cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nanostructured Tungsten Disulfide WS 2 as Mie Scatterers and Nanoantennas

Nanoparticles of high-refractive-index materials like semiconductors can achieve confinement of light at the subwavelength scale because of the excitation of Mie resonances. The nanostructures out of high-refractive-index materials have extensively been studied theoretically and realized in experiments exploring a wide range of photonic applications. Recently, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) from the family of van der Waals layered materials have been shown to exhibit tailorable optical properties along with high refractive index and strong anisotropy. We envision that TMDCs are a promising material platform for designing metasurfaces and ultra-thin optical elements: these van der Waals materials show a strong spectral response on light excitations in visible and near-infrared ranges, and metasurface properties can be controlled by nanoantenna dimensions and their arrangement. In this work, we investigate a periodic array of disk-shaped nanoantennas made of a TMDC material, tungsten disulfide WS2, placed on top of a silicon layer and oxide substrate. We show that the nanostructure resonance in TMDC disk-shaped nanoantenna array can be controlled by the variation in silicon layer thickness and have a dependence on the presence of index-match superstrate cover. We also report on the spectral features in absorption and reflection profiles of the same structure with different surrounding index.
PD-L1 and LAG-3 expression in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas.

Background Expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) by cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas has been shown to correlate with advanced disease and risk of metastasis. Lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3, or CD223) is an inhibitory receptor that interacts with the PD-L1 axis, which has been shown to be a marker of immune exhaustion and a potential immunotherapy target. However, the role of LAG-3 in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma has not been established. Methods We reviewed 18 cases of locally advanced and/or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas and assessed for PD-L1 expression, presence or absence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and expression of LAG-3 by TILs. Results PD-L1 expression was present in 11 of 13 locally advanced primary tumors and 5 of 5 metastases. TILs were present in all 18 tumors, of which 14 cases were positive for LAG-3 expression. In positive cases, LAG-3 was expressed on average by 32% of TILs. Conclusions Advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas frequently express PD-L1 and are associated with an inflammatory response. LAG-3 expression by TILs was identified in a majority of cases. Our findings suggest that LAG-3 positive tumor-associated inflammatory cells may play a role in the development of advanced disease and offer another potential target for drug therapy.
Parallel Parabrachial Pathways Provide Pieces of the Pain Puzzle

Noxious stimuli evoke a range of acute and long-lasting sensations, emotions, and behaviors. In this issue of Neuron, Chiang et al. (2020) demonstrate that parallel outputs from the lateral parabrachial nucleus arise from specific cell types with distinct functions in pain.
Corruption and firm tax evasion in transition economies: Results from censored quantile instrumental variables estimation

This study examines the relationship between firm-level tax evasion and corruption. The literature has considered the corruption-firm tax evasion nexus to some extent, however, the heterogeneous impact of bribes on tax evasion has been largely ignored. We posit that the impact of bribes on tax evasion is conditional on the prevalence of tax evasion. Using firm-level information from the Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey (BEEPS) across 25 transition economies for the years 2002 and 2005, we estimate the heterogeneous impact of bribes on tax evasion using the censored quantile instrumental variables technique. The results show that corruption has a larger impact when tax evasion is more widespread. Among other results, firm-level characteristics also show heterogeneous effects across the conditional distribution of tax evasion. In terms of the policy implications, the results suggest that policies that focus on reducing the tax burden and controlling corruption will be more effective when tax evasion is more prevalent.
Prolactin-to-Testosterone Ratio Predicts Pituitary Abnormalities in Mildly Hyperprolactinemic Men with Symptoms of Hypogonadism.

Purpose:We aimed to identify predictor variables associated with pituitary abnormalities in hypogonadal men with mild hyperprolactinemia. We also sought to develop a decision-making aid to select p...
Critical Geography in Preschool: Evidence of Early Childhood Civic Action and Ideas about Justice:

BackgroundU.S. preschool children from Latinx immigrant and Black communities often experience schooling rooted in compliance and overdiscipline. In these contexts, schools do not recognize the ric...
Early Monumentality in the Belize River Valley: Excavations of a Preclassic E-Group at Cahal Pech, Belize

Recent investigations at Cahal Pech, Belize, documented a previously unrecognized Middle Preclassic (700–500 cal BC) E-Group complex. Located in an open public plaza, the monumental complex likely functioned as a forum for communal public events. In the Late Preclassic, the E-Group was replaced by an ancestor shrine where several royal tombs are located, as well as buildings separating public civic space from private elite space. These shifts in monumental construction temporally track the development of ideological manifestations of power and provide evidence for the formalization of dynastic rulership by an emerging elite class.
The Immigrant and Miranda

