cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Over-exploitation of natural resources is followed by inevitable declines in economic growth and discount rate.

A major challenge in environmental policymaking is determining whether and how fast our society should adopt sustainable management methods. These decisions may have long-lasting effects on the environment, and therefore, they depend critically on the discount factor, which determines the relative values given to future environmental goods compared to present ones. The discount factor has been a major focus of debate in recent decades, and nevertheless, the potential effect of the environment and its management on the discount factor has been largely ignored. Here we show that to maximize social welfare, policymakers need to consider discount factors that depend on changes in natural resource harvest at the global scale. Particularly, the more our society over-harvests today, the more policymakers should discount the near future, but the less they should discount the far future. This results in a novel discount formula that implies significantly higher values for future environmental goods. The exploitation of ecosystems has long-lasting consequences for the future provision of natural resources and ecosystem services. Here the author showed that the transition to sustainable harvest after a period of over-harvesting leads to a decline in welfare, economic growth, and in the discount rate.
Enhanced photon ionization cross-section of shock-heated materials

Abstract A recent paper [1] reported an enhancement of the boron K-shell photon ionization cross-section per electron at high photon energies along the principal Hugoniot. It is shown that the enhancement is due to known properties of isolated ions rather than subtle plasma effects. In addition, approximations and corrections to the photon absorption cross-section are examined.
Age modulates liver responses to asparaginase-induced amino acid stress in mice

Asparaginase is an amino acid–depleting agent used to treat blood cancers. Metabolic complications due to asparaginase affect liver function in humans. To examine how the liver response to asparaginase changes during maturity to adulthood, here we treated juvenile (2-week), young adult (8-week), and mature adult (16-week) mice with drug or excipient for 1 week and conducted RNA-Seq and functional analyses. Asparaginase reduced body growth and liver mass in juveniles but not in the adult animals. Unbiased exploration of the effect of asparaginase on the liver transcriptome revealed that the integrated stress response (ISR) was the only molecular signature shared across the ages, corroborating similar eukaryotic initiation factor 2 phosphorylation responses to asparaginase at all ages. Juvenile livers exhibited steatosis and iron accumulation following asparaginase exposure along with a hepatic gene signature indicating that asparaginase uniquely affects lipid, cholesterol, and iron metabolism in juvenile mice. In contrast, asparaginase-treated adult mice displayed greater variability in liver function, which correlated with an acute-phase inflammatory response gene signature. Asparaginase-exposed adults also had a serine/glycine/one-carbon metabolism gene signature in liver that corresponded with reduced circulating glycine and serine levels. These results establish the ISR as a conserved response to asparaginase-mediated amino acid deprivation and provide new insights into the relationship between the liver transcriptome and hepatic function upon asparaginase exposure.
Structure and Electronic Properties of InSb Nanowires Grown in Flexible Polycarbonate Membranes

A dense array of vertically aligned indium antimonide (InSb) nanowires with high aspect ratio (diameter 150 nm, length 20 μ m) were grown in the pores of a track-etched polycarbonate membrane via a one-step electrochemical method. There are several reports on InSb nanowire growth in the pores of a mechanically rigid, nano-channel alumina template (NCA), where nanowire growth occurs in the pores of the NCA. This work on InSb nanowire growth in pores of track-etched polycarbonate (PC) membrane sheds light on the various factors that affect nucleation and nanowire growth. The average length and diameter of the as-grown nanowires was about 10 μ m and 150 nm, respectively. Two possible mechanisms accounting for two different morphologies of the as-grown nanowires are proposed. The polycrystallinity observed in some of the nanowires is explained using the 3D 'nucleation-coalescence' mechanism. On the other hand, single crystal nanowires with a high density of twin defects and stacking faults grow epitaxially by a two-dimensional (2D) nucleation/growth mechanism. To assess the electrical quality of the nanowires, two- and four-terminal devices were fabricated using a single InSb nanowire contacted by two Ni electrodes. It was found that, at low bias, the ohmic current is controlled by charge diffusion from the bulk contacts. On the other hand, at high bias, the effects of space charge limited current (SCLC) are evident in the current-voltage behavior, characteristic of transport through structures with reduced electrostatic screening. A cross-over from ohmic to SCLC occurs at about 0.14 V, yielding a free carrier concentration of the order of 10 14 cm - 3 .
Fathering quality in early childhood and kindergarten achievement in low-income racial-ethnic minority children.

