cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Variable Supersaturation Condensation Particle Sizer

A prototype variable supersaturation condensation particle sizer (VSCoPS) capable of measuring particle size distributions from 5 to 30 nm has been developed. This system design is adapted from existing condensation particle counter (CPC) technology with three significant differences: (1) the working fluid is a perfluorinated organic compound that is nonreactive toward, and not an effective solvent for, most laboratory or ambient particle compositions; (2) the vapor pressure of the working fluid is controlled by dilution of saturated air with vapor-free air at the same temperature; and (3) the optical block and condenser are located below the saturator, so that fluid condensed on the condenser walls does not flow back toward the saturator. By using fast-response flow controllers to vary the ratio of saturator and dilution air while keeping total flows and temperatures constant, the vapor saturation ratio in the condenser can be controlled with time constants of ∼ 1 s. The nucleation threshold diameter is ...
Grain Boundary Melting and Hot Cracking in Weld Haz of A Two-Phase Ni3Al Alloy Containing Zr

Grain boundary melting and its effect on hot cracking in the weld heat-affected zone (HAZ) have been investigated in the investment cast billet of a two-phase ({gamma} + {gamma}{prime}) nickel aluminide alloy (Ni{sub 74.48}Al{sub 16.98}Cr{sub 8.02}Zr{sub 0.51}B{sub 0.10}), designated as IC-218. Due to enrichment of Zr, which can form eutectic alloys with Ni, the dendritic boundaries melted incipiently at 1,150 C. Under thermal stresses during welding the molten layers often opened up producing liquation cracks at the boundaries in the HAZ. Annealing at 1,100 C in argon for 23 h prior to welding reduced the incipient melting temperature to 1,125 C and increased the propensity of liquation cracking in the HAZ.
The Impact of Assessment and Accountability on Teacher Recruitment and Retention: Are There Unintended Consequences?

This article uses data on every teacher in New York State public elementary schools from 1994-1995 through 2001-2002 to examine the response of teachers to the implementation of state-mandated testing. The authors ask whether the introduction of testing in the fourth grade has increased the turnover of fourth-grade teachers, whether testing differentially affected the decisions of teachers with particular attributes, and whether the characteristics of teachers entering the fourth grade changed with the introduction of testing. The authors find that the turnover rate of fourth-grade teachers decreased relative to teachers in other elementary grades since testing began. In addition, entering fourth-grade teachers are less likely to be inexperienced teachers than those moving into other elementary school grades.
When is research on children ethical

Is it ever ethical to do research on human subjects without their consent? The Nuremberg Code, written in the aftermath of the atrocities perpetrated by Nazi doctors, makes the voluntary consent of the human subject “absolutely essential”. Understandable as the desire for so absolute a barrier may be, it comes at a high cost, for it blocks research with the potential to help many children. Hence in 1964 the World Medical Association, in the Declaration of Helsinki, took a different stance, allowing research on human beings without the capacity to consent, if consent can be obtained from a legally authorised representative.
Cell signaling can direct either binary or graded transcriptional responses

Transcriptional control is generally thought to operate as a binary switch, a behavior that might explain observations such as monoallelic gene expression, stochastic phenotypic changes and bimodal gene activation kinetics. By measuring the activity of the single-copy GAL1 promoter in single cells, we found that changes in the activities of either the transcriptional activator, Gal4 (by simple recruitment with synthetic ligands), or the transcriptional repressor, Mig1, generated graded (non-binary) changes in gene expression that were proportional to signal intensity. However, in the context of the endogenous glucose-responsive signaling pathway, these transcription factors formed part of a binary transcriptional response. Genetic studies demonstrated that this binary response resulted from regulation of a second repressor, Gal80, whereas regulation of Mig1 by a distinct signaling pathway generated graded changes in GAL1 promoter activity. Surprisingly, isogenetic cells can respond to glucose with either binary or graded changes in gene expression, depending on growth conditions. Our studies demonstrate that a given promoter can adapt either binary or graded behavior, and identify the Mig1 and Gal80 genes as necessary for binary versus graded behavior of the Gal1 promoter.
Fixed and random effects models

Traditional linear regression at the level taught in most introductory statistics courses involves the use of ‘fixed effects’ as predictors of a particular outcome. This treatment of the independent variable is often sufficient. However, as research questions have become more sophisticated, coupled with the rapid advancement in computational abilities, the use of random effects in statistical modeling has become more commonplace. Treating predictors in a model as a random effect allows for more general conclusions—a great example being the treatment of the studies that comprise a meta-analysis as random rather than fixed. In addition, utilization of random effects allows for more accurate representation of data that arise from complicated study designs, such as multilevel and longitudinal studies, which in turn allows for more accurate inference on the fixed effects that tend to be of primary interest. It is important to note the distinctions between fixed and random effects in the most general of settings, while also knowing the benefits and risks to their simultaneous use in specific yet common situations. WIREs Comput Stat 2012, 4:181–190. doi: 10.1002/wics.201
On energy-constrained real-time scheduling

