cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perpendicular anisotropy in Co-Cr films

Abstract The temperature dependence of saturation magnetization and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy for 16 and 18% Cr-Co sputtered films was studied. The following were found: (i) the Curie temperatures of films are higher than those of bulk alloys; (ii) the perpendicular anisotropy constant increases after being heated to 400°C; and (iii) it changes from positive to negative at about 640°C.
Does the Gubernatorial Term Limit Type Affect State Government Expenditures

Political institutions within a society often serve to create the rules governingeconomic actions, toestablishnorms ofeconomic behavior, andultimately tohelp explain the relative economic performance of society. Institutions likebudgetary constraints, party ideology, term limits, and voting methods havebeen analyzed with emphasis on the interplay of politics and economics.Within this field, we believe that the study of term limits is of particularimportance. Hence, this article empirically investigates the link betweenthe different types of gubernatorial term limits and state expenditures, aftercontrolling for political institutions. Using panel data from thirty-sevenU.S. states between 1971 and 2005, we find that all three types of term limits(weak, moderate, and strong) have a positive impact on gubernatorial spend-ing. However, only weak and moderate term limits are statistically signifi-cant, suggesting that the more lenient is the constraint on the governor thegreater is the impetus to spend.Keywords: state expenditures; state government; term limits; partyalternation
Characterization of purified guanine aminohydrolase.

Abstract Guanine aminohydrolase (GAH) (E.C. 3.5.4.3) was purified by affinity chromatography on 9-( p -β-aminoethoxyphenyl)guanine-Sepharose to a specific activity of 35.5 units/mg. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 110,000 by gel filtration. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) showed that the enzyme was composed of subunits with molecular weights of approximately 52,000. Data from SDS-gel electrophoresis in a discontinuous buffer system and from isoelectric focusing in the presence of 8- m urea indicated that more than one type of subunit were present. This was consistent with multiple forms of the native enzyme seen by electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels. The isoelectric points for the different forms of GAH were in the range of 4.65–4.85. Amino acid analyses showed cysteine to be the minimum amino acid and gave a calculated molecular weight for GAH of 53,016 when the assumption that there were four cysteines per subunit was made. Guanine, 8-azaguanine, and 6-thioguanine served as substrates for the enzyme but 3-deazaguanine, a potent competitive inhibitor of GAH, did not. Fluoride ion inhibited the enzyme in a noncompetitive manner, and this inhibition decreased as pH increased. Variation of the kinetic parameters with pH suggested that hydroxide ion might be the second substrate and that a functional group on the enzyme with a p K a near 5.6 was involved in the reaction. The enzyme was inactivated by treatment with p -hydroxymercurobenzoate and by photooxidation in the presence of rose bengal. Two plausible mechanisms are proposed for the reaction catalyzed by GAH.
A general theory for compensating acoustic transducers

Electromechanical and piezoelectric acoustic transducers are shown to be mathematically model-able by a common state-variable formalism. In the three cases considered the matrix differential equations are completely controllable and completely observable, so state-variable compensation is possible. A simplified derivation of the Kalman Observer(1) is presented, illustrating how the internal transducer state-variables are obtained from the observer filter even though they are not directly available from the transducer. These variables which are signals within the Kalman Observer(l), are used in a state-variable feedback compensation scheme which has the capability of placing the closed-loop transducer-observer filter system poles arbitrarily in the complex plane. References for the Luenberger Observer(2) approach are given. Theoretically therefore, at least in the linear mode, transducers may be compensated to have arbitrarily sharp transient response without ringing, as well as a very wide-band frequency response. Similarly, the Q and resonant frequency are also arbitrarily compensatable. This compensation scheme may also be viewed as a generalization of the well-known negative damping-factor idea to obtain not only an effective negative source resistance, but also negative mass, viscous damping, spring stiffness, resistance, capacitance, and negative inductance in desired places in the transducer equivalent circuit. However, extreme response improvement also requires large input power, which leads to a violation of the linearity assumption; so the practical improvement possible depends on the linearity of the transducer until nonlinear transducer models and nonlinear observer theory is improved.
Modelling of optimal specification regions

Abstract Design of screening procedures for industrial processes involves a decision-making strategy to select optimal specification regions under a 100% inspection scheme. Although researchers and practitioners have proposed a multitude of screening procedures under various assumptions, they have not thoroughly considered nor accurately captured outgoing product quality. This paper presents an optimization model for selecting optimal specification regions based on minimizing total cost. A defining aspect of this paper is the use of a truncated probability distribution to model the outgoing product distribution. Consequently, this paper proposes an enhanced modelling framework for designing screening procedures. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the optimization model.
Breech presentation at delivery: Do congenital anomalies of the infant increase the risk?

