cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exchanging murine and human immunoglobulin constant chains affects the kinetics and thermodynamics of antigen binding and chimeric antibody autoreactivity

Mouse-human chimeric antibodies composed of murine variable (V) and human (C) chains are useful therapeutic reagents. Consequently, we investigated whether heterologous C-regions from mice and humans affected specificity and affinity, and determined the contribution of CH glycosylation to antigen binding. The interaction of a 12-mer peptide mimetic with monoclonal antibody (mAb) 18B7 to Cryptococcus neoformans glucuronoxylomannan, and its chimeric (ch) and deglycosylated forms were studied by surface plasmon resonance. The equilibrium and rate association constants for the chAb were higher than for mAb 18B7. V region affinity was not affected by CH region glycosylation whereas heterologous C region of the same isotype altered the Ab binding affinity and the specificity for self-antigens. Structural models displayed local differences that implied changes on the connectivity of residues. These findings suggest that V region conformational changes can be dictated by the CH domains through an allosteric effect involving networks of highly connected amino acids.
Nylon-6 Capillary-Channeled Polymer Fibers as a Stationary Phase for the Mixed-Mode Ion Exchange/Reversed-Phase Chromatography Separation of Proteins

Capillary-channeled polymer (C-CP) fibers extruded from nylon-6 are used as the stationary phase for the ion-exchange/reversed-phase mixed-mode chromatographic separation of a three protein mixture. The nylon-6 C-CP fibers are packed collinearly in a 250 x 1.5-mm i.d. column with an interstitial fraction of approximately 0.6. The effects of four displacing salts at three different pHs are studied with regards to protein retention time, peak width, selectivity, and resolution for a synthetic mixture consisting of myoglobin, ribonuclease A, and lysozyme to determine the optimum mobile phase conditions. The net charge model is found to be inadequate in fully explaining the retention behavior, as the proteins are retained by anion and cation-exchange interactions, as well as hydrophobic interactions with the stationary phase. It is found that pH and displacing salt strength had a significant influence on the retention properties and resolution of the proteins.
A Midlatitude Cirrus Cloud Climatology from the Facility for Atmospheric Remote Sensing. Part I: Macrophysical and Synoptic Properties

Abstract A uniquely extensive high cloud dataset has been collected from the University of Utah Facility for Atmospheric Remote Sensing in support of the First (ISCCP) International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project Regional Experiment extended time observations satellite validation effort. Here in Part I of a series of papers examining the climatological properties of the cirrus clouds studied over Salt Lake City, Utah, ∼2200 h of data collected from 1986–96 is used to create a subset of 1389 hourly polarization ruby (0.694 μm) lidar measurements of cloud layer heights. These data were obtained within ±3 h of the local 0000 UTC National Weather Service radiosonde launches to provide reliable cloud temperature, pressure, and wind data. Future parts of this series will consider the inferred cirrus cloud microphysical and radiative properties. In addition to describing the cirrus macrophysical properties in terms of their yearly, seasonal, and monthly means and variabilities, the synoptic weather patterns...
Antimicrobial Stewardship in Long-term Care Facilities

Although antimicrobial stewardship has been shown to improve microbiologic susceptibility patterns, decrease drug toxicities, and lower overall drug costs in the inpatient setting, there are few studies assessing programs in the long-term care (LTC) setting. Implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs in LTC settings can be challenging as the LTC setting houses a unique population of frail and older adults with several preexisting conditions and multiple risk factors for colonization with multidrug-resistant organisms. Antimicrobial stewardship has an important role in decreasing inappropriate antibiotic use, encouraging targeted treatment of specific disease states, and limiting the untoward effects and costs of antimicrobials in this vulnerable population.
Interaction of Poly(rC) Binding Protein 2 with the 5′ Noncoding Region of Hepatitis A Virus RNA and Its Effects on Translation

Utilization of internal ribosome entry segment (IRES) structures in the 5′ noncoding region (5′NCR) of picornavirus RNAs for initiation of translation requires a number of host cell factors whose distribution may vary in different cells and whose requirement may vary for different picornaviruses. We have examined the requirement of the cellular protein poly(rC) binding protein 2 (PCBP2) for hepatitis A virus (HAV) RNA translation. PCBP2 has recently been identified as a factor required for translation and replication of poliovirus (PV) RNA. PCBP2 was shown to be present in FRhK-4 cells, which are permissive for growth of HAV, as it is in HeLa cells, which support translation of HAV RNA but which have not been reported to host replication of the virus. Competition RNA mobility shift assays showed that the 5′NCR of HAV RNA competed for binding of PCBP2 with a probe representing stem-loop IV of the PV 5′NCR. The binding site on HAV RNA was mapped to nucleotides 1 to 157, which includes a pyrimidine-rich sequence. HeLa cell extracts that had been depleted of PCBP2 by passage over a PV stem-loop IV RNA affinity column supported only low levels of HAV RNA translation. Translation activity was restored upon addition of recombinant PCBP2 to the depleted extract. Removal of the 5′-terminal 138 nucleotides of the HAV RNA, or removal of the entire IRES, eliminated the dependence of HAV RNA translation on PCBP2.
Cryospheric products from Earth Observing System Satellites at the National Snow and Ice Data Center

