cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulating nonlinear dynamics and chaos in a MEMS cantilever using poincare mapping

We have used Poincare mapping to find and characterize nonlinear dynamics and chaos in a periodically forced, electrostatically actuated MEMS cantilever intended for a probe-based data storage chip. The results show significant chaotic regions in the excitation parameter space that would not be found with standard Simulink-type simulations for both open and closed loop control of the cantilever. For one case the stable operation range is reduced by 25% because of a chaotic response. We have also found a region of bi-stability for the closed loop at low gain.
Trusted puppets, tarnished politicians: Humor and cynicism in Berlusconi's Italy

How does humor serve political leaders widely seen as inept? How does political satire shift when a country's own prime minister is both media mogul and object of ridicule? I examine humor of and about Italy's Silvio Berlusconi and look at the country's top news parody program, especially its mascot: a big, red puppet named Gabibbo, who is praised as a “civil defender.” I argue that Berlusconi's own humor forges ties to an Italian citizenry habituated in the 1980s to political spectacle—the carefully staged and sensational exhibitionism of national politics—and, subsequently, to the media saturation of late-liberal politics. I show how political spectacle gave way to a cynicism capable of simultaneously propelling Berlusconi's peculiar popularity and transforming puppets into truth-tellers.
Multi-spectral tunable excitation fluorescence microscopy with a nanoimprinted PDMS-on-silicon grating optical filter

We report a MEMS-based tunable grating optical filter device and its integration with a fluorescence microscope system. This integration allows for voltage-controlled wavelength tuning of excitation light from a multi-band source. We demonstrate the system's capability to selectively excite fluorescence protein molecules with different excitation/emission spectral characteristics using a chip of optical filter device arrays, each with a very small (2mm × 2 mm) footprint. The demonstrated technology has potential to enable massively-parallel multispectral fluorescence microscopy in biochip array settings.
Dynamic molecular modeling of pathogenic mutations in the spectrin self-association domain.

Disruption of spectrin self-association underlies many inherited hemolytic disorders. Using dynamic modeling and energy minimization, the 3-dimensional structure of the self-association domain has been estimated in human erythrocyte spectrin and the structural consequences of 17 elliptogenic mutations determined. The predicted structure of the normal self-association domain was remarkably similar to the crystal structure of the Drosophila α-spectrin 14th repeat unit, despite replacement in the human sequence of over 70% of the amino acids relative to fly spectrin, including 2 prolines in the human sequence that appear in helical regions of the fly structure. The predicted structure placed all hydrophilic residues at the surface and identified 4 salt bridges, 9 hydrophobic interactions, and 4 H-bonds that stabilize the native self-association unit. Remarkably, every pathologic point mutation, including seemingly conservative substitutions such as G for A, A for V, or K for R (single-letter amino acid codes), led to conformational rearrangements in the predicted structure. The degree of structural disruption, as measured by root-mean-square deviation of the predicted backbone structure from the Drosophila structure, correlated strongly with the severity of clinical disease associated with each mutation. This approach thus enables an accurate prediction, from the primary sequence, of the clinical consequences of specific point mutations in spectrin. The 3-dimensional structure of the self-association domain derived here is likely to be accurate. It provides a powerful heuristic model for understanding how point mutations disrupt cytoskeletal function in a variety of hemolytic disorders.
Ring enlargement in the photolysis of phenyl azide

Abstract The photolysis of phenyl azide in diethyalmine leads to ring enlargement with the formation of 2-diethylamino-3H-azepine (I-3H). Photolysis in trimethylamine containing aniline leads to the corresponding 2-anilino derivative (II-3H), whereas photolysis in liquid ammonia leads to the 2-amino derivative (III-3H). Photolysis in diethyl ether saturated with hydrogen sulfide affords a low yield of 1,2-dihydro-2-thienoketo-3H-azepine (V-3H), which can be prepared more conveniently by treatment of II or III with hydrogen sulfide. Hydrolysis of III affords 1,2-dihydro-2-keto-3H-azepine (IV-3H). Vogel's assignment to this molecule of the 3H structure has been confirmed by NMR examination of the tetradeuterio derivative.
Comparison of the Plaque Microflora in Immunodeficient and Immunocompetent Dental Patients

The nature and extent of the immune dysfunctions in 20 immunodeficient patients, as well as the immunocompetence of 22 control subjects, were verified by cell-mediated responsiveness and immunoglobulin quantitations. Comparisons of the microbial composition of supragingival plaque between the two populations showed that a greater number of immunodeficient than control subjects harbored Candida sp. and Staphylococcus sp. Conversely, a lower number of immunodeficient than control subjects harbored Streptococcus mutans. Also, patients with immune dysfunctions had a lower dental caries experience than their immunocompetent counterparts.
Characterizing the Switching Thresholds of Magnetophoretic Transistors

The switching thresholds of magnetophoretic transistors for sorting cells in microfluidic environments are characterized. The transistor operating conditions require short 20-30 mA pulses of electrical current. By demonstrating both attractive and repulsive transistor modes, a single transistor architecture is used to implement the full write cycle for importing and exporting single cells in specified array sites.
Delivery and mechanistic considerations for the production of knock-in mice by single-stranded oligonucleotide gene targeting

