cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Municipal Government Accountability in Brazil

Abstract While decentralization has long been promoted in response to over-centralization by the federal government, less research has examined to what extent decentralization has yielded municipal accountability. Decentralized arrangements are believed to allow more governmental responsiveness to local demands, varying tastes, and consumer mobility. They also mobilize political participation and strengthen democratic structures. Yet, concerns about decentralization highlight the importance of subnational government institutional development and fiscal discipline. Central to the concerns is whether municipal governments have the capacity to manage their own resources responsibly and accountably. This paper examines, through qualitative study, the strategies used by municipal government officials and institutional arrangements in Brazil to improve the accountability and transparency of local government. The results show that efforts to increase economic, administrative, and political accountability are sig...
Developing a National Indicator of Soil Quality on U.S Forestlands: Methods and Initial Results

The Montreal Process was formed in 1994 to develop an internationally agreed upon set of criteria and indicators for the conservation and sustainable management of temperate and boreal forests. In response to this initiative, the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) and Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) programs of the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service have implemented soil measurements as part of a national monitoring program to address specific questions related to the conservation of soil and water resources. Integration of soil assessments into the national FIA program provides for systematic monitoring of soil properties across all forested regions of the U.S. using standardized collection, laboratory, and statistical procedures that are compatible with existing forest inventory data. The resulting information will provide quantitative benchmarks for regional, national, and international reporting on sustainable forest management and enhance our understanding of management effects on soil quality. This paper presents an overview of the FIA soil monitoring program, outlines the field and laboratory protocols as currently implemented, and provides examples of how these data may be used to assess indicators of sustainable management as defined by the Montreal Process.
Optimization of hot-compressed water pretreatment of bagasse and characterization of extracted hemicelluloses.

Abstract Developing optimum treatment and separation procedures for hemicellulose components of lignocellulosic biomass could be useful in ethanol fermentation processes and obtaining pure hemicelluloses as biopolymers. Sugarcane bagasse analyses indicate that xylose is the major hemicellulose component constituting 17.7% of dry bagasse weight. In this study the effects of treatment conditions such as time, temperature and pressure on the yields of extracted hemicelluloses were studied. The optimum conditions were achieved at 180 °C for 30 min and 1 MPa pressure, with the yield of xylose reaching to 85% and the concentrations of sugar degradation products such as HMF and furfural remaining minimal at 0.95 and 0.07 g/L, respectively. Further, isolation of hemicelluloses from extracted hemicelluloses solutions was performed using Alfa Laval M20 membrane filtration system in two steps: (1) concentration of high molar mass hemicelluloses by ultrafiltration; and (2) separation of low molar mass hemicelluloses and oligomeric sugars by nanofiltration. The isolated hemicelluloses with the optimum pretreatment conditions were characterized by FT-IR and 13 C NMR techniques, resulting in agreement with typical spectra of xylan-type hemicelluloses.
Stress analysis of ring-stiffened sandwich shells subjected to uniform external pressure

Abstract This paper gives an analytical method for computing the axisymmetric elastic deformations and stresses in ring-stiffened sandwich shells subjected to uniform external pressure as shown in Fig. 1. The analysis ignores the stress concentrations occurring at the junctures of the ring-stiffeners and the shell walls. For design calculations, the effect of the stress concentration is taken into consideration by experimentally determining the stress concentration factors. These stress concentration factors have approximately been determined by employing two-dimensional photoelastic models. A numerical example illustrating the method of computing the yield strength of a model is also included. This example shows how the analytical solution is used in conjunction with the experimentally determined stress concentration factors. In the solution given in this paper, the stress analysis of the shell is made by considering the outer and inner cylinders and the ring-stiffeners under the applied external load and the rib reactions, as shown in Fig. 3, using known results of the usual shell theory6 and Lame's solution for thick-walled cylinders.5 The rib reactions are determined by applying the conditions of equilibrium and structural continuity at the junctures of the shell walls and the ring-stiffeners. Pulos4 has developed a solution for this problem by analyzing the component parts, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and using edge-coefficients for shell elements of finite length. The stress values for a model shell calculated by these two theoretical methods show an equally good agreement (Figs. 14, 15).
Epitaxial zirconia thin films from aqueous precursors

Heteroepitaxial single crystal thin films of ZrO2 (3–40 mol % Y2O3) have been deposited on single crystal, (100) oriented ZrO2 (9.5 mol % Y2O3) substrates, using aqueous precursor solutions of zirconium acetate and yttrium nitrate. Film compositions crystallizing with the cubic structure had a lattice mismatch up to 1.59% [film composition: ZrO2 (40 mol% Y2O3)]. Precursor films were deposited by spin coating, pyrolyzed to form the oxide, and heated at high temperatures to promote epitaxial growth. Cross-sectional TEM observations of thin films annealed at 600 °C (∼0.3 Tm) show the film to be composed of two distinct regions: an epitaxial layer, 0–6 nm thick, immediately adjacent to the substrate surface, and a porous nanocrystalline region (5–10 nm grain size) comprising the bulk of the film. At higher temperatures, the epitaxial layer grows by consuming the nanocrystalline material. Porosity accumulates at the growing interface, producing a dense epitaxial layer. Lattice mismatch is accommodated by a combination of misfit dislocations and epitaxial film strain. Calculations indicate that the energy required to accommodate the lattice mismatch can be a significant fraction of the total driving energy of grain boundary elimination, suggesting that growth may be completely arrested if the misfit between film and substrate exceeds a critical value.
Self-Diffusion along Dislocations in Single-Crystal Au Films