INCREASE THE RISK? DOROTHEA MOSTELLO, CAMELIA GUILD, KATHRYN STAMPS, TERRY LEET, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, Saint Louis University, School of Public Health, St. Louis, Missouri OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the risk of breech presentation at the time of delivery in the presence of congenital anomalies and to determine whether chromosomal, central nervous system, or both types of anomalies increase this risk. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a population-based, cohort study using data from the Missouri birth defects registry and birth certificates. 19,555 infants diagnosed with congenital anomalies were identified and matched by gestational age and birth year to infants without congenital anomalies from all singleton, live births during 1995-1999. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Infants born with congenital anomalies were more likely to present breech at birth (aOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.6-1.8). For infants with a central nervous system or chromosomal anomaly, aOR were 1.6 (95% CI 1.3-2.0) and 1.7 (95% CI 1.3-2.3), respectively. The risk for breech presentation was highest for infants diagnosed with both central nervous system and chromosomal anomalies (aOR 4.0, 95% CI 2.0-8.0). For infants with anomalies other than chromosomal or central nervous system, the aOR was 1.8 (95% CI 1.7-1.9) for breech presentation. Odds ratios were adjusted for significant risk factors for breech presentation, including low birth weight, female sex, older maternal age, and primiparity. Black race was protective. CONCLUSION: Controlled for gestational age at birth and other significant risk factors, the risk of breech presentation is increased for infants with congenital anomalies.
Episodic affordances contribute to language comprehension

We demonstrate how a particular type of knowledge about objects, their spatial locations and thus how to direct actions toward them, contributes to the comprehension of language about those objects. In four experiments, participants judged if sentences were about normal objects (e.g., “The apple has a stem”) or odd objects (e.g., “The apple has an antenna”). The Normal response key was either on the left of a response box or on the right. The named objects were themselves either on the left or the right of the response box. We demonstrate a compatibility effect in which responding Normal to the side where the object was located was faster than responding Normal to the opposite side. Furthermore, this effect was equally strong for sentences describing states of the objects (as above) and sentences describing actions (e.g., “Touch the apple at the stem”); the compatibility effect was found when the objects were removed; the effect required compatibility between actions, not just spatial locations; and the effect was found in both English and German. The results are discussed in relation to how action systems are used in language comprehension.
Restriction endonuclease analysis of alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 DNA and molecular cloning of virus genomic DNA for potential diagnostic use.

Alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 (AHV-1) genomic DNA was analyzed using restriction enzymes having recognition sequences both low in guanine-cytosine content (BamHI, KpnI, HindIII) and high in guanine- cytosine content (SmaI, AvaI, ApaI). The results from the restriction enzyme analyses along with exonuclease treatment demonstrated that the termini of AHV-1 DNA are likely composed of polyrepetitive sequences high in guanine-cytosine content similar to those found in Herpesvirus saimiri DNA. Cleaving AHV-1 DNA with the restriction enzyme SmaI produced polyrepetitive sequences that appeared as low molecular weight super- molar bands < 1 kilobase pairs (kb) in size. Analysis of AHV-1 DNA cleaved with HindIII indicated that the polyrepetitive sequences are approximately 29.5 kb in size. The total molecular weight for AHV-1 DNA was determined to be approximately 118 kb. Seventy-five percent of the AHV-1 genome was cloned into the plasmids pAT153 and pBR322. Cloned DNA fragments representing unique sequences of the AHV-1 genome hybridized with AHV-1 genomic DNA but showed no appreciable hybridization with AHV-2 DNA or bovine herpesvirus 1, 2, or 4 DNA.
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ACID-BASE BALANCE AND CUTANEOUS ION TRANSPORT IN LARVAL AMBYSTOMA TIGRINUM (AMPHIBIA: CAUDATA) IN RESPONSE TO HYPERCAPNIA

Larval Ambystoma tigrinum (Green) were cannulated non-occlusively in the truncus arteriosus and allowed to recover for 20–24 h. They were then subjected to 24 h of hypercapnia in three groups: those adapted to tap water, 100 mmoll −1 NaCl or running distilled water. The animals in tap water displayed a 32% compensation for the respiratory acidosis in that [HCO 3 − ] and strong ion difference (SID) were elevated to return pH back towards the control level. The animals in 100 mmoll −1 NaCl behaved similarly. However, the animals in running distilled water were unable to compensate by increasing either [HCO 3 − ] or strong ion difference until NaCl was added to the medium. The clear requirement for NaCl in the medium of salamanders that are compensating for a respiratory acidosis led to measurements of Na + and Cl − fluxes. The influx of Na + increased by 123 % in animals immersed in NaCl and by 39% in animals in Na 2 SO 4 . The influx of Cl − decreased by over 50% in animals immersed in NaCl and by over 30% in those in choline chloride. The transcutaneous potential difference increased rapidly and reversibly during hypercapnia and the increase was blocked by propranolol. These data suggest that the cutaneous active transport of Na + into the extracellular space is stimulated and that the active transport of Cl − is simultaneously inhibited during hypercapnia. Measurement of circulating interrenal steroids (RIA) revealed a clear increase in aldosterone concentration during hypercapnia and a possible accompanying increase in corticosterone. The results suggest that the compensatory response to hypercapnia in larval A. tigrinum involves alterations in cutaneous ion transport which increase the extracellular SID. These cutaneous responses may be under the short-term control of catecholamines and under the long-term control of interrenal steroids.
Fundamental Study of Phosphate Bonding in Refractories: IV, Mortars Bonded with Monoaluminum and Monomagnesium Phosphate

