cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A characteristic scale for cold gas

We find that clouds of optically-thin, pressure-confined gas are prone to fragmentation as they cool below $\sim10^6$ K. This fragmentation follows the lengthscale $\sim{c}_{\text{s}}\,t_{\text{cool}}$, ultimately reaching very small scales ($\sim{0.1} \text{pc}/n$) as they reach the temperature $\sim10^4$ K at which hydrogen recombines. While this lengthscale depends on the ambient pressure confining the clouds, we find that the column density through an individual fragment $N_{\text{cloudlet}}\sim10^{17} \text{cm}^{-3}$ is essentially independent of environment; this column density represents a characteristic scale for atomic gas at $10^4$ K. We therefore suggest that "clouds" of cold, atomic gas may in fact have the structure of a mist or a fog, composed of tiny fragments dispersed throughout the ambient medium. We show that this scale emerges in hydrodynamic simulations, and that the corresponding increase in the surface area may imply rapid entrainment of cold gas. We also apply it to a number of observational puzzles, including the large covering fraction of diffuse gas in galaxy halos, the broad line widths seen in quasar and AGN spectra, and the entrainment of cold gas in galactic winds. While our simulations make a number of assumptions and thus have associated uncertainties, we show that this characteristic scale is consistent with a number of observations, across a wide range of astrophysical environments. We discuss future steps for testing, improving, and extending our model.
Asymptotic Reference Tracking and Disturbance Rejection of UDE-Based Robust Control

The uncertainty and disturbance estimation (UDE)-based robust control strategy is able to achieve good robust performance by estimating and compensating the uncertainty and disturbance in a system with a filter having the appropriate frequency characteristics. However, how to systematically design the filter and the reference system in a UDE-based control system to achieve asymptotic reference tracking and disturbance rejection is still missing in the literature. In this paper, this is solved by applying the well-known internal model principle. The conditions to guarantee the closed-loop system stability and to achieve asymptotic disturbance rejection and reference tracking are derived. Experimental results on a servo system are presented as an example to demonstrate its excellent performance, which can actually reach the hardware resolution limit, with comparisons to the disturbance-observer-based control and the active disturbance rejection control.
Models for Manganites

In the previous chapter, an electronic model was derived for the case of several nearly degenerate orbitals in a given ion. The resulting model, which included on site Coulombic interactions (4.17, 4.18), was found to be very general, and its applicability goes beyond the manganites into ruthenates, nickelates, and other multiorbital compounds. Also, the discussion in the last chapter on the Jahn Teller effects was general as well, and suitable for a variety of materials. In this chapter, the model-writing effort will be entirely focused on manganites. This effort will not simply lead to trivial special cases of the previous results, but further work will be needed since the Hamiltonians of Chap. 4 are, unfortunately, too complicated for an accurate many-body treatment. Simpler models must be derived (or guessed!) under reasonable assumptions, to make progress on the theoretical aspects of manganese oxides. The setup of these simpler models is the main goal of the present chapter.
Price Dynamics, Social Choice, Voting Methods, Probability and Chaos

An intriguing aspect of the mathematical social sciences is the discovery that so many things can go wrong! Mathematical models are developed to clarify, sharpen, and advance arguments originally put forth in a verbal form. Often these verbal arguments persuasively leave us with a sense of security and of orderliness; then often the mathematical formulation shatters this stability. (This is because the mathematics may uncover subtle combinatorics or hidden second and higher level interaction effects.) Perhaps the most dramatic illustration of this comes from the social choice literature with the well-known Arrow Impossibility Theorem [1]). In economics, the stability of the price adjustment model of tatonnement was threatened by Scarf’s example [2] where he showed that the tatonnement market forces of supply and demand could push the prices away from any equilibrium. Any remaining faith in this price story was destroyed by the work of Sonnenschein and others [3] which disclosed, as a corollary, that almost any type of price trajectory could occur.
Glutaminase Inhibitor CB-839 Enhances Proteasome Inhibitor Sensitivity in Multiple Myeloma Cells

Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM) remains largely incurable due to the emergence of therapeutic resistance. We therefore set out in this study to identify druggable molecular mechanisms that convey resistance to proteasome inhibitors (PIs; e.g., bortezomib/VELCADE, carfilzomib/KYPROLIS), which are cornerstone agents in the treatment of MM. In comparing isogenic pairs of PI sensitive and resistant cells, we observed stark differences in cellular bioenergetics between the divergent phenotypes. While glycolysis rates between cell lines were similar, PI resistant cells exhibited increased mitochondrial respiration characterized by higher basal oxygen consumption rates (OCR) and overall respiratory capacity. Additionally, PI resistant cells were found to have lower activation of the AMP kinase (AMPK) energy stress pathway and increased levels of NAD(P)H, which serve as electron carriers in the mitochondrial process of oxidative phosphorylation. We determined that glutamine was the principle source of fuel driving mitochondrial respiration as removal of glutamine completely inhibited OCR as well as cell proliferation, whereas glucose and pyruvate were dispensable. Given the propensity for mitochondrial respiration in PI resistant cells and the dependence on glutamine for this process, we hypothesized that targeting glutamine utilization by PI resistant cells would restore their sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of PIs. To test this possibility, we inhibited glutamine metabolism using the small molecule GLS1 inhibitor CB-839. CB-839 repressed basal OCR and total respiratory capacity and reduced cell viability to varying degrees in a panel of PI sensitive and resistant MM cell lines. Most notably, we found that CB-839 synergistically enhanced the cytotoxic activity of multiple PIs, including bortezomib, carfilzomib, ixazomib, and oprozomib, in a genetically diverse panel of 15 PI sensitive and resistant MM cell lines. The effects of CB-839 were the most apparent in combination with carfilzomib (Crflz), where it enhanced Crflz-induced death by >4-fold. CB-839 enhanced Crflz-induced apoptosis as measured by the activation of caspase 3, 7, 8 and the cleavage of the caspase-3 substrate PARP. Mechanistically, the combination of CB-839 and Crflz induces a strong and synergistic ER stress response, characterized by the induction of ATF4 and CHOP. Our findings suggest that the acquisition of PI resistance may involve adaptations in cellular bioenergetics that may be exploited therapeutically by targeting glutamine metabolism. Furthermore, our results support the combination of clinical stage compound CB-839 with PIs, particularly Crflz, for the treatment of refractory MM. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Home surveillance monitoring for high risk congenital heart newborns: Improving outcomes after single ventricle palliation - why, how & results

Abstract Survival to discharge home after first stage palliation of children born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome continues to increase. The palliated hypoplastic left heart syndrome infant exists in a unique situation. They are deemed stable for discharge to the home, yet they remain at high risk for serious morbidity, growth failure and death during the interstage period, which is the time from discharge home after first stage palliation until the second-stage surgical intervention. Single center interstage death rates of 10–19% are reported. Interstage care practices have been transformed following the first reported interstage home surveillance monitoring program for hypoplastic left heart syndrome infants resulted in this at-risk population achieving 100% survival with normal growth (Ghanayem et al., 2003). The outpatient management of interstage single ventricle newborns is challenging and requires continuous, well-coordinated care with the complete sharing of information among the providers. Home surveillance monitoring programs for interstage infants require daily home assessments of arterial oxygen saturation, enteral intake, weight changes and the early recognition of "red flag" symptoms indicating potential cardiopulmonary or nutritional decompensation. Since 2008 the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative (NPC-QIC), a multicenter, multidisciplinary, quality improvement initiative, has led to the identification and dissemination of best practices for the fragile, high risk interstage patient through implementation of home surveillance monitoring. Improvements among the 65 NPC-QIC participating sites include interstage survival at 95%, satisfactory interstage growth in 77% and communication of a complete discharge plan to the primary care physicians in 86%. This paper will present the risks and ongoing advancements in the care of the medically highly fragile, complex single ventricle circulation patient. Use of interstage home surveillance monitoring, how it is done, key factors to consider in the outpatient setting and the impact on the single ventricle first stage palliation infant will be reviewed.
The effects of ice microphysics on the inner core thermal structure of the hurricane boundary layer

The effects of five cloud microphysics parameterizations on the mean thermal structure of the tropical cyclone boundary layer (TCBL) are examined by numerical experiments with an axisymmetric, non-hydrostatic model. It is shown that although the radial and azimuthal velocity remains “slaved” to the gradient flow above the TCBL, the strength of the boundary layer updrafts (and downdrafts) and the location of the cloud base (which is connected to the location of the stable layer within the TCBL) depend sensitively on the microphysics parameterization. From an analysis of the potential temperature and water vapor mixing ratio budgets, it is found that latent heat release within the eyewall above the cloud base is balanced by the strong cooling tendency due to vertical advection above the cloud base. Below the cloud base, it is found that the downward flux of high θ is largely balanced by rain evaporation. Near the surface, it is shown that warm rain microphysical parameterizations enhance near-surface evaporation rates compared to their ice microphysics counterparts (which affect the thermal structure of the surface layer). Finally, it is shown that diagnostic TCBL models generally underestimate rainwater evaporation rates compared to the full non-hydrostatic model.
Foundations for a Land-Use Planning Project Determine Sustainability

Land-use planning is multi-faceted and complex whether designing a new city from its start or adapting a municipality for expansion to accommodate an increasing population. It becomes more complex to plan the rehabilitation/redevelopment for a high population city to redress the increasing population problem when a government is not providing the basic needs (e.g., clean water, sanitation, proper shelter) for inhabitants of unplanned shantytowns or slums bordering a city that a municipality allowed to grow to densely populated areas. The likely happened because the shantytown/slum population provided cheap labor for development projects. Land-use planning for the new capitol city Brasilia, as described in Chap. 1, is an example of thorough, successful venture that planned for accommodating natural population growth and in-migration from other states in the country. The starting point in any project of land-use and city planning has to begin with siting in the area being assessed for development.
Ligand-Directed Destruction of Tumor Vasculature