Self-diffusion measurements over the temperature range 247-352\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C have been made on single-crystal Au films of $2\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\mu}$ thickness grown epitaxially onto (001) MgO substrates, using ${\mathrm{Au}}^{195}$ radioactive tracer and rf sputter-etching techniques for serial sectioning. The penetration profiles revealed shallow lattice diffusion and a much deeper tracer penetration down dislocations; the former is significantly enhanced by diffusion in dislocations. The activation energy ${Q}_{d}$ and the combined preexponential factor ${A}_{d}{D}_{d}^{0}$ for self-diffusion along dislocations are found to be 1.16 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.02 eV and 5 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}16}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{4}$/sec, respectively. From the enhanced lattice diffusion observed in the first stage of the penetration profiles, a dislocation density of \ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{11}$ lines/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ could also be evaluated for the single-crystal films. The data compare well with other fcc metals and appear to favor a vacancy diffusion mechanism.
Somatodendritic and axonal anatomy of intracellularly labeled serotonergic neurons in the rat medulla.

A knowledge of the anatomy of medullary serotonergic cells is critical to understanding local and brainstem circuits in which these cells participate. Serotonergic neurons (n = 16) were identified, as previously described (Mason [1997] J. Neurophysiol. 77:1087–1098) by their slow and steady background discharge in halothane anesthetized rats. Neurons were then intracellularly labeled with Neurobiotin and visualized with 3,3'diaminobenzidine. The validity of the physiological identification of serotonergic cells was confirmed by processing two neurons that were physiologically characterized as serotonergic for serotonin immunoreactivity; both tested cells contained immunoreactive serotonin. The dendrites and axon of each labeled cell were reconstructed by using a three-dimensional computerized system. Somata were small or medium in size and had fusiform, triangular, or multipolar shapes. The dendritic arbor was constricted with most dendrites extending for less than 500 μm from the soma. All labeled axons projected caudally and travelled in the ventrolateral medulla, either dorsal or ventral to the lateral reticular nucleus. Most cells had collaterals and/or dense axonal swellings in the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis, nucleus reticularis magnocellularis, raphe magnus, and the ventrolateral medulla. Non-local collaterals and swellings were also observed in the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis and in the ventrolateral medulla at all medullary levels. The results demonstrate that 1) the dendrites of serotonergic cells are restricted to raphe magnus and the ventral part of nucleus reticularis magnocellularis; and 2) serotonergic cells project to medullary nuclei that contain bulbospinal cells which project to dorsal, intermediate, and ventral horns. Serotonergic cell projections to brainstem sites may mediate the integration of sensory, autonomic, and motor modulation at the brainstem level. J. Comp. Neurol. 389:309–328, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Numerically exact long-time behavior of nonequilibrium quantum impurity models

A Monte Carlo sampling of diagrammatic corrections to the noncrossing approximation is shown to provide numerically exact estimates of the long-time dynamics and steady-state properties of nonequilibrium quantum impurity models. This ``bold'' expansion converges uniformly in time and significantly ameliorates the sign problem that has heretofore limited the power of real-time Monte Carlo approaches to strongly interacting real-time quantum problems. The approach enables the study of previously intractable problems ranging from generic long-time nonequilibrium transport characteristics in systems with large on-site repulsion to the direct description of spectral functions on the real frequency axis in dynamical mean field theory.
TEACHER ABSENCE IN INDIA: A SNAPSHOT

Twenty-five percent of teachers were absent from school, and only about half were teaching, during unannounced visits to a nationally representative sample of government primary schools in India. Absence rates varied from 15% in Maharashtra to 42% in Jharkhand, with higher rates concentrated in the poorer states. We do not find that higher pay is associated with lower absence. Older teachers, more educated teachers, and head teachers are all paid more but are also more frequently absent; contract teachers are paid much less than regular teachers but have similar absence rates; and although relative teacher salaries are higher in poorer states, absence rates are also higher. Teacher absence is more correlated with daily incentives to attend work: teachers are less likely to be absent at schools that have been inspected recently, that have better infrastructure, and that are closer to a paved road. We find little evidence that attempting to strengthen local community ties will reduce absence. Teachers from the local area have similar absence rates as teachers from outside the community. Locally controlled nonformal schools have slightly higher absence rates than schools run by the state government. The existence of a PTA is not correlated with lower absence. Private-school teachers are only slightly less likely to be absent than public-school teachers in general, but are 8 percentage points less likely to be absent than public-school teachers in the same village. (JEL: O15, I21, H41, H52)
Applications for semiconductor nonlinear optics

Semiconductors may be used for frequency shifters in WDM networks as well as other components of optical communications systems. Nonlinear optical semiconductors have been used for passive, compact, low cost devices to modelock and Q-switch lasers. Finally, semiconductor optical nonlinearities can been used to study charge carrier transport.
Myocardial neovascularization by bone marrow angioblasts results in cardiomyocyte regeneration.