The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) at the University of Colorado, Boulder archives and distributes several products from sensors on NASA's Terra, Aqua, and ICES at platforms within the Earth Observing System (EOS) suite. A wide range of products, data resolutions, and grids supports decision-makers at all levels in a variety of disciplines. NSIDC scientists are also developing a variety of research products to complement the standard data sets distributed by the data center. These EOS sensors substantially enhance our ability to observe the cryosphere. GLAS represents an entirely new type of sensor for the cryosphere, while AMSR-E and MODIS offer significant improvements over their earlier generations. The products from these sensors, combined with NSIDC's other data sets, are a valuable resource for the investigation of regional and global climate issues and should yield new insights into the cryospheric system in support of NASA's efforts to understand and protect our home planet
Explaining Competitiveness: Alternate Theoretical Frameworks

The case histories of rival leagues presented in the previous two chapters are critical to understanding the nature of competition and competiveness in the major professional sport industry. These histories raise several important questions:
Global nutrition dynamics: the world is shifting rapidly toward a diet linked with noncommunicable diseases

Global energy imbalances and related obesity levels are rapidly increasing. The world is rapidly shifting from a dietary period in which the higher-income countries are dominated by patterns of degenerative diseases (whereas the lower- and middle-income countries are dominated by receding famine) to one in which the world is increasingly being dominated by degenerative diseases. This article documents the high levels of overweight and obesity found across higher- and lower-income countries and the global shift of this burden toward the poor and toward urban and rural populations. Dietary changes appear to be shifting universally toward a diet dominated by higher intakes of animal and partially hydrogenated fats and lower intakes of fiber. Activity patterns at work, at leisure, during travel, and in the home are equally shifting rapidly toward reduced energy expenditure. Large-scale decreases in food prices (eg, beef prices) have increased access to supermarkets, and the urbanization of both urban and rural areas is a key underlying factor. Limited documentation of the extent of the increased effects of the fast food and bottled soft drink industries on this nutrition shift is available, but some examples of the heterogeneity of the underlying changes are presented. The challenge to global health is clear.
Reduce capacitor count 50% in bus-capacitor arrays using new electrolyte

The DC-link bus capacitors after the input rectifier in inverter-powered systems are often chosen to meet the high ripple current requirements, and consequently, larger, more expensive capacitors with more capacitance than needed get designed into systems. This paper shows how a new electrolyte for the aluminum electrolytic bus capacitors can eliminate the need for extra capacitance and reduce the capacitor count by 50%.
Utilizing spares in multichip modules for the dual function of fault coverage and fault diagnosis

Defining a dual role for spare processing elements (PEs) in reliability-challenged processing arrays is the major focus of the paper. The paper also explores a practical way to include reconfiguration hardware in single-package arrays. The implementation of array processor systems may include spare PE's for fault tolerance. These systems typically require a host for fault diagnosis, while the healthy spares sit idle. It is proposed to utilize the idling spare PEs for purposes of fault diagnosis, giving the array the capability of self diagnosis. Fault tolerance must incorporate additional hardware for reconfiguration, and existing plans have not found widespread use in single-package systems due to the extra cost and extra real estate. Multichip modules (MCMs) have the potential to offer fault tolerance with no increase in primary circuit area. It is proposed to contain the reconfiguration hardware in the active substrate of a silicon-based MCM. Further, the switches required for spares coverage can aid in the job of comparison based self-testing. We offer a complete solution to fault-tolerant arrays in the sense that diagnosis, reconfiguration and switching details are all addressed.
Vagaries in the delimitation of character states in quantitative variation--an experimental study.

