cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
China and the G20: Laying the Basis for a Plurilateral/Multilateral Investment Agreement (中国与G20：为诸边或多边投资协定奠定基础)

China has become a major home country for outward foreign direct investment (FDI) flows. As a result, the country is increasingly concerned with protecting its outward FDI and facilitating the operations of its firms investing abroad and creating a strong universal international investment law and policy regime. This article reviews briefly the emergence of China as an outward investor. It continues with an analysis of some policy issues related to the rise of FDI from emerging markets. A brief discussion of issues central to the future of the international investment law and policy regime follows, before focusing on several outcomes that could be pursued under China’s G20 leadership: non-binding shared principles that could outline the architecture of a universal framework on international investment; an international support program for sustainable investment facilitation; and the creation of an additional intergovernmental platform that would allow for a continued systematic intergovernmental process to discuss the range of issues related to the governance of international investment, preferably paralleled by an informal, inclusive and result-oriented consensus-building process that takes place outside intergovernmental settings.
Sacred Mountains, Rivers, and Heavenly Bodies

Various religious traditions recognize sacred cities. For instance, in India, Varanasi (Banares) and Haridwar are sacred, among other cities. In Islam, Mecca, the terminus of the hajj pilgrimage, and Medina are sacred as cities in which Muhammad lived and established Islam. Jerusalem is also a sacred city in the Islamic tradition, as it is for Jews and Christians too. Mountains and rivers can be sacred in religious traditions for the same reason that cities and mosques, shrines, temples, and churches are sacred—because they are the place where a religiously significant event occurred or because they are a place of worship or religious observance. Mountains and rivers, however, may also be sacred in a religious tradition for a quite different reason. They may be sacred because they themselves are gods. In this chapter, we consider sacred mountains, especially those of Japan, that have been experienced as gods, and the primary sacred river of India, the Ganges, experienced and religiously interacted with in the Hindu tradition as the goddess Ganga. Heavenly bodies have also been regarded as gods, and we observe how for a period in ancient Egypt, the sun, Aten, was considered the supreme god.
Challenges in the automated classification of variable stars in large databases

With ever-increasing numbers of astrophysical transient surveys, new facilities and archives of astronomical time series, time domain astronomy is emerging as a mainstream discipline. However, the sheer volume of data alone - hundreds of observations for hundreds of millions of sources – necessitates advanced statistical and machine learning methodologies for scientific discovery: characterization, categorization, and classification. Whilst these techniques are slowly entering the astronomer’s toolkit, their application to astronomical problems is not without its issues. In this paper, we will review some of the challenges posed by trying to identify variable stars in large data collections, including appropriate feature representations, dealing with uncertainties, establishing ground truths, and simple discrete classes.
Latissimus Dorsi Transfer for Severe Rotator Cuff Tears

Massive, irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears in young patients present a difficult clinical problem. While reverse total shoulder arthroplasty remains a viable option for older, lower demand patients, it is often a poor choice in younger, active patients given the risk of component loosening and subsequent revision. The latissimus dorsi tendon transfer has been utilized by some surgeons to compensate for a deficient posterosuperior rotator cuff attempting to provide an active external rotator, but unfortunately the results are variable. The procedure requires careful patient selection, as a motivated, young patient without glenohumeral arthritis and an intact subscapularis is imperative for a successful outcome.
A method to quantify and value floodplain sediment and nutrient retention ecosystem services.

Abstract Floodplains provide critical ecosystem services to local and downstream communities by retaining floodwaters, sediments, and nutrients. The dynamic nature of floodplains is such that these areas can both accumulate sediment and nutrients through deposition, and export material downstream through erosion. Therefore, estimating floodplain sediment and nutrient retention should consider the net flux of both depositional and erosive processes. An ecosystem services framework was used to quantify and value the sediment and nutrient ecosystem service provided by floodplains in the Difficult Run watershed, a small (151 km 2 ) suburban watershed located in the Piedmont of Virginia (USA). A sediment balance was developed for Difficult Run and two nested watersheds. The balance included upland sediment delivery to streams, stream bank flux, floodplain flux, and stream load. Upland sediment delivery was estimated using geospatial datasets and a modified Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation. Predictive models were developed to extrapolate field measurements of the flux of sediment, sediment-bound nitrogen (N), and sediment-bound phosphorus (P) from stream banks and floodplains to 3232 delineated stream segments in the study area. A replacement cost approach was used to estimate the economic value of the sediment and nutrient retention ecosystem service based on estimated net stream bank and floodplain flux of sediment-bound N for all streams in the study area. Results indicated the net fluvial fluxes of sediment, sediment-bound N, and sediment-bound P were −10,439 Mg yr −1 (net export), 57,300 kg-N yr −1 (net trapping), and 98 kg-P yr −1 (net trapping), respectively. For sediment, floodplain retention was offset by substantial losses from stream bank erosion, particularly in headwater catchments, resulting in a net export of sediment. Nutrient retention in the floodplain exceeded that lost through stream bank erosion resulting in net retention of nutrients (TN and TP). Using a conservative cost estimate of $12.69 (USD) per kilogram of nitrogen, derived from wastewater treatment costs, the estimated annual value for sediment and nutrient retention on Difficult Run floodplains was $727,226 ± 194,220 USD/yr. Values and differences in floodplain nitrogen retention among stream reaches can be used to target areas for floodplain conservation and stream restoration. The methods presented are scalable and transferable to other areas if appropriate datasets are available for validation.
Effect of pre-treatments on the antioxidant potential of phenolic extracts from barley malt rootlets

