cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal expansion/shrinkage measurement of battery separators using a dynamic mechanical analyzer

Abstract Polymer separators for lithium ion batteries are thin, porous membranes of 20–30 μm thickness. At elevated temperatures, some separators can shrink considerably. To predict the deformation and stresses in the separator in battery cells, it is necessary to measure the expansion/shrinkage property of a separator as expressed by the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The reported CTE measurement techniques for thin films have their limitations. This paper examines the use of a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) for the measurement of the thermal expansion/shrinkage property of polymer separators. The effect of the dimensional change of the testing fixture was considered. The influences of the preloading levels and heating rates were investigated. The measurements were carried out for three common types of polymer based separator. The CTE as a function of temperature was determined from the DMA data. DMA offers continuous measurements in an automatic fashion, which is an efficient and convenient method to characterize the thermal expansion/shrinkage behavior of thin polymer films.
Jail for Juvenile Child Pornographers?: A Reply to Professor Leary

Even though Professor Leary and I are united in the goal of protecting children against sexual exploitation, we part company on the proper societal response to the problem of self-produced child pornography. In my view, children who produce and distribute pornographic images of themselves ordinarily should not be regarded as proper objects of punishment. In this context, child protective services, backed up if necessary by the threat of criminal prosecution, is a much more appropriate way of reforming minors and protecting them against the serious dangers to which they expose themselves by creating and distributing pornographic images of themselves. A prosecution-based response, though essential for sexual predators and others involved in the sexual exploitation of minors, would create far more problems than it would solve for minors who make the mistake of creating and distributing pornographic images of themselves.
Modeling for reliability optimization of system design and maintenance based on Markov chain theory

Abstract This paper proposes an MINLP model that represents the stochastic process of system failures and repairs as a continuous-time Markov chain, based on which it optimizes the selection of redundancy and the frequency of inspection and maintenance tasks for maximum profit. The model explicitly accounts for every possible state of the system. Effective decomposition and scenario reduction methods are also proposed. A small example with two processing stage is solved to demonstrate the impact of incorporating maintenance considerations. A decomposition method and a scenario reduction method are applied to this example and are shown to drastically reduce the computational effort. A larger example with four stages, which is not directly solvable, is also successfully solved using the proposed algorithm. Lastly, we show that the proposed model and algorithms are capable of solving a practical problem based on the air separation process example that motivated our work, which features multiple stages, potential units and failure modes.
Understanding gaseous reduction in swine manure resulting from nanoparticle treatments under anaerobic storage conditions

Abstract Manure is an impending source of carbon (C), sulfur (S) and water (H2O). Consequently, microbial populations utilize these constituents to produce methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), greenhouse gases (GHGs), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Application of nanoparticles (NPs) to stored manure is an emerging GHG mitigation technique. In this study, two NPs: nano zinc oxide (nZnO) and nano silver (nAg) were tested in swine manure stored under anaerobic conditions to determine their effectiveness in mitigating gaseous emissions and total gas production. The biological sources of gas production, i.e., microbial populations were characterized via Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) analysis. Additionally, pH, redox, and VFAs were determined using standard methods. Each treatment of the experiment was replicated three times and NPs were applied at a dose of 3 g/L of manure. Also, headspace gas from all treatment replicates were analyzed for CH4 and CO2 gas concentrations using an SRI-8610 Gas Chromatograph and H2S concentrations were measured using a Jerome 631X meter. Nanoparticles tested in this study reduced the cumulative gas volume by 16%–79% compared to the control. Among the NPs tested, only nZnO consistently reduced GHG concentrations by 37%–97%. Reductions in H2S concentrations ranged from 87% to 97%. Gaseous reductions were likely due to decreases in the activity and numbers of specific gas producing methanogenic archaea and sulfate reducing bacterial (SRB) species.
Functional network connectivity impairments and core cognitive deficits in schizophrenia

Cognitive deficits contribute to functional disability in patients with schizophrenia and may be related to altered functional networks that serve cognition. We evaluated the integrity of major functional networks and assessed their role in supporting two cognitive functions affected in schizophrenia: processing speed (PS) and working memory (WM). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) data, N = 261 patients and 327 controls, were aggregated from three independent cohorts and evaluated using Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta Analysis rsfMRI analysis pipeline. Meta- and mega-analyses were used to evaluate patient-control differences in functional connectivity (FC) measures. Canonical correlation analysis was used to study the association between cognitive deficits and FC measures. Patients showed consistent patterns of cognitive and resting-state FC (rsFC) deficits across three cohorts. Patient-control differences in rsFC calculated using seed-based and dual-regression approaches were consistent (Cohen's d: 0.31 ± 0.09 and 0.29 ± 0.08, p < 10-4 ). RsFC measures explained 12-17% of the individual variations in PS and WM in the full sample and in patients and controls separately, with the strongest correlations found in salience, auditory, somatosensory, and default-mode networks. The pattern of association between rsFC (within-network) and PS (r = .45, p = .07) and WM (r = .36, p = .16), and rsFC (between-network) and PS (r = .52, p = 8.4 × 10-3 ) and WM (r = .47, p = .02), derived from multiple networks was related to effect size of patient-control differences in the functional networks. No association was detected between rsFC and current medication dose or psychosis ratings. Patients demonstrated significant reduction in several FC networks that may partially underlie some of the core neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenia. The strength of connectivity-cognition relationships in different networks was strongly associated with network's vulnerability to schizophrenia.
A Paper-Based Biological Solar Cell

