cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of domain coverage and consensus in a network of learning and problem solving systems

As members of a group begin to interact and solve problems, a group schema evolves. This group cognitive structure is the result of realized consensus about and coverage of the problem domain of the group; and it becomes the mechanism by which the group structures and solves problems. The authors describe how a technological agent can be used to control and enhance the evolution of the group schema by creating an environment which facilitates consensus and coverage. >
Water and solute mass balance of five small, relatively undisturbed watersheds in the U.S.

Abstract Geochemical mass balances were computed for water years 1992–1997 (October 1991 through September 1997) for the five watersheds of the U.S. Geological Survey Water, Energy, and Biogeochemical Budgets (WEBB) Program to determine the primary regional controls on yields of the major dissolved inorganic solutes. The sites, which vary markedly with respect to climate, geology, physiography, and ecology, are: Allequash Creek, Wisconsin (low-relief, humid continental forest); Andrews Creek, Colorado (cold alpine, taiga/tundra, and subalpine boreal forest); Rio Icacos, Puerto Rico (lower montane, wet tropical forest); Panola Mountain, Georgia (humid subtropical piedmont forest); and Sleepers River, Vermont (humid northern hardwood forest). Streamwater output fluxes were determined by constructing empirical multivariate concentration models including discharge and seasonal components. Input fluxes were computed from weekly wet-only or bulk precipitation sampling. Despite uncertainties in input fluxes arising from poorly defined elevation gradients, lack of dry-deposition and occult-deposition measurements, and uncertain sea-salt contributions, the following was concluded: (1) for solutes derived primarily from rock weathering (Ca, Mg, Na, K, and H4SiO4), net fluxes (outputs in streamflow minus inputs in deposition) varied by two orders of magnitude, which is attributed to a large gradient in rock weathering rates controlled by climate and geologic parent material; (2) the net flux of atmospherically derived solutes (NH4, NO3, SO4, and Cl) was similar among sites, with SO4 being the most variable and NH4 and NO3 generally retained (except for NO3 at Andrews); and (3) relations among monthly solute fluxes and differences among solute concentration model parameters yielded additional insights into comparative biogeochemical processes at the sites.
Linking disaster resilience and sustainability

Resilience and sustainability have both gained traction in civil engineering. There is significant overlap between both fields, but practitioners tend to remain confined to their niche. This paper clarifies the link between both fields, reflects on the underlying concepts, and identifies challenges and opportunities in understanding complex problems involving both resilience and sustainability. A conceptual framework is proposed for understanding resilience and sustainability together. The example of a coastal town subject to sea-level rise and large storms is used to motivate the framework. The example is used to evaluate the use of discount rates for events in the distant future. The results are discussed to determine our ability to decide whether such scenarios are sustainable. The conclusion is that computational approaches will be inadequate. Rather, there is a need for qualitative thinking that embraces ambiguity and unmeasurable uncertainty.
SC amplifier and SC integrator with an accurate gain of 2

A fully differential switched-capacitor (SC) amplifier and integrator with an accurate gain of 2 are proposed. Both circuits are based on a novel capacitor mismatch compensation scheme which uses the same capacitor as the charge sampling and summing element. Therefore, the gain error which is linearly proportional to the capacitor mismatch in conventional SC circuits becomes proportional to the square of the mismatch. In addition, the proposed scheme does not require additional active blocks, and the valid output is generated within two clock cycles.
Intermediate filaments exchange subunits along their length and elongate by end-to-end annealing

Actin filaments and microtubules lengthen and shorten by addition and loss of subunits at their ends, but it is not known whether this is also true for intermediate filaments. In fact, several studies suggest that in vivo, intermediate filaments may lengthen by end-to-end annealing and that addition and loss of subunits is not confined to the filament ends. To test these hypotheses, we investigated the assembly dynamics of neurofilament and vimentin intermediate filament proteins in cultured cells using cell fusion, photobleaching, and photoactivation strategies in combination with conventional and photoactivatable fluorescent fusion proteins. We show that neurofilaments and vimentin filaments lengthen by end-to-end annealing of assembled filaments. We also show that neurofilaments and vimentin filaments incorporate subunits along their length by intercalation into the filament wall with no preferential addition of subunits to the filament ends, a process which we term intercalary subunit exchange.
Miniature Circularly Polarized Rectenna With Reduced Out-of-Band Harmonics

Wireless embedded sensors are becoming increasingly important for many safety critical applications. Sensor batteries or capacitors must be charged as needed in order to achieve high data rate communications. A miniature circularly polarized rectenna operating at 5.5 GHz is introduced which, with the help of an integrated band-reject filter, reduces out-of-band harmonic emission significantly. The rectenna has a conversion efficiency of 74% with more than 50 dB out-of-band harmonic suppression at 11 GHz.
An integrative review on breast cancer screening practice and correlates among Chinese, Korean, Filipino, and Asian Indian American women.