The primary cardiac response to ischemic insult is cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, which initiates a genetic program culminating in apoptotic myocyte loss, progressive collagen replacement, and heart fa...
Novel Imaging Approaches Provide New Windows to View Subcellular Changes in the Redox State of Smooth Muscle Cells

See related articles, pages 526–535 In this issue of Circulation Research , Schumacker and colleagues1 describe the development of novel genetic targeting approaches that record unique information on subcellular changes in the thiol redox state. Ratiometric rhoGFP fluorescence detectors were used to examine hypoxia-induced redox changes in cultured rat pulmonary and systemic (renal) arterial smooth muscle cells. The role and the origins of peroxide contributing to the redox changes were dissected by genetically overexpressing catalase in subcellular compartments. Although the study was designed to provide further insight into the controversial hypothesis that hypoxia promotes contraction of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle by increasing the release of mitochondrial-derived hydrogen peroxide, the methodological approaches used may be viewed as a more important aspect of the work. In particular, the molecular transfection approaches used provide new windows of opportunity to examine the nature of subcellular redox signaling. Overall, the study contained impressive data showing that hypoxia increases the concentration of cytosolic hydrogen peroxide, based on the inhibition of thiol oxidation-dependent fluorescence responses by catalase overexpressed in the cytosol. Hypoxia also increased oxidation in the mitochondrial intermembrane space but, decreased it in the mitochondrial matrix in a manner that was not affected by the overexpression of catalase in the mitochondrial matrix. These results underscore the need …
EMG burst waveform recognition procedure

A fast, simple EMG (electromyogram) burst waveform recognition algorithm has been developed for a personal computer. Raw EMG data are detrended, squared, and filtered. A sample EMG waveform segment, known as a template, is drawn from this data. A recognition signal is constructed as the convolution of the template and the prepared EMG data. This recognition signal is interpreted to yield the position, duration, and strength of individual EMG bursts. >
Mutations in the α8 Loop of Human APE1 Alter Binding and Cleavage of DNA Containing an Abasic Site

Recent crystallographic studies reveal loops in human AP endonuclease 1 (APE1) that interact with the major and minor grooves of DNA containing apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites. These loops are postulated to stabilize the DNA helix and the flipped out AP residue. The loop α8 interacts with the major groove on the 3′ side of the AP site. To determine the essentiality of the amino acids that constitute the α8 loop, we created a mutant library containing random nucleotides at codons 222–229 that, in wild-type APE1, specify the sequence NPKGNKKN. Upon expression of the library (2 × 106 different clones) in Escherichia coli and multiple rounds of selection with the alkylating agent methyl-methane sulfonate (MMS), we obtained ∼2 × 105 active mutants that complemented the MMS sensitivity of AP endonuclease-deficient E. coli. DNA sequencing showed that active mutants tolerated amino acid substitutions at all eight randomized positions. Basic and uncharged polar amino acids together comprised the majority of substitutions, reflecting the positively charged, polar character of the wild-type loop. Asn-222, Asn-226, and Asn-229 exhibited the least mutability, consistent with x-ray data showing that each asparagine contacts a DNA phosphate. Substitutions at residues 226–229, located nearer to the AP site, that reduced basicity or hydrogen bonding potential, increased Km 2- to 6-fold and decreased AP site binding; substitutions at residues 222–225 exhibited lesser effects. This initial mutational analysis of the α8 loop supports and extends the conclusion of crystallographic studies that the loop is important for binding of AP·DNA and AP site incision.
Evidence for the use of magnetic map information by an amphibian

The question of whether animals navigate using ‘map’ information derived from one or more spatial gradients in the Earth’s magnetic field has been debated for half a century. Although there is evidence that certain animals possess the sensory abilities necessary to perceive at least two magnetic components that vary spatially, there previously has been no direct test of the use of magnetic map information by experienced adult migrants. Magnetic information could provide information about an animal’s geographic position along a single axis (‘unicoordinate map’) or could be part of a position-fixing system that provides positional information along two nonparallel axes (‘bicoordinate map’) with the second axis being derived from either magnetic or nonmagnetic cues. Here we report that adult eastern red-spotted newts, Notophthalmus viridescens, displaced approximately 45 km NNE of their home ponds oriented in the home direction when exposed either to the ambient magnetic field of the testing site, or to a 2 increase in magnetic inclination (normally found further from the home ponds in the same general direction as the testing site). When exposed to a 2 decrease in inclination resulting in a value that would normally be found on the other side of the home ponds from the testing site, however, newts reversed their direction of orientation. The same changes in magnetic inclination had no effect on shoreward magnetic compass orientation, which does not rely on map information. These findings provide support for two critical predictions of the magnetic map hypothesis, and suggest that information about geographic position along at least one axis relative to home may be derived from the magnetic field.  2001 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
An extension of the spline fit technique and applications to thermodynamic data

