cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sensory Coding in Cortical Neurons

We described a novel approach to the study of how spike trains encode sensory information. This approach emphasizes the idea that spike trains are sequences of discrete events, rather than approximations to continuous signals. Aided by some simple heuristics, such as a caricature of neurons as coincidence detectors, we constructed candidate notions of "distances" between spike trains, considered as points in an abstract space. Each candidate distance was evaluated for relevance to biological encoding by determining whether it led to systematic, stimulus-dependent, clustering of the neural responses. We showed here that these distance can also be used to construct a "response space" for the neuron. The response space, which is typically not Euclidean, can represent two or three stimulus attributes. We also introduced the notion of a "consensus spike train," defined as the spike train with minimum average distance from a set of observed responses. For the distances we considered, the consensus spike train (for a particular stimulus) contained only those spikes that were present at consistent times across the observed responses to that stimulus, and thus contained fewer spikes than the typical observed responses. Nevertheless, these consensus spike trains provided an equivalent (or even superior) representation of the stimulus array.
Sternoclavicular Joint Infection Necessitating Through Skin and Lung Parenchyma

Infections of the sternoclavicular joint associated with extensive local soft tissue involvement or abscess formation often require surgical debridement and drainage. This condition typically presents with joint pain, local erythema, and swelling. This case demonstrates the simultaneous extension of a sternoclavicular joint infection into the left upper pulmonary lobe and through the overlying skin.
Divergent Eddy Heat Fluxes in the Kuroshio Extension at 144°–148°E. Part I: Mean Structure

The Kuroshio Extension System Study (KESS) provided 16 months of observations to quantify eddy heat flux (EHF) from a mesoscale-resolving array of current- and pressure-equipped inverted echo sounders (CPIES). The mapped EHF estimates agreed well with point in situ measurements from subsurface current meter moorings. Geostrophic currents determined with the CPIES separate the vertical structure into an equivalent-barotropic internal mode and a nearly depth-independent external mode measured in the deep ocean. As a useful by-product of this decomposition, the divergent EHF (DEHF) arises entirely from the correlation between the external mode and the upper-ocean thermal front. EHFs associated with the internal mode are completely rotational. DEHFs were mostly downgradient and strongest just upstream of a mean trough at ;1478E. The downgradient DEHFs resulted in a mean-to-eddy potential energy conversion rate that peaked midthermocline with a magnitude of 10 3 10 23 cm 2 s 23 and a depth-averaged value of 3 3 10 23 cm 2 s 23 . DEHFs were vertically coherent, with subsurface maxima exceeding 400kWm 22 near 400-m depth. The subsurface maximum DEHFs occurred near the depth where the quasigeostrophic potential vorticitylateralgradientchangessignfromonelayertothenextbelowit.Thesteeringlevelisdeeperthanthis depth of maximum DEHFs. A downgradient parameterization could be fitted to the DEHF vertical structure with a constant eddy diffusivity k that had values of 800‐1400m 2 s 21 along the mean path. The resulting divergent meridional eddy heat transport across the KESS array was 0.05 PW near 35.258N, which may account for ; 1 /3 of the total Pacific meridional heat transport at this latitude.
Software power optimization: analysis and optimization for energy-efficient software

Software is increasingly becoming a central issue in low power consumer based system. The amount of energy consumed by software has severe battery impact on the system. Minimizing power consumption is one of the primary challenges that today's developers faces due to lack of instrumentation functionality in the system. This tutorial will cover different prospect of energy usage and energy aware software design in system ranging from notebooks to smartphones/tablets. This tutorial will give special importance on the role of idle software in attain overall system energy efficiency. In Summary, this tutorial will give overview of software impact on hardware, quantify the impact and fix the issues in applications to extend the battery life.
Ribosomal protein synthesis during amino acid starvation and chloramphenicol treatment

Abstract The production of the individual species of ribosomal protein during the residual protein synthesis occurring upon amino acid starvation or upon chloramphenicol treatment has been investigated in rel − and rel + strains of Escherichia coli . The starved rel + strain, which devotes a very small proportion of its residual protein synthesis to ribosomal protein, produces the individual species of ribosomal protein in approximately the same relative proportions as during exponential growth. The starved rel − strain, which devotes a relatively large amount of its residual protein synthesis to ribosomal protein, produces one or a few of the individual species of ribosomal protein in very high relative proportions. These protein species are associated predominantly with the 50 s rather than the 30 s ribosomal subunit. Chloramphenicol treatment of a rel + strain, like amino acid starvation of a rel − strain, brings about the accumulation of ribosomal RNA and causes an increased proportion of the residual protein synthesis to be devoted to ribosomal protein. However, in contrast to the amino acid-starved rel − strain, the chloramphenicol-treated rel + strain produces the individual species of ribosomal protein in approximately the same relative proportions as during exponential growth. This is interpreted to mean that the unbalanced synthesis of the different individual species of ribosomal protein during amino acid starvation of rel − bacteria is a consequence of the rel − allele of the rel gene and not due merely to the unbalanced accumulation of ribosomal RNA.
A Quadrupole Beam Transport Experiment for Heavy Ions under Extreme Space Charge Conditions