The recent dramatic convergence of immigration and criminal law is transforming the immigration and criminal justice system. While scholars have begun to examine some of the structural implications of this convergence, this Article breaks new ground by examining judicial responses and specifically the lens of Miranda v. Arizona. This Article examines the divergent and largely aberrant approaches that federal appellate courts have taken to determine whether Miranda warnings and rights apply to custodial inquiries about immigration status that have clear criminal and civil implications. Part I of this Article discusses the distinctions between civil and criminal immigration laws and the background principles of Miranda. Part II synthesizes the various and inconsistent tests courts have used to determine whether Miranda applies to dual civil and criminal immigration inquiries and examines how the failure of lower courts to apply Miranda consistently in the immigration context marks an unusual shift in the Supreme Court's jurisprudence. It then explores how the emerging doctrine for immigrants departs (1) from the Court's application of Miranda to dual civil and criminal interrogations in the tax context; (2) from precedent favoring objective tests; and (3) ultimately from the animating principles in Miranda to bring clarity to police, suspects, and courts on the admissibility of statements in custodial interrogations. Part III of this Article describes the broader implications of these doctrinal shifts in light of significantly increasing federal enforcement of criminal provisions of immigration laws and the increasing number of local law enforcement officials who are untrained in immigration law and yet are involved in these prosecutions. It also analyzes the incentive structure created by federal compensation programs for local law enforcement agencies to circumvent procedural protections for immigrants, relying on new data suggesting that the government's aggressive criminal enforcement policy has raised serious constitutional issues. Finally, Part IV explores the ways in which these trends reflect declining procedural protections in the realm of criminal prosecutions for immigration-related offenses and proposes some solutions to ensure that immigrants' rights are protected in criminal immigration enforcement.
Early to midterm radiographic loosening of the press fit radial head prosthesis.

Abstract Background Radiographic loosening is frequently seen around the radial head (RH) implant. The hypothesis of this study was that radiographic loosening will be more frequent in patients in which the RH prosthesis was implanted due to elbow trauma leading to instability that required lateral collateral ligament repair (LCL). Materials and methods A retrospective review of the patients who had RH implantation between 2012 and 2019 was performed. Evaluation included evidence of radiographic loosening, stress shielding, formation of heterotopic ossification, and rate of removal of the implant. Range of motion of the elbow at the latest follow up was also recorded. Results At a mean follow up of 18 months (range 1.4 – 80) eight out of 25 patients had radiographic loosening around the implant. The radial head implant was removed in 8 patients (in 3 due to painful radiographic loosening, in 4 due pain without radiographic loosening and in 1 due to infection). Radiographic loosening around the RH implant had no association with LCL repair (p=0.18) or future removal of implant (p=0.18) or the diagnosis of Monteggia lesion (p=0.68). In addition, removal of the RH implant had no association with prior LCL repair (p=0.60) or the diagnosis of Monteggia lesion (p=0.15). Stress shielding was seen in 5 patients and was of no clinical significance. Heterotopic ossification was seen in 12 patients and was classified as Class I in 3, IIA in 3, IIC in 6, according to the Hastings Classification. The average flexion-extension arc was 23° to 130°, and average pronation-supination was 76° to 69°. Conclusion One third of the patients had radiographic loosening around the RH implant at a mean follow up of 18 months. Pain with or without radiographic loosening were the main reasons for removal of the implant. No associations were found between the development of radiographic loosening and LCL repair at the time of RH replacement. Limitations of this study are: (a) the retrospective design (b). the small sample size and the possibility of a type II statistical error.
Making Prudent versus Impulsive Choices: The Role of Anticipated Shame and Guilt on Consumer Self-Control

We examine the differential effects of anticipating shame vs. guilt on choice likelihood of a hedonic product. The results demonstrate that when offered a hedonic snack (chocolate cake) consumers who anticipate shame are significantly less likely to choose to consume it compared to those who anticipate guilt. Anticipating guilt also has a more circumscribed effect, impacting choice likelihood only for those consumers who are not attitudinally inclined toward the hedonic product. The results also show that anticipating guilt versus shame has different effects on anticipated happiness after lapses in self-control.
Cooperation: strategy for sustainability of resources

This article seeks to answer the question: ?what should be the principle of structuring an organization if there is no basis underlying the foundation of the structure dedicated to the sustainability of resources? The proposed idea is not only to define the corporate structure, but also seek mutual benefits collectively, to facilitate sustainability and optimization of resources of the organization, from coherent, relevant, viable and rigorous strategies. To this end the postulates of critics Robert Axelrod, Michael Taylor, Thomas Schelling, Roy Behr, Elinor Ostrom and Garret Hardin, which formed the basis for the theoretical formulation of evolution in cooperation systems related resources are presented. Presents and analyzes the principles of: definition of limits, rules and sanctions for resource appropriators, collective choice arrangements, and supervision. Product of the approaches set, it follows that to obtain significant benefits, it is necessary to develop models of collective self-management and self-management.
Evaluation of a Technic for Counting Dog and Human Platelets