The spline fit technique is extended to permit the smoothing of experimental data. It is applied to thermodynamic data which are otherwise difficult to treat.
Physics accurate layered sensing model

This paper will look at using open source tools (Blender © [1], LuxRender © [2], Open CV [3], SUMO [4], and Python © [5]) to build an image processing model for exploring combinations of sensors/platforms for any given image resolution. The model produces camera position, camera attitude, and synthetic camera data that can be used for exploitation purposes. We focus on electro-optical (EO) visible sensors to simplify the rendering but this work could be extended to use other rendering tools that support different modalities. Open Computer Vision (Open CV) is used to generate a camera model for the intrinsics of the virtual camera. This camera model is then used to geo-project the images from pixel space into a world coordinate system storing the output in National Imagery Transmission Format (NITF) for display with standard Intelligence Analysis (IA) tools such as RYA's Pursuer [6]. We also demonstrate Simulation of Urban Mobility (SUMO) software to simulate complex traffic patterns. The key idea of the paper is to provide an architecture for layered sensing simulation which is modular in design and constructed on open-source off-the-shelf software yielding a physics accurate virtual model of the world. This architecture shows how leveraging existing open-source software allows for practical layered sensing modeling to be rapidly assimilated and utilized in real-world applications. In this paper we demonstrate our model output is automatically exploitable by using generated data with an innovative geo-registration algorithm and real time display.
The Transcription Factor Titration Effect Dictates Level of Gene Expression

Models of transcription are often built around a picture of RNA polymerase and transcription factors acting on a single copy of a promoter. However, many transcription factors are shared between multiple genes with varying binding affinities. Beyond that, genes often exist at high copy number; in multiple, identical copies on the chromosome or on plasmids or viral vectors with copy numbers in the hundreds. Using a thermodynamic model, we characterize the interplay between transcription factor copy number and the demand for that transcription factor. Using video microscopy, we measure this effect and demonstrate the parameter-free predictive power of the thermodynamic model as a function of the copy number of the transcription factor and the number and affinities of the available specific binding sites. Understanding how to account for the effects of competing binding sites is an important facet of predictive control of transcription and gene circuit design, where transcription factors regularly navigate complex DNA binding landscapes.
Empowerment and Public Policy: An Exploration of the Implications of Section 115 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act.

The ability of individuals to gain mastery over their environment is considered empowerment. However, empowerment often is assessed without attention to the historical, social, or political context the individual is embedded within. This context often is contingent upon social policies that enhance or limit the choices an individual has to behave in ways constructed as efficacious. One example of such a policy is Section 115 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, which mandated a lifetime ban on welfare benefits to individuals convicted of a drug-related felony. This study examines the policy's implications from the perspective of empowerment. Specifically, we explore the characteristics of those targeted by the policy and what the denial of welfare benefits is likely to mean for this group. Using the sequential application of case study and survey methods, we first reviewed 250 court files of female drug offenders in one midwestern county, finding that most who were convicted of a drug felony received sentences of community probation, predominantly for use and possession. Second, we conducted face-to-face interviews with a subsample of 52 drug-convicted women who otherwise were eligible for welfare benefits and compared them with the general welfare-to-work population. The women in our sample had more severe barriers to self-sufficiency, including less education, higher rates of domestic violence, higher likelihood of recent major depression, and substantially higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder. Our findings suggest that the current national policy of denying welfare benefits based on a felony conviction status is unlikely to deter drug use or promote self-efficacy unless accompanied by effective mental-health services, help with employment, and supports to ensure a safe living environment. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 32: 127–143, 2004.
Locomotor Mimicry in Butterflies? The Associations of Positions of Centres of Mass among Groups of Mimetic, Unprofitable Prey