An experimental study on the delimitation of character states in continuous variation indicates that (1) the way data are presented influences the assignment of character states and (2) states in the same data set are delimited in various ways by different individuals. Forty-nine individuals were given a set of graphs denoting variation of 10 characters in the genus Kalmia (Ericaceae) and outgroups, all identification having been removed from the graphs. The variation was represented in one of three ways: as 95% confidence intervals on a linear scale, as 95% confidence intervals on a log10 scale, or with bars showing SD x 2 on a linear scale. No two individuals scored a set of graphs in the same way, and only one character in one representation was scored identically by all individuals; the scoring for this character was completely different when the ordinate was changed from linear to logarithmic. Together, the 49 individuals delimited states within each character between 9 and 16 different ways. In general, variation represented by 2 X SD bars elicited the largest numbers of different scorings, yet with a relatively low number of states; the complexity of the patterns in the graphs in this representation was greatest. Expert knowledge appears to be of dubious value in delimiting states in such variation, and if such characters are to be used in phylogenetic analyses, states could be delimited by people who know nothing of the details of the study being scored; in any case, presentation of data and an explicit protocol to follow when delimiting states are essential. In converting data of this type into char- acter states, psychological factors are particularly likely to come into play. Other implications of our experiments include the severe underdetermination of some phylogenetic hypotheses by ob- servation and the heterogeneous nature of morphological data. (Character states; cognition; con- tinuous variation; homology; observer variation; similarity.)
Changes in contractile properties of skeletal muscle during developmentally programmed atrophy and death

Skeletal muscle atrophy and death are protracted processes that accompany aging and pathological insults in mammals. The intersegmental muscles (ISMs) from the tobacco hawkmoth Manduca sexta are composed of giant fibers that undergo distinct hormonally-regulated programs of atrophy and death at the end of metamorphosis. Atrophy occurs during the 3 days preceding adult emergence and results in a 40% reduction of mass, whereas death takes place during the subsequent 30 h and results in the complete loss of the fibers. There are no significant changes in tetanic force or calcium sensitivity in skinned fiber preparations during atrophy. However, the size of caffeine-induced contractions fell by about 50%. With the onset of the death phase, dramatic reductions occur in ISM: tetanic force, twitch amplitude, resting potential, caffeine-induced contractions, calcium sensitivity, and Hill coefficients. Several lines of evidence suggest that ISM atrophy is caused by an increase in protein turnover without significant modification of fiber organization. In contrast, ISM death is accompanied by disorganization of the contractile apparatus and concomitant loss of contractile function.
Reduced-Order Load Models for Large Populations of Flexible Appliances

To respond to volatility and congestion in the power grid, demand response (DR) mechanisms allow for shaping the load compared to a base load profile. When tapping on a large population of heterogeneous appliances as a DR resource, the challenge is in modeling the dimensions available for control. Such models need to strike the right balance between accuracy of the model and tractability. The goal of this paper is to provide a medium-grained stochastic hybrid model to represent a population of appliances that belong to two classes: deferrable or thermostatically controlled loads. We preserve quantized information regarding individual load constraints, while discarding information about the identity of appliance owners. The advantages of our proposed population model are 1) it allows us to model and control load in a scalable fashion, useful for ex-ante planning by an aggregator or for real-time load control; 2) it allows for the preservation of the privacy of end-use customers that own submetered or directly controlled appliances.
Polyelectrolyte effects on the quenching of pyrene fluorescence in solutions of a pyrene substituted poly(acrylic acid)

The quenching of pyrene fluorescence by nitromethane, Tl+, Cu2+, I−, and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) in aqueous solutions of a pyrene substituted poly(acrylic acid) (1) was influenced by the “polyelectrolyte effect” of 1. The efficiency of quenching in solutions of 1 was measured in terms of the Stern–Volmer constants for dynamic and static quenching which were obtained from comparison of the intensity and lifetime of pyrene fluorescence in solutions of 1 and a monomer model compound. The efficiency of quenching in solutions of 1 was always greater at high pH (9) in comparison to that at low pH (4). The ionization of carboxylic groups in 1 caused an expansion of the polymer mainchain and concomitant exposure of the pyrene molecules to the aqueous phase and quencher. The polyanion domain of 1 favored the condensation of cationic quenchers and could account for very efficient quenching in case of Cu2+ and Tl+. A very efficient quenching of pyrene fluorescence in solutions of 1 by DMAP at high pH was attributed to the hydrophobic interactions of DMAP and pyrene moiety. The iodide ions were less efficient quenchers of pyrene fluorescence due to electrostatic repulsion from the polyanion. The efficiency of quenching by nitromethane was not significantly affected by ionization of the carboxylic groups in 1.
A Reliable and Valid Weighted Scoring Instrument for Use in Grading APA-Style Empirical Research Report:

The scoring instrument described in this article is based on a deconstruction of the seven sections of an American Psychological Association (APA)-style empirical research report into a set of learning outcomes divided into content-, expression-, and format-related categories. A double-weighting scheme used to score the report yields a final grade that reflects the relative importance of outcomes in each category and the differential contribution of each section of the report to the report as a whole. The scores produced by the instrument are reliable between and within raters and significantly correlated with students’ cumulative grade point averages. The author hopes the instrument can provide a useful framework for scoring any set of learning outcomes an instructor defines as the essential elements of an APA-style research report.
The application of estimation theory to managing risk in product developments

