cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Novel Diamond Microprobe for Neuro-Chemical and -Electrical Recording in Neural Prosthesis

This paper describes the design, microfabrication, and testing of a novel polycrystalline-diamond (poly-C)-based microprobe for possible applications in neural prosthesis. The probe utilizes undoped poly-C with a resistivity on the order of 105 Omega middot cm as a supporting material, which has a Young's modulus in the range of 400-1000 GPa and is biocompatible. Boron-doped poly-C with a resistivity on the order of 10-3 Omega middot cm is used as an electrode material, which provides a chemically stable surface for both chemical and electrical detections in neural studies. The probe has eight poly-C electrode sites with diameters ranging from 2 to 150 mum; the electrode capacitance is approximately 87 muF/cm2. The measured water potential window of the poly-C electrode spans across negative and positive electrode potentials and typically has a total value of 2.2 V in 1 M KCl. The smallest detectable concentration of norepinephrine (a neurotransmitter) was on the order of 10 nM. The poly-C probe has also been successfully implanted in the auditory cortex area of a guinea pig brain for in vivo neural studies. The recorded signal amplitude was 30-40 muV and had a duration of 1 ms.
Low damage etch approach for next generation Cu interconnect

This research focus on low radical plasma etch (LRPE) process and its impact on highly porous dielectric material (extreme-low-k, ELK, k=2.4). We demonstrate a dual damascene (DD) process flow without k degration by low radical and pore sealing plasma etch. Comparing to tranditional DD etching process, 12% resistance-capacitance (RC) improvement, 15% via resistance reduction and a factor of 3 inter-metal-dielectric (IMD) time dependent dielectic breakdown (TDDB) improvement can be achieved by the proposed approach.
DNA sequencing of a cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukaemia genome

Acute myeloid leukaemia is a highly malignant haematopoietic tumour that affects about 13,000 adults in the United States each year. The treatment of this disease has changed little in the past two decades, because most of the genetic events that initiate the disease remain undiscovered. Whole-genome sequencing is now possible at a reasonable cost and timeframe to use this approach for the unbiased discovery of tumour-specific somatic mutations that alter the protein-coding genes. Here we present the results obtained from sequencing a typical acute myeloid leukaemia genome, and its matched normal counterpart obtained from the same patient's skin. We discovered ten genes with acquired mutations; two were previously described mutations that are thought to contribute to tumour progression, and eight were new mutations present in virtually all tumour cells at presentation and relapse, the function of which is not yet known. Our study establishes whole-genome sequencing as an unbiased method for discovering cancer-initiating mutations in previously unidentified genes that may respond to targeted therapies.
A gold nanohole array based surface-enhanced Raman scattering biosensor for detection of silver(I) and mercury(II) in human saliva

A surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) biosensor has been developed by incorporating a gold nanohole array with a SERS probe (a gold nanostar@Raman-reporter@silica sandwich structure) into a single detection platform via DNA hybridization, which circumvents the nanoparticle aggregation and the inefficient Raman scattering issues. Strong plasmonic coupling between the Au nanostar and the Au nanohole array results in a large enhancement of the electromagnetic field, leading to amplification of the SERS signal. The SERS sensor has been used to detect Ag(I) and Hg(II) ions in human saliva because both the metal ions could be released from dental amalgam fillings. The developed SERS sensor can be adapted as a general detection platform for non-invasive measurements of a wide range of analytes such as metal ions, small molecules, DNA and proteins in body fluids.
Computer simulation of a pulse-forming network

Computer simulation allowed research scientists at TRIUMF to achieve the tightest specification to date for a pulse-forming network (PFN). The 66 kV PFN, designed for use by CERN has a measured ripple in the flattop of only /spl plusmn/3%. This is a much flatter pulse than the /spl plusmn/1% ripple that was previously state of the art for these devices. The TRIUMF researchers attribute their ability to achieve this level of performance to using precise computer simulation in the design of the pulse-forming network rather than traditional calculations and mechanical tuning by trial and error. Electromagnetic simulation made it possible to determine a single frequency that could be used to determine the ideal circuit parameters needed to achieve the desired flattop of the pulse. Once the researchers had that information, they were able to optimize the design of the PIN to produce the desired pulse shape. The researchers then used electromagnetic simulation to evaluate the geometry of the pulse-forming network's coil to specify precise manufacturing tolerances.
Large-scale tabular-form hardware architecture for Q-Learning with delays

Q-Learning is a popular reinforcement learning algorithm which has been widely used in stochastic control applications. The bottleneck of applying tabular form Q learning in reinforcement learning problems with large scale or high dimensional action sets is the considerable delays caused by action selection and value function updates. In this paper, we present a novel hardware architecture that significantly reduces the delays. Moreover, we formulate the Q learning algorithm in cases of observation and action delays and provide a set of proofs confirming that Q-Learning with such delays converges to the optimal policy.
Using The Internet To Communicate Environmental Sustainability Issues To Stakeholders: An Italian Perspective

