cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coherent stylized silhouettes

We describe a way to render stylized silhouettes of animated 3D models with temporal coherence. Coherence is one of the central challenges for non-photorealistic rendering. It is especially difficult for silhouettes, because they may not have obvious correspondences between frames. We demonstrate various coherence effects for stylized silhouettes with a robust working system. Our method runs in real-time for models of moderate complexity, making it suitable for both interactive applications and offline animation.
Negative-inductance SQUID as the basic element of reversible Josephson-junction circuits

It has been known for a long time that the thermodynamic limit k/sub B/Tln2 on the energy dissipation per logic operation can be overcome by physically and logically reversible circuits. However, explicit experimental demonstration of this is still lacking, and would be highly desirable both in its own right and in view of strong interest in inherently reversible quantum computation. In this work, we suggest a new gate, "negative-inductance SQUID", that is suitable for the experimental demonstration of reversible information processing in Josephson-junction circuits, and present results of its theoretical analysis. We also describe layout-level designs of an individual nSQUID and an 8-cell circular shift register made of nSQUIDs.
Acute attenuation of translation initiation and protein synthesis by glucocorticoids in skeletal muscle

Glucocorticoids are diabetogenic factors that not only antagonize the action of insulin in target tissues but also render these tissues catabolic. Therefore, in rats, we endeavored to characterize the effects in skeletal muscle of glucocorticoids on translation initiation, a regulated process that, in part, governs overall protein synthesis through the modulated activities of eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs). Four hours after intraperitoneal administration of dexamethasone (100 μg/100 g body wt), protein synthesis in skeletal muscle was reduced to 59% of the value recorded in untreated control animals. Furthermore, translation initiation factor eIF4E preferred association with its endogenous inhibitor 4E-BP1 rather than eIF4G. Dexamethasone treatment resulted in dephosphorylation of both 4E-BP1 and the 40S ribosomal protein S6 kinase concomitant with enhanced phosphorylation of eIF4E. Moreover, the guanine nucleotide exchange activity of eIF2B was unaffected as was phosphorylation of the α-subunit of eIF2. Hence glucocorticoids negatively modulate the activation of a subset of the protein synthetic machinery, thereby contributing to the catabolic properties of this class of hormones in vivo.
Involvement of the Coding Sequence for the Estrogen Receptor Gene in Autologous Ligand-Dependent Down-Regulation

The estrogen receptor (ER) appears to be down-regulated by its own ligand in some estrogen (E2)-responsive tissues as well as in cell lines such as MCF-7 and GH3. Surprisingly, we observed ER down-regulation in a newly constructed E2-responsive cell line (Rat1 + ER), in which expression of the coding region of the ER cDNA was driven by the Moloney murine leukemia virus long terminal repeat. We present evidence that the coding region of the ER cDNA, but not the Moloney murine leukemia virus long terminal repeat, possesses a sequence(s) necessary for ER down-regulation. The observed down-regulation occurs at ligand-binding and protein, as well as mRNA, levels. Marked decreases in both protein and mRNA levels were observed as early as 3 h after E2 treatment. Furthermore, maximal down-regulation occurred by 18-24 h with ligand-binding, and mRNA levels reached approximately 20% that of controls. ER down-regulation in Rat1 + ER cells is only partially inhibited by the presence of cycloheximide and therefore suggests a direct participation of the ER in this process. E2 does not appear to influence the stability of the ER transcript, which implies that negative regulation is occurring at the transcriptional level. Finally, since we can demonstrate ER binding to a portion of the cDNA sequence, we propose a mechanism whereby ER binding to its putative negative element leads to transcriptional repression of the upstream promoter.
A publish/subscribe middleware for dependable and real-time resource monitoring in the cloud

Providing scalable and QoS-enabled (i.e., real-time and reliable) monitoring of resources (both virtual and physical) in the cloud is essential to supporting application QoS properties in the cloud as well as identifying security threats. Existing approaches to resource monitoring in the cloud are based on web interfaces, such as RESTful APIs and SOAP, which cannot provide real-time information efficiently and scalably because of a lack of support for fine-grained and differentiated monitoring capabilities. Moreover, their implementation overhead results in a distinct loss in performance, incurs latency jitter, and degrades reliable delivery of time-sensitive information. To address these challenges this paper presents a novel lighter weight and scalable resource monitoring and dissemination solution based on the publish/subscribe (pub/sub) paradigm. Our solution called SQRT-C leverages the OMG Data Distribution Service (DDS) real-time pub/sub middleware, and uses effective software engineering principles to make it usable with multiple cloud platforms. Preliminary empirical results comparing SQRT-C with contemporary web-based resource usage monitoring services reveals that SQRT-C is significantly better than the conventional approaches in terms of latency, jitter and scalability.
Frequency dispersion of wave velocity in arterial vessels

