cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blogging for professional purposes: A curricular and pedagogical approach

Technical writing curricula and pedagogy have traditionally emphasized blogging's practical and supplemental role in technical writing contexts. In contrast to such disciplinary conceptions, this paper examines how blogging offers technical writing curricula and pedagogy a more advantageous rhetorical and social genre of workplace writing. Following social media's influence on industry writing conventions and contexts, this paper first describes how blogging emphasizes the social and rhetorical purposes of technical writing. It then outlines and describes a curricular implementation and pedagogical example of a professional blogging course at a regional American university. The paper concludes by analyzing best practices for teaching professional blogging skills and suggesting areas for future curricular research and practice.
Changes in Income Sources in Rural America

that the primary sources of economic wellbeing of rural America have changed dramatically over the past half century. Although agriculture remains a critical industry-29% of the jobs in nonmetropolitan counties are agriculturally related (Petrulis)-the personal income generated by farming is of declining importance even in the most farm-dependent states and counties of the United States. Attributing the current rural economic difficulty to the farm crisis alone may clearly miss some of the most serious causes of the problem. Policies such as those dealing with deregulation, privatization, international trade, social welfare, budget reduction, and rural development may be as critical to rural incomes, including those of farm families, as is farm policy. It is the intent of this paper to outline the historic changes in the dependency of rural America on farm and nonfarm sources of income. The first part reviews the changes in income sources of the United States and its subregions from 1929 to the present. The second part of the paper examines the changes in sources of personal income of the 702 most farm-dependent counties in the United States. The third section includes a more detailed analysis of the current sources of personal income of farm-dependent counties. The final section of the paper calls for more study regarding the relative rural versus urban impact of specific public policies. It is the purpose of the paper to establish the parallel importance of both farm and nonfarm sectors to rural economic well-being.
Simulation of the effects of thermal history on the morphology of thermoplastic composites

This paper concerns the simulation of the development of the degree of crystallinity and the size of spherulites that arise during the cooling of a slab of a semicrystalline polymer reinforced with long, continuous carbon fibers. This situation is commonly found during the processing of semicrystalline thermoplastic composites. Whereas published attempts at simulating this process have treated the composite as a continuum, and thereby used mass averaged physical properties (such as thermal conductivity, density, and specific heat), we use a quasicontinuum approach in which we consider the properties of the matrix and fiber separately. Once a temperature distribution is calculated using the continuum approach, the finite element method is applied locally at various points in the slab to calculate the degree of crystallinity and the size of the developing spherulites. This is done by using the Avrami equation and the Hoffman and Lauritzen radial growth equation. The degree of crystallinity and the spherulite size are predicted as a function of fiber spacing and packing geometry, and the predictions are in good agreement with experimental results obtained on poly(phenylene sulfide)/carbon fiber composites. The advantages of our approach over the continuum approach is that a relatively accurate prediction of the spherulite size is possible owing to constraints imposed by the fiber on the spherulitic growth.
Mitogen-activated protein kinases and NFκB are involved in SP-A-enhanced responses of macrophages to mycobacteria

Background Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is a C-type lectin involved in surfactant homeostasis as well as host defense in the lung. We have recently demonstrated that SP-A enhances the killing of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) by rat macrophages through a nitric oxide-dependent pathway. In the current study we have investigated the role of tyrosine kinases and the downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, and the transcription factor NFκB in mediating the enhanced signaling in response to BCG in the presence of SP-A.
Constructing Cospectral Digraphs with Arbitrary Centers

Abstract The center of graphs and digraphs have long been a topic of interest, as is establishing bounds on graph parameters using the spectrum of the graph. It may be that the spectrum of a digraph has some relationship with the center of the digraph. This turns out not to be the case. A construction is presented that yields cospectral digraphs with arbitrary centers.
Moving clinical research in academic medical centres up the value chain

A decline in the approval of new molecular entities — particularly truly innovative ones — has coincided with an increasing emphasis on translational medicine by funders of the academic sector. How might the full potential of academic medical centres be realized?
Multispectral Ratio Selection Using Ternary Diagrams

A method is presented to map spectral reflectance data of altered or unaltered rocks into color space to aid interpretation of color ratio composite (CRC) images for engineering geologic purposes. The method uses in situ spectral reflectance data or multispectral images of known lithologies, normalized ratio values, ternary diagrams, chromaticity diagrams, and color science theory to enable the engineering geologist to display spectral separability of lithologic units and improve the interpretation of CRC images. The normalized ratio values, derived from spectral reflectance data, can be plotted in a ternary diagram. Transforming normalized ratio values into equivalent chromaticity coordinates, the ternary diagram becomes a chromaticity diagram. From such a presentation, the engineering geologist can determine a priori the approximate color that each lithologic unit will appear in a CRC image. In this study, it was determined that the best CRC images correspond to the ternary/chromaticity diagrams that show the most separation of spectral reflectance data.
(1R, 3S)-(−)-Trans-PAT: A novel full-efficacy serotonin 5-HT2C receptor agonist with 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptor inverse agonist/antagonist activity