This study examined how Italian firms use information technology to communicate with stakeholders. The results of the study indicate that a majority of the firms in the sample communicated traditional sustainability disclosures. The communication of transformational and proactive sustainability disclosures were based, in part, on the financial performance level of the firms. The study also found that Italian firms had similar disclosure patterns to firms from other countries.
Eco-tech Fashion: Rationalizing Technology in Sustainable Fashion

AbstractAt first thought, technology and sustainable fashion might appear to hold contrasting ideals; however, an investigation into technology and sustainable fashion yields complex symbiotic relationships between the two areas. Technology is essentially the prime enabler that allows sustainable fashion to thrive and develop today. The role of technology within the sustainable fashion realm is broken into two main areas: the physical manifestation of sustainable fashion garments, including textiles, and the digital domain. The effects of technology in sustainable fashion are best understood through looking at the work of a technology theoretician, Andrew Feenberg, who advocates for small, but effective, “democratic rationalizations” of technology to achieve positive change.
A convex approach to blind deconvolution with diverse inputs

This note considers the problem of blind identification of a linear, time-invariant (LTI) system when the input signals are unknown, but belong to sufficiently diverse, known subspaces. This problem can be recast as the recovery of a rank-1 matrix, and is effectively relaxed using a semidefinite program (SDP). We show that exact recovery of both the unknown impulse response, and the unknown inputs, occurs when the following conditions are met: (1) the impulse response function is spread in the Fourier domain, and (2) the N input vectors belong to generic, known subspaces of dimension K in ℝL. Recent results in the well-understood area of low-rank recovery from underdetermined linear measurements can be adapted to show that exact recovery occurs with high probablility (on the genericity of the subspaces) provided that K,L, and N obey the information-theoretic scalings, namely L ≳ K and N ≳ 1 up to log factors.
High Aspect Ratio Package Core Production with Electrolytic Deposited Copper

A typical package core consists of copper clad dielectric which is drilled to produce the necessary through vias serving two functions either as electrical or as thermal conduits. The thermal vias are normally characterised by a low drill pitch and a localisation at the centre of the package core. The vias are plugged after metallisation with a resin material to give the core the required planar surface necessary to provide the basis for the subsequent build up layers. Use of electrolytic deposited copper has been introduced as a new method to fill such through vias, pure copper as a plugging material has obvious advantages due its higher thermal conductivity in comparison to any currently available plugging resins. Significant cost savings are also possible as a fully automated in line processing sequence is available for electrolytic copper deposition in comparison to the more labour intensive resin plugging methods. The package cores utilising this technology have however been restricted to a dielectri...
The Legal Rights and Repsonsibilities of the Mentally Impaired Employee and His/Her Employer

This paper will cover the legal rights of the "mentally ill" employee in a work setting and the corresponding rights of his/her employer. Initially, federal law will be discussed, then state law. I will take a look at how other countries have dealt with this problem in the workplace. Throughout my discussion, I will refer to recent federal acts, associations and organizations that brought about change in this much ignored area of the law. Employers today face a growing number of lawsuits alleging discrimination on the basis of mental disability. It should be noted that this paper does not include those mentally disordered persons who are a danger to themselves and/or others.
On the C *-Algebra Generated by the Bergman Operator, Carleman Second-Order Shift, and Piecewise Continuous Coefficients

We study the C * -algebra generated by the Bergman operator with piecewise continuous coefficients in the Hilbert space L 2 and extended by the Carleman rotation by an angle π. As a result, we obtain an efficient criterion for the operators from the indicated C * -algebra to be Fredholm operators.
The thyroid nodule. 2. Etiologic and pathophysiologic considerations.

The cyclic structural changes leading to diffuse and nodular goiters are reviewed. Transition from benign to malignant thyroid tumor in man is a possibility but probably occurs rarely; papillary carcinoma is the most common differentiated thyroid tumor, papillary adenoma is the least common benign tumor, and both occur at about the same age. The differentiated group includes papillary, follicular and mixed tumors, and the undifferentiated group highly malignant small-cell and giant-cell carcinomas. The vascularity of the thyroid favors metastatic involvement.Therapy will be considered in part 3.
Upgrade of the Integrated Automation System of Hongjiang Hydropower Plant

The upgrade scheme of the integrated automaton system of the Hongjiang Hydropower Plant is illustrated,including the computer monitoring and control system,generator protection,governor system,excitation system,excitation transformer,oil pump control system of pressure oil supply units and remote control and telecommunication system.By upgrade,the automation level and operation reliability of the plant are improved greatly,resulting in higher economic benefit.
The Design and Development of Energy Consumption Monitoring Platform for Large-scale Industry Users

In order to optimize the energy resources allocation,reduce enterprise's electrical energy consumption and achieve the purpose of energy conservation and emission reduction,the electrical energy consumption monitoring platform is designed based on MODBUS.The platform has modules such as basic information management,real-time data acquisition,load statistics,electric quantity statistics,electric efficiency evaluation and electric consume diagnostic services and so on.The platform can monitor and analyze the energy consumption of enterprise which provides data support for decision-making of energy saving.
The role of primer recognition proteins in DNA replication: Association with nuclear matrix in HeLa cells