In this paper, we explore the feasibility and performance optimization problems for real-time systems that must remain functional during an operation/mission with a fixed, initial energy budget. We show that the feasibility problem is NP-hard in the context of systems with dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) capability and discrete speed levels. Then, we focus on energy-constrained periodic task systems where the available energy budget is not sufficient to meet all the deadlines. We propose techniques to maximize the total number of deadlines met and the total reward (utility) while guaranteeing the completion of the mission and a minimum performance for each task. We consider separately: (i) systems with or without DVS capability, and (ii) off-line (static) and on-line (dynamic) solutions to select most valuable jobs for execution. We also discuss the tractability of the involved optimization problems. Our on-line algorithms combine job promotion, job demotion and speed reduction techniques to maximize the system performance while guaranteeing the completion of the mission. We evaluate our schemes through simulations and show that the on-line schemes can yield significant performance improvements over static solutions.
Implementing Radio Frequency Identification in the Construction Process

This paper provides construction industry owners and contractors with information about enhancing their operations using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Radio frequency identifica...
On the communication of information by displays of standard errors and confidence intervals.

A survey of practices regarding the presentation of information about reliability of means in psychological research publications over the last century reveals some advance in quality of communication, greater for tabular presentations than for graphic presentations, but also substantial room for improvement. In this article, problems of interpretation and communication associated with presentations of standard errors and confidence intervals in research reports are examined from both statistical and psychological perspectives. Four general principles of effective communication are proposed and illustrated in application to presentations of data from common psychological research designs, with special attention to problems arising in connection with repeated measures.
Measuring Emotions in Real Time Implications for Tourism Experience Design

This study introduces a new approach for assessing traveler’s emotions in natural settings and discusses the implications of this approach within the context of designing tourism places; in particular, the electrodermal activity (EDA) of two travelers during a four-day visit to Philadelphia (USA) were used, where they were exposed to a range of experiences while collecting EDA data on a second-by-second basis. The data were then combined with post hoc interviews, including time, locations, activities, and perceptions to aid interpretation. The results indicate that the visitors exhibited substantial variation in emotions depending on the places visited, their activities, and the people they met. It is concluded that the ability to measure travelers’ emotions in real time and in natural settings leads to new knowledge about the relationship between travelers’ emotions and the physical and social environments, which, in turn, provides a useful foundation for designing and managing tourism experiences
Supplementary Motor Area Exerts Proactive and Reactive Control of Arm Movements

Adaptive behavior requires the ability to flexibly control actions. This can occur either proactively to anticipate task requirements, or reactively in response to sudden changes. Here we report neuronal activity in the supplementary motor area (SMA) that is correlated with both forms of behavioral control. Single-unit and multiunit activity and intracranial local field potentials (LFPs) were recorded in macaque monkeys during a stop-signal task, which elicits both proactive and reactive behavioral control. The LFP power in high- (60–150 Hz) and low- (25–40 Hz) frequency bands was significantly correlated with arm movement reaction time, starting before target onset. Multiunit and single-unit activity also showed a significant regression with reaction time. In addition, LFPs and multiunit and single-unit activity changed their activity level depending on the trial history, mirroring adjustments on the behavioral level. Together, these findings indicate that neuronal activity in the SMA exerts proactive control of arm movements by adjusting the level of motor readiness. On trials when the monkeys successfully canceled arm movements in response to an unforeseen stop signal, the LFP power, particularly in a low (10–50 Hz) frequency range, increased early enough to be causally related to the inhibition of the arm movement on those trials. This indicated that neuronal activity in the SMA is also involved in response inhibition in reaction to sudden task changes. Our findings indicate, therefore, that SMA plays a role in the proactive control of motor readiness and the reactive inhibition of unwanted movements.
Seasonal Susceptibility of 'Bartlett' Pears to Codling Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Infestation and Notes on Diapause Induction