A Cs ion-beam transport experiment is in progress to study beam behavior under extreme space charge conditions. A five-lens section matches the beam into a periodic electrostatic quadrupole FODO channel and its behavior is found to agree with predictions. With the available parameters (?200 keV, ?20 mA, ??n ? 10-7 ? rad-m, up to 41 periods) the transverse (betatron) oscillation frequency (?) can be depressed down to one-tenth of its zero current value (?o), where ?2 = ?2o - ?2p/2, and ?p is the beam plasma frequency. The current can be controlled by adjustment of the gun and the emittance can be controlled independently by means of a set of charged grids.
Development of a benchmark to measure system robustness: experiences and lessons learned

Performance benchmarks are used to help decide the question: 'which system is faster?' With the increased use of computers in critical systems, there are more and more applications of resources to improve system quality. However, there are no benchmarks that can be used to compare the dependability and robustness of systems in order to answer the question: 'which system is more reliable?' The authors present an attempt at the development of a benchmark to gauge a system's robustness as measured by its ability to tolerate errors. The initial effort produced four primitive benchmark programs. They include file management system, memory access, user application, and C library functions. Each primitive benchmark targets a system functionality and measures its behavior, given erroneous inputs. The authors present the motivation and experimental results for one of these primitive benchmarks in detail followed by an analysis of the results. A methodology is presented to combine the primitive benchmarks to form an overall robustness figure. >
The Politics of Latino Education: The Biases of At‐Large Elections

This paper investigates the determinants and consequences of Latino political representation in the field of K-12 education. The first task is to examine the association between Latino population and the Latino presence on school boards. We then investigate if Latino representation is affected by the electoral structure of school boards, as scholars have reached differing conclusions on whether at-large and ward systems hinder or enhance minority descriptive representation. The next step examines the consequences of Latino representation, specifically whether board membership is associated with the share of Latino school administrators and teachers. The regression results show that Latino population positively affects Latino board representation, but that at-large systems hinder descriptive representation. The primary determinant of Latino administrators is Latino school board membership, and the primary determinant of Latino teachers is Latino administrators. In sum, at-large elections negatively influence Latino educational representation, which produces a ripple effect that ultimately reduces the share of Latino teachers.
Authoritarian versus responsive communitarian bioethics

A communitarian approach to bioethics adds a core value to a field that is often more concerned with considerations of individual autonomy. Some interpretations of liberalism put the needs of the patient over those of the community; authoritarian communitarianism privileges the needs of society over those of the patient. Responsive communitarianism's main starting point is that we face two conflicting core values, autonomy and the common good, and that neither should be a priori privileged and that we have principles and procedure that can be used to work out this conflict but not to eliminate it. Additionally, it favours changing behaviour mainly through the creation of norms and by drawing on informal social control rather than by coercion.
The interplanetary magnetic field during solar cycle 21: ISEE‐3/ICE observations

Temporal variations in the IMF during solar cycle 21 are investigated using magnetic field observations collected by the vector helium magnetometer on the ISEE-3/ICE spacecraft. Analysis of the observations reveal that the IMF magnitude, which had declined to 4.7 nT in 1976, peaked in late 1982 (two years after solar maximum) at 9.0 nT and rapidly decreased during 1983-1984 to an intensity of 6.2 nT in early 1985. The IMF intensities are compared with the auroral AE index; the observed peak in strength during 1981-1983 is related to a 50 percent increase in substorm activity levels. A decrease in Parker spiral angle, revealing the existence of high-speed streams is detected in the declining phase of the solar cycle. Variations in the intensity of the IMF correlate with Mt. Wilson magnetograph measurements of full disk magnetic flux. Source regions for the evolution of solar wind and the IMF are proposed.
PPPS-2013: Study of ablation and implosion stages of 1 MA wire array z-pinches using UV laser diagnostics

The ablation and implosion stages of wire array z-pinches was studied using UV diagnostics at the wavelength of 266 nm. Experiments were conducted using Al cylindrical, star, and planar wire arrays at the 1 MA Zebra pulsed-power generator at UNR. UV interferometry allows direct study of electron plasma density > 1020 cm-3. We measured the density structure and dynamics in the ablating wires with 2-frame UV interferometry. Faraday rotation diagnostics at the wavelength of 266 nm were developed and applied to the ablation and implosion stages in wire arrays. Comparison of Faraday images with shadowgrams and interferograms allows for the measurement of magnetic fields to reconstruct the current in the imploding plasma and non-imploded material in wire arrays.
Extending the technology acceptance model to account for social influence: theoretical bases and empirical validation

