cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
People versus development: an overview of the economics of population growth.

Abstract Population growth and economic change are tightly bound together. The very high rates of population growth in the poor countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America complicate the resolution of basic economic problems and make it more difficult to assure an adequate rate of growth of income per capita. Simultaneously, the relative stagnation of per capita incomes, especially in the rural areas of the very poor countries, helps to maintain high levels of fertility, thus completing a circle of rapid population growth and poverty. There is no one solution to the dilemma. Neither dramatic improvements in the standard of living nor the rapid adoption of fertility control are likely in the poorest countries. Moreover, population control by itself will certainly not solve the problem of poverty, both because population limitation without economic growth would merely share the poverty and because the masses of the population are unlikely to reduce their fertility without the prospect of some improvement in the standard of living. On the other hand, it seems to be equally clear that, with the exception of those few countries that are possessed of enormous wealth in the form of natural resources, poverty will not be eliminated without a major reduction in the rate of population growth. Thus, the best hope lies in some judicious combination of social and economic reform and population control. This solution probably implies an increased commitment of finance and other resources to population programs.
Minimum deviation, quasi-LU factorization of nonsingular matrices

Abstract Not all matrices enjoy the existence of an LU factorization. For those that do not, a number of “repairs” are possible. For nonsingular matrices we offer here a permutation-free repair in which the matrix is factored L ˜ U ˜ , with L ˜ and U ˜ collectively as near as possible to lower and upper triangular (in a natural sense defined herein). Such factorization is not generally unique in any sense. In the process, we investigate further the structure of matrices without LU factorization and permutations that produce an LU factorization.
Decoupling Internalization, Acidification and Phagosomal-Endosomal/lysosomal Fusion during Phagocytosis of InlA Coated Beads in Epithelial Cells

Background Phagocytosis has been extensively examined in ‘professional’ phagocytic cells using pH sensitive dyes. However, in many of the previous studies, a separation between the end of internalization, beginning of acidification and completion of phagosomal-endosomal/lysosomal fusion was not clearly established. In addition, very little work has been done to systematically examine phagosomal maturation in ‘non-professional’ phagocytic cells. Therefore, in this study, we developed a simple method to measure and decouple particle internalization, phagosomal acidification and phagosomal-endosomal/lysosomal fusion in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) and Caco-2 epithelial cells.
Structure and deformation behavior ofT 1 precipitate plates in an Al- 2Li- 1 Cu alloy

A high-resolution TEM study was performed in order to determine the structure, transformation mechanisms, and deformation behavior ofT1 precipitate plates in an Al-2Li-lCu alloy aged to peak strength. It is shown that a possible structure for theT1 plates may be an A1BA2C... stacking of close-packed planes with the A, planes mostly Al, the B and C planes containing a mixture of Cu and Al, and the A2 planes mostly Li. Furthermore, the structural transformation necessary to achieve the A1BA2C ... stacking from the ABC ... matrix planes may be accomplished by the nu-cleation and propagation of a pair of Shockley partial dislocations on every third and fourth {111}α matrix plane. After straining 3 pct, theT1 plates are sheared by dislocations, which cause a disruption in atomic order within the precipitates. Experimental evidence also indicates that the binding between Li and Cu in Al-Li-Cu alloys may be a major factor in determining microstructural evolution in this system, and comparison of diffraction data from hexagonal precipitates on {111}α planes in a variety of Al alloys indicates that they may have similar structures.
Effects of a dynamic progressive orthotic intervention for chronic hemiplegia: A case series

Abstract Study design Case series design on a single subgroup of participants. Introduction Management of hypertonicity and resistance to passive movement (RTPM) in the upper extremity is an intractable problem for persons with stroke and the therapists who provide their care. Therapists have limited options for assessment and treatment of this condition which can profoundly limit functional performance and quality of life. Purpose of the study To evaluate the effect of a 12-week dynamic progressive orthotic intervention in persons with chronic stroke exhibiting wrist flexion contracture who are residents of a long-term skilled nursing facility. Methods A custom-fitted dynamic progressive wrist extension orthotic was applied to 6 residents with chronic stroke. The orthotic was worn for 4 h daily, 4×/week for 12 weeks. Wrist passive range of motion (PROM) and RTPM were measured weekly and after discontinuation of the orthotics using the Modified Ashworth Scale and the Tardieu Scale of Spasticity. Signal analysis of electromyographical (EMG) flexor response to extensor stretching was also measured before and after orthotic intervention using maximal root mean square (RMS) values and EMG burst onset time. Results A moderate effect was found for changes in PROM with the orthotic intervention. Progress made diminished following discontinuation. Moderate effects were also seen in EMG measures which indicated increases in amount of resistive-free movement following intervention. Conclusion A dynamic progressive orthotic intervention can be an effective option for increasing wrist PROM and reducing RTPM in persons with chronic stroke. Level of evidence 4.
Three-dimensional correlated accordion NMR spectroscopy of proteins