Single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (ssODN) gene targeting may facilitate animal model creation and gene repair therapy. Lipofection of ssODN can introduce point mutations into target genes. However, typical efficiencies in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESC) are o10 � 4 , leaving corrections too rare to effectively identify. We developed ESC lines with an integrated mutant neomycin resistance gene (Tyr22Ter). After targeting with ssODN, repaired cells survive selection in G418. Correction efficiencies varied with different lipofection procedures, clonal lines, and ssODN designs, ranging from 1 to 100 corrections per million cells plated. Uptake studies using cell sorting of Cy5-labelled ssODN showed 40% of the corrections concentrated in the best transfected 22% of cells. Four different basepair mismatches were tested and results show that the basespecificity of the mismatch is critical. Dual mismatch ssODN also showed mismatch preferences. These ESC lines may facilitate development of improved ssODN targeting technologies for either animal production or ex vivo gene therapy.
A framework for interactive analysis of timing constraints in embedded systems

An important goal of embedded system co-synthesis is to realize system designs under constraints on timing performance. We present applicable constraints and the notion of satisfiability of a given set of constraints. We describe a two-level system model that is useful for carrying out constraint analysis in presence of the timing and execution uncertainty inherent in embedded systems. We conclude by presenting a framework to determine constraint satisfiability and to interactively debug constraint violations. Examples are presented to show the utility of our approach.
Optimal parallel scheduling algorithm for WDM optical interconnects with recirculating buffering

We study scheduling algorithms in WDM optical interconnects with recirculating buffering. The interconnect we consider has wavelength conversion capabilities. We focus on limited range wavelength conversion while considering full range wavelength conversion as a special case. We formalize the problem of maximizing throughput and minimizing packet delay in such an interconnect as a matching problem in a bipartite graph and give an optimal parallel algorithm that runs in O(Bk/sup 2/), as compared to O((N+B)/sup 3/k/sup 3/) time if directly applying other existing matching algorithms, where N is the number of input/output fibers, B is the number of fiber delay lines and k is the number of wavelengths per fiber.
Decoding spatiotemporal spike sequences via the finite state automata dynamics of spiking neural networks

Temporally complex stimuli are encoded into spatiotemporal spike sequences of neurons in many sensory areas. Here, we describe how downstream neurons with dendritic bistable plateau potentials can be connected to decode such spike sequences. Driven by feedforward inputs from the sensory neurons and controlled by feedforward inhibition and lateral excitation, the neurons transit between UP and DOWN states of the membrane potentials. The neurons spike only in the UP states. A decoding neuron spikes at the end of an input to signal the recognition of specific spike sequences. The transition dynamics is equivalent to that of a finite state automaton. A connection rule for the networks guarantees that any finite state automaton can be mapped into the transition dynamics, demonstrating the equivalence in computational power between the networks and finite state automata. The decoding mechanism is capable of recognizing an arbitrary number of spatiotemporal spike sequences, and is insensitive to the variations of the spike timings in the sequences.
Rapid Clinical Evaluation of Anosmia in Children: The Alcohol Sniff Test

: Smell impairment affects 1-2% of Americans and leads to frequent physician visits. Olfactory functional testing is available in chemosensory centers, but is frequently omitted in routine cranial nerve examinations. A new smell test, using the standard 70% isopropyl alcohol pad, was developed at the UCSD Nasal Dysfunction Clinic: The Alcohol Sniff Test (AST).3 The current study examined the reliability of the AST in children, using test-retest measures. A standard 70% isopropyl alcohol pad was moved upward 1 cm per exhalation until the participant reported detection. Test-retest reliability of the AST in children was significant, r= 0.80. The AST predictably classified children as anosmic, hyposmic or normosmic, p<0.0001. The AST requires only 5 minutes to administer with materials readily available in any physician's office or hospital. The AST is an effective screening tool, even in children, for the average physician who can then refer patients who show less than normal function for further comprehensive testing.
Application of Semiochemicals to Assess the Biodiversity of Subcortical Insects following an Ecosystem Disturbance in a Sub-boreal Forest

From 2000 through 2003 we used semiochemical- baited traps in northeastern Minnesota, USA, to assess changes in assemblages of subcortical forest insects after a catastrophic wind storm in 1999 and subsequent (1999- 2000) fuel-reduction activities (salvage-logging and prescribed-burning). We determined the regional efficacy of fifteen semiochemical blends (pheromones and kairo- mones) as attractants for target and non-target subcortical insect species (Coleoptera: Anthribidae, Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Cleridae, Cucujidae, Curculionidae, Hister- idae, Nemonychidae, Salpingidae, Scolytidae, Tenebrioni- dae, and Hymenoptera: Siricidae). During the four summers,
Redefinition of Roles and Responsibilities in U.S. Transportation