The relative lack of attention to fathers' effects on children's achievement is even more apparent when examining fathering among low-income racial-ethnic minorities. We examined relations of fathering qualities when children were 2-3 years old with subsequent reading and mathematics achievement in kindergarten in a sample of low-income African American (n = 119) and primarily Mexican-origin Latino children (n = 193) from multiple neighborhood areas of a large city in the southwestern United States. Measures of parenting qualities were based on qualitative ratings of videotaped observations of father-child and mother-child interactions collected in the home during semistructured play activities. Mathematics and reading achievement scores were based on administration of the Woodcock-Johnson Revised (Woodcock & Munoz-Sandoval, 1993) or the Bateria Woodcock-Munoz (Woodcock & Munoz-Sandoval, 1996), as appropriate depending upon the child's language. A structural equations model in which kindergarten mathematics and reading achievement were regressed on early childhood fathering displayed good model fit, χ2(72) = 131.30, p < .001, comparative fit index = .954, root mean square error of approximation = .051, standardized root mean square residual = .079. Results indicated that sensitive support from African American and Latino resident fathers was associated with their children's mathematics achievement even after controlling for mothers' sensitive support, but fathering quality was not associated with reading achievement. The implications of these findings for the study of fathering in racial-ethnic minority populations as well as for the development of early preventive interventions to support academic achievement are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Scenario analysis on the use of rodenticides and sex-biasing gene drives for the removal of invasive house mice on islands

Since the 1960s conservation efforts have focused on recovering island biodiversity by eradicating invasive rodents. These eradication campaigns have led to considerable conservation gains, particularly for nesting seabirds. However, eradications are complex and lengthy endeavors and are even more challenging when humans are co-inhabitants of the targeted island. Furthermore, the method of eradication matters and recent proposals to consider genetic technologies for rodent eradication require specific scrutiny. One such technology is the potential use of a gene drive for biasing offspring sex ratios in invasive house mice, Mus musculus, that would spread and prevent the production of one sex, allowing die-off from lack of reproduction and natural attrition. Practitioners can gain insight into the potential for adoption of this technology from examining stakeholder engagement. This paper uses scenario analysis to address the eradication of rodents on inhabited and uninhabited islands, by specifically comparing the traditional approach of using rodenticides with sex-biasing gene drives. Concurrently the International Union for Conservation of Nature is assessing the risks and value of gene drives in general for conservation. Hence, we make the case that the ethical challenges with the use of gene drive sex-biasing techniques and the effectiveness of this tool will rely as much on its public acceptance and its democratic use as the actual science used to construct the technology.
Black holes to white holes II: quasi-classical scenarios for white hole evolution

This paper considers a wider range of "quasi-classical" models for the non-singular transition from an evaporating black hole to a white hole and the evolution of the white hole than were considered in Paper I. The quantum evolution of the geometry outside a collapsing shell is described by a smoothly evolving spherically symmetric effective metric, with a transition from trapped surfaces in the black hole to anti-trapped surfaces in the white hole at a spacelike hypersurface on which the circumferential radius has a minimum Planck-scale value. Rather than focusing on a specific model for the effective metric and the corresponding effective stress-energy tensor, I consider the general properties of such a transition and the end of the black hole following from the assumption of a smooth geometry. Alternative scenarios for the evolution of the white hole, which avoid the prolonged emission of negative energy from the white hole of the Paper I scenario, are explored. If such a transition, suggested by Loop Quantum Gravity, can be firmly established, the conventional holographic interpretation of the fine-grained entropy of a black hole must be abandoned. It would also be a counter-example to the generalized second law and quantum singularity theorems.
An Empirical Analysis of Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Record on the Seventh Circuit

We use the consensus voting model developed by Fischman to estimate the ideology of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett and 13 of her colleagues on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. We reviewed over 1,700 cases, including over 400 involving Judge Barrett, coding their decisions as liberal, conservative, or mixed. On a one-dimensional, liberal-conservative spectrum, Judge Barrett’s voting record during her tenure on the court places her within a group of the circuit’s six most conservative judges, and possibly more conservative than every other judge considered. We conclude with substantial confidence that Judge Barrett’s record over the period is more conservative than the majority of her colleagues on the Republican-appointee-dominated court.
Can We Detect Face Morphing to Prevent Identity Theft

A relatively new type of identity theft uses morphed facial images in identification documents in which images of two individuals are digitally blended to create an image that maintains a likeness to each of the original identities. We examined people’s ability to detect facial morphing. We collected 3,500 passport-format facial images. This dataset consists of a diverse set of people across gender, age, and race. Convolutional neural network descriptors are used to extract a low-dimensional, perceptually meaningful, representation of each face. For each of 54 faces, these representations are used to find the most similar face in the dataset. A mid-way morph is generated between each pair of different individuals; another mid-way morph is generated between two different photos of the same individual. The morphs are manually edited to remove obvious artifacts. In Experiment 1a (all experiments, N=100), on each trial, participants viewed two images—an original image alongside a morph (from the same or different individual)—and indicated if they are of the same individual or not. Participants struggled to perform this task accurately and were biased to respond “same” (d’=0.68; B=1.81). In Experiment 1b we focused participants’ attention on the eye/nose/mouth regions and provided feedback on each trial. This did not improve sensitivity but led to a reduced bias (d’=0.58; B=1.09). In Experiment 2a, participants saw a single image—a morph or an original—and indicated if it was a morphed face or not. Participants performed only slightly above chance (d’=0.21; B=0.98). In Experiment 2b, when participants were informed of morphing artifacts to look out for and received feedback, performance improved slightly (d’=0.53; B=0.92). Preliminary results suggest that computational methods for face recognition may outperform humans but remain imperfect. Combined, these results suggest that face morphing might be a worryingly effective technique for committing identity theft.
Field Evaluation of Polyester-Polymer Concrete Overlays on Bridge Decks Using Nondestructive Testing