1. The addition of Na2EDTA (2.5 to 5 mg./2 ml. of whole blood) to dog or human blood samples has been shown to eliminate the problem of platelet clumping and to provide satisfactory samples for use in enumeration of blood platelets. The statistical errors of platelet counts in blood samples prepared with Na2EDTA agree well with previously published results obtained with unmodified technic. In blood samples prepared without Na2EDTA, where clumping is appreciable, the field error is inflated. 2. Variation in the time during which the platelets are permitted to settle in the chamber before counting, between limits of 30 and 90 minutes, has no effect on the count. 3. The period of standing of the diluted blood in 1 per cent ammonium oxalate, from 30 minutes to four hours, appears to have no effect on the out-come of the platelet counting results when the platelets are not clumped.
Desarrollo exportador y desarrollo capitalista colombiano en el siglo XIX (Una hipótesis)

Intenta reconstruir la logica del desarrollo capitalista (mercantil) colombiano en el siglo XIX, y el papel jugado dentro de este proceso por las relaciones de Colombia con la cambiante economia mundial. Se delineara la dinamica del desarrollo economico colombiano en el siglo XIX como caracterizada por una contradiccion fundamental; por una parte, el desarrollo exportador se manifestaba objetivamente, y era concebido por la burguesia colombiana como la unica forma factible de expansion dada la herencia historica y las condiciones de la economia mundial. Por otra parte, la articulacion particular de Colombia dentro de la economia mundial (su condicion de region secundaria dentro de la periferia) limitaba fuertemente las posibilidades de un desarrollo exportador exitoso, y ayudaba a reforzar una serie de condiciones internas que tambien ponian serias trabas al crecimiento de las exportaciones.
Eye movements to tool images are predicted by frequency of physical experience with the tool

Images of manipulable objects, such as tools, attract attention. There has been recent suggestion that it is the 'graspable' handle rather than the functional end of action-relevant images that drives attentional capture. Further, the attentional advantage of tools over non-manipulable objects is thought to be attributable to the automatic recruitment of motor-related brain networks, perhaps as a result of previous physical experience with the object. Here we studied observers' eye-movements to tool images to determine what part of a tool is prioritized, and whether or not gaze patterns are influenced by the frequency of usage of the object. Observers viewed life-sized high-resolution color photographs of a variety of tools for 2 sec each, during which time they completed a speeded classification task. Eye-movements were recorded during the length of the stimulus presentation period. After the experiment subjects rated how frequently they used each item in everyday life -on a scale from daily to yearly. Surprisingly, eye-movements were overwhelmingly biased towards the functional end, rather than the handle of tools: initial fixations were directed to the functional end, and across the whole trial mean fixation duration was longer and the number of fixations greater within the tool's functional end than the handle. Subsequent regression analyses revealed that the more frequently a tool was used, the more prolonged was the first fixation within the functional end of the tool, and the fewer fixations were made during stimulus presentation. Taken together, these data suggest that it is the functional end of a tool (which specifies the type of action that a tool affords) rather than the handle (which is relevant for grasping and action execution) that attracts eye movements and attention. Critically, we show for the first time a strong predictive relationship between exploratory eye-movements and previous physical experience with manipulable objects. Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2015. Language: en
The Generation of Th Memory in Neonates Versus Adults: Prolonged Primary Th2 Effector Function and Impaired Development of Th1 Memory Effector Function in Murine Neonates

Immunization during the neonatal period often results in Th2-biased secondary responses. To understand the regulation of this phenomenon, we have examined all phases of Th development, from the generation of primary effectors to the duration of the primary effector stage to the production of memory effector function. First, we had previously reported that although primary responses in the neonatal lymph nodes are mature, mixed Th1/Th2-like, primary responses in the spleens of the same animals are exclusively Th2-like. To determine whether Th2-dominant secondary responses are due to the Th2-polarized primary function in the spleen, neonates were splenectomized before immunization. Even in the absence of primary neonatal splenic responses, the secondary responses of neonates were Th2 dominant. Thus, the overwhelmingly Th2 primary responses in the neonatal spleen are not required to generate Th2-dominant memory in the lymph nodes. Second, we have compared the kinetics of the primary response phase in neonates and adults. In adults, Ag-specific Th2 function disappeared rapidly from both the lymph nodes and spleen. In contrast, primary Th2 function persisted out to 5 wk in both neonatal organs. Third, the generation of Th memory responses was examined in animals initially immunized as neonates and in adults. These experiments demonstrated that neonates are selectively impaired in the development of Th1 memory effector function. Together, these results indicate that neonates are biased to Th2 function at all phases of an immune response.
Early or Late IL-10 Blockade Enhances Th1 and Th17 Effector Responses and Promotes Fungal Clearance in Mice with Cryptococcal Lung Infection