Mortar compositions containing monoaluminum phosphate and monomagnesium phosphate have been investigated. Five compositions developed have been tested for workability, water retention, strength, shrinkage, and appearance in mortar joints at temperatures up to 1500°C. Results obtained indicated that these mortars are equivalent to or superior to commercial mortars for which comparable data are available in the literature. It was found that retardation of phosphate bond migration by ground clay decreased bond strength.
Preferences, beliefs and equilibrium: What have experiments taught us?

The target article, “Theory and Experiment: What are the Questions?” is the latest of Vernon Smith’s many attempts to get economists to behave like scientists. We economists have always had our theories, and Smith enjoins us to use them to predict what will happen in new environments. He has shown us, via numerous examples, how to construct enlightening environments in the laboratory. But how should we respondwhen the predictionworks even better than expected, or when the prediction fails badly? The target article sharpens these questions, and lists some commonly accepted auxiliary premises that deserve further scrutiny. As a student, I learned that the key primitives of microeconomic theory include preferences and beliefs at the individual level, and equilibrium at the aggregate level. In the following response to Smith’s target article, I will focus on what experiments can teach us about these primitives and about the theoretical models that we construct from them.
Creative cities: Conceptual issues and policy questions

This article represents a broad and occasionally polemical meditation on the nature and significance of creative cities. I seek to situate the concept of creative cities within the context of the so-called new economy and to trace out the connections of these phenomena to recent shifts in technologies, structures of production, labor markets, and the dynamics of locational agglomeration. I try to show, in particular, how the structures of the new economy unleash historically specific forms of economic and cultural innovation in modern cities. The argument is concerned passim with policy issues and, above all, with the general possibilities and limitations faced by policymakers in any attempt to build creative cities. The effects of globalization are discussed, with special reference to the prospective emergence of a worldwide network of creative cities bound together in relations of competition and cooperation. In the conclusion, I pinpoint some of the darker dimensions-both actual and potential-of creative cities.
Mechanism of oxidative phosphorylation in the chemoautotroph Nitrobacter agilis.

Cytochrome electron transport particles obtained from Nitrobacter, catalyzed nitrite oxidation with concomitant phosphate esterification yielding P/O ratios approaching 1.0. Likewise the enzymatic oxidation of ascorbate or ferrocyanide yielded similar P/O ratios. The oxidation of exogenously added NADH mediated by flavoproteins and cytochrome systems was also coupled to ATP formation and yielded P/O ratios of 2.0. The phosphorylation coupled to nitrite oxidation was not affected by NADH traps, rotenone (250 μM), amytal (1.5 mM), or antimycin A (10 μg/mg protein). Somewhat higher P/O ratios were obtained in the presence of rotenone or antimycin A due to the inhibition of an energy-dependent reverse electron flow. A 50 and 70% inhibition of the NADH-linked phosphorylation was observed in the presence of 2-n-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide (HOQNO) (5 μg/mg protein), and rotenone (250 μM), respectively. These inhibitors blocked electron transfer between the flavoproteins and cytochrome systems, and the latter were oxidized when NADH served as an electron donor, thus exhibiting a cross-over point. Observations based on spectrophotometry and use of uncouplers and inhibitors suggested cytochrome a1 as the site of entry of nitrite in the Nitrobacter electron transport chain; the reduction of cytochrome c involved an energy-dependent reversal of electron transfer from cytochrome a1.
9-Genes Reinforce the Phylogeny of Holometabola and Yield Alternate Views on the Phylogenetic Placement of Strepsiptera

Background: The extraordinary morphology, reproductive and developmental biology, and behavioral ecology of twisted wing parasites (order Strepsiptera) have puzzled biologists for centuries. Even today, the phylogenetic position of these enigmatic ‘‘insects from outer space’’ [1] remains uncertain and contentious. Recent authors have argued for the placement of Strepsiptera within or as a close relative of beetles (order Coleoptera), as sister group of flies (order Diptera), or even outside of Holometabola. Methodology/Principal Findings: Here, we combine data from several recent studies with new data (for a total of 9 nuclear genes and ,13 kb of aligned data for 34 taxa), to help clarify the phylogenetic placement of Strepsiptera. Our results unequivocally support the monophyly of Neuropteroidea (=Neuropterida + Coleoptera) + Strepsiptera, but recover Strepsiptera either derived from within polyphagan beetles (order Coleoptera), or in a position sister to Neuropterida. All other supra-ordinal- and ordinal-level relationships recovered with strong nodal support were consistent with most other recent studies. Conclusions/Significance: These results, coupled with the recent proposed placement of Strepsiptera sister to Coleoptera, suggest that while the phylogenetic neighborhood of Strepsiptera has been identified, unequivocal placement to a specific branch within Neuropteroidea will require additional study.
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Diversity in HIV-HCV-Coinfected Subjects Initiating Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