Seasonal susceptibility of ‘Bartlett’ pear, Pyrus communis L., to codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), infestation, successful completion of larval development after infestation, and the induction of C. pomonella diapause was studied from 1992 through 1995. The seasonal variation in C. pomonella infestation and larval survival were effected by changes in fruit maturity. In late May through mid-June, pears were hard and were not as successfully infested by C. pomonella and produced less larvae compared with fruit later in the season. In late June to mid-July, pears became more suitable for infestation and a greater percentage of the larvae completed their development. In late July through mid-August, pears were susceptible to infestation, but the larvae were less likely to successfully complete development than in the late June to mid-July period due to pear tissue breakdown. From mid-August through September, pears are unsuitable for infestation, and few larvae were produced. When fruit were infested with neonate larvae in late May and mature larvae emerged from the fruit in July, a low percentage of the larvae entered diapause. However, when fruit were infested with neonate larvae in early July and mature larvae emerged from the fruit in early August, the majority of the larvae entered diapause. When fruit were infested with neonate larvae in late July through September and mature larvae emerged from the fruit after mid-August, nearly all C. pomonella larvae had entered diapause.
Commentary: Quality improvement and psychiatric fitness-for-duty evaluations of physicians.

A physician’s fitness for duty is of great importance to a variety of parties, including the general public, yet it is not often addressed in the professional literature. Requests for mental health evaluations of a physician’s fitness for duty originate from state medical boards, hospital
Efficacy of the Amsler Grid Test in Evaluating Glaucomatous Central Visual Field Defects.

Purpose To investigate the efficacy of the Amsler grid test in detecting central visual field (VF) defects in glaucoma. Design Prospective, cross-sectional study. Participants Patients with glaucoma with reliable Humphrey 10-2 Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm standard VF on the date of enrollment or within the previous 3 months. Methods Amsler grid tests were performed for each eye and were considered "abnormal" if there was any perceived scotoma with missing or blurry grid lines within the central 10 degrees ("Amsler grid scotoma"). An abnormal 10-2 VF was defined as ≥3 adjacent points at P 0.01 with at least 1 point at P 0.005 in the same hemifield on the pattern deviation plot. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the Amsler grid scotoma area were calculated with the 10-2 VF as the clinical reference standard. Among eyes with an abnormal 10-2 VF, regression analyses were performed between the Amsler grid scotoma area and the 10-2 VF parameters (mean deviation [MD], scotoma extent [number of test points with P 0.01 in total deviation map] and scotoma mean depth [mean sensitivity of test points with P 0.01 in total deviation map]). Main Outcome Measures Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the Amsler grid scotoma area. Results A total of 106 eyes (53 patients) were included (mean ± standard deviation age, 24-2 MD and 10-2 MD = 66±12 years, −9.61±8.64 decibels [dB] and −9.75±9.00 dB, respectively). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the Amsler grid test were 68%, 92%, 97%, and 46%, respectively. Sensitivity was 40% in eyes with 10-2 MD better than −6 dB, 58% in eyes with 10-2 MD between −12 and −6 dB, and 92% in eyes with 10-2 MD worse than −12 dB. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the Amsler grid scotoma area was 0.810 (95% confidence interval, 0.723–0.880, P 0.001). The Amsler grid scotoma area had the strongest relationship with 10-2 MD (quadratic R 2 =0.681), followed by 10-2 scotoma extent (quadratic R 2 =0.611) and 10-2 scotoma mean depth (quadratic R 2 =0.299) (all P 0.001). Conclusions The Amsler grid can be used to screen for moderate to severe central vision loss from glaucoma.
The effects of dietary changes on chimpanzee behavior

Captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) often suffer from obesity-related health issues including arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. It is becoming increasingly common to house captive chimpanzees in large social groups, which may increase aggression due to the competition over limited food resources. In order to improve the health of sanctuary chimpanzees at Chimp Haven, Inc, USA. we recently made some modifications to the chimpanzee’s diet. Diet formulations were created by our veterinarian using recommendations from Association of Zoos and Aquariums Nutrition Advisory Groups and National Research Council guidelines on daily nonhuman primate caloric needs. The current study examined behavioral changes in the chimpanzees when diet modifications included a reduction in the overall amount of produce given. As dietary changes were being implemented, animal care staff voiced concerns over the possibility of increased competition, abnormal behavior and aggression with the reduction in the amount of produce provided. We observed six groups of chimpanzees (N = 85; M = 34 F = 51, age: range 3-55, mean = 27.8) when produce was provided in the morning and afternoon for seven weeks before and three weeks after the dietary changes were made. We completed two 30 minute scans with six minute intervals per week on each group for a total of 820 scans. Groups ranged in size from 11-23 members (mean = 14.33). Although we found no significant changes in aggressive behavior after the dietary changes (t = .007, p = .99), there was a non-significant tendency towards an increase in abnormal behavior (t = 2.30, p = .06).
Study of Class I and Class III Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Synthases with Substrates Containing a Modified Side Chain.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are carbon and energy storage polymers produced by a variety of microbial organisms under nutrient-limited conditions. They have been considered as an environmentally friendly alternative to oil-based plastics due to their renewability, versatility, and biodegradability. PHA synthase (PhaC) plays a central role in PHA biosynthesis, in which its activity and substrate specificity are major factors in determining the productivity and properties of the produced polymers. However, the effects of modifying the substrate side chain are not well understood because of the difficulty to accessing the desired analogues. In this report, a series of 3-(R)-hydroxyacyl coenzyme A (HACoA) analogues were synthesized and tested with class I synthases from Chromobacterium sp. USM2 (PhaCCs and A479S-PhaCCs) and Caulobacter crescentus (PhaCCc) as well as class III synthase from Allochromatium vinosum (PhaECAv). It was found that, while different PHA synthases displayed distinct preference with re...
Zirconium Nitride Films formed by Dynamic Ion Implantation