The serotonin 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C G protein-coupled receptors signal primarily through Gαq to activate phospholipase C (PLC) and formation of inositol phosphates (IP) and diacylglycerol. The human 5-HT2C receptor, expressed exclusively in the central nervous system, is involved in several physiological and psychological processes. Development of 5-HT2C agonists that do not also activate 5-HT2A or 5-HT2B receptors is challenging because transmembrane domain identity is about 75% among 5-HT2 subtypes. This paper reports 5-HT2 receptor affinity and function of (1R,3S)-(−)-trans-1-phenyl-3-dimethylamino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (PAT), a small molecule that produces anorexia and weight-loss after peripheral administration to mice. (−)-Trans-PAT is a stereoselective full-efficacy agonist at human 5-HT2C receptors, plus, it is a 5-HT2A/5-HT2B inverse agonist and competitive antagonist. The Ki of (−)-trans-PAT at 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C receptors is 410, 1200, and 37 nM, respectively. Functional studies measured activation of PLC/[3H]-IP formation in clonal cells expressing human 5-HT2 receptors. At 5-HT2C receptors, (−)-trans-PAT is an agonist (EC50 = 20 nM) comparable to serotonin in potency and efficacy. At 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors, (−)-trans-PAT is an inverse agonist (IC50 = 490 and 1,000 nM, respectively) and competitive antagonist (KB = 460 and 1400 nM, respectively) of serotonin. Experimental results are interpreted in light of molecular modeling studies indicating the (−)-trans-PAT protonated amine can form an ionic bond with D3.32 of 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors, but, not with 5-HT2B receptors. In addition to probing 5-HT2 receptor structure and function, (−)-trans-PAT is a novel lead regarding 5-HT2C agonist/5-HT2A inverse agonist drug development for obesity and neuropsychiatric disorders.
A Personalistic Philosophy of History

that are in some sense repeatable and verifiable. History, on the other hand, deals with an unrepeatable past which is in no sense experimentally verifiable, although it may be inferred from its effects on the present. This unrepeatable past is treated differently by different historians. Philosophers who seek to unravel the "meaning" of history differ from each other in their interpretations. Varying conceptions of history and its meaning are set forth by the writers of Genesis, Judges, Daniel, Matthew, and Revelation; by St. Augustine, Vico, Hegel, Schlegel, Spengler, Toynbee, Mandelbaum, Niebuhr, and Cohen. It is not, and would not reasonably be, the purpose of a brief paper to take account of all the problems thus suggested, or to support or refute the. various writers. Rather, the aim is to concentrate on some of the contributions!that a personalistic philosophy may make to an understanding of history, with special reference to twentieth century history, its chaos and its despair. I. The Constituents of History
Statistical characterization of engineered tissues using confocal mosaic technology

Characterization of engineered tissues using optical methods often involves tradeoff between the fraction of total volume that is imaged and the spatial resolution. The limitation is not technological but rather practical, having more to do with effective probe designs and computer memory storage for large datasets. In this paper, we propose using confocal mosaicing, a technique used to characterize large volumes of excisioned biopsies from Mohs surgeries, to characterizing collagen gels. This technique stitches together high-resolution 3D images of a series adjacent millimeter sized regions that collectively make up areas that are ~cm2. Image acquisition time is approximately 5 min. The resulting high-resolution images closely resemble hematoxylin and eosin histological sections, only obtained without the time-consuming embedding and sectioning steps. Disk-shaped collagen gels that are 1 ml volume and ~1.5 cm diameter were prepared with smooth muscle cells and imaged at days 1 and 5. Using the digital staining technique, we were able to survey the spatial distribution of cells in the hydrogel and assess spatial heterogeneity in 3D from the fluorescence data. The reflectance data provided information on collagen fibril structure and matrix remodeling by the cells. Digital staining presented the data in a way that is easily interpreted by tissue engineers. Altogether, we believe confocal mosaicing and digital staining represents an important technological novelty that significantly advances nondestructive optical evaluation of engineered tissues.
Gesta Dunelmensia, A.D. M°CCC°.

