibit the enzyme by binding tightly but noncovalently at the cyclooxygenase active site.6
Classical Learning and the Law: Erudition as Persuasion in the Dragon Sinews, Phoenix Marrow Judgments of Zhang Zhuo

Tang literary judgments were essays written in the persona of an official resolving legal and administrative questions. They were an essential component of the civil service selection examination, whereby candidates holding nominal official status were appointed to actual posts in the bureaucracy. Zhang Zhuo’s Longjin fengsui pan (Dragon Sinews, Phoenix Marrow Judgments) is the earliest surviving collection of model judgment answers meant to aid candidates in preparing for the selection examinations. The judgments, composed in parallel prose of four and six syllables, are ornate and erudite, and rarely deal precisely with Tang formal law. This study goes beyond examining Zhang’s work from the perspective of the formal law by exploring how classical learning itself served as a persuasive force in the resolution of cases. I argue that the Longjin fengsui pan shows that the literati were well-versed in the formal law, but prized displays of erudition as a means of articulating the moral, rather than the tech...
Dissecting the Role of Synaptic Proteins with CRISPR

A significant step forward in the study of synaptic physiology is the application of single cell genetic modifications. In this landscape, the dissection of the role of single proteins or, more significantly, their subunits and sub-domains has increased enormously the basic knowledge of synaptic function. CRISPR/Cas9 is a recently developed genome-editing tool that can be used to inactivate or modify genes of interest. Its ease of implementation and affordable cost, combined with its high efficiency, make it a very valuable tool to study various biological processes. The application of this technique in addition to previous genetic approaches vastly simplifies and accelerates the study of specific synaptic proteins. Here we illustrate different ways that CRISPR/Cas9 can be used in the study of synaptic properties.
Glutamate Receptors, Metabotropic

In addition to eliciting fast excitatory synaptic responses, the neurotransmitter glutamate can modulate neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, and other cell functions by activation of a family of G protein-coupled receptors termed metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors. Because of the ubiquitous distribution of glutamatergic synapses and the broad range of functions of the mGlu receptors, members of this receptor family participate in a broad range of functions of the central nervous system. As such, mGlu receptors are an attractive target for therapeutic intervention for a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression.
Evaluation and Treatment of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in Adolescents

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) was added to the psychiatric nomenclature in 2013. However, youth with ARFID often present first to medical—rather than psychiatric—settings, making its evaluation and treatment relevant to pediatricians. ARFID is defined by limited volume or variety of food intake motivated by sensory sensitivity, fear of aversive consequences, or lack of interest in food or eating; and associated with medical, nutritional, and/or psychosocial impairment. It appears to be as common as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and can occur in individuals of all ages. ARFID is heterogeneous in presentation and may require both medical and psychological management. Pediatricians should be aware of the diagnostic criteria for ARFID and the possibility that these patients may require medical intervention and referral for psychological treatment. The neurobiology underlying ARFID is unknown, and novel treatments are currently being tested.
Coss losses in silicon superjunction MOSFETs across constructions and generations

The superjunction (SJ) structure breaks the unipolar material limit of silicon power MOSFETs, and has achieved widespread adoption in commercial power converters. In resonant applications, these SJ devices experience losses due to charging and discharging the parasitic output capacitor, Coss, resulting in losses that increase with switching frequency. We document C OSS losses in commercially-available 600 V superjunction devices, showing that even devices grown with the trench-filling epitaxial method have non-negligible losses in MHz converters. Further, progressing in generations within a manufacturer appears to correspond to higher C OSS losses as the cell pitch is reduced and doping is increased. The C OSS losses may exceed conduction losses in many applications for the devices tested here.
Case 80: A Chronic Pain Patient

Today you are scheduled to anesthetize a 29-year-old female (5 ft 8 in. and 70 kg) for reimplantation of ureters into the bladder. She has had multiple urological surgeries after a failed one 5 years ago. She is a chronic pain patient on the usual medication including fentanyl patch. You see her for the first time in the preoperative area. Her heart rate is 86 bpm, BP 145/85, and respiratory rate 30. She complains about severe abdominal pain (10/10). Her mum and dad, who are at the bedside, inform you that this is her usual pain level, only today it seems worse. The patient agrees but tells you that she has not taken any of her usual pain medication this morning except for the fentanyl patch. She has been fasting since midnight. The patient requests IV pain medication before you take her back to the operating room.
A Metastasizing Carotid-body Tumor