Abstract In this study, barley malt rootlets (BMR) were subjected to five different pre-treatments (steaming (220 °C), roasting (60 °C), autoclaving (121 °C), microwaving (160–800 W, 30–120 s) and enzyme treatment). Total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of the BMR extracts were evaluated for both free and bound phenolics. The free phenolic content for non-treated extract was 1.8 mg/g of dry weight of BMR with 17.5% of antioxidant activity. Among the pre-treatments, autoclaving exhibited the highest values for free phenolics of 3.8 mg/g of dry weight of BMR and 71.6% of antioxidant activity. Pre-treatments did not show any effect on bound phenolic content, but increased antioxidant activity. The highest %DPPH activity for bound phenolics was observed for microwave treatment (160 W, 120 s) with 49.9%. Overall, pre-treatments significantly increased the free phenolic content of BMR phenolic extracts. Additional research is necessary to understand the phenolic profile and the thermal interactions of bound phenolic extracts.
Corporate Restructuring and Investment

Corporate Restructuring looked the strategies employed by managers and leaders of a corporation in times of performance decline to put the corporation back to its normalcy. It is of no doubt that a good performing corporation motivate people to invest. This Research was conducted to investigate how the participants as investor and potential investors want from their Corporate managers and leaders in terms of putting the corporation in good shape. This research Used a survey technique and data was analyzed using SPSS and Excel software. The results showed that there was a relationship between Corporate previous performance and investment decision, at a p-values of 0.779 and 1.000 respectively, which was greater than the significance level of 0.05 we failed to reject the null hypothesis and concluded both Corporate previous performance and Corporate location may have an influence on investors decision making.
The Peano Axioms

We enter now into a minor digression. The purpose of the digression is to make fleeting contact with the arithmetic theory of natural Lumbers. From the set-theoretic point of view this is a pleasant luxury.
Finitude, Infinitude and the Imago Dei in Catherine of Siena and Descartes

The reflective juxtaposition of two thinkers can often provide insights which the investigation of one thinker alone could not yield. This is certainly the case when one examines the notions of finitude and infinity in the works of Catherine of Siena and Descartes. As a means of focusing the treatment of finitude and infinity, I shall relate these notions to the various levels of self-knowledge which these two thinkers explore, and will concentrate especially on the knowledge of the self as the Imago Dei or Image of God. The inquiry will proceed in four stages. After some preliminary observations on the general orientations of Catherine and Descartes, I will examine: (1) self-knowledge which does not explicitly involve the Imago Dei (Section II): (2) self-knowledge and the cognitive Imago Dei (Section III); self-knowledge and the volitional/ affective Imago Dei (Section IV); and the “inclusive” Imago Dei, which is identical to the entire soul or mind (Section V).
SharedMEC: Sharing Clouds to Support User Mobility in Mobile Edge Computing

Recently, Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) is proposed to deploy with cellular base stations (BSs) to reduce the offloading delay and to provide computational resources and storage to nearby mobile users. However, the deployment of MEC with a BS introduces special challenges to mobility management. First, a MEC can only be accessed within the coverage area of its BS. Therefore, a user needs to perform both a radio handoff (HO) and a service migration when moving out of the cell coverage range. Second, as MECs have limited computational resource and storage, the target MEC may not have sufficient available resources to support new users. Therefore, a user with computation task may be forced to perform a radio HO to a different target BS in order to successfully migrate the service. These cause unnecessary HOs in cellular networks, especially when MECs are deployed with small cells, e.g., femtocells. These unnecessary HOs and service migrations incur a large signaling and migration cost. In this paper, we first propose a novel architecture, SharedMEC, to support user mobility. In addition, we propose a service HO decision algorithm and an analytical model to analyze the total cost which considers the total HO signaling cost, total migration signaling cost, and total migration cost. Simulation results show that our proposed architecture and service HO decision algorithm can significantly reduce the total cost. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that considers HO and migration issues together and analyzes the total cost in MEC systems.
Effects of Aging and Nitrogen Deprivation on Nonfunctional rRNA Decay in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Nonfunctional Ribosomal RNA Decay (NRD) is a quality control pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae capable of degrading functionally defective mature rRNAs. Two types of NRD are known: 18S NRD which ...
Tunable large-scale regular array of topological defects in nematic liquid crystals