Homo quidam descendebat ab Ierusalem in Ierico et incidit in latrones qui despolia(verun)t (eum) et vulneraverunt, plagis inpositis (ab)ierunt, semivivo reli(ct)o, Domino doctore . . . sanctos.
Victorin-induced oat cell death

Victoria blight of oats is caused by the fungus Cochliobolus victoriae which is pathogenic because it produces the host-specific toxin, victorin. Oat genotypes are sensitive to victorin if they contain the dominant Vb allele. A 100 kDa protein that binds victorin only in toxin-sensitive (susceptible) genotypes of oats has been identified as the P-protein component of the nuclear-encoded, mitochondrial, glycine decarboxylase complex (GDC). Results have indicated that the 15 kDa H-protein component of the GDC also binds victorin. The GDC, a key component of the photorespiratory cycle, has been shown to be extremely sensitive to the application of victorin both in vivo and in vitro. Recent results have indicated that the cofactor for the P-protein, pyridoxal phosphate, competes with victorin binding in vivo and in vitro and prevents victorin-induced electrolyte leakage. Further, conditions that eliminate photorespiration, protect against victorin-induced symptom development. Thus, a variety of observations indicate a mitochondrial site of action for victorin that is at, or involves, the GDC. Consequently, genetic analyses are being conducted to determine if any of the genes encoding the components of the GDC map to the Vb locus. Our most recent physiological studies have indicated that victorin induces a senescence-like response in sensitive oats including chlorosis, a specific proteolytic degradation of D-ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, and DNA fragmentation. Current studies are directed at characterizing this response and determining what connection exists between victorin’s inhibition of the GDC and this form of programmed cell death.
Protein Energy Malnutrition Impairs Homeostatic Proliferation of Memory CD8 T Cells

Nutrition is a critical but poorly understood determinant of immunity. There is abundant epidemiological evidence linking protein malnutrition to impaired vaccine efficacy and increased susceptibility to infections; yet, the role of dietary protein in immune memory homeostasis remains poorly understood. In this study, we show that protein-energy malnutrition induced in mice by low-protein (LP) feeding has a detrimental impact on CD8 memory. Relative to adequate protein (AP)-fed controls, LP feeding in lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)-immune mice resulted in a 2-fold decrease in LCMV-specific CD8 memory T cells. Adoptive transfer of memory cells, labeled with a division tracking dye, from AP mice into naive LP or AP mice demonstrated that protein-energy malnutrition caused profound defects in homeostatic proliferation. Remarkably, this defect occurred despite the lymphopenic environment in LP hosts. Whereas Ag-specific memory cells in LP and AP hosts were phenotypically similar, memory cells in LP hosts were markedly less responsive to polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid-induced acute proliferative signals. Furthermore, upon recall, memory cells in LP hosts displayed reduced proliferation and protection from challenge with LCMV-clone 13, resulting in impaired viral clearance in the liver. The findings show a metabolic requirement of dietary protein in sustaining functional CD8 memory and suggest that interventions to optimize dietary protein intake may improve vaccine efficacy in malnourished individuals.
Evaluation of the archiannelid Dinophilus gyrociliatus for use in short-term life-cycle toxicity tests

The use of the archiannelid Dinophilus gyrociliatus O. Schmidt in short-term (7 to 10 d) life-cycle tests with reference toxicants and industrial effluents was evaluated. Culture techniques and test protocols were developed and evaluated. The life history of this archiannelid was also studied and is described. Because this species has a very short life cycle (10 d from juvenile to juvenile at 20°C and 30%+ salinity), reproductive information can be obtained during a short-term test. The results of tests with industrial effluents and reference toxicants indicate that this species is suitable for toxicity testing and appears to be quite sensitive to the industrial effluents tested in this study. The animals are easily cultured and the testing procedure requires very little time for setup and maintenance (1 to 2 h/d). It has been determined that reproductive information can be obtained during a 7-d test that starts with newly emerged juveniles.
Representation properties of networks: Kolmogorov's theorem is irrelevant

Many neural networks can be regarded as attempting to approximate a multivariate function in terms of one-input one-output units. This note considers the problem of an exact representation of nonlinear mappings in terms of simpler functions of fewer variables. We review Kolmogorov's theorem on the representation of functions of several variables in terms of functions of one variable and show that it is irrelevant in the context of networks for learning.
Quality of monitoring of stochastic events by periodic and proportional-share scheduling of sensor coverage

We analyze the quality of monitoring (QoM) of stochastic events by a periodic sensor which monitors a point of interest (PoI) for q time every p time. We show how the amount of information captured at a PoI is affected by the proportion q/p, the time interval p over which the proportion is achieved, the event type in terms of its stochastic arrival dynamics and staying times and the utility function. The periodic PoI sensor schedule happens in two broad contexts. In the case of static sensors, a sensor monitoring a PoI may be periodically turned off to conserve energy, thereby extending the lifetime of the monitoring until the sensor can be recharged or replaced. In the case of mobile sensors, a sensor may move between the PoIs in a repeating visit schedule. In this case, the PoIs may vary in importance, and the scheduling objective is to distribute the sensor's coverage time in proportion to the importance levels of the PoIs. Based on our QoM analysis, we optimize a class of periodic mobile coverage schedules that can achieve such proportional sharing while maximizing the QoM of the total system.
Psychological correlates of medical utilization in women with premenstrual complaints

This study compared the associations of reported symptom levels and psychopathology with medical utilization among women who label themselves as having premenstrual syndrome. A community sample of 40 women was studied. Each subject completed a questionnaire inquiring about premenstrual symptoms and was further evaluated by means of a Diagnostic Interview Schedule and SCL-90. The results support the research hypothesis that among women who label themselves as having premenstrual syndrome, reported symptom levels do not distinguish those who consult physicians from those who do not, but the medical utilization group has higher levels of psychopathology.
Teachers' Conceptions of Integrated Mathematics Curricula.

