cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complex Phenocryst Textures and Zoning Patterns in Andesites and Dacites: Evidence of Degassing-Induced Rapid Crystallization?

A detailed petrological study is presented of seven phenocryst-poor andesites and dacites erupted from short-lived, monogenetic, periph- eral vents in the Mexican volcanic arc. Despite low phenocryst (þ microphenocryst) abundances (55%), these magmas were each multiply saturated with five to seven mineral phases (plagio- clase þ orthopyroxene þ titanomagnetite þ apatite þ ilmeniteclino- pyroxenehornblendebiotite). Groundmass textures range from nearly complete glass to nearly complete microlite crystallization. Eruptive temperatures, on the basis of Fe^Ti two-oxide thermom- etry, range from 872 (� 13) to 1085 (� 16) 8C for the andesites and 760 (� 18) to 957 (� 19)8C for the dacites. Corresponding oxygen fugacities range from � 0· 9t oþ0·6 log units relative to the Ni^NiO buffer.With temperature known, the plagioclase^liquid hy- grometer was applied to the sparse plagioclase phenocrysts in each sample; the highest calculated water concentrations range from 6·4 to 2· 8w t %H 2O for the andesites and from 8· 3t o 4·1wt % H2O for the dacites. These results require that the magmas were fluid-saturated at depths 4 9a nd412 km, respectively, for the most hydrous andesite and dacite. The plagioclase population in each sample spans a wide range in composition (� 34 mol % An), which can be attributed to the effects of changing melt water concen- tration owing to degassing during magma ascent.The orthopyroxene population in each sample also spans a wide range in composition (� 17% Mg-number), and it is proposed on the basis of phase equi- librium experiments from the literature and data from the JANAF thermochemical tables that this also reflects variable melt water con- centrations, with higher water leading to more Fe-rich orthopyroxene. Degassing leads to a progressive increase in melt viscosity, and the phenocrysts crystallized over an interval of � 2·4^4· 3l og 10 Pa s in these samples. The phenocrysts often display diffusion-limited growth textures (e.g. skeletal and hopper crystals, large interior melt hollows) consistent with large undercoolings caused by degassing, which has produced a complicated petrography in these crystal-poor hydrous magmas, including reverse and patchy zoning in plagioclase and pyroxene.
Decreased Degradation of Internalized Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Caused by Mutation of Aspartic Acid 6.30550 in a Protein Kinase-CK2 Consensus Sequence in the Third Intracellular Loop of Human Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor

A naturally occurring mutation in follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene has been reported: an amino acid change to glycine occurs at a conserved aspartic acid 550 (D550, D567, D6.30567). This residue is contained in a protein kinase-CK2 consensus site present in human FSHR (hFSHR) intracellular loop 3 (iL3). Because CK2 has been reported to play a role in trafficking of some receptors, the potential roles for CK2 and D550 in FSHR function were evaluated by generating a D550A mutation in the hFSHR. The hFSHR-D550A binds hormone similarly to WT-hFSHR when expressed in HEK293T cells. Western blot analyses showed lower levels of mature hFSHR-D550A. Maximal cAMP production of both hFSHR-D550A as well as the naturally occurring mutation hFSHR-D550G was diminished, but constitutive activity was not observed. Unexpectedly, when 125I-hFSH bound to hFSHR-D550A or hFSHR-D550G, intracellular accumulation of radiolabeled FSH was observed. Both sucrose and dominant-negative dynamin blocked internalization of radiolabeled FSH and its commensurate intracellular accumulation. Accumulation of radiolabeled FSH in cells transfected with hFSHR-D550A is due to a defect in degradation of hFSH as measured in pulse chase studies, and confocal microscopy imaging revealed that FSH accumulated in large intracellular structures. CK2 kinase activity is not required for proper degradation of internalized FSH because inhibition of CK2 kinase activity in cells expressing hFSHR did not uncouple degradation of internalized radiolabeled FSH. Additionally, the CK2 consensus site in FSHR iL3 is not required for binding because CK2alpha coimmunoprecipitated with hFSHR-D550A. Thus, mutation of D550 uncouples the link between internalization and degradation of hFSH.
Electric Demand Response Management for Distributed Large-Scale Internet Data Centers

This paper evaluates the electric demand response (DR) management for distributed large-scale Internet data centers (IDCs) via the stochastic optimization approach. The electric DR of IDCs refers to the capability of optimally shifting cloud service tasks among distributed IDCs. Thus, the energy consumption reduction at certain IDC locations could be considered as the DR provision capacity in day-ahead DR programs. Cloud service tasks of IDCs include processing, storage, and computing tasks, which are further categorized into interruptible and non-interruptible tasks. The proposed model determines the optimal hourly DR capabilities of individual IDCs while considering uncertain coming cloud service tasks to individual IDCs. The major contribution of this paper is to rigorously formulate the DR capability of IDCs as changes in the electricity consumption when shifting cloud service tasks among distributed IDCs in different time zones, while considering the energy consumption for providing IT service, cooling, shifting cloud service tasks, environmental impacts, and uncertain coming tasks. The proposed model would enhance the financial situation and improve the environmental impacts of distributed IDCs by participating in day-ahead DR programs. The stochastic optimization adopts scenario-based approach via the Monte Carlo (MC) simulation for minimizing the total electricity cost, which is the expected electricity payment minus the revenue from the DR provision. The proposed model is formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problem and solved by state-of-the-art MILP solvers. Numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach for solving the optimal electric DR management problem for distributed large-scale IDCs.
Error-correcting schemes with dynamic thresholds in nonvolatile memories