RF sputter deposition of 500 nm thick zirconium films was carried on simultaneously with implantation of singly ionized molecular nitrogen. Samples were prepared at room temperature (23°C) with a nitrogen to zirconium arrival ratio varying from 2.7x10 -2 to 4.4x10 -1 and with the ion energy varying from 100 to 300 keV. Stoichiometry of the films and ion concentration profiles were determined by Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry. Results from a theoretical model for the ion concentration profiles were compared to profiles derived from experiments. Grazing Angle X-Ray Diffraction was used to correlate nitride phase formation to processing parameters. Knoop microhardnesses of films deposited on 304 stainless steel substrates were determined. The relative microhardness of the samples were studied as a function of parameters such as film stoichiometry and ion implantation energy.
Public Lives and the Limits of Privacy

The general topic of this symposium—the interplay between public careers and private lives in the selection of presidential candidates—is important. Many debates around dinner tables undoubtedly followed the disclosure by the Miami Herald of Gary Hart's time spent with Donna Rice. In the United States especially, as Tocqueville pointed out 150 years ago, we tend to believe that the law speaks with insight, even if not necessarily with finality, on issues of public importance. This explains, I suspect, my presence in this forum. The embarrassing reality, though, is that the law of privacy is at best tangential to the concerns behind the symposium. I might best fulfill my task—to comment on the legal regulation of disclosures of private facts regarding public figures—in a sentence: The very fact that public figures are by definition “newsworthy” means that in fact they forego any legal protection against the publication of true facts about them, however embarrassing or offensive such publication might be. There is simply no case law supporting the claim of a public figure seeking political office to enjoy a “right of privacy.” The courts rightly have held that the recognition of any such right would disserve the democratic process itself, for it would inevitably deprive the public of truthful information relevant to deciding who should exercise public responsibilities.
Biodegradation of chlorobenzene and nitrobenzene at interfaces between sediment and water.

Plumes of contaminated groundwater often pass through an oxic/anoxic interface when they discharge into surface water bodies. We tested the hypothesis that contaminants recalcitrant under anaerobic conditions but degradable under aerobic conditions can be biodegraded at the interface resulting in the protection of the overlying water. Flow-through columns containing sediment and water were used to evaluate degradation of synthetic organic compounds at the thin organic layer at the sediment/water interface. Sediment samples collected from several sites contaminated with nitrobenzene (NB) or chlorobenzene (CB) were tested for their biodegradation capacities in the columns. The biodegradation capacities of sediment in the columns were 2–4.2 g CB·m–2·d–1 and 6.5 g NB·m2·d–1. Bacteria able to carry out rapid and complete biodegradation of CB or NB were detected in the sediments prior to the experiments, which suggested the presence of an active microbial community at the contaminated sites. The results reveale...
Should Soil Testing Services Measure Soil Biological Activity

Health of agricultural soils depends largely on conservation management to promote soil organic matter accumulation. Total soil organic matter changes slowly, but active fractions are more dynamic. A key indicator of healthy soil is potential biological activity, which could be measured rapidly with soil testing services via the flush of CO 2 during 1 to 3 d following rewetting of dried soil. The flush of CO 2 is related to soil microbial biomass C and has repeatedly been shown strongly related to net N mineralization during standard aerobic incubations. New research is documenting the close association with plant N uptake in semicontrolled greenhouse conditions (r 2 = 0.77, n = 36). Field calibrations are underway to relate the flush of CO 2 to the need for in-season N requirement in a variety of crops. An index of soil biological activity can and should be determined to help predict soil health and soil N availability.
Systemic Pesticides in Woody Plants: Uptake

Uptake in this discussion involves the movement of systemics from the surface of the plant into the points at which vascular transport in the phloem or xylem is initiated. This movement entails (1) adsorption, (2) penetration and (3) non-vascular transport phenomena. The uptake may occur through (a) roots, (b) stems or (c) leaves, and involve cationic, anionic or unionized chemicals.
Enzyme Adsorption and Cellulose Conversion during Hydrolysis of Dilute-Acid-Pretreated Corn Stover