In this qualitative research study, we sought to understand teachers' conceptions of integrated mathematics. The participants were teachers in the first year of implementation of a state-mandated, high school integrated mathematics curriculum. The primary data sources for this study included focus group and individual interviews. Through our analysis, we found that the teachers had varied conceptions of what the term integrated meant in reference to mathematics curricula. These varied conceptions led to the development of the Conceptions of Integrated Mathematics Curricula Framework describing the different conceptions of integrated mathematics held by the teachers. The four conceptions—integration by strands, integration by topics, interdisciplinary integration, and contextual integration—refer to the different ideas teachers connect as well as the time frame over which these connections are emphasized. The results indicate that even when teachers use the same integrated mathematics curriculum, they may have varying conceptions of which ideas they are supposed to connect and how these connections can be emphasized. These varied conceptions of integration among teachers may lead students to experience the same adopted curriculum in very different ways.
Esophageal collision tumor (Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and papillary carcinoma) arising in a Barrett esophagus.

Abstract We report herein a unique case of an esophageal collision tumor composed of a papillary adenocarcinoma and a large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma arising in a Barrett esophagus. Hematoxylin-eosin and silver staining patterns, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy of the large cell neuroendocrine component are discussed.
Volume-Based Imperviousness for Storm Water Designs

The concept of low impact development (LID) is to apply decentralized on-site runoff source control to preserve the watershed hydrologic and ecological functions. An integrated layout using bioretention and vegetated landscape can decrease the developed runoff volume and peak flow. One of the key factors in urban hydrology is the imperviousness in the watershed. The conventional approach is to weight the imperviousness by the subareas in the watershed. Obviously, the area-weighted method has become inadequate when coping with LID because LID takes the flow path into consideration. When an impervious area directly drains onto a pervious area, the area-weighted method fails to count for the additional soil infiltration loss. In this study, the conventional area-weighted method is modified with a paved area reduction factor that converts the area-weighted imperviousness to its effective imperviousness. A family of curves was also developed for engineering applications. When a cascading process is introduced to the runoff flow path, the paved area reduction factor can be determined using the impervious to pervious area ratio and the infiltration to rainfall intensity ratio.
Clothing and Human Behavior from a Social Cognitive Framework Part II: The Stages of Social Cognition

This paper represents Part II in a two-part paper which integrates theory and research in social cognition with research in clothing and human behavior. Part II addresses the three stages of social cognition (pre-processing, processing, and post-processing) and factors which affect each of these three stages. Existing research in clothing and human behavior is interpreted within this framework and suggestions are made for future research.
A Review of Self-Determination Interventions with Individuals with Severe Disabilities

A comprehensive review was conducted of intervention studies designed to teach component skills of self-determination to individuals with severe disabilities. Twenty-one articles were analyzed rega...
Baroreceptor reflex modulation by angiotensin II at the nucleus tractus solitarii

This study characterized the effect of nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) microinjection of the angiotensin II (Ang II) antagonist [Sar1, Thr8]Ang II on the baroreceptor control of heart rate in anesthetized rats. Reflex changes in heart rate were elicited by bolus intravenous injections of either phenylephrine or sodium nitroprusside before and after bilateral microinjection of [Sar1, Thr8]Ang II (100 pmol) or vehicle into the NTS. The slope of the relationship between the change in pulse interval and the change in mean arterial pressure was used as an index of baroreceptor reflex sensitivity. Bradycardia elicited by phenylephrine-induced increases in pressure was significantly greater after NTS injection of [Sar1, Thr8]Ang II. The slope of the pulse interval-arterial pressure relationship was 0.60 +/- 0.09 ms/mm Hg after injection, as compared with 0.42 +/- 0.07 ms/mm Hg before. In contrast, the baroreceptor reflex sensitivity index generated by decreases in pressure with nitroprusside was similar before and after injection. Vehicle injections did not alter the baroreceptor reflex index. Collectively, the data suggest that inhibition of endogenous Ang II in the NTS facilitates the baroreceptor reflex sensitivity to increases, but not decreases, in pressure. This new finding reveals the NTS as one site of action for the tonic effects of endogenous Ang II.
Multiple-Access Channels With Confidential Messages