Predetermined fixed thresholds are commonly used in nonvolatile memories for reading binary sequences, but they usually result in significant asymmetric errors after a long duration, due to voltage or resistance drift. This motivates us to construct error-correcting schemes with dynamic reading thresholds, so that the asymmetric component of errors are minimized. In this paper, we discuss how to select dynamic reading thresholds without knowing cell level distributions, and present several error-correcting schemes. Analysis based on Gaussian noise models reveals that bit error probabilities can be significantly reduced by using dynamic thresholds instead of fixed thresholds, hence leading to a higher information rate.
Nanocomposites with Ca and PO4 release: Effects of reinforcement, dicalcium phosphate particle size and silanization

Abstract Objectives Nanoparticles of dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA) were synthesized in our laboratory for the first time and incorporated into a dental resin. Our goal was to develop a mechanically strong dental composite that has Ca and PO 4 ion release to combat tooth caries, and to investigate the effects of whisker reinforcement, DCPA particle size and silanization. Methods DCPA nanoparticles and two larger DCPA particles were used with nano-silica-fused whiskers as fillers in a resin matrix. Composite mechanical properties were measured via three-point flexure, and the release of Ca and PO 4 ions were measured versus time. Results Using DCPA nanoparticles with a diameter of 112 nm, the composite at a DCPA:whisker mass ratio of 1:1 had a flexural strength (mean ± S.D.; n = 5) of (112 ± 17) MPa, not significantly different from (112 ± 14) MPa of a commercial non-releasing composite; both were higher than (29 ± 7) MPa for the composite at DCPA:whisker of 1:0 ( p 4 of 3.48 mmol/L, higher than Ca of 0.67 mmol/L and PO 4 of 1.11 mmol/L using DCPA with 12 μm particle size ( p 4 release ( p 4 release. Significance Decreasing the DCPA particle size increased the Ca and PO 4 release; whisker reinforcement increased the composite strength by two- to three-fold. The nano DCPA–whisker composites, with high strength and Ca and PO 4 release, may provide the needed, unique combination of stress-bearing and caries-inhibiting capabilities.
Cardiac CD47 Drives Left Ventricular Heart Failure Through Ca2+‐CaMKII‐Regulated Induction of HDAC3

Background Left ventricular heart failure (LVHF) remains progressive and fatal and is a formidable health problem because ever-larger numbers of people are diagnosed with this disease. Therapeutics, while relieving symptoms and extending life in some cases, cannot resolve this process and transplant remains the option of last resort for many. Our team has described a widely expressed cell surface receptor (CD47) that is activated by its high-affinity secreted ligand, thrombospondin 1 (TSP1), in acute injury and chronic disease; however, a role for activated CD47 in LVHF has not previously been proposed. Methods and Results In experimental LVHF TSP1-CD47 signaling is increased concurrent with up-regulation of cardiac histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3). Mice mutated to lack CD47 displayed protection from transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-driven LVHF with enhanced cardiac function, decreased cellular hypertrophy and fibrosis, decreased maladaptive autophagy, and decreased expression of HDAC3. In cell culture, treatment of cardiac myocyte CD47 with a TSP1-derived peptide, which binds and activates CD47, increased HDAC3 expression and myocyte hypertrophy in a Ca2+/calmodulin protein kinase II (CaMKII)-dependent manner. Conversely, antibody blocking of CD47 activation, or pharmacologic inhibition of CaMKII, suppressed HDAC3 expression, decreased myocyte hypertrophy, and mitigated established LVHF. Downstream gene suppression of HDAC3 mimicked the protective effects of CD47 blockade and decreased hypertrophy in myocytes and mitigated LVHF in animals. Conclusions These data identify a proximate role for the TSP1-CD47 axis in promoting LVHF by CaKMII-mediated up-regulation of HDAC3 and suggest novel therapeutic opportunities.
What else don't we know about the late effects of radiation in patients treated for head and neck cancer?

