cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electronic structure of self-organized InAs/GaAs quantum dots bounded by { 136 } facets

Recent experiments indicate that the shape of self-organized InAs quantum dots grown on GaAs [001] is an elongated pyramid with bounding facets corresponding to a family of four ${136}$ planes. This structure, which possesses ${C}_{2v}$ symmetry, is quite different from square-base pyramidal or lens geometries, which have been assumed in previous electronic structure calculations for this system. In this paper, we consider theoretically the influence of the ${136}$ shape on the electronic structure and optical properties of the quantum dots. We present a valence force-field calculation of the inhomogeneous strain and incorporate the results into an eight band $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{k}\ensuremath{\cdot}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{p}$ electronic structure calculation. The size dependence of the electronic structure is calculated and compared to experimental photoluminescence spectra. The effects of perturbations on the ${136}$ shape are also considered. Calculations based on the ${136}$ shape give good agreement with the observed level structure and optical polarization properties of self-organized InAs/GaAs quantum dots.
Epidemiologic methods in clinical trials

Epidemiologic methods developed to control confounding in non-experimental studies are equally applicable for experiments. In experiments, most confounding is usually controlled by random allocation of subjects to treatment groups, but randomization does not preclude confounding except for extremely large studies, the degree of confounding expected being inversely related to the size of the treatment groups. In experiments, as in non-experimental studies, the extent of confounding for each risk indicator should be assessed, and if sufficiently large, controlled. Confounding is properly assessed by comparing the unconfounded effect estimate to the crude effect estimate; a common error is to assess confounding by statistical tests of significance. Assessment of confounding involves its control as a prerequisite. Control is most readily and cogently achieved by stratification of the data, though with many factors to control simultaneously, multivariate analysis or a combination of multivariate analysis and stratification might be necessary.
Tracking 3-D pulmonary tree structures

Physiological measurements like branch angles, branch lengths, branch diameters and branch cross-sectional area of the 3-D pulmonary tree structures are clinically essential in evaluating the function of normal and diseased lung and during the breathing process. In order to facilitate these measurements and study relative structural changes, the 3-D lung tree volumes are reduced to a 3-D Euclidean straight line central axis tree. The central axis tree captures the branch topology and geometric features of the tree volume. Since matching 3-D tree volumes is complex, as they change in branch topology and geometry, the authors accomplish it by designing an efficient algorithm that matches their corresponding central axis trees. The algorithm takes two binary central axis trees T/sub 1/=(V/sub 1/,E/sub 1/,W/sub 1/) and T/sub 2/=(V/sub 2/,E/sub 2/,W/sub 2/), where W/sub 1/ and W/sub 2/ are set of tuples containing geometric attributes corresponding to the nodes in T/sub 1/ and T/sub 2/, as inputs and returns the one-to-one matching function f of nodes in T/sub 1/ to T/sub 2/ that preserves the tree topology and closely matches the geometric attributes of these trees, i.e. branch points, branch lengths, and branch angles between mapped nodes of T/sub 1/ and T/sub 2/. Since the topology match alone could result in many choices of the mapping function f, the authors prune these choices by incorporating constraints on the geometric attributes of nodes in T/sub 1/ and T/sub 2/. The authors design a linear time algorithm that matches the branch topology and geometric features of T/sub 1/ and T/sub 2/. The authors' algorithm produced accurate matchings on various airway data sets of a dog lung obtained from Computed Tomography under simulated breathing conditions. T/sub 1/ and T/sub 2/ are obtained by running a two-pass central axis algorithm on the tree volumes.
Best Practices in Crisis Communication: An Expert Panel Process

The description of “best practices” is widely used to improve organizational and professional practice. This analysis describes best practices in crisis communication as a form of grounded theoretical approach for improving the effectiveness of crisis communication specifically within the context of large publicly-managed crises. The results of a panel of crisis communication experts are reviewed. Ten best practices for effective crisis communication, which were synthesized from this process, are presented and described.
Booster: Reactive core acceleration for mitigating the effects of process variation and application imbalance in low-voltage chips

Lowering supply voltage is one of the most effective techniques for reducing microprocessor power consumption. Unfortunately, at low voltages, chips are very sensitive to process variation, which can lead to large differences in the maximum frequency achieved by individual cores. This paper presents Booster, a simple, low-overhead framework for dynamically rebalancing performance heterogeneity caused by process variation and application imbalance. The Booster CMP includes two power supply rails set at two very low but different voltages. Each core can be dynamically assigned to either of the two rails using a gating circuit. This allows cores to quickly switch between two different frequencies. An on-chip governor controls the timing of the switching and the time spent on each rail. The governor manages a “boost budget” that dictates how many cores can be sped up (depending on the power constraints) at any given time. We present two implementations of Booster: Booster VAR, which virtually eliminates the effects of core-to-core frequency variation in near-threshold CMPs, and Booster SYNC, which additionally reduces the effects of imbalance in multithreaded applications. Evaluation using PARSEC and SPLASH2 benchmarks running on a simulated 32-core system shows an average performance improvement of 11% for Booster VAR and 23% for Booster SYNC.
Optimal decision making in ventilation control