A major step toward the protein structure determination by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the assignment of multidimensional NMR signals that provide through-bond and through-space inter-atomic correlations. Ambiguities often occur during the assignment process due to resonance degeneracy, which challenges high resolution and larger size protein structure determination. Here, we present a method that will significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of the NMR signal assignment. The method is based on a correlated accordion principle that, when incorporated into conventional three-dimensional (3D) heteronuclear NMR experiments, allows the retrieval of additional frequency correlation information at high resolution. We show that 3D spectra derived from this method are as effective as the impractical high resolution four-dimensional (4D) spectra with substantially reduced signal ambiguity as compared to their conventional counterparts. The approach promises increased accuracy and size of protein structures determined by NMR.
Predicting adverse postoperative outcomes in patients aged 80 years or older.

OBJECTIVE: The identification of reversible factors that are associated with postoperative morbidity in geriatric surgical patients is critical to improving perioperative outcomes in such patients. Our study aimed to compare the relative importance of intraoperative versus preoperative factors in predicting adverse postoperative outcomes in geriatric patients. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing noncardiac surgery in 1995. SETTING: Two University of California, San Francisco, teaching hospitals—Moffitt/Long and Mount Zion medical centers. PARTICIPANTS: All men and women 80 years of age or older undergoing noncardiac surgery. MEASUREMENTS: Medical records of all patients were reviewed to measure predefined pre- and intraoperative risk factors and postoperative outcomes. Predictors of postoperative outcomes were identified by multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty-seven patients were studied. The most prevalent preoperative risk factors were a history of hypertension and coronary artery, pulmonary, and neurologic diseases. Postoperative in-hospital mortality rate was 4.6%, and 25% of patients developed adverse postoperative outcomes, of which neurological and cardiovascular complications were the leading causes of morbidity (15% and 12%, respectively). By multivariate logistic regression, a history of neurological disease (odds ratio [OR] 4.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.3 – 6.9, P = .0001), congestive heart failure (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.4 – 5.3, P = .004), and a history of arrhythmia (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2 – 4.3, P = .01) increased the odds of adverse postoperative events. The only intraoperative event shown to be predictive of postoperative complications was the use of vasoactive agents (OR 8.0,95% CI 1.6 – 40.5, P = .009). CONCLUSIONS: In this group of geriatric surgical patients, the overall postoperative in-hospital mortality rate was 4.6%, and 25% of the patients developed adverse postoperative outcomes involving either the neurological, cardiovascular, or pulmonary systems. Intraoperative events appeared to be less important than preoperative comorbidities in predicting adverse postoperative outcomes. J Am Geriatr Soc 48: 405–412, 2000.
Fe3+ Coordination and Redox Properties of a Bacterial Transferrin

The Fe(3+) binding site of recombinant nFbp, a ferric-binding protein found in the periplasmic space of pathogenic Neisseria, has been characterized by physicochemical techniques. An effective Fe(3+) binding constant in the presence of 350 microm phosphate at pH 6.5 and 25 degrees C was determined as 2.4 x 10(18) m(-1). EPR spectra for the recombinant Fe(3+)nFbp gave g' = 4.3 and 9 signals characteristic of high spin Fe(3+) in a strong ligand field of low (orthorhombic) symmetry. (31)P NMR experiments demonstrated the presence of bound phosphate in the holo form of nFbp and showed that phosphate can be dialyzed away in the absence of Fe(3+) in apo-nFbp. Finally, an uncorrected Fe(3+/2+) redox potential for Fe-nFbp was determined to be -290 mV (NHE) at pH 6.5, 20 degrees C. Whereas our findings show that nFbp and mammalian transferrin have similar Fe(3+) binding constants and EPR spectra, they differ greatly in their redox potentials. This has implications for the mechanism of Fe transport across the periplasmic space of Gram-negative bacteria.
Integrated circuit drop-sensing drinkometer.

Abstract An casuy constructed and inexpensive drop-sensing drinkometer is described, which incorporates an integrated circuit photodetector. It provides a reliable and convenient means of automatically monitoring fluid intake in a number of experimental situations. The animal is undisturbed and isolated from the electrical system components.
Bateman's Principle and Simultaneous Hermaphrodites: A Paradox