1. Why is this morbidity so infrequently reported in clinical investigations of H&N cancer, and so rarely discussed in oncologic textbooks? 2. Do radiation oncologists, either in academic centers or in practice, evaluate patients for this problem despite the paucity of publicity about it, because they logically extrapolate to this clinical arena what they have learned from managing patients with Hodgkin’s disease?
Behaviorism and Unity in Psychology

The defining feature of behaviorism is that it works with publicly observable stimuli and responses. One version, stimulus-response behaviorism, predicts responses from stimuli or situations. Another version, response-response behaviorism, predicts targeted responses from other responses. Unobservable mental states are intervening variables—hypothetical constructs if they have postulated material existence—that mediate these relationships. Cognition, affect, and reaction tendency are the major conceptual categories in this psychology. Its basic axioms state that behavior is (a) a function of enduring potentials for and temporary instigation to action, (b) controlled by excitation and inhibition, and (c) a blend of coping in situations in which organisms have control and adaptation in situations in which control is lacking. This view offers the hope of bringing unity to psychology.
Apoptotic Pathways upon Arsenite Treatment

Apoptosis is considered to be an essential ongoing normal event in multicellular organisms. Deregulation of apoptosis is induced by a variety of toxicants, including many of the toxic metals, resulting in aberrant proliferation or eradication of affected cell populations. Arsenic has been recognized as both a toxicant and a therapeutic agent for centuries. Extensive attention has been given to the elucidation of the mechanisms by which arsenite induces cellular apoptotic responses on treated cells. In this chapter, we mainly summarize the mechanisms that are responsible for regulating cellular apoptotic effect, including regulating intracellular oxidative stress, induction of various transcription factors, and activating apoptotic signaling pathways following arsenite treatment. It’s expected that readers could obtain essential information about the mode of action for arsenic in regulating apoptotic events, which could underlie its double-edged function in both therapeutic application and toxicity.
Intention: customer perceived market orientation and perceived environmental sustainability information

This study explores the relationships among factors that influence the perceptions of customers of new, technology-based products that include: 1) environmentally sustainable, publicly available information which includes organisations' marketing communications; 2) customers' perceptions of firms' market orientations; 3) the new product purchase intentions of those customers. The major research question that this study addresses is how do customers' perceptions of environmental sustainability information and perceptions of firms' market orientations relate to new, technology-based product purchase intentions? This research contributes to innovation theory and practice by suggesting how environmental sustainability information and firms' market orientations differentially influence potential customers' purchase intentions of technology-based products. This study's sample consists of two groups of university students from a public state university located in the USA. The first group of students is comprised of undergraduate students whereas the second group of students includes MBA programme graduate students. Study results and recommendations for marketing and new product development management are provided.
Heat and Humidity in the City: Neighborhood Heat Index Variability in a Mid-Sized City in the Southeastern United States

Daily weather conditions for an entire city are usually represented by a single weather station, often located at a nearby airport. This resolution of atmospheric data fails to recognize the microscale climatic variability associated with land use decisions across and within urban neighborhoods. This study uses heat index, a measure of the combined effects of temperature and humidity, to assess the variability of heat exposure from ten weather stations across four urban neighborhoods and two control locations (downtown and in a nearby nature center) in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. Results suggest that trees may negate a portion of excess urban heat, but are also associated with greater humidity. As a result, the heat index of locations with more trees is significantly higher than downtown and areas with fewer trees. Trees may also reduce heat stress by shading individuals from incoming radiation, though this is not considered in this study. Greater amounts of impervious surfaces correspond with reduced evapotranspiration and greater runoff, in terms of overall mass balance, leading to a higher temperature, but lower relative humidity. Heat index and relative humidity were found to significantly vary between locations with different tree cover and neighborhood characteristics for the full study time period as well as for the top 10% of heat index days. This work demonstrates the need for high-resolution climate data and the use of additional measures beyond temperature to understand urban neighborhood exposure to extreme heat, and expresses the importance of considering vulnerability differences among residents when analyzing neighborhood-scale impacts.
Total Synthesis of (±)-Glyceollin II and a Dihydro Derivative.

Stressed soybeans produce a group of phytoalexins that belong to the 6a-hydroxypterocarpan family of flavonoids. Certain of the more prominent members, such as the glyceollins I, II, and III, have demonstrated potential antidiabetic properties and promising cytotoxicity in both human breast and prostate cancer cell cultures with preliminary studies in animals further demonstrating antitumor effects in estrogen-dependent, human breast cancer cell implants. Although syntheses of glyceollin I have been reported previously, this work constitutes the first total directed synthesis of (±)-glyceollin II. It involves 12 steps with an overall yield of 7% using practical methods that should be readily scalable to produce quantities needed for advanced biological characterization. Highlights include a novel intramolecular benzoin condensation, a chelation-controlled lithium aluminum hydride-mediated reduction, and an intramolecular cyclization via the formation of a transient epoxide intermediate to cap the construc...
McCord: Value of Gifts Must Be 'Tax Affected'

In this second article on the Fifth Circuit's opinion in McCord (the first is at http://ssrn.com/abstract=939538), the author discusses the gift tax reduction attributable to the donees' assumption of the donors'/decedents' potential section 2035 liability.
Contingent Convertible Bonds: Pricing, Dilution Costs and Efficient Regulation