Risk in product development is defined as the probability that the product will not satisfy all of its requirements. Effective product development, to minimize risk, is posed as an optimal estimation problem. A solution is found by applying estimation theory and drawing the analogy between design uncertainty and measurement noise. Application of the solution is demonstrated by analyzing an aerodynamic design task and optimizing a plan for preliminary design of a long range transport aircraft.
The Lagrangian Potential Vorticity Balance during POLYMODE

Abstract The terms in the Lagrangian potential vorticity equation are estimated by three different methods using clusters of SOFAR floats in the main (700 m) and lower (1300 m) thermocline of the POLYMODE region. The Lagrangian stretching term, which is the most difficult to observe, has been estimated in the main thermocline using a combination of SOFAR float and hydrographic data. The stretching term may be estimated below the main thermocline from float trajectories and knowing the topographic gradient. The 700 m mesoscale balance is either that of beta and vortex stretching balancing the material time derivative of relative vorticity (dζ/dt), or that of beta and dζ/dt balancing vortex stretching. The mean 700 m balance is the former type. The Lagrangian potential vorticity balances indicate internal convergences and divergences at 700 m. The mean and most of the synoptic 1300 m balances are achieved by beta and vortex stretching of equal magnitude balancing dζ/dt. This is because topographic and plane...
Fictive Motion in Milton

Construal of fictive motion constructions involves a complex of correlated cognitive parameters, including spatial reference frame, kind and direction of motion implied, and degree of entrenchment. Because fictive motion research to date has not sufficiently controlled for these variables, its findings remain ambiguous and contestable. This paper analyzes conventional coverage path constructions and novel emanation path constructions in order to outline an experimental program that could attend simultaneously to a) the representational prerequisites for fictive motion construal (e.g., one or another spatial reference frame); b) the type of trajector (e.g., object, scan path, or conceptualizer); c) the extent and effects of linguistic conventionalization and cognitive automation; and d) the neural substrates operative in these different conditions.
Metoclopramide: a novel adjunct for improving cardiac and hepatocellular functions after trauma-hemorrhage.

Although metoclopramide (MCP) administration after trauma-hemorrhage restores the depressed immune functions, it remains unknown whether this agent has any salutary effects on the depressed cardiovascular and hepatocellular functions under those conditions. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a midline laparotomy (i.e., induction of soft-tissue trauma) and were then bled to and maintained at a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 40 mmHg until 40% of the maximal shed blood volume was returned in the form of Ringer lactate (RL). The rats were then resuscitated with four times the shed blood volume in the form of RL over 60 min. MCP (2 mg/kg body wt) or vehicle was administered subcutaneously at the end of resuscitation. At 24 h after resuscitation, cardiac index and hepatocellular function (i.e., the maximum velocity and the overall efficiency of indocyanine green clearance) were determined. Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and prolactin were also assayed. The results indicate that treatment with MCP after trauma-hemorrhage and resuscitation significantly improved the depressed cardiac output and hepatocellular function. Furthermore, MCP administration significantly increased circulating levels of prolactin and decreased the plasma levels of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6. Thus, administration of MCP, which increased prolactin secretion, appears to be a useful adjunct for restoring the depressed cardiac and hepatocellular functions and downregulating inflammatory cytokine release after trauma and hemorrhagic shock.
Multiferroic Magnetoelectric Composites/Hybrids

The multiferroic magnetoelectric (ME) effect describes the coupling between the electric and magnetic fields, and is defined as a generated electric polarization P in response to an externally applied magnetic field H (direct ME effect), or an induced magnetization M with an applied electric field E (converse ME effect). Unfortunately, the ME coupling of all the known single-phase materials is usually small at room temperature to be practically applicable. Alternatively, multiferroic composites (ferroelectric and ferri/ferromagnetic phases) typically yield a giant ME coupling response above room temperature, which makes them attractive for technological applications. In the composites, the ME effect is generated as a product property of the magnetostrictive effect (magnetic/mechanical effect) and piezoelectric effect (mechanical/electric effect). To achieve a large ME response, piezoelectric constituent with a high piezoelectric coefficient, magnetostrictive constituent with a high piezomagnetic coefficient, and good coupling between the piezoelectric and magnetostrictive constituent are required. In this chapter, we begin with a brief overview of the development of each material’s constituent (piezoelectrics and magnetostriction) providing a list of state-of-the-art piezoelectric and magnetostrictive materials in multiferroic ME hybrid. Next, a discussion is provided on the composite structure and interface elastic coupling between the piezoelectric and magnetostrictive phases. After that we describe the fabrication process of several important ME hybrids with different phase connectivity, interface, and configuration. Considering the importance of nanostructure and 2–2-type ME composite, the scaling effect and theoretical modeling for these architectures are presented in some detail. Following these sections, some of the potential applications for ME hybrids are reviewed and illustrated by examples. Lastly, the chapter is concluded with a brief summary and future perspective.
The Differentiation of the Paratyphoid-Enteritidis Group, IIIThe Uncommonness of B. Suipestifer in the Intestines of Normal Swine