AbstractThe increased use of polyester-polymer concrete (PPC) overlays on bridge decks throughout the United States has created a need for more comprehensive information about their field performan...
Retrospective Analysis of Quality Control Data Using Pooled Blood to Compare Agreement within Two Models of Blood Gas Analyzers.

Background Two previous reports from the same group concluded that the analytical reliability of Instrumentation Laboratory GEM4000 analyzers (GEM4K) deteriorated during a 24-hour period, based on results between samples from the same patient but collected at different times. Our routine blood gas Between-Laboratory Survey is done every 2 weeks using a freshly pooled heparinized blood sample taken to each analyzer location to verify comparability among our GEM4K and Radiometer ABL90 (Rad90) blood gas analyzers. Because another report found a few very large differences in glucose results between the GEM4K and central laboratory analyzers, we reviewed the glucose results on plasma from our Chemistry Between-Laboratory Surveys that includes comparisons between our central laboratory analyzers (Beckman DxC800; DxC800) and our GEM4K and Rad90 blood gas analyzers. Method Using data from our Blood Gas and Chemistry Surveys over a 55-week period, we calculated the mean, standard deviation (SD), and concentration intervals of the 27 sets of results by the GEM4K or Rad90 analyzers. Agreement in plasma glucose between DxC800 and blood gas analyzers was evaluated by the limits of agreement and intraclass correlation coefficient analysis. Results For each analyte, the Rad90 had lower average SD than the GEM4K for the 55-week period, although both brands of analyzers showed acceptable performance. For plasma glucose results on our Chemistry Survey, the GEM4K results agreed more closely with the DxC800 results than the Rad90 results. Conclusions Based on both our Blood Gas and Chemistry Surveys, we conclude that both brands of analyzers performed within analytically and clinically acceptable limits throughout the year, with no evidence for the type of errors reported previously.
Genetic Engineering of Lesquerella with Increased Ricinoleic Acid Content in Seed Oil.

Seeds of castor (Ricinus communis) are enriched in oil with high levels of the industrially valuable fatty acid ricinoleic acid (18:1OH), but production of this plant is limited because of the cooccurrence of the ricin toxin in its seeds. Lesquerella (Physaria fendleri) is being developed as an alternative industrial oilseed because its seeds accumulate lesquerolic acid (20:1OH), an elongated form of 18:1OH in seed oil which lacks toxins. Synthesis of 20:1OH is through elongation of 18:1OH by a lesquerella elongase, PfKCS18. Oleic acid (18:1) is the substrate for 18:1OH synthesis, but it is also used by fatty acid desaturase 2 (FAD2) and FAD3 to sequentially produce linoleic and linolenic acids. To develop lesquerella that produces 18:1OH-rich seed oils such as castor, RNA interference sequences targeting KCS18, FAD2 and FAD3 were introduced to lesquerella to suppress the elongation and desaturation steps. Seeds from transgenic lines had increased 18:1OH to 1.1–26.6% compared with that of 0.4–0.6% in wild-type (WT) seeds. Multiple lines had reduced 18:1OH levels in the T2 generation, including a top line with 18:1OH reduced from 26.7% to 19%. Transgenic lines also accumulated more 18:1 than that of WT, indicating that 18:1 is not efficiently used for 18:1OH synthesis and accumulation. Factors limiting 18:1OH accumulation and new targets for further increasing 18:1OH production are discussed. Our results provide insights into complex mechanisms of oil biosynthesis in lesquerella and show the biotechnological potential to tailor lesquerella seeds to produce castor-like industrial oil functionality.
Types and frequencies of movements onto and off of Vermont dairy farms

Preparedness for highly contagious animal diseases requires an understanding of the frequency and types of movements onto and off of farms and how to mitigate the risks of direct or indirect disease spread through those contacts. A survey of Vermont dairy farms was conducted to collect information on recent animal movements, farm visitors, and various biosecurity practices.
COVID-19 Specific Risk Markers for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) rates have grown alongside the sweeping changes, challenges, and transitions necessitated by the onset of COVID-19. The goal of this exploratory study was to examine COVID-19 related risk markers for IPV perpetration. Data were collected from a national sample of 365 U.S. individuals who were in a relationship during August 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic. Unadjusted odds ratios were calculated for 27 unique risk markers related to lifestyle changes due to COVID-19, mental health, isolation, financial impacts, and COVID-19 diagnoses. The strongest risk markers for IPV perpetration were feelings of loneliness, followed by anxiety symptoms, perceived stress, fear, boredom, substance use and lifestyle changes. Understanding risk markers associated with an increase in IPV perpetration can aid helping professionals identify individuals who may be at risk for IPV, or target these factors to aid in IPV prevention and intervention efforts.
Digital health device measured sleep duration and ideal cardiovascular health: an observational study.