A merged system incorporating paperfluidics and papertronics has recently emerged as a simple, single-use, low-cost paradigm for disposable point-of-care (POC) diagnostic applications. Stand-alone and self-sustained paper-based systems are essential to providing effective and lifesaving treatments in resource-constrained environments. Therefore, a realistic and accessible power source is required for actual paper-based POC systems as their diagnostic performance and portability rely significantly on power availability. Among many paper-based batteries and energy storage devices, paper-based microbial fuel cells have attracted much attention because bacteria can harvest electricity from any type of organic matter that is readily available in those challenging regions. However, the promise of this technology has not been translated into practical power applications because of its short power duration, which is not enough to fully operate those systems for a relatively long period. In this work, we for the first time demonstrate a simple and long-lasting paper-based biological solar cell that uses photosynthetic bacteria as biocatalysts. The bacterial photosynthesis and respiration continuously and self-sustainably generate power by converting light energy into electricity. With a highly porous and conductive anode and an innovative solid-state cathode, the biological solar cell built upon the paper substrates generated the maximum current and power density of 65 µA/cm2 and 10.7 µW/cm2, respectively, which are considerably greater than those of conventional micro-sized biological solar cells. Furthermore, photosynthetic bacteria in a 3-D volumetric chamber made of a stack of papers provided stable and long-lasting electricity for more than 5 h, while electrical current from the heterotrophic culture on 2-D paper dramatically decreased within several minutes.
Serum pro-BDNF levels correlate with phospho-tau staining in Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract Disruption of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) biosynthesis and/or signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We used postmortem brain and fluid samples from 20 patients with variable severity of AD and 11 controls to investigate whether BDNF levels in serum and brain tissue correlated with hippocampal pathology. Total BDNF, precursor BDNF (pro-BDNF), and mature BDNF were measured in cerebrospinal fluid, serum, and 3 postmortem brain regions. Histological markers for AD pathology, the BDNF cognate receptor (TrkB), and glia were measured in the hippocampus (HIP). Lower pro-BDNF levels were observed in the entorhinal and frontal cortices in AD cases compared with controls. AD cases also exhibited significantly lower staining densities of the cognate BDNF receptor TrkB in the HIP compared with controls, and TrkB staining was inversely correlated with both Amylo-Glo and pTau staining in the same region, suggesting a relationship between the density of the cognate BDNF receptor and accumulation of AD pathology. In addition, higher serum pro-BDNF levels correlated with lower HIP pro-BDNF levels and higher pTau staining in the HIP. Total BDNF levels in cortical regions were also negatively correlated with Amylo-Glo staining in the HIP suggesting that reduced BDNF cortical levels might influence hippocampal amyloid accumulation. These results strongly suggest that altered BDNF and TrkB receptors are involved in AD pathology and therefore warrant investigations into therapies involving the BDNF pathway.
How to Effectively Manage Communication on Project Teams

Communication is critical for effective project management success. This brief technology manager notebook article explores helpful strategies in managing project communication. We also consider the impact of poor communication on projects and offer recommendations in overcoming these issues.
Making the invisible visible: practical applications of visual metaphors in teaching and learning accounting

Current accounting graduates will be engaged in a constantly changing and visual world, and educators can help them by harnessing the power of visual metaphors. This article illustrates how hand-dr...
Does the ‘halo effect’ of trauma center verification extend to severe postpartum hemorrhage? A four-year retrospective review of level 1 trauma centers in the United States:

IntroductionDesignated high-quality trauma services have been shown to improve outcomes of trauma patients by virtue of access to specialized personnel and resources. It remains unclear if a ‘halo ...
HD 203030B: an Unusually Cool Young Sub-Stellar Companion near the L/T Transition

We present the discovery of a brown-dwarf companion to the 130-400 Myr-old G8 V star HD 203030. Separated by 11.9" (487 AU in projection) from its host star, HD 203030B has an estimated mass of 0.023 (+0.008;-0.011) solar masses. The K-band spectral type of L7.5+/-0.5 places HD 203030B near the critical L/T transition in brown dwarfs, which is characterized by the rapid disappearance of dust in sub-stellar photospheres. From a comparative analysis with well-characterized field L/T transition dwarfs, we find that, despite its young age, HD 203030B has a bolometric luminosity similar to the >1 Gyr-old field dwarfs. Adopting a radius from current models of sub-stellar evolution, we hence obtain that the effective temperature of HD 203030B is only 1206 (+74;-116) K, markedly lower than the ~1440 K effective temperatures of field L/T transition dwarfs. The temperature discrepancy can be resolved if either: (1) the ages of field brown dwarfs have been over-estimated by a factor of \~1.5, leading to under-estimated radii, or (2) the lower effective temperature of HD 203030B is related to its young age, implying that the effective temperature at the L/T transition is gravity-dependent.
NR Madhava Menon: The guiding light for global clinical legal education