Vascular targeting agents (VTA) are designed to bind selectively to components of tumor vasculature and deliver an effector molecule that, directly or indirectly, causes occlusion of the tumor vessels. Blood flow to the tumor thus ceases, resulting in tumor cell death due to the cells’ inability to obtain oxygen and nutrients (Fig. 1, below). This approach has several advantages. Firstly, the tumor endothelial cells are directly accessible to intravenously administrated therapeutic agents, permitting rapid localization of a high percentage of the injected dose. Secondly, since each capillary provides oxygen and nutrients for thousands of tumor cells, occlusion of the vessel has an amplified effect on tumor cells. Thirdly, the outgrowth of mutant endothelial cells lacking the target antigen is unlikely because they comprise a normal, genetically stable cell population. Finally, since tumor vessels share common morphological and biochemical properties, this strategy should be applicable to different tumor types.
Impact of an adaptive tutorial on student learning

In this study, we examined the effectiveness of an adaptive tutorial on college students' learning outcomes, mainly, learning performance, motivation, and study time. Two versions of the tutorial were developed; adaptive and non-adaptive. A total of 134 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to adaptive (n=74) or non-adaptive (n=60). Our results revealed that the adaptive group had a significantly higher knowledge gains than the non-adaptive group.
An evaluation of group activity schedules to promote social play in children with autism

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have deficits in social skills and may avoid engaging in play activities with typically developing peers. The purpose of this study was to identify the utility of activity schedules, with embedded scripts, to teach three children with ASD to play a complex social game. Specifically, children with ASD were taught to play hide-and-seek with typically developing peers. Once the activity schedules were introduced, participants began engaging in independent hide-and-seek behaviors. A secondary purpose of this study was to systematically fade the activity schedules to the least intrusive version. We faded all of the scripts and the majority of activity schedule components for the three participants. Participants continued to play hide-and-seek with the faded versions of the schedules in a novel environment and 2 weeks after treatment concluded.
Synergism and Aggregation in Multi-Extractant Solvent Extraction Systems

ABSTRACTSeveral combinations of lipophilic extractants have been studied with the objective of investigating the synergistic behavior of metal ion extraction and its relation to reverse micelle for...
Being Late, Going with the Flow, Always Doing More: The Cruel Optimism of Higher Education in Jordan.

AbstractBerlant’s notion of cruel optimism refers to investments in material structures, social norms, and ideological claims of being that work against individual and collective flourishing. Drawi...
A programmatic intervention to promote entrepreneurial self-efficacy, critical behavior, and technology readiness among underrepresented college students

Abstract Underrepresented students face challenges in accessing entrepreneurial education and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In attempts to address this deficit, a five-week social entrepreneurship program (named Poder) with a focus on technology was implemented at one of the largest community college systems in the U.S. Conceptually, the program curriculum was grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory and Critical Consciousness, two approaches noted for helping underserved students. In order to evaluate the efficacy of the program, students from diverse backgrounds (n = 106) completed pre- and post-test measures, which included instruments assessing entrepreneurial self-efficacy, entrepreneurial skills, civic participation, critical behavior, technology optimism, and technology innovation. Results from paired samples t-tests and a series of repeated measures mixed-design ANOVAS suggest that students experienced significant increases in all outcome measures, except for civic participation, and effects were not moderated by race/ethnicity, gender, or immigration status. These results suggest that the program, designed with a culturally responsive curriculum, was effective in promoting the career development of culturally diverse and underrepresented students. We discuss conceptual and practical contributions for addressing educational attainment gaps and systemic issues in entrepreneurship and STEM education.
“Phantom Words” are heard more frequently as coming from the right side of space

To experience the “Phantom Words” illusion (Deutsch, 2003) the listener sits in front of two loudspeakers, with one to the left and the other to the right. A sequence is repeatedly presented consisting of two monosyllabic words, or one word composed of two syllables. The sequences coming from both loudspeakers are identical; however, they are offset in time so that when the first sound (word or syllable) is coming from the speaker on the right the second sound is coming from the speaker on the left; and vice versa. Listeners generally perceive different illusory words and phrases, and those appearing as from the right are often different from those appearing as from the left. Here, 20 righthanders and 20 non-righthanders (left-handers and mixed handers) listened to seven such sequences. For each handedness group, ten subjects were seated facing the loudspeakers and ten were seated facing the opposite direction. There was a highly significant tendency for righthanders to hear illusory words and phrases as coming from their right, regardless of their orientation relative to the loudspeakers. Non-righthanders also showed this tendency, but it was less pronounced. Implications for cerebral dominance are here discussed, and illusory sequences are presented as sound examples.
Cultural and Social Challenges of Diabetes Self-Management Education Through Physicians' Voices