Abstract Breast cancer is the leading cancer diagnosed among Chinese, Filipino, and Korean women. Despite the efficacy of breast cancer screening, Asian American women have one of the lowest rates of mammography and clinical breast exam (CBE) of all U.S. ethnic groups. I provided a systematic overview to document factors related to three modalities of breast cancer screening (breast self-exam [BSE], CBE, and mammography) among four subgroups of Asian American women (i.e., Chinese, Korean, Filipino, and Asian Indian). Results showed that the existing studies provided evidence of demographic correlates to screening practice; however, fewer studies focused on cognitive and social–cultural correlates, and limited results were available with Filipino and Asian Indian groups.
Union density effects in the supermarket industry

Unions provide higher than competitive wages for members, but their effect on non-union wages is not clear. We investigate the effect of union density on supermarket wages from 1986 to 1993, a period of declining real wages and declining union membership. Full-information maximum likelihood techniques are used to estimate log wage equations for both the union and nonunion sectors. Decomposition techniques then separate the union wage premium into the relative effects of densities and union membership. We find a significant, positive effect of union density for both union and nonunion employees. This effect explains approximately one-third of the union-nonunion wage differential.
On the spectra and invertibility of certain operators in systems theory

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Aiding knowledge capture by searching for extensions of knowledge models

Electronic concept mapping tools empower experts to play an active role in the knowledge capture process, and provide a medium for building richly connected multimedia knowledge models---sets of linked concept maps and resources about a particular domain. Knowledge models are intended to be used as a means for sharing knowledge among humans, not as carefully-crafted knowledge bases upon which machines will be performing inference. However, users must still confront the questions of what to include in a concept map and which concept maps to include in a knowledge model. This paper describes ongoing research on methods to provide content-based support to users as they extend concept maps by adding concepts and propositions, and as they select topics for new maps. The goal is to provide scaffolding for experts as they build their own concept maps, link their maps to others', and decide how to extend their knowledge models. The paper presents three approaches which start from a concept map under construction and mine related information---both from prior concept maps, and from the web---to propose information to aid the user's knowledge capture and knowledge construction. The paper begins with a brief summary of the concept mapping process and the CmapTools concept mapping software. It then presents three types of implemented suggesters, to suggest concepts, propositions, concept maps, and new topics to aid experts using the CmapTools, and describes preliminary experiments to assess their performance. It closes with a discussion of next steps for testing and refining these methods.
On reversible H2 loss upon N2 binding to FeMo-cofactor of nitrogenase

Nitrogenase is activated for N2 reduction by the accumulation of four electrons/protons on its active site FeMo-cofactor, yielding a state, designated as E4, which contains two iron-bridging hydrides [Fe–H–Fe]. A central puzzle of nitrogenase function is an apparently obligatory formation of one H2 per N2 reduced, which would “waste” two reducing equivalents and four ATP. We recently presented a draft mechanism for nitrogenase that provides an explanation for obligatory H2 production. In this model, H2 is produced by reductive elimination of the two bridging hydrides of E4 during N2 binding. This process releases H2, yielding N2 bound to FeMo-cofactor that is doubly reduced relative to the resting redox level, and thereby is activated to promptly generate bound diazene (HN=NH). This mechanism predicts that during turnover under D2/N2, the reverse reaction of D2 with the N2-bound product of reductive elimination would generate dideutero-E4 [E4(2D)], which can relax with loss of HD to the state designated E2, with a single deuteride bridge [E2(D)]. Neither of these deuterated intermediate states could otherwise form in H2O buffer. The predicted E2(D) and E4(2D) states are here established by intercepting them with the nonphysiological substrate acetylene (C2H2) to generate deuterated ethylenes (C2H3D and C2H2D2). The demonstration that gaseous H2/D2 can reduce a substrate other than H+ with N2 as a cocatalyst confirms the essential mechanistic role for H2 formation, and hence a limiting stoichiometry for biological nitrogen fixation of eight electrons/protons, and provides direct experimental support for the reductive elimination mechanism.
Update on the Molecular Genetics of Vascular Anomalies