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in enzyme adsorption to solids and cellulose conversion during the hydrolysis of pretreated corn stover with different substrate and enzyme loadings. Enzyme adsorption achieves equilibrium in the early stage and is stable throughout the hydrolysis process. Enzyme adsorption decreases with the increasing loading of enzyme, except for a system with 15% (w/v) substrate. The inhibition on cellulose digestibility brought by higher substrate loading cannot be easily relieved through elevation of enzyme loading. Glucose does not have an inhibition effect on cellulase adsorption to the solids fraction, while the enzyme is unable to transition from partially degraded cellulose to liquid but can be adsorbed again by lignin. The glucose concentration and ratio of cellulose and lignin are two factors that influence enzyme distribution.
Pericles and the Conquest of History: A Political Biography

As the most famous and important political leader in Athenian history, Pericles has featured prominently in descriptions and analysis of Athenian democracy from antiquity to the present day. Although contemporary historians have tended to treat him as representative of values like liberty and equality, Loren J. Samons, II demonstrates that the quest to make Athens the preeminent power in Greece served as the central theme of Pericles' career. More nationalist than humanist and less rationalist than populist, Pericles' vision for Athens rested on the establishment of an Athenian reputation for military success and the citizens' willingness to sacrifice in the service of this goal. Despite his own aristocratic (if checkered) ancestry, Pericles offered the common and collective Athenian people the kind of fame previously available only to heroes and nobleman, a goal made all the more attractive because of the Athenians' defensiveness about Athens' lackluster early history.
Black Patients with Colorectal Cancer Have More Advanced Cancer Stage at Time of Diagnosis: A Community-Based Safety-Net Hospital Experience

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. Disparities in access to care contribute to advanced CRC stage at diagnosis, and these disparities are most pronounced among underserved populations and ethnic minorities. We aim to evaluate race/ethnicity-specific disparities in CRC stage at diagnosis among an ethnically diverse, urban safety-net hospital. We retrospectively evaluated all adult CRC patients diagnosed from January 1, 2009 to October 1, 2015. CRC cases were confirmed by histopathology specimens from biopsies and/or surgical resection. CRC staging utilized American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging systems and were stratified by race/ethnicity. Multivariate logistic regression models were utilized to evaluate disparities in AJCC stage at presentation (stage 3–4 vs. stage 0–2). Among 311 patients with CRC [51.5% male, 25.3% black, 18.7% Hispanic, 32.0% Asian, and mean age at diagnosis 58.1 years (SD 10.3)] 61.4% had advanced ACC stage 3–4 CRC at diagnosis. Among black patients with CRC, 73.3% had AJCC stage 3–4 cancer at time of diagnosis. On multivariate regression, blacks were nearly four times more likely to have advanced AJCC stage 3–4 CRC at diagnosis compared to whites (OR 3.70; 95% CI 0.97–14.11; p = 0.055). Among a diverse underserved population, over 60% of CRC were AJCC stage 3–4 at diagnosis, and nearly 75% of blacks with CRC had AJCC stage 3–4 at diagnosis. Advanced stage CRC at diagnosis limits options for potentially curative therapies, and increases the risk for cancer recurrence and mortality.
Impurity Removal from Titanium Oxycarbide

A process to remove impurities from titanium oxycarbide–the feedstock used to make titanium via the MER electrochemical process–from impure oxycarbide produced from low-grade feedstocks such as ilmenite is described. Titanium oxycarbide produced by carbothermal reduction from a natural ilmenite concentrate will contain many metallic impurities, such as iron, manganese, and silicon. If these impurities are not removed, then these metallic impurities will contaminate the titanium product. The MER process can be modified into a two-step process to first remove the contaminating metallic impurities before titanium production begins. A simplified system has been used to test this iron removal method, and the titanium oxycarbide produced by this first electrochemical step has been characterized to determine its impurity content.
Students and Teachers Use An Online AP CS Principles EBook Differently: Teacher Behavior Consistent with Expert Learners

Online education is an important tool for supporting the growing number of teachers and students in computer science. We created two eBooks containing interactive content for Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles, one targeted at teachers and one at students. By comparing the eBook usage patterns of these populations, including activity usage counts, transitions between activities, and pathways through the eBook, we develop a characterization of how student use of the eBook differs from teacher use. We offer design recommendations for how eBooks might be developed to target each of our populations. We ground our recommendations in a theory of teachers as expert learners who possess a greater ability to regulate their own learning process.
Changes in truncal obesity and fat distribution predict arterial health