Bateman's principle states that reproductive success is limited a) in females by the resources available for egg production; and b) in males, only by access to females and/or eggs. The principle has been used to generate predictions for two aspects of hermaphroditism; a) the advantage of hermaphroditism and b) sexual conflict. Comparing these predictions to the empirical data offers tests of Bateman's principle. Charnov's prediction that hermaphroditism would occur under circumstances where Bateman's principle does not apply is found to be largely correct. However, the prediction as to the association of hermaphroditism and low fixed costs is inconsistent with the data. Alternative explanations that predict that hermaphroditism is a strategy for reducing variance in reproductive success may better explain the data. Probability theory demonstrates that where two strategies have equal mean fitness, which must be the case for male and female function, the strategy with the lower variance in reproductive success must have higher fitness (Gillespie's principle). Bateman's principle predicts that this will be the female role in hermaphrodites. However, Charnov, assuming Bateman's principle, predicted that sexual conflict stemming from a preference for the male role would be important in hermaphrodite mating systems, creating a paradox. Many hermaphrodite mating systems are based on conditional reciprocity with a preferred sexual role indicating sexual conflict. The data demonstrate that the preferred role varies among taxa, contrary to the predictions of Bateman's principle. It has been suggested that Bateman's principle can explain cases in which the female role is preferred (sperm-trading) as involving energy rather than gamete trading. However, energetic considerations suggest that energy trading would only be adaptive if Bateman's principle does not apply, paradoxically. The gamete trading model, based on the prediction that the role that offers control of fertilization will be preferred, is more consistent with the data. Application of Bateman's principle to hermaphrodites leads to contradictory predictions and does not offer the basis for a coherent theory of sexual selection, as Bateman proposed.
Androgens modulate song effort and aggression in Neotropical singing mice

Androgens are an important class of steroid hormones involved in modulating the expression and evolution of male secondary sex characters. Vocalizations used in the context of aggression and mate attraction are among the most elaborate and diverse androgen-dependent animal displays as reflected in a rich tradition of studies on bird song and anuran calls. Male Alston's singing mice (Scotinomys teguina) commonly emit trilled songs that appear to function in male-male aggression. In this study, we experimentally manipulated androgens in singing mice to assess their role in modulating aggression and song effort. Testosterone- and DHT-treated animals retained aggressive and song attributes similarly. However, castrated mice administered empty implants showed more subordinate behavior and sang fewer songs that were shorter, lower in power, higher in frequency, and less stereotyped. The extensive effects of androgens on a suite of phenotypes highlight their role in linking gonadal status with decisions about investment in reproductive behaviors.
Diabetes management via mobile phones: a systematic review.

Abstract Background: This study sought to understand the most common uses and functions of mobile phones in monitoring and managing diabetes, their potential role in a clinical setting, and the current state of research in this area. Methods: We identified peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2010. Twenty-one articles were analyzed for this systematic literature review. Results: The majority of studies examined the use of mobile phones from the patient's perspective. Subjects with type 1 diabetes were enrolled exclusively in over 50% of the studies. Seventy-one percent of the studies used a study-specific application, which had supplemental features in addition to text messaging. The outcomes assessed varied considerably across studies, but some positive trends were noted, such as improved self-efficacy, hemoglobin A1c, and self-management behaviors. Conclusions: The studies evaluated showed promise in using mobile phones to help people with diabetes manage their condition effectively. Howeve...
Mapping of Abll within a conserved linkage group on distal mouse chromosome 1 syntenic with human chromosome 1 using an interspecific cross.

Abstract A human Abelson related gene (ABLL) cDNA clone was used to detect restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) on mouse Southern blots. Abll was mapped to mouse chromosome 1 by analysis of segregation with other distal chromosome 1 genetic polymorphisms by using a panel of DNAs from [ ( C3H HeJ - gld gld × Mus spretus) F1 × C3H HeJ - gld gld ] interspecific backcross mice. The data indicate the following gene order: (centromere)-CD45-6.5 cM-Lamb-2-1 cM-Abll-2 cM-At-3. The results extend the analysis of a large conserved linkage group spanning nearly 30 cM on distal mouse chromosome 1 syntenic with human chromosome 1q21–32. Within this linkage group similar relative positions have been characterized in both species for C4BP, REN, CD45, LAMB2, ABLL, AT3, APOA2, and SPTA.
Development of a Electro-Osmotic Micromixer for Uniform and Rapid Mixing

Micro Total Analysis Systems (μTAS) require rapid yet homogeneous mixing of a number of fluid streams that carry bio/chemical species in the solution. Current analysis has been continued from our previously published work [1]. New models were designed by rendering some particular fluid and geometric variables from the original design and then analyzed for the degree of mixing effectiveness. A careful placement of obstacles in the mixing zone of the model and the electrodes in it showed enhancement in mixing performance. In addition, models with varied geometrical parameters such as converging inlet and diverging outlet yielded even better mixing capabilities. Concentration variances over time at the outlet were simultaneously compared in all models for mixing. Also average concentration was tracked over time so as to confirm the uniformity in mixing. The concentration variances at the outlet have been dramatically observed to be reduced by a factor of at least 10 from our designs as reported earlier [1].Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Statistical Downscaling and Bias Correction of Climate Model Outputs for Climate Change Impact Assessment in the U.S. Northeast