Major shifts in U.S. Federal transportation policy are occurring which are realigning the roles and responsibilities of the Federal, State and local governments, and the private sector. These shifts include a decentralization of control to State and local governments, a larger role for the private sector, and reduced emphasis on construction of new facilities and more on rehabilitation and utilization of existing facilities. Although some reaction to these changes is already apparent, it is unclear at this time what the effect will be on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of transportation systems.
System Errors Revisited

Earlier in this book (Chapter 5) we described the evaluation of biometric systems in terms of their error rates. But two important questions to consider when comparing these measures, principally the False Accept and False Reject Rates, is how accurately we know the error rates, and how much can they be trusted for making decisions.
Aging and Behavioral Medicine

Research programs in gerontology theory and clinical geriatrics have approached problems of aging and mental health either as separate areas of inquiry that beg for integration and conciliation, or as coincident outcomes attributable to both biological and psychosocial changes. The former approach would have us search for causes that give rise to the unique physical and psychological characteristics associated with old age, and would have us focus largely on impairments and deficits. It would also try to bring to bear the personality and intrapsychic forces that, together with the social and cultural setting of the specific individual, could account for the individual differences that are noted in the effectiveness with which one confronts old age and is often able to exert countercontrolling influence. But the causal links from biology to mental health are less than compelling. The alterations in perceptions, emotional lability, and reality orientation are not adequately explained by neurotransmitter chemistry. Mental health concerns draw attention to conditions of “desertion, disability, dependency, and death” (Herman, 1988, p. 110) as added negative and unavoidable accompaniments to the fate of living long. This approach would appear to offer the interested investigator the choice of investing in either elucidating basic mechanisms of aging or of delineating psychosocial processes that may provide a necessary condition for the development of mental health pathologies.
POPULATION DYNAMICS AND ACTIVITY OF SOUTHERN SHORT-TAILED SHREWS (BLARINA CAROLINENSIS) IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

We captured, marked, and recaptured southern short-tailed shrews (Blarina carolinensis) during a 30-month livetrapping study in a woodlot in Jackson County, Illinois, to compare aspects of their life history with those of the northern short-tailed shrew (B. brevicauda). A total of 106,496 trap checks (15,782 trap nights) resulted in 3,430 captures of 313 B. carolinensis from February 1996 through August 1998. Trapping mortality was only 18 individuals. Sex ratio did not differ from 1:1. Estimated population density peaked at 57 individuals/ha in late summer and autumn then declined during winter. Recruitment, including birth and immigration, peaked in spring and late summer each year. Individuals entering the population in the spring and early summer had higher survival rates than those entering in the autumn. A weak correlation was found between recruitment and precipitation, and between population density and humidity. Shrew activity (timing of captures) showed significant relationships with light condition and season. During summer, shrews were caught more frequently at night. In the winter, they were captured more frequently during the day. Capture rate was negatively related to precipitation and positively related to humidity. Population dynamics and activity patterns were similar to those of B. brevicauda.
Blunted rate-dependent left atrial pressure response during isoproterenol infusion in atrial fibrillation patients with impaired left ventricular diastolic function: a comparison to pacing.

Aims A heart rate (HR)-dependent haemodynamic linkage between peak left atrial (LA) pressure during sinus rhythm (LAPpeak) and estimated left ventricular (LV) filling pressure (E/Em) has not yet been explored. We hypothesized that rate-dependent LAPpeak response differs depending on E/Em in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods and results A total of 331 patients (68.0% male, 59.8 ± 10.8 years old) undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for AF were included, and their LAPpeak in sinus rhythm was recorded at the beginning of the procedure and at the HRs of 90, 100, 110, and 120 b.p.m. during right atrial pacing and isoproterenol (ISO-stress) infusion. We compared LAPpeak changes between patients with E/Em ≥ 15 ( n = 58) and those with <15 ( n = 273). (i) The patterns of pacing rate-dependent LAPpeak increase were similar in both the E/Em < 15 ( P < 0.001) and E/Em ≥ 15 groups ( P = 0.002). (ii) The ISO-stress reduced LAPpeak in patients with E/Em < 15 ( P = 0.015), but not in those with E/Em ≥ 15 ( P = 0.582). (iii) Paradoxical ISO-stress LAP elevation in patients with E/Em ≥ 15 was independently associated with 1-year follow-up E/Em reduction ( B = −4.07, 95% CI −5.41 to −2.72, P < 0.001). Coexistence of E/Em ≥ 15 and ISO-stress LAP elevation increased specificity in predicting 1-year follow-up E/Em reduction after AF ablation than E/Em alone. Conclusion Isoproterenol LAPpeak reduction was blunted in patients with impaired LV diastolic function estimated by E/Em ≥ 15. The improvement of LV diastolic dysfunction 1 year after AF ablation was independently associated with both paradoxical ISO-stress LAP elevation and E/Em ≥ 15 at the time of procedure. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02138695.
Development of a Model based Fuzzy-PID Controller for the AeroQuad Cyclone Quad-copter

Over the years multi-rotor aircraft have been chosen as a viable configuration for smallscaled VTOL UAVs in the form of quad-copters, hexa-copters and octo-copters. Multi-rotor airframes require a simpler feedback control system and fewer mechanical parts. These characteristics make these UAV platforms, especially quad-copters, a rugged and competitive candidate for many applications in both military and civil areas. In this effort a fuzzy-PID controller was developed to control a quad-copter model extracted from flight testing data using system identification method. Characteristics of the new system with fuzzy-PID controller were analyzed and compared to that with classic PID controller. Results show that the fuzzy-PID controller has better stability and robustness performance when compared to the classic PID controller.
Precipitative Tests in Malaria.

