cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
User experience evaluation of a smoking cessation app in people With serious mental illness

INTRODUCTION Smoking rates among people with serious mental illness are 3 to 4 times higher than the general population, yet currently there are no smoking cessation apps specifically designed to address this need. We report the results of a User Experience (UX) evaluation of a National Cancer Institute smoking cessation app, QuitPal, and provide user centered design data that can be used to tailor smoking cessation apps for this population. METHODS Two hundred forty hours of field experience with QuitPal, 10 hours of recorded interviews and task performances, usage logs and a self-reported usability scale, informed the results of our study. Participants were five individuals recruited from a community mental health clinic with a reported serious mental illness history. Performance, self-reports, usage logs and interview data were triangulated to identify critical usability errors and UX themes emerging from this population. RESULTS Data suggests QuitPal has below average levels of usability, elevated time on task performances and required considerable amounts of guidance. UX themes provided critical information to tailor smoking cessation apps for this population, such as the importance of breaking down "cessation" into smaller steps and use of a reward system. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to examine the UX of a smoking cessation app among people with serious mental illness. Data from this study will inform future research efforts to expand the effectiveness and reach of smoking cessation apps for this highly nicotine dependent yet under-served population. IMPLICATIONS Data from this study will inform future research efforts to expand the effectiveness and reach of smoking cessation apps for people with serious mental illness, a highly nicotine dependent yet under-served population.
A transfer function approach to linear time-varying discrete-time systems

A transfer-function approach to linear time-varying discrete-time systems is developed in terms of skew (noncommutative) rings of polynomials and power series, both with coefficients in a ring of time functions. This framework is then applied to the study of uniform asymptotic stability and reachability. The problem of feedback control using dynamic state feedback is also considered.
Dynamic Calibration Approach for Determining Catechins and Gallic Acid in Green Tea Using LC–ESI/MS

Catechins and gallic acid are antioxidant constituents of Camellia sinensis, or green tea. Liquid chromatography with both ultraviolet (UV) absorbance and electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (ESI/MS) detection was used to determine catechins and gallic acid in three green tea matrix materials that are commonly used as dietary supplements. The results from both detection modes were evaluated with 14 quantitation models, all of which were based on the analyte response relative to an internal standard. Half of the models were static, where quantitation was achieved with calibration factors that were constant over an analysis set. The other half were dynamic, with calibration factors calculated from interpolated response factor data at each time a sample was injected to correct for potential variations in analyte response over time. For all analytes, the relatively nonselective UV responses were found to be very stable over time and independent of the calibrant concentration; comparable results with lo...
Novel kinematics from a custodially protected diphoton resonance

We study a simple, well-motivated model based on a custodial symmetry which describes the tree-level production of a 750 GeV diphoton resonance from a decay of a singly produced vector-like quark. The model has several novel features. The identification of the resonance as an SU(2)$_R$ triplet provides a symmetry explanation for suppression of its decays to hh, WW, and gg. Moreover, the ratio of the 13 TeV to 8 TeV cross sections can be larger than single production of a 750 GeV resonance, reaching ratios of up to 7 for TeV scale vector-like quark masses. This eliminates any tension between the results from Run I and Run II diphoton searches. Lastly, we study the kinematics of our signal and conclude that the new production mechanism is consistent with available experimental distributions in large regions of parameter space but, depending on the mass of the new vector-like quarks, can be differentiated from the background with more statistics.
The nicotine + alcohol interoceptive drug state: contribution of the components and effects of varenicline in rats

Nicotine and alcohol co-use is highly prevalent, and as such, individuals experience the interoceptive effects of both substances together. Therefore, examining sensitivity to a compound nicotine and alcohol (N + A) interoceptive cue is critical to broaden our understanding of mechanisms that may contribute to nicotine and alcohol co-use. This work assessed the ability of a N + A interoceptive cue to gain control over goal-tracking behavior and determined the effects of the α4β2 nicotinic partial agonist and smoking cessation compound varenicline on sensitivity to N + A. Two groups of male Long Evans rats were trained to discriminate N + A (0.4 mg/kg nicotine + 1 g/kg alcohol, intragastric gavage (IG)) from water under two different training conditions using a Pavlovian drug discrimination task. The effects of varenicline (0, 1, 3 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (IP)) administered alone and on sensitivity to N + A and the components were determined. Under both training conditions, N + A rapidly gained control over behavior, with a greater contribution of nicotine to the N + A compound cue. Varenicline fully substituted for the N + A training dose, and varenicline (1 mg/kg) enhanced sensitivity to the lowest N + A dose (0.1 N + 0.1 A). Given the high selectivity of varenicline for the α4β2 receptor, this finding suggests a functional role for α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in modulating sensitivity to N + A. The N + A compound cue is a unique cue that is modulated, in part, by activity at the α4β2 nAChR. These findings advance understanding of the interoceptive effects of nicotine and alcohol in combination and may have implications in relation to their co-use.
Agnes’s Networks of Philanthropy

