cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plasmonic metamaterial absorber for broadband manipulation of mechanical resonances

Coherent mechanical oscillations are optically driven on a metamaterial absorber that has a voltage-tunable Fano resonance. Inversely, optical damping of the mechanical resonance is also achieved.
Studies on Robust Social Influence Mechanisms: Incentives for Efficient Network Routing in Uncertain Settings

Many of today's engineered systems are tightly interconnected with their users, and in many cases, system performance depends greatly on user behavior [1]. As a result, the traditional lines between engineering and the social sciences are becoming increasingly blurred, and analytical tools such as game theory are finding new applications in engineering [2], [3]. It is often insufficient to judge an engineered system on its technical merits alone since strategic user behavior can lead to unpredictable and/or undesirable results [4]. Of particular importance to this article are socially integrated engineering problems in which users' strategic behavior has a significant impact on overall system performance. These types of systems appear in a variety of contexts in theory and practice; transportation networks [5], ride-sharing applications [6], [7], supply-chain management [8], cloud computing [9], and electric power grids [10] are immediate examples. A common problem in these settings is that individual user incentives may not be aligned with the objectives of the central planner. Thus, in addition to the technical challenges of a socially integrated engineering problem, an engineer may need to consider methods of influencing individual user behavior to effect positive change on aggregate system performance [11]. These behavior-influencing mechanisms often take the form of offering users a tradeoff between quality of service and monetary incentive.
Atomic Force Microscopy Thermally-Assisted Microsampling with Atmospheric Pressure Temperature Ramped Thermal Desorption/Ionization-Mass Spectrometry Analysis.

The use of atomic force microscopy controlled nanothermal analysis probes for reproducible spatially resolved thermally assisted sampling of micrometer-sized areas (ca. 11 × 17 μm wide × 2.4 μm deep) from relatively low number-average molecular weight (Mn < 3000) polydisperse thin films of poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) is presented. Following sampling, the nanothermal analysis probes were moved up from the surface and the probe temperature ramped to liberate the sampled materials into the gas phase for atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and mass spectrometric analysis. The procedure and mechanism for material pickup, the sampling reproducibility and sampling size are discussed, and the oligomer distribution information available from slow temperature ramps versus ballistic temperature jumps is presented. For the Mn = 970 P2VP, the Mn and polydispersity index determined from the mass spectrometric data were in line with both the label values from the sample supplier and the value calculated from the s...
Vortex precession in trapped superfluids from effective field theory

We apply a recently developed effective string theory for vortex lines to the case of two-dimensional trapped superfluids. We do not assume a perturbative microscopic description for the superfluid, but only a gradient expansion for the long-distance hydrodynamical description and for the trapping potential. For any regular trapping potential, we compute the spatial dependence of the superfluid density and the orbital frequency and trajectory of an off-center vortex. Our results are fully relativistic and in the nonrelativistic limit reduce to known results based on the Gross-Pitaevskii model. In our formalism, the leading effect in the nonrelativistic limit arises from two simple Feynman diagrams in which the vortex interacts with the trapping potential through the exchange of hydrodynamical modes.
Uncovering Gender and Problem Difficulty Effects in Learning with an Educational Game

A prior study showed that middle school students who used the educational game Decimal Point achieved significantly higher gain scores on immediate and delayed posttests of decimal understanding than students who learned with a more conventional computer-based learning tool. This paper reports on new analyses of the data from that study, providing new insights into the benefits of the game. First, females benefited more than males from the game. Second, students in the game condition performed better on the more difficult intervention problems. This paper presents these new analyses and discusses why the educational game might have led to these results.
Dietary nitrate as modulator of physical performance and cardiovascular health.

Purpose of review Early interventional trials reported improvements in cardiac and exercise outcomes with inorganic nitrate ingestion. The current review aims to provide a brief update of recent evidence regarding ergogenic and cardiovascular effects of dietary nitrate and practical recommendations. Recent findings Recent evidence has been inconsistent and questions remain regarding effective dose, duration, and source of nitrate and cohorts likely to benefit. Dietary nitrate may be most relevant to those with vascular/metabolic impairments, those engaging in short-term, intense exercise, deconditioned individuals, and those with a low dietary nitrate intake. Summary The evidence for cardiovascular/exercise benefit is plausible but inconsistent. However, dietary nitrate, in contrast to pharmacological nitrate, has a high benefit-risk ratio. Although nitrate supplementation has grown in popularity, it is suggested that increased green vegetables consumption may provide similar/superior benefits to nitrate supplementation in a cheaper, safer, and potentially tastier context.
daf-16/FoxO promotes gluconeogenesis and trehalose synthesis during starvation to support survival

daf-16/FoxO is required to survive starvation in Caenorhabditis elegans, but how daf-16IFoxO promotes starvation resistance is unclear. We show that daf-16/FoxO restructures carbohydrate metabolism by driving carbon flux through the glyoxylate shunt and gluconeogenesis and into synthesis of trehalose, a disaccharide of glucose. Trehalose is a well-known stress protectant, capable of preserving membrane organization and protein structure during abiotic stress. Metabolomic, genetic, and pharmacological analyses confirm increased trehalose synthesis and further show that trehalose not only supports survival as a stress protectant but also serves as a glycolytic input. Furthermore, we provide evidence that metabolic cycling between trehalose and glucose is necessary for this dual function of trehalose. This work demonstrates that daf-16/FoxO promotes starvation resistance by shifting carbon metabolism to drive trehalose synthesis, which in turn supports survival by providing an energy source and acting as a stress protectant.
Dialogic Diaspora Formation and Colonial Critique: A Close Reading of the Train Scene in George Lamming’s The Emigrants