Objective The aim of this study is to understand how the physician-patient relationship is related to referral practices for diabetes self-management education and physicians' perceptions of culturally competent health care delivery at a large health system affiliated with an academic medical center in a Midwestern city. Methods Sixteen physicians (6 family medicine, 6 internal medicine, 4 endocrinology) participated in semistructured interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded. Data were thematically analyzed using MAXQDA software. Results All physicians considered diabetes self-management education a very important part of diabetes treatment, but physician referral patterns to diabetes education varied. Study findings indicated that both high and low referring physicians reported providing care that was responsive to personalized patient needs, including cultural beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that affect health/health care. Building relationships and rapport with patients led to discussions of understanding barriers to diabetes management. Conclusion This study highlights physicians' perceptions of and concerns about referrals to diabetes self-management education and the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Physicians understood the personal, environmental, and health care factors that limit the number of racial/ethnic minorities from participating. Practical implications In addition to diabetes education, physicians suggested that additional resources or programs will help them address socioeconomic factors beyond their control and to understand cultural preferences.
Changes in Dental Benefits and Use of Emergency Departments for Nontraumatic Dental Conditions in Massachusetts.

ObjectivesResearch examining the effect of changes in Medicaid dental benefits on emergency department (ED) use for dental conditions has had mixed results. We examined the effect of changes in Med...
Chief global officers, geographical sales dispersion, and firm performance

Abstract Firms are increasingly employing Chief Global Officers (CGOs) in their C-suites. Drawing on the information processing theory and the instrumental leadership framework, we argue that CGOs could be an important conduit in leveraging international scope to improve organizational performance. Based on a sample of 1,293 U.S. firms between 2006 and 2015, the results show that in addition to the direct positive association between CGO presence and firm performance, CGO presence mediates the association between geographical sales dispersion and firm performance. The hypotheses are supported for stock-market based performance as well as international sales performance. The findings are robust to a variety of tests, including alternate measures of variables of interest, alternate model specifications, and matched-pair sampling. Additional analyses comparing CGO presence with executive presence in other functional areas suggest the distinctive role of CGO in the top management team.
The Miracle and Tragedy of the 2020 Election

The 2020 election was both a miracle and a tragedy. In the midst of a pandemic, election administrators pulled off a safe, secure, and professional election. Still, lies of voter fraud have cemented in the minds of tens of millions of Americans that the election was rigged. As the first wave of the pandemic overtook the nation right as the presidential election season was beginning, most states responded by delaying their primaries and maximizing opportunities to vote by mail. We review how the quick actions of many states led to salvaging of the primary season, but also led to two cautionary tales, from Wisconsin and New York, that illustrated the disasters that could befall both mail and in-person voters if the nation did not act quickly. We recount the combination of actions taken by governors, state legislators, health officials, judges, and civil society to adapt election administration to the exigent realities of the pandemic and to cope with the logistical challenges state and local election officials faced. We discuss metrics of success in the adaptations that took place — record-high turnout, widespread voter satisfaction, a doubling of mail voting without a concomitant increase in problems often associated with absentee ballots, and the recruitment of hundreds of thousands of new poll workers. We also explore how the competing narrative of dysfunction and a “stolen election,” propagated by President Trump and his supporters, led not only to the insurrection at the Capitol on January 1, but also to a historically deep chasm at the mass level between partisans in their trust of the election process and outcome. We conclude by noting that many states will be considering legislation that re-litigates the election by addressing non-problems, rather than building on the triumphs of the election.
The transmutations of chymistry. Wilhelm Homberg and the Académie Royale des Sciences: by Lawrence Principe, Chicago and London, University of Chicago Press, 2020, xv+464 pp., 18 figs.+1 table., $45.00 (Hardback); £32.24, ISBN 0-226-70078-6

Lawrence Principe’s latest book on the history of chymistry, the early modern science that falls between alchemy and modern chemistry, comes with a pun in the title. The concept of transmutation is...
Machine learning in life cycle assessment

Abstract Machine learning (ML) has been used in life cycle assessment (LCA) to estimate the values of environmental impact characterization factors and to conduct sensitivity analyses. ML has even been used to develop surrogate LCAs, which have enabled prediction of future products’ full life cycle environmental impacts based on design-phase product characteristics. Outside of LCA, applications of ML algorithms have included data cleaning, predicting system output flows or performance, ecosystem informatics, and system optimization. Considering these uses and capabilities of ML, opportunities exist for using ML in cleaning data for life cycle inventories (LCI), estimating flow data for unit processes, improving the quality and quantity of data used to determine impact characterization factors, and generating inventory data for scenario analyses. In this chapter, we introduce LCA and ML, look at how ML has been used in LCA and in development of surrogate LCAs, and discuss other applications that could inform future ML-based tools for LCA.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Vacancy and Void Effects on Strain-Induced Martensitic Transformations in an FeNi Alloy