Because of increased mortality and reduced treatment response rates in subjects coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), understanding the selection pressures underlying the evolution of HCV is important for the development of strategies to control both viruses. We therefore investigated diversity of HCV in 11 HIV-HCV-coinfected subjects initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Distinct categories of HCV virologic response to suppression of HIV were identified. The diversity of quasi species at several genomic regions was characterized over the course of a 48-week period. Consensus data suggested a shift in the virus population at all loci except the 5' untranslated region (UTR) after initiation of HAART. Intrasubject genetic distance and entropy were highest in hypervariable region (HVR)-1. In contrast, variation in the 5' UTR was limited. Positive immune selection pressure directed against HVR-1, but not other protein-coding regions, was also detected. These data suggest that there are several mechanisms by which suppression of HIV replication and a reconstituted immune system influence diversity of HCV in HIV-HCV-coinfected subjects.
Comparing Simultaneous Clinical Swallow Evaluations and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluations of Swallowing: Findings and Consequences

Introduction: Simultaneous blinded comparisons between the results of a clinical swallowing evaluation (CSE) and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) were performed. Methods: Rater...
Ready-to-Wear Development? Foreign Investment, Technology Transfer, and Learning by Watching in the Apparel Trade

The commodity-chain approach to economic development has inspired a growing literature on the apparel trade. While advocates of the approach hold that North American apparel firms are transferring skill and technology to Mexico and are thereby encouraging "export upgrading" south of the border, I illuminate a parallel process of skill and technology transfer in the Caribbean Basin and thereby (1) underscore the generality of the commodity-chain approach to supply-chain integration and (2) call the benefits of integration into question. I maintain that the returns to skill and technology transfer are inversely related to the extent of skill and technology transfer and explore the inherent tension between the generality of the commodity-chain approach and the accuracy of its predictions.
Multiple recurrence and infinite measure preserving odometers

A family of infinite measure preserving odometers is presented which exhibit examples ofp-recurrent but notp+1-recurrent ergodic transformations for everyp>1.
EvoD/Vo: the origins of BMP signalling in the neuroectoderm

The genetic systems controlling body axis formation trace back as far as the ancestor of diploblasts (corals, hydra, and jellyfish) and triploblasts (bilaterians). Comparative molecular studies, often referred to as evo-devo, provide powerful tools for elucidating the origins of mechanisms for establishing the dorsal-ventral and anterior-posterior axes in bilaterians and reveal differences in the evolutionary pressures acting upon tissue patterning. In this Review, we focus on the origins of nervous system patterning and discuss recent comparative genetic studies; these indicate the existence of an ancient molecular mechanism underlying nervous system organization that was probably already present in the bilaterian ancestor.
Production of Nanocrystalline RDX by Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solutions

Nanoscale crystals of cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) were produced by Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solutions (RESS). The experiments were performed by expansion of supercritical solutions of RDX in carbon dioxide through sapphire nozzles (ID: 100 and 150 mm) at pressures of 15.0 – 29.5 MPa and temperatures of 343 – 348 K. Recrystallized particles were characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction, HPLC and melting point analysis. The process produced particles with a mean size in the range 110 – 220 nm and a narrow size distribution. The product was crystalline as determined by X-ray diffraction. The effect of process conditions (T, P, nozzle diameter) on the crystal size distribution was determined.
POLLEN PERFORMANCE OF PLANTS IN RECENTLY BURNED AND UNBURNED ENVIRONMENTS

I conducted a field study of the annual, Clarkia unguiculata, to examine the performance of pollen (pollen-germination time and pollen-tube growth rate) produced by plants growing in two different environments: recently burned and unburned oak woodland. Previous studies on the effects of fire on soil nutrients demonstrate that burning increases the levels of plant nutrients (e.g., phosphorus, potassium) in the soil, which may influence the performance of pollen from individual plants growing after fires. This study addressed three questions: Do plants from burned environments grow more vigorously and taller than plants from unburned environments? Do pollen-tubes from plants growing in recently burned environments grow faster than pollen from plants growing in unburned environments? Is pollen performance related to plant vigor (height)? Plants growing in burned environments were taller than plants growing in unburned sites. Pollen-tubes from burned-environment individuals grew faster than pollen-tubes from...
Processing, Characterization, and Measurement of the Seebeck Coefficient of Bismuth Microwire Array Composites