Arrays of topological defects in liquid crystals are fascinating systems, as isotropic and anisotropic phases of the same material can co-exist and be arranged in regular periodic structures. The arrays thus form spatially-varying optical pathways, in patterns that can be used for optics, as novel photonic structures, optical gratings, lenses or metamaterials, and for molecular and colloidal self-assembly. However, for practical applications, it is necessary that the arrays are tunable without direct intervention of the experimenters. Here, we demonstrate single-domain, tunable arrays of topological defects in nematic liquid crystals, using a method inspired by the recent work by Orihara and colleagues. The regularity and domain size of the defect arrays are obtained by using periodic lateral modulation of electric fields generated by incompletely etched electrodes with periodic conductivity. The period of the arrays, i.e. the characteristic spacing between defects, is controllable not only through the applied electric field strength and frequency but also by varying the size of the patterned electrodes. We believe these results open a new way to design and fabricate large-scale, single-domain, tunable and scalable device architectures that are optically functional.
Patient-Specific Hybrid Whole-body PET Parametric Imaging From SpeedModulated Continuous Bed Motion Dynamic Data

In our previous work a hybrid whole-body dynamic protocol was proposed, enabling full compartmental modelling, as well as whole-body (WB) Patlak analysis, in continuous bed motion (CBM) acquisition mode. While such an approach improves upon previous WB dynamic protocols, kinetic parameters are estimated with reduced precision and accuracy due to limited counting statistics. In this work we propose a new patient/pathology specific whole-body dynamic imaging protocol with the aim to maximize the counting statistics in the regions of interest and achieve optimum kinetic parameter accuracy and precision based on a personalized dynamic data acquisition. This is achieved by modulating the CBM bed speed within each pass depending on the FOV of primary interest as opposed to utilizing a constant speed for the entire FOV. Therefore in cases where the pathology is known and localized to a certain degree, such as in response to therapy or based on information from other modalities or clinical findings, the protocol can be modulated in such a way as to maximize the counting statistics and kinetic parameter accuracy and precision in a disease and patient specific way. Using dynamic WB simulations as well as initial clinical dynamic WB scans, we demonstrate the kinetic parameter estimation benefits and the clinical feasibility of the proposed protocol.
Plagiarism or not? investigation of Turnitin®-detected similarity hits in biology laboratory reports

In undergraduate biology laboratory courses, laboratory reports can be a useful tool for teaching scientific writing, integration of source material, and information literacy; however, these teaching objectives are at times undermined by students' plagiarism. Laboratory instructors often use similarity-matching software to detect plagiarism in laboratory reports, yet similarity hits detected with such software remain poorly characterized. In the upper division molecular biology laboratory course described here, Turnitin® routinely detected dozens of similarity hits in laboratory reports. To determine whether this abundance of similarity hits was indicative of widespread plagiarism, we analyzed similarity hits detected in 255 laboratory reports written by 135 students. Only a small minority of Turnitin® similarity matches were problematic, but over half of the laboratory reports contained at least one problem with incorporation of scientific sources (e.g., laboratory manual and scientific articles). We identified four common types of such writing problems: patchwriting, technical parroting, copying, and falsification of sources. In 18% of the laboratory reports, we detected an alarmingly superficial use of primary literature. Most of the source incorporation problems did not rise to the level of plagiarism. As a result of this study, we recommend changes in scientific writing instruction and a transition to laboratories providing more authentic research experiences. © 2019 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 47(4):370-379, 2019.
Weak-shock wave propagation in polymer-based particulate composites

Shock waves are common in polymer-based particulate composites that are subjected to intermediate to high-velocity impact loading. However, quantitative information on the spatial variation of stress, particle velocities, and energy dissipation during the formation and propagation of weak-shock waves is limited. In this paper, a systematic experimental study is conducted to understand the characteristics of weak-shocks in polymer-bonded particulate composites. Specimens made of polymer-bonded sugar are subjected to a projectile impact loading, at varying velocities, using a modified Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus. Full-field displacement and strains of the deformed samples are obtained with the help of an ultrahigh-speed imaging and digital image correlation technique. Using the full-field displacement data, the shock wave velocity, shock front thickness, and the full-field stress fields are calculated. From the spatial stress field and the strain rate data, the spatial energy dissipation profile is also estimated. The effect of impact velocity on the spatial stress profile, shock wave velocity, and energy dissipation are discussed.
In Praise of Limitations

