cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of Perceptual Stimulus Intensity on Speed of Movement and Force of Muscular Contraction

Abstract The net speed of arm movement made in response to sounds of 45, 65 and 85 db. loudness was measured by chronoscope. Reaction time was excluded. Thirty-six college men were tested. In another experiment, the force of successive contractions of the forearm muscles in response to serial auditory stimuli spaced 5 sec. apart was measured by a recording dynamometer. In both experiments there was a balanced order of presenting the three stimulus intensities. In general, the louder sounds produced faster arm movements and stronger contractions of the muscles. In explanation, it is postulated that greater perceived stimulus intensity results in stronger excitation of the pyramidal tracts and consequently more forceful muscular contractions.
National museums, national myths: constructing socialist Yugoslavism for Croatia and Croats

This article concerns two national museums in Croatia during the socialist period, the Museum of the Revolution of the Peoples of Croatia and the Historical Museum of Croatia. Both state-developed institutions were intimately tied to the process of nationalization as they helped articulate the place of the Croatian nation within the ideology of supranational Yugoslavism founded on the ideas of socialist patriotism, brotherhood and unity, self-management, national assertion, and South Slavic culture and community. This paper therefore traces the development and collapse of Yugoslavism in Croatia’s national narrative by analyzing how these museums adapted the mythology of socialist Yugoslavism for a particularly Croatian context. Specifically, this paper investigates the ways in which these museums operated in an often ambiguous national-supranational discourse in order to reinforce the historical precedents of Croatia as part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. I argue that these museums were ...
Procedures for Proportionate Sentences: The Next Wave of Eighth Amendment Noncapital Litigation

With its 2010 decision in Graham v. Florida, the U.S. Supreme Court for the first time placed categorical Eighth Amendment limits on noncapital sentences. Graham prohibits life-without-parole sentences for juveniles in nonhomicide cases and requires states to provide these juveniles with a “meaningful opportunity to obtain release based on demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation.” In 2012, in Miller v. Alabama, the Court again set a categorical Eighth Amendment limit — prohibiting mandatory life-without-parole sentences for all juveniles and requiring sentencers to give mitigating effect to youth-related factors when juveniles face life-without-parole sentences. Following Graham and Miller, 23 states have enacted statutes responding to the decisions and there has been extensive litigation nationwide. The first wave of litigation has largely focused on the scope of the Court’s categorical holdings, with lower courts considering questions such as: How long is a “life” sentence? Which crimes are “nonhomicides?” Do the decisions apply retroactively? A new wave of litigation is beginning to examine what procedures are required to ensure proportionate sentences under the Eighth Amendment. Across the country, states are using a range of approaches. In providing a “second look” for juveniles, some states are simply using existing parole systems, whereas other states have reformed their parole practices for juveniles or created special mechanisms for sentencing review through the courts. With respect to sentencing procedures, some states have adopted special procedures for serious juvenile cases. Other states have provided little guidance to sentencing courts. In the past several years, many individuals have been sentenced or resentenced under Miller, and parole boards have started holding hearings in some states. With these sentencing and second look proceedings underway, advocates have started to challenge the procedures that states are using. Are state parole boards in fact providing a “meaningful opportunity” for release to juveniles based on demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation? Are courts conducting sentencing hearings in compliance with Miller’s mandates? Eighth Amendment capital litigation has often focused on the procedures governing capital cases, and much can be accomplished by pushing for better procedures in the noncapital sentencing context. With hope, reforms to parole and sentencing processes for juveniles will not only improve outcomes for juveniles but will also lead to better procedures and outcomes for adults. Yet at the same time, advocates should not abandon efforts to push for further substantive Eighth Amendment limits on sentences — not only for children but for adults.
Transonic Aeroelastic Analysis for Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Applications

In this study, a methodology for a transonic aeroelastic analysis has been formulated which can be easily integrated into a Multidisciplinary Design and Optimization (MDO) framework. The method will be used within an MDO environment for a more accurate prediction of the flutter speed of truss-braced wing (TBW) aircraft which often operate at transonic conditions, as well as other conventional and unconventional configurations. The Leishman-Beddoes indicial functions are used to model the unsteady aerodynamics, linearized about the steady lift-curve slope and location of center of pressure. The Virginia Tech MDO group is generating a response surface for such steady aerodynamic inputs which will be used in the MDO environment for performing a linearized aeroelastic analysis. To reduce the large number of augmented states of the unsteady flow, a reduced-order model of the aerodynamic system is developed using the balanced realization technique with the socalled matched DC gains. Some preliminary validations have been performed to highlight the computational efficiency of the reduced order system as well as for benchmarking the aeroelastic analysis. Future results will contain further validations, and some MDO applications of the method will also be discussed.
Comparative Study of Vacancies in the b.c.c. and h.c.p. Phases of 4He using Shadow Wave Functions