We have fabricated Bi microwire array composites ranging in diameter from 10 to 50 micrometer using the method of high-pressure-injection (HPI) of the Bi melt into microchannel arrays (MCA) templates. The composites are dense, with Bi volume fraction in excess of 70 %. The parallel Bi nanowires, whose length appears to be limited only by the thickness of the host template (up to 2 mm), terminate at both sides of the composite in the Bi bulk. The individual Bi microwire crystal structure is rhombohedral, with the same lattice parameters as that of bulk Bi; the wires crystalline orientation is predominantly perpendicular to the (113) lattice plane. The transversal magnetoresistance and Seebeck effect of the wires has been measured in magnetic fields up to 0.8 Tesla and for temperatures ranging between 77 K and room temperature.
The Dilemma of the Clinical Trialist in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: The Hurdles to Finding a Cure

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can be described as a disease with a poorly understood pathophysiologic mechanism and no treatment that dramatically impacts the course of the disease. Clinical trialists are faced with finding small treatment effects against a background of multiple potential treatments, a past history of failed trials, and heterogenous clinical outcomes. This article summarizes this environment and provides a rationale for drug development going forward.
Intense ion beam optimization and characterization with thermal imaging

The authors have developed thermal imaging of beam targets to optimize and characterize intense ion beams. The technique, which measures the beam energy-density distribution on each machine firing, has been used to rapidly develop and characterize two very different beams--a 400 kV beam used to study materials processing, and an 80 kV beam use for magnetic fusion diagnostics.
Diffusion of14CO2 in Polyurethanes

Diffusion coefficients and their temperature coefficients were obtained on a series of four polyurethanes believed to differ mainly in their molecular chain stiffness, and on one partially crystalline polyurethane of high molecular symmetry having flexible chains. The diffusion coefficients of CO2 in these materials and their temperature dependence are f ound to be much lower than those of many other typical organic polymers, notably rubbers. The data are interpreted in terms of theH-bonds formed between neighbouring polymer chains which are thought to make for regions of high packing efficiency, interrupted at irregular intervals by more open regions of small size. The effect of molecular chain flexibility appears to be smaller than the influence of theH-bonding.
High proportion of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in a low prevalence setting: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Objectives The proportion of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) cases in the United States (US) has been rising due to a slower rate of decline in EPTB compared to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). The purpose of this study was to characterise the clinical and treatment differences between EPTB and PTB patients, and identify patient factors associated with EPTB. Study design We performed a retrospective cohort study of active tuberculosis (TB) cases treated at the Baltimore City Health Department between 2008 and 2013. Methods We categorised patients as having ‘only PTB' (infection in the lung parenchyma), ‘EPTB/PTB' (infection in the lung and an additional site), and ‘only EPTB' (infection not involving the lung). Pearson's chi-squared tests were used to evaluate categorical variables and compare clinical and demographic differences between only PTB, only EPTB, and EPTB/PTB patients. Student t -tests and one-way analysis of variance tests were utilised to assess continuous variables and to compare treatment differences. Results One hundred and sixty-three patients were treated for TB; 39.3% had some form of EPTB (either EPTB/PTB or only EPTB). There was no difference found between EPTB, PTB, and EPTB/PTB patients with respect to HIV status, gender, race, foreign-born status, or mean age. Patients with only EPTB were less likely than patients with some form of PTB (only PTB or EPTB/PTB) to present with cough (30.4% vs 61.5%; P P P = 0.023). Patients with some form of EPTB were also more likely to be hospitalised postdiagnosis compared to patients with only PTB (39.1% vs 20.2%; P = 0.009), and to have longer mean durations of treatment (37.9 weeks [SD = 11.1] vs 31.8 weeks [SD = 8.1]; P Conclusions EPTB patients present with atypical symptoms, undergo prolonged treatment, and experience increased hospitalisations. In order to improve diagnostic algorithms and treatment modalities, EPTB must be further characterised.
The Control of a Z-source Single Phase Grid-connected Inverter

A control method of Z-source inverter as a single phase grid-connected power conditioner is presented.After modeling the Z-source network and inverter system,modulators for the two close loops of Z-source inverter as a single phase grid-connected power conditioner are designed in a control system mode.The modulator of the Z-source network is realized by proportion integral differential (PID)element.Finally,the simulation and experimental results verify the validity of the proposed control method.
Control and consequences of Spartina spp. invasions with focus upon San Francisco Bay