When George Lamming says that “most West Indians of [his] generation were born in England,” he refers to the process of diasporic identity formation that took place as West Indian migrants relocated to Britain and bonded as a community through oral culture, particularly “the kind of banter which goes between islander and islander,” discovering their commonalities and privileging them over individual island identities, what I term dialogic diaspora formation. This paper presents a close reading of the train scene in Lamming’s The Emigrants as a transitional poem and illustration of dialogic diaspora formation. Characters in The Emigrants start this diaspora building on-ship in the first half of the novel and their community formation is reflected in the narrative technique that Lamming uses: a collective and ambiguous sense of narrator and narration, which, elsewhere, he calls “the collective human substance.” The train scene/poem is a moment of transition in the novel, positioned as it is between the port and the city and between sections of prose narrative. In the scene/poem, collective narration morphs into the competing and overlapping first-person voices as the emigrants connect as a diasporic community over their recognition of British brands and over a disappointing tea service. Both the recognition and the disappointment reveal the depth of imperial cultural hegemony, allow the emigrants to bond by critiquing the concept of the “mother country” as a land of milk and honey, and display Lamming’s great wit and ability to critique the colonial experience.
Characterization of the energy spectrum of a 137 Cs irradiator through measurements using a pulse-mode detector

Abstract 137Cs irradiators are used for many different applications including food processing, radiobiological experiments, and calibrations of radiation detectors at standards labs. Air-kerma modulation techniques including varying source size, adding attenuation, or varying source-to-detector distance, combined with the geometry of the collimation in the irradiator, may change the energy spectrum of the irradiator. This is unaccounted for during beam characterization, which is completed using a spherical ionization chamber with a minimal energy dependence in the 662 keV 137Cs gamma-ray emission region. This work incorporated a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector collimated using a lead aperture to measure the energy spectrum of a 5 Ci source in a Hopewell Designs G-10 dual source irradiator with 4.08 cm and 5.54 cm of attenuating material. The measured pulse-height distributions (PHDs) were compared with simulations in MCNP6 to provide validation of the geometry of the irradiator model. PHD measurements were corrected for detector response using MCNP and the true spectrum was obtained using Gold's deconvolution method. Due to the fluence limitations and collimation of the HPGe detector, measurements represented the primary photon energy spectrum. The impact of scattered photons on the energy spectrum was investigated using MCNP6 simulations. In addition, simulations were run to determine the effects of attenuation and source-to-detector distance (SDD) on the energy spectrum. Comparisons of spectra were made in terms of mean energy. Simulated and measured PHDs showed good agreement when comparing spectral features including FWHM of the 662 keV photopeak, mean energy, and the total area under the curve. After deconvolution of the PHDs, the primary energy spectrum mimicked an encapsulated 137Cs source with emission of only the 662 keV photopeak. For 5.54 cm of attenuation, simulations showed that if scattered photons were taken into account, the average energy decreased from 662 keV to 656 keV, which was a 2% difference. Simulations showed that as attenuation increased from 0 cm to 5.54 cm, the mean energy of the spectrum increased 9% from 605 keV to 656 keV. The SDD did not affect the mean energy. This work used spectrum measurements to validate a 137Cs irradiator model in MCNP6, which represents a method that is more sensitive to geometry errors than conventional PDD and profile comparisons. Using the validated model, simulations were run to improve the understanding of the output of the Hopewell G-10 137Cs irradiator.
Active immunization of premature and low birth-weight infants: a review of immunogenicity, efficacy, and tolerability.

Preterm infants are at increased risk of disease and hospitalization from a number of vaccine-preventable diseases. However, these same infants have immunologic immaturities that may impact vaccine responses.
Induction and Characterization of the Ethylene Biosynthesis-Inducing Xylanase Produced by the Fungus, Trichoderma Viride