Primer recognition proteins (PRP) enable DNA polymerase alpha to utilize efficiently DNA substrates with low primer to template ratios. We have previously identified the protein-tyrosine kinase substrate annexin II, and the glycolytic enzyme 3-phosphoglycerate kinase as components of PRP. As a step towards elucidation of the role of PRP in the process of DNA replication, we have investigated the subcellular distribution and specific association of these proteins with the nuclear matrix in HeLa cells. Nuclear extracts prepared from HeLa cells in S phase contain the enzymatic activity of 3-phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) and phospholipase A2 inhibitory activity of annexin II. Monomer annexin II is approximately equally distributed between the nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions, while a majority of PGK is in the cytoplasm. Immunoblot analyses reveal the presence of these two proteins in nuclei, specifically associated with the nuclear matrix. This is further confirmed by observation of the presence of annexin II and PGK in isolated nuclear matrices by immunoelectron microscopy. The phospholipase A2 inhibitory activity of annexin II colocalizes with the nuclear matrix-bound annexin II. A related protein, annexin I, is not detectable in the nuclear extracts and nuclear matrix. A slower-migrating (perhaps modified) form of annexin II is found to be associated with the nuclear matrix. Attempts to dissociate PGK and annexin II from the nuclear matrix with octyl-beta-glucoside, high salt or metal ion chelators were unsuccessful, suggesting that the interaction is very strong.
Crystal structure of (E)-1-(3-chloro­phen­yl)-3-(furan-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one

The title compound, C13H9ClO2, exhibits a non-planar geometry; the furan ring being inclined to the benzene ring by 50.52 (16)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules stack along the a axis; however, there are no significant inter­molecular inter­actions present.
Fossil egg and eggshells from the Upper Cretaceous Hell Creek Formation, Montana

ABSTRACTDespite over a hundred years of intense paleontological exploration, the terrestrial rocks of the Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Hell Creek Formation of eastern Montana are remarkable for the absence of fossil eggs. Here, we describe the first fossil egg and additional eggshell fragments from the formation. The two-layered structure of the smooth 1600-µm-thick eggshell of Belonoolithus garbani, oogen. et oosp. nov., permits assignment of the 6 cm × 8 cm egg to Theropoda. Additional theropod eggshells, Dimorphoolithus bennetti, oogen. et oosp. nov., closely resemble Tubercuoolithus choteauensis (incertae sedis) from the Campanian Two Medicine Formation of Montana, differing only in ornamentation. Therefore, we establish Tubercuoolithidae, oofam. nov., to accommodate both eggshell types. Other eggshell types include two varieties of Spheroolithus, as well as Testudoolithus and Krokolithes. Whereas B. garbani and D. bennetti are unique to the Hell Creek Formation, the other three oogenera also occu...
Impact of water dilution and cation tail length on ionic liquid characteristics: Interplay between polar and non-polar interactions

The recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass poses a major challenge that hinders the economical utilization of biomass for the production of biofuel, plastics, and chemicals. Ionic liquids have become a promising solvent that addresses many issues in both the pretreatment process and the hydrolysis of the glycosidic bond for the deconstruction of cellulosic materials. However, to make the use of ionic liquids economically viable, either the cost of ionic liquids must be reduced, or a less expensive solvent (e.g., water) may be added to reduce the overall amount of ionic liquid used in addition to reducing the viscosity of the binary liquid mixture. In this work, we employ atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the impact of water dilution on the overall liquid structure and properties of three imidazolium based ionic liquids. It is found that ionic liquid-water mixtures exhibit characteristics that can be grouped into two distinct regions, which are a function of the ionic liquid concentration. The trends observed in each region are found to correlate with the ordering in the local structure of the ionic liquid that arises from the dynamic interactions between the ion pairs. Simulation results suggest that there is a high level of local ordering in the molecular structure at high concentrations of ionic liquids that is driven by the aggregation of the cationic tails and the anion-water interactions. It is found that as the concentration of ionic liquids in the binary mixture is decreased, there is a point at which the competing self and cross interaction energies between the ionic liquid and water shifts away from a cation-anion dominated regime, which results in a significant change in the mixture properties. This break point, which occurs around 75% w/w ionic liquids, corresponds to the point at which water molecules percolate into the ionic liquid network disrupting the ionic liquids’ nanostructure. It is observed that as the cationic alkyl tail length increases, the changes in the binary mixtures’ properties become more pronounced.
Non-price and Price Performance Vesting Provisions and Executive Incentives