Agnes’s testamentary philanthropy and her involvement over decades in a charitable organization called the Ladies of Wednesday, which raised alms to feed the sick poor in hospitals, permit the exploration of networks of philanthropy. Agnes was a strong supporter of marginal women through her bequests to convents of repentant women. She endorsed the Franciscan movement—her confessor was a friar—and chose burial at the Franciscan convent. The convent was located in the same suburb as Campus Polverel. The church attached to the hospital of Saint Eloi, where the elite Ladies of Wednesday mustered to go out into the town to collect alms and provide succor to the poor, was also in this suburb. The commitment of elite women like Agnes to charitable activity as well as patronage sustained Montpellier society in the decades prior to the Black Death.
Molecular simulations of lactose-bound and unbound forms of the FaeG adhesin reveal critical amino acids involved in sugar binding

F4 fimbriae are protein filaments found in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli cells and are implicated in the process of bacterial infection due to their function as bacterial adhesins. These filaments are comprised from several proteins, but the bacterial adhesin FaeG, which is a lactose-binding protein, is the major subunit comprising F4 fimbriae. Crystal structures for three variants of the FaeG protein were recently solved, including the ad variant of FaeG that was crystallized in complex with lactose. However, the dynamics of the FaeG protein bound to lactose have not been explored previously using molecular dynamics simulations. Therefore, in order to study the dynamical interactions between the FaeG ad variant and lactose, we have carried out the first all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of this system. We have also probed the role of crystallographic water molecules on the stability of lactose in the FaeG binding site, and have simulated seven FaeG mutants to probe the influence of amino acid substitutions on the ability of FaeG to bind lactose effectively. Our simulations agree well with experimental results for the influence of mutations on lactose binding, provide dynamical insights into the interactions of FaeG with lactose, and also suggest the possibility of additional regions of the FaeG protein that may act as secondary lactose binding sites.
Using the theory of normative social behavior to understand compliance with a smoke-free law in a middle-income country.

Smoke-free laws, which ban smoking in public venues, can be effective in protecting public health, but it has been difficult to achieve compliance with these laws in low- and middle-income countries. This study was conducted to understand the social norms around public smoking and learn how to improve compliance in Bogor, the first Indonesian city to pass a comprehensive smoke-free law. Eleven stratified focus groups were conducted (n = 89). Data were analyzed using the theory of normative social behavior, which posits that the influence of descriptive norms (perceptions about what other people do) on behavior is moderated by injunctive norms (perceptions about what one is expected to do), outcome expectations and group identity. The findings showed that participants perceived smoking in public to be common for men (descriptive norm). Public smoking is acceptable except in places with air conditioning and around children or pregnant women (injunctive norms). Men smoke without penalty of social or legal sanctions (outcome expectations) and may feel affiliation with other smokers (group identity). Together, these factors support public smoking and inhibit compliance with the smoke-free law. Theory-based communication and policy remedies are suggested that may bolster compliance with Bogor's smoke-free law given the current pro-smoking norms.
Clinical Features, Management Considerations and Outcomes in Case Series of Patients with Parasellar Intracranial Aneurysms Undergoing Anterior Skull Base Surgery

Background The coincidence of parasellar aneurysms (IAs) and anterior skull base (ASB) lesions, while rare, presents a management challenge. IAs embedded within, or adjacent to, ASB lesions are at risk in the perioperative period and may have unique presentations, natural histories, and outcomes. The objective of this study was to outline management options and nuances in patients with coexisting IAs and ASB lesions. Methods We retrospectively evaluated all patients who presented for management of IAs and ASB lesions from January 2006 to January 2014. Medical charts and imaging were reviewed for patient, tumor and IA characteristics, pathology, operative findings, complications, and outcomes. Results Of 13 patients included in the study, 11 had histologically proven or presumed pituitary macroadenomas. The majority of cases presented with visual and endocrine deficits, and the median maximal tumor diameter was 3.1 cm. There were 17 IAs, all located in the parasellar area. Endovascular treatment of the IA was performed before tumor resection in 2 cases. Transsphenoidal resection was performed before IA occlusion in 1 case, and intraoperative vascular injury occurred in 2 cases. The median follow-up was 36 months. Conclusions Management decisions for patients with coincident IA and ASB lesions require careful, individualized treatment plans. Coil embolization is well tolerated and does not delay surgery, except in cases requiring stent placement. Inadvertent intraoperative rupture of an adjacent IA during anterior skull base surgery may be treated with emergent coil embolization, flow diversion, or carotid sacrifice, but adequate preoperative planning can reduce this risk.
Attack Mitigation by Data Structure Randomization

Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and Control Flow Integrity (CFI) have been regarded as the most effective defenses against control flow hijacking attacks. However, researchers have recently shown that data-oriented attacks can circumvent both ASLR and CFI, and are even Turing-complete. These attacks often leverage encapsulated data structures to achieve malicious behaviors. To defeat data structure oriented attacks (DSOA), we propose data structure layout randomization techniques. Our method not only randomizes the data structure layout at compile time, but also inserts the padding bytes to increase entropy. Experimental results show that our method can defeat DSOA with low performance overhead (2.1% on average).
Implementing Restorative Justice under the Retributive Paradigm: A Pilot Program Case Study

This article explores the implementation of a pilot program in restorative justice in a medium-sized Midwestern city. Through an examination of meeting minutes, interviews, and the personal reflect...
Improving outcomes in mantle cell lymphoma patients treated with R-CHOP using autologous transplant.

e18540 Background: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a small B cell lymphoma, incurable with standard chemo-immunotherapy. There is no standard upfront therapy, although Phase II trials have shown a su...
Eliminating a global regulator of carbon catabolite repression enhances the conversion of aromatic lignin monomers to muconate in Pseudomonas putida KT2440.

Carbon catabolite repression refers to the preference of microbes to metabolize certain growth substrates over others in response to a variety of regulatory mechanisms. Such preferences are important for the fitness of organisms in their natural environments, but may hinder their performance as domesticated microbial cell factories. In a Pseudomonas putida KT2440 strain engineered to convert lignin-derived aromatic monomers such as p-coumarate and ferulate to muconate, a precursor to bio-based nylon and other chemicals, metabolic intermediates including 4-hydroxybenzoate and vanillate accumulate and subsequently reduce productivity. We hypothesized that these metabolic bottlenecks may be, at least in part, the effect of carbon catabolite repression caused by glucose or acetate, more preferred substrates that must be provided to the strain for supplementary energy and cell growth. Using mass spectrometry-based proteomics, we have identified the 4-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase, PobA, and the vanillate demethylase, VanAB, as targets of the Catabolite Repression Control (Crc) protein, a global regulator of carbon catabolite repression. By deleting the gene encoding Crc from this strain, the accumulation of 4-hydroxybenzoate and vanillate are reduced and, as a result, muconate production is enhanced. In cultures grown on glucose, the yield of muconate produced from p-coumarate after 36 h was increased nearly 70% with deletion of the gene encoding Crc (94.6 ± 0.6% vs. 56.0 ± 3.0% (mol/mol)) while the yield from ferulate after 72 h was more than doubled (28.3 ± 3.3% vs. 12.0 ± 2.3% (mol/mol)). The effect of eliminating Crc was similar in cultures grown on acetate, with the yield from p-coumarate just slightly higher in the Crc deletion strain after 24 h (47.7 ± 0.6% vs. 40.7 ± 3.6% (mol/mol)) and the yield from ferulate increased more than 60% after 72 h (16.9 ± 1.4% vs. 10.3 ± 0.1% (mol/mol)). These results are an example of the benefit that reducing carbon catabolite repression can have on conversion of complex feedstocks by microbial cell factories, a concept we posit could be broadly considered as a strategy in metabolic engineering for conversion of renewable feedstocks to value-added chemicals.
Predicting On-Line Catalog Terminal Needs: Are Findings from Large Research Libraries Transferable to Smaller Libraries?

Abstract To determine if research findings from large academic, research libraries on the number of public access terminals needed apply to smaller libraries, the author compared results of a study done at a large research institution to one done at a mid-sized university. The data were different. This is important because the active automation market is currently thriving at smaller libraries, not larger ones, and because environment/size does seem to be critical to the consideration of automation parameters. Thus, smaller libraries should establish their own parameters and employ models generated at large institutions only as a general recipe.
Influencing the food choices of SNAP consumers: Lessons from economics, psychology and marketing

Abstract Behavioral economic based interventions have shown some promise in leading food consumers of all ages to healthier diets. Such interventions face unique challenges in addressing the diets of SNAP recipients. First, current law prohibits differential treatment of SNAP recipients and other grocery store customers. Thus, the nudges cannot narrowly target those participating in SNAP. Second, SNAP participants make the majority of their qualifying purchases in grocery stores which are already heavily loaded with behavioral nudges. Not only must nudges compete for attention within the store, but they must be at least weakly beneficial to the store owner. We discuss examples that demonstrate the possibility of meeting these seemingly strict criteria, and the potential for using such nudge interventions as a part of SNAP.
Relationships Between Drinking Behavior of Alcoholics in a Drinking-Decisions Treatment Program and Treatment Outcome

In a recent paper we described the variety of drinking behaviors exhibited by patients participating in a drinking-decisions treatment program for alcoholics and the relationship between some of these patterns of behavior and treatment outcome at six months (Alterman, Gottheil, and Thornton, 1977). To briefly summarize the findings, it was found that nondrinkers on the program fared better generally than program drinkers following treatment but that various subgroups of program drinkers who were able to exercise some degree of control over their drinking did nearly as well after treatment as program nondrinkers. Patterns of drinking on the program were therefore found to be correlated with drinking following treatment. These findings appeared to be of import, first, in providing evidence for the validity of a drinking-decisions research model for the study of alcoholism and, secondly, because they suggested that alcoholics vary in their ability to regulate their drinking.
Approach to Thyroid FNA Cytopathology: An Overview