During the past several years, we have been studying induction of ethylene biosynthesis in plant tissues by cell wall digesting enzymes. We have purified proteins from the commercial fungal (Trichoderma viride) enzyme preparation, Cellulysin, that contain both ethylene biosynthesis-inducing and xylanase activities. Antibodies (AB) raised against the ethylene biosynthesis-inducing xylanases (EIX) from Cellulysin recognize 2 major polypeptides of 22 kD and 14 kD. In addition, AB were raised against the denatured 22 kD and 14 kD polypeptides after they were separated by SDS-PAGE. On immunoblots the 22 kD-AB recognizes both the 22 kD and 14 kD polypeptides, as does the 14 kD-AB. To better characterize EIX, T. viride was grown on defined minimal media with known carbon sources. Culture filtrates from T. viride grown on xylan or D-xylose contained both ethylene biosynthesis-inducing and xylanase activities and a 22 kD polypeptide that cross-reacted with EIX-AB. Little, if any, 14 kD polypeptide was detected. EIX was not detected in cultures grown on CM-cellulose,α-cellulose, potato starch, pectin, polygalacturonate, D-glucose or L-xylose. The pI’s of the EIX we produced in culture (9.2, 8.4, 6.3 and 5.0) differ from those we isolated from Cellulysin (8.0, 6.2, and 5.3), suggesting that EIX is an inducible enzyme and exits in different isoforms.
Imaging Structure and Function in Medicine and Biology

The subject that I am going to speak about today is diagnostic biomedical imaging. I was asked to cover the field of biomedical imaging generally. That is clearly not possible but what I will try to do is give you a picture of what research and development is going on at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), then describe various state-of-the-art techniques that are being used today in diagnostic imaging, especially related to cardiovascular applications.
Practical Certainty and the Acceptance of Empirical Statements

Both scientists and ordinary people accept the truth of some empirical statements, ranging from reports on directly observed, or personally remembered, or reliably reported, individual facts to general scientific hypotheses and to entire scientific theories—even though they do not have, and cannot possibly have, conclusive evidence for their truth. 1 What is the rational justification, if there is any, for an acceptance of such truth claims? To answer this question, I am going to propose a Bayesian theory of acceptance, which, however, unlike the theories of such distinguished authors as Hempel (1962), Levi (1967, 1980), and several others, and unlike the theory which I myself suggested on an earlier occasion (Harsanyi, 1983, p. 342), makes no use of special cognitive utilities (or epistemic utilities).
Myocardial carnitine metabolism in congestive heart failure induced by incessant tachycardia.

Persistent tachycardia induces congestive heart failure (CHF), but the mechanism(s) of progressive ventricular dysfunction is (are) unclear. This study was designed to define possible metabolic causes of myocardial dysfunction in rapid ventricular pacing induced CHF. Twelve adult mongrel dogs were paced to 250 beats/min for 19 days. Plasma carnitine, norepinephrine and renin were measured at 0, 1, 2, and 3 weeks. Myocardial high energy phosphates, carnitine, glycogen, glucose, non-collagenous protein and collagen were measured at 19 days. Cardiac output, arterial pressure and pulmonary wedge pressure, measured at baseline and with CHF, showed a decrease in cardiac output and increase in pulmonary wedge pressure. Neurohumoral activation was evident by progressively increasing plasma norepinephrine and renin activity and depletion of myocardial norepinephrine. Plasma free carnitine rose significantly from 12.6±2.0 control to 24.3±3.8 nmol/ml at 19 days (p<0.001), whereas myocardial total carnitine was lower in paced than in control dogs (6.0±1.9 vs. 14.1±3.5 nmol/mg non-collagenous protein, p<0.001). Myocardial ATP and ADP were unchanged while AMP decreased 22%, and creatine phosphate decreased 30% compared to control animals. Myocardial glucose was normal but glycogen was decreased 54% (p<0.005). The low myocardial carnitine and elevated plasma carnitine in pacing induced CHF suggests altered carnitine transport or membrane integrity.
A Head CT is Unnecessary in the Initial Evaluation of A Cirrhotic Patient with Recurrent Hepatic Encephalopathy.

Abstract Introduction and aim. The evaluation to determine the cause of hepatic encephalopathy consists primarily of laboratory testing to rule out infections and metabolic causes. Despite lack of evidence, it is a common practice amongst clinicians to obtain a head CT as part of their initial evaluation in a cirrhotic presenting with recurrent episodes of hepatic encephalopathy. Material and methods. Medical records of all cirrhotic adults admitted to a tertiary care hospital from 2007 to 2010 with hepatic encephalopathy were reviewed. Results. In 67 patients, there were 147 episodes of hepatic encephalopathy where a head CT was performed. Six CTs had intracranial findings explaining hepatic encephalopathy. Two patients had focal neurologic findings on physical exam with no history of trauma, one had a history of trauma with no focal neurologic deficits and two had both a history of trauma and focal neurologic findings. Only one case revealed an intracranial hemorrhage with neither a preceding history of trauma nor positive neurological signs. The overall prevalence of intracranial findings in hepatic encephalopathy was 4% (6/147) and 0.6% (1/142) in the absence of trauma or focal neurologic findings. Laboratory and clinical variables including mean levels of ammonia, sodium, creatinine, bilirubin, albumin, platelet count, INR, encephalopathy grade and MELD score did not have a statistically significant impact on head CT findings (P > .05). Conclusion. In conclusion, the yield of a head CT in determining the cause of change in mental status is extremely low in patients with cirrhosis who present with recurrent hepatic encephalopathy.
Biomechanical Evaluation of Interfragmentary Compression of Lag Screw Versus Positional Screw at Different Angles of Fixation.