article i nfo Statistical downscaling can be used to efficiently downscale a large number of General Circulation Model (GCM) outputs to a fine temporal and spatial scale. To facilitate regional impact assessments, this study statistically downscales (to 1∕8° spatial resolution) and corrects the bias of daily maximum and minimum temperature and daily precipitation data from six GCMs and four Regional Climate Models (RCMs) for the northeast United States (US) using the Statistical Downscaling and Bias Correction (SDBC) approach. Based on these downscaled data from multiple models, five extreme indices were analyzed for the future climate to quantify future changes of climate extremes. For a subset of models and indices, results based on raw and bias corrected model outputs for the present-day climate were compared with observations, which dem- onstrated that bias correction is important not only for GCM outputs, but also for RCM outputs. For future cli- mate, bias correction led to a higher level of agreements among the models in predicting the magnitude and capturing the spatial pattern of the extreme climate indices. We found that the incorporation of dynamical downscaling as an intermediate step does not lead to considerable differences in the results of statistical downscaling for the study domain.
Thermal analysis of NAC-LWT cask under normal and fire accident conditions

AbstractTwo- and three-dimensional thermal models of a Nuclear Assurance Corporation Legal Weight Truck (NAC-LWT) cask were constructed using the PATRAN commercial finite element package. The two-dimensional model included the effect of radial stiffeners in the package’s external neutron shield but the three-dimensional model did not. A normal conditions of transport (NCT) simulation using both models predicted the peak cladding temperature was roughly 210°C. The NCT package temperatures were used as initial conditions for transient fire/post-fire simulations. Different assumptions were used to determine when the neutron shield liquid drained from the tank and was replaced by air. When the liquid was assumed to remain within the tank during and after the fire, the peak cladding temperature was predicted to exhibit a temporal maximum of roughly 300°C, ∼6 h after the end of the fire. If the liquid drained from the tank during the fire, the cladding temperature did not exhibit a temporal peak. Rather, it eve...
State-shared model for multiple-input multiple-output systems

This work proposes a method to construct a state-shared model for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. A state-shared model is defined as a linear time invariant state-space structure that is driven by measurement signals-the plant outputs and the manipulated variables, but shared by different multiple input/output models. The genesis of the state-shared model is based on a particular reduced non-minimal realization. Any such realization necessarily fulfills the requirement that the output of the state-shared model is an asymptotically correct estimate of the output of the plant, if the process model is selected appropriately. The approach is demonstrated on a nonlinear MIMO system — a physiological model of calcium fluxes that controls muscle contraction and relaxation in human cardiac myocytes.
Risky behaviors, e-cigarette use and susceptibility of use among college students

Abstract Background Since 2007, there has been a rise in the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). The present study uses cross-sectional data (2013) to examine prevalence, correlates and susceptibility to e-cigarettes among young adults. Methods Data were collected using an Internet survey from a convenience sample of 1437, 18–23 year olds attending four colleges/universities in Upstate New York. Results were summarized using descriptive statistics; logistic regression models were analyzed to identify correlates of e-cigarette use and susceptibility to using e-cigarettes. Results Nearly all respondents (95.5%) reported awareness of e-cigarettes; 29.9% were ever users and 14.9% were current users. Younger students, males, non-Hispanic Whites, respondents reporting average/below average school ability, ever smokers and experimenters of tobacco cigarettes, and those with lower perceptions of harm regarding e-cigarettes demonstrated higher odds of ever use or current use. Risky behaviors (i.e., tobacco, marijuana or alcohol use) were associated with using e-cigarettes. Among never e-cigarette users, individuals involved in risky behaviors or, with lower harm perceptions for e-cigarettes, were more susceptible to future e-cigarette use. Conclusions More e-cigarette users report use of another nicotine product besides e-cigarettes as the first nicotine product used; this should be considered when examining whether e-cigarette use is related to cigarette susceptibility. Involvement in risky behaviors is related to e-cigarette use and susceptibility to e-cigarette use. Among college students, e-cigarette use is more likely to occur in those who have also used other tobacco products, marijuana, and/or alcohol.
30. Plasma oxytocin and vasopressin and social functioning

In animal studies, the neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin have been implicated in social behaviors. In humans, plasma levels of oxytocin covary with perceptions of relationship quality, but little is known about the association between plasma vasopressin and social behaviors in humans. The goal of this study was to evaluate the relationships among plasma oxytocin and vasopressin and self-reported social functioning. Thirty-seven couples completed measures of social functioning and provided blood samples for neuropeptide analysis during a 24-hour admission to a hospital-based research unit. Higher plasma oxytocin was associated with less hostility among men, p = .001, but not women, p = .67. Across both men and women greater levels of vasopressin were associated with larger social networks, p = .05, less negative spousal interactions, p = .03, less attachment avoidance, p = .03, more attachment security p = .04, and marginally with greater spousal social support, p = .06. Overall, higher social functioning was associated with greater plasma vasopressin levels. This study provides evidence that plasma vasopressin levels have small, but significant associations with dimensions of social functioning in humans.
Formation of Copper Sulfide Artifacts During Electrolytic Dissolution of Steel