The potent immunoregulatory properties of IL-10 can counteract protective immune responses and, thereby, promote persistent infections, as evidenced by studies of cryptococcal lung infection in IL-10-deficient mice. To further investigate how IL-10 impairs fungal clearance, the current study used an established murine model of C57BL/6J mice infected with Cryptococcus neoformans strain 52D. Our results demonstrate that fungal persistence is associated with an early and sustained expression of IL-10 by lung leukocytes. To examine whether IL-10-mediated immune modulation occurs during the early or late phase of infection, assessments of fungal burden and immunophenotyping were performed on mice treated with anti-IL-10R-blocking Ab at 3, 6, and 9 d postinfection (dpi) (early phase) or at 15, 18, and 21 dpi (late phase). We found that both early and late IL-10 blockade significantly improved fungal clearance within the lung compared with isotype control treatment when assessed 35 dpi. Immunophenotyping identified that IL-10 blockade enhanced several critical effector mechanisms, including increased accumulation of CD4(+) T cells and B cells, but not CD8(+) T cells; specific increases in the total numbers of Th1 and Th17 cells; and increased accumulation and activation of CD11b(+) dendritic cells and exudate macrophages. Importantly, IL-10 blockade effectively abrogated dissemination of C. neoformans to the brain. Collectively, this study identifies early and late cellular and molecular mechanisms through which IL-10 impairs fungal clearance and highlights the therapeutic potential of IL-10 blockade in the treatment of fungal lung infections.
Landscape Differences around Nests of Great-Horned Owls and Red-Tailed Hawks

Nesting territories of great-horned owls (Bubo virginianus) and red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) frequently overlap, with the owls using nests of other raptors. Records of use over a 22-year period in one locality were used to distinguish nesting sites used exclusively by great-horned owls, exclusively by red-tailed hawks, and those used by both. To determine the occurrence of various landscape characteristics within the proximity of a nest structure, I measured the total area of various land use types, total perimeter length, and the size of patches across six different land use types i.e., agriculture, pasture, residential, tree, pond, and roadside within circular plots around nests used by breeding pairs. The landscape features surrounding nests of great-horned owls differed from those surrounding red-tailed hawk nests in total perimeter length and size of patch. These differences are consistent with the fact that great-horned owls hunt from perches primarily at night using sensory modalities diffe...
Identification of mutagenic compounds formed during chlorination of humic acid

Abstract Humic acid chlorination products are being studied in an effort to identify the chemicals responsible for the mutagenicity formed during water chlorination. In the present report, 19 chlorinated organic compounds have been identified and quantified in ether extracts of chlorinated humic acid solutions. 10 of these compounds, including a number of chlorinated propanones and chlorinated propenals, are direct-acting mutagens in the Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity assay. The position of the chlorine substituent has been found to be an important factor in the mutagenic activity of these two classes of compounds. The total mutagenicity of the compounds identified thus far, when tested either individually or as a composite, accounts for only 7–8% of the total TA100 mutagenicity, and less than 2% of the TA98 mutagenicity formed during humic acid chlorination. The addition of bromide to the humic acid chlorination reaction results in up to a 2-fold increase in the level of mutagenicity formed.
Multiwell filtration system results in rapid, high-throughput rubber transferase microassay.

The amount of rubber synthesised by washed rubber particles (WRP) has been measured by the incorporation of radiolabelled isopentenyl diphosphate in enzymatic reactions assembled in a MultiScreen 96-well plate with the wells sealed underneath with a membrane which prevented leakage but allowed rapid harvesting. After stopping the reactions, the WRP were trapped on the underlying membrane by applying vacuum and, after appropriate processing, the radioactive rubber on the filters was determined by liquid scintillation counting. The processing time for 96 samples was less than 30 min (a 20-fold reduction compared with our previous published protocol) and, compared with another multiwell rubber transferase assay, the present method yielded a 4-fold saving in time and eliminated the requirement for carrier rubber. The described assay can measure accurately the activity present in 0.07 mg of WRP and can he performed in a volume of 5 microliter, which is smaller than any other assay reported. This assay can also be used to measure rubber transferase activity in divergent species, such as Hevea brasiliensis, Parthenium argentatam and Ficus elastica.
Absolute-intensity, high-resolution spectrum of the Vortek arc lamp and its spectral match to Nd:YAG bands

The high-resolution absolute-intensity spectrum of a Vortek-arc lamp is obtained in order to evaluate the lamp as a candidate for a pump source for crystal-laser amplifiers. Spectra are also obtained at lower resolution for Ar-Kr and Ar-Xe mixtures. These spectra are convolved with the Nd:YAG absorption cross section assuming YAG crystal thickness of 0.5 cm and doping of 2 x 10 to the 20th/cu cm. Emphasis is placed on wavelength and intensity calibrations, assembling the spectral regions, and low-resolution spectra. A spectral overlap with Nd:YAG bands is discussed, as well as pulsed operation, lamp-tube filtering, and electrical efficiency. It is noted that pulsing of the lamp should be possible and may provide further improvements in laser operation.
Socio-Demographic and Dietary Factors Associated with Excess Body Weight and Abdominal Obesity among Resettled Bhutanese Refugee Women in Northeast Ohio, United States