Objectives To compare the compressive force achieved and retained with the lag versus positional screw technique at various angles of screw application. Methods Sixty humeral sawbones were stratified into 6 groups based on the technique (lag or positional) and fixation angle (30, 60, or 90 degrees relative to the fracture plane). A sensor was placed between fragments to record compressive force. Absolute screw force is the final screw force. Normalized force is the final screw force minus force generated by reduction forceps. Retained force is the quotient of absolute force relative to reduction forceps force. Results Lag screws attained higher force than positional at 60 degrees (absolute force 41% higher, P = 0.041; normalized force 1300% higher, P = 0.008; retained force 60% higher, P = 0.008) and 90 degrees (absolute force 86% higher, P = 0.006; normalized force 730% higher, P = 0.005; retained force 70% higher, P = 0.011), but not at 30 degrees. For lag screws, compressive force was similar at 60 and 90 degrees (absolute force P = 0.174, normalized force P = 0.364, and retained force P = 0.496), but not 30 degrees. For positional screws, no difference was found between the 3 angles of fixation for absolute force (P = 0.059). Normalized force and retained force were similar at 60 and 90 degrees (P = 0.944 and P = 0.725, respectively), but not 30 degrees. Conclusions Lag screw technique compressive force was superior to positional screw technique at 60 and 90 degrees. Comparison of force at angles of 60 and 90 degrees showed no significant difference for both techniques. Indicating 30 degrees deviation from perfect technique is tolerated without significant decrease in compressive force.
On the existence and functionality of topologically associating domains

Genomes across a wide range of eukaryotic organisms fold into higher-order chromatin domains. Topologically associating domains (TADs) were originally discovered empirically in low-resolution Hi-C heat maps representing ensemble average interaction frequencies from millions of cells. Here, we discuss recent advances in high-resolution Hi-C, single-cell imaging experiments, and functional genetic studies, which provide an increasingly complex view of the genome's hierarchical structure-function relationship. On the basis of these new findings, we update the definitions of distinct classes of chromatin domains according to emerging knowledge of their structural, mechanistic and functional properties.
Surprises in Probability: Seventeen Short Stories

By way of 17 short stories and vignettes, Henk Tijms’s Surprises in Probability offers readers an engaging, yet brief, tour of the often perplexing landscape of modern probability theory. Each chap...
Ecological and Nutritional Functions of Agroecosystems as Indicators of Smallholder Resilience

Smallholder agriculture is the foundation of global food systems, yet smallholders face severe socio-economic and environmental challenges that can destabilize livelihoods and threaten their resilience. Given that smallholder farmers rely on household production to meet their nutritional needs, management of soil fertility, biodiversity, and other ecological characteristics of agroecosystems directly affects smallholders’ capacity to produce sufficient crop nutrients for their diets. However, we lack explicit frameworks linking ecological and nutritional functions of agroecosystems, as well as research exploring farmers’ adaptive capacity and agency in mediating these functions, and ultimately, agroecosystem resilience. To address these gaps, we developed an indicator framework to evaluate the complementary roles of ecological and nutritional functions of agroecosystems for smallholder resilience. Paired ecological and nutritional indicators were aggregated into an index representing four agroecosystem functions: (1) Productivity, (2) Diversity, (3) Quality, and (4) Functional Diversity. We then applied this framework and index to a case study of Q’eqchi’ Maya smallholders in eastern Guatemala, using farm management and crop quality data from 60 households to determine the status of agroecosystem functions and assess coping and adaptive capacities in response to shocks. More than three-quarters of farms in the sample relied solely on household production of staples to meet their nutritional demands. Across farms, ecological and nutritional indicators were significantly related (Kendall’s tau = 0.58, z = 5.7, p <0.0001), and we found both synergistic (Quality, Functional Diversity) and tradeoff (Productivity) relationships between indicator pairs. We found that farmers using ecological adaptation strategies such as cover cropping and agroforestry had significantly higher levels of agroecosystem functioning and resilience than farmers who were coping with shocks by working off-farm or renting land from plantations. Our findings demonstrate the importance of linking ecological and nutritional functions of agroecosystems through diversified management practices to leverage their synergies. Because smallholder agroecosystems underlie a third of the food system, understanding and promoting their resilience is critical for the social, ecological, and nutritional well-being of global populations.
Comparison of Designs Utilizing Dual Phase Magnetic Material in High Specific Power Electrical Machines for Aerospace Applications

There has been an increasing demand for high specific power electric machines for hybrid/electric aerospace applications in the past few years. Among various types of electric machines, permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) are more capable of delivering higher specific power. This paper proposes a comparison among three different designs of Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) machines with enabled by dual-phase magnetic material used for the rotor laminations. The design procedure is presented, and mechanical analysis performed to demonstrate that the proposed designs are within the acceptable stress constraints. Performance and specific power comparison between all proposed designs and their counterpart designs using conventional magnetic materials is presented. Electromagnetic and mechanical simulation results are included to demonstrate the proposed designs’ performance and capabilities.
Review of How Genetic Research on Segmental Progeroid Syndromes Has Documented Genomic Instability as a Hallmark of Aging But Let Us Now Pursue Antigeroid Syndromes