We use the shadow wave function formalism (SWF) to determine the energy of formation of single and double vacancies in4He crystals at T=0 K. Data is presented for both the bcc and hcp phases. The activation energy for single vacancies in bcc4He was found to be 6.7±3.9 K, about 43% of that in the hcp4He, 15.6±3.9 K. By determining the occupation of the Voronoi regions of the crystal sites, we determined the location of vacancies in the crystal and studied the relaxation of the neighboring atoms. We also present data on the correlations between vacancies, and between vacancies and3He impurities. Following the position of the vacancy through successive configurations we observed the motion of the vacancy as seen in our Monte Carlo simulations. On the shorter Monte Carlo time scales, greater vacancy motion was observed in the bcc phase than in the hcp phase.
Electrostatic alignment of electrospun PEO fibers by the gap method increases individual fiber modulus in comparison to non-aligned fibers of similar diameter

Studies on the alignment, physical and mechanical properties of individual electrospun fibers provide insight to their formation, production and optimization. Here we measure the alignment, diameter and modulus of individual fibers formed using the electrostatic gap method. We find electrostatic alignment produces fibers with a smaller diameter than their nonaligned counterparts have. Therefore, due to the dependence of fiber modulus on diameter aligned fibers have a higher modulus. Furthermore, we show that aligned and nonaligned fibers of the similar diameter have different moduli. Aligned fibers have a modulus 1.5 to 2 times larger than nonaligned fibers of the similar diameter.
Dynamics of Forced Coupled Oscillators: Classical Phenomenology of Infrared Multiphoton Absorption

The classical mechanics of a system of two nonlinearly coupled oscillators of incommensurate frequencies driven by an oscillating electric field are studied. The presence of quasi-periodic and chaotic motion in the unforced system is shown to influence the nature of energy absorption. Two essentially different types of behavior are observed. In the first, energy is exchanged in a periodic manner between the system and the forcing field. The exact results are compared with perturbative analysis (based on Lie-transform techniques) employed in this regime. In the second regime, the energy exchange is erratic and a statistical analysis of a family of trajectories shows the role of the chaotic motion in the unforced system in the dissociation process. The results of the theory are compared with those obtained from an ensemble of exact classical trajectories and found to be in reasonable agreement.
A Novel Anodic Dissolution Treatment on Pure Aluminum Dramatically Improves Its Passivation

A study of the anodic dissolution of polycrystalline aluminum utilizing in-situ Atomic Force Microscopy (MM) is reported. Using a novel anodic dissolution treatment square terraced pyramids (or ziggurats) of constant width are formed on the surface. AFM contour and profile plots reveal the extremely square and flat surfaces of the plateaus on top of the ziggurats, all of them having nearly the same size. This treatment on an Al sample is also shown to yield a substantial improvement in its passivation and corrosion properties. The improved passivation obtained through this method is comparable to that obtained by ion-implantation of passivating metals studied by other authors. This improvement is believed to result from a change in the oxide/metal charge distribution, as a consequence of the band bending in the oxide overlayer.
How well do Catholic and other faith-based schools serve the poor? A study with special reference to Africa: part I: schooling*

This paper is the second in a set of two on the extent to which Catholic and other faith-based schools are serving the poor well. Catholic and other faith-based schools reach millions of children w...
One Server, Repeat Service (M/M/1/θ)

This chapter concerns a system with one-server, infinite capacity, exponential inter-arrival and service times, and where the service may need to be repeated. An example is a one-operator machine shop fabrication of a fixture that is tested at the end to see if it passes a strength test. If not, another fixture must be fabricated. The probability on n units in the system is developed. Examples are presented.
Generational Distinctions on the Importance of Age-Friendly Community Features by Older Age Groups:

In 2006, the World Health Organization initiated an international movement to enhance active aging and the age-friendliness of communities by focusing efforts on the built, social, and service envi...
Associations between demographic characteristics and unmet supportive care needs in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Context Patients living with cystic fibrosis (CF) report impaired quality of life. Little is known about unmet supportive care needs among adults living with CF and how they are associated with demographic characteristics. Objectives The primary objective of this study was to identify associations between demographic variables and unmet supportive care needs regarding anxiety, sadness, pain and uncertainty about the future of living with CF. Methods We recruited 165 adults with CF from a single academic medical centre to complete a brief demographic survey and the Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS-34), a validated self-reported needs assessment that measures the prevalence of and preferences for support for 34 needs that commonly occur in patients with serious illness. Results Approximately half of the participant sample was male, with a median age of 29 years, varying income levels and a range of lung disease severity. We found statistically significant associations between insufficient income and increased odds of reporting need for support regarding anxiety (OR: 6.48; 95% CI 2.08 to 20.2), sadness (OR: 6.15; 95% CI 2.04 to 18.5), pain (OR: 7.06; 95% CI 2.22 to 22.4) and worries surrounding uncertainty about the future (OR: 3.43; 95% CI 1.18 to 9.99). Conclusion Adults with CF report significant unmet needs for support in several physical and emotional domains. Many of these domains were associated with demographic characteristics, most notably, income. Our findings underscore the importance of developing treatment approaches that are sensitive to patient demographics when addressing unmet supportive care needs among adults with CF.
Developmental dynamics of neurogenesis and gliogenesis in the postnatal mammalian brain in health and disease: Historical and future perspectives