The late NR Madhava Menon, known widely as ‘the father of modern legal education in India’, was also a leading voice for global legal education reform by championing ‘socially relevant legal education’ through clinical legal education throughout the world. This article concentrates on his seminal role in the founding of the Global Alliance for Justice Education (GAJE) and the crafting of its mission statement. Drawing on a number of key moments in Dr Menon’s lifelong dedication to the twin causes of legal education and social justice, it highlights how he brought an international perspective to his critical work on legal education reform in India by enlisting international collaborators, how he motivated international colleagues to bring similar reforms to their countries, and how he mentored new generations of legal educators in what has become a true global clinical movement. The article focuses specifically on how the guiding principles of GAJE’s inaugural conference, which Dr Menon co-chaired in 1999, reflect his vision of global clinical legal education that continues to guide GAJE and the global clinical movement today.
A guided latent Dirichlet allocation approach to investigate real-time latent topics of Twitter data during Hurricane Laura:

Natural disasters cause significant damage, casualties and economical losses. Twitter has been used to support prompt disaster response and management because people tend to communicate and spread ...
Cognitive interventions in children and adolescents from low socioeconomic status backgrounds: a systematic review protocol of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND Many studies have evaluated the effects that a lack of resources has in children's physical and cognitive development. Although there are reviews that have focused on applied interventions from different perspectives, there is still a need for a comprehensive review of what has been attempted with these children from the cognitive intervention field. The aim of this paper is to present a protocol for a systematic review collecting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studies whose purpose was to enhance cognitive development through the implementation of cognitive interventions in children and adolescents (< 18 years old) from low socioeconomic Status (SES) settings. METHODS The following databases will be searched: Web of Science (WoS core collection), PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial, ERIC, PubMed, ICTRP and Opengrey Register (System for Information of Grey Literature in Europe). Searches will be adapted for each database. Additionally, the reference list of articles included in the review will also be searched. As part of this process, two reviewers will determine, independently, the suitability of each article taking into account predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Pertinent data will then be extracted, including sample characteristics, specifics of the intervention, and outcomes, as well as follow-up measures. Internal validity will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. A quantitative synthesis of results will be conducted using a meta-analysis. However, if a meta-analysis is difficult to implement due to the diversity of the studies (for example, in terms of measures used to estimate the effect size, intervention types, outcomes, etc.), the technique synthesis without meta-analysis (SWiM) will be used. A description of outcome measures will be provided, as measured by validated neuropsychological instruments of any cognitive function. DISCUSSION The systematic review will offer a framework based on evidence to organisations, institutions, and experts who want to implement or promote interventions aimed at enhancing cognitive domains in children and adolescents who live in disadvantaged contexts. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION This protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on 16 March 2020 (registration number: CDR42020150238).
Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing in Breast Cancer Care Delivery

Accurate measurement of healthcare costs is required to assess and improve the value of oncology care. We aimed to determine the cost of breast cancer care provision across collaborating health care organizations. We used time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) to calculate the complete cost of breast cancer care—initial treatment planning, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgical resection and reconstruction, and ancillary services (e.g., psychosocial oncology, physical therapy)—across multiple hospital sites. Data were collected between December 2019 and February 2020. TDABC steps involved (1) developing process maps for care delivery pathways; (2) determine capacity cost rates for staff, medical equipment, and hospital space; (3) measure the time required for each process step, both manually through clinic observation and using data from the Real-Time Location System (RTLS); and (4) calculate the total cost of care delivery. Surgical care costs ranged from $1431 for a lumpectomy to $12,129 for a mastectomy with prepectoral implant reconstruction. Radiation therapy was costed at $1224 for initial simulation and patient education, and $200 for each additional treatment. Base costs for chemotherapy delivery were $382 per visit, with additional costs driven by chemotherapy agent(s) administered. Personnel expenses were the greatest contributor to the cost of surgical care, except in mastectomy with implant reconstruction, where device costs equated to up to 60% of the cost of surgery. The cost of complete breast cancer care depended on (1) treatment protocols; (2) patient choice of reconstruction; and (3) the need for ancillary services (e.g., physical therapy). Understanding the actual costs and cost drivers of breast cancer care delivery may better inform resource utilization to lower the cost and improve the quality of care.
In vivo synergy between oncolytic reovirus and gemcitibane in ras-mutated human HCT116 xenografts