In this book, we present a practical, algorithmic approach to the diagnosis of thyroid fine needle aspirations (FNAs) (Figure 3.1). This approach uses a combination of low-magnification assessment of cellular components, evaluation of cytoarchitectural patterns, and high-magnification scrutiny of nuclear features. This approach will also enable the placement of FNAs into diagnostic categories that have recently been developed from a National Cancer Institute (NCI) conference on thyroid FNA termed the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (BSRTC).
Glucocorticoid receptor mutations and hypersensitivity to endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoids

Background The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) consists of two alternatively spliced isoforms: GRα, which activates gene transcription, and GRβ, a dominant-negative receptor. Theoretically, inactivating variants of GRβ could result in glucocorticoid hypersensitivity. Design A 46-year-old woman presented for evaluation of adrenal insufficiency prompted by low plasma cortisol levels and multiple unexplained symptoms but without clinical evidence of glucocorticoid insufficiency. To explain these findings, extensive clinical, genetic, and molecular studies were performed. Methods Standard clinical methods assessed the patient's hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Validated molecular techniques were used for receptor sequencing, stable transfections, stimulation of candidate genes, cDNA arrays, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, volcano analysis, and isolation and analysis of the patient's mononuclear cells. Results Clinical studies excluded primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency, established consistently low basal cortisol levels, and demonstrated hypersensitivity to ultra-low-dose dexamethasone. Receptor sequencing identified two variants of GR9β (A3669G and G3134T) as well as the known Bcl1 polymorphism. Reductionist studies using stable osteosarcoma cell lines transfected with the GRβ variants demonstrated glucocorticoid hypersensitivity of transcribed genes on cDNA array analysis. The patient's monocytes responded to hydrocortisone with exaggerated stimulation of the candidate genes GILZ and FKBP5. Conclusion Two variants of the dominant-negative GRβ, in conjunction with a common Bcl1 intron variant, resulted in hypersensitivity to endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoids and, as a reflection of severity, low circulating cortisol levels without clinical evidence of glucocorticoid insufficiency. This prismatic case exemplifies the unique effects of variants of a dominant-negative receptor.
Nationalization in U.S. Senate and Gubernatorial Elections

Since the 1970s, American politics has taken an impressive turn away from political dealignment and moved toward a more responsible party system. As a result, elections have become more nationalize...
Dopamine dilemma: case report of treating psychosis in patient with retinitis pigmentosa

ABSTRACTRetinitis Pigmentosa is a rare inherited degenerative eye disease affecting the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), in which mutation of rhodopsin leads to severe visual impairment, and legal blindness. The D4 receptors are abundant within the rods of the retina and dopamine release is the primary feedback mechanism preventing retinal degeneration by the unopposed action of melatonin. Here, we present a 50-year-old female patient with schizophrenia and retinitis pigmentosa who was admitted to an inpatient unit for an acute psychotic exacerbation with agitation and persecutory delusions. Patient initially was administered IM haloperidol since she refused oral form, but she eventually was compliant to oral Haloperidol with eventual reduction in daily dose to 5mg/d with treatment response and good tolerability including no change in visual acuity. The treatment of psychosis in patients with retinitis pigmentosa is challenging and requires consideration of the potential D4 receptor effects associated wi...
Reliability Evaluation of Power Supply System of Wastewater Treatment Plant

Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) are critical cyber-physical infrastructures for recycling wastewater, and their reliable operations are dependent on the associated power distribution networks. In the past, the mechanical equipment and human error are considered as the main causes of WWTP failures, but the reliability of the associated electric networks is largely neglected, though the reliability evaluation methodology of electrical distribution systems has been well established. In this study, a holistic reliability evaluation of WWTP distribution network is conducted in a quantitative manner. The typical power supply systems for WWTPs are examined, and simulation studies are performed to derive the probabilistic reliability indices.
Radiation Induced G2 Delay and Mitotic Cyclin Expression