The mature mammalian brain has long been thought to be a structurally rigid, static organ since the era of Ramon y Cajal in the early 20th century. Evidence accumulated over the past three decades, however, has completely overturned this long-held view. We now know that new neurons and glia are continuously added to the brain at postnatal stages, even in mature adults of various mammalian species, including humans. Moreover, these newly added cells contribute to structural plasticity and play important roles in higher order brain function, as well as repair after damage. A major source of these new neurons and glia is neural stem cells (NSCs) that persist in specialized niches in the brain throughout life. With this new view, our understanding of normal brain physiology and interventional approaches to various brain disorders has changed markedly in recent years. This article provides a brief overview on the historical changes in our understanding of the developmental dynamics of neurogenesis and gliogenesis in the postnatal and adult mammalian brain and discusses the roles of NSCs and other progenitor populations in such cellular dynamics in health and disease of the postnatal mammalian brain. This article is categorized under: Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Stem Cell Differentiation and Reversion Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Tissue Stem Cells and Niches Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Regeneration Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Stem Cells and Disease.
B cell memory: building two walls of protection against pathogens

Surviving a single infection often results in lifelong immunity to the infecting pathogen. Such protection is mediated, in large part, by two main B cell memory ‘walls’ — namely, long-lived plasma cells and memory B cells. The cellular and molecular processes that drive the production of long-lived plasma cells and memory B cells are subjects of intensive research and have important implications for global health. Indeed, although nearly all vaccines in use today depend on their ability to induce B cell memory, we have not yet succeeded in developing vaccines for some of the world’s most deadly diseases, including AIDS and malaria. Here, we describe the two-phase process by which antigen drives the generation of long-lived plasma cells and memory B cells and highlight the challenges for successful vaccine development in each phase. The authors discuss the formation of two main ‘walls’ of B cell memory to protect against pathogen reinfection. The first wall comprises high-affinity antibodies produced by long-lived plasma cells, while the second wall is formed by memory B cells.
AN ENIGMATIC PRESENTATION OF SURGICAL BIOPROSTHETIC AORTIC VALVE STENOSIS

Patients presenting with elevated prosthetic valve gradients at intermediate follow up can pose diagnostic challenges. Herein we report a rare surgical complication manifest as elevated aortic valve gradients, warranting repeat surgical intervention A 63 year old woman with a history of atrial
Utility of Preinjection Aspiration for Hyaluronic Fillers: A Novel In Vivo Human Evaluation:

BackgroundHyaluronic acid (HA) fillers have increased in popularity. While complications are rare, practitioners should focus on their prevention. Preinjection aspiration remains controversial as a...
Automated design of multi-level network partitioning heuristics employing self-adaptive primitive granularity control

Network segmentation has a variety of applications, including computer network security. A well segmented computer network is less likely to result in information leaks and more resilient to adversarial traversal. Conventionally network segmentation approaches rely on graph partitioning algorithms. However, general-purpose graph partitioning solutions are just that, general purpose. These approaches do not exploit specific topological characteristics present in certain classes of networks. Tailored partition methods can be developed to target specific domains, but this process can be time consuming and difficult. This work builds on previous research employing generative hyper-heuristics in the form of genetic programming for automating the development of customized graph partitioning heuristics by incorporating a dynamic approach to controlling the granularity of the heuristic search. The potential of this approach is demonstrated using two real-world complex network applications. Results show that the automated design process is capable of fine tuning graph partitioning heuristics that sacrifice generality for improved performance on targeted networks.
Affective Drinking Motives, Delinquency and Binge Drinking: A Comparison of Male and Female High School Seniors.