Pulse wave velocity in an artery is a very important indicator of the stiffness and disease of the artery. Pulse wave velocity in an artery is measured with the standard pulse delay technique. However, the precise timing of the pressure wave is difficult due to the presence of reflected waves. In this paper we propose to generate a wave of a few hundred Hz in an artery by localized radiation force of ultrasound. This wave attenuates very quickly, in a few centimeters, due to the viscoelasticity of the artery and surrounding tissues. Therefore, no reflected wave exists. The wave velocity can be measured accurately by the phase change versus distance. The frequency dispersion of wave velocity is also described because the pulse wave velocity method does not consider dispersion. A new theoretic model is proposed to investigate the wave propagation in arteries. The model is substantiated by in vitro experiments.
Optical and Structural Characterization of Zinc Implanted Silica Under Various Thermal Treatments

Zn ion implanted silica with controlled thermal annealing was investigated. Low temperature optical measurements indicate presence of Zn cluster in as-implanted silica. Optical spectra of the annealed sample under a reducing environment suggest Zn cluster and Zn metal colloid formation. The absorption peak at 5.3 eV may be due to surface plasma absorption of Zn metal colloids in silica. Oxidized samples (10 and 6x10{sup 16} ions/cm{sup 2}) show an absorption peak at 4.3 and 4.8 eV, respectively, and imply ZnO quantum dot formation. The blueshift in exciton absorption can be attributed to quantum confinement effects.
Improving the classification accuracy of the method of the moments using aspect ratio normalization

The method of moments has been used in several forms for shape recognition. Due to the dynamic range of the moments, high-order moment elements do not contribute significantly in the classification process and in some cases they reduce the classification accuracy. A normalization procedure, called aspect ratio normalization, which improves the classification accuracy, is discussed. The procedure is applied to a set of data to demonstrate its performance. >
Dietary supplementation with safflower seeds differing in fatty acid composition differentially influences serum concentrations of prostaglandin F metabolite in postpartum beef cows

Synthesis and secretion of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) is elevated following parturition and exerts divergent effects on the re-establishment of fertile estrous cycles in cows. The objective of these experiments was to determine if oil seed supplements differing in fatty acid composition differentially influence serum concentrations of the specific PGF2α metabolite, PGFM. Safflower seed supplements were formulated to provide 5% of dry-matter intake as fat. In Trial 1, 24 multiparous beef cows were individually fed control (beet pulp-soybean meal) or cracked high-linoleate safflower seed (78% 18:2n-6) supplements for 80 d postpartum. Linoleate supplemented cows had greater (P < 0.001) serum concentrations of PGFM than control cows. In Trial 2, primiparous beef cows (n = 36) were individually fed control (cracked corn-soybean meal), cracked high-linoleate (76% 18:2n-6) or -oleate (72% 18:1n-9) safflower seed supplements for 92 d postpartum. As in Trial 1, serum concentrations of PGFM were greater (P ≤ 0.04) in linoleate than control or oleate supplemented cows. Serum concentrations of PGFM, however, did not differ (P = 0.40) among oleate and control supplemented cows. Although potential impacts on reproductive performance remain to be proven, dietary oil supplements high in linoleate, but not oleate, increased serum concentrations of PGFM compared to control supplements. beef cows / lipid supplementation / prostaglandin
CNS PEPTIDES AND REGULATION OF GASTRIC ACID SECRETION

The influence of the central nervous system (eNS) on gastric secretory and motor function has been recognized for one and a half centuries, ever since William Beaumont's studies of his fistulous subject. In 1833 he reported that "fear, anger, whatever depresses or disturbs the nervous system" was accom­ panied by suppression of gastric secretion and by a marked delay in gastric digestion and emptying (4). A landmark in the establishment of a physiolog­ ical role for the brain in the regulation of gastric secretion was Pavlov's work at the beginning of this century. He discovered that sham feeding, anticipation of eating, and the sight or smell of food were powerful stimulants of hoth gastric acid and pepsin secretion in the dog (78). These studies were extended to humans in 1907 (40) and since then have been amply confinued (17). Brain pathways influencing gastric secretion were subsequently investigated via electrical stimulation or lesions of specific nuclei in various experimental animals (5, 25). More recently, advances in neurophysiological techniques, the development of sensitive anterograde and retrograde transport techniques and the discovery of a large number of peptides and their receptors in brain structures influencing gastric function have provided new tools and impetus to the investigation of the anatomical and chemical substrates mediating brain­ gut interactions.
A new climate regime in northeast pacific ecosystems

[1] Following a strong El Nino, the climate of the North Pacific underwent a rapid and striking transition in late 1998. Upwelling-favorable winds strengthened over the California Current (CC), and winds weakened in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). Coastal waters of the CC and GOA cooled by several degrees, and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) reversed sign and remained negative through summer 2002. Zooplankton biomass in the northern CC doubled and switched from warm to cold water species dominance, coho and chinook salmon stocks rebounded, and anchovy and osmeriids increased. Persistent changes in atmosphere and upper ocean fields and ecosystem structure suggest a climate regime shift has occurred, similar (opposite) to shifts observed in 1947 (1925 and 1976). If the 1998 regime shift in the northern CC is completely analogous to earlier shifts, then ecosystem structure should have changed in the GOA. Recent surveys indicate this ecosystem has transformed as well.
Land-plant diversity and the end-Permian mass extinction