A discrete memoryless multiple-access channel (MAC) with confidential messages is studied, where two users attempt to transmit common information to a destination and each user also has private (confidential) information intended for the destination. This channel generalizes the classical MAC model in that each user also receives channel outputs, and hence may obtain the confidential information sent by the other user from the channel output it receives. However, each user views the other user as a wiretapper or eavesdropper, and wishes to keep its confidential information as secret as possible from the other user. The level of secrecy of the confidential information is measured by the equivocation rate, i.e., the entropy rate of the confidential information conditioned on channel outputs at the wiretapper (the other user). The performance measure is the rate-equivocation tuple that includes the common rate, two private rates, and two equivocation rates as components. The set that includes all achievable rate-equivocation tuples is referred to as the capacity-equivocation region. The case of perfect secrecy is particularly of interest, in which each user's confidential information is perfectly hidden from the other user. The set that includes all achievable rates with perfect secrecy is referred to as the secrecy capacity region. For the MAC with two confidential messages, in which both users have confidential messages for the destination, inner bounds on the capacity-equivocation region, and secrecy capacity region are obtained. It is demonstrated that there is a tradeoff between the two equivocation rates (secrecy levels) achieved for the two confidential messages. For the MAC with one confidential message, in which only one user (user 1) has private (confidential) information for the destination, inner and outer bounds on the capacity-equivocation region are derived. These bounds match partially, and hence the capacity-equivocation region is partially characterized. Furthermore, the outer bound provides a tight converse for the case of perfect secrecy, and hence establishes the secrecy capacity region. A class of degraded MACs with one confidential message is further studied, and the capacity-equivocation region and the secrecy capacity region are established. These results are further explored via two example channels: the binary and Gaussian MACs. For both channels, the capacity-equivocation regions and the secrecy capacity regions are obtained.
Toxicity and Field Efficacy of Four Neonicotinoids on Harlequin Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

ABSTRACT Harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica (Hahn), is a pest of cole crops in the USA. Laboratory toxicity assays revealed that the neonicotinoid insecticides imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran, and clothianidin are toxic to harlequin bug nymphs; LC50 = 0.57, 0.52, 0.39, and 0.39 ppm, respectively. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of these insecticides over time when applied as a one-time soil drench. Each of the 4 neonicotinoids provided significant control of harlequin bug for at least 14 d after application.
Error-prone candidates vie for somatic mutation.

Antibodies play a major role in the resistance of higher organisms to disease. This is made possible because mice, humans, and other species have evolved three unusual molecular mechanisms that allow the generation of an enormously diverse repertoire of antibodies from a relatively small amount of genetic material. First, each antibody-forming B cell assembles different combinations of variable (V), diversity (D), and joining (J) minigenes to create an antibody with a unique antigen-binding site. Second, to generate the high-affinity antibodies that are required for survival, B cells target many point mutations to the V(D)J regions of the H and VJ region of the L chain immunoglobulin (Ig) genes. Those B cells that are making higher affinity antibodies are selected for further growth and differentiation, resulting in the affinity maturation of the antibody response. Third, B cells rearrange the H chain V region to various downstream C regions that encode the different isotypes. This makes it possible for each of the many antigen-binding sites to mediate the effector functions that are encoded in the different C region genes and to be distributed throughout the body 1.
A comparison of element and beam space spatial-spectrum estimation for multiple source clusters

Some of the relative advantages and disadvantages of performing eigenspace spatial-spectrum estimation in beam-space as opposed to element-space are considered. The issue of relative performance, specifically spectral-resolvability and peak position variance and bias, are addressed. It is concluded that when there are only sources impinging from a single sector (the sector selected for beam-space processing), there is no performance advantage in either element-space or beam-space processing. However, when there are out-of-sector sources beam-spacing processing has both advantages and disadvantages. >
Current–voltage characteristics of grain boundaries in polycrystalline Sr-doped LaGaO3

The oxide-ion current across grain boundaries in a polycrystalline LaGaO3 ceramic doped with 1 mol% Sr2+ increases non-linearly with the applied dc-bias to present a transition from ohmic to superohmic where the bias exceeds the thermal voltage, verifying that a Schottky-type potential barrier exists at the grain boundary in acceptor-doped LaGaO3 to limit the internal current.
The relationship between formation kinetics and microdroplet size of epoxy-based polymer-dispersed liquid crystals

Abstract Polymer films containing dispersions of liquid crystal microdroplets have considerable potential for use in displays and other light control devices. These polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films operate by electric field control of light scattering, rather than by polarization control as in the case of twisted nematic systems. The scattering characteristics of the PDLC films are determined by the refractive indices of the polymer and liquid crystal and by the size of the microdroplets. We have found that it is possible to regulate the microdroplet size by controlling the droplet formation rate (i.e. the cure kinetics of the film). Using calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy, we determined the influence of cure kinetics on microdroplet size for epoxy-based PDLCs. We found that droplet size increased with increasing cure time constant. However, the relationship changed as cure temperature was varied, perhaps as a result of competing cure processes. We also determined the phase behavio...
Learning linear dynamical systems without sequence information