Background Truncal obesity is associated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk. Although vascular health is influenced by weight, it is not known whether changes in fat distribution modulate arterial function. Objective We assessed how changes in truncal (android) fat at 1 year affect arterial stiffness and endothelial function. Methods We recruited 711 healthy volunteers (235 males, age 48 ± 11 years) into the Emory Predictive Health Study; 498 returned at 1 year. Measurements included anthropometric and chemistry panels, fat mass using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, arterial stiffness indices (pulse wave velocity [PWV], augmentation index [AIx], and subendocardial viability ratio [SEVR]; Sphygmocor), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and reactive hyperemia index (Endo-PAT). Results At baseline, measures of body mass correlated with PWV, AIx, SEVR, and FMD. In a multivariable analysis including body mass index (BMI) and traditional risk factors, BMI remained an independent predictor of PWV, AIx, SEVR, and FMD. In a model including BMI and measures of fat distribution, android fat remained an independent predictor of PWV (β = 0.31, P = .004), AIx (β = 0.24, P = .008), and SEVR (β = −0.41, P P = .005) and FMD (β = −0.13, P = .006) after adjustment for change in gynoid fat. Conclusion In addition to BMI, android fat is a determinant of arterial stiffness, independent of traditional risk factors. Changes in android fat over time are associated with simultaneous changes in vascular function, indicating fat distribution's effect on vascular health.
Twisted and coiled sensor for shape estimation of soft robots

Soft robots with inherent compliance have been recently investigated intensively for locomotion or manipulations. A critical problem for soft robots is the capability to estimate their shapes to enable closed-loop control for precise motion. In this paper, we propose a new low-cost sensor that can be leveraged for shape estimation of soft robots. This sensor, recently discovered as an artificial muscle, can be conveniently fabricated from low-cost conductive sewing threads. We recently found that the resistance will increase if the fabricated sensor is elongated due to an external force [1]. Since the sensor is inherently soft, it can be embedded into soft robots to estimate the shape. We establish a physics-based model to predict the external force and the displacement if the resistance is given and experimentally validate its correctness. Moreover, to demonstrate the sensing capability, we embed the proposed sensor into soft materials and successfully measure two curvatures of a two-segment soft robot. Therefore, the proposed sensor has the potential to estimate complicated shapes of soft robots to enable closed-loop control.
Polyspermy produces tri-parental seeds in maize

In flowering plants, two pairs of gametes participate in double fertilization. One of the two sperm delivered by the pollen tube (PT) fuses with the egg cell to form the zygote, whereas the second unites with the central cell to produce the endosperm [1]. Most animal species prevent polyspermy through a transient, fast block established by the depolarization of the egg membrane within milliseconds after encountering the first sperm, followed by a slow block generated through enzymatic changes in the extracellular matrix surrounding the egg [2]. Although in vitro fertilization experiments suggest that the maize zygote starts cell wall deposition within 30 seconds after fusion with a sperm [3], thereby preventing further fertilization events, it is unknown whether plant gametes prevent polyspermy by a fast block. Here, using a genetic approach, the absence of a fast block preventing polyspermy in the maize central cell is demonstrated. A putative polyspermy event involving the egg indicates the existence of tri-parental individuals, which may provide an alternative route to polyploidy, distinct from the one involving unreduced gametes.
Psychopharmacologic Treatment of Childhood Anxiety Disorders

The literature on the use of tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, benzodiazepines, propranolol, buspirone, and other medications for the treatment of childhood anxiety disorders is briefly reviewed. Issues requiring further research are identified. A detailed discussion of efficacy, dosing, safety concerns, and clinical management is presented for each class of medications.
A Brief History of Compiler Technology

The late, hero computer scientist, Edsger Dijkstra, was rather confident. He seemed to know that computing’s central challenge is not messing up. Some programmers and their managers might contend that the main challenge is achieving user satisfaction.
Strain Gages for SiCSiC Ceramic Matrix Composite Engine Components

As increasingly more SiCSiC ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are being used in the hot sections of gas-turbine engines, there is a greater need for in situ strain measurement in these harsh conditions. Thin-film strain sensors are ideally suited for this task since they have minimal mass and are nonintrusive. However, if the bulk piezoresistive properties of SiCSiC CMCs could be used instead of the thin-film piezoresistive properties, superior resolution and stability could be realized. Toward this end, we have fabricated strain gages in which the active strain element is the SiCSiC CMC itself. As a result of this approach, a Pt:SiC CMC strain gage that is capable of operating at 500C for prolonged periods was demonstrated. The large piezoresistive responses associated with the SiC fibers and SiC matrix resulted in gage factors larger than 100. The performance of the Pt:SiC CMC strain gages under both tension and compression are reported, and the IV characteristics of the strain gages, as well as the piezoresistive response as a function of temperature, are presented. In addition, the potential for embedded strain gages in advanced CMC engine components will be discussed.
Legal Intrusions on Physician Independence