The Permian and Triassic represent a time of major global climate change from icehouse to hothouse conditions and significant (∼25°) northward motion of landmasses amalgamated in essentially one supercontinent, Pangea. The greatest of all mass extinctions occurred around the Permian-Triassic boundary (251 Ma), although there is no consensus regarding the cause(s). Recent studies have suggested a meteor impact and worldwide die-off of vegetation, on the basis of sparse local observations. However, new analyses of global Permian and Triassic plant data in a paleogeographic context show that the scale and timing of effects varied markedly between regions. The patterns are best explained by differences in geography, climate, and fossil preservation, not by catastrophic events. Caution should be exercised when extrapolating local observations to global-scale interpretations. At the other extreme, global compilations of biotic change through time can be misleading if the effects of geography, climate, and preservation bias are not considered.
Liquid crystal based sensors for the detection of cholic acid

The concentration level of cholic acid is a biomarker for the early diagnosis of liver and intestinal diseases. We present a biosensor platform based on the anchoring transition of 4-cyano-4′-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) liquid crystals at surfactant-laden 5CB/aqueous interfaces for the detection of cholic acid (CA) in aqueous solution. In the biosensor platform, the competitive adsorption of CA at the surfactant-laden 5CB/aqueous interfaces can trigger a homeotropic-to-planar anchoring transition of the 5CB at the interface, which can be easily observed using a polarizing optical microscope. We find that the detection limit of the 5CB based biosensors for CA depends on the pH and ionic strength of the aqueous phase and the headgroup of the surfactants.
The delivery of recreation programs: Students gain entry level management skills through service learning

Service learning is a well-established pedagogy within higher education. Specifically, service learning allows students to engage in 'real world' activitites to practice skills and reflect upon their own competence. To enhance the effectiveness of service learning, instructors need to consider a multitude of learning influences. This study adhered to the tenants of the Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1986; Schunk, 2004) to engage students in service learning activities related to entry level administrative competencies. Data analysis included a content analysis of reflection papers to determine how many times competencies expected of entry level recreation professionals were mentioned. Students percieved the acquisition of competencies consistent with entry level competencies identified within the recreation industry. Results contribute to the development of effective assignments to facilitate the acquisition of desired professional competencies.
Exodus Dates and Theories

This chapter surveys in a brief and introductory manner the scholarly views regarding the dating of the Exodus described in the Hebrew Bible, including especially the “traditional” 18th dynasty date (ca. 1450 BCE) and the current “consensus” 19th dynasty date (ca. 1250 BCE), but touching also on other Exodus dates advocated from ca. 2100 BCE through ca. 650 BCE. These are summarized in table form with the relevant bibliography. Theories of the date are usually accompanied by identifications of the pharaohs involved, and these are briefly surveyed as well.
Evaluating Health Care Appropriateness Means Putting a Value on its Goodness: The Role of Expectations and Trust

The measurement and evaluation of healthcare services continues to be challenged when the appropriateness of the services is its focus. Good outcomes do not mean the services were needed or that the process of delivering care was efficient. Further, patient and family satisfaction with the care episode is influenced by the promises the healthcare system in general and physicians in particular made to the patients. As such, physicians have the dual role of educating patients while they are managing their health status changes. Eventually, it is a question of accountability about the processes and outcomes of the care, which are expected to both demonstrate the social responsibilities of health care professionals and gauge the expectations of patients, families, and communities. The purpose of this article is to explore the determinants of what and why patients expect from healthcare and caring. Within the concept of accountability, the role of physicians as educators rather than exclusively healers of disease is explored.
Introduction: An Overview of Crisis Communication

Crisis communication, a subspecialty of public relations, proffers a vast body of knowledge initially fueled by two events—the Tylenol crisis of 1982 and the Exxon Valdez crisis of 1989. In their wake, these examples underscored that communication becomes the lifeblood when managing emergency situations. Opposite sides of the same coin, these two classic case studies show companies, organizations, and governments what to do and what not to do in times of crisis. In responding to cyanide poisoning found in its product, Johnson & Johnson provided an early exemplar of prompt action and open communication. On the other hand, Exxon’s slow and clumsy response to a devastating oil spill off the coast of Alaska made corporations and communicators sit up, take notice, and make crisis communication a priority. Although the cases throughout this book deal specifically with crises associated with climate change and natural and technological hazards, a general overview of the crisis communication literature provides a useful underpinning. Thus, the purpose of this introduction is not unraveling the skeins of crisis communication research that exist, but rather to summarize key principles beginning with a brief backdrop explaining why communication matters during crisis.
Intensity- and Temperature-Dependent Carrier Recombination in InAs / In As 1 − x S b x Type-II Superlattices