SummaryPrecipitative reactions in human malaria may be demonstrated (1) by the use of P. knowlesi antigen-coated collodion particles, or (2) by addition of collodion particles at the time of combining antigen and antibody. Macroscopic agglutination is obtained by both methods.
Luke’s Artistic Parables: Narratives of Subversion, Imagination, and Transformation:

Luke’s parables are narratives of disorientation that subvert conventional wisdom about many issues such as the use of wealth and possessions. The parables use specific rhetorical strategies (chara...
Antimicrobial Agent-Induced Diarrhea—A Bacterial Disease

Some of the earliest animal studies of antimicrobial toxicity of this type were those of penicillin in guinea pigs. DeSomer et al. [12] noted that oral or ip administration of 20,000-100,000 units of penicillin produced lethargy, failure to feed, and death in guinea pigs. The pathologic find
Missing Variables: How Exclusion of Human Resources Policy Information Confounds Research Connecting Health and Business Outcomes

When corporate health researchers examine the effects of health on business outcomes or the effect of health interventions on health and business outcomes, results will necessarily be confounded by the corporate environment(s) in which they are studied. In this research setting, most studies control for factors traditionally identified in public health, such as demographics and health status. Nevertheless, often overlooked is the extent to which company policies can also independently impact health care cost, work attendance, and productivity outcomes. With changes in employment and benefits practices resulting from health care reform, including incentives and plan design options, consideration of these largely neglected variables in research design has become increasingly important. This commentary summarizes existing knowledge regarding the implications of policy variations in research outcomes and provides a framework for incorporating them into future employer-based research.
The Diversity and Distribution of Brassicaceae from Oasis and Desert of Shihezi

A total of 29 genera and 41 species of Brassicaceae were classfied from oasis and desert regions in Shihezi through field investigation.Some 22 genera,6 of which were monotypic genera,only contain 1 species in the flora,accounting for 75.8%.In the genera level of the floristic elements,there are Mediterranean-Central Asia elements(62.1%),Cathaysia elements(3.4%),the N.temperate distribution-type(20.7%) and Cosmopolitan distribution-type(6.9%).The genera of Mediterranean-Central Asia elements are distributed in various habitats and the N.temperate distribution-type and Cosmopolitan distribution-type are distributed mainly in oasis.Therophytes(85.4%) is dominated the lifeforme of Brassicaceae,and Hemicryptophytes(12.2%) and Chamaephytes(2.4%) are rare.Hemicryptophytes is distributed mainly in oasis.
Clinical observation of 1% ribavirin naristillae in treating children's acute upper respiratory infection

Objective: To explore the 1% ribavirin naristillae's clinical result in treating child acute infection of the upper respiratory tract(abbreviating upper sense).Method: The treatment group used 1% ribavirin naristillae in the way of nose-dropping in addition of routine treatment.Result: The efficiency of the treatment group was obvious up to 97.2%.The efficiency of the control group was 71.0%.The two groups have remarkable differences,χ2 = 27.22,P 0.01.Conclusion: 1% ribavirin naristillae is functional in preventing and curing children's acute infection of the upper respiratory tract.
International Aspects of Inflation

My object in this paper is to indicate some of the ways in which inflation in general and contemporary world inflation in particular are influenced by the fact that the world is divided into separate political units.
A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE AUDITOR'S ROLE: THE EARLY EXPERlENCE OF THE AMERICAN RAILROADS

The paper explores the origins of the auditing profession in the United States. It is suggested that the development of the audit function in this country can be traced to reporting by internal and shareholder auditors in the American railroads during the middle of the nineteenth century. Evidence is presented that a recognition of the need for audit independence existed, and that the provision of advisory services and reports on internal control by American auditors have been an inherent part of the auditor's role from that time.
Decitabine Is Effective and Safe In Patients with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia

Abstract 4032 Background: Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a rare yet indolent disease. The median survival duration in CMML is 12 to 18 months and patients with poor prognostic features do even worse, with median survival time ranging 3 to 6 months. Activity with decitabine in CMML has been previously reported. We sought to analyze the clinical experience of 17 adults with a diagnosis of CMML treated on two decitabine studies. Methods: A subset of patients with CMML from a pivotal phase III 3-day dosing and an open-label trial of 5-day dosing were identified and reviewed to determine the overall response rate (ORR, based on IWG 2006 criteria), duration of response, time to response, and overall survival (OS). Results: A total of 17 patients with CMML were included in this review. Mean age at diagnosis was 71 years (range, 47 to 81 years) with a mean time from diagnosis of 406.4 days. The majority of CMML patients had de novo (94.1%), good risk cytogenetics (58.8%) with an IPSS classification of Intermediate-1 (64.7%). Baseline mean white blood count (WBC), hemoglobin (HGB), and platelets (plts) were 7.5 × 103/μ L, 14.6 g/dL and 81.9 × 103/μ L, respectively. A larger proportion of CMML patients at baseline were plt and RBC transfusion independent. Objective response rate (ORR) was 41% [17.6% complete response (CR) and 23.5% marrowCR (mCR)]; Hematologic improvement (HI) was observed in 11.7% and stable disease in 29.4% of patients. Median survival was 391 (95% CI 239, 678) days and 2 (11.7%) patients progressed to AML. The adverse event profile was similar to observations in previous trials with myelosuppression and infectious complications. Conclusions: This retrospective review of responses in CMML patients supports previous findings of decitabine experience in this population. In this analysis an overall response rate of 41.4% was achieved. Decitabine provided anti-CMML activity with an acceptable safety profile. Disclosures: Jabbour:Eisai Inc.: Editorial and statistical support from Eisai Inc., Honoraria. Kantarjian:Novartis: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy. Ravandi:Eisai Inc.: Research Funding; Eisai Inc.: Honoraria. Borthakur:Eisai Inc.: Research Funding. Cortes:Novartis: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding.
vManagement: Initial Exploration of Management Practice

For several years, the authors have maintained a simulation (sim) in Second LifeTM, with management responsibility for allocating sim resources across research and instructional projects, some of which involved working with residents. Although not originally anticipated to be a research site in management theory and practice, the project presented an unexpected pattern of difficulty and an unexpectedly rich case study to examine why and how the virtual environment generated norms of power and empowerment for which traditional management practice was not effective. We conducted a theoretical thematic analysis on a body of conversation transcripts, meeting agendas and minutes, email messages and other administrative documents, applying concepts from the literature on presence, copresence, embodiment and social capital, seeking to identify the sociocultural context and structural conditions that shaped meanings and experiences of participants in this project. This exploratory analysis suggests a need for development of management theory and practice based on norms of empowerment shaped by designer-user role hybridization – in short, vManagement.
120-GBaud coded 8 dimensional 16QAM WDM transmission using low-complexity iterative decoding based on bit-wise log likelihood ratio

We propose a low-complexity decoding scheme that is 8.68e-4 times that of conventional optimal decoding for 8D-16QAM. Experiments confirm that the proposed scheme allows 9-WDM 600-Gbps/ch transmission over 3,500km without penalty.
The Robust Learning Model With A Spiral Curriculum: Implications For For TThe Educational EffectivenessOfOf Online Master Degree Programs

This study integrated the Spiral Curriculum approach into the Robust Learning Model as part of a continuous improvement process that was designed to improve educational effectiveness and then assessed the differences between the initial and integrated models as well as the predictability of the first course in the integrated learning model on a wide range of educational effectiveness indicators for online master degree programs. Meaningful improvement in educational effectiveness was validated by the study. The importance of the first course's predictors in predicting and explaining the various degree program educational effectiveness indicators was also very instrumental. The theoretical and practical implications of the study's findings for online faculty, university administrators, and policy makers were examined.
A Novel Mobility Device to Improve Walking for a Child With Cerebral Palsy.

Purpose:To describe the use and outcomes associated with the Upsee in conjunction with Kinesiotape for a child with cerebral palsy.Descriptions:The Upsee and Kinesiotaping were implemented for 24 weeks with a 31-month-old child with cerebral palsy, Gross Motor Function Classification System level II
Research and application of 2.4G wireless precise positioning in substation

At present, all kinds of substations mainly rely on electrical quantity and chemical quantity for device detection. And the analysis method of accident or post-accident is unable to make early-warning for human-error accident. In this paper, different solutions of 2.4G wireless are analyzed. Based on the analysis, a precision indoor positioning method of 2.4G wireless is proposed, which accomplish the real-time position of field operator and the setup of patrol route. Human-error accidents are effectively avoided by the proposed method.
Coordinated Satellite Observations of the Very Low Frequency Transmission Through the Ionospheric D Layer at Low Latitudes, Using Broadband Radio Emissions From Lightning

Both ray theory and full-wave models of Very Low Frequency transmission through the ionospheric D-layer predict that the transmission is greatly suppressed near the geomagnetic equator. We use data from the low-inclination Communication/Navigation Outage Forecast System satellite to test this semi-quantitatively, for broadband Very Low Frequency emissions from lightning. Approximate ground-truthing of the incident wavefields in the Earth Ionosphere Waveguide is provided by the World Wide Lightning Location Network. Observations of the wavefields at the satellite are provided by the Vector Electric Field Instrument aboard the satellite. The data set comprises whistler observations with the satellite at magnetic latitudes < 26 deg. Thus our conclusions, too, must be limited to the near-equatorial region, and are not necessarily predictive of mid-latitude whistler properties. We find that in most broadband recordings of radio waves at the satellite, very few of the lightning strokes result in a detectable radio pulse at the satellite. However, in a minority of the recordings, there is enhanced transmission of Very Low Frequency lightning emissions through the D-layer, at a level exceeding model predictions by at least an order-of-magnitude. We show that kilometric-scale D-layer irregularities may be implicated in the enhanced transmission. This observation of sporadic enhancements at low magnetic latitude, made with broadband lightning emissions, is consistent with an earlier review of D-layer transmission for transmission from powerful man-made radio beacons.
Do Online Discussion Groups Enhance Students’ Analytical Ability and Recall of Factual Knowledge?