A case of malignant carotid-body tumor is presented. It is unusual in that metastasis was extensive, but confined entirely to the skeleton.
Structure–function analyses reveal a triple β-turn receptor-bound conformation of adrenomedullin 2/intermedin and enable peptide antagonist design

The cardioprotective vasodilator peptide adrenomedullin 2/intermedin (AM2/IMD) and the related adrenomedullin (AM) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) signal through three heterodimeric receptors comprising the calcitonin receptor-like class B G protein-coupled receptor (CLR) and a variable receptor activity-modifying protein (RAMP1, -2, or -3) that determines ligand selectivity. The CGRP receptor (RAMP1:CLR) favors CGRP binding, whereas the AM1 (RAMP2:CLR) and AM2 (RAMP3:CLR) receptors favor AM binding. How AM2/IMD binds the receptors and how RAMPs modulate its binding is unknown. Here, we show that AM2/IMD binds the three purified RAMP-CLR extracellular domain (ECD) complexes with a selectivity profile that is distinct from those of CGRP and AM. AM2/IMD bound all three ECD complexes but preferred the CGRP and AM2 receptor complexes. A 2.05 A resolution crystal structure of an AM2/IMD antagonist fragment-bound RAMP1-CLR ECD complex revealed that AM2/IMD binds the complex through a unique triple β-turn conformation that was confirmed by peptide and receptor mutagenesis. Comparisons of the receptor-bound conformations of AM2/IMD, AM, and a high-affinity CGRP analog revealed differences that may have implications for biased signaling. Guided by the structure, enhanced-affinity AM2/IMD antagonist variants were developed, including one that discriminates the AM1 and AM2 receptors with ∼40-fold difference in affinities and one stabilized by an intramolecular disulfide bond. These results reveal differences in how the three peptides engage the receptors, inform development of AM2/IMD-based pharmacological tools and therapeutics, and provide insights into RAMP modulation of receptor pharmacology.
Should We Question How We Question Children

Children appear in court following trauma in both adversarial and inquisitorial legal systems. Although some countries (e.g., Israel) spare children the necessity of appearing at trial by questioning specially trained youth investigators in their stead, most systems require that, absent special circumstances, when a case proceeds to trial children provide testimony following victimization. In addition, children who allege that they have been victimized must be questioned at some point during legal proceedings, whether during criminal investigations, depositions, and/or at trial. It is important, therefore, to investigate children’s comprehension of the various types of question forms they are likely to encounter during legal proceedings. The purpose of this section is to integrate legal policy, clinical practice and empirical findings regarding the questioning of child witnesses following trauma.
Women in government, environment, and corruption

Abstract A substantial body of research has identified a positive relationship between women and environmental concern and much of this research suggests that a greater percentage of women in positions of political power should enhance environmental quality. Nonetheless, empirical analyses testing this theory are mixed at best. It is posited here that women in political power do have a positive effect on environmental outcomes, but this effect is channeled through their impact on reducing corruption. The primary hypothesis is that a greater percentage of women in positions of political power improves environmental outcomes through both an explicit, overarching effect (a greater general concern for the environment) and indirect effect (a reduction in corruption); however, the indirect effect is statistically stronger. This hypothesis is tested using a large cross-country data set in a mediation analysis and the empirical results support the hypothesized relationship between women in political power and environmental outcomes.
Abraham Lincoln and the Music of the Civil War

Music pervades civilization in almost every institution and serves as a provider of important ideas. Today, music carries heavy political meanings, as artists frequently opt to explicitly voice their opinions and express their emotions through song and dance. The 19th century was no different. An especially turbulent period in American history, the years of Lincoln’s presidency were marked by a staggering amount of political unrest. In this tumultuous time, music played a large role in spreading and reinforcing a wide breadth of beliefs. Acclaimed Lincoln and music historian Kenneth A. Bernard calls the Civil War a “musical war.” His claim is further supported by the fact that more music was produced and performed over the four-year period of the American Civil War than during every other war combined .