A judicious choice of material heterostructure could spur a breakthrough in infrared photodetector technology, for diverse uses in astronomy, medicine, and industry. Unfortunately, for this system little is known about the nonequilibrium charge-carrier dynamics, which is critical to device performance. This study outlines an approach to uniquely determine the magnitudes of the various recombination mechanisms that determine carrier lifetime, and ultimately the limitations of photodetector dark currents.
Percolative Properties of Al-Ge Composite thin Films

We have shown in this paper that Al-Ge mixture films can be described by percolation theory due to their special morphology. An interesting effect appears when one analyzes the microstructure of these films above and below the percolation threshold. Above the percolation threshold, both the Al and the Ge are crystalline, and both have a crystallite percolation description. We have found that below the percolation threshold all samples look amorphous (or at least, the grain size is so small as to substantially broaden the diffraction peaks). Thus, we conclude that an “infinite cluster” that always exist above Pc, is necessary for the crystallization of the Ge. Transport properties of such systems also agree with a description based on conduction in a percolation medium. The dc transport description is simply given by the random resistor network model where the dynamics is given by the anomalous diffusion description. In this case the conductivity and the superconducting transition can be described by the above model. The case of magnetoresistance is more complicated due to the special dynamics (in an applied magnetic field) involved. We have found that the simple Kohler's rule is obeyed hence concluding that an effective scattering time that is modified by the anomalous diffusion should be used to explain the data.
Rising complication rates after intrathecal catheter and pump placement in the pediatric population: analysis of national data between 1997 and 2006.

BACKGROUND Intrathecal delivery of baclofen (ITB) is effective at controlling spasticity. However, it requires the placement of a catheter into the intrathecal space, and a pump with a reservoir for the medication. The process of placing the catheter and pump are prone to complications. OBJECTIVES The objective of this paper is to determine factors contributing to rising complication rates after intrathecal catheter/pump placement in a national sample of pediatric patients. STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective observational database study. METHODS We queried the Kids' Inpatient Database for all children greater than 4 years old and under 20 years old for the years 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006 who had an intrathecal catheter and pump placed. We then compared demographics and hospital characteristics of patients with and without complications. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses to determine the relative contribution of various factors to the development of complications. RESULTS We identified 2,843 patients who met our criteria, and 514 of these patients had one or more complications after placement of intrathecal pump/catheter. There were 1.14 complications per patient. The complication rate was 10.2% in 1997, and increased to 21.9% in 2006. Mechanical complications were the most common type of complication in this population, account for nearly two-thirds of all complications occurring. Age, hospital type, hospital size, and admission source were independent predictors of complications. LIMITATIONS We did not have access to ASA status, operative details, and access to patient charts. CONCLUSIONS Complication rates after placement of intrathecal pump/catheters have increased in the pediatric population between 1997 and 2006 mainly due to an increase in mechanical complications.
Outcome of resection of WHO Grade II meningioma and correlation of pathological and radiological predictive factors for recurrence

This study investigated whether extent of surgical resection (Simpson and Shinshu grade) along with pathological and radiological factors influence the tumor control and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients with World Health Organization (WHO) grade II meningiomas. The clinical, radiological and surgical notes on the 59 patients with WHO grade II meningioma managed at our institution over 20years were retrospectively reviewed. In this study, median survival time was 41months. The overall recurrence rate in Simpson grades I and II resection was 31%. In grades III and IV, the overall recurrence rate was 73%, and this high recurrence rate in these groups was confined within 5years. In Cox regression analysis, combined data of grades (I and II)/complete resection showed a significant difference in RFS compared to grades (III and IV)/subtotal resection (p=0.0001). A similar trend of RFS (p=0.0001) was observed with the Shinshu grading system of resection. In addition, a Ki-67% marker for proliferation less than 15% (p=0.029), absence of certain radiological features including heterogeneous enhancement, cyst formation and peritumoral edema (p=0.006), and repeat surgery for recurrent meningioma was associated with better survival (p=0.014). However, radiosurgery did not have a beneficial role in the treatment of recurrence of atypical meningioma. The Simpson grading system is the primary predictor of recurrence of WHO grade II meningioma after resection. In addition, certain pathological and radiological features need to be considered as possible factors of recurrence after resection. Lastly, depending on the likely risks and surgical morbidity, repeat surgical resection should be performed for recurrent atypical meningioma.
A Community Health Coach–Delivered Mental Wellness Intervention: Using Mind–Body Bridging to Reduce Health Disparities in Diverse Communities:

Research has shown that members of racial and ethnic minority groups experience greater cumulative stress burden. Because a high cumulative stress burden increases the likelihood of mental health d...
A new species of Schinia H bner from riparian habitats in the Grand Canyon (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Heliothinae)

Schinia immaculata, new species, is described from riparian habitats along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Habitats include the shoreline, new high water dominated by tamarisk (Tamarix sp., Tamaricaceae), and old high water characterized by mesquite (Prosopis sp., Fabaceae), acacia (Acacia sp., Fabaceae), and desert shrubs. Adult and male genitalia are illustrated and compared with Schinia biundulata Smith.
JL1X1/LHA1-1040/550 development of aluminum alloy core forming aluminum twisted line pair splicing sleeve