Maritime Spartina spp. are powerful ecosystem engineers that accrete sediment, define shorelines, create habitat, and generate prodigious primary productivity both where they are native and where they have been introduced. Invasive Spartina spp. can compete vigorously with native species, diminish biota, change hydrology, and confound human uses of estuaries. Herbicides have been effective in controlling several Spartina spp. invasions. One of the most recent successes is a 15-year campaign that has virtually eliminated S. alterniflora from the large, century-old invasion in Willapa Bay, WA, USA. Hybridization between native and introduced Spartina spp. has created new species and hybrid swarms. In San Francisco Bay, CA, USA (SF Bay) a complicated situation continues to play out from the purposeful introduction of S. alterniflora, which hybridized with native California cordgrass, S. foliosa. The hybrids spread rapidly and led to a long list of environmental problems, which led to an herbicide program that was successful in greatly diminishing the hybrid and saving the open mud habitat of migratory shorebirds. However, it was belatedly realized that the non-migratory, endangered Ridgeway’s rail uses the tall, dense hybrid Spartina as a surrogate for habitat that was lost during the twentieth century to urbanization and agricultural transformation of marshes around SF Bay. This realization has made difficult the simultaneous management of hybrid Spartina, wildlife conservation, and marsh restoration in San Francisco Bay. Restoration of native vegetation could satisfy the multiple goals of preserving open mud and conserving Ridgeway’s rail.
Confronting the Anthropocene: Schelling and Lucretius on Receiving Nature's Gift

ABSTRACTThis essay interprets Schelling's positive philosophy as an effort to conceive nature as a gift. Schelling ruminated throughout his career on the paradoxical relation between humanity and nature that is expressed in the contemporary term “Anthropocene,” but this essay argues that Schelling's most productive response to this paradox can be found in his reflections on how to receive the gift of nature. After laying out the project of positive philosophy, the essay first explores Schelling's effort to conceive nature as a gift in On the World-Soul, and then considers how this project founders in the First Projection of a System of Nature Philosophy. After the resources of the natural sciences showed themselves to be inadequate to the task of conceiving nature as a gift, Schelling returned to mythology in his late philosophy, and the concluding section of this essay traces how an often overlooked Epicurean strain in Schelling's late philosophy can help us see what is entailed in conceiving nature as a...
Commentary on: Laminectomy plus fusion versus laminectomy alone for lumbar spondylolisthesis by Ghogawala Z, Dziura J, Butler WE, Dai F, Terrin N, Magge SN, et al. NEJM 2016;374 (15):1424-34.

Background How does an article involving only 66 patients randomized into two spinal surgical groups get into the New England Journal of Medicine? Nevertheless, this one did. The article by Ghogawala et al. entitled Laminectomy plus fusion versus laminectomy alone for lumbar spondylolisthesis, compared the efficacy/outcomes of pedicle/screw/rod instrumented posterolateral lumbar fusions vs. decompressions alone for treating lumbar stenosis with grade I degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). Methods They designed a randomized controlled study involving only 66 patients between the ages of 50-80 (average age: 67) with lumbar stenosis and stable DS (3-14 mm). Outcomes were measured utilizing the physical measures from the Short Form 36 (SF-36) up to 4 postoperative years, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) upt to 2 postoperative years. Data were available for 86% of patients at 2, but only for 68% of the patients at 4 postoperative years. Results At 2 postoperative years, SF-36 scores were higher for the instrumented patients (28 patients) vs. decompressed (29 patients) patients. However, the scores were comparable for both groups using the ODI at 4 years. SF-36 scores, however, remained higher for the 19 remaining instrumented patients. Additionally, reoperation rates were 14% for fusions and a staggering 34% for decompressions alone. Conclusions The authors concluded; laminectomy with fusion offered a "slightly greater but clinically meaningful improvement in overall physical health-related quality of life vs. laminectomy alone." Rather, it should have read there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups and an insufficient number of patients were included in the study at all stages.
The Symptom Experience in Rectal Cancer Survivors

Abstract Context As the number of rectal cancer survivors grows, it is important to understand the symptom experience after treatment. Although data show that rectal cancer survivors experience a variety of symptoms after diagnosis, little has been done to study the way these symptoms are grouped and associated. Objectives To determine symptom prevalence and intensity in rectal cancer survivors and if clusters of survivors exist, who share similar symptom-defined survivor subgroups that may vary based on antecedent variables. Methods A secondary analysis of the Cancer Care and Outcomes Research and Surveillance database was undertaken. Cluster analysis was performed on 15-month postdiagnosis data to form post-treatment survivor subgroups, and these were examined for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics. Data were analyzed using cluster analysis, chi-square, and analysis of variance. Results A total of 275 rectal cancer survivors were included who had undergone chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Most frequently reported symptoms included feeling "worn out" (87%), feeling "tired" (85%), and "trouble sleeping" (66%). Four symptom-defined survivor subgroups (minimally symptomatic n = 40, tired and trouble sleeping n = 138, moderate symptoms n = 42, and highly symptomatic n = 55) were identified with symptom differences existing among each subgroup. Age and being married/partnered were the only two antecedents found to differ across subgroups. Conclusion This study documents differences in the symptom experience after treatment. The identification of survivor subgroups allows researchers to further investigate tailored, supportive care strategies to minimize ongoing symptoms in those with the greatest symptom burden.
On the fundamental conjecture of HDMR: a Fourier analysis approach