Based on equilibrium considerations, copper sulfide is not expected to form in manganese-containing steel, yet previous workers reported finding copper sulfide in transmission electron microscope samples which had been prepared by electropolishing. It is proposed that copper sulfide can form during electrolytic dissolution because of the much greater stability of copper sulfide relative to manganese sulfide in contact with an electrolyte containing copper and manganese cations. This mechanism has been demonstrated with aluminum-killed steel samples.
Contribution to the Solution of the Three-Body Problem in Power Series Form

After reviewing the existing procedures for solving the three-body problem by convergent power series, the author develops two algebraic methods in terms of the independent variable which is either the time t or Levi-Civita's regularizing variable u. These power series solve in Weierstrass' and Painleve's sense the problem formulated in its greatest generality, since no restrictions at all are made on the order of magnitude of masses and none of the three bodies is restricted to moving along a prescribed conic section. Besides, the reference system used is a tridimensional Cartesian one. In the t-domain, the expressions for the high-order derivatives of the coordinates are computed using repeatedly Leibnitz's rule for derivatives of products of functions. In the u-domain, an extremely simple successive approximation procedure is established by means of a single recursion formula which requires elementary operations to be performed on polynomials of increasing degrees.
Myrmekite as a marker between preaqueous and postaqueous phase saturation in granitic systems

A nonreplacive, nonexsolution model of myrmekite growth is based on textural relationships in the Sand Springs porphyritic granodiorite, west-central Nevada. A sequence of crystallization is divided into (1) a preaqueous-phase saturation stage, characterized by major growth of plagioclase (zoned)., quartz, and K-feldspar (phenocrysts), and (2) a postaqueous-phase saturation stage characterized by myrmekite, final euhedral growth of plagioclase and quartz, and final growth of K-feldspar phenocrysts and most K-feldspar of the matrix, including some crystals with adularia-habit characteristics. Myrmekite results from micropressure quenching during the separation of an aqueous phase as crystallization progresses. The occurrence of myrmekite as lobate units on plagioclase, extending into K-feldspar, results from precipitation of oligoclase (the basic ingredient of myrmekite) as local continuations of plagioclase growth from a melt that simultaneously expels an aqueous-rich fluid enriched in K-feldspar component. Late K-feldspar crystallizes from the aqueous-rich fluid, filling in around the myrmekite. Quartz in myrmekite represents the inability of silica to diffuse from the quenched melt and occurs as vermicules chiefly in accord with the principles of binary eutectic crystallization. The Sand Springs myrmekite model is tested by evaluating its occurrences in aplite-pegmatite systems, in granitic gneisses, and in the hydrothermal secondary K-feldspar environment. Myrmekite commonly occurs in all but the hydrothermal environment, which is postmyrmekite, and a fundamentally magmatic origin can be reasoned for the other rock types if the tectonic environment during crystallization is also considered.
Effect of dosage on length of incubation period of aster-yellows virus in its vector.

SummaryJuices from viruliferous Macrosteles divisus Uhler were diluted to 10−1 and 10−3 with saline and 1/8000 cc per insect was injected into non-viruliferous leafhoppers. The infectivity tests of injected vectors under controlled environmental conditions showed that with a dilution of 10−1 the shortest incubation periods were from 11 to 15 days. With a dilution of 10−3 the minimal incubation periods were from 24 to 38 days. The results can be interpreted on the basis of the fact that multiplication of a small amount of virus would take a longer time to render the insects infective than multiplication of a greater amount of the aster-yellows virus.
New power delivery scheme for 3D ICs to minimize simultaneous switching noise for high speed I/Os

Simultaneous switching noise is a detrimental issue in high speed digital systems. In this paper, we utilize power transmission line based design and current steering to minimize power supply noise, eye height and jitter penalties.
The modal status of materialism

Materialism, as traditionally conceived, has a contingent side and a necessary side. The necessity of materialism is reflected by the metaphysics of realization, while its contingency is a matter of accepting the possibility of Cartesian worlds, worlds in which our minds are roughly as Descartes describes them. In this paper we argue that the necessity and the contingency of materialism are in conflict. In particular, we claim that if mental properties are realized by physical properties in the actual world, Cartesian worlds are impossible.
Field‐Assisted Sintering of Nanocrystalline Titanium Nitride

Nanosized TiN powder was densified via field-assisted sintering at temperatures of 1150°–1350°C and a pressure of 66 MPa under vacuum. A maximum relative density of ∼97% and a maximum mean grain size of 150–200 nm were obtained. Densification and microstructural evolution have been discussed, in terms of superplasticity and electric-field effects.
Robust stability of uncertain time-delay systems