In this paper, a two-mode ventilation control of a single facility is formulated as a scheduling model over multiple time horizons. Using the CO2 concentration as the major indoor air quality index and expected room occupancy schedule, optimal solutions leading to reduced CO2 concentration and energy costs are obtained by solving the multi-objective optimization model formulated in the paper. A modified evolutionary strategy algorithm is used to solve the model at different time horizons. The optimized ventilation schedules result in energy savings and maintain an acceptable level of indoor CO2 concentration.
The Limping Child

The evaluation of a limping child in the emergeney department can be challenging. In most children, a thorough history and physical examination is sufficient to find the source of the limp. Others may require laboratory tests, diagnostic imaging and procedures, and subspecialty consultation. This article will outline the age appropriate nontraumatic etiologies of acute limp and discuss the diagnostic approach to aid in identifying those children who require urgent diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in the emergency department.
NEUROSECRETION. XIII. THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE CORPUS CARDIACUM OF THE INSECT LEUCOPHAEA MADERAE.

The corpora cardiaca of Leucophaea maderae contain two classes of intrinsic elements, parenchymal and interstitial cells. The parenchymal cells produce a secretory material first visible in the Golgi zones of the perikarya in the form of distinct electron-opaque granules. These undergo changes (gradual loss of electron-density, emergence of internal structure) as they accumulate in cellular processes. The parenchymal cells are best classified as neuroglandular elements since, in addition to secretory inclusions, they possess characteristics of ganglion cells such as axonlike processes, “neurotubules”, and sheaths. These covers are provided by branches of the second type of intrinsic elements, the interstitial cells. They are non-glandular structures of considerable morphological complexity. In the manner of glial elements, they permeate the entire organ and encapsulate not only the perikarya of parenchymal cells but cellular processes as well. The cytoplasmic processes include a) relatively short ones belonging to parenchymal cells, and b) long axons whose cell bodies lie within the central nervous system. Many of the latter contain electron-opaque granules of the kind found in electron-micrographs of typical neurosecretory cells. These extrinsic granules represent the second category of secretory products stored within the corpora cardiaca. By comparison with the product of the intrinsic gland cells, the neurosecretory granules seem to be fairly stable. Neither type seems to pass through the connective tissue sheath of the corpus cardiacum in the form of discrete granular entities. This sheath, which sends branches into the interior of the corpora cardiaca, has the properties of a basement membrane. It represents a pathway for the exchange of substances between the cellular components of the corpus cardiacum and the surrounding hemocoele. The dual character of the corpus cardiacum, namely that of a storage and release center for extrinsic neurosecretory substances and of an endocrine organ in its own right, is herewith established beyond doubt. The number of secretory products discernible on the basis of their morphology and localization (two size categories of extrinsic and one intrinsic type of granules) does not match the variety of physiologically active principles known at present. The assignment of specific functions to discrete morphological elements must await further studies.
Multiple Diffusion Mechanisms Due to Nanostructuring in Crowded Environments

One of the key questions regarding intracellular diffusion is how the environment affects molecular mobility. Mostly, intracellular diffusion has been described as hindered, and the physical reasons for this behavior are: immobile barriers, molecular crowding, and binding interactions with immobile or mobile molecules. Using results from multi-photon fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, we describe how immobile barriers and crowding agents affect translational mobility. To study the hindrance produced by immobile barriers, we used sol-gels (silica nanostructures) that consist of a continuous solid phase and aqueous phase in which fluorescently tagged molecules diffuse. In the case of molecular crowding, translational mobility was assessed in increasing concentrations of 500 kDa dextran solutions. Diffusion of fluorescent tracers in both sol-gels and dextran solutions shows clear evidence of anomalous subdiffusion. In addition, data from the autocorrelation function were analyzed using the maximum entropy method as adapted to fluorescence correlation spectroscopy data and compared with the standard model that incorporates anomalous diffusion. The maximum entropy method revealed evidence of different diffusion mechanisms that had not been revealed using the anomalous diffusion model. These mechanisms likely correspond to nanostructuring in crowded environments and to the relative dimensions of the crowding agent with respect to the tracer molecule. Analysis with the maximum entropy method also revealed information about the degree of heterogeneity in the environment as reported by the behavior of diffusive molecules.
Uninsured rural families.