4812 Reolysin, a type 3 reovirus, is a ubiquitous double-stranded RNA virus that exhibits selective oncolytic activity in ras-activated tumor cells and is non-pathogenic in humans. Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that Reolysin is synergistic when used in combination with gemcitabine and other commonly used cytotoxic agents against human colon carcinoma cells in vitro. To determine whether the combination of gemcitabine and Reolysin is synergistic in vivo, we injected HCT116 cells, a human colon carcinoma cell line, into the flanks of nude mice. Resulting tumors were treated every 6 days upon reaching 0.5 cm2 with DPBS (n=5), gemcitabine (n=5), Reolysin (n=5) , or a combination of Reolysin (5X108 pfu, i.t.) and gemcitabine (83.3 mg/kg, i.p.) (n=5). Tumors treated with the drug combination exhibited a significant decrease in tumor area compared to controls and single agent therapy within 2 weeks of receiving treatment. Within 1 month, all treatment regimens exhibited a decrease in tumor area, with the combination of gemcitabine and Reolysin being the most efficacious. Statistical tests performed on raw data area measurements 30 days post treatment demonstrated a significant decrease in tumor area for gemcitabine v. control (p
Enhanced Emission from Bright Excitons in Asymmetrically Strained Colloidal CdSe/CdxZn1-xSe Quantum Dots.

Colloidal CdSe quantum dots (QDs) designed with a high degree of asymmetric internal strain have recently been shown to host a number of desirable optical properties including subthermal room-temperature line widths, suppressed spectral diffusion, and high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yields. It remains an open question, however, whether they are well-suited for applications requiring emission of identical single photons. Here we measure the low-temperature PL dynamics and the polarization-resolved fluorescence line narrowing spectra from ensembles of these strained QDs. Our spectroscopy reveals the radiative recombination rates of bright and dark excitons, the relaxation rate between the two, and the energy spectra of the quantized acoustic phonons in the QDs that can contribute to relaxation processes. In comparison to conventional colloidal CdSe/ZnS core/shell QDs, we find that in asymmetrically strained CdSe QDs over six times more light is emitted directly by the bright exciton. These results are therefore encouraging for the prospects of chemically synthesized colloidal QDs as emitters of single indistinguishable photons.
Social Robots as Creativity Eliciting Agents.

Can robots help children be more creative? In this work, we posit social robots as creativity support tools for children in collaborative interactions. Children learn creative expressions and behaviors through social interactions with others during playful and collaborative tasks, and socially emulate their peers' and teachers' creativity. Social robots have a unique ability to engage in social and emotional interactions with children that can be leveraged to foster creative expression. We focus on two types of social interactions: creativity demonstration, where the robot exhibits creative behaviors, and creativity scaffolding, where the robot poses challenges, suggests ideas, provides positive reinforcement, and asks questions to scaffold children's creativity. We situate our research in three playful and collaborative tasks - the Droodle Creativity game (that affords verbal creativity), the MagicDraw game (that affords figural creativity), and the WeDo construction task (that affords constructional creativity), that children play with Jibo, a social robot. To evaluate the efficacy of the robot's social behaviors in enhancing creative behavior and expression in children, we ran three randomized controlled trials with 169 children in the 5-10 yr old age group. In the first two tasks, the robot exhibited creativity demonstration behaviors. We found that children who interacted with the robot exhibiting high verbal creativity in the Droodle game and high figural creativity in the MagicDraw game also exhibited significantly higher creativity than a control group of participants who interacted with a robot that did not express creativity (p < 0.05*). In the WeDo construction task, children who interacted with the robot that expressed creative scaffolding behaviors (asking reflective questions, generating ideas and challenges, and providing positive reinforcement) demonstrated higher creativity than participants in the control group by expressing a greater number of ideas, more original ideas, and more varied use of available materials (p < 0.05*). We found that both creativity demonstration and creativity scaffolding can be leveraged as social mechanisms for eliciting creativity in children using a social robot. From our findings, we suggest design guidelines for pedagogical tools and social agent interactions to better support children's creativity.
Public Response to Disaster Response: Applying the ''5C+A'' Framework to El Salvador 2001 and Peru 2007

A recent paper in this journal proposed that post-impact public evaluations of governmental disaster performance may be usefully understood and analyzed along six ‘‘5C+A’’ dimensions: capability, competence, compassion, correctness, credibility, and anticipation. Using postdisaster public opinion data from El Salvador in 2001 and Peru in 2007, we offer the first empirical tests of this 5C+A approach, finding that it cannot be disconfirmed at this point and that public perceptions of the five ‘‘Cs’’ (capabilities, competence, compassion, correctness, and credibility) are clearly related to the public’s overall estimations of governmental disaster response and evaluations of presidential disaster performance in some settings. Interestingly, the proposed ‘‘A’’ dimension (anticipation) drops out for both governments and leaders. The implications are serious for both researchers and practitioners interested in the rapidly evolving study of ‘‘the politics of disaster.’’
Rhizobium japonicum Serogroup and Hydrogenase Phenotype Distribution in 12 States.