BACKGROUND Studies relying on self-reported sleep data suggest that there is an association between short and long sleep duration and less than ideal cardiovascular health. Evidence regarding the feasibility of using digital health devices to measure sleep duration and assess its relationship to ideal cardiovascular health are lacking. The objective of the present study was to utilize digital health devices to record sleep duration and examine the relationship between sleep duration and ideal cardiovascular health. METHODS A total of 307 participants transmitted sleep duration data from digital health devices and answered the Life's Simple 7 survey instrument to assess ideal cardiovascular health. Sleep duration was defined as adequate (7 to < 9 h per night) or non-adequate (< 7 h and ≥ 9 h). RESULTS We identified three sleep-cardiovascular health phenogroups: resilient (non-adequate sleep and ideal cardiovascular health), uncoupled (adequate sleep and non-ideal cardiovascular health) or concordant (sleep and cardiovascular health metrics were aligned). Participants in the resilient phenogroup (n = 83) had better cardiovascular health factor profiles (blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels) and behaviors (healthy weight, diet, exercise, smoking) than participants in the concordant (n = 171) and uncoupled (n = 53) phenogroups. This was associated with higher Life's Simple 7 Health Scores in the resilient phenogroup compared to the concordant and uncoupled phenogroups (7.8 ± 0.8 vs. 7.0 ± 1.4 vs. 5.6 ± 0.7, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION This study identified three distinct sleep-ideal cardiovascular health phenogroups and highlights the advantage of incorporating sleep assessments into studies of cardiovascular health. Future studies should focus on the relationship between sleep-cardiovascular phenogroups and clinical outcomes. Clinical Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02958098. Date of registration: November 11, 2016.
Culminating Experiences: A National Survey of Accredited Institutions

During the summer of 2007 the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) approved a new set of criteria to be used in accrediting aviation degree programs. One addition to the new criteria is the inclusion of creating a culminating experience for all aviation program options. The purpose of this study was to discover the importance placed on incorporating a culminating experience in the aviation program curriculum, and to determine which of the general outcomes were being assessed. The results of the survey (N=55) indicate that all programs felt the culminating experience was an important part of their degree program. However, there was a variance in the number of outcomes assessed and the appropriateness to assess each outcome.
The role of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein in intramitochondrial cholesterol transfer and steroidogenesis

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the mechanism involved in the movement of cholesterol from the outer mitochondrial membrane to the inner mitochondrial membrane. The initial reaction in the steroid producing pathway occurs in an identical location, the inner mitochondrial membrane, and is catalyzed by the chain cleavage enzyme system (CSCC) enzyme system in all steroidogenic tissues. In addition, steroidogenic responses are stimulated by trophic hormones in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The chapter summarizes many observations on the acute regulation of steroidogenesis, which has resulted in the overall characterization of the acute regulation of steroidogenesis. Essentially, these characteristics indicated that the acute production of steroids was dependent upon a hormone stimulated, rapidly synthesized, cycloheximide sensitive protein whose function was to mediate the transfer of cholesterol from the outer mitochondrial membrane to the inner mitochondrial membrane and the P450scc enzyme. In addition, the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) was proposed as the acute regulator of mediated cholesterol transfer to the inner mitochondrial membrane and hence, steroid biosynthesis.
Effect of Cu grain boundary sliding on TSV extrusion

This study investigates the effect of grain boundary sliding (GBS) and material properties on the extrusion of through-silicon via. A finite element model is set up to evaluate via extrusion during thermal cycling taking into account the actual grain structures near the via top. The elastic anisotropy and plasticity are considered for each Cu grain, and the grain orientation obtained from experimental measurements is directly mapped into the FEA model. GBS is described by a cohesive zone model based on a frictional traction separation relationship. Based on GBS, the via extrusion behavior is deduced for two different Cu/Si interfacial conditions: fully bonded and free sliding, corresponding to the upper and lower bounds of the extrusion. In each case, the effect of GBS is evaluated by analyzing the plasticity and extrusion profiles. The results indicate that GBS plays a dominant role in determining the magnitude and profile of via extrusion.
The effects of the antioxidant lipoic acid on beef longissimus bloom time