Contingent convertible bonds (CCBs) are new debt instruments that automatically convert to equity when the issuing firm or bank reaches a specified level of financial distress. This paper presents a formal model of CCBs with finite maturity and where the firm's value process is driven by a jump diffusion process. We are able to derive closed-form solutions for the value of the CCBs. In this paper we can completely characterize two different types of CCBs: In the first case the number of shares granted at conversion is fixed a priori. In the second specification the number of shares granted at conversion is chosen a posteriori such that the value of the shares equals a specified value. This is the first paper to determine the dilution costs at conversion to the old shareholders from the two types of CCBs. Incorporating jumps into the dynamics of the firm's value process is important as it can solve the predictability problem of the conversion and default event. For example it has been established empirically that credit spreads of straight bonds are positive even for a maturity approaching zero. Including jumps into the firm's value process creates non-zero credit spread limits. Without jumps the evaluation of contingent convertible bonds can be independent of the amount of straight debt and the capital structure of a firm. In a model with jumps the valuation of straight debt and contingent convertible debt is interlinked as jumps could be large enough to trigger conversion and default simultaneously. Furthermore, it is observed that short-term debt has very different features than long-term debt. Our model can capture the effect of the maturity on the debt contracts.In order to apply CCBs in practice it is desirable to base the conversion on observable market prices that can constantly adjust to new information in contrast to accounting triggers. We can show how to use credit spreads and the risk premium of credit default swaps to construct the conversion trigger and to evaluate the contracts under this specification. CCBs are intended to avoid bank bailouts of the type that occurred during the subprime mortgage crisis when banks were in trouble to recapitalize themselves and regulators feared the consequences of default contagion. Hence, the second focus of this paper is to analyze whether CCBs can be used as a regulation instrument. It is crucial to require that the parameters of the CCBs are chosen such that they satisfy a no-early-default condition. In this case a regulation that combines a restriction on the maximal leverage ratio and the requirement of issuing a certain fraction of CCBs as part of the whole debt, can efficiently lower the default probability without reducing the total value of the firm. However, if this condition is violated, CCBs can increase the default risk of a bank.
Perspectives: Executive Compensation: Much Ado About Nothing?

Recent concerns about the level of executive compensation led to revisiting the question of whether highly compensated corporate employees earn their pay. Several measures of company performance indicate that companies with the most highly compensated employees perform only in a manner consistent with other companies. Our results provide support for those who have recently expressed dismay over compensation levels.
The financial health of firm in terms of using the creative accounting in the Czech Republic

Accounting statements keep by the key source for processing financial analyses of enterprises. The healthy enterprise should have been able to load the object of her activities, to reach constantly required measurement estimation of the contribution of capital for investors, with thinking about diversification of business. Naturally to go out with proceedings and enterprise appreciation like the healthy enterprise only with stated data is relatively risk in consequence influences referred to weak pages of accounting statements, exploitation the legal methods of creative accounting and the time frequent accounting fraud. The goal of article is present how is able to influence on the basic direct observation to a great extent in practice by using the creative accounting methods as well as accounting fraud of values statement of balances and their subsequent exploitation at determination financial health of enterprises. The reason of problems the article restricts to some problems with creative accounting at appreciation of choice items at accounting statement.
Assay of plasminogen using latex flocculation.

SummaryAn assay of plasminogen by using latex flocculation inhibition technique is described. In comparison with the hemagglutination technique, the method is less sensitive and not suitable for measuring small amounts of plasminogen in human urine or cerebrospinal fluid. However, because of their stability, latex particles may be used to substitute for the tanned red cells in the assay of plasma plasminogen.
Determination of allura red in salted and pickled vegetables by high performance liquid chromatography

Objective:The content of allura red in salted and pickled vegetables was determined by a reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography method,which could be used to determine the conent of Tartrazine,Ponceau 4R,and Sunset yellow in salted and pickled vegetables simultaneously.Methods:Allura red in salted and pickled vegetables was purified through polyamide powder(200 mesh),then separated by a Zorbax Eclipse plus C18 column(4.6×250 mm,5 μm).The determination was made by a ultraviolet detector at 254 nm wavelength.Results:A good linear relationship was obtained at the range of 1.44~14.4 μg/ml,r=0.9999.The average recovery ranged from 93.3% to 93.8%,and the RSD was less than 2.1%.The detection limit of allura red was 0.08 μg/ml.Conclusion:The method is simple,highly sensitive and accurate,and could be used to determine the content of Allura red together with Tartrazine,Ponceau 4R,and Sunset yellow in salted and pickled vegetables.
SU-F-R-54: CT-Texture Based Early Tumor Treatment Response Assessment During Radiation Therapy Delivery: Small Cell Versus Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers

Purpose: Tumor treatment response may potentially be assessed during radiation therapy (RT) by analyzing changes in CT-textures. We investigated the different early RT-responses between small cell (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as assessed by CT-texture. Methods: Daily diagnostic-quality CT acquired during routine CT-guided RT using a CT-on-Rails for 13-NSCLC and 5-SCLC patients were analyzed. These patient had ages ranging from 45–78 and 38–63 years, respectively, for NSCLC and SCLC groups, and tumor-stages ranging from T2-T4, and were treated with either RT or chemotherapy and RT with 45–66Gy/ 20–34 fractions. Gross-tumor volume (GTV) contour was generated on each daily CT by populating GTV contour from simulation to daily CTs with manual editing if necessary. CT-texture parameters, such as Hounsfield Unit (HU) histogram, mean HU, skewness, kurtosis, entropy, and short-run high-gray level emphasis (SRHGLE), were calculated in GTV from each daily CT-set using an in house software tool. Difference in changes of these texture parameters during RT between NSCLC and SCLC was analyzed and compared with GTV volume changes. Results: Radiation-induced changes in CT-texture were different between SCLC and NSCLC. Average changes from first to the last fractions for NSCLC and SCLC in GTV were 28±10(12–44) and 30±15(11–47) HU (mean HU reduction), 12.7% and 18.3% (entropy), 50% and 55% (SRHGLE), 19% and 22% (kurtosis), and 5.2% and 22% (skewness), respectively. Good correlation in kurtosis changes and GTV was seen (R2=0.8923) for SCLC, but not for NSCLC (R2=0.4748). SCLC had better correlations between GTV volume reduction and entropy (SCLC R2=0.847; NSCLC R2=0.6485), skewness (SCLC R2=0.935; NSCLC R2=0.7666), or SRHGLE (SCLC R2=0.9619; NSCLC R2=0.787). Conclusion: NSCLC and SCLC exhibited different early RT-responses as assessed by CT-texture changes during RT-delivery. The observed larger changes in various CT-texture parameters for SCLC indicate that SCLC may respond to RT more rapid than NSCLC.
Generation of Anterior Foregut Derivatives from Pluripotent Stem Cells

Directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells is a promising avenue to generate mature cell types for disease modeling, drug screening, and application in regenerative medicine. While efforts at specification and induction of several endodermal, mesodermal, and ectodermal lineages have resulted in significant progress, the derivation of anterior foregut endoderm, the most proximal section of the endoderm, has been challenging. However, several clinically important organs, including parathyroids, thymus, thyroid, and the respiratory system, are derived from the anterior foregut endoderm. Recently, important advances have been reported in the specification of anterior foregut endoderm from pluripotent stem cells. The subsequent differentiation of these cells into more mature tissues remains difficult; however, as developmental mechanisms underlying specification of several organs, domains in the anterior foregut endoderm, such as that of the thymus, are still unclear. We now review the development of anterior foregut-derived organs and recent progress in directed differentiation of anterior foregut endoderm and derived organs and tissues from pluripotent stem cells.
Vaccine-Associated Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus and Encephalitis

The case of an immunocompetent 3 and half-year-old girl who developed encephalitis and herpes zoster ophthalmicus 20 months after immunization with varicella-zoster virus vaccine is reported from Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece, and University College, London, UK.
The Missing Energy Events at the LHC and Implications for Dark Matter Search

We present the results of searches for Supersymmetry (SUSY) performed using data collected by the ATLAS and CMS experiments at the LHC in pp-collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV. Searches are performed in all-hadronic final states with jets and missing transverse energy and in final states including one or more isolated leptons or photons. The results are interpreted in a range of Supersymmetric scenarios. The accelerator constraints on the SUSY parameter space are presented as well as the implications for dark matter search.
Status of Stanford Superconductive Monopole Detectors

The theoretical similarities between flux quantization in superconductors and Dirac magnetic monopoles make superconductive systems natural detectors for these elusive particles. More recently, grand unification theories have been shown to predict the existence of stable supermassive magnetically charged particles possessing the Dirac unit of magnetic charge. These particles would be nonrelativistic, weakly ionizing, and extremely penetrating; and thus may have eluded previous searches. In this paper we describe three generations of superconductive detectors designed to look for a cosmic-ray flux of such particles.
Sudden Onset of Subcutaneous Air Emphysema After the Application of Air to a Maxillary Premolar Located in a Nonsurgical Field.

Clinical Relevance Subcutaneous emphysema commonly develops when compressed air enters through a surgical site. Forced air may inadvertently enter into subcutaneous tissue through intact mucosa. Clinicians must be aware of this possibility to diagnose and manage subcutaneous emphysema during nonsurgical treatment.
“Gone Over on the Other Side”: Passing in Chesnutt’s The House Behind the Cedars

Within a nation of binary and supremacist racial politics, “mulatto” characters in Chesnutt’s turn-of-the-century novel found themselves living “in-between”—legally deemed “black” regardless of cultural upbringing. While the protagonist John Walden succeeds in being accepted by white culture by internalizing a white identity and passing as a white man, his sister Rena continues to identify as black and finds herself unable to successfully pass as a white woman. Negrea focuses specifically on the spatio-performative act of passing and argues that Chesnutt’s novel is itself a Borderland narrative in that John’s ability to completely disappear into white society shatters myths of the impossibility of successful passing and of an impermeable racial border. John tactically reshapes an oppressive geography into a space of resistance and subversion.
Cluster-Based Route Discovery Protocol