Abstract A survey was conducted in 1980 on 972 isolates of Rhizobium japonicum obtained from 65 soybean field locations in 12 states. Isolates were examined for the hydrogenase (Hup) phenotype and somatic serogroup identity. Only 20% of the isolates were Hup+, with a majority of Hup− isolates occurring in 10 of the 12 states. The most predominant serogroup was 31 (21.5%), followed by 123 (13.6%). Although most serogroups contained a majority of Hup− isolates, marked differences occurred. None of the isolates in serogroup 135 were Hup+, but 93% of the isolates in serogroup 122 were Hup+. The serogroups with relatively high frequencies of Hup+ isolates (122 and 110) constitute only a small part (<5% each) of the R. japonicum field population in the 12 states.
Hearing loss with semicircular canal fistula in exotoxin A-deficient Pseudomonas otitis media.

Abstract Objective The study goal was to compare the severity of hearing loss with semicircular canal injury in the presence of otitis media (OM) due to an exotoxin A–producing strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA+) and an exotoxin A–deficient daughter strain (PA−). Methods PA+ or PA− was injected bilaterally into guinea pig ears. Three days later, unilateral lateral semicircular canal transection was performed. Hearing was tested before and after transection. Results PA OM was induced in all injected ears. Significant elevation of click and 12-kHz thresholds ( P Conclusion Hearing loss resulting from canal injury in the presence of Pseudomonas OM may be mediated by exotoxin A. Significance Treatment to neutralize the effects of exotoxin A may minimize the risk of hearing loss with canal fistula in chronic OM.
Alcohol and injury: American College of Surgeons Committee on trauma requirements for trauma center intervention.

Mortality in trauma patients is traditionally described as having a tri-modal distribution. The first peak in the mortality curve describes deaths that occur in the field, and is due to massive, overwhelming injury. The second peak occurs within a period referred to as the “Golden Hour,” in patients
Gene Length and Proximity to Neighbors Affect Genome-Wide Expression Levels

Steady-state levels of mRNA in cells theoretically depend on the rate and efficiency of transcription and posttranscriptional processing, on mRNA stability, on transcriptional interference from other genes, and on poorly defined long-range chromatin effects. Although each of these cellular processes has been studied in detail for a few genes, it is not possible to predict expression levels by simply examining gene sequences. In this report, we have used a bioinformatics approach to identify critical factors that influence expression levels. To simplify the problem, we have limited our analysis to the collection of genes expressed in all tissues, because such genes provide a unique opportunity to distinguish the role of general genomic features that constrain gene expression from the effect of tissue-specific factors. Using correlation and regression techniques, we have investigated the dependence between expression level and morphological parameters (distance to neighbors, gene, mRNA or 3'-UTR length, number of exons, etc.) that can be directly related to transcription, posttranscriptional processing, mRNA stability, or transcriptional interference. We found that, on a genome-wide scale, highly expressed genes are significantly farther from their closest neighboring genes, are smaller, contain a moderate number of exons, and produce shorter mRNAs with shorter 3'-UTRs. This confirms that transcriptional and posttranscriptional processes are highly interrelated and implies that transcriptional interference plays a role in determining steady-state levels of mRNA in cells.
Ion selectivity of the KcsA channel: A perspective from multi-ion free energy landscapes

Abstract Potassium (K + ) channels are specialized membrane proteins that are able to facilitate and regulate the conduction of K + through cell membranes. Comprising five specific cation binding sites (S 0 –S 4 ) formed by the backbone carbonyl groups of conserved residues common to all K + channels, the narrow selectivity filter allows fast conduction of K + while being highly selective for K + over Na + . To extend our knowledge of the microscopic mechanism underlying selectivity in K + channels, we characterize the free energy landscapes governing the entry and translocation of a Na + or a K + from the extracellular side into the selectivity filter of KcsA. The entry process of an extracellular ion is examined in the presence of two additional K + in the pore, and the three-ion potential of mean force is computed using extensive all-atom umbrella sampling molecular dynamics simulations. A comparison of the potentials of mean force yields a number of important results. First, the free energy minima corresponding to configurations with extracellular K + or Na + in binding site S 0 or S 1 are similar in depth, suggesting that the thermodynamic selectivity governed by the free energy minima for those two binding sites is insignificant. Second, the free energy barriers between stable multi-ion configurations are generally higher for Na + than for K + , implying that the kinetics of ion conduction is slower when a Na + enters the pore. Third, the region corresponding to binding site S 2 near the center of the narrow pore emerges as the most selective for K + over Na + . In particular, while there is a stable minimum for K + in site S 2 , Na + faces a steep free energy increase with no local free energy well in this region. Lastly, analysis shows that selectivity is not correlated with the overall coordination number of the ion entering the pore, but is predominantly affected by changes in the type of coordinating ligands (carbonyls versus water molecules). These results further highlight the importance of the central region near binding site S 2 in the selectivity filter of K + channels.
MeetUp: a universally designed smartphone application to find another