Many studies have demonstrated that oncogen transfection affects the radiation sensitivity of primary rat embryo fibroblasts. Our results indicate that the expression of H-ras plus v-myc oncogenes confers radiation resistance to a much greater extent than the expression of either gene alone. We have further shown that the radioresistant phenotype is accompanied by a prolonged G2 delay. This is consistent with the hypothesis that the extent of this delay is an important determinant of radiation sensitivity. The study of mitotic cyclin expression during the progression of cells through G2 and M after irradiation has also revealed several possible mechanisms for induction of a G2 arrest by radiation. We found that radiation affected the control of cyclin B levels both at the mRNA level as evidenced by decreased cyclin B mRNA expression after irradiation in S, and at the protein level as demonstrated after irradiation in G2. We also found that cyclin A expression was affected quite differently. Cyclin A expression was unaffected in its timing by irradiation and in fact levels of cyclin rose to supranormal levels during the period of time that cyclin B was depressed. The relationship of cyclin B expression to cyclin A levels is consistent with a link in the regulation of their degradation after M. It remains to be determined how these mechanisms might be differentially regulated in radioresistant and sensitive cells.
PM2.5 and emergency room visits for mechanical ventilation in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can have recurrent exacerbations and acute respiratory failure (ARF) triggered by air pollution. Aim: The aim was to investigate the short-term association between particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) in urban air and the emergency room visits (ERV) for mechanical ventilation (MV) in acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). Methods: We conducted an ecological time-series study. Daily counts of AECOPD ERV using ventilators from 2015 to 2018 were obtained from the hospital located in urban area in Taipei. Generalized linear models extending Poisson regression were used to explore the AECOPD of PM2.5 after controlling for time trend, seasonal variations, temperature, relative humidity, and days of the week. Results: A total of 628 AECOPD receiving MV were recorded, which 524 patients used noninvasive ventilation and 104 patients needed invasive ventilatory support. The ERV for AECOPD with ARF were significantly associated with PM2.5 1.45% increase per 10 μg/m3 (95% CI: 0.28%-2.67%). Interquartile range increase in 27.6 μg/m3 was associated with the increase of 18% in ERV. PM2.5 had a stronger effect on AECOPD with ARF in spring (>23.5℃), with a 1.39% (95% CI: 0.56%-1.92%) increase in admissions per 10 μg/m3 increase in same-day PM2.5. Conclusion: This is the first study providing quantitative estimates of the short-term effects of PM2.5 on ERV for AECOPD with ARF. Adverse effects of PM2.5 on AECOPD for MV are evident, especially in the spring during long-range transported Asian dust storms. To reduce PM2.5 below various thresholds is urgently needed.
Surgical infective endocarditis and concurrent splenic abscess requiring Splenectomy: A case series and review of the literature

Splenic abscess is an uncommon but serious complication of infective endocarditis (IE). The timing of surgical management of splenic abscess can be challenging when valve surgery is required. The American Heart Association (AHA) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) currently recommends splenectomy before valve replacement due to fear of reinfection of the heart valve; however, published data to support this recommendation are limited. In this series, we report outcomes for 5 patients with IE and splenic abscess who underwent valve replacement first, followed by splenectomy at a median of 19 days (range: 10-77 days) after valve surgery, with no recurrent infection of the new valve. Our experience and review of the available literature provide reassurance for splenectomy after valve surgery for IE.
Monitoring versus modelling of water–energy–food interactions: how place-based observatories can inform research for sustainable development

In this paper we argue that there is nothing intrinsically wrong with case studies or environmental modelling. But what is missing is the articulation of necessary complimentary measures (reflected in theory, method, models and techniques for data transformation and valorization) that have the potential to explain and then bridge the gaps between science and policy. Although scientists very often refer to use of multisectoral tools that include representations of multiple sectors in a single analytical platform, this approach has not been widely applied at regional and subregional scales to continuously strengthen feedback loops between data, management systems and policy and programme learning and evaluation outcomes. We point out that place-based observatories by systematically organizing linked databases, online learning tools and mixed methods through support for transdisciplinary research can support the development and pilot-testing of typologies of water–energy–food interactions thereby enhancing the potential of scientific modelling to inform robust monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).
Compensation in ( 2 ¯ 01 ) homoepitaxial β-Ga2O3 thin films grown by metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy

Homoepitaxial growth of β-Ga 2O 3 using metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) on several different crystal orientations has previously been studied, but growth on the ( 2 ¯ 01 ) plane has remained comparatively unexplored. To investigate this, we grew Si-doped and unintentionally doped (UID) homoepitaxial layers simultaneously on Sn-doped ( 2 ¯ 01 ) and ( 010 ) substrates under conditions optimized for ( 010 ) growth. We report herein on results from current–voltage and capacitance–voltage (IV and CV) and deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) characterization of Schottky diodes fabricated on these samples. Devices on ( 010 ) display nearly ideal Schottky diode JV and CV behaviors while for ( 2 ¯ 01 ) evidence of complete depletion of >2 μm thickness, UID epilayers are observed. The ( 2 ¯ 01 ) UID diodes exhibited Mott–Gurney space charge-limited transport and were completely depleted even at zero bias. Doping ( 2 ¯ 01 ) samples heavily with Si was sufficient to overcome background compensation and reproduce near-ideal diode behavior. DLTS data from these doped devices show, in addition to typical negative majority-carrier transients, positive transients with a broad energy distribution, possibly indicating traps on structural defects or surface states. An etch pit analysis under SEM revealed intricate structures of the grown layers. Cross-sectional TEM characterization of a ( 2 ¯ 01 ) sample revealed a high density of structural defects within the epitaxial layer, likely stacking faults. Hypotheses for the origins of the compensation in ( 2 ¯ 01 ) β-Ga 2O 3 homoepitaxial MOVPE growth under ( 010 ) growth conditions are discussed; the most likely explanation is the presence of defect states introduced by the stacking faults visible under TEM.
Dynamics of a discrete-time pioneer–climax model