In MANETS, node mobility induces structural changes for routing. We propose a route discovery algorithm for MANET based on link-cluster architecture. The algorithm selects the clusterheads and gateway nodes, and then builds routing tables for nodes both inside and outside the cluster. The algorithm attempts to minimize the number of clusterheads and gateway nodes to avoid storing redundant data. For intra-cluster routing, the shortest paths are maintained. For inter-cluster routing, we implement routing on-demand (the shortest paths are maintained only for the nodes that need to send packets). The proposed algorithm adapts to arbitrary movement of nodes, and joining and/or leaving of existent nodes.
Critical trophic links in southern Chukchi Sea lagoons

Abstract Arctic lagoons support a variety of fish, bird and marine mammal species, as well as subsistence fisheries that are critical to local food security along the Chukchi and Beaufort sea coasts. In summer 2015, diet samples from seven lagoon fishes were non-lethally collected in three lagoons along the Northwest Alaska coastline. Using these samples, we determined that the key prey species that supported these particular lagoon food webs were mysids, chironomids and Ninespine Stickleback. We identified the relative importance of freshwater/terrestrial and marine prey sources in lagoon fish diets and identified three key functional feeding groups of fishes: microbenthivore/zooplanktivores, macrobenthivore/piscivores, and piscivores. Several key predators were found in the microbenthivore/zooplanktivore group indicating a high degree of redundancy, which was lacking in the other functional feeding groups. This suggests that this group has the greatest resiliency, whereas other groups may be more vulnerable to changes in lagoon habitats. Functional groups with less redundancy, such as the upper trophic levels, may be good indicator species for identifying potential impacts to Arctic lagoons from climate change.
Gender Differences in Demographic and Health Characteristics of the Million Veteran Program Cohort

Abstract Background The Department of Veterans Affairs Million Veteran Program (MVP) is the largest ongoing cohort program of its kind, with 654,903 enrollees as of June 2018. The objectives of this study were to examine gender differences in the MVP cohort with respect to response and enrollment rates; demographic, health, and health care characteristics; and prevalence of self-reported health conditions. Methods The MVP Baseline Survey was completed by 415,694 veterans (8% women), providing self-report measures of demographic characteristics, health status, and medical history. Results Relative to men, women demonstrated a higher positive responder rate (23.0% vs. 16.0%), slightly higher enrollment rate (13.5% vs. 12.9%), and, among enrollees, a lower survey completion rate (59.7% vs. 63.8%). Women were younger, more racially diverse, had higher educational attainment, and were less likely to be married or cohabitating with a partner than men. Women were more likely to report good to excellent health status but poorer physical fitness, and less likely to report lifetime smoking and drinking than men. Compared with men, women veterans showed an increased prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions, thyroid problems, gastrointestinal conditions, migraine headaches, and mental health disorders, as well as a decreased prevalence of gout, cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol, diabetes, and hearing problems. Conclusions These results revealed some substantial gender differences in the research participation rates, demographic profile, health characteristics, and prevalence of health conditions for veterans in the MVP cohort. Findings highlight the need for tailoring recruitment efforts to ensure representation of the increasing women veteran population receiving care through the Veterans Health Administration.
MithraCoverage: A System for Investigating Population Bias for Intersectional Fairness

Data-driven technologies are only as good as the data they work with. On the other hand, data scientists have often limited control on how the data is collected. Failing to contain adequate number of instances from minority (sub)groups, known as population bias, is a major reason for model unfairness and disparate performance across different groups. We demonstrate MithraCoverage, a system for investigating population bias over the intersection of multiple attributes. We use the concept of coverage for identifying intersectional subgroups with inadequate representation in the dataset. MithraCoverage is a web application with an interactive visual interface that allows data scientists to explore the dataset and identify subgroups with poor coverage.
Working across time and space: developing a framework for teacher leadership throughout a teaching career

This paper explores how to develop teacher leaders across the career span. It offers a conceptual framework with three central tenets of teacher leadership: an emphasis on inquiry, a social justice...
Direct measurement of K+ ion efflux from neuronal cells using a graphene-based ion sensitive field effect transistor

A graphene-based ion sensitive field effect transistor (GISFET) has been developed and investigated in terms of its ion sensing performance. The GISFET sensor was found to demonstrate a high detection sensitivity enabling direct measurement of K+ ion efflux from live cells. The sensing performance of the GISFET was directly compared to that of a commercial Si ISFET and very similar detection results were obtained, highlighting the promise of the GISFET sensor for ion-sensing applications. Additionally, fabrication of a GISFET array containing 25 devices using a CMOS compatible photolithographic process was demonstrated, which resulted in good uniformity across the array and high ion sensing properties of the devices, underlining their application potential for simultaneous multi-well testing with small sample volume.
Rational preference in transformative experiences