A universally designed mobile application, MeetUp, that assists users to meet up is designed and implemented for blind and sighted users. The Android application MeetUp was originally designed for blind users, but a visual interface was added so it could become usable by sighted users as well. The system design and user interactions with the application are described.
The effect of numerical integration on the finite element approximation of linear functionals

In this paper, we have studied the effect of numerical integration on the finite element method based on piecewise polynomials of degree k, in the context of approximating linear functionals, which are also known as “quantities of interest”. We have obtained the optimal order of convergence, $${\mathcal{O}(h^{2k})}$$, of the error in the computed functional, when the integrals in the stiffness matrix and the load vector are computed with a quadrature rule of algebraic precision 2k − 1. However, this result was obtained under an increased regularity assumption on the data, which is more than required to obtain the optimal order of convergence of the energy norm of the error in the finite element solution with quadrature. We have obtained a lower bound of the error in the computed functional for a particular problem, which indicates the necessity of the increased regularity requirement of the data. Numerical experiments have been presented indicating that over-integration may be necessary to accurately approximate the functional, when the data lack the increased regularity.
Digestive vacuolar pH of intact intraerythrocytic P. falciparum either sensitive or resistant to chloroquine.

We present the first single cell-level analysis of digestive vacuolar pH for representative chloroquine resistant (strain Dd2) versus sensitive (strain HB3) malarial parasites. Human red blood cells harboring intact intraerythrocytic parasites were attached to glass substrate, continuously perfused with appropriate buffer, and pH was analyzed via single cell imaging and photometry techniques. We find that digestive vacuolar pH (pH(vac)) is near 5.6 for HB3 parasites. Surprisingly, we also find that pH(vac) of Dd2 is more acidic relative to HB3. Notably, in vitro pH titration of hematin confirms a very steep transition between soluble heme (capable of binding chloroquine) and insoluble heme (not capable of binding chloroquine, but still capable of polymerization to hemozoin) with a distinct midpoint at pH 5.6. We suggest the similarity between the hematin pH titration midpoint and the measured value of HB3 pH(vac) is not coincidental, and that decreased pH(vac) for Dd2 titrates limited initial drug target (i.e. soluble heme) to lower concentration. That is, changes in pH(vac) for drug resistant Dd2 relative to drug sensitive HB3 are consistent with lowering drug target levels, but not directly lowering vacuolar concentrations of drug via the predictions of weak base partitioning theory. Regardless, lowering either would of course decrease the efficiency of drug/target interaction and hence the net cellular accumulation of drug over time, as is typically observed for resistant parasites. These observations contrast sharply with the common expectation that decreased chloroquine accumulation in drug resistant malarial parasites is likely linked to elevated pH(vac,) but nonetheless illustrate important differences in vacuolar ion transport for drug resistant malarial parasites. In the accompanying paper (Ursos, L. et al., following paper this issue) we describe how pH(vac) is affected by exposure to chloroquine and verapamil for HB3 versus Dd2.
Parental personality as an inner resource that moderates the impact of ecological adversity on parenting.

Parents' personality was examined as a moderator of the impact of demographic risk on parenting in a longitudinal study (N = 102 families). Parents' personality and demographic risk (i.e., education level, age, family income, and family size) were assessed when children were infants, and parents' power assertion, warmth, and positive affect were observed in naturalistic interactions 2.5 years later. Parents' personality moderated the adverse impact of demographic risk on parenting. For parents who had memories of unstable and unhappy childhood experiences and who reported low conventionality, higher risk was linked to more power assertion, but there was no such link for those parents who recalled happy childhood experiences and who embraced conventions. For both parents who lacked a sense of optimism and social trust, and for fathers who reported low conventionality, higher risk was linked to less affectively positive parenting, but there was no such link for parents who were optimistic and trusting or for fathers who were conventional. Higher risk was linked to more power assertion, but only for mothers low in Extraversion and for fathers high in Neuroticism.
The Miocora-like Dragonflies from Ecuador with Notes on Cora, Miocora, Kalocora, Josocora and Stenocora (Odonata: Polythorinae)

Once or twice a year the writer receives from Ecuador or Peru a specimen or two of very small polythorine dragonflies which in size, venation and dark color pattern appear to be close relatives of Miocora peraltica Calvert (1917) known from the unique male genotype from Costa Rica. These specimens comprise three species, one from the watershed of the Rio Napo, one from that of the Rio Pastaza and one from La Merced, Peru.
Concerning the Lp norm of spectral clusters for second-order elliptic operators on compact manifolds