The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) represents an important theoretical contribution toward understanding IS usage and IS acceptance behaviors. However, as noted by several IS researchers, TAM is incomplete in one important respect: it doesn't account for social influence in the adoption and utilization of new information systems. Davis (1986) and Davis et al. (1989) noted that it is important to account for subjective norm (SN), the construct denoting social influence. However, they observed that the conceptualization of SN based on TRA (Theory of Reasoned Action) has theoretical and psychometric problems. Specifically, they observed that it is difficult to distinguish if usage behavior is caused by the influence of referents on one's intent or by one's own attitude. They suggested that this problem may be circumvented by using an alternative theoretical basis for conceptualizing SN, specifically in terms of Kelman's (1958, 1961) processes of social influence (compliance, identification and internalization). Within the context of organizational enterprisewide implementation and adoption of collaboration and communication technologies, this study establishes theoretical and empirical bases for the above conceptualization originally suggested by Davis and his colleagues. The construct of social influence is operationalized in terms of Kelman's processes of internalization, identification and compliance. Analyses of field study data provide evidence of the reliability and validity of the proposed constructs, factor structures and measures. The findings enable future researchers to account for social influence in further investigating TAM.
CONFORMITY TO RELIGIOUS NORMS REGARDING ABORTION

Attitudes toward abortion are analyzed, through a factorial design, as a function of religion at age 16, spouse's religion, and current religion. In regard to the Catholic norm against abortion, the main effect of current Catholicism and the interaction of that and spouse's religion are significant. Among White Catholics, a Catholic spouse increases opposition to abortion, but among non-Catholics, increases acceptance. Converts tend to accept the Catholic norm, but only if they have a non-Catholic spouse. The attitude of ex-Catholics closely follows current affiliation. Catholic turned Baptist or Fundamentalist oppose abortion more than even steadfast Catholics. Links with Judaism (being Jewish at age 16, married to a Jew, or Jewish currently) increase acceptance of legalized abortion. A significant interaction between the first two factors also appears.
Status of superconducting RF cavity development

The scope of accelerator applications of RF superconducting devices is briefly discussed from a historical perspective. Current high-velocity and low-velocity acceleration projects and development activity are outlined. Projects at CEBAF, CERN, DESY, KEK, Argonne, Stony Brook, JAERI, and Kansas State are considered. The development of high-T(i)c(ei) oxide RF superconductors is also discussed. >
Unsupervised Learning in Neurodynamics Using the Phase Velocity Field Approach

A new concept for unsupervised learning based upon examples introduced to the neural network is proposed. Each example is considered as an interpolation node of the velocity field in the phase space. The velocities at these nodes are selected such that all the streamlines converge to an attracting set imbedded in the subspace occupied by the cluster of examples. The synaptic interconnections are found from learning procedure providing selected field. The theory is illustrated by examples.
Nutrition as a facilitator of host-race formation: the shift of a stem-boring beetle to a gall host.

1. The importance of host-race formation to herbivorous insect diversity depends on the likelihood that successful populations can be established on a new plant host. A previously unexplored ecological aid to success on a novel host is better nutritional quality. The role of nutrition was examined in the shift of the stem-boring beetle Mordellistena convicta to fly-induced galls on goldenrod and the establishment there of a genetically distinct gall host race. 2. First, larvae of the host race inhabiting stems of Solidago gigantea were transplanted into stems and galls of greenhouse-grown S. gigantea plants. At the end of larval development, the mean mass of larvae transplanted to galls was significantly greater than the mass of larvae transplanted to stems, indicating a likely nutritional benefit during the shift. This advantage was slightly but significantly diminished when the gall-inducing fly feeding at the centre of the gall died early in the season. Additionally, there was a suggestion of a trade-off in the increased mortality of smaller beetle larvae transplanted into galls. 3. In a companion experiment, S. gigantea gall-race beetle larvae were likewise transplanted to S. gigantea stems and galls. Besides the expected greater mass in galls, the larvae also exhibited adaptations to the gall nutritional environment: larger inherent size, altered tunnelling behaviour, and no diminution of mass pursuant to gall-inducer mortality. 4. In a third line of inquiry, chemical analyses of field-collected S. gigantea plants revealed higher levels of mineral elements important to insect nutrition in galls as compared with stems.
Location and underreplication of satellite DNA in Drosophila melanogaster.