This paper examines performance vesting provisions in long-term incentive compensation for CEOs and other executives, and the increased use of these plans following FAS 123R. We examine the agency prediction that incentives provided by price-based measures relative to incentives provided by accounting or other non-price-based measures are negatively related to the ratio of non-price to price measure variance. Like previous research, we find a positive relation between price-based incentives and this ratio in the years before FAS 123R required options expensing, but find a negative relation under the new accounting rules, a result more in line with the theory. We further test three alternative explanations for performance vesting: financial reporting concerns, stakeholder pressure, and managerial power. We find evidence that financial reporting concerns positively predict non-price performance vesting awards, presumably because of the accounting discretion these awards allow. We find no evidence that either stakeholder pressure or managerial power positively predict the use of performance vesting grants under either accounting regime.
Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Speed Regulator Applied in Direct Torque Control for Induction Motor Drive Using Multilevel Inverter

Direct Torque Control is one of the latest techniquesof induction motor drive control. DTC permitsto obtain a quick torque and speed responses without complex orientation transformation and any inner loop current control, but its main drawbacks are in the torque ripple and the current distortion. For solvingthese problems, this paper presents a DTCwitha multilevel inverterto control the induction motorappliedto an adaptive neuro-fuzzy speed controller.The results of the newproposed controllerare compared to those obtained using a conventional PID. The system modeling and simulations are implemented in MATLAB/SIMULINK environment.
Ethnic Disparities in Medicare Part D Satisfaction and Intention to Switch Plans

Medicare Part D has been successful in providing affordable prescription drug coverage with relatively high levels of beneficiary reported satisfaction. We use nationally representative survey data to examine whether racial/ethnic disparities exist in reported Part D satisfaction and plan evaluations. Compared to non-Hispanic White Medicare beneficiaries, Hispanic beneficiaries are considerably more likely to report to switch to a new plan in the next year and, among beneficiaries auto-enrolled in a Part D plan, are less likely to be very satisfied with the currently enrolled plan. The findings of ethnic disparities in both Medicare Part D plan satisfaction and the intent to switch plans call for future quality and equity improvement efforts to address these disparities.
Using Tensor Factorization to Predict Network-Level Performance of Bridges

AbstractThe nation’s bridges are critical assets that facilitate travel and commerce, making them important components of economic growth. However, bridge repair and rehabilitation needs far exceed...
A Novel SIRT1 Activator SIRT1720 Triggers In Vitro and In Vivo Cytotoxicity In Multiple Myeloma Via ATM-Dependent Mechanism

Abstract 3007 Background and Rationale: SIRT1 belongs to the silent information regulator 2 (Sir2) family of proteins and functions as NAD+-dependent deacetylase. Previous studies showed that resveratrol, a polyphenolic SIRT1 activator, inhibits tumorigenesis in various solid tumor and hematologic malignancies, including human multiple myeloma (MM) cells. This notion led to the discovery and development of more potent and selective pharmacological activators of SIRT1 as potential anti-cancer therapeutics. In this context, a recent medicinal chemistry research using high-throughput screening, and mass spectrometry identified SRT1720, a small molecule activator of SIRT1 that is structurally distinct from resveratrol. Here, we examined the anti-tumor activity of SRT1720 in MM cells using in vitro and in vivo model systems. Methods and Model: We utilized MM.1S, MM.1R, RPMI-8226, U266, KMS12BM, H929, and INA-6 (an IL-6 dependent) human MM cell lines, as well as purified tumor cells from patients with MM relapsing after prior therapies including lenalidomide or bortezomib. Cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis assays were performed using trypan blue, MTT, thymidine incorporation, and Annexin V staining. Signal transduction pathways were evaluated using immunoblot analysis, ELISA, and enzymology assays. Results: We first confirmed the functional specificity of SRT1720 against SIRT1 using different experimental strategies. First, we utilized Fluor de Lys Deacetylase Assay to measure whether SRT1720 affects the SIRT1 deacetylase enzymatic activity. Treatment of MM.1R and RPMI-8226 MM cells with SRT1720 markedly increased the deacetylating activity; conversely, pre-treatment of cells with nicotinamide (NAM) - an inhibitor of SIRT1 – significantly blocked SRT1720-triggered deacetylating activity. Second, immunoblot analysis using antibodies specific against acetylated p53 (a known substrate of SIRT1) showed a marked decrease in acetylated state of p53 in SRT1720-treated MM cells. These findings in MM cells confirm SIRT1 as a selective target of SRT1720. We next examined the efficacyof SRT1720 in MM cells. Treatment of MM cell lines and primary patient cells for 24h significantly decreased their viability (IC50 range 3–7 uM) (P Conclusions: These preclinical studies provide the rationale for novel therapeutics targeting SIRT1 to improve patient outcome in MM. Disclosures: Munshi:Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Richardson:Celgene: Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millenium: Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees. Anderson:Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.
Dis-Illusioning Psychology: Epistemology and the Contextual Psychology of Ellyn Kaschak

ABSTRACTEllyn Kaschak is a pioneer feminist therapist whose contributions to feminist theory, practice, education, and advocacy have spanned the globe over the past 40 + years. From being a founder of one of the first feminist counseling services in the country in the early 1970s, Kaschak has influenced decades of feminist, family and multi-cultural therapists through her teaching and countless others through her feminist epistemology and theory development and the Mattering Map. This article describes Kaschak’s life and work and the lasting contributions she has made to the field of feminist psychology.
Optical pulling force in periodic backward-wave waveguides