UHVDC project will be prepared by JL1X/LHA1-1040/550 aluminum alloy core forming aluminum twisted line to reduce the load on the tower, improves the safety performance of the circuit, and has the function of upgrading line capacity. For such a wire, the domestic currently has no relevant research experience of line pair splicing sleeve, in order to meet the needs of practical engineering, this paper completed the pair splicing sleeve material and a compression ratio development according to the structural characteristics of this guide line; through a splicing sleeve manufacturing and testing, the development of aluminum JL1X/LHA1-1040/550 aluminum alloy core aluminum twisted wire pair splicing sleeve grip strength meets 95%RTS.
Single molecule FRET-Rosetta reveals RNA structural rearrangements during human telomerase catalysis

Maintenance of telomeres by telomerase permits continuous proliferation of rapidly dividing cells, including the majority of human cancers. Despite its direct biomedical significance, the architecture of the human telomerase complex remains unknown. Generating homogeneous telomerase samples has presented a significant barrier to developing improved structural models. Here we pair single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) measurements with Rosetta modeling to map the conformations of the essential telomerase RNA core domain within the active ribonucleoprotein. FRET-guided modeling places the essential pseudoknot fold distal to the active site on a protein surface comprising the C-terminal element, a domain that shares structural homology with canonical polymerase thumb domains. An independently solved medium-resolution structure of Tetrahymena telomerase provides a blind test of our modeling methodology and sheds light on the structural homology of this domain across diverse organisms. Our smFRET-Rosetta models reveal nanometer-scale rearrangements within the RNA core domain during catalysis. Taken together, our FRET data and pseudoatomic molecular models permit us to propose a possible mechanism for how RNA core domain rearrangement is coupled to template hybrid elongation.
Policy Communication for Coordination with Unknown Teammates.

Within multiagent teams research, existing approaches commonly assume agents have perfect knowledge regarding the decision process guiding their teammates' actions. More recently, ad hoc teamwork was introduced to address situations where an agent must coordinate with a variety of potential teammates, including teammates with unknown behavior. This paper examines the communication of intentions for enhanced coordination between such agents. The proposed decision-theoretic approach examines the uncertainty within a model of an unfamiliar teammate, identifying policy information valuable to the collaborative effort. We characterize this capability through theoretical analysis of the computational requirements as well as empirical evaluation of a communicative agent coordinating with an unknown teammate in a variation of the multiagent pursuit domain.
A Recording System for Mantle Waves and the Use of a Mantle-Wave Magnitude Scale

Mantle-wave magnitudes can be measured from a very long period recording system developed for the Alaska Tsunami Warning Center and they are useful in the prediction of Tsunamis.
Damage from Secondary Pests and the Need for Refuge in China

Because Bt technology targets only bollworm populations, secondary pest populations have slowly eroded the benefits of Bt technology in China. Stochastic dominance tests based on primary household data from 1999–2001 and 2004 in China provide strong evidence that secondary pests have completely eroded all benefits from Bt cotton cultivation. Refuge, while currently used to prevent Bt resistance in the United States, could be used to control secondary pest populations by increasing their exposure to lethal toxins. We show that such a strategy would be profitable in China.
Teaching Inpatient Bedside Presenter Empowerment Actions During an Interactive Workshop.

Introduction Medical students and interns are the principal communicators during inpatient bedside patient- and family-centered rounds. Excellent presenters are able to share information during rou...
Ability of the Multisensory Jawbone UP3 to Quantify and Classify Sleep in Patients With Suspected Central Disorders of Hypersomnolence: A Comparison Against Polysomnography and Actigraphy.

Study Objectives:To evaluate the ability of a multisensory fitness tracker, the Jawbone UP3 (JB3), to quantify and classify sleep in patients with suspected central disorders of hypersomnolence.Met...
Playing Footsy with the FTSE 100 Index

Studies on S&P 500 Index changes are unable to reject index compiler certification in explaining permanent stock price effects to index additions. The FTSE 100 Index comprises one hundred stocks ranked highest by market capitalization, and therefore precludes certification. FTSE 100 Index additions elicit a permanent positive stock price effect, whilst deletions reveal a rebound following announcement period losses. Both price effects can be explained by changes in earnings expectations, information production, and investor awareness. These results challenge belief that index changes (absent certification) are information-free events and long-run demand curves for stocks slope downward.
Plant Health Management: Crop Protection with Nematicides

Nematicides are chemicals used in agriculture to mitigate the negative influence of plant parasitic nematodes on plant health and subsequently on crop production yield and/or quality. This article discusses the target organisms, history, use, mode-of-action, and the role of nematicides in integrated pest management approaches. New approaches to chemical plant protection against plant parasitic nematodes are addressed as well as market needs and prospects.
Applying behavioral activation to sustain and enhance the effects of contingency management for reducing stimulant use among individuals with HIV infection