The two light nu'clear satellites (pcscl = 1.672 and pcsc, = 1.687) have been quantified in DNA isolated from the larvel imaginal discs and brains of Drosophila melanogaster with the genotypes X/O, X/X and X/Y. By comparing the results from these different genotypes, the amounts of the two satellites in the X and Y chromosomes and in the autosomes have been determined. The lightest satellite is not located to any appreciable extent in the X chromosome. The heterochromatic regions are not completely filled by these satellites.-Satellite DNA has also been quantified in DNA isolated from adults containing different genotypes. The two satellites are underreplicated to different extents. The apparent amount of underreplication for one of the satellites is different in different parts of the genome.
Nanostructure-Dependent Antimicrobiotic Activity and Selectivity of Synthetic Membrane-Active Polymers

Antibiotic resistance has become one of the greatest challenges in treating bacterial infections in healthcare. Inspired by the structures of bacteria-invading viruses and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), we hypothesize that in addition to a balance of amphiphilicity and electropositivity, nanostructure is another important structural determinant that defines how membrane-active antibiotics remodel host membranes to gain desirable activity and selectivity. Here we study the structure-activity relationship of a series of polymer molecular brushes (PMBs) with well-defined nanostructures that mimic spherical and rod-shaped viruses. Our preliminary data based on PMBs with hydrophilic polymer brushes reveal that: (1) amphiphilicity is not a required trait - hydrophilic PMBs can be designed to have potent antibiotic performance as well with negligible hemolytic activity; (2) the nanoscale architecture of PMBs defines their double selectivity, not molecular weight per se; (3) PMBs are far more powerful antibiotics than individual linear-chain polymers that make up the PMBs; and (4) nanostructured PMBs induce topological changes of membranes by forming membrane pores that unlikely fit in with any known models of AMP action. These findings expand existing wisdom on designing synthetic mimics of AMPs and suggest that the spatially-defined, multivalent interactions inherent to nanostructured PMBs is of great significance for the development of new membrane-active antibiotics.
Accidental Algorthims

We provide evidence for the proposition that the computational complexity of individual problems, and of whole complexity classes, hinge on the existence of certain solvable polynomial systems that are unlikely to be encountered other than by systematic explorations for them. We consider a minimalist version of Cook?s 3CNF problem, namely that ofmonotone planar 3CNF formulae where each variable occurs twice. We show that counting the number of solutions of these modulo 2 is \oplusP-complete (hence NP-hard) but counting them modulo 7 is polynomial time computable (sic). We also show a similar dichtomy for a vertex cover problem. To derive completeness results we use a new holographic technique for proving completeness results in \oplusP for problems that are in P. For example, we can show in this way that \oplus2CNF, the parity problem for 2CNF, is \oplusP-complete. To derive efficient algorithms we use computer algebra systems to find appropriate holographic gates. In order to explore the limits of holographic techniques we define the notion of an elementary matchgrid algorithm to capture a natural but restricted use of them. We show that for the NP-complete general 3CNF problem no such elementary matchgrid algorithm can exist. We observe, however, that it remains open for many natural #Pcomplete problems whether such elementary matchgrid algorithms exist, and for the general CNF problem whether non-elementary matchgrid algorithms exist.
Seventeen new species of Lobelioideae (Campanulaceae) from South America

Almost 11% of the 400 unidentified specimens of South American Lobelioideae (Campanulaceae) examined recently cannot be equated with any known species. They are described here as 17 new species: 6 of Burmeistera, 6 of Centropogon, and 5 of Siphocampylus. Several are characterized by morphological characters or combinations of characters that are unique or unusual in their respective genera or in the subfamily as a whole. Six of the novelties are endemic to Ecuador, four to Peru7 three each to Venezuela and Colombia, and one to Bolivia.
Erythrocyte metabolism in sickle cell anemia.

SummarySeveral tests of carbohydrate metabolism in the sickle cell anemia erythrocyte did not disclose any abnormality.
S7.1 Achieving high coverage of HIV prevention services for MARPs: Avahan's experience in six states in India

In 2003, the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation initiated “Avahan” a large scale HIV prevention program in India. The goal was to halt the HIV epidemic in India by rapidly building a scaled HIV prevention program for core and bridge population groups across 4 Southern and 2 Northeastern states in India representing approximately 80% of India9s HIV burden in 2002. Avahan offered a standardised package of known and proven prevention interventions to high-risk groups and bridge populations in the geographic areas most affected by the epidemic. The program reached 220 000 female sex workers; 80 000 High risk MSM; 18 000 Injecting drug users and 5 million men at risk. By December 2008, Avahan had achieved significant scale and coverage with over 75% of total denominator including FSW and high risk MSM contacted monthly through outreach. The presentation will include the challenges at the start of the program, Avahan approaches to rapid scale up while leveraging data to ensure focus on highest at risk through provision of a standardised package of services (known as the Common Minimum Program).
A comparative evaluation of some maneuvering target tracking algorithms

Several popular algorithms for maneuvering target tracking are discussed. The major similarities and differences in the Singer, Bayesian, Input Estimation and Re-initiaLization approaches are considered from the standpoint oE their derivation and their expected performance. The actual performance of these algorithms is then compared over two trajectories of interest. The first of these being a version of the Bar-Shalom/Birmiwal Trajectory (two square pulses of acceleration resulting in a U-shaped trajectory), and the second being a minimum-timehalf-loopfor a lightweight, high thrustto-weizh t ratio fighter. Performance is evaluated by repeated Monte Carlo simulation followed by conventional statistical comparison techniques and by direct comparison of the results of a simple approximation for expected performance.
How to provide medical information service for the outbreak of public health events