ABSTRACT: Context:Although research shows higher uninsured rates among rural versus urban individuals, prior studies are limited because they do not examine coverage across entire rural families. Purpose: This study uses the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) to compare rural and urban insurance coverage within families, to inform the design of coverage expansions that build on the current rural health insurance system. Methods: We pooled the 2001 and 2002 MEPS Household Component survey, aggregated to the family level (excluding households with all members 65 and older). We examined (1) differences in urban, rural-adjacent, and rural nonadjacent family insurance coverage, and (2) the characteristics of rural families related to their patterns of coverage. Findings: One out of 3 rural families has at least 1 uninsured member, a rate higher than for urban families—particularly in nonadjacent counties. Yet, three fourths of uninsured rural families have an insured member. For 42% of rural nonadjacent families, this is someone with public coverage (Medicaid/SCHIP or Medicare); urban families are more likely to have private health insurance or a private/public mix. Conclusions: Strategies to expand family coverage through employers may be less effective among rural nonadjacent than urban families. Instead, expansions of public coverage or tax credits enabling entire families to purchase an individual/self-employment plan would better ensure that rural nonadjacent families achieve full coverage. Subsidies or incentives would need to be generous enough to make coverage affordable for the 52% of uninsured rural nonadjacent families living below 200% of the federal poverty level.
A structural comparison of electroless and electroplated nickel

Abstract Nickel that has been electrolessly deposited from a low temperature hypophosphite bath undergoes severe cracking when heat treated. The cracks, which are of two different types, can weaken the nickel deposit and can lead to leak paths in composite structures. In the study reported here the characteristics of thin nickel films were studied by several methods, all of which can be applied to any crystalline thin film: an X-ray method for stress and precipitation sequences; electron microscopy; cross-sectional analysis; kinetic studies. The electroless nickel was compared with a low stress electroplated nickel which does not crack with heat treatment. The electroplated nickel was found not only to have lower stress than the electroless nickel but also to have no significant secondary phase precipitation.
Fracture statistics of brittle materials with surface cracks

Abstract Several different statistical fracture theories are developed for materials with cracks confined to the surface. All assume that crack planes are normal to the surface, but are otherwise randomly oriented. The simplest theory assumes that only the component of stress normal to the crack plane contributes to fracture. This theory is in fair agreement with biaxial fracture data on Pyrex glass obtained by Oh. When the contribution of shear is included in the analysis, the crack shape has to be considered. Several shapes are examined and the corresponding fracture statistics are derived. Two failure criteria are employed. In one the fracture occurs when the maximum tensile stress on some part of the crack surface reaches the intrinsic strength of the material. The other is based on a critical strain energy release rate. The assumption of shear-sensitive cracks leads to improved agreement with experiment, but really good agreement appears to require the assumption that the cracks have a preferred orientation.
South Korea and Sino-Japanese rivalry: a middle power's options within the East Asian core triangle

Abstract South Korea is a middle power in a region where its scope of action can rise and fall quickly and diplomatic flexibility is needed. Neither realist responses to threats nor idealist trust in integration meet its needs for adjusting triangular ties with China and Japan, as their relations become the principal great power divide in Northeast Asia. Its optimal choice is as a facilitator biding its time when tensions over both security and national identity clashes are intense, while preparing for opportunities. Four conditions would give it a favorable environment: forward-looking foreign leadership; security challenges brought under some control; subsiding preoccupation with national identities; and its own strategic planning with care not to overreach. Multiple possibilities emerge if it can rebuild ties with Japan as part of a triangle with China as well as one with the United States and also synchronize ties with China to other ties. Even amidst recurrent tensions, the core East Asian triangle o...
Role of a COP1 Interactive Protein in Mediating Light-Regulated Gene Expression in Arabidopsis

Arabidopsis seedlings display distinct patterns of gene expression and morphogenesis according to the ambient light condition. An Arabidopsis nuclear protein, CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 (COP1), acts to repress photomorphogenesis in the absence of light. The Arabidopsis CIP7 protein was identified by its capability to interact with COP1. CIP7 is a novel nuclear protein that contains transcriptional activation activity without a recognizable DNA binding motif. CIP7 requires light for its high level of expression, and COP1 seems to play a role in repressing its expression in darkness. Decreasing CIP7 expression by introducing antisense CIP7 RNA resulted in defects in light-dependent anthocyanin and chlorophyll accumulation. Antisense plants also displayed reduced expression of light-inducible genes for anthocyanin biosynthesis and photosynthesis. However, no defect was observed in light-dependent inhibition of hypocotyl elongation. Taken together, our data indicate that CIP7 acts as a positive regulator of light-regulated genes and is a potential direct downstream target of COP1 for mediating light control of gene expression.
The Intellectual Debt That Deviance Theory Owes Talcott Parsons