Abstract In this paper we study the (Lp, L2) mapping properties of a spectral projection operator for Riemannian manifolds. This operator is a generalization of the harmonic projection operator for spherical harmonics on Sn (see C. D. Sogge, Duke Math. J. 53 1986, 43–65). Among other things, we generalize the L2 restriction theorems of C. Fefferman, E. M. Stein, and P. Tomas (Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. 81 1975, 477–478) for the Fourier transform in Rn to the setting of Riemannian manifolds. We obtain these results for the spectral projection operator as a corollary of a certain “Sobolev inequality” involving Δ + τ2 for large τ. This Sobolev inequality generalizes certain results for Rn of C. Kenig, A. Ruiz, and the author (Duke Math. J. 55 1987, 329–347). The main tools in the proof of the Sobolev inequalities for Riemannian manifolds are the Hadamard parametrix (cf. L. Hormander, Acta Math. 88 1968, 341–370, and “The Analysis of Linear Partial Differential Equations,” Vol. III, Springer-Verlag, New York 1985) and oscillatory integral theorems of L. Carleson and P. Sjolin (Studia Math. 44 1972, 287–299) and Stein (Ann. Math. Stud. 112 1986, 307–357).
The influence of competitive interactions on multiple eutectic phase behavior in poly(ethylene oxide) molecular complexes

Abstract Binary mixtures of poly(ethylene oxide) and resorcinol exhibit two eutectic phase transitions at 40 and 80 °C, which are separated by a single-phase stoichiometric complex at ≈33 mol% resorcinol. These eutectic temperatures increase slightly at higher molecular weights of poly(ethylene oxide). The eutectics and the molecular complex are absent in ternary mixtures with either 25 or 40 wt% poly(2-vinylpyridine) because both polymers contain electron-pair donors which participate in hydrogen bonding interactions with the hydroxyl groups of the small-molecule aromatic. In contrast, 25 wt% polystyrene does not disrupt the bi-eutectic phase behavior of poly(ethylene oxide) and resorcinol because polystyrene is inert in these ternary mixtures. The lightest lanthanides with the largest ionic radii in the first-row of the f-block, like LaCl 3 (H 2 O) 6 and CeCl 3 (H 2 O) x , are more effective than neodymium, terbium and ytterbium trichloride hexahydrates from the viewpoint of (i) competing with resorcinol, (ii) interacting with poly(ethylene oxide), (iii) eliminating eutectic melting, and (iv) disrupting the 2:1 stoichiometric complex between poly(ethylene oxide) and resorcinol. High-resolution 13 C solid state NMR spectroscopy identifies resorcinol in several different molecular environments. Multiple resonances are observed for chemically equivalent, but morphologically and crystallographically inequivalent, 13 C sites in the solid state. The isotropic chemical shift of the phenolic 13 C site in this small-molecule aromatic is very sensitive to the strength of intermolecular interactions in various phases. For example, self-association of resorcinol in pure crystalline phase γ yields a phenolic carbon chemical shift at 155 ppm. The formation of a 2:1 stoichiometric complex between poly(ethylene oxide) and resorcinol in co-crystallized phase β is identified by a phenolic carbon chemical shift at 158 ppm. When resorcinol and poly(2-vinylpyridine) interact in a homogeneous amorphous phase, the phenolic carbon resonance appears at a chemical shift of 160 ppm. A resorcinol-rich disordered crystalline phase in ternary mixtures with poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(2-vinylpyridine) yields a phenolic carbon resonance at 159 ppm. Temperature-composition projections of the binary and ternary phase diagrams, constructed via differential scanning calorimetry, allow one to interpret 13 C NMR spectra of these strongly interacting blends and complexes in the solid state.
Ornithine synthesis from glutamate in rat small intestinal mucosa

Abstract The de novo synthesis of ornithine from glutamate by the rat small intestine has been investigated in order to establish conditions necessary for the reaction to proceed optimally. The formation of [ 14 C]ornithine from [ 14 C]glutamate was found in a subcellular fraction enriched in mitochondria. Ornithine formation required glutamate, ATP, NADPH, and Mg 2+ ; phosphocreatine in the presence of endogenous creatine phosphokinase was stimulatory. Glutamate and ATP exhibited typical saturation kinetics with apparent K m values of about 8 m m and 60 μ m , respectively. Ornithine synthesis was increased by NADPH concentrations up to 0.2 m m but higher concentrations were inhibitory. The maximal rate observed was 1 to 4 nmol of ornithine/min · mg protein. Synthesis of ornithine from glutamate was not observed with liver or kidney homogenates. Although the intestinal mitochondrial fraction contained ornithine aminotransferase (OAT), partially purified rat liver OAT stimulated ornithine synthesis. In the absence of exogenous liver OAT, pyridoxal 5′-phosphate or pyridoxamine 5′-phosphate stimulated both ornithine synthesis and endogenous OAT activity. These observations support the hypothesis that ATP and NADPH were utilized to reduce glutamate to glutamate-γ-semialdehyde which was then aminated by OAT to yield ornithine [Ross, G., Dunn, D., and Jones, M. E. (1978) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 85 , 140–147]. Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate concentrations greater than 0.01 m m inhibited ornithine formation whereas pyridoxamine 5′-phosphate showed no inhibitory effect at this or higher concentrations. Neither coenzyme inhibited endogenous OAT activity. These results suggest that pyridoxal 5′-phosphate inhibits the synthesis of glutamate-γ-semialdehyde.
The Philadelphia Stock Exchange: Adapting To Survive In Changing Markets