Genetic factors play a critical role in the pathogenesis of vascular anomalies. Significant advances have been made in recent years in identifying the genetic and molecular determinants of a variety of vascular anomalies using a molecular genetic approach. Several genes for vascular anomalies have been identified. These genes include AGGF1 for Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, RASA1 for capillary malformations, KRIT1, MGC4607, PDCD10 for cerebral cavernous malformations, glomulin for glomuvenous malformations, TIE2 for multiple cutaneous and mucosal venous malformations, VEGFR-3, FOXC2, NEMO, SOX18 for lymphedema or related syndromes, ENG, ACVRLK1, MADH4 for HHT or related syndromes, NDP for Coats’ disease, Notch3 for CADASIL, and PTEN for Proteus Syndrome. These findings have made genetic testing possible in some clinical cases, and may lead to the development of therapeutic strategies for vascular anomalies. Furthermore, these studies have identified critical genes involved in vascular morphogenesis, and provided fundamental understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying vasculogenesis and angiogenesis.
THE DURATION OF ACTION OF SINGLE DOSES OF THYROID HORMONE1

REPORTS on the duration of action of thyroid compounds vary considerably. As early as1904, Magnus-Levy reported that the effects on the basal metabolic rate of thyroid feeding in myxedematous patients lasted 80 days. Kendall (1917), probably the first to inject pure thyroxin intoanimals, compared the effects of small daily doses and a single large dose. A goat receiving 9 mg.daily was dead at the end of 11 days; the single injection of 150 mg. in another goat produced changes in the electrocardiographic tracings which returned to normal in 2 or 3 days. In contrast to-these results, Kendall (1923) reported that a single dose of thyroxin in a myxedematous patient would exert its physiologic effect for 5 to 6 weeks. Boothby, Sandiford, Sandiford, and Slosse (1925) showed that the rate of decline of the basal metabolism following withdrawal of thyroid administration in myxedematous patients was a straight line, when plotted on semilogarithmic paper.
Toward Nanometer-Scale Optical Photolithography: Utilizing the Near-Field of Bowtie Optical Nanoantennas

Optically resonant metallic bowtie nanoantennas are utilized as fabrication tools for the first time, resulting in the production of polymer resist nanostructures <30 nm in diameter at record low incident multiphoton energy densities. The nanofabrication is accomplished via nonlinear photopolymerization, which is initiated by the enhanced, confined optical fields surrounding the nanoantenna. The position, size, and shape of the resist nanostructures directly correlate with rigorous finite-difference time-domain computations of the field distribution, providing a nanometer-scale measurement of the actual field confinement offered by single optical nanoantennas. In addition, the size of the photoresist regions yields strong upper bounds on photoacid diffusion and resist resolution in SU-8, demonstrating a technique that can be generalized to the study of many current and yet-to-be-developed photoresist systems.
Electrophysiology reveals semantic memory use in language comprehension

The physical energy that we refer to as a word, whether in isolation or embedded in sentences, takes its meaning from the knowledge stored in our brains through a lifetime of experience. Much empirical evidence indicates that, although this knowledge can be used fairly flexibly, it is functionally organized in ‘semantic memory’ along a number of dimensions, including similarity and association. Here, we review recent findings using an electrophysiological brain component, the N400, that reveal the nature and timing of semantic memory use during language comprehension. These findings show that the organization of semantic memory has an inherent impact on sentence processing. The left hemisphere, in particular, seems to capitalize on the organization of semantic memory to pre-activate the meaning of forthcoming words, even if this strategy fails at times. In addition, these electrophysiological results support a view of memory in which world knowledge is distributed across multiple, plastic-yet-structured, largely modality-specific processing areas, and in which meaning is an emergent, temporally extended process, influenced by experience, context, and the nature of the brain itself.
TNF biology, pathogenic mechanisms and emerging therapeutic strategies

TNF is a pleiotropic cytokine with important functions in homeostasis and disease pathogenesis. Recent discoveries have provided insights into TNF biology that introduce new concepts for the development of therapeutics for TNF-mediated diseases. The model of TNF receptor signalling has been extended to include linear ubiquitination and the formation of distinct signalling complexes that are linked with different functional outcomes, such as inflammation, apoptosis and necroptosis. Our understanding of TNF-induced gene expression has been enriched by the discovery of epigenetic mechanisms and concepts related to cellular priming, tolerization and induction of 'short-term transcriptional memory'. Identification of distinct homeostatic or pathogenic TNF-induced signalling pathways has introduced the concept of selectively inhibiting the deleterious effects of TNF while preserving its homeostatic bioactivities for therapeutic purposes. In this Review, we present molecular mechanisms underlying the roles of TNF in homeostasis and inflammatory disease pathogenesis, and discuss novel strategies to advance therapeutic paradigms for the treatment of TNF-mediated diseases.
The Histology and Histochemistry of the Perianal Scent Gland of the Reproductively Quiescent Black-Tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)