It has become fashionable for physicians to blame the reduction in professional autonomy that many are experiencing on lawyers and the legal system [32, 33, 34, 44]. A primary cause of their concern has been significant growth in the cost of medical malpractice insurance premiums, a development that many term a crisis.1 There are statistics to support the claim of crisis. A recent survey by the American Medical Association (AMA), for example, revealed that the average number of malpractice claims filed annually per 100 physicians increased from 3.3 to 8 in the period from 1978 to 1983 ([32], p. 15). The General Accounting Office (GAO) reports that malpractice insurance costs for physicians doubled between 1983 and 1985, from $1.7 billion to 3.4 billion [43]. There are other statistics, however, that suggest the talk of crisis is exaggerated. The GAO reports that the malpractice insurance premiums paid by the average physician remain “small” in contrast to such other costs as payroll and medical supplies, amounting to about nine percent of the average doctor’s total expenses [43].
Trusted End Host Monitors For Securing Cloud Datacenters

Although datacenters dedicated for cloud computing services are becoming increasingly prevalent, the current datacenter network security architecture is poorly suited for this application. Policy enforcement is smeared between the network and end hosts, increasing cost and complexity while reducing flexibility and security. Enforcement is typically done at network chokepoints, which inherently see high traffic levels from aggregate traffic; packet filters and deep packet inspection engines that can operate at these data rates require expensive, custom hardware.
The Debate Judge as Debate Judge: A Functional Paradigm for Evaluating Debates.

The dispute about paradigms for evaluating debates has focused on the choice of a real world activity as an appropriate model for debate. This essay argues that debate judges should not borrow a pa...
Immunologic aspects of human colostrum and milk: interaction with the intestinal immunity of the neonate.

Human colostrum and milk contains T and B lymphocytes, macrophages and the major classes of immunoglobulins (1). The bulk of the immunoglobulins in colostrum and milk belong to the secretory (11S) IgA class (2,3). It has been suggested that the secretory IgA antibody activity found in the mammary glands and in colostrum is largely derived from the gut associated lymphoid tissue (4). Little or no information is available regarding the distribution of antibody producing cells and the levels of immunoglobulins in colostrum and milk at various times after onset of lactation. Fragmentary data are available on T-lymphocyte function and in vitro correlates of cell-mediated immunity in colostrum and milk (1,4). Little is known about the intestinal absorption of the immunoglobulins and cellular components in colostrum.
Intervention Instruction in Argumentative Writing

To investigate instructional planning strategies that impact student improvement in argumentative writing, the teacher-researcher implemented an Integrated Writing intervention in a seventh-grade u...
Karl Popper, the Open Society, and the Cosmopolitan Democratic Empire

In The Open Society, written in New Zealand during WWII, Karl Popper invented the cosmopolitan democratic empire as an antidote to ethnonationalism. Popper, a non-Marxist socialist, protested that the nation-state was a charade and, in his portrayal of classical Athens, merged the images of Austria-Hungary and the British Commonwealth into a utopian democratic empire. The empire was an open society that would provide a home to the assimilated Jewish intelligentsia, which was excluded on racial grounds from the European nation-states. Jews were not to expect, however, recognition of their culture: Assimilation remained the best solution to the Jewish Question. Emerging from Jewish anxiety, Popper’s cosmopolitanism formed a marvelous imperial vision that failed to allay his own fears of antisemitism.
Abstract IA15: Genetic predisposition to hematopoietic malignancies

There is a growing appreciation for the impact of baseline genetic variants in the development of hematopoietic malignancies, and the germline risk factors that make an individual more susceptible to developing bone marrow-derived cancers are being defined through highly informative families and next-generation sequencing with increasing frequency. At the University of Chicago, we use a rigorous pipeline for clinical testing of individuals comprising next-generation sequencing-based molecular testing to detect point mutations as well as microarrays to detect chromosomal rearrangements. Overall, we are now able to identify the causative germline mutation in about 20% of cases, a level commensurate with other cancer risk clinics, but hinting that additional predisposition alleles remain to be discovered. Many of our patients/families also contribute to research by banking samples for future studies designed to identify new predisposition syndromes. This presentation will include a discussion of the new insights into hematopoietic biology that can be appreciated by studying these emerging predisposition syndromes. Citation Format: Lucy A. Godley. Genetic predisposition to hematopoietic malignancies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Second AACR Conference on Hematologic Malignancies: Translating Discoveries to Novel Therapies; May 6-9, 2017; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2017;23(24_Suppl):Abstract nr IA15.
Pattern Generation with Nucleic Acid Chemical Reaction Networks