Observations on the occurrence of bacilli of the paratyphoidenteritidis-suipestifer group in the intestines of normal animals have been made by several European investigators, but the results and conclusions are widely at variance. The facts regarding the distribution and normal habitat of the suipestifer organisms are practically important in view of their bearing on a variety of human and animal diseases, and especially is this true if the conclusions of certain German writers in regard to the regional distribution of the group be accepted. Since the relations of these organisms to hog cholera are still obscure, the relative frequency of occurrence in normal swine offers another point of interest. Dorset and his co-workers' found in one case in the intestines of normal hogs "an organism which possessed the cultural characters of B. cholerae suis," but which lacked pathogenic power for guineapigs. Morgan2 also reported finding organisms having the cultural and agglutinative reactions of B. paratyphosus A and B. enteritidis in pigs' feces and in the scrapings from the mucous surface of the large and small intestines of these animals. A most comprehensive investigation of the subject was made by Uhlenhuth, Xylander, Hiibener and Bohtz,3 who examined the intestinal contents of 600 presumably healthy swine at the central abattoir in Berlin. These investigators found in 51 of these animals (8.4%) bacilli that resembled in cultural, agglutinative and pathogenic properties the bacilli that they had isolated from animals suffering from hog cholera. These observations have been extensively quoted and have been regarded as explaining the frequent occurrence of these bacilli in hog cholera as a secondary invasion of the
The New Cultural Politics

American political history can-indeed it must-be separated into eras according to the grand issue around which politics revolved. Needless to say, there have been few such issues, able to mark off an entire political era. Constitutionalism and governmental structure at the beginning of an independent American history, regionalism and geographic development during much of the nineteenth century, social class and economic welfare during much of the twentieth-this would probably exhaust the list. Now, there is a fourth grand issue. Now, as a result, there is a new political era as well. This underlying concern is not widely identified, much less celebrated. Yet it has been the energizing force in national party politics for some time. And it will shape the subsequent course of that politics, glacially and ineluctably, for many years to come. The Great Cultural Divide
Evolution and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) : Part I: Infant responsivity to parental contact.

This paper and its subsequent parts (Part II and Part III) build on an earlier publication (McKenna 1986). They suggest that important clinical data on the relationship between infantile constitutional deficits and microenvironmental factors relevant to SIDS can be acquired by examining the physiological regulatory effects (well documented among nonhuman primates) that parents assert on their infants when they sleep together.I attempt to show why access to parental sensory cues (movement, touch, smell, sound) that induce arousals in infants while they sleep could possibly help one of many different subclasses of infants either to override certain kinds of sleep-induced breathing control errors suspected to be involved in SIDS or to avoid them altogether. I do not suggest that solitary nocturnal sleep "causes" SIDS, that all parents should sleep with their infants, or that traditional SIDS research strategies should be abandoned. However, using evolutionary data, I do suggest that an adaptive fit exists between parent-infant sleep contact and the natural physiological vulnerabilities of the neurologically immature human infant, whose breathing system is more complex than that of other mammals owing to its speech-breathing abilities. This "fit" is best understood, it is argued, in terms of the 4-5 million years of human evolution in which parent-infant contact was almost certainly continuous during at least the first year of an infant's life. Thus, to dismiss the idea that solitary sleep has no physiological consequences for infants does not accord with scientific facts.
Case Report: A New Presentation of Disseminated Histoplasmosis in a Homosexual Man with Aids

The clinical and histopathological features and the therapeutic response of a pustular eruption occurring in a homosexual man with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is reported. The rare cutaneous presentation consisted of mostly circumscribed, tender, tense pustules, associated with erythema, confined to the face and neck. Biopsy of these lesions revealed intracellular round to oval bodies surrounded by a clear space, consistent with Histoplasma capsulatum. Prompt resolution was observed after initiation of amphotericin B therapy. Clinicians are alerted to the occurrence of exotic presentations of this entity and emphasis is given to the need for skin biopsy and culture to avoid delay in diagnosis and failure to initiate appropriate therapy.
Soil enzyme activity and influencing factors in lakeside wetland of Poyang Lake,Jiangxi Province of eastern China