ABSTRACTThis research examines whether online discussion groups enhance students’ ability to analyze political problems and recall factual knowledge. The study compares four sections of the author’s introductory world politics course—two that employed online discussion groups and two that did not. The results revealed little difference in the performance of the sections with and without the online groups. These findings suggest the need to pursue further research focusing on how learning is measured, how discussion group size affects outcomes, how providing students with a study guide detailing course objectives impacts learning, and whether alternative forms of active learning, such as research projects or problem solving exercises, might better develop the capacity for analysis.
From the Dead Sea Scrolls to the Digital Millennium; Recent Developments in Copyright Law

This Article reviews and comments upon selected developments in copyright law during the period of September 1999 through August 2000. Copyright developments during this period trace the rapid digitization and globalization of copyright markets. They also reflect new legal regimes, including the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA") and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property ("TRIPS"), designed to bolster copyright in the face of digitization and globalization. This Article briefly examines each reported case concerning the DMCA. It also reviews the World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel ruling that provisions of Section 115(1) of the United States Copyright Act violate TRIPS. This past year has also seen numerous constitutional challenges to copyright law, including several First Amendment challenges. This Article chides courts for generally failing to apply the O?Brien test for content-neutral regulation to First Amendment challenges to copyright. Concomitantly, it lauds the court in Universal City Studios v. Reimerdes for applying O?Brien to defendants? First Amendment challenge to the DMCA. The Article also reviews a number of cases concerning more traditional copyright issues, as well as a case spanning back to the parchment millennium, the Israeli Supreme Court decision in the Dead Seas Scrolls litigation.
Calculation of Spin Cutoff Parameters Using Moment Techniques

Spectral distribution methods are often applied to the calculation of nuclear level densities. If we require not simply the total number of levels at each energy but also their distribution in spin, we need to know the spin-cutoff parameter and its energy dependence. Recent calculations of the spin-cutoff parameter have shown qualitative agreement with data. Reasons for the remaining discrepancies will be discussed and procedures for improving agreement between theory and experiment will be suggested.
Appraisals of DisAbility Primary and Secondary Scale-Short Form (ADAPSS-sf): Psychometrics and association with mental health among U.S. military veterans with spinal cord injury.

Objective Cognitive appraisals, that is, interpretations of what is observed and the personal relevance attributed to those observations, affect one's behavior and well-being. Despite the centrality of appraisals in the transactional model of stress and coping, the application of spinal cord injury (SCI)-specific appraisals to adjustment is a recent development. This study examined the psychometric properties of a measure of SCI-specific appraisals, the Appraisals of DisAbility Primary and Secondary Scale-Short Form (ADAPSS-sf). Method A retrospective study using clinical data from SCI annual evaluations at a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical center was employed (N = 262). Results Findings supported the ADAPSS-sf's 2-factor structure of catastrophic negativity and determined resilience. SCI appraisals were associated with mental health concerns, mental disorders, life satisfaction, racial minority status, age, SCI severity (based on the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale [AIS]), and SCI etiology (traumatic or nontraumatic). Counterintuitively, those with less severe injuries (i.e., AIS D) had the greatest catastrophic negativity. Although veterans with SCI were heterogeneous in their appraisals, it is encouraging that they tended to endorse determined resilience and disavow catastrophic negativity. Conclusions The ADAPSS-sf demonstrated many desirable characteristics, including brevity, convergent validity, and face-valid content. An implication of this study is that to understand the adjustment experience, one must look beyond injury severity and impairment to the individual's personal and subjective experience of SCI. The ADAPSS-sf offers clinicians and researchers a potentially valuable tool to assess SCI appraisals and personalize treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record
Rho-Kinase Inhibition Reduces Myofibroblast Differentiation and Proliferation of Scleral Fibroblasts Induced by Transforming Growth Factor β and Experimental Glaucoma.