Strain-induced martensitic transformations can improve the strength and ductility of some face centered cubic (FCC) metals and alloys. Irradiation-induced defects such as vacancies, dislocation loops, and voids activate martensitic transformations over a wider range of mechanical loading conditions than in pristine material. However, the mechanisms underlying irradiation-enabled martensite transformations remain unclear. In this work, we use molecular dynamics simulations to study the effect of vacancies and voids on strain-induced martensitic transformations. It has been found that single vacancies have no resolvable effect on the transformation because they reduce the stacking fault energy by a relatively insignificant margin and do so only if the vacancy is located on the stacking fault plane. Voids, however, activate the martensite transformation through shear strain accumulation around the void due to dislocation pileup. The larger the void, the more pronounced this effect.
Engineering Biological Electron Transfer and Redox Pathways for Nanoparticle Synthesis.

Many species of bacteria are naturally capable of types of electron transport not observed in eukaryotic cells. Some species live in environments containing heavy metals not typically encountered b...
Robotic guidance platform for laser interstitial thermal ablation and stereotactic needle biopsies: a single center experience.

While laser ablation has become an increasingly important tool in the neurosurgical oncologist’s armamentarium, deep seated lesions, and those located near critical structures require utmost accuracy during stereotactic laser catheter placement. Robotic devices have evolved significantly over the past two decades becoming an accurate and safe tool for stereotactic neurosurgery. Here, we present our single center experience with the MedTech ROSA ONE Brain robot for robotic guidance in laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) and stereotactic biopsies. We retrospectively analyzed the first 70 consecutive patients treated with ROSA device at a single academic medical center. Forty-three patients received needle biopsy immediately followed by LITT with the catheter placed with robotic guidance and 27 received stereotactic needle biopsy alone. All the procedures were performed frameless with skull bone fiducials for registration. We report data regarding intraoperative details, mortality and morbidity, diagnostic yield and lesion characteristics on MRI. Also, we describe the surgical workflow for both procedures. The mean age was 60.3 ± 15 years. The diagnostic yield was positive in 98.5% (n = 69). Sixty-three biopsies (90%) were supratentorial and seven (10%) were infratentorial. Gliomas represented 54.3% of the patients (n = 38). There were two postoperative deaths (2.8%). No permanent morbidity related to surgery were observed. We did not find intraoperative technical problems with the device. There was no need to reposition the needle after the initial placement. Stereotactic robotic guided placement of laser ablation catheters and biopsy needles is safe, accurate, and can be implemented into a neurosurgical workflow.
Declining RNA integrity in control autopsy brain tissue is robustly and asymmetrically associated with selective neuronal mRNA signal loss

RNA integrity numbers (RINs) are a standardized method for semi-quantification of RNA degradation, and are used in quality control prior to transcriptional profiling analysis. Recent work has demonstrated that RINs are associated with downstream transcriptional profiling, and correction procedures are typically employed in bioinformatic analysis pipelines to attempt to control for RINs influence on gene expression. However, relatively little work has been done to determine whether RINs influence is random, or is specifically targeted to a subset of mRNAs. We tested the hypothesis that RIN would be associated with a robust transcriptional profile seen across multiple studies. To test this, we downloaded subsets of raw transcriptional data from six published studies. We only included control, non-pathological post-mortem human brain tissue (n = 383 samples) in which independent subjects RIN values were also reported. A robust set of mRNAs consistently and significantly correlated with RIN across multiple studies, appearing to be selectively degraded as RIN declines. Many of the affected gene expression pathways are related to neurons (e.g., vesicle, mRNA transport, synapse, and mitochondria), suggesting that neuronal synaptic mRNA may be particularly vulnerable to degradation. Subsequent analysis of the relationship between RIN and vulnerable mRNA expression revealed most of the decay occurred over a relatively narrow RIN range of 7.2-8.6, with RIN values > 8.6 showing a ceiling effect, and those < 7.2 showing a floor effect on gene expression. Our data suggests that the RIN effect is pathway selective and non-linear, which may be an important consideration for current bioinformatic RIN correcting procedures, particularly in datasets in which declining RIN is confounded with a pathology under study (e.g., in Alzheimers disease).
Relative timing of RSV epidemics in summer 2021 across the US was similar to a typical RSV season

Abstract We evaluated the timing of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) epidemics in 2021 using Google search data. Despite the unusual out-of-season timing, the relative timing of RSV epidemics between states in 2021 shared a similar spatial pattern with typical RSV seasons. These insights can inform prophylaxis administration and planning of clinical trials.
SOME APPLICATIONS OF PRESTRESSING IN FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION

Prestressing techniques are advantageously applicable to some problems in foundation construction. In North America significant amounts of prestressing are used in tiebacks for temporary or permanent excavations, permanent anchorage into rock of structural foundations, prestressing of foundation mats, and prestressed piling. Recent examples from practice are reviewed with emphasis on the first three categories.
A Review of “Doing Theological Research: An Introductory Guide to Survival in Theological Education”

This pocket-size monograph explores the theological foundation of research and writing for individuals contemplating, beginning, or pursuing seminary education. The author holds an EdD from Columbi...
Religious Views on Biotechnology, Protestant

Introduction Protestant Distinctiveness Authority of Scripture Christian Freedom Typology of Protestant Theological Perspectives Nonintervention Anthropocentric Domination Stewardship Partnership Limit Circumstances Gene Therapy Transgenic Research Issues of Ownership: Patenting and Distributive Justice Human Cloning Keywords: biotechnology; Protestant
On a Decidable Class of Partially Controlled Petri Nets With Liveness Enforcing Supervisory Policies

We identify a class of partially controlled Petri net (PN) structures, which is denoted by G, that strictly includes the class of partially controlled free-choice (FC) PN structures. We show that there is a supervisory policy that enforces liveness in an arbitrary instance N(m0), where N ∈ G, if and only if there is a similar policy for an FCPN that results when the construction procedure enunciated in this paper is executed with N and its controllable transition set as input. Since the existence of a supervisory policy in an arbitrary partially controlled FCPN is decidable, it follows that the existence of similar policies for any N(m0), where N ∈ G, is also decidable. Furthermore, when it exists, the minimally restrictive supervisory policy that enforces in a member of G is characterized by a right-closed set of markings.
Diurnal variations of the Fe layer in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere: Four season variability and solar effects on the layer bottomside at McMurdo (77.8°S, 166.7°E), Antarctica

[1] We provide one of the first reports on diurnal variations of the Fe layer in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) using nearly 1000 h of data collected with an Fe Boltzmann lidar at McMurdo, Antarctica from December 2010 through 2011. The Fe layer undergoes significant diurnal variations on the bottomside in autumn and spring with daytime downward extension and nighttime upward contraction. Such variations are absent in winter under 24-h darkness. Summertime Fe density perturbations exhibit downward tidal phase progression. The bottom growth/contraction of Fe layer is shown to be a solar effect that is closely correlated with the solar elevation angle. The bottom transition corresponds to the solar elevation between −9° and −1° when sunlight passes through the lower atmosphere before reaching the MLT. Once the solar elevation is above −1°, the layer bottom remains nearly flat at its daytime altitude (∼70–73 km). When the solar elevation is below −9°, the layer bottom stays at its nighttime altitude (∼78–80 km). The descending transition rate at dawn is faster than the ascending rate at dusk. The time delay between appreciable Fe density and sunrise/sunset at the MLT increases with decreasing altitude and varies with season. We describe qualitatively how both neutral Fe chemistry with H, O and O3and photolysis of Fe-containing molecular species may play important roles in Fe diurnal variations. Accurate rate coefficients for Fe neutral and photochemical reactions are essential to quantitatively explain the solar effects in diurnal variations of the Fe layer.
Zigzag faceting and width refinement of graphene nanoribbons and nanoperforations via catalyzed edge-annealing on Cu(111)

Abstract Top-down subtractive lithography has previously been used to pattern graphene nanostructures which lack ideal properties due to (1) limited resolution and (2) disordered edges. Here, we introduce a method to convert such disordered edges into relatively smooth zigzag edges via annealing on a Cu(111) substrate at ~950 °C. The Cu catalyzes the re-arrangement of graphene edge atoms to energetically favorable sites, inducing zigzag edge faceting. The dimensions of the graphene nanostructures can be increased, decreased, or held constant during the annealing by tuning the relative balance between growth and etching reactions, described by a fundamental growth rate equation. To demonstrate the flexibility of this method, we lithographically pattern graphene nanoribbons with zigzag or armchair orientations, or alternatively perforate graphene with circular holes, and then anneal these nanostructures to realize zigzag edge termination in each case, with nanostructure feature size tailored from 8 to 80 nm. The annealed nanostructures have smoother zigzag edges (~40% reduction in 1σ line edge roughness), and Raman spectroscopy confirms that they have lower edge disorder than top-down patterned samples.
A fully self-aligned thin-film transistor for display and imaging applications