In order to elucidate the change of soil enzyme activity and its influencing factors,we collected soil samples from 0 to 10 cm depth in February,May,September and November 2011 in lakeside wetland,Poyang Lake of eastern China,and measured the soil properties and soil enzyme activities related to organic carbon transformation,meanwhile the relationships between soil enzyme activities and soil properties were examined. The results showed that the changes of soil pH,the concentrations of organic carbon and total nitrogen were not significant through different months in a year. However,the changing trends of soil enzyme activities were significantly different. The activities of cellobiase and β-glucosidase demonstrated a distinct maximum in September; but the highest activity of phenoloxidase appeared in February,and the lowest was in September; the highest peroxidase activity was in November; whereas there was no significant difference for chitinase activity. Correlation analysis showed that the soil water content was negatively related to the activities of phenoloxidase and peroxidase; the soil surface temperature was positive related to cellobiose activity and negative related to peroxidase activity. The contents of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen showed a significant negative correlation with β-glucosidase,and highly significant positive correlation with peroxidase. Our results suggest that thevariation of different soil enzyme activity is strongly related to the change of soil water content,and the impact of soil organic carbon and nitrogen on soil enzyme activity is generally weak in lakeside wetlands.
A consideration of cooperation in agricultural science and technology between two sides of the Straits

Based on analysis of the advantages and characteristics of agricultural science and technology on two sides of the Straits,the field of cooperation in agricultural science and technology between two sides of the Straits in the end of the Eleventh Five-year Plan and during the Twelfth Five-year Plan is proposed.From the perspective of complementation of resources,research,develop-ment,industries and markets between two sides of the Straits,the prospects of cooperation in agricultural science and technology be-tween two sides of the Straits are presented,accordingly the countermeasures are proposed.(1) Developing agricultural products trade between two sides of the Straits.(2) Establishing association of cooperation in agricultural science and technology between two sides of the Straits.(3) Building the experimental area for agricultural cooperation between two sides of the Straits and Taiwan farmers bus-iness area.(4) Demonstrating Taiwan meticulousizing agriculture and science-technology popularization.(5) Build a system to sup-port the scientific and technological cooperation in agriculture.(6) Strengthening the protection of intellectual property rights.
Lobbying in the Shadows: How Private Interests Hide from Public Scrutiny, and Why that Matters

In this chapter, I explore how common it is for professionals engaged in policy influence activities to report or not report lobbying under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA), develop a new measure to detect the effects of unreported lobbying activities, and examine alternative explanations for the causes and consequences of unreported lobbying. First, I review normative theories of political representation to make the case that interest groups and their lobbyists are absolutely necessary for our democracy to function well. Second, I evaluate the LDA through the lens of targeted transparency policy (Fung, Graham, and Weil 2007) to highlight the law's weaknesses. Third, I empirically examine how LDA disclosures have changed over time, especially since the passage of its first major revision in 2007 under the comparatively partisan Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (HLOGA). Finally, I recommend modest policy changes to improve lobbying and influence transparency that preserves political speech protections.
Design and Simulation of a Meteorological Data Monitoring System Based on a Wireless Sensor

A system for observing meteorological data based on a wireless sensor network (WSN) is designed to fulfill the business requirements for meteorological data observation in unattended areas. The WSN is based on the ZigBee communication protocol, which can implement a system with low power consumption, self-organizing capability, and a large scope. The hardware design is based on the CC2530 chip, which is the first ZigBee system on chip produced by the TI company. The WSN designed by the improved distance vector-hop localization algorithm for a wireless sensor using simulation software demonstrates the effectiveness of the algorithm. The system ensures the accuracy and reliability of the meteorological observation data.
Chloride Anions Regulate Kinetics but Not Voltage-Sensor Qmax of the Solute Carrier SLC26a5.

Abstract In general, SLC26 solute carriers serve to transport a variety of anions across biological membranes. However, prestin (SLC26a5) has evolved, now serving as a motor protein in outer hair cells (OHCs) of the mammalian inner ear and is required for cochlear amplification, a mechanical feedback mechanism to boost auditory performance. The mechanical activity of the OHC imparted by prestin is driven by voltage and controlled by anions, chiefly intracellular chloride. Current opinion is that chloride anions control the Boltzmann characteristics of the voltage sensor responsible for prestin activity, including Q max , the total sensor charge moved within the membrane, and V h , a measure of prestin's operating voltage range. Here, we show that standard narrow-band, high-frequency admittance measures of nonlinear capacitance (NLC), an alternate representation of the sensor's charge-voltage ( Q - V ) relationship, is inadequate for assessment of Q max , an estimate of the sum of unitary charges contributed by all voltage sensors within the membrane. Prestin's slow transition rates and chloride-binding kinetics adversely influence these estimates, contributing to the prevalent concept that intracellular chloride level controls the quantity of sensor charge moved. By monitoring charge movement across frequency, using measures of multifrequency admittance, expanded displacement current integration, and OHC electromotility, we find that chloride influences prestin kinetics, thereby controlling charge magnitude at any particular frequency of interrogation. Importantly, however, this chloride dependence vanishes as frequency decreases, with Q max asymptoting at a level irrespective of the chloride level. These data indicate that prestin activity is significantly low-pass in the frequency domain, with important implications for cochlear amplification. We also note that the occurrence of voltage-dependent charge movements in other SLC26 family members may be hidden by inadequate interrogation timescales, and that revelation of such activity could highlight an evolutionary means for kinetic modifications within the family to address hearing requirements in mammals.
Does facial expression recognition provide a toehold for the development of emotion understanding