There is a high prevalence of stimulant use among HIV-infected individuals, which is associated with suboptimal antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, HIV treatment interruptions, detectable HIV viral load, and transmission of HIV via increased sexual risk behavior. Contingency management (CM) is an initially effective treatment for stimulant use. However, the effects of CM are not sustained after the active intervention has ended. One potential contributor to the intractability of existing treatments may be a lack of attention to replacement activities or the role of depressed mood. Behavioral activation (BA) is an evidence-based approach for depression that involves identifying and participating in pleasurable, goal-directed activities. As a potential approach to address the CM rebound effect - informed by our formative qualitative research with the participant population - we conducted an open pilot trial of an intervention combining CM-BA for HIV-infected individuals with stimulant use disorder. Participants completed weekly BA therapy sessions (10-16 sessions) and thrice-weekly toxicology screenings (12 weeks); contingencies were rewarded for negative toxicology tests to support reengagement into positive life activities. Major assessments were conducted at baseline, 3-, and 6-months. Toxicology screening was repeated prior to the 6-month assessment. Eleven participants with stimulant use disorder enrolled; 7 initiated treatment and completed the full intervention. The mean age was 46 (SD = 5.03) and 14% identified as a racial/ethnic minority. Of the completers, the mean change score in self-reported stimulant use within the past 30 days (within-person change; reduction in self-reported stimulant use) was 4.14 days at 3 months and 5.0 days at 6 months [Cohen's d = 0.89]. The mean change score in weekly toxicology screens (reduction in positive toxicology screens) was .71 at 3 months and 1 at 6 months [Cohen's d = 1.05]. Exit interviews indicated that the integrated intervention was well received and acceptable. This study provides preliminary evidence that a combined CM-BA intervention for this population was feasible (100% retention at 6-months), acceptable (100% of intervention sessions attended; participants rated the intervention 'acceptable' or 'very acceptable'), and may be an option to augment the potency and sustained impact of CM for this population. Future pilot testing using a randomized controlled design is warranted.
Coastal groundwater discharge and the ancient inhabitants of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile

The population of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in pre-historic time is believed to have numbered in the thousands although typical perennial sources of drinking water (streams, springs) are nearly absent from the island. From the accounts of early European explorers, it is known that the people of Rapa Nui utilized brackish drinking water. Beyond this, almost nothing is known of the water resources in prehistory. The authors report here on field studies that suggest the ancient inhabitants of Rapa Nui survived periods of drought due to their utilization of brackish groundwater discharge that surfaces buoyantly at coastlines. This water was ponded in interception trenches, possibly captured in coastal impoundments, or just skimmed from the surface of seawater. Two field surveys indicate abundant locations of brackish but potable water along the coastline. The field surveys failed to identify distributed inland sources that are likely drought-resistant sources of water. Although coastal groundwater sources of are of poor quality, they were apparently sufficient to support the population and allow them to build the magnificent statues (moai) for which Easter Island is famous.
Baseline longitudinal strain predicts recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction in hospitalized patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy

Background Heart failure ( HF ) with "recovered" ejection fraction ( HF rec EF ) is an emerging phenotype, but no tools exist to predict ejection fraction ( EF ) recovery in acute HF . We hypothesized that indices of baseline cardiac structure and function predict HF rec EF in nonischemic cardiomyopathy and reduced EF . Methods and Results We identified a nonischemic cardiomyopathy cohort with EF 4.35 cm, higher absolute longitudinal strain (≥8%) was associated with HF rec EF (unadjusted odds ratio=3.9, 95% CI )confidence interval 1.2, 12.8). Incorporation of baseline indices of cardiac mechanics with clinical variables resulted in a predictive model for HF rec EF with c-statistic=0.85. Conclusions Factors associated with achieving HF rec EF were specific to cardiac structure and indices of cardiac mechanics. Higher baseline absolute longitudinal strain is associated with HF rec EF among nonischemic cardiomyopathy patients with reduced EF and larger left ventricular dimensions.
The energy performance of potential scenarios with large-scale PV deployment in Chile – a dynamic analysis

This paper investigates the implications of transitioning to more renewable electricity generation in Chile. The ongoing aggressive penetration of renewable energies in Chile reflects the large availability of solar, and to a lesser extent, wind-resources, and is a product of the ambitious national target to generate 60% of Chilean electricity from renewable sources by 2035. In addition, the electricity demand in Chile is expected to keep increasing over the next decades, and there are concerns about security of energy supply. We applied Net Energy Analysis (NEA) from a dynamic perspective, using a new metric, referred to as Power Return on Investment (PROI), which complements the information provided by the conventional Energy Return on Investment (EROI). We illustrated the methodological differences between these two indicators in terms of the direct electricity output, and equivalent primary energy. Results focus on photovoltaics (PV), and indicate significant opportunities for their large deployment, up to 40% of total electricity generation in the Chilean electric grids in 2035. Specifically, the PROI PE-eq trends of PVs, which quantify the year-by-year “energy cost” associated to the renewable energy transition, improve significantly over the course of less than two decades in both our future scenarios (respectively, 10-fold in the “best case”-and 6fold in the “worst case”).
A hybrid machine learning model for forecasting a billing period’s peak electric load days