We use periodic waveguide to achieve single-mode backward-wave that supports long-range optical pulling forces. We explore the ambiguity of backward-waves in the periodic system and eliminate aliased backward-waves that only generates pushing forces.
Commonality in traits and hierarchical structure of vertebrate establishment success

Aim We sought to (1) identify commonalities in functional species traits among organisms of multiple vertebrate classes introduced between Europe and North America, and (2) identify causal hierarchical structure (if any) among key mechanisms determining vertebrate establishment success. Location Europe and North America. Methods We updated a portion of the dataset originally compiled by Jeschke and Strayer (2006, Global Change Biology, 12, 1608) to model establishment success of 139 vertebrates (birds, mammals and bony fishes) introduced between Europe and North America. We used conditional inference trees (CITs) to classify introduced species as either failing or succeeding to become established. We then developed a conceptual hypothesis of hierarchical structure among invasion mechanisms in which species traits influence establishment success (1) directly, and (2) indirectly, by affecting propagule pressure (approximated by the number of introductions) and native range size. We evaluated this hypothesis using path analysis. Results Conditional inference trees identified number of introductions as the most important classifier of vertebrate establishment success. Secondarily, several standardized species traits operated across taxa to predict establishment success. Likewise, number of introductions and native range size were the only direct predictors of vertebrate establishment success in path models. However, these variables were also directly affected by a suite of species traits. Species that were introduced more often had greater reproductive allocation, longer lifespans and broader diets; species with larger native range sizes had greater thermal tolerance. Cumulative indirect effects of most traits were 2–3 times stronger than direct effects of other factors. Main Conclusions We show that vertebrates share several traits that contribute to invasiveness across taxa. Using a hierarchical approach to quantify indirect effects of traits on establishment success accounts for existing empirical disparity regarding the relative role of traits versus other factors contributing to establishment success of introduced vertebrates.
Projection of the prevalence of Parkinson's disease in the coming decades: Revisited

Objective Previous studies have estimated future PD prevalence based on population aging. This study revisits that projection by accounting for the potential impact of declining rates of smoking. Methods The age- and gender-stratified smoking prevalence in the United States from 2000 to 2040 were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Surgeon General's Smoking Report. PD prevalence was estimated based on population aging with and without an account of the impact of declining smoking rates. Relative risks of 0.56 and 0.78 were applied for current and former smokers, respectively. Results Accounting for aging alone, ∼700,000 PD cases are predicted by 2040. After accounting for the declining smoking prevalence, ∼770,000 cases, an increase of ∼10% over the estimate without smoking, is predicted. Conclusions If the epidemiological association of smoking and PD is causal, projecting future cases without considering smoking may underestimate disease burden, underscoring the urgency of adequate resource allocation. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Potent Anticarcinoma Activity of the Humanized Anti-CD70 Antibody h1F6 Conjugated to the Tubulin Inhibitor Auristatin via an Uncleavable Linker

Purpose: The antitubulin agent monomethyl auristatin F (MMAF) induces potent antitumor effects when conjugated via protease cleavable linkers to antibodies targeting internalizing, tumor-specific cell surface antigens. Humanized 1F6 (h1F6) is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting CD70, a member of the tumor necrosis factor family that is expressed on hematologic malignancies and carcinomas. Here, we tested h1F6^ maleimidocaproyl (mc) MMAF conjugates, consisting of an uncleavable mc linker, for their ability to interfere with the growth of CD70-positive carcinomas. ExperimentalDesign: To evaluate the optimal drug per antibody ratio, we conjugated either four or eight MMAF molecules to the cysteines that comprise the interchain disulfides of h1F6 and determined antitumor activities in vitro and in xenografted mice. The tumor types tested included glioblastoma, patient-derived renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell isolates, and standard RCC tumor cell lines. Results: All h1F6-mcMMAF conjugates potently interfered with the growth of all carcinomas in vitro and resulted in complete responses of RCC tumors implanted orthotopically or s.c. in mice. In vitro, h1F6-mcMMAF(8) was generally more potent than h1F6-mcMMAF(4). However, h1F6-mcMMAF(4) displayed equal or better efficacy than h1F6-mcMMAF(8) when adminis- tered to tumor-bearing mice. Conclusions: We showed that h1F6-mcMMAF conjugates inhibited the growth of human carcinomas and that increased drug loading, while improving potency in vitro, did not substantial- ly affect the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties in vivo. Based on these findings, h1F6-mcMMAF(4), designated SGN-75, has been identified as a potential antibody-drug conjugate for clinical development.
Rademacher Complexities and Bounding the Excess Risk in Active Learning