Aim The purpose of this study was to determine whether the association between affective drinking motives, delinquency and binge drinking varied as a function of sex and if so, whether delinquency moderated the relationship between affective drinking motives and binge drinking in late adolescent males and females. Methods Participants were 623 (257 males, 366 females) high school seniors from the 2018 Monitoring the Future study. A principal components analysis was initially performed to create component scores for the first factor of a 15-item drinking motives scale subsequently labeled affective drinking motives. These scores, along with sex and a measure of delinquency, were then entered into a three-way interaction. The interaction was found to correlate significantly with binge drinking. Because of the significant three-way interaction, analyses were performed on male and female participants separately. Results Analyses conducted on male participants revealed a moderate correlation between affective drinking motives and binge drinking but no evidence of an interaction between affective drinking motives and delinquency. Analyses performed on female participants, on the other hand, identified a significant main effect for affective drinking motives and a negative interaction between affective drinking motives and delinquency, indicating that the relationship between affective drinking motives and binge drinking was strongest when delinquency was low. Conclusions These results suggest that while delinquency had no apparent impact on the affective drinking motive-binge drinking correlation in boys, low delinquency clearly amplified the counter-binge drinking effects of low affective drinking motives in girls.
Thermal conductivity of (Ge2Sb2Te5)1−xCx phase change films

Germanium–antimony–telluride has emerged as a nonvolatile phase change memory material due to the large resistivity contrast between amorphous and crystalline states, rapid crystallization, and cyclic endurance. Improving thermal phase stability, however, has necessitated further alloying with optional addition of a quaternary species (e.g., C). Here, the thermal transport implications of this additional species are investigated using frequency-domain thermoreflectance in combination with structural characterization derived from x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Specifically, the room temperature thermal conductivity and heat capacity of ( Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5 ) 1 − x C x are reported as a function of carbon concentration ( x ≤ 0.12) and anneal temperature ( T ≤ 350 ° C) with results assessed in reference to the measured phase, structure, and electronic resistivity. Phase stability imparted by the carbon comes with comparatively low thermal penalty as materials exhibiting similar levels of crystallinity have comparable thermal conductivity despite the addition of carbon. The additional thermal stability provided by the carbon does, however, necessitate higher anneal temperatures to achieve similar levels of structural order.
Preclinical rodent models of physical inactivity-induced muscle insulin resistance: challenges and solutions.

Physical inactivity influences the development of muscle insulin resistance yet is far less understood than diet-induced muscle insulin resistance. Progress in understanding the mechanisms of physi...
Three-dimensional whole-brain mapping of cerebral blood volume and venous cerebral blood volume using Fourier transform-based velocity-selective pulse trains.

PURPOSE To develop 3D MRI methods for cerebral blood volume (CBV) and venous cerebral blood volume (vCBV) estimation with whole-brain coverage using Fourier transform-based velocity-selective (FT-VS) pulse trains. METHODS For CBV measurement, FT-VS saturation pulse trains were used to suppress static tissue, whereas CSF contamination was corrected voxel-by-voxel using a multi-readout acquisition and a fast CSF T2 scan. The vCBV mapping was achieved by inserting an arterial-nulling module that included a FT-VS inversion pulse train. Using these methods, CBV and vCBV maps were obtained on 6 healthy volunteers at 3 T. RESULTS The mean CBV and vCBV values in gray matter and white matter in different areas of the brain showed high correlation (r = 0.95 and P < .0001). The averaged CBV and vCBV values of the whole brain were 5.4 ± 0.6 mL/100 g and 2.5 ± 0.3 mL/100 g in gray matter, and 2.6 ± 0.5 mL/100 g and 1.5 ± 0.2 mL/100 g in white matter, respectively, comparable to the literature. CONCLUSION The feasibility of FT-VS-based CBV and vCBV estimation was demonstrated for 3D acquisition with large spatial coverage.
How hospitals can improve their public quality metrics: a decision-theoretic model

The public reporting of hospitals’ quality of care is providing additional motivation for hospitals to deliver high-quality patient care. Hospital Compare, a consumer-oriented website by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), provides patients with detailed quality of care data on most US hospitals. Given that many quality metrics are the aggregate result of physicians’ individual clinical decisions, the question arises if and how hospitals could influence their physicians so that their decisions positively contribute to hospitals’ quality goals. In this paper, we develop a decision-theoretic model to explore how three different hospital interventions—incentivization, training, and nudging—may affect physicians’ decisions. We focus our analysis on Outpatient Measure 14 (OP-14), which is an imaging quality metric that reports the percentage of outpatients with a brain computed tomography (CT) scan, who also received a same-day sinus CT scan. In most cases, same-day brain and sinus CT scans are considered unnecessary, and high utilizing hospitals aim to reduce their OP-14 metric. Our model captures the physicians’ imaging decision process accounting for medical and behavioral factors, in particular the uncertainty in clinical assessment and a physician’s diagnostic ability. Our analysis shows how hospital interventions of incentivization, training, and nudging affect physician decisions and consequently OP-14. This decision-theoretic model provides a foundation to develop insights for policy makers on the multi-level effects of their policy decisions.
Effects of an arm-support exoskeleton on perceived work intensity and musculoskeletal discomfort: An 18-month field study in automotive assembly