The black-tailed prairie dog ( Cynomys ludovicianus ) has a trilobate perianal scent gland located between the internal and external anal sphincter muscles. Two of the lobes lie ventro-lateral to the rectal canal and the remaining lobe lies ventral to the canal. The kidney-shaped lobes measure approximately 6 by 3 by 3 mm in mature specimens studied during the reproductively quiescent period of October through December. Each lobe contains a cornified, stratified, squamous epithelium-lined reservoir, an apocrine glandular element, and two holocrine elements. All glandular elements of a lobe are connected to a common reservoir by a series of ducts. Each lobe is connected to the rectal canal by its own duct. Histochemical analysis indicated that the holocrine elements were PAS negative for carbohydrates and tetrazotized benzidine-betanaphthol proved positive for proteins. Sudan black B gave positive results for lipids. A positive Oil red O indicated that these lipids were highly nonpolar. The possibility of the presence of phospholipids and cholesterol was eliminated. The apocrine element lacked secretory vacuoles and was negative for all tests. No sexual dimorphism was noted in regard to either size or secretory activity of the gland.
Identification of the damping matrix from incomplete modal testing results

In modeling structures the damping matrix is the most difficult to represent. This is even more difficult in complicated structures that are not lightly damped. The work presented here applies a method of modeling the damping matrix of a structure from incomplete experimental data combined with a reasonable representation of the mass and stiffness matrices developed by finite element methods and reduced by standard model reduction techniques. The approach taken here is to use the reduced mass and stiffness matrices and the experimentally obtained eigenvalues and eigenvectors. It uses linear or weighted least squares or a pseudo-inverse approach (depending on the number of the equations that are available) to solve for the damping matrix. The results are illustrated through several examples. As an indication of the accuracy of the method, fictitious examples where the damping matrix is originally known are considered. The proposed method identifies the exact viscous or hysteretic damping matrix by only using a partial set of the system's eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The damping matrix is assumed to be real, symmetric and positive semidefinite.
Earthquake activity at the Kodiak continental shelf, Alaska, determined by land and ocean bottom seismograph networks

The spatial pattern of earthquakes determined by a combined land and ocean bottom seismometer (OBS) network in the Kodiak Island shelf region differs systematically from the pattern determined by a land network and from locations determined by the International Seismological Centre (ISC). As a part of a larger study of seismic risk on the continental shelf near Kodiak Island, we augmented the University of Alaska land network by deploying 11 recoverable OBS units south of Kodiak Island for 2 months in the summer of 1979. Despite a relatively short operation time and various instrument malfunctions, the combined network detected 19 locatable earthquakes in the shelf region. Because of the structural heterogeneity of this area, the earthquakes were located with a scheme which allowed different velocity models to be used for travel-time calculations of phases traveling to different stations in the network. The locations of earthquakes determined using data from both land and OBS networks were displaced about 12 km from the hypocenters of the same earthquakes determined using only land network data. For these events on the continental shelf, azimuthal control of the joint land-OBS network is excellent, and thus the joint land-OBS network locations are considerably more reliable than locations determined with the land network data alone. When the locations of the combined land-OBS network are compared to 15 yr of teleseismic locations reported by the ISC, the center of teleseismic activity appears to be about 20 to 30 km north of the center of activity determined in our study. This difference between locally determined and teleseismically determined location is similar to that observed in other studies of earthquakes and nuclear explosions in the Aleutian arc.
Comparative analysis on segmentation methods for TH-1 images

In order to find suitable image segmentation methods for TH-1 images,the mean shift,watershed,morphological profiles,connected component four segmentation methods were used to segment TH-1 images,and the segmentation results were assessed from visual and quantitative aspects.Results showed that the mean shift method could get the best segmentation which is good for the efficiency of the following processes;features that have regular geometry,homogeneous character,low complexity could achieve better segmentation results.
Bottleneck capacity of random graphs for connectomics

With developments in experimental connectomics producing wiring diagrams of many neuronal networks, there is emerging interest in theories to understand the relationship between structure and function. Efficiency of information flow in networks has been proposed as a key functional in characterizing cognition, and we have previously shown that information-theoretic limits on information flow are predictive of behavioral speed in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. In particular, we defined and computed a notion called effective bottleneck capacity that emerged from a pipelining model of information flow. It was unclear, however, whether the particular C. elegans connectome had unique capacity properties or whether similar properties would hold for random networks. Here, we determine the effective bottleneck capacity for several random graph ensembles to understand the range of possible variation and compare to the C. elegans network.
Removal of TcO4– from Representative Nuclear Waste Streams with Layered Potassium Metal Sulfide Materials