Sequential algorithms of active learning based on the estimation of the level sets of the empirical risk are discussed in the paper. Localized Rademacher complexities are used in the algorithms to estimate the sample sizes needed to achieve the required accuracy of learning in an adaptive way. Probabilistic bounds on the number of active examples have been proved and several applications to binary classification problems are considered.
Ascribed Advantage, Subordination Schematic, and ORDIT Ordering

The foregoing treatments have set the stage for a more formal approach to precedence and partial/progressive prioritization that has its foundation in partial order analysis (Bruggemann and Voigt 2008; Bruggemann and Patil 2011; De Loof et al. 2008; Patil and Taillie 2004). We wish to formalize favorability without specifying exactly how it is to be determined, leaving latitude for investigative innovation and interpretation. Our approach here is comparative among contingents or cases, and is framed in terms of ascribed advantage that is an outcome of a rating regime (Myers and Patil 2010).
Molecular Water Adsorption and Reactions on α-Al2O3(0001) and α-Alumina Particles

The adsorption and reaction of water on single crystal α-Al2O3(0001) in ultrahigh vacuum, and α-alumina particles in ambient conditions, were investigated using temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectra (DRIFTS), and other surface science techniques. For a water coverage of 1 H2O/(surface Al3+) on α-Al2O3(0001), no evidence for the surface hydroxyls expected from dissociative adsorption was observed in the infrared spectra, while the ν2 vibration of molecular water was observed. Electron-stimulated desorption of molecular water at low coverages also indicated molecular or mixed (molecular plus dissociative) adsorption. Analysis of Kr TPD spectra showed that the water films wet the alumina substrate and suggested that the films were initially growing layer-by-layer. In contrast with the single crystal results, DRIFTS of water adsorption on alumina particles indicated the presence of surface hydroxyls t...
Creating Our Future: Some Challenges for American Precollegiate Education

As we move into this new decade, it may be useful to consider some of the ­challenges that face the American education system if all students (especially students of color and students raised in poverty) are to leave high school not only career and college ready, but also prepared to take on the roles of participating citizens at the community, state, and national levels—goals many Americans hold for their children. Without claiming to be exhaustive, I focus on four challenges we face in reaching these goals, listed in order of importance. The challenges are: Closing minority–majority achievement gaps Implementing at-scale quality early childhood education programs Implementing quality summer school programs for children in need Educating the whole child
Predicting drug use: Application of behavioral theories of choice.

The current study sought to test the utility of Herrnstein's (1970) matching law in predicting drug use occurring in the natural environment. Participants were 206 college students. Behavioral allocation was measured across two concurrently available sets of activities: those engaged in while using or under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol (drug related) and those engaged in when drug free. Results from regression analyses indicate that predictions of drug use are improved with the addition of reinforcement received from drug-free activities, which enters the model with a negative coefficient value. The addition of a reinforcement ratio, based on matching law equations, also accounted for unique variance. Results demonstrate the utility of applying behavioral theories of choice to drug use and highlight the importance of viewing behaviors within their broader environmental context.
Validation of the pictorial Baxter Retching Faces scale for the measurement of the severity of postoperative nausea in Spanish-speaking children.

Abstract Background As the intensity of nausea, a subjective symptom, is difficult to estimate in children, vomiting is used as the objective clinical endpoint in managing paediatric postoperative nausea and vomiting. The pictorial Baxter Retching Faces (BARF) scale is a validated quantitative measure of paediatric nausea, but versions in languages other than English have not been validated. Methods Healthy Spanish-speaking children aged 7–18 yr (n=184) undergoing elective ambulatory surgery rated perioperative pain and nausea using visual analogue (VAS) and pictorial Faces Pain Scale - Revised and BARF scales, along with a Likert scale measurement of symptom changes. Parents kept a post-discharge diary. Results Postoperative BARF scores were significantly higher in patients receiving anti-emetics {mean [standard deviation (sd)]: 4.6 (3.4) vs 0.9 (1.6); P Conclusions The BARF scale has construct, convergent, discriminant, and test–retest validity in measuring nausea severity in Spanish-speaking children, and may be a useful instrument in the management of paediatric postoperative nausea and vomiting. Clinical trial registration NCT02007109.
Dream Accounts in the Hebrew Bible and Ancient Jewish Literature

The study of dreams and their interpretation in the literary remains from antiquity have become increasingly popular access points to the phenomenological study of religious experience in the ancient world, as well as of the literary forms in which this experience was couched. This article considers the phenomenon of dreaming in the Hebrew Bible and ancient Jewish literature. I consider treatments of these dream accounts, noting the development in the methodological means by which this material has been approached, moving from source criticism, to tradition history, and finally to form-critical methods. Ultimately, I will argue that form criticism in particular enables scholars to discern shifts and developments across diachronic perspectives. Study of dream accounts is thus illuminating not only for the understanding of dream phenomena, but also for the development of apocalyptic and the method and means of early Jewish biblical interpretation.
Perspectives of public health nurses on the ethics of mandated vaccine education.