Biological and biochemical systems are manifestations of chemical reaction networks (CRNs). The ability to design and engineer such networks may allow the construction of artificial systems that are as complex as those seen in biology, opening the way to translational possibilities including adaptive materials. One venue for progress is the design of autonomous systems capable of pattern generation; however many synthetic CRNs, such as the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction, cannot be rewired to encode more complex interactions and thus lack the capacity for more detailed engineering algorithms. In contrast, DNA is an information-rich molecule with predictable and reliable base-pairing interactions and well-studied kinetics, and the use of DNA has greatly enabled the rational design of much more complex synthetic CRNs. Recent advances in the DNA computing field include circuits for pattern transformation, an example of self-organization. An arsenal of tools for designing DNA circuits to implement various CRNs has been developed by DNA nanotechnologists, including software to reliably program strand-displacement nucleic acid circuits. In addition, DNA walkers can be used to create CRNs with controlled diffusivity, while DNA gels similarly represent a new medium for implementing CRNs that may ultimately lead to the development of smart materials. As we will argue, future endeavors in nucleic acid-based pattern generation will be most greatly advanced by harnessing well-known enzymatic processes to serve as generators and amplifiers. Once nucleic acid computing tools are further developed to expedite the design process of pattern generation, we anticipate a transition from proof-of-concept curiosities to application-driven inquiries.
Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale and Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale-Brief: Item and Scale Test-Retest Reliability and Concordance of Original and Brief Forms.

We conducted 2 studies examining the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale (MSS) and the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale–Brief (MSS–B). These studies offered the first ...
Cross-linguistic pitch differences in bilingual speakers

Studies in cross-language pitch differences show that languages can fundamentally differ in average pitch range even when speaker differences are accounted for (e.g., Mennen et al., 2012). Such studies usually compare similar populations of monolingual speakers but not bilingual speakers of the languages in question. Bilingual development research, in turn, does not address average language pitch but rather segmental properties such as vowel formants. The current study fills the gap by examining the fundamental frequency (f0, or pitch) of both languages of English-Korean bilinguals. Twenty Americans of Korean descent (female = 13, average age = 24) recorded natural speech during a bilingual interview. Their speech was digitally recorded and transcribed, and f0 was analyzed using the inverse filter control method (Ueda et al., 2007). Average f0 per word, per language, and per subject was then calculated and compared across individuals and groups. Results showed that Korean has significantly higher f0 than ...
A Review of State-Level Procedural Guidance for Implementing Multitiered Systems of Support for Behavior (MTSS-B):

Given the authority of state government over public education, one means of narrowing the best-practice to actual-practice gap in education is by putting forth clear state guidance and recommendati...
Entrevista con Andrei Cambronero Torres: Análisis de la pandemia de COVID-19 desde Costa Rica

La entrevista busca evidenciar, mientras ocurren los acontecimientos, algunas encrucijadas etico-sociales que se han generado por los obligados cambios en las dinamicas ante la expansion del virus COVID-19. Se pretende hacer ver que cada decision tomada, cada camino, cada triunfo y cada fracaso esta precedido y mediado por valoraciones del contexto y de referentes que estan en constante cambio. Brinda informacion sobre las medidas tomadas en Costa Rica y otros paises. This interview highlights, while events are unfolding, some ethical and social struggles provoked by necessary changes in dynamics due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Every single decision, every single path, every single achievement and failure is preceded and mediated by contextual value judgments and constantly changing references. Information is provided on measures taken in Costa Rica and other countries.
The Confluence of Innovation in Therapeutics and Regulation: Recent CMC Considerations.

Abstract The field of human therapeutics has expanded tremendously from small molecules to complex biological modalities, and this trend has accelerated in the last two decades with a greater diversity in the types and applications of novel modalities, accompanied by increasing sophistication in drug delivery technology. These innovations have led to a corresponding increase in the number of therapies seeking regulatory approval, and as the industry continues to evolve regulations will need to adapt to the ever-changing landscape. The growth in this field thus represents a challenge for regulatory authorities as well as for sponsors. This review provides a brief description of novel biologics, including innovative antibody therapeutics, genetic modification technologies, new developments in vaccines, and multifunctional modalities. It also describes a few pertinent drug delivery mechanisms such as nanoparticles, liposomes, coformulation, recombinant human hyaluronidase for subcutaneous delivery, pulmonary delivery, and 3D printing. In addition, it provides an overview of the current CMC regulatory challenges and discusses potential methods of accelerating regulatory mechanisms for more efficient approvals. Finally, we look at the future of biotherapeutics and emphasize the need to bring these modalities to the forefront of patient care from a global perspective as effectively as possible.