BACKGROUND Exoskeleton (EXO) technologies are a promising ergonomic intervention to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, with efficacy supported by laboratory- and field-based studies. However, there is a lack of field-based evidence on long-term effects of EXO use on physical demands. METHODS A longitudinal, controlled research design was used to examine the effects of arm-support exoskeleton (ASE) use on perceived physical demands during overhead work at nine automotive manufacturing facilities. Data were collected at five milestones (baseline and at 1, 6, 12, and 18 months) using questionnaires. Linear mixed models were used to understand the effects of ASE use on perceived work intensity and musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD). Analyses were based on a total of 41 participants in the EXO group and 83 in a control group. RESULTS Across facilities, perceived work intensity and MSD scores did not differ significantly between the EXO and control groups. In some facilities, however, neck and shoulder MSD scores in the EXO group decreased over time. Wrist MSD scores in the EXO group in some facilities remained unchanged, while those scores increased in the control group over time. Upper arm and low back MSD scores were comparable between the experimental groups. CONCLUSION Longitudinal effects of ASE use on perceived physical demands were not found, though some suggestive results were evident. This lack of consistent findings is discussed, particularly supporting the need for systematic and evidence-based ASE implementation approaches in the field that can guide the optimal selection of a job for ASE use.
Assessing the Perceived Value of Neuroethics Questions and Policy to Neuro-Entrepreneurs

Neuroscience and its findings have deep personal and cultural meaning, so the implications of brain science raise new flavors of ethical issues not covered by traditional bioethics. The field of neuroethics bridges this gap, addressing and responding to the ethical, legal, and social issues intimately related to the evolving landscape of neuroscience. Neuroethical concerns have registered at the highest levels of government. In 2018, an interdisciplinary global neuroethics group working with leading scientists from the International Brain Initiative, a consortium of seven large-scale national-level brain research projects around the globe, published "Neuroethics Questions to Guide Ethical Research in the International Brain Initiatives." The document provides guiding questions to consider throughout the lifecycle of neuroscience research. These questions tackle issues such as identity, morality, cross-cultural differences, privacy, and potential stakeholder involvement in ethical decision-making. In our work with the International Brain Initiative, we noted the important role that the private sector will play in translating and scaling neuroscience for society. We also noticed a gap in communication and collaboration between government, academia and the private sector. These guiding questions were largely co-created with policy makers and academics, so it was unclear how these issues might be received by neuro-entrepreneurs and neuro-industry. We hoped to identify not only common concerns, but also a common language for discussing neuroethical issues with stakeholders outside of government and academia. We used empirical ethics methods to assess the perceived value and attitudes of neuro-entrepreneurs toward neuroethical issues and whether or not these issues align with the process of neuro-innovation. We conducted one-on-one structured interviews with 21 neuro-entrepreneurs in the private sector and used two independent reviewers to analyze for themes. From this preliminary research, we identified key neuroethical themes and processual pain points of neurotech entrepreneurs throughout the innovation process. We also provide a preliminary neuroethics needs assessment for neuro-industry and suggest avenues through which neuroethicists can work with neurotech leadership to build an ethically aligned future. Overall, we hope to raise awareness and provide actionable steps toward advancing and accelerating societally impactful neuroscience.
Sacrificial polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings as an approach to membrane fouling control: Disassembly and regeneration mechanisms

This study evaluates polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) as sacrificial separation layers on polysulfone ultrafiltration (UF) membranes. Exposure to surfactants and a swing in pH can disassemble PEMs by disrupting non-ionic and electrostatic bonds within the PEM and between the PEM and the support. Trends in frequency and dissipation in quartz crystal microbalance studies confirm layer-by-layer (LbL) adsorption of PEMs on the quartz crystal and subsequent PEM removal in response to acid/base treatment. After disassembly of PEMs on UF membranes, water permeability increases and methylene blue rejection decreases, in some cases reaching values close to those for pristine ultrafilters. PEM removal occurs even with fouled membranes. After fouling by aqueous solutions of bovine serum albumin and alginate, the PEM disassembly via exposure to acid, base and surfactant results in a 99% decrease in the hydraulic resistance of the PEM (compared to the unfouled PEM) and, on average, more than 80% recovery of pure water permeability (compared to an uncoated UF membrane). Repeated cycles of PEM disassembly and readsorption give stable water permeabilities and methylene blue rejections for the coated membranes.
SU-E-I-58: Experiences in Setting Up An Online Fluoroscopy Tracking System in a Large Healthcare System