This paper considers the robust stability and control of uncertain time-delay systems. Sufficient stability conditions are derived by using the small /spl mu/ theorem. It is then shown that most existing results in the literature are much more conservative than this condition. Furthermore, robust control of uncertain delay systems can be studied by combining this stability criterion and the standard /spl mu/ synthesis techniques.
Water Resistance of Poly(imide-siloxane) Adhesives: An IGC Surface Energetics Study

Abstract Inverse Gas Chromatography was utilized to examine the interaction of water vapor with the surfaces of a polyimide homopolymer and poly(imide-siloxane) random-block copolymers of increasing siloxane content. The studies employed 45-60 meter, thin-polymer-film mega-bore capillary columns to maximize surface area. The free energies of specific surface interaction with water and the dispersive components of the solid surface free energies were determined. An increase in the polymer siloxane content from 0-wt% to 10-wt% resulted in a decrease of approximately 4 kJ/mol in the free energy of water-specific surface interaction. A further increase in siloxane content to 30-wt% was not found to increase surface water resistance significantly. Dispersive components of the solid surface free energies of the copolymers were comparable to values reported for poly(dimethylsiloxane) homopolymer.
Evidence for anomalous bond softening and disorder below 2 nm diameter in carbon supported platinum nanoparticles from the temperature dependent peak width of the atomic pair distribution function

X-ray pair distribution function (PDF) analysis has been applied to five carbon-supported platinum nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 1.78(2) to 11.2(2) nm. Debye (θD) and Einstein (θE) temperatures were extracted from temperature-dependent PDF peak widths. A monotonic decrease in (θD) with nanoparticle diameter was found and could be well explained by the effect of increased surface area except in the case of the 1.78(2) nm diameter nanoparticle where the measured Debye temperature is significantly depressed from that predicted. This suggests an anomalous bond softening in the smallest sample.
The Effects of Performance Information on Public Resource Allocations: A Study of Chile's Performance-Based Budgeting System

ABSTRACT This article reports the findings of a mixed-methods study of the effects of performance-related considerations on the allocation of public resources in Chile. The study considered aspects and stages of the budgetary process that most previous research on the relationship between performance assessments and the budget has tended to disregard. By virtue of this distinctive approach, the study identified many instances of performance considerations' influence that many other studies would have failed to capture. Because of its strictly exploratory character, the study could not establish how typical the different types of effects identified are. But it suggests that the effects most neglected in the literature may account for a great portion, if not for most, of the performance assessments' impact on the quality of public spending.
Dramatic Enhancement of Genome Editing by CRISPR/Cas9 Through Improved Guide RNA Design

Success with genome editing by the RNA-programmed nuclease Cas9 has been limited by the inability to predict effective guide RNAs and DNA target sites. Not all guide RNAs have been successful, and even those that were, varied widely in their efficacy. Here we describe and validate a strategy for Caenorhabditis elegans that reliably achieved a high frequency of genome editing for all targets tested in vivo. The key innovation was to design guide RNAs with a GG motif at the 3' end of their target-specific sequences. All guides designed using this simple principle induced a high frequency of targeted mutagenesis via nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) and a high frequency of precise DNA integration from exogenous DNA templates via homology-directed repair (HDR). Related guide RNAs having the GG motif shifted by only three nucleotides showed severely reduced or no genome editing. We also combined the 3' GG guide improvement with a co-CRISPR/co-conversion approach. For this co-conversion scheme, animals were only screened for genome editing at designated targets if they exhibited a dominant phenotype caused by Cas9-dependent editing of an unrelated target. Combining the two strategies further enhanced the ease of mutant recovery, thereby providing a powerful means to obtain desired genetic changes in an otherwise unaltered genome.
Emerging treatment strategies for adrenocortical carcinoma: a new hope.

Context: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare cancer but one that has devastating consequences for affected patients. Surgery is the mainstay of therapy, although the high frequency of metastatic disease implies that it is frequently noncurative. Traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy for ACC has generally produced disappointing responses, implying the need for the new therapies for this disease. Evidence Acquisition: Review articles and primary literature were identified by extensive PubMed searching to obtain papers evaluating the current state of knowledge regarding ACC, as well as assessing the development of new therapeutic modalities for the treatment of cancer. When needed, additional articles were identified from the reference lists of the papers obtained from the primary screen. Evidence Synthesis: Multiple new modalities that may enhance the future treatment of ACC were identified. They include the following: combating drug resistance, targeting tumor vasculature, inhibiting signaling pathways w...
Cell-free production of scFv fusion proteins: an efficient approach for personalized lymphoma vaccines