Many efforts have focused on the sequestration and immobilization of 99Tc because the radionuclide is highly mobile in oxidizing environments and presents serious health risks due to its radiotoxicity and long half-life (t1/2 = 213 000 a). One of the more common methods for Tc removal from solution and immobilization in solids is based on reducing Tc from highly soluble Tc(VII) to sparingly soluble Tc(IV). Here, we report results obtained with two potassium metal sulfides (KMS-2 and KMS-2-SS) that are capable of reducing Tc(VII) to Tc(IV). Batch sorption experiments were performed in both oxic and anoxic conditions for 15 d in both deionized water (DIW) and a highly caustic (pH ∼ 13.6), high ionic strength (8.0 mol L–1), low-activity waste (LAW) stream simulant solution. Tc removal for both materials in DIW is improved in anoxic conditions compared to oxic conditions as a result of a higher solution pH. In DIW and anoxic conditions, KMS-2 is capable of removing ∼45% of Tc, and KMS-2-SS is capable of remov...
Angiographic Management of Retroperitoneal Hemorrhage from Renal Angiomyolipoma in Polycystic Kidney Disease

Abstract Angiographic management of bilateral angiomyolipomas complicated by hemorrhage in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is presented. The patient had mild stigmata of tuberous sclerosis, and a family history of tuberous sclerosis and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. The radiographic features at diagnosis, and those present during and after embolization are described. Radiological criteria for diagnosis and successful control of bleeding with intra-arterial selective embolization are discussed. Radiographic features before, during and after embolization are exhibited.
Measuring Affect in Educational Contexts: A Circumplex Approach

In this chapter, Linnenbrink-Garcia and her colleagues discuss the assessment of students’ affect based on a circumplex model. First an overview of circumplex models of affect is provided. Next, several approaches they employed in their own research using this approach (e.g., multi-item self-report scales assessing each dimension of the circumplex, bi-polar self-report items, observations) are described in order to highlight the respective strengths and weaknesses of these various methods. The authors conclude with more general remarks about the state of the field and suggestions for researchers, focusing on issues such as what forms of affect to measure, the level (trait vs. state) at which to assess affect, and consideration of other methods of assessment beyond self-report.
A Descriptive Model of Mold Growth and Aflatoxin Formation as Affected by Environmental Conditions

A model is presented which integrates literature data on the effects of temperature, water activity, pH, and colony size on mold growth and aflatoxin formation. Mathematical forms for the rates of growth and toxin formation are based on assumptions about the biology of toxigenesis. The rate of toxin formation is assumed to be proportional to the rate of production of new cell mass, and the rate of toxin degradation is assumed to be proportional to the product of the concentrations of dead cell mass and aflatoxin; the latter assumption is an attempt to be consistent with the notion that toxin degradation is effected by enzymes released during mycelial lysis. Growth rate and toxin yield are represented by a maximum or reference value times a series of factors dependent on environmental conditions. Temperature and water activity have an interactive effect on growth and toxigenesis in the model. An Arrhenius-like function is postulated for the effects of temperature; shape parameters in the function are selected assuming that optimum temperature bears a fixed relationship to temperature limits for growth and toxigenesis, which vary with water activity. A linear function is postulated for the effect of water activity, with the lower limit dependent on temperature. Parabolic and Monod models are used to describe the effects of pH and colony size, respectively. Toxigenic parameters are estimated by comparing model simulations to the results of two published studies, with fair consistency in the two sets of parameters. In comparisons with other studies, the model did not correctly project the effects of spore load, but did correctly predict toxigenic behaviors relating to the effects of temperature and temperature cycling. The model provides a theoretical explanation for observed temporal shifts in the optimum temperature for toxigenesis, and for a hyperbolic relationship between heat units and time to toxigenesis with and without temperature cycling.
Self-Pulsing Instabilities and Chaos in a Single-Mode Inhomogeneously Broadened, Fabry-Perot Laser

Single-mode inhomogeneously-broadened lasers have been the subject of intense study since the discovery by Casperson [1] of instabilities in the output of dc-excited xenon gas lasers using the 3.51 um transition. Experimental work and progress in understanding these instabilities [1–6] has been paralleled by a rapid development of theoretical models [1,7–13] including various forms of stability analyses [11,12] and the beginnings of dynamical modelling [10,13] as well. Reported here are systematic measurements of laser output characteristics for a Fabry-Perot 3.51 lab xenon laser operated under pressures and currents suitable for single-mode self-pulsing.
With thanks for a wonderful weekend.