It is proposed that a supporting system of medical information service should be established for dealing with the outbreak of public health events.It includes enhancing the development of talents and information resources,perfecting information service network in order to insure unimpeded flow of the Internet;building OPAC databases,equipping with necessary modernized facilities;establishing feedback channels of epidemic information among the local medical colleges and universities,hospitals and centers of disease control and prevention(CDC),and conducting relevant subject research;integrating and editing special title and abstract databases,special Web pages collection and navigation by making use of computer network such as networked databases,searching engines and related Web sites so as to bring the system into full play in case of the public health events
Negotiating the bounds of transnational cinema with Georges Méliès, 1896–1908

AbstractThis article examines the respective possibilities and limitations of silent cinema’s transnationalism – its ability to cross national borders – through a case study of some of the ways the films of French filmmaker Georges Melies circulated internationally between 1896 and 1908. Working toward a historical materialist account of the circulation of early cinema, the article considers a number of obstacles to cinematic transnationalism that were not only cultural (inasmuch as the specificity of many national markets were differently understood), but also material (given the challenges of transporting and securing film commodities) as well as legal (due to the imposition of international tariffs). The article argues that Melies sought ways to bridge, rather than to emphasize, national differences – in contrast to the approach of such contemporaneous French film producers as the Societe Lumiere. Melies’ transnational strategies included producing longer and less nationally specific films for export, ...
Identifying geochemical hot moments and their controls on a contaminated river floodplain system using wavelet and entropy approaches

Geochemical hot moments are defined here as short periods of time that are associated with disproportionally high levels of concentrations (biogeochemically-driven or transport-related) relative to longer intervening time periods. We used entropy and wavelet techniques to identify temporal variability in geochemical constituents and their controls along three transects within a contaminated floodplain system near Rifle CO. Results indicated that transport-dominated hot moments drove overall geochemical processing in the contaminated groundwater and seep zones. These hot moments were associated with seasonal hydrologic variability (~4 months) in the contaminated aquifer and with annual hydrologic cycle and residence times in the seep zone. Hot moments associated with a naturally reduced zone within the aquifer were found to be biogeochemically-driven, with a different dominant frequency (~3 months) and no correlation to hydrologic or weather variations, in contrast to what is observed in other regions of the floodplain. We interrogated complex, multivariate geochemical datasets to identify hot moments in a floodplain environment.We introduced a novel wavelet-entropy approach to classify hot moments and their distribution.Geochemical hot moments were found to be primarily transport-related/hydrologically-driven at the site.Within a naturally reduced zone, hot moments were dominated by lithologic characteristics (biogeochemically-driven).Water quality managers can use this wavelet-entropy tool for identifying contaminant hot moments in other floodplain settings.
An introduction to g methods

Robins' generalized methods (g methods) provide consistent estimates of contrasts (e.g. differences, ratios) of potential outcomes under a less restrictive set of identification conditions than do standard regression methods (e.g. linear, logistic, Cox regression). Uptake of g methods by epidemiologists has been hampered by limitations in understanding both conceptual and technical details. We present a simple worked example that illustrates basic concepts, while minimizing technical complications.
Physical basis of information and the relation to entropy

We discuss the relation between entropy and information from the physicists point of view differing between bound and free information. The quantitative physical aspects of information flow are given by flows of entropy, which are closely related to the reduction of uncertainty and the predictability of events. Free information is considered as a quantity, which has intrinsic non – physical components, and is originally created by selforganization and evolution. Bound and free information are both represented by a matter carrier but not as tight – bounded like mass or energy. Free information is connected with information – processing; it is introduced as a binary relation between a sender and a receiver, which may have different carriers, it is essentially characterized by symbolic representations. Processing free information is originally created by selforganization on the early earth and is connected with the origin of life, therefore it is always at least indirectly related to living systems.
Fuzzy Systems Are Universal Approximators for Random Dependencies: A Simplified Proof

In many real-life situations, we do not know the actual dependence \(y=f(x_1,\ldots ,x_n)\) between the physical quantities \(x_i\) and y, we only know expert rules describing this dependence. These rules are often described by using imprecise (“fuzzy”) words from natural language. Fuzzy techniques have been invented with the purpose to translate these rules into a precise dependence \(y=\widetilde{f}(x_1,\ldots ,x_n)\). For deterministic dependencies \(y=f(x_1,\ldots ,x_n)\), there are universal approximation results according to which for each continuous function on a bounded domain and for every \(\varepsilon >0\), there exist fuzzy rules for which the resulting approximate dependence \(\widetilde{f}(x_1,\ldots ,x_n)\) is \(\varepsilon \)-close to the original function \(f(x_1,\ldots ,x_n)\). In practice, many dependencies are random, in the sense that for each combination of the values \(x_1,\ldots ,x_n\), we may get different values y with different probabilities. It has been proven that fuzzy systems are universal approximators for such random dependencies as well. However, the existing proofs are very complicated and not intuitive. In this paper, we provide a simplified proof of this universal approximation property.
Heidegger on the Semblance of the Beautiful