Virtually all methods of learning dynamic systems from data start from the same basic assumption: that the learning algorithm will be provided with a sequence, or trajectory, of data generated from the dynamic system. In this paper we consider the case where the data is not sequenced. The learning algorithm is presented a set of data points from the system's operation but with no temporal ordering. The data are simply drawn as individual disconnected points.While making this assumption may seem absurd at first glance, we observe that many scientific modeling tasks have exactly this property. In this paper we restrict our attention to learning linear, discrete time models. We propose several algorithms for learning these models based on optimizing approximate likelihood functions and test the methods on several synthetic data sets.
Dynamic, non-linear cache architecture for power-sensitive mobile processors

Today, mobile smartphones are expected to be able to run the same complex, algorithm-heavy, memory-intensive applications that were originally designed and coded for general-purpose processors. All the while, it is also expected that these mobile processors be power-conscientious as well as of minimal area impact. These devices pose unique usage demands of ultra-portability, but also demand an always-on, continuous data access paradigm. As a result, this dichotomy of continuous execution versus long battery life poses a difficult challenge. This paper explores a novel approach to mitigating mobile processor power consumption, with a non-linear degradation in execution speed. The concept relies on using dynamic application memory behavior to intelligently target adjustments in the cache to significantly reduce overall processor power, taking into account both the dynamic and leakage power footprint of the cache subsystem. The simulation results show a significant reduction in power consumption of approximately 16% to 19%, while only incurring a nominal increase in execution time and area.
Distance Controlled and Electrically Driven Photoluminescence Quench From Quantum Dot-Au Complexes

Quantum Dots (QDs) bound to gold nanoparticles have shown photoluminescence (PL) quenching dependent on distance between the two particles. The incident light from the QD couples to plasmon excitation of the metal when the frequencies of the light and the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) coincide, leading to a reduction in emitted PL in the system. The quenching effect of gold nanoparticles on QDs was used to study protein-protein interactions with the potential for drug screening applications. CdTe and CdHgTe QDs with emission wavelengths from 500~900nm were synthesized and gold nanospheres and nanorods with controlled absorption in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) wavelength regions were prepared. The PL quenching of QD-Protein-Protein-Au complexes was studied as a function of Au concentration, QD size and protein type. A quenching efficiency of up to 90% was observed. The QD-Au complexes were also studied for electric potential sensing. The surface of the QDs was negatively charged due to thiol ligands capping. By applying a positive potential on the gold or gold nanoparticle attached substrate, the local electric field between the substrate and the statically charged QDs would pull the QDs closer to the gold surface and quench the QD PL. PL quenching of QD with Au was studied as a function of electric signal and QD type. In this methodology, electric signals were effectively converted to optical signals.
The Plessy Myth: Justice Harlan and the Chinese Cases

For a century, the vision of racial equality expressed in John Marshall Harlan's dissent in Plessy v. Ferguson has captured the legal imagination in a way matched by few other texts. Even today, the symbolic power of Harlan's rejection of segregation of African Americans and whites in New Orleans streetcars is rivaled only by the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech and Brown v. Board of Education. There is a tiny fault in Harlan's Plessy dissent, a slip. After arguing that the government should guarantee "equality before the law of all citizens of the United States, without regard to race," the next paragraph begins like this: "There is a race so different from our own that we do not permit those belonging to it to become citizens of the United States. Persons belonging to it are, with few exceptions, absolutely excluded from our country. I allude to the Chinese race. But by the statute in question, a Chinaman can ride in the same passenger coach with white citizens of the United States, while citizens of the black race [cannot]...." This essay explores Justice Harlan's attitude towards Chinese Americans in this and other cases in an effort to contextualize his Plessy dissent, and concludes that his anti-Chinese attitude was reasonably consistent. Many scholars ignore the anti-Chinese language in Plessy and other cases, making no effort to square his words with the idea that Harlan's view is worth following today. The essay concludes by suggesting that while Harlan was ahead of his colleagues on the Plessy Court in recognizing that "separate but equal" was catastrophically flawed, he failed to offer an understanding of equal protection of the laws which is useful today. Instead, Harlan's vision of a Constitution protecting some non-whites, yet approving of racial discrimination against other non-whites, was ultimately as unprincipled and unstable as the particular form of race hierarchy he rejected.
Abstract A91: Prevalence and effectiveness of treatment patterns for early-stage lung cancer