The purpose of this early contribution to the new Fellows Forum of this pioneering journal for what is now called Geroscience is to provide an example of how the author's interest in using the emerging tools of human genetics has led to strong support for one of the hallmarks of aging-Genomic Instability. We shall also briefly review our emerging interests in the genetic analysis of what we have called Antigeroid Syndromes. While there has been significant progress in that direction via genetic studies of centenarians, the search for genetic pathways that make individuals unusually resistant or resilient to the ravages of specific geriatric disorders has been comparatively neglected. We refer to these disorders as Unimodal Antigeroid Syndromes. It is our hope that our young colleagues will consider research efforts in that direction.
Abstract P125: Genes And Pathways Associated With Apparent Treatment-resistant Hypertension In Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: An Analysis Of The Cric Study

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a 4-fold increased risk of developing apparent treatment-resistant hypertension (aTRH) compared with the general population. This study aimed to iden...
Mirtazapine Reduces Susceptibility to Hypocapnic Central Sleep Apnea in Males with Sleep Disordered Breathing - A Pilot Study.

To our knowledge, this research study is novel as it is the first study in humans assessing the effect of mirtazapine on CO2 reserve and chemosensitivity in individuals with severe sleep-disordered...
Overseas media, homeland audiences: examining determinants of newsmaking in Deutsche Welle’s Amharic Service:

Historically, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’s (FDRE) media environment faced a state apparatus that had been hostile to journalism practice. In particular, government-sponsored intimi...
Abstract 750: Race differences in telomere length in benign prostate and subsequent risk of prostate cancer

Telomere shortening is linked to aging and thought to be associated with increased risk for cancer. Most cancer studies have used leukocyte telomere length as a surrogate measure for telomere length with few focused upon telomeres in the target tissue of cancer origin. To determine whether telomere length in pre-malignant prostate tissue is associated with subsequent prostate cancer risk, we conducted a case-control study of 530 case-control pairs matched on date, age at cohort entry, and race nested within a historical cohort of 10,478 men with a benign prostate biopsy. Overall mean telomere length assessed using modified quantitative real-time PCR was not different in benign prostate biopsies of prostate cancer cases vs. matched controls (1.65 ± 0.35 vs. 1.64 ± 0.39; p=0.41). However, race was significantly associated with telomere length with African American (AA) men having shorter telomeres in benign prostate biopsy compared with white men (1.59 ± 0.37 vs. 1.70 ± 0.37; p Citation Format: Benjamin A. Rybicki, Sudha M. Sadasivan, Yalei Chen, Ian Loveless, Nilesh S. Gupta, Dhananjay A. Chitale, Sean R. Williamson, Andrew G. Rundle, Deliang Tang. Race differences in telomere length in benign prostate and subsequent risk of prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 750.
Omission impossible

This paper gives a framework for understanding causal counterpossibles, counterfactuals imbued with causal content whose antecedents appeal to metaphysically impossible worlds. Such statements are generated by omissive causal claims that appeal to metaphysically impossible events, such as "If the mathematician had not failed to prove that 2 + 2 = 5, the math textbooks would not have remained intact." After providing an account of impossible omissions, the paper argues for three claims: (i) impossible omissions play a causal role in the actual world, (ii) causal counterpossibles have broad applications in philosophy, and (iii) the truth of causal counterpossibles provides evidence for the nonvacuity of counterpossibles more generally.
Users of retail medications for opioid use disorders faced high out-of-pocket prescription spending in 2011-2017.

Abstract Introduction High out-of-pocket spending has been a barrier to treatment for the estimated 2.0 million Americans suffering from opioid use disorders (OUD). This paper provides national estimates of financial costs faced by the population receiving retail medications for OUD (MOUD). Methods We used pooled annual data from the 2011 – 2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), a nationally representative sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population in the United States. The sample includes individuals who reported filling a retail prescription for buprenorphine or naltrexone, the two most common medications available from retail pharmacies to treat OUD. The main outcome is out-of-pocket spending of retail MOUD prescriptions per fill and per person. Results Patients with retail MOUD prescriptions spent 3.4 times more out-of-pocket for prescriptions on average than the rest of the U.S. population, with 18.8% of this population paying entirely out-of-pocket for their MOUD prescriptions. Insurance coverage is associated with reduced annual out-of-pocket MOUD expenditures between $316 and $328 per year. Conclusions Future policies that expand insurance and address out-of-pocket spending on MOUD could increase access to medications among individuals with OUD.
Role of grain size on the martensitic transformation and ultra-fast superelasticity in shape memory alloys