Abstract Background Since 2015, Michigan has required parents who request nonmedical exemptions (NMEs) from school or daycare immunization mandates to receive education from local public health staff (usually nurses). This is unlike most other US states that have implemented mandatory immunization counseling, which require physicians to document immunization education, or which provide online instruction. Purpose To attend to the activity and dispositions of the public health staff who provide “waiver education”. Method This study reports results of focus group interviews with 39 of Michigan's vaccine waiver educators (37 nurses), conducted during 2016 and 2017, and analyzed in 2018. Findings Four themes emerged from analysis of the transcripts of these interviews: Participants had (1) complex and nuanced observations and evaluations of parents' judgments and feelings about vaccines and vaccine education; (2) sympathetic attitudes about alternative vaccine schedules; (3) critical and supportive evaluations of institutional policies and the background political context of immunization education; and (4) consistent commitments to respect parents, affirm their values, and protect their rights. Discussion These results show that public health nurses are sensitive to the burdens mandatory immunization education places on families, the motivations for parents' requests for nonmedical exemptions, and the values implicated by personal immunization decisions and government immunization policies. In light of the unique training, experiences, and public reputation of nurses, there is good reason for additional investigation into the roles that nurses can play in immunization education and in vaccine mandate policies, more generally.
Enhanced Documents of a Past Future: Re-interpretation of the Soviet History of Spaceflight in Contemporary Russian Blockbusters

Dieser Artikel behandelt die Fiktionalisierung des Weltraumzeitalters im zeitgenossischen russischen Blockbuster Gagarin: Pervyj v kosmose / Gagarin: Der erste Mensch im Kosmos (2013), Vremja pervych / Die Zeit der Ersten (2017) und Saljut 7 / Saljut 7 (2017). Diese „zweite Welle“ russischer Filme uber die Geschichte der Raumfahrt zeigt eine grosere Affinitat zum patriotischen sowjetischen Kanon der Darstellung der sowjetischen Raumfahrtgeschichte als ihre Vorganger aus den 2000er Jahren ( Pervye na lune / Die Ersten auf dem Mond (2004), Kosmos kak predcuvstvie / Kosmos als Vorahnung (2005) und Bumažnyj soldat / Papiersoldat (2008). Im Gegenteil, diese fruheren Filmen zersetzten die Erzahlkonventionen der sowjetischen Spielfilme zur Geschichte der Raumfahrt, d.h. ihre linear-progressiven, normativ-optimistischen Handlungen, standardisierte Charaktere aus der Geschichte und das Vertrauen auf einen allgegenwartigen Erzahler. Der Artikel argumentiert, dass Blockbuster der letzten zehn Jahre, im Gegensatz, die patriotische sowjetische Erzahlung in einem bestimmten, (no(w)stalgischen) Art und Weise neu erfinden. Gestutzt auf die Diskussion uber das Chronotop (Bachtin) des Weltraums in sowjetischen und russischen Filmen werden die gewahlten Produktionen anhand ihrer Konstruktionen von wortlichen und metaphorischen Vektoren untersucht: die Diagonale, die Vertikalitat und die Horizontalitat. Dabei wird argumentiert, dass die untersuchten Filme historische Ereignisse in fiktive Erzahlungen und audiovisuelle Welten einbetten, die das sowjetische Raumzeitalter unter Verwendung dieser raumlichen Vektoren monumentalisieren und mythologisieren und eine neuartige, aber seltsam vertraute fiktionale Collage einer Vergangenheit schaffen.
Additive and Synergistic Relations of Early Mother-Child and Caregiver-Child Interactions for Predicting Later Achievement

This study examines associations between stimulating-responsive social interactions with mothers and nonparental childcare providers during the first 3 years of life and children's vocabulary and mathematics skills through age 15 (N = 1,364). Additive relations were found in which more stimulating-responsive interactions with mothers and with caregivers were linked to higher mathematics achievement in childhood and adolescence. More stimulating-responsive early interactions with mothers were also associated with larger child vocabularies through age 15. Synergistic relations, consistent with the dual-risk hypothesis, also were found. Children whose early interactions with both mothers and caregivers were low in stimulation and responsivity had substantially lower mathematics skills. Implications for early childhood interventions and policies are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Creating a Library-Wide Collection Management Cycle: One Academic Library’s Approach to Continuous Collection Assessment

AbstractCollections assessment in academic libraries has experienced a shift in recent years from project-based models to continuous models that aim improve the responsivity of library collections ...
Growth retardation in children with chronic renal insufficiency

Progressive growth retardation is a complication of chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) in children and often results in patients attaining a final adult height SD score of -1.88 or worse. Although a host of factors may contribute to the subnormal height velocity associated with CRI, disorders of the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis predominate. An excess of one or more of the six IGF binding proteins in the 35-kD serum fractions results in depressed bioactivity of the IGF and impaired stimulation of linear growth. Treatment with recombinant human growth hormone likely increases the IGF levels in the 35-kD serum fractions and restores IGF bioactivity, which is associated with an increase in height velocity. Nevertheless, the use of recombinant human growth hormone remains limited in patients with CRI, and more than one-third of this population are severely growth-retarded. Strategies designed to prevent/correct the growth retardation that accompanies CRI should ideally occur during the pre-end-stage renal disease period.
Kinetics aspects of Gamma-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase

Abstract Two groups of metabolically related enzymes, the Group III family of Fe2+-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) and the separate subfamily of nucleoside diphosphates linked to x (nudix) hydrolases that activate Group III ADHs are under-characterized. Here we report the steady-state initial-velocity forward direction (alcohol → aldehyde) reaction of a Group III ADH, namely gamma-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (GHBDH, UniProt: Q59104 ), cloned from Cupriavidus necator as a fusion protein. We also report the effects of nudix hydrolases on the GHBDH reaction. At optimal pH 9.0, the GHBDH reaction is activated ~2-fold by two different saturating purified nudix hydrolases, namely Bacillus methanolicus activator (ACT, UniProt: I3EA59 ) and Escherichia coli NudF (UniProt Q93K97 ) proteins. At physiological pH values of ~7.0, ACT activates by >3.5-fold. Initial-rate characterization at pH 9.0 of the forward direction un-activated and ACT-activated reactions show for both cases competitive inhibition by the product succinic semialdehyde versus GHB, and noncompetitive inhibitions by the three other substrate-product combinations. This pattern is consistent with NAD+ binding first in Mono-Iso Theorell-Chance kinetics. Mutants of some possibly important residues in GHBDH also were characterized. H265, conserved among all Group III ADHs and previously proposed to be a critical general base, is only ~4-fold helpful for GHBDH activity relevant to H265A. The four previously proposed conserved Fe2+ chelators (D193, H197, H261 and H280) each are essential for GHBDH activity. A 2-step explanation for cross-species stimulation by sub-stoichiometric ACT in the forward direction and confirmed lack of ACT stimulation in the reverse direction reaction is proposed.
Measurement Characterization and Autonomous Outlier Detection and Exclusion for Ground Vehicle Navigation With Cellular Signals

An autonomous measurement outlier detection and exclusion framework for ground vehicle navigation using cellular signals is developed. The ground vehicle aids its onboard inertial measurement unit (IMU) with cellular signals in a tightly-coupled fashion in the absence of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals. First, cellular pseudoranges are characterized from an extensive wardriving campaign collected with a ground vehicle in different environments: open sky, urban, and deep urban. Then, a framework is developed, which accounts for outliers due to line-of-sight blockage and short multipath delays. These outliers induce biases in cellular pseudoranges and compromise the integrity of the navigation solution. Experimental results are presented evaluating the efficacy of the proposed framework on a ground vehicle navigating in the absence of GNSS signals. The results demonstrate the proposed framework detecting and excluding outliers, reducing the position root mean squared error (RMSE) by 41.5% and the maximum position error by 43.1%.
Ultracold neutral plasmas

Ultracold neutral plasmas occupy an exotic regime of plasma physics in which electrons form a swarming, neutralizing background for ions that sluggishly move in a correlated manner. Strong interactions between the charged particles give rise to surprising dynamics such as oscillations of the average kinetic energy during equilibration and extremely fast recombination. Such phenomena offer stimulating and challenging problems for computational scientists, and the physics can be applied to other environments, such as the interior of gas giant planets and plasmas created by short-pulse laser irradiation of solid, liquid, and cluster targets.
Overflow: The oppositional life of an environmental impact study in a Senegalese mining negotiation:

Since the 1980s, environmental impact assessment has been adopted by numerous countries in the Global North and Global South to evaluate the effects of industrial and mining development. However, a...
Examining the Development and Implementation of an Embedded, Multi-Semester Internship: Preliminary Perceptions of Teacher Education Candidates, Clinical Educators, and University Faculty

Within the current educational context, educator preparation programs are under increasing pressure to demonstrate their effectiveness in producing teachers that impact P–12 student learning. As a ...
Generalized Gibbs-Duhem Relations for Mixtures, Calculation of Partial Molar Properties, and Sample Problem

The material presented in this lecture is adapted from Chapter 9 in T&M. First, we will provide physical insight about the concept of a partial molar property by considering the volume of the system as the property of interest. Second, we will introduce the partial molar operator and use it to derive useful relations between partial molar properties. Third, we will consider three cases to illustrate how to calculate partial molar properties of (i) an extensive thermodynamic property which depends on T, P, and the n mole numbers, (ii) an intensive (molar) thermodynamic property which depends on T, P, and the n mole numbers, and (iii) an intensive (molar) thermodynamic property which depends on T, P, and the mixture composition. Fourth, we will solve Sample Problem 22.1 to calculate the partial molar Bs of components 1 and 2 in a binary mixture, given the mixture molar property B as a function of T, P, and the mole fraction of component 2. Fifth, we will provide a useful geometrical interpretation of the results derived in item four above. Finally, we will derive the generalized Gibbs-Duhem relations for mixtures.