Purpose: Transitioning from a paper based to an online system for tracking fluoroscopic case information required by state regulation and to conform to NCRP patient dose tracking suggestions. Methods: State regulations require documentation of operator, equipment, and some metric of tube output for fluoroscopy exams. This information was previously collected in paper logs, which was cumbersome and inefficient for the large number of fluoroscopic units across multiple locations within the system. The “tech notes” feature within Siemens’ Syngo workflow RIS was utilized to create an entry form for technologists to input case information, which was sent to a third party vendor for archiving and display though an online web based portal. Results: Over 55k cases were logged in the first year of implementation, with approximately 6,500 cases per month once fully online. A system was built for area managers to oversee and correct data, which has increased the accuracy of inputted values. A high-dose report was built to automatically send notifications when patients exceed trigger levels. In addition to meeting regulatory requirements, the new system allows for larger scale QC in fluoroscopic cases by allowing comparison of data from specific procedures, locations, equipment, and operators so that instances that fallmore » outside of reference levels can be identified for further evaluation. The system has also drastically improved identification of operators without documented equipment specific training. Conclusion: The transition to online fluoroscopy logs has improved efficiency in meeting state regulatory requirements as well as allowed for identification of particular procedures, equipment, and operators in need of additional attention in order to optimize patient and personnel doses, while high dose alerts improve patient care and follow up. Future efforts are focused on incorporating case information from outside of radiology, as well as on automating processes for increased efficiencies.« less
Religion and Public Reason in the Politics of Biotechnology

Questions about the relevance of religious views to public policy have been central in debates over the governance of biotechnology since the 1960s. This article offers an empirical analysis of moments of deliberative politics surrounding human embryo research, primarily within public bioethics bodies. I examine how these bodies have used the idea of public reason as developed in deliberative democratic theory to differentiate between secular and religious reasons. I argue that scientific authority is made to play a powerful, but largely unacknowledged role in constructing these categories by contributing to definitions of the range of “reasonable” pluralism. I show that notions of right (scientific) knowledge are co-produced with ideas of how public discourse can be disciplined to comport with an ideal of public reason. I argue that scientific authority powerfully shapes the contours of public deliberation in ways that are highly consequential for notions of democratic legitimacy, but are systematically unrecognized by political theorists.
Linear and Nonlinear Response Theory with Applications

The basic perturbation theoretic method for dealing with non-equilibrium quantum statistical mechanical problems has been known for years. The theory discussed here evolved from the work of Schwinger and was developed further by Kadanoff and Baym1. In fact virtually all the theory discussed here is contained in Kadanoff’s and Baym’s book. Essentially the same theory was developed independently by Keldysh2 who even anticipates a rather useful addendum by Craig3.
Religion as an overlooked category in Hong Kong legislation

Despite its social and architectural visibility, in Hong Kong religion remains a minority attribute. Tracing the presence, or rather absence, of religion in the territory's current framework laws (the Basic Law, the Bill of Rights, and the Equal Opportunities’ legislation), and its intertwining with ethnicity and race, I suggest that treatment of religious identities in post-British Hong Kong is rooted in an anachronistic historical and colonial holdover related to population classification. As we see in socio-legal practices related to burials, religious congregations, and freedom of religious practice, minorities’ experiences remain locked in “ethno-religious” categories now enshrined in the territory's legal frameworks. This paper thus offers a complementary perspective to understanding the marginal – or overlooked – position of religion in contemporary Hong Kong, via an analysis of its legal interconnection with racial identities.
Over provisioning rate in three-dimensional wireless sensor networks for partial sensing coverage

Recent advances have witnessed the success and popularity of three dimensional (3D) wireless sensor network (WSN) applications. The majority of existing works however consider a 2D plane and the results can not be applied to the 3D cases directly due to the addition of a new dimension. In this paper, we investigate the deployment efficiency problem in a random 3D WSN in term of over-provisioning rate and node demanding rate for application-specific partial α sensing coverage. We approach the problem through an integrated framework using mathematical modeling, numerical analysis, and simulation validation. We show that there exists a critical sensing coverage (α = 0.9) below which the over provisioning rate increases gradually and above which the over-provisioning rate increases very rapidly. For example, 130% more sensors will be required to achieve 5% increase in the sensing coverage when the base coverage reaches 0.9. Further, the node demanding rate increases sharply even for a small extent of sensing coverage improvement when the base coverage is beyond 0.9. Simulation results match with the numerical results and validate the modeling, analysis, and conclusions. This work identifies the benefits of employing application-tolerable partial sensing coverage and provides insights into the deployment and implementation of 3D sensor networks for practical reference.
'Minding Our Business': What the US Has Done and Can Do to Ensure that its Multinationals Act Responsibility in Foreign Markets