Summary form only given. Fabrication of TFT-arrays for large-area display and imaging application requires low temperature processes which are compatible with glass substrates. This requirement often presents a problem for making self-aligned TFT source/drain contacts. The traditional self-aligned doping process is ion implantation, which needs a post thermal process to anneal-out the ion damage and to activate the carriers. The anneal must not cause any detrimental effects to the substrate. Recently, it has been realized that laser doping has the potential of simplifying this process and avoiding any high temperature steps. The dopant diffusion is very fast in molten Si. With a short-pulse excimer laser, a thin layer of Si can be melted quickly and remains molten for a few tens of nanoseconds, which is a sufficient time for the dopant to get into the Si film and to form a shallow junction. Since the melt time is very short, the substrate temperature remains low. Several doping sources for the laser process have been reported, such as gas molecules, spin-on doping sources, or doped films. In this work, we report on the performance of a-Si:H TFTs in which the source/drain contacts are formed by laser doping.
Differential effects of tea extracts on growth and cytokine production by normal and leukemic human leukocytes

Background : Tea is one of the world’s most highly consumed beverages, second only to water. It is affordable and abundant and thus has great potential for improving health of those in both developed and developing areas. Green, oolong, and black teas differ in the extent of fermentation and types of bioactive polyphenols produced. Green tea and its major polyphenol decrease growth of some cancer cells and effect production of immune system cytokines. This study compares the effects of different types of tea extracts on viability and cytokine production by normal and leukemic human T lymphocytes. Generation of the toxic reactive oxygen species H2O2 by extracts was also examined. Methods : The Jurkat T lymphoblastic leukemia cells and mitogen-stimulated normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used in this study. Cell viability was determined by (3-4,5-dimethylthiamizol-2-yl)-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and production of interleukin-2 by Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay. Levels of H2O2 generated by tea extracts were determined using the xylenol-orange method. Results : We found that green, oolong, and black tea extracts differentially effect the growth and viability of T lymphoblastic leukemia cells and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells, substantially decreasing both growth and viability of leukemic T lymphocytes and having much lesser effects on their normal counterparts. Tea extracts also had differential effects on the production of the T lymphocyte growth factor interleukin-2, significantly decreasing production by leukemic cells while having only minor effects on normal cells. All three extracts induced H2O2 generation, with green and oolong tea extracts having the greatest effect. Leukemic cells were much more susceptible to growth inhibition and killing by H2O2 than normal lymphocytes. Conclusions : The three tea extracts studied altered leukemic T lymphocyte functions, decreasing cell viability, growth, and production of a major cell growth factor and the H2O2 generated by solutions of extracts may be partially responsible. Normal cells were affected to a far lesser degree by tea extracts and are also more resistant to killing by H2O2 than leukemic cells. This study has implications for using tea extracts for chemotherapeutic and immunomodulatory purposes. Key Words : Tea extracts, interleukin-2, hydrogen peroxide, leukemia, T lymphocytes
Altering conserved lipid binding sites in cytochrome c oxidase of Rhodobacter sphaeroides perturbs the interaction between subunits I and III and promotes suicide inactivation of the enzyme.

Subunit III of the three-subunit catalytic core of cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) contains no metal centers, but it does bind two lipids, within a deep cleft, in binding sites conserved from bacteria to humans. Subunit III binds to subunit I, where it prevents the spontaneous suicide inactivation of CcO by decreasing the probability of side reactions at the heme−Cu O2 reduction site in subunit I. Subunit III prevents suicide inactivation by (1) maintaining adequate rates of proton delivery to the heme−Cu active site and (2) stabilizing the structure of the active site during turnover [Mills and Hosler (2005) Biochemistry 44, 4656]. Here, we first show that mutating several individual residues of the conserved lipid binding sites in subunit III disturbs the subunit I−III interface. Then, two lipid binding site mutants were constructed with an affinity tag on subunit III such that the mutant CcOs could be isolated with 100% subunit III. R226A eliminates an ion pair to the phosphate of the outermost lipid of the...
Modelling of the hydration of tricalcium silicate

A previously developed mathematical procedure is used to illustrate the kinetics and mechanism of cement hydration. By using the experimentally obtained degree of hydration against time curve and the weight percentage particle size distribution (PSD) of a cement, the procedure can isolate an individual cement particle and characterize its different regimes or modes of hydration reaction. Specifically, one can identify an “accelerating mode” followed by a “decelerating mode” of reaction, and the changeover period, “maxima”, from one mode to the other.
Intelligent governance of large-scale engineering systems: A sub-systemic approach

More often than not, systems tend to be termed intelligent when their own structures, processes and rule systems possess the capability to transform into intelligent system components. Through this paper, we make a sincere effort to apply the concept of intelligent governance to large-scale urban systems, primarily cities (Hoboken, New Jersey), by prioritizing the key subsystems that can prove to be vital performance indicators in terms of sustainability of these cities. In doing so, we highlight the inter-relationships among those engineering components of the system, as a whole through the implementation of the CLIOS process.
Contributions to the History of Psychology: XCVIII. Topical Content of History-Of-Psychology Literature, 1975–1986

Psychological Abstracts was used to identify history-of-psychology literature published from 1975 through 1986. Perusal of these 1478 publications provided information on the principal topics of each. Disciplines, theories, and methodology were the most popular subjects of historical treatment; psychological apparatus was the least popular. Although psychoanalytic and behavioral topics were well-represented in the literature, topical diversity was the most prominent feature. Our findings were discussed in relation to (a) relevant factors that affect topical visibility, (b) the disciplinary status of the history of psychology, and (c) the issue of disunity in contemporary psychology
Edge scan wave-front analyzer for low order aberrations.