As Talcott Parsons pointed out, deviance is always defined and responded to in terms of shared symbolic criteria of legitimacy or illegitimacy. Partial legitimation of the deviant act provides justification to the potential behavioral deviant for expressing deviant inclinations and simultaneously undercuts the willingness of conforming persons to visit negative sanctions upon him. The 1974 streaking phenomenon illustrates this insight.Legitimation is relevant for explaining deviance partly because deviant motivation is omnipresent - in the form of ambivalence - even in outward conformists. If both conforming motivation and deviant motivation contain varying proportions of inclinations to conform to rules and to violate them, behavioral deviants are only slightly different from behavioral conformists in the organization of their personality systems. Thus, personality systems may have only a limited role in the etiology of deviant behavior - even if they play a significant role in the genesis of deviant mot...
Method for the Real-Time Localization of passive SAW-based RFID systems around corners

In this paper, we present a novel real-time localization system (RTLS) based upon 2.45 GHZ surface acoustic wave (SAW) radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. The system utilizes a novel localization method that combines the angular rotation of the RFID readerspsila antenna or read beam with the inherent time-of-flight (TOF) distance measurement capabilities using a csc2 thetas pattern for acquisition of a targeted tag around corners.
lyric, history, and allegory, or the end of headhunting ritual in upland Sulawesi

This article explores how a minority religious community in highland Sulawesi, Indonesia, brings meaning, history, and polity into being through the lyric discourse of headhunting ritual. The discussion shows how divergent interpretations of a single song work as tactical modes of understanding, as ways to “read with the polity.” In one case, a villager reads the lyrics in such a way as to link the ritual headhunt to the intercultural tensions of the past. In another case, however, a villager finds in the lyrics an allegory of local sexual politics. Both approaches connect ritual violence to the shaping of community. [headhunting, ritual song, textual analysis, tradition, social history, Sulawesi]
Birefringence in Finitely-Deformed Materials

In this paper we develop the equations for the propagation of electromagnetic waves in a material which is subjected to a finite static deformation. The theory developed follows the lines of that presented earlier by Smith and Rivlin [2].
How Do Knowledge Management Announcements Affect Firm Value? A Study of Firms Pursuing Different Business Strategies

The importance of knowledge management (KM) efforts is well recognized in the popular and academic press. However, KM efforts do not always lead to improved firm performance. This paper argues that different kinds of KM efforts may be appropriate for firms pursuing different business strategies, and the impact of a KM effort on firm performance would depend on whether the effort is aligned with the firm's business strategy. Prior literature on organizational learning, KM, and business strategy is used to develop these arguments, and also to identify the nature of KM efforts that would be most appropriate for firms pursuing Defender, Analyzer, and Prospector business strategies. An event study is used to evaluate the stock market reaction to a firm's public announcement of the KM effort. The empirical results, based on 103 KM announcements from 1995 to 2002, are consistent with the theory-based expectations, showing alignment between the KM effort and business strategy to be positively associated with impact on firm value. Some of the implications of these results for practice and future research are examined.
Estrogen therapy for postmenopausal symptoms and prevention of osteoporosis

Menopausal symptoms are noted as estrogen deficiency affects target tissues during the climacteric and after menopause. With estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), clinical signs, such as vasomotor symptoms and genitourinary atrophy, abate. Estrogen replacement therapy protects against the development of osteoporosis and is used in its treatment. In addition, ERT has a positive effect on serum lipids and appears to be protective against coronary heart disease. More than 75% of all women experience troublesome vasomotor symptoms during the climacteric years, and osteoporosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in postmenopausal women. In the United States, the current annual cost of treating patients with osteoporosis is $10 billion dollars. With the aging of the baby boom generation, it is estimated that osteoporosis-associated costs may double in the next 30 years if interventions are not undertaken to reduce the incidence of osteoporosis. It is therefore important for pharmacists and other health care practitioners to educate women about ERT after menopause to reduce the risks of vasomotor symptoms, osteoporosis, and other problems. The incidence, etiology, symptoms, and therapeutic measures used to reduce vasomotor symptoms are discussed, and updates on pathophysiology, risk factors, prevention, and treatment of osteoporosis, with an emphasis on ERT, are reviewed.
Vector space methods for sensor fusion problems

In a multiple sensor system, the sensor Sj , j=1,2, . . . ,N, outputs Y( j )?R in response to input X?[0,1], according to an unknown probability distribution PY(j )|X . The problem is to estimate a fusion function f:RN?[0,1], based on a training sample, such that the expected square error is minimized over a family of functions F that constitutes a finite-dimensional vector space. The function f* that exactly minimizes the expected error cannot be computed since the underlying distributions are unknown, and only an approximation f to f* is feasible. We estimate the sample size sufficiently to ensure that an estimator f that minimizes the empirical square error provides a close approximation to f* with a high probability. The advantages of vector space methods are twofold: (1) the sample size estimate is a simple function of the dimensionality of F and (2) the estimate f can be easily computed by the well-known least square methods in polynomial time. The results are applicable to the classical potential function method as well as to a recently proposed class of sigmoidal feedforward neural networks.
Rapidity evolution of gluon TMD from low to moderate x