We present a simple mathematical model for the dynamics of a successional pioneer–climax system using difference equations. Each population is subject to inter- and intraspecific competition; population growth is dependent on the combined densities of both species. Nine different geometric cases, corresponding to different orientations of the zero-growth isoclines, are possible for this system. We fully characterize the long-term dynamics of the model for each of the nine cases, uncovering diverse sets of potential behaviors. Competitive exclusion of the pioneer species and of the climax species are both possible depending on the relative strength of competition. Stable coexistence of both species may also occur; in two cases, a coexistence state is destabilized through a Neimark–Sacker bifurcation, and an attracting invariant circle is born. The invariant circle eventually disappears into thin air in a heteroclinic or homoclinic bifurcation, leading to the sudden transition of the system to an exclusion state. Neither global bifurcation has been observed in a discrete-time pioneer–climax model before. The homoclinic bifurcation is novel to all pioneer–climax models. We conclude by discussing the ecological implications of our results.
Data Protection by Design? A Critique of Article 25 of the GDPR

Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) took effect on May 25, 2018. Article 25, titled, “Data Protection by Design and by Default,” purports to incorporate the concept of “privacy by design” into European data protection law. This Article challenges that common pre- sumption. Although privacy by design is not a new doctrine, having been the subject of academic debate, legal, and regulatory discussions for more than a decade, the final draft of Article 25(1) reflects little, if any, of that history. Relying on multiple forms of statutory interpretation commonly used to interpret European Community legislation, this Article argues that Article 25 of the GDPR lacks any meaningful connection to privacy by design under textualist, contextual, purposive, and precedential interpreta- tions. Only teleological reasoning offers a meaningful way forward. This means that it is up to the European Court of Justice to determine if Article 25(1) will have any chance of protecting European Union citizens and lim- iting the power of data controllers.
Contested Wills and Testaments in Ghana: Exploring the Legal Claim for Reasonable Provision for Dependants

It is certain that human life is not perpetual and surely does come to an end. That notwithstanding, during one’s lifetime, several properties whether movable and/or immovable are acquired but cannot be carried along into the afterlife. Thus, the Ghanaian law and the Common law in general allows persons to execute Wills as the legal means by which property acquired during their lifetime could be disposed of, in the event of death. Wills represent the aggregate of a person’s “testamentary intentions so far as they are manifested in writing and duly executed according to the statute.” Wills are capable of disposing of all real and/or personal property of the testator in accordance with law. The law also ensures that the true declaration of the last Will of a testator is that which is done after the death of the testator. The law follows the intentions of the testator by leaving everything to the unfettered discretion of the testator since the law presumes that the “instincts, affections and common sentiments” of the testator may be safely trusted to secure a better disposition of the property of the dead as compared to a distribution prescribed by the stereotyped and inflexible rules of a general law. However, there are instances where dependants of the deceased, whether deliberately or inadvertently, are not provided for in the Will of the deceased testator. In such instances, Ghanaian law does not leave dependants without a remedy. This Article thus seeks to explore the legal claim for reasonable provision out of the Will of a deceased testator in favor of dependants of the testator. By so doing, the Article would review the legal architecture as well as a number of decisions of the Superior Courts of Judicature on the subject so as to explore the jurisprudence on the subject of reasonable provision in a Will.
On the Convergence of Randomized Bregman Coordinate Descent for Non-Lipschitz Composite Problems

We propose a new randomized Bregman (block) coordinate descent (RBCD) method for minimizing a composite problem, where the objective function could be either convex or nonconvex, and the smooth part are freed from the global Lipschitz-continuous (partial) gradient assumption. Under the notion of relative smoothness based on the Bregman distance, we prove that every limit point of the generated sequence is a stationary point. Further, we show that the iteration complexity of the proposed method is $\mathcal{O}\left( {n{\varepsilon ^{ - 2}}} \right)$ to achieve ϵ-stationary point, where n is the number of blocks of coordinates. If the objective is assumed to be convex, the iteration complexity is improved to $\mathcal{O}\left( {n{ \in ^{ - 1}}} \right)$. If, in addition, the objective is strongly convex (relative to the reference function), the global linear convergence rate is recovered. We also present the accelerated version of the RBCD method, which attains an $\mathcal{O}\left( {n{\varepsilon ^{ - 1/\gamma }}} \right)$ iteration complexity for the convex case, where the scalar $\gamma \in [1,2]$ is determined by the generalized translation variant of the Bregman distance. Convergence analysis without assuming the global Lipschitz-continuous (partial) gradient sets our results apart from the existing works in the composite problems.
A Framework for Managing Device Association and Offloading the Transport Layer's Security Overhead of WiFi Device to Access Points.