Abstract We use multi-million-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with an embedded atom model potential parameterized for NiAl to study temperature- and stress-induced martensitic phase transformations in nanocrystalline shape memory alloys. Nucleation of the martensite phase occurs in the grain interiors and grows outward up to the point where further transformation is hindered by the constraints imposed by neighboring grains. Decreasing grain size inhibits the transformation process and the temperature-induced transformation is completely suppressed for samples with average grain sizes of 7.5 nm and less. Interestingly, mechanical loads can induce the martensitic transformation in samples with ultra-fine grains and, quite surprisingly, the sample with 7.5 nm grain size exhibits improved, ultra-fast, superelasticity as compared with its coarser grain counterparts. The simulations provide a picture of the processes that govern the performance and fundamental limits of nanocrystalline shape memory alloys with atomistic resolution.
Nanofibrous Scaffolds and their Biological Effects

The sections in this article are Overview Introduction Methods of Formation Electrospinning Self-assembly Phase Separation Nanofibrous Composite Scaffolds Inorganic Composites Surface Modification Factor Delivery Scaffolds Biological Effects of Nanofibers Attachment Proliferation Differentiation Migration Tissue Formation Connective Tissue Ligaments Cartilage Bone Neural Tissue Cardiovascular Tissue Cardiac Muscle Blood Vessel Liver Tissue Conclusion
Testing Pre-Annotation to Help Non-Experts Identify Drug-Drug Interactions Mentioned in Drug Product Labeling

In this study, a system for allowing combination of textmining and crowdsourcing of annotation approaches for detection of DDIs from drug package inserts is presented. An annotation study was designed to evaluate expert versus non-expert curation performance, and the impact of NLP pre-annotation on precision and recall on both groups. The design and development of the system and annotation study, consisted of three stages. First, our existing NLP pipeline for DDI extraction was improved, and it was used to preannotate 208 drug product labels with drug mentions and DDIs. Secondly, a DDI machine readable representation scheme was created using the Annotation Ontolgy. This model allowed us to load the NLP preannotated drug label sections into our plugin for human curation created using the Annotation tool DOMEO. Finally, the annotation study was performed along with usability questionnaires for collecting qualitative feedback. To our knowledge, this is the first study in comparing experts and non-experts for pharmacokinetic DDI annotation. Results showed lower performance on non-experts compared with expert annotation without the use of NLP,and an improvement of non-expert annotation performance using the NER module of the NLP assistance. Simplification of the workflow for NLP assisted annotation is necessary for scaling ourapproach.
Perturbative Quantum Chromodynamics and Applications to Large Momentum Transfer Processes

During the last several years, a new framework to describe strong interaction physics has emerged: quantum chromodynamics (QCD). It is the simplest field theory which incorporates a color-dependent force among quarks. The forces among the colored quarks are generated by the exchange of colored vector gluons which are coupled to the quarks in a gauge-invariant manner. The theory is closely related to the most successful quantum field theory: QED. The only (but very important) difference between QED and QCD is the gauge group involved. QED is an Abelian gauge theory (the photons do not couple to each other); QCD is a non-Abelian gauge theory [gauge group SU3(color)].
Superconductivity. From obscurity to impurity

Scanning tunnelling microscopy promises a new approach to the study of high-temperature superconductors, particularly when they contain impurities. Impurity atoms, like zinc, help us understand what happens when superconductivity is destroyed. Future experiments with magnetic impurities may tell us even more about the mechanism behind high-temperature superconductivity.
CEO Ownership and Valuation

We find a highly significant hump shaped relation between Tobin’s Q and CEO share ownership for firms under weak external governance (EG), but find no relation for firms under strong EG. These relations illustrate the substitution effect of EG and CEO ownership in mitigating agency problems at normal ranges of ownership and the anti-entrenchment effect of strong EG at very large ownership. To buttress these arguments, we relate CEO ownership to R&D activities, a possible channel through which CEO ownership may affect Tobin’s Q by influencing discretionary efforts and risk choices. We find similar relations: A hump shaped relation between R&D expenditures and CEO ownership under weak EG, and no relation under strong EG. EG is measured by product market competition or institutional ownership concentration. The results are robust to CEO-firm pair fixed effects and to alternative model specifications, key variables, EG measures, and sample constructions. They are also robust to various tests addressing endogeneity issues concerning CEO ownership and our measures of EG.
Comprehensive Serum Cytokine Analysis Identifies IL-1RA and soluble IL-2Rα as Predictors of Event Free Survival in T-cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND T-cell malignancies are heterogeneous in their clinical presentation and pathology, and have a poor prognosis. New biomarkers are needed to predict prognosis and to provide insights into signal pathways used by these cells. The goal of this study was to evaluate pretreatment serum cytokines in patients with newly diagnosed T-cell neoplasms and correlate with clinical outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS We evaluated 30 cytokines in pretreatment serum from 68 untreated patients and 14 normal controls. Significantly elevated cytokines were correlated with patterns of abnormalities, event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS Our data demonstrated significantly elevated levels (versus controls) of seven cytokines-epidermal growth factor (EGF), IL-6, IL-12, interferon gamma-induced protein (IP)-10, soluble interleukin (sIL)-2Rα, monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG), and IL-1RA-in all T-cell neoplasms (P < 0.05). In the angioimmunoblastic subset, all seven cytokines except IP-10 and in the peripheral T-cell lymphoma (TCL)-not otherwise specified subset, only IP-10, sIL-2Rα, MIG, and IL-8 were statistically elevated compared with control. Of these, elevated cytokines all but EGF were predictive of an inferior EFS; IL-1RA, sIL-2Rα, and MIG predicted an inferior OS. In a multivariate analysis, sIL-2Rα [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.95; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.61-8.38] and IL-1RA (HR = 3.28; 95% CI 1.47-7.29) levels remained independent predictors of inferior EFS. TCL cell lines secreted high levels of sIL-2Rα and expressed the IL-2Rα surface receptor. CONCLUSIONS This report describes the cytokines relevant to prognosis in patients with untreated TCL and provides the rationale to include serum IL-1RA and sIL-2Rα as biomarkers in future trials. Inhibition of these cytokines may also be of therapeutic benefit.
An alternative route to nitric oxide resistance