The authors explored predictions from basic emotion theory (BET) that facial emotion expression recognition skills are insular with respect to their own development, and yet foundational to the development of emotional perspective-taking skills. Participants included 417 preschool children for whom estimates of these 2 emotion understanding variables and receptive language skills were obtained at 2 time points, separated by 24 weeks. Path results for autoregressive cross-lagged structural equation models revealed support for the BET predictions for younger preschoolers (ages 36 to 48 months). In contrast, results for older preschoolers (ages 49 to 67 months) revealed bidirectional influences between receptive language and emotion understanding consistent with constructionist theories of emotion. FINDINGS support a hybrid model in which associations between receptive language and emotion understanding skills are initially nonsignificant and become significant over time. The implications of emotion expression recognition as an early toehold for the development of more advanced emotion understanding skills are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record(c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
The 'Dost Test' in Child Pornography Law: 'Trial by Rorschach Test'

This Chapter considers a pivotal but deeply problematic aspect of the definition of “child pornography”: the six factor “Dost test.” Although never considered by the Supreme Court, the Dost test, developed by a California district court, has become a key feature of child pornography law, adopted by virtually all state and lower federal courts as part of the definition of child pornography. Despite the near universal adherence to Dost, however, I argue that deep and unrecognized problems plague the test. Through a close reading of decisions applying the Dost factors, I show that these cases reveal startling uncertainties at the core of the test. Ultimately, I show that these uncertainties pose severe and unrecognized free speech problems. In my view, many cases decided under Dost may be unconstitutional in light of Supreme Court precedent; the definition of child pornography has become divorced from the Court’s foundational rationale for why we may ban this material consistent with the First Amendment.
Exceptionally high magnetization of stoichiometric Y3Fe5O12 epitaxial films grown on Gd3Ga5O12

The saturation magnetization of Y3Fe5O12 (YIG) epitaxial films 4 to 250 nm in thickness has been determined by complementary measurements including the angular and frequency dependencies of the ferromagnetic resonance fields as well as magnetometry measurements. The YIG films exhibit state-of-the-art crystalline quality, proper stoichiometry, and pure Fe3+ valence state. The values of YIG magnetization obtained from all the techniques significantly exceed previously reported values for single crystal YIG and the theoretical maximum. This enhancement of magnetization, not attributable to off-stoichiometry or other defects in YIG, opens opportunities for tuning magnetic properties in epitaxial films of magnetic insulators.
Constrained autonomous satellite docking via differential flatness and model predictive control

We investigate trajectory generation algorithms that allow a satellite to autonomously rendezvous and dock with a target satellite to perform maintenance tasks, or transport the target satellite to a new operational location. We propose different path planning strategies for each of the phases of rendezvous. In the first phase, the satellite navigates to a point in the Line of Sight (LOS) region of the target satellite. We show that the satellite's equations of motion are differentially flat in the relative coordinates, hence the rendezvous trajectory can be found efficiently in the flat output space without a need to integrate the full nonlinear dynamics. In the second phase, we use model predictive control (MPC) with linearized dynamics to navigate the spacecraft to the final docking location within a constrained approach envelope. We demonstrate feasibility of this study by simulating a sample docking mission.
Commentary: Mining gene-lifestyle interactions in UK Biobank: all that glitters isn’t gold

Commentary : mining gene-lifestyle interactions in UK Biobank: all that glitters isn't gold
Characteristics of Solar Energetic Ions as a Function of Longitude

Since the 2006 launch of STEREO, multi-spacecraft studies have yielded several surprising results regarding the spread of solar energetic particles (SEPs) within the inner heliosphere. We have investigated the role of energy and ridigity, using ACE and STEREO 10 MeV n^(−1) oxygen data to identify 41 large SEP events observed by two or three spacecraft. We calculated fluence spectra from ~0.1 to >10 MeV n^(−1) for H, He, O, and Fe for each event at the observing spacecraft (including SOHO and GOES). The particle fluences at 0.3, 1, and 10 MeV n^(−1) were examined as a function of the distance between the associated solar flare longitude and the spacecraft magnetic footpoints at the Sun to determine the longitudinal spread of particles and study how the distribution centers and widths depend on energy and charge-to-mass (Q/M) for the first time. On average, the three-spacecraft event distributions were centered at 22 ± 4° west of the flare site and were 43 ± 1° wide, though there was substantial variability, while the fit to the aggregate of the two-spacecraft event fluences yielded significantly wider distributions at 0.3 and 1 MeV n^(−1). The widths derived from both the three- and two-spacecraft events show an energy dependence with distributions narrowing with increasing energy, consistent with lower energy ions experiencing more field line co-rotation, or being accelerated over a larger portion of the CME-driven shock or for longer times as the shock expands. Surprisingly, no clear evidence was found for a Q/M dependence to the widths or centers suggesting that rigidity-related processes are not the dominant means of spreading particles in longitude.
The Effect of Nuclear Radiation on Fibrous Materials: Part II: Dyeing Characteristics of Irradiated Cotton and Rayon