I discuss how the rapidity evolution of gluon transverse momentum dependent distribution changes from nonlinear evolution at small x ≪ 1 to linear evolution at moderate x ~ 1.
Predictors of progression in atherosclerosis over 2 years in systemic lupus erythematosus

Objectives. Cardiovascular disease remains the major cause of death in SLE. We assessed the degree to which cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and disease activity were associated with 2-year changes in measures of subclinical atherosclerosis. Methods. One hundred and eighty-seven SLE patients participating in a placebo-controlled trial of atorvastatin underwent multi-detector CT [for coronary artery calcium (CAC)] and carotid duplex [for carotid intima–media thickness (IMT) and carotid plaque] twice, 2 years apart. During the 2 years, patients were assessed every 3 months for CVRF. Both groups were combined for analysis, as atorvastatin did not differ from placebo in preventing progression of coronary calcium. We examined the correlation between these clinical measures and progression of CAC, IMT and plaque during the follow-up period. Results. In an analysis adjusting for age, gender and ethnicity, CAC progression was positively associated with total serum cholesterol measured over the 2-year period (P = 0.04) and smoking (P = 0.003). Carotid IMT progression was associated with systolic BP (P = 0.003), high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) (P = 0.013) and white blood cell (WBC) count (P = 0.029). Carotid plaque progression, defined as patients without carotid plaque at baseline with subsequent development of plaque at follow-up, was associated with systolic BP (P = 0.003), WBC count (P = 0.02), physician's global assessment (P = 0.05), blood lymphocyte count (P = 0.048), urine protein (P = 0.017) and duration of SLE (P = 0.019). Conclusion. Our data did not provide evidence of an association between measures of SLE disease activity (SLEDAI, anti-dsDNA, anti-phospholipid and treatment) and progression of subclinical atherosclerosis. Age and hypertension were associated with the progression of carotid IMT and plaque. Age, smoking and cholesterol were associated with progression of CAC.
Scattering experiments on polymer solutions

Laser light-scattering characterization of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) in perfluorotetracosane or oligomers of poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene) at temperatures near the crystalline melting point of PTFE and studies of the coil-to-globule transition for polystyrene in cyclohexane are reviewed. Discussions on approach to solving some experimental problems are emphasized
Ultraviolet B Phototherapy for Psoriasis: Review of Practical Guidelines

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that affects approximately 2 % of people worldwide. Topical treatments, systemic treatments, biologic agents, and phototherapy are all treatment options for psoriasis. Ultraviolet (UV) B phototherapy is most appropriate for patients with >10 % affected body surface area who have not responded to topical treatments. This review outlines the use, dosage, safety, and efficacy of narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) and targeted phototherapy. NB-UVB and excimer laser are effective treatment options for psoriasis; they are administered two to three times weekly until clearance followed by maintenance treatment before discontinuation. Long-term data on NB-UVB indicate that it has a good safety profile. NB-UVB is commonly used with adjunctive topical treatments such as emollients, calcipotriene, cortico-steroids, retinoids, and tar. NB-UVB can be used in selected patients with traditional systemic agents such as methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, and cyclosporine, although the duration of the combined treatment should be kept to a minimum and patients need to be closely monitored. Acitretin can be safely used with phototherapy, but robust data on the combination use of biologic agents or phosphodiesterase inhibitors with phototherapy are lacking.
Flight Response of Aphytis melinus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and Scirtothrips citri (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) to Trap Color, Size, and Shape

Aphytis melinus DeBach responded significantly more to green and yellow traps than to white, blue, fluorescent yellow, clear, black, or red; Scirtothrlps citri (Moulton) responded significantly more to fluorescent yellow, than to any of the other colored polyvinyl rectangular traps. A. melinus did not distinguish between opaque and translucent colored rectangles nor between different trap shapes. S. citri responded significantly more to translucent yellow and green than to opaque yellow and green. S. citri also preferred triangular, elliptical, and rectangular shapes over circular and square ones. Smaller traps were significantly more efficient in trapping A. melinus than the 386.1-cm2 rectangular traps; however, there was no significant difference between S. citri catches on the basis of number per unit area.
Extending 2G end-to-end security solutions to 3G networks

The paper begins by discussing end-to-end security in commercial mobile networks. It goes on to present an overview of 2G issues & solutions, 3G network security challenges, and 3G network differences. (7 pages)
FIVE-YEAR MORTALITY OF INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS IN A POPULATION-BASED COHORT

Infective endocarditis (IE) although uncommon, is characterized by high short-term morbidity and mortality. Long-term outcomes of IE deserve additional evaluation. We therefore report the 5-year mortality from a population-based cohort with a focus on pathogen-specific outcomes. We Included Olmsted
Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage

The electric utility industry needs energy storage systems. The reason for this need is the variation of electric power usage by the customers. Most of the power demands are periodic, but the cycle time may vary in length. The annual variation is usually handled by the scheduling of outage of the equipment and maintenance during low-demand duration. The daily and weekly changes of the demand are the most important, because of the magnitude of the power variations that may occur within one hour. The most efficient generating equipment is designed to operate at full or nearly full capacity with very little power variation. These units are in large coal plants and nuclear power plants. They are also referred to as primary generating equipment. The daily and weekly power variances are met by gas turbines, old and intermediate-sized power plants and energy storage units.
The Foreign Exchange Market

The foreign exchange market is a form of international market for the trading of all national currencies. Financial centers all over the world function as anchors of trading among a wide range of different types of buyers and sellers around the clock, with the exception of weekends. This foreign exchange market determines the relative values (exchange rates) of different currencies. It also assists international trade and investment by enabling currency conversion, offering lines of credit in different currencies, and providing instruments of hedging exchange rate risk. Further, it supports direct speculation on the value of currencies and arbitrage profits between different markets, based on different exchange rates and interest rate differentials among countries.
Surface interaction between glycosaminoglycans and calcium oxalate.

Abstract Molecules and macromolecules are known to alter the process of crystallization, either through inhibition or promotion of nucleation, growth, and/or aggregation. One particular group of macromolecules, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), has been of interest in our laboratory. The GAGs chondroitin A, chondroitin C, heparan sulfate, dermatan sulfate, hyaluronic acid, and keratan sulfate have all been shown to be inhibitors of calcium oxalate crystallization. Heparin, the only GAG which is not naturally present in urine, is the most potent inhibitor of all GAGs. Using the method of Langmuir isotherm adsorption, we studied the adsorption of certain GAGs onto calcium oxalate crystals. Under standardized conditions, heparin, chondroitin C, hyaluronic acid, and pentosan polysulfate (a synthetic polyanionic molecule similar to, but a weaker inhibitor than, heparin) were adsorbed onto calcium oxalate. The total amount of GAG required to maximally cover the crystal surface, as well as the equilibrium concentration at which surface was half-covered with GAG (inversely related to the desorption energy) were measured. Chondroitin C was adsorbed in the greatest amount, followed by heparin, pentosan poly sulfate, and finally hyaluronic acid. Using the method of fiducial limits, the only insignificant difference was between heparin and chondroitin C, and between hyaluronic acid and pentosan polysulfate. Pentosan polysulfate required significantly higher equilibrium concentration than heparin and hyaluronic acid to cover half of the surface of the calcium oxalate crystals. The principle of Langmuir isotherm adsorption can be useful in predicting the effects of macromolecules on crystallization. Weaker inhibitors bind with less affinity than do stronger inhibitors. Further work is underway to characterize other inhibitors and promoters.
Contacts with Professional Staff

This chapter reviews the professional relationships interns will have during the training year. Relationships with staff psychologists, physicians, social workers, nurses, mental health workers, and professionals outside of the agency are considered. The discussion concludes with a consideration of how professional relationships are likely to evolve during the course of internship.
Abstract 548: Exosome as biomarkers and diagnostics in bladder cancer

Esosomes are small membrane vesicles secreted by most cell types. They are first found in reticulocytes and play important roles in cell-to-cell communication. Recent studies suggest that exosomes secreted by tumor cells containing tumor specific proteins and miRNAs. Previous study shows that exosomes purified from high grade bladder cancer promote cancer progression. This study aims to characterize the genetic contents in bladder cancer exosomes through mass spectrometry and miRNA array. Exosomes were purified from bladder cancers, immortalized bladder cells, and urine of healthy volunteers and muscle invasive bladder cancer patients. Via proteomics analysis, we have identified several cancer associated exosomal proteins that were found only in bladder cancer, including EDIL-3, an anagiogenic protein in our previous report. Functional characterization of those proteins is currently undertaken with a focus on periostin an extracellulear matrix protein. In addition to protein, exosomes also contain miRNAs that regulate cellular behaviors. Thus, we performed miRNA expression profiling microarray on exosomes from high grade bladder cancer cells, and immortalized bladder cells (LC Sciences). The differences in miRNA expression were compared and differences were determined by a student T test (P Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Yu-Ru Liu, Christopher Silver, Yi-Fen Lee. Exosome as biomarkers and diagnostics in bladder cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 548. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-548
Reusable, Real-Time, Immuno-Optical Protein C Biosensor

A Protein C (PC) biosensor can be used to diagnose PC deficiency, to monitor the PC level in the blood of PC deficient patients, and to measure the PC concentration in other PC-containing samples, such as PC producing animal cell culture broth or transgenic animal milk. A fully functional biosensor requires extremely high sensitivity and specificity, and real-time measurement. To satisfy these requirements, it is proposed to develop an immuno-optical fiber biosensor that utilizes PC-specific biomolecules (PC probes) tagged with fluorophores. The method involves immobilizing monoclonal antibody against PC (anti-PC) on the surface of an optical fiber. When PC in a sample is adsorbed to the antiPC on the fiber, it can be reacted with the fluorophore tagged PC-probe. The intensity of light transported through the optical fiber, therefore, can be correlated with the concentration of PC in the sample. The sensor will be designed so it can be reused, following a simple elution step, thus reducing diagnostic expense. The preliminary study shows encouraging future for the real-time optical PC biosensor.
Manner Determination in Forensic Pathology