Vibrio fischeri is a bioluminescent bacterium that enters into a symbiosis with the bobtail squid Euprymna scolopes. The bacterium colonizes a specialized light organ, in which it generates light that might help the squid to hide its silhouette from animals beneath it. Previous studies have shown that the host nitric oxide (NO) synthase is active during colonization, suggesting that V. fischeri symbionts are exposed to NO. Thus, NO might play a role in regulating the symbiosis, a role possibly analogous to that of NO in the interaction between some pathogens and their hosts. One possibility is that NO helps to exclude other species from the light organ, in which case, the response of V. fischeri to NO is of considerable interest. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, Dunn et al. report that V. fischeri produces an NO-inducible and NO-resistant alternative oxidase (Aox) that allows respiration to continue in the presence of NO concentrations that are inhibitory to the conventional respiratory oxidases. This is an important step towards a better understanding of the role that NO plays in the Vibrio-squid symbiosis, and provides the first indication of a physiological function for a bacterial homologue of the plant Aox.
Mechanical strain induces E-cadherin–dependent Yap1 and β-catenin activation to drive cell cycle entry

Mechanical strain regulates the development, organization, and function of multicellular tissues, but mechanisms linking mechanical strain and cell-cell junction proteins to cellular responses are poorly understood. Here, we showed that mechanical strain applied to quiescent epithelial cells induced rapid cell cycle reentry, mediated by independent nuclear accumulation and transcriptional activity of first Yap1 and then β-catenin. Inhibition of Yap1- and β-catenin-mediated transcription blocked cell cycle reentry and progression through G1 into S phase, respectively. Maintenance of quiescence, Yap1 nuclear exclusion, and β-catenin transcriptional responses to mechanical strain required E-cadherin extracellular engagement. Thus, activation of Yap1 and β-catenin may represent a master regulator of mechanical strain-induced cell proliferation, and cadherins provide signaling centers required for cellular responses to externally applied force.
The Delta-t transport protocol: features and experience

With the advent of new high performance networks and distribution systems there is renewed interest in transport protocol designs that can support both request/response and stream styles of communication. The author examines Delta-t, a transport protocol designed to meet such goals. Delta-t's main contribution is in the area of connection management, where it achieves hazard-free connection management without explicit packet exchanges. The author reviews Delta-t's features and connection management in general and outlines some lessons useful for the implementation of high-performance networks. >
Discrete Cohen's class of distributions

An alias-free discrete-Cohen's class of distributions for finite discrete signals is defined. Based on this definition, the authors derive desirable distribution properties and the corresponding kernel constraints that show strong similarity with the continuous case. They also present: (a) transformations of kernels to different domains; (b) sampling schemes for discretizing continuous kernels; and (c) a new kernel constraint for reversibility of the discrete Cohen's class. >
Myelinated mechanically insensitive afferents from monkey hairy skin: heat-response properties.

Treede, Rolf-Detlef, Richard A. Meyer, and James N. Campbell. Myelinated mechanically insensitive afferents from monkey hairy skin: heat-response properties. J. Neurophysiol. 80: 1082–1093, 1998. T...
Gill withdrawal in Aplysia following section of the pleuro-abdominal connectives

Abstract The defensive gill withdrawal reflex of the marine mollusc Aplysia californica was examined in intact animals and in animals who had sustained lesions of the pleuroabdominal connectives. Neither amplitude nor habituation of withdrawal was impaired by the lesion. In contrast, dishabituation of gill withdrawal was impaired by the lesion.
Hans-Lukas Teuber: A Tribute

Hans-Lukas Teuber (1916-1977) was one of the most influential neuropsychologists of his generation. In the first part of his career he headed the Psychophysiology Laboratory at the New York University--Bellevue Medical Center. There he and his associates played a major role in establishing human neuropsychology as a rigorous experimental science closely linked to contemporary neurophysiology and experimental psychology. In the second part of his career he founded the Department of Psychology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This rapidly became a world center of the neuro- and cognitive sciences and a model for the establishment of new neuroscience centers that brought together neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropsychology, and cognitive psychology into an interacting community. Teuber's contributions extended far beyond the institutions he founded and the many important experimental and theoretical papers he wrote. He was a consummate organizer, synthesizer, and sponsor of research on the brain, as well as the mentor of many of today's leading brain researchers. This special issue on object recognition and the temporal lobes is dedicated to his memory.
Autoregressive vibrational-dephasing analysis of the ν2 band of liquid methyl iodide in nanoporous glass