The dye adsorption characteristics of a series of cotton and rayon samples exposed for different periods of time to gamma rays and to thermal neutrons have been deter mined. For this work substantive dyes of known behavior toward degraded celluloses were used. The effect produced in the case of neutrons was twofold. At the early stages and again during the later stages of irradiation, the dye adsorption of the samples was increased: at intermediate exposures the adsorption was decreased. Because hy drolyzed cellulose behaves in the former manner and the acidic type of oxidized cellulose in the latter, the data suggest that neutrons have an effect similar to both hydrolysis and oxidation. Gamma rays (CO60). however, gave only the effect of oxidation.
Infeasibility resolution for multi-purpose batch process scheduling

Abstract Scheduling decisions give rise to some of the most challenging optimization problems in the process industry. Formulating mathematical models for scheduling problems and devising tailored solution algorithms for these models has been the main thrust of previous literature. In this work, we focus on analyzing and resolving the cause of bottlenecks and infeasibilities in generic scheduling problems. We present a systematic approach for infeasibility diagnosis. Our approach exploits the known structure of scheduling models to isolate interpretable infeasible sets of constraints. We demonstrate the power of the algorithm on infeasible instances of the Westenberger–Kallrath multipurpose batch process modeled using a state-task network (STN) representation. The methodology presented in the paper is able to successfully analyze the cause of infeasibility and provide recommendations for resolving it. We also demonstrate how these insights and recommendations can be presented to scheduling operators with little or no optimization expertise in an intuitive manner.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as adjunctive strategy in treatment of glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common type of malignant intracranial tumor in adults. Tumor tissue hypoxia, high mitotic rate, and rapid tumor spread account for its poor prognosis. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may improve the sensitivity of radio-chemotherapy by increasing oxygen tension within the hypoxic regions of the neoplastic tissue. This review summarizes the research of HBOT applications within the context of experimental and clinical GBM. Limited clinical trials and preclinical studies suggest that radiotherapy immediately after HBOT enhances the effects of radiotherapy in some aspects. HBOT also is able to strengthen the anti-tumor effect of chemotherapy when applied together. Overall, HBOT is well tolerated in the GBM patients and does not significantly increase toxicity. However, HBOT applied by itself as curative strategy against GBM is controversial in preclinical studies and has not been evaluated rigorously in GBM patients. In addition to HBOT favorably managing the therapeutic resistance of GBM, future research needs to focus on the multimodal or cocktail approaches to treatment, as well as molecular strategies targeting GBM stem cells.
Origin of Cell Components, Structure, and Function

Publisher Summary The principal macromolecular components of cells are the proteins and the nucleic acids. There may never be an unequivocal and direct proof of how the first cell actually originated on earth. To understand how chemical evolution could have taken place on the prebiological earth, it is necessary to first establish a description of the early earth conditions. The proteinoid microsphere model reveals what could have happened. The model is an experimental one and provides factual information about the nature of life's materials and of life itself. Under the imputed prebiotic Earth conditions, biogenic materials can evolve progressively from simple molecules to minimal cells. The most versatile method for scientific investigation into the nature of molecular evolution is through constructionistic experimentation. Simple elements are allowed to react to form larger and more complex products. When such experiments are conducted under conditions imputed to the primordial Earth, it can help understand the evolutionary pathways of the origins of biomolecules and of protocells.
Dendrimers and Dendrimer-Polymer Hybrids

The synthesis and study of dendrimers has been truly dramatic in the last ten years. This review gives a brief introduction to some of the key concepts and main synthetic strategies in dendrimer chemistry. The focus of the chapter is a survey of modern analytical techniques and physical characterization of dendrimers. Results of model calculations and experiments probing the dimensions and conformation of dendrimers are reviewed. In the final sections the experimental work on dendrimer-polymer hybrids is highlighted. The dense spherical conformation of dendrimers has been combined with the loose random-coil conformation of ordinary polymers to form new hybrids with potentially interesting new properties.
Spinal cord tumors during pregnancy

The diagnosis of and therapy for spinal cord tumors occurring during pregnancy are discussed. A case of pilocytic astrocytoma, not reported previously in the literature, is presented.