I have just returned from a trip to Denmark that I won in Nursing Standard's September1992 competition.
Cognitive–Behavioral Treatment for Pediatric Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent and debilitating psychological disorders among children and adolescents. Cognitive–behavioral treatments (CBTs) for anxiety disorders are linked to a tripartite model of anxiety and address cognition (anticipated threat), behavior ­(avoidance), and emotions (agitated arousal). Empirical evidence supports the use of cognitive–behavioral interventions as efficacious treatment for many anxiety disorders in youth, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), separation anxiety disorder (SAD), social phobia (SP), ­obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Along with descriptions of CBT, a number of recommendations are made for future work.
Chapter 8 – Complementary Contributions of Fluid and Crystallized Intelligence to Decision Making Across the Life Span

This chapter explores the interplay between fluid intelligence declines and higher levels of crystallized intelligence of older adults as they affect everyday decision-making ability. Specifically, we explore the hypothesis that accumulated knowledge and expertise may help compensate for age-related declines in fluid cognitive function. The complementary capabilities framework suggests that although age-related declines are inevitable, these declines may be at least partially attenuated on tasks and in domains that are more familiar and practiced. Crystallized intelligence may thereby represent a kind of intellectual capital that circumvents reduced capabilities caused by diminished levels of fluid intelligence. We explore the role of domain-specific knowledge and expertise in context-specific tasks and everyday problem solving, and discuss the practical implications of this research for public policy and for the design of effective decision interventions that can aid decision making among older adults.
High-sensitivity chemical imaging for biomedicine by SRS microscopy (Conference Presentation)

Innovations in spectroscopy principles and microscopy technology have significantly impacted modern biology and medicine. While most of the contemporary bio-imaging modalities harness electronic transition, nuclear spin or radioactivity, vibrational spectroscopy has not been widely used yet. Here we will discuss an emerging chemical imaging platform, stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy, which can enhance the otherwise feeble spontaneous Raman eight orders of magnitude by virtue of stimulated emission. When coupled with stable isotopes (e.g., deuterium and 13C) or bioorthogonal chemical moieties (e.g., alkynes), SRS microscopy is well suited for probing in vivo metabolic dynamics of small bio-molecules which cannot be labeled by bulky fluorophores. Physical principle of the underlying optical spectroscopy and exciting biomedical applications such as imaging lipid metabolism, protein synthesis, DNA replication, protein degradation, RNA synthesis, glucose uptake, drug trafficking and tumor metabolism will be presented.
Driver mutations take the wheel in invasive yet nonmalignant disease

Despite their low risk for malignant transformation, infiltrating endometriotic lesions harbor cancer-associated mutations.
On the Nuances of Reading Tosafist Literature and Other Medieval Rabbinic Texts for Trends in Religious Observance

In recent years, historical scholarship has increasingly turned to the literature of the Tosafists and other medieval talmudists and halakhists in order to establish or support trends in religious observance among the laity. However, the extraction of accurate societal patterns from these rabbinic writings, which is a most welcome development, must take into account the often complex thought processes, methods, and proclivities of the authors, along with the precise textual histories and scope of the literature itself. This methodological study provides examples of the possible pitfalls that can emerge if interpretive strategies, textual provenance, and breadth of erudition are not fully considered.
How Much Do Test Scores Vary among School Districts? New Estimates Using Population Data, 2009-2015.

This paper provides the first population-based evidence on how much standardized test scores vary among public school districts within each state and how segregation explains that variation. Using ...
Unifying strongly clean power series rings

ABSTRACTIt is unknown whether a power series ring over a strongly clean ring is, itself, always strongly clean. Although a number of authors have shown that the above statement is true in certain special cases, the problem remains open, in general. In this article, we look at a class of strongly clean rings, which we call the optimally clean rings, over which power series are strongly clean. This condition is motivated by work in [10] and [11]. We explore the properties of optimally clean rings and provide many examples, highlighting the role that this new class of rings plays in investigating the question of strongly clean power series.
Retrieving Global Wilson Currents from Electrified Clouds Using Satellite Passive Microwave Observations

AbstractHigh-altitude atmospheric electricity measurements have been used to calculate the conduction (Wilson) currents that are supplied to the global electric circuit (GEC) by individual electrif...
Telomeres and artificial chromosomes in yeast

In this paper we will review recent work on the behaviour of telomeres and artificial chromosomes in Saccharomvces cerevisiae. We will discuss current models of telomere structure and function, and the ways in which we are trying to test these models. We will also describe the properties of artificial chromosomes constructed from cloned chromosomal components.
β-SiC on Titanium Carbide for Solid State Devices

Our approach to β-SiC epitaxial growth is to use TiCx as a substrate, and to deliver both Si and C to the growth chamber from a single point of origin. Advantages of our approach, and the technical difficulties encountered in its implementation are discussed. Using this approach, we have established a β-SiC epitaxial growth process; wherein undoped and in situ doped β-SiC epilayers can be reproducibly grown at rates as high as 10 μm/hr. Results of in situ β-SiC doping with nitrogen, Al and B are presented. This includes a relation between β-SiC growth rate and dopant flow rate, and the maximum attainable concentration of each dopant in single crystal β-SiC. Current-voltage and C-V measurements obtained from Schottky diodes on undoped β-SiC are presented. The I-V characteristics (79 K to 380 K) of an in situ doped p-n junction, β-SiCdiode are summarized. Also, the structure and DC I-V curve obtained from β-SiC current limiter (FET) with a TiOx buffer layer are presented.
A Search for Environmental Cues Used by Birds in Survival of Cold Winters