With detailed measurements of flight-related morphological parameters of 18 species within the tribe Heliconiini and 10 of their non-heliconiine comimics, I found that morphological parameters relevant to flight biomechanics are associated with three escape tactics of these Neotropical butterflies: evasive flight, distastefulness, and mimicry. Two distinct character suites, one pertaining to the position of centre of body mass and another pertaining to wing shape, were identified using principal-components analysis. A third component correlated most highly with the position of centre of wing mass. Mimicry groups were best discriminated by the positions of centres of body and wing mass, suggesting that these features converged within mimicry groups. Centres of mass were positioned nearer to the wing base in mimicry groups composed of more palatable species, presumably decreasing the radial moments of inertia of the body and wings and increasing flight speed and turning performance. Predation has selected for body morphology that increases flight speed and manoeuvrability in palatable butterflies, whereas the morphology of distasteful species compromises flight performance. Convergent selection may reduce morphological differences of species within mimicry groups arising from distantly related lineages, and hence it may have enhanced the morphological diversification of palatable and unpalatable butterflies within lineages that have more recently evolved distastefulness.
Drive level acoustic defectoscopy for head disc interface (HDI) integration and manufacturing

A short product development cycle for modern hard disc drive (HDD) depends entirely on early defect characterization. However, deviations from desired HDI mechanical performance are not always manifested in electromagnetic read back or servo control signals. The best non-destructive tool to monitor HDI dynamics at the HDD level is a passive acoustic technique that tracks equilibrium of the head gimbal assembly and air bearing (AB) modes. This technique is capable of active head protrusion detection as well as detection of embedded particles. The drawback of the passive acoustic monitoring technique at drive level is that a noisy HDD environment makes the detectability of a useful signal challenging. The proposed HDD level in situ passive HDI acoustic monitoring technique consists of external AE sensors driven by adequate electronics. These are enhanced by advanced signal processing routines that include adaptive discrete wavelet transforms. The system is tuned to monitor acoustic HDI signatures during drive spin-up/spin-down cycles as well as during passive and active height across the data zones. In addition, integrated acoustic energy metrics can be used in AB design evaluation stages. In this work examples of HDD level passive acoustic monitoring applications for HDI development, and manufacturing defect tracking, are presented and supported by failure analysis results.
Activities and Mortality in the Elderly: The Leisure World Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: Although physical activity has substantial health benefits and reduces mortality, few studies have examined its impact on survival beyond age 75. METHODS: Using the population-based Leisure World Cohort Study, we explored the association of activity on all-cause mortality in older adults (median age at baseline = 74 years). We followed 8,371 women and 4,828 men for 28 years or until death (median = 13 years) and calculated relative risks for various measures of activity at baseline using Cox regression analysis for four age groups ( Language: en
Respiratory responses of the salt marsh animals, Fundulus heteroclitus, Leiostomus xanthurus, and Palaemonetes pugio to environmental hypoxia and hypercapnia and to the organophosphate pesticide, azinphosmethyl☆

In tidal saltmarshes in South Carolina hypoxic (low O2) and hypercapnic (high CO2) conditions occur frequently. In the summer, water Po2 was measured in the upper marshes and over a 24-h period ranged from 9 to 170 torr and Pco2 ranged from 0.3 to 12 torr. These conditions depend on the stage of the tide and the time of day. The respiratory responses to different levels of Po2 and Pco2 of the grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, the spot fish, Leiostomus xanthurus, and the killifish or mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus living and feeding in the saltmarsh were investigated. Mean oxygen uptake in P. pugio, L. xanthurus, and F. heteroclitus at normoxic Po2 (130–150 torr) and low Pco2 (< 0.6 torr) was 17.5, 17.1, and 9.5 μmol · g−1 · h−1 and 16.3, 24.5, and 10.5 μmol · g−1 · h−1 at high Pco2 (= 7 torr), respectively. The critical Po2 for all species was between 30 and 35 torr. Mean whole body lactate concentrations in P. pugio, L. xanthurus, and F. heteroclitus at Pco2 < 0.6 torr are 3.5, 2.4, and 2.3 μmol · g−1, respectively, in normoxia and 12.3, 4.5, and 11.0 μmol · g−1 (p < 0.05; Dunn's pairwise test) in hypoxia and Pco2 < 0.6 torr. In these saltmarsh animals there appears in general to be no specific effects on oxygen uptake of environmental fluctuations in CO2 over a wide range of Po2. The organophosphate pesticide, azinphosmethyl, appears to have no effect on the oxygen uptake of these three species at concentrations of 10 μg · l−1 for fish and 2 μg · l−1 for shrimp.
Understanding the Tobacco Control Act: efforts by the US Food and Drug Administration to make tobacco-related morbidity and mortality part of the USA's past, not its future

The USA has a rich history of public health efforts to reduce morbidity and mortality from tobacco use. Comprehensive tobacco-prevention programmes, when robustly implemented, reduce the prevalence of youth and adult smoking, decrease cigarette consumption, accelerate declines in tobacco-related deaths, and diminish health-care costs from tobacco-related diseases. Effective public health interventions include raising the price of tobacco products, smoke-free policies, counter-marketing campaigns, advertising restrictions, augmenting access to treatment for tobacco use through insurance coverage and telephone help lines, and comprehensive approaches to prevent children and adolescents from accessing tobacco products. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has six major areas of regulatory authority: regulation of tobacco products; regulation of the advertising, marketing, and promotion of tobacco products; regulation of the distribution and sales of tobacco products; enforcement of the provisions of the Tobacco Control Act and tobacco regulations; regulatory science to support FDA authorities and activities; and public education about the harms of tobacco products and to support FDA regulatory actions. With passing of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act) in June, 2009, important new regulatory approaches were added to the tobacco prevention and control arsenal.
Dual-Frequency Radar Observations of Precipitation