Studies of obesity and related health conditions among the Bhutanese, one of the largest refugee groups resettled in the United States in the past five years, are limited. This study examined the factors associated with excess body weight (body mass index ≥ 23 kg/m2) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference > 80 cm) in a community-based sample of 18-65 year old Bhutanese refugee women in Northeast Ohio. A Nepali-language questionnaire was used to measure socio-demographic and dietary factors. Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured to define excess body weight and abdominal obesity. The mean (±standard deviation) age of the 108 participants was 36.5 (±12.2) years and length of time in the U.S. was 19.4 (±11.9) months. Overall, 64.8% and 69.4% of the women had excess body weight and abdominal obesity, respectively. Age was significantly associated with both excess body weight (odds ratio: 1.10; 95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.16) and abdominal obesity (1.09; 1.04-1.14). Consuming meat (4.01; 1.14-14.60) was significantly associated with excess body weight but not abdominal obesity. These findings suggest the need for lifestyle and dietary change education programs among this new and vulnerable group to reduce the prevalence of excess body weight and abdominal obesity and their health consequences.
Preparation of Polymer-Bound 1H-Benzotriazole, a New Potential Scaffold for the Compilation of Organic Molecule Libraries

An efficient method for the preparation of polymer-bound 1H-benzotriazole has been devised. The reaction of Merrifield resin with sodium 3-nitro-4-aminophenolate and the subsequent reduction and reaction with isoamyl nitrite afforded benzotriazole preloaded resin. A series of tertiary amines and a tosylamide were prepared using solid-phase benzotriazole-mediated transformations.
[beta]-ray spectroscopy using a hollow plastic scintillator

Specially designed plastic scintillators employing a hollow construction to minimize electron scattering have been used to study accurately beta - spectral distributions down to energies of less than 0.1 Mev. This inexpensive addition to a scintillation gamma -ray spectrometer makes possible resolution of the beta -spectra of isotopic mixtures. This unit is of particular importance in multiple tracer studies involving pure beta -emitters. (auth)
Regulated lentiviral packaging cell line devoid of most viral cis-acting sequences.

Packaging cell lines derived from human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) are promising tools for in vivo somatic cell gene therapy protocols due to the ability of lentiviruses to infect nondividing cells. We describe here the generation of a safe, stable HIV-1 packaging cell line capable of expressing all of the HIV-1 structural, enzymatic, and regulatory proteins but lacking majority of the cis-acting sequences. The use of an inducible expression system circumvented the cytotoxic and cytostatic effects associated with the expression of some of the HIV-1 viral proteins. Reverse transcriptase activity was detectable in the supernatant from the stable packaging line 1 day after induction, while vector titers peaked 5 days postinduction. Vector titers of up to 3.5 x 10(4) infectious units/ml (IU/ml) were maintained through 8 months following the establishment of the cell line. Lineage-specific gene delivery can be achieved from this established cell line as viral stocks obtained specifically infect CD4(+) target cells. Moreover, this cell line provides a safe and easy to use system for screening of drugs that inhibit HIV-1 replication.
Studying the presence of terrorism on the web: an knowledge portal approach

Terrorist organizations and their sympathizers are using Web sites and online bulletin boards for propaganda, recruitment and communication purposes. We call this alternate side of the Web used by terrorists, the Dark Web. Dark Web information can be analyzed to enable better understanding and analysis of the terrorism phenomena. However, several problems such as information overload and language barriers are preventing the effective collection of Dark Web contents. We propose a knowledge portal approach and built a Dark Web portal system to support the discovery and analysis of Dark Web information. Specifically, the Dark Web portal integrates terrorist-generated multilingual datasets on the Web and uses them to study advanced and new methodologies for predictive modeling, terrorist (social) network analysis, and visualization of terrorists' activities, linkages, and relationships
p38MAPK Induces Cell Surface α4 Integrin Downregulation to Facilitate erbB-2-Mediated Invasion

Abstract We have previously shown that human breast cancer cells that overexpress erbB-2 are growth factorindependent. In order to test the contribution of erbB2 to this and other transformed phenotypes without the genetic instability of cancer cells, erbB-2 was overexpressed in human mammary epithelial (HME) cells. ErbB-2-overexpressing HME cells exhibit several transformed phenotypes including cell surface α 4 integrin downregulation and invasiveness. We formulated a model for invasiveness that depends on a cell's ability to downregulate α 4 integrin. As small G-proteins play a role in cytoskeleton remodeling and as this is a likely route for α 4 integrin trafficking, we investigated the role of small G-proteins and their downstream signals in mediating α 4 integrin downregulation and invasiveness using Rac 1. Dominant-negative Rac 1 blocked erbB-2-mediated invasion and reversed erbB2-mediated α 4 integrin downregulation. In addition, constitutively active Rac 1 induced α 4 integrin downregulation and invasiveness. In erbB-2-overexpressing and in constitutively active Rac 1-expressing cells, a p38MAP kinase (p38MAPK) inhibitor blocked invasiveness and reversed α 4 integrin downregulation. These data suggest a model in which erbB-2 signaling activates Rac 1, which, in turn, activates p38MAPK, leading to the downregulation of α 4 integrin. These data strengthen the model where loss of α 4 integrin at the cell surface, leading to reduced α 4 integrin binding to plasma fibronectin, plays a role in erbB-2-mediated invasiveness.
Feature selection in scientific applications