Abstract Many models have been studied for forecasting the peak electric load, but studies focusing on forecasting peak electric load days for a billing period are scarce. This focus is highly relevant to consumers, as their electricity costs are determined based not only on total consumption, but also on the peak load required during a period. Forecasting these peak days accurately allows demand response actions to be planned and executed efficiently in order to mitigate these peaks and their associated costs. We propose a hybrid model based on ARIMA, logistic regression and artificial neural networks models. This hybrid model evaluates the individual results of these statistical and machine learning models in order to forecast whether a given day will be a peak load day for the billing period. The proposed model predicted 70% (40/57) of actual peak load days accurately and revealed potential savings of approximately USD $80,000 for an American university during a one-year testing period.
Effects of Microcomputer and Tactile Aid Simulations on the Spatial Ability of Blind Individuals

This article reports on a study that examined whether blind persons could learn the spatial layout of landmarks in a new large-scale space more accurately utilizing a microcomputer simulation of th...
Stimulating and Supporting Agency Learning

Organizational learning is widely seen as a particularly valuable form of change, driven by professionals closest to the work of the agency and all its challenges. However, the growing literature o...
Re-examination of the effects of food abundance on jaw plasticity in purple sea urchins

Morphological plasticity is a critical mechanism that animals use to cope with variations in resource availability. During periods of food scarcity, sea urchins demonstrate an increase in jaw length relative to test diameter. This trait is thought to be reversible and adaptive by yielding an increase in feeding efficiency. We directly tested the hypotheses that (1) there are reversible shifts in jaw length to test diameter ratios with food abundance in individual urchins, and (2) these shifts alter feeding efficiency. Purple sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, were collected and placed in either high or low food treatments for 3 months, after which treatments were switched for two additional months in La Jolla, CA (32.8674°N, 117.2530°W). Measurements of jaw length to test diameter ratios were significantly higher in low compared to high food urchins, but this was due to test growth in the high food treatments. Ratios of low food urchins did not change following a switch to high food conditions, indicating that this trait is not reversible within the time frame of this study. Relatively longer jaws were also not correlated with increased feeding efficiency. We argue that jaw length plasticity is not adaptive and is simply a consequence of exposure to high food availability, as both jaw and test growth halt when food is scarce.
Achieving Scaled and Sustained Use of Client-Based Projects in Business School Marketing Education: A Proposed Suprastructure:

Business scholars agree that well-constructed experiential learning and specifically client-based projects (CBPs) provide an opportunity for students to apply concepts they learn to solve particula...
Radiocatalytic performance of oxide-based nanoparticles for targeted therapy and water remediation

Abstract The radiocatalytic behavior of zinc oxide (ZnO), hafnia (HfO2), titania (TiO2), and gold-titania (Au@TiO2) nanomaterials was investigated through the degradation of methylene blue as the organic probe. The dye degradation by X-rays from a medical linear accelerator with endpoint energy of 6 MeV was enhanced in the presence of the oxide-based nanoparticles evidencing their promise as radiosensitizers. An increase in the dye apparent reaction rate constants of ~20% and up to 82% was observed in the presence of oxides-based nanoparticles during exposure to X-rays. This enhancement is attributed to the increased production of reactive species in solution. Gold-titania nanocomposites evidenced one of the highest radiocatalytic activity among the materials under investigation, with an increase in the MB apparent reaction rate constant of 50.3%. Overall, our experiments showed that radiocatalysis with oxides-based nanoparticles is a promising concept worth exploring in applications such as targeted radiation therapy and pollutant removal of water streams.
Vision reconstructs the cellular composition of binocular circuitry during the critical period

High acuity binocularity is established in primary visual cortex during an early postnatal critical period. In contrast to current models for the developmental of binocular neurons, we find that the binocular network present at the onset of the critical period is dismantled and remade. Using longitudinal imaging of receptive field tuning (e.g. orientation selectivity) of thousands of layer 2/3 neurons through development, we show most binocular neurons present at critical-period onset are poorly tuned and rendered monocular. These are replenished by newly formed binocular neurons that are established by a vision-dependent recruitment of well-tuned ipsilateral inputs to contralateral monocular neurons with matched tuning properties. The binocular network in layer 4 is equally unstable but does not improve. Thus, vision instructs a new and more sharply tuned binocular network in layer 2/3 by exchanging one population of neurons for another and not by refining an extant network.
Sr6(BO3)3BN2: An Oxido–Nitrido–Borate Phosphor Featuring BN2 Dumbbells