Winter can offer an assortment of difficulties for passerines and other small terrestrial birds (body mass: <100g, and in many instances <25 g) that reside in continental climates at higher latitudes. In that season, shortened days, diminishing and perhaps unpredictable food supplies, and inclement weather all present special challenges for foraging and acquiring energy. Caching of food assists some species in meeting these challenges (Pravosudov and Grubbs, 1997). On the other hand, the long hours of cold winter nights at higher latitudes create a need for rapid energy expenditure. Although isolated reports suggest that certain species can forage under low light intensities (Reinertsen and Haftorn, 1986; Prescott, 1985; Brooks, 1968), the majority of small birds—preponderantly diurnal animals—must undertake prolonged nightly fasts while supporting high rates of cold-induced regulatory thermogenesis. Under such circumstances, certain species can, to a limited extent, husband their energy reserves by resorting to shallow nocturnal hypothermia (Reinertsen, 1996). Additionally, many small birds spend the night in protected microclimates created by cavities or foliage, and some species conserve energy by huddling (see Marsh and Dawson, 1989). Nevertheless, cold winter conditions apparently can be a source of significant mortality for small birds (Fretwell, 1972; see also Section 4.1).
Next-Generation Materials via Orthogonal Stimuli

A novel and user-friendly synthetic platform enables enhanced control over polymer design and synthesis by exploiting the orthogonality between chemical and photochemical stimuli.
Removal of microglial-specific MyD88 signaling alters dentate gyrus doublecortin and enhances opioid addiction-like behaviors

Drugs of abuse promote a potent immune response in central nervous system (CNS) via the activation of microglia and astrocytes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying microglial activation during addiction are not well known. We developed and functionally characterized a novel transgenic mouse (Cx3cr1-CreBTtg/0:MyD88f/f [Cretg/0]) wherein the immune signaling adaptor gene, MyD88, was specifically deleted in microglia. To test the downstream effects of loss of microglia-specific MyD88 signaling in morphine addiction, Cretg/0 and Cre0/0 mice were tested for reward learning, extinction, and reinstatement using a conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. There were no differences in drug acquisition, but Cretg/0 mice had prolonged extinction and enhanced reinstatement compared to Cre0/0 controls. Furthermore, morphine-treated Cretg/0 mice showed increased doublecortin (DCX) signal relative to Cre0/0 control mice in the hippocampus, indicative of increased number of immature neurons. Additionally, there was an increase in colocalization of microglial lysosomal marker CD68 with DCX+cells in morphine-treated Cretg/0 mice but not in Cre0/0 or drug-naїve mice, suggesting a specific role for microglial MyD88 signaling in neuronal phagocytosis in the hippocampus. Our results show that MyD88 deletion in microglia may negatively impact maturing neurons within the adult hippocampus and thus reward memories, suggesting a novel protective role for microglia in opioid addiction.
Leveraging Image Analysis for High-Throughput Plant Phenotyping

The complex interaction between a genotype and its environment controls the biophysical properties of a plant, manifested in observable traits, i.e., plant's phenome, which influences resources acquisition, performance, and yield. High-throughput automated image-based plant phenotyping refers to the sensing and quantifying plant traits non-destructively by analyzing images captured at regular intervals and with precision. While phenomic research has drawn significant attention in the last decade, extracting meaningful and reliable numerical phenotypes from plant images especially by considering its individual components, e.g., leaves, stem, fruit, and flower, remains a critical bottleneck to the translation of advances of phenotyping technology into genetic insights due to various challenges including lighting variations, plant rotations, and self-occlusions. The paper provides (1) a framework for plant phenotyping in a multimodal, multi-view, time-lapsed, high-throughput imaging system; (2) a taxonomy of phenotypes that may be derived by image analysis for better understanding of morphological structure and functional processes in plants; (3) a brief discussion on publicly available datasets to encourage algorithm development and uniform comparison with the state-of-the-art methods; (4) an overview of the state-of-the-art image-based high-throughput plant phenotyping methods; and (5) open problems for the advancement of this research field.
Causation and complications