Numerous applications of data mining to scientific data involve the induction of a classification model. In many cases, the collection of data is not performed with this task in mind, and therefore, the data might contain irrelevant or redundant features that affect negatively the accuracy of the induction algorithms. The size and dimensionality of typical scientific data make it difficult to use any available domain information to identify features that discriminate between the classes of interest. Similarly, exploratory data analysis techniques have limitations on the amount and dimensionality of the data they can process effectively. In this paper, we describe applications of efficient feature selection methods to data sets from astronomy, plasma physics, and remote sensing. We use variations of recently proposed filter methods as well as traditional wrapper approaches, where practical. We discuss the general challenges of feature selection in scientific datasets, the strategies for success that were common among our diverse applications, and the lessons learned in solving these problems.
Daily fluctuations in water potential and associated ionic changes in Atriplex canescens

Water potential (Ψ) measurements of Atriplex canescens at the base of the Red Desert near Tipton in Wyoming, revealed a range between-15.5 to-45.1 bars. Minimum values coincided with the lowest air and soil temperatures, maximum with the greatest atmospheric evaporative demand. Change in Ψ exceeded 12 bars h-1 during periods of rapidly moving storm systems. Changes in Ψ appeared to be independent of plant size, age, sex, and the spatial location of plants. Chemical analyses revealed that xylem sap was up to three times more concentrated at high than at low Ψ. It was observed that the flow rate of sap was greater at lower than at higher Ψ and that the increase in water movement accounted for the dilution of the baseline concentration of sap solutes. Together, Ca, Mg, K and Na contributed 58% of the mean osmolality of the xylem sap; the dominant ions, however, were K and Cl. We suggest that the ability of the species to respond rapidly to changing atmospheric conditions affords it a distinct advantage in a harsh environment.
Image Processing Operations Achievable With The Microchannel Spatial Light Modulator

The Microchannel Spatial Light Modulator (MSLM) is a versatile, optically-addressed, highly -sensitive device that is well suited for low-light-level, real-time, optical information processing. It consists of a photocathode, a microchannel plate (MCP), a planar acceleration grid, and an electro-optic plate in proximity focus. A framing rate of 20 Hz with full modulation depth, and 100 Hz with 20% modulation depth has been achieved in a vacuum-demountable LiTaO3 device. A halfwave exposure sensitivity of 2.2 nJ/cm2 and an optical information storage time of more than 2 months have been achieved in a similar gridless LiTaO3 device employing a visible photocathode. Image processing operations such as analog and digital thresholding, real-time image hard clipping, contrast reversal, contrast enhancement, image addition and subtraction, and binary level logic operations such as AND, OR, XOR, and NOR can be achieved with this device. This collection of achievable image processing characteristics makes the MSLM potentially useful for a number of smart sensor applications.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Isokinetic Relationship in the Oxidation of Cuprous Stellacyanin by Cobalt(III) Complexes

Abstract Rate parameters have been obtained for the oxidation of cuprous stellacyanin by cobalt(III) ions of the form cis(N)-[CoN2O4]−, including cis(N)-[Co(NTA)(gly)]−, cis(N)-[Co(IDA)2]−, [Co(en)(ox)2]−(μ 0.5 M(phosphate), pH 7.0), and Co(EDTA)−(μ 0.1 M(NaCl), pH 7.2, 0.001 M phosphate). An excellent isokinetic correlation between the activation parameters ΔH≠ and ΔS≠ exists for the reactions of aminopolycarboxylatocobalt(III) ions with reduced stellacyanin (β = 300 ± 12 K; correlation coefficient = 0.995). It is concluded that enthalpy-entropy compensation in these reactions may be understood in terms of differing orientations preferred by the various oxidants in forming precursor complexes with the reduced blue protein. While ΔH≠ and ΔS≠ values for electron transfer from stellacyanin to cis(N)-[CoN2O4]− ions vary over ranges of 10.7 kcal/mol and 34 cal/mol-deg, respectively, room temperature rate constants are relatively constant (3.6–34.5 M−1 sec−1), as expected from Marcus theory for outer sphere electron transfer.
Comparisons of Aerodynamic Data Obtained by Static and Dynamic Techniques