Although the HDMR decomposition has become an important tool for the understanding of high dimensional functions, the fundamental conjecture underlying its practical utility is still open for theoretical analysis. In this paper, we introduce the HDMR decomposition in conjunction with the Fourier-HDMR approximation leading to the following conclusions: (1) we suggest a type of Fourier-HDMR approximation for certain classes of differentiable functions; (2) utilizing the Fourier-HDMR method, we prove the fundamental conjecture about the dominance of low order terms in the HDMR expansion under relevant conditions, and we also obtain error estimates of the truncated HDMR expansion up to order u; (3) we prove the domain decomposition approximation theorem which shows that the global Fourier-HDMR approximation is not always optimal for a given accuracy order; (4) and finally, a piecewise Fourier-HDMR approach is discussed for high dimensional modeling. These results help to further understand how to efficiently represent the high dimensional functions.
Electromagnetic generation of ultrasound in metals

The electromagnetic generation of transverse acoustic waves in metals in the presence of a static magnetic field normal to the surface is discussed with reference to an isotropic effective mass ${m}^{*}$ of the conduction electrons. From a semiclassical argument, it is shown that in addition to the direct Lorentz force and the collision-drag force, each lattice ion experiences a Bragg-reflection force proportional to $\frac{m}{{m}^{*}}\ensuremath{-}1$. In the nonlocal limit, when the ratio $\frac{m}{{m}^{*}}$ is greater than unity, this force causes the generated acoustic amplitude as a function of magnetic field to deviate significantly from the monotonic dependence that is expected from the free-electron theory of metals. However, this force does not provide significant modification to the free-electron theory for predicting the rotation of the plane of polarization, the attenuation coefficient of shear acoustic waves, and the properties of the helicon-phonon interaction.
The Volume of n-balls

In this short paper, we compute the volume of n-dimensional balls in Rn. The computations rely on techniques from multivariable calculus and a few properties of the gamma function. Acknowledgements: I would like to thank my mentor, Professor Mike Munn, for his guidance throughout this project , as well as my family for their lasting support. Page 238 RHIT Undergrad. Math. J., Vol. 15, No. 1
Metal-insulator transition in nanoparticle solar cells

Recently, Metal-Insulator Transitions (MIT) were reported in Nanoparticle (NP) films. We developed a Kinetic Monte Carlo transport model to simulate the MIT. Electrons transfer between neighboring NPs with activated hopping if the NP energies differ by more than an overlap energy, but transfer by a non-activated quantum delocalization, if the NP energies are closer than that. As the NP-NP overlap energy is increased, percolating clusters emerge that support a metallic transport across the entire film. We simulated the evolution of the temperature-dependent electron mobility from the insulating phase to the MIT, and the effective transport gap evolving towards zero.
Photochromic cross-link polymer for color changing and sensing surface

Photochromic cross-link polymers were developed using patented ultraviolet (UV) photoinitiator and commercial photochromic dyes. The photochromic dyes have been characterized by measuring absorbance before and after UV activation using UV-visible (Vis) spectrometry with varying activation intensities and wavelengths. Photochromic cross-link polymers were characterized by a dynamic xenon and UV light activation and fading system. The curing processes on cloth were established and tested to obtain effective photochromic responses. Both PulseForge photonic curing and PulseForge plus heat surface curing processes had much better photochromic responses (18% to 19%, 16% to 25%, respectively) than the xenon lamp treatment (8%). The newly developed photochromic cross-link polymer showed remarkable coloration contrasts and fast and comparable coloration and fading rates. Those intelligent, controlled color changing and sensing capabilities will be used on flexible and “drapeable” surfaces, which will incorporate ultra-low power sensors, sensor indicators, and identifiers.
A fixed-priority access scheme for industrial Wi-Fi networks

The current version of IEEE 802.11, based on EDCA, is unable to support fine-grained assignments of priorities to messages. Instead, such an ability could be advantageous in distributed real-time control systems communicating over the air, as it would enable the exploitation of feasibility analysis to assess whether or not timing constraints are met. In this paper, a proposal is made for implementing a simple fixed-priority access scheme on conventional, commercial Wi-Fi devices. Basically, this is obtained by disabling the random backoff mechanism and suitably managing interframe gaps only. In particular, each real-time message is assigned a unique gap duration, so as to help in preventing collisions. An experimental campaign has been carried out on real devices aimed at assessing the performance this approach can achieve.
Role of Toll-like receptor 4 in drug-drug interaction between paclitaxel and irinotecan in vitro