The modern world tends to view limitations negatively, as obstacles to be overcome. A robust doctrine of creation, however, would recognize that God created human beings with limitations. Thus, certain kinds of human limitations within Brazilian evangelicalism ought to be seen as good, contributing to human flourishing and the promotion of the Kingdom of God. In the nineteenth century, missionary impulses to construct a single cultural norm were limited by indigenous movements of Christianity, practices of biblical translation, and the education of indigenous leaders. Similarly, the ability of any one Brazilian religious organization to impose its vision on the rest of society is limited by religious pluralism, the decentralized nature of Protestantism, and grassroots civic engagement. These limitations, if recognized, can operate as a check on self-righteousness, arrogance, and abuse, while opening Christian bodies up more fully to the grace of God.
Beyond the Elements: Erie and the Standards for Preliminary and Permanent Injunctions

Federal courts frequently avoid deciding whether federal or state law governs the availability of injunctive relief for state-law claims by simply declaring that both sets of standards are the same. Although federal and state standards for injunctions often incorporate similar elements, those elements often are phrased in somewhat different terms and relate to each other in different ways. Even when federal and state standards involve facially identical elements, federal and state courts often interpret and apply them differently based on completely distinct bodies of precedent that can lead to different outcomes. Because state and federal standards arise from, and refer to, distinct bodies of precedent that constitute different sets of guideposts for future rulings, federal courts should not treat them as fungible to avoid difficult Erie questions.
Cancer biologics made in plants

Plants are routinely utilized as efficient production platforms for the development of anti-cancer biologics leading to novel anti-cancer vaccines, immunotherapies, and drug-delivery modalities. Various biosimilar/biobetter antibodies and immunogens based on tumor-associated antigens have been produced and optimized for plant expression. Plant virus nanoparticles, including those derived from cowpea mosaic virus or tobacco mosaic virus in particular have shown promise as immunotherapies stimulating tumor-associated immune cells and as drug carriers delivering conjugated chemotherapeutics effectively to tumors. Advancements have also been made toward the development of lectins that can selectively recognize cancer cells. The ease at which plant systems can be utilized for the production of these products presents an opportunity to further develop novel and exciting anti-cancer biologics.
A Conversational Agent in Support of Productivity and Wellbeing at Work

Conversational agents have the potential to support users in many tasks. However, support for productivity and well-being in the workplace has received little attention. We present the first design of a conversational system that supports information workers with multiple work-related goals, informed by a survey of the current and potential use of conversational agents in the workplace. The goals of this research include the evaluation of using an agent for scheduling and prioritizing tasks, switching tasks, providing break reminders, dealing with social media distractions and for end of the day reflection on tasks accomplished. We deployed a chat-based intelligent agent, named Amber, in a field study with 24 information workers over the course of 6 days. We present our preliminary findings from the field study and discuss implications for the design of future workplace conversational agents
Prescription opioid misuse among adolescents and emerging adults in the United States: A scoping review.

Abstract The U.S. opioid epidemic is a critical public health problem. As substance use and misuse typically begin in adolescence and emerging adulthood, there is a critical need for prevention efforts for this key developmental period to disrupt opioid misuse trajectories, reducing morbidity and mortality [e.g., overdose, development of opioid use disorders (OUD)]. This article describes the current state of research focusing on prescription opioid misuse (POM) among adolescents and emerging adults (A/EAs) in the U.S. Given the rapidly changing nature of the opioid epidemic, we applied PRISMA Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines to identify empirical articles published in the past 5 years (January 2013–September 2018) from nine databases examining POM among A/EAs (ages 10–25) in the U.S. Seventy-six articles met our inclusion criteria focusing on POM in the following areas: cross-sectional surveys (n = 60), longitudinal cohort studies (n = 5), objective, non-self-reported data sources (n = 9), and interventions (n = 2). Final charted data elements were organized by methodology and sample, with results tables describing design, sample, interventions (where applicable), outcomes, and limitations. Most studies focused on the epidemiology of POM and risk/protective factors, including demographic (e.g., sex, race), individual (e.g., substance use, mental health), and social (e.g., peer substance use) factors. Despite annual national surveys conducted, longitudinal studies examining markers of initiation and escalation of prescription opioid misuse (e.g., repeated overdoses, time to misuse) are lacking. Importantly, few evidence-based prevention or early intervention programs were identified. Future research should examine longitudinal trajectories of POM, as well as adaptation and implementation of promising prevention approaches.
Pharaonic or Ottoman in Modern Egyptian Culture: Consequences of Immigration

It is often assumed by tourists and other visitors to Egypt that all or most aspects of Egyptian culture originated from the Pharaonic period or ancient Egyptians. This perception is, however, wrong as Egypt over the centuries experienced immigration and even occupation by outside powers who left their mark on the country. The aim or purpose of this paper was to trace the Turkish origins of modern Egyptian culture. Data for the paper were obtained through analysis of historical documents, interviews of historians, experts and other officials at the Ministry of Antiquity, visits to various sites, including famous buildings and other landmarks. It was concluded that in almost every major area of culture, including government organization, education, the courts, medicine, law and infrastructure Turkey heavily influenced Egypt. Many words used today in Egyptian Arabic are of Turkish origin. Conclusions derived were not meant to minimize Egyptian civilization, but to offer a fuller accounting of how many components of this civilization had Turkish origins.
The contribution of de novo tandem repeat mutations to autism spectrum disorders