The unique immunoglobulin (Ig) idiotype on the surface of each B-cell lymphoma represents an ideal tumor-specific antigen for use as a therapeutic vaccine. We have used an Escherichia coli—based, cell-free protein-expression system to produce a vaccine within hours of cloning the Ig genes from a B-cell tumor. We demonstrated that a fusion protein consisting of an idiotypic single chain Fv antibody fragment (scFv) linked to a cytokine (GM-CSF) or to an immunostimulatory peptide was an effective lymphoma vaccine. These vaccines elicited humoral immune responses against the native Ig protein displayed on the surface of a tumor and protected mice against tumor challenge with efficacy equal to that of the conventional Ig produced in a mammalian cell and chemically coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin. The cell-free E coli system offers a platform for rapidly generating individualized vaccines, thereby allowing much more efficient application in the clinic.
Legal Ignorance and Information-Forcing Rules

People are often ignorant about the legal rules that govern the most common transactions in their lives. This Article analyzes one common regulatory response to our widespread legal ignorance. A surprisingly broad range of legal rules have the ostensible purpose of inducing sophisticated parties to draft express contract language that will inform their contractual partners about the legal rules governing a particular transaction. However, this “legal-information-forcing” objective often remains unrealized because people routinely sign contracts without reading and understanding their terms. In theory, courts could design information-forcing rules that would be truly informative. But recognizing the potential futility of attempts to inform many contracting parties about complex legal rules, this Article also develops and critiques several alternative justifications for “clause-forcing” rules that encourage sophisticated parties to draft express contract terms. Such terms could facilitate the activities of avid comparison shoppers, reviewers, and consumer advocates. Comprehensive written terms also may promote ex post legal clarity and thereby reduce the costs of resolving disputes. Finally, exculpatory clauses allow parties to contract out of the comparatively expensive legal system of dispute resolution in favor of a regime governed by informal social norms. On this account, clause-forcing rules encourage sophisticated drafting parties to signal their preference for a norm-governed relationship, and lawmakers then demarcate the boundary between law and norms by deciding whether to enforce exculpatory clauses. The normative desirability of these clause-forcing rules is unclear, but my exploration of these alternative justifications shows the conceptual poverty of accounts that presume express contract terms inform the majority of unsophisticated parties.
Temperature Dependence of Surface Morphology of Silicon Grown on CaF2/Si by Electron Beam Assisted Mbe

We present the results of electron beam assisted molecular beam epitaxy (EB-MBE) on the growth mode of silicon on CaF2/Si(111). By irradiating the CaF2 surface with low energy electrons, the fluorine is desorbed, leaving an ordered array of F-centers behind. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), we do not detect any surface damage on the CaF2 layer due to the low energy electron irradiation. The surface free energy of the CaF2 is raised due to the F-center array and the subsequent silicon layer is smoother. Using AFM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), we find an optimal range of exposures for high temperature (650°C) growth of the silicon overlayer that minimizes surface roughness of the silicon overlayer and we present a simple model based on geometrical thermodynamics to explain this. We observed a similar optimal range of exposures that minimizes the surface roughness for medium (575°C) and low (500°C) growth temperatures of the silicon layer. We present an explanation for this growth mode based on kinetics.
Reducing Highway Congestion: An Empirical Approach

The California Freeway Performance Measurement System (PeMS) database stores real-time data from 26,000 loopdetectors. PeMS extracts useful information from these data and displays it in graphical or tabular form. The data provide an unparalled opportunity to assess highway performance and discover ways to improve highway management. The paper illustrates this opportunity by suggesting approaches to reduce congestion. The approaches range from bottleneck identification and effective ramp metering to questioning the current operation of high-occupancy vehicle or carpool lanes.
Has Neurophysiology Resurrected the Platonic Soul

It has been argued that the objective of psychological experimentation should be one of furthering our understanding of the processes by which human knowledge is acquired. However, there are those who argue that many hypothetical constructs employed by contemporary psychologists, in contrast to their assessments, reflect an epistemology embraced by Plato centuries past. A different position is taken here, one which maintains that modern psychological researches are more characteristic of the Aristotelian position in contrast to Platonic doctrine. The viability of these traditional epistemologies is discussed in view of researches in the areas of perception and neurophysiology. It is suggested that the Aristotelian approach to the resolution of the paradox of knowing about knowing is both philosophically substantive and, unlike the Platonist position, operationally feasible.
Git can facilitate greater reproducibility and increased transparency in science

Background: Reproducibility is the hallmark of good science. Maintaining a high degree of transparency in scientific reporting is essential not just for gaining trust and credibility within the scientific community but also for facilitating the development of new ideas. Sharing data and computer code associated with publications is becoming increasingly common, motivated partly in response to data deposition requirements from journals and mandates from funders. Despite this increase in transparency, it is still difficult to reproduce or build upon the findings of most scientific publications without access to a more complete workflow. Findings: Version control systems (VCS), which have long been used to maintain code repositories in the software industry, are now finding new applications in science. One such open source VCS, Git, provides a lightweight yet robust framework that is ideal for managing the full suite of research outputs such as datasets, statistical code, figures, lab notes, and manuscripts. For individual researchers, Git provides a powerful way to track and compare versions, retrace errors, explore new approaches in a structured manner, while maintaining a full audit trail. For larger collaborative efforts, Git and Git hosting services make it possible for everyone to work asynchronously and merge their contributions at any time, all the while maintaining a complete authorship trail. In this paper I provide an overview of Git along with use-cases that highlight how this tool can be leveraged to make science more reproducible and transparent, foster new collaborations, and support novel uses.
A novel enzyme complementation-based assay for monitoring G-protein-coupled receptor internalization