Abstract The spontaneous Raman spectrum of the ν 2 methyl-deformation mode of liquid methyl iodide confined in 50-A-diameter pores of silica sol–gel glass was measured at room temperature. The ν 2 band was broader for the microconfined liquid than for the bulk liquid. Vibrational correlation functions obtained by Fourier transforming the isotropic bands were modeled by using a memory-function procedure based on the Zwanzig–Mori formalism. The memory functions were analyzed by stochastic time series using an autoregressive model. Based on this analysis, the increase in the line width is largely attributed to inhomogeneous broadening due to site inhomogeneities at the pore surface.
Using screen capture to study user research behavior

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on how researchers at Penn State University used video screen capture technology to learn more about student usage of the library's databases.Design/methodology/approach – The process of identifying and implementing a novel way to capture and analyze the human‐computer interaction is outlined and discussed.Findings – Because of the drawbacks associated with both formal, direct physical observation of research participants and videotaping participants, video screen capture technology is chosen as a better way to track human‐computer interaction.Practical implications – Video screen capture technology is an inexpensive, user‐friendly way to enhance electronic resource usability studies in any library. Research files can be easily exported into coding software for data analysis.Originality/value – The paper examines a new, non‐invasive way to capture student research behavior. It shows how any library could use this same technology to conduct research on how t...
A theory of prison riots

Prison riots vary immensely in form. In some riots, inmates issue manifestos; in others, they loot as a disorganized mass; in others they turn on each other. Some riots are characterized by political organization and demand-making others by weak and chaotic structures of leadership, and conflict and violence among inmates themselves. In some riots, prisoners inflict suffering on hostages; in others, inmates treat hostages well, providing them food and bedding before themselves; in still others, inmates do not take hostages, even when the opportunity arises. What accounts for this variation?
A technique that discloses complex (sequential) multiphasic patterns in trains of increasing or decreasing neuronal interspike intervals.

Abstract As the first step in correlating the output of single neurons with changes in the grass behavior of the organism or with changes in the electroencephalogram, we developed a technique that discloses complex, multiphasic patterns of increasing or decreasing neuronal interspike intervals. These sequential patterns are composed of as many as 15 intervals. The basic component of the patterns consisted of simple biphasic patterns that have been previously correlated with changes in the electroencephalogram that were produced by I.V. injection of 7–10 mg. pentobarbital.
Ladder tournaments and underdogs: lessons from professional bowling

Abstract This paper examines performance in ladder tournaments, using data from professional bowling competitions. Although there is a distinct advantage to starting with a higher rank in a ladder tournament, the results indicate that “underdogs” win more often than expected. The findings are explained by regression-to-the-mean and hot-hand theories, both of which are consistent with the particular structure of the ladder tournament.
ER Stress and Its Functional Link to Mitochondria: Role in Cell Survival and Death

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the primary site for synthesis and folding of secreted and membrane-bound proteins. Proteins are translocated into ER lumen in an unfolded state and require protein chaperones and catalysts of protein folding to assist in proper folding. Properly folded proteins traffic from the ER to the Golgi apparatus; misfolded proteins are targeted to degradation. Unfolded protein response (UPR) is a highly regulated intracellular signaling pathway that prevents accumulation of misfolded proteins in the ER lumen. UPR provides an adaptive mechanism by which cells can augment protein folding and processing capacities of the ER. If protein misfolding is not resolved, the UPR triggers apoptotic cascades. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying ER stress-induced apoptosis are not completely understood, increasing evidence suggests that ER and mitochondria cooperate to signal cell death. Mitochondria and ER form structural and functional networks (mitochondria-associated ER membranes [MAMs]) essential to maintain cellular homeostasis and determine cell fate under various pathophysiological conditions. Regulated Ca(2+) transfer from the ER to the mitochondria is important in maintaining control of prosurvival/prodeath pathways. We discuss the signaling/communication between the ER and mitochondria and focus on the role of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore in these complex processes.
Crystallization of baria-titania-silica glasses

The critical cooling rate for glass formation, Rc, and the crystallization kinetics of the compositions (1/2)(100-x)BaO-(1/2)(100-x)TiO2-(x)SiO2 with x = 20, 25, 30, 33.3, and 40 mol pct were studied using a thermal image furnace. Crystallization was studied under nonisothermal conditions, and the data were analyzed using the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami equation. The Rc and activation energy for crystallization both decrease with increasing silica content. Fresnoite, Ba2TiSi2O8, crystallized from all of the glasses when they were reheated. The infrared absorption spectra of the glasses and crystals show that they both contain (Si2O7) and square pyramidal (TiO5) groups.