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of lipoic acid (LA) on beef LM steak bloom time, as well-as to characterize bloom time in the CIE L*, a*, and b* color space over a 93-min period. Thirty-two Simmental steers were supplemented with LA for 21 d immediately before slaughter at levels of 0, 8, 16, or 24 mg of LA/kg BW (eight steers per treatment). Lipoic acid was mixed with liquid paraffin, allowed to solidify, prilled, and top-dressed over a standard finishing diet. Steers were slaughtered at the University of Missouri abattoir in four groups of eight (two steers per treatment) over a 2-wk period. After a 24-h chill at 4 degrees C, the right LM was removed from each carcass. One 2.54cm steak was removed from the anterior portion of the LM, and its color characteristics (CIE L*, a*, and b*) were measured immediately with a standardized spectrocolorimeter. Color measurements were taken every 3 min thereafter for a total of 93-min. Hue angle (true red) and chroma (color saturation) were calculated from the color measurements. Addition of LA to the diet had no effect on bloom time (P = 0.67). When treatment means were analyzed, the addition of 24 mg of LA/kg BW to the diet resulted in higher (lighter) L* values (P 0.05) during the 93-min bloom time; however, a* and chroma values increased for 9 min and plateaued after 12 min (P < 0.01). Similarly, b* values increased (P < 0.01) for the first 6 min, and after 9 min, no further increase in yellowness was detected. Bloom time had little effect on hue angle, which stabilized after 3 min. Supplementing steers with the antioxidant LA for 21 d had no effect on the bloom time of beef LM; however, higher levels of supplemental LA affected L* values and hue angles of beef.
Web Information Systems Management: Proactive or Reactive Emergence

In this paper, we present an analysis of the ongoing maintenance and enhancement of web based information systems (web IS). Our goals are to extend recent theorizing about information systems (IS) maintenance and enhancement, and offer a context-rich theoretical characterization of web IS maintenance and enhancement developed from field data. To achieve these goals, we introduce, describe, and apply recent systems analysis theorizing that examines post implementation maintenance and enhancement activity and blurs the traditional information systems development (ISD) boundaries between systems development and systems maintenance. We then apply the systems development theorizing to four case sites. Our subsequent discussion and analysis allows us to both extend this theorizing based on our field data and present a context-rich theoretical characterization of web IS management.
Neuroprotective effects of enriched environment housing after transient global cerebral ischaemia are associated with the upregulation of insulin-like growth factor-1 signalling.

Aims Use of enriched environment (EE) housing has been shown to promote recovery from cerebral ischaemic injury but the underlying mechanisms of their beneficial effects remains unclear. Here we examined whether the beneficial effects of EE housing on ischaemia-induced neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment are associated with increased insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signalling in the hippocampus. Methods Forty-two adult male Wistar rats were included in the study and received either ischaemia or sham surgery. Rats in each group were further randomized to either: EE or standard laboratory cage housing (control). Rats were placed in their assigned housing condition immediately after recovery from anaesthesia. Behavioural testing in the cued learning and discrimination learning tasks were conducted 2 weeks after ischaemia. Rats were euthanized after behavioural testing and the hippocampus was analysed for IGF-1 level, IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) activation, protein kinase B (Akt) pathway activation, neurone loss and caspase 3 expression. Results Our data showed that EE housing: (1) mitigated ischaemia-induced neuronal loss; (2) attenuated ischaemia-induced increase in caspase 3 immunoreactivity in the hippocampus; (3) ameliorated ischaemia-induced cognitive impairments; and (4) increased IGF-1R activation and signalling through the Akt pathway after ischaemic injury. Conclusion Ultimately, these findings suggest the possibility that IGF-1 signalling may be one of the underlying mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of EE in optimizing recovery following cerebral ischaemic injury.
Analysis of a free-boundary tumor model with angiogenesis

We consider a free boundary problem for a spherically symmetric tumor with free boundary r 0 if liminft→∞α(t)>0. Surprisingly, we exhibit solutions (when μ is not small) where α(t)→0 exponentially in t while R(t)→∞ exponentially in t. Finally, we prove the global asymptotic stability of steady state when μ is sufficiently small.
CD8+ Cells Enhance Resistance to Pulmonary Serotype 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae Infection in Mice

Despite the success of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, pneumococcal pneumonia remains a significant clinical problem, and there is still much to learn about natural resistance and cellular immunity to pneumococcus. We investigated the role of T lymphocytes in resistance to serotype (ST) 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae in an intranasal infection model in C57BL/6 (wild-type [Wt]) and CD8+ (CD8−/−)- and CD4+ (MHC class II−/−)-deficient mice. CD8−/− mice exhibited significantly more bacterial dissemination and lung inflammation and a significantly more lethal phenotype than Wt mice. However, there was no difference in the bacterial dissemination, lung inflammation, or survival of Wt and MHC class II−/− mice. Perforin (Pfn)−/− and IFN-γ−/− mice, which were used to dissect the role of CD8+ T cells in our model, also exhibited a more lethal survival phenotype than Wt mice. Comparison of lung chemokine/cytokine levels by Luminex and cellular recruitment by FACS in Wt mice and knockout strains revealed that CD8−/− and IFN-γ−/− mice, which had the most lethal survival phenotype, had more CD4+IL-17+ T (Th17) cells, IL-17, neutrophil chemoattractants, and lung neutrophils, and fewer regulatory T cells than Wt mice. CD4+ T cell depletion improved the survival of ST-infected CD8−/− mice, and survival studies in Th17-deficient mice revealed that the Th17 response was dispensable for ST3 resistance in our model. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that CD8+ cells are required, but CD4+ T cells are dispensable for resistance to ST3 pneumonia in mice and suggest a previously unsuspected role for CD8+ cells in modulating the inflammatory response to ST3.
High School Renewal in South Carolina: An Angry Response to Abandonment.