This article examines the signals that US public policy sends to global market actors regarding their social and environmental practices. The United States Government does not mandate that US based firms follow US social and environmental law in foreign markets. However, because many developing countries do not have strong human rights, labor, and environmental laws, many multinationals have adopted voluntary corporate responsibility initiatives to self-regulate their overseas social and environmental practices. This article argues that voluntary actions, while important, are insufficient to address the magnitude of problems companies confront as they operate in developing countries where governance is often inadequate. The United States can do more to ensure that its multinationals act responsibly everywhere they operate. First, policymakers should define the social and environmental responsibilities of global companies. They must consistently make their expectations for global business clear - and underscore that this objective can often be accomplished without mandates. Second, the US should closely examine the policies that undermine global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and address the many conflicting signals sent by policymakers. Third, the President should make the US government a CSR model by examining how to use its purchasing power to promote human rights. Finally, the US government should require pension funds to report on the social and environmental consequences of their investments. In these ways, Americans can mind our business - and thus make sure that US based firms do not undermine social and environmental progress when they operate in the developing world.
Applicability of the Homogeneous Nucleation Theory to the Condensation in Free Gas Expansions

The traditional application of the classical homogeneous nucleation theory (CNT) to the condensation in rapidly expanding flows involves the use of the steady‐state nucleation rate. Since this rate is derived under the assumption of both steady‐state and isobaric/isothermal conditions, the applicability of CNT to highly nonequilibrium environments may be questionable. In addition, the usual strategy of CNT — gas dynamics coupling violates the original nucleation theory even in the isothermal/isobaric environment. In this study, we consider condensation in jets freely expanding into a vacuum. Using the isentropic solution, we approximate the time‐dependent pressure and temperature in a given small volume of a gas that is moving along the jet axis with the flow velocity. Several possible strategies of CNT implementation are considered within this volume. It is shown that the terminal cluster distributions are strongly affected by the steady‐state assumption and that the original CNT rate equations should be integrated into a computational scheme to model the coupled condensation flow.
Suppression of Sprouting: An Early Function of NMDA Receptors in the Absence of AMPA/Kainate Receptor Activity

Electrophysiological studies have documented the existence of synapses showing only NMDA ionotropic glutamate receptor function that are therefore presumably “silent” at resting membrane potentials. Silent synapses are more prevalent in young than in older neurons, and NMDA receptor activity at such contacts may facilitate the appearance of functional AMPA receptors. However, it is uncertain whether such silent synapses actually have a function in young neurons independent of AMPA receptor induction. Using a newly characterized culture system for neurons from larval Xenopus tecta, we show that blocking NMDA receptors or preventing changes in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration with BAPTA AM significantly increases neurite sprouting and elongation in contacted but not in isolated neurons. Blocking AMPA/KA receptors or Na+-dependent action potentials does not mimic this effect. Moreover, in these young neurons, NMDA receptor-dependent Ca2+ responses to glutamate measured with confocal fluo-3 imaging are retained during AMPA/KA receptor blockade. The data suggest that many of the young contacts in these cultures are active even though they use only NMDA ionotropic glutamate receptors. Calcium influx through the NMDA receptor at these contacts seems to reduce neurite motility. This effect should lead to the accumulation of glutamatergic inputs on NMDA receptor-expressing dendrites, which could facilitate the onset of AMPA/KA receptor function and the action potential-dependent phase of synaptogenesis.
Characteristics of a poly-silicon contact plug technology

Summary form only given. Polysilicon plug technology takes advantage of the desirable properties of LPCVD polysilicon (i.e. conformal step coverage, smooth texture, good etchability) to planarize submicron contacts. In addition, sputtered and CVD barrier metal layers are utilized to ensure good ohmic contact and maintain a low-resistance plug. It is shown that the polysilicon plugs completely fill the contact holes and provide a nearly planar surface for the sputtered aluminum. In addition, the RIS+CVD TiN barrier is highly conformal for all observed contact sizes. The specific contact resistance to n/sup +/ and p/sup +/ doped silicon was found to be less than 5*100/sup -7/ Omega -cm/sup 2/. To titanium silicide, the contact resistance dropped to below 2*10/sup -8/ Omega -cm/sup 2/. The composite resistivity of the polysilicon plug plus CVD and RIS TiN barrier was less than 5*100/sup -4/ Omega -cm/sup 2/. Shallow junction, contact-intensive diode structures exhibited good breakdown voltages and leakage current below 5 nA/cm/sup 2/. These results demonstrate a reproducible contact plug technology suitable for advanced MLM CMOS circuits. >
Thin-disc theory with a non-zero-torque boundary condition and comparisons with simulations

We present an analytical solution for thin-disc accretion on to a Kerr black hole that extends the standard Novikov–Thorne α-disc in three ways: (i) it incorporates non-zero stresses at the inner edge of the disc; (ii) it extends into the plunging region; and (iii) it uses a corrected vertical gravity formula. The free parameters of the model are unchanged. Non-zero boundary stresses are included by replacing the Novikov–Thorne no-torque boundary condition with the less strict requirement that the fluid velocity at the innermost stable circular orbit is the sound speed, which numerical models show to be the correct behaviour for luminosities below ∼30 per cent Eddington. We assume the disc is thin so we can ignore advection. Boundary stresses scale as αh and advection terms scale as h2 [where h is the disc opening angle (h=H/r)], so the model is self-consistent when h < α. We compare our solution with slim-disc models and general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic disc simulations. The model may improve the accuracy of black hole spin measurements.
Octupole magnet design for the 1/2 integer resonant extraction of electrons from the South Hall Ring (SHR)