Recent studies have demonstrated a strong contribution of germline de novo mutations to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Tandem repeats (TRs), consisting of repeated sequence motifs of 1-20bp, comprise one of the largest sources of human genetic variation. Yet, the contribution of TR mutations to ASD has not been assessed on a genome-wide scale. Here, we leverage novel bioinformatics tools and ~35x whole genome sequencing of ~1,600 families from the Simons Simplex Collection (SSC) to analyze germline de novo TR mutations at nearly 1 million loci in ASD-affected and unaffected siblings. We identify an average of 54 high-confidence mutations per child at an estimated true positive rate of 90%. We find novel genome-wide TR mutation patterns, including a bias toward larger mutations from the maternal compared with paternal germlines. We demonstrate a significant genome-wide excess of TR mutations in ASD probands, which are significantly larger than in controls, enriched in promoters of fetal brain expressed genes, and more strongly predicted to alter expression during brain development. Overall, our results indicate a significant, but so far overlooked, contribution of repetitive regions to ASD.
Chapter 10 – Test interpretation

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses some of the problems that bedevil the clinical interpretation of laboratory test results. It also presents a brief review of a complex and wide-ranging topic that cuts across a number of different professional disciplines, in computing, statistics, medicine, and the laboratory sciences. Clinical diagnosis holds a fascination for many nonmedically qualified professionals, some of whom undoubtedly feel that they could do it better given a fast enough microprocessor and a clever enough algorithm. Computer-based interpretative programs can be a powerful aid to diagnosis, given their extraordinary capacity for unraveling the complex interrelationships between symptomatology and disease and their unfailing memory for obscure detail, but they are not good students of human nature. One strategy for reducing the high proportion of falsely abnormal results observed in multiple test profiles is the construction of a multivariate reference region for the panel of test variables.
Synthesis and Characterization of Fatty Acid Amides from Commercial Vegetable Oils and Primary Alkyl Amines for Phase Change Material Applications

The feasibility of synthesizing bio-based fatty acid amides for phase change material (PCM) applications was studied. Fatty acid amides (FAAms) were successfully synthesized from commercial vegetable oils and primary alkyl amines. The chemical structures of the samples were characterized through FTIR, ¹H-NMR, and ¹³C-NMR, while their thermal properties were studied using DSC and TGA. Results show the potential of FAAms synthesized from corn and sunflower oils to be used as PCMs, which exhibited single transitions over narrow temperature ranges upon cooling/heating even when no fractionation or separation of the material was carried out. The melting temperature of the FAAms increased with the length of the precursor amine, and a similar trend was observed for latent heat except for FAAms from hexadecylamine. Latent heats of the synthesized materials were as high as 141 kJ/kg, and all the FAAms were thermally stable under 200 °C.
What is essential?: Understanding community resilience and public libraries in the United States during disasters

Hurricane Katrina, the 4/27/2011 Tornadoes, the Oso Mudslide, and even more recently, the Coronavirus Pandemic, all demonstrated the devastating experience of disaster. While each of these extreme events varied in scope, size, and degree of disruption, each overwhelmed local authorities necessitating state and federal assistance. Prevention of disasters is ideal, but not practical. Preferably, the emphasis is placed on resilience or a community's ability to bounce back. Public libraries are considered trusted pillars in their community, posing them to provide critical information in the face of extreme challenges. This work explores community resilience and how public libraries in the United States, as Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-designated essential community organizations, enhance community resilience. American Library Association Policy already recognizes the role libraries should play, and more recently, FEMA recognized libraries as "essential community organizations," tasking them with the responsibility of fulfilling critical information needs in the case of a disaster. However, this designation was made without a clear understanding of how libraries should support their communities, leading to confusion during the United States' response to Covid19. This work identifies a gap between the perspectives of the librarians and disaster response agents and suggests methods for closing this gap.
Brain activity is not only for thinking

The human brain is a complex organ with multiple competing imperatives. It must perceive and interpret the world, incorporate new information, and maintain its functional integrity over the lifespan. Neural activity is associated with all of these processes. Spontaneous BOLD signals have been invoked as representing neural activity associated with all of these processes. However, their exact role in these processes remains controversial. Here, we review learning machine theory, molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and homeostasis, and recent experimental evidence to suggest that spontaneous BOLD activity may be more closely aligned with off-line plasticity and homeostatic processes than on-line fluctuations in cognitive content.
Relations Among Gambling Behavior, Associated Problems, Game Type, and Risk Factors in a Rural, African American, Adolescent Sample