L. A. Paul’s Transformative Experience makes the claim that many important life decisions are epistemically and personally transformative in a way that does not allow us to assign subjective values to their outcomes. As a result, we cannot use normative decision theory to make such decisions rationally, or when we modify it to do so, decision theory leads us to choose in a way that is in tension with our authenticity. This paper examines Paul’s version of decision theory, and whether this version in fact admits of the challenge she wants to raise. I focus on her psychological realist view of utilities and beliefs and her notion of rational, authentic preferences as informed by imaginative acquaintance. I argue that Paul fails to engage critically with traditional accounts of decision theory and, on closer inspection, it is not clear that her version of decision theory entails a tension between rational and authentic choice. More importantly, I argue that if her contribution is instead to bring to light the importance of authenticity alongside rational decision-making, the definition she provides of authenticity in fact undermines her argument.
The Neuronal Connexions of the Hypothalamic Neurosecretory Nuclei in Mammals

Regarding the hypothalamic magnocellular and parvocellular neurosecretory nuclei as constituting a final common path (Sherrington), influencing the activity of neuro- and adenohypophysis respectively, a survey is given of the intrinsic and extrinsic afferent neuronal relations of these nuclei as revealed by Golgi and Nauta-Gygax studies.
Applications and Trends of Remote Sensing in Professional Urban Planning

Remote sensing and remotely sensed data provide a spatial understanding of the complex physical characteristics, land uses, growth patterns, resource distributions, environmental pressures, technological changes, and socioeconomic needs of built environments. Despite the potential for remote sensing use in urban planning, a disconnect seems evident between academic research on remote sensing applications in an urban planning context and the actual adoption and use of remotely sensed technologies and data by professional urban planners. A survey of 69 planning agencies in the metro-Atlanta area revealed aerial photographs (n = 42) as the most commonly acquired and utilized remote sensing data. By comparison, light detection and ranging (LIDAR) data and satellite imagery had far fewer adoptions, particularly by local planning agencies. In addition, many new techniques and applications suggested by academic research as beneficial for urban planning were not being employed by professional urban planners. Of the four tenets identified for limited remote sensing adoption and use – application technical, expertise, and financial – all but financial constraints appeared to be a factor.
The Future of Health Promotion: Talkin™ Technology Blues

Talking about the future often means talking about technology. Does the future of health promotion lie in technology? This article offers a user’s perspective on this issue. By returning to core va...
Elections and the Politics of Pork in the U.S. Senate

Objectives We examine the connection between pork-barrel projects and the election returns of members of the U.S. Congress. While previous researchers have uncovered little evidence of a direct link, we refine the perspective that pork has electoral implications by advancing the argument that its effects differ across geographic and partisan contexts. Methods Our empirical analysis focuses on the Senate—which has largely escaped attention—and utilizes a measure of pork that includes only those projects inserted by legislators as line items in appropriation bills from 1996 to 2004. Results We find a direct relationship between pork and electoral performance, albeit one that is conditioned upon ideological congruence, constituency size, and the political ideology of the legislator. Conclusions Electoral payoffs for pork-barreling accrue to some but not all senators. Moreover, our findings demonstrate the pragmatic rationale for conservative opposition to earmarks.
CIVIL REMEDIES FOR CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING: ZERO TOLERANCE VERSUS PROPORTIONAL LIABILITY

Bribery in public contracting is a serious problem, particularly in societies with weak public institutions. The trend in the law applicable to contracts between governments and foreign firms is to refuse to enforce contracts procured through bribery. This zero-tolerance approach may have perverse consequences. Proof that a firm obtained a contract through bribery does not necessarily indicate the extent to which the firm has fallen short of its obligations to combat bribery. The zero-tolerance approach fails to take into account the extent to which the firm has not only attempted to prevent bribery but also monitored and punished employees who engage in bribery, cooperated with law enforcement authorities, and created value for the government in the course of performing its side of the contract. Subjecting bribe-payers to liability that is more proportional to fault seems preferable on a number of grounds.
The reporting of race and ethnicity information in the dental public health literature.

Objectives: To document how race and ethnicity are identified, categorized, and utilized in contemporary dental public health literature. Methods: Two researchers independently performed a literature review of all articles in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology and the Journal of Public Health Dentistry over a 5-year period (2004-2009). Articles pertaining to the study of US-based populations with any mention of race or ethnicity were included. The following data were abstracted from each article: a) how each article broadly described race and/or ethnicity; b) the terms used to specifically define the races and/or ethnicities captured; c) the location of any mention of the concept of race and/or ethnicity; d) the stated purpose for including race and/or ethnicity concepts; e) the stated analytic use of race and/or ethnicity concepts; and f) the stated method used to assess race and/or ethnicity concepts. Results: Overall, race and/or ethnicity concepts were most commonly referred to within the text of the results section. Fifty percent of articles did not state their purpose for including race and/or ethnicity concepts within their studies, while 34.3 percent omitted stating their analytic use of these concepts. When assessing these concepts, 41.4 percent relied upon subject self-report. Conclusion: These data showed that there was inconsistent documentation of how race and ethnicity was measured. While race and ethnicity are important measures for public health studies and are frequently reported in dental public health research, there is no clear system for classifying these measures.
Why preferences in college admissions may yield a more-able student body