Considering the resource constraints of Internet of Things (IoT) stations, establishing secure communication between stations and remote servers imposes a significant overhead on these stations in terms of energy cost and processing load. This overhead, in particular, is considerable in networks providing high communication rates and frequent data exchange, such as those relying on the IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) standard. This paper proposes a framework for offloading the processing overhead of secure communication protocols to WiFi access points (APs) in deployments where multiple APs exist. Within this framework, the main problem is finding the AP with sufficient computation and communication capacities to ensure secure and efficient transmissions for the stations associated with that AP. Based on the data-driven profiles obtained from empirical measurements, the proposed framework offloads most heavy security computations from the stations to the APs. We model the association problem as an optimization process with a multi-objective function. The goal is to achieve maximum network throughput via the minimum number of APs while satisfying the security requirements and the APs’ computation and communication capacities. The optimization problem is solved using genetic algorithms (GAs) with constraints extracted from a physical testbed. Experimental results demonstrate the practicality and feasibility of our comprehensive framework in terms of task and energy efficiency as well as security.
Engaging Bach: The Keyboard Legacy from Marpurg to Mendelssohn

1. Why the keyboard works? 2. Inventing the Bach chorale 3. What Mozart learned from Bach 4. A burgerlicher Bach: turn-of-the-century German advocacy 5. The virtuous fugue: English reception to 1840 6. Bach for whom? Modes of interpretation and performance, 1820-50.
Which Hedge Fund Styles Hedge Against Bad Times

We investigate an important question for institutional investors — namely, which hedge fund investing styles help to hedge against bad times? We define good versus bad times as (1) up and down equity market regimes derived from the 200-day moving average of the SP in contrast, other styles remain substantially exposed to — or become more exposed to — particular risk factors and correspondingly suffer large losses during bad times. In the context of “balanced” 40-30-30 ortfolios that allocate across U.S. stocks, bonds, and individual hedge fund styles, we find that the Global Macro, Managed Futures, and Multi-Strategy styles provide large investors with especially valuable hedges against bad times.
Device Scaling Considerations for Nanophotonic CMOS Global Interconnects

We introduce an analytical framework to understand the path for scaling nanophotonic interconnects to meet the energy and footprint requirements of CMOS global interconnects. We derive the device requirements for sub-100 fJ/cm/bit interconnects including tuning power, serialization-deserialization energy, and optical insertion losses. Using CMOS with integrated nanophotonics as an example platform, we derive the energy/bit, linear, and areal bandwidth density of optical interconnects. We also derive the targets for device performance which indicate the need for continued improvements in insertion losses ( 40 Gb/s), tuning power ( 6 channels).
Circuit techniques for subthreshold leakage avoidance, control and tolerance

As supply voltage scales down, transistor threshold voltage reduces, resulting in excessive subthreshold leakage power. This paper discusses circuit techniques for leakage avoidance, control, and tolerance to mitigate the subthreshold leakage. Interaction between technologist, circuit designers, and architects has now become even more important to optimize the entire system.
Io's 4-micron band and the role of adsorbed SO2

The role of adsorbed SO2 on Io's surface particles in producing the observed spectral absorption band near 4 microns in Io's reflectance spectrum is explored. Calculations show that a modest 50 percent monolayer coating of adsorbed So2 molecules on submicron grains of sulfur or alkali sulfide, assumed to make up Io's uppermost optical surface ('radialith'), will result in a nu 1 + nu 3 absorption band near 4 microns with depth about 30 percent below the adjacent continuum, consistent with the observed strength of the Io band. The precise wavelength position of the nu 1 + nu 3 band of SO2 in different phase states such as frost, ice, adsorbate, and gas are summarized from the experimental literature and compared with the available telescopic measurements of the Io band position. The results suggest that the 4-micron band in Io's full disk spectrum can best be explained by the presence on Io's surface of widespread SO2 in the form of adsorbate rather than ice or frost.
Group theory of harmonic oscillators: (I). The Collective Modes

Abstract The present series of papers will deal with the classification of states of N particles moving in a harmonic oscillator common potential. In this paper we will be mainly concerned with the classification scheme that brings out a collective nature of the states. To obtain this collective behaviour, we take advantage of the invariance of the hamiltonian under both ordinary rotations and the unitary group in N dimensions.
Electronic States and Geometrical Structures of Hubbard Clusters with an Impurity

The relative stability and electronic excitation spectrum of three, four, and five site clusters is studied in the context of Hubbard model. Electron correlation is found to decrease the cohesive energy appreciably in the half-filled case. Planar geometries with a lower symmetry (pure cluster) or a large number of impurity bonds (impurity clusters) are found to be relatively stable. Noninteracting ground state is found to differ from the single particle ground state obtained by filling single particle states using the Pauli principle.
Association of the Tensin N-terminal Protein-tyrosine Phosphatase Domain with the α Isoform of Protein Phosphatase-1 in Focal Adhesions