Problem gambling is a rising concern among adolescent populations; youth gamble more frequently than adults, and those who gamble are more susceptible than adults to maladaptive outcomes. Research shows that gambling problems are exacerbated among minorities, despite lower rates of gambling frequency. Minority youth are at especially high risk for problematic gambling outcomes, though they have not been widely studied. The objectives of this study were to (a) investigate gambling frequency and rates of associated problems among rural, African American youth, (b) examine risk factors associated with gambling problems, and (c) explore preferences for game type. Hypotheses were tested with survey data from 270 African American youth from rural communities in Georgia, ages 14–17. Past-year gambling prevalence was 38% (48% of males and 28% of females), and 30% of those who gambled (11% of the total sample) reported at least one problem behavior associated with gambling. Confirmatory factor analysis established a distinction between games of skill versus luck. Gambling problems were associated with skill games, and youth played skill games more than luck games. Substance use and anger scores predicted gambling frequency, and gambling frequency predicted gambling problems. Depression scores provided no predictive utility. Poverty status was negatively associated with skill gambling, and there was no association between poverty status and luck gambling. Males gambled more frequently, had more gambling problems, and were more likely to engage in skill gambling relative to females.
A Mixed-Methods Assessment of a Brief Smoking Cessation Intervention Implemented in Ohio Public Health Clinics, 2013

Objectives In 2006, the state of Ohio initiated the implementation of a brief smoking cessation intervention (5As: Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, and Arrange) in select public health clinics that serve low-income pregnant and post-partum women. Funds later became available to expand the program statewide by 2015. However, close to half of the clinics initially trained stopped implementation of the 5As. To help guide the proposed statewide expansion plan for implementation of the 5As, this study assessed barriers and facilitators related to 5As implementation among clinics that had ever received training.
The UN Secretary-Generalship at Fifty

Where does the Secretary-General fit in the scheme of world affairs after nearly fifty years of the United Nations’ existence? As this jubilee commemoration approaches, a close observer of the UN scene offered the opinion that “The Office of the Secretary-General … has suffered something of a quantum shift ever since the end of the Cold War spun it into a high-energy international orbit. It is no longer the predictable centre of a system immobilized by rival superpowers, but something of an enigma at the centre of interlinked conundrums in the political, economic and social spheres.”2 At about the same time, an op-ed article in the New York Times carried the headline, “The Secretary-General Should Revert to Chief Clerk.”3
Cost efficient and performance guaranteed virtual network embedding in multicast fat-tree DCNs

Most of today's data center networks (DCNs) adopt a multi-rooted tree structure called fat-tree, which delivers large bisection bandwidth through rich path multiplicity. In fat-tree DCNs, core switch modules play an important role in providing nonblocking capability, and form a significant part of network cost simultaneously. Reducing core switches while simultaneously guaranteeing performance has been a constant challenge. For example, multicast is an essential communication pattern in cloud services which needs to be supported efficiently. In this paper, we propose virtual network embedding schemes to deal with this problem. In the first scheme, we place the virtual machines (VMs) of a multicast-capable virtual network (MVN) as compact as possible, without any disturbance to existing traffic. In the second scheme, we manage to keep VMs in an even more compact way to reduce cost by allowing a small degree of VM migration. Both schemes are guaranteed to support any multicast communications within MVNs, and simultaneously achieve significant cost saving in terms of core switches, compared to currently best known result. Moreover, we show that our schemes incur only a small overhead in terms of migrations. Finally, we evaluate the performance of proposed schemes and validate the theoretical analysis through extensive simulations.
Reconstructing Sustainability Science: Knowledge and action for a sustainable future

Preface Part 1: Constructing Sustainability Science 1. Planet Under Pressure 2. A Science for Sustainability 4. Constructing Sustainability Science 4. Tensions in Sustainability Science Part 2: Reconstructing Sustainability Science 5. Reclaiming Sustainability: Limits to Knowledge 6. Sustainability as a Science of Design 7. Conclusion: Sustainability and our Socio-Technical Future
Gar-Bitten Coprolite From South Carolina, USA

Coprolites can preserve a wide range of biogenic components. Of all the coprolites known from the fossil record, hitherto only two are known to preserve vertebrate tooth impressions (i.e., those of chondrichthyans). Here, a coprolite, from a thick lag deposit that includes a mixture of late Cretaceous, early Paleocene, and Plio-Pleistocene taxa at Clapp Creek in Kingstree, Williamsburg County, South Carolina, USA, preserves bite marks most consistent with having been made by a gar, Lepisosteus sp. (Lepisosteidae, Actinopterygii). This is the first-known coprolite to preserve actinopterygian tooth/bite marks. Aborted coprophagy seems unlikely; an accidental or serendipitous strike more likely describes the origin of the score marks over the surface of the coprolite. This coprolite also preserves small paired striations interpreted as evidence of coprophagy by an unknown organism.
The Synthesis of Acetylenes