The bacterial receptor, Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 mediates inflammatory responses and has been linked to a broad array of diseases. TLR4 agonists are being explored as potential treatments for cancer and other diseases. We have previously shown that activation of TLR4 by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) leads to down-regulation of drug metabolizing enzymes/transporters (DMETs), and altered pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of drugs. These changes can increase the risk of drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in patients on multiple medications. Clinically, DDI was observed for combination chemotherapy of paclitaxel (TLR4 ligand) and irinotecan. To determine the role of TLR4 in DDI between paclitaxel and irinotecan in vitro, primary hepatocytes from TLR4-wild-type (WT) and mutant mice were pre-treated with paclitaxel, followed by irinotecan. Gene expression of DMETs was determined. Paclitaxel treatment increased the levels of irinotecan metabolites, SN-38 and SN-38 glucuronide (SN-38G) in TLR4-dependent manner. Paclitaxel-mediated induction of genes involved in irinotecan metabolism such as Cyp3a11 and Ugt1a1 was TLR4-dependent, while induction of the transporter Mrp2 was TLR4-independent. These novel findings demonstrate that paclitaxel can affect irinotecan metabolism by a TLR4-dependent mechanism. This provides a new perspective towards evaluation of marketed drugs according to their potential to exert DDIs in TLR4-dependent manner.
Three-dimensional integration of nanotechnologies for computing and data storage on a single chip

The computing demands of future data-intensive applications will greatly exceed the capabilities of current electronics, and are unlikely to be met by isolated improvements in transistors, data storage technologies or integrated circuit architectures alone. Instead, transformative nanosystems, which use new nanotechnologies to simultaneously realize improved devices and new integrated circuit architectures, are required. Here we present a prototype of such a transformative nanosystem. It consists of more than one million resistive random-access memory cells and more than two million carbon-nanotube field-effect transistors-promising new nanotechnologies for use in energy-efficient digital logic circuits and for dense data storage-fabricated on vertically stacked layers in a single chip. Unlike conventional integrated circuit architectures, the layered fabrication realizes a three-dimensional integrated circuit architecture with fine-grained and dense vertical connectivity between layers of computing, data storage, and input and output (in this instance, sensing). As a result, our nanosystem can capture massive amounts of data every second, store it directly on-chip, perform in situ processing of the captured data, and produce 'highly processed' information. As a working prototype, our nanosystem senses and classifies ambient gases. Furthermore, because the layers are fabricated on top of silicon logic circuitry, our nanosystem is compatible with existing infrastructure for silicon-based technologies. Such complex nano-electronic systems will be essential for future high-performance and highly energy-efficient electronic systems.
Second Amendment Realism

Glenn Reynolds has written that the “Second Amendment is now ordinary constitutional law.” I agree with that statement, and in this Symposium piece, I argue that the development of Second Amendment jurisprudence and Second Amendment scholarship will now suffer all of the defects that come along with the practice of ordinary constitutional law — including significant and irreducible doctrinal indeterminacy, results-driven reasoning by judges and academics, judicial self-aggrandizement, centralization of decision-making in Washington, DC, and increasing left-right socio-political polarization. All of these factors tend toward a decrease in the legitimacy and prestige of the Supreme Court and a decrease in the legitimacy and prestige of constitutional law as an academic endeavor.
1331 Finding at-risk, low wage workers in community health centres in the us

Introduction The ‘working poor’ bear an inequitable burden of work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. They often obtain healthcare in community health centres (CHCs) and do not report work-relatedness. The aim was to determine whether the CHCs are a high yield venue for reaching low wage workers and to examine low-wage workers’ experience with Workers’ Compensation (WC). Methods A mixed methods survey was conducted in rural and urban CHCs. Results 50 interviews among largely Latino and African-American workers from 11 different sectors and 41 different job titles, most of them associated with low wages, showed: 55% had experience with a work-related; all knew the employer was responsible for health care. Most respondents did not access their full rights. The major reporting barriers were fear of job loss, fear of deportation, and personal stoicism. Knowing one’s rights and finding an advocate were noted facilitators of reporting. Discussion Lack of reporting circumvents the use of WC, depriving these patients of optimal healthcare and limiting access to medication, rehabilitation, disability compensation and wage replacement. Furthermore, it shifts the burden of fee reimbursement to CHCs, federal programs, and the worker-patients. Fear of job loss and deportation of adds to the list of rights infringement and root causes of health inequities. Increasing knowledge of labour laws and health and safety protections should improve health outcomes. Low-wage, at-risk, and formerly injured workers were easy to find in a CHC, suggesting that this as a venue for training of workers and of primary care providers. Policy initiatives to protect these workers are critical.
Toward a Product Theory for Orthocompactness

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the behavior of orthocompactness in finite Cartesian products—products with a metric factor and products of ordinals. The results show that the product theory for orthocompactness exhibits striking parallels with that of normality, with metacompactness playing the role of paracompactness. The chapter presents the target theorem to discuss the product theory for orthocompactness. It discusses the preservation of orthocompactness in products with arbitrary metric spaces. One justification for studying the normality of products of ordinals is the well-known fact that every linearly ordered topological space (LOTS) is hereditarily collection-wise normal. Every LOTS is also hereditarily orthocompact and in fact a finite product of ordinals is orthocompact if it is normal.