Abstract An equal volume, dual-frequency radar system is used to obtain a quantitative characterization of a precipitation volume. The power back-scattered is related to the rainfall rate through the use of an assumed exponential drop-size distribution and the Mie radar cross section. A method is given whereby the relative consistency of a dual-frequency radar system is aided by calibration in the Rayleigh scattering region of a light rainshower. Discrepancies that occur in the observed rainfall rate are attributed to: 1) errors in the form of the assumed drop-size distribution, and 2) local vertical velocity and velocity divergence. Simultaneous observations of precipitation by the dual-frequency radar and raingages are shown for two rain situations.
The effect of a thiol-containing organic molecule on molybdenum adsorption onto pyrite

The effect of a small thiol-containing organic molecule on the adsorption of Mo to pyrite was investigated through the use of equilibration experiments with molybdate (MoO42−), tetrathiomolybdate (MoS42−), and 2-mercaptopropionic acid (2MPA). MoO42−, MoS42−, and 2MPA individually adsorb to pyrite through the formation of specific interactions with the mineral surface. In select combination experiments, 2MPA effectively out-competes MoO42− for pyrite surface sites, which is indicative of the relatively weaker MoO42−-pyrite interactions. Results suggest that the presence of 2MPA on the pyrite surface would inhibit MoO42− access to catalytic mineral surface sites for the transformation of MoO42− to MoS42−. In contrast, thiols are not expected to be an obstacle to Mo uptake once the “switch point”, or the critical H2S concentration required for the formation of MoS42−, has been surpassed. This is due to the stronger adsorption of MoS42− to the pyrite surface. EXAFS results support weak specific interactions with little change to the MoO42− environment upon adsorption to pyrite. In contrast, larger changes to the Mo–S internuclear distances during MoS42− adsorption to pyrite support a more substantial structural change upon adsorption. MoS42− is able to bind to both the pyrite surface and a thiol-containing organic molecule to form a ternary structure on the pyrite surface, and may provide for a molecular-level connection between Mo and thiol-containing organic molecules. Mo(VI) is reduced to Mo(IV) during MoS42− adsorption to pyrite as a result of ligand-induced reduction, thereby confirming that the thiolated form of Mo is necessary for Mo reduction.
The Intellectual Origins of the Establishment Clause

For decades, scholars have debated the Framers' intentions in adopting the Establishment Clause. In this Article, Professor Noah Feldman gives an account of the intellectual origins of the Establishment Clause and analyzes the ideas that drove the debates over church and state in eighteenth-century America. The literature on the history of the Establishment Clause has categorized discrete strands of eighteenth-century American thought on church-state relations, divided by distinct motives and ideologies. Feldman argues that this is a mischaracterization and proposes instead that a common, central purpose motivated the Framers to enact the Establishment Clause-the purpose of protecting the Lockean value of liberty of conscience. Feldman begins by providing an archeology of the idea of liberty of conscience, from Luther and Calvin to Locke. He then presents his account and analysis of the intellectual origins of the Establishment Clause in eighteenth-century American thought. He concludes with observations on the utility of intellectual history in constitutional analysis.
Wireless charging in California: Range, recharge, and vehicle electrification

Abstract This research evaluated the potential for wireless dynamic charging (charging while moving) to address range and recharge issues of modern electric vehicles by considering travel to regional destinations in California. A 200-mile electric vehicle with a real range of 160 miles plus 40 miles reserve was assumed to be used by consumers in concert with static and dynamic charging as a strict substitute for gasoline vehicle travel. Different combinations of wireless charging power (20–120 kW) and vehicle range (100–300 miles) were evaluated. One of the results highlighted in the research indicated that travel between popular destinations could be accomplished with a 200-mile EV and a 40 kW dynamic wireless charging system at a cost of about $2.5 billion. System cost for a 200-mile EV could be reduced to less than $1 billion if wireless vehicle charging power levels were increased to 100 kW or greater. For vehicles consuming 138 kWh of dynamic energy per year on a 40 kW dynamic system, the capital cost of $2.5 billion plus yearly energy costs could be recouped over a 20-year period at an average cost to each vehicle owner of $512 per year at a volume of 300,000 vehicles or $168 per year at a volume of 1,000,000 vehicles. Cost comparisons of dynamic charging, increased battery capacity, and gasoline refueling were presented. Dynamic charging, coupled with strategic wayside static charging, was shown to be more cost effective to the consumer over a 10-year period than gasoline refueling at $2.50 or $4.00 per gallon. Notably, even at very low battery prices of $100 per kWh, the research showed that dynamic charging can be a more cost effective approach to extending range than increasing battery capacity.
NaV1.5 sodium channel window currents contribute to spontaneous firing in olfactory sensory neurons

Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) fire spontaneously as well as in response to odor; both forms of firing are physiologically important. We studied voltage-gated Na+ channels in OSNs to assess their...
Formation of Polymeric Toroidal-Spiral Particles

Compared to spherical matrices, particles with well-defined internal structure provide large surface to volume ratio and predictable release kinetics for the encapsulated payloads. We describe self...
Anatomy of the Rectum and Anus

The pelvis is a complex anatomical space enclosed by rigid, bony walls that encompass crucial vessels, nerves, ligaments and viscera. Resection within its narrow confines poses the risk of permanent damage to bowel, bladder, and sexual function, and subsequent deleterious effect on patients’ health and quality of life. In this chapter we describe the anatomy of the pelvis in detail, with a discussion of pelvic fascial planes, precise dissection, optimal total mesorectal excision and extended resections in the treatment of rectal and anal cancers.
What drove the evolution of endothermy

![Figure][1] Michael Hedrick and Stanley Hillman discuss the impact of Albert Bennett and John Ruben's classic paper ‘Endothermy and activity in vertebrates’, published in Science in 1979. The metabolic production of heat and high, stable body temperatures characteristic of birds
Prostaglandin cytoprotection against ethanol-induced gastric injury in the rat: A histologic and cytologic study

Abstract Using macroscopic criteria for injury, prostaglandins have been alleged to possess potent antiulcer properties despite meager histologic evidence for this cytoprotective action. This time-sequence study used light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy to evaluate the effects of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E 2 on gastric mucosal integrity after exposure to 100% ethanol. Macroscopically, virtually complete protection against injury to the glandular mucosa of the in vivo rat stomach was noted in animals receiving 10 μg/kg body wt of prostaglandin subcutaneously before oral ethanol administration when killed at 5, 20, and 60 min after ethanol exposure compared with oral ethanol after saline injection. On light microscopy the length of injured epithelium in prostaglandin/ethanol- and saline/ ethanol-treated tissues was not significantly different at all time periods studied. Although the depth of injury extended into gastric glands in both groups killed at 5 min, the deep pit surface mucus cells in prostaglandin/ethanol mucosa were less damaged and necrotic lesions were virtually absent when compared with saline/ethanol mucosa. At 20 and 60 min, cellular injury could still be identified in prostaglandin/ethanol-treated mucosa but the depth of injury became even less pronounced over time in contrast to mucosa exposed to ethanol without prostaglandin. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy confirmed these differences. Despite the macroscopic findings, these results indicate that prostaglandin does not prevent superficial surface mucus cell necrosis in ethanol-exposed mucosa even though it does spare cells in the pit base. The reduction in damaged cells over time in prostaglandin/ethanol-treated mucosa, in contrast to saline/ethanol-treated mucosa, supports the hypothesis that the reepithelialization of the lamina propria is initiated by spared deep-lying pit cells.
Chemical Approaches to Addressing the Instability and Toxicity of Lead–Halide Perovskite Absorbers

The impressive rise in efficiencies of solar cells employing the three-dimensional (3D) lead–iodide perovskite absorbers APbI3 (A = monovalent cation) has generated intense excitement. Although these perovskites have remarkable properties as solar-cell absorbers, their potential commercialization now requires a greater focus on the materials’ inherent shortcomings and environmental impact. This creates a challenge and an opportunity for synthetic chemists to address these issues through the design of new materials. Synthetic chemistry offers powerful tools for manipulating the magnificent flexibility of the perovskite lattice to expand the number of functional analogues to APbI3. To highlight improvements that should be targeted in new materials, here we discuss the intrinsic instability and toxicity of 3D lead–halide perovskites. We consider possible sources of these instabilities and propose methods to overcome them through synthetic design. We also discuss new materials developed for realizing the exce...
An Improvisation Based Framework for Interactive Urban Environments

Urban environments are increasingly pervaded by embedded networks and mobile digital components capable of sensing, computing, and acting in real-time. These augmented environments have the capability to dynamically respond to and adapt to their context and to behavioral patterns of their human occupants. In doing so their forms of interaction can be fluid and ad-hoc and this paper proposes a framework based on improvisation for the analysis and the design of such environments. Following a study of the nature of the improvisation process, a systems view of improvisation is adopted. The structural elements of the Viewpoints improvisation technique are then mapped to design stages of second-order systems to develop a framework for the design of interactive urban environments.
Menthol Smokers: Metabolomic Profiling and Smoking Behavior