Many advances have been made in recent years in the methods for the synthesis of acetylenes and many compounds are now rather readily available in the pure state. Acetylene was first prepared by Davy, who treated acetylide with water. Propyne, the first substituted acetylene was obtained in 1861. At the present time alkynes are usually synthesized by the alkylation of sodium acetylide or substituted metallic acetylides, often in liquid ammonia and 1-Alkynes are also obtained by dehydrohalogenation of suitable halides with sodium amide or in certain cases by ethanolic alkali. The present discussion will be limited to methods for the creation of a carbon-carbon triple bond and to the alkylation of metallic acetylides. Keywords: acetylenes; dehydrohalogenation; potassium hydroxide; sodium amide; ammonia; triple bond; metallic derivatives; 1-Alkyenes; side reactions; tolans; disubstituted acetylenes; monosubstituted acetylene; experimental procedures
Study of the cerebral circulation by means of inert diffusible tracers.

Publisher Summary Man successfully achieved the measurement of peripheral blood flow, of cardiac output, of renal circulation and glomerular filtration rate at a time when quantitative information on the cerebral circulation had not been obtained even in lower animals. Studies began on the solubility of nitrous oxide in blood and brain. It was eventually found that the solubility of this gas was the same in brain as in blood, and moreover, the solubility was the same in the brain of dog and man, in living brain and in dead brain and was unaffected by a variety of diseases. In order to determine to what extent blood from extracerebral regions is present in the internal jugular vein at the point of sampling, studies were performed at the operating table in cases where exposure of the carotid bifurcation was necessary. As a final evaluation of the nitrous oxide method, experiments were performed in monkeys in which cerebral blood flow was measured simultaneously by this method and directly by means of the bubble flow meter. The nitrous oxide technique and its various modifications has been of value in elucidating the physiology of the circulation in the normally functioning human brain freed of such constraints as anesthesia or surgical intervention.
Groups with a centralizer of sixth order

Let G be a finite fusion-simple group with a self-centralizing subgroup A of sixth order. It is proved that if the centralizer of the involution from A is an unsolvable subgroup of G of an odd index, then G is isomorphic with the Janko group J1.
Synthesis and Surface Properties of Amphiphilic Star-Shaped and Dendrimer-like Copolymers Based on Polystyrene Core and Poly(ethylene oxide) Corona

Polystyrene (PS)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) amphiphilic star-block copolymers and dendrimer-like architectures were prepared using a core-first method. PS stars were first obtained by atom transfer radical polymerization using three and four functional benzyl halides. The chain ends of these star polymers were subsequently modified to generate either the same or twice the number of hydroxyl groups that served to grow the PEO blocks by anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide. Well-defined PSn-b-PEOn (n = 3 or 4) stars and PS3-b-PEO6 dendrimer-like copolymers exhibiting a monomodal and narrow molar mass distribution were obtained in this way. When spread at the air/water interface, these stars proved to be surface active, forming stable reproducible films. Isotherms yielded A0 (theoretical surface area occupied by a film at zero pressure) values, allowing for quantitative comparisons between the stars and linear diblock analogues. Both structures demonstrated similar behavior, passing from liquid expanded ...
Studies of pancreatic nodule induction and DNA damage by D-azaserine.

Abstract The ability of the D-isomer of azaserine to induce atypical acinar cell nodules (AACN) in pancreas and to cause DNA damage in pancreas and liver was evaluated. Rats were injected with equivalent doses of D- or L-azaserine and numbers of AACN were counted after 4 months. DNA damage in pancreas and liver of rats treated in vivo, and in pancreatic acinar cells treated in vitro with D- or L-azaserine was determined by alkaline elution. Results show that D-azaserine does not significantly induced AACN in pancreas, nor does it cause extensive DNA damage in comparison with L-azaserine, suggesting that the differential effect of the 2 isomers is related to stereospecificity in either transport or metabolism.
Molt Cycle-Associated Changes in Calcium-Dependent Proteinase Activity That Degrades Actin and Myosin in Crustacean Muscle

Abstract The role of calcium-dependent proteinase (CDP) in the proecdysial atrophy of crustacean claw muscle has been investigated. During atrophy the molar ratio of actin to myosin heavy chain decreased 31%, confirming earlier ultrastructural observations that the ratio of thin:thick myofilaments declined from 9:1 to 6:1 (D. L. Mykles and D. M. Skinner, 1981, J. Ultrastruct. Res. , 75, 314–325) . The release of TCA-soluble material in muscle homogenates at neutral pH was stimulated by Ca 2+ and completely inhibited by EGTA. The specific degradation of the major myofibrillar proteins (actin, myosin heavy and light chains, paramyosin, tropomyosin, troponin-T, and troponin-I) was demonstrated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Proteolytic activity was more than twofold greater in proecdysial muscle homogenates. Degradation of myofibrillar proteins was inhibited by EGTA, and the two inhibitors of cysteine proteinases, leupeptin and antipain, but not pepstatin, an inhibitor of aspartic proteinases. Unlike CDPs from vertebrate muscle, the CDP(s) in crab claw muscle degrades actin and myosin in addition to other myofibrillar proteins.
An Ecological Assessment of Great Lakes Tributaries in the Michigan Peninsulas