Background: Disparities in resection rates and survival for patients with lung cancer are well-documented. It is suggested that lower survival rates among blacks are largely due to lower rates of resection and that equivalent outcomes are possible for blacks and whites with similar treatment. The objective of this study was to determine the extent of racial variation in patterns of initial therapy and treatment-specific outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a national cohort of patients in the Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry diagnosed with Stage I/II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) between 2001 and 2008. Descriptive and chi-square statistics were used to compare the prevalence of treatment and outcomes in Whites and Blacks. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results: Among 14,445 patients with stage I/II NSCLC, 57% received surgery (17% diagnosed at surgery, 40% received surgery within 6 months after diagnosis), 22% received radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy, and 21% had no treatment. The proportion of blacks and whites diagnosed at surgery was similar (both 17%), whereas the proportion of blacks receiving surgery post-diagnosis (34%) was significantly less than whites (41%) (p Conclusion: Racial differences in receipt of surgery are limited to patients diagnosed prior to surgical treatment, which emphasizes the need to understand the impact of knowledge of the diagnosis on decision-making regarding surgery. The lower post-operative mortality observed among blacks is partially explained by the greater frequency of less extensive resection among blacks. Equal treatment generally confers similar outcomes in blacks and whites, and despite lower rates of post-diagnostic surgery, there were no racial differences in overall survival. There remains the need to identify factors that affect the association between race and short vs long-term clinical and patient-reported outcomes. Note: This abstract was withdrawn after the Proceedings was printed and was not presented at the conference. Citation Format: Christina D. Williams. Prevalence and effectiveness of treatment patterns for early-stage lung cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A91. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-A91
“It's all about power and you have none:” The marginalization of tenant resistance to mixed-income social housing redevelopment in Toronto, Canada

Abstract Mixed-income redevelopment has become a go-to approach for restructuring post-war public housing in advanced capitalist nations. In Regent Park, Canada's first and largest project, revitalization is underway to create a mixed-use, mixed-income community — with rebuilt public housing, condos, and a redesigned landscape. While tenants face negative impacts related to relocation, displacement and gentrification, there has been a void of organized opposition to the project. This article tells the story of revitalization in Toronto and identifies five inter-connected factors that have worked as barriers to tenant organizing. These include: (1) a successful effort by the public housing authority to build support for revitalization by successfully branding it as tenant-driven, (2) a consultation process designed to limit collective interaction among tenants, (3) the co-optation of some critical voices, (4) fear of reprisal among tenants for speaking out, and (5) an internalized sense of powerless and un-deservingness among tenants. These factors have emerged in a context that does not foster resistance, as tenants are desperate for new housing, forced to come up against a popular revitalization approach, and suffering from attrition in numbers over a long development timeline. Despite these barriers to resistance, the limited opposition that has emerged in Toronto has been surprisingly successful, indicating the political potential tenants have to mount a fundamental challenge to mixed-income redevelopment, and to demand investment that is not tied to gentrification and displacement.
Rationalizing Entity Law: Corporate Law and Alternative Forms of Business

In this article, I consider how corporate law and limited liability company law treat five different areas: agency authority, derivative actions, formation issues, veil piercing, and oppression of minority owners. For each such area, I consider whether the law varies depending on the kind of entity involved, why that might be the case, and whether the law should be rationalized; that is, whether legislatures or the courts should seek to harmonize the law across entities. While this short article focuses primarily on corporations and limited liability companies, the issues considered here apply as well to partnerships and, where appropriate, reference is made to partnership law.
The flash reduction of electric arc furnace dusts

The flash processing of electric arc furnace (EAF) dusts is a promising method for recovering zinc and producing nontoxic slags for direct disposal. In order to reduce the zinc content of the dust particles and maintain the iron content in oxide form, a certain range of temperature and oxygen potential must be provided, as dictated by thermodynamic requirements. Experiments were conducted with EAF dusts at three levels of zinc concentration in an electrically heated flash reactor. The results showed that the CO:CO2 ratio in the process gas was the most important parameter. The effects of zinc content in dust and O2 in inlet gas on zinc recovery were secondary. Toxicity leach tests showed that the resulting slag, even at low zinc recovery, can be disposed safely as landfill.
Effect of Lime Applications on Japanese Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Grub Populations in Massachusetts Soils

Survival of Popillia japonica Newman grubs was tested under field conditions. Dolomitic limestone (4,844 kg/ha) or hydrated lime (484 kg/ha in summer) was applied to a series of 9.3-m2 plots. Each plot received lime once. Treatments were made weekly to new plots for 5 weeks beginning 20 April 1982 or weekly for 6 weeks beginning 15 July 1982. About 6 weeks after the last treatment, 0.093 m2 of sod was inspected from each plot and the number of grubs was recorded. In aU five tests, none of the lime-treated plots was significantly different from the untreated checks. Single lime applications do not appear to provide any control of Popillia japonica grub populations in Massachusetts soils.
SPECIES NUMBER, GENERATION LENGTH, AND THE MOLECULAR CLOCK.