In his Nietzsche lectures, Heidegger states that there is a concealed discordance between beauty, semblance, and truth in Platonism. This paper explores this claim in detail to show how such a discordance haunts not only Platonism, but the beginnings and ends of Western philosophy. This commences with Plato’s claim that beauty’s radiance is both the reminder of the non-sensible eἴδη and a semblance belonging to the sensible world. This discordance is not overcome in the ensuing Western tradition, however, but made more dreadful . This is because in Nietzsche’s anti-platonic retrieval of sensible beauty over non-sensible truth, the platonic reminder of the eἴδη is transformed into the dangerous production of new forms of power. In both cases, however, Heidegger proposes that this metaphysical thinking of Being-as-form conceals the early Greek insight that beauty’s tragic radiance lets Being appear as both truth and semblance.
Guided Growth of Bacterial Cellulose Biofilms

Biofilm, a colony of microorganisms embedded in a polymeric substance, is a bio-hybrid material system that naturally integrates the sensing-actuating capabilities of living cells with the mechanical properties of an organic material. To realize the potential of designing novel biologically active materials from natural biofilms, we propose here a Guided Growth design process, as an example, using the cellulose-producing bacterium Gluconacetobacter xylinus. The Guided Growth process employs three design strategies: information (programming living cells), growth (growing biomaterials that inhabit cells), and flow (regulating growth environment). This combination of programming bacteria and regulating the biofilm growth promotes the development of future living materials and devices, for applications such as responsive robotic skins, solar cells, or even photosynthetic building envelopes.
Difference troubles: Identity and politics in a “postmodern” gay culture

Contemporary lesbian and gay male cultures evidence a heightened sensitivity to issues of difference and the social formation of desire, sexuality, and identity. As individuals “we” know what it means to be treated as different, to be rendered as a deviant other by folk and expert cultures, and to approach our bodies, desires, and identities with a deliberateness often lacking in mainstream straight society. Nevertheless, this existential awareness of the cultural politics of otherness has not necessarily been reflected in our dominant theories. For example, the new sociology and history of same-sex intimacies has been narrowly focused on the social origin and development of lesbian and gay male identities and communities among almost exclusively white, middle-class Europeans or Americans. The theoretical and political limits of the post-Stonewall culture have become apparent. Scholars seem to be rehearsing a monotone history of gay identity to the point of pointlessness. The arcane polemics between constructionists and essentialists has evolved into a sterile metatheoretical debate increasingly devoid of moral and political import. Much of current lesbian and gay studies remains wedded to a standard Enlightenment scientistic self-understanding that, in my view, is inconsistent with its social constructionist premises. Gay identity politics moves back and forth between a narrow single-interest-group politic and a view of coalition politics as the sum of separate identity communities, each locked into its own sexual, gender, class, or racial politic.
A Local-Field Theory for the Overall Creep of Fiber-Reinforced Metal-Matrix Composites

A local-field theory is developed to calculate the development of the overall creep strain of a fiber-reinforced metal-matrix composite, where the creep rate of the constituents may depend nonlinearly on the stress and both phases may undergo the primary as well as the secondary creep. The theory is constructed with the combination of Eshelby’s equivalent inclusion principle, Kroner’s elastic constraint, Mori and Tanaka’s mean-field concept, and Luo and Weng’s local solution of a three-phase cylindrically concentric solid; it is intended for the low to moderate fiber concentration within the small creep-strain range. The theory thus developed also serves to evaluate the accuracy of the simpler mean-field theory, which is found to be reliable enough for both the axial and the plane-strain, biaxial tensile creep, but generally less so for the transverse tensile creep, and the transverse and axial shear creep. As compared to the longitudinal tensile creep data of a Borsic/aluminum composite, the theoretical prediction, though slightly lower, appears to lie within an acceptable range of accuracy.
Digital Footprints from Latin America and the Caribbean (Huellas digitales de América Latina y el Caribe)

English Abstract: This report presents some preliminary findings from a project aimed at exploring how digital footprint data can be utilized to measure digital development in Latin America and the Caribbean. All collected data is publicly available (through web scraping or API). Spanish Abstract: Este informe presenta algunos hallazgos preliminares de un proyecto destinado a explorar como se puede utilizar los datos de la huella digital para medir el desarrollo digital en America Latina y el Caribe. Todos los datos recopilados estan a disposicion del publico (a traves de web scraping o API).
Non-congruence of thermally driven structural and electronic transition in VO2