The principles and concepts of a wave-front analyzer based on spot edge scanning techniques and rising and falling illuminance slope comparisons are reviewed. An analyzer implementing these techniques and designed to be used with an adaptive optics element for the real time correction of low order aberrations is described. An evaluation of the tilt output channels of the analyzer shows a linear operating range exceeding ±500 μrad, frequency response exceeding 250 Hz, and a noise equivalent tilt angle of 4 μrad. For the focus and astigmatism channels, the analyzer output is linear over an ∼2.5–3-μm range of aberration input for a diffraction-limited (DL) spot. The instrument gain falls from ∼8.5 V/μm for a 1 × DL spot to ∼4 V/μm for a 6 × DL spot. The noise equivalent aberration increases from 0.025 μm for a 1 × DL spot to ∼0.05 μm for a 6 × DL spot.
Expression of streptomycete cholesterol oxidase in Escherichia coli.

A streptomycete gene coding for extracellular cholesterol oxidase (choA) was subcloned and expressed inEscherichia coli. The pUCO series recombinants were obtained by inserting thechoA gene into the uniqueKpnI site of pUC19 vector. Expression was observed with pUCO192A and pUCO193 constructs in which the cloned gene(s) were aligned with the upstreamlacZ promoter. Isopropyl β-d-thioglucopyranoside (IPTG) enhanced this expression up to 2.5-fold. Specific Cho activity in the cell extracts of the stable pUCO193 transformant were 0.004 U and 0.007 U per mg protein without and with IPTG induction, respectively. Cho activity was detected in the spent medium of this culture, suggesting possible secretion of the enzyme.
Some Comments on the Usefulness of Electronic Data Processing in Medical Practice

Many of the time-consuming activities performed by a practicing physician can be performed expeditiously by electronic data processing. Permanent records on patients could be made available in a very short time to any hospital in the country. However, the meeting of patient and physician must be regarded as a therapeutic phenomenon from the start. The importance of the thinking, reasoning, and listening process on the part of the physician cannot be diminished without affecting the over-all therapeutic value of the physician to the patient.
Myosin III Illuminates the Mechanism of Arrestin Translocation

Recent studies have revealed that light adaptation of both vertebrate and invertebrate photoreceptors is accompanied by massive translocations of major signaling proteins in and out of the cellular compartments where visual signal transduction takes place. In this issue of Neuron, Lee and Montell report a breakthrough in understanding the mechanism of arrestin translocation in Drosophila. They show that arrestin is carried into the light-sensitive microvilli by phosphoinositide-enriched vesicles driven by a myosin motor.
Similarity of the perimeters in the Ebbinghaus illusion

Coren and Miller (1974) and Coren and Enns (1993) argued that the magnitude of the Ebbinghaus illusion is a function of the rated or conceptual similarity of the inducing objects to the test object. In three experiments, we examined the convergence between conceptual similarity and illusion magnitude. The first failed to find support for this parallel. Two further experiments yielded support for an alternative hypothesis that the magnitude of the Ebbinghaus illusion is a function of the similarity of the perimeters of the inducing object to the test object. The similarity of the centers had no effect. These results suggest that the information used to estimate size is computed earlier in the visual system than suggested by Coren and colleagues and apparently does not involve the use of conceptual information.
Predicting and understanding ecosystem responses to climate change at continental scales

Climate is changing across a range of scales, from local to global, but ecological consequences remain difficult to understand and predict. Such projections are complicated by change in the connectivity of resources, particularly water, nutrients, and propagules, that influences the way ecological responses scale from local to regional and from regional to continental. This paper describes ecological responses to expected changes in four key meso-scale drivers that influence the ecosystems of the North American continental interior: drought, warming, snowpack disappearance, and altered fire regimes. Changes in these drivers will affect, for example, atmospheric smoke, dust, and reactive nitrogen concentrations; stream discharge; nitrate concentrations; sediment loads; and the vector-borne spread of invasive species and infectious diseases. A continental network of sensors and simulation models is required to detect changes in the transport vectors – atmospheric, hydrologic, and mechanized –that connect sp...
Operation of a 1∶8-THz quantum-cascade laser above 160 K

The maximum operating temperature of previously reported terahertz quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs) has empirically been limited to a value of ∼/kB. Here, we report a new design scheme for terahertz QCLs and achieve 163-K operation for a 1∶8-THz QCL, which is a factor of 1.9 larger than /kB.