The fundamental tenet of the molecular clock hypothesis is that evolutionary rates of homologous proteins are regular, so that the interval separating living species from common ancestors is reflected in the degree of protein dissimilarity between them. In general, the difference between species in numbers of individuals is accorded a relatively insubstantial role as a determinant of protein divergence measures, a neglect implicit in the concept itself. The postulation of clock-like divergence presupposes protein divergence rates to be uniform despite this (or other) outstanding differences. Indeed, the appeal of one explanation of such stochastic regularity, the neutral mutation-random drift theory (Kimura, 1968, 1969; King and Jukes, 1969), lies in its assignment of the rate of amino acid replacement to the nucleotide mutation rate alone, assuming the latter to be constant. In order that an equilibrium between mutation and eventual replacement by drift be completely realized, however, the theory requires that species number remain unchanged over indefinitely extended intervals. The difficulty in evaluating empirically the theory's central thesis, that the majority of such replacements are indifferent (or nearly so) to natural selection, is therefore greatly compounded by ordinary recurrent circumstances in the natural history of species-stochastic variation in species number (see, e.g., Haigh and Maynard Smith, 1972; Nei et al., 1975; Chakraborty, 1977). Perhaps in partial consequence, the validity of the neutrality hypothesis (or more properly, the extent of its applicability) is problematic after a decade of debate. But does the molecular clock principle depend upon validation of the neutral mutation-random drift theory? Several among the proponents of the clock thesis have either rejected the neutrality hypothesis (see, e.g., Langley and Fitch, 1974; Fitch, 1975; Fitch and Langley, 1976, 1977) or disengaged their own claims for regularity of rates from its confirmation (see, e.g., Sarich and Wilson, 1967; Sarich, 1974, 1977a, 1977b; Sarich and Cronin, 1977); where the former find evidence for departures in nucleotide substitution rates from the theory's predictions, the latter argue that the self-consistency of their own measurements renders explanation superfluous. It is the purpose of this paper, however, to demonstrate that species number and generation length may be important determinants of the degree to which proteins diverge over time, and that variability in these parameters might easily lead both to the impression that molecular evolution rates are nonconstant and to the systematic underestimation of species divergence times. My argument follows mainly from the assumption of selective neutrality. Insofar as this assumption is correct, these effects constitute a component of inter-specific protein variation; so long as this assumption remains unfalsified, these effects contribute uncertainty to the clock's dates.
Computational Studies of CO2 Sorption and Separation in an Ultramicroporous Metal–Organic Material

Grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations of CO2 sorption and separation were performed in [Zn(pyz)2SiF6], a metal–organic material (MOM) consisting of a square grid of Zn2+ ions coordinated to pyrazine (pyz) linkers and pillars of SiF62– ions. This MOM was recently shown to have an unprecedented selectivity for CO2 over N2, CH4, and H2 under industrially relevant conditions. The simulated CO2 sorption isotherms and calculated isosteric heat of adsorption, Qst, values were in excellent agreement with the experimental data for all the state points considered. CO2 saturation in [Zn(pyz)2SiF6] was achieved at near-ambient temperatures and pressures lower than 1.0 atm. Moreover, the sorbed CO2 molecules were representative of a liquid/fluid under such conditions as confirmed through calculating the isothermal compressibility, βT, values. The simulated CO2 uptakes within CO2/N2 (10:90), CO2/CH4 (50:50), and CO2/H2 (30:70) mixture compositions, characteristic of flue gas, biogas, and syngas, respectively, ...
Rethinking Graduation and Time to Degree: A Fresh Perspective

Graduation and time to degree are paramount concerns in higher education today and have caught the attention of policy makers, educators and researchers in recent years. However, our understanding is limited regarding the factors related to graduation and time to degree beyond students’ pre-college characteristics (demographics and academic preparation), especially how student decision and performance in college affect their graduation. This study employs longitudinal data and applies event history analysis to track 12,096 first-time freshmen in a large public university from 2002 to 2014. Students’ academic progress is conceptualized into eight time-dependent variables whose values change over time, including major status (major change, double majors/minors and major declaration), enrollment intensity (enrolled term units and extra enrollment), and academic performance (term GPA, cumulative units and cumulative GPA). Discrete-time hazard models were used to answer the following question: beyond pre-college characteristics, what aspects of students’ decisions on majors and enrollment and their performance affect graduation and time to degree? The findings reveal that academic performance is the most important factor, followed by students’ decisions on majors (such as having double majors/minors). Pre-college characteristics only accounted for a very small proportion of the total variance after students’ performance and decisions are controlled. The study goes further in investigating how the effects of these factors change over time by enrolled terms.