Seventeen high schools in South Carolina have joined with the University of South Carolina to form a school-university partnership called the South Carolina High School Network for Teacher and Administrator Renewal. The creation of the network is a unique response by educators determined to continue high school renewal efforts in the face of political abandonment.
Why study time does not predict grade point average across college students: Implications of deliberate practice for academic performance

The current work draws upon the theoretical framework of deliberate practice in order to clarify why the amount of study by college students is a poor predictor of academic performance. A model was proposed where performance in college, both cumulatively and for a current semester, was jointly determined by previous knowledge and skills as well as factors indicating quality (e.g., study environment) and quantity of study. The findings support the proposed model and indicate that the amount of study only emerged as a significant predictor of cumulative GPA when the quality of study and previously attained performance were taken into consideration. The findings are discussed in terms of the insights provided by applying the framework of deliberate practice to academic performance in a university setting.
The dependence of the Geometry of glassy alloy ribbons on the chill block melt-spinning process parameters

Abstract Metallic ribbons were formed under a wide variety of chill block melt-spinning process conditions for several glass-forming alloy systems. An analysis of ribbon geometry data was used to establish simple empirical equations which relate ribbon width and thickness to process parameters such as the volumetric material flow rate, the substrate surface speed, the melt jet diameter and the melt jet impingement angle. Ribbon geometry data from other researchers are generally found to conform well to the relations established in the present work. Processing factors in addition to those discussed in detail, such as melt superheat and alloying additions, are discussed with regard to their effect on ribbon geometry.
Real-Time Monitoring of ATP-Responsive Drug Release Using Mesoporous-Silica-Coated Multicolor Upconversion Nanoparticles.

Stimuli-responsive drug delivery vehicles have garnered immense interest in recent years due to unparalleled progress made in material science and nanomedicine. However, the development of stimuli-responsive devices with integrated real-time monitoring capabilities is still in its nascent stage because of the limitations of imaging modalities. In this paper, we describe the development of a polypeptide-wrapped mesoporous-silica-coated multicolor upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP@MSN) as an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-responsive drug delivery system (DDS) for long-term tracking and real-time monitoring of drug release. Our UCNP@MSN with multiple emission peaks in UV-NIR wavelength range was functionalized with zinc-dipicolylamine analogue (TDPA-Zn2+) on its exterior surface and loaded with small-molecule drugs like chemotherapeutics in interior mesopores. The drugs remained entrapped within the UCNP-MSNs when the nanoparticles were wrapped with a compact branched polypeptide, poly(Asp-Lys)-b-Asp, because of...
Helminths of 13 species of microhylid frogs (Anura: Microhylidae) from Papua New Guinea

ABSTRACTIn an attempt to better document the invertebrate biodiversity of the threatened fauna of Papua New Guinea (PNG), 208 microhylid frogs representing 13 species collected in 2009 and 2010 in PNG were examined for endoparasitic helminths. This study found mature individuals of one species of Digenea (Opisthioglyphe cophixali), adults of two species of Cestoda (Nematotaenia hylae, Cylindrotaenia sp.) and cysticerci of an unidentified cestode species; adults of nine species of Nematoda (Aplectana krausi, Bakeria bakeri, Cosmocerca novaeguineae, Cosmocercella phrynomantisi, Falcaustra papuensis, Icosiella papuensis, Ochtoterenella papuensis, Parathelandros allisoni, Parathelandros andersoni), and one species of Acanthocephala (cystacanths in the family Centrorhynchidae). There was a high degree of endemism among the helminth species infecting the microhylids, with 83% of the species known only from PNG. Yet the helminth fauna infecting Papuan microhylids are generalists with direct life cycles (no inter...
The outsider' s perspective: Young adults' judgments of social practices of other cultures

In this study, judgments of social practices of other cultures were examined. Forty-eight college students judged social practices entailing potentially immoral features to be unacceptable when not culturally grounded but acceptable when they are part of long-standing cultural traditions. Their tolerant judgments were underlain by a construal of the practices in the other cultures as beneficial and consensual. Subsequently, the same practice was presented in four hypothetical cultural contexts generated by manipulating the type of belief underlying the practice (moral or informational) and the consensual status of the belief within the culture (agreement or disagreement). Participants were tolerant of the practice and of the people engaged in the practice in some contexts but not in others, and judged some types of diversity likely and some unlikely. Their tolerant and intolerant judgments reflected the ways in which specific cultural parameters are understood to transform the meanings and moderate the effects of cultural practices.
Time to eat: measurements of feeding behaviour in a large marine predator, the northern elephant seal Mirounga angustirostris