The host structure of the new phosphor Sr6(BO3)3BN2:Eu2+ crystallizes tetragonally (Sr6(BO3)3BN2, P42/mbc, Z = 8, a = 12.8173(3) A, b = 14.0740(5) A, Rint = 0.037, R1 = 0.052, and wR2 = 0.121) and ...
Promoting Functional and Independent Sitting in Children With Cerebral Palsy Using the Robotic Trunk Support Trainer

Seated postural abilities are critical to functional independence and participation in children with cerebral palsy, Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) levels III–IV. In this proof-of-concept study, we investigated the feasibility of a motor learning–based seated postural training with a robotic Trunk-Support-Trainer (TruST) in a longitudinal single-subject-design (13y, GMFCS IV), and its potential effectiveness in a group of 3 children (6–14y, GMFCS III–IV). TruST is a motorized-cable driven belt placed on the child’s trunk to exert active-assistive forces when the trunk moves beyond stability limits. TruST-intervention addresses postural-task progression by tailoring the assistive-force fields to the child’s sitting balance to train trunk control during independent short-sitting posture. TruST-intervention consisted of 2 training blocks of six 2hour-sessions per block (3 sessions per week). Pelvic strapping was required in the 1st block to prevent falls. As primary outcomes, we used the modified functional reach test, gross motor function measure-item set (GMFM-IS), Box & Blocks, and postural kinematics. After TruST-intervention children did not require pelvic strapping to prevent a fall, improved trunk stability during reaching (baseline = 5.49cm, 1week post-training = 16.38cm, 3mos follow-up = 14.63cm, ${P} ) and increased their sitting workspace (baseline = 127.55cm2, 1week post-training, = 409.92cm2, 3mos follow-up = 270.03cm2, ${P} ). Three children also improved in the GMFM-IS. In summary, our novel robotic TruST-intervention is feasible and can effectively maximize functional independent sitting in children with CP GMFCS III–IV.
Metformin-conjugated micellar system with intratumoral pH responsive de-shielding for co-delivery of doxorubicin and nucleic acid

A novel PMet-P(cdmPEG2K) polymeric micellar carrier was developed for tumor-targeted co-delivery of DOX and nucleic acids (NA), based on polymetformin and a structure designed to lose the PEG shell in response to the acidic extracellular tumor environment. NA/DOX co-loaded micelleplexes exhibited enhanced inhibition of cell proliferation compared to DOX-loaded micelles, and displayed a higher level of cytotoxicity at an acidic pH (6.8) which mimicks the tumor microenvironment. The PMet-P(cdmPEG2K) micelles achieved significantly improved transfection with either a reporter plasmid or Cy3-siRNA, and enhanced DOX intracellular uptake in 4T1.2 cells at pH 6.8. Importantly, PMet-P(cdmPEG2K) micelles showed excellent pEGFP (EGFP expression plasmid) transfection in an aggressive murine breast cancer (4T1.2) model. By using a plasmid encoding IL-12 (pIL-12), we investigated the combined effect of chemotherapy and gene therapy. PMet-P(cdmPEG2K) micelles co-loaded with DOX and pIL-12 were more effective at inhibiting tumor growth compared to micelles loaded with DOX or pIL-12 alone. In addition, this micellar system was effective in co-delivery of siRNA and DOX into tumor cells. Our results suggest that PMet-P(cdmPEG2K) has the potential for chemo and nucleic acid combined cancer therapy.
Development of perovskite solar cells by incorporating quantum dots

Abstract Quantum dot (QD) materials can provide tremendous benefits resulting from quantum confinement effect to photovoltaic devices such as perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this review, attractive characteristics of QDs are introduced from the point of view of nano-size effect, multiple-exciton generation, phase stability and hysteresis suppression. The role of QDs in improving device performance is elucidated on the basis of band engineering, tunable surface chemistry and compositional engineering. In addition, the contribution of QDs to environment-friendly devices is discussed. Finally, we discuss ongoing challenges and offer the perspectives on future advancement of PSCs with QDs.
Undermining Sanctuary? When Local and National Partisan Cues Diverge:

To what extent do national partisan cues exert influence over local voting behavior? Despite being an “immigrant welcoming city,” in November, 2019, Tucson, Arizona, voters rejected Prop. 205—the T...
An Evaluation of the MiDCoP Method for Imputing Allele Frequency in Genome Wide Association Studies

A genome wide association studies require genotyping DNA sequence of a large sample of individuals with and without the specific disease of interest. The current technologies of genotyping individual DNA sequence only genotype a limited DNA sequence of each individual in the study. As a result, a large fraction of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) are not genotyped. Existing imputation methods are based on individual level data, which are often time consuming and costly. A new method, the Minimum Deviation of Conditional Probability (MiDCoP), was recently developed that aims at imputing the allele frequencies of the missing SNPs using the allele frequencies of neighboring SNPs without using the individual level SNP information. This article studies the performance of the MiDCoP approach using association analysis based on the imputed allele frequency by analyzing the GAIN Schizophrenia data. The results indicate that the choice of reference sets has strong impact on the performance. The imputation accuracy improves if the case and control data sets are imputed using a separate but better matched reference set, respectively.