Background: The use of menthol in cigarettes and marketing is under consideration for regulation by the FDA. However, the effects of menthol on smoking behavior and carcinogen exposure have been inconclusive. We previously reported metabolomic profiling for cigarette smokers, and novelly identified a menthol-glucuronide (MG) as the most significant metabolite directly related to smoking. Here, MG is studied in relation to smoking behavior and metabolomic profiles. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 105 smokers who smoked two cigarettes in the laboratory one hour apart. Blood nicotine, MG, and exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) boosts were determined (the difference before and after smoking). Spearman correlation, χ2, and ANCOVA adjusted for gender, race, and cotinine levels for menthol smokers assessed the relationship of MG boost, smoking behavior, and metabolic profiles. Multivariate metabolite characterization using supervised partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was carried out for the classification of metabolomics profiles. Results: MG boost was positively correlated with CO boost, nicotine boost, average puff volume, puff duration, and total smoke exposure. Classification using PLS-DA, MG was the top metabolite discriminating metabolome of menthol versus nonmenthol smokers. Among menthol smokers, 42 metabolites were significantly correlated with MG boost, which linked to cellular functions, such as of cell death, survival, and movement. Conclusions: Plasma MG boost is a new smoking behavior biomarker that may provide novel information over self-reported use of menthol cigarettes by integrating different smoking measures for understanding smoking behavior and harm of menthol cigarettes. Impact: These results provide insight into the biological effect of menthol smoking. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(1); 51–60. ©2016 AACR.
Nutritional Management of the Bariatric Patient: Diets and Deficiencies

Surgical treatment of obesity is associated with marked weight loss, resolution of weight-related comorbid conditions, and enhanced longevity. However, bariatric surgery has not been perfected and complications are unavoidable. Patients may gain back some or all of their weight or develop debilitating pain, bleeding, nausea, and vomiting. A new field of “bariatric endoscopy” has been developed to correct anatomical problems that are associated with these surgical complications. In addition, endoscopic procedures for primary treatment of obesity are being evaluated, which may obviate the need for bariatric surgery under some circumstances. Despite the enthusiasm for the endoscopic approach to revisional interventions and primary obesity treatment, it is clear that long-term patient success depends on many factors. This includes the appropriate nutrition evaluation and treatment of the patient both before and after endoscopic intervention.
Some things are better left unseen

By default, most video-mediated communication systems show the user his or her own video feed, yet there is no prior research to show if this helps or hinders communication. In general, virtual teams desire richer media to improve team interaction. However, in this case more information may not be helpful. Drawing on Objective Self Awareness theory in social psychology and theories of cognitive overload from communication, hypotheses are proposed concerning how viewing oneself influences virtual team interaction. It is argued that viewing oneself will lead to lower team performance and other negative outcomes. The hypotheses are tested in a laboratory experiment, manipulating whether participants were able to view their own feeds during video-mediated communication. The results suggest that viewing oneself leads to a reduction in team performance and individual satisfaction. The findings, in terms of several theoretical explanations, and implications for managers and systems designers are discussed in the paper. Studied effects of video-mediation design features on virtual team performance.Changing whether users could see their own video feeds or not affected performance.Teams performed significantly better when individuals could not see their own feeds.Individuals were more satisfied when they did not see their own video feeds.Video communication systems should include functionality to disable self-viewing.
Abstract 81: Activation of Microglia in the PVN Precedes Increase in Blood Pressure in Chronic Angiotensin II Infusion Rat Model of Hypertension

Introduction: Hypertension is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) with increased sympathetic stimulation is a hallmark of neurogenic hypertension, and has been shown to precede the rise in the blood pressure. We have previously shown that chronic Angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion increases blood pressure by activation of the microglia in the cardioregulatory brain regions, such as the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). Here, we studied the activation of microglia following 3- and 7-day Ang II infusion as a marker of neuroinflammation. We hypothesize that activation of the microglia in the PVN is a possible precursor to the ANS dysfunction and the blood pressure increase in Ang II-dependent hypertension. Methods: An osmotic minipump delivering either saline or 200ng/kg/min Ang II S.C. was implanted in 9-week old adult male Sprague-Dawley rats randomly assigned to control (saline), or 3-day or 7-day Ang II infusion (n=4) . Blood pressures were measured using radiotelemetry. CD11b immunoblotting of the PVN was used to assess the activated microglia in the PVN. Additionally, Iba1 immunohistochemistry of the PVN was used to image and quantify the increase in total size and number of activated microglia. Results: Despite no significant change in the blood pressure, we found a 1.40 fold increase in the CD11b protein quantity, and a 12% increase in microglia size at 3-days of Ang II infusion compared to control. At 7-days of Ang II infusion, we observed a 4.93 fold increase in the CD11b protein quantity, a 33% increase in microglia size, and a 29% higher number of microglia, which was accompanied by ∼ 25mmHg elevation in the blood pressure compared to control. Conclusion: These data suggests that microglia in the PVN become activated in as early as 3-days following Ang II infusion, before the blood pressure changes occur. Therefore, activation of microglia precedes the increase in blood pressure. This implicates the microglia in the dysregulation of the ANS in Ang II hypertension.