Introduction T HE conventional internal strain gage balance system has been a standard tool for wind tunnel aerodynamics for many years. Although widely used to obtain static aerodynamic data, experimentalists have been well aware of the difficulties in obtaining accurate force and moment data at small angles of attack and of the inaccuracies which result from differentiating experimental moment data to obtain static stability derivatives. Free oscillation techniques have likewise been widely used to obtain dynamic stability data. Although persons familar with dynamic testing techniques are certainly cognizant, the technical community in general may not be aware that static aerodynamic data can readily be obtained from dynamic tests. The purpose of this paper is to make a comparison of static aerodynamic data obtained with an internal strain gage balance and a small amplitude, free oscillation technique. Normal force coefficients, pitching moment coefficients, static stability derivatives, and center of pressure locations are compared for a biconic configuration with a 15% spherically blunted nose. Also included are the results of numerical calculations, using a shock capturing code developed by Solomon.
Terminal uridyltransferase enzyme Zcchc11 promotes cell proliferation independent of its uridyltransferase activity.

Zcchc11 is a uridyltransferase protein with enzymatic activity directed against diverse RNA species. On the basis of its known uridylation targets, we hypothesized that Zcchc11 might regulate cell proliferation. Confirming this, loss-of-function and complementary gain-of-function experiments consistently revealed that Zcchc11 promotes the transition from G1 to S phase of the cell cycle. This activity takes place through both Rb-dependent and Rb-independent mechanisms by promoting the expression of multiple G1-associated proteins, including cyclins D1 and A and CDK4. Surprisingly, a Zcchc11 construct with point mutations inactivating the uridyltransferase domain enhanced cell proliferation as effectively as wild-type Zcchc11. Furthermore, truncated mutant constructs revealed that the cell cycle effects of Zcchc11 were driven by the N-terminal region of the protein that lacks the RNA-binding domains and uridyltransferase activity of the full protein. Therefore, the N-terminal portion of Zcchc11, which lacks nucleotidyltransferase capabilities, is biologically active and mediates a previously unrecognized role for Zcchc11 in facilitating cell proliferation.
Influence of stiffener location on the stability of stiffened plates under compression and in-plane bending

The elastic behaviour of stiffened plates under non-uniform edge compression is investigated. As a first stage, an energy formulation, in which the structure is modelled as assembled plate and beam elements, is presented. A Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) algorithm is then used to evaluate the buckling load and the associated buckling mode for given plate/stiffener geometric properties. Results are presented showing the influence of the stiffener location on the stability of the structure under combined compression and bending. Then, a strategy is presented for optimum location of the stiffener. The proposed methodology can be used to develop an improved design procedure for efficient design of stiffened plates under this type of loading.
The effectiveness of using incorrect examples to support learning about decimal magnitude.

Abstract Comparing common mathematical errors to correct examples may facilitate learning, even for students with limited prior domain knowledge. We examined whether studying incorrect and correct examples was more effective than studying two correct examples across prior knowledge levels. Fourth- and fifth-grade students (N = 74) learned about decimal magnitude in a brief tutoring session. Students were randomly assigned to two conditions: 1) comparing correct and incorrect examples (incorrect condition) or 2) comparing correct examples only (correct condition). The incorrect condition helped students learn correct procedures and key concepts more than the correct condition, including reducing misconceptions. Students’ prior knowledge of decimals did not interact with condition. Students’ explanations during the intervention revealed that those in the incorrect condition more frequently discussed correct concepts (e.g., the magnitude of a decimal and identifying misconceptions). Overall, contrasting incorrect examples with correct examples can help students learn correct concepts and procedures.
Nursing Diagnoses and Home Care Nursing Utilization

The purpose of this study was to identify, from routinely collected health care record data, patient characteristics that describe home care clients' health care needs and explain variation in home health care utilization. Retrospective data were obtained from a total of 317 home health care patient records from one home health care agency. Outcome variables of care included number of visits and hours of care. Predictor variables included nursing diagnoses, medical diagnoses, and patient demographic variables. Nursing diagnoses were classified by the Omaha System. Nursing diagnoses explained a significant amount of variance over and above the demographic and medical diagnosis variables in both the number of nursing visits and hours of nursing care. The results of this study suggest that data related to nursing diagnoses are a valuable source of information when examining home health care nursing resource use.
High reflectivity ultraviolet distributed Bragg reflector based on AlGaN/AlGaN multilayer

AlGaN/AlGaN distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) designed for the ultraviolet spectral region have been attained. The crack-free structures were grown on c -plane sapphire by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). To minimize the built-in strain in DBRs, a thin buffer layer was used directly on c -plane sapphire. A peak reflectivity of 95% at 381 nm with a 21 nm stop band width was obtained at room temperature (RT) using a 32.5 pairs Al 0.7 Ga 0.3 N/Al 0.15 Ga 0.85 N DBR. With a driving force for DBRs and emitting regions in wide band gap semiconductor microcavities, such as those based on GaN and ZnO, is the quest for cavity polariton which is the coupled mode between the exciton and photon modes. Moreover, the exploitation of cavity polaritons could be expected in the course of the development of extremely low-threshold optoelectronics devices.
A nonadaptive dental trait