Coupled structural and electronic phase transitions underlie the multifunctional properties of strongly-correlated materials. For example, colossal magnetoresistance1,2 in manganites involves phase transition from paramagnetic insulator to ferromagnetic metal linked to a structural Jahn-Teller distortion3. Vanadium dioxide (VO2) likewise exhibits an insulator-to-metal transition (IMT) at ~67oC with abrupt changes in transport and optical properties and coupled to a structural phase transition (SPT) from monoclinic to tetragonal4. The IMT and SPT hystereses are signatures of first-order phase transition tracking the nucleation to stabilization of a new phase. Here we have for the first time measured independently the IMT and SPT hystereses in epitaxial VO2 films, and shown that the hystereses are not congruent. From the measured volume fractions of the two phases in the region of strong correlation, we have computed the evolving dielectric function under an effective-medium approximation. But the computed dielectric functions could not reproduce the measured IMT, implying that there is a strongly correlated metallic phase that is not in the stable rutile structure, consistent with Qazilbash et al5. Search for a corresponding macroscopic structural intermediate also yielded negative result.
Optimal Aircraft Control Surface Layouts for Maneuver and Gust Load Alleviation

The goal of this work is to conduct aeroservoelastic optimization of a high aspect ratio transport wingbox with distributed control surfaces along the trailing edge. The control surfaces are utilized for both quasi-steady maneuver load alleviation (MLA) and unsteady gust load alleviation (GLA). The optimizer dictates the sizing details of the wingbox, the steady and unsteady control surface rotations, and also the control surface layout. Layout design variables specifically dictate which control surfaces to retain, and which to remove. The objective function is to minimize the sum of the actuator weight and the structural weight, with several imposed constraints related to structural failure and actuator saturation. The optimizer’s preferences with regards to control surface layout for MLA are in strong contrast to GLA-driven designs. The GLA-driven design space also suffers from local minima not evident in the MLA space.
The Composition of the Fungal and Oomycete Microbiome of Rhododendron Roots Under Varying Growth Conditions, Nurseries, and Cultivars

The microbiome of agricultural crops influences processes such as nutrient absorption, drought stress, and susceptibility to pathogens. Interactions between a plant’s genotype and its environment i...
Voltammetric Analysis of Redox Reactions and Ion Transfer in Water Microdroplets.

We report a set of voltammetric experiments for studying redox reactions and ion transfer in water microdroplets emulsified in 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE). The electrochemistry of microdroplets (rdrop ∼ 700 nm) loaded with either ferrocyanide ([Fe(CN)6]4-) or ferricyanide ([Fe(CN)6]3-), chosen due to their hydrophilic nature, was tracked using cyclic voltammetry. These heterogeneous reactions necessitated ion transfer at the droplet interface to maintain charge balance in the two liquid phases during oxidation or reduction, which was facilitated by the tetrabutylammonium perchlorate ([TBA][ClO4]) salt in the DCE phase. Experiments were performed with (1) a single macrodroplet (10-7 L) on a macroelectrode (r ∼ 1.5 mm), (2) millions of microdroplets (10-15 L) adsorbed on to a macroelectrode (r ∼ 1.5 mm), and (3) at the single microdroplet level via observing individual microdroplet collisions at an ultramicroelectrode (r ∼ 5 μm). We demonstrate that when millions of microdroplets are adsorbed onto a macroelectrode, there are two surprising observations: (1) the half-wave potential (E1/2) for the [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- redox couple shifts by +100 mV, which is shown to depend on the number of droplets on the electrode surface. (2) The reduction of [Fe(CN)6]3-, which is assisted by the transfer of TBA+ into the water droplet, displays two waves in the voltammogram. This dual-wave behavior can be explained by the formation of TBAxK3-xFe(CN)6, which is soluble in DCE. Additionally, we demonstrate that the adsorption of microdroplets onto an electrode surface offers significant amplification (×103) of the water/oil/electrode three-phase boundary when compared to the adsorption of larger macrodroplets, permitting a rigorous evaluation of heterogeneous chemistry at this distinct interface. In combination, these experiments provide new energetic and mechanistic insights for droplet systems, as well as reactivity differences between microscale and bulk multiphase systems.
Use of antibiotics to prevent calf diarrhea and septicemia

This article reviews certain studies related to the use of antimicrobial agents to prevent calf diarrhoea and septicaemia, and discusses whether prophylactic administration of antibiotics in neonatal calves is effective and indicated. Orally administered chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, tetracycline, and neomycin have label claims in the USA for the control or aid in the control of calf diarrhoea caused by bacteria susceptible to the antibiotic. Chlortetracycline and oxytetracycline (0.15 to 6.0 mg/lb [0.32 to 13.2 mg/kg], q 24 h, PO) are efficient in preventing calf diarrhoea and increasing growth rate in milk-fed calves, and chlortetracycline (3 mg/lb [7 mg/kg], q 12 h, PO) is efficient in decreasing mortality when administered to prevent diarrhoea in neonatal calves. There are no antibiotics with a label claim for prevention of calf septicaemia. Because of the apparent lack of efficacy studies for tetracycline and neomycin, and because extra-label use of drugs for routine disease prevention and for increasing weight gain and feed efficiency in calves is prohibited under the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA) of 1994, only oral chlortetracycline or oxytetracycline should be administered to prevent calf diarrhoea.
Overview of the Parasitic Pathogens