Summary 1The at-sea behaviour of marine predators is often described based on changes in behavioural states, such as transit, searching, and feeding. However, to distinguish between these behaviours, it is necessary to know the actual functions of the behaviours recorded. Specifically, to understand the foraging behaviour of marine predators, it is necessary to measure prey consumption. Therefore, the at-sea feeding behaviour of northern elephant seals (N = 13) was examined using satellite transmitters, time-depth recorders, and stomach temperature recorders. In addition, stomach temperature telemetry allowed for the validation of indirect measures of feeding behaviour used for marine predators, including decreases in transit rate and changes in dive shape. 2Feeding data were recorded for the early phase of the migration (2·2–21 days). The first feeding events occurred shortly after animals departed (4·0 ± 1·5 h) and close to the rookery (58·6 ± 21·9 km), but these feedings were followed by extended periods without prey consumption (14·5 ± 2·5 h). Continuous (bout) feeding did not occur until on average 7·5 ± 1·8 days after the females left the rookery. Females showed significant differences in the feeding rate while feeding in a bout (1·3–2·1 feeding events hour−1). 3There was a significant negative relationship between interpolated transit rate and feeding events (r2 = 0·62, P < 0·01). Feeding, which was associated with all dive types, occurred most often during the foraging type dive shape (74·2%). Finally, successful feeding only occurred between 18–24% of the time when females displayed the foraging type dive shape suggesting that the use of dive shape alone, while indicative of behaviours associated with foraging (searching and catching prey) overestimates actual feeding behaviour. 4This study showed females not only feed extensively during the early migration, but there was individual variation in both foraging locations and foraging success. In addition, by combining direct and indirect measures of feeding, this study has provided support for the use of foraging indicators in marine predators.
Current status of x-ray mask manufacturing at the Microlithographic Mask Development Center

The Microlithographic Mask Development Center (MMD) has been the focal point of X-ray mask development efforts in the United States since its inception in 1993. Funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), and with technical support from the Proximity X-ray Lithography Association (AT&T, IBM, Loral Federal Systems, and Motorola) the MMD has recently made dramatic advances in mask fabrication. Numerous defect-free 64Mb and 256Mb DRAM masks have been made on both boron-doped silicon and silicon carbide substrates. Image-placement error of less than 35nm 3 sigma is achieved with high yield. Image-size (critical dimension) control of 25nm 3 sigma on 250nm nominal images is representative performance. This progress is being made in a manufacturing environment with significant volumes, multiple customers, multiple substrate configurations, and fast turnaround-time (TAT) requirements. The MMD state-of-the-art equipment infrastructure has made much of this progress possible. This year the MMD qualified the EL-4, an IBM-designed-and-built variable-shaped-spot e-beam system. The fundamental performance parameters of this system will be described. Operational techniques of multiple partial exposure writing and product specific emulation (PSE) have been implemented to improve image-placement accuracy with remarkable success. Image-size control was studied in detail with contributory components separated. Defect density was systematically reduced to yield defect-free masks while simultaneously tightening inspection criteria. Information about these and other recent engineering highlights will be reported. An outline of the primary engineering challenges and goals for 1996 and status of progress toward 100 nm design rule capability will also be given.
On washout in nonlinear compartmental systems

Abstract Let x ( t ) be a solution of a compartmental system. If, for some compartment j , x j ( t )→0 as t →∞, then we say that the compartment j washes out. We show that a compartment washes out if it always reaches (along a fixed path) either the environment or another compartment for which there is no return path. Additional criteria, particularly regarding exponential convergence, are also presented. Examples are drawn from tracer kinetics, enzyme reactions, and epidemic models.
Large-signal nonquasi-static model for single and double heterojunction bipolar transistors

Abstract A large-signal nonquasi-static model for heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) is presented. Using this model, the turn-on and turn-off transient characteristics were simulated. The simulation results obtained using this model and that of Gummel-Poon model are compared with the results obtained numerically. This comparison shows that our model can more accurately predict the device transient performance. The model accuracy can be improved even further if nonquasi-static junction capacitance models are used. Using our model, it will be possible to simulate digital circuits in the gigabit range.
A new type of intermediate, C+(BCH3)11- C(BCH3)11, in a Grob fragmentation coupled with intramolecular hydride transfer. A nonclassical carbocation ylide or a carbenoid?