A traditional function of forensic pathologists in the United States is the determination of cause and manner of death. The formal certification of manner of death is an American innovation of the ...
Uniform operation of coherent photonic crystal VCSEL arrays

Coherent 1×2 VCSEL arrays with improved electrical isolation have enhanced output power, visibility, and uniformity for injection locked operation. The current range for locked operation is as large as 0.5mA, which decreases with increasing bias.
Soft Skyrmions, Spontaneous Valence and Selection Rules in Nanoparticle Superlattices

A number of bewildering paradoxes arise in the field of nanoparticle self-assembly: nominal low density superlattices, strong stability of low coordination sites, and a clear but imperfect correlation between lattice stability and the maximum of hard sphere packing, despite the fact that that nanocrystals themselves are, through their ligands, very much compressible. In this study, I show that by regarding nanocrystals as pseudotopological objects (“soft skyrmions”), it is possible to identify and classify the ligand textures that determine their bonding. These textures consist of interacting vortices, where the total vorticity defines a spontaneous valence (coordination). Furthermore, skyrmion interactions are governed by two simple assumptions, which lead to a set of selection rules for superlattice structure. Besides resolving all the above paradoxes, the predictions are completely supported by more than one hundred sixty experiments gathered from the literature, including a wide range of nanocrystal c...
Migratory Movement: The Politics of Ethnic Community (Re) Construction Among Creoles of Color, 1920-1940

This article considers the social and economic conditions under which Creoles of Color left the state of Louisiana from 1920-1940.1 Because Creoles in the years following 1920 were legally reclassified as black, many lost their land, social and legal rights, and access to education as well as the possibility of upward mobility to which they had previously had access when they were accorded the status of a distinct/legal ethnic group. Creole families had to make decisions about the economic, social, religious, and cultural futures of their children and the community as a whole. As a form of resistance to colonial and neocolonial rule, thousands of Creoles left Louisiana, following the pattern established by members of the previous generation who had anticipated the advent and implications of the new legal racial system as far back as the mid to late 1800s and had engaged in the first wave of migration from 1840-1890, moving primarily from rural ethnic enclaves to larger urban cities within the US and to international sites such as Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, Brazil, and other parts of the Caribbean and Latin America where racial lines were more fluid (Gehman, 1994).
Family, School, and Peer Influences on Alcohol Abstinence and Use among American Indian and White Female Adolescents

ABSTRACTThis analysis is informed by social bonding, social learning, and self-control theories and is based on data collected between 2009 and 2013 in 27 school districts located in five U. S. regions. The sample (N = 2,140) includes female adolescents (7th–12th graders) who identified themselves as white or American Indian. In support of the social learning theory, pro-alcohol use definitions, association with peers who drink excessively, and the peers’ differential reinforcement of alcohol abuse are significant predictors of alcohol use in the racially integrated model. Conversely, when controlling for a selected group of predictors, one’s level of self-control and measures of social bond are no longer differentiating alcohol users from abstainers. Yet, additional mediation analyses show that the lack of family attachment, parental monitoring, and school attachment have significant indirect effects on alcohol use.
Assessment of a novel heat-driven cycle to produce shaft power and refrigeration

Abstract This paper proposes a novel combined cooling and power (CCHP) system based on a composition of a Rankine, gas refrigeration (reverse Brayton), liquid desiccant, ejector, and evaporative cooling cycles. The two proposed configurations, called the original cycle (OC) and the enhanced cycle (EC), utilize heat rejected by the Rankine cycle via its condenser in order to regenerate the liquid desiccant cycle. The desiccant cycle allows the cooling systems to decouple sensible and latent loads, and potentially reduce water consumption relative to pure evaporative cooling. Based on our thermodynamic calculations, the OC and EC are more feasible from an energy-saving viewpoint compared with separate systems that provide the same services for sensible heat ratios (SHR) less than 14% and 39%, respectively. At a fixed heat source input of about 2.4 MWth at 210 °C, the OC is capable of generating 103 kWe of electrical power, 181 kWth of sensible cooling, 1631 kWth of latent cooling capacity, and fresh water at 2.7 m3/h capacity. At a SHR of 10%, the OC can achieve an exergy efficiency and primary energy saving ratio (PESR) of 24% and 28%, respectively. Similarly, and at the same thermal energy input, the EC can supply 354 kWe, 400 kWth, and 1199 kWth, and 1.8 m3/h of electrical power, sensible cooling capacity, latent cooling capacity, and fresh water capacity, respectively, at a SHR of 25%. Furthermore, the EC is more efficient than both the OC and stand-alone conventional systems as it shows a higher exergy efficiency of 53% and PESR of 29%.
Detection and Quantification of Seven Major Serogroups of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli on Hides of Cull Dairy, Cull Beef, and Fed Beef Cattle at Slaughter†.