Purpose We evaluated prevention of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)-induced transdifferentiation of cultured scleral fibroblasts to myofibroblasts by rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitors. Additionally, we tested whether local delivery of ROCK inhibitors reduced scleral fibroblast proliferation in response to chronic intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation. Methods Primary human peripapillary sclera (PPS) fibroblasts were cultured and treated with TGFβ to induce myofibroblast transdifferentiation, as determined by immunoblot assessment of α smooth muscle actin (SMA) levels and collagen gel contraction. Cells were treated with the ROCK inhibitors Y27632, fasudil, and H1152 before TGFβ treatment. ROCK activity in TGFβ-treated fibroblasts and sclera from ocular hypertensive mice was assessed by measuring phosphorylation of the ROCK substrate MYPT1 at Thr696. Fibroblast proliferation following IOP elevation and ROCK inhibitor treatment was assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay. Results ROCK inhibitors H1152 (10μM), Y27632 (10 μM), and fasudil (5μM) reduced SMA expression 72%, 85%, and 68%, respectively. Collagen gel contraction was reduced by 36% (P < 0.001), 27% (P = 0.0003), and 33% (P = 0.0019) following treatment with fasudil (25 μM), Y27632 (10 μM), and H1152 (10μM). ROCK activity induced by TGFβ rose 4.74 ± 1.9 times over control at 4 hours (P = 0.0004) and 2.4 ± 0.47-fold (P = 0.0016) in sclera after IOP elevation. Proliferation of scleral fibroblasts after chronic IOP elevation was reduced 77% by Y27632 (P = 0.001) and 84% by fasudil (P = 0.0049). Conclusions ROCK inhibitors reduce TGFβ-induced myofibroblast transdifferentiation and glaucoma-induced scleral cell proliferation. Translational Relevance These findings suggest altered fibroblast activity promoted by ROCK inhibitors could modify scleral biomechanics and be relevant to glaucoma treatment.
Challenges and Potential Solutions in Heterogeneous Integration from a Foundry Viewpoint

A common need across computing and communication products is integration of different functions that do not integrate well on a single chip for various reasons. The cost of leading-edge integration...
Corporate Culture: It Takes More Than Donuts!

This chapter is about embedding People-Centric approaches into the company culture. It is the basis for long-term success, because in a white water world, we need to rely on our people in real time to address the issues and take advantage of the opportunities they encounter. I discuss how one key value needs to be held dear—adaptability. Organizations need to replace slow, numbing, begrudging change, with fast, engaging, and willing change, and this needs to become part of the culture. We cannot expect people to act in ways that support the business unless and until it is “how we do things around here.” This chapter covers two Simple Truths.
Machado musical: notas sobre música e escrita

Resumo O presente estudo tem como objeto a influencia da opera e da musica no metodo de composicao do escritor. Para tanto, examina motivos ligados a musica que serao desenvolvidos nos romances. Ao fim, propoe encontrar na ficcao a encenacao de uma cidade-teatro, na tradicao barroca do grande teatro do mundo.
Using the text-messaging program SmokefreeTXT to support smoking cessation for nondaily smokers.

Introduction: Smoking cessation interventions for nondaily smokers are needed. The current study explores the fit of the text-messaging intervention SmokefreeTXT for nondaily smokers. Methods: Adul...
Cannabis use among women of reproductive age in the United States: 2002-2017.

Abstract Background In this study of cannabis use in large nationally representative samples of United States (US) women aged 12–44 years, we evaluate variation by pregnancy month and by trimester. We also evaluate cannabis dependence, which might explain why some women continue using cannabis during pregnancy. Methods Large nationally representative samples drawn for the US National Surveys on Drug Use and Health included 12–44-year-old women asked about pregnancy month, cannabis use, and cannabis dependence (n = 381,199). For this research, we produced month-specific estimates across four-time intervals (2002–2005, 2006–2009, 2010–2013, 2014–2017). Results Overall from 2002 to 2017, estimates for non-pregnant women and for pregnant women in Trimester 1 indicate 7%–8% had used cannabis at least once in the 30 days prior to assessment. For pregnancy Month 1, the corresponding estimate is 11%, double Month 3 estimate of 5%. This degree of month-to-month variation is not seen for pregnant women in Trimesters 2 and 3, for whom estimates are 3% and 2%, respectively. Among women using cannabis during pregnancy, an estimated 19% have cannabis dependence, versus an expected value of 13% among non-pregnant women (p Conclusion Evidence of a possibly ameliorative pregnancy-associated reduction of cannabis use prevalence was seen by Month 3 during pregnancy. Cannabis dependence may help account for cannabis use early during pregnancy. Identification and outreach to reproductive age women with cannabis dependence might decrease prenatal cannabis exposure.
Mammalian DNA Polymerase Kappa Activity and Specificity

DNA polymerase (pol) kappa is a Y-family translesion DNA polymerase conserved throughout all domains of life. Pol kappa is special6 ized for the ability to copy DNA containing minor groove DNA adducts, especially N2-dG adducts, as well as to extend primer termini containing DNA damage or mismatched base pairs. Pol kappa generally cannot copy DNA containing major groove modifications or UV-induced photoproducts. Pol kappa can also copy structured or non-B-form DNA, such as microsatellite DNA, common fragile sites, and DNA containing G quadruplexes. Thus, pol kappa has roles both in maintaining and compromising genomic integrity. The expression of pol kappa is altered in several different cancer types, which can lead to genome instability. In addition, many cancer-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms have been reported in the POLK gene, some of which are associated with poor survival and altered chemotherapy response. Because of this, identifying inhibitors of pol kappa is an active area of research. This review will address these activities of pol kappa, with a focus on lesion bypass and cellular mutagenesis.
Opening Pandora's box through ATFuzzer: dynamic analysis of AT interface for Android smartphones