In solvolysis of alkyl halides Hal−(CH2)n−C(BCH3)11- (n = 2, 5, 6, but not 3, 4, or 7) and protonation of alkenes CH2CH(CH2)n-2C(BCH3)11- (n = 3, 6, 7, but not 4 or 5) carrying the icosahedral electrofuge −C(BCH3)11- attached through its cage carbon atom, generation of incipient positive charge on Cα (as shown in Scheme 1 in the article) leads to simultaneous cleavage of the Cβ−C(BCH3)11- bond. The products are a CαCβ alkene and a postulated intermediate C+(BCH3)11- ↔ C(BCH3)11, trapped as the adduct Nu−C(BCH3)11- by one of the nucleophiles (Nu-) present. The reaction kinetics is E1, first order in the haloalkylcarborane and zero order in [Nu-], and the elimination appears to be concerted, as in the usual E2 mechanism. The process is best viewed as a Grob fragmentation. The loss of the longer chains involves intrachain hydride transfer from the Cα−H bond to an incipient carbocation on Cδ‘ or Ce‘ via a five- or six-membered cyclic transition state, respectively. The electronic structure of the postulated i...
Regulation of human D1 dopamine receptor function and gene expression in SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells

SK-N-MC human neuroblastoma cells express functional D1, but not D5, dopaminergic receptors. Stimulating cells with dopamine or the D1-selective agonist, SKF R-38393, rapidly (t(1/2) = 1 h) resulted in > 95% attenuation of dopamine-mediated accumulation of cyclic AMP, without any change in D1 dopamine receptor levels. Prolonged (> 4 h) exposure of cells to dopamine attenuated D1 receptor levels to 45-50% of control (t(1/2) = 8 h) and was accompanied by a loss of high-affinity binding sites. At the molecular level, the expression of D1 receptor messenger RNA was bimodal: an initial increase (by approximately 60%) of receptor messenger RNA within 2 h of treatment of cells with dopamine was followed by a decline to 50% below control messenger RNA levels. Low concentrations (1-10 nM) of dopamine also potentiated D1 messenger RNA levels (up to 48%), resulting in a twofold increase in receptor levels. Transfection studies with the cloned human D1 promoter construct, pGL-D1P, indicated that the up-regulation of D1 messenger RNA was due to activation of promoter by dopamine. The dopamine-mediated up-regulation of both D1 receptor messenger RNA and promoter was prevented by the D1-selective antagonist, SCH 23390. The results suggest that dopamine regulates D1 receptor gene and protein expression in a bimodal manner, partly through activation of the receptor promoter. Moreover, the effects of dopamine are independent of the second messenger, cyclic AMP.
Long-Term Safety and Tolerability of the Lamivudine/Abacavir Combination as Components of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

Background: Numerous large, long-term clinical trials have assessed the safety and efficacy of the two antiretroviral nucleoside analogs lamivudine and abacavir as components of highly active antiretroviral therapy for the treatment of patients with HIV-1 infection. This analysis pools the safety data on multi-drug regimens containing lamivudine/abacavir in combination with a protease inhibitor, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, or nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Methods: Data are presented from 2279 treatment-naive HIV-1-infected patients who were enrolled in one of five clinical trials that assessed the safety and tolerability of lamivudine/abacavir in combination with a third antiretroviral agent. The well characterised combination of lamivudine/zidovudine plus efavirenz was used as the comparator arm. All available safety data (including data beyond 48 weeks) were used in all analyses, which included calculation of treatment emergent laboratory values, adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, fatalities, drug discontinuations and any summaries by study week of safety data. Results: In the total lamivudine/abacavir group, 1585 of 2229 (71%) patients experienced at least one drug-related AE during the study compared with 247 of 325 (76%) patients in the lamivudine/zidovudine/efavirenz treatment group. The most common drug-related AEs reported during the study were diarrhoea (19%), nausea (18%) and dizziness (12%) in patients treated with lamivudine/abacavir plus a third agent, and nausea (31%), dizziness (27%) and headache (16%) in the comparator group. Overall, in the total lamivudine/abacavir group there were only three severe (Division of AIDS 1992 toxicity table grade 3 or 4) AEs that were reported in >1% of subjects: drug hypersensitivity, elevated ALT levels and elevated AST levels. In the lamivudine/zidovudine/efavirenz group, six severe AEs that occurred in >1% of the safety population were reported. The abacavir hypersensitivity reaction rate reported in these five studies was comparable with the previously reported rate. In addition, there were no patient fatalities attributed by investigators to the study drugs. Conclusion: This analysis indicates that the combination of lamivudine/abacavir is generally safe for the majority of patients when used as part of combination therapy.
Statistical Components of an Undergraduate Business Degree: Putting the Horse Before the Cart

Abstract Traditionally, statistics courses in universities cover almost exclusively topics related to analysis and inference and do not address the collection, organization, and presentation of data. In this article, the authors discuss a new approach in which the collection, organization, and presentation of data, including mathematical and nonmathematical topics, are taught in an introductory course followed by a subsequent course focusing on analysis and inference. Having implemented such an approach at the University of Southern Colorado Hasan School of Business, the authors surveyed students to assess their learning outcomes and skills before and after the change. Results showed that