Focal adhesions attach cultured cells to the extracellular matrix, and we found endogenous protein phosphatase-1α isoform (PP1α) localized in adhesions across the entire area of adherent fibroblasts. However, in fibroblasts migrating into a scrape wound or spreading after replating PP1α did not appear in adhesions near the leading edge but was recruited into other adhesions coincident in time and space with incorporation of tensin. Endogenous tensin and PP1α co-precipitated from cell lysates with isoform-specific PP1 antibodies. Chemical cross-linking of focal adhesion preparations with Lomant's reagent demonstrated molecular proximity of endogenous PP1α and tensin, whereas neither focal adhesion kinase nor vinculin was cross-linked and co-precipitated with PP1α, suggesting distinct spatial subdomains within adhesions. Transient expression of truncated tensin showed the N-terminal 360 residues, which comprise a protein-tyrosine phosphatase domain, alone were sufficient for isoform-selective co-precipitation of co-expressed PP1α. Human prostate cancer PC3 cells are deficient in tensin relative to fibroblasts and have fewer, mostly peripheral adhesions. Transient expression of green fluorescent protein tensin in these cancer cells induced formation of adhesions and recruited endogenous PP1α into those adhesions. Thus, the protein-tyrosine phosphatase domain of tensin exhibits isoform-specific association with PP1α in a restricted spatial region of adhesions that are formed during cell migration.
The effect of neonatal maternal milk feeding on the neurodevelopmental outcome of very low birth weight infants

The effect of maternal milk feeding during the first 4 weeks of life on neurodevelopmental outcomes at 20 months corrected age (CA) of singleton very low birth weight (VLBW) (< 1.5 kg) infants was examined. Ninety-eight VLBW infants born from January 1997 to February 1999 were followed to 20 months CA (mean birth weight, 1012 g; gestational age, 27 weeks). Maternal milk intake was calculated as both mean milliliters per kilogram per day and graded doses. Outcomes included the Bayley Mental Development Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Development Index (PDI), and rates of cerebral palsy (CP) and of overall neurodevelopmental impairment. After adjusting for neonatal and social risk, results revealed no effect of maternal milk on outcomes. MDI was predicted by both social and neonatal risk, and PDI, CP, and neurodevelopmental impairment were predicted by neonatal risk. In this small, high-risk group of VLBW infants, the effects of social and neonatal risk appear to outweigh any possible benefits of maternal milk on neurodevelopmental outcome.
Discrete changes in brain calcium with morphine analgesia, tolerance-dependence, and abstinence

Abstract Subcellular localization of 45 Ca ++ in brain was determined after intracerebroventricular injection of the isotope in mice. Acute morphine injection selectively depleted 45 Ca ++ from synaptic vesicles while chronic morphine treatment increased the 45 Ca ++ in vesicular fractions. The elevated vesicular 45 Ca ++ found in tolerant-dependent animals rapidly declined during naloxone precipitated abstinence. These effects of morphine on brain Ca ++ localization are discussed in terms of their possible relationship to neurotransmitter release and tolerance and dependence development.
Growth inhibition induced by antiprogestins RU-38486, ORG-31710, and CDB-2914 in ovarian cancer cells involves inhibition of cyclin dependent kinase 2.

Antiprogestins have been largely utilized in reproductive medicine, yet their repositioning for oncologic use is rapidly emerging. In this study we investigated the molecular mediators of the anti-ovarian cancer activity of the structurally related antiprogestins RU-38486, ORG-31710 and CDB-2914. We studied the responses of wt p53 OV2008 and p53 null SK-OV-3 cells to varying doses of RU-38486, ORG-31710 and CDB-2914. The steroids inhibited the growth of both cell lines with a potency of RU-38486 > ORG-31710 > CDB-2914, and were cytostatic at lower doses but lethal at higher concentrations. Antiprogestin-induced lethality associated with morphological features of apoptosis, hypodiploid DNA content, DNA fragmentation, and cleavage of executer caspase substrate PARP. Cell death ensued despite RU-38486 caused transient up-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, ORG-31710 induced transient up-regulation of inhibitor of apoptosis XIAP, and CDB-2914 up-regulated both XIAP and Bcl-2. The antiprogestins induced accumulation of Cdk inhibitors p21cip1 and p27kip1 and increased association of p21cip1 and p27kip1 with Cdk-2. They also promoted nuclear localization of p21cip1 and p27kip1, reduced the nuclear abundances of Cdk-2 and cyclin E, and blocked the activity of Cdk-2 in both nucleus and cytoplasm. The cytotoxic potency of the antiprogestins correlated with the magnitude of the inhibition of Cdk-2 activity, ranging from G1 cell cycle arrest towards cell death. Our results suggest that, as a consequence of their cytostatic and lethal effects, antiprogestin steroids of well-known contraceptive properties emerge as attractive new agents to be repositioned for ovarian cancer therapeutics.