ABSTRACT Michigan stream fish and macroinvertebrate community data from multiple sources were combined to conduct a statewide assessment of riverine ecological condition. Using regionally normalized metrics to correct for methodological inconsistencies and natural variation and statistically based scoring criteria, about 50% of all sampled sites were in expected or better ecological condition, 30% were ecologically impaired, and 20% were marginal. Structural Equation Modeling with this regional assessment dataset indicated that land use effects were more important than effects of point-source discharges. Biological metrics appeared to be more sensitive to urban than agricultural land use, and riparian than basin-wide agricultural land use. Invertebrate communities were marginally more sensitive than fish communities to the suite of anthropogenic stressors examined. Using the observed assessment status from sampled sites, Classification and Regression Tree models were used to estimate ecological condition ...
Pilot educational outreach project on partner violence.

Abstract Background. To assess the impact of a multimodal educational outreach on physician screening and documentation of intimate partner violence (IPV) in primary care. Methods. Pre- and post-intervention assessment of physician screening and chart documentation of IPV. Physician screening was assessed by post-visit survey of patients and documentation was assessed by medical record review. Setting. Three medical offices in an urban community of approximately 1 million. Participants. Three primary care physicians (one internist, one obstetrician, and one family physician) and 100 patients from each of these practices. Interventions. Multimodal educational outreach to physicians and their office staff regarding appropriate screening and management of IPV. A trained IPV educator made periodic office visits in 2002 to educate the physician and office staff regarding appropriate screening and management of IPV. Results. Before the intervention, 36/150 (24%) of sample patients reported having been previously asked about IPV and 24/150 (16%) reported being asked in a written format. After the intervention, 100/149 (67%) and 41/108(28%) reported being asked verbally or in writing, respectively. Conclusions. This pilot study of three physicians suggests educational outreach represents a promising and feasible means of improving physician screening and documentation of IPV in primary care.
FIB machining of occulting masks for imaging of extrasolar planets

We are developing the ability for Focused Ion Beam (FIB) machining of occulting masks for use in coronagraphs. These masks will be used as soft-edged Lyot stops to suppress light from stars and allow direct imaging of extrasolar planets. The FIB approach is attractive because it has the potential for higher precision than mechanical machining and for larger volumes than electron-beam lithography. The mask fabrication process is trifold: 1) a transparent material-currently, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-is doped with dyes; 2) the mask shape is FIB milled into the material; and 3) the mask is coated with another layer of index-matching transparent absorber. Using a Zeiss NVision 40 FIB system, we have fabricated conical-shaped masks of various slopes in dye-doped PMMA. Inherent in this process is the advantage of control of the features through programming the ion beam track. We have also optically characterized these masks as well as the dye-doped absorbing material. We have found that the dye-doped PMMA has a very high absorbance, >1 OD.
Jennifer as Selena: Rethinking Latinidad in Media and Popular Culture

This essay argues that the similarities among US Latinos that have emerged from their status as historical minorities and racialized subjects can be deployed to understand the sites in which Latinos from different national groups identify and disidentify with each other. Instead of rejecting Latinidad as an exclusively hegemonic concept that homogenizes Latinos, Latinidad can be reclaimed as a site for exploring and further understanding the affinities and analogies of historical minorities as (post)colonial subjects. By looking at sites where Latinidad is constituted, such as the case of Jennifer Lopez becoming Selena for the Gregory Nava film, critics can tease out some of the analogous forms of resistance that bring together a Boricua from the Bronx and a Tejana singer. In addition, the issue of the phenotype, style, fashions and body of both stars is also discussed in terms of a Latina feminism.
Utilization of amorphous silicon carbide (a-Si:C:H) as a resistive layer in gas microstrip detectors

Thin semiconducting films of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) and its carbon alloy (a-Si:C:H) were applied to gas microstrip detectors in order to control gain instabilities due to charges on the substrate. Thin ({approximately}100nm) layers of a-Si:H or p-doped a-Si:C:H were placed either over or under the electrodes using the plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique to provide the substrate with a suitable surface conductivity. By changing the carbon content and boron doping density, the sheet resistance of the a-Si:C:H coating could be successfully controlled in the range of 10{sup 12} {approximately} 10{sup 17} {Omega}/{four_gradient}, and the light sensitivity, which causes the resistivity to vary with ambient light conditions, was minimized. An avalanche gain of 5000 and energy resolution of 20% FWHM were achieved and the gain remained constant over a week of operation. A-Si:C:H film is an attractive alternative to ion-implanted or semiconducting glass due to the wide range of resistivities possible and the feasibility of making deposits over a large area at low cost.