G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling is involved in a wide range of physiological processes and diseases, and around one-half of currently used drugs target GPCRs. Assays for the signaling of GPCRs have suffered from drawbacks, including low signal-to-noise, temporally transient signals, and difficulty in applying a single assay to a wide range of GPCRs. We have developed a set of assays for G-protein-coupled receptor signaling based on β-galactosidase enzyme complementation in live mammalian cells. We previously described an assay for GPCR activation by monitoring the binding of β-arrestin to the receptor. Here we describe a second assay that monitors the internalization of GPCRs to endosomes, an event that follows receptor activation and is critical in desensitizing and resensitizing the receptor. We show that both assays display high signal-to-noise ratios with low variability and are quantitative for a wide range of GPCRs. EC50s obtained with these assays closely match results reported in the l...
Fair scheduling in Internet routers

Input buffered switch architecture has become attractive for implementing high performance routers and expanding use of the Internet sees an increasing need for quality of service. It is challenging to provide a scheduling technique that is both highly efficient and fair in resource allocation. In this paper, we first introduce an iterative fair scheduling (IFS) scheme for input buffered switches that supports fair bandwidth distribution among the flows and achieves asymptotically 100 percent throughput. The IFS is evaluated both under synthetic workload and with Web traces from the Internet. Compared to the commonly used synthetic input, our simulation results reveal significant difference in performance when the real network traffic is employed. We then consider fair scheduling under various buffer management mechanisms and analyze their impact on the fairness in bandwidth allocation. Our studies indicate that early packet discard in anticipation of congestion is necessary and per-flow based buffering is effective for protecting benign users from being adversely affected by misbehaving traffic. Buffer allocation according to bandwidth reservation is especially helpful when the input traffic is highly bursty.
Comparison of Space Resection Adjustments

The least squares solution of the photogrammetric space resection problem is obtained by four methods. These are the minimization of the sum of the squares of the angle cosine residuals, the angle residuals, or the residuals of the measured plate coordinate, and a method by which solutions are formed through all possible point combinations using the angle cosines. Based on three sets of observations, there appears to be no wide disparity, as judged by the standard errors of the exposure station coordinates, between the various adjustments. From a theoretical viewpoint, it is better to perform the adjustment minimizing the plate coordinate residuals, by which method the rotation angles are also obtained.
Time Evolution of the Scattering Data for the Forced Toda Lattice

Determination of the time evolution of the scattering data for an inverse scattering transform solution of the forced Toda lattice appears to require an overspecification of the boundary condition at the end of the lattice. This appears in the form of an apparent need to specify the values of two functions at the boundary rather than one. We present three different approaches to the resolution of this problem. One approach gives the Maclaurin series (in time) for the scattering data. The second approach gives the scattering data in terms of the solution to a nonlinear, nonlocal partial differential equation. The third approach gives the scattering data in terms of the solution to a linear integral equation. All three approaches reduce to one the number of functions which must be specified to determine a solution. The advantages and limitations of each approach are discussed.
COMPARISION BETWEEN HYDROPONIC AND SOIL SYSTEMS FOR GROWING STRAWBERRIES IN A GREENHOUSE

Consumption of strawberries has been asserted to have many health promoting bioactive compounds including antioxidants. Growing fruits and vegetables hydroponically represent a possible opportunity towards sustainable crop production; it would be beneficial to examine the feasibility and the potential ability to replace soil systems for growing strawberries. Unlike leafy greens, the root structures, stalk, and fruit are more complex and require more physical support. In this study, hydroponic strawberries were higher in terms of fruit yield and plant survival rate. In soil-grown strawberries, the overall mass was significantly higher by 23%, but there was a larger variation of fruit size indicated by a large standard deviation. Startup costs for growing strawberries in hydroponic systems can be more than soil systems. Growing strawberries in hydroponic systems are feasible, at reasonable cost and more sustainable compared to traditionally soil grown systems. Future research should investigate various hydroponic growing methods and the feasibility of growing at the commercial level..
Inhibition of active transport by ouabain in the canine stomach.

SummaryOuabain (50 μg/kg) decreases the PD of the histamine-stimulated canine gastric mucosa in vivo. Calculated electrical resistance (PD/I) was not decreased, and the rate of acid secretion was unaltered by ouabain. These findings support the inference that ouabain inhibited active chloride transport to diminish PD. This inference was verified by in vitro experiments in which ouabain inhibited the net flux of chloride in the acid-bathed mucosal segment.