hese are the facts that the authors presented: 1. The patient developed his infection eight weeks after his injections. 2. Despite having an infection that required drainage, the patient had normal range of motion in his metacarpophalangeal joints. 3. The patient refused to be admitted to hospital for “surgical drainage under general anesthesia”, hence, “less thorough surgical debridement under Bier’s block, in the emergency room, was performed.” 4. The extensor tendons were found to be intact at that time. 5. Two days later the patient was revaluated and claimed a one-day history of loss of full extension. On examination his active metacarpophalangeal joint motion was only -30˚ / 90˚.6. Additional surgery was performed that confirmed the rupture of the extensors to the index, long, and ring digits. 7. One week later tendon grafting was performed. 8. One year later the patient’s metacarpophalangeal joint motion was -25˚ / 90˚.The authors claim that this is a “case of rapidly progressive suppurative extensor tenosynovitis, with tendon rupture, following improper administration of local steroids”. By the authors’ own admission, the infection occurred eight weeks after the steroid injections. Eight weeks is a rather long time from alleged bacterial inoculation to clinical infection. Furthermore, when the patient was first examined by the authors he had no tendon ruptures and had normal extension. Using a Bier block for anesthesia, they operated under substandard conditions. The patient lost extension within a day. One week later they attempted to reconstruct his extensors, but the final measurements of digital motion were practically the same as immediately after the rupture. Is the authors’ claim valid? Were the tendon ruptures caused by “improper administration of local steroids” or were they caused by something else? More importantly, is there any sound scientific evidence that the steroid injections resulted in the patient’s final result? Stating that a treatment is ‘improper’ implies that the authors are giving a legal opinion that a malpractice has occurred. Hence, it is worthwhile to consider legal approaches to the causation. The concept of ‘proximate cause’ is used in the United States and is similar to causation under English Law.
Exposure to metals (Ca, K, Mn) and road salt (NaCl) differentially affect development and survival in two model amphibians

Human activity has led to widespread chemical alteration of natural environments. Aquatic ecosystems are especially susceptible to chemical changes, including those caused by runoff and invasive sp...
A dose relationship between brain functional connectivity and cumulative head impact exposure in collegiate water polo players

A growing body of evidence suggests that chronic, sport-related head impact exposure can impair brain functional integration and brain structure and function. Evidence of a robust inverse relationship between the frequency and magnitude of repeated head impacts and disturbed brain network function is needed to strengthen an argument for causality. In pursuing such a relationship, we used cap-worn inertial sensors to measure the frequency and magnitude of head impacts sustained by eighteen intercollegiate water polo athletes monitored over a single season of play. Participants were evaluated before and after the season using computerized cognitive tests of inhibitory control and resting electroencephalography. Greater head impact exposure was associated with increased phase synchrony [r (16) > 0.626, p 0.601, p 0.625, p < 0.03 corrected] in the functional networks formed by slow-wave (delta, theta) oscillations. Head impact exposure was not associated with changes in performance on the inhibitory control tasks. However, those with the greatest impact exposure showed an association between changes in resting-state connectivity and a dissociation between performance on the tasks after the season [r (16) = 0.481, p = 0.043] that could also be attributed to increased slow-wave synchrony [F (4, 135) = 113.546, p < 0.001]. Collectively, our results suggest that athletes sustaining the greatest head impact exposure exhibited changes in whole-brain functional connectivity that were associated with altered information processing and inhibitory control.
Economic Retrospective Voting and Incentives for Policy Making

This paper explores the possibility that the punishment-reward strategy known as economic retrospective voting provides incentives to pursue good economic policies. By "good" we mean policies that enhance efficieny and reduce economic rents. The key hypothesis is that in those countries whose electoral arrangements and governing institutions yield high clarity of responsibility, a resultant high level of retrospective voting should compel incumbent parties to be more vigorous in the pursuit of efficiency-enhancing policies, or at least less vigorous in creating rents. In countries where the clarity of responsibility is low, the more tenuous linkage between economic performance and electoral success should leave incumbent governments less motivated to promote efficiency and to eliminate rents. As hypothesized, countries low in clarity of responsibility appear to be more inclined to subject their economies to over-regulation and to engage in higher levels of transfers and subsidies. On several other policy dimensions, however, there were no discernable differences between high and low clarity of responsibility countries.
Sociopolitical Intellectual Humility as a Predictor of Political Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions

Recent research has highlighted the relevance of intellectual humility to politics. Among a U.S. sample (N = 852), we examined self-reported sociopolitical intellectual humility (SIH), a nonthreatening awareness of the fallibility of one’s views about topics central to society and politics. SIH was associated with being less likely to dislike/avoid political discussion, and with more political tolerance, less social dominance orientation, and more values and behavioral intentions focused on social equality, even when controlling political orientation and other relevant factors. SIH was also associated with more positive and less negative views of an individual expressing a political viewpoint. Further, SIH moderated the extent to which initial agreement with a political statement resulted in opinion change on the basis of hearing another person's arguments on the topic. These findings may point to ways SIH is relevant to people's attitudes toward others in society.