The genetic and morphologic complexity of parasites makes them challenging targets for immunological studies. The chapter focuses on major parasites and the diseases they cause. Toxoplasma infection in humans arises from the consumption of undercooked infected meat or through contact with the feces of an infected cat. The species of Plasmodium that cause disease in humans are, in decreasing order of importance, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium ovale. Trypanosoma brucei is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is transmitted between humans by blood-feeding tsetse flies. In humans, trematodes live either within the bloodstream or within the lungs or intestine. The most important cestodes that infect humans are Taenia saginata, Taenia solium, and Echinococcus spp. Impaired lymphatic drainage associated with the adult parasites living within the lymph vessels can lead to elephantiasis, a self-explanatory condition in which there is severe swelling of the limb extremities, genitalia, and breasts. The chapter considers few general characteristics of immunity to parasites that deserve special attention, and discusses relationship between immunity and disease. With global warming, there is also an expectation that parasites previously considered to be largely tropical pathogens will move north and south of their traditional areas of endemicity to cause disease in formerly temperate zones. The ready spread of parasitic pathogens is also enhanced by the greater ease of global travel and by the global transportation of food (a factor in outbreaks of foodborne Cyclospora infection in the United States).
The “rural hospital theorem” revisited

In the context of two-sided matching, we propose a new class of preferences called separable preferences with affirmative action constraints. We demonstrate that the celebrated “rural hospital theorem” in the matching literature generalizes to this class of preferences, but only with an appropriate definition of “vacant positions.” Motivated by this result, we then discuss practical issues about doctor shortages in rural hospitals.
Measurement of the 3 d → 2 p resonance to intercombination line-intensity ratio in neonlike Fe XVII , Ge XXIII , and Se XXV

Measurements of the $3\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{d}2p$ resonance and intercombination lines were made on the PLT tokamak for the neonlike ions Fe XVII, Ge XXIII, and Se XXV at several electron temperatures. The observed ratios agree with measurements of the ratios of the electron-impact excitation cross sections measured at the Livermore EBIT-II electron beam ion trap indicating that the effects of indirect excitation processes active in a plasma environment are minor for this line pair. However, the measured ratios are significantly smaller than theoretical predictions of their relative oscillator strengths or electron-impact excitation rates, illustrating the need to use laboratory measurements to calibrate this line pair at the level necessary for spectral diagnostics.
A Linearized Model for the Design of Fractional- $N$ Digital PLLs Based on Dual-Mode Ring Oscillator FDCs

A digital fractional- $N$ phase-locked loop (PLL) frequency synthesizer based on a second-order $\Delta\Sigma$ frequency-to-digital converter (FDC) without conventional analog components was recently proposed and demonstrated experimentally to have performance in line with state-of-the-art analog PLLs. However, unlike analog PLLs or prior PLLs based on second-order $\Delta\Sigma$ FDCs, it is highly digital and does not require an analog charge pump or ADC, so it is well-suited to implementation in highly-scaled CMOS technology. This paper derives a linearized model of the new architecture and key equations which are necessary for the design of PLLs based on the architecture.
Green fluorescent protein as a probe to study intracellular solute diffusion.

Publisher Summary The targeting of green fluorescent protein (GFP) to specific intracellular sites provides a powerful, noninvasive approach to measure solute diffusion in aqueous compartments and membranes of living cells. Photophysical studies have indicated that GFP has desirable properties for use as a probe of solute translational and rotational diffusion. GFP is fairly inert in cellular environments, and photobleaches with moderate efficiency and relatively little reversible photobleaching. GFP fluorescence is not depolarized by intramolecular segmental motions. Photobleaching experiments have demonstrated remarkably rapid translational diffusion of GFP in the aqueous phase of cytoplasm, the mitochondrial matrix, and the endoplasmic reticulum lumen. Much slower diffusion and transport of GFP-fusion proteins has been measured in cell plasma membranes and in membranes of organelles in the secretory pathway. The GFP labeling of intracellular sites and the use of time-resolved fluorescence methods thus provide a unique opportunity to define diffusive mechanisms in cells. In addition, the intrinsic pH sensitivity of GFP fluorescence has been exploited to measure pH at specific intracellular locations. This chapter describes the utility of GFP in studies of solute diffusion in living cells. The relevant photophysical properties of GFP are described, and examples of diffusive measurements in cellular compartments are provided. The potential pitfalls in such measurements are discussed, including the analysis of photobleaching data for solutes undergoing complex diffusion. The application of GFP as an intracellular pH sensor is discussed.