Abstract Critics of affirmative action policies contend that the elimination of racial preferences in college admissions would lead to a “more-able” student body. We develop a simple model comprised of three classes of college admissions—merit, race and legacy—to show that it is possible that a change in admissions policy that reduces racial preferences leads to a “less-able” student body. The change in admissions policy may serve only to ensure that more admissions are available for “sale” to wealthy alumni through legacy preferences. In other words, when there are multi-dimensional preferences, reducing or eliminating one dimension of preferences may lead to the unforeseen consequence of producing a “less able” student body.
Natural products: DNA double whammy

The lomaiviticins are exceedingly potent antibiotic agents, but the mechanism responsible for this activity has so far been unclear. Now, efficient generation of double-strand breaks in DNA by lomaiviticin A has been linked to the remarkable cytotoxicity of these diazobenzofluorene-containg natural products.
A gene expression vector useful for protein purification and studies of protein-protein interaction ☆

This report describes the development of a gene expression vector that adds three features to the C-terminus of the putative synthesized protein: (1) a protein kinase A recognition domain allowing the protein to be radio-labeled in vitro, (2) an epitope marker for immunocharacterization of the protein with a commercial monoclonal antibody, and (3) a (His)6 block facilitating purification of the protein by metal chelating affinity chromatography. These features make it convenient to perform biochemical and functional analysis of the protein of interest.
The rational approximation method in the prediction of thermodynamic properties for SOFCs

Abstract The aim of this work is to present the method of rational approximation as an alternative technique for finding empirical models for thermophysical properties of relevant fluids to solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The method of rational approximation is used here for calculating the isobaric heat capacity, the entropy of formation, the enthalpy, the Gibbs energy of formation, the thermal conductivity and the dynamic viscosity, at 0.1 MPa, of important gases in SOFCs (CH4, C2H6, C3H8, CH3OH, C2H5OH, CO2, CO, H2, H2O, O2, N2, NH3). Rational approximations are well known for their ability to extrapolate, and this has been the main reason for adopting the method in this paper, since it is often difficult and expensive to have experimental data in the entire range of interest. A data survey was conducted for collecting the required information, and finally 75 rational approximations were generated all with a coefficient of determination of R2=99%.
A study of some issues in stable tearing crack growth simulations

Abstract This paper investigates several issues in stable crack growth simulations relevant to the application of a particular crack-growth criterion based on the crack-tip opening displacement (CTOD). Specifically, the effects of finite element size, CTOD location, and large rotation on the performance of the CTOD criterion are examined. Finite element simulations of actual crack growth tests on Arcan specimens are carried out under plane stress and Mode-I conditions using a custom code ZIP2DL. With regard to finite element predictions for the load-crack-extension curve, the results of the simulations suggest the following. First, when elements are small enough along the crack growth path to produce converged crack-tip opening displacement (not necessarily converged crack-tip stresses and strains), the size of the elements has negligible effect. Second, the fixed distance between the CTOD location and the current crack-tip should be chosen so that it is consistent with the choice of the element size along the crack path and of the critical CTOD value. Third, the effect of large specimen rotation can be dealt with by performing both the CTOD calibration and its application under small-deformation conditions.
Optimizing Regular Expression Matching with SR-NFA on Multi-Core Systems

Conventionally, regular expression matching (REM) has been performed by sequentially comparing the regular expression (regex) to the input stream, which can be slow due to excessive backtracking (smith:acsac06). Alternatively, the regex can be converted to a deterministic finite automaton (DFA) for efficient matching, which however may require an extremely large state transition table (STT) due to exponential state explosion (meyer:swat71, yu:ancs06). We propose the segmented regex-NFA (SR-NFA) architecture, where the regex is first compiled into modular nondeterministic finite automata (NFA), then partitioned, optimized, and matched efficiently on modern multi-core processors. SR-NFA offers attack-resilient multi-gigabit per second matching throughput, does not suffer from either backtracking or state explosion, and can be rapidly constructed. For regex sets that construct a DFA with moderate state explosion, i.e., on average 200k states in the STT, the proposed SR-NFA is 367k times faster to construct and update and use 23k times less memory than the DFA approach. Running on an 8-core 2.6 GHz Opteron platform, our prototype achieves 2.2 Gbps average matching throughput for regex sets with up to 4,000 SR-NFA states per regex set.
Fat ′n Happy 5 Years Later: Is It Bad for Overweight Girls to Like Their Bodies?

Does a moderate degree of body dissatisfaction motivate overweight adolescents to lose weight? We examined the relationship between body satisfaction and BMI 5 years later in overweight adolescent girls from Project EAT (Eating Among Teens), and found that girls with higher body satisfaction gained less weight over 5 years.