Compared to other anthropoid females, female cercopithecoids possess hypertrophied honing premolars (P3) yet lack hypertrophied maxillary canines. In addition, female cercopithecoid maxillary canines are often tip-blunted, the crown rarely extends down to the entire shearing surface on the buccal face of P3, and honing wear is usually confined to a small fraction of its hypertrophied buccal surface. The likely reason why the female P3 has an unusually long buccal face is that genes involved in the expression of this morphology are also in males, for which the hypertrophied condition is adaptive—it serves as the honing surface for their hypertrophied canines. The data suggest that the hypertrophied P3 of females is the correlated and nonadaptive response of an homologous characteristic. The possibility that this occurs in other female anthropoids and in other parts of the C/P complex is discussed, as well as the relevance of this phenomenon for understanding human canine evolution and identifying other traits which may also be examples of correlated response.
Cationic Macromolecular Design and Synthesis Using Furan Derivatives

General methodologies for the synthesis of block copolymers and functional polymers using furan derivatives are reported on the basis of a study of addition reactions of 2-substituted furans to liv...
Dielectric sample holder for thin sheet insulation

THE DIELECTRIC SAMPLE HOLDER described was designed for the purpose of measuring the dielectric properties of thin sheet insulation from room temperature to 600 C. The frequency to be covered was from power frequency to 100 kilocycles and the sample thickness ranged from 0.001 inch to 0.050 inch. In the design, considerations were given to a method of applying heat, ease of changing samples, accuracy of measurement and the time required to obtain the data. The holder was designed to connect to the type 1610A General Radio Capacitance Measuring Assembly or any similar type capacitance bridge.
The Lyme Disease Vaccine: Conception, Development, and Implementation

In the past 20 years, remarkable strides have been made toward understanding and preventing Lyme disease in humans. In December 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a recombinant outer surface protein A vaccine against Lyme disease (LYMErix, SmithKline Beecham, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). The vaccine, which is derived from a lipidated outer surface protein of the causative spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, is important because it may decrease the morbidity and financial costs associated with Lyme disease. Its mechanism is unique because it works inside the tick vector itself, preventing the human from becoming infected.
Parental Confidence in Making Overweight-Related Behavior Changes

BACKGROUND Confidence is an important construct for behavioral change; higher levels of confidence, or self-efficacy, increase the likelihood that a person will change a health behavior even when faced with obstacles. OBJECTIVE To identify parent, child, and clinician characteristics associated with higher parental confidence in their ability to make overweight-related behavior changes for their family. METHODS We interviewed 446 parents of children, aged 2 to 12 years, with a BMI of >or=85th percentile and surveyed their pediatric clinicians (N = 75). The main outcome was parental confidence in their ability to make overweight-related behavior changes. We derived a continuous parental confidence score from 6 questions (Cronbach's alpha = 0.72) regarding parental confidence in limiting television viewing, removing televisions from children's bedrooms, reducing fast-food intake, reducing sugar-sweetened beverage intake, increasing physical activity, and improving overall eating patterns for their family. We used multiple linear regression to predict the effects of parent, child, and clinician characteristics on the parents' confidence scores. RESULTS The mean (SD) score on the parental confidence scale was 13.0 (3.5), and the range was 0.0 to 24.0. In multivariable analyses, parents who said their clinicians assessed their confidence (41%; beta = 0.73 [95% confidence interval: 0.04-1.42]) or who said that their clinicians assessed their readiness to change (35%; beta =0.80 [95% confidence interval: 0.10-1.49]) reported higher levels of confidence compared with parents whose clinicians did not assess confidence or readiness to change. CONCLUSIONS Clinician assessment of parental confidence and readiness to change was associated with higher parent confidence in making changes to keep their child from being overweight.
Effect of mismatched place-of-stimulation on binaural fusion and lateralization in bilateral cochlear-implant users.

Bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) have provided some success in improving spatial hearing abilities to patients, but with large variability in performance. One reason for the variability is that there may be a mismatch in the place-of-stimulation arising from electrode arrays being inserted at different depths in each cochlea. Goupell et al. [(2013b). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 133(4), 2272–2287] showed that increasing interaural mismatch led to non-fused auditory images and poor lateralization of interaural time differences in normal hearing subjects listening to a vocoder. However, a greater bandwidth of activation helped mitigate these effects. In the present study, the same experiments were conducted in post-lingually deafened bilateral CI users with deliberate and controlled interaural mismatch of single electrode pairs. Results show that lateralization was still possible with up to 3 mm of interaural mismatch, even when off-center, or multiple, auditory images were perceived. However, mismatched inputs are not ideal since it leads to a distorted auditory spatial map. Comparison of CI and normal hearing listeners showed that the CI data were best modeled by a vocoder using Gaussian-pulsed tones with 1.5 mm bandwidth. These results suggest that interaural matching of electrodes is important for binaural cues to be maximally effective.