ABSTRACT Dehiding during beef cattle processing can introduce fecal contaminants, including Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC), from hides onto carcass surfaces, creating the potential f...
The Development and Use of Genetically Tractable Preclinical Mouse Models

Mouse models have made fundamental contributions to our understanding of tumor progression and the basic molecular genetics of cancer. However, these models have only recently been adapted to effectively study the biology of therapeutic response. The emerging use of preclinical mouse models to study cancer therapy has required the development of tractable genetic systems to rapidly generate tumors bearing complex genetic lesions, as well as an improved understanding of how to most appropriately model human cancer treatment in the mouse. In this chapter, I discuss recent approaches to developing preclinical systems that can be used to effectively model human cancer therapy. A particular focus of this discussion is the emerging set of genetic tools that can be used to accurately recapitulate relevant therapeutic settings. Many of these tools have only been developed in the past several years and speak to the enormous potential of mouse models to fundamentally improve current drug development platforms and inform the further development of personalized cancer therapy.
Unusual immunologic properties of the uveitogenic interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein-derived peptide R23

Peptide R23, consisting of residues 1091-1115 of bovine interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), had some unusual immunologic properties in Lewis rats. The peptide induced experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis and pinealitis in these rats, but only at high doses. The minimal immunopathogenic dose was found to be 100 nmol/rat. On the other hand, R23 was highly immunogenic in Lewis rats, producing cellular immunity, as measured by the lymphocyte proliferation assay, with a minimal dose of 1 nmol/rat. This unusual dissociation between the uveitogenic and immunogenic activities of R23 was attributed to different sites on the peptide, stimulating either the lymphocytes which induce disease or those which vigorously proliferate in culture. The potent immunogenicity of R23 was consistent with the peptide being immunodominant, as demonstrated by its capacity to be recognized by lymphocytes sensitized against whole IRBP and to stimulate these cells in culture to proliferate and acquire uveitogenic capacity. Likewise, lymphocytes sensitized against R23 are stimulated in culture by whole IRBP. Unexpectedly, peptide R23 was inferior to whole IRBP in its capacity to stimulate uveitogenicity in R23-sensitized lymphocytes. This finding also was attributed to the preferential stimulation by R23 of the lymphocytes specific for the putative "nonuveitogenic" site on the peptide. Peptide R23 also differs from the other tested bovine IRBP-derived peptides in the specificity of its antibodies. Unlike antibodies to the other peptides, those to R23 showed a strong cross reactivity toward whole IRBP.
Sites of Pulmonary Vasoconstriction: Indirect and Direct Measurements

Because pulmonary capillary pressure is an important factor in the fluid balance of the lungs, there has been considerable interest in methods for determining it and the arteriovenous sites of pulmonary vasoconstriction. Since pulmonary arterial and venous pressures but not capillary pressure can be measured directly, the methods have, in general, been indirect (Dawson, 1984; Dawson et al., 1989). In our laboratory, we have used two complementary indirect methods; the vascular occlusion method (Linehan et al., 1982) and the low viscosity bolus method (Dawson et al., 1988).
Ontogeny: Classical Conditioning

Chapter 4 described the process of phylogenetic ultimate causation, evolution by natural selection. The other category of ultimate causation—ontogenetic ultimate causation—occurs during the lifetime of individual organisms. Its process, called learning, is the selection of behavioral characteristics of organisms as a result of interaction with the environment. Scientific psychologists have found that learning is responsible for many of the similarities and differences in human behavior. This chapter discusses a type of learning called classical conditioning, and discusses its importance to humans and other animals.
The influence of organic acidity on the acid-base chemistry of surface waters in Maine, USA

Results from surveys of low-ANC lakes (high elevation, and seepage lakes), and of surface waters in dystrophic, acidic bogs, indicate that acidic precipitation and organic acidity are each generally necessary, but not solely sufficient, for chronically acidic status in Maine lakes. Acidic, low DOC (ANC 30 mg L-1) acidic seepage lakes are acidic due largely to organic acidity, and high DOC drainage lakes are acidic due to a combination of both factors. No low DOC drainage lakes are known with pH less than about 5.0, suggesting that organic acidity is necessary to depress lake pH values to below 5 in Maine at current deposition loadings,The dominant anion of low DOC, acidic waters is sulfate. Acidic waters with intermediate concentrations of DOC (5 to 30 mg L-1), may be dominated by S04 and/or organic acidity. Seepage-input lakes were the only group to include both organically-dominated (37% of the acidic lakes) and S04-dominated members (63% of the acidic lakes). High DOC systems are typically low pH bogs, and are all organic acid-dominated.