This article analyzes the evolution of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange (PHLX), America's oldest stock exchange, from 1950 through 2000. PHLX was able to compete against the much larger New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) because it exploited loopholes created by fixed minimum trading commissions prior to 1975. After the liberalization of commissions, the PHLX competed against the NYSE by offering automated executions that met the needs of discount brokers. It also moved early to trade equity options and developed the first exchange-based market for foreign currency options.
Bridging the gaps in vector biology

![][1] This EMBO Workshop on the Molecular and Population Biology of Mosquitoes and other Disease Vectors took place between 22 and 30 July 2005 in Kolymbari, Crete, Greece. The workshop was organized by C. Louis (Chair), B. Beaty, N. Besansky, P. Brey, M. Coetzee, F. Collins, D. Fontenille, J. Hemingway, J. Hoffmann, A.A. James, F.C. Kafatos, J. Law, J. Ribeiro, M. Rodriguez, T. Scott, D. Severson, R. Sinden, A. della Torre and Y. Toure. The photo is of the sunset on the Monastery of Gonia, viewed from the Orthodox Academy of Crete where the Workshop took place (photo courtesy of C. Louis). More than 100 scientists gathered in the peaceful setting of the Greek Orthodox Academy in Crete to share the latest research on the arthropod vectors of human diseases (abstracts available at http://skonops.imbb.forth.gr/AnoBase/Conferences/home_page.html). The meeting participants were a mixture of basic scientists addressing fundamental biological questions and applied researchers whose intent is to reduce the frightful toll of diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and filariasis by targeting the vectors. This emphasis on vectors is justified by the success of control programmes that have used insecticides, environmental management and personal protection such as repellents and nets. New insights and technologies are needed to counteract the erosion of the efficacy of these approaches—for example, the emergence of insecticide resistance—and to address regions of the world where these approaches have either not been applied or have failed. This series of workshops promotes interactions among scientists to bridge the gaps between the laboratory development of anti‐vector tools and the knowledge of field properties of mosquitoes, and to stimulate links between scientists in the developed world with disease endemic country (DEC) scientists who would be responsible for implementing new technologies. The research and applications that were discussed have a strong base in advanced technology … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Adrenal Innervation May Be an Extrapituitary Mechanism Able to Regulate Adrenocortical Rhythmicity in Rats

The daily rhythm of plasma corticosteroid concentration was studied in nonhypophysectomized rats and in hypophysectomized rats implanted with beeswax pellets containing ACTH and T4. In the first experiment, male hypophysectomized rats were placed on a 12-h light, 12-h dark cycle (onset of light, 0600 h) with food and water available ad libitum. Beeswax pellets containing 1.5 mg ACTH and 150 micrograms T4 were implanted sc in these rats. Beginning 4 days after the implantation of ACTH and T4, daily rhythms of plasma corticosteroid concentration were detected in these rats on 3 successive days. The injection of sodium pentobarbital (40 mg/kg BW) or atropine sulfate (10 mg/kg BW) ip at 1200 h blocked the expected rise in plasma corticosteroid concentration at 1800 h in both these rats and a group of intact rats. In the second experiment, adrenal innervation was disrupted by spinal cord transection at the T-7 level. L-1-transected rats served as operated controls, and a third group was maintained as unoperated controls. One week after surgery, daily rhythms of plasma corticosteroid concentration were present in both unoperated and L-1 controls (P less than 0.01) but not in the T-7-transected rats. Inasmuch as an extrapituitary mechanism was capable of maintaining adrenocortical rhythmicity in hypophysectomized rats and disruption of adrenal innervation suppressed adrenocortical rhythmicity, it was hypothesized that adrenal innervation may be an extrapituitary mechanism which has a role in adrenocortical rhythmicity.
The CE/SE Method for Navier-Stokes Equations Using Unstructured Meshes for Flows at All Speeds

In this paper, we report an extension of the Space-Time Conservation Element and Solution Element (CE/SE) Method for solving the Navier-Stokes equations. Numerical algorithms for both structured and unstructured meshes are developed. To calculate the viscous flux terms, a ‘midpoint rule’ is used. In the setting of space-time flux conservation, a new and unified boundary-condition treatment for solid wall is introduced. The Navier Stokes solvers retain all favorable features of the original CE/SE method for the Euler equations, including high fidelity resolution of unsteady flows, easy implementation of nonreflective boundary conditions, and simplicity of computational logic. In addition, numerical results show that the present Navier-Stokes solvers can be used for high-speed flows as well as low-Mach-number flows without preconditioning. The present Navier Stokes solvers are efficient, accurate, and very robust for flows at all speeds.