The MIT-Bates SHR, a 190 m long race track shaped electron storage ring with a 9.144 m bending radius, is designed for nuclear physics experiments using two modes; the STORAGE mode with internal targets or the PULSE STRETCHER mode, which uses the 1/2 integer resonance and 2 ramped quadrupole magnets and 3 octupole magnets to (smoothly) extract the stored electrons of up to 1.0 GeV energy and 80 mA intensity over a period as short as 1 millisecond into the extraction line. >
Shared transmission of eating disorders and anxiety disorders.

Objective Eating disorders have high comorbidity with mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Using twins from the population-based Minnesota Twin Family Study (MTFS), we examined comorbidity and shared transmission between eating pathology and these disorders. Method Female twins (N = 672), ages 16–18 years, completed structured clinical interviews assessing anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa (as described in the 4th ed. of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994]), as well as mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders (as described in the 3rd Rev. ed. of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM-III-R]). Shared transmission was examined using a discordant monozygotic (MZ) twin design. Results Significant comorbidity was found between eating disorders and major depression, anxiety disorders, and nicotine dependence. Within MZ twin pairs discordant for eating disorders (n = 14), non–eating-disordered cotwins demonstrated increased risk for anxiety disorders compared with controls. Similarly, within MZ twin pairs discordant for anxiety disorders (n = 52), non–anxiety-disordered cotwins demonstrated increased risk for eating disorders compared with controls. Discussion Findings support shared transmission between eating disorders and anxiety disorders. However, the nature of this shared diathesis remains unknown. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Some remarks on the tensor product of algebras and applications

Abstract We extend the results of Kulshammer [J. Pure Appl. Algebra 86 (1993) 65] on the tensor product of algebras and modules over an algebraically closed field to lattices over local rings. We also present some applications to finite group modular representation theory.
Infrared heterodyne spectroscopy of atmospheric ozone

The absorption spectrum of atmospheric ozone is measured within a 1/cm region at 1100/cm, using an IR heterodyne detector (spectrometer with CO2 local oscillator) developed for astronomical work. Absorption spectra obtained by passing radiation from the tunable diode laser through an absorption cell, heterodyne spectra of atmospheric ozone, and a predicted atmospheric spectrum are compared. Water vapor absorbing in the region of interest (1100/cm) is also considered. Preliminary results encourage the use of diode laser local oscillators in tunable heterodyne detector systems for spectroscopy of atmospheric ozone and remote high-resolution spectroscopy of atmospheric constituents and pollutants.
Transient apical breakdown following subluxation injury: a case report

Transient apical breakdown has been reported to occur in cases in which a periapical radiolucency develops and resolves without treatment following luxation injury. Diagnostic errors are inevitable if periapical breakdown is used as the sole criterion or as an overriding criterion in the decision to initiate root canal treatment. A clinical case report is presented in which transient apical breakdown occurred after a subluxation injury. The threshold to sensitivity tests increased yet sensitivity remained positive with the appearance of the periapical radiolucency. The decision was made not to initiate root canal treatment in spite of the radiographic appearance periapically. At the 10-month recall the tooth remained responsive to sensitivity tests and the apical radiolucency had disappeared.
The excision of thymine dimers from DNA, filament formation and sensitivity to ultraviolet light in Escherichia coli K-12

Abstract Strains of Escherichia coli K-12 have been described previously that lack the ability to excise thymine dimers from DNA after UV irradiation, and are abnormally sensitive to UV light as regards the survival of colony forming ability. These strains carry mutations at the uvr A or uvr B loci which are linked to the loci for methionine requirement and for the λ prophage. Strains with a mutation at the lon locus, which is linked to the marker for T6 resistance, tend to grow in long forms, to form a mucoid capsule and to be abnormally radiosensitive to both UV light and to X-rays. This paper describes the properties of the double mutants uvr lon which are many times more sensitive to UV light than either of the single mutants. In genetic crosses with a wild type Hfr and a uvr lon female strain, the radiation resistance of recombinants was found to increase in two steps as the wild-type alleles of the lon and uvr loci entered the zygote. The survival of UV-irradiated Tr phage is affected by uvr , but not lon in the host bacterium used for plating. The results confirm that the uvr and lon genes affect sensitivity to radiation through independent mechanisms.
Thomas Nagel. Mind and Cosmos: Why the Materialist Neo-Darwinian Conception of Nature is Almost Certainly False

Life includes mental features such as consciousness, intentionality, meaning, purpose, and value, which seem to fit in the world differently from fields of force, particles, and the structures that...