This paper focuses on checking the correctness and robustness of the AT command interface exposed by the cellular baseband processor through Bluetooth and USB. A device's application processor uses this interface for issuing high-level commands (or, AT commands) to the baseband processor for performing cellular network operations (e.g., placing a phone call). Vulnerabilities in this interface can be leveraged by malicious Bluetooth peripherals to launch pernicious attacks including DoS and privacy attacks. To identify such vulnerabilities, we propose ATFuzzer that uses a grammar-guided evolutionary fuzzing approach which mutates production rules of the AT command grammar instead of concrete AT commands. Empirical evaluation with ATFuzzer on 10 Android smartphones from 6 vendors revealed 4 invalid AT command grammars over Bluetooth and 13 over USB with implications ranging from DoS, downgrade of cellular protocol version (e.g., from 4G to 3G/2G) to severe privacy leaks. The vulnerabilities along with the invalid AT command grammars were responsibly disclosed to affected vendors and two of the reported vulnerabilities have been already assigned CVEs (CVE-2019-16400 and CVE-2019-16401).
Immune responses in vitro, XIV. Undetectability of Mlsb- and Mlsc-encoded products on F1 cells possessing Mlsa or Mlsd.

The Mls locus was originally defined to have four alleles; three controlled products that were detectable in primary mixed leukocyte reactions (MLR), whereas one, b, was described as being null. Recently, other investigators postulated that the Mls locus is nonpolymorphic, being composed of the b null allele and of a singly expressed allele previously thought to be the a and d alleles. We previously reported that products controlled by Mls aand Mls dwere antigenically distinct and therefore are not controlled by the same allele, and the product of Mls bon cells of three different strains was easily detectable by Mls aand Mls dresponding cells. Thus the b allele is not null. In the present report evidence is presented which indicates that both Mls band Mls cencoded products were undetectable by MLR when in the presence of Mls aor Mls d. This was demonstrated by (a) the inability of Mls a/Mls cand Mls a/Mls bF1 cells to stimulate Mls aresponding cells and Mls d/Mls cand Mls d/Mls bcells to stimulate Mls dcells; (b) the positive response of Mls a/Mls band Mls d/Mls bF1-hybrid cells to Mls b-encoded products; and (c) the reactivity of Mls a/Mls cand Mls d/Mls cF1 hybrid cells to Mls c-encoded determinants.
Supplementation: Programmatic Issues

Micronutrient supplementation offers the ability to directly provide a controlled, concentrated dose of micronutrient(s) to a risk group. It is generally intended as a short-term means of rapidly preventing nutrient deficiencies in high-risk groups until adequate and sustainable food-based programs become effective. Preventing vitamin A, iron, and zinc deficiencies requires a combination of repetitive distribution of high-dose nutrient supplements, fortification of staple foods, and behavior change, whereas salt fortification alone has achieved much success in combating iodine deficiency disorders. Supplementation approaches should be guided by evidence of a need for targeting, impact potential, costs, and potential sustainability.
Learning to Extract Attribute Value from Product via Question Answering: A Multi-task Approach

Attribute value extraction refers to the task of identifying values of an attribute of interest from product information. It is an important research topic which has been widely studied in e-Commerce and relation learning. There are two main limitations in existing attribute value extraction methods: scalability and generalizability. Most existing methods treat each attribute independently and build separate models for each of them, which are not suitable for large scale attribute systems in real-world applications. Moreover, very limited research has focused on generalizing extraction to new attributes. In this work, we propose a novel approach for Attribute Value Extraction via Question Answering (AVEQA) using a multi-task framework. In particular, we build a question answering model which treats each attribute as a question and identifies the answer span corresponding to the attribute value in the product context. A unique BERT contextual encoder is adopted and shared across all attributes to encode both the context and the question, which makes the model scalable. A distilled masked language model with knowledge distillation loss is introduced to improve the model generalization ability. In addition, we employ a no-answer classifier to explicitly handle the cases where there are no values for a given attribute in the product context. The question answering, distilled masked language model and the no answer classification are then combined into a unified multi-task framework. We conduct extensive experiments on a public dataset. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms several state-of-the-art methods with large margin.
Guest Editorial Introduction to the Special Section on Network Science for High-Confidence Cyber-Physical Systems

The papers in this special section focus on network science for high confidence cyber-physical systems (CPS) Here CPS refers to the engineered systems that can seamlessly integrate the physical world with the cyber world via advanced computation and communication capabilities. To enable high-confidence CPS for achieving better benefits as well as supporting emerging applications, network science-based theories and methodologies are needed to cope with the ever-growing complexity of smart CPS, to predict the system behaviors, and to model the deep inter-dependencies among CPS and the natural world. The major objective of this special section is to exploit various network science techniques such as modeling, analysis, mining, visualization, and optimization to advance the science of supporting high-confidence CPS for greater assurances of security, safety, scalability, efficiency, and reliability. These papers bring a timely and important research topic. The challenges and opportunities of applying network science approaches to high-confidence CPS are profound and far-reaching.